d that I might meet them
daily for the rest of my life in this same friendly fashion without
adding a particle to my knowledge of them.

I became alert immediately when, as we rose from the table, Alice said,
with the air of asking an unimportant favor:

"We were speaking last night of a man who has been asking for us here.
His visits have alarmed the servants, but there is nothing to fear from
him. You know"--she smiled at Mrs. Farnsworth--"it's rather he who seems
to fear us; that, at least, is our impression, though we have no idea
why he should do so. Still, it's rather good fun to find yourself an
object of special attention and to be followed, even pursued. We've even
led him on a little, haven't we, Constance?"

Mrs. Farnsworth laughingly admitted that they had led the gentleman on a
trifle, "but with all circumspection," she protested.

"We met him here and there in Tokyo, and later were surprised to find
him crossing on our steamer. We threw him off in the Canadian Rockies,
where we stopped for a day, and eluded him in Chicago, where he was
evidently lying in wait for us."

"Delightful!" I exclaimed.

"But please don't get the idea that the man annoys us," interposed Mrs.
Farnsworth.

"Far from it!" cried Alice.

"You've seen enough of us perhaps to understand that we enjoy little
adventures," said Mrs. Farnsworth. "The man pretends to be interested in
Mr. Bashford's art treasures. Antoine's story about the disguise is
rather against that; but we will give him the benefit of the doubt. What
we are hoping is that something really amusing may come of his
persistent pursuit. With you and the army of servants here we feel
perfectly safe; so we're for giving him every chance to show his hand."

"He is the Count Giuseppe Montani," said my aunt, "who represents
himself as a connoisseur--a lover of the beautiful."

"The mystery is solved! It is easy to understand why he has haunted the
place."

"Yes; quite easy. Count Montani is very anxious to see the porcelains."

"I wasn't referring to the pottery; but I shan't press the matter."

"I advise you not to; your remark was highly improper from a nephew to
an aunt! I have told you about all I know of this Italian gentleman. I
am going to ask a favor. He telephoned from Stamford this afternoon to
know whether we had arrived, and I bade him call to-night. I should be
glad if you would remain until he leaves. I should like to know what you
make of him."

"C