Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-21

it from him to the bottom Of tho stairs.
He turned, and flung himself on his
knees beside Teresa He called her
name again and again-and there was
no answer. She lay there. half on her
face on the floor. her arms wound
around Il torn package Of banknotes. He
rose. and rocked on his feet. and his
knottcd fists went up above his head.
And then he laughed again, as though
his reason were gone--laughcd ss his
eyes fixed on a red headed thing that
made an unshapely heap at the foot of
the stairs; and laughed at sinking
shadow that went along the hall, and
Scurried out through the front door.
That was Maggot-like a rat leaving
a sinking ship-Maggot who
Then reason came again. The police !!
At any moment now-thc police. In an
instant he had caught Teresa up in his
arms. She wasn't dead-he could hear
her breathing it was wcak--niti-
fully weak. There should he an exit to
the fire escape from this hoor-but it
was dark and lie had no time 10 search
it was quicker TO go up the stairs
where he knew the way-and out
through his own room.
Stumbling. staggering in the dark
ness. holding Teresa in his arms, he
made his way upstairs. The police
his mind centered on that again. II she
and be were caught here. his identified =
tion as Dave Henderson. which would
ultimately ensue. would damn her; this
money. wrapped So tenaciously in her
arms would damn her: and. on tOp OF
! that old score Of the police in San Fran %
cisco. there had been ugly work here
in this house tonight. II il were not
for the money. the criminal hoax played
upon the police in the disappearance OF
Dave Henderson would NOT be so SO
rlous--but the money was here, and in
thar hoax she had had a part, and the
shadow Of Nicolo Capriauo still lay
across her shoulders.
! The night air came gratefully zoo
upon his face. He drew II in in great
Easping breaths. greedily. hungrily. III
window now, and now he paused fol
the first time 10 listen. There was nc
sound. Back there inside the house /,
was rs still as death. Death. Well
why shouldn't it be, there was deatt
there. and
His arms tlghtened suddenly in {
great, overwhelming paroSysm Of fea,
around Teresa. and he bent his head
| bent il lower, lower still, until his face
was close to that white face he held
and through the darkness his eve
] searched IL in an agony Of apprehension
And then he started forward again
and began TO descend the fire. escape
and now he groped uneaHily for foot
hold as he went. 1t seemed rickety anC
unstable. this spidery thing TIM
sprawlcd against the side OF the wall
and it was dark, and without care tn,
foot would slip through the opening
between the treads. It had not seemed
that way when he had gone IN anr
down when disposing of the valisee
Only now 1t was a priceless burden tina
he carried-this form that lay close
pressed against his breast. whose touch
alternately now, brought him a sicken
ing sense of dread and surging hon
that sent the blood leaping like a mill
race through his veins.
He went down. step after step. hi
mind and brain lrieking at him [,
hurry because TN was not a singh
second to lose--but Il was slow. mad
dcnlngly slow. lie could not see III,
treads, not only because it was dark
but because Teresa's form was In hi
arms. He could only feel with his fee
and now and then his body swaye,
to preserve his balance.
Was there no end to the thing! I
seemed like some bottomless pit o
blackness into which he was descending
And II seemed as though this pit held al
abominable signihcation in its blacknes
and its depth, ~ though II beckone,
him ON to engulf them; i seemed--i