Kent Spencer, who was seated in a bamboo chair on the veranda, smiled on him as he approached. “Well, Mr. Merriwell,” he called, “I should say by your face that you have found the friend I told you about?” Frank laughed and nodded, blushing a bit. “You are right,” he confessed; “and it was the surprise of my life. But it was lucky I went over, for I was just in time to protect her from Rolf Harlow. By the way, have you seen Harlow within a short time?” “I have,” nodded Spencer; “and I rather fancy I know the spy you saw with him. Something had happened to Harlow when he showed up at the hotel a short time ago, for his clothes were very wet, and he looked wretched and disgusted. A fellow by the name of Berlin Radford was with him.” Frank laughed heartily. “I’ll tell you what happened to Harlow,” he said, and then proceeded to describe the fight, and the climax when Mrs. Barnaby struck Rolf over the head with the basket of eggs. Spencer joined in Frank’s merriment. “He had washed the broken eggs from his clothes, and that is why they were so wet,” declared Kent. “Where are those fellows now?” “They’re gone.” “Gone? Where?” “I don’t know where, but they ordered a carriage as soon as they reached the hotel, and it did not take them long to pack up and get out. I am inclined to think they are gone for good.” “Which may prove a lucky thing for them.” “I rather fancy so, as I should have called Radford to account for annoying my sister. Wasn’t he the spy you caught?” “He was,” nodded Frank. “I fancied as much when I saw him with Harlow. You have done Blue Cove Academy a great service to-day, Mr. Merriwell. We did not suspect Harlow. As for Radford, he has been here but a few days. It must be that he is a member of the Alexandria Athletic Club, although we did not know it. I didn’t think those fellows up there would resort to such low tricks; but they are bound to beat us this year and win back the title of champions, which they lost last year. They have money, and I understand they are betting heavily that they will win.” “I hope you will let our crew into this race,” said Frank. “It will add to the sport, even if you row Alexandria, which I think you had better do.” “I will see that a meeting of the association is called immediately, and the matter shall be considered. I am for taking you in. If Alexandria kicks, let them stay out.” Frank expressed his satisfaction if such arrangement could be made, and then went up to his room. An hour later, the others of the Yale Combine arrived at the hotel, Diamond in the lead, and Hans Dunnerwust bringing up the rear, as usual. At least a dozen of the Blue Cove Academy boys were on hand to greet the young bicyclists, who gave a cheer when they saw Frank come out of the hotel. “Hurro!” shouted Barney. “Here we are Frankie, me b’y!” “Yaw!” cried Hans; “here you vos, Vrankie, mein poy! You peen glat to seen us, ain’t id?”