“Yes, I met him in Danforth. He fell in love with me. I never gave him encouragement, Mr. Merriwell. That is, I never encouraged him after I found how crazy he was about me. I am afraid I smiled on him a little at first, and flirted with him, thinking I was doing no harm. But I soon found out that I had made a mistake, for he began to write to me, and his letters were full of love. I answered one of them, and told him frankly that I did not care for him, but that seemed to make him all the more determined to have me.
“He dared my father’s wrath and came to the island to see me. He tried to plead with me, but I told him plainly I could never be anything to him save a friend. Even then he would not give me up, and he swore to win me. After that he haunted the lake, having given up his school. In the fall some Boston sportsmen came down and camped in the woods on the mainland opposite the island. Father acted as guide for them, and they came to the cabin. I played for them on the piano, and they sang the latest songs. They were afraid of father, and not one of them ventured to be impolite or familiar, but Tom Stevens became insanely jealous, and he actually attacked two of them one day.
“For all that they were two to his one, he gave them a severe beating and vowed he would kill them if they did not go away immediately. They considered him a madman, and they did not stay much longer. I think he always believed I had met them in Boston while taking music-lessons, and invited them to come down and see me. After that Tom was worse than ever, roaming the woods day after day with his gun. I saw him often standing on some point of the mainland and watching the island, and I became afraid of him. Father swore he would shoot the poor fellow, but I made him promise not to do him harm. Now you understand all about Tom Stevens.”
Frank nodded.
“And I think you are right in fancying him daffy, Miss Dugan. He must believe me one of the Boston sportsmen, and he is determined to kill me.”
Then he told her all about his two encounters with Stevens on Brooklyn Bridge.
“He’s surely crazy as a loon!” she exclaimed. “You must be on your guard, Frank—Mr. Merriwell. Don’t let him harm you. Have him locked up.”
“I may do so more for your sake than for my own, as he must annoy you greatly.”
“He has frightened me once or twice. I was frightened to-day when he flew at you on Broadway. When I saw you had struck him down, I hastened away.”
“Yes, you ran away from me. That was strange. I do not think I understand your action even now.”