“But who could the joker in the woods have been, if not José?” continued Ruth. “And, come to think of it, he might have been the highwayman, too. It would not have been difficult for him to have found out at the hotel where we were going. I am afraid he is in an awful mess, yet, in spite of everything, there is something about him that disarms suspicion.”
Ruth was a loyal friend to people she liked. She believed that her chosen circle consisted of a superior class of beings, and she was as blind to their faults as a mother to those of her favorite child. There was a tap on the door, and the maid informed them that Zerlina, the Gypsy girl, wished to speak to them.
“Send her up,” said Ruth, and presently Zerlina was ushered into the room.
There was a scared look in her eyes as they wandered hastily around the charming apartment and finally rested on the two girls who were stretched on the bed in muslin kimonos.
“How do you do, Zerlina?” said Ruth. “Excuse our not getting up. We are just dead tired. Won’t you have a cup of tea?”
“Thank you,” replied the Gypsy stiffly, “I do not care for tea. I came——” she paused. “I thought——” she hesitated again.
“Well, Zerlina, what did you think?” asked Ruth.
Bab was looking at the girl curiously.
“I came because you asked me,” she said finally.
“So we did,” replied Ruth, “and we are delighted to see you. Did your grandmother come with you?”