Frank Merriwell's Athletes Part 5

"Oi think she is," said Barney.

"What makes you think so?"

"Lord Stanford had a haythen Chinee for a servant."

"What of that?"

"It wur thot same haythen me an Hans folleyed to th' thayater in Chinatown this avenin'. Thot is how we happened to be there."

"Yah," nodded the Dutch boy; "dot vos der trute."

"That is interesting," admitted Frank. "I hope it may prove that you are right. Were you watching the Chinaman when you were attacked?"

"Hans was. Oi had sane th' rat-'ater spake to another wan, an' Oi felt sure he said somethin' about us. Oi watched the other, an' it wur a good thing fer me that Oi did."

"The other was the one who tried to get a knife into your back?"

"Yis. Th' dirruty rascal didn't know Oi had me oie on him all th'

toime."

"In the excitement that followed, you lost sight of the one you followed there."

"Vale," said Hans, "I don'd peen aple to keep vatch uf him afder efrypody shumps ub all aroundt."

"That was most unfortunate. If you could have followed him without his knowing it, he might have led you straight to his master."

"Thot's phwat Oi thought, me b'y."

Frank thought the matter over for a few moments, and then said:

"It seems to me that there is a probability of this Lord Stanford being in San Francisco, although Inza's father may have taken her away. If his servant had left him, it is not likely an attempt would have been made on Barney's life. The Chinaman's master must have told him to look out that he was not followed by Barney, and the heathen was going to stop it somehow."

"It seems rather remarkable to me," said Jack, "that they should care whether Barney followed them or not, for it is likely they now have the girl under such close watch that there is absolutely no chance for her to run away again."

"She may have been forced into a marriage already," Browning said.

"You do not know her," declared Frank. "She is a girl of such spirit that her father will find it extremely difficult to compel her to marry against her will."

"Yah," nodded the Dutch boy, "you pet me my poots on dot!"

"Begorra! she has th' clane grit in her," agreed Barney.

"That is certain," admitted Bruce, "else she would not have dared run away as she did. Not one girl in a thousand would have the nerve to do a thing like that."

"I am greatly interested to see this remarkable young lady," said Diamond. "I like girls of spirit."

Frank paid no heed to what the others were saying. He was walking the floor, the expression of his face showing that he was in a brown study.

"Shust look ad him," whispered Hans. "Uf he geds dot Lort Sdanfort holdt uf-vale, dot feller don't know vere he vas at purty queek alretty."

After a time, Frank paused to say:

"This is a case on which no time is to be lost, as Inza may be forced into a marriage if she is not soon given aid in some manner.

Unfortunately, it seems to me that there is no clew to begin work on immediately. We are at sea."

"Av you don't foind a way out av it roight off it will be th' firrust toime ye ivver wur balked," said Barney, admiringly.

"There is always a first time, but we will hope this is not one. I am going to give the matter some thought. Talk it over, fellows, and see if you can't devise some plan."

As Frank was pa.s.sing into an adjoining room, Hodge approached him, saying in a low tone:

"You must not forget that I am in constant danger every day I remain in California, Merriwell. I must get out as soon as possible."

At first a shadow of annoyance seemed to rest on Frank's face, but it quickly pa.s.sed, and he said:

"You are right, Bart. A steamer leaves for Honolulu day after to-morrow.

To-morrow I will secure pa.s.sage on her for you."

Then he pa.s.sed on into the room.

Two hours later Rattleton found Frank alone.

"Well, Merry," said Harry, "what is to be done? Have you decided yet?"

Frank shook his head.

"It is a most perplexing and puzzling situation," he confessed. "If I knew where to find Inza it would not be long before I would have a plan.

But to find her-that's the rub."

"What would you do then?" asked Harry. "You could not take her away from her father."

"That is true. But her father is an invalid, and I believe this Lord Stanford has used undue influence in persuading him to force Inza into this marriage. In London I was able to save Mr. Burrage and Inza from being blown to pieces by an anarchist's bomb. It is not likely that he has forgotten this. It may be that I would have some influence with him myself."

"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 pa.s.sage 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."