A BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST
It was not quite twelve o’clock when the Swift Camilla swung through the gateway of “The Pebbles,” and around the long drive to the house. As might have been expected, the waiting group on the veranda greeted the returned runaways with various but vociferous exclamations.
Several of them said, “Why, Patty Fairfield!” Several others said, “Where have you been?”
Roger called out, cheerily: “You must have had a ripping good time! Wish I’d been along!”
Mr. Fairfield said only, “Patty!” and Mr. Hepworth said nothing at all, but looked at Patty with an unmistakable expression of reproof.
Philip Van Reypen took the brunt of the situation upon himself. He jumped out of the car, assisted Patty out, and led her straight to her father.
“Mr. Fairfield,” he said, “here’s your daughter, safe and sound, I’m happy to say. But I want you to decorate her with the Victoria Cross, or something just as good, for to-night she has proved herself a genius,—a wonderful genius! But for her ingenuity we should still be sitting in her little motor car, high and dry on a moonlit beach, listening to the wild waves. To her all the honour and glory, and, if there is any blame attached to our little excursion, it is mine. I kidnapped your daughter, but I fully meant to return her in ten or fifteen minutes, without ransom. I am no villain! But, owing to an accident, we were delayed.”
“I should think you were!” broke in Mr. Fairfield. “It is nearly midnight, and I am——”
“Papa,” interrupted Patty, “I know exactly what you are! You are surprised, astounded, amazed, astonished, dumfounded, taken aback, struck all of a heap, and completely flabbergasted! If you are anything else, you can let me know to-morrow. Meantime, we are two heroes, who returned with our shield, and on it, both! Incidentally we are starving, and, if we had some supper, we could relate our experiences in fine shape.”
Patty’s arms were round her father’s neck, and, with a wheedlesome expression, her eyes looked up into his, and somehow Mr. Fairfield’s indignation melted away.