fire-escape?"

Suddenly he was conscious that the woman had ceased speaking and was
running the cards through her fingers and looking at him searchingly.
"You are not listening," she said, as he met her gaze.

He smiled apologetically. "I know--I was preoccupied."

"I can't help you if you don't listen."

Orme inferred that she took pride in her work. He sighed and looked
grave. "I am afraid," he said slowly, "that my case is too serious for
the cards."

She brightened. "You'd ought to have a trance-reading--two dollars."

"I'd take any kind of reading that would help me, but I'm afraid the
situation is too difficult."

"Then why did you come?" Again the look of suspicion.

"I came because you could help me, but not by a reading."

"What do you mean?" Plainly she was frightened. "I don't put people away.
That's out of my line. Honest!"

"Do I look as if I wanted anything crooked done?" Orme smiled.

"It's hard to tell what folks want," she muttered. "You're a fly-cop,
aren't you?"

"What makes you think that?"

"The way you been sizing things up. You aren't going to do anything, are
you? I pay regular for my protection every month--five dollars--and I
work hard to get it, too."

Orme hesitated. He had known at the outset that he was of a class
different from the ordinary run of her clients. The difference
undoubtedly had both puzzled and frightened her. He might disabuse her of
the notion that he had anything to do with the police, but her
misapprehension was an advantage that he was loath to lose. Fearing him,
she might grant any favor.

"Now, listen to me," he said at last. "I don't mean you any harm, but I
want you to answer a few questions."

She eyed him furtively.

"Do you know the man in the flat below?" he demanded.

"Mr. Arima? No. He's a Jap. I see him in the halls sometimes, but I don't
do no more than bow, like any neighbor."

"He's noisy, isn't he?"

"Only when he has pupils. But he goes out to do most of his teaching. Is
he wanted?"

"Not exactly. Now look here. I believe you're a well-meaning woman. Do
you make a good thing out of this business?"

"Fair." She smiled faintly. "I ain't been in Chicago long, and it takes
time to work up a good trade. I got a daughter to bring up. She's with
friends. She don't know anything about what I do for a living."

"Well," said Orme, "I'm going to give you five dollars toward educating
your girl."

He took a bill from his pocket-book an