you back safe to me."

Garth tried to fight back the response of his heart. He told himself
that honorably he must accept all she had said that night as mimicry
whose only intention was to save his life. She would expect him to take
it at its real value, but he could not shake off the recollection of her
emotion. With a great longing he watched her move into the shadows
beyond the door.

CHAPTER XXI

THE ANTICS OF A TRAIN

At a gesture from Slim, George cut the cords that bound Garth's ankles.
The detective rose. With a nod Slim motioned George towards the oak door
which opened on Marlowe's cellar.

"Get to the 'phone," he whispered. "Pass the fair word, and bring the
wheels here on the minute."

He swung on the detective.

"If you see anybody upstairs, just keep your back turned so they won't
notice your pretty bracelets."

Garth shivered, aware that a new and disquieting element had entered the
situation.

Slim indicated the revolver, held ready in his coat pocket.

"After George, and in front of me. Always like that from now on."

He touched the bottle of acid which he had taken from George.

"Remember this will be behind you like my gun, but I don't want to shoot
to kill with either. Just a little in the face is better if you try to
cut up."

"You heard my promise," Garth said.

He followed George through the doorway, resisting continually the
impulse to turn around, to assure himself of what he already knew, that
Slim was actually alert each moment to discipline his slightest effort
at escape.

They crossed the damp spaces of the cellar and climbed the stairs,
pausing at the head until they could be certain Marlowe's evil figure
still faced a bar-room, significantly empty.

George hurried to the telephone booth, fastening the door behind him so
that Garth could hear nothing. Marlowe wiped his hands on his apron. A
sly smile twitched at the corners of his colorless lips.

"Well! Well! Who's rented the warehouse? Who are your pals, Mr. Garth?"

Garth kept his back turned. The glasses tinkled musically under
Marlowe's nervous fingers.

"Maybe you'll name your pleasure, gentlemen."

"Nothing but a little quiet," Slim grunted.

Marlowe flung up his hands, indicating a profound disapproval.

"Then what you mean coming through my cellar? That might get me in bad
with the cops. Or maybe you're detectives like Mr. Garth?"

Slim responded to the strain of this waiting. He turned angril