“So you see how it is,” the Black Star was saying. “Do you want to save her, save her brother also? Then release me, and I’ll help—for I must save those friends of mine. I’m as much in the dark regarding them as you, for I’ve never seen any of their faces, remember. You realize what will happen if they are caught, don’t you? There could be no escape from the penitentiary for any of them. And there are things to be found in my headquarters—notes in Faustina Wendell’s handwriting, for instance, notes giving information——”
He stopped at the look that came into Verbeck’s face.
“And you think I’ll let you go now?” Verbeck demanded. “Why, I’ll fight you more than ever now! You’ve made a cat’s-paw of that boy; you’ve dragged the sweetest and most innocent girl in the world into your filthy scheme.”
“The prosecuting attorney won’t consider her innocent when he reads those notes.”
“You’d have me let you go—then you’d try to drag me into the mess to save my intended wife! And, through me, others—and so on! It’s fight you and beat you now, or surrender to you like a coward, and let you go ahead with your nefarious plans. I’ll take the chance, Mr. Black Star!”
Verbeck looked at his watch; it was a quarter of eleven. He whirled to face Muggs.
“Guard this crook!” he cried. “Guard him well. Shoot him if he tries to escape!”
“What are you going to do, boss?”
“I’m going to play the game out to the end. I’m going to the ball and save Faustina Wendell and her brother—and I’m going to see that the police get the others, and then this man here. That’s all I have to do—get Faustina and Howard away in time. This crook’s clever scheme has another angle—nobody can swear the Wendells are mixed up in this. That’s what I have to do—separate the crooks from the innocent victims. Watch that man!”
Muggs screeched at him. The Black Star tried to tell him something. But Roger Verbeck had dashed from the house and toward his machine. He was almost sobbing, and fear gripped at his heart. The chickens had come home to roost! No wonder Faustina had acted so peculiarly, small wonder she had shown anxiety! And she was in danger. He had ordered her to steal—perhaps her love and fear for her brother would lead her to do so. She might be caught in the act—Faustina Wendell, proud daughter of one of the pioneer families, caught stealing jewels!