Thusfar，however，theforgerhadalwaysescapedthepenaltyforhiscrimes，thoughoftenclosetoconviction。ButMary\'sargumentswereofacompellingsortasshesetthemforthindetail，andtheymadetheirappealtoGarson，whowasbynomeanslackinginashrewdnativeintelligence。Heagreedthattheexperimentshouldbemade，notwithstandingthefactthathefeltnoparticularenthusiasmovertheproposedschemeofworking。Itislikelythathisownstrongfeelingofattractiontowardthegirlwhomhehadsavedfromdeath，whonowappearedbeforehimasaradiantlybeautifulyoungwoman，wasmorepersuasivethantheexcellentideaswhichshepresentedsoemphatically，andwithalogicsoimpressive。
AnagreementwasmadebywhichJoeGarsonandcertainofhismoretrustedintimatesintheunderworldweretoputthemselvesundertheordersofMaryconcerningthesphereoftheiractivities。
Furthermore，theyboundthemselvesnottoengageinanydeviousbusinesswithoutherconsent。Aggie，too，wasoneofthecompanythusconstituted，butshefiguredlittleinthepreliminarydiscussions，sinceneitherMarynortheforgerhadmuchrespectfortheintellectualcapabilitiesoftheadventuress，thoughtheyappreciatedtothefullherremarkablepowersofinfluencingmentoherwill。
Itwasnotdifficulttofindalawyersuitedtothenecessitiesoftheundertaking。Maryboreinmindconstantlythehighfinancier\'srelianceonthelegaladvisercompetenttoinventamethodwherebytobafflethelawatanydesiredpoint，andafterjudiciousinvestigationsheselectedanambitiousandexperiencedJewnamedSigismundHarris，justintheprimeofhismentalvigors，whopossessedaknowledgeofthelawonlytobeequalledbyhisdisrespectforit。Heseemed，indeed，preciselythemantofitthesituationforonedesirousofoutragingthelawremorselessly，whilestillretainingaplaceabsolutelywithinit。
Forthwith，theschemewassetinoperation。Asafirststep，MaryTurnerbecameayoungladyofindependentfortune，whohadlivingwithheracousin，MissAgnesLynch。Theflatwasabandoned。InitssteadwasanapartmentintheninetiesonRiversideDrive，inwhichtheladieslivedalonewithtwomaidstoservethem。Garsonhadroomsintheneighborhood，butJimLynch，whopersistentlyrefusedtheconditionsofsuchanalliance，betookhimselfafar，tocontinuehisrecklessgatheringofotherfolk\'smoneyinsuchwiseastomakehimamenabletothelawtheveryfirsttimeheshouldbecaughtatit。
Afewtentativeventuresresultedinprofitssolargethatthecompanygrewmightilyenthusiasticoverthenovelmannerofworking。Ineachinstance，Harriswasconsulted，andmadehisconfidentialstatementastothelegalityofthethingproposed。
Marygratifiedhereagermindbycarefulstudiesinthischosenlineofnefariousness。Afterafewperfectlylegalbreach-of-promisesuits，duetoAggie\'swinsomeinnocenceofdemeanor，hadbeensettledadvantageouslyoutofcourt，Marydevisedaschemeofgreaterelaborateness，withthelegalacumenofthelawyertoendorseitinthematterofsafety。
Thisnettedthirtythousanddollars。Itwasplannedastheswindlingofaswindler——which，infact，hadnowbecomethesecretprincipleinMary\'smorality。
Agentlemanpossessedofsomemeans，nonetooscrupuloushimself，butwithhighfinancialaspirations，advertisedforapartnertoinvestcapitalinabusinesssuretobringlargereturns。ThisadvertisementcaughttheeyeofMaryTurner，andsheansweredit。
Anintroductorycorrespondenceencouragedhertohopeforthevictoryinagameofcunningagainstcunning。SheconsultedwiththeperspicaciousMr。Harris，andespeciallysoughtfromhimdetailedinformationastopartnershiplaw。Hisstatementsgavehersuchconfidencethatpresentlysheenteredintoapartnershipwiththeadvertiser。Bythetermsoftheiragreement，eachdepositedthirtythousanddollarstothepartnershipaccount。
Thissumofsixtythousanddollarswasostensiblytobedevotedtothepurchaseofatractofland，whichshouldafterwardbedividedintolots，andresoldtothepublicatenormousprofit。
Asamatteroffact，theadvertiserplannedtomakeaspuriouspurchaseofthetractinquestion，bymeansofforgeddeedsgrantedbyanaccomplice，thusmakingthroughfraudaneatprofitofthirtythousanddollars。Theissuewas，however，disappointingtohimintheextreme。NosoonerwasthesixtythousanddollarsondepositinthebankthanMaryTurnerdrewoutthewholeamount，asshehadaperfectrighttodolegally。Whentheadvertiserlearnedofthis，hewas，naturallyenough，fulltooverflowingwithwrath。ButafteraninterviewwithHarrisheswallowedthiswrathasbesthemight。Hefoundthathisadversaryknewadangerousdealastohisvariousswindlingoperations。Inshort，hecouldnotgointocourtwithcleanhands，whichisaprimestipulationofthelaw——thoughoftenhonoredinthebreach。Buttheadvertiser\'shandsweretooperilouslyfilthy，sohelethimselfbemulctedinragingsilence。
TheeventestablishedMaryasthearbiterinherowncoterie。
Herewas，intruth，anewgame，agamemostentertaining，andmostprofitable，andnotintheleastrisky。Immediatelyaftertheadventurewiththeadvertiser，MarydecidedthatacertainGeneralHastingswouldmakeanexcellentsacrificeonthealtarofjustice——andtoherownfinancialprofit。Theoldmanwasanotoriousroue，ofmostunsavoryreputationasadestroyerofinnocence。ItwasprobablethathewouldeasilyfallavictimtotheingenuouscharmsofAggie。Asforthatprecociousdamsel，shewouldrunnoleastriskofdestructionbythesatyr。So，presently，therewereelaborateplottings。GeneralHastingsmetAggieinthemostcasualway。Hewascaptivatedbyherfreshnessandbeauty，herdemureness，herignoranceofallthingsvicious。
Straightway，hesethissnares，beinghimselfalreadylimed。Heshoweredeverygallantattentiononthenaivebread-and-buttermiss，andsucceededgratifyinglysooninwinningherheart——toallappearance。Buthegainednothingmore，forthecoycreatureabruptlydevelopedmosteffectivepowersofresistancetoeveryblandishmentthatwentbeyondstrictestpropriety。HisardorcooledsuddenlywhenHarrisfiledthepapersinasuitfortenthousanddollarsdamagesforbreachofpromise。
Evenwhilethisaffairwasstillinthecourseofexecution，Maryfoundherselfengagedinadirectionthatofferedatleastthehopeofattaininghergreatdesire，revengeagainstEdwardGilder。Thisopportunitycameinthepersonofhisson，Dick。
Aftermuchcontriving，shesecuredanintroductiontothatyoungman。Forthwith，sheshowedherselfsodeliciouslywomanly，sointelligent，sodaintilyfeminine，sosingularlybeautiful，thattheyoungmanwasenamoredalmostatonce。ThefactthrilledMarytothedepthsofherheart，forinthissonofthemanwhomshehatedshesawtheinstrumentofvengeanceforwhichshehadsolonged。Yet，thisonethingwassovitaltoherthatshesaidnothingofherpurposes，noteventoAggie，thoughthatobservantpersonmayhavepossessedsuspicionsmoreorlessnearthetruth。
Itwassomesuchsuspicionthatlaybehindherspeechas，innegligee，shesatcross-leggedonthebed，smokingacigaretteinaveryknowingway，whilewatchingMary，whowasadjustingherhatbeforethemirrorofherdressing-table，onepleasantspringmorning。
\"Dollin\'upawholelot，ain\'tyou？\"Aggieremarked，affably，withthatlaxityoflanguagewhichcharacterizedhernaturalmoods。
\"IhaveaveryimportantengagementwithDickGilder，\"Maryreplied，tranquilly。Shevouchsafednothingmoredefiniteastoherintentions。
\"Niceboy，ain\'the？\"Aggieventured，insinuatingly。
\"Oh，Isupposeso，\"cametheindifferentanswerfromMary，asshetiltedthepicturehattoanangleatriflemorejaunty。
Thepseudocousinsniffed。
\"Yous\'posethat，doyou？Well，anyhow，he\'sheresomuchweoughttobechargin\'himforhismeal-ticket。AndyetIain\'tsurethatyouevenknowwhetherhe\'stherealgoods，ornot。\"
ThefairfaceofMaryTurnerhardenedtheleastbit。Thereshoneanexpressionofinscrutabledisdaininthevioleteyes，assheturnedtoregardAggiewithalevelglance。
\"Iknowthathe\'stheson——theonlyson!——ofEdwardGilder。Thefactisenoughforme。\"
Theadventuressofthedemurefaceshookherheadintokenofcompletebafflement。Herrosylipspoutedinpetulantdissatisfaction。
\"Idon\'tgetyou，Mary，\"sheadmitted，querulously。\"Youneverusedtolookatthemen。Thewayyouactedwhenyoufirstrunroundwithme，Ithoughtyousurewasasuffragette。AndthenyoumetthisyoungGilder——and——good-night，nurse!\"
ThehardnessremainedinMary\'sface，asshecontinuedtoregardherfriend。But，now，therewassomethingquizzicalintheglancewithwhichsheaccompaniedthemonosyllable:
\"Well？\"
Again，Aggieshookherheadinperplexity。
\"Hisoldmansendsyouupforastretchforsomethingyoudidn\'tdo——andyoutakeupwithhissonlike——\"
\"Andyetyoudon\'tunderstand!\"Therewasscornforsuchgrossstupidityinthemusicalvoice。
Aggiechokedalittlefromthecigarettesmoke，asshegaveagaspwhensuspicionofthetruthsuddenlydawnedonherslowintelligence。
\"MyGawd!\"Hervoicecameinatrebleshriekofapprehension。
\"I\'mwise!\"
\"Butyoumustunderstandthis，\"Marywenton，withanauthoritativenoteinhervoice。\"WhatevermaybebetweenyoungGilderandmeistobestrictlymyownaffair。Ithasabsolutelynothingtodowiththerestofyou，orwithourschemesformoney-making。And，whatismore，Agnes，Idon\'twanttotalkaboutit。But——\"
\"Yes？\"queriedAggie，encouragingly，astheotherpaused。Shehopefullyawaitedfurtherconfidences。
\"ButIdowanttoknow，\"Marycontinuedwithsomeseverity，\"whatyoumeantbytalkinginthepublicstreetyesterdaywithacommonpickpocket。\"
Aggie\'schildlikefacechangedswiftlyitsexpressionfromaslyeagernesstosullenness。
\"Youknowperfectlywell，MaryTurner，\"shecriedindignantly，\"thatIonlysaidafewwordsinpassin\'tomybrotherJim。Andheain\'tnocommonpickpocket。HullyGee!He\'sthebestdipinthebusiness。\"
\"Butyoumustnotbeseenspeakingwithhim，\"Marydirected，withacertainairofcommandnowbecomehabitualtoheramongthemembersofherclique。\"Mycousin，MissAgnesLynch，mustbeverycarefulastoherassociates。\"
ThevolatileAgneswasrestoredtogoodhumorbysomesubtlequalityintheutterance，andafamilyprideasserteditself。
\"Hejuststoppedmetosayit\'sbeenthebestyearheeverhad，\"
sheexplained，withostentatiousvanity。
Maryappearedsceptical。
\"Howcanthatbe，\"shedemanded，\"whenthedeadlinenowisJohnStreet？\"
\"Thedeadline!\"Aggiescoffed。Apealoflaughterrangmerrilyfromhercurvinglips。
\"Why，JimtakesluncheverydayintheWallStreetDelmonico\'s。
Yes，\"shewentonwithincreasinganimation，\"andonlyyesterdayhewentdowntoPoliceHeadquarters，justforalittleexcitement，\'causeJimdoessurehateadulllife。Say，hetoldmethey\'vegotamatatthedoorwith\'Welcome\'onit——inlettersthreefeethigh。Now，what——do——you——think——ofthat!\"Aggieteeteredjoyously，thewhilesheinhaledashockinglylargemouthfulofsmoke。\"And，oh，yes!\"shecontinuedhappily，\"Jim，heliftedaleatherfromabullwhowasstandinginthehallwaythereatHeadquarters!Jimsuredoesloveexcitement。\"
Maryliftedherdarkeyebrowsinhalf-amusedinquiry。
\"It\'snouse，Agnes，\"shedeclared，thoughwithoutentiresincerity；\"Ican\'tquitekeepupwithyourthieves\'argot——yourslang，youknow。Justwhatdidthisbrotherofyoursdo？\"
\"Why，hecoppedthecopper\'skale，\"Aggietranslated，glibly。
Marythrewoutherhandsinagestureofdismay。
Thereupon，theadventuressinstantlyassumedamostladylikeandmincingairwhichillassortedwiththecigarettethatsheheldbetweenherlips。
\"Hegentlyremovedaleathernwallet，\"shesaidsedately，\"containingalargesumofmoneyfromthecoatpocketofamemberofthedetectiveforce。\"Theeleganceofutterancewasinimitablydone。Butinthenextinstant，theordinaryvulgarityofenunciationwasinfullplayagain。\"Oh，Gee!\"shecriedgaily。\"HesaysInspectorBurke\'sgotagoldwatchthatweighsaton，an\'allsetwithdiamon\'s!——whichwasgiveto\'imby——admirin\'friends!……Wedidn\'tcontribute。\"
\"Giventohim，\"Marycorrected，withatolerantsmile。
Aggiesniffedonceagain。
\"Whatdifferencedoesitmake？\"shedemanded，scornfully。\"He\'sgotit，ain\'the？\"Andthensheaddedwithavariciousintensity:
\"JustassoonasIgettime，I\'mgoin\'afterthatwatch——believeme!\"
Maryshookherheadindenial。
\"No，youarenot，\"shesaid，calmly。\"Youareundermyordersnow。Andaslongasyouareworkingwithus，youwillbreaknolaws。\"
\"ButIcan\'tsee——\"Aggiebegantoarguewiththepetulanceofaspoiledchild。
Mary\'svoicecamewithacertaintyofconvictionbornoffact。
\"Whenyouwereworkingalone，\"shesaidgravely，didyouhaveahomelikethis？\"
\"No，\"wastheanswer，spokenalittlerebelliously。
\"Orsuchclothes？Mostofall，didyouhavesafetyfromthepolice？\"
\"No，\"Aggieadmitted，somewhatmoreresponsively。\"But，justthesame，Ican\'tsee——\"
Marybeganputtingonhergloves，andatthesametimestrovetogivethisremarkableyoungwomansomeinsightintoherownpointofview，thoughsheknewthetasktobeonewell-nighimpossible。
\"Agnes，\"shesaid，didactically，\"therichestmeninthiscountryhavemadetheirfortunes，notbecauseofthelaw，butinspiteofthelaw。Theymadeuptheirmindswhattheywantedtodo，andthentheyengagedlawyerscleverenoughtoshowthemhowtheycoulddoit，andstillkeepwithinthelaw。Anyonewithbrainscangetrichinthiscountryifhewillengagetherightlawyer。
Well，Ihavethebrains——andHarrisisshowingmethelaw——thewonderfultwistedlawthatwasmadefortherich!Sincewekeepinsidethelaw，wearesafe。\"
Aggie，withoutmuchapprehensionoftheexactsituation，wasmovedtoadimpledmirthovertheessentialhumorofthemethodindicated。
\"Gee，that\'sfunny，\"shecriedhappily。\"Youan\'mean\'JoeGarsonhandin\'itto\'em，an\'thebullscan\'ttouchus!Nextthingyouknow，Harriswillbehavin\'usincorporatedastheAmericanLegalCrimeSociety。\"
\"Ishouldn\'tbeintheleastsurprised，\"Maryassented，asshefinishedbuttoninghergloves。Shesmiled，buttherewasahintofgrimnessinthebendingofherlips。Thatgrimnessremained，assheglancedattheclock，thenwenttowardthedooroftheroom，speakingoverhershoulder。
\"And，nowImustbeofftoamostimportantengagementwithMr。
DickGilder。\"
CHAPTERVIII。ATIPFROMHEADQUARTERS。
Presently，whenshehadfinishedthecigarette，Aggieproceededtoherownchamberandtherespentaconsiderabletimeinmakingatoilettecalculatedtosetofftoitsfulladvantagetheslenderdaintinessofherform。Whenatlastshewasgownedtohersatisfaction，shewentintothedrawing-roomoftheapartmentandgaveherselfovertomorecigarettes，inaneasychair，sprawledoutinanattitudeofcomfortnevertaughtinanyfinishingschoolforyoungladies。Sheatthesametimeindulgedhertastesinartandliteraturebyreadingthejokesandstudyingthecomicpicturesinaneveningpaper，whichthemaidbroughtinatherrequest。ShehadaboutexhaustedthisformofamusementwhenthecomingofJoeGarson，whowasusuallyinandoutoftheapartmentanumberoftimesdaily，providedawelcomediversion。Afteracasualgreetingbetweenthetwo，Aggieexplained，inresponsetohisquestion，thatMaryhadgoneouttokeepanengagementwithDickGilder。
Therewasalittleperiodofsilencewhiletheman，withtheresolutefaceandthelightgrayeyesthatshonesoclearlyunderneaththethick，wavingsilverhair，heldhisheadbentdownwardasifinintentthought。When，finally，hespoke，therewasacertainqualityinhisvoicethatcausedAggietoregardhimcuriously。
\"Maryhasbeenwithhimagooddeallately，\"hesaid，halfquestioningly。
\"That\'swhat，\"wasthecurtagreement。
Garsonbroughtouthisnextquerywiththebrutalbluntnessofhiskind；andyettherewasavaguesuggestionoftendernessinhistonesunderthevulgarwords。
\"Thinkshe\'sstuckonhim？\"Hehadseatedhimselfonasetteeoppositethegirl，whodidnottroubleonhisaccounttoassumeaposturemoredecorous，andhesurveyedherkeenlyashewaitedforareply。
\"Whynot？\"Aggieretorted。\"BetyourlifeI\'dbe，ifIhadachance。He\'saswellboy。Andhisfather\'sgotthecoin，too。\"
Atthisthemanmovedimpatiently，andhiseyeswanderedtothewindow。Again，Aggiestudiedhimwithaswiftglanceofinterrogation。Notbeingthepossessorofanover-nicesensibilityastothefeelingsofothers，shenowspokebriskly。
\"Joe，ifthere\'sanythingonyourmind，shootit。\"
Garsonhesitatedforamoment，thendecidedtounburdenhimself，forhecravedpreciseknowledgeinthismatter。
\"It\'sMary，\"heexplained，withsomeembarrassment；\"herandyoungGilder。\"
\"Well？\"camethecrispquestion。
\"Well，somehow，\"Garsonwenton，stillsomewhatconfusedly，\"I
can\'tseeanygoodofit，forher。\"
\"Why？\"Aggiedemanded，insurprise。
Garson\'smannergreweasier，nowthatthesubjectwaswellbroached。
\"OldmanGilder\'sgotabigpull，\"hevouchsafed，\"andifhecaughtontohisboy\'sgoingwithMary，he\'dbelikelytosendthepoliceafterus——strong!Believeme，Iain\'tlookingforanytripuptheriver。\"
Aggieshookherhead，quiteunaffectedbytheman\'ssuggestionofpossibleperilinthesituation。
\"Weain\'tdonenothin\'theycantouchusfor，\"shedeclared，withassurance。\"Marysaysso。\"
Garson，however，wasunconvinced，notwithstandinghisdeferencetothejudgmentofhisleader。
\"Whetherwe\'vedoneanything，orwhetherwehaven\'t，don\'tmatter，\"heobjected。\"Oncethepolicesetoutafteryou，they\'llgetyou。Russiaain\'tinitwithsomeofthethingsI
haveseenpulledoffinthistown。\"
\"Oh，canthat\'fraidtalk!\"Aggieexclaimed，roughly。\"Itellyoutheycan\'tgetus。We\'vegotourfingerscrossed。\"
Shewouldhavesaidmore，butanoiseatthehalldoorinterruptedher，andshelookeduptoseeamanintheopening，whilebehindhimappearedthemaid，protestingangrily。
\"Nevermindthatannouncingthingwithme，\"thenewcomerraspedtotheexpostulatingservant，inavoicethatsuitedwellhisthick-setfigure，withthebullet-shapedheadandthebull-likeneck。Thenheturnedtothetwointhedrawing-room，bothofwhomhadnowrisentotheirfeet。
\"It\'sallright，Fannie，\"Aggiesaidhastilytotheflusteredmaid。\"Youcango。\"
Astheservant，afteranindignanttossofthehead，departedalongthepassage，thevisitorclumpedheavilyforwardandstoppedinthecenteroftheroom，lookingfirstatoneandthentheotherofthetwowithasmilethatwasnotpleasant。Hewasnotatpainstoremovethederbyhatwhichheworeratherfarbackonhishead。Bythissinglesign，onemighthaverecognizedCassidy，whohadhadMaryTurnerinhischargeontheoccasionofherill-fatedvisittoEdwardGilder\'soffice，fouryearsbefore，thoughnowthemanhadthickenedsomewhat，andhisruddyfacewasgrownevencoarser。
\"Hello，Joe!\"hecried，familiarly。\"Hello，Aggie!\"
Thelight-grayeyesoftheforgerhadnarrowedperceptiblyasherecognizedtheidentityoftheunceremoniouscaller，whilethelinesofhisfirmlysetmouthtookonanaddedfixity。
\"Well？\"hedemanded。Hisvoicewasemotionless。
\"Justalittlefriendlycall，\"Cassidyannounced，inhisstridentvoice。\"Where\'stheladyofthehouse？\"
\"Out。\"ItwasAggiewhospoke，verysharply。
\"Well，Joe，\"Cassidywenton，withoutpayingfurtherheedtothegirlforamoment，\"whenshecomesback，justtellherit\'suptohertomakeaget-away，andtomakeitquick。\"
ButAggiewasnotonetobeignoredunderanycircumstances。
Now，shespokewithsomeacerbityinhervoice，whichcouldatwillbewondroussoftandlow。
\"Say!\"sheretortedviciously，\"youcan\'tthrowanyscareintous。Youhadn\'tgotanythingonus。See？\"
Cassidy，inresponsetothisoutburst，favoredthegirlwithalongstare，andtherewasheartyamusementinhistonesasheanswered。
\"Nothingonyou，eh？Well，well，let\'ssee。\"HeregardedGarsonwithagrin。\"YouareJoeGarson，forger。\"Ashespoke，thedetectivetookanote-bookfromapocket，foundapage，andthenread:\"Firstarrestedin1891，forforgingthenameofEdwinGoodselltoacheckfortenthousanddollars。AgainarrestedJune19，1893，forforgery。ArrestedinApril，1898，forforgingthesignatureofOscarHemmenwaytoaseriesofbondsthatwerecounterfeit。ArrestedasthemanbackoftheReillygang，in1903。Arrestedin1908forforgery。\"
Therewasnochangeinthefaceorposeofthemanwholistenedtothereading。Whenitwasdone，andtheofficerlookedupwitharesumptionofhistriumphantgrin，Garsonspokequietly。
\"Haven\'tanyrecordsofconvictions，haveyou？\"
Thegrindied，andasnarlspranginitsstead。
\"No，\"hesnapped，vindictively。\"Butwe\'vegottherightdopeonyou，allright，JoeGarson。\"Heturnedsavagelyonthegirl，whonowhadregainedherusualexpressionofdemureinnocence，butwithherrathertooheavybrowsdrawnalittlelowerthantheirwont，undertheinfluenceofanemotionotherwiseconcealed。
\"Andyou\'relittleAggieLynch，\"Cassidydeclared，ashethrustthenote-bookbackintohispocket。\"Justnow，you\'reposingasMaryTurner\'scousin。YouservedtwoyearsinBurnsingforblackmail。YouwerearrestedinBuffalo，convicted，andservedyourstretch。Nothingonyou？Well，well!\"Againtherewastriumphintheofficer\'schuckle。
Aggieshowednoleastsignofperturbationinthefaceofthisrevelationofherunsavoryrecord。Onlyanexpressionofhalf-incredulouswonderanddelightbeamedfromherwidelyopenedblueeyesandwasemphasizedintheroundingofthelittlemouth。
\"Why，\"shecried，andnowtherewassoftnessenoughinthecooingnotes，\"myGawd!Itlooksasthoughyouhadactuallybeenworkin\'!\"
Thesarcasmwaswithouteffectonthedullsensibilitiesoftheofficer。Hewentonspeakingwithobviousenjoymentoftheextenttowhichhisknowledgereached。
\"AndtheheadofthegangisMaryTurner。ArrestedfouryearsagoforrobbingtheEmporium。Didherstretchofthreeyears。\"
\"Isthatallyou\'vegotabouther？\"Garsondemanded，withsuchabruptnessthatCassidyforgothisdignitysufficientlytoanswerwithanunqualifiedyes。
Theforgercontinuedspeakingrapidly，andnowtherewasanundercurrentoffeelinginhisvoice。
\"Nothinginyourrecordofherabouthercomingoutwithoutafriendintheworld，andtryingtogostraight？Youain\'tgotnothinginthatprettylittlebookofyour\'naboutyourgoingtothemillinerystorewhereshefinallygotajob，andtippingthemofftowhereshecomefrom？\"
\"Sure，theywastippedoff，\"Cassidyanswered，quiteunmoved。
Andheadded，swellingvisiblywithimportance:\"Wegottoprotectthecity。\"
\"Gotanythinginthatrecordofyour\'n，\"Garsonwentonvenomously，\"abouthergettinganotherjob，andyourfollowingherupagain，andhavingherthrownout？GotitthereabouttheletteryouhadoldGilderwrite，sothathisinfluencewouldgethercanned？\"
\"Oh，wehadherrightthefirsttime，\"Cassidyadmitted，complacently。
Then，thebitternessofGarson\'ssoulwasrevealedbythefiercenessinhisvoiceashereplied。
\"Youdidnot!Shewasrailroadedforajobsheneverdone。Shewentinhonest，andshecameouthonest。\"
Thedetectiveindulgedhimselfinacackleofsneeringmerriment。
\"Andthat\'swhyshe\'sherenowwithagangofcrooks，\"heretorted。
Garsonmettheimplicationfairly。
\"Whereelseshouldshebe？\"hedemanded，violently。\"Youain\'tgotnothinginthatrecordaboutmyjumpingintotheriverafterher？\"Theforger\'svoicedeepenedandtrembledwiththeintensityofhisemotion，whichwasnowgrownsostrongthatanywholistenedandlookedmightguesssomethingofthetruthastohisfeelingtowardthiswomanofwhomhespoke。\"That\'swhereI
foundher——agirlthatneverdonenobodyanyharm，starvingbecauseyoupolicewouldn\'tgiveherachancetowork。Intheriverbecauseshewouldn\'ttaketheonlyotherwaythatwaslefthertomakealiving，becauseshewaskeepingstraight!……Haveyougotanyofthatinyourbook？\"
Cassidy，whohadbeenscowlinginthefaceofthisarraignment，suddenlygaveventtoacroakinglaughofderision。
\"Huh!\"hesaid，contemptuously。\"Iguessyou\'restuckonher，eh？\"
Atthewords，aninstantaneouschangesweptoverGarson。
Hitherto，hehadbeentense，hisfacesetwithemotion，amanstrongandsullen，witheyesasclearandheartlessasthoseofabeastinthewild。Now，withoutwarning，astartlingtransformationwaswrought。Hisformstiffenedtorigidityafteronelightning-swiftstepforward，andhisfacegrayed。Theeyesglowedwiththefiresofaman\'sheartinaspasmofhate。Hewastheembodimentofrage，ashespokehuskily，hisvoiceawhisperthatwasyetlouderthananyshout。
\"Cutthat!\"
Theeyesofthetwomenlocked。Cassidystruggledwithallhisprideagainstthedominantfurythismanhurledonhim。
\"What？\"hedemanded，blusteringly。Buthistonewasweakerthanitswont。
\"Imean，\"Garsonrepeated，andtherewasfinalityinhisaccents，adeadlyqualitythatwasappalling，\"Imean，cutitout——now，here，andallthetime!Itdon\'tgo!\"Thevoiceroseslightly。
Theeffectofitwasmorepenetrantthanascream。\"Itdon\'tgo!……Doyougetme？\"
Therewasashortintervalofsilence，thentheofficer\'seyesatlastfell。ItwasAggiewhorelievedthetensionofthescene。
\"He\'sgotyou，\"sheremarked，airily。\"Oi，oi!He\'sgotyou!\"
Therewereagainafewsecondsofpause，andthenCassidymadeanobservationthatrevealedinsomemeasuretheshockoftheexperiencehehadjustundergone。
\"Youwouldhavebeenabigman，Joe，ifithadn\'tbeenforthattemperofyours。It\'sgotyouintotroubleonceortwicealready。Sometimeit\'slikelytoproveyourfinish。\"
Garsonrelaxedhisimmobility，andalittlecolorcreptintohischeeks。
\"That\'smybusiness，\"heresponded，dully。
\"Anyway，\"theofficerwenton，withanewconfidence，nowthathiseyeswerefreefromthegazethathadburnedintohissoul，\"you\'vegottoclearout，thewholegangofyou——anddoitquick。\"
Aggie，whoasamatteroffactbegantofeelthatshewasnotreceivingherdueshareofattention，nowinterposed，movingforwardtillherfacewasclosetothedetective\'s。
\"Wedon\'tscareworthacent，\"shesnapped，withthevirulenceofavixen。\"Youcan\'tdoanythingtous。Weain\'tbrokethelaw。\"
Therecameasuddenrippleoflaughter，andthecharminglipscurvedjoyously，assheadded:\"Thoughperhapswehavebentitabit。\"
Cassidysneered，outragedbysuchimpudenceonthepartofanex-convict。
\"Don\'tmakenodifferencewhatyou\'vedone，\"hegrowled。\"Gee!\"
hewenton，withaheavysneer。\"Butthingsarecomingtoaprettypasswhenagangofcrooksgetstoarguingabouttheirrights。That\'sfunny，thatis!\"
\"Thenlaugh!\"Aggieexclaimed，insolently，andmadeafaceattheofficer。\"Ha，ha，ha!\"
\"Well，you\'vegotthetip，\"Cassidyreturned，somewhatdisconcerted，afterastolidfashionofhisown。\"It\'suptoyoutotakeit，that\'sall。Ifyoudon\'t，oneofyouwillmakealongvisitwithsomepeopleoutoftown，andit\'llprobablybeMary。Remember，I\'mgivingittoyoustraight。\"
Aggieassumedherformalsocietymanner，exaggeratedtothepointofextravagance。
\"Docomeagain，littleone，\"shechirruped，caressingly。\"I\'veenjoyedyourvisitsomuch!\"
ButCassidypaidnoapparentattentiontoherfrivolousness；onlyturnedandwentnoisilyoutofthedrawing-room，offeringnoreturntoherdaintilyinflectedgood-afternoon。
Forherownpart，assheheardtheouterdoorclosebehindthedetective，Aggie\'sexpressiongrewvicious，andtheheavybrowsdrewverylow，untilthelevellinealmostmadeherprettinessvanish。
\"Thetruck-horsedetective!\"shesneered。\"Aneighteencollar，andasix-and-a-halfhat!Hesurehadhisnerve，tryingtobluffus!\"
ButitwasplainthatGarsonwasofanothermood。Therewasanxietyinhisface，ashestoodstaringvaguelyoutofthewindow。
\"Perhapsitwasn\'tabluff，Aggie，\"hesuggested。
\"Well，whathavewedone，I\'dliketoknow？\"thegirldemanded，confidently。Shetookacigaretteandamatchfromthetabouretbesideher，andstretchedherfeetcomfortably，ifveryinelegantly，onachairopposite。
Garsonansweredwithanoteofwearinessthatwasunlikehim。
\"Itain\'twhatyouhavedone，\"hesaid，quietly。\"It\'swhattheycanmakeajurythinkyou\'vedone。And，oncetheysetouttogetyou——God，howtheycanframethings!IftheyeverstartoutafterMary——\"Hedidnotfinishthesentence，butsankdownintohischairwithagroanthatwasalmostofdespair。
Thegirlrepliedwithaburstofcarelesslaughter。
\"Joe，\"shesaidgaily，\"you\'reonegrandlittleforger，allright，allright。ButMary\'sgotthebrains。Pooh，I\'llstringalongwithherasfarasshewantstogo。She\'seducated，sheis。
Sheain\'tlikeyouandme，Joe。Shetalkslikealady，and，what\'sadamnedsightharder，sheactslikealady。IguessI
know。Wakemeupanyoldnightandaskme——justaskme，that\'sall。She\'sbeentryin\'tomakealadyoutofme!\"
Thevivaciousnessofthegirldistractedthemanforthemomentfromthegloomofhisthoughts，andheturnedtosurveythespeakerwithacynicalamusement。
\"Swellchance!\"hecommented，drily。
\"Oh，I\'mnotsoworse!Justyouwatchout。\"Thelivelygirlsprangup，discardedthecigarette，adjustedanimaginarytrain，andspokelispinglyinasocietymannermuchmoremoderateandconvincingthanthatwithwhichshehadfavoredtheretiringCassidy。Voice，poseandgestureproclaimedatleasttheexcellentmimic。
\"Howdoyoudo，Mrs。Jones!Sogoodofyoutocall!……MydearMissSmith，thisisindeedapleasure。\"Sheseatedherselfagain，quiteprimlynow，andmovedherhandsoverthetabouretappropriatelytoherwords。\"Onelump，ortwo？……Yes，Ijustlovebridge。No，Idon\'tplay，\"shecontinued，simpering；\"but，justthesame，Iloveit。\"Withthisabsurdending，Aggieagainarrangedherfeetaccordingtoherlikingontheoppositechair。
\"That\'sthekindofstuffshe\'shadmedoing，\"sherattledoninhercoarservoice，\"andbelieveme，Joe，it\'sdamnednearkillingme。Butallthesame，\"shehurriedon，withaswiftrevulsionofmoodtotheformerserioustopic，\"I\'mforMarystrong!Yousticktoher，Joe，andyou\'llweardiamon\'s……Andthatremindsme!I
wishshe\'dletmewearmine，butshewon\'t。Shesaysthey\'revulgarforaninnocentcountrygirllikehercousin，AgnesLynch。
Ain\'tthatfierce？……Howcananythingbevulgarthat\'sworthahundredandfiftyacarat？\"
CHAPTERIX。ALEGALDOCUMENT。
MaryTurnerspentlessthananhourinthatmysteriouslyimportantengagementwithDickGilder，ofwhichshehadspokentoAggie。Afterseparatingfromtheyoungman，shewentalonedownBroadway，walkingthefewblocksofdistancetoSigismundHarris\'soffice。Onacorner，herattentionwascaughtbytheforlornfaceofagirlcrossingintothesidestreet。Acloserglanceshowedthattheprivationofthegauntfeatureswasemphasizedbythescantgarments，almostintatters。Instantly，Mary\'squicksympathieswerearoused，themoreparticularlysincethewretchedchildseemedofabouttheagesheherselfhadbeenwhenhergreatsufferinghadbefallen。So，turningaside，shesooncaughtupwiththegirlandspokeaninquiry。
Itwasthefamiliarstory，afatheroutofwork，asickmother，abroodofhungrychildren。
Someconfusedwordsofdistressrevealedthefactthatthewobegonegirlwaseventhenfightingthefinalbattleofpurityagainststarvation。Thatshestillfoughtoninsuchcaseprovedenoughastoherdecencyofnature，wholesomedespitesqualidsurroundings。Mary\'sheartwasdeeplymoved，andherwordsofcomfortcamewithasimplesinceritythatwaslikenewlifetothesorelybesetwaif。Shepromisedtointerestherselfinsecuringemploymentforthefather，suchcareasthemotherandchildrenmightneed，alongwithapropersituationforthegirlherself。Inevidenceofherpurpose，shetookherengagement-bookfromherbag，andsetdownthestreetandnumberoftheEastSidetenementwherethefamilypossessedtheoneroomthatmockedthewordhome，andshegaveabanknotetothegirltoservetheimmediateneeds。
WhenshewentbacktoresumeherprogressdownBroadway，Maryfeltherselfvastlycheeredbythewarmglowwithin，whichistherewardofakindlyact，gratefullyreceived。And，onthisparticularmorning，shecravedsuchassuagementofherspirit，fortheconsciencethat，inspiteofallhermisdeeds，stilllivedwasstrugglingwithinher。Inherrevoltagainstaworldthathadwantonlyinflictedonhertheworsttorments，MaryTurnerhadthoughtthatshemightsafelydisregardthoseprinciplesinwhichshehadbeensocarefullyreared。Shehadbelievedthatbythedeliberateadoptionofalifeofguilewithinlimitsallowedbythelaw，shewouldfindsolaceforherwants，whilefeelingthatthussheavengedherselfinsomeslightmeasurefortheindignitiesshehadundergoneunjustly。Yet，asthedayspassed，daysofsuccessasfarasherschemingwasconcerned，thisbrilliantwoman，whohadtriedtodeemherselfunscrupulous，foundthatlawlessnesswithinthelawfailedtosatisfysomethingdeepwithinhersoul。Therighteousnessthatwasherinstinctwasoffendedbythetriumphsachievedthroughsodeviousdevices，thoughsheresolutelysetherwilltosuppressanyspiritualrebellion。
Therewas，aswell，anothergrievanceofhernature，yetmoresubtle，infinitelymorepainful。Thislayinhercravingfortenderness。Shewaswhollywoman，notwithstandingthevirilityofherintelligence，itsaudacity，itsaggressiveness。Shehadaheartyearningforthemultitudinousaffectionsthataretheprerogativeofthefeminine；shehadaheartlongingforlove，toreceiveandtogiveinfullmeasure……Andherlifewasbarren。
Sincethedeathofherfather，therehadbeennoneonwhomshecouldlavishthegreatgiftsofhertenderness。Throughthedaysofherworkinginthestore，circumstanceshadshutheroutfromallassociationwithotherscongenial。Noneedtorehearsetheimpossibilitiesofcompanionshipintheprisonlife。Sincethen，thesituationhadnotvitallyimproved，inspiteofherbetterworldlycondition。ForGarson，whohadsavedherfromdeath，shefeltastrongandlastinggratitude——nothingthatrelievedthelongingfornobleraffections。Therewasnoneotherwithwhomshehadanyintimacyexceptthat，ofasort，withAggieLynch，andbynopossibilitycouldtheadventuressserveasanobjectofdeepregard。Thegirlwasamusingenough，and，indeed，amostlikablepersonatherbest。Butshewas，afterall，ashallow-patedindividual，withoutashredofprincipleofanysortwhatsoever，savethesinglemeritofunswervingloyaltytoher\"pals。\"Marycherishedacertainwarmkindlinessforthefirstwomanwhohadbefriendedherinanyway，butbeyondthistherewasnofinerfeeling。
Nevertheless，itisnotquiteaccuratetosaythatMaryTurnerhadhadnointimacyinwhichherheartmighthavebeenseriouslyengaged。Inoneinstance，ofrecenthappening，shehadbeenmuchinassociationwithayoungmanwhowasofexcellentstandingintheworld，whowasofgoodbirth，goodeducation，ofdelightfulmanners，and，too，wholesomeandagreeablebeyondthemostofhisclass。ThiswasDickGilder，and，sincehercompanionshipwithhim，Maryhadundergonearevulsiongreaterthaneverbeforeagainstthefatethrustonher，whichnowatlastshehadchosentowelcomeandnourishbyacquiescenceasbestshemight。