go and buy that spring-pistol you were speaking of, and take your
time about it; I'll see what can be done in the meanwhile."

The Imp was reduced to incoherent thanks.

"That's all right." I said, "but you'd better hurry off."

He obeyed with alacrity, disappearing in the direction of the
village, while I went on toward the orchard to find Lisbeth. And
presently, sure enough, I did find her - that is to say, part of
her, for the foliage of that particular tree happened to be very
thick and I could see nothing of her but a foot.

A positively delicious foot it was, too, small and shapely, that
swung audaciously to and fro; a foot in a ridiculously out-of-place
little patent-leather shoe, with a sheen of slender silken ankle
above.

I approached softly, with the soul of me in my eyes, so to speak,
yet, despite my caution, she seemed to become aware of my presence
in some way - the foot faltered in its swing and vanished as the
leaves were parted and Lisbeth looked down at me.

"Oh, it's you?" she said, and I fancied she seemed quite pleased.
"You'll find a step-ladder somewhere about - it can't be very far."

"Thanks," I answered, "but I don't want one."

"No; but I do; I want to get down. That little wretched Imp hid
the ladder, and I've been here all the afternoon," she wailed.