His voice was pleasant but firm.
"Out there a flock of policemen and assistant district attorneys and reporters are running around with their noses to the ground.
What do you want to do?"
"I want you to save me from—from it all," she replied in a thin tremulous voice.
She put a timid hand on his sleeve.
"Mr. Spade, do they know about me?"
"Not yet.
I wanted to see you first."
"What—what would they think if they knew about the way I came to you—with those lies?"
"It would make them suspicious.
That's why I've been stalling them till I could see you.
I thought maybe we wouldn't have to let them know all of it.
We ought to be able to fake a story that will rock them to sleep, if necessary."
"You don't think I had anything to do with the—the murders—do you?"
Spade grinned at her and said:
"I forgot to ask you that.
Did you?"
"No."
"That's good.
Now what are we going to tell the police?"
She squirmed on her end of the settee and her eyes wavered between heavy lashes, as if trying and failing to free their gaze from his.
She seemed smaller, and very young and oppressed.
"Must they know about me at all?" she asked.
"I think I'd rather die than that, Mr. Spade.
I can't explain now, but can't you somehow manage so that you can shield me from them, so I won't have to answer their questions?
I don't think I could stand being questioned now.
I think I would rather die.
Can't you, Mr. Spade?"
"Maybe," he said, "but I'll have to know what it's all about."
She went down on her knees at his knees.
She held her face up to him.
Her face was wan, taut, and fearful over tight-clasped hands.
"I haven't lived a good life," she cried.
"I've been bad—worse than you could know—but I'm not all bad.
Look at me, Mr. Spade.
You know I'm not all bad, don't you? You can see that, can't you? Then can't you trust me a little?
Oh, I'm so alone and afraid, and I've got nobody to help me if you won't help me.
I know I've no right to ask you to trust me if I won't trust you.
I do trust you, but I can't tell you.
I can't tell you now.
Later I will, when I can.
I'm afraid, Mr. Spade.
I'm afraid of trusting you.
I don't mean that.
I do trust you, but—I trusted Floyd and— I've nobody else, nobody else, Mr. Spade.
You can help me. You've said you can help me.
If I hadn't believed you could save nie I would have run away today instead of sending for you.
If I thought anybody else could save me would I be down on my knees like this? I know this isn't fair of me.
But be generous, Mr. Spade, don't ask me to be fair.
You're strong, you're resourceful, you're brave.