Scenes were quite as offensive to Merry as they could be to her, and so he remained seated, though on the alert and ready to defend her instantly if necessary.
Jones, dressed from head to heels in black, came up to the table and stopped, never taking his eyes off the girl.
“So I have found you at last, have I, Miss Dugan?” he said in a low tone, as he coolly sat down at the table. “A nice trick you played me, but it was foolish of you to think you could lose me so easily.”
“Pardon me, sir,” said Frank, “I will not permit you to address a lady in my company in such an insulting manner. If you do not retire at once and cease to annoy her, I’ll call an officer, and have you arrested.”
Jones actually smiled.
“I hardly think you will,” he said sneeringly.
Frank longed to knock him down.
“I swear I will!” he said, ready to keep his word.
“If you do,” said Jones easily, “she will spend to-night in a cell.”
The girl shuddered, and shrank away. Merry was startled and set back, all at once struck by the fear that this girl had done something criminal, else how dared the man speak in such a manner.