Mary finally sprang the lock on the big door, "but, of course, they
might come by auto," she added.

"I heard Janos say he could not get a license to drive a car," Mary
said, "and I was glad of that. You see, these foreigners know very
little about machinery."

"But they could hire a driver," suggested Grace.

"They would not," Mary insisted, shaking her head. "They are too
secretive, and would be afraid others would find them out. Oh dear,"
and she sighed deeply. "I do not see why we have to suffer so. I have
been so happy with you girls I can almost forget, but when I come up
here it all rushes back!"

"Now--now, now," warned Grace in her boyish way. "No fair getting
glumpy. You are just exactly like a perfectly different girl,
Mary-love. We do not intend to let you do any back-sliding. You can
learn that much scouting right off, and I think, Cleo, as soon as we
get back home we will make her--yes, make her," and she raised her
voice in mock severity, "take our scout pledge of good cheer."

Mary smiled through misty eyes. All three scouts had attempted to take
one of her arms, and as she really had not enough members to go around
that way, Madaline grabbed the ends of her big long braids, and
declared she just had to hold on to something.

They tramped along, down the broad path and again out into the roadway
from the once famous artist's estate.

"You have neighbors within call, should yon have needed them, Mary,"
Cleo said. "I am glad you were not too lonely before we met you."

"Yes, but I have never known the folks who live in that house," she
replied, drawing in her lips to a very thin red line. "I heard one of
the maids make a remark about us one day, and I never wanted to know
any of them after that."

"I don't blame you," agreed Madaline. "Mean maids are so mean, and
lovely ones are as nice as Jennie, and she's perfect. I hope she won't
mind us coming up here?" a little anxiously.

"As long as we are getting back in such good time I am sure she won't,"
Cleo assured them.

"You know, girls," said Mary, stopping suddenly to better gain their
entire attention, "I did not forget to bring some flowers back. I am
sure Mrs. Dunbar would have loved them, and I should have so enjoyed
giving her some, but I promised Grandie never to bring any through the
streets. He is so queer about them, you see," and once more the secret
topic was inadvertently touched upon. "I may have all I like alway