Griggswouldhavearguedthematter。"Idon'tseeanyeasierwaytogethalfamillion，"hesaidaggressively。
　　Mary，however，wasunimpressed。
　　"Ifitwerefiftymillions，itwouldmakenodifference。It'sagainstthelaw。"
　　"Oh，Iknowallthat，ofcourse，"Griggsreturnedimpatiently。
　　"Butifyoucan——"
　　Maryinterruptedhiminatoneoffinality。
　　"MyfriendsandIneverdoanythingthat'sillegal!Thankyouforcomingtous，Mr。Griggs，butwecan'tgoin，andthere'sanendofthematter。"
　　"Butwaitaminute，"EnglishEddieexpostulated，"youseethischap，Gilder，is——"
　　Mary'smannerchangedfromindifferencetosuddenkeeninterest。
　　"Gilder？"sheexclaimed，questioningly。
　　"Yes。Youknowwhoheis，"Griggsanswered；"thedrygoodsman。"
　　GarsoninhisturnshowedanewexcitementashebenttowardMary。
　　"Why，it'soldGilder，themanyou——"
　　Mary，however，hadregainedherself-control，foramomentrudelyshaken，andnowhervoicewastranquilagainasshereplied:
　　"Iknow。But，justthesame，it'sillegal，andIwon'ttouchit。
　　That'sallthereistoit。"
　　Griggswasdismayed。
　　"Buthalfamillion!"heexclaimed，disconsolately。"There'sastakeworthplayingfor。Thinkofit!"HeturnedpleadinglytoGarson。"Halfamillion，Joe!"
　　Theforgerrepeatedthewordswithaninflectionthatwasgloating。
　　"Halfamillion!"
　　"Andit'sthesoftestthingyoueversaw。"
　　Thetelephoneatthedeskrang，andMaryspokeintoitforamoment，thenroseandexcusedherselftoresumetheconversationoverthewiremoreprivatelyinthebooth。Theinstantshewasoutoftheroom，GriggsturnedtoGarsonanxiously。
　　"It'sacinch，Joe，"hepleaded。"I'vegotaplanofthehouse。"
　　Hedrewapaperfromhisbreast-pocket，andhandedittotheforger，whoseizeditavidlyandstudieditwithintent，avariciouseyes。
　　"Itlookseasy，"Garsonagreed，ashegavebackthepaper。
　　"Itiseasy，"Griggsreiterated。"Whatdoyousay？"
　　Garsonshookhisheadinrefusal，buttherewasnoconvictionintheact。
　　"IpromisedMaryneverto——"
　　Griggsbrokeinonhim。
　　"Butachancelikethis!Anyhow，comearoundtothebackroomatBlinkey'sto-night，andwe'llhaveatalk。Willyou？"
　　"Whattime？"Garsonaskedhesitatingly，tempted。
　　"Makeitearly，saynine，"wastheanswer。"Willyou？"
　　"I'llcome，"Garsonreplied，half-guiltily。AndinthesamemomentMaryreentered。
　　Griggsroseandspokewithanairofregret。
　　"It's'followtheleader，'"hesaid，"andsinceyouareagainstit，thatsettlesit。"
　　"Yes，I'magainstit，"Marysaid，firmly。
　　"I'msorry，"EnglishEddierejoined。"Butwemustallplaythegameasweseeit……Well，thatwasthebusinessIwasafter，and，asit'sfinished，why，good-afternoon，MissTurner。"HenoddedtowardJoe，andtookhisdeparture。
　　SomethingofwhatwasinhismindwasrevealedinGarson'sfirstspeechafterGriggs'sgoing。
　　"That'samightybigstakehe'splayingfor。"
　　"Andabigchancehe'staking!"Maryretorted。"No，Joe，wedon'twantanyofthat。We'llplayagamethat'ssafeandsure。"
　　Thewordsrecalledtotheforgerweirdforebodingsthathadbeentroublinghimthroughouttheday。
　　"It'ssureenough，"hestated，"butisitsafe？"
　　Marylookedupquickly。
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"shedemanded。
　　Garsonwalkedtoandfronervouslyasheanswered。
　　"S'posethebullsgettiredofyouputtingitoveron'emandtrysomeroughwork？"
　　Marysmiledcarelessly。
　　"Don'tworry，Joe，"sheadvised。"Iknowawaytostopit。"
　　"Well，sofarasthatgoes，sodoI，"theforgersaid，withsignificantemphasis。
　　"Justwhatdoyoumeanbythat？"Marydemanded，suspiciously。
　　"Forroughwork，"hesaid，"Ihavethis。"Hetookamagazinepistolfromhispocket。Itwasofanoddshape，withabarrellongerthanisusualandabell-shapedcontrivanceattachedtothemuzzle。
　　"No，no，Joe，"Marycried，greatlydiscomposed。"Noneofthat——ever!"
　　Theforgersmiled，andtherewasmalignanttriumphinhisexpression。
　　"Pooh!"heexclaimed。"EvenifIusedit，theywouldnevergetontome。Seethis？"Hepointedatthestrangecontrivanceonthemuzzle。
　　Mary'scuriositymadeherforgetforamomentherdistaste。
　　"Whatisit？"sheasked，interestedly。"Ihaveneverseenanythinglikethatbefore。"
　　"Ofcourseyouhaven't，"Garsonansweredwithmuchpride。"I'mthefirstmaninthebusinesstogetone，andI'llbetonit。I
　　keepupwiththetimes。"Foronce，hewasrevealingthatfundamentalegotismwhichisthecharacteristicofallhiskind。
　　"That'soneofthenewMaximsilencers，"hecontinued。"Withsmokelesspowderinthecartridges，andthesilenceron，Icanmakeashotfrommycoat-pocket，andyouwouldn'tevenknowithadbeendone……AndI'msomeshot，believeme。"
　　"Impossible!"Maryejaculated。
　　"No，itain't，"themanasserted。"Here，wait，I'llshowyou。"
　　"Goodgracious，nothere!"Maryexclaimedinalarm。"Wewouldhavethewholeplacedownonus。"
　　Garsonchuckled。
　　"Youjustwatchthatdinkylittlevaseonthetableacrosstheroomthere。'Tain'tveryvaluable，isit？"
　　"No，"Maryanswered。
　　Inthesameinstant，whilestillhereyeswereonthevase，itfellinacascadeofshiveredglasstothetableandfloor。Shehadheardnosound，shesawnosmoke。Perhaps，therehadbeenafaintestclickingnoise。Shewasnotsure。Shestareddumfoundedforafewseconds，thenturnedherbewilderedfacetowardGarson，whowasgrinninginhighenjoyment。
　　"Iwould'nthavebelieveditpossible，"shedeclared，vastlyimpressed。
　　"Neatlittlething，ain'tit？"themanasked，exultantly。
　　"Wheredidyougetit？"Maryasked。
　　"InBoston，lastweek。Andbetweenyouandme，Mary，it'stheonlymodel，anditsureisacorkerforcrime。"
　　ThesinisterassociationofideasmadeMaryshudder，butshesaidnomore。Shewouldhaveshudderedagain，ifshecouldhaveguessedthevitalpartthatpistolwasdestinedtoplay。Butshehadnothoughtofanyactualperiltocomefromit。Shemighthavethoughtotherwise，couldshehaveknownofthemeetingthatnightinthebackroomofBlinkey's，whereEnglishEddieandGarsonsatwiththeirheadsclosetogetheroveratable。
　　"Achancelikethis，"Griggswassaying，"achancethatwillmakeafortuneforallofus。"
　　"Itsoundsgood，"Garsonadmitted，wistfully。
　　"Itisgood，"theotherdeclaredwithanoath。"Why，ifthisgoesthrough，we'resetupforlife。Wecanquit，allofus。"
　　"Yes，"Garsonagreed，"wecanquit，allofus。"Therewasavariceinhisvoice。
　　Thetempterwassurethatthebattlewaswon，andsmiledcontentedly。
　　"Well，"heurged，"whatdoyousay？"
　　"Howwouldwesplitit？"ItwasplainthatGarsonhadgivenoverthestruggleagainstgreed。Afterall，Marywasonlyawoman，despitehercleverness，andwithallawoman'stimidity。Herewassportformen。
　　"Threewayswouldberight，"Griggsanswered。"Onetome，onetoyouandonetobedividedupamongtheothers。"
　　Garsonbroughthisfistdownonthetablewithaforcethatmadetheglassesjingle。
　　"You'reon，"hesaid，strongly。
　　"Fine!"Griggsdeclared，andthetwomenshookhands。"Now，I'llget——"
　　"Getnothing!"Garsoninterrupted。"I'llgetmyownmen。
　　ChicagoRedisintown。SoisDacey，withperhapsacoupleofothersoftherightsort。I'llgetthemtomeetyouatBlinkey'sattwoto-morrowafternoon，and，ifitlooksright，we'llturnthetrickto-morrownight。"
　　"That'sthestuff，"Griggsagreed，greatlypleased。
　　ButasuddenshadowfellonthefaceofGarson。Hebentclosertohiscompanion，andspokewithafierceintensitythatbrookednodenial。
　　"Shemustneverknow。"
　　Griggsnoddedunderstandingly。
　　"Ofcourse，"heanswered。"IgiveyoumywordthatI'llnevertellher。Andyouknowyoucantrustme，Joe。"
　　"Yes，"theforgerrepliedsomberly，"IknowIcantrustyou。"
　　Buttheshadowdidnotliftfromhisface。
　　CHAPTERXIV。AWEDDINGANNOUNCEMENT。
　　MarydismissedGarsonpresently，andbetookherselftoherbedroomforanap。Thedayhadbeenatryingone，and，thoughhersuperbhealthcouldenduremuch，shefeltthatbothprudenceandcomfortrequiredthatsheshouldrecruitherenergieswhiletherewasopportunity。ShewasnotintheleastsurprisedthatDickhadnotyetreturned，thoughhehadmentionedhalfanhour。
　　Atthebest，thereweremanythingsthatmightdetainhim，hisfather'sabsencefromtheoffice，difficultiesinmakingarrangementsforhisprojectedhoneymoontripabroad——whichwouldneveroccur——orthelike。Attheworst，therewasachanceoffindinghisfatherpromptly，andofthatfatheraspromptlytakingstepstopreventthesonfromeveragainseeingthewomanwhohadsoindiscreetlymarriedhim。Yet，somehow，Marycouldnotbelievethatherhusbandwouldyieldtosuchpaternalcoercion。Rather，shewassurethathewouldproveloyaltoherwhomheloved，througheverytrouble。Atthethoughtacertainwistfulnesspervadedher，andapoignantregretthatthisparticularmanshouldhavebeentheonechosenoffatetobeentangledwithinhermeshofrevenge。Therethrobbedinheraheart-tormentingrealizationthattherewereinlifepossibilitiesinfinitelymoresplendidthanthejoyofvengeance。
　　Shewouldnotconfessthetrutheventoherinmostsoul，butthetruthwasthere，andsethera-tremblewithvaguefears。
　　Nevertheless，becauseshewasinperfecthealth，andwasmuchfatigued，herintrospectiondidnotavailtokeepherawake，andwithinthreeminutesfromthetimeshelaydownshewasblissfullyunconsciousofallthings，boththeevilandthegood，revengeandlove。
　　Shehadslept，perhaps，ahalf-hour，whenFannieawakenedher。
　　"It'samannamedBurke，"sheexplained，ashermistresslayblinking。"Andthere'sanothermanwithhim。Theysaidtheymustseeyou。"
　　Bythistime，Marywaswide-awake，forthenameofBurke，thePoliceInspector，wasenoughtostartleheroutofdrowsiness。
　　"Bringthemin，infiveminutes，"shedirected。
　　Shegotup，slippedintoatea-gown，bathedhereyesincologne，dressedherhairalittle，andwentintothedrawing-room，wherethetwomenhadbeenwaitingforsomethingmorethanaquarterofanhour——totheviolentindignationofboth。
　　"Oh，hereyouare，atlast!"thebig，burlymancriedassheentered。Thewholeairofhim，thoughhewasincivilian'sclothes，proclaimedthepoliceman。
　　"Yes，Inspector，"Maryrepliedpleasantly，assheadvancedintotheroom。Shegaveaglancetowardtheothervisitor，whowasofaslendererform，withathin，keenface，andrecognizedhiminstantlyasDemarest，whohadtakenpartagainstherasthelawyerforthestoreatthetimeofhertrial，andwhowasnowholdingtheofficeofDistrictAttorney。Shewenttothechairatthedesk，andseatedherselfinaleisurelyfashionthatincreasedtheindignationofthefumingInspector。Shedidnottroubletoaskherself-invitedgueststosit。
　　"TowhomdoIowethepleasureofthisvisit，Inspector？"sheremarkedcoolly。Itwasnoticeablethatshesaidwhomandnotwhat，asifsheunderstoodperfectlythattheinfluenceofsomepersonbroughthimonthiserrand。
　　"Ihavecometohaveafewquietwordswithyou，"theInspectordeclared，inamightyvoicethatsettheglobesofthechandeliersa-quiver。Marydisregardedhim，andturnedtotheotherman。
　　"Howdoyoudo，Mr。Demarest？"shesaid，evenly。"It'sfouryearssincewemet，andthey'vemadeyouDistrictAttorneysincethen。Allowmetocongratulateyou。"
　　Demarest'skeenfacetookonanexpressionofperplexity。
　　"I'mpuzzled，"heconfessed。"Thereissomethingfamiliar，somehow，aboutyou，andyet——"Hescrutinizedappreciativelythelovelinessofthegirlwithherclassicallybeautifulface，thatwasstillindividualinitscharm，theslimgracesofthetall，lissomeform。"Ishouldhaverememberedyou。Idon'tunderstandit。"
　　"Can'tyouguess？"Maryquestioned，somberly。"Searchyourmemory，Mr。Demarest。"
　　Ofasudden，thefaceoftheDistrictAttorneylightened。
　　"Why，"heexclaimed，"youare——itcan'tbe——yes——youarethegirl，you'retheMaryTurnerwhomI——oh，Iknowyounow。"
　　Therewasanenigmaticsmilebendingthescarletlipsassheanswered。
　　"I'mthegirlyoumean，Mr。Demarest，but，fortherest，youdon'tknowme——notatall!"
　　TheburlyfigureoftheInspectorofPolice，whichhadloomedmotionlessduringthiscolloquy，nowadvancedastep，andthebigvoiceboomedthreatening。Itwasveryroughandweightedwithauthority。
　　"Youngwoman，"Burkesaid，peremptorily，"theTwentiethCenturyLimitedleavesGrandCentralStationatfouro'clock。ItarrivesinChicagoateight-fifty-fiveto-morrowmorning。"Hepulledamassivegoldwatchfromhiswaistcoatpocket，glancedatit，thrustitback，andconcludedponderously:"Youwilljustabouthavetimetocatchthattrain。"
　　Maryregardedthestockilybuiltofficerwithahalf-amusedcontempt，whichshewasatnopainstoconceal。
　　"WorkingfortheNewYorkCentralnow？"sheaskedblandly。
　　ThegibemadetheInspectorfurious。
　　"I'mworkingforthegoodofNewYorkCity，"heansweredvenomously。
　　Maryletarippleofcadencedlaughterescapeher。
　　"Sincewhen？"shequestioned。
　　AlittlesmiletwistedthelipsoftheDistrictAttorney，buthecaughthimselfquickly，andspokewithsterngravity。
　　"MissTurner，Ithinkyouwillfindthatadifferenttonewillserveyoubetter。"
　　"Oh，lethertalk，"Burkeinterjectedangrily。"She'sonlygotafewminutesanyway。"
　　Maryremainedunperturbed。
　　"Verywell，then，"shesaidgenially，"letusbecomfortableduringthatlittleperiod。"Shemadeagestureofinvitationtowardchairs，whichBurkedisdainedtoaccept；butDemarestseatedhimself。
　　"You'dbetterbepackingyourtrunk，"theInspectorrumbled。
　　"Butwhy？"Maryinquired，withatantalizingassumptionofinnocence。"I'mnotgoingaway。"
　　"OntheTwentiethCenturyLimited，thisafternoon，"theInspectordeclared，inavoiceofgrowingwrath。
　　"Oh，dear，no!"Mary'sassertionwasmadeveryquietly，butwithanunderlyingfirmnessthatirritatedtheofficialbeyondendurance。
　　"Isayyes!"Theanswerwasabellow。
　　Maryappeareddistressed，notfrightened。Herwordswereanironicprotestagainsttheman'sobstreperousnoisiness，nomore。
　　"Ithoughtyouwantedquietwordswithme。"
　　Burkewenttowardher，inarage。
　　"Now，lookhere，Mollie——"hebeganharshly。
　　Ontheinstant，Marywasonherfeet，facinghim，andtherewasagleaminhereyesastheymethisthatbadehimpause。
　　"MissTurner，ifyoudon'tmind。"Shelaughedslightly。"Forthepresent，anyway。"Shereseatedherselftranquilly。
　　Burkewaschecked，butheretainedhisseverityofbearing。
　　"I'mgivingyouyourorders。YouwilleithergotoChicago，oryou'llgouptheriver。"
　　Maryansweredinavoicechargedwithcynicism。
　　"Ifyoucanconvictme。Pray，noticethatlittleword'if'。"
　　TheDistrictAttorneyinterposedverysuavely。
　　"Ididonce，remember。"
　　"Butyoucan'tdoitagain，"Marydeclared，withanassurancethatexcitedtheastonishmentofthepoliceofficial。
　　"Howdoyouknowhecan't？"heblustered。
　　Marylaughedinacadenceofgenialmerriment。
　　"Because，"sherepliedgaily，"ifhecould，hewouldhavehadmeinprisonsometimeago。"
　　Burkewinced，buthemadeshifttoconcealhisrealizationofthetruthshehadstatedtohim。
　　"Huh!"heexclaimedgruffly。"I'veseenthemgoupprettyeasy。"
　　Marymettheassertionwithaserenitythatwasbaffling。
　　"Thepoorones，"shevouchsafed；"notthosethathavemoney。I
　　havemoney，plentyofmoney——now。"
　　"Moneyyoustole!"theInspectorreturned，brutally。
　　"Oh，dear，no!"Marycried，withafineshowofvirtuousindignation。
　　"Whataboutthethirtythousanddollarsyougotonthatpartnershipswindle？"Burkeasked，sneering。"Is'poseyoudidn'tstealthat!"
　　"Certainlynot，"wasthereadyreply。"Themanadvertisedforapartnerinabusinesssuretobringbigandsafereturns。I
　　answered。Thebusinessproposedwastobuyatractofland，andsubdivideit。Thedeedstothelandwereallforged，andthesupposedsellerwashisconfederate，withwhomhewastodividethemoney。Weformedapartnership，withacapitalofsixtythousanddollars。Wepaidthemoneyintothebank，andthenatonceIdrewitout。Yousee，hewantedtogetmymoneyillegally，butinsteadImanagedtogethislegally。Foritwaslegalformetodrawthatmoney——wasn'tit，Mr。Demarest？"
　　TheDistrictAttorneybyaneffortretainedhissevereexpressionofrighteousdisapprobation，butheadmittedthetruthofhercontention。
　　"Unfortunately，yes，"hesaidgravely。"Apartnerhastherighttodrawoutany，orall，ofthepartnershipfunds。"
　　"AndIwasapartner，"Marysaidcontentedly。"You，see，Inspector，youwrongme——youdo，really!I'mnotaswindler；I'mafinancier。"
　　Burkesneeredscornfully。
　　"Well，"heroared，"you'llneverpullanotheroneonme。Youcangambleonthat!"
　　Marypermittedherselftolaughmockinglyinthefaceofthebadgeredofficial。
　　"Thankyoufortellingme，"shesaid，graciously。"Andletmesay，incidentally，thatMissLynchatthepresentmomentispainlesslyextractingtenthousanddollarsfromGeneralHastingsinaperfectlylegalmanner，InspectorBurke。"
　　"Well，anyhow，"Burkeshouted，"youmaystayinsidethelaw，butyou'vegottogetoutsidethecity。"Hetriedtoemployanelephantinebanteringtone。"Onthelevel，now，doyouthinkyoucouldgetawaywiththatyoungGilderschemeyou'vebeenplanning？"
　　Maryappearedpuzzled。
　　"WhatyoungGilderscheme？"sheasked，herbrowsdrawninbewilderment。
　　"Oh，I'mwise——I'mwise!"theInspectorcriedroughly。"Theansweris，onceforall，leavetownthisafternoon，oryou'llbeintheTombsinthemorning。"
　　Abruptly，achangecameoverthewoman。Hitherto，shehadbeencynical，sarcastic，laughing，careless，impudent。Now，ofasudden，shewasallseriousness，andshespokewithagravitythat，despitetheirvolition，impressedboththemenbeforeher。
　　"Itcan'tbedone，Inspector，"shesaid，sedately。
　　Thedeclaration，simpleasitwas，arousedtheofficialtonewindignation。
　　"Whosaysitcan't？"hevociferated，overflowingwithangeratthisfloutingoftheauthorityherepresented。
　　Maryopenedadrawerofthedesk，andtookoutthedocumentobtainedthatmorningfromHarris，andhelditforth。
　　"This，"shereplied，succinctly。
　　"What'sthis？"Burkestormed。Buthetookthepaper。
　　DemarestlookedovertheInspector'sshoulder，andhiseyesgrewlargerasheread。Whenhewasatanendofthereading，heregardedthepassivewomanatthedeskwithanewrespect。
　　"What'sthis？"Burkerepeatedhelplessly。Itwasnoteasyforhimtointerpretthelegalphraseology。Marywaskindenoughtomakethedocumentcleartohim。
　　"It'satemporaryrestrainingorderfromtheSupremeCourt，instructingyoutoletmealoneuntilyouhavelegalproofthatI
　　havebrokenthelaw……Doyougetthat，Mr。InspectorBurke？"
　　Theplethoricofficialstaredhardattheinjunction。
　　"Anothernewone，"hestutteredfinally。Thenhisangersoughtventinviolentassertion。"Butitcan'tbedone!"heshouted。
　　"YoumightaskMr。Demarest，"Marysuggested，pleasantly，"astowhetherornotitcanbedone。Thegamblinghousescandoit，andsokeeponbreakingthelaw。Theracetrackmencandoit，andlaughatthelaw。Therailroadcandoit，torestrainitsemployeesfromstriking。So，whyshouldn'tIgetone，too？Yousee，Ihavemoney。IcanbuyallthelawIwant。Andthere'snothingyoucan'tdowiththelaw，ifyouhavemoneyenough……
　　AskMr。Demarest。Heknows。"
　　Burkewasfairlygaspingoverthisoutrageagainsthisauthority。
　　"Canyoubeatthat!"herumbledwitharaucouslysonorousvehemence。HeregardedMarywithastareofalmostreverentialwonder。"Acrookappealingtothelaw!"
　　Therecameanewnoteintothewoman'svoiceassheansweredthegibe。
　　"No，simplygettingjustice，"shesaidsimply。"That'stheremarkablepartofit。"Shethrewoffherseriousair。"Well，gentlemen，"sheconcluded，"whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"
　　Burkeexplained。
　　"ThisiswhatI'mgoingtodoaboutit。Onewayoranother，I'mgoingtogetyou。"
　　TheDistrictAttorney，however，judgeditadvisabletousemorepersuasivemethods。
　　"MissTurner，"hesaid，withanappearanceofsincerity，"I'mgoingtoappealtoyoursenseoffairplay。"
　　Mary'sshiningeyesmethisforalongmoment，andbeforethechallengeinhers，hisfell。Herememberedthenthosedoubtsthathadassailedhimwhenthisgirlhadbeensentencedtoprison，rememberedthehalf-heartedpleahehadmadeinherbehalftoRichardGilder。
　　"Thatwaskilled，"Marysaid，"killedfouryearsago。"
　　ButDemarestpersisted。Influencehadbeenbroughttobearonhim。Itwasforherownsakenowthatheurgedher。
　　"LetyoungGilderalone。"
　　Marylaughedagain。Buttherewasnohintofjoyousnessinthemusicaltones。Heranswerwasfrank——brutallyfrank。Shehadnothingtoconceal。
　　"Hisfathersentmeawayforthreeyears——threeyearsforsomethingIdidn'tdo。Well，he'sgottopayforit。"
　　Bythistime，Burke，amanofsuperiorintelligence，asonemustbetoreachsuchapositionofauthority，hadcometorealizethatherewasacasenottobecarriedthroughbyblustering，byintimidation，bytheroughrusesfamiliartotheforce。Herewasawomanofextraordinaryintelligence，aswellasofpeculiarpersonalcharm，whomerelymadesportofhisfulminations，andshowedherselfessentiallyarmedagainstanythinghemightdo，byacourtinjunction，athingunheardofuntilthismomentinthecaseofacommoncrook。Itdawneduponhimthatthiswas，indeed，notacommoncrook。Moreover，therehadgrowninhimacertainadmirationfortheingenuityandresourceofthiswoman，thoughheretainedallhisrancoragainstonewhodaredthustoresistthedulyconstitutedauthority。So，intheend，hespoketoherfrankly，withoutatraceofhisformervirulence，withaveryreal，ifrugged，sincerity。
　　"Don'tfoolyourself，mygirl，"hesaidinhishugevoice，whichwasnowmodulatedtoadegreethatmadeitalmostunfamiliartohimself。"Youcan'tgothroughwiththis。There'salwaysaweaklinkinthechainsomewhere。It'suptometofindit，andI
　　will。"
　　Hiscandormovedhertoalikehonesty。
　　"Now，"shesaid，andtherewasrespectintheglanceshegavethestalwartman，"nowyoureallysounddangerous。"
　　Therecameaninterruption，alikeunexpectedbyall。Fannieappearedatthedoor。
　　"Mr。EdwardGilderwishestoseeyou，MissTurner，"shesaid，withnoappreciationofanythingdynamicintheannouncement。
　　"ShallIshowhimin？"
　　"Oh，certainly，"Maryanswered，withanadmirablepretenseofindifference，whileBurkeglaredatDemarest，andtheDistrictAttorneyappearedillatease。
　　"Heshouldn'thavecome，"Demarestmuttered，gettingtohisfeet，inreplytothepuzzledglanceoftheInspector。
　　Then，whileMarysatquietlyinherchairatthedesk，andthetwomenstoodwatchingdoubtfullythedoor，themaidappeared，stoodaside，andsaidsimply，"Mr。Gilder。"
　　Thereenteredtheerect，heavyfigureofthemanwhomMaryhadhatedthroughtheyears。Hestoppedabruptlyjustwithintheroom，gaveaglanceatthetwomen，thenhiseyeswenttoMary，sittingatherdesk，withherfaceliftedinquiringly。Hedidnotpausetotakeinthebeautyofthatface，onlyitsstrength。
　　Hestaredathersilentlyforamoment。Thenhespokeinhisoritundvoice，alittletremulousfromanxiety。
　　"Areyouthewoman？"hesaid。Therewassomethingsimpleandprimitive，somethingofdignitybeyondtheusualconventions，inhisdirectaddress。
　　Andtherewasthesameprimitivesimplicityintheanswer。
　　Betweenthetwostrongnaturestherewasnosubterfuge，nosuggestionofpoliteevasions，oftergiversation，onlythepleaoftruthtotruth。Mary'sacknowledgmentwasasplainashisownquestion。
　　"Iamthewoman。Whatdoyouwant？"……Thustwohonestfolkhadmetfacetoface。
　　"Myson。"Theman'sanswerwascomplete。
　　ButMarytouchedatragicnoteinherquestion。Itwasaskedinnofrivolousspirit，but，ofasudden，sheguessedthathiscomingwasaltogetherofhisownvolition，andnottheresultofhisson'sinformation，asatfirstshehadsupposed。
　　"Haveyouseenhimrecently？"sheasked。
　　"No，"Gilderanswered。
　　"Then，whydidyoucome？"
　　Thereat，themanwasseizedwithafatherlyfury。Hisheavyfacewascongested，andhissonorousvoicewasharshwithvirtuousrebuke。
　　"BecauseIintendtosavemyboyfromagreatfolly。Iaminformedthatheisinfatuatedwithyou，andInspectorBurketellsmewhy——hetellsme——why——hetellsme——"Hepaused，unableforamomenttocontinuefromanexcessofemotion。Buthisgrayeyesburnedfiercelyinaccusationagainsther。
　　InspectorBurkehimselffilledthevoidinthehaltingsentence。
　　"Itoldyoushehadbeenanex-convict。"
　　"Yes，"Gildersaid，afterhehadregainedhisself-control。Hestaredatherpleadingly。"Tellme，"hesaidwithacertaindignity，"isthistrue？"
　　Here，then，wasthemomentforwhichshehadlongedthroughwearydays，throughwearyyears。Herewasthemanwhomshehated，suppliantbeforehertoknowthetruth。Herheartquickened。
　　Truly，vengeanceissweettoonewhohassufferedunjustly。
　　"Isthistrue？"themanrepeated，withsomethingofhorrorinhisvoice。
　　"Itis，"Marysaidquietly。
　　Foralittle，therewassilenceintheroom。Once，InspectorBurkestartedtospeak，butthemagnatemadeanimperativegesture，andtheofficerheldhispeace。Always，Maryrestedmotionless。Withinher，afiercejoysurged。Herewasthetimeofhervictory。Oppositeherwasthemanwhohadcausedheranguish，themanwhoseunjustactionhadruinedherlife。Now，hewasherhumblepetitioner，butthisservilitycouldbeofnoavailtosavehimfromshame。Hemustdrinkofthedregsofhumiliation——andthenagain。Nopriceweretoogreattopayforawrongsuchasthatwhichhehadputuponher。
　　Atlast，Gilderwasrestoredinameasuretohisself-possession。
　　Hespokewiththesurenessofamanofwealth，confidentthatmoneywillsalveanywound。
　　"Howmuch？"heasked，baldly。
　　Marysmiledaninscrutablesmile。
　　"Oh，Idon'tneedmoney，"shesaid，carelessly。"InspectorBurkewilltellyouhoweasyitisformetogetit。"
　　Gilderlookedatherwithanewlydawningrespect；thenhisshrewdnesssuggestedaretort。
　　"Doyouwantmysontolearnwhatyouare？"hesaid。
　　Marylaughed。Therewassomethingdreadfulinthatburstofspuriousamusement。
　　"Whynot？"sheanswered。"I'mreadytotellhimmyself。"
　　ThenGildershowedthetrueheartofhim，inwhichloveforhisboywasbeforeallelse。Hefoundhimselfwhollyatalossbeforethewoman'sunexpectedreply。
　　"ButIdon'twanthimtoknow，"hestammered。"Why，I'vesparedtheboyallhislife。Ifhereallylovesyou——itwill——"
　　Atthatmoment，thesonhimselfenteredhurriedlyfromthehallway。Inhiseagerness，hesawnoonesavethewomanwhomheloved。Athisentrance，Maryroseandmovedbackwardastepinvoluntarily，insheersurpriseoverhiscoming，eventhoughshehadknownhemustcome——perhapsfromsomeotheremotion，deeper，hiddenasyetevenfromherself。
　　Theyoungman，withhiswholesomefacealightwithtenderness，wentswiftlytoher，whiletheotherthreemenstoodsilent，motionless，abashedbytheevent。AndDicktookMary'shandinawarmclasp，pressedittenderly。