"Indeed I did," answered Grace, who was rapidly recovering from the effects of her fright. "He took me for the Empress Josephine." She related all that had happened, ending with the way she locked his emperorship in.
"Well, all I've got to say is that you're the pluckiest girl I ever came across," said the man admiringly, when Grace had finished.
But she shook her head.
"I never was so frightened in my life before. I shall never forget his screams."
It was after eight o'clock when Grace Harlowe arrived at her own door. The man Hampton had insisted on calling a carriage, so Grace rode home in state. As she neared the house she saw that the lawn and porch were full of people.
"What on earth is the matter!" she asked herself. As she alighted from the carriage her mother rushed forward and took her in her arms.
"My darling child," she sobbed. "What a narrow escape you have had. You must never, never wander off alone again."
"Why, mother, how did you know anything about it?"
"When you didn't come home to supper I felt worried, for you had not told me that you were invited anywhere. Then Nora came down to see you, and seemed surprised not to find you at home. She said you had gone on a specimen hunt after school. I became frightened and sent your father out at once to look for you. He met the keepers with that dreadful man," said Mrs. Harlowe, shuddering, "and they described you, telling him where you were and how they had met you. Your father went straight out to the Forrests. I suppose you just missed him."
Grace hugged her mother tenderly. "Don't worry, mother. I'm all right. What are all these people standing around for?"