"There will be Joe Madden, for one."

"Joe Mad--" The Spider very nearly bolted his wad of chewing gum, then
he rose and stood staring at Ravenslee, very round of eye. "So you know
Joe Madden, the best all-round champion that ever happened, eh?"

"I box with him every day."

"Hully Chee!" exclaimed the Spider, and chewed fervently in silent
astonishment. Suddenly he lifted his head and stood as one that hearkens
to distant sounds, and crossing stealthily to the window, climbed out.

"What's the matter?"

"Mother Trapes, bo. She's just rollin' out o' th' feathers, an' she's
quite enough for me--always has me fazed to a frazzle. If she caught me
here it 'ud be th' gimlet eye for mine--so here's where I fade away."

"Anyway, come and have tea here with me to-night, Spider, unless
you think I am--er--too dangerous to visit just now on account of
M'Ginnis--"

"Dangerous?" repeated the Spider, scowling, "bo, when I get a call t'
free food with a guy like you, danger gets lost in th' shuffle an'
forgotten--I'll be there. Now here's your bean cover--catch! S' long!"
And nodding, Spider promptly vanished down the fire escape.