originally set out for, but it evidently acted as a stimulant to the
proceedings when they finally got under way, for a livelier session could
scarcely be imagined.

Cleo explained some of the routine of regular meetings to the new member,
inscribed on the scout book simply as "Maid Mary," then all further
formalities were wavered and business plunged into.

"I am so anxious to tell you at least some of our story, girls," began
Mary, "and I know, as Grandie gets stronger, he will be able to remember
some of the important missing details. You know, of course, he is not my
grandfather, but a gentleman who rescued me," she said.

"Rescued you from what?" asked Madaline, impulsively.

"That's all in the story," replied Mary, "and honestly, girls, I don't
know how to begin, but I think I ought to go backwards."

"Yes, do," urged Cleo. "It will be clearer to us if we can connect with
the parts we have actually experienced."

"You wonder, of course," Mary began again, "what actually happened that
first night I came here. Really someone did call me," Mary insisted with
wide eyes. "I can hear the voice yet. I know it was someone who knew
me, therefore it must have been Reda."

"We all thought someone was around," Cleo ventured, "and did you know
Shep was shot in the leg that night?"

"No, really," exclaimed Mary in astonishment. "I am sure Reda did not do
that. She is dreadfully afraid of a revolver. Once when Grandie had
one, as he thought someone was prowling about, he left it under his
pillow, and Reda wouldn't touch it, and you would never imagine what a
silly thing she did. She scooped it up on a dust-pan and dumped it in
the bureau drawer. Can you imagine anyone doing that with a loaded
revolver?"

"Oh, how absurd!" exclaimed Grace.

"It was lucky it was not self-cocked," declared Cleo.

"Well, I know Reda wouldn't touch a revolver, so no one I knew could have
injured lovely Shep," said Mary, somewhat dismayed.

"But you remember, Mary, the man you called Janos was out from New York
that day," suggested Madaline.

"Yes, I know," said Mary, "but I hope it was in no way my fault poor Shep
was injured."

"Of course it was not," Cleo said quickly, seeing a possible unpleasant
trend in their review. "It must have been someone who was just prowling
around. You know, girls, all Jennie's lettuce was pulled up by the roots
the night before Shep was shot."

At the mention of lettuce Mary flushed. Then