t."

"Won't they though!" said Monty, exultantly. "The chief happens to be
Philippe's brother-in-law, and we had him on the telephone. He wouldn't
listen to the scheme until we agreed to make him grand marshal of the
parade. Then he promised the cooperation of the entire force and hoped
to interest his colleague, the chief of the fire department."

"The parade will consist of two gendarmes and the Brewster party in
carriages," laughed Mrs. Dan. "Do you expect us to go before or after
the bakery carts?"

"We review the procession from the hotel," said Monty. "You needn't
worry about the fete. It's going to be great. Why, an Irishman isn't
fonder of marching than these people are of having a carnival."

The men in the party went into executive session as soon as Monty had
gone to interview the local authorities, and seriously considered
taking measures to subdue their host's eccentricities. But the humor of
the scheme appealed to them too forcibly, and almost before they knew
it they were making plans for the carnival.

"Of course we can't let him do it, but it would be sport," said
"Subway" Smith. "Think of a cake-walk between gendarmes and
blanchiseuses."

"I always feel devilish the moment I get a mask on," said Vanderpool,
"and you know, by Jove, I haven't felt that way for years."

"That settles it, then," said DeMille. "Monty would call it off himself
if he knew how it would affect Reggie."

Monty returned with the announcement that the mayor of the town would
declare a holiday if the American could see his way to pay for the
repairs on the mairie roof. A circus, which was traveling in the
neighborhood, was guaranteed expenses if it would stop over and occupy
the square in front of the Hotel de Ville. Brewster's enthusiasm was
such that no one could resist helping him, and for nearly a week his
friends were occupied in superintending the erection of triumphal
arches and encouraging the shopkeepers to do their best. Although the
scheme had been conceived in the spirit of a lark it was not so
received by the townspeople. They were quite serious in the matter. The
railroad officials sent advertisements broadcast, and the local cure
called to thank Brewster for resurrecting, as it were, the obscure
saint. The expression of his gratitude was so mingled with flattery and
appeal that Monty could not overlook the hint that a new altar piece
had long been needed.

The great day finally arrived, and no carnival cou