(_Chalmers recoils, Mrs. Starkweather is threatened with hysteria and is calmed by the frightened Connie, while Starkweather looks on grimly._) {Hubbard} (_Giving up search of room._) Possibly it would be better to let me retire, Mr. Starkweather. {Starkweather} No; those papers are here in this room. If nobody leaves there will be no possible chance for the papers to get out of the room. What would you recommend doing, Hubbard? {Hubbard} (_Hesitatingly._) Under the circumstances I don't like to suggest-- {Starkweather} Go on. {Hubbard} First, I would make sure that she--er--Mrs. Chalmers has taken them. {Starkweather} I have made that certain. {Chalmers} But what motive could she have for such an act? (_Hubbard looks wise._) {Starkweather} (_To Hubbard._) You know more about this than would appear. What is it? {Hubbard} I'd rather not. It is too-- (_Looks significantly at Mrs. Starkweather and Connie._)--er--delicate. {Starkweather} This affair has gone beyond all delicacy. What is it? {Margaret} No! No! (_Chalmers and Starkweather look at her with sudden suspicion._) {Starkweather} Go on, Mr. Hubbard. {Hubbard} I'd--I'd rather not. {Starkweather} (_Savagely._) I say go on. {Hubbard} (_With simulated reluctance._) Last night--I saw--I was in Knox's rooms-- {Margaret} (_Interrupting._) One moment; please. Let him speak, but first send Connie away. {Starkweather} No one shall leave this room till the documents are produced. Margaret, give me the letters, and Connie can leave quietly, and even will Hubbard's lips remain sealed. They will never breathe a word of whatever shameful thing his eyes saw. This I promise you. (_A pause, wherein he waits vainly for Margaret to make a decision._) Go on, Hubbard. {Margaret} (_Who is terror-stricken, and has been wavering._) No! Don't! I'll tell. I'll give you back the documents. (_All are expectant She wavers again, and steels herself to resolution._) No; I haven't them. Say all you have to say. {Starkweather} You see. She has them. She said she would give them back. (_To Hubbard._) Go on. {Hubbard} Last night-- {Connie} (_Springing up._) I won't stay! (_She rushes to left rear and finds door locked._) Let me out! Let me out! {Mrs. Starkweather} (_Moaning and lying back in chair, legs stretched out and giving preliminary twitches and jerks of hysteria._) I shall die! I shall die! I know I shall die! {Starkweather} (_Sternly, to Connie._) Go back to your mother. {Connie} (_Returning reluctantly to side of Mrs. Starkweather, sitting down beside her, and putting fingers in her own ears._) I won't listen! I won't listen! {Starkweather} (_Sternly._) Take your fingers down. {Hubbard} Hang it all, Chalmers, I wish I were out of this. I don't want to testify. {Starkweather} Take your fingers down. (_Connie reluctantly removes her fingers._) Now, Hubbard. {Hubbard} I protest. I am being dragged into this. {Chalmers}