Frank sought Aleta at the Dusty Doughnut some months later. He was very tired, for the past few days had brought a multitude of tasks. He had counted on Aleta's smile. It seldom failed to cheer him, to restore the normal balance of his mind. But, though she came, the smile was absent. There was a faint ghost of it now and again; a harried look about the eyes. Frank thought there was a mistiness which hinted recent tears. He laid a hand sympathetically on hers. "What is it, little girl?" She would not tell him. Her mother was ill. But the trouble did not lie there. Frank was sure. She had borne that burden long and uncomplainingly. Aleta had an ingenue part now at the Alcazar. Only once or twice a week did she keep the tacit tryst at the little nocturnal cafe. Frank saw her at the Techau, at Zinkand's, the St. Germain, with the kind of men that make love to actresses. She knew all about the stock market and politics, for some of Ruef's new Supervisors were among her swains. Once or twice, as the jargon of the journals has it, she had "tipped off" a story to Frank. She said at last, "I'll tell you something ... but you mustn't print it: This new city government is running wild.... They're scheming to hold up the town. They've made a list of all the corporations--the United Railways, the telephone company.... Everyone that wants a favor of the city must pay high. The man who told me this said that his share will total $30,000. Ruef and Schmitz will probably be millionaires." "But how's it to be done? They're being watched, you know. They've lots of enemies. Bribery would land them in the penitentiary." The girl leaned forward. "Ah, this isn't ordinary bribery. Anyone that wants a franchise or a license hires Ruef as his attorney. They say he gets as high at $10,000 for a retaining fee ... and they expect to clean the street car company out of a quarter million." Prank stared. "Why--in God's name!--did he tell you this?" "He loves me." There was something like defiance in her answer. "He wants me to accompany him to Europe--when he gets the coin. He says it won't be long." "So"--Frank was a little nonplussed--"he wants you to marry him?" "No," the girl's face reddened. "No, I can't ... he's got a wife." For a moment there was silence. Then. "What did you tell the--hound, Aleta?" "He's not a hound," she said evenly. "The wife won't care. She runs with other men...." Her eyes would not meet Frank's. "I--haven't answered." "But--your mother!" "Mother's mind is gone," Aleta answered, bitterly. "She doesn't even recognize me now.... But she's happy." Her laugh rang, mirthless. "Aleta," he said, sternly, "do you love this man?" "No," she said and stared at him. "I--I--" "What?" "I love another--if you must know all about it." "Can't you--marry _him?_ Is he too poor?" asked Stanley. "Poor?" Her eyes were stars; "that wouldn't matter. No, he's not my sort...." "Does he know?"