Chester began to laugh. “So she told you she would never have anything more to do with Merriwell, did she? Ha! ha! She probably thought so then; but you know how he fascinates the girls. They can’t resist him. He is a perfect sneak! He charms them!” “Your sister——” “Now don’t say a word about her!” harshly exclaimed Chester, in a low tone. “I’d give fifty dollars to have her here now so I could show her! I have done everything possible to break her foolish friendship with that fellow.” Darrell felt his blood burning hot in his veins. His admiration for Doris had remained unchanged through everything, but the manner in which he believed she had “turned him down” for Dick had made him bitter and morose. At last her eyes had been opened to the fact that Merriwell admired June Arlington more than any one else, and again she had turned to Darrell. This had filled him with deepest satisfaction, and over and over he vowed Merriwell should never again interfere between them. Now—now, what if they had met by appointment at the bridge! “Go on, Arlington!” he said. “Hustle! Prove it—or you will wish you had!” Once more they stole softly forward, quickly coming to the spot where the bridge could be seen. Chester had feared the trio might have left the bridge during his absence; but his heart gave a leap of triumph as he saw they were still there. Dick was talking to both of the girls now, while Zona was idly tossing pebbles into the pool below the bridge. “There!” panted Chet. “There they are! Now you see! Now you’re satisfied!” Hal stood quite still for a moment, then began to retreat softly, drawing back so that he could not be seen by the three on the bridge. Chester followed, eagerly demanding: “What are you going to do? Aren’t you going down there and pitch into him?” “You poor fool,” retorted Hal, in the greatest disgust. “You miserable, sneaking spy!” “Here! here!” grated Arlington. “What do you mean by talking like that?” “Why, you blithering idiot,” said Darrell, “that’s not Doris down there with them! That’s your own sister, June!” Arlington stood still a moment as if turned to stone. Then he whirled and peered forth along the path toward the bridge. Darrell had spoken the truth. In his eagerness and excitement Chester had not paused to obtain a good view of the girl with Merriwell, being convinced on seeing Zona that her companion must be Doris. “Well, I’ll be blowed!” he growled, backing away. “I swear I thought it was Doris!” Darrell stood looking at him, with an expression of supreme contempt on his face. “Arlington,” he said, “you’re not only an ingrate, but you’re a liar and a sneak! That’s my opinion of you.” “Be careful!” palpitated Chet, quivering with disappointment and rage. “I won’t stand that from any fellow!”