instinctively; and yet
that bandaged hand compelled her eyes. She spoke slowly.

"You have evidently shot someone, and are making me shield you from
justice."

Warren Jarvis shook his head, with that straightforward look which was
so convincing.

"Not from justice, but from the law?

"I thought they were the same."

His smile was bitter, as he retorted: "No, not always. There would be
no justice for me at the hands of the law: justice was not accomplished
by the law in all these years."

She dropped a white hand to the table by which she stood.

"Well, that is not for me to decide. I must only...."

"You must only listen--you shall decide. At least you shall listen, in
order that you may forgive my intrusion, my selfishness in compromising
you as I have done." He hesitated, and for the first time color came
into the drawn cheeks; a softening echo was observable in her own. "If
you find me guilty, when I tell you, I'll--well--I'll take that door or
anything you say."

"Your presumption is ridiculous," were her words, and yet she did not
call for assistance. Jarvis realized that he had at least won a
foothold for his plea. And he had not given up his dogged hope.

"I wouldn't call it ridiculous--a man has a right to argue for his
life."

"But," she parried, "could any decision be more unjust than mine must
be, when delivered at the point of a pistol?"

Jarvis took the challenge. He laid the weapon upon the dressing-table
by her side and crossed the room, leaving her between himself and the
door.

"Now, my dear lady, there's nothing to prevent you from covering me,
calling for help, and solving the riddle as you please. After all, what
does it matter, whether the end comes to-day or to-morrow, for it would
be impossible to elude the police. You don't understand, I know--but I
am not flying from justice: it was a case of shoot or be shot. You will
notice that only one cartridge in that revolver has been used. But,
listen--they're on the right trail at last."

He noiselessly crossed to the door and listened to the renewed
excitement without. There was a triple knock, and the voice of a man,
evidently of authority, rang out.

"Open up here. Is there anybody in here? Open, I tell you."

Jarvis turned toward the girl, whose face reflected a dozen curious
emotions as she watched him. He made his last appeal.

"It's up to you to do with me as you like," he murmured.

Her mind was made up quickly, and she