The Mousetrap and Other Plays by Agatha Christie

into the sea and swam after Peter. He’d gone before I could get to him.
    LOMBARD . And everything went off well at the inquest. They called you a plucky girl, and you kept discreetly quiet about Hugh’s part in the business.
    VERA . Do you think anyone would have believed me? Besides, I couldn’t! I really was in love with him.
    LOMBARD . Well, it’s a pretty story. And then I suppose Hugh let you down?
    VERA . Do you think I ever wanted to see him again?
    LOMBARD . You certainly are an accomplished liar, Vera.
    VERA . Can’t you believe the truth when you hear it?
    LOMBARD . Who set the trap that killed Blore? I didn’t—and Armstrong’s dead. I’ve broken most of the Commandments in my time—and I’m no saint. But there’s one thing I won’t stand for and that’s murder.
    VERA . You won’t stand for murder. What about those natives you left to die in Africa?
    LOMBARD . That’s what’s so damn funny—I didn’t.
    VERA . What do you mean?
    LOMBARD . For once—just once, mark you—I played the hero. Risked my life to save the lives of my men. Left them my rifle and ammunition and all the food there was—and took a chance through the bush. By the most incredible luck it came off—but it wasn’t in time to save them. And the rumour got around that I’d deliberately abandoned my men. There’s life for you!
    VERA . Do you expect me to believe that? Why, you actually admitted the whole thing.
    LOMBARD . I know. I got such a kick out of watching their faces.
    VERA . You can’t fool me with a stupid lie like that.
    LOMBARD . ( Completely losing his temper ) Blast you!
    VERA . ( To Right window ) Why didn’t I see it before? It’s there in your face—the face of a killer—
    LOMBARD . You can’t fool me any longer.
    VERA . Oh—( VERA sways forward as if fainting. LOMBARD runs to catch her. She wrests the revolver from him. ) Now!
    LOMBARD . ( Backing away down Left ) You cunning little devil!
    VERA . If you come on one step nearer, I’ll shoot.
    LOMBARD . You—young, lovely, and quite, quite mad.
    ( LOMBARD makes a movement to VERA . She shoots. He falls down Left. She goes over to him, her eyes full of horror, as she realizes what she has done. The revolver falls from her hand. Suddenly she hears a low laugh coming from the study door. She turns her head slowly in that direction. The laughter grows louder, the Right door slowly opens and WARGRAVE enters. He carries a rope in his hand. )
    WARGRAVE . It’s all come true. My Ten Little Indian plan—My rhyme—my rhyme—
    VERA . Ah! ( Stifted scream. )
    WARGRAVE . ( Angrily ) Silence in Court! ( Looks around suspiciously ) If there is any more noise, I shall have the Court cleared. ( Down Right Centre ) It’s all right, my dear. It’s all right. Don’t be frightened. This is a Court of Justice. You’ll get justice here. ( Crosses Left; locks doors Left 2 and Left 1. VERA to Right. Confidentially ) You thought I was a ghost. You thought I was dead. ( Above Right sofa ) Armstrong said I was dead. That was the clever part of my plan. Said we’d trap the murderer. We’d fix up my supposed death so I should be free to spy upon the guilty one. He thought it an excellent plan—came out that night to meet me by the cliff without suspicion. I sent him over with a push—so easily. He swallowed my red herring all right. ( VERA is petrified with horror. In a confidential manner ) You know, Vera Claythorne, all my life I’ve wanted to take life—yes, to take life. I’ve had to get what enjoyment I could out of sentencing the guilty to death. ( VERA moves to revolver ) I always enjoyed that—but it wasn’t enough. I wanted more—I wanted to do it myself with my own hands—( WARGRAVE follows VERA to Left. VERA leans against Left 1 door. Suddenly curbs excitement and speaks with severe dignity