Theft Part 38

{Linda}

Yes, sir.

{Starkweather}

(_Abruptly springing the point he has been working up to._) How long?

(_Linda perceives the gist of the questioning just as she is opening her mouth to reply, and she does not speak._)

{Margaret}

(_With deliberate calmness of despair._) Half an hour--an hour--any length of time your shameful minds dictate. That will do, Linda.

You can go.

{Starkweather}

No you don't. Stand over there to one side.

(_To the others._) The papers are in this room, and I shall keep my mind certain on that point.

{Hubbard}

I think I have shown the motive.

{Connie}

You are a beast!

{Chalmers}

You haven't told what you saw.

{Hubbard}

I saw them in each other's arms--several times. Then I found the stolen doc.u.ments where Knox had thrown them down. So I pocketed them and closed the door.

{Chalmers}

How long after that did they remain together?

{Hubbard}

Quite a time, quite a long time.

{Chalmers}

And when you last saw them?

{Hubbard}

They were in each other's arms--quite enthusiastically, I may say, in each other's arms. (_Chalmers is crushed._)

{Margaret}

(_To Hubbard._) You coward.

(_Hubbard smiles._)

(_To Starkweather._) When are you going to call off this hound of yours?

{Starkweather}

When I get the papers. You see what you've been made to pay for them already. Now listen to me closely. Tom, you listen, too. You know the value of these letters. If they are not recovered they will precipitate a turn-over that means not merely money but control and power. I doubt that even you would be re-elected.

So what we have heard in this room must be forgotten--absolutely forgotten. Do you understand?

{Chalmers}

But it is adultery.

{Starkweather}

It is not necessary for that word to be mentioned. The point is that everything must be as it was formerly.

{Chalmers}

Yes, I understand.

{Starkweather}

(_To Margaret._) You hear. Tom will make no trouble. Now give me the papers. They are mine, you know.

{Margaret}

It seems to me the people, who have been lied to, and cajoled, and stolen from, are the rightful owners, not you.

{Starkweather}

Are you doing this out of love for this--this man, this demagogue?

{Margaret}

For the people, the children, the future.

{Starkweather}

Faugh! Answer me.

{Margaret}