the red cross girl-第28章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！



〃And　what　are　you　going　to　do？〃　demanded　Winnie。

I'm　going　to　finish　this　cigar　first。　It　doesn't　take　me　long　to
change。〃　He　turned　to　the　butler。　〃And　I'll　have　a　cocktail；　too
I'll　have　it　out　here。〃

The　servant　left　them；　but　in　the　French　window　that　opened　from
the　terrace　to　the　library　Mrs。　Keep　lingered　irresolutely。
〃Fred；〃　she　begged；　〃youyou're　not　going　to　poke　around　in　the
bushes；　are　you？just　because　you　think　I'm　frightened？〃

Her　husband　laughed　at　her。　〃I　certainly　am　NOT！〃　he　said。　〃And
you're　not　frightened；　either。　Go　in。　I'll　be　with　you　in　a
minute。〃

But　the　girl　hesitated。　Still　shattering　the　silence　of　the　night
the　siren　shrieked　relentlessly；　it　seemed　to　be　at　their　very
door；　to　beat　and　buffet　the　window…panes。　The　bride　shivered　and
held　her　fingers　to　her　ears。

〃Why　don't　they　stop　it！〃　she　whispered。　〃Why　don't　they　give　him
a　chance！〃

When　she　had　gone；　Fred　pulled　one　of　the　wicker　chairs　to　the
edge　of　the　terrace；　and；　leaning　forward　with　his　chin　in　his
hands；　sat　staring　down　at　the　lake。　The　moon　had　cleared　the
tops　of　the　trees；　had　blotted　the　lawns　with　black；　rigid
squares；　had　disguised　the　hedges　with　wavering　shadows。
Somewhere　near　at　hand　a　criminala　murderer；　burglar；　thugwas
at　large；　and　the　voice　of　the　prison　he　had　tricked　still
bellowed　in　rage；　in　amazement；　still　clamored　not　only　for　his
person　but　perhaps　for　his　life。　The　whole　countryside　heard　it：
the　farmers　bedding　down　their　cattle　for　the　night；　the　guests
of　the　Briar　Cliff　Inn；　dining　under　red　candle　shades；　the　joy
riders　from　the　city；　racing　their　cars　along　the　Albany　road。　It
woke　the　echoes　of　Sleepy　Hollow。　It　crossed　the　Hudson。　The
granite　walls　of　the　Palisades　flung　it　back　against　the　granite
walls　of　the　prison。　Whichever　way　the　convict　turned；　it　hunted
him；　reaching　for　him；　pointing　him　outstirring　in　the　heart　of
each　who　heard　it　the　lust　of　the　hunter；　which　never　is　so　cruel
as　when　the　hunted　thing　is　a　man。

〃Find　him！〃　shrieked　the　siren。　〃Find　him！　He's　there；　behind
your　hedge！　He's　kneeling　by　the　stone　wall。　THAT'S　he　running　in
the　moonlight。　THAT'S　he　crawling　through　the　dead　leaves！　Stop
him！　Drag　him　down！　He's　mine！　Mine！〃

But　from　within　the　prison；　from　within　the　gray　walls　that　made
the　home　of　the　siren；　each　of　twelve　hundred　men　cursed　it　with
his　soul。　Each；　clinging　to　the　bars　of　his　cell；　each；　trembling
with　a　fearful　joy；　each；　his　thumbs　up；　urging　on　with　all　the
strength　of　his　will　the　hunted；　rat…like　figure　that　stumbled
panting　through　the　crisp　October　night；　bewildered　by　strange
lights；　beset　by　shadows；　staggering　and　falling；　running　like　a
mad　dog　in　circles；　knowing　that　wherever　his　feet　led　him　the
siren　still　held　him　by　the　heels。

As　a　rule；　when　Winnie　Keep　was　dressing　for　dinner；　Fred；　in　the
room　adjoining；　could　hear　her　unconsciously　and　light…heartedly
singing　to　herself。　It　was　a　habit　of　hers　that　he　loved。　But　on
this　night；　although　her　room　was　directly　above　where　he　sat
upon　the　terrace；　he　heard　no　singing。　He　had　been　on　the　terrace
for　a　quarter　of　an　hour。　Gridley；　the　aged　butler　who　was　rented
with　the　house；　and　who　for　twenty　years　had　been　an　inmate　of
it；　had　brought　the　cocktail　and　taken　away　the　empty　glass。　And
Keep　had　been　alone　with　his　thoughts。　They　were　entirely　of　the
convict。　If　the　man　suddenly　confronted　him　and　begged　his　aid；
what　would　he　do？　He　knew　quite　well　what　he　would　do。　He
considered　even　the　means　by　which　he　would　assist　the　fugitive
to　a　successful　get…away。

The　ethics　of　the　question　did　not　concern　Fred。　He　did　not　weigh
his　duty　to　the　State　of　New　York；　or　to　society。　One　day；　when
he　had　visited　〃the　institution；〃　as　a　somewhat　sensitive
neighborhood　prefers　to　speak　of　it；　he　was　told　that　the　chance
of　a　prisoner's　escaping　from　Sing　Sing　and　not　being　at　once
retaken　was　one　out　of　six　thousand。　So　with　Fred　it　was　largely
a　sporting　proposition。　Any　man　who　could　beat　a
six…thousand…to…one　shot　commanded　his　admiration。

And；　having　settled　his　own　course　of　action；　he　tried　to　imagine
himself　in　the　place　of　the　man　who　at　that　very　moment　was
endeavoring　to　escape。　Were　he　that　man；　he　would　first；　he
decided；　rid　himself　of　his　tell…tale　clothing。　But　that　would
leave　him　naked；　and　in　Westchester　County　a　naked　man　would　be
quite　as　conspicuous　as　one　in　the　purple…gray　cloth　of　the
prison。　How　could　he　obtain　clothes？　He　might　hold　up　a
passer…by；　and；　if　the　passer…by　did　not　flee　from　him　or　punch
him　into　insensibility；　he　might　effect　an　exchange　of　garments；
he　might　by　threats　obtain　them　from　some　farmer；　he　might
despoil　a　scarecrow。

But　with　none　of　these　plans　was　Fred　entirely　satisfied。　The
question　deeply　perplexed　him。　How　best　could　a　naked　man　clothe
himself？　And　as　he　sat　pondering　that　point；　from　the　bushes　a
naked　man　emerged。　He　was　not　entirely　undraped。　For　around　his
nakedness　he　had　drawn　a　canvas　awning。　Fred　recognized　it　as
having　been　torn　from　one　of　the　row…boats　in　the　lake。　But；
except　for　that；　the　man　was　naked　to　his　heels。　He　was　a　young
man　of　Fred's　own　age。　His　hair　was　cut　close；　his　face
smooth…shaven；　and　above　his　eye　was　a　half…healed　bruise。　He
had　the　sharp；　clever；　rat…like　face　of　one　who　lived　by　evil
knowledge。　Water　dripped　from　him；　and　either　for　that　reason　or
from　fright　the　young　man　trembled；　and；　like　one　who　had　been
running；　breathed　in　short；　hard　gasps。

Fred　was　surprised　to　find　that　he　was　not　in　the　least
surprised。　It　was　as　though　he　had　been　waiting　for　the　man；　as
though　it　had　been　an　appointment。

Two　thoughts　alone　concerned　him：　that　before　he　could　rid
himself　of　his　visitor　his　wife　might　return　and　take　alarm；　and
that　the　man；　not　knowing　his　friendly　intentions；　and　in　a　state
to　commit　murder；　might　rush　him。　But　the　stranger　made　no
hostile　move；　and　for　a　moment　in　the　moonlight　the　two　young　men
eyed　each　other　warily。

Then；　taking　breath　and　with　a　violent　effort　to　stop　the
chattering　of　his　teeth；　the　stranger　launched　into　his　story。

〃I　took　a　bath　in　your　pond；〃　he　blurted　forth；　〃andand　they
stole　my　clothes！　That's　why　I'm　like　this！〃

Fred　was　consumed　with　envy。　In　comparison　with　this　ingenious
narrative　how　prosaic　and　commonplace　became　his　own　plans　to　rid
himself　of　accusing　garments　and　explain　his　nakedness。　He
regarded　the　stranger　with　admiration。　But　even　though　he
applauded　the　other's　invention；　he　could　not　let　him　suppose
that　he　was　deceived　by　it。

〃Isn't　it　rather　a　cold　night　to　take　a　bath？〃　he　said。

As　though　in　hearty　agreement；　the　naked　man　burst　into　a　violent
fit　of　shivering。

〃It　wasn't　a　bath；〃　he　gasped。　〃It　was　a　bet！〃

〃A　what！〃　exclaimed　Fred。　His　admiration　was　increasing。　〃A　bet？
Then　you　are　not　alone？〃

〃I　am　NOWdamn　them！〃　exclaimed　the　naked　one。　He　began　again
reluctantly。　〃We　saw　you　from　the　road；　you　and　a　woman；　sitting
here　in　the　light　from　that　room。　They　bet　me　I　didn't　dare　strip
and　swim　across　your　pond　with　you　sitting　so　near。　I　can　see　now
it　was　framed　up　on　me　from　the　start。　For　when　I　was　swimming
back　I　saw　them　run　to　where　I'd　left　my　clothes；　and　then　I
heard　them　crank　up；　and　when　I　got　to　the　hedge　the　car　was
gone！〃

Keep　smiled　encouragingly。　〃The　car！〃　he　assented。　〃So　you've
been　riding　around　in　the　moonlight？〃

The　other　nodded；　and　was　about　to　speak　when　there　burst　in　upon
them　the　roaring　scream　of　the　siren。　The　note　now　was　of　deeper
rage；　and　came　in　greater　volume。　Between　his　clinched　teeth　the
naked　one　cursed　fiercely；　and　then；　as　though　to　avoid　further
questions；　burst　into　a　fit　of　coughing。　Trembling　and　shaking；
he　drew　the　canvas　cloak　closer　to　him。　But　at　no　time　did　his
anxious；　prying　eyes　leave　the　eyes　of　Keep。

〃Youyou　couldn't　lend　me　a　suit　of　clothes　could　you？〃　he
stuttered。　〃Just　for　to…night？　I'll　send　them　back。　It's　all
right；〃　he　added；　reassuringly。　〃I　live　near　here。〃

With　a　start　Keep　raised　his　eyes；　and　distressed　by　his　look；
the　young　man　continued　less　confidently。

〃I　don't　blame　you　if　you　don't　believe　it；〃　he　stammered；
〃seeing　me　like　this；　but　I　DO　live　right　near　here。　Everybody
around　here　knows　me；　and　I　guess　you've　read　about　me　in　the
papers；　too。　I'mthat　is；　my　name〃　like　one　about　to　take　a
plunge　he　drew　a　short　breath；　and　the　rat…like　eyes　regarded
Keep　watchfully〃my　name　is　Van　Warden。　I'm　the　one　you　read
aboutHarryI'm　Harry　Van　Warden！〃

After　a　pause；　slowly　and　reprovingly　Fred　shook　his　head；　but
his　smile　was　kindly　even　regretful；　as　though　he　were　sorry　he
could　not　longer　enjoy　the　stranger's　confidences。

〃My　boy！〃　he　exclaimed；　〃you're　MORE　than　Van　Warden！　You're　a
genius！〃　He　rose　and　made　a　peremptory　gesture。　〃Sorry；〃　he　said；
〃but　this　isn't　safe　for　either　of　us。　Follow　me；　and　I'll　dress
you　up　and　send　you　where　you　want　to　go。〃　He　turned　and
whispered　over　his　shoulder：　〃Some　day　let　me　hear　from　you。　A
man　with　your　nerve〃

In　alarm　the　naked　one　with　a　gesture　commanded　silence。

The　library　led　to　the　front　hall。　In　this　was　the　coat…room。
First　making　sure　the　library　and　hall　were　free　of　servants；
Fred　tiptoed　to　the　coat…room　and；　opening　the　door；　switched：　on
the　electric　light。　The　naked　man；　leaving　in　his　wake　a　trail　of
damp　footprints；　followed　at　his　heels。

Fred　pointed　at　golf…capes；　sweaters；　greatcoats　hanging　from
hooks；　and　on　the　floor　at　boots　and　overshoes。

〃Put　on　that　motor…coat　and　the　galoshes；〃　he　commanded。　〃They'll
cover　you　in　case　you　have　to　run　for　it。　I'm　going　to　leave　you
here　while　I　get　you　some　clothes。　If　any　of　the　servants　butt
in；　don't　lose　your　head。　Just　say　you're　waiting　to　see　meMr。
Keep。　I　won't　be　long。　Wait。〃

〃Wait！〃　snorted　the　stranger。　〃You　BET　I'll　wait！'

As　Fred　closed　the　door　upon　him；　the　naked　one　was　rubbing
himself　violently　with　Mrs。　Keep's　yellow　golf…jacket。

In　his　own　room　Fred　collected　a　suit　of　blue　serge；　a　tennis
shirt；　boots；　even　a　tie。　Underclothes　he　found　ready　laid　out
for　him；　and　he　snatched　them　from　the　bed。　From　a　roll　of　money
in　his　bureau　drawer　he　counted　out　a　hundred　dollars。　Tactfully
he　slipped　the　money　in　the　trousers　pocket　of　the　serge　suit　and
with　the　bundle　of　clothes　in　his　arms　raced　downstairs　and
shoved　them　into　the　coat…room。

〃Don't　come　out　until　I　knock；〃　he　commanded。　〃And；〃　he　added　in
a　vehement　whisper；　〃don't　come　out　at　all　unless　you　have
clothes　on！〃

The　stranger　grunted。

Fred　rang　for　Gridley　and　told　him　to　have　his　car　brought　around
to　the　door。　He　wanted　it　to　start　at　once　within　two　minutes。
When　the　butler　had　departed；　Fred；　by　an　inch；　again　opened　the
coat…room　door。　The　stranger　had　draped　himself　in　the
underclothes　and　the　shirt；　and　at　the　moment　was　carefully
arranging　the　tie。

〃Hurry！〃　commanded　Keep。　〃The　car'll　be　here　in　a　minute。　Where
shall　I　tell　him　to　take　you？〃

The　stranger　chuckled　excitedly；　his　confidence　seemed　to　be
returning。　〃New　York；〃　he　whispered；　〃fast　as　he　can　get　there！
Look　here；〃　he　added　doubtfully；　〃there's　a　roll　of　bills　in
these　clothes。〃