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.
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.
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?
POLLOCK (_outside_). The police are here, sir.
CROSBY. Pollock, give Inspector Donohue all the keys.
POLLOCK (_outside_). I don't know, I'm sure. I was told to lock the door. I don't know what's been going on inside. Then I was told to call you. This is the right key for that door.
(_The noise of the key being put into the lock can be heard, then the click as it is turned in the lock, then the door is opened, and_ INSPECTOR DONOHUE _in plain clothes comes well on stage_ L. _He is seen to be a clean-cut, intelligent-looking man of fifty. It later develops that he is reserved and extremely quiet in manner. He speaks like a gentleman and acts like one._ SERGEANT DUNN _enters also and drops below door_ L.)
CROSBY (L.C.). How did you know that Wales--
DONOHUE (L. _of_ CROSBY, _interrupting him_). I don't know anything. I was thinking of something else. I was told that I was wanted here in a hurry.
CROSBY. Queer your asking for Wales. Mr. Wales is dead; that's why I sent for you.
MISS EASTWOOD (_still seated_ R.C.). Yes, and if you ask me--
DONOHUE. Just a minute, please, miss. (_He turns to_ CROSBY.) It must have been very sudden. Why, only this afternoon I-- Did he ask you to send for me?
CROSBY (L.C.). Inspector, you don't seem to understand. Mr. Wales was murdered in this room not fifteen minutes ago.
(_Other characters keep the same positions as when the curtain rose._)