Rousing up, she went to see who had come.
She admitted a man with a plug hat and red whiskers.
Professor Darlington Ruggles.
"Aren't you glad to see me, Madam?"
He held out a white set of digits.
"No—why should I be glad?"
She accepted the proffer of friendship, however, and shoved a rickety old chair for her visitor's use.
"I'll tell you why. Because I am the best friend you've got in Chicago."
"That wouldn't be saying much," and Mrs. Scarlet laughed harshly.
"Wouldn't it?"