"I understand!" hissed back the snake.

You-know-what? Gwendolyn was troubled.

Now the Policeman and the Piper, assisted by Puffy, picked the nurse up and packed her into the linen-hamper. Whereupon the little old gentleman slapped down the cover and tied a large tag to it. On the tag was written—Employment Agency, Down-Town!"

"I'm done with her" said Gwendolyn; "—if she is a perfectly good top."

"You're rid of me," answered Jane, calling through the weave of the hamper "Yes! But how about Miss Royle?"

"We'll send her back too," declared the Man-Who-Makes-Faces. "Here! Where are you?" He ran about, searching.

The others searched also—through the grass, behind the granite shift, everywhere. Concern sobered each face.

For the snake-in-the-grass was gone!


CHAPTER XIV