CHAPTER XXIX.
THE PROOF.
Gregory Carker never knew exactly why he rose in the night and stole outof his room with catlike steps. He had a vague idea that he would movesilently in order not to disturb or awaken any one sleeping in thehouse.
Near the head of the stairs he paused and backed into a shadowy corner.
Two persons came up the stairs. One of them bore a candle whichflickered and flared, the fitful light showing her features plainly.
It was Madge Morton. She was deathly pale, and the hand that held thecandle shook like that of a person with the palsy. Behind her was a man.As she reached the head of the flight she paused, turned to this man,and whispered:
"Follow me closely. The girl's room is two doors to the left."
Carker saw the man's face, and he recognized Jose Murillo.
Forth from his nook leaped Greg, seizing Murillo as the Mexican placedhis foot on the last stair. Mrs. Morton gave a gasping cry of dismay,dropped the candle, and fled. The candle did not go out. Although itfell on its side, it continued to burn fitfully.
At the head of those stairs a sharp, savage struggle took place. TheMexican uttered a smothered oath and sought to produce his knife.
"Thees time I fix you, Carkaire!" he panted.
The dim light of the candle gleamed on the blade. Greg Carker torehimself free and struck a swinging blow which landed on Murillo's jaw.The Mexican crashed to the foot of the stairs, where he lay groaningwhile the aroused household flocked to the spot.
"What is it, Carker? What the dickens is the matter?" demanded Frank, ashe seized Greg's shoulder.
Carker had picked up the candle and was holding it in his hand.
"I think we'll find a man at the foot of these stairs," he said, hisvoice not quite steady in spite of his effort to command himself.
They did find a man down there. Jose Murillo had struck on his own knifeand was seriously wounded. Doctor Schnitzle was promptly brought overfrom Farnham Hall, but after taking a look at Murillo's wound, he turnedand whispered to Frank:
"Maype he vill last vun halluf hour, but it iss not to be expectioned.It vos der end uf him."
The doctor was right. To the end Murillo protected his accomplice,claiming he had broken into the house by himself, with the intention ofcarrying Juanita off.
And Gregory Carker said nothing.
The following day, however, Carker found an opportunity to speakprivately, as he supposed, with Mrs. Morton. He followed her from thehouse and stopped her at a point where there was little likelihood thatthey would be seen.
"You'll take the next train out of Bloomfield," he said. "I thought youmight have good sense enough to take the first one, but you don't seeminclined to go without being invited."
"Oh, Greg----"
He put up his hand.
"Stop where you are," he said. "Not a word from you. You let that sneakinto the house last night. You're responsible for the whole miserabletragedy."
"But you will not expose me--you will not tell them?"
"No, I'll say nothing about it--in case you take the next train."
"You despise me! I see it in your face!"
"You're right, I do. I despise you most thoroughly, and I pray it maynever be my misfortune to see your face again."
"Oh, that girl--that wretched black-eyed----"
"And you may stop there," interrupted Carker. "You refer to Juanita. I'mgoing to marry her."
"I suppose you are. I'd like to strangle her!"
"You'll not be given an opportunity. I'm going to ask Mr. Merriwell tohave a rig hitched up right away. It will take you to the station. Makeany excuses you choose or no excuses whatever--but you're going. Betterhurry back to the house now and pack up. Go on!"
She saw words were useless, and, therefore, she turned and hurried awaytoward the house.
Carker stood there, his right elbow in his left palm, his chin restingon his hand. He heard no sound and was unaware of any one's presenceuntil a hand touched his arm.
With a start, he found himself face to face with Juanita. There was astrange rapturous light in the girl's eyes.
"I asked for the proof," she whispered. "You gif eet to me when you deednot know I was there behind the shrubberee. I hear you tell her she mustgo. I hear you tell her that you--that you--that you----"
"That I'm going to marry you," said Carker, taking both her hands inhis. "I mean it, Juanita. I've decided on my course in the future. IfI'll quit lecturing on socialism and suppress my thoughts and theoriesin that line, Carker, senior, will give me a lift in the world. He'llchange his will if he becomes satisfied that I've reformed. I'm asocialist, Juanita, and I shall always remain a socialist. But, perhaps,I've been a little too rabid--perhaps I've been a little too rank.Socialism is all right, but home is a great deal better. I'm going tohave a home of my own, and I'm going to have you for the chief directorof that home. I think I'll be satisfied to settle down with you there toanchor me. I'm going to kiss you now, Juanita."
"Oh, Gregoree----" she murmured.
His lips smothered the remainder of the protest.