“This way, men, and surround that van! Be sure you let not a single person escape from it!” called the Chief, holding his long night-stick out in a threatening manner, as he led the charge through the camp; where kettles were kicked to one side, piles of bright-hued cushions leaped over, and a few dogs frightened off by the hostile demeanor of the men in blue uniforms. In this manner, therefore, did the valorous Chief Hogg, and his several equally brave men, manage to reach the big van, which they speedily surrounded. The boys only hoped that no warning of their coming might have been conveyed to the queen; and that she would be caught inside, together with the child whom they had from the beginning been trying to rescue from bondage and tyranny. In making this movement the head of the local force had been careful to take up a position himself that gave him command of the door in the rear of the traveling wagon. He looked about him as if to make sure that everything was arranged, and his men in their proper positions. Then he turned to Lanky. “The warrant, if you please, Lanky!” he said in his heavy voice. Lanky only too willingly surrendered the precious document which called upon the officers to bring the persons of the gypsy queen, and the small child which would be found in her care, before the nearest magistrate, and charging her with having kidnapped the little girl, for some purpose unknown to the court. Then the pompous Chief knocked upon the closed door of the van. It was immediately opened, and the astonished face of the old queen became visible. She looked at the men in their uniforms and then at the two boys. Evidently the sight of Lanky excited her anger, just as a red flag will that of a bull. She shook her fist at him, and burst out in a flow of furious words: “You are to blame for this! I knew you were not coming here to our camp, and prowling around, without some reason. Now, what does all this mean, and what has the queen of the gypsies done that she should be disturbed in her home by the officers of the house-dweller’s law? By what right are you here? Speak up, you fat man with the silver badge on your breast, and tell me of what crime Queen Esther is accused!” CHAPTER XXV THE STOLEN CHILD With her eyes sparkling with rage the old queen looked very ferocious. But Chief Hogg did not quail. It would be a pretty thing to tell if he had shown the white feather in the face of a woman, no matter if she was a swarthy gypsy queen.