ll take in Mae Gorham.
She's clever and innocent-eyed--"

"But I thought you were going to take me in!" protested Maggie.

"Maggie'll be just as good as Mae Gorham," put in Barney.

"We'll let that pass," said Old Jimmie. "The main thing, Larry, is that
everything is ready. It's a whale of a business proposition. We've been
waiting for you; you're all that's lacking--the brainy guy to sit behind
the scenes and manage the thing. You've handled the bunch for a long
time, and they want you to handle this. For you're sure a wonder at
business, Larry! None keener. Well, we've held this off waiting for you
for a month. How about jumping right in?"

All three eyed Larry. His lean face was expressionless. He lit a
cigarette, rose and leaned against the Duchess's safe on which stood the
green parrot, and, gaze on the floor, slowly exhaled smoke through his
nostrils.

"Well?" demanded Barney.

Larry looked at the two men with quiet, even eyes. "Thanks to both of
you. It's a great compliment. But I've had time to do a little planning
myself up in Sing Sing, and I've worked out a game that's got this one
beat a mile."

"Hell!" ejaculated Barney in wrathful disgust. "Jimmie, I told you we
were wasting time waiting for him!"

"Hold on a second, Barney. If Larry's worked out a better game, he'll
take us into it. But, Larry, how can your game beat this one?"

"Because there's more money in it. And because it's safer."

"Safe! Aw, hell!" The smouldering jealousy and hatred glared out
of Barney's greenish eyes. "I always knew you had a yellow streak!
Something safe! Aw, hell!"

"Don't blow up, Barney. What is the new game, Larry?" queried the old
man.

Larry regarded the two men steadfastly. He seemed reluctant to speak.

"Well?" prompted Old Jimmie. "Is it something you don't want to let us
in on?"

"Of course I'll let you in on it, and be glad to, if you want to come
in," Larry replied in his level tone. "As I said, I've thought it all
out and it's a great proposition. Here's the game: I'm going to run
straight."

For a moment all three sat astounded by this quiet statement from their
leader. Nothing he might have said could have been more unexpected, more
stupefying. The Duchess alone moved; she turned her head and held her
sunken eyes upon her grandson.

Simultaneously the two men and Maggie stood up.

"The hell you say!" grated Barney Palmer.

"Larry, you gone crazy?" cried Old Jimmie.

Maggie moved a pace