ightly, she tossed it into his arms.

"Take good care of it," she said. "If it's not here in the
morning...."

Drake stood close to her. He couldn't find words for what was in his
heart. A dull hurt feeling welled up in his throat. It was so damned
futile sending a girl out when he had promised not to follow. If she
didn't come back in the morning....

Sylvia's eyes grew tender. Standing on tiptoe, she pressed her lips to
his stubbled chin.

"You've been up for a long time, laddie," she whispered. "Better shave
and get some rest."

The door slammed quickly and she was gone. Drake held the fur
carefully over his arm and rubbed his chin reflectively.

"I'll be damned," he said.

"So will I," Puffy spoke from somewhere behind him. "Looks like
Cinderella Drake is gonna go huntin' for that other slipper, and after
all these years."

Jim looked around the room for a safe place to hide the precious
silver cape. He decided on the big cedar chest in the open closet. He
locked the fur in safely and dropped the key in his pocket.

"Ready for a little traveling?" he asked.

Puffy had discarded his shoes and was stretched out comfortably, a
frosted glass in his hand. His chin dropped, jumped forward
protestingly.

"Just let's relax," he begged. "I've worn the heels off my feet for
you today."

Even as he talked the stout one started to tie the laces of his shoes.
They went down the quiet hall and into the private elevator.

"What about George Lardner?" Drake asked as they shot toward the main
floor. "Find out his life history?"

"At the police station." Puff admitted. Then in a puzzled voice he
added, "all but the last two years of it."

"And those last two years?"

They passed quickly through the rear lobby and into the alley. The car
was still where Jim had left it. As they drove out of the narrow alley
and into the street, Puffy talked.

"George Lardner has been in every racket the law knows about," he
said. "The police have a complete record of him since he cut his eye
teeth stealing milk. But the last two years get me."

* * * * *

Drake settled down behind the wheel and they headed toward the rush of
downtown traffic.

"Don't kill me with the suspense," he said. "What's Lardner been up
to that's so startling?"

"Exploring," Puffy said dryly.

"An expedition to the city's slums?" Drake queried.

"No!" Puffy crossed his legs comfortably and scratching a match on the