Frank walked swiftly, now and then turning, to make sure he was not followed. Unstopped and unmolested, he made his way straight to the hotel. There he found Diamond and Rattleton, engaged in a game of pinochle, while Browning reclined on a couch, and filled the room with smoke. Tutor Maybe was sleeping soundly in bed, where he had been for some hours.
“Look here, Merriwell,” cried Rattleton, as Frank appeared, “this thing must stop!”
“That’s right,” grunted Browning, while Diamond looked at Merry reproachfully and accusingly, and said nothing.
“What’s the matter with you fellows?” asked Frank, with a smile.
“Looks happy, doesn’t he?” chuckled Rattleton, winking at Bruce.
“As a clam,” said the big fellow. “He must have had a very pleasant time this evening.”
“I have,” confessed Merry. “I have enjoyed myself exceedingly, I assure you.”
“The brazen creature!” gasped Rattleton. “My! my! but I never thought it of him!”
“Nor I,” came from the big fellow on the couch. “I say, Merry, what’s her name?”
“What’s who’s name?”