Bab gave up.  “All right, Ruth, dear; I promise,” she conceded.  “You know very well that I can’t refuse you anything, though I do think you and Miss Moore are asking me to be ridiculous.  I do hereby solemnly swear to be, for the rest of this day, the most unaccommodating young person in the whole world.  But beware, Ruth Stuart!  The boomerang may return and strike you.  Don’t dare request me to do you a favor until after the bells chime midnight, when I shall be released from my present idiotic vow.”

Mrs. Wilson’s afternoon teas were not like any others in Washington.  They were not crowded affairs, where no one had a chance to talk, but small companies of guests especially selected by Mrs. Wilson for their congeniality.  So Mrs. Wilson was regarded as one of the most popular hostesses at the Capital and distinguished people came to her entertainments who could not be persuaded to go anywhere else.

Harriet and the four “Automobile Girls” were delighted to see a number of service uniforms when they entered the charming French drawing-room of their hostess, which was decorated in old rose draperies against ivory tinted walls.

Lieutenant Elmer Wilson’s friends, young Army and Navy officers, were out in full force.  They were among the most agreeable young men in Washington society.  Lieutenant Elmer at once attached himself to Mollie; and his attentions might have turned the head of that young woman if she had not been feeling unusually sobered by her recent experience with debt.

Barbara soon recognized the two young men who had helped her carry Marjorie Moore from the lawn to the White House veranda.  But neither one of them referred to the incident while there were other people surrounding them.  Finally an opportunity came to one of the two men to speak to Barbara.  He leaned over and whispered softly:  “How is the young woman we rescued the other night?  I almost thought she had been killed.  We have been sworn to secrecy.  But one of my friends has an idea that he saw the man who may have attacked Miss Moore.  He was out on a porch before the rest of us joined him, and he swears he saw two figures at some distance across the lawn.”

Bab shuddered.  “I was on the lawn.  Perhaps he saw me.”

“No,” her companion argued, unconvinced.  “My friend is sure he saw two men; one of them was rather heavily built—­”

Peter Dillon’s approach cut short the conversation and the young Army officer turned away, as Peter joined Bab.

Barbara hardly turned around to greet the newcomer.  She did not like Peter Dillon and she was very anxious to hear what her previous companion had to say.  So Bab only gave Mr. Dillon her haughtiest bow.  Peter did not appear discouraged; he stood for a moment smiling at Bab good humoredly, the boyish look shining in his near-sighted dark blue eyes.

Barbara was forced to speak to him.  “How do you do, Mr. Dillon?” she asked at last.