imed, questioningly.

"Yes. You know who he is," Griggs answered; "the drygoods man."

Garson in his turn showed a new excitement as he bent toward Mary.

"Why, it's old Gilder, the man you----"

Mary, however, had regained her self-control, for a moment rudely
shaken, and now her voice was tranquil again as she replied:

"I know. But, just the same, it's illegal, and I won't touch it. That's
all there is to it."

Griggs was dismayed.

"But half a million!" he exclaimed, disconsolately. "There's a stake
worth playing for. Think of it!" He turned pleadingly to Garson. "Half a
million, Joe!"

The forger repeated the words with an inflection that was gloating.

"Half a million!"

"And it's the softest thing you ever saw."

The telephone at the desk rang, and Mary spoke into it for a moment,
then rose and excused herself to resume the conversation over the wire
more privately in the booth. The instant she was out of the room, Griggs
turned to Garson anxiously.

"It's a cinch, Joe," he pleaded. "I've got a plan of the house." He drew
a paper from his breast-pocket, and handed it to the forger, who seized
it avidly and studied it with intent, avaricious eyes.

"It looks easy," Garson agreed, as he gave back the paper.

"It is easy," Griggs reiterated. "What do you say?"

Garson shook his head in refusal, but there was no conviction in the
act.

"I promised Mary never to----"

Griggs broke in on him.

"But a chance like this! Anyhow, come around to the back room at
Blinkey's to-night, and we'll have a talk. Will you?"

"What time?" Garson asked hesitatingly, tempted.

"Make it early, say nine," was the answer. "Will you?"

"I'll come," Garson replied, half-guiltily. And in the same moment Mary
reentered.

Griggs rose and spoke with an air of regret.

"It's 'follow the leader,'" he said, "and since you are against it, that
settles it."

"Yes, I'm against it," Mary said, firmly.

"I'm sorry," English Eddie rejoined. "But we must all play the game
as we see it.... Well, that was the business I was after, and, as it's
finished, why, good-afternoon, Miss Turner." He nodded toward Joe, and
took his departure.

Something of what was in his mind was revealed in Garson's first speech
after Griggs's going.

"That's a mighty big stake he's playing for."

"And a big chance he's taking!" Mary retorted. "No, Joe, we don't want
any of that. We'll play a game that's safe and sure."

The words recalled to