ht) to help restore the
missing pearl necklace to Nettie's aunt. Worrying about it any more was
not going to help a bit.

It seemed too ridiculous to think of _her_ ever obtaining five thousand
dollars--or any part of that generous reward!

So the busy days passed. Helen heard from her father several times, but
although she knew he was in New York, ostensibly buying goods, and that
he had Roberto with him, the gentleman said very little about the other
Gypsies and the missing necklace.

Then one day Mrs. Tellingham sent for Ruth. To be sent for by the
principal never frightened the girl of the Red Mill--much. She stood
well on the principal's books, she knew.

But the lady had called her to discuss nothing about the school work.
She had a letter and a railroad ticket in her hand.

"Tony has telephoned for Dolliver to come for you, Ruth," said Mrs.
Tellingham. "You must go away----"

"Nothing has happened at home? Uncle Jabez--Aunt Alvirah----?"

"Nothing is wrong with them at all, my dear," declared the lady, kindly.
"It is Mr. Cameron. He wants you to come to New York at once. Here is
transportation for you. He will meet your train at the Grand Central
Station."

"Mrs. Parsons' necklace!" gasped Ruth.

"He says something about that--yes," said Mrs. Tellingham. "It is
important for you to come and identify somebody, I believe. You must
tell him that, at this time in the term, you can be spared only a short
time."

All was bustle and confusion for Ruth during the next two hours. Then
she found herself on the train bound for New York. She had a section of
the sleeper to herself, and arrived in the city the next morning at an
early hour.

She was making her toilette, as the electric engine whisked the long
train through the upper reaches of the city, and she marveled at the
awakening Bronx and Harlem streets.

When she came out through the gateway of the trainshed, she saw a youth
standing by, watching the on-coming passengers sharply. But she was
almost upon him, and he had stepped forward, lifting his hat and putting
out a hand to take her bag, before she recognized Roberto, the Gypsy
boy.

But how changed in appearance! Of course, he was still dark of skin, and
his black eyes flashed. But he had removed the gold rings from his ears,
his hair had been trimmed to a proper length, he was dressed smartly in
a gray suit, and wore a nice hat and shoes.

Altogether Roberto was a very handsome youth indeed--m