But the crowd of excited small boys attracted attention for the time. They came a little nearer, and the leader cried:
"Let's give three cheers for Frank Merriwell! Ready, now! Yell, fellers, yell!"
They did! They threw up their hands, tossed their caps into the air, and yelled as loudly as they could.
"Great Scott!" gasped Frank. "See what they have done! Why, everybody on the street is staring at us!"
It was true. The spectators had been attracted by the shrill cheers of the small boys, and they were looking toward the three embarrassed lads on the corner by the bank.
A man who was passing stopped and asked one of the boys why they were cheering so loudly.
"See that handsome feller there with the lace on his suit?" asked the boy, pointing Frank out.
"Yes, I see him."
"That's Frank Merriwell," declared the boy, excitedly and proudly.
"Frank Merriwell?" repeated the man, doubtfully. "Who is he?"