Thusfar，however，theforgerhadalwaysescapedthepenaltyforhiscrimes，thoughoftenclosetoconviction。ButMary'sargumentswereofacompellingsortasshesetthemforthindetail，andtheymadetheirappealtoGarson，whowasbynomeanslackinginashrewdnativeintelligence。Heagreedthattheexperimentshouldbemade，notwithstandingthefactthathefeltnoparticularenthusiasmovertheproposedschemeofworking。Itislikelythathisownstrongfeelingofattractiontowardthegirlwhomhehadsavedfromdeath，whonowappearedbeforehimasaradiantlybeautifulyoungwoman，wasmorepersuasivethantheexcellentideaswhichshepresentedsoemphatically，andwithalogicsoimpressive。
AnagreementwasmadebywhichJoeGarsonandcertainofhismoretrustedintimatesintheunderworldweretoputthemselvesundertheordersofMaryconcerningthesphereoftheiractivities。
Furthermore，theyboundthemselvesnottoengageinanydeviousbusinesswithoutherconsent。Aggie，too，wasoneofthecompanythusconstituted，butshefiguredlittleinthepreliminarydiscussions，sinceneitherMarynortheforgerhadmuchrespectfortheintellectualcapabilitiesoftheadventuress，thoughtheyappreciatedtothefullherremarkablepowersofinfluencingmentoherwill。
Itwasnotdifficulttofindalawyersuitedtothenecessitiesoftheundertaking。Maryboreinmindconstantlythehighfinancier'srelianceonthelegaladvisercompetenttoinventamethodwherebytobafflethelawatanydesiredpoint，andafterjudiciousinvestigationsheselectedanambitiousandexperiencedJewnamedSigismundHarris，justintheprimeofhismentalvigors，whopossessedaknowledgeofthelawonlytobeequalledbyhisdisrespectforit。Heseemed，indeed，preciselythemantofitthesituationforonedesirousofoutragingthelawremorselessly，whilestillretainingaplaceabsolutelywithinit。
Forthwith，theschemewassetinoperation。Asafirststep，MaryTurnerbecameayoungladyofindependentfortune，whohadlivingwithheracousin，MissAgnesLynch。Theflatwasabandoned。InitssteadwasanapartmentintheninetiesonRiversideDrive，inwhichtheladieslivedalonewithtwomaidstoservethem。Garsonhadroomsintheneighborhood，butJimLynch，whopersistentlyrefusedtheconditionsofsuchanalliance，betookhimselfafar，tocontinuehisrecklessgatheringofotherfolk'smoneyinsuchwiseastomakehimamenabletothelawtheveryfirsttimeheshouldbecaughtatit。
Afewtentativeventuresresultedinprofitssolargethatthecompanygrewmightilyenthusiasticoverthenovelmannerofworking。Ineachinstance，Harriswasconsulted，andmadehisconfidentialstatementastothelegalityofthethingproposed。
Marygratifiedhereagermindbycarefulstudiesinthischosenlineofnefariousness。Afterafewperfectlylegalbreach-of-promisesuits，duetoAggie'swinsomeinnocenceofdemeanor，hadbeensettledadvantageouslyoutofcourt，Marydevisedaschemeofgreaterelaborateness，withthelegalacumenofthelawyertoendorseitinthematterofsafety。
Thisnettedthirtythousanddollars。Itwasplannedastheswindlingofaswindler——which，infact，hadnowbecomethesecretprincipleinMary'smorality。
Agentlemanpossessedofsomemeans，nonetooscrupuloushimself，butwithhighfinancialaspirations，advertisedforapartnertoinvestcapitalinabusinesssuretobringlargereturns。ThisadvertisementcaughttheeyeofMaryTurner，andsheansweredit。
Anintroductorycorrespondenceencouragedhertohopeforthevictoryinagameofcunningagainstcunning。SheconsultedwiththeperspicaciousMr。Harris，andespeciallysoughtfromhimdetailedinformationastopartnershiplaw。Hisstatementsgavehersuchconfidencethatpresentlysheenteredintoapartnershipwiththeadvertiser。Bythetermsoftheiragreement，eachdepositedthirtythousanddollarstothepartnershipaccount。
Thissumofsixtythousanddollarswasostensiblytobedevotedtothepurchaseofatractofland，whichshouldafterwardbedividedintolots，andresoldtothepublicatenormousprofit。
Asamatteroffact，theadvertiserplannedtomakeaspuriouspurchaseofthetractinquestion，bymeansofforgeddeedsgrantedbyanaccomplice，thusmakingthroughfraudaneatprofitofthirtythousanddollars。Theissuewas，however，disappointingtohimintheextreme。NosoonerwasthesixtythousanddollarsondepositinthebankthanMaryTurnerdrewoutthewholeamount，asshehadaperfectrighttodolegally。Whentheadvertiserlearnedofthis，hewas，naturallyenough，fulltooverflowingwithwrath。ButafteraninterviewwithHarrisheswallowedthiswrathasbesthemight。Hefoundthathisadversaryknewadangerousdealastohisvariousswindlingoperations。Inshort，hecouldnotgointocourtwithcleanhands，whichisaprimestipulationofthelaw——thoughoftenhonoredinthebreach。Buttheadvertiser'shandsweretooperilouslyfilthy，sohelethimselfbemulctedinragingsilence。
TheeventestablishedMaryasthearbiterinherowncoterie。
Herewas，intruth，anewgame，agamemostentertaining，andmostprofitable，andnotintheleastrisky。Immediatelyaftertheadventurewiththeadvertiser，MarydecidedthatacertainGeneralHastingswouldmakeanexcellentsacrificeonthealtarofjustice——andtoherownfinancialprofit。Theoldmanwasanotoriousroue，ofmostunsavoryreputationasadestroyerofinnocence。ItwasprobablethathewouldeasilyfallavictimtotheingenuouscharmsofAggie。Asforthatprecociousdamsel，shewouldrunnoleastriskofdestructionbythesatyr。So，presently，therewereelaborateplottings。GeneralHastingsmetAggieinthemostcasualway。Hewascaptivatedbyherfreshnessandbeauty，herdemureness，herignoranceofallthingsvicious。
Straightway，hesethissnares，beinghimselfalreadylimed。Heshoweredeverygallantattentiononthenaivebread-and-buttermiss，andsucceededgratifyinglysooninwinningherheart——toallappearance。Buthegainednothingmore，forthecoycreatureabruptlydevelopedmosteffectivepowersofresistancetoeveryblandishmentthatwentbeyondstrictestpropriety。HisardorcooledsuddenlywhenHarrisfiledthepapersinasuitfortenthousanddollarsdamagesforbreachofpromise。
Evenwhilethisaffairwasstillinthecourseofexecution，Maryfoundherselfengagedinadirectionthatofferedatleastthehopeofattaininghergreatdesire，revengeagainstEdwardGilder。Thisopportunitycameinthepersonofhisson，Dick。
Aftermuchcontriving，shesecuredanintroductiontothatyoungman。Forthwith，sheshowedherselfsodeliciouslywomanly，sointelligent，sodaintilyfeminine，sosingularlybeautiful，thattheyoungmanwasenamoredalmostatonce。ThefactthrilledMarytothedepthsofherheart，forinthissonofthemanwhomshehatedshesawtheinstrumentofvengeanceforwhichshehadsolonged。Yet，thisonethingwassovitaltoherthatshesaidnothingofherpurposes，noteventoAggie，thoughthatobservantpersonmayhavepossessedsuspicionsmoreorlessnearthetruth。
Itwassomesuchsuspicionthatlaybehindherspeechas，innegligee，shesatcross-leggedonthebed，smokingacigaretteinaveryknowingway，whilewatchingMary，whowasadjustingherhatbeforethemirrorofherdressing-table，onepleasantspringmorning。
"Dollin'upawholelot，ain'tyou？"Aggieremarked，affably，withthatlaxityoflanguagewhichcharacterizedhernaturalmoods。
"IhaveaveryimportantengagementwithDickGilder，"Maryreplied，tranquilly。Shevouchsafednothingmoredefiniteastoherintentions。
"Niceboy，ain'the？"Aggieventured，insinuatingly。
"Oh，Isupposeso，"cametheindifferentanswerfromMary，asshetiltedthepicturehattoanangleatriflemorejaunty。
Thepseudocousinsniffed。
"Yous'posethat，doyou？Well，anyhow，he'sheresomuchweoughttobechargin'himforhismeal-ticket。AndyetIain'tsurethatyouevenknowwhetherhe'stherealgoods，ornot。"
ThefairfaceofMaryTurnerhardenedtheleastbit。Thereshoneanexpressionofinscrutabledisdaininthevioleteyes，assheturnedtoregardAggiewithalevelglance。
"Iknowthathe'stheson——theonlyson!——ofEdwardGilder。Thefactisenoughforme。"
Theadventuressofthedemurefaceshookherheadintokenofcompletebafflement。Herrosylipspoutedinpetulantdissatisfaction。
"Idon'tgetyou，Mary，"sheadmitted，querulously。"Youneverusedtolookatthemen。Thewayyouactedwhenyoufirstrunroundwithme，Ithoughtyousurewasasuffragette。AndthenyoumetthisyoungGilder——and——good-night，nurse!"
ThehardnessremainedinMary'sface，asshecontinuedtoregardherfriend。But，now，therewassomethingquizzicalintheglancewithwhichsheaccompaniedthemonosyllable:
"Well？"
Again，Aggieshookherheadinperplexity。
"Hisoldmansendsyouupforastretchforsomethingyoudidn'tdo——andyoutakeupwithhissonlike——"
"Andyetyoudon'tunderstand!"Therewasscornforsuchgrossstupidityinthemusicalvoice。
Aggiechokedalittlefromthecigarettesmoke，asshegaveagaspwhensuspicionofthetruthsuddenlydawnedonherslowintelligence。
"MyGawd!"Hervoicecameinatrebleshriekofapprehension。
"I'mwise!"
"Butyoumustunderstandthis，"Marywenton，withanauthoritativenoteinhervoice。"WhatevermaybebetweenyoungGilderandmeistobestrictlymyownaffair。Ithasabsolutelynothingtodowiththerestofyou，orwithourschemesformoney-making。And，whatismore，Agnes，Idon'twanttotalkaboutit。But——"
"Yes？"queriedAggie，encouragingly，astheotherpaused。Shehopefullyawaitedfurtherconfidences。
"ButIdowanttoknow，"Marycontinuedwithsomeseverity，"whatyoumeantbytalkinginthepublicstreetyesterdaywithacommonpickpocket。"
Aggie'schildlikefacechangedswiftlyitsexpressionfromaslyeagernesstosullenness。
"Youknowperfectlywell，MaryTurner，"shecriedindignantly，"thatIonlysaidafewwordsinpassin'tomybrotherJim。Andheain'tnocommonpickpocket。HullyGee!He'sthebestdipinthebusiness。"
"Butyoumustnotbeseenspeakingwithhim，"Marydirected，withacertainairofcommandnowbecomehabitualtoheramongthemembersofherclique。"Mycousin，MissAgnesLynch，mustbeverycarefulastoherassociates。"
ThevolatileAgneswasrestoredtogoodhumorbysomesubtlequalityintheutterance，andafamilyprideasserteditself。
"Hejuststoppedmetosayit'sbeenthebestyearheeverhad，"
sheexplained，withostentatiousvanity。
Maryappearedsceptical。
"Howcanthatbe，"shedemanded，"whenthedeadlinenowisJohnStreet？"
"Thedeadline!"Aggiescoffed。Apealoflaughterrangmerrilyfromhercurvinglips。
"Why，JimtakesluncheverydayintheWallStreetDelmonico's。
Yes，"shewentonwithincreasinganimation，"andonlyyesterdayhewentdowntoPoliceHeadquarters，justforalittleexcitement，'causeJimdoessurehateadulllife。Say，hetoldmethey'vegotamatatthedoorwith'Welcome'onit——inlettersthreefeethigh。Now，what——do——you——think——ofthat!"Aggieteeteredjoyously，thewhilesheinhaledashockinglylargemouthfulofsmoke。"And，oh，yes!"shecontinuedhappily，"Jim，heliftedaleatherfromabullwhowasstandinginthehallwaythereatHeadquarters!Jimsuredoesloveexcitement。"
Maryliftedherdarkeyebrowsinhalf-amusedinquiry。
"It'snouse，Agnes，"shedeclared，thoughwithoutentiresincerity；"Ican'tquitekeepupwithyourthieves'argot——yourslang，youknow。Justwhatdidthisbrotherofyoursdo？"
"Why，hecoppedthecopper'skale，"Aggietranslated，glibly。
Marythrewoutherhandsinagestureofdismay。
Thereupon，theadventuressinstantlyassumedamostladylikeandmincingairwhichillassortedwiththecigarettethatsheheldbetweenherlips。
"Hegentlyremovedaleathernwallet，"shesaidsedately，"containingalargesumofmoneyfromthecoatpocketofamemberofthedetectiveforce。"Theeleganceofutterancewasinimitablydone。Butinthenextinstant，theordinaryvulgarityofenunciationwasinfullplayagain。"Oh，Gee!"shecriedgaily。"HesaysInspectorBurke'sgotagoldwatchthatweighsaton，an'allsetwithdiamon's!——whichwasgiveto'imby——admirin'friends!……Wedidn'tcontribute。"
"Giventohim，"Marycorrected，withatolerantsmile。
Aggiesniffedonceagain。
"Whatdifferencedoesitmake？"shedemanded，scornfully。"He'sgotit，ain'the？"Andthensheaddedwithavariciousintensity:
"JustassoonasIgettime，I'mgoin'afterthatwatch——believeme!"
Maryshookherheadindenial。
"No，youarenot，"shesaid，calmly。"Youareundermyordersnow。Andaslongasyouareworkingwithus，youwillbreaknolaws。"
"ButIcan'tsee——"Aggiebegantoarguewiththepetulanceofaspoiledchild。
Mary'svoicecamewithacertaintyofconvictionbornoffact。
"Whenyouwereworkingalone，"shesaidgravely，didyouhaveahomelikethis？"
"No，"wastheanswer，spokenalittlerebelliously。
"Orsuchclothes？Mostofall，didyouhavesafetyfromthepolice？"
"No，"Aggieadmitted，somewhatmoreresponsively。"But，justthesame，Ican'tsee——"
Marybeganputtingonhergloves，andatthesametimestrovetogivethisremarkableyoungwomansomeinsightintoherownpointofview，thoughsheknewthetasktobeonewell-nighimpossible。
"Agnes，"shesaid，didactically，"therichestmeninthiscountryhavemadetheirfortunes，notbecauseofthelaw，butinspiteofthelaw。Theymadeuptheirmindswhattheywantedtodo，andthentheyengagedlawyerscleverenoughtoshowthemhowtheycoulddoit，andstillkeepwithinthelaw。Anyonewithbrainscangetrichinthiscountryifhewillengagetherightlawyer。
Well，Ihavethebrains——andHarrisisshowingmethelaw——thewonderfultwistedlawthatwasmadefortherich!Sincewekeepinsidethelaw，wearesafe。"
Aggie，withoutmuchapprehensionoftheexactsituation，wasmovedtoadimpledmirthovertheessentialhumorofthemethodindicated。
"Gee，that'sfunny，"shecriedhappily。"Youan'mean'JoeGarsonhandin'itto'em，an'thebullscan'ttouchus!Nextthingyouknow，Harriswillbehavin'usincorporatedastheAmericanLegalCrimeSociety。"
"Ishouldn'tbeintheleastsurprised，"Maryassented，asshefinishedbuttoninghergloves。Shesmiled，buttherewasahintofgrimnessinthebendingofherlips。Thatgrimnessremained，assheglancedattheclock，thenwenttowardthedooroftheroom，speakingoverhershoulder。
"And，nowImustbeofftoamostimportantengagementwithMr。
DickGilder。"
CHAPTERVIII。ATIPFROMHEADQUARTERS。
Presently，whenshehadfinishedthecigarette，Aggieproceededtoherownchamberandtherespentaconsiderabletimeinmakingatoilettecalculatedtosetofftoitsfulladvantagetheslenderdaintinessofherform。Whenatlastshewasgownedtohersatisfaction，shewentintothedrawing-roomoftheapartmentandgaveherselfovertomorecigarettes，inaneasychair，sprawledoutinanattitudeofcomfortnevertaughtinanyfinishingschoolforyoungladies。Sheatthesametimeindulgedhertastesinartandliteraturebyreadingthejokesandstudyingthecomicpicturesinaneveningpaper，whichthemaidbroughtinatherrequest。ShehadaboutexhaustedthisformofamusementwhenthecomingofJoeGarson，whowasusuallyinandoutoftheapartmentanumberoftimesdaily，providedawelcomediversion。Afteracasualgreetingbetweenthetwo，Aggieexplained，inresponsetohisquestion，thatMaryhadgoneouttokeepanengagementwithDickGilder。
Therewasalittleperiodofsilencewhiletheman，withtheresolutefaceandthelightgrayeyesthatshonesoclearlyunderneaththethick，wavingsilverhair，heldhisheadbentdownwardasifinintentthought。When，finally，hespoke，therewasacertainqualityinhisvoicethatcausedAggietoregardhimcuriously。
"Maryhasbeenwithhimagooddeallately，"hesaid，halfquestioningly。
"That'swhat，"wasthecurtagreement。
Garsonbroughtouthisnextquerywiththebrutalbluntnessofhiskind；andyettherewasavaguesuggestionoftendernessinhistonesunderthevulgarwords。
"Thinkshe'sstuckonhim？"Hehadseatedhimselfonasetteeoppositethegirl，whodidnottroubleonhisaccounttoassumeaposturemoredecorous，andhesurveyedherkeenlyashewaitedforareply。
"Whynot？"Aggieretorted。"BetyourlifeI'dbe，ifIhadachance。He'saswellboy。Andhisfather'sgotthecoin，too。"
Atthisthemanmovedimpatiently，andhiseyeswanderedtothewindow。Again，Aggiestudiedhimwithaswiftglanceofinterrogation。Notbeingthepossessorofanover-nicesensibilityastothefeelingsofothers，shenowspokebriskly。
"Joe，ifthere'sanythingonyourmind，shootit。"
Garsonhesitatedforamoment，thendecidedtounburdenhimself，forhecravedpreciseknowledgeinthismatter。
"It'sMary，"heexplained，withsomeembarrassment；"herandyoungGilder。"
"Well？"camethecrispquestion。
"Well，somehow，"Garsonwenton，stillsomewhatconfusedly，"I
can'tseeanygoodofit，forher。"
"Why？"Aggiedemanded，insurprise。
Garson'smannergreweasier，nowthatthesubjectwaswellbroached。
"OldmanGilder'sgotabigpull，"hevouchsafed，"andifhecaughtontohisboy'sgoingwithMary，he'dbelikelytosendthepoliceafterus——strong!Believeme，Iain'tlookingforanytripuptheriver。"
Aggieshookherhead，quiteunaffectedbytheman'ssuggestionofpossibleperilinthesituation。
"Weain'tdonenothin'theycantouchusfor，"shedeclared，withassurance。"Marysaysso。"
Garson，however，wasunconvinced，notwithstandinghisdeferencetothejudgmentofhisleader。
"Whetherwe'vedoneanything，orwhetherwehaven't，don'tmatter，"heobjected。"Oncethepolicesetoutafteryou，they'llgetyou。Russiaain'tinitwithsomeofthethingsI
haveseenpulledoffinthistown。"
"Oh，canthat'fraidtalk!"Aggieexclaimed，roughly。"Itellyoutheycan'tgetus。We'vegotourfingerscrossed。"
Shewouldhavesaidmore，butanoiseatthehalldoorinterruptedher，andshelookeduptoseeamanintheopening，whilebehindhimappearedthemaid，protestingangrily。
"Nevermindthatannouncingthingwithme，"thenewcomerraspedtotheexpostulatingservant，inavoicethatsuitedwellhisthick-setfigure，withthebullet-shapedheadandthebull-likeneck。Thenheturnedtothetwointhedrawing-room，bothofwhomhadnowrisentotheirfeet。
"It'sallright，Fannie，"Aggiesaidhastilytotheflusteredmaid。"Youcango。"
Astheservant，afteranindignanttossofthehead，departedalongthepassage，thevisitorclumpedheavilyforwardandstoppedinthecenteroftheroom，lookingfirstatoneandthentheotherofthetwowithasmilethatwasnotpleasant。Hewasnotatpainstoremovethederbyhatwhichheworeratherfarbackonhishead。Bythissinglesign，onemighthaverecognizedCassidy，whohadhadMaryTurnerinhischargeontheoccasionofherill-fatedvisittoEdwardGilder'soffice，fouryearsbefore，thoughnowthemanhadthickenedsomewhat，andhisruddyfacewasgrownevencoarser。
"Hello，Joe!"hecried，familiarly。"Hello，Aggie!"
Thelight-grayeyesoftheforgerhadnarrowedperceptiblyasherecognizedtheidentityoftheunceremoniouscaller，whilethelinesofhisfirmlysetmouthtookonanaddedfixity。
"Well？"hedemanded。Hisvoicewasemotionless。
"Justalittlefriendlycall，"Cassidyannounced，inhisstridentvoice。"Where'stheladyofthehouse？"
"Out。"ItwasAggiewhospoke，verysharply。
"Well，Joe，"Cassidywenton，withoutpayingfurtherheedtothegirlforamoment，"whenshecomesback，justtellherit'suptohertomakeaget-away，andtomakeitquick。"
ButAggiewasnotonetobeignoredunderanycircumstances。
Now，shespokewithsomeacerbityinhervoice，whichcouldatwillbewondroussoftandlow。
"Say!"sheretortedviciously，"youcan'tthrowanyscareintous。Youhadn'tgotanythingonus。See？"
Cassidy，inresponsetothisoutburst，favoredthegirlwithalongstare，andtherewasheartyamusementinhistonesasheanswered。
"Nothingonyou，eh？Well，well，let'ssee。"HeregardedGarsonwithagrin。"YouareJoeGarson，forger。"Ashespoke，thedetectivetookanote-bookfromapocket，foundapage，andthenread:"Firstarrestedin1891，forforgingthenameofEdwinGoodselltoacheckfortenthousanddollars。AgainarrestedJune19，1893，forforgery。ArrestedinApril，1898，forforgingthesignatureofOscarHemmenwaytoaseriesofbondsthatwerecounterfeit。ArrestedasthemanbackoftheReillygang，in1903。Arrestedin1908forforgery。"
Therewasnochangeinthefaceorposeofthemanwholistenedtothereading。Whenitwasdone，andtheofficerlookedupwitharesumptionofhistriumphantgrin，Garsonspokequietly。
"Haven'tanyrecordsofconvictions，haveyou？"
Thegrindied，andasnarlspranginitsstead。
"No，"hesnapped，vindictively。"Butwe'vegottherightdopeonyou，allright，JoeGarson。"Heturnedsavagelyonthegirl，whonowhadregainedherusualexpressionofdemureinnocence，butwithherrathertooheavybrowsdrawnalittlelowerthantheirwont，undertheinfluenceofanemotionotherwiseconcealed。
"Andyou'relittleAggieLynch，"Cassidydeclared，ashethrustthenote-bookbackintohispocket。"Justnow，you'reposingasMaryTurner'scousin。YouservedtwoyearsinBurnsingforblackmail。YouwerearrestedinBuffalo，convicted，andservedyourstretch。Nothingonyou？Well，well!"Againtherewastriumphintheofficer'schuckle。
Aggieshowednoleastsignofperturbationinthefaceofthisrevelationofherunsavoryrecord。Onlyanexpressionofhalf-incredulouswonderanddelightbeamedfromherwidelyopenedblueeyesandwasemphasizedintheroundingofthelittlemouth。
"Why，"shecried，andnowtherewassoftnessenoughinthecooingnotes，"myGawd!Itlooksasthoughyouhadactuallybeenworkin'!"
Thesarcasmwaswithouteffectonthedullsensibilitiesoftheofficer。Hewentonspeakingwithobviousenjoymentoftheextenttowhichhisknowledgereached。
"AndtheheadofthegangisMaryTurner。ArrestedfouryearsagoforrobbingtheEmporium。Didherstretchofthreeyears。"
"Isthatallyou'vegotabouther？"Garsondemanded，withsuchabruptnessthatCassidyforgothisdignitysufficientlytoanswerwithanunqualifiedyes。
Theforgercontinuedspeakingrapidly，andnowtherewasanundercurrentoffeelinginhisvoice。
"Nothinginyourrecordofherabouthercomingoutwithoutafriendintheworld，andtryingtogostraight？Youain'tgotnothinginthatprettylittlebookofyour'naboutyourgoingtothemillinerystorewhereshefinallygotajob，andtippingthemofftowhereshecomefrom？"
"Sure，theywastippedoff，"Cassidyanswered，quiteunmoved。
Andheadded，swellingvisiblywithimportance:"Wegottoprotectthecity。"
"Gotanythinginthatrecordofyour'n，"Garsonwentonvenomously，"abouthergettinganotherjob，andyourfollowingherupagain，andhavingherthrownout？GotitthereabouttheletteryouhadoldGilderwrite，sothathisinfluencewouldgethercanned？"
"Oh，wehadherrightthefirsttime，"Cassidyadmitted，complacently。
Then，thebitternessofGarson'ssoulwasrevealedbythefiercenessinhisvoiceashereplied。
"Youdidnot!Shewasrailroadedforajobsheneverdone。Shewentinhonest，andshecameouthonest。"
Thedetectiveindulgedhimselfinacackleofsneeringmerriment。
"Andthat'swhyshe'sherenowwithagangofcrooks，"heretorted。
Garsonmettheimplicationfairly。
"Whereelseshouldshebe？"hedemanded，violently。"Youain'tgotnothinginthatrecordaboutmyjumpingintotheriverafterher？"Theforger'svoicedeepenedandtrembledwiththeintensityofhisemotion，whichwasnowgrownsostrongthatanywholistenedandlookedmightguesssomethingofthetruthastohisfeelingtowardthiswomanofwhomhespoke。"That'swhereI
foundher——agirlthatneverdonenobodyanyharm，starvingbecauseyoupolicewouldn'tgiveherachancetowork。Intheriverbecauseshewouldn'ttaketheonlyotherwaythatwaslefthertomakealiving，becauseshewaskeepingstraight!……Haveyougotanyofthatinyourbook？"
Cassidy，whohadbeenscowlinginthefaceofthisarraignment，suddenlygaveventtoacroakinglaughofderision。
"Huh!"hesaid，contemptuously。"Iguessyou'restuckonher，eh？"
Atthewords，aninstantaneouschangesweptoverGarson。
Hitherto，hehadbeentense，hisfacesetwithemotion，amanstrongandsullen，witheyesasclearandheartlessasthoseofabeastinthewild。Now，withoutwarning，astartlingtransformationwaswrought。Hisformstiffenedtorigidityafteronelightning-swiftstepforward，andhisfacegrayed。Theeyesglowedwiththefiresofaman'sheartinaspasmofhate。Hewastheembodimentofrage，ashespokehuskily，hisvoiceawhisperthatwasyetlouderthananyshout。
"Cutthat!"
Theeyesofthetwomenlocked。Cassidystruggledwithallhisprideagainstthedominantfurythismanhurledonhim。
"What？"hedemanded，blusteringly。Buthistonewasweakerthanitswont。
"Imean，"Garsonrepeated，andtherewasfinalityinhisaccents，adeadlyqualitythatwasappalling，"Imean，cutitout——now，here，andallthetime!Itdon'tgo!"Thevoiceroseslightly。
Theeffectofitwasmorepenetrantthanascream。"Itdon'tgo!……Doyougetme？"
Therewasashortintervalofsilence，thentheofficer'seyesatlastfell。ItwasAggiewhorelievedthetensionofthescene。
"He'sgotyou，"sheremarked，airily。"Oi，oi!He'sgotyou!"
Therewereagainafewsecondsofpause，andthenCassidymadeanobservationthatrevealedinsomemeasuretheshockoftheexperiencehehadjustundergone。
"Youwouldhavebeenabigman，Joe，ifithadn'tbeenforthattemperofyours。It'sgotyouintotroubleonceortwicealready。Sometimeit'slikelytoproveyourfinish。"
Garsonrelaxedhisimmobility，andalittlecolorcreptintohischeeks。
"That'smybusiness，"heresponded，dully。
"Anyway，"theofficerwenton，withanewconfidence，nowthathiseyeswerefreefromthegazethathadburnedintohissoul，"you'vegottoclearout，thewholegangofyou——anddoitquick。"
Aggie，whoasamatteroffactbegantofeelthatshewasnotreceivingherdueshareofattention，nowinterposed，movingforwardtillherfacewasclosetothedetective's。
"Wedon'tscareworthacent，"shesnapped，withthevirulenceofavixen。"Youcan'tdoanythingtous。Weain'tbrokethelaw。"
Therecameasuddenrippleoflaughter，andthecharminglipscurvedjoyously，assheadded:"Thoughperhapswehavebentitabit。"
Cassidysneered，outragedbysuchimpudenceonthepartofanex-convict。
"Don'tmakenodifferencewhatyou'vedone，"hegrowled。"Gee!"
hewenton，withaheavysneer。"Butthingsarecomingtoaprettypasswhenagangofcrooksgetstoarguingabouttheirrights。That'sfunny，thatis!"
"Thenlaugh!"Aggieexclaimed，insolently，andmadeafaceattheofficer。"Ha，ha，ha!"
"Well，you'vegotthetip，"Cassidyreturned，somewhatdisconcerted，afterastolidfashionofhisown。"It'suptoyoutotakeit，that'sall。Ifyoudon't，oneofyouwillmakealongvisitwithsomepeopleoutoftown，andit'llprobablybeMary。Remember，I'mgivingittoyoustraight。"
Aggieassumedherformalsocietymanner，exaggeratedtothepointofextravagance。
"Docomeagain，littleone，"shechirruped，caressingly。"I'veenjoyedyourvisitsomuch!"
ButCassidypaidnoapparentattentiontoherfrivolousness；onlyturnedandwentnoisilyoutofthedrawing-room，offeringnoreturntoherdaintilyinflectedgood-afternoon。
Forherownpart，assheheardtheouterdoorclosebehindthedetective，Aggie'sexpressiongrewvicious，andtheheavybrowsdrewverylow，untilthelevellinealmostmadeherprettinessvanish。
"Thetruck-horsedetective!"shesneered。"Aneighteencollar，andasix-and-a-halfhat!Hesurehadhisnerve，tryingtobluffus!"
ButitwasplainthatGarsonwasofanothermood。Therewasanxietyinhisface，ashestoodstaringvaguelyoutofthewindow。
"Perhapsitwasn'tabluff，Aggie，"hesuggested。
"Well，whathavewedone，I'dliketoknow？"thegirldemanded，confidently。Shetookacigaretteandamatchfromthetabouretbesideher，andstretchedherfeetcomfortably，ifveryinelegantly，onachairopposite。
Garsonansweredwithanoteofwearinessthatwasunlikehim。
"Itain'twhatyouhavedone，"hesaid，quietly。"It'swhattheycanmakeajurythinkyou'vedone。And，oncetheysetouttogetyou——God，howtheycanframethings!IftheyeverstartoutafterMary——"Hedidnotfinishthesentence，butsankdownintohischairwithagroanthatwasalmostofdespair。
Thegirlrepliedwithaburstofcarelesslaughter。
"Joe，"shesaidgaily，"you'reonegrandlittleforger，allright，allright。ButMary'sgotthebrains。Pooh，I'llstringalongwithherasfarasshewantstogo。She'seducated，sheis。
Sheain'tlikeyouandme，Joe。Shetalkslikealady，and，what'sadamnedsightharder，sheactslikealady。IguessI
know。Wakemeupanyoldnightandaskme——justaskme，that'sall。She'sbeentryin'tomakealadyoutofme!"
Thevivaciousnessofthegirldistractedthemanforthemomentfromthegloomofhisthoughts，andheturnedtosurveythespeakerwithacynicalamusement。
"Swellchance!"hecommented，drily。
"Oh，I'mnotsoworse!Justyouwatchout。"Thelivelygirlsprangup，discardedthecigarette，adjustedanimaginarytrain，andspokelispinglyinasocietymannermuchmoremoderateandconvincingthanthatwithwhichshehadfavoredtheretiringCassidy。Voice，poseandgestureproclaimedatleasttheexcellentmimic。
"Howdoyoudo，Mrs。Jones!Sogoodofyoutocall!……MydearMissSmith，thisisindeedapleasure。"Sheseatedherselfagain，quiteprimlynow，andmovedherhandsoverthetabouretappropriatelytoherwords。"Onelump，ortwo？……Yes，Ijustlovebridge。No，Idon'tplay，"shecontinued，simpering；"but，justthesame，Iloveit。"Withthisabsurdending，Aggieagainarrangedherfeetaccordingtoherlikingontheoppositechair。
"That'sthekindofstuffshe'shadmedoing，"sherattledoninhercoarservoice，"andbelieveme，Joe，it'sdamnednearkillingme。Butallthesame，"shehurriedon，withaswiftrevulsionofmoodtotheformerserioustopic，"I'mforMarystrong!Yousticktoher，Joe，andyou'llweardiamon's……Andthatremindsme!I
wishshe'dletmewearmine，butshewon't。Shesaysthey'revulgarforaninnocentcountrygirllikehercousin，AgnesLynch。
Ain'tthatfierce？……Howcananythingbevulgarthat'sworthahundredandfiftyacarat？"
CHAPTERIX。ALEGALDOCUMENT。
MaryTurnerspentlessthananhourinthatmysteriouslyimportantengagementwithDickGilder，ofwhichshehadspokentoAggie。Afterseparatingfromtheyoungman，shewentalonedownBroadway，walkingthefewblocksofdistancetoSigismundHarris'soffice。Onacorner，herattentionwascaughtbytheforlornfaceofagirlcrossingintothesidestreet。Acloserglanceshowedthattheprivationofthegauntfeatureswasemphasizedbythescantgarments，almostintatters。Instantly，Mary'squicksympathieswerearoused，themoreparticularlysincethewretchedchildseemedofabouttheagesheherselfhadbeenwhenhergreatsufferinghadbefallen。So，turningaside，shesooncaughtupwiththegirlandspokeaninquiry。
Itwasthefamiliarstory，afatheroutofwork，asickmother，abroodofhungrychildren。
Someconfusedwordsofdistressrevealedthefactthatthewobegonegirlwaseventhenfightingthefinalbattleofpurityagainststarvation。Thatshestillfoughtoninsuchcaseprovedenoughastoherdecencyofnature，wholesomedespitesqualidsurroundings。Mary'sheartwasdeeplymoved，andherwordsofcomfortcamewithasimplesinceritythatwaslikenewlifetothesorelybesetwaif。Shepromisedtointerestherselfinsecuringemploymentforthefather，suchcareasthemotherandchildrenmightneed，alongwithapropersituationforthegirlherself。Inevidenceofherpurpose，shetookherengagement-bookfromherbag，andsetdownthestreetandnumberoftheEastSidetenementwherethefamilypossessedtheoneroomthatmockedthewordhome，andshegaveabanknotetothegirltoservetheimmediateneeds。
WhenshewentbacktoresumeherprogressdownBroadway，Maryfeltherselfvastlycheeredbythewarmglowwithin，whichistherewardofakindlyact，gratefullyreceived。And，onthisparticularmorning，shecravedsuchassuagementofherspirit，fortheconsciencethat，inspiteofallhermisdeeds，stilllivedwasstrugglingwithinher。Inherrevoltagainstaworldthathadwantonlyinflictedonhertheworsttorments，MaryTurnerhadthoughtthatshemightsafelydisregardthoseprinciplesinwhichshehadbeensocarefullyreared。Shehadbelievedthatbythedeliberateadoptionofalifeofguilewithinlimitsallowedbythelaw，shewouldfindsolaceforherwants，whilefeelingthatthussheavengedherselfinsomeslightmeasurefortheindignitiesshehadundergoneunjustly。Yet，asthedayspassed，daysofsuccessasfarasherschemingwasconcerned，thisbrilliantwoman，whohadtriedtodeemherselfunscrupulous，foundthatlawlessnesswithinthelawfailedtosatisfysomethingdeepwithinhersoul。Therighteousnessthatwasherinstinctwasoffendedbythetriumphsachievedthroughsodeviousdevices，thoughsheresolutelysetherwilltosuppressanyspiritualrebellion。
Therewas，aswell，anothergrievanceofhernature，yetmoresubtle，infinitelymorepainful。Thislayinhercravingfortenderness。Shewaswhollywoman，notwithstandingthevirilityofherintelligence，itsaudacity，itsaggressiveness。Shehadaheartyearningforthemultitudinousaffectionsthataretheprerogativeofthefeminine；shehadaheartlongingforlove，toreceiveandtogiveinfullmeasure……Andherlifewasbarren。
Sincethedeathofherfather，therehadbeennoneonwhomshecouldlavishthegreatgiftsofhertenderness。Throughthedaysofherworkinginthestore，circumstanceshadshutheroutfromallassociationwithotherscongenial。Noneedtorehearsetheimpossibilitiesofcompanionshipintheprisonlife。Sincethen，thesituationhadnotvitallyimproved，inspiteofherbetterworldlycondition。ForGarson，whohadsavedherfromdeath，shefeltastrongandlastinggratitude——nothingthatrelievedthelongingfornobleraffections。Therewasnoneotherwithwhomshehadanyintimacyexceptthat，ofasort，withAggieLynch，andbynopossibilitycouldtheadventuressserveasanobjectofdeepregard。Thegirlwasamusingenough，and，indeed，amostlikablepersonatherbest。Butshewas，afterall，ashallow-patedindividual，withoutashredofprincipleofanysortwhatsoever，savethesinglemeritofunswervingloyaltytoher"pals。"Marycherishedacertainwarmkindlinessforthefirstwomanwhohadbefriendedherinanyway，butbeyondthistherewasnofinerfeeling。
Nevertheless，itisnotquiteaccuratetosaythatMaryTurnerhadhadnointimacyinwhichherheartmighthavebeenseriouslyengaged。Inoneinstance，ofrecenthappening，shehadbeenmuchinassociationwithayoungmanwhowasofexcellentstandingintheworld，whowasofgoodbirth，goodeducation，ofdelightfulmanners，and，too，wholesomeandagreeablebeyondthemostofhisclass。ThiswasDickGilder，and，sincehercompanionshipwithhim，Maryhadundergonearevulsiongreaterthaneverbeforeagainstthefatethrustonher，whichnowatlastshehadchosentowelcomeandnourishbyacquiescenceasbestshemight。