“Wait!” cried the clerk—“wait till I find the proprietor!”
“I will pay for the door!” exclaimed Frank. “Go ahead, Mr. Officer.”
The sheriff set his shoulder against the door and gave a surge. Then there was a crash and the door flew open.
Into the room they went.
It was empty! Flynn was not there!
The window was open. Out of it dangled a rope. Frank leaped forward and looked out into the back yard.
“He’s gone!” cried Merriwell, fiercely. “He knew he was watched, and he has given us the slip!”
“What’s this?” exclaimed Jack, catching up a sheet of paper from the stand. “He’s left a note here.”
Then Diamond read aloud:
“I know this room is watched. You think you have me caught, but I will fool you. When I found myself watched, I came here and took this room, which I have occupied before, because I knew it would be easy to drop out into the back yard and give you the slip that way. But I am not done with Mr. Frank Merriwell. He has robbed me, and I will get at him yet. My time is coming.