Theft Part 16

(_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 G.o.d!

(_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 doc.u.ments 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 Standish herself does not know and cannot tell which of the ones she returned are genuine and which are copies.

{Hubbard}

Knox never did this.

{Starkweather}

Did Martinaw say whom Miss Standish was acting for?

{Dobleman}

Gherst.

(_The alarm on the three men's faces is patent._)

{Starkweather}

Gherst!

(_Pauses to think._)

{Hubbard}

Then it is not so grave after all. A yellow journal sensation is the best Gherst can make of it. And, doc.u.ments or not, the very medium by which it is made public discredits it.

{Starkweather}

Trust Gherst for more ability than that. He will certainly exploit them in his newspapers, but not until after Knox has used them in his speech. Oh, the cunning dog! Never could he have chosen a better mode and moment to strike at me, at the Administration, at everything. That is Gherst all over. Playing to the gallery. Inducing Knox to make this spectacular exposure on the floor of the House just at the critical time when so many important bills are pending.

(_To Dobleman._)

Did Martinaw give you any idea of the nature of the stolen doc.u.ments?

{Dobleman}

(_Referring to notes he has brought._) Of course I don't know anything about it, but he spoke of the Goodyear letters--

(_Starkweather betrays by his face the gravity of the information._)

the Caledonian letters, all the Black Rider correspondence. He mentioned, too, (_Referring to notes._) the As...o...b..ry and Glutz letters. And there were others, many others, not designated.

{Starkweather}

This is terrible!

(_Recollecting himself._)

Thank you, Dobleman. Will you please return to the house at once.

Get New York again, and fullest details. I'll follow you shortly.

Have you a machine?