"Indeed, you are forgetful, Gage. But it is rather dark, and I don't suppose you expected to see me here. We last met at Fardale."
"Fardale?"
"Yes."
"And you are—Frank Merriwell!"
Gage would have shouted the name in his amazement, but Frank's fingers suddenly closed on the fellow's throat and held back the sound in a great measure.
"Now you have guessed it," chuckled Frank. "Oh, Gage! I can forgive you for the past since you have provided me with so much amusement to-night. How you urged me to learn to love you! But that's too much, Gage; I can never learn to do that."
Leslie ground his teeth, but he was still overcome with unutterable amazement and wonder. That Frank Merriwell, whom he hated, should appear there at night in the wilds of the Florida Everglades was like a miracle.
What had become of Elsie Bellwood? Had some magic of that wild and dreary region changed her into Frank Merriwell?
Little wonder that Gage was dazed and helpless.
"How in the name of the Evil One did you come here?" he finally asked, recovering slightly from his stupor.