Part 34 (1/2)

It was Garson who answered.

”I know that you can be trusted,” he said, ”because I know you lo----”

He checked himself with a s.h.i.+ver, and out of the darkness his face showed white.

”You must listen,” d.i.c.k went on, facing again toward the girl, who was trembling before him, her eyes by turns searching his expression or downcast in unfamiliar confusion, which she herself could hardly understand.

”Your safety depends on me,” the young man warned. ”Suppose I should call for help?”

Garson stepped forward threateningly.

”You would only call once,” he said very gently, yet most grimly. His hand went to the noiseless weapon in his coat-pocket.

But the young man's answer revealed the fact that he, too, was determined to the utmost, that he understood perfectly the situation.

”Once would be quite enough,” he said simply.

Garson nodded in acceptance of the defeat. It may be, too, that in some subtle fas.h.i.+on he admired this youth suddenly grown resolute, competent to control a dangerous event. There was even the possibility that some instinct of tenderness toward Mary herself made him desire that this opportunity should be given for wiping out the effects of misfortune which fate hitherto had brought into her life.

”You win,” Garson said, with a half-laugh. He turned to the other men and spoke a command.

”You get over by the hall door, Red. And keep your ears open every second. Give us the office if you hear anything. If we're rushed, and have to make a quick get-away, see that Mary has the first chance. Get that, all of you?”

As Chicago Red took up his appointed station, Garson turned to d.i.c.k.

”Make it quick, remember.”

He touched the other two and moved back to the wall by the fireplace, as far as possible from the husband and wife by the couch.

d.i.c.k spoke at once, with a hesitancy that betrayed the depth of his emotion.

”Don't you care for me at all?” he asked wistfully.

The girl's answer was uttered with nervous eagerness which revealed her own stress of fear.

”No, no, no!” she exclaimed, rebelliously.

Now, however, the young man had regained some measure of rea.s.surance.

”I know you do, Mary,” he a.s.serted, confidently; ”a little, anyway. Why, Mary,” he went on reproachfully, ”can't you see that you're throwing away everything that makes life worth while? Don't you see that?”

There was no word from the girl. Her breast was moving convulsively. She held her face steadfastly averted from the face of her husband.

”Why don't you answer me?” he insisted.

Mary's reply came with all the coldness she could command.

”That was not in the bargain,” Mary said, indifferently.

The man's voice grew tenderly winning, persuasive with the longing of a lover, persuasive with the pity of the righteous for the sinner.

”Mary, Mary!” he cried. ”You've got to change. Don't be so hard. Give the woman in you a chance.”