shed it open.

"In there."

"Go on. You shall keep me company."

Mrs. Scarlet advanced, closely followed by the detective.

The moment he crossed the threshold the door closed behind him, and
the lamp was extinguished, leaving everything in total darkness. Then
the detective felt the floor give way, and he was precipitated to his
doom, the last sound reaching his ears being a mocking laugh from Aunt
Scarlet.

CHAPTER XX.

OVERMATCHED BY A GIRL.

A low chuckle fell from the lips of Madge Scarlet.

"I reckon you've met your match this time, Dyke Darrel. I will now
enjoy the sweetest revenge; it will be like honey to my blistered
tongue. You've done your last shadowing of your betters. Dan'l,
husband, you shall be avenged before to-morrow's sun rises over
Chicago."

Lighting her lamp, the woman fiend bent down and peered through a
square opening in the floor to the depths below. It was too far down
for the rays of light to penetrate, but she could well imagine that a
mangled form lay directly below on the stone floor.

A faint groan reached her ears.

"Ha! he's coming to his senses. I must see that he don't outwit Aunt
Madge yet."

Then replacing the trap, the woman left the place, and a little later
descended a narrow stairs and entered the room beneath the trap.

There on the stone floor lay the pretended old man, gasping in pain,
yet not able to help himself.

Quickly Madge Scarlet bent over the prostrate and helpless victim of
her cunning, and began binding his limbs with a stout cord that she
had brought with her for the purpose.

In a little time the work was completed, and Mrs. Scarlet stood up
with her arms akimbo viewing her work, a satisfied smile playing about
the toothless lips.

"I'll peel you, so't there'll be no deception hereafter," muttered the
she fiend; and suiting actions to words, she tore the disguise from
the detective's head and face and flung it aside. "Thought to fool the
old woman, eh?"

A curdling laugh followed.

After gloating over the detective for some time, Madge Scarlet picked
up her lamp and turned away, a feeling of intense satisfaction in her
heart at the knowledge that she had her enemies so completely at her
mercy. It was satisfaction for one day at least.

The woman passed through two basement rooms, unlocking and locking
doors, until she at length stood in the presence of Nell Darrel. "I
ain't here with supper, madam," sneered the woman, as Nell st