ornament of his stables and the pride of his heart, strangely and
inexplicably missing.

For an hour or so the girls pondered on these two mysterious robberies
and found themselves not one whit nearer the solution. It was Mollie who
finally suggested that they go to her house and look at a couple of new
dresses she had bought recently. "It will help get our minds off the
robbery," she said.

The girls agreed readily, for they were always anxious to see Mollie's
things. "They are always so novel," Grace had once said, and Mollie had
been uncertain whether to ticket it a compliment or otherwise.

"Really, my head aches trying to figure things out," Amy complained, as
they neared the Billette home.

"Well, it seems to me it is just about time some of those detectives
found things out for us," Mollie rejoined. "Will ought to be able to
help, Grace," she added, "since he is in the secret service."

"You may be sure he is doing his best," Grace retorted with spirit.
"Those gypsies make thieving their profession and it isn't always as
easy to track them as it seems. If you don't believe me, just try it
yourself."

"I didn't say anything about not believing you," Mollie rejoined, icily.
"And there's no reason why you have to go up in the air about nothing.
I was simply suggesting, that's all."

"Girls, some day, I am just going to get terribly angry about something
and then let fly," Betty broke in. "I'd just like to know what would
happen and where we would end up if you didn't have me to act as
peacemaker."

"Probably in the county jail for disturbing the peace," said Grace
ruefully, and Mollie laughed, thereby restoring harmony, for the time
being at least.

"Oh, hurry, please do hurry, Mollie!" A small cyclone precipitated
itself out of the house and into Mollie's arms. "Muvver's cwyin' tuwible
and she's telephonin' to evwybody to make you come home quick.
Oh--oh----" This was the beginning of a muffled wail--silenced by
Mollie's hand over the small one's mouth.

"Dodo, don't cry," Mollie implored. "What is the matter with mother? Is
she sick? Oh, don't bother to tell me--I'll see for myself. Come on,
girls."

"Had we better?" asked Betty, with instinctive delicacy. "It may be
something she won't want us to know."

"Oh, don't be silly," cried Mollie, impatiently, shoving the three girls
before her through the doorway. "You know as well as I do that we
haven't any secrets from you. Oh, what can be the matte