"_Like a toad within a stone Seated while Time crumbles on; Which sits there since the earth was curs'd For Man's transgression at the first; Which, living through all centuries, Not once has seen the sun arise; Whose life, to its cold circle charmed, The earth's whole summers have not warmed; Which always--whitherso the stone Be flung--sits there, deaf, blind, alone;-- Aye, and shall not be driven out 'Till that which shuts him round about Break at the very Master's stroke, And the dust thereof vanished as smoke, And the seed of Man vanished as dust:-- Even so within this world is Lust!_" --From "Jenny," by Dante Gabriel Rosetti. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. NIGHT COURT II. WHEN LOVE COMES VISITING III. THE TRAIL OF THE SERPENT IV. WHAT THE DOCTOR SAID V. ROSES AND THORNS VI. THE WORK OF THE GANGSTERS VII. THE CLOSER BOND VIII. THE PURITY LEAGUE AND ITS ANGEL IX. THE BUSY MART OF TRADE X. WHEN THE TRAIN COMES IN XI. THE POISONED NEEDLE XII. THE REVENGE OF JIMMIE THE MONK XIII. LORNA'S QUEST FOR PLEASURE XIV. CHARITY AND THE MULTITUDE OF SINS XV. THE FINISH ILLUSTRATIONS If ever prayer came from the depths of a broken heart, it was that forlorn plea for a lost sister . . . . . . _Frontispiece_ "This is my friend, Sam Shepard, the theatrical manager, Miss Lorna. He's the man who can get you on the stage" "I'm going to shoot to kill. Every court in the state will sustain a policeman who shoots a white-slaver" The deep tones of the stranger's voice filled Mary with a thrill of loathing Father and daughter were frantic with grief The pretended philanthropist was cornered at last TRAFFIC IN SOULS CHAPTER I NIGHT COURT Officer 4434 beat his freezing hands together as he stood with his back to the snow-laden north-easter, which rattled the creaking signboards of East Twelfth Street, and covered, with its merciful shroud of wet flakes, the ash-barrels, dingy stoops, gaudy saloon porticos and other architectural beauties of the Avenue corner. Officer 4434 was on "fixed post." This is an institution of the New York police department which makes it possible for citizens to locate, in time of need, a representative of the law. At certain street crossings throughout the boroughs bluecoats are assigned to guard-duty during the night, where they can keep close watch on the neighboring thoroughfares. The "fixed post" increases the efficiency of the service, but it is a bitter ordeal on the men. Officer 4434 shivered under his great coat. He pulled the storm hood of his cap closer about his neck as he muttered an opinion, far from being as cold as the biting blast, concerning the Commissioner who had installed the system. He had been on duty over an hour, and even his sturdy young physique was beginning to feel the strain of the Arctic temperature.