The Chase of the Golden Plate by Jacques Futrelle Read Free Book Online Page B

visible.
    â€œI’m afraid it’s pretty bad,” he said weakly. Then he fainted.
    The Girl, stooping, raised his head to her lap and pressed her lips to his feverishly, time after time.
    â€œDick, Dick!” she sobbed, and tears fell upon the Burglar’s sinister mask.

CHAPTER II
    When the Burglar awoke to consciousness he was as near heaven as any mere man ever dares expect to be. He was comfortable—quite comfortable—wrapped in a delicious, languorous lassitude, which forbade him opening his eyes to realisation. A woman’s hand lay on his forehead, caressingly, and dimly he knew that another hand cuddled cosily in one of his own. He lay still, trying to remember, before he opened his eyes. Someone beside him breathed softly, and he listened, as if to music.
    Gradually the need of action—just what action and to what purpose did not occur to him—impressed itself on his mind. He raised the disengaged hand to his face and touched the mask, which had been pushed back on his forehead. Then he recalled the ball, the shot, the chase, the hiding in the woods. He opened his eyes with a start. Utter darkness lay about him—for a moment he was not certain whether it was the darkness of blindness or of night.
    â€œDick, are you awake?” asked the Girl softly.
    He knew the voice and was content.
    â€œYes,” he answered languidly.
    He closed his eyes again and some strange, subtle perfume seemed to envelop him. He waited. Warm lips were pressed to his own, thrilling him strangely, and the Girl rested a soft cheek against his.
    â€œWe have been very foolish, Dick,” she said, sweetly chiding, after a moment. “It was all my fault for letting you expose yourself to danger, but I didn’t dream of such a thing as this happening. I shall never forgive myself, because—”
    â€œBut—” he began protestingly.
    â€œNot another word about it now,” she hurried on. “We must go very soon. How do you feel?”
    â€œI’m all right, or will be in a minute,” he responded, and he made as if to rise. “Where is the car?”
    â€œRight here. I extinguished the lights and managed to stop the engine for fear those horrid people who were after us might notice.”
    â€œGood girl!”
    â€œWhen you jumped out and fainted I jumped out, too. I’m afraid I was not very clever, but I managed to bind your arm. I took my handkerchief and pressed it against the wound after ripping your coat, then I bound it there. It stopped the flow of blood, but, Dick, dear, you must have medical attention just as soon as possible.”
    The Burglar moved his shoulder a little and winced.
    â€œJust as soon as I did that,” the Girl went on, “I made you comfortable here on a cushion from the car.”
    â€œGood girl!” he said again.
    â€œThen I sat down to wait until you got better. I had no stimulant or anything, and I didn’t dare to leave you, so—so I just waited,” she ended with a weary little sigh.
    â€œHow long was I knocked out?” he queried.
    â€œI don’t know; half an hour, perhaps.”
    â€œThe bag is all right, I suppose?”
    â€œThe bag?”
    â€œThe bag with the stuff—the one I threw in the car when we started?”
    â€œOh, yes, I suppose so! Really, I hadn’t thought of it.”
    â€œHadn’t thought of it?” repeated the Burglar, and there was a trace of astonishment in his voice. “By George, you’re a wonder!” he added.
    He started to get on his feet, then dropped back weakly.
    â€œSay, girlie,” he requested, “see if you can find the bag in the car there and hand it out. Let’s take a look.”
    â€œWhere is it?”
    â€œSomewhere in front. I felt it at my feet when I jumped out.”
    There was a rustle of skirts in the darkness, and after a moment a faint muffled clank as of one heavy metal striking dully against