Merriwell nodded.
"We will go into partnership," he said. "It will take three of us to run the thing right."
The Yankee youth and the Dutch lad fell into each other's arms.
"Saved!" cried Ephraim.
"Dot's vot's der madder!" rejoiced Hans. "Oh, dot Vrank Merriwell vas a beach, you pet!"
They sat down and talked it over for a long time. Frank believed Ephraim could learn to assist him about his tricks, and he fancied Hans would be good for something. They were his old Fardale schoolmates, and he had no thought of leaving them stranded away out there so far from their homes.
By the time they had talked over their plans it was after midnight. Then Frank found himself unable to deposit his money in the safe, as the clerk had gone to bed and taken the key, and no one would assume the responsibility of awakening him.
Ephraim and Hans were given a room together.
As they went upstairs, the Vermonter said to Frank:
"Look aout for that air money, Frank. If yeou lose that, we're in the soup fer sure."