"THE ARGYLE CASE"

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2239, 27 August 1914, Page 8

"THE ARGYLE CASE"

A STRONG DETECTIVE PLAY

j "The Argyle Case," a detective play in four acts, by Harriet Ford and Harvey O'Higgius. Cast — Ascho Kayton Charles A. Millward "Joe" Manning : William Harrigan .Tames T. Hurley ; Arthur Styam Dr. Frederick lCroisler George Bryant Bruce Argyle .......: : Nicholas Joy Simeon Gage Kobart Whytc, jun. Augustus Leishinann Harry B. Burcher William Skidd Carleton Stuart Daniel Colt : Charles Brown lincy (a butler) ..J. ft. Kunn. Andy (a servant) D. Bellbridge Mrs. Martin Gertrude Bosweli Mary Masuret .Sylvia Bremer v™ lt •;••'•" 1!cno TaneweU r.^ cy D TIIOTII i OU , Ncllio Bramley Hia Beauregard ....Maggie Moore Klt 'y Stella Payter

An'infinitely'.-stronger and sounder P, iav ' .v 1 " 1 . certainly one which displays the Williamson Company to better advantage, is "The Argyle Case," compp/--edwith its predecessor. It has a finelyknit plot, unusually feasible, revolving round tho murder of John Argyle, miE lionah-s, and thanks to its skilful writing ana ingenious construction, the mystery that surrounds tho.fatality is care fully and cleverly'concealed until tho end, a potent factor, of course, in the maintenance of tho unravelling process. "The- Argylo Case" is a variation on quite original lines, of tho class of play represented by "Sherlock Holmes" and "Uaffles," but has the advantage of probability and strains less for purely melodramatic effect. Moreover, it is sonndly played in. every department,' though the range of characters with which it is : sfrudded is widely diverse and exacting—altogether a performance not to be missed by lovers of a remarkably interesting play, admirably performed.

■ John Argylo has been found dead in his room's at midnight, with never a clue i-y: the 'perpetrator .of the deed, though it-,is obvious'that the murdered man had died struggling.* Neither' Mary Masuret, the dead man's ward (to whom the whole of the millionaire's money has •been'left), nor his son, Bruce, can hrow nny.'.light on the murder, though' those two were the last in the housp to see the murdered man. Asche Kayton, a I famous detective, is/ called in to unravel the mystery, and in the course; of his invqsfagations ascertains) that' John Argyle : has formerly had; a. mistress in Nellie Marsh, who had disappeared from the scene years before.. ■ A former will had provided a legacy for her, and when the detective finds finger-prints on the table beside the spot where. Argylo's body was found, finger-prints that do not. correspond with any of the women in the house, he lays a trap for Nellie Marsh.. K'aytoiladvertises that a legacy for'her is provided in the will. Meanwhile 'he discovers, a counterfeit 100dollar bill in cne of Argyle's drawers, tad when, the'news comes from Kayton's .agents'in.San.-Francisco that- Nellie' Marsh, had served a term, of imprison-, ro.ant. out West through'being concerned with'a gang of counterfeiters, the clue frows hot. Nellie Marsh,turns up as a Mrs lartintb claim the legacy,andKayton,. learnjng that she lets, furnished' apartments,' .contrives'ithat she shall toke Mary. Ma'siiret, 6n whom newspaper suspicion has fallen," into, hiding to in-, crease that v suspicion, telling Mis. Martin? that !his\suspicions,lie'in the direction "of ■',' a -discharged 'servant of Argyle's. ' Mary is. told of Mrs. Martin's identity; and goes with her,-really to form an'excuse for Kayton visiting the premises. He stations' his -men with dictographs in the adjoining house, and his suspicions being confirmed he raids'the place, finds that James Hurley. (Argyle's lawyer) is one of the gang, and finally sheets the' murder home to him. Kreisler, the chief counterfeiter, shoots himself, and Mrs. Martin, who proves to be Mary's mother, and Kayton wins the heart and hand of the sirl whoso innocence ho has so effectually proved. . . Among tno most able characterisations is the Kayton-of Mr. Chaflos Millward, who represents, the detective' as an amiable, imperturbable ' fellow irith fine reasoning powers. It was throughout a smooth, finished, and entirely effective performance. Miss Gertrude Boswoll, as Mrs. Martin (Nellie Marsh), fine gifts as a dramatic actress. Her quiet, subtle methods and-clear low-pitched ■ voice were exactly- suited to the part. Mr. Wm. Harrigan was thoroughly satisfactory as Joe Manning; and Miss Maggie Moqro as a coloured cook showed undiminished comedy powers. Mr. Arthur Styan. appeared as JJurley, and Mr. Geo. Bryant gave a somewhat uneven and not i altogether effective performance as Dr. Kreisler.' Miss Sylvia Bremer was capitally suited as Mary, and Misses Bene, Tnnwcll, Stella Payter. and Nellie Bramley were accommodated with parts well within their capacity. "The . Argylo .Case" will bo played again-this evening.