(_Maid enters from right rear and advances._) {Starkweather} Has anybody come into this room from the hall in the last few minutes? {Maid} No, sir; not since Mrs. Chalmers came in. {Starkweather} How do you know? {Maid} I was in the hall, sir, dusting all the time. {Starkweather} That will do. (_Maid makes exit to right rear._) Dobleman, a very unusual thing has occurred. Mrs. Chalmers and I have been alone in this room. Those letters stolen by Gherst had been returned to me by Hubbard but the moment before. They were on my desk. I turned my back for a moment to go to the safe. When I came back they were gone. {Dobleman} (_Embarrassed._) Yes, sir. {Starkweather} Mrs. Chalmers took them. She has them now. {Dobleman} (_Attempts to speak, stammers._) Er--er--yes, sir {Starkweather} I want them back. What is to be done? (_Dobleman remains in hopeless confusion._) Well! {Dobleman} (_Speaking hurriedly and hopefully._) S-send for Mr. Hubbard. He got them for you before. {Starkweather} A good suggestion. Telephone for him. You should find him at the Press Club. (_Dobleman starts to make exit to right._) Don't leave the room. Use this telephone. (_Indicating desk telephone._) (_Dobleman moves around to left of desk and uses telephone standing up._) From now on no one leaves the room. If my daughter can be guilty of such a theft, it is plain I can trust no one--no one. {Dobleman} (_Speaking in transmitter._) Red 6-2-4. Yes, please. (_Waits._) {Starkweather} (_Rising._) Call Senator Chalmers as well. Tell him to come immediately. {Dobleman} Yes, sir--immediately. {Starkweather} (_Starting to cross stage to center and speaking to Margaret._) Come over here. (_Margaret follows. She is obedient, frightened, very subdued--but resolved._) Why have you done this? Were you truthful when you said there was nothing between you and this man Knox? {Margaret} Father; don't discuss this before the-- (_Indicating Dobleman._)--the servants. {Starkweather} You should have considered that before you stole the documents. (_Dobleman, in the meantime, is telephoning in a low voice._) {Margaret} There are certain dignities-- {Starkweather} (_Interrupting._) Not for a thief. (_Speaking intensely and in a low voice._) Margaret, it is not too late. Give them back, and no one shall know. (_A pause, in which Margaret is silent, in the throes of indecision._) {Dobleman} Mr. Hubbard says he will be here in three minutes. Fortunately, Senator Chalmers is with him. (_Starkweather nods and looks at Margaret._) (_Door at left rear opens, and enter Mrs. Starkweather and Connie. They are dressed for the street and evidently just going out._) {Mrs. Starkweather} (_Speaking in a rush._) We are just going out, Anthony. You were certainly wrong in making us attempt to take that 2:10 train. I simply can't make it. I know I can't. It would have been much wiser--