ing in low tones on the lonely
sands. "I don't see what object he could have in making away with
Carwell, and yet it begins to look black for him. Maybe there is more
than the fifteen thousand dollars involved. There are so many angles to
the case now. I must find out who this woman is."

And when she spoke in louder tones than usual, drawing from LeGrand
Blossom an impatient "Hush!" the colonel had his answer.

"Morocco Kate again! What's her part now?"

The detective was near enough now to hear some of the talk.

"Did you bring it?" asked the woman eagerly.

"Hush! can't you?" snapped LeGrand Blossom.

"Pooh! What's the harm? There's no one in this lonely place! It gives me
the creeps. Li'l ole Broadway for mine!"

"You never know who's anywhere these days!" muttered LeGrand. "That
infernal detective seems to be all over. He looks at me--oh, he looks at
me, and I don't like it."

Morocco Kate laughed.

"Shut up!" ordered the head clerk. "Do you think this is funny?"

"It used to be," was the answer. "It used to be funny, when you thought
you were in love with me. Oh, it was delicious!"

"I was a bigger fool than I ever thought I'd be!" growled LeGrand
Blossom.

"You aren't the only one," was the consoling answer. "But what I'm
interested in now, is--did you bring the mazumma--the cush--the dope?"

"All I could get," was the answer. "I'm in a devil of a mess, and the
estate hasn't been settled yet. I may get some more out of it then, but
you'll have to quit bleeding me. I'm through with you, I tell you!"

"But I'm not with you," was the sharp rejoinder. "I'll take this now,
but I'll need more. The game isn't going as it used to. Mind, I'll need
more, and soon."

"You won't get it!"

"Oh, won't I? Well, there are others that'll pay well for what I'm able
to tell, I guess. I rather think you'll see me again, Lee. So-long now,
but I'll see you again!"

She moved off in the darkness, laughing mirthlessly, and with muttered
imprecations LeGrand Blossom turned in the opposite direction, passing
within a few feet of the hidden detective. "Blackmail, or is it a
division of the spoils?" mused Colonel Ashley. "I've got to find out
which. Mr. Blossom, I think I'll have to stick to you until you fall
into the sear and yellow leaf."

The next day as Colonel Ashley sat trying to fix his attention on a
passage from Walton, a messenger brought him a note. It was from a young
man who, at the colonel's suggestion,