“The desire of an insane person!” she declared.
To Jack Diamond it seemed that she was right, but something told Frank Merriwell that Mr. Noname knew very well what he was about.
The Man of Mystery said:
“I presume you have heard that it is best to humor the insane in any little whims they may have. That being the case, why not humor me now. It is a simple thing I ask, and entirely harmless, of course. Why not permit me to tap you on the wrist with this fan, Mademoiselle Nameless, as you call yourself?”
“Because I do not choose to do so.”
“Because you know such a blow would be followed by death, swift, sure, and certain!” declared the Mystery fiercely. “Because you know the end of your life would come as came the end of the miserable wretches condemned by the Anti-Dreyfus League. Because you know the poison would be injected into your veins, and in a few hours it would reach a vital spot!”
“Look out for him!” cried the woman. “He is about to become violent!”
“This fan is a deadly instrument!” continued the strange old man. “Had you tapped Frank Merriwell with it, no power on earth could have saved him from death!”
She sprang up with a scream that attracted attention.
“He is mad!” she cried, pointing at Mr. Noname. “You can see it in his eyes! He is about to attack me! Help! help!”