“Look here, Merriwell, I want to set myself straight, but I don’t know how to do it. That’s why I’m here. I’m taking all chances of being arrested.”
“Arrested?”
“Yes. It’s like this: I got into some trouble out here in this country once, and had to skip. I’ve kept it quiet all my life—never told anybody about it. King knew it, because he was with me at the time. I changed my name. Collins is not my right name. When Haley decided to book this section, I tried to persuade him not to do it. Didn’t want to come here. Had to come or throw up my job. Thought I might get into the county and out again without being recognized. Could have done it, but when King heard we were having a hard time to hold the show together, he believed he could knock the company out by driving me off. He gave me an hour to get out of Salacia before he put the officers on me. I was scared and made a run for it. He must have had his advance man send the telegram from Salacia. I suppose he has told everything, and they are looking for me; but I made up my mind I’d go back and see Haley. That’s why I’m here. I’ve got back this far. Registered here to-night under a fake name. Have telegraphed Haley myself. Did that as soon as I got over my scare. That’s the whole thing in a nutshell. I won’t be able to stay with the company, and I’m glad they had a man to send right out in my place.”
Frank had been watching the man as he told the story, and Merry was convinced that Collins was not lying. He could see that the fellow was just recovering from the effects of too much liquor, which helped serve to explain his singular conduct in taking flight without notifying Haley.
Merry talked with Collins for at least two hours, telling him everything that had happened since he started out in advance of the show.
Collins complimented him on his ability and the manner in which he had gotten the best of Delvin Riddle.
“It is my opinion,” he said, “that Riddle is thoroughly disgusted over the attempt to side track you, and I don’t fancy you’ll have any more trouble with him. He has found out that you are up to snuff and too smart for him. It is quite probable that, when he got back in Salacia, he made a find that caused him to withdraw that warrant from the hands of the sheriff.”
“What sort of a find?”
“The stolen watch.”
Frank brightened.