"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。
　　*****
　　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。
　　*****
　　Whentheofficialwasgone，thetwostoodstaringmutelyeachattheotherthroughlongseconds。Whatshereadintheman'seyessetthewoman'shearttobeatingwithanewdelight。Abloomofexquisiterosegrewinthepallorofhercheeks。Themistylightinthevioleteyesshonemoreradiant，yetmoresoftly。Thecrimsonlipscurvedtostrangetenderness……Whathereadinhereyessetthehusband'spulsestobounding。Heopenedhisarmsinanappealthatwasacommand。Marywentforwardslowly，withouthesitation，inablissthatforgoteverysorrowforthatblessedmoment，andcastherselfonhisbreast。