d.i.c.k"s indignation burst forth.
"The unmitigated scoundrel!" he cried. "Tried to force you to give up the Queen Mystery, did he?"
"That was his game."
"Well, you didn"t give him half what he deserves. And he threatened to have you arrested for murder--you, Frank, arrested for murder!"
Merry smiled grimly.
"That was the threat he made."
"But it was a bluff, Frank--a bluff pure and simple. He will never try that game."
"You can"t tell what a man like Morgan may try. Sukes was desperate and dangerous, but I regard Macklyn Morgan as even more so. As a rule, he is quiet, cold, and calculating, and he lays his plans well. He would not have started in on this thing had he not been convinced that there was a good prospect of succeeding."
"Why, he can"t succeed! It is impossible!"
"I don"t propose to let him succeed, but I feel certain I am going to have a hot time with him. I am ready for it; let it come."
Again Frank"s fighting blood was aroused, and d.i.c.k saw it in the sternness of his handsome face and the gleam of his flashing eyes.
"That"s the talk, Frank!" cried the boy, thrilled by the spirit of his brother. "They can"t down you. They"ve tried it and failed too many times. But what are your plans now? You intend to start for the new mines early to-morrow?"
"I may alter my plans. I may remain here for a while to face Macklyn Morgan. For all of his power and his money, I think I have a few friends and some influence in Prescott. There is one, at least, whom I can depend upon, and that is Frank Mansfield. He is white to the bone, and he always stands by his friends."
"But you cannot depend upon your friends alone in an emergency like this," said d.i.c.k. "You will have to rely on yourself. Of course, Brad and I will stand by you, no matter what happens."
While they were talking Wiley came rushing in.
"The gent who lately descended the stairs with such graceful impetuosity is now in consultation with the city marshal," he declared. "I traced him thither, and I have left one Bradley Buckhart to linger near and keep an eagle eye upon his movements."
"By Jove!" exclaimed d.i.c.k; "I believe he does mean to have you arrested, Frank."
"His movement seems to indicate something of the sort," was Frank"s cool confession. "I suppose he will make a charge of personal a.s.sault, with the idea of putting me to inconvenience and detaining me until he can again try the effect of his threats of arrest on a more serious charge.
Were I sure things are all right at the Enchanted Valley, I would not mind. I am afraid you have made a mess of it, cap"n, in sending those men there."
"It seems that I have a clever little way of putting my foot into it,"
retorted the sailor. "When I seek to do what I supremely consider to be for the best I make a bobble."
"Yet we will not worry over that now," said Merry. "However, in case of emergency, d.i.c.k, I wish you to have my horse constantly ready for me. If anything happens that I decide to get out in a hurry, you, and Brad, and Wiley are to take care of Felicia and little Abe."
"All right," nodded d.i.c.k. "I will see to it at once."
Ten minutes later Frank was standing alone upon the steps of the hotel, when a man on horseback came riding furiously down the street. He was covered with dust, and his horse was so spent that it was only by the most savage urging that the beast was forced into a gallop. Behind the man, at a distance, came two more hors.e.m.e.n, who were likewise spurring their mounts mercilessly. Plainly they were in pursuit of the man in advance.
As Merry was wondering what it meant, the horse of the fugitive went down, as if shot, directly in front of the hotel, flinging the rider, who seemed stunned.
With a great clatter of hoofs, the pursuers came up and stopped short, leaping from their saddles. As one of them dismounted, he whipped out a wicked-looking knife. Both seemed to be desperadoes, and it was evident that their intention toward the fugitive was anything but friendly.
Now, it was not Frank"s nature to stand idly by and see two men jump on a third who was helpless and do him up. Without a moment"s hesitation, Merry leaped from the steps and rushed upon those men. A heavy blow sent one of them to the ground.
The other had stooped above the fallen man when Frank"s toe precipitated him headlong and caused him to roll over and over in the dust.
At the same time Merriwell drew a pistol.
"Get up and sneak, both of you!" he ordered. "If you linger, I will blow a window in each of you!"
Muttering oaths, the ruffians rose, but the look they saw in Frank"s face caused them to decide that the best thing they could do would be to obey.
"It"s none of your funeral!" cried one, as he grasped the bridle rein of his horse.
"But it will be yours if you linger here ten seconds!" retorted Merry.
"Git! If you value your skins, don"t even turn to look back until you are out of shooting distance."
As the baffled ruffians were retreating, the fugitive sat up, slowly recovering from his shock.
"Thank you, pard," he said. "It was mighty lucky for me you pitched in just as you did. But for you, they had me dead to rights, and I opine they would have finished me."
"What is it all about?" questioned Merry.
"Got a message," answered the man. "Got to send it without fail. They meant to stop me. It has been a hot run. They headed me off from Bigbug, and I had to strike for this town. They"ve wasted lots of lead on me; but they were riding too fast to shoot well. And I didn"t hold up to give them an easy chance at me."
As the man was speaking, Merry a.s.sisted him to his feet. His horse had likewise risen, but stood with hanging head, completely pegged out.
"Poor devil!" said the man, sympathetically patting the creature"s neck.
"It"s a wonder I didn"t kill you. But even if I did, I was going to send the message to Frank Merriwell, if possible."
"What"s that?" shouted Frank, in astonishment. "A message to Frank Merriwell! Man, I am Frank Merriwell!"
"You?" was the almost incredulous answer. "Why, Hodge told me to wire to San Diego. He said it might reach you there."
"I am just back from San Diego. Give me the message."
The man fumbled in his pocket and brought forth a crumpled piece of paper, which he placed in Merriwell"s hand.
Opening the paper, this was what Merry read:
"If possible, come at once. Trouble at the mines. Plot to seize them. --Hodge."
"Come into the hotel," said Frank, turning to the man who had brought this message. "We will send some one to take charge of your horse."
The man followed him. Having asked that the horse be cared for, Merry instructed his companion to follow, and he proceeded to his room.
"What"s your name?" he asked.
"It"s Colvin--Dash Colvin."
"Well, Colvin, you are from the Enchanted Valley?"