stand the pace of society as it was going at present.

"And before the tragedy," said the editor with another nameless
look, as if he were imparting a most valuable piece of gossip,
"it was the talk of the town, the attention that Close's lawyer
was paying to Mrs. Close. But to her credit let me say that she
never gave us a chance to hint at anything, and--well, you know
us; we don't need much to make snappy society news."

The editor then waged even more confidential, for if I am
anything at all, I am a good listener, and I have found that
often by sitting tight and listening I can get more than if I
were a too-eager questioner.

"It really was a shame,--the way that man Lawrence played his
game," he went on. "I understand that it was he who introduced
Close to Mrs. T. They were both his clients. Lawrence had fought
her case in the courts when she sued old Tulkington for divorce,
and a handsome settlement he got for her, too. They say his fee
ran up into the hundred thousands--contingent, you know. I don't
know what his game was"--here he lowered his voice to a whisper
"but they say Close owes him a good deal of money. You can figure
it out for yourself as you like. Now, I've told you all I know.
Come in again, Jameson, when you want some more scandal, and
remember me to the boys down on the Star."

The following day the maid visited Kennedy at his laboratory
while I was reporting to him on the result of my investigations.

She looked worn and haggard. She had spent a sleepless night and