"A distinguished scientist who is a friend and neighbor of mine," says
Piddie, swellin' up important. "He was formerly a dentist, I believe;
but now he devotes himself to research and literature. He writes
magazine articles on psychological phenomena, crime mysteries, and so
on. Dr. Bingstetter has a wonderful mind, and is often called on to
unravel baffling cases. It was only a few months ago that he
successfully investigated a haunted house out our way and found----"

"But I'm not accusing ghosts of this," says Old Hickory.

"Of course not, Sir," says Piddie; "but I'm sure Dr. Bingstetter could
find out just how those flowers come here. He's an extremely brilliant
man, Sir, and I'm quite positive he could----"

"Well, well, send for him, then," says Old Hickory. "Only see that you
keep still about it outside there, both of you. I don't care to have
the whole office force chattering and snickering over this affair.
Understand?"

You bet we did; for when the boss gets real peevish about anything it's
not safe to get your signals mixed! I stands guard on the 'phone booth
while Piddie was sendin' the message, and for once we plots away
together real chummy.

"He's coming right over this afternoon," whispers Piddie, as he slides
out of the booth. "You're to take him directly into Mr. Ellins'
office,--a large, impressive looking man, you know, with a full round
face and wearing eye-glasses."

Piddie forgets to mention the shiny frock coat and the forty-four-inch