“Say, fellows, let’s go,” he said, as they paused in a body to allow a handsome landau to enter.  “I’ve never been to one of these lawn fêtes, or whatever they call them in the society papers, and here’s the chance.”

“Anybody invited you?” drawled Joe.

“No, but maybe they meant to.  You can’t tell.  Maybe if they knew we were here—­”

“Might send word in to them,” suggested Wink Wheeler.  “Say that the crews of the Adventurer and the Follow Me are without and—­”

“Yes, without invitations,” agreed Perry.  “I get you, but that might cause our hostess embarrassment, eh?  Why not just save her all that by dropping in sociably?”

“Are you crazy?” demanded Steve.

“Crazy to go and see all the pretty lanterns and things, yes.  And maybe they’ll have a feed, fellows!  Come on!  Take a chance!  They can’t any more than put us out!  Besides, they probably won’t know whether they invited us or not.  It’s just a lark.  Be sports, fellows!”

The notion appealed to most of them, but Steve and Phil and Bert Alley declined to countenance it.  “What will happen to you,” said Steve grimly, “is that you’ll all spend the rest of the night in the town jail for impersonating gentlemen!”

“Oh, if that’s all you’re afraid of,” responded Perry sweetly, “you might as well come, too, Steve.  They’d never charge you with that.”

“Sub-tile, sub-tile,” murmured Cas Temple.

“Anyhow, our clothes are perfectly O.K.,” continued Perry.  “White trousers and dark coats are quite de rigor.  Come on, fellows.”

They went on, all save the disapproving trio, Perry and Wink Wheeler leading the way up the winding avenue toward the glow of fairy lights ahead.  No one challenged them, although they were observed with curiosity by several servants before they came out on a wide lawn in front of a spacious residence.  Fully a hundred guests were already assembled.  A platform overhung by twinkling and vari-coloured electric lamps had been laid for dancing and, as the uninvited guests paused to survey the scene, an orchestra, hidden by shrubbery and palms in tubs, started to play.  Chairs dotted the lawn and a big marquee was nearby.  On a low terrace in front of the hospitable doorway of the residence the hostess was receiving as the carriages rolled around the immaculate drive and stopped to discharge the guests.  The boys viewed each other questioningly.  Perry pulled down his waistcoat and walked boldly across the lawn and the drive and stepped to the terrace.  Wink followed unhesitatingly, but the others hung back for a moment.  Then they, too, approached, their assurance oozing fast.  They reached the terrace in time to witness Perry’s welcome.

“Good evening,” said that youth in bored and careless tones, shaking hands with the middle-aged lady.  “Awfully jolly night, isn’t it!”

“How do you do, Mister—­ah—­so glad you could come.  Yes, isn’t it splendid to have such perfect weather?  Marcia, you remember Mister—­ah—­”