This was, perhaps, a school for shoplifters.
In addition to her other accomplishments, the queen of the shoplifters was a "Fagin," educating others to the tricks of her trade, taking advantage of their lack of facility in disposing of the stolen goods.
Just then the woman caught sight of Constance standing in the doorway.
In an instant she had broken loose and ran toward her.
"What are you," she hissed, "one of these department store Moll Dicks, too ?" Quick as a flash Kitty Carr had leaped to her feet and placed herself between them.
"No, Annie, no.

She was a real friend of mine.

No--if your own friends had been as loyal as she was to me this would never have happened--I should never have been caught again, for I should never have given them a chance to get it on me." "Little fool!" ground out Annie Grayson, raising her arm.
"Here--here--LADIES!" interposed Drummond, protruding an arm between the two, and winking sarcastically to the two other men.

"None of that.
We shall need both of you in our business.

I've no objection to your talking; but cut out the rough stuff." Constance had stepped back.