WARDEN.  That went fourteen months ago.  I put him on his feet then, gave him some tips that enabled him to take this house with her mother, so that with his regular law business he ought to have done very well, but his living could not leave one cent over to speculate with.

MASON. [To himself.] Good God!

WARDEN.  I know what you’re afraid of.

MASON.  No!

WARDEN.  Yes.  The reason I’m no longer his broker is he was ashamed to let me know about his dealings.

MASON.  But you don’t mean you think he’d actually steal!

WARDEN.  His aunt’s money?  Why not? He did his wife’s!

MASON.  Does he handle any one else’s affairs?

WARDEN.  I know he takes care of that Godesby woman’s property.

MASON.  And she wouldn’t hold her tongue if a crash came!

WARDEN.  Not for a minute!  Is Miss Hunter suspicious?

MASON.  Yes.  Does Sterling realize that to-morrow he will most probably be a ruined cheat?

WARDEN.  Very likely.

MASON.  If he made up his mind to-night it was all up with him, he might do—­what?

WARDEN.  Run away with whatever money he has left, or kill himself.  I don’t know if he’s enough of a coward for that or not.  There’s one hold on him—­he loves his wife.

MASON.  Which will make him all the more ashamed of discovery.  Do you believe she suspects?

WARDEN.  Not a bit.  She loves him too dearly.

MASON.  Can we do anything?

WARDEN.  Nothing but watch him closely till the people go.  Then force him to make a clean breast of it, so we can all know where we stand; how we can best protect his aunt from ruin and his wife and boy from public disgrace.

MASON.  He is watching us.

WARDEN.  He knows I know him; we must be careful.  He’s coming toward us. [He then speaks in a different tone, but no louder.] You’re certain of the trustworthiness of your information?

MASON.  Absolutely.  Every man left in that concern will be ruined before the ’Change closes after to-morrow. [STERLING has joined them in time to hear the end of MASON’S speech. MASON continues.] I am telling Warden what I told you about the Hudson Electric Company.

STERLING.  Can’t you talk of something pleasanter?

[BLANCHE reenters at back.  On her entrance all the men rise.  The servants finish preparing the room for the tree.

BLANCHE.  I’m very sorry—­I really can’t let you men stay here any longer.

ALL THE MEN.  Why not?  How’s that? [Ad lib.]

BLANCHE.  You know we want to get this room ready for Santa Claus!  Dick! [She goes to her husband.  All the men go out at back in a group led by WARDEN and MASON. They are all talking and laughing. BLANCHE is left alone with her husband.] What is this Aunt Ruth has been telling me about not being able to get some bonds from you?