[He nods, and ANDREWS exit. GRIMES continues to chew and stare in
front of him. He is not under the necessity of making superfluous
motions.]

HEGAN. [Enters left.] Hello, Grimes!

GRIMES. Hello!

HEGAN. [Betraying anxiety.] Well?

GRIMES. It's done.

HEGAN. What?

GRIMES. It's done.

HEGAN. Good! [Grimes nods.] How did you manage it?

GRIMES. [Grimly.] I put my hand on 'em!

HEGAN. Which one? Porter? [GRIMES nods.] Oh, the old hypocrite! What
did you offer him? Cash? [GRIMES shakes his head slowly.] What?

GRIMES. Discipline!

HEGAN. [Perplexed.] But . . . a judge!

GRIMES. When a man's once mine, he stays mine . . . no matter if it's
a life job I give him.

MEGAN. But are you sure it's safe?

GRIMES. The decision comes tomorrow.

HEGAN. [Starting.] What?

GRIMES. Tomorrow noon.

HEGAN. But how can they write the decision?

GRIMES. They'll adopt the minority opinion.

HEGAN. Oh! I see!

[Chuckles.]

GRIMES. You be ready.

MEGAN. Trust me!  I'll have to go in now.

GRIMES. It'll be a great killing. Old Murdock has plunged up to his
neck!

HEGAN. I know! We'll lay them flat. I'll get ready. [Rises.] Old
Porter! Think of it! When did you see him?

GRIMES. Last night.

HEGAN. I see. I'll be with you.

GRIMES. Just a moment. I'll take the money.

HEGAN. Oh, yes. Why don't you let me hold it and buy for you?

GRIMES. I'll buy for myself.

HEGAN. Very well.

[Sits at desk.]

GRIMES. It's two hundred thousand.

HEGAN. That's right. [Writes a check, rises and gives it to Grimes.]
There.

GRIMES. [Studies the check, nods, and puts it away carefully.] When's
the next train?

HEGAN. In about ten minutes. [Rings bell.] Andrews!

ANDREWS. [Enters left.] Yes, Sir.

HEGAN. I'm going into town at once. Telephone orders to the house.

ANDREWS. Yes, sir. And shall I come in this evening?

HEGAN. Yes; you'd better. And telephone Mr. Isaacson and Mr. Henry
Sterns to meet me at eight o'clock for an important conference at . .
. let me see, where?

GRIMES. At my rooms.

HEGAN. Very good. And they're not to fail on any account. It's urgent.

ANDREWS. Yes, sir.

[HEGAN and GRIMES go off centre. ANDREWS remains sorting papers. A
knock, right.]

ANDREWS. Come in!

[MONTAGUE enters.]

ANDREWS. Oh, good afternoon. I was looking for you, Mr. Montague. Mr.
Bullen has come.

MONTAGUE. Oh! Where is he?

ANDREWS. He's waiting. I'll tell him you're here.

[Exit right.]

MONTAGUE. [Stands at window and sees motor departing.] Grimes! I
wonder what that means? [Turns away.] And what a coincidence, that I
should be here! Humph! Well, it's not my doings. Ah! Bullen!

JACK. [Enters, right, in great excitement.] Montague !

MONTAGUE. Yes.

JACK. I've got 'em!

MONTAGUE. What?

JACK. I've got 'em!

MONTAGUE. You don't mean it!

JACK. Got 'em dead! Got everything! There's never been a case like it!

MONTAGUE. [Gazing about.] Ssh! Where was it?

JACK. At Judge Porter's house.

MONTAGUE. What?

JACK. Yes. . . . Grimes came there.

MONTAGUE. When?

JACK. Last night. My friend was in the next room . . . he heard
everything!

MONTAGUE. And what are they going to do?

JACK. Porter is to switch over, and sign the minority opinion, and
that's to come out as the decision of the Court.

MONTAGUE. Good God! When?

JACK. Tomorrow.

MONTAGUE. Impossible!

JACK. There's to be a meeting of the judges this afternoon. See . . .
here's the decision! [Takes paper from pocket.] The one they mean to
kill!

MONTAGUE. [Looks at paper.] Merciful heavens!

JACK. And look here! [Unfolds a paper, which has pasted on it bits of
a torn and charred note.] He threw this in the fireplace, and it
didn't burn.

MONTAGUE. Bullen!

JACK. In Grimes' own handwriting: "My Dear Porter--I will call" . . .
you can see what that word was . . . "at eight-thirty. Very urgent."
How's that?

MONTAGUE. Man, it's ghastly! [A pause.] How did you manage to get
these?

JACK. It's a long story.

MONTAGUE. How did Grimes work it? Money?

JACK. Not a dollar.

MONTAGUE. What then?

JACK. Just bluffed him. Party loyalty! What was he named for?

MONTAGUE. But in a suit like this!

JACK. Never was a better test! If Hegan lost this case, he'd be wiped
off the slate, and the organization might go down at the next
election. And what were you put in for, judge Porter? Don't you see?

MONTAGUE. I see! It takes my breath away!

JACK. [Looking about.] And what a place for us to meet in! Did you see
Grimes?

MONTAGUE. Yes.

JACK. I'll wager he came to tell Hegan about it.

MONTAGUE. No doubt of it.

JACK. God! I'd give one hand to have heard them!

MONTAGUE. Don't wish that ! It's embarrassing enough as it is!

JACK. [Staring at him.] You'll see it through? You won't back out?

MONTAGUE. Oh, I'll see it through . . . trust me for that. But it's
devilish awkward!

JACK. Why did you come here?

MONTAGUE. I tried not to. But Miss Hegan insisted.

JACK. [Laughing.] The same here! I was fair caught!

MONTAGUE. And now she'll think we learned it here. I'll have to
explain to her . . .

JACK. What?

MONTAGUE. I Must!

JACK. No! [LAURA appears at windows, centre, and hears the rest, which
is in excited tones.] It is not to be thought of!

MONTAGUE. But I can't help it, man! Miss Hegan will think I've been
eavesdropping!

JACK. Do you realize what you're proposing, man? You'll ruin
everything! We've got Grimes dead . . . we can land him in jail! But
if Hegan heard any whisper of it, they'd balk everything!

MONTAGUE. But how?

JACK. They'd hold up the decision of the Court . . .

MONTAGUE. Nonsense! With all that they'd stand to lose . . .

LAURA. [Coming forward.] I beg pardon, Mr. Bullen.

JACK. Oh!

LAURA. I didn't wish to hear what you were saying. But I couldn't help
it. I was caught unawares. [The three stare at each other.] It is
something that involves my father. [Looking at the papers in BULLEN's
hands.] Mr. Bullen has brought you some evidence. Is that so, Mr.
Montague?

MONTAGUE. [In a low voice.] Yes, Miss Hegan.

LAURA. And you wished to take me into your confidence?

MONTAGUE. I wished to make it impossible for you to think we had
obtained this evidence in your home.

LAURA. I See.

MONTAGUE. You will do us the justice to recognize that we did not seek
admission here.

LAURA. Yes; I do that. [A pause.] All that I can say is, that if you
think it best to take me into your confidence, you may trust me to the
bitter end.

MONTAGUE. Miss Hegan, Mr. Bullen has brought me evidence which proves
that the decision of the Court, which is to be made known tomorrow,
has been . . . improperly affected.

LAURA. [Quickly.] By whom?

MONTAGUE. By Robert Grimes.

LAURA. [Starts wildly.] And the evidence involves my father?

MONTAGUE. Your father will be the chief one to profit from the change.

LAURA. [Sinks back against the table; stares away from them,
whispering.] To Grimes . . . two hundred thousand on Court deal! I
see! I see! [Faces them, weakly.] And what . . . what do you mean to
do?

MONTAGUE. I intend to wait until the decision has been announced,
which will be tomorrow, and then to call a public meeting and present
the evidence.

LAURA. [Starts to implore him; then controls herself.] Yes, yes . . .
that is just. But then . . . see! It hasn't been done yet!

MONTAGUE. How do you mean?

LAURA. The decision hasn't come out. It could be stopped!

JACK. Why stop it?

LAURA. That would prevent the wrong! I would . . . oh, I see! You want
to expose Grimes! You'd rather it happened!

JACK. The crime has already been committed.

LAURA. And you, Mr. Montague . . . you prefer it so?

MONTAGUE. I had never thought of any other possibility.

LAURA. Listen! I don't understand the matter very clearly. The Grand
Avenue Railroad case . . .

MONTAGUE. It is an effort to annul a franchise which was obtained by
proven bribery.

LAURA. Then, if the public could win, it would be worth while, would
it not?

MONTAGUE. It would establish a precedent of vast importance. But how
could that be done?

LAURA. We have a hold upon these men . . . we could compel them to
give way!

MONTAGUE. They would never do it, Miss Hegan . . . they have too much
at stake.

LAURA. But . . . the evidence you have! Mr. Bullen said you could send
Grimes to jail.

MONTAGUE. That was just wild talk. Grimes has the district attorney
and the courts. He could never be punished for anything.

LAURA. But the exposure!

JACK. He's been exposed a hundred times. What does that matter to him?

LAURA. But then . . . my father is involved.

JACK. Quite true, Miss Hegan . . .

LAURA. And I can make him see how wrong it is.

JACK. You can make him see it! But you can't make him do anything!

LAURA. Ah, but you don't know my father . . . truly, you don't. He
does these evil things, but at heart he's a kind and loyal man! And he
loves me . . . I am his only daughter . . . and I can help him to see
what is right. We have always understood each other; he will listen to
me as he would not to any one else in the world.

JACK. But what can you say to him? We can't put our evidence in your
hands . . .

LAURA. I don't need your evidence. I must tell you that I, too, have
found out something about this case. I know that my father paid Mr.
Grimes to influence the decision of that Court. And I know how much he
paid him.

MONTAGUE. Miss Hegan!

JACK. Good God!

LAURA. You see, I am not afraid to trust you . . . . [A pause.] What
is the nature of your evidence against Grimes?

MONTAGUE. It comes from an eye-witness of his interview with the
judge.

LAURA. And it is some one you can trust?

MONTAGUE. It's for Bullen to tell you.

JACK. The judge has a nephew, a dissipated chap, whose inheritance he
is holding back . . . and who hates him in consequence. The nephew
happens to be a college chum of mine. He witnessed the interview and
he brought me the evidence.

LAURA. I see. Then, certainly, I have a case. And don't you see what a
hold that gives me upon my father?

JACK. Miss Hegan, you are a brave woman, and I would like to give way
to you. But you could accomplish nothing. This suit, which is
nominally in the public interest, is really backed by Murdock and his
crowd, who are fighting your father; you must realize his position . .
. the thousand ties that bind him . . . all the habits of a lifetime!
Think of the friends he has to protect; you don't know . . .

LAURA. I know it all. And, on the other hand, I know some things that
you do not know. I know that my father is not a happy man. There is a
canker eating at his heart . . . the fruit of life has turned to ashes
on his lips. And he has one person in all this world that he loves . .
. myself. He has toiled and fought for me . . . all these years he has
told himself that he was making his money for me. And now he finds
that it brings me only misery and grief . . . it is as useless to me
as it is to him! And now, suppose I should go to him and say: "Father,
you have committed a crime. And I cannot stand it another hour. You
must choose here and now . . . you must give up this fight against the
people . . . you must give up this career, and come with me and help
me to do good in the world. Or else" . . . [her voice breaking.] . . .
"I shall have to leave you! I shall refuse to touch a dollar of your
money; I shall refuse in any way to share your guilt!" Don't you see?
He will know that I am speaking the truth . . . and that I mean every
word of it. Oh, gentlemen, believe me . . . my father would be as
strong to atone for his injustices as he has been to commit them!
Surely, you can't refuse me this chance to save him?

JACK. Miss Hegan . . .

MONTAGUE. For God's sake, Jack . . .

JACK. Excuse me, Montague. How long would you expect us to wait, Miss
Hegan?

LAURA. You need not wait at all. You could go right ahead with your
own plans. Meantime, I can go to my father . . . I will have tonight
to plead with him, and tomorrow morning you will know if I have
succeeded.

JACK. Very well . . . I will consent to that.

LAURA. Let Mr. Montague come to my father's office tomorrow morning at
ten o'clock. I shall not give him up . . . even if I have to follow
him there! And now . . . good-bye . . . [Starts toward the door,
breaks down and cries.] Thank you! Thank you!

[Stretches out her hands to them.]

MONTAGUE. [Springing toward her.] Miss Hegan !

LAURA. Give me a little courage! Tell me you think I shall succeed !

MONTAGUE. [Seizing her hand.] I believe you will, Miss Hegan!

LAURA. Ah! Thank you!

MONTAGUE. [Kisses her hand; tries to speak; overcome.] Good-bye!

LAURA. [Exit.] Ah, God!

JACK. I understand, old man! If only she weren't so rich!

MONTAGUE. If only she weren't . . .

JACK. Yes, yes, dear boy; I know how it is. You're troubled with a
conscience, and yours must be strictly a cottage affair! But forget it
just now, old fellow . . . we've got work before us. Play ball!

[Takes him by the shoulder; they go off.]

[CURTAIN]




ACT III

HEGAN'S office in Wall street. A large room, furnished with severe
simplicity. At the left a large table, with half a dozen chairs about
it, and a "ticker" near the wall; at the right, a flat-topped desk and
a telephone. Entrance centre.

[At rise: ANDREWS stands by desk; takes some papers, looks them over,
makes note and replaces them.]




PARKER. [Enters.] Say, Andrews, what's the reply to these letters of
the Fourth National?

ANDREWS. Give them here; I'll see to them.

PARKER. Any orders for the brokers this morning?

ANDREWS. I'm writing them myself.

PARKER. Something special, eh? All right. [Looks at ticker.] Hello!
Listen to this: "There is a rumor, widely current, that the decision
of the Court of Appeals in the matter of the Public vs. the Grand
Avenue Rail l road Company will be handed down to-day!" Gee whiz, I
wonder if that's so?

ANDREWS. I have heard the rumor.

PARKER. There was a reporter here yesterday, trying to pump me. I'll
bet they're watching the boss.

ANDREWS. Yes; no doubt of that.

PARKER. Cracky! I'd like to know which way it'll go!

ANDREWS. A good many others would like to know, I've no doubt.

PARKER. I'll bet my hat the boss knows!

ANDREWS. It may be.

[A pause; PARKER continues to read ticker.]

PARKER. I don't suppose you've heard anything, have you?

ANDREWS. I never hear, Parker.

PARKER. Oh, say . . . come off. Why don't you drop a fellow a hint now
and then?

ANDREWS. I can't afford to.

PARKER. It would never go beyond me. [A pause.] Say, Andrews.

ANDREWS. Well?

PARKER. Would you like to invest a bit for me now and then?

ANDREWS. I'm not hankering to, especially.

PARKER. I'll go halves with you on the profits.

ANDREWS. And how about the losses?

PARKER. There wouldn't be any losses.

ANDREWS. Cut it out, Parker . . . we don't want that kind of a thing
in the office. [Handing him paper.] Here . . . I want three copies of
this. And take my advice and live on your salary.

PARKER. Thanks. I wish the salary increased as fast as the bills do!
[Starts to door; sees LAURA.] Oh! Good morning, Miss Hegan !

LAURA. [Enters hurriedly.] Good morning.

ANDREWS. Good morning, Miss Hegan.

PARKER exit.

LAURA. Mr. Andrews, where was my father last night?

ANDREWS. He had an important conference . . .

LAURA. He did not come to the house.

ANDREWS. No, Miss Hegan; it was too late. He stayed downtown . . .

LAURA. And you were not home, either.

ANDREWS. I was with him.

LAURA. It is too bad! I have been trying all night to find either of
you.

ANDREWS. Why . . . your father had no idea when he left . . .

LAURA. I know. Something has turned up . . .

ANDREWS. Nothing wrong, I hope.

LAURA. I must see my father as soon as possible. Ile will be here this
morning?

ANDREWS. Any minute, Miss Hegan.

LAURA. He will surely come?

ANDREWS. Not the slightest doubt of it. Nothing could keep him away.

LAURA. I wish to see him the moment he comes. And if he should call up
or send word . . .

ANDREWS. I will see that he is informed, Miss Hegan.

LAURA. Thank you. [A pause.] The Court decision is expected to-day, is
it not, Mr. Andrews?

ANDREWS. [Hesitates.] There has been a rumor, Miss Hegan.

LAURA. And so there will be considerable disturbance of the market?

ANDREWS. Presumably.

LAURA. And my father has made preparations?

ANDREWS. Yes.

LAURA. That is what the conference was about?

ANDREWS. I presume so, Miss Hegan.

LAURA. By the way, Mr. Andrews, I expect Mr. Montague here at ten
o'clock. Please let me know when he comes.

ANDREWS. Yes, Miss Hegan. [Goes to the door, then turns.] Here is Mr.
Hegan now.

LAURA. [Starting up.] Ah!

ANDREWS. [Holding open door.] Good morning, Mr. Hegan.

HEGAN. [Enters.] Good morning.

LAURA. Father!

HEGAN. Why, Laura! [ANDREWS exit.] What are you doing here?

LAURA. I've come to have a talk with you.

HEGAN. To have a talk with me?

LAURA. Come in, please, father. Shut the door.

HEGAN. Yes, my dear; but . . .

LAURA. I came into the city on the next train after you. I have been
hunting for you ever since . . . I have been up all night. I have
something of the utmost urgency to talk with you about.

HEGAN. What is it?

LAURA. Come and sit down, please.

HEGAN. Yes, my dear.

LAURA. Listen, father. Yesterday afternoon, when we were talking, you
told me that you had never done anything to influence the courts in
their decisions.

HEGAN. Yes, Laura.

LAURA. And you told me that nobody else ever did it, either for you or
for your companies.

HEGAN. Yes, but . . .

LAURA. And, father, you told me a falsehood.

HEGAN. Laura!

LAURA. I am very sorry, but I have to say it. It was a falsehood; and
it is but one of many falsehoods that you have told me. I understand
just why you did it you think I ought not to ask about these things,
because it will make me unhappy; and so, for my own good, you do not
hesitate to tell me things that are not true.

HEGAN. My child, it is your father that you are talking to!

LAURA. It is my father, and a father who knows that I love him very
dearly, and who will realize it hurts me to say these things, fully as
much as it hurts him to hear them. But they must be said . . . and
said now.

HEGAN. Why now? Just at this moment . . .

LAURA. I know what you are going to say. At this moment you are very
busy . . .

HEGAN. My dear, the Exchange will open in an hour. And I am in the
midst of a big campaign. I have important orders for my brokers, and a
hundred other matters to attend to. And I expect Grimes here any
minute . . .

LAURA. Grimes?

HEGAN. Yes, my dear.

LAURA. You are not through with him yet, then?

HEGAN. No, Laura . . .

LAURA. Well, even so! Mr. Grimes must wait until I have said what I
have to say to you.

HEGAN. What is it, Laura?

LAURA. You are expecting the decision of the Court of Appeals on the
Grand Avenue Railroad case at noon today.

HEGAN. Why, yes . . .

LAURA. The decision will be in your favor. And you and Grimes are
planning to gamble on it, and to make a great deal of money.

HEGAN. Yes, my dear.

LAURA. And you paid Grimes two hundred thousand dollars to fix the
decision of the Court.

HEGAN. [Starting violently.] Laura!

LAURA. Grimes went to judge Porter's house the night before last and
induced him to change his vote on the case.

HEGAN. Laura!

LAURA. And so, what was to have been the minority opinion of the Court
is to be given out today as the Court's decision.

HEGAN. My God!

LAURA. You do not deny that this is the truth?

HEGAN. You overheard us at the house!

LAURA. Not one word, father.

HEGAN. But you must have!

LAURA. Father, throughout this conversation, you may honor me by
assuming that I am telling you the absolute truth. And I will be glad
when you will give me the same privilege.

HEGAN. Then, how did you learn it?

LAURA. That, unfortunately, I am not at liberty to tell you.

HEGAN. Then other people know it?

LAURA. They do.

HEGAN. Good God! [Stares at her, dumbfounded.] Who are these people?

LAURA. I cannot tell you that.

HEGAN. But, Laura . . . you must!

LAURA. It is impossible.

HEGAN. But . . . how can that be?

LAURA. I cannot discuss the matter.

HEGAN. But think . . . my dear! I am your father, and you must trust
me . . . you must help me . . .

LAURA. Please do not ask me. I have given my word.

HEGAN. Your word! [Gazes about, distracted.] You take the part of
others against your own flesh and blood!

LAURA. Listen, father! Think of me for a minute, and how it seems to
me. Do not be so ignoble as to think only of the exposure . . .

HEGAN. But, my child, realize what it will mean if this comes out! Are
these people among my enemies?

LAURA. That depends upon circumstances.

HEGAN. I don't understand you.

LAURA. I will try to explain, if you will be patient with me.

HEGAN. Go on! Go on!

LAURA. Father, you know what has been happening to me during the past
few months. You know how unhappy I have been. And now you have
committed a crime . . . a dreadful, dreadful crime!

HEGAN. My dear!

LAURA. I wish to make it clear to you . . . I am in desperate earnest.
I have taken all night to think it over, and I am not making any
mistake. I have made up my mind that, come what will, and cost what it
may, I must clear myself of the responsibility for these evils.

HEGAN. In what way are you responsible?

LAURA. In every way imaginable. My whole life is based upon them . . .
everything that I have and enjoy is stained with the guilt of them . .
. the house in which I live, the clothing that I wear, the food that I
eat. And I shall never again know what it is to be happy, while I have
that fact upon my conscience. Don't you see?

HEGAN. I see.

LAURA. I tried all night to find you. I wanted to have a chance to
talk with you, quietly. And, now, instead, I have to do it here, amid
all the rush and strain of this dreadful Wall Street. But so it is . .
. I must say it here. Father, I have come to plead with you, to plead
with you upon my knees. Listen to me . . . don't turn me away!

HEGAN. What do you wish me to do?

LAURA. First of all, I wish you to give up this illegal advantage that
you have gained. I wish you to stop this decision, and give the people
the victory to which they are entitled.

HEGAN. But, my dear, that is madness ! How can I...

LAURA. You compelled Grimes to do this thing . . . you can compel him
to undo it!

HEGAN. But, my dear, it would ruin me!

LAURA. If you do what I ask you to do, ruin will not matter.

HEGAN. What do you ask me?

LAURA. I wish you to stop this mad career . . . to give up this money
game . . . to drop it utterly! To stop selling stocks and manipulating
markets; to stop buying politicians and franchises . . . to sell out
everything . . . to withdraw. I want you to do it now . . . today . .
. this very hour!

HEGAN. But, my dear . . .

LAURA. I want you to come with me, and help me to find happiness
again, by doing some good in the world. I want you to use your power
and your talents to help people, instead of to destroy them.

HEGAN. My child! That is something very easy to talk about, but not so
easy to do!

LAURA. We will work together, and find ways to do it.

HEGAN. It seems possible, from your point of view . . . with your
noble ideals, and your sheltered life . . .

LAURA. My sheltered life! That is just what I can no longer endure!
That I should have ease and comfort, while others suffer . . . that my
father should take part in this mad struggle for money and power, in
order to give me a sheltered life! I must make it impossible for that
to continue! I must make you understand that all your money is
powerless to bring me happiness . . . that it is poisoning my life as
well as your own!

HEGAN. [Gravely.] Laura, I have tried to protect you . . . that is the
natural instinct of a father . . . to keep evil things from his
daughter's knowledge. If I have told you untruths, as you say, that
has been the one reason. But since you will not have it so . . . since
you must face the facts of the world . . .

LAURA. I Must !

HEGAN. Very well, then . . . you shall face them. You tell me to give
up this case . . . to change back the Court's decision, so that the
public may reap the advantage. Do you realize that the public has
nothing to do with this suit? . . . That it is a covert attack upon me
by an unscrupulous enemy?

LAURA. You mean Murdock?

HEGAN. Murdock. You know something of his career, perhaps . . .
something of his private life, too. And if I should turn back, as you
ask, the public would gain nothing . . . he would be the only one to
profit. He would raid my securities; he would throw my companies into
bankruptcy; he would draw my associates away from me . . . in the end,
he would take my place in the traction field. Is that what you wish to
bring about?

LAURA. It is not that that I am thinking of. It is the corrupting of
the Court . . .

HEGAN. The Court! Do you know why Grimes and I had to do what we did?

LAURA. No.

HEGAN. And yet you have judged me! What would you say if I told you
that we had information that one of the judges had received a thousand
shares of Grand Avenue stock from Murdock? And that another had been
promised a seat in the United States Supreme Court by that eminent
Republican?

LAURA. Oh! Horrible!

HEGAN. You see what the game is?

LAURA. But, father! The buying and selling of the powers of the
Government . . .

HEGAN. The "Government" consisting of politicians who have gotten
themselves elected for the purpose of selling out to the highest
bidder. For ten years now I have been in charge of these properties .
. . I have had the interests of thousands of investors in my keeping .
. . and all the while I have been like a man surrounded by a pack of
wolves. I defended myself as I could . . . in the end, I found that
the best way to defend was by attacking. In other words, I had to go
into politics, to make the control of the "Government" a part of my
business. Don't you see?

LAURA. Yes, I see. But why play such a game?

HEGAN. Why? Because it is the only game I have ever known . . . the
only game there is to play. That is the way I have lived my life . . .
the way I have risen to power and command. I played it for myself, and
for my friends, and for those I loved.

LAURA. You played it for me! And, oh! father! father! . . . Can't you
see what that means to me? To realize that all my life has been based
upon such things! Don't you see how I can't let it go on . . . how, if
you refuse to do what I ask you to, it will be impossible for me to
touch a dollar of your money?

HEGAN. Laura!

LAURA. Just that, father! I should never again be able to face my
conscience!

HEGAN. [After a pause.] Listen to me, dear. You know that I have
always meant to withdraw . . .

LAURA. I know that. And that has been a confession! You know that you
are wrecking your life-wrecking everything! And if you mean to stop,
why not stop?

HEGAN. But, my dear, at this moment . . . in the midst of the battle .
. .

LAURA. At this moment you are on the point of doing something that
will put a brand upon your conscience for the balance of your career.
And at this moment you are confronted with the realization that you
are ruining your daughter's life. You see her before you, desperate .
. . frantic with shame and grief. And you have to make up your mind,
either to drive her from you, heart- broken . . . or else to turn your
face from these evils, and to take up a new way of life.

HEGAN. [Broken and crushed, sits staring at her.] Laura!

LAURA. [Stretching out her arms to him.] Father! A knock at the door;
they start.

GRIMES. [Enters.] Oh! Beg pardon!

HEGAN. Come in.

LAURA. [Starting up.] No!

HEGAN. Come in! You must know it!

GRIMES. What is it?

HEGAN. Shut the door! Grimes, the game is up!

GRIMES. How d'ye mean?

HEGAN. We've been betrayed. Somebody knows all about the Court
decision . . . about what passed between you and Porter, and between
you and me!

GRIMES. The hell you say!

HEGAN. We're threatened with exposure!

GRIMES. Who is it?

HEGAN. I don't know.

GRIMES. But, then . . .

HEGAN. My daughter tells me. But she is not at liberty to give the
names.

GRIMES. Well, I'll be damned! [He stares from HEGAN to LAURA; then
comes and sits, very deliberately, where he can gaze at them. A long
pause; then, nodding toward

LAURA.] What's her game?

HEGAN. [Weakly.] She will tell you.

GRIMES. [Looking at her.] Well?

LAURA. I am here to plead with my father to turn back from this
wickedness.

GRIMES. [Stares.] And do what, ma'am?

LAURA. Quit Wall Street, and devote himself to some useful work.

GRIMES. [After a pause.] And if he won't?

LAURA. I have told him he must choose between his present career and
his daughter's love.

GRIMES. [Gazes at LAURA, then in front of him; slowly shakes his
head.] I can't make out our young people. When I was a boy, young
women looked up to their parents. What's your father done to you, that
you should turn against him?

LAURA. I have not turned against him, Mr. Grimes.

GRIMES. [Indicating HEGAN, who sits in an attitude of despair.] Look
at him!

[A pause.]

LAURA. I am pleading with him for his own good . . . to give up this
cruel struggle . . .

GRIMES. To turn tail and run from his enemies?

LAURA. It is of my duty to the public that I am thinking, Mr. Grimes.

GRIMES. You owe no duty to this world higher than your duty to your
father.

LAURA. You think that?

GRIMES. I think it.

LAURA. [Hesitates a moment, then turns.] Father! What do you say? Is
that true?

HEGAN. [Crushed.] I don't know, my dear.

GRIMES. God Almighty! And this is Jim Hegan ! [To LAURA.] Where'd you
get onto these ideas, ma'am?

LAURA. [In a low voice.] I think, Mr. Grimes, it might be best if you
did not ask me to discuss this question. Our points of view are too
different.

GRIMES. [Shrugs his shoulders.] As you please, ma'am. But you needn't
mind me . . . I ain't easy to offend. And I'm only trying to
understand you.

LAURA. [After a silence.] Mr. Grimes, I had the good fortune to be
brought up in a beautiful and luxurious home; but not long ago I began
to go down into the slums and see the homes of the people. I saw
sights that made me sick with horror.

GRIMES. No doubt, ma'am.

LAURA. I found the people in the grip of a predatory organization that
had bound them hand and foot, and was devouring them alive.

GRIMES. You've been listening to tales, ma'am. We do a lot for the
people.

LAURA. You treat them to free coal and free picnics and free beer, and
so you get their votes; and then you sell them out to capitalists like
my father.

GRIMES. Humph!

LAURA. You sell them out to any one, high or low, who will pay for the
privilege of exploiting them. You sell them to the rum-dealer and the
dive- keeper and the gambler. You sell them to the white-slave trader.

GRIMES. There's no such person, Miss Hegan.

LAURA. You offer an insult to my intelligence, Mr. Grimes. I have met
with him and his work. There was a girl of the slums . . . her name
was Annie Rogers. She was a decent girl; and she was lured into a dive
and drugged and shut up in a brothel, a prisoner. She escaped to the
street, pursued, and a friend of mine saved her. And, high and low,
among the authorities of this city, we sought for justice for that
girl, and there was no justice to be had. Yesterday afternoon I
learned that she cut her own throat.

GRIMES. I see.

LAURA. And that happened, Mr. Grimes! It happened in the City of New
York! I saw it with my own eyes!

GRIMES. Such things have been, ma'am.

LAURA. And you permit them.

GRIMES. I?

LAURA. You permit them

GRIMES. I can't attempt to discuss prostitution with a lady. Such
things existed long before I was born.

LAURA. You could use your power to drive the traffic from the city.

GRIMES. Yes, ma'am; I suppose I could. But if I'd been that sort of a
man, do you think I'd ever had the power?

LAURA. How neatly parried! What sort of a man are you, anyway ?

GRIMES. [Looks at hey fixedly.] I'll tell you the sort of man I am,
ma'am. [A pause.] I wasn't brought up in a beautiful, luxurious home.
I was brought up with five brothers, in two rooms on the top floor of
a rear tenement on Avenue B ; I was a little street "mick," and then I
was a prize "scrapper," and the leader of a gang. When a policeman
chased me upstairs, my mother stood at the head and fought him off
with a rolling-pin. That was the way we stood by our children, ma'am;
and we looked to them to stand by us. Once, when I was older, my
enemies tried to do me . . . they charged me with a murder that I
never done, ma'am. But dye think my old father ever stopped to ask if
I done it or not, ma'am? Not much. "Don't mention that, Bob, my boy,"
says he . . . "it's all part of the fight, an' we're wid yer." [A
pause.] I looked about me at the world, ma'am, and I found it was full
of all sorts of pleasant things, that I'd never had, and never stood a
chance of havin'. They were for the rich . . . the people on top. And
they looked on with scorn . . . I was poor and I was low, and I wasn't
fit for anything. And so I set to climb, ma'am. I shouldered my way
up. I met men that fought me; I fought them back, and I won out.
That's the sort of man I am.

LAURA. I see. A selfish man, bent upon power at any price! A brutal
man, profiting by the weakness of others! An unscrupulous man, trading
upon fear and greed! A man who has stopped at no evil to gain his
purpose!

GRIMES. I am what the game has made me.

LAURA. Not so! Not so! Many another man has been born to a fate like
yours, and has fought his way up from the pit . . . to be a tower of
strength for goodness and service, an honor to his people and himself.

GRIMES. I've not met any such, ma'am.

LAURA. No; you've not sought for them. You did not need them in your
business. The men you needed were the thugs and the criminals, who
could stuff ballot- boxes for you . . . the dive-keepers and the vice-
sellers, who would contribute to your campaign funds! And you have
dealt with them . . . you have built up the power they gave you into a
mighty engine of corruption and wrong! And you are master of it . . .
you use it to wring tribute from high and low! Selling immunity to
dive-keepers and betraying helpless young girls! Naming legislators
and judges, and receiving bribes to corrupt the highest Court in the
State.

HEGAN. Laura . . .

LAURA. Father, I did not seek this discussion! He challenged me . . .
and he shall hear the truth! For all these months the thing that has
been driving me to desperation has been the knowledge that my father
was the business associate and ally of a master of infamy like Robert
Grimes!

GRIMES. Thanks, ma'am! And so now he's to break with me!

[A knock at the door.]

ANDREWS. [Enters, centre.] Mr. Hegan, these orders for your brokers
must be signed.

HEGAN. I won't sign them!

ANDREWS. Sir?

HEGAN. Never mind them.

GRIMES. [Springing to his feet.] Jim Hegan, you're mad! [TO ANDREWS.]
Go out, will you? ANDREWS exit.] Hegan, man . . . surely you don't
mean this?

HEGAN. Yes . . . I'm sick of it!

GRIMES. But, man, think of the rest of us! . . . What are we to do?

HEGAN. You can buy just the same.

GRIMES. But without you? Why, we won't be able to corner Murdock! And
if he gets out of this hole, it'll be worse than ever! There'll be
hell to pay!

HEGAN. I don't care.

GRIMES. But, man, you've pledged yourself! Look at what Harris has
done! . . . What excuse will you be able to make to him? And what will
you tell Henry Stevens?

HEGAN. I'll tell them I've quit.

GRIMES. But you told them last night you were going in with every
dollar you could raise! You told Isaacson he could break with Murdock!
And now you'll tell them you've turned tail and run! Why, Hegan, it's
treason!

HEGAN. Listen to me . . .

GRIMES. I don't want to listen to you! Half an hour from now you'll be
ashamed of yourself . . . wishing that nobody had heard you! You'll be
begging me not to mention it! You . . . Jim Hegan . . . the traction
king! To lose your nerve over a little thing like this! What's come
over you, anyhow . . . after all the things we've been through
together? Why, man . . .

[The 'phone rings.]

HEGAN. Hello! Who is it? Oh, Isaacson. Yes; I'll speak with him.
Hello, Isaacson! Yes. No; I've not forgotten. I'll do whatever I said
I'd do. Er . . . yes; that's all right. I've been delayed. Yes. I'll
get the money to you. Right away. Oh, certainly, that's all right.
[Hangs up receiver.] Ah, God!

GRIMES. Hegan, listen here. You're in the midst of a battle. And
you're the general. Everything depends on you this morning. And you've
a right to be afraid . . but you've no right to let others see it.
You've no right . . . do you understand me? And, by God, I won't let
you! . . . I'll be a man for two of you! Shake yourself together now !
[Seizes him.] Come, man ! Shake yourself together!

HEGAN. But think of the exposure!

GRIMES. The exposure! And this is Jim Hegan talking! How many times
have you been exposed already? And how many times have I been?

HEGAN. But this is different.

GRIMES. How different? We've got the police, and we've got the
district attorney, and we've got the courts. What more do we want?
What can they do but talk in the newspapers? And is there anything
they haven't said about us already? [Takes HEGAN by the arm, and
laughs.] Come, old man! As my friend Leary says: "Dis is a nine-day
town. If yez kin stand de gaff for nine days, ye're all right!" We'll
stand the gaff!

HEGAN. I'm tired of standing it.

GRIMES. Yes, we all get tired now and then. But this afternoon it'll
be Murdock that's tired. Think of him, Hegan . . . try to realize him
a bit! You've got him where you want him at last! Remember what he did
to you in the Brooklyn Ferry case! Remember how he lied to you in the
Third Avenue case! And he told Isaacson, only last week, that he'd
never let up on you till he'd driven you out of the traction field!

HEGAN. Did he say that?

GRIMES. He did that! And only yesterday he said he was getting ready
to finish you! He's as sure of this Court decision as I am of the
sunrise! I'm told he's short already over a quarter of a million
shares!

HEGAN. But his judges'll get word to him . . . he'll buy!

GRIMES. Of course! But that's just why you ought to be busy! Buy
first, and make him pay . . . damn his soul!

ANDREWS. [Knocks and enters.] Mr. Stevens is here, Mr. Hegan.

GRIMES. Henry Stevens? We'll see him. [ANDREWS exit.] Come on, man!
We'll go over to your brokers and take the orders. It'll give you a
smell of the powder smoke.

LAURA. [AS HEGAN Starts to follow.] Father, you are going with him?

HEGAN. My dear child, what can I do?

LAURA. But think of the disgrace . . . the shame of it! You will carry
it with you all your life!

HEGAN. I can't help it. I am bound hand and foot.

LAURA. Father! [She rushes to him, and flings her arms about him.] Do
you realize what you are doing? You are driving me away from you! . .
. You are casting me off ! And all for a few more dollars !

HEGAN. My dear, it is not that. My word is pledged.

LAURA. You are trampling me in the dust. You are spurning all that is
best in your life!

GRIMES. Come, come, man ! The game is called

HEGAN. Let me go, my dear.

LAURA. Father!

HEGAN. No! No! [He gently, but firmly, puts her arms from him.] Good-
bye, dear.

LAURA. Father! [HEGAN and GRIMES go out centre; she sinks by the
table, and buries her face in her arms, sobbing; after a considerable,
interval, a knock on the door, centre.] Come in!

MONTAGUE. [Enters.] Well?

LAURA. I have failed. [Rises and stretches out her arms.] Failed! He
has gone with Grimes!

MONTAGUE. I saw him go, Miss Hegan.

LAURA. [Swiftly.] And yet . . . I have not failed utterly. I have
failed to turn back the decision . . . to save him from this disgrace.
But that is not all.

MONTAGUE: How do you mean?

LAURA. I shall not give him up . . . and, in the end, I shall have my
way; I can see that quite clearly. Ah, how I hurt him! I almost broke
his heart! And just now he is in the midst of the battle . . . the
rage of it is on him. But, afterwards, he will recollect . . . he will
be overwhelmed with grief! And then he will see! He will do what I
have begged him to!

MONTAGUE. Yes . . . perhaps that is so.

LAURA. I know what my love means to him! I know what he is at heart!
And when he sees that I mean to carry out my threat, to go by myself
and to refuse to touch his money . . . that will be more than he can
bear, Mr. Montague!

MONTAGUE. You mean to do that?

LAURA. I mean to do it! I mean to do it today; and I will never yield
to him . . . never until he has atoned for this wrong he has done! And
don't you see that I will win in the end?

MONTAGUE. Yes; I see.

LAURA. [Quickly.] Understand, that has nothing to do with your course.
I am not asking you to spare him. You must go ahead and do your duty .
. . you must do just what you would have done if I had never stood in
the way.

MONTAGUE. It is a terrible thing to me, Miss Hegan. I cannot turn back
. . .

LAURA. You must not! You must not think of it! It will be a part of my
father's punishment . . . and he has deserved it. He has prepared that
cup, and he must drink it . . . to the dregs!

MONTAGUE. You can bear it?

LAURA. It is not any question of what I can bear. It is a question of
the rights of the people. I saw that quite clearly, as my father
talked with me. Whether it is he who wins, or whether it is Murdock,
it is always the people that lose. And, let it hurt whom it may, the
people must have the truth!

MONTAGUE. And then . . . you will be able to forgive me! Ah, what a
weight you lift from me! I hardly dared to face the thought of what I
had to do! Hesitating.] And then, the thought that you mean to
renounce your father's wealth . . . that you are going out into the
world . . . alone . . .

LAURA. It will not be hard for me. You cannot know how I have hated my
past life. To know that my father has plundered the public . . . and
then to give his money, and call it charity. To be flattered and
fawned upon . . . to be celebrated and admired . . . and never for
anything that I am, but always for my money!

MONTAGUE. I understand what you feel! And see what your decision means
to me . . . it sets me free at last!

LAURA. Free!

MONTAGUE. Free to speak! Miss Hegan, I came to New York, and I met
these rich people, and I saw how their fortunes were poisoning their
lives. I saw men who could not have a real friend in the world,
because of their money. I saw young girls whose souls were utterly
dead in them because they had been brought up to think of themselves
as keepers of money-bags, and to guard against men who sought to prey
upon them. I hated the thing . . . I fled from it as I would from a
plague. In that world I had met a woman I might have loved . . . a
woman who was noble and beautiful and true; and yet I dared not speak
to her . . . I dared not even permit myself to know her . . . because
I was a poor man, and she was rich. But now she is to be poor also!
And so I may speak!

LAURA. [Starting.] Oh!

MONTAGUE. Miss Hegan, from the first time I met you I felt that you
were the woman I should love. But then, as fate would have it, I found
myself preparing to attack your father; so I said that we must never
meet again. But now you see how it has happened. I have come to know
you as I never hoped to know you, and I know that I love you.

LAURA. I had no idea . . .

MONTAGUE. You say that you are going away alone. Let us go together.
We have the same purpose . . . we have the same battle to fight. We
can go out to the people and help to teach them.

LAURA. You . . . you know that you love me?

MONTAGUE. I love you! I want nothing so much as the chance to serve
you and help you. The chance to tell you so is more than I had ever
ventured to hope for. To find you free and alone . . . to be able to
speak to you, with no thought of wealth or position! To tell you that
I love you . . . just you! You!

LAURA. I hardly dare to think of it . . . now . . . here . . .

MONTAGUE. We can put all the past behind us . . . we can take a new
start and win our own way. If only you love me!

LAURA. Ah, to let myself be happy again. How can I?

MONTAGUE. If you love me, then we have the key to happiness . . . then
everything is clear before us. We can face the world together! Do you
love me? [Stretches out his arms to her.] Laura!

LAURA. [Sways toward him.] I love you.

MONTAGUE. [Embraces her.] My love!

CURTAIN