第4章

Thusfar，however，theforgerhadalwaysescapedthepenaltyforhiscrimes，thoughoftenclosetoconviction。ButMary\'sargumentswereofacompellingsortasshesetthemforthindetail，andtheymadetheirappealtoGarson，whowasbynomeanslackinginashrewdnativeintelligence。Heagreedthattheexperimentshouldbemade，notwithstandingthefactthathefeltnoparticularenthusiasmovertheproposedschemeofworking。Itislikelythathisownstrongfeelingofattractiontowardthegirlwhomhehadsavedfromdeath，whonowappearedbeforehimasaradiantlybeautifulyoungwoman，wasmorepersuasivethantheexcellentideaswhichshepresentedsoemphatically，andwithalogicsoimpressive。

AnagreementwasmadebywhichJoeGarsonandcertainofhismoretrustedintimatesintheunderworldweretoputthemselvesundertheordersofMaryconcerningthesphereoftheiractivities。

Furthermore，theyboundthemselvesnottoengageinanydeviousbusinesswithoutherconsent。Aggie，too，wasoneofthecompanythusconstituted，butshefiguredlittleinthepreliminarydiscussions，sinceneitherMarynortheforgerhadmuchrespectfortheintellectualcapabilitiesoftheadventuress，thoughtheyappreciatedtothefullherremarkablepowersofinfluencingmentoherwill。

Itwasnotdifficulttofindalawyersuitedtothenecessitiesoftheundertaking。Maryboreinmindconstantlythehighfinancier\'srelianceonthelegaladvisercompetenttoinventamethodwherebytobafflethelawatanydesiredpoint，andafterjudiciousinvestigationsheselectedanambitiousandexperiencedJewnamedSigismundHarris，justintheprimeofhismentalvigors，whopossessedaknowledgeofthelawonlytobeequalledbyhisdisrespectforit。Heseemed，indeed，preciselythemantofitthesituationforonedesirousofoutragingthelawremorselessly，whilestillretainingaplaceabsolutelywithinit。

Forthwith，theschemewassetinoperation。Asafirststep，MaryTurnerbecameayoungladyofindependentfortune，whohadlivingwithheracousin，MissAgnesLynch。Theflatwasabandoned。InitssteadwasanapartmentintheninetiesonRiversideDrive，inwhichtheladieslivedalonewithtwomaidstoservethem。Garsonhadroomsintheneighborhood，butJimLynch，whopersistentlyrefusedtheconditionsofsuchanalliance，betookhimselfafar，tocontinuehisrecklessgatheringofotherfolk\'smoneyinsuchwiseastomakehimamenabletothelawtheveryfirsttimeheshouldbecaughtatit。

Afewtentativeventuresresultedinprofitssolargethatthecompanygrewmightilyenthusiasticoverthenovelmannerofworking。Ineachinstance，Harriswasconsulted，andmadehisconfidentialstatementastothelegalityofthethingproposed。

Marygratifiedhereagermindbycarefulstudiesinthischosenlineofnefariousness。Afterafewperfectlylegalbreach-of-promisesuits，duetoAggie\'swinsomeinnocenceofdemeanor，hadbeensettledadvantageouslyoutofcourt，Marydevisedaschemeofgreaterelaborateness，withthelegalacumenofthelawyertoendorseitinthematterofsafety。

Thisnettedthirtythousanddollars。Itwasplannedastheswindlingofaswindler——which，infact，hadnowbecomethesecretprincipleinMary\'smorality。

Agentlemanpossessedofsomemeans，nonetooscrupuloushimself，butwithhighfinancialaspirations，advertisedforapartnertoinvestcapitalinabusinesssuretobringlargereturns。ThisadvertisementcaughttheeyeofMaryTurner，andsheansweredit。

Anintroductorycorrespondenceencouragedhertohopeforthevictoryinagameofcunningagainstcunning。SheconsultedwiththeperspicaciousMr。Harris，andespeciallysoughtfromhimdetailedinformationastopartnershiplaw。Hisstatementsgavehersuchconfidencethatpresentlysheenteredintoapartnershipwiththeadvertiser。Bythetermsoftheiragreement，eachdepositedthirtythousanddollarstothepartnershipaccount。

Thissumofsixtythousanddollarswasostensiblytobedevotedtothepurchaseofatractofland，whichshouldafterwardbedividedintolots，andresoldtothepublicatenormousprofit。

Asamatteroffact，theadvertiserplannedtomakeaspuriouspurchaseofthetractinquestion，bymeansofforgeddeedsgrantedbyanaccomplice，thusmakingthroughfraudaneatprofitofthirtythousanddollars。Theissuewas，however，disappointingtohimintheextreme。NosoonerwasthesixtythousanddollarsondepositinthebankthanMaryTurnerdrewoutthewholeamount，asshehadaperfectrighttodolegally。Whentheadvertiserlearnedofthis，hewas，naturallyenough，fulltooverflowingwithwrath。ButafteraninterviewwithHarrisheswallowedthiswrathasbesthemight。Hefoundthathisadversaryknewadangerousdealastohisvariousswindlingoperations。Inshort，hecouldnotgointocourtwithcleanhands，whichisaprimestipulationofthelaw——thoughoftenhonoredinthebreach。Buttheadvertiser\'shandsweretooperilouslyfilthy，sohelethimselfbemulctedinragingsilence。

TheeventestablishedMaryasthearbiterinherowncoterie。

Herewas，intruth，anewgame，agamemostentertaining，andmostprofitable，andnotintheleastrisky。Immediatelyaftertheadventurewiththeadvertiser，MarydecidedthatacertainGeneralHastingswouldmakeanexcellentsacrificeonthealtarofjustice——andtoherownfinancialprofit。Theoldmanwasanotoriousroue，ofmostunsavoryreputationasadestroyerofinnocence。ItwasprobablethathewouldeasilyfallavictimtotheingenuouscharmsofAggie。Asforthatprecociousdamsel，shewouldrunnoleastriskofdestructionbythesatyr。So，presently，therewereelaborateplottings。GeneralHastingsmetAggieinthemostcasualway。Hewascaptivatedbyherfreshnessandbeauty，herdemureness，herignoranceofallthingsvicious。

Straightway，hesethissnares，beinghimselfalreadylimed。Heshoweredeverygallantattentiononthenaivebread-and-buttermiss，andsucceededgratifyinglysooninwinningherheart——toallappearance。Buthegainednothingmore，forthecoycreatureabruptlydevelopedmosteffectivepowersofresistancetoeveryblandishmentthatwentbeyondstrictestpropriety。HisardorcooledsuddenlywhenHarrisfiledthepapersinasuitfortenthousanddollarsdamagesforbreachofpromise。

Evenwhilethisaffairwasstillinthecourseofexecution，Maryfoundherselfengagedinadirectionthatofferedatleastthehopeofattaininghergreatdesire，revengeagainstEdwardGilder。Thisopportunitycameinthepersonofhisson，Dick。

Aftermuchcontriving，shesecuredanintroductiontothatyoungman。Forthwith，sheshowedherselfsodeliciouslywomanly，sointelligent，sodaintilyfeminine，sosingularlybeautiful，thattheyoungmanwasenamoredalmostatonce。ThefactthrilledMarytothedepthsofherheart，forinthissonofthemanwhomshehatedshesawtheinstrumentofvengeanceforwhichshehadsolonged。Yet，thisonethingwassovitaltoherthatshesaidnothingofherpurposes，noteventoAggie，thoughthatobservantpersonmayhavepossessedsuspicionsmoreorlessnearthetruth。

Itwassomesuchsuspicionthatlaybehindherspeechas，innegligee，shesatcross-leggedonthebed，smokingacigaretteinaveryknowingway，whilewatchingMary，whowasadjustingherhatbeforethemirrorofherdressing-table，onepleasantspringmorning。

"Dollin\'upawholelot，ain\'tyou？"Aggieremarked，affably，withthatlaxityoflanguagewhichcharacterizedhernaturalmoods。

"IhaveaveryimportantengagementwithDickGilder，"Maryreplied，tranquilly。Shevouchsafednothingmoredefiniteastoherintentions。

"Niceboy，ain\'the？"Aggieventured，insinuatingly。

"Oh，Isupposeso，"cametheindifferentanswerfromMary，asshetiltedthepicturehattoanangleatriflemorejaunty。

Thepseudocousinsniffed。

"Yous\'posethat，doyou？Well，anyhow，he\'sheresomuchweoughttobechargin\'himforhismeal-ticket。AndyetIain\'tsurethatyouevenknowwhetherhe\'stherealgoods，ornot。"

ThefairfaceofMaryTurnerhardenedtheleastbit。Thereshoneanexpressionofinscrutabledisdaininthevioleteyes，assheturnedtoregardAggiewithalevelglance。

"Iknowthathe\'stheson——theonlyson!——ofEdwardGilder。Thefactisenoughforme。"

Theadventuressofthedemurefaceshookherheadintokenofcompletebafflement。Herrosylipspoutedinpetulantdissatisfaction。

"Idon\'tgetyou，Mary，"sheadmitted，querulously。"Youneverusedtolookatthemen。Thewayyouactedwhenyoufirstrunroundwithme，Ithoughtyousurewasasuffragette。AndthenyoumetthisyoungGilder——and——good-night，nurse!"

ThehardnessremainedinMary\'sface，asshecontinuedtoregardherfriend。But，now，therewassomethingquizzicalintheglancewithwhichsheaccompaniedthemonosyllable:

"Well？"

Again，Aggieshookherheadinperplexity。

"Hisoldmansendsyouupforastretchforsomethingyoudidn\'tdo——andyoutakeupwithhissonlike——"

"Andyetyoudon\'tunderstand!"Therewasscornforsuchgrossstupidityinthemusicalvoice。

Aggiechokedalittlefromthecigarettesmoke，asshegaveagaspwhensuspicionofthetruthsuddenlydawnedonherslowintelligence。

"MyGawd!"Hervoicecameinatrebleshriekofapprehension。

"I\'mwise!"

"Butyoumustunderstandthis，"Marywenton，withanauthoritativenoteinhervoice。"WhatevermaybebetweenyoungGilderandmeistobestrictlymyownaffair。Ithasabsolutelynothingtodowiththerestofyou，orwithourschemesformoney-making。And，whatismore，Agnes，Idon\'twanttotalkaboutit。But——"

"Yes？"queriedAggie，encouragingly，astheotherpaused。Shehopefullyawaitedfurtherconfidences。

"ButIdowanttoknow，"Marycontinuedwithsomeseverity，"whatyoumeantbytalkinginthepublicstreetyesterdaywithacommonpickpocket。"

Aggie\'schildlikefacechangedswiftlyitsexpressionfromaslyeagernesstosullenness。

"Youknowperfectlywell，MaryTurner，"shecriedindignantly，"thatIonlysaidafewwordsinpassin\'tomybrotherJim。Andheain\'tnocommonpickpocket。HullyGee!He\'sthebestdipinthebusiness。"

"Butyoumustnotbeseenspeakingwithhim，"Marydirected，withacertainairofcommandnowbecomehabitualtoheramongthemembersofherclique。"Mycousin，MissAgnesLynch，mustbeverycarefulastoherassociates。"

ThevolatileAgneswasrestoredtogoodhumorbysomesubtlequalityintheutterance，andafamilyprideasserteditself。

"Hejuststoppedmetosayit\'sbeenthebestyearheeverhad，"

sheexplained，withostentatiousvanity。

Maryappearedsceptical。

"Howcanthatbe，"shedemanded，"whenthedeadlinenowisJohnStreet？"

"Thedeadline!"Aggiescoffed。Apealoflaughterrangmerrilyfromhercurvinglips。

"Why，JimtakesluncheverydayintheWallStreetDelmonico\'s。

Yes，"shewentonwithincreasinganimation，"andonlyyesterdayhewentdowntoPoliceHeadquarters，justforalittleexcitement，\'causeJimdoessurehateadulllife。Say，hetoldmethey\'vegotamatatthedoorwith\'Welcome\'onit——inlettersthreefeethigh。Now，what——do——you——think——ofthat!"Aggieteeteredjoyously，thewhilesheinhaledashockinglylargemouthfulofsmoke。"And，oh，yes!"shecontinuedhappily，"Jim，heliftedaleatherfromabullwhowasstandinginthehallwaythereatHeadquarters!Jimsuredoesloveexcitement。"

Maryliftedherdarkeyebrowsinhalf-amusedinquiry。

"It\'snouse，Agnes，"shedeclared，thoughwithoutentiresincerity；"Ican\'tquitekeepupwithyourthieves\'argot——yourslang，youknow。Justwhatdidthisbrotherofyoursdo？"

"Why，hecoppedthecopper\'skale，"Aggietranslated，glibly。

Marythrewoutherhandsinagestureofdismay。

Thereupon，theadventuressinstantlyassumedamostladylikeandmincingairwhichillassortedwiththecigarettethatsheheldbetweenherlips。

"Hegentlyremovedaleathernwallet，"shesaidsedately，"containingalargesumofmoneyfromthecoatpocketofamemberofthedetectiveforce。"Theeleganceofutterancewasinimitablydone。Butinthenextinstant，theordinaryvulgarityofenunciationwasinfullplayagain。"Oh，Gee!"shecriedgaily。"HesaysInspectorBurke\'sgotagoldwatchthatweighsaton，an\'allsetwithdiamon\'s!——whichwasgiveto\'imby——admirin\'friends!……Wedidn\'tcontribute。"

"Giventohim，"Marycorrected，withatolerantsmile。

Aggiesniffedonceagain。

"Whatdifferencedoesitmake？"shedemanded，scornfully。"He\'sgotit，ain\'the？"Andthensheaddedwithavariciousintensity:

"JustassoonasIgettime，I\'mgoin\'afterthatwatch——believeme!"

Maryshookherheadindenial。

"No，youarenot，"shesaid，calmly。"Youareundermyordersnow。Andaslongasyouareworkingwithus，youwillbreaknolaws。"

"ButIcan\'tsee——"Aggiebegantoarguewiththepetulanceofaspoiledchild。

Mary\'svoicecamewithacertaintyofconvictionbornoffact。

"Whenyouwereworkingalone，"shesaidgravely，didyouhaveahomelikethis？"

"No，"wastheanswer，spokenalittlerebelliously。

"Orsuchclothes？Mostofall，didyouhavesafetyfromthepolice？"

"No，"Aggieadmitted，somewhatmoreresponsively。"But，justthesame，Ican\'tsee——"

Marybeganputtingonhergloves，andatthesametimestrovetogivethisremarkableyoungwomansomeinsightintoherownpointofview，thoughsheknewthetasktobeonewell-nighimpossible。

"Agnes，"shesaid，didactically，"therichestmeninthiscountryhavemadetheirfortunes，notbecauseofthelaw，butinspiteofthelaw。Theymadeuptheirmindswhattheywantedtodo，andthentheyengagedlawyerscleverenoughtoshowthemhowtheycoulddoit，andstillkeepwithinthelaw。Anyonewithbrainscangetrichinthiscountryifhewillengagetherightlawyer。

Well，Ihavethebrains——andHarrisisshowingmethelaw——thewonderfultwistedlawthatwasmadefortherich!Sincewekeepinsidethelaw，wearesafe。"

Aggie，withoutmuchapprehensionoftheexactsituation，wasmovedtoadimpledmirthovertheessentialhumorofthemethodindicated。

"Gee，that\'sfunny，"shecriedhappily。"Youan\'mean\'JoeGarsonhandin\'itto\'em，an\'thebullscan\'ttouchus!Nextthingyouknow，Harriswillbehavin\'usincorporatedastheAmericanLegalCrimeSociety。"

"Ishouldn\'tbeintheleastsurprised，"Maryassented，asshefinishedbuttoninghergloves。Shesmiled，buttherewasahintofgrimnessinthebendingofherlips。Thatgrimnessremained，assheglancedattheclock，thenwenttowardthedooroftheroom，speakingoverhershoulder。

"And，nowImustbeofftoamostimportantengagementwithMr。

DickGilder。"

CHAPTERVIII。ATIPFROMHEADQUARTERS。

Presently，whenshehadfinishedthecigarette，Aggieproceededtoherownchamberandtherespentaconsiderabletimeinmakingatoilettecalculatedtosetofftoitsfulladvantagetheslenderdaintinessofherform。Whenatlastshewasgownedtohersatisfaction，shewentintothedrawing-roomoftheapartmentandgaveherselfovertomorecigarettes，inaneasychair，sprawledoutinanattitudeofcomfortnevertaughtinanyfinishingschoolforyoungladies。Sheatthesametimeindulgedhertastesinartandliteraturebyreadingthejokesandstudyingthecomicpicturesinaneveningpaper，whichthemaidbroughtinatherrequest。ShehadaboutexhaustedthisformofamusementwhenthecomingofJoeGarson，whowasusuallyinandoutoftheapartmentanumberoftimesdaily，providedawelcomediversion。Afteracasualgreetingbetweenthetwo，Aggieexplained，inresponsetohisquestion，thatMaryhadgoneouttokeepanengagementwithDickGilder。

Therewasalittleperiodofsilencewhiletheman，withtheresolutefaceandthelightgrayeyesthatshonesoclearlyunderneaththethick，wavingsilverhair，heldhisheadbentdownwardasifinintentthought。When，finally，hespoke，therewasacertainqualityinhisvoicethatcausedAggietoregardhimcuriously。

"Maryhasbeenwithhimagooddeallately，"hesaid，halfquestioningly。

"That\'swhat，"wasthecurtagreement。

Garsonbroughtouthisnextquerywiththebrutalbluntnessofhiskind；andyettherewasavaguesuggestionoftendernessinhistonesunderthevulgarwords。

"Thinkshe\'sstuckonhim？"Hehadseatedhimselfonasetteeoppositethegirl，whodidnottroubleonhisaccounttoassumeaposturemoredecorous，andhesurveyedherkeenlyashewaitedforareply。

"Whynot？"Aggieretorted。"BetyourlifeI\'dbe，ifIhadachance。He\'saswellboy。Andhisfather\'sgotthecoin，too。"

Atthisthemanmovedimpatiently，andhiseyeswanderedtothewindow。Again，Aggiestudiedhimwithaswiftglanceofinterrogation。Notbeingthepossessorofanover-nicesensibilityastothefeelingsofothers，shenowspokebriskly。

"Joe，ifthere\'sanythingonyourmind，shootit。"

Garsonhesitatedforamoment，thendecidedtounburdenhimself，forhecravedpreciseknowledgeinthismatter。

"It\'sMary，"heexplained，withsomeembarrassment；"herandyoungGilder。"

"Well？"camethecrispquestion。

"Well，somehow，"Garsonwenton，stillsomewhatconfusedly，"I

can\'tseeanygoodofit，forher。"

"Why？"Aggiedemanded，insurprise。

Garson\'smannergreweasier，nowthatthesubjectwaswellbroached。

"OldmanGilder\'sgotabigpull，"hevouchsafed，"andifhecaughtontohisboy\'sgoingwithMary，he\'dbelikelytosendthepoliceafterus——strong!Believeme，Iain\'tlookingforanytripuptheriver。"

Aggieshookherhead，quiteunaffectedbytheman\'ssuggestionofpossibleperilinthesituation。

"Weain\'tdonenothin\'theycantouchusfor，"shedeclared，withassurance。"Marysaysso。"

Garson，however，wasunconvinced，notwithstandinghisdeferencetothejudgmentofhisleader。

"Whetherwe\'vedoneanything，orwhetherwehaven\'t，don\'tmatter，"heobjected。"Oncethepolicesetoutafteryou，they\'llgetyou。Russiaain\'tinitwithsomeofthethingsI

haveseenpulledoffinthistown。"

"Oh，canthat\'fraidtalk!"Aggieexclaimed，roughly。"Itellyoutheycan\'tgetus。We\'vegotourfingerscrossed。"

Shewouldhavesaidmore，butanoiseatthehalldoorinterruptedher，andshelookeduptoseeamanintheopening，whilebehindhimappearedthemaid，protestingangrily。

"Nevermindthatannouncingthingwithme，"thenewcomerraspedtotheexpostulatingservant，inavoicethatsuitedwellhisthick-setfigure，withthebullet-shapedheadandthebull-likeneck。Thenheturnedtothetwointhedrawing-room，bothofwhomhadnowrisentotheirfeet。

"It\'sallright，Fannie，"Aggiesaidhastilytotheflusteredmaid。"Youcango。"

Astheservant，afteranindignanttossofthehead，departedalongthepassage，thevisitorclumpedheavilyforwardandstoppedinthecenteroftheroom，lookingfirstatoneandthentheotherofthetwowithasmilethatwasnotpleasant。Hewasnotatpainstoremovethederbyhatwhichheworeratherfarbackonhishead。Bythissinglesign，onemighthaverecognizedCassidy，whohadhadMaryTurnerinhischargeontheoccasionofherill-fatedvisittoEdwardGilder\'soffice，fouryearsbefore，thoughnowthemanhadthickenedsomewhat，andhisruddyfacewasgrownevencoarser。

"Hello，Joe!"hecried，familiarly。"Hello，Aggie!"

Thelight-grayeyesoftheforgerhadnarrowedperceptiblyasherecognizedtheidentityoftheunceremoniouscaller，whilethelinesofhisfirmlysetmouthtookonanaddedfixity。

"Well？"hedemanded。Hisvoicewasemotionless。

"Justalittlefriendlycall，"Cassidyannounced，inhisstridentvoice。"Where\'stheladyofthehouse？"

"Out。"ItwasAggiewhospoke，verysharply。

"Well，Joe，"Cassidywenton，withoutpayingfurtherheedtothegirlforamoment，"whenshecomesback，justtellherit\'suptohertomakeaget-away，andtomakeitquick。"

ButAggiewasnotonetobeignoredunderanycircumstances。

Now，shespokewithsomeacerbityinhervoice，whichcouldatwillbewondroussoftandlow。

"Say!"sheretortedviciously，"youcan\'tthrowanyscareintous。Youhadn\'tgotanythingonus。See？"

Cassidy，inresponsetothisoutburst，favoredthegirlwithalongstare，andtherewasheartyamusementinhistonesasheanswered。

"Nothingonyou，eh？Well，well，let\'ssee。"HeregardedGarsonwithagrin。"YouareJoeGarson，forger。"Ashespoke，thedetectivetookanote-bookfromapocket，foundapage，andthenread:"Firstarrestedin1891，forforgingthenameofEdwinGoodselltoacheckfortenthousanddollars。AgainarrestedJune19，1893，forforgery。ArrestedinApril，1898，forforgingthesignatureofOscarHemmenwaytoaseriesofbondsthatwerecounterfeit。ArrestedasthemanbackoftheReillygang，in1903。Arrestedin1908forforgery。"

Therewasnochangeinthefaceorposeofthemanwholistenedtothereading。Whenitwasdone，andtheofficerlookedupwitharesumptionofhistriumphantgrin，Garsonspokequietly。

"Haven\'tanyrecordsofconvictions，haveyou？"

Thegrindied，andasnarlspranginitsstead。

"No，"hesnapped，vindictively。"Butwe\'vegottherightdopeonyou，allright，JoeGarson。"Heturnedsavagelyonthegirl，whonowhadregainedherusualexpressionofdemureinnocence，butwithherrathertooheavybrowsdrawnalittlelowerthantheirwont，undertheinfluenceofanemotionotherwiseconcealed。

"Andyou\'relittleAggieLynch，"Cassidydeclared，ashethrustthenote-bookbackintohispocket。"Justnow，you\'reposingasMaryTurner\'scousin。YouservedtwoyearsinBurnsingforblackmail。YouwerearrestedinBuffalo，convicted，andservedyourstretch。Nothingonyou？Well，well!"Againtherewastriumphintheofficer\'schuckle。

Aggieshowednoleastsignofperturbationinthefaceofthisrevelationofherunsavoryrecord。Onlyanexpressionofhalf-incredulouswonderanddelightbeamedfromherwidelyopenedblueeyesandwasemphasizedintheroundingofthelittlemouth。

"Why，"shecried，andnowtherewassoftnessenoughinthecooingnotes，"myGawd!Itlooksasthoughyouhadactuallybeenworkin\'!"

Thesarcasmwaswithouteffectonthedullsensibilitiesoftheofficer。Hewentonspeakingwithobviousenjoymentoftheextenttowhichhisknowledgereached。

"AndtheheadofthegangisMaryTurner。ArrestedfouryearsagoforrobbingtheEmporium。Didherstretchofthreeyears。"

"Isthatallyou\'vegotabouther？"Garsondemanded，withsuchabruptnessthatCassidyforgothisdignitysufficientlytoanswerwithanunqualifiedyes。

Theforgercontinuedspeakingrapidly，andnowtherewasanundercurrentoffeelinginhisvoice。

"Nothinginyourrecordofherabouthercomingoutwithoutafriendintheworld，andtryingtogostraight？Youain\'tgotnothinginthatprettylittlebookofyour\'naboutyourgoingtothemillinerystorewhereshefinallygotajob，andtippingthemofftowhereshecomefrom？"

"Sure，theywastippedoff，"Cassidyanswered，quiteunmoved。

Andheadded，swellingvisiblywithimportance:"Wegottoprotectthecity。"

"Gotanythinginthatrecordofyour\'n，"Garsonwentonvenomously，"abouthergettinganotherjob，andyourfollowingherupagain，andhavingherthrownout？GotitthereabouttheletteryouhadoldGilderwrite，sothathisinfluencewouldgethercanned？"

"Oh，wehadherrightthefirsttime，"Cassidyadmitted，complacently。

Then，thebitternessofGarson\'ssoulwasrevealedbythefiercenessinhisvoiceashereplied。

"Youdidnot!Shewasrailroadedforajobsheneverdone。Shewentinhonest，andshecameouthonest。"

Thedetectiveindulgedhimselfinacackleofsneeringmerriment。

"Andthat\'swhyshe\'sherenowwithagangofcrooks，"heretorted。

Garsonmettheimplicationfairly。

"Whereelseshouldshebe？"hedemanded，violently。"Youain\'tgotnothinginthatrecordaboutmyjumpingintotheriverafterher？"Theforger\'svoicedeepenedandtrembledwiththeintensityofhisemotion，whichwasnowgrownsostrongthatanywholistenedandlookedmightguesssomethingofthetruthastohisfeelingtowardthiswomanofwhomhespoke。"That\'swhereI

foundher——agirlthatneverdonenobodyanyharm，starvingbecauseyoupolicewouldn\'tgiveherachancetowork。Intheriverbecauseshewouldn\'ttaketheonlyotherwaythatwaslefthertomakealiving，becauseshewaskeepingstraight!……Haveyougotanyofthatinyourbook？"

Cassidy，whohadbeenscowlinginthefaceofthisarraignment，suddenlygaveventtoacroakinglaughofderision。

"Huh!"hesaid，contemptuously。"Iguessyou\'restuckonher，eh？"

Atthewords，aninstantaneouschangesweptoverGarson。

Hitherto，hehadbeentense，hisfacesetwithemotion，amanstrongandsullen，witheyesasclearandheartlessasthoseofabeastinthewild。Now，withoutwarning，astartlingtransformationwaswrought。Hisformstiffenedtorigidityafteronelightning-swiftstepforward，andhisfacegrayed。Theeyesglowedwiththefiresofaman\'sheartinaspasmofhate。Hewastheembodimentofrage，ashespokehuskily，hisvoiceawhisperthatwasyetlouderthananyshout。

"Cutthat!"

Theeyesofthetwomenlocked。Cassidystruggledwithallhisprideagainstthedominantfurythismanhurledonhim。

"What？"hedemanded，blusteringly。Buthistonewasweakerthanitswont。

"Imean，"Garsonrepeated，andtherewasfinalityinhisaccents，adeadlyqualitythatwasappalling，"Imean，cutitout——now，here，andallthetime!Itdon\'tgo!"Thevoiceroseslightly。

Theeffectofitwasmorepenetrantthanascream。"Itdon\'tgo!……Doyougetme？"

Therewasashortintervalofsilence，thentheofficer\'seyesatlastfell。ItwasAggiewhorelievedthetensionofthescene。

"He\'sgotyou，"sheremarked，airily。"Oi，oi!He\'sgotyou!"

Therewereagainafewsecondsofpause，andthenCassidymadeanobservationthatrevealedinsomemeasuretheshockoftheexperiencehehadjustundergone。

"Youwouldhavebeenabigman，Joe，ifithadn\'tbeenforthattemperofyours。It\'sgotyouintotroubleonceortwicealready。Sometimeit\'slikelytoproveyourfinish。"

Garsonrelaxedhisimmobility，andalittlecolorcreptintohischeeks。

"That\'smybusiness，"heresponded，dully。

"Anyway，"theofficerwenton，withanewconfidence，nowthathiseyeswerefreefromthegazethathadburnedintohissoul，"you\'vegottoclearout，thewholegangofyou——anddoitquick。"

Aggie，whoasamatteroffactbegantofeelthatshewasnotreceivingherdueshareofattention，nowinterposed，movingforwardtillherfacewasclosetothedetective\'s。

"Wedon\'tscareworthacent，"shesnapped，withthevirulenceofavixen。"Youcan\'tdoanythingtous。Weain\'tbrokethelaw。"

Therecameasuddenrippleoflaughter，andthecharminglipscurvedjoyously，assheadded:"Thoughperhapswehavebentitabit。"

Cassidysneered，outragedbysuchimpudenceonthepartofanex-convict。

"Don\'tmakenodifferencewhatyou\'vedone，"hegrowled。"Gee!"

hewenton，withaheavysneer。"Butthingsarecomingtoaprettypasswhenagangofcrooksgetstoarguingabouttheirrights。That\'sfunny，thatis!"

"Thenlaugh!"Aggieexclaimed，insolently，andmadeafaceattheofficer。"Ha，ha，ha!"

"Well，you\'vegotthetip，"Cassidyreturned，somewhatdisconcerted，afterastolidfashionofhisown。"It\'suptoyoutotakeit，that\'sall。Ifyoudon\'t，oneofyouwillmakealongvisitwithsomepeopleoutoftown，andit\'llprobablybeMary。Remember，I\'mgivingittoyoustraight。"

Aggieassumedherformalsocietymanner，exaggeratedtothepointofextravagance。

"Docomeagain，littleone，"shechirruped，caressingly。"I\'veenjoyedyourvisitsomuch!"

ButCassidypaidnoapparentattentiontoherfrivolousness；onlyturnedandwentnoisilyoutofthedrawing-room，offeringnoreturntoherdaintilyinflectedgood-afternoon。

Forherownpart，assheheardtheouterdoorclosebehindthedetective，Aggie\'sexpressiongrewvicious，andtheheavybrowsdrewverylow，untilthelevellinealmostmadeherprettinessvanish。

"Thetruck-horsedetective!"shesneered。"Aneighteencollar，andasix-and-a-halfhat!Hesurehadhisnerve，tryingtobluffus!"

ButitwasplainthatGarsonwasofanothermood。Therewasanxietyinhisface，ashestoodstaringvaguelyoutofthewindow。

"Perhapsitwasn\'tabluff，Aggie，"hesuggested。

"Well，whathavewedone，I\'dliketoknow？"thegirldemanded，confidently。Shetookacigaretteandamatchfromthetabouretbesideher，andstretchedherfeetcomfortably，ifveryinelegantly，onachairopposite。

Garsonansweredwithanoteofwearinessthatwasunlikehim。

"Itain\'twhatyouhavedone，"hesaid，quietly。"It\'swhattheycanmakeajurythinkyou\'vedone。And，oncetheysetouttogetyou——God，howtheycanframethings!IftheyeverstartoutafterMary——"Hedidnotfinishthesentence，butsankdownintohischairwithagroanthatwasalmostofdespair。

Thegirlrepliedwithaburstofcarelesslaughter。

"Joe，"shesaidgaily，"you\'reonegrandlittleforger，allright，allright。ButMary\'sgotthebrains。Pooh，I\'llstringalongwithherasfarasshewantstogo。She\'seducated，sheis。

Sheain\'tlikeyouandme，Joe。Shetalkslikealady，and，what\'sadamnedsightharder，sheactslikealady。IguessI

know。Wakemeupanyoldnightandaskme——justaskme，that\'sall。She\'sbeentryin\'tomakealadyoutofme!"

Thevivaciousnessofthegirldistractedthemanforthemomentfromthegloomofhisthoughts，andheturnedtosurveythespeakerwithacynicalamusement。

"Swellchance!"hecommented，drily。

"Oh，I\'mnotsoworse!Justyouwatchout。"Thelivelygirlsprangup，discardedthecigarette，adjustedanimaginarytrain，andspokelispinglyinasocietymannermuchmoremoderateandconvincingthanthatwithwhichshehadfavoredtheretiringCassidy。Voice，poseandgestureproclaimedatleasttheexcellentmimic。

"Howdoyoudo，Mrs。Jones!Sogoodofyoutocall!……MydearMissSmith，thisisindeedapleasure。"Sheseatedherselfagain，quiteprimlynow，andmovedherhandsoverthetabouretappropriatelytoherwords。"Onelump，ortwo？……Yes，Ijustlovebridge。No，Idon\'tplay，"shecontinued，simpering；"but，justthesame，Iloveit。"Withthisabsurdending，Aggieagainarrangedherfeetaccordingtoherlikingontheoppositechair。

"That\'sthekindofstuffshe\'shadmedoing，"sherattledoninhercoarservoice，"andbelieveme，Joe，it\'sdamnednearkillingme。Butallthesame，"shehurriedon，withaswiftrevulsionofmoodtotheformerserioustopic，"I\'mforMarystrong!Yousticktoher，Joe，andyou\'llweardiamon\'s……Andthatremindsme!I

wishshe\'dletmewearmine，butshewon\'t。Shesaysthey\'revulgarforaninnocentcountrygirllikehercousin，AgnesLynch。

Ain\'tthatfierce？……Howcananythingbevulgarthat\'sworthahundredandfiftyacarat？"

CHAPTERIX。ALEGALDOCUMENT。

MaryTurnerspentlessthananhourinthatmysteriouslyimportantengagementwithDickGilder，ofwhichshehadspokentoAggie。Afterseparatingfromtheyoungman，shewentalonedownBroadway，walkingthefewblocksofdistancetoSigismundHarris\'soffice。Onacorner，herattentionwascaughtbytheforlornfaceofagirlcrossingintothesidestreet。Acloserglanceshowedthattheprivationofthegauntfeatureswasemphasizedbythescantgarments，almostintatters。Instantly，Mary\'squicksympathieswerearoused，themoreparticularlysincethewretchedchildseemedofabouttheagesheherselfhadbeenwhenhergreatsufferinghadbefallen。So，turningaside，shesooncaughtupwiththegirlandspokeaninquiry。

Itwasthefamiliarstory，afatheroutofwork，asickmother，abroodofhungrychildren。

Someconfusedwordsofdistressrevealedthefactthatthewobegonegirlwaseventhenfightingthefinalbattleofpurityagainststarvation。Thatshestillfoughtoninsuchcaseprovedenoughastoherdecencyofnature，wholesomedespitesqualidsurroundings。Mary\'sheartwasdeeplymoved，andherwordsofcomfortcamewithasimplesinceritythatwaslikenewlifetothesorelybesetwaif。Shepromisedtointerestherselfinsecuringemploymentforthefather，suchcareasthemotherandchildrenmightneed，alongwithapropersituationforthegirlherself。Inevidenceofherpurpose，shetookherengagement-bookfromherbag，andsetdownthestreetandnumberoftheEastSidetenementwherethefamilypossessedtheoneroomthatmockedthewordhome，andshegaveabanknotetothegirltoservetheimmediateneeds。

WhenshewentbacktoresumeherprogressdownBroadway，Maryfeltherselfvastlycheeredbythewarmglowwithin，whichistherewardofakindlyact，gratefullyreceived。And，onthisparticularmorning，shecravedsuchassuagementofherspirit，fortheconsciencethat，inspiteofallhermisdeeds，stilllivedwasstrugglingwithinher。Inherrevoltagainstaworldthathadwantonlyinflictedonhertheworsttorments，MaryTurnerhadthoughtthatshemightsafelydisregardthoseprinciplesinwhichshehadbeensocarefullyreared。Shehadbelievedthatbythedeliberateadoptionofalifeofguilewithinlimitsallowedbythelaw，shewouldfindsolaceforherwants，whilefeelingthatthussheavengedherselfinsomeslightmeasurefortheindignitiesshehadundergoneunjustly。Yet，asthedayspassed，daysofsuccessasfarasherschemingwasconcerned，thisbrilliantwoman，whohadtriedtodeemherselfunscrupulous，foundthatlawlessnesswithinthelawfailedtosatisfysomethingdeepwithinhersoul。Therighteousnessthatwasherinstinctwasoffendedbythetriumphsachievedthroughsodeviousdevices，thoughsheresolutelysetherwilltosuppressanyspiritualrebellion。

Therewas，aswell，anothergrievanceofhernature，yetmoresubtle，infinitelymorepainful。Thislayinhercravingfortenderness。Shewaswhollywoman，notwithstandingthevirilityofherintelligence，itsaudacity，itsaggressiveness。Shehadaheartyearningforthemultitudinousaffectionsthataretheprerogativeofthefeminine；shehadaheartlongingforlove，toreceiveandtogiveinfullmeasure……Andherlifewasbarren。

Sincethedeathofherfather，therehadbeennoneonwhomshecouldlavishthegreatgiftsofhertenderness。Throughthedaysofherworkinginthestore，circumstanceshadshutheroutfromallassociationwithotherscongenial。Noneedtorehearsetheimpossibilitiesofcompanionshipintheprisonlife。Sincethen，thesituationhadnotvitallyimproved，inspiteofherbetterworldlycondition。ForGarson，whohadsavedherfromdeath，shefeltastrongandlastinggratitude——nothingthatrelievedthelongingfornobleraffections。Therewasnoneotherwithwhomshehadanyintimacyexceptthat，ofasort，withAggieLynch，andbynopossibilitycouldtheadventuressserveasanobjectofdeepregard。Thegirlwasamusingenough，and，indeed，amostlikablepersonatherbest。Butshewas，afterall，ashallow-patedindividual，withoutashredofprincipleofanysortwhatsoever，savethesinglemeritofunswervingloyaltytoher"pals。"Marycherishedacertainwarmkindlinessforthefirstwomanwhohadbefriendedherinanyway，butbeyondthistherewasnofinerfeeling。

Nevertheless，itisnotquiteaccuratetosaythatMaryTurnerhadhadnointimacyinwhichherheartmighthavebeenseriouslyengaged。Inoneinstance，ofrecenthappening，shehadbeenmuchinassociationwithayoungmanwhowasofexcellentstandingintheworld，whowasofgoodbirth，goodeducation，ofdelightfulmanners，and，too，wholesomeandagreeablebeyondthemostofhisclass。ThiswasDickGilder，and，sincehercompanionshipwithhim，Maryhadundergonearevulsiongreaterthaneverbeforeagainstthefatethrustonher，whichnowatlastshehadchosentowelcomeandnourishbyacquiescenceasbestshemight。