isn't it, Skeeny? It gives you a little
extra. You'll get yours."

Skeeny grunted compliance.

"Well, let's have a look at the white ones, then," he said.

Rhoda Gray was standing upright in the little hallway now, and now,
pressed close against the wall, she edged toward the door-jamb. And a
queer, grim little smile came and twisted the sensitive lips, as she
drew her revolver from her pocket. The merciless, pitiless way in which
the newspapers had flayed the White Moll was not, after all, to be
wholly regretted! The cool, clever resourcefulness, the years of
reckless daring attributed to the White Moll, would stand her in good
stead now. Everybody on the East Side knew her by sight. These men knew
her. It was not merely a woman ambitiously attempting to beard two men
who, perhaps, holding her sex in contempt in an adventure of this
kind, might throw discretion to the winds and give scant respect to her
revolver, for behind the muzzle of that revolver was the reputation of
the White Moll. They would take her at face value--as one who not only
knew how to use that revolver, but as one who would not hesitate an
instant to do so.

From the room she heard Skeeny whistle low under his breath, as though
in sudden and amazed delight--and then she was standing full in the open
doorway, and her revolver in her outflung, gloved hand covered the two
men at the table.

There was a startled cry from Skeeny, a scintillating flash of light as
a magnificent string of diamonds fell from his hand to the table. But
Danglar did not move or speak; only his lips twitched, and a queer
whiteness came and spread itself over his face.

"Put up your hands-both of you!" she ordered, in a low, tense voice.

It was Skeeny who spoke, as both men obeyed her. "The White Moll, so
help me!" he mumbled, and swallowed hard.

Danglar's eyes never seemed to leave her face, and they narrowed now,
full of hatred and a fury that lie made no attempt to conceal. She
smiled at him coldly. She quite understood! He had already complained
that evening that the White Moll for the last few weeks had been robbing
them of the fruits of their laboriously planned schemes. And now-again!
Well, she would not dispel his illusion! He had given the White Moll
that role--and it was the safest role to play.

She stepped forward now, and with her free hand suddenly pulled the
table toward her out of their reach; and then, as she picked up the
necklace, she appeared fo