s
man whose wholesomeness was the trait of character which most potently
attracted her, was too appalling to be contemplated. The chance of
discovery would be enhanced, she recognized, by the absence of her
friends and accomplices.

Of course she was acquainted with many other devotees. In fact, she met
so many of them that she had grown reconciled to her habits, believing
them to be common to all "smart" people--a part of the Bohemian life.
The truth of the matter was that she had become a prominent member of a
coterie closely knit and associated by a bond of mutual vice--a kind
of masonry whereof Kazmah of Bond Street was Grand Master and Mrs. Sin
Grand Mistress.

The relations existing between Kazmah and his clients were of a most
peculiar nature, too, and must have piqued the curiosity of anyone but
a drug-slave. Having seen him once, in his oracular cave, Rita had been
accepted as one of the initiated. Thereafter she had had no occasion to
interview the strange, immobile Egyptian, nor had she experienced any
desire to do so. The method of obtaining drugs was a simple one. She
had merely to present herself at the establishment in Bond Street and
to purchase either a flask of perfume or a box of sweetmeats. There
were several varieties of perfume, and each corresponded to a particular
drug. The sweetmeats corresponded to morphine. Rashid, the attendant,
knew all Kazmah's clients, and with the box or flask he gave them a
quantity of the required drug. This scheme was precautionary. For if a
visitor should chance to be challenged on leaving the place, there was
the legitimate purchase to show in evidence of the purpose of the visit.

No conversation was necessary, merely the selection of a scent and the
exchange of a sum of money. Rashid retired to wrap up the purchase, and
with it a second and smaller package was slipped into the customer's
hand. That the prices charged were excessive--nay, ridiculous--did not
concern Rita, for, in common with the rest of her kind, she was careless
of expenditure.

Opium, alone, Kazmah did not sell. He sold morphine, tincture of opium,
and other preparations; but those who sought the solace of the pipe were
compelled to deal with Mrs. Sin. She would arrange parties, or would
prepare the "Hundred Raptures" in Limehouse for visitors; but, except in
the form of opiated cigarettes, she could rarely be induced to part with
any of the precious gum. Thus she cleverly kept a firm hold upo