"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!"