nce over Colette. She played her game against my wish and prayer.
Most particular did I warn her against annoying you and yours. I was
going to break up her designs on young Everard, when you did it
yourself. I hope you----"

In his nervous apprehension for Colette's fate the strong-willed man
broke down. He remained silent, struggling for his vanishing
self-control.

"I understand, and I excuse you. The position was nasty. I have always
trusted you without knowing why exactly," and he reflected a moment on
that interesting fact. "You did me unforgettable service in saving Louis
Everard."

"How glad I am you remember that service," Curran gasped, like one who
grasping at a straw finds it a plank. "I foresaw this moment when I said
to you that night, 'I shall not be bashful about reminding you of it and
asking a reward at the right time.' I ask it now. For the boy's sake be
merciful with her. Don't hand her over to the courts. Deal with her
yourself, and I'll help you."

For the boy's sake, for that service so aptly rendered, for the joy it
brought and the grief it averted, he could forget justice and crown
Colette with diamonds! Curran trembled with eagerness and suspense. He
loved her,--this wretch, witch, fiend of a woman!

"The question is, can I deal with her myself? She is intractable."

"You ought to know by this time that she will do anything for you ...
and still more when she has to choose between your wish and jail."

"I shall require a good deal of her, not for my own sake, but to undo
the evil work----"

"How I have tried to keep her out of that evil work," Curran cried
fiercely. "We are bad enough as it is without playing traitors to our
own, and throwing mud on holy things. There can be no luck in it, and
she knows it. When one gets as low as she has, it's time for the
funeral. Hell is more respectable."

Arthur did not understand this feeling in Curran. The man's degradation
seemed so complete to him that not even sacrilege could intensify it;
yet clearly the hardened sinner saw some depths below his own which
excited his horror and loathing.

"If you think I can deal with her, I shall not invoke the aid of the
law."

The detective thanked him in a breaking voice. He had enjoyed a very bad
night speculating on the probable course of events. Colette came in
shortly, and greeted Arthur as brazenly as usual, but with extreme
sadness, which became her well; so sweet, so delicate, so fragile, tha