ith him the other day. That's what we've come to in New York! Bob
Grimes, with his hands on every string of the whole infamous system...
with his paws in every filthy graft-pot in the city! Bob Grimes, the
type and symbol of it all! Every time I see a picture of that bulldog
face, it seems to me as if I were confronting all the horrors that I've
ever fought in my life!

JULIA. It's curious to note how much less denunciation of Tammany one
hears now than in the old days.

MONTAGUE. Tammany's getting respectable.

JACK. The big interests have found out how to use it. The traction gang,
especially...

[He stops abruptly; a tense pause.]

LAURA. [Leaning toward him, with great earnestness.] Mr. Bullen, is that
really true?

JACK. That is true, Miss Hegan.

LAURA. Mr. Bullen, you will understand what it means to me to hear that
statement made. I hear it made continually, and I ask if it is true, and
I am told that it is a slander. How am I to know? [A pause.] Would you
be able to tell me that you know it of your own personal knowledge?

JACK. [Weighing the words.] No; I could not say that.

LAURA. Would you say that you could prove it to a jury?

JACK. I would say, that if I had to prove it, I could get the evidence.

LAURA. What would you say, Mr. Montague?

MONTAGUE. I would rather not say, Miss Hegan.

LAURA. Please! Please! I want you to answer me.

MONTAGUE. [After a pause.] I would say that I shall be able to prove it
very shortly.

LAURA. How do you mean?

MONTAGUE. I have been giving most of my time to a study of just that
question, and I think that I shall have the evidence.

LAURA. I see.

[She sinks back, very white; a pause; the bell rings.]

JULIA. Who can that be?

JACK. [Springing up.] Let me answer it. [Presses button; then, to
MONTAGUE.] I had no idea you were going in for that, old man.

MONTAGUE. This is the first time I have ever mentioned it to any one.

JULIA. [Rising, hoping to relieve an embarrassing situation.] I hope
this isn't any more company.

JACK. [To MONTAGUE, aside.] You must let me tell you a few things that
I know. I've been running down a little story about Grimes and the
traction crowd.

MONTAGUE. Indeed! What is it?

JACK. I can't tell it to you now... it would take too long. But, gee! If
I can get the evidence, it'll make your hair stand on end! It has to do
with the Grand Avenue Railroad suit.

MONTAGUE. The one that's pending in the Court of Appeals?