"Ididn'tseefather，"hesaidhappily，"butIlefthimanoteonhisdeskattheoffice。"
　　Then，somehow，thesurchargedatmospherepenetratedhisconsciousness，andhelookedaround，toseehisfatherstandinggrimlyoppositehim。Buttherewasnochangeinhisexpressionbeyondamoreradiantsmile。
　　"Hello，Dad!"hecried，joyously。"Thenyougotmynote？"
　　Thevoiceoftheoldermancamewithasinisterforceandsaturnine。
　　"No，Dick，Ihaven'thadanynote。"
　　"Then，why？"Theyoungmanbrokeoffsuddenly。Hewasbecomeawarethatherewassomethingmalignant，withameaningbeyondhispresentunderstanding，forhesawtheInspectorandDemarest，andheknewthetwoofthemforwhattheywereofficially。
　　"Whataretheydoinghere？"hedemandedsuspiciously，staringatthetwo。
　　"Oh，nevermindthem，"Marysaid。Therewasamalevolentgleaminhervioleteyes。Thiswastherecompenseofwhichshehaddreamedthroughsoul-tearingages。"Justtellyourfatheryournews，Dick。"
　　Theyoungmanhadnocomprehensionofthefactthathewasonlyapawninthegame。Hespokewithsimplepride。
　　"Dad，we'remarried。MaryandIweremarriedthismorning。"
　　Always，Marystaredwithhereyessteadfastonthefather。Therewastriumphinhergaze。Thiswasthevengeanceforwhichshehadlonged，forwhichshehadplotted，thevengeanceshehadatlastachieved。Herewasherfruition，theperiodofhersupremacy。
　　Gilderhimselfseemeddazedbythebriefsentence。
　　"Saythatagain，"hecommanded。
　　Maryrejoicedtomaketheknowledgesure。
　　"Imarriedyoursonthismorning，"shesaidinamatter-of-facttone。"Imarriedhim。Doyouquiteunderstand，Mr。Gilder？I
　　marriedhim。"Inthatinsistencelayherultimatecompensationforuntoldmisery。Thefatherstoodtherewordless，unabletofindspeechagainstthiscalamitythathadbefallenhim。
　　ItwasBurkewhoofferedadiversion，acrudeinterruptionafterhisownfashion。
　　"It'saframe-up，"heroared。Heglaredattheyoungman。"Tellyourfatheritain'ttrue。Why，doyouknowwhatsheis？She'sdonetime。"Hepausedforaninstant，thenspokeinavoicethatwasbrutallymenacing。"And，byGod，she'lldoitagain!"
　　Theyoungmanturnedtowardhisbride。Therewasdisbelief，hope，despair，inhisface，whichhadgrownolderbyyearswiththepassingoftheseconds。
　　"It'salie，Mary，"hesaid。"Sayit'salie!"Heseizedherhandpassionately。
　　Therewasnoquiverinhervoiceassheanswered。Shedrewherhandfromhisclasp，andspokeevenly。
　　"It'sthetruth。"
　　"It'sthetruth!"theyoungmanrepeated，incredulously。
　　"Itisthetruth，"Marysaid，firmly。"Ihaveservedthreeyearsinprison。"
　　Therewasasilenceofaminutethatwaslikeyears。Itwasthefatherwhobrokeit，andnowhisvoicewasbecometremulous。
　　"Iwantedtosaveyou，Dick。That'swhyIcame。"
　　Thesoninterruptedhimviolently。
　　"There'samistake——theremustbe。"
　　ItwasDemarestwhogaveanofficialtouchtothetragedyofthemoment。
　　"There'snomistake，"hesaid。Therewasauthorityinhisstatement。
　　"Thereis，Itellyou!"Dickcried，horrifiedbythisconspiracyofdefamation。Heturnedhistorturedfacetohisbrideofaday。
　　"Mary，"hesaidhuskily，"thereisamistake。"
　　Somethinginherfaceappalledhim。Hewasvoicelessforafewterribleinstants。Thenhespokeagain，morebeseechingly。
　　"Saythere'samistake。"
　　Marypreservedherpoise。Yes——shemustnotforget!Thiswasthehourofhertriumph。Whatmattereditthatthehoneyofitwasasashesinhermouth？Shespokewithasimplicitythatadmittednodenial。
　　"It'sallquitetrue。"
　　Themanwhohadsolovedher，sotrustedher，wasoverwhelmedbytherevelation。Hestoodtremblingforamoment，tottered，almostitseemedwouldhavefallen，butpresentlysteadiedhimselfandsanksupinelyintoachair，wherehesatinimpotentsuffering。
　　ThefatherlookedatMarywithareproachthatwaspathetic。
　　"See，"hesaid，andhisheavyvoicewasforoncethinwithpassion，"seewhatyou'vedonetomyboy!"
　　MaryhadheldhereyesonDick。Therehadbeeninhergazeaconflictofemotions，strongandbaffling。Now，however，whenthefatherspoke，herfacegrewmorecomposed，andhereyesmethiscoldly。Hervoicewaslevelandvaguelydangerousassheansweredhisaccusation。
　　"Whatisthatcomparedtowhatyouhavedonetome？"
　　Gilderstaredatherinhonestamazement。Hehadnosuspicionastothetragedythatlaybetweenhimandher。
　　"WhathaveIdonetoyou？"hequestioned，uncomprehending。
　　Marymovedforward，passingbeyondthedesk，andcontinuedheradvancetowardhimuntilthetwostoodclosetogether，facetoface。Shespokesoftly，butwithanintensityofsupremefeelinginhervoice。
　　"DoyourememberwhatIsaidtoyouthedayyouhadmesentaway？"
　　Themerchantregardedherwithstarklackofunderstanding。
　　"Idon'trememberyouatall，"hesaid。
　　Thewomanlookedathimintentlyforamoment，thenspokeinacolorlessvoice。
　　"PerhapsyourememberMaryTurner，whowasarrestedfouryearsagoforrobbingyourstore。Andperhapsyourememberthatsheaskedtospeaktoyoubeforetheytookhertoprison。"
　　Theheavy-jowledmangaveastart。
　　"Oh，youbegintoremember。Yes!Therewasagirlwhosworeshewasinnocent——yes，shesworethatshewasinnocent。Andshewouldhavegotoff——only，youaskedthejudgetomakeanexampleofher。"
　　Themantowhomshespokehadgonegrayalittle。Hebegantounderstand，forhewasnotlackinginintelligence。Somehow，itwasborneinonhimthatthiswomanhadagrievancebeyondtheusualrunofinjuries。
　　"Youarethatgirl？"hesaid。Itwasnotaquestion，ratheranaffirmation。
　　Maryspokewiththedignityoflongsuffering——morethanthat，withtheconfidentdignityofavengeancelongdelayed，nowatlastachieved。Herwordsweresimpleenough，buttheytouchedtotheheartofthemanaccusedbythem。
　　"Iamthatgirl。"
　　Therewasalittleintervalofsilence。Then，Maryspokeagain，remorselessly。
　　"Youtookawaymygoodname。Yousmashedmylife。Youputmebehindthebars。Youoweforallthat……Well'I'vebeguntocollect。"
　　Themanoppositeher，themanofvigorousform，ofstrongfaceandkeeneyes，stoodgazingintentlyforlongmoments。Inthattime，hewaslearningmanythings。Finally，hespoke。
　　"Andthatiswhyyoumarriedmyboy。"
　　"Itis。"Marygavetheanswercoldly，convincingly。
　　Convincingly，savetoone——herhusband。Dicksuddenlyaroused，andspokewiththeviolenceofonesure。
　　"Itisnot!"
　　Burkeshoutedawarning。Demarest，morediplomatic，madearestraininggesturetowardthepoliceofficial，thenstartedtoaddresstheyoungmansoothingly。
　　ButDickwouldhavenoneoftheirinterference。
　　"Thisismyaffair，"hesaid，andtheothersfellsilent。HestoodupandwenttoMary，andtookhertwohandsinhis，verygently，yetveryfirmly。
　　"Mary，"hesaidsoftly，yetwithastrengthofconviction，"youmarriedmebecauseyouloveme。"
　　Thewifeshuddered，butshestrovetodeny。
　　"No，"shesaidgravely，"no，Ididnot!"
　　"Andyoulovemenow!"hewentoninsistingly。
　　"No，no!"Mary'sdenialcamelikeacryforescape。
　　"Youlovemenow!"Therewasamasterfulqualityinhisdeclaration，whichseemedtoignorehernegation。
　　"Idon't，"sherepeatedbitterly。
　　Buthewasinexorable。
　　"Lookmeintheface，andsaythat。"
　　Hetookherfaceinhishands，liftedit，andhiseyesmetherssearchingly。
　　"Lookmeintheface，andsaythat，"herepeated。
　　Therewasasilencethatseemedlong，thoughitwasmeasuredinthepassingofseconds。Thethreewatchersdarednotinterruptthisdramaofemotions，but，atlast，Mary，whohadplannedsolongforthishour，gatheredherforcesandspokevaliantly。Hervoicewaslow，butwithoutanyweaknessofdoubt。
　　"Idonotloveyou。"
　　Intheinstantofreply，DickGilder，bysomeinspirationoflove，changedhisattitude。"Justthesame，"hesaidcheerfully，"youaremywife，andI'mgoingtokeepyouandmakeyouloveme。"
　　Maryfeltathrilloffearthroughherverysoul。
　　"Youcan't!"shecriedharshly。"Youarehisson!"
　　"She'sacrook!"Burkesaid。
　　"Idon'tcareadamnwhatyou'vebeen!"Dickexclaimed。"Fromnowonyou'llgostraight。You'llwalkthestraightestlineawomaneverwalked。You'llputallthoughtsofvengeanceoutofyourheart，becauseI'llfillitwithsomethingbigger——I'mgoingtomakeyouloveme。"
　　Burke，withhisrousingvoice，spokeagain:
　　"Itellyou，she'sacrook!"
　　Marymovedalittle，andthenturnedherfacetowardGilder。
　　"And，ifIam，whomademeone？Youcan'tsendagirltoprison，andhavehercomeoutanythingelse。"
　　Burkeswunghimselfaroundinamovementofcompletedisgust。
　　"Shedidn'tgethertimeforgoodbehavior。"
　　Maryraisedherhead，haughtily，withagestureofhighdisdain。
　　"AndI'mproudofit!"cameherinstantretort。"Doyouknowwhatgoesontherebehindthosestonewalls？Doyou，Mr。
　　DistrictAttorney，whosebusinessitistosendgirlsthere？Doyouknowwhatagirlisexpectedtodo，togettimeoffforgoodbehavior？Ifyoudon't，askthekeepers。"
　　Gildermovedfussily。
　　"Andyou——"
　　Maryswayedalittle，standingtherebeforeherquestioner。
　　"Iservedeveryminuteofmytime——everyminuteofit，threefull，wholeyears。DoyouwonderthatIwanttogeteven，thatsomeonehasgottopay？Fouryearsago，youtookawaymyname——andgavemeanumber……Now，I'vegivenupthenumber——andI'vegotyourname。"
　　CHAPTERXV。AFTERMATHOFTRAGEDY。
　　TheGilders，bothfatherandson，enduredmuchsufferingthroughoutthenightanddaythatfollowedthesceneinMaryTurner'sapartment，whenshehadmadeknowntheaccomplishmentofherrevengeontheoldermanbyherensnaringoftheyounger。
　　Dickhadfollowedtheothersoutofherpresenceathercommand，emphasizedbyherleavinghimalonewhenhewouldhavepleadedfurtherwithher。Sincethen，hehadstriventoobtainanotherinterviewwithhisbride，butshehadrefusedhim。Hewasdeniedadmissiontotheapartment。Onlythemaidansweredtheringingofthetelephone，andhisnoteswereseeminglyunheeded。
　　Distraughtbythisviolentinterjectionoftormentintoalifethathithertohadknownnoimportantsuffering，DickGildershowedwhatmettleofmanlaybeneathhisdebonairappearance。
　　Andthatmettlewasofakindworthwhile。Inthesehoursofgrief，thesoulofhimputoutitsstrength。Helearnedbeyondperadventureofdoubtthatthewomanwhomhehadmarriedwasintruthanex-convict，evenasBurkeandDemaresthaddeclared。
　　Nevertheless，hedidnotforaninstantbelievethatshewasguiltyofthecrimewithwhichshehadbeenoriginallychargedandforwhichshehadservedasentenceinprison。Fortherest，hecouldunderstandinsomedegreehowthevenomofthewronginflictedonherhadpoisonedhernaturethroughtheyears，tillshehadworkedoutitsevilthroughtheschemeofwhichhewastheinnocentvictim。Hecaredlittleforthefactthatrecentlyshehaddevotedherselftodeviousdevicesformakingmoney，toingeniousschemesforlegalplunder。Inhissummingofher，hesetasmorethananoffsettoherunrighteousnessinthisregardthedesperatestruggleshehadmadeafterleavingprisontokeepstraight，which，ashelearned，hadendedinherattemptatsuicide。Heknewtheintelligenceofthiswomanwhomheloved，andinhisheartwasnothoughtofherfaultsasvitalflaws。Itseemedtohimratherthatcircumstanceshadcompelledher，andthatthroughallthesufferingofherlifeshehadretainedthemorebeautifulqualitiesofherwomanliness，forwhichhereverencedher。Intheclosenessoftheirassociation，shortasithadbeen，hehadlearnedtoknowsomethingofthetendererdepthswithinher，thekindlinessofher，thewholesomeness。
　　Swayedashewasbythelovelinessofher，hewasyetmoreenthralledbythoseinnerqualitiesofwhichtheouterbeautywasonlythefittingsymbol。
　　So，inthefaceofthiscatastrophe，wherealesslovemusthavebeendestroyedutterly，Dickremainedloyal。Hispassionateregarddidnotfalterforamoment。Itneverevenoccurredtohimthathemightcastheroff，mightyieldtohisfather'sprayers，andabandonher。Onthecontrary，hisonlypurposewastogainherforhimself，tocherishandguardheragainsteveryill，toprotectwithhislovefromeveryattackofshameorinjury。Hewouldnotbelievethatthegirldidnotcareforhim。
　　Whateverhadbeenherfirstpurposeofusinghimonlyasaninstrumentthroughwhichtostrikeagainsthisfather，whatevermightbeherpresentplanofeliminatinghimfromherlifeinthefuture，hestillwassurethatshehadgrowntoknowarealandlastingaffectionforhimself。Herememberedstartledglancesfromthevioleteyes，caughtunawares，andthemusicofhervoiceinrareinstants，andthesetoldhimthatloveforhimstirred，eventhoughitmightasyetbebutfaintly，inherheart。
　　Outofthatfact，hedrewanimmediatecomfortinthisperiodofhismisery。Nevertheless，hisanguishwasarackingone。Hegrewoldervisiblyinthenightandtheday。Therecreptsuddenlylinesofnewfeelingintohisface，and，too，linesofnewstrength。Theboydiedinthattime；themanwasborn，cameforthinthefullofhissteadfastnessandhiscourage，andhislove。
　　Thefathersufferedwiththeson。Hewasaproudman，intenselygratifiedoverthecommandingpositiontowhichhehadachievedinthecommercialworld，proudofhisbusinessintegrity，ofhisstandinginthecommunityasaleader，proudofhissocialposition，proudmostofallofthesonwhomhesoloved。Now，thishideousdisasterthreatenedhisprideateveryturn——worse，itthreatenedtheonepersonintheworldwhomhereallyloved。
　　Mostfatherswouldhavestormedattheboywhenpleadingfailed，wouldhavegivencommandswithharshness，wouldhavemenacedtherecalcitrantwithdisinheritance。EdwardGilderdidnoneofthesethings，thoughhisheartwassorelywounded。Helovedhissontoomuchtocontemplatemakingmoreevilfortheladbyanyestrangementbetweenthem。YethefeltthatthemattercouldnotsafelybeleftinthehandsofDickhimself。Herealizedthathissonlovedthewoman——norcouldhewondermuchatthat。HiskeeneyeshadperceivedMaryTurner'sgracesofform，herlovelinessofface。Hehadapprehended，too，insomemeasureatleast，thefinenessofhermentalfiberandthecapacitiesofherheart。Deepwithinhim，deniedanyoutlet，heknewtherelurkedacurious，subtlesympathyforthegirlinherschemeofrevengeagainsthimself。Herpersistentstrivingtowardtheobjectofherambitionwassomethinghecouldunderstand，sincethelikethingindifferentguisehadbeenbackofhisownbusinesssuccess。Hewouldnotlettheidearisetothesurfaceofconsciousness，forhestillrefusedtobelievethatMaryTurnerhadsufferedathishandunjustly。Hewouldthinkofherasnothingelsethanavilecreature，whohadcaughthissoninthetoilsofherbeautyandcharm，forthepurposeofeventuallymakingmoneyoutoftheintrigue。
　　Gilder，inhislibrarythisnight，waspacingimpatientlytoandfro，eagerlylisteningforthesoundofhisson'sreturntothehouse。HehadbeentheguestofhonorthatnightatanimportantmeetingoftheCivicCommittee，andhehadspokenwithhisusualclarityandearnestnessinspiteofthetroublethatbesethim。
　　Now，however，theregenerationofthecitywasfarfromhisthought，andhissoleconcernwaswiththeregenerationofalife，thatofhisson，whichbadefairtoberuinedbythewilesofawickedwoman。HewasanxiousforthecomingofDick，towhomhewouldmakeonemoreappeal。Ifthatshouldfail——well，hemustusetheinfluencesathiscommandtosecuretheforciblepartingoftheadventuressfromhisson。
　　Theroominwhichhepacedtoandfrowasofasoliddignity，wellfittedtoserveasanenvironmentforitsowner。Itwasverylarge，andlofty。Therewasmassivenessinthedeskthatstoodoppositethehalldoor，nearawindow。Thisparticularwindowitselfwashuge，high，juttinginoctagonal，withleadedpanes。Inaddition，therewasagreatfireplacesetwithtiles，aroundwhichwaswoodworkelaboratelycarved，thefruitofpatientquestingabroad。Onthewallswerehungsomepiecesoftapestry，wheretherewerenotbookcases。Overtheoctagonalwindow，too，suchdraperiesfellinstatelylines。Now，asthemagnatepacedbackandforth，therewasonlyagentlelightintheroom，fromareading-lamponhisdesk。Thehugechandelierwasunlighted……ItwasevenasGilder，inanincreasingirritationoverthedelay，hadthrownhimselfdownonacouchwhichstoodjustalittlewaywithinanalcove，thatheheardtheouterdooropenandshut。Hesprangupwithanejaculationofsatisfaction。
　　"Dick，atlast!"hemuttered。
　　Itwas，intruth，theson。Amomentlater，heenteredtheroom，andwentatoncetohisfather，whowasstandingwaiting，facingthedoor。
　　"I'mawfullysorryI'msolate，Dad，"hesaidsimply。
　　"Wherehaveyoubeen？"thefatherdemandedgravely。Buttherewasgreataffectionintheflashofhisgrayeyesashescannedtheyoungman'sface，andthetouchofthehandthatheputonDick'sshoulderwasverytender。"Withthatwomanagain？"
　　Theboy'svoicewasdisconsolateashereplied:
　　"No，father，notwithher。Shewon'tseeme。"
　　Theoldermansnortedawrathfulappreciation。
　　"Naturally!"heexclaimedwithexceedingbitternessintheheavyvoice。"She'sgotallshewantedfromyou——myname!"Herepeatedthewordswithagrimaceofexasperation:"Myname!"
　　Therewasanoveldignityintheson'stoneashespoke。
　　"It'smine，too，youknow，sir，"hesaidquietly。
　　Thefatherwasimpressedofasuddenwiththefactthat，whilethisaffairwasofsupremeimporttohimself，itwas，afterall，ofstillgreatersignificancetohisson。Tohimself，thechiefconcernswereoftheworldlykind。Tothisboy，thevitalthingwassomethingdeeper，somethingoftheheart:for，howeverabsurdhisfeeling，thetruthremainedthathelovedthewoman。Yes，itwastheson'snamethatMaryTurnerhadtaken，aswellasthatofhisfather。Inthecaseoftheson，shehadtakennotonlyhisname，buthisverylife。Yes，itwas，indeed，Dick'stragedy。
　　Whateverhe，thefather，mightfeel，thesonwas，afterall，moreaffected。Hemustsuffermore，mustlosemore，mustpaymorewithhappinessforhisfolly。
　　Gilderlookedathissonwithastrange，newrespect，buthecouldnotletthesituationgowithoutprotest，protestofthemostvehement。
　　"Dick，"hecried，andhisbigvoicewasshakenalittlebytheforceofhisemotion；"boy，youareallIhaveintheworld。Youwillhavetofreeyourselffromthiswomansomehow。"Hestoodveryerect，staringsteadfastlyoutofhiscleargrayeyesintothoseofhisson。Hisheavyfacewasrigidwithfeeling；thecoarsemouthbentslightlyinasmileoftroubledfondness，asheaddedmoresoftly:"Youowemethatmuch。"
　　Theson'seyesmethisfather'sfreely。Therewasrespectinthem，andaffection，buttherewassomethingelse，too，somethingtheoldermanrecognizedasbeyondhiscontrol。Hespokegravely，withadeliberateconviction。
　　"Iowesomethingtoher，too，Dad。"
　　ButGilderwouldnotletthestatementgounchallenged。Hisheavyvoicerangoutrebukingly，overtonedwithprotest。
　　"Whatcanyouoweher？"hedemandedindignantly。"Shetrickedyouintothemarriage。Why，legally，it'snoteventhat。
　　There'sbeennothingmorethanaweddingceremony。Thecourtsholdthatthatisonlyapartofthemarriageactually。Thefactthatshedoesn'treceiveyoumakesitsimpler，too。Itcanbearranged。Wemustgetyououtofthescrape。"
　　Heturnedandwenttothedesk，asiftosit，buthewashaltedbyhisson'sanswer，givenverygently，yetwithanoteoffinalitythattothefather'searranglikethecrackofdoom。
　　"I'mnotsurethatIwanttogetoutofit，father。"
　　Thatwasall，butthoseplainwordssummedthesituation，madetheissueamatternotofadvice，butoftheheart。
　　Gilderpersisted，however，intryingtoevadetheintegralfactofhisson'sfeeling。Stillhetriedtofixtheissueontheknownunsavoryreputationofthewoman。
　　"Youwanttostaymarriedtothisjail-bird!"hestormed。
　　Agustoffuryswepttheboy。Helovedthewoman，inspiteofall；herespectedher，evenreverencedher。Tohearherthusnamedmovedhimtoaragealmostbeyondhiscontrol。Buthemasteredhimself。Herememberedthatthemanwhospokelovedhim；heremembered，too，thatthewordofopprobriumwasnomorethanthetruth，howeveroffensiveitmightbetohissensitiveness。Hewaitedamomentuntilhecouldholdhisvoiceeven。Thenhiswordswerethesternestprotestthatcouldhavebeenuttered，thoughtheycamefromnoexerciseofthought，onlyoutofthedeepsofhisheart。
　　"I'mveryfondofher。"
　　Thatwasall。Butthesimplesincerityofthesayinggripedthefather'smood，asnoargumentcouldhavedone。Therewasalittlesilence。Afterall，whatcouldmeetsuchlovingloyalty？
　　Whenatlasthespoke，Gilder'svoicewassubdued，alittlehusky。
　　"Now，thatyouknow？"hequestioned。
　　Therewasnofalteringintheanswer。
　　"Now，thatIknow，"Dicksaiddistinctly。Thenabruptly，theyoungmanspokewiththeenergyofperfectfaithinthewoman。
　　"Don'tyousee，father？Why，sheisjustifiedinaway，inherownmindanyhow，Imean。Shewasinnocentwhenshewassenttoprison。Shefeelsthattheworldowesher——"
　　Buttheoldermanwouldnotpermittheassertiontogouncontradicted。Thatreferencetothewoman'sinnocencewasanarraignmentofhimself，forithadbeenhewhosenthertothetermofimprisonment。
　　"Don'ttalktomeaboutherinnocence!"hesaid，andhisvoicewasominous。"Isupposenextyouwillarguethat，becauseshe'sbeencleverenoughtokeepwithinthelaw，sinceshe'sgotoutofStatePrison，she'snotacriminal。Butletmetellyou——crimeiscrime，whetherthelawtouchesitintheparticularcase，orwhetheritdoesn't。"
　　Gilderfacedhissonsternlyforamoment，andthenpresentlyspokeagainwithdeeperearnestness。
　　"There'sonlyonecourseopentoyou，myboy。Youmustgivethisgirlup。"
　　Thesonmethisfather'sgazewithalevellookinwhichtherewasnoweakness。
　　"I'vetoldyou，Dad——"hebegan。
　　"Youmust，Itellyou，"thefatherinsisted。Thenhewentonquickly，withatoneofutmostpositiveness。"Ifyoudon't，whatareyougoingtodothedayyourwifeisthrownintoapatrolwagonandcarriedtoPoliceHeadquarters——forit'ssuretohappen？Thecleverestofpeoplemakemistakes，andsomedayshe'llmakeone。"
　　Dickthrewouthishandsinagestureofsupremedenial。Hewasfuriousatthissuppositionthatshewouldcontinueinherirregularpractices。
　　Butthefatherwentonremorselessly。
　　"Theywillstandherupwherethedetectiveswillwalkpastherwithmasksontheirfaces。Herpicture，ofcourse，isalreadyintheRogues'Gallery，buttheywilltakeanother。Yes，andtheimprintsofherfingers，andthemeasurementsofherbody。"
　　Thesonwaswrithingunderthewords。Thewomanofwhomthesethingsweresaidwasthewomanwhomheloved。Itwasblasphemytothinkofherinsuchcase，subjectedtothedegradationoftheseprocesses。Yet，everywordhadinitthepiercing，horriblestingoftruth。Hisfacewhitened。Heraisedasupplicatinghand。
　　"Father!"
　　"That'swhattheywilldotoyourwife，"Gilderwentonharshly；
　　"tothewomanwhobearsyournameandmine。"Therewasalittlepause，andthefatherstoodrigid，menacing。Thefinalquestioncamerasping。"Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"
　　Dickwentforwarduntilhewasclosetohisfather。Thenhespokewithprofoundconviction。
　　"Itwillneverhappen。Shewillgostraight，Dad。ThatIknow。
　　YouwouldknowitifyouonlyknewherasIdo。"
　　Gilderonceagainputhishandtenderlyonhisson'sshoulder。
　　Hisvoicewasmodulatedtoanunaccustomedmildnessashespoke。
　　"Besensible，boy，"hepleadedsoftly。"Besensible!"
　　Dickdroppeddownonthecouch，andmadehisanswerverygently，hiseyesunseeingashedweltonthethingsheknewofthewomanheloved。
　　"Why，Dad，"hesaid，"sheisyoung。She'sjustlikeachildinahundredways。Shelovesthetreesandthegrassandtheflowers——andeverythingthat'ssimpleandreal!Andasforherheart——"Hisvoicewaslowandverytender:"Why，herheartisthebiggestI'veeverknown。It'sjustoverflowingwithsweetnessandkindness。I'veseenherpickupababythathadfalleninthestreet，andmotheritinawaythat——well，noonecoulddoitasshedidit，unlesshersoulwasclean。"
　　Thefatherwassilent，alittleawed。Hemadeanefforttoshakeoffthefeeling，andspokewithasneer。
　　"Youheardwhatshesaidyesterday，andyoustillaresuchafoolastothinkthat。"
　　Theanswerofthesoncamewithanimmutablefinality，thesublimefaithoflove。
　　"Idon'tthink——Iknow!"
　　Gilderwasindespair。Whatargumentcouldavailhim？Hecriedoutsharplyindesperation。
　　"Doyourealizewhatyou'redoing？Don'tgotosmash，Dick，justatthebeginningofyourlife。Oh，Ibegyou，boy，stop!Putthisgirloutofyourthoughtsandstartfresh。"
　　Thereplywasofthesimplest，anditwastheendofargument。
　　"Father，"Dicksaid，verygently，"Ican't。"
　　Therefollowedalittleperiodofquietbetweenthetwo。Thefather，fromhisdesk，stoodfacinghisson，whothusdeniedhiminallhonestybecausetheheartsocommanded。Thesonrestedmotionlessandlookedwithunflinchingeyesintohisfather'sface。Inthegazeofeachwasagreataffection。
　　"You'reallIhave，myboy，"theoldermansaidatlast。Andnowthebigvoicewasamildestwhisperoflove。
　　"Yes，Dad，"cametheanswer——anotherwhisper，sinceitishardtovoicethetruthoffeelingsuchasthis。"IfIcouldavoidit，I
　　wouldn'thurtyouforanythingintheworld。I'msorry，Dad，awfullysorry——"Hehesitated，thenhisvoicerangoutclearly。
　　Therewasinhistone，whenhespokeagain，arecognitionofthatlonelinesswhichisthecurseandthecrownofbeing:
　　"But，"heended，"Imustfightthisoutbymyself——fightitoutinmyownway……AndI'mgoingtodoit!"
　　CHAPTERXVI。BURKEPLOTS。
　　Thebutlerentered。
　　"Amantoseeyou，sir，"hesaid。
　　Gildermadeagestureofirritation，ashesankintothechairathisdesk。
　　"Ican'tseeanyoneto-night，Thomas，"heexclaimed，sharply。
　　"Buthesaiditwasmostimportant，sir，"theservantwenton。
　　Heheldoutthetrayinsistently。
　　Themastertookthecardgrudgingly。Ashiseyescaughtthename，hisexpressionchangedslightly。
　　"Verywell，"hesaid，"showhimup。"Hisglancemetthewonderinggazeofhisson。
　　"It'sBurke，"heexplained。
　　"Whatonearthcanhewant——atthistimeofnight？"Dickexclaimed。
　　Thefathersmiledgrimly。
　　"Youmayaswellgetusedtovisitsfromthepolice。"Therewassomethingghastlyintheefforttowardplayfulness。
　　Amomentlater，InspectorBurkeenteredtheroom。
　　"Oh，you'rehere，too，"hesaid，ashiseyesfellonDick。
　　"That'sgood。Iwantedtoseeyou，too。"
　　InspectorBurkewas，infact，muchconcernedoverthesituationthathaddeveloped。Hewasamanofundoubtedability，andhetookakeenprofessionalprideinhiswork。Hepossessedthefaultsofhisclass，wasnottooscrupulouswherehesawasafeopportunitytomakeasnugsumofmoneythroughtheemploymentofhisofficialauthority，wasreadytobuckletothosewhoseinfluencecouldhelporhinderhisambition。But，inspiteoftheseordinarydefects，hewasfondofhisworkandwishfultoexcelinit。Thus，MaryTurnerhadcometobeathorninhisside。Shefloutedhisauthorityandsustainedherincredibleeffronterybyarestrainingorderfromthecourt。Thethingwasoutrageoustohim，andhesethimselftomatchhercunning。ThefactthatshehadinvolvedDickGilderwithinhertoilsmadehimthemoreanxioustoovercomeherinthestrifeofresourcesbetweenthem。Aftermuchstudying，hehadatlastplannedsomethingthat，whileitwouldnotdirectlytouchMaryherself，wouldatleastservetointimidateher，andaswellmakefurtheractioneasieragainsther。ItwasinpursuitofthisschemethathenowcametoGilder'shouse，andthepresenceoftheyoungmanabruptlygavehimanotherideathatmightbenefithimwell。So，hedisregardedGilder'sgreeting，andwentonspeakingtotheson。
　　"She'sskipped!"hesaid，triumphantly。
　　Dickmadeastepforward。Hiseyesflashed，andtherewasangerinhisvoiceashereplied:
　　"Idon'tbelieveit。"
　　TheInspectorsmiled，unperturbed。
　　"SheleftthismorningforChicago，"hesaid，lyingwithamannerthatlonghabitrenderedaltogetherconvincing。"Itoldyoushe'dgo。"Heturnedtothefather，andspokewithanairofboastfulgoodnature。"Now，allyouhavetodoistogetthisboyoutofthescrapeandyou'llbeallright。"
　　"Ifweonlycould!"ThecrycamewithdeepestearnestnessfromthelipsofGilder，buttherewaslittlehopeinhisvoice。
　　TheInspector，however，wasconfidentofsuccess，andhistonesrangcheerfullyasheanswered:
　　"Iguesswecanfindawaytohavethemarriageannulled，orwhatevertheydotomarriagesthatdon'ttake。"
　　Thebrutalassuranceofthemaninthusreferringtothingsthatweresacred，movedDicktowrath。
　　"Don'tyouinterfere，"hesaid。Hiswordswerespokensoftly，buttensely。
　　Nevertheless，Burkeheldtothetopic，butanindefinablechangeinhismannerrendereditlessoffensivetotheyoungman。
　　"Interfere!Huh!"heejaculated，grinningbroadly。"Why，that'swhatI'mpaidtodo。Listentome，son。Theminuteyoubeginmixingupwithcrooks，youain'tinapositiontogiveorderstoanyone。Thecrookshavegotnorightsintheeyesofthepolice。Justrememberthat。"
　　TheInspectorspokethesimpletruthasheknewitfromyearsofexperience。Thetheoryofthelawisthatapresumptionofinnocenceexistsuntiltheaccusedisprovenguilty。Butthepoliceareoutofsympathywithsuchfinicalmethods。Withthem，thecrookispresumedguiltyattheoutsetofwhatevermaybechargedagainsthim。Ifneedbe，therewillbeproofa-plentyagainsthim——ofthesortthattheunderworldknowstoitssorrow。
　　ButDickwasnotlistening。Histhoughtswereagainwhollywiththewomanheloved，who，astheInspectordeclared，hadfledfromhim。
　　"Where'sshegoneinChicago？"
　　Burkeansweredinhisusualgrufffashion，butwithanoteofkindlinessthatwasnotwithoutitseffectonDick。
　　"I'mnomind-reader，"hesaid。"Butshe'saswelllittlegirl，allright。I'vegottohandittoherforthat。So，she'llprobablystopattheBlackstone——thatis，untiltheChicagopolicearetippedoffthatsheisintown。"
　　Ofasudden，thefaceoftheyoungmantookonatotallydifferentexpression。Wherebeforehadbeenanger，nowwasavivideagerness。HewentclosetotheInspector，andspokewithintenseseriousness。
　　"Burke，"hesaid，pleadingly，"givemeachance。I'llleaveforChicagointhemorning。Givemetwenty-fourhoursstartbeforeyoubeginhoundingher。"