CHAPTER IX--DICK WINS AGAIN
Grim, dirty, triumphant, Dick sought the carriage in which he had seenJune standing. She stripped off her glove as she saw him coming and heldout 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 couldnot 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 itpossible for him to get the touchdown. I was determined to see part ofthe game," she went on hurriedly. "I'm glad you did not send that locketback. 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 thisevening and see her. There is no way out of it."
"But how am I to keep the locket and remain a gentleman? She has eventhreatened to have me arrested."
"She won't do that. Come to the hotel to-night. She will see you, and Iam 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 keepit."
There was no time for further talk. Dick promised to come to the hotelat a certain hour, so while Fardale Military Academy was rejoicing thatevening he slipped away and set out for the village.
He was well satisfied with what the day had brought forth. Franklin haddeparted crestfallen, knowing that Dick would keep his word andinvestigate the charge of professionalism against several of her team.Had she been victorious she would not have cared so much, but now sheknew a close investigation would result in the breaking off of athleticcontests between the two schools, and she would be left with the bittertaste 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 haughtilyinto the parlor where Dick waited.
"I presume, sir," she said frigidly, "you have come to your senses anddecided 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 givenme by your daughter. She gave it to me on the night of her second visitto this place. She attended a mask-party that night and discovered aplot to ruin my arm so that I could take no further part in footballthis season. It was to be done by means of a poison ring with a cuttingpoint, 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 setin."
"Of what interest is this to me, sir? I----"
"I beg your pardon, Mrs. Arlington; possibly you will be interested in amoment. Three of my enemies in school were concerned in the plot, andyour 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 herbrother, for she knew exposure would mean disgrace and expulsion of herbrother from Fardale Academy. I promised not to expose him. She gave methe charm for luck. I have kept it, and it seemed to give me luck. Ifyou take it from me, if you compel me to give it up, I shall considerthat there is no further reason why I should not expose your son."
"Sir," said the woman angrily, "I do not believe a word of yourpreposterous story! My son is a gentleman, and----"
"Ask your daughter."
"It is true, mother," said June, entering the room. "Mr. Merriwell mighthave 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 alarmingsound. Then came other cries and a rush of feet.
"Fire! fire!"
Dick sprang to the parlor door. Above he saw rolling smoke and a gleamof 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 tofaint. "Oh, Heaven, my son! Save him!"
Dick waited to hear no more. Up the stairs he leaped. Guests wererushing downward through the smoke. One of them struck him and nearlyknocked him down. They were screaming with fear. Pandemonium reigned inthe hotel. Outside the fire-whistle set up a dull, awful call to thevillage firemen.
"Room 42!" muttered Dick. The smoke got into his mouth and nose andnearly choked him.
A kerosene-lamp had exploded, and the fire was spreading with appallingswiftness. It was on the second floor, and Dick knew Room 42 was on thethird. The fire might cut him off, but he did not hesitate to rush upthe second flight of stairs, down which a screaming woman and twocursing 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 itimpossible to see the numbers on the doors. He reached the front of thehouse and flung a door open. In the middle of the room, attired in anightdress, 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 fellin 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 offire, 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 thesmoke. With Arlington still in his arms, he rushed to a window at thefront of the house and flung it up, calling for help.
Down the street came the village hook-and-ladder company. The truck hadlong 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-enginecame smoking and stringing sparks along the street. A crowd had gatheredbelow. 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 wassupporting Arlington, who showed nerve and waited without agitation.
At last the ladder reached the window. The young athlete lifted Chesterin his arms and stepped through the window on to the ladder. Below theflames burst through a window and he gasped as smoke and heat threatenedto topple him from the ladder. Still he held on and made his waydownward. The crowd began to cheer.
"Who is it?"
"A cadet!"
"Why, it's Frank Merriwell's brother! It's Dick Merriwell! Hurrah forDick Merriwell!"
Down to the ground Dick bore Chester Arlington in safety. Chester'smother 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!"