第4章
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。