But, although they were very curious, he evaded making a complete explanation then.
A little later he found an opportunity to speak with Bart and Bruce without being overheard by the girls or Mrs. Medford.
"Look here, you two," he said, "I'm going to need you to-night. Don't make any plans about dinner or the theatre. Provide yourselves with pistols, for you may have to use them. Be ready when I want you."
"This is rather interesting," said Hodge. "What's the game, Frank?"
"The game will be to capture a nice little bunch of human tigers."
"Human tigers!" grunted Browning. "That sounds like the real thing, old man. Can't you put us wise a little more?"
"Not now. I'm going to call up my friend Bronson, the detective, and get him into it, for I believe he will be needed. I hope that this night I'll be able to effectually checkmate some very dangerous rascals."
Merry did not use the phone in the suite, but went down to the booths in the hotel lobby. There he called up police headquarters and asked for Bronson.
"He's just come in," was the answer. "Have him to the phone in a moment."
Directly Bronson himself inquired what was wanted.