“It’s not much of a story. When I landed at the Grand Central, I saw Inza there. She did not see me. She was there to meet some one. The one she met was a handsome young man about your age, Merriwell. She ran to him with outstretched hands, and he caught her in his arms. I stood transfixed, and I heard her call him ‘dear Walter!’ Oh, I heard it, Merriwell! He kissed her, and she kissed him again and again! It was love she showed in her face and eyes and in her voice. It was love in her kisses! I was turned to stone when I saw it. I watched them leave the station, enter a cab, and depart. Then I awoke. But I was half-mad, and a little while after that you found me at the bar of this hotel.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XV HAPPY JACK. Frank’s face was very pale, but in his eyes still burned the strange fire that had startled and quelled Starbright. He straightened up and stood looking down steadily at Dick, for some moments remaining silent. At last he said: “Are you sure you have not been drinking?” “Dead sure of it,” asserted the freshman quickly. “I known what I saw and heard, Merriwell. Now, what do you think?” He seemed to fancy Merry must cave in, but Frank quietly said: “Just what I thought before.” “Why, she——” “She is perfectly square and upright. She has deceived nobody. She never deceived me in all her life, and I refuse to believe any wrong of her. I have perfect and absolute confidence in Inza Burrage.” Again Starbright inwardly exclaimed: “You love her—you love her! If you did not, you would not have such perfect confidence in her. Perfect love gives perfect confidence. You cannot fool me, Merriwell.” Frank turned and paced the floor slowly, seemingly buried in deep thought. “Walter?” he muttered, as if asking himself a question. And then over and over he repeated, “Walter, Walter?” “That was the name,” said Dick. “And he was a tall, handsome fellow, with dark hair and eyes. He looked as if he had been much exposed to the weather, for his face was brown. Who is he, Merriwell? Who does she know by the name of Walter?” Frank shook his head. “I can’t say,” he confessed. “Then it is somebody of whom she has never told you,” said Dick, as if this aided in proving her deceit. “Why didn’t she tell you about him if you were such firm friends?” “I don’t know.” The freshman half-fancied Merriwell was weakening. “What if you had seen what I saw?” he cried. “Would you not have doubted?” “No!” said Frank instantly. “Nothing could make me doubt Inza!” Starbright fell back, breathing heavily. “She has fooled him completely!” he whispered. “It is my duty to open his eyes, for he loves her. And I—she can never be the same to me again!” “Why didn’t you speak to them?” asked Frank, having paused to face Dick. “Why didn’t you make yourself known?” “I couldn’t.” “Couldn’t?” “No.” “Why not?”