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 I'll fetch a ladder, the woman threatened.

Miss Graves, if you do that I'll climb to the topmost branch and leap to another tree.

Nimbly, like a monkey, to exhibit her prowess, she made her way from limb to limb. Pink petals in showers fluttered to the verdant sward. The governess wrung her hands and wept. What shall I do? she moaned. What shall I do? What a child!

At this moment Consuelo caught sight of Paul.

Why, Mr. Moody, she cried, what in the world are you doing here?

I might ask you the same question, he replied. Please come down and tell me.

Friend or enemy?

Friend.

I'll come down. Projecting her body towards the trunk of the tree she slid earthwards.

Now! Paul demanded.

Now! Consuelo echoed. Very well. I've no secrets. Gunnar returned to the gymnasium today—I always knew he would—and when he left, I followed him.

I couldn't persuade her not to, Miss Graves whined. The best I could do was to accompany her. I'll lose my position without a reference.

Paul was not listening to the governess's explanation. Followed Gunnar? he queried, mystified. Then, where is he?