Tod took out a cigarette and lighted it. His mother had been gone a long time. He wondered what was keeping her and what Paula said to her. Suddenly the ward door opened and Mrs. Marsh reappeared, her manner greatly agitated.
"Oh, Tod!" she exclaimed excitedly, "we must get her out of this place at once. The poor girl is nearly frightened to death! She should never have been sent here. It's an outrage. She is perfectly rational. She's just nervous and afraid—that's all!"
"Of course, she's all right!" retorted Tod. "We've known that right along."
"Yes," said his mother contritely, "we should have taken care of her from the first, and not let her go among strangers. It's your stepfather's fault."
"Well, what can we do to mend matters?" demanded Tod, with some impatience.
"The poor girl begged me so hard to take her to the hotel with me. I'm so upset I—— When does her case come up?"
"In about a week," replied Tod doggedly, "and until then I'm going to stay right here every minute of the time."
"Supposing I speak to Dr. McMutrie?" suggested his mother.
Tod shook his head.
"There's some legal process to go through. We have to get the consent of the person who placed her here. Cooley and Jimmy alone can do it. They must! We'll make them——"
"Hush!" cried his mother warningly. "Here's your stepfather."
James Marsh appeared at the top of the staircase, and after glancing furtively around, as if to make sure that his wife and stepson were alone, he slowly descended and came toward where they were standing.
He was pale and his manner was greatly agitated. Deep lines furrowed his face as if he had passed nights without sleep. He must have been aware that his wife and stepson were in the asylum, for he evinced no surprise at seeing them. On the contrary, he seemed relieved. Advancing quickly he held out his hand to his wife:
"Amelia!" he exclaimed imploringly.
"Don't address me!" said Mrs. Marsh indignantly. "Don't come near me, you——"
"Amelia!" he repeated.
"What do you want here?" she demanded.
"There's a preliminary examination before the trial. Mr. Cooley and I have to be present. But what has that to do with it? I want you to come back to me."
"No!" she said positively.
"Do you mean to say you've left me for good?"
"I do! I won't listen to you while that girl remains in this dreadful place!"
"What can I do, Amelia?" he cried, wringing his hands. "I sat up last night—all night—waiting—hoping that you'd come back. All my anxiety about my brother's estate has been on your account, and now you've left me without a word. Everything I've said or done has been for your sake. It's damned ingratitude to leave me like this!"
"It's not half what you deserve," she retorted.
"Tod, you can put everything right—persuade her to come back."
The young man looked at him indignantly.
"Do you think she'd go back to you after the way you've treated that girl?" he cried hotly.
His stepfather looked aggrieved. Peevishly he said:
"Why, three physicians have attested to the fact that we are doing the best we can for her."
"It's a damnable conspiracy!" cried Tod, with increasing fury.
"It isn't my fault," whined Jimmy. "If I'm mistaken—so are they." Almost in a whisper, he went on: "It was Cooley's idea—his idea from the very beginning. Of course, if she's not responsible she ought to be watched. All I wanted him to do was to contest the will. We've gone so far now, we've got to go on——"
Tod started eagerly forward. That was just what he wanted to know. Quickly he said:
"So it was Cooley's idea, eh? Of course, that changes the aspect of things. If that is so, mother, I think you may reconsider——"
"How dare you suggest such a thing?" exclaimed Mrs. Marsh indignantly.
"Everything I've done," went on Jimmy tearfully, "I've done for your sake— I acted for the best. It's the most ungrateful piece of business——"
"But you said it was Cooley's idea," interrupted Tod impatiently. "Where does he come in?"
"He gets half—half of everything," replied the other.
"Oh, he divides the estate with you, does he?"
"It was his idea from the very beginning," went on Jimmy. "I only wanted my share of my brother's property. I'm entitled to that. Cooley urged me on—and on—until at last we'd gone too far."
"Oh, Tod!" exclaimed Mrs. Marsh, in dismay; "it's worse than I thought——"
Sinking down on a chair she looked helplessly at the two men.
"Well, you can blame yourself, too," said Jimmy doggedly. "Your damned extravagance is responsible for the whole business, and, if the truth ever does come out, you won't escape—that you can gamble on!"
"My mother doesn't want to escape," retorted Tod angrily, "we are both willing to pay the penalty for our association with you."
"Why—what are you going to do?" demanded Jimmy, in alarm.
"Going to do?" echoed Tod. "What else is there to do but tell Mr. Ricaby what you have just told us?"
"Tell—Ricaby—you fool, do you know what he'll do?"
"Yes," replied the young man dryly. "He will probably have you and Cooley indicted for conspiracy."
"He'll have us all indicted," exclaimed the other. "Do you think you can share the spoils without being associated with the crime?"
"You—you wretch!" cried Mrs. Marsh. "Do you mean that we are your accomplices?"
"No, I don't mean that, Amelia," said Jimmy half-apologetically. "I—I've had no sleep for forty-eight hours, and I don't know what I'm saying. But it was all for your sake—every bit of it! You can't make me take that back—for your sake——"
Sitting down, he covered his face with his hands. Tod went up to his mother.
"Mother," he said eagerly, "have I your consent to—to make this matter public? Are you willing to—risk telling the truth?"
"And go to prison, eh?" sneered Jimmy. "Fine advice!"
"The more wicked a man is, the bigger fool he is!" retorted his wife.
"Do you suppose that this matter can be kept secret?" cried Tod. "You are willing? You want to cut yourself loose from this—this association with a scoundrel like Cooley?"
"God knows I do!" moaned Jimmy. "Oh, this is my punishment—this is my punishment!"
"Then you've got one chance, Jimmy. Go upstairs and tell those people that you demand Paula Marsh's instant release from this place."
Jimmy rose, his face white.
"No," he said. "Give me time— I'll arrange it privately with Cooley. Don't force me to—to—make a public exposure—for your own sakes——"
"You must not consider us," cried Tod.
"Well, you can consider me," said his mother. "I don't mind going as far as the divorce court, but I'm not pining to go to prison."
"Mother!" cried the young man; "we must go on!"
"Of course, you're right, Tod— I know, but—oh, the wretch to drag us into a—a—oh, it's horrible."
There was a commotion at the front entrance. A moment later Mr. Ricaby entered, excited and travel-stained.
"The machine broke down," he explained, "three miles out. I had to drive back—everything goes against us—everything."
Tod pointed triumphantly to Jimmy.
"Mr. Marsh—tell Mr. Ricaby what you have just told us."
"No," said Jimmy, rising. "I'll—I'll tell Cooley. That's the best— I'll tell him you found out. It was for your sake, Amelia—don't lose sight of that fact—for your sake."
Quickly opening the ward door, he disappeared.
CHAPTER XX.
The lawyer looked in amazement from one to the other. What he had heard was scarcely credible. He did not believe the evidence of his own ears.
"What do you mean?" he gasped.
"Just what I say," replied Tod calmly. "The fight is as good as won! Jimmy Marsh acknowledges that he and Cooley conspired to divide Paula Marsh's estate, and put her here to gain their ends."
Mr. Ricaby said nothing for a moment. The suddenness of this most unexpected revelation had almost paralyzed his faculties. Could it be possible that they had run the cunning fox to earth, that they had the big criminal lawyer in their power? Was the astute Bascom Cooley trapped at last? It seemed too good to believe. If it were true, then Paula was as good as free. All their worry and anxiety was at an end. There was nothing to prevent her walking out of the asylum at once. All that remained to be done was the punishment of the scoundrels who by audacious fraud and misrepresentation had put her there. Silently the lawyer promised himself that the penalty should be the limit.
"Is it possible?" he ejaculated.
"Yes," said Tod exultingly. "Jimmy has just left here. He has gone upstairs to see Cooley and call the whole thing off."
Mrs. Marsh, giving way to her emotions, sank down on a convenient seat and buried her face in her daintily perfumed handkerchief.
"Oh, I'm so ashamed!" she moaned.
Tod put his arm tenderly around her. He was fond of his mother in spite of all that had occurred to estrange him from home.
"No, dear," he said gently, "you haven't done anything to be ashamed of. It isn't your fault. Mr. Ricaby knows that. Don't you, Ricaby?"
The lawyer looked at the weeping woman in silence. Then slowly and gravely he said:
"I can't believe it possible that you are associated with your husband in the commission of this crime—no— I am ready to acquit you of that."
"What do you intend to do first?" demanded Tod anxiously.
"The lawyer remained thoughtful for a moment. Then he said:
"I want you both to remain here until I have your sworn testimony as to the facts of the case. Then I shall proceed to have Mr. James Marsh and Mr. Bascom Cooley arrested for criminal conspiracy!"
"It seems rather hard to make my mother testify against her own husband," objected the younger man.
"It's perfectly disgraceful," sobbed Mrs. Marsh, "but I'll do whatever must be done."
"Well—we won't discuss that question now," replied Mr. Ricaby hastily, "the important thing is to get Miss Marsh out of this place as soon as possible."
Suddenly Tod gave a wild whoop and darted towards the stairs. On the top landing he had spied Paula standing with Dr. McMutrie by her side.
"Here she is!" he cried.
Slowly the young girl descended the winding staircase, carefully assisted round the turns by the Examiner. She seemed weak and looked very pale. But her face brightened as soon as she caught sight of friends.
"Good news, Miss Paula!" exclaimed Tod breathlessly. "You will scarcely believe it."
Mrs. Marsh, who had hastily dried her eyes, rose and went towards her niece with arms outstretched. "Paula!" she cried. "How we have wronged you!"
"I thought she would be more comfortable with you," smiled Dr. McMutrie. "I'm afraid the presence of we men of science rather disconcerts her."
Paula, who was now leaning on the arm of the supremely contented Tod, smiled gratefully:
"You are very kind, doctor—I—thank you. It does oppress me when I see so many people who are not—not kindly disposed. I'm glad to be here—with my friends."
While Tod talked in an eager undertone with Paula, Dr. McMutrie took Mr. Ricaby and Mrs. Marsh aside.
"The girl's all right," he said. "She's suffering from intense nervousness, that's all! While we were questioning her Mr. Marsh came into the room and took Mr. Cooley away—so I thought I'd bring her down here until she's wanted. By the way, Mrs. Marsh, did you select Dr. Zacharie to attend your niece?"
"No—I certainly did not!" she replied positively.
The examiner hesitated and coughed as if unwilling to express his frank opinion of Mr. Cooley's physician.
"He is certainly a most peculiar man— I—don't agree with him at all. He's essentially too drastic, and I don't think he understands. Do you know who did engage him?"
"Yes—I think——"
She stopped suddenly, seeing that Mr. Ricaby was signalling her to remain silent.
"Well, I must get back," said Dr. McMutrie, rising. "You had better stay here. I don't approve of your niece remaining at Tocquencke, Mrs. Marsh, and I am going to say so. She ought never to have come——"
With a courteous bow to Mrs. Marsh and the others, he turned and left the office.
"Did you tell him?" demanded Tod eagerly, when he was out of earshot.
"No," replied the lawyer quickly, "we'll tell no one. I don't want the scoundrel to escape."
"I've told Miss Paula everything," said Tod gaily. Jokingly, he added: "Would you believe it? She's sorry to leave Sea Rest!"
Paula laughed, a frank, girlish peal of merriment unclouded by care or anxiety. It was the first laugh since she had come to the asylum, and she was surprised how good it felt. Her eyes sparkled with new joy and happiness. Thank God! Her troubles were at an end. Freedom was now only a question of minutes. The terrible nightmare was over, a thing of the past. No more would she be terrified by the sight of padded cells or haunted by Dr. Zacharie's cruel, diabolical smile. And as she clung more tightly to Tod's arm she thought with gratitude in her heart how true and devoted a friend he had been through all these dark days. But for him, her uncle and Mr. Cooley might have succeeded in their design, they might have kept her confined in the asylum for years. The outside world would never have known or cared. She might have died there and no one been the wiser. She felt sorry for Mrs. Marsh, for she believed in the sincerity of the woman's repentance. Besides, she was ready to forgive her anything. Was she not the mother of the one being she loved better than anyone in the world?
Turning to Mrs. Marsh, she said with a sympathetic smile:
"It's fortunate for me—but is hard for you, isn't it?"
"Oh, never mind me," murmured Mrs. Marsh, averting her face. "You did not deserve to suffer. I do."
"Dr. McMutrie has been very kind," went on Paula; "he seemed to realize instinctively that Dr. Zacharie was against me. That fact alone enlisted his sympathy."
"Yes, my dear," said Mrs. Marsh, who had somewhat recovered from her agitation, "Dr. McMutrie is an exceptionally nice man. One doesn't often meet such men nowadays." With a mischievous glance at Tod, she added: "He's almost as nice as my son, don't you think so, Paula?"
Understanding her meaning, the girl blushed, and the alert Tod, quick to seize the psychological moment, thought this as good a time as any to put to words what his eyes had already told her eloquently enough:
"Paula," he whispered, "I——"
"Hush!" said Mr. Ricaby warningly. "Here's Mr. Cooley!"
Bascom Cooley, head erect and defiant as ever, came slowly down the stairs and glared savagely at each individual member of the group gathered in the office waiting for him. He knew that he was checkmated, that his reign of terror was ended, that the Marsh millions had slipped out of his grasp, but still he would not acknowledge defeat. They thought they had trapped him, did they? Well, he would show them that the old fox was too cunning for them. He stood in silence, waiting for someone to speak. Finally, Mr. Ricaby stepped forward. His face was pale, but his voice firm as he said:
"Bascom Cooley, I suppose Mr. Marsh has already told you that we know. There is no use mincing matters. You and James Marsh will have to answer to the proper authorities for as damnable and wicked a criminal conspiracy as was ever plotted in the history of the State. In your greed for gold you have deliberately done a great wrong. You have committed subornation of perjury, you have wilfully concocted and distorted evidence, all for the sordid miserable purpose of securing dishonestly the control of funds belonging to another. Believing that your political influence would hold you immune, you have outraged every law of order and decency. You have robbed both the public and the individual. You have become rich on the sufferings of those you have victimized. There is hardly a crime in the calendar that may not be laid at your door. Your past career is a matter of public record. Until now you have gone scot-free. People knew of your misdeeds, your turpitudes were a matter of common gossip, but everybody was afraid of you, afraid to denounce you. They lacked proof. But now it is different. We have the proofs at last. To-morrow your disgrace will be blazoned forth in flaming 'scareheads' on the front page of every newspaper in the land. You are a contemptible person—not worthy to be called a man! You are a disgrace to the profession of which I myself have the honor to be an humble member. But your day of reckoning is close at hand. In the case of this poor unfortunate girl your greed has overreached itself. You went too far—so far that, at last, your fellow conspirator refused to follow you any longer. He has turned State's evidence. He will help convict you and put you behind the bars!"
Mr. Ricaby halted a moment, for sheer want of breath. The bystanders, trembling with excitement, crowded eagerly around, closely watching the chief figures in this sensational denunciation. They expected that the burly lawyer, rendered furious by all these insults, would attack his opponent. Physically he was more than a match for Mr. Ricaby, and the latter certainly had not spared his words. But there was no fight in Bascom Cooley. On his pasty white, bloated face, the sweat stood out like glistening beads. His fat, swine-like mouth quivered as, with clenched fists, he replied hoarsely:
"What the h—ll are you talking about? Who'll believe all that rubbish? What proofs have you got?"
Thus challenged, Mr. Ricaby returned to the attack.
"Proofs?" he almost shouted. "We've got all the proofs any jury will want. Not only shall we have the sworn testimony of James Marsh, your accomplice, but we have had you yourself shadowed. Yes, Mr. Cooley, we have had detectives on your track. Unknown to you, unsuspected by you, our men have watched your every movement for weeks past. You have not made a call, you have not sent a message without it being instantly faithfully reported to me. We know now who your political friends are, we know so well that they will not dare come to your rescue, for if they have the temerity to interfere in your just punishment, we will ruin them as well. They shall share in your downfall. Corrupt servants of the public, they have accepted your bribes and they shall share your fate!"
Mr. Cooley grew whiter and visibly more nervous. His defiant manner had completely disappeared. His attitude was more humble and conciliatory. Shuffling his feet nervously on the floor, he said:
"I don't see why there should be any misunderstanding. I am ready to make amends for any inconvenience I may have caused Miss Marsh. My client, Mr. James Marsh, has informed me of his intentions to withdraw all opposition to your writ of habeas corpus.
"Miss Paula may go when she pleases—the authorities have instructions. Furthermore, it is Mr. Marsh's intention to withdraw from the guardianship of his niece—and to return to her the estate intact—intact—with interest if she asks it."
He stopped and looked around for approval, but everybody was dumb. A dead silence reigned. He went on:
"As to the question of conspiracy—criminal conspiracy—let me remind my client's wife——"
Mrs. Marsh started nervously.
"Yes, madam," he said, pointing his finger at her. "You and your son both! If Mr. Marsh and I go to prison you will go with us. If we are guilty so are you. If my unfortunate client has made any remarks about me they are insinuations based on motives of self-interest— Now, I've warned you—Ricaby—you young reformers must learn to let sleeping dogs lie. Conspiracy is an edged tool—it not only cuts both ways, but sometimes it cuts the hand that holds it."
Turning to Mr. Ricaby, he continued:
"Go to the district attorney, have me indicted, but if you do I swear to God that I'll tell some truths about this woman's husband that will make her regret her action. Do your worst, Mr. Ricaby. Now I have the honor to wish you all good day!"
Turning on his heel, he took his departure. No one attempted to stop him, all rejoiced to see him go. Paula turned to Mrs. Marsh who, overcome with emotion, was weeping bitterly. Tod putting his arm around her, attempted to comfort her, while Paula knelt by her side.
"In order to protect themselves," said Paula gently, "these men have accused you. We can't reach them without hurting you. Isn't that what Mr. Cooley meant, Mr. Ricaby?"
"Yes," replied the lawyer grimly.
"They will accuse you of conspiring with them, too! Oh, that's horrible!"
"We'll be all right, Paula," said Tod reassuringly.
"Yes, but they may believe this man Cooley. They may believe my uncle. They may put your mother in prison!"
"We must prosecute them, Paula," insisted Mr. Ricaby. "We cannot compound a felony even if——"
"Yes," she retorted, "but why should the innocent suffer for the guilty? Why should—Tod——Why should he suffer? No, I won't appear against them— I refuse! Do you hear, Mr. Ricaby, I won't!"
"They can't do anything to us, Paula," said Tod. "We shall be all right. They must be punished as a warning to others— I don't feel so hard against Marsh—but Cooley—he's the real criminal."
"He must go to prison," insisted Mr. Ricaby. "Marsh is only a figurehead—but Cooley represents the System—an iniquitous organization of crooks——"
"What do I care for the System and warning to others if he is to suffer, too?" retorted Paula. "No, I—I care only for——"
She stopped suddenly, and her face flushed and then turned pale. She realized that she was betraying herself, but Tod had heard the exclamation. Silently he pressed her hand and she returned the pressure. Without exchanging a word they understood each other.
"Mr. Chase," said Mr. Ricaby, "will you pardon me a moment? I wish to speak to Miss Marsh alone."
"Certainly," he replied. "Come, mother, we'll prosecute those men, and she will appear against them. Wait out there——"
"Do whatever you think is right, Mr. Ricaby," said Mrs. Marsh.
"Whatever is right," he echoed; "that shall be to them——"
When they had disappeared, Paula said quickly:
"You must!" insisted the lawyer, unwilling to be balked of his prey now in his hour of triumph.
"No," she said firmly, "it's only revenge you want—revenge—on——"
"Revenge on whom?" he demanded.
"You hated him from the very first," she cried.
"Hated whom?"
"Tod——"
"Always that man!" cried the lawyer impatiently. "You think of no one else. Ah, you love him! Tell me the truth, Paula, I can bear it now. You love him!"
The young girl was silent for a moment and then, in a tone so low as to be almost inaudible, she replied:
"Yes, I love him."
The lawyer bowed his head. There was nothing more to be said. He could only accept the inevitable.
"I see now why I always mistrusted him," he said bitterly. "But I never hated him, Paula. If he is the man I take him to be, he'll insist on my showing up this rotten system which is a blight on our fair land." Going to the door, he called out:
"Mr. Chase!"
The young man reëntered, his face wreathed in smiles.
"My machine is outside," he said cheerily, "the chauffeur has fixed it all right. Paula, it is all settled! You are coming home with us, with mother and—me!"
"Going home?—yes," she replied tenderly.
Mr. Ricaby, making an effort to control his feelings, pretended to be busy with some papers at the desk. Turning to Tod, he said:
"I will at once see about getting Miss Marsh's certificate of discharge from this place. Talk to her while I am gone. She's worrying because you are involved in this matter." With a sigh he added: "If she only thought of me as much as she does of you——"
He shook his head sadly and left the office. Tod turned to his companion.
"Paula," he said tenderly, "there is something I've wanted for a long time to tell you——"
"No—not here," she smiled.
"That's right," he laughed. "Not here—but where?"
"At home," she said, in a low voice.
He put his arms around her.
"My machine's at the door—we'll start right now."
THE END.
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