CROSBY.  I have already told you to use this house as your own.

DONOHUE.  Thank you.  Good evening.

CROSBY (with a laugh).  I’m dismissed?

DONOHUE.  You’re dismissed. (CROSBY walks toward door L.) Why did Wales object to the engagement of your son and Helen O’Neill?

CROSBY (turns to DONOHUE).  Who told you that? (Moving a few steps.)

DONOHUE.  It doesn’t matter.  I know that he did.  Why?

CROSBY (turning front).  I can’t talk about it.

DONOHUE (C.).  All right.  You’re the best judge of that.  Only I’m attaching a great deal of importance to this fact.  If I’m unduly emphasizing its value, don’t you think you’d better set me straight about it?

CROSBY.  What possible bearing can it have on—­

DONOHUE.  Motive, my dear sir, motive.

CROSBY.  Come now.  You can’t think that this girl killed Wales because she heard him ask us to wait before we sanctioned her engagement to my son.

DONOHUE.  She did hear Mr. Wales make that objection.  That’s just what I wanted to know.

CROSBY (L.).  I think I’d better send for my lawyer.

DONOHUE (C.).  Well, you can do as you like about that.  Frankly, I don’t understand your attitude at all.  I can appreciate your desire to spare your son all the unhappiness that you can.  But if this young woman killed Wales and Lee, the sooner we find it out the better for you and your family.

CROSBY.  Oddly enough I was thinking only of Miss O’Neill at the moment.

DONOHUE.  You’d better think of yourself and your family first. (Moves R. a few steps.)

CROSBY.  That’s for me to decide.  I certainly am not going to allow that child to be bullied and badgered in the usual police fashion. (Moves R. a step.)

DONOHUE.  You’re going to do as you are told, sir.  If you warn that girl, if you caution her in any way, I’ll drag every one of you down town.  You and your wife and your son and the girl and all your friends.  Be reasonable, Mr. Crosby.  If the girl is innocent, telling me the truth won’t hurt her.  If she’s guilty, and I think she is, by God, I’m going to drag the truth out of her and her mother. (There is a knock on the door down L.) Come in.

(HELEN enters L.)

HELEN (L.).  You wanted me?

DONOHUE.  Yes, come in.  Sit down, please.

(Indicating chair below table R. HELEN crosses and sits.  CROSBY starts to move R.)

CROSBY.  Helen—­

DONOHUE.  What you are planning to do, Mr. Crosby, will only make matters worse, I promised you that.

(After a moment’s pause CROSBY exits L. and leaves door open.  DONOHUE turns, closes door and turns sharply to HELEN. Crosses towards the table.)

Now then, young woman, let’s hear what you’ve got to say.