“We’ll have to try it,” said Frank.
They did try it, with the result that they were promptly refused at three houses, although Merry resorted to all the diplomacy at his command.
They turned back into the main part of the town.
“What will you do now, Frank?” asked Morgan.
“I’m going to try to get track of Mr. Joseph Gaddis,” answered Merriwell grimly. “When I do——”
The manner in which he paused and failed to complete the sentence was very expressive.
“I don’t blame you!” cried Hodge. “Mr. Gaddis must explain why we have been treated in this outrageous manner. He agreed to meet us at the station and have accommodations for us at the best hotel in town. He has broken his contract, and I’d like to break his face!”
“That wouldn’t help matters much, Bart.”
“But it would relieve my feelings in a wonderful manner.”
“There is something behind this affair that we do not understand,” said Merry. “In order to understand it we’ll have to learn the facts.”