John went with the boys back to the cave and all three searched every crack and crevice in hopes of locating the missing piece of silver, but it was nowhere to be found. Following this they even visited the gypsy camp and asked there if an old silver cup might have been seen about the woods (being careful of course not to mention recovery of the other things) but Melea with scant ceremony dismissed the boys declaring, “she didn’t know nothin’ ’bout their old tin cups.”
So they were obliged to let the matter rest, although it was understood the finding of the cup would mean a very great delight to Mrs. Winthrop White.
It was still that eventful morning, although the hour was crowding noon-day, when the boys, with Tavia, insisted on Dorothy at once telling the story of her “Wild West” adventure as Ned termed it.
“Come out on the side lawn under the trees,” directed Nat. “There no one will hear us, or suspect us of holding a secret session.”
The plan was agreed upon, and presently Dorothy was made the center of the interested group, all sitting on the grass under the Cedars.
“I don’t know all the story myself,” insisted the girl, “for you see Urania ran off and left me without most of the particulars.”
“Speak of angels—there’s Urania now,” Ned interrupted, “she is looking for you, Dorothy.”
“Urania!” called Dorothy, stepping out on the path. “Come over here. Oh, I am so glad she’s all right,” she finished, as the gypsy girl sauntered up to the party.
“Well!” drawled Urania, looking keenly at Dorothy, “so you got back? Ha! ha! wasn’t they easy—them fellers?” and she laughed heartily at the thought. “Think of me givin’ them a steer! ha! ha!” and the girl rolled over on the grass as if the entire affair had been a good joke.
“But I didn’t feel much like laughing when you left me in that cave alone,” protested Dorothy. “I felt as if my last moment had about arrived.”