“From what I hear, many of the growers are regretting that they went into Mr. Piff’s scheme,” remarked Miss Mohr. “It is to be an elaborate affair and no doubt will bring hundreds of persons to Rosedale during show week. But some folks are saying that for all his talk, Mr. Piff is not a good manager.” “I have heard rumors myself,” nodded Mr. Van Der Lann. “Some of the growers complain that for every dollar Mr. Piff collects, fifty cents goes into his own pocket.” “I liked our festival so much when it was a small, quiet affair,” added Miss Gordon. “For the life of me I cannot understand why Mrs. Langley became interested in Mr. Piff’s scheme.” The Brownies had just finished their cake when the housekeeper came in. She spoke quietly to the nurseryman. “Mrs. Gabriel is here again,” she informed him. “It is about those bulbs she asked you to order for her.” Mr. Van Der Lann went to the window and looked out. He could see the lady’s car on the driveway near the little office. “Why does she keep pestering me?” he demanded. “I have told her repeatedly that I want none of her business. Tell her I will not see her!” The Brownies could not understand why the nurseryman did not like to deal with Mrs. Gabriel. Her unexpected visit seemed to upset him. A little later, when the children were outside again, Vevi asked Hanny why her uncle turned down Mrs. Gabriel’s order. “I do not know,” Hanny answered with a shrug. “Who is she anyhow?” Connie questioned. She did not know anyone in Rosedale by the name of Gabriel. “She has been here several times,” Hanny told her friends. “Always she is nice to me and once gave me a chocolate bar. But I do not like her. Uncle Peter says she is trying to get him to do something he does not want to do.” It was nearly time to leave now, so the children went down to the canal for their bouquets of flowers. Sunny, Jane and Rosemary quickly gathered up their tulips and carried them back to the house. Vevi and Connie followed more slowly, stopping a moment to watch the revolving arms of the big windmill. “Hanny,” said Vevi suddenly, “when are you going to tell us about the mystery house?” Hanny grinned and pretended not to understand. “You know what I mean,” Vevi said pointedly. “When are you going to tell us what you keep in that locked building?” “Someday,” Hanny laughed. “We may not get out here again very soon,” Vevi argued. “Next week is the flower show at Mrs. Langley’s estate.” “And right after that the big commercial festival,” added Connie. “The Brownies will be very busy next week too. We have to make our booth and cut paper tulips to decorate the library.” “But you will have to come again, if only to try on the wooden shoes Uncle Peter is making for you,” Hanny protested. “We won’t be able to stay long next time,” Vevi insisted. “If you’re ever going to tell us about that locked house, now is the time to do it.” Hanny hesitated a long while. Then she demanded: “Can you both keep a secret?”