The detective was not forced to call Frank and Bart to testify against the captured counterfeiters, as both fellows confessed freely.
Big Gabe parted from Frank with a show of affection.
"'Low yer wuz squar' when I fust saw yer, burn me deep ef I didn't!" said the lazy giant. "I wuz right, too. No, I ain't goin' ter leave Tahoe. Reckon I'll live ther rest uv my natteral days hyar. Ef yer ever git round this yar way, don't yer fail ter call on Gabe Blake. Yer'll alwus be welcome at his shanty. Ef yer ain't, you may brand me."
When Frank left Carson City Bart was the guest of Vida Melburn's uncle. Vida and her father were stopping there, and Frank was urged to remain longer.
But Frank made haste to get away. He had a secret locked fast in his heart; he knew he, too, might become smitten by Vida's charms, if he remained, and he did not wish to "cross the trail" of his friend.
The boys parted with a warm handshake and a sincere wish to meet again, before long.
"And where will you go next?" asked Bart.
"To San Francisco, and from there to South America," answered our hero.
He told the truth, and his many adventures that followed will be related in the next volume of this series, entitled "Frank Merriwell's Hunting Tour." In this story we will meet not only Frank, but also many other old friends, and learn what they did while after big game.
And now good-by to Frank Merriwell, a typical American lad of to-day, as honest as he is brave.