re an alderman, and he'll send you down if it's
only to get his fee. She knows her man."

"Suppose murder is proved against her?"

"Suppose!" Norah gave a little derisive laugh.

"They don't look after things in here as they do outside. Everybody's
got the screws on, and things must break sometimes, but it isn't called
murder. The coroner understands it all. He's used to seeing things
break."

CHAPTER VII.

_FOR_ a short time the sounds of cruel exultation came over from
Flanagan's; then all was still.

"Sal's put her mark on you," said Norah, looking steadily into Pinky's
face, and laughing in a cold, half-amused way.

Pinky raised her hand to her swollen cheek. "Does it look very bad?" she
asked.

"Spoils your beauty some."

"Will it get black?"

"Shouldn't wonder. But what can't be helped, can't. You'll mind your own
business next time, and keep out of Sal's way. She's dangerous. What's
the matter?"

"Got a sort of chill," replied the girl, who from nervous reaction was
beginning to shiver.

"Oh, want something to warm you up." Norah brought out a bottle of
spirits. Pinky poured a glass nearly half full, added some water, and
then drank off the fiery mixture.

"None of your common stuff," said Norah, with a smile, as Pinky smacked
her lips. The girl drew her handkerchief from her pocket, and as she did
so a piece of paper dropped on the floor.

"Oh, there it is!" she exclaimed, light flashing into her face. "Going
to make a splendid hit. Just look at them rows."

Norah threw an indifferent glance on the paper.

"They're lucky, every one of them," said Pinky. "Going to put half a
dollar on each row--sure to make a hit."

The queen gave one of her peculiar shrugs.

"Going to break Sam McFaddon," continued Pinky, her spirits rising under
the influence of Norah's treat.

"Soft heads don't often break hard rocks," returned the woman, with a
covert sneer.

"That's an insult!" cried Pinky, on whom the liquor she had just taken
was beginning to have a marked effect, "and I won't stand an insult from
you or anybody else."

"Well, I wouldn't if I was you," returned Norah, coolly. A hard
expression began settling about her mouth.

"And I don't mean to. I'm as good as you are, any day!"

"You may be a great deal better, for all I care," answered Norah. "Only
take my advice, and keep a civil tongue in your head." There was a
threatening undertone in the woman's voice. She drew her tall pe