e was sobbing bitterly. I thought it mean to stand there
hearing her cry, so I moved away. As I walked off, the window opened
again. A big heavy-looted man came out.

"Stop crying, Aurelia," the voice said. "Here's the stuff. Put it in
your pocket."

"I can't," the woman answered. "I can't."

I stopped moving away when I heard that voice. It was the voice of the
Longshore Jack woman who had had those adventures with me. I should have
known her voice anywhere, even choked as it then was with sobs. It was a
good voice, of a pleasant quality, but with a quick, authoritative ring.

"I can't," she said. "I can't, Father."

"Put it in your pocket," her father said. "No rubbish of that sort. You
must."

"It would kill me. I couldn't," she answered. "I should hate myself
forever."

"No more of that to me," said the cold, hard voice with quiet passion.
"Your silly scruples aren't going to outweigh a nation's need. There it
is in your pocket. Be careful you don't use too much. If you fail again,
remember, you'll earn your own living. Oh, you bungler! When I think
of--"

"I'm no bungler. You know it," she answered passionately. "I planned
everything. You silly men never backed me up. Who was it guessed right
this time? I suppose you think you'd have come here without my help?
That's like a man."

"Don't stand there rousing the town, Aurelia," the man said. "Come in out
of the rain at once. Get yourself ready to start."

As the window banged to behind them, a figure loomed up out of the
night--two figures, more. I sprang to one side; but they were too quick
for me. Someone flung an old flour-sack over my head. Before I was ready
to struggle I was lying flat on the pavement, with a man upon my chest.

"It's him," said a voice. "You young rip, where are the letters?"

"What letters?" I said, struggling, choking against the folds of the
sack.

"Rip up his boots," said another. "Dig him with a knife if he won't
answer."

"Bring him in to the Colonel," said the first.

"I've got no letters," I said.

"Lift him up quick," said the man who had suggested the knife. "In with
him. Here's the watch."

"Quick, boys," the leader said. "We mustn't be caught at this game."

Steps sounded somewhere in the square. Hearing them, I squealed with all
my strength, hoping that somebody would come.

"Choke him," said one of the men.

I gave one more loud squeal before they jammed the sack on my mouth.
To my joy, the feet broke