e wrote father that they had been traced some distance toward
the south," Helen returned, doubtfully.

"The south is a big section of the country," and Ruth wagged her head.

"Father was very angry," said Helen, "that the police did not find them,
so that the whole tribe could be punished for what they did to us, I
never saw father so angry before. He declared that the Gypsies should be
taught a lesson, and that their escape was most inexcusable."

Ruth said nothing, but shook her head.

"You know the excuse the sheriff and that Constable Peck, at Severn
Corners, gave?"

"Yes," nodded Ruth.

"If you had come right up to the village that night, when Roberto
brought you to the farmhouse, and told where the camp was, they'd have
nabbed the whole crowd, before they could have gotten over the state
line."

"I know," murmured Ruth.

She was remembering Roberto's words as he left her that stormy night in
sight of her refuge. He had asked not to be too hard on the Gypsies;
therefore, she had not hurried to lodge information against Queen Zelaya
and her tribe.

But if she had only known about this pearl necklace! Nettie Parsons had
described the jewel so clearly that the girl of the Red Mill could not
for a moment doubt that the necklace in Zelaya's possession was the one
for which the reward was offered.

"I tell you what I'll do, if you say the word," Helen said at last,
seeing that her friend was really so much troubled about the affair.

"What's that, dear?"

"I'll write to father. Let me tell him all about you seeing the old
woman handling the pearls, and then about this necklace that was lost by
Nettie's aunt. He can advise you, at any rate."

So it was agreed. Helen wrote that very day. Inside of a week an answer
came, and it quite excited Helen.

"What do you think?" she demanded of her chum. "Father has business that
calls him to Lumberton in a few days. He will come here to see us. And
he says for me to tell you to be sure and say nothing to anybody else
about the missing necklace until he sees you."

"Of course I won't speak of it," replied Ruth. "I am not likely to. Oh,
dear, Helen! if I could only win the reward that woman offers for the
return of her necklace!"

It was not many days before Helen received the telegram announcing her
father's coming to Lumberton, which was the nearest town to Briarwood
Hall. She showed it to Mrs. Tellingham, and asked that she and Ruth be
excused from lessons, wh