h
mouths and eyes like that. It was just that I'd had a flash of genius
in the minute I heard Tausig's voice, and in spite of my being so sure
he wouldn't have me arrested I'd-- Guess, Mag, guess! There was only
one way.

The baby, of course! In the moment I had--it wasn't long--I'd stooped
down, pretending to kiss that cherub good-by, and in a jiffy I'd pinned
that precious paper with a safety-pin to the baby's under-petticoat,
preferring that risk to--

Risk! I should say it was. And now it was up to Nance to make good.

While Tausig insisted and explained and expostulated and at last walked
out with the Sergeant--giving me a queer last look that was
half-cursing, half-placating--I stood chatting sweetly with the woman
who had searched me.

I didn't know just how far I might go with her. She knew the paper
wasn't on me, and I could see she was disposed to believe I was as nice
as she'd have liked me to be. But she'd had a lot of experience and
she knew, as most women do even without experience, that if there's not
always fire where there is smoke, it's because somebody's been clever
enough and quick enough to cover the blaze.

"Well, good-by," I said, putting out my hand. "It's been disagreeable
but I'm obliged to you for--why, where's my purse! We must have left
it--" And I turned to go back into the room where I'd undressed.

"You didn't have any."

The words came clear and cold and positive. Her tone was like an
icicle down my back.

"I didn't have any!" I exclaimed. "Why, I certainly--"

"You certainly had no purse, for I should have seen it and searched it
if you had."

Now, what do you think of a woman like that?

"Nancy Olden," I said to myself, more in sorrow than in anger, "you've
met your match right here. When a woman knows a fact and states it
with such quiet conviction, without the least unnecessary emphasis and
not a superfluous word, 'ware that woman. There's only one game to
play to let you hang round here a bit longer and find out what's become
of the baby. Play it!"

I looked at her with respect; it was both real and feigned.

"Of course, you must be right," I said humbly. "I know you wouldn't be
likely to make a mistake, but, just to convince me, do you mind letting
me go back to look?"

"Not at all," she said placidly. "If I go with you there's no reason
why you should not look."

Oh, Mag, it was hard lines looking. Why?--Why, because the place was
so bare and s