Rattleton had Starbright with one hand and Morgan with the other, and he astonished and amused people in the vicinity by dancing wildly and whirling them round as he wrung their hands.
"Look out, Rattles," laughed Frank. "If you're seen going through such gyrations by a policeman he'll surely pinch you."
Bart Hodge advanced and tore Starbright from Rattleton, which gave Morgan an opportunity to break away, and he did so laughingly.
"The same old Rattleton," he said. "Harry, you haven't changed a bit."
"Yes, I have," contradicted the curly-haired chap. "I'm more mignified and danly—I mean more dignified and manly. See how sedate I am. Oh, ginger! isn't this a jolly surprise! I believe even Browning will now forgive Frank for being late to dinner."
Hodge shook hands with both Dick and Dade, and they all followed Frank into the hotel.
A bellboy saw Merry and hastened to notify him that he was wanted at the desk.
"Here is something for you, Mr. Merriwell," said one of the assistant clerks. "It was just left here by a messenger boy, who stated that it was very important and must be given to you personally."
He handed Frank an envelope on which his name was written.
Merry tore it open and drew forth a single sheet of paper, on which was written the following ominous words: