This place was found to be so dreadfully modern, that no hope of discovering antiques was left alive in their hearts. But it was noon and they were hungry, so they discussed the advisability of going to a lunch-room, or driving into the country and having the picnic lunch. "As long as we brought such a nice luncheon with us, why stop at a hotel or restaurant to eat?" asked Polly. "There really isn't any sense in doing that, but there certainly isn't any picnic place in this town," declared Eleanor. "Well, then let's start out and find one away from here," suggested Polly. "I'll make another proposition, girls," said Mrs. Fabian. "Why not stop at that Public Library we just passed, and find out if there are any notable spots in the vicinity of this town, where we might find old houses or old objects?" "Well, the idea is good, but really, Mrs. Fabian, this town impresses me most emphatically with this fact: that the residents have as much desire for antiques as we have; and most likely, they started in years before we ever were born, to rake over the country-side, which must have been rich with old furniture and other things from Washington's days here, so as to collect all those things for themselves," was Dodo's sensible remark. The others smiled at her practical words, and Mrs. Fabian agreed with her. "But it will do no harm to stop just a moment to ask the attendant at the Library if she knows of any place in New Jersey where we might indulge our craze of collecting." Carl then turned around and they were soon back at the Library. The girls remained in the car while Mrs. Fabian went indoors to ask questions of the agreeable lady at the desk. "I'm sure you will find a few old bits, here and there, about the country-side," said the lady, in reply to Mrs. Fabian's questions. "In fact, my friend furnished her old-fashioned house that she recently bought of an old 1776 family, by driving about through the Mendham country, down through New Vernon and Baskingridge--all famous Revolutionary places, you know--and by visiting places as far away as Bound Brook, Plainfield, and the country about Trenton. I was amazed at the number of old things she managed to secure." Being given a pencil sketch of what roads to follow to reach Mendham, or Baskingridge, Mrs. Fabian thanked her informer most graciously. Suddenly the lady said: "Now that you are in town, why not drive down to a little auction room I've heard of, just off Washington Street, and see if you can find anything in that Paradise for old stuff?" "We will! Where is it, and how do we get there?" "The man's name is Van Styne, and he used to be a magnet for attracting the oldest pieces to his store-rooms! People used to commission him when they wanted anything in particular, and in some super-natural manner, he used to have it for them in a few days' time. It would have taken ordinary individuals years, with plenty of money and energy, to accomplish the same result."