you know where she is?"

"Yes."

"Where is she?"

The old eyes were still steady upon him. "I don't know that I should
tell you. I want you to get on--and the less you have to do with Maggie,
the better for you."

"I'd like to know, grandmother."

The Duchess considered for a long space. "After all, you're of age--and
you've got to decide what's best for yourself. I'll tell you. Maggie was
here the other day--dressed simple--to get some letters she'd forgotten
to take and which I couldn't find. We had a talk. Maggie is living at
the Grantham under the name of Margaret Cameron. She has a suite there."

"A suite at the Grantham!" exclaimed Larry, astounded. "Why, the
Grantham is in the same class with the Ritzmore, where she used to
work--or the Plaza! A suite at the Grantham!"

And then Larry gave a twitching start. "At the Grantham--alone?"

"Not alone--no. But it's not what just came into your mind. It's a woman
that's with her; a hired companion. And they're doing everything on a
swell scale."

"What's Maggie up to?"

"She didn't tell me, except to say that the plan was a big one. She was
all excited over it. If you want to know just what it is, ask Barney
Palmer and Old Jimmie."

"Barney and Old Jimmie!" ejaculated Larry. And then: "Barney and Old
Jimmie--and a suite at the Grantham!"

At that moment Hunt came back down the stairway, carrying a roll wrapped
in brown paper.

"Here you are, young fellow," he announced. "De-mounted 'em so the junk
would be easier to handle. The Dago mother you asked for--the second
painting may be one you'd like to have for your own private gallery.
I'm not going to let you get away with your bluff--and don't you forget
it!... Duchess, don't you think he'd better beat it before Gavegan
and his loving friends take a tumble to his presence and mess up the
neighborhood?"

"Yes," said the Duchess. "Good-night, Larry."

"Good-night," said he.

Mechanically he took the roll of paintings and slipped it under his
raincoat; mechanically he shook hands; mechanically he got out of the
pawnshop; mechanically he took all precautions in getting out of
the little rain-driven street and in getting into a taxicab which he
captured over near Cooper Institute. All his mind was upon what the
Duchess had told him and upon a new idea which was throbbingly growing
into a purpose. Maggie and Barney and Old Jimmie! Maggie in a suite at
the Grantham!

What Larry now did, as he got into th