least a dozen men here are outfitted in costumos very similar. But that's Jack no originality."

Roxanne thought she saw Jack dancing at the far end of the floor with a red-haired mermaid encased in emerald sequins. A second glimpse assured her. "Yes, that is surely he; I recognize the red and yellow stripe in the bandanna around his head. And that's the Lawrence girl."

Oddly enough, she no longer felt jealous. "It's because I don't love him," she thought. "I've just now realized I don't love him. I may have once, but I don't now!"

Therefore, it was completely wit hout malice or thought of jealous retaliation that she accepted the invitation to dance with the tall cloaked stranger a moment later. "This is a boring evening. I may as well make the best of it," she mused.

Aloud she said, "Count Dracula, im't it?"

The slender, black clad figure acknowledged Roxanne's question with a formal click of the heels and a bow from the waist.

"Dracula" led me sterfully. "An exceedingly graceful danoor," Roxanne mentally noted, "and a very clever costume."

The black tuxedo was of foreign cut, the trousers tailored in a tight-fitting manner reminiscent of Spanish bull fighters. Black gloves and an Inverness cape with an all-concealing hood completed the outfit. It was impossible to tell whether Roxanne's partner was blond or brunette, young or old.

"Your costume is certainly original and appropriate for the occasion," laughed Roxanne.

Her partner accepted the compliment by a slight nod of the head.

"Do I know you?" Roxanne asked.

(Continued on page 26)