“I shall.”
“I hope you will. The next time you have lines with Merriwell, however, give him his proper cues. If you don’t——”
Havener stopped of his own accord, and the look he gave Dunton was more significant than words. Then he turned away.
Thoroughly sore and heartsick, Dunton watched the climax of the first act, which was worked out splendidly and received a burst of applause as the curtain descended.
Then, behind the scenes, Dunton saw the members of the company gather around Merriwell and congratulate him.
“Gods!” grated Frank’s new enemy. “I can’t stand that!”
He rushed away to one of the dressing rooms, where he raved like a mad person.
Having worked himself up to this pitch in his hatred for Merriwell, Dunton was ready for almost anything. He felt that he must ease his mind by talking to somebody, and he uttered an exclamation of satisfaction when Sargent came in to make a change in his costume and make up.
“What do you think of it?” he hissed.
“Of what?” asked Sargent, as he went about making the necessary change.