Saying which, he hastily left the room. Within ten minutes Dick appeared and found Merry walking up and down.
"What's the matter, Frank?" he asked. "From Wiley's words I inferred there was trouble in the air."
"There is," Merry nodded; and he proceeded to tell his brother the whole story.
"The unmitigated scoundrel!" he cried. "Tried to force you to give up the Queen Mystery, did he?"
"Well, you didn't give him half what he deserves. And he threatened to have you arrested for murder--you, Frank, arrested for murder!"
"But it was a bluff, Frank--a bluff pure and simple. He will never try that game."
"You can't tell what a man like Morgan may try. Sukes was desperate and dangerous, but I regard Macklyn Morgan as even more so. As a rule, he is quiet, cold, and calculating, and he lays his plans well. He would not have started in on this thing had he not been convinced that there was a good prospect of succeeding."
"Why, he can't succeed! It is impossible!"
"I don't propose to let him succeed, but I feel certain I am going to have a hot time with him. I am ready for it; let it come."
Again Frank's fighting blood was aroused, and Dick saw it in the sternness of his handsome face and the gleam of his flashing eyes.
"That's the talk, Frank!" cried the boy, thrilled by the spirit of his brother. "They can't down you. They've tried it and failed too many times. But what are your plans now? You intend to start for the new mines early to-morrow?"
"I may alter my plans. I may remain here for a while to face Macklyn Morgan. For all of his power and his money, I think I have a few friends and some influence in Prescott. There is one, at least, whom I can depend upon, and that is Frank Mansfield. He is white to the bone, and he always stands by his friends."
"But you cannot depend upon your friends alone in an emergency like this," said Dick. "You will have to rely on yourself. Of course, Brad and I will stand by you, no matter what happens."
While they were talking Wiley came rushing in.
"The gent who lately descended the stairs with such graceful impetuosity is now in consultation with the city marshal," he declared. "I traced him thither, and I have left one Bradley Buckhart to linger near and keep an eagle eye upon his movements."