The woman glanced sharply at the set lips and gleaming eyes, and seeing something in the young girl’s manner that thrilled her cowardly soul, she shrank back with a movement that took her over the threshold. As quick as a flash Marion shut the door in her face. “You shall get out to-night!” screamed the woman through the door. Marion opened the door again and faced her sternly. “I paid you eight dollars to-day for a week’s board in advance. We shall be ready to go when you have returned my money!” “You’ll not get a cent!” roared the woman, furiously. “You shall go out penniless, you brazen hussies!” Marion’s lips curved in a disdainful smile as she closed the door. “You heard what I said, madam,” was her only answer. CHAPTER II. A WOMAN REPORTER. Five minutes later there was another tap on Marion’s door. She opened it at once without the slightest hesitation. “Oh, it is you, Miss Allyn. Come in,” she said pleasantly. “We are just packing up, but, as you see, it will not take us long. Do sit down, and Dollie and I will be through in a minute.” The young lady who had entered was a woman of striking appearance. She was about twenty-five, of medium height, but not at all handsome. The attractive feature about her was the shrewdness in her eyes, which were as keen as an eagle’s, and yet perfectly frank and fearless. “I heard that old termagant talking to you just now,” she said, bluntly, “and I came to pat you on the shoulder, Miss Miller. Don’t you budge an inch until she gives you back your money.” “I wouldn’t if it wasn’t for Dollie,” said Marion, sighing. “I can’t permit Dollie to be insulted, and if you overheard the conversation you know who we are, Miss Allyn.” “I’ve known it ever since you came here,” said Miss Allyn, pleasantly, “and I’ve been hoping that she wouldn’t get on to it.” “You knew and yet you did not tell?” cried both Dollie and Marion together. “What do you take me for?” was the answer, with a shrug of the shoulders. “Don’t you think I know enough to mind my business, and, besides, is there anything about me that looks like a snake?” “No, indeed, there is not,” said Marion, promptly, “but most women would have thought it fine to be able to tell such a secret.” “Humph!” sneered Miss Allyn. “That’s why I despise women. They’d die if they couldn’t talk, and talk always makes trouble.” “I guess you are right,” said Marion, as she snapped the catch of the little hair trunk which the police had rescued for her from the apartment in “The Norwood.” It was all the girls had in the way of baggage, but it held their scanty wardrobe nicely. Another loud rap on the door clearly indicated that the landlady had returned. Miss Allyn winked at Marion and then opened the door herself, confronting Mrs. Garvin in the most unconcerned manner. “What, you in here, Miss Allyn!” said the landlady, sneeringly. “Well, if I was you I’d be a little more choice in my associates.”