When the two men would have clutched the would-be suicide, Frank waved them back with the gleaming weapon, supporting the panting lad on his shoulder. “Hands off!” he cried, his voice clear and steady, yet not loud. “Aren’t you satisfied with what you have brought the poor devil to? You shall not touch him!” “Give me that revolver!” pleaded the shaking youth, reaching out for it. “Wait a minute,” said Merry. “I want to talk to you.” Then, half-leading, half-supporting the miserable boy, he crossed the room to a cushioned seat by the fireplace. The two men looked on, uncertain as to what course they should pursue. “You have made a terrible blunder,” said Frank, as he sat beside the white-faced lad, a hand on his shoulder; “but you cannot undo it by taking your own life.” “At least, I can escape the consequences, the shame, the disgrace!” “And prove yourself a coward. You spoke of your mother. Will she be left in poverty by this act of yours?” “No; she has the income of property that will take care of her. But the shame will kill her!” “Do you think it will be any less if you were to take your own life? Do you think the blow would be less severe to her?” “No, no; but——” “Then it is only because you fear to face the consequences of your act that you wish to die?” “I can’t face it—I can’t! I’ve gambled away ten thousand dollars that do not belong to me! That means prison!” “And you cannot restore one cent?” “Would to God I could!” sobbed the youth, from the depths of his heart. “If you could, you would?” “Yes, yes, yes! I’d slave like a dog to pay that money back! I’d do anything! I’d work to the day of my death! But who would believe me if I said so?” “I believe you,” declared Frank Merriwell, in a way that gave the other a strange thrill. “But you—what can you do? You are a stranger to me.” “Yes, I am a stranger to you; but by the eternal Heavens! I am not going to see a human life go to wreck on the rocks if I can help it!” “How can you help it?” “I may find a way. What is your name?” “Harry Collins.” “Well, Collins, how long do you think it will be before it is discovered that you have taken this money?” “It may be discovered to-morrow; it may not be discovered for a week.” Frank took a card-case from his pocket, removed a card and wrote on the back of it with a lead-pencil. “There is my address,” he said. “Come to me to-morrow at one o’clock.” “But you—you—what will you do? You can’t do——” “I hope to be able to save you from the consequences of your folly. I have asked you only a few questions about yourself, because I do not wish to pry into your private affairs. For your mother’s sake, and in the hope that you have learned the lesson of your folly, I am going to do all I can for you.” The youth shook his head. “It’s a trick!” he said. “It’s a trick to get me out of this place. I’ll not find you when I call.” Frank flushed.