"Wait until I lock up my motor cycle and I'll go along," called David. "We'll all protect Miss Anne." "Tell him," said Anne to the boy, putting the note back in the envelope and giving it to him, "that what he asks is impossible." "Couldn't you squeeze us into the carriage, mother?" asked David, returning presently with his hat. "I have invited Miss Leece to drive home with us, mother," interrupted Miriam, giving her brother a blighting glance. "There is room for only one more person. Perhaps Jessica will take it." "You are very kind," said Jessica coldly, "but I prefer to walk with the girls." "_You'd_ better walk, too, cross-patch, and learn a few manners from your friends," was David's parting advice to his sister. "Children, children!" exclaimed Mrs. Nesbit, "don't, I beg of you, quarrel in public." Presently the five young people had slipped out of a side door of the gymnasium and started down a back street in the direction of Anne's house. They had not gone far, however, before they became aware that they were being followed. Grace was the first to call the attention of Nora and Jessica to a long, slim figure stealing after them in the shadows. "Here he comes," whispered Jessica. "What in the world do you suppose he wants with our poor little Anne?" "I believe he's going to stop us," returned Grace. "He is coming nearer and nearer." "Anne, I command you to wait!" called a voice from behind them. They all stopped suddenly and Anne jumped as though she had received a shock. A tall, theatrical-looking individual had come up to them. He wore a shabby frock coat and a black slouch hat, which he raised with an elaborate flourish when he saw the young girls. "Pardon me, ladies," he said, "but I wish to speak with my daughter." Anne controlled herself with an effort. "I cannot see you now, father," she said. "It is quite late and I must get back." "You shall not only speak to me but you shall come with me," exclaimed the man, with a sudden flare of anger. "I will not submit to disobedience again. Come at once!" "Father, I cannot go with you," cried Anne, clinging to her friends. "I would rather be with mother and Mary. They need me more than you do and I want to go to school and study to be a teacher." The man was now beside himself with theatrical rage. "Miserable child!" he cried, waving his arms wildly. "I shall take you if I must by force." Breaking through the group, he seized the hand of his daughter and dragged her after him. "Oh, save me!" cried the poor girl, struggling to release herself. "I can't stand this! If she doesn't want to go with him, she shan't, father or no father," growled David, dashing after the pair. "Stop, sir!" he cried, seizing Anne's other hand. "I must ask you to release this young lady at once."