The Virtuous Woman by Gilbert Morris Read Free Book Online

modern garbage, I can assure you. Oh no, my dear man, it will be Shakespeare.”
    “And which play is your favorite?”
    “I think my best work,” she said after a long pause, “would be Ophelia. I did it a few years ago. I still have the clippings if you’d like to see them.”
    “I’d like to very much.”
    Key sat still while Blanche retrieved a scrapbook from a stack of leather-bound books on her table. He studied the reviews and noted that the dates went back twenty years.
    Part of his success in finding out things from people was his monumental patience. He could listen to people by the hour as they spoke pontifically or described their boring hobbies, all the while giving the impression that he was fascinated. As a matter of fact, he was fascinated by Blanche Fountain. She had been in the theater practically since Lincoln was shot, and he would not have been surprised to hear her mention the name John Wilkes Booth as one of her leading men. Her stories jumped back and forth over the years, mixingup modern events with those plays and actors and actresses who had long ago turned to dust.
    When his tea had been gone for some time, Key said, “I’m afraid I may be wasting your time, Mrs. Fountain.”
    “Why would you say that? What is your name again?”
    “Francis Key.”
    “Named after Francis Scott Key, I suppose.”
    This was not true, but Francis had learned long ago to simply agree, so he nodded noncommittally. He had actually been named after an uncle on his mother’s side and was no relation at all to the composer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
    “I actually am trying to trace a man, and I have no idea where to start. That’s why Mr. Crane suggested you might be able to help me.”
    “Well, what’s the man’s name? I know a great many people in the theater.”
    “That’s the problem,” Key said, allowing distress to show on his face. He made a rather good actor himself, able to convincingly reflect different emotions when necessary. “Actually, all I have is a nickname.”
    “That’s very strange. What’s the nickname?”
    “Well, even that is not clear. It’s something like Serge.”
    “Serge?”
    “Yes. Well, not that, but something like that. Maybe Sergion.”
    “Oh, you must mean Sergius.”
    “Is that a character in a play?”
    Blanche threw up her hands. “What do they teach you children in school these days! Of course Sergius is a character. He’s one of the major characters of Shaw’s Arms and the Man. ”
    “Sergius. Well, that might be a help. Is he the only character named Sergius you know?”
    “He’s the only Sergius in a play,” the actress said firmly. “You should know that.”
    “I certainly should. That helps me a great deal. Now I’llhave to find out if that particular play was being staged in New York three years ago.”
    “Why, it’s no problem to find that out.”
    Relief washed through him. “It would be a great help to me, Mrs. Fountain. I’d be most grateful.”
    Blanche began to search through her books, files, magazines, and boxes and finally came back triumphantly. “Here it is. I have the very cast of characters. It took place at the Majestic Theater.”
    “May I see it?”
    “Of course.”
    He took the program and marveled at the woman’s pack rat instincts. “You keep all the programs?”
    “Certainly. I need them to keep up on my history of the theater. Besides, many people call or come to see me looking for information. What is the man’s name? I’ve left my glasses in my bedroom.”
    “Well, the play starred Harry Sinclare and Diane Mobley.”
    “Oh yes, I saw it. He did very well, but Diane made a miserable job out of her role. I could have done so much better myself!”
    “It says here the actor who played Sergius was named Charles Bannister.”
    “Oh, him! ”
    Key looked up quickly. “You didn’t care for Charles Bannister?”
    “He’s a pitiful excuse for an actor! He moved across the stage like a zombie. And his