the white moll-第21章

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any　risk　with　the　consequences　on　account　of　the　coroner　having　got
busy　because　a　man　was　found　here　dead　on　the　floor。　　Nicky　Viner
stands　for　that。　　It　isn't　the　first　time　he's　been　suspected　of
murder。　　See？　　Nicky　was　easy。　　He'd　crawl　on　his　hands　and　knees
from　the　Battery　to　Harlem　any　time　if　you　held　a　little　money　in
front　of　his　nose。　　He's　been　fooled　up　to　the　eyes　with　a　faked…up
message　that　he's　to　deliver　secretly　to　some　faked…up　crooks　out
West。　　He's　just　about　starting　away　on　the　train　now。　　And　that's
where　the　police　nab　him　…　running　away　from　the　murder　he's　pulled
in　his　room　here　to…night。　　Looks　kind　of　bad　for　Nicky　Viner　…　eh？
We　should　worry！　　It　cost　a　hundred　dollars　and　his　ticket。　　Cheap；
wasn't　it？　　I　guess　you're　worth　that　much　to　us。〃

A　dull　horror　seized　upon　Rhoda　Gray。　　It　seemed　to　clog　and　confuse
her　mind。　　She　fought　it　frantically；　striving　to　think；　and　to
think　clearly。　　Every　detail　seemed　to　have　been　planned　with　Satanic
foresight　and　ingenuity；　and　yet　…　and　yet　…　　Yes；　in　one　little
thing；　Danglar　had　made　a　mistake。　　That　was　why　she　was　here　now；
that　was　why　those　men　in　that　next　room　had　not　been　out　in　the　hall
on　guard；　or　even　out　in　the　street　on　watch　for　her。　　Danglar　had
naturally　gone　upon　the　supposition　that　the　Adventurer　and　herself
worked　hand　in　glove；　whereas　they　were　as　much　in　the　dark
concerning　each　other's　movements　as　Danglar　himself　was。　　Therefore
Danglar；　and　logically　enough　from　his　viewpoint；　had　jumped　to　the
conclusion　that；　since　they　had　not　come　together；　only　one　of　them；
the　Adventurer；　was　acting　in　the　affair　to…night；　and　…　Danglar's
voice　was　rasping　in　her　ears。

〃I'm　not　going　to　stay　here　all　night！〃　he　snarled。　　〃You've　got
one　chance。　　I've　told　you　what　it　is。　　You're　lucky　to　have　it。
We'd　sooner　have　you　out　of　the　way　for　keeps。　　I'd　rather　drop　you
in　your　tracks　than　let　you　live。　　Where　is　the　White　Moll？〃

The　Adventurer　was　side　face　to　the　doorway　again；　and　Rhoda　Gray
saw　him　smile　contemptuously　at　Danglar　now。

〃Really；〃　he　said　blandly；　〃I　haven't　the　slightest　idea　in　the
world。〃

Danglar　laughed　ironically。

〃You　lie！〃　he　flung　out　hoarsely。　　〃Do　you　think　you　can　get　away
with　that？　　Well；　think　again！　　Sooner　or　later；　it　will　be　all　the
same　whether　you　talk　or　not。　　We　caught　you　to…night　in　a　trap；
we'll　catch　her　in　another。　　Our　hand　doesn't　show　here。　　She'll
think　that　Nicky　Viner　was　a　little　too　much　for　you；　that's　all。
Come　on；　now　…　quick！　　Are　you　fool　enough　to　misunderstand？　　The
'don't　know'　stuff　won't　get　you　by！〃

〃The　misunderstanding　seems　to　be　on　your　side。〃　　There　was　a　cold；
irritating　deliberation　in　the　Adventurer's　voice。　　〃I　repeat　that
I　do　not　know　where　the　young　lady　you　refer　to　could　be　found；　but
I　did　not　make　that　statement　with　any　idea　that　you　would　believe
it。　　To　a　cur；　I　suppose　it　is　necessary　to　add　that；　even　if　I　did
know；　I　should　take　pleasure　in　seeing　you　damned　before　I　told　you。〃

Danglar's　face　was　like　a　devil's。　　His　revolver　held　a　steady　bead
on　the　Adventurer's　head。

〃I'll　give　you　a　last　chance。〃　　He　spoke　through　closed　teeth。
〃I'll　fire　when　I　count　three。　　One！〃

A　horrible　fascination　held　Rhoda　Gray。　　If　she　cried　out；　it　was
more　likely　than　not　to　cause　Danglar　to　fire　on　the　instant。　　It
would　not　save　the　Adventurer　in　any　case。　　It　would　be　but　the
signal；　too；　for　those　two　men　in　the　next　room　to　rush　in　here。

〃Two！〃

It　seemed　as　though；　not　in　the　hope　that　it　would　do　any　good；　but
because　she　was　going　mad　with　horror；　that　she　would　scream　out
until　the　place　rang　and　rang　again　with　her　outcries。　　Even　her
soul　was　in　frantic　panic。　　Quick！　　Quick！　　She　must　act！　　She
must！　　But　how？　　Was　there　only　one　way？　　She　was　conscious　that　she
had　drawn　her　revolver　as　though　by　instinct。　　Danglar's　life；　or
the　Adventurer's！　　But　she　shrank　from　taking　life。　　Her　lips　were
breathing　a　prayer。　　They　had　called　her　a　crack　shot　back　there
in　South　America；　when　she　had　hunted　and　ridden　with　her　father。
It　was　easy　enough　to　hit　Danglar；　but　that　might　mean　Danglar's
life；　it　was　not　so　easy　to　hit　Danglar's　arm；　or　Danglar's　hand；
or　the　revolver　Danglar　held；　and　if　she　risked　that　and　missed；
she。。。


〃Thr　…〃

There　was　the　roar　of　a　report　that　went　racketing　through　the
silence　like　a　cannon　shot；　and　the　short；　vicious　tongue…flame
from　Rhoda　Gray's　revolver　muzzle　stabbed　through　the　black。　　There
was　a　scream　of　mingled　surprise　and　fury；　and　the　revolver　in
Danglar's　hand　clattered　to　the　floor。　　She　saw　the　Adventurer
spring；　quick　as　a　panther；　at　the　other；　and　saw　him　whip　blow
after　blow　with　terrific　force　full　into　Danglar's　face；　she　heard
a　rush　of　feet　coming　from　the　corridor　behind　her；　and　she　flung
herself　forward　into　the　inner　room；　and；　panting；　snatched　at　the
door　and　slammed　it　shut；　and　groping　for　the　bolt；　found　it；　and
shot　it　home　in　its　grooves。

And　she　stood　there；　weak　for　the　moment；　and　drew　her　hand　across
her　eyes　…　and　behind　her　they　pounded　on　the　door；　and　there　came
a　burst　of　oaths；　and　in　front　of　her　the　Adventurer　was　smiling
gravely　as　he　covered　Danglar　with　Danglar's　own　revolver；　and
Danglar；　as　though　dazed　and　half　stunned　from　the　blows　he　had
received；　rocked　unsteadily　upon　his　feet。　　And　then　her　eyes
widened　a　little。　　The　pounding　on　the　door；　the　shouts；　the　noise；
was　beginning　to　arouse　what　inmates　there　were　in　the　tenement；　and
there　wasn't　an　instant　to　lose　…　but　the　Adventurer　now　was　calmly
gathering　up；　to　the　last　one；　and　pocketing　them；　the　banknotes
with　which　Danglar　had　baited　his　trap。　　And　as　he　crammed　the　money
into　his　pockets；　he　spoke　to　her；　with　a　curious　softness；　a　great；
strange　gentleness　in　his　voice：

〃I　owe　you　my　life；　Miss　Gray。　　That　was　a　wonderful　shot。　　You
knocked　the　revolver　from　his　hand　without　even　grazing　his　fingers。
A　very　wonderful　shot；　and　…　will　you　let　me　say　it？　…　you　are　a
very　wonderful　woman。〃

〃Oh；　quick！〃　she　whispered　wildly。　　〃I　am　afraid　this　door　will　not
hold。〃

〃There　is　the　window；　and　the　fire　escape；　so　our　friend　here　was
good　enough　to　inform　me；〃　said　the　Adventurer；　as　he　composedly
pocketed　the　last　dollar。　　〃Will　you　open　the　window；　Miss　Gray；　if
you　please？　　I　am　afraid　I　hit　Mr。　Danglar　a　little　ungently；　and
as　he　is　still　somewhat　groggy；　I　fancy　he　will　need　a　little
assistance。　　I　imagine〃　…　he　caught　Danglar　suddenly　by　the　collar
of　his　coat　as　Rhoda　Gray　ran　to　the　window　and　flung　it　up；　and
rushed　the　man　unceremoniously　across　the　room　…〃　I　imagine　it　would
be　a　mistake　to　leave　him　behind。　　He　might　open　the　door；　or　even
be　unpleasant　enough　to　throw　something　down　on　us　from　above；　also
he　should　serve　us　very　well　as　a　hostage。　　Will　you　go　first；
please；　Miss　Gray？〃

She　climbed　quickly　over　the　sill　to　the　iron　platform。　　Danglar
was　dragged　through　by　the　Adventurer；　mumbling；　and　evidently　still
in　a　half…dazed　condition。　　Windows　were　opening　here　and　there。
》From　back　inside　the　room；　the　blows　rained　more　heavily　upon　the
door　…　and　now　there　came　the　rip　and　rend　of　wood；　as　though　a
panel　had　crashed　in。

〃Hurry；　please；　Miss　Gray！〃　prompted　the　Adventurer。　　

It　was　dark；　almost　too　dark　to　see　her　footing。　　She　felt　her　way
down。　　It　was　only　one　story　above　the　ground；　and　it　did　not　take
long；　but　it　seemed　hours　since　she　had　fired　that　shot；　though　she
knew　the　time　had　been　measured　by　scarcely　more　than　a　minute。　　And
now；　on　the　lower　platform；　waiting　for　that　queer；　double；　twisting
shadow　of　the　two　men　to　join　her；　she　heard　the　Adventurers　s　voice
ring　out　sharply：

〃This　is　your　chance；　Danglar！　　I　didn't　waste　the　time　to　bring
you　along　because　it　afforded　me　any　amusement。　　They've　found　their
heads　at　last；　and　gone　to　the　next　window；　instead　of　wasting　time
on　that　door。　　They　can't　reach　the　fire　escape　there；　but　if　they
fire　a　single　shot　…　you　go　out！　　You'd　better　tell　them　so　…　and
tell　them　quick！〃

And　then　Danglar's　voice　shrieked　out　in　sudden；　for　God's　sake；
don't　fire！〃

They　were　all　on　the　lower　platform　together　now。　　The　Adventurer
was　pressing　the　muzzle　of　his　revolver　into　the　small　of　Danglar's
back；　and　was　still　supporting　the　man　by　the　collar　of　his　coat。

〃I　think；〃　said　the　Adventurer　abruptly；　〃that　we　can　now　dispense
with　Mr。　Danglar's　services；　and　I　am　sure　a　little　cool　night　air
out　here　on　the　fire　escape　will　do　him　good。　　Miss　Gray　…　would　you
mind？　…　there's　a　pair　of　handcuffs　in　my　left…hand　coat　pocket。〃

Handcuffs！　　She　could　have　laughed　out　idiotically。　　Handcuffs！
They　seemed　the　most　incongruous　things　in　the　world　for　the
Adventurer　to　have；　and　…　　She　felt　mechanically　in　his　pocket；　and
handed　them　to　him。

There　was　a　click　as　a　cuff　was　snapped　over　Danglar's　wrist；
another　as　the　other　cuff　was　snapped　shut　around　the　iron
hand…railing　of　the　fire　escape。　　The　act　seemed　to　arouse　Danglar；
both　mentally　and　physically。　　He　tore　and　wrenched　at　the　steel
links　now；　and　burst　suddenly；　raving；　into　oaths。

〃Hold　your　tongue；　Danglar！〃　ordered　the　Adventurer　in　cold　menace；
and　as　the　other；　cowed；　obeyed；　the　Adventurer　swung　himself　over
the　platform　and　dropped　to　the　ground。　　〃Come；　Miss　Gray。　　Drop！
I'll　catch　you！〃　he　called　in　a　low　voice。　　〃One　step　takes　us
around　the　corner　of　the　tenement　into　the　lane；　and　Mr。　Danglar
won't　let　them　fire　at　us　before　we　can　make　that　…　when　we　could
still　fire　at　him！〃

She　obeyed　him；　swinging　at　arm's…length。　　She　felt　his　hands　fold
about　her　in　a　firm　grasp　as　she　let　go　her　hold；　and　she　caught　her
breath　suddenly；　she　did　not　know　why；　and　felt　the　hot　blood　sweep
her　face　…　and　then　she　was　standing　on　the　ground。

〃Now！〃　he　whispered。　　〃Together！〃

They　sped　around　the　corner　of　the　tenement。　　A　yell　from　Danglar
followed　them。　　An　echoing　yell　from　above　answered　…　and　then　a
fusillade　of　abortive　shots；　and　the　sound　as　of　boot　heels
clattering　on　the　iron　rungs　of　the　fire　escape；　and　then；　more
faintly；　for　they　were　putting　distance　behind　them　as　fast　as　they
could　run；　an　excited　outburst　of　profanity　and　exclamations。

〃They　won't　follow！〃　panted　the　Adventurer。　　〃Those　shots　of　theirs
outdoors　will　have　alarmed　the　police；　and　they'll　try　and　get
Danglar　free　first。　　It's　lucky　your　shot　inside　wasn't　heard　by
the　patrolman　on　the　beat。　　I　was　afraid　of　that。　　But　we're　safe
now　…　from　Danglar's　crowd；　at　least。〃

But　still　they　ran。　　They　crossed　an　intersecting　street；　and
continued　on　along　the　lane；　then　swerving　into　the　next　intersecting
street；　moderated　their　pace　to　a　rapid　walk　…　and　stopped　finally
only　as　Rhoda　Gray　drew　suddenly　into　the　shadows　of　another
alley…way；　and　held　out　her　hand。　　They　were　both　safe　now；　as　he
had　said。　　And　there　were　so　many　reasons　why；　though　her　resolution
faltered　a　little；　she　should　go　the　rest　of　the　way　alone。　　She
was　not　sure　that　she　trusted　this　strange　〃gentleman；〃　who　was　a
thief　with　his　pockets　crammed　even　now　with　the　money　that　had
lured　him　almost　to　his　death；　but；　too；　she　was　not　altog