and all his minions,
before Ruth appeared at Severn Corners, driven by the kindly farmer to
whose door Roberto had brought her through the darkness and rain.

Constable Peck, having searched the Gypsy camp, believed that Ruth must
have escaped from the Romany people at the same time as Helen.
Therefore, it was not until Ruth's complete story was told, that actual
pursuit of the Gypsies by the county authorities was begun.

Then Queen Zelaya and her band were not only out of the county, but out
of the state, as well. They had hurried across the border, and it was
understood that the tribe had gone south--as they usually did in the
winter--and would be seen no more in New York State--at least not until
the next spring.

The three friends had much to tell wherever they went during this
intervening week. They had had a fine time at "Uncle Ike's," but every
adventure they had was tame in comparison to those they had experienced
on the road overlooking Long Lake.

They wondered what had become of Roberto--if he had returned to his
people and risked being accused of letting Ruth escape. Ruth discussed
this point with her friends; but one thing she had never mentioned to
either Helen, or her brother Tom.

She did not speak to them of the wonderful pearl necklace she had seen
in the old Gypsy queen's possession. There was a mystery about that; she
believed Zelaya must have stolen it. The man with the wicked face had
intimated that it was part of some plunder the Gypsies had secured.

Now, Ruth and Helen--and Tom as well--were ready to start for school
again. This was the last morning for some time to come, that Ruth would
look out of her little bedroom window at the Red Mill.

She always left the beautiful place with regret. She had come to love
old Aunt Alvirah so much, and have such a deep affection and pity for
the miserly miller, that the joy of going back to Briarwood was well
tempered with remorse.

The night before, Uncle Jabez had come to Ruth, when she was alone, and
thrust a roll of coin in her hand. "Ye'll want some ter fritter away as
us'al, Niece Ruth," he had said in his most snarling tone.

When she looked at it, her heart beat high. There were five ten-dollar
gold pieces!

It was given in an ungrateful way, yet the girl of the Red Mill believed
her uncle meant to be kind after all. The very thought of giving up
possession of so much money made him cranky. Perhaps he was determined
to give her these fi