Frank Merriwell's New Comedian Part 40

"I don't go," declared Bart. "I shall stay and find out what has happened to him. You must go. You must sit on those croakers. Your place is with the company; mine is with Frank Merriwell."

"All aboard!"

The conductor gave the warning.

"What's this?"

Rattle-te-bang, on the dead jump, a cab was coming along the street. The cabman was putting the whip to his foaming horses.

"He's coming," said Hodge, with cool triumph, putting his hands into his trousers pockets, and waiting the approach of the cab.

Something made him feel certain of it. Up to the platform dashed the cab, the driver flinging the horses back, and flinging himself to the platform to fling open the door.

Dong dong!

The train was starting.

Out of the cab leaped Frank Merriwell, grip in hand. At his heels Ephraim Gallup came sprawling.

Bart was satisfied, Havener was delighted. Both of them sprang on board the train. Across the platform dashed Frank and the Vermont youth, and they also boarded the moving cars.

"Well," laughed Merry, easily, "that was what I call a close call. Ten dollars to the cabby did it, and he earned his sawbuck."

"I congratulate you!" cried Havener. "I confess I had given you up. But what happened to detain you?"

"Nothing but a little adventure," answered Merry, coolly. "I'll tell you about it."

They followed him into the car.

Several members of the company had been looking from the car window, and the arrival of Frank had been witnessed. They gave a shout as he entered the car, and all were on their feet.

"Welcome!" cried Douglas Dunton, dramatically--"welcome, most n.o.ble one!

Methinks thou couldst not do it better in a play. It was great stuff--flying cab, foaming horses, moving train, and all that. Make a note of it."

"I believe he did it on purpose," declared Agnes Kirk, speaking to Vance, with whom she had taken a seat.

"Very likely," admitted Lester. "Wanted to do something to attract attention."

"I think it was mean! He fooled us."

But several members of the company shook hands with Frank, and congratulated him.

"I told you he would not get left," said Havener, with triumph.

At the rear end of the car was a veiled woman, who seemed to sink down behind those in front of her, as if she sought to avoid detection.

Somehow, although her face could not be seen, there was in her appearance something that betokened disappointment and chagrin.

Of course Frank was pressed for explanations, but he told them that business had detained him. He did not say what kind of business.

At length, however, with Hodge, Havener and Gallup for listeners, all seated on two facing seats, he told the story of his adventure with the veiled woman, and his arrest, which ended in a discharge that barely permitted him to leap into a cab, race to the hotel, get his grip, pay his bill, and dash to the station in time to catch the train.

As the story progressed Hodge showed signs of increasing excitement.

When Merry finished, Bart exclaimed:

"How did the woman look?"

"I did not see her face."

"How was she dressed? Describe her."

"Don't know as I can."

"Do the best you can."

Frank did so, and Bart cried:

"I've seen her!"

"What?"

Merry was astonished.

"I am sure of it," a.s.serted Bart. "I have seen that very same woman!"

"When?"

"To-day."

"How long ago?"

"A very short time."

"Where?"

"At the station while we were waiting for you to appear."

"Is it possible. How do you know it was her?"

Then Bart told of the strange woman who had dropped her handkerchief, of the initials he had seen when he picked it up, and of her singularly scornful laugh when she heard Havener declare that Merriwell never got left.

All this interested Frank very much. Bart concluded by saying:

"That woman is on this very train!"

"Waal, may I be tickled to death by gra.s.shoppers!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the youth from Vermont. "Whut in thunder do yeou s'pose she's up to?"

"It may be the same one," said Frank. "It would be remarkable if it should prove to be the same one. Two women might look so much alike that the description of one would exactly fit the other--especially if both were heavily veiled."