n this city, Sister Claire," he began----

"And you think I am about to ruin my chances of a fortune?" she
interrupted. "Well, I am willing to take the risk, and you have nothing
to say about it. You know your part. Go into the next room, and wait for
your cue. I'll bet any sum that you'll never get the cue. If you do, be
sure to make a quick entrance."

He looked long at her and sighed, but made no pretense to move. She
rose, and pointed to the third room of the suite. Sheepishly, moodily,
in silent protest, he obeyed the gesture and went out humbly. Before
that look the brave detective surrendered like a slave to his chains.
The door had hardly closed behind him, when the office-boy solemnly
announced Louis, and at a sign from Sister Claire ushered in the friend
of Arthur Dillon. She received him with downcast eyes, standing at a
little distance. With a whispered welcome and a drooping head, she
pointed to a seat. Louis sat down nervous and overawed, wishing that he
had never undertaken this impossible and depressing task. Who was he to
be dealing with such a character as this dubious and disreputable woman?

"I feared you would not come," she began in a very low tone. "I feared
you would misunderstand ... what can one like you understand of sin and
misery?... but thank Heaven for your courage ... I may yet owe to you my
salvation!"

"I was afraid," said the lad frankly, gladdened by her cunning words. "I
don't know of what ... but I suppose it was distrust of myself. If I can
be of any service to you how glad I shall be!"

"Oh, you can, you can," she murmured, turning her beautiful eyes on him.
Her voice failed her, and she had to struggle with her sobs.

"What do you think I can do for you?" he asked, to relieve the suspense.

"I shall tell you that later," she replied, and almost burst out
laughing. "It will be simple and easy for you, but no one else can
satisfy me. We are alone. I must tell you my story, that you may be the
better able to understand the service which I shall ask of you. It is a
short story, but terrible ... especially to one like you ... promise me
that you will not shrink, that you will not despise me----"

"I have no right to despise you," said Louis, catching his breath.

She bowed her head to hide a smile, and appeared to be irresolute for a
moment. Then with sudden, and even violent, resolve, she drew a chair to
his side, and began the history of her wretched career. Her position was