“We have been chumps!” exclaimed Frank regretfully. “I am sure he was the one who could have explained everything.”
“I am sure of it, too,” nodded Diamond.
The search through the building did not result in the capture of the man who threw the bomb.
Of course, Frank was requested to accompany the police to headquarters, and tell everything he knew, while the café was placed under surveillance. Frank told his story, and the bomb was turned over to the police, who promised to make a thorough investigation.
“Which will result in nothing,” said Diamond gloomily. “They have taken your address, Merry, but all they will do is call round at the hotel, and pump you with questions.”
Frank was puzzled more than he wished to confess. It seemed certain that Mr. Noname had deliberately attempted to destroy him, and that was something he could not understand. If the man was an enemy, why had he saved his life so many times?
Diamond redoubled his argument for leaving France with all possible haste.
CHAPTER XX.
FRANK PROTECTS THE MYSTERY.
Mystery had followed mystery with astonishing swiftness, and the very atmosphere of Paris now seemed full of danger and death. Of this Frank Merriwell and Jack Diamond were aware, while Bruce Browning and Harry Rattleton were in blissful ignorance. Harry and Bruce did not understand why, as soon as Merry and Jack returned to the hotel, they shut themselves into a room, and seemed to hold a secret conclave.