ROSALIE.  You did kill them both?

MASON.  Yes.

ROSALIE.  Mr. Wales to prevent ’im finding out about Spencer Lee?

MASON.  Yes.

ROSALIE.  And Spencer Lee?

MASON.  He ought to have been killed.  I’d been waiting for years to kill him.

ROSALIE.  Why?

MASON.  That’s between him and me.  He smashed my life, and by God, I got him.  He knows why I killed him, I told him I would.  I’m glad I did.  I only wish I could have done it over and over again.  That’s all.

ROSALIE.  Why did you kill Spencer Lee?

MASON.  He took her away from me.  She was the one thing in the world and he took her away from me.  I went to Paris to forget and all I could do was to remember.  Then she died, and I made up my mind that he must die too.

DONOHUE.  How did you get the knife in the ceiling?

MASON.  I threw it.  Just as I threw a knife into Spencer Lee’s back.  I stood in the doorway of his room and told him I’d come to kill him, and he ran for his revolver and as he ran I threw the knife into his back.  Then I picked up my knife and walked away.  No one saw me.  I was quite safe.  Quite safe until she came.  And unseen hands pushed me forward.  Unseen hands have pointed the way.  She’s not human.  Lee’s message came through her—­you all heard Wales speak; out of her lips we heard Wales’ voice.  He said he’d come back, again and again and again.  And then he came!  I saw him as he came through the door!  God Almighty, you can’t fight the dead!

(He turns suddenly and walks to door L. As he opens it SERGEANT DUNN steps into the room.)

DONOHUE.  That’s your man, Sergeant.

DUNN (putting his hand on MASON’S arm). You got him?

DONOHUE.  Yes, I got him.

DUNN.  Great work, chief, great work. (He takes MASON off down L.)

(HELEN crosses down to lower end of table R.)

ROSALIE (as they disappear from view).  The poor young man! the poor young man!

DONOHUE.  Ladies and gentlemen, you are all quite at liberty.

(He goes toward door L.)

CROSBY.  Thank you, Inspector, for your consideration.

DONOHUE.  Not at all, it was the best way out of it.

ROSALIE.  Inspector! (Coming below table R. to R.C.)

DONOHUE (half turning).  Yes.

ROSALIE.  My congratulations.

(He looks at her for a moment, then turns back and shakes hands with her.)

DONOHUE.  You were quite right about me.  I was a damn fool.

(He exits at L. HELEN comes below table R.)

MRS. TRENT (turning to her father up L.C. with a cry).  Oh, daddy, daddy!  I lied about her!  I lied about her!

(CROSBY takes her in his arms, up L. HELEN crosses to ROSALIE from below table R.)