Theft Part 18

{Margaret}

(_Acting her part, and speaking with a.s.sumed gayety._) What are you three conspiring about? (_All three men are startled._)

{Chalmers}

We are arranging to boost prices a little higher.

{Hubbard}

And so be able to acc.u.mulate more motorcars.

{Starkweather}

(_Taking no notice of Margaret and starting toward exit to rear._) I must be going. Hubbard, you have your work cut out for you.

Tom, I want you to come with me.

{Chalmers}

(_As the three men move toward exit._) Home?

{Starkweather}

Yes, we have much to do.

{Chalmers}

Then I'll dress first and follow you.

(_Turning to Margaret._) Pick me up on the way to that dinner.

(_Margaret nods. Starkweather makes exit without speaking.

Hub-bard says good-bye to Margaret and makes exit, followed by Chalmers._)

(_Margaret remains standing, one hand resting on table, the other hand to her breast. She is thinking, establis.h.i.+ng in her mind the connection between Knox and what she has overheard, and in process of reaching the conclusion that Knox is in danger._)

(_Tommy, having vainly waited to be discovered, crawls out dispiritedly, and takes Margaret by the hand. She scarcely notices him._)

{Tommy} (_Dolefully._) Don't you want to play any more? (_Margaret does not reply_). I was a good Indian.

{Margaret}

(_Suddenly becoming aware of herself and breaking down. She stoops and clasps Tommy in her arms, crying out, in anxiety and fear, and from love of her boy._) Oh, Tommy! Tommy!

Curtain

ACT II

Scene. _Sitting room of Howard Knox--dimly lighted. Time, eight o'clock in the evening.

Entrance from hallway at side to right. At right rear is locked door leading to a room which dees not belong to Knox's suite.

At rear center is fireplace. At left rear door leading to Knox's bedroom. At left are windows facing on street. Near these windows is a large library table littered with books, magazines, government reports, etc. To the right of center, midway forward, is a Hat-top desk. On it is a desk telephone. Behind it, so that one sitting in it faces audience, is revolving desk-chair. Also, on desk, are letters in their envelopes, etc. Against clear wall-s.p.a.ces are bookcases and filing cabinets. Of special note is bookcase, containing large books, and not more than five feet high, which is against wall between fireplace and door to bedroom.

Curtain discloses empty stage._

(_After a slight interval, door at right rear is shaken and agitated. After slight further interval, door is opened inward upon stage. A Man's head appears, cautiously looking around_).

(_Man enters, turns up lights, is followed by second Man. Both are clad decently, in knock-about business suits and starched collars, cuffs, etc. They are trim, deft, determined men_).

(_Following upon them, enters Hubbard. He looks about room, crosses to desk, picks up a letter, and reads address_).

{Hubbard}

This is Knox's room all right

{First Man}

Trust us for that.

{Second Man}

We were lucky the guy with the whiskers moved out of that other room only this afternoon.

{First Man}

His key hadn't come down yet when I engaged it.

{Hubbard}

Well, get to work. That must be his bedroom.

(_He goes to door of bedroom, opens, and peers in, turns on electric lights of bedroom, turns them out, then turns back to men._) You know what it is--a bunch of doc.u.ments and letters.

If we find it there is a clean five hundred each for you, in addition to your regular pay.

(_While the conversation goes on, all three engage in a careful search of desk, drawers, filing cabinets, bookcases, etc._)

{Second Man}

Old Starkweather must want them bad.

{Hubbard}

Sh-h. Don't even breathe his name.

{Second Man}