"Instead of 'Your royal highness, Princess of the Enchanted Kingdom, allow me to introduce myself, Lord Carrot Tops. My calling-card is a piece of tin, Bingo! Of course I didn't say all that but I thought most of it." Peter laughed and Janet joined in. "Anyway the tin calling-card part is true," she said. They both laughed on heartily and then stopped short, their eyes on the doorway of the room. A short fat little man, wearing a heavy gold watch chain and an old fashioned soft black hat, stood frowning at them. CHAPTER VIII UNDER ARREST "Here's a pretty kettle of fish!" he exclaimed, bobbing his head up and down; "what do you mean breaking into some one else's house like burglars? Don't tell me you were hiding from the rain for I won't believe you." Neither Peter nor Janet made any attempt to tell him anything. They were both too startled. They stood frozen to the spot on which they stood. "Nothing to say, eh?" the old man went on in his excited, squeeky little voice. "Well, that's just as well. You'll come along with me now, both of you." "Are you the owner of this house?" Peter was himself again, and Janet marveled at the quiet manner in which he spoke. "Never you mind about that; you'll soon enough know." The old man bustled toward them. Peter stepped in front of Janet. "Are you the owner of this house?" he demanded again. "Now look here, young fellow, don't give me any of your impertinence, but come along quick." The quieter Peter's voice got the more excited grew the little man. "What are your names, eh? Tell me that," he squeaked. "We will do nothing of the kind," Peter said firmly. "What, what, what! You tell me at once and no more nonsense," the old man fairly spluttered. "We refuse to tell our names to any one but the owner of this house." By now, Peter was thoroughly enjoying himself, and he winked ever so slightly at Janet. Janet was chuckling to herself, but not at Peter. She was wondering what would happen if she did tell her name. From past experiences she knew that from blustering the old man would apologize and offer to take her home. But he might insist on arresting Peter, and loyalty made her keep silent. The old man was getting very angry at Peter; he even stamped his foot and his big gold chain jingled. "You come straight along and tell the owner then," he exploded, "and you'll be sorry you didn't tell me first. I can promise you. I'm a sheriff, and you are both under arrest. Now then, what have you got to say?" Peter and Janet looked at each other, and Peter laughed. "We have nothing to say until we see the owner," he said. The sheriff turned on his heel. They followed him through the hall and out of the back door, of which he had the key. A buggy was standing in the woodshed, and they all got in. The rain had stopped and soft mud spattered them as they drove along. "I'm awfully glad he isn't the owner," Peter whispered in Janet's ear.