paragraphs in the article. The one about where you got the money from.
GEORGE WINTER.
[_With a smile._] I noticed that seemed to bother you a bit.
JAMES FORD.
Things were pretty tight at that time.
GEORGE WINTER.
A man in my position can always lay his hands on money.
JAMES FORD.
It was a big sum.
GEORGE WINTER.
Fair to moderate.
[_There is a very short pause. The two men, both shrewd, hard and
keen, face one another like two duellists._
JAMES FORD.
It struck me that the Middlepool Investment Trust had got a large batch
of bonds lying in the bank.
[_He watches_ GEORGE WINTER _for the effect of this statement_.
GEORGE WINTER.
[_With a smile._] Well, they’re lying there still.
JAMES FORD.
Will you take your oath on that?
GEORGE WINTER.
Yes.
JAMES FORD.
The more I thought of it, the more nervous I was. I went to the bank.
[GEORGE WINTER _gives him a rapid look, but otherwise makes no sign
that he realizes his theft is discovered_.
JAMES FORD.
They showed me an order for delivery of the bonds signed by you,
Etchingham, and Bennett.
GEORGE WINTER.
Have a cigar, will you?
JAMES FORD.
No.... What have you done with those bonds?
GEORGE WINTER.
If they’re in their place when the auditor makes his examination no one
has any question to ask.
JAMES FORD.
[_More sternly._] You had no more right to touch them than my office boy
has the right to take a sovereign from the petty cash.
GEORGE WINTER.
What the devil d’you mean by that?
JAMES FORD.
I’m a director of the Middlepool Investment Trust. I insist on the bonds
being produced at once.
GEORGE WINTER.
They shall be produced in a fortnight.
JAMES FORD.
No, no, my friend, that won’t do.
GEORGE WINTER.
[_Impatiently._] Don’t be a fool, James, you know as well as I do that
business is business.
JAMES FORD.
Yes, and not theft.
GEORGE WINTER.
[_Apparently flying into a passion._] How dare you speak to me like
that!
JAMES FORD.
It’s no good trying to bluster with me, George. I’ve seen you do it at
shareholders’ meetings and very effective it is sometimes, but this
isn’t the time for it.
[_There is a pause._ GEORGE WINTER _considers the position and
determines to face it_.
GEORGE WINTER.
All right then.... I knew the mine was a good thing. I pledged the bonds
to pay for it. I shall get them back as soon as the money comes in from
the issue. Now you’ve got it.
JAMES FORD.
It’s theft pure and simple.
GEORGE WINTER.
[_Insolently._] I suppose you want to come in with me. [_He does not
notice_ JAMES FORD’S _instinctive movement of repulsion_.] I’ll give you
your shares for nothing. That means ten thousand pounds, and if you hold
on to them they’ll be worth fifty thousand in a year.
JAMES FORD.
Thank you. I’m not going to risk a lifetime’s honest work for a few
thousand pounds.
GEORGE WINTER.
Then what do you want?
JAMES FORD.
Nothing.
GEORGE WINTER.
[_With a slight smile._] You’ve been Mayor of Middlepool twice, and
you’ve done a lot of work for the party. I can’t help thinking it’s
almost time the Government showed some appreciation of your services.
JAMES FORD.
You’ve mistaken your man, George Winter. I’ve worked like a nigger for
thirty years. I’ve not let any chance slip by me, but I’ve never done
anything that a man need be ashamed of. I’ve built up an honest business
to leave to my sons, and an honest name. I’m too old to start being a
rogue now.
GEORGE WINTER.
[_Impatiently._] I thought you wanted to talk business.
JAMES FORD.
Right’s right, and wrong’s wrong. You can’t get over that. I couldn’t
rest for a moment if I thought any act of mine wasn’t above board. It’s
no credit of mine, I’m just made that way.
GEORGE WINTER.
[_As if he were talking to a child._] Come, James, we’ve been good
friends for twenty years.
JAMES FORD.
[_In a low voice._] This afternoon, when I found out what you’d
done--well, I could have cried.
[_There is a real anguish in his tone which startles_ GEORGE
WINTER. _For the first time he realizes that the affair is serious.
He begins to get frightened._
GEORGE WINTER.
[_Quickly, hoarsely._] But you don’t mean seriously....
JAMES FORD.
[_Desperately._] How can I make you understand? You don’t seem to see
that now I know what you’ve done I’m just filled with horror and
loathing. If you’ve done this God knows what else you haven’t done. I
don’t want to be hard on you. I must do my duty. I’m a director of the
company. I put all my friends in it. I put my sister into it. And this
mine. Is it true what that paper says? For all I know that’s a swindle
too.
GEORGE WINTER.
[_With sudden anxiety._] You’re not going to push me down now that I’m
almost at the top of the tree? I’ve got the world at my feet. If you’ll
only give me a month I can put everything straight.
JAMES FORD.
Five minutes ago it was a fortnight. I don’t believe it. These things
don’t come right. When a man has crossed the line that separates
honesty from dishonesty he never gets back.
GEORGE WINTER.
If you give me away now it’ll mean a general smash. The only chance of
saving things is to go on. The money’s gone. You won’t get it back by
giving me up to the police.
JAMES FORD.
I must take my chance of that. After all, if I don’t speak it makes me a
party to the crime. It can be proved that I went to the bank to-day.
GEORGE WINTER.
Now you’re saying something I can understand. If I show you by plain
figures that I can put everything right if you’ll only give me time....
JAMES FORD.
I tell you I can’t. I’ve got my wife to think of, and my boys. It’s
theft, it’s the money of orphans and widows that you’ve taken, and
there’s only one course open to me.
GEORGE WINTER.
What are you going to do?
JAMES FORD.
[_Brokenly._] My God, what can I do? I trusted you as I would have
trusted my sons.
GEORGE WINTER.
Out with it!
JAMES FORD.
I must--I must consult the Chief Constable.
GEORGE WINTER.
You wouldn’t do that? You don’t seriously mean that you’d go to the
police? It’s madness. It’s so impractical. It’s stupid.
JAMES FORD.
I could never respect myself again if I.... It’s a matter between my
conscience and myself.... Oh, George, why have you put me in this
position?
GEORGE WINTER.
Look here, old man, I’ve done wrong. I admit it. I’ve done something
that other men have done before me and it’s come out all right. At the
time I thought the slump would only last a few days, and I thought I
should be able to replace the bonds in a week. It’s the only slip I’ve
made. Don’t be too hard on me.... [_With a break in his voice._] Have
mercy as you hope in your turn to have mercy shown to you. Don’t ruin me
for this one mistake. Let it mean something to you that I’m humiliating
myself before you.... It wasn’t a crime. It was only thoughtlessness.
Give me another chance.
[JAMES FORD, _with his face between his hands, thinks it over. He
is deeply moved by_ GEORGE WINTER’S _appeal_. GEORGE, _watching him
keenly, thinks he is going to yield_.
GEORGE WINTER.
We’ve gone through bad times and good together. I’ve been a good friend
to you. You’ve never had anything to reproach me with till now.
JAMES FORD.
[_Brokenly._] I can’t risk the money of all these poor people again.
GEORGE WINTER.
Will it satisfy you if I give up the directorship of the Middlepool
Trust? Give me six months to save my face and I’ll resign.
[JAMES FORD _looks up at him, wondering if he can put any trust in_
GEORGE WINTER. GEORGE _waits for the decision with beating heart_.
_He feels almost sick with fear._
JAMES FORD.
I’ll tell you what I’ll do. If the bonds are in their place by four
o’clock to-morrow I’ll say nothing.
GEORGE WINTER.
[_Astounded._] To-morrow? It can’t be done. It’s impossible.
JAMES FORD.
That’s all I can do for you.
GEORGE WINTER.
[_Hardly knowing what he is saying._] But no one could get it. You know
it’s impossible. Even if you gave me a week I couldn’t do it. I can’t,
I can’t, I can’t. With the attack on us to-day we’re--we’re tottering.
It’s as much as we shall be able to do to hold out till the tide turns.
That’s not giving me a chance. Not a chance. To-morrow! It’s absurd!
JAMES FORD.
That’s my last word.
GEORGE WINTER.
You might as well send for the police at once. Oh, my God! It’s
impossible.
JAMES FORD.
If the money is not there by the time the bank closes I shall apply for
a warrant.
GEORGE WINTER.
D’you know what that means? It means a trial, and then--and then prison.
JAMES FORD.
I can’t do more for you than I’ve offered.
[_The finality of this, the deep regret and the decision in_ FORD’S
_tone, are like a blow in the face to_ GEORGE WINTER. _He gives a
sudden start, and throwing off his humbleness, flies into
ungovernable passion. He whips himself into a rage as he flings the
scornful invective at_ JAMES FORD _and ends up on the last words in
a positive scream of fury_.
GEORGE WINTER.
Oh, it’s infamous. It’s damned hypocrisy. You don’t care if I’ve taken
the money or not. You’re afraid of your own skin. And you’re jealous of
me. It’s envy. I knew you envied me all the time. D’you think I’ve been
taken in by you? You were a little tin god in Middlepool till I came
along. You didn’t fight me like a man. You just sided with me, waiting
for your chance to trip me up. You think when I’m gone you’ll have the
field to yourself. Why shouldn’t you be the member as well as I? It’s
mean. It’s mean. You with your damned Christianity, your parrot cries of
honesty. Damn you! Damn you! Damn you!
JAMES FORD.
[_Quietly._] You see, you’ve gone too far. I shall never make you
understand. You can’t realize that a man may be honest, even if he loses
by it, just because he can’t help it, because he’s made straight as some
men are made crooked.
GEORGE WINTER.
It’s childish.
JAMES FORD.
You’ve got through the world by knowing that nine men out of ten are
rascals. You’ve forgotten that the tenth man must cross your path at
last.
[_When he hears these words_ GEORGE WINTER _gives a start, and he
looks at_ FORD _with staring, terrified eyes. He passes his hand
over his forehead, trying to recall._
GEORGE WINTER.
[_Almost to himself._] Who said that to me before?
[_There is a pause._
JAMES FORD.
Good-bye, George. My promise holds.
GEORGE WINTER.
[_Bitterly._] It’s no good to me. I’m like a rat in a trap. You can get
what fun you like out of seeing me wriggle.
[_For a moment_ JAMES FORD _looks at him, then silently goes out_.
GEORGE WINTER _is seized with a horrible, convulsive trembling. He
shakes as a man might shake in an ague. With his quick mind he sees
that no subtlety will save him now; he is up against the blank wall
of a character as strong as his own. In a moment_ CATHERINE _enters
the room_.
GEORGE WINTER.
What the devil d’you want?
CATHERINE.
I heard Mr. Ford go. May I speak to you now?
[GEORGE WINTER _makes an effort to appear composed_.
GEORGE WINTER.
Well?
CATHERINE.
Now that the election is over you can have no further use for me. I’ve
carried out my part of the bargain scrupulously.
GEORGE WINTER.
[_Putting his hand in a dazed way to his head._] I don’t know what
you’re talking about.
CATHERINE.
I understand that I’ve condoned all your offences towards me, and I’m
helpless now to do anything. So you need have no fear that I shall
interfere with you in any way. [_He turns round and looks at her. He
takes in at last what she is saying._] But there’s no reason that I
should expose myself any longer to a humiliation that I found
unbearable. I’ve come to tell you that now I’ve done all you exacted I’m
going to leave you, this time for good. I’m starting early to-morrow
morning for the Continent with my friend Barbara Herbert, and I shall
not return. You can devise whatever explanation you think necessary, and
you may be quite sure I shan’t contradict it. I shall be gone by the
time you get up. You will find in my room all the trinkets you’ve given
me. I wish to take nothing with me that I have received from you.
GEORGE WINTER.
[_With clenched teeth._] Are you leaving your clothes?
CATHERINE.
[_With a shrug of the shoulders._] I think there is nothing more to be
said. Good-bye. I trust you to leave me in peace. I promise on my side
to do nothing that can inconvenience you.
[_She waits for a moment to see if he has anything further to say,
but as he remains silent she goes towards the door. As she is about
to go out he bursts into a peal of laughter. She stops with a start
and looks at him. His laughter grows, peal upon peal. It becomes
wild and shrill and hysterical. He bellows with laughter. Already
half frightened, not understanding_, CATHERINE _makes a step or two
back into the room_.
CATHERINE.
What’s the matter? George, George!
[_He laughs still, and then suddenly breaks into a sob. He gives
way entirely, and bursts into uncontrolled weeping._
CATHERINE.
[_Coming down to him._] George, what is it?
GEORGE WINTER.
For God’s sake give me a drink.
[_She hurries to the half-empty bottle of champagne on the table
and pours out a glass of wine. He drinks it at a gulp._
GEORGE WINTER.
[_Recovering himself._] That’s rich, that is. Rich.
[_Again he bursts into laughter._
CATHERINE.
What is it, George? It’s not because I’m going away?
GEORGE WINTER.
Your going away doesn’t matter a damn to me. It means that I’ve been
done in the eye. Those swindling rogues, the Lewishams, have got me at
last. That article’s done the trick and I’m dished. You can go your own
way now, Kate. You’ve got the better of me after all.
CATHERINE.
I don’t understand.
GEORGE WINTER.
James Ford knows that the bonds have gone. And he’s going to Scotland
Yard.
CATHERINE.
Oh! And father?
GEORGE WINTER.
Oh, I can’t worry about your father now. He must look after his own
skin. I’ve got enough to do to think of myself.
CATHERINE.
What shall I do?
GEORGE WINTER.
He’ll give me till to-morrow to replace them, but I can’t. It’s
impossible. And he knows I can’t. Damned hypocrite! I shouldn’t
complain if I’d been beaten fairly; but it’s so childish. And just when
I’d got the reins in my hand. He can’t countenance dishonesty. It’s
childish. I always distrusted him. Sanctimonious prig! He’s jealous of
me. He wants to kick me off my perch, so that he can take my place. And
I know him. I know him inside out. He’ll do what he says. [_With angry
scorn._] It’s his duty.
CATHERINE.
Can’t we sell things? There’s my jewellery.
GEORGE WINTER.
A drop in the ocean. How can I get eighty thousand pounds in a falling
market.
CATHERINE.
[_Horrified._] D’you mean to say they’ll arrest you?
GEORGE WINTER.
[_With a dull roar, like a wild beast at bay._] No. D’you think I’m
going to stand that, and a trial, and--and all the rest?
CATHERINE.
[_Wringing her hands._] Is there no chance that you may get off?
GEORGE WINTER.
Bennett would give me away to save himself. I know him. There’s not a
man I can trust. The only thing’s to have done with it at once. I must
get out of it while I have the chance.
CATHERINE.
D’you think there’s any hope of your getting away?
GEORGE WINTER.
My way. Yes.
CATHERINE.
[_Understanding._] Oh, George, you wouldn’t do that.
GEORGE WINTER.
What else d’you expect me to do? D’you think I’m going to bolt to
America, to be brought back in six months by a couple of detectives? Not
much.
CATHERINE.
Wouldn’t it be better to stay and face it? If you’ve done wrong, can’t
you accept your punishment? You’re young still.
GEORGE WINTER.
They won’t have mercy on me. It’ll mean ten years. And when I come out,
it’ll mean hiding, doing odd jobs, like Bennett, dirty work for other
men who won’t risk their own skins. And what d’you suppose a life like
that is worth to me? I want the power, and the notoriety, and the
glamour. I wanted men to point me out in the street. I’ve aimed too high
to be content with anything but the highest.
CATHERINE.
Oh, it’s horrible.
GEORGE WINTER.
Come, Kate--honestly--if you loved me, wouldn’t you wish me to make an
end of it?
CATHERINE.
[_After a long look at him._] Oh, don’t ask me.
GEORGE WINTER.
Will you do something for me? It’s the last thing I’ll ever ask you.
CATHERINE.
I’ll do anything I can.
GEORGE WINTER.
I want half an hour to myself. You must let no one come to me under any
pretext whatever.
CATHERINE.
[_With a cry of horror._] You’re not going to do it now?
GEORGE WINTER.
I don’t trust James Ford. He may have gone to Scotland Yard already.
Perhaps the detectives are already on their way.
CATHERINE.
You’ve said yourself that he’s to be relied on.
GEORGE WINTER.
Oh, I’m frightened. And what’s the good? I’m dead beat. Perhaps
to-morrow I shouldn’t have the nerve.
CATHERINE.
Oh, it’s awful.
GEORGE WINTER.
[_With a laugh._] Why, it’s your freedom.
[_He goes to the table and pours himself out a glass of brandy._
GEORGE WINTER.
I’m mixing my liquors. Bad habit, isn’t it? You’ll be ravishing in
black, darling. It always suited you.
[CATHERINE _gives an inarticulate sob_. GEORGE WINTER, _shrugging
his shoulders, goes towards the door_.
GEORGE WINTER.
Will you promise to prevent anyone from disturbing me?
CATHERINE.
Yes.
GEORGE WINTER.
In half an hour you can go to bed.... I hope you’ll sleep as soundly as
I shall.
[_He goes out and locks the door behind him._ CATHERINE _hides her
face in her hands and moans with fright and horror. In a moment_
O’DONNELL _comes in_. CATHERINE _starts as she hears him_.
CATHERINE.
I thought you’d gone to bed.
O’DONNELL.
I feel so awfully wide awake. I came in to see if I could find a book.
CATHERINE.
[_Pointing to a table._] There are some over there.
O’DONNELL.
You’re looking dreadfully done up. Why don’t you turn in?
[_At that moment shouts are heard in the square below, cheers and
cries of_ WINTER.
CATHERINE.
[_Frightened._] What’s that?
O’DONNELL.
[_Going to the window._] Oh, it’s closing time. Enthusiastic politicians
who’ve been turned out of the public-houses.
[_Cries of_ WINTER, WINTER.
CATHERINE.
Oh, send them away, I can’t bear it.
O’DONNELL.
[_Opening the window and calling out._] Mr. Winter has gone to bed,
gentlemen, and I strongly recommend you to follow his example.
[_He shuts the window, amid the laughter and cheers of the
roisterers. They go away singing._ CATHERINE _clenches her hands to
prevent herself from screaming_.
O’DONNELL.
[_With a laugh._] Splendid, aren’t they?
CATHERINE.
Now, you really must go to bed.
O’DONNELL.
[_Taking a book from the table._] All right. I dare say we shall have a
busy day to-morrow.... I really think this is the happiest day I’ve ever
had. Life is jolly, isn’t it?
CATHERINE.
[_With a strange look at him._] Yes.
O’DONNELL.
Good-night.
CATHERINE.
[_With a sudden start._] Oh!
O’DONNELL.
What’s the matter?
CATHERINE.
I thought I heard a sound.
O’DONNELL.
I didn’t. The hotel’s as still as death, for a wonder. I hope the trains
won’t disturb you to-night.
CATHERINE.
Good-night.
[_He goes out._ CATHERINE _turns and looks at the door of_ GEORGE
WINTER’S _room. She takes a step towards it._
CATHERINE.
George!
[_She listens, but there is no answer. With a gesture of horror she
turns away._ FRED BENNETT _bursts into the room_.
BENNETT.
I beg your pardon. I didn’t expect to find any one here. Where’s the
Governor?
CATHERINE.
I don’t know.
BENNETT.
I want to see him at once.
CATHERINE.
He can’t see any one to-night.
BENNETT.
He’ll see me.
CATHERINE.
He left instructions that no one was to bother him.
BENNETT.
It’s a matter of life and death.
CATHERINE.
[_With a shiver of apprehension._] I tell you, you can’t see him.
BENNETT.
Isn’t he in his room?
CATHERINE.
No.
BENNETT.
[_Going towards the door._] Are you sure?
CATHERINE.
[_Getting in his way._] He’s tired out. Can’t you let him rest?
BENNETT.
Oh, but you don’t know what’s happened. The mine’s all right. For
goodness’ sake, let me go to him.
CATHERINE.
[_Quickly._] What do you mean?
BENNETT.
[_The words tumbling over one another in his hurry._] The manager had
taken Macdonald in, hadn’t shown him a new shaft they’d sunk. The place
is crammed full of gold. It was only a dodge of the Lewishams. I did
what the Governor told me. I just flooded the market with selling orders
of their stocks, and at closing time Manny Lewisham sent for me. I smelt
a rat. I was too clever for him. He’s offered to take the Governor in.
He’ll buy a huge block of shares to-morrow at par. He’s going to pay on
the nail. And we’re safe, we’re safe, we’re safe.
CATHERINE.
D’you mean to say....
BENNETT.
[_Interrupting._] It’s what the Governor’s been fighting for for ten
years. At last he’s got there. The shares’ll be worth anything you like
in a month. It means wealth, safety, everything.
CATHERINE.
Then George is....
BENNETT.
He’s at the top of the tree. He’s where he ought to be. In ten years
he’ll be in the House of Lords. Would you like to tell him yourself?
[CATHERINE _hesitates for a moment. She sees her chance of freedom
slipping away from her once more. For a moment she struggles with
herself. All her life, past and future, comes before her in a
flash._
CATHERINE.
I don’t know where he is.
BENNETT.
You don’t know?
CATHERINE.
He went down to the smoking-room.
BENNETT.
I must find him.
[_He runs towards the door, but before he can get out_ CATHERINE
_has a revulsion of feeling_. _She gives a cry._
CATHERINE.
No, stop. He’s in his bedroom. Oh, be quick! Be quick!
[BENNETT _stops and looks at her with surprise. She runs to the
door and beats against it with her hands._
CATHERINE.
George, George, George! Open the door! George, George!
BENNETT.
What’s the matter? What d’you mean?
CATHERINE.
George! It’s all right. Open the door, for God’s sake. [_To_ BENNETT.]
Oh, can’t you open the door?
BENNETT.
Good God, what’s he doing?
CATHERINE.
George, George!
[BENNETT _puts his shoulder against it and tries to burst the door
open. It does not yield._
BENNETT.
Governor. It’s me.
CATHERINE.
He locked it. Break the glass.
[_She gives him a bronze ornament which is at her hand, and he
breaks it against the pane of glass which is above the lock. The
glass splinters. He puts his hand in and turns the key. Then he
opens the door and bursts in._
BENNETT.
He’s not there.
CATHERINE.
He must be. He must be.
BENNETT.
The windows are wide open. He must have gone out.
CATHERINE.
There’s nowhere to go. There’s only about two yards of garden and then
the line. Call out.
BENNETT.
Perhaps he’s in the garden.
[BENNETT _runs out through the door of_ GEORGE WINTER’S _room. As
he does this_, FRANCIS ETCHINGHAM _comes in from the left, in his
pyjamas and a dressing-gown_.
ETCHINGHAM.
I say, what the devil’s all this row? It’s bad enough to have the trains
banging under one’s window all night long. Upon my soul.
CATHERINE.
Where’s George? Father, father!
ETCHINGHAM.
How the deuce should I know?
[BENNETT _comes back_.
BENNETT.
He’s not in the garden anywhere.
CATHERINE.
Oh, I’m so frightened!
ETCHINGHAM.
What on earth’s the matter with you, Kate?
CATHERINE.
Oh, my God, my God!
BENNETT.
We can’t find the Governor.
ETCHINGHAM.
Perhaps he’s gone for a walk.
CATHERINE.
Along the line?
[TEDDIE O’DONNELL _comes running in_. _He has taken his coat and
waistcoat off._
O’DONNELL.
I say, I’ve just seen a most awful accident. A man’s been run over on
the line.
[CATHERINE _gives a shrill scream of horror, and, falling on her
knees, hides her face_.
THE END.
* * * * *
Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:
seizes her her by the shoulders=> seizes her by the shoulders {pg 27}
he get’s a month’s hard labour=> he gets a month’s hard labour {pg 101}
rapidily run their eyes=> rapidly run their eyes {pg 141}
He say’s Teddie’s awfully useful=> He says Teddie’s awfully useful {pg
167}