ost at once, then, Miss Holbrook appeared at the bedroom door.

"Mrs. Holly said I was to walk right in, David, so here I am," she
began, in a cheery voice. "Oh, you're looking lots better than when I
saw you Monday, young man!"

"I am better," caroled David; "and to-day I'm 'specially better,
because Mr. Jack has been here."

"Oh, has Mr. Jack been to see you to-day?" There was an indefinable
change in Miss Holbrook's voice.

"Yes, right now. Why, he was here when you were driving into the yard."

Miss Holbrook gave a perceptible start and looked about her a little
wildly.

"Here when--But I didn't meet him anywhere--in the hall."

"He didn't go through the hall," laughed David gleefully. "He went
right through that window there."

"The window!" An angry flush mounted to Miss Holbrook's forehead.
"Indeed, did he have to resort to that to escape--" She bit her lip and
stopped abruptly.

David's eyes widened a little.

"Escape? Oh, HE wasn't the one that was escaping. It was Perry. Mr.
Jack was afraid he'd lose him. He saw him out the window there, right
after he'd seen you, and he said he wanted to speak to him and he was
afraid he'd get away. So he jumped right through that window there.
See?"

"Oh, yes, I--see," murmured Miss Holbrook, in a voice David thought was
a little queer.

"I wanted him to stay," frowned David uncertainly. "I wanted him to see
you."

"Dear me, David, I hope you didn't tell him so."

"Oh, yes, I did. But he couldn't stay, even then. You see, he wanted to
catch Perry Larson."

"I've no doubt of it," retorted Miss Holbrook, with so much emphasis
that David again looked at her with a slightly disturbed frown.

"But he'll come again soon, I'm sure, and then maybe you'll be here,
too. I do so want him to see you, Lady of the Roses!"

"Nonsense, David!" laughed Miss Holbrook a little nervously. "Mr.--Mr.
Gurnsey doesn't want to see me. He's seen me dozens of times."

"Oh, yes, he told me he'd seen you long ago," nodded David gravely;
"but he didn't act as if he remembered it much."

"Didn't he, indeed!" laughed Miss Holbrook, again flushing a little.
"Well, I'm sure, dear, we wouldn't want to tax the poor gentleman's
memory too much, you know. Come, suppose you see what I've brought
you," she finished gayly.

"Oh, what is it?" cried David, as, under Miss Holbrook's swift fingers,
the wrappings fell away and disclosed a box which, upon being opened,
was found to be filled wi