Kit. I wouldn't
mind offering your young lady a good place and good pay when this mix-up
comes to an end."

"I do not believe she'll be looking for work," said O'Reilly.

"This Kit must be pretty sharp, too. It looks as if Churn was her
'steady.' If she did the job at the Westmorland, it was to set him and
her up in housekeeping, later on, well away from Chuff and Co. Looks as
if Kit had been used for a catspaw, and maybe hadn't got enough out of
the job for herself. Suddenly she saw a whole dazzling lot. I can't get
on to who this Kit is yet. But maybe I will. Your little friend does
shoot quick--and low."

"She does," said O'Reilly. "But she doesn't hit below the belt."

"Folks like Kit and Churn and Chuff haven't got belts," said Denham.

O'Reilly laughed again. But he wanted Clo. She was made for him--the
demon, the darling, the only girl he had ever seriously desired. He
hadn't known that she existed till to-night, when she'd begun their
acquaintance by tricking and stealing from him. Though he might laugh,
he wouldn't know a happy moment till she was safe. For an instant he
forgot Denham and the business in hand. "I think she likes me," he told
himself. "I'll make her like me a lot more when I get half a chance."

"That couple will hide," Denham was saying. "Churn may send word to
Krantz that he can't sing; he'll say he's sick. But I shan't do any such
thing as put Krantz wise that his tenor is wanted. Krantz is a fox. Our
hope is in Miss Riley."

"You'll come to the Dietz, won't you?" asked O'Reilly.

"Yes," said the detective, finishing his cool beer. "I'll come. But I
haven't got much hope from what may be in that bead bag. People who have
things to hide, hide 'em better than in bags. However, we'll see." When
Justin had paid for Denham's drink, they went, with the bead bag in the
pocket of Clo's brown cloak hanging over O'Reilly's arm. It was after
midnight.

XXIX

ACCORDING TO THE MORNING PAPERS

Roger had talked of nothing but his plan for the Newport house-warming,
after starting the subject; and he had told Beverley that they ought to
be able to move in a week. She must make everything right about the
servants: he would see to outside arrangements. And this "big party"
could take place in a fortnight. It was ostentatious sending out
invitations longer in advance. They must make a "splash"--worthy of the
house--and the pearls. Beverley must think up something original in the
way of ent