"Yes, I will go out with you," he said.
"Miss Darling" seemed to be overcome with fear.
"Don't kill him, Jack!" she whispered.
So she addressed Diamond as "Jack." That fired Thornton till he longed to strangle the Virginian.
"Lead on!" he exclaimed. "I will follow."
They left the room, Thornton calling to Willis, who followed them, wonderingly.
Diamond had made a signal to Merriwell, and Frank was not far behind.
Diamond led the way to the garden.
It was a moonlight night, and seemed almost as light as day.
"Mr. Thornton," said Diamond, sternly, "you have grossly insulted a young lady friend of mine. It is my duty to protect her. I challenge you to fight me, the weapons to be pistols, the place here, and the time now. Your answer, sir—your answer!"