eir host advised. "I'll see
you're not disturbed by the help. Sam will bring your meals in from a
restaurant. I'd say stay here as long as you like, but it can't be done
without arousing curiosity, the one thing we don't want."

"No, better leave late to-night in a taxi," Sam proposed.

"Better still, I'll bring around Captain Chunn's car and Sam can drive
you home. We can't be too careful."

So it was arranged. Mrs. Anderson left it to them and went back into the
bedroom where her wounded lamb lay.

About midnight Jeff stopped a car in front of the stairway. The two
veiled women emerged, accompanied by Sam. They were helped into the
tonneau and Miller took the driver's seat. Just as the machine began to
move a little man ran across the street toward them.

Jeff's forearm went up suddenly and caught him under the chin. Billie
Gray's head went back and his heels came up. Farnum was on him in an
instant, ostensibly to help him up, but really to see he did not get
up too quickly. As soon as the automobile swung round the corner Jeff
lifted him to his feet.

"Sorry. Hope I didn't hurt you," he smiled.

"Smart trick, wasn't it?" snarled the detective. "Never mind, Mr.
Farnum. We've got your goat right."

"Again?" Jeff asked with pleasant impudence.

"Got you dead to rights this trip." Gray fired another shot as he turned
away. "And we'll find out yet who your lady friends are. Don't you
forget it."

But Billie had overlooked a bet. He had been in the back of the drug
store getting a drink when Sam and Mrs. Anderson arrived. The policeman
on guard had not connected the coming of these with Jeff. None of the
watchers knew that Jeff had not been alone with the girl all night.

Part 5

Sam called on Jeff two days later.

"I want you to come round to-night at seven-fifteen. We're going to be
married," he explained.

The newspaper man's eye met his in a swift surprise. "You and Nellie?"

"Yes." Miller's jaw set. "Why not? YOU'RE not going to spring that
damned cant about--"

"I thought you knew me better," his friend interrupted.

Miller's face worked. "I'll ask your pardon for that, Jeff. You've been
the best friend she has. Well, we've thrashed it all out. She fought her
mother and me two days; didn't think it right to let me give my name to
her, even though she admits she has come to care for me. You can see how
she would be torn two ways. It's the only road out for her and the baby
that is on the way, b