“How the devil did you know that?”

“I play my cards safe,” she laughed mirthlessly.  “I could even tell you the size of your check, and that the money is still on your person.  You intended to place it in a safe-deposit box and keep it hidden for your own use.”

“You hellion, you!” Cavendish’s voice rose high, then later Miss Donovan heard him say more softly:  “How much do you want?”

“Ten thousand.  I’m willing enough to split fifty-fifty.  This Colorado job is getting to be expensive, deary.  I wouldn’t dare draw on you through the banks.”

Miss Donovan had only time to nudge Willis enthusiastically before she overheard the next plea.

“Celeste, are you trimming me again?”

“Don’t be a fool!” came back in subdued tones.  “Do you think that telegram is a fake?  My Gawd—­that is what I want money for!  Moreover, I should think you would be tickled, Johnnie boy, to get me out of town—­and the price is so low.”

In the back booth Willis muttered: 

“God, things are going great.”  Then he bent his ear to sedulous attention and again he could hear the voice of Cavendish.

“You’ve got to tell me what you’re going to do with the money,” it said.

The La Rue woman’s answer could not be heard; evidently it was a whispered one, and therefore of utmost importance.  Came a pause, a clink of glasses, and then a few straggling words filtered over the partition.

“Isn’t that the best way?” Celeste La Rue’s voice was easily recognisable.  “Of course it will be a—­well, a mere accident, and no questions asked.”

“But if the man should talk!”

“Forget it!  Ned Beaton is an oyster.  Besides, I’ve got the screws on him.  Come on, Johnnie boy, don’t be a fool.  We are in this game and must play it out.  It has been safe enough so far, and I know what I am doing now.  You’ve got too much at stake to haggle over a few thousand, when the money has come to you as easily as this has.  Why, if I’d breathe a word of what I know in this town——­”

“For God’s sake, not so loud!”

“Bah!  No one here is paying any attention to us.  Enright is the only one who even suspicions, and his mouth is shut.  It makes me laugh to think how easily the fools were gulled.  We’ve got a clear field if you will only let me play the game out in my own way.  Do I get the money?”

He must have acceded, for his voice no longer rose to a high pitch.  Presently, when the orchestra began playing again.  Miss Donovan and Willis judged the pair were giving their attention to the dinner.  Finally, after an hour had passed, Cavendish emerged from the booth, went to the check-room, and hurriedly left the cafe.  Waiting only long enough to satisfy herself that Cavendish was gone, Celeste La Rue herself emerged from the booth and paused for a moment beside its bamboo curtains.  Then turning suddenly, she made her way, not toward the exit of the cafe, but to another small booth near the check-room, and into this she disappeared.