Theft Part 27

(_Shaking his head._)

{Hubbard}

(_Pausing, open door in hand, and laughing cynically._) And yet it was but a moment ago that it seemed I heard you say there was no one whom you would not permit the world to know you saw.

(_Starting._) What do you mean?

{Hubbard}

Good-bye.

(_Hubbard makes exit and closes door._) (_Knox wanders aimlessly to his desk, glances at the letter he was reading of which had been interrupted by Hubbard's entry of first act, suddenly recollects the package of doc.u.ments, and walks to low bookcase and looks on top._)

{Knox}

(_Stunned._) The thief!

(_He looks about him wildly, then rushes like a madman in pursuit of Hubbard, making exit to right and leaving the door Hying open._) (_Empty stage for a moment._)

Curtain

ACT III

Scene. _The library, used as a sort of semi-office by Starkweather at such times when he is in Was.h.i.+ngton. Door to right; also, door to right rear. At left rear is an alcove, without hangings, which is dark. To left are windows. To left, near windows, a fiat-top desk, with desk-chair and desk-telephone. Also, on desk, conspicuously, is a heavy dispatch box. At the center rear is a large screen. Extending across center back of room are heavy, old-fas.h.i.+oned bookcases, with swinging gla.s.s doors. The bookcases narrow about four feet from the floor, thus forming a ledge. Between left end of bookcases and alcove at left rear, high up on wall, hangs a large painting or steel engraving of Abraham Lincoln. In design and furnis.h.i.+ngs, it is a simple chaste room, coldly rigid and slightly old-fas.h.i.+oned.

It is 9:30 in the morning of the day succeeding previous act.

Curtain discloses Starkweather seated at desk, and Dobleman, to right of desk, standing._

{Starkweather}

All right, though it is an unimportant publication. I'll subscribe.

{Dobleman}

(_Making note on pad._) Very well, sir. Two thousand.

(_He consults his notes._) Then there is _Vanderwater's Magazine_.

Your subscription is due.

{Starkweather}

How much?

{Dobleman}

You have been paying fifteen thousand.

{Starkweather}

It is too much. What is the regular subscription?

{Dobleman}

A dollar a year.

{Starkweather}

(_Shaking his head emphatically._) It is too much.

{Dobleman}

Professor Vanderwater also does good work with his lecturing. He is regularly on the Chautauqua Courses, and at that big meeting of the National Civic Federation, his speech was exceptionally telling.

{Starkweather}

(_Doubtfully, about to give in._) All right--

(_He pauses, as if recollecting something._) (_Dobleman has begun to write down the note._) No. I remember there was something in the papers about this Professor Vanderwater--a divorce, wasn't it? He has impaired his authority and his usefulness to me.

{Dobleman}

It was his wife's fault.

{Starkweather}

It is immaterial. His usefulness is impaired. Cut him down to ten thousand. It will teach him a lesson.

{Dobleman}

Very good, sir.

{Starkweather}

And the customary twenty thousand to _Cartwrights_.

{Dobleman}

(_Hesitatingly._) They have asked for more. They have enlarged the magazine, reorganized the stock, staff, everything.

{Starkweather}

Hubbard's writing for it, isn't he?

{Dobleman}