Frank was astounded and confused. For once in his life he did not know what to say. He wondered how these girls had learned what Jack said. “Hattie, be still!” cried Mabel. “Mr. Diamond was kind enough to say he thought us bold,” said Hattie. “And Mabel is crying over it.” “I am so sorry,” said Frank, as he sat down on a stone at the foot of the steps. “Mr. Diamond would not have hurt Miss Mitshef’s feelings for the world. I assure you, he is a perfect gentleman, and——” “He should not form opinions on such short acquaintance!” cried Hattie, still very angry. “He has no right to judge us!” “I am afraid he has,” said Mabel, much to the surprise of all. “What do you mean?” gasped the dark-haired girl. “It can’t be that you——” “That’s what I cried over,” said Mabel, with a hysterical little laugh. “I knew Mr. Diamond spoke the truth!” Bart Hodge staggered, and Frank caught his breath, while Hattie Hazle was speechless with astonishment. “He had a reason to think me bold,” Mabel went on, swiftly. “I gave him that reason, for didn’t I do my best to flirt with him? A girl who does anything of the sort must expect the fellows to say she is bold. I don’t blame Mr. Diamond, for I know he did not say it to harm me, and he did not dream it would reach my ears. He was right! And he taught me a lesson. Folks have called me Mabel Mischief, and I have fancied I could do just as I pleased. Now I know I must be careful, for I am no longer a little girl. I owe Mr. Diamond a debt of gratitude.” Hattie Hazle was quite overcome. “Why, Mabel!” she said, “do you really mean it?” “Of course, I mean it, Hattie. For the first time in my life I understand how my carelessness may be regarded by a stranger. In the future I shall be careful.” “And you do not hate Jack Diamond?” “No, for he spoke the truth.” “Well, I declare!” That was all Hattie could say. She had been very angry a short time before, but now she was bewildered. It was some time before she could see the matter in the same light as Mabel did, but, after a while, the light-haired girl convinced her that they had really given the Virginian every reason to say what he did. Then Hattie became very sober, and it was plain that she was meditating. She realized at last that her thoughtless conduct had given people opportunities to talk about her. And then, all at once, realizing her position, she jumped up, saying: “Come, Mabel, let’s go to the cottage.” As she turned around, she saw three persons who were looking down at them from the bank above. “Oh, there they are!” exclaimed the voice of Walter Wallace. “You are right, Mr. Flynn, in what you said about Merriwell and his friends. They are up to their tricks. But we are three to their two, and now is our chance.” “Come on, then!” urged the hoarse voice of Parker Flynn, and the trio came charging down the bank, the third one being Mart Woodock. “Look out, Merriwell!” shouted Hodge.