Bart Hodge strolled past the bank of flowers, and started on seeing her.
“You here,” he stammered, impulsively. “I thought you were dancing with Frank?”
Effie greeted him so cordially that the youth flushed with pleasure. He gladly stepped to her side in obedience to her invitation.
“Yes, I was dancing with Mr. Merriwell,” she replied, “but he had a pressing engagement and was compelled to leave. Where is Inza?”
“She returned inside,” said Bart, indifferently.
“And you permitted her to go alone?”
“Yes. I wanted to look for you,” was the blunt reply, given with a glance of admiration.
“A weapon ready for use,” murmured Effie, softly. “I will strike Frank Merriwell through him.”
In the meantime Frank had eagerly searched for Inza. To his extreme disappointment, he found that she had left for home. Five minutes later he, too, was missed.