第2章

"Acourtofjusticehasdecreedherguilty，"heassertedonceagain，inhisponderousmanner。Hisemphasisindicatedthattheretheaffairended。

Demarestsmiledcynicallyashestrodetoandfro。

"Nowadays，"heshotout，"wedon\'tcallthemcourtsofjustice:

wecallthemcourtsoflaw。"

Gilderyieldedonlyaratherdubioussmileoverthequip。Thismuchhefeltthathecouldafford，sincethosesamecourtsservedhispersonalpurposeswellindeed。

"Anyway，"hedeclared，becominggenialagain，"it\'soutofourhands。There\'snothingwecando，now。"

"Why，astothat，"thelawyerreplied，withahintofhesitation，"Iamnotsosure。Yousee，thefactofthematteristhat，thoughIhelpedtoprosecutethecase，Iamnotalittlebitproudoftheverdict。"

Gilderraisedhiseyebrowsinunfeignedastonishment。Evenyet，hewasquitewithoutappreciationoftheattorney\'sfeelinginreferencetotheconductofthecase。

"Why？"hequestioned，sharply。

"Because，"thelawyersaid，againhaltingdirectlybeforethedesk，"inspiteofalltheevidenceagainsther，IamnotsurethatMaryTurnerisguilty——farfromit，infact!"

Gilderutteredanejaculationofcontempt，butDemarestwentonresolutely。

"Anyhow，"heexplained，"thegirlwantstoseeyou，andIwishtourgeyoutograntheraninterview。"

Gilderflaredatthissuggestion，andscowledwrathfullyonthelawyer，who，perhapswithprofessionalprudence，hadturnedawayinhisrapidpacingoftheroom。

"What\'stheuse？"Gilderstormed。Alatenthardnessrevealeditselfattheprospectofsuchavisitation。Andalongwiththishardnesscameanothersingularrevelationofthenatureoftheman。Fortherewasconsternationinhisvoice，ashecontinuedinvehementexpostulationagainsttheidea。Iftherewasharshnessinhisattitudetherewas，too，afugitivesuggestionoftendernessalarmedovertheprospectofundergoingsuchaninterviewwithawoman。

"Ican\'thavehercryingallovertheofficeandbeggingformercy，"heprotested，truculently。Butanoteoffearlayunderthepetulance。

Demarest\'sanswerwasgivenwithassurance"

"Youaremistakenaboutthat。Thegirldoesn\'tbegformercy。

Infact，that\'sthewholepointofthematter。Shedemandsjustice——strangeasthatmayseem，inacourtoflaw!——andnothingelse。Thetruthis，she\'saveryunusualgirl，alongwaybeyondtheordinarysales-girl，bothinbrainsandineducation。"

"Thelessreason，then，forherbeingathief，"Gildergrumbledinhisheaviestvoice。

"Andperhapsthelessreasonforbelievinghertobeathief，"

thelawyerretorted，suavely。Hepausedforamoment，thenwenton。Therewasatoneofsinceredeterminationinhisvoice。

"Justbeforethejudgeimposedsentence，heaskedherifshehadanythingtosay。Youknow，it\'sjustausualform——athingthatrarelymeansmuchofanything。Butthiscasewasdifferent，letmetellyou。Shesurprisedusallbyansweringatoncethatshehad。It\'sreallyapity，Gilder，thatyoudidn\'twait。Why，thatpoorgirlmadea——damn——finespeech!"

Thelawyer\'sforensicaspirationsshowedinhishonestappreciationoftheeffectivenessofsuchoratoryfromtheheartashehadheardinthecourtroomthatday。

"Pooh!pooh!"camethequerulousobjection。"Sheseemstohavehypnotizedyou。"Then，asanewthoughtcametothemagnate，hespokewithatraceofanxiety。Therewerealwaysthereporters，lookingforspacetofillwithfoolishvaporings。

"Didshesayanythingagainstme，orthestore？"

"Notaword，"thelawyerreplied，gravely。Hissmileofappreciationwasdiscreetlysecret。"Shemerelytoldushowherfatherdiedwhenshewassixteenyearsold。Shewascompelledafterthattoearnherownliving。Thenshetoldhowshehadworkedforyouforfiveyearssteadily，withoutthereeverbeingasinglethingagainsther。Shesaid，too，thatshehadneverseenthethingsfoundinherlocker。Andshesaidmorethanthat!Sheaskedthejudgeifhehimselfunderstoodwhatitmeansforagirltobesentencedtoprisonforsomethingshehadn\'tdone。Somehow，Gilder，thewayshetalkedhaditseffectoneverybodyinthecourtroom。Iknow!It\'smybusinesstounderstandthingslikethat。Andwhatshesaidrangtrue。Whatshesaid，andthewayshesaidit，takebrainsandcourage。Theordinarycrookhasneither。So，Ihadasuspicionthatshemightbespeakingthetruth。Yousee，Gilder，itallrangtrue!Andit\'smybusinesstoknowhowthingsringinthatway。"Therewasalittlepause，whilethelawyermovedbackandforthnervously。

Then，headded:"IbelieveLawlorwouldhavesuspendedsentenceifithadn\'tbeenforyourtalkwithhim。"

TherewerenotwantingsignsthatGilderwasimpressed。Butthegentlerfibersofthemanwereatrophiedbythehabitsofalifetime。Whathearthehadoncepossessedhadbeenburiedinthegraveofhisyoungwife，toberesurrectedonlyforhisson。

Inmostthings，hewasconsistentlyahardman。Sincehehadnoimagination，hecouldhavenorealsympathy。

Hewhirledaboutinhisswivelchair，andblewacloudofsmokefromhismouth。Whenhespoke，hisvoicewasdeeplyresonant。

"Isimplydidmyduty，"hesaid。"YouareawarethatIdidnotseekanyconsultationwithJudgeLawlor。Hesentforme，andaskedmewhatIthoughtaboutthecase——whetherIthoughtitwouldberighttoletthegirlgoonasuspendedsentence。I

toldhimfranklythatIbelievedthatanexampleshouldbemadeofher，forthesakeofotherswhomightbetemptedtosteal。

Propertyhassomerights，Demarest，althoughitseemstobegettingnowadayssothatanybodyislikelytodenyit。"Thenthefretful，half-alarmednotesoundedinhisvoiceagain，ashecontinued:"Ican\'tunderstandwhythegirlwantstoseeme。"

Thelawyersmileddryly，sincehehadhisbackturnedatthemoment。

"Why，"hevouchsafed，"shejustsaidthat，ifyouwouldseeherfortenminutes，shewouldtellyouhowtostopthetheftsinthisstore。"

Gilderdisplayedsignsoftriumph。Hebroughthischairtoalevelandpoundedthedeskwithaweightyfist。

"There!"hecried。"Iknewit。Thegirlwantstoconfess。

Well，it\'sthefirstsignofdecentfeelingshe\'sshown。I

supposeitoughttobeencouraged。Probablytherehavebeenothersmixedupinthis。"

Demarestattemptednodenial。

"Perhaps，"headmitted，thoughhespokealtogetherwithoutconviction。"But，"hecontinuedinsinuatingly，"atleastitcandonoharmifyouseeher。Ithoughtyouwouldbewilling，soI

spoketotheDistrictAttorney，andhehasgivenorderstobringherhereforafewminutesonthewaytotheGrandCentralStation。They\'retakingheruptoBurnsing，youknow。Iwish，Gilder，youwouldhavealittletalkwithher。Noharminthat!"

Withthesaying，thelawyerabruptlywentoutoftheoffice，leavingtheownerofthestorefuming。

CHAPTERIV。KISSESANDKLEPTOMANIA。

"Hello，Dad!"

Aftertheattorney\'sdeparture，Gilderhadbeenratherfussilygoingoversomeofthepapersonhisdesk。Hewasexperiencingavaguefeelingofinjuryonaccountofthelawyer\'sill-veiledeffortstoarousehissympathyinbehalfoftheaccusedgirl。Intheinstinctofstrengtheninghimselfagainstthepossibilityofyieldingtowhathedeemedweakness，themagnaterehearsedthefactsthatjustifiedhisintolerance，and，indeed，sooncametogloatingovertheadmirablemannerinwhichrighteousnessthrivesintheworld。Anditwasthenthataninterruptioncameintheutteranceoftwowords，wordsofaffection，oflove，criedoutintheonevoicehemostlongedtohear——forthevoicewasthatofhisson。Yet，hedidnotlookup。Thethingwasaltogetherimpossible!Theboywasphilandering，junketing，somewhereontheRiviera。Hisfirstintimationastotheexactplacewouldcomeintheformofacableaskingformoney。Somehow，hisfeelingshadbeenundulystirredthatmorning；hehadgrownsentimental，dreamingofpleasantthings……Allthisinasecond。Then，helookedup。Why，itwastrue!ItwasDick\'sfacethere，smilinginthedoorway。Yes，itwasDick，itwasDickhimself!Gildersprangtohisfeet，hisfacesuddenlygrownyounger，radiant。

"Dick!"Thebigvoicewassoftenedtoexquisitetenderness。

Astheeyesofthetwomet，theboyrushedforward，andinthenextmomentthehandsoffatherandsonclaspedfirmly。Theyweresilentinthefirstemotionoftheirgreeting。Presently，Gilderspoke，withanefforttowardharshnessinhisvoicetomaskhowmuchhewasshaken。Butthetonesrangmorekindlythananyhehadusedformanyaday，tremulouswithaffection。

"Whatbroughtyouback？"hedemanded。

Dick，too，hadfeltthetensionofanemotionfarbeyondthatoftheusualthings。Hewasforcedtoclearhisthroatbeforeheansweredwiththatassumptionofnonchalancewhichheregardedasbefittingtheoccasion。

"Why，Ijustwantedtocomebackhome，"hesaid；lightly。A

suddenrecollectioncametogivehimpoiseinthistimeofemotionaldisturbance，andheaddedhastily:"And，fortheloveofheaven，giveSadiefivedollars。Iborroweditfromhertopaythetaxi\'。Yousee，Dad，I\'mbroke。"

"Ofcourse!"Withthesaying，EdwardGilderroaredGargantuanlaughter。Intheburstofmerriment，hispentfeelingsfoundtheirvent。Hewasstillchucklingwhenhespoke，sagefrommuchexperienceofoceantravel。"Pokerontheship，Isuppose。"

Theyoungman，too，smiledreminiscentlyasheanswered:

"No，notthat，thoughIdidhavealittleruninatMonteCarlo。

Butitwastheshipthatfinishedme，atthat。Yousee，Dad，theyhiredCaptainKiddandabunchofpiratesasstewards，andwhattheydidtolittleRichardwassomethingfierce。Andyet，thatwasn\'ttherealtrouble，either。Thefactis，Ijustnaturallywentbroke。Notahardthingtodoontheotherside。"

"Noronthis，"thefatherinterjected，dryly。

"Anyhow，itdoesn\'tmattermuch，"Dickreplied，quiteunabashed。

"Tellme，Dad，howgoesit？"

Gildersettledhimselfagaininhischair，andgazedbenignantlyonhisson。

"Prettywell，"hesaidcontentedly；"prettywell，son。I\'mgladtoseeyouhomeagain，myboy。"Therewasagreattendernessintheusuallyrathercoldgrayeyes。

Theyoungmanansweredpromptly，withdelightinhismannerofspeech，andasinceritythatrevealedtheunderlyingmeritofhisnature。

"AndI\'mgladtobehome，Dad，tobe"——therewasagainthatclearingofthethroat，buthefinishedbravely——"withyou。"

Thefatheravoidedathreateningdisplayofemotionbyanabruptchangeofsubjecttothetrite。

"Haveagoodtime？"heinquiredcasually，whilefumblingwiththepapersonthedesk。

Dick\'sfacebrokeinasmileofreminiscenthappiness。

"Thetimeofmyyounglife!"Hepaused，andthesmilebroadened。

Therewasamightyenthusiasminhisvoiceashecontinued:"I

tellyou，Dad，it\'safactthatIdidalmostbreakthebankatMonteCarlo。I\'dhavedoneitsure，ifonlymymoneyhadheldout。"

"ItseemstomethatI\'veheardsomethingofthesortbefore，"

wasGilder\'scausticcomment。Buthissmilewasstillwhollysympathetic。Hetookacuriousvicariousdelightintheescapadesofhisson，probablybecausehehimselfhadcommittednofolliesinhiscallowdays。"Whydidn\'tyoucableme？"heasked，puzzledatsuchrestraintonthepartofhisson。

Dickansweredwithsimplesincerity。

"Becauseitgavemeacapitalexcuseforcominghome。"

ItwasSarahwhoaffordedadiversion。ShehadknownDickwhilehewasyetachild，hadboughthimcandy，hadfelttowardhimamaternallikingthatincreasedratherthandiminishedashegrewtomanhood。Now，herfacelightedatsightofhim，andshesmiledawelcome。

"Iseeyouhavefoundhim，"shesaid，witharippleoflaughter。

Dickwelcomedthisinterruptionofthegravermood。

"Sadie，"hesaid，withamanneroftheutmostseriousness，"youarelookingfinerthanever。Andhowthinyouhavegrown!"

Thegirl，eagerwithfondfanciestowardtheslenderideal，acceptedthecomplimentliterally。

"Oh，Mr。Dick!"sheexclaimed，rapturously。"HowmuchdoyouthinkIhavelost？"

ThewhimsicalheirofthehouseofGildersurveyedhisvictimcritically，thenspokewithjudicialsolemnity。

"Abouttwoounces，Sadie。"

TherecamealookofdeephurtonSadie\'sfaceattheflippantjest，whichDickhimselfwasquicktonote。

Hehadnotguessedshewasthusacutelysensitiveconcerningherplumpness。Instantly，hewasallcontritionoverhisunwittingoffenseinflictedonherwomanlyvanity。

"Oh，I\'msorry，Sadie，"heexclaimedpenitently。"Pleasedon\'tbereallyangrywithme。Ofcourse，Ididn\'tmean——"

"Totwitonfacts!"thesecretaryinterrupted，bitterly。

"Pooh!"Dickcried，craftily。"Youaren\'tplumpenoughtobesensitiveaboutit。Why，you\'rejustright。"Therewassomethingveryboyishabouthismanner，ashecaughtatthegirl\'sarm。Amemoryofthedayswhenshehadcuddledhimcausedhimtospeakwarmly，forgettingthepresenceofhisfather。

"Now，don\'tbeangry，Sadie。Justgivemealittlekiss，asyouusedtodo。"Hesweptherintohisarms，andhislipsmethersinaheartycaress。"There!"hecried。"Justtoshowthere\'snoillfeeling。"

Thegirlwascompletelymollified，thoughinmuchembarrassment。

"Why，Mr。Dick!"shestammered，inconfusion。"Why，Mr。Dick!"

Gilder，whohadwatchedthesceneingreatastonishment，nowinterposedtoendit。

"Stop，Dick!"hecommanded，crisply。"YouareactuallymakingSarahblush。Ithinkthat\'saboutenough，son。"

Butasuddenunaccustomedgustofaffectionswirledinthebreastofthelad。PlainAnglo-Saxonashewas，withallthatimpliesastotheavoidanceofdisplaysofemotion，neverthelesshehadbeenforalongtimeinlandsfarfromhome，wherethehabitsofimpulsiveandaffectionatepeopleswereradicallyunlikeourownaustererforms。Sonow，underthespurofanimpulsesuggestedbythedalliancewiththebuxomsecretary，hegrinnedwidelyandwenttohisfather。

"Alittlekissneverhurtsanyone，"hedeclared，blithely。Thenheaddedvivaciously:"Here，I\'llshowyou!"

Withthewords，heclaspedhisarmsaroundhisfather\'sneck，and，beforethatamazedgentlemancouldunderstandhispurpose，hehadkissedsoundlyfirsttheonecheekandthentheother，eachwithahearty，wholesomesmackoffilialpiety。Thisdone，hestoodback，stillbeaminghappily，whiletheastoundedSarahtitteredbewilderedly。Forhisownpart，Dickwasquiteunashamed。Helovedhisfather。Foronce，hehadexpressedthatfondnessinaprimitivefashion，andhewasglad。

Theoldermanwithdrewastep，andthererestedmotionless，undertheswayofanemotionakintodismay。Hestoodstaringintentlyathissonwithaperplexityinhisexpressionthatwasalmostludicrous。When，atlast，hespoke，hisvoicewasarumbleofstrangelyshypleasure。

"Godblessmysoul!"heexclaimed，violently。Thenheraisedahand，andrubbedfirstonecheek，andafterititsfellow，withagentlenessthatwassignificant。Thefeelingprovokedbytheembraceshowedplainlyinhisnextwords。"Why，that\'sthefirsttimeyouhavekissedme，Dick，sinceyouwerealittleboy。Godblessmysoul!"herepeated。Andnowtherewasanoteofjubilation。

Theson，somewhatdisturbedbythisemotionhehadaroused，neverthelessansweredfranklywiththeexpressionofhisownfeeling，asheadvancedandlaidahandonhisfather\'sshoulder。

"Thefactis，Dad，"hesaidquietly，withasmilethatwasgoodtosee，"Iamawfullygladtoseeyouagain。"

"Areyou，son？"thefathercriedhappily。Then，abruptlyhismannerchanged，forhefelthimselfperilouslyclosetothemaudlininthisnewyieldingtosentimentality。Suchkissesoftenderness，howeveragreeableinthemselves，werehardlyfittingtooneofhisdignity。"Youclearoutofhere，boy，"hecommanded，brusquely。"I\'maworkingman。Buthere，waitaminute，"headded。Hebroughtforthfromapocketaneatsheafofbanknotes，whichheheldout。"There\'scarfareforyou，"hesaidwithachuckle。"Andnowclearout。I\'llseeyouatdinner。"

Dickbestowedthemoneyinhispocket，andagainturnedtowardthedoor。

"Youcanalwaysgetridofmeonthesameterms，"heremarkedslyly。Andthentheyoungmangaveevidencethathe，too，hadsomeofhisfather\'sabilityinthingsfinancial。For，inthedoorwayheturnedwithafinalspeech，whichwasutteredinsplendiddisregardforthepacketofmoneyhehadjustreceived——perhaps，rather，inasplendidregardforit。"Oh，Dad，pleasedon\'tforgettogiveSadiethatfivedollarsI

borrowedfromherforthetaxi\'。"Andwiththatimpertinentreminderhewasgone。

Theownerofthestorereturnedtohislaborswithanewzest，forthemeetingwithhissonhadputhiminhighspirits。

PerhapsitmighthavebeenbetterforMaryTurnerhadshecometohimjustthen，whilehewasyetinthissoftenedmood。Butfatehadordainedthatothereventsshouldrestorehimtohisusualharderselfbeforetheirinterview。Theeffectwas，indeed，presentlyaccomplishedbytheadventofSmithsonintotheoffice。

Heenteredwithanexpressionofdiscomfitureonhisrathervacuouscountenance。Hewalkedalmostnimblytothedeskandspokewithevidentdistress，ashisemployerlookedupinterrogatively。

"McCrackenhasdetained——er——a——lady，sir，"hesaid，feebly。

"Shehasbeensearched，andwehavefoundaboutahundreddollarsworthoflacesonher。"

"Well？"Gilderdemanded，impatiently。Suchaffairsweretoocommoninthestoretomakenecessarythisintrusionofthematteronhim。"Whydidyoucometomeaboutit？"Hisstaffknewjustwhattodowithshoplifters。

Atonce，Smithsonbecameapologetic，whilerefusingtoretreat。

"I\'mverysorry，sir，"hesaidhaltingly，"butIthoughtitwiser，sir，to——er——tobringthemattertoyourpersonalattention。"

"Quiteunnecessary，Smithson，"Gilderreturned，withasperity。

"Youknowmyviewsonthesubjectofproperty。TellMcCrackentohavethethiefarrested。"

Smithsonclearedhisthroatdoubtfully，andinhisstressoffeelingheevenrelaxedatriflethatmajesticalerectnessofcarriagethathadmadehimsovaluableasafloor-walker。

"She\'snotexactlya——er——athief，"heventured。

"Youaretrifling，Smithson，"theownerofthestoreexclaimed，inhighexasperation。"Notathief!Andyoucaughtherwithahundreddollarsworthoflacesthatshehadn\'tbought。Notathief!Whatinheaven\'snamedoyoucallher，then？"

"Akleptomaniac，"Smithsonexplained，retaininghismannerofmildinsistence。"Yousee，sir，it\'sthisway。TheladyhappenstobethewifeofJ。W。Gaskell，thebanker，youknow。"

Yes，Gilderdidknow。Thementionofthenamewaslikeaspellintheeffectitwroughtontheattitudeoftheirritatedownerofthestore。Instantly，hisexpressionchanged。Whilebeforehisfeatureshadbeensetgrimly，whilehiseyeshadflashedwrathfully，therewasnowonlyannoyanceoveraneventmarkedlyunfortunate。

"Howextremelyawkward!"hecried；andtherewasaveryrealconcerninhisvoice。HeregardedSmithsonkindly，whereatthatratherpulinggentlemanonceagainassumedhismartialbearing。

"Youwerequiterightincomingtome。"Foramomenthewassilent，plungedinthought。Finallyhespokewiththedecisivenesscharacteristicofhim。"Ofcourse，there\'snothingwecando。Justputthestuffbackonthecounter，andlethergo。"

ButSmithsonhadnotyetwhollyunburdenedhimself。Insteadofimmediatelyleavingtheroominpursuanceofthesuccinctinstructionsgivenhim，heagainclearedhisthroatnervously，andmadeknownafurtheraggravatingfactorinthesituation。

"She\'sveryangry，Mr。Gilder，"heannounced，timidly。

"She——er——shedemandsan——er——anapology。"

Theownerofthestorehalf-rosefromhischair，thenthrewhimselfbackwithanexclamationofdisgust。Heagainejaculatedthewordswithwhichhehadgreetedhisson\'sunexpectedkisses，butnowtherewasavastdifferenceintheintonation。

"Godblessmysoul!"hecried。Fromhisexpression，itwasclearthatapiousaspirationwasfarthestfromhisthought。Onthecontrary!Again，hefellsilent，consideringthesituationwhichSmithsonhadpresented，and，ashereflected，hisfrownbetrayedtheemotionnaturalenoughunderthecircumstances。Atlast，however，hemasteredhisirritationtosomedegree，andspokehiscommandbriefly。"Well，Smithson，apologizetoher。Itcan\'tbehelped。"Thenhisfacelightedwithasardonicamusement。"And，Smithson，"hewentonwithasortofelephantineplayfulness，"I

shalltakeitasapersonalfavorifyouwilltactfullyadvisetheladythatthegoodsatAltmanandStern\'sarereallyevenfinerthanours。"

WhenSmithsonhadlefttheoffice，Gilderturnedtohissecretary。

"Takethis，"hedirected，andheforthwithdictatedthefollowinglettertothehusbandoftheladywhowasnotathief，asSmithsonhadsopainstakinglypointedout:

"J。W。GASKELL，ESQ。，"CentralNationalBank，NewYork。

"MYDEARMr。GASKELL:IfeelthatIshouldbedoinglessthanmydutyasamanifIdidnotletyouknowatoncethatMrs。Gaskellisinurgentneedofmedicalattention。Shecameintoourstoreto-day，and——"

Hepausedforamoment。"No，putitthisway，"hesaidfinally:

"Wefoundherwanderingaboutourstoreto-dayinaverynervouscondition。Inherexcitement，shecarriedawayaboutonehundreddollars\'worthofrarelaces。Notrecognizingher，ourstoredetectivedetainedherforashorttime。Fortunatelyforusall，Mrs。Gaskellwasabletoexplainwhoshewas，andshehasjustgonetoherhome。HopingforMrs。Gaskell\'sspeedyrecovery，andwithallgoodwishes，Iam，"Yoursverytruly。"

Yet，thoughhehadcompletedtheletter，Gilderdidnotatoncetakeupanotherdetailofhisbusiness。Instead，heremainedplungedinthought，andnowhisfrownwasoneofsimplebewilderment。Anumberofminutespassedbeforehespoke，andthenhiswordsrevealeddistinctlywhathadbeenhistrainofmeditation。

"Sadie，"hesaidinavoiceofentiresincerity，"Ican\'tunderstandtheft。It\'sathingabsolutelybeyondmycomprehension。"

Ontheheelsofthisingenuousdeclaration，Smithsonenteredtheoffice，andthatexcellentgentlemanappearedevenmoreperturbedthanbefore。

"Whatonearthisthematternow？"Gilderspluttered，suspiciously。

"It\'sMrs。Gaskellstill，"Smithsonrepliedingreattrepidation。

"Shewantsyoupersonally，Mr。Gilder，toapologizetoher。Shesaysthattheactiontakenagainstherisanoutrage，andsheisnotsatisfiedwiththeapologiesofalltherestofus。Shesaysyoumustmakeone，too，andthatthestoredetectivemustbedischargedforintolerableinsolence。"

Gilderbouncedupfromhischairangrily。

"I\'llbedamnedifI\'lldischargeMcCracken，"hevociferated，glaringonSmithson，whoshrankvisibly。

Butthatmildandmeekmanhadacertainstrengthofpertinacity。

Besides，inthiscase，hehadbeenhavingmultitudinoustroublesofhisown，whichcouldbeendedonlybyhisemployer\'splacatingoftheoffendedkleptomaniac。

"Butabouttheapology，Mr。Gilder，"hereminded，speakingverydeferentially，yetwithinsistence。

Businessinstincttriumphedoverthemagnate\'sirritation，andhisfacecleared。

"Oh，I\'llapologize，"hesaidwithawrysmileofdiscomfiture。

"I\'llmakethingsevenupabitwhenIgetanapologyfromGaskell。Ishrewdlysuspectthatthatestimablegentlemanisgoingtoeathumblepie，ofmybaking，fromhiswife\'srecipe。

Andhiswillbeanhonestapology——whichminewon\'t，notbyadamnedsight!"Withthewords，helefttheroom，inhiswakeahugelyrelievedSmithson。

Aloneintheoffice，Sarahneglectedherworkforafewminutestobroodoverthestartlingcontrastofeventsthathadjustforceditselfonherattention。Shewasnotagirlgiventotheanalysisofeitherpersonsorthings，butinthisinstancethemovementofaffairshadcomeclosetoher，andshewascompelledtosomedepthoffeelingbythetwoaspectsoflifeonwhichto-dayshelooked。Intheonecase，assheknewit，agirlundertheurgeofpovertyhadstolen。Thatthiefhadbeenpromptlyarrested，finallyshehadbeentried，hadbeenconvicted，hadbeensentencedtothreeyearsinprison。Intheothercase，awomanofwealthhadstolen。Therehadbeennopunishment。A

euphemismofkleptomaniahadbeenofferedandacceptedassufficientexcuseforhercrime。Apoliteliehadbeenwrittentoherhusband，abankerofpowerinthecity。Toher，theproprietorofthestorewasevennowapologizingincourteousphrasesofregret……AndMaryTurnerhadbeensentencedtothreeyearsinprison。Sadieshookherheadindolorousdoubt，assheagainbentoverthekeysofhertypewriter。Certainly，somehappeningsinthisworldofoursdidnotseemquitefair。

CHAPTERV。THEVICTIMOFTHELAW。

ItwasonthissamedaythatSarah，ononeofhernumeroustripsthroughthestoreinbehalfofGilder，wasaccostedbyasalesgirl，whosename，HelenMorris，shechancedtoknow。Itwasinaspotsomewhereoutofthecrowd，sothatforthemomentthetwowerepracticallyalone。ThesalesgirlshowedsignsofembarrassmentassheventuredtolayadetaininghandonSarah\'sarm，butshemaintainedherposition，despitethesecretary\'smannerofdisapproval。

"Whatonearthdoyouwant？"Sarahinquired，snappishly。

Thesalesgirlputherquestionatonce。

"WhatdidtheydotoMaryTurner？"

"Oh，that!"thesecretaryexclaimed，withincreasedimpatienceoverthedelay，forshewasverybusy，asalways。"Youwillallknowsoonenough。"

"Tellmenow。"Thevoiceofthegirlwassingularlycompelling；

therewassomethingvividlyimpressiveaboutherjustnow，thoughherpallid，prematurelymaturefaceandthethinfigureintheregulationblackdressandwhiteapronshowedordinarilyonlyinsignificant。"Tellmenow，"sherepeated，withamonotonousemphasisthatsomehowmovedSarahtoobedienceagainstherwill，greatlytoherownsurprise。

"Theysenthertoprisonforthreeyears，"sheanswered，sharply。

"Threeyears？"Thesalesgirlhadrepeatedthewordsinatonethatwasindefinable，yetatonevehementinitsincredulousquestioning。"Threeyears？"shesaidagain，asonerefusingtobelieve。

"Yes，"Sarahsaid，impressedbythegirl\'searnestness；"threeyears。"

"GoodGod!"Therewasnoirreverenceintheexclamationthatbrokefromthegirl\'slips。Instead，onlyatensehorrorthattouchedtotherootsofemotion。

Sarahregardedthisdisplayoffeelingonthepartoftheyoungwomanbeforeherwithanincreasingastonishment。Itwasnotinherownnaturetobedemonstrative，andsuchstrongexpressionofemotionasthisshedeemedrathersuspicious。Sherecalled，inaddition，thefactthathiswasnotthefirsttimethatHelenMorrishadshownaparticularinterestinthefateofMaryTurner。Sarahwonderedwhy。

"Say，"shedemanded，withthedirectnesshabitualtoher，"whyareyousoanxiousaboutit？ThisisthethirdtimeyouhaveaskedmeaboutMaryTurner。What\'sittoyou，I\'dliketoknow？"

Thesalesgirlstartedviolently，andadeepflushdrovetheaccustomedpallorfromhercheeks。Shewasobviouslymuchdisturbedbythequestion。

"Whatisittome？"sherepeatedinanefforttogaintime。

"Why，nothing——nothingatall!"Herexpressionofdistresslightenedalittleasshehitonanexcusethatmightservetojustifyherinterest。"Nothingatall，only——she\'safriendofmine，agreatfriendofmine。Oh，yes!"Then，inaninstant，thelookofreliefvanished，asonceagaintheterriblerealityhammeredonherconsciousness，andanoverwhelmingdejectionshowedinthedulleyesandinthedroopingcurvesofthewhitelips。Therewasamonotoneofdesolationasshewentonspeakinginawhispermeantfortheearsofnoother。"It\'sawful——threeyears!Oh，Ididn\'tunderstand!It\'sawful!——awful!"Withthefinalword，shehurriedoff，herheadbowed。Shewasstillmurmuringbrokenly，incoherently。Herwholeattitudewasofwonderinggrief。

Sarahstaredafterthegirlincompletemystification。Shecouldnotatfirstguessanypossiblecauseforanemotionsopoignant。

Presently，however，hershrewd，thoughveryprosaic，commonsensesuggestedasimpleexplanationofthegirl\'sextraordinarydistress。

"I\'llbetthatgirlhasbeentemptedtosteal。Butshedidn\'t，becauseshewasafraid。"Withthissatisfactoryconclusionofherwonderment，thesecretaryhurriedonherway，quitecontent。

Itneveroccurredtoherthatthegirlmighthavebeentemptedtosteal——andhadnotresistedthetemptation。

ItwasonaccountofthisbriefconversationwiththesalesgirlthatSarahwasthinkingintentlyofMaryTurner，afterherreturntotheoffice，fromwhichGilderhimselfhappenedtobeabsentforthemoment。Asthesecretaryglancedupattheopeningofthedoor，shedidnotatfirstrecognizethefigureoutlinedthere。SherememberedMaryTurnerasatall，slendergirl，whoshowedanunderlyingvitalityineverymovement，agirlwithafaceofregularfeatures，inwhichwasacomplexionofblendedmilkandroses，witharadiantjoyoflifeshiningthroughallherarduousandvulgarconditions。Insteadofthis，now，shesawafrailformthatstoodswayingintheopeningofthedoorway，thatbentinasinisterfashionwhichtoldofbodilyimpotence，whilethefacewasquitebloodless。And，too，therewasoverallelseapallofhelplessness——helplessnessthathadenduredmuch，andmuststillendureinfinitelymore。

Asareinforcementofthedreadimportofthatfigureofwo，amanstoodbesideit，andoneofhishandswasclaspedaroundthegirl\'swrist，amanwhoworehisderbyhatsomewhatfarbackonhisbullet-shapedhead，whosefeetwereconspicuousinshoeswithveryheavysolesandverysquaretoes。

Itwasthemanwhonowtookchargeofthesituation。Cassidy，fromHeadquarters，spokeinarough，indifferentvoice，wellsuitedtohisappearanceofstolidstrength。

"TheDistrictAttorneytoldmetobringthisgirlhereonmywaytotheGrandCentralStationwithher。"

Sarahgottoherfeetmechanically。Somehow，fromtheraucousnotesofthepoliceman\'svoice，sheunderstoodinaflashofilluminationthatthepitifulfigurethereinthedoorwaywasthatofMaryTurner，whomshehadrememberedsodifferent，sofrightfullydifferent。Shespokewithamiserableefforttowardherusualliveliness。

"Mr。Gilderwillberightback。Comeinandwait。"Shewishedtosaysomethingmore，somethingofwelcomeorofmourning，tothegirlthere，butshefoundherselfincapableofasinglewordforthemoment，andcouldonlystanddumbwhilethemansteppedforward，withhischargefollowinghelplesslyinhisclutch。

Thetwowentforwardveryslowly，theofficer，carelesslyconsciousofhisduty，walkingwithawkwardstepstosuitthefeeblemovementsofthegirl，thegirllettingherselfbedraggedonward，awareofthefutilityofanyresistancetotheinexorablepowerthatnowhadherinitsgrip，ofwhichthemanwasthepresentagent。Asthepaircamethusfalteringlyintothecenteroftheroom，Sarahatlastfoundhervoiceforanexpressionofsympathy。

"I\'msorry，Mary，"shesaid，hesitatingly。"I\'mterriblysorry，terriblysorry!"

Thegirl，whohadhaltedwhentheofficerhalted，asamatterofcourse，didnotlookup。Shestoodstill，swayingalittleasiffromweakness。Hervoicewaslifeless。

"Areyou？"shesaid。"Ididnotknow。NobodyhasbeennearmethewholetimeIhavebeenintheTombs。"Therewasinfinitepathosinthetonesassherepeatedthewordssofraughtwithdreadfulness。"Nobodyhasbeennearme!"

Thesecretaryfeltasuddenglowofshame。Sherealizedthejusticeofthatunconsciousaccusation，for，tillto-day，shehadhadnothoughtofthesufferinggirlthereintheprison。Toassuageremorse，shesoughttogiveevidenceastoaprevalentsympathy。

"Why，"sheexclaimed，"therewasHelenMorristo-day!Shehasbeenaskingaboutyouagainandagain。She\'sallbrokenupoveryourtrouble。"

Buttheeffortonthesecretary\'spartwaswhollywithoutsuccess。

"WhoisHelenMorris？"thelifelessvoicedemanded。Therewasnointerestinthequestion。

Sarahexperiencedamomentaryastonishment，forshewasstillrememberingthefeverishexcitementdisplayedbythesalesgirl，whohaddeclaredherselftobeamostintimatefriendoftheconvict。Butthemysterywastoremainunsolved，sinceGildernowenteredtheoffice。Hewalkedwiththequick，bustlingactivitythatwasordinarilyexpressedinhiseverymovement。Hepausedforaninstant，ashebeheldthetwovisitorsinthecenteroftheroom，thenhespokecurtlytothesecretary，whilecrossingtohischairatthedesk。

"Youmaygo，Sarah。IwillringwhenIwishyouagain。"

Therefollowedanintervalofsilence，whilethesecretarywasleavingtheofficeandthegirlwithherwarderstoodwaitingonhispleasure。Gilderclearedhisthroattwiceinanembarrassmentforeigntohim，beforefinallyhespoketothegirl。Atlast，theproprietorofthestoreexpressedhimselfinavoiceofgenuinesympathy，forthespectacleofwopresentedtherebeforehisveryeyesmovedhimtoarealdistress，sinceitwasindeedactual，somethingthatdidnotdependonanappreciationtobedevelopedoutofimagination。

"Mygirl，"Gildersaidgently——hishardvoicewassoftenedbyanhonestregret——"mygirl，Iamsorryaboutthis。"

"Youshouldbe!"cametheinstantanswer。Yet，thewordswereutteredwithatotallackofemotion。Itseemedfromtheirintonationthatthespeakervoicedmerelyastatementconcerningareconditematteroftruth，withwhichsentimenthadnothingwhatevertodo。Buttheeffectontheemployerwasunfortunate。

Itarousedatoncehisantagonismagainstthegirl。Hisinstinctofsympathywithwhichhehadgreetedherattheoutsetwasrepelled，andmadeofnoavail。Worse，itwastransformedintoanemotionhostiletotheonewhothusoffendedhimbyrejectionofthewell-meantkindlinessofhisaddress"Come，come!"heexclaimed，testily。"That\'snotonetotakewithme。"

"Why？Whatsortoftonedoyouexpectmetotake？"wastheretortinthelistlessvoice。Yet，now，inthedullnessranafaintsuggestionofsomethingsinister。

"Iexpectedadecentamountofhumilityfromoneinyourposition，"wasthetartrejoinderofthemagnate。

Lifequickenedswiftlyinthedroopingformofthegirl。Hermusclestensed。Shestoodsuddenlyerect，inthevigorofheryouthagain。Herfacelostinthesameseconditsbleaknessofpallor。Theeyesopenedwidely，withstartlingabruptness，andlookedstraightintothoseofthemanwhohademployedher。

"Wouldyoubehumble，"shedemanded，andnowhervoicewasbecomesoftlymusical，yetforbidding，too，withanoteofpassion，"wouldyoubehumbleifyouweregoingtoprisonforthreeyears——forsomethingyoudidn\'tdo？"

Therewasanguishinthecrytornfromthegirl\'sthroatinthesuddenaccessofdespair。ThewordsthrilledGilderbeyondanythingthathehadsupposedpossibleinsuchcase。Hefoundhimselfinthisemergencytotallyataloss，andmovedinhischairdoubtfully，wishingtosaysomething，andquiteunable。Hewasstillseekingsomequestion，somecriticism，somerebuke，whenhewasunfeignedlyrelievedtohearthepoliceman\'sharshvoice。

"Don\'tmindher，sir，"Cassidysaid。Hemeanttomakehismannerveryreassuring。"Theyallsaythat。Theyareinnocent，ofcourse!Yep——theyallsayit。Itdon\'tdo\'emanygood，butjustthesametheyallswearthey\'reinnocent。Theykeepituptotheverylast，nomatterhowrightthey\'vebeengot。"

Thevoiceofthegirlrangclear。Therewasanoteofinsistencethatcarriedacuriousdignityofitsown。Theverysimplicityofherstatementmighthavehadapowertoconvinceonewholistenedwithoutprejudice，althoughthewordsthemselveswereofthetritesortthatanyprotestingcriminalmightutter。

"Itellyou，Ididn\'tdoit!"