Edgar Wallace

“ I thought he would only tell—about the other crime."
"About the other crime?" said the puzzled man. "What other crime?"
"The thing you did a long time ago," she said in a low voice, "the forgery."
"Forgery?" He could hardly believe his ears. "I never committed a forgery in my life." ”

“ His arm was round her now, his head against hers.
"Poor little girl!" he said softly.
She pushed him aside gently, got up from the chair and walked to the table and picked up the envelope.
"And it was for nothing—nothing!" she said. "Johnny, he was lying."
Suddenly his face hardened.
"My God! I'll settle with Meister."
She caught his arm as he reached the door.
"Johnny, you mustn't. Wait, wait! Let us be as sensible as we can. I feel half mad myself." ”

“ He told me he was going to do——" she caught her breath—"do Meister."
"Did he say anything about the other man?"
She stared at him.
"The other man? What other man?"
"He killed Peter," said Alan.
She was open-mouthed, incredulous.
"It couldn't have been Arthur. If it was, then it was an accident. He never told me. Can I come in?"
Wembury shook his head.
"There's a thing here that no woman should see," he said. "Take her down, Atkins. Report straight away to the station-house, Cora: I want to see you." ”

“ He heard her catch her breath, and then:
"I think you're a fool, Alan. After all, no girl is worth a man's career." She shook her head. "No, I can't let you do this. It is very sweet to know that you wanted to help me...." She put out both her hands to him, and he took them. "Alan, is there any danger to you from—the Ringer? Is there?" she asked again.
"No"—shortly.
"Look at me and tell me the truth."
He shook his head.
"Anyway, that is part of my job," he said.
Then he saw the smile light up her eyes.
"Is it part of your job to set Johnny free? ”

“ He put his hand tenderly on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, old girl," he said.
"How awful!" she breathed.
He walked across to the window and, pulling aside the curtain, peeped down into the deserted street.
"The police are watching the block. I climbed up from the back of the building," he said. "It was pretty easy; there's a service lift runs to this floor. When I go, it will be the same way."
He put his hand in his pocket, took out some money and counted it.
"Fifteen pounds: I think that will get me out."
"Meister told the police!" She was staring into vacancy. "It doesn't seem possible! ”

“ I thought it was there," he said, and then, looking past his arm, she saw the handcuff, and if she had not held on to the table she would have fallen.
"Johnny—oh!" she said faintly.
In a second he was by her side, and half lifted, half guided her to a chair.
"They took me to-night," he said quickly. "I went after the stuff, supposed to be planted before I went away. Meister told the police and they were on the roof waiting for me." ”

“ Well, I—I fell in love with that little girl—it used to be a sort of dream of mine. I suppose we've all got some sort of ideal, but most of us die without seeing our dream-girl come true. I've always wanted to do something for her. ”