“That’s right, she is,” he remarked; “and we’ll have to step over that way, Lanky. Now, keep your wits about you, and don’t give yourself away. Like as not she only wants to ask us some questions about the athletic meet.” They started toward the place where the old queen sat on a three-legged stool, close to the steps leading up to the rear of the huge, painted van that served as her house, as well as means of conveyance over the roads. Lanky felt sure he would now find some sort of opportunity for proving whether his belief about the little girl could be founded on facts, or imagination. At the same time he was inwardly resolved to let Frank do most of the talking, content on his own part to just “look around.” “You are the boy who brought me the paper to sign; am I right?” asked the gypsy queen, as Frank reached her side. “Yes, we were here the other day, and brought that paper,” he replied. “My men have been telling me much about some sort of circus that will be in your town this week; and they said you could explain what it was?” she continued, keeping her sharp black eyes fastened on their faces. “Why, yes, sure we can,” Lanky spoke up. “Frank, oblige the lady; I’m talked out.” So Frank did explain about the rivalries of the three schools, and how they came together at various times to find out which could excel in all sorts of sports such as healthy boys like. He described these things so well that he really interested the gypsy woman. She could understand how boys liked such sports, for the lads of the camp were always wrestling, boxing, shooting, or fishing, as the chance arose. Lanky could not keep his eyes away from the big wagon. It seemed to him that he heard some sort of slight movement within the van; and no doubt he was picturing in his mind the frightened, yet eager, little girl crouching there, wanting to show herself to them, yet shrinking from arousing the anger of the black-eyed old queen. “Your friend seems to be interested in my new wagon,” remarked the gypsy, suddenly, and Lanky started, fearing that he had betrayed a fatal curiosity; but he drew a breath of relief when she continued, using language that surprised Frank, as it told him the woman must have a certain amount of education: “If you would like, I will be glad to show you how it is arranged inside. It is what they call the last thing in road wagons. And you have been kind to tell my people about the chance of trading horses in the crowd that is coming to the circus.” Frank saw her eyes sparkle while she was saying this. He immediately guessed that she had a very good reason for talking in that way, though he could not understand what it might be. “If you don’t mind,” he remarked, showing a fair amount of eagerness, “we would like to see how it is fixed inside. I’ve never really examined one of these road wagons, and always wanted to.”