"I have invited Miss Leece to drive home with us, mother," interrupted Miriam, giving her brother a blighting glance. "There is room for only one more person. Perhaps Jessica will take it."
"You are very kind," said Jessica coldly, "but I prefer to walk with the girls."
"You'd better walk, too, cross-patch, and learn a few manners from your friends," was David's parting advice to his sister.
"Children, children!" exclaimed Mrs. Nesbit, "don't, I beg of you, quarrel in public."
Presently the five young people had slipped out of a side door of the gymnasium and started down a back street in the direction of Anne's house. They had not gone far, however, before they became aware that they were being followed. Grace was the first to call the attention of Nora and Jessica to a long, slim figure stealing after them in the shadows.
"Here he comes," whispered Jessica. "What in the world do you suppose he wants with our poor little Anne?"
"I believe he's going to stop us," returned Grace. "He is coming nearer and nearer."
"Anne, I command you to wait!" called a voice from behind them.
They all stopped suddenly and Anne jumped as though she had received a shock.
A tall, theatrical-looking individual had come up to them. He wore a shabby frock coat and a black slouch hat, which he raised with an elaborate flourish when he saw the young girls.