"Then it's God's will and my work is done."
With a sudden cry Jennie threw herself in his arms.
"Forgive me, dear Lord. I can't do this hideous thing! It's my duly, but
I can't. My darling--my own! You shall not die. I was mad. Forgive me!
Forgive me! My own--"
"Halt!"
The sharp command of the Captain rang outside the door.
"Get into this room--quick--" the girl cried, pushing Socola into the
adjoining room and slamming the door as Dick entered the hall.
She faced the Captain with a smile.
"It's all right, now, Dick. I thought I had discovered an important
secret. It was a mistake--"
The Captain smiled.
"You don't mind my looking about the house?"
"_Searching_ the house?"
"Just the lower floor?"
"I do mind it. How dare you suggest such a thing, sir--"
"Because I've made a guess at the truth. You discovered important
evidence incriminating Socola. Your first impulse was to do your
duty--you weakened at the last moment--"
"Absurd!" she gasped.
"I happened to hear a door slam as I entered. I'll have to look around a
little."
He started to the door behind which Socola had taken refuge. Jennie
confronted him.
"You can't go in there--"
"It's no use, Jennie--I'm going to search that room--the whole house if
necessary.
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