And as Frank walked home with Minnie Cuthbert they had their heads close together in a way that made more than one old gossip smile and look wise; not knowing that they were discussing the carrying-out of a generous act. CHAPTER IX AMONG THE NOMADS OF THE ROAD “There’s the gypsy camp, all right, Lanky,” remarked Frank, on the following morning, about nine, as the two chums sauntered along the road beyond the confines of the town of Columbia. They had managed to elude all their friends, in some way or other; for since Lanky was determined to settle the question that had been bothering him ever since first passing the gypsy caravan, it was of the utmost importance that they enter the camp of the nomads without a crowd of chums to keep them company. “That’s right, Frank,” remarked the other, with a little laugh; “and just as you said, I was off my base when I thought they might’ve pulled up stakes, and cleared out durin’ the night. Of course nobody knows what’s in my mind, and so they’ve not gone and got scar’t. Well, we’ll soon see now whether I’ve been a loon, or if that kid _did_ mean to attract my attention.” [Illustration: FRANK AND LANKY VISIT THE GYPSY CAMP. _Boys of Columbia High in track Athletics._ _Page 81._] “Are you still thinking the same way?” asked Frank, in a low tone; for they were by this time approaching the outskirts of the gypsy encampment, where several gay tents had been erected among the expensive wagons with the commodious and painted tops, that were made to serve for both sleeping and eating places. “Can’t just get to see it any other way, I tell you,” Lanky persisted. “I’ve been turning and twisting it around every which direction, but all the time I just seem to see that little girl holdin’ out her baby hands to me. Never did have such a thing grip me, I give you my word, Frank.” “All right, then,” replied his chum, resolutely. “We’ll go through the performance just like we planned it. I only wanted to make sure you hadn’t backed water, because it wouldn’t be worth while to take the chances unless you felt dead sure there might be something in it.” “I’m going to do just as you said, Frank, and look like any fellow might when he had a chance to walk around in a gypsy camp. There’s lots of queer things to see; and I want to talk with one or two of those boys, if so be they’ll answer civil questions. But you can bet I don’t touch on _that_ subject once. But, Frank, I’ll use my eyes to beat the band; and if she’s around I’m bound to see her.” “Well, here we are, close up now; so haul off, and fight shy of the matter. Let’s jabber away like a couple of boys would, that had been sent here on an errand, and wanted to look around, just to see how these ramblers live when they are in camp.”