The newspaper., 1909-03-19


Got you. Um-mmm."
She made no reply; she could have
made none aside from raising an out
cry, although now she was regaining
something of her shattered poise. and
with it the ability to accept the situa-
ton quietly. for little time (she
could not guess how long she could
endure the strain, pending an oppor-
tunity to turn the tables on this. her
prosecutor.
What is it," she said presently.
with some effort-"what is it you
wish with me?"
II have my purpose" with a grim
smile.
You will not tell me?"
You've guessed it, my lady; l will
not-just yet. Wait Bit
She spurred her tagging spirit until
it flashed defiance. MIR. Anisty."
.Yes?" he responded with a curling
lip. cold eyes to hers.
81 demand"
mo you DON'T" he cut her short
with snarl. You're not in position
to demand anything. Maybe it would
be as well for you to remember who
you're dealing with"
And" heart sinking again.
And I've been made a fool of just
as long as l can stand for it. I'm a
crook-like yourself, my lady. but with
more backbone and some pride in be-
ing at the head of my profession. I'm
wanted in a dozen places: I'll spend
the rest of my days in the pen. if they
ever get me. Twice to-day I've been
within an ace of being nabbed-kind-
ness of you and your Maitland. Now
I'm desperate and determined. Do
you connect"
What" she asked, breathlessly.
Il can make you understand.
fancy. Tonight. instead of dropping
TO the backyard and shining over the
fences to safety. | took the fire-escape
up to the top-hat-something copper
would never think of-and went
through to the hall. Why? Why. to
interrupt the tender tete-a-tete Matt
land had planned. Why again? Be
cause. for one thing. I've never yet
been beaten at my own game; and
I'm too old a dog to learn new tricks.
Moreover. no man yet has ever laid
hands on me in anger and not regret
ted it," The criminals voice fell a
note or two. shaking with somber pas
sion. I'll have that pups hide yeti"
he swore.
The girl tried to nerve herself TT
1T doesn't seem to strike you she
argued. controlling her hysteria by
sheer strength Of purpose. that
have only to raise my voice to bring
all Broadway to my rescue
For by now the cab had sheered on
into that thoroughfare. and was rock
ing rapidly south. between glittering
walls Of light. A surface car swooped
down upon them. and past. making
night hideous with gong and drum
ming trucks. and drowning Anisty's
response. For which reason he chose
to repeat 1t, with added emphasis.
You try 1t on. my lady. and see
what happens"
She had no answer ready. and he
proceeded. after waiting a moment:
But you're not going to be such a
fool. You have no pleasure in the
prospect of seeing the inside of the
Tombs. yourself; and. besides. you
ought to know me well enough to
know.
''what?" she breathed. in spite of
herself
-Anisty folded his arms. thrusting
the right hand beneath his coat.
Maitland got only one of my guns"
he announced. ironically. He'd We
got the contents of the other. only he
chose to play the fool and into my
hands. Now guess you understand"
and turning his head he fixed her
with an infiexible glare. chill and
heartless as steel-"that one squeal
out of you will be the last. oh, I've
got no scruples: arrest to me means a
living death. I'll take short course.
by preference. and-I'll take you with
me for company"
'You-you mean you would shoot
me?" she whispered. incredulous.
Like a dog" he returned with
vnction.
You. a man, would-would shoot
woman?"
You're not a woman. my lady;
you're a crook. Just as I'm not a
man; I'm crook. We're equals. sex
less, soulless. You seem to have over
looked that. Amateurs often do.
Tonight made you fair proposition,
to play square with me and profit.
You chose to be naughty. Now you
sec the other side OF the picture"