Miss Fontaine drew a long hatpin out of her men's cap, holding the brass lock in her other hand. Peering int he depths of the murky hallway, she struggled to pick the lock opne, knowing the gambler had what she sought. Struggling in dfrustration, she drew in a sharp his as the pin pricked her index finger. Quickly sucking on her finger, staunching the blood, she continued her struggle, until suddenly she heard someone coming down the hallway.

Drawing a dainty pearl handled derringer from her waistcoat, she whirled around. In her gruffest voice she said, "Who's theyah? Now come on out, ya heah? I've got a gun pointed right at yoah harht and I am the best shot this side of the, ahem....don't ya'll mess with me, ya heah? Dont' make me use this! I say! Come on out heah! The gun wavered in her trembling hand, when suddenly, she was startled by movement out of the corner of her eye. Turning to her right, she squeezed the trigger, aiming at a greater darkness in the faint light streaming through the murky windows.