The Luminous Face

The street door closed, and a moment later, Manning Pollard made an appearance.

The conversation, though general, was not spontaneous, and after a short time, Barry took his leave. Though he did not consider Pollard an actual rival of his in Phyllis’ favor, yet he felt disgruntled when the other was present. And, too, he wanted to go off by himself to think over what Phyllis had said.

He knew her too well to imagine for a moment that she was merely upset by the whole situation and wanted the investigation to be stopped.

He knew she had some definite and imperative reason for begging him to quit searching and also that she meant something when she said her own name could not be cleared.

That remark, of course, could not be taken at its face value, but all the same, it meant something – and he must find out what.

Manning Pollard was confronted with the same question.

Apparently unable to control her nervous fear, Phyllis said, at once:

“Oh, Mr Pollard, can’t you help me? I’m in such trouble. That Miss Hayes says I was at Mr Gleason’s the day of the murder!”

“And were you?”

“No! – or, well, maybe I was. But that has nothing to do with it. Can’t you hush up the Hayes girl? Must she tell of it, if I was there?”

“It would be a pretty difficult matter to stop her mouth.”

“But if I paid her?”

“Ah, then you would get yourself in trouble! Don’t do anything of that sort, I beg of you! Tell me all about it, Miss Lindsay. I’m sure I can help – and if not, won’t it relieve you to talk it over? What is the new development?”

“Oh, only that probably I shall next be suspected of the Gleason murder!”

“Yes?” Manning Pollard didn’t look so intensely surprised as Phyllis had anticipated.

“Oh, I know Millicent has foolishly said that I did it – but she didn’t mean it. She’d suspect anybody from the mayor to the cook! But, now, that little chorus girl – or whatever she is – has said that I was in the room with Mr Gleason, when he – ”

“When he was killed! Oh, no!”

“Why, she practically says that. It seems she was there herself.”

“She was there! When Mr Gleason was shot!”

“Oh, she couldn’t have been – could she? But – you see I don’t know exactly what she said – ”

“Then don’t try to quote her, but tell me what you do know. Did she try to implicate you?”

“Yes – I think she did.”

“You’re not sure – ”

“No; only she said I was there – ”

“Were you?”

“I – I don’t want to tell you – ”

“Miss Lindsay, don’t tell me – don’t tell anybody! If you were there keep it to yourself – and if not – there’s no occasion to say so. I understand what you’re trying to do. Keep it up. That’s why I invented the Western man!”

“Invented him! You don’t really believe in him?”

“Oh, I suppose invented isn’t the right word. But – of course, I’ve no proof of his existence. He may well be a fact – or, again, he may not be. I only say that there’s a possibility – even a probability that Gleason may have known somebody out there who came after him here and killed him. Nobody can deny the possibility, at least.”

“No, of course not.”

“You’ve no idea of the identity of any such person?”

“I? Oh, no.”

“It would be a good thing if you could remember Mr Gleason’s having told you of such a one.”

Phyllis looked up suddenly, and caught Pollard’s meaning glance. Could it be? Was he hinting that she should make up some such story. It couldn’t be!

“Why?” she said, quietly.

“I think you know,” he spoke gently, “but if you want me to put it into words, I will. The Hayes girl has told several people – Mr Prescott among them, that you were at the Gleason rooms about six o’clock that night. Now, you know, you have refused to say where you were at that time – and it is not surprising that their suspicions are aroused. For you to deny being there would not be half so efficacious as for you to turn the thoughts of the detectives in some other direction. Suppose, for instance, you were to remember some man Mr Gleason told you of. Some name – let us say – and suppose the detectives set themselves to work to find the individual. If they can’t find him, you harm nobody, and – you divert attention from yourself.”

Phyllis did not pretend to misunderstand. Nor did she treat the matter lightly.

“You think I am in danger, then?” she asked.

“Oh, don’t say danger – I don’t like the word. But, your name will be bandied about – will be in the papers – unless you quash the thing in the beginning. You haven’t admitted you were there, but, suppose it is proved that you were, and suppose you tell of this man, of whom Mr Gleason spoke to you – spoke to you at that very time – and suppose your story is that you were there about six – that you left soon after – and that Mr Gleason was even then fearing the arrival of this enemy of his.”

Again Phyllis looked him in the eyes.

Pollard was a magnetic man, his face inspired confidence, but more than that, the girl read in the deep, dark eyes a troubled care for herself – for her own safety and well-being.

She knew Pollard admired her – most of her men friends did, but only now was she aware of his passionate love.

“It’s a terrible thing that I’m advising,” he said, in a whisper, “but I realize the gravity of the situation. Phyllis – I care so much – so much – and I can’t help seeing how things are tending. You know I have no shadow of suspicion of you – my beautiful – my darling – but others will – others will be swayed by the Hayes story, and – though you left the place before Mr Gleason was killed – yet it must have been only shortly before – and somebody did come in and kill him – so, why not say – ”

“I see your point, I see how I am endangered – even if I’m innocent. If I’m innocent.”

“Why do you say that?” Pollard looked at her wonderingly. “At least, don’t say it to me! And forgive my abruptness, but I must tell you how I love you. I must ask you if you can’t love me – oh, Phyllis, even a little? Do you, dear?”

“Please, Mr Pollard – please don’t say those things now – I’m so-worried – ” The soft eyes filled with unshed tears.

“I know it, my little girl – I know it – and that’s why – I want to be in a position to help you – I mean I want to have a right – to let the world know I have the right, to protect you. Will you give it to me – Phyllis – will you?”

The big man leaned toward her, his attitude reverently affectionate, and Phyllis felt wonderfully drawn to him. He was so capable, so efficient, and though she felt a sense of potential mastery in his manner, she did not resent it, but rather rejoiced in it.

“Oh,” she breathed, looking at him, with startled, shining eyes, “oh – I can’t say – now. Don’t ask me now.”

“Yes, I shall – now – my beloved, my queen! Oh, you beautiful girl, you may not love me yet, but I’ll make you – I’ll make you!”