“Was it wrong to sing to Bennie? He loves that song. I used to sing it to him before he died. Did you know Bennie is dead? He is, because he would come when I call if he was not dead. Let me show you: ‘Bennie! Bennie!’ You see, he does not answer, and I’ve called and called papa too, but he doesn’t come, either. Do you think he is dead, too? It would be too bad!” “And you--you human vulture! You would harm this poor, helpless girl!” said Muriel to John. Dora heard this conversation clearly, but her benumbed faculties could not seem to understand the import of it, for she turned and, laying her dark head on Muriel’s bosom, said: “Let me tell you a secret, lady. I saw two men, and they came down the steps to my father’s shop, and they killed a man! They shot him, and I saw him die!” “Now are you satisfied, you interfering cat?” hissed John, with angry vehemence. “I told you she had flashes of returning reason. I have watched her closely and know that we have everything to fear, and I hope you are convinced now that it is unsafe to keep her longer. Every minute she is liable to remember me as the man. Here you stand protecting her as though she were your own, and we all in danger of our lives! There is but one thing to be said and that is, her life or ours! We are in danger every minute we keep her! She must be silenced forever! And now!” “She shall die in God’s own good time, John Pierson, for so long as I live you shall never lay a finger on her to do her harm! Is it not enough that you have dragged her away from those she held dear, and have thereby destroyed her reason? Listen well to my words, for I will see that she is protected against any further danger. The poor girl!” “What is your objection? Are you jealous? If that is the case, I can tell you that you have no cause now for all I seek now is to get rid of her. I don’t care how, only so she never crosses my path again. So what is your object in protecting her, if I may be so bold?” “I will tell you. My life has been all that is bad and wicked, and when it comes to an end I want this one good deed to be marked to my credit there where she will go. Can you understand that?” “Say, cull, she ort to jine the Salvation Army,” said Dopey, in a husky whisper. “I wish to Heaven I had before I ever met you two, for since that time it has been nothing but drink and rob and steal, and now it is murder! And, God help me! I am accessory after the fact, a branded criminal with an awful charge staring me in the face! Oh, if I could only live my life over again, to be pure and good--like this poor child.” “Say, Muriel, I have just one piece of advice to give you, and that is to let up on this racket or it’ll be a sort of deathbed repentance, and you’d better be warned! And as to the Salvation Army business, we can have that right here.” And here the wretch clasped his hands as in prayer and said, in a sing-song voice; “Brother Dopey, will you lead us in prayer? Halleluia!”