e
pilots us around the grounds, namin' the different bushes and things,
she listens like a nursery pamphlet. And Vee falls for it hard.

"How perfectly splendid," says she, "to be able to plan things like
that, and to know so many shrubs by their long names. But haven't you
anything as common as lilacs!"

Mrs. Robert laughs and shakes her head.

"They were never mentioned in my course, you see," says she. "But our
nearest neighbor has some wonderful lilac bushes. Robert, don't you
think we might walk down the east drive and ask your dear friend Mr.
MacGregor Shinn if he'd mind----"

"Decidedly no," cuts in Mr. Robert. "I'd much prefer not to trouble Mr.
Shinn at all."

"Oh, very well," says Mrs. Robert. And then, turnin' to us: "We haven't
been particularly fortunate in our relations with Mr. Shinn; our fault,
no doubt."

But you know Vee. Half an hour later, when we've been left to ourselves,
she announces:

"Come along, Torchy. I am going to find that east drive."

"It's a case of lilacs or bust, eh?" says I. "All right; I'm right
behind you. But let's make it a sleuthy getaway, so they won't know."

We let on it was a risky stunt, slippin' out a side terrace door,
dodgin' past the garage, and finally strikin' a driveway different from
the one we'd come in by. We follows along until we fetches up by some
big stone gateposts.

"There they are!" exclaims Vee. "Loads of them. And aren't they
fragrant? Smell, Torchy."

"I am," says I, sniffin' deep. "Don't you hear me?"

"Yes; and that Mr. Shinn will too, if you're as noisy as that over it,"
says she. "I suppose that is where he lives. Isn't it the cutest little
cottage?"

"It needs paint here and there," says I.

"I know," says Vee. "But look at that old Dutch roof with the wide
eaves, and the recessed doorway, and the trellises on either side, and
that big clump of purple lilacs nestling against the gable end. Oh, and
there's a cunning little pond in the rear, just where it ought to be! I
do wish we might go in and walk around a bit."

"Why not?" says I. "What would it hurt?"

"But that Shinn person," protests Vee, "might--might not----"

"Well, he couldn't any more'n shoo us off," says I, "and if he's nutty
enough to do that after a good look at you, then he's hopeless."

"You absurd boy!" says Vee, squeezin' my hand. "Well, anyway, we might
venture in a step or two."

As a matter of fact, there don't seem to be anyone in sight. You might
almo