the white moll-第4章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


in　out　of　sight；　and　then；　with　her　arm　around　Gypsy　Nan's　waist；
and　with　the　flashlight　at　cautious　intervals　winking　ahead　of　her
through　the　darkness；　she　began　to　descend　the　stairs。

It　was　slow　work；　desperately　slow；　both　because　they　dared　not
make　the　slightest　noise；　and　because；　too；　as　far　as　strength　was
concerned；　Gypsy　Nan　was　close　to　the　end　of　her　endurance。　　Down
one　flight；　and　then　the　other；　they　went；　resting　at　every　few
steps；　leaning　back　against　the　wall；　black　shadows　that　merged
with　the　blackness　around　them；　the　flashlight　used　only　when
necessity　compelled　it；　lest　its　gleam　might　attract　the　attention
of　some　other　occupant　of　the　house。　　And　at　times　Gypsy　Nan's　head
lay　cheek　to　Rhoda　Gray's；　and　the　other's　body　grew　limp　and
became　a　great　weight；　so　heavy　that　it　seemed　she　could　no　longer
support　it。

They　gained　the　street　door；　hung　there　tensely　for　a　moment　to
make　sure　they　were　not　observed　by　any　chance　passer…by；　then
stepped　out　on　the　sidewalk。　　Gypsy　Nan　spoke　then：

〃I　…　I　can't　go　much　farther；〃　she　faltered。　　〃But　…　but　it　doesn't
matter　now　we're　out　of　the　house　…　it　doesn't　matter　where　you
find　me　…　only　let's　try　a　few　steps　more。〃

Rhoda　Gray　had　slipped　the　flashlight　inside　her　blouse。

〃Yes；〃　she　said。　　Her　breath　was　coming　heavily。　　〃It's　all　right；
Nan。　　I　understand。〃

They　walked　on　a　little　way　up　the　block；　and　then　Gypsy　Nan's　grasp
suddenly　tightened　on　Rhoda　Gray's　arm。

〃Play　the　game！〃　　Gypsy　Nan's　voice　was　scarcely　audible。　　〃You'll
play　the　game；　won't　you？　　You'll　…　you'll　see　me　through。　　That's
a　good　name　…　as　good　as　any　…　Charlotte　Green　…　that's　all　you　know
…　but　…　but　don't　leave　me　alone　with　them　…　you　…　you'll　come　to
the　hospital　with　me；　won't　you　…　I　…〃

Gypsy　Nan　had　collapsed　in　a　heap　on　the　sidewalk。

Rhoda　Gray　glanced　swiftly　around　her。　　In　the　squalid　tenement
before　which　she　stood　there　would　be　no　help　of　the　kind　that　was
needed。　　There　would　be　no　telephone　in　there　by　means　of　which　she
could　summon　an　ambulance。　　And　then　her　glance　rested　on　a　figure
far　up　the　block　under　a　street　lamp　…　a　policeman。　　She　bent
hurriedly　over　the　prostrate　woman；　whispered　a　word　of
encouragement；　and　ran　in　the　officer's　direction。

As　she　drew　closer　to　the　policeman；　she　called　out　to　him。　　He
turned　and　came　running　toward；　and；　as　he　reached　her；　after　a
sharp　glance　into　her　face；　touched　his　helmet　respectfully。

〃What's　wrong　with　the　White　Moll　to…night？〃　he　asked　pleasantly。

〃There's　…　there's　a　woman　down　there〃　…　Rhoda　Gray　was　breathless
from　her　run　…　〃on　the　sidewalk。　　She　needs　help　at　once。〃

〃Drunk？〃　inquired　the　officer　laconically。

〃No；　I'm　sure　it's　anything　but　that；〃　Rhoda　Gray　answered　quickly。
〃She　appears　to　be　very　sick。　　I　think　you　had　better　summon　an
ambulance　without　delay。〃

〃All　right！〃　agreed　the　officer。　　〃There's　a　patrol　box　down　there
in　the　direction　you　came　from。　　We'll　have　a　look　at　her　on　the
way。〃　　He　started　briskly　forward　with　Rhoda　Gray　beside　him。　　〃Who
is　she　d'ye　know？〃　he　asked。

〃She　said　her　name　was　Charlotte　Green；〃　Rhoda　Gray　replied。
〃That's　all　she　could；　or　would；　say　about　herself。〃

〃Then　she　ain't　a　regular　around　here；　or　I　guess　you'd　know　her！〃
grunted　the　policeman。

Rhoda　Gray　made　no　answer。

They　reached　Gypsy　Nan。　　The　officer　bent　over　her；　then　picked　her
up　and　carried　her　to　the　tenement　doorway。

〃I　guess　you're　right；　all　right！　　She's　bad！　　I'll　send　in　a　call；〃
he　said；　and　started　on　the　run　down　the　street。

Gypsy　Nan　had　lost　consciousness。　　Rhoda　Gray　settled　herself　on
the　doorstep；　supporting　the　woman's　head　in　her　lap。　　Her　face　had
set　again　in　grim；　hard；　perplexed　lines。　　There　seemed　something
unnatural；　something　menacingly　weird；　something　even　uncanny　about
it　all。　　Perhaps　it　was　because　it　seemed　as　though　she　could　so　
surely　foresee　the　end。　　Gypsy　Nan　would　not　live　through　the　night。
Something　told　her　that。　　The　woman's　masquerade；　for　whatever
purpose　it　had　been　assumed；　was　over。　　〃You'll　play　the　game；
won't　you？　　You'll　see　me　through？〃　　There　seemed　something
pitifully　futile　in　those　words　now！

The　officer　returned。

〃It's　all　right；〃　he　said。　　〃How's　she　seem？〃

Rhoda　Gray　shook　her　head。

A　passer…by　stopped；　asked　what　was　the　matter　…　and　lingered
curiously。　　Another；　and　another；　did　the　same。　　A　little　crowd
collected。　　The　officer　kept　them　back。　　Came　then　the　strident
clang　of　a　gong　and　the　rapid　beat　of　horses'　hoofs。　　A
white…coated　figure　jumped　from　the　ambulance；　pushed　his　way
forward；　and　bent　over　the　form　in　Rhoda　Gray's　lap。　　A　moment　more；
and　they　were　carrying　Gypsy　Nan　to　the　ambulance。

Rhoda　Gray　spoke　to　the　officer：

〃I　think　perhaps　I　had　better　go　with　her。〃

〃Sure！〃　said　the　officer。

She　caught　snatches　of　the　officer's　words；　as　he　made　a　report　to
the　doctor：

Found　her　here　in　the　street。。。Charlotte　Green。。。nothing　else。。。the
White　Moll；　straight　as　God　makes　'em。。。she'll　see　the　woman　through。〃
He　turned　to　Rhoda　Gray。　　〃You　can　get　in　there　with　them；　miss。〃

It　took　possibly　ten　minutes　to　reach　the　hospital；　but；　before　that
time；　Gypsy　Nan；　responding　in　a　measure　to　stimulants；　had　regained
consciousness。　　She　insisted　on　clinging　to　Rhoda　Gray's　hand　as　they
carried　in　the　stretcher。

〃Don't　leave　me！〃　she　pleaded。　　And　then；　for　the　first　time；　Gypsy
Nan's　nerve　seemed　to　fail　her。　　〃I　…　oh；　my　God　…　I　…　I　don't　want
to　die！〃　she　cried　out。

But　a　moment　later；　inside　the　hospital；　as　the　admitting　officer
began　to　ask　questions　of　Rhoda　Gray；　Gypsy　Nan　had　apparently
recovered　her　grip　upon　herself。

〃Ah；　let　her　alone！〃　she　broke　in。　　〃She　doesn't　know　me　any　more
than　you　do。　　She　found　me　on　the　street。　　But　she　was　good　to　me；
God　bless　her！〃

〃Your　name's　Charlotte　Green？　　Yes？〃　　The　man　nodded。　　〃Where　do
you　live？〃

〃Wherever　I　like！〃　Gypsy　Nan　was　snarling　truculently　now。　　〃What's
it　matter　where　I　live？　　Don't　you　ever　have　any　one　come　here
without　a　letter　from　the　pastor　of　her　church！〃　　She　pulled　out　the
package　of　banknotes。　　〃You　aren't　going　to　get　stuck。　　This'll　see
you　through　whatever　happens。　　Give　me　a　…　a　private　room；　and〃　…　her
voice　was　weakening　rapidly　…　〃and〃　…　there　came　a　bitter；　facetious
laugh　…〃　the　best　you've　got。〃　　Her　voice　was　weakening　rapidly。

They　carried　her　upstairs。　　She　still　insisted　on　clinging　to　Rhoda
Gray's　hand。

〃Don't　leave　me！〃　she　pleaded　again；　as　they　reached　the　door　of　a
private　room；　and　Rhoda　Gray　disengaged　her　hand　gently。

〃I'll　stay　outside　here；〃　Rhoda　Gray　promised。　　〃I　won't　go　away
without　seeing　you　again。

Rhoda　Gray　sat　down　on　a　settee　in　the　hall。　　She　glanced　at　her
wrist　watch。　　It　was　five　minutes　of　eleven。　　Doctors　and　nurses
came　and　went　from　the　room。　　Then　a　great　quiet　seemed　to　settle
down　around　her。　　A　half　hour　passed。　　A　doctor　went　into　the　room；
and　presently　came　out　again。　　She　intercepted　him　as　he　came　along
the　corridor。

He　shook　his　head。

She　did　not　understand　his　technical　explanation。　　There　was
something　about　a　clot　and　blood　stoppage。　　But　as　she　resumed　her
seat；　she　understood　very　fully　that　the　end　was　near。　　The　woman
was　resting　quietly　now；　the　doctor　had　said；　but　if　she；　Rhoda　Gray；
cared　to　wait；　she　could　see　the　other　before　leaving　the　hospital。

And　so　she　waited。　　She　had　promised　Gypsy　Nan　she　would。

The　minutes　dragged　along。　　A　quarter　of　an　hour　passed。　　Still
another。　　Midnight　came。　　Fifteen　minutes　more　went　by；　and　then　a
nurse　came　out　of　the　room；　and；　standing　by　the　door；　beckoned　to
Rhoda　Gray。

〃She　is　asking　for　you；〃　the　nurse　said。　　〃Please　do　not　stay　more
than　a　few　minutes。　　I　shall　be　outside　here；　and　if　you　notice　the
slightest　change；　call　me　instantly。〃

Rhoda　Gray　nodded。

〃I　understand；〃　she　said。

The　door　closed　softly　behind　her。　　She　was　smiling　cheerily　as　she
crossed　the　room　and　bent　over　Gypsy　Nan。

The　woman　stretched　out　her　hand。

〃The　White　Moll！〃　she　whispered。　　〃He　told　the　truth；　that　bull　did
…　straight　as　they　make　'em；　and

〃Don't　try　to　talk；〃　Rhoda　Gray　interrupted　gently。　　〃Wait　until　you
are　a　little　stronger。〃

〃Stronger！〃　Gypsy　Nan　shook　her　head。　　〃Don't　try　to　kid　me！　　I
know。　　They　told　me。　　I'd　have　known　it　anyway。　　I'm　going　out。〃

Rhoda　Gray　found　no　answer　for　a　moment。　　A　great　lump　had　risen
in　her　throat。　　Neither　would　she　have　needed　to　be　told；　she；　too；
would　have　known　it　anyway　…　it　was　stamped　in　the　gray　pallor　of
the　woman's　face。　　She　pressed　Gypsy　Nan's　hand。

And　then　Gypsy　Nan　spoke　again；　a　queer；　yearning　hesitancy　in　her
voice：

〃Do　…　do　you　believe　in　God？〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Rhoda　Gray　simply。

Gypsy　Nan　closed　her　eyes。

〃Do　…　do　you　think　there　is　a　chance　…　even　at　the　last　…　if　…　if；
without　throwing　down　one's　pals；　one　tries　to　make　good？〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Rhoda　Gray　again。

〃Is　the　door　closed？〃　　Gypsy　Nan　attempted　to　raise　herself　on　her
elbow；　as　though　to　see　for　herself。

Rhoda　Gray　forced　the　other　gently　back　upon　the　pillows。

〃It　is　closed；〃　she　said。　　〃You　need　not　be　afraid。〃

〃What　time　is　it？〃　demanded　Gypsy　Nan。

Rhoda　Gray　looked　at　her　watch。

〃Twenty…five　minutes　after　twelve；〃　she　answered。

〃There's　time　yet；　then；〃　whispered　Gypsy　Nan。　　〃There's　time　yet。〃
She　lay　silent　for　a　moment；　then　her　hand　closed　tightly　around
Rhoda　Gray's。　　〃Listen！〃　she　said。　　〃There's　more　about　…　about
why　I　lived　like　that　than　I　told　you。　　And　…　and　I　can't　tell　you
now　…　I　can't　go　out　like　a　yellow　cur　…　I'm　not　going　to　snitch
on　anybody　else　just　because　I'm　through　myself。　　But　…　but　there's
something　on　to…night　that　I'd　…　I'd　like　to　stop。　　Only　the　police；
or　anybody　else；　aren't　to　know　anything　about　it；　because　then
they'd　nip　my　friends。　　See？　　But　you　can　do　it　…　easy。　　You　can
do　it　alone　without　anybody　knowing。　　There's　time　yet。　　They
weren't　going　to　pull　it　until　halfpast　one　…　and　there　won't　be
any　danger　for　you。　　All　you've　got　to　do　is　get　the　money　before
they　do；　and　then　see　that　it　goes　back　where　it　belongs　to…morrow。
Will　you？　　You　don't　want　to　see　a　crime　committed　to…night　if　…　if
you　can　stop　it；　do　you？〃

Rhoda　Gray's　face　was　grave。　　She　hesitated　for　a　moment。

〃I'll　have　to　know　more　than　that　before　I　can　answer　you；　Nan；〃
she　said。

〃It's　the　only　way　to　stop　it！〃　Gypsy　Nan　whispered　feverishly。
〃I　won't　split　on　my　pals　…　I　won't　…　I　won't！　　But　I　trust　you。
Will　you　promise　not　to　snitch　if　I　tell　you　how　to　stop　it；　even
if　you　don't　go　there　yourself？　　I'm　offering　you　a　chance　to　stop
a　twenty…thousand…dollar　haul。　　If　you　don't　promise　it's　got　to
go　through；　because　I've　got　to　stand　by　the　ones　that　were　in　it
with　me。　　I　…　I'd　like　to　make　good　…　just　…　once。　　But　I　can't　do
it　any　other　way。　　For　God's　sake；　you　see　that；　don't　you？〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Rhoda　Gray　in　a　low　voice；　〃but　the　promise　you　ask　for
is　the　same　as　though　I　promised　to　try　to　get　the　money　you　speak
of。　　If　I　knew　what　was　going　on；　and　did　nothing；　I　would　be　an
accomplice　to　the　crime；　and　guilty　myself。〃

〃But　I　can't　d