GUE. It is an effort to annul a franchise which was obtained by
proven bribery.

LAURA. Then, if the public could win, it would be worth while, would it
not?

MONTAGUE. It would establish a precedent of vast importance. But how
could that be done?

LAURA. We have a hold upon these men... we could compel them to give
way!

MONTAGUE. They would never do it, Miss Hegan... they have too much at
stake.

LAURA. But... the evidence you have! Mr. Bullen said you could send
Grimes to jail.

MONTAGUE. That was just wild talk. Grimes has the district attorney and
the courts. He could never be punished for anything.

LAURA. But the exposure!

JACK. He's been exposed a hundred times. What does that matter to him?

LAURA. But then... my father is involved.

JACK. Quite true, Miss Hegan...

LAURA. And I can make him see how wrong it is.

JACK. You can make him see it! But you can't make him do anything!

LAURA. Ah, but you don't know my father... truly, you don't. He does
these evil things, but at heart he's a kind and loyal man! And he loves
me... I am his only daughter... and I can help him to see what is right.
We have always understood each other; he will listen to me as he would
not to any one else in the world.

JACK. But what can you say to him? We can't put our evidence in your
hands...

LAURA. I don't need your evidence. I must tell you that I, too, have
found out something about this case. I know that my father paid Mr.
Grimes to influence the decision of that Court. And I know how much he
paid him.

MONTAGUE. Miss Hegan!

JACK. Good God!

LAURA. You see, I am not afraid to trust you.... [A pause.] What is the
nature of your evidence against Grimes?

MONTAGUE. It comes from an eye-witness of his interview with the judge.

LAURA. And it is some one you can trust?

MONTAGUE. It's for Bullen to tell you.

JACK. The judge has a nephew, a dissipated chap, whose inheritance he is
holding back... and who hates him in consequence. The nephew happens to
be a college chum of mine. He witnessed the interview and he brought me
the evidence.

LAURA. I see. Then, certainly, I have a case. And don't you see what a
hold that gives me upon my father?

JACK. Miss Hegan, you are a brave woman, and I would like to give way to
you. But you could accomplish nothing. This suit, which is nominally in
the public interest, is really backed by Murdock and his crowd, who are
fighting your father; you must realize his p