to those who
had it before? Are Plimpton and Rutherford better fitted to wield it
than I?

EST. [Vehemently.] Give it to the people!

HAGEN. The people! Do you believe that in that mass of ignorance and
corruption which you call the people there is the power to rule the
world?

EST. What is it that has made the people corrupt? What is it that has
kept them in ignorance? What is it but your gold? It lies upon them like
a mountain's weight! It crushes every aspiration for freedom... every
effort after light! Teach them... help them... then see if they cannot
govern themselves!

HAGEN. I meant to do it...

EST. Yes... so does every rich man! When only he has the time to think
of it! When only his power is secure! I have heard my father say it...
a score of times. But there are always new rivals to trample... new foes
to fight... new wrongs and horrors to be perpetrated! The time to do it
is now... NOW!

HAGEN. Estelle...

CAL. [Enters hurriedly.] Prince Hagen!

HAGEN. What is it?

CAL. A message from Isman. There is bad news from Washington.

HAGEN. Well?

CAL. A. bill has been introduced in Congress... it is expected to pass
both houses to-night... your property is to be confiscated!

HAGEN. What!

CAL. The sources of natural wealth... the land and the mines and the
railroads... all are to become public property. It is to take effect at
once!

EST. [Pointing at him in exultation.] Aha! It has come!

[They stare at each other.]

CAL. I tried to get more information... but I was cut off...

HAGEN. Cut off!

CAL. I think the wires are down... I can't get any response.

HAGEN. I see! [Stands in deep thought; laughs.] Well... [To ESTELLE.] At
least Plimpton and Rutherford are buried with me! [To CALKINS.] Send to
town at once and have the wires seen to. And try to learn what you can.

CAL. Yes, sir... at once! [Exit.]

EST. They have done it themselves, you see!

HAGEN. Yes... I see.

GER. [Enters, centre; stands looking from one to the other.] Well,
Prince Hagen... it looks as if the game was up.

HAGEN. You've heard the news?

GER. From Washington? Yes. And more than that. Your guards have
revolted.

HAGEN. What! Here?

GER. Yes. We're prisoners of war, it seems.

EST. Gerald!

HAGEN. How do you know?

GER. They've sent a delegation to tell us. They've cut the telephone
wires, blocked the roads, and shut us in.

HAGEN. What do they want?

GER. They don't condescend to tell us t