And now came three letters from three Yale men. Diamond's was brief.
"Dear Old Comrade: It is plain you are still a practical joker. Your very valuable (?) check on the First National of Denver received. I really do not know what to do with so much money! But I am afraid you are making a mistake by using a check on an existing bank. Why didn't you draw one on 'The First Sand Bank of Denver'? It would have served your purpose just as well.
"Can't write much now, as I am making preparations for vacation, which is only a month away. I'm afraid it will be a sorry vacation for me this year; not much like the last one. Then we were all together, and what times we did have at Fardale and in Maine! I'm blue to-night, old friend, and do not feel like writing. I fancy it has made me feel bluer than ever to read in the _Dramatic Reflector_ of your unfortunate failure in Puelbo and the disbanding of your company after your backer deserted you. Hard luck, Frank--hard luck! All the fellows have been hoping you would make money enough to come back here in the fall, but all that is over now.
"What are you doing? Can't you find time to write to us and let us know? We are very anxious about you. I will write you again when I am more in the mood. Hoping your fortune may turn for the better, I remain,
Frank read this aloud to Hodge and Gallup in his room at the Metropole Hotel.
"Waal, by ginger!" exploded Ephraim. "What do yeou think of that?"
"Now you see what your reputation as a practical joker is doing for you, Merry," said Hodge.
"Well, I'll be hanged if I don't believe Diamond considers it a joke!" laughed Frank.
"Well, he is putting a joke on himself. He'll be somewhat surprised when he discovers that."
"Here is a letter from Rattleton," said Merry, picking up another from the mail he had just received. "I wonder how he takes it?"
"A wise suggestion," bowed Frank, with mock gravity, tearing it open.
"Dear Merry: Cheese it! What do you take us for--a lot of chumps? We're onto you! Eight thousand fiddlesticks! I'm going to have the check framed and hang it in my room. It will be a reminder of you.
"Say, that was tough about your fizzle in Puelbo! It came just when we were hoping, you know. The fellows have been gathering at the fence and talking about you and your return to college since Browning came back and told us how you were making a barrel of money with your play. Now the report of your disaster is spread broadcast, and we know you cannot come back. It's tough.