“Oh!” came in a chorus of protest, and Natalie blushed. Then they told each other snatches of what had been revealed to them. They all agreed it was not at all like the fortunes Hadee had told them the time the diamond ring was missed. Then, as they walked through the camp, on the way to where they had left their lunch-baskets, they became aware that the excitement was increasing, though the Gypsies did their best to make it seem of little moment. Several men leaped on horses and rode off down the road, and one of the young “Princesses” started off on foot at a rapid pace in the opposite direction. “What could have happened?” asked Marie. “Maybe they’ve got word that they are going to be arrested,” suggested Mabel. “No, I think it can’t be that,” said Mrs. Bonnell. “They’d all be leaving if they were going to be raided,” said Natalie. “Well, we’ll tell that constable, who nearly arrested you, Nat, where to find the camp,” suggested Alice. “He may be able to get back Mrs. Anderson’s ring.” “Oh, I hope so!” exclaimed Mabel, “but I’m not very sanguine.” “Won’t the boys be surprised when we tell them that we located the Gypsies?” asked Marie. “And vexed, too,” added Alice. “They were so sure they would find the camp themselves.” They passed from the bounds of the encampment, and were soon on their way to where they had left their boats, stopping when they reached the deep spring to partake of the rest of their lunch, for it was certain, now, that they would not get lost, and the shadows had not much lengthened. “We’ll get back to camp long before supper,” said Mabel. “I wonder what could be going on back there?” mused Marie. “And what has happened to poor Hadee?” spoke Natalie. “She was a pretty little thing. I hope she isn’t in trouble.” “She looked able to take care of herself,” said Alice. “Well, certainly there is something wrong,” declared Mrs. Bonnell. “That one who called herself a queen was really anxious to get rid of me, and Gypsies seldom do that if you have money.” They discussed the matter from various standpoints, but could come to no decision. They rowed back leisurely, well satisfied, in a measure, with their day’s outing. “Let’s stop off and see how Old Hanson is getting on at the mysterious mill,” suggested Natalie. “Poor old man—to think he took me for some one he knew.” “Natalie is keeping quite in the lime-light since we came to camp,” laughed Marie. “Well, let’s go, it’s early yet.” They turned their boats toward the shore of the lake where the old mill was, and, in due time, were walking toward the ancient structure. As they neared it they heard a confusion of voices, and the rattle of goods being loaded into a wagon. Also admonitions to horses to “stand still, can’t yer?” “What can be going on?” asked Mabel. They soon saw. In front of the mill was a farm wagon, and old Hanson and another man were carrying the hermit’s goods from the shack, and putting them in the vehicle.