The stage manager was astounded, for never had he dreamed that Frank Merriwell possessed such strength.
Having secured the weapon, Frank suddenly leaped backward, setting Havener free.
For a moment the man remained motionless, and then he cried:
"All right, you have the revolver, but you can't keep me from killing the cur! I'll strangle him! I'll---- Why, where is he?"
"While we were struggling for the revolver."
"The coward! He ran away! But I'll find him yet!"
Havener dashed from the room, looking around for Sargent. As he could see nothing of the man, he went leaping toward the stairs that led to the stage door.
"I'll find him!" he shouted, as he bounded down the stairs. "I'll avenge her yet!"
With the revolver in his hand, Frank turned back, unheeding a weak cry:
"Vat's all der madder apoudt, Vrankie? I peliefed me a slycone hat sdruck der blace, und I got me cofer under to peen oudt der vay uf id."
The head of the Dutch lad popped up from behind a sofa, where he had been hiding.
Frank knew Ephraim Gallup was not there, for the Vermonter would have forced his way into the dressing room to learn what was taking place there.
Merry did not believe Sargent had left the building. He entered the dressing room, and then passed through by connecting door into the adjoining room, taking a light with him.
There he found Sargent, shivering with fear, trying to hide behind some trunks.
"Now is your time to get out of here," said Frank. "Havener believes you have left the building, and he has gone to look for you."
Sargent was so frightened that it was with difficulty he could stand on his feet.
"The man is mad!" he whispered. "I could see it in his eyes."
"Yes. He is crazed by what has happened. You must not be seen by him. You have the money to get away, and you must lose no time in doing so."
"Hang the trunk! If I get off with a whole skin I'll let that go."
Then, without one word of thanks for what Frank had done, the ungrateful actor hurried out of the building.
Havener did not find Sargent, much to Frank's relief. It was near morning when the stage manager came into the hotel again, looking weary and worn. The wild light was gone from his eyes, and, when he saw Frank, he crept up to him almost timidly, falteringly asking: