that subject until he had received some definite encouragement from the girl. The inspector himself brought up the matter about this time. Probably the impulse came from the trial of Slim and George which began and threatened, in spite of its clear evidence, to drag through several weeks.
It would be necessary, of course, for both Garth and Nora to testify sooner or later. So they rehearsed all the incidents of that night when Garth had worn the grey mask. After this exercise one evening the inspector followed Garth to the hall.
"I don't want my girl to become morbid, Jim."
Garth nodded.
"You mean Kridel?"
"You've said it," the big man answered with an attempt at a whisper. "I've thought that maybe you and Nora— See here, Jim, I wouldn't mind a bit. You see Nora's mother was Italian. I don't altogether understand her, but I know it isn't natural for her to mourn for this fellow forever, and I mean, if you and she ever hit it off, I won't forbid the banns. Only maybe you'll let me live with you now and then. You don't know what that girl means to me, Jim; but I want to make her happy, and I believe you're the one, for a blind, deaf, and dumb man could see you are in love with her."
Garth laughed, not altogether comfortably.
"It's up to Nora, chief, but I don't see how I can ever get along without her."
It wasn't often that the inspector had used Garth's
