“Once would be quite enough,” he said simply.
Garson nodded in acceptance of the defeat. It may be, too, that in some subtle fashion he admired this youth suddenly grown resolute, competent to control a dangerous event. There was even the possibility that some instinct of tenderness toward Mary herself made him desire that this opportunity should be given for wiping out the effects of misfortune which fate hitherto had brought into her life.
“You win,” Garson said, with a half-laugh. He turned to the other men and spoke a command.
“You get over by the hall door, Red. And keep your ears open every second. Give us the office if you hear anything. If we're rushed, and have to make a quick get-away, see that Mary has the first chance. Get that, all of you?”
As Chicago Red took up his appointed station, Garson turned to Dick.
“Make it quick, remember.”
He touched the other two and moved back to the wall by the fireplace, as far as possible from the husband and wife by the couch.
Dick spoke at once, with a hesitancy that betrayed the depth of his emotion.
“Don't you care for me at all?” he asked wistfully.
The girl's answer was uttered with nervous eagerness which revealed her own stress of fear.