"Will you make me come down and punish you?" said the voice. It was that
of an old, old man, feeble with age, but still clear.
Bessie stared too, as surprised as the gypsy, and the voice went on:
"I gave your companion a sign last night that should have warned him. I
speak to you now, to warn you again. The next time I shall not give a
warning; I shall act, and your punishment will be swift and terrible.
Take heed; go, while there is time."
For a moment the two gypsies were speechless, looking at one another in
wonder, and Bessie was not disposed to blame them. Her own head was in a
whirl.
"Quick; it is in that tree!" said Lolla, easily the braver of the two of
them. "Climb up there, and see who it is that is trying to frighten us,
Peter."
But Peter was not prepared to do anything of the sort. He was trembling,
and casting nervous glances behind him, as if he were more minded to
make a break and run down the trail.
"Climb yourself! I shall stay here," he retorted.
And Lolla, without further hesitation, sprang into the branches of the
tree and began to climb.
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