"We are that. And who's the lady, Bertram?"
"A pal of mine," replied the burglar. Taking the small person's hand, he forthwith presented her. "Skidoo, these here are the three friends of mine I was telling you about. Miss Trenmore and Mr. Trenmore and Mr. Drayton. Gents and lady, let me make you acquainted with the brightest, best-hearted, prettiest kid in this bughouse burg. Her Number is 23000, but that ain't no handle for a lady. I call her Miss Skidoo."
His round face shone with such whole-hearted pride in the human rainbow; he was so clearly assured of her cordial reception by any one possessing brains and eyes that Viola, who had at first hung back a trifle, extended her hand.
"We are very glad to meet you, Miss Skidoo," she said gravely, "but sorry it has to be in such a place."
Terry's eyes were twinkling. He followed his sister's lead, however, as did Drayton. "Any friend of Mr. Bertram's," Terry contributed, "is bound to be most interesting. 'Tis charmed we all are, Miss Skidoo!"
"Same here," responded No. 23000, eying them with a sort of childlike solemnity. "Bert's been talking about you folks ever since I met him. But, gee! The lookout's bad for this bunch, ain't it?"
"I fear it is about as bad as possible," sighed Viola. "At least for four of us here."
"Count me in," announced the girl. "They drug me in, just for comin' to the Temple with Bert. I ain't done nothin'."
"I couldn't help it," Bertram defended himself. "I wasn't going to fall for the game, but Mr. Trenmore here, he says I must. Say, won't you tell the kid that I didn't want to go in the game? She won't believe anything I say."
The Irishman, somewhat conscience-stricken, hastened to assure No. 23000 that the blame for Bertram's downfall lay entirely on his shoulders. "He appeared to have no desire at all for it, but I did not and do not yet understand what happened."