east of Hudson Bay, there
is a fortune in uncovered diamonds. A fortune that could easily
eclipse the yield of Africa's richest diamond fields.--ED.]

* * * * *

Jim Drake knew all he wanted to for the time being. He turned toward
the unlighted marquee of the Owl Limb.

"Looks as though the police closed the place up," Puffy said soberly.
"Gonna stay sober tonight?"

"Do you know where that check room girl lives; the one you call Mary?"
Drake asked.

Puffy's face sobered.

"She's married and has three kids," he said. "I don't know where any
married women live."

Jim chuckled. He twisted the car into the traffic again, and with a
swift U-turn, headed the coupe toward home.

"Just the same I need information from a married woman," he said. "And
you're getting out at the next corner in a perhaps futile effort to
find Mary."

"And if her husband doesn't meet me at the door with a shotgun," Puffy
asked, "what do I ask her?"

Jim shot an appraising look toward the deserted corner ahead, whipped
the coupe up beside a traffic officer and opened the door.

"From now on," he said, "we are interested in Lardner. He's a busy man
these days. Mary ought to know where her boss is. Women like that have
an idea of everything that is going on. Find out where Lardner went
and meet me at the apartment as soon as you can."

Puffy was already on the sidewalk.

"Leave it to me, Cinderella," he said. "I get the idea. If you can't
follow the fox, you're gonna follow the wolf and let him lead you to
her."

Drake nodded and smiled after the sturdy figure with a growing
respect.

"Move along there!" The gruff voice came from his side. "Can't be
holding traffic all night for you."

Drake turned, saw the officer grinning at him, and shot into the
traffic.

* * * * *

The door of the apartment was ajar. The puzzled expression on Jim
Drake's face changed to one of worried interest. He pushed the door
open swiftly, and silently. The lights were out. A sound came from the
direction of the window and straining he thought he saw the curtain
blow in slightly. On tiptoe he went swiftly around the side of the big
room. The chair by the bed had been moved and he struck his shin on it
in the dark.

The room flashed white as he pressed the electric button. Hot anger
passed through his body. Every piece of furniture in the room had been
tipped upside down. Linings were tor