determined to the utmost, that he understood perfectly the situation.

"Once would be quite enough," he said simply.

Garson nodded in acceptance of the defeat. It may be, too, that in some
subtle fashion he admired this youth suddenly grown resolute, competent
to control a dangerous event. There was even the possibility that some
instinct of tenderness toward Mary herself made him desire that this
opportunity should be given for wiping out the effects of misfortune
which fate hitherto had brought into her life.

"You win," Garson said, with a half-laugh. He turned to the other men
and spoke a command.

"You get over by the hall door, Red. And keep your ears open every
second. Give us the office if you hear anything. If we're rushed, and
have to make a quick get-away, see that Mary has the first chance. Get
that, all of you?"

As Chicago Red took up his appointed station, Garson turned to Dick.

"Make it quick, remember."

He touched the other two and moved back to the wall by the fireplace, as
far as possible from the husband and wife by the couch.

Dick spoke at once, with a hesitancy that betrayed the depth of his
emotion.

"Don't you care for me at all?" he asked wistfully.

The girl's answer was uttered with nervous eagerness which revealed her
own stress of fear.

"No, no, no!" she exclaimed, rebelliously.

Now, however, the young man had regained some measure of reassurance.

"I know you do, Mary," he asserted, confidently; "a little, anyway. Why,
Mary," he went on reproachfully, "can't you see that you're throwing
away everything that makes life worth while? Don't you see that?"

There was no word from the girl. Her breast was moving convulsively. She
held her face steadfastly averted from the face of her husband.

"Why don't you answer me?" he insisted.

Mary's reply came with all the coldness she could command.

"That was not in the bargain," Mary said, indifferently.

The man's voice grew tenderly winning, persuasive with the longing of a
lover, persuasive with the pity of the righteous for the sinner.

"Mary, Mary!" he cried. "You've got to change. Don't be so hard. Give
the woman in you a chance."

The girl's form became rigid as she fought for self-control. The plea
touched to the bottom of her heart, but she could not, would not yield.
Her words rushed forth with a bitterness that was the cover of her
distress.

"I am what I am," she said sharply. "I can't change. Keep your promi