(_Shaking her head, speaking low._) Dear delightful Ali Baba. {Knox} (_Glumly._) I suppose I've made a fool of myself. {Margaret} (_Earnestly._) On the contrary, you were delightful. I am proud of you. (_As Knox shakes hands with Margaret, Sakari arises and comes forward_). {Sakari} I, too, must go. I have had a charming half hour, Mrs. Chalmers. But I shall not attempt to thank you. (_He shakes hands with Margaret._) (_Knox and Sakari proceed to make exit to rear._) (_Just as they go out, Servant enters, carrying card-tray, and advances toward Starkweather._) (_Margaret joins Dolores Ortega and Chalmers, seats herself with them, and proceeds to talk motor-cars._) (_Servant has reached Starkweather, who has taken a telegram from tray, opened it, and is reading it._) {Starkweather} Damnation! {Servant} I beg your pardon, sir. {Starkweather} Send Senator Chalmers to me, and Mr. Hubbard. {Servant} Yes, sir. (_Servant crosses to Chalmers and Hubbard, both of whom immediately arise and cross to Starkweather._) (_While this is being done, Margaret reassembles the three broken groups into one, seating herself so that she can watch Starkweather and his group across the stage._) (_Servant lingers to receive a command from Margaret._) (_Chalmers and Hubbard wait a moment, standing, while Starkweather rereads telegram._) {Starkweather} (_Standing up._) Dobleman has just forwarded this telegram. It's from New York--from Martinaw. There's been rottenness. My papers and letter-files have been ransacked. It's the confidential stenographer who has been tampered with--you remember that middle-aged, youngish-oldish woman, Tom? That's the one.--Where's that servant? (_Servant is just making exit._) Here! Come here! (_Servant comes over to Starkweather._) Go to the telephone and call up Dobleman. Tell him to come here. {Servant} (_Perplexed._) I beg pardon, sir. {Starkweather} (_Irritably._) My secretary. At my house. Dobleman. Tell him to come at once. (_Servant makes exit._) {Chalmers} But who can be the principal behind this theft? (_Starkweather shrugs his shoulders._) {Hubbard} A blackmailing device most probably. They will attempt to bleed you-- {Chalmers} Unless-- {Starkweather} (_Impatiently._) Yes? {Chalmers} Unless they are to be used to-morrow in that speech of Knox. (_Comprehension dawns on the faces of the other two men._) {Mrs. Starkweather} (_Who has arisen._) Anthony, we must go now. Are you ready? Connie has to dress. {Starkweather} I am not going now. You and Connie take the car. {Mrs. Starkweather} You mustn't forget you are going to that dinner. {Starkweather} (_Wearily._) Do I ever forget? (_Servant enters and proceeds toward Starkweather, where he stands waiting while Mrs. Starkweather finishes the next speech. Starkweather listens to her with a patient, stony face._) {Mrs. Starkweather}