"We'll slip out without anybody but the old woman seeing us——Then we'll run!"
Ruth jumped up suddenly and stepped to the door at the rear of the van. She turned the knob and tried to open it. The door was fastened upon the outside!
Again the old woman broke into her cackling laugh. "Oh, no! oh, no!" she cried. "The pretty, rich little ladies cannot go yet. They must be the guests of the poor old Gypsy a little longer—they must eat of her salt. Then they will be her friends—and maybe they will help to make her rich."
The girls stood close together, panting, afraid. Helen put her lips to Ruth's ear, and whispered:
"Does that mean she is going to hold us for ransom? Oh, dear! what did I say this very day? I knew Gypsies were like this."
"Hush!" warned Ruth. "Try and not let her see you are so afraid. Perhaps she means only to frighten us."
"But—but when she looks at me, I seem to lose everything—speech, power to move, even power to think," gasped Helen.
Just then the van turned suddenly from the road and came to a halt. They had been traveling much faster than Ruth and Helen had supposed.
Lights flashed outside, and dogs barked, while the voices of men, women and children rose in a chorus of shouts and cries.
"Oh, thank goodness!" exclaimed Helen. "They have gotten into town at last."