“No, indeed, there is not,” said Marion, promptly, “but most women would have thought it fine to be able to tell such a secret.”
“Humph!” sneered Miss Allyn. “That’s why I despise women. They’d die if they couldn’t talk, and talk always makes trouble.”
“I guess you are right,” said Marion, as she snapped the catch of the little hair trunk which the police had rescued for her from the apartment in “The Norwood.” It was all the girls had in the way of baggage, but it held their scanty wardrobe nicely.
Another loud rap on the door clearly indicated that the landlady had returned.
Miss Allyn winked at Marion and then opened the door herself, confronting Mrs. Garvin in the most unconcerned manner.
“What, you in here, Miss Allyn!” said the landlady, sneeringly. “Well, if I was you I’d be a little more choice in my associates.”
“Would you now?” said Miss Allyn, who was chewing gum vigorously.
“Yes, I would,” snapped the woman, “but perhaps you don’t know who these two innocent-looking creatures are. They’re them Marlowe girls that’s been made notorious of late in the papers.”
“You don’t say!” said Miss Allyn, still chewing vigorously. Her extraordinary manner made her audience stare a little.
“I didn’t know it ’til to-day that I was harborin’ such critters, but out they go to-night. I won’t keep ’em a day longer. My house is respectable. I don’t want no——”