CROSBY (grabbing WILLIAM by shoulders).  Billy!

WILLIAM (breaks up stage a few steps, then down stage again).  I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to lose my temper.  I suppose we’ve got to take this thing calmly.  Inspector, you honestly believe that Nelly killed this man?

DONOHUE.  Yes.

WILLIAM.  Why should she?

DONOHUE.  She was engaged to you—­he had compromising letters she had written to him—­he was threatening her with exposure—­she went to get her letters.  They had tea together—­she’s admitted that, after we proved it, and then when he wouldn’t give up her letters she killed him.  So much for the first murder. (Turns away.) Now for the second:  she was sitting next to Wales; he had already threatened her with exposure; in another minute the medium would have told her name as that of the person who had been at Spencer Lee’s rooms.  She pulled her hand away from his, struck and took his hand again. (There is a pause.) Young man, you’ll have a hard time tearing apart that chain of evidence.

ROSALIE.  Except for the fact that she did never write the man a letter in ’er life, it is a grand case you ’ave, Inspector.

WILLIAM (down C. a step.  CROSBY goes above WILLIAM C.).  Of course.  Dad, we’ve lost our brains.  She didn’t go for her own letters. (WILLIAM turns to the INSPECTOR.) You were talking of juries.  Do you think any jury will believe that a young girl would kill a man to get back another woman’s letters for her? (He starts toward door L.)

CROSBY.  Where are you going?

WILLIAM.  To get my sister.

DONOHUE.  Wait. (WILLIAM stops.) I’ll send for Mrs. Trent.

WILLIAM (crosses L.C.).  But I want to ask her—­

DONOHUE (interrupting him).  I’ll ask my own questions.  If you want to help this investigation, you might call Sergeant Dunn for me.

(WILLIAM opens door at L.)

WILLIAM.  Sergeant Dunn, the Inspector wants you. (He turns back to the girl, and DUNN enters L.)

DONOHUE.  Ask Mrs. Trent to come here.

(DUNN exits at L. ROSALIE is at the R. end of chesterfield.  HELEN is in the chair in front of the table R. WILLIAM C. CROSBY walks up L., then back to L.C.  DONOHUE below the table looking at them with a grim smile.  After a pause of about ten seconds MRS. TRENT and TRENT enter from L., followed by DUNN, who stands below the door.)

I sent for Mrs. Trent.

TRENT (L.C.).  I know that.  What do you want to see her about?

DONOHUE.  Mrs. Trent, did you ask this girl to go to Spencer Lee’s rooms to get letters you had written to him?

TRENT (L. of MRS. TRENT).  Did she what?

DONOHUE.  Did you, Mrs. Trent?

MRS. TRENT (L.C.).  Certainly not.