the white moll-第12章

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see。　　Well；　he'll　do　as　he　is　for　a　while　there。　　I　told　the　boys
to　hold　off　a　bit。　　It's　safer　to　wait　an　hour　or　two　yet；　before
moving　him　away　from　here　and　bumping　him　off。〃

〃Two　jobs　instead　of　one！〃　a　surly　voice　answered。　　〃We　might　just
as　well　have　finished　him　and　slipped　him　away　for　keeps　when　we
first　got　our　hooks　on　him。〃

〃Got　a　little　sick　of　your　wood…carving；　while　you　stuck　around　by
your　lonesome　and　watched　him　…　eh？〃　　Danglar's　tones　were　jocularly
facetious。　　〃Don't　grouch；　Skeeny！　　We're　not　killing　for　fun　…　it
doesn't　pay。　　Supposing　anything　had　broken　wrong　up　the　Avenue　…　eh？
We　wouldn't　have　had　our　friend　the　Sparrow　there　for　the　next　time
we　tried　it！〃

There　was　something　abhorrently　callous　in　the　laugh　that　followed。
It　seemed　to　fan　into　flame　a　smoldering　fire　of　passionate　anger
in　Rhoda　Gray's　soul。　　And　before　it　panic　fled。　　Her　hand　felt
upward　for　the　next　stair…tread；　and　she　crept　on　again；　as　a　face
seemed　to　rise　before　her　…　not　the　Sparrow's　face　…　a　woman's　face。
It　was　a　face　that　was　crowned　with　very　thin　white　hair；　and　its
eyes　were　the　saddest　she　had　ever　seen；　and　yet　they　were　brave；
steady　old　eyes　that　had　not　lost　their　faith；　nor　had　the　old；
care…lined　face　itself；　in　spite　of　suffering；　lost　its　gentleness
and　sweetness。　　And　then　suddenly　it　seemed　to　change；　that　face；
and　become　wreathed　in　smiles；　and　happy　tears　to　run　coursing　down
the　wrinkled　cheeks。　　Yes；　she　remembered！　　It　had　brought　the　tears
to　her　own　eyes。　　It　was　the　night　that　the　wayward　Sparrow；　home
from　the　penitentiary；　on　his　knees；　his　head　buried　in　his　mother's
lap；　had　sworn　that　he　would　go　straight。

Fear！　　It　seemed　as　though　she　never　had　known；　never　could　know
fear　…　that　only　a　merciless；　tigerish；　unbridled　fury　had　her　in
its　thrall。　　And　she　went　on　up；　step　after　step；　as　Danglar　spoke
again：

〃There's　nothing　to　it！　　The　Sparrow　there　fell　for　the　telephone
when　Stevie　played　the　doctor。　　And　old　Hayden…Bond　of　course　grants
his　prison…bird　chauffeur's　request　to　spend　the　night　with　his
mother；　who　the　doctor　says　is　taken　worse；　because　the　old　guy
knows　there　is　a　mother　who　really　is　sick。　　Only　Mr。　Hayden…Bond；
and　the　police　with　him；　will　maybe　figure　it　a　little　differently
in　the　morning　when　they　find　the　safe　looted；　and　that　the　Sparrow；
instead　of　ever　going　near　the　poor　old　dame；　has　flown　the　coop
and　can't　be　found。　　And　in　case　there's　any　lingering　doubt　in
their　minds；　that　piece　of　paper　with　the　grease…smudges　and　the
Sparrow's　greasy　finger…prints　on　it；　that　you　remember　we　copped
a　few　days　ago　in　the　garage；　will　set　them　straight。　　The　Cricket
slipped　it　in　among　the　papers　he　pulled　out　of　the　safe　and　tossed
around　on　the　floor。　　It　looks　as　though　a　tool　had　been　wiped　with
it　while　the　safe　was　being　cracked；　and　that　it　got　covered　over
by　the　stuff　that　was　emptied　out；　and　had　been　forgotten。　　I　guess
they　won't　be　long　in　comparing　the　finger…prints　with　the　ones　the
Sparrow　kindly　left　with　them　when　they　measured　him　for　his　striped
suit　the　time　they　sent　him　up　the　river　…　eh？〃

Rhoda　Gray　could　see　now。　　Her　eyes　were　on　a　level　with　the　landing；
and　diagonally　across　from　the　head　of　the　stairs　was　the　open
doorway　of　a　lighted　room。　　She　could　not　see　all　of　the　interior；
but　she　could　see　quite　enough。　　Two　men　sat；　side　face　to　her；
one　at　each　end　of　a　rough；　deal　table　…　Danglar；　and　an　ugly；
pock…marked；　unshaven　man；　in　a　peaked　cap　that　was　drawn　down　over
his　eyes；　who　whittled　at　a　stick　with　a　huge　jack…knife。　　The
latter　was　Skeeny；　obviously；　and　the　jack…knife　and　the　stick；
quite　as　obviously；　explained　Danglar's　facetious　reference　to
wood…carving。　　And　then　her　eyes　shifted；　and　widened　as　they　rested
on　a　huddled　form　that　she　could　see　by　looking　under　and　beyond　the
table；　and　that　lay　sprawled　out　against　the　far　wall　of　the　room。

Skeeny　pushed　the　peak　of　his　cap　back　with　the　point　of　his
knife…blade。

〃What's　the　haul　size　up　at？〃　he　demanded。　　〃Anything　in　the　safe
besides　the　shiners？〃

〃A　few　hundred　dollars；〃　Danglar　replied。　　〃I　don't　know　exactly
how　much。　　I　told　the　Cricket　to　divide　it　up　among　the　boys　who
did　the　rough　work。　　That's　good　enough；　isn't　it；　Skeeny？　　It
gives　you　a　little　extra。　　You'll　get　yours。〃

Skeeny　grunted　compliance。

〃Well；　let's　have　a　look　at　the　white　ones；　then；〃　he　said。

Rhoda　Gray　was　standing　upright　in　the　little　hallway　now；　and　now；
pressed　close　against　the　wall；　she　edged　toward　the　door…jamb。
And　a　queer；　grim　little　smile　came　and　twisted　the　sensitive　lips；
as　she　drew　her　revolver　from　her　pocket。　　The　merciless；　pitiless
way　in　which　the　newspapers　had　flayed　the　White　Moll　was　not；　after
all；　to　be　wholly　regretted！　　The　cool；　clever　resourcefulness；　the
years　of　reckless　daring　attributed　to　the　White　Moll；　would　stand
her　in　good　stead　now。　　Everybody　on　the　East　Side　knew　her　by　sight。
These　men　knew　her。　　It　was　not　merely　a　woman　ambitiously　attempting
to　beard　two　men　who；　perhaps；　holding　her　sex　in　contempt　in　an
adventure　of　this　kind；　might　throw　discretion　to　the　winds　and　give
scant　respect　to　her　revolver；　for　behind　the　muzzle　of　that　revolver
was　the　reputation　of　the　White　Moll。　　They　would　take　her　at　face
value　…　as　one　who　not　only　knew　how　to　use　that　revolver；　but　as
one　who　would　not　hesitate　an　instant　to　do　so。

From　the　room　she　heard　Skeeny　whistle　low　under　his　breath；　as
though　in　sudden　and　amazed　delight　…　and　then　she　was　standing　full
in　the　open　doorway；　and　her　revolver　in　her　outflung；　gloved　hand
covered　the　two　men　at　the　table。

There　was　a　startled　cry　from　Skeeny；　a　scintillating　flash　of　light
as　a　magnificent　string　of　diamonds　fell　from　his　hand　to　the　table。
But　Danglar　did　not　move　or　speak；　only　his　lips　twitched；　and　a
queer　whiteness　came　and　spread　itself　over　his　face。

〃Put　up　your　hands…both　of　you！〃　she　ordered；　in　a　low；　tense　voice。

It　was　Skeeny　who　spoke；　as　both　men　obeyed　her。　　〃The　White　Moll；
so　help　me！〃　he　mumbled；　and　swallowed　hard。

Danglar's　eyes　never　seemed　to　leave　her　face；　and　they　narrowed
now；　full　of　hatred　and　a　fury　that　lie　made　no　attempt　to　conceal。
She　smiled　at　him　coldly。　　She　quite　understood！　　He　had　already
complained　that　evening　that　the　White　Moll　for　the　last　few　weeks
had　been　robbing　them　of　the　fruits　of　their　laboriously　planned
schemes。　　And　now…again！　　Well；　she　would　not　dispel　his　illusion！
He　had　given　the　White　Moll　that　role　…　and　it　was　the　safest　role
to　play。

She　stepped　forward　now；　and　with　her　free　hand　suddenly　pulled　the
table　toward　her　out　of　their　reach；　and　then；　as　she　picked　up　the
necklace；　she　appeared　for　the　first　time　to　become　aware　of　the
presence　of　the　huddled　form　on　the　floor　near　the　wall。　　She　could
see　that　the　Sparrow　was　bound　and　gagged；　and　as　he　squirmed　now
he　turned　his　face　toward　her。

〃Why；　it's　the　Sparrow；　isn't　it？〃　she　exclaimed　sharply；　then；
evenly；　to　the　two　men：　〃I　had　no　idea　you　were　so　hospitable！
Push　your　chairs　closer　together　…　with　your　feet；　not　your　hands！
You　are　easier　to　watch　if　you　are　not　too　far　apart。〃

Dangler　complied　sullenly。　　Skeeny；　over　the　scraping　of　his　chair
legs；　cursed　in　a　sort　of　unnerved　abandon；　as　he　obeyed　her。

〃Thank　you！〃　said　Rhoda　Gray　pleasantly　…　and　calmly　tucked　the
necklace　into　her　bodice。

The　act　seemed　to　rouse　Danglar　to　the　last　pitch　of　fury。　　The
blood　rushed　in　an　angry　tide　to　his　face；　and；　suffusing；　purpled
his　cheeks。

〃This　isn't　the　first　crack　you've　made！〃　he　flung　out　hoarsely。
〃You've　been　getting　wise　to　a　whole　lot　lately　somehow；　you　and
that　dude　pal　of　yours；　but　you'll　pay　for　it；　you　female　devil！
Understand？　　By　God；　you'll　pay　for　it！　　I　promise　you　that　you'll
pray　yet　on　your　bended　knees　for　the　chance　to　take　your　own　life！
Do　you　hear？〃

〃I　hear；〃　said　Rhoda　Gray　coldly。

She　picked　up　the　jack…knife　from　the　table；　and　keeping　both　men
covered；　stepped　backward　to　the　wall。　　Here；　kneeling；　she　reached
behind　her　with　her　left　hand；　and　felt　for；　and　cut　the　heavy　cord
that　bound　the　Sparrow's　arms；　then；　pushing　the　knife　into　the
Sparrow's　hands　that　he　might　free　himself　from　the　rest　of　his
bonds；　she　stood　up　again。

A　moment　more；　and　the　Sparrow；　rubbing　the　circulation　back　into
his　wrists；　stood　beside　her。　　There　was　a　look　on　the　young；　white
face　that　was　not　good　to　see。　　He　circled　dry　lips　with　the　tip　of
his　tongue　and　then　his　thumb　began　to　feel　over　the　blade　of　the
big　jack…knife　in　a　sort　of　horribly　supercritical　appraisal　of　its
edge。　　He　spoke　thickly　for　the　gag　that　had　been　in　his　mouth。

〃You　dirty　skates！〃　he　whispered。　　〃You　were　going　to　bump　me　off；
were　you？　　You　planted　me　cold；　did　you？　　Oh；　hell！〃　　His　laugh；
like　the　laugh　of　one　insane；　jangling；　discordant；　rang　through
the　room。　　〃Well；　it's　my　turn　now；　and〃　…　his　body　was　coiling
itself　in　a　slow；　curious；　almost　snake…like　fashion　…　〃and　you'll　…〃

Rhoda　Gray　laid　her　hand　on　the　Sparrow's　arm。

〃Not　that　way；　Marty；〃　she　said　quietly。　　She　smiled　thinly　at
Danglar；　who；　with　genuinely　frightened　eyes　now；　seemed　fascinated
by　the　Sparrow's　movements。　　〃I　wouldn't　care　to　have　anything
happen　to　Mr。　　Danglar　…　yet。　　He　has　been　invaluable　to　me；　and　I
am　sure　he　will　be　again。〃

The　Sparrow　brushed　his　hands　across　his　eyes；　and　stared　at　her。
He　licked　his　lips　again。　　He　appeared　to　be　obsessed　with　the
knife…blade　in　his　hand　…　dazed　in　a　strange　way　to　all　else。

〃There's　enough　cord　there　for　both　of　them；〃　said　Rhoda　Gray
crisply。　　〃Tie　them　in　their　chairs；　Marty。〃

For　a　moment　the　Sparrow　hesitated；　and　then；　with　a　sort　of　queer
reluctancy；　he　dropped　the　knife　on　the　table；　and　went　and　picked
up　the　strands　of　cord　from　the　floor。

No　one　spoke。　　The　Sparrow；　with　twitching　lips　as　he　worked；　and
worked　not　gently；　bound　first　Danglar　and　then　Skeeny　to　their
respective　chairs。　　Skeeny　for　the　most　part　kept　his　eyes　on　the
floor；　casting　only　furtive　glances　at　Rhoda　Gray's　revolver　muzzle。
But　Danglar　was　smiling　now。　　He　had　very　white　teeth。　　There　was
something　of　primal；　insensate　fury　in　the　hard…drawn；　parted　lips。
Somehow　he　seemed　to　remind　Rhoda　Gray　of　a　beast；　stung　to　madness；
but　impotent　behind　the　bars　of　its　cage；　as　it　showed　its　fangs。

〃We'll　go　now；　Marty；〃　she　said　softly；　as　the　Sparrow　finished。

She　motioned　the　Sparrow　with　an　imperious　little　nod　of　her　head
to　the　door。　　And　then；　following　the　other；　she　backed　to　the　door
herself；　and　halted　an　instant　on　the　threshold。

〃It　has　been　a　very　profitable　evening；　Mr。　Danglar；〃　she　said
coolly。　　〃I　have　you　to　thank　for　it。　　When　your　friends　come；　which
I　think　I　heard　you　say　would　be　in　another　hour　or　so；　I　hope　you
will　not　fail　to　convey　to　them　my　…〃

〃You　she…fiend！〃　　Danglar　had　found　his　voice　again。　　You'll　crawl
for　this！　　Do　you　understand？　and　I'll　show　you　inside　of
twenty…four　hours　what　you're　up　against；　you　…　you　…〃　　His　voice
broke　in　its　fury。　　The　veins　were　standing　out　on　the　side　of　his
neck　like　whipcords。　　He　could　just　mo