ake any
startling offer to a little girl that's just barely got her nose above
the wall. The slightest shake might knock her off altogether, or she
mightn't have strength enough in herself to hold on. But we'll give
her a chance. And because of what it may lead to, if she works hard,
because of the opportunities we can give her, there ain't so much in it
in a money way as you might imagine."

Obermuller didn't say anything. His own lips and his own eyes sneered
now, and he winked openly at me, which made the little man hot.

"Blast it!" he twanged. "I mean it. If you've got any notion through
my coming down to your dirty little joint that we've set our hearts on
having the girl, just get busy thinking something else. She may be
worth something to you--measured up against the dubs you've got; but to
us--"

"To you, it's not so much your not having her as my having her that--"
"Exactly. It ain't our policy to leave any doubtful cards in the
enemy's hands. He can have the bad ones. He couldn't get the good
ones. And the doubtful ones, like this girl Olden--"

"Well, that's just where you're mistaken!" Obermuller thrust his hands
deep in his pockets and put out that square chin of his like the
fighter he is. "'This girl Olden' is anything but doubtful. She's a
big card right now if she could be well handled. And the time isn't so
far off when, if you get her, you people will be--"

"Just how much is your interest in her worth?" the little man sneered.

Obermuller glared at him, and in the pause I murmured demurely:

"Only a six-year contract."

Mag, you should have seen 'em jump--both of 'em; the little man with
vexation, the big one with surprise.

A contract! Me?--Nance Olden! Why, Mag, you innocent, of course I
hadn't. Managers don't give six-year contracts to girl--burglars
who've never set foot on the stage.

When the little man was gone, Obermuller cornered me.

"What's your game, Olden?" he cried. "You're too deep for me; I throw
up my hands. Come; what've you got in that smart little head of yours?
Are you holding out for higher stakes? Do you expect him to buy that
great six-year contract and divvy the proceeds with me? Because he
will--when once they get their eye on you, they'll have you; and to
turn up your nose at their offer if in just the way to make them itch
for you. But how the deuce did you find it out? And where do you get
your nerve from, anyway? A little beggar lik