y. My father spent it all for the lots
that he bought from you."

Dave winced. Then, turning to the young woman, "I'm afraid this is a
more urgent case than yours. I'll call a taxi to take you to your
address."

To his surprise his visitor broke out in a ribald laugh. She had
seated herself on a desk, and was swinging one foot jauntily.

"It's all off," she said. "Say, Dave, you couldn't lose me in this
burg. You don't remember me, do you? Well, all the better. I'm
rather glad I broke down on this job. I used to be something of an
actress, and I'd have put it over if it hadn't been for the kid. The
fact is, Dave," she continued, "I was sent up here to decoy you. It
wasn't fair fighting, and I didn't like it, but money has been mighty
slow of late. I wonder--how much you'd give to know who sent me?"

Dave pulled some bills from his pocket and held them before her. She
took them from his hand.

"Conward," she said.

Dave's blood went to his head. "The scoundrel!" he cried. "The low
down dog! There's more in this than appears on the surface."

"Sure there is," she said. "There's another woman. There always is."

Elden walked to his desk. From a drawer he took a revolver; toyed with
it a moment in his hands; broke it open, crammed it full of cartridges
and thrust it in his pocket.

The girl watched him with friendly interest. "Believe me, Dave," she
said, "if Conward turns up missing I won't know a thing--not a d----
thing."

For a moment he stood irresolute. He could only guess what Conward's
plan had been, but that it had been diabolical and cowardly, and that
it concerned Irene, he had no doubt. His impulse was to immediately
confront Conward, force a confession, and deal with him as the occasion
might seem to require. But his eye fell on the boy, with his shock of
brown hair and wistful, half-frightened face.

"I'll go with you first," he said, with quick decision. Then to the
girl, "Sorry I must turn you out, but this case is urgent."

"That's all right," she said. Suddenly there was a little catch in her
voice. "I'm used to being turned out."

He shot a sharp glance at her. Her face was laughing. "You're too
decent for your job," he said, abruptly.

"Thanks, Dave," she answered, and he saw her eyes glisten. "That
helps--some." And before he knew it she was into the street.

"All right, son," said Dave, taking up the matter now in hand. "What's
your name--your first nam