The Gray Seal! If--if every one knew what you had done,
they--"
"But every one won't," Jimmie Dale broke in bluntly, "Who is to tell
them? You? You couldn't very well, when you come to think of it--could
you? Well, who knows, perhaps there have been others like you!"
"You mean," said Burton excitedly, "you mean that all these crimes of
yours that have seemed without motive, that have been so inexplicable,
have really been like to-night to--"
"I don't mean anything at all," interposed Jimmie Dale a little
hurriedly. "Nothing, Burton--except that there is still one little thing
more to do to bolster up that 'childish' story of mine--and then get
out of here." He glanced sharply, critically around the room, his eyes
resting for a moment at the last on the form on the floor. Then tersely:
"I am going to turn out the light--we will have to pass the window to
get to the door, and we will invite no chances. Are you ready?"
"No; not yet," said Burton eagerly. "I haven't said what I'd like to say
to you, what I--"
"Walk straight to the door," said Jimmie Dale curtly. There was the
click of an electric-light switch, and the room was in darkness. "Now,
no noise!" he instructed.
And Burton, perforce, made his way across the room--and at the door
Jimmie Dale joined him and led him down the short flight of stairs. At
the bottom, he opened the door leading into the rear of the pawnshop
itself, and, bidding Burton follow, entered.
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