Theft Part 45

(_To Hubbard._) What's to be done?

{Hubbard}

(_Shrugging shoulders._) I'm all at sea. I had just left the letters with him, when Mrs. Chalmers entered the room. What's become of them? She hasn't them, that's certain.

{Chalmers}

But why? Why should she have taken them?

{Hubbard}

(_Dryly, pointing to crumpled photograph on floor._) It seems very clear to me.

{Chalmers}

You think so? You think so?

{Hubbard}

I told you what I saw last night at his rooms. There is no other explanation.

{Chalmers}

(_Angrily._) And that's the sort he is--vaunting his moral superiority--mouthing phrases about theft--our theft--and himself the greatest thief of all, stealing the dearest and sacredest things--

(_Margaret appears from behind screen, pinning on her hat. She is dressed, but somewhat in disarray, and Linda follows, pulling and touching and arranging. Margaret pauses near to Rutland, but does not seem to see him._)

{Rutland}

(_Lamely._) It is a sad happening--ahem--a sad happening. I am grieved, deeply grieved. I cannot tell you, Mrs. Chalmers, how grieved I am to have been compelled to be present at this--ahem--this unfortunate--

(_Margaret withers him with a look and he awkwardly ceases._)

{Margaret}

After this, father, there is one thing I shall do--

{Chalmers}

(_Interrupting._) Go to your lover, I suppose.

{Margaret} (_Coldly._) Have it that way if you choose.

{Chalmers}

And take him what you have stolen--

{Starkweather}

(_Arousing suddenly from brown study._) But she hasn't them on her.

She hasn't been out of the room. They are not in the room. Then where are they?

(_During the following, Margaret goes to the door, which Dobleman opens. She forces Linda to go out and herself pauses in open door to listen._)

{Hubbard}

(_Uttering an exclamation of enlightenment, going rapidly across to window at left and raising it._) It is not locked. It moves noiselessly. There's the explanation.

(_To Starkweather._) While you were at the safe, with your back turned, she lifted the window, tossed the papers out to somebody waiting--

(_He sticks head and shoulders out of window, peers down, then brings head and shoulders back._)--No; they are not there.

Somebody was waiting for them.

{Starkweather}

But how should she know I had them? You had only just recovered them?

{Hubbard}

Didn't Knox know right away last night that I had taken them? I took the up-elevator instead of the down when I heard him running along the hall. Trust him to let her know what had happened. She was the only one who could recover them for him. Else why did she come here so immediately this morning? To steal the package, of course. And she had some one waiting outside. She tossed them out and closed the window--

(_He closes window._)--You notice it makes no sound.--and sat down again--all while your back was turned.

{Starkweather}

Margaret, is this true?

{Margaret}

(_Excitedly._) Yes, the window. Why didn't you think of it before?

Of course, the window. He--somebody was waiting. They are gone now--miles and miles away. You will never get them. They are in his hands now. He will use them in his speech this afternoon.

(_Laughs wildly._)

(_Suddenly changing her tone to mock meekness, subtle with defiance._) May I go--now?

(_n.o.body answers, and she makes exit._) (_A moments pause, during which Starkweather, Chalmers, and Hubbard look at each other in stupefaction._)

ACT IV

Scene. _Same as Act I. It is half past one of same day. Curtain discloses Knox seated at right front and waiting. He is dejected in att.i.tude._

(_Margaret enters from right rear, and advances to him. He rises awkwardly and shakes hands. She is very calm and self-possessed._)

{Margaret}