She smiled and nodded comprehension.

“Don’t explain, Gabriel,” said she.  “I understand.  And I’ve got just the place in mind for you.  Also, the way to get there.  You see, comrade, we’ve been planning on this release.  When can you go?”

“When?  Right now!” exclaimed Gabriel, standing up.  “The quicker, the better.  Every minute I lose in getting myself ready to jump back into the fight, is a precious treasure that can never be regained!”

“Go, then,” said she, with pride in her eyes.  “I will wait here.  Don’t think of me; leave me here; I am self-reliant in every way.  Go to the Cuthbert House, on Desplaines Street.  Everything has been arranged for your escape.  Every link in the chain is complete.  Remember, we are working more underground, now, than when you were sentenced.  And our machinery is almost perfect.  Register at the hotel and take a room for a week.  Then—­”

“Register, under my own name?” asked he.

“Under your own name.  Stay there two days.  You won’t be molested so soon, and things won’t be ready for you till the third day.  On that day—­”

“Well, what then?”

“A message will come for you, that’s all.  Obey it.  You have nothing more to do.”

He nodded.

“I understand,” said he.  “But, Kate—­who’s paying for all this?  Not you?  I—­I can’t have you paying, now that every dollar you have must be earned by your own labor!”

She smiled a smile of wonderful beauty.

“Foolish, rebellious boy!” said she.  “Have no fear!  All expense will be borne by the Party, just as the Party paid your fine.  It needs you and must have you; and were the cost ten times as great, would bear it to get you back!  Remember, Gabriel, the Party is far larger than when you were buried alive in a cell.  Even though in some ways outlawed and suppressed, its potential power is tremendous.  All it needs is the electric spark to cause the world-shaking explosion.  All that keeps us from power now is the Iron Heel—­that, and the clutch of the Air Trust already crushing and mangling us!

“Go, now,” she concluded.  “Go, and rest a while, and wait.  All shall be well.  But first, you must get back your strength completely, and find yourself, and take your place again in the ranks of the great, subterranean army!”

“And shall I see you soon, again?” he asked, his voice trembling just a little as their hands clasped once more, and once more parted.

“You will see me soon,” she answered.

“Where?”

“In a safe place, where we can plan, and work, and organize for the final blow!  Now, you shall know no more.  Good-bye!”

One last look each gave the other.  Their eyes met, more caressingly than many a kiss; and, turning, Gabriel took his way, alone, toward Desplaines Street.

At the exit of the park, he looked around.

There Catherine sat, on the bench.  But, seemingly quite oblivious to everything, she was now reading a little book.  Though he lingered a moment, hoping to get some signal from her, she never stirred or looked up from the page.