Druce had become so much infatuated with Miss Masters that he had thrown caution to the winds. Never before in his life had he been under the influence of any woman. Now that such an influence had seized him he was overwhelmed by it. He had arrived perilously close to the point where, if he had known the true character of the woman he was sheltering, his infatuation would have led him to risk the danger merely to have her near him. His thoughts were on her constantly, his mind busy during every waking hour on schemes for, entrapping her. Mary had taken up her abode in the Cafe Sinister on Monday. On Thursday she sent for Druce. He came to her suite eagerly. He found Miss Masters sitting at the table in the reception room. He sat down opposite her and facing the window at her invitation. "Druce," said the girl, "I've sent for you because I want to close that deal for the girls I spoke to you about." "The girls you're going to take back to St. Louis?" "Yes, I'll want five or six." "You've been looking over my stock?" said Druce with a leer. "Yes," replied Miss Masters, concealing her repulsion. "Well, I guess we can come to terms. Who do you want?" "I only care for four of the girls I have seen," replied Miss Masters. "I want that little girl, Maida, the blonde girl you call Luella, Clara, and that young brunette, Esther." "Gee," said Druce, "you don't want much, do you? Why those are the youngest and prettiest girls we've got in the place. That Luella has only been in the district three weeks. All the rest of them are new ones." "I know it. That's why I want them." "They'll cost you money." "I expect to pay money for them." "I want $200 apiece for those four girls." The price was high. Druce thought Miss Masters would reject it. "Very well," returned Miss Masters. "That will be $800." "You're willing to pay it?" "Yes. I'm going to spend $1,000 with you." "Four ain't enough?" "No, I'm going to take two more, if I can get them. You say you expect to have these Welcome sisters?" "Sure, I'll have them." "Well, you told me you didn't want to run the risk of keeping them around Chicago. I'll take them off your hands." "You expect to get them for $200?" "Certainly. You don't know yet that you can deliver. Has the one you married come back?" "Oh, I'll deliver." "I'm not as sure of that as you are, but I'm willing to speculate on it. I'll make you this proposition. I'll write you a check for $1,000 and take my chance on you delivering the six girls I name." "No checks go," said Druce. "You'll have to take a check if you do business with me." Druce considered. He wanted the $1,000. He did not want to quarrel with Miss Masters. He capitulated. "Write the check," he said. Miss Masters took a check-book from a drawer and drew a check, payable to Druce. She handed it to him. He looked at the paper doubtfully. "I'll have to indorse that," he said. Miss Masters laughed.