“This is the dirtiest room I ever saw,” said Julia, “but it’s better than Miss Kate’s, and it’s home to me. Good night and many thanks. I’ll see you later, kid.”

Back at the cigar store I treated Cocky to a good smoke. “Kid,” he said, leering at me admiringly, “you’ve got a gold mine; that dame’s a money-getter. She’s young and healthy and good for years. Listen, you put her right out on the street. Make her walk the blocks. She’s workin’ for you then, an’ not the landladies and landlords. Keep her away from the other women. They’ll wise her up an’ you’ll lose her, or put her against hop an’ you’ll have a bum on your hands. That’s all, now. Are you goin’ to start her in tonight? The sooner the better.”

“No, Mac,” I was anxious to get away from him. “She’s tired and nervous. I think I’ll let her rest tonight.”

The police got Cocky that night. I never saw him again. He never learned of my treason in allowing Julia to stay off the streets.