Frank Merriwells Pursuit | Page 5

Del Norte is dead, and it's almost
certain his companions have taken to their legs to get away as fast and
as far as possible. Mr. Scott will have officers searching high and low
for them. They are fugitives from justice. Even though they were not
under the ban of the law, with Del Norte gone, there is not one chance
in a hundred that any of them would ever lift a hand to annoy or molest
you or me. The fall of their leader put an end to their work, and they
will scatter and keep under cover until the storm blows over."
"That's right, O'Toole," declared Warren Hatch. "You rendered Mr.
Merriwell and the rest of us a great service when you fired the shot that
brought Del Norte down. They won't dare have you arrested for that
shooting, as no one would venture to appear against you. If they escape
from the officers, I expect we'll hear in a few days how Del Norte's
body was carried out of the mountains and expressed to friends
somewhere."
"They may not dare do that," said Frank. "They may bury him here in
the mountains, rather than take any chances of being captured

themselves. At any rate, it's foolish for you to worry, O'Toole. Of
course it's not a pleasant thing to think you have shot a man, but you
did it in self-defense, and were justified."
"It's roight ye are on thot point, me bhoy; but it's a long toime before
Oi'll rist aisy from thinkin' av it an' belavin' me own loife in danger.
Oi'll be afeared av me own shadder in th' darruk. Porrfeeus dil Noort
wur th' firrust man Oi ivver saw that made me fale as if bullets wouldn't
kill him an' kape him dead. Wur he to roize before me this minute
nivver a bit surphrised would Oi be."
Although Merry jollied the Irishman, it was no easy matter to relieve
O'Toole's nervousness.
Later Belmont Bland appeared at the cottage, having sought the advice
of a physician who was spending an outing at the little settlement on
the southern shore.
"I'm feeling better already," said Bland. "The doctor gave me some
medicine to quiet my nerves. I'll be all right to leave for the city
to-morrow, I hope, although I feel that I need several days of rest."
Frank wondered why Bland had lingered at the lake.
CHAPTER III.
NEW ARRIVALS AT THE LAKE.
Late that afternoon Warren Hatch and Frank went out to fish and
remained until after nightfall.
Lights were gleaming from the cottage windows as they rowed slowly
back.
Away at the southern end of the lake were other lights, indicating the
location of the little settlement of cottagers. Lake Placid was a popular
resort at this season of the year.

Joe, the man of all work, came down to the shore and took care of the
boat.
"Take care of the fish, Joe," called Hatch, as he hastened after Merry,
who was striding toward the cottage.
The shades were drawn and the place seemed silent enough until Frank
opened the door and stepped inside. Then he was surprised and startled
to find himself seized by four pairs of hands, which hustled him about
amid bursts of laughter and shouts of welcome.
"Hold on! hold on!" he gasped, in the greatest astonishment, for he
recognized his four assailants as his friends, Bart Hodge, Bruce
Browning, Inza Burrage, and Elsie Bellwood. "Where in the world did
you all drop from?"
"We have run you down at last," said Hodge; "but you gave us a merry
old chase."
"It's been the greatest game of hide and seek I ever played," grunted
Browning, ceasing from his attack on Frank and dropping lazily on a
chair, which creaked beneath his weight. "Just when we would think
we were going to put our hands on you sure you would disappear like a
wizard."
"Aren't you glad to see us?" demanded Inza.
"If you're not, we'll go right away," said Elsie.
"Glad!" cried Frank. "I'm speechless with delight. But I don't
understand it yet."
Then they explained how they had followed him to Boston and from
that city to New York, and how in the latter place, after no end of
trouble and detective work, they learned that he was off for Lake Placid,
in the Adirondacks. Arriving at Newman late that afternoon, they had
driven over to the cottage of Mr. Hatch, which they reached while
Frank and his host were still out fishing.

"Here is Mrs. Medford, Frank," said Inza, calling his attention to a
smiling, middle-aged lady who sat near the open fireplace.
Mrs. Medford was a relative of Inza's who often accompanied her as
companion and chaperon.
"Mrs. Medford," said Merry, hastening to clasp the smiling