(_Suddenly apprehending the strain of the situation between Starkweather and Margaret._)--Why, what is the matter? {Starkweather} (_Patently disturbed by their entrance, speaking to Dobleman, who has finished with the telephone._) Lock the doors. (_Dobleman proceeds to obey._) {Mrs. Starkweather} Mercy me! Anthony! What has happened? (_A pause._) Madge! What has happened? {Starkweather} You will have to wait here a few minutes, that is all. {Mrs. Starkweather} But I must keep my engagements. And I haven't a minute to spare. (_Looking at Dobleman locking doors._) I do not understand. {Starkweather} (_Grimly,_) You will, shortly. I can trust no one any more. When my daughter sees fit to steal-- {Mrs. Starkweather} Steal!--Margaret! What have you been doing now? {Margaret} Where is Tommy? (_Mrs. Starkwater is too confounded to answer, and can only stare from face to face._) (_Margaret looks her anxiety to Connie._) {Connie} He is already down in the machine waiting for us. You are coming, aren't you? {Starkweather} Let him wait in the machine. Margaret will come when I get done with her. (_A knock is heard at right rear._) (_Starkweather looks at Dobleman and signifies that he is to open door._) (_Dobleman unlocks door, and Hubbabd and Chalmers enter. Beyond the shortest of nods and recognitions with eyes, greetings are cut short by the strain that is on all. Dobleman relocks door._) {Starkweather} (_Plunging into it._) Look here, Tom. You know those letters Gherst stole. Mr. Hubbard recovered them from Knox and returned them to me this morning. Within five minutes Margaret stole them from me--here, right in this room. She has not left the room. They are on her now. I want them. {Chalmers} (_Who is obviously incapable of coping with his wife, and who is panting for breath, his hand pressed to his side._) Madge, is this true? {Margaret} I haven't them. I tell you I haven't them. {Starkweather} Where are they, then? (_She does not answer._) If they are in the room we can find them. Search the room. Tom, Mr. Hubbard, Dobleman. They must be recovered at any cost. (_While a thorough search of the room is being made, Mrs. Starkweather, overcome, has Connie assist her to seat at left. Margaret also seats herself, in same chair at desk._) {Chalmers} (_Pausing from search, while others continue._) There is no place to look for them. They are not in the room. Are you sure you didn't mislay them? {Starkweather} Nonsense. Margaret took them. They are a bulky package and not easily hidden. If they aren't in the room, then she has them on her. {Chalmers} Madge, give them up. {Margaret} I haven't them. (_Chalmers, stepping suddenly up to her, starts feeling for the papers, running his hands over her dress._) {Margaret} (_Springing to her feet and striking him in the face with her open palm._) How dare you!