Ruth Fielding and the Gypsies; Or, The Missing Pearl Necklace
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CHAPTER XVI
THROUGH THE NIGHT AND THE STORM
Ruth did not really know what to think of Roberto, the Gypsy boy.
His push, as he passed her, had been most rude, but his whispered wordsseemed a promise of friendship. He did not look at her again, as he wentaround the encampment. Roberto seemed a privileged character, and it wasnot hard to guess that he was Queen Zelaya's favorite grandchild.
As for the prisoner, she was scarcely spoken to by anybody. She was notabused, but she felt her position keenly. Particularly was she ashamedof her appearance--barefooted, bareheaded, and stained until she seemedas dark as the Gypsy girls themselves. Ruth thought she lookedaltogether hateful!
"I really would be ashamed to have Tom Cameron see me now," she thought.
Yet she would have been delighted indeed to see Tom! It was in herchum's twin brother that she hoped, after all, for escape.
For Roberto, the Gypsy, ignored her completely. She feared that hiswhispered words to her, when he first entered the camp, had meantnothing after all. Why should she expect him to be different from histribesmen?
The Gypsies fed her well and allowed her to wander about the camp as shepleased. There were two sentinels set to watch the northern and southernshores of the lake. Nobody could approach the island without beingobserved and warning given to the camp.
Ruth had lost hope of anybody coming to the encampment in search of her,for the present. The constable had doubtless been sent by Tom Cameron,and he would report that there was nobody but Gypsies in the camp.Nobody but her immediate friends would distinguish Ruth from a Gypsynow.
If Helen had found Tom, the situation could not be changed much forRuth--and the latter realized that. Mr. Cameron and Uncle Jabez wouldhave to be communicated with, before a general alarm could be sent outand detectives put on the case.
By that time, where would the girl from the Red Mill be?
This question was no easy one to answer. Ruth did not believe theGypsies would remain on this island for any length of time. Queen Zelayawas doubtless shrewd enough to plan a long jump next time, and so throwoff pursuit.
Indeed, all the next day the girl could do little but worry about herown situation, and about Helen's fate. The last she had seen of herchum, she had been drifting out into the middle of this lake. Supposethe punt had sprung a leak, or capsized?
Clouds gathered that day, and the second evening on the island closedwith a steady, fine rain falling. The encampment was quiet early. Eventhe dogs found shelter from the wet, but Ruth had every reason tobelieve that the Gypsy men took turns in guarding the encampment.
Ruth was made to sleep in Queen Zelaya's van, and as soon as it hadbecome real dark, the old woman made her enter. In her rags of clothing,Ruth was not afraid of a little rain--surely she had on nothing thatwould be spoiled by the wet; but she had to obey the old hag.
At supper time Roberto brought the bowls of savory stew that usuallymade up that meal for the Gypsies. There were three bowls on the trayand the boy gave Ruth a sharp side glance and pointed to a certain bowl.She dared not refuse to take it.
When he approached his grandmother at the other end of the van, heremoved his own bowl before setting the tray upon the box beside her.Ruth hesitated to eat her own portion; she had been afraid of beingdrugged from the beginning.
Yet, somehow, she could not help feeling confidence in Roberto. Thelatter ate his supper with gusto, talking all the while with the oldwoman. But he went away without a word or look at Ruth after the meal.
Soon Zelaya made her go to bed. Ruth was not sleepy, but she appeared togo to sleep almost at once, as she had before. She lay down in all theclothing she wore, for she was apprehensive of something happening onthis night. She saw that the old woman was very drowsy herself.
Appearing to sleep, Ruth waited and watched. The storm whined in thetrees of the island, but there was no other noise.
Zelaya was at the locked box again, and she soon drew forth hertreasure-casket. She fondled the collar of pearls as she had on thefirst night Ruth had slept in the van.
The girl was watching for that evil face at the window again. For amoment she thought she saw it, but then she recognized that it wasRoberto's handsome face against the wet pane.
Suddenly Ruth realized that the old woman had fallen asleep over her boxof valuables. The girl was confident that there had been a drugged bowlat supper time, but _she_ had not eaten of it.
There was a little noise at the door--ever so slight. The handle turned,and Roberto's head was thrust in. He nodded at Ruth as though he weresure she was not asleep, and then creeping up the steps, he gazed at hisgrandmother.
There could be no doubt that she was sound asleep! He slipped in andclosed the door. At first he did not say a word to Ruth.
He went to Zelaya's side and shook her lightly. She did not awake. Asthough she were a child, the strong youth lifted her and placed her inthe bed. Then he locked the small box, put the key again around Zelaya'sneck, and lowered the treasure box into the chest. The padlock of thishe snapped and then turned cheerfully to the watchful Ruth.
"Come!" he whispered. "Missy not afraid of Roberto? Come!"
No. Ruth was _not_ afraid of him. She rose quickly and preceded him, ashe directed by a gesture, out of the door of the van. There was neitherlight nor sound in the whole camp.
Once they were free, Roberto seized the girl's hand and led her throughthe darkness and the rain. Ruth's tender feet stumbled painfully overthe rough ground, but the boy was not impatient.
He seemed to know his way in the dark by instinct. Certainly, Ruth couldscarcely see her hand before her face!
However, it was not long before she realized that they had come out uponthe shore of the island. There was a vast, empty-looking place beforethem, which Ruth knew must be the open lake.
Where the sentinels had gone, she could not guess, unless Roberto hadmanaged to drug _them_, too!
However, there was not a word said, save when Roberto led her down, tothe water and she felt it lave her feet. Then he muttered, in a lowtone:
"Don't fear, little Missy."
As they waded deeper and deeper into the lake, following as she supposedthe track by which the wagons had come to the island, Ruth _was_ morethan a little frightened. Yet she would not show Roberto it was so.
Once she whispered to him: "I can swim, Roberto."
"Good! But I will carry you," and he suddenly stooped, slung her acrosshis shoulder as though she had been a feather-weight, and marched onthrough the water.
It was plain that the Gypsy boy knew this ford better than the driversof the vans, for he found no spot that he could not wade through andcarry Ruth, as well. It was nearly an hour before they reached the land.
The rain beat upon them and the wind soughed in the trees. It seemed toget darker and darker, yet Roberto never hesitated for direction, andsetting Ruth down upon her own feet, helped her on till they came to awell-traveled road.
Not far ahead was a light. Ruth knew at once that it was a lamp shiningthrough the windows of some farmhouse kitchen.
"There they will take you in," Roberto said. "They are kind people. I amsorry I could not bring away your own clothes and your bag. But it couldnot be, Missy."
"Oh! you have been so good to me, Roberto!" she cried, seizing both ofhis hands. "However can I thank you--or repay you?"
"Don't be too hard on Gypsy--on my old grandmother. She is old and sheis a miser. She thought she could make your friends pay her money. Butnow we will all leave here in the morning and you shall never betroubled by us again."
"I will do nothing to punish her, Roberto," promised Ruth. "But I hope Ishall see you at the Red Mill some time."
"Perhaps--who knows?" returned the youth, with a smile that she couldsee in the dark, his teeth were so white. "Now run to the door andknock. When I see it opened and you go in, I will return."
Ruth Fielding did as she was bidden. She entered the gate, mounted theporch, and rapped upon
the kitchen door. The moment she looked into themotherly face of the woman who answered her knock, the girl knew thather troubles were over.