rposely. We wanted to expose trickery, if we found any.

DONOHUE. I understand. (_He turns again to_ CROSBY.) Go on, Mr. Crosby.

CROSBY. In a moment poor Wales fell to the floor. I ran to him and found
that he had been stabbed in the back. Before we could call for aid, he
was dead.

DONOHUE. Did he say anything?

CROSBY. No. I think that he was dead before we got to him.

DONOHUE. What happened then?

CROSBY. As soon as I realized what had happened I sent for you.

DONOHUE. Why for _me_? Why not simply notify the police? I mean, was
there any special reason for wanting _me_?

CROSBY. There was, but I wasn't conscious of it at the time. We'd been
talking about the killing of Spencer Lee earlier in the evening, and
I suppose that subconsciously I remembered that you were handling that
case, which brought yours as the first name to my mind. That's all.

DONOHUE. I see. (_Going _C._ a few steps._) Now then, who's been in or
out of this room since? Of course, you know you had no right to move Mr.
Wales.

CROSBY (L.C.). Yes, I know, but I couldn't let him lie there on the
floor. It was a little too much. You see we were all locked in here and
and--

DONOHUE. Locked in! You mean as I found you when I came?

CROSBY. Exactly. We had all of the windows fastened and all doors locked
for the seance. Pollock had the keys, I refused to let him open the door
until you came.

DONOHUE. Mr. Crosby, you are forgiven for breaking the Coroner's rules.
As I understand, then, you were sitting in this room with the doors and
windows locked; you were in the dark. Wales was stabbed in the back, the
lights were turned on, and no one has left the room or entered since?

CROSBY. No one but you.

DONOHUE. I didn't kill him. (_There is a long pause, then he turns
with a sweeping gesture._) Which one of you did? (_Slight movement
from others. There is another long pause. No one speaks. He moves
very quietly down_ R.C. _to below table_ R.) Now, I'm not going to
employ the usual police methods. There is to be no threatening or
badgering. But you all can see that there can be no escape for the
guilty person. I realize that this is a terrible situation for all of
you, but the only way to relieve it is for the murderer of Mr. Wales
to confess. (_Another pause._) It will save a long, and I assure you,
a very trying police investigation. Let me say also that there will be
no recriminations, no unpleasant scenes. I realize that this seems a