The Climbers Part 25

[_The sleigh-bells stop._

G.o.dESBY. [_To_ MISS G.o.dESBY.] Ten to one if you agree to sign this note--

WARDEN. And keep silent.

MISS G.o.dESBY. [_Satirically._] Oh, yes, of course, the next morning when I wake up Sterling will be gone! n.o.body knows where!

WARDEN. I've had it out with Sterling! I am here as his representative.

I give you my word of honor Sterling will not run away. It is under such an understanding with him that I am pleading his case in his stead. He will stay here and work till he has paid you back, every cent.

[JESSICA _enters hurriedly from the house._

JESSICA. [_In great excitement._] Mr. Warden, Mr. Warden, d.i.c.k has gone!

WARDEN. _Sterling? Gone?_

MISS G.o.dESBY. _Gone?_

G.o.dESBY. That's _good_!

WARDEN. Don't be a fool, G.o.desby. How do you mean "gone," Miss Hunter?

JESSICA. I don't altogether know. While I was out this morning, Blanche received a message from mother saying she'd been--

[_She hesitates, looking toward_ G.o.dESBY _and_ MISS G.o.dESBY.

WARDEN. They know. They're your mother's guests here.

JESSICA. She told Blanche they would be glad to have her here at one o'clock for breakfast. Blanche ordered the sleigh at once and went away, leaving word for me I was to open any message which might come for her.

WARDEN. [_To_ G.o.dESBY.] Has she been here?

G.o.dESBY. Not that I know of.

MISS G.o.dESBY. [_Eager to hear more._] No, no!

JESSICA. No, they say not. She probably went first to Aunt Ruth's.

Before I got back, d.i.c.k, who'd been out--

WARDEN. He was at my house.

JESSICA. Yes. He came back, questioned Jordan as to where Blanche was, went upstairs, and then went away again, leaving a note for Blanche, which I found when I came home--

WARDEN. [_Eagerly._] Yes?

JESSICA. It simply said, "Good-by. d.i.c.k."

MISS G.o.dESBY. [_Very angry._] Oh!

G.o.dESBY. [_Quickly._] He's taken a train! He's cleared out!

WARDEN. Do you know if he took a bag or anything with him?

JESSICA. No, he took nothing of that sort. Jordan went into his room and found a drawer open and empty, a drawer in which d.i.c.k kept--a _pistol_!--

[_She drops her voice almost to a whisper._

WARDEN. Good G.o.d, he's shot himself!

JESSICA. Perhaps not--he left the house.

WARDEN. Yes, if he were really determined to shoot himself, why wouldn't he have done it there in his own room?

JESSICA. What can we do? What can we do?

WARDEN. I'll get Mr. Mason; he's with your mother; he must go back to town at once.

[_Going to the house._

JESSICA. He can go with me; I'd better be at the house. Some one must be there.

WARDEN. Good!

[_He goes into the house._

[MISS G.o.dESBY _and her brother ignore and apparently forget the presence of_ JESSICA _in their excitement. They both speak and move excitedly._

MISS G.o.dESBY. I ought to have suspected something when Sterling told me he was getting ten per cent for my money,--the blackguard!

G.o.dESBY. I always told you you were a fool not to take care of your money yourself! You know more about business than most men.

MISS G.o.dESBY. I didn't want to be bothered; besides, there was always something very attractive about Sterling. I don't mind telling you that if he had fallen in love with me instead of the stiff-necked woman he married, I'd have tumbled over myself to get him.

G.o.dESBY. How do you feel about him now?

MISS G.o.dESBY. Now! Thank G.o.d, I'm saved such a waking up! It's going to make a big difference with my income, Howard! I wonder if his wife knew he was crooked! I'll bet you she's got a pot of money stowed away all right in her own name.

JESSICA. [_Who can bear no more, interrupts._]

Please--please! Remember that you're speaking of my sister and that every word you are saying cuts through me like a knife.

MISS G.o.dESBY. I beg your pardon; I ought to have thought. I like and respect you, Jess, and I've been very rude.

JESSICA. You've been more than that; you've been cruelly unjust to Blanche in all that you've said!

MISS G.o.dESBY. Perhaps I have, but I don't feel in a very generous mood; I've some excuse--so please forgive me.

[WARDEN _reenters Left._