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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:06:55 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:06:55 -0700 |
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diff --git a/36964-h/36964-h.htm b/36964-h/36964-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..da28408 --- /dev/null +++ b/36964-h/36964-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9447 @@ +<!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" xml:lang="en" > +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> + <meta content="Motion Picture Chums at Seaside Park" name="DC.Title"/> + <meta content="Victor Appleton" name="DC.Creator"/> + <meta content="en" name="DC.Language"/> + <meta content="1913" name="DC.Created"/> + <meta name="generator" content="ppgen (1.17) generated Aug 03, 2011 08:51 AM" /> + <title>Motion Picture Chums at Seaside Park</title> + <style type="text/css"> + body {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;} + p {margin-top:1ex; margin-bottom:0; text-align:justify;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size:x-small; text-align:right; text-indent:0; + position:absolute; right:2%; padding:1px 3px; font-style:normal; + font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration:none; + background-color:inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + .pncolor {color:silver;} + h1 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; + font-size:1.4em; margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2em;} + h2 {text-align:left; font-weight:normal; + font-size:1.2em; margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2em;} + h3 {text-align:center; font-weight:bold; + font-size:0.9em; margin-top:1.5em; margin-bottom:1em;} + hr.pb {margin:30px 0; width:100%; border:none; border-top:thin dashed silver; clear:both;} + .sc {font-variant: small-caps;} + .center {margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; text-align:center;} + .larger {font-size:larger;} + .smaller {font-size:smaller;} + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + table.c {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + .caption {font-size: 80%;} + .sc {font-variant:small-caps} + div.center>:first-child {margin: .5em auto 0 auto;text-align:center;} + div.center p {margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;} + hr.tb {border:none; border-bottom: 1px solid black; margin: 20px auto; width:35%} + </style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Motion Picture Chums at Seaside Park, by +Victor Appleton + +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: The Motion Picture Chums at Seaside Park + The Rival Photo Theatres of the Boardwalk + +Author: Victor Appleton + +Release Date: August 3, 2011 [EBook #36964] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTION PICTURE CHUMS *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i001' id='i001'></a> +<img src="images/illus-fpc.jpg" alt="PIECES OF THE BROKEN SKYLIGHT IN THE ROOF OF THE PLAYHOUSE CLATTERED DOWN." title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>PIECES OF THE BROKEN SKYLIGHT IN THE ROOF<br/>OF THE PLAYHOUSE CLATTERED DOWN.</span> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;'>The</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;'>Motion Picture Chums</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;'>at Seaside Park</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>OR</p> +<p>The Rival Photo Theatres of the Boardwalk</p> +<p> </p> +<p>BY</p> +<p><span style='font-size:1.2em;'>VICTOR APPLETON</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>AUTHOR OF “THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS’ FIRST VENTURE,”</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>“THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS SERIES,”</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>“TOM SWIFT SERIES,” ETC.</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>ILLUSTRATED</p> +<p> </p> +<p>NEW YORK</p> +<p>GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> +<p>PUBLISHERS</p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div style='font-size:smaller'> +<div class='center'> +<p>BOOKS BY VICTOR APPLETON</p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS SERIES</span></p> +<p><em>12 mo. Cloth. Illustrated.</em></p> +<p><em>Price, per volume, 40 cents, postpaid.</em></p> +</div> +<table class='c' summary='centered block'><tr><td> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS’ FIRST VENTURE</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT SEASIDE PARK</p> +</td></tr></table> +<div class='center'> +<p>(<em>Other volumes in preparation</em>)</p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS SERIES</span></p> +<p><em>12 mo. Cloth. Illustrated.</em></p> +<p><em>Price, per volume, 40 cents, postpaid.</em></p> +</div> +<table class='c' summary='centered block'><tr><td> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE WEST</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS ON THE COAST</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN EARTHQUAKE LAND</p> +</td></tr></table> +<div class='center'> +<p>(<em>Other volumes in preparation</em>)</p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>THE TOM SWIFT SERIES</span></p> +<p><em>12 mo. Cloth. Illustrated.</em></p> +<p><em>Price, per volume, 40 cents, postpaid.</em></p> +</div> +<table class='c' summary='centered block'><tr><td> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON</p> +</td></tr></table> +<div class='center'> +<p>GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> +<p>PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK</p> +<p> </p> +<p><span class='sc'>Copyright, 1913, BY</span></p> +<p>GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> +<p> </p> +<p><em>The Motion Picture Chums at Seaside Park</em></p> +</div> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>CONTENTS</span></p> +</div> +<table class='c' summary='table of contents'> +<tr><td style='font-size:smaller'>CHAPTER</td><td></td><td style='font-size:smaller'>PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>I</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Looking for Business</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chI'>1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>II</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Motor Boat</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chII'>9</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>III</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Short of Funds</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIII'>18</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>An Old Friend</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIV'>28</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>V</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Bird House</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chV'>38</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VI</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Friend in Need</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVI'>48</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Business Boys</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVII'>57</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VIII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Kidnapped</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVIII'>66</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IX</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Pep in Clover</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIX'>75</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>X</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Press Agent</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chX'>87</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XI</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Crossed Wires</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXI'>96</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Business Rivals</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXII'>104</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>All Ready!</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIII'>112</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>“The Great Unknown”</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIV'>119</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Speaking Picture</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXV'>126</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVI</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Grand Success</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVI'>133</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Boastful Peter</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVII'>141</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVIII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Great Film</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVIII'>149</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIX</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Getting Along</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIX'>157</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XX</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Rich Find</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXX'>165</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXI</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Tin Box</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXI'>174</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Big Reward</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXII'>185</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXIII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Broken Sign</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXIII'>193</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXIV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Great Storm</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXIV'>201</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Conclusion</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXV'>209</a></td></tr> +</table> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<h1>THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT SEASIDE PARK</h1> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1'></a>1</span><a name='chI' id='chI'></a>CHAPTER I—LOOKING FOR BUSINESS</h2> +<p> +“Boys, this is just the spot we are looking +for!” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I am sure a good photo playhouse on +this boardwalk would pay.” +</p> +<p> +It was Frank Durham who made the first declaration +and his chum and young partner, Randy +Powell, who echoed it. Both looked like lads in +business earnestly looking for something they +wanted, and determined to find it. Then the +third member of the little group glanced where +his companions were gazing. He was Pepperill +Smith, and he burst forth in his enthusiastic +way: +</p> +<p> +“The very thing!” +</p> +<p> +The three chums had arrived at Seaside Park +only that morning. Their home was at Fairlands, +one hundred and fifty miles west. +Everything was new to them and there was certainly +enough variety, excitement and commotion to satisfy +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2'></a>2</span> +any lively lad. They had, however, +come for something else than pleasure. +They had a distinct purpose in view, and Frank’s +remarks brought it up. +</p> +<p> +Seaside Park was a very popular ocean resort. +It was a trim little town with a normal population +of less than three thousand souls. In the +summer season, however, it provided for over ten +times that number. A substantial boardwalk +fronted the beach where people bathed, lined with +stores, booths, and curio and souvenir tents. +There were several restaurants for the convenience +of those who had run down from the big +cities to take a day’s enjoyment and did not care +to stay at the pretentious hotels. +</p> +<p> +The three friends had made for this part of +the resort as soon as they had arrived. As they +had strolled down the boardwalk Frank had studiously +observed the general layout and the points +where the pleasure-seekers most congregated. +Randy was quite as much interested in peering in +at the windows of the few buildings bearing “To +Rent” signs. Pep made a deliberate stop wherever +a show place attracted his attention. Now +all three had halted in front of an unoccupied +building and were looking it over critically. +</p> +<p> +“I say, fellows,” observed Frank, “this is +worth looking into.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3'></a>3</span> +</p> +<p> +“It’s certainly a fine location,” added Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Just made for us,” piped the exuberant Pep. +</p> +<p> +The building was frame and one story in +height. It was of ample breadth, and as the brisk +and busy Pep squinted down its side he declared +it was over one hundred feet long. Randy went +up to the chalked-over windows, while Frank +took out a card and copied the name and address +of the owner given on the rent sign. +</p> +<p> +“Hi, this way!” suddenly hailed the active +Pep. “The door isn’t locked.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s great,” spoke Randy. “I want to +see what the inside looks like.” +</p> +<p> +“Hello, there!” called out a man’s voice as +they stepped over the threshold of the broad +double doorway. +</p> +<p> +“Hello yourself, mister,” retorted Pep cheerily, +“we were sort of interested in the place and +wanted to look it over.” +</p> +<p> +Frank stepped forward. The man who had +challenged them was in his shirt sleeves, working +at a plank over two wooden horses mending +some wire screens. +</p> +<p> +“We are looking over the beach with the idea +of finding a good location for a show,” Frank +explained. +</p> +<p> +“What kind of a show?” inquired the man, +studying the trio sharply. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4'></a>4</span> +</p> +<p> +“Motion picture.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, you’ve come to the right place, I can +tell you that,” declared the man, showing more +interest and putting aside the screen he was +mending. “Pretty young, though, for business +on your own hook; aren’t you?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, we’re regular business men, we are,” +vaunted Pep. “This is Frank Durham, and this +is Randolph Powell. The three of us ran a +photo playhouse in Fairlands for six months, so +we know the business.” +</p> +<p> +“Is that so?” observed the man musingly. +“Well, I’m the owner of the building here and +as you see, want to find a good tenant for the +season. I’m mending up the screens to those +ventilating windows. I’m going to redecorate it +inside and out, and the place is right in the center +of the busiest part of the beach.” +</p> +<p> +“What was it used for before?” inquired +Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Bowling alley, once. Then a man tried an +ice cream parlor, but there was too much competition. +Last season a man put in a penny arcade, +but that caught only the cheap trade and not +much of that.” +</p> +<p> +Frank walked to the end of the long room +and looked over the lighting equipment, the floor +and the ceiling. Then he nodded to Randy and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5'></a>5</span> +Pep, who joined him at a window, as if looking +casually over the surroundings of the vacant +place. +</p> +<p> +“See here, fellows,” Frank said, “it looks as +though we had stumbled upon a fine opportunity.” +</p> +<p> +“Splendid!” voiced Randy. +</p> +<p> +“It strikes me just right,” approved Pep. +“What a dandy place we can make of it, with +all this space! Why, we’ll put three rows of +seats, the middle one double. There’s all kinds +of space on the walls for posters. I’ll have to +get an assistant usher and——” +</p> +<p> +“Hold on, Pep!” laughed Frank. “Aren’t +you going pretty fast? The rent may be ’way out +of our reach. You know we are not exactly +millionaires, and our limited capital may not come +anywhere near covering things.” +</p> +<p> +“Find out what the rent is; won’t you, +Frank?” pressed Randy. +</p> +<p> +“There’s no harm in that,” replied Frank. +</p> +<p> +He went up to the owner of the place while +Randy and Pep strolled outside. They walked +around the building twice, studying it in every +particular. Randy looked eager and Pep excited +as Frank came out on the sidewalk. They could +tell from the pleased look on his face that he +was the bearer of good news. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6'></a>6</span> +</p> +<p> +“What is it, Frank?” queried Randy, anxiously. +</p> +<p> +“The rent isn’t half what I expected it to be.” +</p> +<p> +“Good!” cried Pep. +</p> +<p> +“But it’s high enough to consider in a careful +way. Then again the owner of the building insists +that nothing but a strictly first-class show will +draw patronage at Seaside Park. The people who +come here are generally of a superior type and the +transients come from large places where they +have seen the best going in the way of photo +plays. It’s going to cost a lot of money to start +a playhouse here, and we can’t decide in a moment.” +</p> +<p> +“How many other motion picture shows are +there in Seaside Park, Frank?” inquired Pep. +</p> +<p> +“None.” +</p> +<p> +Both Randy and Pep were surprised at this +statement and told Frank so. +</p> +<p> +“The movies tried it out in connection with a +restaurant last season, but made a fizzle of it, +the man in there tells me,” reported Frank. “He +says there may be a show put in later in the season—you +see we are pretty early on the scene +and the summer rush has not come yet. In fact, +he hinted that some New York fellows were +down here last week looking over the prospects +in our line. I’ve told him just how we are situated, +and I think he has taken quite a liking to us +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7'></a>7</span> +and would like to encourage us if it didn’t cost +him anything. He says he will give us until +Monday to figure up and decide what we want +to do. There’s one thing, though—we will have +to put up the rent for the place for the whole +season.” +</p> +<p> +“What—in advance?” exclaimed Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Yes—four months. It seems that one or two +former tenants left their landlord in the lurch +and he won’t take any more risks. Cash or the +guarantee of some responsible person is the way +this man, Mr. Morton, puts in.” +</p> +<p> +“Humph!” commented Pep. “Why doesn’t +he make us buy the place and be done with it?” +</p> +<p> +“Well, if we start in we’re going to stick; +aren’t we?” propounded Randy. “So it’s simply +a question of raising enough money.” +</p> +<p> +“Mr. Morton says that along Beach Row +there is nothing in the way of first-class amusements,” +Frank went on. “There’s a merry-go-round +and a summer garden with a band and +some few cheap side shows.” +</p> +<p> +“Then we would have the field all to ourselves,” +submitted Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Unless a business rival came along, which +he won’t, unless we are making money, so the +more the merrier,” declared Frank, briskly. +“We’ll talk the whole business over this evening, +fellows. In the meantime we’ll take in the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8'></a>8</span> +many sights and post ourselves on the prospects.” +</p> +<p> +“I do hope we’ll be able to get that place,” +said Pep, longingly. “What a fine view we have! +I’d never get tired of being in sight of the sea +and all this gay excitement around us.” +</p> +<p> +The chums left the boardwalk and went across +the sands, watching the merry crowds playing on +the beach and running out into the water. Big +and little, old and young, seemed to be full of +fun and excitement. Early in the season as it +was, there were a number of bathers. +</p> +<p> +“That would make a fine motion picture; eh?” +suggested Randy, his mind always on business. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and so would that!” shouted Pep. +“Jumping crickets! Fellows—look!” +</p> +<p> +There had sounded a sharp explosion. At a +certain spot a great cascade of water like the +spouting of a whale went up into the air. A hiss +of steam focussed in a whirling, swaying mass at +one point. There was the echo of yells and +screams. +</p> +<p> +“What’s happened, I wonder——” began +Randy. +</p> +<p> +“I saw it!” interrupted an excited bather, +who had ran out of the water. “A motor boat +has blown up!” +</p> +<p> +“Then those on board must be in danger of +burning or drowning, boys,” shouted Frank. +“To the rescue!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9'></a>9</span><a name='chII' id='chII'></a>CHAPTER II—THE MOTOR BOAT</h2> +<p> +Frank Durham was just as practical as he +was heroic. While the frightened people in the +water were rushing up the beach in a panic, and +strollers along the sands stared helplessly toward +the scene of the accident, Frank’s quick eye took +in the situation—and in a flash he acted. +</p> +<p> +There was a reason why he was so ready-witted. +In the first place he—and also Randy +and Pep—had for an entire season been in actual +service at the outing resort near their home +town of Fairlands. It had been an experience +that fitted them for just such a crisis as the +present one. Boating on the lake had been the +principal diversion of the guests. There had +been more than one tip-over in which Frank and +his chums had come to the rescue. +</p> +<p> +In fact, while the boys had regular duties, +such as acting as caddies for golfers, as guides +and chauffeurs, the proprietor of the resort expected +them to keep an eye out at all times for +mishaps to his guests. This had trained the +chums in a line where common sense, speedy action, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10'></a>10</span> +and knowing how to do just the right thing +at just the right time, would be useful in safe-guarding +property and human life. +</p> +<p> +Frank did not have to tell his companions +what to do. They knew their duty and how far +they could be useful, as well as their leader. +The motor boat was about a quarter of a mile +out and was on fire. They could see the flames +belching out at the stern. There seemed to be +three or four persons aboard. As far as they +could make it out at the distance they were, one +of the passengers had sprung overboard and was +floating around on a box or plank. The others +were crowded together at the bow, trying to keep +away from the flames. +</p> +<p> +Randy had dashed down the beach to where +there was a light rowboat overturned on the +sand. Pep was making for a long pier running +out quite a distance, pulling off his coat as he +went. Frank had his eyes fixed upon a small +electric launch lying near the pier. He did not +know nor notice what course his chums had +taken. He realized that if help came to the people +in peril on the motor boat it must come +speedily to be of any avail. +</p> +<p> +It took Frank less than three minutes to reach +the spot where a light cable held the launch +against the pier. A rather fine-looking old man +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11'></a>11</span> +stood nearby, glancing through his gold-rimmed +eyeglasses toward the beach, as if impatient of +something. +</p> +<p> +“Mister,” shot out Frank, breathlessly, “is +this your craft?” +</p> +<p> +“It is,” replied the gentleman. “I am waiting +for my man to come and run me down to +Rock Point.” +</p> +<p> +“Did you see that?” inquired Frank, rapidly, +pointing to the burning motor boat. +</p> +<p> +“Why, I declare—I hadn’t!” exclaimed the +man, taking a survey of the point in the distance +indicated by Frank. “What can have happened?” +</p> +<p> +“An explosion, sir,” explained Frank. “You +see, they must have help.” +</p> +<p> +“Where is that laggard man of mine?” cried +the owner of the launch, growing excited. “If +he would come we might do something.” +</p> +<p> +“Let me take your launch,” pressed Frank, +eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“Do you know how to run it?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, yes, sir.” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t. Do your best, lad. You must +hurry. The boat is burning fiercely.” +</p> +<p> +It only needed the word of assent to start +Frank on his mission of rescue. There had +never been a better engineer on the lake near +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12'></a>12</span> +Fairlands than our hero. He was so perfectly +at home with a launch that the owner of the +one he had immediately sprung into could not +repress a “Bravo!” as Frank seemed to slip the +painter, spring to the wheel and send the craft +plowing the water like a fish, all with one and +the same deft movement. +</p> +<p> +Frank estimated time and distance and set the +launch on a swift, diagonal course. He made out +a rowboat headed in the same direction as himself, +and Randy was in it. Frank saw a flying +form leave the end of the long pier in a bold +dive. It was Pep. Frank could not deviate or +linger, for the nearer he got to the blazing craft +the more vital seemed the peril of those now +nearly crowded overboard by the heat and +smoke. Besides that, he knew perfectly well +that the crack swimmer of Fairlands, his friend +Pep, could take care of himself in the water. +</p> +<p> +It was because the three chums were always +together and always on the alert that nothing +missed them. Some pretty creditable things had +been done by them and that training came to +their help in the present crisis. +</p> +<p> +In the first volume of the present series, entitled +“The Motion Picture Chums’ First Venture; +Or, Opening a Photo Playhouse in Fairlands,” +their adventures and experiences have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13'></a>13</span> +been given in a way that showed the courage and +enterprise that infused them. Frank Durham +was the elder of the trio, and it was he who +had started a partnership that soon outgrew odd +chores about Fairlands and making themselves +handy around the lake during the outing season. +</p> +<p> +Early in the Fall preceding, after a great deal +of thinking, planning and actual hard work, +Frank, Randy and Pep had become proprietors +of a motion picture show at Fairlands. It had +been no play-day spurt, but a practical business +effort. They had worked hard for nearly a year, +had saved up quite a sum, and learning of the +auction sale of a photo playhouse outfit in the +city, they had bid it in and started the “Wonderland” +in the busy little town where they lived. +</p> +<p> +In this they had been greatly helped by a good-hearted, +impulsive fellow named Ben Jolly. The +latter was in love with the novel enterprise, liked +the boys, and played the piano. Another of his +kind who was a professional ventriloquist, had +plied his art for the benefit of the motion picture +show, delaying the auction sale with mock bids +until Frank arrived in time to buy the city outfit. +</p> +<p> +They had enemies, too, and the son of a Fairlands +magnate named Greg Grayson had caused +them a good deal of trouble and had tried to +break up their show. Perseverance, hard work +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14'></a>14</span> +and brains, however, carried the motion picture +chums through. They exhibited none but +high-grade films, they ran an orderly place, and +with Frank at the projector, Randy in the ticket +booth, Pep as the genial usher and Ben Jolly as +pianist, they had crowded houses and wound up +at the end of the season out of debt and with a +small cash capital all their own. +</p> +<p> +For all the busy Winter, warm weather hurt +the photo playhouse at Fairlands. It had been a +debated question with the chums for some weeks +as to shutting down for the summer months. +They finally decided to “close for repairs” for +a spell and look around for a new location until +fall. Seaside Park was suggested as an ideal +place for a first-class motion picture show, and +so far prospects looked very encouraging, indeed. +</p> +<p> +Right in the midst of their business deliberations +the incident just related had now come up. +All three of the boys had answered the call of +humanity without an instant’s hesitation. +</p> +<p> +Frank forgot everything except the business in +hand as he set eyes, mind and nerve upon reaching +the burning motor boat in time to be of +some practical service. He was near enough now +to pretty well grasp the situation. The launch +had been going at a high rate of speed, but the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15'></a>15</span> +expert young engineer set the lever another +notch forward, and sent the craft slipping +through the water like a dolphin. +</p> +<p> +The man in charge of the burning boat, Frank +saw, had a pan with a handle. He was dipping +this into the water and throwing its contents +against the blazing after-part of the boat. Some +gasoline or other inflammable substance, however, +seemed to burn all the more fiercely for this +deluge, and the man had to shrink farther and +farther away as the flames encroached upon him. +</p> +<p> +A portly lady was shrieking constantly and +waving her arms in a state of terror. It was +all that a younger woman, the other passenger, +could do to hold her in her seat and restrain her +from jumping overboard. +</p> +<p> +Frank had just a passing glance for the other +actor in the scene. This was the fellow he had +seen leap overboard when the boat blew up. He +was somewhat older than Frank, and having cast +adrift a box, the only loose article aboard that +would serve to act as a float, he had drifted +safely out of reach of the flames. +</p> +<p> +“He’s a coward, besides being a cad,” involuntarily +flashed through Frank’s mind. Then he +made the launch swerve, and shouted to the occupants +of the motor boat: +</p> +<p> +“All ready!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16'></a>16</span> +</p> +<p> +Frank, with his experience of the past, calculated +so nicely that the launch came alongside +the burning motor boat at precisely the right +angle to allow the man in charge of the latter +craft to grapple with a boat-hook. +</p> +<p> +“Quick, Mrs. Carrington,” he spoke to the +older lady, “get aboard the launch as fast as +you can.” +</p> +<p> +The woman’s girl companion helped her get +to her feet, but she pitched about so that but +for a clever movement on the part of Frank +she would have gone into the water. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, dear! oh, dear!” she screamed, but with +the aid of the younger woman Frank managed +to get her into the launch, where she dropped in +a heap and went into hysterics. Her companion +got aboard more quietly. +</p> +<p> +“You are just in time,” gasped the man in +charge of the motor boat. “Don’t risk the +flames, but pull away.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, there is nothing to be done in the way +of putting out the fire,” said Frank. +</p> +<p> +The man he spoke to was both worried and +in pain. His face and hands were blistered from +his efforts to shield his passengers from the fire. +Just then a howl rang out. It proceeded from +the fellow thirty feet away, bobbing up and +down on the empty box. This brought the older +woman to her senses. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17'></a>17</span> +</p> +<p> +“It is Peter!” she screamed. “Oh, save +Peter!” +</p> +<p> +The paltry Peter began bellowing with deadly +fear as the launch was headed away from him. +Frank could not feel very charitable toward a +fellow who, in the midst of peril, had left +friends, probably relatives, to their fate. However, +he started to change the course of the +launch, when Pep, swinging one arm over the +other in masterly progress like the fine swimmer +he always had been, crossed the bow of the +craft. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll take care of him,” shouted Pep to +Frank, “and here’s Randy in the skiff.” +</p> +<p> +Frank saw Randy making for the spot, and as +Pep grasped the side of the floating box the skiff +came alongside. +</p> +<p> +“Hold on! Stop that other boat,” blubbered +the young fellow. “I want to go ashore in a +safe rig; I want to get to my aunt.” +</p> +<p> +“What did you leave her for?” demanded +Pep, firing up. +</p> +<p> +“Huh! Think I want to get drowned?” +whimpered the other. +</p> +<p> +Pep helped the scared youth into the skiff, +drew himself over its edge, and directed just one +remark to the rescued lad. +</p> +<p> +“Say!” he observed, indignantly. “I’d just +like to kick you.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18'></a>18</span><a name='chIII' id='chIII'></a>CHAPTER III—SHORT OF FUNDS</h2> +<p> +Frank drove the motor launch shoreward +with accuracy and speed. The stout lady had +shrieked and acted as if half mad until she had +been assured that Peter was safe. She had to +see with her own eyes that Peter had been pulled +into the rowboat with Randy and Pep. Then +she collapsed again. +</p> +<p> +While she lay limp and exhausted, the young +lady with her mopped her head with a handkerchief +and fanned her. The engineer of the +motor boat had got near to Frank. He looked +pale and distressed. He kept his eye fixed on the +sinking motor boat for a time. +</p> +<p> +“That’s the last of her,” he remarked, with a +sigh. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” responded Frank, “we couldn’t do +anything toward saving her.” +</p> +<p> +“I should think not. I tell you, if you hadn’t +known your business I don’t know what would +have happened to us. Mrs. Carrington was entirely +unmanageable, her companion can’t swim, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19'></a>19</span> +and of course I wouldn’t leave them to perish.” +</p> +<p> +“The stout lady is Mrs. Carrington, I suppose?” +asked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“That’s right.” +</p> +<p> +“And Peter, I suppose, is the brave young man +who jumped overboard with the float?” +</p> +<p> +“He is her nephew, and a precious kind of a +relative he is!” said the motor boat man, and his +face expressed anger and disgust. “He would +smoke those nasty cigarettes of his and throw +the stubs where he liked. Honestly, I believe it +was one of those that started the fire.” +</p> +<p> +“He hasn’t shown himself to be very valiant +or courageous,” commented Frank. +</p> +<p> +There was a great crowd at the beach near the +shore end of the pier where the launch landed. +The skiff holding Randy, Pep and their dripping +and shivering companion glided to the same spot +as an officer saw that the launch was secured. +He stared down in an undecided way at the helpless +Mrs. Carrington. Peter, safe and sound +now, leaped aboard the launch with the assurance +of an admiral. +</p> +<p> +“Hey, officer,” he hailed the man, “get a conveyance +for the party as quick as you can.” +</p> +<p> +“Suppose you do it yourself?” growled the +motor boat man, looking as if he would like to +give Peter a good thrashing. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20'></a>20</span> +</p> +<p> +“Me? In this rig? Oh, dear, no!” retorted +the shocked Peter. “I’ve got five suits of clothes +home. Really, I ought to send for one. Don’t +know what the people at Catalpa Terrace will say +to see me coming home looking like a drowned +rat, don’t you know,” and Peter grinned in a +silly, self-important way. +</p> +<p> +“He makes me sick!” blurted out the motor +boat man. +</p> +<p> +The young lady who was supporting Mrs. Carrington +leaned toward Frank. Her face expressed +the respect and admiration she felt for +their rescuer. +</p> +<p> +“We can never thank you enough for your +prompt service,” she said, in a voice that trembled +a trifle from excitement. +</p> +<p> +“I am glad I was within call,” replied Frank, +modestly. +</p> +<p> +“Won’t you kindly give me your name?” inquired +the young lady. “I am Miss Porter, and +I am companion to Mrs. Carrington. I know her +ways so well, that I am sure the first thing she +will want to know when she becomes herself +again is the name of her brave rescuer.” +</p> +<p> +“My name is Frank Durham,” replied our +hero. “My chums in the little boat are Randolph +Powell and Pepperill Smith.” +</p> +<p> +“So you live here at Seaside Park? Where +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21'></a>21</span> +can Mrs. Carrington send you word, for I am +positive she will wish to see you?” +</p> +<p> +“We may stay here until to-morrow—I cannot +tell,” explained Frank. “If we do, I think +we will be at the Beach Hotel.” +</p> +<p> +The young lady had a small writing tablet with +a tiny pencil attached, secured by a ribbon at her +waist. She made some notations. Then she extended +her hand and grasped Frank’s with the +fervency of a grateful and appreciative person. +Then an auto cab drew up at the end of the pier, +the officer summoned help, and Mrs. Carrington +was lifted from the launch. Frank assisted Miss +Porter, and Peter, apparently fancying himself +an object of admiration to all the focussed eyes +of the crowd, disappeared into the automobile. +</p> +<p> +“Hey!” yelled Pep after him, doubling his +fists. “Thank you!” +</p> +<p> +The motor boat man grasped Frank’s hand +with honest thankfulness in his eyes. +</p> +<p> +“I shan’t forget you very soon,” he said with +genuine feeling. +</p> +<p> +“Did the boat belong to you?” asked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I own two motor boats here,” explained +the man, “and run them for just such parties as +you see.” +</p> +<p> +“The explosion will cause you some money +loss.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22'></a>22</span> +</p> +<p> +“I hardly think so,” answered the man. +“Mrs. Carrington is a rich woman, they say, and +she is quite liberal, too. I think she will do the +right thing and not leave all the loss on a poor +man like myself.” +</p> +<p> +“Get the skiff back where you found it, +Randy,” directed Frank. “I will be with you +soon,” and he started the launch back for the +spot where he had been allowed to use it by its +owner. +</p> +<p> +A chorus of cheers followed him. Glancing +across the pier, Frank noted the owner of the +motor boat surrounded by a crowd and being +interviewed by two young fellows who looked +like newspaper reporters. One of them parted +the throng suddenly and ran along the pier, focussing +a camera upon the launch. He took a +snap shot and waved his hand with an admiring +gesture at its operator. +</p> +<p> +“Young man, I don’t know when I have been +so pleased and proud,” observed the owner of +the launch as Frank drove up to the pier where +he stood. “I’m glad I had my boat at hand and +as bright and smart a fellow as you to run it +just in the nick of time.” +</p> +<p> +Frank felt pleased over his efforts to be helpful +to others. He was too boyish and ingenuous +not to suffer some embarrassment as he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23'></a>23</span> +passed little groups staring after him. Such remarks +as “That’s him!” “There he goes!” +“Plucky fellow!” and the like greeted his hearing +and made him blush consciously. +</p> +<p> +He found his friends down the beach, Randy +laughing at Pep and joking with him, the latter +seated on the edge of the boardwalk emptying +the water out of his shoes and grumbling at a +great rate. +</p> +<p> +“What’s the trouble, Pep?” hailed Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Trouble! Say, whenever I think of my +chance to duck that cheap cad we took aboard +the skiff I want to lam myself. ‘Jumped overboard +to hurry for help,’ he claimed. Then +found ‘that he had forgotten he couldn’t swim.’ +Bah!” and the irate Pep slammed his shoe down +on a board as if it was the head of the offensive +and offending Peter Carrington. +</p> +<p> +“We’ll go up town and get you dried out, +Pep,” remarked Frank. “I say, fellows, I’m inclined +to believe that we’re going to find an +opportunity of some kind here at Seaside Park. +The little hotel we inquired at seems to be the +cheapest in the place, and we had better make +arrangements there for a sort of headquarters, +even if we don’t stay here more than a day or +two.” +</p> +<p> +“That suits,” nodded Randy. “The man offered a double +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24'></a>24</span> +room on the top floor for a dollar, +and we can pick up our meals outside.” +</p> +<p> +The three chums concluded the arrangement at +the Beach Hotel. Fortunately each had brought +an extra suit of clothes on his journey, and Pep +was placed in comfortable trim once more. Then +they sallied forth again to make a tour of the +parts of the little town they had not previously +visited. +</p> +<p> +“Just look at the crowds right within a stone’s +throw of the place we are thinking of renting,” +said Pep, as quite naturally they wandered back +to the empty store so suited to their purposes and +so desired by each. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and it keeps up from almost daybreak +clear up to midnight,” declared Randy. “Why, +Frank, we could run three shifts four hours each. +Just think of it—twelve shows a day. Say, it +would be a gold mine!” +</p> +<p> +“I agree with you that it looks very promising,” +decided Frank. “We must do some close +figuring, fellows.” +</p> +<p> +“Let’s go inside and look the building over +again,” suggested Pep, and this they did. +</p> +<p> +“Why, hello!” instantly exclaimed the owner. +“Back again?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, Mr. Morton,” replied Frank, pleasantly. +</p> +<p> +“Shake!” cried the old fellow, dropping a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25'></a>25</span> +hammer he held and in turn grasping a hand of +each of his juvenile visitors. “You’re some +pluck, the three of you. That was the neatest +round-up I ever saw. What you been before? +Life saving service?” +</p> +<p> +“Why, hardly——” began Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Well, you got those people off that burning +motor boat slicker than I ever saw it done before. +Look here, lads, business is business, and I +have to hustle too hard for the dollars to take +any risks, but I like the way you do things, and +if I can help you figure out how you may take +a lease on the premises here and make something +out of the old barracks, I’m going to favor you.” +</p> +<p> +“We shall decide this evening, Mr. Morton,” +said Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Well, you’ve got an option on the place till +you are ready to report, no matter who comes +along.” +</p> +<p> +“Thank you,” bowed Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I do so hope we can make it!” exclaimed +the impetuous Pep. +</p> +<p> +They were hungry enough to enjoy a hearty +meal at a restaurant. Then they found themselves +tired enough for a resting spell. Their +room at the hotel was a lofty one, but it commanded +the whole beach and afforded an unobstructed +view of the sea for miles. The chums +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26'></a>26</span> +arranged their chairs so as to catch the cool breeze +coming off the water, forming a half-circle about +an open window. +</p> +<p> +Frank had been pretty quiet since they had last +seen the vacant store, leaving Randy and Pep to +do the chattering. They knew their business +chum had been doing some close calculating and +they eagerly awaited his first word. +</p> +<p> +“Tell you, fellows,” finally spoke their leader +in an offhand but serious way, “I’ve turned and +twisted about all the many corners to this big +proposition before us, and it’s no trivial responsibility +for amateurs like us.” +</p> +<p> +“We made good at Fairlands; didn’t we?” +challenged Pep. +</p> +<p> +“That is true,” admitted Frank, “but remember +our investment there wasn’t heavy; we didn’t +have to go into debt, expenses were light, we +were right among friends who wanted to encourage +us, and we had free board at home.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s so,” murmured Randy, with a long-drawn +sigh. +</p> +<p> +“If we start in here at Seaside Park,” +went on Frank, “we have got to fix up right up +to date or we’ll find ourselves nowhere in a very +little while. There’s electric fans, expensive advertising, +a big license fee, more help and the +films—that’s the feature that worries me. As +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27'></a>27</span> +we learned this morning, we have got to have +the latest and best in that direction.” +</p> +<p> +“But twelve shows a day, Frank,” urged Pep. +“Think of it—twelve!” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I know,” responded Frank. “It looks +very easy until some break comes along. I +wouldn’t like to pile up a lot of expenses, and +then have to flunk and lose not only the little +capital we have but the outfit we’ve worked so +hard to get. Truth is, fellows, any way I figure +it out, we’re short of the ready funds to carry +this thing through.” +</p> +<p> +Randy and Pep looked pretty blank at this. It +was a decidedly wet blanket on all their high +hopes. +</p> +<p> +“Couldn’t we get a partner who would finance +us?” finally suggested Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Why, say, give me that chance!” spoke an +eager voice that brought the three chums to their +feet. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28'></a>28</span><a name='chIV' id='chIV'></a>CHAPTER IV—AN OLD FRIEND</h2> +<p> +It had grown nearly dusk while the three +chums sat at the window of their room animatedly +discussing their prospects. None of +them had thought of lighting the gas and the +night shadows that had crept into the room prevented +them from recognizing the intruder whom +they now faced. +</p> +<p> +They had left the door of the room leading +into the corridor wide open to allow a free current +of air. The doorway framed a dim figure +who now advanced into the room as Frank challenged +sharply: +</p> +<p> +“Who’s that?” +</p> +<p> +“Why, it’s me—Peter,” came the cool reply. +“Don’t you remember?” +</p> +<p> +Peter—Peter Carrington—stalked closer to the +window with the superb effrontery that was a +natural part of his make-up. He ducked his head +and grinned at the chums in the most familiar +manner in the world. There was a spare chair +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29'></a>29</span> +near by. Peter moved it near to the others and +sat down as if he owned it. +</p> +<p> +“Feels good to rest,” he enlightened his grim +and astonished hosts. “Had a message for you, +and the hotel clerk directed me to your room. +Say, you must fancy climbing four flights of +stairs!” +</p> +<p> +“You seem to have made it,” observed Randy, +in a rather hostile tone, while Pep seemed bristling +all over. +</p> +<p> +“Glad I did,” piped Peter, cheerfully. +“Wouldn’t have missed it for worlds. Just in +time to hear you fellows going over your dandy +scheme, and say—it’s a winner! Photo playhouse +on the beach! Why, it’ll coin money!” +</p> +<p> +Nobody said anything. Frank was minded to +treat the intruder civilly and resumed his chair. +Suddenly Pep flared out: +</p> +<p> +“Have you been waiting out in the hall there, +listening to our private conversation?” +</p> +<p> +“Guess I have; glad I did,” chuckled the +thick-skinned Peter. “I heard you say you were +short of funds and something about a partner. +What’s the matter with me? I suppose you +know my aunt is rich and we’re some folks here. +We live up on the Terrace—most fashionable +part of the town. Why, if I had an interest in +your show I could fill your place with complimentaries +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30'></a>30</span> +to the real people of Seaside Park. +They’d advertise you, my friends would, till +there’d be nothing but standing room left.” +</p> +<p> +“Think so?” observed Randy, drily. +</p> +<p> +“Know it. I’m my aunt’s heir, you know, and +she’s got scads of money. She’s been drawing +the tight rein on me lately. I smashed an automobile +last week and it cost her over four hundred +dollars, and she’s holding me pretty close on +the money question. But in business, she’d +stake me for anything I wanted. Says she wants +to see me get into something.” +</p> +<p> +“You got into the water when the motor boat +blew up, all right,” remarked Pep. +</p> +<p> +“Hey?” spoke Peter, struggling over the suggestion +presented. “Oh, you mean a joke? Ha! +ha! yes, indeed. Business, though, now,” and +Peter tried to look shrewd and important. +</p> +<p> +“We have not yet decided what we are going +to do,” said Frank. “As you have overheard, +we need a little more capital than what we actually +have. I will remember your kind offer, and +if we cannot figure it out as we hope I may speak +to you on the subject later.” +</p> +<p> +“I wish you would come right up to the house +now and tell my Aunt Susie all about it,” pressed +Peter, urgently. +</p> +<p> +“I couldn’t think of it,” answered Frank. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31'></a>31</span> +“No, you leave matters just as I suggest and +we will see what may come of it.” +</p> +<p> +“Say, Frank,” whispered Pep, on fire with +excitement, “you don’t mean to think of encouraging +this noodle; do you?” +</p> +<p> +“I want to get rid of him,” answered Frank, +and all hands were relieved to see the persistent +Peter rise from his seat. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, say,” he suddenly exclaimed—“I came +for something, that’s so. My aunt wants to see +you, all three of you. Miss Porter gave her your +names and addresses and she wouldn’t rest until +I had come down here. She wants you all to +come to dinner to-morrow evening and she won’t +take no for an answer.” +</p> +<p> +“Why, we may not be here then,” said Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, you must come,” declared Peter, “now +I have a chance to go in with you. I couldn’t +think of your not seeing her. Look here,” and +Peter winked and tried to look sly—“Aunt Susie +is no tightwad. She is the most generous +woman in the world. She’s minded to give you +fellows a fine meal and treat you like princes. +She considers that you saved her life and she +can’t do too much for you. Say, on the quiet, +I’ll bet she makes you a present of fifty dollars +apiece.” +</p> +<p> +“What for?” demanded Frank. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32'></a>32</span> +</p> +<p> +“For getting to that burning boat and saving +all hands, of course. Why, I wouldn’t take the +risk you did of being blown up for a thousand +dollars.” +</p> +<p> +“No, I don’t think you would,” announced +Pep, bluntly. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll tell you,” went on their guest—“if +you’ll give me a tip on the side I’ll work up +Aunt Susie to a hundred dollars apiece. There, +I know I can do it.” +</p> +<p> +Frank bit his lip and tried to keep from losing +his temper with this mean-spirited cad. Then he +said with quiet dignity: +</p> +<p> +“I think you had better go, Mr. Carrington, +and I shall expect you to tell your aunt that we +were only too glad to do a trifling service for +her. Please inform her, also, that I am quite certain +we shall be too busy to accept her kind invitation +for to-morrow evening; in fact, we may +leave Seaside Park for our home at Fairlands +early in the morning.” +</p> +<p> +Dauntless Peter! you could not squelch that +shallow nerve of his. In a trice he shouted out: +</p> +<p> +“Why! do you live at Fairlands?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” nodded Frank, wondering what was +coming next from this extraordinary youth. +</p> +<p> +“Then you know Greg Grayson?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, yes,” admitted Randy. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33'></a>33</span> +</p> +<p> +“I should think we did!” observed Pep, with +a wry grimace. +</p> +<p> +“Why, then, we’re regular friends,” insisted +Peter, acting as if he was about to embrace all +hands. “He was my roommate at school. We +were like twin brothers.” +</p> +<p> +“Maybe that’s the reason!” muttered Pep. +</p> +<p> +“His folks are big guns in Fairlands, just as +we are here. Say, if you know Greg Grayson, +that settles it. You just ask him if I ain’t all +right—up to snuff and all that—and if I wouldn’t +make a fine partner.” +</p> +<p> +Frank managed to usher their persistent visitor +from the room, all the way down the corridor +the latter insisting that he was going to +“put the proposition up to Aunt Susie” forthwith, +and that they would hear from him on the +morrow. +</p> +<p> +“Frank,” exclaimed Pep, “it seems good to +get rid of that fellow.” +</p> +<p> +“A fine partner he’d make,” observed Randy, +with a snort. +</p> +<p> +“I am dreadfully sorry he overheard our +plans,” spoke Frank. “Of course it will soon be +generally known if we decide to locate here; but +this Peter may talk a lot of rubbish that might +hurt us or start somebody else on our idea.” +</p> +<p> +“And to think of his knowing Greg Grayson, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34'></a>34</span> +and playing him off on us as a recommendation!” +cried Pep. +</p> +<p> +“They make a good pair,” added Randy. +“Why, I’d give up the whole business before I +would have either of them connected with our +plans in any way.” +</p> +<p> +“I wouldn’t wonder if Mr. Jolly might happen +along if we stay here a day or two longer,” remarked +Frank. “You know he was the first to +suggest a look at Seaside Park with a view to +business.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s so,” said Randy. “Did you write to +him, Frank?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes. You know when we closed up at Fairlands +he said he would take a day or two visiting +some relatives and looking over the movies +business in the city.” +</p> +<p> +“Ben Jolly told me he wasn’t going to stay +idle all summer. Nor let us do it, either,” observed +Pep. “He’ll have something fresh to tell +us when we see him.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, when we left Fairlands I sent him a +few lines telling him that we were going to look +over the field here,” said Frank. “That is why +I think he may drop in on us.” +</p> +<p> +“I wish he would,” declared Randy. “Mr. +Jolly knows so much about the business. What’s +the programme for to-morrow, Frank?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35'></a>35</span> +</p> +<p> +“Why, I thought we would find out what it +will cost us to move our traps here from Fairlands, +the amount of the license fee for the show, +the cost of a lot of electric wiring and current we +will need if we locate at Seaside Park, how much +it will cost us to live, and a lot of such details.” +</p> +<p> +The boys had a wonderfully refreshing sleep +in that high room pervaded with cool ocean +breezes, and got up fully an hour later than they +had planned. After Peter Carrington had left +them the evening before they had strolled down +the beach about nine o’clock to get an idea of the +evening crowds. This filled them more than ever +with ardor as to their prospective business undertaking. +</p> +<p> +“I say,” Randy had observed, “don’t you see, +Frank, there aren’t enough amusements to go +around?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” Frank had assented, “the crowds seem +just in trim for some lively entertainment.” +</p> +<p> +The chums dispatched a substantial breakfast +at the restaurant. Then they started out on their +second day’s investigation of conditions and prospects +at Seaside Park. +</p> +<p> +Frank made it a point to interview several +owners of concessions along the beach. Those +with whom he talked had attractions vastly inferior +to the one the chums designed to operate, but +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36'></a>36</span> +the boys picked up many a suggestion and useful +hint. It was shortly before noon when they sat +down to rest under a tree in that part of the +town given over to permanent residences and +summer cottages. They began talking over the +ever-present theme of their photo playhouse when +there was an interruption. +</p> +<p> +Down the street there strolled leisurely a young +man who made it a point to halt whenever he got +in front of a house. There he would linger and +begin a series of whistling exploits that made the +air vibrate with the most ravishing melody. +</p> +<p> +“Say, just listen to that!” exclaimed Pep, in +a pleased tone. +</p> +<p> +“It’s one of those trick whistles,” declared +Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Then it’s an extra fine one,” said Pep. +</p> +<p> +“I think you are mistaken, boys,” suggested +Frank. “Those are real human notes—at least +almost exact human imitations of bird tones.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, then, the fellow must have a throat +like a nightingale,” asserted the enthusiastic Pep. +</p> +<p> +The active whistler deserved all the chums said +about him. His repertoire seemed exhaustless. +He confined himself to imitations of birds exclusively—and +of only such birds as were native +to the surrounding country. +</p> +<p> +He fairly filled the air with melody, and real +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37'></a>37</span> +birds in the trees and shrubbery about the handsome +residences of the locality twittered, hopped +about and responded in an echoing chorus to his +expert call. +</p> +<p> +Little children came running out of yards to +gaze in wonder and admiration at this unusual +warbler. Even older folks watched and listened +to him. The man turned a corner out of view of +the motion picture chums, followed by quite a +procession. +</p> +<p> +He had scarcely vanished before a high wagon +such as is used to carry cooper’s barrels turned +slowly into the street. A slow old horse pulled +it along. Its driver nimbly leaped from his seat. +The moment he called out “Whoa!” to the horse +and turned his face toward the chums, Pep Smith +uttered a great shout. +</p> +<p> +“Why, fellows, see,” he cried, in mingled glee +and surprise—“it’s Ben Jolly!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38'></a>38</span><a name='chV' id='chV'></a>CHAPTER V—THE BIRD HOUSE</h2> +<p> +Ben Jolly it was, more sprightly, more jolly-looking +than ever, for he waved his hand with a +genial smile to the children staring down the side +street after the whistler. The other reached into +the wagon. Instantly upon recognizing their old-time +friend and helper the three chums started in +his direction. +</p> +<p> +“Hi, there!” hailed Pep, while Randy waved +his hand gaily and all hurried their gait. +</p> +<p> +“Well! well!” exclaimed Jolly, his face an +expanding smile of welcome, extending both +hands and greeting his friends in turn. “I expected +to find you here and headed for here, but +I did not expect to run across you so oddly.” +</p> +<p> +“For mercy’s sake, Mr. Jolly,” burst forth +Randy, staring in amazement at the wagon, +“what in the world have you got there?” +</p> +<p> +“Why bird houses,” replied Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“Bird houses?” repeated Pep, equally bewildered. “What +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39'></a>39</span> +are you doing with such a lot +of bird houses?” +</p> +<p> +“Selling them, of course.” +</p> +<p> +Frank himself was surprised and puzzled. The +wagon contained half a dozen tiers of little box-like +structures packed close. At one side was a +heap of poles the size of display flag staffs. These +poles were stout and heavy, painted white, and +about twelve feet in length. The houses were +about two feet high and as wide. They were +painted white, like the poles, and were exact +models of a broad, low colonial house, even to +the veranda. The roof was painted red, there +was an imitation chimney and a double open +doorway in front trimmed with green. All +around this miniature house were little apertures +representing windows. +</p> +<p> +A neater, more inviting little bird house for a +garden could not well be imagined. As Jolly took +a sample from the wagon the little children +flocked about him on tiptoe of curiosity. There +were admiring “Oh’s!” and “Ah’s!” “Ain’t +they cute!” “What cunning little houses!” and +“Oh, mister! are they for sale?” “What do +they cost?” +</p> +<p> +“If you will excuse me while I make a demonstration,” +observed Jolly, “I’ll explain what it’s +all about.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40'></a>40</span> +</p> +<p> +“What a rare fellow he is!” remarked Randy +to his companions, as they stepped aside. +</p> +<p> +“The same busy, happy, good-natured friend +of everybody,” returned Frank, with genuine +feeling. +</p> +<p> +If there was a being in the world the motion +picture chums had reason to feel kindly toward +it was this same Ben Jolly. A free wanderer, +taking things easy, tramping flower-fringed country +roads, making his way, willing to meet any +task that came along, Ben Jolly had dropped into +their life at the critical moment when they were +discussing the prospects of their first motion picture +show at Fairlands. +</p> +<p> +Ben had been a Jack-of-all-trades and knew a +little something about pretty nearly everything. +Particularly he knew a good deal about the +movies. He gave the boys advice and suggestions +that enabled them to buy their first outfit +at a bargain and the day the show opened appeared +with an old piano which he had induced +a rich relative to buy. From that time on Ben +Jolly furnished the music for the Wonderland +photo playhouse and, as told in our first volume, +was the means of unearthing a plot against the +father of Frank Durham, whereby he had been +swindled out of a small estate. +</p> +<p> +Jolly took a sample bird house under each arm +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41'></a>41</span> +and entered the first yard he came to, the interested +children keeping him close company. He +came out of the first house with only one bird +house, he came out of the second with none. +Along the block he visited on both sides of the +street Jolly disposed of just eleven of the attractive +little miniature domiciles, distributed poles +later to each purchaser and rejoined the boys. +</p> +<p> +“Now, then,” he said, briskly, placing a little +roll of banknotes in a well-filled wallet, “how are +you and what are the prospects?” +</p> +<p> +“Excellent,” declared Randy. “See here, +though, Mr. Jolly, will you kindly explain this +new business of yours?” +</p> +<p> +“Simply a side line,” replied Jolly, in a gay, +offhand manner. +</p> +<p> +“But where did you ever pick up that rig and +that lot of odd truck?” challenged Pep. +</p> +<p> +“I picked up better than that,” retorted Jolly, +cheerily. “I ran across the finest advance agent +in the business—and here he comes. You knew +him once, but under his stage name of Hal Pope. +He’s Mr. Hal Vincent now.” +</p> +<p> +At that moment the whistler came into view, +having circled the block. As he approached, +Frank’s face expressed pleased surprise. +</p> +<p> +“Why,” exclaimed Pep, “it’s our friend the +ventriloquist.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42'></a>42</span> +</p> +<p> +“So it is,” echoed Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Glad to meet you again,” said Hal Vincent, +and there was an all-around handshaking. +“You’re all looking fine and I hear you’re prosperous.” +</p> +<p> +“Not so much so that we could afford to hire +you for our programme at Fairlands, as we +would like to do, Mr. Vincent,” replied Frank, +with a smile. +</p> +<p> +Pep began to grin as he looked at Vincent, and +the memory of their first meeting was reviewed. +Then he chuckled and finally he broke out into +a ringing guffaw. +</p> +<p> +“Thinking of my first and only appearance at +that auction where you bought your movies outfit?” +inquired Vincent, with a smile. +</p> +<p> +“Will we ever forget it?” cried Randy. “I +tell you, Mr. Vincent, if you hadn’t made the +auctioneer believe that two innocent bystanders +were bidding against each other with your ventriloquism, +and gained time until Frank arrived, +we would never have gotten into the motion picture +business.” +</p> +<p> +“It worked finely; didn’t it?” answered Vincent. +</p> +<p> +“I ran across Hal at Tresco, about thirty miles +from here,” narrated Ben Jolly. “He was counting +the ties in the direction of New York, having +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43'></a>43</span> +left the dummies he uses in his stunts on the +stage for meals and lodging.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I was about all that was left of the Consolidated +Popular Amusement Corporation,” put +in Vincent. “I was glad to meet an old friend +like Ben. He told me there was the shadow of +a chance that you might start in at Seaside Park +and wanted me to come along with him. Then +we ran across the outfit here,” and the speaker +nodded toward the wagon and its contents. +</p> +<p> +“That was my brilliant idea,” added Jolly. +“I call it a rare stroke of luck, the way we ran +across the outfit.” +</p> +<p> +“How?” projected Pep, vastly curious. +</p> +<p> +“Well, a carpenter in a little town we came +through had got crippled. The doctor told him +he wouldn’t get around without crutches for six +months. He was a lively, industrious old fellow +and couldn’t bear to be idle. Had a lot of waste +lumber and worked it up into dog houses. There +weren’t many dogs in the town, so his sale was +limited. Then the bird house idea came along. +The carpenter got the local paper to print a lot +about the birds, the merry birds, that sing about +our door——” +</p> +<p> +“That—sing—about—our—door!” echoed +a slow, deep bass, apparently away up in a high +tree near by, and the boys knew that their gifted +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44'></a>44</span> +ventriloquist friend was exercising his talents. +</p> +<p> +“The carpenter,” proceeded Jolly, “hired a +lot of boys to go forth on his mission of kindness +to our feathery songsters. The campaign +went ahead until nearly everybody wanting a +bird house got one. Our friend found himself +with some two hundred of the little structures +left on his hands. He had overstocked the market, +with a big surplus left on his hands. When +we came along it was a sign in front of his place +that attracted our attention. It read: ‘These +fine bird houses and a capable horse, wagon, and +harness for sale for a mere song.’ +</p> +<p> +“Anything odd always catches me, so I interviewed +the old man. It seemed that he had received +word only that day that a relative in +another part of the country had left him a farm. +He wanted to realize quick and he offered me the +bird house outfit and the rig all for fifty dollars. +I had only thirty-eight dollars, and he took that +and gave me his new address. The arrangement +was that if I was lucky in getting rid of the bird +houses I was to send him the balance. If I didn’t +he was willing to charge it up to profit and loss. +He’ll get that balance,” announced Jolly, with a +satisfied smile. +</p> +<p> +“It looks so, judging from your sales of the +last half-hour,” remarked Frank. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45'></a>45</span> +</p> +<p> +“What do you get for the little houses, Mr. +Jolly?” inquired Randy. +</p> +<p> +“A dollar apiece. I don’t sell them, though—not +a bit of it,” exclaimed Ben Jolly, modestly. +“It’s Hal. You ought to hear his whole repertoire—orioles, +thrushes, mourning doves, nightingales, +mocking birds. He infuses the neighborhood +with the melody and I slide in with the +practical goods. And that rig—remember the +noise wagon at Fairlands, Pep Smith?” +</p> +<p> +“Do I?” cried Pep, in a gloating way—“I +should say I did!” +</p> +<p> +The “noise wagon” had been introduced in +connection with the photo playhouse at Fairlands +and had become a novel institution with +the inhabitants. A wagon enclosed with canvas, +bearing announcements of existing and coming +film features, was provided with a big bass +drum, bells, huge board clappers and some horns—all +operated by pedals under the driver’s feet. +</p> +<p> +“You see this new rig of mine would work in +on the same basis here,” proceeded Jolly. “If +not, I can get more for the outfit than I paid for +it, anyway. Now then, Durham, where can we +find you this evening?” +</p> +<p> +“Why not sooner?” suggested the impetuous +Pep. “We’ve a great lot to tell you, Mr. Jolly.” +</p> +<p> +“And I’m anxious to hear it all,” declared +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46'></a>46</span> +Jolly, “but we’ve got our stock to get rid of. +Nothing like keeping at it when you’ve made a +good beginning; and this town starts out promising-like.” +</p> +<p> +Frank now decided that he would remain over +at Seaside Park for another day at least. The +appearance of Ben Jolly somehow infused all +hands with renewed vim and cheerfulness. The +chums were glad also to meet Hal Vincent. He +had done them a big favor in the past and they +realized that he could be of considerable advantage +to them in the future in case they located at +Seaside Park. +</p> +<p> +Vincent had the reputation of being an accomplished +all-around entertainer. He was an expert +ventriloquist and parlor magician, liked the boys +and had told Frank on the occasion of their first +meeting that he would be glad to go on their +programme at any time for a very moderate compensation. +</p> +<p> +Ben Jolly burst in upon his young friends with +his usual bustle and buoyancy about six o’clock +that evening. He merrily chinked a pocket full +of silver and was all ready for what might next +come along, and eager to tackle it. +</p> +<p> +“Left Hal finishing one of the few full meals +he has had since his show broke up,” reported +Jolly. “Got rid of the last one of the bird +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47'></a>47</span> +houses—and, see here, Frank,” and the volatile +speaker exhibited a comfortable-looking roll of +bank notes. “That was a fine speculation, the +way it turned out, and leaves me quite in funds. +Now then, what’s the programme?” +</p> +<p> +Frank became serious at once and all the others +as well. He told his loyal friend all about their +plans and hopes. Jolly shook his head soberly +when Frank produced some figures showing that +the amount necessary to operate a new photo +playhouse was beyond their ready means. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got nearly one hundred dollars you are +welcome to,” reported Jolly promptly, “but +that’s about my limit. You see, when I got the +money to buy that piano and the ‘noise wagon’ +I practically sold my prospects for a last mess of +pottage. I’m willing to pitch in and live ’most +any way to give the new show a start, but when +it comes to raising the extra five hundred dollars +needed, I’m afraid I can’t help you much.” +</p> +<p> +Randy looked glum at this, and Pep was almost +crying. Ben Jolly sat chewing a toothpick +vigorously, his thinking cap on. +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps we had better give up the idea of +coming to Seaside Park until we are a little +stronger in a money way——” Frank had begun, +when there was an interruption. +</p> +<p> +“Someone to see Mr. Frank Durham,” announced a bellboy, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48'></a>48</span> +appearing in the open doorway. +</p> +<p> +Frank arose from his chair promptly and went +out into the corridor. +</p> +<p> +“In the ladies’ parlor, sir,” added the bellboy, +and Frank went down the stairs, wondering who +this unexpected visitor could be. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49'></a>49</span><a name='chVI' id='chVI'></a>CHAPTER VI—A FRIEND IN NEED</h2> +<p> +Frank Durham entered the ladies’ parlor of +the hotel to see a stout, dressy woman arise, +joined by a girlish companion. He recognized +both at once. They were the persons he had +taken aboard the launch from the burning motor +boat the afternoon before. +</p> +<p> +“This is Mr. Durham,” spoke Miss Porter, +and she smiled in a friendly way at our hero, +while her companion extended her bejeweled +hand with a decided show of welcome. +</p> +<p> +“I was so overcome by that explosion,” said +Mrs. Carrington, “that I just got a glimpse of +you. Then that ridiculous fainting away! I +have thanked Miss Porter a dozen times for having +had the foresight to obtain your name and +that of your brave young comrades. Now then, +Mr. Durham, if you please, sit down and give an +account of yourself.” +</p> +<p> +“In what way, madam?” asked Frank, with +an embarrassed smile, and flushing at the compliment +conveyed. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50'></a>50</span> +</p> +<p> +“Why have you not accepted our invitation to +come up to the house, as I requested?” demanded +Mrs. Carrington, pretending to be very severe. +</p> +<p> +“I certainly appreciated your kindness in +thinking of me,” replied Frank; “but I have been +very much occupied with business and did not +know yesterday how long I would remain at Seaside +Park. Then, too, some friends arrived this +afternoon.” +</p> +<p> +“I am used to being obeyed, young man,” +Mrs. Carrington, with a playful frown. “I have +no doubt, though, that I sent a blundering messenger. +Oh, that Peter of mine! I never know +how to place him. He came back perfectly wild +over going into the motion picture business with +you. He has been tormenting me all day long +about it. I have told him decidedly that I should +not encourage him in any way. +</p> +<p> +“To tell you the truth, Mr. Durham, Peter is +a sad failure at anything that requires application +and work. I would not do you the injustice +of having you hampered by a person who +has no business training and does not know the +value of money. The fact is, Peter has been a +great cross to me of late, and I am now in correspondence +with a military school, with the idea +of getting him where a year’s discipline may do +him some good.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51'></a>51</span> +</p> +<p> +Frank had not for a moment seriously entertained +the thought of taking Peter Carrington +into partnership. He felt immensely relieved, +however, to find that his visitor did not press +that phase of the subject. +</p> +<p> +“I have come, first and foremost,” went on +the fussy but good-natured lady, “to thank you +for what you did for us. When I think of how +near we were to drowning or burning up it makes +me shudder! My friends, who happened to see +your picture in this morning’s paper——” +</p> +<p> +“My picture?” exclaimed Frank, in bewilderment. +“What picture, Mrs. Carrington?” +</p> +<p> +“Why,” cried Mrs. Carrington, “he actually +is so modest he hasn’t realized what a hero he +has been! I refer to the splendid account of your +bravery in the <em>Brenton Daily News</em>.” +</p> +<p> +Brenton was the nearest city, about twenty +miles from Seaside Park. Frank began to get a +faint glimmering of the situation now. The reporter +who had snap-shotted him with his camera +from the pier must have sent his story to the +paper Mrs. Carrington mentioned. +</p> +<p> +“I think I have the clipping about the rescue,” +observed Miss Porter, groping in her hand bag +while her merry eyes twinkled as she observed +the increasing embarrassment of Frank. “Yes, +here it is.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52'></a>52</span> +</p> +<p> +Frank only glanced at the clipping that was +held forward for his inspection. He could not +help but notice the glowing head line; “A Signal +Act of Bravery,” and observe that a very fair +picture of himself in the launch was shown. +</p> +<p> +“You can have it, Mr. Durham,” continued +his mischievous tormentor with a smile. “Your +friends are named also in the paper and they may +not dislike honest praise, as you seem to do.” +</p> +<p> +“Now then,” broke in Mrs. Carrington, in her +self-assertive way, “let me say what I specially +came down here to say. Oh, I was telling about +my friends. They have fairly overwhelmed me +with congratulations over my fortunate escape.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and some of them who saw the newspaper +account said—what was it, Mrs. Carrington? +You must tell Mr. Durham,” declared the +younger woman. +</p> +<p> +“About the handsome picture and what a sensible, +thoughtful young man our rescuer must +be?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Mrs. Carrington,” pleaded Frank. “I +beg of you!—it is I who am being overwhelmed +now. You will make me so vain I will really begin +to think I did something of consequence. +Why, there isn’t a young fellow anywhere who +wouldn’t hasten to help ladies in distress.” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t belittle what you did,” said Mrs. Carrington, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53'></a>53</span> +and her face and tone grew very serious. +“You did so much of consequence, Mr. Durham, +and you did it so manfully and nobly that I +would not think of affronting you with any offer +of a reward. I fancy I read you deeper than you +think as to that feature. I will say this, however, +and I came here especially to say it, that I am +your true friend and I am anxious to help you +and your young companions in a practical, useful +way.” +</p> +<p> +“You are very, very kind to say what you +do,” said Frank earnestly. +</p> +<p> +“Let me be really kind,” suggested Mrs. Carrington, +“and I shall be satisfied. My nephew +has told me enough about your business plans to +convince me that you are at a critical point in +your career, where a little capital may be everything +to you. I am a wealthy woman, Mr. Durham. +I do not wish to offer you a gift. Simply +as a business woman who has confidence in you, +let me know about your affairs and help you in +a business way.” +</p> +<p> +Frank’s head drooped. The boy who never +flinched from pain or fear was so deeply moved +by the friendly interest of this kind-hearted +woman, that he could not keep back a long-drawn +sigh of appreciation and gratitude. +</p> +<p> +“You make me think of my own kind +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54'></a>54</span> +mother,” said Frank quite brokenly. “It is worth +living to find such friends.” +</p> +<p> +“You dear boy!” cried Mrs. Carrington, placing +a hand on Frank’s arm, “I can imagine what +a lovely mother you must have and for her sake +you must let me help you along in your business +enterprise. Come, Mr. Durham, explain your +needs to me and let me co-operate with you.” +</p> +<p> +The invitation was irresistible. Long since +Frank had calculated all the risks and chances of +success in his new enterprise and had decided +that it could scarcely fail. +</p> +<p> +“Mrs. Carrington,” he said in a straightforward +way, “I would not allow any person to invest +money in a business where there was the remotest +risk of loss. We lack a few hundred dollars +to start a photo playhouse at Seaside Park +in the right way. If you feel in a position to advance +it or become responsible for what we need, +I wish to secure you so that in case the venture +goes wrong we will be the only losers.” +</p> +<p> +“I not only feel willing to assist you,” said +Mrs. Carrington, “but I insist upon it. It is +very simple—how much capital do you require? +Have you my check book in your hand bag, Miss +Porter?” +</p> +<p> +“No! no! no!” interrupted Frank urgently, +“you must not think of doing such a thing as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55'></a>55</span> +that, Mrs. Carrington. It isn’t business, you see. +If you have some agent or lawyer who will act +for you, that will be the best way.” +</p> +<p> +The kind lady looked disappointed at the suggestion. +In her free-hearted way she wished to +trust Frank without restriction. He saw that her +feelings were hurt and he hastened to say: +</p> +<p> +“My partners will feel ever so much better to +have everything arranged in a regular way and +set down in black and white.” +</p> +<p> +“Very well, have your own way, Mr. Durham,” +said the lady, “only promise to come to +me if you have any troubles or further lack of +funds.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, we shall not,” declared Frank, brightening +with courage and confidence as he saw all obstructions +to the success of the new show removed; +and before he realized it, in his quick, +vivid way he was reciting his plans and prospects +in detail. Frank told more than he had started +out to do, for the reason that every time he +paused his auditors plied him with new questions +and urged him on with his story. +</p> +<p> +“How very, very interesting,” commented +Mrs. Carrington. +</p> +<p> +“It is simply delightful!” declared Miss Porter, +with sparkling eyes. “Oh, dear! it must be +such a splendid thing to be a boy!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56'></a>56</span> +</p> +<p> +“I must see your young friends,” insisted +Mrs. Carrington. “I owe them sincere thanks +for their part in the rescue, and wish to tell them +so.” +</p> +<p> +There was nothing for it but that Frank should +go for his chums. Randy was naturally bashful +in the presence of strange ladies, but Pep was +“all there.” Both Mrs. Carrington and Miss +Porter were interested in the lively lad whom they +attracted from the start and made Pep feel completely +at home with his impetuous, original ways +and remarks. +</p> +<p> +The boys promised to call upon Mrs. Carrington +as soon as they got settled at Seaside Park. +Then all three escorted the visitors to an automobile +waiting at the curb. Beside the chauffeur +they found Peter Carrington seated. He nodded +familiarly to the chums. Then he caught Pep’s +eye. +</p> +<p> +With an air of great importance and a quick +glance at his aunt and her companion, as if making +sure that they were not observing him, he +placed a finger to his lips. +</p> +<p> +“S-st!” he uttered, and winked in an altogether +mysterious manner at Pep Smith. +</p> +<p> +“‘S-st!’” repeated Pep, as the machine +started on its way—“now what in the world +does Peter Carrington mean by ‘S-st?’” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57'></a>57</span><a name='chVII' id='chVII'></a>CHAPTER VII—BUSINESS BOYS</h2> +<p> +“I hope I did right, fellows,” said Frank. +</p> +<p> +“You never do any other way,” declared +Randy Powell loyally. +</p> +<p> +“Exactly my sentiments,” echoed the impetuous +Pep Smith. “You’ll say so, too; won’t you, +Mr. Jolly?” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t have to say it,” retorted Ben Jolly +quickly, “you all know I think it. You’re a man +of business, Frank Durham, and a Philadelphia +lawyer couldn’t have conducted this deal in a +neater, squarer way.” +</p> +<p> +“Thank you,” acknowledged Frank, slightly +flustered at the compliments of the coterie of +friends about him. +</p> +<p> +The new photo playhouse at Seaside Park was +a certainty. When the boys came down from +their rooms at the hotel the morning after the +visit from Mrs. Carrington and her companion, +the clerk called to Frank as he was leaving the +place. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58'></a>58</span> +</p> +<p> +“Telephone message for you last night, Mr. +Durham,” he said. “It came about ten o’clock +and as it was not urgent and I did not wish to +disturb you, I thought I would keep it until this +morning.” +</p> +<p> +The speaker handed a memorandum slip to +Frank. It read: “Attorney William Slade, on +request of Mrs. Carrington, would like to see you +in the morning.” +</p> +<p> +Frank showed the memorandum to Randy and +Pep. The chums at once realized what it meant. +It evinced the determination of the strong-willed +Mrs. Carrington to have her own way. In fact +the boys had come to the conclusion that she +should do so. With Ben Jolly, up in their room +after their visitors had departed, they had gone +over the entire proposition in detail. +</p> +<p> +“You would be foolish to allow this chance to +get the capital you need in this business go by,” +advised Jolly. “Putting aside the fact that this +lady feels indebted to you, her offer is fair, +square and business-like.” +</p> +<p> +Frank thought over the affair in its every +phase long after Randy and Pep had gone to +sleep. Jolly and Vincent had gotten a free shelter +for their rig and left the hotel to sleep in the +wagon. +</p> +<p> +“Used to that, you know—the only way in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59'></a>59</span> +the world to live,” asserted Jolly, and then they +made an arrangement to meet in the morning. +The ’phone message at once set things in motion. +The chums had breakfast, Frank learned the address +of Mr. Slade, and about nine o’clock started +for his office, which was located over the bank of +the town. +</p> +<p> +“You had better meet Mr. Jolly, as we +agreed,” directed Frank to his companions. +</p> +<p> +“Where will you pick us up again?” questioned +Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Why, I think I shall not be with this Mr. +Slade more than an hour,” explained Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Say, then,” suggested Pep, “suppose we go +over to the empty store you’re thinking of turning +into a motion picture show and hang around +there?” +</p> +<p> +“That empty store has a remarkable fascination +for you, Pep,” smiled Frank. +</p> +<p> +“You bet it has,” confessed Pep. “Mr. Jolly +is just as wild over it. I shouldn’t wonder if he +was looking it over carefully the first thing this +morning.” +</p> +<p> +“Very well,” said Frank, “we will all meet +there say at eleven o’clock.” +</p> +<p> +Then Frank had gone on his way to report at +the empty store half an hour earlier than he expected. +He found his chums and Ben Jolly anxiously awaiting +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60'></a>60</span> +him. Vincent had remained with +the horse and wagon at the barn. +</p> +<p> +There were some old chairs at the rear of the +vacant building, and Mr. Morton invited them to +make free use of them. It was quite a business +conclave that grouped together while Frank told +his story. It was clear and simple. Mrs. Carrington +had instructed her attorney to advance +up to one thousand dollars to Frank and his +friends as needed. +</p> +<p> +“I insisted that we give the lady a bill of sale +of all our belongings as security,” explained +Frank. “The lawyer laughed at me. ‘You +don’t know a good thing when you see it,’ he +said. ‘Perhaps not,’ I told him; ‘but I know an +honorable way to protect those who have confidence +in me, as far as I can.’ Well, anyhow, I +made him write out a memorandum of the whole +transaction and signed a bill of sale. Was I going +too fast in setting myself up as the one man +of this very enterprising firm? I hope I did exactly +right.” +</p> +<p> +And then followed the hearty sanction of Jolly +and the boys to all Frank had done. +</p> +<p> +“I’m only a sort of drifter-in,” observed Jolly, +“so what I say is only out of friendly interest. +I would advise that just one of the firm take the +responsibility, if he’s willing, on the lease and in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61'></a>61</span> +all business dealings. It simplifies things, you +see.” +</p> +<p> +“It’s got to be Frank, then,” spoke Randy. +</p> +<p> +“It will always be Frank,” echoed Pep. “He’s +the brains of the business; isn’t he?” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t like the way you put it as to your +being a drifter-in, as you call it, Mr. Jolly,” said +Frank. “If it wasn’t for you I am afraid the +Fairlands venture wouldn’t have amounted to +much.” +</p> +<p> +“Sho!” derided Jolly modestly. +</p> +<p> +“It’s true. You had your way about that and +drew just as little money as you could. Of +course that was an experiment, and I let you +have your own way. Now we are on a broader +basis and I’m going to have mine.” +</p> +<p> +“Are you?” challenged Jolly, with twinkling +eyes. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir, I am. I shall make a definite new +deal all around.” +</p> +<p> +“Will you?” said Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you doubt it. You’ve been a staunch, +helpful friend and it’s equal partners, if we come +to Seaside Park.” +</p> +<p> +“That is, you think you are going to make a +business man of me?” +</p> +<p> +“You’ve been one all along,” vociferated Pep. +“Why, that noise wagon idea alone——” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62'></a>62</span> +</p> +<p> +“A freak,” interrupted Jolly, but Frank was +resolute and it was settled that their interesting +friend should have a quarter interest in the +profits of the new venture. +</p> +<p> +Frank called Mr. Morton into their confab. +He explained to him precisely their plans and the +extent of their capital. +</p> +<p> +“Mrs. Carrington backing you; eh?” he observed. +“That makes you pretty solid, if you +only knew it, young man, although I had about +made up my mind to accept you as a tenant without +any guarantee. Shall we call it settled—you +lease the premises until October first, pay me the +first month’s rent before you come in and give +me your word that you won’t break the lease?” +</p> +<p> +“I wouldn’t take the place on any other arrangement,” +said Frank. +</p> +<p> +“It’s settled, then,” said their landlord, and +Pep followed him as he went to the window +where the “To Rent” sign was placed, removed +it and began to tear it up. Pep was pretty near +dancing. If they had been given a palace he +could not have been more pleased. +</p> +<p> +“S-st!” sounded a sudden hail and the ubiquitous +and mysterious Peter Carrington came into +evidence just outside the open doorway. +</p> +<p> +“Hello!” challenged Pep, who could not repress +his dislike for a fellow who had played the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63'></a>63</span> +eavesdropper and left a relative to the risk of +drowning. “What you snooping around +for?” +</p> +<p> +“Wanted to see you.” +</p> +<p> +“All right,” nodded Pep carelessly. “You +don’t have to ‘S-st’ at me regularly to get my +attention, though. What’s on your mind?” +</p> +<p> +“I see the rent sign is down.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” proclaimed Pep grandly, “we have +leased the premises.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, I’m dead gone on being a partner. +Aunt Susie discourages me, but I don’t care for +that. There’s an uncle of mine over in Brenton +who says he will back me if the thing shows up +good, and I want to have a talk with you fellows——” +</p> +<p> +“Say, we have all the capital we need,” announced +Pep. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, you have?” +</p> +<p> +“A new partner just came in.” +</p> +<p> +“Huh!” snorted Peter. “Say, you don’t +mean my aunt?” +</p> +<p> +“She is not a partner, no.” +</p> +<p> +Peter looked abashed, then disappointed, then +angry. +</p> +<p> +“’Tain’t fair!” he declared. +</p> +<p> +“What isn’t fair?” +</p> +<p> +“I spoke first and I deserve to have a show.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64'></a>64</span> +</p> +<p> +“No one asked you to speak first; did he?” +propounded Pep bluntly. +</p> +<p> +This staggered Peter. He stood thinking +deeply. Then he looked Pep over and seemed to +be studying something. +</p> +<p> +“See here,” he said with a half-cunning expression +in his face, “I suppose you know a heap +about the movies?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, tolerable, tolerable,” responded Pep, +who did indeed think so. +</p> +<p> +“And you remember Greg Grayson, of Fairlands?” +</p> +<p> +“I have a perfectly clear memory of Mr. +Gregory Grayson,” answered Pep, his nostrils +dilating, but Peter was too obtuse to read between +the lines. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I’ve got an idea,” chuckled Peter. +“Anybody has a right to start a movies show; +haven’t they?” +</p> +<p> +“If they want to, I suppose.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, since I can’t make a deal with that +Durham, I’m going it on my own hook. I can +raise the money; Greg’s father is rich and he can +help. All we need is someone who knows the +practical end of the business. Say, you come in +with us and I’ll give you double what you expect +to make with those fellows there.” +</p> +<p> +Pep doubled up a fist. He was angry clear +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65'></a>65</span> +through. At a mere hint of disloyalty to his famous +friends he took fire. He gave Peter a push. +</p> +<p> +“You get out!” he ordered staunchly. +</p> +<p> +“Hey?” goggled Peter. +</p> +<p> +“And stay out!” +</p> +<p> +“Humph!” +</p> +<p> +Peter got to a safe distance. Then he shook +his fist at Pep. +</p> +<p> +“Say,” he snarled, “you’ve waked up the +wrong customer. I’ve given you the chance of +your life and you’ve turned me down and insulted +me. I’ll show you something. Greg Grayson +and I will put a spoke in the wheel of that +Frank Durham and your whole precious crowd; +see of we don’t!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66'></a>66</span><a name='chVIII' id='chVIII'></a>CHAPTER VIII—KIDNAPPED</h2> +<p> +“If I had our old piano here,” said Ben Jolly, +“there’s one tune I’d play for all it’s worth.” +</p> +<p> +“What is that, Mr. Jolly?” inquired Frank +Durham. +</p> +<p> +“‘Home, Sweet Home.’” +</p> +<p> +The staunch friend of the motion picture chums +waved his hand like a showman proudly exhibiting +wares. He had a smiling and enthusiastic +audience. Everybody was smiling, even Hal +Vincent, who had no particular interest in the +new photo playhouse. Frank’s face was beaming, +Randy looked his delight and Pep uttered +the words, with unction: +</p> +<p> +“It’s simply great!” +</p> +<p> +Two days had made considerable difference in +the situation at Seaside Park. All hands had +entered with enthusiasm into the proposition of +starting in on the new deal, with the certainty +in view of sufficient capital to finance them for +at least two months ahead. The chums spent so +many delightful hours figuring, planning, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67'></a>67</span> +mapping out details that Randy got to talking in +his sleep, and Pep aroused all hands by screaming +out in the midst of a nightmare in which he +had started a photo playhouse in China, and the +natives had mobbed him when a film showed one +of their favorite mandarins being carried away in +an airship. +</p> +<p> +It was Jolly, however—bustling, practical Ben +Jolly—who had won the laurels on the present +occasion. When the vacant store had been used, +at the rear was a temporary kitchen. This was +a frail structure set on stilts, but roomy and just +the thing for summer occupancy. Jolly was a +natural born trader. It seemed that he found +some difficulty in disposing of the old horse and +wagon for cash. Finally, however, he came +across a dealer in second hand furniture. Jolly +had got the idea in his head of cutting down +living expenses and utilizing the old kitchen +tacked on to the store building. +</p> +<p> +The chums were down at the hotel that afternoon +and Jolly planned a grand surprise for +them. It was now, upon their arrival at the +playhouse building, that the pleasure and praise +of the motion picture chums hailed him. +</p> +<p> +No one could have failed to approve of the +wonderful transformation Jolly had made in a +bare, cheerless lumber room. He had traded +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68'></a>68</span> +to good advantage. There was a substantial +table, a half dozen chairs, a cupboard, a gas stove, +a complete outfit of culinary utensils, dishes and +table cutlery, neat curtains for the windows and +drapery dividing the room in two parts, and one +side section again into two compartments. +</p> +<p> +In each of these were three cots, a table and a +bureau. The cots had double equipment of +sheets and blankets, worn but attractive rugs +covered the floor, and there were several pictures +on the walls. It was no wonder that Pep Smith +burst forth in his usual responsive way with the +declaration: +</p> +<p> +“It’s simply great!” +</p> +<p> +“When you come to think that I got all those +traps and forty dollars in cash to boot for that +impossible old rig of ours,” observed Jolly, “you +will see that I made a very interesting dicker. +What do you say, Durham; we can make a neat +cut in expenses, eh?” +</p> +<p> +“Why, it makes easy the hardest part of our +whole proposition,” declared Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and here we can always be right on the +spot,” spoke Randy. +</p> +<p> +“I’m something of a cook,” boasted Jolly. “I +don’t say I could make bread or pie, but as to +common, everyday food, an occasional strawberry +shortcake, or even doughnuts—well, you +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69'></a>69</span> +stock up with the supplies and I’ll promise to do +my best.” +</p> +<p> +“It’s just fine,” voted Pep. “The sleeping +rooms look right across to the ocean and there’s +a splendid sweep of air with all these openings. +It will be cool and comfortable on the very hottest +nights. I’ll wash all the dishes, Mr. Jolly, +and set the table, and all that.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, we shall get on famously, I am sure of +that,” observed Frank with keen satisfaction. +</p> +<p> +The boys decided that they would at once +move their traps from the hotel and make permanent +headquarters at their home base. They +had their first meal in their new quarters that +evening. +</p> +<p> +“You have certainly given us a royal meal, +Mr. Jolly,” declared Frank, as beefsteak, fried +potatoes, bakery biscuit, and coffee and a really +creditable corn starch pudding went the rounds. +</p> +<p> +“Sorry I’ve got to leave you,” remarked Vincent. +“I’d ask nothing better than to camp right +here for the rest of the season.” +</p> +<p> +“Then why not do it?” inquired the ready +Pep. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, if you care to take pot luck with us till +we get fairly on our feet, you can certainly help +us along with all your varied accomplishments, +Mr. Vincent,” declared Frank. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70'></a>70</span> +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got that in mind,” explained Vincent, +“but I must get to New York first. You see, +the show I was with that broke up owes me +money. I want to see if I can’t get something +out of the wreck and I want to call on the backers +of the proposition. I’d better get to the city +while I have the partnership profits Jolly has been +good enough to say I have earned on that bird +house speculation. If I don’t it will melt away.” +</p> +<p> +“I say,” here put in Jolly, “why don’t you +and Durham go together? As it’s arranged, +Durham, you have got to put in a day or two +arranging for what new equipment we need and +the film service.” +</p> +<p> +“That is true,” replied Frank, “and Mr. Vincent +knows so much about the motion picture +business his advice and help would be of great +benefit to me.” +</p> +<p> +“I do know the ropes among the movies pretty +well,” said Vincent. “I will be more than glad +to take you the rounds and see that you get the +very best service and figures, Mr. Durham.” +</p> +<p> +“And I am to go back to Fairlands and arrange +about moving what we want of the old +outfit?” inquired Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“I think that is the best arrangement, yes,” +assented Frank. “Randy and Pep must stay here +to look after the place and receive what I may +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71'></a>71</span> +ship and what you send on. Then, before we +start, the three of us must run down to Fairlands +to see the folks.” +</p> +<p> +Everything was settled on that basis. It +would take about ten days to get the place fitted +up as the boys wanted it, Mr. Morton told +them. In the meantime there were many little +things that needed to be done in which two handy +lads like Randy and Pep might help. They and +Jolly went to the train to see Frank and Vincent +off the next morning. Two hours later Ben +Jolly took a train in another direction, bound for +Fairlands and carrying messages from the boys +to their home folks and friends. +</p> +<p> +Part of the fixing up of the store room Mr. +Morton had agreed to do at his own expense. +There were, however, innumerable details that +fell to the lot of the boys themselves. There +were rolls of matting to buy for the center aisle, +and the stage was to be built under Randy’s supervision. +They had decided to use the old name, +“Wonderland,” so as to utilize the ornate electric +sign they had at Fairlands, and Pep was +given charge of having this same name placed in +a decorative way on the two front windows. +</p> +<p> +Nobody could work with Randy and Pep without +coming under the influence of their sunshiny +natures. Randy was willing, accommodating and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72'></a>72</span> +tireless when he liked a job. Pep was no laggard, +either, and in addition he kept up such a +lively chatter and made so many funny remarks +that he had Mr. Morton grinning half the time. +</p> +<p> +The result was that not only did the owner +of the place do all that he had agreed to do, but +did it just as the boys wanted. Then again when +it came to things not in his contract, he supplied +the material voluntarily and ended up by helping +the boys at their tasks. +</p> +<p> +At the end of three days Randy and Pep +prided themselves on having accomplished wonders. +They had added several genuine comforts +to their living quarters at the rear and had pretty +well spread the news over Seaside Park that a +first-class photo playhouse was soon to be +opened. +</p> +<p> +A letter came from Frank Saturday morning. +It told of his busy hours in the city and referred +to Vincent as a splendid help in introducing him +among the motion picture supply men. He sent +on a bundle of film and song posters from which +Pep could scarcely keep his hands. Frank mentioned +some of the movies accessories he had +purchased and told of some novel features in the +way of films for which he had contracted. +</p> +<p> +“I tell you, Pep, we’re in for the best or nothing +this time; eh?” questioned Randy, almost +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73'></a>73</span> +as much excited as his chums over the prospects +of the new Wonderland. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I’m ’way up in the clouds all of the +time,” piped Pep. “Why, I’ll feel like a girl +just going into society. I’m going to call it a +short day and quit. There are some groceries to +order, so I’ll attend to that and we’ll take in the +beach this evening.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, we’ve earned a little recreation, I think,” +agreed Randy. +</p> +<p> +Pep started off, whistling like some happy +lark. It was then five o’clock in the afternoon +and he was due to return in half an hour. Double +that time passed on, however, yet he did not appear. +</p> +<p> +“Wonder why Pep doesn’t show up?” ruminated +Randy. “It’s time he did, as we wanted +to get an early start.” +</p> +<p> +At half past six Randy was nervous and a little +put out. At seven o’clock he put on his cap and +started to lock up to go in quest of his missing +comrade. +</p> +<p> +Just as he came out on the broad planking leading +from the boardwalk to the entrance to the +store, a man hailed him. He was a stout, lumbering +old fellow whom Randy had seen before. +</p> +<p> +“Hi!” he hailed, “you remember me; don’t +you?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74'></a>74</span> +</p> +<p> +“Why yes,” nodded Randy. “You are the +man Mr. Jolly traded his rig with for our furniture.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s it,” nodded the man. “I say, I +thought I’d come and tell you. It was near my +place that the accident happened.” +</p> +<p> +“What accident?” challenged Randy sharply. +</p> +<p> +“Automobile—that young fellow that’s joshing +and jollying all the time——” +</p> +<p> +“You mean Pep—Pepperill Smith?” asked +Randy. +</p> +<p> +“That’s him, I remember hearing Jolly call +him by that name. Well, it was him that got +hurt and——” +</p> +<p> +“Hurt!” cried Randy, alarmed at the word—“When? +How? Where?” +</p> +<p> +“About an hour ago, by an automobile in front +of my place,” was the reply. +</p> +<p> +“Was he—was Pep seriously hurt?” faltered +Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Not but what he could walk and sass the +chauffeur, and all that; but I reckon one hand +was pretty badly crushed. The reason I came +to tell you was, that isn’t all of it. From what +I hear he is kidnapped.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75'></a>75</span><a name='chIX' id='chIX'></a>CHAPTER IX—PEP IN CLOVER</h2> +<p> +“Kidnapped!” repeated Randy, in a hollow +tone. +</p> +<p> +The furniture man nodded his head assentingly. +He was big and fat and had evidently +come in a hurry. He had been blunt, but confused +in telling his story. Now he took a long +breath to begin again. +</p> +<p> +Randy felt his heart sink. Everything had +been going so well that the sudden news of an +interruption to their buoyant progress chilled him +through sheer contrast. He fancied all kinds +of mishaps, and, seizing his visitor by the sleeve, +pulled it in a worried way. +</p> +<p> +“Tell me all about it—quick,” he demanded. +</p> +<p> +“Thought I had, but I guess you didn’t get it +straight. This Pep of yours was passing my +place when I heard a woman shriek a bit ahead. +She had left her child in a baby carriage while +she went into a dry goods store. There came a +whiff of wind down the street just as she came +out. I don’t wonder she hollered out, for that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76'></a>76</span> +baby carriage was shooting across the street like +a feather in a tornado.” +</p> +<p> +“But—Pep?” urged Randy, breathlessly. +“What of him?” +</p> +<p> +“He saw it in a flash. The woman stood motionless +and screaming. This Pep made a sprint. +I never saw anything done so splendidly. In +a flash he slid over the pavement—just seemed +to fly over the street, making for that baby carriage. +No wonder he hurried and no wonder +the woman screamed, for exactly at that instant +a great red touring car came tearing around the +corner. It held the chauffeur and a fine looking +old gentleman, who just rose up in his seat with +a yell as he saw that baby carriage directly in +the path of the machine. +</p> +<p> +“There wasn’t even time for the chauffeur to +move the wheel. I actually shut my eyes, thinking +the smash was bound to come. I don’t know +how the lad did it, but when I opened them, just +cold with horror, there he was lying on the ground +and the baby carriage spinning safe and sound +across the street.” +</p> +<p> +“How badly was Pep hurt?” inquired Randy, +his face pale with suspense. +</p> +<p> +“I heard someone in the crowd say his wrist +was broken. It seems, at the risk of his own +life, he had made that dash for the baby carriage +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77'></a>77</span> +and given it a push out of the way of the auto +just as it was pouncing down upon it.” +</p> +<p> +“Where is Pep now?” asked Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Why, that is the queer part of it. The passenger +in the machine jumped out and picked him +up. He lifted him into the auto. He didn’t +seem to want to go with the man, but they speeded +up and I supposed they were going to bring him +here, or to the nearest doctor, or the hospital. +A police officer came up right after the accident +on a motorcycle. He made some inquiries, took +some notes and went away again. Just now he +came back and said that he could find no trace +of machine or boy, and that he had learned that +the auto had been driven out of town on the +west road as fast as it could go. Don’t you see—kidnapped!” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t!” cried Randy almost frantically, +“Wasn’t it enough that they ran him down, without +carrying him away nobody knows where? +Oh, I must get straight on his track—I must find +Pep!” +</p> +<p> +“The police didn’t,” suggested the furniture +man. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t care for that—I will!” +</p> +<p> +“Mebbe I’d better give you my address,” said +his visitor. “There’s been several accidents here +lately. It’s mostly tourists passing through the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78'></a>78</span> +town who are reckless about how they drive—rich +old fellows who don’t value life or limb, and +get out of the way fast as they can when they’ve +done any damage. I suppose the man who owns +the machine that hurt your friend had heard of +how one or two before him had been arrested +and fined and forced to pay heavy damages, and +just thought he’d grab up the lad and get him +and himself out of the way before any investigation +was made.” +</p> +<p> +“It’s shameful!” exclaimed Randy, wrought +up now to the highest pitch of excitement and +indignation. “Poor Pep! He may be suffering +tortures and all those inhuman wretches think +about is getting clear of being found out. I’ll +find him—I’ll run down his kidnappers and bring +them to account, even if the police can’t.” +</p> +<p> +The excited Randy did not even wait for the +furniture man, but ran down the boardwalk and +then in the direction of the man’s store fast as he +could. There was not much to learn there outside +of what he already knew. His next call was +at the police station. He was incensed at the indifference +of the officers. They had investigated +the accident as far as required, they claimed. +The injured boy had been taken out of their +jurisdiction and that seemed to lead them to believe +that it ended their responsibility. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79'></a>79</span> +</p> +<p> +Randy knew the direction the red automobile +had taken. He proceeded to a livery garage +where motorcycles were on rent, and made himself +known. He was well up in running the machine +and was soon speeding on the trail of his +missing chum, as he supposed and hoped. The +west road out of Seaside Park was the best in the +section. It ran to Brenton and beyond that to +the large cities. There was every reason to believe +that the kidnappers, if such they were, +would favor a smooth, easily traversed highway +over inferior dirt and stone roads that ran parallel. +</p> +<p> +Randy stopped at the first little town he came +to and made some inquiries, but they availed +him nothing. Five miles further on, however, +he got a clue. Here were crossroads and a +“Roadside Rest,” a general halting place for +road-men. Several autos were in view, their occupants +taking lunch in a pavilion near the hotel +or walking about stretching their limbs. +</p> +<p> +A man who wore a banded cap and a close +fitting coat flitted around here and there in an +important way, and Randy decided he must be +a sort of major domo about the place. +</p> +<p> +“I would like to inquire about an automobile +that passed or stopped here within the past hour,” +spoke Randy, approaching this man. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80'></a>80</span> +</p> +<p> +“Where from? What number?” inquired +the latter. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t know,” explained Randy, “but I will +give you the best description I can from heresay. +It was a big red car, and besides the chauffeur +and passenger there was a boy about my age who +had got his arm hurt——” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I know now,” interrupted the man—“you +mean Colonel Tyson’s car. They stopped +to get a wet towel soaked in ice water to wrap +around the boy’s wrist, I fancy, for he was holding +one arm and seemed in pain.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, yes—that is my friend,” declared Randy +hastily. “Which way did the machine go?” +</p> +<p> +“To Brenton, of course, where it belongs.” +</p> +<p> +“Then you know its owner?” +</p> +<p> +“Everybody knows him—Tyson, the millionaire. +Used to be a big bond man in New York +City.” +</p> +<p> +“Thank you,” said Randy and was off on his +travels again. “I hope Pep isn’t hurt badly,” +he mused. “He doesn’t seem to be from what +I hear; but why is this rich old fellow running +away with him?” +</p> +<p> +It was quite late in the evening when Randy +reached Brenton. He felt easier, now that he +seemed sure of locating his chum, or at least running +down the people who had carried him away. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81'></a>81</span> +Once at Brenton there was no difficulty in finding +the Tyson home. It was a very fine mansion +with big grounds about it, but Randy was not +at all awed by that. He ran his machine up to +the stone porch and ascending the steps rang the +door bell. A servant answered the summons. +</p> +<p> +“Is Mr. Tyson at home?” Randy inquired. +</p> +<p> +“He is at home, yes,” replied the servant, +studying critically the dust-covered caller. “Business +with him?” +</p> +<p> +“I have. You just tell him I am Randy +Powell, from Seaside Park, and I came about the +automobile accident.” +</p> +<p> +The servant left Randy standing in the vestibule +until a portly, consequential-looking man appeared. +He viewed Randy in a shrewd, supercilious +way. +</p> +<p> +“What’s your business?” he challenged +crisply. +</p> +<p> +“Are you Mr. Tyson?” +</p> +<p> +“Never mind that. What are you after?” +</p> +<p> +“But I do mind it,” retorted Randy boldly. +“If you are Mr. Tyson, it was your machine that +ran down a friend of mine back at Seaside Park +a couple of hours ago, and I want to know what +you have done with him.” +</p> +<p> +Mr. Tyson looked a trifle flustered; then very +much annoyed. He said: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82'></a>82</span> +</p> +<p> +“I’ve done nothing with him. He just came +along. Say, I hope you haven’t gone and stirred +up a lot of notoriety and trouble for me along +the line.” +</p> +<p> +“Why should I—unless you deserve it.” +</p> +<p> +“Ha—hum!” muttered the millionaire. “See +here, come in. You look reasonable—more so +than that young wildcat friend of yours unless he +has his own way.” +</p> +<p> +Mr. Tyson led Randy into a magnificently furnished +room, nodded him to a chair and sat down +facing him. +</p> +<p> +“See here,” he spoke, “you just tell me how +much rumpus you have raised about this unfortunate +affair.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ve raised no rumpus,” declared Randy. +“I’ve simply run down your automobile, which +the police of Seaside Park didn’t seem able or +inclined to do.” +</p> +<p> +“I’m glad of that,” said Mr. Tyson, apparently +greatly relieved, “and there will be no trouble +at all in fixing up things satisfactorily all around. +You would have heard from me before midnight, +for this Pep—ought to be called Pepper—just +ordered that his friend at Seaside Park—I suppose +it’s you?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, it’s me,” declared Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Well, he wanted word sent to you.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83'></a>83</span> +</p> +<p> +“Is he badly hurt?” inquired Randy solicitously. +</p> +<p> +“Not at all—but that isn’t it. See here, lad, +because I’m supposed to have a lot of money I +seem to be a mark for everybody. I have been +unfortunate enough to have various accidents +with my machine. A month ago I ran down a +man. About all he did was to stub his toe, but +he’s sued me for twenty thousand dollars damages +and has a doctor ready to swear he is crippled +for life. Last week I ran over a valuable +dog at Seaside Park and the magistrate fined me +fifty dollars for speeding over the limit, and said +if there was another complaint he would give me +a jail sentence. Ugh! fine thing to be rich; isn’t +it?” +</p> +<p> +Mr. Tyson really looked so disgusted that +Randy could not refrain from smiling. +</p> +<p> +“The newspapers got hold of it and pictured +me as a regular ogre. Now it wasn’t our fault +at all when this friend of yours got hurt this +evening. He had no business in the street—don’t +you see?” +</p> +<p> +“Say, if he hadn’t got there where would that +child in the baby carriage be?” demanded Randy +indignantly. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, that’s true,” agreed the millionaire +slowly, “but even there they could not legally +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84'></a>84</span> +hold us. The baby carriage had no lights on +it. Let all that go, though. This Pep was a +brave fellow to risk his life for the child, and I’m +glad he did it. My lawyer, after the last case, +though, told me what to do in future accidents, +so I followed his advice. I captured your friend +and I intend to keep him captured.” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t think you will,” began Randy, rising +wrathfully to his feet. “He’s a poor boy, but +he’s got some friends and——” +</p> +<p> +“Pish! Don’t get excited. Keep cool, lad, +hear me through. We rushed your friend here, +summoned the best surgeon in Brenton, and this +Pep of yours is snug and comfortable as a dormouse—in +bed in the best room in the house. +I’m going to give him the best of care and pay +him for any loss of time he may sustain. Isn’t +that fair?” +</p> +<p> +“Why—I suppose so,” admitted Randy. +“Only—what does Pep say?” +</p> +<p> +“Well, at first he was going to fight us, lame +hand and all. Then the surgeon talked some +sense into him, by telling him that if he would +use a little care and not use his arm he would +be well as ever inside of a week. If he didn’t, he +may have all kinds of complications in the future. +To be frank with you, all I care for is to turn +the boy out sound and well, so he can’t be coming along +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85'></a>85</span> +later on with another of those twenty +thousand dollar damage suits.” +</p> +<p> +“Can I see him?” inquired Randy. +</p> +<p> +“You surely can,” replied Mr. Tyson with +alacrity, “and I hope you will coöperate with +us in urging him to stay here and follow the +directions of the doctor.” +</p> +<p> +Mr. Tyson had not overstated the case when +he told Randy that Pep was well cared for. As +Randy entered a great luxuriously furnished room +upstairs he saw his comrade propped up in bed, +his arm in a sling and a table spread with dainties +directly at hand. +</p> +<p> +“You tell him to stay here,” whispered Mr. +Tyson in Randy’s ear, and left the two boys to +themselves. +</p> +<p> +Pep grinned as he welcomed Randy. He +moved his injured arm to show that he was by +no means helpless. +</p> +<p> +“I’m booked here for a week, Randy,” were +his first words—“but why not? There won’t be +much to do around the new show for some days +to come, and if there was I wouldn’t be any help +with my crippled arm.” +</p> +<p> +Then Pep in a modest way went on to give details +of the accident. +</p> +<p> +“You see,” were his concluding remarks, “I’m +comfortable and well cared for here and, as the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86'></a>86</span> +surgeon says, I might have trouble with my arm +if I got careless with it. Mr. Tyson says he +will pay me for any loss time, so don’t worry +about me. I’ll show up at Seaside Park before +the week is over with a neat little lot of cash +in my pocket, and fresh and strong to help get +the new Wonderland in ship shape order.” +</p> +<p> +Thus Pep dismissed the incident of the hour, +so Randy went “home,” rather lonesome without +his chum. Neither guessed for a moment that +there was to grow out of the circumstance something +destined to affect their whole business +career. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87'></a>87</span><a name='chX' id='chX'></a>CHAPTER X—THE PRESS AGENT</h2> +<p> +“I hardly know how to thank you, Mr. Vincent,” +spoke Frank Durham. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t try to,” replied the ventriloquist, in his +usual offhand way. +</p> +<p> +Frank, practically a beginner in the profession, +and Hal Vincent, a seasoned graduate, were saying +good-bye to each other on the steps of the +building which contained the offices and warerooms +of the great National Film Exchange. +</p> +<p> +For several days the ears of our young hero +had buzzed with little besides “movies” chatter. +When Frank had first gone into the business and +had bid in at auction the outfit now at Fairlands, +he had learned the basis of the trade through +an interesting day spent at a motion picture supply +house in the small city near his home. He +found New York on a larger scale, however. +Even within the few months that had elapsed +since he and his chums had started the Wonderland +photo playhouse there had been improvements, innovations +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88'></a>88</span> +and new wrinkles without +number. +</p> +<p> +Frank now came in contact with these. It was +a great advantage to him that he had Vincent +to act as guide and adviser. The latter entered +into the spirit of the occasion with the zest of +an expert showing a novice the ground he has +so often traversed. Vincent was not only active +and obliging, but he was observant and shrewd. +He knew the best supply sources in the city and +how to handle them. +</p> +<p> +It embarrassed Frank the first time Vincent, +in his breezy showman’s way, introduced him to +the proprietor of the National Film Exchange. +According to the versatile and voluble ventriloquist, +Frank and his chums, Randy and Pep, were +young prodigies who had built up a mammoth +photo playhouse enterprise at Fairlands out of +nothing and had scored a phenomenal success. +And still further, according to Vincent, Frank +had secured a most favorable contract at Seaside +Park, and was about to reap profits from a project +that would set the pace in summer outing +resorts for the season. +</p> +<p> +“Now this is confidential, Byllesby,” observed +Vincent, buttonholing the movies man and assuming +a dreadfully important air, as he glanced mysteriously +about the place as if fearful of eavesdroppers—“this +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89'></a>89</span> +is probably one of a chain of +shows Durham may manage. Don’t lisp it to +anybody, but one of his backers is a lady—well, +I think she is rated at a cool half-million in real +coin. You won’t have to wait for your money +from the Durham combination, so hand out only +the best and latest on the closest terms—understand?” +</p> +<p> +As said, Frank found that even within the six +months that had passed since he had bought their +original motion picture outfit science had been +busy in the improvement of old and the invention +of new devices. Kinetoscopes, cameragraphs—all +the varied list of projecting apparatus had +progressed fast. It kept his mind on the alert +to catch the explanations of the newest thing in +condensing glasses, front and rear; jackets and +tubes, transformers, shutters, iris dissolvers, knife +switches and slide carriers. It was all part of an +education in the line of business activity he had +adopted, however, and Frank drank in lots of +knowledge during that New York trip. +</p> +<p> +He was full of pleasant anticipation and eager +to rejoin his friends at Seaside Park, to go over +with them his list of the wonderful things purchased +and tell them about the satisfactory arrangements +he had made for new feature films as +they came along. He shook Vincent’s hand +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90'></a>90</span> +heartily in parting. Frank added a word or two, +telling how he hoped they would see the ventriloquist +down at Seaside Park soon. +</p> +<p> +“I have a fair chance of getting something +out of the road venture that burst up and left +me stranded when I ran across Jolly,” explained +Vincent. “As soon as that is settled, which may +be in less than a week, I’ll be down at the new +Wonderland—don’t doubt it. Move on a bit; +will you, Durham?” Vincent spoke in a quick +undertone, his eyes fixed on an approaching +pedestrian who at once attracted Frank’s attention. +</p> +<p> +He was the typical tragedian out at elbows, but +showing his consciousness of being “an actor.” +He wore one rusty glove. The other hand was +thrust into the breast of his tightly buttoned frock +coat. His hair was long, and his hat, once a +silk tile, was dented and yellowed by usage. +Frank’s companion did not escape. The eagle +eye of the oncomer was fixed upon him and would +not leave him. +</p> +<p> +“Ah, Hal!” he hailed, extending his gloved +hand with a bow of real elegance—“howdy. +Off the circuit? So am I. I see you are eating,” +and he glanced up and down the new suit +of clothes Vincent had been enabled to purchase +from his share in the bird house speculation. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91'></a>91</span> +</p> +<p> +“That’s about all I am able to arrange for,” declared +Vincent, bluntly. +</p> +<p> +“I expect a check,” proceeded the newcomer +grandly. “Avaricious, but wealthy relative. If +I could anticipate till to-morrow, now——” +</p> +<p> +“Not from me, I can tell you that,” interrupted +Vincent definitely. +</p> +<p> +“Only a dollar. You see——” +</p> +<p> +“A dime wouldn’t make any difference until +I get my settlement from the people who sent +me out to starve,” insisted Vincent. +</p> +<p> +Frank was interested in the odd, airy individual, +who struck him as a rather obsolete type of +the fraternity. He smiled, and this was encouragement +for the frayed actor, who touched +his hat again and extended his gloved hand, this +time towards Frank, with the words: +</p> +<p> +“Surely we have met somewhere on the +boards? Was it in Philadelphia, when I was +press agent for the United Thespian? Perhaps +that will assist your memory.” +</p> +<p> +Frank good-naturedly accepted and glanced +over a very dirty and worn card bearing the inscription: +“Roderick James Booth: Press Agent.” Frank shook his head, +</p> +<p> +“I have not had the honor of meeting you before, Mr. Booth,” he said. +</p> +<p> +“In the line, I suppose?” insinuated Booth. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92'></a>92</span> +</p> +<p> +“If you mean of theatricals—hardly,” replied +Frank. “I have done a little in the motion picture +field.” +</p> +<p> +“Ah!” exclaimed Booth, with great animation, +striking a pose—“there, indeed, is a field. +Young man; I proclaim a wonderful future for +the photo playhouse. Let me see, where are you +located now—and the name, I didn’t quite catch +the name?” +</p> +<p> +“I am Frank Durham,” replied our young +hero, “and with some others expect to open a +new motion picture show at Seaside Park.” +</p> +<p> +“Ah, a hit! Think of it! Beside the soothing +waves, dancing breezes, vast throngs, stupendous +profits. Only one thing lacking—an able +press agent. Sir,” and Booth raised himself to +his loftiest height, “I papered Baltimore till the +house was jammed. The United Thespians—sir, +a moment, aside. Mr. Vincent will pardon +us. Could you anticipate——” +</p> +<p> +Frank knew what was coming. The man did +not look like a drinker and he did look hungry. +Vincent nudged Frank warningly, but Frank +could not resist a generous impulse. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Booth almost danced as a crisp dollar bill +was placed in his hand. Then he took out a pencil +and memorandum book. Very carefully and +laboriously he began to write: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93'></a>93</span> +</p> +<p> +“Durham, Seaside Park. I. O. U. one dollar. +Mem: suggest plan for publicity campaign.” +</p> +<p> +“You’ve put your foot in it this time, Durham,” +exclaimed Vincent almost wrathfully, as +with a great flourish Booth went on his way. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, pshaw!” laughed Frank, “the poor fellow +probably needs a square meal.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, but you needn’t have told him who you +were and about the new Wonderland. Why, +within an hour he will be telling his friends of a +new opening at Seaside Park—engaged for the +season—forfeit money already paid. Besides +that, I wouldn’t wonder to see him put in an appearance +personally with one of his wild publicity +schemes direct at Seaside Park. Oh, you can +laugh, but once he sets out on your trail, and you +encourage him, you’ll find it no easy matter to +shake him off,” a prediction by the way that +Frank and his chums had reason to recall a little +later. +</p> +<p> +Frank was in fine spirits when he reached Seaside +Park. Everything had gone famously with +him in the city. He had been introduced to a +man who operated a string of summer resort +motion picture shows, and he had gleaned an immense +amount of information. The man had reduced +his special line to a science and had made +money at it, and Frank was greatly encouraged. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94'></a>94</span> +</p> +<p> +It was late in the afternoon when he started +from the depot for the new quarters. He was +pleased and satisfied as his eye ran over the front +of the old store. Various touches of paint had +made the entrance attractive, the broad windows +bore each a fine plain sign, and a very ornamental +ticket booth was in place. Frank found the front +doors partially open, and passed the length of +the great room to come unawares upon his +friends in the living quarters at the rear. +</p> +<p> +“Good!” shouted a familiar voice, and Ben +Jolly, wearing a kitchen apron and just getting +supper ready, waved a saucepan over his head in +jubilant welcome. +</p> +<p> +“I say, you people have been doing some work +here since I left,” cried Frank, as he shook hands +with Randy. “Why, where is Pep?” +</p> +<p> +“There’s a story to that,” explained Randy. +“He’s safe and sound, but may not be here till +to-morrow or the next day.” +</p> +<p> +“Gone home to see his folks?” hazarded +Frank. +</p> +<p> +“No, not that,” dissented Randy. “Tell you, +Frank, it’s quite a long story. Suppose we get +the meal on the table, and seated comfortably, +and we’ll all have a lot to tell; eh?” +</p> +<p> +“Just the thing,” voted Jolly with his usual +enthusiasm. “I’ve got a famous rice pudding +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95'></a>95</span> +on the bill of fare, Durham, and I’ll guarantee +you’ll enjoy a good home meal once more.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s just what I will,” agreed Frank. +</p> +<p> +He sat down and busied himself sorting some +bills and circulars with which his pockets were +filled. Then, as the smoking viands were placed +on the table, he joined his friends. +</p> +<p> +“Now then, Durham, you first,” directed Jolly. +“How’s the New York end of the proposition?” +</p> +<p> +“Famous,” reported Frank heartily. “I’ve +made some fortunate discoveries and investments—pass +the potatoes; will you, Randy?” +</p> +<p> +“Hold on!” cried a familiar voice—“I’m on +the programme for some of that, too!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96'></a>96</span><a name='chXI' id='chXI'></a>CHAPTER XI—CROSSED WIRES</h2> +<p> +“Why, hello, Pep!” exclaimed Frank in joyful +surprise, jumping up from the table and greeting +the missing chum with a hearty handshake. +</p> +<p> +“Hold on—go a little easy on that hand,” +spoke the unexpected guest. “It’s the one I hurt +in that automobile accident, you know, and not +quite as strong as it used to be.” +</p> +<p> +“What automobile accident?” inquired Frank +in surprise. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, that’s so,” broke in Randy quickly—“Frank +has just got back from the city and hasn’t +heard of it yet. We didn’t expect you so soon. +You wrote us yesterday you wouldn’t leave Brenton +until Saturday.” +</p> +<p> +“Humph! Had to,” said Pep with a wry +grimace. +</p> +<p> +“How is that?” +</p> +<p> +“Fired,” explained Pep tersely, and looking as +if he had not enjoyed the experience one bit. +“Say, don’t bother me now about it. I’m hungry as a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97'></a>97</span> +bear, and had to walk eight miles to get +here before dark, and I’ll feel better natured when +I’ve had something to eat and a little rest.” +</p> +<p> +Ben Jolly arched his eyebrows in an inquiring +way and Randy looked Pep over sharply. Jolly +had just returned from Fairlands that morning, +and Randy had heard from Pep by mail only +twice during his sojourn at the Tyson home at +Brenton. From all he had learned and seen during +his brief visit there, Randy had been led to +believe that Pep would return with waving colors. +He would not only be mended up, as Randy had +reason to figure it out, but would have a comfortable +sum of money representing lost time. +</p> +<p> +Pep, however, did not look like a favorite of +fortune. He used both hands with equal celerity +in dispatching the meal, and his injured wrist +seemed to give him no inconvenience or pain. +His face was glum, however, and when he spoke +of being “fired” Randy knew that something +was up. +</p> +<p> +“Tell us about this accident of yours, Pep,” +urged Frank as all hands got over the first +promptings of appetite. +</p> +<p> +“Randy will,” snapped Pep. +</p> +<p> +Randy was agreeable to the suggestion. He +was glad to descend on the heroism of his chum, +and dwelt somewhat upon the bravery of Pep in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98'></a>98</span> +risking his life for the little child in the baby +carriage. Randy led the course of the narrative +to his visit to Brenton, the peculiar situation in +which he found Pep, and detailed the contents +of the two letters he had received from their absent +partner. +</p> +<p> +“Well, Pep,” hailed Frank heartily, at the end +of the story. “I suppose you’ve turned out an +adopted son or great favorite with this Mr. Tyson.” +</p> +<p> +Pep had just finished a second helping of +Jolly’s famous rice pudding and was ready to +talk now. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, yes, I have! See me!” he retorted in a +scornful and disgusted way. “Say, the next fellow +who plays me for an invalid will be a good +one, I tell you. It’s all right up to where Randy +left me in the arms of luxury at the Tyson residence. +Yes, it was all right for two days after +that. Then I got into my usual trim—restless. +Of course I couldn’t work with my bad arm, but +it didn’t bother me a bit. I told Mr. Tyson so. +He spoke to that old fogy surgeon of his and +after a regular battle we came to terms.” +</p> +<p> +“What terms, Pep?” inquired Frank. +</p> +<p> +“I wanted something to do. I was dead sick +of hanging around doing nothing. It seems that +Mr. Tyson runs a broker’s office in Brenton. It’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99'></a>99</span> +a branch of a big Wall Street concern in New +York City. They do some business, too, and he +hires a lot of clerks. Well, the surgeon said that +as long as I didn’t use my bad arm it was all +right, so old Tyson takes me down to the office. +First day he put me at the information desk. +Then the boy who held that position regularly +came back and he set me at one of the telephones.” +</p> +<p> +“What doing, Pep?” inquired Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“Taking quotations and orders on the long distance. +The ’phone was arranged on a standard +and I didn’t have to handle it at all. I had a pad +of paper at my side. All I had to do was to write +out the quotations, or orders. Then I would +touch an electric bell and a boy would take them +to the manager.” +</p> +<p> +“Sort of stock exchange business; eh?” propounded +Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, that way,” assented Pep. “The first +day I got through grandly. Old Tyson told me I +had the making of a smart man in me and advised +me to cut away from the movies and become a +second Vanderbilt. They kept me at the ’phone +yesterday, too. It’s too bad they did,” added +Pep grievously. “I reckon they think so now.” +</p> +<p> +“Explain, Pep,” urged the curious Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Well, about two o’clock in the afternoon there +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100'></a>100</span> +was a rush of business. Everybody in the office +was busy. I heard the manager say that it looked +like a regular Black Friday, whatever that was, +the way stocks and bonds were being juggled. +Right when everything was going at lightning +speed and the office was in a turmoil, long distance +says: ‘Buy for Vandamann account at +twenty’—and then there was a hiss and a jangle—crossed +wires—see?” +</p> +<p> +Pep’s engrossed auditors nodded silently, eager +to hear the remainder of his story. +</p> +<p> +“Then I got the balance of the order—as I +supposed—‘one thousand shares Keystone Central.’ +Orders came piling up and I had all I +could do to write them down. ‘Buy one thousand +Keystone Central at twenty’ went to the +manager with the rest. I thought no more of it +until this morning. I was at my ’phone thinking +of how I’d be home with the rest of you Saturday, +when the manager, mad as a hornet, came to +me. ‘You see Mr. Tyson just as quick as you +can,’ he snapped at me, and I did. Mr. Tyson +had just found out that I had mixed orders. I +talked about crossed wire, but he wouldn’t hear +a word of it. ‘The idea of loading us down with +that bustling stock at twenty, when it was offered +on the exchange at three cents yesterday!’ he +howled. ‘Here get out of here and stay out of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101'></a>101</span> +here. And here, you’ve cost a pretty penny, and +you can take that stock for your pay.’ And with +that,” concluded Pep, “he hurled this package at +me, and I’m a bloated bondholder.” +</p> +<p> +Pep drew a little package of green and yellow +documents from his pocket. He flung them on +the table in a disgruntled way. Ben Jolly picked +them up and looked them over. +</p> +<p> +“Heard of the Keystone Central,” he observed—“lot +of watered stock and new people +trying to squeeze out the old shareholders. +Maybe a few dollars in these, Pep.” +</p> +<p> +But the disgusted Pep waved documents and +remark away with disdain. +</p> +<p> +“Burn ’em up; throw ’em away—don’t care +what you do with them,” he declared. “I am +sick of the whole business. I want to forget how +mean money makes a millionaire, and just get +back into the gladness and bustle of the old motion +picture proposition.” +</p> +<p> +“All right, Pep,” said Jolly blandly, pocketing +the papers. “I’ll just take care of the documents +for you. They may bob up in a new way +some time; you never can tell.” +</p> +<p> +“What about moving the outfit down from +Fairlands, Mr. Jolly?” here interrupted Frank. +</p> +<p> +“That’s so—my report is due; isn’t it? Why, +I’ve arranged for everything. Boxed up and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102'></a>102</span> +crated what there was in good shape, and expect +they’ll arrive to-morrow or the next day.” +</p> +<p> +“By rail, of course?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, yes. It’s a long distance, there’s a lot +of bad roads and hills to climb, and freight was +the only way. I left the chairs. It would cost +as much to move them as they were worth.” +</p> +<p> +“We had better stock up new as to the seating +feature,” said Frank, “seeing that we need +double what we had at Fairlands. Well, boys, +now to show you what I have accomplished.” +</p> +<p> +Frank had done so much that he held their +fascinated attention unbroken for well nigh an +hour. Jolly smiled and nodded his approval as +Frank told in detail of his negotiations with the +supply houses in the city. Pep’s eyes snapped +with anticipation of the brilliant way in which the +new Wonderland was going to open. +</p> +<p> +“It looks all smooth sailing; doesn’t it now?” +Randy submitted in his optimistic way. +</p> +<p> +“How soon will we open?” pressed the eager +Pep. +</p> +<p> +“I should think we would be all ready within +a week or ten days.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, pshaw! have to wait that long?” +mourned Pep. +</p> +<p> +“You want things right; don’t you?” asked +Randy. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103'></a>103</span> +</p> +<p> +“Oh, of course, of course,” responded Pep, +“only every day counts. Before we know it +someone else will break in and get all the cream +off the proposition.” +</p> +<p> +“No, no, friend Pep,” laughed Ben Jolly confidently. +“We’ve got too good a start in the +movies race at Seaside Park, and we’re bound to +win.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104'></a>104</span><a name='chXII' id='chXII'></a>CHAPTER XII—BUSINESS RIVALS</h2> +<p> +“Put the brake on, Pep!” sang out Randy. +</p> +<p> +“What’s the trouble now?” inquired Ben +Jolly. “Someone trying to kidnap you again?” +</p> +<p> +Frank, Randy and Jolly, on their way to see +about their goods at the freight house, had scattered +precipitately as a bounding figure turned a +street corner and almost crashed into them. +</p> +<p> +“Glad I found you. Say, what did I tell +you?” exclaimed the youthful sprinter. “You +come with me and I’ll show you something that +will open your eyes.” +</p> +<p> +“Later, Pep,” said Frank. “We are on our +way to arrange for carting the traps from Fairlands +up to the playhouse.” +</p> +<p> +“It won’t take a minute,” declared Pep. “It’s +only a block or two away. Say, you’d better +come. I’ll show you a sight that will set you +thinking.” +</p> +<p> +“All right, we’ll give you five minutes, Pep,” +said Frank indulgently. +</p> +<p> +“And don’t forget that I told you so!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105'></a>105</span> +</p> +<p> +“Told us what?” interrogated Randy. +</p> +<p> +“You’ll find out in a minute.” +</p> +<p> +Pep piloted the group in his usual impetuous +way. Quite a busy boardwalk diverged from the +main boardwalk thoroughfare, and some minor +stores and restaurants of the cheaper class occupied +the first block. +</p> +<p> +About midway of the square was a vacant +building, once a dime museum. Frank and his +friends had noticed this in their search for a +business location. It was off the main route of +travel, however, and the building was old, ramshackly +and set down from the street level, the +lot lying in a depression in the ground so that +one had to descend three steps to the entrance. +</p> +<p> +“There you are,” pronounced Pep in an impressive +way. “What do you say to it?” +</p> +<p> +Frank, Randy and Ben Jolly came to a halt +as they faced an electric sign running out from +the front of the building. +</p> +<p> +“‘National,’” read Randy—“‘National’ +what?” +</p> +<p> +“Photo playhouse,” asserted Pep. +</p> +<p> +“Do you know that?” challenged Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“I do. When I passed by a man who was +wiring the sign told me that a big New York fellow +and a Seaside Park party were going to open +up next week.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106'></a>106</span> +</p> +<p> +“The mischief!” exclaimed Randy, roused up. +</p> +<p> +“Say,” remarked Jolly, bristling up at this +hint of rivalry, “we want to get busy.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, it doesn’t alarm me,” spoke Frank. “In +the first place it is off the mainly traveled route. +Besides, the neighborhood is cheap and I would +imagine they wouldn’t get more than a nickel.” +</p> +<p> +“It’s worth looking up—always keep track of +what your competitors are doing,” advised Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“Why I say,” suddenly remarked Frank—“their +sign is wrong.” +</p> +<p> +“How wrong?” questioned Randy, and then +he added: “That’s so: ‘NATONAL.’ They’ve +left out an I.” +</p> +<p> +“It’s so,” cried Pep, “maybe they bought some +second hand letters and there wasn’t any I’s in +the lot.” +</p> +<p> +“‘Big New York fellow,’” observed Jolly +thoughtfully. “Wonder who he is? Maybe +you stirred things up in the city, Durham, and +started somebody on our trail.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, we must expect competition,” replied +Frank. “It shan’t scare us.” +</p> +<p> +“No, we’ll stick to a first-class basis and be the +leader,” declared Randy. +</p> +<p> +“You fellows go on,” spoke Pep. “I’ll sort +of spy out the enemy’s country—hey?” +</p> +<p> +“I would like to know who is behind this +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107'></a>107</span> +‘National’ with an I missing,” said Frank, and +they turned about and resumed their way to the +freight depot, leaving Pep to his own devices. +</p> +<p> +Pep was not afraid to venture anywhere or address +anybody. He was inside the old building +and had accosted the man he had seen outside +within five minutes after his friends left him. +The man knew all about the proposed extensive +refitting of the old barn of a place, but did not +know who was backing the new show outside of +a big man from New York and a party with +money at Seaside Park. Pep pumped him dry +so far as the arrangements for the show were +concerned. +</p> +<p> +“Hello, Pep,” hailed him just as he went outside +again. +</p> +<p> +“That isn’t my name—it’s Pepperill,” retorted +Pep, resenting the mistake and the familiarity. +He was in a fiery mood just now, but as he recognized +young Peter Carrington and noticed that +he was headed for the building he had just left, +Pep decided that he would lose nothing by using +a little tact. +</p> +<p> +“Well, that’s all right,” observed Peter in his +usual airy manner—“been into my show?” +</p> +<p> +“Your show?” +</p> +<p> +“That’s what,” and Peter poked his cap back +on his head, stuck his thumbs in his armpits, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108'></a>108</span> +grinned at Pep in a patronizing sort of way. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I see,” said Pep, “you’re the Seaside +Park capitalist I heard about?” +</p> +<p> +“Did some one honest say that?” inquired +Peter, his vanity immensely gratified. “Well, +I have invested something—got a little money +from my aunt, although she doesn’t know that +I’ve gone into the show business. She’d be mad +if she knew I was going to set up opposition to +you fellows, for she likes you. Business is business, +though. You fellows wouldn’t take me in +and I had to get some other partners; didn’t I?” +</p> +<p> +“Who are your partners?” probed Pep innocently. +</p> +<p> +“Well, one of them is Greg Grayson. He’s +from your town. You know him?” +</p> +<p> +“Slightly,” assented Pep, his lips drawing together +grimly. +</p> +<p> +“A friend of his has invested something, too,” +rambled on the effusive Peter. “Our mainstay, +though, is a New York man. They say he’s ’way +up in the moving picture line.” +</p> +<p> +“What is his name?” pressed Pep. +</p> +<p> +“Mr. John Beavers—ever hear of him?” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t think I have.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s because you’re new in the business,” +declared Peter. “He says he’s the first man who +ever started a moving picture show.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109'></a>109</span> +</p> +<p> +“Also a capitalist, I suppose?” insinuated Pep. +</p> +<p> +“Well, he’s got a lot of investments that have +tied up his ready cash, he says, but he will stand +back of us if we need more money.” +</p> +<p> +“Well,” said Pep, “I must be moving on. +The more the merrier, you know.” +</p> +<p> +“I must tell you,” hurried on Peter—“We’re +going to have two private boxes in our show.” +</p> +<p> +“What for?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, to make a hit. Friends, members of the +press and all that—see? I say, Smith, I hope +you’re going to exchange professional courtesies.” +</p> +<p> +“What do you mean?” demanded Pep. +</p> +<p> +“Complimentaries, and all that.” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t think we are going to have any complimentaries,” +replied Pep. “Our space will be +for sale; not to give away. That fellow run a +photo playhouse!” snorted Pep wrath fully to +himself, as he left the spot. “Why, he hasn’t +got the gumption to run a peddler’s cart, or a +shoestring stand!” +</p> +<p> +Pep reached the freight house just as his +friends were leaving it. They had arranged for +the reception and delivery of their traps from +Fairlands to the new playhouse. This meant busy +times, getting in order to open up for business. +Pep told of his new discoveries as to the personnel +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110'></a>110</span> +of the rival firm of the “Natonal.” Randy +flared up at once. +</p> +<p> +“It’s half spite work,” he declared. “This +Peter is mad because we wouldn’t take him into +our scheme and Greg Grayson owes us a grudge, +or fancies he does, and wants to pay it back. He +and his cronies were always ready for any mean +mischief back at Fairlands.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, well, as long as it is fair business rivalry, +who cares?” submitted Jolly. “From the +start they’ve made I don’t think they will last +long.” +</p> +<p> +“They will do all they can to annoy us while +they do,” declared Pep. +</p> +<p> +“Did you tell young Carrington about the +missing letter in the ‘Natonal’ sign, Pep?” inquired +Frank. +</p> +<p> +“No, I didn’t,” replied Pep, ungraciously. +“Think I’m around mending his blunders? +Humph! guess not. If I had, do you know what +he would have said?” +</p> +<p> +“No; what, Pep?” pressed Randy, with a +broad grin. +</p> +<p> +“He’d say: ‘Oh, yes, that’s so. Anybody +can see it’s spelled wrong. Didn’t notice it before. +Of course it should be “Natonel.”’” +</p> +<p> +All hands laughed at Pep’s sally. Then Frank +asked: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111'></a>111</span> +</p> +<p> +“Did you ever hear of this John Beavers, Mr. +Jolly?” +</p> +<p> +“Never did, Durham. I wonder where the +crowd picked him up? Don’t think he’s a notable, +though. Judging from the way he’s letting +them hold the bag, I reckon he isn’t much of a +capitalist.” +</p> +<p> +They emerged upon the boardwalk as Jolly +concluded his remarks. Pep was the first to +discover a commotion amid the crowds ahead. +</p> +<p> +“There’s some new excitement,” he cried. +“Let’s hurry up and see what it is.” +</p> +<p> +Just then a man dashed through the throng +on a dead run. In hot pursuit was a second individual, +fast overtaking him and shouting as he +sprinted: +</p> +<p> +“Stop that man!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112'></a>112</span><a name='chXIII' id='chXIII'></a>CHAPTER XIII—ALL READY!</h2> +<p> +The man in advance happened to cross a wet +streak on the walk just as Frank and his friends +observed him. This was caused by the overflow +of a combination drinking fountain and horse +trough. The man slipped and went flat. In another +minute, as he struggled to his feet, his pursuer +pounced upon him. +</p> +<p> +“Why, look! Look!” ejaculated Pep. +</p> +<p> +“It’s Hal!” echoed Ben Jolly. +</p> +<p> +Frank and Randy recognized their friend the +ventriloquist simultaneously. The former was a +good deal surprised, for he had bade Vincent +good-bye in New York City within the past +forty-eight hours. He wondered what had +brought Vincent to Seaside Park; and more than +ever, what his participation in the present incident +might mean. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got you; have I?” stormed Vincent, +making a grab at the fugitive and seizing him by +the arm. Then he whirled him around and transferred +his clutch to the throat of the man. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113'></a>113</span> +“Now, then, you pull off that coat in a jiffy, or +I’ll fling you out into the street.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, yes, certainly—ssh! don’t raise a row. +Likely to be known here. Going into business—hurt +my reputation.” +</p> +<p> +“Your reputation, you miserable rat!” +shouted Vincent, greatly excited. “You’ve led +me a fine chase; haven’t you, after all I did for +you! I made up my mind, though, I’d find you +and get back my property, if I had to chase you +half over the country.” +</p> +<p> +“Return coat in private—secluded spot.” +</p> +<p> +“Take it off now!” +</p> +<p> +“Leaves me without any.” +</p> +<p> +“Take it off!” fairly yelled Vincent. Then, +as the man obeyed he wrenched it from his grasp, +threw it to the pavement and grasping the fugitive +by the shoulders, ran him straight up to the +watering trough. +</p> +<p> +Splash! splash! splash! “Ooo—oof! Leggo! +Murder!”—a wild riot of sounds made the welkin +ring. A fast-gathering mob bustled nearer. +Dripping, hatless, coatless, the helpless fugitive +was given a shove down the sidewalk by Vincent, +who turned and confronted a police officer. +</p> +<p> +“Hi, there!” challenged the latter sternly—“what’s +the trouble here?” +</p> +<p> +“No trouble at all,” retorted Vincent. “I’ve +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114'></a>114</span> +saved you that. That fellow slinking out of +sight between those two buildings stole my coat +and I’ve got it back—that’s all.” +</p> +<p> +“A thief; eh?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, he’s out of sight and I’m satisfied,” advised +Vincent. “I gave him free lodging and +feed in the city and he paid me back by robbing +me. We’re square now and no need of your +services, thank you. By the way, though, you +might glimpse him so as to be able to keep track +of him. He’s a slippery customer to have in a +town where there’s even door mats or lawn +mowers lying around loose.” +</p> +<p> +Frank had picked up the coat from the pavement +where Vincent had flung it and he now +offered it to him. +</p> +<p> +“That you, Durham?” hailed the ventriloquist, +mopping his perspiring brow—“and the +rest of the crowd? Howdy—I declare, I was +ruffled. I can stand anything but ingratitude.” +</p> +<p> +“Who is the fellow, anyway?” inquired Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, he’s been a hanger-on at the movies and +a sponge and dead beat for a long time. His +name is Jack Beavers.” +</p> +<p> +“What’s that?” cried Pep, sharply. “Why, +that’s the name of the ‘big New York man’ +who is going to start the new show with Peter +Carrington and his crowd.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115'></a>115</span> +</p> +<p> +“What new show?” inquired Vincent, quickly. +</p> +<p> +Pep told of the prospective photo playhouse +that had come to their attention that day. +</p> +<p> +“Say,” exclaimed Vincent, belligerently, when +the information had been accorded. “I’ll follow +this up and put that fellow out of business.” +</p> +<p> +“I wouldn’t trouble, Mr. Vincent,” said Frank. +“We don’t want to give Carrington and his +friends any excuse for claiming we are persecuting +them. If this man is the kind of fellow +you describe, he will soon run himself out.” +</p> +<p> +“And them, too,” declared Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“Birds of a feather—all of them,” commented +Pep. +</p> +<p> +Vincent explained that he was due to return at +once to the city. He expected to have his claim +against the company that had stranded him and +owed him money come up in court at any time, +and wanted to be on hand to present his evidence. +The boys, however, prevailed upon him to accompany +them home and have at least one good, old-fashioned +meal with them. Then they all went +with him to his train. +</p> +<p> +“Hope to see you soon again, Hal,” remarked +Ben Jolly, as they shook hands good-bye. +</p> +<p> +“You will, Jolly—it’s fate,” declared Vincent. +“I’m running up against your crowd all the time, +and I guess it’s on the books. Bow-wow-wow!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116'></a>116</span> +and he winked at Pep, always alive for mischief. +</p> +<p> +“Meow!—p’st! pst!”—and a kitten in the +arms of a fussy old man just getting aboard of +a coach arched its back at the well-counterfeited +imitation of the ventriloquist, while its mistress +ran up the steps in a violent flurry. +</p> +<p> +“Let me out—let me out!” came next, apparently +from a big sample case a colored porter +was carrying for a traveling salesman. Down +came the case with a slam and the porter stood +regarding it with distended eyes and quivering +face. +</p> +<p> +“Lawsy sakes, boss!” he gurgled—“what you +done got in dere?” and very gingerly and rapidly +he carried the case into the coach when prevailed +upon to do so by its somewhat startled +owner. +</p> +<p> +Then with a smile the versatile Vincent jumped +aboard of the train, waving his hand cheerily in +adieu to his smiling friends. +</p> +<p> +“A jolly good fellow, that,” commented +Frank, as the train pulled out. “I only hope we +will be able to afford to engage his talents for the +new Wonderland.” +</p> +<p> +“You’ve just got to,” vociferated Pep. “He’s +a regular drawing card and a show all in himself.” +</p> +<p> +And now came the real work of the motion +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117'></a>117</span> +picture chums. The new photo playhouse was all +ready for the outfit, and when that was brought +from the freight house there was plenty of lifting, +carrying and placing to attend to. The big +electric sign had to be reset and adjusted, the +sheet iron booth for the machine put in place, +and for four days there were a multitude of little +things to accomplish. +</p> +<p> +Jolly got track of a closed show at Brenton +where the chairs were for sale and drove an excellent +bargain in their purchase, and also in the +delivery. +</p> +<p> +It was Thursday night when for the first time +the electric lights were turned on, so the boys +could see how the playhouse “showed up,” as +they expressed it. They all went out in front, +Jolly turning the switches from inside. To the +excited vision of the enthusiastic Pep the result +was a burst of glory. The sign came out boldly. +The many windows of the building, standing +alone by itself as it did, made Randy think of a +palace. +</p> +<p> +Frank was more than pleased. He was proud +of his playhouse, proud of his loyal friends and +deeply gratified as a crowd began to gather and +he overheard their flattering and encouraging +comments. +</p> +<p> +“Why, I saw that blaze three blocks down the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118'></a>118</span> +street,” declared a breathless urchin, coming up +on a run. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, it was so bright I thought it was a fire,” +echoed a companion. +</p> +<p> +It was arranged that the three chums should +visit their home town next morning. Jolly was +left in charge of the playhouse and told them to +have a good time and throw all care from their +minds, as he would be able to complete all the +arrangements for the opening Monday night. +</p> +<p> +The boys had a splendid time at Fairlands. +They were highly elated over their business progress +in the new venture and infused their families +and friends with their own enthusiasm and delight. +The Fairlands weekly paper printed a nice +article about “Three Rising Young Business +Men of Our Town,” and altogether as they +took the train to return to Seaside Park each +one of the trio felt that life was worth living +and honorable business success a boon well worth +striving for. +</p> +<p> +“And now for the grandest event of our +life,” announced Pep, buoyantly—“the Opening +Night!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119'></a>119</span><a name='chXIV' id='chXIV'></a>CHAPTER XIV—“THE GREAT UNKNOWN”</h2> +<p> +Pep Smith was up before the birds that memorable +opening day. Pep had gone through a like +experience when the Wonderland motion picture +show was started at his home town, but that was +a small proposition compared to the present one. +To Pep’s way of thinking the world was waiting +for the great event. In his active mind he pictured +eager hundreds counting the slow hours of +the day until the first films were flashed upon the +screen of the new photo playhouse. +</p> +<p> +Pep bustled about, broke into whistling and +stirred things up so generally that he finally woke +Ben Jolly. The latter was quite as interested as +Pep in the doings of the day, only he concealed +the true state of his feelings. He set about making +preparations for breakfast as an excuse for +rousing Frank and Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Well, Pep, this is the big day of our lives; +eh?” propounded the good-natured cook, while +his accommodating assistant was setting the table. +</p> +<p> +“And the finest ever seen,” replied Pep. “I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120'></a>120</span> +never saw such a daybreak. It’s going to be just +warm enough to make people want to stay out +for the evening breeze, and that means crowds +passing our place until late.” +</p> +<p> +It was a jolly quartette that sat down at the +table about five o’clock. The rest over Sunday +had done them all good. No details had been left +to chance or haste. Much satisfaction was felt +in the knowledge that all the work thus far had +been done well, with no loose ends to bother +about when the programme began. +</p> +<p> +“There’s some song posters to put up—they +are due in the morning mail,” observed Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and if that new film winder is sent along +we might install it in place of the old one we +brought from Fairlands,” suggested Jolly. “I +suppose you want to go through a test before +night, Durham?” +</p> +<p> +“So as to give you the music cues? I think +we had better,” assented Frank. “Besides, we +had better see that the films run smooth.” +</p> +<p> +“I sent for a piano-tuning key to the city Saturday,” +said Jolly. “As soon as I get it I will +give the instrument a little overhauling. Jolting +over one hundred miles in a freight car doesn’t +improve the tone any.” +</p> +<p> +Randy and Pep went out together about ten +o’clock to get some posters from the printers. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121'></a>121</span> +Frank had brought from the city quite a lot of +gaily colored sheets with a blank space left at +the top. Here the name and location of the new +playhouse had been inserted. It took the boys +until noon to get these placed. They posted them +in nearly all the stores along the boardwalk. The +hotel they had stayed at let them put two in +the lobby, and they covered the town in a way +satisfactory to themselves. +</p> +<p> +“Wonder what the National people are thinking +of doing?” submitted Randy, as they sat +down to dinner. +</p> +<p> +“They are going to open to-night—that’s one +thing I know,” reported Pep. +</p> +<p> +“They’re not making much stir about it, then,” +observed Jolly. “I haven’t heard anybody speak +about it, whom I ran across to-day.” +</p> +<p> +“I met the man who is doing their electrical +work,” said Pep. “He and I are quite chummy. +He told me they were in a fearful mix-up, with +things half provided for, but that they would +surely open this evening.” +</p> +<p> +“What’s it to be—a nickel?” inquired Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“No a dime, he says; but he showed me a +bunch of complimentaries and laughed and said +he’d sell them cheap. I haven’t set my eyes on +that Peter and the fellow from Fairlands anywhere +around town, but I guess they’re pitching +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122'></a>122</span> +in with the workman to get things in order.” +</p> +<p> +Wednesday of the week previous a neat postal +card telling of the new photo playhouse had been +sent out to every name in the little local directory +of Seaside Park. The hotel men had taken a +bunch of these and had agreed to put one in the +mail of each guest. The local paper happened +to be an exchange of the Fairlands weekly, and +the editor of the latter had given Frank a letter +of introduction to the Seaside Park publisher. +As a result, the latter had copied the article about +the chums from the home paper and had also +given a glowing description of the new playhouse +on the beach. +</p> +<p> +It was about two o’clock in the afternoon when +the lively Pep came into the playhouse with a new +excitement on his mind. +</p> +<p> +“Say, fellows,” he announced, “we’re clear +beat out.” +</p> +<p> +“Hi! what’s up now?” asked Ben Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“The National without an I has got us going. +Just met Peter Carrington. He’s jumping +around like a chicken on a hot griddle. Just had +time to flash by me and crow out, ‘Watch out +for our grand free concert to-night.’” +</p> +<p> +“Is that so—hum!” observed Jolly, musingly. +“I wish I’d thought of that. I suppose we ought +to make some little noise the opening night. Too +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123'></a>123</span> +late to arrange for it now, though. Just in time +for practice, Pep. Put on that best coat of yours +and a flower in your buttonhole, and usher in +imaginary thousands, while Powell piles up uncounted +dimes in the ticket office and Durham +shoots the films. Ready—go!” and with a crash +of the piano keys the volatile fellow began a +lively overture. +</p> +<p> +“A small but critical audience pronounced the +rehearsal A.1.,” declared Jolly with a thrilling +sweep of the piano keys as the three films were +reeled off from the operator’s booth. “Slow on +that last picture, though, Durham. It’s a good +one and any audience will be glad to see it prolonged.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, being an ocean scene, I should think ‘A +Wrecker’s Romance’ would take great with the +smell of real salt water blowing right into the +playhouse,” submitted Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Where the old wrecker hails the ship in the +fog I want to work in some slow, solemn music,” +proceeded Jolly. “Eh? What’s that? Mr. Jolly? +That’s me. What is it, lad?” +</p> +<p> +A messenger boy from the hotel had appeared +at the entrance to the playhouse and asked for +Mr. Benjamin Jolly. He delivered a note to that +individual. The latter read it, his face breaking +into a delighted smile. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124'></a>124</span> +</p> +<p> +“Say, my friends,” he announced, seizing his +hat and rushing unceremoniously from their company, +“rush call, important though unexpected. +Back soon,” and Jolly chuckled and waved his +hand gaily. +</p> +<p> +He was all smiles and still chuckling when he +returned, which was in about an hour. They had +decided on an early supper so as to have plenty +of leisure to look over things before the playhouse +opened, at half past six o’clock. As a +starter, they planned to give three entertainments, +each beginning on the hour. +</p> +<p> +“You seem to feel pretty good, Mr. Jolly?” +observed Randy, as they dispatched the appetizing +meal, their helpful friend brimming over +with comical sayings. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I’ve got to live up to my name, you +know,” explained Jolly. “Besides, always +dreaming, you see. Been dreaming this afternoon +of big houses, delighted throngs, pleasant +surprises,” and the speaker emphasized the last +word, looking mysterious the while. +</p> +<p> +Frank and Randy, full of the theme of the +hour and its practical demands upon their abilities, +did not notice this particularly. Pep, however, +eyed Jolly keenly. He lingered as his chums +got up from the table. Somehow the exaggerated +jollity of their lively pianist, to Pep’s way +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125'></a>125</span> +of thinking, was connected with the mysterious +message he had received earlier in the afternoon. +Pep was an unusually observant lad. He was furthermore +given to indulging a very lively fancy. +</p> +<p> +Now he went up to Jolly. Very searchingly +he fixed his eye upon the piano player. Very +solemnly he picked up one of Jolly’s hands and +looked up the arm of his coat. +</p> +<p> +“Hello!” challenged Jolly—“what you up to +now, you young skeesicks?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, nothing,” retorted Pep—“just thought +I’d like to see what you’ve got up your sleeve, as +the saying goes.” +</p> +<p> +“Ah,” smiled Jolly—“suspect something; do +you?” +</p> +<p> +“Got a right to; haven’t I?” questioned Pep, +shrewdly. +</p> +<p> +“Well,” retorted Jolly, slowly, stroking his +chin in a reflective way, “I won’t say—just now. +I’ll give you a tip, though, Pep.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes?” cried Pep, expectantly. +</p> +<p> +“About six-thirty look out for something.” +</p> +<p> +“What will it be, now?” projected Pep, +eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“The Great Unknown,” replied Ben Jolly, +with an enigmatical smile. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126'></a>126</span><a name='chXV' id='chXV'></a>CHAPTER XV—THE SPEAKING PICTURE</h2> +<p> +Pep was “on pins and needles” over the mysterious +remark of Ben Jolly as to “The Great +Unknown.” His friend was good natured about +the matter, but parried all further questions. +Then all hands at the new Wonderland became +absorbed in their respective duties as partners and +helpers in making the opening night of their venture +a pronounced success. +</p> +<p> +Randy could not resist the temptation of taking +a run past the National. He came back with +his face on a broad grin. +</p> +<p> +“Well, Randy?” spoke Frank, expectantly. +</p> +<p> +“Carrington and his crowd are all business,” +was the report. “I could see Greg and another +bustling about inside. Everything looks make-shift, +though, as if they had rushed things and +weren’t more than half ready to begin. They +were setting bare boards on top of kegs to answer +for seats, and they had mended one of their +broken front windows with a piece of canvas.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127'></a>127</span> +</p> +<p> +“Did you see anything of the famous band we +heard about?” inquired Frank. +</p> +<p> +“No, but at one side of the steps that lead into +the National there was a little platform with +four chairs on it.” +</p> +<p> +“I think that is their stand for the free concert +Peter Carrington was bragging about,” remarked +Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“Four, did you say?” queried Pep, quickly. +“Why, say, I’ll bet I know.” +</p> +<p> +“Know what, Pep?” inquired Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“About their band. Bet you it’s those four +fellows who wander around calling themselves +the Little German Band. They play for lunches, +or take up a collection from the crowd, most any +way to pick up a few pennies. And, oh, such +music! I heard them down at the merry-go-round +yesterday.” +</p> +<p> +“And that isn’t all,” added Randy. “Somewhere +they have bought an old transparency. +Strung it clear across the front of the building. +It reads in big red letters, ‘Grand Opening.’ +That’s all right at a distance, but as you get +nearer up to it you can see where the color has +faded where they tried to paint out a smaller +line. ‘Free Lunch All Day’ was the line I made +out plain as could be. You can imagine where +it came from.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128'></a>128</span> +</p> +<p> +Pep kept his watch in his hand and his eyes +fixed upon it most of the time for the next half-hour. +He almost counted the seconds in his impatience +to see operations begin. He strolled +restlessly between the living room where his +friends sat conversing, to the front of the place, +peering out of the windows and reporting progress +at each trip: +</p> +<p> +“Lot of people looking over the place. +</p> +<p> +“Quite a crowd strolling by as if hanging +around just waiting to get into the show. +</p> +<p> +“Dozen children in line waiting to buy tickets. +</p> +<p> +“Looks to me as if the people are heading +from the beach in this direction. Hope we’ll be +able to handle the crowds. +</p> +<p> +“Say, Frank, it’s twenty minutes after six.” +</p> +<p> +“The crowds will keep, Pep,” said Frank with +a smile. “We’ve got to follow up a system, you +know.” +</p> +<p> +“For mercy’s sake, what is that!” shouted +Randy, suddenly. +</p> +<p> +There had swept in through the open windows +upon the evening breeze a strange—a startling—series +of sounds: “Ump! Ump!” “Bla-aat bla-aat,” +“Flar-op, flar-op,” “Tootle-tootle”—a dismal +melody filled the room, half notes, a mixture +of notes, some of sledge hammer force, some +weak and squeaking. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129'></a>129</span> +</p> +<p> +“Oh, hold me!” cried Randy, going into convulsions +of laughter—“it’s that Little German +Band.” +</p> +<p> +This seemed true, for they could trace the +source of the music after a moment or two. They +proceeded from the neighborhood of their business +rival. How they might sound directly at +their source it was difficult to surmise. Arising +from the hollow in which the National was located, +they lacked all acoustic qualities, like a +band playing into a funnel. +</p> +<p> +“Twenty-seven minutes and a half after six,” +declared Pep abruptly. +</p> +<p> +“All right,” nodded Jolly, arising from his +seat. “It’s not dark yet, but I suppose we will +have to shoot on the lights.” +</p> +<p> +The quartette started from the rear room in +company, but Pep was making for the front +entrance as soon as Jolly moved towards the +piano. He came to a dead halt with a blank face +as there sounded out, directly in front of the +place, a sharp, clear bugle call. +</p> +<p> +“Ahem!” observed Ben Jolly, with significant +emphasis. +</p> +<p> +Frank and Randy stood stock still. They were +both surprised and entranced, for after that rollicking +bugle call there rang out a sweet home +melody. Whoever was creating those gentle yet +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130'></a>130</span> +clear and expressive notes was a master of the +cornet. The hour, the scene were in harmony +with the liquid notes that gushed forth like golden +beads dropped into a crystal dish. +</p> +<p> +The wondering Pep, as if in a spell, moved +noiselessly down the aisle and looked out through +a window. Standing at the extreme inner edge +of the walk was the cornetist. He wore a neat +military costume. His close bearded face made +Pep think of photographs he had seen of the +leader of a noted military band. From every +direction the crowds were gathering. They +blocked the walk and the beach beyond it. A +hush showed the appreciation of this enchanted +audience until the tune was finished. Then the +air was filled with acclamations. +</p> +<p> +“Friend of mine—it’s all right. Thought I’d +sort of offset that brass band down at the National,” +sang out Ben Jolly at the piano, and Pep +now knew what his reticent friend had “up his +sleeve.” “All ready—here she goes!” +</p> +<p> +A chorus of “Ah’s!” and “Oh’s!” swelled +forth as the electric sign and then the whole front +of Wonderland burst into a glow of electric radiance. +Frank was into the sheet iron booth in a +jiffy. Jolly sat prim and precise at the piano. +Randy was in place in the little ticket office just +as Pep threw open the front doors. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131'></a>131</span> +</p> +<p> +Pep tried to look and act dignified, and did +very well, but he felt so elated as the crowd +poured in that he was all smiles and made everybody +feel at ease instead of awed. Wonderland +could not have opened at a more favorable moment. +A better advertisement than the cornet +solo could not have been devised. The crowd +attracted by the music lingered, and most of them +decided to take in the show. +</p> +<p> +Nearly every seat in the house was taken as +Jolly began the overture. As the electric bell announced +the darkening of the room Pep had to +hunt for vacant chairs. +</p> +<p> +Pep was particularly attentive to the cornetist, +who entered the playhouse after giving a second +tune on his instrument. +</p> +<p> +“Near the front, please,” he said to Pep, and +he seemed satisfied as the young usher found him +a chair in the front row next to the curtain. +</p> +<p> +The first film was full of fun and laughter. +The second was an airship specialty and went off +very well. The feature film of the series was +“A Wrecker’s Romance.” It had just enough +sea flavor to catch with the audience. There was +a schooner caught in a storm that was lost in the +gathering fog after sending up a rocket as a signal +of distress. +</p> +<p> +The next scene showed the wrecker on the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132'></a>132</span> +rainswept beach staring into the depths for some +sign from the belated ship. It was here that Ben +Jolly adapted the slow, striking music to the +progress of the story. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly the lone figure on the beach lifted his +hands to his lips, formed into a human speaking +trumpet. +</p> +<p> +The audience, rapt with the intensity of the +incident, were breathlessly engrossed. They +could anticipate his forlorn call amid that desolate +scene. +</p> +<p> +And then something remarkable happened. +Apparently from those moving lips, distant but +clear—resonant and long-drawn-out—thrilling +every soul in the audience with its naturalness +and intensity, there sounded the words: +</p> +<p> +“Ship ahoy!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133'></a>133</span><a name='chXVI' id='chXVI'></a>CHAPTER XVI—A GRAND SUCCESS</h2> +<p> +A deep hush pervaded the audience. The people +were spellbound. Even Pep, standing against +the side wall, felt a thrill pass through him. So +natural and fitting had been the climax of the picture +that its effect was apparent in a general rustling—a +deep breath that swayed the onlookers. +</p> +<p> +The wrecker turned and his lips again moved +as if to form for a signal whistle. Shrilly the +call wavered about the scene. +</p> +<p> +“A talking picture!” Pep heard someone +whisper. +</p> +<p> +“It’s great!” echoed another voice. +</p> +<p> +A magnificent Newfoundland dog came bounding +down the beach. Its young master held a +coil of rope in his hand. He seemed swayed by +conflicting emotions. Then he appeared to arrive +at a conclusion. +</p> +<p> +He would not see that noble ship go to pieces +on the rocks! He secured one end of the rope +to the collar of the animal and made signs. The +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134'></a>134</span> +intelligent dog lifted his head. A joyous, willing +bark rang out. It was real—like the call—like +the whistle. +</p> +<p> +“Ginger!” exclaimed Pep Smith, in a stupefied +way. +</p> +<p> +The dog disappeared. Then a dim light +showed far out at sea and there sounded out the +distant echo of the foghorn of a steamer. It was +so familiar to the audience, so natural, that more +than one among them probably lost himself and +almost fancied he was standing on that lonely +storm-lashed beach with the wrecker. +</p> +<p> +The film ran its course—the rope was carried +by the faithful dog to the imperiled ship. A +safety line was sent ashore. Passengers and crew +were all saved and among them a beautiful young +girl. +</p> +<p> +The last picture showed a lovely garden—the +grounds of the home of the father of the rescued +girl. She was reading a book in a vernal bower. +The wrecker, her lover, appeared. Birds swayed +among the blossoming branches of the trees. He +spoke—she listened. Then, arm in arm, they +walked slowly from the garden to the accompaniment +of soft bird notes that filled the whole house +with the most ravishing melody. +</p> +<p> +The lights came on amid furious and genuine +applause. A delighted and excited old man +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135'></a>135</span> +jumped up on his chair and waved his hat, shouting: +</p> +<p> +“Three cheers for the best show on earth!” +</p> +<p> +“That was just famous.” +</p> +<p> +“Must be one of those new speaking pictures.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, we must get all the folks to come to this +delightful show!” +</p> +<p> +Pep’s heart beat proudly as the audience filed +out and he overheard this encouraging praise. +He could hardly contain himself. Then he noticed +Ben Jolly beckoning to him and he glided +over to the piano. Jolly’s face was one broad, +delighted smile. +</p> +<p> +“How was it, Pep?” he inquired. +</p> +<p> +“No, <em>what</em> was it!” corrected Pep in a fluster, +and then he noticed that the cornetist had remained +seated—and he guessed something. +</p> +<p> +“Him?” he questioned. +</p> +<p> +“Correct!” replied Jolly. “Give Durham the +tip. It’s Hal Vincent. Durham must have noticed +the brilliant accompaniment to the films and +I don’t want to get him rattled wondering what’s +up.” +</p> +<p> +Pep had some difficulty in getting to the operator’s +booth. A long line of people were in place +at the doors and they came in with a rush as the +room was emptied. Pep tapped and Frank told +him to come in. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136'></a>136</span> +</p> +<p> +“Did you hear—did you notice it?” spoke +Pep, excitedly. +</p> +<p> +“Why, of course,” replied Frank. “I couldn’t +understand it at first, but I know it must be some +professional imitator.” +</p> +<p> +“It was Mr. Vincent. He wore a false +beard.” +</p> +<p> +“You don’t say so!” cried Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and he was the cornetist outside, too.” +Pep went on. +</p> +<p> +“All a piece of Mr. Jolly’s work, I suppose?” +</p> +<p> +“Of course,” replied Pep. “When he got that +message this afternoon Mr. Vincent was probably +at the hotel. Then he arranged to surprise us.” +</p> +<p> +“It’s more than a surprise—it’s given tone +and novelty to the whole entertainment.” +</p> +<p> +The routine of set duties prevented the boys +from prolonging the conversation. Jolly had +begun the intermission overture and the seats +were filling up fast. A good many had remained +from the first audience. It took little circulating +among the benches for Pep to learn that “A +Wrecker’s Romance,” with its realistic interpretation, +was responsible for this. +</p> +<p> +There was not a break in the second show, but +there was a great surprise for the boys when the +third and last programme began. A good many +who had been to the National had got around to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137'></a>137</span> +the rival playhouse. Home-going crowds from +the beach made a stop. +</p> +<p> +“Nearly fifty people turned away,” reported +Randy, as Pep slipped out to have a word with +him. +</p> +<p> +“There must have been over eight hundred +admissions,” figured Pep. +</p> +<p> +“One thousand, one hundred and fifty exactly,” +reported Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Why, say,” cried Pep, “at that rate we’re +going to be rich!” +</p> +<p> +“Hey, young fellow,” hailed a man appearing +at this moment—“I suppose there’s a free list +for friends?” +</p> +<p> +“I should say so,” responded Pep, recognizing +the workman at the National he had gotten so +chummy with. “Step right in, although I’m +afraid I can’t offer you a seat.” +</p> +<p> +“Crowded as that; eh?” spoke the man. +“That’s fine.” +</p> +<p> +“How is it at the National?” asked Pep. +“Do they keep busy?” +</p> +<p> +“Every seat taken, but then you know they +gave away a lot of tickets. Why, say,” proceeded +the man as they got inside, “I had no +idea you could fix this place up so nifty.” +</p> +<p> +“I suppose they opened at the National before +they were all ready?” suggested Pep, who was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138'></a>138</span> +dreadfully curious about the proceedings of Peter +Carrington and his friends. +</p> +<p> +“I should say they did! They had to use +boards for seats and several of them split in two. +The funniest thing, though, was when one of the +private boxes broke down.” +</p> +<p> +“Say,” propounded Pep, “did they really build +some private boxes?” +</p> +<p> +“They did, for a fact. They were no use and +no ornament, and the fellow who bosses things—his +name is Beavers—kicked big against it. +Young Carrington would have it, though, so we +hurried through the best we could to-day. We +told him the floor wasn’t in and not to move the +chairs about, but he got in there with some chums. +First thing we knew one of them shifted his position, +and the three of them went through the floor +and landed sprawling on top of the piano. It was +a sight, I tell you, and the audience roared.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, I declare!” spoke Jolly, an hour later, +as he came to the front of the playhouse with +Vincent. “The last entertainment over and I +believe you could gather up enough to run another +show.” +</p> +<p> +“It certainly looks like it,” added Frank. +</p> +<p> +The last audience had dispersed, but around +and near the Wonderland a great many persons +and groups loitered or strolled along leisurely. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139'></a>139</span> +They were the late stayers about the beach, and +had the lights been left on and the ticket office +open many of them no doubt would have entered +the playhouse. +</p> +<p> +“Enough is as good as a feast,” laughed +Randy, hugging his tin cash box under his arm +with great complacency. “It couldn’t have been +better.” +</p> +<p> +“I guess we’ve hit it this time,” pronounced +Pep, proudly. +</p> +<p> +“That isn’t always so hard to do at the start,” +advised Hal Vincent. “It’s keeping it up that +counts. You want to advertise now—new stunts, +novelties, attractions.” +</p> +<p> +“Attractions!” cried Pep. “Can the best of +them beat those cornet solos? Novelties! Why, +those talking pictures will be the hit of the town.” +</p> +<p> +“You are a famous friend, Mr. Vincent,” +spoke Frank, warmly. +</p> +<p> +“And ought to be a famous man,” supplemented +Jolly, loyally. “He’s worth putting on a +special programme, Durham.” +</p> +<p> +“I got through with my city lawsuit just in +time,” explained Vincent. “Made quite a good +settlement, too. First thing I did was to release +my wardrobe and dummies from embargo. They +are ready to ship to any point where I may find +an engagement.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140'></a>140</span> +</p> +<p> +“Then give your order for their delivery at +Seaside Park forthwith, Mr. Vincent,” directed +Frank, spontaneously. “I’ll risk saying that we +can pay you what is fair for a month’s steady +run at least.” +</p> +<p> +“Things seem to be building up right along +the line; don’t they, Pep?” piped the piano +player briskly, giving his favorite a friendly slap +on the shoulder. +</p> +<p> +“Oh!” cried Randy, “we’re going to find all +kinds of fame and fortune at Seaside Park.” +</p> +<p> +“By—the—wild—sea—waaa-ves!” added the +versatile Vincent, throwing his ventriloquist +voice way off over the beach in a sing-song way +that startled passers-by. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141'></a>141</span><a name='chXVII' id='chXVII'></a>CHAPTER XVII—BOASTFUL PETER</h2> +<p> +“Somebody at the door, Pep.” +</p> +<p> +“All right, I’ll attend to them.” +</p> +<p> +Jolly was rearranging the chairs after sweeping +out the playhouse and Pep was dusting, +when there came a summons at the front door. +It was a smart tapping and Pep wondered who +it could be. He released one door to confront +an impressive-looking individual, with a light +cane in his hand and a face that somehow made +Pep think of a stranded actor. +</p> +<p> +“This is the Wonderland, I assume?” spoke +the caller, grandiloquently. +</p> +<p> +“You have assumed right,” replied Pep. +</p> +<p> +“Mr. Frank Durham, proprietor?” +</p> +<p> +“One of them.” +</p> +<p> +“Can I see Mr. Durham personally. Important +business.” +</p> +<p> +“Certainly. This way,” directed Pep, and he +led the way to the living room at the rear. +</p> +<p> +“What did I tell you!” half groaned Hal +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142'></a>142</span> +Vincent into Frank’s ear the moment he set +eyes on the newcomer. +</p> +<p> +“Ah, Mr. Durham—forgotten me, I suppose?” +airily intimated the visitor, as he entered +the room. +</p> +<p> +“Not at all,” replied Frank, with a pleasant +smile, as he arose from the desk at which he +was seated. +</p> +<p> +Jolly had got hold of a very presentable desk +in his trading. It had been set in a convenient +corner of the room and constituted the “office” +of the Wonderland. +</p> +<p> +It was the ubiquitous Booth whom Frank +greeted. He knew the man at a glance and so +did Vincent. The latter viewed the new arrival +suspiciously and with a none too cordial bow. +There was something that appealed to Frank in +the visionary old fellow, however, and he treated +him courteously. +</p> +<p> +Booth bore unmistakable signs of prosperity +and contentment. He now wore a brand new +glossy silk tile, lemon colored gloves, was cleanly +shaven and exploited an irreproachable collar +and bright red necktie. He might have been one +of the amusement kings of America judging +from the immense gravity and dignity of his +demeanor. Mr. Booth drew out a memorandum +book with several bank notes folded between its +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143'></a>143</span> +pages and straightened his neat gold eyeglasses. +</p> +<p> +“I have some very pretentious business offerings +for you, Mr. Durham,” he volunteered. +“However, before we proceed any farther, there +is a matter of unfinished business—a trivial +obligation. Let me see?” and he flipped over +several leaves of the memorandum book. “Ah, +yes, this is it: ‘Acceptance, one hundred and +fifty.’ No, that is not it. ‘Note at bank’—wrong +again. Here we have it: ‘I. O. U., one dollar.’ +I had forgotten the amount,” and he handed +Frank a bill for that amount. +</p> +<p> +“Many thanks, Mr. Durham. Adversity is +the common lot, and such cheerful assistance as +that which you accorded me at New York City +is of the kind that keeps the human heart warm +with those who honorably expect to pay their +debts. Now then, sir, to the important business +mission which brought me here.” +</p> +<p> +Vincent looked darkly suspicious, Frank mildly +inquisitive, Randy wondered what was coming, +and Pep was curiously expectant. +</p> +<p> +“The inauguration of two new photo playhouses +at Seaside Park has offered a certain +scope of opportunity for my line of specialization,” +proceeded Booth. “I have canvassed the +town and have done some very satisfactory initial +business, believe me, Mr. Durham.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144'></a>144</span> +</p> +<p> +“I am very glad to hear that,” spoke Frank, +heartily. +</p> +<p> +“Beyond my expectations, I may say,” declared +the enterprising advance agent. “You +are open for curtain features, sir?” +</p> +<p> +“Of the right kind, most certainly,” assented +Frank. +</p> +<p> +“High class with me, sir, always,” declared +Booth. “I have one contract of quite some +magnitude. It is a continuous one, with a feature +that will enhance your business materially. +Perhaps I had better show you. How is that, +sir?” +</p> +<p> +The advance agent presented a card. Upon it +a photograph had been pasted and under this was +the reading: +</p> +<p> +“Who am I? Meet me face to face!” +</p> +<p> +“Why,” smiled Frank in some mystification, +“this is a picture of the back of a man’s head?” +</p> +<p> +“Exactly so—that’s just it!” nodded Booth, +animatedly. “In me you see the inventor of +that most original idea. I wish you to have that +made into a slide. You throw the picture on +the screen during the intermissions. A blank +card is given to every person with the admission +ticket. It is announced that the picture represents +a well known local merchant. Who is he? +The audience is given a chance to vote and the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145'></a>145</span> +cards are collected. To those who guess correctly +a one-pound box of finest chocolates is +delivered next day. These confections, done up +in handsome boxes, you pile up in your front +windows with a neat placard explaining the +scheme. A custom drawer; eh, Mr. Durham?” +</p> +<p> +“Why, I must say it is quite a novel and ingenious +plan,” admitted Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Got to have some attraction like that to interest +new business, sir,” declared Booth. “I +have presented the plan to you first, because you +stood my friend in time of need and because I +am informed that you operate the leading playhouse +here at Seaside Park.” +</p> +<p> +“Are you authorized to make a deal on that +business, Booth?” inquired Vincent, in a blunt, +matter-of-fact way. +</p> +<p> +“I am,” replied the advance agent with emphasis. +“My client will sign a contract. He is +one of the most reliable business men in the community. +In later curtain features, first the rear +view and then the front view and advertisement +of my client’s business will be delineated on the +screen. I have several other features to follow +this one. I can make it worth your while to +enter into a contract.” +</p> +<p> +“I see no objection to your proposition,” returned +Frank, after a moment’s reflection. “I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146'></a>146</span> +dislike any prize lottery contests, or anything +that approaches the gambling idea; but this suggestion +of yours seems clean and honest.” +</p> +<p> +He went over details with Booth and was +pleased to realize that quite a neat little income +was promised from this unexpected feature of +the entertainments. +</p> +<p> +“I declare, that is the first coherent scheme I +ever knew Booth to put through,” asserted Vincent, +as the advance agent took his departure. +“If he sticks at this in a business-like way it +looks as if he would make some real money. He +goes off on a tangent every once in a while, Durham. +You needn’t be surprised if he drops in +some day with one of his wild schemes, like +dropping free tickets over the town from a balloon.” +</p> +<p> +“Ready to go to the bank, Randy?” inquired +Frank, in quite a flutter, taking the bank book +from a pigeonhole in the desk. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” replied Randy, taking a neatly done-up +package from his tin cash box. “I’ve sorted +out everything above fifty cents for deposit.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s right—always keep a good supply of +small change on hand,” advised Jolly. “I say, +Durham, what about the daytime shows?” +</p> +<p> +“We had better canvass that situation during +the day,” replied Frank. “We might give it a +trial, say, day after to-morrow.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147'></a>147</span> +</p> +<p> +“I don’t think a morning show would pay us,” +suggested Vincent. “You might work in three +matinees, though, especially when the beach gets +more crowded.” +</p> +<p> +Randy invited Pep to go down to the bank +with him. They felt pretty good over the pleasant +way things were going. +</p> +<p> +“We’re in the swim, sure,” declared Pep, animatedly. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and drifting along most delightfully,” +agreed Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Sort of a howling capitalist; aren’t you!” +railed Pep, as they reached the bank, and with +a due sense of importance his companion handed +in bank book and money at the receiving teller’s +window. +</p> +<p> +“You needn’t talk,” retorted Randy—“you’re +‘a bloated bondholder’; aren’t you?” +</p> +<p> +Pep winced at the allusion. As they passed +down the steps of the bank they came face to +face with two of their business rivals. They +were Peter Carrington and Greg Grayson. Pep +carelessly and Randy rather distantly bowed to +the two boys and were about to pass on their +way. +</p> +<p> +“Hold on,” sang out Peter, in his usual abrupt +style. “Had quite a house last night; didn’t +you? So did we.” +</p> +<p> +“I heard so,” observed Pep. “What’s the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148'></a>148</span> +matter with your private box department, +though?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, accidents will happen,” returned Peter. +“Say, look out for a big hit, though, in a day +or two.” +</p> +<p> +“That so?” said Pep. +</p> +<p> +“You bet! Isn’t that so, Greg?” +</p> +<p> +Greg Grayson assented with a nod. He looked +mean and probably felt the same way. He had +sense enough to realize that his past record with +the moving picture chums, taken in conjunction +with his present appearance on a new scene, +showed him up in a poor light. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir,” vaunted Peter, swelling as if some +big idea had sprouted in that dull brain of his; +“we’re going to spring a motion picture sensation +on Seaside Park that will about make us.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s good,” applauded Randy. “You deserve +it if you have the right thing.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, we just have,” boasted Peter. “It’s +so good that I shouldn’t wonder if it put everybody +else in our line clean out of business.” +</p> +<p> +“Meaning us, I suppose?” inquired Pep. +</p> +<p> +“Well, those who don’t want to get hurt had +better keep out of the way,” advised Peter. +“The National has come to stay, I can tell you +that.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149'></a>149</span><a name='chXVIII' id='chXVIII'></a>CHAPTER XVIII—THE GREAT FILM</h2> +<p> +“Durham, I feel that we’ve just go to get +that film,” spoke Ben Jolly. +</p> +<p> +He held in his hand a special letter from the +National Film Exchange, and the lively piano +player waved it about in a way that showed that +he was unusually excited. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of +those specials that come along only once or twice +a year. The prize fights used to lead before people +knew as much as they do now; but you take +a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an +earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the +big feature that the public run after for about a +month.” +</p> +<p> +“You’ve got to get in at them at the start, +though,” suggested Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“Always. The event advertises itself and the +film men give it a new start. Why, to open up +for day shows, this flood film would be an attraction +all of itself.” +</p> +<p> +“Better keep up with the times,” half laughed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150'></a>150</span> +Randy. “You know how Peter Carrington is +bragging about some new attraction that is going +to put us out of business.” +</p> +<p> +Frank and his chums were practically novices +in the “movies” line. They, however, knew +enough about the business to realize that the +theme under discussion was one worth considering +in all its bearings. Furthermore, they placed +great reliance in the judgment of Jolly and Vincent. +The letter they had received advised them +that within two days the “Great Flood Series” +of films would be offered for lease. The supply +was limited and on this account one film had +been apportioned to certain territory. The right +to use the film, therefore, would go to the highest +bidder in each district. +</p> +<p> +The flood film covered a national disaster in +which a large section of the West had been inundated, +causing immense loss to life and property. +Public charity had been appealed to and there +were relief funds all over the country. The interest +in the event had not yet abated. +</p> +<p> +“It’s a big feature,” declared Ben Jolly. “My +advice is to get it.” +</p> +<p> +“And get it quick,” added Vincent. “These +attractions are grabbed for.” +</p> +<p> +“But the cost?” suggested Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, it is never ruinous,” said Vincent. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151'></a>151</span> +“See here, you can spare me best out of your +most valuable staff. I’ll go to the city and put +the deal through, if you say so.” +</p> +<p> +“What about those cornet solos, and the talking +picture stunt, and the act you were going to +put on the programme?” grumbled Pep. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, they will keep for a night or so,” replied +Vincent. “Another thing, I ordered my outfit, +which was levied on at the stand down country +where my last venture showed, sent to New York +City before I knew I was coming down here. +There’s some new wardrobe properties I want, +too, so I can do double duty while I am in the +city.” +</p> +<p> +It was decided that Vincent should go to New +York and see what could be done about the +flood film. The boys had figured up what price +they could stand as a maximum figure, but considerable +discretion was left to their representative. +Randy and Pep strolled down to the depot +with Vincent. +</p> +<p> +“See who’s here,” suddenly observed Randy. +</p> +<p> +Peter Carrington, in a loud, checked suit, +alarming necktie and classy yachting cap, was at +the depot with his two admiring cronies, Greg +Grayson and Jack Beavers. He was talking in +a loud, showy way, but as Beavers caught sight +of Vincent he spoke quickly to Peter and they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152'></a>152</span> +drew away from the spot. Peter entered the +chair car when the train came in. +</p> +<p> +“Hello, going your way,” observed Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Say, suppose he’s after that new feature +film?” inquired Pep, excitedly. +</p> +<p> +“Might be,” observed Vincent, carelessly. “If +that’s the big card they were bragging about, +they haven’t landed it yet. Glad you mentioned +that point, Pep. I’ll get busy.” +</p> +<p> +There was a great deal to attend to that day. +The season had commenced with the finest of +weather and it bade fair to continue indefinitely. +Frank and Jolly spent several hours deciding on +the matinee feature. +</p> +<p> +“Tell you what, fellows,” he said to Randy +and Pep, “Mr. Jolly thinks he had better take +the week to get into our routine thoroughly. +Mr. Booth was in to see us again this morning +about some advertising he will put through at +low cost. I hardly think we will try any day +shows until next week, unless our competitors +do. Then of course we will have to show our +colors.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, I can tell you that they are not +asleep,” declared Pep. +</p> +<p> +“How is that?” inquired Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“I saw my friend who works for them. He +is building a big transparency to put across the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153'></a>153</span> +front of the National. He don’t know exactly +what it is going to advertise, but he thinks a big +film feature.” +</p> +<p> +“The flood special, I’ll bet!” guessed Randy +at once. +</p> +<p> +“Aren’t they a little premature?” advanced +Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“We’ll know to-night,” said Frank. “Mr. +Vincent will probably be back on a late train.” +</p> +<p> +The boys were brisk and ready for the evening’s +entertainment when the hour arrived. +There was every indication of a big attendance. +What pleased Frank most was to notice that +those who were waiting for the doors to open +were mostly family people—children and residents. +This spoke well for the reputation the +Wonderland had already gained. +</p> +<p> +The first house was only fair. There was, +however, a big gain at eight o’clock. Randy +looked up from the ticket reel as a familiar voice +struck his ear with the monotonous: +</p> +<p> +“Two tickets, please.” +</p> +<p> +“No, no,” he laughed, moving back the bill +which Miss Porter presented, and bowing with +deference to her companion, the portly Mrs. Carrington. +“You must allow us the honor and +pleasure of retaining you on the free list.” +</p> +<p> +“Ridiculous, young man!” said the outspoken +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154'></a>154</span> +Mrs. Carrington, but she was forced ahead by +the on-pressing crowd. Pep caught sight of +them and hustled about actively securing two +good seats among the few left. +</p> +<p> +Pep felt that he was on good behavior with +the eyes of their lady patronesses upon them. +When they arose to leave at the end of the hour +he slipped over to the operator’s booth and advised +Frank of the presence of their distinguished +company. The little party drew aside +for a moment or two out of the path of the +dispersing audience. +</p> +<p> +“We must certainly compliment you on your +well ordered place, Mr. Durham,” said Mrs. Carrington. +</p> +<p> +“And your tasteful selection of films,” added +Miss Porter, brightly. “As to your pianist, he +is an expert, and your usher system perfect.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, pshaw! you are making fun of me,” declared +Pep, reddening. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, dear!” observed Mrs. Carrington with +a sigh, “of course I am deeply anxious for the +success of that headstrong nephew of mine. +Now he has got into the motion picture business +I can’t quite abandon him; but I must say the +National is crude and inartistic compared with +your place here.” +</p> +<p> +“Peter has our best wishes, Mrs. Carrington,” declared +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155'></a>155</span> +Frank. “I can assure you of +that. Of course we are business rivals, but it +will be with entire fairness on our part.” +</p> +<p> +“I am sure it will. I told you so, Mrs. Carrington,” +spoke Miss Porter. “Peter talks as +though you were sanguinary enemies, but I knew +it was nonsense as far as you are concerned. I +don’t like the man he has taken in with him, a +Mr. Beavers, however. I told him so yesterday, +but met with a rebuff for the interest I displayed +in Peter’s welfare.” +</p> +<p> +“That little lady is our champion, all right,” +declared Pep, returning from escorting the ladies +to their automobile. +</p> +<p> +When the boys came to reckon up the proceeds +of the evening they found them to be several +dollars over what they had taken in the first +night. They were congratulating themselves on +their continued good fortune when Hal Vincent +put in an appearance. He had a great paper roll +under his arm and looked brisk and contented. +</p> +<p> +“Well, Hal?” hailed Jolly, in a cheery, expectant +way. +</p> +<p> +“I want to show you something,” was the +ventriloquist’s reply as he opened the roll upon +the table. +</p> +<p> +It contained six different four-sheet posters. +They were high colored, well executed and attractive. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156'></a>156</span> +They depicted striking and thrilling +events of “The Great Flood.” +</p> +<p> +“Twenty-five sets go with the films,” he explained. +</p> +<p> +“And you’ve got the films?” said Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“I couldn’t bear to leave them behind,” replied +Vincent, with a smile. “I’ve got them and +the price won’t break us—but it’s at the cost of +making a deadly enemy.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157'></a>157</span><a name='chXIX' id='chXIX'></a>CHAPTER XIX—GETTING ALONG</h2> +<p> +“Who’s the enemy, Mr. Vincent?” inquired +Frank, quickly. +</p> +<p> +“Peter Carrington.” +</p> +<p> +“Pooh!” derided Randy. +</p> +<p> +“That doesn’t sound so dangerous,” declared +Pep, lightly. +</p> +<p> +“Tell us about it, Hal,” urged Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“There isn’t a lot to tell,” replied Vincent. +“Pep here was right about Carrington being +bound on the same mission to the city as myself. +I found him at the National Film Exchange in +great fettle. He had just closed a deal for the +flood film.” +</p> +<p> +“Then—then——” began Pep, in alarm. +</p> +<p> +“In his usual conspicuous and important way +he had his check book out, fountain pen in hand, +and ended up a grand flourish to his signature +with a sort of triumphant grin at me as I entered +the office. +</p> +<p> +“‘Too late, Mr. Man!’ he chuckled. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158'></a>158</span> +‘Thought maybe you would be after the king +attraction of the season, so I hot-footed it here +from the train. There you are, sir,’ and he +handed the check to the cashier of the Exchange. +‘Just pack up that film and the posters. Building +a big transparency advertising it. If I can +catch an early train we’ll put it on to-night.’ +</p> +<p> +“‘I cannot deliver the goods on this check, +Mr. Carrington,’ said the cashier, politely but +firmly. +</p> +<p> +“‘I’d like to know why you can’t!’ flared up +Peter. ‘That check is good as gold, and my +aunt has a little fortune in that same bank.’ +</p> +<p> +“‘All right, get someone in New York to indorse +it and you can have the goods,’ advised the +cashier. ‘It’s no discrimination, Mr. Carrington. +We make this a stringent rule with all +out-of-town customers.’ +</p> +<p> +“‘Why, if you doubt my word, telegraph the +bank at Seaside Park,’ flustered Peter. ‘Say, +I’ll do it myself. I’ll have the cash wired on, +but I shall enter a protest and a complaint with +your superiors.’ +</p> +<p> +“‘That’s all right,’ smiled the cashier indifferently. +‘I’ll give you an hour to get the cash +here. Only, remember we are likely to have +other bids.’ +</p> +<p> +“‘I am on hand to take a look at the proposition,’ +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159'></a>159</span> +I remarked just there. Peter nearly had +a fit. Then he dived for the door. I found out +that his figure was ninety-eight dollars for the +week. I added two dollars. ‘Wait the hour,’ +said the cashier. +</p> +<p> +“The hour was up and fifteen minutes over +the limit when Peter rushed upon the scene once +more,” narrated Vincent. “He pulled a big wad +of bank notes out of his pocket. ‘Pack up that +film,’ he ordered sourly, ‘and cancel all our other +orders. I’m going to a new place where they +won’t question my credit on a measly sum like +ninety-eight dollars.’ +</p> +<p> +“‘The film is sold for Seaside Park,’ explained +the cashier. ‘The Wonderland has overbid you. +You are overdue.’ +</p> +<p> +“‘Hold on,’ I put in, ‘I don’t want to take +advantage of a competitor. Fair and square, +Carrington. If you want the film, bid for it.’ +</p> +<p> +“‘Of course I’ll bid for it,’ boasted Peter. +‘I’ll give a hundred and five.’ +</p> +<p> +“‘And ten,’ I said quietly. +</p> +<p> +“‘Fifteen.’ +</p> +<p> +“‘And twenty,’ I added. +</p> +<p> +“‘Sho!’ said Peter, flipping over the bills in +his hand. I haven’t much more ready cash here +with me.‘ +</p> +<p> +“‘I’ll loan you on your check,’ I told him and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160'></a>160</span> +the bluff took. I had only the hundred and fifty +you gave me, but I was nervy, and it beat Peter. +I fancy Jack Beavers had set a limit, or the real +money wasn’t flush at the National; anyhow +with a snarl and a scowl Peter gritted his teeth +at both of us and decamped.” +</p> +<p> +Late as the hour was the motion picture chums +were so interested in the new film that they had +to give it a trial run. It was all the lurid advertising +claimed for it from start to finish, and it +took thirty-five minutes to run it—the scenes depicted +held the interest. +</p> +<p> +“It’s well worth the money,” declared Ben +Jolly enthusiastically. “Now then, to exploit it +to the limit.” +</p> +<p> +The transparency frame built for the National +remained in place, but its muslin covering did not +contain the announcement expected by Peter and +his satellites. Even Hal Vincent, well as he +knew Jack Beavers, was greatly surprised when +he was told the next day that the space was devoted +to booming a recent sparring match. +</p> +<p> +“It’s pretty bad taste,” he criticised. “It will +take with a certain element, but it won’t help in +getting the good people and the stayers.” +</p> +<p> +The flood film was widely advertised and put +on that Thursday night. The posters made a fine +show in the various store windows of the town. +A private school came <em>en masse</em> to the first +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161'></a>161</span> +evening entertainment. A ladies’ charitable association, +active in raising a fund for the flood sufferers, +was among the audience Friday night. +</p> +<p> +“It’s a go,” voted Ben Jolly, as Randy reported +over a hundred people turned away from the +doors. “If I were you, Durham, I would wire +the Exchange for a thirty days’ contract on that +film.” +</p> +<p> +This was done. A big house was expected for +Saturday night and it had been decided to run +two matinees from three to five beginning Monday. +This crowded a little but not to any noticeable +discomfort. +</p> +<p> +Pep, always on the scent for information regarding +their competitors, came in with a new +bulletin at supper time. +</p> +<p> +“Things are getting sort of mixed down at +the National, I hear,” he remarked. +</p> +<p> +“How’s that, Pep?” questioned Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“They had a rough crowd among the audience +last night and there was a fight. Two women +fainted and several had their pockets picked by +some fellows from that new Midway they started +last week outside of the concession belt.” +</p> +<p> +“I noticed Jack Beavers with a couple of hard-looking +fellows yesterday afternoon down at the +Midway,” said Vincent. “That won’t pay them, +I can tell you.” +</p> +<p> +“If the rough crowd have begun their work +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162'></a>162</span> +at the National we may expect them to make the +rounds,” said Jolly. “Keep a sharp eye out, +Pep.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll do just that,” was the prompt response. +</p> +<p> +As anticipated by the motion picture chums +and their friends, the throngs that evening beat +all records. Pep forgot to look for suspicious +characters or trouble. Everything went smoothly +up to the last show, when he noticed four swaggering +fellows come in. They crowded their way +to the front and made a noisy shuffling with their +feet and talked loudly. A few minutes later a +like group gained admittance and took seats +among the rear rows of seats. There were cat +calls and signals between the two groups and Pep +scented trouble. +</p> +<p> +Vincent, who until he went on the programme +the next week helped Pep to keep things in order, +came up to his young friend just as the first film +of the third series was being run off. +</p> +<p> +“I say, Pep,” he observed, “two of the fellows +in that quartette in front there are the same fellows +I saw with Jack Beavers. They look ripe +for a demonstration.” +</p> +<p> +“You mean they may have been sent here to +make trouble for us?” +</p> +<p> +“And rush the crowd in the hope of picking a +few pockets—that is their general programme, +yes.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163'></a>163</span> +</p> +<p> +“I wish we could get one of the beach policemen +to show himself,” said Pep. “That would +scare them off. Those officers are friendly to us, +but won’t make a move until a real row is on.” +</p> +<p> +“I think I can help out on this proposition,” +remarked Vincent, and Pep noticed that he passed +through the doorway leading to the living apartment, +behind the main room. +</p> +<p> +When the lights came on for a moment between +the first and second film Pep stared in blank +surprise at a figure standing against the side wall. +It was that of a police officer fully uniformed, +even to the stout club usually carried. He was +not ten feet away from the quartette that had +made Pep so apprehensive. +</p> +<p> +“It’s Mr. Vincent,” guessed Pep—“good for +him!” +</p> +<p> +The versatile ventriloquist it was. His extensive +wardrobe had provided a disguise that cooled +down the four unwelcome visitors from the start. +Vincent stood like a statue where he had posted +himself, as if on duty. When the lights went off +he drew even nearer to the quartette, and they +seemed to accept the fact that he was there for +their benefit and that it would pay them to behave +themselves. +</p> +<p> +Vincent was a good deal surprised when someone +came close to him down the aisle next to the +outer wall of the building. He was almost startled +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164'></a>164</span> +when the words were whispered in his ear: +</p> +<p> +“Officer, I want you to help me as soon as this +film is over.” +</p> +<p> +“In what way?” inquired Vincent. +</p> +<p> +“The two men at the end of the front seats +here—Midway crowd—I want them.” +</p> +<p> +“Want them?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I am an officer from the city—I’ll show +you my credentials later. The two fellows I mention +have led me a long hunt—it’s a burglary +case.” +</p> +<p> +“What do you want me to do?” inquired Vincent. +</p> +<p> +“They will show fight, both of them, the minute +their eyes light on me. You grab the second +fellow. I’ll attend to the other one. Then send +the usher out for more police help.” +</p> +<p> +“All right,” assented Vincent, “only do all this +quietly as you can. We don’t want to hurt the +reputation of the show by any rough work.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, they’ll wilt when they see they’re cornered. +Another word-whisper.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes?” +</p> +<p> +“Help me to do this job neatly and there’s a +fine reward to divide.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165'></a>165</span><a name='chXX' id='chXX'></a>CHAPTER XX—A RICH FIND</h2> +<p> +As the lights came on again the man who had +spoken to Vincent moved forward so as to intercept +the two end men on the second row of seats. +One of them, who had arisen the moment he +fixed his eyes on the officer from the city, sat +down quickly. He pulled his next companion by +the sleeve, who slunk down with him. +</p> +<p> +All this Vincent noticed, and Pep, guessing +that these actions meant something, glided to the +side of the ventriloquist. +</p> +<p> +“What is it, Mr. Vincent?” he inquired +breathlessly. +</p> +<p> +“I hardly know myself yet,” said Vincent. +</p> +<p> +“I want you, my man!” spoke the city officer +just here. +</p> +<p> +He reached out and grabbed the slinking man +by the collar. +</p> +<p> +“That one also,” was added sharply, and Hal +Vincent pounced upon the other man in true official +style. Pep heard what he took for signal +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166'></a>166</span> +whistles from the other members of the party, +whom he noticed burrowing their way through +the crowd as if fearing detection themselves and +anxious to get out of the way as fast as they +could. +</p> +<p> +“Go out and tell a couple of beach officers we +need them, Pep,” spoke Vincent quickly. “This +way,” he added to the New York officer, and led +his prisoner into the living rooms. +</p> +<p> +Pep hurried on his mission and returned with +the officers sent for. He advised Frank and +Randy that “something was up” and made sure +that the latter got started for the rear with his +cash box. Then Pep closed and locked the front +doors securely. +</p> +<p> +He stood there on guard until the two policemen +and the officer from the city came out with +their prisoners. They had handcuffed them together +and the captives looked sullen but subdued. +</p> +<p> +“I won’t forget you,” spoke the officer from +the city as Pep let the little group get out into the +street. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, that’s all right,” replied Vincent. “We’re +glad to have got through with the fellows without +any row or publicity.” +</p> +<p> +“What have those men been doing, Mr. Vincent?” +inquired Pep as the doors were again secured +and they went back into the living rooms. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167'></a>167</span> +</p> +<p> +“Some big burglary in New York, the officer +said,” explained the ventriloquist. “It seems he +has been on their trail for a week. Located them +at the Midway and traced them here to-night.” +</p> +<p> +“Get your broom, Randy,” ordered Pep, consulting +his watch. +</p> +<p> +“What for?” +</p> +<p> +“We’ve got just forty-eight minutes before +twelve o’clock. We want to sweep out by then. +To-morrow’s Sunday, when we won’t do it, and +the next day is Monday when we can’t do it with +the hustle and bustle of a double programme and +two matinees. Besides, it’s a satisfaction to see +it all neat and in order over to-morrow.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s so,” assented Randy, but he yawned, +for it had been an arduous day for all hands. +</p> +<p> +The boys pitched in with ardor, Pep taking one +side, Randy the other. There was more sand +than dust, for the floor had been cleanly swept +only that morning. There was, however, the +usual lot of candy and popcorn boxes, torn programmes, +and the general litter of the entertainment. +</p> +<p> +“You beat me, Randy,” said Pep, as his companion +rounded into the end of the center aisle +near the entrance first with his heap of swept-up +rubbish. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll get the box and the dust pan,” volunteered Randy, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168'></a>168</span> +“and we’ll soon have the rubbish +out of the way.” +</p> +<p> +While his comrade was gone for the utensils in +question Pep began poking about in the accumulated +heap swept up. He always did this before +the heap was placed in the rubbish box and +dumped out of a side window into a coal box +standing beneath it. Very often they found little +articles of value—once a pair of ladies’ gloves, a +baby’s hat twice, rings, and after nearly every performance +pennies, nickels, and once a dollar bill. +A list of these articles of any value was made and +placarded on a neat card labelled “Owner Apply,” +tacked up on the ticket seller’s booth outside. +</p> +<p> +“A plugged nickel and two suspender buttons,” +laughed Pep as a result of his explorations +as Randy reappeared. +</p> +<p> +“I kicked something!” announced Randy, and +sure enough something that rattled skidded +across the floor from the edge of the dust heap. +</p> +<p> +“Why,” replied Pep, picking up the article in +question, “it’s a chamois bag.” +</p> +<p> +“Something in it?” questioned Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Think so? I’ll see,” and Pep probed. “I +say,” he added with animation, “look here, +Randy!” +</p> +<p> +Both boys viewed in amazement the object Pep +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169'></a>169</span> +had extracted from the little chamois bag. It +sparkled and dazzled. +</p> +<p> +“Gold!” uttered Randy. +</p> +<p> +“And diamonds!” added Pep with zest. “It’s +a necklace. It’s handsome enough to be real, but +that can’t be.” +</p> +<p> +“Why not?” challenged Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, it would be worth a small fortune. +Who’s going to drop a thing like that in a ten-cent +motion picture show?” +</p> +<p> +“We’ll ask Mr. Vincent,” suggested Randy, +and Pep slipped their singular find into his pocket. +They cleaned up the dust heap, set the rows of +chairs in apple pie order and joined the others in +the living rooms. +</p> +<p> +“I want to show you something, Mr. Vincent,” +said Pep, approaching the ventriloquist, +who with Jolly was dispatching supper at the +table. +</p> +<p> +“Why,” exclaimed Vincent, as Pep handed +him the chamois bag and he held up to the light +the necklace it contained, “where in the world +did you get this?” +</p> +<p> +“I should say so!” cried Jolly, his eyes fixed +upon the shimmering article of jewelry. +</p> +<p> +“Randy swept it up,” explained Pep. +</p> +<p> +“Is it good for anything?” inquired Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Is it!” projected Vincent forcibly. “I should +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170'></a>170</span> +rather say so! Those are genuine diamonds, and +the other settings are valuable, too. Not less than +a thousand dollars, and maybe five.” +</p> +<p> +Pep gave utterance to an excited whistle. +Randy looked bewildered. Frank, busy at his +desk going over the contents of the cash box, +arose from his chair and like the others became +an interested member of the group. +</p> +<p> +“Some lady must have carried it with her and +it dropped from her pocket,” he suggested. “It +is too late to-night to think of seeking an owner +for it.” +</p> +<p> +“Whoever it belongs to will be around looking +for it quick enough,” declared Vincent. +</p> +<p> +“I hope there will be some kind of a reward,” +said Randy. +</p> +<p> +“If there is, you get it,” observed Pep. +</p> +<p> +“No, we divide,” insisted his loyal chum. +</p> +<p> +“Well, wait till the reward is offered, will +you?” laughed Jolly. “I say, Durham, our +friend Booth must know of this. He’ll get us a +whole column in the newspapers. ‘Exclusive and +fashionable audience at the Wonderland. Sensational +loss of priceless gems! Found by the proprietors. +Consumed with anxiety to locate the +owner. Latter appears—prominent society leader. +Jewels restored and the Wonderland still running +to crowded houses. See the great flood feature +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171'></a>171</span> +films!’ Why, it’s as good as the usual lost jewels +for the actress.” +</p> +<p> +Frank took charge of the chamois bag and deposited +it in the tin cash box. This he locked up +and as usual took it into one of the apartments +where he slept. +</p> +<p> +“We shall have to keep special watch over all +that valuable stuff until the bank opens Monday +morning,” he explained. +</p> +<p> +Randy hung around, wrought up with excitement +over their wonderful find and anxious to +talk about it. Pep was very tired and went to his +cot to rest. Frank, Jolly and Vincent sat with +their feet on the sill of an open window, enjoying +the cool breeze from the ocean and indulging in +pleasant comments on the first successful week of +the Wonderland. +</p> +<p> +“With the flood film and the specialty act of +the great family entertainer, ‘Signor Halloway +Vincenzo,’ I predict we will capture the town next +week,” declared Ben Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“Guess I’ll turn in, too,” remarked Randy, +after wandering about the room aimlessly for +some time. +</p> +<p> +“All right, just turn out the light, will you?” +asked Frank. “It’s sort of nice to sit here with +the moonlight streaming in.” +</p> +<p> +Randy took off his coat and shoes and started +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172'></a>172</span> +for the apartment where Pep was fast asleep. It +contained two cots. He had started over to give +Pep a shake and make him get up and undress, +when he chanced to pass one of the windows and +glanced out. +</p> +<p> +“Fire!” he instantly shouted, and rushed out +into the room where the others were. +</p> +<p> +“What’s that?” challenged Frank, springing +to his feet. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, right across the block,” declared Randy. +“You can see it from the side window. Look at +that!” +</p> +<p> +A glare suddenly illuminated the room. Ben +Jolly moved to the window and uttered a sharp +whistle of surprise. Frank ran into his room and +came out with his cap on. Then there was a rush +for the little back stairs running into the yard behind +the building. +</p> +<p> +“Wait for me!” called out Randy, struggling +to put on his shoes. +</p> +<p> +“Hey! what’s all the row?” hailed Pep sleepily, +as Randy stamped his foot into a shoe, +grabbed up his cap and coat and made a dive for +the yard. +</p> +<p> +“Fire!” bawled back Randy. “Right near +us, too! Hurry up!” +</p> +<p> +Pep sat up on his cot rubbing his eyes. Then +a spurting glare from the fire lit up the room. He +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173'></a>173</span> +jumped to his feet and hurried out into the large +room. +</p> +<p> +“It is a fire, sure enough,” he exclaimed, glancing +from the window. “It’s that big building +where they rent rooms to transients. The whole +roof is ablaze and——” +</p> +<p> +Pep came to a sudden halt. Just stepping over +the threshold of the doorway at the head of the +yard steps, he was confronted by two men running +up them. +</p> +<p> +One of them threw out one hand. It landed on +Pep’s breast, almost pushing him off his footing, +and was accompanied by the gruff voice: +</p> +<p> +“Hey, you get back in there!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174'></a>174</span><a name='chXXI' id='chXXI'></a>CHAPTER XXI—THE TIN BOX</h2> +<p> +Pep was a quick thinker. He could not tell +how it was, but the minute his eyes lighted on the +two strangers he somehow associated them with +the group from whom he had anticipated trouble +earlier in the night. In fact he was not sure that +they were not two members of the quartette who +had been the object of the visit of the officer from +the city. +</p> +<p> +“What do you want?” Pep instantly challenged. +</p> +<p> +For answer his assailant leaped forward and +made a grab for him. Pep knew that the intrusion +of these men could have no good motive. +He dodged, seized a frying pan from the gas +stove, and brandished it vigorously. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll strike!” he shouted. “Don’t you try to +hold me!” +</p> +<p> +“Quiet the young spitfire,” growled the second +of the men, and although Pep got in one or two +hard knocks with his impromptu weapon, he was +finally held tightly by the arms from behind by +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175'></a>175</span> +one of the men. Pep let out a ringing yell, hoping +to attract attention from outside, but his +friends were by this time in the turmoil of the +fire, and the few crossing vacant spaces were +shouting and excited like himself. +</p> +<p> +“I supposed they had all rushed out to the +fire,” spoke the man who had first appeared. +“Keep this one quiet, if you have to choke him.” +</p> +<p> +Pep’s captor threw him to the floor and pinned +him there with his knee on his breast, despite his +wrigglings. He managed to apply a gag. Then +he rudely jerked Pep to his feet, holding his +wrists together in a vise-like grip. +</p> +<p> +The flare from the fire and the bright moonlight +illumined the room as clearly as day. Some +vivid thoughts ran riot in the active mind of Pep +as the other man went into one of the partitioned +sleeping places. +</p> +<p> +“That’s right,” called out Pep’s captor. “The +boy who had the tin box carried it in there somewhere.” +</p> +<p> +“Got it!” sounded in a triumphant tone two +minutes later, and there was a rattle and a rustling +sound. +</p> +<p> +Pep groaned inwardly. He could figure things +out clearly now, he fancied. The intruders were +the two former companions of those arrested not +two hours before by the city officer. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176'></a>176</span> +</p> +<p> +“Then it was the fellow he was after that left +the chamois bag,” theorized Pep rapidly. “He +didn’t want it found on him, and he got word to +these friends of his. They probably saw us looking +at the necklace through the windows and +planned to get it back. When Frank and the others +ran out to the fire they hurried in here, +and——” +</p> +<p> +“Got it; eh?” inquired Pep’s captor, as his +comrade reappeared. +</p> +<p> +“I have,” chuckled the other, and busied himself +rolling a pillow slip about the tin box. +“Found it under a cot in there. Now then, quick +is the word.” +</p> +<p> +The man who held Pep gave him a sudden +fling. Pep landed against the wall on the other +side of the room with stunning force. The two +men, hurriedly departing, directed a quick glance +at him. +</p> +<p> +“That settles him,” observed the foremost of +the two, running down the outside stairs. +</p> +<p> +Pep was dazed for a moment. He actually fell +back half stunned. His head had received a terrific +bump. The instant a thought of the loss of +their little treasure box drifted into his mind, +however, he was on his feet in a flash. +</p> +<p> +He tore the obstructing handkerchief from his +mouth and made for the open door, capless and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177'></a>177</span> +out of breath. Pep darted down the stairs, his +eyes glancing in every direction. The whole top +of the building, three hundred feet away, was +blazing now. There was a vacant space behind +the Wonderland, and across this people were running +in the direction of the fire. Pep could not +make out his friends anywhere about. As his +glance swept in the opposite direction he saw two +shadowy forms headed on a run for the side +street. +</p> +<p> +“It’s them; I see them!” cried Pep, and he +sprinted ahead, his eyes fixed upon the scurrying +figures. They disappeared between two buildings. +Then they came out on the street next to +the boardwalk. +</p> +<p> +All along Pep’s idea had been to get near +enough to them to call upon others to assist him +in detaining them as thieves. There was no police +officer in sight, however, and people about +were thinking only of getting to the scene of the +fire. Then, as Pep came out upon the street into +which the two men had turned, he saw them +standing by an automobile. One of them was +cranking it. The other had climbed into the rear +seat. +</p> +<p> +“Stop those men! they have robbed us!” +shouted Pep, putting for the spot where the automobile +stood and addressing three or four persons who were +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178'></a>178</span> +hastening in the direction of the +fire. +</p> +<p> +One of these halted and looked at Pep as if to +take heed of his announcement, but his fellows +urged him to come on and laughed at Pep. The +outcry had hastened the movements of the thieves. +The man in front of the machine jumped into the +chauffeur’s seat and seized the wheel. +</p> +<p> +“You shan’t get away with our property!” +declared Pep, gaining on the auto just starting +up. “Help! Thieves! Police! Police!” +</p> +<p> +The man in the rear seat had placed the box by +his side. He had both hands free. As Pep leaped +to the step and clung there, he reached out both +arms. He was a fellow of powerful build, and +he was annoyed and angry at the pertinacity of +their pursuer. Pep dodged his head and body +aside, but the man got a hold on his coat and +pulled him clear over into the machine. +</p> +<p> +“Now go on,” he directed his companion. +“I’ll squelch the young wildcat.” +</p> +<p> +“You won’t! Help! Police—pol——” +</p> +<p> +The man had Pep down between his knees. He +was cruelly brutal, squeezing him down out of +view from the street and choking him into silence. +Pep gave up all hope now. He was silenced +and helpless. The machine made several +turns to baffle pursuit, if anyone should follow, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179'></a>179</span> +and started down a winding road leading into the +country. +</p> +<p> +“Now you sit still there and keep your tongue +quiet or I’ll do worse for you next time,” growled +his captor, lifting Pep to the seat and holding to +one arm. +</p> +<p> +“Why don’t you pitch him out?” demanded +the man acting as chauffeur. “We’re past the +hue and cry now.” +</p> +<p> +“Not from a fellow with his sharp wits,” retorted +the other. “He’d find the first telephone, +double-quick. He’s made us a lot of trouble. I’ll +give him a long walk home for his meddling.” +</p> +<p> +They were going at such a furious rate Pep +knew that even if they passed anyone his shout +would be incoherent and borne away on the wind. +At any rate they were secure from pursuit except +by an automobile like their own. +</p> +<p> +He foresaw the fate of the little tin box—carried +away with its precious contents by these +criminals, himself abandoned in some lonely spot +to find his way back home as best he might. A +desperate resolve came into Pep’s mind, as glancing +ahead he caught the glint of water. At the +end of a steep incline a bridge spanned a small +river. Pep got his free hand ready. Just as the +front wheels of the machine struck the first timbers +of the bridge, his hand shot out for the tin +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180'></a>180</span> +box in its pillow case covering, lying on the +cushion between himself and his captor. +</p> +<p> +It was all done quick as a flash. A grab, a +whirl, a splash, and the hurling object disappeared +beneath the calm waters just beyond the outer +bridge rail. The man beside Pep uttered a shout. +He was so taken aback at the unexpected event +that he relaxed his hold on his captive. +</p> +<p> +His cry had startled his companion at the +wheel, who took it as a signal of warning of some +sort, and he instantly shut down on speed. It +was Pep’s golden opportunity. Before the man +beside him could prevent it, he made a nimble +spring out of the machine, landed on the planking +of the bridge approach, stumbled, fell, and then, +as a crash sounded, dived into a nest of shrubbery +lining the stream. +</p> +<p> +Pep did not wait to look back to trace the occasion +of the crash. He heard confused shouts +and knew that the two men had gotten into some +trouble with the automobile. A light not over a +hundred feet distant had attracted his attention. +Pep darted forward. He ran into a barbed wire +fence, then he crawled under it, and on its other +side made out a farmhouse. The light came +from the doorway of a big barn, where two persons, +a man and a boy, were just unhitching a +horse from a light wagon. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181'></a>181</span> +</p> +<p> +“Mister!” cried Pep breathlessly, running up +to the men, “two thieves had wrecked their automobile +right at the bridge. They have stolen a +lot of money and jewelry. They tried to carry +me away with them.” +</p> +<p> +“Run for my gun, Jabez,” ordered the farmer, +roused at the sensational announcement. +“Maybe they’re the fellows who broke in here +last week when we were away at a neighbor’s.” +</p> +<p> +The boy ran to the house. He soon reappeared +with a clumsy double-barreled shotgun +over his shoulder. +</p> +<p> +“Arm yourselves,” directed the farmer, taking +the weapon in one hand, the lantern in the +other. +</p> +<p> +His son picked up a rake and handed a pitchfork +to Pep. Then the boys followed the farmer +as he strode towards the road. +</p> +<p> +The moonlight showed a wrecked automobile +lying where it had been driven into a little clump +of saplings—breaking them off two feet from the +ground—and wedged in among the splintered +branches. Evidently the amateur chauffeur had +in his excitement made a turn at the wrong +moment. +</p> +<p> +“Where’s your robbers?” demanded the farmer. +</p> +<p> +“They saw us coming and have run away,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182'></a>182</span> +declared Pep. “Mister, I want you to help me +further and I will pay you for it.” +</p> +<p> +“What doing?” inquired the man. +</p> +<p> +“As I told you, those men had stolen a lot +of valuables. They were in a little tin box. Just +as we were passing over the bridge here I saw my +chance to outwit them. I flung the box into the +river.” +</p> +<p> +“What!” exclaimed the farmer. +</p> +<p> +“Sounds like a fairy story,” remarked his son +skeptically. +</p> +<p> +“You find some more help, so if those fellows +show themselves we can beat them off or arrest +them,” observed Pep, “and I will prove what I +have told you and pay you well for your trouble.” +</p> +<p> +“Jabez, go and wake up the two hired men,” +directed his father. +</p> +<p> +“I’m a pretty good swimmer and diver,” said +Pep, after the boy had gone on his errand. “Is +the water very deep?” +</p> +<p> +“Six or eight feet.” +</p> +<p> +“Then the rake will help me,” said Pep, proceeding +to disrobe. He was stripped of his outer +garments by the time the boy Jabez had returned +with two sleepy-looking men. He was in the +water at once. First he probed with the rake. +Then he made a close estimate of the spot where +the box was likely to have landed and took a dive. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183'></a>183</span> +</p> +<p> +Pep came to shore and rested for a few minutes. +Then he resumed his labors. After a long +time under water his head bobbed up. He uttered +a shout of satisfaction and waved aloft the +tin box, its dripping covering about it. +</p> +<p> +“All right,” he hailed. +</p> +<p> +“A good deal in it, I suppose?” spoke the farmer, +curiously regarding it. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, there is,” replied Pep. “Hold it, +please, mister, till I get my clothes on. I want +you to take me to Seaside Park right away—two +of you and the shotgun. If you’ll do it +you can charge your own price.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s fair,” nodded the farmer. +</p> +<p> +He got the rig in the barn ready and told the +two hired men they could go back to their beds. +They seemed, however, to have roused from their +sleepiness. Pep had told of a big fire in town, +and that had influenced them to accompany the +crowd, “just for the fun of the thing,” as they +expressed it. +</p> +<p> +Jabez drove, Pep holding the rescued box, the +farmer between them with his shotgun ready for +action. They saw nothing, however, of the robbers. +The latter seemed to have decamped. If +they were lurking in the vicinity, the sight of +superior numbers kept them from making any +demonstration. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184'></a>184</span> +</p> +<p> +As they got nearer to the town the glare of the +distant fire was noted, and young Jabez whipped +up the horse and made good time. The building +on fire was pretty well consumed, but the fire +department had saved adjoining structures. Pep +directed Jabez to drive to the Wonderland by the +rear route. He noticed that the living rooms +were lighted up. +</p> +<p> +“Wait here for a minute,” directed Pep to +those in the wagon, dashing up the steps of the +playhouse with his precious box. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185'></a>185</span><a name='chXXII' id='chXXII'></a>CHAPTER XXII—A BIG REWARD</h2> +<p> +Pep burst in upon his friends filled to the brim +with excitement. His impetuous nature anticipated +a great welcome as he felt that he had done +a big thing. As he crossed the threshold of the +living room he found that his friends had apparently +just returned from the scene of the fire. +</p> +<p> +Frank and Randy were at the sink washing +the grime from their faces. As Pep learned +later, they and Jolly and Vincent had been busy +saving what goods they could from the burning +building. Jolly was brushing the cinders from +his coat with a whisk broom. Vincent was applying +some court plaster to a burn on the back of +his hand. +</p> +<p> +“There!” exclaimed Pep, planking the package +down upon the table with a flourish. “It’s +been some trouble, but I got it.” +</p> +<p> +“Hello, Pep,” said Jolly. “Got what, may I +ask?” +</p> +<p> +Pep felt rather hurt at the cool way in which +his return was greeted. He did not realize that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186'></a>186</span> +his friends were in ignorance of the burglarious +event of the hour, and his own sensational experiences. +He had just been missed and all hands +supposed that he was lingering at the scene of the +fire. +</p> +<p> +“Why, the box, of course,” almost snapped +Pep. +</p> +<p> +“What box?” questioned Randy. +</p> +<p> +Pep gave the wetted pillow case a jerk, freeing +it of its enclosure, and the little cash box was +disclosed. +</p> +<p> +“That box, of course,” he announced. +“What’s the matter with you fellows? I guess +you’ve been asleep while people have been stealing +from you!” +</p> +<p> +Frank advanced to the table, curiosity dawning +in his expression as he recognized the box. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t quite understand,” he remarked. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t?” resented Pep. “Well, you ought +to. Look at that,” and he exhibited the bump on +his head, received when one of the robbers had +knocked him across the room and against the +wall. “And that, too,” and Pep held up his chin +so the red marks on his throat showed. “Then, +too,” he continued, “half an hour ducking and +diving in the cold waters of a creek at midnight +is no grand fun, I can tell you!” +</p> +<p> +“Why, it looks as if our Pep has been up to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187'></a>187</span> +something,” observed Jolly, coming to the table. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve been down in front of the seat of an +automobile and half choked to death,” replied +Pep tartly. “I say, Frank, it was a good thing +that I didn’t run off and leave the place unprotected, +as you fellows did when that fire broke +out. Open the box and see if everything is all +right.” +</p> +<p> +The appearance of the box and Pep’s story +made Frank and the others grasp that he was discussing +something of importance not yet fully +explained. +</p> +<p> +“You had better commence at the beginning +all over again, Pep,” Frank advised, “and let us +know the whole story.” +</p> +<p> +It did not take Pep long to recite his recent +adventures. He had an interested audience. +Frank drew the key of the tin box from his +pocket when Pep had concluded his story. He +applied it to the lock. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, the mischief!” fairly shouted Pep, glancing +into it to find that all it contained was a collection +of pennies, nickels and dimes. “I’ve +been fooled, after all. These fellows rifled the +box in some way——” +</p> +<p> +“Not at all,” answered Frank, with a reassuring +smile. “It is my turn to explain, Pep. +When the fire broke out I thought instantly of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188'></a>188</span> +the cash box and the treasure it contained, so I +took out the bills and the necklace. Here they +are,” and Frank produced them from an inside +pocket of his coat. +</p> +<p> +“Then—then——” stammered Pep, taken +aback. +</p> +<p> +“Then you are just as much a hero as if you +had saved a whole bank of money!” cried Frank, +giving Pep a commending slap on the shoulder. +</p> +<p> +“It was a big thing you did, Pep,” declared +Randy enthusiastically. +</p> +<p> +Ben Jolly and Vincent added more approving +words, and Pep warmed up to his usual self at the +praise of his friends. +</p> +<p> +“There’s the fellows outside to settle with,” he +suggested. +</p> +<p> +“Glad to do it,” said Frank. “There must be +at least thirty dollars in the box, so you have +saved us a good deal, Pep.” +</p> +<p> +“Didn’t catch a weasel asleep when they came +in here!” chuckled Jolly in Pep’s ear. “You +taught them something this time.” +</p> +<p> +The farmer was very modest in his charges. +“Two dollars covered the damages,” he remarked, +“and seeing the fire was worth half of +that.” +</p> +<p> +It was getting well on to morning by the time +all hands were settled down. Vincent was the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189'></a>189</span> +last to go to bed. He had got a card out of his +pocket and said he had some business down town. +</p> +<p> +“It’s to send a message to the city officer who +took those two prisoners to New York on the last +train,” he explained to Frank. “Of course there +is no doubt that the necklace was part of the proceeds +of the burglary he arrested them for.” +</p> +<p> +“I think you are right,” agreed Frank. +</p> +<p> +A quiet day in reading and rest did wonders +in refreshing the tired out motion picture friends +after a week of unusual activity and excitement. +All were up bright and early Monday morning. +</p> +<p> +“I tell you, this is genuine office business,” +said Frank, as he rested at noon from continuous +labors at his desk. +</p> +<p> +“You take to it like a duck to water,” declared +Ben Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“Who wouldn’t, with the able corps of assistants +at my command?” challenged Frank. “Mr. +Vincent took Mr. Booth off my hands. He +knows the man much better than I do and, as he +expresses it, understands how to keep that visionary +individual in the traces. Pep and Randy +seem to have just the ability to get our new programme +into the very places we want them. Mr. +Vincent has sifted out the supply men as they +came along, and those letters you got off for me +took a big load off my shoulders, Mr. Jolly.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190'></a>190</span> +</p> +<p> +“It all amounts to having a good machine and +starting it right,” insisted Jolly. +</p> +<p> +The boys felt a trifle anxious as it began to +cloud up about one o’clock. A few drops of rain +fell. It almost broke Pep’s heart, Randy declared, +to see people begin to scatter along the +beach and made their way to shelters, and the +hotels. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll try and stem the tide,” observed Vincent +smartly, as a bright idea seemed to strike him. +</p> +<p> +He dived into one of the bedrooms and reappeared +in his band costume, cornet in hand. +</p> +<p> +“Open the door, Pep,” he directed. “Never +mind routine this time—what we want to do is +to get the crowd.” +</p> +<p> +Vincent posted himself under the shelter of +the canopy that ran over the ticket booth. Soon +his instrument was in action. The delightful +music halted more than one hurrying group. The +inviting shelter beyond the open doors attracted +attention. The word went down the beach. The +shower would be over in an hour and here was a +fine place to spend the interim. +</p> +<p> +“Twenty minutes to two and the house nearly +full,” reported Pep gleefully, to Jolly at the +piano. +</p> +<p> +The shower was over in half an hour, but when +the first crowd passed out there was another one +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191'></a>191</span> +ready to take its place. About half the seats +were occupied when the second entertainment began, +but during the programme as many more +came in. The last matinee could not accommodate +the crowd. The Wonderland caught the +throngs going to the boats and trains as well +as those arriving. +</p> +<p> +The boys and their friends were at supper +when there was a visitor. He proved to be the officer +from the city who had arrested the two burglars. +He had come in response to the telegram +Vincent had sent him. The latter told him +about the finding of the necklace and added the +story of Pep’s later adventures. +</p> +<p> +“The necklace is down at the bank in our safety +deposit box,” explained Vincent. “We didn’t +want to risk having it around here any longer.” +</p> +<p> +“I knew from the circumstances and your description +that it is part of the plunder I am after,” +said the city officer. “I wish you would meet +me at the hotel in the morning. I will have the +local police head there. As a mere formality the +goods will be delivered by you to him, who will +turn them over to me. Then I will give you an +order for your share of the reward.” +</p> +<p> +Randy pricked up his ears and Pep looked interested. +</p> +<p> +“How much is it?” inquired Vincent. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192'></a>192</span> +</p> +<p> +“Five hundred dollars. I think it fair to divide +it; don’t you?” +</p> +<p> +“I know that will be very acceptable to our +young friends here,” assented Vincent, nodding +at Pep and Randy. “All the credit for finding +the necklace is theirs.” +</p> +<p> +Pep and Randy were considerably fluttered. +They had their heads together animatedly discussing +their good fortune as Vincent accompanied +his visitor to the door. +</p> +<p> +“I say, you lucky young fellows,” hailed the +ventriloquist airily, “what you going to do with +all that money?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Randy and I have settled that,” proclaimed +Pep. +</p> +<p> +“Have, eh?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir. That two hundred and fifty dollars +goes into the capital fund of the Wonderland.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193'></a>193</span><a name='chXXIII' id='chXXIII'></a>CHAPTER XXIII—THE BROKEN SIGN</h2> +<p> +“It blew big guns last night, fellows,” observed +Randy Powell. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, it has been working up to a storm for +several days,” said Ben Jolly, casting a weather +eye through the open window in the living room. +</p> +<p> +Breakfast had just been announced by Jolly +and as usual all were hustling about to put in an +appearance for the famous home-cooked meal. +</p> +<p> +“We mustn’t complain if we have a day or two +of showery weather, Pep,” spoke Frank. +</p> +<p> +“It means poor shows, though,” lamented +Randy. +</p> +<p> +“We can stand that,” replied Frank. “I +think we have been more than fortunate.” +</p> +<p> +“I should say so,” remarked Jolly—“six +shows a day and the house a clear average of +three-fourths filled.” +</p> +<p> +“How are our friends down at the National +doing, Pep?” inquired Vincent. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, so, so,” was the careless reply. “They +get their quota from the Midway crowd, which +we don’t want. My friend who works for them +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194'></a>194</span> +says they let things go half right, quarrel among +themselves, and a few nights ago Peter Carrington +had a crowd of his boy friends in a private +box smoking cigarettes while the films were running. +Peter doesn’t speak to me now when we +meet.” +</p> +<p> +“I thought the building was coming down one +time last night,” spoke Jolly. “There was damage +done somewhere, for I heard a terrific crash +a little after midnight.” +</p> +<p> +“There won’t be many bathers to-day,” said +Vincent, glancing out at the breakers on the beach. +</p> +<p> +Pep finished his breakfast and went out to the +front of the building to take a look at things. +Just after he had opened the front doors his voice +rang excitedly through the playhouse. +</p> +<p> +“Frank—Randy—all of you. Come here, +quick!” Then as his friends trooped forward +obedient to his call he burst out: “It’s a blazing +shame!” +</p> +<p> +“What is, Pep?” inquired Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Look for yourself.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, say! who did that?” shouted Randy. +</p> +<p> +He and the others stood staring in dismay +at the walk, that was littered with glass, and then +at the wreck of the electric sign overhead, which +had cost them so much money and of which they +had been so proud. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195'></a>195</span> +</p> +<p> +All that was left of it was “W—O—L—A—N—D” +and woeful, indeed, the dilapidated sign +looked. Broken bulbs and jagged ends of wires +trailed over its face. Two bricks lay at the edge +of the walk and the end of a third protruded from +the bottom of the sign. +</p> +<p> +Randy was nearly crying. Frank looked +pretty serious. Pep’s eyes were flashing, but he +maintained a grim silence as he went over to +the edge of the walk and picked up one of the +bricks. +</p> +<p> +“That was your ‘great guns’ you heard last +night,” observed Pep looking fighting mad. +“Those bricks were thrown purposely to smash +our sign. Why—and who by?” +</p> +<p> +There was not one in the group who could +not have voiced a justifiable suspicion, yet all +were silent. +</p> +<p> +“I think I know where that brick came from,” +proceeded Pep, trying to keep calm, but really +boiling over with wrath. “I’m going to find +out.” +</p> +<p> +Pep tarried not to discuss or explain. The +others stared after him as he marched down the +boardwalk in his headstrong way. Pep had in +mind a little heap of bricks he had seen two days +before. They were made of terra cotta, red in +color and one side glazed. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196'></a>196</span> +</p> +<p> +It was at the National that Pep came to a halt. +Between the entrance and exit some attempt at +ornamenting the old building had been made. +There were two cement pillars and the space +between them had been tiled. At one side was a +plaster board and a few of the bricks that had +not been used. The workman on the job had not +yet tuckpointed the space he had covered, and had +left behind some of his material, a trowel and +other utilities. +</p> +<p> +Pep went over to the heap. He selected one +of the bricks and matched it to the one he carried +in his hand. He was standing thus when the +door of the National opened and three persons +came out. They were Peter Carrington, Greg +Grayson and Jack Beavers. +</p> +<p> +“Hello!” flared up Peter, as he caught sight +of Pep, “what are you snooping around here +for?” +</p> +<p> +“I’m running down the persons who smashed +our electric sign last night, and I’m fast getting +to them,” replied Pep. “Carrington, you’re a +pretty bad crowd, all of you, and I’m going to +make you some trouble.” +</p> +<p> +“What for? What about?” blustered Peter, +and then he flushed up as Pep waved the brick +before him. +</p> +<p> +“That brick and two others like it smashed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197'></a>197</span> +our sign,” he declared. “There probably isn’t +another lot of them in town except here.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, what of it?” demanded Greg Grayson, +sourly. +</p> +<p> +“I’m not talking to you,” retorted Pep. “We +did enough of that after your mean tricks at +Fairlands. Whoever smashed our sign did it +with some of your bricks. You needn’t tell me +they didn’t start out with them from here. There’s +plenty of stones along the beach for the casual +mischief maker. You’re trying to break up our +show. Soon as I get the proofs I’m after, I’ll +close yours and show you up to the public for +the measly crowd you are.” +</p> +<p> +“Say,” flared up Peter, “this is our property +and you get off of it, or——” +</p> +<p> +“Or you’ll what?” cried Pep, throwing down +the bricks and advancing doughtily. +</p> +<p> +“Easy, Carrington, easy,” broke in Jack Beavers +and he stepped between the belligerents, +“Don’t raise a row,” he pleaded with Pep. +“There’s enough going on that’s disagreeable +without any more added.” Then he followed +Pep as the latter went back to the street. “See +here, I don’t want any trouble with you people,” +he went on in an anxious way. “So far as I’m +concerned, I give you my word of honor I don’t +know the first thing about this sign business.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198'></a>198</span> +</p> +<p> +Pep looked at the speaker’s face and was almost +tempted to believe him. +</p> +<p> +“You needn’t tell me!” he declared. “Those +fellows are a mean lot and they ought to be punished.” +</p> +<p> +Pep returned to the Wonderland with his tale. +Frank tried to quiet him, but Pep’s indignation +had got the better of him. +</p> +<p> +“If you can make certain that the National +crowd did this damage, we can make them pay +for it,” said Frank, “but I don’t want to proceed +on guesswork.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, you know as well as I do that they did +it, Frank Durham!” stormed Pep. +</p> +<p> +“I think they did, yes,” acknowledged Frank, +“but if we go to making any charges we cannot +prove Mrs. Carrington will hear of it, and I +don’t care to offend her. Drop it, Pep. We’ll +have to take our medicine this time. If it gets +too flagrant, then we will go to the authorities +with it.” +</p> +<p> +Pep was not fully satisfied, however. He managed +to see his friend who worked for the National +a little later, and tried to enlist his coöperation +in ferreting out the vandals who had damaged +the electric sign. +</p> +<p> +The latter could not be replaced entire without +sending to the city for some of the missing letters. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199'></a>199</span> +This, however, led to one beneficial result. +When the duplicate letters arrived some colored +bulbs accompanied them, a suggestion of Jolly. +Two nights later the brilliant sign invited and attracted +attention in its new varicolored dress, +showing up as the most conspicuous illumination +on the boardwalk. +</p> +<p> +The gusty, showery weather got down to a +chill unpleasant spell finally. On Thursday night +the Wonderland was running, but to rather slim +audiences. There were few venturesome visitors +to the beach in the daytime and the matinee entertainments +were curtailed. +</p> +<p> +That night, however, the Wonderland had +never had a more enthusiastic audience. It was +comprised of an entirely new crowd—people +themselves in the entertainment business and general +trade lines, who could pick only a slack +business period to seek enjoyment. They knew +what a good thing was when they saw it and their +generous approbation of the flood film and of +Hal Vincent’s ventriloquial acts with his dummies +made up for the lack of numbers. +</p> +<p> +“Fine thing!” said more than one. +</p> +<p> +When the second show began a good many +who had gone out came back again. A pelting +rain had set in, accompanied by a tearing wind. +Randy had to keep the window of the ticket +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200'></a>200</span> +office closed as well as he could, and Pep shut +the roof ventilators. +</p> +<p> +It was in the middle of the last film that a great +gust of wind shook the building. In the midst +of it the echo of the service bell of the life saving +station down the beach reached the ears of +the audience. Many began to get nervous. Just +as the film closed there was a clatter and crash +and pieces of the broken skylight in the roof of +the playhouse clattered down. +</p> +<p> +There were cries and a general commotion. +Many arose to their feet. The rain began to +pour in from overhead. +</p> +<p> +At that critical moment Frank closed the projector +and shot on the lights. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201'></a>201</span><a name='chXXIV' id='chXXIV'></a>CHAPTER XXIV—THE GREAT STORM</h2> +<p> +“We’re going to have a night of it.” +</p> +<p> +Ben Jolly spoke the words with a grim conviction +that had its effect upon his friends. Each +could realize for himself that they were face to +face with an emergency. +</p> +<p> +When the skylight was partly shattered by a +loose board blown across the surface of the roof, +and the pieces of shattered glass and rain came +beating down, the flood of illumination quieted +what might have been a panic. Jolly had jumped +to the piano stool. +</p> +<p> +“There is no danger,” he shouted—“just a +broken pane of glass of two.” +</p> +<p> +Then he had resumed his seat and dashed off +into a lively tune. People could see now that +they were in no immediate peril and could easily +get out. The dripping rain, however, dampered +their amusement ardor. There was a movement +for the exit and the last film was left unfinished. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202'></a>202</span> +</p> +<p> +Frank had got to Randy as soon as he could. +He did not wish the report to get out that the +Wonderland was in any way unsafe, or have anyone +leave the place feeling that he had not got +his full money’s worth. He summoned Pep to +his assistance after giving Randy a quick direction. +The latter immediately proceeded to stamp +the date and the seal of the Wonderland across +some blank cards. Then he came out into the +entrance archway with the others. +</p> +<p> +“Here you are!” shouted the lively Pep. +“Everybody entitled to a free ticket. Good any +night this week on account of to-night’s storm. +Let no guilty man escape!” +</p> +<p> +“Ha! ha! very good.” +</p> +<p> +“This is liberal.” +</p> +<p> +The crowd was put in rare good humor by +Frank’s happy thought. The doors were left +open and those who did not wish to go out into +the pelting storm, were told they were welcome +to linger in the entrance and among the rear +seats until the rain let up. Meantime, however, +Jolly and Vincent were not idle. While their +young friends were coaxing the audience into +good humor, the former had found a ladder, of +which there were several about the place. Vincent +mounted it and got at the skylight. +</p> +<p> +It was pretty well broken and the wind threatened still +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203'></a>203</span> +further damage. Jolly remembered a +large canvas tarpaulin in the cellar that had been +used by the painters. By the time the front of +the place was cleared of the people he and Vincent +had the skylight well battened down and +protected. +</p> +<p> +“We’re going to have a bad night,” he reported +as he came down the ladder dripping. “A +view of the beach from that roof to-night would +make a great moving picture.” +</p> +<p> +“I hope the storm won’t move us, Mr. Jolly,” +said Frank a trifle uneasily, as a fierce blast shook +the building. +</p> +<p> +There was nothing to do but to doubly secure +all the doors and windows. The roof of the living +room proved to be leaky, but the use of pans +and kettles to catch the water provided against +any real discomfort. +</p> +<p> +“I think we had all better stay up,” suggested +Jolly. “I was in one of these big coast storms +a few years ago and before the night was through +we had some work on hand, let me tell you.” +</p> +<p> +The speaker proceeded to light the gas stove, +put on some coffee to boil and then announced +that he was going to make some sandwiches. +This suited all hands. It seemed sort of cheery +to nest down in comfort and safety while the big +storm was blowing outside. Pep and Randy +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204'></a>204</span> +began a game of checkers. Vincent was mending +one of his speaking dolls. Frank was busy +at his desk. They made quite a happy family +party, when all chorused the word: +</p> +<p> +“Hello!” +</p> +<p> +“Lights out,” observed Jolly, himself the center +of the only illumination in the room, proceeding +from the gas stove. +</p> +<p> +“The electric current has gone off, that’s sure,” +remarked Vincent. “That means trouble somewhere.” +</p> +<p> +They waited a few minutes, but the electric +lights did not come on. +</p> +<p> +“Light the gas, Randy” suggested Frank. “I +think we had better light one or two jets in the +playhouse, too, so we can see our way if any +trouble comes along.” +</p> +<p> +The playhouse was wired for electric lights, +but had a gas connection as well. The jet in the +living room was lighted. +</p> +<p> +Pep went out and set two jets going in the playhouse. +They heard him utter a cry of dismay. +Then he hailed briskly: +</p> +<p> +“Come out here. Something’s happened.” +</p> +<p> +They all rushed in from the living room. +Something had, indeed, happened. Pep stood in +half an inch of water, which was flowing in under +the front doors. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205'></a>205</span> +</p> +<p> +“Why this rain must be a regular deluge!” +cried Randy. +</p> +<p> +“It’s not rain,” sharply contradicted Pep. +</p> +<p> +“What is it, then?” +</p> +<p> +“Salt water. Hear that—see that!.” +</p> +<p> +During a momentary hush they could hear a +long boom as if a giant wave was pounding the +beach. Then a great lot of water sluiced in +under the doors. +</p> +<p> +“Open up, Pep,” directed Frank, “we must +see to this right away.” +</p> +<p> +The moment the doors were opened a lot of +water flowed in. But for the incline it would +have swept clear over the floor of the playhouse. +Meeting the rise in the seats, however, it flowed +in about fifteen feet, soaking the matting and +coming nearly to the boys’ shoe tops. Then it +receded and dripped away over the platform outside. +</p> +<p> +All along the beach the electric lights were out, +but the incessant flashes of lightning lit the scene +bright as day. Here and there among the stores +lanterns were in use, even candles, and where +they had gas it was in full play. +</p> +<p> +The beach clear up to the boardwalk was a +seething pool now. Whenever a big swell came +in it dashed over the walk and beat against the +building lining it. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206'></a>206</span> +</p> +<p> +“See here,” cried Randy in a great state of +perturbation, “there isn’t any danger of the +boardwalk going; is there?” +</p> +<p> +“Part of it is gone already down near the +slump,” declared Frank. “Look, you can see +the beach from here. I hope the waves won’t +upset any of the buildings.” +</p> +<p> +“They can’t, right here, Durham,” declared +Jolly promptly. “You see, there’s a drop from +us inland. The water will drain off, if it doesn’t +come in too heavy.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll bet there’s trouble over on the flats,” suggested +Randy. “See the lights moving around.” +</p> +<p> +“Lock the doors, Pep,” spoke Jolly. “We’ll +take a look around and see just how bad things +are.” +</p> +<p> +It was no easy task maintaining their footing +on the boardwalk, for it was slippery and at +places gave where it had been undermined. Once +a big wave swept over the exploring party and +threw them in a heap against a building. People +came running past them from the lower level of +the Midway. +</p> +<p> +They could hear the life saving corps yelling +orders and the storm bell sounding out constantly +in the distance. It was as they came to the street +that cut down past the National, that Frank and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207'></a>207</span> +his friends paused to survey a scene of great excitement. +</p> +<p> +The street, as has been already noted, dropped +away from the boardwalk to a depression fully +twenty feet below its level. This made it a natural +outlet, not only for the waves that beat up +over the boardwalk, but also for what drained +laterally on both sides. +</p> +<p> +“Why, it’s like a regular water course,” declared +Frank. “I say, there’s someone needing +help.” +</p> +<p> +“Just look at the National!” exclaimed Pep, +as they returned from carrying some crying +children away from the menace of the flood. +</p> +<p> +The rival playhouse stood at the lowest part +of the depression. A long platform ran to its +entrance. This was fully four feet under water +and the lower story of the place was two steps +lower down. Here the surplus water had gathered, +growing deeper every minute. The street +in front was impassable, and running two ways +a veritable river, which cut off the National as +if it was an island. +</p> +<p> +“I hope no one is in it,” said Frank. +</p> +<p> +“But there is!” cried Randy. “Look, Frank—that +window at the side. Some one is clinging +to the window frame.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208'></a>208</span> +</p> +<p> +The flashes of lightning, indeed showed a forlorn +figure at the spot Randy indicated. And +then Vincent, after staring hard, cut in with the +sharp announcement: +</p> +<p> +“It’s certainly Jack Beavers!” +</p> +<p> +“Hey, you!” yelled Pep, making a speaking +trumpet of his hands and signaling Peter Carrington’s +partner. “Help me fellows,” and Pep +sprang upon a platform that had drifted away +from its original place in front of some store. +</p> +<p> +Frank was beside him in a moment. Randy +had got Jolly to help him tear loose a scantling +from a step protection. He joined the others, +using the board to push their unstable float along. +</p> +<p> +The water was over six feet deep and the +scantling was not much help. A great gust of +wind whirled them ten feet nearer to the playhouse +building. At the same time it blew over +the chimney on its top. +</p> +<p> +The boys saw the loosened bricks shower down +past the clinging form in the window. +</p> +<p> +“He’s hit!” shouted Pep. “He’s gone +down!” +</p> +<p> +Jack Beavers fell forward like a clod and disappeared +under the swirling flood. In an instant +the motion picture chums acted on a common +impulse and leaped into the water after him. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209'></a>209</span><a name='chXXV' id='chXXV'></a>CHAPTER XXV—CONCLUSION</h2> +<p> +It was a moment of great suspense for Ben +Jolly and the ventriloquist as, without a moment’s +hesitation, the three motion picture chums dived +from their frail raft. The surface of the flood +was so strewn with pieces of floating wreckage—the +bottom and sides of the newly formed water +way so treacherous—that it was a tremendous +risk to get into that swirling vortex. +</p> +<p> +Frank and his companions were no novices in +the water. They saw that Jack Beavers had been +struck down from the window sill by the falling +bricks, and had probably been knocked senseless. +Almost immediately after diving the heads of the +boys appeared on the surface. +</p> +<p> +“Got him!” puffed Randy. +</p> +<p> +“Lift him up,” directed Frank, swinging out +one hand and catching at a protruding window +sill of the building. This purchase gained, all +exerted themselves to drag up the limp and sodden +form of Peter Carrington’s partner. Frank +and Randy kept the upper part of the man’s body +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210'></a>210</span> +out of the water. Pep swam after the floating +platform they had used a a raft. Jack Beavers, +apparently more dead than alive, was placed upon +it. His rescuers pushed this over to where the +water was shallow and then carried the man into +a drug store fronting the boardwalk. +</p> +<p> +“I suppose I had better stay with him,” observed +Vincent, as Beavers, after some attention +from a physician who happened to be in the drug +store, showed signs of recovery. “I know him +the best, although I can’t say truthfully that I +like him the best.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, he’s struck hard lines, and it’s a sort of +duty to look after him,” said Ben Jolly. +</p> +<p> +He and the boys put in nearly two hours helping +this and that group in distress among the +storekeepers of the slump. They got back to +the Wonderland to find that its superior location +had saved it from damage of any consequence. +</p> +<p> +A wild morning was ushered in with a chill +northeaster. Daylight showed the beach covered +with wrecked boats and habitations. The tents +over on the Midway were nearly all down. The +National was still flooded and the street in front +of it impassable. Very few of the frame buildings, +however, had been undermined. +</p> +<p> +The worst of the storm was over by afternoon, but no +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211'></a>211</span> +entertainment was given until the +next evening. A big transparency announced a +flood benefit, and five thousand dodgers telling +about it were circulated over the town. +</p> +<p> +It was a gala night for the Wonderland. There +were few of the minor beach shows as yet in +condition to resume operations, and after twenty-four +hours of storm everybody seemed out. +</p> +<p> +“At least seventy-five dollars for the benefit +of the poor families down on the beach,” observed +Pep. “Say, let me run down and tell +them. It will warm their hearts, just as it does +mine.” +</p> +<p> +“All right,” acceded Frank. “I guess you can +promise them that much, Pep.” +</p> +<p> +Frank and Jolly stood in front of the playhouse +talking over affairs in general as Pep +darted away on his mission of charity. A well-dressed +man whom Jolly had noticed in the audience, +and one of the last to leave the place, had +loitered around the entrance. Now he advanced +towards them. +</p> +<p> +“Is there a young man named Smith connected +with your show?” he inquired. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir,” replied Frank. “He has gone on +a brief errand, but will soon return.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll wait for him,” said the stranger, and he +sat down on the side railing. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212'></a>212</span> +</p> +<p> +Frank went inside as Randy appeared with his +cash box. Jolly remained where he was. Finally +Pep came into view briskly, happy faced and excited. +</p> +<p> +“Some one to see you—that man over there,” +advised Jolly. +</p> +<p> +“Is that so? Stranger to me. Want to see +me?” he went on, approaching the stranger. +</p> +<p> +“If you are Pepperill Smith.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s my name,” vouchsafed Pep. +</p> +<p> +“The same young man who was the guest of +Mr. Tyson at Brenton?” +</p> +<p> +“Guest!” retorted Pep, in high scorn. “Oh, +yes, I was a guest! Fired me the first time he +got mad.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, well, we all have spells of temper we are +sorry for afterwards,” declared the man +smoothly. +</p> +<p> +“Is Mr. Tyson sorry?” challenged Pep. +</p> +<p> +“He is, for a fact. You see—well, he gave +you some papers, cheap stocks or bonds; didn’t +he, instead of cash for your services? He +thought maybe you’d rather have the money. +I’ve got a one hundred dollar bill for you. If +those papers are lying around loose you might +hand them over to me.” +</p> +<p> +“I haven’t got them,” said Pep, and the man +looked disappointed. “Maybe my friend preserved them. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213'></a>213</span> +Oh, Mr. Jolly,” and Pep called the +pianist over to them and explained the situation. +</p> +<p> +“H’m!” commented Jolly thoughtfully, when +Pep had concluded his story, and glancing keenly +at the stranger, “you seem to have discovered +some value to the stock you refer to.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I suppose these stock brokers know how +to juggle them along,” responded the stranger, +with assumed lightness. +</p> +<p> +“Well, as I understand it, they were given to +my friend Smith.” +</p> +<p> +“Undoubtedly—why, yes, that is true.” +</p> +<p> +“As their custodian,” continued Jolly, “I want +to look into this matter.” +</p> +<p> +“I wouldn’t. Waste of time. All a tangle,” +insisted the stranger. “Look here, let me give +the boy two hundred dollars.” +</p> +<p> +“You can give Pep all you want to,” observed +Jolly, “but I shall advise him to see how the +market stands on that stock before he delivers +those securities.” +</p> +<p> +“Hum! ha! quite so,” mumbled the stranger +in a crestfallen way. +</p> +<p> +“And we will let Mr. Tyson know our decision +in a day or two.” +</p> +<p> +“I see—well, I will report the result of my +negotiation to my client.” +</p> +<p> +“Negotiation? Aha! Client? A lawyer, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214'></a>214</span> +then,” observed Jolly, as the man reluctantly +moved away. “Pep Smith, I’ll investigate that +stock of yours with the first break of dawn. +There’s something more to this than appears on +the surface.” +</p> +<hr class='tb' /> +<p> +“Wasn’t that Jack Beavers I just saw you talking +to?” inquired Hal Vincent of Frank, as the +latter approached him on the boardwalk. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, poor fellow,” replied Frank. “I have +been having quite a conversation with him.” +</p> +<p> +“Making a poor mouth about his misfortunes, +I suppose?” intimated the ventriloquist. +</p> +<p> +“Not at all, Mr. Vincent,” explained Frank +soberly. “He is all broken up, but more with +gratitude towards us for saving his life the night +of the storm than anything else. He acts and +talks like a new man. Peter Carrington and +Greg Grayson left him in the lurch with a lot +of debts, and he is trying to get on his feet +again.” +</p> +<p> +“In what way?” +</p> +<p> +“Some friend has happened along and is willing +to fix things up at the National. He came to +me to say that he felt he had no right to come +into competition with us, after owing his very +existence to our efforts the other night.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215'></a>215</span> +</p> +<p> +“What did you tell him, Durham?” +</p> +<p> +“I told him to go ahead and make a man of +himself and a success of the show, and that he +need expect nothing but honest business rivalry +from us.” +</p> +<p> +“Durham,” spoke the ventriloquist with considerable +feeling, “you’re pure gold!” +</p> +<p> +The bustling pianist appeared on the scene all +smiles and serenity at that moment. +</p> +<p> +“Where’s Pep Smith?” he inquired. +</p> +<p> +“Up at the playhouse.” +</p> +<p> +“That so? All right. Come along, and see +me give him the surprise of his life. You know +I went down to Brenton to see Mr. Tyson about +that stock? Well, I’m back—minus the stock. +I’ve got something better. Look there.” +</p> +<p> +Ben Jolly held a certified check before the dazzled +eyes of his friends. It read: “Pay to the +order of Pepperill Smith Two Thousand Dollars.” +</p> +<p> +“This good fortune will about turn Pep’s +head,” declared Frank Durham. +</p> +<p> +“Why, those shrewd fellows will get double +that out of it,” said Jolly. “It seems that the +company is on the rocks, but a reorganization is +being attempted and it can’t be put through without +a majority of the stock. Pep’s holdings fit in +snugly, so they had to pay me my price.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216'></a>216</span> +</p> +<p> +Pep Smith gasped as Jolly recounted all this +over again to him in the living room back of the +photo playhouse. +</p> +<p> +“What are you going to do with all that +money, Pep?” inquired Randy. +</p> +<p> +Pep waved the precious bit of paper gaily and +jumped to his feet with glowing eyes. +</p> +<p> +“What am I going to do with it?” he cried. +“And what could I do but put it into the Wonderland +business fund! Why, just think of it! +When the season is over at Seaside Park we have +got to look for a new location; haven’t we?” +</p> +<p> +“That’s sure,” agreed Ben Jolly. “You boys +have made a success of the motion picture business +so far and I want to see you keep it up.” +</p> +<p> +And so, with both playhouses in the full tide +of prosperity, we bid good-bye to our ambitious +young friends, to meet again in another story to +be called: “The Motion Picture Chums on Broadway; +Or, The Mystery of the Missing Cash Box.” +</p> +<p> +“My, but we have been lucky!” declared +Randy. +</p> +<p> +“That’s what,” added Pep. +</p> +<p> +“Well, we’ve had to work for our success,” +came from Frank. +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p>THE END</p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>THE TOM SWIFT SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By VICTOR APPLETON +</p> +<p> +12mo CLOTH, ILLUSTRATED. PRICE PER VOLUME 40 CENTS, POSTPAID +</p> +<p> +These spirited tales convey in a realistic way the wonderful advances +in land and sea locomotion. Stories like these are impressed +upon the youthful memory and their reading is productive only of +good. +</p> +<p> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE<br /> + Or Fun and Adventure on the Road<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT<br /> + Or The Rivals of Lake Carlopa<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP<br /> + Or The Stirring Cruise of the Red Cloud<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT<br /> + Or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT<br /> + Or The Speediest Car on the Road<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE<br /> + Or The Castaways of Earthquake Island<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS<br /> + Or The Secret of Phantom Mountain<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE<br /> + Or The Wreck of the Airship<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER<br /> + Or The Quickest Flight on Record<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE<br /> + Or Daring Adventures in Elephant Land<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD<br /> + Or Marvelous Adventures Underground<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER<br /> + Or Seeking the Platinum Treasure<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY<br /> + Or A Daring Escape by Airship<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA<br /> + Or The Perils of Moving Picture Taking<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT<br /> + Or On the Border for Uncle Sam<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON<br /> + Or The Longest Shots on Record<br /> + <br/> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE<br /> + Or The Picture that Saved a Fortune<br /> +</p> +<p> +Grosset & Dunlap, 526 West 26th St., New York +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By GRAHAM B. FORBES +</p> +<p> +Never was there a cleaner, brighter, more manly boy +than Frank Allen, the hero of this series of boys’ tales, +and never was there a better crowd of lads to associate +with than the students of the School. All boys will read +these stories with deep interest. The rivalry between the +towns along the river was of the keenest, and plots and +counterplots to win the championships, at baseball, at +football, at boat racing, at track athletics, and at ice +hockey, were without number. Any lad reading one +volume of this series will surely want the others. +</p> +<p> + <b>The Boys of Columbia High;</b><br /> + Or The All Around Rivals of the School.<br /> + <br/> + <b>The Boys of Columbia High on the Diamond;</b><br /> + Or Winning Out by Pluck.<br /> + <br/> + <b>The Boys of Columbia High on the River;</b><br /> + Or The Boat Race Plot that Failed.<br /> + <br/> + <b>The Boys of Columbia High on the Gridiron;</b><br /> + Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup.<br /> + <br/> + <b>The Beys of Columbia High on the Ice;</b><br /> + Or Out for the Hockey Championship.<br /> +</p> +<p> +12mo. Illustrated. +</p> +<p> +Handsomely bound in cloth, with cover design and wrappers in colors. +</p> +<p> +Price, 40 cents per volume. +</p> +<p> +GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN +</p> +<p> +The outdoor chums are four wide-awake lads, sons of +wealthy men of a small city located on a lake. The boys +love outdoor life, and are greatly interested in hunting, +fishing, and picture taking. They have motor cycles, +motor boats, canoes, etc., and during their vacations go +everywhere and have all sorts of thrilling adventures. +The stories give full directions for camping out, how to +fish, how to hunt wild animals and prepare the skins for +stuffing, how to manage a canoe, how to swim, etc. Full +of the very spirit of outdoor life. +</p> +<p> + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS<br /> + Or, The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club.<br /> + <br/> + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE<br /> + Or, Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island.<br /> + <br/> + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST<br /> + Or, Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge.<br /> + <br/> + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF<br /> + Or, Rescuing the Lost Balloonists.<br /> + <br/> + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME<br /> + Or, Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness.<br /> +</p> +<p> +12mo. Averaging 240 pages. Illustrated. +Handsomely bound in Cloth. +</p> +<p> +Price, 40 Cents per Volume +</p> +<p> +GROSSET & DUNLAP, NEW YORK +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>THE RISE IN LIFE SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By Horatio Alger, Jr. +</p> +<p> +These are Copyrighted Stories which cannot be obtained elsewhere. +They are the stories last written by this famous author. +</p> +<p> +12mo. Illustrated. +</p> +<p> +Bound in cloth, stamped in colored inks. +</p> +<p> +Price, 40 Cents per Volume, Postpaid. +</p> +<p> +THE YOUNG BOOK AGENT, Or Frank Hardy’s Road to Success +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +A plain but uncommonly interesting tale of everyday life, describing +the ups and downs of a boy book-agent. +</p> +<p> +FROM FARM TO FORTUNE, Or Nat Nason’s Strange Experience +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Nat was a poor country lad. Work on the farm was hard, and after a +quarrel with his uncle, with whom he resided, he struck out for himself. +</p> +<p> +OUT FOR BUSINESS, Or Robert Frost’s Strange Career +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Relates the adventures of a country boy who is compelled to leave home +and seek his fortune in the great world at large. +</p> +<p> +FALLING IN WITH FORTUNE, Or The Experiences of a Young Secretary +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +This is a companion tale to “Out for Business,” but complete in itself, +and tells of the further doings of Robert Frost as private secretary. +</p> +<p> +YOUNG CAPTAIN JACK, Or The Son of a Soldier +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +The scene is laid in the South during the Civil War, and the hero is a +waif who was cast up by the sea and adopted by a rich Southern planter. +</p> +<p> +NELSON THE NEWSBOY, Or Afloat in New York +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Mr. Alger is always at his best in the portrayal of life in New York +City, and this story is among the best he has given our young readers. +</p> +<p> +LOST AT SEA, Or Robert Roscoe’s Strange Cruise +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +A sea story of uncommon interest. The hero falls in with a strange +derelict—a ship given over to the wild animals of a menagerie. +</p> +<p> +JERRY, THE BACKWOODS BOY, Or the Parkhurst Treasure +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Depicts life on a farm of New York State. The mystery of the treasure +will fascinate every boy. Jerry is a character well worth knowing. +</p> +<p> +RANDY OF THE RIVER, Or the adventures of a Young Deckhand +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Life on a river steamboat is not so romantic as some young people may +imagine, but Randy Thompson wanted work and took what was offered. +</p> +<p> +JOE, THE HOTEL BOY, Or Winning Out by Pluck. +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +A graphic account of the adventures of a country boy in the city. +</p> +<p> +BEN LOGAN’S TRIUMPH, Or The Boys of Boxwood Academy +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +The trials and triumphs of a city newsboy in the country. +</p> +<p> +GROSSET & DUNLAP, NEW YORK +</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Motion Picture Chums at Seaside +Park, by Victor Appleton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTION PICTURE CHUMS *** + +***** This file should be named 36964-h.htm or 36964-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/9/6/36964/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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