Red，however，suddenlystraightenedfromthedeskandstoodmotionless，listening。Hemadeaslighthissingnoisethatarrestedtheattentionoftheothersandheldtheminmovelesssilence。
　　"Ihearsomething，"hewhispered。Hewenttothekeyholeofthedoorleadingintothepassage。Thenhewhisperedagain，"Andit'scomingthisway。"
　　Atthewords，Garsonsnappedhisfingers。Theroomwasplungedindarkness。
　　CHAPTERXVIII。THENOISELESSDEATH。
　　Therewasabsolutesilenceinthelibraryaftertheturningoftheswitchthatbroughtthepallofdarkness。Longsecondspassed，thenalittlenoise——theknobofthepassagedoorturning。Asthedoorswungopen，therecameagaspingbreathfromMary，forshesawframedinthefaintlightthatcamefromthesingleburnerinthecorridortheslenderformofherhusband，DickGilder。Inthenextinstanthehadsteppedwithintheroomandpulledtothedoorbehindhim。AndinthatsameinstantChicagoRedhadpouncedonhisvictim，thehugehandclappedtightovertheyoungman'smouth。Evenashispowerfularmheldthenewcomerinaninescapableembrace，therecameasoundofscufflingfeetandthatwasall。Finallythebigman'svoicecametriumphantly。
　　"I'vegothim。"
　　"It'sDick!"Thecrycameasawailofdespairfromthegirl。
　　Atthesamemoment，Garsonflashedhistorch，andthelightfellswiftlyonyoungGilder，bowedtoakneelingposturebeforethecouch，half-throttledbythestrengthofChicagoRed。Closebesidehim，Marylookeddowninwordlessdespairoverthisfinaldisasterofthenight。Therewassilenceamongthemen，allofwhomsavethecaptorhimselfweregatherednearthefireplace。
　　Garsonretiredastepfartherbeforehespokehiscommand，sothat，thoughheheldthetorchstill，heliketheotherswasinshadow。OnlyMarywasrevealedclearlyasshebentinalarmtowardthemanshehadmarried。Itwasborneinontheforger'sconsciousnessthatthefaceofthewomanleaningovertheintruderwasstrongertoholdtheprisonerandtopreventanyoutcrythanthemightofChicagoRedhimself，andsohegavetheorder。
　　"Getaway，Red。"
　　Thefellowletgohisgripobedientlyenough，thoughwithatrifleofregret，sincehegloriedinhisphysicalprowess。
　　Thusfreedofthatstranglingembrace，Dickstumbledblindlytohisfeet。Then，mechanically，hishandwenttothelamponthetablebackofthecouch。InthesamemomentGarsonsnappedhistorchtodarkness。When，afteralittlefutilesearching，Dickfinallyfoundthecatch，andthemellowstreamedforth，heutteredanejaculationofstarkamazement，forhisgazewasrivetedonthefaceofthewomanheloved。
　　"GoodGod!"Itwasacryoftorturewrungfromhissoulofsouls。
　　Maryswayedtowardhimalittle，palpitantwithfear——fearforherself，forallofthem，mostofallforhim。
　　"Hush!hush!"shepantedwarningly。"Oh，Dick，youdon'tunderstand。"
　　Dick'shandwasathisthroat。Itwasnoteasyforhimtospeakyet。Hehadsufferedseverelyintheprocessofbeingthrottled，and，too，hewasintheclutchofafrightfulemotion。Tofindher，hiswife，inthisplace，insuchcompany——her，thewomanwhomheloved，whom，inspiteofeverything，hehadhonored，thewomantowhomhehadgivenhisname!Maryhere!Andthus!
　　"Iunderstandthis，"hesaidbrokenlyatlast。"Whetheryoueverdiditbeforeornot，thistimeyouhavebrokenthelaw。"A
　　suddeninspirationonhisownbehalfcametohim。Forhislove'ssake，hemustseizeonthisopportunitygivenoffatetohimformastery。Hewentonwithanewvehemenceofboldnessthatbecamehimwell。
　　"You'reinmyhandsnow。Soarethesemenaswell。UnlessyoudoasIsay，Mary，I'lljaileveryoneofthem。"
　　Mary'susualquicknesswasnotlackingevennow，inthisperiodofextremity。Herretortwasgivenwithoutaparticleofhesitation。
　　"Youcan't，"sheobjectedwithconviction。"I'mtheonlyoneyou'veseen。"
　　"That'ssoonremedied，"Dickdeclared。Heturnedtowardthehalldoorasifwiththeintentionoflightingthechandelier。
　　ButMarycaughthisarmpleadingly。
　　"Don't，Dick，"shebegged。"It's——it'snotsafe。"
　　"I'mnotafraid，"washisindignantanswer。Hewouldhavegoneon，butsheclungthecloser。Hewasreluctanttouseover-muchforceagainsttheonewhomhecherishedsofondly。
　　Therecameadiversionfromthemanwhohadmadethecapture，whowasmightilywonderingoverthecourseofevents，whichwaswhollyunlikeanythinginthewholeofhisownratherextensivehousebreakingexperience。
　　"Who'sthis，anyhow？"ChicagoReddemanded。
　　Therewasaprimitivepetulanceinhisdrawlingtones。
　　Dickansweredwithconcisenessenough。
　　"I'mherhusband。Whoareyou？"
　　Marycalledasoftadmonition。
　　"Don'tspeak，anyofyou，"shedirected。"Youmustn'tlethimhearyourvoices。"
　　Dickwasexasperatedbythispersistentidentificationofherselfwiththesecriminalsinhisfather'shouse。
　　"You'refightingmelikeacoward，"hesaidhotly。Hisvoicewasbitter。Theeyesthathadalwaysbeenwarmintheirglancesonherwerechillnow。Heturnedalittlewayfromher，asifininstinctiverepugnance。"Youaretakingadvantageofmylove。
　　YouthinkthatbecauseofitIcan'tmakeamoveagainstthesemen。Now，listentome，I——"
　　"Iwon't!"Marycried。Herwordswereshrillwithmingledemotions。"There'snothingtotalkabout，"shewentonwildly。
　　"Therenevercanbebetweenyouandme。"
　　Theyoungman'svoicecamewithasonorousfirmnessthatwasnewtoit。Inthesemoments，thestrengthofhim，nourishedbysuffering，wasputtingforthitsflower。Hismannerwasmasterful。
　　"Therecanbeandtherewillbe，"hecontradicted。Heraisedhisvoicealittle，speakingintotheshadowswherewasthegroupofsilentmen。
　　"Youmenbackthere!"hecried。"IfIgiveyoumywordtoleteveryoneofyougofreeandpledgemyselfnevertorecognizeoneofyouagain，willyoumakeMaryherelistentome？That'sallI
　　ask。Iwantafewminutestostatemycase。Givemethat。
　　WhetherIwinorlose，youmengofree，andI'llforgeteverythingthathashappenedhereto-night。"TherecameamuffledguffawoflaughterfromthebigchestofChicagoRedatthisextraordinarilyingenuousproposal，whileDaceychuckledmorequietly。
　　Dickmadeagestureofimpatienceatthisopenderision。
　　"TellthemIcanbetrusted，"hebadeMarycurtly。
　　ItwasGarsonwhoanswered。
　　"Iknowthatyoucanbetrusted，"hesaid，"becauseIknowyoulo——"Hecheckedhimselfwithashiver，andoutofthedarknesshisfaceshowedwhite。
　　"Youmustlisten，"Dickwenton，facingagaintowardthegirl，whowastremblingbeforehim，hereyesbyturnssearchinghisexpressionordowncastinunfamiliarconfusion，whichsheherselfcouldhardlyunderstand。
　　"Yoursafetydependsonme，"theyoungmanwarned。"SupposeI
　　shouldcallforhelp？"
　　Garsonsteppedforwardthreateningly。
　　"Youwouldonlycallonce，"hesaidverygently，yetmostgrimly。
　　Hishandwenttothenoiselessweaponinhiscoat-pocket。
　　Buttheyoungman'sanswerrevealedthefactthathe，too，wasdeterminedtotheutmost，thatheunderstoodperfectlythesituation。
　　"Oncewouldbequiteenough，"hesaidsimply。
　　Garsonnoddedinacceptanceofthedefeat。Itmaybe，too，thatinsomesubtlefashionheadmiredthisyouthsuddenlygrownresolute，competenttocontroladangerousevent。TherewaseventhepossibilitythatsomeinstinctoftendernesstowardMaryherselfmadehimdesirethatthisopportunityshouldbegivenforwipingouttheeffectsofmisfortunewhichfatehithertohadbroughtintoherlife。
　　"Youwin，"Garsonsaid，withahalf-laugh。Heturnedtotheothermenandspokeacommand。
　　"Yougetoverbythehalldoor，Red。Andkeepyourearsopeneverysecond。Giveustheofficeifyouhearanything。Ifwe'rerushed，andhavetomakeaquickget-away，seethatMaryhasthefirstchance。Getthat，allofyou？"
　　AsChicagoRedtookuphisappointedstation，GarsonturnedtoDick。
　　"Makeitquick，remember。"
　　Hetouchedtheothertwoandmovedbacktothewallbythefireplace，asfaraspossiblefromthehusbandandwifebythecouch。
　　Dickspokeatonce，withahesitancythatbetrayedthedepthofhisemotion。
　　"Don'tyoucareformeatall？"heaskedwistfully。
　　Thegirl'sanswerwasutteredwithnervouseagernesswhichrevealedherownstressoffear。
　　"No，no，no!"sheexclaimed，rebelliously。
　　Now，however，theyoungmanhadregainedsomemeasureofreassurance。
　　"Iknowyoudo，Mary，"heasserted，confidently；"alittle，anyway。Why，Mary，"hewentonreproachfully，"can'tyouseethatyou'rethrowingawayeverythingthatmakeslifeworthwhile？
　　Don'tyouseethat？"
　　Therewasnowordfromthegirl。Herbreastwasmovingconvulsively。Sheheldherfacesteadfastlyavertedfromthefaceofherhusband。
　　"Whydon'tyouanswerme？"heinsisted。
　　Mary'sreplycamewithallthecoldnessshecouldcommand。
　　"Thatwasnotinthebargain，"Marysaid，indifferently。
　　Theman'svoicegrewtenderlywinning，persuasivewiththelongingofalover，persuasivewiththepityoftherighteousforthesinner。
　　"Mary，Mary!"hecried。"You'vegottochange。Don'tbesohard。
　　Givethewomaninyouachance。"
　　Thegirl'sformbecamerigidasshefoughtforself-control。Thepleatouchedtothebottomofherheart，butshecouldnot，wouldnotyield。Herwordsrushedforthwithabitternessthatwasthecoverofherdistress。
　　"IamwhatIam，"shesaidsharply。"Ican'tchange。Keepyourpromise，now，andlet'sgetoutofthis。"
　　Herassertionwasdisregardedastotheinabilitytochange。
　　"Youcanchange，"Dickwentonimpetuously。"Mary，haven'tyoueverwantedthethingsthatotherwomenhave，shelter，andcare，andthebigthingsoflife，thethingsworthwhile？They'reallreadyforyou，now，Mary……Andwhataboutme？"Reproachleapedinhistone。"Afterall，you'vemarriedme。Nowit'suptoyoutogivememychancetomakegood。I'veneveramountedtomuch。
　　I'venevertriedmuch。Ishall，now，ifyouwillhaveitso，Mary；ifyou'llhelpme。Iwillcomeoutallright，Iknowthat——sodoyou，Mary。Only，youmusthelpme。"
　　"Ihelpyou!"Theexclamationcamefromthegirlinanoteofincredulousastonishment。
　　"Yes，"Dicksaid，simply。"Ineedyou，andyouneedme。Comeawaywithme。"
　　"No，no!"wasthebrokenrefusal。Therewasagreatgriefclutchingatthesoulofthiswomanwhohadbroughtvengeancetoitsfullflower。Shewasgasping。"No，no!Imarriedyou，notbecauseIlovedyou，buttorepayyourfatherthewronghehaddoneme。Iwouldn'tletmyselfeventhinkofyou，andthen——I
　　realizedthatIhadspoiledyourlife。"
　　"No，notspoiledit，Mary!Blessedit!Wemustprovethatyet。"
　　"Yes，spoiledit，"thewifewentonpassionately。"IfIhadunderstood，ifIcouldhavedreamedthatIcouldevercare——
　　Oh，Dick，Iwouldneverhavemarriedyouforanythingintheworld。"
　　"Butnowyoudorealize，"theyoungmansaidquietly。"Thethingisdone。Ifwemadeamistake，itisforustobringhappinessoutofthaterror。"
　　"Oh，can'tyousee？"camethestrickenlament。"I'majail-bird!"
　　"Butyouloveme——youdoloveme，Iknow!"Theyoungmanspokewithjoyouscertainty，forsomeinflectionofhervoicehadtoldthetruthtohisheart。Nothingelsemattered。"Butnow，tocomebacktothisholewe'reinhere。Don'tyouunderstand，atlast，thatyoucan'tbeatthelaw？Ifyou'recaughthereto-night，wherewouldyougetoff——caughtherewithagangofburglars？
　　Tellme，dear，whydidyoudoit？Whydidn'tyouprotectyourself？Whydidn'tyougotoChicagoasyouplanned？"
　　"What？"TherewasanewqualityinMary'svoice。Asuddenthrobofshockmaskedinthesurfaceindifferenceofintonation。
　　Dickrepeatedhisquestion，unobservantofitsfirsteffect。
　　"Whydidn'tyougotoChicagoasyouhadplanned？"
　　"Planned？Withwhom？"Theinterrogationcamewithanabruptforcethatcriedofnewsuspicions。
　　"Why，withBurke。"Theyoungmantriedtobepatientoverherdensityinthistimeofcrisis。
　　"WhotoldyouthatIhadarrangedanysuchthing？"Maryasked。
　　Nowthetensenessinhermannergotthehusband'sattention，andherepliedwithasuddengravity，apprehensiveofheknewnotwhat。
　　"Burkehimselfdid。"
　　"When？"Marywasstandingrigidnow，andtherarecolorflamedinhercheeks。Hereyeswereblazing。
　　"Lessthananhourago。"Hehadcaughtthecontagionofhermoodandvaguealarmswepthim。
　　"Where？"camethenextquestion，stillwiththatvitalinsistence。
　　"Inthisroom。"
　　"Burkewashere？"Mary'svoicewassuddenlycold，verydangerous。"Whatwashedoinghere？"
　　"Talkingtomyfather。"
　　Theseeminglysimpleanswerappearedthelaststrawtothegirl'sburdenoffrenziedsuspicion。Hervoicecutfiercelyintothequietoftheroom，imperious，savage。
　　"Joe，turnonthatlight!Iwanttoseethefaceofeverymaninthisroom。"
　　SomethingfatallysignificantinhervoicesetGarsona-leaptotheswitch，and，inthesamesecond，theblazeofthechandelierflamedbrilliantlyoverall。Theothersstoodmotionless，blinkinginthesuddenradiance——allsaveGriggs，whomovedstealthilyinthatsamemoment，alittlenearerthedoorintothepassage，whichwasnearesttohim。
　　ButMary'snextwordscamewhollyasasurprise，seeminglytotallyirrelevanttothisinstantofcrisis。Yettheyranga-throbwithanhystericalanxiety。
　　"Dick，"shecried，"whatarethosetapestriesworth？"Withthequestion，shepointedtowardthedraperiesthatshroudedthegreatoctagonalwindow。
　　Theyoungmanwasplainlyastonished，disconcertedaswellbytheobtrusionofasordiddetailintothetragedyofthetime。
　　"Whyintheworlddoyou——？"hebegan，impatiently。
　　Marystampedherfootangrilyinprotestagainstthedelay。
　　"Tellme——quick!"shecommanded。Theauthorityinhervoiceandmannerwasnottobegainsaid。
　　Dickyieldedsullenly。
　　"Oh，twoorthreehundreddollars，Isuppose，"heanswered。
　　"Why？"
　　"Nevermindthat!"Maryexclaimed，violently。Andnowthegirl'svoicecamestinginglikeawhiplash。InGarson'sface，too，wasgrowingfury，forinaninstantofilluminationheguessedsomethingofthetruth。Mary'snextquestionconfirmedhisragingsuspicion。
　　"Howlonghaveyouhadthem，Dick？"
　　Bynow，theyoungmanhimselfsensedthefactthatsomethingmysteriouslybanefullaybehindthefranticquestioningonthisseeminglytrivialtheme。
　　"EversinceIcanremember，"hereplied，promptly。
　　Mary'svoicecamethenwithanintonationthatbroughtenlightenmentnotonlytoGarson'sshrewdperceptions，butalsototheheavierintelligencesofDaceyandofChicagoRed。
　　"Andthey'renotfamousmasterpieceswhichyourfatherboughtrecently，fromsomedealerwhosmuggledthemintothiscountry？"
　　Sosimplewerethewordsofherinquiry，butunderthembeatsomethingevil，deadly。
　　Theyoungmanlaughedcontemptuously。
　　"Ishouldsaynot!"hedeclaredindignantly，forheresentedtheimplicationagainsthisfather'shonesty。
　　"It'satrick!Burke'sdoneit!"Mary'swordscamewithaccusingvehemence。
　　TherewasanothersinglestepmadebyGriggstowardthedoorintothepassage。
　　Mary'seyecaughtthemovement，andherlipssoundlesslyformedthename:
　　"Griggs!"
　　Themanstrovetocarryoffthesituation，thoughheknewwellthathestoodinmortalperil。Hecamealittletowardthegirlwhohadaccusedhimoftreachery。Hewasverydapperinhiseveningclothes，withhisratherhandsome，well-groomedfacesetinlinesofinnocence。
　　"He'slyingtoyou!"hecriedforcibly，withascornfulgesturetowardDickGilder。"Itellyou，thosetapestriesareworthamillioncold。"
　　Mary'sanswerwasvirulentinitssuddenburstofhate。Foronce，themusicofhervoicewaslostinadiscordantcryofdetestation。
　　"Youstool-pigeon!YoudidthisforBurke!"
　　Griggssoughtstilltomaintainhisairofinnocence，andhestrovewell，sinceheknewthathefoughtforhislifeagainstthosewhomhehadoutraged。Ashespokeagain，histonesweretremulouswithsincerity——perhapsthattremulousnesswasbornchieflyoffear，yettotheearhiswordscamestoutlyenoughfortruth:
　　"IswearIdidn't!Iswearit!"
　　Maryregardedtheprotestingmanwithabhorrence。Theperjuredwretchshrankbeforetheloathinginhereyes。
　　"Youcametomeyesterday，"shesaid，withmoreofrestraintinhervoicenow，butstillwithinexorablerancor。"Youcametometoexplainthisplan。Andyoucamefromhim——fromBurke!"
　　"IswearIwasonthelevel。Iwastippedofftothestorybyapal，"Griggsdeclared，butatlasttheassurancewasgoneoutofhisvoice。Hefeltthehostilityofthoseabouthim。
　　Garsonbrokeinferociously。
　　"It'saframe-up!"hesaid。Histonescameinadeadenedroarofwrath。
　　Ontheinstant，awarethatfurthersubterfugecouldbeofnoavail，Griggsswaggereddefiance。
　　"Andwhatifitistrue？"hedrawled，witharesumptionofhisaristocraticmanner，whilehiseyessweptthegroupbalefully。
　　Hepluckedthepolicewhistlefromhiswaistcoat-pocket，andraisedittohislips。
　　Hemovedtooslowly。Inthesamemomentofhisaction，Garsonhadpulledthepistolfromhispocket，hadpressedthetrigger。
　　Therecamenospurtofflame。Therewasnosound——saveperhapsafaintclickingnoise。Butthemanwiththewhistleathislipssuddenlyceasedmovement，stoodabsolutelystillforthespaceofabreath。Then，hetrembledhorribly，andinthenextinstantcrashedtothefloor，wherehelayrigid，dead。
　　"Damnyou——I'vegotyou!"Garsonsneeredthroughclenchedteeth。
　　Hiseyeswerelikeballsoffire。Therewasafrightfulgrinoftriumphtwistinghismouthinthisminuteofpunishment。
　　Inthefirstsecondofthetragedy，Dickhadnotunderstood。
　　Indeed，hewasstilldazedbythesuddennessofitall。ButthefallingofGriggsbeforetheleveledweaponoftheotherman，theretolieinthatghastlyimmobility，madehimtounderstand。
　　HeleapedtowardGarson——wouldhavewrenchedthepistolfromtheother'sgrasp。Inthestruggle，itfelltothefloor。
　　Beforeeithercouldpickitup，therecameaninterruption。Eveninthestressofthisscene，ChicagoRedhadneverrelaxedhisprofessionalcaution。Aslightnoisehadcaughthisear，hehadstooped，listening。Now，hestraightened，andcalledhiswarning。
　　"Somebody'sopeningthefrontdoor!"
　　Garsonforgothisweaponinthisnewalarm。Hesprangtotheoctagonalwindow，evenasDicktookpossessionofthepistol。
　　"Thestreet'sempty!Wemustjumpforit!"Hishatewasforgottennowinanemotionstilldeeper，andheturnedtoMary。Hisfacewasallgentlenessagain，wherejustbeforeithadbeenevilincarnate，aflamewiththelusttodestroy。"Comeon，Mary，"hecried。
　　AlreadyChicagoRedhadsnappedoffthelightsofthechandelier，hadsprungtothewindow，thrownopenapanelofit，andhadvanishedintothenight，withDaceyathisheels。AsGarsonwouldhavecalledouttothegirlagaininmadanxietyforhaste，hewasinterruptedbyDick:
　　"Shecouldn'tmakeit，Garson，"hedeclaredcoollyandresolutely。"Yougo。It'llbeallright，youknow。I'lltakecareofher!"
　　"Ifshe'scaught——!"Therewasanindescribablemenaceintheforger'shalf-utteredthreat。
　　"Shewon'tbe。"ThequalityofsincerityinDick'svoicewasmoreconvincingthananyvowmighthavebeen。
　　"Ifsheis，I'llgetyou，that'sall，"Garsonsaidgravely，asonestatingasimplefactthatcouldnotbedisputed。
　　Thenheglanceddownatthebodyofthemanwhomhehaddonetodeath。
　　"AndyoucantellthattoBurke!"hesaidviciouslytothedead。
　　"Youdamnedsquealer!"Therewasasupremelymalevolentcontentinhissneer。
　　CHAPTERXIX。WITHINTHETOILS。
　　ThegoingofGarsonlefttheroomdeathlystill。Dickstaredforamomentatthespaceofwindowleftuncoveredbythedraperiesnow，sincethemanhadhurriedpastthem，withoutpausingtodrawthemafterhim。Then，presently，theyoungmanturnedagaintoMary，andtookherhandinhis。Theshockoftheeventhadsomehowsteadiedhim，sinceithaddrawnhisthoughtsfromthatothermoreengrossingmoodofconcernoverthecrisisinhisownlife。Afterall，whatmatteredthedeathofthiscrook？hisfancyran。Theonethingofrealworthinalltheworldwasthelifethatremainedtobelivedbetweenhimandher……Then，violently，theselfishnessofhismoodwasmadeplaintohim。
　　Forthehandheheldwasshakinglikesomeslender-stalkedlilyintheclutchofthesirocco。Evenashefirstperceivedthefact，hesawthegirlstagger。Hisarmsweptaboutherinavirileprotectingembrace——justintime，orshewouldhavefallen。
　　Awhispercamefromherquiveringlips。Herfacewasclosetohis，elsehecouldnothavecaughttheuncertainmurmuring。Thatfacenowwasbecomeghastlypale。Thevioleteyeswerewidenedanddull。Themusclesofherfacetwitched。Sherestedsupinelyagainsthim，asifbereftofanystrengthofbodyorofsoul。
　　Yet，intheintensityofherutterance，thefeeblewhisperstrucklikeashriekofhorror。
　　"I——I——neversawanyonekilledbefore!"
　　Thesimple，grislytruthofthewords——wordsthathemighthavespokenaswell——stirredthemantothedeepsofhisbeing。Heshuddered，asheturnedhiseyestoavoidseeingthethingthatlaysoverynear，mercifullymergedwithintheshadowsbeyondthegentleradiancefromthesinglelamp。Withapangofinfinitepityforthewomaninhisarms，heapprehendedinsomedegreethetorturethiseventmusthaveinflictedonher。Frightfultohim，itmustintruthbevastlyworsetoher。Therewasherwomanlysensitivenesstoenhancetheinnatehideousnessofthethingthathadbeendoneherebeforetheireyes。Therewas，too，thefactthatthemurdererhimselfhadbeenthemantowhomsheowedherlife。Yes，forhim，Dickrealizedwithpoignantsympathy，thehappeningthatnightwasterribleindeed:forher，asheguessednowatlast，thetorturemustbesomethingeasilytooverwhelmallherstrength。Histouchonhergrewtenderbeyondtheordinarytendernessoflove，madegentlerbyagreatunderlyingcompassionforhermisery。
　　DickdrewMarytowardthecouch，therelethersinkdowninahuddledattitudeofdespair。
　　"Ineversawaman——killedbefore!"shesaidagain。Therewasanoteofhalf-hysterical，almostchildishcomplaintinhervoice。
　　Shemovedherheadalittle，asiftolookintotheshadowswhere*ITlay，thencheckedherselfviolently，andlookedupatherhusbandwiththepatheticsimplicityofterror。
　　"Youknow，Dick，"sherepeateddully，"Ineversawamankilledbefore。"
　　Beforehecouldutterthesoothingwordsthatrosetohislips，Dickwasinterruptedbyaslightsoundatthedoor。Instantly，hewasallalerttomeettheexigenciesofthesituation。Hestoodbythecouch，bendingforwardalittle，asifinapostureofintimatefondness。Then，withanewthought，hegotouthiscigarette-caseandlightedacigarette，afterwhichheresumedhisformerleaningoverthewomanaswouldtheardentlover。Heheardthenoiseagainpresently，nowsonearthathemadesureofbeingoverheard，soatoncehespokewithaforcedcheerfulnessinhisinflection。
　　"Itellyou，Mary，"hedeclared，"everything'sgoingtobeallrightforyouandme。Itwasbullyofyoutocomeheretomelikethis。"
　　Thegirlmadenoresponse。Shelivedstillinthenightmareofmurder——thatnightmarewhereinshehadseenGriggsfalldeadtothefloor。
　　Dick，innervousapprehensionastotheissue，soughttobringhertorealizationofthenewneedthathadcomeuponthem。
　　"Talktome，"hecommanded，verysoftly。"They'llbehereinaminute。Whentheycomein，pretendyoujustcamehereinordertomeetme。Try，Mary。Youmust，dearest!"Then，again，hisvoicerosetoloudness，ashecontinued。"Why，I'vebeentryingalldaytoseeyou。And，now，herewearetogether，justasI
　　wasbeginningtogetreallydiscouraged……Iknowmyfatherwilleventually——"
　　Hewasinterruptedbytheswiftswingingopenofthehallwaydoor。Burkestoodjustwithinthelibrary，arevolverpointedmenacingly。
　　"Handsup!——allofyou!"TheInspector'svoicefairlyroaredthecommand。
　　Thebelligerentexpressionofhisfacevanishedabruptly，ashiseyesfellonDickstandingbythecouchandMaryrecliningthereinlimphelplessness。Hissurprisewouldhavebeenludicrousbutfortheseriousnessofthesituationtoallconcerned。Burke'sglancerovedtheroomsharply，andhewasquicklyconvincedthatthesetwowereinfacttheonlypresentspoilofhiscarefulplotting。Hisfacesetgrimly，forthedisappointmentofthisminutesurgedfiercelywithinhim。Hestartedtospeak，hiseyesloweringasheregardedthetwobeforehim。
　　ButDickforestalledhim。Hespokeinavoicecoldlyrepellent。
　　"Whatareyoudoinginthishouseatthistimeofnight？"hedemanded。Hismannerwasoneofsterndisapproval。"Irecognizeyou，InspectorBurke。Butyoumustunderstandthattherearelimitseventowhatyoucando。Itseemstome，sir，thatyouexceedyourauthoritybysuchanintrusionasthis。"
　　Burke，however，wasnotawhitdismayedbytherebukeandtheairofrathercontemptuousdisdainwithwhichitwasuttered。HewavedhisrevolvertowardMary，merelyasagestureofinquisitiveness，withoutanythreat。
　　"What'sshedoinghere？"heasked。Therewaswrathinhisroughvoice，forhecouldnotavoidthesurmisethathisshrewdlyconcoctedschemetoentrapthiswomanhadsomehowbeensetawry。
　　"What'sshedoinghere，Isay？"herepeatedheavily。Hiskeeneyesweredartingoncemoreabouttheroom，questingsomecluetothisdisturbingmystery，sohatefultohispride。
　　Dick'smannerbecamethatofthedevotedhusbandoffendedbyimpertinentobtrusion。
　　"Youforgetyourself，Inspector，"hesaid，icily。"Thisismywife。Shehastherighttobewithme——herhusband!"
　　TheInspectorgrinnedsceptically。HewasmovednomoreeffectivelybyMary'salmosthystericalefforttorespondtoherhusband'sleading。
　　"Whyshouldn'tIbehere？Why？Why？I——"
　　Burkebrokeinonthegirl'spitifulhistrionicsruthlessly。Hewasnotintheleastdeceived。Hewasawarethatsomethinguntoward，ashedeemedit，hadoccurred。Itseemedtohim，infact，thathisfinicalmechanismsfortheundoingofMaryTurnerwereinafairwaytobethwarted。Buthewouldnotgiveupthecausewithoutastruggle。Again，headdressedhimselftoDick，disregardingcompletelythealoofmanneroftheyoungman。
　　"Where'syourfather？"hequestionedroughly。
　　"Inbed，naturally，"wastheanswer。"Iaskyouagain:Whatareyoudoinghereatthistimeofnight？"
　　Burkeshookhisshouldersponderouslyinamovementofimpatienceoverthisprolongingofthefarce。
　　"Oh，callyourfather，"hedirecteddisgustedly。
　　Dickremonstratedwithanexcellentshowofdignity。
　　"It'slate，"heobjected。"I'drathernotdisturbhim，ifyoudon'tmind。Really，theideaisabsurd，youknow。"Suddenly，hesmiledverywinningly，andspokewithagoodassumptionofingenuousness。
　　"Inspector，"hesaidbriskly，"Isee，I'llhavetotellyouthetruth。It'sthis:I'vepersuadedmywifetogoawaywithme。
　　She'sgoingtogiveallthatothersortofthingup。Yes，we'regoingawaytogether。"Therewasgenuinetriumphinhisvoicenow。"So，yousee，we'vegottotalkitover。Now，then，Inspector，ifyou'llcomebackinthemorning——"
　　Theofficialgrinnedsardonically。Hecouldnotintheleastguessjustwhathadinverydeedhappened，buthewasfartoocleveramantobebamboozledbyDick'smaunderings。
　　"Oh，that'sit!"heexclaimed，withobviousincredulity。
　　"Ofcourse，"Dickrepliedbravely，thoughheknewthattheInspectordisbelievedhispretenses。Still，forhisownpart，hewasinclinedasyettobeangryratherthanalarmedbythisfailuretoimpresstheofficer。"Yousee，Ididn'tknow——"
　　Andeveninthemomentofhissaying，thewhitebeamoftheflashingsearchlightfromtheTowerfellbetweentheundrawndraperiesoftheoctagonalwindow。ThelightstartledtheInspectoragain，asithaddoneoncebeforethatsamenight。Hisgazefolloweditinstinctively。So，withinthesecond，hesawthestillformlyingthereonthefloor——lyingwherehadbeenshadows，wherenow，forthepassingofaninstant，wasbrilliantradiance。
　　Therewasnomistakingthatawful，motionless，crumpledposture。
　　TheInspectorknewinthissingleinstantofviewthatmurderhadbeendonehere。EvenasthebeamoflightfromtheTowershiftedandvanishedfromtheroom，heleapedtotheswitchbythedoor，andturnedonthelightsofthechandelier。Inthenextmoment，hehadreachedthedoorofthepassageacrosstheroom，andhiswhistlesoundedshrill。Hisvoicebellowedreinforcementtotheblast。
　　"Cassidy!Cassidy!"
　　AsDickmadeasteptowardhiswife，fromwhomhehadwithdrawnalittleinhiscolloquywiththeofficial，Burkevoicedhiscommandviciously:
　　"Staywhereyouare——bothofyou!"
　　Cassidycamerushingin，withtheotherdetectives。Hewasplainlysurprisedtofindtheroomsonearlyempty，wherehehadexpectedtobeholdagangofrobbers。
　　"Why，what'sitallmean，Chief？"hequestioned。HispeeringeyesfellonDick，standingbesideMary，andtheyroundedinamazement。
　　"They'vegotGriggs!"Burkeanswered。Therewasexceedingrageinhisvoice，ashespokefromhiskneelingposturebesidethebody，towhichhehadhurriedafterthesummonstohisaides。Hegloweredupintothebewilderedfaceofthedetective。"I'llbreakyouforthis，Cassidy，"hedeclaredfiercely。"Whydidn'tyougethereontherunwhenyouheardtheshot？"
　　"Buttherewasn'tanyshot，"theperplexedandalarmeddetectiveexpostulated。Hefairlystutteredintheearnestnessofhisself-defense。"Itellyou，Chief，therehasn'tbeenasound。"
　　Burkerosetohisfeet。Hisheavyfacewassetinitssternestmold。
　　"Youcoulddriveahearsethroughtheholethey'vemadeinhim，"
　　herumbled。HewheeledonMaryandDick。"So!"heshouted，"nowit'smurder!……Well，handitover。Where'sthegun？"
　　Followedamoment'spause。ThentheInspectorspokeharshlytoCassidy。Hestillfelthimselfsomewhatdazedbythisextraordinaryevent，buthewasabletocopewiththesituation。
　　HenoddedtowardDickashegavehisorder:"Searchhim!"
　　Beforethedetectivecouldobeythedirection，Dicktooktherevolverfromhispocketwherehehadbestowedit，andhelditout。