THE HAUNTED ROOM.
The little party of card players was expectantly awaiting the appearance of Bartley Hodge.
There was to be no feast this night—nothing but cigarettes and draw poker.
Hodge appeared at last, and he brought a disappointment to at least two of the party, for Frank Merriwell was not with him.
Leslie Gage and Wat Snell exchanged glances that were full of meaning.
Sam Winslow was on guard outside, it being his turn to fill that unenviable position.
"Hello, Hodge," saluted Harvey Dare. "Now we are ready to proceed to business."
"Dot vas righdt," nodded Hans Dunnerwust, who was on hand. "I vos goin' to smoke cigarreds to-nighd dill I vos sick, und haf a pully dime."
"Why doesn't Merriwell ever show up again?" asked Leslie Gage.
"That's it," joined in Wat Snell, "why doesn't he come round and give a fellow a show to win back some of that money he won off us? Is he afraid?"