s
wherewith to think in so pressing an emergency. He vacillated between
pillar and post; and so was espied by the goal-keeper. Morris
immediately set himself in rapid motion for the "home."

"One, two, three for Bobby Orde!" he cried, striking the post
vigorously. "One, two, three for Kitty Clark!"

The two reluctantly appeared.

"There, now, you got us caught," accused Kitty sulkily.

"Never mind," consoled Bobby, "anyway he saw me first. I'm it!"

Morris was off prowling after more prey. As he disappeared around the
corner of the building a rapid flash of skirts was visible from the
other. Morris caught it; and, turning, raced with all his might back to
the home goal. But Margaret had too good a head start. She arrived
first; and immediately began to dance around and around, her long legs
twinkling, her two thick braids flying.

"In free! In free!" she shrieked over and over again.

There still remained Celia and Gerald. Morris set himself very carefully
to find them, prowling into all likely places, but returning abruptly
every moment or so in order to forestall or discourage attempts to get
in. He proved unsuccessful; nor did his absence seem to afford the
others chances to run home. The other three watched with growing
impatience.

"Oh, Morris, let them in!" begged Kitty. Bobby felt a glow of kindliness
toward her for making the suggestion. He would not have proffered it
himself for worlds. Morris, however, was obstinate. He continued his
search for at least ten minutes. At last he had to give in.

"All sorts in free!" he called at the top of his voice.

Celia and Gerald appeared smiling and unruffled. They refused to divulge
their hiding-place.

"We'll save it until next time," said Celia.

Bobby blinded his eyes and counted. He had no interest in the game, and
experienced inside himself a half-sick, hollow feeling unique in his
experience. Morris, Kitty and Margaret got in free, simply because his
attention was too lax. Gerald and Celia had once more disappeared. After
a decent interval the others became clamorous again for general amnesty.

"Blind again, Bobby," they urged, "let them in free."

But Bobby continued to search beyond the places he had already looked.
His further knowledge of the hotel grounds was a negligible quantity; so
he began, consistently to eliminate all possibilities. From one corner
he zigzagged back and forth, testing every nook and cranny that might
contain a human being