*

The silver fox was gone. Sylvia Fanton, more lovely than ever was
stretched comfortably across the bed, her slim limbs partly covered by
the fox cape. She was real this time. Drake caught the look of
gratitude in her eyes.

"Then you _are_ real," he went toward her in long strides. "I was
beginning to wonder."

She crouched away from him slightly, trying to stretch the short fur
to cover her rounded limbs. The task wasn't very successful.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. He knew she _was_ sorry. Sorry for all the
trouble she had caused him.

"But why...?"

She sat up, shielding herself carefully.

"It's very simple," she explained. "I am doomed to wear the body of a
fox during those hours when the sun is high. At night...." She
motioned toward the window with slim fingers.

Drake turned, saw that the sun had drifted behind the distant skyline
and darkness had come down on the city. He smiled, only partly
understanding.

"At night you become a very lovely woman. I know that much."

Sylvia Fanton blushed.

"Thanks!"

Puffy whistled.

"Leave it to Cinderella Drake," he grinned. "Man, you sure hit the
jack-pot this time."

Drake sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Please tell us about yourself," he begged. "There's something I
should know? Some way I can help?"

She shook her head sadly.

"I'm sorry. I owe you an explanation, and don't think I'm not
grateful. More than that I can't tell you now."

"Listen," Jim said. "I may have been drunk last night. Perhaps I'm a
mild sort of rotter, but at least I want to try."

The girl shrugged her shoulders helplessly.

"I'm sorry," she said. "It may sound foolish, but the success of my
mission here depends on myself alone. The lives of many people are
hinged on my playing the game alone. The curse that holds me, binds my
people also."

Puffy Adams' jaw dropped. He reached for the always ready bottle in
the small bar and poured a drink. He swallowed it with a loud gulp.

"George Lardner shares your knowledge," Drake said.

Sylvia's body shuddered under the fur.

"Lardner is a snake." Her voice was as cold as ice. "His greed has
destroyed my people. Death will be his reward."

"All of which means," Drake said evenly. "You have recovered the
diamond that you held in your hands last night at the Owl Limb."

* * * * *

The girl arose slowly. The fur draped itself about her body revealing
warm shoulders, slim, evenly tape