“Well, then,” he said, “suppose we talk things over at dinner somewhere. Perhaps, later, we can go to the theater together. You know, I really owe you something for the splendid way you behaved under cross examination by those stupid detectives. It must have been very unpleasant. Now, I could stop for you in my car, if you’ll give me your address. Or, if you prefer, I can meet you elsewhere. What do you say?”

“I’d love it,” said Babe, and she meant it. She had returned to her apartment on Washington Heights when Money went to jail, so she gave him her address.

“I’ll be there, then,” he said, “at seven sharp.”

She arose to go, and extended her hand to him. “Thank you so much,” she said.

As Baldwin clasped her soft hand, he experienced a new surge of emotion. So she had been here all the time! The woman he had searched for all these weeks had been right here in his own employ. Feeling rather tremulous with joy he opened the office door for Babe and nodded a formal dismissal.

XX HIGH-HAT

BABE prepared for her evening engagement with Wayne Baldwin with more care than she had ever expended on herself. She wanted to attract him, because he not only appealed to her senses, but he also represented that world of society she had enviously followed through the newspapers, and occasionally viewed in the erotic atmosphere of Harlem.

Babe had learned the rudiments of refinement from her association with more or less cultured people who as fight fans were interested in the Bearcat when he showed promise of being a champion. She also had observed the manners of the socially elect in the various joy places of Harlem. She knew how to put on the Ritz, and realized she must appear well bred in order to create a good impression on Baldwin. She did not know, of course, that she had made an impression on him long before—an impression that was a deep and lasting one.

“What shall I wear? Something conservative to create a modest impression? Or something gay? No, I’ll wear my white satin and ermine wrap. That’s most alluring, and I want to lure him. God! But he’s swell. What about my diamonds? Yes, I’ll wear them too. What will he say about the diamonds? But no, he won’t ask. He’ll just think and that’s what I want him to do—think!”

So she wore the ermine wrap and the same gown she had worn the morning Baldwin had seen her at the Harlem Breakfast Club. She glittered with the brilliant diamonds Money Johnson had given her, and she hoped Baldwin would like her appearance. She didn’t know his memory would be tortured by the vision she presented.