The Tree That Saved Connecticut Part 12

Indeed! I'll do it whether it's legal or not. I'll have that charter, I tell you, if I have to search every spot in this town! I'll have it, I say I'll have it.

ANNOUNCER

And so the great search began. All that night and into the next day the Governor, the Colonel, and their soldiers searched high and low for the missing charter. At last they came to the house of Charles w.i.l.l.ys, in front of which stood the great oak in which the charter lay safely hidden.

ANDROS

Who lives here?

TREAT

This is the home of Charles w.i.l.l.ys!

ANDROS

Indeed! One of the Charter Committee, eh?

TREAT

Yes, sir!

ANDROS

Good! Search this place inside and out, Colonel. Don't leave a thing unturned.

BLIGH

Very good, sir! Search this place, Captain--thoroughly. Tear up the floors, dig up the garden, rip the upholstery off the furniture, but find that charter!

VOICE

Yes, sir. Follow me!

ANDROS

Bring out the master of the house. The rest of you back up against this tree and don't move!

TREAT

Sir, I protest again--

ANDROS

Protest all you like. It will do you no good until you produce that charter.

TREAT

I don't know where it is. You had it, that's all I know. If you lost it, it is not our fault.

ANDROS

Silence!

BLIGH [_a little distance_]

Here's the master of the house, sir.

ANDROS

Ah, indeed! Are you Master w.i.l.l.ys?

w.i.l.l.yS

I am.

ANDROS

Where is the charter?

w.i.l.l.yS

Your pardon, sir, but how should I know?

ANDROS

You were a member of the Charter Committee, were you not?

w.i.l.l.yS

I was!

ANDROS

Then where is it?

w.i.l.l.yS

I am informed that the charter--

ANDROS

Yes?

w.i.l.l.yS

Was placed--

ANDROS