"But—why?" questioned Grace. "Why can't I go back after my candy?"
"Baby!" mocked Mollie.
"Because it's probably near that abominable hut!" said Betty. "And that old crone might capture you. Did you see how eager she was to get us in there?"
"She did seem rather insistent," agreed Amy. "But was it any more than mere kindness?"
"If you ask me—it was," said Betty, firmly.
"But why?" persisted Grace.
"Eternal question mark!" Betty commented. "Now, girls," she went on, "I don't know all the whys and wherefores, but I'm sure of one thing, and that is nice people don't live in that hut. I don't mean just poor, or unfortunate, or ignorant people, either," she went on. "I mean they aren't nice—or—or safe! There, perhaps you'll like that better."
"Not safe?" repeated Grace. "What do you mean?"
"I mean I saw faces looking from the window of that hut, the day we found the diamonds, that I wouldn't want to meet in the dark, or alone—those who go with the faces, perhaps, I should say."
"Oh!" exclaimed Grace, glancing involuntarily over her shoulder.