t}

(_Rising and glancing at Dowsett._) And we must be going, too.

(_During the following scene, which takes place around
Starkweather, Margaret is saying good-bye to her departing
guests._)

(_Mrs. Starkweather and Connie make exit._)

(_Dowsett and Mrs. Dowsett make exit._)

(_The instant Mrs. Dowsett's remark puts a complete end to Mrs.
Starkweather's speech, Starkweather, without answer or noticing
his wife, turns and interrogates Servant with a glance._)

{Servant}

Mr. Dobleman has already left some time to come here, sir.

{Starkweather}

Show him in as soon as he comes.

{Servant}

Yes, sir.

(_Servant makes exit._)

(_Margaret, Dolores Ortega, and Rutland are left in a group
together, this time around tea-table, where Margaret serves
Rutland another cup of tea. From time to time Margaret glances
curiously at the serious group of men across the stage._)

(_Starkweather is thinking hard with knitted brows. Hubbard is
likewise pondering._)

{Chalmers}

If I were certain Knox had those papers I would take him by the
throat and shake them out of him.

{Starkweather}

No foolish talk like that, Tom. This is a serious matter.

{Hubbard}

But Knox has no money. A Starkweather stenographer comes high.

{Starkweather}

There is more than Knox behind this. (_Enter Dobleman, walking
quickly and in a state of controlled excitement._)

{Dobleman}

(_To Starkweather._) You received that telegram, sir?

(_Starkweather nods._) I got the New York office--Martinaw--right
along afterward, by long distance. I thought best to follow and
tell you.

{Starkweather}

What did Martinaw say?

{Dobleman}

The files seem in perfect order.

{Starkweather}

Thank God!

(_During the following speech of Dobleman, Rutland says good-bye
to Margaret and Dolores Ortega and makes exit._)

(_Margaret and Dolores Ortega rise a minute afterward and
go toward exit, throwing curious glances at the men but not
disturbing them._)

(_Dolores Ortega makes exit._)

(_Margaret pauses in doorway a moment, giving a final anxious
glance at the men, and makes exit._)

{Dobleman}

But they are not. The stenographer, Miss Standish, has confessed.
For a long time she has followed the practice of taking two or
three letters and documents at a time away from the office. Many
have been photographed and returned. But the more important ones
were retained and clever copies returned. Martinaw says that Miss
Standis