SBY _walks toward door_ L.) Why did Wales
object to the engagement of your son and Helen O'Neill?

CROSBY (_turns to_ DONOHUE). Who told you that? (_Moving a few steps._)

DONOHUE. It doesn't matter. I know that he did. Why?

CROSBY (_turning front_). I can't talk about it.

DONOHUE (C.). All right. You're the best judge of that. Only I'm
attaching a great deal of importance to this fact. If I'm unduly
emphasizing its value, don't you think you'd better set me straight
about it?

CROSBY. What possible bearing can it have on--

DONOHUE. Motive, my dear sir, motive.

CROSBY. Come now. You can't think that this girl killed Wales because
she heard him ask us to wait before we sanctioned her engagement to my
son.

DONOHUE. She did hear Mr. Wales make that objection. That's just what I
wanted to know.

CROSBY (L.). I think I'd better send for my lawyer.

DONOHUE (C.). Well, you can do as you like about that. Frankly, I don't
understand your attitude at all. I can appreciate your desire to spare
your son all the unhappiness that you can. But if this young woman
killed Wales and Lee, the sooner we find it out the better for you and
your family.

CROSBY. Oddly enough I was thinking only of Miss O'Neill at the moment.

DONOHUE. You'd better think of yourself and your family first.
(_Moves_ R. _a few steps_.)

CROSBY. That's for me to decide. I certainly am not going to allow that
child to be bullied and badgered in the usual police fashion. (_Moves_
R. _a step_.)

DONOHUE. You're going to do as you are told, sir. If you warn that girl,
if you caution her in any way, I'll drag every one of you down town. You
and your wife and your son and the girl and all your friends. Be
reasonable, Mr. Crosby. If the girl is innocent, telling me the truth
won't hurt her. If she's guilty, and I think she is, by God, I'm going
to drag the truth out of her and her mother. (_There is a knock on the
door down_ L.) Come in.

(HELEN _enters_ L.)

HELEN (L.). You wanted me?

DONOHUE. Yes, come in. Sit down, please.

(_Indicating chair below table_ R. HELEN _crosses and sits_. CROSBY
_starts to move_ R.)

CROSBY. Helen--

DONOHUE. What you are planning to do, Mr. Crosby, will only make matters
worse, I promised you that.

(_After a moment's pause_ CROSBY _exits_ L. _and leaves door open_.
DONOHUE _turns, closes door and turns sharply to_ HELEN. _Crosses
towards the table_.)

Now then, young woman, let's hear what you've got