"Now, madame, please put your arms back of you—so! You see, I'm going to tie your hands behind your back."
"Oh, does everybody have to be tied?" demanded Miss Vane.
"No, but everybody excepting the madame must be blindfolded," stated Miss Smith. "I'll explain in just one minute when I'm done with the madame here." With fast-moving fingers she firmly drew the handkerchief about the young matron's crossed wrists. Madame Ybanca uttered a sharp little "Ouch!"
"Oh, I'm so sorry," said Miss Smith. "Am I binding you too tightly?"
"No, not that; but I think you are making one of my bracelets press into my flesh. It's such a thick cumbersome thing anyway."
"Shall I slip it farther up your arm?" asked Miss Smith.
"No, take it off entirely, won't you, and keep it for me? It fastens with a little clasp."
So Miss Smith undid the bracelet, which was a band of curiously chased heavy gold, studded with big bosses containing blue stones, and dropped it into her handy blouse pocket.
Then swiftly she finished her task of knotting the handkerchief ends and Madame Ybanca, very securely bound, stood forth in the midst of a laughing ring, making a pretty and appealing picture, her face slightly flushed by embarrassment.
"One thing more for your adornment and you'll be ready," promised Miss Smith.