Frank looked troubled. After a little meditation, he sent other messages, in the hope of finding out his father’s destination. “I need his money now if I am going to save Collins,” Merry thought. “I have not enough money of my own—not half enough. If I cannot reach father, I’m afraid Collins will be in a bad scrape.” Languid and weary, Jack Diamond was resting when Frank went up to the room. “Haven’t even energy enough to go to my own hotel,” he said. “You pumped it all out of me this morning.” “But you’ll find it will come back in time. Why, man, can’t you see what the life you were leading was bringing you to? Here you are without life or ambition, exhausted, listless, languid—you who used to be full of fire and spirit and go. Do you like it?” “It would be easy to put some fire into me now.” “How?” “Let me have a few drinks.” “False fire—fire that burns out both body and soul. That fire has utterly destroyed many a fine fellow. The only way to be sure it will not enfold you in its consuming grasp is to keep away from it. The chap who plays with it is taking chances.” “That’s so,” Jack nodded. “I know it well enough; you don’t have to tell me. Still, I think it may prove to be a good thing for me that you ran across me last night.” The Virginian was willing to give Merry credit for everything due. Frank paced the floor. “How long are you going to stay in New York?” Jack asked. “I don’t know. Yesterday I meant to leave this morning, but now—well, I cannot leave before to-morrow. I have to meet Collins at noon to-day, and I wish to hear something from my father. Jack, how much ready money have you?” “What’s left in that roll you saved for me last night, about five thousand.” “Not enough.” “You want money?” “Must have it.” “What for?” “Never mind; but I must have it.” Diamond had not heard Merriwell’s talk with Harry Collins, and he did not know Frank was determined to give the boy a lift by letting him have such a large sum. “You may have every dollar I’ve got,” said Diamond quickly. “It will do me no more good than ten dollars would. I must have ten thousand. I expect to reach my father some time to-day, and I can get it from him.” Jack was curious to know why Merry wished for such a large sum, but he knew better than to ask. If Frank meant for anybody else to know, he would tell. “I’ve got to go to my hotel,” said the Southerner, rising. “I’ll settle and come back here to stop to-night, so that we may be together.” “Do,” said Frank. “We must stick together while we are in this town.” “Expect I’ll be likely to strike Herrick watching for me.” Frank looked startled. “If you do——” “Don’t worry, Merry; I’m done. I pull up right here.” “Stick to it, Jack. If you see Herrick, cut him cold.” “You forget that the fellow has an interest in the Unknown. He might throw me down by fixing the fight and buying the Unknown off.” “He’ll throw you down, anyhow. The Unknown is booked to lose that fight.”