taken up for storage
in the conservatory against the cold of winter.

It seemed strange--indeed, it made Ruth suspicious--that Roberto could
convey his meaning so easily by gesture when the subject was not one
regarding the missing Gypsies!

Again and again the thought came to the girl that the Gypsy boy was
actually "playing possum." Knowing, perhaps, that he would be questioned
about his grandmother, and not wishing to give information about her or
her tribe, he had decided to become dumb.

Yet, if this was so, how wonderfully well he did it! Even the doctor at
the hospital could not understand the case.

Roberto's condition certainly was puzzling. And Ruth believed that he
held the clew to the whereabouts of Queen Zelaya and the pearl necklace.
That being the case, he stood between Ruth and that great reward which
the girl of the Red Mill was so anxious to win.

CHAPTER XXIII

NETTIE PARSONS' FEAST

Incidentally there was as much fun going on at Briarwood Hall as usual
this fall, but Ruth Fielding did not entirely enjoy any of the frolics
in which she necessarily had a part.

The work of the Sweetbriar organization was all that really interested
her in this line. Several new girls who entered the school in September
who were old enough, joined the association, besides others who were
advanced from the lower classes.

It was an honor--and was so considered by all--to be invited to become a
Sweetbriar. Within the association was much innocent entertainment.
Picnics, musicals, evening parties approved by the school faculty--even
little feasts after curfew--were hatched within the membership.

Nettie Parsons, the daughter of the "sugar king," was destined never to
be very popular in the school. Those girls who hoped to benefit by
Nettie's wealth soon found that money meant as little to Nettie as to
any girl at Briarwood.

On the other hand, she was no brilliant scholar, and she made friends
slowly. Ruth and Helen determined to help the "poor little rich girl,"
as they called her, and they egged her on to give a midnight reception
in the room Nettie occupied with three other girls in the West
Dormitory.

"There's no way so sure to the hearts of these girls than through their
stomachs," Mercy said, when she heard of the plan. "Let poor Net stuff
them full of indigestible 'goodies,' and they will remember her for
life!"

"Why put it that way, Mercy?" drawled Heavy. "You know, you are fond of
a bit