"Then your parents are wealthy," and the fangs suddenly displayed
themselves in a dreadful smile. "It is fine to be rich. The poor Gypsy
scarcely knows where to lay her head, but you little ladies have great
houses and much money--eh?"

"Gypsy!" gasped Helen, seizing Ruth's hand.

Ruth felt a sinking at her own heart. All the stories she had ever
heard of these strange, wandering tribes rushed in upon her mind again.
She had not been afraid of Roberto, and the woman who had brought them
to the van seemed kind enough. But this old hag----!

"Do not shrink from the old Romany woman," advised the hag, her eyes
sparkling again. "She would not hurt the little ladies. She is a queen
among her people--what she says is law to them. Do not fear."

"Oh, I see no reason why we should be afraid of you," Ruth said, trying
to speak in an unshaken voice. "I think you all mean us kindly, and we
are thankful for this lift to Severn Corners."

Something like a cackle broke from the hag's throat. "Queen Zelaya will
let nothing befall you, little ladies," she declared. "Fear not. Her
word is law among the Romany folk, poor as she may be. And now tell me,
my little birds,--tell me of your riches, and your great houses, and all
the wealth your parents have. I love to hear of such things--even I,
poor Zelaya, who have nothing after a long, long life of toil."

CHAPTER X

IN THE GYPSY CAMP

Ruth remembered what Roberto had said about his miserly grandmother. She
believed these people who had offered her and Helen a ride were of the
same tribe as Roberto, and the way Queen Zelaya spoke, caused the girl
to believe that this old woman and Roberto's grandmother were one and
the same person.

She could say nothing to Helen at the moment. Personally she felt more
afraid of this Gypsy Queen than she had of the two rough men in the
abandoned house that afternoon!

"Come!" repeated Zelaya. "Tell me of all the riches and jewels--the gold
and silver-plates you eat from, the jewelry you have to wear, the rich
silks--all of it! I love to hear of such things," exclaimed the woman,
grinning again in her terrible way.

Helen opened her lips to speak, but Ruth pinched her. "Tell her
nothing," the girl of the Red Mill whispered. "I am afraid we have said
too much already."

"Why?" queried Helen, wonderingly.

"Pshaw! this old woman can't hurt us. Isn't she funny?"

"Speak up, my little ladies!" commanded Queen Zelaya. "My will is la