Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-02-12
CHAPTER N.

haps YOU might wish 20 explain
your action" The words came
i from Mrs. Challoner. who, unat.
tended. had found her way into the
prosecutors office.
Murgatroyd doubtless was annoyed.
hut In spite OF himself he could not
help admiriug the pluck which she
showed in coming directly 10 him.
and as he came forward 90 meet her
be saw thar IL was with difficulty that
she kept on her feet The woman
spoke:
What have B0u 20 say 10 mcf'
MurEatroyd frowned when he re
torted IN a voice full Of emotion:
"What have you 90 say 10 meT'
"I'- She faltered aud stopped be-
fore his scornful glance.
Yes. you. Mrs. Challoner DO you
recall our compact2 Your silence was
the essence OF Il. why did you break
itT'
Miriam Challoner checked "A wild de
sire 90 laugh Historically.
But You broke Il first"
"HowT'
The woman looked steadily at him.
by this conviction"
what was our compactT' he asked
sternly.
Miriam's courage was returning. II
was with an indignant tone that she
replied:
THAT you should set my husband
free"
Murgatroyd tapped the table with
his hand.
And have failed as yety'
Yes" she answered nercely. You
have convicted him."
Did you assume Tor an instant, Mrs
Challoner." Murgatroyd replied. "that
] was such a bungler as to release your
husband al the FIRST .trial-for all the
world 20 know-to suspect? when
said TO you that / would set your hus
band free. I'd / say tCheHf"
or the scene that followed Miriam
Challoner never retained very clear
impression. She remembered that al
first. rs II In n trance. she kept re
peating his last word. while by degree.
its meaning stole In upon her. then OF
n sensation Of being about to faint
through mere excess Of joy. Suddenly
the thought OF her temerity flashed
through her brain. the enormity Of IN,
thing she had done and she woulC
have gone IN her knees ut his feet had
he not caught her in time. She crave(
80 10 hear words OF pardon from hii
lips that she broke out almost breath
leSsly:
You Will forgive me? You must
She stopped and then with a sudden
lapse to her old air OF fear: "Oh. but
what will happen now? What will
happen to Lauriel l have failed you"
Murgatroyd interrupted her last
words by saying frigidly:
when make agreements, Mrs.
Challoner. keep them. You may be
sure that | shall keep this one"
Still awed In a measure by bis mas
terful personality. but with JOY In her
heart. Miriam Chanoner started &c
leave the office.
Murgatroyd checked her quickly.
Mrs. Challoner." he said. with TO
proof still lingering In his voice
there is no necessity henceforth FOR
personal interviews In the future II
you have anything 10 say TO me kind.
ly let IT come through your counsel
Mr.. Thorne."
Directly on leaving him Miriam
Challoner went TO Thorne's Office. II
was In accordance with her promise
to aid him In formulating the charge:
which be was preparing against the
prosecutor on her behalf. These
charges were for the governor and the
grand Jury-on the one hand, impeach
ment; on the other. indictment. Now
whether the accusation had been true
or fall mattered little 90 Thorne. Or
the whole perhaps he was inclined tC
disbelief But Frederick. his col
league In the Organization. was by nc
means OF that opinion In any event
since IL came from such an authorize
tive source-the lips OF Mrs. Chai
loner-it was charge that possessed
merit. inasmuch as II would injrre
hurgatroyd, 10 consequences there