for getting Yates into running
rig. You barely got along in time. What kept you away?"

"I was unavoidably detained," answered Frank, smiling.

"Yes, but that is an unsatisfactory explanation. Rattleton and the
fellows who were with you reported your mysterious disappearance, and we
were for putting detectives on the case to-morrow. Can't you clear up
the mystery?"

"Well, you see, it is like this: I fell in with some gentlemen who
seemed to take a strong interest in me. Note the word strong there. In
fact they were too strong for me. They seemed to like me exceedingly
well, and they pressed me to stay all night with them. I was sort of
roped into it, as it were. I found it difficult to get away without
wounding their feelings."

This was said in a queer manner, and the lads about the table looked at
each other inquiringly.

"But you managed to get away?" said Pierson.

"Yes, I offered them inducements in the shape of coin of the realm. They
seemed to be out for stuff, and some person, who must love me
dearly--had induced them to take charge of me and care for me tenderly.
However I worked on their greed by offering more than my friend had
offered, and, as I promised not to make too much of a fuss about it, I
was let off, but barely in time to reach here. I am not going to say
anything more about this matter just now, but I expect to look around
some and find out who my friend is who engaged the gentlemen to care for
me so tenderly. When I find him--well, I won't do a thing to him!"

"Well, here's luck to you!" cried Pierson, lifting his glass.
"Gentlemen, here's luck to Frank Merriwell, the best all-around man who
ever called dear Old Yale _alma mater_. Drink--drink hearty!"

A few words more and we will bring this story to a close.

Frank was truly the hero of the college, and it was many a day before
his wonderful dash was forgotten by even the most indifferent of the
students.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S RACES***

******* This file should be named 21958.txt or 21958.zip *******

This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/9/5/21958

Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
will be renamed.

Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United Stat