"At the Sale last night. Oh, we had wonderful things. Everybody donated, you know, and then came and bought the things. Philip gave us some of Aunty Van Reypen's bronzes and ivory carvings. I think we'll make a lot of money." "And you ran away the morning after! Didn't you want to know how the funds summed up?" "Oh, yes; but the house was in such a fearful state! Furniture all moved and things every which way. I was glad to disappear until it gets into shape again." "And doesn't Mrs. Fairfield or your father know where you are?" "Well, I left a note for Nan, and I didn't tell her just where I was going, so she could tell people that I hadn't; but I gave her sufficient hints, so she can form a fairly correct notion of my destination." "All right, Pattykins, I'll look after you, and no one shall learn from me where you are,--least of all, that terrible ogre, Bill Farnsworth!" Patty smiled, and the two friends went downstairs. Jim Kenerley was beaming with welcomes, and declared that he, too, would keep the secret of Patty's presence under his roof, even at the point of the bayonet. But, alas, for good intentions! That afternoon, Kenerley sought his wife, consternation in every line of his good-looking countenance. "Where's Patty?" he asked, abruptly. "I sent her off for a nap. She's all tired out. Why?" "Well, Farnsworth is on his way up here." "What? Why did you let him come?" "Couldn't help it. You see it was this way. The clerk, or somebody at his hotel telephoned, and said that Mr. Farnsworth had suddenly decided to run up here, and that he hadn't time to telephone and then get his train. So he instructed the clerk to get me and tell me Bill was on the way. He'll be here a little after seven. What shall we do?" "Mercy! I don't know. Let me think. Patty is awfully angry with him about something, and I've promised her not to let him know where she is." "Lovers' quarrel?" "I don't know. I haven't had a real talk with Patty yet, she's so fagged out. I want her to rest up. But she says she's bothered about Philip Van Reypen." "Then depend upon it, it's somebody else! Farnsworth, probably." "She could do a lot worse than to marry Bill." "Indeed she could! But, all the same, if Patty doesn't want him here, he mustn't come." "That's all very well, but how will you prevent it?" "I don't know. Meet him with a shotgun?" "Now, be serious, Jim. We must protect Patty at any cost. Can't we telegraph him on the train?" "Not a chance. Do you think he knows she's here?" "He can't know it. He may suspect it. Well, he'll have to come, and he'll have to stay over night; we can't send him packing, with no decent excuse." "Tell him Cook has the smallpox." "Don't be silly! I can manage it, I think. Yes, with your help, it can be done." "My dear Adele, I offer my help in its entirety, and then some." "I'll need all that--maybe more. It's no easy job, but I'll try it, rather than have Patty disturbed."