f the orchids hung in leafy baskets,
seemingly not requiring soil, but subsisting, as they so peculiarly do,
almost in air.

"What are they all for?" stammered Grace.

"Girls, I wish I could tell you all about our orchids, but you see----"
Mary hesitated, put her finger to her lips and her eyes went blank.

"I am sure you will soon, Mary-love," Cleo assisted the perplexed
child, "and we wouldn't want to know anything of your affairs that you
are not at liberty to tell. Whenever we ask a question that is out of
order, as we say at our scout meetings, just you answer 'secret' and we
will at once change the subject. There, isn't that fair?"

"You are all so fair and thoughtful," Mary replied. "I just feel I can
hardly wait to see Grandie, and get his permission to tell you at least
a part of our story. But now let me show you some of our rarest
orchids. Come over here and see these growing on the side of this
rubber tree."

Time passed quickly in such delightful surroundings, and when Cleo
glanced at her wrist watch she discovered two hours had been consumed
in the time since leaving home, and Jennie should not be made anxious,
they had subsequently decided. Consequently the orchid room could not
longer be enjoyed on this first visit.

"You see, the wires Grandie uses to give a very light heat," Mary
explained. "He is working on a new electric system, and had just
turned the current on to try it last night. It is off now. I know how
to throw on and off the switch," she assured the girls, as Madaline
edged gingerly from the room.

"Don't be afraid, Madie," said Grace. "The wires are now all as dead
as fish hooks, and much less dangerous."

"What do you suppose the strange men intended to do?" ventured Cleo.
"Just say 'secret' if I am on the wrong track."

"Oh, I know they meant to harm Grandie," replied Mary, soberly. "They
pretended, I suppose, that they came to buy orchids, but more likely
they came to steal them. Then Janos is always wanting Grandie to take
his old queer medicines, and I know they do not make him better. But
do come along, girls, they really might be daring enough to come back."

At this Grace and Madaline made a bee-line for the front door, which
stood safely wide open. Cleo remained back with Mary, who was most
particular about spraying a few precious plants with water from an
atomizer before she left.

"No danger of those men coming back to Bellaire by train," said Cleo,
as