Of course Starbright did not shoot himself, but he was thoroughly ashamed. But Inza never knew from the lips of Frank Merriwell that the handsome freshman had ever suspected her.
Walter Burrage had entered the army after leaving Fardale, and had become entangled in an affair that threatened to send one of the higher officers to prison for a long term. Burrage was in full possession of evidence that would have brought about this result, therefore he was implicated, disgraced, and given a chance to escape, being compelled to promise that he would never return to the United States.
The disgrace had affected Bernard Burrage so that he gave out the impression that his son was dead, and Walter was never mentioned by either himself or Inza.
But Walter broke his pledge and came to the United States to find the old doctor who would pay a high price for the queer stick. He made his father and sister promise not to let anybody know his true name.
Walter had been tracked by members of the secret order, and while he was negotiating with the doctor the trailers came in upon them, captured them both, secured the stick, bound them, set fire to the place, and fled.
The old doctor died in the hospital the following day from the wound on his head, given him when he was struck down by the Chinamen.
CHAPTER XX
STARBRIGHT SPEAKS OUT.
Frank Merriwell and Dick Starbright sat alone in Merry’s room in the Fifth Avenue Hotel. It was long past midnight, and, despite the exciting adventures of the last few hours, Jack Diamond had retired in an adjoining room and was already wrapped in the arms of slumber.