o you realize what you're proposing, man? You'll ruin everything!
We've got Grimes dead... we can land him in jail! But if Hegan heard any
whisper of it, they'd balk everything!

MONTAGUE. But how?

JACK. They'd hold up the decision of the Court...

MONTAGUE. Nonsense! With all that they'd stand to lose...

LAURA. [Coming forward.] I beg pardon, Mr. Bullen.

JACK. Oh!

LAURA. I didn't wish to hear what you were saying. But I couldn't
help it. I was caught unawares. [The three stare at each other.] It is
something that involves my father. [Looking at the papers in BULLEN's
hands.] Mr. Bullen has brought you some evidence. Is that so, Mr.
Montague?

MONTAGUE. [In a low voice.] Yes, Miss Hegan.

LAURA. And you wished to take me into your confidence?

MONTAGUE. I wished to make it impossible for you to think we had
obtained this evidence in your home.

LAURA. I See.

MONTAGUE. You will do us the justice to recognize that we did not seek
admission here.

LAURA. Yes; I do that. [A pause.] All that I can say is, that if you
think it best to take me into your confidence, you may trust me to the
bitter end.

MONTAGUE. Miss Hegan, Mr. Bullen has brought me evidence which proves
that the decision of the Court, which is to be made known tomorrow, has
been... improperly affected.

LAURA. [Quickly.] By whom?

MONTAGUE. By Robert Grimes.

LAURA. [Starts wildly.] And the evidence involves my father?

MONTAGUE. Your father will be the chief one to profit from the change.

LAURA. [Sinks back against the table; stares away from them,
whispering.] To Grimes... two hundred thousand on Court deal! I see! I
see! [Faces them, weakly.] And what... what do you mean to do?

MONTAGUE. I intend to wait until the decision has been announced, which
will be tomorrow, and then to call a public meeting and present the
evidence.

LAURA. [Starts to implore him; then controls herself.] Yes, yes... that
is just. But then... see! It hasn't been done yet!

MONTAGUE. How do you mean?

LAURA. The decision hasn't come out. It could be stopped!

JACK. Why stop it?

LAURA. That would prevent the wrong! I would... oh, I see! You want to
expose Grimes! You'd rather it happened!

JACK. The crime has already been committed.

LAURA. And you, Mr. Montague... you prefer it so?

MONTAGUE. I had never thought of any other possibility.

LAURA. Listen! I don't understand the matter very clearly. The Grand
Avenue Railroad case...

MONTA