ram from
tray, opened it, and is reading it._)

{Starkweather}

Damnation!

{Servant}

I beg your pardon, sir.

{Starkweather}

Send Senator Chalmers to me, and Mr. Hubbard.

{Servant}

Yes, sir.

(_Servant crosses to Chalmers and Hubbard, both of whom
immediately arise and cross to Starkweather._)

(_While this is being done, Margaret reassembles the three
broken groups into one, seating herself so that she can watch
Starkweather and his group across the stage._)

(_Servant lingers to receive a command from Margaret._)

(_Chalmers and Hubbard wait a moment, standing, while Starkweather
rereads telegram._)

{Starkweather}

(_Standing up._) Dobleman has just forwarded this telegram. It's
from New York--from Martinaw. There's been rottenness. My papers
and letter-files have been ransacked. It's the confidential
stenographer who has been tampered with--you remember that
middle-aged, youngish-oldish woman, Tom? That's the one.--Where's
that servant?

(_Servant is just making exit._) Here! Come here!

(_Servant comes over to Starkweather._) Go to the telephone and
call up Dobleman. Tell him to come here.

{Servant}

(_Perplexed._) I beg pardon, sir.

{Starkweather}

(_Irritably._) My secretary. At my house. Dobleman. Tell him to
come at once.

(_Servant makes exit._)

{Chalmers}

But who can be the principal behind this theft?

(_Starkweather shrugs his shoulders._)

{Hubbard}

A blackmailing device most probably. They will attempt to bleed
you--

{Chalmers}

Unless--

{Starkweather}

(_Impatiently._) Yes?

{Chalmers}

Unless they are to be used to-morrow in that speech of Knox.

(_Comprehension dawns on the faces of the other two men._)

{Mrs. Starkweather}

(_Who has arisen._) Anthony, we must go now. Are you ready? Connie
has to dress.

{Starkweather}

I am not going now. You and Connie take the car.

{Mrs. Starkweather}

You mustn't forget you are going to that dinner.

{Starkweather}

(_Wearily._) Do I ever forget?

(_Servant enters and proceeds toward Starkweather, where he
stands waiting while Mrs. Starkweather finishes the next speech.
Starkweather listens to her with a patient, stony face._)

{Mrs. Starkweather}

Oh, these everlasting politics! That is what it has been all
afternoon--high prices, graft, and theft; theft, graft, and high
prices. It is terrible. When I was a girl we did not talk of such
things. Well, come on, Connie.

{Mrs. Dowset