(_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.

{Starkweath