interview which shortly followed between Frank and Mr. Lee was of an
interesting and important character. Fortunately, Fairfax Lee had a very
high opinion of Frank Merriwell. Otherwise he would not have heard him
at all in behalf of Badger. Even as it was, he at first listened with
nervous impatience, unwilling to believe that anything could be
presented in the Westerner's behalf.

Merriwell went over the whole ground with great candor and frankness. He
admitted that Badger was intoxicated when lured aboard the _Crested
Foam_. But he asserted his belief that the Kansan was all right at
heart. He laid stress also on the fact, which was now clearly understood
by Fairfax Lee, that Winnie loved the Kansan; and he insisted that the
latter had no real taste for liquor, but was driven into his debauch by
a fit of jealousy.

"I will think over this," Lee promised. "As you say, I have no desire to
be unjust; still less do I wish to be harsh beyond what is necessary. I
once thought well of Badger. I can't say more now. His actions have
seemed to me very low and very dishonorable."

The long interview ended with this. But Merriwell, not realizing that
Badger was still waiting for him in wild anxiety, made a call on Inza
and Elsie, which was so pleasant that it was much more protracted than
he had intended it should be, and the hour grew late.

In the meantime, other things were hurrying events to a climax. Fairfax
Lee had hastened home that night in fear of his life. Bill Gaston, once
a useful political worker, who had been driven insane by his failure to
secure an appointment he craved, and who the day before had been locked
up for threatening Lee's life, had escaped and was at large. That the
man was crazy there could be no doubt, and that he would shoot Lee on
sight seemed just as certain.

Buck Badger, wandering like a restless spirit in the vicinity of the
house, saw a man leap the fence and sneak toward a rear entrance. The
man's general appearance and crouching attitude were like those of the
crazed office-seeker whom Buck had once seen threatening Lee in that
very place.

"After Lee again!" was Badger's conclusion. "I reckon I'd better camp on
his trail. He said he would kill Lee, and that must be what he is up
to!"

Thereupon, Badger also leaped the fence and slipped through the shadows
in the direction taken by the man he supposed to be Gaston.

"Eh! what does that mean?"

Badger stopped stock-still. He saw s