dly replied.

He looked sharply at Burke.

"Well, sir, having finished what I consider my midday devotions, I am
very busy. What can I do for you?"

"You can listen to what I have to say," retorted Burke; resenting the
condescending tone. "I come here to see you about some actual
conditions. I have read some of your literature, and if you are as
anxious to do some active good as you write you are, I can give you
enough to keep your entire organization busy."

It was a very different personality which shone forth from those sharp
black eyes now, than the smug, quasi-religious man who had spoken
before.

"I don't like your manner, young man. Tell me what you have to say,
and do it quickly."

"Well, yours is the Purity League. I happen to have run across a gang
of procurers who drug girls, and make their livelihood off the shame of
the girls they get into their clutches. I can give you the names of
these men, their haunts, and you can apply the funds and influence of
your society in running them to earth, with my assistance and that of a
number of other policemen I know."

Trubus rose from his chair.

"I have heard this story many times before, my young friend. It does
not interest me."

"What!" exclaimed Burke, "you advertise and obtain money from the
public to fight for purity and when a man comes to you with facts and
with the gameness to help you fight, you say you are not interested."

Trubus waved his hand toward the door by which Burke had entered.

"I have to make an address to our Board of Directors this afternoon,"
he said, "and I don't care to associate my activities nor those of the
cause for which I stand with the police department. You had better
carry your information to your superiors."

"But, I tell you I have the leads which will land a gang of organized
procurers, if you will give me any of your help. The police are trying
to do the best they can, but they have to fight district politics,
saloon men, and every sort of pull against justice. Your society isn't
afraid of losing its job, and it can't be fired by political influence.
Why don't you spend some of your money for the cause that's alive
instead of on furniture and stenographers and diamond rings!"

The cat was out of the bag.

Trubus brought his fist down with a bang which spilled grape juice on
his neat piles of papers.

"Don't you dictate to me. You police are a lot of grafters, in league
with the gangsters and the