That was a very peculiar way to have spoken, to say the least. What
was "the treasure of Rose Ranch?" Nan was very desirous of asking
Rhoda Hammond to explain.

Of course she could not make the inquiry without telling Rhoda
about the Mexican girl. Nan wondered if that would be a wise thing
to do. Rhoda had not appeared to notice the strange girl. Had she
done so, would she have recognized the Mexican as the latter had
her?

All the time these thoughts and queries were rioting in Nan
Sherwood's mind she had to give her open attention to the buying of
certain articles and to the questions and observations of the other
girls. She and Bess purchased several things for their room; but
Nan would have been better satisfied if they had been intimate
enough with Rhoda to have asked her advice about the purchases.

They all trooped out with their bundles at last.

"My goodness!" laughed Bess, "we look like a gang of Italian
immigrants being taken by a padrone into the woods. Only we should
wear shawls over our heads instead of hats."

They went merrily along the streets to the point from which the car
for Freeling started, and lo! there was Rhoda Hammond. She had
evidently missed the previous car.

"Is that girl going to tag us wherever we go?" Bess asked, with
some vexation.