g
mysteriously baneful lay behind the frantic questioning on this
seemingly trivial theme.

"Ever since I can remember," he replied, promptly.

Mary's voice came then with an intonation that brought enlightenment
not only to Garson's shrewd perceptions, but also to the heavier
intelligences of Dacey and of Chicago Red.

"And they're not famous masterpieces which your father bought recently,
from some dealer who smuggled them into this country?" So simple were
the words of her inquiry, but under them beat something evil, deadly.

The young man laughed contemptuously.

"I should say not!" he declared indignantly, for he resented the
implication against his father's honesty.

"It's a trick! Burke's done it!" Mary's words came with accusing
vehemence.

There was another single step made by Griggs toward the door into the
passage.

Mary's eye caught the movement, and her lips soundlessly formed the
name:

"Griggs!"

The man strove to carry off the situation, though he knew well that he
stood in mortal peril. He came a little toward the girl who had accused
him of treachery. He was very dapper in his evening clothes, with his
rather handsome, well-groomed face set in lines of innocence.

"He's lying to you!" he cried forcibly, with a scornful gesture toward
Dick Gilder. "I tell you, those tapestries are worth a million cold."

Mary's answer was virulent in its sudden burst of hate. For once, the
music of her voice was lost in a discordant cry of detestation.

"You stool-pigeon! You did this for Burke!"

Griggs sought still to maintain his air of innocence, and he strove
well, since he knew that he fought for his life against those whom
he had outraged. As he spoke again, his tones were tremulous with
sincerity--perhaps that tremulousness was born chiefly of fear, yet to
the ear his words came stoutly enough for truth:

"I swear I didn't! I swear it!"

Mary regarded the protesting man with abhorrence. The perjured wretch
shrank before the loathing in her eyes.

"You came to me yesterday," she said, with more of restraint in her
voice now, but still with inexorable rancor. "You came to me to explain
this plan. And you came from him--from Burke!"

"I swear I was on the level. I was tipped off to the story by a pal,"
Griggs declared, but at last the assurance was gone out of his voice. He
felt the hostility of those about him.

Garson broke in ferociously.

"It's a frame-up!" he said. His tones came in