The Americans Part 78

(_They go back through the gate in the railing and out through the great door, left, whence the crowd has pa.s.sed. Rome Masters comes furtively up the stairs and looks about. He then comes past the sash to the door, forward left, and begins to pull off the strip that is nailed across it. He has just loosened it when Jim King appears upon the stairs and gives a low whistle. Rome Masters quickly joins him and together they hurry back through the mill and out the great door, left. A moment later the First Guard comes up the stairs, followed by Ralph Ardsley and Bishop Hardbrooke_)

FIRST GUARD.

I'll find him.

BISHOP HARDBROOKE.

If you please.

(_The Guard goes back through the mill_)

BISHOP HARDBROOKE.

I don't like this.

The atmosphere's too charged with victory.

RALPH ARDSLEY.

I don't believe they even know it's cold.

(_Looks about_)

It's wonderful the way he's handled things.

It's that, I think, as much as anything That's won the confidence of the citizens.

I was just sure they'd have a riot here.

(_He gets up on one of the stools before the desk and takes from his overcoat pocket a newspaper which he spreads out before him_)

I've thought about it, Bishop; don't you think That that injunction Egerton got out Against the mine, considering everything, The public feeling--if he has good grounds For claiming that his own men found the mine-- Aside from the reflection on his son-- A tactical mistake, don't you think so?

BISHOP HARDBROOKE.

Best not allude to that.

RALPH ARDSLEY.

I think so too.

(_He reads the paper. The Bishop stands listening to the indistinct noises that come from the crowd outside_)

RALPH ARDSLEY.

And yet you can't blame Jergens very much.

Something has got to happen pretty soon.

Amalgamated's off again, I see.

BISHOP HARDBROOKE.

Who is this Harvey Anderson?

RALPH ARDSLEY.

He's the rough That kept the men from going back that day.

Drew his revolver. Big man here now. You see He'd been out on the mountains with a cast, One of the men the Company had out.

So it's quite possible, as Jergens claims, That Anderson found the mine. For gold these days-- To get possession of a mine like that-- Men have been killed for less.

BISHOP HARDBROOKE.

But Harry----

RALPH ARDSLEY.

That, That's what I can't get down me, his collusion----

(_Cheers outside_)

It's probably Anderson haranguing them.

I don't myself believe that Harry'd do it.

(_Tremendous cheering_)

There's certainly enthusiasm there.

BISHOP HARDBROOKE.

What is it, Editor Ardsley?

RALPH ARDSLEY.

I don't know.

BISHOP HARDBROOKE.

What's it all mean? What's underneath it all?

RALPH ARDSLEY.

We're neither of us, Bishop, what we were.

We've lost our power. Something's happening That we don't understand.

(_A pause_)

And done by men That live right here and walk the streets and talk, Buy vegetables and pa.s.s the time of day.

I tell you, Bishop Hardbrooke, you can't tell.

BISHOP HARDBROOKE.

(_Half to himself_)