the white moll-第3章

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streaks　of　grime　and　dirt；　looked　grotesquely　and　incongruously　old。


II。　　SEVENTHREENINE

For　a　moment　neither　spoke；　then　Gypsy　Nan　broke　the　silence　with
a　bitter　laugh。　　She　threw　back　the　bedclothes；　and；　gripping　at
the　edge　of　the　bed；　sat　up。

〃The　White　Moll！　　The　words　rattled　in　her　throat。　　A　fleck　of　blood
showed　on　her　lips。　　〃Well；　you　know　now！　　You're　going　to　help　me；
aren't　you？　　I　…　I've　got　to　get　out　of　here　…　get　to　a　hospital。〃

Rhoda　Gray　laid　her　hands　firmly　on　the　other's　shoulders。

〃Get　back　into　bed；〃　she　said　steadily。　　〃Do　you　want　to　make
yourself　worse？　　You'll　kill　yourself！〃

Gypsy　Nan　pushed　her　away。

〃Don't　make　me　use　up　what　little　strength　I've　got　left　in　talking；〃
she　cried　out　piteously；　and　suddenly　wrung　her　hands　together。
〃I'm　wanted　by　the　police。　　If　I'm　caught；　it's　　…　it's　that　'chair。'
I　couldn't　have　a　doctor　brought　here；　could　I？　　How　long　would
it　be　before　he　saw　that　Gypsy　Nan　was　a　fake？　　I　can't　let　you　go
and　have　an　ambulance；　say；　come　and　get　me；　can　I；　even　with　the
disguise　hidden　away？　　They'd　say　this　is　where　Gypsy　Nan　lives。
There's　something　queer　here。　　Where　is　Gypsy　Nan？　　I've　got　to　get
away　from　here　…　away　from　Gypsy　Nan　…　don't　you　understand？　　It's
death　one　way；　maybe　it　is　the　other；　maybe　it'll　finish　me　to　get
out　of　here；　but　it's　the　only　thing　left　to　do。　　I　thought　some
one；　some　one　that　I　could　trust；　never　mind　who；　would　have　come
to…day；　but…but　no　one　came；　and　…　and　maybe　now　it　s　too　late；　but
there's　just　the　one　chance；　and　I've　got　to　take　it。〃　　Gypsy　Nan
tore　at　the　shawl　around　her　throat　as　though　it　choked　her；　and
flung　it　from　her　shoulders。　　Her　eyes　were　gleaming　with　an
unhealthy；　feverish　light。　　〃Don't　you　see？　　We　get　out　on　the
street。　　I　collapse　there。　　You　find　me。　　I　tell　you　my　name　is
Charlotte　Green。　　That's　all　you　know。　　There　isn't　much　chance
that　anybody　at　the　hospital　would　recognize　me。　　I've　got　money。
I　take　a　private　room。　　Don't　you　understand？〃

Rhoda　Gray's　face　had　gone　a　little　white。　　There　was　no　doubt　about
the　woman's　serious　condition；　and　yet　…　and　yet　…　　She　stood　there
hesitant。　　There　must　be　some　other　way！　　It　was　not　likely　even
that　the　woman　had　strength　enough　to　walk　down　the　stairs　to　begin
with。　　Strange　things　had　come　to　her　in　this　world　of　shadow；　but
none　before　like　this。　　If　the　law　got　the　woman　it　would　cost　the
woman　her　life；　if　the　woman　did　not　receive　immediate　and　adequate
medical　assistance　it　would　cost　the　woman　her　life。　　Over　and　over
in　her　brain；　like　a　jangling　refrain；　that　thought　repeated　itself。
It　was　not　like　her　to　stand　hesitant　before　any　emergency；　no
matter　what　that　emergency　might　be。　　She　had　never　done　it　before；
but　now。。。

〃For　God's　sake；〃　Gypsy　Nan　implored；　〃don't　stand　there　looking　at
me！　　Can't　you　understand？　　If　I'm　caught；　I　go　out。　　Do　you　think
I'd　have　lived　in　this　filthy　hole　if　there　had　been　any　other　way
to　save　my　life？　　Are　you　going　to　let　me　die　here　like　a　dog？　　Get
me　my　clothes；　oh；　for　God's　sake；　get　them；　and　give　me　the　one
chance　that's　left！〃

A　queer　little　smile　came　to　Rhoda　Gray's　lips；　and　her　shoulders
straightened　back。

〃Where　are　your　clothes？〃　she　asked。

〃God　bless　you！〃　The　tears　were　suddenly　streaming　down　the　grimy
face。　　〃God　bless　the　White　Moll！　　It's　true！　　It's　true　…　all　they
said　about　her！〃　　The　woman　had　lost　control　of　herself。

〃Nan；　keep　your　nerve！〃　ordered　Rhoda　Gray　almost　brutally。　　It　was
the　White　Moll　in　another　light　now；　cool；　calm；　collected；
efficient。　　Her　eyes　swept　Gypsy　Nan。　　The　woman；　who　had　obviously
flung　herself　down　on　the　bed　fully　dressed　the　night　before；　was
garbed　in　coarse；　heavy　boots；　the　cheapest　of　stockings　which　were
also　sadly　in　need　of　repair；　a　tattered　and　crumpled　skirt　of　some
rough　material；　and；　previously　hidden　by　the　shawl；　a　soiled；
greasy　and　spotted　black　blouse。　　Rhoda　Gray's　forehead　puckered
into　a　frown。　　〃What　about　your　hands　and　face…they　go　with　the
clothes；　don't　they？〃

〃It'll　wash　off；〃　whispered　Gypsy　Nan。　　〃It's　just　some　stuff　I　keep
in　a　box…over　there　…　the　ceiling…〃　Her　voice　trailed　off　weakly；
then　with　a　desperate　effort　strengthened　again。　　〃The　door！　　I
forgot　the　door！　　It　isn't　locked！　　Lock　the　door　first！　　Lock　the
door！　　Then　you　take　the　candle　over　there　on　the　washstand；　and
…　and　I'll　show　you。　　You　…　you　get　the　things　while　I'm　undressing。
I　…　I　can　help　myself　that　much。〃

Rhoda　Gray　crossed　quickly　to　the　door；　turned　the　key　in　the　lock；
and　retraced　her　steps　to　the　washstand　that　stood　in　the　shadows
against　the　wall　on　the　opposite　side　from　the　bed；　and　near　the　far
end　of　the　garret。　　Here　she　found　the　short　stub　of　a　candle　that
was　stuck　in　the　mouth　of　a　gin　bottle；　and　matches　lying　beside　it。
She　lighted　the　candle；　and　turned　inquiringly　to　Gypsy　Nan。

The　woman　pointed　to　the　end　of　the　garret　where　the　roof　sloped
sharply　down　until；　at　the　wall　itself；　it　was　scarcely　four　feet
above　the　floor。

〃Go　down　there。　　Right　to　the　wall　…　in　the　center；〃　instructed
Gypsy　Nan　weakly。　　And　then；　as　Rhoda　Gray　obeyed：　〃Now　push　up　on
that　wide　board　in　the　ceiling。〃

Rhoda　Gray。　　already　in　a　stooped　position；　reached　up；　and　pushed
at　a　rough；　unplaned　board。　　It　swung　back　without　a　sound；　like　a
narrow　trap…door；　until　it　rested　in　an　upright　position　against　the
outer　frame　of　the　house；　disclosing　an　aperture　through　which；　by
standing　erect；　Rhoda　Gray　easily　thrust　her　head　and　shoulders。

She　raised　the　candle　then　through　the　opening　…　and　suddenly　her
dark　eyes　widened　in　amazement。　　It　was　a　hiding　place；　not　only
ingenious；　but　exceedingly　generous　in　expanse。　　As　far　as　one
could　reach　the　ceiling　metamorphosed　itself　into　a　most　convenient
shelf。　　And　it　had　been　well　utilized！　　It　held　a　most　astounding
collection　of　things。　　There　was　a　cashbox；　but　the　cashbox　was
apparently　wholly　inadequate　…　there　must　have　been　thousands　of
dollars　in　those　piles　of　banknotes　that　were　stacked　beside　it！
There　was　a　large　tin　box；　the　cover　off；　containing　some　black；
pastelike　substance　…　the　〃stuff；〃　presumably；　that　Gypsy　Nan　used
on　her　face　and　hands。　　There　was　a　bunch　of　curiously　formed　keys；
several　boxes　of　revolver　cartridges；　an　electric　flashlight；　and
a　great　quantity　of　the　choicest　brands　of　tinned　and　bottled
fruits　and　provisions　…　and　a　little　to　one　side；　evidently　kept
ready　for　instant　use；　a　suit　of　excellent　material；　underclothing；
silk　stockings　shoes　and　hat　were　neatly　piled　together。

Rhoda　Gray　took　the　clothing；　and　went　back　to　the　bedside。　　Gypsy
Nan　had　made　little　progress　in　disrobing。　　It　seemed　about　all　the
woman　could　do　to　cling　to　the　edge　of　the　cot　and　sit　upright。

〃What　does　all　this　mean；　Nan；〃　she　asked　tensely；　〃all　those　things
up　there　…　that　money？〃

Gypsy　Nan　forced　a　twisted　smile。

〃It　means　I　know　how　bad　I　am；　or　I　wouldn't　have　let　you　see　what
you　have；〃　she　answered　heavily。　　〃It　means　that　there　isn't　any
other　way。　　Hurry！　　Get　these　things　off！　　Get　me　dressed！〃

But　it　took　a　long　time。　　Gypsy　Nan　seemed　with　every　moment　to
grow　weaker。　　The　lamp　on　the　chair　went　out　for　want　of　oil。　　There
was　only　the　guttering　candle　in　the　gin　bottle　to　give　light。　　It
threw　weird；　flickering　shadows　around　the　garret；　it　seemed　to
enhance　the　already　deathlike　pallor　of　the　woman；　as；　using　the
pitcher　of　water　and　the　basin　from　the　washstand　now；　Rhoda　Gray
removed　the　grime　from　Gypsy　Nan's　face　and　hands。

It　was　done　at　last　…　and　where　there　had　once　been　Gypsy　Nan；
haglike　and　repulsive；　there　was　now　a　stylishly；　even　elegantly；
dressed　woman　of　well　under　middle　age。　　The　transformation　seemed
to　have　acted　as　a　stimulant　upon　Gypsy　Nan。　　She　laughed　with
nervous　hilarity　she　even　tried　valiantly　to　put　on　a　pair　of　new
black　kid　gloves；　but；　failing　in　this；　pushed　them　unsteadily　into
the　pocket　of　her　coat。

〃I'm　…　I'm　all　right；〃　she　asserted　fiercely；　as　Rhoda　Gray；
pausing　in　the　act　of　gathering　up　the　discarded　garments；　regarded
her　anxiously。　　〃Bring　me　a　package　of　that　money　after　you've　put
those　things　away　…　yes；　and　you'll　find　a　flashlight　there。　　We'll
need　it　going　down　the　stairs。〃

Rhoda　Gray　made　no　answer。　　There　was　no　hesitation　now　in　her
actions；　as；　to　the　pile　of　clothing　in　her　arms；　she　added　the
revolver　that　lay　on　the　blanket；　and；　returning　to　the　little
trap…door　in　the　ceiling；　hid　them　away；　but　her　brain　was　whirling
again　in　a　turmoil　of　doubt。　　This　was　madness；　utter；　stark；　blind
madness；　this　thing　that　she　was　doing！　　It　was　suicide；　literally
that；　nothing　less　than　suicide　for　one　in　Gypsy　Nan's　condition　to
attempt　this　thing。　　But　the　woman　would　certainly　die　here；　too；
with　out　medical　assistance　…　only　there　was　the　police！　　Rhoda
Gray's　face；　as　she　stood　upright　in　the　little　aperture　again；
throwing　the　wavering　candle…rays　around　her；　seemed　suddenly　to
have　grown　pinched　and　wan。　　The　police！　　The　police！　　It　was　her
conscience；　then；　that　was　gnawing　at　her　…　because　of　the　police！
Was　that　it？　　Well；　there　was　also；　then；　another　side。　　Could　she
turn　informer；　traitor；　become　a　female　Judas　to　a　dying　woman；　who
had　sobbed　and　thanked　her　Maker　because　she　had　found　some　one　whom
she　believed　she　could　trust？　　That　was　a　hideous　and　an　abominable
thing　to　do！　　〃You　swore　it！　　You　swore　you'd　see　me　through！〃　…　the
words　came　and　rang　insistently　in　her　ears。　　The　sweet；　piquant
little　face　set　in　hard；　determined　lines。　　Mechanically　she　picked
up　the　flashlight　and　a　package　of　the　banknotes；　lowered　the　board
in　the　ceiling　into　place；　and　returned　to　Gypsy　Nan。

〃I'm　ready；　if　there　is　no　other　way；〃　she　said　soberly；　as　she
watched　the　other　tuck　the　money　away　inside　her　waist。　　〃I　said　I
would　see　you　through；　and　I　will。　　But　I　doubt　if　you　are　strong
enough；　even　with　what　help　I　can　give　you；　to　get　down　the　stairs；
and　even　if　you　can；　I　am　afraid　with　all　my　soul　of　the　consequences
to　you；　and　…〃

Gypsy　Nan　blew　out　the　candle；　and　staggered　to　her　feet。

〃There　isn't　any　other　way。〃　　She　leaned　heavily　on　Rhoda　Gray's
arm。　　〃Can't　you　see　that？　　Don't　you　think　I　know？　　Haven't　you
seen　enough　here　to　convince　you　of　that？　　I　…　I'm　just　spilling
the　dice　for　…　for　perhaps　the　last　time　…　but　it's　the　only　chance
…　the　only　chance。　　Go　on！〃　she　urged　tremulously。　　〃Shoot　the　glim；
and　get　me　to　the　door。　　And　…　and　for　the　love　of　God；　don't　make
a　sound！　　It's　all　up　if　we're　seen　going　out！〃

The　flashlight's　ray　danced　in　crazy　gyrations　as　the　two　figures
swayed　and　crept　across　the　garret。　　Rhoda　Gray　unlocked　the　door；
and；　as　they　passed　out；　locked　it　again　on　the　outside。

〃Hide　the　key！〃　whispered　Gypsy　Nan。　　〃See　…　that　crack　in　the　floor
under　the　partition！　　Slip　it　in　there！〃

The　flashlight　guiding　her；　Rhoda　Gray　stooped　down　to　where；
between　the　rough　attic　flooring　and　the　equally　rough　boarding　of
the　garret　partition；　there　was　a　narrow　space。　　She　pushed　the　key
in　out　of　sight；　and　then；　with　her　arm　around　Gypsy　Nan's　waist；
and　with　the　fl