at hurt so she couldn't say any more.

"What mistake?" asked Peg again.

"They think Lafe shot----"

Peggy wheeled on the hesitating speaker. Shoving her to one side, she
stalked through the door. Jinnie flew after her.

"Peggy, Peg, he'll come back!"

Mrs. Grandoken opened the shop door and the empty room with overturned
chairs and scattered tools told its silent, eloquent tale.

"Honey," whispered Jinnie. "Honey dear----"

"God's Jesus," muttered Peg, with roving eyes, "God's Jesus, save my
man!"

Then she slid to the floor, and when she once more opened her eyes,
Jinnie was throwing water in her face.

CHAPTER XXXV

ALONE IN THE SHOP

Later in the day Jordan Morse and Molly Merriweather met at the
hospital. They looked into each other's eyes, not daring to mention
the terrible consternation that possessed them.

"Have you heard anything?" murmured Molly, glancing about before
speaking.

Jordan nodded his head.

"It's awful," he said. "Bates is dead--if you say a word, I'm lost."

"Depend on me," Molly assured him. "Oh, how dreadful it all is!
Theodore must get well," she continued in agitation.

"Well, he won't!" snarled Morse. Then he went on passionately. "Molly,
I swear I didn't intend to shoot _him_. I was mad clear through and
aimed at the cobbler."

"Hush!" warned Molly. "Some one's coming."

A young doctor approached them with gravity.

"Mr. King?" murmured Molly.

"Is slowly failing. The bullet found a vital spot----"

"And the other man--Bates? Is it true he's dead?" interjected Morse
eagerly.

"Yes, he died shortly after the tragedy. It's all a mystery, but I
think they've arrested the guilty man."

Both listeners stared at the speaker as if he'd told them the world
had come to an end. It was Morse who managed to mutter:

"What man?"

"Haven't you heard? They've arrested Lafe Grandoken. The shooting
occurred in his cobbling shop, and the gun was found as proof of his
crime. Of course, like all Jews, he's trying to invent a story in his
own favor.... He's undoubtedly the criminal."

Not until they were in the street did Jordan express himself to
Molly.

"What heavenly luck! So they've arrested Grandoken. If Theodore
lives----"

Molly clutched his arm.

"Oh, he must! He must! Jordan! I shall die myself if he doesn't."

Jordan Morse turned sharply upon her.

"Don't throw a fit right here. You're not the only one suffering. My
atmosphere is cleared a little wi