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.