our excursions into scientific warfare on crime in the underworld
had run squarely up against the refined as well as the debased
creatures of the "System." Pyramided on what looked like open-
handed charity and good-fellowship we had seen vice and crime of
all degrees.

And yet, somehow or other, I must confess to a sort of admiration
for Murtha and his stamp--if for nothing else than because of the
frankness with which he did what he sought to do. Neither Kennedy
nor I could be accused of undue sympathy with the System, yet,
like many who had been brought in close contact with it, it had
earned our respect in many ways.

And so, I contemplated the situation with more than ordinary
interest. Carton wanted the Black Book to use in order to win his
political fight for a clean city and to prosecute the grafters.
Dorgan wanted it in order to suppress and thus protect himself and
Murtha. Mrs. Ogleby wanted it to save her good name and prevent
even the appearance of scandal. Langhorne wanted it in order to
coerce Dorgan to share in the graft, yet was afraid of Carton
also.

Was ever a situation of such peculiar, mixed motives?

"I would move heaven and earth for that Black Book!" exclaimed
Carton finally, turning from the window and facing us.

Kennedy, too, had risen.

"You can count on me, then, Carton," he said simply, as the