Can't I get out the back way? They may be laying
for me in front. Don't look like that, Mary! I can give 'em the slip.
It won't do to have them nab me here. Just think of the newspapers!
Wake up! Don't you see? And listen: I'll do what I said I would--to-
night. I swear it. You can trust me, Mary. Now, quick, show me the way
out--and don't let me bump into Christine. I--I couldn't stand that. I
don't want to lose my nerve."
She left him and ran into the next room to look out into the avenue.
He followed rapidly.
"There are two men standing at the corner," she whispered in alarm. He
would have looked out if she had not dragged him away.
"It would be terrible if they were to come in here," she was saying
distractedly. "Yes, you must go." She grasped his arm. "Tom, you may
go if you'll promise to come back tonight."
"What's that for?"
"Because I insist. At ten o'clock--or any time you may choose. Only
you _must_ come back."
He studied her face curiously. Something stirred in his heart, but it
had been so long since anything had touched that organ that he failed
to credit himself with an emotion.
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