"What value can it bear?"
"That is the mystery. Still, from my mother's words, I am sure my father prized this ring highly. When it came into his possession he was in Southern California or Mexico, and he sent it home to my mother at the earliest opportunity, writing her to be very choice of it, and not to lose it on her life, as it was very valuable. Now, my father never revealed the secret of this ring to my mother, if the ring has a secret; but I am sure that mother believed there was something mysterious about it, for, when she was dying, she gave it to me, telling me never to part with it. Of course I will not sell it."
"Of course not," nodded Inza; "but the horrid old thing may bring you trouble, instead of good."
"Oh, I don't think there is much danger of that."
"The man in black——"
"Will give over his attempt to obtain it when he really knows I will not part with it on any condition."
"He may; but his words, which you have repeated for me, make me believe he will do something desperate in order to get possession of it. You must look out for him—you must be on your guard constantly."
"Why, Inza!" laughed Frank, in astonishment; "I never heard you speak like this before. You really appear as if you felt a foreboding of some terrible thing."
"Perhaps I do," she said, very gravely, for a light-hearted girl.
Frank looked down at the ring on his hand. Surely it was an ugly trifle to make so much trouble.
"Do you see those fine lines on the surface of the stone?" he asked.
They were faintly visible to the naked eye.
"There is something peculiar about those lines," he said. "This stone is so hard that nothing seems to scratch it, and I am sure those lines were not made by the ring accidentally striking against hard objects. They were there when it came into my possession. I do not think another line or mark has been made upon it since I have owned it."
"That is odd."
"Odd! It is remarkable. It makes it appear that these lines were traced there with some instrument that could mark the stone, and that they have a secret meaning."
"Who knows? Possibly that is true."
"And it may be that the man in black can read their meaning."
The red light was dying out of the western sky, and the dusky shadows of advancing night were gathering in the village street, which was overhung by large dark elm trees. Standing by the gate, the boy and girl minded not the approach of darkness as they talked on.
Suddenly Inza uttered a cry and caught Frank's arm, pointing to the opposite side of the street, and excitedly whispering:
"Look—look there! Who is that man skulking along the walk over there?"
"By Jove! it is the man in black!" declared Frank.
CHAPTER XXVII.
ATTACKED ON THE ROAD.
It was in truth the mysterious man who was lingering on the opposite side of the street under the deeper shadows of the elms. That he was watching Frank quickly became evident, but he slowly walked away when he saw he was observed.
"What a villainous-looking creature he is!" said Inza, in a flutter of alarm.
"How could you tell at that distance when it is so dark?" half laughed Frank.
"Oh, it was his general appearance—his black clothes, and that strange cloak and cape."
To himself Frank confessed that the man had seemed rather more awe-inspiring when seen through the gathering darkness than he had appeared near at hand in the stronger light of sunset.
The stranger had moved along the street till swallowed by the darkness beneath the great trees, but something told the boy he was lingering at a distance—watching and waiting.
Despite his strong nerves, the boy felt a cold chill creep along his back. What desperate deed might not the mysterious man in black be contemplating?
The girl was no less impressed.
"Oh, Frank!" she exclaimed, looking up into his handsome face; "I know you are in danger—I am sure of it! That dreadful creature means to do you some injury!"
Seeing how distressed she was, Frank began to feel sorry that he had told her so much.
"You are nervous," he said. "I shouldn't have told you all this stuff about the ring and that man."
Her hand fell on his, which rested on the top of the iron gate.
"You did right in telling me," came softly from her lips. "Who should you have told if not me? We ought not to have secrets from each other."
"I do not fancy we have many secrets that we keep from each other, Inza," he murmured, leaning toward her over the gate. "You know how I have trusted you."
"And have I not trusted you, Frank? I have told you all my delightful little secrets, and I have not told yours to another soul. They say girls cannot keep secrets, but I think you will find out they can."
"Ah, Inza! you are not like other girls."
"Oh, yes, I am!" she laughed. "You think I am not, but I am. Perhaps I am a trifle too old for my years, as papa often says; but the terrible dangers you have rescued me from have been quite enough to add something to my age."
"In the face of every danger you have been brave as few girls could have been."
"That's flattery."
"It is the sincere, honest truth. Do you think I would attempt to flatter you?"
"Frank!"
Their hands met, and he suddenly leaned over the gate and kissed her, in the dusky twilight. She gave a little cry, as of surprise or dismay, retreating swiftly; but Frank clung to her hands, and she did not make a severe struggle to break away, although for a moment there was a playful mockery of a struggle.
Slowly he drew her back to the gate, but she timidly held away, as if she were really alarmed.
"How dare you, sir!" she exclaimed, with a toss of her head. "You are very bold!"
"I beg your pardon," he beseeched, with mock humbleness. "I will agree not to do it again—till I get another good chance."
"Really! How sacrificing you are! You are extremely free."
"Stolen sweets, you know, are the best. But truly, Inza, hadn't I a right to that?"
"A right, indeed! Why, to use a slang expression, that is cheek!"
"Never mind the cheek," he said, laughingly. "I prefer the lips."
And then, before she could divine his intention, he kissed her again.
This time she broke away in earnest.
"Good-night, sir," she called, from up the walk.
"Oh, wait a moment!" he implored. "You aren't going to leave me like this?"
"Oh, but I am."
"How can you!"
"You are getting altogether too free."
She seemed really angry, and a feeling of dismay came over the lad at the gate.
"Inza!"
She had paused
"Well, sir?"
"Don't go away angry, please! I know I had no right to steal those kisses, but I am willing to make amends."
"Oh, you are!" she said, wonderingly, and it seemed to Frank that she was struggling to keep back a burst