“That is but a cruel jest,” said Patty, “and so, not amusing.  If it were the truth, it would be good hearing, indeed.”

“But it is the truth, fair lady.”  Cameron looked at his watch.  “In about an hour, the speedy motor will convey us all back to the busy mart and to our homes.”

“What do you mean?” cried Patty, starting up; for she saw that it was not a mere jest.

“May I make a speech?” and Cameron took the middle of the floor, while his hearers sat in breathless silence.

Mrs. Perry had a twinkle in her eye, Kenneth looked hopeful, but the girls’ faces expressed only blank wonder.

“To begin with,” said Mr. Cameron, in a cool, even voice, “we’re not quarantined, and never have been.  To proceed, Babette has not the diphtheria, and never has had.  In a word, and I trust I shall not be flayed alive,—­this whole affair is a practical joke, which I have had the honour to perpetrate on Miss Patricia Fairfield, and for which I claim the payment of a wager made by the fair lady herself!”

Patty’s blue eyes stared at him.  At first, a furious wave of anger swept over her, and then her sense of justice made her realise that she had no right to be angry.  It took her a few moments to realise the whole situation, and then she began to laugh.

She jumped up and went to Cameron, and with her little fist she pounded his broad shoulder.

“I—­think—­you
’re—­perfectly—­horrid!!” she exclaimed, emphasising each word by a pound on his shoulders.

Then she stood back with dignity.  “How dare you do such a thing?” she cried, stamping her foot at him.

“There, there, little Princess,—­little Captive Princess,—­don’t take it so hard!  Don’t let your joy at your escape be marred by your chagrin at having been caught!”

“Do you mean to say, Cameron,” said Kenneth, rather sternly, “that you trumped up this quarantine business, and it’s all a fake?”

“Just exactly that,” said Cameron, calmly, and looking Ken steadily in the eye.

“You’ve made me a lot of trouble, old man,” and Kenneth’s voice was regretful rather than reproachful.

“Oh, not so much,” said Cameron, airily.  “I took the liberty of telephoning your office after you did yesterday, and told them that it was probable you’d be back there this afternoon.”

Kenneth stared at him speechlessly, stupefied by this exhibition of nerve.

“Did you know all about it, Lora?” demanded Marie, turning to Mrs. Perry.

“Yes,” said that lady, between spasms of laughter.  “I didn’t want to do it, but Kit just made me!  You see, Babette did have an awful sore throat, and we did call a nurse, but the doctor said, that while it might turn toward diphtheria, there was small danger of it.  And, this morning, he said even that danger had passed.  Truly, girls, I didn’t consent willingly, but Kit coaxed me into it.  Of course, I telephoned Dick the whole story, and he stayed in town last night, but he’s coming home this afternoon.  You’re not angry, are you, Patty?”