Topham jumped toward me, but Obermuller stopped him.
"You'd win only half your bet, my Lady," Obermuller said softly. "She did get hold of the Gray rose, worth fifty thousand dollars, in spite of all your precautions—"
The world seemed to fall away from me. I looked up at him. I couldn't believe he'd go back on me.
"—And she brought it straight to me, as I had asked her to, and promised to raise her salary if she'd win out. For I knew that unless I proved to you it could be stolen, you'd never agree to hire a detective to watch those things, which will get us all into trouble some day. Here! Scoot out o' this. It's nearly time for your number."
He passed the diamond over to her, and they all left the office.
So did I; but he held out his hand as I passed. "It goes—that about a raise for you, Olden. Now earn it."
Isn't he white, Mag—white clean through, that big fellow Obermuller?
VI.
I got into the train, Mag, the happiest girl in all the country. I'd a big basket of things for Tom. I was got up in my Sunday best, for I wanted to make a hit with some fellow with a key up there, who'd make things soft and easy for my Tommy.