Again Inza looked toward the man in the background, and again Merry saw the stranger shake his head a trifle. “We’re going to leave the city very soon,” Inza hurried on, as if anxious to say something, but finding herself quite at a loss for words. “I’m truly glad to see you both. Oh, Dick! what a horrid scowl you have on your face!” “Have I?” murmured Starbright, bowing. “Why, you big boy! don’t you see it does not disturb Frank at all? I’m sorry I—I can’t invite you to call; but you—you are go—going away so soon—you know—of course——” Usually Inza was quite self-possessed, but now she floundered badly. “We might be able to stay longer, Miss Burrage, if——” “Miss Burrage, indeed!” cried Inza resentfully. “Why do you call me that, Dick? Why are you so formal? You’re not a bit like yourself.” “And I fancy you are not just like your usual self,” Dick returned. “Why, of course—of course, I—I was flustered by that horrid affair. A street-fight! But it could not be helped, and the men had insulted me.” “The scoundrels!” exclaimed Frank, rousing again at the thought of it. “They got off altogether too easily!” The stranger had turned and walked away a short distance. Seeing this, Inza, who appeared more perplexed and distressed than ever, said: “I must go! I’ll see you both at New Haven during the Easter holidays, for I expect to be there then.” Starbright was glaring after the stranger, and did not seem to hear her words. Merry, however, was giving her the closest attention, and he quickly said: “That’s right, Inza—do come. Everybody will be delighted to see ‘the Mascot of the Crew.’” She held out her gloved hand. “And you?” “You know how pleased I’ll be,” he said, taking her hand. She gave his fingers a little pressure, while she tried to smile into his eyes. “I know,” she murmured; “but—there was a time——” What did she mean? She stopped short, forced a laugh, said “good-by,” and turned to Dick. “Good-by, Dick,” she said, offering her hand. “I hope you make the ball-team this spring.” He actually seemed to hesitate about accepting her hand, but it was only for a fraction of a second. Then he bent low over her fingers, his hat lifted, murmuring something polite—but frigid. Inza hastened to the stranger, took his arm, and accompanied him westward along Twenty-third Street. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XVIII THE MYSTERIOUS LITTLE STICK. “Well,” said Starbright grimly, “what do you think about it now?” “Just what I thought before,” answered Frank calmly. Dick seemed astonished. “Impossible!” he exclaimed. “Why, Merriwell, didn’t you see how confused she was? And she did not introduce him! She was all broken up about it.” “For which I was very sorry.” “Well, hanged if I can understand you, Merriwell! It must be plain to you now that she has fooled us both.”