she said admiringly. "Why, you never seem even to hesitate."

"I've been here every summer since I was born," said Lolla, in a
laughing tone. "I ought to know these woods pretty well, I think."

"I hope no one sees us now," said Bessie, nervously. "I really do feel
as if it were wrong for me to keep away. Miss Mercer must be as anxious
about me as she is about Dolly."

"Is she the lady who is with you girls?"

"Yes. You see, she probably thinks that was carried off, as well as
Dolly."

"She will stop being anxious all the sooner for not knowing where you
are. I think it will not be long now before we get your friend away from
that place where she is hidden."

"Well, I certainly hope so. Listen! I think I can hear voices in front
of us."

"I heard them two or three minutes ago," said Lolla, with a smile. "Stay
here, now; hide behind that clump of bushes. I will go ahead and see
what I can find. Even if it is some of your friends they would not
suspect me; they would think I was just out for a walk."

So Bessie waited for perhaps ten minutes, while Lolla crept forward
alone. But the gypsy was back soon, smiling.

"All is safe now," she said. "Come quickly, though, so we shall get