Later in the day Jordan Morse and Molly Merriweather met at the hospital. They looked into each other's eyes, not daring to mention the terrible consternation that possessed them.
"Have you heard anything?" murmured Molly, glancing about before speaking.
Jordan nodded his head.
"It's awful," he said. "Bates is dead--if you say a word, I'm lost."
"Depend on me," Molly assured him. "Oh, how dreadful it all is! Theodore must get well," she continued in agitation.
"Well, he won't!" snarled Morse. Then he went on passionately. "Molly, I swear I didn't intend to shoot him. I was mad clear through and aimed at the cobbler."
"Hush!" warned Molly. "Some one's coming."
A young doctor approached them with gravity.
"Mr. King?" murmured Molly.
"Is slowly failing. The bullet found a vital spot----"
"And the other man--Bates? Is it true he's dead?" interjected Morse eagerly.
"Yes, he died shortly after the tragedy. It's all a mystery, but I think they've arrested the guilty man."
Both listeners stared at the speaker as if he'd told them the world had come to an end. It was Morse who managed to mutter: "What man?"
"Haven't you heard? They've arrested Lafe Grandoken. The shooting occurred in his cobbling shop, and the gun was found as proof of his crime. Of course, like all Jews, he's trying to invent a story in his own favor.... He's undoubtedly the criminal."
Not until they were in the street did Jordan express himself to Molly.
"What heavenly luck! So they've arrested Grandoken. If Theodore lives----"
Molly clutched his arm.
"Oh, he must! He must! Jordan! I shall die myself if he doesn't."
Jordan Morse turned sharply upon her.
"Don't throw a fit right here. You're not the only one suffering. My atmosphere is cleared a little with Grandoken's arrest, though."
"But you've still to reckon with Jinnie," ventured Molly.
"Easy now," returned the man. "I'll get her before Theodore is well."
"Take me home," pleaded Molly wearily. "Such a day as this is enough to ruin all the good looks a woman ever had."
Disgustedly, Jordan flung open the motor door.
"Well, my God, you've got about as much brains and heart as a chipmunk. Climb in!"
Later, as the two separated, Morse said, with low-pitched voice: "Now, then, I'm going to plan to get Jinnie. Might's well be hung for a sheep's a lamb----I'm just as well satisfied that Bates is dead. After I secure Jinnie--then for my boy. God! I can scarcely wait until I have him."
Miss Merriweather went into the house in utter exhaustion, nor did she pause to take off her hat before telling Theodore's mother the little she could to encourage her.