..of
course you would be justified."
"Not in my own eyes. Besides, I shall never give up the hope of winning
you back again. I live for that...although now!...that is the whole
trouble....How am I going to say it?"
"Well, let me help you out. You took the bonds."
"You've been to the bank! I wanted to tell you first...the day you came
back....I couldn't...."
"There is only one thing I am really curious about. How did you get in? Of
course you knew where I kept the key, but--"
"I--" His voice was so lifeless that if dead men could speak it must be in
the same flat faint tones. "I had the old power of attorney."
"But I revoked it."
"I mean the instrument--the paper. You did not ask for it. I did not think
of it either....I trusted to the keeper taking it on its face value, not
looking it up. He didn't. You see--" He gave a dreadful sort of laugh. "I
am well known and have a good reputation."
"Why didn't you cable and ask me to lend you the money?"
"There wasn't time. Besides, you might have refused. I was desperate--"
"I don't want to hear the particulars. I am not in the least curious. What
I must talk to you about--"
"I must tell you the whole thing. I can't go about with it any longer.
Then, perhaps, you will understand."
His voice was still flat and as he continued to walk he seemed to draw
half-paralyzed legs after him. Alexina set her lips and stared at the
floor.
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