Young Knight showed some nervousness and apprehension—emotions which his companions, judging by their alert watchfulness, fully shared. Jim seized his sister by the arm and led her aside.
"How the deuce did YOU get here—and who is this guy?" He jerked his head toward Merkle.
Lorelei introduced her companion and made known the cause of their present plight.
"Humph!" grunted Jim. "What d'you suppose ma'll say to this—you out all night with a man?"
"What are YOU doing? Who are those people?" she retorted.
"Never mind. But say—I don't like the looks of this affair."
For a second time Merkle appealed to Jim. "If you can't take your sister home I'll have to telephone for another car."
Jim's tone was disagreeable as he replied: "You two don't look as if you'd been wrecked. Where's your driver?" Merkle's fist clenched; he muttered something, at which Jim laughed harshly.
"Now don't get sore," said the latter; "I'm not going to make trouble, only I want to know where you've been."
A bare-headed man came running across the lawn and flung himself into the waiting automobile. One of Jim's companions called his name sharply.