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80 to save their own self-respect. Have they said anything to you about your handkerchief found in that girl's room and your monogram cigarette—and the prints of your tennis shoes on the path outside?"

"What's that?" I cried, turning on her so suddenly that she shrank back a little.

"I see that they haven't." She gave her low laugh, but there was no amusement in it this time. "Yes, my dear," she went on mockingly, "Chu-Chu first paid a visit to your rooms and got what he needed" "So it was Chu-Chu!" I snarled. "I'll twist his hairy neck for that—and you can tell him so for me."

"Chu-Chu takes good care of his neck. But you see, Frank, you are outclassed. Better come back to the fold, my little boy."

"You think so, do you?" I answered quietly. "Well then, my dear girl, let me tell you something. If you think that you are going to play me for a sucker, you're wrong. I'm either an old pal or I'm an honest citizen. If I'm the first, hand over those pearls. If I'm the honest citizen, then look out for squalls."

Leontine was silent for a moment. Then, says she, softly:

"What do you mean?"

"I mean this. That if you choose to consider me as an honest citizen, I shall act like one. You like your little joke and so do I. You got Chu-Chu to play yours. I'll get the Prefect of Police to play mine—and glad enough he'll be to do it."