Frank Merriwells Pursuit | Page 9

of the building.
Frank laughed.
"You gave him a start, Inza. The phosphorus skeleton shows plainly
here, you know."
"Somehow I didn't fancy that was why he fled so quickly," she said.
"What other reason could there have been?"
"I don't know, but there seemed something familiar in his movements.
It was fancy, I suppose."
"It must have been. We know no one here, save Hodge and Elsie."
"Let's go in. Somehow a feeling of apprehension is on me. I'm not often
nervous, you know; but something is the matter with my nerves now."
He laughed at her, but they returned to the floor and danced out the
latter part of the two-step.
When this dance was over Merry left Inza, departing to find and bring
her a glass of water.
Barely was he gone when she was surprised to hear a harsh voice at her
elbow saying:
"I'll not believe your ghostly garments hide nothing save the hideous
skeleton I saw a few moments ago. I must confess you gave me a
shock."
One of the wolves had paused close at hand.
Knowing the dance was informal, as masquerade affairs must be, she
was not surprised to be addressed in this manner.
"Then it was you who fled before me?" she laughed. "It seems that

even a wolf may be frightened by a ghost."
"Quite true, fair wraith; but you are not the only ghost at this dance
to-night."
"I have a sister ghost with me."
"It was not your sister I spoke of," growled the wolf. "There is still a
third ghost present."
"Indeed? I have not seen----"
"I think you will later. For all of your awesome aspect I would entreat
you to favor me with one dance were it not that something I cannot
explain denies me the pleasure of dancing to-night."
"Why do you 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