“It’s a lucky fellow who wins such friendship as yours,” said Havener, admiringly. “But I’m afraid Hodge doesn’t deserve it.”
“I don’t like that kind of talk!” exclaimed Frank, with a slight show of impatience. “I have upheld you in the matter of the affair at rehearsal, but I don’t like to hear you say anything against Hodge now.”
“I beg your pardon.”
“All right. Now we will go down and find the proprietor of the hotel. I believe he will put his name to that check. I’ll take my deposit book along, to show him that I have a little something in the bank at Denver.”
They descended the stairs, Frank carrying his grip, but leaving his handsome light overcoat behind. The proprietor of the hotel was found, and in less than five minutes Merry had talked him into putting his name on the check, although he regretted doing so as soon as Frank was gone.
CHAPTER V.
ON THE TRACK.
An evening train bore Frank Merriwell into St. Joseph. He had learned of a certainty that Hodge had purchased a ticket and taken a train for that city, and he hoped to find Bart there, although he feared he should not.
If Bart kept on for Chicago, as he might do, there was little chance of overtaking him.
After starting, Frank began to realize that such a blind pursuit seemed foolish in the extreme.
His one hope was that Hodge would step off in St. Jo. If Bart did not——