I've
taken off my beard since then. Can I have a new one?" He put
the question with an eagerness that seemed all sincere.
Burke answered with a fine feeling of generosity.
"Sure, you can, Joe! I'll send you up to the Gallery right now."
"Immense!" Garson cried, boisterously. He moved toward Dick
Gilder, walking with a faint suggestion of swagger to cover the
nervous tremor that had seized him.
"So long, young fellow!" he exclaimed, and held out his hand.
"You've been on the square, and I guess you always will be."
Dick had no scruple in clasping that extended hand very warmly in
his own. He had no feeling of repulsion against this man who had
committed a murder in his presence. Though he did not quite
understand the other's heart, his instinct as a lover taught him
much, so that he pitied profoundly--and respected, too.
"We'll do what we can for you," he said, simply.
"That's all right," Garson replied, with such carelessness of
manner as he could contrive. Then, at last, he turned to Mary.
This parting must be bitter, and he braced himself with all the
vigors of his will to combat the weakness that leaped from his
soul.
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