the white moll-第41章

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suppressed　groan。

〃I　don't　know　how　you　found　me；　but　get　away　at　once　…　for　God's
sake；　get　away！〃　he　cried。　　〃Danglar'll　be　here　at　any　minute。
It's　you　he　wants。　　He　thinks　you　know　where　some　…　some　jewels　are；
and　that　I　…　I　…〃

〃I　know　all　about　Danglar；〃　she　said　hurriedly。　　〃And　I　know　all
about　the　jewels；　for　I've　got　them　myself。〃

He　was　up　on　his　knees　now；　swaying　there。　　She　caught　at　his
shoulder　to　support　him。

〃You！〃　he　cried　out　incredulously。　　〃You　…　you've　got　them？　　Say
that　again！　　You　…　you've　…〃

〃Yes；〃　she　said；　and　with　an　effort　steadied　her　voice。　　He　…　he
was　a　thief。　　Cost　her　what　it　might；　with　all　its　bitter　hurt；
she　must　remember　that；　even　…　even　if　she　had　forgotten　once。
〃Yes；〃　she　said。　　〃And　I　mean　to　turn　them　over　to　the　police；　and
expose　every　one　of　Danglar's　gang。　　I　…　you　are　entitled　to　a
chance；　you　once　stood　between　me　and　the　police。　　I　can　do　no　less
by　you。　　I　couldn't　turn　the　police　loose　on　the　gang　without
giving　you　warning；　for；　you　see；　I　know　you　are　the　Pug。〃

〃Good　God！〃　he　stammered。　　〃You　know　that；　too？〃

〃Try　and　walk；〃　she　said　breathlessly。　　〃There　isn't　any　time。
And　once　you　are　away　from　here；　remember　that　when　Danglar　is　in
the　hands　of　the　police　he　will　take　the　only　chance　for　revenge　he
has　left；　and　give　the　police　all　the　information　he　can；　so　that
they　will　get　you　too。

He　stumbled　pitifully。

〃I　can't　walk　much　yet。〃　He　was　striving　to　speak　coolly。　　〃They
trussed　me　up　a　bit；　you　know　…　but　I'll　be　all　right　in　a　little
while　when　I　get　the　cramps　out　of　my　joints　and　the　circulation
back。　　And　so；　Miss　Gray；　won't　you　please　go　at　once？　　I'm　free
now；　and　I'll　manage　all　right；　and…〃

The　Sparrow　came　running　back　from　the　door。

〃They're　comm'！〃　he　said　excitedly。　　〃They're　comm'　from　a　different
way　than　we　came　in。　　I　saw　'em　sway　up　there　across　the　yard　for　a
second　when　they　showed　up　under　a　patch　of　light　from　an　arc　lamp
on　the　other　street。　　There's　three　of　'em。　　We。　got　about　a　couple
of　minutes；　and　…〃

〃Get　those　side　doors　open！　　Quick！　　And　no　noise！〃'　ordered　Rhoda
Gray　tersely。　　And　then　to　the　Adventurer：　〃Try　…　try　and　walk！
I'll　help　you。〃

The　Adventurer　made　a　desperate　attempt　at　a　few　steps。　　It　was
miserably　slow。　　At　that　rate　Danglar　would　be　upon　them　before
they　could　even　cross　the　shed　itself。

〃I　can　crawl　faster；〃　laughed　the　Adventurer　with　bitter
whimsicality。　　〃Give　me　your　revolver；　Miss　Gray；　and　you　two　go
…　and　God　bless　you！〃

The　Sparrow　was　opening　the　side　door；　but　she　realized　now　that
even　if　they　could　carry　the　Adventurer　they　could　not　get　away　in
time。　　Her　mind　itself　seemed　stunned　for　an　instant　…　and　then；　in
a　lightning　flash；　inspiration　came。　　She　remembered　that　iron
casting；　and　the　wharf；　and　the　other　side　of　the　shed　in　shadow。
It　was　desperate；　perhaps　almost　hopeless；　but　it　was　the　only　way
that　gave　the　Adventurer　a　chance　for　his　life。

She　spoke　rapidly。　　The　little　margin　of　time　they　had　must　be
narrowing　perilously。

〃Marty；　help　this　gentleman！　　Crawl　to　the　street；　if　you　have　to。
The　only　thing　is　that　you　are　not　to　make　the　slightest　noise；
and　…〃

〃What　are　you　going　to　do？〃　demanded　the　Adventurer　hoarsely。

〃I'm　going　to　take　the　only　chance　there　is　for　all　of　us；〃　she
answered。

She　started　toward　the　front　door　of　the　shed；　but　he　reached　out
and　held　her　back。

〃You　are　going　to　take　the　only　chance　there　is　for　me！〃　he　cried
brokenly。　　〃You're　going　out　there　…　where　they　are。　　Oh；　my　God！
I　know！　　You　love　me！　　I　…　I　was　only　half　conscious；　but　I　am　sure
you　kissed　me　a　little　while　ago。　　And　but　for　this　you　would　never
have　known　that　I　knew　it；　because；　please　God；　whatever　else　I　am；
I　am　not　coward　enough　to　take　that　advantage　of　you。　　But　I　love
you；　too！　　Rhoda！　　I　have　the　right　to　speak；　the　right　our　love
gives　me。　　You　are　not　to　go　…　that　way。　　Run　…　run　through　the　side
door　there　…　they　will　not　see　you。

She　was　trembling。　　Repudiate　her　love？　　Tell　him　there　could　be
nothing　between　them　because　he　was　a　thief？　　She　might　never　live
to　see　him　again。　　Her　soul　was　in　riot；　the　blood　flaming　hot　in
her　cheeks。　　He　was　clinging　to　her　arm。　　She　tore　herself　forcibly
away。　　The　seconds　were　counting　now。　　She　tried　to　bid　him　good…by；
but　the　words　choked　in　her　throat。　　She　found　herself　running　for
the　front　door。

〃Sparrow　…　quick！　　Do　as　I　told　you！〃　she　half　sobbed　over　her
shoulder　…　and　opening　the　door；　stepped　out　and　dosed　it　behind　her。


XX。　　A　LONE　HAND

And　now　Rhoda　Gray　was　in　the　radius　of　the　arc　lamp；　and　distinctly
visible　to　any　one　coming　down　the　yard。　　How　near　were　they？　　Yes；
she　saw　them　now　…　three　forms…perhaps　a　little　more　than　a　hundred
yards　away。　　She　moved　a　few　steps　deliberately　toward　them；　as
though　quite　unconscious　of　their　presence；　and　then；　as　a　shout
from　one　of　them　announced　that　she　was　seen；　she　halted；　hesitated
as　though　surprised；　terrified　and　uncertain；　and；　as　they　sprang
forward；　she　turned　and　ran　…　making　for　the　side　of　the　shed　away
from　the　side　door。

A　voice　rang　out　…　Danglar's：

〃By　God；　it's　the　White　Moll！〃

It　was　the　only　way！　　She　had　the　pack　in　cry　now。　　They　would　pay
no　attention　to　the　Adventurer　while　the　White　Moll　was　seemingly
almost　within　their　grasp。　　If　she　could　only　hold　them　now　for　a
little　while　…　just　a　little　while　…　the　Adventurer　wasn't　hurt
…　only　cramped　and　numbed　…　he　would　be　all　right　again　and　able
to　take　care　of　himself　in　a　little　while　…　and　meanwhile　the
Sparrow　would　help　him　to　get　away。

She　was　running　with　all　her　speed。　　She　heard　them　behind　her　…　the
pound；　pound；　pound　of　feet。　　She　had　gained　the　side　of　the　shed。
The　light　from　the　arc　lamp　was　shut　off　from　her　now；　and　they　would
only　be　able　to　see　her；　she　knew；　as　a　dim；　fleeting　shadow。　　Where
was　that　iron　casting？　　Pray　God；　it　was　heavy　enough；　and　pray　God；
it　was　not　too　heavy！　　Yes；　here　it　was！　　She　pretended　to　stumble
…　and　caught　the　thing　up　in　her　arms。　　An　exultant　cry　went　up
from　behind　her　as　she　appeared　to　fall　…　oaths；　a　chorus　of　them；
as　she　went　on　again。

They　had　not　gained　on　her　before；　but　with　the　weight　in　her　arms；
especially　as　she　was　obliged　to　carry　it　awkwardly　in　order　to
shield　it　from　their　view　with　her　body；　she　could　not　run　so　fast
now；　and　they　were　beginning　to　close　up　on　her。　　But　she　was　on　the
wharf　now；　and　there　was　not　much　farther　to　go；　and　…　and　surely
she　could　hold　all　the　lead　she　needed　until　she　reached　the　edge。

The　light　from　the　arc　lamp　held　her　in　view　again　out　here　on　the
wharf　where　she　was　clear　of　the　shed；　but　she　knew　they　would　not
fire　at　her　except　as　a　last　resort。　　They　could　not　afford　to　sound
an　alarm　that　would　attract　notice　to　the　spot　…　when　they　had；　or
believed　they　had；　both　the　Adventurer　and　the　White　Moll　within
their　grasp　now。

She　was　running　now　with　short；　hard；　panting　gasps。　　There　were
still　five　yards　to　go…three…one！　　She　looked　around　her　like　a
hunted　animal　at　bay；　as　she　reached　the　end　of　the　wharf　and　stood
there　poised　at　the　edge。　　Yes；　thank　God；　they　were　still　far
enough　behind　to　give　her　the　few　seconds　she　needed！　　She　cried
out　loudly　as　though　in　despair　and　terror　…　and　sprang　from　the
edge　of　the　wharf。　　And　as　she　sprang　she　dropped　the　casting；　but
even　as　it　struck　the　water　with　a　loud　splash；　Rhoda　Gray；　in
frantic　haste；　was　crawling　in　through　the　little　locker…like
opening　under　the　decked…over　bow　of　the　half　scow；　half　boat　into
which　she　had　leaped。　　And　quick　as　a　flash；　huddled　inside；　she
reached　out　and　drew　the　heap　of　what　proved　to　be　sailcloth　nearer
to　her　to　cover　the　opening…and　lay　still。

A　few　seconds　passed；　then　she　heard　them　at　the　edge　of　the　wharf；
and　heard　Danglar　s　voice。

〃Watch　where　she　comes　up！　　She　can't　get　away！〃

A　queer；　wan　smile　twisted　Rhoda　Gray's　lips。　　The　casting　had
served　her　well；　the　splash　had　been　loud　enough！　　She　listened；
straining　her　ears　to　catch　every　sound　from　above。　　It　was
miserably　small　this　hiding　place　into　which　she　had　crawled；
scarcely　large　enough　to　hold　her　…　she　was　beginning　to　be
painfully　cramped　and　uncomfortable　already。

Another　voice；　that　she　recognized　as　Pinkie　Bonn's　now；　reached
her：

〃It's　damned　hard　to　spot　anything　out　there；　the　water's　blacker'n
hell。〃

Came　a　savage　and　impatient　oath　from　Danglar。

〃She's　got　to　come　up；　ain't　she　…　or　drown！〃　he　rasped。　　〃Maybe
she's　swum　under　the　wharf；　or　maybe　she's　swum　under　water　far
enough　out　so's　we　can't　see　her　from　here。　　Anyway；　jump　into
that　boat　there；　and　we'll　paddle　around　till　we　get　her。〃

Rhoda　Gray　held　her　breath。　　The　boat　rocked　violently　as；　one　after
another；　the　men　jumped　into　it。　　Her　right　hand　was　doubled　under
her；　it　was　hard　to　reach　her　pocket　and　her　automatic。　　She　moved
a　little；　they　were　cursing；　splashing　with　their　oars；　making　too
much　noise　to　hear　any　slight　rustle　that　she　might　make。

A　minute；　two；　went　by。　　She　had　her　automatic　now；　and　she　lay
there；　grim…lipped；　waiting。　　Even　if　they　found　her　now；　she　had
her　own　way　out；　and　by　now；　beyond　any　question；　the　Adventurer
and　the　Sparrow　would　have　reached　the　street；　and；　even　if　they
had　to　hide　out　there　somewhere　until　the　Adventurer　had　recovered
the　use　of　his　limbs；　they　would　be　safe。

She　could　not　see；　of　course。　　Once　the　boat　bumped；　and　again。
They　were　probably　searching　around　under　the　wharf。　　She　could　not
hear　what　they　said；　for　they　were　keeping　quiet　now；　talking　in
whispers　…　so　as　not　to　give　her　warning　of　their　whereabouts
undoubtedly！

The　time　dragged　on。　　Her　cramped　position　was　bringing　her
excruciating　agony　now。　　She　could　understand　how　the　Adventurer；
in　far　worse　case　in　the　brutal　position　in　which　they　had　bound　him；
had　fainted。　　She　was　afraid　she　would　faint　herself　…　it　was　not
only　the　pain；　but　it　was　terribly　close　in　the　confined　space；　and
her　head　was　swimming。

Occasionally　the　oars　splashed；　and　then；　after　an　interminable
time；　the　men；　as　though　hopeless　of　success；　and　as　though　caution
were　no　longer　of　any　service；　began　to　talk　louder。

The　third　man　was　Shluker。　　She　recognized　his　voice；　too。

〃It's　no　use！〃　he　snarled。　　〃If　she's　a　good　swimmer；　she　could　get
across　the　river　easy。　　She's　got　away；　that's　sure。　　What　the　hell's
the　good　of　this？　　We're　playing　the　fool。　　Beat　it　back！　　She　was
nosing　around　the　shed。　　How　do　we　know　she　didn't　let　the　Pug　loose
before　we　saw　her？〃

Pinkie　Bonn　whined：

〃If　he's　gone　too；　we're　crimped！　　The　whole　works　is　bust　up！　　The
Pug　knows　everything；　where　our　money　is；　an'　everything。　　They'll
have　us　cold！〃

〃Close　your　face；　Pinkie！〃　It　was　Danglar　speaking；　his　voice　hoarse
with　uncontrollable　rage。　　〃Go　on　back；　then；　Shluker。　　Quick！〃

Rhoda　Gray　heard　the　hurried　splashing　of　the　oars　now；　and　presently
she　felt　the　bumping　of　the　boat　against　the　wharf；　and　its　violent
rocking　as　the　men　climbed　out　of　it　again。　　But　she　did　not　move
…　save　with　her　hand　to　push　the　folds　of　sailcloth　a　cautious