Then he flung himself at full length on the bed, and Frank slipped out, leaving him there.
Frank felt that it was his duty to warn Arthur Sargent of his danger, for he could not doubt that Havener really meant to shoot the man on sight. The stage manager never blustered or made needless talk about anything. In fact, he was a man of few words. His likes and dislikes were strong and pronounced. He was just the sort of a person to make up his mind to shoot a man and then go straightway and do it.
But what troubled Frank most was Havener's singular actions and his wild words. Never before had the man appeared like that. Frank had seen a light in the stage manager's eyes that appalled him.
"Just the look I saw in the eyes of the maniac who was hunting Darius Conrad down," thought Merriwell.
Was it possible that there was something of insanity in Havener and the occurrences of the night had served to arouse it? Merry remembered the man had said something seemed to snap in his head when he saw Cassie on the floor of the dressing room.
"No telling what freak may seize him. I will find Sargent without delay."
Down in the office of the hotel Cates was writing a letter. Frank went straight up to him.
"Eh?" he exclaimed. "Oh, is it you, Mr. Merriwell? Sargent? Now, what do you want of him?"
"I want to see him about an important matter."
"I can guess," he said. "What's the use to fight? It won't give you any satisfaction."
"I haven't the least idea in the world of fighting," assured Frank. "But Sargent is in great danger."
"I'll tell Sargent that when I find him."
"It's a good thing for him that he has. You won't tell me where he has gone?"
"Then tell him to get out of Groton without delay, for less than five minutes ago I left a man who had a loaded revolver for him. That is straight goods. I have no love for Sargent, but I don't wish to see him shot, nor do I wish to see the other man arrested for murder. I am giving you straight stuff, as you must see."
"All right," he said; "I rather think Sargent will be out of Groton early in the morning. I am writing now for an engagement for both of us. We don't hold any feelings against you, Mr. Merriwell."
"That is more than I can say to you, sir. You broke your promise to me, and----"