"Whether you ever
did it before or not, this time you have broken the law." A
sudden inspiration on his own behalf came to him. For his love's
sake, he must seize on this opportunity given of fate to him for
mastery. He went on with a new vehemence of boldness that became
him well.
"You're in my hands now. So are these men as well. Unless you do
as I say, Mary, I'll jail every one of them."
Mary's usual quickness was not lacking even now, in this period
of extremity. Her retort was given without a particle of
hesitation.
"You can't," she objected with conviction. "I'm the only one
you've seen."
"That's soon remedied," Dick declared. He turned toward the hall
door as if with the intention of lighting the chandelier.
But Mary caught his arm pleadingly.
"Don't, Dick," she begged. "It's--it's not safe."
"I'm not afraid," was his indignant answer. He would have gone
on, but she clung the closer. He was reluctant to use over-much
force against the one whom he cherished so fondly.
There came a diversion from the man who had made the capture, who
was mightily wondering over the course of events, which was
wholly unlike anything in the whole of his own rather extensive
housebreaking experience.
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