He walked angrily off and the Brownies did not hear any more. A little later though, they saw the president of the Rosedale Savings Bank talking soberly to the promoter. “Mr. Piff is in trouble with everyone,” Miss Gordon told the Brownies. “He has obtained heavy contributions from Rosedale businessmen and flower growers. However, he failed with his publicity, and now the businessmen are afraid they will lose nearly everything they put into the affair.” Visitors began to leave the Langley grounds. Connie’s mother presently drove all the Brownies except Vevi, to their homes. Vevi, who wanted to obtain the bag of Golden Beauty culls, said she would wait until Mr. Van Der Lann and Hanny were ready to leave. The nurseryman loaded his truck with plants and drove to Windmill Farm, taking both Hanny and Vevi with him. “I will have to make one more trip,” he told them after he had unloaded. “Then I will take you home, Vevi.” The two girls decided to wait at the farm until Mr. Van Der Lann returned. He promised he would be back within a half hour at the latest. “Look after everything, Hanny,” he instructed. After Mr. Van Der Lann had gone with the truck, Hanny and Vevi had a snack of cheese and crackers. Then they decided to get the bag of tulip culls. “Are you sure your uncle will not mind?” Vevi asked. “Oh, he will want you to have them, Vevi. The bulbs are too small to be sold. He is giving Miss Mohr some Golden Beauty tulips too. Only he will let her have choice stock.” “I guess that is because he likes her better than anyone else,” Vevi said with a giggle. She knew that Mr. Van Der Lann and the pretty librarian twice had been seen together at the movies. Everyone in Rosedale, it seemed, had talked about it, saying they made a nice couple. “It is getting late,” Vevi said, deciding not to tease her little friend about Miss Mohr. “I should be starting home.” “I will fetch the bulbs,” Hanny offered. “They are in the barn.” Vevi went with her to the building. While they were inside, Hanny tossed several ears of corn into the cow’s manger. After that she sorted through several bags of bulbs until she found the one for which she searched. “When you plant these, use a little fertilizer with them,” she instructed. “That will make them grow faster. And press the bulbs down firmly, so there will be no air pockets.” Vevi picked up the bag and started to leave the barn. In the open doorway she paused and uttered an exclamation of surprise. “You have a visitor, Hanny,” she said. “A customer?” inquired Hanny. “Not the Mattox couple again!” She went quickly to the door. Vevi pointed toward the locked house where the choice tulip bulbs were stored. A man stood at the door, apparently tampering with the padlock. His back was toward the barn, so the children could not immediately see who he was. As they watched, he moved slightly. Then they obtained a plain view of his face.