"It may be wicked to say so; but if I kept a store like this, I'd rather have the sinners for customers than the saints." She had taken a seat at the counter; and now, leaning forward upon her arms and looking at the shop-woman in a pleasant, half-confidential way, said, "You know everybody about here ?" "Pretty much." "The black sheep as well as the white ?" "As customers." "Of course; that's all I mean," was returned.

"I'd be sorry if you knew them in any other way--some of them, at least." Then, after a pause, "Do you know a girl they call Pinky ?" "I may know her, but not by that name.

What kind of a looking person is she ?" "A tall, bold-faced, dashing, dare-devil sort of a girl, with a snaky look in her eyes.

She wears a pink hat with a white feather." "Yes, I think I have seen some one like that, but she's not been around here long." "When did you see her last ?" "If it's the same one you mean, I saw her go by here not ten minutes ago.

She lives somewhere down the alley." "Do you know the house ?" "I do not; but it can be found, no doubt.