He had a big piece of cake in one hand and a glass of wine or tea in the other.
"Come up to the feast!" he bellowed.

"Great fun!" But Merriwell had his eyes fixed elsewhere.

Suddenly he exclaimed: "That hotel is on fire!" He had observed a tongue of flame leaping from a window.
He started across the street, but before he had taken a dozen steps the fire-alarm bell sounded.

A few of the people in the hotel seemed to be awaking to the fact that the building was on fire.

Merry's friends joined him, and they stood near the center of the street, looking up at the fire and discussing the matter.