"I shall go to Randolph street, and perhaps stroll down as far as State street. It is rather lively that way."
"Very well, Paul. I suppose you won't be out late?"
"Oh, no. I always tell you beforehand when I stay out."
Paul had hardly been gone twenty minutes when an unsteady step was heard on the staircase outside, and there was a loud knock on the outer door.
"I'm afraid it's Stephen," said Mrs. Palmer, nervously. "I wish Paul were at home!"
CHAPTER IV.
AN UNWELCOME VISITOR.
Mrs. Palmer herself went to the door and opened it. There entered a thickset young man, of very dark complexion, with an unhealthy color on his bloated cheeks. His dress was disarranged, his hat sat on his head with a rakish slant downward, revealing coarse, unkempt black hair.
"Good-evening, mother," said the new-comer, staggering forward and sinking into the rocking-chair usually occupied by the widow herself.