LAURA. You are not through with him yet, then? HEGAN. No, Laura... LAURA. Well, even so! Mr. Grimes must wait until I have said what I have to say to you. HEGAN. What is it, Laura? LAURA. You are expecting the decision of the Court of Appeals on the Grand Avenue Railroad case at noon today. HEGAN. Why, yes... LAURA. The decision will be in your favor. And you and Grimes are planning to gamble on it, and to make a great deal of money. HEGAN. Yes, my dear. LAURA. And you paid Grimes two hundred thousand dollars to fix the decision of the Court. HEGAN. [Starting violently.] Laura! LAURA. Grimes went to judge Porter's house the night before last and induced him to change his vote on the case. HEGAN. Laura! LAURA. And so, what was to have been the minority opinion of the Court is to be given out today as the Court's decision. HEGAN. My God! LAURA. You do not deny that this is the truth? HEGAN. You overheard us at the house! LAURA. Not one word, father. HEGAN. But you must have! LAURA. Father, throughout this conversation, you may honor me by assuming that I am telling you the absolute truth. And I will be glad when you will give me the same privilege. HEGAN. Then, how did you learn it? LAURA. That, unfortunately, I am not at liberty to tell you. HEGAN. Then other people know it? LAURA. They do. HEGAN. Good God! [Stares at her, dumbfounded.] Who are these people? LAURA. I cannot tell you that. HEGAN. But, Laura... you must! LAURA. It is impossible. HEGAN. But... how can that be? LAURA. I cannot discuss the matter. HEGAN. But think... my dear! I am your father, and you must trust me... you must help me... LAURA. Please do not ask me. I have given my word. HEGAN. Your word! [Gazes about, distracted.] You take the part of others against your own flesh and blood! LAURA. Listen, father! Think of me for a minute, and how it seems to me. Do not be so ignoble as to think only of the exposure... HEGAN. But, my child, realize what it will mean if this comes out! Are these people among my enemies? LAURA. That depends upon circumstances. HEGAN. I don't understand you. LAURA. I will try to explain, if you will be patient with me. HEGAN. Go on! Go on! LAURA. Father, you know what has been happening to me during the past few months. You know how unhappy I have been. And now you have committed a crime... a dreadful, dreadful crime! HEGAN. My dear! LAURA. I wish to make it clear to you... I am in desperate earnest. I have taken all night to think it over, and I am not making any mistake. I have made up my mind that, come what will, and cost what it may, I must clear myself of the responsibility for these evils. HEGAN. In what way are you responsible?