Within the Law [76]
But the man was inexorable. He had set himself to this thing, and even the urging of the one person in the world for whom he most cared was powerless against his resolve.
"I can't quit now until we've got what we came here after," he declared roughly.
Of a sudden, the girl made shift to employ another sort of supplication.
"But there are reasons," she said, faltering. A certain embarrassment swept her, and the ivory of her cheeks bloomed rosily. "I--I can't have you rob this house, this particular house of all the world." Her eyes leaped from the still obdurate face of the forger to the group of three back of him. Her voice was shaken with a great dread as she called out to them.
"Boys, let's get away! Please, oh, please! Joe, for God's sake!" Her tone was a sob.
Her anguish of fear did not swerve Garson from his purpose.
"I'm going to see this through," he said, doggedly.
"But, Joe----"
"It's settled, I tell you."
In the man's emphasis the girl realized at last the inefficacy of her efforts to combat his will. She seemed to droop visibly before their eyes. Her head sank on her breast. Her voice was husky as she tried to speak.
"Then----" She broke off with a gesture of despair, and turned away toward the door by which she had entered.
But, with a movement of great swiftness, Garson got in front of her, and barred her going. For a few seconds the two stared at each other searchingly as if learning new and strange things, each of the other. In the girl's expression was an outraged wonder and a great terror. In the man's was a half-shamed pride, as if he exulted in the strength with which he had been able to maintain his will against her supreme effort to overthrow it.
"You can't go," Garson said sharply. "You might be caught."
"And if I were," Mary demanded in a flash of indignation, "do you think I'd tell?"
There came an abrupt change in the hard face of the man. Into the piercing eyes flamed a softer fire of tenderness. The firm mouth grew strangely gentle as he replied, and his voice was overtoned with faith.
"Of course not, Mary," he said. "I know you. You would go up for life first."
Then again his expression became resolute, and he spoke imperiously.
"Just the same, you can't take any chances. We'll all get away in a minute, and you'll come with us." He turned to the men and spoke with swift authority.
"Come," he said to Dacey, "you get to the light switch there by the hall door. If you hear me snap my fingers, turn 'em off. Understand?"
With instant obedience, the man addressed went to his station by the hall door, and stood ready to control the electric current.
The distracted girl essayed one last plea. The momentary softening of Garson had given her new courage.
"Joe, don't do this."
"You can't stop it now, Mary," came the brisk retort. "Too late. You're only wasting time, making it dangerous for all of us."
Again he gave his attention to carrying on the robbery.
"Red," he ordered, "you get to that door." He pointed to the one that gave on the passageway against which he had set the chair tilted. As the man obeyed, Garson gave further instructions.
"If any one comes in that way, get him and get him quick. You understand? Don't let him cry out."
Chicago Red grinned with cheerful acceptance of the issue in such an encounter. He held up his huge hand, widely open.
"Not a chance," he declared, proudly, "with that over his mug." To avoid possible interruption of his movements in an emergency, he removed the chair Garson had placed and set it to one side, out of the way.
"Now, let's get to work," Garson continued eagerly. Mary spoke with the bitterness of defeat.
"Listen, Joe! If you do this, I'm through with you. I quit."
Garson was undismayed by the threat.
"If this goes through," he countered, "we'll all quit. That's why I'm doing it. I'm sick of the game."
He turned to the work in hand with increased energy.
"Come, you, Griggs and Red, and push that desk down a bit so that I can stand