He looked around and saw that a lady directly in front of Jessie had a pair of glasses in her lap. He spoke to Jessie, and the girl asked the lady to lend her the glasses for a minute, and the favor was readily granted, for it was between the acts, and there was nothing on the stage to look at. Dave adjusted the glasses and turned them on the balcony. "It's Merwell, right enough," he announced. "Let me see," said the senator's son, and took the glasses from Dave. As he pointed them at the youth in the balcony, the latter looked down on Roger and those with him. He gave a start and then leaned forward. "It's Merwell, and he sees us!" cried Roger. "What's up?" asked Phil, who was some seats away. "Link Merwell,--up in the balcony," answered Dave, and pointed with his finger. Phil turned in the direction, and as he did so, Link Merwell doubled up his fist and raised it in the air for an instant. "Merwell, sure as you're born," said the shipowner's son. "And full of fight!" "Oh, Dave, you mustn't quarrel here!" whispered Laura, who sat on the other side of Roger. "We'll not quarrel here," answered her brother. "But I am glad I saw him," he added to his chums. "Now we can keep on our guard." The play went on, and, for the time being, the boys and the girls paid no further attention to Link Merwell. Just as the final curtain was being lowered, Dave looked up toward the balcony. "He has gone," he announced. "Perhaps he was afraid we'd come after him," suggested Phil. "Maybe he came downstairs to watch for us," added Roger. "Keep your eyes open when we go out." They did as the senator's son suggested. They saw nothing of Merwell in the foyer, but came face to face with the former student of Oak Hall on the sidewalk. He glared at them, but then seeing Dunston Porter at Dave's side, slunk behind some other people, and disappeared from view. "My, what an ugly look!" said Laura, with a shiver. "He looked as if he wanted to eat somebody up," was Jessie's comment. "Oh, Dave, you must be careful!" "I wish his father's ranch wasn't so close to Mr. Endicott's," continued Dave's sister. "I declare, the more I think of it, the more nervous it makes me!" "Don't you worry, Laura, or you either, Jessie," answered Dave. "We'll take care of Link Merwell. If he tries any of his games, he'll get the worst of it--just as he got the worst of it at Oak Hall." But though Dave spoke thus bravely, he was much disturbed himself. He could read human nature pretty closely, and that look in Merwell's face had showed him that the fellow meant to do harm at the first opportunity that was afforded. CHAPTER IX ONLY A STREET WAIF In the morning Dunston Porter left the hotel early, stating that he would not return until lunch time. The boys and girls took their time over their breakfast, and then started out for a tour of the big stores located on State Street.