There had been small robberies,
of course, but that Hendall's, traditionally the oldest store in
Deepdale, should have been treated to such insult, and by a band of
roving gypsies, too--for every one suspected them from the first--why,
it was unheard of! incredible!
Detectives and sheriff had searched the town from end to end but had
found no sign of the missing goods. They had visited the gypsy camp,
too, submitting it to a strict investigation, but with no result. The
countryside had been scoured for miles around, but no trace had as yet
been found of the missing criminals nor of their loot. Indeed, the
thieves had covered their tracks well, and the inhabitants of Deepdale
were beginning to lose hope of immediate reparation.
Such was the chaotic state of affairs on this beautiful summer morning
when Mr. Ford had awakened to find his splendid horse, Beauty, the
ornament of his stables and the pride of his heart, strangely and
inexplicably missing.
For an hour or so the girls pondered on these two mysterious robberies
and found themselves not one whit nearer the solution. It was Mollie who
finally suggested that they go to her house and look at a couple of new
dresses she had bought recently.
Pages:
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47