I've almost given up hope--"
Cleek took the hand and held it.
"Never do that, Merriton, never do that," he said softly. "I've been
through the mill myself once--years ago now, but the scar still
stays--and it'll be a bit more red hell for the present. But if there's
any saving you, any proving this thing right up to the hilt, I'll do it.
That's all I wanted to say. Good-bye, and--buck up. I'm going to speak to
the little girl now, and cheer her up, too. You'll hear everything as it
comes along."
He squeezed the hand, manacled so grimly to the other, and smiled a smile
brimming over with hope and promise.
"God bless you, Mr.--Headland," Merriton replied, and as Cleek beckoned
to the two policemen, took his stand between them and entered the closed
vehicle. The door shut, the engine purred, and the car shot away up the
road toward the local police-station, leaving the man and the girl
staring after it, the same mute sorrow and sympathy shining in both pairs
of eyes.
As it disappeared round a corner, 'Toinette turned to Cleek, her whole
agonized heart in her eyes.
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