“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: 249
“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.”