Under Cover Part 16

"Because I do not want to see an innocent man go to prison," she returned promptly.

"Oh, I see. And did your sister know it, too?"

"No," she answered quickly.

"Why hadn't you told her?" he demanded.

"Really," said the elder Miss Cartwright with an expression of innocence, "I didn't think it made any difference."

Taylor was obviously annoyed at such a view. "Your behavior is most extraordinary," he commented.

"You see, I know so little about law, and insurance and things like that," she said apologetically. She did not desire to offend him.

"You ought at least to have known that you owed it to the company to give them all the information in your possession," he grumbled.

"I never thought of it in that way," she said meditating.

"There seems a whole lot you young ladies haven't thought of," he said sourly.

Miss Cartwright rose from her seat without haste. "Come, Amy," she commanded. "We can't wait any longer and we are not needed."

As they turned toward the door the telephone bell rang and Taylor stayed them with a gesture. "Just one moment, please, Miss Cartwright."

The girls watching him saw that the news was pleasant for he chuckled as he hung up the receiver. Then he rose from his seat and came to where he stood between them and the door.

"Miss Cartwright," he cried, "when you didn't know what town in Canada your maid was, I felt you were lying. Now I know you were. I just had my a.s.sistant telephone to your mother." He pointed an accusing finger at them. "You never had a maid named Garnier, and the last one you had--over a year ago--was called Susan. You put the blame on a woman who doesn't exist, and you did it to s.h.i.+eld the real thief." He touched the crouching Amy on the shoulder. "This is the real thief!"

"She isn't, she isn't!" Ethel cried.

But Taylor paid no attention to her. He concentrated his gaze on the younger girl. "You swindled the company," he affirmed.

"No, no," she wailed, "I didn't."

Ethel came to her rescue. "How dare you," she cried to Taylor, "make such an accusation when you have no proof, nor anyone else either?"

"That's all very well," Taylor exclaimed, "but when we get the proof--"

"You can't, because there isn't any," she a.s.serted.

"Of course I see your game," the man said; "you're just trying to protect your sister. That's natural enough, but it will go easier with both of you if you'll tell the truth."

The two girls answered him never a word. Amy was too frightened and Ethel, her tactics unavailing, found her best defense in silence.

"So you won't answer?" Taylor said after a pause. "Well, of course the stuff is p.a.w.ned some place. That's what they all do. So far, Bronson has only searched the p.a.w.n-shops in New York. He didn't give you credit for p.a.w.ning them outside the city, but I do. Now we'll see where your sister did go." He went to the telephone again. "h.e.l.lo, Bill," he said when he had secured the number, "Go over to Bronson at the New York and get a description of the jewels reported stolen from a Miss Ethel Cartwright.

Have all the p.a.w.n-shops searched in Trenton,"--he fastened his harsh look on Amy Cartwright as he called out the names,--"Boston, Was.h.i.+ngton, Providence, Baltimore, Albany, Philadelphia--"

[Ill.u.s.tration: HE TURNED TO AMY. "YOUNG WOMAN, YOU'RE UNDER ARREST."

_Page 105_.]

As he called out the last city the girl gave a gasp of terror, and triumph instantly lighted up her inquisitor's grim face.

"So you p.a.w.ned them in Philadelphia?" he cried.

"No, no!" she moaned.

"I did it," Ethel Cartwright exclaimed.

"No, you didn't," Taylor said sharply. "You're only trying to save her.

You can't deceive me." He turned to Amy, "Young woman, you're under arrest."

"No, no," the elder sister besought. "Take me. She's only a child; don't spoil her life. I'll do whatever you like; it doesn't matter about me.

For G.o.d's sake don't do anything to my little sister."

"She's guilty," he reminded her, "and the law says--"

"If somebody pays, what difference does it make to you or the law? Isn't there anything I can do?" she pleaded.

Taylor paced up and down the room for a half minute before answering, while the two watched him in agony. To them he was one who could deliver them over to prison if it were his whim, or spare if he inclined to mercy.

"Surely there is some way out?" Ethel asked again.

"Yes," he said, "there is. You can accept my proposition to enter the secret service of the United States Customs."

"Oh, yes, yes," she cried, "anything!"

Taylor rubbed his hands together with satisfaction and pride in his inimitable craft. "Now you're talking!" he exclaimed. "Then we won't send the little sister to prison."

Amy sobbed relief in her sister's arms.

"Then you won't tell Bronson?" Ethel asked.

"No," he said, "I won't tell Bronson."

Ethel sighed, and felt almost that she would faint.

"Now I'm sorry for you two," Taylor said more genially, "and as long as you do what I tell you to, we'll leave the little matter of the jewels as between your sister and her conscience. I'll let you know when I need you. It may be to-night, it may be not for a month or a year, but when I do want you--"

"I shall be ready," the girl declared.

"Say, Chief," Duncan said looking in at the door,--

"Get out, I'm busy," Taylor shouted.

"I thought you'd like to know the Mauretania was coming up the bay,"

his satellite returned, slightly aggrieved at this reception.

"She is?" said the other. "Wait a minute then. Now, Miss Cartwright, good afternoon. Remember what is at stake, your future, and your sister's happiness. And don't forget that my silence depends on your not failing me."