ace soured at this suggestion.) "No, none of that, or
you'll spoil the whole game. Mrs. Hutching means business, and all she
needs to do is to prove a few acts of cruelty and neglect, and any court
in the land will give her speedy custody of the child, in view of the
provisions of his father's will, which, you know, are very exacting of
you and very friendly toward Mrs. Hutchins and her late husband. By the
way where are the child and the other members of your family?"

"My husband is in Baltimore working at his regular employment," Mrs.
Graham answered. "I expect him here next week; his vacation begins then.
My son, James, Jr., went up the lakes this morning with some friends of
his. Addie, my oldest daughter, went to Twin Lakes to do some shopping,
and the other girl, Olga, is in the next room with Glen."

"By the way, Mrs. Graham, how well is the boy supplied with clothing?"
Langford inquired.

"He has some good suits," Mrs. Graham replied slowly as if going over
Glen's wardrobe piece by piece, in her mind.

"Dress him up in his best and get some more for special occasions. You
might be working on some article of clothing for him also. That would
indicate strongly that you are interested in his welfare.

"Now, if you don't mind, I will take my check and go. I'll be back
again, but don't think it advisable to come often. I have prepared a
short telephone cipher code by which we can carry on a commonplace
conversation over the wire and let each other know if all is well or if
trouble is brewing or has already broken. Here is a copy of it."

Mrs. Graham wrote the lawyer a check for $35, and he arose to depart.

"Remember," he said as he stood facing the woman schemer at the doorway;
"the success of this little plan of ours rests in the ability of
yourself and other members of the family to play the most spontaneously
genteel game the cleverest persons ever planned. If you fall down on
this, undoubtedly you'll lose your handsome side-issue income of $3,500
a year."

Then he went out, cranked his rented automobile, and drove away.

CHAPTER XVI.

LANGFORD CHECKS UP.

The twelve girls in the boat landed and proceeded with Katherine and
Hazel up the steps to the top of the Point, where a conference was held.
The two advance scouts reported developments in detail, much to the
interest and delight of the other girls. The progress made thus far was
so encouraging that everybody showed a disposition of impati