With Patty , to decide was to act . She flew back to the reporters ' room , pounced on a pencil and tablet , and hurried off , her breath coming quickly , and her eyes shining with excitement . It was quite a long walk out to Mr. Reid 's place and Patty was tired when she got there , but her courage was not a whit abated . She mounted the steps and rang the bell undauntedly . `` Can I see Mr. -- Mr. -- Mr. -- '' Patty paused for a moment in dismay . She had forgotten the name . The maid who had come to the door looked her over so superciliously that Patty flushed with indignation . `` The gentleman who is visiting Mr. Reid , '' she said crisply . `` I ca n't remember his name , but I 've come to interview him on behalf of the Chronicle . Is he in ? '' `` If you mean Mr. Reefer , he is , '' said the maid quite respectfully . Evidently the Chronicle 's name carried weight in the Reid establishment . `` Please come into the library . I 'll go and tell him . '' Patty had just time to seat herself at the table , spread out her paper imposingly , and assume a businesslike air when Mr. Reefer came in . He was a tall , handsome old man with white hair , jet-black eyes , and a mouth that made Patty hope she would n't stumble on any questions he would n't want to answer . Patty knew she would waste her breath if she did . A man with a mouth like that would never tell anything he did n't want to tell . `` Good afternoon . What can I do for you , madam ? ''
inquired Mr. Reefer with the air and tone of a man who means to be courteous , but has no time or information XXXXX waste .
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