Diamond and Browning came down, talking in low tones of Merry and Bart,
and from this talk, Pike, who had withdrawn into the shadows, learned
that both Hodge and Frank were out in town somewhere. This suited Pike's
plans, and when Diamond and Bruce disappeared, he crawled into the
shadow of a column and watched the path along which Hodge and Merriwell
would come on their return.
"They'll not come back together, sure, unless all the stories I've heard
are lies; for they're not on speaking terms!" he reflected. "The only
thing I fear is that Hodge may not care to come to his rooms at all."
The thought made him uneasy, and caused the vigil which followed to
appear torturingly long.
"Ah! there he is!" he whispered, at last.
Slipping across the path, he tied an end of the cord he had brought to a
post, then retreated into the shadow and tied the other end about the
column. The youth he had seen came on at a brisk walk. Pike was sure it
was Hodge. He almost ceased to breathe as the unsuspecting young fellow
approached the cord. He put himself in position for a hasty spring.
Crash!
The youth tripped over the string, and went down headlong, falling
heavily.
"I reckon I've got you now!" Pike hissed in a low tone, imitating
Badger's voice, and at the same time leaping toward the prostrate form.
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