The ghostly figure
was but a few yards away. Before it could turn in the direction of the
sound they were half-way across the intervening space.
"Barney! Mulloy!" Frank called.
The figure uttered a cry, and started to run. But Frank's pace was too
swift. Almost in the next instant his hand fell on the shoulder of the
specter.
"Don't you know me, Barney? I'm Merriwell!"
The figure ceased its struggles.
"Hurroo! Is it yez for thrue, Merriwell? I t'ought it wor an officer
thryin' to arrist me."
"Break loose and run, ye fool!" was squealed in a high, feminine voice.
"Run, Barney, dear--run!"
"Niver!" Barney declared. "Niver will I run from a fri'nd loike
Merriwell!"
"But you'll be put in jail! You'll be hung!" the woman shrieked, in a
vain effort to stampede the Irish lad. "Them fellers is officers."
Bart had pushed up, so that Mulloy could recognize him.
"Save me frum her, Frankie!" Barney pleaded. "Woo-oo! Begorra! She's
crazier than wildcats!"
Then he whispered:
"The ould sinner wants to marry me. Think av thot! She's been hoidin' me
frum the officers fer matrimoonial poorpuses. Take me away from her,
Frankie, darlint! Oi've kilt a thramp, and I'm in peril av bein' hoong
for it; but I'd rather be hoong than to marry such a cat as thot! Bad
cess to her!"
"Gentlemen, the poor fellow is out of his head!" the woman purred,
modulating that shrieking voice.
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