IPS 635 
 .29 J3 
 Cop7 1 
 
 Who's Guilty? 
 
 BY 
 LESLIE JAMESON 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 A DRAiMATIC COMEDY 
 
 BY LESLIE JAMESON 
 
 Copyright, October 4, 1921, by Leslie Jameson 
 
 PRICE $5.00 
 
 (10 Copies $10.00) 
 
 WARNING: 
 
 Individuals or Organizations desiring to stage this play should 
 first secure written permission from the author. Address all 
 communications to Leslie Jameson, 1364 Etruria Street, East 
 Liverpool, Ohio. 
 
 McNUTT PRINTING COMPANY 
 EAST LIVERPOOL. OHIO 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? ' 
 
 /^^^ 
 
 "b 
 
 b 
 
 A Dramatic; Comedy By Leslie Jameson. ^ c\^ 
 
 Scene 1. — The Drawing Room of the CrestHne Country Mansion, 
 
 near New York City. Time, — morning. 
 Scene 2. — Same as scene 1. Late evening of the same day. 
 Time of play about one and one-half hours. 
 
 CAST 
 
 Raymond Dawson Out for Adventure 
 
 Tom Grey A Secretary 
 
 Frank Taylor From Headquarters 
 
 James Highler The Butler 
 
 Tim Hawkins The Gardener 
 
 Mr. Richfeller Known in Wall Street 
 
 Virginia Madison A House Guest 
 
 Mrs. Philip Crestline Lady of the House 
 
 Violet Crestline Her Daughter 
 
 Mrs. Green The Housekeeper 
 
 SETTING 
 
 An "Interior set" is required with center door (C. D.), right 
 door (R. D.), left door (L. D.). Room should be elaborately fur- 
 nished to represent millionaire's home. Telephone on stand near 
 C. D. Draperies, lamps, etc. 
 
 COSTUMES 
 
 Raymond Dawson wears chauffeur's unifonn. Butler wears but- 
 ler's uniform and he should have left forearm bandaged. Gardener 
 wears jacket to denote his position, in first scene but should be 
 ''all dressed up" in second scene. Tom, Grey wears dress suit in 
 second scene. Taylor wears ordinary business suit. Mr. Crestline 
 who is listed on program as Mr. Richfeller so as not to give the 
 secret away to the audience, wears golf clothes and has head band- 
 aged, left arm in a sling and should walk with a limp, Mrs. Green 
 dresses to suit the part and also should be "dressed up" in second 
 scene. The other thvee ladies wear evening gowns in the second 
 
 '^ i^j; 
 
 ^ to 
 
 scene. 
 
 / 
 
 ©CI.D 58777 
 
 A 
 
WHO'S, .GUILTY? 
 
 i I 
 
 Curtain — (Mrs. Green and James Highler are tidying up the 
 room). Mrs. Green: — "My, my, this strange affair is setting me 
 wild. For the last two weeks since Mr. Crestline' s strange disap- 
 pearance, the place has been topsy-turvy. I wonder where the poor 
 man is? Anyway, Mrs. Crestline has telephoned to Pinkerton's 
 for a detective, cause I heard her, and it will be worse than ever, 
 everybody under suspicion, and hardly daring to breathe." (Stops 
 for breath) . 
 
 James: — "Yes mxum." 
 
 Mrs. Green : — "What with Tim, Hawkins the gardener trying to 
 make love to me all the while I'm so upset, — you can't blame him 
 of course for making love to a pretty widow, — but he is so slow, 
 and not half as handsome as Mr. Green was when living." 
 
 James: — "Yes mum." (Fidgets about and looks around fur- 
 tively) . 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Well, I hope they find Mr. Crestline well and 
 happy, though no doubt in my mind but what he is now mouldering 
 in his grave — gone two weeks and not a sign of him. The Misses 
 doesn't want any publicity for stocks would drop down and what 
 not — he is such a big man on Wall Street, you know — and oh, so 
 rich." 
 
 James: — "So I've heard mum." (Starts to leave). 
 
 Mrs. Green :^ — "Why James, what is wrong with your wrist, it 
 is all swelled up ?" 
 
 James : — (nervously) "It is nothing mum,, a mere bump." 
 
 Mrs. Green: — (Haughtily) "Well, it looks more than a bump 
 to me and bandaged too, but I suppose its none of my business — 
 (then confidential) But James, couldn't you make Tim Hawkins a 
 little bit jealous by making love to me?" (Grabs him by coat). 
 
 James: — (Irritated) "No mum, I wouldn't ,care to." 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Oh, you're afraid that you might fall in love 
 with me yourself, — I don't blame you — so many men have done 
 that since Mr. Green went to his just reward." 
 
 James: — (Again trying to get away) "Can't say, didn't know 
 him mum." (Mrs. Crestline enters suddenly from R. D., and mis- 
 understands the situation.) 
 
 Mrs. Crestline : — "That will do James." (Very dignified) . 
 
 James: — (With a great start, bowing) "Yes mum." (Exits L.D). 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Mrs. Green: — '^Excuse me mam, but I was just fixing his tie. 
 You see he was so upset, and all, he just couldn't do it himself." 
 Mrs. Crestline: — 'That will do also, Mrs. Green." 
 Mrs. Green: — ''Y^es mam, I hope you're not angry with me?" 
 Mrs. Crestline: — 'Tlease don't talk any more, Mrs. Green, I'm 
 upset enough over this affair as it is." 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Y^es mam, but this great detective — he will 
 clear up the mystery — same as the one did in the book I just finish- 
 ed reading." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline : — ''Kindly refrain from too much listening in the 
 future, Mrs. Green, that will do now." 
 
 Mrs. Green: — ''Y'^es mam, and I do hope you won't find poor Mr. 
 Crestline horribly mangled." (Exits L. D.). 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — ''Oh, these snooping servants will set me wild 
 — and this suspense is terrible. Poor Philip, what could have hap- 
 pened to him?" (Violet Crestline enters from R. D.) 
 
 Violet Crestline: — "Dear mother, please do control yourself, 
 everything will come out alright, I am sure." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "No, no, no, I believe your father is dead, 
 foully murdered — by one of his enemies." 
 
 Violet: — "But I didn't know dear daddy had an enemy in the 
 whole wide world, mother?" 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "A man of your father's standing is bound to 
 have many enemies as well as friends. His big Wall Street deals 
 would bring that about." 
 
 Violet: — "But surely — they would not murder him?" 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "If he was held for ransom, — we would have 
 heard from him during the past two weeks, — ^no/ I fear it is 
 murder." 
 
 Violet: — "Don't talk that way — please, — mother — or I will 
 break down too. He was such a good daddy." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "Good to you indeed Violet, he has pampered 
 you with every kind of luxury, but I must say he was a man of 
 violent temper." 
 
 Ylolet: — "I know mother about those things — but he just 
 couldn't help it, he had so many worries — he was a great financier 
 — a big man in the world and you know he fought every foot of 
 the way up the ladder of Success." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "I realize that, but he should have learned to 
 control those awful outbursts of his — that is why I fear for his 
 life. — And to think we quarreled that last night, — Life has not 
 been so happy these last few years since that big Northern mining 
 deal started Philip on his sidden rise to fame and fortune." 
 
 Violet: — "Well, let us hope for the best, mother. But why don't 
 you ask the police to solve this mystery?" 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — 'The publicity for ourselves for one reason, 
 the calamity which would occur in Wall Street for another — the es- 
 tate would be overrun with New York newspaper reporters if it 
 was allowed to leak out that 'Philip Crestline, the millionaire min- 
 ing- king has mysteriously disappeared.' Then too, Violet, I have 
 sent for a private detective from Pinkerton's who is due here now, 
 he may be able to fmd ''Who's Guilty" and clear up the mystery at 
 once." 
 
 Violet: — "You are right mother darling." (Bell rings off stage, 
 James the butler passes across rear of stage and exits C. D.) 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "There is the bell, it must be my man, al- 
 ready." (James re-enters and hands Mrs. Crestline a card.) 
 James : — "A gentleman to see you, mum." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "Mr. Frank Taylor, oh yes, show him in 
 James." 
 
 Violet:— "Oh— it is " 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "Ssh! An old friend of your father just back 
 from, Europe." 
 
 (James re-enters with Frank Taylor, the detective, who ap- 
 proaches Mrs. Crestline. James exits L. D., looking back nervously 
 at Taylor) 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Good morning, Mrs. Crestline, I presume?" 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "Correct, and you are Mr. Taylor — from Pin- 
 kerton's — very prompt, I see." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "A detective is always prompt, Mrs. Crestline, 
 Speed is my motto." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "This is my daughter, Violet, Mr. Taylor." 
 Frank Taylor: — "This is indeed a pleasure. Miss Crestline." 
 Violet :^"How-dee-do Mr. Taylor, I hope you will be able to find 
 the guilty person or persons who have abducted my father and 
 bring him back to us, safe and sound." 
 
 ■ Frank Taylor: — "Now there, Miss Crestline, don't worry, when 
 Pm told to 'go and get 'em' 1 usually track 'em down, count on me 
 to find "Who's Guilty" of this crime and bring him to justice." 
 (Very boastful — shows star.) 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "We hope so." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Now to get down to business, Mrs. Crestline, 
 will you please give me all the facts concerning your husband's 
 disappearance. When was he last seen?" 
 
 Mrs. Crestline : — 'Two weeks ag*o last night, late in the evening." 
 Frank Taylor: — "Who was the last person who saw him?" 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "Hawkins, the gardener, he told me that he ob- 
 served Mr. Crestline walking about the grounds until late in the 
 night. The next morning his bedroom was found undisturbed. We 
 
WHO*S GUILTY? 
 
 did not become alarmed until he had been missing several days and 
 his Wall Street office informed us that he had not been there." 
 
 Frank Taylor : — * Who all knows about this ? Has the police been 
 notified?" 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — '*No, we desire no pubhcity. The immediate 
 family and servants alone know of his disappearance." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — 'TIow many servants and members of the 
 family?" 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "Let's see, you saw Jam,es the butler, then 
 there is Hawkins, the gardener and Mrs. Green, the housekeeper, 
 and Mr. Grey, my husband's secretary and oh yes, Miss Virginia 
 Madison, a house guest and college chum of my daughter's." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — *'Now is that all." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — '*Yes, — no, I had forgotten the new chauffeur, 
 just hired today, Dawson, I believe is the name. A friend of the 
 gardener's who recommended him to us. We were in need of a 
 chauffeur at once and didn't take time to investigate him." 
 
 Violet: — ''You — don't suspicion anybody in the house, sir?" 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "I must gather my clues Miss, it looks like an 
 inside job, I'll get acquainted with everybody and then make my 
 conclusions." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "You have the freedom of the house, do your 
 best." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "You can depend on that. Madam and the one 
 "Who's Guilty" will suffer, no matter who it may be." (Virginia 
 Madison enters from C. D., and runs up to Violet) 
 
 Virginia Madison: — "Oh, Violet, have you heard anything yet?" 
 
 Violet : — "No, Virginia, not yet — Miss Madison meet Mr. Taylor, 
 a " 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "An old friend of Mr. Crestline, he has come 
 to help us find poor Philip." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Pleased to meet you Miss Madison, I have 
 often heard of your father." 
 
 Virginia Madison: — "How-do-do Mr. Taylor — it seems — I have 
 seen you before — but I don't know where?" (Distrustful). 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Perhaps, I am well known in New York City." 
 
 Virginia Madison : — "Well, I hope we hear some word of Mr. 
 Crestline's whereabouts soon. This suspense is dreadful." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Don't worry, Miss Madison, I'll investigate 
 thoroughly." 
 
 Violet: — "Let's go out into the garden, Virginia, perhaps we 
 may see the new chauffeur." 
 
 Virginia: — "Fine, Violet, I am anxious to look him over myself. 
 Will see you later, Mr. Taylor." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "I hope so. Miss Madison." (Both girls exit CD) 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Mrs. Crestline : — *'At least your suspicions do not fall on either 
 of those girls, Mr. Taylor?" 
 
 Frank Taylor: — *'I am unable to say at this time." 
 
 (Enter Tom Grey from L. D.) 
 
 Tom, Grey : — ''Ah, those bonds are all intact, Mrs. Crestline, and 
 nothing in Mr. Crestline' s private olfice has been disturbed." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — ''Very good, Mr. Grey, this is Mr. Taylor, — an 
 old friend of my husband's, he will have full charge here, give him 
 every confidence." 
 
 Tom Grey: — (Frowning) "Glad to know you sir, I suppose you 
 wish to know all about Mr. Crestline' s disappearance." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Yes, you are Mr. Grey, Crestline's secretary. 
 How long at that position, may I ask ?" 
 
 Tom Grey: — "Why. er — let's see — about a year, sir." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Um, — any idea as to this disappearance and 
 who may be behind it?" 
 
 Tom Grey: — "No sir, can't find that he had any special 
 enemies." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "What were Mr. Crestline's daily habits, did he 
 have any special hobby?" 
 
 Tom Grey: — "He was mostly devoted to his business affairs, 
 sir, and usually remiained in seclusion, a man of violent temper 
 when antagonized. Recenty he had acquired a desire to learn golf 
 and spent quite a little time on his private links at the far end of 
 his estate here." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Do you know whether Mr. Crestline was wor- 
 lied over any business matters just before he disappeared?'* 
 
 Tom Grey: — "Yes sir, he told me that he was looking for a man, 
 preferably a young man with an adventurious spirit to direct a 
 certain new business venture of his in Alaska, but so far had been 
 unable to find the right party." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Has any will of Crestline's been found?" 
 
 Tom Grey: — (Startled) "Why, er — yes sir, one was found." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "What were the provisions of this will?" 
 
 Tom Grey: — "I believe two million dollars was bequeathed to 
 his daughter, Violet, on her wedding day and the bulk of the es- 
 tate was left to Mrs. Crestline with some conditions attached." 
 
 Frank Taylor:^ — "So I see, was worth considerable, eh?" 
 
 Tom Grey : — "Yes sir, away up in the millions — that is the rea- 
 son we wish to keep the matter quiet — no hue and cry in the 
 newspapers." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Does this daughter, Miss Violet, have any af- 
 fairs — that is, is she engaged?" 
 
 Tom Grey: — "That is rather a delicate subject to discuss, Mr. 
 Taylor." 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Mrs. Crestline : — "Violet is not engaged, Mr. Taylor, but she and 
 Mr. Grey are very intimate friends and I am inclined to look with 
 approval upon a possible match between them." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — 'Thank you, Mrs. Crestline, that answers my 
 question." 
 
 Tom Grey: — (Appearing* bored) "That reminds me, Mrs. Crest- 
 line, where is Miss Violet? I haven't seen her today." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "Out in the garden as usual, Mr. Grey, with 
 Virginia Madison. Those two girls are inseperable." 
 
 Tom Grey: — "Then if you will excuse me, I will saunter out 
 there too, that is — if Mr. Taylor is through questioning me." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "That is all for the present, Mr. Grey, you are 
 excused." (Tom Grey exits CD). _ 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "Surely, you don't suspect him, Mr. Taylor." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "My dear Madam, I am not at liberty as yet to 
 state my conclusions, a detective must use discretion. Will you 
 kindly call in the servants." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline : — "I will send them in otie at a time, I feel very 
 fatigued and will retire to my room. I will send James first." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Yes, do so, Mrs. Crestline, thank you very 
 much." (Mrs. Crestline exits R.D. — Taylor lights cigar and settles 
 back in his chair and muses to himself.) 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "A very wise woman, I am thinking, — huh — 
 nearly prostrated with grief over her husband's disappearance, — 
 and this secretary, — a Very intimate friend of the daughter, who 
 has been bequeathed two million dollars when she marries, of 
 course that is only a small sum, a mere trifle." 
 
 (Enter James the butler from. L. D.) 
 
 James : — "You sent for me sir?" 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Yes, you are James Highler, the butler?" 
 
 James: — "Yes sir." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "How long have you been employed in that 
 position here?" 
 
 James: — "Only three months sir." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Did anything occur before Mr. Crestline dis- 
 appeared to arouse your suspicions?" 
 
 James: — (Hesitates) "Yes, — sir — the master and his wife had 
 a violent quarrel the evening before he disappeared. He had a ter- 
 rible temper, — ^goes almost mad when in one ofl his fits of temper, 
 — I would say, sir." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Ah, so far so good! Was there any secret af- 
 fairs with other women that you knew of, James ?" 
 
 James: — ^"Well, sir, a young woman, one of his stenographers 
 called here one evening, presumably to take some dictation from 
 
 8 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Mr. Crestline here at his home. Some time later I overheard high 
 words between them, then Mrs. Crestline came home suddenly 
 and caused a scene." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — (Rubbing- his hands gleefully) ''Good, James, 
 noAv this secretary, Tom Grey, what do you know about him?" 
 
 James: — ''Not much sir, except that he is in love with Miss 
 Violet and is urging Mrs. Cresthne to consent to an early mar- 
 riage. She more than approves of the match, I would venture to 
 say sir." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Fine, James, is that all?" 
 
 James : — "Yes sir, I shouldn't have said so much sir." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "You may go now% and have Mrs. Green the 
 liousekeeper come in." 
 
 James: — "A regular chatterbox, sir, its little but scandal you 
 v/ill get from her sir." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Send her in and let her chatter." (James exits 
 L. D.) 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Just what I suspected, the wife and secretary 
 are in on this thing together. Leave it to me to turn the servants 
 inside out to get at the truth." (Enters Mrs. Green L. D.) 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "You sent for me sir, you are the detective I have 
 heard so much about and you wish to question me. All I know is 
 that I'm worried half siek over this affair. I know you will be able 
 to find Mr. Crestline for us, sir." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "That is what I am here for. Tell me Mrs. 
 Green, did you ever hear Mr. and Mrs. Crestline quarreling?" 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Yes sir, several times, but I never stoop to 
 scandal." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — I realize that, Mrs. Green, — ^but the night be- 
 fore your master's disappearance, what happened?" 
 
 Mrs. Green : — "That was my night off. sir, and me and Tim Haw- 
 kins, the gardener had went to the movies, the best picture I ever 
 saw, you ought to have seen it sir. There was such a handsome 
 man in it, just reminded me of mv former husband, Mr. Green and 
 not a bit slow like Tim Hawkins. T^"R six miles to the village sir, but 
 we went in a machine and me and Tim enjoyed the movies so much 
 
 oil - 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "I'm not interested in movies at present, Mrs. 
 ^reen. Tell me. did ^^ou ever overhear any conversation between 
 Mrs, Crestline and Mr. Grey?" 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Oh, yes, just yesterday, sir, they were talking 
 about large sums of money, it was beyond me, and he was urging 
 her to consent to his immediate^' marriage to her daughter, Violet, 
 but of course I didn't stop to listen much, I am no gossip sir." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "That will do now, Mrs. Green, you may go — 
 and send in Hawkins the gardener." 
 
 9 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "I will sir, and also the new chauffeur, Hawkins 
 brought him here, and a bright one he is, sir." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — ''Very well, send them both in." 
 
 Mrs. Green: — ''Yes sir, and are you in command here sir?" 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "I am for the time being." 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Would you mind making love to me, Mr. Detec- 
 tive, so as to make Tim Hawkins jealous? He is too slow to pop 
 the question without help." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Surest thing you know, Mrs. Green, anything 
 to accommodate a charming woman like you." 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Oh, Mr. Detective, you are such a flatterer." 
 (Exits). 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Looks like I might make a matrimonial catch 
 myself and perhaps the old girl has a neat sum tied up in her 
 stocking, too." (Enter Raymond Dawson and Tim Hawkins C. D.) 
 
 Raymond Dawson : — "Well, you sent for us,, no doubt you are a 
 detective?" 
 
 Tim Hawkins : — "Mrs. Green told m.e to come in and her word 
 usually is law with me." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — (Sarcastily) "So, you are the handsome young 
 chaufl"eur the young ladies are raving about?" LIow did you know 
 I was a detective?" 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "Because of your bull dog, hard boiled 
 manner, I know the type." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "A pretty wise p'uy, I see. Now then Hawkins, 
 what do you know of this mystery?" 
 
 Tim Hawkins : — "Nothing at all sir, I am kept busy in the gar- 
 den most of the time,; sir." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "I see, — never heard the master and missus 
 quarrelling, then ?" 
 
 Tim Llawkins: — "No sir, my fights with Mrs. Green is about all 
 I can attend to sir." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "And I think you need some help there, I've 
 taken rather a liking to Mrs. Green myself." 
 
 Tim, Hawkins: — (very disturbed) "Please don't cut me out sir, 
 its the only chance Fve got, sir." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "We'll see about that, Hawkins, — Now- then 
 young man, how did you get here?" 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "On my two good legs, Mr. Gumshoe man; 
 Hawkins landed me the job of chauffeur; I heard about this mys- 
 terious disappearance of Mr. Crestline, and while I am here, I in- 
 tend doing a little detective work, myself, anything for a little ad- 
 venture." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Ah, a rival, well young man, you butt out, — I 
 have my clues and I'll find "Who's Guilty" without your help." 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "Don't be too sure of that, Mr. Taylor 
 from Pinkerton's." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — (Alarmed) "How did you know that?" 
 
 10 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "That's easy, ask me something harder?" 
 
 Frank Taylor: — ''Suppose that I tell you to get out?" 
 
 Raymond Dawson:— 'Then I'll telephone Police Headquarters 
 at New York and spoil your little game." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Well, I guess you can fool around — you won't 
 be in my way much." 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "And you won't be in my way much 
 either. Let's see, I've found out about the quarrels between Mrs. 
 Crestline and her husband, also this affair between the daughter 
 and this secretary, Tom Grey, and I know there is a Miss Virginia 
 Madison visiting here, — think I met her once." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Huh, — I suppose you have it all doped out?" 
 
 Tim Hawkins: — "He's such a nice young feller sir, that he got 
 it all out of the servants." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Well, find out aU you like, young man, and see 
 what good it does you." 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "I can tell you your conclusions right now. 
 You think that Mrs. Crestline and the secretary are jointly 
 guilty in this affair." 
 
 Frank Taylor:— (Surprised) "Well— I'll be D-Dog Conned! 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "Am I right?" 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Mind your own business, Mr. Chauffeur, and 
 I'll form my own opinions." 
 
 Tim Hawkins: — "I hope Mr. Crestline aint dead, sir?" 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "If he isn't, he's a mighty sick man." (Snappy). 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "Hawkins here doesn't know much of the 
 affair, so we will leave him out of it." 
 
 Frank Taylor:— ='0h, you don't say so? I'll suspicion anybody I 
 feel like." 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "Alright, go ahead Sherlock Holmes, — use 
 a magnifying glass and I'll use the naked eye and beat you to it. 
 (Mocking) Hsst! Quick, Watson the needle!" 
 
 Frrink Taylor: — "I haven't worked tw^o years out of Pinkerton's 
 to be fooled by anybody." 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "Did you bring a Ouija Board with you?" 
 (Enter Mrs. Green L. D., and rushes up to Taylor). 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Oh, Mr. Taylor, you must come down to the 
 kitchen and sample my pies." 
 
 Tim Hawkins: — "Er, — I say, Mrs. Green, my appetite hasn't 
 given out yet." 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "I am asking Mr. Taylor, not you Tim Hawkins. 
 You're too slow to catch the spring fever, snails travel like express 
 trains 'longside of you, I'm thinking." 
 
 Tim Hawkins : — "No use being in a hurry, if ye aint going no 
 place in particular." 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Hump, you wouldn't run after the last street car 
 at midnight. — Oh, Mr. Taylor, wasn't that a funny story you was 
 telling me about an old man proposing to a widow ?" 
 
 11 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Tim Hawkins: — 'What will ye be telling her after you know 
 her a couple of weeks, Mr. Taylor?" 
 
 Frank Taylor: — ''Ho, hum, Mrs. Green and I are fast friends 
 and we run from\ no one. That suggestion as to refreshments hits 
 me in the right spot." 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "And my tarts can't be beat, Mr. Taylor. I learned 
 to make them from an English lady. Maybe you will be wanting a 
 wife to be a good cook, eh, Mr. Taylor?" 
 
 Tim Hawkins: — "Would you mind me coining along, Mrs. 
 Green?" 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "I'll see you later, Mr. Tim Hawkins, — In the 
 meantime Mr. Taylor and me will sojourn to the kitchen, thereto 
 partake of a slight repast. — My arm, Mr. Taylor." 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "Eat pie now and humble pie later, Mr. 
 Pinkerton." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "But not from your hand, busybody. Don't get 
 hold of too many clues while I am busy with the pie." 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "Like the pie, you certainly have a crust, 
 Taylor, see you later." (Taylor escorts Mrs. Green out L. D.) 
 
 Tim Hawkins : — "Reckon I'll be going to keep an eye on her any- 
 way. You see, I almost proposed to her last week, — I had my 
 courage all screwed up to speak but she talked so much, I didn't 
 get a chance." (Exits L. D.) 
 
 Raymond Dawson : — "Now's my chance to call up the boss, while 
 they're all out — When I got wind of this Crestline millionaire dis- 
 appearing. Mack told me to hustle out here and write it up ; he said 
 rd been getting stale lately and this was my last chance if I failed 
 to make a big "scoop" out of it. — (Talks in phone) Central, give 
 me Manhattan 67- J, Hello, the Times? — McPherson there? — you 
 Mack? — Dawson speaking, well I'm here at the Crestline estate, 
 masquerading as a chauffeur, — the place is upset< — no clues, but 
 looks like something will develop soon, perhaps within two days, 
 yes will call you, — what's that? — Y'es, you told me that lefore, but 
 I'll make good this time, don't worry — (Hangs up phone as he 
 hears someone coming.) 
 
 (Enters C. D., Violet Crestline and Virginia Madison.) 
 
 Virginia Madison: — (Very cordial) "Why, how do you do, Mr. 
 Dawson, — how on earth did you get here?" 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "Why, Virginia, — er — I mean Miss Madi- 
 son. Its great to see you again. (They clasp hands) . 
 
 Virginia Madison: — "Violet, this is Mr. Dawson I told you so 
 much about, Mr. Dawson, — Miss Crestline — he saved my life last 
 summer in Central Park, — ^my horse bolted and would doubtless 
 have killed me if he had not risked his life — just in the nick of 
 time." 
 
 Violet: — (Aristocratically) "Plow do you do Mr. Dawson, I have 
 heard much from Miss Madison about you, — And you are here — ?" 
 
 12 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Raymond Dawson : — ''As your chauffeur, and I hope I will prove 
 satisfactory." 
 
 Virginia Madison: — "You are sort of an adventurer and I'l] 
 wager this awful mystery has brought you here." 
 
 Raymond Dav/son: — "Yes, I must admit a great curiosity. Miss 
 Madison, as to Mr. Crestline's strange disappearance and I will do 
 all I can to clear up the mystery." 
 
 Violet: — "Please do, Mr. Dawson — this suspense is terrible, you 
 see mother refuses to call in the police and we have no clues." 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "You can depend on me. Miss Crestline. Do 
 you suspect anyone?" 
 
 Violet Crestline: — "No, I cannot understand it at all. He was 
 such a good father to me but mother says he had many enemies 
 in the business world." 
 
 Virginia Madison: — "It must have been some outsider who has 
 a reason for all this but I sincerely hope we find a solution to the 
 mystery soon." 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "Let us hope so, but I shall look for clues 
 hereabouts. Were any strange persons seen about the estate pre- 
 vious to your father's disappearance. Miss Crestline ?" 
 
 Violet: — "Not a soul, there is absolutely nothing to work on, — 
 Virginia had just arrived the day before and we had planned such 
 good times but she w^on't leave me in this time of distress." 
 
 Virginia Madison: — "Certainly not Violet." 
 
 (Tom Grey enters C. D., and approaches group). 
 
 Tom Grey: — "There you are Violet, I have been searching the 
 place for you. You and Miss Madison are forever skipping about 
 on some lark or other." 
 
 Violet: — "You look worried, Tom, this is our new chauffeur, Mr. 
 Dawson, an acquaintance of Virginia's and he is going to help find 
 poor Father — Mr. Dawson meet Mr. Grey, my father's secretary. 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "Glad to know you, Mr. Grey." 
 
 Tom Grey: — (Cooly) "How do you do. So you are our new 
 chauffeur, and an acquaintance of Miss Madison's and also some- 
 what of a detective, so Violet tells me?" 
 
 Raymond Dawson : — "Not exactly, Mr. Grey, while acting in the 
 capacity of chauffeur I hope I may be of service in the search for 
 Mr. Crestline. Perhaps you can give me some light on the matter?" 
 
 Tom Grey: — "There is little to learn from, me, Mr. Dawson. Mr. 
 Crestline completely disappeared two weeks ago today, just as 
 though the ground had opened up and swallowed him. We do not 
 wish any publicity. Not a ray of light has been thrown on the mys- 
 tery since, so if you can clear it up you're a wonder." 
 
 Virginia Madison: — "I have great faith in Mr. Dawson — he 
 saved my life at the risk of his own and I know he has grit 
 enough to succeed in aything he undertakes." 
 
 Raymond: — "Thank you for the compliment. Miss Madison." 
 
 13 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Virginia: — ''Don't thank me, — I have never been able to thank 
 you enough, you offered your hfe to save mine and you know that 
 kick you received in consequence put you in the hospital." 
 
 Raymond: — ''Yes, but your tender care brought me around in 
 good time as v^ell and strong as ever." 
 
 Tom Grey: — "So you are enacting a new role, Miss Madison, as 
 champion of distressed chauffeurs. Well you have my best wishes. 
 Now Violet, I would like permission to speak to you alone in the 
 library." 
 
 Violet :— "Certainly, Tom." 
 
 Virginia: — "You two go right ahead, I will remain here with Mr. 
 Dawson." 
 
 Violet: — "Now, now, Virginia remember what you told m€ 
 about being heart free." 
 
 Tom Grey: — "I may wish you to drive me to the village, shortly 
 Mr. Dawson, and I would advise you not to let your sleuthing in- 
 terfere with your duties as chauffeur." 
 
 Raymond: — "I will have the car ready for you, sir." 
 
 (Tom Grey and Violet Crestline exit L, D.) 
 
 Raymond: — "Gee, but the secretary is awful affectionate. — I 
 must clear up this mystery — it means so much to me. Miss Madi- 
 son, — I can't explain why now but may be able to later." 
 
 Virginia: — "Its alright, Mr. — er Dawson." 
 
 Raymond — : (Sitting beside her) "V/on't you please call me, 
 Raymond, — as you did at the hospital ?" 
 
 Virginia: — "Alright Raymond, and you said Virginia, that- 
 last day — when you held my hand — and bid me goodby. Do you 
 remember?" 
 
 Raymond: — "Do I remember? — I have never ceased to think of 
 you since that day." 
 
 Virginia: — "I lost track of you after that, — you went out of my 
 life, why, — Raymond?" 
 
 Raymond: — "Because, — well because your father is so wealthy 
 and I am just a poor adventurer, drifting from, one job to another." 
 
 Virginia: — "Do you really think that makes much difference?" 
 
 Raymond: — "I have always thought so." 
 
 Virginia: — "No, Raymond, it doesn't with me." 
 
 Raymond: — (Eagerly) "Virginia! If I clear up this mystery, will 
 you — will you ? 
 
 Virginia: — "Solve the mystery first, Raymond, then we'll see." 
 
 Raymond: — "I'll work like a trojan to find Crestline, dead or 
 alive. The guilty must suffer." 
 
 (Here the butler enters and walks across rear of stage toward 
 R. D., with a tray of medicine bottles, appears somewhat nervous 
 when he sees Dawson and lets a bottle fall to the floor, Raymond 
 stoops to pick it up and as James reaches for it, Dawson suddenly 
 notices the butler's bandaged left arm) . 
 
 14 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Raymond: — ''Here you are James, you have a load." 
 
 James: — "Yes sir, Mrs. Crestline is feeling very much indis- 
 posed, sir, due to the excitement and I am taking- her some res- 
 toratives." (Exits R. D., and Dawson gazes after him) . 
 
 Virginia: — ''Just who is this Mr. Taylor, it seems I have seen 
 him before." 
 
 Raymond: — "A punk detective out of Pinkerton's Office, sent 
 for by Mrs. Crestline, very m_uch stuck on himself." 
 
 Virginia: — "These private detectives are always so positive 
 about any clue that they pick up and you know clues are some- 
 times misleading." 
 
 Raymond : — "I know that, Virginia, that is why I'm going to dig 
 in for the truth. I'll go out now and scour around the grounds, 
 perhaps I may discover something." 
 
 Virginia: — "I hope so, good luck to .you Raym.ond." 
 
 (He. squeezes her hand and leaves suddenly C. D., Sound of 
 motor leaving grounds. Enters L. D., Mr. Taylor and Mrs. Green). 
 
 Frank Taylor : — "Those pies v/ere delicious, like mother used to 
 bake, Mrs, Green." 
 
 Mrs. Green : — "Oh you flatterer, and you only ate three of them 
 at that. My, how poor old Hawkins was on edge all the time." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — 'Don't worry, he'll be proposing to you soon." 
 
 Mrs. Green : — "I hope so, you know^ a husband is kind of a con- 
 venience sometimes, someone to talk to." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Ah, how do do, Miss Madison, alone I see." 
 
 Virginia: — "V/as alone, you mean." 
 
 Mrs. Green : — "Well I must be going and looking after Hawkins, 
 the poor man is liable to hang himself if I don't give him some en- 
 couragement, will see you later, Mr. Taylor." (Exits L. D.) 
 
 (Enter Tom Grey and Violet Crestline L. D.) 
 
 Violet: — "No, Tom, I cannot give you my answer at this time. 
 I miust hear what has happened to nfiy father, first, and besides I 
 don't like the idea of a hasty wedding, just think of the clothes 
 I would need and you know on account of our position in society, 
 it would look strange not to have a large wedding and invite all 
 our friends." 
 
 Tom Grey: — "You should not allow these so called society 
 friends to interfere with your happiness, how^ever, since you in- 
 sist, I will wait awhile for my answer. — Ah, Mr. Taylor, have you 
 been able to secure any information as to Mr. Crestline's V\^here- 
 abouts ?" 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Nothing definite yet, Mr. Grey, but I have 
 been very busy looking over the grounds and expect to soon solve 
 the riddle. But don't worry, a detective usually has a few cards up 
 his sleeve ready to play at the opportune m^oment." 
 
 Virginia: — "Violet, your mother has taken ill and James has 
 just taken her some medicine. Perhaps you had better go to her." 
 
 15 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Violet: — "I will, Virginia, poor mother, this thing" may kill her 
 yet." (Exits R. D) 
 
 Tom Grey: — ''By the way, Miss Madison, what has become of 
 your chauffeur friend, I am, in a hurry to go to the village ?" 
 
 Virginia: — "Mr. Dawson left in the car a few moments ago but 
 he will probably be back soon." 
 
 Tom Grey: — "Perhaps, — he seems a little too vidependent for a 
 servant. Well, Til go and see if Mrs. Green can hustle me up some 
 lunch." (Exits L. D.) (Taylor again approaches Virginia). 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Let's become better acquainted. Miss Madison, 
 there is no reason why you should be so ,cool with me." 
 
 Virginia: — "Oh is that so, Mr. Pinkerton man." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "And how did you know that?" 
 
 Virginia: — "A little bird told me." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "If I catch that bird, I'll wring it's neck." 
 
 Virginia: — "Don't \e too sure of that, Mr. Taylor, eating pastry 
 isn't solving mysteries." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Oh there's plenty of time — Don't be nasty 
 with m^e Miss Madison." 
 
 Virginia: — "And don't you get too intimate with me." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "And if I should?" (Sneeringly) . 
 
 Virginia: — "You shall suffer." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Oh, ho. you fiery one — I'll have one kiss any- 
 AT^ay," (Lie grabs her and she struggles to get free — she gives 
 one scream — Mrs. Crestline, Violet Crestline rush in from R. D. 
 while Mrs. Green and Hawkins enter from L. D., just as the 
 sound of a motor is heard and Raymond Dawson enters from C. D., 
 and hurls the detective to the floor.) 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "V/hat is the meaning of all this?" 
 
 Violet: — "Virginia! What has happened?" 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — (To Taylor on floor). "You cheap detective, 
 don't ever lay hands on her again." 
 
 Virginia: — "Don't worry, Raym.ond, he won't." 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — (Advances to center of group and holds up 
 a man's golf cap dirty and blood stained) . "Look I have found a 
 clue." 
 
 Tim Hav/Kins: — 'It is the master's golf cap and bloody too!" 
 Raymond Dawson: — "Yes, I found it near the golf links three 
 miles from here, quick Hawj-dns, telcDhone for Johnston's blood- 
 hounds, I'm. .o-oing back to find out "Who's Guilty" of this crime." 
 Mrs. Crestline:— "Poor Philin !_I-Ie's dead! He's dead!" 
 (Screams and falls in fj?int — Violet and Mrs. Green rush to her) 
 Raym^ond : — "And I'll come back for your answer, Virp-inia." 
 Virginia:— "I'll be waiting Raymond." (She clasps his hand and 
 he exits C. D. Sound of motor is again heard, Tom Grey with coat 
 and satchel in hand, mshes in, tQo late for him. Hawki'^s is using 
 phone. Taylor is trying to rise to his feet.) 
 
 (CURTAIN) 
 16 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 SCENE 2 — (Late evening of the same day. Lamps are lit. 
 
 Mrs. Green and Tim Hawkins "all dressed up" are sitting" close 
 to each other on divan.) 
 
 Tim Hawkins : — ^''And are you sure Mrs. Green that you care for 
 no other man but me?" 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Yes, Timothy, dear — no one but you." 
 
 Tim Hawkins: — "Not — even this detective?" 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Why, Timothy, I'm sui-prised at you, after the 
 way Mr. Taylor acted with Miss Madison. — And he tried to force 
 his attentions on me but I certainly gave him a piece of my mind 
 which he will remember for awhile." 
 
 Tim Hawkins:— "I'll bet he will." 
 
 Mrs. Green : — "What did you say, Timothy ?" 
 
 Tim Hawkins: — "Er, I say you are always right, Mrs. Green." 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "And just think, Mr. Taylor called you a slow piece 
 of cheese and said he would make me a better husband." 
 
 Tim Hawkins : — "Eh, whats' that? So he called me a slow piece 
 of cheese, just wait till I get him alone. I'll show him." 
 
 Mrs. Green : — "Oh, Tim.othy, you are so brave, please don't hurt 
 him, you know we don't want to offend Mrs. Crestline. I wonder 
 at her letting him stay here after his affair with Miss Madison, 
 but he smoothed it over with her." 
 
 Tim Hawkins: — "Well I'll let him go this time for your sake, 
 my dear." 
 
 Mrs. Green : — "You are so affectionate, Timothy." 
 
 Tim Hawkins : — "I'm asking you to be my wife, Mrs. Green, but 
 I know you are too good for the likes o:^ me." 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Oh Timothy! This is so sudden, I'll accept you 
 with pleasure." 
 
 Tim_othy: — "When will the wedding take place, my dear?" 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Just as soon as this mystery is cleared up. Poor 
 Mr. Crestline, I know he has been murdered. But depend on 
 that new chauffer to find "Who's Guilty." He is such a bright 
 young chap." (Enter Virginia Madison — C. D.) 
 
 Virginia: — "So you were speaking of Mr. Dawson, Mrs. Green. 
 I was thinking of him myself." 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "So its you, Miss Madison, poor child. How are 
 you feeling after all the excitement?" 
 
 Virginia: — "Very well, thank you, but I'm rather v/orried be- 
 cause Mr. Dawson hasn't returned yet. He's been gone since be- 
 fore dinner and its now nearly bedtime." 
 
 17 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Don't worry, child, he may return soon." 
 
 Tim Hawkins : — "You need have no fear about Mr. Dawson, Miss 
 Madison, a clever young man. Miss. I'm sorry I couldn't get John- 
 ston's bloodhounds to help him^ in the search." 
 
 Mrs. Green: — 'T have some news for you. Miss Madison. Tim- 
 othy has just asked me to marry him and I've accepted." 
 
 Virginia: — "Well, you have my congratulations, Mrs. Green, so 
 you are going to try the matrimonial game, again." 
 
 "Mrs. Green: — "Yes, husbands are like olives, Miss, the first one 
 is not so good, but by the time you have eaten seven, the better 
 you like them." 
 
 Timothy: — "But — my dear, T hope you are not thinking of hav- 
 ing seven husbands?" 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Certainly not, Timothy. Well, let us go out in 
 the garden, my beloved, you know I must plan my wedding trous- 
 seau." ' 
 
 Tim Hawkiiis : — "I don't know what that is, but I hope it's some- 
 thing good to eat." (Both exit C. D.) 
 
 (Enter Violet Crestline.) 
 
 Violet: — 'T have been looking for you, Virginia, how are you 
 feeling?" 
 
 Virginia: — "I am alright, Violet; but how is your mother this 
 evening?" 
 
 Violet: — "She is not well, Virginia, and she is convinced that 
 poor father has been murdered, since Mr. Dawson found his cap. 
 Has Mr. Dawson returned yet?' 
 
 Virginia : — "No, I am anxious to hear from him. Perhaps some- 
 thing has happened to him." 
 
 Violet: — "Oh, I hope not, Virginia. I know how you feel about 
 him." (Enter Tom Grey.) 
 
 Tom Grey: — "Violet, I find you two chatting again." 
 
 Violet: — "Yes, Tom, we were just discussing Mr. Dawson." 
 
 Tom Grey: — "A very interesting subject for discussion, I am 
 sure. Have you heard from him. Miss Madison ?" 
 ^ Virginia: — "No, I am expecting him any moment. He has been 
 gone since noon." 
 
 Tom Grey : — "On a wild goose chase, I imagine. He should have 
 left the detective work to Mr. Taylor. He seems to have forgotten 
 lie was hired as a chauffeur. I had some very important business 
 in the village, and I was compelled to walk half the distance before 
 
 18 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 I could hire a man to drive me in, and I just returned a few mo- 
 ments ago." 
 
 Virginia: — 'Well, I'll leave 3'ou two to yourselves. Oh, Violet, I 
 had forgotten to tell you that Mrs. Green and Hawkins, the gard- 
 ener, are engaged to be married." 
 
 Violet: — "Really, at last, I wish them happiness." 
 
 Tom Grey : — **So the old hen brought him around at last. He has 
 my sympathy if he has to live with that human parrot. She would 
 soon run the newspapers out of business." 
 
 Violet:— 'Why, how you talk, Tom." 
 
 Virginia: — 'Well, I'll run in and see your mother, Violet." 
 
 Violet: — "Yes, do, Virginia, will see you later." (Virginia exits 
 R. D.) 
 
 Tom Grey : — "It is very important that I have my answer, now, 
 
 Violet." 
 
 Violet: — "But Tom, — at this time; — Oh, I can't talk of such 
 things now." 
 
 Tom Grey: — "The more reason that you should, Violet, since 
 you are left without a father's care." 
 
 Violet: — 'Why, Tom, it has not been proven that father is dead 
 yet, Mr. Dawson maj^ find some trace of him." 
 
 Tom Grey: — "Very improbable; you too, seem unusually inter- 
 ested in this young chauffeur." 
 
 Violet : — "Only in a friendly way, Tom. He has such a breezy, 
 do something style about him." 
 
 Tom Grey: — "He's just an adventurer, a ne'er-do-well, no doubt 
 he will return empty handed." 
 
 Violet: — "But he has at least tried and that is more than I can 
 say of you, Tom." 
 
 Tom Grey: — "There you go again. Well, since you are bound 
 
 to praise him to the skies, we will change the subject. Now Violet, 
 don't you think you could give me a little encouragement, — some- 
 thing to hope for." (Enter Mrs. Crestline.) 
 
 Mrs. Crestline : — "You two are love making again. Well, I hope 
 you may be happy as long as you can." 
 
 Violet: — "Mother, you should not have got up, your nei'ves are 
 overworked." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline : — "I could not lie in bed another moment. I must 
 be up and about. Has not the chauffeur returned y^^ *"' 
 
 Violet: — "No, mother." 
 
 19 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Mrs. Crestline :— "I'm on edge to see if he has found any further 
 news of Phillip, — strange how he came here from nowhere appar- 
 ently and found out these things so quickly." 
 
 Tom Grey :— "Perhaps it will lead to nothing, Mrs. Crestline. 
 Are you sure the cap he found was Mr. Crestline's ?" 
 
 Mrs. Crestline:— "Hawkins identified it and the fact that it had 
 bloodstains on it leads me to fear the worst for Philip." 
 
 (Enter James Highler, the butler, L. D.) 
 
 James : — "Hawkins tells me, mum, that a cap supposed to have 
 been worn by Mr. Crestline, was found by the new chauffeur." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline : — "Yes, James and he is out now running down 
 further clews." 
 
 James: — "Yes, mum, I wish him luck, mum." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "You seemed so attached to my husband, 
 James, always at his beck and call, you must feel lost now?" 
 
 James: — "I am that, mum. I was very much devoted to the 
 master." (Exit R. D.) 
 
 Tom Grey: — "The best butler we have ever had." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "A perfect jewel. I don't know where Philip 
 picked him up from. He's so intelligent." (Enters Taylor C. D.) 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Good evening, everybody, any news?" 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "None, Mr. Taylor. You seem to be doing very 
 little to find my husband." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Ho, ho, I may have a surprise for you before 
 long." 
 
 Violet: — "You have discovered the guilty ones, then, Mr. 
 
 Taylor?" 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "Perhaps, Miss, but the time is not ripe yet to 
 spring thei trap." 
 
 Tom Grey: — "You seem very confident, Taylor, may I ask have 
 you arrived at anything definite as to the idenity of the guilty 
 party?" 
 
 Frank Taylor: — "You will learn soon enough, I imagine, Mr. 
 
 Grey." 
 
 Violet: — "Mr. Dawson is now out working* on the case."" 
 Frank Taylor: — "Oh, that young upstart, little he'll find. I 
 may have a thing or two to say to him myself when he returns." 
 (The sound of a returning motor is heard and Raymond Dawson 
 
 enters C. D. just as Virginia, hearing the noise, enters R. D.) 
 Virginia : — "Raymond, — at last !" 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "Why, it's Dawson. Have you any news?" 
 Raymond Dawson: — "Good evening, folks, I see you're waiting 
 
 for me. Mrs. Crestline, will you kindly call in the servants ?" 
 
 20 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — ''Why, certainly." (Just here Mrs. Green, 
 Hawkins, and James enter, all excited.) 
 Tim Hawkins : — "It's my friend, Dawson." 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — Mrs. Crestline, I have iound 'WHO'S 
 GUILTY" of causing your husband's disappearance." 
 
 Mrs. T3restline. — "Tell us. Don't keep us in suspense any longer." 
 Raymond Dawson: — "It is James, the butler!" (Confronts 
 James.) 
 
 Mrs. Crestline — "James ! Surely you are mistaken." 
 Raymond Dawson: — (To James.) "James Gordon, alias James 
 Highler, your little game has been discovered. It will be best for 
 you to make a clean breast of it. Tell these people the facts." 
 
 James : — "Good God ! I am Guilty. I followed Mr. Crestline to 
 the golf links, sir, and, catching him off his guard, I — struck him 
 in the head and then threw his body into the creek — " 
 
 Mrs. Crestline: — "Then he is dead — " (Violet weeps on Tom 
 Grey's shoulder.) Violet: — "My daddy my daddy!" 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "Just a moment! I'll let somebody speak 
 for me." (Goes to door and brings in Philip Crestline, who is dres- 
 ed in a golf suit and has his head bandaged and left arm in a sling 
 ctnd walks with a limp.) 
 
 Mrs. Crestline:— "Phillip!" 
 
 Violet:— "It is father!" 
 
 Phillip Crestline: — "Emily, my wife ; Violet, my daughter. I am 
 safe with you at last. Well, James you didn't make a good job of 
 it — that blow on the head stunned me but luckily the water in the 
 creek w^as not deep and I managed to scramble out, but not be- 
 fore I had broken my arm and injured my leg in the fall. I man- 
 aged to stagger to the roadside and saw a wagon appix)aching,then 
 I fell unconscious. This young man can tell you the rest." 
 
 Raymond Dawson : — "I found him in the home of a Polish fam- 
 ily, five miles from the estate ; it seems the man found Mr. Crest- 
 line and took him to his home and cared for him. Not being able 
 to speak English and fearing he would be blamed for the accident, 
 
 he kept quiet about it and Mr. Crestline being unconscious for sev- 
 eral days was unable to tell them who he was. He was known only 
 
 to them as Mr. Richfeller, who in his delirium raved constantlj^ 
 
 about Wall St, I discovered his whereabouts through a Polish doc- 
 tor who ha;d attended him. I knew he was the man I was look- 
 ing for through a picture Hawkins had given me. I suspicioned 
 James on account of his swollen arm which was caused when Mr. 
 
 21 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Crestline struck him with a g-olf club. That is all. Here is your 
 man, Mr. Detective." 
 
 Frank Taylor: — ''Just the man I've been watching all the time." 
 (Gets out handciilfs:) 
 
 Philip CrestHiie:-^"One morbent, please. James, tell me why 
 you made this attempt on my Kfe?" 
 
 James:- — "You ruined my father, Arthur Gordon, in a mining 
 deal. Sir. He died penniliess. I swore to avenge him — " 
 
 Philip Crestline:^— 'What! You are the son of Arthur Gorden. 
 I have always regretted that deal— It seems you are more sinned 
 against than sinning. I am willing to forgive. Release him officer. 
 (Butler exits,) 
 
 Frank Taylor :^"It seems I am not needed around here, guess 
 I'll be going." . .: . 
 
 Raymond Dawson:— "So sorry to see you leave, Mr. Pinkerton, 
 when you need any assistance, call on me." 
 
 Frank Taylor:— "I will settle with you later young man." 
 (Exits CD.) 
 
 Tom Grey: — "It seems that I have misjudged you, Mr. Dawson, 
 and I wish to apologize. I am glad you were successful in finding 
 Mr. Crestline." - 
 
 Raymond Dawson: — "That's alright old man. I'm sure we'll be 
 fast friends from now on." 
 
 Tom Grey: — "Violet, now that I have been cleared: of suspicion, 
 will you say Yes? Will you marry me tomorrow?" 
 
 Violet :-^"Yes, dear Tom, anytime you wish." 
 
 Tom Grey: — (Kisses her) "Now I'll tell you why I was in such a 
 hurry, — My Uncle had left me a fortune, provided I married by thr 
 10th of this month which is tomorrow and my attorneys would not 
 allow me to disclose this secret. I wanted to be wealthy in my own 
 name in order to claim you." 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "I'm so glad you're back with us, Mr. Crestline, I 
 felt sure that you was still alive and I did my best to keep the fam- 
 ily cheered up. Timothy and I will now feel free to get married, sir." 
 
 Philip Crestline :-^"Thank you for your interest in me, Mrs. 
 Green. I know you must have been a great help to my wife. I'm 
 sure Hawkins is to be congratulated for his wise choice." 
 
 Mrs. Crestline:— *'My dear husband, let us forgive and for^:e' 
 the past and start life anew." 
 
 Philip Crestline : — "Emily, this has been a lesson to me, I will 
 hereafter not be so greedy for money but with God's help will de- 
 vote my life to Charity and to the happiness of my wife a 
 daughter." 
 
 Raymond: — "Virginia, I have waited a long time for my ans- 
 wer." ,. .^: ./-y _ .. , 
 
 22^ 
 
WHO'S GUILTY? 
 
 Virginia: — ''Can't you see the answer in my eyes, Raymond? 
 Yes." 
 
 Raymond: — "Excuse me, Virginia but I must call up the boss. 
 Just in time to get my story on the front page ! The big scoop at 
 last! (Telephones), Manhattan — 67-J." 
 
 Virginia: — "Please, don't let us have any publicity, Raymond." 
 
 Raymond: — "As you wish Virginia, (In phone) Hello, Mack? — 
 Yes, this is Dawson speaking, — Yes the mystery is unraveled — 
 Crestline's been found — Sorry no story boss — No publicity — 
 What ? — Yes, I know I'm a Chump — Fired, — You're too late, boss, 
 I have already quit, got a better job — So long. (Hangs up receiver) 
 — Virginia! Mr. Crestline has offered me the job as superintend- 
 ent of his new concern in Alaska. It will mean hardships perhaps, 
 but plenty of adventure — Will You? — Can You — marry me at 
 once and leave tomorrow for Alaska?" 
 
 Virginia: — "Yes, yes, Raymond, to the end of the world if 
 necessary. Whither, thou goest, I will follow. (Embrace) . 
 
 Mrs. Green: — "Oh, Timothy! If you would only love me like 
 that." 
 
 (CURTAIN) 
 
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