I--dare not. Ah,
God, how can I be wife to you when--let this answer for me." And she
placed in Ravenslee's hand a coat button whereto a piece of cloth
adhered. "Dear love, I saw you throw it away," she explained, "and I
searched and searched until I found it."

"Why?"

"Because I knew you would soon ask me--this question, and I have kept it
for my answer. Ah, God! how can I be wife to you when my brother would
have killed you--murdered you!"

Ravenslee hurled the button far away, then lifting Hermione's bowed
head, spoke very tenderly.

"How does all this affect our love, Hermione, except to show me you are
even sweeter and nobler than I had thought. And as for the shadow, it
is--only a shadow after all."

"But it is my shame!" she answered. "You might have had for wife the
sister of a thief, but not--oh, God! not the sister of a would-be
murderer. If--if I came to you now, I should come in shame--Ah,
Geoffrey, don't--shame me!"

"God forbid!" he muttered.

Close, close she clasped him, hiding her face against him, kissing and
kissing the rough cloth of his coat.

"Oh, Geoffrey," she murmured, "how we do love each other!"

"So much, Hermione, that I will never--claim you until you are ready to
come to me of your own will. But, dear, I am only a man--how long must I
wait?"

"Give me time," she pleaded, "with time the horror may grow less. Let me
go away for awhile--a little while. Let me find Arthur--"

"No," he answered, frowning, "you shan't do that; there will be no
need--to-morrow I go to fetch him."

"To bring him--here?"

"Why, of course. You see, I intend him to go to college."

Hermione rose and coming to the entrance of the arbour leaned there.

"Why, Hermione--dear love--you're crying! What is it?"

"Nothing," she answered, bowing her face upon her arm, "only--I
think--if you ask me again--I can't--keep you--waiting--very long!"

CHAPTER XLI

OF A PACKET OF LETTERS

M'Ginnis jerked aside the roll-top desk and falling on his knees before
a small but massive safe built into the wall behind, set the combination
and swung open the heavy door, talking to his companion as he did so and
quite unconscious of the pale face that watched him through the dingy
window.

"That dam' Soapy's gettin' ugly," he was saying, "an' it don't do t'
get ugly with me, Heine, boy! Soapy thinks he's smart Alec all right,
but I guess I'm some smarter. Why, I got evidence enough in here t'
'lectrocute a