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Theft

<h2> ACT III </h2> Scene. The library, used as a sort of semi-office by Starkweather at such times when he is in Washington. Door to right; also, door to right rear. At left rear is an alcove, without hangings, which is dark. To left are windows. To left, near windows, a fiat-top desk, with desk-chair and desk-telephone. Also, on desk, conspicuously, is a heavy dispatch box. At the center rear is a large screen. Extending across center back of room are heavy, old-fashioned bookcases, with swinging glass doors. The bookcases narrow about four feet from the floor, thus forming a ledge. Between left end of bookcases and alcove at left rear, high up on wall, hangs a large painting or steel engraving of Abraham Lincoln. In design and furnishings, it is a simple chaste room, coldly rigid and slightly old-fashioned. It is 9:30 in the morning of the day succeeding previous act. Curtain discloses Starkweather seated at desk, and Dobleman, to right of desk, standing. Starkweather All right, though it is an unimportant publication. I'll subscribe. Dobleman (Making note on pad.) Very well, sir. Two thousand. (He consults his notes.) Then there is Vanderwater's Magazine. Your subscription is due. Starkweather How much? Dobleman You have been paying fifteen thousand. Starkweather It is too much. What is the regular subscription? Dobleman A dollar a year. Starkweather (Shaking his head emphatically.) It is too much. Dobleman Professor Vanderwater also does good work with his lecturing. He is regularly on the Chautauqua Courses, and at that big meeting of the National Civic Federation, his speech was exceptionally telling. Starkweather (Doubtfully, about to give in.) All right— (He pauses, as if recollecting something.) (Dobleman has begun to write down the note.) No. I remember there was something in the papers about this Professor Vanderwater—a divorce, wasn't it? He has impaired his authority and his usefulness to me. Dobleman It was his wife's fault. Starkweather It is immaterial. His usefulness is impaired. Cut him down to ten thousand. It will teach him a lesson. Dobleman Very good, sir. Starkweather And the customary twenty thousand to Cartwrights. Dobleman (Hesitatingly.) They have asked for more. They have enlarged the magazine, reorganized the stock, staff, everything. Starkweather Hubbard's writing for it, isn't he? Dobleman Yes, sir. And though I don't know, it is whispered that he is one of the heavy stockholders. Starkweather A very capable man. He has served me well. How much do they want? Dobleman They say that Nettman series of articles cost them twelve thousand alone, and that they believe, in view of the exceptional service they are prepared to render, and are rendering, fifty thousand— Starkweather (Shortly.) All right. How much have I given to University of Hanover this year? Dobleman Seven—nine millions, including that new library. Starkweather (Sighing.) Education does cost. Anything more this morning? Dobleman (Consulting notes.) Just one other—Mr. Rutland. His church, you know, sir, and that theological college. He told me he had been talking it over with you. He is anxious to know. Starkweather He's very keen, I must say. Fifty thousand for the church, and a hundred thousand for the college—I ask you, candidly, is he worth it? Dobleman The church is a very powerful molder of public opinion, and Mr. Rutland is very impressive. (Running over the notes and producing a clipping.) This is what he said in his sermon two weeks ago: "God has given to Mr. Starkweather the talent for making money as truly as God has given to other men the genius which manifests itself in literature and the arts and sciences." Starkweather (Pleased.) He says it well. Dobleman (Producing another clipping.) And this he said about you in last Sunday's sermon: "We are to-day rejoicing in the great light of the consecration of a great wealth to the advancement of the race. This vast wealth has been so consecrated by a man who all through life has walked in accord with the word, The love of Christ constraineth me.'" Starkweather (Meditatively.) Dobleman, I have meant well. I mean well. I shall always mean well. I believe I am one of those few men, to whom God, in his infinite wisdom, has given the stewardship of the people's wealth. It is a high trust, and despite the abuse and vilification heaped upon me, I shall remain faithful to it. (Changing his tone abruptly to businesslike briskness.) Very well. See that Mr. Rutland gets what he has asked for. Dobleman Very good, sir. I shall telephone him. I know he is anxious to hear. (Starting to leave the room.) Shall I make the checks out in the usual way? Starkweather Yes: except the Rutland one. I'll sign that myself. Let the others go through the regular channels. We take the 2:10 train for New York. Are you ready? Dobleman (Indicating dispatch box.) All, except the dispatch box. Starkweather I'll take care of that myself. (Dobleman starts to make exit to left, and Starkweather, taking notebook from pocket, glances into it, and looks up.) Dobleman. Dobleman (Pausing.) Yes, sir. Starkweather Mrs. Chalmers is here, isn't she? Dobleman Yes, sir. She came a few minutes ago, with her little boy. They are with Mrs. Starkweather. Starkweather Please tell Mrs. Chalmers I wish to see her. Dobleman Yes, sir. (Dobleman makes exit.) (Maidservant enters from right rear, with card tray.) Starkweather (Examining card.) Show him in. (Maidservant makes exit right rear). (Pause, during which Starkweather consults notebook.) (Maidservant re-enters, showing in Hubbard.) (Hubbard advances to desk.) (Starkweather is so glad to see him that he half rises from his chair to shake hands.) Starkweather (Heartily.) I can only tell you that what you did was wonderful. Your telephone last night was a great relief. Where are they? Hubbard (Drawing package of documents from inside breast pocket and handing them over.) There they are—the complete set. I was fortunate. Starkweather (Opening package and glancing at a number of the documents while he talks.) You are modest, Mr. Hubbard.—It required more—than fortune.—It required ability—of no mean order.—The time was short.—You had to think—and act—with too great immediacy to be merely fortunate. (Hubbard bows, while Starkweather rearranges package.) There is no need for me to tell you how I appreciate your service. I have increased my subscription to Cartwright's to fifty thousand, and I shall speak to Dobleman, who will remit to you a more substantial acknowledgment than my mere thanks for the inestimable service you have rendered. (Hubbard bows.) You—ah—you have read the documents? Hubbard I glanced through them. They were indeed serious. But we have spiked Knox's guns. Without them, that speech of his this afternoon becomes a farce—a howling farce. Be sure you take good care of them. (Indicating documents, which Starkweather still holds.) Gherst has a long arm. Starkweather He cannot reach me here. Besides, I go to New York to-day, and I shall carry them with me. Mr. Hubbard, you will forgive me— (Starting to pack dispatch box with papers and letters lying on desk.) I am very busy. Hubbard (Taking the hint.) Yes, I understand. I shall be going now. I have to be at the Club in five minutes. Starkweather (In course of packing dispatch box, he sets certain packets of papers and several medium-sized account books to one side in an orderly pile. He talks while he packs, and Hubbard waits.) I should like to talk with you some more—in New York. Next time you are in town be sure to see me. I am thinking of buying the Parthenon Magazine, and of changing its policy. I should like to have you negotiate this, and there are other important things as well. Good day, Mr. Hubbard. I shall see you in New York—soon. (Hubbard and Starkweather shake hands.) (Hubbard starts to make exit to right rear.) (Margaret enters from right rear.) (Starkweather goes on packing dispatch box through following scene.) Hubbard Mrs. Chalmers. (Holding out hand, which Margaret takes very coldly, scarcely inclining her head, and starting to pass on.) (Speaking suddenly and savagely.) You needn't be so high and lofty, Mrs. Chalmers. Margaret (Pausing and looking at him curiously as if to ascertain whether he has been drinking.) I do not understand. Hubbard You always treated me this way, but the time for it is past. I won't stand for your superior goodness any more. You really impressed me with it for a long time, and you made me walk small. But I know better now. A pretty game you've been playing—you, who are like any other woman. Well, you know where you were last night. So do I. Margaret You are impudent. Hubbard (Doggedly.) I said I knew where you were last night. Mr. Knox also knows where you were. But I'll wager your husband doesn't. Margaret You spy! (Indicating her father.) I suppose you have told—him. Hubbard Why should I? Margaret You are his creature. Hubbard If it will ease your suspense, let me tell you that I have not told him. But I do protest to you that you must treat me with more—more kindness. (Margaret makes no sign but passes on utterly oblivious of him.) (Hubbard stares angrily at her and makes exit) (Starkweather, who is finishing packing, puts the documents last inside box, and closes and locks it. To one side is the orderly stack of the several account books and packets of papers.) Starkweather Good morning, Margaret. I sent for you because we did not finish that talk last night. Sit down. (She gets a chair for herself and sits down.) You always were hard to manage, Margaret. You have had too much will for a woman. Yet I did my best for you. Your marriage with Tom was especially auspicious—a rising man, of good family and a gentleman, eminently suitable— Margaret (Interrupting bitterly.) I don't think you were considering your daughter at all in the matter. I know your views on woman and woman's place. I have never counted for anything with you. Neither has mother, nor Connie, when business was uppermost, and business always is uppermost with you. I sometimes wonder if you think a woman has a soul. As for my marriage—you saw that Tom could be useful to you. He had the various distinctive points you have mentioned. Better than that he was pliable, capable of being molded to perform your work, to manipulate machine politics and procure for you the legislation you desired. You did not consider what kind of a husband he would make for your daughter whom you did not know. But you gave your daughter to him—sold her to him—because you needed him— (Laughs hysterically.) In your business. Starkweather (Angrily.) Margaret! You must not speak that way. (Relaxing.) Ah, you do not change. You were always that way, always bent on having your will— Margaret Would to God I had been more successful in having it. Starkweather (Testily.) This is all beside the question. I sent for you to tell you that this must stop—this association with a man of the type and character of Knox—a dreamer, a charlatan, a scoundrel— Margaret It is not necessary to abuse him. Starkweather It must stop—that is all. Do you understand? It must stop. Margaret (Quietly.) It has stopped. I doubt that I shall ever see him again. He will never come to my house again, at any rate. Are you satisfied? Starkweather Perfectly. Of course, you know I have never doubted you—that—that way. Margaret (Quietly.) How little you know women. In your comprehension we are automatons, puppets, with no hearts nor heats of desire of our own, with no springs of conduct save those of the immaculate and puritanical sort that New England crystallized a century or so ago. Starkweather (Suspiciously.) You mean that you and this man—? Margaret I mean nothing has passed between us. I mean that I am Tom's wife and Tommy's mother. What I did mean, you have no more understood than you understand me—or any woman. Starkweather (Relieved.) It is well. Margaret (Continuing.) And it is so easy. The concept is simple. A woman is human. That is all. Yet I do believe it is news to you. (Enters Dobleman from right carrying a check in his hand. Starkweather, about to speak, pauses.) (Dobleman hesitates, and Starkweather nods for him to advance.) Dobleman (Greeting Margaret, and addressing Starkweather.) This check. You said you would sign it yourself. Starkweather Yes, that is Rutland's. (Looks for pen.) (Dobleman offers his fountain pen.) No; my own pen. (Unlocks dispatch box, gets pen, and signs check. Leaves dispatch box open.) (Dobleman takes check and makes exit to right.) Starkweather (Picking up documents from top of pile in open box.) This man Knox. I studied him yesterday. A man of great energy and ideals. Unfortunately, he is a sentimentalist. He means right—I grant him that. But he does not understand practical conditions. He is more dangerous to the welfare of the United States than ten thousand anarchists. And he is not practical. (Holding up documents.) Behold, stolen from my private files by a yellow journal sneak thief and turned over to him. He thought to buttress his speech with them this afternoon. And yet, so hopelessly unpractical is he, that you see they are already back in the rightful owner's hands. Margaret Then his speech is ruined? Starkweather Absolutely. The wheels are all ready to turn. The good people of the United States will dismiss him with roars of laughter—a good phrase, that: Hubbard's, I believe. (Dropping documents on the open cover of dispatch box, picking up the pile of several account books and packets of papers, and rising.) One moment. I must put these away. (Starkweather goes to alcove at left rear. He presses a button and alcove is lighted by electricity, discovering the face of a large safe. During the following scene he does not look around, being occupied with working the combination, opening the safe, putting away account books and packets of papers, and with examining other packets which are in safe.) (Margaret looks at documents lying on open cover of dispatch box and glancing quickly about room, takes a sudden resolution. She seizes documents, makes as if to run wildly from the room, stops abruptly to reconsider, and changes her mind. She looks about room for a hiding place, and her eyes rest on portrait of Lincoln. Moving swiftly, picking up a light chair on the way, she goes to corner of bookcase nearest to portrait, steps on chair, and from chair to ledge of bookcase where, clinging, she reaches out and up and drops documents behind portrait. Stepping quickly down, with handkerchief she wipes ledge on which she has stood, also the seat of the chair. She carries chair back to where she found it, and reseats herself in chair by desk.) (Starkweather locks safe, emerges from alcove, turns off alcove lights, advances to desk chair, and sits down. He is about to close and lock dispatch box when he discovers documents are missing. He is very quiet about it, and examines contents of box care-fully.) Starkweather (Quietly.) Has anybody been in the room? Margaret No. Starkweather (Looking at her searchingly.) A most unprecedented thing has occurred. When I went to the safe a moment ago, I left these documents on the cover of the dispatch box. Nobody has been in the room but you. The documents are gone. Give them to me. Margaret I have not been out of the room. Starkweather I know that. Give them to me. (A pause.) You have them. Give them to me Margaret I haven't them. Starkweather That is a lie. Give them to me. Margaret (Rising.) I tell you I haven't them— Starkweather (Also rising.) That is a lie. Margaret (Turning and starting to cross room.) Very well, if you do not believe me— Starkweather (Interrupting.) Where are you going? Margaret Home. Starkweather (Imperatively.) No, you are not. Come back here. (Margaret comes back and stands by chair.) You shall not leave this room. Sit down. Margaret I prefer to stand. Starkweather Sit down. (She still stands, and he grips her by arm, forcing her down into chair.) Sit down. Before you leave this room you shall return those documents. This is more important than you realize. It transcends all ordinary things of life as you have known it, and you will compel me to do things far harsher than you can possibly imagine. I can forget that you are a daughter of mine. I can forget that you are even a woman. If I have to tear them from you, I shall get them. Give them to me. (A pause.) What are you going to do? (Margaret shrugs her shoulders.) What have you to say? (Margaret again shrugs her shoulders.) What have you to say? Margaret Nothing. Starkweather (Puzzled, changing tactics, sitting down, and talking calmly.) Let us talk this over quietly. You have no shred of right of any sort to those documents. They are mine. They were stolen by a sneak thief from my private files. Only this morning—a few minutes ago—did I get them back. They are mine, I tell you. They belong to me. Give them back. Margaret I tell you I haven't them. Starkweather You have got them about you, somewhere, concealed in your breast there. It will not save you. I tell you I shall have them. I warn you. I don't want to proceed to extreme measures. Give them to me. (He starts to press desk-button, pauses, and looks at her.) Well? (Margaret shrugs her shoulders.) (He presses button twice.) I have sent for Dobleman. You have one chance before he comes. Give them to me. Margaret Father, will you believe me just this once? Let me go. I tell you I haven't the documents. I tell you that if you let me leave this room, I shall not carry them away with me. I tell you this on my honor. Do you believe me? Tell me that you do believe me. Starkweather I do believe you. You say they are not on you. I believe you. Now tell me where they are—you have them hidden somewhere—(Glancing about room.)—And you can go at once. (Dobleman enters from right and advances to desk. Starkweather and Margaret remains silent.) Dobleman You rang for me. Starkweather (With one last questioning glance at Margaret, who remains impassive.) Yes, I did. Have you been in that other room all the time? Dobleman Yes, sir. Starkweather Did anybody pass through and enter this room? Dobleman No, sir. Starkweather Very well. We'll see what the maid has to say. (He presses button once.) Margaret, I give you one last chance. Margaret I have told you that if I leave this room, I shall not take them with me. (Maid enters from right rear and advances.) Starkweather Has anybody come into this room from the hall in the last few minutes? Maid No, sir; not since Mrs. Chalmers came in. Starkweather How do you know? Maid I was in the hall, sir, dusting all the time. Starkweather That will do. (Maid makes exit to right rear.) Dobleman, a very unusual thing has occurred. Mrs. Chalmers and I have been alone in this room. Those letters stolen by Gherst had been returned to me by Hubbard but the moment before. They were on my desk. I turned my back for a moment to go to the safe. When I came back they were gone. Dobleman (Embarrassed.) Yes, sir. Starkweather Mrs. Chalmers took them. She has them now. Dobleman (Attempts to speak, stammers.) Er—er—yes, sir Starkweather I want them back. What is to be done? (Dobleman remains in hopeless confusion.) Well! Dobleman (Speaking hurriedly and hopefully.) S-send for Mr. Hubbard. He got them for you before. Starkweather A good suggestion. Telephone for him. You should find him at the Press Club. (Dobleman starts to make exit to right.) Don't leave the room. Use this telephone. (Indicating desk telephone.) (Dobleman moves around to left of desk and uses telephone standing up.) From now on no one leaves the room. If my daughter can be guilty of such a theft, it is plain I can trust no one—no one. Dobleman (Speaking in transmitter.) Red 6-2-4. Yes, please. (Waits.) Starkweather (Rising.) Call Senator Chalmers as well. Tell him to come immediately. Dobleman Yes, sir—immediately. Starkweather (Starting to cross stage to center and speaking to Margaret.) Come over here. (Margaret follows. She is obedient, frightened, very subdued—but resolved.) Why have you done this? Were you truthful when you said there was nothing between you and this man Knox? Margaret Father; don't discuss this before the— (Indicating Dobleman.)—the servants. Starkweather You should have considered that before you stole the documents. (Dobleman, in the meantime, is telephoning in a low voice.) Margaret There are certain dignities— Starkweather (Interrupting.) Not for a thief. (Speaking intensely and in a low voice.) Margaret, it is not too late. Give them back, and no one shall know. (A pause, in which Margaret is silent, in the throes of indecision.) Dobleman Mr. Hubbard says he will be here in three minutes. Fortunately, Senator Chalmers is with him. (Starkweather nods and looks at Margaret.) (Door at left rear opens, and enter Mrs. Starkweather and Connie. They are dressed for the street and evidently just going out.) Mrs. Starkweather (Speaking in a rush.) We are just going out, Anthony. You were certainly wrong in making us attempt to take that 2:10 train. I simply can't make it. I know I can't. It would have been much wiser— (Suddenly apprehending the strain of the situation between Starkweather and Margaret.)—Why, what is the matter? Starkweather (Patently disturbed by their entrance, speaking to Dobleman, who has finished with the telephone.) Lock the doors. (Dobleman proceeds to obey.) Mrs. Starkweather Mercy me! Anthony! What has happened? (A pause.) Madge! What has happened? Starkweather You will have to wait here a few minutes, that is all. Mrs. Starkweather But I must keep my engagements. And I haven't a minute to spare. (Looking at Dobleman locking doors.) I do not understand. Starkweather (Grimly,) You will, shortly. I can trust no one any more. When my daughter sees fit to steal— Mrs. Starkweather Steal!—Margaret! What have you been doing now? Margaret Where is Tommy? (Mrs. Starkwater is too confounded to answer, and can only stare from face to face.) (Margaret looks her anxiety to Connie.) Connie He is already down in the machine waiting for us. You are coming, aren't you? Starkweather Let him wait in the machine. Margaret will come when I get done with her. (A knock is heard at right rear.) (Starkweather looks at Dobleman and signifies that he is to open door.) (Dobleman unlocks door, and Hubbabd and Chalmers enter. Beyond the shortest of nods and recognitions with eyes, greetings are cut short by the strain that is on all. Dobleman relocks door.) Starkweather (Plunging into it.) Look here, Tom. You know those letters Gherst stole. Mr. Hubbard recovered them from Knox and returned them to me this morning. Within five minutes Margaret stole them from me—here, right in this room. She has not left the room. They are on her now. I want them. Chalmers (Who is obviously incapable of coping with his wife, and who is panting for breath, his hand pressed to his side.) Madge, is this true? Margaret I haven't them. I tell you I haven't them. Starkweather Where are they, then? (She does not answer.) If they are in the room we can find them. Search the room. Tom, Mr. Hubbard, Dobleman. They must be recovered at any cost. (While a thorough search of the room is being made, Mrs. Starkweather, overcome, has Connie assist her to seat at left. Margaret also seats herself, in same chair at desk.) Chalmers (Pausing from search, while others continue.) There is no place to look for them. They are not in the room. Are you sure you didn't mislay them? Starkweather Nonsense. Margaret took them. They are a bulky package and not easily hidden. If they aren't in the room, then she has them on her. Chalmers Madge, give them up. Margaret I haven't them. (Chalmers, stepping suddenly up to her, starts feeling for the papers, running his hands over her dress.) Margaret (Springing to her feet and striking him in the face with her open palm.) How dare you! (Chalmers recoils, Mrs. Starkweather is threatened with hysteria and is calmed by the frightened Connie, while Starkweather looks on grimly.) Hubbard (Giving up search of room.) Possibly it would be better to let me retire, Mr. Starkweather. Starkweather No; those papers are here in this room. If nobody leaves there will be no possible chance for the papers to get out of the room. What would you recommend doing, Hubbard? Hubbard (Hesitatingly.) Under the circumstances I don't like to suggest— Starkweather Go on. Hubbard First, I would make sure that she—er—Mrs. Chalmers has taken them. Starkweather I have made that certain. Chalmers But what motive could she have for such an act? (Hubbard looks wise.) Starkweather (To Hubbard.) You know more about this than would appear. What is it? Hubbard I'd rather not. It is too— (Looks significantly at Mrs. Starkweather and Connie.)—er—delicate. Starkweather This affair has gone beyond all delicacy. What is it? Margaret No! No! (Chalmers and Starkweather look at her with sudden suspicion.) Starkweather Go on, Mr. Hubbard. Hubbard I'd—I'd rather not. Starkweather (Savagely.) I say go on. Hubbard (With simulated reluctance.) Last night—I saw—I was in Knox's rooms— Margaret (Interrupting.) One moment; please. Let him speak, but first send Connie away. Starkweather No one shall leave this room till the documents are produced. Margaret, give me the letters, and Connie can leave quietly, and even will Hubbard's lips remain sealed. They will never breathe a word of whatever shameful thing his eyes saw. This I promise you. (A pause, wherein he waits vainly for Margaret to make a decision.) Go on, Hubbard. Margaret (Who is terror-stricken, and has been wavering.) No! Don't! I'll tell. I'll give you back the documents. (All are expectant She wavers again, and steels herself to resolution.) No; I haven't them. Say all you have to say. Starkweather You see. She has them. She said she would give them back. (To Hubbard.) Go on. Hubbard Last night— Connie (Springing up.) I won't stay! (She rushes to left rear and finds door locked.) Let me out! Let me out! Mrs. Starkweather (Moaning and lying back in chair, legs stretched out and giving preliminary twitches and jerks of hysteria.) I shall die! I shall die! I know I shall die! Starkweather (Sternly, to Connie.) Go back to your mother. Connie (Returning reluctantly to side of Mrs. Starkweather, sitting down beside her, and putting fingers in her own ears.) I won't listen! I won't listen! Starkweather (Sternly.) Take your fingers down. Hubbard Hang it all, Chalmers, I wish I were out of this. I don't want to testify. Starkweather Take your fingers down. (Connie reluctantly removes her fingers.) Now, Hubbard. Hubbard I protest. I am being dragged into this. Chalmers You can't help yourself now. You have cast black suspicions on my wife. Hubbard All right. She—Mrs. Chalmers visited Knox in his rooms last night. Mrs. Starkweather (Bursting out.) Oh! Oh! My Madge! It is a lie! A lie! (Kicks violently with her legs.) (Connie soothes her.) Chalmers You've got to prove that, Hubbard. If you have made any mistake it will go hard with you. Hubbard (Indicating Margaret.) Look at her. Ask her. (Chalmers looks at Margaret with growing suspicion.) Margaret Linda was with me. And Tommy. I had to see Mr. Knox on a very important matter. I went there in the machine. I took Linda and Tommy right into Mr. Knox's room. Chalmers (Relieved.) Ah, that puts a different complexion on it. Hubbard That is not all. Mrs. Chalmers sent the maid and the boy down to the machine and remained. Margaret (Quickly.) But only for a moment Hubbard Much longer—much, much longer. I know how long I was kicking my heels and waiting. Margaret (Desperately.) I say it was but for a moment—a short moment. Starkweather (Abruptly, to Hubbard.) Where were you? Hubbard In Knox's bedroom. The fool had forgotten all about me. He was too delighted with his—er—new visitor. Starkweather You said you saw. Hubbard The bedroom door was ajar. I opened it. Starkweather What did you see? Margaret (Appealing to Hubbard.) Have you no mercy? I say it was only a moment. (Hubbard shrugs his shoulders.) Starkweather We'll settle the length of that moment Tommy is here, and so is the maid. Connie, Margaret's maid is here, isn't she? (Connie does not answer.) Answer me! Connie Yes. Starkweather Dobleman, ring for a maid and tell her to fetch Tommy and Mrs. Chalmer's maid. (Dobleman goes to desk and pushes button once.) Margaret No! Not Tommy! Starkweather (Looking shrewdly at Margaret, to Dobleman.) Mrs. Chalmer's maid will do. (A knock is heard at left rear. Dobleman opens door and talks to maid. Closes door.) Starkweather Lock it. (Dobleman locks door.) Chalmers (Coming over to Margaret.) So you, the immaculate one, have been playing fast and loose. Margaret You have no right to talk to me that way, Tom— Chalmers I am your husband. Margaret You have long since ceased being that. Chalmers What do you mean? Margaret I mean just what you have in mind about yourself right now. Chalmers Madge, you are merely conjecturing. You know nothing against me. Margaret I know everything—and without evidence, if you please. I am a woman. It is your atmosphere. Faugh! You have exhaled it for years. I doubt not that proofs, as you would call them, could have been easily obtained. But I was not interested. I had my boy. When he came, I gave you up, Tom. You did not seem to need me any more. Chalmers And so, in retaliation, you took up with this fellow Knox. Margaret No, no. It is not true, Tom. I tell you it is not true. Chalmers You were there, last night, in his rooms, alone—how long we shall soon find out— (Knock is heard at left rear. Dobleman proceeds to unlock door.) And now you have stolen your father's private papers for your lover. Margaret He is not my lover. Chalmers But you have acknowledged that you have the papers. For whom, save Knox, could you have stolen them? (Linda enters. She is white and strained, and looks at Margaret for some cue as to what she is to do.) Starkweather That is the woman. (To Linda.) Come here. (Linda advances reluctantly.) Where were you last night? You know what I mean. (She does not speak.) Answer me. Linda I don't know what you mean, sir—unless— Starkweather Yes, that's it. Go on. Linda But I don't think you have any right to ask me such questions. What if I—if I did go out with my young man— Starkweather (To Margaret.) A very faithful young woman you've got. (Briskly, to the others.) There's nothing to be got out of her. Send for Tommy. Dobleman, ring the bell. (Dobleman starts to obey.) Margaret (Stopping Dobleman.) No, no; not Tommy. Tell them, Linda. (Linda looks appealingly at her.) (Kindly.) Don't mind me. Tell them the truth. Chalmers (Breaking in.) The whole truth. Margaret Yes, Linda, the whole truth. (Linda, looking very woeful, nerves herself for the ordeal.) Starkweather Never mind, Dobleman. (To Linda.) Very well. You were at Mr. Knox's rooms last night, with your mistress and Tommy. Linda Yes, sir. Starkweather Your mistress sent you and Tommy out of the room. Linda Yes, sir. Starkweather You waited in the machine. Linda Yes, sir. Starkweather (Abruptly springing the point he has been working up to.) How long? (Linda perceives the gist of the questioning just as she is opening her mouth to reply, and she does not speak.) Margaret (With deliberate calmness of despair.) Half an hour—an hour—any length of time your shameful minds dictate. That will do, Linda. You can go. Starkweather No you don't. Stand over there to one side. (To the others.) The papers are in this room, and I shall keep my mind certain on that point. Hubbard I think I have shown the motive. Connie You are a beast! Chalmers You haven't told what you saw. Hubbard I saw them in each other's arms—several times. Then I found the stolen documents where Knox had thrown them down. So I pocketed them and closed the door. Chalmers How long after that did they remain together? Hubbard Quite a time, quite a long time. Chalmers And when you last saw them? Hubbard They were in each other's arms—quite enthusiastically, I may say, in each other's arms. (Chalmers is crushed.) Margaret (To Hubbard.) You coward. (Hubbard smiles.) (To Starkweather.) When are you going to call off this hound of yours? Starkweather When I get the papers. You see what you've been made to pay for them already. Now listen to me closely. Tom, you listen, too. You know the value of these letters. If they are not recovered they will precipitate a turn-over that means not merely money but control and power. I doubt that even you would be re-elected. So what we have heard in this room must be forgotten—absolutely forgotten. Do you understand? Chalmers But it is adultery. Starkweather It is not necessary for that word to be mentioned. The point is that everything must be as it was formerly. Chalmers Yes, I understand. Starkweather (To Margaret.) You hear. Tom will make no trouble. Now give me the papers. They are mine, you know. Margaret It seems to me the people, who have been lied to, and cajoled, and stolen from, are the rightful owners, not you. Starkweather Are you doing this out of love for this—this man, this demagogue? Margaret For the people, the children, the future. Starkweather Faugh! Answer me. Margaret (Slowly.) Almost I do not know. Almost I do not know. (A knock is heard at left rear. Dobleman answers.) Dobleman (Looking at card Maid has given him, to Starkweather.) Mr. Rutland. Starkweather (Making an impatient gesture, then abruptly changing his mind, speaking grimly.) Very well. Bring him in. I've paid a lot for the Church, now we'll see what the Church can do for me. Connie (Impulsively crossing stage to Margaret, putting arms around her, and weeping.) Please, please, Madge, give up the papers, and everything will be hushed up. You heard what father said. Think what it means to me if this scandal comes out. Father will hush it up. Not a soul will dare to breathe a word of it. Give him the papers. Margaret (Kissing her, shaking head, and setting her aside.) No; I can't. But Connie, dearest— (Connie pauses.) It is not true, Connie. He—he is not my lover. Tell me that you believe me. Connie (Caressing her.) I do believe you. But won't you return the papers—for my sake? (A knock at door.) Margaret I can't. (Enter Rutland.) (Connie returns to take care of Mrs. Starkweather.) Rutland (Advances beamingly upon Starkweather.) My, what a family gathering. I hastened on at once, my dear Mr. Starkweather, to thank you in person, ere you fled away to New York, for your generously splendid—yes, generously splendid—contribution— (Here the strained situation dawns upon him, and he remains helplessly with mouth open, looking from one to another.) Starkweather A theft has been committed, Mr. Rutland. My daughter has stolen something very valuable from me—a package of private papers, so important—well, if she succeeds in making them public I shall be injured to such an extent financially that there won't be any more generously splendid donations for you or anybody else. I have done my best to persuade her to return what she has stolen. Now you try. Bring her to a realization of the madness of what she is doing. Rutland (Quite at sea, hemming and hawing.) As your spiritual adviser, Mrs. Chalmers—if this be true—I recommend—I suggest—I—ahem—I entreat— Margaret Please, Mr. Rutland, don't be ridiculous. Father is only making a stalking horse out of you. Whatever I may have done, or not done, I believe I am doing right. The whole thing is infamous. The people have been lied to and robbed, and you are merely lending yourself to the infamy of perpetuating the lying and the robbing. If you persist in obeying my father's orders—yes, orders—you will lead me to believe that you are actuated by desire for more of those generously splendid donations. (Starkweather sneers.) Rutland (Embarrassed, hopelessly at sea.) This is, I fear—ahem—too delicate a matter, Mr. Starkweather, for me to interfere. I would suggest that it be advisable for me to withdraw—ahem— Starkweather (Musingly.) So the Church fails me, too. (To Rutland.) No, you shall stay right here. Margaret Father, Tommy is down in the machine alone. Won't you let me go? Starkweather Give me the papers. (Mrs. Starkweather rises and totters across to Margaret, moaning and whimpering.) Mrs. Starkweather Madge, Madge, it can't be true. I don't believe it. I know you have not done this awful thing. No daughter of mine could be guilty of such wickedness. I refuse to believe my ears— (Mrs. Starkweather sinks suddenly on her knees before Margaret, with clasped hands, weeping hysterically.) Starkweather (Stepping to her side.) Get up. (Hesitates and thinks.) No; go on. She might listen to you. Margaret (Attempting to raise her mother.) Don't, mother, don't. Please get up. (Mrs. Starkweather resists her hysterically.) You don't understand, mother. Please, please, get up. Mrs. Starkweather Madge, I, your mother, implore you, on my bended knees. Give up the papers to your father, and I shall forget all I have heard. Think of the family name. I don't believe it, not a word of it; but think of the shame and disgrace. Think of me. Think of Connie, your sister. Think of Tommy. You'll have your father in a terrible state. And you'll kill me. (Moaning and rolling her head.) I'm going to be sick. I know I am going to be sick. Margaret (Bending over mother and raising her, while Connie comes across stage to help support mother.) Mother, you do not understand. More is at stake than the good name of the family or—(Looking at Rutland.)—God. You speak of Connie and Tommy. There are two millions of Connies and Tommys working as child laborers in the United States to-day. Think of them. And besides, mother, these are all lies you have heard. There is nothing between Mr. Knox and me. He is not my lover. I am not the—the shameful thing—these men have said I am. Connie (Appealingly.) Madge. Margaret (Appealingly.) Connie. Trust me. I am right. I know I am right. (Mrs. Starkweather, supported by Connie, moaning incoherently, is led back across stage to chair.) Starkweather Margaret, a few minutes ago, when you told me there was nothing between you and this man, you lied to me—lied to me as only a wicked woman can lie. Margaret It is clear that you believe the worst. Starkweather There is nothing less than the worst to be believed. Besides, more heinous than your relations with this man is what you have done here in this room, stolen from me, and practically before my very eyes. Well, you have crossed your will with mine, and in affairs beyond your province. This is a man's game in which you are attempting to play, and you shall take the consequences. Tom will apply for a divorce. Margaret That threat, at least, is without power. Starkweather And by that means we can break Knox as effectually as by any other. That is one thing the good stupid people will not tolerate in a chosen representative. We will make such a scandal of it— Mrs. Starkweather (Shocked.) Anthony! Starkweather (Glancing irritably at his wife and continuing.) Another thing. Being proven an adulterous woman, morally unfit for companionship with your child, your child will be taken away from you. Margaret No, no. That cannot be. I have done nothing wrong. No court, no fair-minded judge, would so decree on the evidence of a creature like that. (Indicating Hubbard.) Hubbard My evidence is supported. In an adjoining room were two men. I happen to know, because I placed them there. They were your father's men at that. There is such a thing as seeing through a locked door. They saw. Margaret And they would swear to—to anything. Hubbard I doubt not they will know to what to swear. Starkweather Margaret, I have told you some, merely some, of the things I shall do. It is not too late. Return the papers, and everything will be forgotten. Margaret You would condone this—this adultery. You, who have just said that I was morally unfit to have my own boy, will permit me to retain him. I had never dreamed, father, that your own immorality would descend to such vile depths. Believing this shameful thing of me, you will forgive and forget it all for the sake of a few scraps of paper that stand for money, that stand for a license to rob and steal from the people. Is this your morality—money? Starkweather I have my morality. It is not money. I am only a steward; but so highly do I conceive the duties of my stewardship— Margaret (Interrupting, bitterly.) The thefts and lies and all common little sins like adulteries are not to stand in the way of your high duties—that the end hallows the means. Starkweather (Shortly.) Precisely. Margaret (To Rutland.) There is Jesuitism, Mr. Rutland. I would suggest that you, as my father's spiritual adviser— Starkweather Enough of this foolery. Give me the papers. Margaret I haven't them. Starkweather What's to be done, Hubbard? Hubbard She has them. She has as much as acknowledged that they are not elsewhere in the room. She has not been out of the room. There is nothing to do but search her. Starkweather Nothing else remains to be done. Dobleman, and you, Hubbard, take her behind the screen. Strip her. Recover the papers. (Dobleman is in a proper funk, but Hubbard betrays no unwillingness.) Chalmers No; that I shall not permit. Hubbard shall have nothing to do with this. Margaret It is too late, Tom. You have stood by and allowed me to be stripped of everything else. A few clothes do not matter now. If I am to be stripped and searched by men, Mr. Hubbard will serve as well as any other man. Perhaps Mr. Rutland would like to lend his assistance. Connie Oh, Madge! Give them up. (Margaret shakes her head.) (To Starkweather.) Then let me search her, father. Starkweather You are too willing. I don't want volunteers. I doubt that I can trust you any more than your sister. Connie Let mother, then. Starkweather (Sneering.) Margaret could smuggle a steamer-trunk of documents past her. Connie But not the men, father! Not the men! Starkweather Why not? She has shown herself dead to all shame. (Imperatively.) Dobleman! Dobleman (Thinking his time has come, and almost dying.) Y-y-yes, sir. Starkweather Call in the servants. Mrs. Starkweather (Crying out in protest.) Anthony! Starkweather Would you prefer her to be searched by the men? Mrs. Starkweather (Subsiding.) I shall die, I shall die. I know I shall die. Starkweather Dobleman. Ring for the servants. (Dobleman, who has been hesitant, crosses to desk and pushes button, then returns toward door.) Send in the maids and the housekeeper. (Linda, blindly desiring to be of some assistance, starts impulsively toward Margaret.) Stand over there—in the corner. (Indicating right front.) (Linda pauses irresolutely and Margaret nods to her to obey and smiles encouragement. Linda, protesting in every fiber of her, goes to right front.) (A knock at right rear and Dobleman unlocks door, confers with maid, and closes and locks door.) Starkweather (To Margaret.) This is no time for trifling, nor for mawkish sentimentality. Return the papers or take the consequences. (Margaret makes no answer.) Chalmers You have taken a hand in a man's game, and you've got to play it out or quit. Give up the papers. (Margaret remains resolved and impassive.) Hubbard (Suavely.) Allow me to point out, my dear Mrs. Chalmers, that you are not merely stealing from your father. You are playing the traitor to your class. Starkweather And causing irreparable damage. Margaret (Firing up suddenly and pointing to Lincoln's portrait) I doubt not he caused irreparable damage when he freed the slaves and preserved the Union. Yet he recognized no classes. I'd rather be a traitor to my class than to him. Starkweather Demagoguery. Demagoguery. (A knock at right rear. Dobleman opens door. Enter Mrs. Middleton who is the housekeeper, followed by two Housemaids. They pause at rear. Housekeeper to the fore and looking expectantly at Starkweather. The Maids appear timid and frightened.) Housekeeper Yes, sir. Starkweather Mrs. Middleton, you have the two maids to assist you. Take Mrs. Chalmers behind that screen there and search her. Strip all her clothes from her and make a careful search. (Maids show perturbation.) Housekeeper (Self-possessed. ) Yes, sir. What am I to search for? Starkweather Papers, documents, anything unusual. Turn them over to me when you find them. Margaret (In a sudden panic.) This is monstrous! This is monstrous! Starkweather So is your theft of the documents monstrous. Margaret (Appealing to the other men, ignoring Rutland and not considering Dobleman at all.) You cowards! Will you stand by and permit this thing to be done? Tom, have you one atom of manhood in you? Chalmers (Doggedly.) Return the papers, then. Margaret Mr. Rutland— Rutland (Very awkwardly and oilily.) My dear Mrs. Chalmers. I assure you the whole circumstance is unfortunate. But you are so palpably in the wrong that I cannot interfere—(Margaret turns from him in withering scorn.)—That I cannot interfere. Dobleman (Breaking down unexpectedly.) I cannot stand it. I leave your employ, sir. It is outrageous. I resign now, at once. I cannot be a party to this. (Striving to unlock door.) I am going at once. You brutes! You brutes! (Breaks into convulsive sobbings.) Chalmers Ah, another lover, I see. (Dobleman manages to unlock door and starts to open it.) Starkweather You fool! Shut that door! (Dobleman hesitates.) Shut it! (Dobleman obeys.) Lock it! (Dobleman obeys.) Margaret (Smiling wistfully, benignantly.) Thank you, Mr. Dobleman. (To Starkweather.) Father, you surely will not perpetrate this outrage, when I tell you, I swear to you— Starkweather (Interrupting.) Return the documents then. Margaret I swear to you that I haven't them. You will not find them on me. Starkweather You have lied to me about Knox, and I have no reason to believe you will not lie to me about this matter. Margaret (Steadily.) If you do this thing you shall cease to be my father forever. You shall cease to exist so far as I am concerned. Starkweather You have too much of my own will in you for you ever to forget whence it came. Mrs. Middleton, go ahead. (Housekeeper, summoning Maids with her eyes, begins to advance on Margaret.) Connie (In a passion.) Father, if you do this I shall never speak to you again. (Breaks down weeping.) (Mrs. Starkweather, during following scene, has mild but continuous shuddering and weeping hysteria.) Starkweather (Briskly, looking at watch.) I've wasted enough time on this. Mrs. Middleton, proceed. Margaret (Wildly, backing away from Housekeeper.) I will not tamely submit. I will resist, I promise you. Starkweather Use force, if necessary. (The Maids are reluctant, but Housekeeper commands them with her eyes to close in on Margaret, and they obey.) (Margaret backs away until she brings up against desk.) Housekeeper Come, Mrs. Chalmers. (Margaret stands trembling, but refuses to notice Housekeeper.) (Housekeeper places hand on Margaret's arm.) Margaret (Violently flinging the hand off, crying imperiously.) Stand back! (Housekeeper instinctively shrinks back, as do Maids. But it is only for the moment. They close in upon Margaret to seise her.) (Crying frantically for help.) Linda! Linda! (Linda springs forward to help her mistress, but is caught and held struggling by Chalmers, who twists her arm and finally compels her to become quiet.) (Margaret, struggling and resisting, is hustled across stage and behind screen, the Maids warming up to their work. One of them emerges from behind screen for the purpose of getting a chair, upon which Margaret is evidently forced to sit. The screen is of such height, that occasionally, when standing up and struggling, Margaret's bare arms are visible above the top of it. Muttered exclamations are heard, and the voice of Housekeeper trying to persuade Margaret to sub-mit.) Margaret (Abruptly, piteously.) No! No! (The struggle becomes more violent, and the screen is overturned, disclosing Margaret seated on chair, partly undressed, and clutching an envelope in her hand which they are trying to force her to relinquish.) Mrs. Starkweather (Crying wildly.) Anthony! They are taking her clothes off! (Renewed struggle of Linda with Chalmers at the sight.) (Starkweather, calling Rutland to his assistance, stands screen up again, then, as an afterthought, pulls screen a little further away from Margaret.) Margaret No! No! (Housekeeper appears triumphantly with envelope in her hand and hands it to Hubbard.) Hubbard (Immediately.) That's not it. (Glances at address and starts.) It's addressed to Knox. Starkweather Tear it open. Read it. (Hubbard tears envelope open.) (While this is going on, struggle behind screen is suspended.) Hubbard (Withdrawing contents of envelope.) It is only a photograph—of Mrs. Chalmers. (Reading.) "For the future—Margaret." Chalmers (Thrusting Linda back to right front and striding up to Hubbard.) Give it to me. (Hubbard passes it to him, and he looks at it, crumples it in his hand, and grinds it under foot.) Starkweather That is not what we wanted, Mrs. Middleton. Go on with the search. (The search goes on behind the screen without any further struggling.) (A pause, during which screen is occasionally agitated by the searchers removing Margaret's garments.) Housekeeper (Appearing around corner of screen.) I find nothing else, sir. Starkweather Is she stripped? Housekeeper Yes, sir. Starkweather Every stitch? Housekeeper (Disappearing behind screen instead of answering for a pause, during which it is patent that the ultimate stitch is being removed, then reappearing.) Yes, sir. Starkweather Nothing? Housekeeper Nothing. Starkweather Throw out her clothes—everything. (A confused mass of feminine apparel is tossed out, falling near Dobleman's feet, who, in consequence, is hugely mortified and embarrassed.) (Chalmers examines garments, then steps behind screen a moment, and reappears.) Chalmers Nothing. (Chalmers, Starkweather, and Hubbard gaze at each other dumbfoundedly.) (The two Maids come out from behind screen and stand near door to right rear.) (Starkweather is loath to believe, and steps to Margaret's garments and overhauls them.) Starkweather (To Chalmers, looking inquiringly toward screen.) Are you sure? Chalmers Yes; I made certain. She hasn't them. Starkweather (To Housekeeper.) Mrs. Middleton, examine those girls. Housekeeper (Passing hands over dresses of Maids.) No, sir. Margaret (From behind screen, in a subdued, spiritless voice.) May I dress—now? (Nobody answers.) It—it is quite chilly. (Nobody answers.) Will you let Linda come to me, please? (Starkweather nods savagely to Linda, to obey.) (Linda crosses to garments, gathers them up, and disappears behind screen.) Starkweather (To Housekeeper.) You may go. (Exit Housekeeper and the two Maids.) Dobleman (Hesitating, after closing door.) Shall I lock it? (Starkweather does not answer, and Dobleman leaves door unlocked.) Connie (Rising.) May I take mother away? (Starkweather, who is in a brown study, nods.) (Connie assists Mrs. Starkweather to her feet.) Mrs. Starkweather (Staggering weakly, and sinking back into chair.) Let me rest a moment, Connie. I'll be better. (To Starkweather, who takes no notice.) Anthony, I am going to bed. This has been too much for me. I shall be sick. I shall never catch that train to-day. (Shudders and sighs, leans head back, closes eyes, and Connie fans her or administers smelling salts.) Chalmers (To Hubbard.) What's to be done? Hubbard (Shrugging shoulders.) I'm all at sea. I had just left the letters with him, when Mrs. Chalmers entered the room. What's become of them? She hasn't them, that's certain. Chalmers But why? Why should she have taken them? Hubbard (Dryly, pointing to crumpled photograph on floor.) It seems very clear to me. Chalmers You think so? You think so? Hubbard I told you what I saw last night at his rooms. There is no other explanation. Chalmers (Angrily.) And that's the sort he is—vaunting his moral superiority—mouthing phrases about theft—our theft—and himself the greatest thief of all, stealing the dearest and sacredest things— (Margaret appears from behind screen, pinning on her hat. She is dressed, but somewhat in disarray, and Linda follows, pulling and touching and arranging. Margaret pauses near to Rutland, but does not seem to see him.) Rutland (Lamely.) It is a sad happening—ahem—a sad happening. I am grieved, deeply grieved. I cannot tell you, Mrs. Chalmers, how grieved I am to have been compelled to be present at this—ahem—this unfortunate— (Margaret withers him with a look and he awkwardly ceases.) Margaret After this, father, there is one thing I shall do— Chalmers (Interrupting.) Go to your lover, I suppose. Margaret (Coldly.) Have it that way if you choose. Chalmers And take him what you have stolen— Starkweather (Arousing suddenly from brown study.) But she hasn't them on her. She hasn't been out of the room. They are not in the room. Then where are they? (During the following, Margaret goes to the door, which Dobleman opens. She forces Linda to go out and herself pauses in open door to listen.) Hubbard (Uttering an exclamation of enlightenment, going rapidly across to window at left and raising it.) It is not locked. It moves noiselessly. There's the explanation. (To Starkweather.) While you were at the safe, with your back turned, she lifted the window, tossed the papers out to somebody waiting— (He sticks head and shoulders out of window, peers down, then brings head and shoulders back.)—No; they are not there. Somebody was waiting for them. Starkweather But how should she know I had them? You had only just recovered them? Hubbard Didn't Knox know right away last night that I had taken them? I took the up-elevator instead of the down when I heard him running along the hall. Trust him to let her know what had happened. She was the only one who could recover them for him. Else why did she come here so immediately this morning? To steal the package, of course. And she had some one waiting outside. She tossed them out and closed the window— (He closes window.)—You notice it makes no sound.—and sat down again—all while your back was turned. Starkweather Margaret, is this true? Margaret (Excitedly.) Yes, the window. Why didn't you think of it before? Of course, the window. He—somebody was waiting. They are gone now—miles and miles away. You will never get them. They are in his hands now. He will use them in his speech this afternoon. (Laughs wildly.) (Suddenly changing her tone to mock meekness, subtle with defiance.) May I go—now? (Nobody answers, and she makes exit.) (A moments pause, during which Starkweather, Chalmers, and Hubbard look at each other in stupefaction.) Curtain <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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