valed the efforts of real black
bears. Then Fremont closed and locked the door and dropped into a
chair, eyeing his friend as if he would like to devour him, black bear
fashion.

"You didn't expect to see me here, did you?" asked Frank.

"I should say not. How did you know where to find me? When did you
leave New York? How is Mr. Cameron? Tell me all about everything."

"When you get done asking questions," cried Frank. "First, Ned Nestor
told me where to look for you. He told some of the others, too, but I
reckon they got lost on the way down. I've been waiting for you half a
year--it seems to me--a whole day, any way. And that reminds me that
you've got to beat it."

"And how is Mr. Cameron? Is he conscious yet?"

"Not yet, and they say he can't live. Say, I came down here to enlist
as drummer, so I could get a stand-in with the army fellows, and, what
do you think, they wouldn't enlist me! Said I was too short and fat.
Me short and fat! I'm going to write up that recruiting officer and
have Dad publish him to the world."

"There is a lot of talk about the case?" asked Fremont.

"Of course there is," was the reply. "But what do you think about that
recruiting officer? He ought to be pinched. Me too short and fat!
Ever hear me drum?"

"Only once," was the reply. "Then the boys held me while you drummed."

"Never you mind that," Frank replied. "I'm going to tell you now that
you've got to beat it. Understand? You've got to get out right
away--not to-morrow, but now."

"Yes, I know the police are after me," said Fremont, gravely. "There
is some one who is keeping them posted as to our movements. It appears
to me that this crime was directed against me as well as against Mr.
Cameron. What are you going to do now?"

"Do?" demanded the other. "Do? I'm going to stay here and fight for
you. What else could I do? And I'm going to write to father and tell
him all about the case, and say you are innocent, and he'll show the
other newspapers where to head in at."

"We've got to get the proof first," said Fremont. "The case looks dark
for me," Fremont added with a sigh. "Nestor will soon be here, and
he'll be glad to see you."

"I hope he'll come before the police, do," said Frank. "I'll tell you,
old man, that they're hot after that reward. They know you're in this
hotel. I don't doubt that they know the room you're in. You've got to
beat it, I tell you."

"I've got to wait for Ned