\"Acourtofjusticehasdecreedherguilty，\"heassertedonceagain，inhisponderousmanner。Hisemphasisindicatedthattheretheaffairended。
Demarestsmiledcynicallyashestrodetoandfro。
\"Nowadays，\"heshotout，\"wedon\'tcallthemcourtsofjustice:
wecallthemcourtsoflaw。\"
Gilderyieldedonlyaratherdubioussmileoverthequip。Thismuchhefeltthathecouldafford，sincethosesamecourtsservedhispersonalpurposeswellindeed。
\"Anyway，\"hedeclared，becominggenialagain，\"it\'soutofourhands。There\'snothingwecando，now。\"
\"Why，astothat，\"thelawyerreplied，withahintofhesitation，\"Iamnotsosure。Yousee，thefactofthematteristhat，thoughIhelpedtoprosecutethecase，Iamnotalittlebitproudoftheverdict。\"
Gilderraisedhiseyebrowsinunfeignedastonishment。Evenyet，hewasquitewithoutappreciationoftheattorney\'sfeelinginreferencetotheconductofthecase。
\"Why？\"hequestioned，sharply。
\"Because，\"thelawyersaid，againhaltingdirectlybeforethedesk，\"inspiteofalltheevidenceagainsther，IamnotsurethatMaryTurnerisguilty——farfromit，infact!\"
Gilderutteredanejaculationofcontempt，butDemarestwentonresolutely。
\"Anyhow，\"heexplained，\"thegirlwantstoseeyou，andIwishtourgeyoutograntheraninterview。\"
Gilderflaredatthissuggestion，andscowledwrathfullyonthelawyer，who，perhapswithprofessionalprudence，hadturnedawayinhisrapidpacingoftheroom。
\"What\'stheuse？\"Gilderstormed。Alatenthardnessrevealeditselfattheprospectofsuchavisitation。Andalongwiththishardnesscameanothersingularrevelationofthenatureoftheman。Fortherewasconsternationinhisvoice，ashecontinuedinvehementexpostulationagainsttheidea。Iftherewasharshnessinhisattitudetherewas，too，afugitivesuggestionoftendernessalarmedovertheprospectofundergoingsuchaninterviewwithawoman。
\"Ican\'thavehercryingallovertheofficeandbeggingformercy，\"heprotested，truculently。Butanoteoffearlayunderthepetulance。
Demarest\'sanswerwasgivenwithassurance\"
\"Youaremistakenaboutthat。Thegirldoesn\'tbegformercy。
Infact，that\'sthewholepointofthematter。Shedemandsjustice——strangeasthatmayseem，inacourtoflaw!——andnothingelse。Thetruthis，she\'saveryunusualgirl，alongwaybeyondtheordinarysales-girl，bothinbrainsandineducation。\"
\"Thelessreason，then，forherbeingathief，\"Gildergrumbledinhisheaviestvoice。
\"Andperhapsthelessreasonforbelievinghertobeathief，\"
thelawyerretorted，suavely。Hepausedforamoment，thenwenton。Therewasatoneofsinceredeterminationinhisvoice。
\"Justbeforethejudgeimposedsentence，heaskedherifshehadanythingtosay。Youknow，it\'sjustausualform——athingthatrarelymeansmuchofanything。Butthiscasewasdifferent，letmetellyou。Shesurprisedusallbyansweringatoncethatshehad。It\'sreallyapity，Gilder，thatyoudidn\'twait。Why，thatpoorgirlmadea——damn——finespeech!\"
Thelawyer\'sforensicaspirationsshowedinhishonestappreciationoftheeffectivenessofsuchoratoryfromtheheartashehadheardinthecourtroomthatday。
\"Pooh!pooh!\"camethequerulousobjection。\"Sheseemstohavehypnotizedyou。\"Then，asanewthoughtcametothemagnate，hespokewithatraceofanxiety。Therewerealwaysthereporters，lookingforspacetofillwithfoolishvaporings。
\"Didshesayanythingagainstme，orthestore？\"
\"Notaword，\"thelawyerreplied，gravely。Hissmileofappreciationwasdiscreetlysecret。\"Shemerelytoldushowherfatherdiedwhenshewassixteenyearsold。Shewascompelledafterthattoearnherownliving。Thenshetoldhowshehadworkedforyouforfiveyearssteadily，withoutthereeverbeingasinglethingagainsther。Shesaid，too，thatshehadneverseenthethingsfoundinherlocker。Andshesaidmorethanthat!Sheaskedthejudgeifhehimselfunderstoodwhatitmeansforagirltobesentencedtoprisonforsomethingshehadn\'tdone。Somehow，Gilder，thewayshetalkedhaditseffectoneverybodyinthecourtroom。Iknow!It\'smybusinesstounderstandthingslikethat。Andwhatshesaidrangtrue。Whatshesaid，andthewayshesaidit，takebrainsandcourage。Theordinarycrookhasneither。So，Ihadasuspicionthatshemightbespeakingthetruth。Yousee，Gilder，itallrangtrue!Andit\'smybusinesstoknowhowthingsringinthatway。\"Therewasalittlepause，whilethelawyermovedbackandforthnervously。
Then，headded:\"IbelieveLawlorwouldhavesuspendedsentenceifithadn\'tbeenforyourtalkwithhim。\"
TherewerenotwantingsignsthatGilderwasimpressed。Butthegentlerfibersofthemanwereatrophiedbythehabitsofalifetime。Whathearthehadoncepossessedhadbeenburiedinthegraveofhisyoungwife，toberesurrectedonlyforhisson。
Inmostthings，hewasconsistentlyahardman。Sincehehadnoimagination，hecouldhavenorealsympathy。
Hewhirledaboutinhisswivelchair，andblewacloudofsmokefromhismouth。Whenhespoke，hisvoicewasdeeplyresonant。
\"Isimplydidmyduty，\"hesaid。\"YouareawarethatIdidnotseekanyconsultationwithJudgeLawlor。Hesentforme，andaskedmewhatIthoughtaboutthecase——whetherIthoughtitwouldberighttoletthegirlgoonasuspendedsentence。I
toldhimfranklythatIbelievedthatanexampleshouldbemadeofher，forthesakeofotherswhomightbetemptedtosteal。
Propertyhassomerights，Demarest，althoughitseemstobegettingnowadayssothatanybodyislikelytodenyit。\"Thenthefretful，half-alarmednotesoundedinhisvoiceagain，ashecontinued:\"Ican\'tunderstandwhythegirlwantstoseeme。\"
Thelawyersmileddryly，sincehehadhisbackturnedatthemoment。
\"Why，\"hevouchsafed，\"shejustsaidthat，ifyouwouldseeherfortenminutes，shewouldtellyouhowtostopthetheftsinthisstore。\"
Gilderdisplayedsignsoftriumph。Hebroughthischairtoalevelandpoundedthedeskwithaweightyfist。
\"There!\"hecried。\"Iknewit。Thegirlwantstoconfess。
Well，it\'sthefirstsignofdecentfeelingshe\'sshown。I
supposeitoughttobeencouraged。Probablytherehavebeenothersmixedupinthis。\"
Demarestattemptednodenial。
\"Perhaps，\"headmitted，thoughhespokealtogetherwithoutconviction。\"But，\"hecontinuedinsinuatingly，\"atleastitcandonoharmifyouseeher。Ithoughtyouwouldbewilling，soI
spoketotheDistrictAttorney，andhehasgivenorderstobringherhereforafewminutesonthewaytotheGrandCentralStation。They\'retakingheruptoBurnsing，youknow。Iwish，Gilder，youwouldhavealittletalkwithher。Noharminthat!\"
Withthesaying，thelawyerabruptlywentoutoftheoffice，leavingtheownerofthestorefuming。
CHAPTERIV。KISSESANDKLEPTOMANIA。
\"Hello，Dad!\"
Aftertheattorney\'sdeparture，Gilderhadbeenratherfussilygoingoversomeofthepapersonhisdesk。Hewasexperiencingavaguefeelingofinjuryonaccountofthelawyer\'sill-veiledeffortstoarousehissympathyinbehalfoftheaccusedgirl。Intheinstinctofstrengtheninghimselfagainstthepossibilityofyieldingtowhathedeemedweakness，themagnaterehearsedthefactsthatjustifiedhisintolerance，and，indeed，sooncametogloatingovertheadmirablemannerinwhichrighteousnessthrivesintheworld。Anditwasthenthataninterruptioncameintheutteranceoftwowords，wordsofaffection，oflove，criedoutintheonevoicehemostlongedtohear——forthevoicewasthatofhisson。Yet，hedidnotlookup。Thethingwasaltogetherimpossible!Theboywasphilandering，junketing，somewhereontheRiviera。Hisfirstintimationastotheexactplacewouldcomeintheformofacableaskingformoney。Somehow，hisfeelingshadbeenundulystirredthatmorning；hehadgrownsentimental，dreamingofpleasantthings……Allthisinasecond。Then，helookedup。Why，itwastrue!ItwasDick\'sfacethere，smilinginthedoorway。Yes，itwasDick，itwasDickhimself!Gildersprangtohisfeet，hisfacesuddenlygrownyounger，radiant。
\"Dick!\"Thebigvoicewassoftenedtoexquisitetenderness。
Astheeyesofthetwomet，theboyrushedforward，andinthenextmomentthehandsoffatherandsonclaspedfirmly。Theyweresilentinthefirstemotionoftheirgreeting。Presently，Gilderspoke，withanefforttowardharshnessinhisvoicetomaskhowmuchhewasshaken。Butthetonesrangmorekindlythananyhehadusedformanyaday，tremulouswithaffection。
\"Whatbroughtyouback？\"hedemanded。
Dick，too，hadfeltthetensionofanemotionfarbeyondthatoftheusualthings。Hewasforcedtoclearhisthroatbeforeheansweredwiththatassumptionofnonchalancewhichheregardedasbefittingtheoccasion。
\"Why，Ijustwantedtocomebackhome，\"hesaid；lightly。A
suddenrecollectioncametogivehimpoiseinthistimeofemotionaldisturbance，andheaddedhastily:\"And，fortheloveofheaven，giveSadiefivedollars。Iborroweditfromhertopaythetaxi\'。Yousee，Dad，I\'mbroke。\"
\"Ofcourse!\"Withthesaying，EdwardGilderroaredGargantuanlaughter。Intheburstofmerriment，hispentfeelingsfoundtheirvent。Hewasstillchucklingwhenhespoke，sagefrommuchexperienceofoceantravel。\"Pokerontheship，Isuppose。\"
Theyoungman，too，smiledreminiscentlyasheanswered:
\"No，notthat，thoughIdidhavealittleruninatMonteCarlo。
Butitwastheshipthatfinishedme，atthat。Yousee，Dad，theyhiredCaptainKiddandabunchofpiratesasstewards，andwhattheydidtolittleRichardwassomethingfierce。Andyet，thatwasn\'ttherealtrouble，either。Thefactis，Ijustnaturallywentbroke。Notahardthingtodoontheotherside。\"
\"Noronthis，\"thefatherinterjected，dryly。
\"Anyhow，itdoesn\'tmattermuch，\"Dickreplied，quiteunabashed。
\"Tellme，Dad，howgoesit？\"
Gildersettledhimselfagaininhischair，andgazedbenignantlyonhisson。
\"Prettywell，\"hesaidcontentedly；\"prettywell，son。I\'mgladtoseeyouhomeagain，myboy。\"Therewasagreattendernessintheusuallyrathercoldgrayeyes。
Theyoungmanansweredpromptly，withdelightinhismannerofspeech，andasinceritythatrevealedtheunderlyingmeritofhisnature。
\"AndI\'mgladtobehome，Dad，tobe\"——therewasagainthatclearingofthethroat，buthefinishedbravely——\"withyou。\"
Thefatheravoidedathreateningdisplayofemotionbyanabruptchangeofsubjecttothetrite。
\"Haveagoodtime？\"heinquiredcasually，whilefumblingwiththepapersonthedesk。
Dick\'sfacebrokeinasmileofreminiscenthappiness。
\"Thetimeofmyyounglife!\"Hepaused，andthesmilebroadened。
Therewasamightyenthusiasminhisvoiceashecontinued:\"I
tellyou，Dad，it\'safactthatIdidalmostbreakthebankatMonteCarlo。I\'dhavedoneitsure，ifonlymymoneyhadheldout。\"
\"ItseemstomethatI\'veheardsomethingofthesortbefore，\"
wasGilder\'scausticcomment。Buthissmilewasstillwhollysympathetic。Hetookacuriousvicariousdelightintheescapadesofhisson，probablybecausehehimselfhadcommittednofolliesinhiscallowdays。\"Whydidn\'tyoucableme？\"heasked，puzzledatsuchrestraintonthepartofhisson。
Dickansweredwithsimplesincerity。
\"Becauseitgavemeacapitalexcuseforcominghome。\"
ItwasSarahwhoaffordedadiversion。ShehadknownDickwhilehewasyetachild，hadboughthimcandy，hadfelttowardhimamaternallikingthatincreasedratherthandiminishedashegrewtomanhood。Now，herfacelightedatsightofhim，andshesmiledawelcome。
\"Iseeyouhavefoundhim，\"shesaid，witharippleoflaughter。
Dickwelcomedthisinterruptionofthegravermood。
\"Sadie，\"hesaid，withamanneroftheutmostseriousness，\"youarelookingfinerthanever。Andhowthinyouhavegrown!\"
Thegirl，eagerwithfondfanciestowardtheslenderideal，acceptedthecomplimentliterally。
\"Oh，Mr。Dick!\"sheexclaimed，rapturously。\"HowmuchdoyouthinkIhavelost？\"
ThewhimsicalheirofthehouseofGildersurveyedhisvictimcritically，thenspokewithjudicialsolemnity。
\"Abouttwoounces，Sadie。\"
TherecamealookofdeephurtonSadie\'sfaceattheflippantjest，whichDickhimselfwasquicktonote。
Hehadnotguessedshewasthusacutelysensitiveconcerningherplumpness。Instantly，hewasallcontritionoverhisunwittingoffenseinflictedonherwomanlyvanity。
\"Oh，I\'msorry，Sadie，\"heexclaimedpenitently。\"Pleasedon\'tbereallyangrywithme。Ofcourse，Ididn\'tmean——\"
\"Totwitonfacts!\"thesecretaryinterrupted，bitterly。
\"Pooh!\"Dickcried，craftily。\"Youaren\'tplumpenoughtobesensitiveaboutit。Why，you\'rejustright。\"Therewassomethingveryboyishabouthismanner，ashecaughtatthegirl\'sarm。Amemoryofthedayswhenshehadcuddledhimcausedhimtospeakwarmly，forgettingthepresenceofhisfather。
\"Now，don\'tbeangry，Sadie。Justgivemealittlekiss，asyouusedtodo。\"Hesweptherintohisarms，andhislipsmethersinaheartycaress。\"There!\"hecried。\"Justtoshowthere\'snoillfeeling。\"
Thegirlwascompletelymollified，thoughinmuchembarrassment。
\"Why，Mr。Dick!\"shestammered，inconfusion。\"Why，Mr。Dick!\"
Gilder，whohadwatchedthesceneingreatastonishment，nowinterposedtoendit。
\"Stop，Dick!\"hecommanded，crisply。\"YouareactuallymakingSarahblush。Ithinkthat\'saboutenough，son。\"
Butasuddenunaccustomedgustofaffectionswirledinthebreastofthelad。PlainAnglo-Saxonashewas，withallthatimpliesastotheavoidanceofdisplaysofemotion，neverthelesshehadbeenforalongtimeinlandsfarfromhome，wherethehabitsofimpulsiveandaffectionatepeopleswereradicallyunlikeourownaustererforms。Sonow，underthespurofanimpulsesuggestedbythedalliancewiththebuxomsecretary，hegrinnedwidelyandwenttohisfather。
\"Alittlekissneverhurtsanyone，\"hedeclared，blithely。Thenheaddedvivaciously:\"Here，I\'llshowyou!\"
Withthewords，heclaspedhisarmsaroundhisfather\'sneck，and，beforethatamazedgentlemancouldunderstandhispurpose，hehadkissedsoundlyfirsttheonecheekandthentheother，eachwithahearty，wholesomesmackoffilialpiety。Thisdone，hestoodback，stillbeaminghappily，whiletheastoundedSarahtitteredbewilderedly。Forhisownpart，Dickwasquiteunashamed。Helovedhisfather。Foronce，hehadexpressedthatfondnessinaprimitivefashion，andhewasglad。
Theoldermanwithdrewastep，andthererestedmotionless，undertheswayofanemotionakintodismay。Hestoodstaringintentlyathissonwithaperplexityinhisexpressionthatwasalmostludicrous。When，atlast，hespoke，hisvoicewasarumbleofstrangelyshypleasure。
\"Godblessmysoul!\"heexclaimed，violently。Thenheraisedahand，andrubbedfirstonecheek，andafterititsfellow，withagentlenessthatwassignificant。Thefeelingprovokedbytheembraceshowedplainlyinhisnextwords。\"Why，that\'sthefirsttimeyouhavekissedme，Dick，sinceyouwerealittleboy。Godblessmysoul!\"herepeated。Andnowtherewasanoteofjubilation。
Theson，somewhatdisturbedbythisemotionhehadaroused，neverthelessansweredfranklywiththeexpressionofhisownfeeling，asheadvancedandlaidahandonhisfather\'sshoulder。
\"Thefactis，Dad，\"hesaidquietly，withasmilethatwasgoodtosee，\"Iamawfullygladtoseeyouagain。\"
\"Areyou，son？\"thefathercriedhappily。Then，abruptlyhismannerchanged，forhefelthimselfperilouslyclosetothemaudlininthisnewyieldingtosentimentality。Suchkissesoftenderness，howeveragreeableinthemselves，werehardlyfittingtooneofhisdignity。\"Youclearoutofhere，boy，\"hecommanded，brusquely。\"I\'maworkingman。Buthere，waitaminute，\"headded。Hebroughtforthfromapocketaneatsheafofbanknotes，whichheheldout。\"There\'scarfareforyou，\"hesaidwithachuckle。\"Andnowclearout。I\'llseeyouatdinner。\"
Dickbestowedthemoneyinhispocket，andagainturnedtowardthedoor。
\"Youcanalwaysgetridofmeonthesameterms，\"heremarkedslyly。Andthentheyoungmangaveevidencethathe，too，hadsomeofhisfather\'sabilityinthingsfinancial。For，inthedoorwayheturnedwithafinalspeech，whichwasutteredinsplendiddisregardforthepacketofmoneyhehadjustreceived——perhaps，rather，inasplendidregardforit。\"Oh，Dad，pleasedon\'tforgettogiveSadiethatfivedollarsI
borrowedfromherforthetaxi\'。\"Andwiththatimpertinentreminderhewasgone。
Theownerofthestorereturnedtohislaborswithanewzest，forthemeetingwithhissonhadputhiminhighspirits。
PerhapsitmighthavebeenbetterforMaryTurnerhadshecometohimjustthen，whilehewasyetinthissoftenedmood。Butfatehadordainedthatothereventsshouldrestorehimtohisusualharderselfbeforetheirinterview。Theeffectwas，indeed，presentlyaccomplishedbytheadventofSmithsonintotheoffice。
Heenteredwithanexpressionofdiscomfitureonhisrathervacuouscountenance。Hewalkedalmostnimblytothedeskandspokewithevidentdistress，ashisemployerlookedupinterrogatively。
\"McCrackenhasdetained——er——a——lady，sir，\"hesaid，feebly。
\"Shehasbeensearched，andwehavefoundaboutahundreddollarsworthoflacesonher。\"
\"Well？\"Gilderdemanded，impatiently。Suchaffairsweretoocommoninthestoretomakenecessarythisintrusionofthematteronhim。\"Whydidyoucometomeaboutit？\"Hisstaffknewjustwhattodowithshoplifters。
Atonce，Smithsonbecameapologetic，whilerefusingtoretreat。
\"I\'mverysorry，sir，\"hesaidhaltingly，\"butIthoughtitwiser，sir，to——er——tobringthemattertoyourpersonalattention。\"
\"Quiteunnecessary，Smithson，\"Gilderreturned，withasperity。
\"Youknowmyviewsonthesubjectofproperty。TellMcCrackentohavethethiefarrested。\"
Smithsonclearedhisthroatdoubtfully，andinhisstressoffeelingheevenrelaxedatriflethatmajesticalerectnessofcarriagethathadmadehimsovaluableasafloor-walker。
\"She\'snotexactlya——er——athief，\"heventured。
\"Youaretrifling，Smithson，\"theownerofthestoreexclaimed，inhighexasperation。\"Notathief!Andyoucaughtherwithahundreddollarsworthoflacesthatshehadn\'tbought。Notathief!Whatinheaven\'snamedoyoucallher，then？\"
\"Akleptomaniac，\"Smithsonexplained，retaininghismannerofmildinsistence。\"Yousee，sir，it\'sthisway。TheladyhappenstobethewifeofJ。W。Gaskell，thebanker，youknow。\"
Yes，Gilderdidknow。Thementionofthenamewaslikeaspellintheeffectitwroughtontheattitudeoftheirritatedownerofthestore。Instantly，hisexpressionchanged。Whilebeforehisfeatureshadbeensetgrimly，whilehiseyeshadflashedwrathfully，therewasnowonlyannoyanceoveraneventmarkedlyunfortunate。
\"Howextremelyawkward!\"hecried；andtherewasaveryrealconcerninhisvoice。HeregardedSmithsonkindly，whereatthatratherpulinggentlemanonceagainassumedhismartialbearing。
\"Youwerequiterightincomingtome。\"Foramomenthewassilent，plungedinthought。Finallyhespokewiththedecisivenesscharacteristicofhim。\"Ofcourse，there\'snothingwecando。Justputthestuffbackonthecounter，andlethergo。\"
ButSmithsonhadnotyetwhollyunburdenedhimself。Insteadofimmediatelyleavingtheroominpursuanceofthesuccinctinstructionsgivenhim，heagainclearedhisthroatnervously，andmadeknownafurtheraggravatingfactorinthesituation。
\"She\'sveryangry，Mr。Gilder，\"heannounced，timidly。
\"She——er——shedemandsan——er——anapology。\"
Theownerofthestorehalf-rosefromhischair，thenthrewhimselfbackwithanexclamationofdisgust。Heagainejaculatedthewordswithwhichhehadgreetedhisson\'sunexpectedkisses，butnowtherewasavastdifferenceintheintonation。
\"Godblessmysoul!\"hecried。Fromhisexpression，itwasclearthatapiousaspirationwasfarthestfromhisthought。Onthecontrary!Again，hefellsilent，consideringthesituationwhichSmithsonhadpresented，and，ashereflected，hisfrownbetrayedtheemotionnaturalenoughunderthecircumstances。Atlast，however，hemasteredhisirritationtosomedegree，andspokehiscommandbriefly。\"Well，Smithson，apologizetoher。Itcan\'tbehelped。\"Thenhisfacelightedwithasardonicamusement。\"And，Smithson，\"hewentonwithasortofelephantineplayfulness，\"I
shalltakeitasapersonalfavorifyouwilltactfullyadvisetheladythatthegoodsatAltmanandStern\'sarereallyevenfinerthanours。\"
WhenSmithsonhadlefttheoffice，Gilderturnedtohissecretary。
\"Takethis，\"hedirected，andheforthwithdictatedthefollowinglettertothehusbandoftheladywhowasnotathief，asSmithsonhadsopainstakinglypointedout:
\"J。W。GASKELL，ESQ。，\"CentralNationalBank，NewYork。
\"MYDEARMr。GASKELL:IfeelthatIshouldbedoinglessthanmydutyasamanifIdidnotletyouknowatoncethatMrs。Gaskellisinurgentneedofmedicalattention。Shecameintoourstoreto-day，and——\"
Hepausedforamoment。\"No，putitthisway，\"hesaidfinally:
\"Wefoundherwanderingaboutourstoreto-dayinaverynervouscondition。Inherexcitement，shecarriedawayaboutonehundreddollars\'worthofrarelaces。Notrecognizingher，ourstoredetectivedetainedherforashorttime。Fortunatelyforusall，Mrs。Gaskellwasabletoexplainwhoshewas，andshehasjustgonetoherhome。HopingforMrs。Gaskell\'sspeedyrecovery，andwithallgoodwishes，Iam，\"Yoursverytruly。\"
Yet，thoughhehadcompletedtheletter，Gilderdidnotatoncetakeupanotherdetailofhisbusiness。Instead，heremainedplungedinthought，andnowhisfrownwasoneofsimplebewilderment。Anumberofminutespassedbeforehespoke，andthenhiswordsrevealeddistinctlywhathadbeenhistrainofmeditation。
\"Sadie，\"hesaidinavoiceofentiresincerity，\"Ican\'tunderstandtheft。It\'sathingabsolutelybeyondmycomprehension。\"
Ontheheelsofthisingenuousdeclaration，Smithsonenteredtheoffice，andthatexcellentgentlemanappearedevenmoreperturbedthanbefore。
\"Whatonearthisthematternow？\"Gilderspluttered，suspiciously。
\"It\'sMrs。Gaskellstill，\"Smithsonrepliedingreattrepidation。
\"Shewantsyoupersonally，Mr。Gilder，toapologizetoher。Shesaysthattheactiontakenagainstherisanoutrage，andsheisnotsatisfiedwiththeapologiesofalltherestofus。Shesaysyoumustmakeone，too，andthatthestoredetectivemustbedischargedforintolerableinsolence。\"
Gilderbouncedupfromhischairangrily。
\"I\'llbedamnedifI\'lldischargeMcCracken，\"hevociferated，glaringonSmithson，whoshrankvisibly。
Butthatmildandmeekmanhadacertainstrengthofpertinacity。
Besides，inthiscase，hehadbeenhavingmultitudinoustroublesofhisown，whichcouldbeendedonlybyhisemployer\'splacatingoftheoffendedkleptomaniac。
\"Butabouttheapology，Mr。Gilder，\"hereminded，speakingverydeferentially，yetwithinsistence。
Businessinstincttriumphedoverthemagnate\'sirritation，andhisfacecleared。
\"Oh，I\'llapologize，\"hesaidwithawrysmileofdiscomfiture。
\"I\'llmakethingsevenupabitwhenIgetanapologyfromGaskell。Ishrewdlysuspectthatthatestimablegentlemanisgoingtoeathumblepie，ofmybaking，fromhiswife\'srecipe。
Andhiswillbeanhonestapology——whichminewon\'t，notbyadamnedsight!\"Withthewords，helefttheroom，inhiswakeahugelyrelievedSmithson。
Aloneintheoffice，Sarahneglectedherworkforafewminutestobroodoverthestartlingcontrastofeventsthathadjustforceditselfonherattention。Shewasnotagirlgiventotheanalysisofeitherpersonsorthings，butinthisinstancethemovementofaffairshadcomeclosetoher，andshewascompelledtosomedepthoffeelingbythetwoaspectsoflifeonwhichto-dayshelooked。Intheonecase，assheknewit，agirlundertheurgeofpovertyhadstolen。Thatthiefhadbeenpromptlyarrested，finallyshehadbeentried，hadbeenconvicted，hadbeensentencedtothreeyearsinprison。Intheothercase，awomanofwealthhadstolen。Therehadbeennopunishment。A
euphemismofkleptomaniahadbeenofferedandacceptedassufficientexcuseforhercrime。Apoliteliehadbeenwrittentoherhusband，abankerofpowerinthecity。Toher，theproprietorofthestorewasevennowapologizingincourteousphrasesofregret……AndMaryTurnerhadbeensentencedtothreeyearsinprison。Sadieshookherheadindolorousdoubt，assheagainbentoverthekeysofhertypewriter。Certainly，somehappeningsinthisworldofoursdidnotseemquitefair。
CHAPTERV。THEVICTIMOFTHELAW。
ItwasonthissamedaythatSarah，ononeofhernumeroustripsthroughthestoreinbehalfofGilder，wasaccostedbyasalesgirl，whosename，HelenMorris，shechancedtoknow。Itwasinaspotsomewhereoutofthecrowd，sothatforthemomentthetwowerepracticallyalone。ThesalesgirlshowedsignsofembarrassmentassheventuredtolayadetaininghandonSarah\'sarm，butshemaintainedherposition，despitethesecretary\'smannerofdisapproval。
\"Whatonearthdoyouwant？\"Sarahinquired，snappishly。
Thesalesgirlputherquestionatonce。
\"WhatdidtheydotoMaryTurner？\"
\"Oh，that!\"thesecretaryexclaimed，withincreasedimpatienceoverthedelay，forshewasverybusy，asalways。\"Youwillallknowsoonenough。\"
\"Tellmenow。\"Thevoiceofthegirlwassingularlycompelling；
therewassomethingvividlyimpressiveaboutherjustnow，thoughherpallid，prematurelymaturefaceandthethinfigureintheregulationblackdressandwhiteapronshowedordinarilyonlyinsignificant。\"Tellmenow，\"sherepeated，withamonotonousemphasisthatsomehowmovedSarahtoobedienceagainstherwill，greatlytoherownsurprise。
\"Theysenthertoprisonforthreeyears，\"sheanswered，sharply。
\"Threeyears？\"Thesalesgirlhadrepeatedthewordsinatonethatwasindefinable，yetatonevehementinitsincredulousquestioning。\"Threeyears？\"shesaidagain，asonerefusingtobelieve。
\"Yes，\"Sarahsaid，impressedbythegirl\'searnestness；\"threeyears。\"
\"GoodGod!\"Therewasnoirreverenceintheexclamationthatbrokefromthegirl\'slips。Instead，onlyatensehorrorthattouchedtotherootsofemotion。
Sarahregardedthisdisplayoffeelingonthepartoftheyoungwomanbeforeherwithanincreasingastonishment。Itwasnotinherownnaturetobedemonstrative，andsuchstrongexpressionofemotionasthisshedeemedrathersuspicious。Sherecalled，inaddition，thefactthathiswasnotthefirsttimethatHelenMorrishadshownaparticularinterestinthefateofMaryTurner。Sarahwonderedwhy。
\"Say，\"shedemanded，withthedirectnesshabitualtoher，\"whyareyousoanxiousaboutit？ThisisthethirdtimeyouhaveaskedmeaboutMaryTurner。What\'sittoyou，I\'dliketoknow？\"
Thesalesgirlstartedviolently，andadeepflushdrovetheaccustomedpallorfromhercheeks。Shewasobviouslymuchdisturbedbythequestion。
\"Whatisittome？\"sherepeatedinanefforttogaintime。
\"Why，nothing——nothingatall!\"Herexpressionofdistresslightenedalittleasshehitonanexcusethatmightservetojustifyherinterest。\"Nothingatall，only——she\'safriendofmine，agreatfriendofmine。Oh，yes!\"Then，inaninstant，thelookofreliefvanished，asonceagaintheterriblerealityhammeredonherconsciousness，andanoverwhelmingdejectionshowedinthedulleyesandinthedroopingcurvesofthewhitelips。Therewasamonotoneofdesolationasshewentonspeakinginawhispermeantfortheearsofnoother。\"It\'sawful——threeyears!Oh，Ididn\'tunderstand!It\'sawful!——awful!\"Withthefinalword，shehurriedoff，herheadbowed。Shewasstillmurmuringbrokenly，incoherently。Herwholeattitudewasofwonderinggrief。
Sarahstaredafterthegirlincompletemystification。Shecouldnotatfirstguessanypossiblecauseforanemotionsopoignant。
Presently，however，hershrewd，thoughveryprosaic，commonsensesuggestedasimpleexplanationofthegirl\'sextraordinarydistress。
\"I\'llbetthatgirlhasbeentemptedtosteal。Butshedidn\'t，becauseshewasafraid。\"Withthissatisfactoryconclusionofherwonderment，thesecretaryhurriedonherway，quitecontent。
Itneveroccurredtoherthatthegirlmighthavebeentemptedtosteal——andhadnotresistedthetemptation。
ItwasonaccountofthisbriefconversationwiththesalesgirlthatSarahwasthinkingintentlyofMaryTurner，afterherreturntotheoffice，fromwhichGilderhimselfhappenedtobeabsentforthemoment。Asthesecretaryglancedupattheopeningofthedoor，shedidnotatfirstrecognizethefigureoutlinedthere。SherememberedMaryTurnerasatall，slendergirl，whoshowedanunderlyingvitalityineverymovement，agirlwithafaceofregularfeatures，inwhichwasacomplexionofblendedmilkandroses，witharadiantjoyoflifeshiningthroughallherarduousandvulgarconditions。Insteadofthis，now，shesawafrailformthatstoodswayingintheopeningofthedoorway，thatbentinasinisterfashionwhichtoldofbodilyimpotence，whilethefacewasquitebloodless。And，too，therewasoverallelseapallofhelplessness——helplessnessthathadenduredmuch，andmuststillendureinfinitelymore。
Asareinforcementofthedreadimportofthatfigureofwo，amanstoodbesideit，andoneofhishandswasclaspedaroundthegirl\'swrist，amanwhoworehisderbyhatsomewhatfarbackonhisbullet-shapedhead，whosefeetwereconspicuousinshoeswithveryheavysolesandverysquaretoes。
Itwasthemanwhonowtookchargeofthesituation。Cassidy，fromHeadquarters，spokeinarough，indifferentvoice，wellsuitedtohisappearanceofstolidstrength。
\"TheDistrictAttorneytoldmetobringthisgirlhereonmywaytotheGrandCentralStationwithher。\"
Sarahgottoherfeetmechanically。Somehow，fromtheraucousnotesofthepoliceman\'svoice，sheunderstoodinaflashofilluminationthatthepitifulfigurethereinthedoorwaywasthatofMaryTurner，whomshehadrememberedsodifferent，sofrightfullydifferent。Shespokewithamiserableefforttowardherusualliveliness。
\"Mr。Gilderwillberightback。Comeinandwait。\"Shewishedtosaysomethingmore，somethingofwelcomeorofmourning，tothegirlthere，butshefoundherselfincapableofasinglewordforthemoment，andcouldonlystanddumbwhilethemansteppedforward，withhischargefollowinghelplesslyinhisclutch。
Thetwowentforwardveryslowly，theofficer，carelesslyconsciousofhisduty，walkingwithawkwardstepstosuitthefeeblemovementsofthegirl，thegirllettingherselfbedraggedonward，awareofthefutilityofanyresistancetotheinexorablepowerthatnowhadherinitsgrip，ofwhichthemanwasthepresentagent。Asthepaircamethusfalteringlyintothecenteroftheroom，Sarahatlastfoundhervoiceforanexpressionofsympathy。
\"I\'msorry，Mary，\"shesaid，hesitatingly。\"I\'mterriblysorry，terriblysorry!\"
Thegirl，whohadhaltedwhentheofficerhalted，asamatterofcourse，didnotlookup。Shestoodstill，swayingalittleasiffromweakness。Hervoicewaslifeless。
\"Areyou？\"shesaid。\"Ididnotknow。NobodyhasbeennearmethewholetimeIhavebeenintheTombs。\"Therewasinfinitepathosinthetonesassherepeatedthewordssofraughtwithdreadfulness。\"Nobodyhasbeennearme!\"
Thesecretaryfeltasuddenglowofshame。Sherealizedthejusticeofthatunconsciousaccusation，for，tillto-day，shehadhadnothoughtofthesufferinggirlthereintheprison。Toassuageremorse，shesoughttogiveevidenceastoaprevalentsympathy。
\"Why，\"sheexclaimed，\"therewasHelenMorristo-day!Shehasbeenaskingaboutyouagainandagain。She\'sallbrokenupoveryourtrouble。\"
Buttheeffortonthesecretary\'spartwaswhollywithoutsuccess。
\"WhoisHelenMorris？\"thelifelessvoicedemanded。Therewasnointerestinthequestion。
Sarahexperiencedamomentaryastonishment，forshewasstillrememberingthefeverishexcitementdisplayedbythesalesgirl，whohaddeclaredherselftobeamostintimatefriendoftheconvict。Butthemysterywastoremainunsolved，sinceGildernowenteredtheoffice。Hewalkedwiththequick，bustlingactivitythatwasordinarilyexpressedinhiseverymovement。Hepausedforaninstant，ashebeheldthetwovisitorsinthecenteroftheroom，thenhespokecurtlytothesecretary，whilecrossingtohischairatthedesk。
\"Youmaygo，Sarah。IwillringwhenIwishyouagain。\"
Therefollowedanintervalofsilence，whilethesecretarywasleavingtheofficeandthegirlwithherwarderstoodwaitingonhispleasure。Gilderclearedhisthroattwiceinanembarrassmentforeigntohim，beforefinallyhespoketothegirl。Atlast，theproprietorofthestoreexpressedhimselfinavoiceofgenuinesympathy，forthespectacleofwopresentedtherebeforehisveryeyesmovedhimtoarealdistress，sinceitwasindeedactual，somethingthatdidnotdependonanappreciationtobedevelopedoutofimagination。
\"Mygirl，\"Gildersaidgently——hishardvoicewassoftenedbyanhonestregret——\"mygirl，Iamsorryaboutthis。\"
\"Youshouldbe!\"cametheinstantanswer。Yet，thewordswereutteredwithatotallackofemotion。Itseemedfromtheirintonationthatthespeakervoicedmerelyastatementconcerningareconditematteroftruth，withwhichsentimenthadnothingwhatevertodo。Buttheeffectontheemployerwasunfortunate。
Itarousedatoncehisantagonismagainstthegirl。Hisinstinctofsympathywithwhichhehadgreetedherattheoutsetwasrepelled，andmadeofnoavail。Worse，itwastransformedintoanemotionhostiletotheonewhothusoffendedhimbyrejectionofthewell-meantkindlinessofhisaddress\"Come，come!\"heexclaimed，testily。\"That\'snotonetotakewithme。\"
\"Why？Whatsortoftonedoyouexpectmetotake？\"wastheretortinthelistlessvoice。Yet，now，inthedullnessranafaintsuggestionofsomethingsinister。
\"Iexpectedadecentamountofhumilityfromoneinyourposition，\"wasthetartrejoinderofthemagnate。
Lifequickenedswiftlyinthedroopingformofthegirl。Hermusclestensed。Shestoodsuddenlyerect，inthevigorofheryouthagain。Herfacelostinthesameseconditsbleaknessofpallor。Theeyesopenedwidely，withstartlingabruptness，andlookedstraightintothoseofthemanwhohademployedher。
\"Wouldyoubehumble，\"shedemanded，andnowhervoicewasbecomesoftlymusical，yetforbidding，too，withanoteofpassion，\"wouldyoubehumbleifyouweregoingtoprisonforthreeyears——forsomethingyoudidn\'tdo？\"
Therewasanguishinthecrytornfromthegirl\'sthroatinthesuddenaccessofdespair。ThewordsthrilledGilderbeyondanythingthathehadsupposedpossibleinsuchcase。Hefoundhimselfinthisemergencytotallyataloss，andmovedinhischairdoubtfully，wishingtosaysomething，andquiteunable。Hewasstillseekingsomequestion，somecriticism，somerebuke，whenhewasunfeignedlyrelievedtohearthepoliceman\'sharshvoice。
\"Don\'tmindher，sir，\"Cassidysaid。Hemeanttomakehismannerveryreassuring。\"Theyallsaythat。Theyareinnocent，ofcourse!Yep——theyallsayit。Itdon\'tdo\'emanygood，butjustthesametheyallswearthey\'reinnocent。Theykeepituptotheverylast，nomatterhowrightthey\'vebeengot。\"
Thevoiceofthegirlrangclear。Therewasanoteofinsistencethatcarriedacuriousdignityofitsown。Theverysimplicityofherstatementmighthavehadapowertoconvinceonewholistenedwithoutprejudice，althoughthewordsthemselveswereofthetritesortthatanyprotestingcriminalmightutter。
\"Itellyou，Ididn\'tdoit!\"