“Same as yerself, sir; lookin’ at the exhibits in this here big World’s Fair.”

“Very well; you may go and ask the steward for some supper.”

A sound of retreating footsteps followed, and those of the guests who were not in the secret looked about here and there in blank astonishment.

“Well, really! am I going blind?” ejaculated young Percy Landreth, passing his hand over his eyes in a bewildered way.  “I couldn’t see those fellows at all.”

“Oh, no!” said Lucilla, “one can sometimes hear what one cannot see.”

But at that instant there was a “cluck, cluck,” as of a hen which seemed to come from Annis’ lap, and at which she sprang to her feet with a slight cry of astonishment and dismay, but seeing nothing, “Why, where is it?” she asked half breathlessly, and the “cluck, cluck,” was repeated apparently from behind the chair of her next neighbor, and immediately followed by a loud barking as if a dog were in chase of the chicken.

“Oh!” exclaimed Annis, turning her eyes upon the elder Mr. Lilburn, “I think I know—­I’ve heard——­”

But a warning gesture from Violet, whose face was full of amusement, stopped her, and she dropped into her chair again with a slight, mirthful laugh and a look of relief and diversion.

Percy saw it and suddenly comprehended pretty accurately what was going on.  Yet at the same moment he was startled and annoyed by a loud buzzing about his ears as though a bee were flying round and round his head.  He put up his hand and tried to knock it away.  Then it seemed to fly to Chester and though he was not wholly unacquainted with the powers of Cousin Ronald and Hugh, he too involuntarily made an effort to dodge and drive it away.

Then the squeak of a mouse came from a reticule on Lucilla’s lap, and that so unexpectedly that she gave a little scream, at the same time springing to her feet, and throwing the reticule from her.

At that her father laughed, and she picked it up again and reseated herself with a slightly mortified air.

“Let me get that mouse out for you, Lu,” said Herbert, holding out his hand for the reticule; but scarcely were the words out of his mouth when the meow of a kitten, coming from his coat pocket, caused him to suddenly and almost involuntarily clap his hand upon it.

“Yes, Uncle Herbert, take the mouse out and give it to the cat,” returned Lulu quickly, handing the reticule to him as she spoke.

“Thank you,” he returned laughingly, “but I really don’t believe the creature is hungry.”

“Oh, uncle, let me see that pussy!” cried Ned, running to him.

“Put your hand into my pocket and try if you can find it,” was the good-humored reply, and Neddie at once availed himself of the permission.

“Why, it isn’t there!” he exclaimed.  “How do you s’pose it got out?”

“I’m inclined to think it never got in, Ned,” said his uncle.