“You can count on me, Mr. Merriwell. I believe I’d like a chance to make myself solid with you again, for you must have a poor opinion of me since what happened in St. Jo.”
“You did no more than hundreds of actors are doing every season,” said Merry; “and you were man enough afterward to acknowledge that you believed you were in the wrong. I have held nothing against you, Dunton.”
“Thank you,” said the actor, simply.
“Ephraim told us about your encounter with this ruffian,” said Havener. “You should have broken his head with a club.”
They continued the work of arranging the scenery and getting it ready for quick handling at night. The first scene was set.
Frank told Sawyer that he wanted five men for supers, and they must be on hand at three o’clock for instructions. Sawyer promised to provide them.
Then Frank prepared to leave.
“Now,” said Ephraim, who was somewhat agitated, despite his efforts to keep cool, “there’s goin’ ter be a dinged hot old time. Come erlong, Mr. Sawyer, if yeou want to see ther jamboree.”
“I’ll follow,” said Sawyer, and it was plain that he did not wish to be seen with the actors.
As they approached the saloon on the corner a number of men were seen loitering in front of it. One of them darted into the saloon.