“I feel relieved,” said Hippy, giving her one of his Cheshire Cat grins.  “I propose that you leave your treasure with this gypsy maid, David, for the time is flying and we have a great and glorious surprise to spring.”

“See you later, Anne,” said David, looking at his watch.  Then taking Hippy by the arm the two young men hurried out of the hall, leaving Anne to wonder what the surprise might be.

Turning slowly she was making her way toward the gypsy camp when a voice called, “O Anne, wait a minute,” and Marian Barber fluttered up accompanied by a tall, dark young man.

“Miss Pierson, allow me to present Mr. Hammond,” she said.

The young man bowed rather too elaborately Anne thought, and a wave of dislike swept over her as she rather coldly acknowledged the introduction.

“Mr. Hammond has just come to Oakdale,” Marian said eagerly.  “He knows very few people as yet.”

“Ah, yes,” said Mr. Hammond, with a smile that was intended to be fascinating.  “I am, indeed, a stranger.  Miss Barber has kindly volunteered to introduce me to some of her charming friends, therefore I trust that in time they will be mine also.”

Anne murmured some polite reply, and excusing herself walked away.  “Horrid thing,” she thought.  “How cruel he looks when he smiles.  I wonder where Marian met him.  She seems to be delighted with him.”

“Where have you been, Anne?” asked Grace, as Anne entered the tent where she and Miriam sat resting preparatory to beginning their dance, when enough people should gather outside to form a paying audience.

“Talking to Marian Barber and a young man who is trailing about with her.”

“Did she introduce that man to you?” exclaimed Grace.

“Yes,” replied Anne.  “Did you meet him?”

“I did,” was the answer.  “Isn’t he horrid?”

“That is precisely what I said,” replied Anne.  “There is something about his suave, silky manner that gives me the creeps.”

“I hope Marian isn’t seriously impressed with him,” said Grace.  “For there is something positively sinister about him.”

Just then Hippy’s voice was heard again above the crowd, and the three girls hurried to the opening in the tent.

CHAPTER VII

A THIEF IN THE NIGHT

“Ladies and gentlemen,” cried Hippy.  “We have a noble animal for sale here.  He is tame and gentle.  A lady could ride him without fear.  He sees equally well out of both eyes and is neither lame nor spavined.  If you will just stand back a little we will let you see his paces.”

The crowd drew back on either side of the lane between the rows of tents and booths and from somewhere in the back there was heard a great pawing and trampling, with cries of “Whoa, there!  Whoa, there, Lightning!”

Then down the aisle there dashed the most absurd comic animal that had ever been seen in Oakdale.  A dilapidated old horse, with crooked legs and sunken sides through which its ribs protruded.  He had widely distended nostrils and his mouth drawn back over huge teeth.  One ear lay flat, while the other stood up straight and wiggled, and his glazed eyes stared wildly.  On his wobbly back sat David, dressed like a jockey and flourishing a whip.