As the digging went on, police talked at length with Mr. Van Der Lann. He was asked to relate everything he knew about Mrs. Gabriel and her smuggling activities. “I met the woman for the first time a few weeks ago,” the nurseryman revealed. “She came to Windmill Farm and proposed that I go in with her on her crooked scheme. At the time I needed money badly, but I refused.” “Uncle Peter ordered her to stay away from our place,” added Hanny, who stood beside the nurseryman, watching the digging work. “That is true,” agreed Mr. Van Der Lann. “When she learned she could not do business with me, she took up with Mr. and Mrs. Mattox. As to their part in the affair, I can only guess. My suspicion is that they cooperated with Mrs. Gabriel fully in importing bulbs which they knew were only a cover for a shipment of priceless commercial stones.” “You and Mr. Mattox have never been good friends,” commented one of the policemen. “That is so,” agreed the nurseryman. “Always Mr. and Mrs. Mattox have considered me as a business rival. They sought to add my farm to their own. Of late they have been especially eager to get me out of the community, fearing no doubt that I would expose their association with Mrs. Gabriel.” “They will make you no more trouble,” the policeman promised. “The sheriff has been asked to arrest the couple for questioning. Very shortly they will be taken to jail.” The digging work went on. Within an hour every diamond had been recovered. However, the flower bed was completely ruined. Dirt had been scattered everywhere and only a few of the tulip bulbs were worth saving. “Vevi, whatever possessed you girls to plant tulip bulbs at this time of year?” Miss Gordon questioned. “They should be planted in the fall, you know, for spring blooms.” “We didn’t want spring flowers though,” Vevi explained. “We wanted tulips right now.” “While the flower show is on,” declared Jane. Miss Gordon regretfully told the Brownies that seeds or plants would have to be used if the troop were to have a flower bed that year. Even if they went to work at once, the bed would not be in bloom for several weeks. The information made all the Brownies unhappy, especially Vevi. “I did so want tulips,” she said. “They are the most beautiful flower in the world. Now I’ve even lost my Golden Beauty culls.” “Don’t worry about that,” said Mr. Van Der Lann. “Next Spring I will give you some choice stock.” Vevi thanked the nurseryman, but continued to look unhappy. “I wanted a tulip bed so badly,” she murmured. “So did I,” said Jane. “It was fun catching Mrs. Gabriel and saving the diamonds, but I’d rather have had a beautiful bed of flowers.” “Do all the Brownies feel the same way about tulips?” inquired Mr. Van Der Lann. “Would they rather have them than any other flower?” “Oh, yes!” cried Vevi. “But it is impossible. We will have to wait until next year.” “And that is a million years away,” sighed Sunny.