“It is the second evening you have been out alone,” said Harry. “You are not in the habit of meandering around all by yourself in a strange city. You are a person who enjoys company.”
“I’m afraid he’s had company enough,” said Diamond soberly.
Now, when Frank thought of what had actually happened, and what his friends seemed to imagine had happened, he sat down and laughed most heartily.
“He’s becoming depraved fast!” exclaimed Rattleton. “He can laugh over it in a heartless manner.”
“Yes; he’s going to the dogs, sure enough!” grunted Bruce. “It’s a shame! He was able to withstand temptation till he came here to naughty Paris.”
“Boys,” said Diamond, “I’m afraid it’s no joking-matter.”
“My dear Diamond, surely you have not been affected by the air of Paris? You are constant enough to Juliet, whom you left in England.”
“Oh, that’s nothing serious!” he protested, scowling at Frank, and trying to make Merry understand that he did not wish too much said before the others.
But Harry and Bruce were quick to catch on, and they made it rather warm for Diamond for some minutes.
“Oh, you fellows think you are smart!” exclaimed the Virginian. “You are ready to turn from Frank any time, and pick at me, but you can carry it too far!”
“Take your medicine,” advised Browning. “Don’t fly off the handle. You must stand a little jollying, when your turn comes. You laughed with the others when the alarm-clock joke was worked on me.”
The boys tried to induce Frank to tell where he had been, but he kept them guessing, till, at last, Browning and Rattleton gave up in disgust, and went to bed. Frank was preparing to retire, when Diamond came and sat down near-by. Merry took the revolver from his pocket, wiped it out, and slipped a fresh cartridge into the cylinder. Jack regarded him curiously while he was doing this.
“Have you been carrying that around?” asked the Virginian.
“I took it with me this evening,” nodded Merry.
“I am not in the habit of using a pistol unless it is necessary.”
“See here, Frank,” he said, “you have been acting rather strange for a day or two.”
Frank turned about, and faced Diamond, who looked very grave and earnest.
“I sincerely hope you are, and I have every reason to believe so,” he said.