Frank Merriwells Pursuit | Page 9

growl in that manner? Are you trying to disguise your voice? It is not necessary, for I know only my own friends at this dance."
"It is natural for wolves to growl," he retorted. "Although you know few here, it is possible you are known. I think I can describe you."
"I doubt it."
"You are dark, with black hair and eyes."
"Wonderful guessing."
"Your lips are like the reddest rose, and your teeth are so many pearls."
"Flattering, at least."
"Of your sex you are the fairest ever beheld by the eyes of wolf."
"You forget you have not seen me."
"If that is true, I'll convince you that the sagacity of some wolves passes human understanding. Your name is--Inza!"
She fell back in amazement, betraying her surprise by the movement.
From behind the wolf mask came a low, growling chuckle.
"It is enough!" he declared. "To deny it now would be useless. The cowboy returns, and cowboys do not like wolves, so I will slink away."
Filled with amazement, Inza watched him as he walked swiftly away. Frank came up and she clutched his arm, pointing at the retreating figure and almost panting:
"Who is that man?"
"I don't know, Inza. Has he bothered or insulted you? If so, I will----"
"Frank, he knows me!"
"Impossible!"
"He spoke my name! He called me Inza. His words were strange and somewhat faltering. He spoke with a growl that I am certain he assumed to disguise his voice. There is something familiar about him--something familiar in his movements and his walk. Frank, I know him! Is there no way to find out who he is?"
Merry was aroused.
"Drink, Inza," he said, "and I'll find a way to discover who he is. Perhaps Warren Hatch has put up a joke on us. If so, we must turn the joke."
Bart and Elsie came up. Frank left Inza with them as he returned with the empty glass.
Leaving the glass, he set out to find the wolf. As he was passing one of the wide windows he saw two wolves standing outside. Immediately he stepped through the window and joined them.
"Howdy, pards," he said, with an assumption of the cowboy manner. "I opine one of you two was chinning with my friend, the ghost, a few moments ago. Now, even a wolf won't take advantage of a lady, and so, as you happened to call her name, I reckon it's up to you in natural politeness to give her yours in return."
They appeared somewhat startled, but one of them said:
"You're mistaken, sir; neither of us has spoken to a lady since arriving here to-night. We have not danced yet, and therefore have not had occasion to speak to any of the fair sex."
Frank rested his hands on his hips and eyed them searchingly.
"I have the word of the lady herself," he said. "I don't opine you're going to dispute a lady?"
"You are at liberty to opine what you like," sneered the second wolf; "and I advise you to go about your business, unless you are looking for trouble. If it's trouble you are after, you may get more than you want."
"I never hunt trouble; but I thought it possible that, out of politeness, the one who spoke to the lady would give his name."
"Get about your own business and leave us alone," advised the pugnacious chap. "If you don't you'll get your make-up ruffled."
Now, Frank had not confronted them with the idea of pressing a quarrel. His first thought had been to draw them into conversation that he might hear their voices, thinking it possible he would recognize one or both of them. There was nothing familiar about their voices, however, and now their offensive atmosphere aroused him and caused his blood to stir warmly in his body.
"Although there are two of you," he said, "I would advise you some not to try any ruffling business with me. It might work unpleasantly for you."
This angered them, and suddenly they both attacked Frank.
Instantly there was a stir within the pavilion, for men uttered exclamations, and women gave cries of alarm.
Hodge had remained with Inza and Elsie, but at the first alarm, thinking Frank might be in trouble, he left the girls and dashed across the floor. Elsie called to him, starting to follow. Suddenly she stopped, turning back to Inza, whom she had left by the open window.
Inza was gone.
"Where is she?" gasped Elsie, looking around. "I am sure----"
She paused in bewilderment, a sudden feeling of terror seizing her.
From somewhere in the grove outside the pavilion came a smothered cry of distress.
Elsie Bellwood had left Inza standing close to the huge, open window. Barely was Elsie's back turned when the heavy folds of a blanket were thrown over Inza's head and she felt herself lifted bodily and snatched through the window.
Remarkable though it was, no one within the pavilion saw this happen. The attention