“Never mind that now,” said the uninvited guest, as his dark eyes were steadily fixed on Chester. “I want you to give your captain immediate orders to run back to the wharf!” “Hanged if I do!” “But you will!” “I won’t!” Another step Dick took, and this brought him into the cabin, where the light was full and fair upon his face. In his dark eyes there was a strange magnetic power which Arlington felt. Chester experienced a queer thrill and gazed in fascination at those intense eyes. Dick lifted his hand and seemed by some marvelous power to keep Chet’s gaze steady and unmoved. The two girls looked on in awe, feeling that between these lads there was now a mighty battle of minds. Arlington felt that his own determination was weakening and surrendering. He struggled to the last, but was not equal to the conflict. Finally Dick spoke once more, and to Chester it seemed that the words he uttered came from a great distance. “Chester Arlington, a week ago you told Doris Templeton something about me. Did you tell her the truth, or did you lie?” “I lied!” was the whispered reply. “Now,” said Dick, stepping forward and taking Chester’s arm, “we will go and tell the captain to put back to the wharf.” Arlington permitted Merriwell to lead him from the cabin. “Oh, June!” palpitated Doris, “I don’t understand it yet! Can’t you explain?” “Yes, I will,” said June, although it plainly cost her a great effort. “Chester made me promise to bring you on board. He threatened to do something reckless if I didn’t. He said he would simply back off into the harbor as a joke. But I feared he might not be telling the truth. I was afraid I couldn’t trust him, and I sent a note to Dick Merriwell, asking him to come on board. I also arranged with the captain that he should be permitted to do so. That’s how he happened to be here.” “June,” said Doris, “do you think Dick will make the captain turn back?” “I think my brother will give that order, as Dick requested. Let’s go on deck.” When they reached the deck they discovered that the yacht was already slackening headway. It came to a full stop, backed up a short distance, and then swung slowly around. The girls stood, each with an arm about the other, as the dark buildings on shore drew nearer and nearer. At length, with the sound of signal bells in the engine room, the yacht came softly to the wharf, and two sailors threw out a plank after the hawsers were made fast. Dick appeared before June and Doris, while in the background was seen the form of another boy, who stood there without approaching or interfering. “Come, Doris,” said Merriwell, “I will take you to the academy. June, you did well to write me that note and arrange it for me to come aboard. Good night, June!” “Good night, Dick!” she murmured. “Good night, Doris!” They passed over the plank, and the gloom on shore soon hid them from June’s eyes. CHAPTER X. PERSISTENT CHESTER.