“Somehow I have a fancy that Old Joe will turn up with news of Swiftwing.”
“What if he does? He may not turn up in time to do any good, and you can’t remain idle and wait for something that may happen. You must accept that challenge, Frank.”
“I intend to,” came quietly from Merry’s lips.
“Without the two men needed?”
“I’ll have to pick up men somehow. Now, there’s Berlin Carson——”
“Speaking of me, Merriwell?”
Both Frank and Bart started and turned as the words fell on their ears. Toward them advanced a prepossessing youth, who had observed them sitting there as he was passing through the lobby.
“Carson, as I live!” exclaimed Frank, in deep satisfaction, as he quickly rose and extended his hand.
With a long, quick stride, the newcomer approached and grasped the proffered hand, his blue eyes beaming with pleasure.
“Merriwell, I am overjoyed!” he declared. “I heard you were somewhere in Colorado, but I had not the least idea of running across you here. It’s lucky the governor sent me into town on business at this time.”