They passed through winding ways and came finally into a room where a little Frenchman waited, amid a collection of feminine garments.
“Here they are, Louis,” said Coddington. “Make them into handsome girls. Show your skill.”
“Make us handsome, with the exception of our faces,” said Dick “Those must be as hideous as possible.”
“But ze faces will be covaired by ze veils,” protested Louis.
“Not all the time,” smiled Dick. “Some one is going to get a peep beneath my veil.”
“Mine, too,” nodded Brad. “I want a mug on me that would scare a dog into a fit.”
“Vera well; eet s’all be. Get redee.”
“In the meantime, boys,” said Coddington, “I will be on the watch for the guest who is on the outlook for a harem.”
Some time later Colonel Stringer and Professor Gunn rapped at the door of the house.
They were not admitted by Coddington himself, but by a black man in flowing garments, who bowed obsequiously before the colonel and bade them follow him.