Part 42 (1/2)
”Why, Norvin, you're old enough to be my father.”
”Oh, no, I'm not.”
”Do you think I could marry a man with gray hair?”
”It all gets gray after a while.”
”No. I'll be engaged to you, but I'll never marry any one, never. That would spoil all the fun. This very thing shows how stupid it must be; the mere rumor has scared the others away,”
”You're a Mormon.”
”I'm not. I'll tell you what I'll do; if I ever marry any one, I'll marry you.”
”That's altogether too indefinite.”
”I don't see it. Meanwhile we're engaged, aren't we?”
”If that's the case--” He reached uncertainly for her hand, and pressed it. ”I--I'm very happy!”
She waited an instant, watching him shyly, then said: ”Now I must show this to Vittoria. But--please don't look so frightened.”
The next instant she was gone. When Miss Fabrizi entered her room, a half-hour later, it was to find her with her eyes red from weeping.
As for Norvin, he had risen to the occasion as best he could. He loved Myra Nell sincerely, tenderly, in a big-brotherly way; he would have gone to any lengths to serve her, yet he could not feel toward her as he felt toward Vittoria Fabrizi. He nerved himself to stand by his word, even though it meant the greatest sacrifice. But the thought agonized him.
Nor was he made more easy as time went on, for Mr. and Mrs. La Branche took it for granted that he was their cousin's affianced lover; and while the girl herself now bewildered him with her shy, inviting coquetry, or again berated him for placing her in an unwelcome position, he could never determine how much she really cared.
When the quarantine was finally lifted he walked out with feelings akin to those of a prisoner who has been reprieved.
XVIII
BELISARIO CARDI
After his enforced idleness Blake was keen to resume his task, yet there was little for him to do save study the one big problem which lay at the root of the whole matter.
The evidence against the prisoners was in good shape; they were indicted, and the trial date would soon be set. They had hired competent lawyers and were preparing for a desperate fight. Where the necessary money came from n.o.body seemed to know, although it was generally felt that a powerful influence was at work to free them. The district attorney expressed the strongest hopes of obtaining convictions; but there came disturbing rumors of alibis for the accused, of manufactured evidence, and of overwhelming surprises to be sprung at the last moment. Detectives were shadowed by other detectives, lawyers were spied upon, their plans leaked out; witnesses for the State disappeared. Opposing the authorities was a master hand, at once so cunning and so bold as to threaten a miscarriage of justice.
This could be none other then Belisario Cardi, yet he seemed no nearer discovery than ever. Norvin had no idea how to proceed. He could only wait for some word from his new ally, Vittoria Fabrizi. It might be that she would find a clue, and he feared to complicate matters by any premature or ill-judged action. Meanwhile, he encountered the results of Bernie Dreux's garrulity. He found himself generally regarded as Myra Nell's accepted suitor, and, of course, could make no denial.
But when he telephoned to the girl herself and asked when he might call he was surprised to hear her say:
”You can't call at all Why, you've ruined all my enjoyment as it is!
There hasn't been a man in this whole neighborhood since I came home.
Even the policeman takes the other side of the street.”
”All the more reason why I should come.”
”I won't have you hanging around until I get my Carnival dresses fitted. Oh, Norvin, you ought to see them. There's one-white brocaded peau de soie, all frills and rosebuds; the bodice is trimmed with pearl pa.s.s.e.m.e.nterie, and it's a dear.” After a moment's hesitation she added: ”Norvin dear, what does it cost to rent the front page of a newspaper?”