the white moll-第24章
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naturally allow for the possibility that Perlmer might stay later
in his office than usual； a contingency that doubtless accounted
for midnight being set as the hour at which they proposed to lay
old Nicky Viner by the heels。 Therefore； it seemed almost a
certainty that she would reach there； not only first； but with
ample time at her disposal to secure the papers and get away again
without interruption。 She might even； perhaps； reach the office
before Perlmer himself had left … it was still quite early enough
for that … but in that case she need only remain on watch until
the lawyer had locked up and gone away。 Nor need even the fact
that the office would be locked dismay her。 In the secret
hiding…place here in the garret； among those many other evidences
of criminal activity； was the collection of skeleton keys； and … she
was moving swiftly around the attic now； physically as active as her
thoughts。
It was not like that other night。 There were few preparations to
make。 She had only to secure the keys and a flashlight； and to
take with her the damp cloth that would remove the grime streaks
from her face； and the box of composition that would enable her to
replace them when she came back … and five minutes later she was
on the street； making her way toward the lane； and； specifically；
toward the deserted shed where she had hidden away her own clothing。
IX。 ROOM NUMBER ELEVEN
Another five minutes； and in her own personality now； a slim； trim
figure； neatly gloved； the heavy veil affording ample protection to
her features； Rhoda Gray emerged from the shed and the lane； and
started rapidly toward lower Sixth Avenue。 And as she walked； her
mind； released for the moment from the consideration of her
immediate venture； began again； as it had so many times in the last
three days； its striving and its searching after some loophole of
escape from her own desperate situation。 But only； as it ever did；
confusion came … a chaos of things； contributory things and
circumstances； and the personalities of those with whom this
impossible existence had thrown her into contact。 Little by little
she was becoming acquainted with the personnel of the gang … in an
impersonal way； mostly。 Apart from Danglar； there was Shluker； who
must of necessity be one of them； and Skeeny； the man who had been
with Danglar in Shluker's room； and the Cricket； whom she had never
seen； and besides these； there were those who were mentioned in the
cipher message to…night； and detailed to the performance of the
various acts and scenes that were to lead up to the final climax
… which； she supposed； was the object and reason for the cipher
message； in order that even those not actually employed might be
thoroughly conversant with the entire plan； and ready to act
intelligently if called upon。 For there were others； of course； as
witness herself； or； rather； Gypsy Nan； whose personality she had
so unwillingly usurped。
It was vital； necessary； that she should know them all； and more
than in that impersonal way； if she counted upon ever freeing
herself of the guilt attributed to her。 For she could see no other
way but one … that of exposing and proving the guilt of this vile
clique who now surrounded her； and who had actually instigated and
planned the crime of which she was accused。 And it was not an easy
task！
And then there were those outside this unholy circle who kept
forcing their existence upon her consciousness； because they； too；
played an intimate part in the sordid drama which revolved around
her； and whose end she could not foresee。 There was； for instance
… the Adventurer。 She drew in her breath quickly。 She felt the
color creep slowly upward； and tinge her throat and cheeks … and
then the little chin； strong and firm； was lifted in a sort of
self…defiant challenge。 True； the man had been a great deal in
her thoughts； but that was only because her curiosity was piqued；
and because on two occasions now she had had very real cause for
gratitude to him。 If it had not been for the Adventurer； she
would even now be behind prison bars。 Why shouldn't she think of
him？ She was not an ingrate！ Why shouldn't she be interested？
There was something piquantly mysterious about the man … who called
himself an adventurer。 She would even have given a good deal to
know who he really was； and how he； too； came to be so conversant
with Danglar's plans as fast as they were matured； and why； on
those two particular occasions； he had not only gone out of his
way to be of service to her； but had done so at very grave risk to
himself。 Of course； she was interested in him … in that way。 How
could she help it？ But in any other way … the little chin was
still tilted defiantly upward … even the suggestion was absurd。
The man might be chivalrous； courageous； yes； outwardly； even a
gentleman in both manner and appearance； he might be all those
things； and； indeed； was … but he was a thief； a professional
thief and crook。 It seemed very strange； of course； but she was
judging him； not alone from the circumstances under which they had
met and been together； but from what he had given her to understand
about himself。
The defiance went suddenly from her face； and； for a moment； her
lips quivered a little helplessly。 It was all so very strange； and
so forbidding； and … and； perhaps she hadn't the stout heart that
a man would have … but she did not understand； and she could not
see her way through the darkness that was like a pall wrapped about
her … and it was hard just to grope out amidst surroundings that
revolted her and made her soul sick。 It was hard to do this and
… and still keep her courage and her faith。
She shook her head presently as she went along； shook it
reprovingly at herself； and the little shoulders squared resolutely
back。 There must be； and there would be； a way out of it all； and
meanwhile her position； bad as it was； was not without； at least；
a certain compensation。 There had been the Sparrow the other night
whom she had been able to save； and to…night there was Nicky Viner。
She could not be blind to that。 Who knew！ It might be for just
such very purposes that her life had been turned into these new
channels！
She looked around her sharply now。 She had reached the lower
section of Sixth Avenue。 Perlmer's office； according to the address
given； was still a little farther on。 She walked briskly。 It was
very different to…night； thanks to her veil！ It had been horrible
that other night； when she had ventured out as the White Moll and
had been forced to keep to the dark alleyways and lanes； and the
unfrequented streets！
And now； through a jeweler's window； she noted the time； and knew
a further sense of relief。 It was even earlier than she had
imagined。 It was not quite ten o'clock； she would； at least； be
close on the heels of Perlmer's departure from his office； if not
actually ahead of time； and therefore she would be first on the
scene； and … yes； this was the place； here was Perlmer's name
amongst those on the name…plate at the street entrance of a small
three…story building。
She entered the hallway； and found it deserted。 It was a rather
dirty and unkempt place； and very poorly lighted … a single
incandescent alone burned in the hall。 Perlmer's room； so the
name…plate indicated； was Number Eleven； and on the next floor。
She mounted the stairs； and paused on the landing to look around
her again。 Here； too； the hallway was lighted by but a single
lamp； and here； too； an air of desertion was in evidence。 The
office tenants； it was fairly obvious； were not habitual night
workers； for not a ray of light came from any of the glass…paneled
doors that flanked both sides of the passage。 She nodded her head
sharply in satisfaction。 It was equally obvious that Perlmer had
already gone。 It would take her but a moment； then； unless the
skeleton keys gave her trouble。 She had never used a key of that
sort； but … She moved quietly down the hallway； and； looking quickly
about her to assure herself again that she was not observed； stopped
before the door of Room Number Eleven。
A moment she hung th
