Eager to learn something more about the man who had decoyed her to the Trocadero, Margie went with the fellow, and he guided her to a little table in the darkest corner of the place. “Why don’t you bleed him?” were the first words when they had seated themselves. “Is that your suggestion? Do you want to make a blackmailer out of me?” exclaimed the girl. “No; it wouldn’t be blackmail in this case,” explained Caddy. “It would simply be getting pay for the indignity.” “I’ll get even with him some other way,” said Margie. “You know him, do you?” “Why, of course. Ha, ha, nobody comes to the Trocadero whom I don’t catch on to. Beat Caddy out of the game, if you can! You don’t want to make him pay the fiddler, then?” “Not in the manner you’ve suggested.” “You’re a fool!” cried the little man. “See here, I’ll help you all I can. I’ll go halves with you, and you won’t have to take any risk. He’ll milk.” “But I’m not in that business.” Caddy at once changed color. His round face became positively hideous. He leaned across the table like a thoroughbred villain and his teeth seemed to snap together. “If you don’t bleed him you’ll get into the net again,” he suddenly cried. “Which means, I suppose, that you’ll help get me there?” “I didn’t say I would, but I won’t help keep you out.” Margie flushed. “You miserable wretch, keep your distance!” she exclaimed, and would have left the table but for the clutch of the little man’s hand. “When you can’t cajole you threaten. It won’t pay, sir.” “I’ll see that it does pay!” laughed the mixer of the Trocadero, unabashed. “I know my business. Sit down.” Margie was thrust back into her chair, and the fellow leered at her again. “If you don’t want to milk the young sport himself, bleed the old man. He’s a bird with golden plumage.” “What’s his name?” “Gad, don’t you know? It’s Perry Lamont. Lives on one of the avenues and has mints of wealth at his command. He’s a pigeon worth plucking, girl.” “No, let others do that.” “Where did you get your scruples, I’d like to know?” sneered Caddy. “You’re one in ten thousand. Why, you can feather your nest in fine shape----” Margie broke loose from the fellow’s grasp and fell back. He arose at the same time and came around the table. “Don’t touch me, serpent!” cried the girl. “You can’t use me in any of your schemes. I try to be honest.” “You do, eh? Oh, you’ll get over it in time. Get a few more years on you and you’ll be as tough----” “Here, what’s that? That’s an honest girl, sir,” put in a man eating quietly at another table. “Don’t touch her, you little sinner, or I’ll break your neck.” The speaker arose and came forward, gazed at by Caddy with feelings of fear, while Margie thanked him mutely for his interference. “I don’t know you, miss, but I’ve seen this man,” continued the stranger, who was tall and broad-shouldered. “I guess it’s not the first time for him. Get out.”