"Well, it brought on the attack all right."
"It seems so, but he thought all danger was past by the time we reached this place, for he was feeling much better."
"Something makes me certain he will not be on hand to-night. If he had not given me orders to open the doors, these people would not be coming in now. Of course I did as he directed, but it is going to cause no end of trouble."
"It has a bad effect to turn away an audience after a house is filled."
"Right. People go away sore. Hope nothing of this kind will happen in connection with your show, Mr. Merriwell."
"It's not likely to happen," declared Frank; but, if the manager had noted the youth's expression just then, he might have seen a shade of anxiety pass over Merriwell's face.
Within a day or two Merriwell had learned that Zenas Hawkins, the "angel" on which Barnaby Haley, the manager, had depended to keep the "Empire Theater Company" afloat, had refused to give up any more good money and had quit the organization.
As the company had been "up against bad business," the wind must change, or the end would come quickly, and Frank knew it. Hence his anxiety.
As Merriwell and the manager stood there, a boy came up hurriedly, saying to Burnham:
"Can you tell me where I can find Frank Merriwell? The magician has sent for him."
"Here he is," said the manager, indicating Merry.
"Come on, sir," urged the boy. "They told me to tell you to come in a hurry."
"What is the matter?" asked Burnham. "Is it----"
"I don't know. All I know is that they told me to get Mr. Merriwell in a hurry."
"Goodness!" muttered the manager. "I hope this don't mean that----"
He did not finish, and Frank followed the boy, wondering why he had been summoned by Zolverein.
The messenger was a bell boy from the hotel, and he piloted Frank up to the door of the magician's room.
The door was opened at once by a tall man who wore a Vandyke beard. It was Dr. Gray.
"This is Mr. Merriwell," explained the bell boy.
"Come in," said the doctor, softly. "You are in time."
"In time!" echoed Merry, wonderingly. "In time for what?"
Then he saw another man bending over the bed, on which lay Zolverein, the great magician. One glance satisfied Frank that the man of magic was face to face with the mighty mystery which no human being has ever solved and lived.