“You are very kind, but I fear——”
“Do not fear anything. I live here, and this outrage upon strangers has awakened my indignation. If you will enter my carriage and ask your friends to follow us I’ll see that you are taken care of.”
“I hope you will not be putting yourself to any inconvenience in this——”
“Not at all; it gives me pleasure and satisfaction. Do not hesitate. Speak to your friends at once.”
Thus urged, Merry called his followers from the store and made known the offer he had received from the unknown woman. Hodge surveyed her suspiciously and then found an opportunity to whisper in Frank’s ear without being observed:
“Look out for some kind of a trick, Merry.”
“Nonsense!” laughed Frank. “Come on.”
He entered the carriage and took a seat beside the lady, who made room for him. Thus they were driven away along the street, the others following on the sidewalk.
“You appeared just in time to save us, miss,” said Merry. “We were beginning to get desperate.”
She urged him to tell her just what had happened, which he did, passing over the attack upon him by the ruffian Madison.