He was aghast
at the suggestions involved in the woman's proposition, and he had cause
for deep study. It was a singular fact that from the first moment the
beautiful woman spoke to him he associated her with the matter he had in
hand, but did not anticipate that her connection with the subject would
come in the strange, weird shape that it did.
"It is your brother you wish to save?"
"Yes."
"And he is associated with this gang of criminals?"
"Yes."
"He has revealed everything to you?"
"He has."
"And you wish to betray these men?"
"I do."
"Why?"
"In order to save my brother."
"You have no other motive?"
"I have no other motive."
"But you told me there might be a large reward for me."
"I did."
"What did you mean?"
"The government has offered a large reward for the arrest and conviction
of these men."
"How did you learn the fact?"
"My brother told me."
"Tell me more about yourself."
"I may, on one condition."
"What is the condition?"
"Can I hope?"
"Hope in what manner?"
"That you will agree to save my brother, and--" The woman stopped short.
"Proceed, miss, you have another proviso."
"I have."
"State it."
"Can I hope that you will save my brother under any circumstances, and
share the reward with me? for without my aid you cannot earn it.
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