Thereupon, the adventuress instantly assumed a most ladylike and mincing air which ill assorted with the cigarette that she held between her lips.
“He gently removed a leathern wallet,” she said sedately, “containing a large sum of money from the coat pocket of a member of the detective force.” The elegance of utterance was inimitably done. But in the next instant, the ordinary vulgarity of enunciation was in full play again. “Oh, Gee!” she cried gaily. “He says Inspector Burke's got a gold watch that weighs a ton, an' all set with diamon's!—which was give to 'im by—admirin' friends!... We didn't contribute.”
“Given to him,” Mary corrected, with a tolerant smile.
Aggie sniffed once again.
“What difference does it make?” she demanded, scornfully. “He's got it, ain't he?” And then she added with avaricious intensity: “Just as soon as I get time, I'm goin' after that watch—believe me!”
Mary shook her head in denial.
“No, you are not,” she said, calmly. “You are under my orders now. And as long as you are working with us, you will break no laws.”
“But I can't see——” Aggie began to argue with the petulance of a spoiled child.
Mary's voice came with a certainty of conviction born of fact.
“When you were working alone,” she said gravely, did you have a home like this?”