Several of the fellows Frank and Bart had met at the club were present, and it was natural that all should drift together after a time, and fall to discussing the affair between Merriwell and Hegner. The boys were almost universal in positively declaring that Hegner was entirely in the wrong, and Frank was glad to know he was not blamed for what he had done. While they were talking Hegner drifted past, but seeing Merriwell in the group did not pause. A little later, however, Frank and his foe came face to face. Hegner turned as if to walk away, but whirled back swiftly, saying: “You have had your turn; mine comes next. I won’t do a thing to you! I’ll make you sorry you ever saw the inside of the Fairmount Athletic Club!” Then without waiting for Frank to speak he hastened away. “That fellow is full of threats,” thought Merry; “and I fancy he means to make them good if he gets a chance. I must keep my eyes open, for he would strike a fellow behind his back.” He found Bart talking to Bessie and Mabel, and they all went over to a distant part of the grounds, where there were to be fireworks on the lawn. There was music, laughter and song. It was a night for youth and happiness. It was a night when a hand touch, the perfume of a breath, a half-understood whisper, the rustle of the leaves caused the blood to flow swift and warm in youthful veins. The fireworks consisted mainly of mines, Roman candles and red fire. There were a few pinwheels, but no rockets. Wallace Hegner and Fanny Darling were together again. With her usual daring, the girl was touching off Roman candles and laughing merrily. She seemed to be enjoying herself thoroughly, but it seemed certain that she had avoided Frank since he had overheard her talking with Hegner the first of the evening. The musicians played a lively air as the candles burned, the mines exploded, the pinwheels buzzed, and the red fire glared. Fanny Darling ran across the lawn swinging a Roman candle and letting the fireballs pop into the air. Hegner was close behind her, with a glowing stick of fire in either hand. Suddenly there was a scream of terror, followed by a chorus of shrieks and hoarse cries. Then it was seen that Fanny’s dress was blazing. The girls scattered and fled from her, while the boys stood still for the moment and stared at her stupidly. Hegner dropped both sticks of red fire, but fell back, calling for water. Through the circle burst a youth who stripped off his coat as he ran. He leaped straight toward the imperiled girl, who was vainly trying to beat out the flames with her hands, a look of terror pitiful to see upon her face. “Steady, Miss Darling!” called the voice of Frank Merriwell. “Don’t resist me and I will save you!” He flung the coat about her, lifted her, dropped her upon the grass, knelt over her, rolled her, smothered the flames and beat them out with his hands.