Grim, dirty, triumphant, Dick sought the carriage in which he had seen
June standing. She stripped off her glove as she saw him coming and held
out her warm, shapely hand.
"I'm covered with dirt," he said.
But she would shake his hand, and she gave it a squeeze that he could
not mistake.
"You did it!" she said.
"No," he answered; "it was Darrell. Did you see his wonderful run?"
"I had not reached the ground, but I heard several say that you made it
possible for him to get the touchdown. I was determined to see part of
the game," she went on hurriedly. "I'm glad you did not send that locket
back. You know mother compelled me to write that note."
"I thought so."
"I hoped you would keep the locket. You must come to the hotel this
evening and see her. There is no way out of it."
"But how am I to keep the locket and remain a gentleman? She has even
threatened to have me arrested."
"She won't do that. Come to the hotel to-night. She will see you, and I
am expected to demand the return of the locket."
"What will you do?"
"I am going to say that I gave it to you and that I want you to keep
it."
There was no time for further talk. Dick promised to come to the hotel
at a certain hour, so while Fardale Military Academy was rejoicing that
evening he slipped away and set out for the village.
He was well satisfied with what the day had brought forth. Franklin had
departed crestfallen, knowing that Dick would keep his word and
investigate the charge of professionalism against several of her team.
Had she been victorious she would not have cared so much, but now she
knew a close investigation would result in the breaking off of athletic
contests between the two schools, and she would be left with the bitter
taste of defeat in her mouth.
Dick arrived at the hotel and had his card taken to Mrs. Arlington.
There was some delay, following which the lady came sweeping haughtily
into the parlor where Dick waited.
"I presume, sir," she said frigidly, "you have come to your senses and
decided to return that locket."
"I concluded to come here and talk the matter over with you, Mrs.
Arlington," said Dick, perfectly at his ease.
"Have you brought the locket?"
"I keep it with me all the time."
"I will take it."
"If you wish to when you hear what I have to say. The locket was given
me by your daughter. She gave it to me on the night of her second visit
to this place. She attended a mask-party that night and discovered a
plot to ruin my arm so that I could take no further part in football
this season. It was to be done by means of a poison ring with a cutting
point, which was to be worn on the hand of one of my disguised enemies.
A scratch from the ring would cause something like blood-poison to set
in."
"Of what interest is this to me, sir? I----"
"I beg your pardon, Mrs. Arlington; possibly you will be interested in a
moment. Three of my enemies in school were concerned in the plot, and
your son was one of them--your son, who is my bitterest enemy!"
"I will not believe it!"
"I can prove it if necessary. Your daughter begged me not to expose her
brother, for she knew exposure would mean disgrace and expulsion of her
brother from Fardale Academy. I promised not to expose him. She gave me
the charm for luck. I have kept it, and it seemed to give me luck. If
you take it from me, if you compel me to give it up, I shall consider
that there is no further reason why I should not expose your son."
"Sir," said the woman angrily, "I do not believe a word of your
preposterous story! My son is a gentleman, and----"
"Ask your daughter."
"It is true, mother," said June, entering the room. "Mr. Merriwell might
have disgraced Chester, but he declined to do so. I gave him the locket,
and----"
There was a sudden cry that caused her to stop. It had a most alarming
sound. Then came other cries and a rush of feet.
"Fire! fire!"
Dick sprang to the parlor door. Above he saw rolling smoke and a gleam
of flames.
"The hotel is afire!" he cried.
"My brother!" screamed June. "He is up there in Room 42!"
"My son!" cried Mrs. Arlington, in horror, and swayed as if about to
faint. "Oh, Heaven, my son! Save him!"
Dick waited to hear no more. Up the stairs he leaped. Guests were
rushing downward through the smoke. One of them struck him and nearly
knocked him down. They were screaming with fear. Pandemonium reigned in
the hotel. Outside the fire-whistle set up a dull, awful call to the
village firemen.
"Room 42!" muttered Dick. The smoke got into his mouth and nose and
nearly choked him.
A kerosene-lamp had exploded, and the fire was spreading with appalling
swiftness. It was on the second floor, and Dick knew Room 42 was on the
third. The fire might cut him off, but he did not hesitate to rush up
the second flight of stairs, down which a screaming woman and two
cursing men tumbled recklessly.
"Room 42!" he thought. "I believe I know where it is."
There was a light in the corridor, but the upward rolling smoke made it
impossible to see the numbers on the doors. He reached the front of the
house and flung a door open. In the middle of the room, attired in a
nightdress, stood Chester Arlington, weak and trembling.
"What is it?" he asked. "Is the hotel afire?"
"That's what!" said Dick. "Come on lively if you want to get out alive!"
Chester started, but his knees seemed to buckle beneath him and he fell
in a heap.
"I can't walk!" he cried feebly. "My legs!"
Dick caught him up and rushed to the door. Up the stairs came a flash of
fire, and it seemed that the staircase leaped into flames as he looked.
"Trapped!" he gasped, "No chance of getting down that way!"
He fell back and closed the door to stop the draft and keep out the
smoke. With Arlington still in his arms, he rushed to a window at the
front of the house and flung it up, calling for help.
Down the street came the village hook-and-ladder company. The truck had
long ladders upon it.
"Right here!" cried Dick. "Run one of those ladders up here!"
It seemed that the men worked very slowly and awkwardly. The fire-engine
came smoking and stringing sparks along the street. A crowd had gathered
below. Their faces were upturned and they waved their arms.
"Don't jump!" they cried.
Higher and higher the ladders were run. Dick watched them coolly. He was
supporting Arlington, who showed nerve and waited without agitation.
At last the ladder reached the window. The young athlete lifted Chester
in his arms and stepped through the window on to the ladder. Below the
flames burst through a window and he gasped as smoke and heat threatened
to topple him from the ladder. Still he held on and made his way
downward. The crowd began to cheer.
"Who is it?"
"A cadet!"
"Why, it's Frank Merriwell's brother! It's Dick Merriwell! Hurrah for
Dick Merriwell!"
Down to the ground Dick bore Chester Arlington in safety. Chester's
mother was there and clasped her son in her arms. June was there, too,
and she whispered in Dick's ear:
"I think you may keep the locket now!"