"Is--is there no other way but to surrender?" she asked.
Kennedy mournfully shook his head.
"I'm afraid not," he answered slowly. "There's no telling how far
a fellow who has this marvellous power might go. I think I'd
better leave to save you. He may not content himself with innocent
outsiders always."
Nothing that any of us could say, not even the pleadings of Elaine
herself could move him. The thought that at eleven o'clock a third
innocent passerby might lie stricken on the street seemed to move
him powerfully.
When, at eleven, nothing happened as it had at the other two
hours, he was even more confirmed in his purpose. Entreaties had
no effect, and late in the morning, he succeeded in convincing us
all that his purpose was irrevocable.
As we stood at the door, mournfully bidding our visitors farewell
until the morrow, when he had decided to sail, I could see that he
was eager to be alone. He had been looking now and then at the
peculiar instrument which he had been studying earlier in the day
and I could see on his face a sort of subtle intentness.
"I'm so sorry--Craig," murmured Elaine, choking back her emotion,
and finding it impossible to go on.
"So am I, Elaine," he answered, tensely. "But--perhaps--when this
trouble blows over--"
He paused, unable to speak, turned, and shook his head.
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