"All right. I'll wait, Benny."

"Well, ye won't have ter wait long, Mr. Smith, 'cause here's her
house. She lives over the groc'ry store, ter save rent, ye know. It's
Uncle Frank's store. An' here we are," he finished, banging open a
door and leading the way up a flight of ill-lighted stairs.




CHAPTER III

THE SMALL BOY AT THE KEYHOLE


At the top of the stairs Benny tried to open the door, but as it did
not give at his pressure, he knocked lustily, and called "Aunt Jane,
Aunt Jane!"

"Isn't this the bell?" hazarded Mr. Smith, his finger almost on a
small push-button near him.

"Yep, but it don't go now. Uncle Frank wanted it fixed, but Aunt Jane
said no; knockin' was just as good, an' 'twas lots cheaper, 'cause
'twould save mendin', and didn't use any 'lectricity. But Uncle Frank
says---"

The door opened abruptly, and Benny interrupted himself to give eager
greeting.