“Then the Belfast Wheelmen will be honored to entertain Mr. Merriwell while he remains in our city. Will he be kind enough to come ashore as soon as possible? If so, we will wait here for him.”
“Great Scott!” muttered Frank. “How did they know I was coming? This is too much! They made it altogether too interesting for me at Camden and Rockland, and it begins to look as if there is to be a repetition of it here. I’d rather not be known at all.”
“But you can’t help it now,” said Hodge, who was proud of Frank’s fame and popularity. “It won’t do to refuse their polite offer.”
“Don’t refuse,” grunted Browning. “They’ll have something good to eat.”
“Py shimminy!” gurgled Hans. “Dot peen vot you vant. I vos hungry enough to ead a raw tog alretty.”
“The rest of us are not invited,” said Diamond, quickly. “It’s only Frank.”
“Vale, maype he vould slip a piece of bie his bocket indo uf he knew id vould safe my life.”
“Will Mr. Merriwell come ashore?” asked the spokesman of the bicyclists.
“Say yes, Frank,” murmured Hodge. “Tell them you will do so as soon as we drop anchor.”
Frank did so, and a cheer went up from the wheelmen assembled on the wharf.