"Of course not! How could I?" "I have seen you often." "Impossible! Where?" "Dreams!" said Van Dam, vaguely, yet with some degree of truth. "This all seems like a dream, as a matter of fact. I'm afraid I'll turn over, and you'll change into an old lady with hoop-skirts, or a flock of purple snowbirds, or a friendly crocodile with gold spectacles." She pondered this for a moment as they made their way across the yard, being careful in the mean while to see if they were observed. After a moment she halted. "Wait!" she said. "I—am not sure we dare risk going farther, for the streets are alarmed and the Wolf is in the neighborhood with all his pack. I had thought to take you straight home, but now they will be watching. It would be madness to try it." Again she fell silent, only to exclaim: "I have an idea. Come!" She turned abruptly to the right. "Where are we going now?" he inquired, mildly. She pointed to a house the back yard of which abutted upon the one that they were crossing. "Yonder is your cousin Alfred's house. He is away at business, the servants are out watching the carnival, and so it is empty. Do you dare venture it?" "Just the thing!" he said, amiably. "I owe Alfred a call." The girl laughed shortly. "Ah! He would die of rage—or fright—if he knew; but you can wait there while I go—" "Oh, I say! You're not going to leave me?" queried Roly in genuine alarm. "Of course, silly! Some one must bring her." Van Dam fell silent, speculating upon this last remark. After a moment he said, "You're sure Alfred won't return?" "Who knows? We must run some hazards. The key will be under the step, I think. Come!" They gained ingress to the next inclosure through a cedar hedge. Then, as they neared the back door, a distant commotion sounded from the stable-yard, warning them that the Spider's friends had stumbled upon him. But the girl's ready fingers found the key where it was hidden, and an instant later they were in a spotless creole kitchen ornamented with shining pots and pans. A cat rose from a sleepy
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