"All right, I'm off then," he cried, and was starting away when shecalled him back.

"Don't you want to know about my--inheritance?" she asked him, with ademure little glance.

"Your what?" he cried, then suddenly he grasped her two arms and swungthem joyfully back and forth. "Do you mean to say," he cried, "that youraunt really left you something? What is it, Billie? Go on, tell me."

"If you want to hear all about it just stay around for a little while,"she laughed, leading him toward the group at the other end of the porch,two members of which were already in animated conversation.

"May we get in on this?" she called, interrupting an eloquent appeal onLaura's part.

"0h, yes, come here, do," cried Laura, clutching at her dress anddragging her into the circle. "Mother's beginning to shake her head, andyou mustn't let her, Billie. She'll do anything for you."

Mrs. Jordon laughed and made chamber for Billie on the divan beside her.

"Now maybe you'll tell me," she said, "what this crazy daughter of mineis talking about. So far I've got a sort of confused jumble of a hauntedhouse and vacations and Mrs. Gilligan. I must confess I don't look at how thethree can possibly be connected."