“Only two officers on guard!” exclaimed Frank. “Yet there is a front and back entrance, and one through your barber’s shop and by the way of the bar. Mr. Mescal is out of the hotel by this time.”

“We have done everything we could” declared the clerk.

Frank turned away.

“The message is lost, Bart,” he said.

“Lost?” said Bart, astonished that Frank should give up so easily.

“Yes,” Merry nodded, his face wearing a grim expression.

Hodge was trembling with rage at the outcome.

“It’s an infernal shame!” he hissed. “Merriwell, you must——”

Frank’s hand gripped his arm.

“Come!” said Merry’s voice, still calm and restrained.