“We’ll all go,” said Havener. “We can’t do anything more this afternoon.”
“Needn’t hurry on my account,” said Vance, anxiously.
But rehearsing was over, and, not a little to Lester’s uneasiness, Frank Merriwell left the theater at once and hurried toward the hotel. Vance was unable to get ahead of Merry without running, and this he did not do.
Presenting himself at the desk, Frank asked if Hodge was in his room or around the hotel.
“No,” answered the clerk, “he has left.”
Merry caught his breath, a queer sensation striking through his heart.
“Left?” he exclaimed.
“Yes, sir.”
“You don’t mean——”
“He has settled his bill and departed.”