“No!” cried Frank; “I cannot, and will not, believe that of Mr. Noname!”
“Thank you!”
The door had swung open, and Mr. Noname himself stepped in, speaking the words of thanks as he entered. Diamond stood in the middle of the room, thunderstruck for the moment, his hands clenched, his finely chiseled face stern and grim.
The Man of Mystery closed the door behind him, and turned toward the two young Americans, quietly saying:
“I have just learned of what happened to you this morning, Mr. Merriwell, and I have come here to listen to the story from your own lips.”
“Well, that is what I call bluff!” grated Jack.
“Why should you come to me, when you were concerned in it?” asked Merry. “You know what happened as well as I. But I am glad you have come, for now you must give me an explanation.”
“You say I know what happened, but I swear that I know nothing beyond what I have heard!”
“You were there.”
“I was not.”