It _was_
a picture to see this lovely creature playing the part of the good
Samaritan, moving here and there in her exquisite gown. Ah, the tender
mercy! I knew that, come what might, I had strangely found the right
woman, the one woman.
[Illustration: We watched the girl as she bathed and bandaged the
wounded arm.]
"You're a good little woman," said the rogue, his face softening; "and
a good woman is the finest thing God ever placed upon earth. Had I
only found one!" He turned whimsically toward me. "Are you engaged to
marry this little woman?"
"No."
"Surely you love her!"
"Surely I do!" I looked bravely at the girl as I spoke.
But she never gave any sign that she heard. She pinned the ends of the
bandages carefully.
"And what brought you to this?" asked Haggerty, looking down at his
prisoner.
The prisoner shrugged.
"You've the making of a fine man in you," went on Haggerty generously.
"What caused you to slip up?"
"That subject is taboo," replied the thief. "But I want to beg your
pardon for underestimating your cunning."
"It was all due to a chance shot at the telephone."
"I kept you guessing."
"Merrily, too. My admiration is wholly yours, sir," returned Haggerty,
picking up the telephone exchange-book.
Pages:
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113