warning on ahead of us."

She stood up to take the instrument from Ed's hands. She was near the
French window again.

"I tell you," she heard Mr. Rand say, "these gypsy fellows will stoop
to anything. And as for revenge--they say once a gypsy always a gypsy.
Which means they will stick by each other----"

"Come on, Cora. We want the song. I remember my mother used to sing
the 'Gypsy's Warning,' and she brought it right down to date--we never
went near a camp," said Walter.

The threat of the old gypsy woman rang in Cora's ears. She could see
her raise that brown finger and hear her say: "If you harm Salvo, harm
shall be upon your head." Cora had testified against Salvo. A hat
known to belong to a member of the tribe was later found at midnight
under Cora's car, miles from the town where the robbery had been
committed. Were they following her?

"Oh, really, I can't sing to-night," she protested rather lamely. "I
have a cold."

The voices on the porch had ceased. Betty was claiming her father for
some game. The evening had not been a great success.

"And to-morrow," faltered Walter, "we pass on. I wish we had decided
to stay in the Berkshires, but of course the girls must make the White
Mountains," and he fell back in his chair as if overwhelmed. "I fancy
Bess is ambitious to climb Mount Washington."

"I possibly could--as well as the others," and Bess flushed at the
mention of anything in the flesh-reducing line. "I have always been a
pretty fair climber."

"Yes, that's right," called Jack. "I remember one time Bess climbed in
the window at school. A lemon pie had been locked up inadvertently."

"But you ought to see more of Lenox," spoke Betty. "I do wish you
would stay--for a few days at least."

"So do I," said Walter with flagrant honesty.

"But the season wanes," remarked Cora, "and we must keep to our
itinerary. Now that my machine has been overhauled I anticipate a
royal run. Betty, can't you come with us? Mr. Rand says you have been
here all summer----"

"And too much is enough," declared the ensnared Walter. "Betty, if you
would come we might mount Mount Washington."

"What do you say, papa?"

"Why, go, of course; it would be the very thing for you. And then,
don't you see, I shouldn't have to give up my job as chaperon," and he
clapped his hands on his knees and chuckled with a relish that all
enjoyed.

Mr. Rand decided that he would go and take his gorgeous car, and t