the foreigner-第16章

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ning　shawls　about　their　heads；　she　had　her　children　ready　for　their　departure；　and　gave　them　into　Mrs。　French's　charge；　sobbing　aloud　as　if　she　might　never　see　them　more。

〃Well；〃　said　the　doctor；　as　he　drove　rapidly　away；　〃we're　well　out　of　that。　　I　was　just　figuring　what　sort　of　hold　would　be　most　fatal　to　the　old　lady　when　you　interposed。〃

〃Poor　thing！〃　said　Mrs。　French。　　〃They're　very　fond　of　their　children；　these　Galicians；　and　they're　so　suspicious　of　us。　　They　don't　know　any　better。〃

As　they　passed　Paulina's　house；　the　little　girl　Irma　ran　out　from　the　door。

〃My　mother　want　you　very　bad；〃　she　said　to　Mrs。　French。

〃Tell　her　I'll　come　in　this　afternoon；〃　said　Mrs。　French。

〃She　want　you　now；〃　replied　Irma；　with　such　a　look　of　anxiety　upon　her　face　that　Mrs。　French　was　constrained　to　say；　〃Wait　one　moment；　Doctor。　　I'll　see　what　it　is。　　I　shall　not　keep　you。〃

She　ran　into　the　house；　followed　by　the　little　girl。　　The　room　was　full　of　men　who　stood　about　in　stolid　but　not　unsympathetic　silence；　gazing　upon　Paulina；　who　appeared　to　be　prostrated　with　grief。　　Beside　her　stood　the　lad　Kalman；　the　picture　of　desolation。

〃What　is　it？〃　cried　Mrs。　French；　running　to　her。　　〃Tell　me　what　is　the　matter。〃

Irma　told　the　story。　　Early　that　morning　they　had　gone　to　the　jail；　but　after　waiting　for　hours　they　were　refused　admission　by　the　guard。

〃A　very　cross　man　send　us　away；〃　said　the　girl。　　〃He　say　he　put　us　in　jail　too。　　We　can　see　our　fadder　no　more。〃

Her　words　were　followed　by　a　new　outburst　of　grief　on　the　part　of　Paulina　and　the　two　children。

〃But　the　Judge　said　you　were　to　see　him；〃　said　Mrs。　French　in　surprise。　　〃Wait　for　me；〃　she　added。

She　ran　out　and　told　the　doctor　in　indignant　words　what　had　taken　place；　a　red　spot　glowing　in　each　white　cheek。

〃Isn't　it　a　shame？〃　she　cried　when　she　had　finished　her　story。

〃Oh；　it's　something　about　prison　rules　and　regulations；　I　guess；〃　said　the　doctor。

〃Prison　rules！〃　exclaimed　Mrs。　French　with　wrath　rare　in　her。　〃I'll　go　straight　to　the　Judge　myself。〃

〃Get　in；〃　said　the　doctor；　taking　up　the　lines。

〃Where　are　you　going？　　We　can't　leave　these　poor　things　in　this　way；〃　the　tears　gathering　in　her　eyes　and　her　voice　beginning　to　break。

〃Not　much；〃　said　the　doctor　briskly；　〃we　are　evidently　in　for　another　scrap。　　I　don't　know　where　you　will　land　me　finally；　but　I'm　game　to　follow　your　lead。　　We'll　go　to　the　jail。〃

Mrs。　French　considered　a　moment。　　〃Let　us　first　take　these　children　to　the　hospital　and　then　we　shall　meet　Paulina　at　the　jail。〃

〃All　right；〃　said　the　doctor；　〃tell　them　so。　　I　am　at　your　service。〃

〃You　are　awfully　good；　Doctor；〃　said　the　little　lady；　her　sweet　smile　once　more　finding　its　way　to　her　pale　face。

〃Ain't　I；　though？〃　said　the　doctor。　　〃If　the　spring　were　a　little　further　advanced　you'd　see　my　wings　sprouting。　　I　enjoy　this。　　I　haven't　had　such　fun　since　my　last　football　match。　　I　see　the　finish　of　that　jail　guard。　　Come　on。〃

Within　an　hour　the　doctor　and　Mrs。　French　drove　up　to　the　jail。　There；　at　the　bleak　north　door；　swept　by　the　chill　March　wind；　and　away　from　the　genial　light　of　the　shining　sun；　they　found　Paulina　and　her　children；　a　shivering；　timid；　shrinking　group；　looking　pathetically　strange　and　forlorn　in　their　quaint　Galician　garb。

The　pathos　of　the　picture　appeared　to　strike　both　the　doctor　and　his　friend　at　the　same　time。

〃Brute！〃　said　the　doctor；　〃it's　some　beast　of　an　understrapper。　　He　might　have　let　them　in；　anyway。　　I'll　see　the　head　turnkey。〃

〃Isn't　it　terribly　sad？〃　replied　Mrs。　French。

The　doctor　rang　the　bell　at　the　jail　door；　prepared　for　battle。

〃I　want　to　see　Mr。　Cowan。〃

The　guard　glanced　past　the　doctor；　saw　the　shrinking　group　behind　him　and　gruffly　announced；　〃This；　is　not　the　hour　for　visitors。〃

〃I　want　to　see　Mr。　Cowan；〃　repeated　the　doctor　slowly；　looking　the　guard　steadily　in　the　eye。　　〃Is　he　in？〃

〃Come　in；〃　said　the　guard　sullenly；　allowing　the　doctor　and　his　friend　to　enter；　and　shutting　the　door　in　the　faces　of　the　Galicians。

In　a　few　moments　Mr。　Cowan　appeared；　a　tall　athletic　man；　kindly　of　face　and　of　manner。　　He　greeted　Mrs。　French　and　the　doctor　warmly。

〃Come　into　the　office；〃　he　said；　〃come　in。〃

〃Mr。　Cowan；〃　said　Mrs。　French；　〃there　is　a　poor　Galician　woman　and　her　children　outside　the　door；　the　wife　and　children　of　the　man　who　was　condemned　yesterday。　　The　Judge　told　them　they　could　see　the　prisoner　to…day。〃

〃The　hour　for　visitors；〃　said　Mr。　Cowan；　〃is　three　in　the　afternoon。〃

〃Could　you　not　let　her　in　now？　　She　has　already　waited　for　hours　at　the　door　this　morning；　and　on　being　refused　went　home　broken…　hearted。　　She　does　not　understand　our　ways　and　is　very　timid。　　I　wish　you　could　let　her　in　now　while　I　am　here。〃

Mr。　Cowan　hesitated。　　〃I　should　greatly　like　to　oblige　you；　Mrs。　French。　　You　know　that。　　Sit　down；　and　I　will　see。　　Let　that　woman　and　her　children　in；〃　he　said　to　the　guard。

The　guard　went　sullenly　to　the　door；　followed　by　Mrs。　French。

〃Come　in　here；〃　he　said　in　a　gruff　voice。

Mrs。　French　hurried　past　him；　took　Paulina　by　the　arm；　and　saying；　〃Come　in　and　sit　down；〃　led　her　to　a　bench　and　sat　beside　her。　〃It's　all　right；〃　she　whispered。　　〃I　am　sure　you　can　see　your　husband。　　Tell　her；〃　she　said　to　Irma。

In　a　short　time　Mr。　Cowan　came　back。

〃They　may　see　him；〃　he　said。　　〃It　is　against　all　discipline；　but　it　is　pretty　hard　to　resist　Mrs。　French；〃　he　continued；　turning　to　the　doctor。

〃It　is　quite　useless　trying！〃　said　the　doctor；　〃I　have　long　ago　discovered　that。〃

〃Come；〃　said　that　little　lady　leading　Paulina　to　the　door　of　the　cell。

The　guard　turned　the　lock；　shot　back　the　bolts；　opened　the　door　and　motioning　with　his　hand；　said　gruffly　to　Paulina；　〃Go　in。〃

The　woman　looked　into　the　cell　in　shrinking　fear。

〃Go　on；〃　said　Mrs。　French　in　an　encouraging　voice；　patting　her　on　the　shoulder；　〃I　will　wait　here。〃

Clinging　to　one　another；　the　woman　and　children　passed　in　through　the　door　which　the　guard　closed　behind　them　with　a　reverberating　clang。　　Mrs。　French　sat　on　the　bench　outside；　her　face　cast　down；　her　eyes　closed。　　Now　and　then　through　the　grating　of　the　door　rose　and　fell　a　sound　of　voices　mingled　with　that　of　sobs　and　weeping；　hearing　which；　Mrs。　French　covered　her　face　with　her　hands；　while　the　tears　trickled　down　through　her　fingers。

As　she　sat　there；　the　door…bell　rang　and　two　Galician　men　appeared；　seeking　admission。

〃We　come　to　see　Kalmar；〃　said　one　of　them。

Mrs。　French　came　eagerly　forward。　　〃Oh；　let　them　come　in；　please。　They　are　friends　of　the　prisoner。　　I　know　them。〃

Without　a　word　the　guard　turned　from　her；　strode　to　the　office　where　Mr。　Cowan　sat　in　conversation　with　the　doctor；　and　in　a　few　moments　returned　with　permission　for　the　men　to　enter。

〃Sit　down　there；〃　he　said；　pointing　to　a　bench　on　the　opposite　side　of　the　door　from　that　on　which　Mrs。　French　was　sitting。

Before　many　minutes　had　elapsed；　the　prisoner　appeared　at　the　door　of　his　cell　with　Paulina　and　his　children。

〃Would　you　kindly　open　the　door？〃　he　said　in　a　courteous　tone　to　the　guard。　　〃They　wish　to　depart。〃

The　guard　went　toward　the　door；　followed　by　Mrs。　French；　who　stood　waiting　with　hands　outstretched　toward　the　weeping　Paulina。　　As　the　door　swung　open；　the　children　came　forth；　but　upon　the　threshold　Paulina　paused；　glanced　into　the　cell；　ran　back　and　throwing　herself　at　the　prisoner's　feet；　seized　his　hand　and　kissed　it　again　and　again　with　loud　weeping。

For　a　single　instant　the　man　yielded　her　his　hand；　and　then　in　a　voice　stern　but　not　unkind；　he　said；　〃Go。　　My　children　are　in　your　keeping。　　Be　faithful。〃

At　once　the　woman　rose　and　came　back　to　the　door　where　Mrs。　French　stood　waiting　for　her。

As　they　passed　on；　the　guard　turned　to　the　men　and　said　briefly；　〃Come。〃

As　they　were　about　to　enter　the　cell；　the　boy　suddenly　left　Paulina's　side；　ran　to　Simon　Ketzel　and　clutching　firm　hold　of　his　hand　said；　〃Let　me　go　with　you。〃

〃Go　back；〃　said　the　guard；　but　the　boy　still　clung　to　Ketzel's　hand。

〃Oh；　let　him　go；〃　said　Mrs。　French。　　〃He　will　do　no　harm。〃　　And　the　guard　gave　grudging　permission。

With　a　respectful；　almost　reverential　mien；　the　men　entered　the　cell；　knelt　before　the　prisoner　and　kissed　his　hand。　　The　moments　were　precious　and　there　was　much　to　say　and　do；　so　Kalmar　lost　no　time。

〃I　have　sent　for　you；〃　he　said；　〃first　to　give　you　my　report　which　you　will　send　back　to　headquarters。〃

Over　and　over　again　he　repeated　the　words　of　his　report；　till　he　was　certain　that　they　had　it　in　sure　possession。

〃This　must　go　at　once；〃　he　said。

〃At　once；〃　replied　Simon。

〃In　a　few　weeks　or　months；〃　continued　the　prisoner　in　a　low　voice；　〃I　expect　to　be　free。　　Siberia　could　not　hold　me；　and　do　you　think　that　any　prison　in　this　country　can？　　But　this　report　must　go　immediately。〃

〃Immediately；〃　said　Simon　again。

〃Now；〃　said　Kalmar　solemnly；　〃there　is　one　thing　more。　　Our　cause　fails　chiefly　because　of　traitors。　　In　this　city　is　a　traitor。　　My　oath　demands　his　death　or　mine。　　If　I　fail；　I　must　pass　the　work　on　to　another。　　It　is　for　this　I　have　called　you　here。　　You　are　members　of　our　Brotherhood。　　What　do　you　say？〃

The　men　stood　silent。

〃Speak！〃　said　Kalmar　in　a　low　stern　voice。　　〃Have　you　no　words？〃

But　still　they　stood　silent　and　distressed；　looking　at　each　other。

〃Tell　me；〃　said　Kalmar；　〃do　you　refuse　the　path？〃

〃Master；〃　said　Joseph　Pinkas　sullenly；　〃this　is　a　new　country。　　All　that　we　left　behind。　　That　is　all　well　for　Russia；　but　not　for　Canada。　　Here　we　do　not　take　oath　to　kill。〃

〃Swine！〃　hissed　Kalmar　with　unutterable　scorn。　　〃Why　are　you　here？　Go　from　me！〃

From　his　outstretched　hand　Joseph　fell　back　in　sudden　fear。　　Kalmar　strode　to　the　door　and　rattled　it　in　its　lock。

〃This　man　wishes　to　go；〃　he　said；　as　the　guard　appeared。　　〃Let　him　go。〃

〃What　about　the　others？〃　said　the　guard。

〃Permit　them　to　remain　for　a　few　moments；〃　said　Kalmar；　recovering　the　even　tone　of　his　voice　with　a　tremendous　effort。

〃Now；　Simon　Ketzel；〃　he　said；　turning　back　to　the　man　who　stood　waiting　him　in　fear；　〃what　is　your　answer？〃

Simon　took　his　hand　and　kissed　it。　　〃I　will　serve　you　with　my　money；　with　my　life。　　I　am　all　Russian　here；〃　smiting　on　his　breast；　〃I　cannot　forget　my　countrymen　in　bondage。　　I　will　help　them　to　freedom。〃

〃Ah；〃　said　Kalmar；　〃good。　　Now　listen。　　This　Rosenblatt　betrayed　us；　brought　death　and　exile　to　many　of　our　brothers　and　sisters。　He　still　lives。　　He　ought　to　die。　　What　do　you　say？〃

〃He　ought　to　die；〃　answered　Simon。

〃The　oath　is　laid　upon　me。　　I　sought　the　privilege　of　executing　vengeance；　it　was　granted　me。　　I　expect　to　fulfil　my　oath；　but　I　may　fail。　　If　I　fail；〃　here　he　bent　his　face　toward　that　of　Simon　Ketzel；　his　bloodshot　eyes　glowing　in　his　white　face　like　red　coals；　〃if　I　fail；〃　he　repeated；　〃is　he　still　to　live？〃

〃Do　you　ask　me　to　kill　him？〃　said　Simon　in　a　low　voice。　　〃I　have　a　wife　and　three　children。　　If　I　kill　this　man　I　must　leave　them。　There　is　no　place　for　me　in　this　country。　　There　is　no　escape。　　I　must　lay　upon　my　children　that　burden　forever。　　Do　you　ask　me　to　do　this？　　Surely　God　will　bring　His　sure　vengeance　upon　him。　　Let　him　go　into　the　hands　of　God。〃

〃Let　him　go？〃　said　Kalmar；　his