Page:Ruth of the U.S.A. (IA ruthofusa00balm).pdf/235

 She was thinking about her exposure of De Trevenac; but, though now it was known that Louis de Trevenac had been proved a spy, had been tried and punished, no explanation had been given as to how he had been caught. Those who tried him had not known, perhaps; only Gerry knew.

"Gerry Hull will tell you," Ruth replied. "I don't ask you to take my word about myself anymore; I ask you only, before you accuse me, to send for him."

"Gerry Hull!" Byrne iterated, approaching her closely again and gazing down hostilely. For an instant he had not been able to disassociate Gerry Hull from himself as a rival for Cynthia Gail. "So he knows all about you, does he?"

"No; he thinks I am Cynthia Gail; but"

"What?"

"He knows—he must know that, whoever I am, I'm loyal! So send for him, or go and speak to him before you do anything more; that's all I ask. Oh, I know this has been horrible for you, Mr. Byrne." For the first time Ruth was losing control of herself. "But do you suppose it's been easy for me? And do you suppose I've done it for myself or for any adventure to see the war or just to come here? I've done it to go into Germany! Oh, you won't stop me now! For if you leave me alone—don't you see—I may get into Germany tomorrow or this week or anyway before the next big attack can come! What do I count, what do you count, what can the memory of Cynthia Gail count in comparison with what I may do if I can go on into Germany? What"

"Don't cry!" Byrne forbade her hoarsely, seizing her