下载辰思小说免费APP
"He\'llbemoreworriedbeforeIgetthroughwithhim!"hegrowled。HeregardedCassidyspeculatively。"DoyouremembertheThirdDegreeInspectorBurnsworkedonMcGloin？Well，"hewenton，asthedetectivenoddedassent，"that\'swhatI\'mgoingtodotoGarson。He\'sgotimagination，thatcrook!Thethingshedon\'tknowaboutarethethingshe\'safraidof。Afterhegetsinhere，Iwantyoutotakehispalsoneaftertheother，andlockthemupinthecellsthereinthecorridor。Theshadesonthecorridorwindowsherewillbeup，andGarsonwillseethemtakenin。Thefactoftheirbeingtherewillsethisimaginationtoworkingovertime，allright。"
Burkereflectedforamoment，andthenissuedthefinaldirectionsfortheexecutionofhislatestplot。
"Whenyougetthebuzzerfromme，youhaveyoungGilderandtheTurnerwomansentin。Then，afterawhile，you\'llgetanotherbuzzer。Whenyouhearthat，comerightinhere，andtellmethattheganghassquealed。I\'lldotherest。BringGarsonhereinjustfiveminutes……TellDantocomein。"
Asthedetectivewentout，thedoormanpromptlyentered，andthereatBurkeproceededwiththefurtherinstructionsnecessarytothecarryingoutofhisscheme。
"Takethechairsoutoftheoffice，Dan，"hedirected，"exceptmineandoneother——thatone!"Heindicatedachairstandingalittlewayfromoneendofhisdesk。"Now，havealltheshadesup。"Hechuckledasheadded:"ThatTurnerwomansavedyouthetroublewithone。"
Asthedoormanwentoutafterhavingfulfilledthesecommands，theInspectorlightedthecigarwhichhehadretainedstillinhismouth，andthenseatedhimselfinthechairthatwassetpartlyfacingthewindowsopeningonthecorridor。Hesmiledwithanticipatorytriumphashemadesurethatthewholelengthofthecorridorwiththebarreddoorsofthecellswasplainlyvisibletoonesittingthus。Withafinalglanceabouttomakecertainthatallwasinreadiness，hereturnedtohischair，and，whenthedooropened，hewas，toallappearances，busilyengagedinwriting。
"Here\'sGarson，Chief，"Cassidyannounced。
"Hello，Joe!"Burkeexclaimed，withaseemingofcarelessfriendliness，asthedetectivewentout，andGarsonstoodmotionlessjustwithinthedoor。
"Sitdown，aminute，won\'tyou？"theInspectorcontinued，affably。Hedidnotlookupfromhiswritingashespoke。
Garson\'susuallystrongfacewasshowingweakwithfear。Hischin，whichwascommonlyveryfirm，movedalittlefromuneasytwitchingsofhislips。Hiscleareyeswereslightlycloudedtoalookofapprehension，astheyrovedtheroomfurtively。HemadenoanswertotheInspector\'sgreetingforafewmoments，butremainedstandingwithoutmovement，poisedalertlyasifsensingsomeconcealedperil。Finally，however，hisanxietyfoundexpressioninwords。Histonewaspregnantwithalarm，thoughhestrovetomakeitmerelycomplaining。
"Say，whatamIarrestedfor？"heprotested。"Iain\'tdoneanything。"
Evennow，Burkedidnotlookup，andhispencontinuedtohurryoverthepaper。
"Whotoldyouyouwerearrested？"heremarked，cheerfully，inhisblandestvoice。
Garsonutteredanejaculationofdisgust。
"Idon\'thavetobetold，"heretorted，huffily。"I\'mnocollegepresident，but，whenacopgrabsmeandbringsmedownhere，I\'vegotsenseenoughtoknowI\'mpinched。"
TheInspectordidnotinterrupthiswork，butansweredwiththeutmostgoodnature。
"Isthatwhattheydidtoyou，Joe？I\'llhavetospeaktoCassidyaboutthat。Now，justyousitdown，Joe，won\'tyou？I
wanttohavealittletalkwithyou。I\'llbethroughhereinasecond。"Hewentonwiththewriting。
Garsonmovedforwardslightly，tothesinglechairneartheendofthedesk，andthereseatedhimselfmechanically。Hisfacethuswasturnedtowardthewindowsthatgaveonthecorridor，andhiseyesgrewyetmorecloudedastheyrestedonthegrimdoorsofthecells。Hewrithedinhischair，andhisgazejumpedfromthecellstotheimpassivefigureofthemanatthedesk。Now，theforger\'snervousnessincreasedmomentlyitsweptbeyondhiscontrol。Ofasudden，hesprangup，andsteppedclosetotheInspector。
"Say，"hesaid，inahuskyvoice，"I\'dlike——I\'dliketohavealawyer。"
"What\'sthematterwithyou，Joe？"theInspectorreturned，alwayswiththatimperturbableair，andwithoutraisinghisheadfromtheworkthatsoengrossedhisattention。"Youknow，you\'renotarrested，Joe。Maybe，youneverwillbe。Now，fortheloveofMike，keepstill，andletmefinishthisletter。"
Slowly，veryhesitatingly，Garsonwentbacktothechair，andsankdownonitinalimpattitudeofdejectionwhollyunlikehiscustomaryposturesofstrength。Again，hisfear-fascinatedeyeswenttotherowofcellsthatstoodsilentlymenacingontheothersideofthecorridorbeyondthewindows。Hisfacewastingedwithgray。Aphysicalsicknesswascreepingstealthilyonhim，ashisthoughtsheldinsistentlytothecatastrophethatthreatened。HisintelligencewastookeentopermitabeliefthatBurke\'smannerofalmostfulsomekindlinesshidnothingominous——ominouswithahintofdeathforhiminreturnforthedeathhehadwrought。
Then，terrorcrystallized。Hiseyeswerecaughtbyafigure，thefigureofCassidy，advancingthereinthecorridor。Andwiththedetectivewentamanwhosegaitwasslinking，craven。A
cell-doorswungopen，theprisonersteppedwithin，thedoorclangedto，theboltsshotintotheirsocketsnoisily。
Garsonsathuddled，stricken——forhehadrecognizedthevictimthrustintothecellbeforehiseyes……ItwasDacey，oneofhisowncroniesincrime——Dacey，who，thenightbefore，hadseenhimkillEddieGriggs。TherewassomethingconcretelysinistertoGarsoninthisfactofDacey\'spresencethereinthecell。
Ofasudden，theforgercriedoutraucously:
"Say，Inspector，ifyou\'vegotanythingonme，I——Iwould——"
Thecrydroppedintounintelligiblemumblings。
Burkeretainedhismannerofsereneindifferencetotheother\'sagitation。Still，hispenhurriedoverthepaper；andhedidnottroubletolookupasheexpostulated，half-banteringly。
"Now，now!What\'sthematterwithyou，Joe？ItoldyouthatI
wantedtoaskyouafewquestions。That\'sall。"
Garsonleapedtohisfeetagainresolutely，thenfaltered，andultimatelyfellbackintothechairwithagroan，astheInspectorwentonspeaking。
"Now，Joe，sitdown，andkeepstill，Itellyou，andletmegetthroughwiththisjob。Itwon\'ttakememorethanaminutemore。"
But，afteramoment，Garson\'semotionforcedhinttoanotherappeal。
"Say，Inspector——"hebegan。
Then，abruptly，hewassilent，hismouthstillopentoutterthewordsthatwerenowheldbackbyhorror。Again，hesawthedetectivewalkingforward，outthereinthecorridor。Andwithhim，asbefore，wasasecondfigure，whichadvancedslinkingly。
Garsonleanedforwardinhischair，hisheadthrustout，watchinginrigidsuspense。Again，evenasbefore，thedoorswungwide，theprisonerslippedwithin，thedoorclangedshut，theboltsclatterednoisilyintotheirsockets。
And，inthewatcher，terrorgrew——forhehadseenthefaceofChicagoRed，anotherofhispals，anotherwhohadseenhimkillGriggs。Foratimethatseemedtohimlongagesofmisery，Garsonsatstaringdazedlyatthecloseddoorsofthetierofcells。Theperilabouthimwasgrowing——growing，anditwasadeadlyperil!Atlast，helickedhisdrylips，andhisvoicebrokeinathroatywhisper。
"Say，Inspector，ifyou\'vegotanythingagainstme，why——"
"Whosaidtherewasanythingagainstyou，Joe？"Burkerejoined，inavoicethatwasgeniallychiding。"What\'sthematterwithyouto-day，Joe？Youseemnervous。"Still，theofficialkeptonwithhiswriting。
"No，Iain\'tnervous，"Garsoncried，withafeverishefforttoappearcalm。"Why，whatmakesyouthinkthat？Butthisain\'texactlytheplaceyou\'dpickoutasapleasantonetospendthemorning。"Hewassilentforalittle，tryingwithallhisstrengthtoregainhisself-control，butwithsmallsuccess。
"CouldIaskyouaquestion？"hedemandedfinally，withmorefirmnessinhisvoice。
"Whatisit？"Burkesaid。
Garsonclearedhisthroatwithdifficulty，andhisvoicewasthick。
"Iwasjustgoingtosay——"hebegan。Then，hehesitated，andwassilent，ataloss。
"Well，whatisit，Joe？"theInspectorprompted。
"Iwasgoingtosay——thatis——well，ifit\'sanythingaboutMaryTurner，Idon\'tknowathing——notathing!"
Itwasthethoughtofpossibleperiltoherthatnow，inaninstant，hadcausedhimtoforgethisownmortaldanger。Where，before，hehadbeenshudderingoverthoughtsofthedeath-housecellthatmightbeawaitinghim，henowhadconcernonlyforthesafetyofthewomanhecherished。Andtherewasagreatgriefinhissoul；foritwasborneinonhimthathisownfolly，indisobediencetohercommand，hadleduptothemurderofGriggs——andtoallthatmightcomeofthecrime。Howcouldheevermakeamendstoher？Atleast，hecouldbebravehere，forhersake，ifnotforhisown。
Burkebelievedthathisopportunitywascome。
"WhatmadeyouthinkIwantedtoknowanythingabouther？"hequestioned。
"Oh，Ican\'texactlysay，"Garsonrepliedcarelessly，inanattempttodissimulatehisagitation。"Youwereuptothehouse，youknow。Don\'tyousee？"
"Ididwanttoseeher，that\'safact，"Burkeadmitted。Hekeptonwithhiswriting，hisheadbentlow。"Butshewasn\'tatherflat。Iguessshemusthavetakenmyadvice，andskippedout。
Clevergirl，that!"
Garsoncontrivedtopresentanaspectofcomparativeindifference。
"Yes，"heagreed。"IwasthinkingofgoingWest，myself，"heventured。
"Oh，wereyou？"Burkeexclaimed；and，now，therewasanewnoteinhisvoice。Hishandslippedintothepocketwherewasthepistol，andclutchedit。HestaredatGarsonfiercely，andspokewitharushofthewords:
"WhydidyoukillEddieGriggs？"
"Ididn\'tkillhim!"Thereplywasquickenough，butitcameweakly。Again，Garsonwasforcedtowethislipswithadrytongue，andtoswallowpainfully。"Itellyou，Ididn\'tkillhim!"herepeatedatlast，withmoreforce。
Burkesneeredhisdisbelief。
"Youkilledhimlastnight——withthis!"hecried，viciously。Ontheinstant，thepistolleapedintoview，pointedstraightatGarson。"Why？"theInspectorshouted。"Comeon，now!Why？"
"Ididn\'t，Itellyou!"Garsonwasgrowingstronger，sinceatlastthecrisiswasuponhim。Hegottohisfeetwithlitheswiftnessofmovement，andsprangclosetothedesk。Hebenthisheadforwardchallengingly，tomeettheglareofhisaccuser\'seyes。Therewasnoflinchinginhisownsteelystare。Hisnerveshadceasedtheirjanglingunderthetauteningofnecessity。
"Youdid!"Burkevociferated。Heputhiswholewillintotheassertionofguilt，tobatterdowntheman\'sresistance。"Youdid，Itellyou!Youdid!"
Garsonleanedstillfurtherforward，untilhisfacewasalmostlevelwiththeInspector\'s。Hiseyeswereuncloudednow，wereblazing。Hisvoicecameresonantinitsdenial。Theentireposeofhimwasintrepid，dauntless。
"AndItellyou，Ididn\'t!"
Therepassedmanyseconds，whilethetwomenbattledinsilence，willwarringagainstwill……Intheend，itwasthemurdererwhotriumphed。
Suddenly，Burkedroppedthepistolintohispocket，andlolledbackinhischair。Hisgazefellawayfromthemanconfrontinghim。Inthesameinstant，therigidityofGarson\'sformrelaxed，andhestraightenedslowly。Atideofsecretjoysweptthroughhim，asherealizedhisvictory。Buthisoutwardexpressionremainedunchanged。
"Oh，well，"Burkeexclaimedamiably，"Ididn\'treallythinkyoudid，butIwasn\'tsure，soIhadtotakeachance。Youunderstand，don\'tyou，Joe？"
"Sure，Iunderstand，"Garsonreplied，withanamiabilityequaltotheInspector\'sown。
Burke\'smannercontinuedveryamicableashewentonspeaking。
"Yousee，Joe，anyhow，we\'vegottherightpartysafeenough。
Youcanbetonthat!"
Garsonresistedthelure。
"Ifyoudon\'twantme——"hebegansuggestively；andheturnedtowardthedoortotheouterhall。"Why，ifyoudon\'twantme，I\'ll——getalong。"
"Oh，what\'sthehurry，Joe？"Burkeretorted，withtheeffectofstoppingtheothershort。HepressedthebuzzerastheagreedsignaltoCassidy。"WheredidyousayMaryTurnerwaslastnight？"
Atthequestion，allGarson\'sfearsforthewomanrushedbackonhimwithappallingforce。Ofwhatavailhissafety，ifshewerestillinperil？
"Idon\'tknowwhereshewas，"heexclaimed，doubtfully。Herealizedhisblunderevenasthewordslefthislips，andsoughttocorrectitasbesthemight。"Why，yes，Ido，too，"hewenton，asifassailedbysuddenmemory。"Idroppedintoherplacekindoflate，andtheysaidshe\'dgonetobed——headache，I
guess……Yes，shewashome，ofcourse。Shedidn\'tgooutofthehouse，allnight。"Hisinsistenceonthepointwasofitselfsuspicious，buteagernesstoprotectherstultifiedhiswits。
Burkesatgrimandsilent，offeringnocommentonthelie。
"KnowanythingaboutyoungGilder？"hedemanded。"Happentoknowwhereheisnow？"Hearoseandcamearoundthedesk，sothathestoodclosetoGarson，atwhomheglowered。
"Notathing!"wastheearnestanswer。Butthespeaker\'sfearroseswiftly，forthelinkingofthesenameswassignificant——frightfullysignificant!
Theinnerdooropened，andMaryTurnerenteredtheoffice。
Garsonwithdifficultysuppressedthecryofdistressthatrosetohislips。Forafewmoments，thesilencewasunbroken。Then，presently，Burke，byagesture，directedthegirltoadvancetowardthecenteroftheroom。Assheobeyed，hehimselfwentalittletowardthedoor，and，whenitopenedagain，andDickGilderappeared，heinterposedtochecktheyoungman\'srushforwardashisgazefellonhisbride，whostoodregardinghimwithsadeyes。
Garsonstaredmutelyattheburlymaninuniformwhoheldtheirdestiniesinthehollowofahand。Hislipspartedasifhewereabouttospeak。Then，hebadedefiancetotheimpulse。Hedeemeditsaferforallthatheshouldsaynothing——now!……Anditisveryeasytosayawordtoomany。Andthatonemaybeawordnevertobeunsaid——orgainsaid。
Then，whilestillthatcurious，dynamicsilenceendured，Cassidycamebrisklyintotheoffice。Bysomemagicofduty，hehadcontrivedtogivehisusuallyhebetudinousfeaturesanexpressionofenthusiasm。
"Say，Chief，"thedetectivesaidrapidly，"they\'vesquealed!"
Burkeregardedhisaidewithanairintolerablytriumphant。Hisvoicecamesmug:
"Squealed，eh？"HisglanceranoverGarsonforasecond，thenmadeitsinquisitionofMaryandofDickGilder。HedidnotgivealooktoCassidyasheputhisquestion。"Dotheytellthesamestory？"Andthen，whenthedetectivehadansweredintheaffirmative，hewentonspeakingintonesponderouswithself-complacency；and，now，hiseyesheldsharply，craftily，onthewoman。
"Iwasrightthen，afterall——right，allthetime!Goodenough!"
Ofasudden，hisvoiceboomedsomberly。"MaryTurner，Iwantyouforthemurderof——"
Garson\'srushhaltedthesentence。Hehadleapedforward。Hisfacewasrigid。HebrokeontheInspector\'swordswithagestureoffury。Hisvoicecameinahiss:
"That\'sadamnedlie!……Ididit!"
CHAPTERXXIV。ANGUISHANDBLISS。
JoeGarsonhadshoutedhisconfessionwithoutasecondofreflection。Buttheresultmusthavebeenthesamehadhetakenyearsofthought。Betweenhimandherasthevictimofthelaw，therecouldbenohesitationforchoice。Indeed，justnow，hehadnoheedtohisownfate。Theprimenecessitywastosaveher，Mary，fromthetoilsofthelawthatwereclosingaroundher。Forhimself，inthedaystocome，therewouldbeaghastlydread，buttherewouldneverberegretoverthecostofsavingher。Perhaps，someotherhemighthaveletsufferinhisstead——nother!Even，hadhebeeninnocent，andsheguiltyofthecrime，hewouldstillhavetakentheburdenofitonhisownshoulders。Hehadsavedherfromthewaters——hewouldsaveheruntiltheend，asfarasthepowerinhimmightlie。Itwasthusthat，withtheprimitivedirectnessofhisreverentialloveforthegirl，hecountednosacrificetoogreatinherbehalf。JoeGarsonwasnotagoodman，attheworldesteemsgoodness。Onthecontrary，hewasdistinctlyanevilone，amenacetothesocietyonwhichhepreyedconstantly。Buthisgoodqualities，iffew，wereofthestrongestfiber，rootedinthedeepsofhim。Heloathedtreachery。Hisoneguiltinessinthisrespecthadbeen，curiouslyenough，towardMaryherself，intheschemeoftheburglary，whichshehadforbidden。But，inthelastanalysis，herehisdeceithadbeendesignedtobringaffluencetoher。Itwashisabhorrenceoftreacheryamongpalsthathaddrivenhimtothemurderofthestool-pigeoninafitofungovernablepassion。
Hemighthavestayedhishandthen，butforthegustyragethatswepthimontothecrime。Nonetheless，hadhesparedtheman，hishatredofthebetrayerwouldhavebeenthesame……AndtheothervirtueofJoeGarsonwasthecomplementofthis——hisownloyalty，aloyaltythatmadehimforgetselfutterlywhereheloved。TheonewomanwhohadeverfilledhisheartwasMary，andforherhislifewerenottoomuchtogive。
ThesuddennessofitallheldMaryvoicelessforlongseconds。
Shewasfrozenwithhorroroftheevent。
When，atlast，wordscame，theywereafranticprayerofprotest。
"No，Joe!No!Don\'ttalk——don\'ttalk!"
Burke，immenselygratified，wentnimblytohischair，andthencesurveyedtheagitatedgroupwithgrislypleasure。
"Joehastalked，"hesaid，significantly。
Mary，shakenasshewasbythefactofGarson\'sconfession，neverthelessretainedherpresenceofmindsufficientlytoresistwithallherstrength。
"Hedidittoprotectme，"shestated，earnestly。
TheInspectordisdainedsuchfutileargument。Asthedoormanappearedinanswertothebuzzer，hedirectedthatthestenographerbesummonedatonce。
"We\'llhavetheconfessionindueform，"heremarked，gazingpleasedlyonthethreebeforehim。
"He\'snotgoingtoconfess，"Maryinsisted，withspirit。
ButBurkewasnotintheleastimpressed。Hedisregardedhercompletely，andspokemechanicallytoGarsontheformalwarningrequiredbythelaw。
"Youareherebycautionedthatanythingyousaymaybeusedagainstyou。"Then，asthestenographerentered，hewentonwithlivelyinterest。"Now，Joe!"
Yetonceagain，Maryprotested，alittlewildly。
"Don\'tspeak，Joe!Don\'tsayawordtillwecangetalawyerforyou!"
Themanmetherpleadingeyessteadily，andshookhisheadinrefusal。
"It\'snouse，mygirl，"Burkebrokein，harshly。"ItoldyouI\'dgetyou。I\'mgoingtotryyouandGarson，andthewholegangformurder——yes，everyoneofyou……Andyou，Gilder，"hecontinued，loweringontheyoungmanwhohaddefiedhimsoobstinately，"you\'llgototheHouseofDetentionasamaterialwitness。"HeturnedhisgazetoGarsonagain，andspokeauthoritatively:"Comeonnow，Joe!"
Garsonwentasteptowardthedesk，andspokedecisively。
"IfIcomethrough，you\'lllethergo——andhim？"headdedasanafterthought，withanodtowardDickGilder。
"Oh，Joe，don\'t!"Marycried，bitterly。"We\'llspendeverydollarwecanraisetosaveyou!"
"Now，it\'snouse，"theInspectorcomplained。"You\'reonlywastingtime。He\'ssaidthathedidit。That\'sallthereistoit。Nowthatwe\'resurehe\'sourman，hehasn\'tgotachanceintheworld。"
"Well，howaboutit？"Garsondemanded，savagely。"Dotheygoclear，ifIcomethrough？"
"We\'llgetthebestlawyersinthecountry，"Marypersisted，desperately。"We\'llsaveyou，Joe——we\'llsaveyou!"
Garsonregardedthedistraughtgirlwithwistfuleyes。Buttherewasnotraceofyieldinginhisvoiceashereplied，thoughhespokeverysorrowfully。
"No，youcan\'thelpme，"hesaid，simply。"Mytimehascome，Mary……AndIcansaveyoualotoftrouble。"
"He\'srightthere，"Burkeejaculated。"We\'vegothimcold。So，what\'stheuseofdraggingyoutwointoit？"
"Then，theygoclear？"Garsonexclaimed，eagerly。"Theyain\'teventobecalledaswitnesses？"
Burkenoddedassent。
"You\'reon!"heagreed。
"Then，heregoes!"Garsoncried；andhelookedexpectantlytowardthestenographer。
Thestrainofitallwassappingthewillofthegirl，whosawthemanshesogreatlyesteemedforhisservicetoherandhisdevotionabouttocondemnhimselftodeath。Shegrewhalf-hysterical。Herwordscameconfusedly:
"No，Joe!No，no，no!"
Again，Garsonshookhisheadinabsoluterefusalofherplea。
"There\'snootherwayout，"hedeclared，wearily。"I\'mgoingthroughwithit。"Hestraightenedalittle，andagainlookedatthestenographer。Hisvoicecamequietly，withoutanytremulousnesss。
"MynameisJoeGarson。"
"Alias？"Burkesuggested。
"Aliasnothing!"camethesharpretort。"Garson\'smymonaker。I
shotEnglishEddie，becausehewasaskunk，andastool-pigeon，andhegotjustwhatwascomingtohim。"Vituperationbeyondthemerewordsbeatinhisvoicenow。
Burketwisteduneasilyinhischair。
"Now，now!"heobjected，severely。"Wecan\'ttakeaconfessionlikethat。"
Garsonshookhishead——spokewithfiercerhatred。"becausehewasaskunk，andastool-pigeon，"herepeated。"Haveyougotit？"
Andthen，asthestenographernoddedassent，hewenton，lessviolently:"Icroakedhimjustashewasgoingtocallthebullswithapolice-whistle。Iusedagunwithsmokelesspowder。IthadaMaximsilenceronit，sothatitdidn\'tmakeanynoise。"
Garsonpaused，andthesetdespairofhisfeatureslightenedalittle。Intohisvoicecameatoneofexultationindescribablyghastly。Itwasbornoftheeternalegotismofthecriminal，fatteningvanityingloatingoverhisingenuityforevil。
Garson，despitehistwogreatvirtues，hadthevicesofhisclass。Now，hestaredatBurkewithaquizzicalgrincrookinghislips。
"Say，"heexclaimed，"I\'llbetit\'sthefirsttimeaguywasevercroakedwithoneofthemthings!Ain\'tit？"
TheInspectornoddedaffirmation。Therewassincereadmirationinhisexpression，forhewasreadyatalltimestorespectthepersonalabilitiesofthecriminalsagainstwhomhewagedrelentlesswar。
"That\'sright，Joe!"hesaid，withperceptibleenthusiasm。
"Someclasstothat，eh？"Garsondemanded，stillwiththatgruesomeairofboasting。"Igotthegun，andtheMaxim-silencerthing，offafenceinBoston，"heexplained。"Say，thatthingcostmesixtydollars，andit\'swortheverycentofthemoney……
Why，they\'llremembermeasthefirsttospringoneofthemthings，won\'tthey？"
"Theysurewill，Joe!"theInspectorconceded。
"NobodyknewIhadit，"Garsoncontinued，droppinghisbraggartmannerabruptly。
Atthewords，Marystarted，andherlipsmovedasifshewereabouttospeak。
Garson，intentonheralways，thoughheseemedtolookonlyatBurke，observedtheeffectonher，andrepeatedhiswordsswiftly，withawarningemphasisthatgavethegirlpause。
"NobodyknewIhadit——nobodyintheworld!"hedeclared。"Andnobodyhadanythingtodowiththekillingbutme。"
Burkeputaquestionthatwastroublinghimmuch，concerningthemotivethatlaybehindtheshootingofGriggs。
"WasthereanybadfeelingbetweenyouandEddieGriggs？"
Garson\'sreplywasexplicit。
"Nevertillthatveryminute。Then，Ilearnedthetruthaboutwhathe\'dframedupwithyou。"Thespeaker\'svoicerevertedtoitsformerfiercenessinrecollectionofthetreacheryofonewhomhehadtrusted。
"Hewasastool-pigeon，andIhatedhisguts!That\'sall，"heconcluded，withbrutalcandor。
TheInspectormovedrestlesslyinhischair。Hehadonlydetestationfortheslainman，yettherewassomethingmorbidlydistastefulinthethoughtthathehimselfhadcontrivedthesituationwhichhadresultedinthemurderofhisconfederate。
Itwasonlybyaneffortthatheshookoffthevaguefeelingofguilt。
"Nothingelsetosay？"heinquired。
Garsonreflectedforafewseconds，thenmadeagestureofnegation。
"Nothingelse，"hedeclared。"Icroakedhim，andI\'mgladIdoneit。Hewasaskunk。That\'sall，andit\'senough。Andit\'salltrue，sohelpmeGod!"
TheInspectornoddeddismissaltothestenographer，withanairofrelief。
"That\'sall，Williams，"hesaid，heavily。"He\'llsignitassoonasyou\'vetranscribedthenotes。"
Then，asthestenographerlefttheroom，Burketurnedhisgazeonthewoman，whostoodthereinapostureofcompletedejection，herwhite，anguishedfacedowncast。TherewastriumphintheInspector\'svoiceasheaddressedher，forhisprofessionalpridewasfull-fedbythisvictoryoverhisfoes。Buttherewas，too，anundertoneofafeelingsofterthanpride，moregenerous，somethingakintorealcommiserationforthisunhappygirlwhodroopedbeforehim，sufferingsopoignantlyintheknowledgeofthefatethatawaitedthemanwhohadsavedher，whohadlovedhersounselfishly"Youngwoman，"Burkesaidbriskly，"it\'sjustlikeItoldyou。
Youcan\'tbeatthelaw。Garsonthoughthecould——andnow——!"
Hebrokeoff，withawaveofhishandtowardthemanwhohadjustsentencedhimselftodeathintheelectric-chair。
"That\'sright，"Garsonagreed，withsomberintensity。Hiseyesweregrowncloudedagainnow，andhisvoicedraggedleaden。
"That\'sright，Mary，"herepeateddully，afteralittlepause。
"Youcan\'tbeatthelaw!"
Therefollowedaperiodofsilence，inwhichgreatemotionswerevibrantfromhearttoheart。GarsonwasthinkingofMary，and，withthethought，intohismiserycreptalittlecomfort。Atleast，shewouldgofree。ThathadbeeninthebargainwithBurke。Andtherewastheboy，too。HiseyesshotasingleswiftglancetowardDickGilder，andhissatisfactionincreasedashenotedthealertpoiseoftheyoungman\'sbody，thestrainedexpressionofthestrongface，thegazeofabsorbedyearningwithwhichheregardedMary。Therecouldbenodoubtconcerningthedepthofthelad\'sloveforthegirl。Moreover，thereweremanlyqualitiesinhimtoworkoutallthingsneedfulforherprotectionthroughlife。Already，hehadprovedhisdevotion，andthatabundantly，hisunswervingfidelitytoher，andtheforcewithinhimthatmadetheseworthyinsomemeasureofher。
Garsonfeltnoleastpangofjealousy。Thoughhelovedthewomanwiththesingleloveofhislife，hehadnever，somehow，hopedaughtforhimself。Therewasevensomethingalmostofthepaternalinthepurityofhislove，asif，indeed，bythefactofrestoringhertolifehehadtakenonhimselftheresponsibilityofaparent。Heknewthattheboyworshipedher，woulddohisbestforher，thatthisbestwouldsufficeforherhappinessintime。Garson，withtheinstinctoflove，guessedthatMaryhadintruthgivenherheartallunawaretothehusbandwhomshehadfirstluredonlyforthelustofrevenge。Garsonnoddedhisheadinamelancholysatisfaction。Hislifewasdone:herswasjustbeginning，now……Butshewouldrememberhim——oh，yes，always!
Marywasloyal。
Themancheckedthetrendofhisthoughtsbyamightyeffortofwill。Hemustnotgrowmaudlinhere。HespokeagaintoMary，withacertaindignity。
"No，youcan\'tbeatthelaw!"Hehesitatedalittle，thenwenton，withacertaincuriousembarrassment。"Andthissameoldlawsaysawomanmuststicktoherman。"
Thegirl\'seyesmethiswithpassionatesorrowintheirmistydeeps。GarsongaveasignificantglancetowardDickGilder，thenhisgazereturnedtoher。Therewasasmolderingdespairinthatlook。Therewere，aswell，anentreatyandacommand。
"So，"hewenton，"youmustgoalongwithhim，Mary……
Won\'tyou？It\'sthebestthingtodo。"
Thegirlcouldnotanswer。Therewasaclutchonherthroatjustthen，whichwouldnotrelaxatthecallofherwill。
Thetensionofamomentgrew，becamepervasive。Burke，accustomedashewastoscenesofdramaticviolence，nowexperiencedanaltogetherunfamiliarthrill。AsforGarson，onceagainthesurgeoffeelingthreatenedtooverwhelmhisself-control。Hemustnotbreakdown!ForMary\'ssake，hemustshowhimselfstoical，quiteundisturbedinthissupremehour。
Ofasudden，aninspirationcametohim，ameanstosnapthetension，tocreateadiversionwhollyefficacious。Hewouldturntohisboastingagain，wouldcalluponhisvanity，whichheknewwellashischieffoible，andmakeitserveasthefoilagainsthislove。Hestrovemanfullytothrowoffthesoftermood。Inameasure，atleast，hewonthefight——thoughalways，undertherushofthisvaunting，therethrobbedtheanguishofhisheart。
"Youwanttocutoutworryingaboutme，"hecounseled，bravely。
"Why，Iain\'tworryingany，myself——notalittlebit!Yousee，it\'ssomethingnewI\'vepulledoff。Nobodyeverputoveranythinglikeitbefore。"
HefacedBurkewithagrinofgloatingagain。
"I\'llbetthere\'llbealotofstuffinthenewspapersaboutthis，andmypicture，too，inmostof\'em!What？"
Theman\'smannerimposedonBurke，thoughMaryfeltthetormentthathisvaingloryingwasmeanttomask。
"Say，"GarsoncontinuedtotheInspector，"ifthereporterswantanypicturesofme，couldIhavesomenewonestaken？Theoneyou\'vegotofmeintheGalleryisovertenyearsold。I\'vetakenoffmybeardsincethen。CanIhaveanewone？"Heputthequestionwithaneagernessthatseemedallsincere。
Burkeansweredwithafinefeelingofgenerosity。
"Sure，youcan，Joe!I\'llsendyouuptotheGalleryrightnow。"
"Immense!"Garsoncried，boisterously。HemovedtowardDickGilder，walkingwithafaintsuggestionofswaggertocoverthenervoustremorthathadseizedhim。
"Solong，youngfellow!"heexclaimed，andheldouthishand。
"You\'vebeenonthesquare，andIguessyoualwayswillbe。"
Dickhadnoscrupleinclaspingthatextendedhandverywarmlyinhisown。Hehadnofeelingofrepulsionagainstthismanwhohadcommittedamurderinhispresence。Thoughhedidnotquiteunderstandtheother\'sheart，hisinstinctasalovertaughthimmuch，sothathepitiedprofoundly——andrespected，too。
"We\'lldowhatwecanforyou，"hesaid，simply。
"That\'sallright，"Garsonreplied，withsuchcarelessnessofmannerashecouldcontrive。Then，atlast，heturnedtoMary。
Thispartingmustbebitter，andhebracedhimselfwithallthevigorsofhiswilltocombattheweaknessthatleapedfromhissoul。
Ashecamenear，thegirlcouldholdherselfinleashnolonger。
Shethrewherselfonhisbreast。Herarmswreathedabouthisneck。Greatsobsrackedher。
"Oh，Joe，Joe!"Thegaspingcrywasofutterdespair。
Garson\'stremblinghandpattedthegirl\'sshoulderverysoftly，acaressofinfinitetenderness。
"That\'sallright!"hemurmured，huskily。"That\'sallright，Mary!"Therewasashortsilence；andthenhewentonspeaking，morefirmly。"Youknow，he\'lllookafteryou。"
Hewouldhavesaidmore，buthecouldnot。Itseemedtohimthatthesobsofthegirlcaughtinhisownthroat。Yet，presently，hestroveonceagain，witheveryreserveofhisstrength；and，finally，hesofarmasteredhimselfthathecouldspeakcalmly。
Thewordswereutteredwithasubtlerenunciationthatwasthisman\'sreligion。
"Yes，he\'lltakecareofyou。Why，I\'dliketoseethetwoofyouwithaboutthreekiddiesplayingroundthehouse。"
Helookedupoverthegirl\'sshoulder，andbeckonedwithhisheadtoDick，whocameforwardatthesummons。
"Takegoodcareofher，won\'tyou？"
Hedisengagedhimselfgentlyfromthegirl\'sembrace，andsetherwithinthearmsofherhusband，wheresherestedquietly，asifunabletofightlongeragainstfate\'sdecree。
"Well，solong!"
Hedarednotutteranotherword，butturnedblindly，andwent，stumblingalittle，towardthedoorman，whohadappearedinanswertotheInspector\'scall。
"TotheGallery，"Burkeordered，curtly。
Garsonwentonwithouteveraglanceback……Hisstrengthwasatanend。
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TherewasalongsilenceintheroomafterGarson\'spassing。Itwasbroken，atlast，bytheInspector，whogotupfromhischair，andadvancedtowardthehusbandandwife。Inhishand，hecarriedasheetofpaper，roughlyscrawled。Ashestoppedbeforethetwo，andclearedhisthroat，MarywithdrewherselffromDick\'sarms，andregardedtheofficialwithbroodingeyesfromoutherwhiteface。Somethingstrangeinherenemy\'sexpressioncaughtherattention，somethingthatsetnewhopesalivewithinherinafashionwhollyinexplicable，sothatshewaitedwithasudden，breathlesseagerness。
Burkeextendedthesheetofpapertothehusband。
"There\'sadocument，"hesaidgruffly。"It\'saletterfromoneHelenMorris，inwhichshesetsforththeinterestingfactthatshepulledoffatheftintheEmporium，forwhichyourMrs。
Gilderheredidtime。Youknow，yourfathergotyourMrs。Gildersentupforthreeyearsforthatsamejob——whichshedidn\'tdo!
That\'swhyshehadsuchagrudgeagainstyourfather，andagainstthelaw，too!"
Burkechuckled，astheyoungmantookthepaper，wonderingly。
"Idon\'tknowthatIblamehermuchforthatgrudge，whenall\'ssaidanddone……Yougivethatdocumenttoyourfather。Itsetsherright。He\'sajustmanaccordingtohislights，yourfather。
He\'lldoallhecantomakethingsrightforher，nowheknows。"
Onceagain，theInspectorpausedtochuckle。
"Iguessshe\'llkeepwithinthelawfromnowon，"hecontinued，contentedly，"withoutgettingalawyertotellherhow……Now，youtwolisten。I\'vegottogooutaminute。WhenIgetback，I
don\'twanttofindanybodyhere——notanybody!Doyougetme？"
Hestrodefromtheroom，fearfullestfurtherdelaymightinvolvehiminsentimentalthanksgivingsfromoneortheother，orboth——andBurkehatedsentimentassomethingdistinctlyunprofessional。
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Whentheofficialwasgone，thetwostoodstaringmutelyeachattheotherthroughlongseconds。Whatshereadintheman\'seyessetthewoman\'shearttobeatingwithanewdelight。Abloomofexquisiterosegrewinthepallorofhercheeks。Themistylightinthevioleteyesshonemoreradiant，yetmoresoftly。Thecrimsonlipscurvedtostrangetenderness……Whathereadinhereyessetthehusband\'spulsestobounding。Heopenedhisarmsinanappealthatwasacommand。Marywentforwardslowly，withouthesitation，inablissthatforgoteverysorrowforthatblessedmoment，andcastherselfonhisbreast。
