ACT II
Dark Change from First Set.
Scene II.—In Sherlock Holmes' rooms in Baker Street—the large drawing-room of his apartments. An open, cheerful room, but not too much decorated. Rather plain. The walls are a plain tint, the ceiling ditto. The furniture is comfortable and good, but not elegant. Books, music, violins, tobacco pouches, pipes, tobacco, etc., are scattered in places about the room with some disorder. Various odd things are hung about. Some very choice pictures and etchings hang on the walls here and there, but the pictures do not have heavy gilt frames. All rather simple. The room gives more an impression of an artist's studio. A wide door up right side to hall (and thus by stairway to street door.) Door up L. communicating with bedroom or dining-room. A fire-place down or half-down L. side with cheerful grate fire burning, throwing a red glow into room. Through a large arch, up L.C., can be seen a laboratory and a table with chemicals and various knick-knacks. Furniture according to the scene plot. The lighting should be arranged so that after the dark change the first thing that becomes visible—even before the rest of the room—is the glow of the fire, the blue flame of the spirit lamp—and Sherlock Holmes scaled among cushions on the floor before the fire. Light gradually on, but still leaving the effect of only firelight.
(Music stops, Just as lights up.)
(Sherlock Holmes is discovered on the floor before the fire. He is in a dressing-gown and slippers and has his pipe. Holmes leans against the chesterfield. A violin is upon the chesterfield, and the bow near it, as if recently laid down. Other things scattered about him. He sits smoking awhile in deep thought. Enter Billy, the boy page, or buttons, at door up R. He comes down to back of table.)
Billy. Mrs. 'Udson's compliments, sir, an' she wants to know if she can see you?
Holmes (without moving, looking into fire thoughtfully). Where is Mrs. Hudson?
Billy. Downstairs in the back kitchen, sir.
Holmes. My compliments and I don't think she can—from where she is.
Billy. She'll be very sorry, sir.
Holmes. Our regret will be mutual.
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