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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/19502-h.zip b/19502-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1a2fb65 --- /dev/null +++ b/19502-h.zip diff --git a/19502-h/19502-h.htm b/19502-h/19502-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..aa97289 --- /dev/null +++ b/19502-h/19502-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,17106 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Frank Merriwell's Chums, by Burt L. Standish</title> +<style type="text/css"> +BODY { color: Black; + background: White; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: medium; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + text-align: justify } + +P {text-indent: 4% } + +P.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +P.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: small } + +P.letter {font-size: small ; + margin-left: 15% ; + margin-right: 15% } + +p.dedication {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 15%; + text-align: justify } + +P.published {font-size: small ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 15% } + +p.finis { text-align: center } + + hr.full { width: 100%; + height: 5px; } + a:link {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none; } + link {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none; } + a:visited {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none; } + a:hover {color:#ff0000; + text-decoration: underline; } + pre {font-size: 75%; } + +</style> +</head> +<body> +<h1 align="center">The Project Gutenberg eBook, Frank Merriwell's Chums, by Burt L. Standish</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Frank Merriwell's Chums</p> +<p>Author: Burt L. Standish</p> +<p>Release Date: October 8, 2006 [eBook #19502]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S CHUMS***</p> +<br><br><center><h3>E-text prepared by Al Haines</h3></center><br><br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<A NAME="img-front"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT=""All eyes were now fixed on Frank."" BORDER="2" WIDTH="395" HEIGHT="614"> +<H3> +[Frontispiece: "All eyes were now fixed on Frank."] +</H3> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +Frank Merriwell's Chums +</H1> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BY +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +BURT L. STANDISH +</H2> + +<BR><BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +AUTHOR OF +<BR> +"Frank Merriwell's School Days," "Frank Merriwell's Foes," etc. +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +PHILADELPHIA: +<BR> +DAVID McKAY, PUBLISHER, +<BR> +604-8 SOUTH WASHINGTON SQUARE. +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H5 ALIGN="center"> +Copyright, 1896 and 1902 +<BR> +By STREET & SMITH +<BR><BR> +Frank Merriwell's Chums +</H5> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CONTENTS. +</H2> + +<BR> + +<CENTER> + +<TABLE BORDER WIDTH="100%"> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top" WIDTH="15%">I </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top" WIDTH="35%"> +<A HREF="#chap01">Frank Asks Questions</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top" WIDTH="15%">XXV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top" WIDTH="35%"> +<A HREF="#chap25">The Sinister Stranger</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">A Ghastly Subject</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap26">The Mystery of the Ring</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">An Irresistible Temptation</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap27">Attacked on the Road</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">A Game of Bluff</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap28">The Marks on the Black Stone</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">Frank's Revelation</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap29">Bart Makes a Pledge</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">The Plot</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap30">Frank and the Professor</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">Spreading the Snare</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap31">Snell Talks</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">The Haunted Room</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap32">Snell's Hatred</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">In the Meshes</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap33">Playing the Shadow</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">Downward</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXIV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap34">The Ring Disappears</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">Trusting and True</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap35">More Danger</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">The Snare is Broken</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXVI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap36">The Secret of the Ring</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">The "Centipede" Joke</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXVII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap37">"Baby"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">Lively Times</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXVIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap38">Sport With a Plebe</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">Warned</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXXIX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap39">An Open Insult</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">Paul Rains</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XL </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap40">For the Under Dog</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap17">The Bully's Match</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XLI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap41">Birds of a Feather</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap18">Rains' Challenge</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XLII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap42">The Challenge</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap19">Jumping</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XLIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap43">Doughty Duelist</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap20">Bascomb's Mistake</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XLIV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap44">A Comedy Duel</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap21">The Rival Professors</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XLV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap45">Another Kind of a Fight</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap22">A Lively Call</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XLVI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap46">Result of the Contest</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap23">Skating for Honors</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XLVII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap47">Alive!</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap24">Skating for Life</A></TD> + +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XLVIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap48">Baby's Heroism—Conclusion</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +FRANK MERRIWELL'S CHUMS. +</H1> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER I. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +FRANK ASKS QUESTIONS. +</H3> + +<P> +September was again at hand, and the cadets at Fardale Military Academy +had broken camp, and returned to barracks. +</P> + +<P> +For all of past differences, which had been finally settled between +them—for all that they had once been bitter enemies, and were by +disposition and development as radically opposite as the positive and +negative points of a magnetic needle, Frank Merriwell and Bartley Hodge +had chosen to room together. +</P> + +<P> +There was to be no more "herding" in fours, and so Barney Mulloy, the +Irish lad, and Hans Dunnerwust, the Dutch boy, were assigned to another +room. +</P> + +<P> +Like Hodge, Barney and Hans were Frank Merriwell's stanch friends and +admirers. They were ready to do anything for the jolly young plebe, +who had become popular at the academy, and thus won both friends and +foes among the older cadets. +</P> + +<P> +Barney was shrewd and ready-witted, while Hans, for all of his speech +and his blundering ways, was much brighter than he appeared. +</P> + +<P> +Still being plebes, Merriwell and Hodge had been assigned to the +"cock-loft" of the third division, which meant the top floor on the +north side of the barracks—the sunless side. +</P> + +<P> +The other sides, and the lower floors, with the exception of the first, +were reserved for the older cadets. +</P> + +<P> +Their room contained two alcoves, or bedrooms, at the end opposite the +door. These alcoves were made by a simple partition that separated one +side from the other, but left the bedrooms open to the rest of the room. +</P> + +<P> +Against the walls in the alcoves stood two light iron bedsteads, with a +single mattress on each, carefully folded back during the day, and made +up only after tattoo. +</P> + +<P> +The rest of the bedding was carefully and systematically piled on the +mattresses. +</P> + +<P> +In the partitions were rows of iron hooks, on which their clothing must +be placed in regular order, overcoats to the front, then rubber coats, +uniform coats, jackets, trousers, and underclothing following, with a +bag for soiled clothing at the rear. +</P> + +<P> +On the broad wooden bar that ran across the front of these alcoves, +near the ceiling, the names of the cadets who occupied the bedrooms +were posted, so inspecting officers could tell at a glance who occupied +the beds. +</P> + +<P> +At the front of the partition the washstand was placed, with the bucket +of water, dipper, and washbowl, which must always be kept in a certain +order, with the washbowl inverted, and the soapdish on top of it. +</P> + +<P> +Rifles were kept in the rack, barrels to the front, with dress hats on +the shelf, and a mirror in the middle of the mantelshelf. +Accoutrements and forage saps were hung on certain hooks, and clothing +and other things allowable and necessary were always to be kept in an +unvarying order on a set of open-faced shelves. +</P> + +<P> +The broom and slop-bucket were to be deposited behind the door, the +chairs against the table, when not in use, and the table against the +wall opposite the fireplace. +</P> + +<P> +At the foot of each bed the shoes were placed in a line, neatly dusted, +with toes to the front. +</P> + +<P> +It was required that the room should be constantly kept in perfect +order, and Merriwell and Hodge were called on to take turns, week and +week about, at being orderly, and the name of the one responsible for +the appearance of the room was placed on the orderly board, hung to the +front of the alcove partition. +</P> + +<P> +Back of the door was another board, on which each was required to post +his hours of recitation, and to account for his absence from the room +at any inspection. +</P> + +<P> +In fact, a rigid effort was made at Fardale to imitate in every +possible way the regulations and requirements enforced at West Point, +and it was the boast that the school was, in almost every particular, +identical with our great Military Academy. +</P> + +<P> +Of course, it was impossible to enforce the rules as rigidly as they +are at the Point, for the cadets at Fardale were, as a class, far +younger, and the disgrace of expulsion or failure in any way was not to +be compared with that attending unfortunates at the school where youths +are graduated into actual service as officers of the United States army. +</P> + +<P> +Many of the cadets at Fardale had been sent there by parents who could +not handle them at home, and who had hoped the discipline they would +receive at a military school would serve to tone down their wildness. +Thus it will be seen that many harum-scarum fellows got into the +school, and that they could not readily be compelled to conform to the +rules and requirements. +</P> + +<P> +For all that Frank Merriwell was a jolly, fun-loving fellow, he was +naturally orderly and neat, so that it seemed very little effort for +him to do his part in keeping the room in order. +</P> + +<P> +On the other hand, Bartley Hodge was naturally careless, and he had a +persistent way of displacing things that annoyed Frank, although the +latter said little about it at first. +</P> + +<P> +Whenever the inspecting officer found anything wrong about the room, he +simply glanced at the orderly board, and down went the demerit against +the lad whose name was posted there. It made no difference who had +left a chair out of place, hung a coat where it should not be, or +failed to invert the washbowl, the room orderly had to assume the +responsibility. +</P> + +<P> +Now, it was the last thing in the world that Hodge could wish to injure +Merriwell, but three times in Frank's first week as room orderly he was +reported for things he could not help, and for which Bart was entirely +responsible. +</P> + +<P> +Merriwell had risen to the first section in recitation at the very +start, while Hodge, who had been placed in the third, was soon +relegated to the second. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was trying to curb his almost unbounded inclination for mischief, +and he was studying assiduously. +</P> + +<P> +On the other hand, while Hodge did not seem at all mischievous by +nature, he detested study, and he was inclined to spend the time when +he should have been "digging," in reading some story, or in idly +yawning and wishing the time away. +</P> + +<P> +One day, after having taken his third demerit on his roommate's +account, the inspector having detected tobacco smoke in the room, Frank +said: +</P> + +<P> +"Why don't you swear off on cigarettes, Bart? They don't do a fellow +any good, and they are pretty sure to get him into trouble here at the +academy." +</P> + +<P> +Hodge was in anything but a pleasant frame of mind, and he instantly +retorted: +</P> + +<P> +"I know what you mean. You are orderly, and I ought to have spoken up +and told the inspector I had been smoking. I didn't know what it was +he put down, but I'll go and confess my crime now." +</P> + +<P> +He sprang up petulantly, but Frank's hand dropped on his arm, and +Merriwell quietly said: +</P> + +<P> +"Don't go off angry, old man. You know I don't want you to do anything +of the sort. I will take my medicine when I am orderly, and I know you +will do the same when it comes your turn." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I didn't know——" began Bart, in a somewhat sulky manner. +</P> + +<P> +"You ought to know pretty well by this time. I am not much given to +kicking or growling, but I do want to have a sober talk with you, and I +hope you will not fire up at anything I say." +</P> + +<P> +"All right; go ahead," said Hodge, throwing himself wearily into a +chair, and thrusting his hands deep into his pockets. "I'll listen to +your sermon." +</P> + +<P> +"It isn't to be a sermon. You should know I am not the kind of a +fellow to preach." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so. Don't mind me. Drive ahead." +</P> + +<P> +"First, I want to ask how it is you happened to let yourself be put +back in recitations?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Old Gunn just put me back—that's all." +</P> + +<P> +"But you are fully as good a scholar as I am, and you could have gone +ahead into the first section if you had braced up." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps so." +</P> + +<P> +"I know it. You do not study." +</P> + +<P> +"What's the use of boning all the time! I wasn't cut out for it." +</P> + +<P> +"That's the only way to get ahead here." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't care much about getting ahead. All I want is to pull through +and graduate. Then I can go to college if I wish. These fellows who +get the idea that they must dig, dig, dig here, just as they say they +do at West Point, give me a pain. What is there to dig for? We're not +working for commissions in the army." +</P> + +<P> +"From your point of view, you put up a very good argument," admitted +Frank; "but there's another side. It surely must be some satisfaction +to graduate well up in your class, if not at the head. And then, the +more a fellow learns here, the easier he will find the work after +entering college." +</P> + +<P> +"Work? Pshaw! There are not many fellows in colleges who are +compelled to bone. I hate work! I thought you were the kind of a +fellow who liked a little fun?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you know I am. Haven't I always been in for sport?" +</P> + +<P> +"But you're getting to be a regular plodder. You don't do a thing +lately to keep your blood circulating." +</P> + +<P> +"I am afraid you do too much that is contrary to rules, old man. For +instance, where is it that you go so often nights, and stay till near +morning?" +</P> + +<P> +"I go out for a little sport," replied Bart, with a grim smile. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER II. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A GHASTLY SUBJECT. +</H3> + + +<P> +"But you know the consequences if you are caught," said Frank, +warningly. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course I do," nodded Bart, "but you must acknowledge there is not +much danger that I shall be caught, as long as I make up a good dummy +to leave in my place on the bed." +</P> + +<P> +"Still, you may be." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right, and there's where part of the sport comes in, as you +ought to know, for you are quite a fellow to take chances yourself, +Merriwell." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right," admitted Frank. "It's in my blood, and I can't help +it. Anything with a spice of risk or danger attracts and fascinates +me." +</P> + +<P> +"You are not in the habit of hesitating or being easily scared when +there is some sport in the wind." +</P> + +<P> +Frank smiled. +</P> + +<P> +"I never have been," he admitted. "I have taken altogether too many +risks in the past. A fellow has to sober down and straighten up if he +means to do anything or be anything." +</P> + +<P> +Bart made an impatient gesture. +</P> + +<P> +"Any one would think you were a reformed toper, to hear you talk," he +said, with a trace of a sneer. +</P> + +<P> +"Not if they knew me," said Frank, quietly. "Whatever my faults may +be, I never had any inclination to drink. I have had fellows tell me +they did so for fun, but I have never been able to see the fun in it, +and it surely is injurious and dangerous. I don't believe many young +fellows like the taste of liquor. I don't. They drink it 'for fun,' +and they keep on drinking it 'for fun' till a habit is formed, and they +become drunkards. Now, I can find plenty of fun of a sort that will +not harm me, or bring——" +</P> + +<P> +"I thought you weren't going to preach," interrupted the dark-haired +boy, impatiently. "Let me give you a text: 'Thou shalt not put an +enemy into thy mouth to steal away thy brain,' or something of the +sort. Now, go ahead and spout, old man." +</P> + +<P> +Frank's face grew red, and he bit his lip. He saw that Hodge was in a +most unpleasant humor, and so he forced a laugh. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter with you to-day, Bart?" he asked. "I haven't seen +you this way for a long time." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, there's nothing the matter." +</P> + +<P> +"It must be staying up nights. Where do you go?" +</P> + +<P> +"If you want to come along, and have some fun, I will show you +to-night." +</P> + +<P> +Frank hesitated. It was a great temptation, and he felt a longing to +go. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," he said, finally, "I have not broken any in quite a while, and +I believe I'll take a whirl with you to-night." +</P> + +<P> +"All right," nodded Bart. "I'll show you some fellows with sporting +blood in their veins." +</P> + +<P> +"But I want you to understand I do not propose to follow it up night +after night," Frank hastened to say. "A fellow can't do it and stand +the work that's cut out for him here." +</P> + +<P> +"Bother the work!" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll have to work to keep up with the procession. If you can get +along without work, you are dead lucky." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I'll scrub along some way, don't you worry; and I will come out as +well as you do in the end." +</P> + +<P> +That night, some time after taps, two boys arose and proceeded to +carefully prepare dummies in their beds, arranging the figures so they +looked very much like sleeping cadets, if they were not examined too +closely. Bart was rather skillful at this, and he assisted Frank in +perfecting the figure in Merriwell's bed. +</P> + +<P> +"There," he finally whispered, with satisfaction, "that would fool +Lieutenant Gordan himself." +</P> + +<P> +They donned trousers and coats, and prepared to leave the room in their +stocking feet. +</P> + +<P> +Bart opened the door and peered cautiously out into the hall. +</P> + +<P> +"Coast is clear," he whispered over his shoulder. +</P> + +<P> +In another moment they were outside the room. Along the corridor they +skurried like cats, their feet making no noise on the floor. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was still entirely unaware of their destination, but, as they had +not taken their shoes, he knew they were not to leave the building. +</P> + +<P> +Frank cared little where they went, but he realized Hodge was leading +the way to a remote part of the building, where the rooms were not +entirely taken, as the academy was not full of students. +</P> + +<P> +All at once, Bart sent a peculiar hiss down the corridor, and it was +answered by a similar sound. +</P> + +<P> +A moment later they scudded past a fellow who was hugging in a shadow +where the lights did not reach. +</P> + +<P> +"Who's that?" whispered Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the sentinel," replied Bart. +</P> + +<P> +Then they came to the door of a certain room, on which Hodge knocked in +a peculiar manner. +</P> + +<P> +A faint sound of unbarring came from behind the door, which quickly +opened, and they dodged into the room. +</P> + +<P> +As yet there was no light in the room, and, still filled with wonder, +Frank asked: +</P> + +<P> +"Was that the regular sentinel out there, Bart?" +</P> + +<P> +"That was our sentinel," was the reply. +</P> + +<P> +"But where are the regular sentinels? I did not see one of them." +</P> + +<P> +Faint chuckles came from several parts of the room, and Hodge replied: +</P> + +<P> +"At a certain hour each night the duties of the regular sentinels take +them away long enough for me to get out of my room and in here. See?" +</P> + +<P> +"They must be in the trick?" +</P> + +<P> +"The most of them are. When it happens that one is not, we have to +look out for him, and dodge him. To-night those on duty on this floor +were all fixed." +</P> + +<P> +Then somebody cautiously struck a match, by the flare of which Frank +saw several fellows were gathered in the room. +</P> + +<P> +A lamp was lighted, and Merriwell looked around. Besides Bart, he saw +Harvey Dare, George Harris, Wat Snell and Sam Winslow. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello, Merriwell, old man," some greeted, cordially, but cautiously. +"Glad to see Hodge has brought you along." +</P> + +<P> +Frank was instantly seized by an unpleasant sensation—a foreboding, or +a warning. Harris and Snell were not friends of his; in fact, in the +past, they had been distinctly unfriendly. Dare he knew little about, +as they had never had much to do with each other. Sam Winslow was a +plebe, having entered the academy at the same time with Merriwell, but +Frank had never been able to determine whether he was "no good" or a +pretty decent sort of fellow. +</P> + +<P> +Had Frank been governed by his first impression, he would have found an +excuse to bid that company good-night immediately, but he did not like +to do anything like that, for he knew it would cause them to designate +him as a cad, and he would be despised for doing so. +</P> + +<P> +He had gone too far to back out immediately, so he resolved to stay a +while, and then get out as best he could. +</P> + +<P> +At the window of the room blankets had been suspended, so no ray of +light could shine out into the night to betray the little party. +</P> + +<P> +At a glance, Frank saw the room was not occupied by students, for it +contained nothing but the bare furniture, besides a box on the table, +and the assembled lads. +</P> + +<P> +Bart saw Frank looking around, and divined his thoughts. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose you are wondering where you are? Well, this is the room in +which Cadet Bolt committed suicide. It has been closed ever since, as +no fellow will occupy it. It is said to be haunted." +</P> + +<P> +This appealed to Frank's love of the sensational. Besides that, he +fancied he saw an opportunity for some sport that was not down in the +programme, and he smiled a bit. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course it isn't haunted," he said. "I don't believe there is a +fellow here who believes in ghosts?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't." +</P> + +<P> +"Nor I." +</P> + +<P> +"Nor I." +</P> + +<P> +"Such stuff is rot!" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe in anything I can't see." +</P> + +<P> +Thus the assembled lads expressed themselves, and Frank smiled again. +</P> + +<P> +"While I do not believe this room is haunted," he said, "I once had a +rather blood-curdling experience with something like a disembodied +spirit—an adventure that came near turning my hair snowy white from +fright and horror. I will tell you about it. The original of my ghost +happened to be a fellow who committed suicide, and he——" +</P> + +<P> +"Say, hold on!" gurgled Wat Snell, who had declared that believing in +ghosts was "all rot." "What are we here for—to listen to ghost +stories or to have a little picnic?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, drop your ghost yam," said George Harris, who had asserted that he +did not believe in anything he could not see. "You may tell it to us +some other time." +</P> + +<P> +"But this is a really interesting story," insisted Frank. "You see, +the fellow shot himself three times, and when he did not die quickly +enough to be suited, he cut his throat from ear to ear, and his specter +was a most ghastly-appearing object, bleeding from the bullet wounds +and having a gash across its throat from——" +</P> + +<P> +"Say, will you let up!" gasped Harris. "If you don't, I'll get out!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I don't want to break up this jolly gathering," said Frank, his +eyes twinkling, "but I was just going to tell how the ghost——" +</P> + +<P> +"Cheese it!" interrupted Sam Winslow. "Talk about something besides +ghosts, will you? You are not given to dwelling on such unpleasant +subjects, Merriwell." +</P> + +<P> +"But I thought you fellows didn't take any stock in ghosts?" +</P> + +<P> +"We don't," grinned Harvey Dare; "and that's just why we don't want to +hear about 'em." +</P> + +<P> +"We've got something else to do besides listen to yarns," said Harris. +"Let's proceed to gorge." And he began opening the box that sat on the +table. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER III. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +AN IRRESISTIBLE TEMPTATION. +</H3> + + +<P> +"Harris is lucky," said Sam Winslow. "His folks send him a box every +now and then, and he gets it through old Carter, at the village." +</P> + +<P> +"I have hard enough time smuggling it in," said Harris, "and I share +when I get it here." +</P> + +<P> +"For which we may well call ourselves lucky dogs," smiled Harvey Dare. +"A fellow gets awfully weary of the regular rations they have here." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right," agreed Frank. "I often long for the flesh pots of +Egypt, or almost anything in the way of a change of fare." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, here's where you get it—if you'll agree not to spring any more +ghost yarns on us," said Harris. "Just look over this collection of +palate ticklers, fellows." +</P> + +<P> +"Fruit cake!" gasped Sam, delightedly. "Oh, how my stomach yearns for +it!" +</P> + +<P> +"Cream pie!" ejaculated Wat Snell. "Yum! yum! Somebody please hold +me!" +</P> + +<P> +"Tarts!" panted Harvey Dare. "Oh, I won't do a thing to them!" +</P> + +<P> +"Look at the cookies and assorted good stuff!" murmured Bart, +ecstatically. "I shall be ready to perish without a tremor after this!" +</P> + +<P> +"Permit me to do the honors," said Harris, grandly. "Just nominate +your poison, and I will deal it out." +</P> + +<P> +So each one called for what he desired, and Harris supplied them, using +a pocket-knife with which to cut the cake and pie. +</P> + +<P> +"Aren't you glad you came, Merriwell?" asked Sam, with his mouth full +of fruit cake. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure," smiled Frank, as he helped himself. "I shall not regret it, if +it gives me indigestion." +</P> + +<P> +Frank believed Wat Snell was a sneak, but he did not fancy it would be +at all necessary to accept the fellow as a friend just because they had +met under such circumstances. He meant to use Snell well, and let it +go at that. +</P> + +<P> +The boys thoroughly enjoyed their clandestine feast. It was a luxury a +hundred times dearer than a feast from similar things could have been +had there been no secrecy about it and had it been perfectly allowable. +</P> + +<P> +They gorged themselves till they could eat no more, and the contents of +the box proved none too plentiful for their ravenous appetites. When +they had finished, nothing but a few crumbs were left. +</P> + +<P> +"There," sighed Harvey Dare, "I haven't felt so full as this before +since the last time Harris had a box." +</P> + +<P> +"Nor I," said Wat Snell, lighting a cigarette. "Have one, Merriwell?" +</P> + +<P> +Frank declined to smoke, but his example was not followed by any of the +other lads. Each one took a cigarette and "fired up." +</P> + +<P> +"You ought to smoke, Merriwell," said Dare. "There's lots of pleasure +in it." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps so," admitted Frank; "but I don't care for it, and, as it is +against the rules, it keeps me out of trouble by not smoking." +</P> + +<P> +"It's against the rules to indulge in this kind of a feast, old man. +You can't be too much of a stickler for rules." +</P> + +<P> +"It doesn't do to be too goody-good," put in Snell, insinuatingly. +"Such rubbish doesn't go with the fellows." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think any one can accuse me of playing the goody-good," said +Frank, quietly. "I like fun as well as any one, as you all know, but I +do not care for cigarettes, and so I do not smoke them. I don't wish +to take any credit to myself, so I make no claim to resisting a +temptation, for they are no temptation to me." +</P> + +<P> +"Lots of fellows smoke who do not like cigarettes," assured Sam Winslow. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I can't understand why they do so," declared Merriwell. +</P> + +<P> +"They do it for fun." +</P> + +<P> +"I fail to see where the fun comes in. There are enough improper +things that I would like to do for me not to care about those things +that are repugnant to me. Some time ago I made up my mind never to do +a thing I did not want to do, or did not give me pleasure, unless it +was absolutely necessary, or was required as a courtesy to somebody +else. I am trying to stick by that rule." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, don't talk about rules!" cut in Dare. "It makes me weary! We +have enough of rules here at this academy, without making any for +ourselves." +</P> + +<P> +"Come, fellows," broke in Hodge; "let's get down to business." +</P> + +<P> +"Business?" said Frank, questioningly. "I thought this was a case of +sport?" +</P> + +<P> +"It is. You mustn't be so quick to catch up a word." +</P> + +<P> +The table was cleared, and the boys gathered round it, Hodge producing +a pack of cards, the seal of which had not been broken. +</P> + +<P> +"You'll notice that those papers are all right," he said, +significantly. "Nobody's had a chance to tamper with them." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you play?" asked Frank, to whose face a strange look had come +on sight of the cards. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, we play most anything—euchre, seven up, poker——" +</P> + +<P> +"Poker?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; just a light game—penny ante—to make it interesting. You know +there's no interest in poker unless there's some risk." +</P> + +<P> +The strange look grew on Frank Merriwell's face. He seemed in doubt, +as if hesitating over something. +</P> + +<P> +"I—I think I will go back to the room," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" exclaimed several, in amazement. "Why, you have just +got here." +</P> + +<P> +"But I am not feeling—exactly right. What I have eaten may give me a +headache, and I have a hard day before me to-morrow." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, but we can't let you go now, old man," said Harris, decidedly. +"You must stop a while. If your head begins to ache and gets real bad, +of course you can go, but I don't see how you can get out now." +</P> + +<P> +Frank did not see either. He had accepted Harris' hospitality, had +eaten freely of the good things Harris had provided, and the boys would +vote him a prig if he left them for his bed as soon as the feast was +finished. It would seem that he was afraid of being discovered absent +from his room—as if he did not dare to share the danger with them. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was generally very decided in what he did, and it was quite +unusual for him to hesitate over anything. +</P> + +<P> +There is an old saying that "He who hesitates is lost." +</P> + +<P> +In this case it proved true. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, all right, fellows," said Frank, lightly. "I'll stop a while and +watch you play." +</P> + +<P> +"But you must take a hand—you really must, you know," urged Harvey +Dare. "Our game is small. We'll put on a limit to suit you—anything +you say." +</P> + +<P> +"I do not play poker, if that is your game." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you know how?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, yes, I know a little something about it, but I swore off more +than a year ago." +</P> + +<P> +"Nobody ever swears off on anything for more than a year. Sit in and +take a hand." +</P> + +<P> +Still he refused, and they finally found it useless to urge him, so the +game was begun without him, and he looked on. +</P> + +<P> +The limit was set at ten cents, and it was to be a regular penny ante +game. +</P> + +<P> +There was some hesitation over the limit, which Bart named, winking +meaningly at one or two of the fellows who seemingly started to protest. +</P> + +<P> +Surely there could not be much harm in such a light game! No one could +lose a great deal. +</P> + +<P> +The first deal fell to Bart, and he shuffled the cards and tossed them +round in a way that betokened considerable dexterity and practice. +</P> + +<P> +The boys were inclined to be jolly, but they were forced to restrain +their feelings as far as possible, for, although the rooms near them +were unoccupied, there was danger that they might be heard by some one +who would investigate, and their sentinel might not be able to give the +warning in time. +</P> + +<P> +As Frank Merriwell watched the game, a peculiar light stole into his +eyes, and he was swayed by ill-repressed excitement. He was tempted to +get up and go away for all that anybody might say, but he did not go; +he lingered, and he was overcome by an irresistible longing—a desire +he could not govern. Finally, he exclaimed: +</P> + +<P> +"What's the use for me to sit humped up here! Give me a hand, and let +me in." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A GAME OF BLUFF. +</H3> + + +<P> +"That's the talk, old man!" exclaimed Harvey Dare, with satisfaction. +"Now you are beginning to appear natural." +</P> + +<P> +The other boys were only too glad to get Frank into the game, and room +was quickly made for him, while he was given a hand. +</P> + +<P> +The moment he decided to play, he seemed to throw off the air of +restraint that had been about him since he discovered the kind of +company Bart Hodge had brought him into. He became his free-and-easy, +jolly self, soon cracking a joke or two that set the boys laughing, and +beginning by taking the very first pot on the table after entering the +game. +</P> + +<P> +"That's bad luck," he said, with a laugh. "The fellow who wins at the +start usually loses at the finish, so I may as well consider my fortune +yours. Some of you will become enormously wealthy in about fifteen +minutes, for I won't last longer than that if my luck turns." +</P> + +<P> +He soon betrayed that he was familiar with the game, and luck ran to +him in a way that made the other boys look tired. He seemed able to +draw anything he wanted. +</P> + +<P> +"Say!" gasped Sam Winslow, in admiration; "I shouldn't think you'd want +to play poker—oh, no! If I had your luck, I'd play poker as a +profession. Why, if you drew to a spike, you'd get a railroad! I +never saw anything like it." +</P> + +<P> +Wat Snell had been losing right along, and he sneered: +</P> + +<P> +"There's an old saying, 'A fool for luck,' you know." +</P> + +<P> +"It applies in this case," laughed Frank. "If I wasn't a fool, I +wouldn't be in this game." +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter with this game?" asked Harris. "Isn't the limit +high enough to suit you?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's the matter," said Dare, swiftly. "Let's raise the limit." +</P> + +<P> +"Let's throw it off," urged Snell. "What's the use of limit, any how?" +</P> + +<P> +Frank shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe in a no-limit game," he said. "There are none of us +millionaires." +</P> + +<P> +"And for that very reason, none of us will play a heavy game," said +Sam. "We have played a no-limit game before, and nobody ever bets more +than a dollar or so. That doesn't happen once a game, either." +</P> + +<P> +"Twenty-five cents is usually the limit of our bets," declared Harris. +</P> + +<P> +"Then raise the limit to a quarter," said Frank. "I am willing to give +you fellows a show to get back your money." +</P> + +<P> +But they did not fancy having the limit a quarter, and quite a long +argument ensued, which resulted in the game being resumed as a no-limit +affair. +</P> + +<P> +"There!" breathed Wat Snell, "this is something like it. Now I can do +something. If a fellow wanted to bluff he couldn't do it on a ten-cent +limit." +</P> + +<P> +Hodge had said very little, but he seemed willing and ready to throw +off the limit. +</P> + +<P> +The change of limit did not seem to affect Merriwell's luck, for he +continued to win. +</P> + +<P> +"I believe you are a wizard!" exclaimed Sam Winslow. "You seem to read +a fellow's cards." +</P> + +<P> +Wat Snell growled continually, and the more he growled the more he lost. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, wait till I catch 'em by-and-by," he said, as he saw Frank rake in +a good pot. "I won't do a thing to you, if I get a good chance!" +</P> + +<P> +"If you have the cards, you will win," was the reply. "They are coming +for me now, and I am simply playing 'em." +</P> + +<P> +Hodge had lost something, but he said little, being more than satisfied +as long as Frank was winning. +</P> + +<P> +Thus the hours passed. +</P> + +<P> +By one o'clock Frank was far ahead of the game, but he still played on, +for he knew it would not seem right for him to propose stopping. +</P> + +<P> +Dare, Harris and Winslow were nearly broken, but they still hung on, +hoping for a turn in their direction. Snell had plenty of money, for +all that he had been the heaviest loser. +</P> + +<P> +Finally there came a good-sized jackpot, which Dare opened. Snell was +the next man, and he promptly raised it fifty cents. Winslow dropped +out, and Hodge raised Snell fifty cents. Then it came Frank's turn, +and he simply staid in. Harris was dealing, and he dropped out, while +Dare simply "made good." +</P> + +<P> +This gave Snell his turn, and he "boosted" two dollars. +</P> + +<P> +"Whew!" breathed Winslow. "That settles me. I'm out." +</P> + +<P> +Hodge was game, and he "came up" on a pair of nines. +</P> + +<P> +Snell was watching Merriwell, and the latter quietly pushed in two +dollars, which finished the betting till cards were drawn, as Dare +dropped out, after some deliberation. +</P> + +<P> +"How many?" asked Harris, of Snell. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't want any," was the calm reply. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge took three, as also did Merriwell, which plainly indicated they +had a pair each. +</P> + +<P> +"Snell has this pot in a canter," said Harris. +</P> + +<P> +Snell bet five dollars, doing it in a way that seemed to say he was not +risking anything. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge dropped his nines, which he had not bettered, and that left +Merriwell and Snell to fight it out. +</P> + +<P> +"This is why I object to a limit being taken off a game," said Frank. +"It spoils the fun, and makes it a clean case of gambling." +</P> + +<P> +"It's too late to make that kind of talk," sneered Snell. "You are in +it now. Do you call?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," replied Frank, "but I will see your five dollars, and put in +another." +</P> + +<P> +This created a stir, but Snell seemed delighted. +</P> + +<P> +"I admire your blood," he said, "but the bluff won't go with me. +Here's the five, and I will raise ten." +</P> + +<P> +Now there was excitement. +</P> + +<P> +Frank's cards lay face downward on the table, and every one was +wondering what he could have found to go up against Snell's pat hand. +He was wonderfully calm, as he turned to Bart, and asked: +</P> + +<P> +"Will you loan me something?" +</P> + +<P> +"Every cent I have," was the instant reply, as Hodge took out a roll of +bills and threw it on the table. "Use what you want." +</P> + +<P> +There were thirty-five dollars in the roll. Frank counted it over +carefully, and then put it all into the pot, raising Snell twenty-five +dollars! +</P> + +<P> +When he saw this, Snell's nerve suddenly left him. His face paled and +his hands shook. +</P> + +<P> +"Whoever heard of such infernal luck as that fellow has!" he grated. +"Held up a pair, and must have fours now!" +</P> + +<P> +Frank said not a word. His face was quiet, and he seemed waiting for +Snell to do something. +</P> + +<P> +"If you haven't the money to call him——" began Harris. +</P> + +<P> +"I have," declared Snell; "but what's the use. A man can't beat +fool-luck! Here's my hand, and I'll allow I played it for all it is +worth." +</P> + +<P> +He threw the cards face upward on the table, and smothered exclamations +of astonishment came from the boys. +</P> + +<P> +His hand contained no more than a single pair of four-spots! +</P> + +<P> +"Then you do not mean to call me?" asked Prank. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course not! Think I'm a blooming idiot!" +</P> + +<P> +"The pot is mine?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I will allow I played this hand for all it is worth," said the +winner, as he turned his cards over so all could see what they were. +</P> + +<P> +Wat Snell nearly fainted. +</P> + +<P> +Merriwell's hand was made up of a king, eight spot, five spot, and one +pair of deuces! +</P> + +<P> +It had been a game of bluff, and Frank Merriwell had won. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER V. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +FRANK'S REVELATION. +</H3> + + +<P> +"Great Caesar!" gasped Harvey Dare. "Will you look at that! That is +what I call nerve for you! That is playing, my boys!" +</P> + +<P> +Wat Snell rose slowly to his feet, his face very white. +</P> + +<P> +"It's robbery!" came hoarsely from his lips. +</P> + +<P> +"Steady, Snell!" warned Harvey Dare. "You were beaten at your own +game—that's all." +</P> + +<P> +Snell knew this, but it simply served to make his rage and chagrin all +the deeper. +</P> + +<P> +"I am not a professional card player," he said, bitterly, "and I am no +match for a professional." +</P> + +<P> +He was more deeply cut by the manner in which he had been beaten than +by the loss of his money. +</P> + +<P> +"Nor am I a professional," came quietly from Frank Merriwell's lips, as +he quickly sorted from the pot the money he had placed therein. "I +simply sized you up as on the bluff, and I was right. I don't want +your money, Snell; take it. I set into this game for amusement, and +not with the idea of beating anybody to any such extent as this." +</P> + +<P> +Snell hesitated, and then the hot blood mounted quickly to his face, +which had been so pale a few moments before. +</P> + +<P> +"No, I will not take the money!" he grated. "I take the offer as an +insult, Merriwell." +</P> + +<P> +"No insult is intended, I assure you." +</P> + +<P> +Snell was shrewd enough to know he would stand little chance of getting +into another game of poker with that company if he accepted the money, +and so he made a desperate effort to control his rage and play the +hypocrite. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't suppose you did mean the offer as an insult, Merriwell; and I +presume I was too hasty. I am rather quick at times, and, as Dare +says, I was beaten at my own game, which made me hot. You had nerve, +Merriwell; take the money—keep it." +</P> + +<P> +The words almost choked him, but he pretended to be quite sincere, +although his heart was full of bitterness and a longing to "get even." +</P> + +<P> +It was some time before Frank could be persuaded to accept his +winnings, and, when he did finally take it, he was resolved to return +it quietly and secretly to Snell, at such a time that no one else could +know anything of it. +</P> + +<P> +This matter was scarcely settled when there came a peculiar rap on the +door. +</P> + +<P> +"Who's that?" asked Frank, in some alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"It's our sentinel," assured Harris. "His time on post is up." +</P> + +<P> +The door opened, and Leslie Gage entered the room. Gage had been +Merriwell's bitter enemy at one time during the summer encampment, +having made two dastardly attacks on Frank, who had been generous +enough to rescue him from death after that, and had saved him from +expulsion by refusing to give any testimony against him. +</P> + +<P> +For all of this generosity on Merriwell's part, Gage still bore deep +down in his heart a hatred for the plebe who had become so popular at +the academy. This he tried to keep concealed, pretending that he had +changed into a friend and admirer. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello, Merriwell," he saluted. "Been having a little whirl with the +boys?" +</P> + +<P> +"I should say he has!" replied Snell. "He has whirled me wrong end up, +and I feel as if I am still twisted." +</P> + +<P> +Then the whole play was explained to Gage, who chuckled over it, and +complimented Frank on his nerve. +</P> + +<P> +For all of this apparent restoration of good feeling, Frank was +discerning enough to detect the insincerity of both Snell and Gage. +</P> + +<P> +Gage had done his duty as guard, and there was no one on the watch now. +None of the boys felt like taking the place, so it was decided to call +the "session" over for that night. +</P> + +<P> +"You must come again, Merriwell," said Dare. "You have given us the +sensation of the evening, and you must let Snell have a chance to get +square." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," said Snell, "all I ask is a fair chance to get square. If I +fail, I won't say a word, and I'll acknowledge you are the best fellow. +Let's shake hands, Merriwell, and call it quits for the time being." +</P> + +<P> +"That's the stuff!" came from Sam Winslow. "Now everything is quiet on +the Potomac again." +</P> + +<P> +Frank shook hands with Snell, and a few moments later the boys began to +slip from the room and skurry along the corridors to their rooms, which +all reached without being challenged by the sentries. +</P> + +<P> +Bart was filled with satisfaction and delight, and before getting into +bed he whispered to Frank, not daring to speak aloud in that room: +</P> + +<P> +"That was the prettiest trick I ever saw! And I was delighted to see +you rub that fellow. He hasn't done a thing to me but win every time I +have held up a hand against him of late." +</P> + +<P> +Frank said nothing, and had there been a light in the room, Bart would +have seen that his face bore an expression that was anything but one of +satisfaction. +</P> + +<P> +Merriwell did not sleep well during the few hours before reveille. His +slumber was filled with dreams, and he muttered and moaned very often, +awaking Hodge once or twice. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess he is still playing," thought Bart. +</P> + +<P> +At reveille Frank was, as a rule, very prompt about springing out of +bed and hurrying into his clothes and through his toilet. On the +morning after the game, however, he continued to sleep till Hodge +awakened him by a fierce shaking. +</P> + +<P> +"Come, come, man!" said Bart; "turn out. Are you going to let a little +thing like last night break you up?" +</P> + +<P> +Frank got up wearily and stiffly. +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't sleep well," he said. +</P> + +<P> +He was quite unlike his usual spirited self. +</P> + +<P> +"Get a brace on," urged Bart. "You want to be on hand at roll-call." +</P> + +<P> +Finding it was necessary to "get a brace on," Frank did so, and was +able to leave the room in time to go rushing down the stairway and +spring into ranks at the last second. +</P> + +<P> +After breakfast, as Bart was sprucing up the room, and Frank was vainly +trying to prepare himself for the first recitation, but simply sat +staring in a bewildered way at the book he held, the former said: +</P> + +<P> +"You don't know what a slick trick you did last night, Merriwell! Why, +I'd given almost anything if I had been the one to soak Snell in that +fashion." +</P> + +<P> +Frank put down the book, and rose to his feet, pacing twice the length +of the room. All at once he stopped and faced Bart, and his voice was +not steady, as he said: +</P> + +<P> +"You didn't mean any harm, old man, but you did me a bad turn last +night." +</P> + +<P> +Bart stared, and asked: +</P> + +<P> +"How?" +</P> + +<P> +"By taking me where I could sit into a game like that. I am going to +tell you something. I have one great failing—one terrible fault that +quite overshadows all my other failings and faults. That is my passion +for cards—or, to put it more strongly and properly, my passion for +gambling." +</P> + +<P> +Bart whistled. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't mean to say that you have a failing or a fault that you +cannot govern, do you?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +Frank put out one hand, and partly turned away. Instantly Bart sprang +forward and caught the hand, saying swiftly: +</P> + +<P> +"There, there, Merriwell—don't notice it! I didn't mean anything. +You are sensitive to-day. Hang it all, man! do you think I want to +hurt your feelings without cause! I shouldn't have said it, for I see +you are not yourself." +</P> + +<P> +"No, I am not," confessed Frank. "You know every fellow has a secret. +I did not intend to tell mine. I believe I was born with an intense +passion for gambling." +</P> + +<P> +"And you cannot govern it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I have been able to do so during the past year." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you are all right; you have a strong mind and——" +</P> + +<P> +"Every strong mind has a weak spot. I began gaming by playing marbles, +and the passion grew on me. When I had money, I gambled for cents and +nickels. As I grew older, I learned to play cards, and I gambled for +larger sums. If I knew that a game was going on I would leave +everything to get into it. Once I 'appropriated' money from my +mother's purse to gamble with." +</P> + +<P> +Frank stopped. His face crimsoned as he uttered the words, and he +showed his deep shame and humiliation. But he quickly added: +</P> + +<P> +"That was my first and last theft. The shame and disgrace of exposure +by my mother was nearly more than I could endure. But she did not know +I played cards for money. Thank God! she never knew! She died when I +was twelve years old. +</P> + +<P> +"I never knew much about my father's business. He was much away from +home, and I saw him but little. After mother's death, I went to live +with my uncle. Still I played cards for money, and the passion grew +upon me. A little more than a year ago I was rapidly developing into a +young gambler. Then came news of my father's sudden death in +California, and I swore I would never play cards again. Last night I +broke my oath." +</P> + +<P> +"What was the cause of your father's death?" asked Bart, by way of +saying something. +</P> + +<P> +"He was shot over a game of cards in a gambling-house," replied Frank, +hoarsely. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE PLOT. +</H3> + + +<P> +Wat Snell and Leslie Gage were roommates, and they certainly made a +delectable pair. +</P> + +<P> +Gage was naturally the leader, being the worse of the two. He was a +daring and reckless sort of fellow—one who would not stop at anything, +and who would have recourse to almost any measure to gain his ends. +</P> + +<P> +This revengeful fellow had never forgiven Merriwell for what he +considered a great injury. Gage had been the pitcher on the regular +ball team, but, by superior skill, Merriwell had supplanted him. That +was enough to produce in Gage's heart a feeling of undying hatred for +the successful plebe. +</P> + +<P> +It made no difference that Frank had, in all probability, saved him +from death after he had twice attempted to kill Merriwell. Gage had +been shrewd enough to see that he must dissemble if he would remain in +the academy, and so he pretended to be repentant and to think Frank one +of the finest fellows in the world, while his hatred and longing for +"revenge" still lay hidden, black and hideous, in a secret corner of +his heart. +</P> + +<P> +Snell was quite a different sort of bad boy. He regarded Gage as his +superior, and he was ready to do almost anything for the fellow, but he +could not imitate Leslie's daring, and he kept his own vileness so much +concealed that many square, honest lads believed he was a really good +fellow. Bart Hodge had begun to think Snell was a sneak and bad, but +he had no proof of it, and so he kept still. +</P> + +<P> +Wat was in anything but a pleasant mood the day after the game of +cards. He flung things round the room in a way that caused Gage to +regard him with wonder, as it was so much unlike the usual quiet, +crafty roommate he knew. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter with you, Wat?" he asked, in surprise. "You must be +ill. Go directly and place those things where they belong, for we +never know when one of those blooming inspectors will pop in. I am +room orderly this week, and am going to have things kept straight, for +I can't afford to take any more demerit. My record is bad enough as it +stands." +</P> + +<P> +So, with a little grumbling, Wat went about and restored to order the +things he had disarranged, but he could not help thinking how often, +when he was room orderly, he had been obliged to follow Gage about, and +gather up things he had displaced. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" repeated Leslie, who suspected the truth. "You +don't seem to feel well, old boy." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, it's nothing," replied Wat. "I was thinking of last night." +</P> + +<P> +"And raising all this row because you happened to drop a dollar. Why, +that's the run of the cards." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, it wasn't what I lost that made me mad." +</P> + +<P> +"Then what was it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, I was thinking that that fellow Merriwell won." +</P> + +<P> +"And I presume you were thinking how he won the last pot, eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes"—sullenly. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't love Merriwell a great deal?" +</P> + +<P> +"I should say not! I despise the fellow!" +</P> + +<P> +"And you'd like to get square?" +</P> + +<P> +"Wouldn't I!" +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose you mean to do so?" +</P> + +<P> +"If I ever get the chance—yes." +</P> + +<P> +"I fancy you are aware that I am not dead stuck on Merriwell myself?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I know." +</P> + +<P> +"I have an old score to settle with him, and I will settle it some way. +I failed in one or two attempts to do him up, for——" +</P> + +<P> +"You were altogether too bold, partner mine; and it's a wonder you were +not expelled from the academy. You would have been if Merriwell had +blowed on you." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right, and he would have done so if he had known what was good +for him. He is soft!" +</P> + +<P> +"In some things he may be soft, but you must acknowledge he is hard +enough in others. He has a way of coming on top in almost everything." +</P> + +<P> +Gage could not deny this, and it made him angry to think of it. +</P> + +<P> +"You are right," he said, fiercely. "I suppose I was foolish to fight +him in the way I did. That big bully Bascomb got a hold on me, and he +has been blackmailing me ever since. Hang that fellow! I'll choke the +wind out of him yet!" +</P> + +<P> +A crafty look came to Snell's face, and he said: +</P> + +<P> +"There are ways to down a fellow without showing your hand." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose so; but it usually takes too long to suit me. I like to +jump on an enemy at once, and do him up." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I hope you are satisfied that Merriwell is the kind of a fellow +who will not be jumped on that way?" +</P> + +<P> +"It seems so." +</P> + +<P> +"Then it is possible you are ready to try some other method?" +</P> + +<P> +Their eyes met, and Wat grinned significantly. +</P> + +<P> +"How do you mean?" asked Leslie, eagerly. "You have some kind of a +scheme?" +</P> + +<P> +"That fellow won some money off me, and I refused to take it back. He +must show up again, and give me a chance to square the score. He is +bound in honor not to refuse to do so." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right," nodded Gage. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you are rather handy with the cards, and I reckon you will not +find it hard to fleece him." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I can beat him out of his money, but that is poor satisfaction +when you want to disgrace a fellow and drive him out of the school." +</P> + +<P> +"We'll find a way for that, if we can get him to following the game." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know as I see how." +</P> + +<P> +"His parents are dead." +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" +</P> + +<P> +"He is supported by a rich uncle, who sent him here to this school." +</P> + +<P> +"What of that?" +</P> + +<P> +"His uncle gives him a regular allowance. If Merriwell exceeds that +allowance, there will be inquiries as to what he has done with his +money." +</P> + +<P> +"I begin to see." +</P> + +<P> +"This uncle is a stern, crusty old fellow, and he would be furious if +he should accidentally find out that his nephew is gambling. The +chances are about ten to one that he would take him out of Fardale and +turn him adrift to hustle for himself." +</P> + +<P> +Gage's eyes began to glitter, and the smile about his mouth was most +unpleasant to see. +</P> + +<P> +"Snell," he said, "you have a head on your shoulders! You are a dandy +schemer! But how will this uncle find out that Merriwell has been +gambling?" +</P> + +<P> +"There are several ways for him to find it out. If we can get hold of +a few of Merriwell's IOU's, they might be sent to the uncle for +collection." +</P> + +<P> +"I see; but first we must run him out of ready cash." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course. By the time he has lost all his money, he will be eager to +play to win it back. We must lend him money, and take his IOU's." +</P> + +<P> +"We'll do it!" Gage jumped up, struck Snell a blow on the back, and +then grasped his hand, giving it a shake. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll do it!" he repeated. "Merriwell's goose is beautifully cooked!" +</P> + +<P> +Snell smiled in his crafty way. +</P> + +<P> +"I am glad you take to the scheme, for with your aid, there ought not +to be any trouble in carrying it out." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, we'll work it! But how did you find out so much about Merriwell? +That's what sticks me. He has been sort of a mystery here, as none of +the fellows knew exactly where he came from, or anything about his +folks." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I took a fancy to get posted concerning him. At first I didn't +see how I was going to do so. That was during camp, and Hans +Dunnerwust tented with him then. I cultivated the thick-headed +Dutchman, and succeeded in getting into his good graces. So I often +visited Hans in the tent when Merriwell and Mulloy, that Irish clown, +who thinks Merriwell the finest fellow in the world, were away. I kept +my eyes open, and one day I spotted a letter to Merriwell. I swiped it +instanter, and it helped me out, for it was from his uncle." +</P> + +<P> +"You're an artist in your line, Wat!" exclaimed Leslie, approvingly. +</P> + +<P> +"That letter didn't give me all the information I desired," continued +Snell, "but I found I had a friend living in a town adjoining the one +Merriwell hails from, so I wrote and asked him to find out a few things +for me. He rode over on his wheel, and found out what I have told you." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, you are a regular detective, old man!" +</P> + +<P> +"Merriwell's mother," continued Wat, "has been dead several years. No +one seems to know much about his father, except that he was nearly +always away from home, and he died suddenly in California a little more +than a year ago. I haven't been able to find out that he left any +property, so Merriwell is dependent on the generosity of a rather +crabbed and crusty old uncle, whose head is filled with freaks and +fancies. He seems to be just the kind of a man who would be easily +turned against a nephew who had, as he would consider it, gone astray." +</P> + +<P> +"That settles Merriwell! If we cannot get the old uncle down on him, +we are pretty poor schemers." +</P> + +<P> +They looked at each other and smiled again. A precious pair of +youthful plotters they were! +</P> + +<P> +"We must be slick about this business," warned Snell. "We mustn't let +anybody but ourselves get the least wind of it." +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly not." +</P> + +<P> +"And we must do our prettiest to pull the wool over Merriwell's eyes, +for you know he is rather discerning in some things, and he may be +inclined to be wary. We must seem to think he is the finest fellow in +the world." +</P> + +<P> +"That will be pretty hard," said Leslie, with a wry face, "but I have +been doing something in that line of late, and I will keep it up. That +business doesn't come so easy for me as it does for you." +</P> + +<P> +"You can do it, if you try. And I shall depend on you to skin him with +the papers." +</P> + +<P> +"That won't be hard, if he plays square." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think there is any doubt about that. He is one of the kind of +fellows who doesn't know enough to play any other way." +</P> + +<P> +"Then Frank Merriwell's name is mud—with a capital M." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +SPREADING THE SNARE. +</H3> + + +<P> +The plot was laid, the snare was set, but the game seemed wary. For +some time Frank Merriwell remained away from those midnight gatherings +in the room of the student who had committed suicide. +</P> + +<P> +"Hang the luck!" exclaimed Gage. "Is he going to keep away right +along?" +</P> + +<P> +"He must not be allowed to do so," said Leslie. "He must be shamed +into coming." +</P> + +<P> +"That may not be easy." +</P> + +<P> +"It should not be difficult with a fellow like Merriwell. He must give +me a chance to get even." +</P> + +<P> +"Hodge doesn't try to get Merriwell out again." +</P> + +<P> +"No. He says he will not influence him to attend the gatherings." +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter with Hodge?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. He is ready enough to come himself." +</P> + +<P> +It was true that Bart had positively refused to use his influence to +induce Merriwell to attend again one of the secret parties. He had +been greatly moved by Frank's revelation, and he had resolved not to +lead Frank into the path that was so fascinating and so dangerous for +him. He did not know that the evil was already done—the fever was +burning in Merriwell's veins. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had been waiting an opportunity to speak with Snell in private, +and it came one day when he met the fellow on the grounds outside the +academy. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello, Snell," he saluted. "I have been looking for you." +</P> + +<P> +"And I have been looking for you," said Wat, meaningly. "Why haven't +you ever come round since that night? Aren't you going to give a +fellow a show to get square?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am not going to play cards any more!" +</P> + +<P> +"What?" cried Wat, in apparent astonishment. "That beats anything I +ever heard! You have beaten me out of a good roll, and now——" +</P> + +<P> +"I have been looking for you that I might return every cent you lost +that night, so you cannot consider me mean if I do not give you a +chance to get even over the table. If you will tell me just how much +you dropped, I'll make it good now." +</P> + +<P> +An eager look came to Wat's face, but it quickly vanished, for he +realized that he would defeat himself if he accepted the money. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you take me for!" he cried, with apparent indignation. "I am +not that kind of a fellow!" +</P> + +<P> +"You need never fear that I will say anything about it, for I pledge +you my word of honor to say nothing. All I want is to make sure you do +not feel that I have any money that belongs to you." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't care whether you say anything about it or not, Merriwell. +That does not keep me from accepting the money. I tell you I am not +that kind of a fellow. You won it, and you will keep it, unless you +have nerve enough to give me an opportunity to win it back." +</P> + +<P> +This did not suit Frank at all, for the money had lain like a load on +his conscience. He had sworn not to gamble again, and he had broken +his oath. But, what was worse, so long as he kept that money, he felt +that he really ought to give Snell a chance to get square. There +seemed but one way to get out of playing again, and that was to make +Snell take back the money. +</P> + +<P> +But it was useless for him to urge Wat; not a dollar would the fellow +accept. +</P> + +<P> +"You can't give me back anything," declared Snell. "You won that money +by having the most nerve—at that time. But you can't repeat the +trick, old man," he added, jovially. "Come around to-night, and see if +you can." +</P> + +<P> +Frank shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"No," he declared, "I shall not come." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, what's the use, Merriwell! We want you to come, and all the +fellows are saying it is not like you to win a few dollars and then +stay away. I have told them over and over that I do not believe you +are staying away because you are afraid I will win the money back. +You're not that kind of a fellow." +</P> + +<P> +At that moment Snell seemed very sincere, and Frank said: +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you. I am glad to know you do not believe such a thing possible +of me. Still, I shall not come." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes you will!" laughed Wat. "It can't be that you're afraid of +being caught. If anybody says so, I'll swear I know better. You have +nerve enough not to care for that. Come around to-night. We'll look +for you." +</P> + +<P> +Snell hurried away, knowing full well that he had said things which +must worry Merriwell, if they did not drive him into coming to the +midnight card parties. +</P> + +<P> +Wat was right. Frank was worried not a little, for he could not bear +to fancy that some of the boys thought him mean in staying away. Hodge +saw Merriwell was troubled, but the dark-haired boy remained silent. +</P> + +<P> +In the meantime, finding Hodge would do nothing to bring Merriwell +round. Gage and Snell tried their best to make friends with Hans +Dunnerwust and Barney Mulloy, as these boys were particular friends of +Merriwell's, and might be induced to use some influence over him. +</P> + +<P> +Barney, however, was wary. He did not fancy either Gage or Snell, and +he repulsed their advances. +</P> + +<P> +To Hans, the temptation of a midnight supper on cakes and pies was too +much to resist, and he was added to the circle that gathered in the +room of the suicide. +</P> + +<P> +Hans could play poker, and the game being made small enough to suit +him, he came in and won about two dollars, which made him swell up like +a toad, and declared: +</P> + +<P> +"Uf you poys know some games vot I can play petter as dot boker, shust +you name him, und I vill do you at dot. Oh, I vose a dandy on trucks, +ain'd it? Shust keep your eye on me, und I vill learn some tricks vot +you don'd know alretty yet." +</P> + +<P> +Snell did his best to make Hans believe he was a great favorite, and +then he told him how Frank had won the only time he had appeared in the +game, and had never come around since. +</P> + +<P> +"Some of the fellows seem to think he is afraid I will win the money +back," said Wat; "but I don't take any stock in that, for Merriwell's +not that kind of a fellow. Still, I don't like to have such ideas +concerning him get into circulation." +</P> + +<P> +"Dot vos vere I vos righdt," nodded Hans. "He don't peen dot kindt uf +a feller ad all, you pet me my shirt! Dot Vrankie Merrivell vos a +taisy, undt he don'd peen afrait a show to gif anypody. You vait till +I tell him vot dose fellers say. I pet me your life he vill gome +aroundt bretty kuveek righdt avay." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, don't say anything about it!" exclaimed Snell, as if he really +wished Hans to keep silent. "Merriwell knows his business. His +friends will stand up for him, no matter what others may say." +</P> + +<P> +"Vell, I vos going to toldt him dot shust der same. Uf he don'd peen +aroundt here der next dime, I don'd know der kindt uv a feller vot he +vos peen yet avile." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, don't mention that I said anything. He might fancy I thought +him afraid to come round." +</P> + +<P> +"I don'd call your name at all, don'd you let me vorry apout dot." +</P> + +<P> +Snell knew the Dutch boy would lose little time in communicating with +Frank, and he was right. Hans did not see that Frank was little like +his usual jovial self, and he did not know in what a turbulent state of +mind the unfortunate plebe was left. +</P> + +<P> +Bart was not a little worried over Frank, for he saw how the lad had +changed in a short time, but he hoped that Merriwell would come round +in time, and be his old jolly self. +</P> + +<P> +That evening, a short while before taps, Frank asked: +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose it is another card party to-night?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," replied Bart, "a few of us are going to get together." +</P> + +<P> +"Will Snell be there?" +</P> + +<P> +"I presume so." +</P> + +<P> +No more was said. Bart rose and slipped out of the room at the usual +time, thinking Frank was asleep. +</P> + +<P> +But Frank was not asleep, and Hodge was scarcely gone when he, too, +arose and began to arrange a dummy in his bed. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE HAUNTED ROOM. +</H3> + + +<P> +The little party of card players was expectantly awaiting the +appearance of Bartley Hodge. +</P> + +<P> +There was to be no feast this night—nothing but cigarettes and draw +poker. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge appeared at last, and he brought a disappointment to at least two +of the party, for Frank Merriwell was not with him. +</P> + +<P> +Leslie Gage and Wat Snell exchanged glances that were full of meaning. +</P> + +<P> +Sam Winslow was on guard outside, it being his turn to fill that +unenviable position. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello, Hodge," saluted Harvey Dare. "Now we are ready to proceed to +business." +</P> + +<P> +"Dot vas righdt," nodded Hans Dunnerwust, who was on hand. "I vos +goin' to smoke cigarreds to-nighd dill I vos sick, und haf a pully +dime." +</P> + +<P> +"Why doesn't Merriwell ever show up again?" asked Leslie Gage. +</P> + +<P> +"That's it," joined in Wat Snell, "why doesn't he come round and give a +fellow a show to win back some of that money he won off us? Is he +afraid?" +</P> + +<P> +"You know well enough that Frank Merriwell is not afraid," said Bart, +quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it looks that way," declared Leslie. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, it looks that way," echoed Wat. +</P> + +<P> +"Possibly he has too much sense to spend his nights here," said Hodge. +"If I had known that much, I wouldn't have gone back a class. +Merriwell is in the first section, and he is making right along." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, he is a different fellow than I thought he was," asserted Snell. +"Until lately, he has seemed quite a fellow for sport, but he is +degenerating into a drone." +</P> + +<P> +"Such drones are the fellows who get along well in school and in the +world." +</P> + +<P> +"Bah! Give me a fellow with blood in him!" came contemptuously from +Gage. +</P> + +<P> +Leslie had grown desperate, having come to the conclusion that Frank +was not to be cajoled into playing poker any more. He now determined, +of a sudden, that he would take another tack, and see if he could not +anger Merriwell into coming. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge remembered that Gage had tried to injure Frank in the past, and +the dark-eyed plebe was ready to blaze forth in an instant. Although +he did not know it, Gage was treading on the very thin crust that +covered a smoldering volcano. +</P> + +<P> +Leslie was not warned by the fire that gleamed in Bart's eyes, for he +continued: +</P> + +<P> +"If Merriwell persists in staying away—if he does not show up and give +Snell a chance to get square, he is——" +</P> + +<P> +A knock at the door! +</P> + +<P> +It was the regular signal for admittance, and so, after the first start +of alarm, George Harris said: +</P> + +<P> +"Open up quickly. It must be Sam, and, if so, there's something wrong +in the wind." +</P> + +<P> +Wat Snell opened the door, and, to their amazement, into the room +stepped Frank Merriwell! +</P> + +<P> +It was with difficulty that the boys suppressed a shout of welcome. +</P> + +<P> +Snell quickly closed the door, and then the boys rushed at Frank and +shook his hand delightedly. +</P> + +<P> +"You're a sight for sore eyes!" exclaimed Wat Snell, joyously. +</P> + +<P> +"Dot vos so!" agreed Hans. "You vould peen a sighd for a plind man!" +</P> + +<P> +"I will take back anything I said, and swallow what I was going to +say," came from Leslie Gage. "I didn't think it could be possible you +wouldn't come round again, old man." +</P> + +<P> +"Now, we will have a jolly little racket," said George Harris. "And +you want to look out for Merriwell. He is a great bluffer." +</P> + +<P> +"But he doesn't bluff all the time," supplemented Harvey Dare. "I +found out that he held cards occasionally, for I called him a few the +last time he was around." +</P> + +<P> +Frank laughed; it was his old, jolly laugh, suppressed somewhat. He +seemed like himself once more, as Bart Hodge instantly noted. He had +cast off the strain under which he had been for so long, and now Frank +Merriwell, mischievous and full of fun, was on deck again. +</P> + +<P> +But this did not quite please Hodge, who watched his roommate closely, +his uneasiness growing as he saw how care-free Merriwell seemed. What +had brought about such a change? Had Frank thrown his resolutions to +the wind? +</P> + +<P> +"I've got a supply of coffin-nails," said Snell, as he produced several +packages of cigarettes. "Help yourselves, gentlemen. Pass them round." +</P> + +<P> +Round they went, and when they reached Frank Merriwell he accepted one. +</P> + +<P> +"I am going to be real dissipated to-night," he laughed, as he struck a +match and "fired up." "You may have to carry me to my room on a +shutter, for I actually am going to smoke!" +</P> + +<P> +Leslie Gage and Wat Snell exchanged glances of satisfaction. +</P> + +<P> +A black look came to Bart Hodge's face, and he half started up as Frank +took the cigarette, acting as if he would utter a warning. Then he +settled back in his seat, thinking: +</P> + +<P> +"Let him smoke, if he wants to. One cigarette will do nobody harm." +</P> + +<P> +But Hodge knew in his heart that it was not the smoking of one or a +dozen cigarettes that was dangerous to Merriwell; it was the breaking +of his resolutions—it was the feeling of abandon and recklessness that +had seemed to seize upon him. +</P> + +<P> +Not much time was lost in beginning the game, but now Bart insisted on +a proper limit. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you say, Merriwell?" asked George Harris. "What kind of a +limit suits you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Anything from five cents to the sky," was the laughing reply. "Fix it +to suit yourselves." +</P> + +<P> +Once more Gage and Snell exchanged glances. +</P> + +<P> +Bart stuck for a moderate limit, but he finally agreed to make it a +dollar, the ante being five cents. +</P> + +<P> +"Vell, uf I had pad luck, I don'd last long at dot," said Hans. "I +don'd haf more as four tollars und sefen cends." +</P> + +<P> +"Merriwell won at the start the last time he was here, and he kept the +luck straight through to the finish," observed Harvey Dare. "It isn't +often such a thing occurs." +</P> + +<P> +A few minutes later, as Harris beat Frank, the latter said: +</P> + +<P> +"This game starts differently from the other, fellows. I have lost at +the beginning, and to keep up the precedent I have established, I must +lose all through it." +</P> + +<P> +He said this smilingly, as if he really wished to lose. +</P> + +<P> +As the cards were being dealt, Bart, who sat by his roommate's side, +leaned toward Frank, and softly asked: +</P> + +<P> +"What made you come, old man?" +</P> + +<P> +"Couldn't keep away," was the reply. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, be careful—keep watch of yourself." +</P> + +<P> +"Not to-night, Bart. I am going to let loose on this occasion." +</P> + +<P> +Frank played recklessly from the start, and fortune fluctuated with +him, for he would forge ahead and then drop behind, but he was never +much ahead, nor far behind. For all of his careless playing, he seemed +to hang about even. +</P> + +<P> +Leslie Gage was too shrewd to try to get at Frank on this occasion, for +he wanted Merriwell to win again, so they would get a still firmer hold +upon him. +</P> + +<P> +Wat Snell lost steadily, soon beginning to growl, and keeping it up. +Once, under cover of conversation the others were making, he leaned +toward Gage and muttered: +</P> + +<P> +"Merriwell is my hoodoo. I can't do a thing with him in the game." +</P> + +<P> +"Keep cool," warned Leslie. "Never mind what happens this time. We'll +get at him again." +</P> + +<P> +Hans Dunnerwust managed to blunder along and keep in the game by sheer +luck, for he did not play the cards for their face value at any time. +Still he made enough to keep on his feet and not have to get out of the +game. +</P> + +<P> +"Vell!" Hans finally exclaimed, as he tried in vain to win, "uf I don'd +do petter as dot, I vill suicide go und gommit bretty soon alretty." +</P> + +<P> +"By the way, Hans," said Frank, "do you know that the fellow who used +to have this room committed suicide here?" +</P> + +<P> +"Shimminy Gristmas!" gurgled the Dutch boy. "You don'd say dot!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I do, and the room is said to be haunted by his spook, which +cannot rest in its grave." +</P> + +<P> +"Vell, dot vos nice! Oxcuse me while I haf a chill!" +</P> + +<P> +At this moment a hollow groan seemed to come from beneath the chair on +which Hans sat, and the Dutch lad gave a jump, getting on his feet +quickly, and peering under the chair, his face growing pale, as he +chattered: +</P> + +<P> +"Vot vos dot, ain'd id?" +</P> + +<P> +Some of the other boys were not a little alarmed, for all had heard it +distinctly. +</P> + +<P> +"It—it actually sounded like a groan!" said Wat Snell. +</P> + +<P> +"That's what it did," agreed George Harris. +</P> + +<P> +"But you know it couldn't have been anything of the sort," laughed +Frank, "for you fellows do not believe in ghosts." +</P> + +<P> +"Who—who—who said anything about ghosts?" stammered Snell. +</P> + +<P> +At this moment another groan, louder and more dismal than the first, +seemed to come from directly beneath the table. +</P> + +<P> +There was a scrambling among the boys, as they hastened to get their +legs from beneath that table. +</P> + +<P> +"I don'd feel very vell aroundt der bit uf mein stomach," gasped Hans. +"I pelief I vos going to be sick alretty yet." +</P> + +<P> +One of the boys held the light, while they all looked under the table, +but they did not find anything there. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, that is singular," commented Harvey Dare. "If that wasn't a +groan, I never heard one in my life." +</P> + +<P> +"And a real ghostly groan at that!" said Leslie Gage. +</P> + +<P> +"I never did take any stock in this rot about ghosts, but——" +</P> + +<P> +"Beware, young man, how you mock at the spirits of the departed!" +</P> + +<P> +The voice seemed to come from one of the alcove bedrooms, and it was of +the sort to make the hair stand on the head of a superstitious person. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, dunder und blitzen!" panted Hans. "Dot vos a shook! Uf I don't +ged avay oud uf here righd off, I peen gone grazy! I don'd vant any +shook in mine!" +</P> + +<P> +"It is some fellow playing a joke on us," said Harvey Dare, angrily. +"Some one has concealed himself in there. Bring the light, fellows, +and we will soon find out." +</P> + +<P> +He started for the alcove, but no one seemed anxious to take the light +and follow him. After a moment, however, Frank did so. +</P> + +<P> +All through both alcoves Harvey searched, and his face was rather pale +when he and Frank returned to the table. +</P> + +<P> +"What did you find?" asked Wat Snell, thickly. +</P> + +<P> +"Not a thing but dust," replied Harvey. "There hasn't been a living +soul in either of those bedrooms since the room was closed after the +suicide." +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the hollow voice. "You are right. They dare not +come, but I am doomed to stay here till this building shall crumble and +decay." +</P> + +<P> +"Vell, you may sday till der cows come home!" gurgled Hans; "but I +don'd peen caught in here any more bretty soon righd avay, you pet!" +and he made a break for the door. +</P> + +<P> +The others quickly extinguished the light, and followed him. +</P> + +<P> +There would be no more gatherings in that room. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IX. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +IN THE MESHES. +</H3> + + +<P> +Frank Merriwell fancied he had hit upon a scheme to stop the card games +from which he could not remain away. Being a skilled ventriloquist, he +was the author of the dismal groans and the mysterious voice that had +so alarmed the boys. +</P> + +<P> +Bart was not in the secret, and so he wondered, when he heard Frank +chuckling to himself, after they had safely reached their room and were +getting into bed. +</P> + +<P> +For several days the "gang" was disconsolate, having no place in which +they could play a game of cards without fear of detection at any +instant. +</P> + +<P> +Frank Merriwell seemed restored to his usual jolly self. He laughed +and joked, and did not seem worried over anything. +</P> + +<P> +But the "gang" would not remain long without a place in which to play +cards. +</P> + +<P> +One day Frank received an invitation to "sit into a little game" that +evening. +</P> + +<P> +Snell tendered the invitation. +</P> + +<P> +Merriwell's face clouded instantly. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, there is no place to play, is there?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure!" was the reply. "You didn't suppose we'd be knocked out so +easy, did you? +</P> + +<P> +"Where do you play?" +</P> + +<P> +"Come along with Hodge to-night, and he will show you. You have been +there before." +</P> + +<P> +But Frank did not come along. +</P> + +<P> +Three nights he knew of Bart rising and stealing out of the room. Then +there was an interval of two nights, during which Bart, plainly too +much used up to stand the strain, or else out of money, remained in his +bed. +</P> + +<P> +When Hodge arose again, and prepared to go out, he heard a stir in +Merriwell's alcove. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you awake, Frank?" he asked, softly. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," was the reply, "and I am going with you." +</P> + +<P> +Bart hesitated. He was tempted to undress and return to bed, but he +had received his money from home that day and, having lost heavily the +last time he played, he was anxious for "satisfaction." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm not Merriwell's guardian," he thought. "I guess the fellow is +able to take care of himself." +</P> + +<P> +So he told Frank to dress fully for going out, and to take his shoes in +his hand. +</P> + +<P> +Together they crept from the room, slid along the corridor, watched a +favorable moment to get past the sentinel, and finally found their way +into a room where the "gang" was waiting. +</P> + +<P> +There was much whispered satisfaction when Merriwell was known to be +with Hodge. +</P> + +<P> +Then the window was softly opened, and one by one the boys descended +the fire-escape, which ran past that window. The last one out closed +the window, having arranged it so it could be readily opened from the +outside. +</P> + +<P> +Behind the messhall they sat down on the ground and pulled on their +shoes. +</P> + +<P> +It was a cool, starry night, +</P> + +<P> +"I rather fancy I know where we are bound," said Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Where?" asked Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"To the old boathouse, down the cove." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure. You are a good guesser, old man." +</P> + +<P> +Then the thought came to Frank that it would be a good thing for +Fardale Academy if that boathouse should burn to the ground. It was +there plebes generally received their first hazing, and there most of +the fights between the cadets took place. +</P> + +<P> +To the boathouse they went, and this night luck ran against Frank, for +he lost heavily. +</P> + +<P> +"There," he said, as he and Bart were returning together, "I can stay +away from the game now, and no one will have a right to accuse me of +meanness, for I have dropped more than I made at both of the other +games I have been in." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right," assured Bart, "you may do as you like now, and I'll +fight the fellow that dares open his trap about it." +</P> + +<P> +But Frank had taken the false step that leads to others, and he was to +find it no easy thing to keep away from the game that fascinated him +so. For a little time he succeeded, but he was uneasy and in a bad way +so long as he knew a game was going on. Night after night he heard +Bart dress and slip out, and the longing to accompany him grew and grew +till it was unbearable. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter with Merriwell?" one of his classmates asked of +another. "He was making right along at one time, and we all thought he +would head the class, but now he is making an average of less than 2.5." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, he is flighty," replied the other. "Do you notice that he doesn't +seem to be as jolly and full of fun as he was once." +</P> + +<P> +"I believe he is in some kind of trouble," declared the first. "He +doesn't ever get a max lately." +</P> + +<P> +By way of explanation, let us state, a "max" was the highest mark +obtainable, or 3; 2.9 or 2.8 was considered first class, 2.5 was really +good, 2 was fair, and below that it fell off rapidly too, which meant +utter failure. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was, indeed, in trouble. He found it impossible to keep away +from the poker parties, and so, one night after Bart had departed, +being unable to sleep, he got up and followed his roommate again. +</P> + +<P> +Gage and Snell were rejoiced, for they saw they had Merriwell fairly +within the meshes. All that was needed now was to close the net +carefully and draw it tighter and tighter about him, till there was no +possible escape. +</P> + +<P> +This trick was accomplished with consummate skill. Frank's luck seemed +to have deserted him, but at first his losings were just heavy enough +to provoke without alarming him. Sometimes he would win a little, and +then he would fancy his luck had turned, but the tide soon set the +other way. +</P> + +<P> +Made angry by his petty losses, he followed the game with dogged +persistency. And those petty losses soon began to grow larger and +larger. His money melted away rapidly, and still fortune frowned on +him. +</P> + +<P> +In vain Hodge counseled his friend to drop the game and stay away. +Such advice was now wasted on Frank, and it made him angry. +</P> + +<P> +"It's too late!" he hotly declared. "I am going to see the thing +through!" +</P> + +<P> +And so the meshes of the snare closed around him. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER X. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +DOWNWARD. +</H3> + + +<P> +In vain Gage and Snell tried to get hold of some IOU's with Frank +Merriwell's name on them. Frank's money was exhausted, and he stopped +playing suddenly. Gage offered to loan him money, but he had not +forgotten the past, and not a cent of Gage's cash would he touch. +</P> + +<P> +Then Snell tried it, but was no more successful. +</P> + +<P> +This made them both angry. +</P> + +<P> +"Confound the fellow!" said Gage, fiercely. "We've got him badly +tangled; but he seems to have taken the alarm, and I'm afraid he will +break away." +</P> + +<P> +"We must not let him do so," said Snell. "If we lose our fish now, +we'll never land him." +</P> + +<P> +"What can be done?" +</P> + +<P> +"That is for us to study out." +</P> + +<P> +And so they set about plotting and trying to devise still other schemes +to disgrace Frank, and drive him from the academy. +</P> + +<P> +In the meantime, a feeling of revulsion had seized Frank Merriwell. Of +a sudden he had perceived whither he was drifting. He realized what +false steps he had already taken, and he was heartily ashamed of +himself. +</P> + +<P> +Among his treasures was a medal of honor presented to him by Congress +for twice saving the life of Inza Burrage, a pretty girl who lived in +Fardale, and whose brother, Walter, was a cadet at the academy. Once +he had fought a mad dog with no weapon but a clasp-knife, and kept the +creature from biting Inza, and once he had saved her from death beneath +the wheels of the afternoon express, which flew through Fardale village +without stopping. +</P> + +<P> +Coming across this medal where he kept it choicely deposited, it +suddenly brought to him an overwhelming feeling of self-abasement and +shame. +</P> + +<P> +What would Inza Burrage think of him if she knew of his weakness—knew +that he was playing cards for money, and making associates of such +fellows as Gage and Snell? +</P> + +<P> +It was true that she did not know either Gage or Snell for what they +really were at heart, but Frank did, and there really seemed no excuse +for him. +</P> + +<P> +He tried to excuse himself by saying he had been led into temptation +through Hodge, but, in another instant he felt meaner than before. +</P> + +<P> +"You ought to be ashamed, Merriwell!" he told himself. "You have all +the influence in the world over Hodge, if you use your power +skillfully, and, instead of trying to shoulder the blame on him, you +should be disgusted with yourself for making no attempt to save him +from such company and such practices!" +</P> + +<P> +Then he thought of the money he had lost. How could he stop without +making an effort to win it back? If he could have one good streak of +luck and win enough to make himself square, he would stop. +</P> + +<P> +This very desire to "get square with the game" has been the ruin of +more than one promising youth. +</P> + +<P> +So he told himself over and over that he would stop as soon as he "got +square." +</P> + +<P> +Saturday came round. Inza Burrage had sent him word through her +brother that she would visit Belinda Snodd that afternoon, and he might +see her there, if he cared to call. +</P> + +<P> +Belinda Snodd was the daughter of John Snodd, a rather queer old +fellow, who ran an odd sort of boarding-house for summer people who +visited the Cove, on which Fardale Academy was situated. Snodd each +year boarded a number of applicants for admission to the academy until +they had prepared themselves for examination and been accepted or +turned away. Frank had boarded there when he first came to Fardale, +and so he knew the family well. +</P> + +<P> +But how could he meet Inza that afternoon? He was in no mood to meet +her. She had regarded him as a hero—as being very near perfection. +If she knew the truth—— +</P> + +<P> +"I can't do it!" Frank muttered. "Not till I face about squarely can I +see her again." +</P> + +<P> +But, as the afternoon came round, he was seized by a great longing to +catch a glimpse of her, at least. Mechanically he began dressing, as +if he were going to call on her. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge was reading a book. He flung it aside, with an impatient +exclamation that was followed by a yawn. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm tired of that old thing!" he cried. "I am tired of everything!" +</P> + +<P> +"You need a rest, Bart," said Frank. "You are not getting enough +sleep." +</P> + +<P> +"I am getting as much as you. I say, Frank, don't you think living is +a bore, anyway?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not when a fellow lives right." +</P> + +<P> +"Right? What do you mean by that? Isn't a chap to have any sport?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; but there are two kinds of sport—so called. One is healthy, +invigorating, delightful, like baseball and football, for instance. +The other is fascinating, injurious, debasing, like poker." +</P> + +<P> +Bart stared at Frank a moment, as if he were somewhat puzzled, and then +said: +</P> + +<P> +"I guess you are right, old man. I hadn't ever thought of it just that +way before. I'd swear off and try to keep away from the game, if I +wasn't in so deep." +</P> + +<P> +"You have lost quite an amount lately." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I have been knifed deep. Gage has astounding luck." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think it is all luck?" +</P> + +<P> +Bart looked surprised. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, to be sure. The fellow plays a square game." +</P> + +<P> +"Why should he? You know, as well as I, that he is not square by +nature." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right; but his cards are cut every time, and he doesn't know +enough to put 'em up." +</P> + +<P> +"There are other ways of cheating besides putting the cards up." +</P> + +<P> +"That's true, but I do not believe Gage is on that lay. He simply has +beastly big luck." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps." +</P> + +<P> +"You do not think so?" +</P> + +<P> +"I do not know. You will remember that Gage has no particular love for +either of us, and we have both lost heavily." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you mean to quit playing?" +</P> + +<P> +"Possibly." +</P> + +<P> +Hodge looked doubtful, for he now understood how strong must be the +temptation for Merriwell to follow the game. +</P> + +<P> +Frank completed dressing, and left the academy. He turned his +footsteps in the direction of Snodd's, but still he had no intention of +going there. Keeping under the brow of the hill, he passed around to a +large grove in the rear of Snodd's buildings. +</P> + +<P> +It was early October now, and the air was bracing and exhilarating, for +all the afternoon was mild. The trees were flaming with color, and the +leaves had begun to sift down. In the grove squirrels romped and +chattered. +</P> + +<P> +It seemed good to Frank to get away alone under the shadow of the +trees. New strength and new life came to him, and new resolves and +determinations formed themselves unsought and unbidden in his mind. He +felt that it was a privilege and a blessing to be alive. +</P> + +<P> +Had he felt free to meet Inza then, he would have been quite happy. +</P> + +<P> +He flung himself down beneath a great tree at the edge of the grove, +where he could see Snodd's buildings. For a long time he lay there, +thinking and dreaming. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly he started up. Three figures were leaving the buildings and +coming toward the grove. He saw they were three girls, and he +instantly recognized one of them as Inza. The others were Belinda +Snodd and one of the village girls, with whom Frank was slightly +acquainted, Mabel Blossom, generally known as May Blossom. +</P> + +<P> +"They are coming here!" exclaimed Frank. "They must not see me!" +</P> + +<P> +He arose hastily, and scurried away into the grove, and he did not stop +till he had reached the shore. There he sat down amid some rocks, and +remained a long time, as it seemed to him. +</P> + +<P> +But he could not resist the temptation to steal back and see if the +girls were still in the grove. He finally arose and did so. +</P> + +<P> +As he passed through the grove and came out near the old picnic-ground, +he suddenly halted and stepped behind a tree, for he had come upon two +persons in earnest conversation. +</P> + +<P> +They were Inza Burrage and Leslie Gage! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +TRUSTING AND TRUE. +</H3> + + +<P> +Instantly a surge of jealousy swept over Frank Merriwell. How did it +come about that Gage had met Inza there? Was it by appointment? +</P> + +<P> +Belinda Snodd and May Blossom were in plain view a short distance away, +and Wat Snell was trying to make himself agreeable to them. +</P> + +<P> +Without intending to eavesdrop, Frank paused there a moment, +unconsciously listening. He heard Inza say: +</P> + +<P> +"The others cannot hear you now, Mr. Gage, so you can tell me the +important thing you have to reveal." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know as you will be pleased to hear it," said Gage, with an +attempt at great apparent sincerity, "for it is about your friend, +Frank Merriwell, and you will not like to hear anything unpleasant of +him." +</P> + +<P> +Inza drew herself up proudly. +</P> + +<P> +"You cannot tell me anything of Mr. Merriwell that will make me think +less of him," she declared, her dark eyes flashing. +</P> + +<P> +That was enough to chain Frank to the spot; he could not have slipped +away then had he desired to do so. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps not," said Gage, with a significant smile, "but I think I can." +</P> + +<P> +"How has Frank Merriwell ever injured you that you should be slandering +him behind his back?" +</P> + +<P> +For an instant this staggered Leslie, like a blow in the face, but he +swiftly recovered. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Merriwell has never injured me, and I haven't the least thing in +the world against him," he said, smoothly; "but I do take an interest +in you, and it makes me sorry to see you so absorbed in a fellow +utterly unworthy of your friendship—utterly unworthy to be spoken to +or even noticed by you." +</P> + +<P> +Gage spoke rapidly, for he saw she was eager to interrupt him. Her +face grew pale, and she stamped one small foot angrily on the ground, +as she flung back: +</P> + +<P> +"This is not the first time you have tried to injure him, and you +should be ashamed! Why, he saved you from the Eagle's Ledge, after you +had fallen over Black Bluff." +</P> + +<P> +"Which was exactly what any fellow would have done for another under +similar circumstances. That is not to his credit. I beg you to +listen. It has taken me some time to make up my mind to tell you the +truth—to warn you, and now I must. To begin with, Merriwell comes of +an uncertain family, although, I believe, he has an uncle who has some +money, and that uncle is paying the fellow's way through Fardale +Academy." +</P> + +<P> +"What do I care about his family, so long as I know him to be a noble +fellow! You forget, sir, that he has twice saved my life!" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I have not forgotten. I do not blame you for being grateful, but +you must know the whole truth about him. Frank Merriwell is a +gambler—he plays cards for money." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe it!" were the words that came from Inza's lips, and +sent a thrill of shame through the lad behind the tree. +</P> + +<P> +"But it is true, and I can prove it. I will prove it, too! If I prove +it to your satisfaction, Miss Burrage, will you cut the fellow, and +have nothing to do with him in the future?" +</P> + +<P> +Frank leaned forward, holding his breath, eager to hear the answer. +</P> + +<P> +It came promptly and decisively: +</P> + +<P> +"No!" +</P> + +<P> +Gage caught his breath. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you mean to say you will still be friends with a regular gambler +like Merriwell?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"I do not believe Frank Merriwell is a gambler—you can never make me +believe it!" +</P> + +<P> +"But I will bring proof." +</P> + +<P> +"Even then I will believe your proof is hatched up against him." +</P> + +<P> +This made Gage lose his head. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, you are awfully stuck on that cad!" he cried. "You are +altogether too fine a girl for him!" +</P> + +<P> +He suddenly caught her in his arms, and tried to embrace her. She +struggled, and cried out for help. +</P> + +<P> +Like a panther, Frank Merriwell bounded from behind the tree. He +caught Gage by the collar, and tore Inza from his grasp. Then Frank's +fist shot out, landing with a sharp spat right between Leslie's eyes. +A second later Gage came in violent contact with the ground. +</P> + +<P> +"Frank!" exclaimed Inza, as he supported her. +</P> + +<P> +Wat Snell and the two girls with whom he had been talking had witnessed +the entire affair. They now came hurrying toward the spot. +</P> + +<P> +"The miserable cur!" cried Frank. "I will——" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't touch him again!" urged Inza. "Oh, you struck him an awful +blow!" +</P> + +<P> +In truth Frank had given Gage a heavy blow, and it was some seconds +before the fellow made a move. Snell helped him sit up. Leslie put +his hand to his head, and stared in a dazed way at Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you hurt much, old man?" asked Wat, sympathizingly. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess not," mumbled Gage. "What did he strike me with?" +</P> + +<P> +"His fist." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, it seemed like a rock!" +</P> + +<P> +Wat helped him to his feet, and the two stood glaring at Frank, who +regarded them with supreme scorn. +</P> + +<P> +"Shall we sail in and do him up?" asked Wat, excitedly. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," said Leslie; "we will give him a good drubbing." +</P> + +<P> +Instantly Frank placed Inza to one side, and boldly faced the two young +rascals. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe you both can whip me, the way I feel just now," he +cried. "I think I can give you more fight than you want, so just sail +right in." +</P> + +<P> +They hesitated. There was something about Merriwell's look and bearing +that seemed to warn them against attacking him. To Wat Snell it +suddenly seemed quite probable that Frank would prove more than a match +for both of them. +</P> + +<P> +"There are ladies present," he said, hastily. "We cannot fight in the +presence of ladies." +</P> + +<P> +"Very thoughtful!" came scornfully from Frank's lips. "Possibly the +ladies will step aside long enough for us to settle this little matter." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, don't fight with them, Frank!" pleaded Inza. "There are two of +them, and——" +</P> + +<P> +"That is not enough. I am good for two such sneaking scoundrels as +they are! Don't worry about me." +</P> + +<P> +"Hear the blowhard!" sneered Snell. +</P> + +<P> +Frank seemed on the point of springing toward him, and Wat hastily +dodged behind Leslie, saying: +</P> + +<P> +"Give it to him, Les, if he wants to fight!" +</P> + +<P> +This showed how much Gage could depend on Snell in a scrimmage, and the +former instantly decided that it was not best to try to get revenge on +Merriwell just then. +</P> + +<P> +"There will be no fighting here," he said, loftily, "but I shall not +forget Merriwell's blow, and he shall pay dearly for it. I will make +him wish he had not been so free with his fist." +</P> + +<P> +"As for you, Miss Spitfire," turning to Inza, "you must feel proud to +have a friend in a fellow of his class! Do not forget what I told you +about him and——" +</P> + +<P> +"Silence, sir!" cried Inza, contemptuously. "You had better go away at +once. I wouldn't believe such a contemptible creature as you under any +circumstances!" +</P> + +<P> +"All right, all right," growled Gage, scowling blackly. "You will find +out in time that I told the truth. This is not the end of this matter. +Come, Wat, let's go. If I stay any longer, I'll have to whip Merriwell +before all of the present company." +</P> + +<P> +So the delectable pair moved away together, and Gage's revengeful heart +was made still more bitter by the ringing laugh of scorn Inza Burrage +sent after them. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE SNARE IS BROKEN. +</H3> + + +<P> +When Frank parted from Inza that afternoon, he had made a free and full +confession of his fault. She had listened with pained surprise, almost +with incredulity, but she had not shown the scorn that Frank felt he +fully deserved. However, she had exacted a pledge, which he had freely +given, and, returning to the academy, he felt that he was himself once +more. His step was elastic, his heart was light, and he whistled a +lively strain. +</P> + +<P> +That evening he had a long talk with Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"Come, Bartley," urged Frank, "drop this card-playing, and give +attention to your studies." +</P> + +<P> +Bart was in a bad mood, as he had been much of the time lately, and he +laughed harshly. +</P> + +<P> +"You're a fine fellow to give that sort of advice when you cannot keep +away from the game yourself!" he said. +</P> + +<P> +"But I can keep away," came quietly and decidedly from Frank's lips. +</P> + +<P> +"Prove it." +</P> + +<P> +"I will. I am not going to play any more. I have been a fool, and I +am ashamed of it." +</P> + +<P> +"That is easy enough to say, but—— Well, we will see what we will +see." +</P> + +<P> +"You doubt my ability to keep away from the game?" +</P> + +<P> +"Haven't I reason to do so?" +</P> + +<P> +"You surely have. But look here, Bart; you know as well as I the kind +of fellows we are running with when we play cards with that gang. +Neither you nor I care to call Gage and Snell our particular friends." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right." +</P> + +<P> +"And Harris is a kind of uncertain fellow—neither one thing nor +another." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure." +</P> + +<P> +"Sam Winslow hasn't enough stamina to resist temptation of any sort." +</P> + +<P> +"Go on." +</P> + +<P> +"Harvey Dare is a pretty decent chap, but he doesn't care a rap what +people think or say of him." +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" +</P> + +<P> +"Hans Dunnerwust has been inveigled into the game, and I am going to do +my best to make him break away." +</P> + +<P> +Bart drew a deep breath. +</P> + +<P> +"Go ahead, Frank," he said, "and I hope you may succeed in your +missionary work. You didn't name my failings, but I have them, or they +have me, for I can't break away from them." +</P> + +<P> +"You can if you will try. Make a desperate effort, Bart. Think how +differently you are situated than I, who was born with a passion for +gambling." +</P> + +<P> +Bart rose impatiently. +</P> + +<P> +"Drop it, old man," he growled. "I've lost too much to knock off now. +I am going to play to-night." +</P> + +<P> +"To-night? Why, it is Saturday night!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"If you begin playing, you will not stop before Sunday comes in." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps not." +</P> + +<P> +"You don't mean to say that you are going to play on Sunday?" +</P> + +<P> +"The better the day, the better the deed," mocked Bart. +</P> + +<P> +Frank said no more, but he formed a firm resolution. He would find a +way to save his roommate and break up the card game. Gage and Snell +were welcome to all they had won off him, but he would bring their +career to an end. +</P> + +<P> +How was he to do it? +</P> + +<P> +Surely he could not report them, for that would place him beneath a ban +among the cadets. +</P> + +<P> +He studied over the problem. +</P> + +<P> +That night, when Hodge arose to slip away, Frank got up also, and began +to dress. Bartley heard him, and was surprised. +</P> + +<P> +"Where are you going, Frank?" he whispered. +</P> + +<P> +"With you," was the quiet reply. +</P> + +<P> +"But I thought——" +</P> + +<P> +Hodge stopped; he would not say what he thought. But he told himself +that he had known all along that Frank could not keep away. +</P> + +<P> +They got out of the academy, and made their way to the old boathouse, +where the company was already assembled. +</P> + +<P> +Gage and Snell were there, but neither of them spoke to Frank. +</P> + +<P> +Bart sat into the game immediately, but, to the general surprise, Frank +declined. +</P> + +<P> +"I am short, and I don't feel like playing to-night," he said. "I've +got a book I want to read, and it wasn't possible for me to have a +light in quarters, so I came along." +</P> + +<P> +He declined all offers of money, and sat down to read the book. He +turned his back to the table, so the light fell on the pages from over +his shoulder, and in a short time he seemed too much absorbed in the +book to observe anything that was going on. +</P> + +<P> +The game became very warm. It was without limit, and Hodge lost from +the first. Both Gage and Snell were winning steadily. +</P> + +<P> +Still Merriwell seemed to read on calmly. But he was not reading a +great deal. In the palm of one hand he had a small mirror concealed. +By the aid of this mirror, he was watching the movements of Gage and +Snell. +</P> + +<P> +And he was making some very interesting discoveries! +</P> + +<P> +At length there came a large pot. Hodge and Gage stayed in and raised +till every one else fell out. Hodge took one card; Gage, who was +dealing, took two. +</P> + +<P> +Then there was betting such as had never before been known in that old +boathouse. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge's face was pale, and he refused to call, for he believed his time +to get square had come. He put in his "paper" for more than fifty +dollars, after his money was exhausted. +</P> + +<P> +Finally the game came to an end, and Gage proclaimed himself the winner. +</P> + +<P> +He started to take the money lying on the table. Like a leaping tiger, +Frank Merriwell came out of his chair, whirled, thrust Leslie's hands +aside, and pushed the money toward Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"Not this evening, Mr. Gage!" he said. "I am onto your little game, +and it won't work any more with this crowd!" +</P> + +<P> +The boys sprang to their feet. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" asked Gage, hoarsely, his face very pale. +</P> + +<P> +"I mean that you are a sneak and a cheat!" said Frank, deliberately. +"I mean that you are too mean and contemptible for any honest fellow in +this academy to ever have anything to do with! I mean that you have +deliberately robbed your companions by means of crooked appliances made +for dishonest gamblers! That is exactly what I mean, Mr. Gage." +</P> + +<P> +Leslie gasped, and managed to say: +</P> + +<P> +"Be careful! You will have to prove every word, or——" +</P> + +<P> +"I will prove it! I have been watching you, and I have seen you +repeatedly make the pass that restores cut cards to their original +position. I have seen you hold back at least three of the top cards in +dealing, and give them to Snell or take them yourself. Those cards +will be found to be skillfully marked, and that pack is short. Boys, +count those cards!" +</P> + +<P> +The cards were counted, and the pack proved to be four cards short. +</P> + +<P> +"Here is one of the gambler's appliances of which I spoke," said Frank, +thrusting his hand under Leslie's side of the table and wrenching away +something. "It is a table hold-out, and it contains the four missing +cards. This is the kind of a fellow you are playing cards with, +gentlemen." +</P> + +<P> +The faces of the boys were black with anger, Wat Snell being excepted. +Seeing his opportunity, Snell quickly slipped away, and before he could +be stopped, had bolted from the boathouse. +</P> + +<P> +Gage took advantage of the excitement to make a break for liberty, and +he, too, got away. +</P> + +<P> +"What a howling shame!" said Harvey Dare, in disgust. "We'd tar and +feather them both. Anyway, they'll have to get out of the academy." +</P> + +<P> +The boys who had put money into the game were given what they had +invested. The rest was turned over to Hodge. It made his losing +nearly square. +</P> + +<P> +"This settles me," he said, grimly. "I am done playing. No more of +this business for me." +</P> + +<P> +"Stick to that, and you will be all right," said Frank Merriwell, in a +low tone. +</P> + +<BR> +<HR WIDTH="60%" ALIGN="center"> +<BR> + +<P> +Leslie Gage knew what must follow. The story was bound to spread among +the cadets, and he would find himself scorned and shunned. He +immediately ran away, and it was reported that he had gone to sea. +</P> + +<P> +Wat Snell had not the nerve to run away, but he found himself the most +unpopular fellow at the academy, shunned by the cadets generally, and +regarded with contempt. +</P> + +<P> +The exposure of Gage's crookedness broke up the poker parties for that +season, at least; and Frank was happy, for he had saved himself and +rescued Hodge and Hans Dunnerwust. +</P> + +<P> +But he was happiest in receiving the approbation of Inza Burrage, who +learned, through her brother, what Frank had done. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE "CENTIPEDE" JOKE. +</H3> + + +<P> +"Sh!" +</P> + +<P> +"What's up?" +</P> + +<P> +"There's a carmine haze on the moon." +</P> + +<P> +"That's clear as mud! What's the racket?" +</P> + +<P> +"You room next to Mulloy and Dunnerwust?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you will hear the racket just about the time taps sound." +</P> + +<P> +"But I want to know what's up," persisted the second speaker, whose +curiosity was aroused. "Has somebody put up a job on those two marks, +Mulloy and his Dutch chum?" +</P> + +<P> +"You've guessed it." +</P> + +<P> +"Who?" +</P> + +<P> +"Guess again." +</P> + +<P> +"Merriwell." +</P> + +<P> +"Right. Take your place at the head of the class." +</P> + +<P> +This hasty and guarded conversation was carried on between two plebe +cadets who had met in a corridor of the academy "cockloft." The first +speaker was a jolly-faced little fellow, whose name was Sammy Smiles, +and whose companions had failed to invent a nickname for him that +fitted as well as his real name—Smiles. +</P> + +<P> +The other boy's name was also Samuel, or the first part of his name was +Samuel; but the cadets declined to have two Sams among the plebes, and +so Samuel Winslow had gradually come to be known as "Poke." +</P> + +<P> +"What's Merriwell up to now?" asked Poke, a look of delighted suspense +on his face. "He's making things rather lively round here lately." +</P> + +<P> +"You bet!" grinned Sammy Smiles. "There's more fun in him than there +is in a barrel of monkeys." +</P> + +<P> +"But what's he up to now?" reiterated Winslow. "Don't keep a fellow in +suspense!" +</P> + +<P> +"He smuggled in a basket of crawfish." +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you don't suppose he got 'em to eat, do you?" +</P> + +<P> +"'Course not. Is he going to make the Dutchman eat them?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, but they may take a few bites out of the Dutchman." +</P> + +<P> +"You don't mean——" +</P> + +<P> +"He's put the crawfish into Dunnerwust's and Mulloy's beds." +</P> + +<P> +"Jeewhiz!" +</P> + +<P> +Poke clapped a hand over his mouth, and looked round hastily. Then he +asked: +</P> + +<P> +"How could he do it? Beds ain't made up till after tattoo, and he +wouldn't have time to——" +</P> + +<P> +"Tattoo sounded fifteen minutes ago. It doesn't take Mulloy more than +two minutes to make up his beds. Hans is slower, but I hustled 'em +both up to-night. I dodged into their room the instant tattoo sounded, +and told 'em Gray wanted 'em both to come to his room, but they mustn't +come till after their beds were made, for they might stay till it was +too late to make the beds before taps. They both hustled up the beds, +and then skipped over to see Gray. Merriwell was watching, and he +didn't lose more than an hour getting that basket of crawfish into +their room, and stowing the lively little birds in the beds. Oh, my! +won't there be a howl when they yank themselves into bed!" +</P> + +<P> +Sammy Smiles doubled up with suppressed laughter. He was convulsed at +the thought of what would happen when the Dutch boy and the Irish lad +hastily jumped into their beds. +</P> + +<P> +"Merriwell takes the cake," Poke declared, with a chuckle. "He's been +on a regular frolic for the last week, and he can invent more kinds of +fun than any fellow living—besides himself." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right," agreed Sammy. "Frank is a dandy! Things would be +rather dull here this winter if it wasn't for him." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, he'll never let them get dull, and I believe he is the best +fellow that ever lived!" +</P> + +<P> +"Right again," nodded the other lad, with a moment of seriousness. +"Merriwell is the prince of good fellows, and there's not a white man +in the academy who wouldn't fight for him. I know some fellows are +down on him, but that's pure jealousy. They're sore because he has +become so popular. I don't believe he cares much." +</P> + +<P> +"If he wouldn't stick up for Hodge the way he does——" +</P> + +<P> +"That shows his loyalty. I can't see what he finds to admire in Hodge, +though the fellow can fight and play ball. He and Frank do not seem +very well matched for roommates. I don't see how Merriwell can keep +from working jokes on Hodge all the time. Jingoes! but wouldn't I +laugh if he had put some of those crawfish in Hodge's bed!" +</P> + +<P> +This fancy convulsed Sammy again, and, just then, Poke hissed: +</P> + +<P> +"'Sh! Somebody's coming! Skip!" +</P> + +<P> +Both made haste to get into their rooms, and, as Sammy roomed with Ned +Gray, he found Barney Mulloy and Hans Dunnerwust being entertained +there. Ned was telling them stories, and pretending to be greatly +absorbed in their society. As Sammy slipped in, with the inevitable +grin on his face, although he was doing his best to suppress it, Ned +looked up and asked: +</P> + +<P> +"How's the weather outside?" +</P> + +<P> +"It is settled," replied Sammy, with a meaning wink. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think it will be a cold night?" +</P> + +<P> +"It will be for some folks." +</P> + +<P> +"When the weather is cold down East, they call it nipping." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it will be nipping to-night for some people." +</P> + +<P> +"In that case, somebody will have to be stirring." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right." +</P> + +<P> +"Yaw," said Hans, with a lazy yawn, "I pet me your life some folks peen +plame fools enough to peen sdirring to-nighd. Dot makes me dired. Vy +in dunder don'd dey gid in dere peds und sday dere, ain'd id?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, some people don't know enough for that," said Ned Gray. "And then +there are people who are afraid to go to bed at this season of the +year." +</P> + +<P> +"Vot vos dot? Afrait uf vot?" +</P> + +<P> +"Centipedes." +</P> + +<P> +"Vot vos cendibedes?" +</P> + +<P> +"They are a creature with a poisonous bite, and they are all sizes from +the bigness of a pea to one as large as your hand." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, phwat are yez givin' av us!" cried Barney Mulloy, derisively. "Is +it idiots or fools ye take us fer, Oi dunno?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I am telling you the sober truth," declared Ned, with the utmost +seriousness, while Sammy Smiles got behind the visitors and stuffed his +handkerchief into his mouth to keep from shrieking with laughter. "The +centipedes of tropical countries are smaller than our regular winter +centipedes, which are sometimes as large as a man's hand. Their bite +is deadly poison." +</P> + +<P> +"Dunder und blitzens!" gasped Hans. "I don'd tole you dot!" +</P> + +<P> +"Get away wid yer blarney!" exclaimed Barney, disbelievingly. "Pwhat +do yez take us fer, Oi warnt to know? It's nivver a bit do ye shtuff +sich a yarrun down aour throats, me b'y." +</P> + +<P> +"You are not compelled to believe it." +</P> + +<P> +"Cintipades in th' winter!" snorted the Irish lad. "Thot bates th' +band!" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you may think what you like, but you may see some of our winter +centipedes some time, and then it is possible you will feel that you +owe me an apology." +</P> + +<P> +"Vot does cendibedes look like, ain't it?" +</P> + +<P> +"They have long, leg-like claws, and are covered with hard shells." +</P> + +<P> +"Und dey pite?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I should say so." +</P> + +<P> +"Put, vy vos some beoples afrait dose cendibedes uf to go to ped? You +tole me dot." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, these winter centipedes are great creatures to seek warm +corners, and so they get into beds." +</P> + +<P> +Sammy Smiles was ready to roll on the floor. He could not keep his +laughter bottled up, and it burst forth in a gurgle, which he quickly +changed to a most distressing cough. +</P> + +<P> +"Wan thing is sure," said Barney; "nivver a cintipade is loikely to get +inther our beds, fer we make 'em up ache noight, so we'd see th' +craythers if they wur there." +</P> + +<P> +"I believe one of them has never been seen in the academy," came +seriously from Ned's lips. "The strict discipline of the institution +is too much for them, and they keep away." +</P> + +<P> +Barney grinned. +</P> + +<P> +"Thot's all roight, me b'y. Some doay Oi'll tell yez about th' big +shnakes we hiv in Oireland. Oi hivn't toime to-night." +</P> + +<P> +"Und I vill dell you apoud der big Injuns vot dere vos der Rhine on, in +Shermany," said Hans. "Maype you haf heardt uf dose poem enditled 'Big +Injun on der Rhine,' ain'd id?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, well, that's all right!" said Ned, with a wave of his hand, as if +he was not quite pleased. +</P> + +<P> +Then he looked at his watch, and exclaimed: +</P> + +<P> +"Great Scott! we've got but one minute left in which to undress and get +into bed before taps!" +</P> + +<P> +He leaped up and began undressing, and, with exclamations of alarm, the +Irish lad and the Dutch boy hustled from the room, losing no time about +getting into their own and undressing. +</P> + +<P> +"Did Merriwell fix it?" asked Ned, of Sammy. +</P> + +<P> +"You bet!" was the reply. "Extinguish the flicker, and wait for the +general war-dance. It will take place in a very few seconds." +</P> + +<P> +So they extinguished the light, and awaited the outburst that must soon +come. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +LIVELY TIMES. +</H3> + + +<P> +Barney and Hans dashed into their room, and tore themselves out of +their clothes, which, however, they took care to hang in order on the +pegs placed along the partition that divided one end of the room into +two alcoves. +</P> + +<P> +Long practice enabled them to undress with great swiftness. +</P> + +<P> +By the time taps began to sound they were ready to jump into their beds. +</P> + +<P> +Barney quickly extinguished the light, but Hans lost no time in getting +under the blankets, while the Irish lad made a leap to do so. +</P> + +<P> +Then came a cry of astonishment and fear from Hans. +</P> + +<P> +"Shimminy Gristmas!" exclaimed the Dutch boy. "Vot dot vos I touch me +to, ain'd id?" +</P> + +<P> +"Shut up!" growled Barney. "Bad cess to yez! do yez phwant th' officer +av th' guarrud doon on us! Kape shtill, ur——" +</P> + +<P> +"Wa-ow!" howled Hans, uttering a wild shriek of pain and terror. "I +vos caught in der ped my leg by! Dunder und blitzens! I vos bit mit +der toe on!" +</P> + +<P> +"Begorra! ye hiv gone crazy, ye son av a Dutch chazemaker! Kape shtill +thot howlin', ur——" +</P> + +<P> +Then Barney's tone suddenly changed, and he let out a yell that would +have awakened Rip Van Winkle from his long nap. +</P> + +<P> +"Saints defind me! I'm bitten in siventane different places intoirely! +Wurra! wurra! Musha! musha! Th' bed is full av crawling crathers!" +</P> + +<P> +"Cendibedes!" howled Hans. +</P> + +<P> +"Cintipades!" shrieked Barney. +</P> + +<P> +Out of the beds they scrambled in hot haste, and to each one six or +eight of the crawfish were clinging. +</P> + +<P> +"Wao-w!" roared Hans. +</P> + +<P> +"Whoop!" bellowed Barney. +</P> + +<P> +"I peen kilt alretty yet!" shrieked the Dutch boy. "I peen bit all +ofer py does cendibedes!" +</P> + +<P> +"Begorra! there's a bushel av th' craythers hangin' to me!" shouted the +Irish lad. "Oi'm a dead b'y intoirely!" +</P> + +<P> +"Hel-lup! hel-lup!" howled Hans, dismally. +</P> + +<P> +Out into the center of the room danced the two boys, fighting, clawing, +striking at various parts of their bodies, where the crawfish +persistently clung. They collided, and both sat down heavily on the +floor. +</P> + +<P> +"It's kilt we are!" moaned Barney. +</P> + +<P> +"Dot peen near knockin' mine prains oud alretty yet!" declared Hans. +</P> + +<P> +"Loight th' lamp!! +</P> + +<P> +"Hel-lup! hel-lup! hel-lup!" +</P> + +<P> +In some way they scrambled to their feet, and both lunged for the door, +which they beat upon with their fists, as if they would tear it down. +</P> + +<P> +"Docther!" bellowed Barney. +</P> + +<P> +"Toctor!" screamed Hans. +</P> + +<P> +"Will yez get away fram thot dure, so Oi can open it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ged avay dot toor from mineself!" flung back the Dutch boy. "I ged me +to dot toor first, und I peen der first von oud!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, ye will, will yez! We'll see about thot!" +</P> + +<P> +Biff! smack! thud! thump! The two frantic boys were hammering each +other in the darkness of their room, while the listening jokers were +convulsed with merriment. +</P> + +<P> +The uproar had aroused that entire section of the academy. The +sentinel came down the corridor at the double quick, just as Frank +Merriwell, partly dressed, leaped out of his room and flung himself +against the door of the room from which the racket issued. +</P> + +<P> +Other boys came swarming into the corridor, and the excitement was +intense. +</P> + +<P> +Merriwell burst into the room, and, a moment later, dragged out Hans +and Barney into the lighted corridor. +</P> + +<P> +The crawfish were still clinging comfortably to various portions of the +garments in which the two lads had gone to bed. Seeing the creatures, +Hans uttered a howl of agony louder than any that had yet issued from +his throat. +</P> + +<P> +"Cendibedes!" he wailed. "I vos a tead boy! I vos peen bit in more as +nine huntred und sefenteen blaces alretty yet! Vere vos dot toctor?" +</P> + +<P> +"They're centipades sure!" groaned Barney. "An Oi didn't belave there +wur such craythers! Ouch! ouch! How they boight! Take 'em off!" +</P> + +<P> +But the two lads danced, kicked and beat about them with their arms so +that no one could remove the crawfish. +</P> + +<P> +The boys who were witnesses of this "circus," nearly choked with +laughter. Sammy Smiles had a fit, and rolled on the floor, clinging to +his sides. +</P> + +<P> +All the while Frank was apparently making desperate efforts to quiet +the boys and remove the crawfish, but, at the same time he was saying +just loud enough for them to hear: +</P> + +<P> +"The bite is deadly poison! The only antidote is equal parts of new +milk and vinegar taken internally. About a gallon should be absorbed, +while a chemically prepared poultice of H2O, <I>tempus fugit</I>, and <I>aqua +pura</I> should be applied to each and every bite." +</P> + +<P> +"Bring' on yer new milk and vinegar, begorra!" roared the Irish boy, +wildly. "It's a barrel ur two Oi'll drink av th' sthuff!" +</P> + +<P> +"Somepody dose boultices make britty queek alretty!" shouted Hans. "I +vant dwo huntred und elefen for dose bites vot I haf all ofer mein body +on!" +</P> + +<P> +"Keep still!" ordered the sentinel. "Stand still while those crawfish +are removed." +</P> + +<P> +"You peen bitten all der dime dose cendibedes py, und I pet me my poots +you don'd keep very sdill yet avile! We-e-eow! Dey vos eadin' me ub +alretty yet!" +</P> + +<P> +"Get away wid yez, ye spalpane!" shouted Barney, and one of his wildly +waving fists struck the sentinel between the eyes and knocked him over +instantly. +</P> + +<P> +"Remember it is vinegar and milk that you want, and you must have it," +shouted Frank, in the Irish lad's ear. "Every second you delay about +procuring it makes your chances all the more desperate." +</P> + +<P> +"Begorra! Oi'll hiv it directly, av there's anything av th' sort in +th' ranch!" +</P> + +<P> +Then Barney made a break for the stairs, with Hans a close second, and +the boys could not resist the temptation to rush after them. +</P> + +<P> +Never before had there been such an uproar heard in Fardale Academy, +and the commotion had brought Professor Gunn and his two principal +assistants, Professor Jenks and Professor Scotch, from their rooms on +the floor below the "Cockloft." +</P> + +<P> +"What can be the meaning of this outrageous hub-bub?" cried Professor +Jenks, who, on account of his exceeding height, was known as "High +Jinks." +</P> + +<P> +"Goodness knows!" exclaimed Professor Gunn, peering over his spectacles +in a horrified way at his companions. "It must be a mutiny——" +</P> + +<P> +"Or a murder!" chattered Professor Scotch, who was a very small man, +and was generally known as "Hot Scotch," because of his fiery red hair +and peppery temper. +</P> + +<P> +"Let us proceed together to investigate," came resolutely from +Professor Gunn's lips. +</P> + +<P> +"All right," said High Jinks, bravely. "Lead the way, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Be cautious, gentlemen—be cautious!" urged Hot Scotch, his face pale +and his teeth rattling together. "Such dreadful shrieks have never +before assailed my ears—never! They are certainly cries of mortal +agony!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you can go to your room, and lock yourself in, if you are afraid!" +came scornfully from the tall professor's lips. +</P> + +<P> +"Who's afraid!" bristled the little man, instantly. "You will find I +am not afraid of you, sir! I am ready to——" +</P> + +<P> +"Gentlemen! gentlemen, silence!" came commandingly from Professor +Gunn's lips. "I will not have this unseemly bickering! If you are +ready, come on." +</P> + +<P> +So they moved toward the stairs, High Jinks resolutely keeping by +Professor Gunn's side, while Hot Scotch lingered a little in the rear, +clinging to the tail of the head professor's coat. +</P> + +<P> +Just as they reached the foot of the stairs and were about to ascend, +feet were heard rushing along the corridor above, and then Barney +Mulloy came plunging down the stairs, with Hans Dunnerwust riding +astride his neck, both in their nightclothes, with a few crawfish still +clinging to them. +</P> + +<P> +The three professors were unable to get out of the way, so the frantic +boys plunged straight into them, and all fell in a struggling, +squirming mass on the floor. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +WARNED. +</H3> + + +<P> +At the head of the stairs swarmed the plebes, who were convulsed with +laughter. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! oh! oh!" gasped Sammy Smiles, clinging to his sides. "Somebody +please do something to stop me from laughing! Ha! ha! ha! If I don't +stop soon, I'll die! Oh, dear! oh, dear! I am sore all over!" +</P> + +<P> +"Help!" cried Professor Gunn. +</P> + +<P> +The boys on the floor below the Cockloft were out by this time, and +they were enjoying the spectacle quite as much as the plebes above. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had rushed into his room, and he came forth with a bag that +contained something that moved and snarled. Reaching the head of the +stairs, he quickly opened the mouth of the bag and extracted two cats. +He had slipped on a pair of heavy gloves, and he succeeded in holding +the cats securely, while he said to Ned Gray: +</P> + +<P> +"Quick—take the string that held the mouth of the bag—tie their tails +together! Lively!" +</P> + +<P> +Ned caught up the string, and worked swiftly, tying the cats' tails +tightly together. +</P> + +<P> +When this was accomplished, Frank gave the felines a fling toward the +group at the foot of the stairs. +</P> + +<P> +The cats struck one on either side of Professor Gunn's neck, and, as +their tails were tied together, they hung there, but not quietly. +</P> + +<P> +With wild howls of agony, they began clawing each other, incidentally, +by way of diversion, socking their claws into the professor's face now +and then, and ripping up a few furrows in that gentleman's countenance. +</P> + +<P> +Professor Gunn howled louder than the cats, and tried to fling them +off; but they clung to him as if they loved him, and continued to +shower marks of affection upon him. +</P> + +<P> +"Great Scott!" gasped Ned Gray. "If it is ever found out that you were +at the bottom of this, Merriwell, you will be expelled sure!" +</P> + +<P> +"Then I shall perish in a good cause," laughed Frank. "Fun is better +than medicine, and we were beginning to stagnate." +</P> + +<P> +"Help!" cried Professor Gunn, in tones of deep anguish. "Take these +beasts away! They are devouring me!" +</P> + +<P> +"Meow! me-e-eow! S'pt! s'pt! Me-e-e-e-ow!" howled the cats, as they +continued to scratch the professor's face till it began to look like +the colored map of a country that had been disturbed by a violent +earthquake. +</P> + +<P> +Somehow Hot Scotch had gotten into a wrangle with High Jinks, whom he +was holding down and punching vigorously. +</P> + +<P> +"Hit me in the ribs, will ye! Pound me in the eye, will ye? Tackle me +when down, will ye? Well, I've got a score against you, and I'll +settle it now!" +</P> + +<P> +"Take him off!" squealed Jenks, thrashing about with his long legs. +"Save me! save me!" +</P> + +<P> +Having untangled themselves from the mass and become freed of the +crawfish in the struggle, Hans and Barney sat on the floor and stared +in astonishment at the spectacle. The sight was too much for the +risibilities of the Irish boy, and he forgot that he had been severely +bitten by "centipades." +</P> + +<P> +"Begorra! Dutchy, this is a roight loively avening, Oi do belave," he +chuckled. "Will yez look at this fer a racket, Oi dunno! Hurro! Sail +in, b'ys!" +</P> + +<P> +"Vell, I don't efer seen der peat uf dot!" gasped Hans, his eyes +bulging. "Uf dot don't peen a recular fight, I vos an oysder!" +</P> + +<P> +"Now, boys, it's time to take a hand," said Frank Merriwell. "Be +lively! Gather up the crawfish, and throw 'em out of the windows. +Work quick! Here, Windsor, dispose of this bag!" +</P> + +<P> +His words put the cadets in motion. Down the stairs he ran, and +quickly gathered up every crawfish he could find, while others followed +his example. Then, leaving the boys to take care of the cats and +separate the fighting professors, he bounded up the stairs and hurried +to the room occupied by Barney and Hans, where he removed every +crawfish he could find in the beds or upon the floor. He worked with +great swiftness, and accomplished all this in a very few seconds. +</P> + +<P> +In the meantime, some of the boys who had been in the joke from the +start, took hold and aided Frank to clear out all signs of the +crawfish, while others hastened to Professor Gunn's assistance, and +pulled off the cats, removing the string from their tails. +</P> + +<P> +Barney and Hans were beginning to call for the doctor again, declaring +they had been bitten by "centibedes," or "cintipades," and Professor +Gunn was glaring over a handkerchief held to his bleeding face, while +High Jinks and Hot Scotch stood apart and glowered at each other, ready +to resume hostilities at the slightest provocation. +</P> + +<P> +Lieutenant Gordan was on hand, looking very stern, and asking a few +very pointed questions. He fully understood a practical joke had been +perpetrated, and woe to the perpetrator if the lieutenant found proof +against him. Gordan was stern and as unwavering as the hills in the +discharge of his duty. +</P> + +<P> +But the lieutenant found five very excited and incoherent persons in +the group that had assembled at the foot of the stairs. Professors +Jenks and Scotch would not say much of anything, only mutter and glare +daggers at each other, while Professor Gunn was too furious and too +confused to tell anything straight. Barney and Hans declared over and +over that they had been bitten by "centipedes," and showed the wounds. +The jumbled story told by them puzzled the lieutenant more than +anything else. +</P> + +<P> +Having been released, the cats had taken flight. +</P> + +<P> +Lieutenant Gordan did not say much, but the expression on his face told +that he meant to investigate the affair thoroughly. The time, however, +was not suitable for an investigation, and so he ordered everybody to +their rooms. Barney called for a drink of milk and vinegar, but the +lieutenant assured him that he was not in danger of dying immediately +if he did not obtain what he desired, so both the Irish lad and the +Dutch boy were sent to their rooms, like the others. +</P> + +<P> +In a brief time silence settled over the academy, and no one could have +fancied there had been such an uproar there a short while before. +</P> + +<P> +In the morning, Bartley said to Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"What in the world has got into you, old man? You are full of the Old +Harry, lately. You will have this academy turned bottom up, if you +keep on." +</P> + +<P> +Frank smiled. +</P> + +<P> +"We've got to have something to break the monotony," he said. "A +fellow gets tired of plugging away at his studies all the time." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so," admitted Bart, who was a dark-faced, reserved sort of boy; +"but such tricks as you perpetrated last night are dangerous." +</P> + +<P> +"How?" +</P> + +<P> +"What if Lieutenant Gordan finds out you were at the bottom of it? You +know what will happen." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure!" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you are taking big chances for a little fun." +</P> + +<P> +"A little fun!" echoed Frank. "Didn't you consider that something more +than a little fun last night? It struck me as a roaring farce." +</P> + +<P> +A faint trace of a smile came to Hodge's dark face. +</P> + +<P> +"You enjoy anything of the kind far more than I do, Merriwell," he +said. "I like fun of a different sort." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I fancy you will acknowledge I take some interest in other +sports, Bart?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's all right, Frank; you are the leader of our class in +everything, because you are a natural leader. But you have a dangerous +rival." +</P> + +<P> +"Think so?" +</P> + +<P> +"I know it. There is a fellow in this school who is aiming to stand at +the head in athletics. Up to a few weeks ago he remained in the +background, so that little or no notice was taken of him; but he is +coming to the front now, and I believe he means to give you a hot race +for first position. He has even declared openly that he is a pitcher, +and means to make a try for a position on the team." +</P> + +<P> +"That's all right, Bart. I am not hoggish enough to want all the +honors, and, if we play as much ball as we intend to next spring and +summer, we'll need another pitcher. I can't do all the twirling." +</P> + +<P> +"But he says he will not play under you as captain of the team." +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! That is interesting! Now you are waking me up. I suppose the +fellow you speak of is Paul Rains?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, he is the one." +</P> + +<P> +"Then Rains is something of an enemy, as well as a rival. Well, we'll +see who is the better man." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +PAUL RAINS. +</H3> + + +<P> +The short, dark days of winter had brought about changes in Fardale +Academy. Drills had been discontinued, and, except for weekly +inspections and occasional guard duty, there were no formations under +arms. The hours for study were longer, as also were the lessons. Some +of the plebes were negligent and regardless of the fact that the +January examinations were close at hand, while others were "boning" +steadily, doing their level best to stand well in their classes. +</P> + +<P> +For all of his mischievous disposition, Frank was studying enough to +hold his own in his class, and he was looked on favorably by his +instructors. He was magnetic, and had a winning way, so that he made +many friends, always among the better class at the school. No one, +either man or boy, is ever popular without having enemies, and this was +true of Frank; but his enemies were those who were jealous of him, or +those with whom he did not care to associate, for the best of reasons. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge was not a fellow to make friends, being haughty and proud, and +Merriwell obtained many enemies because he roomed with Bart, and seemed +to stand up for the fellow. +</P> + +<P> +The friendship of the two lads was rather remarkable, considering how +they had once been enemies, and how Hodge had worked hard to injure +Frank. +</P> + +<P> +Among the plebes there were a few who stood head and shoulders above +their companions in athletics. Hodge went in for fencing, and +Professor Rhynas declared he would make a master of the foil. Hugh +Bascomb, with a pugilist's thick neck and round head, was spending all +his spare time boxing, and it was said that he could strike a blow that +would stagger an ox. His admirers declared it was a beautiful sight to +see him hammer the punching-bag, and they assured him over and over +that he was certain to make another Sullivan. Naturally, this gave +Bascomb the "swelled head," and he got an idea into his brain that he +was really cut out for a fighter, and that nobody in Fardale could +stand up before him for four rounds. +</P> + +<P> +Day after day Barney Mulloy took a long pull at the rowing machine. +Ned Gray spent his spare time on the horizontal bars or the trapeze, +and Hans Dunnerwust tried his hand at everything, making sport for the +spectators. +</P> + +<P> +Among the plebes there were two lads who seemed all-round athletes. +They were Paul Rains and Frank Merriwell. +</P> + +<P> +Paul did not like Frank. In fact, he was envious of Merriwell's +popularity, although he did his best to keep the fact concealed. Being +a sly, secretive person, it was but natural that Rains should come to +be considered as modest and unassuming. In truth, he was not modest at +all, for, in his secret heart, there was nothing that any one else +could do that he did not believe he could do. And so, while appearing +to be very modest, he was really intensely egotistical. +</P> + +<P> +Rains had not been given much attention for a time after he entered the +academy, but his athletic abilities, for he was really a capable +fellow, although his capabilities were limited, were bringing him into +notice. +</P> + +<P> +Jolly, open as the day, Frank did not know what it was to be crafty or +secretive. He had a way of saying things he thought, and he did not +understand people who kept their fancies and ambitious desires bottled +up. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge had not been the first to give Frank a hint that he had a rival +in Rains, but he was the first to tell him that Rains had declared he +would not play on the ball team if Merriwell was captain. +</P> + +<P> +Frank remembered that, and he wondered what Rains could have against +him. Frank was never able to understand one fellow despising another +because the other was popular, for it was natural for him to wish +everybody good luck and success, and he always rejoiced in the success +of any fellow he knew, providing, of course, that the success was of +the right sort. +</P> + +<P> +Lieutenant Gordan made a rigid investigation of the racket caused by +the "centipedes," but he failed to fasten the blame firmly on any one. +Not one of the boys who knew the facts would expose Merriwell, and both +Barney and Hans, discovering their wounds were not fatal, grinned and +declared they were not sure there had been anything in their beds, but +they thought they had felt something. +</P> + +<P> +Professor Gunn was very indignant to think the culprits could not be +discovered. +</P> + +<P> +"It is a disgrace to the school!" he told Lieutenant Gordan. "Just +look at my face, sir! I am a picture!" +</P> + +<P> +The lieutenant did not crack a smile. +</P> + +<P> +"You have no one but yourself to blame for your condition, sir," he +said. +</P> + +<P> +"Eh? eh? How's that? how's that?" sputtered Professor Gunn. "I don't +think I understand you, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I will make it clear. If you had remained in your room, as you +should when the disturbance occurred, you would not have received those +injuries." +</P> + +<P> +"But, sir—but I am the principal of this school. It is my place——" +</P> + +<P> +"It is your place to keep in your room, sir, when there is an outbreak +like the one under discussion, and allow me to straighten matters out. +If you had done so, I might be able to get at the bottom of this affair +and discover the guilty jokers; as it is, you and your associates +complicated matters so that I do not seem able to do much of anything." +</P> + +<P> +Having spoken thus plainly, Lieutenant Gordan turned on his heel, and +left the professor in anything but a pleasant frame of mind. +</P> + +<P> +It was a day or two after the occurrence of the "great centipede joke," +as the crawfish affair came to be termed, that Paul Rains and Hugh +Bascomb were having a bout with the gloves in the gymnasium. Quite a +number of spectators had gathered, and Frank Merriwell sauntered up and +joined the group. +</P> + +<P> +Professor Rhynas was giving his attention to another department of the +gymnasium, and he had left Bascomb to meet all comers and "give them +points." +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb was not finding it a very easy thing to give Rains many points, +although he believed he could knock the fellow down any time he wished +to do so by simply letting drive one of his sledgehammer blows. +</P> + +<P> +But Bascomb had not thought of striking Rains with all his strength. +He had discovered that Rains disliked Merriwell, and that was enough to +establish a bond of friendship between the big plebe and the lad with +whom he was boxing. +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb hated Frank, but he feared him at the same time. +</P> + +<P> +"Nobody seems able to get the best of that fellow," he had thought a +hundred times. "It seems to be bad luck to go against him, and so I am +going to keep away from him in the future. Poor Gage! Merriwell was +bad medicine for him." +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb was a coward, but he could hate intensely in his two-faced, +treacherous way. +</P> + +<P> +The moment Merriwell joined the group, Bascomb noted it. +</P> + +<P> +"He's watching Rains," mentally decided the big plebe. "He wants to +see what the fellow is made of." +</P> + +<P> +Rains seemed aware that Merriwell was a spectator, for he braced up and +gave Bascomb a merry go for a few minutes, forcing the big fellow back, +and seeming to tap him with ease and skill whenever and wherever he +chose. +</P> + +<P> +When this little flurry was over, Rains threw off his gloves, and +declared he had had enough. +</P> + +<P> +"So have I," said Bascomb, with a grin. "You're the best man I've put +the mittens on with yet. I believe there is a fellow not more than a +hundred miles from here that thinks he is some one with gloves, but you +can do him dead easy. More than that, I think he knows it, and I don't +believe he has the nerve to stand up and face you for a whirl." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I don't want to box with any one," said Rains. "Keep still, +Bascomb." +</P> + +<P> +"You may not want to box, but you can down Frank Merriwell just the +same," declared the big plebe. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap17"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE BULLY'S MATCH. +</H3> + + +<P> +A moment of silence followed Bascomb's distinctly-spoken words, and the +eyes of nearly every one were turned on Merriwell, to whose face the +hot color slowly mounted. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter with you, Bascomb?" he finally asked. "What do you +want to draw me into this affair for? I don't know as I have any +desire to put on the gloves with Rains." +</P> + +<P> +The big fellow grinned in a way that was distinctly insulting. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think you have," he said. "You wouldn't cut any ice with him." +</P> + +<P> +"You may be right; but I don't quite understand how you know, as I have +never stood up with you." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, that wasn't necessary; I've seen you spar, and I have your gage. +You don't run in the class with Rains." +</P> + +<P> +At this juncture Rains made a move as if he would quiet Bascomb, but +the big fellow quickly went on: +</P> + +<P> +"I'm not going to keep still any longer. You're too modest, Rains. +You keep in the background, and let fellows like Merriwell take the +lead in everything, when you should be a leader. You are a better +all-round man than Merriwell any day, and you can knock corners off him +any time he has nerve enough to put on the mitts with you. He's a +dandy to push himself to the front, but——" +</P> + +<P> +That was a little more than Frank could stand. The jolly look had +vanished from his face, and he faced Bascomb, saying sharply: +</P> + +<P> +"Look here, my friend, I reckon you are saying one word for Rains and +two for yourself. I haven't mixed up with you for reasons that you +very well understand, but I don't propose to take much of your talk. +If there is any difference between Mr. Rains and myself, we will settle +it at another time; but if you want to get a rap at me, now is the +accepted occasion, and I will put on the gloves with you." +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb had not been looking for this, and he was taken aback for a +moment. Still, although he knew Merriwell was a far better all-round +athlete, he believed he could more than match him in boxing, so he +eagerly accepted the opportunity. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm your man," he said. "Peel off and get into gear. It won't take +me long to show you there are a few things you do not know." +</P> + +<P> +He laughed in a disagreeable way, and Hodge, who had overheard all, bit +his lips to repress an outburst of anger. +</P> + +<P> +"The sneak!" whispered Bart to Frank, as the latter stepped aside to +take off his coat and vest. "He means to use his sledgehammer blow on +you. He won't box for points, but he will try to soak you. Look out +for him." +</P> + +<P> +"I am not afraid of him." +</P> + +<P> +"That's all right; but you know he has been practicing that blow, and +they say it is terrible. He is cut out for a prizefighter, and is no +fit boxing antagonist for a gentleman." +</P> + +<P> +"I shall look out for his 'wicked left,' as I have heard the boys call +it." +</P> + +<P> +"He wants to provoke you into a fight with himself or Rains." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought as much; but he may change his mind after we spar, if he +does not catch me foul by an accident." +</P> + +<P> +"He is tricky." +</P> + +<P> +"I will watch out for his tricks." +</P> + +<P> +"Look out for his cross-buttock. He's stout as a moose, and he will +give you a nasty fall." +</P> + +<P> +For all of his warning words, Bart had great confidence in Frank. They +had fought once, shortly after coming to Fardale, and Hodge had found +Merriwell more than his match then. Since that time, Frank had missed +no opportunity to pick up points in boxing, and his advancement had +been great. +</P> + +<P> +Still there was a chance that, by some accident, Bascomb might land +once with that "wicked left," or might seek to injure Merriwell by a +fall, if he found that he was matched in every other way, so Bart was +on hand with his words of warning. +</P> + +<P> +It did not take Frank long to get ready, and it was not long before the +two boys faced each other, adjusting the gloves upon their hands. Then +they came up to the scratch, and the word was given that started the +contest. +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb started in at once with a series of false motions intended to +confuse Merriwell, but they simply brought a faint smile to Frank's +face, and he remained as placid as ever until—— +</P> + +<P> +Just as Bascomb had decided to rush, Merriwell rushed. There was a +flashing of their gloves. The big fellow struck twice, and both blows +were met by a ready guard. +</P> + +<P> +Biff! biff! biff! First with the right, and then twice with the left +Frank struck the big plebe. None of them were heavy blows, but they +all stung, and the angry blood surged to Bascomb's face, as he saw +Merriwell leap back beyond his reach, laughing a bit. +</P> + +<P> +"Mosquito bites!" said Bascomb, derisively. +</P> + +<P> +"But they count." +</P> + +<P> +"Who cares. I will more than square that in a minute." +</P> + +<P> +"All right; I am waiting." +</P> + +<P> +Once more they were at it, toe to toe, hands moving slightly, light on +their feet, ready to dodge or spring, ready to strike or guard. Blows +came, one landing on Merriwell's cheek, and another on his shoulder; +but more than twenty were dodged or guarded, and Bascomb was struck +twice for every blow he gave. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was watching for that left hand body blow, and it came at last, +just when Bascomb thought it must count. +</P> + +<P> +In that case Bascomb deceived himself. +</P> + +<P> +The blow was struck swiftly enough, but Frank stopped it with a right +hand guard, and, with his left, countered heavily on Bascomb's mouth, +sending the big fellow's head back. +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb was surprised, and he showed it. He was also thoroughly +angered, and he proceeded to "wade into" Merriwell like a cyclone. +</P> + +<P> +On the other hand, Merriwell was cool as ice, and he made every blow +count something, for even when they failed to land they kept the big +fellow busy. +</P> + +<P> +Time after time Bascomb rushed in, but Merriwell was light as a feather +on his feet, and he danced nimbly about, tapping the other fellow now +here, now there, smiling sweetly all the while, and showing a skill +that was very baffling to Bascomb. +</P> + +<P> +"Hang him!" thought the big fellow. "He is a regular jumping jack. If +I don't land a blow on him pretty quick, I am going to clinch." +</P> + +<P> +This he soon did, catching Frank for the cross-buttock throw. +</P> + +<P> +For a moment it looked as if Merriwell would be flung heavily, and +Hodge drew his breath through his teeth with a hissing sound that +turned to a sigh of relief as he saw his friend thrust forward his +right foot between Bascomb's, break his wrist clear and catch the big +fellow behind the left knee with his left hand, while he brought his +right arm up over Bascomb's shoulder, and pressed his hand over +Bascomb's face, snapping his head back and hurling him off sideways. +</P> + +<P> +This was done quickly and scientifically, and it convinced Hodge that +Bascomb could not work the cross-buttock on Merriwell. +</P> + +<P> +Hugh Bascomb was disgusted and infuriated by his failure. He had +counted on having a soft thing, and he was actually getting the worst +of the encounter. +</P> + +<P> +Time was called, and a breathing spell taken. +</P> + +<P> +Then they went at it again, and this time both worked savagely, their +movements being swift and telling. +</P> + +<P> +Watching this battle, Paul Rains began to believe that he was not yet +quite Merriwell's match at boxing. +</P> + +<P> +"But I am a better man than he is at most anything else," thought the +fellow. +</P> + +<P> +Smack! smack! smack! +</P> + +<P> +Merriwell was following Bascomb up like a tiger, and the big fellow was +forced to give ground. Again and again Frank hammered the desperate +plebe, getting few blows in return and seeming to mind none of them no +more than drops of rain. +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb's face wore the look of an enraged bull. Suddenly, with a +quick side motion, he snapped off the glove on his left hand. +</P> + +<P> +Then, with his bare first, he struck straight and hard at Frank +Merriwell's face! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap18"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +RAINS' CHALLENGE. +</H3> + + +<P> +Bascomb's movement had been noted by the spectators, and a cry of +astonishment and warning broke from many lips. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out!" shouted Bart Hodge. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had seen the movement, and he needed no warning. +</P> + +<P> +Like a flash, he ducked to the right, and Bascomb's bare fist missed +his face and shot over his shoulder. +</P> + +<P> +At the same instant Frank countered with his left, striking the big +fellow on the chin, and hurling him backward with force enough to send +him reeling. +</P> + +<P> +Leaping forward, Merriwell followed up his advantage, and Bascomb +received two terrible blows, one of which knocked him down as if he had +been struck by a cannon ball. +</P> + +<P> +Then Frank flung off both his gloves, his face flushed, and his eyes +flashing, as he exclaimed: +</P> + +<P> +"Two can play at your game, fellow! If you want to try a round with +uncovered knuckles, pick yourself up and come on!" +</P> + +<P> +Snarling like a wounded dog, Bascomb scrambled to his feet; but here +the spectators surged between the two, Rains catching hold of the big +plebe, while Hodge grasped Merriwell. +</P> + +<P> +"Easy, Frank!" warned Bart. "Are you crazy? You know what it will +mean if you fight in the gym. Rhynas has noticed it now—he's coming." +</P> + +<P> +"Confound that fellow!" muttered Frank. "I don't often get started +this way, but it was such a dirty trick that——" +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind, now. Keep still, or Rhynas will hear." +</P> + +<P> +"Let me get at him!" Bascomb had snarled. "I will beat the life out of +him!" +</P> + +<P> +"Stop! stop!" said Rains, swiftly. "You are making a fool of yourself! +You can't fight here!" +</P> + +<P> +"Can't I? Well——" +</P> + +<P> +"No, it is against the rules. If you press this, you will be expelled, +for the affair will be investigated, and it will be proved that you +bared your hand, and Merriwell was forced to do so to defend himself." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I could hammer him!" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, there is plenty of time. Steady, now! Here is the professor. +He has scented a row. Can't you play cool, and pretend it was a joke? +Quick!" +</P> + +<P> +Then Frank was surprised to see Bascomb come forward, laughing in a +sickly way, as he said: +</P> + +<P> +"You're pretty flip with your hands, Merriwell, and that's right. I +hope you won't lay up anything against me because I lost my glove. I +was so excited that I didn't know it was gone." +</P> + +<P> +It was on Frank's tongue to give Bascomb the lie, but, for once in his +life, Hodge was the cooler of the two, and he warned his friend by a +soft pressure on the arm. +</P> + +<P> +Then, seeing Professor Rhynas listening, with a dark look on his face, +Frank laughed, and retorted: +</P> + +<P> +"I don't mind a little thing like that, Bascomb, as long as you didn't +strike me. I rather think I held my own with you, and so we will drop +it." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," said Bascomb, "we will drop it—for the present." +</P> + +<P> +The way he spoke the words seemed to indicate that, though they might +let it drop for the present, the affair was not settled between them, +by any means. +</P> + +<P> +Rhynas now demanded to know the cause of the excitement, and he was +told that Bascomb had knocked his glove off, and then, in his +excitement, had struck a blow. +</P> + +<P> +The professor looked blacker than ever. +</P> + +<P> +"Such a thing is not possible," he declared. "This is no resort for +fighters. If you fellows have any differences to settle, settle them +elsewhere. I propose to run this department so there can be no slurs +cast upon it, and I will not have fighting, quarreling or loud talking +here." +</P> + +<P> +The professor was very strict, and they knew he meant every word he +spoke, so they did their best to pacify him with smooth words and +apologies. +</P> + +<P> +The man, however, was too shrewd to be deceived, and he knew very well +that the two boxers had come very near fighting in the gymnasium while +he was present. However, he could do nothing but warn them, which he +did, and then went about his affairs. +</P> + +<P> +The spectators of the little bout had been given something to talk +about, for, up to that moment, they had not dreamed there was any one +in the academy who could stand up before Bascomb's "wicked left" and +not be unmercifully hammered. +</P> + +<P> +Merriwell had been touched very few times with Bascomb's left, for he +had constantly been on the guard for any blow that might come from that +point, and he had thumped the big plebe most aggravatingly all through +the affair. +</P> + +<P> +But, what was most significant, after Bascomb had flung off one glove +and struck at Frank with his bare fist, the smaller and more supple lad +had sailed in and shown that he could put pounds into his blows, for he +had driven Bascomb back and knocked him down. +</P> + +<P> +This feat had caused Paul Rains to gasp with astonishment, and, in his +heart, he was forced to acknowledge that he doubted if he were yet a +match for Merriwell. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge alone, of them all, had believed all along that Frank was more +than a match for Bascomb. +</P> + +<P> +Now the spectators began to realize that Merriwell was not given to +boasting or "showing off," for he had made no pretense to be the +champion boxer, and he had allowed them to think Bascomb was more than +a match for anybody in the academy. +</P> + +<P> +When forced to meet some one in a contest that should be a test of +skill, Frank had chosen to meet Bascomb, which showed he had been +confident in himself all along, for all that he had not thrust himself +forward. +</P> + +<P> +In his heart, Rains was very sore, for he had just met Bascomb, and, +while he had made a good display, the big fellow had shown that he was +the superior. +</P> + +<P> +"Merriwell is putting me in the shade without running up against me at +all," thought Paul. "I have lost ground with the fellows right here. +How can I recover?" +</P> + +<P> +It did not take him long to decide that he must go against Merriwell in +some kind of a contest—and beat him. +</P> + +<P> +"You are very clever with the gloves, Merriwell," said Rains, stepping +forward, and speaking placidly; "but I would like to see what you can +do jumping." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that a challenge?" asked Frank, quietly. +</P> + +<P> +"If you wish to regard it as such." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I am not anxious; I simply wanted to know just what you meant it +for." +</P> + +<P> +"Then let it go as a challenge." +</P> + +<P> +"For what—high jump, or broad jump?" +</P> + +<P> +"Both." +</P> + +<P> +"That's the talk!" laughed one of the spectators. "Now we will have +more sport!" +</P> + +<P> +"All right," laughed Frank. "I will go you, though I have not been +doing much jumping lately, and I am not in my best form." +</P> + +<P> +"That will sound all right if you beat," said Rains; "but it will not +do for an excuse if you lose." +</P> + +<P> +"All right; let it go. I won't try to make any other excuse in case +you are the victor." +</P> + +<P> +In a mass the boys surged toward a piece of ground just outside of the +gymnasium adapted to jumping. +</P> + +<P> +"What shall it be first?" asked Frank, as he stood at the edge of the +long strip of turf. +</P> + +<P> +"Running long jump," decided Rains. +</P> + +<P> +"That's agreeable. You challenged, and I presume we are to take turns +for three jumps, the one who makes the best leap out of the number is +the winner?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's all right." +</P> + +<P> +Hodge spoke up quickly: +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean by taking turns? Is one to jump three times, and +then the other jump three times?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I mean for us to alternate," explained Frank. "First one jumps, +and then the other." +</P> + +<P> +Hodge nodded his satisfaction. +</P> + +<P> +"That is fair, and it is much better than the other way," he declared. +</P> + +<P> +The rivals made preparations for the contest. By lot it fell to Rains +to lead off. +</P> + +<P> +Rains was smiling and confident. +</P> + +<P> +"If there is anything I can do, I can jump," he told Bascomb, in an +aside. "I will beat him by a foot, at the very least." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you will beat him by a yard!" muttered the big fellow, +sullenly. "I want to see him taken down. He has been a leader long +enough." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I will manage to win some of his glory away from him before the +spring campaign opens," said Rains, confidently. "Don't you worry +about that; but," he added, swiftly, "don't repeat my words to anybody. +I am not going to boast, but I am going to do something. That's the +proper way." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure," nodded Bascomb. "I guess you can do it, too." +</P> + +<P> +In his heart, however, Bascomb did not feel at all sure that Rains +would prove the victor in the jumping contest. +</P> + +<P> +"Merriwell is the hardest fellow to beat that I ever saw," he told +himself. "It doesn't seem possible to down him, and keep him down. If +one seems to get the best of him for a bit, he bobs up serenely +directly, and comes out on top. It is just his luck!" +</P> + +<P> +If Bascomb had said it was just Merriwell's pluck he would have hit the +truth, for Frank, besides being physically capable, was endowed with +any amount of determination, having a never-say-die spirit that would +not give up as long as there was a ghost of a chance left to pull out a +winner. +</P> + +<P> +In the words of the boys, "Merriwell was no quitter." +</P> + +<P> +"Ready," called the fellow who had been chosen for referee. "Rains +will set the stint." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap19"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIX. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +JUMPING. +</H3> + + +<P> +There was a determined look on Paul's face, as he walked to one end of +the long strip of turf that ran down one side of the gymnasium. +</P> + +<P> +"He is built for jumping," said one of the spectators. "There is a +fine pair of legs, if I ever saw a fine pair." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right," agreed another; "and he is full of snap and ginger. He +will give Merriwell a hard go." +</P> + +<P> +"But Merriwell is no slow coach at anything," broke in a third. "I +never saw a fellow who seemed able to make such a record at all sorts +of sports. Who would have thought that he could face Bascomb? Look! +Rains is going to start! See him crouch for the run! He is like a +young panther! Now he's off!" +</P> + +<P> +Down the line of turf darted Paul, reached the white line, rose +gracefully into the air with a pretty spring, and sailed forward in a +handsome jump that brought a round of applause from the spectators. +</P> + +<P> +The measurers immediately ran the tape. +</P> + +<P> +"Seventeen feet and four inches," was the announcement. +</P> + +<P> +A shade of disappointment came to the faces of the spectators, for that +was far below the Fardale record. +</P> + +<P> +Rains, however, winked quietly to Bascomb, as if to say that the first +jump was a teaser, just to see what Merriwell would do. +</P> + +<P> +Frank now took his position, ran swiftly and lightly down the turf, and +made the jump. He seemed to be doing his best, or nearly that, yet he +did not reach but a little beyond Rains' mark. +</P> + +<P> +"Seventeen feet, six inches and a quarter," announced one of the +measurers. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder if that is anywhere near his limit?" thought Paul, as he +slowly walked back to the starting point. "I think I will have to give +him a stint this time." +</P> + +<P> +As he faced the mark, he gathered his energies in every part of his +body, felt his muscles strain, knew his nerves were at their highest +tension. +</P> + +<P> +"He's going to lay himself out this time," said one of the spectators +to another. "Seventeen feet will not be mentioned again." +</P> + +<P> +Down the strip shot Rains. He reached the mark, and went flying +through the air like a bird, bringing a cry to the lips of those +watching, for they saw he had gone far ahead of the first jump. +</P> + +<P> +"That was a beauty!" exclaimed Bascomb, speaking to Wat Snell, who +stood watching. +</P> + +<P> +"It was a good jump," said Snell; "but Merriwell will beat it." +</P> + +<P> +"What makes you think so?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because that fellow always beats at everything. I had rather have his +luck than a license to steal! I've quit trying to down him, for I +found I was bound to get the worst of it if I kept it up." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, his time will come." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps so; but it isn't coming in a hurry." +</P> + +<P> +"Nineteen feet, three inches and a third," announced the measurer. +</P> + +<P> +"Hooray!" shouted one of Paul's delighted admirers. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the stuff! Merriwell will have to shake himself, if he means +to beat that." +</P> + +<P> +But Frank had friends who were confident that he would still hold the +lead. +</P> + +<P> +"Wait till the next measurement is taken," they said. +</P> + +<P> +Frank's manner, as he took his place for the start, seemed to indicate +that he believed the task before him a difficult one. +</P> + +<P> +"He's doubtful," muttered one of Paul's friends. +</P> + +<P> +"He's losing courage," said another. +</P> + +<P> +Pressing his lips together, Frank made the run, and the watchers held +their breath as he jumped. +</P> + +<P> +"He's tied Rains!" +</P> + +<P> +"Not much! He's behind!" +</P> + +<P> +"Rains holds the lead!" +</P> + +<P> +"Great Scott! is that Merriwell's best!" +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb thumped Wat Snell on the back. +</P> + +<P> +"What'd I tell you!" he laughed in Snell's ear. "This is right where +Merriwell loses some of his glory. Rains has beaten him." +</P> + +<P> +"This time, perhaps," admitted Snell; "but there is another jump to +follow, and the best score made is the one that decides the contest. +You will find Merriwell is not beaten yet." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, you talk as if you wanted him to beat!" +</P> + +<P> +"Not much! I would give almost anything to see him beaten at +everything he attempts. Don't think for a minute that I am in love +with that fellow!" +</P> + +<P> +The tape had been run, and now the announcement was heard: +</P> + +<P> +"Nineteen feet, one inch and one-third." +</P> + +<P> +Rains had beaten Merriwell by two inches on the second jump. +</P> + +<P> +But the contest was not yet over, and there was a chance that Frank +would finally redeem himself. +</P> + +<P> +Frank's friends were disappointed. Hodge showed deep chagrin in his +face, as he drew Merriwell aside, saying swiftly and guardedly: +</P> + +<P> +"You're making a mistake, old man, if you are holding off for the last +jump. The second jump is the one to lay yourself out on always." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps I did," smiled Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"What!" gasped Hodge. "And he has beaten you!" +</P> + +<P> +"It looks that way, doesn't it?" +</P> + +<P> +"But—but—I—I won't believe it! You can do better—you must do +better! Why, old man, you will lose your grip if you don't beat him!" +</P> + +<P> +"You do not expect impossibilities, do you?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, but——" +</P> + +<P> +"Would you go back on me if I lost this match?" +</P> + +<P> +"You know better, Frank! I would stick by you under any circumstances!" +</P> + +<P> +"Then I shall not feel so bad about losing it." +</P> + +<P> +Hodge gasped and clutched the arm of his roommate. +</P> + +<P> +"For gracious sake, you don't mean to say he had set you a stint you +cannot beat? You mustn't lose—you shan't lose! Do brace up, old man! +Why, think how those fellows who are envious of you will rejoice if +Rains comes out on top! You must win!" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I will do my best on the next. There goes Rains for the last +jump." +</P> + +<P> +With the ghost of a triumphant mile on his face, Paul again took his +place at the starting point. The smile vanished, and a look of +resolution took its place. +</P> + +<P> +"He is going to try to beat your other jump!" said Bascomb. +</P> + +<P> +"He can't do it," declared Snell. +</P> + +<P> +"Wait and see." +</P> + +<P> +Paul had really resolved to beat his last jump. As he ran, he gathered +momentum, gauging the distance carefully, and reaching the mark +exactly. The jump was a splendid one, and it was instantly seen that +he had actually beaten his former record. +</P> + +<P> +Quickly and carefully the tape was stretched. +</P> + +<P> +"Nineteen feet, nine inches and three-fourths!" +</P> + +<P> +Then there were exclamations of wonderment from all sides, and more +than one declared Merriwell was badly beaten. There were not a few +among Frank's friends who confessed that he had very little chance, and +the faces of those who said nothing showed that they had lost heart to +a great extent. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge continued to talk excitedly to Merriwell, who shook his head, +looking very grave. +</P> + +<P> +Paul Rains was quietly triumphant, for he felt that he was safely the +winner of this contest. +</P> + +<P> +Merriwell and Hodge went up the strip together, the latter still +talking and making an occasional gesture. Reaching the starting point, +they paused and stood talking. +</P> + +<P> +"By smoke!" laughed Bascomb; "Merriwell doesn't want to try it at all, +and Hodge is having hard work to induce him to do so! Rains has this +match in a walkover." +</P> + +<P> +"That remains to be seen," said one of Frank's friends, doggedly. "You +may be right, but don't you fancy for a moment that Merriwell is going +to give up without jumping. He isn't that kind of a hairpin, my boy." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, he might as well give up without another try, for he doesn't +stand any show." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, wait and see—wait and see," was all that Frank's defender could +say. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge was now seen to leave Merriwell and come back down the runway, +and it was noted that the look on his face was far from one of +confidence and satisfaction. +</P> + +<P> +"When Hodge loses confidence in Merriwell, the case is desperate," +declared Bascomb. +</P> + +<P> +"That's so," confessed Wat Snell. "I am beginning to hope." +</P> + +<P> +"Merriwell is making ready—he's preparing for the run!" +</P> + +<P> +All eyes were now fixed on Frank, who had taken his position at the +starting point. He was seen to dig his toe into the ground to get a +brace, and he leaned far forward, with one hand outstretched, then he +darted toward the mark. +</P> + +<P> +With the speed of a fawn, Frank came down the run, reached the mark, +shot like a leopard into the air, sailed like a soaring bird, and +landed safely far beyond Rains' best mark—so far, indeed, that the +crowd was too astonished to make a sound, but stood staring as the tape +was laid. +</P> + +<P> +"Twenty-one feet and two inches!" came the electrifying announcement. +</P> + +<P> +Then, for all of rules, for all of Professor Rhynas, Frank's friends +made the air ring with their wild shouts of applause. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap20"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XX. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BASCOMB'S MISTAKE. +</H3> + + +<P> +Paul Rains was struck with dismay and confusion, which threatened to +turn to anger. +</P> + +<P> +He saw the crowd gathering round Frank, and congratulating him. Paul +was left quite alone. Not even Bascomb approached him, for the big +plebe was too dismayed to say anything or do anything. +</P> + +<P> +Wat Snell simply muttered: +</P> + +<P> +"I knew it!" +</P> + +<P> +His tone expressed his hopeless disgust. +</P> + +<P> +Frank's hand was wrung till his arm ached, and he was told over and +over that he would make a new record for Fardale Academy if he chose to +enter the athletic contests in the spring. +</P> + +<P> +"If he chooses!" shouted one enthusiastic fellow. "He'll have to +enter, whether he chooses or not! You don't suppose we will let a +fellow like him remain out of it, do you!" +</P> + +<P> +"I knew you could do it, old man!" murmured Bart Hodge, his dark face +flushed with pleasure. "You were bluffing all the while that you +pretended to doubt." +</P> + +<P> +"I wanted to see how much confidence you actually had in me," said +Frank, with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you found out." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and that gave me a great deal more of confidence in myself. I +tell you it helps to know one has friends whose faith in him cannot be +shaken, even when he seems to lose faith in himself." +</P> + +<P> +"Where is Rains?" +</P> + +<P> +"There he is. I wonder if he is satisfied?" +</P> + +<P> +Paul was still quite alone, pretending to examine the spikes in the +bottom of one of his shoes. +</P> + +<P> +Frank moved toward his rival, and the others swarmed along. +</P> + +<P> +Seeing them coming, Rains straightened up, and through his mind flashed +the thought that he must not show his chagrin, no matter how deeply he +felt it, and he must receive Merriwell in a manner that would not make +him seem like a cad in the eyes of the fellows. +</P> + +<P> +And so, when Frank came up, Paul said: +</P> + +<P> +"That was a beautiful jump, Merriwell. You beat me fairly and +squarely. I can't deny that." +</P> + +<P> +"You are satisfied, then." +</P> + +<P> +"Perfectly." +</P> + +<P> +"Then we will try the high jump next." +</P> + +<P> +"Not much!" +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"I mean that I am satisfied for the present. If you can beat me nearly +a foot and a half at the running broad jump, you ought to be able to +beat me at the high jump. But I am going to try you another whirl by +and by." +</P> + +<P> +"You do not hold a grudge?" +</P> + +<P> +"What do you take me for?" +</P> + +<P> +"Shake hands?" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course." +</P> + +<P> +Their hands met, but Frank did not fail to note that Rains shook in a +manner that was very cold and insincere. +</P> + +<P> +"I reckon Merriwell has come pretty near showing what he is made of," +said Hodge; "and those fellows who have been claiming that he has won +his popularity by luck had better keep still in the future." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so!" shouted the crowd, and several who did so had been saying +the most disagreeable things about Frank a short time before. +</P> + +<P> +There is nothing in the world so ephemeral as popularity. The +individual who is to-day a hero may be an outcast to-morrow. There is +nothing harder to hold than the esteem of a set of school-boys. He who +is regarded as an idol in the fall may be supplanted by a rival in the +spring, and may find himself unnoticed and neglected. Having once +become a leader in a school, the fellow who has obtained the position +must prove his superiority to all comers in order to hold it. Even +then his success will produce jealous enemies, who will seek his +overthrow by some means, no matter how unfair. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had not sought popularity; it had come unbidden. Having found +himself a leader, however, he had pride enough to hold the position +just as long as he was capable of doing so fairly and honestly. But he +had already discovered that he would be assailed openly and secretly, +and his foes would try to drag him down by any means, fair or foul. +</P> + +<P> +Had Rains been a little more cordial, had he shaken hands with Frank as +if he really held no grudge, Merriwell would have been more than glad +to hail him as a good fellow and a friend. But the touch of his +fingers was enough to reveal the bitterness in his heart. Having +disliked and envied Merriwell before, Rains would now dislike and envy +him still more. +</P> + +<P> +As soon as he could do so without attracting too much attention, Rains +left the excited throng of boys, and hurried away to one of the +dressing-rooms. +</P> + +<P> +Hugh Bascomb quickly followed, being the only one among Rains' late +friends to note his departure. +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb found Rains rubbing down. Paul did not say a word as the big +plebe entered. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," said Bascomb, as he sat down on a stool, "what do you think of +Merriwell?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think he is a mighty hard fellow to beat at anything," growled Paul. +</P> + +<P> +"But he can be beaten—eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"How?" +</P> + +<P> +"There are ways." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean? Speak plainly." +</P> + +<P> +"You ought to know what I mean," said Bascomb, doggedly, keeping his +eyes on the floor. "It isn't always the best trotter that wins a race." +</P> + +<P> +"It will not be easy to beat Merriwell fairly." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right; but you are a fellow of nerve and brains, and you ought +to be able to devise some scheme to get the best of him unfairly." +</P> + +<P> +Rains stopped and stared at Bascomb, his face showing that he was +angrier than ever. +</P> + +<P> +"Now your meaning is pretty plain," he said, slowly. "I will confess +that I dislike Merriwell—that I would give almost anything to get the +best of him; but I want you to understand, Hugh Bascomb, that I am no +sneak!" +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb still kept his eyes on the floor. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, what's the use to get on your high horse, Rains!" he said, in his +sullen way. "If you dislike Merriwell, as you pretend, and if you hope +to down him at anything, you cannot be too much of a stickler for +little things. Once get him to going down hill, and we can keep him +going. I can help you start him." +</P> + +<P> +Had Bascomb taken more than a fleeting glance at Rains' face, he must +have seen that the latter was regarding him with contempt. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose you have a scheme of your own?" Paul finally observed, in a +questioning way. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure." +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, to begin with, I have pretty good proof that Merriwell was the +originator and perpetrator of that crawfish joke on Mulloy and +Dunnerwust." +</P> + +<P> +"What of that?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think that Lieutenant Gordan would be able to fasten it on +Merriwell, if he knew what I know." +</P> + +<P> +"That would mean certain expulsion for Merriwell." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course. All three of the professors were so tangled up in that +affair that the fellow would surely be fired, if the blame could be +fastened upon him." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you want of me?" +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb cleared his throat, twisted on, the stool, and hesitated. +Finally, he said: +</P> + +<P> +"You may be able to devise some other means to get the best of the +fellow; but, if you can't, and you are ready to take hold of this, you +may see him fired out of the academy, so he will no longer be in your +way." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you want of me?" repeated Rains, coldly and quietly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you see—you understand—you know I came near getting into +trouble once by trying to help Gage do Merriwell up. After that Gage +was caught cheating at cards, and had to run away. Everybody knows I +hate Merriwell, and they'd all think I blowed if anything came to +Lieutenant Gordan's ears. That's why I don't dare make a move. With +you it is different." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you want of me?" demanded Rains, the third time. +</P> + +<P> +"I will give you the proofs, and you can carry them to Lieutenant +Gordan, who will follow it up, and see that Merriwell is expelled. In +that way, I will not get entangled, and no one will suspect you." +</P> + +<P> +With one wide stride, Rains reached Bascomb, caught him by the +shoulders, and thrust him backward, thus forcing him to look up. +</P> + +<P> +"You have insulted me!" came fiercely from Paul's lips. "I am no sneak +and informer! Did you think I would do the dirty trick you are too +much of a coward to try? Well, you made a big mistake! I dislike +Merriwell, but I am not ready to make myself contemptible in my own +eyes by blowing on him." +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb put up his big hands and thrust Rains off. +</P> + +<P> +"Whom are you calling a coward!" he snarled, as he got upon his feet. +</P> + +<P> +"You!" shot back Paul. "You are a coward and a sneak!" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, I'll thrash you well!" +</P> + +<P> +"No, you won't!" cried Rains, flinging up one hand to stop the advance +of the big plebe. "If you lay a hand on me, I will make known to the +entire school the scheme you just proposed to me. The boys would tar +and feather you." +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb stopped and showed his yellow teeth, while he trembled slightly +with anger. +</P> + +<P> +"So that's your trick!" he said, growlingly. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that's my trick; and if you blow on Merriwell, I will play the +card. You made a big mistake in taking me for a sneak just because I +didn't happen to like a fellow who is popular. Get out now, and don't +come round me again! I don't belong to your class, and I don't want to +have anything to do with you. Get!" +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb hesitated, longing to strike Rains, but not daring to do so. +Slowly he moved toward the door, where he paused to growl: +</P> + +<P> +"This is all right! I will get square with you some time. If you blow +on me, I will pound the life out of you!" +</P> + +<P> +Then he went out +</P> + +<P> +Rains had shown his manhood. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap21"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE RIVAL PROFESSORS. +</H3> + + +<P> +Professor Jenks and Professor Scotch were rivals. Each admired and +sought to win the affections of a widow of uncertain years, who lived +in Fardale village. +</P> + +<P> +For some years Professor Gunn's two assistants had been very friendly, +but Nancy Cobb, the widow spoken of, was the rock on which they split. +</P> + +<P> +Their jealousy often caused them to completely forget their dignity, +and they did things that made them utterly ridiculous in the eyes of +all beholders. +</P> + +<P> +As yet, neither had possessed nerve enough to propose to the widow, and +so, wishing to make a sure catch, the elderly lady had clung to both, +ready to jump at the first one who should offer himself. +</P> + +<P> +The cause of the ill-will existing between the under professors was +well known to the cadets at Fardale Academy, and had provided them with +no small amount of sport. +</P> + +<P> +Now it happened that Tad Jones, a village lad who was very well known +to Frank Merriwell, was the nephew of the coquettish widow, and the +widow made her home with Tad's father and mother. +</P> + +<P> +Tad was a lively youngster, who liked fun, and, in more ways than one, +he was "a thorn in the flesh" unto his aunt. +</P> + +<P> +One day he succeeded in seeing Frank, whom he informed that he had put +up another joke on his Aunt Nancy. +</P> + +<P> +"I've been imertatin' her handwritin' lately," said Tad, "and I've got +so I can scrawl jest like her. Old Scotch and Jenks ain't never run +onto each other at our house, but I've fixed it." +</P> + +<P> +Tad grinned gleefully, as he made this declaration. +</P> + +<P> +"Fixed it, how?" asked Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, I writ 'em both a letter, askin' 'em to call to-night at eight +o'clock, and I signed Nancy's name. I made the letters jest a little +spooney, but not too much so. I'll bet they'll be tickled to death, +and they'll come sure." +</P> + +<P> +"And meet there?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yep." +</P> + +<P> +"There's liable to be trouble." +</P> + +<P> +"That's what we're lookin' for," chuckled the fun-loving youngster. +"Oh, if they'd jest fight!" +</P> + +<P> +"I'd like to see the circus." +</P> + +<P> +"Come on over." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know as I can get away. I will come if I can." +</P> + +<P> +"All right. Bring along any of the fellers." +</P> + +<P> +That night Frank found a way to get leave to go to the village, and +Hans, whom he had told of the coming "racket," escaped from the +building and joined him outside the grounds. Together they went over +to the village, and called on Tad Jones. +</P> + +<P> +Tad was waiting for them, and he straightway smuggled them into the +house. +</P> + +<P> +"Aunt Nancy's expectin' Professor Jenks to call," he gleefully +whispered. "I told her that I saw him, and he said he'd be here +to-night, so she's frizzled and primped to receive him." +</P> + +<P> +"You'll get into a scrape," said Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't care for that, if I can see some fun. Come right into the +parlor, and we'll all hide. Aunt's up in her room, layin' on the +finishin' touches." +</P> + +<P> +Into the parlor they slipped. A fire was burning in the old-fashioned +open fireplace, and it was plain that Mrs. Cobb had "spruced things up" +to receive company. +</P> + +<P> +"Two of us can git behind the organ in the corner here," said Tad. +"The other feller can hide under the sofa." +</P> + +<P> +As the sofa was a long, old-fashioned affair, and any one hidden +beneath it could command a view of the entire room, Frank decided to +conceal himself there. +</P> + +<P> +This was barely settled when there came a sharp rap on the door. +</P> + +<P> +"Git under cover quick!" hissed Tad. "That must be one of 'em!" +</P> + +<P> +Tad and Hans made haste to squeeze in behind the organ, and Frank crept +under the sofa. +</P> + +<P> +"Shimminy Gristmas!" muttered the Dutch lad, "uf id don'd peen britty +tight blace here den I ton't know somedings." +</P> + +<P> +"It is all right," returned Tad, who had obtained a position where he +could peer out. "Keep cool, and let your hair curl." +</P> + +<P> +Pretty soon Nancy fluttered downstairs, and then Frank heard the +high-pitched voice of Professor Jenks in the hall. A moment later, the +widow entered the parlor. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, dear!" she simpered. "What a surprise this is, dear Mr. Jenks! +Set right down on this chair close to the fire. You must be cold. Let +me take your hat and coat." +</P> + +<P> +"I am rather cold," squeaked the professor, as he peeled off his coat, +and allowed her to take it away with his hat. "It is a chilly night. +You are cozy in here." +</P> + +<P> +The widow was wonderfully and artistically gotten up in a back-number +silk dress, beneath which was an expansive hoop-skirt, while all around +her face were cork-screw curls, meant to be very fetching. As she was +somewhat deaf, although she never acknowledged it, she misunderstood +the professor's last remark. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes," she smiled, coming back and sitting quite close to Jenks, +"no one can hear. We are quite alone." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that so?" gasped the professor, nervously, looking as if he +contemplated flight. "I received your letter." +</P> + +<P> +"You believe I'm better! Why, my dear professor, I haven't bin sick. +You must have been misinformed." +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't say that, Mrs. Cobb. I said that I received——" +</P> + +<P> +At this moment there came another sharp rap on the door, and Professor +Jenks started as if he had been struck. +</P> + +<P> +"Somebody is knocking," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"Rocking?" smiled Nancy. "Then take the rocking-chair. I like to rock +myself pritty well." +</P> + +<P> +"Somebody is knocking—knocking at the door!" cried the professor, in +his high falsetto. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, somebody knocking. I will see who it is. Mrs. Jones doesn't +always hear 'em. I sometimes think she is ruther hard of hearing." +</P> + +<P> +As she fluttered out of the room, the professor gasped: +</P> + +<P> +"I'm in a perfect sweat already! I'd rather face a battery! I wonder +if she will propose? It's leap year, and she may." +</P> + +<P> +Then he suddenly started to his feet, with an exclamation of surprise +and anger, for he heard Professor Scotch's hoarse voice in the hall. +</P> + +<P> +"Confound it!" exclaimed Jenks. "What's brought him here to-night? I +don't understand this." +</P> + +<P> +In came Nancy, and Professor Scotch was close behind her. +</P> + +<P> +"It's so good of you both to call!" gushed the widow, girlishly. +"We'll have a real lovely little chat." +</P> + +<P> +Professor Scotch started back as he caught sight of his rival, and the +two glared at each other. Then Scotch growled: +</P> + +<P> +"You here?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir," squeaked Jenks, defiantly. "Who's got a better right, I'd +like to know?" +</P> + +<P> +"But I'd have you to understand I was invited." +</P> + +<P> +"So was I." +</P> + +<P> +"But I received an invitation from this particular lady." +</P> + +<P> +"So did I." +</P> + +<P> +"Set right down on the sofy, Professor Scotch," urged Nancy. "We'll +pop some corn, and eat some apples, and be real sociabul." +</P> + +<P> +"Madame," said the little man, with great dignity, "I think there is +some mistake." +</P> + +<P> +"You'd like some steak?" exclaimed Mrs. Cobb, in surprise. "I never +heerd of people havin' steak to treat callers on. I don't b'lieve +there's a bit in the house. I s'pose you do git awful sick of the food +they have over to the 'cademy. Now, if you was a married man, and hed +a wife to cook for ye——" +</P> + +<P> +"I say I think there is a mistake in this matter." +</P> + +<P> +"Beefsteak in a platter? Yes, that's a good way to serve it." +</P> + +<P> +The little professor gave a gasp, and collapsed onto the sofa. And +Frank promptly jabbed a hatpin up through the sofa, so that it +penetrated the professor to a distance of about a quarter of an inch. +</P> + +<P> +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap22"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A LIVELY CALL. +</H3> + + +<P> +"Whoop!" roared the big voice of the little man, and Professor Scotch +shot into the air like a jumping-jack out of a box. "Wow!" he howled, +clutching convulsively at that part of his person which had felt the +hatpin. "What did I sit down on?" +</P> + +<P> +The widow looked frightened, and Professor Jenks looked astonished. +</P> + +<P> +"What did I sit down on?" repeated Professor Scotch, his red hair +bristling with anger. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, you sat on the sofa, sir," squeaked Jenks. +</P> + +<P> +"Then there must be a whole nest of wasps concealed in that sofa!" +shouted Scotch. "I was stung, or I was stabbed—I don't know which." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, I'm sure I cannot imagine what the matter with you can be," +fluttered the widow, in distress. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I don't know what is the matter with your old sofa." +</P> + +<P> +He spoke so loudly that she understood him, and she immediately turned +up her nose. +</P> + +<P> +"Old sofa, sir—old sofa! There is nothing the matter with that sofa. +Your language is surprisingly offensive, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Te-he, he, he!" giggled Jenks. "Now you're getting it, Scotch! +You've put your foot in it." +</P> + +<P> +"Beg your pardon—beg your pardon," roared the little man. "I did not +mean any offense, Mrs. Cobb, but I assure you there must be a dagger +concealed in that sofa, for some pointed weapon entered my person in a +most painful manner. If you will excuse me, I'll take this chair, for +I really do not dare sit down there again." +</P> + +<P> +The widow gave a sniff. +</P> + +<P> +"Your courage is very limited," she said. "Now, I do love to admire a +man with courage enough to——" +</P> + +<P> +"Ex-cuse me," squealed Jenks, elevating his voice. "The sofa is good +enough for me." +</P> + +<P> +Down he sat upon it, smiling triumphantly. +</P> + +<P> +Frank still had the hatpin—which he had found on the floor beneath the +sofa—ready for use, but he held his hand a bit, knowing he could give +Jenks a greater shock if he should be pricked after, he had sat there a +while in apparent security. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you're a daring blade—you are!" sneered Scotch, fiercely, as he +glared at Jenks. "You'd walk right up to the mouth of a cannon—if you +knew it wasn't loaded!" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I never yet got frightened by a hair-cloth sofa," squeaked Jenks. +</P> + +<P> +The widow smiled seductively on the long and lanky professor. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't find nothing the matter with the sofy, do you, professor?" +she asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Not a thing," piped Jenks. "It is ever the wicked man who feels the +pricks of conscience. Now, my conscience is easy, and so I do not +feel——We-e-e-ow! Murder! I'm stabbed! I'm killed! We-e-ow!" +</P> + +<P> +Professor Jenks shot into the air with such suddenness and vigor that +he thumped his head against the low ceiling, which seemed to fling him +back upon the sofa, and Frank promptly gave him a second dose of hatpin. +</P> + +<P> +"Wo-o-ouch!" squealed the tall professor, bounding up again, and +dancing wildly round the room, with his hands concealed beneath the +tails of his coat. "That sofa is filled with broadswords and bayonets! +It is stuffed with deadly weapons!" +</P> + +<P> +Professor Scotch literally roared with laughter. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, there's nothing the matter with the sofa!" he laughed. "Just go +right back and sit down there. Ha! ha! ha! It is ever the wicked man +who feels the pricks of conscience. Ha! ha! ha! Ho! ho! ho!" +</P> + +<P> +"Shut up!" piped Jenks, coming close to Scotch, at whom he shook his +fist threateningly. "Shut up, or I will thump you!" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you dare do it here. If you do, I'll——" +</P> + +<P> +"What?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll see you later." +</P> + +<P> +"Landy massy!" spluttered Nancy. "I do believe you've both been tooken +crazy!" +</P> + +<P> +Behind the organ were two boys who were holding their hands over their +mouths to keep from roaring with laughter, while Frank, under the sofa, +was finding it no easy task to be silent. +</P> + +<P> +The widow was frightened, and both of the professors immediately sought +to reassure her. They pranced up on either side, and Scotch began: +</P> + +<P> +"Don't be alarmed, Mrs. Cobb; we'll not fight——" +</P> + +<P> +"You're not tight? Well, you act as if you were, and that's a fact." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, go fall on yourself, Scotch!" advised Jenks, dropping into the +slang he had overheard some boy use. "This is an unfortunate affair." +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter with my hair?" indignantly asked the widow, as she +caressed her corkscrew curls. "You are getting very personal, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Ho! ho!" laughed Scotch, guardedly. "Now you are getting it, Jenks!" +</P> + +<P> +"You make me tired!" +</P> + +<P> +"Go have your voice filed, so you won't be an old woman." +</P> + +<P> +"Who be you callin' an old woman?" cried Nancy, catching the words with +wonderful quickness. "I must say your language is most surprisin' and +offensive, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Excuse me," roared Scotch. "I was speaking to Mr. Jenks." +</P> + +<P> +"But he isn't a woman," said Nancy, suspiciously. "I don't know why +you should use such language to him." +</P> + +<P> +"You've put your foot in it now," snickered the little man. +</P> + +<P> +"And I don't know what he's grinnin' and laughin' about. You both act +as if too much studyin' and tooterin' was beginnin' to affect your +brains. Now, why, don't you both git married, and give up this awful +wearin' life you are leadin'?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's just what I called to see about," declared Professor Scotch, +bracing up. "I called to pro——" +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on!" squealed Jenks, excitedly. "I was here first, and I will +have my first say. Mrs. Cobb, my heart has long yearned for domestic +joys and comforts." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I don't keer how much you've earned; it's what you've saved that +counts." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, if I had that voice, I'd go break it!" sneered Scotch. "Try +again, Hyson, and you'll get her so twisted that I'll stand a good show +of winning her." +</P> + +<P> +So Jenks braced up and tried again. +</P> + +<P> +"I say my heart has yearned——" +</P> + +<P> +"Sody-water or magneeshy is good for heartburn," smiled the widow. +</P> + +<P> +"Ye gods!" gasped Jenks. "I didn't know she was so hard of hearing." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, sail in and win her!" chuckled the little professor. "You're +doing first rate." +</P> + +<P> +"Mrs. Cobb," continued Jenks, "I am not much given to the follies of +life. I am a very grave man——" +</P> + +<P> +"And I do so admire a brave man!" gushed Nancy. +</P> + +<P> +While passing through the village on the way to Tad Jones' home, Frank +had purchased an automatic mouse. Being wound up, the mouse would run +swiftly across the room. +</P> + +<P> +At this juncture, Frank pointed the mouse toward Nancy, and let it go, +at the same time giving a squeak, which both professors distinctly +heard. +</P> + +<P> +Nancy saw the mouse coming, and she uttered a wild shriek of terror, +clutching Professor Jenks around his slender neck. +</P> + +<P> +"Save me! Save me from that terrible beast!" she squawked. +</P> + +<P> +It happened that the professor was quite as scared of a mouse as Nancy +could be, and he broke away and jumped up on a chair, squealing: +</P> + +<P> +"Murder! We'll all be bitten!" +</P> + +<P> +In a most remarkably skillful manner the widow sprang up to the top of +the center-table, where she stood, in a stooping position, her head +against the ceiling. +</P> + +<P> +"Who's scared of a mouse!" sneered Professor Scotch, as he gave chase +to the toy, which bumped against various pieces of furniture, and so +kept dodging about. +</P> + +<P> +Under the chair on which Jenks stood ran the mouse. Scotch knocked the +chair over, and Jenks uttered a wild shriek as he came down astride the +little professor's neck. Then both rolled against the center-table, +which was upset. +</P> + +<P> +Down came Nancy, like a balloon, nearly smothering the two professors, +upon whom she alighted. +</P> + +<P> +This was too much for Tad Jones, who burst into a shriek of laughter, +jumped out, and extinguished the light, and shouted: +</P> + +<P> +"Skip, fellows—skip!" +</P> + +<P> +Frank and Hans lost no time in leaving their places of concealment and +hustling out of the room, abandoning the two professors to their fate. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap23"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +SKATING FOR HONORS. +</H3> + + +<P> +"I nefer seen der peat uf dot alretty yet," declared Hans, as he and +Frank were hurrying back to the academy. "Uf dot don'd peen der +piggest racket vot nefer vos, you dunno vot I vos talkin' apout." +</P> + +<P> +"If it is found that we know anything about it, we will be sure to get +into trouble," said Frank. "Should anybody question you, why you must +be ignorant as a mule." +</P> + +<P> +"You pet me your life I vos. I vill peen ignorand as a clam." +</P> + +<P> +But it seemed that the professors did not suspect that any of the +academy boys had been present, and so no inquiries were made in the +school. +</P> + +<P> +Tad Jones, however, was accused of having some of his village chums in +the scrape, and, when he refused to tell their names, he was soundly +strapped by his father, who had sincerely hoped one of the professors +would propose to Nancy and take her away without delay. +</P> + +<P> +Just how the rival professors had escaped was not known, but, if +possible, the coldness between them was more pronounced than ever. The +feud seemed of a deadly nature, and some of the boys declared that +Jenks and Scotch were certain to fight a duel over Nancy sooner or +later. +</P> + +<P> +The following Saturday was fine, and that afternoon large numbers of +the boys from the academy sought the village pond, where the skating +was excellent. +</P> + +<P> +By mid-afternoon there were between two and three hundred skaters on +the long pond, while half as many spectators were gathered on the shore. +</P> + +<P> +It was a lively and pleasant scene. Inza Burrage was there, with her +chosen companion, May Blossom. Inza was a beautiful skater, and so was +much sought as a companion by the boys. Three times did Frank approach +her to ask her to skate with him, and each time he saw her carried off +by some one else. +</P> + +<P> +She was in a coquettish mood that day, and her merry laughter as she +skated away each time proved rather tantalizing to Frank, who finally +muttered: +</P> + +<P> +"All right; two can play at that game." +</P> + +<P> +It was almost, if not quite, May Blossom's first attempt at skating, +and, although she was doing very well, her company was not in such +demand as that of Inza. +</P> + +<P> +Seeing May alone, Frank immediately skated to her side, and he was soon +doing his best to instruct her in the correct handling of her feet. +They seemed quite absorbed in each other's company, and not even Inza's +ringing laugh, as she sped past with Paul Rains, caused either of them +to glance up. +</P> + +<P> +At first Inza had not minded Frank's attentions to May, but, as time +slipped away, and they still clung together, laughing, chatting, and +minding no one else, she began to grow uneasy. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, she can have him, if she wants him!" muttered Inza, her cheeks +beginning to burn. "There are any amount of other fellows." +</P> + +<P> +That was quite true, but, in her heart, she knew full well that there +was no other fellow she cared so much for as she did for Frank +Merriwell. +</P> + +<P> +From this moment she ceased to enjoy herself, and she could not keep +from watching Frank and May, although she tried to do so. She grew +petulant, and those who were in her company found her surprisingly +crisp and disagreeable. +</P> + +<P> +Whenever she could, she skated past Frank and May, and she always +laughed as she did so, but there was a false note in her laughter—it +did not seem very sincere. +</P> + +<P> +Paul Rains was a beautiful skater. He could cut fancy figures that +took away the breath of the village boys, and all his movements were +graceful and rhythmical. He could write his name with his skates, and +every letter was perfect and clean cut as if done with a pen. It was +not long before all eyes were centered on him, and Inza did not fail to +note that he seemed to be the principal attraction on the pond. +</P> + +<P> +So Inza skated a great deal with Paul, hoping to arouse Frank's +jealousy; but, to her overwhelming dismay, after he began to skate with +May, Frank seemed to forget there was any one else on the pond. +</P> + +<P> +"I believe he really likes her better than he does me!" thought Inza. +"And she, knowing all my secrets, knowing how much I think of Frank, is +doing her best to cut me out! Oh, that is true friendship!" +</P> + +<P> +She felt like crying with vexation, and, once or twice, tears did come +to her eyes; but she forced them back, continuing to skate and laugh. +</P> + +<P> +Arrangements were made for a skating contest to take place very soon. +One of the gentlemen of the village offered a "badge of honor" to the +swiftest skater on the pond—the one who could win the race. +</P> + +<P> +Paul Rains entered, as also did Bartley Hodge and Sammy Smiles from the +academy. Three village boys entered. +</P> + +<P> +Then Hodge sought Frank, saying: +</P> + +<P> +"Come, old man, we want you in this race." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I am busy," laughed Frank, noticing that Inza was near, although +he did not glance in her direction. "I am teaching Miss Blossom to +skate, and she is getting on famously." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I think she will excuse you a few minutes. You may go on with +your lessons after the race." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, say, can't you get along without me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Can't anyway; you must come along." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, if I must, I must," murmured Frank, with mock distress. "I will +see you later, Miss Blossom, and we will do our best to induce that +left foot to make the stroke properly." +</P> + +<P> +So, bowing and smiling, he left her, and, in her heart, Inza cried: +</P> + +<P> +"If he skates with her again this afternoon, I'll be outwitted—that's +all!" +</P> + +<P> +As Bart drew Frank aside, he hastily and guardedly said: +</P> + +<P> +"You must go into this race to win, old man. Rains' friends have been +saying you would not dare skate against him, and that he would have a +walk-over if you did." +</P> + +<P> +Frank's teeth came together with a click. +</P> + +<P> +"Is that so!" he exclaimed. "Well, they may be right; but we'll see." +</P> + +<P> +That was quite enough to put him on his mettle, and he lost no time in +entering for the race. +</P> + +<P> +A short time later the seven contestants were drawn up in line, waiting +the signal. +</P> + +<P> +One mile up the pond a rock reared its head from the ice, where, at low +water, there was a tiny rocky island. Every contestant was to "turn +the rock" and skate back to the starting point, making a race of two +miles in two long, straight stretches. +</P> + +<P> +The gentleman who had offered the badge of honor stood, pistol in hand, +ready to give the signal. The contestants leaned forward for the start. +</P> + +<P> +"Ready!" +</P> + +<P> +Muscles were drawn taut, nerves were tingling. +</P> + +<P> +"One! two! three!"—Bang! +</P> + +<P> +Away darted the skaters, and the race had begun. +</P> + +<P> +A cheer went up from the spectators. +</P> + +<P> +Paul Rains took the lead at the very start, for he seemed to jump away +at astonishing speed, while the others were gathering headway. +</P> + +<P> +"Rains has a snap this time," declared one. "Merriwell may be able to +take the honors at jumping, but he won't be in this kind of a contest." +</P> + +<P> +"Jist wait a whoile an' see about thot, me b'y," said Barney Mulloy, +who had overheard the remark. "Frankie is as full av surproises as a +horrunet's nest is full av stings." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap24"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +SKATING FOR LIFE. +</H3> + + +<P> +During the entire first half of the course there were four of the seven +contestants who made a good showing. These were Rains, Merriwell, +Hodge and one of the village boys. +</P> + +<P> +Through it all Rains kept the lead, but the village lad was second +until the turning point was nearly reached. Then Merriwell settled +down to business and took second place, while Hodge pushed the village +boy hard. +</P> + +<P> +Rains' heart was full of triumph. Over and over he told himself: +</P> + +<P> +"At last I have found something at which I can defeat Merriwell fairly!" +</P> + +<P> +Rains believed he was safely in advance, and this delusion was not +broken till the last half mile of the course was struck. Then he heard +somebody's skates ringing close behind, and, looking over his shoulder, +he saw Frank bearing down on him like the wind. +</P> + +<P> +Paul's heart gave a great leap. +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove!" he breathed. "That fellow means to press me! But he shall +not come in first—he shall not!" +</P> + +<P> +Then he strained every muscle, and, for a few seconds, the distance +between them did not seem to diminish. +</P> + +<P> +Frank, however, held steadily to that terrible speed, and Paul began to +fear he could not stand it to the finish, for his head was beginning to +grow unsteady, and there was a wild roaring in his ears. Through a +bluish mist he saw the great crowd on the shore near the starting +point, and he knew the eyes of hundreds were upon the contestants. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll die before he shall pass me!" thought Rains. +</P> + +<P> +And then, once more, he heard the skates of his rival ringing clear +close at his elbow. One wild look he cast over his shoulder, and there +was Merriwell, fearfully near—and gaining! +</P> + +<P> +Paul's heart rose with a bursting sensation into his throat. He had +seen that Merriwell's face bore a look of determination—nay, more, a +look of confidence. +</P> + +<P> +Oh, for the power to hold out to the end! Again he forced himself to +spurt; but, as that mad burst of energy slackened, he felt, rather than +saw, his rival reach his side. +</P> + +<P> +Now a great cheer broke from the crowd of excited and delighted +spectators, for the two boys were fairly abreast, and neither seemed +able to gain another inch on the other. +</P> + +<P> +Rains had shut his teeth, his nostrils were dilated, and his eyes wild +in their sockets. The finish line was near, and he must cross it in +advance—a yard, a foot, an inch! +</P> + +<P> +But he little knew that Frank Merriwell had reserved for the last +supreme moment enough strength to make a final spurt. +</P> + +<P> +Now—now is the time for one or the other to forge ahead! +</P> + +<P> +Another shout goes up: +</P> + +<P> +"Merriwell! Merriwell! He's the winner! Hurrah!" +</P> + +<P> +Frank had forged to the front; but, even as the cheer came from the +crowd, he was seen to be flipped into the air, as if he had struck a +spring-board, and he came down heavily on the ice. There was no time +to recover. +</P> + +<P> +Frank slid over the starting line, prostrate on the ice; but Paul Rains +crossed it upright, and at least three yards in advance. +</P> + +<P> +Rains had won! +</P> + +<P> +An accident had prevented Frank from winning, for his skate had struck +a flaw in the ice, and he had been thrown with stunning force. +</P> + +<P> +Great was the excitement. Merriwell was picked up and carried to the +shore, where a dash of cold water brought him round. +</P> + +<P> +Rains was quite used up for a while, but he soon recovered. His +friends crowded round him to offer congratulations. +</P> + +<P> +"You beat Merriwell this time, Paul," they said. +</P> + +<P> +"But he fell," said Paul, bitterly. "That makes the victory anything +but satisfactory. However, I will race him again at any time and any +place." +</P> + +<P> +Little did he think how soon they would race again. +</P> + +<P> +Within a short time after the finish of the race, a sudden cry of alarm +and terror went up from the throng. +</P> + +<P> +"Look—look there! Two girls have broken through the ice! They will +be drowned!" +</P> + +<P> +At a certain point in the pond there was a dangerous bit of ice, where +some springs deep down at the bottom continually bubbled up and kept +the water alive, so the ice did not form solidly. It was supposed that +every one knew where this dangerous spot was, so no sign had been +placed there. +</P> + +<P> +Now, however, two girls had ventured upon it, and broken through. +</P> + +<P> +"Who are they?" +</P> + +<P> +"Inza Burrage and May Blossom!" +</P> + +<P> +"Save them! save them!" +</P> + +<P> +Several started toward the imperiled girls, but two forms darted out +ahead of the rest, and another race between Paul Rains and Frank +Merriwell had begun. +</P> + +<P> +This time it was a race for life. +</P> + +<P> +Shoulder to shoulder they started, and, for some seconds, they kept +thus. +</P> + +<P> +Then Frank began to forge ahead, for all that Paul was straining every +muscle—was doing the very best that he could to save life. +</P> + +<P> +The girls were seen clinging to the broken edge of the ice, which broke +beneath them once or twice, but they managed to keep up in some way. +</P> + +<P> +Wider and wider grew the distance between Merriwell and Rains, showing +that the former was by far the faster skater in such a case as this. +</P> + +<P> +As Frank drew near the girls, the ice broke again, and both went under. +</P> + +<P> +He did not slacken speed, but, taking care to avoid them, skated +straight into the water. +</P> + +<P> +Clinging to each other, the girls came up; but they would have sunk +again immediately if he had not been there to clutch them. +</P> + +<P> +Treading water, he held them up, getting close to the ragged edge of +the ice. +</P> + +<P> +The water was fearfully cold, but he managed to keep his head out, +knowing aid must come quickly. +</P> + +<P> +Paul Rains slackened his speed as he came near the opening in the ice. +</P> + +<P> +"Form a line—get hold of my feet!" he shouted. +</P> + +<P> +Down upon his stomach he went, and he slid forward till he could reach +out and grasp one of the girls. +</P> + +<P> +There he lay till another lad clutched his feet, and still others +grasped the feet of the one who had hold of Paul. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, Merriwell," said Paul, "if you can break their clutch on each +other, we can take 'em out one at a time." +</P> + +<P> +With some difficulty the grasp of the half-drowned girls was broken. +Paul held fast to one, and shouted: +</P> + +<P> +"Pull away!" +</P> + +<P> +He was drawn backward, and the girl was dragged from the water upon the +ice. +</P> + +<P> +Quickly she was passed to some one who carried her away to a place of +warmth and safety, while Paul Rains crept back to the opening, and the +other girl was rescued in a similar manner. Then Frank, nearly +exhausted, was drawn out. +</P> + +<P> +With Rains on one side, and Hodge on the other, Frank skated back to +the shore, where the great crowd of spectators had witnessed the +gallant rescue. How the crowd cheered and flung up their hats! +</P> + +<P> +"Hurrah for Frank Merriwell!" was the roar that went up. "Hurrah!" +</P> + +<P> +"Hurrah for Paul Rains! Hurrah!" +</P> + +<P> +The man who had offered the badge of honor grasped the two lads by the +hands, crying: +</P> + +<P> +"You shall both have a badge of honor! This is true heroism, and you +are both heroic lads!" +</P> + +<P> +"Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!" thundered the crowd. +</P> + +<P> +Let us add here that neither Inza nor May suffered any particularly ill +results from their plunge through the ice. +</P> + +<P> +Between Inza and Frank the slight misunderstanding was easily adjusted, +and May, in her innocent little heart, had never dreamed of "cutting +out" her friend. She and Paul Rains afterward became very friendly. +</P> + +<P> +Between Frank and Paul a rivalry continued to exist; but, for the most +part, it was of a healthy, generous sort, and Merriwell retained his +position as leader, having become more popular than before among the +better class of boys at the academy. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap25"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE SINISTER STRANGER. +</H3> + + +<P> +"Boy, where did you get that ring?" +</P> + +<P> +Frank Merriwell started and looked quickly at the man who had hoarsely +hissed the question in his ear. At a glance he saw that the man was a +stranger in Fardale village. +</P> + +<P> +The stranger was dressed in black clothes, wore a cloak, with a cape, +and had the brim of his hat slouched over his eyes, which were +coal-black and piercing. He had a heavy black mustache and imperial, +which gave him a rather savage expression, and, withal, he made a +somewhat sinister figure. +</P> + +<P> +The night mail at Fardale was not delivered at the academy till the +following morning, and Frank had come to the village post office late +that afternoon to obtain an expected letter from home, if it had +arrived. +</P> + +<P> +He had also hoped that, on his way to the post office, or in returning +to the academy, he might catch a glimpse of Inza. Frank was now a +welcome visitor at Inza's home, but, being governed by natural tact and +delicacy, he did not wish to call too frequently, fearing Inza's +parents might regard him as something of a bore. +</P> + +<P> +Shortly after entering the village he had noticed the stranger in +black, who seemed to be staring wonderingly at the boy. To Frank's +surprise, this man followed him about. +</P> + +<P> +Finally the stranger slipped softly to Frank's side, and hoarsely +whispered the question with which this chapter opens. At the same +time, he pointed to a peculiar ring which Merriwell wore on the third +finger of his left hand. +</P> + +<P> +Frank drew back, looking the man over from head to feet. +</P> + +<P> +"I beg your pardon, sir," he said, in a manner that was intended to +repulse further advances. +</P> + +<P> +But the man was not to be choked off thus easily. +</P> + +<P> +"The ring," he repeated. "I asked you where you obtained it." +</P> + +<P> +"I know you did," said the boy, coolly. +</P> + +<P> +"Answer me!" sibilated the stranger, his brows darkening beneath the +wide brim of the hat, and a gleam of fire showing in his eyes. "Tell +me the truth, boy!" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know why I should answer you," said Frank. "I do not know +you, and I do not understand what right you have to ask me such a +question." +</P> + +<P> +The man in black bit his lip, and hesitated. After a moment, he forced +a smile that was far from agreeable to see, although he plainly meant +that it should reassure the boy, and, in a low tone, he rapidly said: +</P> + +<P> +"That ring is very odd, and it attracted my attention for that reason. +I am a great collector of curios, and especially of quaint and curious +rings. I have traveled the world over in search of the quaint and +curious, and I have a collection of nearly five hundred rings of all +patterns, makes and values. This collecting of rings has become a fad, +or mania, with me. Whenever I see an odd or peculiar ring, I am +immediately seized by a great desire to possess it; but I always want +to know its history. It enhances the value of a ring to know its +history. I assure you that some rings have very queer histories, +indeed." +</P> + +<P> +Frank watched the man closely as he was speaking, and, although it was +plain that the stranger was trying to secure the boy's confidence, +Merriwell continued to regard him with suspicion and aversion. There +was something about this person's dark face and sinister aspect that +was extremely repulsive to the lad. +</P> + +<P> +Once more the man smiled, as if making a desperate attempt to thaw the +cool reserve of the boy; but he had begun in a very poor way, for Frank +remained cold and distant. +</P> + +<P> +"Some of my rings," went on the man in black, "have tales of bloodshed +and murder connected with them, and these are interesting in their way. +Some recall romances of blighted love or sundered hearts, and these +tales are always interesting to the ladies who look over the +collection. Some have been worn by great men or great ladies, and some +have encircled the fingers of great villains or great criminals. You +should understand why I desire to know the history of every ring that +comes into my possession." +</P> + +<P> +"Well," said Frank, quietly, "as there is not the slightest possibility +that you will ever possess this ring, you can have very little interest +in its history." +</P> + +<P> +The stranger fell back a step, and then, with one hand eagerly +outstretched, he exclaimed: +</P> + +<P> +"You will sell it for a good price—of course you will?" +</P> + +<P> +"No." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, its real value is insignificant!" +</P> + +<P> +"It is valuable to me." +</P> + +<P> +"No jeweler will give you more than three or four dollars for +it—possibly five." +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" +</P> + +<P> +"I will give you ten dollars for that ring." +</P> + +<P> +"It is useless for you to offer me money for it, as I do not intend to +sell it." +</P> + +<P> +Frank turned as if he would move away, but he felt a hand clutch his +shoulder with a grasp of iron, while the voice of the stranger almost +snarled: +</P> + +<P> +"Don't be a fool, boy! I want that ring, and I mean to have it at some +price. I will give you twenty-five dollars for it." +</P> + +<P> +"Take your hand off my shoulder, sir!" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll give you thirty dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Take your hand off my shoulder, sir!" +</P> + +<P> +"Forty dollars!" +</P> + +<P> +"I have warned you twice to take your hand off my shoulder," came +coldly from the lips of the boy, on whose face there was now a +dangerous look. "I am going to warn you again, and if you do not obey, +it will be the worse for you. Take your hand off my shoulder!" +</P> + +<P> +There was a single moment of hesitation, and then the stranger obeyed; +but the look on his face was not pleasant to see, and he hoarsely said: +</P> + +<P> +"You are showing a great deal of authority for a stripling. These +military schools spoil boys like you by making them think they are men +before the fuzz grows on their faces." +</P> + +<P> +There was no doubt in the lad's mind but he was dealing with a +desperate man, and Frank fully realized that he had thoroughly aroused +the stranger's anger. But Frank could not be bullied, and the man in +black was very repulsive to him, for some reason. +</P> + +<P> +Once more the boy started to walk away; but the man was quickly at his +side, where he kept, again attempting to be persuasive, although it was +plain that he longed to throttle the lad. +</P> + +<P> +"What is the use of being unreasonable! I am willing to do the square +thing. I have made you a magnificent offer for that ring, which I am +anxious to possess." +</P> + +<P> +"Far too anxious," muttered Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"That is natural," declared the man, swiftly. "Did you ever collect +stamps? If you have, you should know something of the mania that +seizes upon a collector. It is thus with me. If I see an odd ring I +cannot obtain, I feel as if I had been robbed of something that +rightfully belongs to me." +</P> + +<P> +He paused a moment in his talk, but Frank walked straight onward, +saying nothing. +</P> + +<P> +"I have offered you a ridiculous price for that ring," continued the +man. "I cannot afford it, but my mind is set on having the ring. +Already I have spent a fortune in my collections, and the time has come +when I cannot fling money freely to the winds. Come now, young man, +have a little sympathy with me, and sell me that ring." +</P> + +<P> +Under certain circumstances these words might have melted Frank, who +was not a cold-blooded lad, by any means; but there was something in +the stranger's villainous aspect and repulsive manner that had turned +the boy against the man in black and caused him to remain obdurate. +</P> + +<P> +"I told you at first that it was useless to offer me money for this +ring," said the boy. "I think you will begin to understand that I +meant it." +</P> + +<P> +"At least, you will tell me how it came in your possession?" +</P> + +<P> +Frank hesitated. Surely there could be no harm in telling this, and it +might enable him to get rid of the stranger, so he said: +</P> + +<P> +"It was given to me by my mother." +</P> + +<P> +"And your mother—how did she obtain it?" swiftly asked the stranger. +</P> + +<P> +"My father gave it to her. I do not know how it came into his +possession." +</P> + +<P> +"Your father and mother——" +</P> + +<P> +"Are dead." +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! And you prize the ring because it was a present from your mother?" +</P> + +<P> +"That is one reason." +</P> + +<P> +"And there is another?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"What?" +</P> + +<P> +It suddenly struck Frank that he was talking altogether too much, and +so he answered: +</P> + +<P> +"I decline to say. I have already told you enough, and I beg you to +excuse me. We will part here." +</P> + +<P> +"First answer one more question. What was your father's name?" +</P> + +<P> +"Charles Conrad Merriwell." +</P> + +<P> +The man in black put a hand to his eyes, and seemed to be thinking for +a moment. Beneath his breath he muttered: +</P> + +<P> +"Merriwell, Merriwell—I do not know the name." +</P> + +<P> +Then, dropping his hand, he said: +</P> + +<P> +"I will make you one more offer for the ring. I will give you fifty +dollars for it. See—here is the money. Don't be foolish—take it! +You will never receive another such offer." +</P> + +<P> +He had pulled out some bills, from which he quickly selected a +fifty-dollar bank-note, which he tendered to Frank. +</P> + +<P> +The boy drew away. +</P> + +<P> +"You are wasting your time in offering me money for the ring. I am in +earnest in declining to sell it. Good-day, sir." +</P> + +<P> +He turned and walked swiftly away. +</P> + +<P> +The baffled man in black stood staring after the lad, his forehead +lowering and his white teeth showing a bit through his dark mustache. +</P> + +<P> +"Refuse to sell the ring!" he grated, madly. "All right! I am not +defeated. I will have it within a week!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap26"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXVI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE MYSTERY OF THE RING +</H3> + + +<P> +Frank did not glance back till he turned onto another street, and then +he saw the man in black standing quite still where they had parted. +The reddish glow of the sunset was behind the man, on which his black +figure stood out like a silhouette, the cloak and cape making him +slightly resemble a gigantic bat. +</P> + +<P> +The boy shivered a little as he passed beyond the view of the +mysterious stranger. +</P> + +<P> +"That man makes my blood cold," he murmured. "There is something +decidedly awe-inspiring about him. Somehow, I do not believe I have +seen the last of him." +</P> + +<P> +Frank was right; he had not seen the last of the man in black. +</P> + +<P> +Thinking of what had happened, Frank soon came to the conclusion that +the man was mad, or else there was some mystery about the ring that was +not known to the possessor. +</P> + +<P> +Why had the stranger been so desirous of knowing how the ring came into +Frank's possession? +</P> + +<P> +True he had said that he always wished to know the history of such +rings as he collected; but Frank had refused distinctly to sell the +ring, and still the man had seemed very desirous of obtaining +information concerning it. +</P> + +<P> +Why had he asked the name of Frank's father? +</P> + +<P> +These questions presented themselves to the boy for consideration, and +he remembered how, on hearing the name, the stranger had confessed that +it was unfamiliar to him. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was thinking deeply of these things, when a familiar voice called: +</P> + +<P> +"Hello, Frank! Are you going past without speaking?" +</P> + +<P> +He started and looked up, finding himself in front of Inza's home. It +was a fine, old-fashioned house, built years and years ago, and an iron +fence surrounded the front lawn. Inza was at the gate, a pretty pout +on her face. +</P> + +<P> +The young cadet instantly lifted his cap, as he smilingly retorted: +</P> + +<P> +"I did not see you there, Miss Burrage." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, bother your 'Miss Burrage!'" she exclaimed. "You know it was Inza +with you long ago—you promised to call me that. No wonder you didn't +see me; you were going past with your head down, your eyes on the +ground, and an expression of profound abstraction on your face. What +in the world were you thinking of?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's a mystery," said Frank, approaching the gate. +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed!" and she lifted her eyebrows with a pretty Assumption of +offended dignity. "A secret from me?" +</P> + +<P> +"I did not say it was a secret; I said it was a mystery. I was +thinking of the man in black." +</P> + +<P> +"Mercy!" She gave a little shiver. "What is the man in black—some +horrible ogre?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I fancy he is ogre enough to give you the chills." +</P> + +<P> +"What story did you find him in?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I didn't find him in a story; I met him in real life. I left him +a few minutes ago." +</P> + +<P> +"This is interesting!" she laughed. "Who is he? What's his name?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. Didn't I say he is a mystery?" +</P> + +<P> +"Come, Frank, are you trying to tease me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not at all. I will tell you all I know about this singular man in +black." +</P> + +<P> +Then, leaning gracefully against one of the iron gateposts, he related +his recent adventure with the unpleasant stranger. She listened with +breathless interest, her eyes growing wider and wider, and an +expression of alarm coming to her pretty face. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Frank!" she exclaimed, when he had finished; "I know this terrible +man is dangerous! He will do you harm!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I'm not afraid of that," declared the boy, lightly; "but I would +give something to know what there is about this ring that makes him so +desirous of possessing it." +</P> + +<P> +He held up the ring for her to examine. It was an oddly twisted band +of gold, looking like a writhing serpent. It was set with a peculiar +black stone that seemed quite as hard as a diamond, for all that there +were numerous marks and scratches on its smooth surface. +</P> + +<P> +"It is a horrid ugly old ring," declared Inza. "Anybody must be crazy +to offer fifty dollars for it." +</P> + +<P> +"Unless it bears some value that is not apparent to one who does not +know its secret." +</P> + +<P> +"What value can it bear?" +</P> + +<P> +"That is the mystery. Still, from my mother's words, I am sure my +father prized this ring highly. When it came into his possession he +was in Southern California or Mexico, and he sent it home to my mother +at the earliest opportunity, writing her to be very choice of it, and +not to lose it on her life, as it was very valuable. Now, my father +never revealed the secret of this ring to my mother, if the ring has a +secret; but I am sure that mother believed there was something +mysterious about it, for, when she was dying, she gave it to me, +telling me never to part with it. Of course I will not sell it." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course not," nodded Inza; "but the horrid old thing may bring you +trouble, instead of good." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I don't think there is much danger of that." +</P> + +<P> +"The man in black——" +</P> + +<P> +"Will give over his attempt to obtain it when he really knows I will +not part with it on any condition." +</P> + +<P> +"He may; but his words, which you have repeated for me, make me believe +he will do something desperate in order to get possession of it. You +must look out for him—you must be on your guard constantly." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, Inza!" laughed Frank, in astonishment; "I never heard you speak +like this before. You really appear as if you felt a foreboding of +some terrible thing." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps I do," she said, very gravely, for a light-hearted girl. +</P> + +<P> +Frank looked down at the ring on his hand. Surely it was an ugly +trifle to make so much trouble. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you see those fine lines on the surface of the stone?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +They were faintly visible to the naked eye. +</P> + +<P> +"There is something peculiar about those lines," he said. "This stone +is so hard that nothing seems to scratch it, and I am sure those lines +were not made by the ring accidentally striking against hard objects. +They were there when it came into my possession. I do not think +another line or mark has been made upon it since I have owned it." +</P> + +<P> +"That is odd." +</P> + +<P> +"Odd! It is remarkable. It makes it appear that these lines were +traced there with some instrument that could mark the stone, and that +they have a secret meaning." +</P> + +<P> +"Who knows? Possibly that is true." +</P> + +<P> +"And it may be that the man in black can read their meaning." +</P> + +<P> +The red light was dying out of the western sky, and the dusky shadows +of advancing night were gathering in the village street, which was +overhung by large dark elm trees. Standing by the gate, the boy and +girl minded not the approach of darkness as they talked on. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly Inza uttered a cry and caught Frank's arm, pointing to the +opposite side of the street, and excitedly whispering: +</P> + +<P> +"Look—look there! Who is that man skulking along the walk over there?" +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove! it is the man in black!" declared Frank. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap27"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXVII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ATTACKED ON THE ROAD. +</H3> + + +<P> +It was in truth the mysterious man who was lingering on the opposite +side of the street under the deeper shadows of the elms. That he was +watching Frank quickly became evident, but he slowly walked away when +he saw he was observed. +</P> + +<P> +"What a villainous-looking creature he is!" said Inza, in a flutter of +alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"How could you tell at that distance when it is so dark?" half laughed +Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, it was his general appearance—his black clothes, and that strange +cloak and cape." +</P> + +<P> +To himself Frank confessed that the man had seemed rather more +awe-inspiring when seen through the gathering darkness than he had +appeared near at hand in the stronger light of sunset. +</P> + +<P> +The stranger had moved along the street till swallowed by the darkness +beneath the great trees, but something told the boy he was lingering at +a distance—watching and waiting. +</P> + +<P> +Despite his strong nerves, the boy felt a cold chill creep along his +back. What desperate deed might not the mysterious man in black be +contemplating? +</P> + +<P> +The girl was no less impressed. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Frank!" she exclaimed, looking up into his handsome face; "I know +you are in danger—I am sure of it! That dreadful creature means to do +you some injury!" +</P> + +<P> +Seeing how distressed she was, Frank began to feel sorry that he had +told her so much. +</P> + +<P> +"You are nervous," he said. "I shouldn't have told you all this stuff +about the ring and that man." +</P> + +<P> +Her hand fell on his, which rested on the top of the iron gate. +</P> + +<P> +"You did right in telling me," came softly from her lips. "Who should +you have told if not me? We ought not to have secrets from each other." +</P> + +<P> +"I do not fancy we have many secrets that we keep from each other, +Inza," he murmured, leaning toward her over the gate. "You know how I +have trusted you." +</P> + +<P> +"And have I not trusted you, Frank? I have told you all my delightful +little secrets, and I have not told yours to another soul. They say +girls cannot keep secrets, but I think you will find out they can." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, Inza! you are not like other girls." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes, I am!" she laughed. "You think I am not, but I am. Perhaps +I am a trifle too old for my years, as papa often says; but the +terrible dangers you have rescued me from have been quite enough to add +something to my age." +</P> + +<P> +"In the face of every danger you have been brave as few girls could +have been." +</P> + +<P> +"That's flattery." +</P> + +<P> +"It is the sincere, honest truth. Do you think I would attempt to +flatter you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Frank!" +</P> + +<P> +Their hands met, and he suddenly leaned over the gate and kissed her, +in the dusky twilight. She gave a little cry, as of surprise or +dismay, retreating swiftly; but Frank clung to her hands, and she did +not make a severe struggle to break away, although for a moment there +was a playful mockery of a struggle. +</P> + +<P> +Slowly he drew her back to the gate, but she timidly held away, as if +she were really alarmed. +</P> + +<P> +"How dare you, sir!" she exclaimed, with a toss of her head. "You are +very bold!" +</P> + +<P> +"I beg your pardon," he beseeched, with mock humbleness. "I will agree +not to do it again—till I get another good chance." +</P> + +<P> +"Really! How sacrificing you are! You are extremely free." +</P> + +<P> +"Stolen sweets, you know, are the best. But truly, Inza, hadn't I a +right to that?" +</P> + +<P> +"A right, indeed! Why, to use a slang expression, that is cheek!" +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind the cheek," he said, laughingly. "I prefer the lips." +</P> + +<P> +And then, before she could divine his intention, he kissed her again. +</P> + +<P> +This time she broke away in earnest. +</P> + +<P> +"Good-night, sir," she called, from up the walk. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, wait a moment!" he implored. "You aren't going to leave me like +this?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, but I am." +</P> + +<P> +"How can you!" +</P> + +<P> +"You are getting altogether too free." +</P> + +<P> +She seemed really angry, and a feeling of dismay came over the lad at +the gate. +</P> + +<P> +"Inza!" +</P> + +<P> +She had paused +</P> + +<P> +"Well, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't go away angry, please! I know I had no right to steal those +kisses, but I am willing to make amends." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you are!" she said, wonderingly, and it seemed to Frank that she +was struggling to keep back a burst of laughter. "How will you do it?" +</P> + +<P> +"If you'll come here, I will give them back to you." +</P> + +<P> +That was a master-stroke. A soft laugh came from her lips, and she +returned: +</P> + +<P> +"You are a saucy, cheeky fellow, and I am not coming back. Good-night." +</P> + +<P> +"You are not angry?" +</P> + +<P> +"What's the use to be angry with you!" +</P> + +<P> +"Good-night, Inza." +</P> + +<P> +"Good-night, Frank." +</P> + +<P> +As he turned away down the walk, he saw her pause at the door and heard +her softly call: +</P> + +<P> +"Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't like to think of you as a thief. I will take those kisses +back some other time." +</P> + +<P> +Then, with another ripple of laughter, she disappeared into the house. +</P> + +<P> +Frank's heart was very light as he walked airily down the street. He +had forgotten the man in black for the time, and he whistled a lively +air, thinking of the charming girl he had left a few moments before. +</P> + +<P> +It had now grown quite dark, for the moon had not yet risen; but there +was a spring-time sweetness in the air, which was not yet enervated by +the languorous heat of summer. +</P> + +<P> +Frank passed beyond the limits of the village, where lights were +twinkling from the windows of the houses, and he swung down the road +toward the cove at a lively gait, still whistling. +</P> + +<P> +At a certain point the road was lined with bushes, and not far away was +the village cemetery. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had reached this lonely locality, when, of a sudden, a feeling of +uneasiness came over him. Somehow it seemed that he was in danger. +</P> + +<P> +Then came a rustle in the bushes, and, the following moment, a dark +form confronted the lad, blocking his path. +</P> + +<P> +Frank recoiled, and through his mind flashed the thought: +</P> + +<P> +"It is the man in black!" +</P> + +<P> +At the same moment, the unknown sprang forward and clutched the lad, +snarling: +</P> + +<P> +"Give me that ring! I will have it! Give it up peaceably, or I will +choke the breath out of your body! Don't shout! It will be the worse +for you if you do!" +</P> + +<P> +Right there and then the man in black met with a great surprise. +</P> + +<P> +Frank grappled with the stranger, and, for some moments, they engaged +in a fierce struggle. At length the boy got the best of it, and, as he +threw the man, he gave his assailant a terrible upper-cut blow. +</P> + +<P> +Having freed himself Frank took to his heels and ran down the road +toward the academy. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap28"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXVIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE MARKS ON THE BLACK STONE. +</H3> + + +<P> +Frank fancied he heard pursuing footsteps behind him, but the +mysterious man might have spared himself the effort if he tried to +overtake the lad, for Merriwell almost flew over the ground. +</P> + +<P> +The lights from the windows of the barracks soon appeared through the +trees, and Frank felt relieved when he was safely within the grounds +with the academy buildings looming before him. +</P> + +<P> +A short time later he entered his own room in the "Cock-loft," to find +Bartley Hodge sitting with his feet on the table, smoking a cigarette +and perusing an exciting detective story; but the feet went down to the +floor like a flash, and the cigarette and book disappeared with magical +swiftness as Frank came in. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh!" said Hodge, with a sigh of relief; "it's you, is it, Merriwell? +I thought it might be an inspector." +</P> + +<P> +Frank laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"It would have been rather bad for you if I had been an inspector, for +you did not get that book and cigarette out of sight quick enough to +fool anybody, and the air is full of smoke. You would have stood a +good chance for chevrons next month if you had let cigarettes and +novels alone and taken a little more care to avoid demerit." +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind, old man," said Hodge, as he resumed the cigarette and +brought forth the detective story again. +</P> + +<P> +"You'll be a corporal sure, and that is glory enough for us. Don't +preach. If you should start in on this yarn, you wouldn't give it up +till you finished it." +</P> + +<P> +"And that is exactly why I am not going to start in. I enjoy a good +story as well as you do, but I cannot afford to read novels, now, and +so I refuse to be tempted into looking into any of them." +</P> + +<P> +"This is a hummer," declared Bart, enthusiastically. "It is full of +mystery and murder and all that. Beagle Ben, the detective, is a +corker! That fellow can look a man over and tell what he had for +dinner by the expression around the corners of his mouth. He sees +through a crook as easily as you can look through a plate-glass window. +And the mysteries in this story are enough to give a fellow the +nightmare. I wonder why such mysterious things never happen in real +life?" +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps they do occasionally." +</P> + +<P> +The way Frank spoke the words caused Bart to turn and look him over +wonderingly. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello!" he said. "What's struck you? You are breathing as if you had +been running, but you're rather pale round the gills." +</P> + +<P> +"I have had an adventure." +</P> + +<P> +"You are always having adventures. You're the luckiest fellow alive." +</P> + +<P> +"This adventure is somewhat out of the usual order," declared Frank. +"It might furnish material for a detective story." +</P> + +<P> +"Whew!" whistled the dark-haired lad. "Now you are making me curious. +Reel it off for us." +</P> + +<P> +Then Frank sat down and told Hodge the full particulars of his +adventure with the mysterious man in black. +</P> + +<P> +A look of wonder and delight grew on Bart's face as he listened, and, +when the account was finished, he slapped his thigh, crying: +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove, Merriwell, this is great! Why, such things do actually +happen, don't they! Why do you suppose that man is so determined to +obtain possession of that ugly old ring? Do you actually believe he is +a collector of rings, with a mania for the quaint and curious?" +</P> + +<P> +"It is possible, but, for some reason, I doubt it." +</P> + +<P> +"So do I." +</P> + +<P> +"He did not seem quite sincere in his manner of telling that story, and +he was altogether too desperate in his determination to obtain the +ring." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right." +</P> + +<P> +"Besides that, he wished to know how it came into my possession, and, +when he learned my father's name, he declared he had never heard it +before." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you make out of that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it strikes me that this man recognized the ring as one he had +seen before." +</P> + +<P> +Bart nodded with satisfaction. +</P> + +<P> +"Just the way I figured it out, old man!" +</P> + +<P> +"He did not seem so anxious to learn the history of the ring, although +he pretended that it was his wish to know the history of every ring +that came into his possession. In this case he seemed far more anxious +to discover how I came to have it." +</P> + +<P> +"And so he must already know its history?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you know about it yourself, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not much," was the serious reply. "You know I once told you that my +father was much away from home, traveling in the West, where he claimed +to have business interests, and it was not till after his death that we +knew what his business actually was—that of a note broker—with a +passion for gambling?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I remember all this." +</P> + +<P> +"In his wanderings, father somehow got hold of that ring, and it is +pretty certain that he considered it very valuable, for he sent it to +mother, and wrote her to guard it faithfully, and not to let it part +from her on any consideration. He said that he would come for it some +day; but he never did. When mother died, she gave me the ring, telling +me to keep it always. That is as much of the ring's history as is +known to me." +</P> + +<P> +"And that is just enough to make the thing a decided mystery. I have +heard of magic rings used by East Indian fakirs and magicians. Perhaps +this is one of those rings." +</P> + +<P> +Frank smiled a bit, and shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"Hardly that, I think," he said. "From its appearance, I should say +this ring was made by some crude workman in the West." +</P> + +<P> +"In, that case, what can there be about it that is mysterious or +valuable?" +</P> + +<P> +"You have asked me something I cannot answer." +</P> + +<P> +"Let's look at the thing." +</P> + +<P> +Bart held out his hand, and Frank removed the ring from his finger, +handing it over. +</P> + +<P> +"It slips off altogether too easily," said Hodge. "I should think you +would fear losing it." +</P> + +<P> +"It does come off easy, and, for that reason, I have not worn it much +till of late." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I never noticed it on your hand till a short time ago." +</P> + +<P> +"I have kept it among my valuables." +</P> + +<P> +Hodge looked the ring all over, examining it slowly and carefully. +</P> + +<P> +"There doesn't seem to be anything about it to make a fellow think it +so very mysterious," he said, with a shade of disappointment in his +voice. +</P> + +<P> +"No." +</P> + +<P> +"It is just a homely, twisted ring, with an old scratched black stone +set in it." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps the man in black is crazy." +</P> + +<P> +"It is possible." +</P> + +<P> +"In which case the mystery amounts to nothing." +</P> + +<P> +For a few seconds the two lads sat staring at each other. Then Frank +removed a pin from some hidden place, and held it toward Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"Here," he said, "take this and see how easily you can scratch that +stone." +</P> + +<P> +Hodge took it, and attempted to scratch the black stone that was set in +the ring. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, the thing is hard as flint—yes, harder!" he exclaimed. "The pin +will not leave a mark upon it, and it has already turned the point of +the pin over." +</P> + +<P> +"Still, as you said, the stone is scratched." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you make of that?" +</P> + +<P> +"It strikes me it was not scratched by accident." +</P> + +<P> +Hodge started and whistled. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you imagine these marks were made here intentionally and +deliberately?" +</P> + +<P> +"Doesn't it seem that way?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it is not impossible." +</P> + +<P> +"If they were made there deliberately and intentionally, cut by some +instrument that could mark that hard stone, doesn't it stand to reason +that the one who made them did not do all that work for nothing?" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course." +</P> + +<P> +"Then those marks may mean something." +</P> + +<P> +"By jingoes! you are right!" +</P> + +<P> +"This may be known to the man in black, which makes him so fierce to +obtain the ring." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure!" +</P> + +<P> +Again the boys stared silently at each other, but there were traces of +eager excitement on the faces of both. +</P> + +<P> +"How are you going to find out what those marks mean, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"That is a question easier asked than answered." +</P> + +<P> +"Did you ever examine this stone under a microscope?" +</P> + +<P> +"No." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I advise you to do so without delay. These scratches are not +very plain to the naked eye, but a microscope may reveal a great secret +to you." +</P> + +<P> +As Bart passed the ring back, Frank said: +</P> + +<P> +"You are right. My curiosity is thoroughly aroused, and I will examine +it under a magnifying glass at the earliest opportunity." +</P> + +<P> +"Get leave to look at it under the big glass in the experimenting room." +</P> + +<P> +"I will try it to-morrow." +</P> + +<P> +Until very near taps the boys talked of the mystery of the ring, and +that night both of them dreamed over and over of the ring and the +sinister man in black. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap29"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIX. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BART MAKES A PLEDGE. +</H3> + + +<P> +The following day Frank obtained permission to look at the ring through +the powerful microscope belonging to the academy. Bart accompanied him +to the experimenting room, and they were soon taking turns in looking +at the marked stone. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you make of it, old man?" asked Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"It looks like a map," said Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Right!" exclaimed the other lad. "It looks like a map, and I believe +that is what it is." +</P> + +<P> +There is a river, or road, and mountains, something that looks like a +lake, and then a tiny cross. The cross must be a landmark. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; and you will note that it is at the end of what looks like a +river." +</P> + +<P> +"But that must be a road." +</P> + +<P> +"It is, if this is a map, for it runs over that range of hills, or +mountains." +</P> + +<P> +"That is plain enough." +</P> + +<P> +"And you will see there is a tiny, snake-like thread that winds away +from that spot, which looks as if it was intended for a lake." +</P> + +<P> +"I see it." +</P> + +<P> +"That must be a river, or stream." +</P> + +<P> +The boys were now very excited. All doubts were fading from their +minds; the lines on the black stone had surely been intended to +represent a map. +</P> + +<P> +But what portion of the face of the earth did it portray? That was a +question the ring did not answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Supposing it is a map," said Frank, helplessly; "what good will it do +me? I do not know what it is a map of." +</P> + +<P> +"But you may bet your last dollar the man in black knows." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't see how that is going to do me any good. +</P> + +<P> +"It will do him some good, if he gets hold of this ring." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I shall take care that he does not get hold of it." +</P> + +<P> +The map—if it were a map—on the stone served to more fully arouse the +curiosity of the boys, without in any way satisfying them concerning +the mystery of the ring. +</P> + +<P> +Frank became so absorbed in trying to discover the true meaning of the +map and in getting some light on the mystery that he began to neglect +his studies. This, however, was quickly noted by Hodge, who said: +</P> + +<P> +"Be careful, old man; don't let that ring get into your head so that +you will lose your chance of standing well up in your class. You are +all right in drill work, and you should be appointed a corporal next +month." +</P> + +<P> +"Hang the old ring!" exclaimed Frank, petulantly. "I never had +anything cause me so much bother before. Whenever I try to study I +fall to thinking of it, and I dream of it every night." +</P> + +<P> +Two days passed, and nothing more was seen of the man in black during +that time, which led Bart to believe that the mysterious individual had +left the vicinity. +</P> + +<P> +"He must have fancied that you would have him arrested for attacking +you on the road," said Hodge. "You are not likely to see him again +very soon." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't get that impression into your head," returned Frank. "He is not +far away. I seem to feel that he is lurking near, awaiting his next +opportunity." +</P> + +<P> +"That's tommy-rot! You have let this old ring mix you all up. Don't +slip any cogs now, Frank, or you may have the pleasure of seeing your +new rival, Paul Rains, appointed a corporal, while you still remain an +ordinary cadet." +</P> + +<P> +Frank flushed. +</P> + +<P> +"Rains is not a bad fellow," he said. "He is square." +</P> + +<P> +"He may seem so to you," said Hodge; "but I am suspicious of any fellow +who has much to do with Wat Snell and that gang. Frank, it is a wonder +to me that you ever came to have anything to do with me +afterward—well, you know." +</P> + +<P> +"I shouldn't if I hadn't believed there was some good in you for all of +appearances." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, old man!" exclaimed Hodge, with genuine feeling. "You are +white all the way through, and I believe it is to you I owe credit for +still remaining a cadet in this school." +</P> + +<P> +"Nonsense!" +</P> + +<P> +"There is no nonsense about it. You know I tried two military schools +before I came here, and I did not remain in either. I could not get +along. You have helped me over the hard places, and you have stood by +me, through thick and thin, although most of the fellows, disliked me +at first, and thought you were foolish in doing what you did. I have +been no particular aid to you, but I have led you into temptations and +dangers you would have avoided but for the fact that we were roommates +and friends. In return, you have saved me many bad breaks, and I am +not liable to forget. I did hate you most intensely, but you shall +find that I can be as strong in my friendships as I am in my hatreds." +</P> + +<P> +This was saying a great deal for Hodge, who was usually silent and +reserved concerning himself. But Bart knew he was speaking no more +than the truth, and he felt that the time had come when such an +acknowledgment would do him good. +</P> + +<P> +Frank's generous heart was touched by this new revelation of his +friend's nature, and he grasped Bart's hand warmly. +</P> + +<P> +"If I have helped you in any way, I am glad to know it," he said, +earnestly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you have; and you have taken demerit on my account without a +murmur. It is selfish of me to cling to cigarettes when 'tobacco smoke +in quarters' has been reported against us so many times. By jingoes! +I'm going to swear off! They don't do a fellow any good, and they get +an awful hold on one. It won't be easy for me to give them up; but I +am going to do it. If you catch me smoking another of the things, you +may kick me till there isn't a breath left in my body! That's +business, and I will stick to it!" +</P> + +<P> +"Good!" laughed Frank. "You have been smoking a good many of them +lately, and I have noticed that you complained of your lungs. How can +your lungs be in any condition when you are constantly inhaling so much +of that smoke! I know of a young fellow with weak lungs who went into +quick consumption, and the doctors said cigarettes were entirely +responsible. He smoked a number of packages a day. When he started he +simply smoked now and then, but the habit grew on him, and at last he +was unable to break it." +</P> + +<P> +"I believe any fellow can break off smoking them if he has any +will-power of his own." +</P> + +<P> +"I think a fellow should, but you may not find it as easy as you fancy." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, it will be easy enough for me. When I make up my mind to a thing, +I never give up." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I sincerely trust it will prove so. Every one knows cigarettes +are harmful. Yesterday I read in a paper about a boy in a New York +hospital who was said to have a 'tobacco heart' from smoking +cigarettes. By a tobacco heart it was meant that his heart was so +badly affected that it did not perform its action regularly and +properly. Sometimes he is convulsed with terrible pains, and gasps for +breath. Nearly all the time he moans and begs for cigarettes; but the +doctors say he must never smoke another one if he cares to live. As it +is, if he should get up, his heart is so weakened that it may go on a +strike any time and cause his death." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, say!" laughed Bart; "that settles it. Now, I never will smoke +again. I mean it—you see if I don't." +</P> + +<P> +"I sincerely hope you do. You may become one of the best athletes in +this school. Your only trouble has been shortness of breath when you +exercise heavily, and that came entirely from smoking. If you give it +up, you will soon cease to be troubled that way." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, here's my hand on it, and it is as good as settled. No matter +how much I may desire a smoke now, I'll not monkey with the deadly +cigarette." +</P> + +<P> +Their hands met again. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap30"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXX. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +FRANK AND THE PROFESSOR. +</H3> + + +<P> +Frank Merriwell was right in thinking he had not seen the last of the +man in black. On the third day after his first meeting with the +mysterious stranger he was astonished, while ascending the stairs, to +see that individual come out of Professor Gunn's room. Frank paused on +the flight that led to the "Cock-loft," and watched the man hurriedly +descend the stairs. +</P> + +<P> +"Great Scott!" muttered the young cadet. "That is remarkable. I +wonder what he was up to in the professor's room? He saw me, but he +hustled away in a hurry." +</P> + +<P> +For a moment Frank hesitated, and then he resolved to find out, if +possible, what could be the meaning of the stranger's visit. With this +object in view, he descended the stairs and approached the professor's +door, on which he rapped. +</P> + +<P> +Of late Professor Gunn had been severely troubled with headaches, and, +this happening to be one of his bad days, he was stopping in his room, +with his head bound up in a cloth saturated with camphor. Frank was +obliged to rap a second time, and then the professor's shuffling step +was heard, and his cloth-bound head appeared as the door opened. +</P> + +<P> +"What's wanted?" he asked, sharply. "Can't I have any peace and rest? +Speak up—what's wanted?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have something to ask you, professor?" said Frank, quietly. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, is it you, Merriwell? I was going to see you later. Come in." +</P> + +<P> +Not a little surprised, Frank entered the professor's room, standing +cap in hand, while the crusty old fellow seated himself in an easy +chair, and asked: +</P> + +<P> +"What is it you want to see me about, young man?" +</P> + +<P> +"You were lately visited by a stranger, whom I saw leaving this room a +few moments ago." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir—yes." +</P> + +<P> +"That man assaulted me on the highway a few nights ago." +</P> + +<P> +"What's that—what? Assaulted you? This is interesting—decidedly!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, he assaulted me; but I managed to give him the worst of it, and +got away without being harmed." +</P> + +<P> +"You should have reported the occurrence—you certainly should. That +was the proper thing to do—the correct thing, young man. Then I would +have known how to receive him." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought he had gone away from this vicinity, but it seems that he +has not. Now, I would like to know his name. What is his name, +professor, please?" +</P> + +<P> +"Eh? Ah? His name? Let me see. Now that is surprising—really +surprising. I do not think he gave me his name." +</P> + +<P> +"Did not give his name? How did he obtain admission to the building?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's so—how did he? I hadn't thought of that. He was the +smoothest talker I ever heard; he didn't give me a chance to ask many +questions." +</P> + +<P> +"He must have had some sort of business with you." +</P> + +<P> +"He did—that is, he pretended to have. He said he was here to recover +some property that belonged to him—property he lost several years ago." +</P> + +<P> +The eyes of the old professor searched Frank's hands and rested on the +peculiar ring. +</P> + +<P> +"So that was his trick—the scoundrel!" cried Frank, repressing his +anger with difficulty. "I presume he claimed this ring belonged to +him?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well—ahem!—he described such a ring, which he said he had seen on +the hand of a student here." +</P> + +<P> +"Exactly. And he named me as the possessor of the ring?" +</P> + +<P> +"He said the name of the student's father was Charles Conrad Merriwell. +I believe, sir—I am quite sure, in fact—that that was the name of +your father." +</P> + +<P> +Frank was fully aroused, and his brown eyes gleamed in a way that +showed how indignant he was, although it was necessary to keep his +feelings suppressed as far as possible. +</P> + +<P> +"Professor Gunn," he said, swiftly, "that man is a scoundrel!" +</P> + +<P> +"Eh? Ha! Hum! Severe language. Be careful, young man—be cautious. +Do not make a statement you cannot stand behind. It is dangerous—very +dangerous." +</P> + +<P> +"I can stand behind every word I have said. Why, when he found I would +not sell him the ring, professor, he tried to rob me of it! That is +not only the act of a scoundrel, but that of a desperado." +</P> + +<P> +"It looks bad—bad," confessed the old professor, who seemed in a +somewhat nervous and flustered state. "Tell me all about it—give the +full particulars of the occurrence." +</P> + +<P> +Frank did so, telling a straightforward story, to which the professor +listened with interest that was apparent, although he now and then +pressed his hand to his head, as if the pain were troubling him. +</P> + +<P> +When the story was finished, and Frank had explained what he and Bart +had discovered on the black stone set in the ring, the old professor +showed that he was quite wrought up. +</P> + +<P> +"Remarkable!" he exclaimed—"re-e-markable! I am surprised—I am +puzzled. This man told a very straight story—said the ring was stolen +from him in Arizona. He said it was very valuable to him, as it was an +heirloom. He could not tell how it came into your possession—he did +not try. All he wanted was to recover his property—that was all." +</P> + +<P> +"That was his scheme when he found he could not buy it from me. He did +not attempt to make you believe he was a collector of odd rings, +professor, for he knew that would do no good, and so he laid claim to +the ring. What proof did he give you that it was his property?" +</P> + +<P> +"Eh? Proof? It seems as if he did give proof of some sort, but really +I don't know as he did. He was such a plausible person—so very smooth +and convincing. Why, I did not think of doubting him. But I know your +record very well since entering the academy, Merriwell. It is +satisfactory—quite satisfactory. I do not think you are the sort of a +lad to tell a deliberate falsehood—no, sir, no." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"That being the case, I shall have to accept your statement—yes, I +will accept it. He said he would call again to-morrow. Let him come! +I think I will have an officer on hand—he shall be arrested the moment +he shows himself. That's right—that's proper. Hum! ha! Assaulted a +cadet of Fardale Academy, did he? Attempted to rob a student at this +school, did he? Well, he shall be duly and properly punished—yes, +sir." +</P> + +<P> +The professor had worked himself up into a state of considerable +excitement, seeming to have forgotten his headache for the time. He +got upon his feet and went tramping about the room in his slippers, the +heels of which had been trodden down. He perched his nose-glasses far +down on his pointed proboscis, and glared over them in a way he had +when he was endeavoring to appear very impressive before a class. +</P> + +<P> +Under other circumstances Frank might have smiled at the figure cut by +the excited old man, but he was now far too angry himself to note what +was ludicrous. +</P> + +<P> +"Take care of that ring, young man," advised the professor—"take the +best of care of it. It may be more valuable than it appears. There is +certainly something connected with this ring that makes it valuable to +this stranger—or else the man is a lunatic—yes, sir, a lunatic. I do +not think that—no, I do not. He appeared rational—he was quite sane +when he was here—quite so." +</P> + +<P> +"I have ever regarded this ring as simply an ugly ornament that my +father ran across and took a fancy to; but now I believe it must be +something more." +</P> + +<P> +"It is likely—quite likely. It seems that there is a mystery +connected with the ring. It may be solved soon—very soon. This +stranger must know a great deal concerning it. Perhaps he will tell +what he knows—perhaps he may be induced to tell." +</P> + +<P> +The professor said this in a peculiar way, that seemed to say "strong +inducements" would be held out to the strange man in black. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had seen Professor Gunn, and asked his question, but the mystery +was deep as ever when the boy left the professor's room. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap31"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +SNELL TALKS. +</H3> + + +<P> +Frank was not the only one who had observed the man in black as that +mysterious individual was departing. Bart Hodge saw the sinister +stranger, and instantly recognized him from Frank's description. +</P> + +<P> +"Great Scott!" thought Bart. "What can that imp of Satan be up to +here?" +</P> + +<P> +The man was hurrying from the grounds, and Hodge followed. The man +passed the sentry, but Bart was challenged. +</P> + +<P> +"See that man?" said the lad, hurriedly. "I am satisfied that he has +been up to some mischief. I want to follow him, and see where he goes." +</P> + +<P> +"You cannot leave the grounds without a pass," said the sentinel, +firmly. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, hang your pass!" cried Bart, warmly, as he saw there was danger +that the man in black would escape. "This is an exceptional case." +</P> + +<P> +"A sentry knows no exceptions. If you leave the grounds, you will have +to obtain a pass from the office." +</P> + +<P> +"But that man is a robber—a highwayman! If you stand on the rules of +the academy now, he will escape, and you may be reprimanded." +</P> + +<P> +"I shall do my duty as sentinel, sir, reprimand or no reprimand." +</P> + +<P> +The man in black was walking swiftly up the road toward the village, +his cape flapping behind him in the wind like the wings of a bat. In a +few moments he would disappear from view. +</P> + +<P> +"Hang the luck!" grated Hodge, as he turned away in disappointment. +"I'd given something to follow him up." +</P> + +<P> +He was inclined to be angry at the sentinel at first, but his +friendship with Merriwell had taught him that he should have +forbearance when in the right, and should never hold a grudge when in +the wrong. Sober reason told him the sentinel had done no more than +his plain duty, so the feeling of anger was swiftly banished from +Bart's breast. +</P> + +<P> +"I will find Frank and tell him what is up," he thought. +</P> + +<P> +As he walked swiftly toward the barracks, he was met by Wat Snell, who +said: +</P> + +<P> +"Hello, Hodge. I want to have a talk with you." +</P> + +<P> +"With me?" asked Bart, in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +Snell had not been friendly for some time, and, of late, he had ceased +to speak to Hodge. This had not troubled Bart at all, but he was +greatly surprised by this advance on the part of his enemy. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, with you," assured Snell. "There was a time when you were ready +enough to talk with me. I have even known you to follow me up to get a +chance to have a word in private with me." +</P> + +<P> +The face of the dark-haired boy flushed. +</P> + +<P> +"That time is past," he said. "What do you want of me?" +</P> + +<P> +"It is my turn now. I want to have a word in private with you." +</P> + +<P> +Bart did not fancy this much. He knew Snell for exactly what the +fellow was—a sneaking, revengeful rascal. The thought that he had +ever had dealings with such a scamp made Bart's cheeks burn and caused +him to regard himself with no little contempt. +</P> + +<P> +He did not care to be seen talking privately with Snell, and he glanced +hastily around, to see if any one was watching them. +</P> + +<P> +Snell noted the look, and an angry light came into his eyes, which were +somewhat too small and set so near together that they seemed crowding +his nose between them. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you hesitate over it, do you!" he sneered. "That's like some +fellows to go back on their old friends! You won't make anything by it +in the end." +</P> + +<P> +"If you have anything to say to me, say it," commanded Hodge, sharply. +</P> + +<P> +"Come over here where the fellows can't see us from the windows," +invited Snell, beckoning Bart to follow. +</P> + +<P> +But Hodge did not stir. +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir," he said, firmly. "If you have anything you want to say to +me, say it right here." +</P> + +<P> +Snell did not like this. He came back slowly, casting a hasty, +doubtful look up to the dormitory windows. After some hesitation, +during which he kicked the gravel of the walk with his toe, he began: +</P> + +<P> +"There was a time when you didn't like Merriwell any better than the +rest of us, and you have done things that would put you in a pretty bad +corner, if they were known." +</P> + +<P> +Hodge's brows lowered in a scowl, and his nostrils dilated, like those +of a wild creature that scents danger. He said nothing, but his +steady, piercing gaze made Snell keep his eyes on the ground. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course I am not the kind of a fellow to blow anything of the sort," +Wat went on, hurriedly. "I simply mentioned it by chance. You seem +friendly with Merriwell now, and I thought you might have forgotten." +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder what the rascal is coming at?" thought Bart; but not a word +did he speak aloud. +</P> + +<P> +"For the sake of old times, I thought—perhaps—you might do something +for some of your old friends—I didn't know but you might. It can't +harm Merriwell any in particular—he'll never miss it. It will be a +lift for me, and I can make it an object for you." +</P> + +<P> +Snell was floundering, and the look on his face seemed to indicate that +he was growing frightened and felt like taking to his heels. +</P> + +<P> +Of a sudden, Hodge became curious to know what the fellow had to say, +and so he decided to try diplomacy. +</P> + +<P> +"I do not forget my friends," he said. "What is it you want of me, +Snell?" +</P> + +<P> +That gave Wat a little courage. +</P> + +<P> +"Before I tell you, Hodge, I want to say that you will be well paid if +you help out a little in this matter, and Merriwell can never know that +you were in it. He'll never suspect you. You didn't have any scruples +about doing something of the sort once on a time." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what is it?" demanded Bart, impatiently. "Don't beat round the +bush so much." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, don't be in such a hurry!" fluttered Snell, nervously, far from +feeling fully confident of Hodge. "There's money in this. It will be +twenty-five dollars in your pocket if you do what I want you to. Are +you with me?" +</P> + +<P> +"That depends on what you want me to do. Name it." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Merriwell has something that doesn't rightfully belong to him. +Understand that—it is not his by right. It belongs to a friend of +mine, who wants me to recover his property." +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" +</P> + +<P> +"You can aid me, as you room with Merriwell." +</P> + +<P> +"Jupiter!" thought Bart. "I wonder if the mysterious ring is the piece +of property Snell means?" +</P> + +<P> +It was with no little difficulty that Hodge held himself in check; but +he did not wish Snell to become alarmed, and so he quietly asked: +</P> + +<P> +"What is this piece of property?" +</P> + +<P> +"It is something Merriwell wears every day. I suppose he takes it off +occasionally. That would give you your chance. Mind you, it is not +rightfully his, but it belongs to my friend, so there is no harm in +taking it to restore it to its proper owner. In fact, that is a simple +act of justice." +</P> + +<P> +"Why doesn't the rightful owner recover his property in the regular +manner?" +</P> + +<P> +"That might prove difficult, or even impossible, as he would have +trouble in establishing his claim, and Merriwell might conceal the +property. It is not the value of this property that the owner cares so +much for; he wants the property itself." +</P> + +<P> +There was no longer any doubt in Bart's mind; Snell was speaking of the +ring. The man in black had resorted to another scheme to obtain +possession of that ugly ornament. +</P> + +<P> +With the greatest difficulty, Hodge kept cool and placid, as he asked: +</P> + +<P> +"And you want me to steal this property?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, no, no! It would not be stealing it; it would be returning it to +its proper owner. Can't you see?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, if I am going to do this job, I must know what the property is." +</P> + +<P> +"It is the ring Merriwell wears when he is not in ranks—the twisted +band, with a black stone set in it." +</P> + +<P> +"And you want me to obtain that ring and give it to you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"For which I am to receive twenty-five dollars?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. What is your answer?" +</P> + +<P> +"This is my answer!" +</P> + +<P> +Like a flash, Hodge struck out straight from the shoulder, and his fist +caught Snell between the eyes. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap32"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +SNELL'S HATRED. +</H3> + + +<P> +Smack! +</P> + +<P> +The blow sounded sharp and clear, and Snell quickly found himself +stretched on the gravel walk. He looked up in a dazed way, to see +Hodge standing near at hand, regarding him with withering scorn. +</P> + +<P> +"You'll pay dearly for this!" gasped Snell, lifting himself to his +elbow and glaring at Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"All right," was the hot retort. "I am willing to pay for it. You may +have taken me for a thief, but I rather think you have discovered your +mistake." +</P> + +<P> +"You weren't so honest once on a time, not so very long——" +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" cried Bart, taking a threatening step toward the fellow. +"I was never a thief, no matter what my other failings may have been; +and if you dare insinuate such a thing, I will ram the words down your +throat!" +</P> + +<P> +"That's all right—that's all right!" muttered Wat, scrambling up and +getting out of reach. "I will report this assault." +</P> + +<P> +"Report it, and be hanged! The fellows in this academy admire a +tattler! You will have a very pleasant time if you report it!" +</P> + +<P> +"It was seen. Somebody will tell Professor Gunn." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps so; but it isn't best that you are the one." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll—I'll get even!" +</P> + +<P> +"Go ahead. I'd like the satisfaction of fighting you to a finish." +</P> + +<P> +"I will not fight with my fists," blustered Wat, trying to appear very +fierce. "There are more deadly weapons." +</P> + +<P> +"Name any weapon you choose. I will be only too glad to meet you. I +am a good pistol shot, and Professor Rhynas says I handle the foils +fairly well." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you're a regular ruffian!" cried Snell, his chin beginning to +quiver and his voice choking with anger that brought tears to his eyes. +"I will not fight you in any way! I do not pretend to be a match for a +ruffian of your sort. But I will get square just the same." +</P> + +<P> +"I presume you will try to square the account in some sneaking manner. +Well, I warn you now and here that it will not be healthy if you try +any dirty tricks on me. If anything underhand happens to me, I'll know +who was the originator of it, and I'll settle with you. That is +business!" +</P> + +<P> +With this, Bart turned to walk away, noting that a great many of the +cadets were peering from the windows, some of them grinning with +delight. +</P> + +<P> +Snell shook his fist at Hodge's back, blustering: +</P> + +<P> +"This is all right—all right, sir! It is not necessary for me to +fight you; you are not on the same level with me." +</P> + +<P> +"No," muttered the dark-haired boy, grimly, "I have never sunk as low +as that." +</P> + +<P> +The room occupied by Merriwell and Hodge was not on that side of the +building, so Frank, who was studying, had not witnessed the encounter +between his roommate and Snell. +</P> + +<P> +Fortunately, also, the blow had not been seen by any one but cadets, so +it was not liable to come to Professor Gunn's knowledge, unless Wat +told of it himself. +</P> + +<P> +Bart found Frank in their room, and Merriwell looked up as the +dark-haired boy entered with a quick, nervous step. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello!" he cried, in surprise. "What's happened? Your face is dark +as a thunder-cloud, and you look as if you could eat iron." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I feel as if I wouldn't have any trouble in chewing up a few +pounds of iron," replied Bart. "By Jove! old man, I never realized +till a few minutes ago how narrow was my escape from being a most +contemptible scoundrel!" +</P> + +<P> +"How is that?" +</P> + +<P> +"I was taken for a thief!" grated Bart, his white teeth clicking. +"Yes, sir, taken for a thief!" +</P> + +<P> +"It must have been by somebody who does not know you very well." +</P> + +<P> +"That's where you are wrong. It was by somebody who knows me far too +well. That is why I feel that my escape from being a scoundrel was a +narrow one." +</P> + +<P> +Had he not seen that Bart was so serious and thoroughly in earnest, +Frank must have smiled. +</P> + +<P> +"Give us the particulars," he urged. "What did you do when you were +taken for a thief?" +</P> + +<P> +"Knocked the cad down!" snarled Bart, smashing his clinched right hand +into the open palm of his left. +</P> + +<P> +"That was very proper," assured Merriwell. "You did nicely, my son." +</P> + +<P> +"But I do not feel any the less humiliated. If I had not given him +reason to approach me in such a manner, he would not have ventured." +</P> + +<P> +Then Bart related the particulars of his adventure with Snell. +</P> + +<P> +"So, so!" muttered Frank. "That rascal is in this affair. The man in +black has chosen a good tool." +</P> + +<P> +"That man is determined to have your ring." +</P> + +<P> +"I should say so. He has been to Professor Gunn and represented that +the ring belonged to him." And then Frank took his turn to tell what +he had learned from the head professor. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I never!" cried Bart, as Frank finished. "Why, the scoundrel +has the cheek of a brass monkey! He is dangerous, Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"I believe you." +</P> + +<P> +"If I were in your place, I would swear out a warrant for his arrest, +and send an officer after him." +</P> + +<P> +"I may be forced to do so." +</P> + +<P> +"And I advise you to keep your eye on Wat Snell." +</P> + +<P> +"I will do that." +</P> + +<P> +"In the meantime, let me take the ring long enough to make an enlarged +drawing of those lines, so that you will have the map, if it is a map, +even if you lose the ring. You know my ability to copy with pen and +ink anything I see. My father wants me to become a civil engineer, and +so I am taking a course to suit him; but, when I leave Fardale, I mean +to go to an art school, and find out if I am not cut out for an artist." +</P> + +<P> +"How can you make a drawing of the lines?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, I will place the ring under a microscope, and then it will not be +difficult. You know I can be very accurate when I try." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I know it, and I will think of your plan. I am inclined to +believe it is a good one. Whether I should lose the ring or not, I'd +like to have a copy of that map to study." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll find time to do the job to-morrow, if Old Gunn will permit us to +use the microscope again." +</P> + +<P> +On the following day, however, Bart found no opportunity to make the +drawing. +</P> + +<P> +Frank watched for the man in black, who had said he would call on +Professor Gunn again; but the mysterious man did not put in an +appearance, and Merriwell waited his time. +</P> + +<P> +Wat Snell was forced to endure no end of ridicule from his companions, +as it was the rule at Fardale that a student who had received a blow or +an insult must challenge the one who gave it. If he did not do so, he +was regarded as a coward, and his life in school from that time was +certain to be far from pleasant. +</P> + +<P> +In his heart Snell was an arrant coward, and he knew that Hodge was +really longing for a challenge. Wat felt sure that he would receive a +severe drubbing at the hands of the dark-haired boy whom he had +angered, and the thoughts of such punishment filled his soul with +horror. +</P> + +<P> +"I can't fight him—it's no use, I can't!" he told himself over and +over. "He is a turn-coat, anyway! He did not pretend to be so +conscientious till after he got thick with Merriwell. Oh, Merriwell is +really the one who is at the bottom of all the trouble I have had in +this school, and I hate him worse than I do Hodge. +</P> + +<P> +"I'd like to get hold of that ring. Jupiter! seventy-five dollars is a +price to pay for an old ring like that, but it's what that strange man +in black offered me to secure it for him. There's something mighty +mysterious about that ring. I wish I knew what the mystery is. I am +going to ask the man when I see him this evening." +</P> + +<P> +That night Snell escaped from the building and the grounds without +obtaining leave. He was going to keep an appointment with the man in +black. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap33"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +PLAYING THE SHADOW. +</H3> + + +<P> +Snell was followed. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had taken Bart's advice to keep an eye on the fellow, and +something in Wat's actions had given him the impression that Snell was +up to something that he did not care to have generally known. +</P> + +<P> +With a great deal of skill, Frank kept watch of Snell till the latter +slipped from the grounds under cover of darkness. +</P> + +<P> +It was a cloudy night, with the wind moaning far out at sea, and the +waves roaring sullenly along the base of Black Bluff, down the shore. +</P> + +<P> +As may be imagined, it was no easy task to follow Wat without losing +the fellow in the darkness or getting so close that the "shadowed" lad +would discover that somebody was watching him. +</P> + +<P> +Although he was not aware of it, Frank possessed a remarkable faculty +for performing such a task. He moved with the silence of a creeping +cat, and yet covered ground with sufficient swiftness to keep near Wat. +</P> + +<P> +Something must have made Snell suspicious, for three times he stopped +and peered back through the darkness, and three times Frank sunk like a +ghost to the ground, escaping discovery by his swiftness in making the +move. +</P> + +<P> +Indeed, had it been possible for a third party to watch them, it must +have seemed that Merriwell felt an intuition which told him exactly +when Snell was going to look back. +</P> + +<P> +Once or twice before they came to the road that led up from the cove, +Frank lost sight of the boy he was following, but his keen ears served +him quite as well as his eyes. +</P> + +<P> +When the road up the hill was reached Frank was able to follow Wat with +greater ease. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly Snell paused and whistled three times. In a moment a single +sharp whistle sounded near at hand, and then Frank, crouching close to +the ground, saw a black figure come toward Wat Snell. +</P> + +<P> +The wind that was moaning over the sea swept up the road and caused +something to flap around the shoulders of this figure like a great pair +of wings. +</P> + +<P> +For all of the darkness, Frank recognized this figure, and he was +seized with an indefinable feeling of fear such as he had never felt +before. +</P> + +<P> +With an effort, Frank steadied his quivering nerves, remaining quiet to +watch and listen. +</P> + +<P> +The person who had appeared in answer to Snell's signal was the man in +black, and he quickly pounced upon the boy, like a huge hawk upon its +prey. +</P> + +<P> +"The ring!" he cried, hoarsely. "Where is it?" +</P> + +<P> +Wat gave a low cry of fear. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't!" he gasped. "You're hurting me! Your fingers are hard as +iron, and they crush right into a fellow!" +</P> + +<P> +"The ring!" repeated the man, fiercely. "Produce it!" +</P> + +<P> +"I haven't got it." +</P> + +<P> +"What?" snarled the mysterious stranger. "You have not kept your word! +What do you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't shake a fellow like that!" quavered Snell. "You act like a +madman." +</P> + +<P> +"Answer my questions! Why haven't you kept your word?" +</P> + +<P> +"Couldn't." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Didn't get the chance." +</P> + +<P> +"But you said you could get a boy to assist you—the fellow who rooms +with this Merriwell." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought I could, but the cad went back on me." +</P> + +<P> +"He refused to aid you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"And you have found no opportunity to get hold of the ring yourself?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not yet—but I will, sir," Snell hastily answered. "All I want is to +know that you will pay me as you agreed. Don't hold onto my arm so +tight; I won't run away." +</P> + +<P> +"Bah!" cried the man in black, as he half-flung Wat from him. "What +beastly luck!" +</P> + +<P> +"It is bad luck," confessed Snell, falteringly. "But it isn't my +fault. I have done my best." +</P> + +<P> +The man in black said nothing, but stood with his head bowed, the elbow +of his right arm resting in the hollow of his left hand, while his +right hand, fiercely clinched, supported his chin. The wind continued +to flap the cape about his shoulders. +</P> + +<P> +The man's attitude and his silence gave Snell a feeling of fear, and he +drew away, acting as if he contemplated taking to his heels, for all +that he had said he would not run. +</P> + +<P> +"I do not propose to endure much more of this," muttered the man, at +length. "I'll have that ring soon, by some means!" +</P> + +<P> +"You must consider it very valuable," said Wat, curiously. +</P> + +<P> +"Valuable!" came hoarsely from the lips of the man in black. "I should +say so! If it were not, I shouldn't be making such a desperate +struggle to get possession of it." +</P> + +<P> +The lad who was listening a short distance away, strained his ears to +catch every word. +</P> + +<P> +"There must be some secret about the ring?" insinuated Snell. "The +gold in it amounts to little, and the old black stone——" +</P> + +<P> +A strange sound came from the throat of the man in black, and then, +seeming to fancy that he had admitted altogether too much, he hastened +to say: +</P> + +<P> +"The ring is valuable to me; but it is worth little to anybody else." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose that is because nobody else knows its secret?" came from +Snell. +</P> + +<P> +"Secret! Bah! It has no secret!" +</P> + +<P> +But it was not easy to convince Snell that this was the truth. +</P> + +<P> +"Then why should you go to such extremes to get possession of a +wretched old thing of that sort?" demanded Wat. +</P> + +<P> +"I have told you. The ring belonged to me—was stolen from me. It has +been in our family a great length of time, and was given me by my +father. I prize it highly for that reason. I do not know how it came +into the possession of this Merriwell family, and I cannot prove my +claim to my own property, so I must recover it in such a manner as is +possible. That is the truth." +</P> + +<P> +Wat said nothing. Somehow he was doubtful, for it did not seem that +anybody who was sane could resort to such desperate expedients to +recover an ugly old ring that had no particular value save as an +heirloom. +</P> + +<P> +As for Frank, he might have believed the strange man's story, but for +the fact that the man had told him something entirely different. One +story or the other might be true, but in any case the man in black was +a liar. +</P> + +<P> +There was a brief silence, and then Snell asked: +</P> + +<P> +"How am I to know that you will surely pay me seventy-five dollars for +the ring? You pounced upon me a few minutes ago as if you would rob me +of it if it had been in my possession." +</P> + +<P> +"That was all through my eagerness and excitement," declared the man, +soothingly. "I meant you no harm, but I was very anxious." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I don't know; I am afraid I will be left when I get the ring and +hand it over, so I guess I'll——" +</P> + +<P> +"What?" +</P> + +<P> +Wat edged a little farther away. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess I'll throw up the job," he hesitated. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you still think you can find a way to get the ring?" +</P> + +<P> +"Think so! I know I can get it, sooner or later, if I want to." +</P> + +<P> +"Then look here, to prove that I am sincere I will pay you this much in +advance. It is a twenty-dollar gold piece. Now you cannot doubt my +earnestness and fairness in this matter. If you bring me the ring +within forty-eight hours, I'll pay you, besides this twenty, the +seventy-five dollars I offered in the first place." +</P> + +<P> +Snell eagerly clutched the piece of money. +</P> + +<P> +"You're a brick!" he cried. "And I'll lay myself out to get that ring. +I haven't begun to try the schemes I have in my head. I will meet you +here to-morrow night at about this time, and I'll do my best to have +the ring. Only, if I haven't got it, I want you to promise not to jump +on me and grab me the way you did to-night." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't be afraid. I won't harm you." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you can scare a fellow out of his boots, and I don't like to be +scared." +</P> + +<P> +"I am afraid you are something of a coward," said the man, a trace of +contempt in his tone. +</P> + +<P> +But little more passed between them before the man in black turned away +toward Fardale village, and Wat descended the road in the direction of +the academy. +</P> + +<P> +Frank hugged the ground at one side of the road, and he was not seen by +Snell. +</P> + +<P> +But, by the time Wat had gone so far that there was little danger of +discovery if Frank moved from the locality, the man in black had +vanished in the night. +</P> + +<P> +Still, Frank sprang up and went scurrying lightly up the hill, keeping +to the grass at the side of the road, so his feet made scarcely a sound. +</P> + +<P> +He hurried along the road till Fardale village was almost reached, but +he saw nothing more of the man in black. The mysterious stranger had +vanished as completely as if swallowed up by the earth. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had hoped to trace the man to the place where he was stopping, +but he was forced to give this up and hurry back to the academy. +</P> + +<P> +Still he had not wasted his time. +</P> + +<P> +"They will meet there to-morrow night, eh?" he muttered. "Well, it +would not be a very difficult thing to have an officer on hand with a +warrant for this stranger." +</P> + +<P> +He went straight to his room, hoping to find Hodge there. +</P> + +<P> +He did. Bart was seated in his favorite attitude, with his feet on the +table, and a cigarette in his mouth! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap34"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXIV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE RING DISAPPEARS. +</H3> + + +<P> +"Bart!" +</P> + +<P> +The exclamation of mingled surprise and reproach came from Frank's lips. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge had made a move to conceal the cigarette, but discovered he was +too late. +</P> + +<P> +His face turned crimson, and he hung his head with shame. +</P> + +<P> +Frank closed the door, and came to the side of his roommate, on whose +shoulder he gently placed a hand, as he asked: +</P> + +<P> +"How does it happen, Bart?" +</P> + +<P> +Bart started to say something, choked a little, and then forced an +unpleasant laugh. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I'm a liar!" he burst out, hotly. "I have broken my pledge at the +first temptation!" +</P> + +<P> +"Why did you do it? You know you said you could leave off smoking +cigarettes easily." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought I could." +</P> + +<P> +"And you found out the habit was fastened more firmly on you than you +thought?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's about the size of it. I have been longing for a cigarette all +day, and, when I came by accident upon this one, finding myself all +alone, I could not resist the desire to have a whiff." +</P> + +<P> +"That shows the habit had a firmer hold on you than you thought." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. I fancied I could leave it off readily enough; but I was +mistaken. It seems a fellow never knows what a hold the nasty little +things have on him till he tries to stop smoking them." +</P> + +<P> +"And were you going to give up the struggle without another effort?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, no! I didn't mean to smoke only this once. That is, I didn't +mean to at first, but after I got to smoking I thought it would be a +good plan to taper off." +</P> + +<P> +"Which meant that you were going to tamper with the stuff again, and, +finally, you would smoke as much as ever, and would not leave off at +all." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps you're right," confessed Hodge, who showed his shame. +</P> + +<P> +"I am sure I am right; but you will give over the plan of tapering +off—you will stop at once. You are not weak-minded enough to let +cigarettes get a hold on you that you cannot break." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I thought I wasn't; but I don't know about it now." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, this is bad, but it doesn't mean failure. I don't believe you are +the kind of a fellow to give in thus easily to an enemy. You have more +fight in you than that." +</P> + +<P> +Frank spoke in a confident tone, as if he did not doubt Hodge's ability +to conquer the habit, and Bart gave him a grateful look. +</P> + +<P> +All at once, Bart jumped up and opened the window, out of which he +fiercely flung the half-smoked cigarette. +</P> + +<P> +"If I hadn't been a fool by nature, I'd never lighted the thing!" he +cried, in supreme self-contempt. "Your confidence in me, old man, has +given me confidence in myself. This settles it! I am done with +cigarettes forever. You'll never again discover me with one in my +lips!" +</P> + +<P> +Bart had meant to keep his pledge in the first place, but Frank's +failure to reproach him for falling, and Frank's confidence in his +ability to stop smoking gave him the needed confidence in +himself—filled him with a determination not to be defeated. And from +that hour he never again smoked a cigarette. +</P> + +<P> +"Now we're all right again," said Merriwell, heartily, as Bart came +back from the window. "Sit down while I relate a very interesting tale +to you." +</P> + +<P> +Bart sat down, and Frank told what he had seen and heard through +following Snell. +</P> + +<P> +"That sneak makes me sick!" cried Hodge, fiercely. "I'd like to get +another chance at him! Why, he's the biggest sneak in this school!" +</P> + +<P> +"That's right." +</P> + +<P> +"Gage couldn't hold a candle to Snell." +</P> + +<P> +"Gage was bolder; Snell is a bigger sneak." +</P> + +<P> +"That's about the size of it. What are you going to do with the +fellow?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think it would be well to catch him in company with the man in black +when they meet to-morrow night." +</P> + +<P> +Bart slapped his thigh. +</P> + +<P> +"Just the scheme! But who's going to do the catching?" +</P> + +<P> +"It would be a good plan to have an officer from the village on hand +for that job." +</P> + +<P> +"Good! You can swear out a warrant for the man for felonious assault, +attempted highway robbery, or something of the sort, and have him sent +where he won't trouble you again for some little time." +</P> + +<P> +"That's what I thought." +</P> + +<P> +"It seems the only way to get rid of him, and he is mighty dangerous." +</P> + +<P> +"He is desperate." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; he means to have that ring anyway. I'll find a way to-morrow to +draw those lines on paper. I don't care if that man does say the ring +is of no particular value, I know better. If the lines are taken off, +you will stand a show of finding out what they mean." +</P> + +<P> +Frank was eager to have an enlarged copy of the lines made, for he felt +that he could never be sure that he would not lose the ring, even +though the mysterious man in black should be disposed of effectually. +</P> + +<P> +"Snell is determined to get himself into serious trouble," said Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, money will hire him to do any mean, sneaking thing!" came +scornfully from Bart's lips. +</P> + +<P> +"If he is caught with this scoundrel in black to-morrow night, he will +be under a cloud here." +</P> + +<P> +"He is under a cloud now. Twenty fellows saw me knock him down, and +they'll never give him any rest till he sends me a challenge." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I don't fancy he will send you a challenge." +</P> + +<P> +"Then his life will be made wretched while he remains at Fardale +Academy." +</P> + +<P> +"He has brought it on himself." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course. A fellow can't be a sneak and have the respect of anybody +who is decent. I found that out long ago." +</P> + +<P> +The following forenoon Bart obtained permission to use the microscope +long enough to make a drawing of the lines on the stone set in the +mysterious ring. +</P> + +<P> +Before going to recitation, Frank surrendered the ring to Bart, who +hesitated about taking it. +</P> + +<P> +"What if I should lose it?" he said. +</P> + +<P> +"You can't," smiled Frank. "There is no danger of that." +</P> + +<P> +"Still, I rather wish you were coming along." +</P> + +<P> +"I can't do that without getting dismissed from recitation, and that +isn't possible." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I will do the job quickly, and I'll have it finished by the time +your class is through reciting." +</P> + +<P> +So they parted, and, with the precious ring in his possession, Hodge +hurried to the room where the microscope was kept, having provided +himself with the necessary materials for making the drawing. +</P> + +<P> +He lost no time in getting to work, and he made rapid progress. As the +drawing developed, he grew excited and enthusiastic, for he plainly saw +it must be a map of some wild bit of country. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll bet the man who can read this correctly and knows where this +country is located, can go straight to a fortune!" muttered the lad. +"But I do not see how it is going to benefit anybody who does not know +what section of the country this map represents." +</P> + +<P> +It was a warm spring day, and Bart had opened a window near the table +at which he was working. A pleasant breeze was stirring. +</P> + +<P> +Although he took care to be quite accurate, it did not take the lad +long to complete the drawing. +</P> + +<P> +He was examining it carefully to make sure he had omitted nothing and +had made no errors, when a strong wind sucked through the building, +swinging open the door of the room. +</P> + +<P> +He rose hastily to close the door, when another breath of wind set the +paper on which he had been drawing fluttering across the table. He +sprang to catch it, but it avoided his fingers and fluttered out of the +window. Thrusting his head forth, he saw it sail away and settle +slowly at the foot of one of the great trees amid which the academy +buildings stood. +</P> + +<P> +Out of the room darted Bart, and down the stairs he bounded. He was +soon outside, and, recovering the paper, which he readily found, he +hastened back. +</P> + +<P> +"Great Scott!" he muttered. "I left that ring under the microscope!" +</P> + +<P> +The thought that he had allowed the ring to escape his sight for a +moment filled him with anxiety. +</P> + +<P> +What if he should not find it where he had left it a few moments before? +</P> + +<P> +A cold sweat started out on his face, and he literally tore up the +stairs and rushed headlong into the experimenting room, the door of +which he had left open. +</P> + +<P> +And then, when he looked for the mysterious ring, he found it had +vanished! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap35"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +MORE DANGER. +</H3> + + +<P> +"Gone!" +</P> + +<P> +Bart staggered as if he had been struck a heavy blow, and his face grew +ghastly pale, while his eyes stared at the spot where he had last seen +the ring. +</P> + +<P> +It was truly gone. In some surprising manner it had disappeared from +the room while he was in pursuit of the paper, astonishing though such +a thing seemed. +</P> + +<P> +For a few moments Hodge was quite overcome by this discovery. He sank +weakly into a chair, wringing his hands and breathing hoarsely. +</P> + +<P> +How had it happened? +</P> + +<P> +It did not take Bart long to decide that some one must have slipped +into the room and stolen the ring while he was after the drawing. +</P> + +<P> +In that case, whoever committed the theft must have been watching for +an opportunity, knowing that he had the ring. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge quickly recovered from his stupefied condition, and dashed out +into the corridor to look for the miscreant. +</P> + +<P> +"It must have been Snell," was his decision. "I will look for the +sneak." +</P> + +<P> +Straight to Snell's room he rushed, but Snell's roommate, who was +studying, declared Wat had not been there in the past hour. +</P> + +<P> +This put Bart at sea for a moment. Where could he find Snell? +</P> + +<P> +Looking at the recitation board, he saw that Snell should appear in the +recitation room in a very few minutes. +</P> + +<P> +He could not be confronted there. What plan of action could be devised? +</P> + +<P> +He did not wish to give Snell time enough to conceal the ring. If the +fellow could be caught with it still in his possession, it might be +possible to make him disgorge. +</P> + +<P> +It was time for Frank to return from recitation. The thought of facing +Merriwell with the confession that the ring was gone made Bart's knees +weak; but he decided that that was the proper course to pursue, and so +he hurried to their room. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had just got in, and, by the look on Hodge's face, he instantly +saw that something of an alarming nature had happened. +</P> + +<P> +"The ring!" he cried. "Where is it?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think Wat Snell has it," came huskily from Bart's lips. +</P> + +<P> +With one bound, Merriwell caught his companion by both shoulders, +staring straight into his face. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you, also, turned? No! no!" he quickly went on. "I do not think +that of you, Bart! You are still true!" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I didn't go back on you," said Hodge, thickly; "but I was guilty +of criminal carelessness." +</P> + +<P> +"How did it happen? Tell me quick!" +</P> + +<P> +Bart did so, speaking swiftly, so that no more moments were wasted. +</P> + +<P> +"It is probable that Snell has it," said Frank. "He must be +apprehended without delay. Come." +</P> + +<P> +He took the lead, and Bart followed at his heels. +</P> + +<P> +But they were not to confront Wat Snell at the door of the recitation +room, as Merriwell hoped, for they were not long in learning that the +fellow had lately obtained a pass and left the grounds. According to +Snell, his uncle was to pass through Fardale village on the noon train, +and Wat's presence was desired at the station. +</P> + +<P> +Of course both Frank and Bart immediately decided that this excuse had +been used to enable him to reach the village and deliver the stolen +ring to the man in black. +</P> + +<P> +For all of their desire to pursue Snell hotly, they were unable to +leave without permission, and so valuable time was lost. At length, +however, they were on the highway, running side by side toward the +village. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had seemed cool and clear-headed, but, not knowing that Bart had +fully completed the drawing of the lines on the black stone, in his +heart he was feeling very desperate indeed. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge had grown thoroughly angry, and Snell was likely to get hurt when +Bart placed hands upon him. +</P> + +<P> +The boys were good runners, and they covered the distance between the +academy and Fardale village in a very short time. +</P> + +<P> +Once within the village, they began inquiring for Snell, and it was not +long before they discovered people who had seen him. To the post +office they went, and then they were told that a boy answering Snell's +description had been seen going toward the railway station. +</P> + +<P> +"It would be a corker if the fellow had really come to see his uncle!" +said Bart. +</P> + +<P> +"I do not take any stock in that now," declared Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Nor I; but I don't understand why he is making so many twists and +turns since reaching the village. If he has the ring, why didn't he +take it straight to the man in black?" +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps he knows as little about where to find that individual as we +do." +</P> + +<P> +"Possibly." +</P> + +<P> +They came in sight of the station, about which were several carriages, +while a few people were seen on the platform, waiting for the midday +train. +</P> + +<P> +Reaching the station, they came sharply round the first corner, and +found themselves face to face with Wat Snell and the man in black. +</P> + +<P> +At that very instant Snell accepted some money and surrendered +something to the stranger. +</P> + +<P> +Frank's keen eyes saw that the something was the stolen ring. +</P> + +<P> +With a cry, he leaped forward, flinging Snell aside, and grasping the +man. +</P> + +<P> +"Give me that ring!" +</P> + +<P> +A fierce exclamation of fury broke from the stranger's lips, and he +swiftly thrust the ring into his pocket. +</P> + +<P> +"Hands off, boy!" he hoarsely commanded. "Hands off, or you will get +hurt!" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll never take my hands off you till you give up that ring, you +scoundrel!" +</P> + +<P> +The man having encountered Frank before, well knew that the boy +possessed remarkable strength, which would not make it an easy thing to +shake him off. +</P> + +<P> +"Let go!" he hissed. +</P> + +<P> +"I will not!" +</P> + +<P> +"Then take that!" +</P> + +<P> +Something bright and gleaming, like the blade of a knife, flashed in +the man's hand. He struck, and with a cry, Frank, fell heavily to the +platform! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap36"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXVI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE SECRET OF THE RING. +</H3> + + +<P> +Astonished and horrified though he was, Bart Hodge realized that Frank +had been stabbed. At that moment, with the lack of resolution that was +characteristic of him on occasions of peril, and not through fear, he +stood quite still and did nothing. +</P> + +<P> +Without a shout or a sound, the man in black leaped toward the end of +the station, where a saddled and bridled horse was hitched to a post. +</P> + +<P> +One slash of the knife set the horse free, and the desperate man leaped +to the creature's back, riding rapidly away. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had swiftly risen to his feet, and several persons, who had +witnessed the blow, crowded anxiously around him, asking how badly he +was hurt. +</P> + +<P> +"It's nothing but a scratch in the shoulder, for I saw it coming, and +dodged. Don't mind me. Don't let that man get away!" +</P> + +<P> +"He won't get very fur on that hoss," said the owner of the animal. +"She's lame in her off hind foot, an' she'll tarnal soon give out if he +pushes her like that." +</P> + +<P> +"Still he will get away if he is not immediately pursued. Come—who'll +follow?" +</P> + +<P> +"Into this carriage, boy!" cried a man. "I have a little horse here +that will give him a hot chase. Come on!" +</P> + +<P> +"I am the constable," said another man, with great dignity. "I'll +foller as soon as I can get a boss saddled." +</P> + +<P> +Realizing that the boy was not seriously hurt, half of those who had +been lingering about the station made a rush to join in the pursuit of +the murderous stranger. All kinds of teams were pressed into use, and +the road was soon filled with a string of pursuers. +</P> + +<P> +Looking back anxiously, the man in black saw them coming, and he grated +his teeth fiercely, for he had already discovered that the horse he had +appropriated was seriously lamed. +</P> + +<P> +"Let 'em come!" he cried. "I'll not be taken easily! I have the key +to a fortune in my pocket, and I will escape with it, if it is in me to +do so!" +</P> + +<P> +Ruthlessly and cruelly he pricked the lame mare with the keen point of +the knife, which he still held in his hand, and a trail of dust rose +behind him. +</P> + +<P> +Out of the village and into the country the lame horse bore the +fugitive. Not far from Fardale was a big stone quarry, and, by chance, +the man had selected the road which skirted the jagged hole in the +ground. +</P> + +<P> +His pursuers were gaining on him, and he continued to use the knife +mercilessly as the horse bore him along the road past the quarry. +</P> + +<P> +Of a sudden a large dog bounded into the road in front of the man in +black, and the horse which the man bestrode gave a snort and whirled +sideways, coming with a crash against the rail which ran along by the +roadside. +</P> + +<P> +At that point the rail was somewhat rotten, and a shriek of horror +broke from the man's lips as he saw it break. He made one desperate +effort to spring from the saddle and escape going down into the quarry +with the horse, but the pursuers were dismayed to see man and beast +disappear into the yawning hole. +</P> + +<P> +"He won't get away to-day, my boy," said the man in the foremost +carriage, at whose side was Frank. "We'll find him down at the bottom +of the quarry, dead as a flounder." +</P> + +<P> +Finding a place to hitch the horse at the side of the road, the man did +so, and they went forward together, while the other pursuers kept +coming up. +</P> + +<P> +Reaching the point where the man and horse had fallen into the quarry, +they looked down. +</P> + +<P> +Amid the jagged rocks far below were two motionless forms. +</P> + +<P> +"Come," said the man; "we'll go down there by the regular road." +</P> + +<P> +They passed round the quarry till they found a road that wound downward +till it reached the bottom. By this road they descended, with scores +of others at their heels. +</P> + +<P> +When they came to the man and the horse, great was their astonishment +to hear the man moaning and to see him open his eyes and look at them. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, the critter an't dead yet!" exclaimed the constable. "I think +it's my sollum duty to arrest him on the spot." +</P> + +<P> +Frank quickly knelt by the side of the mysterious man, who faintly +whispered: +</P> + +<P> +"So I didn't kill you, boy. Well, I have crimes enough to answer for. +The ring is here in my vest pocket. Take it. It will never do me any +good now." +</P> + +<P> +Frank quickly extracted the ring from the man's pocket, and slipped it +upon his finger. +</P> + +<P> +"I am dying," murmured the man. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps not. We'll have you taken back to town, and see what a doctor +can do for you." +</P> + +<P> +"No use; I wouldn't live to get there. My time has come. The hidden +mine will never reveal its riches to me." +</P> + +<P> +"He is really dying," whispered some one in Frank's ear. "He will not +live ten minutes. The wonder is that he is alive at all." +</P> + +<P> +"Who are you? and what is the mystery connected with this ring?" +hurriedly asked the boy. +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind my name," came faintly from the lips of the dying man. "It +would do you no good to know it. I have lived a wild life—a wicked +life. This is the end! Fate brought me to Fardale—fate showed me the +ring that bore the chart to the lost mine." +</P> + +<P> +The man stopped and closed his eyes, while the ghastly pallor spread +over his face. +</P> + +<P> +A hand held a bottle of liquor to his lips, and he swallowed a few +drops, which gave him a few more moments of life. Again his eyes +unclosed. +</P> + +<P> +"Once I committed murder for that ring," he whispered. "I killed the +Mexican who possessed it. It was a crazy hermit who cut that map on +the stone. He discovered one of the richest mines in Arizona, and a +fantasy of his deranged brain led him to cut the chart upon the stone, +for he cared nothing for the gold himself. When he died, he gave the +ring to a Mexican who attended him in his last moments, telling him its +secret. In Tombstone the Mexican got drunk and boasted of his riches, +showing the ring. That night I killed the greaser, and obtained the +ring. I had a partner, and he stole the ring from me. How he came to +part with it, and how it fell into the hands of your father, boy, is +something I do not know." +</P> + +<P> +He was exhausted, and his voice sunk till Frank could not catch the +words. Then he lay still, short breaths fluttering his lips. +</P> + +<P> +Frank feared the man would not rally again, but he did, and the boy +panted: +</P> + +<P> +"Tell me where this mine is located. What part of Arizona does the +chart represent?" +</P> + +<P> +With a last great effort, the dying man whispered: +</P> + +<P> +"Northwest from Tombstone—lies the—Santa—Catarina—mountains. +There—there—is——" +</P> + +<P> +His eyes grew glassy—the last faint breath fluttered over his +lips—the man of mystery was dead. +</P> + +<BR> +<HR WIDTH="60%" ALIGN="center"> +<BR> + +<P> +The man in black was buried in the cemetery just outside Fardale +village, and the small stone which Frank Merriwell caused to be placed +at the head of his grave bears the word "Unknown." +</P> + +<P> +The man had died just as his lips were about to reveal the location of +the country depicted by the chart cut on the black stone of the ring +that had caused so much trouble. He had mentioned the Santa Catarina +mountains, but he had not told what part of the large range the chart +depicted. +</P> + +<P> +"If he had lived thirty seconds longer, I should have learned his +secret—should have known how to reach the lost mine by aid of the +chart. Now——" +</P> + +<P> +"You may be able to reach the mine after all," said Bart, +encouragingly. "You have the ring, and you know its value. When you +leave school, you may go West and search for your mine, for it +certainly belongs to you now. You may find somebody in the Santa +Catarina region that will recognize this portion of the country +depicted here." +</P> + +<P> +"Long before that the mine may be found by some one else." +</P> + +<P> +"It is possible, but hardly probable. If it were so easy to find, that +man would not have made such desperate attempts to obtain possession of +the ring." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I am not going to kick. I have the ring, and his knife did not +end my life, as it would if I had not dodged. He slit open my sleeve +from the shoulder to the elbow, and brought the blood." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you're a lucky dog," laughed Bart. "You are sure to come out on +top every time." +</P> + +<P> +Wat Snell found it convenient to take a vacation, but he returned to +the academy later, although he found himself regarded with scorn by all +save a certain few of his own sort. +</P> + +<P> +Had Frank seen fit, he could have had Wat expelled; but it seemed that, +if the fellow had any sense of shame, the way he was treated by the +other cadets was quite punishment enough. +</P> + +<P> +Sometimes Frank and Bart would get out the drawing the latter boy had +made from the lines on the ring, and they would study over it a long +time, but they always found it baffling, and they finally gave up in +despair. +</P> + +<P> +Still Frank clung to both ring and chart, hoping they would some day +prove valuable to him. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap37"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXVII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"BABY." +</H3> + + +<P> +A year had passed since Frank entered Fardale Military Academy—a year +crowded with events and adventures such as made its memory both +pleasant and painful. +</P> + +<P> +The time of the June encampment had again arrived. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was no longer a plebe, and the glistening chevrons on his sleeves +told that the first year in the academy had not been wasted. He was +now Cadet Corporal Merriwell. +</P> + +<P> +The graduates had departed, and the furlough men were away at their +homes. +</P> + +<P> +A new squad of plebes had been admitted to the school, and the +yearlings, mad with joy at being released from plebedom themselves, +were trying every scheme their fertile brains could devise for making +miserable the lives of their successors. +</P> + +<P> +During the first two weeks that the plebes had been in the academy the +opportunities for hazing them had been few; but immediately on getting +into camp the mischievous lads who had suffered the year before, not a +few of whom had sworn that nothing in the wide world—nothing, nothing, +nothing!—could tempt them to molest a fourth-class man, lost no time +in "getting after" the "new stiffs," as the plebes were sometimes +called at Fardale. +</P> + +<P> +The yearlings were eager to find fags among the plebes, and they +generally succeeded in inducing the new boys to bring buckets of water, +sweep the tent floors, make beds, clean up, and do all sorts of work +which the older cadets should have done themselves and were supposed to +do. +</P> + +<P> +While the penalty for exacting the performance of any menial or +degrading task, as well as for hazing, was court-martial and possible +dismissal, the yearling generally succeeded in getting the work done +without giving orders or making demands, so the plebes could not say +they had been coerced into doing those things against their will. +</P> + +<P> +Each yearling sought to have a particular fag to attend to him and his +wishes, and no cadet could demand service of another fellow's fag +without danger of bringing about trouble. +</P> + +<P> +At first, Frank had resolved to astonish his companions by attending to +his own duties entirely by himself, and having no fag; but it was +shortly after the new boys came to Fardale that he saw something that +made him change his mind. +</P> + +<P> +Among the plebes was a rather timid-looking, red-cheeked lad, who +seemed even further out of his element than did his awkward companions. +He was shy and retiring, blushed easily, and, at times, had trouble in +finding his voice. +</P> + +<P> +Such a fellow was certain to attract attention at any school, and he +was soon singled out as a particular object for chaffing by the +yearlings. +</P> + +<P> +He blushed to the roots of his hair on being called "Baby," "Mamma's +Boy," "Little Tootsy-Wootsy," and other names of the sort applied to +him by the cadets. +</P> + +<P> +His real name was Fred Davis, and of the nicknames given him Baby +seemed to stick the best, so it was not long before he came to be known +by that almost altogether, the officers and instructors being the only +ones who did not use it in addressing him. +</P> + +<P> +At the outset Fred was unfortunate in being singled out for guying by +Hugh Bascomb, who was a bully by nature, and whose ideas of fun were +likely to be of a vicious order. +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb saw he could plague Davis, and he kept at the little fellow, +piling it on unmercifully. In fact, he seemed to take a strong dislike +to the boy with the pink cheeks, whom he derisively designated as "the +dolly boy," and he lost no opportunity to humiliate Davis. +</P> + +<P> +It happened that, on a certain occasion, Bascomb desired that Fred +should lie for him, but, to his surprise, the timid plebe absolutely +and firmly declined to lie. +</P> + +<P> +"I—I can't do it, sir," stammered the little fellow. "I'd do it if I +could, but I can't." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not, pray?" fiercely demanded Bascomb, towering above the +shrinking lad and scowling blackly. "That's what I want to know—why +not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because I promised mother I would not lie, and she—she has confidence +in me." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, she—she has!" mocked Bascomb. "You make me sick—you do! I +never took any stock in mamma boys. Now you're going to do as I want +you to, or I'll make it hot for you." +</P> + +<P> +"I shall not lie, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"All right; wait till you get into camp. Oh, we won't do a thing to +you!" +</P> + +<P> +From that time Bascomb did his best to set his companions against +Davis, a fact which Frank soon noted. +</P> + +<P> +Knowing that Bascomb was at heart a bully, Frank immediately saw that +Davis would have a hard life during his first months in the academy. +</P> + +<P> +Frank's sympathy went out to the little fellow, who had been so +tenderly reared that he knew very little of the harsh ways of the world +outside his own home. He resolved that the little plebe should be +given a fair show. +</P> + +<P> +Somehow Frank divined that Bascomb intended to secure Davis for his +fag, and he resolved to balk the bully in this. So it came about that, +on the day that the plebes marched into camp, with their bundles under +their arms, Merriwell found an opportunity to take Davis into his tent +and instruct him in cleaning shoes and setting things to order. +</P> + +<P> +Fred attended to these things cheerfully, never dreaming that they were +not a part of his regular duties. When he had finished, Merriwell said: +</P> + +<P> +"That is very satisfactory, Mr. Davis. Immediately after tattoo you +may come round and be shown how to make up beds. In the meantime, if +any one else should require you to perform service of a similar nature +in any tent other than your own, you may inform them that you have +already received instructions from me, and that the state of your +health will prevent you from doing too much labor of the kind. Do you +understand?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think so, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Very good. You may go." +</P> + +<P> +Frank's duties kept him very busy during the most of the day. He had +little time to look after Davis, and he scarcely gave his fag a thought +till after supper, when the dusk of evening was settling over the cove, +and the "plebe hotels" had been surrounded at various points by +mischievous yearlings. Then he took a fancy to stroll around and see +how Baby was getting along. +</P> + +<P> +On his way down the street he passed the tent occupied by Bascomb. He +might have walked on, but the low, fierce voice of the big cadet caught +his ear, and he distinctly heard these words: +</P> + +<P> +"What's that? You refuse to bring water for me? Have done this kind +of work already for Merriwell? So Corporal Merriwell has been +compelling a plebe to perform menial services? Well, that might cost +him those pretty stripes on his sleeves! What do I care for him! I +want you to bring that water, and you will bring it." +</P> + +<P> +"But he told me not to do work of this kind for anybody else but +myself," came the faltering voice of Fred Davis. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, he did? Well, that's interesting! I suppose by that he means to +lay claim to you. I wonder what Lieutenant Gordan would say if he knew +what one of his particular pets has been up to! We'll see who is best +man in this affair. Bring that water!" +</P> + +<P> +"I—I don't want to, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it doesn't make any difference about that; you'll bring it, +whether you want to or not. If you don't, I will——" +</P> + +<P> +"What will you do in that case, Bascomb?" quietly asked Frank, as he +stepped lightly and quickly into the tent, and confronted the big +cadet, who was towering over Fred Davis in a threatening attitude. +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb recoiled, with a muttered exclamation of dismay. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap38"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXVIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +SPORT WITH A PLEBE. +</H3> + + +<P> +"Merriwell——!" +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb's face showed he was little pleased by the appearance of Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"I believe you were about to tell Mr. Davis what you would do in case +he declined to bring a bucket of water for you, sir," said the yearling +with chevrons. "Pray, proceed!" +</P> + +<P> +"This—this is an intrusion!" grated Bascomb. +</P> + +<P> +"Really so?" And Frank's eyebrows were uplifted in mock surprise. "I +presumed I would be welcome to the tent of a classmate." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you are not welcome here," growled the big fellow. +</P> + +<P> +"What are you going to do about it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing. If you haven't the instincts of a gentleman——" +</P> + +<P> +Frank interrupted with a laugh. +</P> + +<P> +"Really that sounds fine from your lips, Mr. Bascomb!" he exclaimed. +"You were trying to intimidate one smaller and weaker than yourself a +moment ago, and yet you have the nerve to talk of gentlemanly +instincts. You seem to be venturing on unfamiliar grounds, sir." +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb glared. He longed to punch Merriwell's head, but he felt that +Frank was anxious for him to attempt a move of the sort. +</P> + +<P> +"You're a nice chap to talk of intimidation when you have already +forced Baby to fag for you!" he cried, hotly. +</P> + +<P> +"I think Mr. Davis will attest that I neither forced him nor asked him +to perform any task for me. I simply gave him a few instructions that +were sure to be of material benefit to him. But I heard you demanding +service, and seeking to compel it with threats. You know what the +penalty is for such conduct." +</P> + +<P> +"And I suppose you are just the kind of a fellow to blow. All right; +go ahead." +</P> + +<P> +"I scarcely like your tone or your language, Mr. Bascomb; but I am not +going to pick it up here and now. However, you have accused me of +making Mr. Davis a fag. I presume you know there is a rule in this +school that no man has a right to demand service of another man's fag? +Knowing this, you tried to make Mr. Davis perform your duties about the +tent. Weren't you treading on rather dangerous ground, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb looked at the floor, and muttered something. +</P> + +<P> +"You may not have realized what you were doing," Merriwell went on. +"In which case, you are pardonable to a certain degree. But I warn you +to let nothing of this kind occur again, or you will have the entire +camp down on you." +</P> + +<P> +"I know what you mean," grated Bascomb. +</P> + +<P> +"I am very glad you do," came coolly from Frank's lips. "I hoped to +make my meaning plain. And I have something more to say. Since the +arrival of the new boys, you have seemed to single Mr. Davis out as an +especial object for ridicule and torment. I don't know that you have +done so because Mr. Davis is small and scarcely a match for you, but it +looks that way. Now, Bascomb, if I were in your place, I would let up. +If you persist, you are bound to get yourself into serious trouble. I +am going to see that Davis has a fair show, and the fellow who crowds +him too hard will have some difficulty with me." +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb forced a mocking laugh. +</P> + +<P> +"You seem to fancy you can set yourself up against the whole +battalion," he sneered. "I don't believe any plebe ever got through +this school without taking his medicine, and I scarcely think you will +be able to pull this one through that way. The fellows are not very +fond of pets." +</P> + +<P> +"That's all right. The only thing I ask of you is that you let Davis +alone." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps I will, and perhaps I won't." +</P> + +<P> +"You will if you know what is good for you." +</P> + +<P> +Again the big fellow glared through the gathering darkness, but Frank +met the gaze squarely, and Bascomb's eyes dropped. +</P> + +<P> +"That's all I have to say," came quietly from Frank. "You may go now, +Mr. Davis. Don't forget you are to receive instructions in making beds +after you answer to your name at tattoo." +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir, I will not forget," said the little plebe, and, making a +salute, he hurried away, glad to escape from Bascomb's clutches. +</P> + +<P> +Frank stood looking straight at his big classmate, who made a pretense +of disregarding him. +</P> + +<P> +"You should take warning by what has happened to several of your +particular friends, Bascomb," he finally said. "Harkins resigned to +escape court-martial and dismissal; Gage deserted and ran away, and +Snell has become the most unpopular fellow in the academy, and all +because——" +</P> + +<P> +"All because they ran against you!" snarled Bascomb, madly. "You have +had the greatest luck of any fellow I ever saw; but there is a turning +point somewhere. You never miss an opportunity to jump on a fellow, +and——" +</P> + +<P> +"Now, you are making a statement that you know is absolutely false, +sir!" exclaimed Merriwell. "I have never crowded any fellow, and I +have never lost an opportunity to cover as far as possible and +honorable any wrongdoing a fellow cadet may have been led into. You +may not know that I could have caused Snell's expulsion in disgrace if +I had wished, but it is true." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you are very generous—exceedingly magnanimous! All the matter +is, people don't know it." +</P> + +<P> +"You are at liberty to think what you like about it. I have warned +you, and you will do well to heed my warning. That is all I have to +say." +</P> + +<P> +Frank left the tent, and continued on his way. +</P> + +<P> +Crowds of cadets gathered here and there near certain "plebe hotels" +told where the yearlings were enjoying sport at the expense of the new +boys. +</P> + +<P> +As Frank came near to the first collection, the familiar voice of his +former tentmate, Hans Dunnerwust, attracted his attention. +</P> + +<P> +Forcing his way toward the center of the laughing throng, he found Hans +catechising a tall, lank country boy named Ephraim Gallup, who was +repeatedly forced to explain that he was "from Varmont, by gum," which +expression seemed to delight the listening lads more and more with each +repetition. +</P> + +<P> +"Vere vos dot Varmont, sir?" demanded Hans, with a great show of +dignity. "Vos it a cidy alretty yet, or vos it a village?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yer gol dern ignerent critter—— Er—er—excuse me, sir! I +fergot whut I wuz sayin', dam my skin ef I didn't! Varmont is a State, +an' one of ther smartest gol derned States in ther Union, by gum!" +</P> + +<P> +"Vos dot so? I subbose you exbect dot Varmont vos peen large enough to +be a cidy britty soon, ain'd id?" +</P> + +<P> +"Wal, gol blame my eyes! Don't you know ther difference betwixt a +State an' a city? Ef ye don't, I think you'd best go studdy yer +jografry some more." +</P> + +<P> +"Don'd ged so oxcited, sir," cautioned the Dutch boy, with a wave of +one pudgy hand. "Id don'd peen goot your health for. Vos dot Varmont +a broductive Sdate?" +</P> + +<P> +"Productive! Wal, you bet yer last dollar! We kin raise more grass to +ther square acre——" +</P> + +<P> +"Vell, how apout hayseeds? You raise dose ub there py der quandity, I +pelief me?" +</P> + +<P> +"What makes ye think so?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because your hair vos full of id." +</P> + +<P> +"What's that? what's that?" cried Ephraim, in astonishment, quickly +removing his cap and clawing through his hair with his fingers. +"Hayseed in my hair? Darned if I believe it!" +</P> + +<P> +The boys roared, and the face of the country lad grew crimson. +</P> + +<P> +"You're havin' a gol derned pile of fun with me," he said, sheepishly. +"Wal, sail right in an' have it. I kin stand it." +</P> + +<P> +"Begobs! it's nivver a bit roight at all, at all," said a boy with a +rich Irish brogue, and Barney Mulloy pushed his Dutch friend aside. +"Av it's a soldier yure goin' to be, me b'y, it's instructions in +military tictacks you nade. Now, sur, in case ye wur on guarrud at +noight, an' should foind yure post invaded by the simultaneous +appearance av the commandant an' corporal av th' guarrud on th' roight, +the gineral-in-chafe an' staff on th' left, an' a rigimint av +red-headed girrulls behindt yez, all wearin' bloomers an' arrumed to +th' tathe wid corrun-brooms an' feather-dusthers, which would yez +advance firrust wid th' countysoign?" +</P> + +<P> +This sort of a question, put to a plebe with all sorts of twists and +variations, was time-honored at Fardale, whither it had come from West +Point, where plebes are puzzled with some variation of it year after +year. +</P> + +<P> +The country boy grinned a bit, and, still with his little fingers +touching the seams of his trousers and the palms of his hands turned to +the front, lifted his left foot and scratched his right shin with his +heel, till a sharp rap on the ankle brought the foot down to the ground +again, and caused him to brace up stiffly, drawling: +</P> + +<P> +"Gol darned if I wouldn't be so scat I'd surrender on ther spot ter +ther red-headed gals in bloomers." +</P> + +<P> +These words do not look very humorous in print, but they sounded +comical as they came from the mouth of that raw countryman, and the +crowd roared with laughter again. +</P> + +<P> +"Be me soul!" exclaimed Barney. "It's yersilf thot knows a hape more +thin Oi thought yez did. Ye show yer good judgmint in surrunderin' to +th' girruls, fer wan av thim alone wud capture yez av she set out to, +an' ould Nick take th' countysoign—she wudn't nade it!" +</P> + +<P> +Next the country lad was invited to sing, "to develop his vocal organs." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, say!" he awkwardly grinned. "I can't sing—I really can't, by +gum!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you vos too modest alretty yet," declared Hans. "You peen goin' +to ged ofer dot britty soon pime-by." +</P> + +<P> +"But I hain't got no voice, an' I can't sing a tune no more than a mule +kin." +</P> + +<P> +"Me b'y," said Barney, "Oi admire yer modesty, but ye'll foind it +necessary to sing fer th' intertainmint av Ould Gunn an' under +professors av ye stay in th' academy, so ye moight as well begin now." +</P> + +<P> +"You'll laff." +</P> + +<P> +"Nivver moind that." +</P> + +<P> +"It will sp'ile me so I can't sing. If I couldn't see ye laff I might +do——" +</P> + +<P> +"Dot vos all righdt," declared Hans. "You bet my life we been aple to +feex dot britty soon right avay queek. Shust gif me your bocket +handerkerchief." +</P> + +<P> +"Whut you want of it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nefer you mindt dot. Shust gif me to id." +</P> + +<P> +The country boy produced the handkerchief, and Hans quickly folded it +in a thick strip about three inches wide. +</P> + +<P> +"Now I feex id britty shlick so you don'd see us laugh oudt loudt," he +said, as he quickly tied the handkerchief over the boy's eyes, while +several of the others made Ephraim submit and stand with his little +fingers still glued to the seams of his trousers. +</P> + +<P> +In a few seconds the boy from Vermont was securely blindfolded. +</P> + +<P> +"Now you sing dot song," commanded Hans. +</P> + +<P> +"Whut shell I sing?" +</P> + +<P> +"'Yankee Doodle,' begobs!" cried Barney. "It's patriotic songs Ould +Gunn admoires." +</P> + +<P> +"I can't git the tune," said Ephraim, "an' I don't know the words of +only jest one varse." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, sing pwhat yez know, an' kape repeating it over an' over till +yez are told to stop." +</P> + +<P> +"Dot vos der stuff. Let her go, Gallup!" +</P> + +<P> +So the country lad opened his mouth and began to sing in a droning, +drawling way: +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"Yankee Dewdle came ter taown<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">'Long with Cap'n Goodwill,</SPAN><BR> +An' there he saw the boys an' gals<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">As thick ez hasty poodin'."</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +"Louder!" commanded several voices. +</P> + +<P> +So Ephraim repeated the stanza, singing still louder. +</P> + +<P> +"Dot vos petter," complimented Hans; "bud id don'd peen loudt enough to +blease Lieudenant Cordan." +</P> + +<P> +"Louder! louder!" ordered the yearlings. "Open your mouth and let the +sound out. You can never expect to sing if you pen the words up in +such a cavern as that." +</P> + +<P> +This time Ephraim shouted the words at the tops of his lungs, and he +was complimented on all sides, while Barney Mulloy hastily said: +</P> + +<P> +"Kape roight at it, an' kape on singing till ye're towld t' stop by me. +Ye know my voice, an' don't ye moind another thot spakes to yez. Av he +kapes bothering av ye, tell him to let ye alone, ur you'll kick th' +back-strap av his trousers clane out through th' top av his head. +Oi'll shtand by yez. Now, let her go again, an' kape at it." +</P> + +<P> +The country boy began once more, and this time he bellowed the words so +they could be heard for a mile. +</P> + +<P> +The grinning yearlings lost no time in slipping quietly away from that +locality, and taking positions at a distance, where they could watch +what followed. +</P> + +<P> +All alone in the street in front of his tent stood the blindfolded +plebe, bellowing the words at the full capacity of his voice, and +repeating them over and over. +</P> + +<P> +In a very few seconds Lieutenant Gordan, the regular army officer at +the academy, came marching briskly down the street in the dusk, his +face so red that it almost seemed to glow like a light. Stopping short +in front of the lone plebe, he called: +</P> + +<P> +"Sir!" +</P> + +<P> +Ephraim kept on with +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"An' there he saw the boys an' gals<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Ez thick ez hasty poodin'."</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +"Sir!" came sharply from the lieutenant. +</P> + +<P> +Ephraim began the stanza over again, roaring it louder than before, if +possible: +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"Yankee Dewdle came to taown<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">'Long with Cap'n Goodwin——"</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +"Sir!" cried Lieutenant Gordan. +</P> + +<P> +"Git aout!" snorted the boy from Vermont. "I'm here ter sing, an' I'm +goin' ter fill ther bill, by gum!" +</P> + +<P> +Then he began at the first of the stanza, and howled straight through +it, for all that the lieutenant spoke to him twice. +</P> + +<P> +In the dusky shadows not far away the cadets were convulsed with +laughter they could not suppress. +</P> + +<P> +"Sir!" thundered Lieutenant Gordan, "you are making a fool of yourself!" +</P> + +<P> +"Ef you don't shut up an' stop interruptin' me, I'll be gol darned ef I +don't kick you clean inter the middle uv next week! You ain't ther +feller that sot me ter singin', fer your voice is of a diffrunt color +than his. Naow you keep mum, ur I'll take this handkerchief off my +eyes, spit on my hands, an' sail right into you, by thunder!" +</P> + +<P> +Then Ephraim began once more: +</P> + +<P> +"Yankee Dewdle came to taown<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">'Long with——"</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +The exasperated lieutenant snatched the handkerchief from Ephraim's +eyes, almost bursting with rage. +</P> + +<P> +"If you don't quit this howling, I'll lodge you in the guardhouse!" he +declared. +</P> + +<P> +The boy came near smashing the lieutenant with his fist, and then, +seeing who it was, he gave a gasp and nearly fainted on the spot. +</P> + +<P> +"Where's them fellers?" he murmured, looking around for his tormentors. +"By gum! they've slipped! I've bin fooled!" +</P> + +<P> +After giving him some sharp advice, the lieutenant sent him into his +tent, and departed. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap39"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXXIX. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +AN OPEN INSULT. +</H3> + + +<P> +The spirit of mischief seemed to break loose in the camp that night. A +dozen times were some of the plebes hauled out of bed and slid around +the streets enveloped in their own blankets, ridden on a tentpole, or +an old wheelbarrow, tossed in tent flies, or nearly smothered with +smoke that filled their tents from the burning of some vile-smelling +stuff. +</P> + +<P> +Time after time was the guard turned out to capture the perpetrators of +these tricks, but still alarm followed alarm, and not one of the jokers +was captured. +</P> + +<P> +Every inspection seemed to show the older cadets all in their beds and +sleeping with amazing soundness, considering the racket that was going +on. +</P> + +<P> +Lieutenant Gordan was at his wits' end, for never had there been such +an outbreak in camp since his coming to Fardale, and he began to +believe there was something radically wrong about the system as +enforced at the academy. +</P> + +<P> +The professors were driven from their tents and compelled to take +refuge in the academy in order to get any sleep, and they all felt like +resigning their positions and seeking occupations in other walks of +life. +</P> + +<P> +At West Point such things were once possible, but the introduction of +long rows of gas lamps put an end to it by illuminating the camp so +that the pranks could not be performed without the greatest danger of +detection. +</P> + +<P> +At Fardale the gas lamps were missing, and a dark night during the +first weeks of each yearly encampment was certain to be a wild night. +</P> + +<P> +It happened that Fred Davis had been assigned to guard duty on this +particular night, and, for a long time, none of the disturbances took +place on his post. +</P> + +<P> +At length, however, when things had been quiet for an ominous length of +time, Fred saw three figures coming swiftly toward him through the +darkness. +</P> + +<P> +"Halt!" he commanded, promptly. "Who comes there?" +</P> + +<P> +"The corporal of the guard," was the reply, given in a muffled tone of +voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Advance, corporal of the guard, and give the countersign." +</P> + +<P> +Then followed a suspicious hesitation. Fred fancied he heard a faint +sound in his rear, but, before he could make a move, a blanket was +thrown over his head, and he was hurled to the ground. +</P> + +<P> +He struggled with surprising strength, but he was helpless in the hands +of his assailants. His musket had been torn from his hands, and he +seemed to feel something slitting and tearing his clothing. Once he +was struck or kicked with great violence. +</P> + +<P> +After a few moments of this treatment, Davis managed to get his head +clear of the enfolding blanket and shout for help. His cries produced +another alarm in camp, and his assailants quickly took to flight, +leaving him in a badly battered condition. +</P> + +<P> +Fred got upon his feet, and was standing dazed and bewildered when the +corporal of the guard actually appeared, with the guard at his back. +</P> + +<P> +Lieutenant Gordan, who had been on the alert for another outbreak, +showed up at the same time; but Davis was so bewildered that it was +several moments before he could answer their questions. +</P> + +<P> +It was finally found that he had been robbed of his gun, his belt +slashed, and his uniform cut in half a dozen different places, so it +was quite ruined. +</P> + +<P> +By this time Lieutenant Gordan was thoroughly angry, and he declared he +would give his time and attention during the next week to the discovery +and punishment of the perpetrators of the outrage. +</P> + +<P> +"There is going to be an end to this hazing of sentries," he asserted. +"Somebody shall be made an example of, and we'll see if that will do +any good." +</P> + +<P> +Fred was told to go to his tent and get to bed, and he was only too +glad to do so. +</P> + +<P> +Somehow, in the morning, the report got around that Davis had been +stabbed or cut in the attack upon him. Frank lost no time in +investigating, finding his fag attending to duties about his own tent. +</P> + +<P> +In answer to Merriwell's questions, Fred said he had not been cut in +any way, but his clothing had been mutilated, and he had been robbed of +his gun, cartridge-box and bayonet-scabbard. He showed Frank his +clothing, and the latter was scarcely less indignant than Lieutenant +Gordan had been. +</P> + +<P> +"This is not fun," Merriwell declared. "It is malicious and wanton +brutality, and I fancy I can lay my hands on the fellow who was at the +bottom of it." +</P> + +<P> +The search for Fred's rifle had proved unsuccessful, and so he was +given another from the armory, while a new uniform was ordered for him. +</P> + +<P> +Lieutenant Gordan came around, and questioned the unlucky plebe again +concerning the assault upon him; but it had been too dark for him to +recognize any of his assailants, and the voice of the fellow who had +announced himself as corporal of the guard had been muffled and +disguised. +</P> + +<P> +It now began to appear that the unusual activity during the night had +been for the purpose of drawing the attention to the side of the camp +opposite Davis' post, so that the attack upon him might be carried out +successfully. +</P> + +<P> +The boys found enough to think of and talk about during such +opportunities as were given them. +</P> + +<P> +At dinner the conversation was almost entirely about the tumultuous +events of the night, and, by keeping eyes and ears open, Frank sought +to discover who knew the most concerning those things which had taken +place. +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb seemed in high spirits. Over and over, in a sarcastic way, he +repeated Lieutenant Gordan's assertion that such actions were +outrageous, and must be stopped, appearing very grave as he did so, but +winking slyly to some particular friend. +</P> + +<P> +And Frank noted every fellow to whom Bascomb winked. +</P> + +<P> +The big fellow could not keep his bullying propensities suppressed, and +the sight of Fred Davis seemed to arouse him. Singling out the little +plebe, he took a station at the opposite side of the table, observing: +</P> + +<P> +"It is really too bad anybody should haze a pretty boy like him. Look +at the tender blue in his eyes, and the delicate pink in his cheeks. +Isn't he just too sweet to live! Oh, the fellows won't do a thing to +him here—not a thing!" +</P> + +<P> +Fred paid no attention to Bascomb, although the hot blood rushed to his +face. +</P> + +<P> +The bully continued: +</P> + +<P> +"Before you, gentlemen, masticating his rations, sits a section edition +of the late lamented George Washington. Those who are conversant with +history are aware that little George found it impossible to tell a lie. +Evidently Baby has heard of George, and seeks to emulate the Father of +his Country, for he also finds it extremely difficult to tell a lie. +Gentlemen, you may, at this very moment, be regarding a future +president of the United States. The thought should overcome you with +awe." +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb's friends snickered, and the big yearling proceeded to address +himself directly to Davis. +</P> + +<P> +"Look here, Baby," he said, "I want you to tell us just what happened +to you last night. We want to know the exact facts of the case." +</P> + +<P> +With a trace of spirit, Davis looked up, and asked: +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't I what?" demanded Bascomb, harshly. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you know?" +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean by that? How should I know?" +</P> + +<P> +"I thought you might remember," said Fred, in a low tone. +</P> + +<P> +That was enough to give the bully his opportunity to rave and bluster. +</P> + +<P> +"That is an insult!" he fiercely declared, glaring at the little plebe +as if he longed to devour him. "Such an insinuation is an insult! Do +you mean to say that I had anything to do with the assault upon you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't mean to say anything more about it." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you don't? That is actually an open defiance. But I am going to +put a question to you, and see if you will refuse to answer me. What +do you know about it?" +</P> + +<P> +"I know enough to mind my own business." +</P> + +<P> +Frank laughed softly, and it was Bascomb's turn to flush angrily. +</P> + +<P> +"You are very cool about it," grated the bully, reaching out and +picking up a glass of water. "Perhaps this will make you still cooler." +</P> + +<P> +He flung the water full and fair into Fred Davis' face. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap40"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XL. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +FOR THE UNDER DOG. +</H3> + + +<P> +In an instant every lad save Davis was on his feet, for all knew what +naturally followed an act of this sort. +</P> + +<P> +But the natural order of events did not take place. Davis slowly and +carefully wiped the water from his face with the napkin. His hand +trembled a little, and his cheeks were pale, the color having fled from +them in a moment. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had taken a quick step forward, ready to see fair play. +</P> + +<P> +Although it was generally known that Davis was a peaceful sort of a +fellow, who would not get into trouble if he could avoid it, still all +expected he would show resentment at this open insult. +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb stood with an insolent sneer on his face, waiting. As Davis +made no move, he broke into a short laugh. +</P> + +<P> +"There's courage for you, gentlemen!" he said, scornfully. "Why, the +fellow hasn't as much spirit as a dead mouse!" +</P> + +<P> +Frank was about to speak, when Davis slowly rose to his feet. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose I am expected to fight in a case like this," he said, his +voice shaking. +</P> + +<P> +Some of the cadets who were always eager to see a fight of any sort, no +matter how unevenly the antagonists might be matched, quickly said: +</P> + +<P> +"That's right. You must fight." +</P> + +<P> +"I have never done such a thing in my life," declared Davis; "but I do +feel like it now. You have laughed at me because I promised my mother +that I would not lie, and I will give you a chance to laugh again. I +promised her I would not fight, and I shall keep my word." +</P> + +<P> +"Baby boy!" +</P> + +<P> +"Mamma's petsie!" +</P> + +<P> +"Softie!" +</P> + +<P> +These terms of derision came from several sources, and Frank was swift +to note every one. +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb laughed again. +</P> + +<P> +"You are altogether too good to live, Baby!" he said. "You make me +sick!" +</P> + +<P> +Frank had kept quiet as long as was possible. He saw that Davis did +not mean to fight, and he made a resolve to save the plebe if possible +by taking up his quarrel. +</P> + +<P> +With two swift steps Merriwell confronted Bascomb. +</P> + +<P> +"Sir," he said, speaking rapidly, and in a low tone, "I have been a +witness to this entire affair." +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" sneered the big yearling. +</P> + +<P> +"I want to say that I think Davis perfectly right in refusing to fight +you. You are larger and older than he is, you have nearly, if not +quite, twice as much strength as he has, and your reputation is that of +a slugger. He would not stand a show with you, and you know it, for +which reason you have seemed to select him as an object of your +bullying attentions." +</P> + +<P> +Frank looked Bascomb straight in the eye, and the big fellow's face +grew black with anger. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you want?" he muttered. +</P> + +<P> +"I want to tell you what I think of you, and I am going to do so. +Davis has been reared like a gentleman, and it is but natural that he +should recoil from contact with such as you." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you mean to say I am no gentleman?" +</P> + +<P> +"That is exactly what I mean to say, sir. No gentleman ever plays the +bully, as you have done." +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb made a move, as if he would do something desperate, and, on the +instant, two of his particular friends caught hold of him, saying +hastily: +</P> + +<P> +"Not now, old man—not here! It would spoil everything." +</P> + +<P> +Now Bascomb was not longing for a fight with Merriwell, and he would +gladly have done something to cause the officers to interfere; but, to +his regret, he saw that he had been too slow about it. So he sullenly +muttered: +</P> + +<P> +"All right, fellows; I won't smash him here." +</P> + +<P> +"But you'll meet him later—you'll have to," eagerly said Rupert +Reynolds, a fellow who made a pretension of being "sporty," and who was +a great admirer of gamecocks and prize-fighters, for which reason he +had grown very friendly with the slugger of the academy. "This affair +must be settled in the regular manner." +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't suppose I'd have to fight the whole academy," came sulkily +from the bully. "If every sneak in school had somebody to step in and +fight his battles, things would soon undergo a change." +</P> + +<P> +As he said this, he cast a contemptuous glance at Davis, who was +looking on, in a helpless way. +</P> + +<P> +"You may fight or not, as you like," said Frank, serenely. "But you +know what I think of a bully who is too cowardly to tackle a fellow he +fears may be his match." +</P> + +<P> +And then, unmindful that Bascomb made another move and was held back by +his friends, Frank turned his back and walked round the table to Davis. +</P> + +<P> +"Come," he said, "we will go." +</P> + +<P> +There was a murmur of applause when he turned away, with Davis at his +side. +</P> + +<P> +Still Frank knew very well that he had taken an unpopular stand by +espousing the cause of a plebe who did not seem to have nerve enough to +stand up for his own rights, and he was breaking all precedent and +traditions by a show of friendliness for his own fag. +</P> + +<P> +However, Frank was a lad who firmly believed in standing by the right, +no matter whether the cause were popular or not, and his sympathy was +invariably with "the under dog in the fight." He could not bear to see +the weak oppressed by the strong. +</P> + +<P> +His generous heart had gone out to the lad who had been so tenderly and +delicately reared, and who declined to lie or fight because he had +promised his mother he would not do such things. Somehow Davis did not +seem at all like a "sissy-boy" to Merriwell, who believed the plebe had +a great deal of moral courage, if he were not physically brave. And +Frank had come to believe that moral courage is a higher qualification +than physical courage. +</P> + +<P> +In this world there are two classes of heroes, and one class is likely +to be grievously misunderstood. First comes the physical hero, the +fellow who defiantly faces dangers that are sufficient to turn to ice +the blood of another, and yet may succumb to some simple temptation +that he knows will lead him into wrongdoing. +</P> + +<P> +Then comes the moral hero, who resists the strongest temptations to do +wrong, who fights and conquers in many a silent battle with his +passions and desires, who bravely faces ridicule and scorn because he +is confident that he is doing right, yet who quails, cowers, trembles, +and flees in the face of physical danger. +</P> + +<P> +Who will say which is the greater hero? +</P> + +<P> +As soon as they were in the open air, Davis turned to Merriwell, his +voice shaking, as he said: +</P> + +<P> +"You must not fight with that fellow on my account." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not?" asked Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Because you must not. It would not be right. He is big and +strong——" +</P> + +<P> +"But I am not afraid of him." +</P> + +<P> +"That may be true, and still it is not right for you to fight in my +place. That will not help me any. I can see that I will not be +thought any better of if you fight in my place. You must not fight +him!" +</P> + +<P> +Fred was very agitated and excited. +</P> + +<P> +"The matter rests entirely with Bascomb now," said Frank, calmly. "I +have expressed my opinion of him in public, and I shall be forced to +back up my words if he challenges me." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap41"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XLI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BIRDS OF A FEATHER. +</H3> + + +<P> +Reynolds and Bascomb came from dinner arm in arm. +</P> + +<P> +"Your time has come to knock out this fellow Merriwell, Hugh," declared +the big fellow's sporty companion. "You'll have to do it." +</P> + +<P> +"It looks that way," admitted Bascomb, but there was something +ludicrously dubious in both his face and voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Looks that way!" exclaimed Rupert, in a fiery manner. "Of course it +looks that way. There's nothing else to be done, and I should think +you'd be well satisfied with the opportunity." +</P> + +<P> +"But I am not sure I can do it," confessed the bully, hesitatingly. +</P> + +<P> +"Do it! Why, you ought to do it with one hand tied behind your back." +</P> + +<P> +But Bascomb was not so easily reassured. +</P> + +<P> +"I have boxed with him," said the big fellow, "and I know he is not +easy fruit for anybody." +</P> + +<P> +"You boxed in the gym?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"And there it was necessary to conform to certain rules." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course." +</P> + +<P> +"That wasn't much like a genuine fight." +</P> + +<P> +"I know it; but I found it impossible to hit him a soaker with my left. +He is up to all the tricks." +</P> + +<P> +"That's all right. Fight him in the evening, where you are not liable +to be interrupted till you have finished him. The darkness will be an +advantage to you, for he cannot see to guard or avoid all your heavy +blows, and you will soon do him up. If you work it right, you can get +him into a straight fight from start to finish, so it will not be a +matter of rounds, which would accrue to his advantage. Once you get at +him, you can follow him up till he is done for." +</P> + +<P> +Reynolds' words gave Bascomb new courage. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know but you are right," he said. "The darkness would be to +my advantage, and I ought to be able to get in a knockout blow sooner +or later. By Jupiter! I believe I can polish him off!" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course you can!" exclaimed his delighted companion. "Merriwell has +put on a big front, and succeeded in making everybody believe he is a +terror, but the time has come to cook his goose. Give him a good +licking, and he will not be so high and mighty. His popularity will +mighty soon begin to wane." +</P> + +<P> +"You do not seem to love him." +</P> + +<P> +"Not much! The cad has called me down on parade several times." +</P> + +<P> +"Me, too." +</P> + +<P> +"I'd like to get a grip on him that would disgrace him and cause his +dismissal." +</P> + +<P> +"You are not the first fellow who has thought that way, but, somehow, +the cad has the luck to get out of every trap set for him, and he turns +the tables on anybody who tries to trap him." +</P> + +<P> +"He can't be that lucky always." +</P> + +<P> +"I should hope not." +</P> + +<P> +"Shall I act for you?" +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb hesitated. Something told him that Frank could fight quite as +well with his bare fists as he could box with gloves. But how could he +retreat? If he did not meet Merriwell he would be regarded with scorn +by every one, and, like Wat Snell, who had refused to meet Bart Hodge, +be ostracised in the school. +</P> + +<P> +"Davis ought to fight me first," he muttered. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, hang that plebe!" cried Reynolds, contemptuously. "He doesn't +count with Merriwell. You can attend to him when you have disposed of +Merriwell. If you go into this business determined to finish the +fellow, you'll be sure to do it. Knock him out some way, fair or foul." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose a fellow might get at him foul in the dark, and not be +detected." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure. Only he wants to be slick about it. Say, I can tell you a +trick." +</P> + +<P> +"'Sh! Don't speak too loud; Dunnerwust and Mulloy are a little +distance behind, and they're both particular friends to Merriwell." +</P> + +<P> +So Reynolds lowered his voice, and talked rapidly to Bascomb in a low +tone. The bully listened eagerly, finally slapping his thigh and +crying: +</P> + +<P> +"That's the scheme! That will do it!" +</P> + +<P> +"Shall I see him, and make arrangements for tonight?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; but wait till the last minute—take him after supper." +</P> + +<P> +"All right. It's settled then?" +</P> + +<P> +"All settled; and Merriwell will have a dandy pair of eyes on him +to-morrow!" +</P> + +<P> +Dunnerwust and Mulloy had been watching Bascomb and Reynolds. +</P> + +<P> +"Vot you pelief dose shneaks vos down to, ain'd id?" asked the Dutch +boy. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Handy, me b'y," replied Barney, "it's me proivate opinion, which +Oi don't moind publicly ixprissing, thot they're plannin' mischief." +</P> + +<P> +"Yaw, I pets me your boots you vos righd. Dey don'd haf their headts +togeder near vor nottings, py shimminy!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oi'd loike to take th' spalpanes by th' ears an' rap their hids +togither wance," declared the Irish lad. "Oi'd make thim see stars." +</P> + +<P> +At this moment Bascomb clapped his thigh and cried: +</P> + +<P> +"That's the scheme! That will do it!" +</P> + +<P> +"Uf dot don'd mean somedings, Parney, you vos a liar!" exclaimed Hans. +</P> + +<P> +"Av course it do." +</P> + +<P> +"I pelief me dot means drouble vor Frankie." +</P> + +<P> +"Oi wouldn't wonder, Handy." +</P> + +<P> +"You und me hat pesser dell him to keep his vedder eye vide open tight, +ain'd id?" +</P> + +<P> +"Thot's pwhat we will, me b'y. An' Oi propose to watch thim spalpanes +a bit mesilf. Oi moight catch 'em at something crooked, Oi belave." +</P> + +<P> +So it came about that Frank was warned that Bascomb and Reynolds had +apparently been plotting. +</P> + +<P> +Frank acted as first sergeant, and that very afternoon both Bascomb and +Reynolds appeared in ranks with their belts disarranged. This was an +open defiance, and, of course, was something Merriwell could not +overlook. +</P> + +<P> +"Fall out, Bascomb, and arrange your belt," he commanded, sharply. +"You, too, Reynolds. You know very well that you have no right in +ranks in that shape. Fall out!" +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb and Reynolds obeyed in a sullen way, the big fellow beginning +to mutter. +</P> + +<P> +Merriwell had started back to his post, but he whirled sharply, saying: +</P> + +<P> +"Silence, sir! This is the third time I have been compelled to warn +you against muttering in ranks. You will be severely dealt with in +case you repeat the offense." +</P> + +<P> +Once more he turned, but he had not taken five steps before he heard +some one say: +</P> + +<P> +"Who's playing the bully now!" +</P> + +<P> +Frank turned again, but Bascomb did not appear to have spoken, and +Reynolds looked innocent. Having fixed their belts, they were again in +ranks, standing at ease. +</P> + +<P> +Not a word did Frank say, but his face expressed a great deal. No +further murmurs were heard, and the drill was soon in progress; but +Frank knew his enemies had tried to place him in a false light before +the corps. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap42"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XLII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE CHALLENGE. +</H3> + + +<P> +That night, immediately after supper, Rupert Reynolds appeared at the +door of Frank's tent. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Merriwell," said Reynolds, stiffly, "I am here in the interest of +my friend, Mr. Bascomb." +</P> + +<P> +"I presumed as much," came quietly from Frank's lips. +</P> + +<P> +"You have openly insulted Mr. Bascomb, and he demands an immediate +apology." +</P> + +<P> +Frank whistled. +</P> + +<P> +"Is that all?" he exclaimed, with a queer twist of his face and a +twinkle in his eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"You will find this a very serious matter, sir," said Reynolds, with an +assumption of great dignity. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Bascomb may also find it serious." +</P> + +<P> +"Will you apologize?" +</P> + +<P> +"You may tell Mr. Bascomb that I will apologize to him when he is man +enough to apologize to Fred Davis, and publicly acknowledge that he +treated the little plebe in an unmanly and bullying manner." +</P> + +<P> +Reynolds made a scornful gesture. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Bascomb will not do anything of the kind!" +</P> + +<P> +"Very well; I shall not apologize to him." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you must fight him." +</P> + +<P> +"I will do so with the greatest of pleasure." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you won't find much fun in it," sneered Reynolds. "It isn't going +to be that kind of a fight. Bascomb is thirsting for your life. It +was with the greatest difficulty I persuaded him not to challenge you +to fight a duel with deadly weapons. He said he would take +satisfaction in meeting you in an affair of honor where he could run a +blade through your body or perforate you with a bullet." +</P> + +<P> +Frank whistled again. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, he has become very courageous since he took to bullying boys! He +is really bloodthirsty." +</P> + +<P> +"He is determined to square accounts with you, sir. He says you have +been boning military at his expense for some time, just to show your +authority." +</P> + +<P> +"Which he knows is absolutely false," Frank flashed back. "I have +reprimanded him when compelled to do so by his utter disregard of what +is right." +</P> + +<P> +"That may be your opinion; Mr. Bascomb thinks differently. He demands +that this fight take place without delay." +</P> + +<P> +"The sooner the better." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you say to making the time immediately after dark?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am agreeable." +</P> + +<P> +"As Lieutenant Gordan has been watching the old boathouse of late, it +will be necessary to have the fight take place elsewhere." +</P> + +<P> +"All right." +</P> + +<P> +"It may be stopped if it is anywhere in this vicinity." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Black Bluff is but a mile away." +</P> + +<P> +"That's all." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not go there?" +</P> + +<P> +"The place is satisfactory to me." +</P> + +<P> +"Then it is settled. Be on hand with your second as soon as possible +after dark." +</P> + +<P> +"I will." +</P> + +<P> +Reynolds walked away with his head held very high and his neck very +stiff. +</P> + +<P> +Of course, the boys had been expecting Frank would receive a challenge, +and no small number had been watching the two lads. Immediately on +Rupert's departure, Frank's friends came swarming around him, asking +scores of questions. +</P> + +<P> +"Pwhat did th' b'y want wid yez, Frankie?" asked Barney Mulloy, eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, not much," smiled Frank, who did not believe in letting the entire +gathering know exactly what had happened and what was going to take +place. "He informed me that Bascomb demands an apology. Of course, I +did not apologize, which may lead Bascomb to challenge me." +</P> + +<P> +"An' he didn't challenge yez alridy? Wurra! wurra! Oi thought there +moight be a foight on hand, so Oi did." +</P> + +<P> +"Dot's vot's der madder mit me," sighed Hans Dunnerwust, in +disappointment. "It vos peen so long alretty yet since I haf seen a +scrap dot I don'd know vot it vos." +</P> + +<P> +"G'wan wid yez, Dutch!" cried Barney, who was in ill-humor on account +of the failure—as he supposed—of Bascomb to challenge Merriwell. +"Thot Yankee from Vermont called yez a balloony sausage t'-day, an' ye +nivver did a thing. Av ye wur dying fer a foight, ye'd challenge him. +Ye're th' biggest coward on th' face av th' earth. Ye give me +distriss!" +</P> + +<P> +"Vos dot so!" retorted Hans. "Don'd you pelieve me! Vos id my blace +to fight mit a blebe?" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course it is yer place, ye ignoramus." +</P> + +<P> +"Vell, I didn't know dot. Maype I fight him some dime pime-py right +avay soon alretty yet." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, no ye won't." +</P> + +<P> +"Von't I?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, ye won't dare, ye Dutch coward. Av ye had a bit av spunk in yer +body, ye'd challenge him to wance." +</P> + +<P> +"Vell, you pet me my boots I don'd vos a coward," declared Hans, +emphatically. "I'll vight dot feller!" +</P> + +<P> +"Thot's th' shtuff, me b'y!" cried the delighted Barney. "Let me take +th' challenge." +</P> + +<P> +"Nod py a plamed sight! I don'd vant a pog-drotter to done some uf dot +peesness for me, ain'd id? Uf I shoose mein second, I dakes Vrankie +Merrivell alretty!" +</P> + +<P> +For all that he had serious work on hand, Frank was ready for a frolic, +and he instantly said: +</P> + +<P> +"I will carry your challenge, Hans. You may depend on me." +</P> + +<P> +"All righd, Vrankie, my poy; led her go." +</P> + +<P> +"You wish me to hunt up Ephraim Gallup, and demand an apology or a +fight?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yaw." +</P> + +<P> +"And you really mean it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yaw." +</P> + +<P> +"Will you fight if he agrees to meet you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yaw." +</P> + +<P> +"All right. There can't be any backing out now, understand that. You +are in for a fight, if Gallup doesn't apologize." +</P> + +<P> +"Yaw; but you mighd influence him to abologize uf you couldt, ain'd id?" +</P> + +<P> +"It would not be proper to bring any undue influence to bear on him. I +shall carry your challenge to him immediately." +</P> + +<P> +As Frank started to find Ephraim Gallup, Barney Mulloy slipped from the +crowd and joined him. The Irish lad's eyes were full of mischief. +</P> + +<P> +"I say, Frankie, me b'y," he said, quickly, "can't we put up a job on +thot Dutchman, an' hiv som' fun av this, Oi dunno?" +</P> + +<P> +"Leave that to me," smiled Frank. "I fancy I will find a way to get +plenty of sport out of this business. You know those two old +horse-pistols that are hung up for relics in the armory?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yis." +</P> + +<P> +"Go for them yourself, or send somebody who can get them immediately." +</P> + +<P> +"Pwhat do yez want wid thim?" +</P> + +<P> +"I will show you, if I can make my scheme work." +</P> + +<P> +"Oi belave Oi know," chuckled the fun-loving Irish lad. "Mursha! +Won't thot be fun, Oi dunno! Oi'll hiv thim roight away," and off he +darted. +</P> + +<P> +As Frank expected, he found Ephraim once more surrounded by a mob who +were having sport at his expense. Fortunately for Merriwell's scheme, +the country boy was rather angry, and felt more like fighting than +doing anything else. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Gallup," said Frank, as he forced his way through the throng and +confronted the Vermonter, "I am here in behalf of a friend whom you +have sorely insulted." +</P> + +<P> +"Git aout with yer nonsense!" retorted Ephraim. "I wish you'd quit yer +foolin' an' let a feller alone." +</P> + +<P> +"You will discover this is not fooling, sir," said Frank, sternly. "My +friend demands that you fight him immediately. Will you do it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Wal, I be twisted if I don't!" snorted Ephraim, as he spat on his +hands and prepared to remove his coat. "Where is ther consarned +critter? I'll bark his nose quicker'n a brindle caow kin kick over a +pail of milk, by gum!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap43"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XLIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +DOUGHTY DUELIST. +</H3> + + +<P> +Ephraim was in earnest. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on," said Frank, quickly, "what are you going to do?" +</P> + +<P> +"Fight, by gum!" +</P> + +<P> +"But you can't fight here." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not?" +</P> + +<P> +"You would be arrested and placed in the guard tent." +</P> + +<P> +"Wal, ef a feller can't fight, whut ye makin' all this taowse abaout?" +</P> + +<P> +"You can fight, but not within the limits of the camp. The duel must +take place outside." +</P> + +<P> +"Who is this consarned critter that says I've insulted him?" +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Dunnerwust." +</P> + +<P> +"Wal, ef he wants to fight me, he'll find he never dun er wust thing." +</P> + +<P> +Frank staggered and clutched at his heart. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't!" he gasped. "I'm not particularly weak, but I'm not strong +enough to stand many of those." +</P> + +<P> +Ephraim grinned all over his long face. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, them things come natteral like with me," he said. "I kin reel 'em +off by ther yard when I git started. Folks up aour away say I'm ther +funniest critter that ever growed in them parts." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you have agreed to meet Mr. Dunnerwust?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yep." +</P> + +<P> +"The meeting must take place without delay, so there may be daylight +enough for its consummation." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that anything good to eat?" +</P> + +<P> +"What?" +</P> + +<P> +"Consummation." +</P> + +<P> +"Not exactly." +</P> + +<P> +"Didn't know but 'twas. Sally Golander up aour way she went to Boston, +an' when she kern home she told abaout havin' consummation soup, ur +something of that sort. Say, you'd oughter seen that air gal arter she +got back from Boston! She put on more style than a prize pig at a +caounty fair, by gum! Why, you couldn't touch her with a ten-foot +pole! She walked as ef she'd fell daown an' stepped on the small of +her back, and she ripped open ther sleeves on ev'ry one of her dresses, +an' bought caliker an' stiffenin' an' stuff ter put inter 'em to make +'em swell aout like a blowed-up bladder. I tell you she did cut an +amazin' fast pace in aour taown." +</P> + +<P> +"You are wandering from the issue," said Frank. "I presume you will be +ready to proceed to the scene of the duel in a few moments?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ready any time." +</P> + +<P> +"All right. Choose your second." +</P> + +<P> +"Whut do you mean by that?" +</P> + +<P> +"You have to have somebody to look out for you and see that you have +fair play." +</P> + +<P> +"By chaowder! Ephraim Gallup kin look aout for hisself, an' don't you +fergit it!" +</P> + +<P> +"But it is absolutely necessary that you have a second." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll act for Mr. Gallup," said Sammy Smiles. "He may depend on me to +stand behind him as long as he stands in front of me." +</P> + +<P> +"You'll do well ez anyboddy." +</P> + +<P> +"All right, Mr. Smiles," said Frank, with a wink at Sammy. "Come +aside, and we will make all arrangements." +</P> + +<P> +It did not take long to make arrangements; but, as every one who knew +about it was anxious to see the fun, it was not a little difficult for +them all to get out of camp without attracting too much attention. +There was a strip of woods close by, however, and the boys succeeded in +vanishing into this cover one by one, after which they soon hastened to +the spot where the encounter between Dunnerwust and Gallup was to take +place. +</P> + +<P> +The seconds took good care to have the two principals on hand, and +Barney Mulloy was there with the old horse-pistols, which he kept +carefully concealed. +</P> + +<P> +Frank took Hans aside and said: +</P> + +<P> +"This affair has assumed a much more serious aspect than seemed +possible at first." +</P> + +<P> +"Vos dot Yankee abologized alretty yet?" asked Hans, anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"Far from it." +</P> + +<P> +The Dutch boy gave a groan of dismay, but stiffened up to say: +</P> + +<P> +"Dot seddles his coose! I knocks uf him der sduffins oudt." +</P> + +<P> +"But he refused to fight that way, and, as he is the challenged party, +I was forced to allow him to select the weapons. He chose pistols." +</P> + +<P> +"Bistols?" gasped Hans, turning pale. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Dot vos murter in der virst degree! I don't meed dot veller mit +bistols!" +</P> + +<P> +"But you will have to meet him now. If you refuse, you will be drummed +out of school—you will be tarred and feathered." +</P> + +<P> +"Bud I don'd like dot peesness uf sdanding oop to be shod ad mit a +pullet oudt uf a bistol. Somepody mighd ged hurt, ain'd id?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, there's no danger that you'll get hurt any more than to have a +bullet through your head." +</P> + +<P> +"Vot vos dot?" gurgled Hans. "A pullet drough mein headt. Shimminy +Gristmas! Uf dot don'd vas pad enough, vot you vant? Oxcuse me!" +</P> + +<P> +"Now, don't show the white feather," urged Frank. "That Yankee has +done this to scare you. I don't believe he really thinks you will dare +meet him with pistols, and so he is going to make a laughing stock of +you." +</P> + +<P> +"Vos dot his game? Vell, I pets you your life he makes der piggest +misdake vot he nefer seen." +</P> + +<P> +"That's the stuff! If you brace right up and pretend you are eager to +fight with pistols, the chances are ten to one he'll back down before +the word is given to fire." +</P> + +<P> +"Vell, uf dot veller don'd dink I vos apout grazy for dot tuel, you can +kick me mit der neck in." +</P> + +<P> +Frank saw that he had fixed it all right with Hans, and he wondered +what success Sammy Smiles was having with his second. +</P> + +<P> +Sammy was not finding it very easy to convince Ephraim it was his duty +to fight a genuine duel with pistols, and he was talking swiftly, for +it was past sunset, and would become dark in a very short time. +</P> + +<P> +"I be hanged ef this air ain't ther biggest scrape I was ever in!" +gasped the lank country boy, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. +"I wish I'd stayed away frum this thunderin' skewl, an' bin contented +ter keep right on hoein' 'taturs an' cuttin' grass daown on dad's old +farm. Say, ain't ther no way this air matter kin be settled up 'thout +shewtin'?" +</P> + +<P> +"It's too late for that now. You have accepted Dutchy's challenge, and +you'll have to fight this duel." +</P> + +<P> +"I never was so thunderin' scat in all my life, by gum! My knees don't +feel strong enough to hold me up. Haow duz a feller feel when he's +goin' ter faint away?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you're not going to faint. That's what the Dutchman's counting +on. He wants to scare you out of it. He's even made his boasts that +you Yankees haven't any courage, and that you'll run." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, he has, has he?" grated Ephraim. "Bust his skin!" +</P> + +<P> +"He doesn't believe you'll dare fight him," continued. Sammy, +concealing a grin with his hand. "That's what he's counting on. If +you put on a bold front, you'll scare him out of his shoes. I'll bet +he'll run away before the word is given to fire." +</P> + +<P> +"Think so?" asked the Vermonter, eagerly. "Do ye really?" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course. Look how much more of him there is than there is of you. +Why, you'd be sure to hit him the first shot, while he has not one +chance in a hundred of hitting you. He has been chuckling over the way +your long legs will look when you run away." +</P> + +<P> +"That settles it, by the jumping blizzards! Give me holt of that air +hoss-pistil! I'll show him whuther a Yankee'll run ur not, by +chaowder!" +</P> + +<P> +"That's the stuff!" complimented the delighted Sammy, reaching up to +pat the tall plebe on the back. "Stick to that, and you will scare him +into convulsions. You must look as fierce and desperate as you can, so +he'll think you are thirsting for his gore." +</P> + +<P> +The preliminaries were soon over, and the valiant duelists were placed +facing each other at a distance of fifteen paces. The old pistols, +loaded with heavy charges of powder, but minus bullets, were thrust +into their hands. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap44"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XLIV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A COMEDY DUEL. +</H3> + + +<P> +Both Hans and Ephraim were ghastly pale. The Dutch lad's teeth were +chattering, and the Yankee boy's knees shook beneath him. But both +tried to put on a bold front. +</P> + +<P> +"Are ye ready, jintlemin?" demanded Barney Mulloy, who had been chosen +to give the word. +</P> + +<P> +"Vait a moment," commanded Hans, waving his hand frantically at Barney. +"I vos goin' to gif dot feller a shance to safe his life. Uf he vants +to abologize now I vont shood him drough der heart mit a pullet." +</P> + +<P> +"Hurry up this business!" blustered Ephraim, waving the big pistol. +"If ye fool around here all night it will git so thunderin' dark I +can't see ter hit ther middle button on the Dutchman's coat." +</P> + +<P> +"Vos you goin' to abologize?" shouted Hans. +</P> + +<P> +"Be you goin' to run away?" demanded Ephraim. +</P> + +<P> +"Uf you don'd abologize, I voss a dead man," cried the Dutch lad, +threateningly. +</P> + +<P> +"Ef you don't run away, you're a dead man," declared the Vermonter. +</P> + +<P> +Now it happened that Sammy Smiles had brought along some stale eggs +which he had been keeping for some festive occasion, and he had given +one of them to Frank, while they had come to a perfect understanding as +to the proper manner and the right moment to use them. With the eggs +concealed in their hands, they were waiting for Barney to give the word. +</P> + +<P> +"Come, come, jintlemin," called the Irish lad, sharply. "Take yer +positions, fer Oi'm goin' t' give th' worrud." +</P> + +<P> +"This is your last chance to run away, Dutchy," faltered Ephraim, who +seemed to be losing confidence. +</P> + +<P> +"Dis vos your lasd obbortunity to abologize, Yankee," said Hans, rather +weakly. +</P> + +<P> +"Ready to foire at th' worrud," called Barney. +</P> + +<P> +Hans' teeth were plainly heard to rattle together like dice. +</P> + +<P> +"One!" counted Barney. +</P> + +<P> +"Uf he don'd run avay, I vas reaty to hear him abologize," murmured the +Dutch lad. +</P> + +<P> +"Say!" Ephraim hoarsely whispered to Sammy. "Git a rope an' tie me, +quick! Hang me ef I don't believe my legs is goin' to run the best I +kin do." +</P> + +<P> +"Two!" counted Barney. +</P> + +<P> +"Shimminy Gristmas! vere vas someding I can hide pehind?" +</P> + +<P> +"Great thutteration! I'm a goner!" +</P> + +<P> +"Three—fire!" +</P> + +<P> +Both of the bold duelists turned their heads away, pointed the pistols +at something, and fired. +</P> + +<P> +Bang! bang! +</P> + +<P> +Frank and Sammy Smiles let the eggs fly, and the aim of both was +accurate. +</P> + +<P> +Sammy's egg struck Hans behind the right ear, and spattered all over +the side of the Dutch lad's head, while Frank's egg landed on Ephraim's +neck. +</P> + +<P> +"I vos a deadt man!" squawked the Dutch lad, as he went over in a heap. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm shot, by gum!" squealed the Yankee, as his knees collapsed and he +measured his long length upon the ground. +</P> + +<P> +"Smoke!" cried Barney Mulloy, grasping his nose with both hands. "It +smells loike ye'd both been corpuses fer a long toime!" +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove!" gasped Frank. "That odor is strong enough to lift a safe!" +</P> + +<P> +The other witnesses of the duel roared with laughter, but Hans was +bellowing and Ephraim was groaning so loudly that neither of them heard +the sounds of mirth. +</P> + +<P> +"I can feel mein prains runnin' all ofer der side uf mein headt!" +howled Hans. +</P> + +<P> +"Send for a doctor!" shrieked Ephraim. "I'm covered with blood! My +jubilee vein is cut clean in two, an' ther blood is runnin' down my +neck!" +</P> + +<P> +"I vos dyin'!" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll be dead in a minute!" +</P> + +<P> +Sammy Smiles held fast to his nose, and made haste to bend over his +principal, whom he pretended to examine. +</P> + +<P> +"Bring bandages!" he shouted. "Help me to stop him from bleeding to +death." +</P> + +<P> +"It's nary a bit of use," groaned the Vermonter. "No feller ever lived +with his jubilee vein cut in two!" +</P> + +<P> +"Merciful goodness!" cried Frank, in pretended horror, as he hovered +over Hans, also taking care to cling to his nose. "The whole top of +his head is shot away!" +</P> + +<P> +The Dutch boy gave a wild, despairing wail. +</P> + +<P> +"Und you said dot feller vos goin' to run avay! Dunder und blitsens! +I vos a fool dot I don'd run avay meinseluf pefore mein prains he shot +oudt!" +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind," said Frank. "You will die like a hero, and we'll bury +you with all the honors of war." +</P> + +<P> +"Yah!" snorted Hans. "Dot vos nice—I don'd pelieve! I don'd care +apout dot honors uf var! Oh, Shimminy Gristmas! vot a fool a blamed +fool vos!" +</P> + +<P> +"I am surprised at you," said Frank, sternly. "You should be proud to +perish in such a heroic manner." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yaw! I peen tickled to death—mit a pullet. Id vos fun!" +</P> + +<P> +"I am afraid you are not a success as a hero." +</P> + +<P> +"Vell, I dudder peen a success as a coward und kept avay from dot +pullet." +</P> + +<P> +In the meantime Ephraim had recovered from the shock sufficiently to +detect the powerful odor of the stale egg that had struck him. +</P> + +<P> +"Great gum!" he gurgled. "What was that Dutchman's pistol loaded with? +Something must have crawled inter ther pesky thing an' died there!" +</P> + +<P> +"Do you really smell anything?" chuckled Sammy Smiles. +</P> + +<P> +"Do I?" howled the Yankee boy, sitting up and gasping for breath. "I +ruther think I do, by gum!" +</P> + +<P> +"You must be mistaken. Being seriously wounded, you imagine it. It is +the result of your injury." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that so? Wal," he wildly panted, "if that's ther case, I hope I'll +die soon an' git aout of my misery!" +</P> + +<P> +The spectators were convulsed with merriment, and Ephraim began to +smell a rat—if, indeed, it were possible to smell anything but the +ancient eggs. +</P> + +<P> +"Say!" he snorted, "you fellers don't act like there was anybody dyin' +around here. An' by chaowder! this smell is jest ther same ez I struck +when I crawled under dad's old barn to find where the speckled hen was +layin', an' crunched up some aigs that hed bin there two or three +months. Ef that Dutchman loaded his pistol with a ripe aig an' shot me +in the neck, I'll paound the stuffin' aout of him, by gum!" +</P> + +<P> +"Vot vos dot?" roared Hans, also sitting up, and glaring at the +Vermonter. "You don'd peen pig enough to bound der sduffin oudt uf +nottings!" +</P> + +<P> +"Wal, dern my skin ef I don't show you! Ef I'm mortally shot, it'll be +some satisfaction to die thumpin' you, by gum!" +</P> + +<P> +"Keeb avay off!" squawked Hans, as Ephraim began to crawl toward him. +"Keeb avay off, ur I vos goin' to bulverize you britty queek right avay +soon!" +</P> + +<P> +"You pulverize, an' be hanged! All I want is to git holt of ye." +</P> + +<P> +Hans began to scramble out of the way. +</P> + +<P> +"Holt on! holt on!" he cried. "Dot don'd peen no fair to sdrike a man +mit haluf uf his heat plown off!" +</P> + +<P> +"Your head's all right, only one side of it is plastered over with some +yaller stuff. You shot me in the neck, and I'm all kivered with blood, +but I kin do ye, jest ther same!" +</P> + +<P> +"Dot vos der gweerest colored plood vot I nefer saw! You don'd peen +shot ad all." +</P> + +<P> +"Then, by gum! I'm goin' ter lick ye anyhaow!" and Ephraim scrambled +to his feet. +</P> + +<P> +"Vell, you don'd done dot till you catch me, py Shimminy!" +</P> + +<P> +Hans also scrambled up, and immediately took to his heels, with the +tall Yankee in hot pursuit, leaving the spectators of this ridiculous +duel to exhaust themselves with merriment. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap45"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XLV. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ANOTHER KIND OF A FIGHT. +</H3> + + +<P> +It had already grown quite dark. +</P> + +<P> +The fun for the time being was over, but there was an engagement of +quite a different nature to take place. +</P> + +<P> +Barely had the Dutch boy disappeared, with the Vermonter at his heels, +when Frank and several others of the party slipped away into the +shadows and made for Black Bluff. +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb and a large number of his friends were waiting when Frank +arrived, and Merriwell heard the big fellow sneeringly observe: +</P> + +<P> +"He has really come at last! I didn't know but he was going to take +water. I was afraid I'd lose the satisfaction of giving him the +licking he needs." +</P> + +<P> +Frank bit his lip, and remained silent. +</P> + +<P> +Bart Hodge was on hand, and he was quickly at Frank's side. +</P> + +<P> +"Where have you been?" he asked. "I was beginning to fear Bascomb had +put up some kind of a job to keep you away, so he could claim you were +afraid to meet him." +</P> + +<P> +"I have been acting as second in another affair," said Frank. "I want +you to represent me in this. Will you?" +</P> + +<P> +"You have no need to ask that, for you must know that it will give me +pleasure. I want to see you give that big brute the drubbing he +merits, so he will keep still for a while. He has been trying to +injure you ever since you entered the academy, and he has said here +to-night that he proposed doing me up to square an old score after he +had finished you. I tried to get him to take me first, for I told him +there wouldn't be anything left for me to fight when you were through +with him. He said he was going to polish you off easily, and he has +been whispering and laughing with that sneaking Reynolds. Somehow, I +feel as if they have put up some kind of a job to get the best of you, +and that is why they feel so well. You want to be on your guard for +tricks, old man." +</P> + +<P> +"I will," assured Frank, as he began to "peel" for the fight. "Go over +and make arrangements with Reynolds. If you can get him to agree to +make it a go-as-you-please till the best man whips you will suit me." +</P> + +<P> +"All right; I'll stand for that." +</P> + +<P> +Away went Hodge to consult with Reynolds, and Frank did not dream that +he had proposed just the kind of a fight that Bascomb and his second +most desired. +</P> + +<P> +The wind was coming in across the bay, and the sea was moaning at the +ragged base of Black Bluff, on the heights of which the fight was to +take place. There were scudding clouds in the sky, but the night did +not promise to be very dark. +</P> + +<P> +It did not take Hodge long to complete arrangements with Reynolds, and +he soon returned to inform Frank that it was to be one straight fight +from start to finish, with no rests till one or the other whipped. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had not supposed there would be near so many spectators present, +and he well knew that the most of those assembled were fellows who were +secretly envious of him because of his popularity, although nearly all +had made protestations of friendship in the past. +</P> + +<P> +Frank did not care for the friendship of such fellows, as there was +nothing in the world he despised more than a hypocrite. He could +respect a foe who was open and frank; but he had no use for anybody who +wore two faces. +</P> + +<P> +Fred Davis had not been told where the fight was to take place; but he +had scented it in some way, and he came panting to the spot, just as +Merriwell and Bascomb were about to meet. He rushed straight to Frank, +exclaiming: +</P> + +<P> +"You must not fight on my account! You shall not! You haven't any +right to do it! This must stop!" +</P> + +<P> +"Here, Bart," said Merriwell to Hodge, speaking quietly and firmly, +"turn this boy over to Mulloy, and tell him to keep Davis from making +any fuss." +</P> + +<P> +"But you must listen to me!" cried the little plebe, on the verge of +tears. "People sometimes get killed in fights. If you are badly hurt, +I'll never forgive myself. Can't I do something to stop it? Why, I +will apologize to Bascomb, and——" +</P> + +<P> +"That would simply place you more in contempt, and would not let me out +in the least, boy. Take him away, Mulloy," Frank spoke to the Irish +lad, who was now at hand. "See that he doesn't get into trouble." +</P> + +<P> +Seeing it was impossible to put an end to the contest, Fred gave up in +despair. +</P> + +<P> +Merriwell and Bascomb now faced each other. There was no demand that +they should shake hands, and neither offered to do so. The boys formed +a circle around them, and, at the word, they leaped at each other and +the fray had begun. +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb made an effort to clinch immediately, but Frank landed two +blows that sent him staggering. This was an advantage which Merriwell +followed up, and Bascomb was forced to keep falling back for some +moments, shifting the battle-ground considerably from the point where +the struggle began. +</P> + +<P> +Spat! spat! spat! sounded the blows; but it was not always an easy +thing to tell who was getting the worst of it. +</P> + +<P> +To and fro, forward and back, moved the fighting lads, their movements +being breathlessly followed by the spectators. Sometimes it would seem +that one of the lads had the advantage, and then it would appear to be +the other. +</P> + +<P> +With his hands clasped together and his heart beating wildly, Fred +Davis strained his eyes to see it all. To him every moment seemed an +hour of acute agony and suspense. +</P> + +<P> +Bart Hodge and Barney Mulloy were both intensely interested and +excited, but neither of them entertained a doubt but what, barring +accident, Frank would come forth the victor. +</P> + +<P> +The breathing of the fighting boys became short and loud, and Bascomb +occasionally muttered fierce words. Merriwell fought silently and +fiercely. +</P> + +<P> +At length the tigerish determination of Bascomb's foe began to drive +the big fellow back again. Several times he clinched Frank, but his +hold was quickly broken on each occasion. Three times both went down; +but the strength of neither seemed sufficient to get the advantage and +hold the other. +</P> + +<P> +At length, as they were apparently on the point of grappling again, +Bascomb was seen to make a quick move of one hand, and Frank +immediately cried: +</P> + +<P> +"My eyes! Oh, I am blinded! They are burning!" +</P> + +<P> +Instantly there was the greatest excitement. +</P> + +<P> +"Foul play, by the eternal skies!" shouted Bart Hodge, leaping forward. +Instantly someone gave him a blow that sent him reeling. +</P> + +<P> +"Howld on, ye imps!" roared Barney. "Ye can't play your dirty thricks +here!" +</P> + +<P> +"Keep them away!" grated Bascomb. "Keep them away, and I'll fix this +fellow now!" +</P> + +<P> +Frank heard the bully's voice, but he could not see Bascomb. With a +cry of unutterable fury, Merriwell leaped for his foe, caught him, +grappled with him. +</P> + +<P> +Then was seen such a mad struggle as not one of the boys present had +ever before witnessed. Merriwell seemed like a tiger that had been +stung to ungovernable rage, and Bascomb exerted every bit of skill and +strength he possessed. +</P> + +<P> +Round and round they whirled, away they reeled, and then a cry of +surprise and horror suddenly broke from the crowd. +</P> + +<P> +The beginning of the fight had been at a long distance from the brink +of the bluff, but, all at once, it was discovered that, in the +darkness, they had shifted about till they were close to the verge. +And, unconsciously, they were staggering swiftly to the edge. +</P> + +<P> +"Stop them!" shouted Hodge. "Quick, or they will go over!" +</P> + +<P> +Fred Davis leaped forward, clutched at the struggling lads, but could +not hold them. In a twinkling they tore away, and reeled on. +</P> + +<P> +Others would have interfered, but it was too late. Both Hodge and +Mulloy did their best, but Bascomb and Merriwell escaped their +outstretched hands. +</P> + +<P> +Then another cry of horror went up. +</P> + +<P> +The fighting lads were tottering on the brink. They realized their +peril at last; but, before they could make a move to save themselves, +they went over. +</P> + +<P> +"Merciful Heaven!" gasped Hodge. "That is the end of them both!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap46"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XLVI. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +RESULT OF THE CONTEST. +</H3> + + +<P> +For a moment the horror-stricken witnesses stood and stared through the +darkness at the place where the foes had disappeared over the brink of +the bluff, and no one seemed capable of making a move or saying a thing +immediately after those blood-chilling words came from the lips of +Bartley Hodge. +</P> + +<P> +Fred Davis was the first to recover. Down upon the ground he flung +himself, peering over the verge of the bluff, and calling: +</P> + +<P> +"Frank—Frank Merriwell!" +</P> + +<P> +Immediately there was a faint, muffled answer from near at hand. +</P> + +<P> +"Thank Heaven!" Fred almost wept. "He has not fallen into the sea! He +is near at hand! I can hear him! Frank, where are you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Here—clinging to this vine," was the faint reply. "The thing is +giving—it will tear away! Quick—grasp my wrists!" +</P> + +<P> +Fred saw that the dark form was dangling immediately below, and, +without delay, he reached down and found a pair of hands which were +clinging madly to a stout vine. +</P> + +<P> +The vine was really giving way, and Davis instantly grasped both wrists +of the imperiled lad. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got him, boys!" he shouted, joyously. "Pull us up—pull us up! +I can hold fast if you pull us up at once! He has hold of one of my +hands now; he will not let go. Pull us up, and he will be saved!" +</P> + +<P> +"Lay hold here!" shouted Hodge, grasping Davis by the shoulder. "Down +on your faces, two of you, and clutch Merriwell the moment he is lifted +far enough for you to grasp him. Work lively, now! Are you ready?" +</P> + +<P> +"All ready," came the chorus. +</P> + +<P> +"Then hoist away, lads, and up he comes!" +</P> + +<P> +So, with a strong pull, the imperiled youth was dragged up over the +brink to safety, falling prostrate and panting at the feet of his +rescuers. +</P> + +<P> +"Poor Bascomb!" exclaimed one of the boys. "I am afraid he is done +for!" +</P> + +<P> +"Not much!" panted the boy they had just saved. "But that was a mighty +close call." +</P> + +<P> +"What's this?" shrieked Fred Davis, dropping to his knees and staring +into the face of the fellow he had helped to rescue. "This isn't +Merriwell! It's Bascomb!" +</P> + +<P> +Exclamations of astonishment came from every lip, for all had thought +they were rescuing Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Great Jupiter!" gasped Bart Hodge. "It must be that Merriwell went +clean down the face of the bluff!" +</P> + +<P> +"An' thot manes he is a dead b'y!" declared Barney Mulloy. Fred Davis +quickly leaped to the brink, and wildly shouted: +</P> + +<P> +"Frank Merriwell! Frank Merriwell! Where are you? Frank! Frank!" +</P> + +<P> +No answer save the moaning of the wind and the gurgle of the sea which +came up from the base of the bluff, like the last strangling sound from +the throat of a drowning person. +</P> + +<P> +"He is gone!" +</P> + +<P> +A feeling of unutterable horror came over the little party on the +bluff, for they all seemed to realize what a terrible thing had +happened. +</P> + +<P> +Fred Davis fell to sobbing and moaning. Again and again he sent his +voice down the face of the bluff, shouting into the darkness that +hovered over the surging sea: +</P> + +<P> +"Frank Merriwell! Oh, Frank, where are you? Frank! Frank!" +</P> + +<P> +A night-bird swept past, and answered his shouts with an eerie cry; but +the voice of Frank Merriwell did not come up out of the darkness below. +</P> + +<P> +"It's no use!" came hoarsely and hopelessly from the lips of Bart +Hodge. "Merriwell is a goner! It was most remarkable that Bascomb +caught hold of that vine and so escaped." +</P> + +<P> +Fred Davis sprang to his feet, and rushed at Bascomb, who was cowering +and shivering in the midst of the boys. +</P> + +<P> +"You killed him!" screamed the little plebe. "You're responsible for +his death! It was murder!" +</P> + +<P> +"Thot's roight!" came from Barney Mulloy. +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb cowered and retreated before Davis. All his bullying spirit +was gone, and he shivered when the little fellow declared it was murder. +</P> + +<P> +"You shall be hanged!" wildly cried Fred, shaking his clinched hands in +Bascomb's face. "I will testify against you! You shall be arrested +and hanged!" +</P> + +<P> +"Take him away, somebody!" muttered Bascomb, hoarsely. +</P> + +<P> +"Touch me if you dare!" defied Davis, who seemed quite beside himself. +"I have been a coward long enough, and I am not afraid of you all now! +If I hadn't been a coward, I should have fought here to-night, instead +of Merriwell, and he would be alive now! Oh, I'll never forgive myself +for letting him fight in my place! But I'll do my best to avenge—I'll +swear he was murdered!" +</P> + +<P> +"That's rot," said Rupert Reynolds, rather weakly. "It was a clean +case of accident." +</P> + +<P> +"I am not sure about that," came significantly from the lips of Bart +Hodge. "We all heard Merriwell cry out that he had been blinded. That +meant something. There was foul play here, and the parties who were in +the dirty game must suffer for it." +</P> + +<P> +"Faith, an' thot's roight, Bart, me b'y!" exclaimed Barney Mulloy. +"It's as clane a lad as iver brathed thot wint over Black Bluff to his +death th' noight, an' somebody will pay dear fer this pace av worruk." +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb still remained silent, seeming incapable of offering any +defense. +</P> + +<P> +"It is useless to waste any more time here," said Hodge, sharply. +"This awful business must be reported in camp. We must get boats from +the boathouse, and search for Merriwell's body." +</P> + +<P> +He started away, and the boys began to follow him. Bascomb stood quite +still, and saw his late supporters, with the exception of Reynolds, +draw away and leave him, as if he were some creature to be avoided. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, that's the way!" he grated, bitterly. "They're afraid they will +be mixed in it some way, and so they sneak! I am left to face the +music alone!" +</P> + +<P> +"Brace up, old man," urged Reynolds. "You may not be in such a very +bad box. I don't see how they can do anything but expel you from the +academy, and it is likely I will have to take the same medicine, as I +was your second." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you're trying to show a bright side; but I tell you, Reynolds, +there is something worse than expulsion to follow this!" +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"You heard that plebe Davis declare he would charge me with murder?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure; but he's deranged for the moment." +</P> + +<P> +"He will make the charge, just the same; and I'll have to face it." +</P> + +<P> +"But it cannot be proved against you." +</P> + +<P> +"I am not so sure. If I hadn't flung red pepper in Merriwell's eyes +I'd have a better show. Now it will look as if I did that to blind +him, so I might force him over the bluff." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe anybody can think you as bad as that. You certainly +had no desire to do anything more than whip Merriwell by some means, +fair or foul." +</P> + +<P> +"It is easy enough to say that, but I'm afraid it will not be easy to +make people believe it. I swear, Reynolds, it's a terrible thing to +have anything like this hanging over a fellow! Why, it has taken all +the nerve out of me! I'd give my right hand to see Frank Merriwell +alive and well at this moment!" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't go to pieces that way, Bascomb!" entreated Rupert. "You've got +to keep a stiff backbone. Come, let's hurry after the others." +</P> + +<P> +Reynolds got hold of Bascomb's arm, and fairly dragged him after the +other lads, who were making their way toward camp. +</P> + +<P> +Each step that brought the big fellow nearer camp made him more +desperate. Finally, he declared: +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to know what Hodge and Mulloy mean to do." +</P> + +<P> +Then he hastened forward till he came upon Bart and Barney, who were +accompanied by Fred Davis. +</P> + +<P> +"Look here, fellows," said Bascomb, "I've got some questions to ask +you." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, ask them," directed Hodge, shortly, as the boys halted and +clustered again. +</P> + +<P> +"I want to know if you actually think I am wicked enough to wish to +kill a fellow cadet and classmate?" +</P> + +<P> +"As fer mesilif, Oi dunno," admitted Barney. "Yure a big scoundrel, +but Oi don't loike ter think any felly's villain enough to do murther." +</P> + +<P> +"But it looks mighty black for you, Bascomb," said Bart. "We all heard +Merriwell cry out that he was blinded, and then you seemed to drag him +straight for the brink of the bluff." +</P> + +<P> +"It was an accident!" declared Bascomb, hoarsely. "I did not dream we +were anywhere near the edge of the bluff." +</P> + +<P> +"It was not accident!" cried Fred Davis. "It was murder, and I will +swear to it!" +</P> + +<P> +"You hear that," came huskily from the lips of the accused. "If you +fellows stand by him, I am done for." +</P> + +<P> +"We'll have to be given time to think it over." +</P> + +<P> +"No, that is wrong, for you'll be forced to make some explanation as +soon as you get into camp." +</P> + +<P> +"We'll simply tell the truth." +</P> + +<P> +"That will ruin me!" +</P> + +<P> +"Which cannot be helped. The truth is the only thing that will stand +in a case like this." +</P> + +<P> +"All right. There's no show for me." +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb turned about in a blind way, and Reynolds caught him by the +arm, asking: +</P> + +<P> +"Where are you going? What are you going to do?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know," was the hopeless reply. "It doesn't make any +difference where I go or what I do now!" +</P> + +<P> +The most of the boys moved toward camp again, leaving Reynolds talking +earnestly with Bascomb. Before the camp was reached, Reynolds came +running and panting after them. +</P> + +<P> +"Bascomb has gone crazy!" he cried. "He said he was going to kill +himself, and he broke away from me and ran into the woods! It is +terrible!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap47"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XLVII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ALIVE! +</H3> + + +<P> +"I don't know but suicide is his easiest way out of this scrape," said +Hodge. +</P> + +<P> +"It is the only way he can escape hanging!" came from Fred Davis, who +seemed to be aroused to a point of relentless hatred for Bascomb. +</P> + +<P> +"Merciful goodness!" came faintly from Reynolds, who seemed to be +weakening. "What a dreadful affair this is! I'd give anything in my +power to give if I were well out of it!" +</P> + +<P> +"An' ye'd be gittin' out chape at thot, me hearty," declared Barney +Mulloy. +</P> + +<P> +"If I'd ever dreamed what would come of it, horses couldn't have +dragged me into the affair!" almost whimpered Reynolds. +</P> + +<P> +"An' now ye're in it, it won't do yez nivver a bit av good to whoine, +me b'y." +</P> + +<P> +"All you can do is brace up and face it out," said Hodge. "That's what +the rest of us will have to do. It's likely we'll all be fired from +the academy for our shares in the business." +</P> + +<P> +"I wouldn't mind that if it would bring Merriwell back all right," +asserted Reynolds, and there was a sincere sound in his voice. +</P> + +<P> +"We'd all take our medicine without a murmur if it would restore him to +life. He was the whitest boy that ever breathed!" +</P> + +<P> +"I think you're right," admitted Rupert. "I don't like him, but I +presume that was my fault. Perhaps I was jealous because he was so +popular. He never did me a mean turn." +</P> + +<P> +"Och! an' he nivver did anybody thot!" quickly put in Barney. "It wur +ivver a good turn, av it wur anything at all, at all." +</P> + +<P> +And so, talking of Frank's virtues, the boys approached the camp. It +was decided among them that Hodge should report the affair to +Lieutenant Gordan, and they should all get into camp without being +challenged, if possible. For this purpose they separated, and slipped +in one by one, by various ways. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge himself found a little difficulty in getting past the sentinel, +by whom he did not wish to be challenged and taken in custody, as there +would be a certain amount of red tape business that would delay him +from seeking the lieutenant immediately and making his report. +</P> + +<P> +He finally succeeded in getting into camp, and hurried directly to his +own tent. As he entered, he was surprised to see a lamp had been +lighted, and somebody was wringing out a towel in the water-bucket, at +the same time having his head and face well swathed with another towel, +that was dripping wet. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, who in thunder are you? and what are you up to here?" demanded +Bart, indignantly. +</P> + +<P> +The fellow with the towel about his head pulled enough of it away from +his mouth to reply: +</P> + +<P> +"Hello, Bart! I am soaking the red pepper out of my eyes, and +incidentally bathing my bruises at the same time. I couldn't see to +guard for all of Bascomb's blows." +</P> + +<P> +Hodge reeled backward, and came near collapsing. He caught hold of the +tent pole at the front, and clung to it for support. +</P> + +<P> +"Frank!" he cried, faintly. +</P> + +<P> +"That's my name," affirmed the other, as he unwound the towel from +about his head, and looked at Bart with a pair of very red eyes. "You +look as if you saw a ghost." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I couldn't be more surprised if I saw a whole regiment of +ghosts. Is it really you—alive?" +</P> + +<P> +"To be sure." +</P> + +<P> +"But—but—didn't you go over Black Bluff?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Then how do you happen to be here? It can't be you fell all the way +down into the water, and then swam out?" +</P> + +<P> +"No." +</P> + +<P> +"Then what did happen? For mercy sake, tell me, and relieve me of this +suspense." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, I didn't fall far—not more than ten feet. I struck on a shelf, +and lay there stunned." +</P> + +<P> +"And Bascomb clung to some vines till we pulled him back to the top of +the bluff." +</P> + +<P> +"Those vines fell all around the shelf I was on, and I was half-covered +with them when I recovered enough to thoroughly realize my position. +It is likely that, while he was clinging to them, Bascomb partly +covered me with them by winding his legs about them, thus changing +their position after I fell." +</P> + +<P> +"And he covered you so that the vines and the darkness prevented us +from seeing you." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose so." +</P> + +<P> +"But why didn't you answer? Davis called to you more than twenty +times." +</P> + +<P> +"I was stunned, and I did not hear him at first. When I did hear, it +was impossible for me to answer, although I tried to do so." +</P> + +<P> +"And we went away and left you there." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"How did you get off the ledge?" +</P> + +<P> +"My strength came to me swiftly when I realized my position. As soon +as possible, realizing I was alone, I sought a way to get to the top of +the bluff. I was successful, for I found some clefts in the rock for +my feet, and, aided by the vines, I climbed up. Then I lost little +time in getting into camp, for I didn't know what sort of a report you +fellows would bring. I did not expect to reach camp ahead of you, but +it seems that I did, although I had not been in the tent two minutes +when you showed up." +</P> + +<P> +Up to this moment Hodge had held off, as if not quite able to believe +it possible Frank had escaped. Now, with a cry of joy, he sprang +forward and embraced his comrade. +</P> + +<P> +"This is the happiest moment of my life, Frank!" he declared, with +tears of joy in his eyes. "Why, I was about to report you as dead, and +start out an expedition to search for your body! I couldn't have felt +so bad had you been my own brother. Davis is distracted. He has +charged Bascomb with murder, and swears he will stick to it in court. +Mulloy was also inclined to look on it as a case of murder, and Bascomb +became so scared that he ran away while we were returning to camp. +Reynolds said Bascomb swore he was going to commit suicide." +</P> + +<P> +Frank straightened up quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"Look here, Hodge," he said, "you must act, and you must act swiftly. +I do not want to go to Lieutenant Gordan in this condition; but you +must go to him, and tell him that Bascomb seems to be out of his head +and has run away, threatening to kill himself. The lieutenant will be +sure to send out a detachment to search for the poor fellow. If you +see Mulloy, tell him I am all right, and get him to keep Davis still. +The plebe mustn't blow the story all over camp. Let everybody know I +am all right. As soon as I can soak this red pepper out of my eyes, +I'll be ready to help in the search for Bascomb, if I am needed. Go +quickly!" +</P> + +<P> +"All right; I'm off." +</P> + +<P> +Hodge darted out of the tent, and Frank wrapped another wet towel about +his head and eyes. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap48"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XLVIII. +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BABY'S HEROISM—CONCLUSION. +</H3> + + +<P> +All night the search for Bascomb continued, the cadets carrying on the +work in relays. +</P> + +<P> +Hodge had convinced Lieutenant Gordan that Bascomb had suddenly become +deranged, and had succeeded in having the search instituted without +telling the real cause of the disappearance. +</P> + +<P> +The joy of the boys when they knew Merriwell was safe in his own tent +had been boundless, but they were forced to keep it suppressed, fearing +that too much of a demonstration would arouse suspicion, and create an +investigation. +</P> + +<P> +Davis wept for joy. At first he could not believe such good news could +be true, and he had rushed straight to the tent, where Frank was +already receiving congratulations. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't know what a terrible load this lifts from my shoulders!" +cried the little plebe, in ecstasy. "Nobody shall ever fight for me +again! I can't lick anybody, but I will stand up and take my thumping +when it is necessary. I am going to write to mother tomorrow that it +is absolutely impossible for a fellow to get along here without +fighting, and I am going to ask her to release me from my promise. I +won't lie for anybody, but I am going to fight when I have to!" +</P> + +<P> +"I do not believe you will be forced into many fights when the boys +understand you," said Frank. +</P> + +<P> +Frank reduced the inflammation in his eyes so he was able to take part +in the search, and he declined to be relieved, continuing in his +efforts through the entire night. +</P> + +<P> +Near sunrise, with a company of plebes under his command, he was +beating a piece of woods along the bank of a river about four miles +from the academy. Davis was one of the company. The little fellow had +grown intensely anxious for the quick discovery of Bascomb, hoping the +big bully had done no harm to himself. +</P> + +<P> +"If he should commit suicide, I'd feel that I must be responsible for +that," said Fred. +</P> + +<P> +"You are altogether too conscientious," declared Frank. "There are +none of us but hope to find Bascomb all right, but no one save himself +will be to blame if he has taken his life." +</P> + +<P> +Birds were singing their morning songs, and there was a rosy tinge +spreading upward in the eastern sky. The breath of the morning was +sweet with the perfume of June; but the boys heeded none of the +beauties of nature around them, for they were fearing that at any +moment they might come upon some ghastly thing there in the heart of +the green woods. +</P> + +<P> +All at once, they did come upon a haggard, pale-faced lad, who was +sitting on a fallen tree, and seemed to be waiting for them to approach. +</P> + +<P> +It was Bascomb. +</P> + +<P> +"I have dodged searching parties all night, and I am not going to run +any——" +</P> + +<P> +Thus far did Bascomb get, and then he saw Merriwell. He stopped, and +his jaw fell, while he shuddered, showing the strongest symptoms of +terror. His eyes bulged from their sockets, and the expression on his +face was one of unutterable horror. +</P> + +<P> +"Bascomb!" cried Frank. "I am glad I have found you!" +</P> + +<P> +He stepped toward the big fellow, but Bascomb leaped to his feet, +shrieking: +</P> + +<P> +"Don't touch me! You are dead—dead! Go away!" +</P> + +<P> +And then, before another word could be said, before anybody could do a +thing to prevent it, Bascomb turned and fled through the woods—fled as +if pursued by fiends, shrieking forth his terror. +</P> + +<P> +"After him!" cried Frank. "Don't let him get away! He is so scared +that he will surely do himself injury if he escapes." +</P> + +<P> +The pursuit began, and Merriwell soon found that Fred Davis was rather +fleet of foot. In fact, Fred was able to keep near to Frank's side. +</P> + +<P> +It was a wild chase through the strip of woods. Impelled by terror, +Bascomb ran as he had never run before. Under ordinary circumstances, +Frank could have overtaken him easily, but this was far from an +ordinary case. +</P> + +<P> +At length, however, Frank and Fred began to gain on the fugitive. +</P> + +<P> +Casting wild glances over his shoulder, Bascomb discovered this, and +his terror knew no bounds. He had been running parallel with the +river, but he suddenly changed his course and made straight for it. +</P> + +<P> +"He is going to try to drown himself!" cried Frank. +</P> + +<P> +Then an accident happened to Merriwell. He tripped in some underbrush, +and fell heavily to the ground. When he got upon his feet, he saw +Bascomb leap from quite a high bank into a deep part of the river. +</P> + +<P> +Fred Davis was not far from Bascomb's heels, and he was stripping off +his coat when the big fellow plunged into the water. The coat was +flung aside in an instant, and then Frank saw Fred boldly plunge into +the water after Bascomb. +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove!" exclaimed Merriwell; "the little fellow has courage, after +all!" +</P> + +<P> +He hurried forward, and when he reached the bank, he saw a struggle +taking place in the river. +</P> + +<P> +Bascomb did not want to be rescued. Made crazy by the horrors he had +experienced through the night, and by the sight of Merriwell, whom he +believed a ghost, he was determined to drown himself in the river. +</P> + +<P> +Three times Davis struck at Bascomb's temple with his clinched fist, +and he finally landed with sufficient violence to stun the big fellow. +</P> + +<P> +Then, with the skill of a veteran life-saver, the little plebe swung +the heavy yearling over his back, and struck out for the bank, swept +down stream by the current. +</P> + +<P> +Frank ran along the bank till Davis came near enough to be pulled out +with his burden, and Frank dragged both the water-dripping lads to +solid ground. +</P> + +<P> +"By gracious! Davis, you have proved your value this morning!" cried +Frank, as he clung to the panting little plebe. "Bascomb will owe you +his life, and no one can call you a coward from this time on." +</P> + +<P> +The other boys came running to the spot, breathing heavily, and Frank +soon explained exactly what had taken place. They looked at Davis with +increased respect, and one of them proposed three cheers for "Baby," +which were given with a will. +</P> + +<P> +The sound of the cheering seemed to arouse Bascomb. He opened his +eyes, and the first person he saw was Frank. With a moan and a +shudder, he covered his eyes with his hands, gasping: +</P> + +<P> +"Take him away! Don't let him touch me!" +</P> + +<P> +"You have no reason to be afraid of me," assured Frank, quietly. "I am +no ghost; I am alive and well." +</P> + +<P> +"No, no; it cannot be!" +</P> + +<P> +"It is the truth. I did not go to my death over Black Bluff, as you +thought. I did fall, but I was saved by a rocky shelf." +</P> + +<P> +Then Frank slowly and distinctly explained everything, finally +convincing Bascomb that it was really true. +</P> + +<BR> +<HR WIDTH="60%" ALIGN="center"> +<BR> + +<P> +The horrors of the night he had spent alone in the woods overcame +Bascomb so that he was quite prostrated, having to remain in hospital +several days, and barely escaping a fever. +</P> + +<P> +But he was very happy to know that Frank still lived, and this +happiness led to his quick recovery. +</P> + +<P> +As for Frank, although Bascomb had played a most contemptible trick on +him in flinging the red pepper in his eyes, he knew the bully had been +punished quite enough, and he decided to let the matter drop. As it +was, there were many other matters to claim his attention, some of +which will be related in the next volume of this series, entitled: +"Frank Merriwell's Foes." +</P> + +<P> +The report of Davis' exploit in rescuing Bascomb became generally +known, and, instead of being called a coward, Fred was regarded as +something of a hero. The boys thought him peculiar, but there were not +a few who came to uphold him in refusing to fight when he had given his +mother his word that he would do nothing of the kind. +</P> + +<P> +From the time that he dragged Bascomb out of the river he had very +little trouble in the school, and there were ever dozens of champions +ready to fight his battles when he did find it necessary to fight. +</P> + +<P> +But Frank had been first to defend the little fellow, and there never +came a time when Fred did not think Frank the noblest and bravest lad +in all the world. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> +<hr class="full" noshade> + +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S CHUMS***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 19502-h.txt or 19502-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/9/5/0/19502">http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/5/0/19502</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Frank Merriwell's Chums + + +Author: Burt L. Standish + + + +Release Date: October 8, 2006 [eBook #19502] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S CHUMS*** + + +E-text prepared by Al Haines + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 19502-h.htm or 19502-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/9/5/0/19502/19502-h/19502-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/9/5/0/19502/19502-h.zip) + + + + + +FRANK MERRIWELL'S CHUMS + +by + +BURT L. STANDISH + +Author of +"Frank Merriwell's School Days," "Frank Merriwell's Foes," etc. + + + + + + + +[Frontispiece: "All eyes were now fixed on Frank."] + + + +Philadelphia: +David Mckay, Publisher, +604-8 South Washington Square. +Copyright, 1896 and 1902 +By Street & Smith + + + +Frank Merriwell's Chums + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + I Frank Asks Questions + II A Ghastly Subject + III An Irresistible Temptation + IV A Game of Bluff + V Frank's Revelation + VI The Plot + VII Spreading the Snare + VIII The Haunted Room + IX In the Meshes + X Downward + XI Trusting and True + XII The Snare is Broken + XIII The "Centipede" Joke + XIV Lively Times + XV Warned + XVI Paul Rains + XVII The Bully's Match + XVIII Rains' Challenge + XIX Jumping + XX Bascomb's Mistake + XXI The Rival Professors + XXII A Lively Call + XXIII Skating for Honors + XXIV Skating for Life + XXV The Sinister Stranger + XXVI The Mystery of the Ring + XXVII Attacked on the Road + XXVIII The Marks on the Black Stone + XXIX Bart Makes a Pledge + XXX Frank and the Professor + XXXI Snell Talks + XXXII Snell's Hatred + XXXIII Playing the Shadow + XXXIV The Ring Disappears + XXXV More Danger + XXXVI The Secret of the Ring + XXXVII "Baby" + XXXVIII Sport With a Plebe + XXXIX An Open Insult + XL For the Under Dog + XLI Birds of a Feather + XLII The Challenge + XLIII Doughty Duelist + XLIV A Comedy Duel + XLV Another Kind of a Fight + XLVI Result of the Contest + XLVII Alive! + XLVIII Baby's Heroism--Conclusion + + + + +FRANK MERRIWELL'S CHUMS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +FRANK ASKS QUESTIONS. + +September was again at hand, and the cadets at Fardale Military Academy +had broken camp, and returned to barracks. + +For all of past differences, which had been finally settled between +them--for all that they had once been bitter enemies, and were by +disposition and development as radically opposite as the positive and +negative points of a magnetic needle, Frank Merriwell and Bartley Hodge +had chosen to room together. + +There was to be no more "herding" in fours, and so Barney Mulloy, the +Irish lad, and Hans Dunnerwust, the Dutch boy, were assigned to another +room. + +Like Hodge, Barney and Hans were Frank Merriwell's stanch friends and +admirers. They were ready to do anything for the jolly young plebe, +who had become popular at the academy, and thus won both friends and +foes among the older cadets. + +Barney was shrewd and ready-witted, while Hans, for all of his speech +and his blundering ways, was much brighter than he appeared. + +Still being plebes, Merriwell and Hodge had been assigned to the +"cock-loft" of the third division, which meant the top floor on the +north side of the barracks--the sunless side. + +The other sides, and the lower floors, with the exception of the first, +were reserved for the older cadets. + +Their room contained two alcoves, or bedrooms, at the end opposite the +door. These alcoves were made by a simple partition that separated one +side from the other, but left the bedrooms open to the rest of the room. + +Against the walls in the alcoves stood two light iron bedsteads, with a +single mattress on each, carefully folded back during the day, and made +up only after tattoo. + +The rest of the bedding was carefully and systematically piled on the +mattresses. + +In the partitions were rows of iron hooks, on which their clothing must +be placed in regular order, overcoats to the front, then rubber coats, +uniform coats, jackets, trousers, and underclothing following, with a +bag for soiled clothing at the rear. + +On the broad wooden bar that ran across the front of these alcoves, +near the ceiling, the names of the cadets who occupied the bedrooms +were posted, so inspecting officers could tell at a glance who occupied +the beds. + +At the front of the partition the washstand was placed, with the bucket +of water, dipper, and washbowl, which must always be kept in a certain +order, with the washbowl inverted, and the soapdish on top of it. + +Rifles were kept in the rack, barrels to the front, with dress hats on +the shelf, and a mirror in the middle of the mantelshelf. +Accoutrements and forage saps were hung on certain hooks, and clothing +and other things allowable and necessary were always to be kept in an +unvarying order on a set of open-faced shelves. + +The broom and slop-bucket were to be deposited behind the door, the +chairs against the table, when not in use, and the table against the +wall opposite the fireplace. + +At the foot of each bed the shoes were placed in a line, neatly dusted, +with toes to the front. + +It was required that the room should be constantly kept in perfect +order, and Merriwell and Hodge were called on to take turns, week and +week about, at being orderly, and the name of the one responsible for +the appearance of the room was placed on the orderly board, hung to the +front of the alcove partition. + +Back of the door was another board, on which each was required to post +his hours of recitation, and to account for his absence from the room +at any inspection. + +In fact, a rigid effort was made at Fardale to imitate in every +possible way the regulations and requirements enforced at West Point, +and it was the boast that the school was, in almost every particular, +identical with our great Military Academy. + +Of course, it was impossible to enforce the rules as rigidly as they +are at the Point, for the cadets at Fardale were, as a class, far +younger, and the disgrace of expulsion or failure in any way was not to +be compared with that attending unfortunates at the school where youths +are graduated into actual service as officers of the United States army. + +Many of the cadets at Fardale had been sent there by parents who could +not handle them at home, and who had hoped the discipline they would +receive at a military school would serve to tone down their wildness. +Thus it will be seen that many harum-scarum fellows got into the +school, and that they could not readily be compelled to conform to the +rules and requirements. + +For all that Frank Merriwell was a jolly, fun-loving fellow, he was +naturally orderly and neat, so that it seemed very little effort for +him to do his part in keeping the room in order. + +On the other hand, Bartley Hodge was naturally careless, and he had a +persistent way of displacing things that annoyed Frank, although the +latter said little about it at first. + +Whenever the inspecting officer found anything wrong about the room, he +simply glanced at the orderly board, and down went the demerit against +the lad whose name was posted there. It made no difference who had +left a chair out of place, hung a coat where it should not be, or +failed to invert the washbowl, the room orderly had to assume the +responsibility. + +Now, it was the last thing in the world that Hodge could wish to injure +Merriwell, but three times in Frank's first week as room orderly he was +reported for things he could not help, and for which Bart was entirely +responsible. + +Merriwell had risen to the first section in recitation at the very +start, while Hodge, who had been placed in the third, was soon +relegated to the second. + +Frank was trying to curb his almost unbounded inclination for mischief, +and he was studying assiduously. + +On the other hand, while Hodge did not seem at all mischievous by +nature, he detested study, and he was inclined to spend the time when +he should have been "digging," in reading some story, or in idly +yawning and wishing the time away. + +One day, after having taken his third demerit on his roommate's +account, the inspector having detected tobacco smoke in the room, Frank +said: + +"Why don't you swear off on cigarettes, Bart? They don't do a fellow +any good, and they are pretty sure to get him into trouble here at the +academy." + +Hodge was in anything but a pleasant frame of mind, and he instantly +retorted: + +"I know what you mean. You are orderly, and I ought to have spoken up +and told the inspector I had been smoking. I didn't know what it was +he put down, but I'll go and confess my crime now." + +He sprang up petulantly, but Frank's hand dropped on his arm, and +Merriwell quietly said: + +"Don't go off angry, old man. You know I don't want you to do anything +of the sort. I will take my medicine when I am orderly, and I know you +will do the same when it comes your turn." + +"Well, I didn't know----" began Bart, in a somewhat sulky manner. + +"You ought to know pretty well by this time. I am not much given to +kicking or growling, but I do want to have a sober talk with you, and I +hope you will not fire up at anything I say." + +"All right; go ahead," said Hodge, throwing himself wearily into a +chair, and thrusting his hands deep into his pockets. "I'll listen to +your sermon." + +"It isn't to be a sermon. You should know I am not the kind of a +fellow to preach." + +"That's so. Don't mind me. Drive ahead." + +"First, I want to ask how it is you happened to let yourself be put +back in recitations?" + +"Oh, Old Gunn just put me back--that's all." + +"But you are fully as good a scholar as I am, and you could have gone +ahead into the first section if you had braced up." + +"Perhaps so." + +"I know it. You do not study." + +"What's the use of boning all the time! I wasn't cut out for it." + +"That's the only way to get ahead here." + +"I don't care much about getting ahead. All I want is to pull through +and graduate. Then I can go to college if I wish. These fellows who +get the idea that they must dig, dig, dig here, just as they say they +do at West Point, give me a pain. What is there to dig for? We're not +working for commissions in the army." + +"From your point of view, you put up a very good argument," admitted +Frank; "but there's another side. It surely must be some satisfaction +to graduate well up in your class, if not at the head. And then, the +more a fellow learns here, the easier he will find the work after +entering college." + +"Work? Pshaw! There are not many fellows in colleges who are +compelled to bone. I hate work! I thought you were the kind of a +fellow who liked a little fun?" + +"Well, you know I am. Haven't I always been in for sport?" + +"But you're getting to be a regular plodder. You don't do a thing +lately to keep your blood circulating." + +"I am afraid you do too much that is contrary to rules, old man. For +instance, where is it that you go so often nights, and stay till near +morning?" + +"I go out for a little sport," replied Bart, with a grim smile. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +A GHASTLY SUBJECT. + +"But you know the consequences if you are caught," said Frank, +warningly. + +"Of course I do," nodded Bart, "but you must acknowledge there is not +much danger that I shall be caught, as long as I make up a good dummy +to leave in my place on the bed." + +"Still, you may be." + +"That's right, and there's where part of the sport comes in, as you +ought to know, for you are quite a fellow to take chances yourself, +Merriwell." + +"That's right," admitted Frank. "It's in my blood, and I can't help +it. Anything with a spice of risk or danger attracts and fascinates +me." + +"You are not in the habit of hesitating or being easily scared when +there is some sport in the wind." + +Frank smiled. + +"I never have been," he admitted. "I have taken altogether too many +risks in the past. A fellow has to sober down and straighten up if he +means to do anything or be anything." + +Bart made an impatient gesture. + +"Any one would think you were a reformed toper, to hear you talk," he +said, with a trace of a sneer. + +"Not if they knew me," said Frank, quietly. "Whatever my faults may +be, I never had any inclination to drink. I have had fellows tell me +they did so for fun, but I have never been able to see the fun in it, +and it surely is injurious and dangerous. I don't believe many young +fellows like the taste of liquor. I don't. They drink it 'for fun,' +and they keep on drinking it 'for fun' till a habit is formed, and they +become drunkards. Now, I can find plenty of fun of a sort that will +not harm me, or bring----" + +"I thought you weren't going to preach," interrupted the dark-haired +boy, impatiently. "Let me give you a text: 'Thou shalt not put an +enemy into thy mouth to steal away thy brain,' or something of the +sort. Now, go ahead and spout, old man." + +Frank's face grew red, and he bit his lip. He saw that Hodge was in a +most unpleasant humor, and so he forced a laugh. + +"What's the matter with you to-day, Bart?" he asked. "I haven't seen +you this way for a long time." + +"Oh, there's nothing the matter." + +"It must be staying up nights. Where do you go?" + +"If you want to come along, and have some fun, I will show you +to-night." + +Frank hesitated. It was a great temptation, and he felt a longing to +go. + +"Well," he said, finally, "I have not broken any in quite a while, and +I believe I'll take a whirl with you to-night." + +"All right," nodded Bart. "I'll show you some fellows with sporting +blood in their veins." + +"But I want you to understand I do not propose to follow it up night +after night," Frank hastened to say. "A fellow can't do it and stand +the work that's cut out for him here." + +"Bother the work!" + +"I'll have to work to keep up with the procession. If you can get +along without work, you are dead lucky." + +"Oh, I'll scrub along some way, don't you worry; and I will come out as +well as you do in the end." + +That night, some time after taps, two boys arose and proceeded to +carefully prepare dummies in their beds, arranging the figures so they +looked very much like sleeping cadets, if they were not examined too +closely. Bart was rather skillful at this, and he assisted Frank in +perfecting the figure in Merriwell's bed. + +"There," he finally whispered, with satisfaction, "that would fool +Lieutenant Gordan himself." + +They donned trousers and coats, and prepared to leave the room in their +stocking feet. + +Bart opened the door and peered cautiously out into the hall. + +"Coast is clear," he whispered over his shoulder. + +In another moment they were outside the room. Along the corridor they +skurried like cats, their feet making no noise on the floor. + +Frank was still entirely unaware of their destination, but, as they had +not taken their shoes, he knew they were not to leave the building. + +Frank cared little where they went, but he realized Hodge was leading +the way to a remote part of the building, where the rooms were not +entirely taken, as the academy was not full of students. + +All at once, Bart sent a peculiar hiss down the corridor, and it was +answered by a similar sound. + +A moment later they scudded past a fellow who was hugging in a shadow +where the lights did not reach. + +"Who's that?" whispered Frank. + +"That's the sentinel," replied Bart. + +Then they came to the door of a certain room, on which Hodge knocked in +a peculiar manner. + +A faint sound of unbarring came from behind the door, which quickly +opened, and they dodged into the room. + +As yet there was no light in the room, and, still filled with wonder, +Frank asked: + +"Was that the regular sentinel out there, Bart?" + +"That was our sentinel," was the reply. + +"But where are the regular sentinels? I did not see one of them." + +Faint chuckles came from several parts of the room, and Hodge replied: + +"At a certain hour each night the duties of the regular sentinels take +them away long enough for me to get out of my room and in here. See?" + +"They must be in the trick?" + +"The most of them are. When it happens that one is not, we have to +look out for him, and dodge him. To-night those on duty on this floor +were all fixed." + +Then somebody cautiously struck a match, by the flare of which Frank +saw several fellows were gathered in the room. + +A lamp was lighted, and Merriwell looked around. Besides Bart, he saw +Harvey Dare, George Harris, Wat Snell and Sam Winslow. + +"Hello, Merriwell, old man," some greeted, cordially, but cautiously. +"Glad to see Hodge has brought you along." + +Frank was instantly seized by an unpleasant sensation--a foreboding, or +a warning. Harris and Snell were not friends of his; in fact, in the +past, they had been distinctly unfriendly. Dare he knew little about, +as they had never had much to do with each other. Sam Winslow was a +plebe, having entered the academy at the same time with Merriwell, but +Frank had never been able to determine whether he was "no good" or a +pretty decent sort of fellow. + +Had Frank been governed by his first impression, he would have found an +excuse to bid that company good-night immediately, but he did not like +to do anything like that, for he knew it would cause them to designate +him as a cad, and he would be despised for doing so. + +He had gone too far to back out immediately, so he resolved to stay a +while, and then get out as best he could. + +At the window of the room blankets had been suspended, so no ray of +light could shine out into the night to betray the little party. + +At a glance, Frank saw the room was not occupied by students, for it +contained nothing but the bare furniture, besides a box on the table, +and the assembled lads. + +Bart saw Frank looking around, and divined his thoughts. + +"I suppose you are wondering where you are? Well, this is the room in +which Cadet Bolt committed suicide. It has been closed ever since, as +no fellow will occupy it. It is said to be haunted." + +This appealed to Frank's love of the sensational. Besides that, he +fancied he saw an opportunity for some sport that was not down in the +programme, and he smiled a bit. + +"Of course it isn't haunted," he said. "I don't believe there is a +fellow here who believes in ghosts?" + +"I don't." + +"Nor I." + +"Nor I." + +"Such stuff is rot!" + +"I don't believe in anything I can't see." + +Thus the assembled lads expressed themselves, and Frank smiled again. + +"While I do not believe this room is haunted," he said, "I once had a +rather blood-curdling experience with something like a disembodied +spirit--an adventure that came near turning my hair snowy white from +fright and horror. I will tell you about it. The original of my ghost +happened to be a fellow who committed suicide, and he----" + +"Say, hold on!" gurgled Wat Snell, who had declared that believing in +ghosts was "all rot." "What are we here for--to listen to ghost +stories or to have a little picnic?" + +"Oh, drop your ghost yam," said George Harris, who had asserted that he +did not believe in anything he could not see. "You may tell it to us +some other time." + +"But this is a really interesting story," insisted Frank. "You see, +the fellow shot himself three times, and when he did not die quickly +enough to be suited, he cut his throat from ear to ear, and his specter +was a most ghastly-appearing object, bleeding from the bullet wounds +and having a gash across its throat from----" + +"Say, will you let up!" gasped Harris. "If you don't, I'll get out!" + +"Oh, I don't want to break up this jolly gathering," said Frank, his +eyes twinkling, "but I was just going to tell how the ghost----" + +"Cheese it!" interrupted Sam Winslow. "Talk about something besides +ghosts, will you? You are not given to dwelling on such unpleasant +subjects, Merriwell." + +"But I thought you fellows didn't take any stock in ghosts?" + +"We don't," grinned Harvey Dare; "and that's just why we don't want to +hear about 'em." + +"We've got something else to do besides listen to yarns," said Harris. +"Let's proceed to gorge." And he began opening the box that sat on the +table. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +AN IRRESISTIBLE TEMPTATION. + +"Harris is lucky," said Sam Winslow. "His folks send him a box every +now and then, and he gets it through old Carter, at the village." + +"I have hard enough time smuggling it in," said Harris, "and I share +when I get it here." + +"For which we may well call ourselves lucky dogs," smiled Harvey Dare. +"A fellow gets awfully weary of the regular rations they have here." + +"That's right," agreed Frank. "I often long for the flesh pots of +Egypt, or almost anything in the way of a change of fare." + +"Well, here's where you get it--if you'll agree not to spring any more +ghost yarns on us," said Harris. "Just look over this collection of +palate ticklers, fellows." + +"Fruit cake!" gasped Sam, delightedly. "Oh, how my stomach yearns for +it!" + +"Cream pie!" ejaculated Wat Snell. "Yum! yum! Somebody please hold +me!" + +"Tarts!" panted Harvey Dare. "Oh, I won't do a thing to them!" + +"Look at the cookies and assorted good stuff!" murmured Bart, +ecstatically. "I shall be ready to perish without a tremor after this!" + +"Permit me to do the honors," said Harris, grandly. "Just nominate +your poison, and I will deal it out." + +So each one called for what he desired, and Harris supplied them, using +a pocket-knife with which to cut the cake and pie. + +"Aren't you glad you came, Merriwell?" asked Sam, with his mouth full +of fruit cake. + +"Sure," smiled Frank, as he helped himself. "I shall not regret it, if +it gives me indigestion." + +Frank believed Wat Snell was a sneak, but he did not fancy it would be +at all necessary to accept the fellow as a friend just because they had +met under such circumstances. He meant to use Snell well, and let it +go at that. + +The boys thoroughly enjoyed their clandestine feast. It was a luxury a +hundred times dearer than a feast from similar things could have been +had there been no secrecy about it and had it been perfectly allowable. + +They gorged themselves till they could eat no more, and the contents of +the box proved none too plentiful for their ravenous appetites. When +they had finished, nothing but a few crumbs were left. + +"There," sighed Harvey Dare, "I haven't felt so full as this before +since the last time Harris had a box." + +"Nor I," said Wat Snell, lighting a cigarette. "Have one, Merriwell?" + +Frank declined to smoke, but his example was not followed by any of the +other lads. Each one took a cigarette and "fired up." + +"You ought to smoke, Merriwell," said Dare. "There's lots of pleasure +in it." + +"Perhaps so," admitted Frank; "but I don't care for it, and, as it is +against the rules, it keeps me out of trouble by not smoking." + +"It's against the rules to indulge in this kind of a feast, old man. +You can't be too much of a stickler for rules." + +"It doesn't do to be too goody-good," put in Snell, insinuatingly. +"Such rubbish doesn't go with the fellows." + +"I don't think any one can accuse me of playing the goody-good," said +Frank, quietly. "I like fun as well as any one, as you all know, but I +do not care for cigarettes, and so I do not smoke them. I don't wish +to take any credit to myself, so I make no claim to resisting a +temptation, for they are no temptation to me." + +"Lots of fellows smoke who do not like cigarettes," assured Sam Winslow. + +"Well, I can't understand why they do so," declared Merriwell. + +"They do it for fun." + +"I fail to see where the fun comes in. There are enough improper +things that I would like to do for me not to care about those things +that are repugnant to me. Some time ago I made up my mind never to do +a thing I did not want to do, or did not give me pleasure, unless it +was absolutely necessary, or was required as a courtesy to somebody +else. I am trying to stick by that rule." + +"Oh, don't talk about rules!" cut in Dare. "It makes me weary! We +have enough of rules here at this academy, without making any for +ourselves." + +"Come, fellows," broke in Hodge; "let's get down to business." + +"Business?" said Frank, questioningly. "I thought this was a case of +sport?" + +"It is. You mustn't be so quick to catch up a word." + +The table was cleared, and the boys gathered round it, Hodge producing +a pack of cards, the seal of which had not been broken. + +"You'll notice that those papers are all right," he said, +significantly. "Nobody's had a chance to tamper with them." + +"What do you play?" asked Frank, to whose face a strange look had come +on sight of the cards. + +"Oh, we play most anything--euchre, seven up, poker----" + +"Poker?" + +"Yes; just a light game--penny ante--to make it interesting. You know +there's no interest in poker unless there's some risk." + +The strange look grew on Frank Merriwell's face. He seemed in doubt, +as if hesitating over something. + +"I--I think I will go back to the room," he said. + +"What's that?" exclaimed several, in amazement. "Why, you have just +got here." + +"But I am not feeling--exactly right. What I have eaten may give me a +headache, and I have a hard day before me to-morrow." + +"Oh, but we can't let you go now, old man," said Harris, decidedly. +"You must stop a while. If your head begins to ache and gets real bad, +of course you can go, but I don't see how you can get out now." + +Frank did not see either. He had accepted Harris' hospitality, had +eaten freely of the good things Harris had provided, and the boys would +vote him a prig if he left them for his bed as soon as the feast was +finished. It would seem that he was afraid of being discovered absent +from his room--as if he did not dare to share the danger with them. + +Frank was generally very decided in what he did, and it was quite +unusual for him to hesitate over anything. + +There is an old saying that "He who hesitates is lost." + +In this case it proved true. + +"Oh, all right, fellows," said Frank, lightly. "I'll stop a while and +watch you play." + +"But you must take a hand--you really must, you know," urged Harvey +Dare. "Our game is small. We'll put on a limit to suit you--anything +you say." + +"I do not play poker, if that is your game." + +"Don't you know how?" + +"Well, yes, I know a little something about it, but I swore off more +than a year ago." + +"Nobody ever swears off on anything for more than a year. Sit in and +take a hand." + +Still he refused, and they finally found it useless to urge him, so the +game was begun without him, and he looked on. + +The limit was set at ten cents, and it was to be a regular penny ante +game. + +There was some hesitation over the limit, which Bart named, winking +meaningly at one or two of the fellows who seemingly started to protest. + +Surely there could not be much harm in such a light game! No one could +lose a great deal. + +The first deal fell to Bart, and he shuffled the cards and tossed them +round in a way that betokened considerable dexterity and practice. + +The boys were inclined to be jolly, but they were forced to restrain +their feelings as far as possible, for, although the rooms near them +were unoccupied, there was danger that they might be heard by some one +who would investigate, and their sentinel might not be able to give the +warning in time. + +As Frank Merriwell watched the game, a peculiar light stole into his +eyes, and he was swayed by ill-repressed excitement. He was tempted to +get up and go away for all that anybody might say, but he did not go; +he lingered, and he was overcome by an irresistible longing--a desire +he could not govern. Finally, he exclaimed: + +"What's the use for me to sit humped up here! Give me a hand, and let +me in." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A GAME OF BLUFF. + +"That's the talk, old man!" exclaimed Harvey Dare, with satisfaction. +"Now you are beginning to appear natural." + +The other boys were only too glad to get Frank into the game, and room +was quickly made for him, while he was given a hand. + +The moment he decided to play, he seemed to throw off the air of +restraint that had been about him since he discovered the kind of +company Bart Hodge had brought him into. He became his free-and-easy, +jolly self, soon cracking a joke or two that set the boys laughing, and +beginning by taking the very first pot on the table after entering the +game. + +"That's bad luck," he said, with a laugh. "The fellow who wins at the +start usually loses at the finish, so I may as well consider my fortune +yours. Some of you will become enormously wealthy in about fifteen +minutes, for I won't last longer than that if my luck turns." + +He soon betrayed that he was familiar with the game, and luck ran to +him in a way that made the other boys look tired. He seemed able to +draw anything he wanted. + +"Say!" gasped Sam Winslow, in admiration; "I shouldn't think you'd want +to play poker--oh, no! If I had your luck, I'd play poker as a +profession. Why, if you drew to a spike, you'd get a railroad! I +never saw anything like it." + +Wat Snell had been losing right along, and he sneered: + +"There's an old saying, 'A fool for luck,' you know." + +"It applies in this case," laughed Frank. "If I wasn't a fool, I +wouldn't be in this game." + +"What's the matter with this game?" asked Harris. "Isn't the limit +high enough to suit you?" + +"That's the matter," said Dare, swiftly. "Let's raise the limit." + +"Let's throw it off," urged Snell. "What's the use of limit, any how?" + +Frank shook his head. + +"I don't believe in a no-limit game," he said. "There are none of us +millionaires." + +"And for that very reason, none of us will play a heavy game," said +Sam. "We have played a no-limit game before, and nobody ever bets more +than a dollar or so. That doesn't happen once a game, either." + +"Twenty-five cents is usually the limit of our bets," declared Harris. + +"Then raise the limit to a quarter," said Frank. "I am willing to give +you fellows a show to get back your money." + +But they did not fancy having the limit a quarter, and quite a long +argument ensued, which resulted in the game being resumed as a no-limit +affair. + +"There!" breathed Wat Snell, "this is something like it. Now I can do +something. If a fellow wanted to bluff he couldn't do it on a ten-cent +limit." + +Hodge had said very little, but he seemed willing and ready to throw +off the limit. + +The change of limit did not seem to affect Merriwell's luck, for he +continued to win. + +"I believe you are a wizard!" exclaimed Sam Winslow. "You seem to read +a fellow's cards." + +Wat Snell growled continually, and the more he growled the more he lost. + +"Oh, wait till I catch 'em by-and-by," he said, as he saw Frank rake in +a good pot. "I won't do a thing to you, if I get a good chance!" + +"If you have the cards, you will win," was the reply. "They are coming +for me now, and I am simply playing 'em." + +Hodge had lost something, but he said little, being more than satisfied +as long as Frank was winning. + +Thus the hours passed. + +By one o'clock Frank was far ahead of the game, but he still played on, +for he knew it would not seem right for him to propose stopping. + +Dare, Harris and Winslow were nearly broken, but they still hung on, +hoping for a turn in their direction. Snell had plenty of money, for +all that he had been the heaviest loser. + +Finally there came a good-sized jackpot, which Dare opened. Snell was +the next man, and he promptly raised it fifty cents. Winslow dropped +out, and Hodge raised Snell fifty cents. Then it came Frank's turn, +and he simply staid in. Harris was dealing, and he dropped out, while +Dare simply "made good." + +This gave Snell his turn, and he "boosted" two dollars. + +"Whew!" breathed Winslow. "That settles me. I'm out." + +Hodge was game, and he "came up" on a pair of nines. + +Snell was watching Merriwell, and the latter quietly pushed in two +dollars, which finished the betting till cards were drawn, as Dare +dropped out, after some deliberation. + +"How many?" asked Harris, of Snell. + +"Don't want any," was the calm reply. + +Hodge took three, as also did Merriwell, which plainly indicated they +had a pair each. + +"Snell has this pot in a canter," said Harris. + +Snell bet five dollars, doing it in a way that seemed to say he was not +risking anything. + +Hodge dropped his nines, which he had not bettered, and that left +Merriwell and Snell to fight it out. + +"This is why I object to a limit being taken off a game," said Frank. +"It spoils the fun, and makes it a clean case of gambling." + +"It's too late to make that kind of talk," sneered Snell. "You are in +it now. Do you call?" + +"No," replied Frank, "but I will see your five dollars, and put in +another." + +This created a stir, but Snell seemed delighted. + +"I admire your blood," he said, "but the bluff won't go with me. +Here's the five, and I will raise ten." + +Now there was excitement. + +Frank's cards lay face downward on the table, and every one was +wondering what he could have found to go up against Snell's pat hand. +He was wonderfully calm, as he turned to Bart, and asked: + +"Will you loan me something?" + +"Every cent I have," was the instant reply, as Hodge took out a roll of +bills and threw it on the table. "Use what you want." + +There were thirty-five dollars in the roll. Frank counted it over +carefully, and then put it all into the pot, raising Snell twenty-five +dollars! + +When he saw this, Snell's nerve suddenly left him. His face paled and +his hands shook. + +"Whoever heard of such infernal luck as that fellow has!" he grated. +"Held up a pair, and must have fours now!" + +Frank said not a word. His face was quiet, and he seemed waiting for +Snell to do something. + +"If you haven't the money to call him----" began Harris. + +"I have," declared Snell; "but what's the use. A man can't beat +fool-luck! Here's my hand, and I'll allow I played it for all it is +worth." + +He threw the cards face upward on the table, and smothered exclamations +of astonishment came from the boys. + +His hand contained no more than a single pair of four-spots! + +"Then you do not mean to call me?" asked Prank. + +"Of course not! Think I'm a blooming idiot!" + +"The pot is mine?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I will allow I played this hand for all it is worth," said the +winner, as he turned his cards over so all could see what they were. + +Wat Snell nearly fainted. + +Merriwell's hand was made up of a king, eight spot, five spot, and one +pair of deuces! + +It had been a game of bluff, and Frank Merriwell had won. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +FRANK'S REVELATION. + +"Great Caesar!" gasped Harvey Dare. "Will you look at that! That is +what I call nerve for you! That is playing, my boys!" + +Wat Snell rose slowly to his feet, his face very white. + +"It's robbery!" came hoarsely from his lips. + +"Steady, Snell!" warned Harvey Dare. "You were beaten at your own +game--that's all." + +Snell knew this, but it simply served to make his rage and chagrin all +the deeper. + +"I am not a professional card player," he said, bitterly, "and I am no +match for a professional." + +He was more deeply cut by the manner in which he had been beaten than +by the loss of his money. + +"Nor am I a professional," came quietly from Frank Merriwell's lips, as +he quickly sorted from the pot the money he had placed therein. "I +simply sized you up as on the bluff, and I was right. I don't want +your money, Snell; take it. I set into this game for amusement, and +not with the idea of beating anybody to any such extent as this." + +Snell hesitated, and then the hot blood mounted quickly to his face, +which had been so pale a few moments before. + +"No, I will not take the money!" he grated. "I take the offer as an +insult, Merriwell." + +"No insult is intended, I assure you." + +Snell was shrewd enough to know he would stand little chance of getting +into another game of poker with that company if he accepted the money, +and so he made a desperate effort to control his rage and play the +hypocrite. + +"I don't suppose you did mean the offer as an insult, Merriwell; and I +presume I was too hasty. I am rather quick at times, and, as Dare +says, I was beaten at my own game, which made me hot. You had nerve, +Merriwell; take the money--keep it." + +The words almost choked him, but he pretended to be quite sincere, +although his heart was full of bitterness and a longing to "get even." + +It was some time before Frank could be persuaded to accept his +winnings, and, when he did finally take it, he was resolved to return +it quietly and secretly to Snell, at such a time that no one else could +know anything of it. + +This matter was scarcely settled when there came a peculiar rap on the +door. + +"Who's that?" asked Frank, in some alarm. + +"It's our sentinel," assured Harris. "His time on post is up." + +The door opened, and Leslie Gage entered the room. Gage had been +Merriwell's bitter enemy at one time during the summer encampment, +having made two dastardly attacks on Frank, who had been generous +enough to rescue him from death after that, and had saved him from +expulsion by refusing to give any testimony against him. + +For all of this generosity on Merriwell's part, Gage still bore deep +down in his heart a hatred for the plebe who had become so popular at +the academy. This he tried to keep concealed, pretending that he had +changed into a friend and admirer. + +"Hello, Merriwell," he saluted. "Been having a little whirl with the +boys?" + +"I should say he has!" replied Snell. "He has whirled me wrong end up, +and I feel as if I am still twisted." + +Then the whole play was explained to Gage, who chuckled over it, and +complimented Frank on his nerve. + +For all of this apparent restoration of good feeling, Frank was +discerning enough to detect the insincerity of both Snell and Gage. + +Gage had done his duty as guard, and there was no one on the watch now. +None of the boys felt like taking the place, so it was decided to call +the "session" over for that night. + +"You must come again, Merriwell," said Dare. "You have given us the +sensation of the evening, and you must let Snell have a chance to get +square." + +"Yes," said Snell, "all I ask is a fair chance to get square. If I +fail, I won't say a word, and I'll acknowledge you are the best fellow. +Let's shake hands, Merriwell, and call it quits for the time being." + +"That's the stuff!" came from Sam Winslow. "Now everything is quiet on +the Potomac again." + +Frank shook hands with Snell, and a few moments later the boys began to +slip from the room and skurry along the corridors to their rooms, which +all reached without being challenged by the sentries. + +Bart was filled with satisfaction and delight, and before getting into +bed he whispered to Frank, not daring to speak aloud in that room: + +"That was the prettiest trick I ever saw! And I was delighted to see +you rub that fellow. He hasn't done a thing to me but win every time I +have held up a hand against him of late." + +Frank said nothing, and had there been a light in the room, Bart would +have seen that his face bore an expression that was anything but one of +satisfaction. + +Merriwell did not sleep well during the few hours before reveille. His +slumber was filled with dreams, and he muttered and moaned very often, +awaking Hodge once or twice. + +"I guess he is still playing," thought Bart. + +At reveille Frank was, as a rule, very prompt about springing out of +bed and hurrying into his clothes and through his toilet. On the +morning after the game, however, he continued to sleep till Hodge +awakened him by a fierce shaking. + +"Come, come, man!" said Bart; "turn out. Are you going to let a little +thing like last night break you up?" + +Frank got up wearily and stiffly. + +"I didn't sleep well," he said. + +He was quite unlike his usual spirited self. + +"Get a brace on," urged Bart. "You want to be on hand at roll-call." + +Finding it was necessary to "get a brace on," Frank did so, and was +able to leave the room in time to go rushing down the stairway and +spring into ranks at the last second. + +After breakfast, as Bart was sprucing up the room, and Frank was vainly +trying to prepare himself for the first recitation, but simply sat +staring in a bewildered way at the book he held, the former said: + +"You don't know what a slick trick you did last night, Merriwell! Why, +I'd given almost anything if I had been the one to soak Snell in that +fashion." + +Frank put down the book, and rose to his feet, pacing twice the length +of the room. All at once he stopped and faced Bart, and his voice was +not steady, as he said: + +"You didn't mean any harm, old man, but you did me a bad turn last +night." + +Bart stared, and asked: + +"How?" + +"By taking me where I could sit into a game like that. I am going to +tell you something. I have one great failing--one terrible fault that +quite overshadows all my other failings and faults. That is my passion +for cards--or, to put it more strongly and properly, my passion for +gambling." + +Bart whistled. + +"You don't mean to say that you have a failing or a fault that you +cannot govern, do you?" he asked. + +Frank put out one hand, and partly turned away. Instantly Bart sprang +forward and caught the hand, saying swiftly: + +"There, there, Merriwell--don't notice it! I didn't mean anything. +You are sensitive to-day. Hang it all, man! do you think I want to +hurt your feelings without cause! I shouldn't have said it, for I see +you are not yourself." + +"No, I am not," confessed Frank. "You know every fellow has a secret. +I did not intend to tell mine. I believe I was born with an intense +passion for gambling." + +"And you cannot govern it?" + +"Well, I have been able to do so during the past year." + +"Oh, you are all right; you have a strong mind and----" + +"Every strong mind has a weak spot. I began gaming by playing marbles, +and the passion grew on me. When I had money, I gambled for cents and +nickels. As I grew older, I learned to play cards, and I gambled for +larger sums. If I knew that a game was going on I would leave +everything to get into it. Once I 'appropriated' money from my +mother's purse to gamble with." + +Frank stopped. His face crimsoned as he uttered the words, and he +showed his deep shame and humiliation. But he quickly added: + +"That was my first and last theft. The shame and disgrace of exposure +by my mother was nearly more than I could endure. But she did not know +I played cards for money. Thank God! she never knew! She died when I +was twelve years old. + +"I never knew much about my father's business. He was much away from +home, and I saw him but little. After mother's death, I went to live +with my uncle. Still I played cards for money, and the passion grew +upon me. A little more than a year ago I was rapidly developing into a +young gambler. Then came news of my father's sudden death in +California, and I swore I would never play cards again. Last night I +broke my oath." + +"What was the cause of your father's death?" asked Bart, by way of +saying something. + +"He was shot over a game of cards in a gambling-house," replied Frank, +hoarsely. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE PLOT. + +Wat Snell and Leslie Gage were roommates, and they certainly made a +delectable pair. + +Gage was naturally the leader, being the worse of the two. He was a +daring and reckless sort of fellow--one who would not stop at anything, +and who would have recourse to almost any measure to gain his ends. + +This revengeful fellow had never forgiven Merriwell for what he +considered a great injury. Gage had been the pitcher on the regular +ball team, but, by superior skill, Merriwell had supplanted him. That +was enough to produce in Gage's heart a feeling of undying hatred for +the successful plebe. + +It made no difference that Frank had, in all probability, saved him +from death after he had twice attempted to kill Merriwell. Gage had +been shrewd enough to see that he must dissemble if he would remain in +the academy, and so he pretended to be repentant and to think Frank one +of the finest fellows in the world, while his hatred and longing for +"revenge" still lay hidden, black and hideous, in a secret corner of +his heart. + +Snell was quite a different sort of bad boy. He regarded Gage as his +superior, and he was ready to do almost anything for the fellow, but he +could not imitate Leslie's daring, and he kept his own vileness so much +concealed that many square, honest lads believed he was a really good +fellow. Bart Hodge had begun to think Snell was a sneak and bad, but +he had no proof of it, and so he kept still. + +Wat was in anything but a pleasant mood the day after the game of +cards. He flung things round the room in a way that caused Gage to +regard him with wonder, as it was so much unlike the usual quiet, +crafty roommate he knew. + +"What's the matter with you, Wat?" he asked, in surprise. "You must be +ill. Go directly and place those things where they belong, for we +never know when one of those blooming inspectors will pop in. I am +room orderly this week, and am going to have things kept straight, for +I can't afford to take any more demerit. My record is bad enough as it +stands." + +So, with a little grumbling, Wat went about and restored to order the +things he had disarranged, but he could not help thinking how often, +when he was room orderly, he had been obliged to follow Gage about, and +gather up things he had displaced. + +"What's the matter?" repeated Leslie, who suspected the truth. "You +don't seem to feel well, old boy." + +"Oh, it's nothing," replied Wat. "I was thinking of last night." + +"And raising all this row because you happened to drop a dollar. Why, +that's the run of the cards." + +"Oh, it wasn't what I lost that made me mad." + +"Then what was it?" + +"Why, I was thinking that that fellow Merriwell won." + +"And I presume you were thinking how he won the last pot, eh?" + +"Yes"--sullenly. + +"You don't love Merriwell a great deal?" + +"I should say not! I despise the fellow!" + +"And you'd like to get square?" + +"Wouldn't I!" + +"I suppose you mean to do so?" + +"If I ever get the chance--yes." + +"I fancy you are aware that I am not dead stuck on Merriwell myself?" + +"Yes, I know." + +"I have an old score to settle with him, and I will settle it some way. +I failed in one or two attempts to do him up, for----" + +"You were altogether too bold, partner mine; and it's a wonder you were +not expelled from the academy. You would have been if Merriwell had +blowed on you." + +"That's right, and he would have done so if he had known what was good +for him. He is soft!" + +"In some things he may be soft, but you must acknowledge he is hard +enough in others. He has a way of coming on top in almost everything." + +Gage could not deny this, and it made him angry to think of it. + +"You are right," he said, fiercely. "I suppose I was foolish to fight +him in the way I did. That big bully Bascomb got a hold on me, and he +has been blackmailing me ever since. Hang that fellow! I'll choke the +wind out of him yet!" + +A crafty look came to Snell's face, and he said: + +"There are ways to down a fellow without showing your hand." + +"I suppose so; but it usually takes too long to suit me. I like to +jump on an enemy at once, and do him up." + +"Well, I hope you are satisfied that Merriwell is the kind of a fellow +who will not be jumped on that way?" + +"It seems so." + +"Then it is possible you are ready to try some other method?" + +Their eyes met, and Wat grinned significantly. + +"How do you mean?" asked Leslie, eagerly. "You have some kind of a +scheme?" + +"That fellow won some money off me, and I refused to take it back. He +must show up again, and give me a chance to square the score. He is +bound in honor not to refuse to do so." + +"That's right," nodded Gage. + +"Well, you are rather handy with the cards, and I reckon you will not +find it hard to fleece him." + +"Oh, I can beat him out of his money, but that is poor satisfaction +when you want to disgrace a fellow and drive him out of the school." + +"We'll find a way for that, if we can get him to following the game." + +"I don't know as I see how." + +"His parents are dead." + +"Well?" + +"He is supported by a rich uncle, who sent him here to this school." + +"What of that?" + +"His uncle gives him a regular allowance. If Merriwell exceeds that +allowance, there will be inquiries as to what he has done with his +money." + +"I begin to see." + +"This uncle is a stern, crusty old fellow, and he would be furious if +he should accidentally find out that his nephew is gambling. The +chances are about ten to one that he would take him out of Fardale and +turn him adrift to hustle for himself." + +Gage's eyes began to glitter, and the smile about his mouth was most +unpleasant to see. + +"Snell," he said, "you have a head on your shoulders! You are a dandy +schemer! But how will this uncle find out that Merriwell has been +gambling?" + +"There are several ways for him to find it out. If we can get hold of +a few of Merriwell's IOU's, they might be sent to the uncle for +collection." + +"I see; but first we must run him out of ready cash." + +"Of course. By the time he has lost all his money, he will be eager to +play to win it back. We must lend him money, and take his IOU's." + +"We'll do it!" Gage jumped up, struck Snell a blow on the back, and +then grasped his hand, giving it a shake. + +"We'll do it!" he repeated. "Merriwell's goose is beautifully cooked!" + +Snell smiled in his crafty way. + +"I am glad you take to the scheme, for with your aid, there ought not +to be any trouble in carrying it out." + +"Oh, we'll work it! But how did you find out so much about Merriwell? +That's what sticks me. He has been sort of a mystery here, as none of +the fellows knew exactly where he came from, or anything about his +folks." + +"Oh, I took a fancy to get posted concerning him. At first I didn't +see how I was going to do so. That was during camp, and Hans +Dunnerwust tented with him then. I cultivated the thick-headed +Dutchman, and succeeded in getting into his good graces. So I often +visited Hans in the tent when Merriwell and Mulloy, that Irish clown, +who thinks Merriwell the finest fellow in the world, were away. I kept +my eyes open, and one day I spotted a letter to Merriwell. I swiped it +instanter, and it helped me out, for it was from his uncle." + +"You're an artist in your line, Wat!" exclaimed Leslie, approvingly. + +"That letter didn't give me all the information I desired," continued +Snell, "but I found I had a friend living in a town adjoining the one +Merriwell hails from, so I wrote and asked him to find out a few things +for me. He rode over on his wheel, and found out what I have told you." + +"Why, you are a regular detective, old man!" + +"Merriwell's mother," continued Wat, "has been dead several years. No +one seems to know much about his father, except that he was nearly +always away from home, and he died suddenly in California a little more +than a year ago. I haven't been able to find out that he left any +property, so Merriwell is dependent on the generosity of a rather +crabbed and crusty old uncle, whose head is filled with freaks and +fancies. He seems to be just the kind of a man who would be easily +turned against a nephew who had, as he would consider it, gone astray." + +"That settles Merriwell! If we cannot get the old uncle down on him, +we are pretty poor schemers." + +They looked at each other and smiled again. A precious pair of +youthful plotters they were! + +"We must be slick about this business," warned Snell. "We mustn't let +anybody but ourselves get the least wind of it." + +"Certainly not." + +"And we must do our prettiest to pull the wool over Merriwell's eyes, +for you know he is rather discerning in some things, and he may be +inclined to be wary. We must seem to think he is the finest fellow in +the world." + +"That will be pretty hard," said Leslie, with a wry face, "but I have +been doing something in that line of late, and I will keep it up. That +business doesn't come so easy for me as it does for you." + +"You can do it, if you try. And I shall depend on you to skin him with +the papers." + +"That won't be hard, if he plays square." + +"I don't think there is any doubt about that. He is one of the kind of +fellows who doesn't know enough to play any other way." + +"Then Frank Merriwell's name is mud--with a capital M." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +SPREADING THE SNARE. + +The plot was laid, the snare was set, but the game seemed wary. For +some time Frank Merriwell remained away from those midnight gatherings +in the room of the student who had committed suicide. + +"Hang the luck!" exclaimed Gage. "Is he going to keep away right +along?" + +"He must not be allowed to do so," said Leslie. "He must be shamed +into coming." + +"That may not be easy." + +"It should not be difficult with a fellow like Merriwell. He must give +me a chance to get even." + +"Hodge doesn't try to get Merriwell out again." + +"No. He says he will not influence him to attend the gatherings." + +"What's the matter with Hodge?" + +"I don't know. He is ready enough to come himself." + +It was true that Bart had positively refused to use his influence to +induce Merriwell to attend again one of the secret parties. He had +been greatly moved by Frank's revelation, and he had resolved not to +lead Frank into the path that was so fascinating and so dangerous for +him. He did not know that the evil was already done--the fever was +burning in Merriwell's veins. + +Frank had been waiting an opportunity to speak with Snell in private, +and it came one day when he met the fellow on the grounds outside the +academy. + +"Hello, Snell," he saluted. "I have been looking for you." + +"And I have been looking for you," said Wat, meaningly. "Why haven't +you ever come round since that night? Aren't you going to give a +fellow a show to get square?" + +"I am not going to play cards any more!" + +"What?" cried Wat, in apparent astonishment. "That beats anything I +ever heard! You have beaten me out of a good roll, and now----" + +"I have been looking for you that I might return every cent you lost +that night, so you cannot consider me mean if I do not give you a +chance to get even over the table. If you will tell me just how much +you dropped, I'll make it good now." + +An eager look came to Wat's face, but it quickly vanished, for he +realized that he would defeat himself if he accepted the money. + +"What do you take me for!" he cried, with apparent indignation. "I am +not that kind of a fellow!" + +"You need never fear that I will say anything about it, for I pledge +you my word of honor to say nothing. All I want is to make sure you do +not feel that I have any money that belongs to you." + +"I don't care whether you say anything about it or not, Merriwell. +That does not keep me from accepting the money. I tell you I am not +that kind of a fellow. You won it, and you will keep it, unless you +have nerve enough to give me an opportunity to win it back." + +This did not suit Frank at all, for the money had lain like a load on +his conscience. He had sworn not to gamble again, and he had broken +his oath. But, what was worse, so long as he kept that money, he felt +that he really ought to give Snell a chance to get square. There +seemed but one way to get out of playing again, and that was to make +Snell take back the money. + +But it was useless for him to urge Wat; not a dollar would the fellow +accept. + +"You can't give me back anything," declared Snell. "You won that money +by having the most nerve--at that time. But you can't repeat the +trick, old man," he added, jovially. "Come around to-night, and see if +you can." + +Frank shook his head. + +"No," he declared, "I shall not come." + +"Oh, what's the use, Merriwell! We want you to come, and all the +fellows are saying it is not like you to win a few dollars and then +stay away. I have told them over and over that I do not believe you +are staying away because you are afraid I will win the money back. +You're not that kind of a fellow." + +At that moment Snell seemed very sincere, and Frank said: + +"Thank you. I am glad to know you do not believe such a thing possible +of me. Still, I shall not come." + +"Oh, yes you will!" laughed Wat. "It can't be that you're afraid of +being caught. If anybody says so, I'll swear I know better. You have +nerve enough not to care for that. Come around to-night. We'll look +for you." + +Snell hurried away, knowing full well that he had said things which +must worry Merriwell, if they did not drive him into coming to the +midnight card parties. + +Wat was right. Frank was worried not a little, for he could not bear +to fancy that some of the boys thought him mean in staying away. Hodge +saw Merriwell was troubled, but the dark-haired boy remained silent. + +In the meantime, finding Hodge would do nothing to bring Merriwell +round. Gage and Snell tried their best to make friends with Hans +Dunnerwust and Barney Mulloy, as these boys were particular friends of +Merriwell's, and might be induced to use some influence over him. + +Barney, however, was wary. He did not fancy either Gage or Snell, and +he repulsed their advances. + +To Hans, the temptation of a midnight supper on cakes and pies was too +much to resist, and he was added to the circle that gathered in the +room of the suicide. + +Hans could play poker, and the game being made small enough to suit +him, he came in and won about two dollars, which made him swell up like +a toad, and declared: + +"Uf you poys know some games vot I can play petter as dot boker, shust +you name him, und I vill do you at dot. Oh, I vose a dandy on trucks, +ain'd it? Shust keep your eye on me, und I vill learn some tricks vot +you don'd know alretty yet." + +Snell did his best to make Hans believe he was a great favorite, and +then he told him how Frank had won the only time he had appeared in the +game, and had never come around since. + +"Some of the fellows seem to think he is afraid I will win the money +back," said Wat; "but I don't take any stock in that, for Merriwell's +not that kind of a fellow. Still, I don't like to have such ideas +concerning him get into circulation." + +"Dot vos vere I vos righdt," nodded Hans. "He don't peen dot kindt uf +a feller ad all, you pet me my shirt! Dot Vrankie Merrivell vos a +taisy, undt he don'd peen afrait a show to gif anypody. You vait till +I tell him vot dose fellers say. I pet me your life he vill gome +aroundt bretty kuveek righdt avay." + +"Oh, don't say anything about it!" exclaimed Snell, as if he really +wished Hans to keep silent. "Merriwell knows his business. His +friends will stand up for him, no matter what others may say." + +"Vell, I vos going to toldt him dot shust der same. Uf he don'd peen +aroundt here der next dime, I don'd know der kindt uv a feller vot he +vos peen yet avile." + +"Well, don't mention that I said anything. He might fancy I thought +him afraid to come round." + +"I don'd call your name at all, don'd you let me vorry apout dot." + +Snell knew the Dutch boy would lose little time in communicating with +Frank, and he was right. Hans did not see that Frank was little like +his usual jovial self, and he did not know in what a turbulent state of +mind the unfortunate plebe was left. + +Bart was not a little worried over Frank, for he saw how the lad had +changed in a short time, but he hoped that Merriwell would come round +in time, and be his old jolly self. + +That evening, a short while before taps, Frank asked: + +"I suppose it is another card party to-night?" + +"Yes," replied Bart, "a few of us are going to get together." + +"Will Snell be there?" + +"I presume so." + +No more was said. Bart rose and slipped out of the room at the usual +time, thinking Frank was asleep. + +But Frank was not asleep, and Hodge was scarcely gone when he, too, +arose and began to arrange a dummy in his bed. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE HAUNTED ROOM. + +The little party of card players was expectantly awaiting the +appearance of Bartley Hodge. + +There was to be no feast this night--nothing but cigarettes and draw +poker. + +Hodge appeared at last, and he brought a disappointment to at least two +of the party, for Frank Merriwell was not with him. + +Leslie Gage and Wat Snell exchanged glances that were full of meaning. + +Sam Winslow was on guard outside, it being his turn to fill that +unenviable position. + +"Hello, Hodge," saluted Harvey Dare. "Now we are ready to proceed to +business." + +"Dot vas righdt," nodded Hans Dunnerwust, who was on hand. "I vos +goin' to smoke cigarreds to-nighd dill I vos sick, und haf a pully +dime." + +"Why doesn't Merriwell ever show up again?" asked Leslie Gage. + +"That's it," joined in Wat Snell, "why doesn't he come round and give a +fellow a show to win back some of that money he won off us? Is he +afraid?" + +"You know well enough that Frank Merriwell is not afraid," said Bart, +quickly. + +"Well, it looks that way," declared Leslie. + +"Yes, it looks that way," echoed Wat. + +"Possibly he has too much sense to spend his nights here," said Hodge. +"If I had known that much, I wouldn't have gone back a class. +Merriwell is in the first section, and he is making right along." + +"Well, he is a different fellow than I thought he was," asserted Snell. +"Until lately, he has seemed quite a fellow for sport, but he is +degenerating into a drone." + +"Such drones are the fellows who get along well in school and in the +world." + +"Bah! Give me a fellow with blood in him!" came contemptuously from +Gage. + +Leslie had grown desperate, having come to the conclusion that Frank +was not to be cajoled into playing poker any more. He now determined, +of a sudden, that he would take another tack, and see if he could not +anger Merriwell into coming. + +Hodge remembered that Gage had tried to injure Frank in the past, and +the dark-eyed plebe was ready to blaze forth in an instant. Although +he did not know it, Gage was treading on the very thin crust that +covered a smoldering volcano. + +Leslie was not warned by the fire that gleamed in Bart's eyes, for he +continued: + +"If Merriwell persists in staying away--if he does not show up and give +Snell a chance to get square, he is----" + +A knock at the door! + +It was the regular signal for admittance, and so, after the first start +of alarm, George Harris said: + +"Open up quickly. It must be Sam, and, if so, there's something wrong +in the wind." + +Wat Snell opened the door, and, to their amazement, into the room +stepped Frank Merriwell! + +It was with difficulty that the boys suppressed a shout of welcome. + +Snell quickly closed the door, and then the boys rushed at Frank and +shook his hand delightedly. + +"You're a sight for sore eyes!" exclaimed Wat Snell, joyously. + +"Dot vos so!" agreed Hans. "You vould peen a sighd for a plind man!" + +"I will take back anything I said, and swallow what I was going to +say," came from Leslie Gage. "I didn't think it could be possible you +wouldn't come round again, old man." + +"Now, we will have a jolly little racket," said George Harris. "And +you want to look out for Merriwell. He is a great bluffer." + +"But he doesn't bluff all the time," supplemented Harvey Dare. "I +found out that he held cards occasionally, for I called him a few the +last time he was around." + +Frank laughed; it was his old, jolly laugh, suppressed somewhat. He +seemed like himself once more, as Bart Hodge instantly noted. He had +cast off the strain under which he had been for so long, and now Frank +Merriwell, mischievous and full of fun, was on deck again. + +But this did not quite please Hodge, who watched his roommate closely, +his uneasiness growing as he saw how care-free Merriwell seemed. What +had brought about such a change? Had Frank thrown his resolutions to +the wind? + +"I've got a supply of coffin-nails," said Snell, as he produced several +packages of cigarettes. "Help yourselves, gentlemen. Pass them round." + +Round they went, and when they reached Frank Merriwell he accepted one. + +"I am going to be real dissipated to-night," he laughed, as he struck a +match and "fired up." "You may have to carry me to my room on a +shutter, for I actually am going to smoke!" + +Leslie Gage and Wat Snell exchanged glances of satisfaction. + +A black look came to Bart Hodge's face, and he half started up as Frank +took the cigarette, acting as if he would utter a warning. Then he +settled back in his seat, thinking: + +"Let him smoke, if he wants to. One cigarette will do nobody harm." + +But Hodge knew in his heart that it was not the smoking of one or a +dozen cigarettes that was dangerous to Merriwell; it was the breaking +of his resolutions--it was the feeling of abandon and recklessness that +had seemed to seize upon him. + +Not much time was lost in beginning the game, but now Bart insisted on +a proper limit. + +"What do you say, Merriwell?" asked George Harris. "What kind of a +limit suits you?" + +"Anything from five cents to the sky," was the laughing reply. "Fix it +to suit yourselves." + +Once more Gage and Snell exchanged glances. + +Bart stuck for a moderate limit, but he finally agreed to make it a +dollar, the ante being five cents. + +"Vell, uf I had pad luck, I don'd last long at dot," said Hans. "I +don'd haf more as four tollars und sefen cends." + +"Merriwell won at the start the last time he was here, and he kept the +luck straight through to the finish," observed Harvey Dare. "It isn't +often such a thing occurs." + +A few minutes later, as Harris beat Frank, the latter said: + +"This game starts differently from the other, fellows. I have lost at +the beginning, and to keep up the precedent I have established, I must +lose all through it." + +He said this smilingly, as if he really wished to lose. + +As the cards were being dealt, Bart, who sat by his roommate's side, +leaned toward Frank, and softly asked: + +"What made you come, old man?" + +"Couldn't keep away," was the reply. + +"Well, be careful--keep watch of yourself." + +"Not to-night, Bart. I am going to let loose on this occasion." + +Frank played recklessly from the start, and fortune fluctuated with +him, for he would forge ahead and then drop behind, but he was never +much ahead, nor far behind. For all of his careless playing, he seemed +to hang about even. + +Leslie Gage was too shrewd to try to get at Frank on this occasion, for +he wanted Merriwell to win again, so they would get a still firmer hold +upon him. + +Wat Snell lost steadily, soon beginning to growl, and keeping it up. +Once, under cover of conversation the others were making, he leaned +toward Gage and muttered: + +"Merriwell is my hoodoo. I can't do a thing with him in the game." + +"Keep cool," warned Leslie. "Never mind what happens this time. We'll +get at him again." + +Hans Dunnerwust managed to blunder along and keep in the game by sheer +luck, for he did not play the cards for their face value at any time. +Still he made enough to keep on his feet and not have to get out of the +game. + +"Vell!" Hans finally exclaimed, as he tried in vain to win, "uf I don'd +do petter as dot, I vill suicide go und gommit bretty soon alretty." + +"By the way, Hans," said Frank, "do you know that the fellow who used +to have this room committed suicide here?" + +"Shimminy Gristmas!" gurgled the Dutch boy. "You don'd say dot!" + +"Yes, I do, and the room is said to be haunted by his spook, which +cannot rest in its grave." + +"Vell, dot vos nice! Oxcuse me while I haf a chill!" + +At this moment a hollow groan seemed to come from beneath the chair on +which Hans sat, and the Dutch lad gave a jump, getting on his feet +quickly, and peering under the chair, his face growing pale, as he +chattered: + +"Vot vos dot, ain'd id?" + +Some of the other boys were not a little alarmed, for all had heard it +distinctly. + +"It--it actually sounded like a groan!" said Wat Snell. + +"That's what it did," agreed George Harris. + +"But you know it couldn't have been anything of the sort," laughed +Frank, "for you fellows do not believe in ghosts." + +"Who--who--who said anything about ghosts?" stammered Snell. + +At this moment another groan, louder and more dismal than the first, +seemed to come from directly beneath the table. + +There was a scrambling among the boys, as they hastened to get their +legs from beneath that table. + +"I don'd feel very vell aroundt der bit uf mein stomach," gasped Hans. +"I pelief I vos going to be sick alretty yet." + +One of the boys held the light, while they all looked under the table, +but they did not find anything there. + +"Now, that is singular," commented Harvey Dare. "If that wasn't a +groan, I never heard one in my life." + +"And a real ghostly groan at that!" said Leslie Gage. + +"I never did take any stock in this rot about ghosts, but----" + +"Beware, young man, how you mock at the spirits of the departed!" + +The voice seemed to come from one of the alcove bedrooms, and it was of +the sort to make the hair stand on the head of a superstitious person. + +"Oh, dunder und blitzen!" panted Hans. "Dot vos a shook! Uf I don't +ged avay oud uf here righd off, I peen gone grazy! I don'd vant any +shook in mine!" + +"It is some fellow playing a joke on us," said Harvey Dare, angrily. +"Some one has concealed himself in there. Bring the light, fellows, +and we will soon find out." + +He started for the alcove, but no one seemed anxious to take the light +and follow him. After a moment, however, Frank did so. + +All through both alcoves Harvey searched, and his face was rather pale +when he and Frank returned to the table. + +"What did you find?" asked Wat Snell, thickly. + +"Not a thing but dust," replied Harvey. "There hasn't been a living +soul in either of those bedrooms since the room was closed after the +suicide." + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the hollow voice. "You are right. They dare not +come, but I am doomed to stay here till this building shall crumble and +decay." + +"Vell, you may sday till der cows come home!" gurgled Hans; "but I +don'd peen caught in here any more bretty soon righd avay, you pet!" +and he made a break for the door. + +The others quickly extinguished the light, and followed him. + +There would be no more gatherings in that room. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +IN THE MESHES. + +Frank Merriwell fancied he had hit upon a scheme to stop the card games +from which he could not remain away. Being a skilled ventriloquist, he +was the author of the dismal groans and the mysterious voice that had +so alarmed the boys. + +Bart was not in the secret, and so he wondered, when he heard Frank +chuckling to himself, after they had safely reached their room and were +getting into bed. + +For several days the "gang" was disconsolate, having no place in which +they could play a game of cards without fear of detection at any +instant. + +Frank Merriwell seemed restored to his usual jolly self. He laughed +and joked, and did not seem worried over anything. + +But the "gang" would not remain long without a place in which to play +cards. + +One day Frank received an invitation to "sit into a little game" that +evening. + +Snell tendered the invitation. + +Merriwell's face clouded instantly. + +"Why, there is no place to play, is there?" + +"Sure!" was the reply. "You didn't suppose we'd be knocked out so +easy, did you? + +"Where do you play?" + +"Come along with Hodge to-night, and he will show you. You have been +there before." + +But Frank did not come along. + +Three nights he knew of Bart rising and stealing out of the room. Then +there was an interval of two nights, during which Bart, plainly too +much used up to stand the strain, or else out of money, remained in his +bed. + +When Hodge arose again, and prepared to go out, he heard a stir in +Merriwell's alcove. + +"Are you awake, Frank?" he asked, softly. + +"Yes," was the reply, "and I am going with you." + +Bart hesitated. He was tempted to undress and return to bed, but he +had received his money from home that day and, having lost heavily the +last time he played, he was anxious for "satisfaction." + +"I'm not Merriwell's guardian," he thought. "I guess the fellow is +able to take care of himself." + +So he told Frank to dress fully for going out, and to take his shoes in +his hand. + +Together they crept from the room, slid along the corridor, watched a +favorable moment to get past the sentinel, and finally found their way +into a room where the "gang" was waiting. + +There was much whispered satisfaction when Merriwell was known to be +with Hodge. + +Then the window was softly opened, and one by one the boys descended +the fire-escape, which ran past that window. The last one out closed +the window, having arranged it so it could be readily opened from the +outside. + +Behind the messhall they sat down on the ground and pulled on their +shoes. + +It was a cool, starry night, + +"I rather fancy I know where we are bound," said Frank. + +"Where?" asked Bart. + +"To the old boathouse, down the cove." + +"Sure. You are a good guesser, old man." + +Then the thought came to Frank that it would be a good thing for +Fardale Academy if that boathouse should burn to the ground. It was +there plebes generally received their first hazing, and there most of +the fights between the cadets took place. + +To the boathouse they went, and this night luck ran against Frank, for +he lost heavily. + +"There," he said, as he and Bart were returning together, "I can stay +away from the game now, and no one will have a right to accuse me of +meanness, for I have dropped more than I made at both of the other +games I have been in." + +"That's right," assured Bart, "you may do as you like now, and I'll +fight the fellow that dares open his trap about it." + +But Frank had taken the false step that leads to others, and he was to +find it no easy thing to keep away from the game that fascinated him +so. For a little time he succeeded, but he was uneasy and in a bad way +so long as he knew a game was going on. Night after night he heard +Bart dress and slip out, and the longing to accompany him grew and grew +till it was unbearable. + +"What's the matter with Merriwell?" one of his classmates asked of +another. "He was making right along at one time, and we all thought he +would head the class, but now he is making an average of less than 2.5." + +"Oh, he is flighty," replied the other. "Do you notice that he doesn't +seem to be as jolly and full of fun as he was once." + +"I believe he is in some kind of trouble," declared the first. "He +doesn't ever get a max lately." + +By way of explanation, let us state, a "max" was the highest mark +obtainable, or 3; 2.9 or 2.8 was considered first class, 2.5 was really +good, 2 was fair, and below that it fell off rapidly too, which meant +utter failure. + +Frank was, indeed, in trouble. He found it impossible to keep away +from the poker parties, and so, one night after Bart had departed, +being unable to sleep, he got up and followed his roommate again. + +Gage and Snell were rejoiced, for they saw they had Merriwell fairly +within the meshes. All that was needed now was to close the net +carefully and draw it tighter and tighter about him, till there was no +possible escape. + +This trick was accomplished with consummate skill. Frank's luck seemed +to have deserted him, but at first his losings were just heavy enough +to provoke without alarming him. Sometimes he would win a little, and +then he would fancy his luck had turned, but the tide soon set the +other way. + +Made angry by his petty losses, he followed the game with dogged +persistency. And those petty losses soon began to grow larger and +larger. His money melted away rapidly, and still fortune frowned on +him. + +In vain Hodge counseled his friend to drop the game and stay away. +Such advice was now wasted on Frank, and it made him angry. + +"It's too late!" he hotly declared. "I am going to see the thing +through!" + +And so the meshes of the snare closed around him. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +DOWNWARD. + +In vain Gage and Snell tried to get hold of some IOU's with Frank +Merriwell's name on them. Frank's money was exhausted, and he stopped +playing suddenly. Gage offered to loan him money, but he had not +forgotten the past, and not a cent of Gage's cash would he touch. + +Then Snell tried it, but was no more successful. + +This made them both angry. + +"Confound the fellow!" said Gage, fiercely. "We've got him badly +tangled; but he seems to have taken the alarm, and I'm afraid he will +break away." + +"We must not let him do so," said Snell. "If we lose our fish now, +we'll never land him." + +"What can be done?" + +"That is for us to study out." + +And so they set about plotting and trying to devise still other schemes +to disgrace Frank, and drive him from the academy. + +In the meantime, a feeling of revulsion had seized Frank Merriwell. Of +a sudden he had perceived whither he was drifting. He realized what +false steps he had already taken, and he was heartily ashamed of +himself. + +Among his treasures was a medal of honor presented to him by Congress +for twice saving the life of Inza Burrage, a pretty girl who lived in +Fardale, and whose brother, Walter, was a cadet at the academy. Once +he had fought a mad dog with no weapon but a clasp-knife, and kept the +creature from biting Inza, and once he had saved her from death beneath +the wheels of the afternoon express, which flew through Fardale village +without stopping. + +Coming across this medal where he kept it choicely deposited, it +suddenly brought to him an overwhelming feeling of self-abasement and +shame. + +What would Inza Burrage think of him if she knew of his weakness--knew +that he was playing cards for money, and making associates of such +fellows as Gage and Snell? + +It was true that she did not know either Gage or Snell for what they +really were at heart, but Frank did, and there really seemed no excuse +for him. + +He tried to excuse himself by saying he had been led into temptation +through Hodge, but, in another instant he felt meaner than before. + +"You ought to be ashamed, Merriwell!" he told himself. "You have all +the influence in the world over Hodge, if you use your power +skillfully, and, instead of trying to shoulder the blame on him, you +should be disgusted with yourself for making no attempt to save him +from such company and such practices!" + +Then he thought of the money he had lost. How could he stop without +making an effort to win it back? If he could have one good streak of +luck and win enough to make himself square, he would stop. + +This very desire to "get square with the game" has been the ruin of +more than one promising youth. + +So he told himself over and over that he would stop as soon as he "got +square." + +Saturday came round. Inza Burrage had sent him word through her +brother that she would visit Belinda Snodd that afternoon, and he might +see her there, if he cared to call. + +Belinda Snodd was the daughter of John Snodd, a rather queer old +fellow, who ran an odd sort of boarding-house for summer people who +visited the Cove, on which Fardale Academy was situated. Snodd each +year boarded a number of applicants for admission to the academy until +they had prepared themselves for examination and been accepted or +turned away. Frank had boarded there when he first came to Fardale, +and so he knew the family well. + +But how could he meet Inza that afternoon? He was in no mood to meet +her. She had regarded him as a hero--as being very near perfection. +If she knew the truth---- + +"I can't do it!" Frank muttered. "Not till I face about squarely can I +see her again." + +But, as the afternoon came round, he was seized by a great longing to +catch a glimpse of her, at least. Mechanically he began dressing, as +if he were going to call on her. + +Hodge was reading a book. He flung it aside, with an impatient +exclamation that was followed by a yawn. + +"I'm tired of that old thing!" he cried. "I am tired of everything!" + +"You need a rest, Bart," said Frank. "You are not getting enough +sleep." + +"I am getting as much as you. I say, Frank, don't you think living is +a bore, anyway?" + +"Not when a fellow lives right." + +"Right? What do you mean by that? Isn't a chap to have any sport?" + +"Yes; but there are two kinds of sport--so called. One is healthy, +invigorating, delightful, like baseball and football, for instance. +The other is fascinating, injurious, debasing, like poker." + +Bart stared at Frank a moment, as if he were somewhat puzzled, and then +said: + +"I guess you are right, old man. I hadn't ever thought of it just that +way before. I'd swear off and try to keep away from the game, if I +wasn't in so deep." + +"You have lost quite an amount lately." + +"Yes, I have been knifed deep. Gage has astounding luck." + +"Do you think it is all luck?" + +Bart looked surprised. + +"Why, to be sure. The fellow plays a square game." + +"Why should he? You know, as well as I, that he is not square by +nature." + +"That's right; but his cards are cut every time, and he doesn't know +enough to put 'em up." + +"There are other ways of cheating besides putting the cards up." + +"That's true, but I do not believe Gage is on that lay. He simply has +beastly big luck." + +"Perhaps." + +"You do not think so?" + +"I do not know. You will remember that Gage has no particular love for +either of us, and we have both lost heavily." + +"Do you mean to quit playing?" + +"Possibly." + +Hodge looked doubtful, for he now understood how strong must be the +temptation for Merriwell to follow the game. + +Frank completed dressing, and left the academy. He turned his +footsteps in the direction of Snodd's, but still he had no intention of +going there. Keeping under the brow of the hill, he passed around to a +large grove in the rear of Snodd's buildings. + +It was early October now, and the air was bracing and exhilarating, for +all the afternoon was mild. The trees were flaming with color, and the +leaves had begun to sift down. In the grove squirrels romped and +chattered. + +It seemed good to Frank to get away alone under the shadow of the +trees. New strength and new life came to him, and new resolves and +determinations formed themselves unsought and unbidden in his mind. He +felt that it was a privilege and a blessing to be alive. + +Had he felt free to meet Inza then, he would have been quite happy. + +He flung himself down beneath a great tree at the edge of the grove, +where he could see Snodd's buildings. For a long time he lay there, +thinking and dreaming. + +Suddenly he started up. Three figures were leaving the buildings and +coming toward the grove. He saw they were three girls, and he +instantly recognized one of them as Inza. The others were Belinda +Snodd and one of the village girls, with whom Frank was slightly +acquainted, Mabel Blossom, generally known as May Blossom. + +"They are coming here!" exclaimed Frank. "They must not see me!" + +He arose hastily, and scurried away into the grove, and he did not stop +till he had reached the shore. There he sat down amid some rocks, and +remained a long time, as it seemed to him. + +But he could not resist the temptation to steal back and see if the +girls were still in the grove. He finally arose and did so. + +As he passed through the grove and came out near the old picnic-ground, +he suddenly halted and stepped behind a tree, for he had come upon two +persons in earnest conversation. + +They were Inza Burrage and Leslie Gage! + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +TRUSTING AND TRUE. + +Instantly a surge of jealousy swept over Frank Merriwell. How did it +come about that Gage had met Inza there? Was it by appointment? + +Belinda Snodd and May Blossom were in plain view a short distance away, +and Wat Snell was trying to make himself agreeable to them. + +Without intending to eavesdrop, Frank paused there a moment, +unconsciously listening. He heard Inza say: + +"The others cannot hear you now, Mr. Gage, so you can tell me the +important thing you have to reveal." + +"I don't know as you will be pleased to hear it," said Gage, with an +attempt at great apparent sincerity, "for it is about your friend, +Frank Merriwell, and you will not like to hear anything unpleasant of +him." + +Inza drew herself up proudly. + +"You cannot tell me anything of Mr. Merriwell that will make me think +less of him," she declared, her dark eyes flashing. + +That was enough to chain Frank to the spot; he could not have slipped +away then had he desired to do so. + +"Perhaps not," said Gage, with a significant smile, "but I think I can." + +"How has Frank Merriwell ever injured you that you should be slandering +him behind his back?" + +For an instant this staggered Leslie, like a blow in the face, but he +swiftly recovered. + +"Oh, Merriwell has never injured me, and I haven't the least thing in +the world against him," he said, smoothly; "but I do take an interest +in you, and it makes me sorry to see you so absorbed in a fellow +utterly unworthy of your friendship--utterly unworthy to be spoken to +or even noticed by you." + +Gage spoke rapidly, for he saw she was eager to interrupt him. Her +face grew pale, and she stamped one small foot angrily on the ground, +as she flung back: + +"This is not the first time you have tried to injure him, and you +should be ashamed! Why, he saved you from the Eagle's Ledge, after you +had fallen over Black Bluff." + +"Which was exactly what any fellow would have done for another under +similar circumstances. That is not to his credit. I beg you to +listen. It has taken me some time to make up my mind to tell you the +truth--to warn you, and now I must. To begin with, Merriwell comes of +an uncertain family, although, I believe, he has an uncle who has some +money, and that uncle is paying the fellow's way through Fardale +Academy." + +"What do I care about his family, so long as I know him to be a noble +fellow! You forget, sir, that he has twice saved my life!" + +"No, I have not forgotten. I do not blame you for being grateful, but +you must know the whole truth about him. Frank Merriwell is a +gambler--he plays cards for money." + +"I don't believe it!" were the words that came from Inza's lips, and +sent a thrill of shame through the lad behind the tree. + +"But it is true, and I can prove it. I will prove it, too! If I prove +it to your satisfaction, Miss Burrage, will you cut the fellow, and +have nothing to do with him in the future?" + +Frank leaned forward, holding his breath, eager to hear the answer. + +It came promptly and decisively: + +"No!" + +Gage caught his breath. + +"Do you mean to say you will still be friends with a regular gambler +like Merriwell?" he asked. + +"I do not believe Frank Merriwell is a gambler--you can never make me +believe it!" + +"But I will bring proof." + +"Even then I will believe your proof is hatched up against him." + +This made Gage lose his head. + +"Why, you are awfully stuck on that cad!" he cried. "You are +altogether too fine a girl for him!" + +He suddenly caught her in his arms, and tried to embrace her. She +struggled, and cried out for help. + +Like a panther, Frank Merriwell bounded from behind the tree. He +caught Gage by the collar, and tore Inza from his grasp. Then Frank's +fist shot out, landing with a sharp spat right between Leslie's eyes. +A second later Gage came in violent contact with the ground. + +"Frank!" exclaimed Inza, as he supported her. + +Wat Snell and the two girls with whom he had been talking had witnessed +the entire affair. They now came hurrying toward the spot. + +"The miserable cur!" cried Frank. "I will----" + +"Don't touch him again!" urged Inza. "Oh, you struck him an awful +blow!" + +In truth Frank had given Gage a heavy blow, and it was some seconds +before the fellow made a move. Snell helped him sit up. Leslie put +his hand to his head, and stared in a dazed way at Frank. + +"Are you hurt much, old man?" asked Wat, sympathizingly. + +"I guess not," mumbled Gage. "What did he strike me with?" + +"His fist." + +"Why, it seemed like a rock!" + +Wat helped him to his feet, and the two stood glaring at Frank, who +regarded them with supreme scorn. + +"Shall we sail in and do him up?" asked Wat, excitedly. + +"Yes," said Leslie; "we will give him a good drubbing." + +Instantly Frank placed Inza to one side, and boldly faced the two young +rascals. + +"I don't believe you both can whip me, the way I feel just now," he +cried. "I think I can give you more fight than you want, so just sail +right in." + +They hesitated. There was something about Merriwell's look and bearing +that seemed to warn them against attacking him. To Wat Snell it +suddenly seemed quite probable that Frank would prove more than a match +for both of them. + +"There are ladies present," he said, hastily. "We cannot fight in the +presence of ladies." + +"Very thoughtful!" came scornfully from Frank's lips. "Possibly the +ladies will step aside long enough for us to settle this little matter." + +"Oh, don't fight with them, Frank!" pleaded Inza. "There are two of +them, and----" + +"That is not enough. I am good for two such sneaking scoundrels as +they are! Don't worry about me." + +"Hear the blowhard!" sneered Snell. + +Frank seemed on the point of springing toward him, and Wat hastily +dodged behind Leslie, saying: + +"Give it to him, Les, if he wants to fight!" + +This showed how much Gage could depend on Snell in a scrimmage, and the +former instantly decided that it was not best to try to get revenge on +Merriwell just then. + +"There will be no fighting here," he said, loftily, "but I shall not +forget Merriwell's blow, and he shall pay dearly for it. I will make +him wish he had not been so free with his fist." + +"As for you, Miss Spitfire," turning to Inza, "you must feel proud to +have a friend in a fellow of his class! Do not forget what I told you +about him and----" + +"Silence, sir!" cried Inza, contemptuously. "You had better go away at +once. I wouldn't believe such a contemptible creature as you under any +circumstances!" + +"All right, all right," growled Gage, scowling blackly. "You will find +out in time that I told the truth. This is not the end of this matter. +Come, Wat, let's go. If I stay any longer, I'll have to whip Merriwell +before all of the present company." + +So the delectable pair moved away together, and Gage's revengeful heart +was made still more bitter by the ringing laugh of scorn Inza Burrage +sent after them. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE SNARE IS BROKEN. + +When Frank parted from Inza that afternoon, he had made a free and full +confession of his fault. She had listened with pained surprise, almost +with incredulity, but she had not shown the scorn that Frank felt he +fully deserved. However, she had exacted a pledge, which he had freely +given, and, returning to the academy, he felt that he was himself once +more. His step was elastic, his heart was light, and he whistled a +lively strain. + +That evening he had a long talk with Bart. + +"Come, Bartley," urged Frank, "drop this card-playing, and give +attention to your studies." + +Bart was in a bad mood, as he had been much of the time lately, and he +laughed harshly. + +"You're a fine fellow to give that sort of advice when you cannot keep +away from the game yourself!" he said. + +"But I can keep away," came quietly and decidedly from Frank's lips. + +"Prove it." + +"I will. I am not going to play any more. I have been a fool, and I +am ashamed of it." + +"That is easy enough to say, but---- Well, we will see what we will +see." + +"You doubt my ability to keep away from the game?" + +"Haven't I reason to do so?" + +"You surely have. But look here, Bart; you know as well as I the kind +of fellows we are running with when we play cards with that gang. +Neither you nor I care to call Gage and Snell our particular friends." + +"That's right." + +"And Harris is a kind of uncertain fellow--neither one thing nor +another." + +"Sure." + +"Sam Winslow hasn't enough stamina to resist temptation of any sort." + +"Go on." + +"Harvey Dare is a pretty decent chap, but he doesn't care a rap what +people think or say of him." + +"Well?" + +"Hans Dunnerwust has been inveigled into the game, and I am going to do +my best to make him break away." + +Bart drew a deep breath. + +"Go ahead, Frank," he said, "and I hope you may succeed in your +missionary work. You didn't name my failings, but I have them, or they +have me, for I can't break away from them." + +"You can if you will try. Make a desperate effort, Bart. Think how +differently you are situated than I, who was born with a passion for +gambling." + +Bart rose impatiently. + +"Drop it, old man," he growled. "I've lost too much to knock off now. +I am going to play to-night." + +"To-night? Why, it is Saturday night!" + +"Yes." + +"If you begin playing, you will not stop before Sunday comes in." + +"Perhaps not." + +"You don't mean to say that you are going to play on Sunday?" + +"The better the day, the better the deed," mocked Bart. + +Frank said no more, but he formed a firm resolution. He would find a +way to save his roommate and break up the card game. Gage and Snell +were welcome to all they had won off him, but he would bring their +career to an end. + +How was he to do it? + +Surely he could not report them, for that would place him beneath a ban +among the cadets. + +He studied over the problem. + +That night, when Hodge arose to slip away, Frank got up also, and began +to dress. Bartley heard him, and was surprised. + +"Where are you going, Frank?" he whispered. + +"With you," was the quiet reply. + +"But I thought----" + +Hodge stopped; he would not say what he thought. But he told himself +that he had known all along that Frank could not keep away. + +They got out of the academy, and made their way to the old boathouse, +where the company was already assembled. + +Gage and Snell were there, but neither of them spoke to Frank. + +Bart sat into the game immediately, but, to the general surprise, Frank +declined. + +"I am short, and I don't feel like playing to-night," he said. "I've +got a book I want to read, and it wasn't possible for me to have a +light in quarters, so I came along." + +He declined all offers of money, and sat down to read the book. He +turned his back to the table, so the light fell on the pages from over +his shoulder, and in a short time he seemed too much absorbed in the +book to observe anything that was going on. + +The game became very warm. It was without limit, and Hodge lost from +the first. Both Gage and Snell were winning steadily. + +Still Merriwell seemed to read on calmly. But he was not reading a +great deal. In the palm of one hand he had a small mirror concealed. +By the aid of this mirror, he was watching the movements of Gage and +Snell. + +And he was making some very interesting discoveries! + +At length there came a large pot. Hodge and Gage stayed in and raised +till every one else fell out. Hodge took one card; Gage, who was +dealing, took two. + +Then there was betting such as had never before been known in that old +boathouse. + +Hodge's face was pale, and he refused to call, for he believed his time +to get square had come. He put in his "paper" for more than fifty +dollars, after his money was exhausted. + +Finally the game came to an end, and Gage proclaimed himself the winner. + +He started to take the money lying on the table. Like a leaping tiger, +Frank Merriwell came out of his chair, whirled, thrust Leslie's hands +aside, and pushed the money toward Bart. + +"Not this evening, Mr. Gage!" he said. "I am onto your little game, +and it won't work any more with this crowd!" + +The boys sprang to their feet. + +"What do you mean?" asked Gage, hoarsely, his face very pale. + +"I mean that you are a sneak and a cheat!" said Frank, deliberately. +"I mean that you are too mean and contemptible for any honest fellow in +this academy to ever have anything to do with! I mean that you have +deliberately robbed your companions by means of crooked appliances made +for dishonest gamblers! That is exactly what I mean, Mr. Gage." + +Leslie gasped, and managed to say: + +"Be careful! You will have to prove every word, or----" + +"I will prove it! I have been watching you, and I have seen you +repeatedly make the pass that restores cut cards to their original +position. I have seen you hold back at least three of the top cards in +dealing, and give them to Snell or take them yourself. Those cards +will be found to be skillfully marked, and that pack is short. Boys, +count those cards!" + +The cards were counted, and the pack proved to be four cards short. + +"Here is one of the gambler's appliances of which I spoke," said Frank, +thrusting his hand under Leslie's side of the table and wrenching away +something. "It is a table hold-out, and it contains the four missing +cards. This is the kind of a fellow you are playing cards with, +gentlemen." + +The faces of the boys were black with anger, Wat Snell being excepted. +Seeing his opportunity, Snell quickly slipped away, and before he could +be stopped, had bolted from the boathouse. + +Gage took advantage of the excitement to make a break for liberty, and +he, too, got away. + +"What a howling shame!" said Harvey Dare, in disgust. "We'd tar and +feather them both. Anyway, they'll have to get out of the academy." + +The boys who had put money into the game were given what they had +invested. The rest was turned over to Hodge. It made his losing +nearly square. + +"This settles me," he said, grimly. "I am done playing. No more of +this business for me." + +"Stick to that, and you will be all right," said Frank Merriwell, in a +low tone. + + * * * * * * + +Leslie Gage knew what must follow. The story was bound to spread among +the cadets, and he would find himself scorned and shunned. He +immediately ran away, and it was reported that he had gone to sea. + +Wat Snell had not the nerve to run away, but he found himself the most +unpopular fellow at the academy, shunned by the cadets generally, and +regarded with contempt. + +The exposure of Gage's crookedness broke up the poker parties for that +season, at least; and Frank was happy, for he had saved himself and +rescued Hodge and Hans Dunnerwust. + +But he was happiest in receiving the approbation of Inza Burrage, who +learned, through her brother, what Frank had done. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE "CENTIPEDE" JOKE. + +"Sh!" + +"What's up?" + +"There's a carmine haze on the moon." + +"That's clear as mud! What's the racket?" + +"You room next to Mulloy and Dunnerwust?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, you will hear the racket just about the time taps sound." + +"But I want to know what's up," persisted the second speaker, whose +curiosity was aroused. "Has somebody put up a job on those two marks, +Mulloy and his Dutch chum?" + +"You've guessed it." + +"Who?" + +"Guess again." + +"Merriwell." + +"Right. Take your place at the head of the class." + +This hasty and guarded conversation was carried on between two plebe +cadets who had met in a corridor of the academy "cockloft." The first +speaker was a jolly-faced little fellow, whose name was Sammy Smiles, +and whose companions had failed to invent a nickname for him that +fitted as well as his real name--Smiles. + +The other boy's name was also Samuel, or the first part of his name was +Samuel; but the cadets declined to have two Sams among the plebes, and +so Samuel Winslow had gradually come to be known as "Poke." + +"What's Merriwell up to now?" asked Poke, a look of delighted suspense +on his face. "He's making things rather lively round here lately." + +"You bet!" grinned Sammy Smiles. "There's more fun in him than there +is in a barrel of monkeys." + +"But what's he up to now?" reiterated Winslow. "Don't keep a fellow in +suspense!" + +"He smuggled in a basket of crawfish." + +"Well?" + +"Well, you don't suppose he got 'em to eat, do you?" + +"'Course not. Is he going to make the Dutchman eat them?" + +"No, but they may take a few bites out of the Dutchman." + +"You don't mean----" + +"He's put the crawfish into Dunnerwust's and Mulloy's beds." + +"Jeewhiz!" + +Poke clapped a hand over his mouth, and looked round hastily. Then he +asked: + +"How could he do it? Beds ain't made up till after tattoo, and he +wouldn't have time to----" + +"Tattoo sounded fifteen minutes ago. It doesn't take Mulloy more than +two minutes to make up his beds. Hans is slower, but I hustled 'em +both up to-night. I dodged into their room the instant tattoo sounded, +and told 'em Gray wanted 'em both to come to his room, but they mustn't +come till after their beds were made, for they might stay till it was +too late to make the beds before taps. They both hustled up the beds, +and then skipped over to see Gray. Merriwell was watching, and he +didn't lose more than an hour getting that basket of crawfish into +their room, and stowing the lively little birds in the beds. Oh, my! +won't there be a howl when they yank themselves into bed!" + +Sammy Smiles doubled up with suppressed laughter. He was convulsed at +the thought of what would happen when the Dutch boy and the Irish lad +hastily jumped into their beds. + +"Merriwell takes the cake," Poke declared, with a chuckle. "He's been +on a regular frolic for the last week, and he can invent more kinds of +fun than any fellow living--besides himself." + +"That's right," agreed Sammy. "Frank is a dandy! Things would be +rather dull here this winter if it wasn't for him." + +"Well, he'll never let them get dull, and I believe he is the best +fellow that ever lived!" + +"Right again," nodded the other lad, with a moment of seriousness. +"Merriwell is the prince of good fellows, and there's not a white man +in the academy who wouldn't fight for him. I know some fellows are +down on him, but that's pure jealousy. They're sore because he has +become so popular. I don't believe he cares much." + +"If he wouldn't stick up for Hodge the way he does----" + +"That shows his loyalty. I can't see what he finds to admire in Hodge, +though the fellow can fight and play ball. He and Frank do not seem +very well matched for roommates. I don't see how Merriwell can keep +from working jokes on Hodge all the time. Jingoes! but wouldn't I +laugh if he had put some of those crawfish in Hodge's bed!" + +This fancy convulsed Sammy again, and, just then, Poke hissed: + +"'Sh! Somebody's coming! Skip!" + +Both made haste to get into their rooms, and, as Sammy roomed with Ned +Gray, he found Barney Mulloy and Hans Dunnerwust being entertained +there. Ned was telling them stories, and pretending to be greatly +absorbed in their society. As Sammy slipped in, with the inevitable +grin on his face, although he was doing his best to suppress it, Ned +looked up and asked: + +"How's the weather outside?" + +"It is settled," replied Sammy, with a meaning wink. + +"Do you think it will be a cold night?" + +"It will be for some folks." + +"When the weather is cold down East, they call it nipping." + +"Well, it will be nipping to-night for some people." + +"In that case, somebody will have to be stirring." + +"That's right." + +"Yaw," said Hans, with a lazy yawn, "I pet me your life some folks peen +plame fools enough to peen sdirring to-nighd. Dot makes me dired. Vy +in dunder don'd dey gid in dere peds und sday dere, ain'd id?" + +"Oh, some people don't know enough for that," said Ned Gray. "And then +there are people who are afraid to go to bed at this season of the +year." + +"Vot vos dot? Afrait uf vot?" + +"Centipedes." + +"Vot vos cendibedes?" + +"They are a creature with a poisonous bite, and they are all sizes from +the bigness of a pea to one as large as your hand." + +"Oh, phwat are yez givin' av us!" cried Barney Mulloy, derisively. "Is +it idiots or fools ye take us fer, Oi dunno?" + +"Oh, I am telling you the sober truth," declared Ned, with the utmost +seriousness, while Sammy Smiles got behind the visitors and stuffed his +handkerchief into his mouth to keep from shrieking with laughter. "The +centipedes of tropical countries are smaller than our regular winter +centipedes, which are sometimes as large as a man's hand. Their bite +is deadly poison." + +"Dunder und blitzens!" gasped Hans. "I don'd tole you dot!" + +"Get away wid yer blarney!" exclaimed Barney, disbelievingly. "Pwhat +do yez take us fer, Oi warnt to know? It's nivver a bit do ye shtuff +sich a yarrun down aour throats, me b'y." + +"You are not compelled to believe it." + +"Cintipades in th' winter!" snorted the Irish lad. "Thot bates th' +band!" + +"Well, you may think what you like, but you may see some of our winter +centipedes some time, and then it is possible you will feel that you +owe me an apology." + +"Vot does cendibedes look like, ain't it?" + +"They have long, leg-like claws, and are covered with hard shells." + +"Und dey pite?" + +"Well, I should say so." + +"Put, vy vos some beoples afrait dose cendibedes uf to go to ped? You +tole me dot." + +"Well, these winter centipedes are great creatures to seek warm +corners, and so they get into beds." + +Sammy Smiles was ready to roll on the floor. He could not keep his +laughter bottled up, and it burst forth in a gurgle, which he quickly +changed to a most distressing cough. + +"Wan thing is sure," said Barney; "nivver a cintipade is loikely to get +inther our beds, fer we make 'em up ache noight, so we'd see th' +craythers if they wur there." + +"I believe one of them has never been seen in the academy," came +seriously from Ned's lips. "The strict discipline of the institution +is too much for them, and they keep away." + +Barney grinned. + +"Thot's all roight, me b'y. Some doay Oi'll tell yez about th' big +shnakes we hiv in Oireland. Oi hivn't toime to-night." + +"Und I vill dell you apoud der big Injuns vot dere vos der Rhine on, in +Shermany," said Hans. "Maype you haf heardt uf dose poem enditled 'Big +Injun on der Rhine,' ain'd id?" + +"Oh, well, that's all right!" said Ned, with a wave of his hand, as if +he was not quite pleased. + +Then he looked at his watch, and exclaimed: + +"Great Scott! we've got but one minute left in which to undress and get +into bed before taps!" + +He leaped up and began undressing, and, with exclamations of alarm, the +Irish lad and the Dutch boy hustled from the room, losing no time about +getting into their own and undressing. + +"Did Merriwell fix it?" asked Ned, of Sammy. + +"You bet!" was the reply. "Extinguish the flicker, and wait for the +general war-dance. It will take place in a very few seconds." + +So they extinguished the light, and awaited the outburst that must soon +come. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +LIVELY TIMES. + +Barney and Hans dashed into their room, and tore themselves out of +their clothes, which, however, they took care to hang in order on the +pegs placed along the partition that divided one end of the room into +two alcoves. + +Long practice enabled them to undress with great swiftness. + +By the time taps began to sound they were ready to jump into their beds. + +Barney quickly extinguished the light, but Hans lost no time in getting +under the blankets, while the Irish lad made a leap to do so. + +Then came a cry of astonishment and fear from Hans. + +"Shimminy Gristmas!" exclaimed the Dutch boy. "Vot dot vos I touch me +to, ain'd id?" + +"Shut up!" growled Barney. "Bad cess to yez! do yez phwant th' officer +av th' guarrud doon on us! Kape shtill, ur----" + +"Wa-ow!" howled Hans, uttering a wild shriek of pain and terror. "I +vos caught in der ped my leg by! Dunder und blitzens! I vos bit mit +der toe on!" + +"Begorra! ye hiv gone crazy, ye son av a Dutch chazemaker! Kape shtill +thot howlin', ur----" + +Then Barney's tone suddenly changed, and he let out a yell that would +have awakened Rip Van Winkle from his long nap. + +"Saints defind me! I'm bitten in siventane different places intoirely! +Wurra! wurra! Musha! musha! Th' bed is full av crawling crathers!" + +"Cendibedes!" howled Hans. + +"Cintipades!" shrieked Barney. + +Out of the beds they scrambled in hot haste, and to each one six or +eight of the crawfish were clinging. + +"Wao-w!" roared Hans. + +"Whoop!" bellowed Barney. + +"I peen kilt alretty yet!" shrieked the Dutch boy. "I peen bit all +ofer py does cendibedes!" + +"Begorra! there's a bushel av th' craythers hangin' to me!" shouted the +Irish lad. "Oi'm a dead b'y intoirely!" + +"Hel-lup! hel-lup!" howled Hans, dismally. + +Out into the center of the room danced the two boys, fighting, clawing, +striking at various parts of their bodies, where the crawfish +persistently clung. They collided, and both sat down heavily on the +floor. + +"It's kilt we are!" moaned Barney. + +"Dot peen near knockin' mine prains oud alretty yet!" declared Hans. + +"Loight th' lamp!! + +"Hel-lup! hel-lup! hel-lup!" + +In some way they scrambled to their feet, and both lunged for the door, +which they beat upon with their fists, as if they would tear it down. + +"Docther!" bellowed Barney. + +"Toctor!" screamed Hans. + +"Will yez get away fram thot dure, so Oi can open it?" + +"Ged avay dot toor from mineself!" flung back the Dutch boy. "I ged me +to dot toor first, und I peen der first von oud!" + +"Oh, ye will, will yez! We'll see about thot!" + +Biff! smack! thud! thump! The two frantic boys were hammering each +other in the darkness of their room, while the listening jokers were +convulsed with merriment. + +The uproar had aroused that entire section of the academy. The +sentinel came down the corridor at the double quick, just as Frank +Merriwell, partly dressed, leaped out of his room and flung himself +against the door of the room from which the racket issued. + +Other boys came swarming into the corridor, and the excitement was +intense. + +Merriwell burst into the room, and, a moment later, dragged out Hans +and Barney into the lighted corridor. + +The crawfish were still clinging comfortably to various portions of the +garments in which the two lads had gone to bed. Seeing the creatures, +Hans uttered a howl of agony louder than any that had yet issued from +his throat. + +"Cendibedes!" he wailed. "I vos a tead boy! I vos peen bit in more as +nine huntred und sefenteen blaces alretty yet! Vere vos dot toctor?" + +"They're centipades sure!" groaned Barney. "An Oi didn't belave there +wur such craythers! Ouch! ouch! How they boight! Take 'em off!" + +But the two lads danced, kicked and beat about them with their arms so +that no one could remove the crawfish. + +The boys who were witnesses of this "circus," nearly choked with +laughter. Sammy Smiles had a fit, and rolled on the floor, clinging to +his sides. + +All the while Frank was apparently making desperate efforts to quiet +the boys and remove the crawfish, but, at the same time he was saying +just loud enough for them to hear: + +"The bite is deadly poison! The only antidote is equal parts of new +milk and vinegar taken internally. About a gallon should be absorbed, +while a chemically prepared poultice of H2O, _tempus fugit_, and _aqua +pura_ should be applied to each and every bite." + +"Bring' on yer new milk and vinegar, begorra!" roared the Irish boy, +wildly. "It's a barrel ur two Oi'll drink av th' sthuff!" + +"Somepody dose boultices make britty queek alretty!" shouted Hans. "I +vant dwo huntred und elefen for dose bites vot I haf all ofer mein body +on!" + +"Keep still!" ordered the sentinel. "Stand still while those crawfish +are removed." + +"You peen bitten all der dime dose cendibedes py, und I pet me my poots +you don'd keep very sdill yet avile! We-e-eow! Dey vos eadin' me ub +alretty yet!" + +"Get away wid yez, ye spalpane!" shouted Barney, and one of his wildly +waving fists struck the sentinel between the eyes and knocked him over +instantly. + +"Remember it is vinegar and milk that you want, and you must have it," +shouted Frank, in the Irish lad's ear. "Every second you delay about +procuring it makes your chances all the more desperate." + +"Begorra! Oi'll hiv it directly, av there's anything av th' sort in +th' ranch!" + +Then Barney made a break for the stairs, with Hans a close second, and +the boys could not resist the temptation to rush after them. + +Never before had there been such an uproar heard in Fardale Academy, +and the commotion had brought Professor Gunn and his two principal +assistants, Professor Jenks and Professor Scotch, from their rooms on +the floor below the "Cockloft." + +"What can be the meaning of this outrageous hub-bub?" cried Professor +Jenks, who, on account of his exceeding height, was known as "High +Jinks." + +"Goodness knows!" exclaimed Professor Gunn, peering over his spectacles +in a horrified way at his companions. "It must be a mutiny----" + +"Or a murder!" chattered Professor Scotch, who was a very small man, +and was generally known as "Hot Scotch," because of his fiery red hair +and peppery temper. + +"Let us proceed together to investigate," came resolutely from +Professor Gunn's lips. + +"All right," said High Jinks, bravely. "Lead the way, sir." + +"Be cautious, gentlemen--be cautious!" urged Hot Scotch, his face pale +and his teeth rattling together. "Such dreadful shrieks have never +before assailed my ears--never! They are certainly cries of mortal +agony!" + +"Oh, you can go to your room, and lock yourself in, if you are afraid!" +came scornfully from the tall professor's lips. + +"Who's afraid!" bristled the little man, instantly. "You will find I +am not afraid of you, sir! I am ready to----" + +"Gentlemen! gentlemen, silence!" came commandingly from Professor +Gunn's lips. "I will not have this unseemly bickering! If you are +ready, come on." + +So they moved toward the stairs, High Jinks resolutely keeping by +Professor Gunn's side, while Hot Scotch lingered a little in the rear, +clinging to the tail of the head professor's coat. + +Just as they reached the foot of the stairs and were about to ascend, +feet were heard rushing along the corridor above, and then Barney +Mulloy came plunging down the stairs, with Hans Dunnerwust riding +astride his neck, both in their nightclothes, with a few crawfish still +clinging to them. + +The three professors were unable to get out of the way, so the frantic +boys plunged straight into them, and all fell in a struggling, +squirming mass on the floor. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +WARNED. + +At the head of the stairs swarmed the plebes, who were convulsed with +laughter. + +"Oh! oh! oh!" gasped Sammy Smiles, clinging to his sides. "Somebody +please do something to stop me from laughing! Ha! ha! ha! If I don't +stop soon, I'll die! Oh, dear! oh, dear! I am sore all over!" + +"Help!" cried Professor Gunn. + +The boys on the floor below the Cockloft were out by this time, and +they were enjoying the spectacle quite as much as the plebes above. + +Frank had rushed into his room, and he came forth with a bag that +contained something that moved and snarled. Reaching the head of the +stairs, he quickly opened the mouth of the bag and extracted two cats. +He had slipped on a pair of heavy gloves, and he succeeded in holding +the cats securely, while he said to Ned Gray: + +"Quick--take the string that held the mouth of the bag--tie their tails +together! Lively!" + +Ned caught up the string, and worked swiftly, tying the cats' tails +tightly together. + +When this was accomplished, Frank gave the felines a fling toward the +group at the foot of the stairs. + +The cats struck one on either side of Professor Gunn's neck, and, as +their tails were tied together, they hung there, but not quietly. + +With wild howls of agony, they began clawing each other, incidentally, +by way of diversion, socking their claws into the professor's face now +and then, and ripping up a few furrows in that gentleman's countenance. + +Professor Gunn howled louder than the cats, and tried to fling them +off; but they clung to him as if they loved him, and continued to +shower marks of affection upon him. + +"Great Scott!" gasped Ned Gray. "If it is ever found out that you were +at the bottom of this, Merriwell, you will be expelled sure!" + +"Then I shall perish in a good cause," laughed Frank. "Fun is better +than medicine, and we were beginning to stagnate." + +"Help!" cried Professor Gunn, in tones of deep anguish. "Take these +beasts away! They are devouring me!" + +"Meow! me-e-eow! S'pt! s'pt! Me-e-e-e-ow!" howled the cats, as they +continued to scratch the professor's face till it began to look like +the colored map of a country that had been disturbed by a violent +earthquake. + +Somehow Hot Scotch had gotten into a wrangle with High Jinks, whom he +was holding down and punching vigorously. + +"Hit me in the ribs, will ye! Pound me in the eye, will ye? Tackle me +when down, will ye? Well, I've got a score against you, and I'll +settle it now!" + +"Take him off!" squealed Jenks, thrashing about with his long legs. +"Save me! save me!" + +Having untangled themselves from the mass and become freed of the +crawfish in the struggle, Hans and Barney sat on the floor and stared +in astonishment at the spectacle. The sight was too much for the +risibilities of the Irish boy, and he forgot that he had been severely +bitten by "centipades." + +"Begorra! Dutchy, this is a roight loively avening, Oi do belave," he +chuckled. "Will yez look at this fer a racket, Oi dunno! Hurro! Sail +in, b'ys!" + +"Vell, I don't efer seen der peat uf dot!" gasped Hans, his eyes +bulging. "Uf dot don't peen a recular fight, I vos an oysder!" + +"Now, boys, it's time to take a hand," said Frank Merriwell. "Be +lively! Gather up the crawfish, and throw 'em out of the windows. +Work quick! Here, Windsor, dispose of this bag!" + +His words put the cadets in motion. Down the stairs he ran, and +quickly gathered up every crawfish he could find, while others followed +his example. Then, leaving the boys to take care of the cats and +separate the fighting professors, he bounded up the stairs and hurried +to the room occupied by Barney and Hans, where he removed every +crawfish he could find in the beds or upon the floor. He worked with +great swiftness, and accomplished all this in a very few seconds. + +In the meantime, some of the boys who had been in the joke from the +start, took hold and aided Frank to clear out all signs of the +crawfish, while others hastened to Professor Gunn's assistance, and +pulled off the cats, removing the string from their tails. + +Barney and Hans were beginning to call for the doctor again, declaring +they had been bitten by "centibedes," or "cintipades," and Professor +Gunn was glaring over a handkerchief held to his bleeding face, while +High Jinks and Hot Scotch stood apart and glowered at each other, ready +to resume hostilities at the slightest provocation. + +Lieutenant Gordan was on hand, looking very stern, and asking a few +very pointed questions. He fully understood a practical joke had been +perpetrated, and woe to the perpetrator if the lieutenant found proof +against him. Gordan was stern and as unwavering as the hills in the +discharge of his duty. + +But the lieutenant found five very excited and incoherent persons in +the group that had assembled at the foot of the stairs. Professors +Jenks and Scotch would not say much of anything, only mutter and glare +daggers at each other, while Professor Gunn was too furious and too +confused to tell anything straight. Barney and Hans declared over and +over that they had been bitten by "centipedes," and showed the wounds. +The jumbled story told by them puzzled the lieutenant more than +anything else. + +Having been released, the cats had taken flight. + +Lieutenant Gordan did not say much, but the expression on his face told +that he meant to investigate the affair thoroughly. The time, however, +was not suitable for an investigation, and so he ordered everybody to +their rooms. Barney called for a drink of milk and vinegar, but the +lieutenant assured him that he was not in danger of dying immediately +if he did not obtain what he desired, so both the Irish lad and the +Dutch boy were sent to their rooms, like the others. + +In a brief time silence settled over the academy, and no one could have +fancied there had been such an uproar there a short while before. + +In the morning, Bartley said to Frank. + +"What in the world has got into you, old man? You are full of the Old +Harry, lately. You will have this academy turned bottom up, if you +keep on." + +Frank smiled. + +"We've got to have something to break the monotony," he said. "A +fellow gets tired of plugging away at his studies all the time." + +"That's so," admitted Bart, who was a dark-faced, reserved sort of boy; +"but such tricks as you perpetrated last night are dangerous." + +"How?" + +"What if Lieutenant Gordan finds out you were at the bottom of it? You +know what will happen." + +"Sure!" + +"Well, you are taking big chances for a little fun." + +"A little fun!" echoed Frank. "Didn't you consider that something more +than a little fun last night? It struck me as a roaring farce." + +A faint trace of a smile came to Hodge's dark face. + +"You enjoy anything of the kind far more than I do, Merriwell," he +said. "I like fun of a different sort." + +"Well, I fancy you will acknowledge I take some interest in other +sports, Bart?" + +"That's all right, Frank; you are the leader of our class in +everything, because you are a natural leader. But you have a dangerous +rival." + +"Think so?" + +"I know it. There is a fellow in this school who is aiming to stand at +the head in athletics. Up to a few weeks ago he remained in the +background, so that little or no notice was taken of him; but he is +coming to the front now, and I believe he means to give you a hot race +for first position. He has even declared openly that he is a pitcher, +and means to make a try for a position on the team." + +"That's all right, Bart. I am not hoggish enough to want all the +honors, and, if we play as much ball as we intend to next spring and +summer, we'll need another pitcher. I can't do all the twirling." + +"But he says he will not play under you as captain of the team." + +"Ha! That is interesting! Now you are waking me up. I suppose the +fellow you speak of is Paul Rains?" + +"Yes, he is the one." + +"Then Rains is something of an enemy, as well as a rival. Well, we'll +see who is the better man." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +PAUL RAINS. + +The short, dark days of winter had brought about changes in Fardale +Academy. Drills had been discontinued, and, except for weekly +inspections and occasional guard duty, there were no formations under +arms. The hours for study were longer, as also were the lessons. Some +of the plebes were negligent and regardless of the fact that the +January examinations were close at hand, while others were "boning" +steadily, doing their level best to stand well in their classes. + +For all of his mischievous disposition, Frank was studying enough to +hold his own in his class, and he was looked on favorably by his +instructors. He was magnetic, and had a winning way, so that he made +many friends, always among the better class at the school. No one, +either man or boy, is ever popular without having enemies, and this was +true of Frank; but his enemies were those who were jealous of him, or +those with whom he did not care to associate, for the best of reasons. + +Hodge was not a fellow to make friends, being haughty and proud, and +Merriwell obtained many enemies because he roomed with Bart, and seemed +to stand up for the fellow. + +The friendship of the two lads was rather remarkable, considering how +they had once been enemies, and how Hodge had worked hard to injure +Frank. + +Among the plebes there were a few who stood head and shoulders above +their companions in athletics. Hodge went in for fencing, and +Professor Rhynas declared he would make a master of the foil. Hugh +Bascomb, with a pugilist's thick neck and round head, was spending all +his spare time boxing, and it was said that he could strike a blow that +would stagger an ox. His admirers declared it was a beautiful sight to +see him hammer the punching-bag, and they assured him over and over +that he was certain to make another Sullivan. Naturally, this gave +Bascomb the "swelled head," and he got an idea into his brain that he +was really cut out for a fighter, and that nobody in Fardale could +stand up before him for four rounds. + +Day after day Barney Mulloy took a long pull at the rowing machine. +Ned Gray spent his spare time on the horizontal bars or the trapeze, +and Hans Dunnerwust tried his hand at everything, making sport for the +spectators. + +Among the plebes there were two lads who seemed all-round athletes. +They were Paul Rains and Frank Merriwell. + +Paul did not like Frank. In fact, he was envious of Merriwell's +popularity, although he did his best to keep the fact concealed. Being +a sly, secretive person, it was but natural that Rains should come to +be considered as modest and unassuming. In truth, he was not modest at +all, for, in his secret heart, there was nothing that any one else +could do that he did not believe he could do. And so, while appearing +to be very modest, he was really intensely egotistical. + +Rains had not been given much attention for a time after he entered the +academy, but his athletic abilities, for he was really a capable +fellow, although his capabilities were limited, were bringing him into +notice. + +Jolly, open as the day, Frank did not know what it was to be crafty or +secretive. He had a way of saying things he thought, and he did not +understand people who kept their fancies and ambitious desires bottled +up. + +Hodge had not been the first to give Frank a hint that he had a rival +in Rains, but he was the first to tell him that Rains had declared he +would not play on the ball team if Merriwell was captain. + +Frank remembered that, and he wondered what Rains could have against +him. Frank was never able to understand one fellow despising another +because the other was popular, for it was natural for him to wish +everybody good luck and success, and he always rejoiced in the success +of any fellow he knew, providing, of course, that the success was of +the right sort. + +Lieutenant Gordan made a rigid investigation of the racket caused by +the "centipedes," but he failed to fasten the blame firmly on any one. +Not one of the boys who knew the facts would expose Merriwell, and both +Barney and Hans, discovering their wounds were not fatal, grinned and +declared they were not sure there had been anything in their beds, but +they thought they had felt something. + +Professor Gunn was very indignant to think the culprits could not be +discovered. + +"It is a disgrace to the school!" he told Lieutenant Gordan. "Just +look at my face, sir! I am a picture!" + +The lieutenant did not crack a smile. + +"You have no one but yourself to blame for your condition, sir," he +said. + +"Eh? eh? How's that? how's that?" sputtered Professor Gunn. "I don't +think I understand you, sir." + +"Then I will make it clear. If you had remained in your room, as you +should when the disturbance occurred, you would not have received those +injuries." + +"But, sir--but I am the principal of this school. It is my place----" + +"It is your place to keep in your room, sir, when there is an outbreak +like the one under discussion, and allow me to straighten matters out. +If you had done so, I might be able to get at the bottom of this affair +and discover the guilty jokers; as it is, you and your associates +complicated matters so that I do not seem able to do much of anything." + +Having spoken thus plainly, Lieutenant Gordan turned on his heel, and +left the professor in anything but a pleasant frame of mind. + +It was a day or two after the occurrence of the "great centipede joke," +as the crawfish affair came to be termed, that Paul Rains and Hugh +Bascomb were having a bout with the gloves in the gymnasium. Quite a +number of spectators had gathered, and Frank Merriwell sauntered up and +joined the group. + +Professor Rhynas was giving his attention to another department of the +gymnasium, and he had left Bascomb to meet all comers and "give them +points." + +Bascomb was not finding it a very easy thing to give Rains many points, +although he believed he could knock the fellow down any time he wished +to do so by simply letting drive one of his sledgehammer blows. + +But Bascomb had not thought of striking Rains with all his strength. +He had discovered that Rains disliked Merriwell, and that was enough to +establish a bond of friendship between the big plebe and the lad with +whom he was boxing. + +Bascomb hated Frank, but he feared him at the same time. + +"Nobody seems able to get the best of that fellow," he had thought a +hundred times. "It seems to be bad luck to go against him, and so I am +going to keep away from him in the future. Poor Gage! Merriwell was +bad medicine for him." + +Bascomb was a coward, but he could hate intensely in his two-faced, +treacherous way. + +The moment Merriwell joined the group, Bascomb noted it. + +"He's watching Rains," mentally decided the big plebe. "He wants to +see what the fellow is made of." + +Rains seemed aware that Merriwell was a spectator, for he braced up and +gave Bascomb a merry go for a few minutes, forcing the big fellow back, +and seeming to tap him with ease and skill whenever and wherever he +chose. + +When this little flurry was over, Rains threw off his gloves, and +declared he had had enough. + +"So have I," said Bascomb, with a grin. "You're the best man I've put +the mittens on with yet. I believe there is a fellow not more than a +hundred miles from here that thinks he is some one with gloves, but you +can do him dead easy. More than that, I think he knows it, and I don't +believe he has the nerve to stand up and face you for a whirl." + +"Oh, I don't want to box with any one," said Rains. "Keep still, +Bascomb." + +"You may not want to box, but you can down Frank Merriwell just the +same," declared the big plebe. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +THE BULLY'S MATCH. + +A moment of silence followed Bascomb's distinctly-spoken words, and the +eyes of nearly every one were turned on Merriwell, to whose face the +hot color slowly mounted. + +"What's the matter with you, Bascomb?" he finally asked. "What do you +want to draw me into this affair for? I don't know as I have any +desire to put on the gloves with Rains." + +The big fellow grinned in a way that was distinctly insulting. + +"I don't think you have," he said. "You wouldn't cut any ice with him." + +"You may be right; but I don't quite understand how you know, as I have +never stood up with you." + +"Oh, that wasn't necessary; I've seen you spar, and I have your gage. +You don't run in the class with Rains." + +At this juncture Rains made a move as if he would quiet Bascomb, but +the big fellow quickly went on: + +"I'm not going to keep still any longer. You're too modest, Rains. +You keep in the background, and let fellows like Merriwell take the +lead in everything, when you should be a leader. You are a better +all-round man than Merriwell any day, and you can knock corners off him +any time he has nerve enough to put on the mitts with you. He's a +dandy to push himself to the front, but----" + +That was a little more than Frank could stand. The jolly look had +vanished from his face, and he faced Bascomb, saying sharply: + +"Look here, my friend, I reckon you are saying one word for Rains and +two for yourself. I haven't mixed up with you for reasons that you +very well understand, but I don't propose to take much of your talk. +If there is any difference between Mr. Rains and myself, we will settle +it at another time; but if you want to get a rap at me, now is the +accepted occasion, and I will put on the gloves with you." + +Bascomb had not been looking for this, and he was taken aback for a +moment. Still, although he knew Merriwell was a far better all-round +athlete, he believed he could more than match him in boxing, so he +eagerly accepted the opportunity. + +"I'm your man," he said. "Peel off and get into gear. It won't take +me long to show you there are a few things you do not know." + +He laughed in a disagreeable way, and Hodge, who had overheard all, bit +his lips to repress an outburst of anger. + +"The sneak!" whispered Bart to Frank, as the latter stepped aside to +take off his coat and vest. "He means to use his sledgehammer blow on +you. He won't box for points, but he will try to soak you. Look out +for him." + +"I am not afraid of him." + +"That's all right; but you know he has been practicing that blow, and +they say it is terrible. He is cut out for a prizefighter, and is no +fit boxing antagonist for a gentleman." + +"I shall look out for his 'wicked left,' as I have heard the boys call +it." + +"He wants to provoke you into a fight with himself or Rains." + +"I thought as much; but he may change his mind after we spar, if he +does not catch me foul by an accident." + +"He is tricky." + +"I will watch out for his tricks." + +"Look out for his cross-buttock. He's stout as a moose, and he will +give you a nasty fall." + +For all of his warning words, Bart had great confidence in Frank. They +had fought once, shortly after coming to Fardale, and Hodge had found +Merriwell more than his match then. Since that time, Frank had missed +no opportunity to pick up points in boxing, and his advancement had +been great. + +Still there was a chance that, by some accident, Bascomb might land +once with that "wicked left," or might seek to injure Merriwell by a +fall, if he found that he was matched in every other way, so Bart was +on hand with his words of warning. + +It did not take Frank long to get ready, and it was not long before the +two boys faced each other, adjusting the gloves upon their hands. Then +they came up to the scratch, and the word was given that started the +contest. + +Bascomb started in at once with a series of false motions intended to +confuse Merriwell, but they simply brought a faint smile to Frank's +face, and he remained as placid as ever until---- + +Just as Bascomb had decided to rush, Merriwell rushed. There was a +flashing of their gloves. The big fellow struck twice, and both blows +were met by a ready guard. + +Biff! biff! biff! First with the right, and then twice with the left +Frank struck the big plebe. None of them were heavy blows, but they +all stung, and the angry blood surged to Bascomb's face, as he saw +Merriwell leap back beyond his reach, laughing a bit. + +"Mosquito bites!" said Bascomb, derisively. + +"But they count." + +"Who cares. I will more than square that in a minute." + +"All right; I am waiting." + +Once more they were at it, toe to toe, hands moving slightly, light on +their feet, ready to dodge or spring, ready to strike or guard. Blows +came, one landing on Merriwell's cheek, and another on his shoulder; +but more than twenty were dodged or guarded, and Bascomb was struck +twice for every blow he gave. + +Frank was watching for that left hand body blow, and it came at last, +just when Bascomb thought it must count. + +In that case Bascomb deceived himself. + +The blow was struck swiftly enough, but Frank stopped it with a right +hand guard, and, with his left, countered heavily on Bascomb's mouth, +sending the big fellow's head back. + +Bascomb was surprised, and he showed it. He was also thoroughly +angered, and he proceeded to "wade into" Merriwell like a cyclone. + +On the other hand, Merriwell was cool as ice, and he made every blow +count something, for even when they failed to land they kept the big +fellow busy. + +Time after time Bascomb rushed in, but Merriwell was light as a feather +on his feet, and he danced nimbly about, tapping the other fellow now +here, now there, smiling sweetly all the while, and showing a skill +that was very baffling to Bascomb. + +"Hang him!" thought the big fellow. "He is a regular jumping jack. If +I don't land a blow on him pretty quick, I am going to clinch." + +This he soon did, catching Frank for the cross-buttock throw. + +For a moment it looked as if Merriwell would be flung heavily, and +Hodge drew his breath through his teeth with a hissing sound that +turned to a sigh of relief as he saw his friend thrust forward his +right foot between Bascomb's, break his wrist clear and catch the big +fellow behind the left knee with his left hand, while he brought his +right arm up over Bascomb's shoulder, and pressed his hand over +Bascomb's face, snapping his head back and hurling him off sideways. + +This was done quickly and scientifically, and it convinced Hodge that +Bascomb could not work the cross-buttock on Merriwell. + +Hugh Bascomb was disgusted and infuriated by his failure. He had +counted on having a soft thing, and he was actually getting the worst +of the encounter. + +Time was called, and a breathing spell taken. + +Then they went at it again, and this time both worked savagely, their +movements being swift and telling. + +Watching this battle, Paul Rains began to believe that he was not yet +quite Merriwell's match at boxing. + +"But I am a better man than he is at most anything else," thought the +fellow. + +Smack! smack! smack! + +Merriwell was following Bascomb up like a tiger, and the big fellow was +forced to give ground. Again and again Frank hammered the desperate +plebe, getting few blows in return and seeming to mind none of them no +more than drops of rain. + +Bascomb's face wore the look of an enraged bull. Suddenly, with a +quick side motion, he snapped off the glove on his left hand. + +Then, with his bare first, he struck straight and hard at Frank +Merriwell's face! + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +RAINS' CHALLENGE. + +Bascomb's movement had been noted by the spectators, and a cry of +astonishment and warning broke from many lips. + +"Look out!" shouted Bart Hodge. + +Frank had seen the movement, and he needed no warning. + +Like a flash, he ducked to the right, and Bascomb's bare fist missed +his face and shot over his shoulder. + +At the same instant Frank countered with his left, striking the big +fellow on the chin, and hurling him backward with force enough to send +him reeling. + +Leaping forward, Merriwell followed up his advantage, and Bascomb +received two terrible blows, one of which knocked him down as if he had +been struck by a cannon ball. + +Then Frank flung off both his gloves, his face flushed, and his eyes +flashing, as he exclaimed: + +"Two can play at your game, fellow! If you want to try a round with +uncovered knuckles, pick yourself up and come on!" + +Snarling like a wounded dog, Bascomb scrambled to his feet; but here +the spectators surged between the two, Rains catching hold of the big +plebe, while Hodge grasped Merriwell. + +"Easy, Frank!" warned Bart. "Are you crazy? You know what it will +mean if you fight in the gym. Rhynas has noticed it now--he's coming." + +"Confound that fellow!" muttered Frank. "I don't often get started +this way, but it was such a dirty trick that----" + +"Never mind, now. Keep still, or Rhynas will hear." + +"Let me get at him!" Bascomb had snarled. "I will beat the life out of +him!" + +"Stop! stop!" said Rains, swiftly. "You are making a fool of yourself! +You can't fight here!" + +"Can't I? Well----" + +"No, it is against the rules. If you press this, you will be expelled, +for the affair will be investigated, and it will be proved that you +bared your hand, and Merriwell was forced to do so to defend himself." + +"Oh, I could hammer him!" + +"Well, there is plenty of time. Steady, now! Here is the professor. +He has scented a row. Can't you play cool, and pretend it was a joke? +Quick!" + +Then Frank was surprised to see Bascomb come forward, laughing in a +sickly way, as he said: + +"You're pretty flip with your hands, Merriwell, and that's right. I +hope you won't lay up anything against me because I lost my glove. I +was so excited that I didn't know it was gone." + +It was on Frank's tongue to give Bascomb the lie, but, for once in his +life, Hodge was the cooler of the two, and he warned his friend by a +soft pressure on the arm. + +Then, seeing Professor Rhynas listening, with a dark look on his face, +Frank laughed, and retorted: + +"I don't mind a little thing like that, Bascomb, as long as you didn't +strike me. I rather think I held my own with you, and so we will drop +it." + +"Yes," said Bascomb, "we will drop it--for the present." + +The way he spoke the words seemed to indicate that, though they might +let it drop for the present, the affair was not settled between them, +by any means. + +Rhynas now demanded to know the cause of the excitement, and he was +told that Bascomb had knocked his glove off, and then, in his +excitement, had struck a blow. + +The professor looked blacker than ever. + +"Such a thing is not possible," he declared. "This is no resort for +fighters. If you fellows have any differences to settle, settle them +elsewhere. I propose to run this department so there can be no slurs +cast upon it, and I will not have fighting, quarreling or loud talking +here." + +The professor was very strict, and they knew he meant every word he +spoke, so they did their best to pacify him with smooth words and +apologies. + +The man, however, was too shrewd to be deceived, and he knew very well +that the two boxers had come very near fighting in the gymnasium while +he was present. However, he could do nothing but warn them, which he +did, and then went about his affairs. + +The spectators of the little bout had been given something to talk +about, for, up to that moment, they had not dreamed there was any one +in the academy who could stand up before Bascomb's "wicked left" and +not be unmercifully hammered. + +Merriwell had been touched very few times with Bascomb's left, for he +had constantly been on the guard for any blow that might come from that +point, and he had thumped the big plebe most aggravatingly all through +the affair. + +But, what was most significant, after Bascomb had flung off one glove +and struck at Frank with his bare fist, the smaller and more supple lad +had sailed in and shown that he could put pounds into his blows, for he +had driven Bascomb back and knocked him down. + +This feat had caused Paul Rains to gasp with astonishment, and, in his +heart, he was forced to acknowledge that he doubted if he were yet a +match for Merriwell. + +Hodge alone, of them all, had believed all along that Frank was more +than a match for Bascomb. + +Now the spectators began to realize that Merriwell was not given to +boasting or "showing off," for he had made no pretense to be the +champion boxer, and he had allowed them to think Bascomb was more than +a match for anybody in the academy. + +When forced to meet some one in a contest that should be a test of +skill, Frank had chosen to meet Bascomb, which showed he had been +confident in himself all along, for all that he had not thrust himself +forward. + +In his heart, Rains was very sore, for he had just met Bascomb, and, +while he had made a good display, the big fellow had shown that he was +the superior. + +"Merriwell is putting me in the shade without running up against me at +all," thought Paul. "I have lost ground with the fellows right here. +How can I recover?" + +It did not take him long to decide that he must go against Merriwell in +some kind of a contest--and beat him. + +"You are very clever with the gloves, Merriwell," said Rains, stepping +forward, and speaking placidly; "but I would like to see what you can +do jumping." + +"Is that a challenge?" asked Frank, quietly. + +"If you wish to regard it as such." + +"Oh, I am not anxious; I simply wanted to know just what you meant it +for." + +"Then let it go as a challenge." + +"For what--high jump, or broad jump?" + +"Both." + +"That's the talk!" laughed one of the spectators. "Now we will have +more sport!" + +"All right," laughed Frank. "I will go you, though I have not been +doing much jumping lately, and I am not in my best form." + +"That will sound all right if you beat," said Rains; "but it will not +do for an excuse if you lose." + +"All right; let it go. I won't try to make any other excuse in case +you are the victor." + +In a mass the boys surged toward a piece of ground just outside of the +gymnasium adapted to jumping. + +"What shall it be first?" asked Frank, as he stood at the edge of the +long strip of turf. + +"Running long jump," decided Rains. + +"That's agreeable. You challenged, and I presume we are to take turns +for three jumps, the one who makes the best leap out of the number is +the winner?" + +"That's all right." + +Hodge spoke up quickly: + +"What do you mean by taking turns? Is one to jump three times, and +then the other jump three times?" + +"No, I mean for us to alternate," explained Frank. "First one jumps, +and then the other." + +Hodge nodded his satisfaction. + +"That is fair, and it is much better than the other way," he declared. + +The rivals made preparations for the contest. By lot it fell to Rains +to lead off. + +Rains was smiling and confident. + +"If there is anything I can do, I can jump," he told Bascomb, in an +aside. "I will beat him by a foot, at the very least." + +"I hope you will beat him by a yard!" muttered the big fellow, +sullenly. "I want to see him taken down. He has been a leader long +enough." + +"Oh, I will manage to win some of his glory away from him before the +spring campaign opens," said Rains, confidently. "Don't you worry +about that; but," he added, swiftly, "don't repeat my words to anybody. +I am not going to boast, but I am going to do something. That's the +proper way." + +"Sure," nodded Bascomb. "I guess you can do it, too." + +In his heart, however, Bascomb did not feel at all sure that Rains +would prove the victor in the jumping contest. + +"Merriwell is the hardest fellow to beat that I ever saw," he told +himself. "It doesn't seem possible to down him, and keep him down. If +one seems to get the best of him for a bit, he bobs up serenely +directly, and comes out on top. It is just his luck!" + +If Bascomb had said it was just Merriwell's pluck he would have hit the +truth, for Frank, besides being physically capable, was endowed with +any amount of determination, having a never-say-die spirit that would +not give up as long as there was a ghost of a chance left to pull out a +winner. + +In the words of the boys, "Merriwell was no quitter." + +"Ready," called the fellow who had been chosen for referee. "Rains +will set the stint." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +JUMPING. + +There was a determined look on Paul's face, as he walked to one end of +the long strip of turf that ran down one side of the gymnasium. + +"He is built for jumping," said one of the spectators. "There is a +fine pair of legs, if I ever saw a fine pair." + +"That's right," agreed another; "and he is full of snap and ginger. He +will give Merriwell a hard go." + +"But Merriwell is no slow coach at anything," broke in a third. "I +never saw a fellow who seemed able to make such a record at all sorts +of sports. Who would have thought that he could face Bascomb? Look! +Rains is going to start! See him crouch for the run! He is like a +young panther! Now he's off!" + +Down the line of turf darted Paul, reached the white line, rose +gracefully into the air with a pretty spring, and sailed forward in a +handsome jump that brought a round of applause from the spectators. + +The measurers immediately ran the tape. + +"Seventeen feet and four inches," was the announcement. + +A shade of disappointment came to the faces of the spectators, for that +was far below the Fardale record. + +Rains, however, winked quietly to Bascomb, as if to say that the first +jump was a teaser, just to see what Merriwell would do. + +Frank now took his position, ran swiftly and lightly down the turf, and +made the jump. He seemed to be doing his best, or nearly that, yet he +did not reach but a little beyond Rains' mark. + +"Seventeen feet, six inches and a quarter," announced one of the +measurers. + +"I wonder if that is anywhere near his limit?" thought Paul, as he +slowly walked back to the starting point. "I think I will have to give +him a stint this time." + +As he faced the mark, he gathered his energies in every part of his +body, felt his muscles strain, knew his nerves were at their highest +tension. + +"He's going to lay himself out this time," said one of the spectators +to another. "Seventeen feet will not be mentioned again." + +Down the strip shot Rains. He reached the mark, and went flying +through the air like a bird, bringing a cry to the lips of those +watching, for they saw he had gone far ahead of the first jump. + +"That was a beauty!" exclaimed Bascomb, speaking to Wat Snell, who +stood watching. + +"It was a good jump," said Snell; "but Merriwell will beat it." + +"What makes you think so?" + +"Because that fellow always beats at everything. I had rather have his +luck than a license to steal! I've quit trying to down him, for I +found I was bound to get the worst of it if I kept it up." + +"Oh, his time will come." + +"Perhaps so; but it isn't coming in a hurry." + +"Nineteen feet, three inches and a third," announced the measurer. + +"Hooray!" shouted one of Paul's delighted admirers. + +"That's the stuff! Merriwell will have to shake himself, if he means +to beat that." + +But Frank had friends who were confident that he would still hold the +lead. + +"Wait till the next measurement is taken," they said. + +Frank's manner, as he took his place for the start, seemed to indicate +that he believed the task before him a difficult one. + +"He's doubtful," muttered one of Paul's friends. + +"He's losing courage," said another. + +Pressing his lips together, Frank made the run, and the watchers held +their breath as he jumped. + +"He's tied Rains!" + +"Not much! He's behind!" + +"Rains holds the lead!" + +"Great Scott! is that Merriwell's best!" + +Bascomb thumped Wat Snell on the back. + +"What'd I tell you!" he laughed in Snell's ear. "This is right where +Merriwell loses some of his glory. Rains has beaten him." + +"This time, perhaps," admitted Snell; "but there is another jump to +follow, and the best score made is the one that decides the contest. +You will find Merriwell is not beaten yet." + +"Why, you talk as if you wanted him to beat!" + +"Not much! I would give almost anything to see him beaten at +everything he attempts. Don't think for a minute that I am in love +with that fellow!" + +The tape had been run, and now the announcement was heard: + +"Nineteen feet, one inch and one-third." + +Rains had beaten Merriwell by two inches on the second jump. + +But the contest was not yet over, and there was a chance that Frank +would finally redeem himself. + +Frank's friends were disappointed. Hodge showed deep chagrin in his +face, as he drew Merriwell aside, saying swiftly and guardedly: + +"You're making a mistake, old man, if you are holding off for the last +jump. The second jump is the one to lay yourself out on always." + +"Perhaps I did," smiled Frank. + +"What!" gasped Hodge. "And he has beaten you!" + +"It looks that way, doesn't it?" + +"But--but--I--I won't believe it! You can do better--you must do +better! Why, old man, you will lose your grip if you don't beat him!" + +"You do not expect impossibilities, do you?" + +"No, but----" + +"Would you go back on me if I lost this match?" + +"You know better, Frank! I would stick by you under any circumstances!" + +"Then I shall not feel so bad about losing it." + +Hodge gasped and clutched the arm of his roommate. + +"For gracious sake, you don't mean to say he had set you a stint you +cannot beat? You mustn't lose--you shan't lose! Do brace up, old man! +Why, think how those fellows who are envious of you will rejoice if +Rains comes out on top! You must win!" + +"Well, I will do my best on the next. There goes Rains for the last +jump." + +With the ghost of a triumphant mile on his face, Paul again took his +place at the starting point. The smile vanished, and a look of +resolution took its place. + +"He is going to try to beat your other jump!" said Bascomb. + +"He can't do it," declared Snell. + +"Wait and see." + +Paul had really resolved to beat his last jump. As he ran, he gathered +momentum, gauging the distance carefully, and reaching the mark +exactly. The jump was a splendid one, and it was instantly seen that +he had actually beaten his former record. + +Quickly and carefully the tape was stretched. + +"Nineteen feet, nine inches and three-fourths!" + +Then there were exclamations of wonderment from all sides, and more +than one declared Merriwell was badly beaten. There were not a few +among Frank's friends who confessed that he had very little chance, and +the faces of those who said nothing showed that they had lost heart to +a great extent. + +Hodge continued to talk excitedly to Merriwell, who shook his head, +looking very grave. + +Paul Rains was quietly triumphant, for he felt that he was safely the +winner of this contest. + +Merriwell and Hodge went up the strip together, the latter still +talking and making an occasional gesture. Reaching the starting point, +they paused and stood talking. + +"By smoke!" laughed Bascomb; "Merriwell doesn't want to try it at all, +and Hodge is having hard work to induce him to do so! Rains has this +match in a walkover." + +"That remains to be seen," said one of Frank's friends, doggedly. "You +may be right, but don't you fancy for a moment that Merriwell is going +to give up without jumping. He isn't that kind of a hairpin, my boy." + +"Well, he might as well give up without another try, for he doesn't +stand any show." + +"Oh, wait and see--wait and see," was all that Frank's defender could +say. + +Hodge was now seen to leave Merriwell and come back down the runway, +and it was noted that the look on his face was far from one of +confidence and satisfaction. + +"When Hodge loses confidence in Merriwell, the case is desperate," +declared Bascomb. + +"That's so," confessed Wat Snell. "I am beginning to hope." + +"Merriwell is making ready--he's preparing for the run!" + +All eyes were now fixed on Frank, who had taken his position at the +starting point. He was seen to dig his toe into the ground to get a +brace, and he leaned far forward, with one hand outstretched, then he +darted toward the mark. + +With the speed of a fawn, Frank came down the run, reached the mark, +shot like a leopard into the air, sailed like a soaring bird, and +landed safely far beyond Rains' best mark--so far, indeed, that the +crowd was too astonished to make a sound, but stood staring as the tape +was laid. + +"Twenty-one feet and two inches!" came the electrifying announcement. + +Then, for all of rules, for all of Professor Rhynas, Frank's friends +made the air ring with their wild shouts of applause. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +BASCOMB'S MISTAKE. + +Paul Rains was struck with dismay and confusion, which threatened to +turn to anger. + +He saw the crowd gathering round Frank, and congratulating him. Paul +was left quite alone. Not even Bascomb approached him, for the big +plebe was too dismayed to say anything or do anything. + +Wat Snell simply muttered: + +"I knew it!" + +His tone expressed his hopeless disgust. + +Frank's hand was wrung till his arm ached, and he was told over and +over that he would make a new record for Fardale Academy if he chose to +enter the athletic contests in the spring. + +"If he chooses!" shouted one enthusiastic fellow. "He'll have to +enter, whether he chooses or not! You don't suppose we will let a +fellow like him remain out of it, do you!" + +"I knew you could do it, old man!" murmured Bart Hodge, his dark face +flushed with pleasure. "You were bluffing all the while that you +pretended to doubt." + +"I wanted to see how much confidence you actually had in me," said +Frank, with a smile. + +"Well, you found out." + +"Yes, and that gave me a great deal more of confidence in myself. I +tell you it helps to know one has friends whose faith in him cannot be +shaken, even when he seems to lose faith in himself." + +"Where is Rains?" + +"There he is. I wonder if he is satisfied?" + +Paul was still quite alone, pretending to examine the spikes in the +bottom of one of his shoes. + +Frank moved toward his rival, and the others swarmed along. + +Seeing them coming, Rains straightened up, and through his mind flashed +the thought that he must not show his chagrin, no matter how deeply he +felt it, and he must receive Merriwell in a manner that would not make +him seem like a cad in the eyes of the fellows. + +And so, when Frank came up, Paul said: + +"That was a beautiful jump, Merriwell. You beat me fairly and +squarely. I can't deny that." + +"You are satisfied, then." + +"Perfectly." + +"Then we will try the high jump next." + +"Not much!" + +"What do you mean?" + +"I mean that I am satisfied for the present. If you can beat me nearly +a foot and a half at the running broad jump, you ought to be able to +beat me at the high jump. But I am going to try you another whirl by +and by." + +"You do not hold a grudge?" + +"What do you take me for?" + +"Shake hands?" + +"Of course." + +Their hands met, but Frank did not fail to note that Rains shook in a +manner that was very cold and insincere. + +"I reckon Merriwell has come pretty near showing what he is made of," +said Hodge; "and those fellows who have been claiming that he has won +his popularity by luck had better keep still in the future." + +"That's so!" shouted the crowd, and several who did so had been saying +the most disagreeable things about Frank a short time before. + +There is nothing in the world so ephemeral as popularity. The +individual who is to-day a hero may be an outcast to-morrow. There is +nothing harder to hold than the esteem of a set of school-boys. He who +is regarded as an idol in the fall may be supplanted by a rival in the +spring, and may find himself unnoticed and neglected. Having once +become a leader in a school, the fellow who has obtained the position +must prove his superiority to all comers in order to hold it. Even +then his success will produce jealous enemies, who will seek his +overthrow by some means, no matter how unfair. + +Frank had not sought popularity; it had come unbidden. Having found +himself a leader, however, he had pride enough to hold the position +just as long as he was capable of doing so fairly and honestly. But he +had already discovered that he would be assailed openly and secretly, +and his foes would try to drag him down by any means, fair or foul. + +Had Rains been a little more cordial, had he shaken hands with Frank as +if he really held no grudge, Merriwell would have been more than glad +to hail him as a good fellow and a friend. But the touch of his +fingers was enough to reveal the bitterness in his heart. Having +disliked and envied Merriwell before, Rains would now dislike and envy +him still more. + +As soon as he could do so without attracting too much attention, Rains +left the excited throng of boys, and hurried away to one of the +dressing-rooms. + +Hugh Bascomb quickly followed, being the only one among Rains' late +friends to note his departure. + +Bascomb found Rains rubbing down. Paul did not say a word as the big +plebe entered. + +"Well," said Bascomb, as he sat down on a stool, "what do you think of +Merriwell?" + +"I think he is a mighty hard fellow to beat at anything," growled Paul. + +"But he can be beaten--eh?" + +"How?" + +"There are ways." + +"What do you mean? Speak plainly." + +"You ought to know what I mean," said Bascomb, doggedly, keeping his +eyes on the floor. "It isn't always the best trotter that wins a race." + +"It will not be easy to beat Merriwell fairly." + +"That's right; but you are a fellow of nerve and brains, and you ought +to be able to devise some scheme to get the best of him unfairly." + +Rains stopped and stared at Bascomb, his face showing that he was +angrier than ever. + +"Now your meaning is pretty plain," he said, slowly. "I will confess +that I dislike Merriwell--that I would give almost anything to get the +best of him; but I want you to understand, Hugh Bascomb, that I am no +sneak!" + +Bascomb still kept his eyes on the floor. + +"Oh, what's the use to get on your high horse, Rains!" he said, in his +sullen way. "If you dislike Merriwell, as you pretend, and if you hope +to down him at anything, you cannot be too much of a stickler for +little things. Once get him to going down hill, and we can keep him +going. I can help you start him." + +Had Bascomb taken more than a fleeting glance at Rains' face, he must +have seen that the latter was regarding him with contempt. + +"I suppose you have a scheme of your own?" Paul finally observed, in a +questioning way. + +"Sure." + +"What is it?" + +"Well, to begin with, I have pretty good proof that Merriwell was the +originator and perpetrator of that crawfish joke on Mulloy and +Dunnerwust." + +"What of that?" + +"I think that Lieutenant Gordan would be able to fasten it on +Merriwell, if he knew what I know." + +"That would mean certain expulsion for Merriwell." + +"Of course. All three of the professors were so tangled up in that +affair that the fellow would surely be fired, if the blame could be +fastened upon him." + +"What do you want of me?" + +Bascomb cleared his throat, twisted on, the stool, and hesitated. +Finally, he said: + +"You may be able to devise some other means to get the best of the +fellow; but, if you can't, and you are ready to take hold of this, you +may see him fired out of the academy, so he will no longer be in your +way." + +"What do you want of me?" repeated Rains, coldly and quietly. + +"Well, you see--you understand--you know I came near getting into +trouble once by trying to help Gage do Merriwell up. After that Gage +was caught cheating at cards, and had to run away. Everybody knows I +hate Merriwell, and they'd all think I blowed if anything came to +Lieutenant Gordan's ears. That's why I don't dare make a move. With +you it is different." + +"What do you want of me?" demanded Rains, the third time. + +"I will give you the proofs, and you can carry them to Lieutenant +Gordan, who will follow it up, and see that Merriwell is expelled. In +that way, I will not get entangled, and no one will suspect you." + +With one wide stride, Rains reached Bascomb, caught him by the +shoulders, and thrust him backward, thus forcing him to look up. + +"You have insulted me!" came fiercely from Paul's lips. "I am no sneak +and informer! Did you think I would do the dirty trick you are too +much of a coward to try? Well, you made a big mistake! I dislike +Merriwell, but I am not ready to make myself contemptible in my own +eyes by blowing on him." + +Bascomb put up his big hands and thrust Rains off. + +"Whom are you calling a coward!" he snarled, as he got upon his feet. + +"You!" shot back Paul. "You are a coward and a sneak!" + +"Why, I'll thrash you well!" + +"No, you won't!" cried Rains, flinging up one hand to stop the advance +of the big plebe. "If you lay a hand on me, I will make known to the +entire school the scheme you just proposed to me. The boys would tar +and feather you." + +Bascomb stopped and showed his yellow teeth, while he trembled slightly +with anger. + +"So that's your trick!" he said, growlingly. + +"Yes, that's my trick; and if you blow on Merriwell, I will play the +card. You made a big mistake in taking me for a sneak just because I +didn't happen to like a fellow who is popular. Get out now, and don't +come round me again! I don't belong to your class, and I don't want to +have anything to do with you. Get!" + +Bascomb hesitated, longing to strike Rains, but not daring to do so. +Slowly he moved toward the door, where he paused to growl: + +"This is all right! I will get square with you some time. If you blow +on me, I will pound the life out of you!" + +Then he went out + +Rains had shown his manhood. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THE RIVAL PROFESSORS. + +Professor Jenks and Professor Scotch were rivals. Each admired and +sought to win the affections of a widow of uncertain years, who lived +in Fardale village. + +For some years Professor Gunn's two assistants had been very friendly, +but Nancy Cobb, the widow spoken of, was the rock on which they split. + +Their jealousy often caused them to completely forget their dignity, +and they did things that made them utterly ridiculous in the eyes of +all beholders. + +As yet, neither had possessed nerve enough to propose to the widow, and +so, wishing to make a sure catch, the elderly lady had clung to both, +ready to jump at the first one who should offer himself. + +The cause of the ill-will existing between the under professors was +well known to the cadets at Fardale Academy, and had provided them with +no small amount of sport. + +Now it happened that Tad Jones, a village lad who was very well known +to Frank Merriwell, was the nephew of the coquettish widow, and the +widow made her home with Tad's father and mother. + +Tad was a lively youngster, who liked fun, and, in more ways than one, +he was "a thorn in the flesh" unto his aunt. + +One day he succeeded in seeing Frank, whom he informed that he had put +up another joke on his Aunt Nancy. + +"I've been imertatin' her handwritin' lately," said Tad, "and I've got +so I can scrawl jest like her. Old Scotch and Jenks ain't never run +onto each other at our house, but I've fixed it." + +Tad grinned gleefully, as he made this declaration. + +"Fixed it, how?" asked Frank. + +"Why, I writ 'em both a letter, askin' 'em to call to-night at eight +o'clock, and I signed Nancy's name. I made the letters jest a little +spooney, but not too much so. I'll bet they'll be tickled to death, +and they'll come sure." + +"And meet there?" + +"Yep." + +"There's liable to be trouble." + +"That's what we're lookin' for," chuckled the fun-loving youngster. +"Oh, if they'd jest fight!" + +"I'd like to see the circus." + +"Come on over." + +"I don't know as I can get away. I will come if I can." + +"All right. Bring along any of the fellers." + +That night Frank found a way to get leave to go to the village, and +Hans, whom he had told of the coming "racket," escaped from the +building and joined him outside the grounds. Together they went over +to the village, and called on Tad Jones. + +Tad was waiting for them, and he straightway smuggled them into the +house. + +"Aunt Nancy's expectin' Professor Jenks to call," he gleefully +whispered. "I told her that I saw him, and he said he'd be here +to-night, so she's frizzled and primped to receive him." + +"You'll get into a scrape," said Frank. + +"I don't care for that, if I can see some fun. Come right into the +parlor, and we'll all hide. Aunt's up in her room, layin' on the +finishin' touches." + +Into the parlor they slipped. A fire was burning in the old-fashioned +open fireplace, and it was plain that Mrs. Cobb had "spruced things up" +to receive company. + +"Two of us can git behind the organ in the corner here," said Tad. +"The other feller can hide under the sofa." + +As the sofa was a long, old-fashioned affair, and any one hidden +beneath it could command a view of the entire room, Frank decided to +conceal himself there. + +This was barely settled when there came a sharp rap on the door. + +"Git under cover quick!" hissed Tad. "That must be one of 'em!" + +Tad and Hans made haste to squeeze in behind the organ, and Frank crept +under the sofa. + +"Shimminy Gristmas!" muttered the Dutch lad, "uf id don'd peen britty +tight blace here den I ton't know somedings." + +"It is all right," returned Tad, who had obtained a position where he +could peer out. "Keep cool, and let your hair curl." + +Pretty soon Nancy fluttered downstairs, and then Frank heard the +high-pitched voice of Professor Jenks in the hall. A moment later, the +widow entered the parlor. + +"Oh, dear!" she simpered. "What a surprise this is, dear Mr. Jenks! +Set right down on this chair close to the fire. You must be cold. Let +me take your hat and coat." + +"I am rather cold," squeaked the professor, as he peeled off his coat, +and allowed her to take it away with his hat. "It is a chilly night. +You are cozy in here." + +The widow was wonderfully and artistically gotten up in a back-number +silk dress, beneath which was an expansive hoop-skirt, while all around +her face were cork-screw curls, meant to be very fetching. As she was +somewhat deaf, although she never acknowledged it, she misunderstood +the professor's last remark. + +"Oh, yes," she smiled, coming back and sitting quite close to Jenks, +"no one can hear. We are quite alone." + +"Is that so?" gasped the professor, nervously, looking as if he +contemplated flight. "I received your letter." + +"You believe I'm better! Why, my dear professor, I haven't bin sick. +You must have been misinformed." + +"I didn't say that, Mrs. Cobb. I said that I received----" + +At this moment there came another sharp rap on the door, and Professor +Jenks started as if he had been struck. + +"Somebody is knocking," he said. + +"Rocking?" smiled Nancy. "Then take the rocking-chair. I like to rock +myself pritty well." + +"Somebody is knocking--knocking at the door!" cried the professor, in +his high falsetto. + +"Oh, somebody knocking. I will see who it is. Mrs. Jones doesn't +always hear 'em. I sometimes think she is ruther hard of hearing." + +As she fluttered out of the room, the professor gasped: + +"I'm in a perfect sweat already! I'd rather face a battery! I wonder +if she will propose? It's leap year, and she may." + +Then he suddenly started to his feet, with an exclamation of surprise +and anger, for he heard Professor Scotch's hoarse voice in the hall. + +"Confound it!" exclaimed Jenks. "What's brought him here to-night? I +don't understand this." + +In came Nancy, and Professor Scotch was close behind her. + +"It's so good of you both to call!" gushed the widow, girlishly. +"We'll have a real lovely little chat." + +Professor Scotch started back as he caught sight of his rival, and the +two glared at each other. Then Scotch growled: + +"You here?" + +"Yes, sir," squeaked Jenks, defiantly. "Who's got a better right, I'd +like to know?" + +"But I'd have you to understand I was invited." + +"So was I." + +"But I received an invitation from this particular lady." + +"So did I." + +"Set right down on the sofy, Professor Scotch," urged Nancy. "We'll +pop some corn, and eat some apples, and be real sociabul." + +"Madame," said the little man, with great dignity, "I think there is +some mistake." + +"You'd like some steak?" exclaimed Mrs. Cobb, in surprise. "I never +heerd of people havin' steak to treat callers on. I don't b'lieve +there's a bit in the house. I s'pose you do git awful sick of the food +they have over to the 'cademy. Now, if you was a married man, and hed +a wife to cook for ye----" + +"I say I think there is a mistake in this matter." + +"Beefsteak in a platter? Yes, that's a good way to serve it." + +The little professor gave a gasp, and collapsed onto the sofa. And +Frank promptly jabbed a hatpin up through the sofa, so that it +penetrated the professor to a distance of about a quarter of an inch. + + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +A LIVELY CALL. + +"Whoop!" roared the big voice of the little man, and Professor Scotch +shot into the air like a jumping-jack out of a box. "Wow!" he howled, +clutching convulsively at that part of his person which had felt the +hatpin. "What did I sit down on?" + +The widow looked frightened, and Professor Jenks looked astonished. + +"What did I sit down on?" repeated Professor Scotch, his red hair +bristling with anger. + +"Why, you sat on the sofa, sir," squeaked Jenks. + +"Then there must be a whole nest of wasps concealed in that sofa!" +shouted Scotch. "I was stung, or I was stabbed--I don't know which." + +"Why, I'm sure I cannot imagine what the matter with you can be," +fluttered the widow, in distress. + +"Well, I don't know what is the matter with your old sofa." + +He spoke so loudly that she understood him, and she immediately turned +up her nose. + +"Old sofa, sir--old sofa! There is nothing the matter with that sofa. +Your language is surprisingly offensive, sir." + +"Te-he, he, he!" giggled Jenks. "Now you're getting it, Scotch! +You've put your foot in it." + +"Beg your pardon--beg your pardon," roared the little man. "I did not +mean any offense, Mrs. Cobb, but I assure you there must be a dagger +concealed in that sofa, for some pointed weapon entered my person in a +most painful manner. If you will excuse me, I'll take this chair, for +I really do not dare sit down there again." + +The widow gave a sniff. + +"Your courage is very limited," she said. "Now, I do love to admire a +man with courage enough to----" + +"Ex-cuse me," squealed Jenks, elevating his voice. "The sofa is good +enough for me." + +Down he sat upon it, smiling triumphantly. + +Frank still had the hatpin--which he had found on the floor beneath the +sofa--ready for use, but he held his hand a bit, knowing he could give +Jenks a greater shock if he should be pricked after, he had sat there a +while in apparent security. + +"Oh, you're a daring blade--you are!" sneered Scotch, fiercely, as he +glared at Jenks. "You'd walk right up to the mouth of a cannon--if you +knew it wasn't loaded!" + +"Well, I never yet got frightened by a hair-cloth sofa," squeaked Jenks. + +The widow smiled seductively on the long and lanky professor. + +"You don't find nothing the matter with the sofy, do you, professor?" +she asked. + +"Not a thing," piped Jenks. "It is ever the wicked man who feels the +pricks of conscience. Now, my conscience is easy, and so I do not +feel----We-e-e-ow! Murder! I'm stabbed! I'm killed! We-e-ow!" + +Professor Jenks shot into the air with such suddenness and vigor that +he thumped his head against the low ceiling, which seemed to fling him +back upon the sofa, and Frank promptly gave him a second dose of hatpin. + +"Wo-o-ouch!" squealed the tall professor, bounding up again, and +dancing wildly round the room, with his hands concealed beneath the +tails of his coat. "That sofa is filled with broadswords and bayonets! +It is stuffed with deadly weapons!" + +Professor Scotch literally roared with laughter. + +"Oh, there's nothing the matter with the sofa!" he laughed. "Just go +right back and sit down there. Ha! ha! ha! It is ever the wicked man +who feels the pricks of conscience. Ha! ha! ha! Ho! ho! ho!" + +"Shut up!" piped Jenks, coming close to Scotch, at whom he shook his +fist threateningly. "Shut up, or I will thump you!" + +"Don't you dare do it here. If you do, I'll----" + +"What?" + +"I'll see you later." + +"Landy massy!" spluttered Nancy. "I do believe you've both been tooken +crazy!" + +Behind the organ were two boys who were holding their hands over their +mouths to keep from roaring with laughter, while Frank, under the sofa, +was finding it no easy task to be silent. + +The widow was frightened, and both of the professors immediately sought +to reassure her. They pranced up on either side, and Scotch began: + +"Don't be alarmed, Mrs. Cobb; we'll not fight----" + +"You're not tight? Well, you act as if you were, and that's a fact." + +"Oh, go fall on yourself, Scotch!" advised Jenks, dropping into the +slang he had overheard some boy use. "This is an unfortunate affair." + +"What's the matter with my hair?" indignantly asked the widow, as she +caressed her corkscrew curls. "You are getting very personal, sir." + +"Ho! ho!" laughed Scotch, guardedly. "Now you are getting it, Jenks!" + +"You make me tired!" + +"Go have your voice filed, so you won't be an old woman." + +"Who be you callin' an old woman?" cried Nancy, catching the words with +wonderful quickness. "I must say your language is most surprisin' and +offensive, sir." + +"Excuse me," roared Scotch. "I was speaking to Mr. Jenks." + +"But he isn't a woman," said Nancy, suspiciously. "I don't know why +you should use such language to him." + +"You've put your foot in it now," snickered the little man. + +"And I don't know what he's grinnin' and laughin' about. You both act +as if too much studyin' and tooterin' was beginnin' to affect your +brains. Now, why, don't you both git married, and give up this awful +wearin' life you are leadin'?" + +"That's just what I called to see about," declared Professor Scotch, +bracing up. "I called to pro----" + +"Hold on!" squealed Jenks, excitedly. "I was here first, and I will +have my first say. Mrs. Cobb, my heart has long yearned for domestic +joys and comforts." + +"Oh, I don't keer how much you've earned; it's what you've saved that +counts." + +"Oh, if I had that voice, I'd go break it!" sneered Scotch. "Try +again, Hyson, and you'll get her so twisted that I'll stand a good show +of winning her." + +So Jenks braced up and tried again. + +"I say my heart has yearned----" + +"Sody-water or magneeshy is good for heartburn," smiled the widow. + +"Ye gods!" gasped Jenks. "I didn't know she was so hard of hearing." + +"Oh, sail in and win her!" chuckled the little professor. "You're +doing first rate." + +"Mrs. Cobb," continued Jenks, "I am not much given to the follies of +life. I am a very grave man----" + +"And I do so admire a brave man!" gushed Nancy. + +While passing through the village on the way to Tad Jones' home, Frank +had purchased an automatic mouse. Being wound up, the mouse would run +swiftly across the room. + +At this juncture, Frank pointed the mouse toward Nancy, and let it go, +at the same time giving a squeak, which both professors distinctly +heard. + +Nancy saw the mouse coming, and she uttered a wild shriek of terror, +clutching Professor Jenks around his slender neck. + +"Save me! Save me from that terrible beast!" she squawked. + +It happened that the professor was quite as scared of a mouse as Nancy +could be, and he broke away and jumped up on a chair, squealing: + +"Murder! We'll all be bitten!" + +In a most remarkably skillful manner the widow sprang up to the top of +the center-table, where she stood, in a stooping position, her head +against the ceiling. + +"Who's scared of a mouse!" sneered Professor Scotch, as he gave chase +to the toy, which bumped against various pieces of furniture, and so +kept dodging about. + +Under the chair on which Jenks stood ran the mouse. Scotch knocked the +chair over, and Jenks uttered a wild shriek as he came down astride the +little professor's neck. Then both rolled against the center-table, +which was upset. + +Down came Nancy, like a balloon, nearly smothering the two professors, +upon whom she alighted. + +This was too much for Tad Jones, who burst into a shriek of laughter, +jumped out, and extinguished the light, and shouted: + +"Skip, fellows--skip!" + +Frank and Hans lost no time in leaving their places of concealment and +hustling out of the room, abandoning the two professors to their fate. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +SKATING FOR HONORS. + +"I nefer seen der peat uf dot alretty yet," declared Hans, as he and +Frank were hurrying back to the academy. "Uf dot don'd peen der +piggest racket vot nefer vos, you dunno vot I vos talkin' apout." + +"If it is found that we know anything about it, we will be sure to get +into trouble," said Frank. "Should anybody question you, why you must +be ignorant as a mule." + +"You pet me your life I vos. I vill peen ignorand as a clam." + +But it seemed that the professors did not suspect that any of the +academy boys had been present, and so no inquiries were made in the +school. + +Tad Jones, however, was accused of having some of his village chums in +the scrape, and, when he refused to tell their names, he was soundly +strapped by his father, who had sincerely hoped one of the professors +would propose to Nancy and take her away without delay. + +Just how the rival professors had escaped was not known, but, if +possible, the coldness between them was more pronounced than ever. The +feud seemed of a deadly nature, and some of the boys declared that +Jenks and Scotch were certain to fight a duel over Nancy sooner or +later. + +The following Saturday was fine, and that afternoon large numbers of +the boys from the academy sought the village pond, where the skating +was excellent. + +By mid-afternoon there were between two and three hundred skaters on +the long pond, while half as many spectators were gathered on the shore. + +It was a lively and pleasant scene. Inza Burrage was there, with her +chosen companion, May Blossom. Inza was a beautiful skater, and so was +much sought as a companion by the boys. Three times did Frank approach +her to ask her to skate with him, and each time he saw her carried off +by some one else. + +She was in a coquettish mood that day, and her merry laughter as she +skated away each time proved rather tantalizing to Frank, who finally +muttered: + +"All right; two can play at that game." + +It was almost, if not quite, May Blossom's first attempt at skating, +and, although she was doing very well, her company was not in such +demand as that of Inza. + +Seeing May alone, Frank immediately skated to her side, and he was soon +doing his best to instruct her in the correct handling of her feet. +They seemed quite absorbed in each other's company, and not even Inza's +ringing laugh, as she sped past with Paul Rains, caused either of them +to glance up. + +At first Inza had not minded Frank's attentions to May, but, as time +slipped away, and they still clung together, laughing, chatting, and +minding no one else, she began to grow uneasy. + +"Oh, she can have him, if she wants him!" muttered Inza, her cheeks +beginning to burn. "There are any amount of other fellows." + +That was quite true, but, in her heart, she knew full well that there +was no other fellow she cared so much for as she did for Frank +Merriwell. + +From this moment she ceased to enjoy herself, and she could not keep +from watching Frank and May, although she tried to do so. She grew +petulant, and those who were in her company found her surprisingly +crisp and disagreeable. + +Whenever she could, she skated past Frank and May, and she always +laughed as she did so, but there was a false note in her laughter--it +did not seem very sincere. + +Paul Rains was a beautiful skater. He could cut fancy figures that +took away the breath of the village boys, and all his movements were +graceful and rhythmical. He could write his name with his skates, and +every letter was perfect and clean cut as if done with a pen. It was +not long before all eyes were centered on him, and Inza did not fail to +note that he seemed to be the principal attraction on the pond. + +So Inza skated a great deal with Paul, hoping to arouse Frank's +jealousy; but, to her overwhelming dismay, after he began to skate with +May, Frank seemed to forget there was any one else on the pond. + +"I believe he really likes her better than he does me!" thought Inza. +"And she, knowing all my secrets, knowing how much I think of Frank, is +doing her best to cut me out! Oh, that is true friendship!" + +She felt like crying with vexation, and, once or twice, tears did come +to her eyes; but she forced them back, continuing to skate and laugh. + +Arrangements were made for a skating contest to take place very soon. +One of the gentlemen of the village offered a "badge of honor" to the +swiftest skater on the pond--the one who could win the race. + +Paul Rains entered, as also did Bartley Hodge and Sammy Smiles from the +academy. Three village boys entered. + +Then Hodge sought Frank, saying: + +"Come, old man, we want you in this race." + +"Oh, I am busy," laughed Frank, noticing that Inza was near, although +he did not glance in her direction. "I am teaching Miss Blossom to +skate, and she is getting on famously." + +"Well, I think she will excuse you a few minutes. You may go on with +your lessons after the race." + +"Oh, say, can't you get along without me?" + +"Can't anyway; you must come along." + +"Well, if I must, I must," murmured Frank, with mock distress. "I will +see you later, Miss Blossom, and we will do our best to induce that +left foot to make the stroke properly." + +So, bowing and smiling, he left her, and, in her heart, Inza cried: + +"If he skates with her again this afternoon, I'll be outwitted--that's +all!" + +As Bart drew Frank aside, he hastily and guardedly said: + +"You must go into this race to win, old man. Rains' friends have been +saying you would not dare skate against him, and that he would have a +walk-over if you did." + +Frank's teeth came together with a click. + +"Is that so!" he exclaimed. "Well, they may be right; but we'll see." + +That was quite enough to put him on his mettle, and he lost no time in +entering for the race. + +A short time later the seven contestants were drawn up in line, waiting +the signal. + +One mile up the pond a rock reared its head from the ice, where, at low +water, there was a tiny rocky island. Every contestant was to "turn +the rock" and skate back to the starting point, making a race of two +miles in two long, straight stretches. + +The gentleman who had offered the badge of honor stood, pistol in hand, +ready to give the signal. The contestants leaned forward for the start. + +"Ready!" + +Muscles were drawn taut, nerves were tingling. + +"One! two! three!"--Bang! + +Away darted the skaters, and the race had begun. + +A cheer went up from the spectators. + +Paul Rains took the lead at the very start, for he seemed to jump away +at astonishing speed, while the others were gathering headway. + +"Rains has a snap this time," declared one. "Merriwell may be able to +take the honors at jumping, but he won't be in this kind of a contest." + +"Jist wait a whoile an' see about thot, me b'y," said Barney Mulloy, +who had overheard the remark. "Frankie is as full av surproises as a +horrunet's nest is full av stings." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +SKATING FOR LIFE. + +During the entire first half of the course there were four of the seven +contestants who made a good showing. These were Rains, Merriwell, +Hodge and one of the village boys. + +Through it all Rains kept the lead, but the village lad was second +until the turning point was nearly reached. Then Merriwell settled +down to business and took second place, while Hodge pushed the village +boy hard. + +Rains' heart was full of triumph. Over and over he told himself: + +"At last I have found something at which I can defeat Merriwell fairly!" + +Rains believed he was safely in advance, and this delusion was not +broken till the last half mile of the course was struck. Then he heard +somebody's skates ringing close behind, and, looking over his shoulder, +he saw Frank bearing down on him like the wind. + +Paul's heart gave a great leap. + +"By Jove!" he breathed. "That fellow means to press me! But he shall +not come in first--he shall not!" + +Then he strained every muscle, and, for a few seconds, the distance +between them did not seem to diminish. + +Frank, however, held steadily to that terrible speed, and Paul began to +fear he could not stand it to the finish, for his head was beginning to +grow unsteady, and there was a wild roaring in his ears. Through a +bluish mist he saw the great crowd on the shore near the starting +point, and he knew the eyes of hundreds were upon the contestants. + +"I'll die before he shall pass me!" thought Rains. + +And then, once more, he heard the skates of his rival ringing clear +close at his elbow. One wild look he cast over his shoulder, and there +was Merriwell, fearfully near--and gaining! + +Paul's heart rose with a bursting sensation into his throat. He had +seen that Merriwell's face bore a look of determination--nay, more, a +look of confidence. + +Oh, for the power to hold out to the end! Again he forced himself to +spurt; but, as that mad burst of energy slackened, he felt, rather than +saw, his rival reach his side. + +Now a great cheer broke from the crowd of excited and delighted +spectators, for the two boys were fairly abreast, and neither seemed +able to gain another inch on the other. + +Rains had shut his teeth, his nostrils were dilated, and his eyes wild +in their sockets. The finish line was near, and he must cross it in +advance--a yard, a foot, an inch! + +But he little knew that Frank Merriwell had reserved for the last +supreme moment enough strength to make a final spurt. + +Now--now is the time for one or the other to forge ahead! + +Another shout goes up: + +"Merriwell! Merriwell! He's the winner! Hurrah!" + +Frank had forged to the front; but, even as the cheer came from the +crowd, he was seen to be flipped into the air, as if he had struck a +spring-board, and he came down heavily on the ice. There was no time +to recover. + +Frank slid over the starting line, prostrate on the ice; but Paul Rains +crossed it upright, and at least three yards in advance. + +Rains had won! + +An accident had prevented Frank from winning, for his skate had struck +a flaw in the ice, and he had been thrown with stunning force. + +Great was the excitement. Merriwell was picked up and carried to the +shore, where a dash of cold water brought him round. + +Rains was quite used up for a while, but he soon recovered. His +friends crowded round him to offer congratulations. + +"You beat Merriwell this time, Paul," they said. + +"But he fell," said Paul, bitterly. "That makes the victory anything +but satisfactory. However, I will race him again at any time and any +place." + +Little did he think how soon they would race again. + +Within a short time after the finish of the race, a sudden cry of alarm +and terror went up from the throng. + +"Look--look there! Two girls have broken through the ice! They will +be drowned!" + +At a certain point in the pond there was a dangerous bit of ice, where +some springs deep down at the bottom continually bubbled up and kept +the water alive, so the ice did not form solidly. It was supposed that +every one knew where this dangerous spot was, so no sign had been +placed there. + +Now, however, two girls had ventured upon it, and broken through. + +"Who are they?" + +"Inza Burrage and May Blossom!" + +"Save them! save them!" + +Several started toward the imperiled girls, but two forms darted out +ahead of the rest, and another race between Paul Rains and Frank +Merriwell had begun. + +This time it was a race for life. + +Shoulder to shoulder they started, and, for some seconds, they kept +thus. + +Then Frank began to forge ahead, for all that Paul was straining every +muscle--was doing the very best that he could to save life. + +The girls were seen clinging to the broken edge of the ice, which broke +beneath them once or twice, but they managed to keep up in some way. + +Wider and wider grew the distance between Merriwell and Rains, showing +that the former was by far the faster skater in such a case as this. + +As Frank drew near the girls, the ice broke again, and both went under. + +He did not slacken speed, but, taking care to avoid them, skated +straight into the water. + +Clinging to each other, the girls came up; but they would have sunk +again immediately if he had not been there to clutch them. + +Treading water, he held them up, getting close to the ragged edge of +the ice. + +The water was fearfully cold, but he managed to keep his head out, +knowing aid must come quickly. + +Paul Rains slackened his speed as he came near the opening in the ice. + +"Form a line--get hold of my feet!" he shouted. + +Down upon his stomach he went, and he slid forward till he could reach +out and grasp one of the girls. + +There he lay till another lad clutched his feet, and still others +grasped the feet of the one who had hold of Paul. + +"Now, Merriwell," said Paul, "if you can break their clutch on each +other, we can take 'em out one at a time." + +With some difficulty the grasp of the half-drowned girls was broken. +Paul held fast to one, and shouted: + +"Pull away!" + +He was drawn backward, and the girl was dragged from the water upon the +ice. + +Quickly she was passed to some one who carried her away to a place of +warmth and safety, while Paul Rains crept back to the opening, and the +other girl was rescued in a similar manner. Then Frank, nearly +exhausted, was drawn out. + +With Rains on one side, and Hodge on the other, Frank skated back to +the shore, where the great crowd of spectators had witnessed the +gallant rescue. How the crowd cheered and flung up their hats! + +"Hurrah for Frank Merriwell!" was the roar that went up. "Hurrah!" + +"Hurrah for Paul Rains! Hurrah!" + +The man who had offered the badge of honor grasped the two lads by the +hands, crying: + +"You shall both have a badge of honor! This is true heroism, and you +are both heroic lads!" + +"Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!" thundered the crowd. + +Let us add here that neither Inza nor May suffered any particularly ill +results from their plunge through the ice. + +Between Inza and Frank the slight misunderstanding was easily adjusted, +and May, in her innocent little heart, had never dreamed of "cutting +out" her friend. She and Paul Rains afterward became very friendly. + +Between Frank and Paul a rivalry continued to exist; but, for the most +part, it was of a healthy, generous sort, and Merriwell retained his +position as leader, having become more popular than before among the +better class of boys at the academy. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE SINISTER STRANGER. + +"Boy, where did you get that ring?" + +Frank Merriwell started and looked quickly at the man who had hoarsely +hissed the question in his ear. At a glance he saw that the man was a +stranger in Fardale village. + +The stranger was dressed in black clothes, wore a cloak, with a cape, +and had the brim of his hat slouched over his eyes, which were +coal-black and piercing. He had a heavy black mustache and imperial, +which gave him a rather savage expression, and, withal, he made a +somewhat sinister figure. + +The night mail at Fardale was not delivered at the academy till the +following morning, and Frank had come to the village post office late +that afternoon to obtain an expected letter from home, if it had +arrived. + +He had also hoped that, on his way to the post office, or in returning +to the academy, he might catch a glimpse of Inza. Frank was now a +welcome visitor at Inza's home, but, being governed by natural tact and +delicacy, he did not wish to call too frequently, fearing Inza's +parents might regard him as something of a bore. + +Shortly after entering the village he had noticed the stranger in +black, who seemed to be staring wonderingly at the boy. To Frank's +surprise, this man followed him about. + +Finally the stranger slipped softly to Frank's side, and hoarsely +whispered the question with which this chapter opens. At the same +time, he pointed to a peculiar ring which Merriwell wore on the third +finger of his left hand. + +Frank drew back, looking the man over from head to feet. + +"I beg your pardon, sir," he said, in a manner that was intended to +repulse further advances. + +But the man was not to be choked off thus easily. + +"The ring," he repeated. "I asked you where you obtained it." + +"I know you did," said the boy, coolly. + +"Answer me!" sibilated the stranger, his brows darkening beneath the +wide brim of the hat, and a gleam of fire showing in his eyes. "Tell +me the truth, boy!" + +"I don't know why I should answer you," said Frank. "I do not know +you, and I do not understand what right you have to ask me such a +question." + +The man in black bit his lip, and hesitated. After a moment, he forced +a smile that was far from agreeable to see, although he plainly meant +that it should reassure the boy, and, in a low tone, he rapidly said: + +"That ring is very odd, and it attracted my attention for that reason. +I am a great collector of curios, and especially of quaint and curious +rings. I have traveled the world over in search of the quaint and +curious, and I have a collection of nearly five hundred rings of all +patterns, makes and values. This collecting of rings has become a fad, +or mania, with me. Whenever I see an odd or peculiar ring, I am +immediately seized by a great desire to possess it; but I always want +to know its history. It enhances the value of a ring to know its +history. I assure you that some rings have very queer histories, +indeed." + +Frank watched the man closely as he was speaking, and, although it was +plain that the stranger was trying to secure the boy's confidence, +Merriwell continued to regard him with suspicion and aversion. There +was something about this person's dark face and sinister aspect that +was extremely repulsive to the lad. + +Once more the man smiled, as if making a desperate attempt to thaw the +cool reserve of the boy; but he had begun in a very poor way, for Frank +remained cold and distant. + +"Some of my rings," went on the man in black, "have tales of bloodshed +and murder connected with them, and these are interesting in their way. +Some recall romances of blighted love or sundered hearts, and these +tales are always interesting to the ladies who look over the +collection. Some have been worn by great men or great ladies, and some +have encircled the fingers of great villains or great criminals. You +should understand why I desire to know the history of every ring that +comes into my possession." + +"Well," said Frank, quietly, "as there is not the slightest possibility +that you will ever possess this ring, you can have very little interest +in its history." + +The stranger fell back a step, and then, with one hand eagerly +outstretched, he exclaimed: + +"You will sell it for a good price--of course you will?" + +"No." + +"Why, its real value is insignificant!" + +"It is valuable to me." + +"No jeweler will give you more than three or four dollars for +it--possibly five." + +"Well?" + +"I will give you ten dollars for that ring." + +"It is useless for you to offer me money for it, as I do not intend to +sell it." + +Frank turned as if he would move away, but he felt a hand clutch his +shoulder with a grasp of iron, while the voice of the stranger almost +snarled: + +"Don't be a fool, boy! I want that ring, and I mean to have it at some +price. I will give you twenty-five dollars for it." + +"Take your hand off my shoulder, sir!" + +"I'll give you thirty dollars." + +"Take your hand off my shoulder, sir!" + +"Forty dollars!" + +"I have warned you twice to take your hand off my shoulder," came +coldly from the lips of the boy, on whose face there was now a +dangerous look. "I am going to warn you again, and if you do not obey, +it will be the worse for you. Take your hand off my shoulder!" + +There was a single moment of hesitation, and then the stranger obeyed; +but the look on his face was not pleasant to see, and he hoarsely said: + +"You are showing a great deal of authority for a stripling. These +military schools spoil boys like you by making them think they are men +before the fuzz grows on their faces." + +There was no doubt in the lad's mind but he was dealing with a +desperate man, and Frank fully realized that he had thoroughly aroused +the stranger's anger. But Frank could not be bullied, and the man in +black was very repulsive to him, for some reason. + +Once more the boy started to walk away; but the man was quickly at his +side, where he kept, again attempting to be persuasive, although it was +plain that he longed to throttle the lad. + +"What is the use of being unreasonable! I am willing to do the square +thing. I have made you a magnificent offer for that ring, which I am +anxious to possess." + +"Far too anxious," muttered Frank. + +"That is natural," declared the man, swiftly. "Did you ever collect +stamps? If you have, you should know something of the mania that +seizes upon a collector. It is thus with me. If I see an odd ring I +cannot obtain, I feel as if I had been robbed of something that +rightfully belongs to me." + +He paused a moment in his talk, but Frank walked straight onward, +saying nothing. + +"I have offered you a ridiculous price for that ring," continued the +man. "I cannot afford it, but my mind is set on having the ring. +Already I have spent a fortune in my collections, and the time has come +when I cannot fling money freely to the winds. Come now, young man, +have a little sympathy with me, and sell me that ring." + +Under certain circumstances these words might have melted Frank, who +was not a cold-blooded lad, by any means; but there was something in +the stranger's villainous aspect and repulsive manner that had turned +the boy against the man in black and caused him to remain obdurate. + +"I told you at first that it was useless to offer me money for this +ring," said the boy. "I think you will begin to understand that I +meant it." + +"At least, you will tell me how it came in your possession?" + +Frank hesitated. Surely there could be no harm in telling this, and it +might enable him to get rid of the stranger, so he said: + +"It was given to me by my mother." + +"And your mother--how did she obtain it?" swiftly asked the stranger. + +"My father gave it to her. I do not know how it came into his +possession." + +"Your father and mother----" + +"Are dead." + +"Ha! And you prize the ring because it was a present from your mother?" + +"That is one reason." + +"And there is another?" + +"Yes." + +"What?" + +It suddenly struck Frank that he was talking altogether too much, and +so he answered: + +"I decline to say. I have already told you enough, and I beg you to +excuse me. We will part here." + +"First answer one more question. What was your father's name?" + +"Charles Conrad Merriwell." + +The man in black put a hand to his eyes, and seemed to be thinking for +a moment. Beneath his breath he muttered: + +"Merriwell, Merriwell--I do not know the name." + +Then, dropping his hand, he said: + +"I will make you one more offer for the ring. I will give you fifty +dollars for it. See--here is the money. Don't be foolish--take it! +You will never receive another such offer." + +He had pulled out some bills, from which he quickly selected a +fifty-dollar bank-note, which he tendered to Frank. + +The boy drew away. + +"You are wasting your time in offering me money for the ring. I am in +earnest in declining to sell it. Good-day, sir." + +He turned and walked swiftly away. + +The baffled man in black stood staring after the lad, his forehead +lowering and his white teeth showing a bit through his dark mustache. + +"Refuse to sell the ring!" he grated, madly. "All right! I am not +defeated. I will have it within a week!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +THE MYSTERY OF THE RING + +Frank did not glance back till he turned onto another street, and then +he saw the man in black standing quite still where they had parted. +The reddish glow of the sunset was behind the man, on which his black +figure stood out like a silhouette, the cloak and cape making him +slightly resemble a gigantic bat. + +The boy shivered a little as he passed beyond the view of the +mysterious stranger. + +"That man makes my blood cold," he murmured. "There is something +decidedly awe-inspiring about him. Somehow, I do not believe I have +seen the last of him." + +Frank was right; he had not seen the last of the man in black. + +Thinking of what had happened, Frank soon came to the conclusion that +the man was mad, or else there was some mystery about the ring that was +not known to the possessor. + +Why had the stranger been so desirous of knowing how the ring came into +Frank's possession? + +True he had said that he always wished to know the history of such +rings as he collected; but Frank had refused distinctly to sell the +ring, and still the man had seemed very desirous of obtaining +information concerning it. + +Why had he asked the name of Frank's father? + +These questions presented themselves to the boy for consideration, and +he remembered how, on hearing the name, the stranger had confessed that +it was unfamiliar to him. + +Frank was thinking deeply of these things, when a familiar voice called: + +"Hello, Frank! Are you going past without speaking?" + +He started and looked up, finding himself in front of Inza's home. It +was a fine, old-fashioned house, built years and years ago, and an iron +fence surrounded the front lawn. Inza was at the gate, a pretty pout +on her face. + +The young cadet instantly lifted his cap, as he smilingly retorted: + +"I did not see you there, Miss Burrage." + +"Oh, bother your 'Miss Burrage!'" she exclaimed. "You know it was Inza +with you long ago--you promised to call me that. No wonder you didn't +see me; you were going past with your head down, your eyes on the +ground, and an expression of profound abstraction on your face. What +in the world were you thinking of?" + +"That's a mystery," said Frank, approaching the gate. + +"Indeed!" and she lifted her eyebrows with a pretty Assumption of +offended dignity. "A secret from me?" + +"I did not say it was a secret; I said it was a mystery. I was +thinking of the man in black." + +"Mercy!" She gave a little shiver. "What is the man in black--some +horrible ogre?" + +"Well, I fancy he is ogre enough to give you the chills." + +"What story did you find him in?" + +"Oh, I didn't find him in a story; I met him in real life. I left him +a few minutes ago." + +"This is interesting!" she laughed. "Who is he? What's his name?" + +"I don't know. Didn't I say he is a mystery?" + +"Come, Frank, are you trying to tease me?" + +"Not at all. I will tell you all I know about this singular man in +black." + +Then, leaning gracefully against one of the iron gateposts, he related +his recent adventure with the unpleasant stranger. She listened with +breathless interest, her eyes growing wider and wider, and an +expression of alarm coming to her pretty face. + +"Oh, Frank!" she exclaimed, when he had finished; "I know this terrible +man is dangerous! He will do you harm!" + +"Oh, I'm not afraid of that," declared the boy, lightly; "but I would +give something to know what there is about this ring that makes him so +desirous of possessing it." + +He held up the ring for her to examine. It was an oddly twisted band +of gold, looking like a writhing serpent. It was set with a peculiar +black stone that seemed quite as hard as a diamond, for all that there +were numerous marks and scratches on its smooth surface. + +"It is a horrid ugly old ring," declared Inza. "Anybody must be crazy +to offer fifty dollars for it." + +"Unless it bears some value that is not apparent to one who does not +know its secret." + +"What value can it bear?" + +"That is the mystery. Still, from my mother's words, I am sure my +father prized this ring highly. When it came into his possession he +was in Southern California or Mexico, and he sent it home to my mother +at the earliest opportunity, writing her to be very choice of it, and +not to lose it on her life, as it was very valuable. Now, my father +never revealed the secret of this ring to my mother, if the ring has a +secret; but I am sure that mother believed there was something +mysterious about it, for, when she was dying, she gave it to me, +telling me never to part with it. Of course I will not sell it." + +"Of course not," nodded Inza; "but the horrid old thing may bring you +trouble, instead of good." + +"Oh, I don't think there is much danger of that." + +"The man in black----" + +"Will give over his attempt to obtain it when he really knows I will +not part with it on any condition." + +"He may; but his words, which you have repeated for me, make me believe +he will do something desperate in order to get possession of it. You +must look out for him--you must be on your guard constantly." + +"Why, Inza!" laughed Frank, in astonishment; "I never heard you speak +like this before. You really appear as if you felt a foreboding of +some terrible thing." + +"Perhaps I do," she said, very gravely, for a light-hearted girl. + +Frank looked down at the ring on his hand. Surely it was an ugly +trifle to make so much trouble. + +"Do you see those fine lines on the surface of the stone?" he asked. + +They were faintly visible to the naked eye. + +"There is something peculiar about those lines," he said. "This stone +is so hard that nothing seems to scratch it, and I am sure those lines +were not made by the ring accidentally striking against hard objects. +They were there when it came into my possession. I do not think +another line or mark has been made upon it since I have owned it." + +"That is odd." + +"Odd! It is remarkable. It makes it appear that these lines were +traced there with some instrument that could mark the stone, and that +they have a secret meaning." + +"Who knows? Possibly that is true." + +"And it may be that the man in black can read their meaning." + +The red light was dying out of the western sky, and the dusky shadows +of advancing night were gathering in the village street, which was +overhung by large dark elm trees. Standing by the gate, the boy and +girl minded not the approach of darkness as they talked on. + +Suddenly Inza uttered a cry and caught Frank's arm, pointing to the +opposite side of the street, and excitedly whispering: + +"Look--look there! Who is that man skulking along the walk over there?" + +"By Jove! it is the man in black!" declared Frank. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +ATTACKED ON THE ROAD. + +It was in truth the mysterious man who was lingering on the opposite +side of the street under the deeper shadows of the elms. That he was +watching Frank quickly became evident, but he slowly walked away when +he saw he was observed. + +"What a villainous-looking creature he is!" said Inza, in a flutter of +alarm. + +"How could you tell at that distance when it is so dark?" half laughed +Frank. + +"Oh, it was his general appearance--his black clothes, and that strange +cloak and cape." + +To himself Frank confessed that the man had seemed rather more +awe-inspiring when seen through the gathering darkness than he had +appeared near at hand in the stronger light of sunset. + +The stranger had moved along the street till swallowed by the darkness +beneath the great trees, but something told the boy he was lingering at +a distance--watching and waiting. + +Despite his strong nerves, the boy felt a cold chill creep along his +back. What desperate deed might not the mysterious man in black be +contemplating? + +The girl was no less impressed. + +"Oh, Frank!" she exclaimed, looking up into his handsome face; "I know +you are in danger--I am sure of it! That dreadful creature means to do +you some injury!" + +Seeing how distressed she was, Frank began to feel sorry that he had +told her so much. + +"You are nervous," he said. "I shouldn't have told you all this stuff +about the ring and that man." + +Her hand fell on his, which rested on the top of the iron gate. + +"You did right in telling me," came softly from her lips. "Who should +you have told if not me? We ought not to have secrets from each other." + +"I do not fancy we have many secrets that we keep from each other, +Inza," he murmured, leaning toward her over the gate. "You know how I +have trusted you." + +"And have I not trusted you, Frank? I have told you all my delightful +little secrets, and I have not told yours to another soul. They say +girls cannot keep secrets, but I think you will find out they can." + +"Ah, Inza! you are not like other girls." + +"Oh, yes, I am!" she laughed. "You think I am not, but I am. Perhaps +I am a trifle too old for my years, as papa often says; but the +terrible dangers you have rescued me from have been quite enough to add +something to my age." + +"In the face of every danger you have been brave as few girls could +have been." + +"That's flattery." + +"It is the sincere, honest truth. Do you think I would attempt to +flatter you?" + +"Frank!" + +Their hands met, and he suddenly leaned over the gate and kissed her, +in the dusky twilight. She gave a little cry, as of surprise or +dismay, retreating swiftly; but Frank clung to her hands, and she did +not make a severe struggle to break away, although for a moment there +was a playful mockery of a struggle. + +Slowly he drew her back to the gate, but she timidly held away, as if +she were really alarmed. + +"How dare you, sir!" she exclaimed, with a toss of her head. "You are +very bold!" + +"I beg your pardon," he beseeched, with mock humbleness. "I will agree +not to do it again--till I get another good chance." + +"Really! How sacrificing you are! You are extremely free." + +"Stolen sweets, you know, are the best. But truly, Inza, hadn't I a +right to that?" + +"A right, indeed! Why, to use a slang expression, that is cheek!" + +"Never mind the cheek," he said, laughingly. "I prefer the lips." + +And then, before she could divine his intention, he kissed her again. + +This time she broke away in earnest. + +"Good-night, sir," she called, from up the walk. + +"Oh, wait a moment!" he implored. "You aren't going to leave me like +this?" + +"Oh, but I am." + +"How can you!" + +"You are getting altogether too free." + +She seemed really angry, and a feeling of dismay came over the lad at +the gate. + +"Inza!" + +She had paused + +"Well, sir?" + +"Don't go away angry, please! I know I had no right to steal those +kisses, but I am willing to make amends." + +"Oh, you are!" she said, wonderingly, and it seemed to Frank that she +was struggling to keep back a burst of laughter. "How will you do it?" + +"If you'll come here, I will give them back to you." + +That was a master-stroke. A soft laugh came from her lips, and she +returned: + +"You are a saucy, cheeky fellow, and I am not coming back. Good-night." + +"You are not angry?" + +"What's the use to be angry with you!" + +"Good-night, Inza." + +"Good-night, Frank." + +As he turned away down the walk, he saw her pause at the door and heard +her softly call: + +"Frank." + +"Yes?" + +"I don't like to think of you as a thief. I will take those kisses +back some other time." + +Then, with another ripple of laughter, she disappeared into the house. + +Frank's heart was very light as he walked airily down the street. He +had forgotten the man in black for the time, and he whistled a lively +air, thinking of the charming girl he had left a few moments before. + +It had now grown quite dark, for the moon had not yet risen; but there +was a spring-time sweetness in the air, which was not yet enervated by +the languorous heat of summer. + +Frank passed beyond the limits of the village, where lights were +twinkling from the windows of the houses, and he swung down the road +toward the cove at a lively gait, still whistling. + +At a certain point the road was lined with bushes, and not far away was +the village cemetery. + +Frank had reached this lonely locality, when, of a sudden, a feeling of +uneasiness came over him. Somehow it seemed that he was in danger. + +Then came a rustle in the bushes, and, the following moment, a dark +form confronted the lad, blocking his path. + +Frank recoiled, and through his mind flashed the thought: + +"It is the man in black!" + +At the same moment, the unknown sprang forward and clutched the lad, +snarling: + +"Give me that ring! I will have it! Give it up peaceably, or I will +choke the breath out of your body! Don't shout! It will be the worse +for you if you do!" + +Right there and then the man in black met with a great surprise. + +Frank grappled with the stranger, and, for some moments, they engaged +in a fierce struggle. At length the boy got the best of it, and, as he +threw the man, he gave his assailant a terrible upper-cut blow. + +Having freed himself Frank took to his heels and ran down the road +toward the academy. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +THE MARKS ON THE BLACK STONE. + +Frank fancied he heard pursuing footsteps behind him, but the +mysterious man might have spared himself the effort if he tried to +overtake the lad, for Merriwell almost flew over the ground. + +The lights from the windows of the barracks soon appeared through the +trees, and Frank felt relieved when he was safely within the grounds +with the academy buildings looming before him. + +A short time later he entered his own room in the "Cock-loft," to find +Bartley Hodge sitting with his feet on the table, smoking a cigarette +and perusing an exciting detective story; but the feet went down to the +floor like a flash, and the cigarette and book disappeared with magical +swiftness as Frank came in. + +"Oh!" said Hodge, with a sigh of relief; "it's you, is it, Merriwell? +I thought it might be an inspector." + +Frank laughed. + +"It would have been rather bad for you if I had been an inspector, for +you did not get that book and cigarette out of sight quick enough to +fool anybody, and the air is full of smoke. You would have stood a +good chance for chevrons next month if you had let cigarettes and +novels alone and taken a little more care to avoid demerit." + +"Never mind, old man," said Hodge, as he resumed the cigarette and +brought forth the detective story again. + +"You'll be a corporal sure, and that is glory enough for us. Don't +preach. If you should start in on this yarn, you wouldn't give it up +till you finished it." + +"And that is exactly why I am not going to start in. I enjoy a good +story as well as you do, but I cannot afford to read novels, now, and +so I refuse to be tempted into looking into any of them." + +"This is a hummer," declared Bart, enthusiastically. "It is full of +mystery and murder and all that. Beagle Ben, the detective, is a +corker! That fellow can look a man over and tell what he had for +dinner by the expression around the corners of his mouth. He sees +through a crook as easily as you can look through a plate-glass window. +And the mysteries in this story are enough to give a fellow the +nightmare. I wonder why such mysterious things never happen in real +life?" + +"Perhaps they do occasionally." + +The way Frank spoke the words caused Bart to turn and look him over +wonderingly. + +"Hello!" he said. "What's struck you? You are breathing as if you had +been running, but you're rather pale round the gills." + +"I have had an adventure." + +"You are always having adventures. You're the luckiest fellow alive." + +"This adventure is somewhat out of the usual order," declared Frank. +"It might furnish material for a detective story." + +"Whew!" whistled the dark-haired lad. "Now you are making me curious. +Reel it off for us." + +Then Frank sat down and told Hodge the full particulars of his +adventure with the mysterious man in black. + +A look of wonder and delight grew on Bart's face as he listened, and, +when the account was finished, he slapped his thigh, crying: + +"By Jove, Merriwell, this is great! Why, such things do actually +happen, don't they! Why do you suppose that man is so determined to +obtain possession of that ugly old ring? Do you actually believe he is +a collector of rings, with a mania for the quaint and curious?" + +"It is possible, but, for some reason, I doubt it." + +"So do I." + +"He did not seem quite sincere in his manner of telling that story, and +he was altogether too desperate in his determination to obtain the +ring." + +"That's right." + +"Besides that, he wished to know how it came into my possession, and, +when he learned my father's name, he declared he had never heard it +before." + +"What do you make out of that?" + +"Well, it strikes me that this man recognized the ring as one he had +seen before." + +Bart nodded with satisfaction. + +"Just the way I figured it out, old man!" + +"He did not seem so anxious to learn the history of the ring, although +he pretended that it was his wish to know the history of every ring +that came into his possession. In this case he seemed far more anxious +to discover how I came to have it." + +"And so he must already know its history?" + +"Yes." + +"What do you know about it yourself, Frank?" + +"Not much," was the serious reply. "You know I once told you that my +father was much away from home, traveling in the West, where he claimed +to have business interests, and it was not till after his death that we +knew what his business actually was--that of a note broker--with a +passion for gambling?" + +"Yes, I remember all this." + +"In his wanderings, father somehow got hold of that ring, and it is +pretty certain that he considered it very valuable, for he sent it to +mother, and wrote her to guard it faithfully, and not to let it part +from her on any consideration. He said that he would come for it some +day; but he never did. When mother died, she gave me the ring, telling +me to keep it always. That is as much of the ring's history as is +known to me." + +"And that is just enough to make the thing a decided mystery. I have +heard of magic rings used by East Indian fakirs and magicians. Perhaps +this is one of those rings." + +Frank smiled a bit, and shook his head. + +"Hardly that, I think," he said. "From its appearance, I should say +this ring was made by some crude workman in the West." + +"In, that case, what can there be about it that is mysterious or +valuable?" + +"You have asked me something I cannot answer." + +"Let's look at the thing." + +Bart held out his hand, and Frank removed the ring from his finger, +handing it over. + +"It slips off altogether too easily," said Hodge. "I should think you +would fear losing it." + +"It does come off easy, and, for that reason, I have not worn it much +till of late." + +"Yes; I never noticed it on your hand till a short time ago." + +"I have kept it among my valuables." + +Hodge looked the ring all over, examining it slowly and carefully. + +"There doesn't seem to be anything about it to make a fellow think it +so very mysterious," he said, with a shade of disappointment in his +voice. + +"No." + +"It is just a homely, twisted ring, with an old scratched black stone +set in it." + +"That's right." + +"Perhaps the man in black is crazy." + +"It is possible." + +"In which case the mystery amounts to nothing." + +For a few seconds the two lads sat staring at each other. Then Frank +removed a pin from some hidden place, and held it toward Bart. + +"Here," he said, "take this and see how easily you can scratch that +stone." + +Hodge took it, and attempted to scratch the black stone that was set in +the ring. + +"Why, the thing is hard as flint--yes, harder!" he exclaimed. "The pin +will not leave a mark upon it, and it has already turned the point of +the pin over." + +"Still, as you said, the stone is scratched." + +"What do you make of that?" + +"It strikes me it was not scratched by accident." + +Hodge started and whistled. + +"Do you imagine these marks were made here intentionally and +deliberately?" + +"Doesn't it seem that way?" + +"Well, it is not impossible." + +"If they were made there deliberately and intentionally, cut by some +instrument that could mark that hard stone, doesn't it stand to reason +that the one who made them did not do all that work for nothing?" + +"Of course." + +"Then those marks may mean something." + +"By jingoes! you are right!" + +"This may be known to the man in black, which makes him so fierce to +obtain the ring." + +"Sure!" + +Again the boys stared silently at each other, but there were traces of +eager excitement on the faces of both. + +"How are you going to find out what those marks mean, Frank?" + +"That is a question easier asked than answered." + +"Did you ever examine this stone under a microscope?" + +"No." + +"Then I advise you to do so without delay. These scratches are not +very plain to the naked eye, but a microscope may reveal a great secret +to you." + +As Bart passed the ring back, Frank said: + +"You are right. My curiosity is thoroughly aroused, and I will examine +it under a magnifying glass at the earliest opportunity." + +"Get leave to look at it under the big glass in the experimenting room." + +"I will try it to-morrow." + +Until very near taps the boys talked of the mystery of the ring, and +that night both of them dreamed over and over of the ring and the +sinister man in black. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +BART MAKES A PLEDGE. + +The following day Frank obtained permission to look at the ring through +the powerful microscope belonging to the academy. Bart accompanied him +to the experimenting room, and they were soon taking turns in looking +at the marked stone. + +"What do you make of it, old man?" asked Bart. + +"It looks like a map," said Frank. + +"Right!" exclaimed the other lad. "It looks like a map, and I believe +that is what it is." + +There is a river, or road, and mountains, something that looks like a +lake, and then a tiny cross. The cross must be a landmark. + +"Yes; and you will note that it is at the end of what looks like a +river." + +"But that must be a road." + +"It is, if this is a map, for it runs over that range of hills, or +mountains." + +"That is plain enough." + +"And you will see there is a tiny, snake-like thread that winds away +from that spot, which looks as if it was intended for a lake." + +"I see it." + +"That must be a river, or stream." + +The boys were now very excited. All doubts were fading from their +minds; the lines on the black stone had surely been intended to +represent a map. + +But what portion of the face of the earth did it portray? That was a +question the ring did not answer. + +"Supposing it is a map," said Frank, helplessly; "what good will it do +me? I do not know what it is a map of." + +"But you may bet your last dollar the man in black knows." + +"I don't see how that is going to do me any good. + +"It will do him some good, if he gets hold of this ring." + +"Well, I shall take care that he does not get hold of it." + +The map--if it were a map--on the stone served to more fully arouse the +curiosity of the boys, without in any way satisfying them concerning +the mystery of the ring. + +Frank became so absorbed in trying to discover the true meaning of the +map and in getting some light on the mystery that he began to neglect +his studies. This, however, was quickly noted by Hodge, who said: + +"Be careful, old man; don't let that ring get into your head so that +you will lose your chance of standing well up in your class. You are +all right in drill work, and you should be appointed a corporal next +month." + +"Hang the old ring!" exclaimed Frank, petulantly. "I never had +anything cause me so much bother before. Whenever I try to study I +fall to thinking of it, and I dream of it every night." + +Two days passed, and nothing more was seen of the man in black during +that time, which led Bart to believe that the mysterious individual had +left the vicinity. + +"He must have fancied that you would have him arrested for attacking +you on the road," said Hodge. "You are not likely to see him again +very soon." + +"Don't get that impression into your head," returned Frank. "He is not +far away. I seem to feel that he is lurking near, awaiting his next +opportunity." + +"That's tommy-rot! You have let this old ring mix you all up. Don't +slip any cogs now, Frank, or you may have the pleasure of seeing your +new rival, Paul Rains, appointed a corporal, while you still remain an +ordinary cadet." + +Frank flushed. + +"Rains is not a bad fellow," he said. "He is square." + +"He may seem so to you," said Hodge; "but I am suspicious of any fellow +who has much to do with Wat Snell and that gang. Frank, it is a wonder +to me that you ever came to have anything to do with me +afterward--well, you know." + +"I shouldn't if I hadn't believed there was some good in you for all of +appearances." + +"Thank you, old man!" exclaimed Hodge, with genuine feeling. "You are +white all the way through, and I believe it is to you I owe credit for +still remaining a cadet in this school." + +"Nonsense!" + +"There is no nonsense about it. You know I tried two military schools +before I came here, and I did not remain in either. I could not get +along. You have helped me over the hard places, and you have stood by +me, through thick and thin, although most of the fellows, disliked me +at first, and thought you were foolish in doing what you did. I have +been no particular aid to you, but I have led you into temptations and +dangers you would have avoided but for the fact that we were roommates +and friends. In return, you have saved me many bad breaks, and I am +not liable to forget. I did hate you most intensely, but you shall +find that I can be as strong in my friendships as I am in my hatreds." + +This was saying a great deal for Hodge, who was usually silent and +reserved concerning himself. But Bart knew he was speaking no more +than the truth, and he felt that the time had come when such an +acknowledgment would do him good. + +Frank's generous heart was touched by this new revelation of his +friend's nature, and he grasped Bart's hand warmly. + +"If I have helped you in any way, I am glad to know it," he said, +earnestly. + +"Well, you have; and you have taken demerit on my account without a +murmur. It is selfish of me to cling to cigarettes when 'tobacco smoke +in quarters' has been reported against us so many times. By jingoes! +I'm going to swear off! They don't do a fellow any good, and they get +an awful hold on one. It won't be easy for me to give them up; but I +am going to do it. If you catch me smoking another of the things, you +may kick me till there isn't a breath left in my body! That's +business, and I will stick to it!" + +"Good!" laughed Frank. "You have been smoking a good many of them +lately, and I have noticed that you complained of your lungs. How can +your lungs be in any condition when you are constantly inhaling so much +of that smoke! I know of a young fellow with weak lungs who went into +quick consumption, and the doctors said cigarettes were entirely +responsible. He smoked a number of packages a day. When he started he +simply smoked now and then, but the habit grew on him, and at last he +was unable to break it." + +"I believe any fellow can break off smoking them if he has any +will-power of his own." + +"I think a fellow should, but you may not find it as easy as you fancy." + +"Oh, it will be easy enough for me. When I make up my mind to a thing, +I never give up." + +"Well, I sincerely trust it will prove so. Every one knows cigarettes +are harmful. Yesterday I read in a paper about a boy in a New York +hospital who was said to have a 'tobacco heart' from smoking +cigarettes. By a tobacco heart it was meant that his heart was so +badly affected that it did not perform its action regularly and +properly. Sometimes he is convulsed with terrible pains, and gasps for +breath. Nearly all the time he moans and begs for cigarettes; but the +doctors say he must never smoke another one if he cares to live. As it +is, if he should get up, his heart is so weakened that it may go on a +strike any time and cause his death." + +"Oh, say!" laughed Bart; "that settles it. Now, I never will smoke +again. I mean it--you see if I don't." + +"I sincerely hope you do. You may become one of the best athletes in +this school. Your only trouble has been shortness of breath when you +exercise heavily, and that came entirely from smoking. If you give it +up, you will soon cease to be troubled that way." + +"Well, here's my hand on it, and it is as good as settled. No matter +how much I may desire a smoke now, I'll not monkey with the deadly +cigarette." + +Their hands met again. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +FRANK AND THE PROFESSOR. + +Frank Merriwell was right in thinking he had not seen the last of the +man in black. On the third day after his first meeting with the +mysterious stranger he was astonished, while ascending the stairs, to +see that individual come out of Professor Gunn's room. Frank paused on +the flight that led to the "Cock-loft," and watched the man hurriedly +descend the stairs. + +"Great Scott!" muttered the young cadet. "That is remarkable. I +wonder what he was up to in the professor's room? He saw me, but he +hustled away in a hurry." + +For a moment Frank hesitated, and then he resolved to find out, if +possible, what could be the meaning of the stranger's visit. With this +object in view, he descended the stairs and approached the professor's +door, on which he rapped. + +Of late Professor Gunn had been severely troubled with headaches, and, +this happening to be one of his bad days, he was stopping in his room, +with his head bound up in a cloth saturated with camphor. Frank was +obliged to rap a second time, and then the professor's shuffling step +was heard, and his cloth-bound head appeared as the door opened. + +"What's wanted?" he asked, sharply. "Can't I have any peace and rest? +Speak up--what's wanted?" + +"I have something to ask you, professor?" said Frank, quietly. + +"Ah, is it you, Merriwell? I was going to see you later. Come in." + +Not a little surprised, Frank entered the professor's room, standing +cap in hand, while the crusty old fellow seated himself in an easy +chair, and asked: + +"What is it you want to see me about, young man?" + +"You were lately visited by a stranger, whom I saw leaving this room a +few moments ago." + +"Yes, sir--yes." + +"That man assaulted me on the highway a few nights ago." + +"What's that--what? Assaulted you? This is interesting--decidedly!" + +"Yes, he assaulted me; but I managed to give him the worst of it, and +got away without being harmed." + +"You should have reported the occurrence--you certainly should. That +was the proper thing to do--the correct thing, young man. Then I would +have known how to receive him." + +"I thought he had gone away from this vicinity, but it seems that he +has not. Now, I would like to know his name. What is his name, +professor, please?" + +"Eh? Ah? His name? Let me see. Now that is surprising--really +surprising. I do not think he gave me his name." + +"Did not give his name? How did he obtain admission to the building?" + +"That's so--how did he? I hadn't thought of that. He was the +smoothest talker I ever heard; he didn't give me a chance to ask many +questions." + +"He must have had some sort of business with you." + +"He did--that is, he pretended to have. He said he was here to recover +some property that belonged to him--property he lost several years ago." + +The eyes of the old professor searched Frank's hands and rested on the +peculiar ring. + +"So that was his trick--the scoundrel!" cried Frank, repressing his +anger with difficulty. "I presume he claimed this ring belonged to +him?" + +"Well--ahem!--he described such a ring, which he said he had seen on +the hand of a student here." + +"Exactly. And he named me as the possessor of the ring?" + +"He said the name of the student's father was Charles Conrad Merriwell. +I believe, sir--I am quite sure, in fact--that that was the name of +your father." + +Frank was fully aroused, and his brown eyes gleamed in a way that +showed how indignant he was, although it was necessary to keep his +feelings suppressed as far as possible. + +"Professor Gunn," he said, swiftly, "that man is a scoundrel!" + +"Eh? Ha! Hum! Severe language. Be careful, young man--be cautious. +Do not make a statement you cannot stand behind. It is dangerous--very +dangerous." + +"I can stand behind every word I have said. Why, when he found I would +not sell him the ring, professor, he tried to rob me of it! That is +not only the act of a scoundrel, but that of a desperado." + +"It looks bad--bad," confessed the old professor, who seemed in a +somewhat nervous and flustered state. "Tell me all about it--give the +full particulars of the occurrence." + +Frank did so, telling a straightforward story, to which the professor +listened with interest that was apparent, although he now and then +pressed his hand to his head, as if the pain were troubling him. + +When the story was finished, and Frank had explained what he and Bart +had discovered on the black stone set in the ring, the old professor +showed that he was quite wrought up. + +"Remarkable!" he exclaimed--"re-e-markable! I am surprised--I am +puzzled. This man told a very straight story--said the ring was stolen +from him in Arizona. He said it was very valuable to him, as it was an +heirloom. He could not tell how it came into your possession--he did +not try. All he wanted was to recover his property--that was all." + +"That was his scheme when he found he could not buy it from me. He did +not attempt to make you believe he was a collector of odd rings, +professor, for he knew that would do no good, and so he laid claim to +the ring. What proof did he give you that it was his property?" + +"Eh? Proof? It seems as if he did give proof of some sort, but really +I don't know as he did. He was such a plausible person--so very smooth +and convincing. Why, I did not think of doubting him. But I know your +record very well since entering the academy, Merriwell. It is +satisfactory--quite satisfactory. I do not think you are the sort of a +lad to tell a deliberate falsehood--no, sir, no." + +"Thank you, sir." + +"That being the case, I shall have to accept your statement--yes, I +will accept it. He said he would call again to-morrow. Let him come! +I think I will have an officer on hand--he shall be arrested the moment +he shows himself. That's right--that's proper. Hum! ha! Assaulted a +cadet of Fardale Academy, did he? Attempted to rob a student at this +school, did he? Well, he shall be duly and properly punished--yes, +sir." + +The professor had worked himself up into a state of considerable +excitement, seeming to have forgotten his headache for the time. He +got upon his feet and went tramping about the room in his slippers, the +heels of which had been trodden down. He perched his nose-glasses far +down on his pointed proboscis, and glared over them in a way he had +when he was endeavoring to appear very impressive before a class. + +Under other circumstances Frank might have smiled at the figure cut by +the excited old man, but he was now far too angry himself to note what +was ludicrous. + +"Take care of that ring, young man," advised the professor--"take the +best of care of it. It may be more valuable than it appears. There is +certainly something connected with this ring that makes it valuable to +this stranger--or else the man is a lunatic--yes, sir, a lunatic. I do +not think that--no, I do not. He appeared rational--he was quite sane +when he was here--quite so." + +"I have ever regarded this ring as simply an ugly ornament that my +father ran across and took a fancy to; but now I believe it must be +something more." + +"It is likely--quite likely. It seems that there is a mystery +connected with the ring. It may be solved soon--very soon. This +stranger must know a great deal concerning it. Perhaps he will tell +what he knows--perhaps he may be induced to tell." + +The professor said this in a peculiar way, that seemed to say "strong +inducements" would be held out to the strange man in black. + +Frank had seen Professor Gunn, and asked his question, but the mystery +was deep as ever when the boy left the professor's room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +SNELL TALKS. + +Frank was not the only one who had observed the man in black as that +mysterious individual was departing. Bart Hodge saw the sinister +stranger, and instantly recognized him from Frank's description. + +"Great Scott!" thought Bart. "What can that imp of Satan be up to +here?" + +The man was hurrying from the grounds, and Hodge followed. The man +passed the sentry, but Bart was challenged. + +"See that man?" said the lad, hurriedly. "I am satisfied that he has +been up to some mischief. I want to follow him, and see where he goes." + +"You cannot leave the grounds without a pass," said the sentinel, +firmly. + +"Oh, hang your pass!" cried Bart, warmly, as he saw there was danger +that the man in black would escape. "This is an exceptional case." + +"A sentry knows no exceptions. If you leave the grounds, you will have +to obtain a pass from the office." + +"But that man is a robber--a highwayman! If you stand on the rules of +the academy now, he will escape, and you may be reprimanded." + +"I shall do my duty as sentinel, sir, reprimand or no reprimand." + +The man in black was walking swiftly up the road toward the village, +his cape flapping behind him in the wind like the wings of a bat. In a +few moments he would disappear from view. + +"Hang the luck!" grated Hodge, as he turned away in disappointment. +"I'd given something to follow him up." + +He was inclined to be angry at the sentinel at first, but his +friendship with Merriwell had taught him that he should have +forbearance when in the right, and should never hold a grudge when in +the wrong. Sober reason told him the sentinel had done no more than +his plain duty, so the feeling of anger was swiftly banished from +Bart's breast. + +"I will find Frank and tell him what is up," he thought. + +As he walked swiftly toward the barracks, he was met by Wat Snell, who +said: + +"Hello, Hodge. I want to have a talk with you." + +"With me?" asked Bart, in surprise. + +Snell had not been friendly for some time, and, of late, he had ceased +to speak to Hodge. This had not troubled Bart at all, but he was +greatly surprised by this advance on the part of his enemy. + +"Yes, with you," assured Snell. "There was a time when you were ready +enough to talk with me. I have even known you to follow me up to get a +chance to have a word in private with me." + +The face of the dark-haired boy flushed. + +"That time is past," he said. "What do you want of me?" + +"It is my turn now. I want to have a word in private with you." + +Bart did not fancy this much. He knew Snell for exactly what the +fellow was--a sneaking, revengeful rascal. The thought that he had +ever had dealings with such a scamp made Bart's cheeks burn and caused +him to regard himself with no little contempt. + +He did not care to be seen talking privately with Snell, and he glanced +hastily around, to see if any one was watching them. + +Snell noted the look, and an angry light came into his eyes, which were +somewhat too small and set so near together that they seemed crowding +his nose between them. + +"Oh, you hesitate over it, do you!" he sneered. "That's like some +fellows to go back on their old friends! You won't make anything by it +in the end." + +"If you have anything to say to me, say it," commanded Hodge, sharply. + +"Come over here where the fellows can't see us from the windows," +invited Snell, beckoning Bart to follow. + +But Hodge did not stir. + +"No, sir," he said, firmly. "If you have anything you want to say to +me, say it right here." + +Snell did not like this. He came back slowly, casting a hasty, +doubtful look up to the dormitory windows. After some hesitation, +during which he kicked the gravel of the walk with his toe, he began: + +"There was a time when you didn't like Merriwell any better than the +rest of us, and you have done things that would put you in a pretty bad +corner, if they were known." + +Hodge's brows lowered in a scowl, and his nostrils dilated, like those +of a wild creature that scents danger. He said nothing, but his +steady, piercing gaze made Snell keep his eyes on the ground. + +"Of course I am not the kind of a fellow to blow anything of the sort," +Wat went on, hurriedly. "I simply mentioned it by chance. You seem +friendly with Merriwell now, and I thought you might have forgotten." + +"I wonder what the rascal is coming at?" thought Bart; but not a word +did he speak aloud. + +"For the sake of old times, I thought--perhaps--you might do something +for some of your old friends--I didn't know but you might. It can't +harm Merriwell any in particular--he'll never miss it. It will be a +lift for me, and I can make it an object for you." + +Snell was floundering, and the look on his face seemed to indicate that +he was growing frightened and felt like taking to his heels. + +Of a sudden, Hodge became curious to know what the fellow had to say, +and so he decided to try diplomacy. + +"I do not forget my friends," he said. "What is it you want of me, +Snell?" + +That gave Wat a little courage. + +"Before I tell you, Hodge, I want to say that you will be well paid if +you help out a little in this matter, and Merriwell can never know that +you were in it. He'll never suspect you. You didn't have any scruples +about doing something of the sort once on a time." + +"Well, what is it?" demanded Bart, impatiently. "Don't beat round the +bush so much." + +"Oh, don't be in such a hurry!" fluttered Snell, nervously, far from +feeling fully confident of Hodge. "There's money in this. It will be +twenty-five dollars in your pocket if you do what I want you to. Are +you with me?" + +"That depends on what you want me to do. Name it." + +"Well, Merriwell has something that doesn't rightfully belong to him. +Understand that--it is not his by right. It belongs to a friend of +mine, who wants me to recover his property." + +"Well?" + +"You can aid me, as you room with Merriwell." + +"Jupiter!" thought Bart. "I wonder if the mysterious ring is the piece +of property Snell means?" + +It was with no little difficulty that Hodge held himself in check; but +he did not wish Snell to become alarmed, and so he quietly asked: + +"What is this piece of property?" + +"It is something Merriwell wears every day. I suppose he takes it off +occasionally. That would give you your chance. Mind you, it is not +rightfully his, but it belongs to my friend, so there is no harm in +taking it to restore it to its proper owner. In fact, that is a simple +act of justice." + +"Why doesn't the rightful owner recover his property in the regular +manner?" + +"That might prove difficult, or even impossible, as he would have +trouble in establishing his claim, and Merriwell might conceal the +property. It is not the value of this property that the owner cares so +much for; he wants the property itself." + +There was no longer any doubt in Bart's mind; Snell was speaking of the +ring. The man in black had resorted to another scheme to obtain +possession of that ugly ornament. + +With the greatest difficulty, Hodge kept cool and placid, as he asked: + +"And you want me to steal this property?" + +"No, no, no! It would not be stealing it; it would be returning it to +its proper owner. Can't you see?" + +"Well, if I am going to do this job, I must know what the property is." + +"It is the ring Merriwell wears when he is not in ranks--the twisted +band, with a black stone set in it." + +"And you want me to obtain that ring and give it to you?" + +"Yes." + +"For which I am to receive twenty-five dollars?" + +"Yes. What is your answer?" + +"This is my answer!" + +Like a flash, Hodge struck out straight from the shoulder, and his fist +caught Snell between the eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +SNELL'S HATRED. + +Smack! + +The blow sounded sharp and clear, and Snell quickly found himself +stretched on the gravel walk. He looked up in a dazed way, to see +Hodge standing near at hand, regarding him with withering scorn. + +"You'll pay dearly for this!" gasped Snell, lifting himself to his +elbow and glaring at Bart. + +"All right," was the hot retort. "I am willing to pay for it. You may +have taken me for a thief, but I rather think you have discovered your +mistake." + +"You weren't so honest once on a time, not so very long----" + +"What's that?" cried Bart, taking a threatening step toward the fellow. +"I was never a thief, no matter what my other failings may have been; +and if you dare insinuate such a thing, I will ram the words down your +throat!" + +"That's all right--that's all right!" muttered Wat, scrambling up and +getting out of reach. "I will report this assault." + +"Report it, and be hanged! The fellows in this academy admire a +tattler! You will have a very pleasant time if you report it!" + +"It was seen. Somebody will tell Professor Gunn." + +"Perhaps so; but it isn't best that you are the one." + +"I'll--I'll get even!" + +"Go ahead. I'd like the satisfaction of fighting you to a finish." + +"I will not fight with my fists," blustered Wat, trying to appear very +fierce. "There are more deadly weapons." + +"Name any weapon you choose. I will be only too glad to meet you. I +am a good pistol shot, and Professor Rhynas says I handle the foils +fairly well." + +"Oh, you're a regular ruffian!" cried Snell, his chin beginning to +quiver and his voice choking with anger that brought tears to his eyes. +"I will not fight you in any way! I do not pretend to be a match for a +ruffian of your sort. But I will get square just the same." + +"I presume you will try to square the account in some sneaking manner. +Well, I warn you now and here that it will not be healthy if you try +any dirty tricks on me. If anything underhand happens to me, I'll know +who was the originator of it, and I'll settle with you. That is +business!" + +With this, Bart turned to walk away, noting that a great many of the +cadets were peering from the windows, some of them grinning with +delight. + +Snell shook his fist at Hodge's back, blustering: + +"This is all right--all right, sir! It is not necessary for me to +fight you; you are not on the same level with me." + +"No," muttered the dark-haired boy, grimly, "I have never sunk as low +as that." + +The room occupied by Merriwell and Hodge was not on that side of the +building, so Frank, who was studying, had not witnessed the encounter +between his roommate and Snell. + +Fortunately, also, the blow had not been seen by any one but cadets, so +it was not liable to come to Professor Gunn's knowledge, unless Wat +told of it himself. + +Bart found Frank in their room, and Merriwell looked up as the +dark-haired boy entered with a quick, nervous step. + +"Hello!" he cried, in surprise. "What's happened? Your face is dark +as a thunder-cloud, and you look as if you could eat iron." + +"Well, I feel as if I wouldn't have any trouble in chewing up a few +pounds of iron," replied Bart. "By Jove! old man, I never realized +till a few minutes ago how narrow was my escape from being a most +contemptible scoundrel!" + +"How is that?" + +"I was taken for a thief!" grated Bart, his white teeth clicking. +"Yes, sir, taken for a thief!" + +"It must have been by somebody who does not know you very well." + +"That's where you are wrong. It was by somebody who knows me far too +well. That is why I feel that my escape from being a scoundrel was a +narrow one." + +Had he not seen that Bart was so serious and thoroughly in earnest, +Frank must have smiled. + +"Give us the particulars," he urged. "What did you do when you were +taken for a thief?" + +"Knocked the cad down!" snarled Bart, smashing his clinched right hand +into the open palm of his left. + +"That was very proper," assured Merriwell. "You did nicely, my son." + +"But I do not feel any the less humiliated. If I had not given him +reason to approach me in such a manner, he would not have ventured." + +Then Bart related the particulars of his adventure with Snell. + +"So, so!" muttered Frank. "That rascal is in this affair. The man in +black has chosen a good tool." + +"That man is determined to have your ring." + +"I should say so. He has been to Professor Gunn and represented that +the ring belonged to him." And then Frank took his turn to tell what +he had learned from the head professor. + +"Well, I never!" cried Bart, as Frank finished. "Why, the scoundrel +has the cheek of a brass monkey! He is dangerous, Frank." + +"I believe you." + +"If I were in your place, I would swear out a warrant for his arrest, +and send an officer after him." + +"I may be forced to do so." + +"And I advise you to keep your eye on Wat Snell." + +"I will do that." + +"In the meantime, let me take the ring long enough to make an enlarged +drawing of those lines, so that you will have the map, if it is a map, +even if you lose the ring. You know my ability to copy with pen and +ink anything I see. My father wants me to become a civil engineer, and +so I am taking a course to suit him; but, when I leave Fardale, I mean +to go to an art school, and find out if I am not cut out for an artist." + +"How can you make a drawing of the lines?" + +"Why, I will place the ring under a microscope, and then it will not be +difficult. You know I can be very accurate when I try." + +"Yes, I know it, and I will think of your plan. I am inclined to +believe it is a good one. Whether I should lose the ring or not, I'd +like to have a copy of that map to study." + +"I'll find time to do the job to-morrow, if Old Gunn will permit us to +use the microscope again." + +On the following day, however, Bart found no opportunity to make the +drawing. + +Frank watched for the man in black, who had said he would call on +Professor Gunn again; but the mysterious man did not put in an +appearance, and Merriwell waited his time. + +Wat Snell was forced to endure no end of ridicule from his companions, +as it was the rule at Fardale that a student who had received a blow or +an insult must challenge the one who gave it. If he did not do so, he +was regarded as a coward, and his life in school from that time was +certain to be far from pleasant. + +In his heart Snell was an arrant coward, and he knew that Hodge was +really longing for a challenge. Wat felt sure that he would receive a +severe drubbing at the hands of the dark-haired boy whom he had +angered, and the thoughts of such punishment filled his soul with +horror. + +"I can't fight him--it's no use, I can't!" he told himself over and +over. "He is a turn-coat, anyway! He did not pretend to be so +conscientious till after he got thick with Merriwell. Oh, Merriwell is +really the one who is at the bottom of all the trouble I have had in +this school, and I hate him worse than I do Hodge. + +"I'd like to get hold of that ring. Jupiter! seventy-five dollars is a +price to pay for an old ring like that, but it's what that strange man +in black offered me to secure it for him. There's something mighty +mysterious about that ring. I wish I knew what the mystery is. I am +going to ask the man when I see him this evening." + +That night Snell escaped from the building and the grounds without +obtaining leave. He was going to keep an appointment with the man in +black. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +PLAYING THE SHADOW. + +Snell was followed. + +Frank had taken Bart's advice to keep an eye on the fellow, and +something in Wat's actions had given him the impression that Snell was +up to something that he did not care to have generally known. + +With a great deal of skill, Frank kept watch of Snell till the latter +slipped from the grounds under cover of darkness. + +It was a cloudy night, with the wind moaning far out at sea, and the +waves roaring sullenly along the base of Black Bluff, down the shore. + +As may be imagined, it was no easy task to follow Wat without losing +the fellow in the darkness or getting so close that the "shadowed" lad +would discover that somebody was watching him. + +Although he was not aware of it, Frank possessed a remarkable faculty +for performing such a task. He moved with the silence of a creeping +cat, and yet covered ground with sufficient swiftness to keep near Wat. + +Something must have made Snell suspicious, for three times he stopped +and peered back through the darkness, and three times Frank sunk like a +ghost to the ground, escaping discovery by his swiftness in making the +move. + +Indeed, had it been possible for a third party to watch them, it must +have seemed that Merriwell felt an intuition which told him exactly +when Snell was going to look back. + +Once or twice before they came to the road that led up from the cove, +Frank lost sight of the boy he was following, but his keen ears served +him quite as well as his eyes. + +When the road up the hill was reached Frank was able to follow Wat with +greater ease. + +Suddenly Snell paused and whistled three times. In a moment a single +sharp whistle sounded near at hand, and then Frank, crouching close to +the ground, saw a black figure come toward Wat Snell. + +The wind that was moaning over the sea swept up the road and caused +something to flap around the shoulders of this figure like a great pair +of wings. + +For all of the darkness, Frank recognized this figure, and he was +seized with an indefinable feeling of fear such as he had never felt +before. + +With an effort, Frank steadied his quivering nerves, remaining quiet to +watch and listen. + +The person who had appeared in answer to Snell's signal was the man in +black, and he quickly pounced upon the boy, like a huge hawk upon its +prey. + +"The ring!" he cried, hoarsely. "Where is it?" + +Wat gave a low cry of fear. + +"Don't!" he gasped. "You're hurting me! Your fingers are hard as +iron, and they crush right into a fellow!" + +"The ring!" repeated the man, fiercely. "Produce it!" + +"I haven't got it." + +"What?" snarled the mysterious stranger. "You have not kept your word! +What do you mean?" + +"Don't shake a fellow like that!" quavered Snell. "You act like a +madman." + +"Answer my questions! Why haven't you kept your word?" + +"Couldn't." + +"Why not?" + +"Didn't get the chance." + +"But you said you could get a boy to assist you--the fellow who rooms +with this Merriwell." + +"I thought I could, but the cad went back on me." + +"He refused to aid you?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"And you have found no opportunity to get hold of the ring yourself?" + +"Not yet--but I will, sir," Snell hastily answered. "All I want is to +know that you will pay me as you agreed. Don't hold onto my arm so +tight; I won't run away." + +"Bah!" cried the man in black, as he half-flung Wat from him. "What +beastly luck!" + +"It is bad luck," confessed Snell, falteringly. "But it isn't my +fault. I have done my best." + +The man in black said nothing, but stood with his head bowed, the elbow +of his right arm resting in the hollow of his left hand, while his +right hand, fiercely clinched, supported his chin. The wind continued +to flap the cape about his shoulders. + +The man's attitude and his silence gave Snell a feeling of fear, and he +drew away, acting as if he contemplated taking to his heels, for all +that he had said he would not run. + +"I do not propose to endure much more of this," muttered the man, at +length. "I'll have that ring soon, by some means!" + +"You must consider it very valuable," said Wat, curiously. + +"Valuable!" came hoarsely from the lips of the man in black. "I should +say so! If it were not, I shouldn't be making such a desperate +struggle to get possession of it." + +The lad who was listening a short distance away, strained his ears to +catch every word. + +"There must be some secret about the ring?" insinuated Snell. "The +gold in it amounts to little, and the old black stone----" + +A strange sound came from the throat of the man in black, and then, +seeming to fancy that he had admitted altogether too much, he hastened +to say: + +"The ring is valuable to me; but it is worth little to anybody else." + +"I suppose that is because nobody else knows its secret?" came from +Snell. + +"Secret! Bah! It has no secret!" + +But it was not easy to convince Snell that this was the truth. + +"Then why should you go to such extremes to get possession of a +wretched old thing of that sort?" demanded Wat. + +"I have told you. The ring belonged to me--was stolen from me. It has +been in our family a great length of time, and was given me by my +father. I prize it highly for that reason. I do not know how it came +into the possession of this Merriwell family, and I cannot prove my +claim to my own property, so I must recover it in such a manner as is +possible. That is the truth." + +Wat said nothing. Somehow he was doubtful, for it did not seem that +anybody who was sane could resort to such desperate expedients to +recover an ugly old ring that had no particular value save as an +heirloom. + +As for Frank, he might have believed the strange man's story, but for +the fact that the man had told him something entirely different. One +story or the other might be true, but in any case the man in black was +a liar. + +There was a brief silence, and then Snell asked: + +"How am I to know that you will surely pay me seventy-five dollars for +the ring? You pounced upon me a few minutes ago as if you would rob me +of it if it had been in my possession." + +"That was all through my eagerness and excitement," declared the man, +soothingly. "I meant you no harm, but I was very anxious." + +"Well, I don't know; I am afraid I will be left when I get the ring and +hand it over, so I guess I'll----" + +"What?" + +Wat edged a little farther away. + +"I guess I'll throw up the job," he hesitated. + +"Do you still think you can find a way to get the ring?" + +"Think so! I know I can get it, sooner or later, if I want to." + +"Then look here, to prove that I am sincere I will pay you this much in +advance. It is a twenty-dollar gold piece. Now you cannot doubt my +earnestness and fairness in this matter. If you bring me the ring +within forty-eight hours, I'll pay you, besides this twenty, the +seventy-five dollars I offered in the first place." + +Snell eagerly clutched the piece of money. + +"You're a brick!" he cried. "And I'll lay myself out to get that ring. +I haven't begun to try the schemes I have in my head. I will meet you +here to-morrow night at about this time, and I'll do my best to have +the ring. Only, if I haven't got it, I want you to promise not to jump +on me and grab me the way you did to-night." + +"Don't be afraid. I won't harm you." + +"Well, you can scare a fellow out of his boots, and I don't like to be +scared." + +"I am afraid you are something of a coward," said the man, a trace of +contempt in his tone. + +But little more passed between them before the man in black turned away +toward Fardale village, and Wat descended the road in the direction of +the academy. + +Frank hugged the ground at one side of the road, and he was not seen by +Snell. + +But, by the time Wat had gone so far that there was little danger of +discovery if Frank moved from the locality, the man in black had +vanished in the night. + +Still, Frank sprang up and went scurrying lightly up the hill, keeping +to the grass at the side of the road, so his feet made scarcely a sound. + +He hurried along the road till Fardale village was almost reached, but +he saw nothing more of the man in black. The mysterious stranger had +vanished as completely as if swallowed up by the earth. + +Frank had hoped to trace the man to the place where he was stopping, +but he was forced to give this up and hurry back to the academy. + +Still he had not wasted his time. + +"They will meet there to-morrow night, eh?" he muttered. "Well, it +would not be a very difficult thing to have an officer on hand with a +warrant for this stranger." + +He went straight to his room, hoping to find Hodge there. + +He did. Bart was seated in his favorite attitude, with his feet on the +table, and a cigarette in his mouth! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +THE RING DISAPPEARS. + +"Bart!" + +The exclamation of mingled surprise and reproach came from Frank's lips. + +Hodge had made a move to conceal the cigarette, but discovered he was +too late. + +His face turned crimson, and he hung his head with shame. + +Frank closed the door, and came to the side of his roommate, on whose +shoulder he gently placed a hand, as he asked: + +"How does it happen, Bart?" + +Bart started to say something, choked a little, and then forced an +unpleasant laugh. + +"Oh, I'm a liar!" he burst out, hotly. "I have broken my pledge at the +first temptation!" + +"Why did you do it? You know you said you could leave off smoking +cigarettes easily." + +"I thought I could." + +"And you found out the habit was fastened more firmly on you than you +thought?" + +"That's about the size of it. I have been longing for a cigarette all +day, and, when I came by accident upon this one, finding myself all +alone, I could not resist the desire to have a whiff." + +"That shows the habit had a firmer hold on you than you thought." + +"Yes. I fancied I could leave it off readily enough; but I was +mistaken. It seems a fellow never knows what a hold the nasty little +things have on him till he tries to stop smoking them." + +"And were you going to give up the struggle without another effort?" + +"Oh, no! I didn't mean to smoke only this once. That is, I didn't +mean to at first, but after I got to smoking I thought it would be a +good plan to taper off." + +"Which meant that you were going to tamper with the stuff again, and, +finally, you would smoke as much as ever, and would not leave off at +all." + +"Perhaps you're right," confessed Hodge, who showed his shame. + +"I am sure I am right; but you will give over the plan of tapering +off--you will stop at once. You are not weak-minded enough to let +cigarettes get a hold on you that you cannot break." + +"Well, I thought I wasn't; but I don't know about it now." + +"Oh, this is bad, but it doesn't mean failure. I don't believe you are +the kind of a fellow to give in thus easily to an enemy. You have more +fight in you than that." + +Frank spoke in a confident tone, as if he did not doubt Hodge's ability +to conquer the habit, and Bart gave him a grateful look. + +All at once, Bart jumped up and opened the window, out of which he +fiercely flung the half-smoked cigarette. + +"If I hadn't been a fool by nature, I'd never lighted the thing!" he +cried, in supreme self-contempt. "Your confidence in me, old man, has +given me confidence in myself. This settles it! I am done with +cigarettes forever. You'll never again discover me with one in my +lips!" + +Bart had meant to keep his pledge in the first place, but Frank's +failure to reproach him for falling, and Frank's confidence in his +ability to stop smoking gave him the needed confidence in +himself--filled him with a determination not to be defeated. And from +that hour he never again smoked a cigarette. + +"Now we're all right again," said Merriwell, heartily, as Bart came +back from the window. "Sit down while I relate a very interesting tale +to you." + +Bart sat down, and Frank told what he had seen and heard through +following Snell. + +"That sneak makes me sick!" cried Hodge, fiercely. "I'd like to get +another chance at him! Why, he's the biggest sneak in this school!" + +"That's right." + +"Gage couldn't hold a candle to Snell." + +"Gage was bolder; Snell is a bigger sneak." + +"That's about the size of it. What are you going to do with the +fellow?" + +"I think it would be well to catch him in company with the man in black +when they meet to-morrow night." + +Bart slapped his thigh. + +"Just the scheme! But who's going to do the catching?" + +"It would be a good plan to have an officer from the village on hand +for that job." + +"Good! You can swear out a warrant for the man for felonious assault, +attempted highway robbery, or something of the sort, and have him sent +where he won't trouble you again for some little time." + +"That's what I thought." + +"It seems the only way to get rid of him, and he is mighty dangerous." + +"He is desperate." + +"Yes; he means to have that ring anyway. I'll find a way to-morrow to +draw those lines on paper. I don't care if that man does say the ring +is of no particular value, I know better. If the lines are taken off, +you will stand a show of finding out what they mean." + +Frank was eager to have an enlarged copy of the lines made, for he felt +that he could never be sure that he would not lose the ring, even +though the mysterious man in black should be disposed of effectually. + +"Snell is determined to get himself into serious trouble," said Frank. + +"Oh, money will hire him to do any mean, sneaking thing!" came +scornfully from Bart's lips. + +"If he is caught with this scoundrel in black to-morrow night, he will +be under a cloud here." + +"He is under a cloud now. Twenty fellows saw me knock him down, and +they'll never give him any rest till he sends me a challenge." + +"Well, I don't fancy he will send you a challenge." + +"Then his life will be made wretched while he remains at Fardale +Academy." + +"He has brought it on himself." + +"Of course. A fellow can't be a sneak and have the respect of anybody +who is decent. I found that out long ago." + +The following forenoon Bart obtained permission to use the microscope +long enough to make a drawing of the lines on the stone set in the +mysterious ring. + +Before going to recitation, Frank surrendered the ring to Bart, who +hesitated about taking it. + +"What if I should lose it?" he said. + +"You can't," smiled Frank. "There is no danger of that." + +"Still, I rather wish you were coming along." + +"I can't do that without getting dismissed from recitation, and that +isn't possible." + +"Well, I will do the job quickly, and I'll have it finished by the time +your class is through reciting." + +So they parted, and, with the precious ring in his possession, Hodge +hurried to the room where the microscope was kept, having provided +himself with the necessary materials for making the drawing. + +He lost no time in getting to work, and he made rapid progress. As the +drawing developed, he grew excited and enthusiastic, for he plainly saw +it must be a map of some wild bit of country. + +"I'll bet the man who can read this correctly and knows where this +country is located, can go straight to a fortune!" muttered the lad. +"But I do not see how it is going to benefit anybody who does not know +what section of the country this map represents." + +It was a warm spring day, and Bart had opened a window near the table +at which he was working. A pleasant breeze was stirring. + +Although he took care to be quite accurate, it did not take the lad +long to complete the drawing. + +He was examining it carefully to make sure he had omitted nothing and +had made no errors, when a strong wind sucked through the building, +swinging open the door of the room. + +He rose hastily to close the door, when another breath of wind set the +paper on which he had been drawing fluttering across the table. He +sprang to catch it, but it avoided his fingers and fluttered out of the +window. Thrusting his head forth, he saw it sail away and settle +slowly at the foot of one of the great trees amid which the academy +buildings stood. + +Out of the room darted Bart, and down the stairs he bounded. He was +soon outside, and, recovering the paper, which he readily found, he +hastened back. + +"Great Scott!" he muttered. "I left that ring under the microscope!" + +The thought that he had allowed the ring to escape his sight for a +moment filled him with anxiety. + +What if he should not find it where he had left it a few moments before? + +A cold sweat started out on his face, and he literally tore up the +stairs and rushed headlong into the experimenting room, the door of +which he had left open. + +And then, when he looked for the mysterious ring, he found it had +vanished! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +MORE DANGER. + +"Gone!" + +Bart staggered as if he had been struck a heavy blow, and his face grew +ghastly pale, while his eyes stared at the spot where he had last seen +the ring. + +It was truly gone. In some surprising manner it had disappeared from +the room while he was in pursuit of the paper, astonishing though such +a thing seemed. + +For a few moments Hodge was quite overcome by this discovery. He sank +weakly into a chair, wringing his hands and breathing hoarsely. + +How had it happened? + +It did not take Bart long to decide that some one must have slipped +into the room and stolen the ring while he was after the drawing. + +In that case, whoever committed the theft must have been watching for +an opportunity, knowing that he had the ring. + +Hodge quickly recovered from his stupefied condition, and dashed out +into the corridor to look for the miscreant. + +"It must have been Snell," was his decision. "I will look for the +sneak." + +Straight to Snell's room he rushed, but Snell's roommate, who was +studying, declared Wat had not been there in the past hour. + +This put Bart at sea for a moment. Where could he find Snell? + +Looking at the recitation board, he saw that Snell should appear in the +recitation room in a very few minutes. + +He could not be confronted there. What plan of action could be devised? + +He did not wish to give Snell time enough to conceal the ring. If the +fellow could be caught with it still in his possession, it might be +possible to make him disgorge. + +It was time for Frank to return from recitation. The thought of facing +Merriwell with the confession that the ring was gone made Bart's knees +weak; but he decided that that was the proper course to pursue, and so +he hurried to their room. + +Frank had just got in, and, by the look on Hodge's face, he instantly +saw that something of an alarming nature had happened. + +"The ring!" he cried. "Where is it?" + +"I think Wat Snell has it," came huskily from Bart's lips. + +With one bound, Merriwell caught his companion by both shoulders, +staring straight into his face. + +"Have you, also, turned? No! no!" he quickly went on. "I do not think +that of you, Bart! You are still true!" + +"No, I didn't go back on you," said Hodge, thickly; "but I was guilty +of criminal carelessness." + +"How did it happen? Tell me quick!" + +Bart did so, speaking swiftly, so that no more moments were wasted. + +"It is probable that Snell has it," said Frank. "He must be +apprehended without delay. Come." + +He took the lead, and Bart followed at his heels. + +But they were not to confront Wat Snell at the door of the recitation +room, as Merriwell hoped, for they were not long in learning that the +fellow had lately obtained a pass and left the grounds. According to +Snell, his uncle was to pass through Fardale village on the noon train, +and Wat's presence was desired at the station. + +Of course both Frank and Bart immediately decided that this excuse had +been used to enable him to reach the village and deliver the stolen +ring to the man in black. + +For all of their desire to pursue Snell hotly, they were unable to +leave without permission, and so valuable time was lost. At length, +however, they were on the highway, running side by side toward the +village. + +Frank had seemed cool and clear-headed, but, not knowing that Bart had +fully completed the drawing of the lines on the black stone, in his +heart he was feeling very desperate indeed. + +Hodge had grown thoroughly angry, and Snell was likely to get hurt when +Bart placed hands upon him. + +The boys were good runners, and they covered the distance between the +academy and Fardale village in a very short time. + +Once within the village, they began inquiring for Snell, and it was not +long before they discovered people who had seen him. To the post +office they went, and then they were told that a boy answering Snell's +description had been seen going toward the railway station. + +"It would be a corker if the fellow had really come to see his uncle!" +said Bart. + +"I do not take any stock in that now," declared Frank. + +"Nor I; but I don't understand why he is making so many twists and +turns since reaching the village. If he has the ring, why didn't he +take it straight to the man in black?" + +"Perhaps he knows as little about where to find that individual as we +do." + +"Possibly." + +They came in sight of the station, about which were several carriages, +while a few people were seen on the platform, waiting for the midday +train. + +Reaching the station, they came sharply round the first corner, and +found themselves face to face with Wat Snell and the man in black. + +At that very instant Snell accepted some money and surrendered +something to the stranger. + +Frank's keen eyes saw that the something was the stolen ring. + +With a cry, he leaped forward, flinging Snell aside, and grasping the +man. + +"Give me that ring!" + +A fierce exclamation of fury broke from the stranger's lips, and he +swiftly thrust the ring into his pocket. + +"Hands off, boy!" he hoarsely commanded. "Hands off, or you will get +hurt!" + +"I'll never take my hands off you till you give up that ring, you +scoundrel!" + +The man having encountered Frank before, well knew that the boy +possessed remarkable strength, which would not make it an easy thing to +shake him off. + +"Let go!" he hissed. + +"I will not!" + +"Then take that!" + +Something bright and gleaming, like the blade of a knife, flashed in +the man's hand. He struck, and with a cry, Frank, fell heavily to the +platform! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +THE SECRET OF THE RING. + +Astonished and horrified though he was, Bart Hodge realized that Frank +had been stabbed. At that moment, with the lack of resolution that was +characteristic of him on occasions of peril, and not through fear, he +stood quite still and did nothing. + +Without a shout or a sound, the man in black leaped toward the end of +the station, where a saddled and bridled horse was hitched to a post. + +One slash of the knife set the horse free, and the desperate man leaped +to the creature's back, riding rapidly away. + +Frank had swiftly risen to his feet, and several persons, who had +witnessed the blow, crowded anxiously around him, asking how badly he +was hurt. + +"It's nothing but a scratch in the shoulder, for I saw it coming, and +dodged. Don't mind me. Don't let that man get away!" + +"He won't get very fur on that hoss," said the owner of the animal. +"She's lame in her off hind foot, an' she'll tarnal soon give out if he +pushes her like that." + +"Still he will get away if he is not immediately pursued. Come--who'll +follow?" + +"Into this carriage, boy!" cried a man. "I have a little horse here +that will give him a hot chase. Come on!" + +"I am the constable," said another man, with great dignity. "I'll +foller as soon as I can get a boss saddled." + +Realizing that the boy was not seriously hurt, half of those who had +been lingering about the station made a rush to join in the pursuit of +the murderous stranger. All kinds of teams were pressed into use, and +the road was soon filled with a string of pursuers. + +Looking back anxiously, the man in black saw them coming, and he grated +his teeth fiercely, for he had already discovered that the horse he had +appropriated was seriously lamed. + +"Let 'em come!" he cried. "I'll not be taken easily! I have the key +to a fortune in my pocket, and I will escape with it, if it is in me to +do so!" + +Ruthlessly and cruelly he pricked the lame mare with the keen point of +the knife, which he still held in his hand, and a trail of dust rose +behind him. + +Out of the village and into the country the lame horse bore the +fugitive. Not far from Fardale was a big stone quarry, and, by chance, +the man had selected the road which skirted the jagged hole in the +ground. + +His pursuers were gaining on him, and he continued to use the knife +mercilessly as the horse bore him along the road past the quarry. + +Of a sudden a large dog bounded into the road in front of the man in +black, and the horse which the man bestrode gave a snort and whirled +sideways, coming with a crash against the rail which ran along by the +roadside. + +At that point the rail was somewhat rotten, and a shriek of horror +broke from the man's lips as he saw it break. He made one desperate +effort to spring from the saddle and escape going down into the quarry +with the horse, but the pursuers were dismayed to see man and beast +disappear into the yawning hole. + +"He won't get away to-day, my boy," said the man in the foremost +carriage, at whose side was Frank. "We'll find him down at the bottom +of the quarry, dead as a flounder." + +Finding a place to hitch the horse at the side of the road, the man did +so, and they went forward together, while the other pursuers kept +coming up. + +Reaching the point where the man and horse had fallen into the quarry, +they looked down. + +Amid the jagged rocks far below were two motionless forms. + +"Come," said the man; "we'll go down there by the regular road." + +They passed round the quarry till they found a road that wound downward +till it reached the bottom. By this road they descended, with scores +of others at their heels. + +When they came to the man and the horse, great was their astonishment +to hear the man moaning and to see him open his eyes and look at them. + +"Why, the critter an't dead yet!" exclaimed the constable. "I think +it's my sollum duty to arrest him on the spot." + +Frank quickly knelt by the side of the mysterious man, who faintly +whispered: + +"So I didn't kill you, boy. Well, I have crimes enough to answer for. +The ring is here in my vest pocket. Take it. It will never do me any +good now." + +Frank quickly extracted the ring from the man's pocket, and slipped it +upon his finger. + +"I am dying," murmured the man. + +"Perhaps not. We'll have you taken back to town, and see what a doctor +can do for you." + +"No use; I wouldn't live to get there. My time has come. The hidden +mine will never reveal its riches to me." + +"He is really dying," whispered some one in Frank's ear. "He will not +live ten minutes. The wonder is that he is alive at all." + +"Who are you? and what is the mystery connected with this ring?" +hurriedly asked the boy. + +"Never mind my name," came faintly from the lips of the dying man. "It +would do you no good to know it. I have lived a wild life--a wicked +life. This is the end! Fate brought me to Fardale--fate showed me the +ring that bore the chart to the lost mine." + +The man stopped and closed his eyes, while the ghastly pallor spread +over his face. + +A hand held a bottle of liquor to his lips, and he swallowed a few +drops, which gave him a few more moments of life. Again his eyes +unclosed. + +"Once I committed murder for that ring," he whispered. "I killed the +Mexican who possessed it. It was a crazy hermit who cut that map on +the stone. He discovered one of the richest mines in Arizona, and a +fantasy of his deranged brain led him to cut the chart upon the stone, +for he cared nothing for the gold himself. When he died, he gave the +ring to a Mexican who attended him in his last moments, telling him its +secret. In Tombstone the Mexican got drunk and boasted of his riches, +showing the ring. That night I killed the greaser, and obtained the +ring. I had a partner, and he stole the ring from me. How he came to +part with it, and how it fell into the hands of your father, boy, is +something I do not know." + +He was exhausted, and his voice sunk till Frank could not catch the +words. Then he lay still, short breaths fluttering his lips. + +Frank feared the man would not rally again, but he did, and the boy +panted: + +"Tell me where this mine is located. What part of Arizona does the +chart represent?" + +With a last great effort, the dying man whispered: + +"Northwest from Tombstone--lies the--Santa--Catarina--mountains. +There--there--is----" + +His eyes grew glassy--the last faint breath fluttered over his +lips--the man of mystery was dead. + + * * * * * * + +The man in black was buried in the cemetery just outside Fardale +village, and the small stone which Frank Merriwell caused to be placed +at the head of his grave bears the word "Unknown." + +The man had died just as his lips were about to reveal the location of +the country depicted by the chart cut on the black stone of the ring +that had caused so much trouble. He had mentioned the Santa Catarina +mountains, but he had not told what part of the large range the chart +depicted. + +"If he had lived thirty seconds longer, I should have learned his +secret--should have known how to reach the lost mine by aid of the +chart. Now----" + +"You may be able to reach the mine after all," said Bart, +encouragingly. "You have the ring, and you know its value. When you +leave school, you may go West and search for your mine, for it +certainly belongs to you now. You may find somebody in the Santa +Catarina region that will recognize this portion of the country +depicted here." + +"Long before that the mine may be found by some one else." + +"It is possible, but hardly probable. If it were so easy to find, that +man would not have made such desperate attempts to obtain possession of +the ring." + +"Well, I am not going to kick. I have the ring, and his knife did not +end my life, as it would if I had not dodged. He slit open my sleeve +from the shoulder to the elbow, and brought the blood." + +"Oh, you're a lucky dog," laughed Bart. "You are sure to come out on +top every time." + +Wat Snell found it convenient to take a vacation, but he returned to +the academy later, although he found himself regarded with scorn by all +save a certain few of his own sort. + +Had Frank seen fit, he could have had Wat expelled; but it seemed that, +if the fellow had any sense of shame, the way he was treated by the +other cadets was quite punishment enough. + +Sometimes Frank and Bart would get out the drawing the latter boy had +made from the lines on the ring, and they would study over it a long +time, but they always found it baffling, and they finally gave up in +despair. + +Still Frank clung to both ring and chart, hoping they would some day +prove valuable to him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +"BABY." + +A year had passed since Frank entered Fardale Military Academy--a year +crowded with events and adventures such as made its memory both +pleasant and painful. + +The time of the June encampment had again arrived. + +Frank was no longer a plebe, and the glistening chevrons on his sleeves +told that the first year in the academy had not been wasted. He was +now Cadet Corporal Merriwell. + +The graduates had departed, and the furlough men were away at their +homes. + +A new squad of plebes had been admitted to the school, and the +yearlings, mad with joy at being released from plebedom themselves, +were trying every scheme their fertile brains could devise for making +miserable the lives of their successors. + +During the first two weeks that the plebes had been in the academy the +opportunities for hazing them had been few; but immediately on getting +into camp the mischievous lads who had suffered the year before, not a +few of whom had sworn that nothing in the wide world--nothing, nothing, +nothing!--could tempt them to molest a fourth-class man, lost no time +in "getting after" the "new stiffs," as the plebes were sometimes +called at Fardale. + +The yearlings were eager to find fags among the plebes, and they +generally succeeded in inducing the new boys to bring buckets of water, +sweep the tent floors, make beds, clean up, and do all sorts of work +which the older cadets should have done themselves and were supposed to +do. + +While the penalty for exacting the performance of any menial or +degrading task, as well as for hazing, was court-martial and possible +dismissal, the yearling generally succeeded in getting the work done +without giving orders or making demands, so the plebes could not say +they had been coerced into doing those things against their will. + +Each yearling sought to have a particular fag to attend to him and his +wishes, and no cadet could demand service of another fellow's fag +without danger of bringing about trouble. + +At first, Frank had resolved to astonish his companions by attending to +his own duties entirely by himself, and having no fag; but it was +shortly after the new boys came to Fardale that he saw something that +made him change his mind. + +Among the plebes was a rather timid-looking, red-cheeked lad, who +seemed even further out of his element than did his awkward companions. +He was shy and retiring, blushed easily, and, at times, had trouble in +finding his voice. + +Such a fellow was certain to attract attention at any school, and he +was soon singled out as a particular object for chaffing by the +yearlings. + +He blushed to the roots of his hair on being called "Baby," "Mamma's +Boy," "Little Tootsy-Wootsy," and other names of the sort applied to +him by the cadets. + +His real name was Fred Davis, and of the nicknames given him Baby +seemed to stick the best, so it was not long before he came to be known +by that almost altogether, the officers and instructors being the only +ones who did not use it in addressing him. + +At the outset Fred was unfortunate in being singled out for guying by +Hugh Bascomb, who was a bully by nature, and whose ideas of fun were +likely to be of a vicious order. + +Bascomb saw he could plague Davis, and he kept at the little fellow, +piling it on unmercifully. In fact, he seemed to take a strong dislike +to the boy with the pink cheeks, whom he derisively designated as "the +dolly boy," and he lost no opportunity to humiliate Davis. + +It happened that, on a certain occasion, Bascomb desired that Fred +should lie for him, but, to his surprise, the timid plebe absolutely +and firmly declined to lie. + +"I--I can't do it, sir," stammered the little fellow. "I'd do it if I +could, but I can't." + +"Why not, pray?" fiercely demanded Bascomb, towering above the +shrinking lad and scowling blackly. "That's what I want to know--why +not?" + +"Because I promised mother I would not lie, and she--she has confidence +in me." + +"Oh, she--she has!" mocked Bascomb. "You make me sick--you do! I +never took any stock in mamma boys. Now you're going to do as I want +you to, or I'll make it hot for you." + +"I shall not lie, sir." + +"All right; wait till you get into camp. Oh, we won't do a thing to +you!" + +From that time Bascomb did his best to set his companions against +Davis, a fact which Frank soon noted. + +Knowing that Bascomb was at heart a bully, Frank immediately saw that +Davis would have a hard life during his first months in the academy. + +Frank's sympathy went out to the little fellow, who had been so +tenderly reared that he knew very little of the harsh ways of the world +outside his own home. He resolved that the little plebe should be +given a fair show. + +Somehow Frank divined that Bascomb intended to secure Davis for his +fag, and he resolved to balk the bully in this. So it came about that, +on the day that the plebes marched into camp, with their bundles under +their arms, Merriwell found an opportunity to take Davis into his tent +and instruct him in cleaning shoes and setting things to order. + +Fred attended to these things cheerfully, never dreaming that they were +not a part of his regular duties. When he had finished, Merriwell said: + +"That is very satisfactory, Mr. Davis. Immediately after tattoo you +may come round and be shown how to make up beds. In the meantime, if +any one else should require you to perform service of a similar nature +in any tent other than your own, you may inform them that you have +already received instructions from me, and that the state of your +health will prevent you from doing too much labor of the kind. Do you +understand?" + +"I think so, sir." + +"Very good. You may go." + +Frank's duties kept him very busy during the most of the day. He had +little time to look after Davis, and he scarcely gave his fag a thought +till after supper, when the dusk of evening was settling over the cove, +and the "plebe hotels" had been surrounded at various points by +mischievous yearlings. Then he took a fancy to stroll around and see +how Baby was getting along. + +On his way down the street he passed the tent occupied by Bascomb. He +might have walked on, but the low, fierce voice of the big cadet caught +his ear, and he distinctly heard these words: + +"What's that? You refuse to bring water for me? Have done this kind +of work already for Merriwell? So Corporal Merriwell has been +compelling a plebe to perform menial services? Well, that might cost +him those pretty stripes on his sleeves! What do I care for him! I +want you to bring that water, and you will bring it." + +"But he told me not to do work of this kind for anybody else but +myself," came the faltering voice of Fred Davis. + +"Oh, he did? Well, that's interesting! I suppose by that he means to +lay claim to you. I wonder what Lieutenant Gordan would say if he knew +what one of his particular pets has been up to! We'll see who is best +man in this affair. Bring that water!" + +"I--I don't want to, sir." + +"Well, it doesn't make any difference about that; you'll bring it, +whether you want to or not. If you don't, I will----" + +"What will you do in that case, Bascomb?" quietly asked Frank, as he +stepped lightly and quickly into the tent, and confronted the big +cadet, who was towering over Fred Davis in a threatening attitude. + +Bascomb recoiled, with a muttered exclamation of dismay. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +SPORT WITH A PLEBE. + +"Merriwell----!" + +Bascomb's face showed he was little pleased by the appearance of Frank. + +"I believe you were about to tell Mr. Davis what you would do in case +he declined to bring a bucket of water for you, sir," said the yearling +with chevrons. "Pray, proceed!" + +"This--this is an intrusion!" grated Bascomb. + +"Really so?" And Frank's eyebrows were uplifted in mock surprise. "I +presumed I would be welcome to the tent of a classmate." + +"Well, you are not welcome here," growled the big fellow. + +"What are you going to do about it?" + +"Nothing. If you haven't the instincts of a gentleman----" + +Frank interrupted with a laugh. + +"Really that sounds fine from your lips, Mr. Bascomb!" he exclaimed. +"You were trying to intimidate one smaller and weaker than yourself a +moment ago, and yet you have the nerve to talk of gentlemanly +instincts. You seem to be venturing on unfamiliar grounds, sir." + +Bascomb glared. He longed to punch Merriwell's head, but he felt that +Frank was anxious for him to attempt a move of the sort. + +"You're a nice chap to talk of intimidation when you have already +forced Baby to fag for you!" he cried, hotly. + +"I think Mr. Davis will attest that I neither forced him nor asked him +to perform any task for me. I simply gave him a few instructions that +were sure to be of material benefit to him. But I heard you demanding +service, and seeking to compel it with threats. You know what the +penalty is for such conduct." + +"And I suppose you are just the kind of a fellow to blow. All right; +go ahead." + +"I scarcely like your tone or your language, Mr. Bascomb; but I am not +going to pick it up here and now. However, you have accused me of +making Mr. Davis a fag. I presume you know there is a rule in this +school that no man has a right to demand service of another man's fag? +Knowing this, you tried to make Mr. Davis perform your duties about the +tent. Weren't you treading on rather dangerous ground, sir?" + +Bascomb looked at the floor, and muttered something. + +"You may not have realized what you were doing," Merriwell went on. +"In which case, you are pardonable to a certain degree. But I warn you +to let nothing of this kind occur again, or you will have the entire +camp down on you." + +"I know what you mean," grated Bascomb. + +"I am very glad you do," came coolly from Frank's lips. "I hoped to +make my meaning plain. And I have something more to say. Since the +arrival of the new boys, you have seemed to single Mr. Davis out as an +especial object for ridicule and torment. I don't know that you have +done so because Mr. Davis is small and scarcely a match for you, but it +looks that way. Now, Bascomb, if I were in your place, I would let up. +If you persist, you are bound to get yourself into serious trouble. I +am going to see that Davis has a fair show, and the fellow who crowds +him too hard will have some difficulty with me." + +Bascomb forced a mocking laugh. + +"You seem to fancy you can set yourself up against the whole +battalion," he sneered. "I don't believe any plebe ever got through +this school without taking his medicine, and I scarcely think you will +be able to pull this one through that way. The fellows are not very +fond of pets." + +"That's all right. The only thing I ask of you is that you let Davis +alone." + +"Perhaps I will, and perhaps I won't." + +"You will if you know what is good for you." + +Again the big fellow glared through the gathering darkness, but Frank +met the gaze squarely, and Bascomb's eyes dropped. + +"That's all I have to say," came quietly from Frank. "You may go now, +Mr. Davis. Don't forget you are to receive instructions in making beds +after you answer to your name at tattoo." + +"No, sir, I will not forget," said the little plebe, and, making a +salute, he hurried away, glad to escape from Bascomb's clutches. + +Frank stood looking straight at his big classmate, who made a pretense +of disregarding him. + +"You should take warning by what has happened to several of your +particular friends, Bascomb," he finally said. "Harkins resigned to +escape court-martial and dismissal; Gage deserted and ran away, and +Snell has become the most unpopular fellow in the academy, and all +because----" + +"All because they ran against you!" snarled Bascomb, madly. "You have +had the greatest luck of any fellow I ever saw; but there is a turning +point somewhere. You never miss an opportunity to jump on a fellow, +and----" + +"Now, you are making a statement that you know is absolutely false, +sir!" exclaimed Merriwell. "I have never crowded any fellow, and I +have never lost an opportunity to cover as far as possible and +honorable any wrongdoing a fellow cadet may have been led into. You +may not know that I could have caused Snell's expulsion in disgrace if +I had wished, but it is true." + +"Oh, you are very generous--exceedingly magnanimous! All the matter +is, people don't know it." + +"You are at liberty to think what you like about it. I have warned +you, and you will do well to heed my warning. That is all I have to +say." + +Frank left the tent, and continued on his way. + +Crowds of cadets gathered here and there near certain "plebe hotels" +told where the yearlings were enjoying sport at the expense of the new +boys. + +As Frank came near to the first collection, the familiar voice of his +former tentmate, Hans Dunnerwust, attracted his attention. + +Forcing his way toward the center of the laughing throng, he found Hans +catechising a tall, lank country boy named Ephraim Gallup, who was +repeatedly forced to explain that he was "from Varmont, by gum," which +expression seemed to delight the listening lads more and more with each +repetition. + +"Vere vos dot Varmont, sir?" demanded Hans, with a great show of +dignity. "Vos it a cidy alretty yet, or vos it a village?" + +"Oh, yer gol dern ignerent critter---- Er--er--excuse me, sir! I +fergot whut I wuz sayin', dam my skin ef I didn't! Varmont is a State, +an' one of ther smartest gol derned States in ther Union, by gum!" + +"Vos dot so? I subbose you exbect dot Varmont vos peen large enough to +be a cidy britty soon, ain'd id?" + +"Wal, gol blame my eyes! Don't you know ther difference betwixt a +State an' a city? Ef ye don't, I think you'd best go studdy yer +jografry some more." + +"Don'd ged so oxcited, sir," cautioned the Dutch boy, with a wave of +one pudgy hand. "Id don'd peen goot your health for. Vos dot Varmont +a broductive Sdate?" + +"Productive! Wal, you bet yer last dollar! We kin raise more grass to +ther square acre----" + +"Vell, how apout hayseeds? You raise dose ub there py der quandity, I +pelief me?" + +"What makes ye think so?" + +"Because your hair vos full of id." + +"What's that? what's that?" cried Ephraim, in astonishment, quickly +removing his cap and clawing through his hair with his fingers. +"Hayseed in my hair? Darned if I believe it!" + +The boys roared, and the face of the country lad grew crimson. + +"You're havin' a gol derned pile of fun with me," he said, sheepishly. +"Wal, sail right in an' have it. I kin stand it." + +"Begobs! it's nivver a bit roight at all, at all," said a boy with a +rich Irish brogue, and Barney Mulloy pushed his Dutch friend aside. +"Av it's a soldier yure goin' to be, me b'y, it's instructions in +military tictacks you nade. Now, sur, in case ye wur on guarrud at +noight, an' should foind yure post invaded by the simultaneous +appearance av the commandant an' corporal av th' guarrud on th' roight, +the gineral-in-chafe an' staff on th' left, an' a rigimint av +red-headed girrulls behindt yez, all wearin' bloomers an' arrumed to +th' tathe wid corrun-brooms an' feather-dusthers, which would yez +advance firrust wid th' countysoign?" + +This sort of a question, put to a plebe with all sorts of twists and +variations, was time-honored at Fardale, whither it had come from West +Point, where plebes are puzzled with some variation of it year after +year. + +The country boy grinned a bit, and, still with his little fingers +touching the seams of his trousers and the palms of his hands turned to +the front, lifted his left foot and scratched his right shin with his +heel, till a sharp rap on the ankle brought the foot down to the ground +again, and caused him to brace up stiffly, drawling: + +"Gol darned if I wouldn't be so scat I'd surrender on ther spot ter +ther red-headed gals in bloomers." + +These words do not look very humorous in print, but they sounded +comical as they came from the mouth of that raw countryman, and the +crowd roared with laughter again. + +"Be me soul!" exclaimed Barney. "It's yersilf thot knows a hape more +thin Oi thought yez did. Ye show yer good judgmint in surrunderin' to +th' girruls, fer wan av thim alone wud capture yez av she set out to, +an' ould Nick take th' countysoign--she wudn't nade it!" + +Next the country lad was invited to sing, "to develop his vocal organs." + +"Oh, say!" he awkwardly grinned. "I can't sing--I really can't, by +gum!" + +"Oh, you vos too modest alretty yet," declared Hans. "You peen goin' +to ged ofer dot britty soon pime-by." + +"But I hain't got no voice, an' I can't sing a tune no more than a mule +kin." + +"Me b'y," said Barney, "Oi admire yer modesty, but ye'll foind it +necessary to sing fer th' intertainmint av Ould Gunn an' under +professors av ye stay in th' academy, so ye moight as well begin now." + +"You'll laff." + +"Nivver moind that." + +"It will sp'ile me so I can't sing. If I couldn't see ye laff I might +do----" + +"Dot vos all righdt," declared Hans. "You bet my life we been aple to +feex dot britty soon right avay queek. Shust gif me your bocket +handerkerchief." + +"Whut you want of it?" + +"Nefer you mindt dot. Shust gif me to id." + +The country boy produced the handkerchief, and Hans quickly folded it +in a thick strip about three inches wide. + +"Now I feex id britty shlick so you don'd see us laugh oudt loudt," he +said, as he quickly tied the handkerchief over the boy's eyes, while +several of the others made Ephraim submit and stand with his little +fingers still glued to the seams of his trousers. + +In a few seconds the boy from Vermont was securely blindfolded. + +"Now you sing dot song," commanded Hans. + +"Whut shell I sing?" + +"'Yankee Doodle,' begobs!" cried Barney. "It's patriotic songs Ould +Gunn admoires." + +"I can't git the tune," said Ephraim, "an' I don't know the words of +only jest one varse." + +"Well, sing pwhat yez know, an' kape repeating it over an' over till +yez are told to stop." + +"Dot vos der stuff. Let her go, Gallup!" + +So the country lad opened his mouth and began to sing in a droning, +drawling way: + + "Yankee Dewdle came ter taown + 'Long with Cap'n Goodwill, + An' there he saw the boys an' gals + As thick ez hasty poodin'." + + +"Louder!" commanded several voices. + +So Ephraim repeated the stanza, singing still louder. + +"Dot vos petter," complimented Hans; "bud id don'd peen loudt enough to +blease Lieudenant Cordan." + +"Louder! louder!" ordered the yearlings. "Open your mouth and let the +sound out. You can never expect to sing if you pen the words up in +such a cavern as that." + +This time Ephraim shouted the words at the tops of his lungs, and he +was complimented on all sides, while Barney Mulloy hastily said: + +"Kape roight at it, an' kape on singing till ye're towld t' stop by me. +Ye know my voice, an' don't ye moind another thot spakes to yez. Av he +kapes bothering av ye, tell him to let ye alone, ur you'll kick th' +back-strap av his trousers clane out through th' top av his head. +Oi'll shtand by yez. Now, let her go again, an' kape at it." + +The country boy began once more, and this time he bellowed the words so +they could be heard for a mile. + +The grinning yearlings lost no time in slipping quietly away from that +locality, and taking positions at a distance, where they could watch +what followed. + +All alone in the street in front of his tent stood the blindfolded +plebe, bellowing the words at the full capacity of his voice, and +repeating them over and over. + +In a very few seconds Lieutenant Gordan, the regular army officer at +the academy, came marching briskly down the street in the dusk, his +face so red that it almost seemed to glow like a light. Stopping short +in front of the lone plebe, he called: + +"Sir!" + +Ephraim kept on with + + "An' there he saw the boys an' gals + Ez thick ez hasty poodin'." + + +"Sir!" came sharply from the lieutenant. + +Ephraim began the stanza over again, roaring it louder than before, if +possible: + + "Yankee Dewdle came to taown + 'Long with Cap'n Goodwin----" + + +"Sir!" cried Lieutenant Gordan. + +"Git aout!" snorted the boy from Vermont. "I'm here ter sing, an' I'm +goin' ter fill ther bill, by gum!" + +Then he began at the first of the stanza, and howled straight through +it, for all that the lieutenant spoke to him twice. + +In the dusky shadows not far away the cadets were convulsed with +laughter they could not suppress. + +"Sir!" thundered Lieutenant Gordan, "you are making a fool of yourself!" + +"Ef you don't shut up an' stop interruptin' me, I'll be gol darned ef I +don't kick you clean inter the middle uv next week! You ain't ther +feller that sot me ter singin', fer your voice is of a diffrunt color +than his. Naow you keep mum, ur I'll take this handkerchief off my +eyes, spit on my hands, an' sail right into you, by thunder!" + +Then Ephraim began once more: + + "Yankee Dewdle came to taown + 'Long with----" + + +The exasperated lieutenant snatched the handkerchief from Ephraim's +eyes, almost bursting with rage. + +"If you don't quit this howling, I'll lodge you in the guardhouse!" he +declared. + +The boy came near smashing the lieutenant with his fist, and then, +seeing who it was, he gave a gasp and nearly fainted on the spot. + +"Where's them fellers?" he murmured, looking around for his tormentors. +"By gum! they've slipped! I've bin fooled!" + +After giving him some sharp advice, the lieutenant sent him into his +tent, and departed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +AN OPEN INSULT. + +The spirit of mischief seemed to break loose in the camp that night. A +dozen times were some of the plebes hauled out of bed and slid around +the streets enveloped in their own blankets, ridden on a tentpole, or +an old wheelbarrow, tossed in tent flies, or nearly smothered with +smoke that filled their tents from the burning of some vile-smelling +stuff. + +Time after time was the guard turned out to capture the perpetrators of +these tricks, but still alarm followed alarm, and not one of the jokers +was captured. + +Every inspection seemed to show the older cadets all in their beds and +sleeping with amazing soundness, considering the racket that was going +on. + +Lieutenant Gordan was at his wits' end, for never had there been such +an outbreak in camp since his coming to Fardale, and he began to +believe there was something radically wrong about the system as +enforced at the academy. + +The professors were driven from their tents and compelled to take +refuge in the academy in order to get any sleep, and they all felt like +resigning their positions and seeking occupations in other walks of +life. + +At West Point such things were once possible, but the introduction of +long rows of gas lamps put an end to it by illuminating the camp so +that the pranks could not be performed without the greatest danger of +detection. + +At Fardale the gas lamps were missing, and a dark night during the +first weeks of each yearly encampment was certain to be a wild night. + +It happened that Fred Davis had been assigned to guard duty on this +particular night, and, for a long time, none of the disturbances took +place on his post. + +At length, however, when things had been quiet for an ominous length of +time, Fred saw three figures coming swiftly toward him through the +darkness. + +"Halt!" he commanded, promptly. "Who comes there?" + +"The corporal of the guard," was the reply, given in a muffled tone of +voice. + +"Advance, corporal of the guard, and give the countersign." + +Then followed a suspicious hesitation. Fred fancied he heard a faint +sound in his rear, but, before he could make a move, a blanket was +thrown over his head, and he was hurled to the ground. + +He struggled with surprising strength, but he was helpless in the hands +of his assailants. His musket had been torn from his hands, and he +seemed to feel something slitting and tearing his clothing. Once he +was struck or kicked with great violence. + +After a few moments of this treatment, Davis managed to get his head +clear of the enfolding blanket and shout for help. His cries produced +another alarm in camp, and his assailants quickly took to flight, +leaving him in a badly battered condition. + +Fred got upon his feet, and was standing dazed and bewildered when the +corporal of the guard actually appeared, with the guard at his back. + +Lieutenant Gordan, who had been on the alert for another outbreak, +showed up at the same time; but Davis was so bewildered that it was +several moments before he could answer their questions. + +It was finally found that he had been robbed of his gun, his belt +slashed, and his uniform cut in half a dozen different places, so it +was quite ruined. + +By this time Lieutenant Gordan was thoroughly angry, and he declared he +would give his time and attention during the next week to the discovery +and punishment of the perpetrators of the outrage. + +"There is going to be an end to this hazing of sentries," he asserted. +"Somebody shall be made an example of, and we'll see if that will do +any good." + +Fred was told to go to his tent and get to bed, and he was only too +glad to do so. + +Somehow, in the morning, the report got around that Davis had been +stabbed or cut in the attack upon him. Frank lost no time in +investigating, finding his fag attending to duties about his own tent. + +In answer to Merriwell's questions, Fred said he had not been cut in +any way, but his clothing had been mutilated, and he had been robbed of +his gun, cartridge-box and bayonet-scabbard. He showed Frank his +clothing, and the latter was scarcely less indignant than Lieutenant +Gordan had been. + +"This is not fun," Merriwell declared. "It is malicious and wanton +brutality, and I fancy I can lay my hands on the fellow who was at the +bottom of it." + +The search for Fred's rifle had proved unsuccessful, and so he was +given another from the armory, while a new uniform was ordered for him. + +Lieutenant Gordan came around, and questioned the unlucky plebe again +concerning the assault upon him; but it had been too dark for him to +recognize any of his assailants, and the voice of the fellow who had +announced himself as corporal of the guard had been muffled and +disguised. + +It now began to appear that the unusual activity during the night had +been for the purpose of drawing the attention to the side of the camp +opposite Davis' post, so that the attack upon him might be carried out +successfully. + +The boys found enough to think of and talk about during such +opportunities as were given them. + +At dinner the conversation was almost entirely about the tumultuous +events of the night, and, by keeping eyes and ears open, Frank sought +to discover who knew the most concerning those things which had taken +place. + +Bascomb seemed in high spirits. Over and over, in a sarcastic way, he +repeated Lieutenant Gordan's assertion that such actions were +outrageous, and must be stopped, appearing very grave as he did so, but +winking slyly to some particular friend. + +And Frank noted every fellow to whom Bascomb winked. + +The big fellow could not keep his bullying propensities suppressed, and +the sight of Fred Davis seemed to arouse him. Singling out the little +plebe, he took a station at the opposite side of the table, observing: + +"It is really too bad anybody should haze a pretty boy like him. Look +at the tender blue in his eyes, and the delicate pink in his cheeks. +Isn't he just too sweet to live! Oh, the fellows won't do a thing to +him here--not a thing!" + +Fred paid no attention to Bascomb, although the hot blood rushed to his +face. + +The bully continued: + +"Before you, gentlemen, masticating his rations, sits a section edition +of the late lamented George Washington. Those who are conversant with +history are aware that little George found it impossible to tell a lie. +Evidently Baby has heard of George, and seeks to emulate the Father of +his Country, for he also finds it extremely difficult to tell a lie. +Gentlemen, you may, at this very moment, be regarding a future +president of the United States. The thought should overcome you with +awe." + +Bascomb's friends snickered, and the big yearling proceeded to address +himself directly to Davis. + +"Look here, Baby," he said, "I want you to tell us just what happened +to you last night. We want to know the exact facts of the case." + +With a trace of spirit, Davis looked up, and asked: + +"Don't you, sir?" + +"Don't I what?" demanded Bascomb, harshly. + +"Don't you know?" + +"What do you mean by that? How should I know?" + +"I thought you might remember," said Fred, in a low tone. + +That was enough to give the bully his opportunity to rave and bluster. + +"That is an insult!" he fiercely declared, glaring at the little plebe +as if he longed to devour him. "Such an insinuation is an insult! Do +you mean to say that I had anything to do with the assault upon you?" + +"I don't mean to say anything more about it." + +"Oh, you don't? That is actually an open defiance. But I am going to +put a question to you, and see if you will refuse to answer me. What +do you know about it?" + +"I know enough to mind my own business." + +Frank laughed softly, and it was Bascomb's turn to flush angrily. + +"You are very cool about it," grated the bully, reaching out and +picking up a glass of water. "Perhaps this will make you still cooler." + +He flung the water full and fair into Fred Davis' face. + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + +FOR THE UNDER DOG. + +In an instant every lad save Davis was on his feet, for all knew what +naturally followed an act of this sort. + +But the natural order of events did not take place. Davis slowly and +carefully wiped the water from his face with the napkin. His hand +trembled a little, and his cheeks were pale, the color having fled from +them in a moment. + +Frank had taken a quick step forward, ready to see fair play. + +Although it was generally known that Davis was a peaceful sort of a +fellow, who would not get into trouble if he could avoid it, still all +expected he would show resentment at this open insult. + +Bascomb stood with an insolent sneer on his face, waiting. As Davis +made no move, he broke into a short laugh. + +"There's courage for you, gentlemen!" he said, scornfully. "Why, the +fellow hasn't as much spirit as a dead mouse!" + +Frank was about to speak, when Davis slowly rose to his feet. + +"I suppose I am expected to fight in a case like this," he said, his +voice shaking. + +Some of the cadets who were always eager to see a fight of any sort, no +matter how unevenly the antagonists might be matched, quickly said: + +"That's right. You must fight." + +"I have never done such a thing in my life," declared Davis; "but I do +feel like it now. You have laughed at me because I promised my mother +that I would not lie, and I will give you a chance to laugh again. I +promised her I would not fight, and I shall keep my word." + +"Baby boy!" + +"Mamma's petsie!" + +"Softie!" + +These terms of derision came from several sources, and Frank was swift +to note every one. + +Bascomb laughed again. + +"You are altogether too good to live, Baby!" he said. "You make me +sick!" + +Frank had kept quiet as long as was possible. He saw that Davis did +not mean to fight, and he made a resolve to save the plebe if possible +by taking up his quarrel. + +With two swift steps Merriwell confronted Bascomb. + +"Sir," he said, speaking rapidly, and in a low tone, "I have been a +witness to this entire affair." + +"Well?" sneered the big yearling. + +"I want to say that I think Davis perfectly right in refusing to fight +you. You are larger and older than he is, you have nearly, if not +quite, twice as much strength as he has, and your reputation is that of +a slugger. He would not stand a show with you, and you know it, for +which reason you have seemed to select him as an object of your +bullying attentions." + +Frank looked Bascomb straight in the eye, and the big fellow's face +grew black with anger. + +"What do you want?" he muttered. + +"I want to tell you what I think of you, and I am going to do so. +Davis has been reared like a gentleman, and it is but natural that he +should recoil from contact with such as you." + +"Do you mean to say I am no gentleman?" + +"That is exactly what I mean to say, sir. No gentleman ever plays the +bully, as you have done." + +Bascomb made a move, as if he would do something desperate, and, on the +instant, two of his particular friends caught hold of him, saying +hastily: + +"Not now, old man--not here! It would spoil everything." + +Now Bascomb was not longing for a fight with Merriwell, and he would +gladly have done something to cause the officers to interfere; but, to +his regret, he saw that he had been too slow about it. So he sullenly +muttered: + +"All right, fellows; I won't smash him here." + +"But you'll meet him later--you'll have to," eagerly said Rupert +Reynolds, a fellow who made a pretension of being "sporty," and who was +a great admirer of gamecocks and prize-fighters, for which reason he +had grown very friendly with the slugger of the academy. "This affair +must be settled in the regular manner." + +"I didn't suppose I'd have to fight the whole academy," came sulkily +from the bully. "If every sneak in school had somebody to step in and +fight his battles, things would soon undergo a change." + +As he said this, he cast a contemptuous glance at Davis, who was +looking on, in a helpless way. + +"You may fight or not, as you like," said Frank, serenely. "But you +know what I think of a bully who is too cowardly to tackle a fellow he +fears may be his match." + +And then, unmindful that Bascomb made another move and was held back by +his friends, Frank turned his back and walked round the table to Davis. + +"Come," he said, "we will go." + +There was a murmur of applause when he turned away, with Davis at his +side. + +Still Frank knew very well that he had taken an unpopular stand by +espousing the cause of a plebe who did not seem to have nerve enough to +stand up for his own rights, and he was breaking all precedent and +traditions by a show of friendliness for his own fag. + +However, Frank was a lad who firmly believed in standing by the right, +no matter whether the cause were popular or not, and his sympathy was +invariably with "the under dog in the fight." He could not bear to see +the weak oppressed by the strong. + +His generous heart had gone out to the lad who had been so tenderly and +delicately reared, and who declined to lie or fight because he had +promised his mother he would not do such things. Somehow Davis did not +seem at all like a "sissy-boy" to Merriwell, who believed the plebe had +a great deal of moral courage, if he were not physically brave. And +Frank had come to believe that moral courage is a higher qualification +than physical courage. + +In this world there are two classes of heroes, and one class is likely +to be grievously misunderstood. First comes the physical hero, the +fellow who defiantly faces dangers that are sufficient to turn to ice +the blood of another, and yet may succumb to some simple temptation +that he knows will lead him into wrongdoing. + +Then comes the moral hero, who resists the strongest temptations to do +wrong, who fights and conquers in many a silent battle with his +passions and desires, who bravely faces ridicule and scorn because he +is confident that he is doing right, yet who quails, cowers, trembles, +and flees in the face of physical danger. + +Who will say which is the greater hero? + +As soon as they were in the open air, Davis turned to Merriwell, his +voice shaking, as he said: + +"You must not fight with that fellow on my account." + +"Why not?" asked Frank. + +"Because you must not. It would not be right. He is big and +strong----" + +"But I am not afraid of him." + +"That may be true, and still it is not right for you to fight in my +place. That will not help me any. I can see that I will not be +thought any better of if you fight in my place. You must not fight +him!" + +Fred was very agitated and excited. + +"The matter rests entirely with Bascomb now," said Frank, calmly. "I +have expressed my opinion of him in public, and I shall be forced to +back up my words if he challenges me." + + + + +CHAPTER XLI. + +BIRDS OF A FEATHER. + +Reynolds and Bascomb came from dinner arm in arm. + +"Your time has come to knock out this fellow Merriwell, Hugh," declared +the big fellow's sporty companion. "You'll have to do it." + +"It looks that way," admitted Bascomb, but there was something +ludicrously dubious in both his face and voice. + +"Looks that way!" exclaimed Rupert, in a fiery manner. "Of course it +looks that way. There's nothing else to be done, and I should think +you'd be well satisfied with the opportunity." + +"But I am not sure I can do it," confessed the bully, hesitatingly. + +"Do it! Why, you ought to do it with one hand tied behind your back." + +But Bascomb was not so easily reassured. + +"I have boxed with him," said the big fellow, "and I know he is not +easy fruit for anybody." + +"You boxed in the gym?" + +"Yes." + +"And there it was necessary to conform to certain rules." + +"Of course." + +"That wasn't much like a genuine fight." + +"I know it; but I found it impossible to hit him a soaker with my left. +He is up to all the tricks." + +"That's all right. Fight him in the evening, where you are not liable +to be interrupted till you have finished him. The darkness will be an +advantage to you, for he cannot see to guard or avoid all your heavy +blows, and you will soon do him up. If you work it right, you can get +him into a straight fight from start to finish, so it will not be a +matter of rounds, which would accrue to his advantage. Once you get at +him, you can follow him up till he is done for." + +Reynolds' words gave Bascomb new courage. + +"I don't know but you are right," he said. "The darkness would be to +my advantage, and I ought to be able to get in a knockout blow sooner +or later. By Jupiter! I believe I can polish him off!" + +"Of course you can!" exclaimed his delighted companion. "Merriwell has +put on a big front, and succeeded in making everybody believe he is a +terror, but the time has come to cook his goose. Give him a good +licking, and he will not be so high and mighty. His popularity will +mighty soon begin to wane." + +"You do not seem to love him." + +"Not much! The cad has called me down on parade several times." + +"Me, too." + +"I'd like to get a grip on him that would disgrace him and cause his +dismissal." + +"You are not the first fellow who has thought that way, but, somehow, +the cad has the luck to get out of every trap set for him, and he turns +the tables on anybody who tries to trap him." + +"He can't be that lucky always." + +"I should hope not." + +"Shall I act for you?" + +Bascomb hesitated. Something told him that Frank could fight quite as +well with his bare fists as he could box with gloves. But how could he +retreat? If he did not meet Merriwell he would be regarded with scorn +by every one, and, like Wat Snell, who had refused to meet Bart Hodge, +be ostracised in the school. + +"Davis ought to fight me first," he muttered. + +"Oh, hang that plebe!" cried Reynolds, contemptuously. "He doesn't +count with Merriwell. You can attend to him when you have disposed of +Merriwell. If you go into this business determined to finish the +fellow, you'll be sure to do it. Knock him out some way, fair or foul." + +"I suppose a fellow might get at him foul in the dark, and not be +detected." + +"Sure. Only he wants to be slick about it. Say, I can tell you a +trick." + +"'Sh! Don't speak too loud; Dunnerwust and Mulloy are a little +distance behind, and they're both particular friends to Merriwell." + +So Reynolds lowered his voice, and talked rapidly to Bascomb in a low +tone. The bully listened eagerly, finally slapping his thigh and +crying: + +"That's the scheme! That will do it!" + +"Shall I see him, and make arrangements for tonight?" + +"Yes; but wait till the last minute--take him after supper." + +"All right. It's settled then?" + +"All settled; and Merriwell will have a dandy pair of eyes on him +to-morrow!" + +Dunnerwust and Mulloy had been watching Bascomb and Reynolds. + +"Vot you pelief dose shneaks vos down to, ain'd id?" asked the Dutch +boy. + +"Well, Handy, me b'y," replied Barney, "it's me proivate opinion, which +Oi don't moind publicly ixprissing, thot they're plannin' mischief." + +"Yaw, I pets me your boots you vos righd. Dey don'd haf their headts +togeder near vor nottings, py shimminy!" + +"Oi'd loike to take th' spalpanes by th' ears an' rap their hids +togither wance," declared the Irish lad. "Oi'd make thim see stars." + +At this moment Bascomb clapped his thigh and cried: + +"That's the scheme! That will do it!" + +"Uf dot don'd mean somedings, Parney, you vos a liar!" exclaimed Hans. + +"Av course it do." + +"I pelief me dot means drouble vor Frankie." + +"Oi wouldn't wonder, Handy." + +"You und me hat pesser dell him to keep his vedder eye vide open tight, +ain'd id?" + +"Thot's pwhat we will, me b'y. An' Oi propose to watch thim spalpanes +a bit mesilf. Oi moight catch 'em at something crooked, Oi belave." + +So it came about that Frank was warned that Bascomb and Reynolds had +apparently been plotting. + +Frank acted as first sergeant, and that very afternoon both Bascomb and +Reynolds appeared in ranks with their belts disarranged. This was an +open defiance, and, of course, was something Merriwell could not +overlook. + +"Fall out, Bascomb, and arrange your belt," he commanded, sharply. +"You, too, Reynolds. You know very well that you have no right in +ranks in that shape. Fall out!" + +Bascomb and Reynolds obeyed in a sullen way, the big fellow beginning +to mutter. + +Merriwell had started back to his post, but he whirled sharply, saying: + +"Silence, sir! This is the third time I have been compelled to warn +you against muttering in ranks. You will be severely dealt with in +case you repeat the offense." + +Once more he turned, but he had not taken five steps before he heard +some one say: + +"Who's playing the bully now!" + +Frank turned again, but Bascomb did not appear to have spoken, and +Reynolds looked innocent. Having fixed their belts, they were again in +ranks, standing at ease. + +Not a word did Frank say, but his face expressed a great deal. No +further murmurs were heard, and the drill was soon in progress; but +Frank knew his enemies had tried to place him in a false light before +the corps. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII. + +THE CHALLENGE. + +That night, immediately after supper, Rupert Reynolds appeared at the +door of Frank's tent. + +"Mr. Merriwell," said Reynolds, stiffly, "I am here in the interest of +my friend, Mr. Bascomb." + +"I presumed as much," came quietly from Frank's lips. + +"You have openly insulted Mr. Bascomb, and he demands an immediate +apology." + +Frank whistled. + +"Is that all?" he exclaimed, with a queer twist of his face and a +twinkle in his eyes. + +"You will find this a very serious matter, sir," said Reynolds, with an +assumption of great dignity. + +"Mr. Bascomb may also find it serious." + +"Will you apologize?" + +"You may tell Mr. Bascomb that I will apologize to him when he is man +enough to apologize to Fred Davis, and publicly acknowledge that he +treated the little plebe in an unmanly and bullying manner." + +Reynolds made a scornful gesture. + +"Mr. Bascomb will not do anything of the kind!" + +"Very well; I shall not apologize to him." + +"Then you must fight him." + +"I will do so with the greatest of pleasure." + +"Oh, you won't find much fun in it," sneered Reynolds. "It isn't going +to be that kind of a fight. Bascomb is thirsting for your life. It +was with the greatest difficulty I persuaded him not to challenge you +to fight a duel with deadly weapons. He said he would take +satisfaction in meeting you in an affair of honor where he could run a +blade through your body or perforate you with a bullet." + +Frank whistled again. + +"Why, he has become very courageous since he took to bullying boys! He +is really bloodthirsty." + +"He is determined to square accounts with you, sir. He says you have +been boning military at his expense for some time, just to show your +authority." + +"Which he knows is absolutely false," Frank flashed back. "I have +reprimanded him when compelled to do so by his utter disregard of what +is right." + +"That may be your opinion; Mr. Bascomb thinks differently. He demands +that this fight take place without delay." + +"The sooner the better." + +"What do you say to making the time immediately after dark?" + +"I am agreeable." + +"As Lieutenant Gordan has been watching the old boathouse of late, it +will be necessary to have the fight take place elsewhere." + +"All right." + +"It may be stopped if it is anywhere in this vicinity." + +"Yes." + +"Black Bluff is but a mile away." + +"That's all." + +"Why not go there?" + +"The place is satisfactory to me." + +"Then it is settled. Be on hand with your second as soon as possible +after dark." + +"I will." + +Reynolds walked away with his head held very high and his neck very +stiff. + +Of course, the boys had been expecting Frank would receive a challenge, +and no small number had been watching the two lads. Immediately on +Rupert's departure, Frank's friends came swarming around him, asking +scores of questions. + +"Pwhat did th' b'y want wid yez, Frankie?" asked Barney Mulloy, eagerly. + +"Oh, not much," smiled Frank, who did not believe in letting the entire +gathering know exactly what had happened and what was going to take +place. "He informed me that Bascomb demands an apology. Of course, I +did not apologize, which may lead Bascomb to challenge me." + +"An' he didn't challenge yez alridy? Wurra! wurra! Oi thought there +moight be a foight on hand, so Oi did." + +"Dot's vot's der madder mit me," sighed Hans Dunnerwust, in +disappointment. "It vos peen so long alretty yet since I haf seen a +scrap dot I don'd know vot it vos." + +"G'wan wid yez, Dutch!" cried Barney, who was in ill-humor on account +of the failure--as he supposed--of Bascomb to challenge Merriwell. +"Thot Yankee from Vermont called yez a balloony sausage t'-day, an' ye +nivver did a thing. Av ye wur dying fer a foight, ye'd challenge him. +Ye're th' biggest coward on th' face av th' earth. Ye give me +distriss!" + +"Vos dot so!" retorted Hans. "Don'd you pelieve me! Vos id my blace +to fight mit a blebe?" + +"Of course it is yer place, ye ignoramus." + +"Vell, I didn't know dot. Maype I fight him some dime pime-py right +avay soon alretty yet." + +"Oh, no ye won't." + +"Von't I?" + +"No, ye won't dare, ye Dutch coward. Av ye had a bit av spunk in yer +body, ye'd challenge him to wance." + +"Vell, you pet me my boots I don'd vos a coward," declared Hans, +emphatically. "I'll vight dot feller!" + +"Thot's th' shtuff, me b'y!" cried the delighted Barney. "Let me take +th' challenge." + +"Nod py a plamed sight! I don'd vant a pog-drotter to done some uf dot +peesness for me, ain'd id? Uf I shoose mein second, I dakes Vrankie +Merrivell alretty!" + +For all that he had serious work on hand, Frank was ready for a frolic, +and he instantly said: + +"I will carry your challenge, Hans. You may depend on me." + +"All righd, Vrankie, my poy; led her go." + +"You wish me to hunt up Ephraim Gallup, and demand an apology or a +fight?" + +"Yaw." + +"And you really mean it?" + +"Yaw." + +"Will you fight if he agrees to meet you?" + +"Yaw." + +"All right. There can't be any backing out now, understand that. You +are in for a fight, if Gallup doesn't apologize." + +"Yaw; but you mighd influence him to abologize uf you couldt, ain'd id?" + +"It would not be proper to bring any undue influence to bear on him. I +shall carry your challenge to him immediately." + +As Frank started to find Ephraim Gallup, Barney Mulloy slipped from the +crowd and joined him. The Irish lad's eyes were full of mischief. + +"I say, Frankie, me b'y," he said, quickly, "can't we put up a job on +thot Dutchman, an' hiv som' fun av this, Oi dunno?" + +"Leave that to me," smiled Frank. "I fancy I will find a way to get +plenty of sport out of this business. You know those two old +horse-pistols that are hung up for relics in the armory?" + +"Yis." + +"Go for them yourself, or send somebody who can get them immediately." + +"Pwhat do yez want wid thim?" + +"I will show you, if I can make my scheme work." + +"Oi belave Oi know," chuckled the fun-loving Irish lad. "Mursha! +Won't thot be fun, Oi dunno! Oi'll hiv thim roight away," and off he +darted. + +As Frank expected, he found Ephraim once more surrounded by a mob who +were having sport at his expense. Fortunately for Merriwell's scheme, +the country boy was rather angry, and felt more like fighting than +doing anything else. + +"Mr. Gallup," said Frank, as he forced his way through the throng and +confronted the Vermonter, "I am here in behalf of a friend whom you +have sorely insulted." + +"Git aout with yer nonsense!" retorted Ephraim. "I wish you'd quit yer +foolin' an' let a feller alone." + +"You will discover this is not fooling, sir," said Frank, sternly. "My +friend demands that you fight him immediately. Will you do it?" + +"Wal, I be twisted if I don't!" snorted Ephraim, as he spat on his +hands and prepared to remove his coat. "Where is ther consarned +critter? I'll bark his nose quicker'n a brindle caow kin kick over a +pail of milk, by gum!" + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII. + +DOUGHTY DUELIST. + +Ephraim was in earnest. + +"Hold on," said Frank, quickly, "what are you going to do?" + +"Fight, by gum!" + +"But you can't fight here." + +"Why not?" + +"You would be arrested and placed in the guard tent." + +"Wal, ef a feller can't fight, whut ye makin' all this taowse abaout?" + +"You can fight, but not within the limits of the camp. The duel must +take place outside." + +"Who is this consarned critter that says I've insulted him?" + +"Mr. Dunnerwust." + +"Wal, ef he wants to fight me, he'll find he never dun er wust thing." + +Frank staggered and clutched at his heart. + +"Don't!" he gasped. "I'm not particularly weak, but I'm not strong +enough to stand many of those." + +Ephraim grinned all over his long face. + +"Oh, them things come natteral like with me," he said. "I kin reel 'em +off by ther yard when I git started. Folks up aour away say I'm ther +funniest critter that ever growed in them parts." + +"Well, you have agreed to meet Mr. Dunnerwust?" + +"Yep." + +"The meeting must take place without delay, so there may be daylight +enough for its consummation." + +"Is that anything good to eat?" + +"What?" + +"Consummation." + +"Not exactly." + +"Didn't know but 'twas. Sally Golander up aour way she went to Boston, +an' when she kern home she told abaout havin' consummation soup, ur +something of that sort. Say, you'd oughter seen that air gal arter she +got back from Boston! She put on more style than a prize pig at a +caounty fair, by gum! Why, you couldn't touch her with a ten-foot +pole! She walked as ef she'd fell daown an' stepped on the small of +her back, and she ripped open ther sleeves on ev'ry one of her dresses, +an' bought caliker an' stiffenin' an' stuff ter put inter 'em to make +'em swell aout like a blowed-up bladder. I tell you she did cut an +amazin' fast pace in aour taown." + +"You are wandering from the issue," said Frank. "I presume you will be +ready to proceed to the scene of the duel in a few moments?" + +"Ready any time." + +"All right. Choose your second." + +"Whut do you mean by that?" + +"You have to have somebody to look out for you and see that you have +fair play." + +"By chaowder! Ephraim Gallup kin look aout for hisself, an' don't you +fergit it!" + +"But it is absolutely necessary that you have a second." + +"I'll act for Mr. Gallup," said Sammy Smiles. "He may depend on me to +stand behind him as long as he stands in front of me." + +"You'll do well ez anyboddy." + +"All right, Mr. Smiles," said Frank, with a wink at Sammy. "Come +aside, and we will make all arrangements." + +It did not take long to make arrangements; but, as every one who knew +about it was anxious to see the fun, it was not a little difficult for +them all to get out of camp without attracting too much attention. +There was a strip of woods close by, however, and the boys succeeded in +vanishing into this cover one by one, after which they soon hastened to +the spot where the encounter between Dunnerwust and Gallup was to take +place. + +The seconds took good care to have the two principals on hand, and +Barney Mulloy was there with the old horse-pistols, which he kept +carefully concealed. + +Frank took Hans aside and said: + +"This affair has assumed a much more serious aspect than seemed +possible at first." + +"Vos dot Yankee abologized alretty yet?" asked Hans, anxiously. + +"Far from it." + +The Dutch boy gave a groan of dismay, but stiffened up to say: + +"Dot seddles his coose! I knocks uf him der sduffins oudt." + +"But he refused to fight that way, and, as he is the challenged party, +I was forced to allow him to select the weapons. He chose pistols." + +"Bistols?" gasped Hans, turning pale. + +"Yes." + +"Dot vos murter in der virst degree! I don't meed dot veller mit +bistols!" + +"But you will have to meet him now. If you refuse, you will be drummed +out of school--you will be tarred and feathered." + +"Bud I don'd like dot peesness uf sdanding oop to be shod ad mit a +pullet oudt uf a bistol. Somepody mighd ged hurt, ain'd id?" + +"Oh, there's no danger that you'll get hurt any more than to have a +bullet through your head." + +"Vot vos dot?" gurgled Hans. "A pullet drough mein headt. Shimminy +Gristmas! Uf dot don'd vas pad enough, vot you vant? Oxcuse me!" + +"Now, don't show the white feather," urged Frank. "That Yankee has +done this to scare you. I don't believe he really thinks you will dare +meet him with pistols, and so he is going to make a laughing stock of +you." + +"Vos dot his game? Vell, I pets you your life he makes der piggest +misdake vot he nefer seen." + +"That's the stuff! If you brace right up and pretend you are eager to +fight with pistols, the chances are ten to one he'll back down before +the word is given to fire." + +"Vell, uf dot veller don'd dink I vos apout grazy for dot tuel, you can +kick me mit der neck in." + +Frank saw that he had fixed it all right with Hans, and he wondered +what success Sammy Smiles was having with his second. + +Sammy was not finding it very easy to convince Ephraim it was his duty +to fight a genuine duel with pistols, and he was talking swiftly, for +it was past sunset, and would become dark in a very short time. + +"I be hanged ef this air ain't ther biggest scrape I was ever in!" +gasped the lank country boy, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. +"I wish I'd stayed away frum this thunderin' skewl, an' bin contented +ter keep right on hoein' 'taturs an' cuttin' grass daown on dad's old +farm. Say, ain't ther no way this air matter kin be settled up 'thout +shewtin'?" + +"It's too late for that now. You have accepted Dutchy's challenge, and +you'll have to fight this duel." + +"I never was so thunderin' scat in all my life, by gum! My knees don't +feel strong enough to hold me up. Haow duz a feller feel when he's +goin' ter faint away?" + +"Oh, you're not going to faint. That's what the Dutchman's counting +on. He wants to scare you out of it. He's even made his boasts that +you Yankees haven't any courage, and that you'll run." + +"Oh, he has, has he?" grated Ephraim. "Bust his skin!" + +"He doesn't believe you'll dare fight him," continued. Sammy, +concealing a grin with his hand. "That's what he's counting on. If +you put on a bold front, you'll scare him out of his shoes. I'll bet +he'll run away before the word is given to fire." + +"Think so?" asked the Vermonter, eagerly. "Do ye really?" + +"Of course. Look how much more of him there is than there is of you. +Why, you'd be sure to hit him the first shot, while he has not one +chance in a hundred of hitting you. He has been chuckling over the way +your long legs will look when you run away." + +"That settles it, by the jumping blizzards! Give me holt of that air +hoss-pistil! I'll show him whuther a Yankee'll run ur not, by +chaowder!" + +"That's the stuff!" complimented the delighted Sammy, reaching up to +pat the tall plebe on the back. "Stick to that, and you will scare him +into convulsions. You must look as fierce and desperate as you can, so +he'll think you are thirsting for his gore." + +The preliminaries were soon over, and the valiant duelists were placed +facing each other at a distance of fifteen paces. The old pistols, +loaded with heavy charges of powder, but minus bullets, were thrust +into their hands. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV. + +A COMEDY DUEL. + +Both Hans and Ephraim were ghastly pale. The Dutch lad's teeth were +chattering, and the Yankee boy's knees shook beneath him. But both +tried to put on a bold front. + +"Are ye ready, jintlemin?" demanded Barney Mulloy, who had been chosen +to give the word. + +"Vait a moment," commanded Hans, waving his hand frantically at Barney. +"I vos goin' to gif dot feller a shance to safe his life. Uf he vants +to abologize now I vont shood him drough der heart mit a pullet." + +"Hurry up this business!" blustered Ephraim, waving the big pistol. +"If ye fool around here all night it will git so thunderin' dark I +can't see ter hit ther middle button on the Dutchman's coat." + +"Vos you goin' to abologize?" shouted Hans. + +"Be you goin' to run away?" demanded Ephraim. + +"Uf you don'd abologize, I voss a dead man," cried the Dutch lad, +threateningly. + +"Ef you don't run away, you're a dead man," declared the Vermonter. + +Now it happened that Sammy Smiles had brought along some stale eggs +which he had been keeping for some festive occasion, and he had given +one of them to Frank, while they had come to a perfect understanding as +to the proper manner and the right moment to use them. With the eggs +concealed in their hands, they were waiting for Barney to give the word. + +"Come, come, jintlemin," called the Irish lad, sharply. "Take yer +positions, fer Oi'm goin' t' give th' worrud." + +"This is your last chance to run away, Dutchy," faltered Ephraim, who +seemed to be losing confidence. + +"Dis vos your lasd obbortunity to abologize, Yankee," said Hans, rather +weakly. + +"Ready to foire at th' worrud," called Barney. + +Hans' teeth were plainly heard to rattle together like dice. + +"One!" counted Barney. + +"Uf he don'd run avay, I vas reaty to hear him abologize," murmured the +Dutch lad. + +"Say!" Ephraim hoarsely whispered to Sammy. "Git a rope an' tie me, +quick! Hang me ef I don't believe my legs is goin' to run the best I +kin do." + +"Two!" counted Barney. + +"Shimminy Gristmas! vere vas someding I can hide pehind?" + +"Great thutteration! I'm a goner!" + +"Three--fire!" + +Both of the bold duelists turned their heads away, pointed the pistols +at something, and fired. + +Bang! bang! + +Frank and Sammy Smiles let the eggs fly, and the aim of both was +accurate. + +Sammy's egg struck Hans behind the right ear, and spattered all over +the side of the Dutch lad's head, while Frank's egg landed on Ephraim's +neck. + +"I vos a deadt man!" squawked the Dutch lad, as he went over in a heap. + +"I'm shot, by gum!" squealed the Yankee, as his knees collapsed and he +measured his long length upon the ground. + +"Smoke!" cried Barney Mulloy, grasping his nose with both hands. "It +smells loike ye'd both been corpuses fer a long toime!" + +"By Jove!" gasped Frank. "That odor is strong enough to lift a safe!" + +The other witnesses of the duel roared with laughter, but Hans was +bellowing and Ephraim was groaning so loudly that neither of them heard +the sounds of mirth. + +"I can feel mein prains runnin' all ofer der side uf mein headt!" +howled Hans. + +"Send for a doctor!" shrieked Ephraim. "I'm covered with blood! My +jubilee vein is cut clean in two, an' ther blood is runnin' down my +neck!" + +"I vos dyin'!" + +"I'll be dead in a minute!" + +Sammy Smiles held fast to his nose, and made haste to bend over his +principal, whom he pretended to examine. + +"Bring bandages!" he shouted. "Help me to stop him from bleeding to +death." + +"It's nary a bit of use," groaned the Vermonter. "No feller ever lived +with his jubilee vein cut in two!" + +"Merciful goodness!" cried Frank, in pretended horror, as he hovered +over Hans, also taking care to cling to his nose. "The whole top of +his head is shot away!" + +The Dutch boy gave a wild, despairing wail. + +"Und you said dot feller vos goin' to run avay! Dunder und blitsens! +I vos a fool dot I don'd run avay meinseluf pefore mein prains he shot +oudt!" + +"Never mind," said Frank. "You will die like a hero, and we'll bury +you with all the honors of war." + +"Yah!" snorted Hans. "Dot vos nice--I don'd pelieve! I don'd care +apout dot honors uf var! Oh, Shimminy Gristmas! vot a fool a blamed +fool vos!" + +"I am surprised at you," said Frank, sternly. "You should be proud to +perish in such a heroic manner." + +"Oh, yaw! I peen tickled to death--mit a pullet. Id vos fun!" + +"I am afraid you are not a success as a hero." + +"Vell, I dudder peen a success as a coward und kept avay from dot +pullet." + +In the meantime Ephraim had recovered from the shock sufficiently to +detect the powerful odor of the stale egg that had struck him. + +"Great gum!" he gurgled. "What was that Dutchman's pistol loaded with? +Something must have crawled inter ther pesky thing an' died there!" + +"Do you really smell anything?" chuckled Sammy Smiles. + +"Do I?" howled the Yankee boy, sitting up and gasping for breath. "I +ruther think I do, by gum!" + +"You must be mistaken. Being seriously wounded, you imagine it. It is +the result of your injury." + +"Is that so? Wal," he wildly panted, "if that's ther case, I hope I'll +die soon an' git aout of my misery!" + +The spectators were convulsed with merriment, and Ephraim began to +smell a rat--if, indeed, it were possible to smell anything but the +ancient eggs. + +"Say!" he snorted, "you fellers don't act like there was anybody dyin' +around here. An' by chaowder! this smell is jest ther same ez I struck +when I crawled under dad's old barn to find where the speckled hen was +layin', an' crunched up some aigs that hed bin there two or three +months. Ef that Dutchman loaded his pistol with a ripe aig an' shot me +in the neck, I'll paound the stuffin' aout of him, by gum!" + +"Vot vos dot?" roared Hans, also sitting up, and glaring at the +Vermonter. "You don'd peen pig enough to bound der sduffin oudt uf +nottings!" + +"Wal, dern my skin ef I don't show you! Ef I'm mortally shot, it'll be +some satisfaction to die thumpin' you, by gum!" + +"Keeb avay off!" squawked Hans, as Ephraim began to crawl toward him. +"Keeb avay off, ur I vos goin' to bulverize you britty queek right avay +soon!" + +"You pulverize, an' be hanged! All I want is to git holt of ye." + +Hans began to scramble out of the way. + +"Holt on! holt on!" he cried. "Dot don'd peen no fair to sdrike a man +mit haluf uf his heat plown off!" + +"Your head's all right, only one side of it is plastered over with some +yaller stuff. You shot me in the neck, and I'm all kivered with blood, +but I kin do ye, jest ther same!" + +"Dot vos der gweerest colored plood vot I nefer saw! You don'd peen +shot ad all." + +"Then, by gum! I'm goin' ter lick ye anyhaow!" and Ephraim scrambled +to his feet. + +"Vell, you don'd done dot till you catch me, py Shimminy!" + +Hans also scrambled up, and immediately took to his heels, with the +tall Yankee in hot pursuit, leaving the spectators of this ridiculous +duel to exhaust themselves with merriment. + + + + +CHAPTER XLV. + +ANOTHER KIND OF A FIGHT. + +It had already grown quite dark. + +The fun for the time being was over, but there was an engagement of +quite a different nature to take place. + +Barely had the Dutch boy disappeared, with the Vermonter at his heels, +when Frank and several others of the party slipped away into the +shadows and made for Black Bluff. + +Bascomb and a large number of his friends were waiting when Frank +arrived, and Merriwell heard the big fellow sneeringly observe: + +"He has really come at last! I didn't know but he was going to take +water. I was afraid I'd lose the satisfaction of giving him the +licking he needs." + +Frank bit his lip, and remained silent. + +Bart Hodge was on hand, and he was quickly at Frank's side. + +"Where have you been?" he asked. "I was beginning to fear Bascomb had +put up some kind of a job to keep you away, so he could claim you were +afraid to meet him." + +"I have been acting as second in another affair," said Frank. "I want +you to represent me in this. Will you?" + +"You have no need to ask that, for you must know that it will give me +pleasure. I want to see you give that big brute the drubbing he +merits, so he will keep still for a while. He has been trying to +injure you ever since you entered the academy, and he has said here +to-night that he proposed doing me up to square an old score after he +had finished you. I tried to get him to take me first, for I told him +there wouldn't be anything left for me to fight when you were through +with him. He said he was going to polish you off easily, and he has +been whispering and laughing with that sneaking Reynolds. Somehow, I +feel as if they have put up some kind of a job to get the best of you, +and that is why they feel so well. You want to be on your guard for +tricks, old man." + +"I will," assured Frank, as he began to "peel" for the fight. "Go over +and make arrangements with Reynolds. If you can get him to agree to +make it a go-as-you-please till the best man whips you will suit me." + +"All right; I'll stand for that." + +Away went Hodge to consult with Reynolds, and Frank did not dream that +he had proposed just the kind of a fight that Bascomb and his second +most desired. + +The wind was coming in across the bay, and the sea was moaning at the +ragged base of Black Bluff, on the heights of which the fight was to +take place. There were scudding clouds in the sky, but the night did +not promise to be very dark. + +It did not take Hodge long to complete arrangements with Reynolds, and +he soon returned to inform Frank that it was to be one straight fight +from start to finish, with no rests till one or the other whipped. + +Frank had not supposed there would be near so many spectators present, +and he well knew that the most of those assembled were fellows who were +secretly envious of him because of his popularity, although nearly all +had made protestations of friendship in the past. + +Frank did not care for the friendship of such fellows, as there was +nothing in the world he despised more than a hypocrite. He could +respect a foe who was open and frank; but he had no use for anybody who +wore two faces. + +Fred Davis had not been told where the fight was to take place; but he +had scented it in some way, and he came panting to the spot, just as +Merriwell and Bascomb were about to meet. He rushed straight to Frank, +exclaiming: + +"You must not fight on my account! You shall not! You haven't any +right to do it! This must stop!" + +"Here, Bart," said Merriwell to Hodge, speaking quietly and firmly, +"turn this boy over to Mulloy, and tell him to keep Davis from making +any fuss." + +"But you must listen to me!" cried the little plebe, on the verge of +tears. "People sometimes get killed in fights. If you are badly hurt, +I'll never forgive myself. Can't I do something to stop it? Why, I +will apologize to Bascomb, and----" + +"That would simply place you more in contempt, and would not let me out +in the least, boy. Take him away, Mulloy," Frank spoke to the Irish +lad, who was now at hand. "See that he doesn't get into trouble." + +Seeing it was impossible to put an end to the contest, Fred gave up in +despair. + +Merriwell and Bascomb now faced each other. There was no demand that +they should shake hands, and neither offered to do so. The boys formed +a circle around them, and, at the word, they leaped at each other and +the fray had begun. + +Bascomb made an effort to clinch immediately, but Frank landed two +blows that sent him staggering. This was an advantage which Merriwell +followed up, and Bascomb was forced to keep falling back for some +moments, shifting the battle-ground considerably from the point where +the struggle began. + +Spat! spat! spat! sounded the blows; but it was not always an easy +thing to tell who was getting the worst of it. + +To and fro, forward and back, moved the fighting lads, their movements +being breathlessly followed by the spectators. Sometimes it would seem +that one of the lads had the advantage, and then it would appear to be +the other. + +With his hands clasped together and his heart beating wildly, Fred +Davis strained his eyes to see it all. To him every moment seemed an +hour of acute agony and suspense. + +Bart Hodge and Barney Mulloy were both intensely interested and +excited, but neither of them entertained a doubt but what, barring +accident, Frank would come forth the victor. + +The breathing of the fighting boys became short and loud, and Bascomb +occasionally muttered fierce words. Merriwell fought silently and +fiercely. + +At length the tigerish determination of Bascomb's foe began to drive +the big fellow back again. Several times he clinched Frank, but his +hold was quickly broken on each occasion. Three times both went down; +but the strength of neither seemed sufficient to get the advantage and +hold the other. + +At length, as they were apparently on the point of grappling again, +Bascomb was seen to make a quick move of one hand, and Frank +immediately cried: + +"My eyes! Oh, I am blinded! They are burning!" + +Instantly there was the greatest excitement. + +"Foul play, by the eternal skies!" shouted Bart Hodge, leaping forward. +Instantly someone gave him a blow that sent him reeling. + +"Howld on, ye imps!" roared Barney. "Ye can't play your dirty thricks +here!" + +"Keep them away!" grated Bascomb. "Keep them away, and I'll fix this +fellow now!" + +Frank heard the bully's voice, but he could not see Bascomb. With a +cry of unutterable fury, Merriwell leaped for his foe, caught him, +grappled with him. + +Then was seen such a mad struggle as not one of the boys present had +ever before witnessed. Merriwell seemed like a tiger that had been +stung to ungovernable rage, and Bascomb exerted every bit of skill and +strength he possessed. + +Round and round they whirled, away they reeled, and then a cry of +surprise and horror suddenly broke from the crowd. + +The beginning of the fight had been at a long distance from the brink +of the bluff, but, all at once, it was discovered that, in the +darkness, they had shifted about till they were close to the verge. +And, unconsciously, they were staggering swiftly to the edge. + +"Stop them!" shouted Hodge. "Quick, or they will go over!" + +Fred Davis leaped forward, clutched at the struggling lads, but could +not hold them. In a twinkling they tore away, and reeled on. + +Others would have interfered, but it was too late. Both Hodge and +Mulloy did their best, but Bascomb and Merriwell escaped their +outstretched hands. + +Then another cry of horror went up. + +The fighting lads were tottering on the brink. They realized their +peril at last; but, before they could make a move to save themselves, +they went over. + +"Merciful Heaven!" gasped Hodge. "That is the end of them both!" + + + + +CHAPTER XLVI. + +RESULT OF THE CONTEST. + +For a moment the horror-stricken witnesses stood and stared through the +darkness at the place where the foes had disappeared over the brink of +the bluff, and no one seemed capable of making a move or saying a thing +immediately after those blood-chilling words came from the lips of +Bartley Hodge. + +Fred Davis was the first to recover. Down upon the ground he flung +himself, peering over the verge of the bluff, and calling: + +"Frank--Frank Merriwell!" + +Immediately there was a faint, muffled answer from near at hand. + +"Thank Heaven!" Fred almost wept. "He has not fallen into the sea! He +is near at hand! I can hear him! Frank, where are you?" + +"Here--clinging to this vine," was the faint reply. "The thing is +giving--it will tear away! Quick--grasp my wrists!" + +Fred saw that the dark form was dangling immediately below, and, +without delay, he reached down and found a pair of hands which were +clinging madly to a stout vine. + +The vine was really giving way, and Davis instantly grasped both wrists +of the imperiled lad. + +"I've got him, boys!" he shouted, joyously. "Pull us up--pull us up! +I can hold fast if you pull us up at once! He has hold of one of my +hands now; he will not let go. Pull us up, and he will be saved!" + +"Lay hold here!" shouted Hodge, grasping Davis by the shoulder. "Down +on your faces, two of you, and clutch Merriwell the moment he is lifted +far enough for you to grasp him. Work lively, now! Are you ready?" + +"All ready," came the chorus. + +"Then hoist away, lads, and up he comes!" + +So, with a strong pull, the imperiled youth was dragged up over the +brink to safety, falling prostrate and panting at the feet of his +rescuers. + +"Poor Bascomb!" exclaimed one of the boys. "I am afraid he is done +for!" + +"Not much!" panted the boy they had just saved. "But that was a mighty +close call." + +"What's this?" shrieked Fred Davis, dropping to his knees and staring +into the face of the fellow he had helped to rescue. "This isn't +Merriwell! It's Bascomb!" + +Exclamations of astonishment came from every lip, for all had thought +they were rescuing Frank. + +"Great Jupiter!" gasped Bart Hodge. "It must be that Merriwell went +clean down the face of the bluff!" + +"An' thot manes he is a dead b'y!" declared Barney Mulloy. Fred Davis +quickly leaped to the brink, and wildly shouted: + +"Frank Merriwell! Frank Merriwell! Where are you? Frank! Frank!" + +No answer save the moaning of the wind and the gurgle of the sea which +came up from the base of the bluff, like the last strangling sound from +the throat of a drowning person. + +"He is gone!" + +A feeling of unutterable horror came over the little party on the +bluff, for they all seemed to realize what a terrible thing had +happened. + +Fred Davis fell to sobbing and moaning. Again and again he sent his +voice down the face of the bluff, shouting into the darkness that +hovered over the surging sea: + +"Frank Merriwell! Oh, Frank, where are you? Frank! Frank!" + +A night-bird swept past, and answered his shouts with an eerie cry; but +the voice of Frank Merriwell did not come up out of the darkness below. + +"It's no use!" came hoarsely and hopelessly from the lips of Bart +Hodge. "Merriwell is a goner! It was most remarkable that Bascomb +caught hold of that vine and so escaped." + +Fred Davis sprang to his feet, and rushed at Bascomb, who was cowering +and shivering in the midst of the boys. + +"You killed him!" screamed the little plebe. "You're responsible for +his death! It was murder!" + +"Thot's roight!" came from Barney Mulloy. + +Bascomb cowered and retreated before Davis. All his bullying spirit +was gone, and he shivered when the little fellow declared it was murder. + +"You shall be hanged!" wildly cried Fred, shaking his clinched hands in +Bascomb's face. "I will testify against you! You shall be arrested +and hanged!" + +"Take him away, somebody!" muttered Bascomb, hoarsely. + +"Touch me if you dare!" defied Davis, who seemed quite beside himself. +"I have been a coward long enough, and I am not afraid of you all now! +If I hadn't been a coward, I should have fought here to-night, instead +of Merriwell, and he would be alive now! Oh, I'll never forgive myself +for letting him fight in my place! But I'll do my best to avenge--I'll +swear he was murdered!" + +"That's rot," said Rupert Reynolds, rather weakly. "It was a clean +case of accident." + +"I am not sure about that," came significantly from the lips of Bart +Hodge. "We all heard Merriwell cry out that he had been blinded. That +meant something. There was foul play here, and the parties who were in +the dirty game must suffer for it." + +"Faith, an' thot's roight, Bart, me b'y!" exclaimed Barney Mulloy. +"It's as clane a lad as iver brathed thot wint over Black Bluff to his +death th' noight, an' somebody will pay dear fer this pace av worruk." + +Bascomb still remained silent, seeming incapable of offering any +defense. + +"It is useless to waste any more time here," said Hodge, sharply. +"This awful business must be reported in camp. We must get boats from +the boathouse, and search for Merriwell's body." + +He started away, and the boys began to follow him. Bascomb stood quite +still, and saw his late supporters, with the exception of Reynolds, +draw away and leave him, as if he were some creature to be avoided. + +"Oh, that's the way!" he grated, bitterly. "They're afraid they will +be mixed in it some way, and so they sneak! I am left to face the +music alone!" + +"Brace up, old man," urged Reynolds. "You may not be in such a very +bad box. I don't see how they can do anything but expel you from the +academy, and it is likely I will have to take the same medicine, as I +was your second." + +"Oh, you're trying to show a bright side; but I tell you, Reynolds, +there is something worse than expulsion to follow this!" + +"What do you mean?" + +"You heard that plebe Davis declare he would charge me with murder?" + +"Sure; but he's deranged for the moment." + +"He will make the charge, just the same; and I'll have to face it." + +"But it cannot be proved against you." + +"I am not so sure. If I hadn't flung red pepper in Merriwell's eyes +I'd have a better show. Now it will look as if I did that to blind +him, so I might force him over the bluff." + +"I don't believe anybody can think you as bad as that. You certainly +had no desire to do anything more than whip Merriwell by some means, +fair or foul." + +"It is easy enough to say that, but I'm afraid it will not be easy to +make people believe it. I swear, Reynolds, it's a terrible thing to +have anything like this hanging over a fellow! Why, it has taken all +the nerve out of me! I'd give my right hand to see Frank Merriwell +alive and well at this moment!" + +"Don't go to pieces that way, Bascomb!" entreated Rupert. "You've got +to keep a stiff backbone. Come, let's hurry after the others." + +Reynolds got hold of Bascomb's arm, and fairly dragged him after the +other lads, who were making their way toward camp. + +Each step that brought the big fellow nearer camp made him more +desperate. Finally, he declared: + +"I'm going to know what Hodge and Mulloy mean to do." + +Then he hastened forward till he came upon Bart and Barney, who were +accompanied by Fred Davis. + +"Look here, fellows," said Bascomb, "I've got some questions to ask +you." + +"Well, ask them," directed Hodge, shortly, as the boys halted and +clustered again. + +"I want to know if you actually think I am wicked enough to wish to +kill a fellow cadet and classmate?" + +"As fer mesilif, Oi dunno," admitted Barney. "Yure a big scoundrel, +but Oi don't loike ter think any felly's villain enough to do murther." + +"But it looks mighty black for you, Bascomb," said Bart. "We all heard +Merriwell cry out that he was blinded, and then you seemed to drag him +straight for the brink of the bluff." + +"It was an accident!" declared Bascomb, hoarsely. "I did not dream we +were anywhere near the edge of the bluff." + +"It was not accident!" cried Fred Davis. "It was murder, and I will +swear to it!" + +"You hear that," came huskily from the lips of the accused. "If you +fellows stand by him, I am done for." + +"We'll have to be given time to think it over." + +"No, that is wrong, for you'll be forced to make some explanation as +soon as you get into camp." + +"We'll simply tell the truth." + +"That will ruin me!" + +"Which cannot be helped. The truth is the only thing that will stand +in a case like this." + +"All right. There's no show for me." + +Bascomb turned about in a blind way, and Reynolds caught him by the +arm, asking: + +"Where are you going? What are you going to do?" + +"I don't know," was the hopeless reply. "It doesn't make any +difference where I go or what I do now!" + +The most of the boys moved toward camp again, leaving Reynolds talking +earnestly with Bascomb. Before the camp was reached, Reynolds came +running and panting after them. + +"Bascomb has gone crazy!" he cried. "He said he was going to kill +himself, and he broke away from me and ran into the woods! It is +terrible!" + + + + +CHAPTER XLVII. + +ALIVE! + +"I don't know but suicide is his easiest way out of this scrape," said +Hodge. + +"It is the only way he can escape hanging!" came from Fred Davis, who +seemed to be aroused to a point of relentless hatred for Bascomb. + +"Merciful goodness!" came faintly from Reynolds, who seemed to be +weakening. "What a dreadful affair this is! I'd give anything in my +power to give if I were well out of it!" + +"An' ye'd be gittin' out chape at thot, me hearty," declared Barney +Mulloy. + +"If I'd ever dreamed what would come of it, horses couldn't have +dragged me into the affair!" almost whimpered Reynolds. + +"An' now ye're in it, it won't do yez nivver a bit av good to whoine, +me b'y." + +"All you can do is brace up and face it out," said Hodge. "That's what +the rest of us will have to do. It's likely we'll all be fired from +the academy for our shares in the business." + +"I wouldn't mind that if it would bring Merriwell back all right," +asserted Reynolds, and there was a sincere sound in his voice. + +"We'd all take our medicine without a murmur if it would restore him to +life. He was the whitest boy that ever breathed!" + +"I think you're right," admitted Rupert. "I don't like him, but I +presume that was my fault. Perhaps I was jealous because he was so +popular. He never did me a mean turn." + +"Och! an' he nivver did anybody thot!" quickly put in Barney. "It wur +ivver a good turn, av it wur anything at all, at all." + +And so, talking of Frank's virtues, the boys approached the camp. It +was decided among them that Hodge should report the affair to +Lieutenant Gordan, and they should all get into camp without being +challenged, if possible. For this purpose they separated, and slipped +in one by one, by various ways. + +Hodge himself found a little difficulty in getting past the sentinel, +by whom he did not wish to be challenged and taken in custody, as there +would be a certain amount of red tape business that would delay him +from seeking the lieutenant immediately and making his report. + +He finally succeeded in getting into camp, and hurried directly to his +own tent. As he entered, he was surprised to see a lamp had been +lighted, and somebody was wringing out a towel in the water-bucket, at +the same time having his head and face well swathed with another towel, +that was dripping wet. + +"Well, who in thunder are you? and what are you up to here?" demanded +Bart, indignantly. + +The fellow with the towel about his head pulled enough of it away from +his mouth to reply: + +"Hello, Bart! I am soaking the red pepper out of my eyes, and +incidentally bathing my bruises at the same time. I couldn't see to +guard for all of Bascomb's blows." + +Hodge reeled backward, and came near collapsing. He caught hold of the +tent pole at the front, and clung to it for support. + +"Frank!" he cried, faintly. + +"That's my name," affirmed the other, as he unwound the towel from +about his head, and looked at Bart with a pair of very red eyes. "You +look as if you saw a ghost." + +"Well, I couldn't be more surprised if I saw a whole regiment of +ghosts. Is it really you--alive?" + +"To be sure." + +"But--but--didn't you go over Black Bluff?" + +"Yes." + +"Then how do you happen to be here? It can't be you fell all the way +down into the water, and then swam out?" + +"No." + +"Then what did happen? For mercy sake, tell me, and relieve me of this +suspense." + +"Why, I didn't fall far--not more than ten feet. I struck on a shelf, +and lay there stunned." + +"And Bascomb clung to some vines till we pulled him back to the top of +the bluff." + +"Those vines fell all around the shelf I was on, and I was half-covered +with them when I recovered enough to thoroughly realize my position. +It is likely that, while he was clinging to them, Bascomb partly +covered me with them by winding his legs about them, thus changing +their position after I fell." + +"And he covered you so that the vines and the darkness prevented us +from seeing you." + +"I suppose so." + +"But why didn't you answer? Davis called to you more than twenty +times." + +"I was stunned, and I did not hear him at first. When I did hear, it +was impossible for me to answer, although I tried to do so." + +"And we went away and left you there." + +"Yes." + +"How did you get off the ledge?" + +"My strength came to me swiftly when I realized my position. As soon +as possible, realizing I was alone, I sought a way to get to the top of +the bluff. I was successful, for I found some clefts in the rock for +my feet, and, aided by the vines, I climbed up. Then I lost little +time in getting into camp, for I didn't know what sort of a report you +fellows would bring. I did not expect to reach camp ahead of you, but +it seems that I did, although I had not been in the tent two minutes +when you showed up." + +Up to this moment Hodge had held off, as if not quite able to believe +it possible Frank had escaped. Now, with a cry of joy, he sprang +forward and embraced his comrade. + +"This is the happiest moment of my life, Frank!" he declared, with +tears of joy in his eyes. "Why, I was about to report you as dead, and +start out an expedition to search for your body! I couldn't have felt +so bad had you been my own brother. Davis is distracted. He has +charged Bascomb with murder, and swears he will stick to it in court. +Mulloy was also inclined to look on it as a case of murder, and Bascomb +became so scared that he ran away while we were returning to camp. +Reynolds said Bascomb swore he was going to commit suicide." + +Frank straightened up quickly. + +"Look here, Hodge," he said, "you must act, and you must act swiftly. +I do not want to go to Lieutenant Gordan in this condition; but you +must go to him, and tell him that Bascomb seems to be out of his head +and has run away, threatening to kill himself. The lieutenant will be +sure to send out a detachment to search for the poor fellow. If you +see Mulloy, tell him I am all right, and get him to keep Davis still. +The plebe mustn't blow the story all over camp. Let everybody know I +am all right. As soon as I can soak this red pepper out of my eyes, +I'll be ready to help in the search for Bascomb, if I am needed. Go +quickly!" + +"All right; I'm off." + +Hodge darted out of the tent, and Frank wrapped another wet towel about +his head and eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVIII. + +BABY'S HEROISM--CONCLUSION. + +All night the search for Bascomb continued, the cadets carrying on the +work in relays. + +Hodge had convinced Lieutenant Gordan that Bascomb had suddenly become +deranged, and had succeeded in having the search instituted without +telling the real cause of the disappearance. + +The joy of the boys when they knew Merriwell was safe in his own tent +had been boundless, but they were forced to keep it suppressed, fearing +that too much of a demonstration would arouse suspicion, and create an +investigation. + +Davis wept for joy. At first he could not believe such good news could +be true, and he had rushed straight to the tent, where Frank was +already receiving congratulations. + +"You don't know what a terrible load this lifts from my shoulders!" +cried the little plebe, in ecstasy. "Nobody shall ever fight for me +again! I can't lick anybody, but I will stand up and take my thumping +when it is necessary. I am going to write to mother tomorrow that it +is absolutely impossible for a fellow to get along here without +fighting, and I am going to ask her to release me from my promise. I +won't lie for anybody, but I am going to fight when I have to!" + +"I do not believe you will be forced into many fights when the boys +understand you," said Frank. + +Frank reduced the inflammation in his eyes so he was able to take part +in the search, and he declined to be relieved, continuing in his +efforts through the entire night. + +Near sunrise, with a company of plebes under his command, he was +beating a piece of woods along the bank of a river about four miles +from the academy. Davis was one of the company. The little fellow had +grown intensely anxious for the quick discovery of Bascomb, hoping the +big bully had done no harm to himself. + +"If he should commit suicide, I'd feel that I must be responsible for +that," said Fred. + +"You are altogether too conscientious," declared Frank. "There are +none of us but hope to find Bascomb all right, but no one save himself +will be to blame if he has taken his life." + +Birds were singing their morning songs, and there was a rosy tinge +spreading upward in the eastern sky. The breath of the morning was +sweet with the perfume of June; but the boys heeded none of the +beauties of nature around them, for they were fearing that at any +moment they might come upon some ghastly thing there in the heart of +the green woods. + +All at once, they did come upon a haggard, pale-faced lad, who was +sitting on a fallen tree, and seemed to be waiting for them to approach. + +It was Bascomb. + +"I have dodged searching parties all night, and I am not going to run +any----" + +Thus far did Bascomb get, and then he saw Merriwell. He stopped, and +his jaw fell, while he shuddered, showing the strongest symptoms of +terror. His eyes bulged from their sockets, and the expression on his +face was one of unutterable horror. + +"Bascomb!" cried Frank. "I am glad I have found you!" + +He stepped toward the big fellow, but Bascomb leaped to his feet, +shrieking: + +"Don't touch me! You are dead--dead! Go away!" + +And then, before another word could be said, before anybody could do a +thing to prevent it, Bascomb turned and fled through the woods--fled as +if pursued by fiends, shrieking forth his terror. + +"After him!" cried Frank. "Don't let him get away! He is so scared +that he will surely do himself injury if he escapes." + +The pursuit began, and Merriwell soon found that Fred Davis was rather +fleet of foot. In fact, Fred was able to keep near to Frank's side. + +It was a wild chase through the strip of woods. Impelled by terror, +Bascomb ran as he had never run before. Under ordinary circumstances, +Frank could have overtaken him easily, but this was far from an +ordinary case. + +At length, however, Frank and Fred began to gain on the fugitive. + +Casting wild glances over his shoulder, Bascomb discovered this, and +his terror knew no bounds. He had been running parallel with the +river, but he suddenly changed his course and made straight for it. + +"He is going to try to drown himself!" cried Frank. + +Then an accident happened to Merriwell. He tripped in some underbrush, +and fell heavily to the ground. When he got upon his feet, he saw +Bascomb leap from quite a high bank into a deep part of the river. + +Fred Davis was not far from Bascomb's heels, and he was stripping off +his coat when the big fellow plunged into the water. The coat was +flung aside in an instant, and then Frank saw Fred boldly plunge into +the water after Bascomb. + +"By Jove!" exclaimed Merriwell; "the little fellow has courage, after +all!" + +He hurried forward, and when he reached the bank, he saw a struggle +taking place in the river. + +Bascomb did not want to be rescued. Made crazy by the horrors he had +experienced through the night, and by the sight of Merriwell, whom he +believed a ghost, he was determined to drown himself in the river. + +Three times Davis struck at Bascomb's temple with his clinched fist, +and he finally landed with sufficient violence to stun the big fellow. + +Then, with the skill of a veteran life-saver, the little plebe swung +the heavy yearling over his back, and struck out for the bank, swept +down stream by the current. + +Frank ran along the bank till Davis came near enough to be pulled out +with his burden, and Frank dragged both the water-dripping lads to +solid ground. + +"By gracious! Davis, you have proved your value this morning!" cried +Frank, as he clung to the panting little plebe. "Bascomb will owe you +his life, and no one can call you a coward from this time on." + +The other boys came running to the spot, breathing heavily, and Frank +soon explained exactly what had taken place. They looked at Davis with +increased respect, and one of them proposed three cheers for "Baby," +which were given with a will. + +The sound of the cheering seemed to arouse Bascomb. He opened his +eyes, and the first person he saw was Frank. With a moan and a +shudder, he covered his eyes with his hands, gasping: + +"Take him away! Don't let him touch me!" + +"You have no reason to be afraid of me," assured Frank, quietly. "I am +no ghost; I am alive and well." + +"No, no; it cannot be!" + +"It is the truth. I did not go to my death over Black Bluff, as you +thought. I did fall, but I was saved by a rocky shelf." + +Then Frank slowly and distinctly explained everything, finally +convincing Bascomb that it was really true. + + * * * * * * + +The horrors of the night he had spent alone in the woods overcame +Bascomb so that he was quite prostrated, having to remain in hospital +several days, and barely escaping a fever. + +But he was very happy to know that Frank still lived, and this +happiness led to his quick recovery. + +As for Frank, although Bascomb had played a most contemptible trick on +him in flinging the red pepper in his eyes, he knew the bully had been +punished quite enough, and he decided to let the matter drop. As it +was, there were many other matters to claim his attention, some of +which will be related in the next volume of this series, entitled: +"Frank Merriwell's Foes." + +The report of Davis' exploit in rescuing Bascomb became generally +known, and, instead of being called a coward, Fred was regarded as +something of a hero. The boys thought him peculiar, but there were not +a few who came to uphold him in refusing to fight when he had given his +mother his word that he would do nothing of the kind. + +From the time that he dragged Bascomb out of the river he had very +little trouble in the school, and there were ever dozens of champions +ready to fight his battles when he did find it necessary to fight. + +But Frank had been first to defend the little fellow, and there never +came a time when Fred did not think Frank the noblest and bravest lad +in all the world. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S CHUMS*** + + +******* This file should be named 19502.txt or 19502.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/9/5/0/19502 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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