quickly," she said.

"What other reason could there have been?"

"I don't know, but there seemed something familiar in his movements. It
was fancy, I suppose."

"It must have been. We know no one here, save Hodge and Elsie."

"Let's go in. Somehow a feeling of apprehension is on me. I'm not often
nervous, you know; but something is the matter with my nerves now."

He laughed at her, but they returned to the floor and danced out the
latter part of the two-step.

When this dance was over Merry left Inza, departing to find and bring
her a glass of water.

Barely was he gone when she was surprised to hear a harsh voice at her
elbow saying:

"I'll not believe your ghostly garments hide nothing save the hideous
skeleton I saw a few moments ago. I must confess you gave me a shock."

One of the wolves had paused close at hand.

Knowing the dance was informal, as masquerade affairs must be, she was
not surprised to be addressed in this manner.

"Then it was you who fled before me?" she laughed. "It seems that even a
wolf may be frightened by a ghost."

"Quite true, fair wraith; but you are not the only ghost at this dance
to-night."

"I have a sister ghost with me."

"It was not your sister I spoke of," growled the wolf. "There is still a
third ghost present."

"Indeed? I have not seen----"

"I think you will later. For all of your awesome aspect I would entreat
you to favor me with one dance were it not that something I cannot
explain denies me the pleasure of dancing to-night."

"Why do you growl in that manner? Are you trying to disguise your voice?
It is not necessary, for I know only my own friends at this dance."

"It is natural for wolves to growl," he retorted. "Although you know few
here, it is possible you are known. I think I can describe you."

"I doubt it."

"You are dark, with black hair and eyes."

"Wonderful guessing."

"Your lips are like the reddest rose, and your teeth are so many
pearls."

"Flattering, at least."

"Of your sex you are the fairest ever beheld by the eyes of wolf."

"You forget you have not seen me."

"If that is true, I'll convince you that the sagacity of some wolves
passes human understanding. Your name is--Inza!"

She fell back in amazement, betraying her surprise by the movement.

From behind the wolf mask came a low, growling chuckle.

"It is enough!" he declared. "To deny it now would be useless. The
cowboy returns, and cowboys do not like wolves, s