The Washington times., 1913-11-04
ROBERT H|LL|ARD
GOOD AS DETECTIVE
"The Argyle Case," at National,
Wins Praise as Gripping
Mystery Story.

Not since the early days OF Sherlock
Holmes, Raffles, etc, has there ap-
peared in the theatrical world a more
engrossing crime-detective story than
THE Argyle Cace,' with Robert Hill
lard in the principal role, which is the
attraction at the National this week.
And in "The Argyle Case" there is a
bit of realism seen In neither of the
masterpieces of detective stagedom,
and but rarely, If ever, attempted in
any other plays of that type.
Tine Argyle Case" with Robert Hill
as detective story; the whole affair
centers about a mysterious murder
which Asche 'Kayton, "Never-Slsep
Kayton," a true-to-life detective. at
tempts and eventually to the satisfac-
ton of every one concerned, solves. As
a stage detective, Mr.. Hilliard as Kay
ton is, ideal. This means that he goes
about his work much like the detective
in real life that accomplishes things
does.
There have been but few plays seen in
Washington recently that grip an audi
ence like that of the National did last
night For three hours, good-sized
audience watched the shrewd detective,
his associates and company of coun-
terfeiters which he was trying 10
twart, spar with each other. There was
not a minute during the entire three
hours that interest laxed.
True To Real Life.
Being more or less true to life, and
with no desire to use disguises and bits
of stagecraft which would make a de-
tectiye In real life worth his only ex-
pense account. Mr.. Hilliard presents a
crime detector of the most interesting
kind He Is supported by an unusually
good company. In fact, 1t Is hard 10
see how any Of the parts could be I'M
proved on. 1t is easy to see why New
York placed Its o. K stamp on 1t, and
aocked to see 1t for months.
The Argyle Case is story OF the
work Of a detective who, in trying TO
run down the murderers OF an aged
millionaire named Argyle, unearths a
oounterfeiting scheme of great proper
pected of crime. but not only Is cleared,
but who assists In discovering the real
culprit.
The curtain rises on a darkened room,
about which two servants are staEger-
ing. Enter Asche Kayton and his man
''Friday''-Joseph Tuohy. The room is
disordered. The detective is given ad-
ditional details of the murder, and then
the chase is on. The finger print sys-
TEN and the dictograph, both OF which
are used extensively during this en-
lightened age of crime detection, are
about the only things brought into
play by Kayton. except, of course,
logical mind, and a number of asso-
riates who do his every bidding.
Miss Oliver Is Good.
As the wife of the counterfeiter, Miss
Olive Oliver is given a great opportuni-
ty, and she meets il more than half
way. Gustav Won Seyffertitz, while on
the stage, but part of one act, shows
himself TO be an exceptionally good
actor, playing the role Of the foreign
counterfeiter. who, trapped, ends his
life Edwin Holland, as the Argyle
lawyer. fills his role well, as do Miss
Stella Archer. the adopted daughter of
Argyle, and Miss Agnes Everett, her
companion. The other parts are in
capable hands.
There is a bit of local color to the
Argyle case, as the United States
Secret Service and its operators are
drawn into il. The play was written
by Harriet Ford and Harvey ]. O'Hig-
gins, with the cooperation OF William
j. Burns, the detective.