Theft: A Play In Four Acts. Джек Лондон

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СКАЧАТЬ for cogitation.) I can't understand why an old wheel-horse like Elsworth should kick over the traces that way.

      Chalmers

      Disgruntled. Thinks he didn't get his fair share of plums out of the Tariff Committee. Besides, it's his last term. He's announced that he's going to retire.

      Hubbard

      (Snorting contemptuously, mimicking an old man's pompous enunciation.) "A Resolution to Investigate the High Cost of Living!" – old Senator Elsworth introducing a measure like that! The old buck! – How are you going to handle it?

      Chalmers

      It's already handled.

      Hubbard

      Yes?

      Chalmers

      (Pulling his mustache.) Turned it over to the Committee to Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses of the Senate.

      Hubbard

      (Grinning his appreciation.) And you're chairman. Poor old Elsworth. This way to the lethal chamber, and the bill's on its way.

      Chalmers

      Elsworth will be retired before it's ever reported. In the meantime, say after a decent interval, Senator Hodge will introduce another resolution to investigate the high cost of living. It will be like Elsworth's, only it won't.

      Hubbard

      (Nodding his head and anticipating.) And it will go to the Committee on Finance and come back for action inside of twenty-four hours.

      Chalmers

      By the way, I see Cartwright's Magazine has ceased muck-raking.

      Hubbard

      Cartwrights never did muck-rake – that is, not the big Interests – only the small independent businesses that didn't advertise.

      Chalmers

      Yes, it deftly concealed its reactionary tendencies.

      Hubbard

      And from now on the concealment will be still more deft. I've gone into it myself. I have a majority of the stock right now.

      Chalmers

      I thought I had noticed a subtle change in the last two numbers.

      Hubbard

      (Nodding.) We're still going on muck-raking. We have a splendid series on Aged Paupers, demanding better treatment and more sanitary conditions. Also we are going to run "Barbarous Venezuela" and show up thoroughly the rotten political management of that benighted country.

      Chalmers

      (Nods approvingly, and, after a pause.) And now concerning Knox. That's what I sent for you about. His speech comes off tomorrow per schedule. At last we've got him where we want him.

      Hubbard

      I have the ins and outs of it pretty well. Everything's arranged. The boys have their cue, though they don't know just what's going to be pulled off; and this time to-morrow afternoon their dispatches will be singing along the wires.

      Chalmers

      (Firmly and harshly.) This man Knox must be covered with ridicule, swamped with ridicule, annihilated with ridicule.

      Hubbard

      It is to laugh. Trust the great American people for that. We'll make those little Western editors sit up. They've been swearing by Knox, like a little tin god. Roars of laughter for them.

      Chalmers

      Do you do anything yourself?

      Hubbard

      Trust me. I have my own article for Cartwright's blocked out. They're holding the presses for it. I shall wire it along hot-footed to-morrow evening. Say – ?

      Chalmers

      (After a pause.) Well?

      Hubbard

      Wasn't it a risky thing to give him his chance with that speech?

      Chalmers

      It was the only feasible thing. He never has given us an opening. Our service men have camped on his trail night and day. Private life as unimpeachable as his public life. But now is our chance. The gods have given him into our hands. That speech will do more to break his influence —

      Hubbard

      (Interrupting.) Than a Fairbanks cocktail.

      (Both laugh.) But don't forget that this Knox is a live wire. Somebody might get stung. Are you sure, when he gets up to make that speech, that he won't be able to back it up?

      Chalmers

      No danger at all.

      Hubbard

      But there are hooks and crooks by which facts are sometimes obtained.

      Chalmers

      (Positively.) Knox has nothing to go on but suspicions and hints, and unfounded assertions from the yellow press.

      (Man-servant enters, goes to tea-table, looks it over, and makes slight rearrangements.) (Lowering his voice.) He will make himself a laughing stock. His charges will turn into boomerangs. His speech will be like a sheet from a Sunday supplement, with not a fact to back it up. (Glances at Servant.) We'd better be getting out of here. They're going to have tea.

      (The Servant, however, makes exit.) Come to the library and have a high-ball. (They pause as Hubbard speaks.)

      Hubbard

      (With quiet glee.) And to-morrow Ali Baba gets his.

      Chalmers

      Ali Baba?

      Hubbard

      That's what your wife calls him – Knox.

      Chalmers

      Oh, yes, I believe I've heard it before. It's about time he hanged himself, and now we've given him the rope.

      Hubbard

      (Sinking voice and becoming deprecatingly confidential. )

      Oh, by the way, just a little friendly warning, Senator Chalmers. Not so fast and loose up New York way. That certain lady, not to be mentioned – there's gossip СКАЧАТЬ