“I didn’t know that, Cliff,” said Arline. “I’ve been waiting for you, Cliff, hoping that you’d come back to me.”
“But, Arline—”
“I know everything, Cliff. Brother told me before he died. It was for him that you went to prison — for me, Cliff! He had gone wrong, Cliff — after father sent him away in a fit of anger.
“When he came to your room, fleeing from the police, you took the blame for the robbery he had committed. You fought them with the gun you had taken from him, while he escaped.
“He told me months later, after he came home. He died, you know, after a terrible illness. Father was broken, Cliff. It would have killed him — that’s why I couldn’t speak.
“Brother had killed a man, too, before the robbery. That was never laid to you. If it had been, I would have spoken. Oh, Cliff” — the girl’s voice choked — “can’t you see that I’ve been waiting — that I love you — love you with a greater, fuller love—”
THOUGHTS of danger were forgotten. Cliff was kissing Arline’s tear-stained cheeks. All the grief of years had passed in a moment. Arline knew — she understood — and Cliff had not told her. He had remained true to his vow, that he would protect the name of the brother of the girl he loved!
Reality returned. Cliff suddenly realized that they must leave this place quickly; that he must be prepared for Killer Durgan. He gave Arline one last, long embrace.
There was a door at the side of the room. Neither Cliff nor Arline saw it when it opened. There, in the doorway, stood Madge Benton.
A look of astonishment came over the blonde’s face; then, as she realized the truth, her features hardened in bitter hatred.