"Thank you," said Merry. "But I wasn't expecting trouble, and I came near getting mine, all right."
"Eh?" cried the big fellow. "Your voice sounds familiar. It can't be that——"
He stepped nearer, peering into Merry's face.
Suddenly Frank recognized him.
"Hello, Starbright!" he exclaimed, in delight.
"Frank Merriwell!" shouted the big fellow, leaping forward and grasping Merry's hand. "Oh, eternal miracles! Am I dreaming?"
Such a handshaking as it was! Here was Dick Starbright, the big Yale man, who had good cause to remember Frank with emotions of the deepest gratitude and friendliness.
"What in the world are you doing here, Merry?" asked Dick.
"What in the world are you doing here?" was Frank's counter question.
"Why, I'm a newspaper reporter. Been digging up the facts in regard to the Poydras murder. That brought me into this quarter. Now you own up."