Later on, Garson, learning from the maid that Dick Gilder hadleft, returned, just as Mary was glancing over the release, withwhich General Hastings was to be compensated, along with thereturn of his letters, for his payment of ten thousand dollars toMiss Agnes Lynch.

　　"Hello, Joe," Mary said graciously as the forger entered. Thenshe spoke crisply to Agnes. "And now you must get ready. Youare to be at Harris's office with this document at four o'clock,and remember that you are to let the lawyer manage everything."Aggie twisted her doll-like face into a grimace.

　　"It gets my angora that I'll have to miss Pa Gilder's being ledlike a lamb to the slaughter-house." And that was the nearestthe little adventuress ever came to making a Biblical quotation.

　　"Anyhow," she protested, "I don't see the use of all this monkeybusiness here. All I want is the coin." But she hurriedobediently, nevertheless, to get ready for the start.

　　Garson regarded Mary quizzically.

　　"It's lucky for her that she met you," he said. "She's got nomore brains than a gnat.""And brains are mighty useful things, even in our business," Maryreplied seriously; "particularly in our business.""I should say they were," Garson agreed. "You have proved that."Aggie came back, putting on her gloves, and cocking her smallhead very primly under the enormous hat that was garnished withcostliest plumes. It was thus that she consoled herself in ameasure for the business of the occasion--in lieu of cracked icefrom Tiffany's at one hundred and fifty a carat. Mary gave overthe release, and Aggie, still grumbling, deposited it in herhandbag.

　　"It seems to me we're going through a lot of red tape," she saidspitefully.

　　Mary, from her chair at the desk, regarded the malcontent with asmile, but her tone was crisp as she answered.

　　"Listen, Agnes. The last time you tried to make a man give uppart of his money it resulted in your going to prison for twoyears."Aggie sniffed, as if such an outcome were the merest bagatelle.

　　"But that way was so exciting," she urged, not at all convinced.

　　"And this way is so safe," Mary rejoined, sharply. "Besides, mydear, you would not get the money. My way will. Your way wasblackmail; mine is not. Understand?""Oh, sure," Aggie replied, grimly, on her way to the door. "It'sclear as Pittsburgh." With that sarcasm directed against legalsubtleties, she tripped daintily out, an entirely ravishingvision, if somewhat garish as to raiment, and soon in the glancesof admiration that every man cast on her guileless-seemingbeauty, she forgot that she had ever been annoyed.

　　Garson's comment as she departed was uttered with his accustomedbluntness.

　　"Solid ivory!""She's a darling, anyway!" Mary declared, smiling. "You reallydon't half-appreciate her, Joe!""Anyhow, I appreciate that hat," was the reply, with a drychuckle.

　　"Mr. Griggs," Fannie announced. There was a smile on the face ofthe maid, which was explained a minute later when, in accordancewith her mistress's order, the visitor was shown into thedrawing-room, for his presence was of an elegance soextraordinary as to attract attention anywhere--and mirth as wellfrom ribald observers.

　　Meantime, Garson had explained to Mary.

　　"It's English Eddie--you met him once. I wonder what he wants?

　　Probably got a trick for me. We often used to work together.""Nothing without my consent," Mary warned.

　　"Oh, no, no, sure not!" Garson agreed.

　　Further discussion was cut short by the appearance of EnglishEddie himself, a tall, handsome man in the early thirties, whopaused just within the doorway, and delivered to Mary a bow thatwas the perfection of elegance. Mary made no effort to restrainthe smile caused by the costume of Mr. Griggs. Yet, there was noviolation of the canons of good taste, except in the aggregate.

　　From spats to hat, from walking coat to gloves, everything wasperfect of its kind. Only, there was an over-elaboration, sothat the ensemble was flamboyant. And the man's manners preciselyharmonized with his clothes, whereby the whole effect wasemphasized and rendered bizarre. Garson took one amazed look,and then rocked with laughter.

　　Griggs regarded his former associate reproachfully for a moment,and then grinned in frank sympathy.

　　"Really, Mr. Griggs, you quite overcome me," Mary said,half-apologetically.

　　The visitor cast a self-satisfied glance over his garb.

　　"I think it's rather neat, myself." He had some reputation inthe under-world for his manner of dressing, and he regarded thislatest achievement as his masterpiece.

　　"Sure some duds!" Garson admitted, checking his merriment.

　　"From your costume," Mary suggested, "one might judge that thisis purely a social call. Is it?""Well, not exactly," Griggs answered with a smile.

　　"So I fancied," his hostess replied. "So, sit down, please, andtell us all about it."While she was speaking, Garson went to the various doors, andmade sure that all were shut, then he took a seat in a chair nearthat which Griggs occupied by the desk, so that the three wereclose together, and could speak softly.

　　English Eddie wasted no time in getting to the point.

　　"Now, look here," he said, rapidly. "I've got the greatest gamein the world.... Two years ago, a set of Gothic tapestries, worththree hundred thousand dollars and a set of Fragonard panels,worth nearly as much more, were plucked from a chateau in Franceand smuggled into this country.""I have never heard of that," Mary said, with some interest.

　　"No," Griggs replied. "You naturally wouldn't, for the simplereason that it's been kept on the dead quiet.""Are them things really worth that much?" Garson exclaimed.

　　"Sometimes more," Mary answered. "Morgan has a set of Gothictapestries worth half a million dollars."Garson uttered an ejaculation of disgust.

　　"He pays half a million dollars for a set of rugs!" There was anote of fiercest bitterness come into his voice as hesarcastically concluded: "And they wonder at crime!"Griggs went on with his account.

　　"About a month ago, the things I was telling you of were hung inthe library of a millionaire in this city." He hitched his chaira little closer to the desk, and leaned forward, lowering hisvoice almost to a whisper as he stated his plan.

　　"Let's go after them. They were smuggled, mind you, and nomatter what happens, he can't squeal. What do you say?"Garson shot a piercing glance at Mary.

　　"It's up to her," he said. Griggs regarded Mary eagerly, as shesat with eyes downcast. Then, after a little interval hadelapsed in silence, he spoke interrogatively:

　　"Well?"Mary shook her head decisively. "It's out of our line," shedeclared.

　　Griggs would have argued the matter. "I don't see any easier wayto get half a million," he said aggressively.

　　Mary, however, was unimpressed.

　　"If it were fifty millions, it would make no difference. It'sagainst the law.""Oh, I know all that, of course," Griggs returned impatiently.

　　"But if you can----"Mary interrupted him in a tone of finality.

　　"My friends and I never do anything that's illegal! Thank you forcoming to us, Mr. Griggs, but we can't go in, and there's an endof the matter.""But wait a minute," English Eddie expostulated, "you see thischap, Gilder, is----"Mary's manner changed from indifference to sudden keen interest.

　　"Gilder?" she exclaimed, questioningly.

　　"Yes. You know who he is," Griggs answered;............