The Number
by Arthur Carter

THE STORY: Sylvia, feeling unloved, leaves her husband.

To support herself and her little girl, she accepts a job in Maury's number and horse-betting office, where she is soon promoted.

Though it is against the rules to go out with anyone doing business with the office, Sylvia falls in love with Dominic Spizzilini, a bookie.

They are seen together, and this is reported to Maury.

On the heels of this Maury learns that Dominic has come in with the number for the day, worth $5,000.

Maury is convinced Dominic is using Sylvia to cheat him.

Dominic goes into hiding in Sylvia's home; while Sylvia attempts to persuade Maury that she and Dominic are innocent.

In a brutal interrogation Sylvia learns that the preceding year Dominic used another clerk to cheat for him.

By a ruse Dominic makes Maury responsible for his safety, only to be shot down a few minutes later by Maury's hoodlums, who are unaware that in killing Dominic they have involved Maury.

Sylvia is left crushed and disillusioned.