The smashing of the door had startled and aroused others in adjacent rooms, and they now came swarming into the corridor. One of them clutched at Frank, but was flung aside; others dodged back to let him pass.
Merry ran to the head of the stairs, down which he leaped.
A man was coming up the second flight.
"Anybody run past you just now?" asked Frank.
"Naw. Wot's der matter?"
Merriwell did not pause to answer the question, but whirled into the office.
He was met at the door by a man in shirt sleeves, who grabbed at him and demanded to know what was "doing."
One glance about the place was sufficient to convince Frank that the eavesdropper had not fled in there.
Starbright appeared, followed by Morgan. The latter was known to the man who had grabbed Frank, and his hasty explanation was sufficient, although the "clerk" declared that some one must settle for the smashed door.
"I'll do that," said Merry promptly. "The spy has escaped. Come back with us, take a look at the door, and estimate the damage."