Seizing her roughly, he shook her, muttering savagely:

"If I were sure, by God, I'd strangle you!"

She remained limp; her expressionless stare did not change.

Merkle heard a stir behind him and found Jimmy Knight's blanched
face peering in at him. Even fright could not entirely rob the
younger man's features of their sly inquisitiveness.

"Mr. Hammon's calling you," said Jim, then blinked at the
wretchedly disheveled woman.

"Here!" Merkle beckoned him with a jerk of his head. "This girl
must get away from here. She'll ruin everything in her condition.
Try to put her in some kind of shape while Lorelei packs her bag.
We had better get her out of the country if we can."

Jim's quick eyes took in the articles on the dressing-table. "Ha!
Dope," he exclaimed. "She's a coker--she's filled herself up. But,
say--you don't really think she--did it, do you?"

"I don't know what to think. It's just as bad, either way.
Hammon's wife and daughters must never know. Now, quick. See what
you can do with her."

Merkle returned to the library, sent Lorelei in to her brother's
assistance, then scanned his friend's face anxiously. But Hammon
had not moved; the sweat still stood upon his lips and forehead,