Class T ? 5- 1 ^ £ 
 
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 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
The Thunderbolt 
 
 An Episode in the History 
 Of a Provincial Family 
 
 In Four Acts 
 
 By 
 ARTHUR W. PINERO 
 
 All rights reserved under the International Copyright Act. 
 Perforjnance jiorbidden and right of representation reserved. 
 Application for the right to produce this play may be made 
 in care of the publishers. 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 WILLIAM HEINEMANN 
 
 MCMIX 
 
LIBRARY of C0IVGRES3 
 Two Copies Received 
 
 JAN 21 1809 
 
 Copyrient Entry 
 CLASag XXc Nc. 
 
 
 The Thunderbolt 
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY 
 
 ARTHUR W. PINERO 
 
 A// rights reserved 
 
 PLEASE READ CAREFULLY 
 
 The acting rights of this play are reserved by the author. 
 
 Performance is strictly forbidden unless his express consent 
 
 has first been obtained, and attention is called to the penalties 
 
 provided by law for any infringefjiehts of his rights, as follows : — 
 
 "Sec. 4966: — Any person publidly performing or representing any 
 dramatic or musical composition for which copyright has been obtained, 
 without the consent of the proprietor of said dramatic or musical composi- 
 tion, or his heirs and assigns, shall be liable for damages therefor, such 
 damages in all cases to be assessed at such sum, not less than one hundred 
 dollars for the first and fifty dollars for every subsequent performance, as 
 to the court shall appear to be just. If the unlawful performance and )-ep- 
 resentation be wilful and for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty 
 of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction be imprisoned for a period not 
 exceeding one year." — U. S. Revised Statutes, Title bo. Chap. 3. 
 
The Thunderbolt 
 
 THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY 
 
 James Mortimore. 
 
 Ann, his wife. 
 
 Stephen Mortimore. 
 
 Louisa, his wife. 
 
 Thaddeus Mortimore. 
 
 Phyllis, his wife. 
 
 Toyce 1 
 
 r-,.„TT f 'r^^^ Thaddeus Mortimores childreti. 
 
 K^\ RIL j 
 
 Colonel Ponting. 
 
 Rose, his wife, nee Mortimore. 
 
 Helen Thornhill. 
 
 The Rev. George Trist. 
 
 Mr. Vallance, solicitor, of SinglehajJipton. 
 
 Mr. Elkin, solicitor, of Linchpool. 
 
 Mr. Denyer, a house-agent. 
 
 Heath, a man-servant. 
 
 A servant girl at Nelson Villas. 
 
 Two others at ' ' Ivanhoe. 
 
 The scene of the First Act is laid at Lijichpool, a city in 
 the Midlands. The rest of the action takes place, a month 
 later, in the town of Single hampton. 
 
The Thunderbolt 
 
 THE FIRST ACT 
 
 The scene represents a large ^ oblong roomy situated on the 
 ground jio or and furnished as a library. At the back, 
 facing the spectator ^ are three sash windows y slightly re- 
 cessed y with Venetian blinds. There is a chair in each 
 recess. At the further end of the right-hand wall a 
 door opens from the hally the remaining part of the wall 
 — that nearer to the audience — beitig occupied by a long 
 dwarf bookcase. This bookcase finishes at each end with 
 a cupboardy and on the top of each cupboard stands a 
 lamp. The keys of the cupboards are in their locks. 
 
 On the left-hand side of the roomy in the middle of the 
 wally is a fireplace with a fender-stool before /V, and on 
 either side of the fireplace there is a tall bookcase with 
 glazed doors. A high-backed armchair faces the fire- 
 place at the further end. A smoking-table with the 
 usual accessories y a chair y and a settee stand at the nearer 
 end of the fireplace, a few feet from the wall. 
 
 Almost in the centre of the room, facing the spectator y there 
 is a big knee-hole writing-table with a lamp upon it. 
 On the further side of the table is a writing-chair. 
 Another chair stands beside the table. 
 
 On the right y near the dwarf-bookcase y there is a circular 
 library-table on which are strewn books, newspapers, and 
 1 
 
2 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 magazi?ies. Roufid this table a settee and three chairs 
 are arranged. 
 
 The furniture and decorations, without exhibiting any 
 special refnement of taste, are rich and massive. 
 
 The Venetian blinds are down and the room is in semi- 
 darkness. What light there is proceeds from the bright 
 sunshine visible through the slats. 
 
 Seated about the room, as if waiting for somebody to arrive, 
 are James and Ann Mortimore, Stephen and Louisa, 
 Thaddeus and Phyllis, and Colonel Ponting and 
 Rose. The ladies are wearing their hats and gloves. 
 Everybody is in the sort of black which people hurriedly 
 muster while regular mourning is in the makiiig — in the 
 case of the Mortimores, the black being added to ap- 
 parel of a less sombre kind. All speak in subdued 
 voices. 
 
 \_Note : Throughout, ** right'' and " left'' are the spec- 
 tators' right and left, not the actor's.^ 
 
 Rose. 
 [^A lady of forty fottr, fashionably dressed and coiffured 
 and with a suspiciously bloomitig complexion — oti the set- 
 tee on the left, famii?ig herself] Oh, the heat! I'm 
 stifled. 
 
 Louisa. 
 \^0n the right— forty-six , a spare, thin-voiced woman."] 
 Mayn't we have a window open ? 
 
 Ann. 
 [ Beside the writing-table — a stolid, corpulent woman of 
 fifty.] I don't think we ought to have a window open. 
 
 James. 
 \^At the writing-table — a burly, thick-set man, a little 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 3 
 
 older ihan his wife, with iron-gray hair and beard and a 
 crape band 7vund his s/eeve.'\ Phew ! Why not, mother ? 
 
 Ann. 
 It isn't usual in a house of mourning — except in the 
 room where the 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [/« the armchair before the fireplace— fifty -five, short, 
 stout, apoplectic. '\ Rubbish! [^Dabbing his brow.'] I beg 
 your pardon — it's hke the Black Hole of Calcutta. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Rising from the settee on the right, where he is sitting 
 with Phyllis— « meek, care-worn man of two-and-forty.'\ 
 Shall 1 open one a little way ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 \^0n the further side of the library-table— forty-nine , bald, 
 stooping, with red rims to his eyes, wearing spectacles^ Do, 
 Tad. 
 
 [Thaddeus goes to the window on the right atid 
 opetis it. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \From behind the vejietian blind.] Here's a fly. 
 
 James. 
 {Taking out his watch as he rises.] That'll be Crake. 
 Half-past eleven. He's in good time. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 {Looking into the street.] It isn't Crake. It's a young 
 fellow. 
 
 James. 
 
 Young fellow ? 
 
4 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Emerging .~\ It's Crake's partner. 
 
 James. 
 His partner ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 Crake has sent Vallance. 
 
 James. 
 What's he done that for? Why hasn't he come him- 
 self? This young man doesn't know anything about our 
 family. 
 
 Ann. 
 He'll know the law, James. 
 
 James. 
 Oh, the law's clear enough, mother. 
 
 [After a short silence. Heath, a middle-aged man- 
 servant, appears, followed by Vallance. 
 Vallance is a young man of about five- a?id- 
 t flirty. 
 
 Heath. 
 Mr. Vallance. 
 
 James. 
 [Advancing to Vallance as Heath retires^ Good- 
 morning. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Good-morning. [Inquiringly. "l Mr. Mortimore? 
 
 James. 
 James Mortimore. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 5 
 
 Vallance. 
 Mr. Crake had your telegram yesterday evening. 
 
 James. 
 Yes, he answered it, telling us to expect him. 
 
 Vallance. 
 He's obliged to go to London on business. He's very 
 sorry. He thought I'd better run through. 
 
 James. 
 Oh, well — glad to see you. ^^Introducing the others.'] 
 My wife. My sister Rose — Mrs. Ponting. My sister-in- 
 law, Mrs. Stephen Mortimore. My sister-in-law, Mrs. 
 Thaddeus. My brother Stephen. 
 
 Stephen. 
 l^Bising.'] Mr. Vallance was pointed out to me at the 
 Institute the other night. [Shaking hands with Val- 
 lance.] You left by the eight forty-seven ? 
 
 Vallance. 
 Yes. I changed at Mirtle-efield. 
 
 James. 
 Colonel Ponting — my brother-in-law. [Ponting, who 
 has risen, nods to Vallance and joins Rose.] My 
 younger brother, Thaddeus. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \Who has moved away to the left.] How d'ye do ? 
 
 James. 
 [Putting Vallance i7iio the chair before the writing- 
 table and switching on the light of the lampi] You sit 
 yourself down there. [To everybody.] Who's to be 
 spokesman ? 
 
6 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Stephen. 
 l^Joifiing \.o\5iSA.'] Oh, you explain matters, Jim. 
 
 [Louisa makes way for Stephen, transferring 
 herself to another chair so that her husband 
 may be nearer Vallance. 
 
 James. 
 [ To Ponting.] Colonel ? 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [Sitting by RosE.] Certainly ; you do the talking, 
 Mortimore. 
 
 James. 
 
 [Sitting, in the middle of the room, astride a chair, 
 which he fetches from the window on the right.~\ Well, 
 Mr. Vallance, the reason we wired you yesterday — wired 
 Mr. Crake, rather — asldng him to meet us here this morn- 
 ing, is this. Something has happened here in Linchpool 
 which makes it necessary for us to obtain a little legal 
 assistance. 
 
 Vallance. < 
 
 Yes? 
 
 James. 
 Not that we anticipate legal difficuUies, whichever way 
 the affair shapes. At the same time, we consider it ad- 
 visable that we should be represented by our own solic- 
 itor — a solicitor who has our interests at heart, and 
 nobody's interests but ours. [Looking round. A^ Isn't that 
 it? 
 
 Stephen. 
 We want our interests watched — our interests ex- 
 clusively. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 7 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Watched — that's it. I'm speaking for my wife, of 
 
 course. 
 
 Rose. 
 
 [^With a languid drawl.'] Yes, watched. We should 
 Uke our interests watched. 
 
 James. 
 [ 7t? Vallance.] These are the facts. I'll start with 
 a bit of history. We Mortimores are one of the oldest, 
 and, I'm bold enough to say, one of the most respected, 
 families in Singlehampton. You're a newcomer to the 
 town ; so I'm obliged to tell you things I shouldn't have 
 to tell Crake, who's been the family's sohcitor for years. 
 Four generations of Mortimores — I'm not counting our 
 youngsters, who make a fifth — four generations of Morti- 
 mores have been born in Singlehampton, and the ma- 
 jority of 'em have earned their daily bread there. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Indeed ? 
 
 James. 
 
 Yes, sir, indeed. Now, then. {Pointing to the writing- 
 table. ] Writing-paper's in the middle drawer. [Val- 
 lance takes a sheet of paper from the draiuer and at'ranges 
 it before hi?n.'] My dear father and mother— both passed 
 away — had five children, four sons and a daughter. I'm 
 the second son ; then comes Stephen ; then Rose — Mrs. 
 Colonel Ponting ; then Thaddeus. You see us all round 
 you. 
 
 Vallance. 
 [Selecting a pen.] Five children, you said? 
 
8 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 Five. The eldest of us was Ned — Edv/ard 
 
 Stephen. 
 Edward Thomas Mortimore. 
 
 James. 
 Edward cut himself adrift from Singlehampton six- 
 and-twenty years ago. He died at a quarter-past three 
 yesterday morning. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Up-stairs. 
 
 James. 
 We're in his house. 
 
 Stephen. 
 We lay him to rest in the cemetery here on Monday. 
 
 Vallance. 
 \SympatheticaUy.'\ I was reading in the train, in one 
 of the Linchpool papers 
 
 James. 
 Oh, they've got it in all their papers. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Mr. Mortimore, the brewer? 
 
 James. 
 The same. Aye, he was a big man in Linchpool. 
 
 Stephen. 
 A very big man. 
 
 James. 
 And, what's more, a very wealthy one ; there's no 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 9 
 
 doubt about that. Well, we can't find a will, Mr. 
 Vallance. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Really? 
 
 James. 
 To all appearances, my brother's left no will — died 
 intestate. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Unmarried ? 
 
 James. 
 Unmarried ; a bachelor. Now, then, sir — ^just to satisfy 
 my good lady — in the event of no will cropping up, what 
 becomes of my poor brother's property ? 
 
 Vallance. 
 It depends upon what the estate consists of. As much 
 of it as is real estate would go to the heir-at-law — in this 
 instance, the eldest surviving brother. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 \^Impatie7iily.'\ Yes, yes; but it's all personal estate — 
 personal estate, every bit of it. 
 
 James. 
 {To Vallance.] The Colonel's right. It's personal 
 estate entirely, so we gather. The Colonel and I were 
 pumping Elkin's managing-clerk about it this morning. 
 
 Vallance. 
 
 Elkin? 
 
 James. 
 
 Elkin, Son and TuUis. 
 
10 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Stephen. 
 Mr. Elkin has acted as my poor brother's solicitor for 
 the last fifteen years. 
 
 James. 
 And he s never made a will for Ned. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Nor heard my brother mention the existence of one. 
 
 James. 
 ITo Vallance.] Well? In the case of personal 
 
 estate ? 
 
 Vallance. 
 In that case, equal division between next-of-kin. 
 
 James. 
 That's us — me, and my brothers, and my sister? 
 
 Vallance. 
 Yes. 
 
 James. 
 \To Ann.] What did I tell you, Ann? [27? ike rest.'] 
 What did 1 tell everybody ? 
 
 [Stephen polishes his spectacles, and Ponting 
 puHs at his moustache, vigorously. RoSE, 
 Ann, and Louisa resettle themselves in their 
 seats with great contentment. 
 
 Vallance. 
 {^[Vriting.] "Edward"— {looking up] Thomas? 
 [James nods.~\ " Thomas — Mortimore " 
 
 James. 
 Of 3 Cannon Row and Horton Lane 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 11 
 
 Stephen. 
 Horton Lane is where the brewery is. 
 
 jAiMES. 
 
 Linchpool, brewer. 
 
 Stephen. 
 "Gentleman" is the more correct description. The 
 business was converted into a company m nineteen- 
 hundred-and-four. 
 
 Louisa. 
 Gentleman, ah ! What a gentlemanly man he was ! 
 
 Ann. 
 
 A perfect gentleman in every respect. 
 
 Rose. 
 Most gentlemanlike, poor dear thing. 
 
 Ponting. 
 Must have been. I never saw him — but must have 
 been. 
 
 James. 
 [7<? Vallance.] Gentleman, deceased 
 
 Stephen. 
 Died, June the twentieth 
 
 James. 
 Aged fifty -three. Two years my senior. 
 
 Vallance. 
 \lVith due moiirnf Illness^ No older ? [//W//«^.] You 
 are James 
 
12 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 James Henry. •' Ivanhoe," Claybrook Road, and 
 Victoria Yard, Singleliampton, builder and contractor. 
 
 Ann. 
 My husband is a parish guardian and a rural-district 
 councilman. 
 
 James. 
 Never mind that, mother. 
 
 Ann. 
 
 Eight years treasurer of the Institute, and one of the 
 founders of the Singlehampton and Claybrook Temper- 
 ance League. 
 
 Louisa. 
 Stephen was one of the founders of the League too — 
 weren't you, Stephen? 
 
 James. 
 \_To Vallance.] Stephen Philip Mortimore, ii The 
 Crescent, and 32 King Street, Singlehampton, printer 
 and publisher ; editor and proprietor of our Singlehamp- 
 ton Times and Mirror. 
 
 Louisa. 
 Author of the History of Singlehampton and its Sur- 
 roundings 
 
 Stephen. 
 All right, Lou. 
 
 Louisa. 
 With Ordnance Map. 
 
 James. 
 Rose Emily Rackstraw Pouting 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 13 
 
 Rose. 
 My mother was a Rackstraw. 
 
 James. 
 Wife of Arthur Everard Ponting, West Sussex Regi- 
 ment, Colonel, retired, ija Coningsby Place, South 
 Belgravia, London. That's the lot. 
 
 Ann. 
 
 No. 
 
 James. 
 Oh, there's Tad. [To Vallance.] Thaddeus John 
 Mortimore 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 [Who is standing, looking on, with his elbows restifig 
 up 071 the back of the chair before the fireplace — smiling 
 difJidently/\ Don't forget me, Jim. 
 
 James. 
 6 Nelson Villas, Singlehampton, professor of music. 
 Any further particulars, Mr. Vallance .'' 
 
 Vallance. 
 [Finishing writing and leatiing back in his chair.'] 
 May I ask, Mr. Mortimore, what terms you and your 
 sister and brothers were on with the late Mr. Mortimore ? 
 
 James. 
 Terms ? 
 
 Vallance, 
 What I mean is, your late brother was a man of more 
 than ordinary intelligence ; he must have known who his 
 estate would benefit, in the event of his dying intestate. 
 
14 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 \_With a nod.'] Aye. 
 
 Vallance. 
 My point is, was he on such terms with you as to make 
 it reasonably probable that he should have desired his 
 estate to pass to those who are here? 
 
 James. 
 \_Rubbing his beard.] Reasonably probable ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 Certainly. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 In my opinion, certainly. 
 
 James. 
 \_Lookmg at the others.] He sent for us when he was 
 near his end 
 
 Stephen. 
 Showing that old sores were healed — thoroughly healed 
 — as far as he was concerned, 
 
 Vallance. 
 Old sores ? 
 
 James. 
 He wouldn't have done that if he hadn't had a fond- 
 ness for his family — eh ? 
 
 Ann. 
 Of course not. 
 
 Louisa. 
 Of course he wouldn't. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 15 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Quite so. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Then, I take it, there had been — er ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 An estrangement. Yes, there had. 
 
 James. 
 Oh, I'm not one for keeping anything in the back- 
 ground. Up to a day or two before his death, we hadn't 
 been on what you'd call terms with my brother for many 
 years, Mr. Vallance. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Unhappily. 
 
 James. 
 De 7noriuis — how's it go ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 De mortuis nil ?iisi bonum. 
 
 James. 
 Well, plain English is good enough for me. [7?j Val- 
 lance.] But I don't attempt to deny it — at one time of 
 his life my poor brother Edward was a bit of a scamp, 
 sir. 
 
 Stephen. 
 A little rackety — a little wild. Young men will be 
 young men. 
 
 Ann. 
 {Shaking her head.'\ I've a grown-up son myself. 
 
16 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Louisa. 
 \^Inconseque7itly.'\ And there are two sides to every 
 question. I always say — don't 1, Stephen ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 Yes, yes, yes. 
 
 Louisa. 
 There are two sides to every question. 
 
 James. 
 [7'^ Vallance.] No, sir, after Edward cleared out of 
 Singlehampton, we didn't see him again, any of us, till 
 about fifteen years back. Then he came to settle here, 
 in this city, and bought Cordingly's brewery. 
 
 Louisa. 
 Only forty miles away from his birthplace. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Forty-two miles. 
 
 Louisa. 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 That was fate. 
 
 Chance. 
 
 Louisa. 
 /don't know the difference between chance and fate. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \Irritably.'\ No, you don't, Lou. 
 
 James. 
 Then some of us used to knock up against him occa- 
 sionally — generally on the line, at Mirtlesfield junction. 
 But it was only a nod, or a how-d'ye-do, we got from 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 17 
 
 him ; and it never struck us till last Tuesday morning 
 that he kept a soft corner in his heart for us all. 
 
 Tuesday — 
 First post. 
 
 Vallance. 
 
 Ann. 
 
 James. 
 We had a letter from Elkin, telling us that poor Ned 
 was seriously ill ; and saying that he was willing to shake 
 hands with the principal members of the family, if they 
 chose to come through to Linchpool. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Thank God we came. 
 
 James. 
 Aye, thank God. 
 
 Ann and Louisa. 
 Thank God. 
 
 Rose. 
 [^Ajffected/y.'] It will always be a sorrow to me that I 
 didn't get down till it was too late. I shall never cease 
 to reproach myself. 
 
 James. 
 \_Indu/i^ent/y.'] Oh, well, you're a woman o' fashion, 
 Rose. 
 
 Rose. 
 [ With a simper.'] Still, if I had guessed the end was 
 as near as it was, I'd have given up my social engage- 
 ments without a murmur. \_Appealing to Ponting.] 
 Toby ! 
 
18 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 POiNTING. 
 
 Without a murmur — without a murmur ; both of us 
 would. 
 
 Vallance. 
 
 \Rising, putting his notes itito his -pocketbook as he 
 speaks.'] I think it would perhaps be as well that I should 
 meet Air. Elkin. 
 
 Stephen. 
 That's the plan. 
 
 James. 
 \_Rising.'] Just what I was going to propose. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Elkin knows we have communicated with our solicitor. 
 
 James. 
 [^Looking at his watch.'] He's gone round to the Safe 
 Deposit Company in Lemon Street. 
 
 Stephen. 
 His latest idea is that my brother may have rented a 
 safe there. 
 
 Ponting. 
 
 {^Who has risen with James.] Preposterous. Never 
 heard anything more grotesque. 
 
 James. 
 The old gentleman will want to drag the river Linch 
 next. 
 
 Ponting. 
 As if a man of wealth and position, with safes and 
 strong-rooms of his own, would deposit his will in a place 
 of that sort. 'Pon my word, it's outrageous of Elkin. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 19 
 
 Stephen. 
 It does seem rather extravagant.. 
 
 Rose. 
 Absurd. 
 
 Vallance. 
 \Coming forward. '\ We must remember that it's the 
 duty of all concerned to use every possible means of dis- 
 covery. \To James.] Your brother had an office at the 
 brewery ? 
 
 JAxMES. 
 Elkin and I turned that inside-out yesterday. 
 
 Stephen. 
 In the presence of Mr, Holt and Mr. Friswell, two of 
 the directors. 
 
 Vallance. 
 
 And his bank ? 
 
 James. 
 London City and Midland. Four tin boxes. We've 
 been through 'em, 
 
 Stephen. 
 The most likely place of deposit, I should have 
 thought, was the safe in this room. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Exactly, The will would have been there if there had 
 been a will nt all. 
 
 [James sivUche^ on the li^^ht of tJie lamp which 
 stanch above the cupboard at the further end of 
 the d-djarfbookcase. 
 
20 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 \_Opening the cupboard and revealing a safe.'\ Yes, 
 this is where my brother's private papers are. 
 
 Stephen. 
 This was his hbrary and sanctum. 
 
 James. 
 \_Listemng as he shuts the cupboard door.'] Hallo! 
 {Opening the room door a few inches and peering into the 
 hall.] J^ere is El kin. \There is a slight general vioveinent 
 deflating intense interest and suspense. Ann gets to her 
 feet. James closes the door and conies forward a little — 
 grimly.'] Well ! Hey ! I wonder whether he's found 
 anything in Lemon Street? 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 \_Clutching Rose's shoulder a7id dropping back into his 
 chair — under his breath.] Good God ! 
 
 Ann. 
 [Staring at her husband.] James ! 
 
 James. 
 [Sternly.] Go and sit down, mother. [Ann retreats 
 and seats herself beside Rose.] If he has, we ought to feel 
 glad ; that's how we ought to feel. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Resentfully.] Of course we ought. That's how we 
 shall feel. 
 
 James. 
 
 Poor old Ned ! It's his wishes we've got to consider 
 
 — [returning to the door] his wishes. [Opening the door 
 
 again.] Come in, Mr. Elkin. Wniting for you, sir, [He 
 
 admits Elkin, a gray-haired, elderly man of sixty. Pre- 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 21 
 
 senis Vallance.] Mr, Vallance — Crake and Vallance, 
 Singlehampton, our solicitors. [Elkin advances and 
 shakes hands with Vallance.] Mr, Vallance has just 
 run over to see how we're getting On. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \To Vallance, genially.'] I don't go often to Single- 
 hampton nowadays. I recollect the time, Mr. Vallance, 
 when the whole of the south side of the town was meadow- 
 land. Would you beheve it — meadow-land ! And where 
 they've built the new hospital, old Dicky Dunn, the 
 farmer, used to graze his cattle. \_To James, who is 
 touching his sleeve.] Eh ? 
 
 James. 
 \Rather huskily.] Excuse me. Any luck ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 Luck? 
 
 James. 
 In Lemon Street. Find anything? 
 
 Elkin. 
 [Shaking his head.] No, There is nothing there in 
 your brother's name. [Again there is a general move- 
 ment, but this time of relief^ It was worth trying. 
 
 James. 
 Oh, it was worth trying. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Heartily.] Everything's worth trying. 
 
 Pont INC. 
 [Jumpi7ig up.] Everything. Mustn't leave a stone 
 unturned. 
 
22 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 \The strain being over. Rose and Ann rise and 
 go to the fireplace, where Ponting joins them. 
 Thaddeus moves away and seats himself at 
 the centre window. 
 
 Elkin. 
 {Sitting beside the writing-table.'] This is a puzzling 
 state of affairs, Mr. Vallance. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Oh, come, Mr. Elkin ! 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 I don't want to appear uncivil to these ladies and 
 gentlemen — very puzzling. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Scarcely what one would have expected, perhaps ; but 
 what is there that's puzzling about it ? 
 
 James. 
 {Standing by Elkin.] People have died intestate be- 
 fore to-day, Mr. Elkin. 
 
 Stephen. 
 It's a common enough occurrence. 
 
 Vallance. 
 [71? Elkin.] I understand you acted for the late Mr. 
 Mortimore for a great many years ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 Ever since he came to Linchpool. 
 
 Vallance. 
 
 His most prosperous years. 
 
 [Elkin assents silently. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 23 
 
 James. 
 When he was making money to leave. 
 
 Vallance. 
 \_To Elkin.] And the subject of a will was never 
 broached between you ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 I won't say that. I've thrown out a hint or two at dif- 
 ferent limes. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Without any response on his part ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 Without any practical response, I admit. [James and 
 Stephen shrug their shoulders.'\ But he must have em- 
 ployed other solicitors previous to my connection with 
 him. I can't trace his having done so ; but no com- 
 mercial man gets to eight-and-thirty without having 
 something to do with us chaps. 
 
 Vallance. 
 [Sitting on the settee on the leftJ] Assuming a will of 
 long standing, he may have destroyed it, may he not, 
 recently ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 Recently? 
 
 Vallance. 
 Quite recently. Here we have a man at variance with 
 his family and dangerously ill. What do we find him 
 doing ? We find him summoning his relatives to his 
 bedside and becoming reconciled to them 
 
24 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 Completely reconciled. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Completely. 
 
 Elkin. 
 [^To Vallance.] At my persuasion. I put pressure 
 on him to send for his belongings. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Indeed? Granting that, isn't it reasonable to suppose 
 that, subsequent to this reconciliation ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 Oh, no : he destroyed no document of any description 
 after he took to his bed. That I've ascertained. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Well, theorizing is of no use, is it ? We have to deal 
 with the simple fact, Mr. Elkin. 
 
 James. 
 Yes, that's all we have to deal with. 
 
 Stephen. 
 The simple fact. 
 
 Elkin. 
 No will. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [ Who, with the rest, has been following the conversation 
 betweeji Elkin and Vallance.] No will. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_After a pause.'] Do you know, Mr. Vallance, there is 
 one thing I shouldn't have been unprepared for."* 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 25 
 
 Vallance. 
 
 What? 
 
 Elkin. 
 A will drawn by another solicitor, behind my back, 
 during u\y association with Mr. Mortimore. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Behind your back ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 He was a most attractive creature — one of the most 
 engaging and one of the ablest, I've ever come across ; 
 but he was remarkably secretive with me in matters re- 
 lating to his private affairs — remarkably secretive. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Secretive ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 Reserved, if you like. Why, it wasn't till a few days 
 before his death — last Saturday — it wasn't till last Satur- 
 day that he first spoke to me about this child of his. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Child? 
 
 Elkin. 
 This young lady we are going to see presently. 
 
 Vallance. 
 [^Looking at James ««^ Stephen.] Oh, I — I haven't 
 heard anything of her. 
 
 Elkin. 
 Bless me, haven't you been told? 
 
26 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 {^Uncomfortably.'\ We hadn't got as far as that with 
 Mr. Vallance. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \Clearing his throat.'] Mr. Elkin did not think fit to in- 
 form us of her existence till yesterday. 
 
 James. 
 \Lookini^ at his watch.'] Twelve o'clockshe's due, isn't 
 she? 
 
 Elkin. 
 [72? James.] You fixed the hour. [^To Vallance.] 
 I wrote to her at the same time that I communicated with 
 his brothers. Unfortunately she was away, visiting. 
 
 Stephen. 
 She's studying painting at one of these art-schools in 
 Paris. 
 
 Elkin. 
 She arrived late last night. Mrs. Elkin and I received 
 her. Only four-and-twenty. A nice girl. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Is the mother hving? 
 
 Elkin. 
 No. 
 
 James. 
 The mother was a person of the name of Thornhill. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Calling herself Thornhill — some woman in London. 
 She died when the child was quite small. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 27 
 
 James. 
 [^IVith a Jerk of the head towards the safe.'] There's a 
 bundle of the mother's letters in the safe. 
 
 Elkin. 
 This meeting with the family is my arranging. As mat- 
 ters stand, Miss Thornhill is absolutely unprovided for, 
 Mr. Vallance. And there was the utmost affection be- 
 tween Mr. Mortimore and his daughter — as he acknowl- 
 edged her to be — undoubtedly. Now you won't grum- 
 ble at me for my use of the word- " puzzling " ? 
 
 Vallance. 
 \_Looking round.] I am sure my clients, should the 
 responsibility ultimately rest with them, will do what is 
 just and fitting with regard to the young lady, 
 
 James. 
 More than just — more than just, if it's left to me. 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 We should be only too anxious to behave in a liberal 
 manner, Mr. Vallance. 
 
 Louisa. 
 We're parents ourselves — all except Colonel and Mrs. 
 Ponting. 
 
 Ann. 
 My own girl — my Cissy — is nearly four-and-twenty. 
 
 Rose. 
 \Seated upon the fender-stool.] I suppose we should 
 have to make her an allowance of sorts, shouldn't we? 
 
 James. 
 A monthly allowance. 
 
28 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Stephen. 
 Monthly or quarterly. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Yes, but this art-school in Paris — you've no conception 
 what that kind of fun runs into. 
 
 James. 
 Schooling doesn't go on forever, Colonel. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 But it'll lead to an atelier — a studio — if you're' not 
 careful. 
 
 Rose. 
 The art-school could be dropped, surely? 
 
 Stephen. 
 Perhaps the art-school isn't strictly necessary. 
 
 Rose. 
 And she has an address in a most expensive quarter 
 of Paris— didn't you say, Jim ? 
 
 James. 
 The Colonel says it's a swell locality. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Most expensive. The father — if he was her father — 
 seems to have squandered money on her. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Well, well, we shall see what's to be done. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Squandered money on her recklessly. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 29 
 
 James. 
 Yes, yes, we'll see, Colonel ; we'll see. 
 
 [Phyllis, who has taken 710 part in what has been 
 going on, suddenly rises. She is a woman of 
 thirty-five, white-faced and faded, but with de- 
 cided traces of beauty. Everybody looks at her 
 in surprise. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \_Falteritigly.'\ I — I beg your pardon 
 
 Louisa. 
 \Startled7\ Good gracious me, Phyllis! 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [Gaining firnuiess as she proceeds.'] I beg your pardon. 
 With every respect for Rose and Colonel Ponting, if we 
 come into Edward Mortimore's money, we mustn't let it 
 make an atom of difference to the child. 
 
 Louisa. 
 Really, Phyllis ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Stiffly.'] My dear Phylhs 
 
 James. 
 [Half amused, half contemptuously.] Oh, we mustn't, 
 mustn't we, Phyllis? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 He was awfully devoted to her in his lifetime, it turns 
 out. Colonel Ponting and Rose ought to remember 
 that. 
 
 Ponting. 
 [ Walking away in tcmbrage to the window on the left, 
 followed by 'R.OS'E.] Thank you, Mrs. Thaddeus. 
 
30 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 [Who has risen and come to the writing-table^ Phyl — 
 Phyl 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [7^ James ^w^'Stephen.] Jim — Stephen — you couldn' t 
 stint the girl alter pocketing your brother's money ; you 
 couldn't do it! 
 
 Ann. 
 James 
 
 James. 
 Eh, mother? 
 
 Ann. 
 I don't think we need to be taught our duty by 
 Phyllis. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [^Rising and going over to the fireplace.'\ Frankly, I 
 don't think we need. 
 
 Louisa. 
 [^Followijig him.'] Before Mr. Elkin and Mr. Vallance ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Stephen — Lou — you don't understand Phyl. 
 
 James. , 
 It isn't for want of plain speaking, Tad. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Sitting at the writing-table. ] No, but listen — -Jim 
 
 James. 
 \jfoining those at the fireplace.] Blessed if I've ever 
 been spoken to in this style in my life ! 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 31 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Jim, listen. If we come into Ned's money, we come 
 into his debts into the bargain. There are no assets 
 without habihties. The girl's a debt — a big debt, as it 
 were. Well, what does she cost? Five hundred a year .? 
 Six — seven — eight hundred a year? What's it matter? 
 What would a thousand a year matter? Whatever Ned 
 could afford, we could, amongst us. Why he should 
 have neglected to make Miss Thornhill independent is a 
 mystery — I'm with you there, Mr. Elkin. Perhaps his 
 sending for us, and shaking hands with us as he did, was 
 his way of giving her into our charge. Heaven knows 
 what was in his mind. But this is certain — if it falls to 
 our lot to administer to Ned's estate, we administer, not 
 only to the money, but to the girl, and the art-school, 
 and her comfortable lodgings, and anything else in 
 reason. There's nothing offensive in our saying this. 
 
 Elkin. 
 Not in the least. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \^lVith a deprecating little laugh.'] Ha! We don't 
 often put our oar into family discussions, Phyl and I. 
 Stephen — {turning in his chair'] Rosie 
 
 James. 
 
 {Looking down on Tnh.Y^'D^vs — grintiing.'] Hallo, Tad ! 
 Why, I've always had the credit of being the speaker o' 
 the family. You're developing all of a sudden. 
 
 [Heath enters. 
 
 Heath. 
 {Looking round the room.] Mrs. Thaddeus Morti- 
 more ? 
 
32 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 {^Pointing to Phyllis who is now seated in a chair on 
 the rig hi. ^ Here she is. 
 
 Heath. 
 [7« a hushed voice.'] Two young ladies from Roper's, 
 to tit Mrs. Thaddeus Mortimore with her mourning. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 IT^isina-.] They weren't ready for Phylhs at ten o'clock. 
 \_Over his shoiclder, as he joins Phyllis at the door.] 
 Hope you don't object to their waiting on her here. 
 
 Heath. 
 \_To Thaddeus.] On the first floor, sir. 
 
 [Phyllis rt?z<^/ Thaddeus go out. Heath is fol- 
 lowitig them. 
 
 Vallance. 
 
 \To Heath, rising.] Er \To Elkin.] What's 
 
 his name? 
 
 Elkin. 
 {Calling to Heath, who returns^ Heath 
 
 Vallance. 
 \_Going to Heath,] Have you a room where Mr. Elkin 
 and I can be alone for a few minutes ? 
 
 Heath. 
 There's the dining-room, sir. 
 
 Vallance. 
 {Turning to Elkin.] Shall we have a little talk 
 together? 
 
 Elkin. 
 [Rising.^ By all means. 
 
THE TUUNDERBOLT 33 
 
 Vallance. 
 \_To the others^ Will you excuse us? 
 
 Elkin. 
 {Taking Vallance' s arm.'\ Come along. {Passing 
 
 out with \ h.\A.K^Q.^— regretfully .'\ Ah, Heath, the dining- 
 
 .oom 
 
 Heath. 
 \_As he disappears, closing the door.'\ Yes, Mr. Elkin ; 
 that's over, sir. 
 
 James. 
 [ Who has crossed over to the right, to watch the wiih- 
 draival of Elkin and Vallance.] What have those two 
 got to say to each other on the quiet in such a deuce of a 
 hurry ? 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [Coming forward. '\ My dear good friends, I beg you 
 won't think me too presuming 
 
 James. 
 {Sourly.] What is it, Colonel? 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 But you mustn't, you really mustn't, allow yourselves 
 to be dictated to — bulHed 
 
 James. 
 Bullied ? 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Into doing anything that isn't perfectly agreeable to 
 you. 
 
 Stephen. 
 You consider we're being bullied, Colonel? 
 
34 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 If it comes to bullying 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 It has come to bullying, if I'm any judge of bullying. 
 First, you have Mr. Elkin, a meddlesome, obstructive 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_Siihng at the writing-tab le.'\ Oh, he's obviously an- 
 tagonistic to us — obviously. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Of course he is. He sniffs a little job of work over 
 this Miss Thornhill. It's his policy to cram Miss Thorn- 
 hill down our throats. That s his game. 
 
 James. 
 \_Between his teeth. '\ By George ! 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 And then you get Mr. Vallance, your own lawyer 
 
 James. 
 \Sitti72g in a chair on the right-l Aye, I'm a bit disap- 
 pointed with Vallance. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Dogmatizing about what is just and \yhat is fitting 
 
 Stephen. 
 Hear, hear. Colonel! You don't pay a sohcitor to 
 take sides against you. 
 
 James. 
 As if we couldn't be trusted to do the fair thing of our 
 own accord ! 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 35 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 The upshot being that Miss Thornhill, supported 
 openly by the one, and tacitly by the other, will be 
 marching in here and — and 
 
 James. 
 Kicking up a rumpus. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 I shouldn't be surprised. 
 
 Louisa. 
 A rumpus ! {Sitting upon the settee on the left.'] She 
 wouldn't dare. 
 
 Ann. 
 \_Risi)tg.'\ That would be terrible — a rumpus 
 
 Rose. 
 [/;/ the middle of the room.'] I shouldn't be surprised 
 either. You mustn't expect too much, you know, from 
 a girl who's 
 
 Stephen. 
 {Interpreting Rose's shrug.] Illegitimate. 
 
 Ann. 
 No, I suppose we oughtn't to expect her to be the 
 same as our children. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 And finally, to cap it all, you have your brother Thad- 
 deus — your brother 
 
 James. 
 Ha, yes ! Tad obliged us with a pretty stiff lecture, 
 didn't he ? 
 
36 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Louisa. 
 So did Phyllis. 
 
 Ann. 
 \_Seating herself beside Louisa.] It was Phyllis who be- 
 gan it. 
 
 Rose. 
 
 \_Swaying herself to and fro upon the back of the chair 
 next to the writing-table. '\ Tad's wife ! She's a suitable 
 person to be lectured by, I must say. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Poor old Tad! He was only trying to excuse her 
 rudeness. 
 
 Rose. 
 Just fancy ! The two Tads sharing equally with our- 
 selves ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 It is curious, at first sight. 
 
 Rose. 
 Extraordinary. 
 
 Stephen. 
 But, naturally, the law makes no distinctions. 
 
 Rose. 
 No. It wasthe lady's method of announcing that she's 
 as good as we are. 
 
 James. 
 Tad and his wife with forty or fifty thousand pound, 
 p'r'aps, to play with ! So the world wags. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 37 
 
 Rose. 
 Positively maddening. 
 
 Louisa. 
 We shall see Phyllis aping us now more than ever. 
 
 Ann. 
 And making that boy and girl of hers still more con- 
 ceited. 
 
 Louisa. 
 They needn't let apartments any longer ; that's a 
 mercy. 
 
 Ann. 
 We shall be spared that disgrace. 
 
 James. 
 Strong language, mother ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 Hardly disgrace. You can't call the curate of their 
 parish church a lodger in the ordinary sense of the term. 
 
 Louisa. 
 Phyllis's girl might make a match of it vi^ith Mr. Trist 
 in a couple of years' time. She's fifteen. 
 
 Ann. 
 
 A forward fifteen. 
 
 Rose. 
 
 It's a fairy story. A woman who's brought nothing 
 but the worst of luck to Tad from the day he married 
 her! 
 
 James. 
 The devil's luck. 
 
38 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Stephen. 
 Been his ruin — his ruin professionally — without the 
 shadow of a doubt. 
 
 Louisa. 
 Such a good-looking fellow he used to be, too. 
 
 Ann. 
 Handsome. 
 
 Louisa. 
 \_Archly.'] It was Tad I fell in love with, Stephen — not 
 with you. 
 
 Stephen. 
 And popular. He d have had the conductorship of the 
 choral societies but for his mistake ; Rawlinson would 
 never have had it. Councillor Pritchard admitted as 
 much at a committee-meeting. 
 
 Ponting. 
 [Seated upon the settee on the right7\ Butcher — the 
 wife's father — wasn't he ? 
 
 Rose. 
 Just as bad. Old Burdock kept a grocer's shop at the 
 corner of East Street. 
 
 Stephen. 
 West Street. 
 
 Rose. 
 West Street, was it? She's the common or garder 
 over-educated petty-tradesman's daughter. 
 
 James. 
 \_Oratorically.'] No, no ; you can't overtduc?iie, Rose. 
 You can wrongly educate 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 39 
 
 Rose. 
 
 Oh, don't start that, Jim. [^To Ponting.] She was a 
 pupil of Tad's. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_Holding up his hatids.'] Marriage — marriage ! 
 
 Louisa. 
 Stephen ! 
 
 James. 
 If it isn't the right sort o' marriage ! - 
 
 Stephen. 
 Poor old Tad ! 
 
 James. 
 Rich old Tad to-day, though ! \_Chuck/ing.'] Ha, ha! 
 
 Rose. 
 
 \G lancing at the door.'] Sssh ! 
 
 [Thaddeus returns. The others look down their 
 noses or at distant objects. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 \Closing the door and advancing.] I — I hope you're 
 not angry with Phyllis. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \Resignedly^ Angry? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Or with me. 
 
 Ann. 
 Anger would be out of place in a house of mourning. 
 
40 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 Women's tongues, Tad ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 Yes ; the ladies — they will make mischief. 
 
 Louisa. 
 Not every woman, Stephen. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Phyllis hasn't the slightest desire to make mischief. 
 Why on earth should Phyl want to make mischief? 
 ISi/iing in the chair in the iniddle of the roo7n.'] She's a 
 Httle nervy— a little unstrung ; that's what's the matter 
 with Phyllis. 
 
 Louisa. 
 There's no cause for her to be specially upset that I 
 can think of. 
 
 Ann. 
 She didn't know Edward in the old days as we did. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 No, but being with him on Wednesday night, when the 
 change came — that's affected her very deeply, poor girl ; 
 bowled her over. [77? Rose.] She helped to nurse him. 
 
 Rose. 
 l^Indifferent/y.'] One of the nurses cracked up, didn't 
 she? 
 
 James. 
 
 The night-nurse. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 {^Nodding.'] Sent word late on Wednesday afternoon 
 that she couldn't attend to her duties. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 41 
 
 Stephen. 
 The day-nurse knocking off at eight o'clock ! Dreadful! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 There we were, rushing about all over the place — all 
 over the place — to find a substitute. 
 
 James. 
 And no success. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Rubbing his knees.'] There's where Phyllis came in 
 handy ; there's where Phyl came in handy. 
 
 Louisa. 
 Phyllis hadn't more than two or three hours of it, while 
 Ann and I were resting, when all's said and done. 
 
 Ann. 
 Not more than two or three hours alone, at the out- 
 side. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 No ; but, as I say, it was during those two or three 
 hours that the change set in. It's been a shock to her. 
 
 Louisa. 
 The truth is, PhylUs dehghts in making a fuss, Tad. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Phyl! 
 
 Ann. 
 She loves to make a martyr of herself. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Phyl does ! 
 
42 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Louisa. 
 
 You delight to make a iiuirtyr of her, then ; perhaps 
 that's it. 
 
 Ann. 
 I suppose you do it to hide her faults. 
 
 Louisa. 
 It would be far more sensible of you, Tad, to strive to 
 correct them 
 
 Ann. 
 If it's not too late — far more sensible. 
 
 Louisa. 
 And teach her a different system of managing her 
 home 
 
 Ann. 
 And how to bring up her children more in keeping 
 with their position 
 
 Louisa. 
 With less pride and display. 
 
 Ann. 
 They treat their cousms precisely like dirt. 
 
 Louisa. 
 Dirt under the foot. 
 
 Ann. 
 Why Phyllis can't be satisfied with a cook-general 
 passes my comprehension 
 
 Rose. 
 \_lVearily.'] Oh, shut up ! 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 43 
 
 James. 
 Steady, mother ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [^Looking at t/iem a/L'] Ah, you've never liked Phyllis 
 from the beginning, any of you. 
 
 Louisa. 
 Never liked her ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Never cottoned to her, never appreciated her. Oh, I 
 know— old Mr. Burdock's shop! [Simply 7\ Well, Ann ; 
 well, Lou ; shop or no shop, there's no better wife — no 
 better woman — breathing than Phyl. 
 
 Louisa. 
 One may like a person without being blind to short- 
 comings. 
 
 Ann. 
 Nobody's flawless — nobody. 
 
 Louisa. 
 There are two sides to every person as well as to every 
 question, I always maintain. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 However, maybe it won't matter so much in the future. 
 It hasn't made things easier for us in the past. \_S71apping 
 his fingers softly.'] But now 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_C«iusiicaily.'\ Henceforth you and your wife will be 
 above the critical opinion of others, eh, Tad ? 
 
44 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 Aye, Tad's come into money now. Mind what you're 
 at, mother! Be careful, Lou ! Tad's come into money. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [/« a quiet voice, but cle7iching his hafids tightly. ~\ My 
 God, I hope I have! I'm not a hypocrite, Jim. My 
 God, I hope I have ! 
 
 \The door opens and Elkin appears. 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 Miss Thornhill is liere. \lhere is a general rtiovement. 
 Thaddeus walks away to the fireplace. James, Ste- 
 phen, and PoNTiNG also rise and Rose joins Ponting at 
 the library-table. Ann ajid LouiSA shake out their skirts 
 formidably, their husbands taking up a position near them. 
 Helen Thornhill enters, followed by Vallance, who 
 closes the door. Elkin /rf^^'/z/j Helen.] Miss Thornhill. 
 [7^ Helen, pointing to the g7-oup on the left.'] These 
 gentlemen are the late Mr. Mortimore's brothers. [^Point- 
 ing to Rose.] His sister. 
 
 Helen. 
 \_A graceful, brilliant-looking girl with perfectly refined 
 manners, wearing an elegant traveling-dress — almost in- 
 audibly.] Oh, yes. 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 \_lVith a ivave of the hand towards the others.] Mem- 
 bers of the family by marriage. 
 
 \She sits, at Elkin' s invitation, in the chair 
 beside the writing-table. The attitude of the 
 James atid Stephen Mortimores, and of 
 the PoNTiNGS, u7idergoes a marked change. 
 
 James. 
 \After a pause, advajicing a step or two.] I'm the 
 eldest brother. [Awkwardly.] James, I am. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 45 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_D rawing aitetition to himself by an tineasy cough. ~\ 
 Stephen. 
 
 Ann. 
 \_Hu7nbly.'] I'm Mrs. James. 
 
 Louisa. 
 [/« the same tone.'] Mrs. Stephen. 
 
 Rose. 
 \_Seating herself on the left of the library-table. ] Rose — 
 Mrs. Ponting. [6^/<^«(;z«^ ^?/ Ponting.] My husband. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \J\ioiv standing behind the writing-table^ Thaddeus. 
 
 My wife is up-stairs, trying on her 
 
 \He checks Iwnself and retreats, again sitting at 
 the centre window. 
 
 James. 
 \Seating himself at the writing-table.'] Tired, I dessay ? 
 
 Helen. 
 
 [ Who has received the various anjwiaicejftents with a 
 dignified inclination of the head.] A httle. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_Bringing forward the armchair from the f replaced] 
 You weren't in Paris, Mr. Elkin tells us, when his 
 letter ? 
 
 Helen. 
 N'o ; I was nearly a nine hours' journey from Paris, 
 staying with friends at St. Etienne. 
 
46 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Rose, 
 A pity. 
 
 Louisa. 
 Great pity. 
 
 Helen. 
 Mr. Elkiu's letter was re-posted and reached me on 
 Wednesday. I got back to Paris that night. 
 
 Elkin. 
 [Seating himself beside herJ] And had a hard day's 
 travehng again yesterday. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Sitting in the armchair.~\ She must be worn out. 
 
 Ann. 
 Indeed she must. 
 
 Ponting. 
 [Sitting by Rose.] Hot weather, too. Most exhausting. 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 [To Helen.] And you were out and about this morn- 
 ing with Mrs. Elkin before eight, I heard? 
 
 Helen. 
 She brought me round here, 
 
 Elkin. 
 [Sympathetic ally. '\ Ah, yes. 
 
 James. 
 Round here? [Elkin motions sigtiificantly towards the 
 ceiling.'] Oh — aye. [After ajiother pause, to Helen.] 
 When did you see him last — alive ? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 47 
 
 Helen. 
 In April. He spent Easter with me. \_Unobirusively 
 opening a little bag which she carries atid taking out a 
 handkerchief^^ We always spent our holidays together. 
 [^Drying her eyes.] I was to have met him at Rouen on 
 the fifteenth of next month ; we were going to Etretat. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_A/ter a further silenced] Er — h'm ! — the principal 
 business we are here to discuss is, I presume, the question 
 of Miss Thornhill's future. 
 
 HeLen. 
 {^Quickly.] Oh, no, please. 
 
 Elkin. 
 No? 
 
 Helen. 
 If you don't mind, I would rather my future were taken 
 for granted, Mr. Elkin, without any discussion. 
 
 Elkin. 
 Taken for granted ? 
 
 Helen. 
 I am no worse off than thousands of other young 
 women who are suddenly thrown upon their own re- 
 sources. I'm a great deal better off than many, for there's 
 a calling already open to me — art. My prospects don't 
 daunt me in the least. 
 
 Elkin. 
 No, no ; nobody wants to discourage you 
 
 Helen. 
 {^Tnierrupting Elkin.] I confess — I confess I am dis- 
 appointed — hurt — that father hasn't made even a slight 
 
48 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 provision for me — not for the money's sake, but because 
 — because I meant so much to him, I've always beheved. 
 He would hdLve. made me secure if he had hved longer, I 
 am convinced. 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 [Soothingly.'] Not improbable ; not improbable. 
 
 Helen. 
 But I don't intend to let my mind dwell on that. What 
 I do intend to think is that, in leaving me with merely 
 my education and the capacity for earning my living, he 
 has done more for my happiness — my real happiness — 
 than if he had left me every penny he possessed. With 
 no incendve to work, I might have drifted by and by into 
 an idle, aimless life. I 5//^^//^' have done so. 
 
 Stephen. 
 A very rational view to take of it. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Admirable ! 
 
 [ 77tere is a nodding of heads a?id a murmur of ap- 
 proval from the ladies. 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 Very admirable and praiseworthy. \To the others, 
 diplo77iatically.'\ But we are not to conclude that Miss 
 Thornhill declines to entertain the idea of some — some 
 arrangement which would enable her to embark upon her 
 artistic career 
 
 Helen. 
 Yes, you are. I don't need assistance, and I couldn't 
 accept it. \_Flaring up.'] I will accept nothing that 
 hasn't come to me direct from my father — nothing. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 49 
 
 [Softeiiins^.'] But I am none the less grateful to you, dear 
 Mr. Elkin — [looking rou?id'] to everybody — for this kind- 
 ness. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [^With a sigh.'] So be it ; so be it, if it must be so. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 We don't wish io force assistance upon Miss Thornhill. 
 
 Stephen. 
 On the contrary ; we respect her independence of 
 character. 
 
 [Elkin shrugs his shoulders at Vallance, who is 
 flow seated upon the settee on the right. 
 
 James. 
 [Stroking his beard.] Art — art. • You've been studying 
 painting, haven't you? 
 
 Helen. 
 At Julian's, in the Rue de Berri, for three years — for 
 pleasure, I imagined. 
 
 James. 
 [G lane i7ig furtively at Ann.] D'ye do oil portraits — 
 family groups and so on ? 
 
 Helen. 
 I'm not very successful as a colorist. Black and 
 white is what I am best at. 
 
 James. 
 [Dubiously.] Black and white 
 
 Stephen. 
 Is there much demand for that form of art in Paris? 
 
50 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Helen. 
 Paris? Oh, I shall come to London. 
 
 James. 
 London, eh? 
 
 Helen. 
 My drawing isn't quite good enough for over there. 
 It's only good enough for England. I shall sell my jew- 
 ellery and furniture — I'm sharing a flat in the Avenue de 
 Messine with an American girl — and that will carry me 
 along excellently till I'm fairly started. Oh, I shall do 
 very well. 
 
 Rose. 
 I live in London. My house will be somewhere for 
 you to drop into, whenever you feel inchned. 
 
 Helen. 
 Thank you. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 {^Pulling at his moustache.'] Often as you like — often as 
 you like 
 
 Rose. 
 \Loftily.'\ As I am in "society," as they call it, that 
 will be nice for you. 
 
 James. 
 \lo Ann.] Now, then, mother, don't you be behind- 
 hand 
 
 Ann. 
 I'm sure I shall be very pleased if Miss Thornton 
 
 A Murmur. 
 Thornhill 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 51 
 
 Ann. 
 If she'll pay us a visit. We're homely people, but she 
 and Cissy could play tennis all day long. 
 
 Louisa. 
 
 If she does come to Singlehampton, she mustn't go 
 
 away without staying a day or two in the Crescent. [77? 
 
 Helen,] Do you play chess, dear.? [U.'E.l^i^ shakes her 
 
 head.'] My husband will teach you — won't you, Stephen ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 Honored. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [^IV/to has risen atid come forward.'] I'm sorry my wife 
 isn't here. We should be grieved if Miss Thornhill left 
 us out in the cold. 
 
 Helen. 
 \Looking at him with i?iter-est.] You are father's mu- 
 sical brother, aren't you? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Yes— Tad. 
 
 Helen. 
 [With a faint S7nile.] I promise not to leave you out 
 in the cold. \^To everybody^ I can only repeat, I am most 
 grateful, \To Elkin, about to rise.] Mrs. Elkin is wait- 
 ing for me, to take me to the dressmaker 
 
 Elkin. 
 \^Detaining her.] One moment — one moment. \To the 
 others?^ Gentlemen, Mr. Vallance and I have had our 
 little talk and we agree that the proper course to pursue 
 in the matter of the late Mr. Mortimore's estate is to 
 proceed at once to insert an advertisement in the public 
 journals. 
 
52 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 An advertisement ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 With the object of obtaining information respecting any 
 will wliicli he may have made at any time. 
 
 James. 
 [_AJter apaiise.'\ Oh — very good. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [^Cold/y.'] Does Mr. Vallance really advise that this is 
 the proper course ? 
 
 [Vallance rises and Thaddeus again retires. 
 
 Vallance. 
 \Assentingly r\ In the peculiar circumstances of the 
 case. 
 
 Elkin. 
 We propose also to go a step further. We propose to 
 circularize. 
 
 James. 
 Circularize ? 
 
 Ponting. 
 \_DisiHrbed.'] What the dev— what's that ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 We propose to address a circular to every solicitor in 
 the law-list asking for such information. 
 
 Helen. 
 [To Elkin.] Is this necessary ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 Mr. Vallance will tell us 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 53 
 
 Vallance. 
 It comes under the head of taking all reasonable meas- 
 ures to find a will. 
 
 Helen. 
 [^Looking round.'] I — I sincerely hope that no one will 
 think that it is on my behalf that Mr. Elkin 
 
 Elkin. 
 {Checkvig her.] My dear, these are formal, and ami- 
 cable, proceedings, to which everybody, we suggest, 
 should be a party. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Everybody. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_Invitmgly .] Everybody. 
 
 James. 
 
 ^Breaking a chilly silejice.] All right. Go ahead, Mr. 
 Elkin. [r^ Stephen.] We're wilhng ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 Why not ; why not ? Rose ? 
 
 Rose. 
 {Hastily^ Oh, certainly. 
 
 Vallance. 
 \To James.] I have your authority, Mr. Mortimore, 
 for acting with Mr. Elkin in this matter? 
 
 James. 
 You have, sir. 
 
54 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Elkin, 
 \To Vallance, rising.'] Will you come round to my 
 office with me ? 
 
 [Helen rises with Elkin, whereupon the other 
 men get to their feet. Ann and Louisa also 
 rise as Helen comes to them and offers her 
 hand. 
 
 Ann. 
 [Shaking hands.'] We're at the Grand Hotel 
 
 Louisa. 
 \_Shaking hands.] So am I and my husband. 
 
 Helen. 
 I'll call, if I may. 
 
 \_She shakes hands with Stephen and ] awes and 
 goes to Rose. 
 
 Rose. 
 [Rising to shake hands with her.] We're at the Grand 
 too. Colonel Ponting and 1 would be delighted 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Delighted. 
 
 [Helen merely bows to Ponting ; then she shakes 
 hands zuith Thaddeus and passes out into the 
 hall. 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 [Who has opened the door for Helen — to everybody ^ 
 genially,] Good-day ; good-day. 
 
 James and Stephen. 
 Good-day, Mr. Elkin. Good-day. 
 
 [Elkin y^//^w^ Helen. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 55 
 
 Vallance, 
 \_Al the door— to James and Stephen.] Where can I 
 see you later? 
 
 James. 
 The Grand. Food at half-past one. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Thank you very much. 
 
 \He bows to the ladies and withdraws, closing the 
 door after him. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 {^Pacing the room i?idignantly.'] I wouldn't give the 
 fellow so much as a dry biscuit ! 
 
 [There is a general break up, Ann and LouiSA 
 Joining Rose on the right. 
 
 James. 
 [Pacifically.'] Oh, there's no occasion to upset your- 
 self, Colonel. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [On the left.'] I wouldn't! I wouldn't! He's against 
 us on every point. 
 
 James. 
 Let 'em advertise, if it amuses 'em. [In an outburst.] 
 Let 'em advertise ajid circularize till they're blue in the 
 face. 
 
 Rose. 
 [ With a shrill laugh.] Jim ! Ha ! ha ! ha ! 
 
 Ann and Louisa. 
 [Solemnly.] Hus— s— sh ! 
 
56 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 [^Dropping to a whisper.'] Oh, I — I forgot. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Yes, yes, yes ; it's nothing more than a lawyer's trick, 
 to swell their bill of costs. 
 
 James. 
 
 Of course it isn't ; of course it isn't. [^Passing his hand 
 under his beard.] 1 want some air, mother. Get out o' 
 this. 
 
 Ann. 
 \Fastening her ?Jiantle.'] You've an appointment at the 
 tailor's, remember. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Looking at his watch.] So have I. 
 
 James. 
 Are you coming. Colonel? {Finditig himself in the cen- 
 tre of a group— with a chaiige of manner.] 1 say: What 
 a beautiful girl, this girl of Ned's ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 Exceedingly. 
 
 Ponting. 
 [Producing his cigarette-case.] Charming young woman. 
 
 Ann ajid Louisa. 
 Lovely. A lovely girl. 
 
 Rose. 
 Quite presentable. 
 
 James. 
 And she doesn't ask a shilling of us — not a bob. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 57 
 
 Stephen. 
 She impressed me enormously. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 \_An unlighied cigarette in his mouthy Charming ; 
 charming. 
 
 James. 
 Ned ought to have left her a bit ; he ought to have left 
 her a bit. \_Resolutely^ Mother — we'll have her down 
 home. 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 We must tell some fib or other as to who she is. Yes, 
 we'll show her a little hospitality. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 And Rose — in London. That'll make it up to her. 
 
 Rose. 
 Yes, that'll make it up to her. 
 
 [77/<f ladies ?nove into the hall ; the me7i follow. 
 
 James. 
 [/;/ the doorway — to Thaddeus, who is now seated at 
 the writing-table.'] Tad, I'll stand you and your wife a 
 good lunch. One-thirty. 
 
 [Thaddeus nods acceptance and James goes after 
 the others. Thaddeus rises, and, looking 
 through the blind of the 7niddle wi?idow, watches 
 them depart. Presently Phyllis appears, put- 
 ting on her gloves. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \At the door, drawing a breath of relief] They've 
 gone. 
 
58 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Turning.'] Is that you, Phyl ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [Coming further into the room.'] I've been waiting on 
 the landing. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Why didn't you come back, dear? You've missed 
 Miss Thornhill. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [ Walking aioay to the left, working at the fingers of a 
 glove.] Yes, I — I know. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 The very person we were all here to meet. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 I — I came over nervous. [Eagerly.] What is she like ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Such an aristocratic-looking girl. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Is she — is she ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I'll tell you all about her by and by. [Pushing the door 
 to and comi7tg to Phyllis, anxiously.] What do you think 
 they're going to do now, Phyl? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Who? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 The lawyers. They're going to advertise. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 59 
 
 Phyllis. 
 
 Advertise ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 In the papers — to try to discover a vi^ill. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 I — I suppose that's a mere matter of form ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Elkin and Vallance say so. According to Stephen, 
 it's simply a lavi^yer's dodge to run up costs. \_Brighten- 
 ing.'\ Anyhow^, we mustn't complain, where a big estate 
 is involved 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Is it — such a — big estate ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 Guess. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 
 I can't. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \Coyning closer to her.'] I heard Elkin' s managing-clerk 
 tell Jim and the Colonel this morning that poor Ned may 
 have died worth anything between a hundred and fifty 
 and two hundred thousand pounds. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [^Faintly.'] Two hundred thousand ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Yes. 
 
60 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Phyllis. 
 
 Oh, Tad ! 
 
 [^She sits, on the settee on the left, leaning her head 
 icpon her hands. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Splitting the difference, and allowing for death duties, 
 our share would be close upon forty thousand. To be on 
 the safe side, put it at thirty-nine thousand. Thirty-nine 
 thousand pounds ! \Moving about the room excitedly.^ 
 I've been reckoning. Invest that at four per cent. — one 
 is justified in calculating upon a four per cent, basis— in- 
 vest thirty-nine thousand at four per cent., and there you 
 have an income of over fifteen hundred a year. Fifteen 
 hundred a year ! [^Returning to her.] When we die, 
 seven hundred and fifty a year for Joyce, seven hundred 
 and fifty for Cyril ! [She rises quickly and clijigs to him, 
 burying her head ifpon his shoulder and clutching at the 
 lapel of his coat.'\ Poor old lady! \_Putting his arms 
 round her.'] Poor old lady! You've gone through such 
 a lot, haven't you ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [Sobbing.] We both have. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Sixteen years of it. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Sixteen years. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Of struggle — struggle and failure. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Failure brought upon you by your wife — by me. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 61 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Nonsense — nonsense 
 
 Phyllis. 
 You always call it nonsense ; you know it's true. If 
 you hadn't married me — if you'd married a girl of better 
 family — you wouldn't have lost caste in the town 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Hush, hush ! Don't cry, Phyl ; don't cry, old lady. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 You'd have had the choral societies, and the High 
 School, and the organ at All Saints ; you'd have been at 
 the top of the tree long ago. You know you would ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 {^Rallying her.~\ And if you hadn't married me, you 
 
 might have captivated a gay young officer at Claybrook 
 
 and got to London eventually. Rose did it, and you 
 
 might have done it. So that makes us quits. Don't cry. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \_Gradually regaining her co7npositre.'] There was a 
 young fellow at the barracks who was after me. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [^Nodding.'] You were prettier than Rose, a smarter 
 girl altogether. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \_Drying her eyes.'] I'll be smart again now, dear. I'm 
 only thirty -five. What's thirty-five ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 The children won't swallow up everything now, will 
 they ? 
 
62 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Phyllis. 
 No ; but Joyce shall look sweeter and daintier than 
 ever, though. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Cyril shall have a first-class, public-school education ; 
 that I'm determined upon. There's Rugby — Rugby's 
 the nearest — or Malvern 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \^With a catch in her breath.'\ Oh, but — Tad — u'e'U 
 leave Singlehampton, won't we.'' 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Permanently ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Yes — yes 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Won't that be rather a mistake? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 A mistake ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Just as we're able to hold up our heads in the town. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 We should never be able to hold up our heads in 
 Singlehampton. If we were clothed in gold, we should 
 still be lepers underneath ; the curse would still rest on 
 us. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Bewiidered.'] But where — where shall we ? 
 
TUE THUNDERBOLT 63 
 
 Phyllis. 
 I don't care — anywhere. \_Passionateiy.'\ Anywhere 
 where I'm not sneered at for bringing up my children 
 decently, and for making my home more tasteful than 
 my neighbors' ; anywhere where it isn't known that 
 I'm the daughter of a small shopkeeper — the daughter 
 of " old Burdock of West Street"! {^Implormgly .'\ Oh, 
 Tad ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 You're right. Nothing is ever forgiven you in the 
 place you're born in. We'll clear out. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [Slipping her arm through his.~\ When — when will you 
 get me away ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 Directly, directly ; as soon as the lawyers 
 
 \_He pauses, looking at her blankly. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [Frightened. 1 What's the matter? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 We — we're talking as if — as if Ned's money is already 
 »urs ! 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [ Withdrawing her ari7i — steadily. '\ It will be. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Will it, do you think ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [ With an expressionless face."] I prophesy — it will be. 
 [Heath enters and, seeing Thaddeus and 
 Phyllis, draws back. 
 
64 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Heath. 
 I'm sorry, sir. I thought the room was empty. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 We're going. {^As he and Phyllis pass out into the 
 hail.'] Don't come to the door. 
 
 Heath. 
 
 Thank you, sir. 
 
 [Heath quietly and methodically replaces the 
 chair at the zvindozu on the right. Then, 
 after a last look round, he switches off the 
 lights a7id leaves the room again in gloom. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST ACT 
 
THE SECOND ACT 
 
 The scene represents the drawtng-room of a modern ^ cheaply- 
 built villa. In the wall at the back are two windows. 
 One is a bay-window provided with a window-seat ; the 
 other y the window on the right y opens to the ground into 
 a small garden . At the bottom of the garden a paling 
 runs from left to rights and in the paling there is a 
 gate which gives access to a narrow lane. Beyond are 
 the gardens and backs of other houses. 
 
 The fireplace is on the right of the room, the door on the 
 left. A grand pianoforte^ with Its head towards the 
 windows, and a music-stool occupy the middle of the 
 room. On the right of the music-stool there is an arm- 
 chair, and against the piano, facing the fireplace, there 
 is a settee. Another settee faces the audience at the 
 further end of the fireplace, and on the nearer side, 
 opposite this settee, is an armchair. Also on the right 
 hand, but nearer to the spectator, there is a round table. 
 An ottoman, opposing the settee by the piano, stands close 
 to the table. 
 
 At the end of the piano there is a small table with an arm- 
 chair on its right and left, and on the extreme left of 
 the room stands another armchair with a still smaller 
 table beside it. On the left of the bay-window there is 
 a writing-table, and in front of the writing-table, but 
 turned to the window, a chair. Other articles of fur- 
 niture fill spaces against the walls. 
 
 There is a mirror over the fireplace and a clock on the 
 65 
 
66 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 mantel-shelf, and lying upon the round table are a hat 
 and a pair of gloves belonging to Helen. Some flowers 
 in pots hide the empty grate. 
 
 The room and everything in the room are eloquent of nar- 
 row means, if not of actual poverty. But the way in 
 which the cheap furniture is dressed up, and the manner 
 of its arrangement about the room, give evidence of taste 
 and refinement. 
 
 The garden is full of the bright sunshine of a fine July 
 afternoon. 
 
 Thaddeus is at the piano accompanying a sentimental ballad 
 which Trist, standing beside him, is singing. Phyllis, 
 looking more haggard than when last seen, is on the 
 settee by the fireplace. Her hands lie idly upon some 
 needlework in her lap and she is in deep thought. 
 Helen, engaged in making a sketch of Joyce and 
 Cyril, who are facing her, is sitting in the chair on 
 the right of the table at the end of the piano. A 
 drawing-block is on her knees and a box of crayons on 
 the table at her elbow. Helen and the Thaddeus 
 MoRTiMORES are dressed in mourning, but not oppress- 
 ively so. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [ Taking his hands from the key-hoard— to Trist.] No, 
 no. Fill your lungs, man, fill your lungs. 
 
 [Phyllis, roused by the break in the ?nusic, picks 
 up her work. 
 
 Trist. 
 \^A big, healthy -looking, curly-headed young fellow in 
 somewhat shabby clerical clothes?^ I ' m afraid it' s no good , 
 my dear chap. The fact is, air will not keep in my 
 lungs. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 67 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \Siarting afresh with the symphony.']^ Once more 
 
 Helen, 
 \To the children, softly.'] Do you want a rest ? 
 
 Cyril. 
 [^A handsome boy offourteett, standing close to his sister.~\ 
 No, thanks. 
 
 Joyce. 
 \_In the chair on the extreme left — a slim, serioii^ child, 
 a year older than Cyril.] Oh, no ; don't give us a rest. 
 \As the symphony ends, the door opens a little way 
 a7id ]amks pops his head iti. 
 
 James. 
 Hallo ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Hallo, Jim ! 
 
 [James enters, followed by Stephen ; both with 
 an air of bustle and selfimportatice. They also 
 are in mourning, are gloved, and are wearing 
 their hats which they rerjiove on entering. 
 
 Stephen. 
 May we come in ? 
 
 James. 
 Good -afternoon, Mr. Trist. 
 
 Stephen. 
 How do you do, Mr. Trist ? 
 
 Trist. 
 [7f7 James and Stephen.] How are you ; how are 
 you .-* 
 
68 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 [77? the children, kissing ]OYQ¥..'\ Well, kids! {^Shak- 
 ing hands with Helen.] Well, my dear ! {Crossing to 
 Phyllis, w//^m<?^.] Don't get up, Phyllis. What'sthis? 
 You're not very bobbish, I hear. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \_Nervously.'\ It's nothing. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \Tidying his music.'] She's sleeping badly just now, 
 poor ol^ lady. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [ IVho has greeted Helen and the childreti — to Phyllis.] 
 Oh, Phylhs, Louisa has discovered a wonderful cure for 
 sleeplessness at the herbalist's in Crown Street. A few 
 dried leaves merely. You strew them under the bed and 
 the effect is magical. 
 
 James. 
 Glass of warm milk's my remedy 
 
 Stephen. 
 Eighteen-pence an ounce, it costs. 
 
 James. 
 Not that sleeplessness bothers me. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [Sitting on the ottoman and reswjtittg her work — to 
 Stephen.] Thank you for telling me about it. 
 
 James. 
 [To Helen.] Making quite a long stay here. 
 
 Helen. 
 \_SmiHng7[ Am I not? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 69 
 
 Stephen. 
 You and Phyllis, Tad, are more honored than we were 
 in the Crescent. 
 
 James. 
 Or we were at " Ivanhoe." She was only a couple o' 
 nights with us. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Less with us. She arrived one morning and left the 
 next. 
 
 James. 
 \_To Helen.] Been in Nelson Villas over a week, 
 haven't you ? 
 
 Helen. 
 [ Touching her drawing.'] Is it more than a week .'* 
 
 James. 
 \_Looking at Helen's drawing.'] Taking the young- 
 sters' portraits, too. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [^Aiso looking at the drawing.'] H'm ! I suppose chil- 
 dren are difficult subjects. 
 
 Trist. 
 \_Moving towards the door — to Helen.] Miss Thorn- 
 hill, don't forget your engagement. 
 
 Helen. 
 \To Joyce ana Cyril.] Mr. Trist is going to treat us 
 to the flower-show by and by. 
 
 Cyril. 
 Good man ! 
 
70 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Joyce. 
 Oh, Mr. Trist! 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_To Trist.] Not driving you away, I hope ? 
 
 Trist. 
 [At the door.'] No, no ; I've some work to do. 
 
 \_He withdraws. Stephen puts his hat on the top 
 of the piano. 
 
 James. 
 [After watching the door close.] Decent sort o' young 
 man, that; nothing of the lodger about him. 
 
 Stephen. 
 I'v^e always said so. [To Thaddeus, lowering his 
 voice.] Mr. Trist knows how — er — h'm — poor Edward 
 left his affairs .'' 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Everybody does ; it's all over the town. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Resignedly^ Yes ; impossible to keep it to ourselves. 
 
 James. 
 Thanks to their precious advertisement. [To Joyce 
 and Cyril, loudly.] Now, then, children ; be off with 
 you ! I want to talk to your father and mother. 
 
 Joyce. 
 [To Helen.] Will you excuse us? 
 
 Cyril. 
 Awfully sorry, Helen, 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 71 
 
 [The children pass through the open window into 
 the garden and disappear. Helen rises and, 
 having laid her drawing-block aside, is follow- 
 ing them. 
 
 James. 
 [To Helen.] Not you, my dear. You're welcome to 
 hear our business. 
 
 Helen. 
 Oh, no ; you mustn't let me intrude. 
 
 Stephen. 
 I think Helen oicght X.o hear it. [W-eajl^ pauses, stand- 
 ing by the table on the right.'] I think she ought to be 
 made aware of what's going on. 
 
 James. 
 Tad 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Coming forward.l Eh? 
 
 James. 
 Thq^ meeting's to take place this afternoon. 
 
 [Phyllis looks up from her ivork suddenly, with 
 parted lips. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 This afternoon ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 At four o'clock. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Glancing at the clock on the mantelpiece.'] It's past 
 three now. 
 
72 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 \Placing his hat on the table at the end of the piano and 
 sitting at the left of the table. '\ It's been fixed up at last 
 rather in a hurry. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Sitting in the chair on the extreme left.'] We didn't 
 get Elkin's letter, telling us he was coming through, till 
 this morning. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 You might have notified us earher, though, one of you. 
 Just like you fellows ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Waving his arms.'] On the day I go to press I've 
 quite enough to remember. 
 
 James. 
 [ To Thaddeus, roughly.] It's your holiday -time ; what 
 have you got to do? An hour's notice is as good as a 
 week's. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [To Helen.] This is a meeting of the family, Helen, 
 to be held at my brother's house, for the purpose of— 
 er ' 
 
 Helen. 
 [Advancing a little.] Winding matters up? 
 
 James. 
 For the purpose of receiving Elkin and Vallance's 
 report. 
 
 Helen. 
 [Keenly.] And to ? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 73 
 
 James. 
 And to decide upon the administration of the estate on 
 behalf of the next-of-kin. 
 
 Helen. 
 In my words — wind matters up. \_Wiih an appearance 
 of cheerfuhiess.'] Which means an end to a month's sus- 
 pense, doesn't it ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Apologetically.'] A not very satisfactory end to yours. 
 
 Helen. 
 To mine? \_Wilh an effort.] Oh, I — I've suffered no 
 suspense, Mr. Tad. Mr. Elkin has kept me informed of 
 the result of the advertising and the circularizing from 
 the beginning. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 But there has been no result. 
 
 Helen. 
 No result h the result. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Exactly. 
 
 \_During the following talk, Helen moves away 
 and seats herself in the chair by the head of the 
 piano. Phyllis has resiwied her work again, 
 bending over it so that her face is abnost hidden. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \To James rt«<f Stephen.] Will Rose and the Colonel 
 be down ? 
 
 James. 
 We're on our way to the station to meet 'em. 
 
74 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_Biltcrlv.~] Ha ! Will they be down ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 You didn't overlook theju, evidently. 
 
 James. 
 \_lVitk a growL~\ No ; the gallant Colonel doesn't give 
 us much chance of overlooking hifn. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Colonel Ponting might be the only person interested, 
 judging by the tone he adopts. 
 
 James. 
 A nice life he's been leading us lately. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Ell<in and Vallance are sick of him. 
 
 James. 
 Hasn't two penny pieces to clink together ; that's the 
 size of it. 
 
 Stephen. 
 A man may be hard up and yet behave with dignity. 
 
 James. 
 I expect the decorators are asking for a bit on the nail. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 {Sitting on the right of the table at the end of the piano. '^ 
 Decorators? 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Tb Thaddeus.] Haven't you heard ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 No. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 75 
 
 Stephen. 
 The magnificent house they've taken in Carlos 
 Place ? 
 
 James. 
 Close to Berkeley Square. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [^Correcting ] AUKS s projiunciation.'] Bar^eley Square. 
 
 James. 
 Stables and motor-garridge at the back. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Oh, yes ; they're decorating and furnishing most elab- 
 orately. Lou had a note from Rose a day or two since. 
 
 James. 
 He'll strip my sister of every penny she's come into, 
 if she doesn't look out. 
 
 Stephen. 
 The gross indelicacy of the thing is what offends me. 
 l^Ve have been content to remain passive. 
 
 James. 
 And I fancy our plans and projects are as important as 
 the Colonel's. 
 
 Stephen. 
 I should assume so. 
 
 James. 
 [77? Stephen, wz'fA a jerk of the thumb towards Thad- 
 deus.] Shall 1 ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 No harm in it now. 
 
76 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 \_To Thaddeus, leaning forward — impressively.'] 
 Tad 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 What? 
 
 James. 
 That land at the bottom of Gordon Street, where the 
 allotment grounds are 
 
 Yes? 
 It's mine. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 James. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 Yours, Jim ? ) 
 
 James. 
 It belongs to me. I've signed the contract and paid a 
 deposit. 
 
 ' Thaddeus. 
 What do you intend to do with it ? 
 
 James. 
 What should I intend to do with it — eat it ? I intend 
 to build there — build the finest avenue of houses in 
 Singlehampton. [^Risijig and going to the piano, where 
 he traces a plan on the lid with his finger.'] Look here ! 
 [Thaddeus joins him and watches t/te tracing of the 
 plan.] Here's Gordon Street. Here's the pub at the 
 corner. I come alone here — straight along here — to 
 Albert Terrace. Opposite Albert Terrace I take in 
 Clark's piano factory ; and where Clark's factory stands 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 77 
 
 I lay out an ornamental garden with a fountain in the 
 middle of it. On I go at a curve, to avoid the play- 
 ground of Fothergill's school, till I reach Bolton's store. 
 He stops me, but I'll squeeze him out some day, as sure 
 as my name's James Henry! [7i? Thaddeus.] D'ye 
 see ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [^Uncomfortably, eyeing Helen.] Splendid ; splendid. 
 
 James. 
 [Moving romid the head of the piano to the right 7\ Poor 
 old Ned ! Ha ! my brother won't have done so badly by 
 his native town after all. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 [Under his breath, trying to remind J AMKS of Helen's 
 presence^ Jim — Jim 
 
 James. 
 
 [ Obliviously, coming upoti H elen. ] D'ye know the spot 
 we're talking about, my dear? 
 
 Helen. 
 No. 
 
 James. 
 
 You must get 'em to walk you down there. [To 
 Phyllis ] You trot her down there, Phylhs. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [Without raising her eyes from her 7Porh.~\ I will. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [To James.] You haven't told them everything, Jim. 
 
78 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 {Sitting upon the settee by the piano.'] Haven't I ? 
 [Mopping his brow.'] Oh, your offices 
 
 Stephen. 
 [To eveiybociy.] It isn't of the greatest importance, per- 
 haps, but it's part of James's scheme to erect an excep- 
 tionably noble building in the new road to provide ade- 
 quate printing and publishing offices for the Times and 
 Mirror. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 What, you're not deserting King Street, Stephen? 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Rising and zvalking to the fireplace.] Yes, I've had 
 enough of those cramped, poky premises. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 They are inconvenient. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [On the hearthrug, facing the others^ And, to be per- 
 fectly frank, I've had enough of Mr. Hammond and the 
 Courier. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I don't blame you there. The Courier is atrociously 
 personal occasionally. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Pompously^ I don't say it because Hammond is, in a 
 manner, my rival — I'm not so small-minded as that — but 
 I do say that he is a vulgar man and that the Courier I'll 
 a vulgar and mischievous journal. 
 
 James. 
 He's up to date, though, is Mister Freddy Hammond. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 79 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 His plant is slightly more modern than mine, I admit. 
 
 James. 
 {Chuckling?^ Aye, you'll be able to present those an- 
 tediluvian printing-presses of yours to the museum as 
 curiosities. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_With a wave of the hand.'] Anyhow, the construction 
 of Jim's new road marks a new era in the life of the 
 Times and Mirror. \_Leaving the fireplace.] I'm putting 
 no less than twelve thousand pounds into the dear old 
 paper. Tad. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Standing by the table on the left] Twelve thou- 
 sand ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 How will that agree with Mr. Hammond's digestion, 
 eh? Twelve thousand pounds ! [G^wzVzc^/t' Thaddeus.] 
 And what are your plans for the future, if one may ask .? 
 You'll leave these wretched villas, of course ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Evasively.] Oh, I — I'm waiting till this law business 
 is absolutely settled. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Hastily.] Quite right ; quite right. So am I ; so am 
 I, actually. But we may talk, 1 suppose, among our- 
 selves 
 
 James. 
 [Looking at his watch and rising.] By George ! We 
 shall miss Rose and the Colonel. 
 
80 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Fetching his hal.'] Pish ! the Colonel. 
 
 James. 
 \_Shaking hands hurriedly with Helen who rises.'] 
 Ta-ta, my dear. \_As he passes Phyllis.] See you at the 
 meeting, Phylhs. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_To IIe.\.y.^, across the piafio.] Good-bye, Helen. 
 
 James. 
 
 [ Who has picked up his hat, at the door.! Don' t be late, 
 Tad. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_At the door.] No, no ; don't be late. 
 
 Thaddeus, 
 Four o'clock. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Sharp. 
 
 [Thaddeus /(^//oTvs James a;id Stephen into the 
 hall and returns immediately. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 {Closing the door.] My dear Helen, I apologize to you 
 most humbly. 
 
 Helen. 
 [Coming forward.] For what? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 For Jim's bad taste, and Stephen's, in talking before 
 you as they've been doing. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 81 
 
 Helen. 
 Oh, it's of no consequence. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I could have kicked Jim. 
 
 Helen. 
 \_Imptdsively.'\ Mr. Tad — {__gi'ving Jii)n her hand'] I 
 congratulate you. \_Govig to Phyllis and kissing her 
 lightly upon the cheek.'] I congratulate you both heartily. 
 No two people in the world deserve good fortune more 
 than you do. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 It's extremely kind and gracious of you to take it in this 
 way. 
 
 Helen. 
 Why, in what other way could I take it ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 At your age, you mayn't esteem money very highly. 
 But — there are other considerations 
 
 Helen. 
 \_Turning away and seating herself upon the settee by the 
 piano.] Yes, we won't speak of those. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_lValktng to the bay-window.] And there was just a 
 chance that the inquiries might have brought a will to 
 light — a will benefiting you. Though you were anxious 
 not to appear unfriendly to the family, you must have 
 realized that. 
 
 Helen. 
 Whether I did or not, it's all done with now finally — 
 finally. \_Blowing the subject from her,] Phew ! 
 
82 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 [^His elboivs on the piano, speaking across it to Helen.] 
 Phyl and I are not altogether selfish and grasping. She 
 has been worrying herself to death these last few days — 
 haven't you, Phyl? — ever since we heard the meeting 
 was near at hand. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \_In a low voice. '\ Yes. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Ever since you came to us, in fact. 
 
 Helen. 
 \_ Jumping up.'] Ah, what a nuisance I've been to you ! 
 [^Sitting beside Phyllis] How relieved you'll be to pack 
 me off to-morrow ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 To-morrow ? 
 
 \Uttering a little sound, Phyllis stops working 
 and stares straight before her. 
 
 Helen. 
 \_Slipping an arm round Phyllis' s waist ^^ That letter 
 I had while we were at lunch — it was from a girl who 
 used to sit next to me at Julian's. She's found me some 
 capital rooms, she says, close to Regent's Park, and I'm 
 going up to look at them. [Thaddeus comes to her.] In 
 any event, the sooner I get out of Singlehampton the 
 better. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Why? 
 
 Helen. 
 Everybody in the town eyes me so queerly ; I'm cer- 
 tain they suspect. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 83 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 It's your imagination. 
 
 Helen. 
 It isn't. {Hesitatingly. ~\ I — I've confided in Mr. Trist. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Surprised.~\ Confided in Trist ? 
 
 Helen. 
 
 \_Noddijig.'\ I hated the idea of his thinking me — 
 deceitful. 
 
 "" Thaddeus. 
 
 [Sitting on the settee by the piano. '\ Trist would never 
 have guessed. 
 
 Helen. 
 
 Oh, Mr. Tad, who, in heaven's name, that wasn't 
 born yesterday could beheve the story of my being simply 
 a protegee of father's, the daughter of an old business 
 friend ot his ? Your brother Stephen may be an excellent 
 editor, but his powers of invention are beneath contempt. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 \_Laughing.'] Ha, ha, ha ! [Rubbing his knees.'] That's 
 one for Stephen ; that's a rap for Stephen. 
 
 Helen. 
 
 And then, again, the other members of the family are 
 becoming so horribly jealous. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Seriously.'] Ah, yes. 
 
84 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Helen. 
 You noticed your brother's remarks? And Mrs. 
 James and Mrs. Stephen ahnost cut me in East Street 
 tliis morning. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \Cle)ichmg his fists. '\ Thank God, we shall have done 
 with that sort of thing directly we shake the dust of 
 Singlehampton from our feet ! 
 
 Helen. 
 
 Directly you ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 \Gaily.'\ There ! Now I've let the cat out of the bag. 
 Phyllis will tell you. You tell her, Phyl. \Rismg.'\ I 
 promised Rawlinson I'd help him index his madrigals 
 this afternoon ; I'll run round to him and explain. \Faus- 
 ing on his way to the door.'] Helen, you must be our first 
 visitor in our new home, wherever we pitch our tent. 
 Make that a bargain with her, Phyl. \_At the door, to 
 Phyllis.] We'll start at ten minutes to, old lady. Be 
 ready. 
 
 \He disappears, closing the door after him. 
 
 Helen. 
 [Rising and walking away to the left.'] Well ! I do 
 think it shabby of you, Phyllis. You and Mr. Tad 
 might have trusted me with your secret. \_Facing her.] 
 Phyllis, wouldn't it be glorious if you came to London to 
 live — or near London ? Wouldn't it ■^ 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [/;z a stra7ige, quiet voice, her hands lying quite still 
 upon her lap.] Helen — Helen dear 
 
 Helen. 
 Yes? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 85 
 
 Phyllis. 
 That morning, a month ago, in Linchpool — while we 
 were all sitting in your poor father's library waiting for 
 you 
 
 Helen. 
 \_Returning to her.'] On the Friday morning 
 
 Phyllis. 
 There was a discussion as to making you an allow- 
 ance, and — \_her eyes avoiding Helen's] and everybody 
 was most anxious — most anxious — that you should be 
 placed upon a proper footing. 
 
 Helen. 
 Mr. Elkin broached the subject when I arrived. You 
 were out of the room. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Yes. And you declined 
 
 Helen. 
 Certainly. 1 gave them my reasons. Why do you 
 bring this up? 
 
 [Phyllis rises, laying her work iipott the table 
 behind her. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \^Drawing a deep breath.'] Helen — I want you to re- 
 consider your decision. 
 
 Helen. 
 
 Reconsider it? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 I want you to reconsider your determination not to ac- 
 cept an allowance from the family. 
 
86 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Helen. 
 Impossible. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 
 Oh, don't be so hasty. Listen first. This good fortune 
 of ours — of Tad's and mine — that you've congratulated 
 us upon — I shall never enjoy it 
 
 Helen. 
 {^Incredulously.'] Oh, Phyllis ! 
 
 Phyllis. 
 I shall not. It will never bring me a moment's happi- 
 ness unless you consent to receive an allowance from the 
 family — ^[Helen seats herself in the chair on the extreme 
 left with her back to Phyllis] sufficient to give you a 
 sense of independence 
 
 Helen. 
 I couldn't. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 And to make your future perfectly safe. 
 
 Helen. 
 I couldn't. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [ Entreatingly. ] Do — do 
 
 Helen. 
 It's out of the question. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Please — for my sake ! 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 87 
 
 Helen. 
 \_Turning to her.~\ I'm sorry to distress you, Phyllis ; 
 indeed I'm sorry. But when you see me gaining some 
 little position in London, through my work, you'll cease 
 to feel miserable about me. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 
 Never — never 
 
 Helen. 
 
 \_Stariing- up and walking to the fireplace impetuously^ 
 Oh, you don't understand me — my pride. A pensioner 
 of the Mortimore family ! I ! How can you suggest it? 
 I refused their help before I was fully acquainted with 
 these, to me, uncongenial relations of father's — I don't 
 include Mr. Tad in that expression, of course ; and now I 
 a7n acquainted with them I would refuse it a thousand 
 times. If I were starving, I wouldn't put myself under 
 the smallest obligation to the Mortimores, 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [^Unsteadily. '\ Obligation — to — the — Mortimores — obli- 
 gation ! \_As if about to make some commu7tication to 
 
 Helen, suppoj-ting herself by leaning upon the table on the 
 right, her body bent forward — almost inaudiblyA Helen — 
 
 Helen 
 
 Helen. 
 
 What ? 
 
 [ There is a short silence, and then Phyllis drops 
 back upon the settee by the piano. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [Rocking herself to andfro.'\ Oh — oh, dear — oh ! 
 
 Helen. 
 [Coming to her and standing over her.~\ You're quite 
 ill, Phyllis ; your bad nights are taking it out of you 
 dreadfully. You ought to have the advice of a doctor. 
 
88 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \_lVeakIyr\ No — don't send for the doctor 
 
 Helen. 
 Go up to your room, then, and keep quiet till Mr. Tad 
 calls you. \_Glaiicing at the clock7\ You've a quarter of 
 an hour 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \Clutching Helen's skirt.'\ Helen — you're fond of me 
 and Tad — you said yesterday how attached you'd grown 
 to us 
 
 Helen. 
 \Soothingly.'\ I am — I am — very fond of you. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 And the children ? 
 
 Helen, 
 Yes, yes. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 My poor children ! 
 
 Helen, 
 Hush ! Why poor children ? Pull yourself together. 
 Go up to your room, 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \Taking Helen's ?iand and caressing ii.~\ Helen — if 
 you won't accept an allowance from the entire family, 
 accept it from Tad and me. 
 
 Helen, 
 No, no, no. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Four — three hundred a year. 
 
No. 
 
 Two hundred. 
 No. 
 
 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 Helen. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 
 Helen. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 We could spare it. We shouldn't miss it ; we should 
 
 never miss it. 
 
 Not a penny, 
 
 Helen. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [^Rising and gripping Helen's shoulders.'] You shall 
 — you shall accept it, Helen. 
 
 Helen. 
 
 Phyllis ! \J\eleasing herself and drawing back r\ Phyllis, 
 you're very odd to-day. You've got this allowance idea 
 on the brain. Look here ; don't let's mention the sub- 
 ject again, or I — 1 shall be offended. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \_Didly, hangifig her head.] All right. 
 
 Very well. 
 
 Helen. 
 Forgive me. It happens to be just the one point I'm 
 sensitive upon. \Listening, ihengoingto the opeji zaindoiu.] 
 Here are the children. Do go up-stairs. \Calli7ig into 
 the garden^ Hallo ! [Phyllis leaves the room as Cyril 
 and Joyce appear outside the window. The hoy is carry- 
 ing a few freshly-cut 7'oses,'\ Now, then, children ! Isn't 
 it time we routed Mr. Trist out of his study 1 
 
90 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Cyril. 
 
 \_Etitering and going towards the door.'] I'll stir the old 
 
 chap up. \_Remembering the nosegay.] Oh \_Preseni- 
 
 ing it to Helen, who conies forward with Joyce.] Allow 
 me 
 
 Helen. 
 For me ? How sweet of you ! \_Placing the flowers 
 against her belt and then at her breast^ Where shall I 
 wear them — here, or here ? 
 
 Cyril. 
 Anywhere you like. {Awkwardly.] We sha'n't see 
 anything nicer at the flower-show, I'm certain. 
 
 Helen. 
 No ; they're beautiful. 
 
 Cyril. 
 \Jiis eyes on the carpet.] I don't mean the flowers — 
 
 Helen. 
 \_Inclining her head.] Thank you. {To Cyril, who 
 again makes for the door.] Don't disturb mother. {Mov- 
 ing away to the fireplace where, at the mirror over the 
 mantel-shelf, she fixes the roses in her belt.] She has to go 
 to Claybrook Road with your father in a little while and 
 I want her to rest. 
 
 Cyril. 
 {Pausing.] She is seedy, isn't she? {Puckering his 
 brows.] Going to Uncle Jim's, are they ? 
 
 Helen. 
 Yes. 
 
 Cyril. 
 That's to do with our money, I expect. 
 
TEE THUNDERBOLT 91 
 
 Helen. 
 \^Busy at the mirro>'.'\ With your money ? 
 
 Cyril. 
 Father's come. into a heap of money, you know. 
 
 Joyce. 
 ^^Reproachfully .'\ Cyril ! 
 
 Cyril. 
 \Not heeding her.'\ So have Uncle Jim and Uncle 
 Stephen and Aunt Rose. 
 
 Helen. 
 I'm delighted. 
 
 Cyril. 
 \_To Joyce, who is signing to him to desist.'] Oh, what's 
 the use of our keeping it dark any longer ? 
 
 Joyce. 
 We promised mother 
 
 Cyril. 
 Ages ago. But you heard what father said to Uncle 
 Stephen — it's all over the town. Young Pither says 
 there's something about it in the paper. 
 
 Helen. 
 The paper ? 
 
 Cyril. 
 The Courier — that fellow Hammond's paper. Ham- 
 mond was beastly sarcastic about it last week, Pither 
 says. \_Going to the door.] I don't read the Courier xny- 
 self. \_At the door he beckons to Joyce. She Joins him 
 and his voice drops to a whisper.] Besides — \_glancing 
 
92 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 significatitly at Helen, whose back is turned to thei7i\ it'll 
 make it easier for us. \_Nudging her.~\ Novv's your 
 chance ; do it now. \_Aloud.'] Give me five minutes, 
 you two. I can't be seen at the flower-show in these 
 togs. 
 
 \_He withdraws. Having assured herself that the 
 door is closed, Joyce advances to Helen. 
 
 Joyce. 
 Helen 
 
 Helen. 
 Hallo ! 
 
 Joyce. 
 \Gravely.'\ Have you a minute to spare? 
 
 Helen. 
 {Coining to the round table.'] Yes, dear. 
 
 Joyce. 
 Helen, it's quite true we've come into a great deal 
 of money. Uncle Edward, who lived at Linchpool — 
 oh, you knew him, didn't you? — he was a friend of 
 yours 
 
 Helen. 
 {A^odding.] He was a friend of mine. 
 
 Joyce. 
 Uncle Edward has left his fortune to the family — 
 \breaking off~\ you've been told already ! 
 
 Helen. 
 Well— yes. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 93 
 
 Joyce. 
 We haven't received our share yet ; but we shaii, as 
 soon as it's all divided up. [^Timid/y .'] Helen — [Helen 
 seats herself 7ipon t/ie ottoman in an attitude of attention^ 
 I needn't tell you this will very much improve father and 
 mother's position. 
 
 Helen. 
 Naturally. 
 
 Joyce. 
 And mine and Cyril's, too, I'm to finish abroad, I 
 believe. 
 
 Helen. 
 Lucky brat. 
 
 Joyce. 
 I3ut it's Cyril I want to talk to you about — my brother 
 Cyril 
 
 Helen. 
 Cyril? 
 
 Joyce. 
 Cyril is to be entered for one of the principal public 
 schools. 
 
 Helen. 
 Is he ? 
 
 Joyce. 
 One of those schools which stamp a boy a gentleman 
 for the rest of his life. 
 
 Helen. 
 He is a gentleman, as it is. I've a high opinion of 
 Cyril. 
 
94 • THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Joyce. 
 Oh, I am glad to hear you say so, because — be- 
 cause 
 
 Helen. 
 
 Because what ? [Joyce turns away in silence to the set- 
 tee by the piano. '\ What are you driving at, Joicey ? 
 
 Joyce. 
 
 \_Lou7iging on the settee uneasily and inelegantly.'] Of 
 course, Cyril's only fourteen at present ; there's no de- 
 nying that. 
 
 Helen. 
 I suppose there isn't. 
 
 Joyce. 
 
 But in three years' time he'll be seventeen, and in 
 another three he'll be twenty. 
 
 Helen. 
 
 IPuzzled.-] Well? 
 
 Joyce. 
 And at twenty you're a man, aren't you? 
 
 Helen. 
 A young man. 
 
 Joyce. 
 
 \Seating herself, her elbows on her knees, examining hey 
 fingers.] And even then he'd be content to wait. 
 
 Helen. 
 To wait? What for? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 95 
 
 Joyce. 
 [/« a low voice.'] Cyril wishes to marry you someday, 
 Helen. 
 
 Helen. 
 \^Afier a pause, getitly.'] Does he ? 
 
 Joyce. 
 He consulted me about it soon after you came to us, 
 and I advised him to be quite sure of himself before he 
 spoke to you. And he is, quite sure of himself. 
 
 Helen. 
 And he's asked you to speak_/br him ? 
 
 Joyce. 
 He prefers my doing it. \Looking, under her lashes, at 
 Helen.] Are you furious? 
 
 Helen. 
 Not a scrap. 
 
 Joyce. 
 [Transferring herself from the settee to the floor at Hel- 
 en's /t'^/ — embracing her.] Oh, that's lovely of you ! I 
 was afraid you might be. 
 
 Helen. 
 Furious? 
 
 Joyce. 
 {^Gazing at her admiringly.] At our aiming so high. I 
 was afraid you might consider that marrying Cyril would 
 be marrying beneath you. 
 
 Helen. 
 [Tenderly.] The girl who marries Cyril will have to be 
 a far grander person than I am, Joyce, to be marrying 
 beneath her. 
 
96 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Joyce. 
 Oh, Cyril's all right in himself, and so is father. 
 Father's very retiring, but he's as clever a musician as 
 any in the midlands. And mother is all right in herself. 
 {^Backing away from Helen.] It's not mother's fault; 
 it's her misfortune 
 
 Helen. 
 Her misfortune ? 
 
 Joyce. 
 • \_Bitlerly.~\ Oh,. I'll be bound they mentioned it at 
 " Ivanhoe " or at the Crescent. 
 
 Helen. 
 Mentioned ? 
 
 Joyce. 
 [^Between herieeth.~\ The shop — grandfather's shop 
 
 Helen. 
 Ah, yes. 
 
 Joyce. 
 
 \ClencJiins^ her hands. '\ Ah! {Squatting upon her heels, 
 her shoulders hunched.~\ Grandfather was a grocer, Helen 
 ■ — a grocer. Oh, mother has suffered terribly through it 
 — agonies. 
 
 Helen. 
 Poor mother ! 
 
 Joyce. 
 We've all suffered. Sometimes it's been as much as 
 Cyril and I could do to keep our heads up ; {proudly, 
 with flashing eyes'] but we've done it. The Single- 
 hampton people are beasts. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 97 
 
 Helen. 
 Joyce ! 
 
 Joyce. 
 If it's the last word I ever utter — beasts. \Swallowi7ig 
 a tea7'7\ And only half of it was grocery — only half. 
 
 Helen. 
 Only half ? 
 
 Joyce. 
 
 It was a double shop. There were two windows ; the 
 other half was bottles of wine. They forget that ; they 
 forget that ! 
 
 Helen. 
 A shame. 
 
 Joyce. 
 \_Ejnbracmg Helen again.'] What shall I say to him, 
 then ? 
 
 Helen. 
 Say to him ? 
 
 Joyce. 
 Cyril — what answer shall I give him? 
 
 Helen. 
 Oh, tell Cyril that I am highly complimented by his 
 ofifer 
 
 Joyce. 
 [Eagerly.'] Complimented — yes ? 
 
 Helen. 
 And that, if he's of the same mind when he's a man, 
 and I am still single, he may propose to me again. 
 
98 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Joyce. 
 \_Ift a/arm.'] If you're — still single ? 
 
 Helen. 
 Yes — \shaking her head~\ and if he's of the same mind. 
 [There is a sharp, prolonged rappmg on the door. 
 Joyce and Helen rise. 
 
 Joyce. 
 {Going to the door.'] It's that frightful tease. 
 
 [She opens the door mid Trist enters, carrying his 
 hat, gloves, and walking-stisk. 
 
 Trist. 
 Ladies, I have reason to believe that several choice 
 specimens of the Dianthiis Caryophyllus refuse to raise 
 their heads until you grace the flower-show with your 
 presence. 
 
 [Joyce slaps his hand playfully and disappears. 
 Helen takes her hat from the round table and, 
 standing before the ??iirror at the inaiitelpiece, 
 pins it 071 her head. Trist watches her. 
 
 Helen. 
 [After a silence, her back to Trist.] The glass reflects 
 more than one face, Mr. Trist. 
 
 Trist. 
 [Moving.'] I beg your pardon. 
 
 Helen. 
 You were thinking ? 
 
 Trist. 
 Philosophizing — observing your way of putting on your 
 hat. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 99 
 
 Helen. 
 I put it on carelessly ? 
 
 Trist. 
 Quickly. A convincing sign of youth. After you are 
 five-and-twenty the process will take at least ten minutes. 
 
 Helen. 
 And at thirty ? 
 
 Trist. 
 Half an hour. Add another half-hour for each suc- 
 ceeding decade 
 
 Helen. 
 \Turning to him.'\ I'm afraid you're a knowing, worldly 
 parson. 
 
 Trist. 
 \Laughing.'\ No, no ; a tolerant, human parson. 
 
 Helen. 
 We shall see. \Picking up her gloves-l If ever you get 
 a hving in London, Mr. Trist, I shall make a point of 
 sitting under you. 
 
 Trist. 
 I bind you to that. 
 
 Helen. 
 \_PulHng on a glove.^ By-the-bye, I set out to seek ?ny 
 London living to-morrow. 
 
 Trist. 
 [ IVi'f/i a change of manner. '\ To-morrow ? 
 
 Helen. 
 To-morrow. 
 
100 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Trist. 
 \_B/a7i/cly.'\ I — I'm sorry. 
 
 Helen, 
 Very polite of you. I'm glad. 
 
 Trist. 
 Glad .? 
 
 Helen. 
 It sounds rather unkind, doesn't it ? Oh, I'm extremely 
 fond of everybody in this house — Mr. and Mrs. Tad and 
 the children, I mean. But I'm sure it isn't good, mor- 
 ally, for me to be here, even if there vvere no other rea- 
 sons for my departure. 
 
 Trist. 
 
 Morally ? 
 
 Helen. 
 Yes; if I remained here, all that's bad in my nature 
 would come out on top. Do you know that I've the 
 makings in me of a most accomplished liar and hypo- 
 crite 1 
 
 Trist. 
 I shouldn't have suspected it. 
 
 Helen. 
 I have. \_Cofning nearer to him.'\ What do you think 
 takes place this afternoon ? 
 
 Trist. 
 What ? 
 
 Helen. 
 \With gradually mcreasing excitemetit.'] There's to be 
 a meeting of the Mortimore family at James Mortimore's 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 101 
 
 house at four o'clock. He and his brother Stephen have 
 just informed me, with the dehcacy which is character- 
 istic of them, that they are going to arrange with the law- 
 yers to administer my father's estate without any more, 
 delay. And I was doui^le-faced enough to receive the 
 news smihngly and agreeably, and all the time I could 
 have struck them — I could have seen them drop dead in 
 this room without a pang of regret 
 
 Trist. 
 
 No, no 
 
 He-len. 
 
 I could. [^Walking away and pacing the roo7n on the 
 left.'\ Oh, it isn't father's money I covet. I said so to 
 the family in Linchpool and I say it again. But I de- 
 ceived myself. 
 
 Trist. 
 Deceived yourself? 
 
 Helen. 
 Deceived myself. I can't <^^«rthat father should have 
 forgotten me. I can't bear it; I can't resign myself to 
 it ; I shall never resign myself to it. I thought I should 
 be able to, but I was mistaken. I told Mr. Thaddeus 
 that I've been suffering no suspense this last month. 
 It's a falsehood ; I've been suffering intense sus- 
 pense. I've been watching the posts, for letters 
 from Elkin ; I've been praying, daily, hourly, that 
 something — anything — might be found to prove that 
 father had remembered me. And I loathe, these people, 
 who step over me and stand between me and the being I 
 loved best on earth ; I loathe them. I detest the whole 
 posse of them, except the Thaddeuses ; and I wish this 
 money may bring them, and those belonging to them, 
 every ill that's conceivable. \_ConfrontingTKlST, her bosom 
 heaving.'] Don't you lecture me. 
 
102 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Trist. 
 \Good-humoredly.'\ I haven't the faintest intention of 
 doing so. 
 
 Helen. 
 Ha! \_At the piano, mimicking James.] Here's Gor- 
 don Street 
 
 Trist. 
 Eh? 
 
 Helen. 
 You come along here, to Albert Terrace — taking in 
 Clark's piano factory 
 
 Trist. 
 Who does ? 
 
 Helen. 
 \Fiercely.'\ Here — here's the pub at the corner! 
 
 Trist. 
 {Bewildered. '\ I — I don't 
 
 Helen. 
 {Speaking to him across the piano. '\ James Mortimore 
 is buying land and building a new street in the town. 
 
 Trist. 
 Really ? 
 
 * Helen. 
 
 And Stephen is putting twelve thousand pounds into 
 his old-fashioned paper, to freshen it up ; and the Pont- 
 ings are moving into a big house in London — near Burke- 
 ley Square, as James calls it ; and they must needs dis- 
 cuss their affairs in my hearing, brutes that they are ! 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 103 
 
 \_Co7nmg to the chair on the left of the table at the end of 
 the piano. '\ Oh, thank God, I'm leaving the town to-mor- 
 row ! It was only a sort of curiosity that brought me 
 here. [Sitting a7ui producing her handkerchief. '\ Thank 
 God, I m leaving to-morrow ! 
 
 \_He lualks to the window on the right to allow her 
 to recover herself, and then returns to her. 
 
 Trist. 
 My dear child, may I speak quite plainly to you? 
 
 Helen. 
 [ Wiping her eyes.'] If you don't lecture me. 
 
 Trist. 
 I won't lecture you. I merely venture to suggest that 
 you are a trifle illogical. 
 
 Helen. 
 I dare say. 
 
 Trist. 
 After all, recollect, our friends James and Stephen are 
 not to be blamed for the position they find themselves in. 
 
 Helen. 
 Their manners are insufferable. 
 
 Trist. 
 Hardly insufferable. Nothing is insufferable. 
 
 Helen. 
 There you go ! 
 
 Trist. 
 Their faults of manner and breeding are precisely the 
 faults a reasonable, dispassionate person would have no 
 
104 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 difficulty in excusing. And I shall be mucn astonished, 
 when llie bitterness of your mortification has worn off 
 
 Helen. 
 You are lecturing ! 
 
 Trist. 
 I'm not ; I give you my word I'm not. 
 
 Helen. 
 It sounds uncommonly like it. What did I tell you 
 the other day — that you were different from the clergy- 
 men I'd met hitherto, because you were ? 
 
 Trist. 
 
 Jolly. 
 
 Helen. 
 
 \_lVit/i a s/irui^-~\ Jolly! \^lVearily.'] Oh. please go and 
 hurry the children up, and let's be off to the flowers. 
 
 Trist. 
 \_A'ot stirrmg.~\ My de^r Miss Thornhill 
 
 Helen. 
 \^Impatiently7\ I'll fetch them 
 
 Trist. 
 Don't, \_Deliberately^ My dear Miss Thornhill, to 
 show you how little I regard myself as worthy of the 
 privilege of lecturing you ; \siJiili7ig\ to show you how 
 the seeds of selfishness may germinate and flourish even 
 in the breast of a cleric — may I make a confession to 
 you? 
 
 Helen. 
 Confession ? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 105 
 
 Trist. 
 I — I want to confess to you that the circumstance of 
 your having been left as you are — cast adrift on the 
 world, unprotected, without means apart from your own 
 talent and exertions — is one that fills me with — hope. 
 
 Helen. 
 Hope? 
 
 Trist. 
 Fills me with hope, though it may scarcely justify my 
 presumption. [^SiVh'no- opposite to her^ You were assum- 
 ing a minute ago, in joke perhaps, the possibility of my 
 obtaining a living some day. 
 
 Helen. 
 \_Graciously, but with growing ujieasiness.'] Not alto- 
 gether in joke. 
 
 Trist. 
 Anyhow, there is a decided possibihty of a hving com- 
 ing my way — and practically in London, as it chances. 
 
 Helen. 
 I — I'm pleased. 
 
 Trist. 
 Yes, in the natural order of events a hving will be 
 vacant within the next few years which is in the gift of 
 the father of an old college chum of mine. It's a subur- 
 ban parish — close to Twickenham — and I'm promised it. 
 
 Helen. 
 That would be — nice for you. 
 
 Trist. 
 \Gazing at her fixedly. ~\ Jolly. 
 
106 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Helen. 
 \_Her eyes drooling.'] Very — jolly. 
 
 Trist, 
 I should still be a poor man — that I shall always be ; 
 but poverty is relative. It would be riches compared 
 with my curacy here. \_Afier a pause. ] The vicarage 
 has a garden with some grand old trees. 
 
 Helen. 
 Many of the old gardens — in the suburbs — are charm- 
 ing. 
 
 Trist. 
 I — I could let the vicarage dmmg the summer, to 
 increase my income. 
 
 Helen. 
 May a vicar — let — his vicarage 1 
 
 Trist. 
 It's done. Some Bishops object to it ; [Jnnocently] but 
 you can dodge the old boy. 
 
 Helen. 
 Dodge the — old boy ! 
 
 Trist. 
 There are all sorts of legal fictions to help you. I 
 know of a Bishop's son-in-law who let his vicarage for a 
 term under the pretence of letting only the furniture. 
 
 Helen. 
 Wicked. 
 
 Trist. 
 \_Leaning forward.'] But I shouldn't dream of letting 
 my vicarage if my income — proved sufficient 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 107 
 
 Helen. 
 It would be wealth — you say — in comparison 
 
 Trist. 
 Yes, but I — I might — marry. 
 
 Helen. 
 \^HastiIy.'] Oh — oh, of course. 
 
 [The door opens and Joyce and Cyril enter, 
 dressed for going out. Cyril is in his best suit, 
 is gloved, ajid swings a cane which is too long 
 for him. At the same moment Thaddeus lets 
 himself into the garden at the gate. He is ac- 
 compa7iied by Denyer, ati ordinary-looking 
 person with whiskers and moustache. Helen 
 and Trist 7'ise, and she goes to the mirror in 
 some confusion and gives a last touch to her hat. 
 
 Joyce. 
 Have we kept you waiting ? 
 
 Cyril. 
 Sorry. Couldn't get my tie to go right. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \^In the garden.'] Come in, Denyer. [^At the window, to 
 those in the room.] What, haven't you folks gone yet? 
 
 Trist. 
 
 \_lVith the children, following Helen into the garden.] 
 Just off. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \To Helen, as she passes him.] Hope you'll enjoy your- 
 self. 
 
 Trist. 
 \To Denyer.] Ah, Mr. Denyer, how are you? 
 
108 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Denver. 
 How are you, Mr. Trist ? 
 
 Joyce and Cyril. 
 \_To Thaddeus.] Good-bye, father. 
 
 Thaddeus. V 
 
 \_Kissino: them.'] Good-bye, my dears. 
 
 [Trist opens the gate and Helen and the children 
 pass out into the lane. Trist follows them, 
 closing the gate. Thaddeus and Denyer en- 
 ter the room. Denver is carrying a news- 
 paper. 
 
 Cyril. 
 \_Out of sight, shrilly.'] Which way? 
 
 Trist. 
 Through Parker Street. 
 
 Joyce. 
 Who walks with who ? 
 
 Helen. 
 I walk with Cyril. 
 
 [ 7he sound of the chatter dies in the distance. 
 
 Denver. 
 \To Thaddeus.] Then I can put up the bill at once, 
 Mr, Mortimore ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \Layitig his hat upon the table on the left.] Do, Den- 
 yer. To-morrow — to-day 
 
 Denver. 
 I'll send a man round in the morning. {^Producing a 
 note-book and writijig in it.] Let's see — your lease is 
 seven, fourteen, twenty-one? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 109 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 That's it. 
 
 Denver. 
 How much of the first seven is there to run — I ought 
 to remember ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Two years and a half from iMichaelmas. 
 
 Denver. 
 Rent ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Forty. 
 
 \_T/ie door opens a little way and Phyllis pee/is in. 
 Her featiwes are draum, her lips white and set. 
 
 Denver. 
 Fixtures at a valuation, I s'pose 1 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Ha, ha ! The costly fixtures at a valuation. 
 
 Denver. 
 You may as well sell 'em, if they only fetch tuppence. 
 \Seeing Phvllis, who has entered softly. '\ Good -afternoon, 
 ma'am. 
 
 Phvllis. 
 [/« a low voice ^ Good-afternoon. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \^Turning to her.'] Phyl, dear! I met Mr. Denyer in 
 the lane. [Gleejttlly.'] The bill goes up to-morrow — 
 
110 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 "house to let" — to-morrow morning — \Jo Denver] first 
 thing 
 
 [Phyllis moves to the bay-witidow without 
 speaking. 
 
 Denver. 
 First thing. [^Puttijig his pocketbook a'way.'\ Excuse 
 me — you're on the lookout for a new residence 'i 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Oh — er — one must hve somewhere, Denyer. 
 
 Denver. 
 And a much superior house to this^ Mr. Mortimore, I 
 lay a guinea. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 \Walking about with his hands in his pockets.']^ The 
 children are springing up — getting to be tremendous 
 people. 
 
 Denver. 
 \Genially.'\ Oh, come, sir ! We know. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \Pausing in his walk.'] Eh ? 
 
 Denver. 
 Everybody in the town knows of your luck, and the 
 family's. \Picking up his hat and newspaper, which he 
 has laid upo7i the ottoman.'] Here's another allusion to it 
 in this week's Courier. 
 
 Thaddeus, 
 The Courier? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 111 
 
 Denver. 
 \^Handing him ihepaper.^ Just out. You keep it : I've 
 got another at 'ome. [Thaddeus is searching the paper. '\ 
 Middle page — "Town Topics." 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Thanks. 
 
 Denver. 
 Mr. Hammond — he will poke his fun. [Going to the 
 window.'] P'r'aps you'll give us a call, sir? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Following him absently, reading.] Yes, I'll call in. 
 
 Denver. 
 \To Phvllis, who is sitting in the chair by the bay- 
 window.] Good-day, ma'am. [In the garden, to 'Yv\.\x^- 
 Ti^MS, persuasively.] Now, you won't forget Gibson and 
 Denyer, Mr. Mortimore ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [At the window.] I won't; I won't. 
 
 Denver. 
 The old firm. [Opening the gate.] What we haven't 
 got on our books isn't worth considering, you take it 
 from me. 
 
 [He disappears, closing the gate. Thaddeus 
 comes back into the room. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Upon my soul, this is too bad of Hammond. This'U 
 annoy Jim and Stephen frightfully — drive 'em mad. 
 [Flinging the paper on to the settee by the piano.] Oh, 
 
 well ! [Putting his necktie in order at the mirror.] 
 
 By Jove, we've done it at last, old lady ! " House to 
 
112 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 let," bey? I believe I'm keener about it than you are, 
 now it's^ come to it. What a sensation it'll cause at 
 " Ivanhoe," and at the Crescent! 1 tell you what, you 
 and I must have a solemn talk to-night — a parliament — 
 when the children have gone to bed ; a regular, serious 
 talk. \_'JurmTtg.'\ You know, I'm still tor Cheltenham. 
 Cheltenham seems to me to offer so many advantages. 
 [Phyllis rises slowly. '\ There's the town itself — bright 
 and healthy ; then the College, for Cyril. As for its 
 
 musical tastes \_Breakmg off and looking at the 
 
 clock.'] I say, do get your things on, Phyl. \_Co7nparing 
 his watch with the clock mid then timing and winding it.\ 
 We shall catch it if we're not punctual. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 I — I'm not going, Tad. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Not going, dear? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 
 No — I S^He advances to the right of the piano 
 
 solicitously r] I can't go. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 Aren't you up to it? 
 
 [^SVie moves to the open window and looks into the 
 garden. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 They won't — be back — for a long while? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 The children, and Trist and Helen? Not for an hour 
 or two. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [ Turning.'] Tad — that girl— that girl 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 113 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Helen ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [Coming forward a little.'] We're robbing her ; we're 
 robbing her. [^Shaking.'] We're all robbing her. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [.4/ her side.] You've got another bad attack of nerves 
 tliis afternoon — an extra bad one 
 
 Phyllis. 
 {Suddenly, grasping his coat.] Tad— I— I've broken 
 down 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Broken down ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 I've broken down under it. I — I can't endure it. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 {Soothingly^ What — what ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Your brother — Edward — your brother — Edward • 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Yes? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Everything — everything — belongs to her — Helen 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 My dear, the family were prepared to offer Helen 
 
114 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Phyllis. 
 No, no ! He left every penny to her — left it to her. 
 [Staring into his face.~\ There was a will. 
 
 A will? 
 I saw it. 
 You saw it ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 I read it — 1 had it in my hand 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 \_Incredulously.'\ You did ! 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Yes, I — I did away with it 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Did away with it ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Destroyed it. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 A will — Ned's will ! \She turns from him and 
 
 sinks helplessly on to the settee by the fireplace. He stands 
 looking dow7i upon her in a half frightened, half puzzled 
 way ; then his face clears and he looks at the clock again. 
 Calmly.'] Phyl, I wish you'd let me have Chapman in. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [/« a faint iwice.] No — no 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 115 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 My dear, we can afford a doctor now, if we require 
 one. That bromide stuff he prescribed for you once — 
 that did you no end of good. \_Gomg towards the door.'] 
 I'll send Kate. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \Raising herself.] Tad 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \Reassurmgly ^ I'll stay with you till he comes. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Tad — {getting to her feet] you — you think I'm not 
 right in my head. Tad, I — I know what I'm saying. 
 I'm telling the truth. I'm telhng you the truth. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 A will ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 {At the round table.] Yes — yes 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 No, no, you're talking nonsense. {He goes to the door 
 and there pauses, his hand on the door-knob.] When — 
 when ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 
 When ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 When did you see it ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 On the — on the Wednesday night. 
 
116 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 The Wednesday night ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 You remember — the night there was no night- 
 nurse ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I remember, of course. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Ann and Louisa had gone to the hotel to he down, and 
 — and I was alone with him. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I remember it all perfectly. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [Moving towards the ottoman, supporting herself by the 
 iable.'\ I was with him from eight o'clock till nearly 
 eleven. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Till the others came back. That was the night he — the 
 night he sank. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Yes ; it was just before then that he — that he 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Leaving the door.'\ Just before then ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 It was just before the change set in that he — that he 
 sent me down-stairs. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 117 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Down-Stairs ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 To the library. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 ^ The library ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 With the keys. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Keys? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 His bunch of keys. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Sent you down-stairs — to the Ubrary — with his keys? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Yes. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 What for ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 To fetch something. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Fetch something ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 From the safe. 
 
118 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 The safe ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 The safe in the Hbrary — [sitting on the otioman'\ the safe 
 in the bookcase in the library. 
 
 Thaddeus. ^ 
 
 \Co7ning to her.'\ What — what did he send you to 
 fetch, dear? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Some — some jewelry. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Jewelry ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Some pieces of jewelry. He had some pieces of jew- 
 elry in his safe in the library, that he'd picked up, he said, 
 at odd times, and he wanted to make me a present of one 
 of them — 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Make you a present ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 As a keepsake. [Her elbows on her knees, digging her 
 fingers into her hair.~\ It was about half-past nine. I was 
 sitting beside his bed, thinking he was asleep, and I 
 found him looking at me. He recollected seeing me 
 when I was a child, he said, skating on the ponds at 
 Claybrook ; and he said he was sure I — I was a good 
 wife to you — and a good mother to my children. And 
 then he spoke of the jewelry — and opened the drawer of 
 the table by the bed — and took out his keys — and ex- 
 plained to me how to open the safe. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 119 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 [^His manner gradually changing as he listens to her 
 recital.~\ You — you went down ? 
 
 Yes. 
 
 And — and ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 And unlocked the safe. And in the lower drawer I — 
 I came across it. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Came across ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 He told me I should find four small boxes — and I 
 could find only three — and that made me look into the 
 drawer — and — and under a lot of other papers — I — I 
 saw it. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Itf 
 
 Phyllis. 
 A big envelope, with "My Will" written upon it. 
 
 [^There is a short silence; then he seats himself 
 upon the settee by the piano. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_In a whisper. '\ Well ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \Raisi7ig her head.'] I put it back into the drawer, and 
 locked the safe, and went up-stairs with the jewelry. 
 Outside the bedroom door I found Heath, I'd given 
 
120 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 him permission to run out for an hour, to get some air, 
 with Pearce and Sadler, the housemaids. He asked me 
 if they could do anything for me before they started, I 
 told him no, and that Mr. Mortimore seemed brighter 
 and stronger. I heard him going down the servant's 
 staircase ; and then I went into the room — up to the bed 
 — and — and he was altered. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 [Moistening his lips with his tongue.'] Ned ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 His cheeks were more shrunken, and his jaw had 
 dropped slightly, and his lips were quite blue ; and his 
 breathing was short and quick. 1 measured the medi- 
 cine which he was to have if there was any sign of col- 
 lapse, and lifted him up and gave it to him. Then I 
 rang the bell, and by and by the woman from the 
 kitchen answered it. He was easier then — dozing, but 
 I told her to put on her hat and jacket and go for 
 Dr. Oswald. And then I stood watching him, and — and 
 the idea — came to me. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 The — the idea? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 My head suddenly became very clear. Every word 
 of the argument in the train came back to me 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Argument .■" 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Between James and the others — in the train, going to 
 Linchpool, on the Tuesday 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Oh — oh, yes. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 121 
 
 Phyllis. 
 If Edward died, bow much would he die worth? Who 
 would come in for all his money ? Would he remember 
 the family, to the extent of a mourning ring or so, in his 
 will? If he should die leaving no will ! Of course Ned 
 would leave a will, but — where did a man's money go to 
 when he didn t leave a will ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 {Under his breath.'] To his— next-of-kin ! 
 
 Phyllis. 
 {Rising painfully.'] After a time, I— I went down- 
 stairs again. At first I persuaded myself that I only 
 wanted to replace the jewelry — that I didn't want to 
 have to explain about the jewelry to Ann and Lou ; 
 {moving about the room on the left] but when I got down- 
 stairs I knew what I was going to do. And I did it as if 
 it was the most ordinary thing in the world. I put back 
 the little boxes— and took out the big envelope — and 
 locked up the safe again, and — read the will. {Pausitig 
 at the pia7io] Everything — everything — to some person 
 — some woman living in Paris. {Leaning up 07i the pia?io, 
 a clejiched hand aoaijist her brow.] " Everything I die 
 
 possessed of to Helen Thornhill, now or late of " 
 
 such-and-such an address, "spinster, absolutely" ; and 
 she was to be his executrix — " sole executrix." That 
 was all, except that he begged her to reward his old 
 servants — his old servflnts at his house and at the brewery. 
 Just a few lines — on one side of a sheet of paper 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Written — in his own — hand ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 I think so. 
 
122 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 You — you've seen his writing — since 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \Leaving the piano. '\ Yes — I'm sure — in his own hand. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Heavily.'] That clears it up, then. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Yes. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 He'd made his will — himself — himself 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [Her strength failing a Utile. '\ Three years ago. I — 
 noticed the date — [dropping into the chair on the extreme 
 
 left'\ it was three years ago 
 
 [Again there is a silence ; the?i he rises and walks 
 about aimlessly. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Trying to collect his thottghts.'] Yes — yes ; this clears 
 it up. This clears it all up. There was a will. There 
 was a will. He didn't forget his child ; he didn't forget 
 her. What fools — what fools we were to suppose he 
 could have forgotten his daughter ! 
 
 Phyllis. ^ 
 [Writhing in her chair. '\ Oh, I didn't know— I didn't 
 guess ! His daughter! [Moaning^ Oh! oh! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Don't ; don't, old lady. [She continues her moaning.'] 
 Oh, don't, don't! Let's think; let's think, now; let's 
 think. [He seats himself opposite to her.] Now, let's think. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 123 
 
 Helen — this'U put Helen in a different position entirely ; 
 a different position entirely — won't it? I — I wonder — I 
 wonder what's the proper course for the family to take. 
 [Stretching out a trembling hand to her.'] You'll have to 
 write down — to write down carefully — very carefully — 
 \breaki7ig off, with a change of tone] Phyl 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Oh ! oh ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Don't, dear, don't! PhyUis, perhaps you — didn't — 
 destroy the will ; not — actually — destroy it ? [Implor- 
 ingly.] You didn't destroy it, dear! 
 
 Phyllis. 
 I did— I did 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Leanijig back in his chair, dazed.] I — I'm afraid — it 
 — it's rather — a serious matter — to — to destroy 
 
 Phyllis. 
 [Starting up.] I did destroy it ; I did destroy it. 
 [Pacing the room on the right.] I kept it — I'd have burnt 
 it then and there if there' d been a fire — but I kept it — I 
 grew terrified at what I'd done — oh, I kept it till you left 
 me at Roper's on the Thursday morning ; and then I — I 
 went on to the Ford Street bridge — and tore it into pieces 
 — and threw them into the water. [ IVrinHng her ha7tds.] 
 Oh! oh! L ^ ^ J 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [His chin on his breast.] Well — well — we've got to go 
 
 through with it. We've got — to go — through [Rising 
 
 and walking about unsteadily ott the left.] Yes, yes, yes ; 
 what a difference it'll make to everybody — not only to 
 Helen !, What a difference it'll make at " Ivanhoe," and 
 at the Crescent — and to Rose ! 
 
124 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Phyllis. 
 They'll curse me ! They'll curse me more than ever ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 And to — to us ! 
 
 Phyllis. 
 To us — the children ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Shaking a finger at her across the piano, cunningly. 1 
 Ah— ah— ah, but when the affair's really settled, we'll 
 still carry out our intention. We — we'll still' 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \_Facing hi>n.'] Our intention ? Our ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Our intention — of leaving the town 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \_Wiidly.'] Leaving the town ! Oh, my God, we shall 
 have to leave the town ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Recoiiing.'] Oh ! 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Leave it as beggars and outcasts ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Quiet/y.'] Oh, yes, we shall — have — to leave the town 
 
 — now 
 
 [ The door opens and a little inaid- servant enters. 
 Thaddeus looks at her with dull eyes. 
 
 The Servant. 
 Please, sir 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 125 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Eh? 
 
 The Servant. 
 Maud's just come down from "Ivanhoe." They're 
 waiting for you. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 W — waiting ? 
 
 The Servant. 
 That's the message, sir. Mr. James and the family's 
 waiting for Mr. Thaddeus. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 Oh, I [ Taking out his watch and fingeritig it.~\ Yes, 
 
 of course — \_to the servant~\ I — I'm coming up. \_The serv- 
 ant withdraws. Thaddeus picks up his hatfroin the ta- 
 ble on the left and turns to Phyllis.] Good-bye, dear. 
 \Taking her in his arms, and kissing her, simply^ I — I'll 
 go up. 
 
 [//.? puts his hat on, finds his way to the door with 
 uncertain steps, and disappears. 
 
 end of the second act 
 
THE THIRD ACT 
 
 The scene is the dining-room />/ James Mortimore's house. 
 In the wall facing the spectator there is an arched re- 
 cess with a fireplace at the back of ity and on either 
 side of the fireplace^ within the recess^ there is a chim- 
 ney-seat. On the right of the recess a door opens into 
 the room from a hall or passage. 
 
 Standing out in the middle of the room is a large y oblong 
 dining-table, uncovered. On the table are a couple of 
 inkstands, some pens, paper, and blotting-paper. Ten 
 chairs are placed at regular intervals at the table — 
 three at each side and two at the ends. Against the 
 wall on the right, near the door, stands a heavy side- 
 board. On it are several pieces of ugly-looking, showy 
 plate, a carafe of water and a tumbler, and, upon a 
 tray, a decanter of red wine and some wine-glasses. 
 Against the same wall, but nearer to the spectator, 
 there is a cabinet. In front of the cabinet there is a 
 round table, covered with a white cloth, on which tea- 
 cups and saucers are laid for ten persons. Also on the 
 table are a tea-caddy and teapot, a plated kettle-stand, 
 a plum- cake, and other accompaniments of afternoon 
 tea. On each side of the tea-table there is an armchair 
 belonging to the same set of chairs that surround the 
 dining-table. 
 
 Against the left-hand wall is another heavy piece of fur- 
 niture. Except for this, and the sideboard and the 
 cabinet, the walls, below the dado rail, are bare. 
 126 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 127 
 
 The architecture y decorations, and furniture are pseudo- 
 artistic and vulgar. The whole suggests the home of a 
 common person of moderate means who has built himself 
 a ^^ fine housed 
 
 James and Stephen are seated at the further side of the 
 dining-table with a newspaper spread out before them. 
 Standing by them, reading the paper over their hus- 
 bands^ shoulders, are Ann and Louisa. Rose is sitting, 
 looking bored, at the right-hand end of the table, and 
 PoNTiNG, smoking a cigar, is pacing the room on the 
 left. Louisa and Rose, the latter dressed in rich half- 
 mourning, are wearing their hats. 
 
 James. 
 \_Sco'wling at the paper r\ It's infamous. 
 
 Louisa. 
 Abominable ! 
 
 Ann. 
 It oughtn't to be allowed, James. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Ah, now James is stabbed at as well as myself. 
 
 James. 
 The man's a blackguard ; that's what he is. 
 
 Louisa. 
 His wife's a most unpleasant woman. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \Leaning back and wiping his spectacles.'] Hitherto / 
 have been the chief object of Mr. Hammond's maUce. 
 
128 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Louisa. 
 You'll soon have your revenge now, Stephen. [To the 
 others.'] Stephen will soon have his revenge now. 
 
 James. 
 By George, I've half a mind to ask Vallance to give 
 me his opinion on this ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 We might consult Vallance, certainly. 
 
 Louisa. 
 And tell him what Mrs. Hammond was. 
 
 Ann. 
 When she was plain Nelly Robson. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Sssh, sssh ! Do, pray, keep the wife out of it. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 \Looking at his watch as he walks across to the right.] 
 I say, my friends, it's four o'clock, you know. \_TJie 
 MoRTlMORES stiffe7i thejuseives and regard him cotd/y.'] 
 Where are these lawyer chaps? 
 
 James. 
 \Folding the newspaper.] They're not in my pocket, 
 Colonel. 
 
 Stephen. 
 No, we're not in the habit of carrying them about 
 with us. 
 
 Louisa. 
 \Laughing sillily.] Oh, Stephen ! 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 129 
 
 Rose. 
 We mustn't lose the — what's the train back, Toby ? 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 \Behind her chair, annoyed. ] F iv e fifty -se v e n . 
 
 Rose. 
 I shall be dead with fatigue ; I've two parties to-night. 
 
 James. 
 Parties ? 
 
 Rose. 
 [72? PONTING.] Destinn is singing at the Trench's, 
 Toby. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_Rising.'] H'm! Indeed? 
 
 Ann. 
 [/« an ujtdertone, withdrawittg with Louisa to the fire- 
 place. '\ Singing ! 
 
 James. 
 \Rising.'\ So you're going to parties, are you, Rose? 
 Pretty sharp work, with Ned only a month in his grave. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 We're not conventional people. 
 
 Rose. 
 \_Rising and walking away to the left.'] No, we don't 
 mourn openly. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 We don't carry our hearts on our what-d'ye-call-it — 
 sleeve. 
 
130 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Rose. 
 
 And Edward wasn't in the least known in London 
 society. 
 
 James. 
 
 \^lValking about on the right ^ You knew him. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 \^Seating himself on the nearer side of the dining-table in 
 the middle chair."] In London, my friends, reg'lar 
 mournin' is confined to the suburbs nowadays. May I 
 have an ash-tray ? 
 
 Rose. 
 {^Walking about on the left.] And we go to Harrogate 
 on the twenty-ninth. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Good Lord, yes ; I'm kept devihsh quiet there. 
 
 [Ann takes a metal ash-tray from the inanteipiece 
 and gives it to Stephen, who almost flings it 
 on to the table. The door opens and a maid- 
 servant enters followed by Elkin and Val- 
 LANCE. The lawyers carry small leather bags. 
 The servant retires. 
 
 James. 
 [Shaking hands heartily with Elkin ^w^Vallance.] 
 Here you are ! 
 
 Elkin. 
 A minute or two behind time — my fault. 
 
 Stephen. 
 How d'ye do, Mr. Elkin? {Shaking hands with Val- 
 lance.] Good-afternoon. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 131 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_lo PONTING.] How d'ye do ? 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [Shortly, not rising.'] H'ah you? 
 
 Vallance. 
 [Shaking hands with Ann ««</ Louisa ami bowing to 
 Rose.] How do you do ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 [To Rose.] Hope you're very well, Mrs. Ponting. 
 
 Rose. 
 Thanks. 
 
 Vallance. 
 [To Ponting, who nods in return.'] Good-afternoon. 
 
 Ponting. 
 [Bringing the palm of his hand down upon the table.'] 
 Now, then ! 
 
 James. 
 [To Elkin and Vallance, inviting them by a gesture 
 to be seated.] Excuse the dhiing-room, gentlemen ; looks 
 more like business than the drawing-room. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [On the left.] Where's Tad ? 
 
 Ann. 
 [Seating herself at the further side of the dining-table in 
 the middle chair.] Yes, where's Tad ? 
 
 Louisa. 
 [Sitting beside her.] Where are Tad and Phyllis ? 
 
132 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 [^Looking- at his watch.'] Five past, by my watch. 
 
 Rose. 
 
 [^Sitting at the left-hand end of the table.] Oh, never 
 mind them. 
 
 James. 
 \To Stephen.] P'r'aps you told 'em four-thirty ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 {/^fettled.] Perhaps /told them! 
 
 James. 
 All right, all right; don't flare up! P'r'aps /did; 
 there was a talk of makhig it half-past. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \Raising his arms.] On the day I go to press 
 
 James. 
 Ring the bell. \Opening the door and calling.] Maud! 
 
 Maud ! 
 
 [Stephen rings the bell. Elkin (^;/<^Vallance 
 are now seated, Elkin in the further chair at 
 the right-hand end of the dining-table, Val- 
 LANCE i7i the chair betiueen Elkin and Ai<i^. 
 They o^eii their bags atid sort and arrange 
 their papers. 
 
 Ponting. 
 We shall be here till midnight. 
 
 James. 
 Maud ! 
 
 Rose. 
 \_Pusking her chair away from the table.] How vexing ! 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 133 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [^With a sfiee?'.'] I suppose one can buy a soot of 
 pyjamas in the town, eh, Mrs. James? 
 
 Elkin. 
 / sha'n't detain you long. 
 
 [ J he servant appears at the door. 
 
 James. 
 Maud, run down to Nelson Villas — just as you are 
 
 Rose. 
 \Satirically7\ Don't hurry them, Jim. Phyllis is smart- 
 ening herself up. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Seatmg hvnsclf in the further chair at the left-hand e7id 
 of the dining-table, loudly.~\ Say we are waiting for Mr. 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 James. 
 [7^ the girt.'] Mr, James and the family are waiting 
 for Mr. Thaddeus. \_As he closes the door.] Go along 
 Collier Street ; you may meet him. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 {^Fussily .] We can deal with preliminaries, at any 
 rate. Kindly push that ash-tray a little nearer. \To 
 Vallance.] Mr. Vallance 
 
 James. 
 [^Leaving the door, resenting Ponting's assumption of 
 authority.] I beg your pardon, Colonel ; we'll give my 
 brother another five minutes' grace, with your permission. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 {Shrugging his shoulders.] By all means — ten — 
 twenty 
 
134 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 [^Finding that he has the tiewspaper in his hand.~\ Oh — 
 
 here ! \_Opening the paper. '\ While we're waiting 
 
 for Tad 
 
 Stephen. 
 Ah, yes. Read it aloud, Jim. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 \Rising and moving away impatiently.'] Tsch ! 
 
 James. 
 Mr. Vallance — Mr. Elkin — obhge us by listening to 
 this. It's from the Courier. 
 
 Stephen. 
 This week's Courier — published to-day 
 
 Vallance. 
 \_To Elkin.] One of our local papers. 
 
 James. 
 Owned by a feller o' the name of Hammond. [^Read- 
 ing.'] ' ' Town Topics. 
 
 Ann. 
 He married a Miss Robson. 
 
 Louisa. 
 A dreadful woman. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Sssh, sssh ! Mr, Hammond's offensive remarks are 
 usually directed against myself, but in this instance 
 
 James. 
 \Walking about as he rends.'] "A curious complica- 
 tion arises in connection with the estate of the late Mr- 
 Edward Mortimore of Linchpool." 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 135 
 
 Stephen. 
 He doesn't cloak his attack, you see. 
 
 James. s 
 
 " As many of our readers are aware — [rini?ting his 
 hands over his pockets~\ as many of our readers are 
 aware 
 
 Stephen. 
 He has made them aware of it. 
 
 James. 
 \To Ann.] Where did I put them, mother? 
 
 Ann. 
 \Producing her spectacles. '\ Try mine, James. 
 
 [Ann gives her spectacles to Stephen, Stephen 
 gives them to RoSE, and Rose presents them 
 to James. 
 
 James. 
 I'm getting as blear-eyed as Stephen. \_Resuming.'] 
 "As many of our readers are aware, the whole of that 
 gentleman's wealth passes, in consequence of his hav- 
 ing died intestate, to a well-known Singlehampton 
 
 family 
 
 Louisa. 
 That points to us. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_Irritably.~\ Of course it does ; of course it does. 
 
 Louisa. 
 There's no better-known family in Singlehampton than 
 ours. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Sssh, sssh ! 
 
136 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 " two members of which " 
 
 Ann. 
 The Mockfoids were an older family — but where are 
 the Mockfords .? 
 
 James. 
 [To Ann.] Give me a chance, Ann. [Continuing.'] 
 
 " two members of which have been for many years 
 
 prominently associated with the temperance movement 
 in this town." 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Rising.] My brother James and myself. 
 
 James. 
 [Standing at the table, facing Elkin atid Vallance, 
 in his oratorical inanne?'.] Twelve years ago, gentlemen, 
 I was instrumental in founding the Singlehampton and 
 Claybrook Temperance League 
 
 Louisa. 
 Stephen was another of the founders. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Joining ]k.UY.'S,.'\ I was another. 
 
 James. 
 And day in and day out I have devoted my best ener- 
 gies to furthering the objects of the League in Single- 
 hampton and \n Claybrook. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Very materially aided by the Times and Mirror, a tem- 
 perance organ. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 137 
 
 James. 
 And I submit that it's holding us up to ridicule and 
 contempt — holding us up to public obloquy and de- 
 rision 
 
 Vallance. 
 [To James.] What is your objection to the paragraph, 
 Mr. Mortimore ? 
 
 James. 
 Objection ! 
 
 Elkin. 
 There's more to come, I expect. 
 
 James. 
 \_Grim/y.'\ Aye, a bit more. [Sitting at the table.'] 
 What d'ye think of this? [Reading.^ "When it is re- 
 membered that the late Mr. Mortimore' s fortune was de- 
 rived from the brewing and the sale of beer " 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Sitting beside James.] The word " beer" is in italics. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Oh, I see. 
 
 James. 
 
 " • it will be understood that our two distinguished 
 
 fellow-townsmen are placed in an extremely difficult po- 
 sition." 
 
 Stephen. 
 This is the most spiteful part of it. 
 
 James. 
 " We have no doubt, however, that, as conscientious 
 men, they will prove fully equal to the occasion by either 
 renouncing their share of their late brother's property or 
 
138 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 by dedicating it entirely to the advancement of the cause 
 they have at heart." [ Throwmg the ^lewspaper to Elkin 
 flw</ Vallance.] There it is, gentlemen. 
 
 \_In wa7idenng 7'ound the 7'oom, Ponting has come 
 upoti the decanter of wine and the wine-glasses 
 stariding on the sideboard. He is now filling a 
 glass. 
 
 Ponting. 
 Every man has a right to his convictions. \_Taki?tg the 
 glass in his hand.'] A little alcohol hurts nobody 
 
 James. 
 You won't find any in my house. 
 
 Ponting. 
 What's this, then? 
 
 James. 
 Currant. 
 
 Ponting. 
 
 [^Replacing the glass, with a wry face,] My dear 
 
 Mortiuiore ! 
 
 \^He sits at the right-ha7id end of the table, beside 
 Elkin, a7id pries at the docu77ients which Elkin 
 has take7i from his bag. Vallance and Elkin 
 are 7'eadi7ig the paragraph together, Vallance 
 drawi7ig his chair closer to Elkin' s for that 
 purpose. 
 
 James. 
 \To Vallance.] Well, what's your opinion, Mr. Val- 
 lance ? Is that libellous, or isn't it ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 Does it, or does it not, go beyond the bounds of fair 
 comment — eh, Mr. Elkin ? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 139 
 
 Vallance. 
 \_FaciJically.'] Oh. but aren't you attaching a great deal 
 too much hnportance to this ? 
 
 JAxMES. 
 
 Too much ! 
 
 Elkin. 
 Why not ignore it ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 Ignore it ! 
 
 Vallance. 
 Treat it as a piece of pure chaff — badinage 
 
 Elkin. 
 In more or less bad taste. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Take no notice of it whatever. 
 
 James. 
 \^Rismg and walking away to the fireplace.'] Take no 
 notice of it ! The townspeople will talce notice of it pretty 
 quickly. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \^Rismg.'] In my opinion, that paragraph renders our 
 position in the League absolutely untenable. 
 
 James. 
 
 [^Standing over Vallance.] Unless that paragraph is 
 apologized for, withdrawn 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 [Standing over Elkin.] Explained away 
 
140 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 Aye, explained away 
 
 Vallance. 
 I don't see how it can be explained away. 
 
 Elkin. 
 [_Dry/y.'\ The proposition is a perfectly accurate one, 
 whatever you may think of the corollary. 
 
 Vallance. 
 You are ardent advocates of temperance. 
 
 Elkin 
 Your late brother's property was amassed mainly by 
 beer, 
 
 Vallance. 
 It can hardly be explained away. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_lVaikmg to the /eft.'] Good heavens above, I've ex- 
 plained things away often enough in my paper ! 
 
 James. 
 l^Coming foj'ward 07i the right.] This does us at the 
 League, then — does us ; knocks our influence into a cocked 
 hat. 
 
 Elkin. 
 [77? James and Stephen, while V all auce fo/ds the 
 paper.] After all, gentlemen, when you come to reflect 
 upon it, the laugh is \^\\}i\you. 
 
 James. 
 Is it ? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 141 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_Geniaily.'] The Courier has its little joke, hvXyouve 
 got the money, remember. 
 
 James. 
 Oh, that's true. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_Walki7ig about on the left.] That's true ; that's true. 
 
 James. 
 [ Walking about on the right, rattling his loose cash^ 
 Aye, we've got the mopuses. 
 
 Rose. 
 [ Tilting her chair on its hind legs. ~\ I say, Jim — Stephen 
 — why don't you two boys, between you, present the 
 League with a handsome hall ? 
 
 James. 
 [^Pausing in his walk.~\ Hall ? 
 
 Rose. 
 Build the temperance folk a meeting-place of their own 
 — a headquarters 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [^Mischievously.'] He, he, he! That 'ud smooth 'em 
 down. Capital idea, Rosie ! 
 
 James a7id Stephen. 
 We! 
 
 James. 
 I'd see 'em damned first, [To the ladies.] I beg par- 
 don 
 
142 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Ann. 
 \_Wiih unusual animation^ No, no ; you're quite right, 
 James. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_At the jireplaceT)^ That would be playing into Mr. 
 Hammond's hands with a vengeance. 
 
 James. 
 \yValking across to the left, derisively. '\ Ha ! Wouldn't 
 Hammond crow, liey ! Ha, ha, ha! 
 
 Stephen. 
 No, if the situation becomes too acute — painful as it 
 would be to me — I shall resign. 
 
 James. 
 \Determinedly. ] Re sig n . 
 
 Stephen. 
 Sever my connection with the League. 
 
 James. 
 Leave 'em to swill themselves with their lemonade and 
 boiled tea ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 \Coming forward on the right.'] And to find out how 
 they get on without us. 
 
 James. 
 Serve 'em up in their own juice ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 [^Meeting James in the middle of the room on the nearer 
 side of the difting- table.'] You know, Jim, we've never 
 gone quite so far — you and I — with the principles of tem- 
 perance as some. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 143 
 
 James. 
 [^Eyeing him curiously. ~\ Never gone so far ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 As old Bob Amphlett, for example — never. 
 
 James. 
 Oh, yes, we have, and a deuced sight further. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Excuse me — I've always been for moderation rather 
 than for total abstinence. 
 
 James. 
 Have yer? \_Walking away to the left.'] First I've 
 heard of it. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Anyhow, a man may broaden his views with years 
 and experience. \Argumentatively.'\ Take the hygienic 
 aspect of the case. Only the other day. Sir Vincent 
 West, probably the ablest physician in England 
 
 Louisa. 
 {^Abruptly.l Stephen ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 [/4;7^r//y.] Don't interrupt me. 
 
 Louisa. 
 {With energy, rising.'] I've maintained it throughout 
 my life — it's nothing new from my lips 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 What ? 
 
 Louisa. 
 There are two sides to every question. 
 
144 THE THUNDEEBOLT 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 \_Hurryi?ig roufid the table to join Louisa.] Exactly — 
 exactly — as Lou says 
 
 Louisa. 
 It's been almost a second religion with me. I've 
 preaclied it in season and out of season 
 
 Stephen, 
 \_With conviction.'\ There at'e two sides 
 
 Louisa. 
 Two sides to every question. 
 
 James. 
 
 [ To Ann, pointing to the door.'] Mother [ The door 
 
 has been opened by aftother maid-servant, who carries a 
 tray on which are a plated kettle, a dish of toast, and a 
 plentiful supply of bread-and-butter. The girl 7'enuiins ift 
 the doorway. Ann 7'ises and goes to her a7id takes the 
 kettle from the tray. James conies forward and seats 
 Jiimself on the nearer side of the diniiig-table in the middle 
 chair^ Look here ; I don't wait another minute for the 
 Tads — not a second. 
 
 Ah 
 
 Ponting. 
 
 [Louisa follows Ann and takes the toast and the 
 bread-a7id-butter from the servant, who then 
 disappears, closing the door, 
 
 Stephen. 
 \^Again sittifig in the further chair at the left-hand end 
 of the dini^ig-table.] Inexcusable of them — inexcusable. 
 [Ann ami Louisa come to the tea-table and, draw- 
 ing the two ar/nchairs up to it, seat themselves 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 145 
 
 ayid prepare the tea. The kettle is set upon the 
 stand, the spirit-lamp is lighted, Ann measures 
 the tea from the caddy into the pot, and LouiSA 
 cuts the plum-cake. 
 
 James. 
 Mr. Elkin— Mr. Vallance 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Now, Mr. Vallance ; now, Mr. Elkin! 
 
 Elkin. 
 [7c; Vallance.] Will you ? 
 
 Vallance. 
 No, no — you 
 
 Elkin. 
 Well, gentlemen— [A? Rose] Mrs. Ponting — Mr. Val- 
 lance and I have to report to you that we've received no 
 communication of any kind in answer to our circulars 
 and advertisements 
 
 James. 
 \To Ann, who is makijig a clatter with the kettle.'] 
 Steady, mother ! 
 
 Ponting. 
 [7^ the ladies at the tea-table.'] Sssh, sssh, sssh ! 
 
 Elkin. 
 No communication from any solicitor who has pre- 
 pared a will for your late brother, nor from anybody who 
 has knowingly witnessed a will executed by him. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Mr. Vallance has apprised us of this already. 
 
146 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 [^Raising a hand.'] Order ! There's a formal way of 
 doing things and a lax way. 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 I merely mentioned 
 
 [PONTING 7'aps the table sharp/y with his knuckles. 
 
 Elkin. 
 I may say that, in addition to the issuing of the cir- 
 culars and advertisements, I have made search in every 
 place I could thmk of, and have inquired of every person 
 likely to be of help in the matter. In fact, I've taken 
 every possible step to find, or trace, a will. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Without success. 
 
 Elkin. 
 Without success. 
 
 ^ James. 
 
 {^Magnanimously.'] And / say that the family bears no 
 grudge to Mr. Elkin for doing his duty. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [/« the same spirit.'] Hear, hear ! 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 {Testily.] Of course not ; of course not. 
 
 Rose. 
 It's all the more satisfactory, it seems to me, that he 
 has worried round. 
 
 James. 
 The family thanks Mr. Elkin. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 147 
 
 Stephen. 
 We thank Mr. Elkin. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_After a stiff inclination of the kead.~\ The only other 
 observation I wish to make is that several gentlemen em- 
 ployed in the office of the brewery in Linchpool have at 
 different times witnessed the late Mr. Mortimore's signa- 
 ture to documents which have apparently required the 
 attestation of two witnesses. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 \_Curtly.'] That amounts to nothing. 
 
 James. 
 There are a good many documents, aren't there, where 
 two witnesses are required to a signature ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 Deeds under seal, certainly. 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 I remember having to sign, some years ago 
 
 [PONTiNG again raps the table. 
 
 Vallance. 
 But none of these gentlemen at the brewery can recall 
 that any particular document appeared to him to be a 
 will, which is net a document under seal. 
 
 James. 
 Besides, a man signing a will always tells the witnesses 
 that it is his w-ill they're Avitnessing, doesn't he, Mr. Val- 
 lance ? 
 
 Vallance. 
 A sohcitor would, in the ordinary course of practice, 
 
148 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 inform the witnesses to a will of the nature of the docu- 
 ment they were attesting, undoubtedly. 
 
 Elkin. 
 Granted ; but a testator, supposing he were executing 
 his will in his own house or office, and not in the presence 
 of a solicitor, is under no legal necessity to do so, and 
 may omit to do so. 
 
 James. 
 \Rolling about in his chair.'] Oh, well, we needn't 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [^Looking at his watch.'] In heaven's name ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 We needn't go into all this. 
 
 Elkin. 
 No, no ; I simply draw attention to the point. {Unfold- 
 ing a document^ Well, gentlemen— Mrs. Pouting— this 
 is a statement — \_handing ajiother document to VallanCeJ 
 here is a copy of it, Mr. Vallance— this is a statement of 
 particulars of stocks, shares, and other items of estate, 
 with their values at the death of the late Mr. Mortimore, 
 and a schedule of the debts so far as they are known to 
 me. 
 
 \There is a general 7noveinent. James rises and 
 goes to Vallance. Stephen also rises, stretch- 
 ing out an eager hand towards Vallance. 
 Rose draws 7iearer to the table, Ponting still 
 closer to Elkin. Ann and Louisa, too, show 
 a dispositio7i to desert the tea-table. 
 
 James. 
 [ To Ann, as he passes her.] You get on with the tea, 
 mother. [Ti? Vallance.] Allow me, Mr. Vallance 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 149 
 
 [Vallance ^ives him the duplicate of the state- 
 ment. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 What's it come out at ; what's it come out at ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 What's it come out at ? 
 
 Rose. 
 Yes, what does it come out at ? Jim 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 Jim 
 
 [James y^zVw Stephen and they examine the dupli- 
 cate together. Rose rises and endeavors to read 
 it with them. 
 
 Elkin. 
 I estimate the gross value of the estate, whicli, as you 
 will see, consists entirely of personal property, at one 
 hundred and ninety-two thousand pounds. 
 
 Ponting. 
 The gross value. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Yes, but what do we get ? 
 
 Ponting ^w^^Rose. 
 What do we get ? 
 
 James. 
 After all deductions. 
 
 Elkin. 
 Roughly speaking, after payment of debts, death 
 duties, and expenses, there will be about a hundred and 
 
150 TEE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 seventy thousand pounds to divide. \Those who are 
 standing sit again. James seats himself ?iext to Stephen 
 and, with pen and ink, they make calcuhitions ofi paper. 
 PONTING does the same. Rose, dosing her eyes, fans her- 
 self happily, a)id the two ladies at the tea-table resume their 
 preparations with beaming countenances. Elkin leans 
 back in his chair.'] Mr. Vallance 
 
 Vallance. 
 [ To Rose, James, and Stephen.] Mrs. Ponting and 
 gentlemen — [Ponting raps the table and James and 
 Stephen look up] I advise you that, as next-of-kin of 
 the late Mr. Mortimore, if you are satisfied — and in my 
 opinion you may reasonably be satisfied — that he died 
 intestate — I advise you that any one or more of you, not 
 exceeding three, [the door opens quietly and Thaddeus 
 appears. He is very pale, but is outwardly calm, /^fter a 
 look in the direction of the table, he closes the door-] may 
 apply for Letters of Administration of your late brother's 
 estate. It isn't necessary or usual, however, I may tell 
 you, to have more than one administrator, and I sug- 
 gest 
 
 [Hearing the click of the lock as Thaddeus shuts 
 the door, everybody turns and glances at him. 
 
 Rose. 
 \_Opening her eyes.] Here's Tad. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Gru7npily.] Oh 
 
 Rose. 
 [7^^55/;z^ Thaddeus a greeting.] Hallo! 
 
 James. 
 [7b Thaddeus, with a growl.] Oh, you've arrived. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 151 
 
 Stephen. 
 [To Thaddeus.] Did I say four or half-past ? 
 
 Louisa. 
 Where's Phyllis ? 
 
 Ann. 
 Where's Phyllis? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_In a low voice, advancing.'] She— she didn't feel well 
 
 enough 
 
 [PONTING raps the inkstand with his penholder. 
 
 James. 
 [PointiJig to the chair beside him, imperatively.] Sit 
 down ; sit down. [Thaddeus sits, his elbows on the table, 
 his eyes cast down 7] Mr. Vallance ^ 
 
 Vallance. 
 \To Thaddeus.] Good-afternoon, Mr. Mortimore. 
 
 Elkin. 
 [Nodding to Thaddeus.] How d'ye do ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Almost inaiidibly.] Good -afternoon. 
 
 Vallance. 
 [To the others.] I suppose we needn't go back ? 
 
 A Murmur. 
 No, no ; no, no. 
 
 James. 
 
 [Pushing the duplicate of the statement under Thad- 
 deus' s eyes.] A hundred and seventy thousand pound to 
 divide. 
 
152 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Stephen. 
 A hundred and seventy thousand. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 \Finishing his sum.~\ Forty -two thousand five hundred 
 apiece. 
 
 Vallance. 
 \_Resu7nmg.'] I was saying that it isn't usual to have 
 more than one administrator, and I was about to suggest 
 that the best course will be for you, Mr. James, to act in 
 that capacity, and for you, Mr. Stephen, and you. Mr. 
 Thaddeus, or one of you, and Colonel Pouting, to be the 
 sureties to the bond for the due administration of the 
 estate. 
 
 James. 
 [Cheerfully .'] I'm in your hands, Mr. Vallance. 
 
 Stephen. 
 I'm agreeable. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 And I. 
 
 Vallance. 
 The procedure is this— perhaps I'd better explain it. 
 [Producing a form of'' Oath for Administrators'' which is 
 ajnoiig his papers. '\ The intended administrator will make 
 an affidavit staUng when and where the deceased died, 
 that he died intestate, [Thaddeus looks up\ a bachelor 
 without a parent, and that the deponent is a natural and 
 lawful brother and one of the next-of-kin of the de- 
 ceased 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Touching Vallance' s tzrw.] Mr. Vallance 
 
% 
 
 THE THUNDERBOLT 153 
 
 Vallance. 
 Eh? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 We — we mustn't go on with this. 
 
 Vallance. 
 I beg pardon ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 The family mustn't go on with this. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Mustn't go on ? 
 
 James. 
 [7^ Thaddeus.] What a'yer talking about? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_After a hurried look round. '\ There — there was a 
 will. 
 
 Vallance. 
 A will ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 He — he made a will. 
 
 James. 
 Who did ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Edward. He — he left a will. 
 
 James. 
 \ Roughly. '\ What the ! 
 
154 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_To James, interrupting /iini.'\ One moment. Your 
 brother has something to say to us, Mr. Mortimore. 
 
 Stephen. 
 What — what's he mean by ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_To Stephen.] Please— [77? Thaddeus.] Yes, sir? 
 [Thaddeus is silent.~\ What about a will ? [Thaddeus 
 is still silent. ~\ Eh ? 
 
 I — 1 saw it. 
 Saw a will ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Elkin. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I — 1 opened it — I — I read it 
 
 Elkin. 
 Read it ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I — tore it up — got rid of it. 
 
 \_Again there is silence, the M.ORTlMOViY.s and the 
 Fontings sitti7ig open-mouthed and motionless. 
 
 Elkin. 
 l^After a while.'] Mr. Vallance, I think we ought to tell 
 Mr. Mortimore that he appears to be making a confession 
 of the gravest kind 
 
 Vallance. 
 Yes. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 155 
 
 Elkin. 
 One that puts him in a very serious position. 
 
 Vallance. 
 [To Thaddeus, after a further pause.'] Mr. Morti- 
 
 more ? 
 
 [Thaddeus makes no response. 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 If, understanding that, he chooses to coniitiue, there is 
 nothing to prevent our hearing him. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_tooking^ straight before him, his arms still tipon the 
 table, locking and unlocking his hands as he speaks.] It — 
 it happened on the Wednesday night — in Cannon Row — 
 in Ned's house— the night before he died— the night we 
 were left without a nurse. \_Another pause. Vallance 
 takes a sheet of paper and selects a pen. Elkin pushes the 
 inkstand nearer to him.] Mrs. James — and — and Mrs. 
 
 Stephen — my — my sisters-ia-law 
 
 [Ann a7id Louisa get to their feet and advance a 
 step or two. 
 
 Elkin. 
 [Hearing the rustle of their skirts and turning to them.] 
 Keep your seats, ladies, please. 
 
 [They sit agaiji, drawiyig their chairs close together. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 My sisters-in-law had gone home — that is, to their 
 hotel — to get a few hours' sleep in case of their having to 
 sit up through the night. Jim and Stephen and I were 
 out and about, trying to find a night-nurse who'd take 
 Nurse Ralston' s place temporarily. At about nine 
 o'clock, I looked in at Cannon Row, to see how things 
 were getting on. 
 
156 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Vallance. 
 [IV/to z's writing.'] The Wednesday? Mr. Edward 
 Mortimore dying on Thursday, the twentieth of June 
 
 Elkin. 
 On the morning of Thursday, the twentieth. 
 
 Vallance. 
 That makes the Wednesday we are speaking of, Wed- 
 nesday, June the nineteenth. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_To Thaddeus.] You looked in at Cannon Row ? 
 
 Vallance. 
 At about nine o'clock on the night of Wednesday, June 
 the nineteenth. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I — I went up-stairs and sat by Ned's bed, and by and 
 by he began talking to me about — about Phyllis. He — 
 he'd taken rather a fancy to her, he said, and he wanted 
 to give her a memento — a keepsake. 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 PhylHs ? 
 
 Vallance. 
 [7^^ Elkin.] His wife. [7i(7 Thaddeus.] Your wife? 
 
 [Thaddeus 7wds. 
 
 Elkin. 
 ^^Recollecting.'] Of course. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \Moisteni7ig his lips with his tojigue.] He — he had 
 some little bits of jewelry in his safe, and he — he asked 
 me to go down-stairs and — and to bring them up to him. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 157 
 
 Elkin. 
 [Keeniy.'] In his safe? 
 
 Vallance. 
 The safe in the library ? 
 
 [Thaddeus 7tods again. 
 
 Quite so. 
 And — er 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 Vallance. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 He — he gave me his keys, and I — I went down — I 
 
 \He stops suddenly and Vallance glances at him. 
 Aoticing his extreme pallor, Vallance looks 
 round ike room. Seeing the water-bottle upofi 
 the sideboard, Vallance rises and Jills the 
 tumbler. Retunmig to the table, he places the 
 glass before Thaddeus ami resuities his seat. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 {After a gulp of tuater.'] It was — it was in the drawer 
 of the safe — the drawer 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 What was ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_lViping his mouth with his handkerchief] A large 
 envelope — a large envelope — the envelope containing the 
 will. 
 
 Vallance. 
 How did you know ? 
 
158 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 " My Will " was written on it. 
 
 Vallance. 
 IWritmg.'] " My Will " 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 On the envelope ? [Thaddeus nods."] You say you 
 opened it ? 
 
 [Thaddeus noci^s. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Opened the envelope 
 
 Elkin. 
 And inside — you found ? 
 
 Vallance. 
 What did you find ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Ned's will. 
 
 Vallance. 
 [PFr//m^.] What appeared to be your brother Ed- 
 ward's will. 
 
 Elkin. 
 You read it? [Thaddeus fio^fs.^ You recollect who 
 was interested under it ? [Thaddeus nods.^ Will you 
 
 tell us ? 
 
 \_T/ie MoRTiMORES and the Pontings crane their 
 necks forward, listening breathlessly. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 He left everything — \Jaking another gulp of water'] 
 everything — to Miss Thornhill. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 159 
 
 \There is a slight, undecided movement on the part 
 of the MoRTiMORES and the Pontings. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_Caljniy but firndy7[ Keep your seats ; keep your 
 seats, please. \_To Thaddeus.] Can you recall the gen- 
 eral form of the will ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Straining his memory.'\ Everything he had — died pos- 
 sessed of — to Helen Thornhill — spinster — of some ad- 
 dress in Paris — absolutely. And — and he appointed her 
 his sole executrix. 
 
 Elkin. 
 Do you recollect the date ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 Date ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 Did you observe the date of the will ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Quickly P^ Oh, yes ; it was made three years ago. 
 
 Elkin. 
 [ To Vallance.] When she came of age. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Oh, and he asked her to remember his servants — old 
 servants at the brewery and in Cannon Row. [Leaning 
 back, exhausted.'] There was nothing else. It was very 
 short — written by Ned 
 
 Elkin. 
 The whole of it? [Thaddeus nods, with half-closed 
 eyes.'] The whole of it was in his handwriting .? [Thad- 
 
160 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 DEUS Jiods a^am.~\ Ah ! \_7o Vallance, zczVi a note of 
 triumph in his voice.'] A holograph will, Mr. Vallance, 
 prepared by the man himself. 
 
 Vallance, 
 \_A^oiu taking up the questioning of Thaddeus.] Tell 
 me, Mr. Mortimore — have you any exact recollection as 
 to whether this document, which you describe as a will, 
 was duly signed and witnessed ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Rousing himself] It was — it was — signed by Ned. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Was it signed, not only by your brother, but by two 
 witnesses under an attestation clause stating that the 
 testator signed in the joint presence of those witnesses 
 and that each of them signed in his presence ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I — I don't recollect that. 
 
 Vallance. 
 {^Writing.'] You've no recollection of that. 
 
 [James, Stephen, and Ponting stir thetnselves. 
 
 James. 
 \_Hoarsely.'] He doesn't recollect that, Mr. Vallance. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [/;« quavering tones.'] No, he — he doesn't recollect 
 that. 
 
 Ponting. 
 
 [^Putting at his rnousiache with trembling fingers i\ 
 That's most important, Mr. Vallance, isn't it — isn't it? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 161 
 
 Vallance. 
 [ 7o TuADDEUS, noi heeding the inlerruptiofi.'] You say 
 you destroyed this document 
 
 Elkin. 
 Tore it up. 
 
 Vallance. 
 When — and where? In the room — in the Hbrary ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \Thinking.'\ N-no— out of doors. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Out of doors. When? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [^/ a loss.l When ? 
 
 Vallance. 
 When. \Looking at him in surprise^ You can't re- 
 member ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \RecoUecting.'\ Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes. Some time be- 
 tween ten and eleven on the Thursday morning, after I 
 left Phyllis — after I left my wife at Roper's to be meas- 
 ured for her black. 
 
 Vallance. 
 llVrttmg.^ What did you do then? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [I^eadi/y.^ I went to Ford Street bridge, and tore up 
 the paper, and dropped the pieces into the Linch. 
 
 Vallance. 
 [ Writing. ] Into the river 
 
162 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Elkin. 
 One more question, Mr. Mortimore — to make yourmo- 
 tive perfectly clear to us. May we assume that, on the 
 night of June the nineteenth, you were sufficiently ac- 
 quainted with the law of intestacy to know that, if this 
 dying man left no will, you would be likely to benefit 
 considerably ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Well, I— I had— the idea 
 
 Elkin. 
 The idea? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I — I \_Recoliectmg.'] Oh, yes ; there'd been a dis- 
 cussion in the train, you see, on the Tuesday, going to 
 Linchpool 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 Discussion ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Among us all, as to how a man's money is disposed of, 
 if he dies intestate. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_Nodding.'] Precisely. [77? James ^/zrt' Stephen.] You 
 remember that conversation taking place, gentlemen ? 
 
 James. 
 Oh, I — I dessay. 
 
 Elkin. 
 [To Thaddeus.] So that, when you came upon the en- 
 velope with the endorsement upon it — " My Will " ? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 163 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Lea7iing his head upoji his hands.'] Yes — yes 
 
 Vallance. 
 
 [^Runnifig his eyes over his notes, to Thaddeus.] Have 
 you anything to add, Mr. Mortimore .'' 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_In a muffled voice. ] No. \(2uickly.'\ Oh, there is one 
 thing I should hke to add. ^Bi'okenly.] With regard to 
 Miss Thornhill — I — I hope you'll bear in mind that I — 
 that none of us — heard from Mr. Elkin of the existence 
 of a child — a daughter — till the Thursday — middle- 
 day 
 
 Elkin. 
 That is so. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 It doesn't make it much better ; only — a girl — alone in 
 the world — one wouldn't — {breaking off] no, I've noth- 
 ing more to say. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \To Thaddeus.] And we may take it that your pres- 
 ent act, Mr. Mortimore, is an act of conscience, purely ? 
 [Thaddeus ijiclines his head. There is silence 
 again, the Mortimores and the Pontings 
 presenting a picture of utter wretchedness. The 
 ladies tears begin to flow. 
 
 James, 
 {After a time, speaking with some difficulty 7] Well 
 
 Stephen. 
 {PiteouslyT] Mr. Vallance ? 
 
164 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 What — what's to be done, Mr. Vallance? 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 \_To the ladies.'] For God's sake, be quiet ! 
 
 James. 
 \_A clenched fist on the table.] What we want to know 
 is — what we want to know is — who does my brother 
 Edward's money belong to now — her qx us ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_hi agony.] Her ! 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Don't be a damn fool, Mortimore ! 
 
 Vallance. 
 Well, gentlemen, I confess I am hardly prepared to 
 express an opinion off-hand on the legal aspect of the 
 case 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 The will's torn up — it's destroyed ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 It's destroyed — gone — gone ! 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Gone. 
 
 Vallance. 
 But I need not remind you, there is another aspect 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 I don't care a rap for any other aspect 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 165 
 
 Stephen. 
 We want the iaiu explained to us — the law 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 The law ! 
 
 James. 
 [J^Elkin.] Air. Elkin ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 You appeal to me, gentlemen ? 
 
 Stephen and Ponting. 
 Yes — yes 
 
 Elkin. 
 Then I feel bound to tell you that / shall advise Miss 
 Thornhill, as the executrix named in the will, to apply to 
 the Court for probate of its substance and effect 
 
 Vallance. 
 \_To Elkin.] Ask the Court to presume the will to 
 have been made in due form ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 Decidedly. 
 
 [Stephen a7id Ponting /«// back in their seats 
 in a stupor, and once more there is silence, 
 broken only by the soujid of the wotnen snivel- 
 ing. Elkin and Vallance slowly proceed 
 to collect their papers. 
 
 James. 
 {^Turning upon Thaddeus, brutally.^ Have you — have 
 you told PhyUis — have you told your wife what you've 
 been up to ? 
 
166 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 \_At the mention of Phyllis, there is a movement 
 of indignation on the part of the ladies. 
 
 Rose. 
 Ha! 
 
 James. 
 [7<? Thaddeus.] Have yer? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Y-yes — just before I came out. \_Weakly?^ That — that's 
 what made me so late. 
 
 James. 
 \Betiveen his teeth.'] What does she think of yer? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Oh, she — she's dreadfully — cut up — of course. 
 
 Rose. 
 \_Hystericai/y.'] The jewelry ! Ha, ha, ha ! [^Rising."] 
 She's managed to get hold of some of the jewelry, at 
 any rate. 
 
 Ann. 
 \_With a sob.] Yes, she — she managed that, 
 
 Louisa. 
 {^Mopping her face.] She's kept that from us artfully 
 enough. 
 
 Rose. 
 
 \(}oing over to Ann and Louisa, who rise to receive 
 her.] Ha, ha! Edward's "little bits" of jewelry ! 
 
 Ann. 
 Little bits ! 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 167 
 
 Rose. 
 They're little bits that are /efi. 
 
 Louisa. 
 How many did she have of them, I wonder! 
 
 Rose. 
 She shall be made to restore them 
 
 Louisa. 
 Every one of them. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 No, no, no \_Stretching out a hand towards the 
 
 ladies.'] Rosie — Ann — Lou — Phyllis hadn't any of the 
 jewelry — not a scrap. I put it all back into the safe. I 
 — I swear she hadn't any of it. 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 Why did you do that? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Ac^^itatedly.'\ Why, you see, Mr. Elkin, when I carried 
 it up-stairs, I found my brother Edward in a state of col- 
 lapse — a sort of faint 
 
 Elkin. 
 [ With a nod.] Ah 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 And Phyllis — my wife — she sent me off at once for 
 the doctor. It was on rhe Wednesday evening, you 
 know 
 
 Vallaxce. 
 \_Pricking up his ears.] Your wife, Mr. Mortimore ? 
 
168 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 It was on the Wednesday evening that the change 
 set in. 
 
 Vallance. 
 • {To Thaddeus.] Your wife sent you off at once ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_To Vallance.] To fetch the doctor. 
 
 Vallance. 
 \_Raismg his eyebrows.'] Oh, Mrs. Mortimore was in the 
 house Willie all this was going on .? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Y-yes; she was left in charge of him — in charge of 
 
 Ned 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 [7^ Vallance, i?i explanation?!^ To allow these other 
 ladies to rest, preparatory to their taking charge later. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Yes. 
 
 Vallance. - 
 I hadn't gathered 
 
 James. 
 [ Who had been sittitig glaring i?tfo space, thoughtfully?] 
 Hold hard. [7^ Thaddeus.] K?/^ didn't go for the doc- 
 tor. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Yes, I — I went 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 169 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_Awakening from his trance.'] Phyllis sent the cook for 
 the doctor. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Yes, yes ; you're quite right. The cook was the first 
 to go 
 
 Elkin. 
 [ To Thaddeus.] You followed ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I followed. 
 
 Jajmes. 
 {^Knitting his brows.~\ It must have been a good time 
 afterwards. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Y-yes, perhaps it was. 
 
 James. 
 I was at Dr. Oswald's when the woman arrived. The 
 doctor was out, and 
 
 Vallance. 
 [-7^ Thaddeus.] You said your wife sent you at once. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Told me to go at once. There — there was the jewelry 
 to put back into the safe 
 
 Vallance. 
 \_Eyeing Thaddeus.] What time was it when you got 
 to the doctor's? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Oh — ten, I should say — or a quarter-past. 
 
170 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 [Shaking his head.'] No. I sat there, waiting for Dr. 
 Oswald to come in 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_To Thaddeus.] Besides, that couldn't have been ; 
 you were with me then. 
 
 James. 
 [To Stephen.] Was he ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 Why, yes; he and I were at the Nurses' Home in 
 Wharton Street from half-past nine till ten. 
 
 James. 
 Half-past nine ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Becojning more confident as he proceeds.] And we 
 never left each other till we went back to Cannon Row. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Let us understand this 
 
 Ponting. 
 
 [Who has gradually revived, eagerly.] Yes — yes — [to 
 the ladies] Sssh ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 And, what's more, we allowed ourselves a quarter of 
 an hour to walk to Wharton Street. 
 
 James. 
 [Quietly, looking round.] Hallo ! 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 171 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 It — it's evident that I — that I'm mistaken in thinking 
 that I — that I went to Dr. Oswald's 
 
 Vallance. 
 Mistaken ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I — I suppose that, as the woman had already gone, 
 
 I — I considered it — wasn't necessary [ To Elkin and 
 
 Vallance, passing his hand befo?-e his eyes.'] You must 
 excuse my stupidity, gentlemen. 
 
 Vallance. 
 [ To Thaddeus, distrustfully.'] Then, according to your 
 brother Stephen, Mr. Mortimore, you were in Cannon 
 Row, on the occasion of this particular visit, no longer 
 than from nine o'clock till a quarter-past ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 Not so long, because we met, by arrangement, at a 
 quarter-past nine, in the hall of the Grand Hotel ■ 
 
 James. 
 The hotel's six or seven minutes' walk from Cannon 
 Row 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Quite, quite. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \A little wildly.'] I said I called in at Cannon Row at 
 about nine o'clock. It may have been half-past eight ; it 
 may have been eight 
 
 James. 
 Ann and Lou didn't leave Cannon Row till past 
 eight 
 
172 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Louisa. 
 {Standing, with Ann and Rose, by the tea-table.l It 
 had gone eight 
 
 James. 
 I walked 'em round to the Grand 
 
 Stephen. 
 Tlie three of us walked witli them to the Grand ! 
 
 Louisa. 
 All three 
 
 James. 
 So we did. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_Excited/y.'\ And then Thaddeus went ofif to the Clar- 
 ence Hospital with a note from Dr. Oswald 
 
 James. 
 By George, yes ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 I left him opposite the Exchange — it must have been 
 nearly half-past eight then — ■■ — ! 
 
 [James rises. The ladies draw nearer to the din- 
 iiig- table. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Ah, but I didn't go to the hospital — I didn't go to the 
 hospital 
 
 Stephen. 
 {Rising^ Yes, you did. You brought a note back 
 from the hospital, for us to take to Wharton Street 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 173 
 
 Vallance. 
 \To Elkin.] How far is the Clarence Hospital from 
 the Exchange ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 A ten minutes' drive. It's on the other side of the 
 water. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I — I — I'd forgotten the hospital 
 
 James. 
 {Scowling at Thaddeus.] Forgotten ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I — I — I mean I — I thought the hospital came later — 
 after I'd been to Wharton Street 
 
 James. 
 {Going to Vallance and tapping him on the shoiilderr\ 
 Mr. Vallance 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I — I must have gone to Cannon Row between my re- 
 turn from the hospital and my meeting Stephen at the 
 Grand 
 
 James. 
 {To Elkin a7id Vallance.] Why, he couldn't have 
 done it, gentlemen 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Impossible ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 It's obvious ; he conldn t have done it. 
 
174 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I — I was only a few minutes at the hospital 
 
 Elkin. 
 \Scribbling on the back of a docunie7itr\ Oh, yes, he 
 could have done it — barely 
 
 Vallance. 
 \JMaking a mental calculation. '\ Assuming that he left 
 his brother at the Exchange at eight-twenty 
 
 Elkin. 
 Ten minutes to the hospital. 
 
 Vallance. 
 If he drove there 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I did drive — I did drive 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 \\Vho is also figuring it out on paper.'] Ten minutes 
 back 
 
 Elkin. 
 Ten minutes «/ the hospital 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Eight-fifty 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Eight-fifty in Cannon Row ! That was it — that was it, 
 Mr. Elkin 
 
 James. 
 Give him twenty minutes in Cannon Row — give it 
 him! He couldn't have done all he says he did in the 
 time, gentlemen 
 
TEE THUNDERBOLT 175 
 
 Stephen. 
 He couldn't have done it 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Impossible ! 
 
 Elkin. 
 [To PONTING.] No, no, please — not impossible. 
 
 Vallance. 
 \_To Stephen.] When you met Mr. Thaddeus Morti- 
 more — you — when you met him in the hall of the Grand 
 Hotel, before starting for Wharton Street, did he say any- 
 thing to you as to his having just called at the house 1 
 
 Stephen. 
 No. 
 
 Vallance. 
 
 Nothing as to an alarming change in your brother's 
 condition ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 Not a syllable. 
 
 James. 
 [To Elkin a«</ Vallance.] Oh, there's a screw loose 
 here, gentlemen, surely ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 [yotning James.] That is most extraordinary, Mr. 
 Vallance — isn't it? Not a syllable! 
 
 [Ann and 'Louisa. Join their husbands and the four 
 gather rou7id Elkin and Vallance. Rose 
 stafids behind Ponting's chair. 
 
176 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 You see — Edward — Edward had rallied before I left 
 Cannon Row. He — he'd fallen into a nice, quiet 
 sleep 
 
 James. 
 All in twenty minutes, gentlemen — twenty minutes at 
 the outside ! 
 
 Vallance. 
 [7(? Thaddeus.] Mr. Mortimore 
 
 Ann. 
 I remember 
 
 PONTING. 
 [To Ann.] Hold your tongue ! 
 
 Vallance. 
 Mr. Mortimore, who let you into the house in Cannon 
 Row on the night of June the nineteenth 1 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Ah, yes 
 
 Vallance. 
 At any time between the hours of eight o'clock ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 And eleven. 
 
 Elkin. 
 [ To Thaddeus.] Who gave you admittance — which of 
 the servants ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I — I can't — I diQ\\\—\blankly, addressmg Vallance] 
 was it the — the butler ? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 177 
 
 Vallance. 
 No, no ; I ask you. [To Elkin, who nods in reply.'] 
 Have you the servants' addresses ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 But you wouldn't — you wouldn't trust to the servants' 
 memories as to — as to which of them opened the front 
 door to me a month ago ! \_PVitk an attempt at a laugh.] 
 It's ridiculous ! 
 
 Elkin. 
 [Reprovingly^ Ah, now, now, Mr. Mortimore ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Startittg up from the table.] Oh, it isn't fair — it isn't 
 fair of you to badger me like this ; it isn't fair ! 
 
 Vallance. 
 Nobody desires to " badger " you 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Trip me up, then — confuse me. \At the left-hand end 
 of the table, clutching the back of a chair 7] 1 lie will — the 
 will's the main point — Ned's will. What does it matter — 
 what can it matter, to a quarter of an hour or so — when 
 I was in Cannon Row, or how long I was there ? One 
 would think, by the way I'm being treated, gentlemen, 
 that I'd something to gain by this, instead of everything 
 to lose — everything to lose ! 
 
 James. 
 [Coming forward, on the further side of the table.] 
 Don't you whine about \v\\2Xyouve got to lose ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 \jfoitiing him.] What about us 1 
 
178 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 The Ladies. 
 Us! 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 {^Hitting the table.'] Yes, confound you ! 
 
 Vallance. 
 Colonel Ponting ! 
 
 Elkin. 
 [7^ James <3;//<i Stephen.] It seems to me — if my friend 
 Mr. Viillance will allow me to say so — that you are really 
 bearing a little hardly on your brother Thaddeus. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Gratefully.] Thank you, Mr. Elkin. 
 
 Elkin. 
 What reason — what possible reason can there be for 
 doubting his good faith ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Thank you. 
 
 Elkin. 
 Here is a man who forfeits a considerable sum of 
 money, and deliberately places himself in peril, in order 
 to right a wrong which nobody on earth would have sus- 
 pected him of committing. Mr. Mortimore is accusing 
 himself of a serious offense, not defending himself from it. 
 
 Vallance. 
 \_Obstmafely.'] What we beg of Mr. Mortimore to do, 
 for the sake of all parties, is to clear up certain incon- 
 sistencies in his story with his brothers' account of his 
 movements and conduct on this Wednesday evening. 
 We are entitled to ask that. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 179 
 
 James. 
 Aye — entitled. 
 
 Stephen afid Ponting. 
 Entitled. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_To James and Stephen.] Yes, and Mr, Mortimore is 
 equally entitled to refuse it. 
 
 James, Stephen and Ponting. 
 \Indignantly.'\ Oh ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 But I — I haven't refused. I — I've done my best 
 
 Elkin. 
 On the other hand, if he has no objection to her doing 
 so, the person to assist you, I suggest — distressing as it 
 may be to her — is the wife. 
 
 Vallance. 
 
 \Assentingly.'\ The wife 
 
 [Thaddeus pushes aside the chair ivhich he is 
 holding and comes to the table. 
 
 Elkin. 
 She ought to be able to satisfy you as to what time he 
 was with her 
 
 Vallance. 
 \To everybody.'] By-the-bye, has she ever mentioned 
 this visit of her husband's to Cannon Row ? 
 
 Ann a7id Louisa. 
 Never — never 
 
180 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Elkin. 
 Attaching no importance to it. But now 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 {Stretching out a quivering hand to them a/L'] No. 
 No, no. Don't you — don't you drag my wife into this. 
 I — I won't have my wife dragged into this 
 
 James. 
 [/« a blaze.'] Why not ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 Why not ? 
 
 The Ladies. 
 \_Indignantly.'\ Ah ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 You — you leave my wife out of it-^ 
 
 James. 
 [Zi? Thaddeus, furiously.'] Who the hell's your 
 wife ! 
 
 Elkin and Vallance. 
 Gentlemen — gentlemen 
 
 Louisa. 
 
 Who's Phylhs ! 
 
 Ann. 
 
 Who's she ! 
 
 Rose. 
 Ha! 
 
 James and Stephen. 
 [^Derisively.] Ha, ha, ha ! 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 181 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 Anyhow, I do object — I do object to your dragging 
 
 her into it — \_/ns shoiv of courage flickering away\ I — 1 do 
 
 object — [coming to the nearer side of the table, rather un- 
 
 steadily\ Mr. Elkin— Mr. Vallance— I— I don't think I 
 
 can be of any furtlier assistance to you to-day 
 
 [Vallance shrugs his shoulders at Elkin. 
 
 Elkin. 
 [To Thaddeus, kindly.'] One minute — one minute 
 more. Mr. Vallance has taken down your statement 
 roughly. [7'^ Vallance.] If you'll read us your notes, 
 Mr. Vallance, Mr. Mortimore will tell us whether they 
 are substantially correct — [to Thaddeus] perhaps he will 
 
 even be willing to attach his name to them 
 
 [With a nod of patient acquiescence, Thaddeus 
 siftks into the middle chair. Vallance pre- 
 pares to read his notes, first making some 
 additions to them. 
 
 James. 
 [To Thaddeus, /;'^/« the other side of the table.] Look 
 here ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Feebly.] No — no more questions, I — I'm advised I 
 — I may refuse 
 
 James. 
 Mr. Vallance asked you just now about your con- 
 science 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I — I'm not going to answer any more questions 
 
 Stephen. 
 [To James.] It was Mr. Elkin 
 
182 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 I don't care a curse which it was 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 No more questions 
 
 James. 
 \Leaning across the table towards Thaddeus, fiercely^ 
 When the devil did your conscience begin to prick you 
 over this ? Hey ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_To Thaddeus.] Yes, you've been in excellent spirits 
 apparently this last month— excellent spirits. 
 
 James. 
 {Hammering on the table.'] Hey ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 {To Elkin aftd Vallance.] There was no sign of 
 anything amiss when we were with him this afternoon, 
 gentlemen — none whatever, I give you my word. 
 
 James. 
 Less than two hours ago— not a symptom ! 
 
 Stephen 
 {To James.] He was gay enough at the club dinner 
 on Tuesday night. It was remarked — commented on. 
 
 Louisa. 
 [y?/ Stephen's elbow, unconsciously.'] It's Phyllis who's 
 been ill all the month, not Thaddeus. 
 
 James. 
 {In the same way, with a hoarse laugh.] Ha ! If it had 
 been his precious wife who'd come to us and told us this 
 tale 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 183 
 
 Stephen. 
 Yes, if it had been the lady 
 
 James. 
 
 If it had been \Struck by the idea which occurs to 
 
 him, ] AUKS breaks off. TviAHUKUS doesft t stir. James, 
 after a pause, thoughtfully.^ If it had been 
 
 Stephen. 
 {Holding his breath, to James.] Eh .? 
 
 James. 
 {Slowly stroking his beard.'] One might have — under- 
 stood it 
 
 Elkin. 
 [ Who has been listening attentively, in a tone of polite 
 interest.] How long has Mrs. Mortimore been indis- 
 posed 1 
 
 James. 
 {Disturbed.] Oh — er — a few weeks 
 
 Vallance. 
 [ Quietly.] Ever since ? 
 
 James. 
 {IVith a nod.] Aye. 
 
 [Elkin a/td Vallance look at each other in- 
 quiringly. 
 
 Stephen. 
 {Staring into space.] Ever since — Edward — as a mat- 
 ter of fact 
 
 Rose. 
 {Going to Ann «;?</ Louisa.] What's wrong with her ? 
 What's wrong with his wife ? 
 
184 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Ann. 
 \_Obtuseiy.'] She's not sleeping. 
 
 Louisa. 
 
 [Looking from one to the otherJ] No — she isn't 
 
 \_jl7iere is a further pause, and then Thaddeus, 
 slowly turning from the table, rises. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 [In a strange voice, his hands fumbling at the buttons of 
 
 his jacket.~\ Well, gentlemen— whatever my sins are — I 
 
 — I decline to sit still and hear my wife insulted in this 
 
 style. If it's all the same to you, I'll call round on Mr. 
 
 Vallance in the morning and^and sign the paper 
 
 [While Thaddeus is speaking, James and 
 Stephen come forivard on the left, Elkin ajui 
 Vallance on the right. 7 he three women get 
 together at the back and look on with wide-open 
 eyes. The movenwnt is made gradually and 
 noiselessly , so that wJien Thaddeus tu7'ns to go 
 he is startled at finding his way obstructed. 
 After a time Ponting also leaves the table, 
 watching the proceedings, with a falling jaw, 
 from a little distance on the right. 
 
 Elkin. 
 [Rubbing his chin meditatively, to Thaddeus.] Mr. 
 Mortimore, your wife traveled with you and the other 
 members of the family to Linchpool on the Tuesday } 
 
 James. 
 Aye, she was with us 
 
 Elkin. 
 [To Thaddeus.] She was in the railway carriage when 
 the — when the discussion arose ? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 185 
 
 Stephen. 
 Yes, yes 
 
 Elkin. 
 The discussion as to where a man's money goes, in 
 the absence of a will? 
 
 Ann. 
 \_Fro77t the other side of the table ^ Yes 
 
 Louisa. 
 \Close to Ann.] Of course she was. 
 
 Elkin. 
 . \_Nodding.'\ H'm. \To Thaddeus.] I— I am most 
 anxious not to pain you unnecessarily. Er — the conver- 
 sation you had with your brother Edward at the bedside, 
 in reference to Mrs. Thaddeus Mortimore — when he said 
 that he— that he 
 
 James. 
 \Breathbig heavily. '\ He'd taken a fancy to her 
 
 Elkin. 
 That he wished to make her a present of jewelry — she 
 was within hearing during that talk? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \jA'Voiding everybody s gaze, his hajids twitching invol- 
 untarily at his side.'\ She — she may have been. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_Piercingly.'] He was left in her charge, you know* 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 She — she was moving about the room 
 
186 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Elkin. 
 She would scarcely have been far away from him. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Mohtening his lips with his lo?igii€.~\ N-no. 
 
 Elkin. 
 And when he handed you his keys and asked you to 
 go down-stairs and open the safe — did she hear and wit- 
 ness that also ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 She — she — very likely. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_Raisifig his voice. '\ There was nothing at all confi- 
 dential in this transaction between you and your brother? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Why — why should there have been ? 
 
 Elkin, 
 Why shoicid ihtvQ have been? [Coming- a step nearer 
 to him.'\ So that, feeling towards her as he did, there 
 was no reason why, if you hadn't chanced to be on the 
 spot — there was no reason why he shouldn't have held 
 that conversation with her, and intrusted her with the 
 keys. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 She — she was almost a stranger to him. He — he 
 hadn't seen her since she was a child 
 
 Elkin. 
 [^Interrupting him.'] Tell us — this illness of Mrs. Morti- 
 more's ? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 187 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 My — my wife's a nervous, delicate woman — always has 
 been 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_Nodding.'\ Quite so. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 She — she was upset at being alone with Edward when 
 he — wlien he swooned 
 
 James. 
 That was the tale 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_To Thaddeus] Although you happened to be in the 
 library, a floor or two below, at the tune 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 He — he might have died suddenly, in her arms. She's 
 a nervous, sensitive woman 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_A'oddmg.'] And she's been unwell ever since. [^IVtth 
 aji abrupt change of in aimer. '\ Mr. Mortimore, how is the 
 lock of the safe opened? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Opened ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 \_Sharply.'\ The safe in the library in Cannon Row — 
 how do you open it? [Thaddeus is sdent.'] Is it a simple 
 lock, or is there anything unusual about it? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 He — he gave me directions how to open it. 
 
188 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Elkin. 
 
 Tell us 
 
 I — I forget 
 
 Forget ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 It — it's gone from me 
 
 James. 
 [/« a low voice.l Gentlemen, you couldn't forget 
 that 
 
 Stephen. 
 [/« the same way.'] You coiildn t forget it 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 ^To Thaddeus, solejimly.] Mr. Mortimore, are you 
 
 sure that the conversation at the bedside didn't take place 
 
 between your brother and your wife solely, and that it 
 
 wasn't she who was sent down-stairs to fetch the jewelry ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Drawing^ himself tip, with a last effort.] Sure ! 
 
 Elkin. 
 Are you positive that she didn't open the safe? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 It — it's ridiculous 
 
 Elkin. 
 \^Q7iickly.'\ When you took her to Roper's, the 
 draper's, on the Thursday — you left her there ? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 189 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 Yes. I— I left her 
 
 Elkin. 
 Are you sure that she didn't then go on to the bridge, 
 and tear up the will, and throw the pieces into the river? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 I — I decline to answer any more questions 
 
 Elkin. 
 \Rahing his voice again.'\ Were you in Cannon Row, 
 sir, on the night of June the nineteenth, for a single jno- 
 inent between eight o'clock and eleven ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Losing his head completely. '\ Ah ! Ah ! I know — I 
 know ! You mean to drag my wife into this ! 
 
 Elkin. 
 [77? Thaddeus.] You were late in coming here this 
 afternoon, Mr. Mortimore 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \To Elkin, threateningly. '\ Don't you — don't you dare 
 to do it ! 
 
 Elkin. 
 Owing, you say, to your having made a communica- 
 tion to Mrs. Mortimore about this affair 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \Clingi7ig to the chair which is behind him.~\ You — you 
 leave my wife out of it ! 
 
 Elkin. 
 Are you sure that you were not delayed through hav- 
 ing to receive a communication from her ? 
 
190 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [^Dropping into the chair.'] Don't you — drag her — 
 into it ! 
 
 Elkin. 
 Are you sure that the story you have told us, substitut- 
 ing yourself for the principal person of that story , is not 
 exactly the story which she has just ioXdyou? {There is 
 a pause. Ponting^6'<?5 /^ Rose.] Mr. Vallance 
 
 Vallance. 
 Yes? 
 
 Elkin. 
 I propose to see Mrs. Mortimore in this matter, with- 
 out delay. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Very good. 
 
 Elkin. 
 WiUyou ? 
 
 Vallance. 
 
 Certainly, 
 
 \_Quieily, Vallance returns to the table and, seat- 
 ing himself, again collects his -papers. Elk IN 
 is following him. 
 
 James. 
 Elkin. 
 
 Mr. Elkin 
 
 {Stoppi7lg^^ Eh? 
 
 James. 
 Stealing a will — destroying a will — what is it ? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 191 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 What is it ? 
 
 James. 
 The law — what's the law ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 [7(7 James.] I — I'm sorry to have to say, sir — it's a 
 felony. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 [ With a look of horror.'] Oh ! 
 
 [Ann and Louisa come to James and Stephen 
 hurriedly. Elkin sits beside Vallance, and, 
 picki7ig up their bags from the floor, they put 
 away their papers. 
 
 James. 
 {Standing over T\i^.TiYi^\^':^^^ Well! Are yer proud of 
 her now ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 This is what his marriage has ended in ! 
 
 Louisa. 
 I'm not in the least surprised. 
 
 Ann. 
 Old Burdock's daughter ! 
 
 Rose. 
 
 {From the other side of the table.'] Thank heaven, my 
 name isn't Mortimore ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 {Leaping to his feet i7t a f'enzy.] Don't you touch her ! 
 Don't any of you touch her ! Don't you harm a hair of 
 her head! {To the group on the left.] You've helped to 
 
192 THJC THUNDERBOLT 
 
 bring this on her! You've helped to make her life unen- 
 durable ! You've helped to bring her to this! She's 
 been a good wife to me. Oh, my God, let me get her 
 away! \_7'iirmng towards the door.'\ Mr. Elkin — Mr. 
 Vallance — do let me get her away ! Don't you harm a 
 hair of her head ! Don't you touch her I [At the door.'] 
 She's been a good wife to me ! \_Ope71i71g the door atid 
 disappearmg.'\ She's been a good wife to me ! 
 
 James. 
 [^Moving over to the right, shouting <^r/7<rT Tii A ddeus.] 
 Been a good wife to you, lias she ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 \^Also moving to the right.] A disgrace — a disgrace to 
 the family ! 
 
 Louisa. 
 \FoUo'wing Stephen.] I always said so — I said so till 
 1 was tired 
 
 James. 
 We've helped to bring her to this ! 
 
 Ann. 
 {Sitting in a chair on the nearer side of the dining-table.] 
 A vile creature ! 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 {Coming forward on the left with Rose.] Damn the 
 woman ! Damn the woman ! My position is a cruel 
 one 
 
 Stephen. 
 {Raising his ar7ns as he paces the room on the right.] 
 Here's a triumph for Hammond ! 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 193 
 
 James. 
 [77? PONTING, conicinptuously.'\ F^/^r position ! 
 
 Louisa. 
 Nellie Robson's got the better of me now. 
 
 PONTIXG. 
 
 \To James.] I'm landed ^vith an enormous house in 
 Carlos Place — my builders are in it 
 
 Rose. 
 \Pacing the room on the left.'] Oh, we're in a shocking 
 scrape ! We're up to our necks ! 
 
 James. 
 {^Approaching Pontixg.] D'ye think you're the only 
 sufferer- ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_WiidIy.'\ A triumph for Hammond! A triumph for 
 Hammond ! 
 
 JAxMES. 
 [To Pontixg.] I've bought all that dirt at the bottom 
 of Gordon Street — acres of it ! 
 
 Ponting. 
 
 {Passing him and walking away to the right."] That's 
 your business. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_Now, with Louisa, at the further side of the dining- 
 tableT] Hammond and his filthy rag ! 
 
 James. 
 
 {Going after Ponting, in a fury,] Aye, it is my 
 business 
 
194 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [Turning upon him viciously^ I wish to God, sir, I'd 
 never seen or heard of you, or your family. 
 
 Rose. 
 \Coming forward. '\ Oh, Toby, don't ! 
 
 James. 
 \To PONTING.] You wish that, do yer ! 
 
 Ann. 
 \_Rising and putting herself between James and PoNT- 
 ING.] James ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_Shaking his fists in the air.'] Blast Hammond and his 
 filthy rag. 
 
 James. 
 [To PONTING.] You patronizing little pauper ! 
 
 Rose. 
 [7o James.] Don't you speak to my husband like 
 that ! 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 You're a pack of low, common people ! 
 
 Rose. 
 [Going to PoNTiNG.] He's the only gentleman among 
 you. 
 
 James. 
 The only gentleman among us ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Coming forward, with Louisa, on the left.] The only 
 gentleman ! 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 195 
 
 James. 
 We could have done without such a gentleman in our 
 family — [to Ann, who is forcing him, coaxingly, towards 
 the left\ hey, mother? 
 
 Stephen. 
 {^Advancing to Ponting, still followed by Louisa.] Ex- 
 ceedingly well — exceedingly well 
 
 Louisa. 
 {Taking Stephen's arw.] Don't lower yourself ! 
 
 James. 
 [C'z/^r Ann's shoulderJ] The Colonel never came near 
 us the other day till he saw a chance o' picking up the 
 pieces ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 Nor Rose either — neither of them did ! 
 
 James. 
 It's six o' one and half a dozen o' the other ! 
 
 Rose. 
 
 \_To James and Stephen.] Oh, you cads, you 
 boys ! 
 
 James. 
 {Mockingly.] Didn't they bustle down to Linchpool in 
 a hurry then I Ha, ha, ha ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 [ Waving his hand in Ponting' s/«<r^.] This serves you 
 right, Colonel ; this serves you right. 
 
 Rose. 
 
 {Leading Ponting towards the doorS] Don't notice 
 them — don't notice them 
 
196 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 \_lVaiking about on the left, to Ann.] I'm in a mess, 
 mother ; I'm in a dreadful mess ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 \Sinking into a chair by the tea-tab le.'\ On I go at the 
 broken-down rat-hole in King Street ; on 1 go with my 
 
 worn-out old plant ! 
 
 \0n getting to the door, Ponting discovers that 
 Elkin and Vallance have taken their de- 
 parture. He returns, with Rose, to the further 
 side oj the dinijig-table. 
 
 Ann. 
 \To James.] You must get rid of your contract, James. 
 
 James. 
 Who'll take it— who'll take it ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 I've always been behind the times 
 
 Louisa. 
 Nelly will laugh her teeth out of her head 
 
 Ponting. 
 \To James and Stephen, trying to attract their atten- 
 tion.'] Mortimore — Mortimore 
 
 Ann. 
 [7b James.] It's splendid land, isn't it ? 
 
 James. 
 Nobody's been ass enough to touch it but me ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 [^Rocking himself to and fro.] Always behind the times 
 — no need to tell me that 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 197 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [TT? James.] Mortimore 
 
 James. 
 [r^PoNTiNG.] What.? 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 \Pointing to the empty chairs. '\ They've gone 
 
 James. 
 [Sobering dowti.~\ Hooked it ^ 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Looking rou}i(l.~\ Gone ? 
 
 James. 
 Elkin 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Weakly.'] And Vallance 
 
 James. 
 They might have had the common civihty 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [Coming forward slowly and dejectedly 7\ They've gone 
 to that woman 
 
 Rose. 
 [At the further side of the table.] I hope they send liei 
 
 to jail — the trull — the baggage ! 
 
 [Ann and hovish Join Rose. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 The whole business will be settled between 'em in ten 
 minutes — the whole business 
 
198 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 James. 
 [^Coming to Ponting.] Aye, the whole concern. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \lVJio has risen, holding his head.~\ Oh, it's awful ! 
 
 Ponting. 
 \^Laying a hand on James and Stephen who are on 
 either side of hi?n.'] My friends, don't let us disagree — 
 we're all in the same boat 
 
 James. 
 \Griinly, looking into space.'] Aye, they'll be talking it 
 over nicely • 
 
 Ponting. 
 Let us stick to each other. Aren't we throwing up the 
 sponge prematurely ? 
 
 James. 
 \_Not heeding him.] Tad and his wife and the lawyers 
 — ha, ha ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 And that girl 
 
 James. 
 \Nodding.'\ The young lady. 
 
 Ponting. 
 What girl ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 Miss Thornhill. 
 
 Ponting. 
 Thornhill ? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 199 
 
 James. 
 
 She's staying with 'em. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 She is ! 
 
 Rose. 
 [^Corning forward on the left.'] Staying with the 
 Tads ? 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 In their house ! Elkin and Vallance will find her there ! 
 
 James. 
 \_Nodding.'] Aye. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [^Violently.'] It's a conspiracy ? 
 
 James. 
 Conspiracy ? 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 I see it ! The Thornhill girl's in it! She's at the bot- 
 tom of it ! {Going to Rose as Ann and Louisa cojne for- 
 ward on the left.'] They're cheating us — they're cheating 
 us. I tell you we ought to be present. They're robbing 
 us behind our backs 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_Looking at James.] Jim ? 
 
 James. 
 [Shaking his head.] No, it's no conspiracy 
 
 Ponting. 
 It is ! They're robbing us ! 
 
200 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Stephen. 
 [r(7 James.] Still, I— I really think 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Behind our backs ! 
 
 The Ladies. 
 Yes — yes — yes 
 
 James. 
 [After a pause , quietly, stroking his beardJ] By George, 
 
 we'll go down ! 
 
 \_Instantly they all make for the door. 
 
 Stephen. 
 We'll be there as soon as Elkin 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 A foul conspiracy ! 
 
 Ann. 
 [In the rear.'] Wait till I put on my hat 
 
 Rose. 
 Jim, you follow with Ann. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [To Stephen.] We'll go on ahead. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Yes, we'll go first. 
 
 Louisa. 
 I'm ready. 
 
 James. 
 No, no ; we'll all go together. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 201 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Robbing us behind our backs ! 
 
 James. 
 Look sharp, mother ! 
 
 The Others. 
 
 Be quick — be quick — be quick ! 
 
 [Seizhig Ann a7id pushing her before them, they 
 struggle through the doorway. 
 
 END OF THE THIRD ACT 
 
THE FOURTH ACT 
 
 The scene is the same^ i?i every respect ^ as that of the 
 Secofid Act. 
 
 Vallance is seated at the writing-table by the bay-window, 
 reading aloud from a written paper. Phyllis, in deep 
 abasement, is upon the settee by the piano, and Thad- 
 DEUs // standing by her, holdifig her left hand in both of 
 his. On the left of the table at the end of the piano 
 sits Helen, pale, calm, and erects and opposite to her, in 
 the chair on the other side of the table, is Elkin. Pont- 
 ING is sitting in the bay-window, Stephen is standing 
 upon the hearth-rug, and the rest of the ''family''' are 
 seated about the room — all looking very humble and 
 downcast. Ann and Louisa are upon the settee on the 
 right. Rose is in the armchair on the nearer side of the 
 f rep lace, James on the ottoman. Rose, Ann, and 
 Louisa are in their outdoor things. 
 
 Vallance. 
 \Jieading.'\ " It was broad daylight before my hus- 
 band and I got back to our lodgings. The document 
 was then in a pocket I was wearing under my dress. 
 Before going to bed I hid the pocket in a drawer. At 
 about eleven o'clock on the same morning my husband 
 took me to Roper's, the draper's, in Ford Street, and left 
 me there. After my measurements were taken I went 
 up Ford Street and on to the bridge. I then tore up 
 both the paper and the envelope and dropped the pieces 
 into the water." 
 
 202 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 203 
 
 Elkin. \ 
 \^Half turning to Phyllis.] You declare that that is 
 correct in every particuhir, Mrs, Mortimore ? 
 
 [Phyllis bursts into a piiroxysni of tears. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [ To Phyllis, as if comfofiing a child.'] All right, dear ; 
 all right. I'm with you — I'm with you. [She sobs help- 
 less/y.] Tell Mr. Elkin — tell him — is that correct .^ 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \Through her sobs.] Yes. 
 
 Elkin. 
 [To Phyllis.] You've nothing further to say ? 
 
 [Her sobbing continues. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [ To Phyllis.] Have you anything more to say, dear ? 
 [Iincouragingly , as she tries to speak.] I'm here, dear — 
 I'm with you. Is there anything — anything more ? 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Only — only that I beg Miss Thornhill's pardon. I beg 
 her pardon. Oh, I beg her pardon. 
 
 [Elkin looks at Helen, who, however, makes no 
 response. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [To Phyllis, glancing at the others.] And — and — 
 
 Phyllis. 
 And — and Ann and Jim — and Stephen — and Lou — ana 
 Rose and Colonel Pouting — I beg their pardon — I beg 
 their pardon. 
 
 [She sinks back upon the settee, and her fit of weep- 
 ing gradually exhausts itself. 
 
204 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 And I — and I, Mr. El kin — I wish to offer 7Hy apologies 
 — my humble apologies — to you and Mr. Valiance — and 
 to everybody — for what took place this afternoon in my 
 brother's dining-room. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_Kmdly.~\ Perhaps it isn't necessary 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Perhaps not — but it's on my mind. [7^ Elkin and 
 Vallance.] I assure you and Mr. Valiance — [io the 
 others] and I assure every member of my family — that 
 when 1 went away from here I had no intention of invent- 
 ing the story I attempted to tell you at " Ivanhoe." It 
 came into my head suddenly — quite suddenly — on my 
 way to Clay brook Road^almost at the gate of the house. 
 I must have been mad to think I could succeed in impos- 
 ing on you all. I believe I was mad, gentlemen ; and 
 that's my excuse, and I — I hope you'll accept it. 
 
 Elkin. 
 Speaking for myself, I accept it freely. 
 
 Vallance. 
 And I. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Thank you — thank you. 
 
 [//<? looks at the others wistfully, but they are all 
 staring at the carpet, and they, too, make no 
 response. Theti he seats hitnself beside Phyllis 
 atid again takes her hand. 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 {^After a pause.] Well, Mr. Vallance [Vallance 
 
 rises, the written paper in his hand, and comes forward 
 
TEE THUNDERBOLT 206 
 
 on the left.'\ I think — \_glancmg over his shoulder at 
 Phyllis] I think that this lady makes it perfectly clear 
 to any reasonable person that the document which she 
 abstracted from the safe in Cannon Row, and subse- 
 quently destroyed, was the late Mr. Edward Mortimore's 
 will, and that Miss Thornhill was the universal legatee 
 under it, and was named as the sole executrix. [Val- 
 LANCE seats himself in the chair on the extreme left.'] As 
 I said in Mr. James Mortimore's house, the advice 1 shall 
 give to Miss Thornhill is that she applies to the Court for 
 probate of the substance and effect of this will. 
 
 Vallance. 
 
 Upon an affidavit by Mrs. Thaddeus Mortimore ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 An affidavit disclosing what she has done and verifying 
 a statement of the contents of the will. 
 
 Vallance. 
 And how, may I ask, are you going to get over your 
 great difficulty ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 My great difficulty ? 
 
 Vallance. 
 The fact that Mrs. Thaddeus Mortimore is unable to 
 swear that the will was duly witnessed. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Ah ! \_Rising and coming forward, but discreetly keep- 
 ing behijid Helen.] That seems to me to be insuperable 
 — insuperable. Sjinxiously.] Eh, Mr. Vallance ? 
 
 Stephen. 
 \Advancing a stef or two.] An obstacle which cannot 
 be got over. 
 
206 TEE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 {^Eyeing Helen fur/z've/y.^ It — ah — may appear rather 
 ungracious to Miss Thornhill — a young lady we hold in 
 the highest esteem — and to whom I express regret for any 
 hasty word I may have used on arriving here — unre- 
 served regret — [Helen's eyes flash, and her shoulders 
 contract ; otherwise she makes no acknowledgment'^ it may 
 appear ungracious to Miss Thornhill to discuss this point 
 in her presence ; \^pulling at his moustache^ but she will 
 be the first to recognize that there are many — ah — inter- 
 ests at stake. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Many interests — many interests 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 And where so many interests are involved, one mustn't 
 — ah — allow oneself to be swayed by anything hke senti- 
 ment. 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 \At the round t aide.'] In justice, one oughtn t to be sen- 
 timental. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 One darenU be sentimental. 
 
 Louisa. 
 \^Meekly, raising her head.] I always maintain 
 
 Stephen. 
 \^To Louisa.] Yes, yes, yes. 
 
 Louisa. 
 There are two sides 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 207 
 
 Stephen. 
 Yes, yes. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \^Ig7iori7ig the interruption. '\ Mrs. Thaddeus Mortimore 
 is prepared to swear, Mr, Vallance, that she beUeves there 
 were other signatures besides the signature of the late Mr. 
 Mortimore. 
 
 Vallance. 
 But she has no recollection of the names of wit- 
 nesses 
 
 None whatever. 
 Not the faintest. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 Vallance. 
 Nor as to whether there was an attestation clause at 
 all. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Her memory is an utter blank as to that. 
 
 Stephen. 
 An utter blank. 
 
 \As PoNTiNG and Stephen perk tip, there is a 
 rise i)t the spirits of the ladies at the fireplace. 
 Rose twists her chair round to face the men. 
 James doe sn t stir. 
 
 Elkin. 
 Notwithstanding that, I can't help considering it rea- 
 sonably probable that, in the circumstances, the Court 
 would presume the will to have been made in due form. 
 
208 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [ Walking about agitatedly .'\ I differ. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \Walking about. '\ So do I. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 I don't pretend to a profound knowledge of the 
 law 
 
 Stephen. 
 As a mere layman, /consider it extremely zwprobable 
 — extremely mprobable. 
 
 Vallance. 
 [27? Stephen ««rtf Ponting.] Well, gentlemen, there I 
 am inclined to agree with you 
 
 Ponting. 
 {Pulling himself up.'] Ah ! 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_Returning to the round table.] Ah ! 
 
 Vallance. 
 / think it doubtful whether, on the evidence of Mrs. 
 Thaddeus Mortimore, the will could be upheld. 
 
 Ponting. 
 Exactly. \To everybody.] You've only to look at the 
 thing in the light of common sense 
 
 Stephen. 
 \Argumentatively , rapping the table.] A will exists or 
 it does not exist 
 
 Ponting. 
 If it ever existed, and has been destroyed 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 209 
 
 Stephen. 
 It must be shown that it was a complete will 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Shown beyond dispute. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Complete down to the smallest detail. 
 
 Vallance. 
 [^Continuing.'] At the same time, in my opinion, the 
 facts do not warrant the making of an affidavit that the 
 late Mr. Mortimore died intestate. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [Stiffly.] Indeed? 
 
 Stephen. 
 [Depressed.] Really ? 
 
 Vallance. 
 And the question of whether or not he left a duly ex- 
 ecuted will is clearly one for the Court to decide. 
 
 Elkin. 
 Quite so — quite so. 
 
 Vallance. 
 I advise, therefore, that, to get the question determined, 
 the next-of-kin should consent to the course of procedure 
 suggested by Mr. Elkin. 
 
 Elkin. 
 I am assuming their consent. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [Bhistering.] And supposing the next-of-kin do not 
 consent, Mr. Vallance ? 
 
210 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Stephen. 
 Supposing we do nai consent ? 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Supposing we are convinced — convinced — that the 
 late Mr. Mortimore died without leaving a properly ex- 
 ecuted will? 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 Then the application, instead of being by motion to 
 the judge in Court, must take the form of an action by 
 writ. \_To Vallance.] In any case, perhaps it should 
 do so. 
 
 [There is a pause. Stephen wanders disconso- 
 lately to the winddfiv on the right and stands 
 gazing into the garden. Ponting leans his el- 
 bows on the piano and stares at vacancy. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \To Helen, looking at his watch ^ Well, my dear 
 
 Miss Thornhill ? 
 
 [Vallance rises. 
 
 Helen. 
 
 Wait — wait a^moment 
 
 \^The soimd of Helen's voice turns everybody, 
 except James, Thaddeus, and Phyllis, in 
 her direction. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \To Helen.] Eh? 
 
 Helen. 
 Wait a moment, please. There is something I want to 
 be told — there's something I want to be told plainly. 
 
 Elkin. 
 What? 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 211 
 
 Helen. 
 Mrs. Thaddeus Mortimore 
 
 Elkin. 
 Yes? 
 
 Helen. 
 [^Slowly.'] I want to know whether it is necessary, what- 
 ever proceedings are taken on my behalf — whether it is 
 necessary that she should be publicly disgraced. I want 
 to know that. 
 
 Elkin. 
 Whichever course is adopted — motion to the judge or 
 action by writ — Mrs. Thaddeus Mortimore's act must be 
 disclosed in open Court. 
 
 Helen. 
 There are no means of avoiding it ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 None. 
 
 Helen. 
 And the offence she has committed is — felony, you 
 say ? 
 
 [Elkin inclines his head. Again there is silence, 
 during which Helen sits zvith knitted broivs, 
 and then James rouses himself a7id looks up. 
 
 James. 
 [77? Elkin.] What's the — what's the penalty ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 [Turning to hint.'] The — the penalty ? 
 
 James. 
 The legal punishment. 
 
212 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 I think — another occasion 
 
 \Sudde7ily Thaddeus and Phyllis rise together, 
 he with an arm round her, supporting her, 
 and they stand side by side like crimi7ials in the 
 dock, 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 {^Quickly. '\ No, no — now 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \_Faintly.'\ Yes — now 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \To Elkin and Vallance.] We — we should like to 
 know the worst, gentlemen. I — I had the idea from the 
 first that it was a serious offence — but hardly so seri- 
 ous 
 
 Elkin. 
 \lVith a wave of the handr^ By and by 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Oh, you needn't hesitate, Mr. Elkin. \Dra'wingVvi\\AA'S, 
 closer to him.'] We — we shall go through with it. We 
 shall go through with it to the end. [^ApauseJ] Impris- 
 onment, sir? 
 
 Elkin. 
 {^Gravely. ^ A person convicted of stealing or destroy- 
 ing a will for a fraudulent purpose is liable under the 
 statute to varying terms of penal servitude, or to impris- 
 onment with or without hard labor. In this instance, we 
 should be justified, I am sure, in hoping for a consider- 
 able amount of leniency. 
 
 [Thaddeus and Phyllis slowly look at one an- 
 other with expressionless faces. James rises 
 and moves away to the fireplace where he 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 213 
 
 stands looking down upon the Jlozvers in the 
 grate. Vallance goes to the ivriiing-table 
 and puts the written paper into his bag. Elkin 
 rises, takes tip his bag from the table at the 
 end of the piano, and is following Vallance. 
 As he passes Helen, she lays her hand upon 
 his arm. 
 
 Helen. 
 
 Mr. Elkin 
 
 Elkin. 
 {Stopping.^ Yes? 
 
 Helen. 
 Oh, but this is impossible. 
 
 Elkin. 
 Impossible ? 
 
 Helen. 
 Quite impossible. I couldn't be a party — please under- 
 stand me — I refuse to be a party — to any steps which 
 would bring ruin on Mrs. Mortimore. 
 
 Elkin, 
 \Politely.'\ You refuse ? 
 
 Helen. 
 Absolutely. At any cost — at any cost to me — we must 
 all unite in sparing her and her husband and children. 
 
 Elkin. 
 My dear young lady, I join you heartily in your desire 
 not to bring suffering upon innocent people. But if you 
 decline to take proceedings 
 
 Helen. 
 There is no " if" in the matter 
 
214 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Elkin. 
 If you decline to take proceedings, there is a deadlock. 
 
 Helen. 
 A deadlock ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 As Mr. Vallance tells us, it's out of the question that 
 the next-of-kin should now apply for Letters of Adminis- 
 tration in the usual way. 
 
 Helen. 
 Why ? I don't see why — I can't see why. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_Pointing to James and Stephen.] You don't see why 
 neither of these gentlemen can make an affidavit that 
 Mr. Edward Mortimore died intestate ! 
 
 Helen. 
 
 [ With a movement of the head towards Phyllis.] She 
 hais no remembrance of a — what is it called ? 
 
 Ponting. 
 \_Eagerly7\ Attestation clause. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \Coming to the head of the piano. "^ Attestation clause. 
 
 Helen. 
 [ Haughtily, without turning. ] Th ankyou. [7(? Elkin.] 
 Only the vaguest notion thai there were witnesses. 
 
 Ponting. 
 The vaguest notion. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 215 
 
 Stephen. 
 The haziest. 
 
 Elkin, 
 Her memory is uncertain there. [ 7<9 Helen.] But you 
 \ino\v—you know. Miss Thornhill — as we all know — that 
 it was your father's will that was found in the safe at 
 Cannon Row and destroyed. 
 
 Helen. 
 \Looki7tg 2ip at him, gripping the arms of her chair.'] 
 Yes, of course I know it. Thank God I know it! I'm 
 happy in knowing it. I know he didn't forget me ; I 
 know I was all to him that I imagined myself to be. And 
 it's because I've come to know this at last — through her 
 — that I can afford to be a little generous to her. Oh, 
 please don't think that I want to introduce sentimentality 
 into this affair — [with a conte?nptiious giance at Vonm^G 
 and Stephen] any more than Colonel Pondng does — or 
 Mr. Stephen iMortimore. Mrs. Thaddeus did a cruel 
 thing when she destroyed that will. It's no excuse for 
 her to say that she wasn't aware of my existence. She 
 was defrauding stmie woman ; and, as it happened — I own 
 it now ! — defrauding that woman, not only of money, but 
 of what is more valuable than money — of peace of mind, 
 contentment, belief in one who could never speak, never 
 explain, never defend himself. However, she has made 
 the best reparation it is in her power to make — and she 
 has gone through a bad time — and I forgive her. 
 [Phyllis releases herself fy-om Thaddeus and drops down 
 upon the settee. He sits Jipon the ottoman, burying his 
 face in his hands. Helen rises, struggling to keep back 
 her tears, and turns to the door.] I — I'll go up-stairs — if 
 you'll allow me 
 
 Elkin. 
 [Betwee?i her and the door.] Miss Thornhill, you put 
 us in a position of great difficulty 
 
216 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Helen. 
 \^/inpatienfly.'] I say again, I don't see why. Where 
 is the difficulty ? [7^ Vallance a/z^i'ELKiN.] If there's 
 a difficulty, it's you gentlemen who are raising it. Let 
 the affair go on as it was going on. \_Turning to James.] 
 Mr. Mortimore ! \^To Elkin.] I say, let Mr. James Mor- 
 timore and the others administer the estate as they in- 
 tended to do. [TT? James, who has left the fireplace ajid 
 slowly advajiced to Jier.~\ Mr. Mortimore 
 
 Elkin. 
 [7^* Helen.] Then you would have Mr. James Morti- 
 more deliberately swear that he believes his late brother 
 died without leaving a will ? 
 
 Helen. 
 
 Certainly, if necessary. Who would be hurt by it.? 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 \Pursi7ig his lips.~\ Miss Thornhill 
 
 Helen. 
 \^Hotly.~\ Why, which do you think would be the more 
 acceptable to the Almighty — that I should send this poor 
 lady to prison, or that Mr. James should take a false 
 oath ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 H'm ! I won't attempt to follow you quite so far. But 
 even then a most important point would remain to be 
 setded. 
 
 Helen. 
 
 Even then ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 Assuming that Mr. James Mortimore did make this 
 affidavit — that he were permitted to make such an affi- 
 davit 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 217 
 
 Helen. 
 Yes? 
 
 Elkin. 
 What about the disposition of the estate ? 
 
 Helen. 
 {^Nodding, slowly and though/fully.'] The— the disposi- 
 tion of the estate 
 
 [Stephen steals over to Ponting, a?id Rose, Ann, 
 and Louisa quietly rise and gather together. 
 They all listen with painful interest. 
 
 Elkln. 
 
 \To Helen.] Morally, at all events, the whole of the 
 late Mr. Mortimore's estate belongs to you. 
 
 Helen. 
 \Simply.'\ It was his intention that it should do so. 
 \JLooki7ig ^?/' J AMES, as if inviting hi7n to speak.'] Well ? 
 
 ^ James. 
 
 [^Stroking his beard.] Look here. Miss Thornhill. 
 \_Pointing to the chair on the extreme left.] Sit down a 
 minute. \She sits. James also seats himself, facing her, 
 at the right of the table at the end of the piano. Val- 
 lance joins Elkin and they stand near Helen, occa- 
 sionally exchangiitg remarks with each other.] Look here. 
 [/« a deep, gruff voice.] There is no doubt that my 
 brother Ned's money rightfully belongs to you. 
 
 Ponting. 
 \_Nervously.] Mortimore 
 
 James. 
 \_Tur7ii7tg upon him.] You leave us alone. Don't you 
 interfere. [ To Helen.] I've no more doubt about it, Miss 
 
218 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Thornhill, than that I'm ^sitting here. Very good. Say 
 I make the affidavit, and that we — the family — obtain 
 Letters of Administration. What then? The money 
 comes to tis. Sull — it's yours. We get hold of it, but 
 it's yours. Now ! What if we offer to throw the whole 
 lot, so to speak, into your lap? 
 
 Stephen. 
 S^Biihig /lis 7iaih.'\ Jim 
 
 James. 
 {To Stephen.] Don't you interfere. {To Helen.] 
 I repeat, what if we offer to throw the whole lot into your 
 lap? {Le ailing forward, very earnestly.^ Miss Thorn- 
 hill 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 May I ? 
 
 James. 
 
 \To PONTING.] If you can't be silent ! \To 
 
 Helen.] Miss Thornhill, we're poor, we Mortimores, 
 I won't say anything about Rose — \ivith a sneer'] it 
 wouldn't be polite to the Colonel ; nor Tad— you see 
 what he's come to. But Stephen and me — take our case. 
 [7o Elkin and Vallance.] Mr. Vallance — Mr. Elkin 
 — this is sacred. \_7b Helen.] My dear, we're promi- 
 nent men in the town, both of us ; we're looked up to as 
 being fairly warm and comfortable ; but in reality we're 
 not much better off than the others. My trade's being 
 cut into on all sides ; Stephen's business has run to seed ; 
 we've no capital ; we've never had any capital. What 
 we might have saved has been spent on educating our 
 children, and keeping up appearances ; and when the 
 time comes for us to be knocked out, there'll be precious 
 little — bar a stroke of luck — precious little for us to end 
 our days on. So this is a terrible disappointment to us — 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 219 
 
 an awful disappointment. Aye, the money's yours — it's 
 yours — but — [opening- his hands\ what are you going to 
 do for the family ? 
 
 [ There is a pause. The Pontings, Stephen, Ann 
 a7id Louisa draw a little nearer. 
 
 Helen. 
 \To James.] Well— since you put it in this way— I'll 
 tell you what I'll do. [AtiotJi^r pause. '\ I'll share with 
 you all. 
 
 James. 
 \To the others.'] You leave us alone; you leave us 
 alone. \To Helen.] Share and share alike ? 
 
 Helen. 
 \_'Ffn7iking.'] Share and share alike — after discharging 
 my obligations. 
 
 James. 
 Obligations ? 
 
 PoNTiNG afid Stephen. 
 Obligations ? 
 
 Helen. 
 After carrying out my fatjier's instructions with regard 
 to his old servants. 
 
 James. 
 \_Nodding.'] Oh, aye. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [^Walking about excitedly.'] That's a small matter. 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_Also walki)ig about.'] A trifle— a trifle 
 
220 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Then wliat.it amounts to is this — the estate will be 
 divided into five parts instead of four. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Five instead of four — obviously. 
 
 Helen. 
 [Still thinking.'] No — into six. 
 
 James. 
 Six? 
 
 PoNTiNG and Stephen. 
 Six! 
 
 Rose afid Louisa. 
 [ Who with Ann, are inoving round the head of the 
 piano, to join Ponting and Stephen.] Six ! 
 
 Helen. 
 [Firmly r\ Six. A share must be given, as a memorial 
 of my father, to one of the hospitals in Linchpool. 
 
 Ponting and Stephen. 
 {Protestingly:\ Oh ! 
 
 Rose, Ann and Louisa. 
 Oh ! 
 
 PONTINGj^ 
 
 Entirely unnecessary. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Uncalled for. 
 
 Helen. 
 I insist. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 221 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 {Comitig to Helen.] My dear Miss Thornhill, believe 
 me — believe me — these cadging hospitals are a great 
 deal too well off as it is. 
 
 Helen. 
 I insist that a share shall be given to a Linchpool 
 hospital. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 I could furnish you with details of maladministration 
 on the part of hospital-boards 
 
 Rose. 
 Shocking mismanagement 
 
 Stephen. 
 There's our own hospital 
 
 Louisa. 
 A scandal. 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 Our Jubilee hospital 
 
 Ann. 
 It's scarcely fit to send your servants to. 
 
 Helen. 
 [77; James, mrn^.] Mr. Mortimore 
 
 James. 
 {^Rhing, to PONTiNG and the rest.'] Miss Thornhill 
 says that one share of the estate's to go to a Linchpool 
 hospital. D'ye hear? [^Moving towards them aitthon- 
 tatively.'\ That's enough. 
 
222 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 [PONTING and Stephen bustle to the writing- 
 table, where they each seize a sheet of paper 
 and proceed to reckon. Rose, Ann and 
 Louisa surround them. James stands by, his 
 hatids in his pockets, looking on. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 \Sitting at the writing-table — in an undertone.'] A hun- 
 dred and seventy thousand pounds 
 
 Stephen. 
 \Bending over the table — in an undertone.] Six into 
 seventeen — two and carry five 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Six into fifty — eight and carry two 
 
 Stephen. 
 Six into twenty 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Three 
 
 [Helen seats herself in the chair 07i the right of 
 the table at the end of the pia7io. Elkin and 
 Valla NCE ai-e now i7i eai-nesi conversation on 
 the extreme left. While the calculation is go- 
 ing on, Thaddeus and Phyllis raise their 
 heads and look at each other. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Carry two 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Six into twenty again — three and carry two 
 
 Stephen. 
 Again, six into twenty — three and carry two 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 223 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Six into forty — six and carry four 
 
 Stephen. 
 Six into forty-eight 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 Eight 
 
 Stephen., 
 Twenty-eight thousand, three hundred and thirty-three 
 pounds, six shilhngs and eight pence. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [^Rising, his paper in his hmtd.'] Twenty-eight thou- 
 sand apiece. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [^Rising.'] No 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \_Rising.'\ No 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [^As everybody turns to him.'\ No, no — 
 
 James. 
 Eh? 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [77? Thaddeus.] What do you mean, sir? 
 
 Stephen. 
 {To Thaddeus.] What do you mean ? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 {Agitatedly .'\ I don't take my share — my wife and I 
 don't take our share — we don't touch it 
 
224 TEE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Phyllis. 
 \CUnging to Thaddeus.] We won't touch it — oh, no, 
 no, no, no ! 
 
 James. 
 \To Thaddeus.] Don't be a fool — don't be a fool ! 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Fool or no fool — not a penny 
 
 Phyllis. 
 Not a penny of it 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Not a penny. 
 
 Helen. 
 Very well, then. [/« a clear voice.'] Very well ; Mr. 
 Thaddeus Mortimore will not accept his share. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 [ With alacrity.'] He dechnes it. 
 
 Helen. 
 He dechnes it. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 That alters the figures — alters the figures 
 
 Stephen. 
 Very materially. 
 
 Rose. 
 \^To Ann and Louisa.] Only five to share instead of 
 six. 
 
 Ann. 
 \_Bewildered.'\ I don't understand , 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 225 
 
 Louisa. 
 
 [Shaking her ari)i.'\ Five instead of six ! 
 
 [Laying his paper on the lop of the piano, Ponting 
 produces his pocket-pencil and makes a fresh 
 calculation. Stephen stands at his elbow. 
 Rose, Ann and Louisa gather round them. 
 
 Stephen. 
 [/;/ an undertone. '\ A hundred and seventy thou- 
 sand 
 
 Ponting. 
 \In an undertone.'] Five into seventeen 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 Three 
 
 Five into twenty 
 
 Ponting. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Thirty-four thousand exactly. 
 
 Ponting. 
 Thirty-four thousand apiece. 
 
 Rose, Ann and Louisa. 
 [To each other.] Thirty-four thousand ! 
 
 Helen. 
 Wait — wait. Wait, please. \ After a short pause.] Mr. 
 Thaddeiis Mortimore refuses to accept his share. I am 
 sorry — but he appears determined. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Determined — determined 
 
226 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Phyllis. 
 
 Determined 
 
 Helen. 
 
 That being so, 1 ask that his share shall be settled upon 
 
 his boy and girl. [7^Elkin.] Mr. Elkin [|ilkin 
 
 advances to her.'] 1 suppose an arrangement of that kind 
 can easily be made ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 \^Witk a shrug.'] Mr. Thaddews Mortimore can assent 
 to his share being handed over to the trustees of a Deed 
 of Settlement for the benefit of his children, giving a re- 
 lease to the administrator from all claims in reipect of his 
 share. 
 
 Helen. 
 [Turning to Thaddeus.] You've no objection to this? 
 [Thaddeus and Phyllis sia7'e at Helen dumbly, with 
 parted tips.] They are great friends of mine — Cyril and 
 Joyce — and I hope th*ey' 11 remain so. \_A pause.] Well? 
 You've no right to stand in their light. [A pause.] You 
 won't, surely, stand in their light? \_A paicse.] Don't. 
 
 [Again there is silence, and then Phyllis, leaving 
 Thaddeus, totters forward, and drops on her 
 knees before Helen, boiving her head in 
 Helen's lap. 
 
 Phyllis. 
 
 [Weeping.] Oh-oh-oh ! 
 
 [Cahftly, Helen disengages herself from Phyllis, 
 rises, and walks aivay to the fireplace. Thad- 
 deus lifts Phyllis from the ground and leads 
 her to the open window. They stand there, 
 facing the garden, she crying upon his shoulder. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 227 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 \_Advancing to t/te niiddle of the room, with the air of a 
 man who is about to perform an unpleasant task.~\ Miss 
 'riiornhill — [HelEiN turns to him] Mr. Vallance and 1 — 
 \_to Vallance] Mr. Vallance — [Vallance advances'] 
 Mr. Vallance and I have come to the conclusion that, as 
 all persons interested in this business are j/^zy^/rz^ and 
 agreeable to the compromise which has been proposed, 
 nobody would be injured by the next-of-kin applying for 
 Letters of Administration. 
 
 Vallance. 
 \_'Jb Elkin.] Except the Revenue. 
 
 Elkin. 
 
 ^Indifferently , with a nod.] The Revenue. 
 
 Vallance. 
 The legacy duty being at three per cent, instead of ten. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \_Nodding.] H'm, h'm! [77? Helen.] But, my dear 
 young lady, we have also to say that, with the informa- 
 tion we possess, we do not see our way clear to act in the 
 matter any further. 
 
 Vallance. 
 \To James, who has cojfte forward on the left.] We cer- 
 tainly could not be parties to the making of an affidavit 
 that the deceased died intestate. 
 
 Elkin. 
 We couldn't reconcile ourselves to that. 
 
 Vallance. 
 We leave it, therefore, to the next-of-kin to take their 
 own course for obtaining Letters of Administration. 
 
228 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Elkin. 
 In fact, we beg to be allowed to withdraw from the 
 affair altogether. I speak for myself, at any rate. 
 
 Vallance. 
 [Emphatic ally. ~\ Altogether. 
 
 James. 
 [After a pause.'] Oh— all right, Mr. Elkin ; all right, 
 Mr. Vallance. 
 
 Helen. 
 [To Elkin.] Then — do I lose you ? 
 
 Elkin. 
 I am afraid — for the present 
 
 Felen. 
 [With dignity.] As you please. I am very grateful to 
 you for what you have done for me. 
 
 Elkin. 
 [Looking roimd.] If I may offer a last word of advice, 
 it is that you should avoid putdng the terms of this com- 
 promise into writing. 
 
 Vallance. 
 [Assentingly.] Each party must rely upon the other to 
 fulfil the terms honorably. 
 
 Elkin. 
 [To Helen.] You have no legal \\^\\\. to enforce those 
 terms ; but pray remember that, in the event of any 
 breach of faith, there would be nothing to prevent you 
 propounding the will even after Letters of Adminis- 
 tration have been granted. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 229 
 
 James. 
 Breach of faith, sir ! 
 
 PoNTixG and Stephen. 
 \Indignantly .'\ Oh ! 
 
 James. 
 There's no need, Mr. Elkin 
 
 Elkin. 
 [7^ James.] No, no, no — not the shghtest, I'm con- 
 vinced, [7i? Helen, taking her hand.~\ The httle hotel 
 in London — Norfolk Street ? 
 
 Helen. 
 Till I'm suited with lodgings. 
 
 Elkin. 
 Mrs. Elkin will write. 
 
 Helen. 
 My love to her. 
 
 \_He stniles at her and leaves her, as Vallance 
 comes to her and shakes her hand. 
 
 Vallance. 
 \To Helen.] Good-bye. 
 
 Helen. 
 {To Vallance.] Good-bye. 
 
 Elkin. 
 \To those on the left.'l Good-afternoon. 
 
 A Murmur. 
 Good-afternoon. 
 
230 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Vallance. 
 [7^ those on the ieft.'] Good-afternoon. 
 
 A Murmur. 
 Good-afternoon. 
 
 [James has opened the door. Elkin ajid Val- 
 lance, carrying their bags, go out. James 
 follows them, closing the door. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 {Coming forward.'] Ha ! We can replace those gentle- 
 men without much difficulty. ^ 
 
 Stephen. 
 \jComing forward. '\ Old Crake has gone to pieces and 
 this fellow Vallance is playing ducks and drakes with the 
 practice — ducks and drakes, 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 {Offering his handto Helen, wJlo takes it perfunctorily^ 
 Greatly indebted to you — greatly indebted to you for 
 meeting us half-way and saving unpleasantness. 
 
 Stephen. 
 Pratt is the best lawyer in the town — the best by far. 
 
 PONTING. 
 
 \To Helen.] Nothing like a compromise, provided it 
 can be arrived at — ah 
 
 Stephen. 
 Without loss of self-respect on both sides. 
 
 [James returns. 
 Ponting. 
 \To James.] Mordmore, we'll go back to your house. 
 
 There are two or three things to talk over 
 
 [Rose comes to Helen as Ponting goes to 
 Stephen ««^ James. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 231 
 
 Rose. 
 [ShakiJig hands with Helen.] We sha'n't be settled in 
 Carlos Place till the autumn, but directly we are set- 
 tled 
 
 Helen. 
 \_Disia7itly.'] Thank you. 
 
 Rose. 
 Everybody flocks to my Tuesdays. Let me have your 
 address and Til send you a card. 
 
 [Rose leaves Helen, makmg way for\^o\5\'S>\ and 
 Stephen. 
 
 Louisa. 
 [77? Helen.] Don't forget the Crescent. Whenever 
 you want to visit your dear father's birthplace 
 
 Stephen. 
 \_Benevolently.'] And if there should be any little cere- 
 mony over laying the foundation-stone of the new Iwies 
 
 and Mirror building 
 
 Louisa. 
 
 There's the spare bedroom. 
 
 [ T/iey shake hands with her and, makins^ way for 
 Ann and James, follow the Pontings, who 
 have gone out. 
 
 Ann. 
 
 {Shaking hands with Helen, gloomily.'] The next 
 time you stay at " Ivanhoe," I hope you'll unpack more 
 than one small trunk. But, there — \kissing her] I bear 
 no malice. 
 
 [She follows the others, leaving James with Helen. 
 
 Jame^. 
 [ To H elen , gruffly, wringing her hand. ] Much obliged 
 to you, my dear ; much obliged to you. 
 
232 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Helen. 
 
 \_Afier glancing over her shoulder, in a whisper.^ Mr, 
 Mortimore 
 
 James. 
 Eh? 
 
 Helen. 
 
 [ With a motion of her head in the direction of Thad- 
 DEUs rt«^/ Phyllis.] These two — these two 
 
 James. 
 \_Lowering his voice.'] What about 'em ? 
 
 Helen. 
 She's done a wrong thing, but recollect — you all profit 
 by it. You don't disdain, any of you, to profit by it. 
 \_He looks at her queerly, but straight in the eyes.] Try to 
 make their lives a little easier for them. 
 
 James. 
 
 Easier ? 
 
 Helen. 
 Happier. You can influence the others, if you will. 
 \^A pai/se.] Will you? 
 
 \_//e reflects, shakes her hand again, and goes to 
 the door. 
 
 James. 
 
 \^At the door, sharply?^ Tad ! [Thaddeus turns.] 
 
 See you in the morning. Phyllis ! \_She also turns 
 
 to him, half scared at his tone.] See you both in the 
 morning. \J\fodding to her.] Good-bye, old girl. 
 
 [i% disappears. Helen is now standing upon 
 the hearth-rug, her hafids behind her, looking 
 down into the grate. Thaddeus and Phyllis 
 glance at her; then, guiltily, they too move to 
 the door, passing round the head of the piano. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 233 
 
 Phyllis. 
 
 [^At the door in a low, hard voice.'] Helen [Helen 
 
 partly turns.\ You're leaving to-morrow. I'll keep out 
 of your way — I'll keep up-stairs in my room — till you've 
 gone. 
 
 \She goes out. Thaddeus is following her, when 
 Helen calls to him. 
 
 Helen. 
 
 Mr. Thaddeus \^He closes the door and advances 
 
 to her humbly. She comes forward.] There's no reason 
 why I should put your wife to that trouble. It's equally 
 convenient to me to return to London this evening. [//^ 
 bows.] Will you kindly ask Kate to pack me? 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Certainly. 
 
 Helen. 
 Er — [thinking] Mr. Trist had some calls to make after 
 we left the flower-show. If I've gone before he comes 
 back, tell him I'll write 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \_Bowing again.] You'll write. 
 
 Helen. 
 And explain. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 \lJnder his breath, looking up quickly.] Explain ! 
 
 Helen. 
 Explain, among other things, that I've yfelded to the 
 desire of the family 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 Desire ? 
 
234 THE THUNDERBOLT . 
 
 Helen. 
 
 That I should accept a share of my father's property. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 \_Falteringly^ Thank you — thank you 
 
 Helen. 
 \After a while. '\ That's all, I think. 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 {Offering his hand to her.~\ I — I wish you every hap- 
 piness, Miss Thornhill. [She places her hand in his.'] I — 
 1 wish you every happiness. 
 
 [She inclines her head in acknowledgment and 
 again he goes to the door ; and again, turning 
 away to the round table where she trifies with 
 a book, she calls him. 
 
 Helen. 
 
 Oh, Mr. Tad [He halts.'] Mr. Tad, I propose 
 
 that we allow six months to pass in complete silence — six 
 months from to-day 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 [Dully, not understanding.] Six months — silence ? 
 
 Helen. 
 I mean, without my hearing from your wife. Then, 
 perhaps, she — she will send me another invitation 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 [Leaving the door, staring at her.] Invitation ? 
 
 Helen. 
 By that time, we shall, all of us, have forgotten a great 
 deal — sha'n't we? [Facing him.] You'll say that to her 
 for me ? 
 
 [He hesitates, then he takes her hands and, bend- 
 ing over them, kisses them repeatedly. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 235 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. 
 
 Helen. 
 
 [ Withdrawing her hands.'] Plnd — Kate 
 
 [ Once more he makes for the door. 
 
 Thaddeus 
 \Stopping half-way and pulling himself together.] Miss 
 Thornhill — my wife — my wife — you've seen her at a dis- 
 advantage — a terrible disadvantage. Y^w — few pass 
 through life without being seen — once — or oftener — at a 
 disadvantage. She — she's a splendid woman — a splen- 
 did woman — a splendid wife and mother. \Moving to the 
 door.] They haven't appreciated her — the family haven't 
 appreciated her. They've treated her abominably ; for 
 sixteen years she's been treated abominably. \_At the 
 door.] But I've never regretted my marriage — \_defiatitly] 
 I've never regretted it — never, for a single moment — 
 
 never regretted it — never — never regretted it 
 
 \He disappears. She goes to the table at the end 
 of the piano and takes up her drawing-block 
 and box of crayons. As she does so, Trist lets 
 himself i)ito the garden. She pauses, listening, 
 and presently he enters the room at the open 
 window. 
 
 Trist. 
 {Throwing his hat o?t the round table] Ah ! 
 
 Helen. 
 [Animatedly.] Mr. Trist 
 
 Trist. 
 
 Yes? 
 
236 THE THUNDERBOLT 
 
 Helen. 
 Run out to the post-office for me — send a telegram in 
 my name 
 
 Tkist. 
 With pleasure. 
 
 Helen. 
 Gregory's Hotel, Norfolk Street, Strand, London — the 
 manager. Miss Thornhill will arrive to-night — prepare 
 her room 
 
 Trist. 
 [^His face falling.~\ To-night ! 
 
 Helen. 
 I've altered my plans. Gregory's Hotel — Greg- 
 ory's 
 
 Trist. 
 {Picking up his hat.'] Norfolk Street, Strand 
 
 Helen. 
 {At the door.'] Mr. Trist— I want you to know— I— I've 
 come into a small fortune. 
 
 Trist. 
 A fortune ? 
 
 Helen. 
 Nearly thirty thousand pounds. 
 
 Trist. 
 Thirty thousand ! 
 
 Helen. 
 They've persuaded me — persuaded me to take a share 
 of my poor father's money. 
 
THE THUNDERBOLT 237 
 
 Trist. 
 I — I'm glad. 
 
 Helen. 
 You — you think I'm doing rightly ? 
 
 Trist. 
 \_Depressed.'\ Why — of course. 
 
 \jShe opens the door mid he goes to the window. 
 
 Helen. 
 
 Mr. Trist ! \She comes back mto the room.^ Mr. 
 
 Trist ! [//f approaches her.'] Mr. Trist — don't — 
 
 don't 
 
 Trist. 
 What? 
 
 Helen. 
 
 \_//er head droopingT] Don't let this make any differ- 
 ence between us — will you ? 
 
 \She raises her eyes to his and they stand looking 
 at each other in silence. Then she turns away 
 abruptly and leaves the room as he hurries 
 through the garden. 
 
 THE END 
 
Arthur W. Pinero 
 
 THE 
 THUNDERBOLT 
 
 A COMEDY IN FOUR ACTS 
 
 Walter H. Baker 6 Co.. Boston 
 
^titt, 50 CentjS €ac|) 
 
 THE AMAZONS ^^"^^^ ^'^ Three Act3. Seven males, five females. 
 Costumes, modern ; scenery, not difficult. Plays 
 a full evening. 
 
 TBE CABINET MINISTER ^:^^Z^;.Z::^:^ 
 
 scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 
 
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 THP A A V I nOn ftllPY Comedy in Four Acts. Four males, ten 
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 HIS HflllSF IN OttDFR comedy in Four Acts. Nine males, four 
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 THF HORRY HORSF comedy in Three Acts. Ten males, five 
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 THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITH ^'^'^ ,'" J°r T 
 
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 THF PRftFI IfiATF ^l^y in Four Acts. Seven males, five females. 
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 TBE SCHOOLMISTRESS S^r^^tt nirrrr;. 
 
 three interiors. Plays a full evening. 
 
 THE SECOND MRS. TANQUERAY ^L^^l^-lo: 
 
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 THF WFAKFR SFX comedy in Three Acts. Eight males, eight 
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 A WIFE WITHOUT A SMILE ^:::Z^ i^^'Z^^Z 
 
 modern ; scene, a single interior. Plays a full evening. 
 
 Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 
 
 Salter ^. l3afier & Company 
 
 No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 
 
JA 
 
 %\)t Willmm Wdixxtn Ctittion ]; 
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 AS Yftll I Il^F IT Comedy In Five Acts. Thirteen males, four 
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 CAHILLE 
 
 Drama in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. Cos- 
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 IMAAMiD Play in Five Acts. Thirteen males, three females. 
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 MARY STUART Tragedy in Five Acts. Thirteen males, four fe- 
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 THF RIVAIS Comedy in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. 
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 TWELFTH NICHT; OR, WHAT YOD WILL llf^^.l-'u.ll::, 
 
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 Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 
 
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 No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 
 
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