"Are you a maniac or a rogue?"
"I am neither."
"Let me look in your face."
Ike stood with his face turned toward the strange old man. The latter thrust his light forward and carefully studied the ventriloquist's features.
"You do not look like a rogue or a maniac."
"I am neither."
"Then why did you force yourself into my house?"
"I came here as your friend."
"I need no friends."
"Yes, you need me."