“Of course you’ll be glad to hide behind petticoats!” panted Fillmore. “But petticoats cannot protect you. You are my enemy, and I hate you! When a Fillmore hates he’s never satisfied until he crushes!” “Don’t bring disaster on yourself through your unreasonable and unwarranted hatred.” “Don’t give me advice, but look out for yourself!” “I think I can look out for myself.” “You’re very self-confident, but you’re not the smartest chap in the world, and you’ll find it out.” “I’m afraid you have been annoying these girls.” “No!” declared Inza quickly. “Anything he might do could not annoy us.” This seemed to enrage Fillmore. He ground his white teeth together and attempted to break from Frank with a jerk. A slight pressure on his arm caused him to desist. “Go ahead!” he groaned; “go ahead and break my arm!” He had been caught with a jujutsu hold. “You think you’re smart, I suppose!” he went on pantingly. “Just because you happened to get this hold on me I presume you fancy you are a great master of the art of jujutsu. Bah! You’d be a baby in the hands of one who actually knew something about it.” “We’re not discussing that,” said Frank. “I was forced to this to defend myself without getting into a disgraceful fight with you here in the presence of the girls.” “You may have a chance to defend yourself before you leave Baltimore,” declared Fillmore significantly. “I presume you mean that you are going to force me into a fight. Well, forewarned is forearmed. I’ll try to be ready for you.” “See that you are!” In vain Inza tried to interpose and pacify Fillmore. “You can’t blame me,” he said. “You know why I hate him. I have a right to hate him!” “You are not gaining favor in my eyes by such disgraceful behavior.” These words from Inza’s lips were enough to open Merry’s eyes to the true situation. His faith in Inza was absolute, but he knew Fillmore had been trying to pay her attentions. This and the fact that Mrs. Loder was Fillmore’s sister made the matter most embarrassing. Merry saw at once that it would be necessary to take Inza from that house as soon as possible. “Please, Fred,” entreated Elsie; “please, for my sake, don’t make any more trouble here!” “All right,” he said. “Let Merriwell release me. I’ll make no more trouble—here.” Instantly Frank set him free. “Take my advice,” he said, “and make no more trouble anywhere. It can do you no good.” “I want no advice from you!” snarled the infuriated fellow, moving his wrenched arm to make sure it was not seriously hurt. “All I have to say to you is: Look out for yourself!” With which he turned and hurried away. CHAPTER XXXI. THE UNSEEN LOVER. Shortly after Frank and Inza departed Fred Fillmore left the house. Elsie watched him run down the white steps and hurry away along the street. “He means to make trouble for Frank, Bart,” she said, turning to Hodge. “He’s a desperate fellow.”