Children and nurses joined in one wild shriek of terror, and made a simultaneous rush for the doors, tumbling over each other in their haste and affright.

But fortunately for them, Mr. Travilla and Calhoun had come in from the grounds, were on their way to the nursery, and entered it from the hall but a moment later than the boys did by the opposite door.

Mr. Travilla instantly seized Dick, (Calhoun doing the same by Walter), tore off his disguise, and picking up a riding-whip, lying conveniently at hand, administered a castigation that made the offender yell and roar for mercy.

“You scoundrel!” replied the gentleman, still laying on his blows, “I have scant mercy for a great strong boy who amuses himself by frightening women and helpless little children.”

“But you’re not my father, and have no right, oh, oh, oh!” blubbered Dick, trying to dodge the blows and wrench himself free, “I’ll—­I’ll sue you for assault and battery.”

“Very well, I’ll give you plenty while I’m about it, and if you don’t want a second dose, you will refrain from frightening my children in future.”

It was an exciting scene, Walter getting almost as severe handling from Calhoun, nurses and children huddling together in the farthest corner of the room, Baby Herbert screaming at the top of his voice, and the others crying and sobbing while shrinking in nervous terror from the hideous disguises lying in a heap upon the floor.

“O, take them away! take them away, the horrid things!” screamed Virginia Conly, shuddering and hiding her face.  “Wal and Dick, you wicked wretches, I don’t care if they half kill you.”

“Papa, papa, please stop.  O, Cal, don’t whip him any more.  I’m sure they’ll never do it again,” pleaded little Elsie amid her sobs and tears, holding Vi fast and trying to soothe and comfort her.

“There, go,” said Calhoun, pushing Walter from the room, “and if ever I catch you at such a trick again, I’ll give you twice as much.”

Dick, released by his captor with a like threat, hastened after his fellow delinquent, blubbering and muttering angrily as he went.

Calhoun gathered up the disguises, threw them into a closet, locked the door and put the key into his pocket.

“There!” said he, “they’re out of sight and couldn’t come after us if they were alive; and there’s no life in them; and little else but linen and cotton.”

Baby Herbert ceased his cries and cuddled down on Aunt Chloe’s shoulder; the other four ran to their father.

He encircled them all in his arms, soothing them with caresses and words of fatherly endearment.  “There, there, my darlings, dry your tears; papa will take care of you; nothing shall hurt you.”

“Papa, they’s like that horrid thing that shooted the man,” sobbed Vi, clinging to him in almost frantic terror.  “Oh don’t let’s ever come here any more!”

“I so frightened, papa, I so frightened; p’ease tate Harold home,” sobbed the little fellow, the others joining in the entreaty.