Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-16
THE SLAVE OF SILENCE
BY FRED M. WHITE.


you to some quiet hotel and arrange for
your accommodation there"
But Mary shook her head resolutely. She
was not going to leave till she was forced
to. Mark ceased his pleadings as Field
came back to them.
IF you would only let me go into the
house" Mary said. Il have my own key.
and 1 shall not make the slightest noise.
They do not require me! II put my head
inside the study / should at once be ordered
out again. Let me go to my own room"
Field hesitated for a moment. 1t was not the
| first time he had met good woman whose
life was bound up with that of criminal.
and he had experience Of what those
women could do in the hour Of peril. And
yet he hesitated because Mary's prayer was
passionate and sincere But it was only for
a moment, then he became police officer
again.
81 could not allow it." he said. ''If 1t
came to the ears of my superiors, I should
suffer. And 1 have a wife and family to
think Of In minutes of temptation such as
You ask me to put before you. women are
| capable of anything for the sake of those
they love. Besides, you would not have
me do'a thing that is wrong in the eyes OF
my employers?'
Mary was silent. Her own sense Of justice
showed her that Field was right. But moth
Ing would induce her to go away so long
as there was anything like hope remaining.
She might get chance still to whisper one
word of warning. And if 1t came she would
not hesitate. She had rot been placed on
her parole so far.
She turned away to wire her shining eyes,
and as she did so the door opened and Ber-
rington crept out. His face was full of ex-
citement, his lips were white.
Glad to find you here he said. Il was
going to try and find messenger. I could
not leave the house for very long. consider
ing, that"
He paused significantly. with his eyes on
Mary. Evidently Bennington had made
some great and startling discovery. or he
would not have been so dreadfully agitated.
Even In the moment Of her awful sorrow,
Mary could find time to speak and think Of
others.
Il am in great measure responsible for
this" she said. Phillip, Beatrice Richford
Is in the house; she has a valuable parcel
of diamonds in her pocket; those thieves
there know 1t. Go to her assistance at once;
see that she is safe from harm. If any
thing happens to her I shall never forgive
myself Why don't you so at once?"
II am sorry" Bennington stammered. He
seemed quite daZed and confused. Il have
no doubt that Mrs. Richford will be perfect
Iy safe. seeing that assistance is at hand.
house. SO that. she should not be unduly
frightened. But there are others matters
Of far greater importance than that Sir
Charles Darryll-"
II thought we should come to Sir Charles
Darryll," Field cut in swiftly. But we
need not discuss that matter here and now
Do You want me?'
Field asked the question with strange
ring in his voice. Bennington wondered-he
was rapidly regaining complete possession
Of himself. He moved toward the house.
I'm few minutes" he said. wait till
I give you a signal. Thank goodness, you
were SO close by
Bennington passed into the house again
and closed the door behind him.
(To be continued tomorrow.)