With the death of Wade, the paid tool of Stephen Fenton, the latter took
alarm and disappeared from Springbrook Farm, leaving a clear field to
Harry Harden.
Before leaving Springbrook, Frank was forced to repeat the story of the
hunt so many times that he became heartily tired of it. He was also
tired of being regarded as a hero, and hearing compliments from all
sides. A less level-headed lad might have become inflated with his own
importance, but "swelled head" was a disease that never secured a hold
on Frank Merriwell.
But the boys all voted that they had enjoyed themselves hugely at
Springbrook, and each and every one of them was forced to promise that
it would not be the last visit to the place.
They might have remained longer, as it was, but the fall term of college
was at hand, and several of them were impatient to return to dear Old
Yale.
"I want to get back and take a rest," said Browning. "A big, long rest.
I think I need it."
"Did you ever see the time you didn't rest a need--I mean, need a rest?"
cried Harry.
"Are we to go right straight through to New York?" questioned Jack.
"I thought so at first," answered Frank. "But I have received a letter
which may change our plans--if you agree."
"What letter?" asked several.
"A letter from Charlie Creighton, of Philadelphia. He urges us to stop
off and pay him a visit."
"Creighton, eh?" said Jack. "I remember him. He was a good chap at
Yale."
"Can we have some sport in Philadelphia?" questioned Harry.
"I think so. But not such sport as we have had here or in the
mountains."
"Dot vos all right alretty," put in Hans. "I peen villing to take it
easy for you, you bet mine life! No more vild adventures py me alretty!"
"By gum, it's time we quieted deown," snorted Ephraim. "Ef we don't
we'll be as wild ez hawks when we git ter hum!"
The matter was talked over for quite a while, after which a vote was
taken by which it was unanimously resolved to move on to Philadelphia,
pay a short visit to the college youth mentioned, and see "how the land
lay," as Harry expressed it.
Two days later found them on the way. They picked out the best bicycle
road, and took their time, so that even Bruce did no growling.
A telegram was sent ahead to Charlie Creighton, and he met them at the
Continental Hotel, at which place they decided to put up for the time
being, for they knew Creighton could not very well accommodate the whole
crowd, and they were unwilling to separate.
"You must stay over, at least a few days," said Charlie Creighton. "And
some of you must stay up to our house too. It's up on Chestnut Hill, and
I know you will like it. My sister has a number of girl friends up
there, and all of us will do what we can to make you comfortable." And
so it was settled.
Frank found the Creightons very nice people, and soon felt at home with
them. Mabel Creighton was a girl who reminded him slightly of Elsie
Bellwood, although he did not think her quite so pretty as his old-time
sweetheart.
Mabel had several girl chums, and soon Frank and the other boys were on
good terms all around.
The girls loved to play tennis, and it was not long before they induced
Frank and the others to play.
What one of these games led to will be told in the chapter to follow.