CROSBY.  What is it?

POLLOCK (outside of door).  Inspector Donohue was at the Fifty-first
Street Station, sir.  He’s on his way here. (There is a pause).  Shall
I unlock the door, sir?

CROSBY. No—­not until the Inspector tells you.

CURTAIN.

ACT II

Ten minutes later.

Discovered:—­CROSBY standing by the door L. ROSALIE still tied in chair.  Dummy supposed to represent WALES’ body, covered by a piece of drapery, has been placed on chesterfield facing fireplace up C.

MRS. TRENT seated below console table L. end of chesterfield.

MISS EASTWOOD seated at R. end of console table R. of chesterfield, rattling book leaves.

STANDISH standing over R. below table.

MISS STANDISH is sitting L.C.

HELEN—­WILLIAM—­standing above table R.

MRS. CROSBY seated L. next to ROSALIE.  MISS ERSKINE seated next to MRS. CROSBY, tapping the sides of the chair with her fingers. MASON in front of fireplace C., looking at WALES’ body.  Eventually he moves to MISS EASTWOOD and takes the book away from her.

TRENT walking up stage L. as curtain rises.  All lamps alight.

The arrangement of the chairs for this act is detailed at the end of the play.

MRS. TRENT (rising and moving to CROSBY).  Father, please let me go to my room.

CROSBY.  It is impossible, my dear.

TRENT.  But, Mr. Crosby—­ (Comes down to CROSBY L.)

CROSBY (interrupting him).  It’s quite impossible.

(MRS. TRENT goes to and sits in chair up L., followed by TRENT, who stands R. side of her. WILLIAM sits back of table R. HELEN sits above table R.)

STANDISH (below table over R.).  Mr. Crosby, I must—­

CROSBY.  Mr. Standish, I just refused to let my own daughter leave the room.

(Slight pause.)

STANDISH.  But don’t you see, sir—­

CROSBY.  My dear Standish, poor Wales was killed by someone in this room.  We are all of us under suspicion.  Everyone of us. (Slight movement from all.) It’s an awful thing to say—­but one of us in this room has killed Wales.  Which one of us?

(Knock on door down L.)

CROSBY.  Yes.

POLLOCK (outside).  The police are here, sir.

CROSBY.  Who is it?

DONOHUE (outside).  Inspector Donohue.

CROSBY.  Pollock, give Inspector Donohue all the keys.

POLLOCK (outside).  Yes, sir.

(There is a pause.)

DONOHUE (outside).  What is all this?