Part 11 (2/2)

”If _she'd_ help us,” he thought to himself, ”there'd be some chance then.”

But he remained quite still, crouching in the shelter of the van--almost indeed under it--he was so anxious to hear more of Mick's plans if he could, for he noticed that the gipsy hung about while the girl was speaking to the children, as if he had something to say to her unheard by them.

They were so frightened of him that they drew back into the dark recesses of the van, and when they were no longer to be seen, Mick pulled Diana's sleeve to attract her attention.

”Just you listen to me, girl, will ye?” he said. ”I'll stand none of your nonsense--thinking to queen it over us all. Now just listen to me.”

Diana shook his hand off her arm.

”I'll listen if you'll speak civil, Mick,” she said. ”What is it you've got to say?”

She spoke quietly but sternly, and he seemed frightened. He had evidently been drinking more than of late, and Tim shuddered at the thought of what might happen if he were to get into one of his regular tipsy fits while the children were still there.

”It's along o' them childer,” said Mick, though less roughly now.

”You're a-spoiling of them, and I won't have it. To-morrow evening'll see us at Crookford, and the day after they're to be took to the Signor.

Their looks'll please him--I'm not afeard for that; but I've gave him to understand that they're well broke in, and there'll be no trouble in teaching them the tricks and singin' and dancin' and all that. And he's to give me a good sum down and a share of the profits. And if he's not pleased and they're turned back on my hands--well, it'll be _your_ doing--that I can tell you, and you shall pay for it. So there--you know my mind.”

He had worked himself up into rage and excitement again while he spoke, but Diana did not seem to care.

”What do you know of the man? will he be good to them?” she said coolly.

Mick gave a sneering laugh.

”He won't starve them nor beat them so as to spoil their pretty looks,”

he said. ”They'll have to do what they're told, and learn quick what they've got to learn. You don't suppose childer like that 'ull pay for their keep if they're to be made princes and princesses of?”

”Then what did you steal them for? You do nothing but grumble about them now you've got them--why didn't you, any way, take them home after a bit and get something for your pains?”

”I thought o' doing so at the first,” said Mick sulkily, as if forced to speak in spite of himself. ”But they're sharper nor I thought for. No knowing what they'd ha' told. And when Johnny Vyse came by and told o'

the fair, and the Signor sure to be ready to take 'em and pay straight for 'em, I see'd no use in running my head into a noose by taking 'em back and getting took myself for my pains. I've had enough o' that sort o' thing, as you might know.”

”Let _me_ take them home, then,” said Diana suddenly. ”I'll manage so as no blame shall fall on you--no one shall hear anything about you. And for myself I don't care. I'd almost as lief be in prison as not sometimes.”

Mick stared at her.

”Are ye a-going out of yer mind?” he said, ”or d'ye think I am? After all the trouble I've had with the brats, is it likely I'll send 'em home and lose all? It's too late now to try for a reward; they're sharp enough to tell they could have been took home long ago. But if the Signor isn't square with me, I may make something that way too--I can tell on _him_ maybe. But I'll take care to get my reward and be out o'

the way first. I'm not such a fool as you took me for after all, eh? And if you see what's for your good you'll do your best to help me, and you'll find I'll not forget you. One way or another I'm pretty sure to make a tidy thing of them.”

Diana turned away, and for a moment or two there was silence. Tim's heart beat so fast he almost felt as if the gipsies would hear it. He could not see Diana's face, but he trembled with fear lest Mick's bribes should win her over. And when her words came it seemed as if his fears were to be fulfilled.

”You _are_ a sharp one, Mick, and no mistake,” she said, with a strange hard laugh. The gipsy was too muddled in his head to notice anything peculiar in her tone, and he took her answer for a consent.

”That's right. I thought ye'd hear reason,” he said. And then he lurched off to his own quarters.

Diana stood where she was for a moment. Suddenly she raised her hands to her face, and Tim fancied he heard a smothered sob. Without stopping to think what he was risking, the boy crept out of the shadow where he had been hidden, and caught hold of her skirts just as she was turning to mount into the van where the children were.

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