CHAPTER XXV.
THE SINISTER STRANGER.
"Boy, where did you get that ring ?" Frank Merriwell started and looked quickly at the man who had hoarsely hissed the question in his ear.

At a glance he saw that the man was a stranger in Fardale village.
The stranger was dressed in black clothes, wore a cloak, with a cape, and had the brim of his hat slouched over his eyes, which were coal-black and piercing.

He had a heavy black mustache and imperial, which gave him a rather savage expression, and, withal, he made a somewhat sinister figure.
The night mail at Fardale was not delivered at the academy till the following morning, and Frank had come to the village post office late that afternoon to obtain an expected letter from home, if it had arrived.
He had also hoped that, on his way to the post office, or in returning to the academy, he might catch a glimpse of Inza.

Frank was now a welcome visitor at Inza's home, but, being governed by natural tact and delicacy, he did not wish to call too frequently, fearing Inza's parents might regard him as something of a bore.
Shortly after entering the village he had noticed the stranger in black, who seemed to be staring wonderingly at the boy.

To Frank's surprise, this man followed him about.
Finally the stranger slipped softly to Frank's side, and hoarsely whispered the question with which this chapter opens.