Dr. Agnus, please! (_He fingers paper-cutter_) You know, when the Anarchist Council hears of the chance you’re throwing away—pouff! That for you—(_stabbing motion_) I don’t know but what they’re right. This is too good a chance to miss. (_He takes Schwartzenhopfel by the collar and flourishes the dagger_) AGNUS Here! Quit that! Quit! THE DEVIL (_fixes him with a look that makes him fall back_) For the sake of the thousands of lives Magnus has taken to make his millions—(_the dagger descends_) SCHWARTZENHOPFEL (_on his knees, howling lustily_) Police! Police! Police! [_Judge Critty appears at the window looking in from garden, sees the tableau inside without being seen himself, and runs off with a shocked, terrified expression on his face._ SCHWARTZENHOPFEL Police! Police! THE DEVIL (_throws down the knife and laughs heartily_) The police? An anarchist bawling for the police! The police! If the Anarchist Council heard that, they’d boil you in Standard Oil. Get up! (_Sneers_) Anarchist! [_Schwartzenhopfel crawls to his feet shamefacedly._ THE DEVIL (_fixes him with his eye_) I might have known that a man who makes bombs to blow up—for all he knows—women and children, would be just your kind of a coward! Oh, you human beings! You make me ill! (_He takes a check-book from the pocket of Schwartzenhopfel’s coat_) What did you think I gave you this body for, you fool? To kill it? I need it too much. Where did you read that about the two million check? SCHWARTZENHOPFEL In a London paper. THE DEVIL Then there’s a chance, it’s true. If you’d said a New York one—Write!—(_Hands the check-book to Schwartzenhopfel_) [_Schwartzenhopfel looks inquiringly at him._ THE DEVIL Pay to Addington Agnus—two million— [_Schwartzenhopfel writes out the check and signs it._ THE DEVIL Now endorse it so: “This money is given to Dr. Addington Agnus to further scientific researches of inestimable value. The amount specified need detain no bank official in my employ from cashing it. John Magnus.” [_Schwartzenhopfel writes while The Devil is dictating._ THE DEVIL (_takes the check and scrutinizes it_) Look at that, Agnus. You should be the happiest man in the world. AGNUS (_scrutinizing the check, the man once more forgotten in the scientist_) His signature! Magnus’s! Why, the check’s good! [_It is now snowing hard, the snow encrusting the windows._ THE DEVIL Of course it’s good. AGNUS But—a forgery! THE DEVIL Can you get anybody to believe that coward over there isn’t Magnus? Now, aren’t you glad I happened along this morning? AGNUS It means—success— THE DEVIL Wiser people—better world—morals adjust themselves. Forty crooks and one honest man in a community, the crooks would elect the honest man—because wisdom teaches them not to trust crooks. The only incurable crime is ignorance! AGNUS (_protesting_) The only one! THE DEVIL