listened at the bathroom door for a moment before turning the key in the lock.

"I have paid for it!" I announced, ignoring the venom in her voice. For I had too many troubles, just then, to give much time to that green-eyed gim-moll's foolish threats.

The big rose and gold bedroom, I noticed as I stepped guardedly into it, was still empty. So I ushered the sullen-eyed and languid-moving lady in the crêpe-de-chine night-dress into its splendors.

She looked the room over with a hostile eye. Then she turned to me, frowning with perplexity.

"What are you trying to steer me into, anyway?" she demanded, as I pointed silently but meaningly toward the big four-poster. But she betrayed no immediate intention of climbing in between those crested sheets.

"Listen to me," I said, "for my time is short."

"So are your manners!" promptly remarked my unwilling captive.

"Well, they may get worse, if they're tried too hard," I warned her, with a show of anger. "But if you're wise you'll climb into that bed without too much back-talk!"

"I prefer staying out of it," was her sullen retort.

"But I say you're going to get in it!"