But what was happening down the line there? The passengers were making
way for someone. Kitty, and racing back to the gate! She did not pause
until she stood in front of him, breathless.
"Forget something?" he asked, awkwardly.
"Uh-hm!" Suddenly she threw her arms round his neck and kissed him. "If
only the three of us could be always together! Take care of yourself.
Johnny and I need you." Then she caught his hand, gave it a pressure,
and was off again. Cutty stood there, staring blindly in her direction.
Old Stefani Gregor; sacrifice. By and by he became conscious of
something warm and hard in his palm. He looked down.
A green stone, green as the turban of a Mecca pilgrim, green as the eye
of a black panther in the thicket. He dropped the emerald into a vest
pocket and fumbled round for his pipe--always his mental crutch. He
lit it and marched out of the station into the night--chuckling
sardonically. For the second time the thought occurred to him: Of all
his earthly possessions he would carry into the Beyond--a chuckle.
Molly, then Kitty; but the drums of jeopardy were his!