“Saucy Puss!” he thought. “But I’ll have a chat with her yet.”

Going to the library he scribbled a note, and sent it by a servant to Miss Fairfield’s room. The note said:

“Do come down and talk to a lonely, neglected waif, if only for a few minutes.

“P. V. R.”

Patty laughed as she read it, but she only said to the maid who brought it:

“Please say to Mr. Van Reypen that there is no answer.”

The maid departed, but, in less than ten minutes, returned with another note:

“You’re afraid of Aunty Van! Come on. I will protect you. Just for a few moments’ chat on the stairs.

“P. V. R.”

Again Patty sent the message, “There is no answer.”