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diff --git a/22265-h/22265-h.htm b/22265-h/22265-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ea26eb9 --- /dev/null +++ b/22265-h/22265-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10055 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Frank Merriwell's Cruise, by Burt L. Standish. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + visibility: hidden; + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right; vertical-align: super;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Frank Merriwell's Cruise, by Burt L. Standish + +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 www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Frank Merriwell's Cruise + +Author: Burt L. Standish + +Release Date: August 8, 2007 [EBook #22265] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S CRUISE *** + + + + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>FRANK MERRIWELL'S CRUISE</h1> + +<h2>BY BURT L. STANDISH</h2> + +<p style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.25em;">AUTHOR OF</p> + +<p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0.25em;"> +"Frank Merriwell's Schooldays," "Frank Merriwell's Chums,"<br /> +"Frank Merriwell's Foes," "Frank Merriwell's<br /> +Trip West," etc.</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.1em;">PHILADELPHIA</p> +<p style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em;">DAVID McKAY, PUBLISHER</p> +<p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0.1em;">604-8 <span class="smcap">South Washington Square</span></p> + +<p style="text-align: center;">Copyright, 1898<br /> +By STREET & SMITH</p> + +<p style="text-align: center;">Frank Merriwell's Cruise</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1><!-- Page 5 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span><a name="FRANK_MERRIWELLS_CRUISE" id="FRANK_MERRIWELLS_CRUISE"></a>FRANK MERRIWELL'S CRUISE.</h1> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>THE MEETING IN BOSTON.</h3> + + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Mr. John Diamond</span>, Lexington, Pa.: If you wish cruise in down East +waters, join me Monday next at American Hotel, Boston. Have +purchased yacht. Hodge and Browning will be in party. Great sport +anticipated.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right; margin-right: 3em;">"<span class="smcap">Merriwell.</span>"</p></blockquote> + +<p>Jack Diamond was reclining in a hammock suspended in the shade of an +artificial arbor when this message from Frank Merriwell was handed to +him by a boy. He tore open the envelope and read it, his eyes beginning +to sparkle and a flush coming to his handsome, aristocratic face.</p> + +<p>"Just like him!" exclaimed Jack. "Before leaving Fardale he aroused our +curiosity about that part of the country, and now he proposes taking us +down there in his own yacht. Will I go? Will I? I wouldn't miss it for +the world!"</p> + +<p>It had not taken him a minute to decide.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>A cab rattled up to the front of the American Hotel, on Hanover Street, +Boston, and stopped. The door flew open, and out stepped a smartly +dressed young man, wearing russet shoes, a light-colored box coat and a +brown<!-- Page 6 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> Alpine hat. He carried a handsome alligator-skin traveling bag in +his hand.</p> + +<p>Paying cabbie without speaking a word, this youth turned and walked into +the hotel. As he entered, a colored boy hastened forward and relieved +him of his traveling bag. He stepped up to the clerk's desk and said:</p> + +<p>"I am Jack Diamond, of Virginia, and I wish to see Mr. Frank Merriwell, +who is stopping here."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," said the clerk, politely. "Mr. Merriwell left orders that +you be shown up immediately on your arrival. Twenty-three, show Mr. +Diamond to Mr. Merriwell's rooms."</p> + +<p>"Right this way, sah," said the colored boy.</p> + +<p>Jack followed the uniformed bell boy, who paused at the elevator shaft +and pressed a button. In a moment the elevator came gliding noiselessly +down, the door slid open, a lady and a gentleman stepped out and Diamond +stepped in.</p> + +<p>"Third," said the bell boy, and then he turned and disappeared, while +the elevator man closed the door and sent the car gliding upward. He +stopped at the third floor, and, to Jack's surprise, the bell boy with +the grip was there, calmly awaiting his arrival.</p> + +<p>Jack followed him to the door of a room at the front of the house. As +the boy lifted his hand to knock at the door, there was a burst of +laughter within, plainly heard, as the transom was open, and Frank +Merriwell's voice cried:</p> + +<p>"Hans, if you could tell that story on the stage just as you told it +then you would make your fortune."</p> + +<p>"Vot vos der madder mit me?" exclaimed the voice of Hans Dunnerwust, +Frank's German friend. "Dot nefer vos a funny stories! You don'd seen +vot I larft ad! Dot peen a bathetic sdory. I oxbected you vould took +mein handkersheft oudt und cried id indo, but you sed roundt<!-- Page 7 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> und laugh +ad dot bathetic sdory like I vos a lot of monkeys. You don't like dot as +vell as I might!"</p> + +<p>Then there was another burst of laughter, and the knock of the bell boy +was not heard.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said Diamond, taking his traveling bag and giving the boy +a dime; "I'll go right in."</p> + +<p>He opened the door and stepped into the room.</p> + +<p>Hodge, Browning, Merriwell and Dunnerwust were there. Bart was tilted +back in a chair, with his feet on the table, while lazy Bruce was half +sitting and half reclining on a sofa. Frank sat astride a chair, looking +over the back of it at Hans, who had stood in the middle of the room as +he told his "bathetic sdory."</p> + +<p>"Hello, fellows!" cried the lad from Virginia, heartily.</p> + +<p>There was a shout of welcome. Frank sprang forward quickly and grasped +Diamond's hand.</p> + +<p>"Delighted, old man!" laughed Merry. "I was afraid you wouldn't come +till I received your telegram stating that you would be on hand. Any +trouble in persuading the mother?"</p> + +<p>"Not much, though she said it did seem that I might remain at home a +while longer, and she told me to tell you that she is beginning to get +jealous of you, as I spend so much of my time during vacations with +you."</p> + +<p>"How you vos, Shack?" said Hans, getting hold of Diamond's free hand, +the latter having dropped his traveling bag. "I vos a sight vor sore +eyes, ain'd you! You don'd knew how dickled you vos to seen me."</p> + +<p>Hodge came forward and shook hands, expressing his pleasure, and, with +sundry grunts, Browning succeeded in getting upon his feet, saying as he +rose:</p> + +<p>"Suppose I'll have to stand to shake, or you'll challenge me. You +Southerners are so confoundedly particular about courtesy and all that."</p> + +<p>Jack smiled.<!-- Page 8 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I know you too well to resent it if you lay on your back and offered to +shake hands with me. In fact, it surprises me to discover you hadn't +rather fight a duel after you were obliged to get up than to get up when +not absolutely forced to do so."</p> + +<p>"What baggage did you bring?" asked Merry.</p> + +<p>"A trunk. It will be brought to the hotel here."</p> + +<p>"There is no room for trunks on board the <i>White Wings</i>," said Frank. +"You'll have to store your trunk and such stuff as you do not absolutely +need till we get back here."</p> + +<p>"The <i>White Wings</i>? Is that the name of your yacht?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Good name. How did you happen to buy a yacht?"</p> + +<p>"Got a bargain of her. I came on to Boston with Miss Burrage, whose aunt +was waiting here for her. I met Jack Benjamin. You remember him?"</p> + +<p>"Harvard man?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Plays football?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I remember him. His sister is a stunningly handsome girl."</p> + +<p>"Huah!" grunted Browning. "That explains how you happen to remember +him."</p> + +<p>"Well," Frank went on. "Benjamin turned out to be a fine fellow. Invited +me over to his house, treated me beautifully. He knows a lot of sporty +chaps. Among them was Walter Pringle, who owned this yacht. Pringle took +a party of us out for a cruise down the bay, and we had a grand time. +Went to Nantasket. Coming back Pringle said he had planned to cruise +down to the eastward this summer with a party of friends, but something +had come up that knocked out the arrangement. Then it was that I thought +of a talk we once had while<!-- Page 9 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> at Fardale about making a cruise down along +the Maine coast, and I spoke of it. Said I'd like to own his yacht. Saw +Pringle looked a little queer. He stared at me a few moments, and then +asked what I would give for the <i>White Wings</i>. I questioned him some +about her, and then made an offer. He didn't take me up, but the next +day he came and told me the yacht was mine. I was astonished, for I +didn't offer much more than one-half what she is really worth. But he +said he must have the money without delay, as he was going to get out of +Boston in a hurry. I dispatched Prof. Scotch, and he wired me the +amount. I bought the boat, and now I hear Pringle has left for Seattle, +on his way to Alaska. His father is hot over it, for he didn't want his +son to go. Pringle had the fever, and he sold the yacht in a hurry to +raise money to go with. I have a bargain. We can make our cruise, and +then, when it is over, by looking about, I'll be able to get rid of the +<i>White Wings</i> for more than I paid for her."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure the transaction is all right?" asked Diamond.</p> + +<p>"All right? How do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Why, strictly on the level. Pringle is not a minor?"</p> + +<p>"No," grunted Browning; "but he has gone to be a miner."</p> + +<p>"Here! here!" cried Frank, quickly; "that won't do. It's prohibited."</p> + +<p>"It may be when we get on board the <i>White Wings</i>, but we're ashore now, +and you are not Capt. Merriwell yet."</p> + +<p>"Pringle is twenty-one," said Frank, answering Diamond's question. "He +is all right."</p> + +<p>"And he was sole owner of the yacht? He had the right to sell her?"<!-- Page 10 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Of course. Benjamin told me Pringle was strictly on the level."</p> + +<p>"Well, you're always lucky!" exclaimed the lad from Virginia. "Now you +will get the fun of this cruise, and, when it is over, you'll be likely +to sell the yacht for enough so that you will come out ahead on the +whole deal, expenses included."</p> + +<p>"I hope to," acknowledged Frank, laughing. "I considered it a snap, but +that was not why I wanted the boat. I wanted to make the cruise with my +friends. Here are five of us, and that is all the <i>White Wings</i> will +carry with absolute comfort. There is plenty of room for us. We'll make +a jolly cruise of it, fellows, and I don't believe we'll ever regret +going. I have the boat stocked with provisions, and some Jew tailors up +by Scollay Square are at work on uniforms for four of us. We'll go out +right away, Jack, and you shall be measured for yours. Come on."<!-- Page 11 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>INZA AND PAULA.</h3> + + +<p>Frank and Jack left the American House and turned toward Scollay Square.</p> + +<p>"These tailors are rushers," said Merry. "They have made a reputation by +turning out work in short order. That is why we ordered the suits of +them. You know we sail to-morrow morning."</p> + +<p>"What? Not to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Sure."</p> + +<p>"Well, they will not have time to make up a suit for me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, they will."</p> + +<p>"Impossible."</p> + +<p>"Not at all, old man. They will get the work out in a hurry, as I shall +pay them to do it."</p> + +<p>"But I never heard of such a thing."</p> + +<p>"Possibly not. You are in Boston now. In Virginia they require more time +to accomplish anything. Down in this part of the country things move."</p> + +<p>Diamond could hardly believe that he could obtain a suit to order in +such a short time.</p> + +<p>They came to Scollay Square, into which trolley cars were pouring from +various sections, and soon they reached the store of the Jew tailors. It +was a large store, and at least a dozen customers were looking over +samples, striking bargains or being measured. However, the boys were not +forced to wait, for one of the proprietors came forward, greeted Frank +by name, and said:</p> + +<p>"Your order will be ready for you on time, Mr. Merriwell."<!-- Page 12 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We sail at nine o'clock to-morrow morning," said Frank. "Here is a +friend of mine who will require a suit like the others."</p> + +<p>"That is crowding us somewhat, sir," smiled the tailor. "I hardly think +we can——"</p> + +<p>"I will pay five dollars extra if the suit is delivered at the American +House at six o'clock in the morning," said Frank, quietly.</p> + +<p>"Very well, sir. I think that will cover the extra expense of rushing it +through. If the gentleman will step back this way, his measure will be +taken."</p> + +<p>So Jack was measured, and, ten minutes after entering the store, the +boys left it.</p> + +<p>"He didn't even ask a deposit of you, Merry," said Jack, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"No. Benjamin vouched for me, and that was all that was necessary. No +deposit was required under such circumstances."</p> + +<p>"What if he fails to get the suits round on time?"</p> + +<p>"He won't. He wouldn't want them left on his hands."</p> + +<p>Frank's confidence reassured Jack, and they strolled over toward Tremont +Street and finally came out at the Common.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to have a little time to look Boston over?" said Jack.</p> + +<p>"You can do that when we come back. If you were to stop long enough to +take in all the interesting sights, we wouldn't get down into Maine this +summer. I want to spend a little more time in Boston, although I have +seen Faneuil Hall, the new Public Library Building, the Old South +Church, Bunker Hill Monument and a hundred other interesting things. The +business portion of Boston is not particularly attractive, but the +suburbs and the aristocratic dwelling sections are beautiful."</p> + +<p>They walked across the Common to the Public Gar<!-- Page 13 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>dens, then turned round +and strolled back. From Tremont Row they went down Temple Street to +Washington, and just as they reached Jordan, Marsh & Co.'s store, two +girls stepped out upon the sidewalk and came face to face with them.</p> + +<p>"Miss Burrage!" exclaimed Diamond, lifting his hat.</p> + +<p>"Inza!" cried Frank, also lifting his hat. "Miss Benjamin, too! This is +an unexpected pleasure. Miss Benjamin, permit me to present a particular +friend of mine, Mr. Jack Diamond, of Virginia."</p> + +<p>Paula Benjamin was a pretty girl. Her eyes met Jack's, and she showed +her pearly teeth in a most bewitching smile as she bowed, saying:</p> + +<p>"I have heard of Mr. Diamond."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" exclaimed Jack. "I was not aware I was quite as famous."</p> + +<p>"Yes. My brother mentioned you. Perhaps you know something of him—his +name is Jack. He plays on the Harvard eleven."</p> + +<p>"And he spoke of me? That is surprising. Don't see what he could have +said about me."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe I will tell," laughed the girl, and her manner aroused +all of the Virginian's curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Please tell," he urged, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Well," hesitated Paula, still laughing, "before the game on Jarvis +Field, he said you were fool enough to think Frank Merriwell could beat +the whole Harvard eleven. After the game he said you weren't half the +fool he took you for."</p> + +<p>This caused them all to laugh, and, as the street was crowded, they +strolled on together.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Frank!" exclaimed Inza; "you can't guess what we are going to do!"</p> + +<p>"Then I will give it up without trying. What is it?"</p> + +<p>"Paula and I are going to Bar Harbor."<!-- Page 14 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"It's true."</p> + +<p>"I am astonished!"</p> + +<p>"I knew you would be. We've been talking about it, you know—saying we'd +like to go. Yesterday Paula had a letter from her cousin, who is +spending the summer down there. Her cousin urged her to come. Paula's +mother said it was impossible, as two girls like us should not be +traveling about alone. Then Aunt Abigail said she'd like to spend a week +or two in Bar Harbor herself, and she volunteered to chaperone us. After +a while, Paula obtained her mother's consent, and we take the Bangor +boat for Rockland to-morrow night."</p> + +<p>"By Jove, this is interesting! We'll have to run in to Bar Harbor and +see you on our cruise. I didn't suppose we would see much of each other +after leaving Fardale."</p> + +<p>"I didn't know as you would care about that," said Inza, carelessly.</p> + +<p>"Care!" exclaimed Frank. "You should know I would care. How can you say +anything like that! What made you imagine I wouldn't care?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, something!"</p> + +<p>"Something! What was it? Tell me, Inza."</p> + +<p>"Sometime—perhaps."</p> + +<p>"Tell me now," urged Frank, in his masterful way. "During the last of my +stay in Fardale I noticed a change in your treatment of me, Inza."</p> + +<p>"Did you?" she murmured, lifting her eyebrows.</p> + +<p>"Yes. You were cold toward me, and you seemed to shun me. If I tried to +be friendly, as in the old days, you would not give me the opportunity. +I did not understand it."</p> + +<p>"That is singular. The reason was plain enough."</p> + +<p>"If so, I must have been thick-witted."<!-- Page 15 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Elsie Bellwood was there."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I read your secret. You made your choice between us."</p> + +<p>Frank was astounded.</p> + +<p>"Choice? What can you mean, Inza? I did not make any choice."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but you did!"</p> + +<p>"If you say so—but I—really——"</p> + +<p>"You made your choice that time when the boat upset, and we were +struggling in the water, Elsie and I. You plunged in to her rescue. I +was quite as near to you as was Elsie—nearer, if anything."</p> + +<p>Frank caught his breath, beginning to realize what she meant. Inza went +on:</p> + +<p>"You swam to Elsie's rescue—you saved her. That was the test. I brought +it about, for I upset the boat intentionally to settle the point. I +wanted to know which one of us you cared the most for—and I found out!"</p> + +<p>It was like her, Frank realized that. He knew she was telling the truth +when she said she upset the boat intentionally.</p> + +<p>"But you—you could swim some, Inza. I knew it."</p> + +<p>"Did you know Elsie could not swim?"</p> + +<p>"N—no."</p> + +<p>"She is the daughter of a sea captain, and she has been with him on many +voyages. There was every reason to suppose that she could swim quite as +well as I—or better. No, Frank, you made your choice between us that +day. It's all right," and she forced a laugh that was not very musical. +"I don't deny that, at one time, I did think more of you than any other +fellow. There was every reason why I should. You saved me from a mad +dog, saved me from death beneath a railroad engine, saved me from +drowning. But I am not a fool, if I am a girl!<!-- Page 16 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> I have not been taking +stock in all the passionate love stories I have read. I got out of the +way. I remained Elsie's friend, for she is the sweetest girl I know. I +don't blame you for thinking more of her than you do of me."</p> + +<p>"Inza!"</p> + +<p>Frank uttered the word in protest; it was all he could say.</p> + +<p>"You can't deny it, so don't try," came almost harshly from the girl. +"It's all right. We're still friends. We'll always be friends—nothing +more. Sometime I'll be bridesmaid at the wedding, and——"</p> + +<p>But Frank had heard enough, and he stopped her.</p> + +<p>"I am not likely to marry anyone very soon," he said. "Elsie knows that. +Let's talk about something else. How did it happen we met you?"</p> + +<p>Inza seemed willing enough to permit the conversation to be turned into +another channel.</p> + +<p>"We were out shopping, you know—making our last purchases before +starting for Bar Harbor. You must take us out on your yacht after we all +get down there."</p> + +<p>"I'll do it. Your aunt——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, she will not object. You know she thinks you the finest fellow in +all the world. She will come along."</p> + +<p>At last the boys were forced to part from the girls, but Jack had made +such progress with Paula that she offered him her hand at parting, +saying laughingly:</p> + +<p>"Next fall you will not pick the winner if you pick Yale, even if Mr. +Merriwell is on that eleven. If you want to keep your record for wisdom, +be careful."</p> + +<p>"Jove!" exclaimed Jack, after they had seen the girls on board a car. +"She's a way-upper, Merry!"</p> + +<p>"She's a good sample of the Boston girl."</p> + +<p>"Eh? Where's her glasses?"</p> + +<p>"You have been reading the comic papers."<!-- Page 17 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> + +<p>"She didn't mention Emerson or Browning."</p> + +<p>"And that surprised you?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I didn't suppose the genuine Boston girl could talk ten minutes +without doing so."</p> + +<p>"Boston girls are very much like other nice girls, old man. They are +well educated, refined and all that, but they are not always quoting +Emerson and Browning, they do not all wear glasses, they are not all +cold and freezing and they are handsome."</p> + +<p>They came to Cornhill. A car was coming down from Scollay Square, and +they paused close to it to let it swing out upon Washington Street.</p> + +<p>Just as the front of the car approached, Frank Merriwell received a push +from behind that sent him flat upon the track directly in front of the +car wheels!</p> + +<p>That particular car did not have a fender, and it seemed that Frank must +be mangled beneath the wheels. The motorman saw the lad go down and put +on the brake hard, but he could not stop the car in time.</p> + +<p>Frank realized that he had been pushed upon the track by some one whose +deliberate purpose it was to maim or murder him, but he could not save +himself. He struck the paving, and the iron wheels seemed right upon +him.</p> + +<p>But Jack Diamond moved with marvelous quickness. He made a grasp at +Frank as the latter fell, almost caught him, then stooped, grasped his +coat and yanked Merry from the track.</p> + +<p>The car brushed Frank as it passed, but he was not injured.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, old man," said Merriwell, as he quickly rose to his feet. +"You saved me that time. But who pushed me?"</p> + +<p>They looked about. A small crowd had witnessed Frank's peril and +gathered. In the crowd was a person slipping away. With a bound Frank +was after him,<!-- Page 18 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> caught him by the shoulder, swung him to get a look at +his face.</p> + +<p>"Get out!"</p> + +<p>The fellow snarled the words and struck at Frank's face with his +clinched hand.</p> + +<p>Frank dodged.</p> + +<p>"Wat Snell!" he cried, astounded.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Wat Snell!" grated the other, who was a boy well known to him—a +boy who had been his enemy years before at Fardale Academy, when they +both went to <span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, extraneous quotation mark removed">school.</span></p> + +<p>"You pushed me!" accused Frank.</p> + +<p>"You lie! I did not touch you! You fell."</p> + +<p>"I felt you push me, you miserable dog!"</p> + +<p>"Don't dare talk like that to me!" hissed Snell. "I'll have you——"</p> + +<p>"What! You don't dare do anything that is cowardly and treacherous! You +did push me!"</p> + +<p>"That's right!" exclaimed a boy. "I seen him do it!"</p> + +<p>There was a murmur from the crowd that began to gather about. Black +looks were directed toward Snell.</p> + +<p>"He ought to be lynched!" blustered a little old man.</p> + +<p>Then there were threats, and Snell grew pale, looking around for some +means of escape. He saw accusing and angry faces on all sides, and he +quailed and trembled.</p> + +<p>"It was an accident," he whined, humbly. "I ran against you by accident. +I'll swear I didn't recognize you, and I didn't mean you any harm."</p> + +<p>"Call an officer!" cried the little old man. "It was an attempt at +murder! Have him taken care of!"</p> + +<p>With a gasp, Snell plunged through the crowd and took to his heels. Some +tried to stop him, but he ran like a deer up Cornhill. There was a short +pursuit, but the fellow doubled and dodged, escaping his pursuers.</p> + +<p>"Let him go," said Frank. "I wouldn't make a charge<!-- Page 19 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> against him, for it +would detain me, and we must get away in the morning, wind and weather +permitting."</p> + +<p>"He ought to be punished," said Diamond. "He tried to kill you."</p> + +<p>"It isn't the first time he has tried to do something to me. We are old, +old foes."</p> + +<p>"Why, I supposed him in Fardale."</p> + +<p>"So did I."</p> + +<p>"It's singular he's here in Boston."</p> + +<p>"Rather."</p> + +<p>"What is the meaning of it?"</p> + +<p>"I can't tell. Don't ask me. He bobs up anywhere. Anyhow, we're not +liable to see him again for some time after we leave here to-morrow."</p> + +<p>They returned to the hotel and told the others of their adventures. All +the boys were astonished to learn that Wat Snell was in the city.<!-- Page 20 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>A HOODOOED YACHT.</h3> + + +<p>Promptly at six o'clock the following morning the uniforms were +delivered at the American House. Without delay the boys put them on, and +they proved satisfactory in every way, so Frank paid the bill and the +messenger who brought them departed satisfied.</p> + +<p>The boys ate an early breakfast, and all had good appetites. The +American House dining room is rather somber, but they joked and laughed +in the best of spirits.</p> + +<p>After breakfast final arrangements for the care of their baggage were +made, then a cab was ordered, and they all piled in and were rattled +away toward Atlantic Avenue.</p> + +<p>Jack had not seen Frank's yacht, and he was curious, concerning her +appearance.</p> + +<p>Not far from the pier of the Bangor boat lay the <i>White Wings</i>, guarded +by a watchman, who saluted Merriwell as the boys went aboard.</p> + +<p>The <i>White Wings</i> was a sloop yacht with club and jib topsails. She was +not large, and it did not strike Diamond that she would prove to be +fast, but she looked comfortable, and comfort was what they sought. They +were not thinking of racing.</p> + +<p>Frank paid the watchman for his services, and gave him something extra, +whereupon the man departed greatly satisfied.</p> + +<p>"Come, fellows," called Merry; "we'll go below and see how she looks +down there."</p> + +<p>They descended into the cabin, which was locked, Merry having the key. +Jack was astonished when they<!-- Page 21 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> entered the cabin, for it was far more +roomy than he had supposed possible. A glimpse at the curtained berths +showed there was plenty of sleeping room for all of them. There was a +folding table, an oil stove, comfortable seats on the lockers, and +everything looked inviting. Four handsome repeating shotguns and a +magazine rifle hung above the lockers.</p> + +<p>"How does she look down here, fellows?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"She looks all right," grunted Browning, as he lazily rolled into one of +the bunks. "Excuse me. I want to see what kind of a place I'll be stowed +in when I am seasick."</p> + +<p>"What do you think you'll do with those guns, Frank?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"Can't tell," smiled Frank. "Remember, we are going down into Maine."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but you told us Maine was a civilized State. From your talk when +we discussed the matter I didn't suppose guns would be needed down +there."</p> + +<p>"Is Virginia civilized?"</p> + +<p>"Well, rather."</p> + +<p>"Ever find anything to shoot up in the mountain region?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; but——"</p> + +<p>"That's all. New York is civilized, but there are bears and deer in the +Adirondacks."</p> + +<p>"Well, I didn't know we were going anywhere near a portion of Maine +where there was game."</p> + +<p>"Can't tell where we may go."</p> + +<p>"Besides, if they have game laws down there, it must be close time for +hunting."</p> + +<p>"It is, but, all the same, it will be a good scheme to have these guns +along. We're going to rough it a great deal, and we may need them. I +have brought all sorts of rigs for fishing, and I have two tents on +board. My idea, gen<!-- Page 22 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>tlemen, is to make this a regular outing trip, and, +when we are not on board the <i>White Wings</i>, we do not want to spend our +time in hotels."</p> + +<p>"Not much," nodded Hodge.</p> + +<p>"Say, Merriwell," cried Diamond, in admiration, "you are a dandy. You +have planned all our outings for the past two years, and we have had +sport galore; but what makes me sore is the fact that you pay all the +bills."</p> + +<p>A truck team came rumbling down onto the wharf, and Hodge looked around.</p> + +<p>"Baggage," he called.</p> + +<p>A truckman had arrived with their luggage from the hotel. The boys, +excepting Browning, went on deck and brought the stuff aboard.</p> + +<p>As Frank was settling with the truckman, the latter said:</p> + +<p>"I wish you good luck, young man, but I doubt if you'll have it taking a +cruise in that craft."</p> + +<p>"Why is that?" asked Merry. "What is the matter with that craft?"</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, they do say as how she is hoodooed."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. Everybody as has owned her in the last two years has had hard +luck."</p> + +<p>"This is interesting."</p> + +<p>"I hauled her first load of provisions, and I have known her a long +time. On her trial cruise she capsized before she got out of the +harbor."</p> + +<p>"Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"Hardly. Her first owner committed suicide on board of her—cut his +throat down below. They say she has been haunted by his spook ever +since."</p> + +<p>Merry laughed.</p> + +<p>"This is decidedly interesting. I'd have given more<!-- Page 23 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> for her if I had +known she owned a spook. I am very fond of spooks. They are +interesting."</p> + +<p>"Boo!" shivered the truckman. "Don't want none in mine."</p> + +<p>"Have you told me all the unlucky things that have happened to the +<i>White Wings</i>?"</p> + +<p>"No. Next fellow that owned her ran down a rowboat and drowned a boy. +Then he put her on top of a ledge, but got her off without doing her +much damage. He sold her for a song."</p> + +<p>"What happened next?"</p> + +<p>"Next fellow as owned her went crazy and is in an asylum. They say he +saw the spook go through the suicide act in the cabin, and that was what +crazed him."</p> + +<p>"The interest increases. The horrors are piling up. Anything more?"</p> + +<p>"Benjamin owned her next."</p> + +<p>"Anything happen to him?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"He got the Klondike fever."</p> + +<p>"That all?"</p> + +<p>"Ain't that enough? He's run away to Alaska, and his father's rich as +mud. He didn't have no need to go up there into that infernally cold +region and freeze and starve. His old man's so mad he threatens to cut +him off."</p> + +<p>"Well," laughed Frank, "the <i>White Wings</i> is mine now, and I don't fancy +all the spooks of the infernal regions could scare me away from her. In +fact, I'd rather enjoy having a call from a few spooks."</p> + +<p>"You'll have some kind of bad luck," declared the truckman, as he +prepared to go. "I don't like to tell you that, but I think you oughter +be looking out."</p> + +<p>A young man with a small, curly, black mustache came<!-- Page 24 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> hurrying onto the +pier. He was well dressed and carried a cane. He came straight up to +Frank and the truckman.</p> + +<p>"Where is the person known as Frank Merriwell?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I am Frank Merriwell," Merry answered. "What can I do for you?"</p> + +<p>"You are the chap I want to see," said the stranger. "I understand you +bought the <i>White Wings</i> of Jack Benjamin?"</p> + +<p>"I did, sir."</p> + +<p>"And he sold it to you as clear and free of encumbrance?"</p> + +<p>"He did."</p> + +<p>"He beat you."</p> + +<p>"How is that?"</p> + +<p>"I hold a bill of sale of that yacht, and I am here to claim it as my +property!" was the answer.</p> + +<p>Frank was surprised.</p> + +<p>The truckman slapped his hand against his hip and muttered:</p> + +<p>"I told him! The thing is hoodooed! Anybody as has anything to do with +it is bound to buck against hard luck."</p> + +<p>"This is rather surprising information," said Frank Merriwell, speaking +with the utmost calmness, while he studied the face of the stranger with +piercing eyes. "I hardly understand it. I believe Jack Benjamin has the +reputation in Boston of being on the level, and so I hardly understand a +piece of business like this."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps Benjamin was stuck, found it out, and got out of the hole the +best way he could."</p> + +<p>"How do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps at the time he bought the boat, he didn't know I held the bill +of sale of her."<!-- Page 25 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + +<p>Frank started.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" he exclaimed. "Then Benjamin did not give you the bill of sale?"</p> + +<p>"No. Chap that owned her before that did. His name is Fearson."</p> + +<p>"Fearson? Is he the one who went crazy?"</p> + +<p>"The very same," put in the truckman.</p> + +<p>"When did he give you this bill of sale?"</p> + +<p>"Don't remember the exact date."</p> + +<p>"The bill will show."</p> + +<p>"Sure. Why do you want to know?"</p> + +<p>"I want to find out if he gave it to you before a certain time. That's +all."</p> + +<p>The strange claimant of the yacht was suspicious.</p> + +<p>"I don't see the point," he said. "I hold the bill, and I claim the +yacht. Just found out what Benjamin had done, and I came down in a +hurry, after getting track of the boat, to warn you not to try to move +her. I won't have it."</p> + +<p>It began to look like a scrape, but Frank was not flustered in the +least. He kept his head, saying:</p> + +<p>"Have you the bill of sale with you, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Will you be kind enough to permit me to look at it?"</p> + +<p>The stranger started to do so, but seemed to change his mind of a +sudden, and said:</p> + +<p>"No, I won't bother. I tell you not to move her. If you do, I'll make +you pay a big sum for damages, so look out."</p> + +<p>Frank smiled sweetly.</p> + +<p>"That is a very silly threat," he murmured. "If you do not show me the +document I shall not believe it exists."</p> + +<p>"That doesn't make any difference to——"<!-- Page 26 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It makes this difference: It is now twenty minutes to nine. At nine I +shall cast off from the pier. Wind and tide being right, it will not +take me long to get out of the harbor."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't dare!"</p> + +<p>"What is there to dare? I fail to see anything."</p> + +<p>"Why, confound you! I'd make you smart for it!"</p> + +<p>"You couldn't. You have made a lot of bluffing talk about holding a bill +of sale, but I do not take any stock in that till you produce the +document. I have purchased this yacht, and, as long as I believe myself +her rightful owner, I shall do with her as I see fit. At nine o'clock +she sails."</p> + +<p>The fellow hesitated, and then snapped out:</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can prove to you that I am not lying. I will prove it. Here is +the bill—see for yourself."</p> + +<p>He took a number of papers from his pocket, and selected one among them, +which he opened and held before Frank. Merriwell looked the document +over carefully. It was a bill of sale of the yacht <i>White Wings</i> from +Fergus Fearson to Parker Flynn.</p> + +<p>"Is your name Parker Flynn?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"It is."</p> + +<p>"And you bought the yacht of Fearson?"</p> + +<p>"You bet!" nodded the claimant, triumphantly. "I rather think this +document settles it."</p> + +<p>"It does," nodded Frank, quietly. Then he turned to the truckman, and +asked:</p> + +<p>"When was Mr. Fearson committed to the asylum?"</p> + +<p>"The latter part of May."</p> + +<p>"And this bill is dated May 21st. The fellow must have been deranged +then."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you can't make that go!" cried Flynn, quickly.<!-- Page 27 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> "It's no use for +you to try to crawl out of a little hole like that."</p> + +<p>"Why have you not claimed the yacht before? Holding this bill, why +didn't you claim it while it was in Benjamin's possession? Answer that +question!"</p> + +<p>"I was away—out of the city," faltered Flynn.</p> + +<p>"All the time?"</p> + +<p>"Most of the time."</p> + +<p>"Very well. Here is your bill. I advise you to destroy it without delay, +or it may get you into serious trouble."</p> + +<p>"What?" cried the man, angrily. "Destroy it? I'll have that yacht. This +bill gives me the right to it."</p> + +<p>"That bill gives you the right to nothing!" came clearly and distinctly +from Merriwell's lips. "Either you have been badly fooled or you are a +rascal trying to obtain property that you have not the slightest claim +upon. It looks as if the latter were the real condition of affairs. +Fergus Fearson is confined in a madhouse, and so he cannot deny that he +ever gave you a bill of sale of this yacht."</p> + +<p>"Deny it? Here is his signature!"</p> + +<p>"And that may be forgery! I tell you to be careful!"</p> + +<p>"It is not forgery! It is genuine! Your bluff will not go, sir! The +yacht is mine, and I will have her."</p> + +<p>"Even if the signature is genuine, the bill <span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, 'it' changed to 'is'">is</span> not worth the paper it's +written on!" declared Merriwell, with the utmost coolness.</p> + +<p>"More bluffing! You are crazy! Why isn't it good?"</p> + +<p>"Because it is dated May 21st."</p> + +<p>"What of that?"</p> + +<p>"The date is exactly four days after John Benjamin purchased and paid +for this yacht, as I can prove by documents in existence. If Fergus +Fearson sold you<!-- Page 28 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> the <i>White Wings</i> on May 21st, he sold you property +that did not belong to him. That's all, Mr. Flynn."</p> + +<p>The claimant of the yacht turned pale and stared at the bill and then at +Frank, who was standing there so coolly before him.</p> + +<p>On the deck of the yacht were three boys who had heard the most of the +conversation. Now Hodge exultantly exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"That was a body blow! Merry has floored him!"</p> + +<p>"That's right," nodded Diamond. "Frank has the best of it, but it did +seem that we were in a scrape."</p> + +<p>Flynn gasped for breath.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe it!" he cried. "The boat is mine, so don't dare cast +off from this pier."</p> + +<p>"The <i>White Wings</i> sails at nine o'clock," said Frank, turning away.</p> + +<p>Flynn's face, that had been so pale, flushed and turned purple with +anger. All at once, he lifted his walking stick to bring it down on +Merry's head.</p> + +<p>A cry from the boys on the yacht warned Merriwell, who ducked and +dodged—just in time.</p> + +<p>Whizz!—the cane cut through the air, but Merry was not touched.</p> + +<p>Quick as thought, Frank turned and grappled with Parker Flynn. He +wrenched away the cane, and, with a quick motion, broke it across his +knee. Then, as he coolly tossed it into the water, he said:</p> + +<p>"If you try any more funny business, sir, you'll follow your cane."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll fix you!" Flynn almost screamed. "I'll get a warrant for you! +I'll be back in a hurry! Don't dare leave before I return!"</p> + +<p>He dashed away on the run.</p> + +<p>"I told you you would have bad luck," said the truckman. "It's begun."<!-- Page 29 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know!" laughed Frank. "If Flynn paid money for the yacht, +he is the one in hard luck."</p> + +<p>At nine o'clock the <i>White Wings</i> cast off from the pier. Her sails were +hoisted, and, aided by the out-running tide, she soon got away enough to +catch a breeze.</p> + +<p>And Parker Flynn had not returned.<!-- Page 30 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>IN THE FOG.</h3> + + +<p>"It's no use, fellows, we can't go any further in this fog to-night," +said Frank Merriwell on the fourth day after leaving Boston.</p> + +<p>"We must go farther!" exclaimed Diamond. "There is no anchorage here."</p> + +<p>"How do you know? We haven't tried for it."</p> + +<p>"But we are not in a harbor."</p> + +<p>"No. We are somewhere near the Whitehead Islands, near the mouth of +Penobscot Bay."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's keep on as long as there is a breath of wind. I don't fancy +anchoring here. We might be run down in the night."</p> + +<p>"And, if we keep on, the chances are two to one that we'll run onto a +reef or pile up on an island. I had much rather take the chances of +anchoring here and being run down. The wind is dying out, and this fog +is shutting down thicker and thicker."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Jack, in a dissatisfied way, "this is your boat and you are +in command. You can do as you like."</p> + +<p>"I'll do as the majority believes best."</p> + +<p>"Then anchor," grunted Browning. "I don't fancy this prowling about in +the fog."</p> + +<p>Hodge was in favor of anchoring, and Hans agreed with them, so Jack was +the only one who felt like going on. He gave up in disgust.</p> + +<p>While they were talking the last faint breeze had fallen swiftly, and, +by the time it was definitely decided, the<!-- Page 31 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> <i>White Wings</i> lay becalmed, +rolling helplessly on the swells that came in from the open sea.</p> + +<p>"Shimminy Gristmas!" groaned Hans. "I don't like dot roll up und drop +avay motions. Id makes me feel sick to your stomach."</p> + +<p>"You will get enough of that as long as we remain anchored out here," +said Diamond, unpleasantly.</p> + +<p>Frank gave the orders, and down came the sails. A sounding showed they +could anchor without trouble, and then the anchor was cast. The sails +were not reefed, for it was not known when they might be required. +Arrangements were made for raising them on short notice.</p> + +<p>Night came down swiftly. Lights were set, but the boys felt that a light +was poor protection for them in that darkness and fog.</p> + +<p>"If we are in the course of the steamers we'll be run down," grumbled +Jack.</p> + +<p>"There'll have to be a regular watch to-night," declared Frank; "and the +fog horn must be used."</p> + +<p>Browning had managed to crawl on deck, and he looked disconsolate and +disgusted.</p> + +<p>"This is what they call a life on the ocean wave," he grunted. "Oh, it +is more fun than a minstrel show!"</p> + +<p>"We'll have to put up with some discomforts," said Merriwell.</p> + +<p>"We made a mistake in coming further east than Portland," put in Jack. +"That was a good place to stop."</p> + +<p>"Wait till the sun comes out to-morrow and we run into Rockland Harbor," +laughed the owner of the <i>White Wings</i>. "You will change your tune."</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope so."</p> + +<p>Hans was given the first watch, and he remained on deck while the others +went below and had supper. At intervals he blew a blast on the horn, +which sounded like some lost animal bellowing in the fog.<!-- Page 32 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> + +<p>Frank laughed and joked, and he succeeded in putting the others in +better spirits after a time. It was comfortable in the cabin, despite +the fog outside.</p> + +<p>Hodge made coffee, and the smell of it as it bubbled over the blaze of +the oil stove gave all of them a ravenous feeling of hunger. The little +folding table was let down and spread, and the sight of the food and +smell of the coffee took their minds off the unpleasantness of their +situation.</p> + +<p>"It was a foolhardy thing running down here without somebody who knew +the coast," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"My dear fellow," smiled Frank, "we have our chart and compass, and I +know a little something about navigation. Quit your worrying. I'll land +you in Rockland to-morrow all right."</p> + +<p>"You were going to land us there to-day."</p> + +<p>"And so I would had the wind held right and this fog kept off."</p> + +<p>"I believe there is a fog factory down this way somewhere," said +Browning.</p> + +<p>Hodge announced that supper was ready, and they gathered about the +table. The <i>White Wings</i> was riding on a steady, regular swell, so they +were not shaken up down there, and they found they could eat without +discomfort. Browning was hungry as a bear, and he "pitched into the +spread."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know as this is too bad after all," he confessed, taking +a third slice of tongue. "We've been in worse places."</p> + +<p>"That's right," nodded Hodge. "Pass the sugar. I want a little of this +coffee myself. I made it."</p> + +<p>"The coffee is good," acknowledged Jack. "It warms a fellow up. A little +grog wouldn't go bad in a case like this."</p> + +<p>"There is no grog on this boat and will not be as long<!-- Page 33 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> as I own her," +declared Merriwell. "It's a foolish thing for a lot of fellows on a +cruise like this to think that they must have grog."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I didn't suppose you had any on board, Merriwell," said Diamond. "I +know your temperance principles too well to look for anything like +that."</p> + +<p>By the time they finished eating all were in much better spirits. No one +but Hans had been troubled with seasickness thus far on the cruise, and +the Dutch boy had not been very sick.</p> + +<p>Hans was called down to eat, and Bart took his place while he was below.</p> + +<p>"Uf I can haf some of dot coffee id vill done you goot," said the Dutch +lad. "I don'd pelief I vant to ead much. Mein stomach felt like id don'd +been aple to held much uf a loadt. Yaw!"</p> + +<p>So Hans drank some coffee and ate a little hard bread, after which he +returned to his duties on deck, having donned a suit of oil clothes.</p> + +<p>Frank got out his guitar and put it in tune.</p> + +<p>"That's right, Merry," grunted Browning, rolling into his bunk. "Give us +a song to cheer us up."</p> + +<p>"What shall I sing?"</p> + +<p>"Some of the old college songs."</p> + +<p>"They'll make me homesick," said Diamond.</p> + +<p>"It's a pleasant thing to feel homesick for Old Yale," murmured Frank. +"Dear Old Yale!"</p> + +<p>"Give us 'Stars of the Summer Night,'" urged Hodge.</p> + +<p>So Frank sang the song that has sounded beneath the elms at Yale so many +times. It was a beautiful song, and it awakened in the memories of the +listening lads thoughts of the gay times at college, the moonlight +nights, the roistering lads, the lighted windows of the Quad and the +groups gathered at the Fence.</p> + +<p>Jack brushed his eyes.<!-- Page 34 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't sing anything more like that," he urged. "Make it something +lively—'Solomon Levi,' or any old thing."</p> + +<p>So "Solomon Levi" followed, and they all joined in on the chorus. Other +lively songs were sung, and, by the time Frank put aside the guitar all +were in fairly good spirits.</p> + +<p>Merriwell arranged the program of standing watch. Hans was relieved +before they turned in.</p> + +<p>All through the night they took turns at standing watch and blowing away +at intervals on the fog horn. And the night passed quickly enough +without event.</p> + +<p>When morning came, however, the fog still hung on the surface of the +water. They ate a light breakfast, and Frank fell to walking the deck +impatiently.</p> + +<p>"If there was a breeze, this fog would be liable to lift," he said. "It +is disgusting."</p> + +<p>After a little a light breeze rose, but it did not clear away the fog +entirely. However, the coming of the sun had some effect on it, and it +was not long before Merry decided to get up anchor and run up the sails.</p> + +<p>The anchor was hoisted and the sails set. Frank took the wheel.</p> + +<p>During the night the old swell had run out. Frank had studied his chart +till he believed he knew about where they lay, and he set his course by +the compass.</p> + +<p>Not ten minutes after getting under way they found they were headed +straight for an island. In their vicinity the fog was not heavy, but out +beyond the island lay a bank of it.</p> + +<p>Immediately on sighting the island, Frank changed the course of the +yacht, bringing her almost about. Then he ran out past the island, +headed for the fog bank.</p> + +<p>All at once there was a strange sound, a roaring swish of water. Not one +of them was certain which direction the sound came from.<!-- Page 35 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Vot dot vos?" exclaimed Hans, in alarm.</p> + +<p>"Keep still!" ordered Frank.</p> + +<p>The sounds grew louder.</p> + +<p>Then, all at once, Hans flung up his hands and shouted:</p> + +<p>"Reef your rudder, Vrankie! You vos running a sdeampoat ofer us!"</p> + +<p>Out of the fog bank, just ahead, came a large side-wheel steamer, headed +straight toward them!</p> + +<p>Frank sighted the steamer at the same moment Hans saw it, and he +realized their peril. It was the Boston boat, <i>City of Bangor</i>, on its +course up the bay.</p> + +<p>In the twinkling of an eye, Merriwell threw the wheel over and over, the +<i>White Wings</i> swung to port, but headed straight across the course of +the great steamer.</p> + +<p>Hoo-oo-oot! hoo-oo-oot! hoo-oo-oot! sounded the hoarse warning whistle +from the steamer.</p> + +<p>"If you had been whistling through that fog bank all would have been +right," muttered Merriwell, through his set teeth. "Now, if you run me +down, you'll pay for this yacht!"</p> + +<p>There was a jangling sound of a bell on board the steamer, and the pilot +in the pilot house was seen to send his wheel spinning over with frantic +haste at the same moment that the headway of the steamer grew less.</p> + +<p>"Will she clear us?" cried Hodge.</p> + +<p>"She is bound to cut us in two!" shouted Diamond. "There isn't breeze +enough for us to get out of her way!"</p> + +<p>"Vere vos der life breserfers?" squawked Hans. "I vant to got me onto a +life-breserfer a hurry in!"</p> + +<p>The Dutch lad made a headlong leap for the companion way. At the head of +the steps he stubbed his toe and down he went head first.</p> + +<p>It happened that Bruce Browning had heard the commotion on deck, and, +strange to relate, it had aroused him so that he was coming up.<!-- Page 36 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p> + +<p>Bruce had just started to go above when Hans came flying through the air +like a huge toad, struck him full and fair, and both went down in a heap +on the cabin floor.</p> + +<p>"Dot seddles id!" yelled the frightened Dutch lad. "Der yocht vos +sunkin' und I vos a goner!"</p> + +<p>"You blundering Dutch chump!" gasped Bruce, when he could catch his +breath. "What is the matter?"</p> + +<p>"Didn't you toldt me der yocht vos sunkin'?" shrieked Hans. "Id haf run +ofer a pig sdeampoat! Uf you kept myseluf drownting from I vill haf to +got oudt und valk ashore!"</p> + +<p>Browning managed to get himself together and rise to his feet. Then he +hurried up the companion way and reached the deck just in time to see +the huge white hull of a steamboat looming above the yacht.</p> + +<p>But Merriwell's prompt action and steady nerve had saved the <i>White +Wings</i>, for the steamer, with motionless paddlewheels, was slipping +past, the yacht having cut square across her course.</p> + +<p>It was a close shave, and a few white faces looked over the forward +starboard rail of the huge steamer.</p> + +<p>"If you chaps knew your business you would be at anchor instead of +cruising round in this fog," called a hoarse voice from the steamer.</p> + +<p>"If you knew your business you would blow your fog whistle while running +through a fog bank," returned Frank Merriwell, promptly.</p> + +<p>"That's the stuff, Merry!" grated Hodge, whose face was still pale. "How +do you suppose they happened to do such a thing?"</p> + +<p>"Probably that bank of fog is narrow, and they only ran into it a few +minutes ago. Perhaps they did not strike heavy fog till just before they +broke through and came into view."<!-- Page 37 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, it was a piece of reprehensible carelessness, and it's lucky the +<i>White Wings</i> was not cut in two."</p> + +<p>As the huge steamer slipped past, the boys saw not many persons were +astir on her. She had made an all-night run from Boston, and the +passengers were still sleeping in their staterooms, with a few +exceptions.</p> + +<p>Near the stern of the steamer were two persons in mackintoshes. They +seemed to regard the yacht with interest, not to say excitement, and +their movements attracted the attention of the boys.</p> + +<p>One of the passengers clutched the other by the arm and pointed out the +<i>White Wings</i>, then both leaned over the rail.</p> + +<p>Jack Diamond leaped to Merriwell's side, grasped Merry by the shoulder, +and cried in his ear:</p> + +<p>"Look, Merriwell—look!"</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"On the steamer there! The two fellows astern!"</p> + +<p>"I see them."</p> + +<p>"Know them?"</p> + +<p>"By Jove! I believe I do!"</p> + +<p>"One of them is——"</p> + +<p>"Wat Snell!"</p> + +<p>"Sure! And the other is——"</p> + +<p>"The chap who claimed this yacht—Parker Flynn!"</p> + +<p>"Exactly."</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! What are they doing on that boat?"</p> + +<p>"Following us!"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they are."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps! There is no perhaps about it! Of course they are!"</p> + +<p>"But Snell and Flynn together—how does that happen?"</p> + +<p>"I can't tell that, but they are together, and they are<!-- Page 38 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> following +us—that's sure. You are not done with Flynn, it seems."</p> + +<p>"He will get into trouble if he bothers me any more. I shall not stand +any nonsense from him. As for Wat Snell, all I want is a good chance to +square up with him. I will make him sorry he ever heard of me!"</p> + +<p>"That's the talk, Frank!" exclaimed Diamond, approvingly. "Snell will be +easier to dispose of than the other chap, for it is probable that Flynn +believes he can take this boat away from you because he has a right to +it, or he would not be following us."</p> + +<p>"He has no right to it, and he will not be able to take it."</p> + +<p>"See, Frank! What is the fellow going to—— Look out!"</p> + +<p>On the steamer Flynn had been seen to hastily unbutton his mackintosh, +jerk something bright out of his hip pocket and point it toward the +yacht.</p> + +<p>It was a revolver.</p> + +<p>Jack Diamond realized the desperate fellow's purpose, and he caught hold +of Frank Merriwell and gave him a push that threw him to the deck beside +the wheel.</p> + +<p>There was a flash of fire from the revolver, a puff of smoke, and then a +bullet whistled over the yacht, striking the water beyond.</p> + +<p>"Well, of all the foolhardy, cowardly tricks, I believe that takes the +premium!" said Frank, as he arose and grasped the wheel again. "That man +is drunk or crazy!"</p> + +<p>The moment Flynn fired, Snell took to his heels and scudded out of +sight, disappearing on the other side of the steamer. Flynn hastily put +up his revolver, shook his fist toward the yacht, and then followed +Snell, both of them getting out of the way before anyone, attracted by +the sound of the shot, came aft to investigate.</p> + +<p>The big paddlewheels of the steamer were in motion<!-- Page 39 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> again, and she was +forging on her course, as if nothing had happened.</p> + +<p>Frank brought the <i>White Wings</i> round and set his course to follow as +closely as the wind would allow. In a short time the steamer was almost +out of sight in the thin mist that hung over the water where there was +no fog.</p> + +<p>Then, at last, Hans Dunnerwust came puffing and stumbling on deck, +fairly loaded down with life-preservers. He fell at the head of the +companion way, and the life-preservers flew all over the deck.</p> + +<p>"Put me onto them kvick!" he squealed. "Uf I don'd haf a life breserfer +on ven der yocht sinks you vos a goner!"</p> + +<p>The boys laughed at his ludicrous appearance, and he sat up on the deck, +staring around blankly.</p> + +<p>"Vere dot sdeampoat vos?" he asked, in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Why, the steamer is a mile away by this time," said Hodge.</p> + +<p>"If she had run into us, we'd been at the bottom long before this," +laughed Frank. "You are too slow, Hans."</p> + +<p>"Vale, I done your duty, anyhow," sturdily declared the Dutch boy. "You +don'd got me to makin' no mistake in dot."</p> + +<p>Then he was set to gathering up the life preservers and carrying them +below again.</p> + +<p>The encounter with the steamer and the desperate action of Parker Flynn +furnished food for conversation on board the yacht. The boys talked it +over and over, and it was the general opinion that the presence of Flynn +and Snell in company on the steamer was not an accident.</p> + +<p>"We'll see more of those fellows before long," prophesied Diamond. "And +it strikes me that Flynn is more dangerous than Snell, for he is a +desperate fellow. If he had shot anybody on this boat there was no way +of making<!-- Page 40 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> it seem an accident. When Snell pushed you in front of the +car he could have sworn it was an accident if the car had killed you. +Look out for Parker Flynn."</p> + +<p>"I will," said Merriwell.</p> + +<p>It was nearly nine o'clock before they rounded Owl's Head and pointed +into Rockland harbor. The mist still hung on the water, and the outlines +of the city were hidden. Frank, however, felt confident that he was all +right.</p> + +<p>"We'll take dinner ashore if you say so, fellows," he said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know," said Jack. "I don't believe these natives down in +this country know how to cook anything fit to eat."</p> + +<p>Frank smiled.</p> + +<p>"I fancy you have a few notions that will be knocked out of your head +after you have been down this way a short time. You still seem to fancy +you are going into a howling wilderness where there are only savages and +half-civilized white people."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we are," said Jack, by way of being odd. "You don't know +yourself, for this is your first visit down here."</p> + +<p>Out through the mist came a tiny steam launch. All at once it was headed +straight toward the <i>White Wings</i>.</p> + +<p>"She acts as if she is coming for us," said Hodge, scowling.</p> + +<p>As the launch came nearer five persons were seen in her. The interest of +the boys increased rapidly, for everything seemed to indicate that she +was making straight for the yacht.</p> + +<p>All at once Diamond uttered a cry, turned to Frank and said:</p> + +<p>"I knew it! I told you we'd see more of him! See the fellow in the bow +of that launch? It's Parker Flynn!"<!-- Page 41 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>A BOARDING PARTY.</h3> + + +<p>"Sure as shooting!" nodded Frank. "He is in a hurry to see me—that's +plain."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he couldn't wait till we got into the harbor."</p> + +<p>"It's probable he thought we might not come into Rockland after seeing +him on the steamer, and so, as soon as he could get ashore, he hired the +launch to run out and head us off."</p> + +<p>"Snell is with him," said Hodge. "Oh, I'd like to get a crack at that +fellow!"</p> + +<p>"You may have a chance," smiled Merriwell, coolly.</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"I don't propose to let those chaps come aboard my yacht unless they +show that they have a right to do so."</p> + +<p>"Good for you!" cried Bart, his face growing stern. "I am with you, +Merry!"</p> + +<p>"And I!" exclaimed Diamond.</p> + +<p>"Vale, I don'd knew but I vos re'dy vor a liddle schraps," observed +Hans.</p> + +<p>"Then we will stand by to repel boarders if they try the trick," said +Frank. "Call Browning on deck."</p> + +<p>So the big Yale man was called, and he came up in his shirt sleeves. He +was interested immediately the situation was explained to him, and he +seemed well pleased when Frank expressed his intention of preventing the +strangers from boarding without authority.</p> + +<p>"This promises to be a real warm morning," he said, with a lazy smile. +"I'm rather glad I'm here."</p> + +<p>By this time the launch was close at hand.</p> + +<p>"Ahoy the yacht!" called a voice.<!-- Page 42 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ay! ay!" called back Merriwell, in true nautical style. "On board the +launch, what's wanted?"</p> + +<p>"Lay to. We have business with you."</p> + +<p>"Keep off. We haven't time to bother with you."</p> + +<p>"Don't act foolish!" was the angry exclamation. "If you do, you will be +sorry!"</p> + +<p>"If you bother us without a legal right you will be sorry," flung back +Frank. "We are not to be trifled with this morning."</p> + +<p>The launch made a circle and swung round so that she was heading in the +same direction as the yacht.</p> + +<p>"If you don't lay to," said the spokesman on board the launch, "we'll +run alongside and board you."</p> + +<p>"Try it. You will find the warmest job you ever struck!"</p> + +<p>"Why, you will not resist officers of the law?"</p> + +<p>"Not if we know the officers have authority."</p> + +<p>"Well, we have the authority, so head up into the wind."</p> + +<p>"You say you have authority, but I do not even know you are an officer. +In fact, judging by the company you are in, I should take you for +anything else."</p> + +<p>There were muttered words on the launch, savage, suppressed oaths and a +stir that was significant.</p> + +<p>"They do mean to run alongside and board!" exclaimed Diamond. "Are you +still in for keeping them off, Merry?"</p> + +<p>"You bet!" nodded Frank, grimly. "If I decide otherwise, I will give you +the word in time."</p> + +<p>Bruce Browning began to roll up his sleeves, baring his brawny arms. +There was a flush on his face and an eager look in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Some of those gentlemen will take a bath this morning," he said.</p> + +<p>Both Diamond and Hodge flung aside their coats.</p> + +<p>The men on the launch saw these significant movements<!-- Page 43 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> and could not +misunderstand them. They were surprised by the attitude of the crew of +the <i>White Wings</i>.</p> + +<p>"You fools!" cried the spokesman of the party, who had a full black +beard. "You will get yourselves jailed if you make any resistance. I am +Sheriff Ulmer, of Rockland!"</p> + +<p>"Where is your badge?" demanded Frank. "Show that."</p> + +<p>The man who claimed to be the sheriff hesitated.</p> + +<p>"He can't do it!" muttered Hodge, triumphantly.</p> + +<p>"I have papers to serve on you," said the black-bearded man.</p> + +<p>"You can serve them when I come ashore," returned Frank. "I am going +into the harbor, and I shall be ashore in thirty minutes after dropping +anchor."</p> + +<p>"But you are on a stolen yacht, and I am here to take possession of it."</p> + +<p>"I am not on a stolen yacht, and I do not mean that you shall take +possession of it unless you have the right to do so. This yacht belongs +to me. I bought it and paid for it with good money, and I mean to hold +it. If you really are Sheriff Ulmer, which I am inclined to doubt, you +have been deceived by that rascal in the bow of the launch. He holds a +worthless bill of sale of this boat, which, if it is not a forgery, was +made out by a crazy man who did not own the boat at the time."</p> + +<p>"It's a lie!" snarled Flynn. "The bill of sale is all right, and we're +going to take that yacht!"</p> + +<p>"You will have to fight for her, if you do!"</p> + +<p>"If you fight, you fool, you will go to jail. There is a first-class +jail in Rockland, too."</p> + +<p>"I'll take my chances of going to jail. Keep off! This is a fair +warning."</p> + +<p>By this time the launch was close to the yacht, and the faces of all the +persons in the small boat could be seen<!-- Page 44 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> and studied. Wat Snell was +pale, and it was plain he did not relish his position. With the fellow +who claimed to be sheriff was a hang-dog looking chap who looked like a +fighter. The man who was running the launch acted as if he had no +intention of taking any part in the fight, if one should occur. It was +plain he had been hired to set the others on board the <i>White Wings</i>, +and he did not mean to do anything more than that.</p> + +<p>"Hans!" called Frank, "take the wheel and hold her steady as she is. You +will get out of the scrimmage, and I want to have a hand in that."</p> + +<p>Hans took the wheel, and Frank prepared to take a hand in the repulse if +the enemy tried to board.</p> + +<p>The man in the launch who had claimed to be sheriff stood up and waved +his clinched fist above his head.</p> + +<p>"In the name of the law, I command you to surrender!" he shouted.</p> + +<p>"Show your authority," calmly returned Merriwell.</p> + +<p>"Here it is—the bill of sale of that yacht."</p> + +<p>"That is no authority. Do you think you can bluff us because we are +young? You will find you have made a big mistake."</p> + +<p>"Board them!" cried Flynn. "Take the yacht! That is the only way to do +it!"</p> + +<p>"You will find that is a mighty hard way to do it!" grated Bart Hodge. +"Come on, Snell! I want to get at you!"</p> + +<p>The launch ran alongside the yacht, and the man with the fellow who +claimed to be the sheriff caught the rail of the <i>White Wings</i> with a +boat hook.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" roared the black-whiskered chap.</p> + +<p>"Stand by to repel boarders!" rang out Frank's clear voice.<!-- Page 45 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>THE STRUGGLE FOR THE YACHT.</h3> + + +<p>The big man with the whiskers was the first to make an attempt to reach +the deck of the yacht. He gave a leap that landed him on the rail. Then +Bruce Browning picked him up and tossed him back into the launch.</p> + +<p>The man was surprised, but he made another rush to get onto the <i>White +Wings</i>.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Parker Flynn had tried to get aboard, but had been +struck on the jaw by Merriwell's hard fist and knocked back into the +launch.</p> + +<p>Snell started to climb over the rail of the yacht, but tumbled back of +his own accord when Hodge made a rush for him.</p> + +<p>The hang-dog-appearing chap was the spryest man on the launch. With a +catlike leap, he cleared the rail of the <i>White Wings</i> and reached the +deck. He found himself face to face with Jack Diamond, and a second +later they clinched.</p> + +<p>"You are not wanted here!" exclaimed Jack.</p> + +<p>"But I'm going to stay here!" said the other.</p> + +<p>Diamond was strong and smart, but he found his hands full. Had he not +taken the chap at a slight disadvantage in getting the first hold, the +stranger would have been his master. As it was, they slipped and +staggered about the deck, the stranger struggling to break Jack's hold.</p> + +<p>In his excitement, Hans failed to hold the yacht steadily on her course, +as Frank had directed, and suddenly she swung, so the main boom swept +across the deck. It struck Diamond's antagonist on the back of the head +and stunned him for a moment. That moment was long<!-- Page 46 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> enough for Jack to +lift him and drop him over into the launch.</p> + +<p>Hans sent over the wheel and brought the yacht back, so the boom swung +out of the way, but his negligence had aided Diamond to a large extent.</p> + +<p>On falling back into the boat, Snell had scrambled up and stood snarling +at Hodge, who was urging him to come within reach.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I do want to get my hands on you!" said Bart. "I'll give you +something to remember me by, you sneaking cur!"</p> + +<p>"You are a sneak yourself!" cried Snell, "or you would not be hanging +around with Frank Merriwell after he licked you and got the best of you +in everything you did!"</p> + +<p>"It is a compliment to be called a sneak by you, you coward! Come up +here! Let me give you a black eye!"</p> + +<p>But Snell kept just out of reach, although he made several bluff +attempts to board the <i>White Wings</i>.</p> + +<p>Probably the most astonished man was the big fellow with the black +whiskers. He realized that Browning had handled him easily and +carelessly, but still it did not seem possible that the rather fleshy, +smooth-faced chap could have much strength, large as he was.</p> + +<p>"Better stay down there," advised Bruce. "Next time I shall throw you +farther."</p> + +<p>"Next time you won't throw me at all!" came from the professed sheriff, +as he made another spring for the yacht.</p> + +<p>It seemed that Bruce caught him on the fly. Now the big fellow was fully +aroused, and he swung the stranger over his head and gave him a terrific +heave.</p> + +<p>The man whirled through the air, passed clean over the launch, struck +the water beyond and disappeared from view.</p> + +<p>At that very moment Frank Merriwell got another<!-- Page 47 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> crack at Parker Flynn, +who had not learned his lesson by his first experience, and again tried +to board.</p> + +<p>Smack!—the blow sounded, and, with a groan, Flynn dropped down into the +launch.</p> + +<p>The man who was running the launch seemed satisfied, for he suddenly let +go with the boat hook, and the yacht swung away from her foe.</p> + +<p>The self-styled sheriff came to the surface and was pulled aboard the +launch. The ducking seemed to have taken the spirit out of him. He +glared at the yacht, but all his eagerness to board her seemed gone. +Parker Flynn sat up and swore, holding onto his aching jaw. He had not +realized that there was a set of fighters on board the <i>White Wings</i>, +although Wat Snell had warned him to that effect. Now he realized that +the yacht could not easily be captured in the manner in which he had +attempted to accomplish the feat.</p> + +<p>The meeting of Flynn and Snell came about in this way. Snell, on finding +Frank and his friends were in Boston, had played the spy on the party. +He followed them to the pier the morning they went aboard the <i>White +Wings</i>, and he saw the encounter between Frank and Flynn. When Flynn +left the pier, Snell followed and spoke to him. After that it did not +take Wat long to work into the good graces of Flynn.</p> + +<p>Infuriated by his failure to obtain possession of the yacht, Flynn +proceeded to get drunk and stay so. On the second day of his spree, he +determined to pursue Merriwell and take the yacht by force, if it could +not be obtained in any other manner. Then he hunted up Snell, and it was +not hard to induce Wat to accompany him.</p> + +<p>Flynn knew the "poker gang" in Rockland, and he knew there were a few +desperate fellows among those who made up the gang. He had "dropped his +roll" in Rockland once when he struck the town with an idea in<!-- Page 48 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> his head +that he was "getting against a lot of jays," and on that occasion he +became friendly with Peter McSwatt and Hunk Gardman. Gardman did not +belong in Rockland, but he came in frequently from an adjoining town to +play poker. He was a crook and a sneak, and he showed it in his face. +McSwatt was not quite as "smooth" as Gardman; he could not "handle the +cards" as well, but he could sit in a game with Gardman and play what +his crooked pal dealt him, so that, after every game, there was usually +an ill-gotten pot to be divided. If there was any trouble, McSwatt did +the fighting.</p> + +<p>Flynn telephoned McSwatt and told him when he would be in Rockland, +asking to be met at the boat by McSwatt and a good man who would stand +by in a scrap. He ended by saying there was good money in it, and his +offered inducements led McSwatt and Gardman to be on hand at the time +set.</p> + +<p>Flynn was still under the influence of liquor. Had it been otherwise, he +would not have fired at the <i>White Wings</i> from the deck of the <i>City of +Bangor</i>.</p> + +<p>On arriving in Rockland, he found his chosen tools waiting for him, and +he explained that the yacht <i>White Wings</i> had been stolen from him. To +convince McSwatt and Gardman, he showed the bill of sale which he held. +He explained that he could not afford the time to recover the boat by +regular process of law, and said that it would be an easy thing to take +it from the boys who were on board. He showed money and paid his tools +something in advance. A few drinks of liquor put them in the mood for +almost anything, and then the steam launch was hired to go out in search +of the <i>White Wings</i>, as Flynn feared the yacht might not come into +Rockland at all.</p> + +<p>The owner of the launch was convinced that Flynn really owned the yacht, +and had a right to take her by force if necessary, but he did not agree +to have anything<!-- Page 49 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> to do with the seizing of the boat further than +putting the party alongside.</p> + +<p>Snell had warned Flynn that the party on the <i>White Wings</i> was made up +of fighters, but the man sneered at them as a lot of boys. It was not +believed that there would be any real difficulty in obtaining possession +of the yacht, but it was thought best that McSwatt should claim to be an +officer.</p> + +<p>Thus it came about that the <i>White Wings</i> was met by the steam launch as +she headed into Rockland harbor. But the crew on board the launch met +with the surprise of their lives, and they were thoroughly disgusted +when they were beaten off without much difficulty.</p> + +<p>The two cracks Frank had given Flynn knocked some of the conceit and +bravado out of him, and for some time after the yacht and the launch +swung apart he sat still and swore.</p> + +<p>McSwatt was not in a pleasant mood as he wrung the water out of his +clothes. He glared at Flynn and snarled:</p> + +<p>"Thought you said they were a lot of boys who could be scared out of +their skins! Boys! Why, they are young devils! The fellow I went against +is a regular Samson!"</p> + +<p>"They're in a bad scrape now," said Flynn, with an attempt at +fierceness. "They have resisted the rightful owner of that yacht, and +they shall smart for it."</p> + +<p>"That's all right, but they might have been fooled in a different way. +Here they are running right into the harbor, and they will stop there. +We might have watched till the most of them went ashore, and then we +could have taken her easily."</p> + +<p>"How did I know they would run in here? They might have kept on up the +bay. And I didn't suppose a lot of beardless chaps could put up such a +scrap."</p> + +<p>"Well, we have done all you asked of us, and we want our pay."<!-- Page 50 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Done! You haven't done anything! I hired you to help me take the +yacht."</p> + +<p>"And misrepresented the case to us. You will pay me, or I'll chuck you +overboard!"</p> + +<p>There was a glare in McSwatt's eyes that cowed <span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, extraneous quotation mark removed">Flynn.</span></p> + +<p>"Oh, we mustn't quarrel," he quickly said. "Of course, I will pay you, +as I agreed."</p> + +<p>"I thought so."</p> + +<p>"And I will double the sum if you stand by me a while longer. I tell you +I can't fool with those chaps—I can't waste time. I must get possession +of my boat at once."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you are thinking of attempting to board her again, you'll have +to get somebody in my place. I have had enough of that kind of work."</p> + +<p>Flynn saw that McSwatt meant it.</p> + +<p>"All right," he growled. "We'll stay out and keep watch of her till she +drops anchor. I want to be sure they mean to stop here."</p> + +<p>So the launch cruised about, keeping in sight of the <i>White Wings</i> till +the yacht ran slowly into the harbor and let fall her anchor in the +vicinity of half a dozen other pleasure yachts laying near together.<!-- Page 51 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>ARRESTED IN ROCKLAND.</h3> + + +<p>There were some indignant lads on board the <i>White Wings</i>.</p> + +<p>"A regular case of piracy!" declared Diamond. "If we had not been too +much for that gang, they would have seized the boat."</p> + +<p>"Sure," nodded Hodge, whose eyes were gleaming, while his breast, across +which his arms were folded, rose and fell with excitement.</p> + +<p>"We handled them too easy," grunted Browning. "It would have served them +right if we had split the skull of every man who tried to come over our +rail."</p> + +<p>"Der pig poom come britty near sblitting der skull uf one," grinned +Hans. "You pet dot chap half a swelt head on me."</p> + +<p>Frank had returned to the wheel. He did not say much, but his cheeks +were flushed with excitement and his lips were pressed together.</p> + +<p>"Remember what the truckman told you, Merry?" questioned Diamond.</p> + +<p>"What was that?"</p> + +<p>"Why, about this boat being hoodooed."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"It begins to look as if he was right."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know."</p> + +<p>"Well, if this hasn't been a hoodoo cruise from Boston, I don't know a +thing!"</p> + +<p>"It has been rather eventful," admitted Frank, his face relaxing +somewhat.<!-- Page 52 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Uf you vos lookin' oxcitement for, we haf found him," put in Hans.</p> + +<p>"Those chaps are keeping watch of us now," said Frank. "I suppose they +think of trying the trick again."</p> + +<p>"Don't believe they will," said Hodge. "We'll be in the harbor pretty +soon, and they won't dare make another attempt like that."</p> + +<p>As they ran in the mist lifted and vanished, and they saw the city +stretched before them. To the north was the breakwater that protects the +harbor, and away in the distance loomed some mountains.</p> + +<p>"What are those hills there?" asked Diamond.</p> + +<p>"Those are the famous Camden mountains," answered Frank. "The town lies +at the foot of those mountains, and Thomas Wentworth Higginson says the +scenery in the vicinity of Camden is the most varied and beautiful to be +found anywhere in the world."</p> + +<p>"Are we going to stop at Camden?"</p> + +<p>"Well, that is on the program. We'll run up there to-morrow."</p> + +<p>They anchored near the other yachts and vessels, purposely running into +the very midst of them.</p> + +<p>"As long as one of us stays on board, those chaps will not attempt to +seize the yacht by force while we remain here," said Merriwell.</p> + +<p>"Don't be too sure of that," warned Hodge. "They are desperate +characters, and there is no telling what they will try."</p> + +<p>They watched the launch run into a wharf and saw the party leave her. +Not one of the baffled boarders remained in the vicinity, but all +quickly disappeared.</p> + +<p>"I believe they are afraid of the consequences now," said Merry. "They +are getting out of the way in a hurry."</p> + +<p>It was not long before the others were of the same opinion. However, +Frank was not certain but this move<!-- Page 53 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>ment on the part of the enemy was a +ruse to lull their suspicions.</p> + +<p>"Three of us will remain on the yacht," he said. "Jack and I are going +ashore."</p> + +<p>"How?" asked Diamond. "We have no boat, and we are anchored off here in +the bay."</p> + +<p>"I am going to buy a boat here. I think we can get one of the boats from +some of these vessels to set us ashore."</p> + +<p>The nearest vessel was hailed, and it did not take long to get a sailor +with a boat to come over to the yacht and take Frank and Jack off. He +rowed them to the steamboat wharf, and would not take a cent for doing +so.</p> + +<p>"All right, mates," he said, in a hearty way. "I'll want a turn +sometime, perhaps." Then, after telling them that, if they did not get a +boat, they could whistle him up and he would bring them off to their +yacht, he rowed away.</p> + +<p>There were a number of truck teams about the wharf, loading with the +freight left there that morning by the steamer. Frank inquired of one of +the truckmen where to find a man who would sell them a first-class +rowboat, and the truckman directed him to a man who had boats to let and +to sell.</p> + +<p>This man the boys sought without delay, but he was not at his shop. They +were told that he had gone uptown, and so they walked up Sea Street into +the heart of the city.</p> + +<p>As they came out on Main Street, Diamond halted with an exclamation of +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott!" burst from his lips. "Is this real?"</p> + +<p>"Is what real?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Do I really see a trolley car running along the street here, or am I +dreaming?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, come along!" laughed Frank. "They have trolley<!-- Page 54 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> cars down in this +country, and I don't think it looks quite as wild and uncivilized as you +expected."</p> + +<p>They entered the Thorndike Hotel together, and, just as they passed +through the door, Frank suddenly clutched his friend's arm, giving a +gasp of astonishment himself.</p> + +<p>Jack saw Merry was staring toward the flight of stairs. He looked up, +and there on the stairs, descending toward them, were two girls, Inza +Burrage and Paula Benjamin!</p> + +<p>Merriwell recovered his composure immediately and stepped forward to +meet the girls at the foot of the stairs, accompanied by Diamond. The +boys lifted their hats, and Frank said:</p> + +<p>"Another unexpected pleasure! We didn't dream of this. Supposed you were +in Bar Harbor."</p> + +<p>The girls shook hands with them, and both seemed to show confusion.</p> + +<p>"It is a pleasure," declared Inza. "We are stopping here in Rockland a +few days."</p> + +<p>Frank longed to ask questions, but he knew it would be an act of +rudeness, and he refrained. However, Paula seemed to think that Inza's +explanation was not sufficient, and she added:</p> + +<p>"Yes, we decided to stop off here a day, and we are so interested with +the city and the surrounding country that we will remain a little +longer."</p> + +<p>"That will be pleasant," said Frank. "We've just got in, and are rather +salty now, but we mean to brace up and get some of the brine out of us. +Perhaps we may have the pleasure of seeing you often while we remain +here."</p> + +<p>"I hope we may," put in Jack, quickly, looking earnestly at Paula, who +let her eyes droop before his gaze.</p> + +<p>"I am sure it will be agreeable to us," smiled Inza. "Tell us something +about your voyage. Did you have a nice time?"<!-- Page 55 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Nice isn't any name for it," laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>"That's right," nodded Jack; "it isn't."</p> + +<p>"We have encountered excitements galore."</p> + +<p>"Such as fogs and storms and steamboats and pirates."</p> + +<p>"Mercy! Pirates!"</p> + +<p>"Well, they attempted to board us and seize the yacht."</p> + +<p>"What did you do?"</p> + +<p>"We gave them a jolly good welcome."</p> + +<p>A uniformed policeman entered the hotel and stepped up to the boys.</p> + +<p>"Which one of you is Frank Merriwell?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I am, sir," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"Then," said the officer, "I shall have to take you."</p> + +<p>"Take me?" cried Frank. "What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I mean that you are under arrest."<!-- Page 56 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>A STIR IN LIMEROCK CITY.</h3> + + +<p>Both girls uttered a little cry of amazement and alarm, and Paula shrank +close to Inza, clasping her about the waist.</p> + +<p>"Under arrest?" repeated Frank, slowly. "For what?"</p> + +<p>"Stealing a yacht and resisting the real owner when he attempted to +regain possession of it."</p> + +<p>Merry laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>"This is a joke!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>The officer seemed puzzled, but he frowned at Frank, saying:</p> + +<p>"You are not likely to find it a joke, young man. It is a serious +offense, and, if you have not some rich folks who will settle handsomely +for your little lark, you will go to jail."</p> + +<p>"My dear sir," said Merriwell, with perfect coolness, "you are taking +too much for granted. You are standing on the ground that the charge +against me is true. It will be the easiest thing in the world to prove +that it is not."</p> + +<p>"You will have to prove that to the judge," said the officer, with his +hand on Frank's shoulder. "Just now you'll have to accompany me. If you +resist or make any trouble, it will be worse for you."</p> + +<p>He produced handcuffs.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean to do?" hoarsely demanded Diamond, his eyes bulging. +"You're not going to handcuff him?"</p> + +<p>"It is necessary. I am not taking any chances. A chap who will steal a +yacht is liable to be pretty desperate."<!-- Page 57 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I will go along with you quietly," said Frank, paling a bit at the +thought of being led shackled through the streets. "I give you my word +on that."</p> + +<p>"It's an outrage!" cried Diamond.</p> + +<p>"I advise you to keep still," said the officer, sternly. "You may be +arrested as an accomplice."</p> + +<p>"I don't care if I am!" came fiercely from Jack's lips. "I say it is an +outrage, and I will stand by it. Mr. Merriwell purchased the yacht and +paid his money for it, as he can prove. He is the rightful owner of the +boat."</p> + +<p>"I am not going to discuss that."</p> + +<p>The officer was about to put the irons on Frank, when Jack cut in with:</p> + +<p>"Have a little decency about this, Mr. Officer. If you believe this +young man such a desperate fellow, call an assistant. Surely two of you +ought to be able to take him to the lockup without handcuffing him."</p> + +<p>The policeman was angry, and Frank saw that what Jack was saying was not +making things any better, so he asked his friend to be quiet. Then he +said something in a low tone to the officer. The latter hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Put yourself in my place," said Frank. "You are not sure this charge is +true. Think how you would feel to be dragged along the street with irons +on your wrists when you had not been guilty of committing a crime."</p> + +<p>"And he tells you the truth, sir, when he says he bought the yacht," +broke in Inza, fearlessly. "I know it! He purchased it of my friend's +brother."</p> + +<p>"That is true," spoke up Paula, with sudden braveness. "My brother sold +him the yacht. He never stole it! Why, he is Frank Merriwell, of Yale, +and everybody knows Frank Merriwell would not steal anything."</p> + +<p>She was startled by her own boldness, but her words brought about a good +result.</p> + +<p>Of course, the arrest of Frank had attracted the atten<!-- Page 58 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>tion of all who +were in the office of the hotel, among whom were several commercial men. +One of the latter stepped forward quickly.</p> + +<p>"Frank Merriwell, of Yale?" he exclaimed. "Is this the famous Yale +pitcher? By Jove, it is! I have seen him pitch several games, but I +didn't know him in this yachting suit. Mr. Merriwell, I am glad to see +you, but sorry you are in trouble. However, if I can aid you in any way, +you may count on me."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Frank. "It's pleasant to know I am not quite unknown +and friendless down here."</p> + +<p>"Unknown!" exclaimed another man. "If you are Frank Merriwell, we all +know about you. We have read about you in the papers. You are the best +known college man in this country. Officer, I don't believe this young +gentleman is either a thief or a desperado. If he says he will go along +with you, I'll vouch for him."</p> + +<p>"If you say so, Mr. Franch——"</p> + +<p>"I do. I will be responsible for him."</p> + +<p>The officer put his handcuffs out of sight.</p> + +<p>"All right," he said. "Come along, young man."</p> + +<p>By this time the report had gone abroad that there had been an arrest in +the Thorndike, and a crowd was gathering outside the door. In the crowd +were a number of excited small boys, for they had heard that the person +arrested was the famous Yale football and baseball player, Frank +Merriwell.</p> + +<p>One of the boys in the crowd saw a friend on the opposite side of the +street, and yelled:</p> + +<p>"Hey, Charley, get a wiggle on an' come over here! W'at yer t'ink! Ther +cop has nabbed that feller we've been readin' about—Frank Merriwell!"</p> + +<p>"Aw! w'at yer givin' us!" flung back the other.</p> + +<p>"This ain't no fust of April!"</p> + +<p>"It's dead straight, Charley! Frank Merriwell is right<!-- Page 59 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> here in ther +Thorndike, an' Old Briggs has pinched him. Don't yer want ter see him?"</p> + +<p>"Don't I?" gasped the one across the street, as he bolted from the +sidewalk. "I'd rudder see Frank Merriwell than have a season ticket to +der ball games!"</p> + +<p>And he could not get over quick enough.</p> + +<p>By the time the officer was ready to bring Frank out of the hotel, all +the men and boys outside knew who had been arrested, and the excitement +was great. The crowd grew swiftly, and everybody was eager to get a look +at the Yale athlete of whom they had heard such wonderful stories.</p> + +<p>The young men of the town were no less excited than the boys. There was +scarcely one of them who did not know something about Frank Merriwell +and his record, and, even before they could find out why he had been +arrested, they denounced the arrest as an outrage.</p> + +<p>Another policeman came along and attempted to clear the sidewalk in +front of the hotel, but the crowd did not want to disperse.</p> + +<p>The officer who had arrested Frank came out with Merriwell at his side, +a hand on his arm.</p> + +<p>"There he is!" was the cry that went up. "That is Frank Merriwell!"</p> + +<p>Jack Diamond, who walked beside Frank, was amazed at the crowd and to +hear them call Frank's name.</p> + +<p>"They know you, Merriwell," he said.</p> + +<p>"It seems so," said Frank, with a faint smile.</p> + +<p>"It's a shame!" cried one of the young men. "What's he arrested for?"</p> + +<p>"Don't know," admitted another; "but I'll bet my clothes he is all +right! Frank Merriwell is on the level!"</p> + +<p>"That's so!" shouted twenty voices.</p> + +<p>The crowd followed the officer and his prisoner. Somebody proposed a +cheer for Frank Merriwell, and it seemed<!-- Page 60 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> that every human being in that +following crowd cheered as loudly as he could.</p> + +<p>Then somebody proposed three groans for Old Briggs, the officer, and the +crowd groaned in a most dismal manner.</p> + +<p>Some of the small boys grew so excited that they kept yelling at Briggs +to let Frank go. But they were scarcely less excited than the lads of +eighteen or twenty. A dozen of them got together and actually talked of +taking Briggs' prisoner from him. In their enthusiasm they might have +tried it, but for the coolness of one or two among them.</p> + +<p>"It's a blamed shame to have this thing happen in Rockland!" declared +one fellow. "What will Merriwell think of us? He will be dead sore on +this town."</p> + +<p>"He isn't a fool," said a cooler head. "If he is all right, it isn't +likely that any harm will come to him. He can't blame Briggs for doing +his duty if there is a warrant for his arrest."</p> + +<p>So Frank was marched away to the lockup, but his arrest had created more +excitement in the city than any other event since the opening game of +baseball in the Knox County League, July Fourth.</p> + +<p>Frank was locked in a cell. Jack did not leave him till the door had +closed on his friend.</p> + +<p>The boys had found out that the warrant for Frank's arrest was sworn out +by Parker Flynn.</p> + +<p>"He shall pay dearly for this piece of business!" muttered the young +Virginian, as he left the lockup.</p> + +<p>The crowd that still lingered in front of the building stared at Jack. +They had seen him with Merriwell, and they knew he must be one of +Frank's particular friends. The small boys envied him for that very +reason.</p> + +<p>Diamond had learned that Merriwell would have a hearing before a local +judge at two o'clock that afternoon, and<!-- Page 61 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> he resolved to do whatever he +could for his friend before that time.</p> + +<p>But Diamond had not left Frank thirty minutes before there were two +visitors to see the prisoner. They were admitted by the guard, and +Merriwell was staggered when he saw the face of one of them.</p> + +<p>"Jack Benjamin?" he cried. "It can't be!"</p> + +<p>"But it is," declared the little fellow, as he grasped Merry's hand and +shook it warmly.</p> + +<p>"But—but——"</p> + +<p>"You're astonished—exactly. I don't wonder. Folks at home think me on +the way to Alaska. The governor thinks so. As long as he thinks that, he +won't interfere with my little outing down this way."</p> + +<p>"But the deception—I don't understand it."</p> + +<p>"Expect I'd better make a clean breast to you," said Benjamin, blushing +in a remarkable manner. "You see, it's this way: Last year at Newport I +met a young lady on whom I got badly smashed. She's a star, +Merriwell—she's the only one for me! But the old man—excuse me—the +governor objected, said I was too young to know my mind, and all that +rot. He found out the girl's folks were not very rich, and then he set +about raising the high dinkey-dink with everything. Well, the result was +that he did smash things for a time. This summer, when I wanted to spend +my vacation down in Maine, he sat down on it hard. You see, he did so +because the young lady lives here in Rockland. I was forced to give up +the idea—apparently. But I began to talk about Alaska. Then I sold you +the <i>White Wings</i> to get enough money for my summer outing, left word +that I was off for Alaska, and came down here. That's the whole of it. +Here I am."</p> + +<p>"Then I understand how it happens your sister and Inza are stopping in +Rockland. She knows you are here."</p> + +<p>"Sure. Sis is all right. She sticks by me."<!-- Page 62 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> + +<p>Thus far Frank had paid no attention to his second visitor, but now the +fellow stepped forward, saying:</p> + +<p>"Howdy-do, Merriwell. I suppose you know me?"</p> + +<p>"What?" cried Frank, grasping the extended hand. "Is it Fred Moslof, of +Dartmouth? What are you doing down here? I haven't seen you since our +opening game last spring, when you spoiled two daisy hits for me by +digging them out of the dirt down around third bag."</p> + +<p>Moslof laughed.</p> + +<p>"I am playing ball down here this summer," he said.</p> + +<p>"Well, that is a surprise. Are you playing on the Rockland team?"</p> + +<p>"No, I am manager of the Camdens. As soon as Benjamin told me you were +here, we came right up. I played with Rockland last summer, and I know +stacks of influential men in both Rockland and Camden. I'll fix this +matter of bail for you and get you out of here in a hurry, if you like."</p> + +<p>"Well, that is kind of you," smiled Frank, "and I appreciate it. I shall +be glad to accept your offer, old man."</p> + +<p>"Then it is settled," said Benjamin. "Moslof can do the trick. It may +take an hour or two to fix it, but we'll see that it's done. Just make +yourself easy."</p> + +<p>When they departed, they left Frank in good spirits, for he knew he +could easily refute the charge of stealing the yacht, for Benjamin was +there in Rockland to substantiate his statements. Merriwell was resolved +to settle that matter and then make it very warm for Mr. Parker Flynn.</p> + +<p>It took something more than an hour for Moslof and Benjamin to fix +things, but they finally returned to the lockup, accompanied by an +officer with an order for Frank's release.</p> + +<p>Merriwell told them all about Flynn's attempt to obtain possession of +the yacht by force, and then he ac<!-- Page 63 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span>companied them to the office of a +justice of the peace, where he swore out a warrant against Flynn and saw +it placed in the hands of an officer to be served.</p> + +<p>"We'll give that gentleman the surprise of his life," smiled Benjamin. +"He won't expect to see me down here. If he had not thought me on my way +to Alaska, he would not have dared attempt such a high-handed +proceeding."</p> + +<p>Moslof said that he must return to Camden. He had come down to confer +with the Rockland and Thomaston managers about the schedule, and he had +finished his business. At parting he said:</p> + +<p>"Look here, Merriwell, can't you pitch one or two games for us, if no +more. Camden has a better team than Rockland, but Rockland is stronger +in the box. We started out with a lead the first of the season, but +we've been dropping games to Rockland right along lately, and we won't +be in it if the thing keeps on. I have telegraphed and telephoned all +over the country for a strong pitcher, but I haven't got hold of the +right man. You'd be just the man for us. Why, you would paralyze +Rockland with that double-shoot of yours."</p> + +<p>"Well, old man," said Frank, "I hate to refuse you anything after what +you have done, but you know I want no part in professional baseball."</p> + +<p>"This is only semi-professional. Part of our team are not under salary, +and nearly all are college players."</p> + +<p>"I might get myself into trouble if I pitched, Moslof. I can't promise."</p> + +<p>"Well, promise me that you will pitch for Camden if you pitch at all in +the Knox County League."</p> + +<p>"I'll do that," smiled Merry; "but you must not expect me to pitch at +all."</p> + +<p>Moslof was forced to be satisfied with that. At least, he knew Rockland +would not secure Merriwell, and that was some satisfaction, as he had +heard rumors that the<!-- Page 64 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> Rockland management meant to have the famous Yale +twirler, if he was to be procured for love or money.</p> + +<p>Frank accompanied Benjamin back to the Thorndike, where he was received +with great delight by Inza, Paula and Inza's aunt, Miss Abigail Gale.</p> + +<p>"I didn't dare tell you Jack was here when we first met," said Paula; +"but when that horrid policeman took you away, I just hurried to let him +know what had happened. He said he would have you out all right in a +short time."</p> + +<p>"Well, he kept his word, and now I am after the fellow who put this job +up on me. I have sworn out a warrant for his arrest, and he will find +himself in my place before night."</p> + +<p>Frank remained at the hotel thirty minutes chatting with the girls and +Miss Gale, and then he said that he must return to the yacht and let his +friends know he was all right.</p> + +<p>On his way to the wharf, Frank called at the shop of the boat builder +again, and found the man in. He was pleased to learn that the man had +two boats for sale, both of which were in the water.</p> + +<p>After looking the boats over, Merry made a bargain for one of them and +paid for it. Then he got into the boat, rowed out round the wharf and +pulled away for the yacht.</p> + +<p>As he approached the yacht, Hans came on deck, saw him and raised a +shout that brought the others up in a hurry. All were astonished and +delighted to see Frank. Jack had been there and told them what had +happened; then he had hurried away to see if he could do anything for +Merriwell.</p> + +<p>Frank told them the story of his release, and, as it was midday, he +stayed on board to eat a hearty meal. While<!-- Page 65 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> they were eating, Jack +returned, having been taken to the yacht by a boatman he had hired.</p> + +<p>"Knew you must be here!" cried the Virginian. "I was making a hustle to +get you out when I heard you were out already. Why, I never saw a place +like this, Frank! Everybody in town has heard of you, and everybody was +furious over your arrest. Why, this is a great country, boys! I'm stuck +on it already. The people down here are all right!"</p> + +<p>"Not quite such jays and hayseeds as you thought, eh?" smiled Frank.</p> + +<p>"I tell you they are all right! They are not jays at all!"</p> + +<p>After dinner the boys left Browning and Dunnerwust on the yacht to guard +it and then went ashore. Barely had Frank appeared in the city before +the manager of the Rockland baseball team fell on him and offered him +all sorts of inducements to pitch for his nine. But it was no use, for +Merry had given Moslof his promise.</p> + +<p>Frank expected to hear that Flynn had been arrested. Instead, he learned +that neither Flynn nor Snell could be found, so the warrant had not been +served.</p> + +<p>It was supposed that Flynn would be on hand when court was called to +order that afternoon, but he did not appear, and so the charge against +Frank was dismissed, as there was no one to push it.</p> + +<p>Later it was learned that in some way Flynn had learned that Jack +Benjamin was in Rockland. As soon as he heard this, he made all haste to +get out of the place, taking an electric car to Camden, where he had +disappeared as completely as if wiped off the face of the earth.</p> + +<p>"But I do not believe you have heard or seen the last of the fellow, +Merriwell," said Hodge. "He will bother you again."</p> + +<p>Bart's words were destined to come true.<!-- Page 66 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>ALONG THE COAST TO CAMDEN.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Nellie was a sailor's lass—a sailor's lass was she,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">(Heave ho, my lads, then heave away!)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Waiting for her sailor lad, who sailed the deep blue sea.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">(Heave ho, my lads, then heave away!)"<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Three lads were getting up the anchor on board the <i>White Wings</i>, which +lay in Rockland harbor, on the coast of Maine, and they sang a nautical +song as they pulled at the cable. They were Bart Hodge, Jack Diamond and +Hans Dunnerwust. Frank Merriwell was busy making other preparations for +the run up to Camden that glorious summer morning, while Bruce Browning +was doing something below, no one knew what.</p> + +<p>"Holdt on a vile till you spit on my handts," exclaimed the Dutch lad, +breathing heavily. "I vant to got a petter holdt mit my feet to kept +from slipping der rail ofer und der varter indo. I vas glad you don'd af +to bull ub anchors to make me a lifings."</p> + +<p>"Keep at it, Hans," ordered Hodge.</p> + +<p>"You remind me of the Irishman who caught his friend by the heels just +as the friend was falling headlong into a well," said Diamond, as he +continued to pull away.</p> + +<p>"How vas dot?" asked Hans.</p> + +<p>"He held on as long as he could," said Jack, "and then he called down to +his friend, 'Jist wait a minute where yez are, Mike, till Oi let go an' +get a betther hold.' Then he let go."</p> + +<p>"Yaw," said Hans, soberly; "but I don'd seen der boint der story of."</p> + +<p>"His friend couldn't wait," explained Jack.<!-- Page 67 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> + +<p>Frank Merriwell laughed. Never before had he heard the Virginian tell a +humorous anecdote, and he was not a little surprised as well as pleased, +for it showed that Jack, who had grumbled a great deal during the +unlucky and unpleasant cruise down the coast, was in better spirits now +they were at last in the waters of Penobscot Bay.</p> + +<p>The anchor broke water and was soon secured in place. Already the jib +had been raised, and Frank was at the wheel to bring the yacht round as +soon as she felt the breeze after the anchor was atrip. Every indication +was that there was just breeze enough outside the harbor to give them a +pleasant sail to their destination.</p> + +<p>Under Frank's orders the boys set sail, hoisting both the jib topsails +and club topsails; in fact, cracking on every stitch. Hans grew weary +again before the mainsail was up.</p> + +<p>"Get hold of the halyards and get into gear, Dunnerwust," ordered Bart, +sharply. "You are getting to be as bad as Browning, and he is no earthly +use on the water."</p> + +<p>"Hey?" grunted the big fellow, his head appearing as he came up from +below. "Well, what's the use of being any earthly use on the water? +What's the matter with you, Hodge?"</p> + +<p>"The matter with you is that you need something for that tired feeling," +returned Bart, like a flash. "If you would get out and make a bluff at +pulling on a line now and then, it would seem rather more decent."</p> + +<p>"I never make any bluffs. Everything is on the level with me. I'm not +much of a sailor, but I'm pretty good at repelling boarders, ducking +bogus sheriffs and such things. Don't worry about me. Just go ahead +getting under way. I'll be with you."</p> + +<p>Then he calmly watched them get all the sails set, as if he did not +consider it necessary for him to lend a hand,<!-- Page 68 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> and as if he had no idea +of doing so on any condition if he could avoid it.</p> + +<p>Browning was lazy, and he knew it. He made no attempt to conceal the +fact; really, he almost seemed to glory in it. At college he was +familiarly called, "the Laziest Man on Earth," and it pleased rather +than disturbed him.</p> + +<p>Ordinarily a lazy man is despised by his companions, but such was not +the case with Browning. Genial, big-hearted, strong as a giant, yet +gentle as a baby, he made hosts of friends and very few enemies. At one +time he had been really ambitious, but that was before the coming of +Frank Merriwell to Yale. Browning had been dropped to Merriwell's class +and, as there could be but one real leader in the class, he lost his +ambition when Merriwell showed his superiority.</p> + +<p>But no man had proved a truer friend to Merriwell than the once famous +"King of the Sophomores." Browning was not particularly demonstrative in +his affection, but he could be depended on in any case of emergency, as +Frank had learned, and the big fellow was a good man to have for a +backer.</p> + +<p>Browning could not be driven to do anything, nor could he be jollied +into it, a fact that irritated Hodge more or less.</p> + +<p>"There is one thing we do not possess that we should have," said Merry, +as Jack came aft and stood near the wheel.</p> + +<p>"What's that?"</p> + +<p>"A gun."</p> + +<p>"Why, you have four or five below."</p> + +<p>"I don't mean that kind. We need a small cannon to fire when we anchor +and when we get under way. We are not doing the thing properly unless we +have one.<span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, missing quotation mark added">"</span></p> + +<p>"I never thought of that."<!-- Page 69 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I did not think of it till it was too late to get one in Boston. We'll +have to get along for the present without it."</p> + +<p>They ran past the end of the breakwater and were opposite the Bay Point +Hotel, a handsome summer hotel near the city of Rockland. Outside the +harbor they found a breeze that made the <i>White Wings</i> heel over and +take a bone in her teeth.</p> + +<p>Although the sloop was not in the racing class, Frank was well satisfied +with her, for he had discovered that she possessed many good qualities. +She could be held pretty near to the wind without yawing and she was not +at all cranky, nor did she require much weather helm. Of course, she +could not run as near to the wind as a cutter-rigged yacht of the racing +class, but she could do better than the ordinary cutter.</p> + +<p>The wind was off shore and favorable, so the <i>White Wings</i> seemed to fly +that morning. The boys found comfortable positions and enjoyed the sail +and the scenery.</p> + +<p>Soon Rockland was left behind, disappearing from view behind the point +on which the hotel sat. And then the Camden mountains began to loom +higher and higher to the northwest.</p> + +<p>"We met a warm reception in Rockland," said Frank. "I wonder how it will +be in Camden."</p> + +<p>The sunshine was bright on the blue bay. The distant islands looked +inviting, and there was something about the cool greenness of the woods +along the shore that was soothing to the eye.</p> + +<p>It was not long before Rockport lighthouse came into view. Beyond the +lighthouse they saw the narrow harbor and the village, with the houses +seeming to cling to the heights that surrounded the harbor. From the +limekilns rose black smoke that added to the picturesque charm of the +scene.<!-- Page 70 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> + +<p>But Rockport was quickly passed and Negro Island, at the mouth of Camden +harbor, was before them. There was a lighthouse on the island, standing +there like an old woman in a white dress and black cap.</p> + +<p>Now the mountains, seeming to rise from the very sea, were near at hand +and strikingly beautiful, clothed in their summer garments of green. On +the top of the nearest mountain stood a hotel with a high observation +tower.</p> + +<p>"Boys," cried Diamond, "I am going up there and stop a week!"</p> + +<p>"I wonder how anybody ever gets up there," grunted Browning. "I shall +not go if I have to climb."</p> + +<p>"No need to tell us that," said Hodge. "We knew it."</p> + +<p>As they came abreast Negro Island, two girls came down on the rocks and +waved handkerchiefs to them. The boys returned the salute, and Hans +Dunnerwust cried:</p> + +<p>"Vale, uf I ain'd got a mash you vos a liar! Uf id vasn't for gettin' my +feets vet, I vould valk ashore righd avay kveek alretty. Yaw!"</p> + +<p>Then he waved his cap to the girls, kissed his hands, bowed low with his +hand on his heart, and nearly fell overboard as Merry suddenly brought +the yacht up closer into the wind.</p> + +<p>"Oxcuse me uf I stayed righd in Camden der rest uf your life," said +Hans, as he gathered himself up. "Dalk apout peaches! Vale, vot peen der +madder mit dose!"</p> + +<p>The others smiled at his enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>Passing the island, they came in full view of the harbor and town. +Several vessels and yachts lay in the harbor. Amid the trees the tastily +painted, red-roofed cottages were to be seen. Far up at the head of the +harbor rose handsome brick buildings. Church spires could be seen here +and there. From the flagstaff of a hotel on the heights floated the +American flag. On the black rocks<!-- Page 71 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> under the shadow of the trees that +stood far above the shore was a picnic party, the blue smoke of their +fire rising from their midst. To the south of the town lay a <span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, 'beautibul' changed to 'beautiful'">beautiful</span> +cove with a sandy beach. Summer cottages could be seen on the point +beyond the cove. To the north of the town was another cove and a heavily +wooded point. In an opening of the trees on this point stood white +tents.</p> + +<p>And over all hung the mountains, the village seeming to have clambered +up the side of the nearest one as far as it could go.</p> + +<p>It was a most beautiful and captivating scene that glorious summer +morning, and it is not strange that stoical Bart Hodge uttered an +exclamation of admiration, while Frank Merriwell cried:</p> + +<p>"Hurrah, fellows! Here we are, and from the looks of things we'll stay a +while. There looms old Mount Megunticook, and here in the harbor, under +its shadow, we will anchor. Boys, aren't you glad you came?"</p> + +<p>"You bet?" cried every one of them.<!-- Page 72 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>TOO WELL KNOWN.</h3> + + +<p>Taking care not to strike one of the line of ledges that almost closes +the mouth of Camden harbor, they ran in and dropped anchor. From the +rocks the picnickers waved white handkerchiefs and called to them. They +responded in a similar manner, with a strange lightness and exultant +feeling in their hearts. Even Bruce Browning showed enthusiasm, for he +could not help imbibing some of the spirit of the occasion.</p> + +<p>The sails came down with a rattle and were properly and carefully taken +care of, a task that consumed time. Then every line was coiled and put +in its proper place, and nothing was neglected, so that when Frank's +orders had been obeyed, everything about the yacht was ship-shape and in +order.</p> + +<p>Not till he had seen things in order did Frank think of leaving the +sloop. Then he asked who would stay on board and who wished to go +ashore. Diamond and Hodge were eager to go ashore. Browning and +Dunnerwust expressed a willingness to go later, so three of the crew +entered the small boat and pulled away up toward the distant wharves at +the head of the harbor.</p> + +<p>They rowed up to a float beside a wharf. Twenty other boats floated +about the platform, and a boy was watching them.</p> + +<p>"May we land here?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Well, I dunno," said the boy, doubtfully. "Ye see, these bo'ts are to +let. Might let yourn if some folks come along an' wanted it."</p> + +<p>The boy grinned as he finished speaking.<!-- Page 73 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We might come back and want our boat only to find it gone," said Hodge. +"Let's not leave it here, Merriwell."</p> + +<p>The boy gave a jump.</p> + +<p>"What's your name?" he almost shouted, looking straight at Frank.</p> + +<p>"It's Frank Merriwell," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Frank Merriwell!" yelled the boy, dancing up and down. "Whoop! I heard +you was in Rockland! My goodness! won't the fellers be tickled to see +you in this town! There ain't a chap here that don't know all about ye! +Jest you let me have yer painter! I'll take care of that bo't, an' there +don't nobody touch it, you bet!"</p> + +<p>"Thank you," laughed Frank. "I will pay you for your trouble."</p> + +<p>"Not by a jugful! Think I'd take any pay of you? No, sir-ee! I'd set +right here on this float an' watch your bo't for a week 'thout eatin' or +sleepin', an' never charge you a cent! I never 'spected to live to see +Frank Merriwell! Oh, Jingoes! won't the fellers be glad to see ye!"</p> + +<p>The boy took charge of the boat. Just then another boy came onto the +wharf, and the boat boy saw him.</p> + +<p>"Hey, there, Bennie!" he yelled. "What d'yer know? You can't guess it in +a year! He's come!"</p> + +<p>"Who's come?"</p> + +<p>"Frank Merriwell! Here he is!"</p> + +<p>The jaw of the boy on the wharf dropped, and he stood staring, +open-mouthed at Frank. For some moments he seemed awe stricken, and +then, of a sudden, he turned and ran as if for his life, quickly +scudding out of sight.</p> + +<p>"He acted as if he were scared of you, Merry," said Diamond.</p> + +<p>"He's gone to tell t'other fellers in town," explained the boat boy.<!-- Page 74 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Say," laughed Frank, "this is getting altogether too interesting! I'd +rather not be so well known."</p> + +<p>"Well, you can't help it," said Hodge. "They've all heard of you down +this way."</p> + +<p>"And I had an idea they never heard of anything away down here!" +exclaimed Jack. "My ideas of this part of the country are completely +upset."</p> + +<p>"Let's hurry into town," urged Frank. "If we wait, it's ten to one we'll +be escorted by a gang of my admirers. I haven't forgotten Rockland."</p> + +<p>So they left the wharf and hastily walked up Bay View Street. Just as +they reached the bank building at the public square they saw a dozen +small boys coming down Elm Street on the run, headed by the one who had +disappeared so suddenly from the wharf.</p> + +<p>The moment the running boys saw Merriwell and his companions, they +halted and huddled around the leader, who pointed at the three strangers +in the place, yelling:</p> + +<p>"There he is, fellers!"</p> + +<p>Frank laughed outright, and Hodge and Diamond smiled. The excitement of +the boys had attracted more or less notice, and the people on the +streets looked at the three young yachtsmen with interest.</p> + +<p>It was the height of the season at Camden, and the town was literally +gorged with summer visitors from every part of the country, so the +streets presented a lively appearance. The handsome turnouts of +Philadelphia and New York millionaires could be seen, street cars were +running, bicycles darting hither and thither, and the pedestrians on the +streets nearly all wore clothes suitable for summer outing.</p> + +<p>After coming up Bay View Street, which, in the neighborhood of the +wharves, did not present a very attractive appearance, the young +yachtsmen were surprised and pleased to come out to the square, where +they could look<!-- Page 75 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> around and see handsome brick blocks and buildings of +which a city might be proud.</p> + +<p>But the crowd of excited small boys attracted attention for the time. +They came a little nearer, and the leader cried:</p> + +<p>"Let's give three cheers for Frank Merriwell! Ready, now! Yell, fellers, +yell!"</p> + +<p>They did! They threw up their hands, tossed their caps into the air, and +yelled as loudly as they could.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott!" gasped Frank. "See what they have done! Why, everybody on +the street is staring at us!"</p> + +<p>It was true. The spectators had been attracted by the shrill cheers of +the small boys, and they were looking toward the three embarrassed lads +on the corner by the bank.</p> + +<p>A man who was passing stopped and asked one of the boys why they were +cheering so loudly.</p> + +<p>"See that handsome feller there with the lace on his suit?" asked the +boy, pointing Frank out.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see him."</p> + +<p>"That's Frank Merriwell," declared the boy, excitedly and proudly.</p> + +<p>"Frank Merriwell?" repeated the man, doubtfully. "Who is he?"</p> + +<p>"W'at?" yelled the boy, voice and face expressing the greatest amazement +and scorn. "Didn't ye never hear of Frank Merriwell? Wat's ther matter +with yer? Why don't you go die!"</p> + +<p>His contempt was crushing and humiliating, and the man passed on, +wondering who in the world Frank Merriwell could be that he was so well +known and famous.</p> + +<p>But there were plenty of men and youths who had heard of Merriwell, and +the report that the great Yale pitcher was in town flew like wildfire. +Only the small boys stared at Frank with absolute rudeness, however.<!-- Page 76 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +Those older looked at him with interest, but were careful not to make +their attentions embarrassing.</p> + +<p>Merry and his friends walked up into the village, going toward the post +office. There were pretty girls on the street, and some of them flashed +a brief, admiring glance at the trio of handsome lads in yachting suits.</p> + +<p>The small boys trooped along behind, talking excitedly among themselves. +Their chatter was amusing to hear.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Jimmy," cried one, in fierce contradiction of a statement +made by another, "that ain't so, an' you oughter know it! Harvard never +got fourteen hits offen Frank Merriwell in one game!"</p> + +<p>"Fourteen hits!" yelled another, in derision. "W'at yer givin' us, +Jimmy! They never got ten hits offen him in one game! You better go read +up about him! You're woozy, that's w'at's ther matter with you!"</p> + +<p>"That double-shoot of his is w'at paralyzes 'em," put in another. "He +can make ther ball cut all kinds of riggers in the air."</p> + +<p>"That's all right," said Jimmy, sullenly. "Slatridge sez ther ain't no +such thing as a double-shoot. He says that 'riginated in ther mind of +some of them newspaper fellers w'at's writin' up stories 'bout Frank +Merriwell."</p> + +<p>Then there was a howl of scorn from all the others, and one shook a +finger under Jimmy's nose, shouting:</p> + +<p>"Slatridge knows it all—in his mind! That feller's too tired to play +baseball. He can pitch sometimes, but he don't git woke up only when he +thinks he's likely to lose his job. Don't you take stock in ev'rything +he says."</p> + +<p>"Fellers," said a tall, solemn-looking boy, out at knees and elbows, +"I'd give a hundred thousan' dollars to see Frank Merriwell pitch +against Rockland an' use his double-shoot on 'em."</p> + +<p>"I'd give more'n that to see it, if I jest had the price<!-- Page 77 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> of admission +ter git inter ther game," declared a barefooted boy.</p> + +<p>"Why don't Moslof nail him?" fiercely demanded a freckle-faced +youngster. "If I was manager of the Camdens, I wouldn't let Frank +Merriwell go away alive if he wouldn't play ball for me! I bet Rockland +will have him if Moslof don't git him."</p> + +<p>"If Rockland gits him, Camden might jest as well crawl right into the +smallest hole she can find, and pull the hole in after her. She won't +never win another game."</p> + +<p>The most of this talk could be distinctly heard by Frank and his +friends, and it proved very amusing.</p> + +<p>In the window of the drug store near the post office hung a printed +poster announcing a game of ball in Camden that afternoon between +Rockland and Camden. The bill also stated that Rockland and Camden were +tied for first place in the Knox County League, so that the result of +one game would put one or the other team at the head.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to see that game, fellows," said Frank. "It is evident that +there is plenty of baseball excitement down in this part of the +country."</p> + +<p>At this moment two young men came down from the rooms of the Business +Men's Association in the Opera House building, and Frank uttered an +exclamation of satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"There are two Dartmouth men, boys," he said; "Moslof and McDornick. +Moslof is managing the Camdens and playing third. Let's go over and see +them."</p> + +<p>They walked over to meet the Dartmouth men.<!-- Page 78 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>FALSE REPORTS.</h3> + + +<p>Moslof seized Frank's hand and shook it heartily.</p> + +<p>"That Rockland affair didn't amount to anything, after all, did it?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"No," said Merry; "the chap who caused my arrest skipped out when he +learned that Jack Benjamin, the man I bought the yacht of, was in +Rockland. He didn't stay to press the complaint of theft. He thought +Benjamin had gone to Alaska. It must have been a frightful shock to him. +You've met Diamond? Yes. Let me introduce Bart Hodge."</p> + +<p>"Hodge!" cried Moslof. "You caught for Merriwell this season? Jove! but +you made a record for a freshman! I am glad to know you, Hodge."</p> + +<p>They shook hands, and Moslof said:</p> + +<p>"Here is McDornick, our left fielder, the biggest little crank on earth +and the best base runner in the Knox County League, if I do say so! We +need more of them, too."</p> + +<p>McDornick shook hands all round, spluttered a little about the "beastly +luck" the Camdens had been having, and ended by swearing that Camden +would "wipe up the earth" with Rockland before the season was over. He +was very vehement in his expressions.</p> + +<p>"We've been awfully weak in the box," said Moslof. "Bascomb, of the +University of Maine, is a good little man, but he has had poor luck +against the Rocklands. That's the trouble with our pitchers. They are +all right against Thomaston, but they do not work to advantage<!-- Page 79 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> against +Rockland, and I'll swear that Thomaston has the heaviest batting team."</p> + +<p>"If often works that way," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"But the worst of it is," Moslof went on, "Rockland has a pitcher who is +a hoodoo for Camden. He is pie for Thomaston, but he makes monkeys of +our men."</p> + +<p>"Who is he?"</p> + +<p>"Dayguild, late of the New England League. Rockland has found out that +he can play thunder with Camden, and they hold him back for us all the +time. They don't care about Thomaston; it's Camden they want to beat."</p> + +<p>"How is it with Camden?"</p> + +<p>"Well," laughed Moslof, "to tell the truth, the feeling is just as +strong up there. We'd give our boots to down Rockland, and we don't care +so much about Thomaston. I played with Rockland last year. They used me +well down there, but said I couldn't bat any. That made me mad. This +year for the first two weeks of our season I led the league in batting. +I am falling off a little, but still I am ahead of the average. They are +beginning to change their mind down there about my batting."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Merry, "we are going to see your game this afternoon. I +suppose it will be pretty hot?"</p> + +<p>"Hot! You bet! I expect Woods and Makune, of the disbanded Portlands, +here by noon. We have Williamson, of the Lewistons, but he has been ill +and is not in the best form. We're going to do our best to take the lead +again to-day. Woods is a dandy little pitcher and a fine fellow."</p> + +<p>"But if we had you, Merriwell, we'd be all right," said McDornick. "Say, +old man, won't you pitch for us this afternoon? Makune will cover +second, and we can put Woods anywhere. With you in the box, we can +paralyze Rockland."<!-- Page 80 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> + +<p>Frank shook his head.</p> + +<p>"It's no use," he said. "I can't play with you."</p> + +<p>"I hope the stories that fellow has been telling about you are not +true," said Moslof, slowly.</p> + +<p>"What stories?"</p> + +<p>"Why, he's been saying that Rockland had secured you sure—that you came +down into Maine on purpose to pitch for Rockland. When I told him you +had given me your word to pitch for Camden if you pitched at all, he +laughed in my face, and said I was easily fooled. He swore that he knew +for an absolute fact that you had signed with Rockland."</p> + +<p>As Frank listened to this, he flushed and then turned pale. There came a +dangerous fire into his eyes, and he laughed in a manner that was a +danger signal for those who knew him best.</p> + +<p>"Moslof," he said, "you must know these reports are lies. You must know +I can't sign a contract, as that would bar me from college baseball."</p> + +<p>"I didn't believe it," said the manager of the Camdens; "but there are +plenty who did, and the men who are backing the club here are sore on me +for letting you get away after helping you out of that scrape in +Rockland. If Rockland got you now, I'd jump this town in a hurry."</p> + +<p>"Don't let that worry you a bit, old man. I said I would pitch for +Camden if I pitched at all, and I rather think I am known as a man of my +word."</p> + +<p>Moslof seemed relieved.</p> + +<p>"Oh, say!" exclaimed McDormick, impulsively, "just pitch this game for +us this afternoon! We'll sink the knife deep into Rockland!"</p> + +<p>"I hate to refuse," said Frank; "but I must. What I want to know is, who +this fellow is who has been telling that Rockland had me."<!-- Page 81 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, he is a fly chap who is stopping at the Bay View—a summer +boarder."</p> + +<p>"What does he look like?"</p> + +<p>"He's a loud dresser—wears plaids, pink shirts, lots of rings, loud +neckties, and so forth."</p> + +<p>"What's he look like in the face? How old is he?"</p> + +<p>"He may be nineteen. His eyes are set near together, and he is freckled +and foxy looking."</p> + +<p>"He's a sneak!" broke out McDornick, in his impulsive way. "I knew it +the first time I saw him."</p> + +<p>"Where is the Bay View?" asked Merriwell.</p> + +<p>"Right there," answered Moslof, motioning toward a large building +sitting back on the opposite side of the street.</p> + +<p>"This fellow is stopping there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"What is his name?"</p> + +<p>"Don't know."</p> + +<p>"Let's go over. I want to see that gentleman. I hope we may find him +around the hotel."</p> + +<p>"If you'll punch him, I'll pay your fine!" said the hot-headed +McDornick, as they crossed the street.</p> + +<p>While they had been talking in front of the opera house, a small boy was +standing near them, his hands clasped and an ecstatic look of happiness +on his face, while his eyes were not taken off Frank Merriwell for a +moment. When Frank had started to cross the street with the others, the +boy heaved a sigh.</p> + +<p>A gentleman who was passing stopped and looked at the boy in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Well, my little man," said the gentleman, "what is the trouble? You +look as if you had seen a vision."</p> + +<p>"I've jest seen somebody I never thought I'd see," said the boy. "Oh, +I'd like to grow up and be famous like him! It must be fine to be +famous."<!-- Page 82 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My boy," said the gentleman, encouragingly, "if you live you may be a +great man some day."</p> + +<p>"I can't never be like the feller I've just seen."</p> + +<p>"Why, who could this wonderful person have been? I didn't know there was +such a famous man stopping in Camden at present. Was it the governor of +the State?"</p> + +<p>"Naw! Somebody bigger'n him!"</p> + +<p>"A United States Senator, perhaps?"</p> + +<p>"Senators ain't in it with this feller!"</p> + +<p>"Really! You surprise and interest me. It could not have been the +President of the United States?"</p> + +<p>"Bigger feller than the Prince of Wales! Oh, if I could grow up to be +like him!"</p> + +<p>"Now I am astounded!" exclaimed the gentleman. "Who can this wonderful +person be? Won't you tell me his name?"</p> + +<p>"His name is Frank Merriwell, and he is a lollypolooser! He's the most +wonderful feller living in the whole world."</p> + +<p>"Frank Merriwell?" repeated the gentleman, in perplexity. "It's strange +I never heard of him. What has he ever done?"</p> + +<p>"Done?" cried the boy, excitedly and enthusiastically. "What ain't he +done? He's traveled round the world, shot panthers and Greasers in South +America, gorillas in Africa, tigers in India, elephants in Ceylon, and +bears and other critters out West in this country. Done? Why, he made a +bicycle trip across the country from New York to San Francisco, and he +licked everybody that tried to bother him on the way. Done? Mister, he +goes to Yale College, and he is the greatest football player in the +world! He pitches on the Yale nine, and he wiped up the earth with +Harvard and Princeton this spring. Done? If there's a thing that feller +ain't done an' can't do, I want ter know it!"</p> + +<p>The gentleman was gasping for breath.<!-- Page 83 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Really!" he said, "a most remarkable person! And you want to grow up +and be like him?"</p> + +<p>"If I thought I could—if I ever did, I'd die happy!"</p> + +<p>"Strange I never heard of this person before. I don't believe he is very +well known."</p> + +<p>"Now, don't fool yourself, mister. He's known by every boy in the United +States! We've all heard of him, and all the boys down in this town would +give anything to be like him. I tell you he is a bird!"</p> + +<p>"Where is he now?"</p> + +<p>"He's just gone over to the Bay View with Moslof and some other +fellers."</p> + +<p>"Really, I believe I'll have to go over and see what this wonderful +person looks like," and the gentleman crossed the street toward the +hotel.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Frank and his companions entered the hotel in search of +the person who had been circulating the false reports about Merriwell.</p> + +<p>The report that Merriwell was in town had reached the hotel, and no +sooner had the boys entered the office than the landlord came forward +and greeted them heartily. Moslof introduced Merry and his two friends.</p> + +<p>The landlord proved to be a cordial, pleasant gentleman.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Merriwell," he said, "you have caused me no end of trouble."</p> + +<p>"I have?" exclaimed Frank, astonished.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"How is that?"</p> + +<p>"Well, there isn't a table girl, a kitchen girl or any other girl in +this house who does not know all about you. They read those yarns about +you so much that they neglect their business. And, Mr. Merriwell," with +sudden sternness, "I think you will have to settle with me for it."</p> + +<p>"All right," smiled Frank. "What is the bill?"<!-- Page 84 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There is no bill. I mean you have to settle at this hotel and stay here +while you are in town. There will be no bill. You shall have the best +the house affords, and it shall not cost you a red cent."</p> + +<p>Frank was surprised, but he thanked the genial landlord, saying:</p> + +<p>"Really, sir, you are too kind, but we have everything comfortable on my +yacht, and the fellows would not like it if I deserted them."</p> + +<p>"Then bring them all here! I'm crowded, but I'll find room for you, if I +have to give up a room myself."</p> + +<p>He was in earnest, too.</p> + +<p>Frank thanked him warmly once more, but exclaimed that such a thing +would not do, as the <i>White Wings</i> might be stolen by the party who had +attempted to seize her in the very mouth of Rockland harbor.</p> + +<p>While they were talking, a very pretty, roguish-eyed girl came into the +office, making an excuse that she was there on some sort of an errand. +She cast sly glances at Frank, for really she was there to see him.</p> + +<p>Of a sudden the landlord, laughing, caught her by the arm, and drew her +round, saying:</p> + +<p>"Here, Mr. Merriwell, is your greatest admirer in the house, Miss Phebe +Macey. I heard her say once that she thought Frank Merriwell the finest +fellow in the world, and she wondered why some of the Camden boys were +not like him."</p> + +<p>Frank was a little confused, but he lifted his cap and bowed, saying:</p> + +<p>"Miss Macey, I am glad to know I have such an ardent admirer here."</p> + +<p>Phebe was blushing crimson, but the roguish look was still in her eyes. +Never in all her life had she looked prettier than in that moment of +excitement and confusion. She lifted her hand and felt it grasped by +Frank, and<!-- Page 85 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> then, in dismay, she turned and fled, laughing to cover her +agitation. She quickly disappeared, but her laugh rang in Merriwell's +ears, for it was quite as bewitching as her roguish eyes.</p> + +<p>The landlord seemed to enjoy the agitation he had caused the girl, and +he laughed again. In fact, he was quite a man to laugh.</p> + +<p>He urged Frank to remain to dinner, and Merry finally consented, +although Jack and Bart, who were likewise invited, decided to return to +the yacht.</p> + +<p>While they were talking, Moslof suddenly grasped Merriwell's arm, saying +in his ear:</p> + +<p>"Here's the fellow you want to see."</p> + +<p>He turned Frank toward a person who had just entered the office. In a +moment Merry advanced toward that person, confronted him, and sternly +said:</p> + +<p>"So, sir, having failed to injure me in other ways, you have been lying +about me! Well, it's quite like you, Snell!"</p> + +<p>"Merriwell?" gasped the other, recoiling and turning pale. "The +dickens!"</p> + +<p>Frank and his old foe, Wat Snell, were again face to face.<!-- Page 86 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>SNELL IS FIRED.</h3> + + +<p>"So it's that sneak who has been telling yarns!" grated Bart Hodge. "I +hope Merriwell will smash him!"</p> + +<p>"If he doesn't, I will!" muttered Jack Diamond. "I thought we had seen +the last of him when we left Fardale."</p> + +<p>"I hoped so," confessed Hodge.</p> + +<p>"But I can't have a fight here," said the landlord, firmly. "It won't +do."</p> + +<p>He seemed on the point of interfering between Frank and Wat, but Hodge +said:</p> + +<p>"A word to Merriwell is enough, Mr. Drayben. He will be careful not to +cause you any trouble."</p> + +<p>Mr. Drayben saw that Merriwell was holding himself in reserve, and he +felt a sudden curiosity to know what would pass between the enemies who +had met there in his hotel, so he did not speak to Frank at once.</p> + +<p>"Where is your fine friend, Mr. Parker Flynn, who you aided in your +piratical attempt to seize my yacht?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>Snell swallowed down a lump in his throat and made an effort to recover +his composure.</p> + +<p>"The yacht belongs to Mr. Flynn," he said, huskily, his voice betraying +his craven spirit.</p> + +<p>"You know better than that! If so, why didn't Flynn remain in Rockland +and push the case against me? Why did he suddenly take to his heels when +he learned that Benjamin, from whom I bought the <i>White Wings</i>, was in +Rockland?"</p> + +<p>"Business called him back to Boston," faltered Snell.<!-- Page 87 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And business called you out of Rockland in a hurry, too. But you +stopped too soon. It would have been better for you if you had kept on +going."</p> + +<p>Snell understood Merriwell's meaning and he quailed before the flashing +eyes of the boy he had slandered.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you can't scare me with your threats!" he declared, in a weak +manner. "I'm not afraid of you, Mr. Frank Merriwell."</p> + +<p>"If you had kept still about me," said Frank, "I should not have known +you were in this town, but you tried to hurt me in a mean, contemptible +manner, and I found you out."</p> + +<p>"Never tried to hurt you in any manner."</p> + +<p>"How about the lies you have been circulating concerning me?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know what you mean."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you do."</p> + +<p>"I swear I do not."</p> + +<p>"You have been telling that I have signed a contract with Rockland."</p> + +<p>"Well, haven't you?"</p> + +<p>"You know I have not! You know I would not do such a thing for any +money, as it would disqualify me for the Yale team. But I fancy I see +through your crooked game. You thought I might pitch for Rockland +because you knew they would offer me more money than Camden possibly +could. You judged me by yourself, and you knew you would sell yourself +to do anything for money. You sought to turn the college men here +against me, so they would carry back the report to their colleges that I +had played for money under a signed contract. Then I would be debarred +from the Yale team, and your revenge would be complete. Oh, I can read +you, Snell—I know the workings of your evil mind! You are wholly +crooked<!-- Page 88 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> and wholly contemptible. What you deserve is a good coat of tar +and feathers!"</p> + +<p>Frank's plain words had drawn a crowd about them, and Drayben saw it +would not do not to interfere, as the talk could be heard in the +parlors.</p> + +<p>"This will have to stop," he said, firmly. "I can't have any more of it +in my hotel."</p> + +<p>"He is to blame for it all," whined Snell.</p> + +<p>The landlord gave him a look of contempt.</p> + +<p>"I do not blame him for anything," he declared. "I know you have told +the stories he claims. My only wonder is that he did not knock you down +on sight."</p> + +<p>"I might have done so," said Frank, "but was ashamed to soil my hands on +the fellow."</p> + +<p>At this, thinking he was not in danger of immediate personal violence, +Snell became suddenly bold.</p> + +<p>"That is well enough to tell," he said; "but no one will believe it. You +will find that you can't crowd me, Mr. Merriwell."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to crowd you, but I want you to keep your mouth closed as +far as I am concerned. If you try to circulate any more lies about me, I +shall forget that you are a whining cur, without a spark of courage in +your whole body, and I shall give you the drubbing you deserve."</p> + +<p>"Bah!" cried Snell.</p> + +<p>"As I have discovered the sort of a person you are," said Mr. Drayben, +quietly but sternly, "I do not care to keep you in my hotel another +hour."</p> + +<p>"What?" gasped Snell. "What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I mean that you are to pack up and get out at once."</p> + +<p>"But you can't turn me out in that manner. This is a public house, and +you have no right to turn me out like that!"</p> + +<p>"I have the right to refuse to keep rascals and crooks<!-- Page 89 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> in my house, +sir. It is my duty to protect my guests by turning out such persons when +their true character is discovered. You will get out as soon as you +can."</p> + +<p>"Do—do—do you dare call me a rascal and a crook?" gurgled Snell. "Take +care, sir!" shaking his finger at the landlord. "My father is a rich +man. He is at the head of the Yokohama and Manhattan Tea Company, Mr. +Drayben, and he will make you regret it if you turn me out of your old +hotel!"</p> + +<p>"I don't care if your father is the Mikado of Japan or the Mayor of New +York!" came from the landlord, who flushed with anger when Snell shook a +finger at him; "you will get out of this house in a hurry, just the +same."</p> + +<p>"You can't turn me out till after dinner!"</p> + +<p>"Can't I? We'll see about that!"</p> + +<p>"But it's almost dinner time now."</p> + +<p>"That makes no difference. You can't eat another meal here. Settle and +git!"</p> + +<p>It was a terrible humiliation for Snell, but he found there was no +appeal, and he was forced to settle his bill, pack his traveling bag, +and leave the hotel without his dinner.</p> + +<p>"I have not liked the appearance of the fellow from the start," said Mr. +Drayben. "He talked too much. If he stayed in the house another week, he +would have driven away some of my best guests. You have done me a favor, +Mr. Merriwell, by giving me an excuse for getting rid of him."</p> + +<p>"He's a revengeful sneak," said Frank. "He'll try to get even with me +some way."</p> + +<p>Jack and Bart decided it was time for them to return to the yacht, and +so they left Merriwell at the hotel, surrounded by several members of +the Camden ball team, who had come in to see him.</p> + +<p>Moslof introduced Frank to the members of the team as<!-- Page 90 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> they appeared, +and Merry shook hands with Slatridge and Putbury, the principal battery +of the nine, two men who were red-headed, freckled, slow of movement, +slow of speech, and who looked so much alike that in their uniforms one +was often mistaken for the other. Cogern, the center fielder of the +team, was another big fellow, who was said to be a terrific batter, +being valuable for that very reason. Williamson proved to be tall and +thin, but "Pop" had a reputation as a pitcher and a hitter. On account +of his illness he had not been able to pitch since joining the Camdens, +and so he was covering first base. Mower was a professional, and a good +man when he attended to business. He played short. Bascomb, a little +fellow, with a swagger and a grin that showed some very poor teeth, was +change pitcher with Slatridge.</p> + +<p>Frank looked the men over. They were a clean-looking set of ball +players, and he was favorably impressed with them.</p> + +<p>"Why, you seem to have a strong team here," he said to Moslof. "I +fancied by what I heard down in Rockland that you had a lot of farmers."</p> + +<p>"They know better than that!" exclaimed the manager of the Camdens, +flushing. "We gave them a shock by winning from them in our opening +game. They thought they had a snap. They have been hustling since then, +but we held the lead for a long time. Now we are tied with them for +first place, and this game to-day decides who holds the position. If +Woods and Makune arrive on the twelve o'clock car, we'll try to give +Rockland a surprise this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Woods is a pitcher, isn't he?"</p> + +<p>"He is, and he's a good man, too, but his arm is not in the best +condition. He hurt it a few weeks ago, and it hasn't got back yet. All +the same, he says he will pitch for us this afternoon—telephoned me to +that effect. He's<!-- Page 91 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> on the level, and he wouldn't want to pitch if he +didn't think he could win."</p> + +<p>"Then I don't see why you want anything of me," smiled Frank.</p> + +<p>"Woods can play any position," said Moslof, quickly. "With you in the +box, we'd have the strongest nine ever seen in this State."</p> + +<p>"You have started my baseball blood to boiling," laughed Merry; "but I +think I'll keep my head cool and not play."</p> + +<p>At this moment some one announced that the twelve o'clock car was +coming, and all hurried out to see if Woods and Makune were on it.</p> + +<p>They were. They were met by Moslof, who shook hands with them and then +introduced them to Merriwell.</p> + +<p>"What?" exclaimed Makune. "Frank Merriwell, the Yale man?"</p> + +<p>"The same," confessed Frank.</p> + +<p>"Why, Portland tried to get you two weeks ago, but couldn't get track of +you. Moslof, you did a good trick when you nailed Merriwell."</p> + +<p>"But I haven't nailed him," said the manager of the Camdens. "I've tried +every way possible to get him. He is stopping here on his own yacht."</p> + +<p>Woods did not seem to be much of a talker, but when he shook hands with +Merry, many in the crowd noticed a strong resemblance between them. +Merriwell was the taller and darker. Woods was very quiet in his manner, +and he impressed the observer favorably at a glance. He had the air of a +gentleman, even though he was a professional ball player.</p> + +<p>That day Woods, Makune, Moslof and Merriwell dined together at the Bay +View, and Frank told himself that never had he met a pleasanter set of +fellows. There was something about Woods that drew Merry to him in a<!-- Page 92 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> +most remarkable manner. Frank had not known him an hour before he felt +as if they were old friends.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can win from Rockland this afternoon, Walter?" asked +Moslof.</p> + +<p>"I can try," said Woods, quietly.</p> + +<p>"Win!" exclaimed Makune. "Why, he is sure to win! If you have the team +you say you have, we'll eat Rockland."</p> + +<p>"How's your arm, Walter?" asked Moslof.</p> + +<p>"I think it's all right," assured Woods.</p> + +<p>"All right!" cried Makune. "Of course it's all right! Never was better. +You didn't hurt it much, anyway, Walt."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I did," declared Woods, truthfully. "I thought I had killed it, +and I reckoned that my ball playing days were over. I didn't care much, +either. If it hadn't been for you, Makune, I'd quit, anyway."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're too sensitive!" chuckled Makune. "You see, gentlemen, Walter +doesn't drink a drop, doesn't smoke, chew or swear, won't play cards for +money—in fact, hasn't a single vice. The fellows jolly him about it, +and it makes him sore."</p> + +<p>Frank's sympathy was with Woods at once.</p> + +<p>After dinner Woods and Makune went to their rooms to change their +clothes, and Merry went out to stroll through the town.</p> + +<p>Frank found himself stared at in a manner that was rather embarrassing. +In the candy store opposite the Bay View were a number of girls who +seemed to be watching for him to appear. They did not try to flirt with +him, but it was obvious that everyone of them was "just dying" for a +fair look at him.</p> + +<p>Frank walked down through town and strolled up onto High Street as far +as the handsome stone mansion known as "Villa Norembega." Here he was at +the very base of<!-- Page 93 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> the mountains, and he could look out over the harbor +and the bay. The view was the most beautiful his eyes had ever rested +upon, and he stood there gazing upon it for a long time. Down in the +harbor, amid the other yachts, the <i>White Wings</i> lay at anchor, and his +keen eyes could detect figures moving about on her deck.</p> + +<p>"Jingoes!" thought Merry. "This is a lovely spot. I wonder more people +do not come here during summer. There can't be anything more beautiful +at Bar Harbor."</p> + +<p>He walked back into town, and, on the corner near Wiley's market, he met +McDornick and Cogern, who were in their ball suits. He paused to chat +with them a moment.</p> + +<p>"We'll have a mob up from Rockland this afternoon," said Cogern. "They +know we've got Woods and Makune."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they won't come for that very reason," said McDornick. "They +may not want to see their team beaten. We'll give them fits to-day."</p> + +<p>"Baseball is something you can't depend on," said Frank, warningly. +"Don't be too sure of winning. I have seen a strong team lose just +because it was too confident."</p> + +<p>"If we had you this afternoon we couldn't lose," declared Cogern.</p> + +<p>"That is not certain," smiled Merry; "but I guess you are all right, +anyway."</p> + +<p>"Here comes the two o'clock car from Rockland," said McDornick. "Wonder +if it brought up any rooters?"</p> + +<p>The car was coming down around the curve, the motorman letting it run +without power, as the grade was rather steep there.</p> + +<p>Of a sudden, Cogern uttered a cry, and Frank heard a sound that caused +him to whirl about instantly.</p> + +<p>On the track directly in front of the oncoming car, a<!-- Page 94 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> young girl had +fallen from her bicycle. She seemed to be stunned, and the car was +rushing upon her swiftly, although the frantic motorman was banging the +gong and twisting away at the brake with all his strength.</p> + +<p>Cries of horror went up from twenty persons who witnessed the downfall +of the girl, for it looked as if the car must pass directly over her.</p> + +<p>Quick as thought Frank Merriwell sprang to save the imperiled girl. Two +panther-like bounds took him to the car track, and he stooped to lift +her.</p> + +<p>Again there were cries of horror, for it seemed that the car must knock +him down, and that two lives instead of one would be crushed out beneath +the wheels. Women on the street turned their heads away that they might +not witness the awful tragedy.</p> + +<p>It did not seem that Frank paused in his rush, although he stooped, +caught hold of the girl, lifted her and bore her on. He snatched her up +in a manner that utterly bewildered every person who witnessed the act, +and then, as the car seemed sure to strike him, with one of those +wonderful leaps, he cleared the track, holding the girl in his arms.</p> + +<p>He felt the car brush his elbow, but that was all. He was not harmed, +and the girl was safe in his arms, although her wheel was crushed +beneath the wheels of the car.</p> + +<p>People came rushing toward them from all directions, but Frank did not +mind them at that moment. He looked down at the pale face of the panting +girl.</p> + +<p>"Miss Macey!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>It was the pretty, roguish-eyed girl to whom he had been introduced by +Landlord Drayben.</p> + +<p>"You are not hurt, are you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"No," she faintly whispered, a bit of color coming back<!-- Page 95 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> to her face; +"but you saved me from being killed, Mr. Merriwell."</p> + +<p>"Well," Frank was forced to confess, "I think I did get you away just in +time."</p> + +<p>"My bicycle——"</p> + +<p>"Smashed."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so sorry! But I'd rather it would be that than myself. Thank +you, Mr. Merriwell."</p> + +<p>"I am happy to do so much for you. My only regret is that I was not able +to save your wheel, too."</p> + +<p>"You did all you could," she said, a bit of the roguish light coming +back to her eyes. "I didn't suppose you would do so much for me, a +stranger."</p> + +<p>"I'm always ready to do anything in my power for a pretty girl," said +Merry, softly, with laughing seriousness.</p> + +<p>"Then pitch for the Camdens this afternoon," murmured Phebe. "Will you?"</p> + +<p>Frank was thrown into consternation, for he saw he was trapped.</p> + +<p>"It's too late now," he said. "Moslof has decided to pitch Woods. If +asked again to pitch, I'll do it."</p> + +<p>By this time they were surrounded by the crowd. A dozen men were asking +Phebe if she were hurt, or were loudly praising Merriwell for his prompt +action in going to her rescue.</p> + +<p>"Let me escort you to the hotel," said Frank. "I will return and see +about your broken wheel."</p> + +<p>"If you will be so kind," she murmured.</p> + +<p>Then, with her clinging to his arm, they walked toward the hotel. It +seemed that two hundred persons knew what had happened. A score of girls +saw Phebe Macey clinging to Frank's arm, and even though she had lost +her bicycle beneath the wheels of the car, she was envied by them all.<!-- Page 96 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>QUICK WORK.</h3> + + +<p>A steady stream of men, women, boys and girls were pouring in at the +entrance of the Camden ball ground, which lay in a most picturesque +location directly at the foot of the mountains. It was plain that the +greatest crowd of the season had turned out to witness the struggle +which should place either Rockland or Camden at the head of the Knox +County League.</p> + +<p>The grand stand filled rapidly. It was a hot afternoon, but there was a +draught through the grand stand, so that the upper seats were +comfortable. Beyond the dusty diamond the green woods looked cool and +inviting.</p> + +<p>The ball ground was on an elevated spot, from which a view of the +village and bay could be obtained. Winding through the distant line of +woods the river might be seen. Away to the west loomed a range of purple +mountains.</p> + +<p>Dressed in their scarlet uniforms, the Camdens were on the field +practicing. Although Bascomb was going to be on the bench that +afternoon, he was warming up as if he expected to go into the box. He +had cast aside cap and sweater, and was pitching all kinds of shoots to +a young chap he had found willing to catch him. Woods was batting to the +infield, but somebody was needed to give the outfield some work. +Merriwell was called for by McDornick.</p> + +<p>Frank was leaning on the rail down near the peanut stand, Diamond, +Hodge, Browning and Dunnerwust being with him. The entire party had left +the yacht to witness the game of ball, but the <i>White Wings</i> was being +watched by a young man on another yacht that lay near her.<!-- Page 97 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Where's Frank Merriwell?" cried McDornick from the field. "Let him +knock out some sky scrapers for us."</p> + +<p>Moslof asked Merriwell to bat some to the outfield, and so Frank tossed +aside his yachting jacket and advanced toward the plate.</p> + +<p>There was a sudden burst of applause from the grand stand and it went +all round the ground, bringing a hot flush to Merry's face.</p> + +<p>"I wish they wouldn't do that!" he muttered.</p> + +<p>Surely he was a handsome-looking fellow in his yachting suit. He +selected a bat, and then, without any apparent effort, drove out a high +liner for Cogern in deep center. He gave the fielders all the work they +wanted.</p> + +<p>"Here come the Rocklands!"</p> + +<p>A great crowd was coming up the road, in the van of which could be seen +the boys in gray from the Limerock City. The Rockland rooters had not +been frightened away by the report that Woods and Makune would play with +Camden. They were coming in a body to whoop and yell and growl for their +team—yes, to fight for it, if necessary.</p> + +<p>They poured into the ground. All the available standing room was taken, +and the crowd overflowed so that it encroached upon the field. The +Camdens came in and let their opponents have the field for practice.</p> + +<p>"Fellows," smiled Frank, as he joined his friends, "this is going to be +a hot afternoon."</p> + +<p>"All of that," nodded Hodge. "It's plain there is an intense feeling of +rivalry between these two towns."</p> + +<p>"Say, fellows," put in Jack Diamond, "I haven't stopped wondering yet."</p> + +<p>"What about?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"This part of the country. You told me we would have sport down here, +but I never expected anything like this. Why, there's rivers of sporting +blood in this section!<!-- Page 98 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> How do they get together such ball teams? Camden +must pay Mower big money, or he would be in one of the big leagues. They +must have coughed liberally to Woods and Makune, for either of those two +fellows could get into a big league. Rockland has a full-salaried team, +and they say she pays her men two hundred and fifty dollars a week all +told. That's more money than the New England League pays."</p> + +<p>"They don't go into anything halfway down here," smiled Merry. "I fancy +the ball team is a good thing for Camden. It advertises the town, as all +the games are reported in the Boston dailies, and it attracts summer +visitors. A good percentage of the spectators here now are summer +people."</p> + +<p>The Rockland team began practice. They appeared more like professionals, +taken as a whole, than the Camdens, nearly all of whom seemed college +lads.</p> + +<p>Practice was over in a short time, and then the home team prepared to go +to bat first, and the umpire took his position and called "play."</p> + +<p>Although the Rockland "rooters" were on hand to shout for their team, +the fact that Camden had Woods and Makune made them cautious about +offering bets. In fact, two of Rockland's principal "sports" were +seeking to put money on Camden, but could not find takers without giving +odds.</p> + +<p>Dayguild, Rockland's champion pitcher, the man held in reserve for +Camden, was sent into the box. He had seemed to hoodoo Camden, and +Rocklandites hoped he would keep up the good work.</p> + +<p>Some Thomaston men who had come over to see the game stopped near +Merriwell and his party and laughed over the "snap" Camden would have +that day. One of them was telling the others how easy it was to rattle +Dayguild and break his courage by hitting him hard and<!-- Page 99 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> putting two +rattling coachers on the line to keep him "up in the air." Frank did not +miss a word of this talk.</p> + +<p>"Pop" Williamson was the first man to go to bat for Camden. He stood up +at the plate and looked at Dayguild. Dayguild laughed at him, saying:</p> + +<p>"Pop, you're easy."</p> + +<p>"Pop" laughed back, observing:</p> + +<p>"I have to be easy with you, Gil, or I'd show you up, and you would lose +your job."</p> + +<p>"That's what I call wit!" exclaimed Merriwell, in appreciation. "Pop is +all right. He'll get a hit."</p> + +<p>He did. He cracked out Dayguild's first ball for an easy single, and +laughed at the Rockland pitcher as he trotted down to <span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, extraneous quotation mark removed">first.</span></p> + +<p>"Thought I wouldn't put it into the woods this time, Gil," he said.</p> + +<p>"That's a good start to rattle Dayguild if they would get after him," +said a Thomaston man.</p> + +<p>But Camden made the mistake of splitting her coachers, putting one at +third and one at first, and the men did not "open up" in a way to get +the Rockland pitcher on the string.</p> + +<p>Putbury, or "Old Put," followed Williamson. He was a left-hand hitter, +and a good man, but Dayguild managed to give him the "evil eye" and +struck him out.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you won't get away from first, Pop," said Dayguild, winking +at Williamson in a tantalizing manner.</p> + +<p>"Oh, there's lots of time," returned the runner, calmly.</p> + +<p>Cogern followed Putbury. He fanned twice, and then he cracked out a +daisy cutter that looked like a safe hit, for it got past the pitcher +and was going directly over second, with Smithers, the baseman, playing +away off.</p> + +<p>But Smithers was a little fellow who could cover ground wonderfully. How +he ever reached second as soon as the ball and gathered it in was a +marvel, but he did the<!-- Page 100 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> trick with an ease that brought an exclamation +of admiration from Merriwell.</p> + +<p>As he picked the ball off the ground Smithers touched second and put +Williamson out. Then he whirled like a cat and sent the ball whistling +to first.</p> + +<p>Rockland's first baseman smothered it with ease before Cogern could get +much more than halfway down the line, and a double play had been made, +which retired Camden with a whitewash as a starter.</p> + +<p>What a wild howl of satisfaction went up from the throats of the +Rockland rooters! How they hammered on the railing and yelled! Their +satisfaction was unlimited, for they had not dreamed there could be such +a happy termination of the Camden's half of the first inning.</p> + +<p>"Sorry for you, Pop," grinned Dayguild.</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing for you there was a man like Smithers on second," +returned Williamson. "It was a clean case of luck."</p> + +<p>At this Dayguild laughed derisively, walking in to the bench.</p> + +<p>Camden took the field. Woods stripped off his sweater and went into the +box. He was a clean, fine-looking fellow in his suit. He had warmed up a +little, and now he tossed a few to Williamson, who was on first.</p> + +<p>Smithers, the captain of the Rocklands, was the first man to go to the +plate. He was known to be a most remarkable little hitter, without a +weak point that any pitcher had been able to discover.</p> + +<p>Woods looked Smithers over, and then sent in a swift one that the little +man let pass.</p> + +<p>The umpire called a ball.</p> + +<p>"Whew!" exclaimed Diamond. "That's what I call speed."</p> + +<p>"You don'd peen aple to seen dot pall ad all, eh?" cried Hans.<!-- Page 101 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Merry," said Bart, "Woods is the first fellow I ever saw who reminded +me of you in the box."</p> + +<p>Smithers went after the next ball, but fouled it over the fence, and a +new ball was put into play. Again and again he fouled.</p> + +<p>"You are finding him," cried the Rockland rooters.</p> + +<p>At last Smithers hit it fairly on the trade mark, and sent it out into +right field for a single.</p> + +<p>The Rockland crowd was delighted.</p> + +<p>"Why, Woods is easy!" they roared.</p> + +<p>Woods was not ruffled in the least. When the ball was thrown in, he +entered the box with it immediately, and then suddenly snapped his left +foot out and shot the ball over to first.</p> + +<p>Smithers saved himself by a hair's breadth. It was a close decision on +the part of the umpire.</p> + +<p>"Did you get onto that motion with his foot?" came eagerly from Hodge. +"It's Merriwell exactly! Why, the fellow appears more and more like you, +Frank!"</p> + +<p>"That's so," grunted Browning.</p> + +<p>Edwards, Rockland's shortstop, followed Smithers at bat. He was a large, +stocky, red-headed fellow, inclined to swagger and make more or less +unnecessary talk, but a good ball player and a hard hitter.</p> + +<p>"Don't let him catch you, Smithers," he cried. "I'll land you on third."</p> + +<p>Woods smiled. He was feeling first rate, and he did not believe Edwards +could keep his word. While standing carelessly in the box, he gave a +hitch at his pants with both hands, the right hand holding the ball, and +then sent a scorcher over the plate so quickly that Edwards was not +prepared and did not offer at it.</p> + +<p>"One strike!" decided the umpire.<!-- Page 102 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's the way to fool 'em on the first one," laughed Frank Merriwell, +softly. "Woods is up to tricks. Boys, that fellow is a dandy, I +believe."</p> + +<p>Smithers tried to get a good start from first, but Woods kept him close +to the base, much to the delight of the Camden crowd. All Camden was +confident that Rockland was doomed to defeat that day.</p> + +<p>The second ball was a coaxer, but Edwards let it pass. Then came another +swift one, and the batter went after it and missed it entirely.</p> + +<p>The Camden crowd howled its delight.</p> + +<p>"That's the stuff, Woodsie!" yelled a voice. "Leave Smithers on first, +same as they left Williamson."</p> + +<p>"He can't do it, you know!" sung back a Rockland rooter.</p> + +<p>Woods was the essence of coolness. He teased Edwards with two out-drops, +and then he seemed to gather himself for a speedy one. As the batting +score stood three balls and two strikes, the batter felt that Woods +would use a straight, swift ball and try to cut a corner of the plate.</p> + +<p>Woods seemed to send the ball with all the strength he could command, +but, strange to say, it lingered in the air, and, too late, Edwards saw +it was a slow one.</p> + +<p>The big shortstop bit at it. He smashed at it with all his strength, and +he hit the ball with the tip of his bat. The coacher had sent Smithers +for second on that ball when it left Woods' hand. It was too late to +stop him when they saw the ball popped up into the air as an easy +infield fly.</p> + +<p>Makune called out that he would take it, and ran in under it. Edwards, +who had a lame knee, ran as if sprinting for his life. The ball hung in +the air a long time, while Makune stood under it, waiting for it to come +down.<!-- Page 103 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> + +<p>When it did come down it created one of the sensations of the day, for +it dropped into Makune's hands and fell out. There was a roar of +astonishment that this crack infielder of the New England League should +drop a ball like that. Makune was the most astonished man within the +inclosure of that ball ground, for he had not done anything like that +before during the entire season.</p> + +<p>Then there was a kick, as Moslof claimed that Makune dropped it +purposely, and, as he had thrown the ball over to first on picking it +up, Edwards was out on an infield fly, even though he had reached the +base ahead of the ball.</p> + +<p>The umpire knew his business, however, and did not get rattled. He knew +that the rules declared a batter was out on an infield fly that could be +handled, providing there was a runner on first; even though the fielder +dropped the ball for the purpose of luring the man off first. But +Smithers had left first before Edwards struck the ball and was well on +his way to second, while Makune had not dropped the fly as a trick, but +because he could not hold it. The umpire decided that Smithers had +stolen second and Edwards was safe on first, which caused the Rockland +crowd to go wild with satisfaction, while the Camdenites groaned in +dismay, those who did not understand the point in the game declaring it +was an outrage, and those who did feeling that the umpire understood it +too well to be fooled.</p> + +<p>Gulsiver, Rockland's center fielder, was the next batter. He went after +the second ball and found it, knocking it straight at Mower. Mower was +an erratic player, and, on this occasion, he stopped the ball, but he +chased it around his feet long enough to permit Gulsiver to get first +safely, and Smithers and Edwards moved up a base each.</p> + +<p>The bags were full!<!-- Page 104 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's a hard start for Camden," said Frank Merriwell, feeling his +sympathy go out toward the boys in red.</p> + +<p>"Dot Voods don'd seem to peen doin' a great deal mit der Rocklandt +poys," observed Hans.</p> + +<p>"It's not Woods' fault," declared Merry. "Smithers is the only man who +has secured a hit off him."</p> + +<p>If Woods was worried or disgusted, he did not betray it. He continued to +pitch coolly and deliberately, for all the yelling of the Rockland crowd +and chinning of the coachers.</p> + +<p>He struck out the next man, and followed that up by causing Hammond, the +fifth batter, to put up a low, infield fly, which Woods looked after +himself and caught.</p> + +<p>Then it was Camden's turn to howl again, for, although the bases were +full, two men had been sent to the bench in a minute by the cool little +pitcher in crimson.</p> + +<p>"This looks better," said Merriwell, beginning to smile again. "I'll bet +something Rockland does not score."</p> + +<p>Shaddock was the next man at bat. Woods fooled him on a wide curve and a +swift inshoot. Then Shaddock got mad and nearly broke his back hitting +the ball.</p> + +<p>The ball struck the ground near the home plate and rolled lazily down +toward third. Smithers had started for home, and Woods started for the +ball. As he passed the ball, Smithers tried to kick it aside, even +though he was taking chances of being seen by the umpire in doing the +trick. He failed to touch it, however, and, the next instant, Woods +gathered it up with one hand, taking it as he ran directly from first +base. Smithers was between him and the plate, and he could not see the +catcher. He did not hesitate a fraction of a second, he did not even +pause to straighten up, but, in a stooping position, he swung his arm +low and sent the ball whistling to first. Spectators afterward declared +that at no time was that ball more than two feet above the ground. It +went<!-- Page 105 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> straight to first, Williamson gathered it in, and the Rocklands +were out without scoring.</p> + +<p>Then such a roar went up to the heights of old Megunticook! The old +mountain must have fancied that the Indian warriors of long, long years +ago had returned and were holding a mighty powwow down there in its +shadow.</p> + +<p>Men and boys were frantic. They hammered each other on the back, they +flung their hats into the air. Women screamed with joy and waved their +handkerchiefs. And Woods—just then he was the hero of the moment. +Scores of pretty girls were hugging each other and declaring that he was +"just perfectly lovely." But he was as cool and unruffled as ever, +seemingly utterly deaf to the roars of applause.</p> + +<p>"I guess Camden is all right, after all," laughed Merriwell.</p> + +<p>"Woods is a dandy," said Diamond.</p> + +<p>"They do not need me to pitch for them to-day," declared Frank.</p> + +<p>Dayguild grinned and chewed gum as he entered the box and faced little +McDornick, champion base runner of the Camdens. McDornick was +palpitating with eagerness to hit the ball. He hated to let the first +one pass, although Dayguild sent in a wide teaser. He went for the +second one, and hammered it out for two bags, although with an ordinary +runner it would have been no more than a pretty single.</p> + +<p>"Gil, you're pie," laughed Williamson, from the bench.</p> + +<p>"You will find him hot pie before the game is over," said a Rockland +man.</p> + +<p>Moslof went to bat. He was eager, also—far too eager, for he struck at +the first ball, although it was not within reach. But McDornick stole +third on it, reaching the bag in advance of the ball by a beautiful lone +slide.<!-- Page 106 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then Moslof batted one down to Edwards and was thrown out at first.</p> + +<p>Mower came next. Sometimes he was a hitter. This was not one of the +times. He fanned out, and still McDornick was shivering on third.</p> + +<p>Makune faced Dayguild. It was not for the first time, as he had faced +him many times before in the New England League. Although Makune was not +a heavy hitter, he had done remarkable work for the first of the season, +and Dayguild was afraid of him. With the ball under his arm, the +Rockland pitcher turned to observe the positions of the men in the +field. His back was toward McDornick.</p> + +<p>There was a shout of warning from the crowd, and Dayguild whirled to see +a figure in crimson shooting toward the plate like a streak of fire.</p> + +<p>It was McDornick attempting to steal home!</p> + +<p>The nerve of the act dazed Dayguild for a moment, and then he threw the +ball to the catcher, thinking to put out the runner with ease.</p> + +<p>The catcher dropped it!</p> + +<p>McDornick made a headlong plunge for the plate, touched it, leaped up +and dodged away before the catcher could pick up the ball.</p> + +<p>Camden had scored!</p> + +<p>Roar, roar, roar! The crowd went wild with joy. The black cliffs above +flung back the burst of sound. It seemed enough to wake the dead in the +distant cemetery tinder the slope of Battie. It was heard far down in +the heart of the town, and it brought more spectators hurrying to the +ball ground.</p> + +<p>Williamson sat on the bench and laughed tauntingly at Dayguild, who was +flustered and excited.<!-- Page 107 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, if they know how to do the trick, they can win the game in this +inning," said a Thomaston man.</p> + +<p>But Makune was not in good form, and he rolled one down to third, being +thrown out at first, which retired Camden with one score.</p> + +<p>But Woods pitched wonderful ball the next inning, and Rockland was given +another whitewash.</p> + +<p>By this time Dayguild had recovered his composure, and he pitched so +well that Slatridge, Woods and Williamson went out in quick succession.</p> + +<p>Then came a fatal half for Camden. Merriwell had seen Woods feeling of +his elbow and working it as if it did not feel just right, and he was +not surprised when Rockland fell to batting the new pitcher of the +Camdens.</p> + +<p>"Moslof ought to take Woods out," Frank said to Diamond. "He has hurt +that lame arm already."</p> + +<p>"You must be wrong, Merry," said the Virginian. "See the speed he is +using. Why, I can hardly see the ball as it goes over the plate."</p> + +<p>"Speed is all he is using," declared Merriwell, "and Rockland is eating +speed. He can't use his curves, as it hurts his arm to do so."</p> + +<p>Now the Rockland crowd had a chance to yell and laugh, and cheer, for, +although Woods seemed to be pitching good ball, the "Limeburners" had +donned their "batting clothes," and were hitting anything and +everything. The fielders were kept busy, and Rockland players chased +each other round the bases till six scores had come in.</p> + +<p>"I said Moslof ought to take Woods out," said Merriwell, soberly. "The +game is lost now."</p> + +<p>"Woods can't be the pitcher we thought he was," said Diamond, in +disappointment.</p> + +<p>"Woods is all right if he doesn't spoil that arm," asserted Frank. "If +he sticks to professional ball and takes<!-- Page 108 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> care of his arm, he'll be in +the National League before many years."<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">1</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">1</span></a> A prophecy that has come true, as Walter Woods was signed +by Chicago several years ago. He can play any position on the diamond, +and is one of the cleanest men in the business. Not long ago he pitched +on the Camden team of the Knox County League, in the State of Maine. +Sockalexis, the Indian player, who was with the Clevelands last season, +and who created a sensation wherever he appeared, also played in the +Knox County League.—The Author.</p></div> + +<p>At last Woods struck out the third man, and Rockland was retired, but +not till she had secured a lead of five scores.</p> + +<p>Dayguild laughed at Williamson as he went into the box.</p> + +<p>"It's all over now," he declared. "Camden is buried."</p> + +<p>"You can't tell about that," returned Williamson. "You have had your +turn, ours will come."</p> + +<p>But it did not come that day, although Woods pitched the game out and +held Rockland down so that she obtained but one more score. The game +finally ended seven to five in favor of Rockland.</p> + +<p>A more delighted crowd than the rooters from the Limerock city could not +be found. They guyed every Camdenite they knew. They declared that +Camden was a snap for Rockland, and always would be a snap. They were +insolent in their satisfaction and delight.</p> + +<p>Down into town rushed the Rocklandites. They bought every tin horn they +could find, and at least a dozen cow bells. They bought tin pans and +drummed on them with sticks. They bought brooms and paraded with them to +indicate that they had swept Camden clean. They made a frightful racket +in the very heart of the village, and their scornful remarks about +Camden and Camdenites in gen<!-- Page 109 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>eral were of a nature to arouse the anger +of any inhabitant of the town at the foot of the mountains.</p> + +<p>At last the cars from Rockland came, three of them being required to +handle the crowd. They piled on and went out of Camden blowing horns, +ringing bells, beating tin pans and howling derision.</p> + +<p>Frank Merriwell stood on the corner near the opera house and heard all +this. He could feel the blood within him getting warmer and warmer. He +considered Moslof a fine fellow and he admired Woods. His sympathy was +with Camden.</p> + +<p>Moslof and Woods came down the street together and paused near Frank. +Woods was making no excuses.</p> + +<p>"They hit me out, that's all," he said. "I want to pitch against them +again when this arm is rested."</p> + +<p>Frank stepped forward.</p> + +<p>"When do you play Rockland again, Moslof?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"To-morrow," was the answer. "The schedule brings these two games +together."</p> + +<p>"Who will pitch?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Woods can't, Williamson is not in shape, I am afraid to +put Slatridge in, and Bascomb never was any good against Rockland, +although he is a good man against any other team."</p> + +<p>"You wanted me to pitch to-day," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I might not have done any better than Woods. He is a dandy, and he can +monkey with Rockland when his arm is all right. I knew you ought to take +him out at the beginning of the third, and I told Diamond so. I could +see that his arm was keeping him working speed, and Rockland was eating +speed."</p> + +<p>"That's right," nodded Woods. "It was the best I could do that inning. +No matter where I put them, they hit them out. I worked a change of +pace, but that did not<!-- Page 110 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> seem to bother them. After that inning, however, +I kept them guessing."</p> + +<p>"You pitched winning ball all through the game, with the exception of +that fatal inning, and it is probable those fellows would have hammered +anybody that inning. They had a batting streak, and they made the most +of it."</p> + +<p>Then he suddenly turned to Moslof, asking:</p> + +<p>"Do you want me to pitch for you to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>Moslof gave a jump.</p> + +<p>"Do I want you?" he exclaimed. "I should guess yes! Will you do it?"</p> + +<p>"I will."</p> + +<p>Moslof seized Merry's hand.</p> + +<p>"Old man, you have won my everlasting gratitude. To-morrow we'll put a +team into the field that will paralyze Rockland. It will be such a team +as Rockland or the State of Maine never saw before! Will we do 'em? Oh, +say! We'll wipe 'em off the earth!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's not certain," cautioned Frank. "You can't be sure of a +victory till it is won. Camden thought she had a sure thing to-day."</p> + +<p>"It will be different to-morrow," said Moslof. "If you pitch a winning +game, the people of Camden will give you the whole town when we get back +here!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I shall do my best to pitch winning ball," assured Merry.</p> + +<p>Directly after supper, which all the boys except Hans took at the Bay +View, the Dutch lad being sent off aboard the <i>White Wings</i>, a buckboard +with four wide seats came round for a party, and Merry was surprised to +find that he was expected to be one of the party. Browning, Diamond and +Hodge were included. The others were members of the Camden ball team.</p> + +<p>When the buckboard was loaded the driver cracked his whip over the four +handsome horses, and away they went<!-- Page 111 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> through town, up over Harbor Hill +and along the street that led toward the foot of the mountains.</p> + +<p>Soon they were close under the cliffs of Battie. There were some +splendid singers in the party, and they awoke the echoes with the old +college songs.</p> + +<p>In the cool shadows of twilight they rolled along the famous turnpike, +with Battie behind them and the frowning heights of Megunticook rising +directly over their heads. On Maiden Cliff, standing out against the +sky, they saw the white cross that marks the spot where a beautiful girl +fell to her death on the cruel rocks below. At times the winding road +seemed to lead directly into the lake that they could see shimmering +through the trees. It was one of the most beautiful drives Merriwell had +ever taken.</p> + +<p>They turned about finally and came back by the way of Lake City, a +charming collection of cottages assembled at one of the most picturesque +spots to be found around the island-dotted lake. The driver pointed out +the spot where the famous Lake City Inn had stood before the fire that +wiped out the beautiful summer hotel.</p> + +<p>By this time night had fallen, but the full moon was high in the +heavens, shedding a pure white light over all and giving the scene a +glamour that it could not have by day. Indeed, it was so light that the +cross on Maiden Cliff could be seen even better than they had seen it in +the twilight.</p> + +<p>"Now, fellows," said Moslof, "there is another place we had better visit +to-night."</p> + +<p>"Where is that?" asked several.</p> + +<p>"The Summit House, on Mount Battie."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for the Summit House!" shouted the boys.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to do some walking."</p> + +<p>"We can walk up all right."</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," grunted Bruce Browning. "I came out to +ride."<!-- Page 112 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It will do you good to walk."</p> + +<p>But Bruce could not agree with Merriwell, and Moslof, laughing, said +that Browning should not leave the buckboard till he was safely on the +top of Battie. This relieved the big fellow's mind, and he grunted:</p> + +<p>"All right. Go ahead."</p> + +<p>Before they reached the foot of the mountain after leaving Lake City +they turned off into a road that led back into the woods. Soon they came +to the new road that had been constructed by the energy and +determination of the shrewd owner of the hotel on the heights. This road +proved to be even better than the boys had anticipated, but it was very +steep in places, so that every man except Browning walked. As for Bruce, +no amount of guying could induce him to get off and climb.</p> + +<p>The moonlight sifted down through the trees, making white patches amid +the black shadows. There was not much air, and the walking lads were +perspiring freely before they were far from the foot of the ascent; but +they stuck to it, and, at last, they were relieved to come out of the +winding way and see the lights of the hotel before them.</p> + +<p>With a cheer, they rushed forward toward the building.</p> + +<p>Moslof led the way round the end, and then all stopped, uttering +exclamations of admiration.</p> + +<p>Below them in the white moonlight lay the village, the harbor, the bay, +the great stretch of beautiful country. Hundreds of lights twinkled in +the town, the electric street lamps showing white and clear and marking +the limits of the village.</p> + +<p>Away to the south was Rockport, her electric lamps paled by the clear +moonlight. Miles beyond Rockport was Rockland, her location also plainly +marked by lights. Between Rockport and Camden a lighted trolley car was +flying along.<!-- Page 113 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> + +<p>Jack Diamond drew a deep breath, and his hand fell on Frank's arm.</p> + +<p>"Merriwell," he said, "I want to thank you for bringing me down into +this country. It surely is a wonderful land at this season of the year, +no matter what it may be in winter. This is the most beautiful view my +eyes ever rested upon.<span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, missing quotation mark added">"</span></p> + +<p>"Everybody says that," put in Moslof. "No matter where they have been, +they say that."</p> + +<p>"I have traveled a little over the world," said Merriwell, "and I must +say this is the most entrancing view I have ever looked upon."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad I took the trouble to come up," sighed Browning.</p> + +<p>As they were standing there, gazing enraptured upon the scene, there was +a burst of girlish laughter from the hotel. Then at least a dozen girls +came out upon the veranda.</p> + +<p>"What have we struck?" exclaimed Frank.</p> + +<p>"It must be a party," said Moslof. "Let's go in."</p> + +<p>Go in they did, the proprietor of the hotel meeting and welcoming them. +It proved that Moslof was right, there was a party of girls up from the +village, and Frank's sharp eyes found Phebe Macey was among them.</p> + +<p>Not a few of the girls were known to the boys. Those who were not known +were introduced.</p> + +<p>"What a place for a dance!" thought Frank, as he looked the dining room +over. "These tables could be cleared away, and then we——"</p> + +<p>He caught sight of the proprietor, and, in another moment, he drew the +man aside.</p> + +<p>"If you want to dance, I'm willing," was the consent of the genial owner +of the Summit House. "But where's your music? There's a fiddle here, but +who can play it?"<!-- Page 114 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll find somebody!" cried Frank, and he rushed for Diamond.</p> + +<p>But, before the dance could be started, it was found that the consent of +the young lady chaperon who had accompanied the girls must be obtained. +Frank approached her. At first she was not favorable, but Merriwell used +diplomacy and finally won her over so that she consented to let the +girls remain and dance an hour.</p> + +<p>Then there was a hustling to clear the dining room floor. The old violin +was brought out and Diamond proceeded to tune up.</p> + +<p>Frank sought Phebe and asked her to waltz with him.</p> + +<p>"I don't think I will dance," she said, pretending to pout a bit.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" asked Merry, in surprise. "You do dance, do you not?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, sometimes."</p> + +<p>"And you will refuse me?"</p> + +<p>"You deserve to be refused."</p> + +<p>"Why, pray?" asked Frank, surprised.</p> + +<p>"I asked a favor of you to-day."</p> + +<p>A light broke in on Frank.</p> + +<p>"Oh, is that it? You wanted me to pitch for Camden?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And I didn't. Well, can't you pardon me this time?"</p> + +<p>"Really, I do not think you deserve it."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not, but, if I promise to do better, will you——"</p> + +<p>"It's too late now."</p> + +<p>"How is that?"</p> + +<p>"Camden lost."</p> + +<p>"And might have lost just the same if I had pitched."</p> + +<p>"No," she said, with confidence, "I know all about your pitching. You +would have won the game."<!-- Page 115 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There is another game to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's in Rockland, and the Rocklands always win on their own +ground."</p> + +<p>"Is that their reputation? Well, perhaps we may be able to break the +spell and defeat them on their own ground once."</p> + +<p>"'We!' What do you mean by that? It can't be that you will pitch for +Camden to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Will you waltz with me if I'll agree to do so?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," was her instant answer.</p> + +<p>"Done!" said Frank. "I'll pitch."</p> + +<p>Then Diamond struck into a beautiful waltz, and Frank and Phebe were the +first on the floor, his arm about her waist, her hand gently clasped in +his.<!-- Page 116 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>MERRIWELL'S DOUBLE SHOOT.</h3> + + +<p>"Here come the Lobsters!"</p> + +<p>The cry was uttered by a small boy as the Camden ball team entered the +Rockland ball ground.</p> + +<p>A great crowd had assembled in the "cigar box," as the ground was +sometimes called because of its narrow limits. All Rockland had heard +that Camden would have a new battery, and nearly all Rockland had heard +of Merriwell and Hodge, for Frank had insisted that Bart should support +him behind the plate. The fact that Rockland had won from Camden with +Woods in the box made the rooters feel that their team was +invincible—that it could not be defeated by Camden. They had turned out +in a way to make the heart of the Rockland manager rejoice as the +quarters came jingling into the cash box.</p> + +<p>The car had been delayed and the Camden team was late. It was followed +by such a swarm of Camden people as had never been seen on the Rockland +ball ground. This band of rooters was marshaled by a Camden man, who had +instructed them to hang together and who was to lead them in the +cheering. They packed in upon the bleachers near first base, as they had +bought a large reserved space there and it was held for them.</p> + +<p>Rockland had finished practicing, and so the Camdens took the field. +Everybody was asking where Frank Merriwell was, but no one seemed able +to discover him.</p> + +<p>"It was a false report," somebody said, and then the spectators, +thinking they had been deceived, began to growl.</p> + +<p>But Merriwell and Hodge had slipped into the ground<!-- Page 117 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> in ordinary clothes +and were getting into suits in the dressing room beneath the grand +stand. As soon as they were dressed, they came out, and Frank began to +warm up by throwing to Bart.</p> + +<p>"Here they are!"</p> + +<p>A boy uttered the cry, and then every eye seemed turned on the famous +Yale battery.</p> + +<p>Among those who had been watching for Merriwell's appearance was Wat +Snell. The fellow ground his teeth with rage as he saw Frank come out in +a baseball suit.</p> + +<p>"He shall not win this game!" vowed Wat. "I have the stuff in my pocket +that will fix him if I can get it into him."</p> + +<p>Then Snell hastily sought some chaps who were grouped in a little bunch, +talking in low tones among themselves.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Bixton," said Wat, "I want to speak with you a moment."</p> + +<p>He drew one of the young men aside and whispered in his ear. Bixton +scowled and nodded, answering:</p> + +<p>"I've got fifty dollars on this game."</p> + +<p>Then Snell whispered some more, but Bixton shook his head and said +aloud:</p> + +<p>"They'd kill the feller they caught doin' it. French is a reg'lar fool! +He wants to beat Camden, but he wouldn't win in a crooked way for a +thousand dollars. He'd be the first to jump on a chap that was caught +doin' up a Camden man."</p> + +<p>"He needn't know it," said Snell, and then he whispered some more, but +he couldn't seem to win Bixton over.</p> + +<p>"All right," said Snell. "You'll be sorry when you lose your fifty +plunks."</p> + +<p>"I ain't lost 'em yet."</p> + +<p>"You will if Frank Merriwell pitches the whole game."</p> + +<p>Practice was over, the umpire took his place and called<!-- Page 118 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> "play," the +Camden team was in the field. Merriwell walked down into the box. He +wore his Yale uniform, as he had been unable to obtain a Camden uniform +that would fit him.</p> + +<p>The Rockland crowd looked at Merriwell with curiosity, but all the +applause he received came from the Camden rooters. At one side of the +diamond were gathered twenty small boys. Usually these youngsters were +full of taunts and jeers for Camden, but now they were strangely silent. +One of them turned to the others and said:</p> + +<p>"Fellers, Rockland eats dirt ter-day! We kin lick anything else on ther +face of ther earth, but we can't do up that battery. I've read all about +Frank Merriwell, an' there ain't nothin' walks on two legs what kin +pitch ball with him!"</p> + +<p>Strange to relate, he was not disputed in the assertion.</p> + +<p>The umpire broke open a box and tossed a beautiful new "Spaulding" to +Merry, who caught it and rubbed a handful of dirt over it.</p> + +<p>Smithers advanced to the plate. Frank had heard that it was impossible +to discover the little man's weak point, and he resolved to start right +in by fooling him—if possible.</p> + +<p>Hodge knew what was coming when Merry assumed a certain attitude. Then, +without any flourish, Frank shot in what seemed at the start to be a +straight, swift ball.</p> + +<p>Smithers took it for an inshoot, and, in his judgment, it must be a fair +ball. He swung for it, and then he dropped his bat and gasped.</p> + +<p>The ball had reversed from an in to an out, causing Smithers to miss it +by at least six inches!</p> + +<p>It was Merriwell's wonderful double shoot!</p> + +<p>Those in the grand stand who had seen the double curve of the ball +uttered exclamations of amazement, and<!-- Page 119 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> some of them would not believe +their eyes had not deceived them.</p> + +<p>Smithers picked up his bat, muttering:</p> + +<p>"If I'd been drinking lately I wouldn't wonder at it!"</p> + +<p>Hodge returned the ball, and in a moment Merry was ready to deliver +again. Smithers fancied he had been deceived by his eyes, and so, when +Frank pitched another ball that was exactly like the first, he smashed +at it again.</p> + +<p>And missed again!</p> + +<p>There was a commotion in the grand stand. A loud voice was heard +declaring the ball had curved in and out, and that Merriwell was a +wizard. Another person was speaking soothingly to the excited +individual.</p> + +<p>Not a sound from the Camden rooters, for their leader was holding them +in check. He had not given the signal for applause.</p> + +<p>On all the ground there was no man half as amazed as Smithers. He +fancied he had batted all kinds of pitching, but here was something new +to him.</p> + +<p>There was a hush as Frank again assumed position for delivery. Smithers +assumed a look of determination and made ready. Then the Yale pitcher +shot in another ball, this time changing his curves so the sphere +started with an out and suddenly changed to an in.</p> + +<p>Seeing it was an out at the start, Smithers instantly decided that it +must go beyond his reach. When it changed to an in, and passed over the +plate, it was too late to get his bat round, and so he stood with the +"wagon tongue" poised, not even having offered at it.</p> + +<p>"Three strikes—out!" called the umpire.</p> + +<p>Then the Camden crowd could be held no longer. Never before had Smithers +been struck out like that. But three balls had been pitched, and yet, +the crack batter of the Rocklands, a man without a weak point, was +retired. The<!-- Page 120 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> men and boys from under Megunticook rose up and yelled +like a thousand fiends. They felt that a man who could strike Smithers +out like that would have a snap with the rest of the team, and the joy +in their hearts knew no bounds.</p> + +<p>For once the Rockland rooters were silent. They did not even have +sufficient nerve left to guy the Camdenites. They stared and stared at +the man who had struck out Smithers with three pitched balls, and their +dismay and disgust knew no bounds.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter that Rockland didn't get that feller?" growled one. +"It was a fool trick to let Camden get him!"</p> + +<p>Smithers walked to the bench and sat down in a dazed way, muttering:</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll be blowed!"</p> + +<p>Edwards picked up a bat and advanced to the plate with his usual +swagger.</p> + +<p>"Just try that on me," he invited.</p> + +<p>Instantly Frank decided to do so. Bart was ready, and Merry snapped in a +swift one, giving it the double curve. Edwards let it pass.</p> + +<p>"One strike!" cried the umpire.</p> + +<p>A roar from the Camden crowd.</p> + +<p>Bart sent back the ball. Edwards grinned and then scowled. He made +ready. Frank reversed the curves and drove in a whistler that could +scarcely be seen as it passed through the air.</p> + +<p>This time Edwards struck, but he found only empty air.</p> + +<p>"Two strikes!" from the umpire.</p> + +<p>Another roar from the Camden crowd.</p> + +<p>Edwards began to look doubtful.</p> + +<p>"What are we up against?" he muttered to himself.</p> + +<p>Merriwell took his time to pitch the third ball. All at<!-- Page 121 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> once he seemed +to send in one like the last. Edwards believed the double curve would +cause it to cross over the plate, and he struck at it.</p> + +<p>It proved to be a straight ball, and Edwards never touched it!</p> + +<p>"Striker is out!" decided the umpire.</p> + +<p>It is impossible to describe the tumult that followed. For once, at +least, Camden was well represented on the Rockland ground, and the +rooters for the boys in crimson could not make noise enough. Their hour +of triumph had arrived, and they were making the most of it.</p> + +<p>Edwards looked sour enough as he went to the bench.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Gulsiver, who was swinging two bats so that +one would seem lighter to him when he came to strike.</p> + +<p>"That Yale chap is the devil!" growled Edwards.</p> + +<p>Gulsiver was a college man and a fine fellow. He had played with Camden +the previous season, and Camden was sorry it did not have him that year. +He looked anxious but determined to do his best as he went to the plate.</p> + +<p>Frank had decided that he was using the double shoot altogether too +much, for it would soon put a kink in his elbow if he kept it up. He had +used it on Edwards because the Rockland shortstop had challenged him to +do so. Gulsiver was tried with a coaxer, but he let it pass. Then Frank +gave him a rise, and he hit it.</p> + +<p>The ball popped up into the air and fell into Merriwell's hands, +retiring Rockland on eight pitched balls, without a single batter +getting started toward first base.</p> + +<p>The Camden crowd was happy, and the Rocklandites were disgusted. But +Rockland had a pitcher who more than once proved a hoodoo for Camden. +The redoubtable "Grandpa" Morse was to go into the box this day. There +had been a time when Morse could scare the Camden players with his speed +and fool them with his "south<!-- Page 122 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>paw" delivery. Rockland hoped that time +had not passed, even though the rooters of the Limerock City were aware +that Morse was not dealing with tenderfeet this day.</p> + +<p>Moslof had placed Hodge at the head of the batting list at Merriwell's +suggestion. Bart picked up a heavy stick and advanced to the plate, as +Morse entered the box. The Rockland men were in their places on the +field.</p> + +<p>Morse was working his jaw over a chew of gum. He had a glove on his +right hand, and with this he covered the ball so it could not be seen. +At the very start Merriwell made a kick about this, and Morse was forced +to show the ball in his hand. He grinned at Frank with an expression +that seemed to say he would get even, and then, putting on all the steam +at his command, he sent a high ball over the plate, thinking to daze +Hodge with his speed.</p> + +<p>Hodge swung at it, hit it fairly without much effort, and put it over +the center field fence, trotting around the bases to the music of the +cheers of the Camden crowd.</p> + +<p>Then Morse was riled. Williamson came next, and "Grandpa" struck him +out, giving the Rocklandites a chance to yell a little. Cogern followed, +and made a hard try for the center field fence, but Gulsiver got back +against the fence, reached up into the air and pulled the ball down, to +the increased delight of the Rockland spectators. McDornick was too +anxious, and he hit an easy roller to Edwards, who threw him out at +first.</p> + +<p>But the first inning had ended one to nothing in Camden's favor.</p> + +<p>Then Merriwell went into the box again, but he did not attempt to work +his double shoot till Rockland had filled the bases with a hit, a wild +throw by Mower and a dropped fly by McDornick, followed by a poor throw +to third.</p> + +<p>Now Rockland thought her time had come. The coachers were doing their +best to rattle Merriwell, aided by the yelling crowd, but Frank never +was cooler in his life. He<!-- Page 123 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> struck out the next man, and the next popped +up a little fly to Makune. Then Merry took a hot liner from the next +batter, and Rockland did not score.</p> + +<p>Then Bixton hunted up Snell.</p> + +<p>"I'll give you ten dollars to get that drug into Merriwell," he said.</p> + +<p>"Furnish me with a boy to pass Merriwell the water and I'll do it," said +Snell. "Merriwell would suspect me."</p> + +<p>Bixton found the boy, and the plot to knock Frank out was laid. Snell +called the boy aside and gave him full instructions.</p> + +<p>"Here is a little vial," he explained. "All you have to do is stick by +the water bucket at the end of the Camden bench. Keep this vial in your +hand uncorked and ready. You can keep it out of sight. When Merriwell +wants a drink, it will be easy for you to drop some of the stuff in the +vial into the bucket. As soon as he drinks, upset the bucket, so nobody +else will get any of the stuff. Here's ten dollars for you."</p> + +<p>The boy took the vial and the ten dollars. Then, when Snell was not +watching him, he looked around for French, the Rockland manager, found +him and told him the whole plot.</p> + +<p>French was furious.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't have that happen on this ground for a hundred dollars!" he +declared. "Point out the fellow who hired you to do this, and I will +have him arrested! We are winning no games in that way!"</p> + +<p>The boy pointed Snell out, and, five minutes later, Wat turned pale as +an officer tapped him on the shoulder and said:</p> + +<p>"Come with me. Don't make any fuss, or the crowd will find out that you +hired a boy to drug Frank Merriwell. You'll be lynched if they do find +it out."</p> + +<p>Snell could not say a word. With the officer's hand on<!-- Page 124 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> his shoulder, he +was marched off the ground, while the crowd wondered why he had been +arrested. Bixton, the crooked sport, saw this, and it did not take him +long to disappear.</p> + +<p>So the plot to knock Merriwell out was frustrated, and Frank pitched the +game through, giving Rockland just four hits. At the end of the eighth +inning the score stood two to one in favor of Camden. With the beginning +of the ninth a combination of bad plays placed a Rockland man on third, +with one man out. Then the next batter drove out a long fly to Cogern, +and the man on third attempted to score on it. Cogern made the throw of +his life, nailing the runner at the plate and spoiling Rockland's last +chance.</p> + +<p>The game was over, and Camden had won by a score of two to one. It had +been a beautiful game, and once more Camden and Rockland were tied for +first place in the Knox County League.</p> + +<p>The Camden rooters were happy, while the Rockland spectators melted away +and disappeared from view with amazing suddenness when the last man was +out.</p> + +<p>It was plain enough that the Rockland people expected the visitors to +celebrate as Rockland had done in Camden, but nothing of the kind was +permitted. Still it was a joyful crowd that loaded the two trolley cars +and went through the main street of the city singing:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Boom-ta-de-aye, boom-ta-de-aye,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De-boom-ta, de-boom-ta, de-boora-ta-de-aye;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We won to-day, we won to-day,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh, we won, oh, we won, oh, we won to-day."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>As they passed the <i>Star</i> office the bulletin was out:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Baseball To-day:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Camden, 2; Rockland, 1."<br /></span> +<!-- Page 125 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></div></div> + +<p>The crowd on the cars cheered as they passed the bulletin, and they sang +all the way to Camden.</p> + +<p>But when those cars entered Camden what a reception awaited the victors! +It seemed that half the town had turned out to meet them. Everybody had +a horn. As the first car, carrying the ball players, approached the +opera house there was a deafening blare of sound, and the explosion of +cannon crackers, and cheer after cheer rent the air. The moment the car +stopped Frank Merriwell was torn from his seat by admirers, was lifted +to the shoulders of sturdy fellows and carried to the hotel without +being allowed to touch his feet to the ground, while the throng surged +around him and shouted.</p> + +<p>An hour later, as he sat in the office of the hotel, surrounded by +friends and admirers, he said:</p> + +<p>"Fellows, I'd like to spend the rest of the summer right here in this +town. It's all right! I'm glad I've found Camden, and you may be sure +it's not the last time I shall stop here."</p> + +<p>Then the mayor of the town, who happened to be present, said:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Merriwell, Camden belongs to you. If there is anything here that +you want, take it. If you don't see what you want, ask for it. I don't +know that we can do any better by you than that."</p> + +<p>That evening Landlord Drayben gave the baseball boys a dinner at the +hotel, and there were speeches and toasts and cheers for Merriwell.</p> + +<p>After the dinner the dining room was cleared, an orchestra appeared, and +there was dancing. Again Frank was the first on the floor, with Phebe +Macey as his partner. And Phebe was the happiest girl in Camden that +night.<!-- Page 126 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>OFF FOR BAR HARBOR.</h3> + + +<p>It was nearly midnight when a boat containing four lads pushed out from +Fish Market Wharf and pulled down Camden harbor toward the fleet of +yachts that lay anchored in Dillingham's Cove.</p> + +<p>The moon had dropped down into the west, but it still shed its pure +white light on the unrippled water of the harbor, and, despite the +lateness of the hour, several boating parties were out. From away toward +the Spindles came the sound of a song, in which four musical voices +blended harmoniously. Nothing stirs the entire soul with a sense of the +beautiful like the sound of a distant song floating over the silvered +bosom of a peaceful bay or lake on a moonlight night in midsummer. Hodge +and Diamond, who were rowing the boat, rested on their oars, and the +four lads listened a long time.</p> + +<p>"Beautiful!" murmured Merriwell, who was sitting in the stern of the +boat, the rudder lines in his hands.</p> + +<p>Browning grunted.</p> + +<p>"The yelling of the Camden crowd on the Rockland ball ground to-day +sounded better to me," he said.</p> + +<p>Quoth Merriwell:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'The man that hath no music in himself,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is fit for treasons, strategems and spoils;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The motions of his spirit are dull as night,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And his affections dark as Erebus:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Let no such man be trusted.'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Huah!" said Bruce. "Talk about a 'concord of sweet sounds,' what could +be sweeter than the howls of those<!-- Page 127 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> baseball rooters when you worked +your double shoot on the Rockland batters and kept them fanning the +breeze? That was what I call music!"</p> + +<p>"Fellows," sighed Frank, "this has been a lively day."</p> + +<p>"It certainly has," nodded Hodge.</p> + +<p>"Things move in a hurry down here at this season of the year," put in +Diamond.</p> + +<p>"It's rather too lively for me," confessed Merriwell. "I am stuck on +Camden, but I must get out of it right away."</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked the others, in a breath.</p> + +<p>"The people here will not give me any rest. If I remain, it will be +impossible for me to refuse to play ball with the Camden team, and I did +not come down here for that. Why, I could have a hundred dollars a week +if I would play with Camden. Money doesn't seem to be of value to the +people here, now that they think I can beat Rockland every time I go +into the box. They are ready to give up anything to beat Rockland. I +haven't any grudge against Rockland. In fact, if what I hear about Wat +Snell's attempt to drug me is true, I have every reason to be grateful +toward Manager French, for he caused Snell's arrest, and it is likely +that Wat is languishing in the Rockland lockup to-night."</p> + +<p>"That fellow will land in prison all right," said Diamond. "He is the +most vindictive creature I ever saw."</p> + +<p>"If French pushes him, he may be shut up for a while down this way," +observed Hodge.</p> + +<p>"I was going to spend a week up there on the mountain," said Jack, +looking toward the top of Battie, where the lights of the Summit House +were still gleaming, despite the hour. "If we get out of here in a rush, +I'll not get up there again."</p> + +<p>"We were there last night," said Frank. "That was a jolly time, and no +one expected it. After dancing on<!-- Page 128 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> the mountain last night, pitching a +game of ball to-day and then dancing at the Bay View to-night, I am +ready to rest to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Browning grunted again.</p> + +<p>"I believe you are getting frightened," he yawned.</p> + +<p>"Of what?"</p> + +<p>"The girl with the roguish eyes."</p> + +<p>"Phebe?"</p> + +<p>"Sure."</p> + +<p>"Why should I be frightened of her?"</p> + +<p>"She has hypnotized you with those eyes. Notice how often he danced with +her, fellows? Inza Burrage is down this way, and——"</p> + +<p>"She is in Bar Harbor now."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's not far. You are counting on getting away from Phebe +before she weaves her spell about you so you can't break away."</p> + +<p>"It's wonderful how you read a fellow," laughed Merriwell. "You should +go into the mind-reading business. Anyhow, we'll get up anchor early, if +there is a breeze, and leave Camden behind us."</p> + +<p>"For good?" asked Diamond, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, perhaps not for good. We may drop in here on our way back. Can't +tell just what we will feel like doing."</p> + +<p>A boat was gliding past them. It came near enough for its occupants to +recognize the lads in the other boat. Somebody said:</p> + +<p>"It's Merriwell and his party."</p> + +<p>Then a feminine voice called:</p> + +<p>"Hello, Frank Merriwell. You are a dandy!"</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Frank, laughing. "There are others."</p> + +<p>"Not in your class," was the quick retort. "You are the only one of the +kind."<!-- Page 129 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who was that?" asked Diamond, as the boat passed on.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't tell you, my boy," answered Frank.</p> + +<p>"Why, that's strange! She spoke to you as if she knew you. Familiar for +a stranger!"</p> + +<p>"Evidently she is intoxicated—by the moonlight," grunted Browning.</p> + +<p>"If we stay down this way long, I fancy we'll find there is considerable +freedom at these summer resorts," said Merry. "People do not always wait +for introductions down here. But the girl in that boat would not have +spoken had it been in the daytime. She knew I could not recognize her, +and that is how she ventured to do it."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's get on board," urged Bruce. "I'm tired, and I want to turn +in."</p> + +<p>"Pull away," directed Frank, and the boys began rowing again.</p> + +<p>They passed other rowboats, and the sound of voices and laughter came +over the moon-burnished bosom of the harbor. On board one of the yachts +not far from the <i>White Wings</i> a jolly party had gathered. Somebody was +picking away at a guitar and softly humming the latest song. Others were +chatting and laughing. The yacht was decorated with Chinese lanterns and +was burning bright lights.</p> + +<p>"Those lights would look better if there wasn't any moon," observed +Diamond.</p> + +<p>As they approached the <i>White Wings</i> a figure suddenly arose on the deck +and leveled something at the boat, while a voice called:</p> + +<p>"Stood still vere I vos und gafe der coundersign! Uf I don'd done dot +you vill oben vire onto me!"</p> + +<p>"Here, here, Hans!" exclaimed Merry. "What are you trying to do—shoot +us? Be careful with that gun!"</p> + +<p>"Vos dot you, Vrankie?" asked the faithful Dutch boy, lowering the gun. +"Vale, I don'd vant to make no mis<!-- Page 130 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>took, und so I peen careful not to +led any vellers come apoard uf me vot I don'd vant to seen. I vos glad +you haf camed."</p> + +<p>They ran up to the sloop and were soon on board. It was necessary to +tell Hans what had happened that day, but he simply said:</p> + +<p>"Oh, I knew how dot vould peen all der dime. Uf course Vrankie blayed +marples mit Rocklandt."</p> + +<p>That night they slept well in their berths, for a cool breeze sprang up +about midnight, so the cabin of the yacht was not too warm, and there +was the gentlest of rocking motions to lull their senses.</p> + +<p>Frank was astir at daybreak, and it did not take him long to turn the +others out when he discovered there was a land breeze.</p> + +<p>"It's just what we want," he said. "We must get away in a hurry, +fellows. We can take our breakfast after we get outside the harbor."</p> + +<p>So the anchor was raised, the sails run up in a hurry, and the <i>White +Wings</i>, with Frank at the wheel, headed for the Spindles. At sunrise she +was outside the harbor's mouth, with her course set due east. Outside +the harbor there was a strong, steady breeze, and it was not long before +the twin mountains of Camden began to sink into the purple morning +mists.<!-- Page 131 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>DIAMOND'S PLANS.</h3> + + +<p>The season at Bar Harbor was at its height, and the most famous resort +on the coast of Maine was overflowing with rich, fashionable and famous +people. Congressmen and their families were there, millionaires from +various parts of the country were there, titled persons from abroad were +there. Frenchman's Bay was almost crowded with yachts, and excursions +were pouring into the town by the railroad and by steamboats. There were +drives by day, excursions to various points about the bay, and by night +there were hops at the hotels, strolls in the moonlight, and gay times +on board the yachts that clustered in the harbor.</p> + +<p>Two days at Bar Harbor made Frank and his friends long to get away.</p> + +<p>"This isn't much like Camden, don't you know," yawned Browning, as he +rolled into his berth on the afternoon of the second day. "We made a +mistake in running away from that town in a hurry."</p> + +<p>"You know why we did it," said Frank, quickly. "We were too well known +there. Now, over here we have been discreet and kept our identity +secret. That was not such a task, either, for I do not fancy one out of +a thousand of these people ever heard anything about any of us, or would +take the trouble to turn round to look after us if they had heard of us +and knew who we were. By Jove! I find it rather agreeable, fellows!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's all right," nodded Diamond. "I don't fancy notoriety any +more than you do, Merry; but there is something about the atmosphere +here that I don't quite relish, although I can't tell what it is."<!-- Page 132 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p> + +<p>Frank laughed.</p> + +<p>"I fancy I know what it is, old man."</p> + +<p>"Then let me into the mystery."</p> + +<p>"It is the air of commercial aristocracy these people wear. Now, by +birth and breeding, Diamond, you are a true aristocrat, but with you +blood is everything, and it rather galls you to witness the boorish air +of superiority assumed by some of these millionaire pork packers with +neither education nor refinement. I don't wonder. When you came to Yale +you had some silly notions about aristocracy, but you have gotten over +them to a certain extent, so that now you recognize a gentleman as a +gentleman, even though his father was a day laborer; but you realize +that no man is a gentleman simply because he is worth several million +dollars and has a daughter he is trying to marry off to a foreigner with +a title and a blasted reputation. We are getting nearer together in our +ideas every day, Diamond, whether you realize it or not. These +money-made aristocrats with their boorish manners and their inability to +speak or spell the English language correctly are quite as repugnant to +me as they are to you. There are plenty of such society people here, and +they are making you tired, old man. I don't wonder. I am becoming a +trifle fatigued myself."</p> + +<p>"Yaw," grunted Hans, who had been listening with an owlish look of +wisdom on his full-moon face, "vot makes me dired vos dose beoble vot +don'd knew how to speak der English language mitoudt a misdake makin' +their spelling in."</p> + +<p>"I can't say that I relish Bar Harbor so very much," said Hodge, +speaking for the first time. "I think I have seen enough of it."</p> + +<p>"Let's move," grunted Browning.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you will trouble yourself a lot about moving!" laughed Frank.<!-- Page 133 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll move when the yacht does."</p> + +<p>"And help get up the anchor?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, say, I'll pay Hans to do my share of pulling on the anchor line! My +heart is weak, and I am liable to strain it by overexertion."</p> + +<p>"You are not at all liable to, for you will not overexert yourself."</p> + +<p>"If we leave Bar Harbor, where shall we go, fellows?" asked Diamond.</p> + +<p>"Oh, there are plenty of places," assured Frank.</p> + +<p>"Mention some of them."</p> + +<p>"As you know, Penobscot Bay is full of islands, and on some of those +islands are villages. Now, it is my belief that some of those villages +would be interesting places to visit."</p> + +<p>"A good suggestion."</p> + +<p>"We might run down to Green's Landing or Isle au Haut."</p> + +<p>"Say!" exclaimed Diamond.</p> + +<p>"Say it."</p> + +<p>"I have an idea."</p> + +<p>"Vos dot as pad as der rheumadisms?" asked Hans, innocently. "Vere did +id hurt me most?"</p> + +<p>"Let's invite the girls," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"Inza and Paula?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Huah!" grunted Browning, from his berth. "Anybody might have known it! +Think of John Diamond, of Virginia, getting soft on a Boston girl! Ha! +ha! ha!"</p> + +<p>The big fellow's words and laughter irritated Diamond, and he snapped:</p> + +<p>"I don't see what there is so very funny about that!"</p> + +<p>Then Browning laughed all the more, saying:</p> + +<p>"You see, he doesn't deny it, fellows. I suspected it<!-- Page 134 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> when they met in +Rockland. It was a case of love at first sight."</p> + +<p>"Paula Benjamin is a splendid girl," said Frank, "and you are stuck on +her yourself, Browning. Jealousy is what ails you."</p> + +<p>The big fellow flopped over in his berth with remarkable suddenness, his +face becoming wonderfully red.</p> + +<p>"Now, look here, Merriwell," he exclaimed, "that won't go down with this +crowd. You all know I don't care a rap about girls, and——"</p> + +<p>"Vot made you got so red aroundt der gills, Pruce?" chuckled Hans. "Dot +peen a deadt gife avay."</p> + +<p>Jack was glad the tables were turned, and he joined in the general +laugh.</p> + +<p>"Oh, go to thunder, the whole of you!" roared Browning, as he again +flopped over in his berth.</p> + +<p>"What would we do with the girls?" asked Hodge. "We have not sufficient +room on the boat to accommodate them here, and——"</p> + +<p>"There must be some sort of a hotel at Green's Landing," said Diamond, +quickly. "Of course, Miss Gale, Inza's aunt, would go along as +chaperon."</p> + +<p>"Well, it would be a change from Bar Harbor," said Frank. "This place is +too much like all other fashionable seaside resorts to suit me, and +still I do not feel like running away and leaving the girls. They would +think it a mean trick if we were to do so so soon."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they won't go," said Hodge, who did not seem much in favor of +the project.</p> + +<p>"Well, we can ask them," spoke up Diamond, quickly.</p> + +<p>"I am to see Inza this evening, and I'll find out about it," said Frank. +"If they can go, we want to get away bright and early to-morrow, +providing there is a breeze."<!-- Page 135 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>THE MAN WHO SAW THE MONSTER.</h3> + + +<p>The girls gladly welcomed the plan, for they felt there would be much +pleasure in a cruise among the islands of the bay. At first, however, +Miss Gale was opposed to it, but Frank won her over, as Inza felt +certain he could.</p> + +<p>So the next morning the girls appeared on the pier at an early hour, +accompanied by the stern-faced but kind-hearted old maid, having been +brought down from the hotel by a carriage.</p> + +<p>The boys were on the watch for them, and a boat, containing Frank and +Jack, pushed off from the <i>White Wings</i> immediately.</p> + +<p>The girls, the chaperon, the baggage—all were taken into the boat and +soon set aboard the yacht.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later, with all sails set, the <i>White Wings</i> was running +out to round the end of the breakwater.</p> + +<p>With favorable wind and conditions, it is just a delightful half-day's +cruise from Bar Harbor to Green's Landing. Off Southwest Harbor the wind +proved something of a gale, as nothing in the shape of land lay between +them and the open ocean, from which the wind swept in powerfully.</p> + +<p>Although the yacht buried her starboard rail at times and fairly hissed +through the water, Frank did not take a reef in a single sail, for there +were no squalls, and, "corinthian" though he was, he was gaining +confidence in his ability to handle the <i>White Wings</i>.</p> + +<p>Paula was rather timid, but Inza enjoyed every moment of the sail. With +a position near Frank, who was at the<!-- Page 136 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> wheel, she chatted and laughed, +not in the least affected by the motion or the heeling of the sloop.</p> + +<p>Remarkable to state, Browning did not remain below and sleep in his +bunk, as was his custom. He came on deck, looking remarkably wide awake, +and he made himself agreeable to the girls and Miss Gale.</p> + +<p>There was not swell enough to make anyone seasick, which added to the +pleasures of the cruise.</p> + +<p>Diamond was doing his best to make himself agreeable to Paula, and she +seemed to find his company acceptable, but after a time she called Bruce +to her, so that she was between them.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think Mr. Merriwell very reckless, Mr. Browning?" she asked. +"Mr. Diamond insists there is no danger, but just see how frightfully +the yacht tips at times?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, I wouldn't want to frighten you, Miss Benjamin," said Bruce, +giving her a significant look and winking toward Jack; "but we all know +Frank Merriwell's a veritable landlubber, and he hasn't any more +judgment about running a boat like this than a four-year-old youngster."</p> + +<p>Paula looked alarmed at this, and Diamond muttered something under his +breath.</p> + +<p>When Jack was not looking, Bruce gave the Boston girl a reassuring +smile, whispering:</p> + +<p>"Not the least danger in the world, Miss Benjamin."</p> + +<p>She looked relieved, and then a mischievous expression flitted over her +face, for she understood Browning's little game. Immediately she +pretended to be both frightened and indignant with Diamond.</p> + +<p>"I knew it!" she exclaimed. "Mr. Diamond could not deceive me. I was +sure there was great danger."</p> + +<p>"Of course," said the big fellow, in his peculiar way, "we may reach +Green's Landing in safety, but the chances<!-- Page 137 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> are against it. However, if +we are capsized, I shall not fail to assist you in getting to the +mainland, Miss Benjamin."</p> + +<p>"How thoughtful of you!" she murmured, nestling a bit nearer the big +fellow, while Jack ground his teeth and looked as if he longed to murder +somebody. "How far away is the mainland?"</p> + +<p>"Only about five miles—a short walk. Hem! I mean a short swim."</p> + +<p>Diamond sourly observed:</p> + +<p>"Without doubt, you could walk it much easier than you could swim it, +Mr. Browning."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that is an easy swim," said Bruce, offhand. "I have often swam ten +or fifteen miles. Without doubt, I could get Miss Benjamin safely +ashore."</p> + +<p>"It is nice to have such a wonderful swimmer near one—I feel so safe +now," said Paula.</p> + +<p>Under his breath the Virginian growled something that sounded like +"confounded liar."</p> + +<p>"Eh?" said Bruce. "What were you saying, sir?"</p> + +<p>But Jack looked away, pretending to be interested in a distant island. +He showed his anger so plainly that Paula was aroused to tease him still +more, and she turned to chat confidentially with Bruce.</p> + +<p>Jack could not stand that a great while. With a sudden assumption of +having forgotten something, he politely excused himself and went below. +He did not come on deck again till Green's Landing was in sight, +although he missed the most captivating portion of the sail across the +Eastern Bay.</p> + +<p>As for Browning, he had started into the affair in jest, but he grew +more and more interested in Paula as they talked during the sail. He +found her remarkably bright and sensible and not at all "flighty." She +talked to him of things in which he was interested, and he was +aston<!-- Page 138 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span>ished by the knowledge she displayed concerning some things of +which he had not fancied she was posted in the least.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, the Boston girl was astonished to find in Bruce, who +had on first acquaintance seemed somewhat slow and dull, a fellow who +was interesting in various ways, who did not talk nonsense to her the +moment the opportunity offered to say something that she alone could +hear, who had an air of dignity and was not at all self-conscious.</p> + +<p>Never before in all his life had Bruce made a better appearance, and, +long before Green's Landing was sighted, Paula had quite forgotten that +Diamond had left them and had not returned.</p> + +<p>There were other vessels and yachts in the harbor at Green's Landing, +more of them than any of the party had expected to see there. In fact, +there was an air of prosperity about the town built on the slope facing +the harbor, although there were no large and attractive buildings, and +the houses seemed scattered about in a helter-skelter manner.</p> + +<p>The <i>White Wings</i> ran in amid the vessels and swung up her head to the +wind, her anchor going over with a splash and her sails coming down as +if the halyards were handled by veteran yachtsmen, instead of a lot of +amateurs.</p> + +<p>In fact, Merriwell had sailed the boat like one familiar with the +Eastern Bay, seeming to fear no dangers from sunken ledges and shoals, +and his air was that of a veteran yachtsman.</p> + +<p>But he had spent hours over his chart, so that he was perfectly familiar +with its appearance, and he could have drawn from memory a practically +perfect chart, marking every ledge, every shoal and every island, and +giving them their correct names. Having become thus familiar<!-- Page 139 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> with the +chart, it was not so strange that he had been able to sail across the +Eastern Bay as if it were the open sea.</p> + +<p>Having come to anchor, Paula was for going ashore at once, but Frank +urged them to remain and take lunch on board the yacht, and Inza was +pleased with the idea, so they stopped.</p> + +<p>That was a jolly luncheon. There was plenty to eat, and plenty of light +drinks, kept cool by the fresh supply of ice taken in at Bar Harbor. The +sailors on board the vessels in the vicinity looked on with interest, +envying the merry party.</p> + +<p>Not all on the <i>White Wings</i> were merry. Jack Diamond was silent, and +not once did a smile cross his face. Paula tried to cheer him up, but +she did not succeed at all, and so she finally gave up in despair, again +turning to Browning.</p> + +<p>An hour after luncheon was over, Bruce and Frank set the girls and Miss +Gale ashore, carrying their luggage up to the hotel, where +accommodations were obtained.</p> + +<p>"We will leave here to-morrow, if you get enough of the place in that +time," said Frank, having seen them to their rooms.</p> + +<p>He went down into the office of the hotel, where several rough-looking +men were listening to the yarn of a red-headed, red-bearded man in +rubber boots. Bruce seemed to be listening to the story, and, when Frank +said something about going out, he grunted:</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," said the red-headed man, squirting a stream of tobacco juice +at the stove, which was well plastered with it already, "I have seen the +critter, and I know, by huck, it ain't no lie. He's right there on the +island, and if he ain't the Old Devil hisself, he's clost relation to +him."<!-- Page 140 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, I pull my traps right down past there every day," said an old +lobster fisherman, "and I swanny I ain't never seen northing of this +here pesky critter. Ef Jeb warn't sech a dinged liar," with a jerk of +his thumb toward the red-headed man, "I'd jest go down there myself and +spend some time a-huntin' this critter with horns an' hoofs an' glarin' +eyes. I'd find out what sort of a critter it was."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" returned the one who had been derisively designated as a +liar, "ef you wasn't sech a darn coward, you might do something of the +kind, Sile; but you are the biggest coward this side of Long Islan', so +the critter down on Devil Island won't git bothered by you none to +mention."</p> + +<p>This was said with the utmost calmness, the speaker not seeming in the +least excited by being called a liar, nor did the man he had designated +as a coward do anything more than grunt derisively and remark:</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Jeb. Don't nobody take no stock in what you say, and, +though this yarn about a critter on Devil Island has been goin' abaout a +year, I don't know a mortal bein' whose word is wu'th a cod line that +ever said he saw the varmint. Whut you're looking for is +notyrietiveness, an' that's why ye're tellin' such stuff."</p> + +<p>"I know whut I seen, an' I'll swan to man that I did see the Monster of +Devil Island, as folks round here call him. I'd been down to York Island +in my pinkey, and was tryin' to git back here before night, but the wind +died out jest at dark, an' I made up my mind I might as well hang up in +Bold Island harbor as to spend half the night gittin' to the landin', +an' take a chance of straddlin' a ledge. I got inter the harbor all +right, an' kinder thought I'd try ter root out a few clams on Bold +Island beach. My old boat laid nearer to the back of Devil Island than +it did to Bold Island. I rowed off to Bold<!-- Page 141 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> Island in my dory, but the +tide was comin' in, an' I didn't git no clams to speak of. It was plum +dark when I pulled back to the pinkey. Jest as I run alongside, I heered +a sound that riz my hair, by huck! It was kinder like a groan and a +smothered screech, an' I swan to man if it didn't seem to come right out +of my pinkey! Scart! Waal, it did give me something of a jump, an' that +I won't deny. If Sile had a-bin there he'd kerwollopsed. I riz right up +with an oar in my hand, ready to slam it over ther head uf any dad-bum +thing that wiggled round the pinkey. Jest then I heard that sound ag'in, +an' I made out it come from the point of rocks that makes off inter ther +harber. I looked that way, an' jest then ther consarnedest varmint I +ever sot eyes onto riz right up from behind some rocks——"</p> + +<p>"There ye go!" cried Sile, triumphantly. "Why, you was jest tellin' it +was so dark ye could scarst see to the island! How was you able to see +this critter jump up from behind the rocks?"</p> + +<p>"If you'll wait till I tell the story, mebbe you'll find out."</p> + +<p>"Humph! Go ahead with yer yarn."</p> + +<p>"Ez I said, up jumped this critter. His face was all burnin', like fire, +and his eyes was just like two black holes. Fellers what have told how +his eyes shined and flashed ain't never seen him, for I'll swan his eyes +was jest two black holes in his head. He waved his hands in the air, an' +them hands shone fiery same as his face. Then he let out a screech that +might have been heard down to ther Spoon Islands, an' away he went up +over the rocks and inter the woods. Say, I ain't easy skeered, but I +will admit I was a bit shaky then. I jest got inter the pinkey, pulled +ther anchor, then tumbled back inter ther dory an' took ther old pinkey +in tow. I wasn't very long gittin' out of Bold Island harbor, neether. I +wouldn't<!-- Page 142 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> 'a' stayed there that night fer a hundred billion dollars! I +towed the pinkey clean to the Landin', an' you don't git me round Devil +Island ag'in arter dark, by huck!"</p> + +<p>"What do you think of that yarn, Browning?" asked Frank, speaking softly +into the big fellow's ear.</p> + +<p>"Huah!" grunted Bruce. "I think Sile was all right in calling Jeb a +liar."</p> + +<p>"I have heard that these fishermen are remarkable at drawing the long +bow."</p> + +<p>"And Jeb is an artist."</p> + +<p>Some of those who had listened to the fisherman's story did not accept +it with such scorn as the lobster catcher had evinced. There was a sound +of excited voices when Jeb had finished, and one young fellow with a +hunchback and a cunning face jumped up, crying:</p> + +<p>"It ain't no lie, an' I'll swan ter that! I've seen ther old critter on +Devil Island myself, though I ain't bin tellin' much about it, fer I +knowed every dern critter on Deer Island would call me a thunderin' +liar."</p> + +<p>"There, by huck!" cried Jeb. "Now whut do you think of that? You hear +whut Put Wiley has to say!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, we hear it," drawled Sile, who was calmly filling a black +pipe. "But Put allwus was seein' queer things that nobody else could +see. I s'pose he dreamed that he saw the demon of Devil Island."</p> + +<p>"It waren't no dream," fiercely declared the hunchback. "I saw the +critter when I was on the island—more'n that, the varmint chased me."</p> + +<p>"Hey?" cried several, the excitement increasing.</p> + +<p>"I'll swan to it!" declared Put, stanchly.</p> + +<p>"When did all this take place?" asked one of the listeners.</p> + +<p>"Last Sunday."</p> + +<p>"And we never heard of it before? Say, Put, I never knowed you to tell +anything crooked, but it's a big<!-- Page 143 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> yarn you're givin' us now. If all this +happened last Sunday, why ain't you told of it afore?"</p> + +<p>"In the fust place, 'cause I was darn scart. In the second place, 'cause +I knowed everybody'd think I was lyin'."</p> + +<p>"How did you happen to be down there on Devil Island Sunday?"</p> + +<p>"Last time Jerry Peg was in Bold Island harbor he said he saw a +partridge fly up on the shore of Devil Island. He went ashore an' tried +to shoot her. He didn't shoot her, but he said he scart up six or eight +others in the thick woods. He come away without gittin' one of them. +Sunday I didn't have northing to do, so I loaded up my old gun and rowed +over to Devil Island. Didn't git there till three in the afternoon. +Beached my dory an' hitched the painter to a tree. Wisht I hedn't +hitched her arterward. Took out my old gun and went up inter ther +spruces. Tramped round to ther old stone quarry one way, but didn't see +northing. Turned and tramped clean roun' to t'other end of the island. +Scart up two partridges and fired at 'em both. Knocked down the second +one. Then I chased t'other, scarin' him up and scarin' him up, but never +gittin' him, though I fired at him twict. I was mad. Said I'd stay right +there an' hunt that dern partridge till ther Eastern Bay froze over, but +I'd git the thing. Arter a while I couldn't fin' him at all, but I kept +prowlin' round in the woods till it was beginnin' to git dark. I heard +somethin' like a rustlin' under some cedars and saw somethin' move. Then +I ups and fires. When I done that there was a yell that might have been +heard clean down to ther Hosses. Out of them cedars came a critter that +I swan was the old devil him own self! He had horns, an' he had a fiery +face and hands, an' he had black holes fer eyes, jest as Jeb told it, +and he had a red-hot spear of iron in his hand. He run at me to stick +that spear inter me. I know he was goin' to<!-- Page 144 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> spear me and then kerry me +down below fer shootin' partridges Sunday. He waren't more'n six feet of +me when I poked out my old gun an' fired the second barrel right inter +his face and eyes. It never bothered him a bit. Run? Why, I flew! Never +kivered ground so fast before, an' I never 'spect to ag'in. I bet +sometimes I jumped as much as fifteen feet to a leap."</p> + +<p>The speaker took out a dirty handkerchief and mopped the big drops of +perspiration off his face. He was shaking with excitement, and his eyes +gleamed. He showed every symptom of extreme terror as he related the +story, and it seemed plain enough that he believed every word he was +uttering.</p> + +<p>"Go on!" cried several.</p> + +<p>"I don't know how I ever got away," said the hunchback, huskily. "I do +know that monster was chasin' me right through the woods, tryin' to ram +his spear inter my back as if I was a flounder an' he was arter lobster +bait. I managed to hold onter my old gun, though at the time I didn't +know I was a-doin' of it. If I hed stopped ter think, I'd throwed the +gun erway. When I came out ter ther bank nigh ter whar my dory was +hitched, I made a jump that took me clean from ther top to ther bottom. +It seems as if right when I was in ther air I thought how that bo't was +tied with her painter, an' I rammed my hand inter my pocket fer my +knife. When I got ter ther boat I had the knife in my hand. I flung ther +gun in an' yanked open ther knife jest as ther critter came down over +ther bank arter me, an' he sailed down where I had jumped. I saw him do +it, and I know he spread out some red things like wings. I don't say +they was wings, but they looked like wings. I yanked open my knife and I +cut the painter. The tide was in, and the dory was afloat, which was a +good thing fer me, for when I jumped in I gave her a shove that sent her +away from<!-- Page 145 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> the shore. I got ther oars inter ther water and pulled. The +critter didn't chase me any arter it reached the edge of the water."</p> + +<p>Again the excited speaker wiped his face with the soiled handkerchief, +and then he sat down in a chair, as if the remembrance of the adventure +had taken all the strength out of him. He was shaking all over.</p> + +<p>Frank Merriwell and Bruce Browning looked at each other.</p> + +<p>"How is that for a vivid imagination?" grunted the big fellow.</p> + +<p>"It's pretty good, but he seems to believe it himself," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"He does act that way," confessed Bruce.</p> + +<p>"I am getting interested," declared Frank. "When I get a chance, I shall +visit Devil Island."</p> + +<p>"Where is it?"</p> + +<p>"Not far from here, if I remember right."</p> + +<p>"If I thought there was anything down there worth seeing, I wouldn't +mind going myself," said the big Yale man; "but these fishermen are such +confounded liars that you can't tell."</p> + +<p>Those who had been listening to the story were urging the hunchback to +tell some more. After a little time, he stopped wiping his face and +said:</p> + +<p>"That's all. The critter turned tail and disappeared, while I nigh +pulled my arms out gittin' away. Anybody that wants to can go nosin' +round Devil Island, but Put Wiley will keep away. Next time the +critter'd git me sure."</p> + +<p>"Now, whut do ye think of that, Sile Collins?" cried Jeb, triumphantly. +"If I'm a liar, I ain't ther only one on Deer Island."</p> + +<p>"Humph!" grunted Sile. "Let a yarn like this git started, an' half the +folks that go near Devil Island will<!-- Page 146 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> see this ere critter. Some folks +is great at seein' such things."</p> + +<p>But his appearance of ridicule did not disguise the fact that he had +been impressed by the story of the hunchback.</p> + +<p>"Devil Island alwus hes bin haunted," declared one of the listeners. +"That's why it's deserted ter-day. The quarry ain't worked out, but the +big boardin' house stands empty on the island; the house ain't +occupied——"</p> + +<p>"Sence that woman from Rockland lived in it," broke in another.</p> + +<p>"She didn't live there long. I guess she saw things on the island that +made her reddy to git off."</p> + +<p>"Queer freak for a woman to live there all alone, anyhow," observed Jeb. +"We used to see her round the house or on the shore when we run down +past the island, but all to once she was gone."</p> + +<p>"Sence then," put in a man who had not spoken before, "I've seen lights +in the winders of the old boardin' house at night and in the winders of +the other house, though I've never ketched a glimp of a livin' critter +movin' on the island by day."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's haunted," nodded the one who had declared so before. "Anybody +what wants to can go foolin' round there, but I'm goin' to keep away."</p> + +<p>He rose to his feet. He was tall and thin, with a broken nose that +seemed to tell the story of some fierce fight at an island dance. His +starboard eye was crooked, so that it was difficult to tell just which +way he was looking. He took in a fresh chew of tobacco and slouched out +of the hotel.</p> + +<p>"This is a place to see odd characters," said Merriwell.</p> + +<p>Browning nodded.</p> + +<p>They listened to the men who remained, and for some time there was an +animated discussion about the creature<!-- Page 147 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> on Devil Island. In the midst of +it the hunchback left the room.</p> + +<p>"I want to have a talk with that fellow," said Frank. "Come on."</p> + +<p>They followed the hunchback outside.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute, if you please," called Frank, hurrying after the +hunchback.</p> + +<p>The fellow paused and turned round.</p> + +<p>"What do ye want?" he asked.</p> + +<p>His voice was harsh and unpleasant, and there was a suspicious look in +his eyes.</p> + +<p>"I heard your story about the creature you saw on Devil Island," said +Frank.</p> + +<p>"Waal, what of it?"</p> + +<p>"My yacht is out there in the harbor, and I am thinking of taking her +and running down to Devil Island. I have a great desire to get a look at +the monster. You spoke about Bold Island harbor, and I want to find out +just how to get in there and how near I can anchor to Devil Island."</p> + +<p>The light in the eyes of the hunchback seemed to shift in a queer way as +he stared at Frank. Browning had come up and was watching the fellow +closely.</p> + +<p>"You keep away from Devil Island!" almost snarled Put Wiley, as the +deformed fellow had been called. "You don't know what you'll strike +there, and——"</p> + +<p>"I'll take my chances on that. All I want of you is to tell me the best +place to lay while I am down there. I want the <i>White Wings</i> in a good +harbor if a storm should come up."</p> + +<p>"Waal, I don't tell ye northing about it. All I've got ter say is keep +away."</p> + +<p>Then, despite Frank's effort to say something more to the fellow, he +hurried away.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's a really jolly chap!" observed Browning.<!-- Page 148 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All of that," laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>"He didn't seem to like your appearance, Merry."</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't say that I admired his appearance."</p> + +<p>"You will have to seek your information elsewhere."</p> + +<p>"It wasn't so much that I wanted to find out about Bold Island harbor. I +wanted to get him talking. Thought I might be able to trip him up if I +got a good chance to ask him questions."</p> + +<p>"But he wouldn't talk."</p> + +<p>"He seemed suspicious."</p> + +<p>They watched the hunchback go into a store. Just before passing through +the door, which stood open, he turned his head and looked back.</p> + +<p>"Wanted to see if we were following him," smiled Frank.</p> + +<p>They walked about the village, finally returning to the hotel. As they +approached the hotel Inza and Paula came out and asked to be shown +around the village.</p> + +<p>For an hour the four strolled about. From the yacht in the harbor +Diamond saw them occasionally, and the Virginian's heart was throbbing +with anger. He felt that he could kill Bruce Browning without a qualm of +conscience.</p> + +<p>Finally the party returned to the hotel, but, before leaving the girls, +Frank had invited them to be ready for a short cruise on the yacht the +following morning, and they had promised to do so.</p> + +<p>As the boys approached the wharf beside which their boat floated, a man +came toward them and spoke to them. He was the man with the crooked eye +and broken nose.</p> + +<p>"I hear you chaps are thinkin' of goin' down to Devil Island?" he said, +one eye seeming to look at Frank while the other looked at Bruce. "Is +that right?"</p> + +<p>"We may go down there," answered Frank.<!-- Page 149 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> + +<p>"To-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Better not."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"It's dangerous."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"You heard the yarns about the critter on the island, and you ought to +know why."</p> + +<p>"Those yarns are the very things that make me want to go down there," +declared Frank.</p> + +<p>The cock-eyed man looked surprised.</p> + +<p>"You don't want to be ketched by the monster, do ye?"</p> + +<p>"No, but we'd like to catch the monster," laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>"You can't do that. The critter ain't human. If he ain't the devil +hisself, he's one of the devil's imps."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'd like to catch a genuine imp. If we could capture a real imp +and take him to Boston or New York we could get a royal good figure for +him from the manager of some dime museum. Freaks and curiosities are in +great demand, and they are very scarce."</p> + +<p>The cock-eyed man seemed astonished and disgusted.</p> + +<p>"Why, you dern fools!" he exclaimed. "You don't 'magine you kin ketch a +real imp, do ye?"</p> + +<p>"We can give him a good hustle," answered Merry, with apparent +seriousness. "He'll have to be lively if he gets away."</p> + +<p>"I've hearn tell of how you city chaps didn't know much, but I did +s'pose you knowed more'n that!" cried the man. "You'll be kerried off if +you go down to Devil Island and try to chase the critter there. You'll +disappear, an' you'll never be heard of ag'in."</p> + +<p>"We'll take our chances."</p> + +<p>"Say, I want ter tell you something. We don't say much about it round +here, but most ev'rybody knows it. There was a man kem here this spring +from Boston. He<!-- Page 150 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> heard about Devil Island being haunted, and he was jest +darn fool enough to want to go down there and see the spook. He went. He +got some lobster ketchers to set him ashore and wait for him. They +wouldn't go ashore with him, but they stayed in the boat reddy to take +him on when he got reddy to leave. He never left!"</p> + +<p>"What happened to him?"</p> + +<p>"Who knows? 'Bout half-a-nour arter he went ashore there was the +awfullest screech of agony come from somewhere on the island. Seemed +jest like a man givin' a death yell. It scart them lobster ketchers so +they rowed off a piece, but they waited till dark. He never come. Then +they rowed off, and nothing of that air man has ever bin seen sence."</p> + +<p>"Didn't anybody go down to the island to see if they could find him? A +tree may have fallen on him, or something of that sort."</p> + +<p>"There was six men went down from here two days arterward, an' whut do +you s'pose they found?"</p> + +<p>"The man from Boston."</p> + +<p>"Didn't I tell ye he hadn't never been seen sence! They found a new-made +grave!"</p> + +<p>"What was in the grave?"</p> + +<p>"They didn't wait to see, but they saw whut was at the head of the +grave."</p> + +<p>"What was that?"</p> + +<p>"A new granite headstone."</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"True's I'm here. It was cut out nice an' clean, an' on it was chiseled +some words."</p> + +<p>"What were the words?"</p> + +<p>"'Sacred to the mem'ry of Rawson Denning.'"</p> + +<p>"Who was Rawson Denning?"</p> + +<p>"That was the name the man from Boston sailed under!"<!-- Page 151 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> + +<p>The cock-eyed man whispered the words, his effort plainly being to make +them as impressive as possible.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Merriwell, "you have awakened my curiosity so that nothing +can keep me away from Devil Island. I wouldn't miss going down there for +anything. I simply dote on mysteries, and this seems to be a most +fascinating one. I am going to lay claim to it, and I'll wager something +that I solve it. Hereafter the mystery of Devil Island belongs to me +till I make it a mystery no longer."</p> + +<p>"Waal, you are a fool!" snarled the cock-eyed man. "I told you this for +your own good, so you might have sense enough to stay away, but you +ain't got no sense in your head! Go on, if ye want to, and I'll bet you +git planted side of the man from Boston!"</p> + +<p>Then he turned round and walked away.</p> + +<p>"It is plain enough," murmured Frank, "that you do not want us to go to +Devil Island. We will go there to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"I should guess yes!" grunted Browning. "I am feeling just like looking +the place over."</p> + +<p>Then they entered their boat and rowed off to the yacht.<!-- Page 152 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE MONSTER OF THE DEEP.</h3> + + +<p>The following forenoon the <i>White Wings</i> sailed out of the harbor at +Green's Landing, bearing beside her regular crew Miss Gale and the +girls. She was bound for Devil Island, and neither the girls nor their +chaperon had wished to be left behind.</p> + +<p>It was a glorious summer day, with a medium breeze. As they ran out of +the harbor Frank noticed a man at work in a lap-streak sailboat.</p> + +<p>It was the fellow with the broken nose and the crooked eye, and he +seemed to be preparing to get away. He did not even glance toward the +<i>White Wings</i>.</p> + +<p>Merry called Browning's attention to the man.</p> + +<p>"There is our amiable friend who gave us the warning," he said.</p> + +<p>"That's so," nodded Bruce. "By jingoes! that's a peculiar boat he's in. +Look at her—long and narrow. Don't look as if she'd carry much sail +without upsetting."</p> + +<p>"That's right," agreed Frank. "It is a queer boat, but she has mast +enough for a big spread of canvas."</p> + +<p>They thought no more of the boat till they were in sight of Devil +Island. Then Bruce saw a small boat that lay low in the water and +carried her big spread of canvas in a reckless manner, although she was +laying over before the wind. This boat was literally flying through the +water, and it was plain enough that she was a wonderful sailer.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Merry," said Bruce, "isn't that the lap-streak in which we +saw our friend, the cock-eyed man, as we were leaving Green's Landing?"<!-- Page 153 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p> + +<p>Frank had a glass at hand, and he quickly took a survey of the flying +sailboat.</p> + +<p>"Sure as you are born!" he cried. "That is the very boat! How in the +name of all that is wonderful does she stand up under that spread of +sail?"</p> + +<p>"Don't ask me," grunted Bruce. "I didn't suppose she could carry half as +much."</p> + +<p>"Look at the speed of her!" exclaimed Hodge.</p> + +<p>"There's only one man in the boat, is there, Merry?" asked Bruce.</p> + +<p>"I believe there is," said Frank. "Our friend with the crooked eye is +steering."</p> + +<p>"I don't see anybody else."</p> + +<p>"Because the other person is keeping out of sight."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"There is a man lying in the bottom of that boat."</p> + +<p>"How do you know?"</p> + +<p>"I saw him lift his head to look at us a few moments ago."</p> + +<p>"That's strange."</p> + +<p>"It's plain enough he doesn't want to be seen."</p> + +<p>"What does it mean?"</p> + +<p>"Don't know."</p> + +<p>They watched the flying boat take the lead of them and saw it bear +toward a distant rocky point of the island ahead. Near that point some +sagging sheds could be seen. The small boat rounded the point and was +hidden behind the island.</p> + +<p>"There is Bold Island, famed for its wonderful clams, over yonder," said +Frank. "Bold Island harbor must lay between that and Devil Island, but I +didn't find it on the chart. However, there is a passage between the two +islands which is perfectly safe at high water. We will run down in there +and drop anchor as near Devil Island as possible."<!-- Page 154 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p> + +<p>They did so, finding a sheltered cove where it was plain that a boat +could lay in any kind of a storm.</p> + +<p>Close to them was the rocky shore of Devil Island. Beyond the rocks rose +a high bank, upon which was a gloomy tangle of woods. There was +something forbidding in the appearance of the island with the unpleasant +name.</p> + +<p>Frank and Bruce were eager to get ashore at once. As soon as the sails +were cared for and things were ship-shape, they prepared to leave the +yacht.</p> + +<p>In vain Paula had tried to draw Diamond into conversation. Jack would +answer her questions—he was extremely polite—but he made no attempt to +be entertaining. At last, just as Frank and Bruce were preparing to +enter the small boat, she left Jack and called to Inza:</p> + +<p>"Come on!"</p> + +<p>Then, to the astonishment of the boys, the girls came over to the rail +and asked to be assisted into the boat.</p> + +<p>"Eh?" grunted Browning. "Where are you going?"</p> + +<p>"With you," answered Paula. "We're not going to stay here and mope with +nobody to talk to. Aunt Abigail is reading in the cabin, and I don't +believe she will mind."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you had better ask her," said Frank, weakly.</p> + +<p>"It isn't necessary," assured Inza, quickly. "Come, help me into the +boat. You lazy fellows, did you expect to get out of giving us a row? I +know you don't want to pull us around, but you can't get out of it."</p> + +<p>And then she came over the rail and leaped lightly into the boat. +Browning aided Paula, after giving Frank a helpless look.</p> + +<p>"We can't get out of it," whispered Merry. "We'll row them round a +while, and then we'll bring them back to the yacht."</p> + +<p>Bruce had brought out a repeating rifle from Frank's<!-- Page 155 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> supply of arms in +the cabin, and that was placed in the prow of the boat. Both girls sat +on the stern seat.</p> + +<p>With a double set of oars the boys pulled off from the yacht. It was a +strange spectacle to see Bruce Browning handling an oar, but he had been +a famous all-round athlete when he first entered Yale, and he had not +forgotten how to row.</p> + +<p>They asked the girls where they wished to go, and Paula answered:</p> + +<p>"Oh, anywhere."</p> + +<p>Under other circumstances, Browning might not have been so willing to +pull at an oar, but he knew Diamond was gnawing his heart out, and the +big fellow had developed a sudden satisfaction in tormenting the +Virginian.</p> + +<p>A distant island attracted the girls. On a ledge near it was a flock of +white gulls, covering the ledge so it looked as if it were a mass of +snow. They pulled toward the island.</p> + +<p>The gulls proved shy and keen of sight, for they began to leave the +ledge shortly after the boat drew away from the yacht, and half the +distance to the island had not been covered before not a gull remained +on the ledge.</p> + +<p>"Didn't even get near enough for a real good shot with the rifle," +grunted Bruce. "I'd like to get a shot at something."</p> + +<p>Then he gave a cry of astonishment, took in his oars quickly, and caught +up the rifle.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Look! look!" exclaimed the big Yale man, rising to his feet with the +rifle in his hands. "There is a target for me!"</p> + +<p>They looked in the direction indicated, and they saw something that at +first seemed like a black rock. But it moved—it was swimming slowly +along the surface of the water.<!-- Page 156 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> + +<p>"A whale, by Jove!" shouted Merriwell. "Let him have it, Bruce!"</p> + +<p>Browning lifted the rifle and took careful aim.</p> + +<p>Crack!</p> + +<p>He did not miss his mark. The whale was seen to give a sudden start, and +then, stung by the bullet, the monster of the deep rushed straight at +the boat!</p> + +<p>"Look out!"</p> + +<p>"He's coming!"</p> + +<p>"My goodness!"</p> + +<p>Not till he saw the whale start straight for the boat did Bruce Browning +realize what a foolish thing he had done. It seemed that the monster was +bent on the destruction of the boat and its occupants.</p> + +<p>Merriwell uttered the first cry, which was a warning to Bruce, who was +still standing, rifle in hand. Frank was going to use the oars, and he +knew he would throw Bruce into the bottom of the boat by starting +suddenly without warning.</p> + +<p>The two girls uttered the other exclamations. Paula screamed and covered +her face with her hands, while Inza turned pale and stared at the +onrushing monster.</p> + +<p>Frank fully realized their peril. He knew that it meant certain death to +them all if the whale struck the boat, and there seemed no possible +escape.</p> + +<p>Bruce dropped down and Frank gave a surge at the oars that made the boat +give a leap like a thing of life. Then Merriwell pulled as never before +had he rowed, not even in the nerve-straining, soul-killing college +races against Harvard.</p> + +<p>Jump! jump! jump!—how he made the boat leap through the water! He was +making the boat leap to get out of the whale's course.</p> + +<p>Bruce tried to get his oars into the rowlocks and aid,<!-- Page 157 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> but, for once in +his life, at least, the big fellow had lost all his coolness, and he +lost an oar overboard.</p> + +<p>"He'll strike us!"</p> + +<p>"We're lost!"</p> + +<p>"Hold fast!"</p> + +<p>Frank continued to pull, but he was ready to drop the oars and make a +leap for Inza the moment the boat was struck.</p> + +<p>"I'll do my best to save her!" he mentally exclaimed.</p> + +<p>Still he knew the shock would hurl them far into the water, while the +boat would be shattered in pieces. He might be stunned—he might be +instantly killed.</p> + +<p>For all that Inza stared straight at the whale, it is probable that she +realized their terrible peril far better than Paula, who was so +frightened that she covered her eyes with her hands.</p> + +<p>Frank began to realize that there was a possibility of getting out of +the way if the whale did not change its course. He strained every +nerve—he pulled for life.</p> + +<p>"Thank Heaven!"</p> + +<p>Browning gasped the words, for the monster had not swerved from its +original course, and it dashed past the boat some distance astern.</p> + +<p>Even then Frank was not satisfied that the danger was past. He expected +to see the whale stop, turn about and rush at them again.</p> + +<p>Nothing of the kind happened. The monster was headed straight for the +distant passage that led out between the islands toward the lower bay +and the open sea. He seemed to be in a great hurry, too, for he made the +water fly as he sped along, the waves in his wake causing the little +boat to rock when he had passed.</p> + +<p>Merriwell stopped pulling and sat watching the whale, never uttering a +word till it had passed out of sight far down the bay. Then he turned +and observed:<!-- Page 158 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's plain enough that he doesn't consider it healthy around here, and +he is in a hurry to get away."</p> + +<p>There was a smile on his face, and he seemed quite undisturbed by what +had happened.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Frank!" cried Inza, "what if he had struck us?"</p> + +<p>"He would have bumped his nose."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how can you joke now!"</p> + +<p>"Now is the time to joke. I didn't have time to think of a joke a little +while ago."</p> + +<p>Browning dug himself out of the bottom of the boat, hoisted his huge +body to a seat, and drew a deep breath of relief.</p> + +<p>"A man who shoots at a whale with a rifle is a thundering fool!" he +observed.</p> + +<p>"And a man who tells him to shoot is another," laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>"That is my first adventure with a whale," said the big Yale man, "and, +if I have my way about it, it will be my last."</p> + +<p>"Is—is he really gone?" faltered Paula, looking around.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Miss Benjamin," assured Frank, "he has departed in the direction +of Greenland."</p> + +<p>"And he didn't touch the boat?"</p> + +<p>"If he had we'd be enjoying a swimming match for the yacht now."</p> + +<p>"If he had," said Inza, "some of us would have been killed right away, +and the rest of us would have been drowned."</p> + +<p>"Let's go back to the yacht!" urged the trembling Paula, her voice +choking.</p> + +<p>"I am quite ready," said Inza. "I don't care about going over to that +island now."</p> + +<p>So Frank pulled back to the floating oar, and then the boat was headed +toward the <i>White Wings</i>.<!-- Page 159 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> + +<p>Merriwell did his best to restore the girls' spirits. He joked and +laughed, and before the yacht was reached he had almost convinced them +that they had been in no great danger.</p> + +<p>"But, oh, it gave me such a fright!" said Paula. "Just to see that huge +creature coming through the water straight toward us! It was awful!"</p> + +<p>Frank was chosen as the one to relate the adventure to Miss Gale, for +the girls were aware that she might scold them for leaving the yacht +without her consent, and Frank could make it all right with her.</p> + +<p>Hans was on deck, but he had not seen their adventure with the whale, +although he had heard the report of the rifle, for he cried as they +approached:</p> + +<p>"Vot you shooted? I heard der gun ven id fired you off."</p> + +<p>"We shot a large seabird," answered Frank; "but the varmint got away +from us."</p> + +<p>"Vot kindt up a pird vos a varmint?" asked Hans. "You don'd remember dot +I haf efer seen von, do I?"</p> + +<p>"It is large enough to make a fish chowder," explained Merry.</p> + +<p>"Vot vos I gifin' you?" cried Hans. "Who efer heart a pird uf dot could +make a vish-chowter! I vos guyin' you, I oxpect."</p> + +<p>Browning threw him the painter as they came alongside, and soon the +girls were safely on the yacht.</p> + +<p>"Come back as soon as you have fixed it with Miss Gale," said Bruce, +"and we will go onto the island and investigate."</p> + +<p>Frank nodded and then went below. In a few minutes he came out laughing +and assured the girls that it was all right. Then he dropped into the +boat again, and soon he and Browning were on Devil Island.<!-- Page 160 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> + +<p>They pulled the boat up on the beach and made it fast. Frank took the +rifle, and Bruce looked at his revolver, which he had slipped into his +pocket before leaving the yacht the first time. The <i>White Wings</i> was +riding at anchor within easy speaking distance of the shore.</p> + +<p>"Which way shall we go?" asked Bruce.</p> + +<p>"The buildings are on the other side of the island," said Merry. "Let's +go straight across."</p> + +<p>"All right."</p> + +<p>They found a path by which they could climb the bank, making it plain +that human beings had traveled on the island not a little at some time, +even if the place was deserted then.</p> + +<p>Following the path a short distance, they came to three small camps +built of logs. The camps were not in a very pleasant location, although +it was a sheltered spot.</p> + +<p>After looking around the huts a few minutes, they turned from the path +and struck straight up through the woods, which were thick and dark. +Beneath their feet twigs crackled and the dead leaves of a year before +sometimes rustled where they had piled together but had not rotted. The +woods were dark and in places the ground was covered by moss, so that +their feet made not a sound.</p> + +<p>Higher and higher they climbed, till they came out into a natural +opening that was surrounded by the gloomy trees. This seemed close to +the highest ground on the island, which could be seen rising rocky and +bare through the trees at one side of the glade.</p> + +<p>And in the midst of the glade was a grave that had not been made many +months, and a granite stone stood at the head.</p> + +<p>"It's the grave the cock-eyed man told us of!" exclaimed Frank. "Let's +look at the stone."</p> + +<p>They approached the grave, and Frank bent down to<!-- Page 161 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> look at the stone. As +the cock-eyed man had said, on it were the words:</p> + +<p>"Sacred to the memory of Rawson Denning."</p> + +<p>As Merry was looking at the headstone it seemed that a voice in the air +above them hoarsely whispered:</p> + +<p>"Dead and buried!"<!-- Page 162 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>IN THE DARK WOODS.</h3> + + +<p>"Eh?" gasped Browning, amazed. "What was that?"</p> + +<p>"Dead and buried!"</p> + +<p>Again that mysterious, awesome, uncanny whisper that seemed to float in +the air. They looked around, they looked upward, they saw nothing but +the blue sky above the leaves and somber trees that surrounded them.</p> + +<p>"Dead and buried!"</p> + +<p>Now it seemed to come from the ground—seemed to issue from the grave +before them! It was as if the dead man hidden away down there had +uttered the words.</p> + +<p>Frank Merriwell shrugged his shoulders, while his companion shivered and +felt for his revolver. A cold chill swept over the big Yale man, as if +he felt the touch of a dead hand. He was awed despite the fact that +there was nothing superstitious in his character.</p> + +<p>They listened, expecting to hear the whispers again, but there was such +a silence in the woods as seemed to press down on them like a crushing +weight. Not even a breath of a breeze reached the spot to rustle the +trees, and no sound of the surf chafing against the distant rocky shore +reached their ears.</p> + +<p>It seemed at that moment that they alone were the only human living +creatures on that uncanny island. A sense of desolation came upon them +and made them feel as if they were far, far from human beings, buried as +in the heart of a mighty desert.</p> + +<p>They did not stir; they stood there listening.</p> + +<p>Silence.</p> + +<p>Once, far on a Western desert, Browning had ex<!-- Page 163 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>perienced the same +feeling of loneliness, but then there was not the grewsome, ghostly fear +that now clutched at his heart and chilled its beatings so it seemed to +be struggling feebly like an imprisoned bird fluttering against the +cruel bars of a cage.</p> + +<p>The big fellow choked. There seemed to be a lack of pure air for him to +breathe. He longed to cry out, but his tongue lay stiff and paralyzed in +his mouth.</p> + +<p>Then came the thought that some uncanny spell was being wrought about +him, and that soon he would be body and soul in the power of the evil +spirit of the island.</p> + +<p>With a mighty effort he moved, he spoke, he said:</p> + +<p>"Come, Frank, let's get away from here!"</p> + +<p>His voice was husky and hoarse, so that he was startled by its sound. +Merriwell glanced toward him, lifting a hand with a gesture that warned +to silence, while he bent his head toward the grave and listened.</p> + +<p>For some moments both stood still, and again Browning felt that strange +spell stealing upon him, as if hypnotic eyes were peering out from the +shadows and looking down into his soul. He shook himself, he even looked +around in search of those eyes; but he saw nothing save the dark, gloomy +woods and the funereal shadows.</p> + +<p>Frank straightened up. There was a queer look on his face.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear it?" he asked, in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"Of course I heard it," answered Browning, thinking he spoke of the +whisper. "The words came to my ears distinctly."</p> + +<p>"No, no; I did not mean the whisper."</p> + +<p>"Then what did you mean? I heard no other sound."</p> + +<p>"It is strange, for I fancied I heard it distinctly."</p> + +<p>"Where did the sound come from?"</p> + +<p>Without a word, Merriwell pointed downward toward<!-- Page 164 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> the grave. There was +a look on his face that made his companion shiver.</p> + +<p>Bruce swallowed down the lump in his throat.</p> + +<p>"I am a fool!" he thought. "I am ashamed of such childish fears!"</p> + +<p>Then he forced himself to distinctly ask:</p> + +<p>"What kind of a sound did you think you heard?"</p> + +<p>"A rustle—a movement. It was as if the body down there had turned +restlessly in its bed of earth!"</p> + +<p>Never did Bruce forget how those words sounded in the deep silence of +the black woods. Never did he forget the sensation of unutterable horror +that they brought with a shock to his soul. He stared at Frank, his jaw +dropping, while awful thoughts ran riot in his brain.</p> + +<p>They had heard the whispered words, "dead and buried," which at first +seemed to float in the air, and then appeared to come up from the grave +before them. Browning fancied the dead lips down there uttering those +words. He fancied the murdered man turning restlessly in his cold, dark +bed—turning, twisting, unable to rest till he had been avenged.</p> + +<p>What thoughts fled through Frank Merriwell's brain? Surely he was +besieged by uncanny fancies, but never in all his life was he more on +the alert. The very air of mystery that surrounded him was a stimulant. +He had solved many mysteries, and now he was determined to solve this +one.</p> + +<p>Down the slope in the shadows of the dark woods below there was a +rustling sound. Quick as a flash, Merriwell wheeled, rifle in hand, and +bounded in that direction.</p> + +<p>Browning did not care to be left there alone beside that grave, and he +followed Frank in a hurry. He saw Merry disappear amid the trees, heard +a sudden chattering,<!-- Page 165 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> and then there was a flash of fire and the clear +report of a rifle. Frank had fired at something while he was on the run.</p> + +<p>The big Yale man crashed into the woods and came upon his friend, who +was stooping to pick up a dead squirrel.</p> + +<p>"I rather think this fellow made the rustling that seemed to come from +the grave," said Merry. "I was deceived by my ears, that is all. As I +ran in under the trees here I could not resist the temptation to take a +shot at him, for he was running, too. Now," he slowly added, gazing +sadly at the dead squirrel, "I wish I had not fired."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's nothing but a squirrel," said Bruce. "If I could make such a +shot as that I'd be proud of it."</p> + +<p>"I am not proud, only sorry," said Frank, as he gently placed the +squirrel on a soft bed of moss. "Look at the little fellow, Bruce! A few +moments ago he was full of life, happy and free; now he is dead, killed +by a cruel brute of a man! I didn't think I'd hit him, but that is no +excuse. I ought not to have tried. Somewhere he has a home, a nest, a +mate, perhaps little ones. He'll never return to his soft nest, never +again will he scamper through the woods, leaping from bough to bough, +playing hide-and-seek through the brush and the leaves. He is dead, and +I killed him. Bruce, this one thoughtless, hasty act of mine lies like a +sore weight on my conscience. I'll not forget it in a week. It will +trouble me—it will haunt me."</p> + +<p>Frank's voice was rather husky with emotion and his handsome face +betrayed his deep feeling of sorrow, and Bruce Browning, who was not +cruel or hard-hearted, but who would have killed a squirrel and never +given it a second thought, now began to realize that there might be +something wrong in the act.<!-- Page 166 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, it's nothing to make a fuss over," he said, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is," declared Frank, sincerely. "That little squirrel never +harmed me, but I murdered him. He was one of God's creatures, and I had +no right to lift my hand against him. I feel like a brute, a wretch, a +murderer!"</p> + +<p>Then Frank knelt down on the moss beside the dead squirrel.</p> + +<p>"Oh, little squirrel!" he said, his voice breaking into a sob; "how much +I would give could I restore your life to you! But I have killed you, +and all my regret and sorrow over the act will not bring you back to +scamper and frolic through the woods."</p> + +<p>To his astonishment, Bruce felt a misty blur come over his eyes, and +there was a choking sensation in his throat.</p> + +<p>"Come away, Merry—come and leave it!" he exclaimed, thickly. "Don't be +a fool!"</p> + +<p>"No," said Frank, "I can't leave him this way."</p> + +<p>He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped the squirrel in it, +doing so with such gentleness that Bruce wondered more and more. Then he +searched about till he found a thin, flat rock that was about a foot +long and four inches wide. With that rock Merriwell scooped a grave in +the ground. That grave he lined with soft bits of moss, and then he took +the squirrel, wrapped in the handkerchief shroud, and placed it in the +grave. The earth was thrown in on the little body, and heaped up in a +mound till it was a tiny model of the grave in the glade above. Then +Frank thrust the flat rock into the ground as a headstone, and a tear +dropped silently down.</p> + +<p>Browning had turned away. The big fellow had been taught a lesson he +would not soon forget, and more than ever he admired and respected Frank +Merriwell, who could be as brave as a lion or as gentle as a dove.</p> + +<p>"Come."<!-- Page 167 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> + +<p>Frank had arisen. Bruce followed him from the spot.</p> + +<p>They did not climb the rise and again enter the glade that contained the +mysterious grave, but Frank led the way down through the woods till they +came out to the rocky shore of the island, along which ran the path they +had left some time before. Now they struck into this path and followed +it round the island.</p> + +<p>Not a word passed between them till they came to the old granite quarry. +There on their right the bluff of rock rose nearly a hundred feet in the +air, with cedars growing away up on the heights. There were drill marks +on the face of the rock. A weed-grown railroad ran into the quarry, and +on the track sat a flat car, loaded with granite.</p> + +<p>"By jingoes!" exclaimed Browning. "It's plain enough there was some +business done here some time."</p> + +<p>Frank looked at the face of the broad wall of granite.</p> + +<p>"I wonder why they ceased quarrying it?" he speculated.</p> + +<p>"I suppose the fishermen would say it was because the island was +haunted."</p> + +<p>"More likely because the granite was not of the best quality. Now that +stone does not look to me as if it is first class. It seems to me it is +poor granite, and that is why the quarry was abandoned."</p> + +<p>"Guess you are right," nodded Bruce.</p> + +<p>They walked along the track which led out of the quarry and down toward +some sagging sheds, in which they could see other flat cars.</p> + +<p>When the sheds were reached, they turned to the right and saw at a +distance a house. Beyond the house was a large square building with many +windows. Not far from the car sheds was an old wharf.</p> + +<p>"There is the house where the boss must have lived,"<!-- Page 168 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> said Merry; "and +beyond it is the boarding house for the laborers."</p> + +<p>"Let's go look them over," said Bruce, who seemed remarkably energetic +for him.</p> + +<p>So they walked over to the house. It was securely locked, and the +windows were fastened down. Near the house was a well, from which they +drew water and took a drink from an old dipper that hung on a rusty nail +driven into the curb.</p> + +<p>From the house a path led down toward the boarding house. They walked +down there and could look down into a beautiful little cove close at +hand.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't we run in there and anchor, instead of anchoring away round +back of the island?" said Bruce.</p> + +<p>"Simply because no one mentioned this cove, and I did hear Bold Island +harbor mentioned," answered Frank.</p> + +<p>In the distance they could see three or four white sails. Far away +beyond a group of islands rose a trail of smoke that told some small +steamer was passing. A gull was circling over the cove, and a black crow +cawed dismally from the top branch of a tall spruce.</p> + +<p>For all that the sun was in the sky, there was something oppressively +lonely and deserted about Devil Island.</p> + +<p>"Let's try the doors here," suggested Bruce.</p> + +<p>The front door was fastened, but they found a back door that they were +able to force open, as the nails that held it had rusted in the rotten +wood till they readily bent before the pressure.</p> + +<p>"I don't know as we have any right to go in here," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" exclaimed Bruce. "The place is deserted."</p> + +<p>"Somebody owns it."</p> + +<p>"According to the yarns of the fishermen, it is owned by a monster with +blazing face and black holes for eyes."</p> + +<p>"None of them told of seeing the monster anywhere<!-- Page 169 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> around this building. +He was seen in the woods or on the other side of the island."</p> + +<p>"I think we'll see him here just as quick as anywhere," grinned Bruce, +who had thrown off the uncanny feeling that had possessed him as they +stood beside the grave in the woods.</p> + +<p>"Those stories were not told for nothing," declared Frank.</p> + +<p>"Why were they told?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know—not yet."</p> + +<p>"But you have an idea?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"I rather fancy somebody wishes to keep people away from this island for +some reason."</p> + +<p>"I thought the same thing."</p> + +<p>"What that reason can be I do not know."</p> + +<p>"But, Frank," said Bruce, hesitatingly, "you heard something as we stood +beside that grave up there in the woods?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"A whisper?"</p> + +<p>"Sure."</p> + +<p>"What did it say?"</p> + +<p>"'Dead and buried.'"</p> + +<p>"Then it was not imagination, for we both heard the same thing. Now how +do you explain that?"</p> + +<p>"Somebody whispered the words."</p> + +<p>"Where was that somebody?"</p> + +<p>"You know just as well as I do; but those words were whispered for our +ears to hear. We heard them."</p> + +<p>"I do not believe in ghosts any more than you do, Merriwell, but I will +admit that there was a mighty queer feeling came over me as we stood +there near that grave."<!-- Page 170 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I felt it," confessed Frank. "Had I believed in ghosts, I should have +been badly frightened."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's look this building over. We may find something in here."</p> + +<p>So they began to explore the old boarding house. It was a large +building, and they climbed the stairs to the second story, where none of +the windows were boarded up. Up there were the rooms where the laborers +had slept. They looked through them all, but found nothing of interest. +At last they stopped by a window and looked out upon the water.</p> + +<p>"By Jove!" exclaimed Merriwell. "Look down there!"</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"A boat."</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"Beyond the land at the other side of the cove. It's laying close in to +shore. See the mast?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see it now. Why, it almost seems aground! Wonder what it's there +for?"</p> + +<p>"Whoever was in the boat has come ashore on the island."</p> + +<p>"Then why didn't he run into the cove down here?"</p> + +<p>"Because the boat would be seen in the cove, and where it lays it is not +liable to be seen from the island."</p> + +<p>"Why should anybody wish to come onto the island here and not be seen?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but I'll wager something that that is the lap-streak +sailboat belonging to our friend, the cock-eyed man. If I am right, he +is somewhere on this island."</p> + +<p>"He warned us not to come here."</p> + +<p>"Yes. He told us what happened to the Boston man who came here. It was +plain to me that he wanted us to keep away. He ran down ahead of us, and +he is on the island. Why should he care to frighten us away?<!-- Page 171 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> Why should +he hurry to get here ahead of us? I tell you, old man, this is a mystery +worth solving."</p> + +<p>Bruce grunted. He felt that Merriwell was right, but he realized it +might not be an easy thing to solve the mystery of the island.</p> + +<p>The big Yale man stood looking out of the window and watching the boat, +while Frank continued his investigations. Merriwell wandered from room +to room, and at last descended the stairs again.</p> + +<p>"If he gets an idea that there is really a wonderful mystery here," +muttered Bruce, "he will stay till he has solved it if he spends the +remainder of the summer in this vicinity. Never saw a fellow who took +such an interest in anything mysterious."</p> + +<p>The wind was rising again. It rattled a window, and somewhere about the +building it made a loose board clap, clap, clap, in a way that made +Browning think of clods falling on a coffin.</p> + +<p>All at once, somewhere down below in the old building, a shriek rang +out, startling, shrill, wild and awful. It froze the blood in Browning's +veins and seemed to cause his hair to stand upon his head. Following the +shriek came—silence!<!-- Page 172 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>FRANK SEES THE MONSTER.</h3> + + +<p>Instantly Browning thought how the fisherman had told of the awful +screams that came from the lips of the monster of the island. Had that +monster uttered this cry?</p> + +<p>Where was Merriwell?</p> + +<p>"Frank!"</p> + +<p>Browning shouted the name of his friend and the empty rooms echoed with +the sound.</p> + +<p>"Frank Merriwell!"</p> + +<p>From room to room rushed the big fellow. There was no answer to his +cries.</p> + +<p>Quickly satisfying himself that Merriwell was nowhere in the upper story +of the boarding house, Bruce bounded down the stairs four at a time.</p> + +<p>"Frank, where are you?"</p> + +<p>No sound save his own voice and the echoes.</p> + +<p>A sickening sensation seized upon Browning. He began to feel that a +calamity, a tragedy, had taken place.</p> + +<p>From room to room he rushed, but he saw nothing of the one he sought. +Was it possible Frank had left the building without saying anything to +him? He could not think so.</p> + +<p>All at once he stood before an open door, and he dimly saw a flight of +stairs leading downward into the darkness. A cold, dank smell came up +from the depths below.</p> + +<p>Browning quickly decided that there must be some sort of a cellar or +basement down there. The door was open. Frank had gone down to +investigate.<!-- Page 173 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> + +<p>But the cry that had rung through the building! What had happened below?</p> + +<p>For a moment Bruce hesitated. Then he quickly felt in his pocket and +drew forth a match safe. A moment later, with lighted match in his +fingers, he was descending the stairs into the dank and moldy basement.</p> + +<p>At the bottom of the stairs was another door. It was open. Bruce stepped +through it and stumbled over something, dropping his match, so that he +was in the densest darkness.</p> + +<p>At that moment the wild shriek rang out again so near that it seemed +uttered in his very ear.</p> + +<p>He had his revolver in his hand, and he whirled, his heart having sprung +into his mouth, ready to use the weapon. In the darkness he saw nothing.</p> + +<p>Bruce was shaking as he crouched there. He heard his teeth rattle +together, and he realized that he was completely unnerved. He was +tempted to leap up and bound up the stairs. Indeed, the desire to do so +was almost irresistible.</p> + +<p>He listened, thinking he might hear something like a moving person, but +after that blood-chilling scream there was no other sound.</p> + +<p>At last he put out his hand and touched the object over which he had +fallen. That it was a human body he instantly realized.</p> + +<p>The thought that Frank Merriwell lay there dead in the darkness nearly +overcame him. He feared to light another match. That touch had told him +that the body was not that of a person stiff and cold, as it must be had +it lain there some time. It was still warm, as if with life, but +still—how still!</p> + +<p>Browning's fingers shook as he got out a match. He prayed that he might +not look on the face of his dead<!-- Page 174 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> friend. The horrible fear of what he +might see completely unmanned him.</p> + +<p>Scratch—splutter—flare!</p> + +<p>He lighted the match, and it blazed up at once. Its light showed him the +sight he had dreaded to behold. Frank Merriwell lay before him, his face +ghastly pale, his eyes closed.</p> + +<p>The match dropped from the nerveless fingers of the big Yale man and +went out. A low groan escaped his lips.</p> + +<p>Then came the thought that Merriwell might not be dead. Quickly he +caught up the body, flung it over his shoulders, and then he literally +leaped up the creaking stairs.</p> + +<p>Bruce did not pause till he had carried Frank outside the building. Then +he took a look at Merry's pale face, saw blood trickling down out of his +hair, and rushed with him to the well near the house.</p> + +<p>Placing Frank on the ground, the big fellow fell to bathing his head, +upon which was a slight wound that cut through the scalp. It was not +twenty seconds before Frank opened his eyes.</p> + +<p>Bruce gave an exclamation of joy.</p> + +<p>"By Heaven! I thought you were dead!" he cried.</p> + +<p>Merriwell looked dazed for a moment, and then murmured:</p> + +<p>"I saw it!"</p> + +<p>"Eh? Saw what?"</p> + +<p>"The monster!"</p> + +<p>"What? You did?"</p> + +<p>"Sure."</p> + +<p>"Where? Down in the basement of the boarding house?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"What did it look like?"<!-- Page 175 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Just as described."</p> + +<p>"Fiery face and hands?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Black holes for eyes?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>Browning gasped.</p> + +<p>"What did it do?"</p> + +<p>"Shrieked."</p> + +<p>"I heard it!"</p> + +<p>"And then it seemed that the whole building fell on me. There was a +bright glare of light, and the next I knew was when I opened my eyes +just now."</p> + +<p>"Something struck you down."</p> + +<p>"I think you are right."</p> + +<p>"Know I am. I found you down there in the basement—brought you out. Oh, +but I did think you were dead when I first saw your white face by the +light of the match I held! I haven't recovered from the shock of it yet! +It was awful!"</p> + +<p>In a few moments Frank was able to sit up. The cut on his head was not +serious, but his head was throbbing with a shooting pain, and he was +dizzy and weak.</p> + +<p>"Well, I've seen the monster all right," he said, with a grim smile. +"There's some satisfaction in that."</p> + +<p>"And I have heard it," put in Bruce. "I don't know that I care about +seeing the thing."</p> + +<p>"It did look something like the Old Boy himself," said Frank. "Don't +wonder these fishermen are scared by it."</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose you are satisfied now?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no!"</p> + +<p>"No? What will you do?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'd like to know what the monster is made of."</p> + +<p>"This investigating seems to be rather dangerous."</p> + +<p>"And that makes it all the more fascinating. How<!-- Page 176 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span>ever, I think it will +be well enough to give it a rest for the present."</p> + +<p>"We'll go back to the yacht?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and have some dinner. After dinner we can take another whirl at +the monster. We must not stay away too long this time, or the people on +the yacht will worry about us."</p> + +<p>"What shall we tell them?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing. It will not do to tell of this adventure."</p> + +<p>"But this handkerchief about your head," said Bruce, who was tying it in +place; "how will you explain that?"</p> + +<p>"Fell and struck my head. I did fall, you know, and my head must have +struck the ground down there in that basement. We <span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, 'musn't' changed to 'mustn't'">mustn't</span> let them press +us too closely. If they get inquisitive, we must change the subject."</p> + +<p>Thus it was arranged. When Frank first arose to his feet he was so weak +that he found it necessary to lean on the arm of his companion, but his +strength came to him swiftly, so that he was like himself before he had +returned more than a third of the way to the <i>White Wings</i>.</p> + +<p>Then of a sudden he remembered that he had dropped his rifle when he was +struck down in the basement, and he wanted to return for it at once. +Bruce objected at first, but Frank was determined, and he finally won.</p> + +<p>They retraced their steps and boldly entered the building. Bruce +followed Merriwell down the stairs into the basement, holding his +revolver ready for use while Frank lighted matches. Then they searched +for the rifle, which Frank knew he held in his hand at the moment when +he was struck down.</p> + +<p>They could not find it, for it was not in the basement, nor was it +anywhere in the building.</p> + +<p>The boys quickly decided that the rifle had been removed by human hands, +but the mystery was just as deep.<!-- Page 177 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> + +<p>Leaving the building, they did not immediately return to the <i>White +Wings</i>, but made their way past the little cove, through the stunted +cedars and over the rocks to a position where they could look down upon +the boat that was lying close to the island shore.</p> + +<p>As Frank had surmised, it was the lap-streak sailboat belonging to the +cock-eyed man. There was no one in or around it.</p> + +<p>"Bruce," said Merry, "I have a proposal to make."</p> + +<p>"Make it," grunted Browning.</p> + +<p>"I have an idea that the person who owns that boat is concerned in the +mysterious doings on this island."</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"I am going to watch for him."</p> + +<p>"When?"</p> + +<p>"Now."</p> + +<p>"You mean that you are not going back to the yacht?"</p> + +<p>"Not right away."</p> + +<p>"Then I shall stay with you."</p> + +<p>"That will interfere with my plan."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"If we stay away from the yacht very long it is certain to alarm the +girls."</p> + +<p>"It might."</p> + +<p>"I want you to go back and tell them I have discovered signs of game +here and have stayed to see if I can't bag it. You need not say what +sort of game. Then I want you to get Hodge and bring him with you, +taking three of the guns and sufficient ammunition. As you will be going +out for game, that will create no alarm. Leave Diamond and Dunnerwust to +guard the girls and Miss Gale. I will remain here till you return, and +you might bring me something for lunch. Tell them it is likely to take +some time to bag our game, and caution them not to be alarmed if we do +not return before nightfall."<!-- Page 178 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But I don't like the idea of leaving you here alone," protested the big +Yale man. "There is no telling what may happen."</p> + +<p>Frank laughed softly.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about me," he said. "I shall not venture into the old +boarding house alone, and it is not likely I'll not be able to defend +myself here on open ground."</p> + +<p>Bruce hesitated.</p> + +<p>"How are you feeling now?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"All right."</p> + +<p>"Strong?"</p> + +<p>"As ever."</p> + +<p>"That crack on the head——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am all over that now. Go on, old man, and don't worry about me. +You know that, as a rule, Frank Merriwell is able to take care of +himself."</p> + +<p>"That is a fact," nodded Browning. "But you are not armed. Here, you +must take this revolver."</p> + +<p>He held the weapon out to Merry.</p> + +<p>"But then you will not have a weapon."</p> + +<p>"I am all right," declared Bruce. "I can handle two or three ordinary +fellows without a gun."</p> + +<p>Fully aware of the giant's extraordinary strength, Frank knew he spoke +the truth, and so he accepted the revolver.</p> + +<p>"Now I have an idea," said Merriwell, "that you had better not return to +the yacht by the path."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"It is likely that path is watched, and it may be well enough not to let +the watchers know one of us has remained here. If they think we are +gone, they may betray themselves by their movements.</p> + +<p>"How am I to go back, then?"</p> + +<p>"Go round the island the other way. You can keep in this fringe of woods +the most of the time, so that you<!-- Page 179 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> will not be seen. It may be a bit +harder traveling, but I fancy it is the best thing to do."</p> + +<p>"All right. Take care of yourself, Merriwell. Keep your eyes open, and +do not get another crack on the head."</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about that. Take your time."</p> + +<p>So Bruce started off, leaving Frank there where he could watch the boat.</p> + +<p>Not until Browning had disappeared and Frank was quite alone did he +realize the loneliness of the place. The water washing against the rocky +shore made the only sound to be heard, unless it was the occasional cry +of a wheeling gull.</p> + +<p>The tide was going out, and already the black ledges were rising out of +the water in the distance. Those were called "half-tide ledges" by the +fishermen. There were other black rocks which rose barren and bleak +above the highest tides. Near those ledges at certain seasons of the +year sportsmen set their "tollers," or decoys, and crouching in nooks of +the rocks, fired hundreds of shots at the sea birds lured to their doom +by the wooden representations of their mates.</p> + +<p>Merriwell found a place where he could sit in a sheltered spot and watch +the sailboat, at the same time having a good view of the bay and the +islands and ledges.</p> + +<p>As he sat there Frank meditated on the mystery of the island. He was +fully convinced that there was some reason why certain human beings +desired to frighten all others away from the place. That the man from +Boston had been murdered and buried on that island was quite probable. +Perhaps he had been murdered for booty; perhaps he had discovered the +secret of the island, and his death had been accomplished in order to +seal his lips. In the latter case there must be some powerful reason +why<!-- Page 180 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> the desperadoes who slew him did not wish the secret revealed to +the world.</p> + +<p>These thoughts led Merry to the conclusion that some criminal business +was carried on upon that island. He was well aware that he was taking +desperate chances in trying to find out what sort of business it was, +but the mystery lured him on, and the very fact that there was danger +lent a fascination to the adventure.</p> + +<p>How long he sat there thinking thus he did not know, but at last he was +startled by a sound near at hand. He turned quickly and what he saw +brought him to his feet with a bound.</p> + +<p>Peering from the bushes was the most horrible face he had ever looked +upon. It was twisted and contorted in a frightful manner, the lips were +drawn back from long, yellow fangs, the eyes seemed to glare like coals +of fire, and about these frightful features tumbled a mass of tangled +hair.</p> + +<p>"The monster!"</p> + +<p>That thought flashed into Frank's mind. He had no doubt but he was face +to face with the creature that had frightened the simple fishermen from +the island.</p> + +<p>For some moments Frank stood there, staring at that horrible face. Then +a clawlike hand came out through the bushes and seemed to reach toward +him, while a howl that was blood-curdling came from the creature's lips.</p> + +<p>That sound was the same that had frightened the fishermen into running +for their lives, but, instead of running, Frank made a dash for the +creature, Browning's revolver grasped in his hand.</p> + +<p>It was a most astonishing move on the part of the boy. For a moment the +monster of the island remained motionless, and then that horrible face +disappeared.</p> + +<p>With a leap, Frank plunged straight into the bushes, ready to grapple +with the thing.<!-- Page 181 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> + +<p>He found nothing! It had vanished!</p> + +<p>Swaying bushes close at hand guided him, and he scarcely paused an +instant. Straight forward he rushed, ready for the encounter at any +instant.</p> + +<p>He caught a glimpse of something plunging through the bushes, and he +followed fearlessly.</p> + +<p>A moment later he came out to open ground, and ahead of him he saw a +misshapen figure running with wonderful speed toward the head of the +cove.</p> + +<p>Perhaps for the first time since the creature had been seen on the +island the order of things had changed and it was the pursued instead of +the pursuer.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" shouted Frank.</p> + +<p>The monster looked back over a twisted shoulder, and snarled like a wild +animal, but ran faster than ever.</p> + +<p>"Stop, or I shall shoot!"</p> + +<p>Frank flourished the revolver, running as hard as he could in pursuit.</p> + +<p>The command was not obeyed.</p> + +<p>In an attempt to frighten the creature into obeying, Frank fired two +shots into the air.</p> + +<p>Still the thing ran on.</p> + +<p>"Well, I see I must catch him," muttered Merriwell.</p> + +<p>He set his teeth and made wonderful speed over the uneven ground. Never +in any college sprinting match had he made such speed. He was determined +to overtake that hideous thing and solve the mystery of the island.</p> + +<p>Frank soon saw he was gaining. The creature looked back and saw the +same, whereupon it seemed to increase its efforts.</p> + +<p>But, although the monster was a swift runner, it could not get away from +Merriwell. The cove was passed, and the race continued up the rise +toward the big building above.<!-- Page 182 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> + +<p>Frank was drawing nearer and nearer. He reached out a hand to grasp the +shoulder of the hunchback, for there was a large hump on the back of the +fugitive.</p> + +<p>At that moment the panting thing whirled and grappled with him suddenly.</p> + +<p>Frank was taken by surprise by the movement, and in a twinkling he was +flung to his knees. The monster snarled with satisfaction and sought to +clutch his throat with those clawlike hands.</p> + +<p>Summoning all his strength, Merriwell fought his way to his feet and +obtained a better hold on the thing, keeping those twisted fingers away +from his throat.</p> + +<p>Then there was a fierce struggle for the mastery. During that struggle +the tushes in the mouth of the being with whom Frank was battling +suddenly fell out and dropped to the ground.</p> + +<p>They were false teeth, made to look as hideous as possible.</p> + +<p>And now Merry could see that the man's face was made up to appear +twisted and deformed, and, a moment after the teeth fell out, the shaggy +wig of tangled hair was torn away, showing that also was false and a +part of the make-up.</p> + +<p>Now Merriwell recognized the man before him.</p> + +<p>It was the hunchback of Green's Landing—Put Wiley!</p> + +<p>"Really, Mr. Wiley, this is quite a surprise!" exclaimed Frank, +triumphantly. "You had a splendid make-up, but the cat is out of the bag +now."</p> + +<p>"Curse ye!" grated the hunchback. "You'll pay for this with your life!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know!"</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>Wiley's voice did not utter these two words; they were spoken by another +person, and Frank was clutched from behind. Strong hands closed about +his neck, and hard<!-- Page 183 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> fingers crushed into his windpipe, so that his +breath was shut off in a moment.</p> + +<p>Frank could not withstand this onset, he was forced to his knees. Being +unable to breathe, he tried to tear those crushing fingers away, but the +effort was in vain. He had dropped the revolver, and it was beyond his +reach.</p> + +<p>He knew at that moment that he was in the clutch of the ruffians who had +murdered the man from Boston, and he had no doubt but a like fate was +meant for him. Still he was powerless to save himself, for he was given +no show. Things turned black and began to whirl around him, bombs seemed +bursting in his head, bells were ringing in his ears, and +then—nothingness!</p> + +<p>When Frank recovered consciousness he felt as if his windpipe had been +crushed, and he seemed numb and helpless in every limb. He realized +immediately that he was being roughly handled, and he heard a harsh +voice say:</p> + +<p>"That's all right. He can't git erway. We can't waste any more time."</p> + +<p>He opened his eyes and looked up into the face of the speaker—the +cock-eyed man!</p> + +<p>Put Wiley, the hunchback, was there, too.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" growled the man with the crooked eye. "He's come round. I'm +glad on it, fer I want him ter know jest what his nosin' foolishness has +done fer him."</p> + +<p>Frank tried to speak, but he could not utter more than a wheezing +whisper. The hunchback raised a foot, as if to bring it down on the face +of the helpless lad, for Frank was bound hands and feet, but the other +man thrust him aside, growling:</p> + +<p>"Whut's the use! He'll be dead in five minutes. Don't kick ther poor +fool."</p> + +<p>Then Frank realized that he was bound across the track<!-- Page 184 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> of the old +railroad that ran from the sheds to the quarry. The look that came to +the face of the helpless lad seemed to tell the cock-eyed man that he +understood the situation.</p> + +<p>"You've made a fool of yerself," declared the man, unpityingly. "You was +too nosy. Inquisitive critters alwus git inter trouble. The Boston man +was too fresh, and he's planted. You saw his grave."</p> + +<p>Strangely enough, at that moment the helpless boy asked a queer +question:</p> + +<p>"Where were you when you made that ghostly whisper?" he managed to +huskily inquire.</p> + +<p>"I dunno what good it'll do to ye ter know," was the answer. "You'll be +dead right away. Mebbe one of us was hid in a holler tree near ye."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean to do with me?"</p> + +<p>"Waal, we've tied ye here acrost ther rails. Up there in the quarry is a +car loaded with granite. It won't take much ter send it scootin' down +the track, and it will cut you clean in two. You'll have time enough to +think whut a fool ye was and say yer prayers while we are startin' ther +car, but you'd better begin now. Good-by."</p> + +<p>Then the two murderous wretches hurried up the track and quickly +disappeared.</p> + +<p>Frank tried to cry for aid, but he could not make a sound that could be +heard ten rods away. He twisted and squirmed in a vain effort to free +himself. And then he fell to listening, listening, listening.</p> + +<p>It was not long before he heard the sound which he dreaded. There was a +distant rumble, a faint jarring of the rails.</p> + +<p>The car had started down the incline!</p> + +<p>"God help me!"</p> + +<p>The rumbling sound grew louder and louder. The car was gathering speed +as it came on.<!-- Page 185 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Frank—Frank Merriwell!"</p> + +<p>He heard Browning call near at hand, and now he made a mighty effort and +answered:</p> + +<p>"Here! Quick! Help!"</p> + +<p>The big Yale man came rushing to the track, followed by Hodge, just as +the car loaded with granite came into view.</p> + +<p>Instantly Bruce realized the peril of the lad who was bound to the +rails, and he saw there was no time to cut the ropes and set Frank free.</p> + +<p>With a hoarse shout he leaped forward, catching up a stout stick of +timber in an instant. One end of the timber he thrust under the rails of +the track, and then he lifted on the other end with all his wonderful +strength.</p> + +<p>The track was old, the ties were rotten, and the spikes gave way. The +rail was pried aside in a moment. Then Bruce went at the other and tore +that up.</p> + +<p>The car was upon him. He made a great leap backward and got off the +track barely in time.</p> + +<p>Then, an instant later, the car, loaded with granite, left the rails and +shot down the bank, spilling the slabs of rock and plunged with a splash +into the water, disappearing from view.</p> + +<p>Frank was saved!</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>It was an hour later when Merriwell, Browning and Hodge returned to the +<i>White Wings</i>. With the exception of a slight hoarseness, Frank could +speak as well as ever, although his throat was sore and lame.</p> + +<p>The boys had not returned to the yacht till they were certain the +hunchback and the cock-eyed man had left the island, for the lap-streak +boat was seen bound up the bay under full sail.</p> + +<p>Browning was fierce for revenge. Merriwell did not<!-- Page 186 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> say much, but deep +down in his heart he was determined to punish the ruffians who had so +nearly ended his existence. He cautioned the boys not to let the girls +or Miss Gale know anything of the adventures on the island.</p> + +<p>"We will land them at Green's Landing," he said, "and then I am coming +back to this island. The mystery of this place is not yet solved. Why +are those two men trying to frighten everybody away from here? I want to +know that, and I mean to know it."</p> + +<p>On reaching the yacht Jack Diamond was found paying every attention to +Paula Benjamin, and it was plain that there was no longer a +misunderstanding between them.</p> + +<p>The Virginian shot Browning a glance of triumph, in which was also a +warning.</p> + +<p>But Bruce scarce gave Jack or Paula a thought, for other matters were on +his mind then. He was eager and anxious to get rid of the girls and +their chaperon in order that the party might return to Devil Island and +seek to solve the deep mystery of the place and punish the wretches who +had tried to end Frank's life.<!-- Page 187 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>SETTLING A POINT.</h3> + + +<p>"Now, fellows," said Frank Merriwell, as he faced his four "shipmates" +in the cabin of his yacht, <i>White Wings</i>, which was riding at anchor in +the harbor at Green's Landing, "I have called you together for a council +of war."</p> + +<p>"I'm tired," grunted Bruce Browning. "Can't I rest in my bunk while the +powwow is going on?"</p> + +<p>"No," came firmly from Frank, "this is a matter of business, and it +won't hurt you to sit up a while."</p> + +<p>"Oh, get a brace on!" exclaimed Diamond, flinging the words at the big +Yale man. "Act as if you had some life in you, old fellow."</p> + +<p>The manner in which the words were spoken made the usually polite +Virginian seem quite unlike himself, but Bruce simply grinned, +observing:</p> + +<p>"You shouldn't hold a grudge because I flirted a little with Miss +Benjamin, Diamond; you got a lead on me while Merriwell and I were +investigating on Devil Island, and won her back, all right. Don't be +sour over it."</p> + +<p>The Southerner sprang up, his eyes flashing:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Browning," he said, hotly, "I warn you not to speak lightly of Miss +Benjamin! You seem to take delight in mentioning her in connection with +every little occurrence, and it is getting tiresome. There is a limit!"</p> + +<p>"Huah!" grunted the giant. "Touchy, mighty touchy. First thing I know +he'll be challenging me to a duel."</p> + +<p>"It would be useless to challenge you!" flashed Jack. "You Northerners +are too cold blooded to fight."</p> + +<p>"Well, now, this will do!" cut in Merry, promptly rising to his feet. "I +won't have it on board my yacht."<!-- Page 188 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then I suppose we can go on shore and fight it out," said Jack, sourly.</p> + +<p>"If you want to make fools of yourselves—yes."</p> + +<p>"You are very plain spoken, Mr. Merriwell."</p> + +<p>"It is necessary at times, Diamond. Hold your temper in check, old man, +and don't talk about Northerners and Southerners. There is no North, no +South. The time is past. When you came to Yale you were full of freakish +notions about the North and the South, but I fancied you had been pretty +well cured of that. I see it will crop out occasionally, though."</p> + +<p>To this Diamond made no retort, but he looked thoroughly angry. With +another fellow Frank would have laughed him out of the mood, but he knew +it would not do to try that on the Virginian, for Jack could not endure +a bit of ridicule.</p> + +<p>However, Merry talked quietly, and soon he could see he was pouring oil +on the troubled waters, for the look of anger was leaving Diamond's +face, and Browning had assumed a lounging attitude.</p> + +<p>"This is no time for hard feelings between any of us," said Frank. "As I +said a few minutes ago, I have called you together for a council of +war."</p> + +<p>"Vot did I mean ven you said dot?" asked Hans Dunnerwust. "Berhaps you +don'd understood me as vell as I might. Vot for haf dot gouncil uf var +peen caldt?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Bart Hodge, "just what are you driving at, Merriwell?"</p> + +<p>"Fellows, we have struck a mystery."</p> + +<p>"I thought you had solved the mystery of the monster of Devil Island."</p> + +<p>"I solved the mystery of the monster's identity and discovered the +creature was the hunchback, Put Wiley, in disguise."</p> + +<p>"But he came near ending your career."<!-- Page 189 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> + +<p>"With the aid of the cock-eyed man, whose name, I have learned, since +returning to Green's Landing, is Dan Hicks. I could have handled Wiley +alone, but Hicks came to his aid and caught me by the throat, grasping +me from behind. Together they knocked me out and tied me to the old +railroad on the island. But for Browning's wonderful efforts in ripping +up the rails, they would have succeeded in their attempt to send a flat +car loaded with granite down the track, and I must have been cut in two. +I tell you, fellows, it was a wonderful sight to see Bruce pry up those +rails and send that car, granite and all, into the water. Ah, Browning!" +exclaimed Merriwell, his voice betraying his feeling despite his effort +to keep it under control, "it prolonged my life when you were born +strong."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it wasn't much work to rip up those rails," said the big fellow, +with an air of modesty. "You see, the spikes that held them were planted +in rotten wood, for the ties are very old."</p> + +<p>"You never moved half as fast before in your life, Browning," said +Hodge. "You did get a hustle on then."</p> + +<p>"I had to," grunted Bruce. "Saw there wasn't any time to loaf."</p> + +<p>"You saved my life," declared Frank. "The identity of the monster is +solved, but the mystery of the island is as deep as ever."</p> + +<p>"Shust vot do I mean ven you said dot?" asked Hans.</p> + +<p>"Why should the hunchback rig himself up in that horrible manner and try +to frighten persons away from the island?"</p> + +<p>"There is a mystery," confessed Diamond.</p> + +<p>"Certainly it is," nodded Merriwell. "Discovering the identity of the +monster has not seemed to clear things up much. It has added to my +curiosity."<!-- Page 190 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Berhaps id peen a healthy thing to stayed avay dot islands from," +observed Hans, sagely.</p> + +<p>"Whatever the secret of the island may be," said Frank, "those men are +ready to commit murder in order to guard it."</p> + +<p>"They came near succeeding," said Hodge.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if they have succeeded."</p> + +<p>"Eh? How?"</p> + +<p>"You remember the story of the Boston man who was landed on the island +and never seen afterward."</p> + +<p>"The cock-eyed man told that story."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps that was a part of his plan to scare us away from the +island—to keep us from going there."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so; but you remember he told us there was a grave on the island +and the headstone was marked, 'Sacred to the memory of Rawson Denning.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes. More of his plan to scare us away."</p> + +<p>"The grave is there."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Sure."</p> + +<p>"You—you——"</p> + +<p>"Found it. Bruce was with me. We came out into a dismal glade in the +heart of the black woods, and there was the grave and the headstone with +the words upon it."</p> + +<p>"Jingoes!"</p> + +<p>Hodge stared at Frank a few moments, and then asked:</p> + +<p>"Do you really believe the Boston man was murdered and buried in that +grave?"</p> + +<p>"Rawson was the name he gave, and the grave was found on the island +after his strange disappearance. It seems probable enough that he is +planted there."</p> + +<p>"By Chorch!" exclaimed the Dutch boy, turning pale; "I don'd vant to +monkey aroundt dot island all alone by yourself."<!-- Page 191 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do you have any idea what the mystery of the island can be, Merriwell?" +asked Hodge, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Of course I do not know any better than yourself, but I have a +suspicion."</p> + +<p>"What do you think?"</p> + +<p>"Yaw!" cried Hans; "vat do I think?"</p> + +<p>"I believe some kind of unlawful business is carried on there, and for +that reason the criminals are using every means to frighten away anybody +who might prove troublesome or inquisitive."</p> + +<p>"Then will it pay us to be troublesome and inquisitive?" said Diamond.</p> + +<p>"That is the very matter we are here to discuss. The girls and Miss Gale +are comfortably located here at Green's Landing, and they will be able +to amuse themselves for a day or two. If we wish, we can run down to +Devil Island every morning and return here every night. I am willing to +confess that my curiosity is aroused, and I would give something to +solve the mystery of the place; but I do not wish to drag any of my +friends into danger where they do not wish to go."</p> + +<p>"I hardly think there is one in this party who will not stand by you +wherever you go, Merriwell," said Bart, quickly. "You can count on me."</p> + +<p>"I knew it."</p> + +<p>"And me," grunted Browning.</p> + +<p>"I thought so."</p> + +<p>"Und I vos anodder!" exclaimed Hans.</p> + +<p>"That is good."</p> + +<p>"Don't think for a moment that I will go back on you," said Diamond. "I +started on this cruise with the intention of staying with you, and I +shall."</p> + +<p>"Good. That part of it is settled. I have said that the mystery of that +island belongs to me, and I will solve it. I mean to keep my word."<!-- Page 192 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Vale," said Hans, "I never knowed yourseluf ven you didn'd keep your +vord, Vrankie. But maype you don'd vant to took some more chances uf +peing runned ofer a railroat on?"</p> + +<p>"Hardly. We have a fair breeze. Shall we run down to the island this +forenoon?"</p> + +<p>"Come on," said Diamond, suddenly. "If we have a mystery to solve, the +sooner we get after it the better."</p> + +<p>There was a thump against the side of the yacht, and a voice called:</p> + +<p>"Ahoy on board there! I want to see the captain of this craft."<!-- Page 193 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>THE MAN IN GRAY.</h3> + + +<p>When Frank reached the deck he saw a jolly-looking little man in gray +clothes coming over the rail. Beside the yacht lay a dory, in which sat +a fisherman who had rowed the old man off to the <i>White Wings</i>.</p> + +<p>"Dang a dory," exclaimed the little man in gray, with a chuckle. "She +may be all right to row round in on a troubled sea, but she'll tip +quicker'n scat if you step up on the side of her. This one near spilt me +into the drink after I was alongside here. What I want is a +flat-bottomed scow or raft. I hope this yacht is good and steady, for +I'm going to take a cruise in her."</p> + +<p>"You are?" gasped Frank, smiling. "Well, that is cool."</p> + +<p>"Of course," nodded the little man, brightly. "Everything around me is +cool, even to my name, and that is Cooler—Caleb Cooler."</p> + +<p>"I like your nerve!"</p> + +<p>"I thought you would, though I have seen people who didn't like it. Some +folks are fussy—here, my man," turning to the boatman, "here is the +fifty cents I promised you if you would set me on board here. I shan't +want you any more. You may go."</p> + +<p>"Hold on," came firmly from Frank, who also spoke to the man in the +dory. "I think Mr. Cooler is mistaken. He will want you—to take him +ashore again."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no—no, indeed," chuckled Mr. Cooler, pleasantly. "You are quite +wrong, young man. I am going to Devil Island with you."</p> + +<p>"The—the—dickens you are?" exclaimed Frank. He<!-- Page 194 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> came near using +another word in the place of "dickens," for now he was literally +astounded.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," nodded the queer old man, still laughing. "I won't be a bit +of bother. In fact, you will find me mighty jolly company. Tickle me +gently, and I am more fun than a variety show. I have been paid in my +day to travel around with folks just to amuse them. I'm sure death to +the blues, and I am better than all the doctor's medicine you ever +took."</p> + +<p>"Well, I haven't the blues, and I am not in need of medicine."</p> + +<p>"Say you so? You're in luck. You do look cheerful and healthy, that's a +fact."</p> + +<p>"But I have some curiosity."</p> + +<p>"Glad to know you are troubled by something."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am curious to know how you happened to come aboard this yacht in +order to get to Devil Island."</p> + +<p>"Why, aren't you going there?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so; but how do you know it?"</p> + +<p>"Feller told me so."</p> + +<p>"When?"</p> + +<p>"Little while ago."</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"Up at Jobbins' store."</p> + +<p>"What kind of a fellow? How did he look?"</p> + +<p>"Looked as if some chap had swatted him with a brick right on the bridge +of his proboscis, for it had a strong list to starboard, and one of his +eyes was keeping watch at the end of it, while the other eye was on +guard to see that no more bricks were coming in that direction."</p> + +<p>"The man with the cock-eye!" exclaimed Merriwell.</p> + +<p>"Sure as you live!" cried Hodge, who had followed Frank to the deck. +"It's Hicks."</p> + +<p>"So that scoundrel has dared venture into Green's<!-- Page 195 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> Landing so soon," +said Frank, grimly. "And he knows he did not succeed in his foul attempt +to murder me!"</p> + +<p>"Eh?" exclaimed the little man, in surprise. "What's that? Murder? Did +he——"</p> + +<p>"Never mind," interrupted Frank, eying the man in gray, as if seeking to +read his thoughts. "I have a little affair to settle with Mr. Hicks, and +the worst recommendation you could have is the fact that he sent you +here. He simply surmised that I contemplated returning to Devil Island."</p> + +<p>"But don't you?"</p> + +<p>"That is my affair, Mr. Cooler. In no case do I propose to carry +passengers."</p> + +<p>"I am not passengers. I am simply a passenger. I won't bother you a bit. +Even if you are not going to the island, I'll pay you to land me there."</p> + +<p>"You seem very anxious to reach the place."</p> + +<p>"I am. I am in a bigger hurry than a dog with a package of firecrackers +tied to his tail. It's a matter of business. No time is to be lost."</p> + +<p>"You will have to seek another mode of conveyance."</p> + +<p>"What? Now, you are not in earnest! Ha! ha! He! he! I see that you are +something of a joker. It's all right, all right. I tumble to your game."</p> + +<p>"And I think I tumble to your game, Mr. Cooler," said Merry, sternly. +"You can have the information you want."</p> + +<p>"The information?" repeated the queer old man, in apparent +consternation. "Why, it can't be that you are connected with the Eastern +Bay Land Syndicate?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know anything about the Eastern Bay Land Syndicate."</p> + +<p>"What a relief!" sighed Mr. Cooler. "Really, you gave me quite a start. +But I am ahead of them. If the island is<!-- Page 196 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> as represented, I will secure +it. This part of the Bay is bound to become famous with summer people."</p> + +<p>"I do not know what you are trying to give me, but I tell you I am onto +your little game. Go back to Mr. Dave Hicks and tell him I am going to +Devil Island. I have met him there once; tell him I shall be pleased to +meet him there again."</p> + +<p>"But I do not want to go back to Mr. Hicks,<span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, single quote changed to double quote">"</span> protested the little man. +"I want to go to Devil Island with you."</p> + +<p>"You can't go."</p> + +<p>"I must. Young man, I will pay you any——"</p> + +<p>"I do not want your pay. You came aboard by that boat. Get into it and +return ashore. If you are so anxious to get to Devil Island, you will +find plenty of fishermen who will set you on there if you pay them for +it."</p> + +<p>"You are wrong. All the fishermen seem afraid to go near it. I tried +several of them this morning, and then the man with the broken nose and +the bent eye told me you were going down that way. That is why I am +here."</p> + +<p>The little man in gray seemed very much in earnest now, but Frank had +made up his mind and was not to be turned.</p> + +<p>"Get into that boat, sir," he commanded. "We can't take you to Devil +Island."</p> + +<p>"You'll have to," said Mr. Cooler, stubbornly. "I am here, and I am +going with you."</p> + +<p>"I rather think not," drawled Bruce Browning, who had been brought to +the deck at last by the sound of talk.</p> + +<p>The big fellow picked the little man up by the collar, carried him to +the rail and dropped him into the dory, saying to the boatman:</p> + +<p>"Take him ashore immediately, or he will have to<!-- Page 197 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> swim ashore, for I +shall throw him overboard if he boards the <i>White Wings</i> again."</p> + +<p>The queer little man in gray looked astounded and then amused. He +reached up and pulled his coat collar round into place, and stared at +Bruce, beginning to chuckle, as if the whole thing was a very +entertaining joke.</p> + +<p>"He! he!" he laughed. "Excuse me. Can't help it. Very funny. You chaps +act like you thought I'd bite. I won't bite. Never bit a man in all my +life. However, I see you are determined to go away without me, and I'll +not try to force myself upon you. If there is anything I detest it is a +man who makes himself obnoxious by forcing himself on others. He! he!"</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed Hans. "I vos der funniest man you efer seen, ain'd id? +Vale! vale! vale! Der next dime you come aproad der <i>Vite Vings</i> you hat +petter stayed ashore."</p> + +<p>"Now, that is more than I can stand," cried the little man, trying to +look fierce. "No Irishman can talk to me like that."</p> + +<p>"Vat?" shouted Hans. "Who vos I callin' an Irishman? You petter peen +gareful ur you vill got me indo drouple! I vant you to understood I +nefer peen an Irishman in mein life!"</p> + +<p>"I don't wonder you deny your nationality," said Mr. Cooler. "But you +cannot deceive anyone. That mug and that brogue will betray anywhere +that you are Irish to the bone."</p> + +<p>Hans began to jump up and down excitedly, shaking his fist at the little +man.</p> + +<p>"You shust safed my life py geddin' off this yotch vrom!" he yelled. "I +murdered der last man vat caldt you Irish! Uf I efer seen you again you +vill punch mein face off, und don'd you vorgot id!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, keep cool, Patsey," advised the man in gray.<!-- Page 198 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now a wild howl issued from Dunnerwust's throat, and he rushed to the +rail, leaning over to shake his fist as near his tomentor as possible.</p> + +<p>"Uf you dare to caldt me Batsey aken you vill gif me a lickens!" he +wildly threatened. "I von't pe caldt Batsey! Batsey vasn't your name, so +don'd you dare to caldt me dot! I vos porn in Sharmeny."</p> + +<p>"What part of Ireland is that in?" mildly inquired the little man. "I +should say by your brogue that you came from County Cork, or somewhere +in the south of Ireland."</p> + +<p>"Oh, gif me someding to murter him mit!" shrieked Hans, like a maniac. +"Gif me a gun! I vill shot him on der spot, or somevere near id! Gif me +a gun!"</p> + +<p>Then he made a wild rush for the cabin, still howling for a gun, and +fell with a great clatter down the companion way.</p> + +<p>"Take my advice, Mr. Cooler," said Frank, who was laughing now, "get as +far away from this yacht as possible before Hans comes on deck again. He +has gone for a gun, and there are several below, all of them loaded."</p> + +<p>"As I do not care to be filled full of lead, I will take your advice," +said the man in gray, calmly. "Irishmen are very quick-tempered, and I +see I have ruffled this one somewhat. However, he proved very amusing +for a short time. Good-day, Mr. Merriwell. I hope to see you later. In +fact, I think I shall—Bill, you may set me ashore."</p> + +<p>Bill, the boatman, was somewhat nervous, and he rowed away from the +yacht as hastily as possible.</p> + +<p>The dory was not many lengths away before Hans came howling to the deck, +wildly flourishing one of Merry's shotguns.</p> + +<p>"Shown me to him!" yelled Hans, almost frothing at the mouth. "Vere vos +der man vot caldt you an Irish<!-- Page 199 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>mans? He vill shoot me in a minute uf I +see heem! Vere he vos?"</p> + +<p>Then as he saw the dory pulling away, he rushed to the side of the yacht +and prepared to shoot, but Frank seized him and took the gun away in a +twinkling, saying, sternly:</p> + +<p>"Are you crazy, Hans? Do you want to be hanged for murder? I never saw +you this way before."</p> + +<p>"Dot man caldt me an Irishmans!"</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"He caldt me Batsey?"</p> + +<p>"A very natural mistake, considering that you have a face that is +strongly Irish in its general appearance and you have associated with +Barney Mulloy so much that you have acquired his brogue."</p> + +<p>Hans gasped and staggered.</p> + +<p>"Vot do you hear?" he faintly said. "Uf dot peen a fact, I vos retty to +shuffle off der mortal pucket und kick der coil! I don'd vant to lif no +longer ven I got to lookin' an Irishman like und dalkin' so I mistook +volks for von! My heart vos proken!"</p> + +<p>Then, sobbing violently, he again staggered toward the cabin and once +more fell down the companion way.</p> + +<p>Laughing heartily, Frank followed him, and found Hans lying where he had +fallen below.</p> + +<p>"Are you hurt?" asked Merry, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Yaw!" sobbed Hans.</p> + +<p>"Bad?"</p> + +<p>"Yaw!"</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"All ofer."</p> + +<p>"Can't you get up?"</p> + +<p>"I don't vant to got ub. I vant to die! Id vos my heart dot vos hurt. +Oh, shust to vancy dot my vace looks like an Irishmans! Mein Gott! id +vos awful!"<!-- Page 200 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Perhaps you can have your face changed, so do not take it so much to +heart."</p> + +<p>"Now you peen shoking."</p> + +<p>"No; in New York there is a man who advertises to make over faces—to +change them completely. It is possible that he might be able to remove +the Irish look from your face."</p> + +<p>Hans sat up.</p> + +<p>"Py Chorch!" he cried. "Uf dot peen a vact, I vos goin' to had a new +vace shust as soon as you can! Id peen der only thing vot vill kept me a +brison oudt uf. I shall murder der next man dot caldt me Irish!"</p> + +<p>"Well, you can have your face built over when you get back to New York, +so don't take it so much to heart."</p> + +<p>Hans got up after a while and dragged himself to a seat, while Frank +replaced the gun in the strap from which the Dutch lad had taken it.</p> + +<p>Browning came loafing down into the cabin, followed by Hodge.</p> + +<p>"What do you make of that queer little man, Merriwell?" asked Bruce, +flinging himself down lazily.</p> + +<p>"I sized him up as a spy," said Frank. "He was sent off to find out if +we intended to return to Devil Island. He found out."</p> + +<p>"He certainly is an odd character."</p> + +<p>"As queer as anything I have seen down this way. Somehow he did not seem +like a native."</p> + +<p>"No native to him," said Bart, as if that point was settled in his mind.</p> + +<p>"He did have a crust," said Bruce.</p> + +<p>"A crust!" cried Frank, laughing as he remembered what had taken place. +"Why, I never saw anything like it! Came on board and calmly informed me +he was going to Devil Island with us, and he would not think of leaving +when I told him we did not want him."<!-- Page 201 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And he was not even ruffled when I dropped him over into the dory. He +is well named, for a cooler customer I never saw."</p> + +<p>"And he said he would see you again, Merry."</p> + +<p>"I noticed that."</p> + +<p>"But he didn't seem much of a desperado," yawned Bruce.</p> + +<p>"Appearances are deceptive."</p> + +<p>"Yaw!" muttered Hans. "Don peen a vact somepody took me an Irishman vor! +Dot vos der plow dot gif me der lifer gomblaint mit my heart in!"</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose, Merry," said Bart, "that you will defer your visit to +Devil Island because of what lately happened?"</p> + +<p>"I should say not!" exclaimed Frank. "I am beginning to get warmed up. +If they but knew it, somebody is doing the very things to spur me on to +solve the mystery."</p> + +<p>"Hadn't we better leave Diamond here at the landing to look after the +girls?" said Bruce. "It's plain he does not wish to waste the time to go +down to Devil Island."</p> + +<p>"It is plain you do not know anything about it, sir!" said Jack, +sharply, as he stepped into the cabin. "I am ready to go, and the sooner +we start the better I shall like it. If we are to investigate, I am in +favor of getting at the investigation without delay."</p> + +<p>"We will get away as soon as possible," said Frank. "All hands on deck."</p> + +<p>In a very short time the <i>White Wings</i> was running out of the harbor, +headed for Devil Island.</p> + +<p>From the shore more than one pair of eyes were watching her with looks +that boded no good to her inquisitive and daring owner.<!-- Page 202 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE CLAMBAKE.</h3> + + +<p>As Bold Island harbor was sheltered and the yacht could lay close in to +the shore of Devil Island and be so hidden that she would escape +observation to a large extent, Frank ran in there, choosing that +anchorage in preference to the one in the cove on the other side of the +island of mystery.</p> + +<p>It was near low tide when Merry ran in there, and he did not stop till +the keel of the <i>White Wings</i> stuck fast in the mud at the bottom.</p> + +<p>"I thought you were getting in too near," said Hodge.</p> + +<p>"Not getting in near enough to suit me," declared Frank. "The bottom is +soft here, and the yacht would sit up straight in the mud if the tide +ran out so that she was left high and dry. It is low water now. At high +water she will float all right and have any amount of water under her +keel."</p> + +<p>As soon as everything was attended to on the yacht, Frank cried:</p> + +<p>"Come on, fellows, let's row over to Bold Island and see if we can find +some of her famous clams. We may not get another opportunity like this."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what's the use," yawned Browning, sleepily. "Too much trouble. I'm +going below and turn in."</p> + +<p>"I will stay to look after the yacht while Browning gets his nap," said +Hodge.</p> + +<p>Diamond was ready to go with Frank, and Merry asked Hans to come along. +They had purchased a clam hoe at the Landing, so they were prepared to +hunt the shy and retiring clam.<!-- Page 203 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Vale," said Hans, sadly, "I vill go mit you, poys, but I don'd peen +aple to took no bleasure mit der shob since I vos caldt an Irishman. I +don'd pelief you vill efer got ofer dot."</p> + +<p>He looked very sad and downcast, as if he were nearly, heartbroken, +causing Merry to laugh softly.</p> + +<p>The three got into the boat and pulled over to Bold Island, where they +began searching for the clams that have made the island famous +throughout Penobscot Bay.</p> + +<p>It was some time before they could find any clams, for the beach had +been dug over and over till it did not seem there was a place left +untouched. At last Frank turned over a large, flat rock, and down in the +sand beneath it they struck their first clam. That clam, measured in its +shell, was exactly seven inches long and a little more than five inches +wide, while the shell itself was almost as white as the shell of an egg.</p> + +<p>When Merry turned up this clam, Hans staggered and sat down on the sand +with great violence, and there he sat, staring and muttering:</p> + +<p>"Vot der tyrful vos dot? Uf dot don'd peen der varter uf all glams, you +vos a liar! I don'd pelief I efer seen anyding like dot pefore in all +your porn tays!"</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried Merry. "Here's proof the fishermen down this way are not +all liars, or do not lie about everything. They told me this was the +kind of game we should find here."</p> + +<p>"But this must be unusual," said Diamond. "Can't all of them be like +this."</p> + +<p>"They say so."</p> + +<p>"Well, they cannot be very good to eat. They must be too tough."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, I have heard they are splendid eating. Here is +another! By Jove, it's fully as large as the first!"</p> + +<p>Hans sat still on the sand and stared straight at the<!-- Page 204 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> first clam turned +out. Frank looked at him and saw the Dutch boy appeared on the verge of +bursting into tears.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Dunnerwust?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I vos peginnin' to seen things queer," replied Hans. "Vot do I think? +Vale, uf dot glam don'd look like der mug an Irishman of, you vos a +liar! Uf I kept on seein' things like dot to remindt me vot dot man in +gray said, id vill drife me to trink ur to sluicide!"</p> + +<p>They had brought along a bucket, and it did not take long to fill it +with these large clams. Then they emptied it into the bottom of the boat +and found another bucketful before stopping. With those they returned to +the boat.</p> + +<p>"We will go ashore on Devil Island, where there are plenty of rocks of +all kinds, and seaweed, and there we'll have a clambake," said Merry. +"There is wood enough on Devil Island, too, and it is nearer to the +yacht."</p> + +<p>The sound of their oars brought Hodge on deck.</p> + +<p>"What luck?" he asked, as they approached.</p> + +<p>"Great luck," answered Frank. "Get in, and we will take you ashore over +yonder, where we are going to have a clam roast."</p> + +<p>The clam hoe was passed up to Bart, and then he swung down into the +boat, and soon all were ashore on the island of mystery.</p> + +<p>Frank began constructing an oven amid the rocks, sending the others for +fuel and seaweed. It did not take long to make preparations for the +bake, and soon a roaring fire was blazing, as a lot of dry wood had been +found near the deserted camps on that side of the island.</p> + +<p>Frank took the clams down to the water and washed them carefully, a +bucketful at a time, turning them all into the hollow of a large rock +near the fire.</p> + +<p>As the fire grew hotter, Merry threw stones into it and<!-- Page 205 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> kept it +roaring. None of the stones were smaller than a man's fist, and some +were larger than a man's head.</p> + +<p>"Why are you doing that?" asked Hodge.</p> + +<p>"You will see when the time comes," smiled Frank.</p> + +<p>Hans sat on a rock and stared into the fire, his air of dejection being +extremely ludicrous to behold.</p> + +<p>"Come, come, forget it!" exclaimed Merry. "Cheer up and be like +yourself."</p> + +<p>"I can nefer peen like yourseluf again so long as I had this face onto +me," sighed Hans. "Id peen a vrightful thing to think dot I might peen +misdooken any dime an Irishmans vor! Dunder und blitzens! I vos all +proken ub in peesness ofer dot!"</p> + +<p>It was useless to try to cheer him up. The more they talked to him the +sadder and more downcast he looked.</p> + +<p>After a while Frank had burned out nearly all the wood, and nothing was +left but a dying fire. He did not wait for it to die down, but raked +away everything but the red-hot coals and some of the stones in the +fireplace of stone. Then he took the wet seaweed and threw it into the +fireplace, where it began to sizzle and steam.</p> + +<p>"In with the clams, boys!" he cried, as he began to toss the big fellows +in upon the seaweed.</p> + +<p>They helped him, and soon all the clams were scattered on the steaming +seaweed. Then he covered them with more seaweed, and, aided by the +others, piled the hot rocks he had drawn out of the fireplace on top of +this mass of seaweed.</p> + +<p>What a sizzling and steaming there was, and what a delightful odor came +to their nostrils! Quickly Frank had another fire going, and by this he +kept hot a mass of rocks he had heated in the first fire, but had not +piled upon the seaweed. In this way, by the time the rocks on the weed +were cooled off, more rocks were ready to take their place, and the +clams were kept steaming.<!-- Page 206 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> + +<p>After a time, Merriwell announced that the clams must be nearly done. He +sent Hans off to the yacht to bring Browning ashore. The Dutch boy found +it difficult to arouse the big Yale man, but Browning was fond of clams, +and he came along quickly enough once he was fully awake and understood +what awaited him.</p> + +<p>As the boat reached shore, Merriwell began to rake the rocks off the +seaweed.</p> + +<p>"Ye gods!" grunted Bruce, sniffing the air as he approached. "What +heavenly aroma is this that greets my nostrils?"</p> + +<p>When the clams were uncovered and he saw them with their huge shells +yawning and the meat within looking white and tempting, he declared he +was very happy to be living.</p> + +<p>"Gather round, fellows," said Frank, "Capture your clams and devour +them. There will be no ceremony in this case."</p> + +<p>Then, as Browning fished out a clam and held it triumphantly aloft, a +man came whistling softly down the bank, joined the group without a +word, raked out a clam and extracted it from the shell, being the first +to taste the feast Frank had prepared.</p> + +<p>It was the man in gray, Mr. Caleb Cooler!</p> + +<p>"Yum!" exclaimed the man in gray. "That clam is hot!"</p> + +<p>"Well, you are cool enough!" said Frank Merriwell.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm Cooler," chuckled the queer old fellow. "Told you so some time +ago. Howdy, boys. Fine day, isn't it? Think we will have some more +weather? Or don't you know 'weather' we will or not?"</p> + +<p>Bruce Browning arose to his feet and removed his coat.</p> + +<p>"That's one way to keep cool at a clambake," grinned the man in gray. +"What are you going to do?"<!-- Page 207 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mop up the beach with you," answered Browning, quietly. "I am going to +teach you a lesson."</p> + +<p>"Teach is correct as you applied it," said Mr. Cooler. "Down this way I +find people say 'learn' for 'teach.' Just think how bad it would have +sounded had you said you were going to learn me a lesson."</p> + +<p>He raked out another clam, but dropped it, shaking his hand and blowing +on his fingers.</p> + +<p>"Even though I am Cooler, I find some things are warm enough," he +murmured. "That clam must have been near a fire. I dote on clams, baked, +boiled, fried or frizzled, it don't make a dern bit of difference. +Whenever I get an opportunity I go gunning for clams myself. I think it +is great sport to shoot a clam on the wing. With a good bird gun and a +dog, I presume it is an easy thing to bag clams around here?"</p> + +<p>He was not paying the least attention to the big Yale man, and +Browning's threat to "wipe up the beach" with him seemed forgotten.</p> + +<p>Hans was glaring at the man in gray, while strange, gurgling sounds came +from his throat. All at once he gave a yell, rolled over backward and +scrambled to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Don't touch him, Pruce!" warned the Dutch boy. "I peen goin' to smash +dot veller myseluf!"</p> + +<p>"Ah there, Irish," chirped Mr. Cooler. "You will catch cold in your +liver if you let the wind blow down your throat that way. Have a clam +and let it stop that orifice in your countenance."</p> + +<p>This made Hans so angry that he danced wildly and began to choke and +gurgle in his endeavor to shriek forth something, but the man in gray +did not even look at him.</p> + +<p>There was something extremely ludicrous about it all, and Frank was +forced to laugh. When he saw Merry laughing, Hans seemed to lose all his +strength, and he<!-- Page 208 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> dropped down on a rock, completely knocked out, even +though he had not been touched.</p> + +<p>Browning was grinning now, for he saw the humor of the situation, and he +could not help admiring the nerve of the queer old fellow.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Mr. Cooler," said Frank, "who invited you to help yourself?"</p> + +<p>"Eh? Oh, why, I didn't need an invitation to join old friends like you +chaps. I knew you would be glad to see me."</p> + +<p>"We are," grunted Browning, "tickled to death."</p> + +<p>"Then sit right up and take hold, boys," chuckled Mr. Cooler. "Catch +your clam and peel him. We'll have a real jolly time."</p> + +<p>He raked another one off the seaweed.</p> + +<p>"How did you get here?" asked Merry.</p> + +<p>"I didn't walk, because I couldn't. Had to hire a fellow to bring me +down, and then he didn't want to get near enough to the island to set me +ashore. Wanted me to swim. Charged me five dollars, too. Never mind; the +company will have to pay it."</p> + +<p>"What company?"</p> + +<p>"Why, the company I represent."</p> + +<p>"But what company do you represent?"</p> + +<p>"The greatest land improvement and development company on earth. You +must know the one I mean, for it is the only one. It is the Bay Islands +Land Company. The Eastern Bay Land Company has sprouted in competition +to us, but we purpose to nip the rival concern in the bud. I am here to +investigate such islands as may eventually become summer resorts and +obtain options on them when I can get at the real owners. That's one +great difficulty—to find the real owners. Some of them do not seem to +have any owners, and yet sheep are pastured on them summer and winter. +Some of them are owned by the<!-- Page 209 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> government. Down at Vinal Haven I heard +about Devil Island. They said there was some sort of a mystery here. An +island with a mystery is certain to be a great attraction for summer +visitors. I made a skip for Devil Island to see if it had any +attractions beside the mystery. Had hard work getting here. Nobody at +Green's Landing seemed to feel like dropping me here, you refused to do +so, I couldn't walk. But I didn't get excited. The more difficulties +beset my path the cooler I became. I am here, gentlemen, and I'm glad I +came. I admire clams. They are fine. I think these clams are the finest +I ever tasted. Have some, boys."</p> + +<p>Mr. Cooler seemed to regret the time he had spent in talk, for he made a +fierce dive at the clams and raked out two of them.</p> + +<p>Merriwell's friends all looked at him to see what he would do under the +circumstances. Frank was smiling, but there was a look of doubt on his +face. For once in his life, he seemed in a quandary. There was something +about this little, chuckling, jolly old man that seemed to forbid anyone +to do him personal violence. Bruce Browning felt that. He realized that +he would feel ashamed of himself if he should give the old fellow a +shaking. And it was plain that Cooler could not be frightened away in +any ordinary manner. Nothing seemed to alarm him.</p> + +<p>"Sit up and eat some clams, fellows," said Frank, quietly. "Let him fill +up, and then we'll tie a big bowlder to his neck and sink him out here +in the harbor."</p> + +<p>"Hum!" coughed the man in gray. "That's right, young man—let me fill my +sack with these clams before you put me to soak. Perhaps you had better +let me rest a while after that, too, for I never like to take a bath +after a full meal. It isn't healthy. The best physicians condemn the +practice."<!-- Page 210 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p> + +<p>So, with the exception of Hans, they again gathered around the clams and +started to enjoy the feast. Hans retired by himself and sat on a flat +rock, muttering and looking savage. At times he would shake his fist at +the back of the man in gray.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cooler seemed to have a remarkable ability to talk and devour clams +at the same time. As Browning afterward expressed it, he "talked a blue +streak." He told them he was a great traveler, he had been all over the +United States, all over the world.</p> + +<p>"Why," he said, "in Berlin I appeared at court."</p> + +<p>"How much was the fine?" asked Frank, with a twinkle in his eye.</p> + +<p>"Young man," exclaimed Cooler, "you astonish me. To look at you, I would +not suppose you could be frivolous. I am slightly that way myself. Can't +help it; born that way. Always see something humorous in everything. +It's better than medicine; it keeps the liver in a healthy condition. +Now, clams are hard to digest, but taken in connection with laughter and +jollity they digest much better. There is enough sadness in the world if +we do not go around with our faces drawn down. Be jolly. That's my +motto."</p> + +<p>There was something infectious in his light spirits and careless air. +Despite themselves the boys found they were growing interested in this +queer old fellow.</p> + +<p>Frank studied Mr. Cooler carefully. Had he not felt certain that the man +was playing a part, he would have enjoyed the old fellow's chatter. But +Frank could see beneath the surface, and he was absolutely satisfied +that Mr. Cooler was not what he represented himself to be. Frank had +never heard of the Bay Islands Land Company; he did not believe there +was such a company in existence.</p> + +<p>If Cooler was lying, why was he doing so? What was<!-- Page 211 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> his object in +attempting to force himself upon them? Why had he come to the island in +such a manner?</p> + +<p>Frank had decided that Cooler was a spy and he had been set upon them by +the very ones who were so determined to drive them away from that +island. In that case, this light-hearted, careless old fellow was +connected with a gang of criminals who did not hesitate to do murder in +order to conceal their crimes.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cooler did not stop eating clams till the last one was devoured, and +he disposed of that himself.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he sighed, drawing back and finding a comfortable position, where +he could sit with his back resting against a bowlder. "Now, I do feel +good! Young gentlemen, I am glad you came. Accept my congratulations on +this remarkably successful clambake. You have done a good job; I have +done another. My stomach has not been in the best possible condition +lately. I've been living at home. My wife cooks. Six months ago she was +a magnificent, a celestial cook! Oh, how beautifully she could broil a +beefsteak! But, alas! Also alack! She got the bicycle craze; she bought +a wheel. Now she is an inveterate scorcher."</p> + +<p>He took a pipe out of his pocket and began to fill it, chattering away +in a jolly manner as he did so. He seemed inclined to do all the +talking.</p> + +<p>"Doesn't your jaw get tired at times?" inquired Frank.</p> + +<p>"Eh?" came in surprise from the little man. "Why?"</p> + +<p>"I should think it would, you talk so much."</p> + +<p>"He! he! Ho! ho! Wait a minute. Ha! ha!—knew there was another way to +laugh if I could think of it. Jaw get tired? My dear young gentleman, if +you had a wife like mine, you would consider it a privilege to talk +occasionally. I do not get an opportunity when I am at home. When I get +away from home, I make up for lost time. Haw! haw!—came near forgetting +that method of<!-- Page 212 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> laughing. Don't mind me. I know I am something of a +chinning machine, but I am harmless. Why, I wouldn't harm a—a—a lion."</p> + +<p>He lighted the pipe and puffed away a few moments, talking a streak +while he smoked. Frank was considering the advisability of pinning him +down and demanding to know his real reason for being there, when, of a +sudden, the little fellow jumped up spryly as a boy, exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"This won't do. I must complete my tour of investigation. I must attend +to business. I must look the entire island over and be ready to leave +when that man comes back for me. Young gentlemen, I thank you for your +hospitality. I wish I might stop longer, but, unfortunately, I cannot. +So long, so ling, so lung."</p> + +<p>Browning made a move, as if to stop the man, but Frank gave a sign to +let him go. Mr. Cooler scrambled nimbly up the bank, turned and waved +his hand with a flirting motion, and then vanished into the bushes.</p> + +<p>"Fellows," spoke Frank, quickly, "I'm going to follow him. I must do it +alone. I'm armed. I can take care of myself. But if I do not return in +an hour, look for me."</p> + +<p>Then he sprang up the bank after the mysterious man in gray.<!-- Page 213 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE WHISPERING GLADE.</h3> + + +<p>Frank had learned the art of trailing from Indian guides in the West, +and, for a white person, he was an expert. As a shadower, he had the +skill of one who had been all his life in the business.</p> + +<p>He did not let the man in gray get far away before approaching near +enough so Mr. Cooler could be seen occasionally as he slipped through +the bushes.</p> + +<p>But it was not difficult to follow the queer old man, for Cooler did not +seem to imagine for a moment that he was shadowed. He walked swiftly, +puffing away at his pipe, and the smell of burning tobacco came back to +the nostrils of the pursuing lad.</p> + +<p>After a little time the man struck the path that runs round the island +and through the old granite quarry. Then he walked still more swiftly, +but Frank also found less trouble in following.</p> + +<p>Soon the quarry was reached. Cooler passed straight through this and +struck the track which led down the incline to the sheds near the wharf.</p> + +<p>Now Frank was not able to pursue him so closely; he was forced to linger +far behind, for to keep close meant certain discovery should the man +look back.</p> + +<p>Still he followed. The track ran through a cut and wound slowly along a +bank, to one side of which lay the water.</p> + +<p>Frank reached the cut and saw the man in gray disappear beyond some +bowlders. A moment later Merry was at the bowlders, peering down the +track toward the<!-- Page 214 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> still retreating form of the little man, over whose +shoulders at regular intervals curled blue puffs of smoke.</p> + +<p>Frank had expected that the man would be suspicious and would look round +frequently. He was astonished when the man did not look round at all.</p> + +<p>"He doesn't act like a criminal," Frank decided. "He hasn't the air of a +criminal. He walks along as if he had not a care in all the wide world +and did not fear to have all his actions watched. It is strange—very +strange."</p> + +<p>Already Merry had learned that men who commit crimes betray themselves +by certain peculiar movements. The thief unconsciously assumes the pose +of a man picking a pocket, or taking what does not belong to him. The +burglar crouches in his walk and steals along catlike. The guilty man +often casts sly backward glances over his shoulder. It is rare for him +to have the air and manner of innocence.</p> + +<p>But this little man in gray, when, without doubt, he believed himself to +be alone, was still the same care-free, careless old fellow.</p> + +<p>He disappeared into one of the sheds at the end of the railroad. Frank +had slipped yet a little nearer and watched from a place of hiding.</p> + +<p>Five minutes passed, and then the man in gray and another man came out +of that shed and took the path that led toward the old boarding house.</p> + +<p>Frank uttered a low exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Is it possible?" he muttered. "I believe I know that fellow with him."</p> + +<p>He watched the companion of the man in gray. As they passed from view, +he again muttered:</p> + +<p>"I do know him! He is Dan Hicks, the cock-eyed man! That settles it! Mr. +Caleb Cooler is just what I thought—he is one of the gang, and he came +here to spy upon us!"<!-- Page 215 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> + +<p>Frank ran lightly down the track, hidden by the bank beyond which the +men had disappeared. He stooped as he ran. Ahead of him he saw the point +where Browning had pried up the rails and sent a flat car, loaded with +granite, into the water, thus saving Frank's life. He shuddered as he +thought of his sensations during those terrible moments of peril while +he was bound to the track and could hear the car rumbling toward him.</p> + +<p>The bank grew lower till at last he could not keep hidden behind it if +he ran farther down the track. Then he flung himself flat on the bank +and crawled up till he could peer over.</p> + +<p>The two men were walking toward the distant boarding house. Hicks was +talking excitedly, while Cooler still smoked. Hicks looked back +suspiciously, but the man in gray did not turn his head.</p> + +<p>They passed the house where the overseer had lived when he was on the +island with the crew of men who worked in the quarry—they were again +hidden from view.</p> + +<p>Over the bank scrambled Frank. Keeping the house between him and the +men, he ran swiftly forward.</p> + +<p>In a short time he reached the house. He paused to listen, his heart +thumping loudly.</p> + +<p>He could hear nothing.</p> + +<p>Then he slipped round the house. He carefully peered round each corner +before advancing. At the second corner he halted, for again he could see +the men he was shadowing.</p> + +<p>They were near the old building in which Frank had been struck down. The +man in gray seemed to be asking questions. He was surveying the +surroundings as if he had never inspected them before.</p> + +<p>For fifteen minutes they stood there talking, and then they went into +the building.</p> + +<p>Frank decided to return to his friends. He quickly<!-- Page 216 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> darted up an incline +toward some cedars, which he saw grew thicker and thicker higher up the +slope. Soon he was hidden by the bushes.</p> + +<p>Then Frank went forward more slowly, taking pains to keep in the bushes. +Up above was a ledgy height. He came to it after a time. He found a +position where he could look down into the old quarry. From that +position he could see the overturned car and the granite which lay in +the water at the foot of the bank down which it had jumped. He could +also look far out over the island-dotted bay. He could see small boats +in the distance, he could see white sails, he could see the sunshine +reflected on the blue water. In the midst of this mass of water and +islands lay Devil Island, shrouded by mystery, lonely and desolate, +shunned by man.</p> + +<p>Once before he had strongly felt the air of desolation that seemed to +hang about the place, and now the same uncanny sensation was creeping +over him again. Somehow it seemed that he was far from men, far from +life, lost in a lonely waste of water, cast on an uncanny island.</p> + +<p>He shook himself, trying to throw off the feeling. He wondered why it +should come upon him at that time, and then he began to remember how he +had first felt it once before when near that very spot.</p> + +<p>"The glade—the grave in the woods!"</p> + +<p>He muttered the words, realizing that the woods were close at hand. They +lay there dark and gloomy. He must pass through them in order to reach +the <i>White Wings</i>, or he must retrace his steps and take the path. To do +the latter would be sure to expose him to the men he had watched.</p> + +<p>But Frank did not wish to turn back. There was something fascinating as +well as repellent about the woods. Down there was a grave. At the head +of the grave was a stone. On that stone was chiseled:<!-- Page 217 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Sacred to the Memory of Rawson Denning."</p> + +<p>Denning, like Frank Merriwell, had been inquisitive. He had attempted to +solve the mystery of the island, and he had disappeared. Afterward the +grave had been found on the island. No one had dared open that grave to +see if the body of the missing man from Boston lay within.</p> + +<p>Frank felt a desire to look at that grave again. He went down toward it, +entering the thick woods. Every step that he advanced seemed to cause +the feeling to grow stronger upon him. The woods were silent and +deserted. It did not seem possible that there could be a thing of life +other than Frank anywhere within them.</p> + +<p>All at once, with astonishing suddenness, he came out into the opening +and there before him was the grave, the headstone gleaming gray in the +dim light.</p> + +<p>Frank paused. Involuntarily he listened. He had not forgotten how, on +his other visit to the spot, both he and Browning had seemed to hear a +mysterious whisper in the air, had seemed to hear a rustle down in that +grave, as if the murdered man turned restlessly. Without knowing why he +did so, Frank listened again.</p> + +<p>"Look!"</p> + +<p>He started, for it seemed that he had heard that whisper. He glanced all +around.</p> + +<p>Silence in the woods. Not even the rustle of a leaf. How lonely it was!</p> + +<p>"Look!"</p> + +<p>Again that word, coming from he knew not where.</p> + +<p>At what should he look? What did it mean?</p> + +<p>Then he told himself that it was all his imagination—he had heard no +whispered word. He advanced toward the grave; he stood beside it.</p> + +<p>"Look!"<!-- Page 218 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> + +<p>Was it imagination? This time the whisper sounded amazingly clear and +distinct.</p> + +<p>"Look at what?"</p> + +<p>In spite of himself, he spoke the words aloud. He did not expect an +answer, and he gasped for breath when it came:</p> + +<p>"The stone!"</p> + +<p>A quiver ran over Frank Merriwell's body. Of all the mysteries on this +island, the mystery of this black whispering glade in the woods was the +greatest.</p> + +<p>He bent forward and looked at the stone. There were fresh chips on the +mound, and at a glance he saw that the name "Rawson Denning" had been +chiseled out. Below it another name had been cut into the stone, so that +the inscription now read:</p> + +<p>"Sacred to the Memory of Frank Merriwell."<!-- Page 219 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>SEARCHING FOR FRANK.</h3> + + +<p>As time passed and Frank did not return, the boys began to grow restless +and anxious.</p> + +<p>"I don't like it," declared Diamond, pacing the beach, upon which the +tide was washing higher and higher as it came in. "I did not think much +of letting him go away alone. We all know what happened to him once when +he was alone on this island."</p> + +<p>"He knows it himself," said Hodge; "and it is mighty hard work to catch +him twice in the same trap."</p> + +<p>"Oh, he's shrewd enough, but he can be overpowered by numbers. What do +you think about it, Browning?"</p> + +<p>Bruce was stretched on the sand, his head pillowed on his coat, which +lay on a rock.</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to think for an hour," he grunted. "Too much trouble."</p> + +<p>"Oh, your laziness makes me disgusted!" snapped Diamond.</p> + +<p>"Huah!" came in a puff from the big fellow. "Something seems to be +gnawing you still."</p> + +<p>"Poys," broke in Hans, who still looked sad and weary of living, "I made +der biggest mistook uf your life ven I let Vrankie go avay alone all py +himseluf to chase dot liddle defil mit der saucy mouth—you heard me +vawble!"</p> + +<p>"If he had fallen into trouble, he would have done some shooting to let +us know."</p> + +<p>"But should we have heard it, Hodge?" asked Diamond.</p> + +<p>"The island is not very large."</p> + +<p>"I think it is pretty large, and I do not believe we could hear a gun +fired on the other side even under favorable<!-- Page 220 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> circumstances, and the +circumstances are not favorable now."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Wind is blowing the wrong way."</p> + +<p>"Didn't think of that."</p> + +<p>The boys soon concluded that the shooting on the farther side of the +island would not be heard by them, and straightway their anxiety +increased.</p> + +<p>Diamond was for starting out at once to look for Frank. He did not +believe in waiting till the hour was up; but Hodge, who in his heart was +the most anxious man of the party, objected to disobeying Merry's plain +command.</p> + +<p>"He told us to stay here an hour, and I shall stay here," said Bart.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you would stay if you heard him shouting for help?" said the +Virginian, hotly.</p> + +<p>Bart flushed, for he did not fancy being spoken to in that tone of +voice.</p> + +<p>"I have always found it best to do just as Merriwell directs," said +Hodge, stiffly. "If you wish to go search for him, you may go. I remain +here twenty minutes longer."</p> + +<p>Browning grunted his approval of the stand taken by Bart, and Jack gave +them both a savage look.</p> + +<p>Hans, who had refused to partake of the clams while the man in gray was +present, was feeling very hungry, and that made him still more +miserable.</p> + +<p>"Oxcuse me, poys," he said. "I must made a raid der ship's brovisions +ubon. I vill peen pack britty soon, if nod before."</p> + +<p>Then he took the boat and rowed off to the yacht, where he lost no time +in satisfying the cravings of his "inner man."</p> + +<p>As the Dutch lad appeared on deck to row ashore again,<!-- Page 221 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> Browning +suddenly straightened up from his recumbent position. He had his watch +in his hand, and the Dutch lad heard him say:</p> + +<p>"The hour is up, Hodge."</p> + +<p>Immediately Bart turned toward the yacht and shouted to Hans:</p> + +<p>"Bring two of those guns ashore, and plenty of cartridges for them. Be +lively about it! We are in a howling hurry."</p> + +<p>"All righd!" shouted Hans, in return, as he plunged down the companion +way.</p> + +<p>He was not long in getting the guns and placing them in the boat, but +when he reached the shore it was discovered that he had brought the +wrong cartridges.</p> + +<p>Then Hodge leaped into the boat and rowed out to the yacht for what was +needed, returning in a few minutes.</p> + +<p>Browning, however, usually careless and lazy, was fretting at the delay, +for the big fellow remembered how, but a short time before, he had saved +Frank's life by a hair's breadth. A delay of one minute in that case +would have been fatal.</p> + +<p>Bruce had some imagination, and he was beginning to picture Frank in all +sorts of peril.</p> + +<p>"Look here!" came fiercely from Diamond; "what are you chaps up to? Do +not think for a moment that you are going to leave me behind! I'm going +with you! I am going to help find Merriwell!"</p> + +<p>"Of course, you can come if you insist," began Bruce.</p> + +<p>"I do!" cut in Jack.</p> + +<p>"But I scarcely think it advisable," the big fellow continued. "At least +two of our party should remain and watch the yacht."</p> + +<p>"Hans is enough for that."</p> + +<p>"Don't you pelief I vos goin' to stayed here alone!"<!-- Page 222 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> squawked the Dutch +boy. "You don'd plaid dot tricks on me!"</p> + +<p>Jack tried to argue with him—tried to convince him that there could be +no danger in remaining on board the yacht; but Hans was obstinate, and +the effort failed.</p> + +<p>"You don'd fool me dot vay," he fiercely exclaimed. "I don'd stayed +alone here, dot vos all."</p> + +<p>It became plain that one of the boys would have to remain with him. +Hodge had returned with the proper ammunition, and Jack was not supplied +with a gun.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, fiercely, "I was the first one who wanted to go after +Merriwell, but I seem to be left out of it. All right! I may come later. +Perhaps you will need me."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so," confessed Bart, grimly. "Give us plenty of time to make a +circuit of the island and return here. Then, if we have not appeared, +you will have a reason for coming."</p> + +<p>"Und I vill come mit him," put in Hans.</p> + +<p>"Don't leave the <i>White Wings</i> unless you feel it is for the best. We +are going prepared for trouble, and it will be a warm crowd that gets +the best of us. Come on."</p> + +<p>Away went Bart and the big Yale man, scrambling up the bank with their +guns and quickly disappearing into the bushes.</p> + +<p>Bart took the lead, but Browning was at his heels, swinging along with a +stride that covered ground swiftly. There was a look of intense anxiety +on the face of the giant.</p> + +<p>Round the island to the quarry they went, down the railroad they +hurried, and soon they were in sight of the spot where not many hours +before Frank had nearly lost his life.</p> + +<p>Browning drew a breath of relief when they did not find the mangled body +of Merriwell stretched on the<!-- Page 223 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> track. Somehow he had felt it was +possible the wretches had captured Frank and completed their work at +last, and he was dreading to walk down that railroad, fearing he should +find the friend he loved and admired dead upon the rails.</p> + +<p>"He is not here."</p> + +<p>The words came from Hodge, and they were exactly what Bruce was +thinking.</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Where shall we go now?"</p> + +<p>"To the old boarding house." Away they went toward the building. It +looked before them, the sunshine glinting on its windows, apparently +utterly deserted. There was something forbidding in its appearance.</p> + +<p>"We shall not find him there!"</p> + +<p>Hodge spoke the words in full conviction that time would be wasted in +looking through the building.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not," admitted Bruce; "but I know of no other place to look."</p> + +<p>This was a confession that the big fellow would be "stumped" if no trace +of Frank was found in the building.</p> + +<p>They reached it, passed round to the back door by which admission had +been obtained when Frank and Bruce visited it the first time, and there +they hesitated.</p> + +<p>The door was standing open.</p> + +<p>"Just exactly as we left it!" exclaimed Browning. "No one has closed the +door."</p> + +<p>This seemed to surprise him. Hodge pushed forward and went in. Bruce +followed.</p> + +<p>The empty rooms echoed to their steps. Everywhere were cobwebs, dust, +decay. Some of the windows were broken, some were boarded up.</p> + +<p>From room to room they went, they ascended the stairs, they spoke in +whispers.</p> + +<p>The sun shone in upon the floor, but it brought nothing<!-- Page 224 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> of cheer to the +deserted building. It seemed like a mocking attempt to make the place +look pleasant, an attempt that served to show its dreary desolation all +the more plainly.</p> + +<p>"He is not here," whispered Bart.</p> + +<p>"The basement," came from Bruce. "It was there that I found him when he +disappeared the other time."</p> + +<p>Down the creaking stairs they went, Browning taking the lead now. The +door at the head of the stairs leading into the dark basement was open.</p> + +<p>"Just as we left it," declared the big fellow. "It was fastened in the +first place, so Merry said. He had to force it open."</p> + +<p>They lighted matches as they went down the stairs into the basement. The +place was dismal enough, filled with old boxes and barrels.</p> + +<p>"Frank!"</p> + +<p>Browning called, causing Hodge to start and drop his match. Then they +stood still and listened.</p> + +<p>Squeak! squeak!</p> + +<p>A rat scampered across the ground beneath their feet.</p> + +<p>That was all. There was no answer to Browning's call.</p> + +<p>"He is not here."</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>They lost little time in hastening up the stairs and getting out of the +old building. As soon as they were in the open air they drew deep +breaths, for they had been stifled and oppressed.</p> + +<p>"Where next?" asked Bart.</p> + +<p>"The house," said Bruce. "We must not go away without looking through +that."</p> + +<p>"Can we get in?"</p> + +<p>"We will find a way—or make it!"<!-- Page 225 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>AGAIN AT THE GRAVE.</h3> + + +<p>The door of the house would not open for them. Bruce threatened to burst +it in with his shoulders, but Bart advised him not to do so, unless as a +last resort.</p> + +<p>Then a window was found that would open, and soon they had clambered in.</p> + +<p>There was some furniture in the house, but still the place had the same +dreary, deserted air of the big building they had just left.</p> + +<p>Browning began by shouting Frank's name, to which cry there was no +answer. The rising wind rattled a loose window.</p> + +<p>It did not take them long to go through the house, to which there was no +cellar, and they found nothing to indicate that a human being had +entered the place for months.</p> + +<p>As they stood outside, after getting out of the window and closing it +behind them, they looked at each other in a helpless manner.</p> + +<p>"What has become of him?" asked Bart, huskily.</p> + +<p>"That is what I would like to know," confessed Bruce. "He seems to have +disappeared completely."</p> + +<p>"And the man in gray——"</p> + +<p>"Is gone, too."</p> + +<p>"Browning, I am afraid Merry was lured into some sort of a trap."</p> + +<p>"So am I."</p> + +<p>"Why should they take him in particular, and not harm any of the rest of +us?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps their motto is one at a time."<!-- Page 226 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No. I believe Frank was selected out of our party as the one to get out +of the way. He was determined to solve the mystery of this wretched +island, and he was the leader of our party. The ruffians fancied that +they would put an end to all trouble by getting him out of the way, for +they fancied we would run at once."</p> + +<p>Browning grunted, and Hodge went on swiftly and fiercely:</p> + +<p>"By the eternal skies, they made a big mistake! I'll not leave this +island till I know what has happened to Frank Merriwell, or I am dead!"</p> + +<p>"Nor I," nodded Bruce. "I'm with you, old man."</p> + +<p>"If he has been harmed," Bart went on, "the wretches who did the dirty +work shall suffer! I swear it!"</p> + +<p>"I'm another."</p> + +<p>"We will bring them to justice!"</p> + +<p>"Or kick the bucket trying."</p> + +<p>They shook hands on it, and they were in deadly earnest.</p> + +<p>They decided not to return to the yacht by the path, but to go over the +island and through the woods. Thus, by chance, they followed almost +directly in Frank's footsteps.</p> + +<p>As they drew near to the dark woods, Browning felt a tightening at his +heart—a sensation similar to that he had once before experienced as he +stood beside the lonely grave in the dark glade. He sought to throw it +off, but could not do so.</p> + +<p>"Come," he said.</p> + +<p>"Which way?" asked Bart.</p> + +<p>"This way."</p> + +<p>He seemed to feel something drawing him toward the grave in the glade, +and Bart followed without another word.</p> + +<p>Unconsciously the big Yale man stepped softly, as if<!-- Page 227 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> he feared to alarm +somebody or something. The moss beneath his feet gave no sound. Not even +a twig snapped. Without knowing that he did so, Hodge imitated +Browning's stealthy manner.</p> + +<p>The wind soughed through the pines and cedars in a fitful manner. There +seemed to be strange rustlings in the air.</p> + +<p>At the edge of the glade Bruce halted. There was the grave, with the +gray headstone. He stood there staring at it. Somehow he was possessed +by a feeling that the grave had something to do with the vanishing of +Frank Merriwell, although his reason told him that such a thing was +folly.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?"</p> + +<p>Hodge almost whispered the question, for he was beginning to feel the +uncanny air that overshadowed the place.</p> + +<p>"There is the grave," said Bruce.</p> + +<p>"What grave?"</p> + +<p>"Why, the one we told you about—the grave of the Boston man who +disappeared in such a mysterious manner. It is supposed that he was +murdered on this island and buried there."</p> + +<p>Bart shivered.</p> + +<p>"You act as if you half expected to see another grave beside that one," +he muttered.</p> + +<p>"Not so soon."</p> + +<p>"But to-morrow——"</p> + +<p>"If Frank has been foully dealt with, the villains have not been given +time to make another grave. His body is hidden somewhere. But I will not +believe anything of the kind has happened. We shall find him +somewhere—alive and well."</p> + +<p>"We must!"</p> + +<p>Bruce remembered the strange whispering they had<!-- Page 228 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> heard there when he +and Frank visited the place, and now he listened, half expecting to hear +it again.</p> + +<p>The silence was unbroken save by the mournful sound of the wind in the +trees.</p> + +<p>Bruce went forward quickly and stood by the grave. Bart came up, and +together they looked down at the gray headstone.</p> + +<p>"What is that?" asked Hodge, pointing. "Somebody has been doing +something to the stone since it was placed here."</p> + +<p>They bent down and looked at the stone.</p> + +<p>"Why," cried Bruce, "the first name has been chiseled off! Another name +has been put on! That name is——"</p> + +<p>"Frank Merriwell!"</p> + +<p>Astounded, they stared at the headstone. What did it mean? Why was that +name upon it?</p> + +<p>The tightening sensation grew around Browning's heart. All at once it +seemed that the mystery of the island was deeper and darker than ever +before.</p> + +<p>"Now what do you think of that?" cried Bart, huskily.</p> + +<p>Bruce shook his head, for the moment feeling that he was not able to +speak. It did not seem that he could govern his voice. All sorts of wild +fancies were rushing through his head.</p> + +<p>He looked at the mound, and a feeling of relief came to him when he saw +that it seemed undisturbed.</p> + +<p>Hodge was shaking. He reached out and grasped the big fellow's arm with +a savage clutch.</p> + +<p>"Was it—was it meant for a warning?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Bruce, quickly grasping at that explanation, "it must have +been. You have struck it, Hodge."</p> + +<p>"Then it is not likely Frank saw it."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not, and yet he may have come here."</p> + +<p>Then they stood there a long time, silently staring at<!-- Page 229 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> that stone, on +which was chiseled the name of the friend they held dearest in all the +world.</p> + +<p>At last Bruce hoarsely said:</p> + +<p>"Come, let's get away from here!"</p> + +<p>"But it may be that—somehow—we may strike a clew here. This may be a +clew. This may explain what has happened."</p> + +<p>"If this explains it, there is but one construction to be placed on +Frank's remarkable disappearance."</p> + +<p>"And that is that he is——"</p> + +<p>"Dead!"</p> + +<p>In the treetops the wind seemed to repeat the word in a whisper.</p> + +<p>But neither Bart nor Bruce were willing to believe that Frank Merriwell +was dead, for all that his name was there before them on the gray stone +at the head of the lonely grave.</p> + +<p>"Dead or living, I'll never rest till I know the truth!" came +passionately from Bart's lips. "If he is dead, the murderers shall +suffer!"</p> + +<p>"We must throw off the feeling that anything so awful has happened. Even +now he may be with the others at the yacht. While we have been searching +for him, he may have returned."</p> + +<p>Hodge caught at this eagerly.</p> + +<p>"You are right!" he said. "Come on; we will hurry back there."</p> + +<p>They left the glade, turning to look back as they passed on into the +gloomy woods. They were glad to get away.</p> + +<p>At first they hurried on, their hearts buoyant with the thought that +they should find him waiting for them at the yacht. He would laugh at +them, would jolly them because of their foolish fears. The placing of +his name on the headstone of the grave was a ghastly joke, and nothing +more.<!-- Page 230 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> + +<p>In his mind Browning was thinking how he would growl at Merry for +causing them so much trouble. He even thought of the words he would use.</p> + +<p>But as they came nearer and nearer to the side of the island near which +the yacht was anchored, their spirits fell again and they were beset by +doubts and fears. What if they should not find Frank waiting for them +when they arrived?</p> + +<p>These doubts caused them to walk slower and slower, for they dreaded to +hear that Frank was still missing.</p> + +<p>"It seems to me," said Bart, "that it is very probable Merriwell will +not be with Jack and Hans."</p> + +<p>"He may not be," confessed Bruce.</p> + +<p>"If he had returned, they would have fired guns and done things to let +us know it."</p> + +<p>"We might not have heard them."</p> + +<p>"We should. The wind is right. We are near the yacht now."</p> + +<p>Bruce felt like turning back and making another search. He dreaded to +return and report that they had discovered nothing save the name of the +missing lad on the headstone of a grave.</p> + +<p>All at once they came out of the woods upon the high bank, from which +position they could look down into the cove where the yacht lay. There +she was, swinging idly with the incoming tide, and on her deck they +could see Dunnerwust and Diamond. Merriwell was not in sight.</p> + +<p>Almost as soon as they came out of the thick woods, they were seen by +Diamond, and he called to them:</p> + +<p>"What have you found?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," answered Hodge, gloomily. "Hasn't Frank returned?"</p> + +<p>"No!"<!-- Page 231 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>SLIPPERY MR. COOLER.</h3> + + +<p>Immediately Diamond and Dunnerwust got into the boat, which floated +beside the yacht. They took guns, and Hans soon rowed the boat ashore. +Bart and Bruce came down the bank and told them where they had been and +what they had seen.</p> + +<p>On hearing about the name on the headstone, Diamond became greatly +excited.</p> + +<p>"My God!" he cried. "Can it be that Frank has been killed? If so, I'll +never forgive myself for letting him follow that man alone! Oh, that +treacherous little devil! I could strangle him! I wish I had him here +now!"</p> + +<p>"So do I, py Chorch!" shouted Hans.</p> + +<p>"It would not be healthy for Mr. Cooler," said Browning.</p> + +<p>"Were you speaking of me, young gentlemen?" chirped a familiar voice, +and down the bank came the man in gray, calmly walking up to the +astonished lads. "I hope you were not saying anything behind my back +that you do not care to repeat before my face."</p> + +<p>"No!" rang out the clear voice of the Virginian. "I called you a +treacherous little devil, and I repeat it!"</p> + +<p>"That's complimentary, to say the least," grinned the man in gray, in +his provokingly careless manner. "But I'd like to know what I have done +to lead you to speak thus disparagingly of me. Wouldst tell me?"</p> + +<p>Browning reached out and collared the queer old fellow, lifting him off +his feet and swinging him around so he was in the midst of them.<!-- Page 232 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There!" grunted the big Yale man, with satisfaction. "Now we have you! +You can't run, so don't try it!"</p> + +<p>"If you try it, by the Lord Harry! I'll fill you full of lead!" came +hoarsely from Hodge, who was fingering the gun in his hands as if he +longed to shoot Cooler anyhow.</p> + +<p>"Ah, me!" sighed the little man. "How rude you are, young gentlemen! Is +it possible you are in your right minds?—or have I fallen in with a lot +of lunatics? Why, I wouldn't run for anything! It's not necessary to +threaten me. I wish you would tell me what I have done to arouse your +ire."</p> + +<p>"Where is Frank Merriwell?"</p> + +<p>"Hey?"</p> + +<p>"Where is he?" snarled Diamond, showing his white teeth. "Don't lie, +man! Don't try it! If you do we will put you where you will lure no +other person into a trap!"</p> + +<p>"Goodness me!" said Mr. Cooler, somewhat mockingly. "You are very much +excited, young man. I do not know what you are driving at."</p> + +<p>"Don't lie! I tell you it is dangerous! We are desperate!"</p> + +<p>"You really seem so."</p> + +<p>"Where is he?"</p> + +<p>"How do I know?"</p> + +<p>"You do know! He followed you, and you trapped him some way. What have +you done with him?"</p> + +<p>"He! he!" chuckled the little man. "Followed me, did he? Why did he do +that? It seems to me he should have been more careful."</p> + +<p>"There it is!" burst from Hodge. "That is the same as a boast! Now we +know you have done something to him!"</p> + +<p>"You are a very knowing young man."</p> + +<p>Now the manner of the man in gray aroused the anger<!-- Page 233 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> and resentment of +the boys. He seemed to be taunting them.</p> + +<p>"Shall we shoot the snake, Bruce?" asked Diamond, his face purple with +passion. "Shall we avenge Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Not just yet," said Browning. "We will give him a chance for his life."</p> + +<p>"You are very kind!" murmured Mr. Cooler.</p> + +<p>"If he will tell us what has become of Frank—if he will lead us to +Frank, we will spare his life."</p> + +<p>"What if I don't know where he is?"</p> + +<p>"You do know. You dare not deny it!"</p> + +<p>"You are very much mistaken, for I do deny it. I give you my word of +honor that I do not know where Mr. Merriwell is at this moment. I do +know he followed me. He thought he was doing a very shrewd thing, and I +must confess that I rather admired his skill at it, but I knew all the +time that he was behind me."</p> + +<p>"Ha!" exclaimed Hodge. "Then you know what became of him?"</p> + +<p>"No. He followed me over to the other side of the island, and then he +started to return by coming straight back through the woods. That is all +I know. I am here to learn if he returned safely. If he did, I intended +to warn him that his life was in danger if he should go about the island +alone. You must see that I am serious now."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, we see!" came scornfully from Diamond. "It is too thin! It +will not work, Mr. Cooler. You know too much not to know more. If you +wish to keep your skin whole, just lead us straight to Frank +Merriwell—that's all!"</p> + +<p>"I can't. I would do it if I could. But I give you my word to do my best +to save him if he is in trouble. That is the best I can do."</p> + +<p>Diamond's anger caused him to lose his head so that he threatened the +old man with his fist. He quickly<!-- Page 234 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> realized what he was doing, however, +and, with an air of apology, he cried:</p> + +<p>"If you keep it up, you will lead me to do something of which I shall be +ashamed. You can't fool us, old man. We have you foul, and we'll never +let up on you till you lead us to Frank Merriwell. We are young, but you +will find we can keep a pledge like men."</p> + +<p>In truth, Cooler seemed in earnest as he said:</p> + +<p>"Young gentleman, you wrong me very much. I am ready to go with you and +do what I can to help find Mr. Merriwell, but that is all I can do. It +will be better if you will let me go alone. I shall be able to work +alone far better."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," sneered Hodge. "You think we are fools! No, we go with you."</p> + +<p>"All right. I am ready."</p> + +<p>It did not seem that anything further could be forced from his lips. +They warned him that they would not hesitate to shoot if he tried to run +away, and then they climbed the bank.</p> + +<p>"If you want me to lead you," said Mr. Cooler, "come on."</p> + +<p>He did not take the path, but plunged into the woods. They kept close to +him, watching him.</p> + +<p>"If you try to lead us into a trap," said Hodge, "you will be sorry. If +we are ambushed here in these woods, my first shot will be at you. I'll +fix you, if I never do another thing."</p> + +<p>There was nothing like bluster in the words, and Mr. Caleb Cooler knew +Bart meant exactly what he said.</p> + +<p>"That is all right," nodded the little man. "Shoot away."</p> + +<p>He led them toward the glade in which was the mysterious grave. At last +they stood around the grave, and he said:<!-- Page 235 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Here is something I discovered since coming to the island. That name +was on the stone before I joined you at the clambake. I forgot to tell +you about it."</p> + +<p>"Yesterday there was another name on that stone," said Browning. "The +new name must have been cut there after we left the island yesterday +afternoon."</p> + +<p>"I do not know when it was cut there," declared Cooler; "but everything +shows it must have been very recently. I do know it was there when I +landed on this island to-day."</p> + +<p>"And you know who cut it there!" accused Diamond.</p> + +<p>"If you think so, it is useless to deny it."</p> + +<p>"Now take us to Frank Merriwell!"</p> + +<p>"All I can do is aid you in the search. I am willing to go anywhere with +you."</p> + +<p>They passed on from the dark glade, leaving the mysterious grave behind +them.</p> + +<p>Cooler seemed inclined to keep to the left, although the woods were +thicker there. They pushed forward, as if passing through a jungle. +Branches whipped them in the face, and beneath their feet the underbrush +crackled.</p> + +<p>All at once Diamond shouted:</p> + +<p>"Stop! stop! Where is Cooler?"</p> + +<p>"Why," grunted Browning, "he's right here. Thunder! He was at my elbow a +moment ago. I scarcely took my eyes off him."</p> + +<p>"He isn't here now!" rang out Jack's voice. "He has disappeared! He is +trying to hide in these thick bushes. Scatter and search for him! If you +see him running, shoot at his legs! Stop him somehow!"<!-- Page 236 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE VOICE IN THE NIGHT.</h3> + + +<p>The excited lads beat the bushes in vain. Caleb Cooler had disappeared +in a moment, as if the ground had opened and swallowed him. It seemed +impossible that he could give them the slip in such a manner, but he +had.</p> + +<p>At last four very disgusted and angry boys stopped in a little opening +and looked at each other.</p> + +<p>"We are a set of chumps!" declared Hodge.</p> + +<p>"That's so!" grunted Browning.</p> + +<p>"Ought to have held onto the snake all the time," came savagely from +Diamond. "Oh, if we had him here now!"</p> + +<p>"Yaw!" gurgled Hans. "Uf we had him here now he vouldn't done a thing to +us!"</p> + +<p>"I feel like crawling into a hole," growled the big Yale man.</p> + +<p>"So do I," nodded Hodge; "but I don't know where to find a hole small +enough. What fools we are!"</p> + +<p>"Yaw!" again gurgled Hans. "Vot fools you vos!"</p> + +<p>"But I'm hanged if I can understand it," said Bruce. "How did he do it? +That is what I want to know."</p> + +<p>"He was within reach at one moment and gone the next."</p> + +<p>"Let's search again."</p> + +<p>They did so, but the time was spent in vain. They were close to the +rocks which rose above the ground in the vicinity of the quarry, but it +seemed an utter impossibility for anyone to hide amid those rocks.</p> + +<p>They decided to remain in the vicinity and watch for Mr. Cooler, +thinking he was in a place of hiding near at hand, and he would be +forced to show himself sooner or<!-- Page 237 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> later. Having decided on this, they +scattered somewhat, but were within call of each other. Then they +settled down to watch for the man in gray.</p> + +<p>It became ominously silent there amid the cedars and pines, save when +the fitful wind made a rustling. Once a squirrel was heard chattering in +the distance.</p> + +<p>An hour passed, and then Diamond could stand it no longer. He called +them together and said:</p> + +<p>"Fellows, while we remain idle here, those villains may be completing +the work of putting Merriwell out of the way. I think we are wasting our +time."</p> + +<p>"So do I," said Hodge.</p> + +<p>"Und I vos some more," put in Hans.</p> + +<p>Then they decided to scour the island. If hidden near at hand, Cooler +knew they were watching for him, and it was not likely he would make a +move.</p> + +<p>Two hours were spent in wandering over the island, calling to the +missing lad. They awoke the echoes in the dark woods, but the echoes +were the only answers to their cries.</p> + +<p>Disheartened and desperate, they returned to the cove in which the yacht +lay. They were troubled by fears that something had happened to her +while they were away, but when they obtained a view of her, she was seen +riding peacefully at anchor.</p> + +<p>The small boat was there, and Bart was the first to reach it. Suddenly +he uttered an exclamation, and then called the attention of the others +to a slip of paper that lay beneath a stone that had been placed on one +of the seats. A moment later he secured the paper.</p> + +<p>"There is writing upon it!" he declared.</p> + +<p>"Read it!" exclaimed the others, pressing nearer.</p> + +<p>On the paper, which seemed to be a leaf torn from a pocket account book, +were scrawled the following words:<!-- Page 238 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>"You fellers Haid better git erway Frum Devul irelan in a Blame big +Hurry or you will git used the saim as frank Merryfull did. you +wunt Naver se no moar of Him."</p></blockquote> + +<p>"That settles it!" said Diamond, bitterly. "Frank is done for this time! +They have finished him—the devils!"</p> + +<p>"Well, they'll never drive me away from this island till I have found +out how they did it and who they are!" vowed Hodge. "Right here I swear +I will spend the rest of my life in avenging Merry, if it is necessary."</p> + +<p>"I am with you!"</p> + +<p>"And I!"</p> + +<p>"Yaw! Me, too!"</p> + +<p>They shook hands on it, with bared heads. Never were four lads in more +deadly earnest.</p> + +<p>The sun was low in the western sky, tinting the rippling waters with +golden light. The scene was a peaceful one, and it did not seem possible +that an awesome and appalling tragedy had taken place on that quiet +little island that day.</p> + +<p>Despite their determination, the boys were stunned and at a loss to know +what was to be done. They entered the boat and rowed off to the yacht.</p> + +<p>It was plain no one had visited the <i>White Wings</i> while they were away, +for nothing on board was molested.</p> + +<p>Hans was hungry, but he was the only one of them all who seemed to have +any appetite. They did not talk much, but all were thinking, and the +Dutch boy cried softly over the food he ate.</p> + +<p>Little had they dreamed when they started out on the cruise that +anything so terrible could happen and that they would be so completely +dazed and bewildered. Their hearts were full of sorrow, but on their +faces were looks of resolution that told they did not mean to be driven +away till they had fulfilled their oath.<!-- Page 239 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> + +<p>The sun went down redly in the west and tinted twilight crept over the +water. In the woods on shore darkness gathered swiftly. They stared away +toward those woods, as if watching for the appearance of their missing +friend.</p> + +<p>All at once Jack caught hold of Hodge, hissing:</p> + +<p>"Look there!"</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"Down toward the point. See—back in the shadows beyond the two pines! +Can you see them there?"</p> + +<p>"I see something."</p> + +<p>"Two figures?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I saw them move—saw them come out of the woods. They are men, and they +are watching us!"</p> + +<p>"That's right."</p> + +<p>"And one of them is that snake, the little man in gray!"</p> + +<p>"I believe it!"</p> + +<p>"I know it! Get a rifle, Hodge!"</p> + +<p>"What would you do?"</p> + +<p>"Shoot him!" panted the hot-blooded Virginian. "Get a rifle! I will put +a bullet through the villain!"</p> + +<p>Although hot-blooded and reckless himself Bart realized that Diamond +must not do anything of the kind. But he did not find it necessary to +reason with Jack, for the two men turned and disappeared into the woods.</p> + +<p>"They're gone!" exclaimed the Virginian, regretfully.</p> + +<p>"But they may come back again. We must keep a close watch to-night. +There is no telling what desperate deed they may attempt."</p> + +<p>So the night was divided into watches, and each lad took his turn on +deck.</p> + +<p>The sky became overcast, so there was little light. The black shadow of +the shore seemed potent with dangers.<!-- Page 240 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> + +<p>Bart had his second watch on deck, and it was not far from midnight when +he was startled to hear a voice hailing from the shore:</p> + +<p>"Ahoy, the yacht!"</p> + +<p>"What do you want?" asked Bart, gripping a revolver and staring toward +the point from which the voice had seemed to come. "Who are you?"</p> + +<p>"Caleb Cooler, at your service," came back the answer. "I thought I'd +tell you something that may relieve your minds somewhat. Frank Merriwell +is alive and unharmed."</p> + +<p>Bart gasped.</p> + +<p>"Why do you come to tell us that?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Because I know you are worrying about him. Don't worry. He will be with +you to-morrow."</p> + +<p>This angered Bart so that he lifted his revolver, being tempted to send +a random shot toward the point from which the voice seemed to come, but +he changed his mind and lowered the weapon.</p> + +<p>"So long," called the voice of the queer old man. "Turn in and sleep. +You won't be troubled."</p> + +<p>"That is what they want us to do," thought Bart. "It is a trick. But +they can't fool us that way."</p> + +<p>No further sound was heard from the shore. Cooler did not answer, +although Bart called to him several times.</p> + +<p>Jack had heard Hodge speaking, and he came on deck. When Bart told +Diamond what had happened, the latter was furious.</p> + +<p>"If I had been here, I would have fired six shots in his direction," he +declared.</p> + +<p>Diamond took his turn on deck, and it was about two o'clock when he +fancied he heard the sound of oars. The sound came nearer and nearer, +till at last it seemed that the boat reached the island, and then the +sound was heard no more.<!-- Page 241 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p> + +<p>Morning dawned, and Browning arose in a strangely agitated state of +mind. Never had his companions seen him in such a condition. When asked +about it, he said:</p> + +<p>"Boys, I had a queer dream. I'm going to tell you what it was. I dreamed +that Frank Merriwell is buried in the grave on the island. I thought him +buried alive. We dug him out and restored him to life."</p> + +<p>"It can't be that Merry is buried there, for the mound has not been +disturbed lately," said Diamond.</p> + +<p>"All the same," declared Browning, "I am going to open that grave. I am +going to know the secret it holds."<!-- Page 242 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h3>THE SECRET OF THE GRAVE.</h3> + + +<p>Browning was determined, and it was not long before he had worked the +others into a state of excitement over it. Without waiting for +breakfast, they sprang into the boat and rowed ashore.</p> + +<p>"I saw some tools in the sheds at the end of the railroad," said Bruce. +"We will secure them."</p> + +<p>The path was taken, and they passed through the old quarry and down the +track to the sheds. There they found a pick and spade. With those in +their possession, they hastened to the black glade in which lay the +grave.</p> + +<p>For once in his life Bruce Browning was filled with energy—he was +aroused. But even as he reached the grave, he halted suddenly, his hand +uplifted, hoarsely gasping:</p> + +<p>"Listen!"</p> + +<p>The boys were silent.</p> + +<p>"Help!"</p> + +<p>It was a smothered cry, and it seemed to come from the ground at their +feet. It made the hair of the Dutch boy stand and his teeth chatter. It +astonished and amazed them all.</p> + +<p>"Help!"</p> + +<p>Again that smothered cry seemed to come from the grave. What did it +mean?</p> + +<p>"Use the pick, Hodge!" hoarsely commanded Browning. "We will soon open +it up. Go at it lively!"</p> + +<p>Bart obeyed, and the ground gave back a strange, hollow sound as he +struck his pick into it. Browning shov<!-- Page 243 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span>eled away the dirt, having torn +off his coat to work with greater ease.</p> + +<p>Soon something of a hole had been made in the mound.</p> + +<p>All at once, with a cry of horror, Bart started back, pointing down into +the hole they had made.</p> + +<p>"Look!" he gasped. "That ring—that hand! It is Frank Merriwell's hand!"</p> + +<p>And there before them they saw a human hand that seemed to be thrust up +through the ground.</p> + +<p>Hans began to pray.</p> + +<p>The hand moved—it clawed desperately at the ground!</p> + +<p>"It is Frank!" Diamond almost screamed. "He is down there! He has been +buried alive! Dig, fellows—dig! But be careful not to hurt him!"</p> + +<p>At that moment the ground caved in at their feet, and up out of it rose +the dirt-covered head of Frank Merriwell. He rubbed the dirt out of his +eyes, and then he cheerfully observed:</p> + +<p>"Good-morning, fellows! It seems to be a pleasant morning outside, but +it's a trifle close inside. If you will take hold and pull me out, I'll +be much obliged."</p> + +<p>They clutched him—they dragged him to the surface. Behind him lay a +deep, dark hole that was not filled by the earth that had caved in.</p> + +<p>"Well, of all things wonderful!" grunted Browning. "Never knew anything +like this before—never heard of anything like this! I believe I am +still dreaming!"</p> + +<p>"Frank, are you hurt?" asked Diamond.</p> + +<p>"Not much," answered Merry. "They trapped me without much trouble. I +didn't have a chance to get hurt."</p> + +<p>"But to be buried under the ground—to be in a grave!"</p> + +<p>"Eh? A grave? Why, Great Scott! It is the grave—and the stone with my +name on it! This is the spot where I was caught. I was standing right +here. A man dropped down out of this tree and struck on my shoulders.<!-- Page 244 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> +He laid me out, and it wasn't hard to tie me up. Then I was towed away +under ground, and a guard was placed over me. It's a close little hole +down there, but the guard left me after he had watched till he was +tired, and then I finally managed to get free, and I tried to dig out +where they had closed up what once was the mouth of the cave."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Hodge. "A cave?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly; and there was an opening into it here at one time. They closed +it up and made this fake grave over the spot. That's just what they +did."</p> + +<p>"But your voice—we could hear it."</p> + +<p>"Look at this headstone. There is a hole straight down through it. Below +there is a tube that runs down into the cave. Anyone at the lower end of +the tube can speak so they can be heard here. That is how those +mysterious whispers reached our ears. Oh, it is a great scheme! It made +the place seem haunted."</p> + +<p>"But where is the other opening to the cave?"</p> + +<p>"It must be near here, though I was blindfolded when I was taken in. Mr. +Cooler was in the game. He came up suddenly a long, long time ago. +Talked with the chap who was guarding me. Said he had been forced to +dodge you chaps."</p> + +<p>"That's when he gave us the slip," said Diamond. "I'd like to see the +little whelp again!"</p> + +<p>"Your wish shall be gratified," said a familiar voice, and Mr. Cooler +walked into the glade, followed by three other men, all dressed in +black. "I am here!"</p> + +<p>"It's the gang!" cried Diamond. "We'll have to fight for it, fellows!"</p> + +<p>"Don't fight," advised the man in gray, laughing. "It isn't necessary. +We are not the gang, but we have the gang nicely corralled. You have +known me as Caleb Cooler, but I am, in fact, Dustin Douglass, of the +secret service.<!-- Page 245 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> These gentlemen with me are deputies, and we have just +captured a gang of counterfeiters who have been making all sorts of +trouble for the government. If you think I am lying, young gentlemen, I +will show you my credentials. I managed to get in with the gang myself +by pretending to be a skillful shover of the queer, and that is why I +have been seen with some of them. Last night my deputies came onto the +island in a boat, and this morning we raked in all of the gang. We have +them nicely ironed over at the old boarding house, where one of my men +is watching over them. Among them, Mr. Merriwell, are your friends, +Hicks and Wiley. Somehow they think you were concerned in their undoing, +and they have expressed sincere regrets that they did not do you up, +instead of capturing you and stowing you here in the old cave. The chap +who was watching you came over to get his breakfast this morning, and +now he is ironed with the others. There are four in all.</p> + +<p>"I trust you will pardon me for the deception, young gentlemen," smiled +the little secret service officer. "Had to do it, you know. Just came +over to set Mr. Merriwell at liberty, but I see you are here ahead of +me."</p> + +<p>Bruce Browning leaned against a tree, looking tired and unnerved.</p> + +<p>"This is too much for me!" he muttered. "I'm sure to go into brain +fever! I can't comprehend it all."</p> + +<p>Nor could the others just then, but every word the little man had spoken +proved true. He showed them the skillfully concealed entrance to the +cave, which was sometimes used in which to hide the bogus money. They +understood how he had been able to give them the slip in such a +remarkable manner.</p> + +<p>Then all went over to the old boarding house, where the boys inspected +the prisoners. Dan Hicks glared at Frank and cursed him, snarling:<!-- Page 246 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All I regret is that I didn't cut your throat!"</p> + +<p>Beneath the building was a room the boys had not discovered, and there +the "queer" had been made.</p> + +<p>At last the mystery of the island was solved, and Frank Merriwell was +satisfied. But the boys had been furnished with a topic for conversation +and discussion that would be interesting for a long time to come.</p> + +<p>And Frank was well satisfied to leave Devil Island at last.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h2>THE END.</h2> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Frank Merriwell's Cruise, by Burt L. 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