Then, for a moment, a black cloud seemed to pass before Frank's eyes.
His heart was in his mouth, where it lay hot and dry, like a stone that has baked in the sun. It seemed that he must fall.
"Win or die! win or die!"
Those words rang through his head as if some one had shouted them into his ear.
"I will!"
He knew the end was close at hand, and still the black and yellow was before him.
Then it was that Frank nerved himself for one last great effort, and dashed forward with a fresh burst of speed that seemed little short of marvelous. That burst carried him to Mansford's side--carried him into the lead--carried him over the line at the finish--a winner!
There was a grand supper in New York that night, at which Frank Merriwell was the guest of honor. He was toasted again and again by his admiring friends, and it seemed that everybody was his friend at last.
There were speeches and songs and a general merry time. Old Yale had carved her way to glory once more, and among her standard-bearers Merriwell was the leader.
"Tell us, tell us, old man," cried Paul Pierson, "how was it that you happened to be so late in appearing at the garden? Really we had given up hope that you would come, and were 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.