“Thot’s phwat, an’ they nearly took charge av me whin they found me wid her. An officer wur called to arrist me, but it’s a roight loively pair av legs Oi have, an’ th’ polaceman nivver got his fingers on me collar, though it wur some high dodgin’ Oi did.”
“What became of Inza?”
“Thot is phwat Oi’d loike ter foind out, Frankie, an’ it’s two days Oi’ve been thryin’ to do so.”
CHAPTER III—IN A QUANDARY
Frank took a turn twice the length of the room, and then stopped before Barney and the others, who were watching him in silence.
“Fellows,” he said, his voice firm and steady, “Inza Burrage is a girl whom I admire very much. When I attended school at Fardale we were sweethearts. I fancy the most of you know what it is to have a sweetheart at school. Circumstances may separate such sweethearts in after years, but nothing ever makes them forget each other. They are sure to think of each other with tenderness and respect. A thousand times have I thought and dreamed of Inza. I have felt that I was ready to make any sacrifice for her—ready to do anything in my power for her. I have said that, if the time ever came when she needed a true friend, she could depend on me. That time has come. She is in need of a friend, and I must find her and aid her. It may be possible that I shall need the assistance of my friends. Who may I count on?”
In a moment every boy in that room was on his feet and declaring his eagerness to stand by Frank through anything and everything.
Frank did not smile; he was very grave and stern, although something like a look of satisfaction passed across his face.
“I thought so,” he nodded. “In fact, I knew it. The first thing is to find out where Miss Burrage is.”
“She may not be in San Francisco at all now,” said Browning, who showed unusual interest for him.