(Madge is looking after him. Quick sound of door closing outside L. As Larabee and Madge moved L., Prince dropped down to work—real work now—at desk R. Short pause. Madge stands watching Prince a moment up L. She moves over to near piano R.C., and picks up a book carelessly, which she glances at with perfect nonchalance. After a time she speaks without taking eyes from book.)
I've heard of this Professor Moriarty. (Above piano, leaning on it.)
Prince. If you 'aven't you must've been out in the woods.
Madge. You say he's king of them all.
Prince (working). Bloomin' Hemperor—that's wot I call 'im.
Madge. He must be a good many different things.
Prince. You might see it that way if you looked around an', didn't breathe too 'ard!
Madge. What does he do?
Prince. I'll tell you one thing he does! (Turns to her and rests a moment from work.) He sits at 'ome—quiet and easy—an' runs nearly every big operation that's on. Al the clever boys are under him one way or another—an' he 'olds them in 'is 'and without moving a muscle! An' if there's a slip and the police get wind of it, there ain't never any 'old on 'im. They can't touch him. And wot's more, they wouldn't want to do it if they could.
Madge. Why not?
Prince. Because they've tried it—that's w'y—an' the men as did try it was found shortly after a-floatin' in the river—that is, if they was found at all! The moment a man's marked there ain't a street that's safe for 'im! No—nor yet an alley. (Resumes drilling.)
Madge (after pause). What's the idea of telling him about this? He might not want
Prince (turning to her). I tell yer, 'e'll come into anything that gives 'im a chance at 'Olmes—he wants ter trap 'im—that's wot is an' just what he'll do. (Resumes work.)
(Prince works rapidly, drill going in suddenly as if he had one hole sunk. He tries a few tools in it and quickly starts another hole with drills. Madge starts forward at bus. of drill.)
Madge (recovering to careless). Have you got it, Sid?
Prince. Not yet—but I'll be there soon. (Works.) I know where I am now.
(Sound of door closing outside L. Enter Larrabee L., hurriedly. He is breathless from running.)
Larrabee. Well, Sid. How goes it? (At C.)
Prince (working). So-so.
Larrabee. Now about this Professor Moriarty? (Gets chair from near piano, and sits behind Prince.)
Prince (working). Ask 'er.
