It won't take a jiffy."

"Yes, of course. Will you come right away?"

"I will. But, oh, pshaw,--I'm all dressed in my Pierrette rig;
wouldn't you,--couldn't you come here instead? I'll send the car, it
won't take any time at all."

"Why, yes, I can come over, and I will, if you want me to so much."
Patty ran to tell Elise she was going, but Elise was not in her room,
so Patty went downstairs to look for her. Before she saw Elise, or
indeed any one else, the Rose car came, a little runabout, with only
the chauffeur.

Flinging a motor coat from the hall-rack around her, Patty ran out the
door and jumped into the car.

In a moment she was at Ray Rose's house, and the girl herself stood
smiling in the doorway.

"Good for you!" she cried, "you're a duck! Come right up to my room."

Patty followed Ray, who ran lightly up stairs, and threw open the door
of her bedroom.

"What a lovely room!" Patty exclaimed, as she entered a dainty nest all
pink and white.

"Yes, isn't it?" agreed Ray, and they stepped inside. "Sit down a
minute," she went on, "I want to get another scarf. I'll be right
back."

Patty threw herself into a low wicker chair, and, gently closing the
door behind her, Ray disappeared.

CHAPTER VII

A CLEVER PLAN

Patty waited, thinking over the coming performance and mentally
rehearsing her part. It was not really difficult, but it was tricky,
for unless she sprang through the paper-covered hoops at just the right
moment, it would be an awkward blunder. However, after many
rehearsals, she felt pretty sure of herself, and looked forward with
pleasure to the fun.

She glanced round Ray's room. It was full of attractive odds and ends
in addition to its furniture and regular appointments, which were of
the most elaborate description. Rising, Patty examined some of the
pictures and ornaments, and became so engrossed, that the minutes flew
by unnoticed. On the dressing-table was a silver-framed clock, and a
tinkling chime rang out from it, before Patty had given a thought to
the hour. Quarter-past seven! And the performance was scheduled for
half-past eight. She had waited there for Ray nearly fifteen minutes.
It was very queer. What could have detained her?

Patty waited restlessly for five minutes longer, and then determined to
go in search of Ray. She turned the doorknob, but the door would not
open! Like a flash the explanation came to her. She was locked in!
Ray had done