"But surely, though, you must recall me--Mr. Leary, his partner. I've
been here before. I've spoken to you."

"That voice don't sound to me like no voice I ever heard."

"I've taken cold--that's why it's altered."

"So? Then why don't you come down here where I can have a look at you
and make sure?" inquired this careful chatelaine.

"I'm leaning with my head over the rail of the steps right above you,"
said Mr. Leary. "Can't you poke your head out and see my face? I'm quite
sure you would recall me then."

"With this here iron gratin' acrost me window how could I poke me head
out? Besides, it's dark. Say, mister, if you're on the level what's the
matter with you comin' down here and not be standin' there palaverin'
all the night?"

"I--I--well, you see, I'd rather not come for just a minute--until I've
explained to you that--that my appearance may strike you as being a
trifle unusual, in fact, I might say, queer," pleaded Mr. Leary, seeking
by subtle methods of indirection to prepare her for what must surely
follow.

"Never mind explainin'--gimme a look!" The suspicious tenseness in her
voice increased. "I tell you this--ayther you come down here right this
secont or I shut the window and you can be off or you can go to the
divil or go anywheres you please for all of me, because I'm an
overworked woman and I need my rest and I've no more time to waste on
you."

"Wait, please; I'm coming immediately," called out Mr. Leary.

He forced his legs to carry him down the steps and reluctantly, yet
briskly, he propelled his pink-hued person toward the ray of light that
streamed out through the grated window-opening and fell across the
areaway.

"You mustn't judge by first appearances," he was explaining with a false
and transparent attempt at matter-of-factness as he came into the zone
of illumination. "I'm not what I seem, exactly. You see, I----"

"Mushiful Evans!" The exclamation was half shrieked, half gasped out;
and on the words the window was slammed to, the light within flipped
out, and through the glass from within came a vehement warning.

"Get away, you--you lunatic! Get away from here now or I'll have the
cops on you."

"But please, please listen," he entreated, with his face close against
the bars. "I assure you, madam, that I can explain everything if you
will only listen."

There was no mercy, no suggestion of relenting in the threatening
message that came back to him.

"If you ain't gone