The San Francisco call., 1913-10-02
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY


snapped. His jaw was thrust forward
obstinately, and his clear eyes spar
kled defantly.
You are ell fools. all of you!" Mary
cried Her eyes darkened and dis
tended with fear. They darted back
from Carson to the other three men,
and back again in rebuke. Yes,
fools. This Is burglary. I can't pro-
tect you IL you are caught. How can
I? Oh, Gomez She held out her
hands pleadingly toward Carson. and
her voice dropped TO beseeching. Joe,
Joe, you must get away from this
house at once, all OF you. Joe, make
them CO."
It's TOO late" was the stern an
swer. There was no least relaxation
In the stubborn lines of his face.
Were here now. and we'll stay till
the business is done
Mary went a step forward. The
cloak she was wearing was thrown
back by her gesture of appeal so that
those watching saw the snowy slope
of the shoulders and the quick rise
and fall of the gently eurving bosom,
The beautiful face within the framing
save only the crimson lips, of which
the bow was bent TREMENDOUSLY as she
spoke her prayer.
Joe, for my sakes"
But the man was inexorable. He
had set himself to this thing, and
even the urging Of the one person IN
the world for whom he cared was
powerless against his resolve.
81 can't quit now until we've got
what we came here after, he de-
clared, roughly.
or sudden the girl made shift to
employ another sort OF supplication-
But there are reasons" she SAID,
faltering. A certain embarrassment
swept her, and the ivory Of her cheeks
bloomed rosily. Il can't have you
rob this house-this particular house
OF all the world" Her eyes leaped
from the still obdurate faoe of the
forger to the group of three back OF
him. Her voice was shaken with
great dread as she called out to them.
BOYS. let's get away. Please. oh.
pleasel Joe, for Gods sake. Her
tone was a sob.
Her anguish Of fear did not swerve
Carson from his purpose
I'm going to see this through" he
said, doggediy.
But. Joe
ITS settled, / tell you
In the mans emphasis the girl real
lied at last the inefficacy OF her ef-
forts to combat his will. She seemed
to droop visibly before their eyes
Her head sank on her breast Her
voice was husky as she tried TO
speak.
gesture Of despair, and turned away
toward the door by which she had en-
tered.
But, with movement of great
swiftness, Carson got in front of her.
and barred her going. FOR a rev
seconds the two stared at each other
searchingly as If learning new and
strange things, each of the other. In
the girls expression was an out
ragged wonder and a great terror In
tho mans was a half-shamed pride,
as if he exulted in the strength with
which he had been able to maintain
his will against her supreme effort
to overthrow it.
You can't CO." Carson said sharply.
you might be caught"
And If were" Mary demanded In
a fash OF Indignation. do you think
I'd tell?"
There came an abrupt change In
the hard face of the man. Into the
piercing eyes famed a softer fire of
tenderness. The firm mouth grew
EITdHBE1I Btnl1t Dc Ip tPtsCdf oild HID
voice was overtoned with faith.
''Of course not, Mary" he said. Il
know you You would go up for life
first"
Then again his expression became
resolute, and he spoke imperiously.
Just the same. you can't take any
chances. We'n all get away in a
minute, and you'll come with u.s. He
turned to the men and spoke with
swift authority.
Come" he said to Dacey, you get
to the light switch there by the hall
door. If you hear me snap my fin
gers. turn 'em off, Understand"
With instant obedience, the man adj
dressed went to his station by the
hall door, and stood ready to con-
troll the electric current.
The distracted girl essayed one last
plea The momentary softening of
Carson had given her new courage
Joe. don't do this
You can't stop 1t now. Mary" came
tho brisk retort. TOO late. You're
only wasting time. making 1t danger
Gus for all sof US"
Again he gave his attention to car
rying on the robbery.
Red" he ordered, You get TO that
door" He pointed to the one that
gave on the passageway against
Wliitn ne DdU oct ittc tidsT tltlcd- AS
the man obeyed. Carson gave further
instructions.
IF any one comes in that way. get
him and get him quick You under
stand? Don't let him cry out"
Chicago Red grinned with cheerful
acceptance Of the issue in such an en-
counter. He held up his huge hand,
widely open.
Not a chance" he declared. proud
1.r lof h IT,
avoid possible interruption of his
movements in an emergency. he re-
moved the chair Carson had placed
and set 1t to one side. out of the way
Now, let's get TO work." Carson
continued eagerly.
Mary spoke with the bitterness Of
defeat.