"And if," he continued in a still more serious voice,
"I should on certain days--absent myself entirely,
would that matter?"

Otto was being slowly driven into a corner, but he
determined not to flinch with Kitty standing by. "No,
I tink I git along vid my little Beesvings."

O'Day studied the pavement for an instant, then
looked into space as if seeking to clear his mind of every
conflicting thought, and said at last, slowly and deliberately:
"Very well. Then I will be with you in the
morning at nine o'clock. Now, good day, Mrs. Cleary.
I know we will get on very well together, and you,
too, Mr. Kling. Thank you for your confidence."
Then, turning to the Irishman: "Don't forget, Mike,
that the street-door is open and that I'm up two flights.
You will find the number on this card."




Chapter IV



The customary scene took place when Felix, late
that afternoon, handed his landlady the overdue rent.
Now that the two crisp bills which O'Day owed her
lay in her hand, she was ready to pass them back to