Frank Merriwell's Alarm Part 26

At that moment, happening to glance up, he saw a pale, horrible face peering out from a ma.s.s of shrubbery.

It was the face of Apollo, the dwarf.

"That creature still here!" grated Merriwell, as he sprang up. "If he isn't driven away, he may find a way to injure us further."

Then he ran after Apollo, who quickly disappeared.

Frank pursued the dwarf hotly, hearing the little wretch cras.h.i.+ng along for some distance, but Apollo succeeded in keeping out of sight, and, at last, he could be heard no more.

Merry was disgusted. He spent some time in searching for Apollo, and then returned to the spot where he had left Harry.

CHAPTER XIII.

A RACE ON THE LAKE.

To Frank's amazement, he found Rattleton reclining in a very comfortable position, with the handkerchief bound about his head.

"h.e.l.lo, old boy!" Merriwell cheerfully called. "I reckon you are all right, for you are able to do up your own wound."

"I say, Frank," came eagerly but weakly from Rattleton, "what has become of her?"

"Her? Whom?"

"The fairy, the nymph, the beautiful queen of the woods! She was here a few moments ago--she was with me."

"By Jove! that crack on the head has knocked him daffy!" thought Merriwell. "He's off his trolley sure!"

"Why don't you answer me?" Harry impatiently demanded. "I closed my eyes but a moment, and when I opened them again she was gone."

"I hope you are not referring to the dwarf," laughed Frank, lightly.

"I hope you do not mean him when you talk about a fairy, nymph and beautiful queen of the woods?"

"No, no! Of course I do not mean that horrible creature! I mean the girl--the girl who was here!"

"There has been no girl here."

"What? I know there has! I saw her, although it seemed like a dream. I saw her before I could fully open my eyes. She was kneeling here beside me, and she was so beautiful!"

"My dear fellow," said Merriwell, gently, "that tap on the head has mixed you somewhat--there's no doubt about it."

Harry made a feeble, impatient gesture.

"You think I am off," he said; "but I am not. I tell you I saw a girl--a girl with blue eyes and golden hair. Her cheeks were brown as berries, but the tint of health was in them. And her hands were so soft and tender and warm!"

Frank whistled.

"I'm afraid you are hurt worse than I thought," he said, with no small concern.

"Oh, scrate Gott!" spluttered Harry. "I am not hurt at all! I tell you I saw her--do you hear?"

"Yes, I hear."

"But you don't believe me, and that is what makes me hot."

"Keep cool."

"How can I? Look here, look at my head."

"Yes, you did a very good job. I was about to do it up when I saw that dwarf again, and I chased him."

"I didn't do it up at all."

"No?"

"Not on your retouched negative!"

"Then who----"

"The girl--the girl, I tell you! When I came to my senses, I felt some person at work over me, and through my eyelashes I saw her kneeling here at my side. I tell you, Frank, she was a dream--a vision! I thought I was in heaven, and I scarcely dared breathe for fear she would disappear."

Frank was watching Harry closely.

"Hanged if the fellow doesn't believe it!" muttered Merry.

Rattleton's ears were sharp, and he caught the words.

"Believe it!" he weakly shouted--"I know it! I not only saw her, but I felt her hands as she gently brushed back my wet hair and tied this bandage in place. Look at it, Merry, old fellow; I couldn't have put it on like that--you know I couldn't."

"Well, it would have been quite a trick."

"I think she saw us thrown into the water, for she murmured something about it. She must live near here, Frank."

Harry was fluttering with suppressed eagerness.

"If you saw such a girl, it is likely that she does."

"If I saw such a girl! Oh, smoly hoke! will you never be convinced?"

"Perhaps so," nodded Frank, as he examined the ground.

"What are you looking for?"

"Her trail."