When the lawyer was called the reporter followed his friend and Antonio followed him, and when these three approached the little room in which the dying man lay, the nurse would have sent them back; but Garcia himself pleaded: “Let them be. What matters it how many hear or see? The dress-suit case. Bring it, and bring the child.”
They obeyed and he bade them place the key in Jessica’s small hand.
“Open it, little one.”
But her fingers shook so that the nurse, in pity, pushed them from the lock and herself unfastened the heavily laden case. It contained no clothing, such as might have been looked for within; but rolls and packets neatly tied.
“Open them, child.”
“Oh! please! I do not want to; I am afraid!”
“Afraid, Jessica Trent? Do you not yet understand? That is money, money–of which your father stood accused before the world as having stolen. Afraid to prove your father what you know him–an honest man!” cried Ninian in anger.
She understood him then, and in frantic haste obeyed. Roll after roll, till Mr. Hale said:
“Enough. His strength is failing. This scene is too much for him.”
At that she pushed the gold away and, falling on her knees beside the bed, caught Luis Garcia’s hand and covered it with kisses.