"Not at all," she said, in a low voice, that was not unpleasant nor unmusical. "You were hurrying, and I stopped directly in your way. I am the one who should beg to be excused."
"Not at all," he hastened to say. "I a.s.sure you that it was entirely on account of my awkwardness."
He was about to pa.s.s on, but her gloved hand fell on his arm, and she said:
"I wish to speak with you, Mr. Merriwell."
"You know me?" exclaimed Frank, surprised.
"Indeed, I do. Why should I not? All Denver knows you to-day."
"Am I so famous as that?" smiled Merry. "I fear you flatter, madam."
"It is not flattery. You must not doubt my sincerity."
"Very well, I will not; but you must speak hastily, for I have a train to catch in an hour and thirty minutes, and I haven"t too much time to attend to all I have to do."
"But you must give me a little of your time--you really must," she said, persuasively, putting her hand on his arm again. "If you will come with me--please do!"
"Where?"
"Oh, I know a nice, quiet place, where we can talk."
Somehow Frank did not like her words or manner. A feeling that there was something wrong about her came over him.
"Really, you must excuse me," he said. "I have not the time to go anywhere to talk. If you have anything to say to me, you can say it here."
"Now, don"t be obstinate. You"ll not regret it if you come."
"But I do not even know who you are. That veil----"
"If you come, I may remove the veil," she murmured.
Frank drew back, so that her hand fell from his arm.
"Madam," he said, "you have placed me in a very awkward position. I do not like to appear rude to a lady, but----"
"Of course you do not, and so you will grant my request. It is a small matter."
"But not to me, for my time is valuable just now. I am ready to hear anything you have to say, but you must say it here."
"Would you keep a lady standing on the street?" she exclaimed, with a slight show of resentment. "I cannot say all I have to tell you in a minute."
"And I have explained that I cannot spare time to talk over anything for more than a few moments. I think you will have to excuse me. Good-day."
He lifted his hat and started to pa.s.s on, but again she placed herself squarely in front of him, to his great annoyance.
"Mr. Merriwell," she said, "I have seen you on the stage, and I admire you greatly. You will not be rude to one of your admirers, I know. You are far too gallant for that."
It was plain she sought to cajole him by flattery, and that was the surest way to repulse him.
"Is it possible she is one of those foolish women who fall in love with actors?" Frank asked himself.
Somehow she did not seem like that. There was nothing of the giddy, gushing girl about her. He could not see her face, but her figure was that of a matured woman, and he judged that she must be twenty-five years old, at least. It seemed, too, that there was a purpose in her words and movements.
But Frank resolved on action, for he had found that it was useless to waste words talking to her. He made a quick move to one side and pa.s.sed her, intending to hasten away.
Barely had he done so when she flung her arms about his neck and screamed loudly!
Frank was astounded by this unexpected move of the veiled woman.
"She"s crazy!"
That was the thought that flashed through Merry"s mind.
He realized that he was in an awkward predicament, and he attempted to whirl about.
The woman was very strong, and, having taken him by surprise, she nearly threw him down. To save himself, he caught hold of her.
"Help!" she cried.
Some men came running up.
"Madam," said Frank, hurriedly, "are you demented? What is the meaning of this?"
"You wretch!" she blazed. "Oh, you cowardly scoundrel, to a.s.sault a lady on the public street in broad daylight!"
"Surely you are----"
"I saw him do it!" declared a little man, with red whiskers. "I saw him a.s.sault you, madam."
"Call an officer!" palpitated the woman. "Quick, before he gets away!"
"He shall not get away," declared a big man with a crooked eye, glowering at Frank. "If he tries it, I"ll attend to him!"
"Looks like a would-be masher," piped a slim man, with a very long neck, ducking and nodding his head in an odd manner. "He should be taught a lesson."
One or two others expressed themselves in a similar manner.
Frank had thought of making a break and hastening away, but now he saw it would not do, for he would have a howling mob at his heels the instant he attempted such a move. He realized it would seem cowardly to run away in such a manner, and would look like a confession of guilt, which caused him to decide to stay and face it out, even though the predicament was most embarra.s.sing.
"Gentlemen," he said, looking squarely at them, and seeming to pay very little attention to the mysterious woman, even though he was perfectly on his guard, not knowing what move she might make next, "I trust you will give me a chance to explain what has happened."
"Explain it in the police court," growled the big man with a crooked eye. "That"s the proper place for you to make your explanations."
"The judge will listen to you," cried the slim man, his head bobbing on his long neck, like the head of a crane that is walking along the edge of a marsh.
"Don"t attempt to escape by means of falsehoods, you rascal!" almost shouted the little man with the red whiskers, bristling up in a savage manner, but dodging back the moment Frank turned on him.