Audie entertained Miss Maisie, Beatrice, Cook, and the Waywards with a card trick Mr. Houdini had taught her. They were most amazed at her ability to predict which card they selected.

“Why would anyone ever need to travel to town to see a show?” exclaimed Cook. “Not when our own Audie can prestidigitate with the best of them!”

“Mais oui!” agreed Beatrice.

Audie decided not to dash their illusions about her talents by revealing the secrets she’d learned from the great magician.

“And don’t forget Bimmy’s juggling prowess,” Violet added.

“Say, maybe we could put on a variety show of our own.” Audie shuffled the deck of cards. “Raise money for a good cause.”

“Our chocolate supply is running low,” Miss Maisie commented. “That would be a good cause.”

“Or maybe the Circus Orphans Society,” suggested Audie, tactfully refraining from any comment on Miss Maisie’s self-concern.

“Charity begins at home.” Miss Maisie pressed her point while fiddling with the butterfly brooch pinned to her bodice.

“I like the idea of helping the Circus Orphans,” said Bimmy.

“You would,” Divinity interjected before popping a madeleine into her mouth. She chewed and swallowed. “Actually, I like the idea of helping the Circus Orphans, too.”

“That’s the spirit!” Audie encouraged. Divinity’s actions had certainly revealed that old dogs could learn new tricks. But Audie, Bimmy, and the triplets had been sworn to secrecy; they were never to reveal a word about Divinity’s generous gift. It seemed a shame, but Audie would honor the eldest Wayward’s wishes.

At that moment, the bonging of chimes reached them from the front hall. “We’ll answer it,” the triplets called. Violet, the spunkiest of the three, reached the door first and pulled it open.

A complete stranger stood there. A complete stranger, yet someone whose face was familiar to each of the triplets, it having been featured prominently in many national newspapers.

It took Violet an instant to put two and two together. She whispered in Lilac’s ear, who whispered in Lavender’s, who, upon hearing, skidded down the great hall back to the kitchen.

“Audie!” she called, barely able to contain her excitement. “There’s someone here to see you.”