confines they caught glimpses of teakwood cabinets in which were carved
ivories and pieces of fine porcelain. The girls would have liked well to
linger another hour among all these interesting and strange objects, but
Miss Campbell, for some reason, was in her most conventional mood. While
her manner toward Mme. Fontaine left nothing to be desired and she was
graciousness personified, she cut the call to twenty-five minutes by the
French clock on the mantel, and then go she would. As they were leaving
Mary noticed on a table near the door two splendid swords, one very large
and heavy and one with a double-edged blade of much smaller size.

"Oh, are these the swords of a samurai warrior?" she demanded, with
excited interest.

"Yes," answered Mme. Fontaine. "They belonged to my great grandfather."

Not until they were back in the "Comet" and well on the way home did they
realize the meaning of her words.

"Then," exclaimed Nancy, "she is half Japanese."

"And I've invited her to dine the day after tomorrow," Miss Campbell
remarked irrelevantly.

The adventure on Arakawa Ridge was far-reaching in its results as a
matter of fact, but the most immediate one was a severe punishment
administered by that usually kind and gentle person, Mr. Campbell, on no
less a victim than the "Comet." Just what the punishment was you will
find out when the Motor Maids themselves discover it.