That, he thought, was not a completely accurate description, but it gave the general idea.

Auntie took the cigar out of her mouth and looked at Hercules with frank surprise.

“Well!” she boomed. “Wonders will never cease! What have you been up to, you rascal?” She slapped him playfully on the back and shot all the air out of his lungs.

“You’ll never believe it,” gritted Hercules, when he had recovered his breath. “It’s in the conservatory.”

“Eh?” said Auntie, obviously puzzled.

“Yes—come along and have a look. It’s going to create a real sensation.”

Auntie gave a snort that might have indicated disbelief, but followed Hercules without further question. The two Alsatians now busily chewing up the carpet looked at her anxiously and half rose to their feet, but she waved them away.

“All right, boys,” she ordered gruffly. “I’ll be back in a minute.” Hercules thought this unlikely.

It was a dark evening, and the lights in the conservatory were off. As they entered, Auntie snorted, “Gad, Hercules the place smells like a slaughterhouse. Haven’t met such a stink since I shot that elephant in Bulawayo and we couldn’t find it for a week.”

“Sorry, Auntie,” apologized Hercules, propelling her forward through the gloom. “It’s a new fertilizer I’m using. It produces the most stunning results. Go on—another couple of yards. I want this to be a real surprise.”

“I hope this isn’t a joke,” said Auntie suspiciously, as she stomped forward.

“I can promise you it’s no joke,” replied Hercules, standing with his hand on the light switch. He could just see the looming bulk of the orchid: Auntie was now within ten feet of it. He waited until she was well inside the danger zone, and threw the switch.

There was a frozen moment while the scene was transfixed with light. Then Aunt Henrietta ground to a halt and stood, arms akimbo, in front of the giant orchid. For a moment Hercules was afraid she would retreat before the plant could get into action: then he saw that she was calmly scrutinizing it, unable to make up her mind what the devil it was.