“It is possible,” admitted Harry; “but even your influence might fail.”
“In that case,” declared Frank, “I should try to resort to more desperate means.”
“It is dangerous, Merry—very dangerous. Since reaching California we have escaped from one danger by the tin of our skeeth—I mean by the skin of our teeth. Even now there is a possibility that Hodge may be arrested.”
Frank scowled a little, but nodded slowly.
“I know it,” he acknowledged, “but in two days Hodge will be on the sea bound for Honolulu. He is to take passage on a steamer that leaves day after to-morrow. It is this girl I am thinking about, now, Rattle.”
“Girls have caused you any amount of trouble, Merry.”
“I know that, and I am willing that this girl should cause me any amount more.”
“Then it must be that you are still in love with her. This is the girl you care about more than any other.”
“I don’t know,” said Frank, slowly. “It may be. I have not seen her in a long time, and I have seen many other girls, for some of whom I have had more than a passing fancy.”
“It is certain that some of them have had more than a passing fancy for you, Frank,” laughed Harry.
“Harry,” he said, gravely, “my thoughts are now of Inza alone. All other girls are forgotten. She always had the utmost confidence in me. She trusted me, and she believed I could do anything. If she knew I were in San Francisco she would find a way to appeal to me for aid. I can fancy her alone with her invalid father, whose one ambition is to make a good match for his child before he dies. I can fancy her appealing to him, begging him not to force her into this odious marriage. She is not the girl to cringe or cry. She is impulsive, hot-blooded, passionate, and, as a last resort, to escape this English lord, she might do something desperate. Nay, she might commit suicide.”
Harry was inclined to laugh at this, but he saw that Merriwell was very grave and earnest, and he refrained. He shook his head, however, saying:
“You cannot be in earnest, old fellow. Girls do not commit suicide nowadays.”
“I assure you there is no telling what a girl like Inza Burrage might do. That is what worries me. I feel that it is my duty to aid her, but how—how can I reach her?”
