{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 beli