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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:10:43 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:10:43 -0700 |
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diff --git a/38610-h/38610-h.htm b/38610-h/38610-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a5ebc16 --- /dev/null +++ b/38610-h/38610-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9717 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/> + <meta name="generator" content="pph (1.17)"/> + <meta name="title" content="Frank Merriwell’s New Comedian"/> + <meta name="author" content="Burt L. standish"/> + <meta name="date" content="1899"/> + <title>Frank Merriwell’s New Comedian</title> + <style type="text/css"> + p.center {text-align:center} + hr.tb {border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; width:40%; margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:10px} + h2.chapter {font-size:1.2em; text-align:center; margin: 2em auto 1em auto; font-weight:normal} + div.bq {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;} + </style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Frank Merriwell's New Comedian, by Burt L. Standish + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Frank Merriwell's New Comedian + The Rise of a Star + +Author: Burt L. Standish + +Release Date: January 18, 2012 [EBook #38610] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S NEW COMEDIAN *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:2em;'>BOOKS FOR YOUNG MEN</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:0em;'>MERRIWELL SERIES</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:2em;'>Stories of Frank and Dick Merriwell</p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>PRICE FIFTEEN CENTS</p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'><i>Fascinating Stories of Athletics</i></p> + +<p>A half million enthusiastic followers of the Merriwell brothers +will attest the unfailing interest and wholesomeness of these +adventures of two lads of high ideals, who play fair with themselves, +as well as with the rest of the world.</p> + +<p>These stories are rich in fun and thrills in all branches of +sports and athletics. They are extremely high in moral tone, +and cannot fail to be of immense benefit to every boy who reads +them.</p> + +<p>They have the splendid quality of firing a boy’s ambition to +become a good athlete, in order that he may develop into a +strong, vigorous right-thinking man.</p> + +<p><i>ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT</i></p> + +<p> +      1—Frank Merriwell’s School Days By Burt L. Standish<br/> +      2—Frank Merriwell’s Chums By Burt L. Standish<br/> +      3—Frank Merriwell’s Foes By Burt L. Standish<br/> +      4—Frank Merriwell’s Trip West By Burt L. Standish<br/> +      5—Frank Merriwell Down South By Burt L. Standish<br/> +      6—Frank Merriwell’s Bravery By Burt L. Standish<br/> +      7—Frank Merriwell’s Hunting Tour By Burt L. Standish<br/> +      8—Frank Merriwell in Europe By Burt L. Standish<br/> +      9—Frank Merriwell at Yale By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     10—Frank Merriwell’s Sports Afield By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     11—Frank Merriwell’s Races By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     12—Frank Merriwell’s Party By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     13—Frank Merriwell’s Bicycle Tour By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     14—Frank Merriwell’s Courage By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     15—Frank Merriwell’s Daring By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     16—Frank Merriwell’s Alarm By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     17—Frank Merriwell’s Athletes By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     18—Frank Merriwell’s Skill By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     19—Frank Merriwell’s Champions By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     20—Frank Merriwell’s Return to Yale By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     21—Frank Merriwell’s Secret By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     22—Frank Merriwell’s Danger By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     23—Frank Merriwell’s Loyalty By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     24—Frank Merriwell in Camp By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     25—Frank Merriwell’s Vacation By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     26—Frank Merriwell’s Cruise By Burt L. Standish<br/> +</p> + +<p>In order that there may be no confusion, we desire to say that +the books listed below will be issued, during the respective +months, in New York City and vicinity. They may not reach +the readers, at a distance, promptly, on account of delays in +transportation.</p> + +<p>To Be Published in January, 1922.</p> + +<p> +     27—Frank Merriwell’s Chase By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     28—Frank Merriwell in Maine By Burt L. Standish<br/> +</p> + +<p>To Be Published in February, 1922.</p> + +<p> +     29—Frank Merriwell’s Struggle By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     30—Frank Merriwell’s First Job By Burt L. Standish<br/> +</p> + +<p>To Be Published in March, 1922.</p> + +<p> +     31—Frank Merriwell’s Opportunity By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     32—Frank Merriwell’s Hard Luck By Burt L. Standish<br/> +</p> + +<p>To Be Published in April, 1922.</p> + +<p> +     33—Frank Merriwell’s Protégé By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     34—Frank Merriwell on the Road By Burt L. Standish<br/> +</p> + +<p>To Be Published in May, 1922.</p> + +<p> +     35—Frank Merriwell’s Own Company By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     36—Frank Merriwell’s Fame By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     37—Frank Merriwell’s College Chums By Burt L. Standish<br/> +</p> + +<p>To Be Published in June, 1922.</p> + +<p> +     38—Frank Merriwell’s Problem By Burt L. Standish<br/> +     39—Frank Merriwell’s Fortune By Burt L. Standish<br/> +</p> +<hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; width:70%; margin:2em auto' /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:1.4em;margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:2em;'>FRANK MERRIWELL’S NEW COMEDIAN</p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:2em;'>OR,</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:4em;'>THE RISE OF A STAR</p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>BY</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>BURT L. STANDISH</p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:4em;'>Author of the famous <span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Merriwell Stories</span>.</p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>STREET & SMITH CORPORATION, PUBLISHERS</p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York</p> +<hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; width:70%; margin:2em auto' /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:0.8em;margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:1em;'>Copyright, 1899 By STREET & SMITH</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:0.8em;margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:1em;'>Frank Merriwell’s New Comedian</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:0.8em;margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:1em;'>(Printed in the United States of America)</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:0.8em;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign</p> +<p class='center' style='font-size:0.8em;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>languages, including the Scandinavian.</p> +<hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; width:70%; margin:2em auto' /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:1.4em;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>FRANK MERRIWELL’S NEW COMEDIAN</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink01'>CHAPTER I.—“NEVER SAY DIE!”</h2> + +<p>It is not a pleasant experience to wake up on a beautiful +morning to the realization that one has failed. There +seems a relentless irony in nature herself that the day +that dawns on a night when our glittering hopes have +become dead, dull ashes of despair and ruin should be +bright and warm with the sun’s genial rays.</p> + +<p>So Frank Merriwell felt this fine morning in Puelbo, +Colorado. The night before, with high hopes, he had +produced his new play, “For Old Eli.” He recalled the +events of that first production with almost a shudder. +“For Old Eli” had been a failure, a flat, appalling, stupefying +failure. From the rise of the curtain everything +and everybody had gone wrong; lines were forgotten, +Ephraim Gallup had had stage fright, his own best situations +had been marred.</p> + +<p>How much of this was due to the lying handbills +which had been scattered broadcast, asserting that he +was not the real Frank Merriwell, but an impostor, a +deadbeat and a thorough scoundrel, Frank could not tell. +He believed that these efforts to ruin him had little +effect, for when, at the close of the performance, he had +made a speech from the stage, assuring the audience that +he would bring his play back and give a satisfactory performance, +his reception had been cordial.</p> + +<p>But the play had failed. Parker Folansbee, his backer, +had acted queerly, and Frank knew that, after the +company had reached Denver, the relations between him +and his backer would cease. “For Old Eli” had been +well-nigh ruinous, and when they got back to Denver, +Merry and his friends would be without funds.</p> + +<p>Then the thought came to him of the prejudice expressed +against a poor black cat he had allowed to travel +with the company. He could not restrain a smile as he +perceived that the superstitious members of the company +would feel that the cat had hoodooed them. As if +a cat could affect the fortunes of men!</p> + +<p>The thought of the cat gave a pleasant turn to his reflections, +and he cheered up immensely.</p> + +<p>He had failed?</p> + +<p>No!</p> + +<p>He would not acknowledge failure, defeat, disaster. +He would not lie down and abandon the struggle, for +he was not built of such weak material.</p> + +<p>Where was the fault? Was it in the piece, or in the +way it had been played?</p> + +<p>He realized that, although the piece was well constructed, +it was not of a high, artistic character, such as +must appeal by pure literary merit to the best class of +theater patrons.</p> + +<p>It could not be ranked with the best productions of +Pinero, Jones, Howard, Thomas, or even Clyde Fitch. +He had not written it with the hope of reaching such +a level. His aim had been to make a “popular” piece, +such as would appeal to the masses.</p> + +<p>He fell to thinking over what had happened, and +trying to understand the cause of it all. He did not lay +the blame entirely on the actors.</p> + +<p>It was not long before he decided that something +about his play had led the spectators to expect more +than they had received.</p> + +<p>What was it they had expected?</p> + +<p>While he was thinking of this alone in his room at +the hotel, Bart Hodge, his old friend and a member of +his company, came in. Hodge looked disgruntled, disappointed, +disgusted. He sat down on the bed without +speaking.</p> + +<p>“Hello, old man,” said Frank, cheerfully. “What’s +the matter with your face? It would sour new milk.”</p> + +<p>“And you ought to have a face that would sour +honey!” growled Bart. “I should if I were in your +place.”</p> + +<p>“What’s the use? That wouldn’t improve things.”</p> + +<p>“If I were in your place, I’d take a gun and go forth +and kill a few stiffs.”</p> + +<p>“I always supposed a ‘stiff’ was dead. Didn’t know +one could be killed over again.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you can joke if you want to, but I don’t see how +you can feel like joking now. Anybody else would +swear.”</p> + +<p>“And that would be foolish.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps so; but you know, as well as I do, that your +play was murdered and mangled last night.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so, b’gosh!” drawled a doleful voice, and +Ephraim Gallup, another of the company, Frank’s boy +friend from Vermont, came stalking into the room, looking +quite as disgusted and dejected as Hodge. “An’ I’m +one of the murderers!”</p> + +<p>Frank looked Ephraim over and burst out laughing.</p> + +<p>“Why,” he cried, “your face is so long that you’ll be +hitting your toes against your chin when you walk, if +you’re not careful.”</p> + +<p>“Whut I need is somebuddy to hit their toes against +my pants jest where I set down, an’ do it real hard,” said +Ephraim. “I wisht I’d stayed to hum on the farm when +I went back there and giv up the idee that I was an +actor. I kin dig ’taters an’ saw wood a darn sight better’n +I kin act!”</p> + +<p>“You’re all right, Ephraim,” assured Merry. “You +had to fill that part in a hurry, and you were not sure on +your lines. That worried you and broke you up. If +you had been sure of your lines, so that you would have +felt easy, I don’t think there would have been any +trouble as far as you were concerned.”</p> + +<p>“I dunno abaout that. I never felt so gosh-darn scat +as I did larst night. Why, I jest shook all over, an’ +one spell I didn’t think my laigs’d hold me up till I got +off ther stage. It was awful!”</p> + +<p>“You had an attack of stage fright. They say all +great actors have it once in their lives.”</p> + +<p>“Waal, I never want to feel that air way ag’in! An’ I +spoilt that scene in the dressin’ room of the clubhaouse. +Oh, jeewhillikins! I’m goin’ aout of the show business, +Frank, an’ git a job paoundin’ sand. It don’t take no +brains to do that.”</p> + +<p>“Cheer up! You are going to play that same part in +this play, and you’ll play it well, too.”</p> + +<p>“Whut? Then be yeou goin’ to keep right on with +the play?” asked the Vermonter, in astonishment.</p> + +<p>“No,” said Merry, “I am not going to keep right on with +it. I am going to put it into shape to win, and then I’m +going out with it again. My motto is, ‘Never say die.’ +You heard what I told the audience last night. I +promised them that I would play in this town and would +make a success. I shall keep that promise.”</p> + +<p>Hodge shook his head.</p> + +<p>“You are smart, Frank, but there’s a limit. I’m afraid +your luck has turned. You are hoodooed.”</p> + +<p>Just then a coal-black cat came out from under the +bed and walked across the room.</p> + +<p>“And I suppose you think this is my hoodoo?” smiled +Merry, as the cat came over and rubbed against his leg. +“That’s where you are away off. This cat is my mascot, +and she shall travel with me till the piece wins. She +has stuck to me close enough since she walked onto the +stage where we were rehearsing in Denver.”</p> + +<p>“The cat is not the hoodoo,” said Bart, shaking his +head. “I know what is.”</p> + +<p>“You do?”</p> + +<p>“Sure.”</p> + +<p>“Name it.”</p> + +<p>“I am!”</p> + +<p>“You?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>Frank stared at Bart in surprise, and then burst out +laughing.</p> + +<p>“Well, how in the world did you happen to get such +a foolish notion into your head?” he cried.</p> + +<p>“It’s not foolish,” declared Bart, stubbornly. “It’s +straight, I know it, and you can’t make me think differently.”</p> + +<p>Frank rose and walked over to Hodge, putting a hand +on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Now you are talking silly, old man,” he said. “You +never were bad luck to me in the past; why should you +be now. You’re blue. You are down in the mouth and +your head is filled with ridiculous fancies. Things would +have happened just as they have if you had not joined +the company.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t believe it.”</p> + +<p>“You always were superstitious, but I believe you are +worse than ever now. You have been playing poker too +much. That’s what ails you. The game makes every +man superstitious. He may not believe in luck at the +beginning, but he will after he has stuck to that game +a while. He will see all the odd things that happen with +cards, and the conviction that there is such a thing as +luck must grow upon him. He will become whimsical +and full of notions. That’s what’s the matter with you, +Hodge. Forget it, forget it!”</p> + +<p>“I think you are likely to forget some things altogether +too early, Merriwell. For instance, some of your enemies.”</p> + +<p>“What’s the use to remember unpleasant things?”</p> + +<p>“They remember you. One of them did so to an extent +that he helped ruin the first presentation of your +play.”</p> + +<p>“How?”</p> + +<p>“It isn’t possible that you have forgotten the lying +notices circulated all over this city, stating that you were +not the real Frank Merriwell, accusing you of being a +fake and a thief?”</p> + +<p>Something like a shadow settled on Merry’s strong +face.</p> + +<p>“No, I have not forgotten,” he declared, “I remember +all that, and I’d like to know just who worked the +game.”</p> + +<p>“It was a gol-dinged measly trick!” exploded Ephraim.</p> + +<p>“You thought it would not hurt you, Frank,” said +Hodge. “You fancied it would serve to advertise you, +if anything. It may have advertised you, but it did you +damage at the same time. When the audience saw everything +was going wrong, it grew angry and became convinced +that it was being defrauded. Then you had trouble +with that big ruffian who climbed over the footlights +with the avowed purpose of breaking up the show.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, well,” smiled Merry, in a peculiar way, “that +fellow went right back over the footlights.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, you threw him back. That quieted the audience +more than anything else, for it showed that you were +no slouch, even if you were a fake.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I suppose I’ll find out some time just who did +that little piece of advertising for me.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps so; perhaps not.”</p> + +<p>Tap, tap, tap—a knock on the door.</p> + +<p>“Come!” Frank called.</p> + +<p>The door opened, and Billy Wynne, the property +man, looked in.</p> + +<p>“Letter for you, Mr. Merriwell,” he said.</p> + +<p>Frank took the letter, and Wynne disappeared, after +being thanked for bringing it.</p> + +<p>“Excuse me,” said Merry, and he tore open the envelope.</p> + +<p>A moment later, having glanced over the letter, he +whistled.</p> + +<p>“News?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Just a note from the gentleman we were speaking +of just now,” answered Frank. “It’s from the party +who gave me the free advertising.”</p> + +<p>“Waal, I’ll be kicked by a blind kaow!” exploded Gallup. +“An’ did he hev ther gall to write to ye?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” said Frank. “Listen to this.”</p> + +<p>Then he read the letter aloud.</p> + +<div class='bq'> +<p>“<span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Mr. Frank Merriwell.</span></p> + +<p>“<span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Dear Sir</span>: By this time you must be aware that you are +not the greatest thing that ever happened. You received it in +the neck last night, and I aided in the good work of knocking +you out, for I circulated the ‘warning’ notice which denounced +you as an impostor, a deadbeat and a thief. The public swallowed +it all, and, in disguise, I was at the theater to witness your +downfall. It was even greater than I had dared hope it would be. +I understand the managers in other towns have canceled with you, +Folansbee has declined to back your old show any longer, and you +are on the beach. Ha! ha! ha! This is revenge indeed. You are +knocked out at last, and I did it. You’ll never appear again as +the marvelous young actor-playwright, and the name of Frank +Merriwell will sink into oblivion. It is well. Yours with +satisfaction,</p> + +<p style='text-align:right; margin:0 0ex 0 auto'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>LESLIE LAWRENCE</span>.”</p> +</div> + +<p>“I knew well enough it was that dirty rascal who did +the job!” cried Hodge, springing up. “The cur!”</p> + +<p>“Waal, dinged if he hadn’t oughter be shot!” burst +from Gallup. “An’ he knows Folansbee’s gone back +on ye.”</p> + +<p>“It’s no use, Frank,” said Hodge, disconsolately; “you +are done for. The story is out. Folansbee has skipped +us, and——”</p> + +<p>“He has not skipped us. He’s simply decided to go +out of the theatrical business. It was a fad with him, +anyhow. As long as everything was going well, he liked +it; but I see he is a man who cannot stand hard luck. +He is changeable and that makes him a mighty poor man +to back a venture. It takes a man with determination +and a fixed purpose to win at anything. Changing +around, jumping from one thing to another, never having +any clear ideas is enough to make a failure of any man. +Folansbee doesn’t need to follow the show business for +a living. He went into it because it fascinated him. +The glamour is all worn off now, and he is ready to get +out if it. Let him go.”</p> + +<p>“It’s all right to say let him go, but what are you +going to do without him? You are talking about putting +your play out again, but how will you do it?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll find a way.”</p> + +<p>“That is easier said than done. You have been lucky, +Frank, there is no question about that. You can’t be that +lucky all the time.”</p> + +<p>“There are more ways than one to catch an angel.”</p> + +<p>“I rather think you’ll find that angels are not so thick. +Once in a while there is a soft thing who is ready to +gamble with his money by putting it behind a traveling +theatrical company, but those soft things are growing +scarcer and scarcer. Too many of them have been +bitten.”</p> + +<p>“Still, I have a feeling that I’ll find a way to succeed.”</p> + +<p>“Of course you can advertise for a partner to invest +in a ‘sure thing,’ and all that, but those games are too +near fraud. Rascals have worked those schemes so +much that honest men avoid them.”</p> + +<p>“I shall not resort to any trickery or deception. If I +catch an ‘angel’ I shall get one just as I obtained Folansbee, +by telling him all the risks and chances of failure.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you’ll not get another that way.”</p> + +<p>“Darned if I ain’t afraid now!” nodded Ephraim. +“But Mr. Folansbee’s goin’ to take keer of this comp’ny, +ain’t he? He’s goin’ to take it back to Denver?”</p> + +<p>“He has agreed to do so.”</p> + +<p>At this moment there was another sharp rap on the +door, which, happening to be near, Frank opened.</p> + +<p>Cassie Lee walked in, followed by Roscoe Havener, +the soubrette and the stage manager of “For Old Eli,” +Cassie showed excitement.</p> + +<p>“Well, what do you think of him?” she cried.</p> + +<p>“Of whom—Havener?” asked Merry,</p> + +<p>“No, Folansbee.”</p> + +<p>“What about him?”</p> + +<p>“He’s skipped.”</p> + +<p>“Skipped?”</p> + +<p>“Sure thing. Run away.”</p> + +<p>“Impossible!”</p> + +<p>“It’s a straight fact,” declared the little soubrette.</p> + +<p>“There’s no doubt of it,” corroborated Havener.</p> + +<p>“Waal, may I be tickled to death by grasshoppers!” +ejaculated Gallup.</p> + +<p>“This caps the whole business!” burst from Hodge.</p> + +<p>“I can’t believe that,” said Merriwell, slowly. “How +do you know, Havener?”</p> + +<p>“His baggage is gone. Garland and Dunton traced +him to the station. They were just in time to see him +board an eastbound train as it pulled out. He has deserted +us.”</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink02'>CHAPTER II.—DARKNESS AND DAWN.</h2> + +<p>Frank could not express his astonishment.</p> + +<p>“I can’t believe it,” he repeated. “Folansbee would +not do such a thing.”</p> + +<p>Hodge laughed shortly, harshly.</p> + +<p>“You have altogether too much confidence in human +nature, Merry,” he said. “I never took much stock in +this Folansbee. He is just the sort of person I would +expect to do such a trick.”</p> + +<p>“The company is hot, Merriwell,” said Havener. +“They’re ready to eat you.”</p> + +<p>“Me?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“For what?”</p> + +<p>“For getting them into this scrape.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t see how they can blame me.”</p> + +<p>There came a sound of feet outside and a bang on the +door, which was flung open before Frank could reach it. +Into the room stalked Granville Garland, followed by the +remainder of the company. Plainly all were excited.</p> + +<p>“Well, Mr. Merriwell,” said Garland, assuming an accusing +manner and striking a stage pose, “we are here.”</p> + +<p>“So I see,” nodded Frank, calmly. “What’s the matter?”</p> + +<p>“You engaged us to fill parts in your play.”</p> + +<p>“I did.”</p> + +<p>“We hold contracts with you.”</p> + +<p>“I beg your pardon. I think you are mistaken.”</p> + +<p>“What?”</p> + +<p>“I made no contracts with you; I simply engaged you. +You hold contracts with Parker Folansbee.”</p> + +<p>“Folansbee has deserted us, sir,” declared Garland, +accusingly. “We have been tricked, fooled, deceived! +We hold contracts. You were concerned with Folansbee +in putting this company on the road, and you are responsible. +We have come to you to find out what you +mean to do.”</p> + +<p>“I am very sorry——” began Frank.</p> + +<p>“Being sorry for us doesn’t help us a bit,” cut in Garland, +rudely. “I believe you knew Folansbee was going +to skip.”</p> + +<p>Frank turned his eyes full on the speaker, and he +seemed to look his accuser straight through and through.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Garland,” he said, “you are rude and insulting. +I do not fancy the way you speak to me.”</p> + +<p>“Well, what are you going to do about it?”</p> + +<p>“That’s what I’d like to know,” put in Lloyd Fowler. +“I want my money. I didn’t come out here to be fooled +this way.”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Fowler,” spoke Frank, “you have not earned +any money. Instead, you have earned a fine by appearing +on the stage last night in a state of intoxication.”</p> + +<p>“Who says so?”</p> + +<p>“I do.”</p> + +<p>“Then you li——”</p> + +<p>Fowler did not quite finish the word. Frank had him +by the neck and pinned him against the wall in a moment. +Merry’s eyes were flashing fire, but his voice +was steady, as he said:</p> + +<p>“Take it back, sir! Apologize instantly for that!”</p> + +<p>Garland made a move as if he would interfere, but +Bart Hodge was before him in an instant, looking +straight into his face, and saying:</p> + +<p>“Hands off! Touch him and you get thumped!”</p> + +<p>“Get out!” cried Garland.</p> + +<p>“Not a bit of it. If you want a scrap, I shall be +pleased to give you what you desire.”</p> + +<p>“Here, fellows!” called Garland; “get in here all of +you and give these two tricksters a lesson! Come on!”</p> + +<p>“Wait!” cried Havener, stepping to the other side of +Merriwell. “Don’t try it, for I shall stand by him!”</p> + +<p>“Me, too, boys!” cried Cassie Lee, getting into line +with her small fists clinched, and a look of determination +on her thin face. “Don’t nobody jump on Frank +Merriwell unless I take a hand in the racket.”</p> + +<p>The rest of the company were astonished. They +realized that Frank had some friends, but it was not +until after he had awakened to realize just what the +situation meant that Ephraim Gallup drew himself together +and planted himself with Merry’s party.</p> + +<p>“Whe-ee!” he squealed. “If there’s goin’ ter be a +ruction, yeou kin bet I’ll fight fer Merry, though I ain’t +much of a fighter. I’d ruther run then fight any day, +onless I have ter fight, but I reckon I’ll hev ter fight in +this case, if there is any fightin’.”</p> + +<p>Immediately Granville Garland became very placid in +his manner.</p> + +<p>“We didn’t come here to fight,” he said, “but we came +here to demand our rights.”</p> + +<p>“An’ to sass Frank,” put in the Vermonter. “But, +b’gosh! yeou are barkin’ up ther wrong tree when yeou +tackle him! He kin jest natterally chaw yeou up.”</p> + +<p>Frank still held Fowler against the wall. Now he +spoke to the fellow in a low, commanding tone:</p> + +<p>“Apologize at once,” he said. “Come, sir, make +haste!”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t mean anything,” faltered the frightened actor. +“I think I was too hasty. I apologize.”</p> + +<p>“Be careful in the future,” advised Merry, releasing +him.</p> + +<p>Then Merry turned to the others, saying:</p> + +<p>“Ladies and gentlemen, until Havener just brought +the news, I did not know that Parker Folansbee was +gone. It was a great surprise for me, as I did not dream +he was a person to do such a thing. Even now I cannot +feel that he has entirely deserted us. He may have left +town rather than face us, but I hope he has been man +enough to leave money behind that will enable us to return +to Denver, at least. You must see that we are in the +same box together. I am hit as hard as any of you, for +I had hoped that Folansbee would stand by me so that I +would be able to put the play in better shape and take it +out again. I have lost him as a backer, and if he has +skipped without leaving us anything, I have barely +enough money to enable me to get back to Denver.”</p> + +<p>“Haven’t you any way of getting hold of money?” +asked Harper.</p> + +<p>“Unfortunately, I have not,” answered Merry. “If I +had money in my pocket I would spend the last cent to +square this thing with you.”</p> + +<p>“And I know that’s on the level!” chirped Cassie Lee.</p> + +<p>“Well, it’s mighty tough!” muttered Billy Wynne. +“That’s all I’ve got to say.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll have to get up some kind of a benefit for ourselves,” +said Havener. “That’s the only thing left to do.”</p> + +<p>“Come up to my room,” invited Miss Stanley, “and +we’ll try to devise a scheme for raising the dust. +Come on.”</p> + +<p>They followed her out, leaving Ephraim, Bart and +Frank.</p> + +<p>“Whew!” breathed Gallup, sitting down on the bed. +“Hanged if I didn’t kinder think there was goin’ to be a +ruction one spell. I wanted to run, but I warn’t goin’ to +leave Frank to be thrashed by a lot of hamfatters, +b’gee!”</p> + +<p>“They were excited when they came in,” said Merry, +apologizing for the ones who had departed. “If it hadn’t +been for that, they would not have thought of making +such a scene.”</p> + +<p>“Well, Frank,” spoke Bart, “I hope this will teach +you a lesson.”</p> + +<p>“How?”</p> + +<p>“I hope it will teach you not to put so much confidence +in human nature after this. Have less confidence and do +more business in writing. I haven’t a doubt but Folansbee +would have stuck by you all right if the new play +had proved a winner, but he saw a chance to squeal +when it turned out bad, and he jumped you.”</p> + +<p>“I had a contract with him about the other piece,” said +Merry; “but you know he did not return from St. Louis +till just before we were ready to start out, and so I +had not been able to arrange matters about this piece.”</p> + +<p>“And that lets him out easy.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, he gets out without any trouble, and I don’t believe +I can do a thing about it.”</p> + +<p>Again there came a rap on the door. When it was +opened, a bell boy, accompanied by a gray-bearded gentleman, +stood outside.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Merriwell,” said the bell boy, “here is a gentleman +to see you.”</p> + +<p>The man entered.</p> + +<p>“Walk right in, sir,” invited Merry. “What can I do +for you?”</p> + +<p>Frank closed the door. The stranger slowly drew off +his gloves, critically looking Merriwell over.</p> + +<p>“So you are Mr. Frank Merriwell?” he said.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> + +<p>“I recognize you,” nodded the man. “Do you remember +me?”</p> + +<p>“No, sir; I can’t say that I do, although I believe I +have seen your face before.”</p> + +<p>“I think you have, but I did not wear a full beard +then.”</p> + +<p>“Ah! Then it is possible the beard has made the +change that prevents me from recognizing you.”</p> + +<p>“Quite likely.”</p> + +<p>“Will you sit down?”</p> + +<p>“I have some important business with you,” explained +the stranger, with a glance toward Gallup and Hodge.</p> + +<p>Immediately Bart started for the door.</p> + +<p>“See you later, Frank,” he said. “Come on, Ephraim.”</p> + +<p>Gallup followed Hodge from the room.</p> + +<p>When they were gone, Frank again invited the stranger +to be seated.</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” said the man, as he accepted a chair. +“For reasons I wish you would look at me closely and +see if you recognize me. I recognize you, although you +are older, but I must proceed with the utmost caution in +this matter, and I wish you would recognize me and +state my name, so that I may feel absolutely certain that +I am making no mistake.”</p> + +<p>Frank sat down opposite the gentleman, at whom he +gazed searchingly. He concentrated his mind in the +effort to remember. Frank had found that he could do +many difficult things by concentration of his mental +forces. Now he sought to picture in his mind the appearance +of this man without a beard. Gradually, he +felt that he was drawing nearer and nearer the object +he sought. Finally he made a request:</p> + +<p>“Please speak again, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Why do you wish me to, speak again?” said the +stranger, smiling.</p> + +<p>“So that your voice may aid me in remembering. I +wish to associate your voice and your face.”</p> + +<p>“Very well. What do you wish me to say?”</p> + +<p>“You have said enough. I have your voice now.”</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid you’ll not be able to remember,” said the +stranger. “It doesn’t make any great difference, for I +recognize you, and I can make assurance doubly sure by +asking you a few questions. First, I wish to ask——”</p> + +<p>“Excuse me,” interrupted Merry. “You are from +Carson City, Nevada. You are connected with the bank +in Carson, where I deposited a certain amount of valuable +treasure, found by myself and some friends years +ago in the Utah Desert. Your name is Horace Hobson.”</p> + +<p>“Correct!” cried the man, with satisfaction. “Now, +can you produce the receipt given you for that treasure?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir,” nodded Frank, immediately producing a +leather pocketbook and opening it. “I have it here.”</p> + +<p>In a moment he had found the paper and handed it +to Mr. Hobson.</p> + +<p>The gentleman adjusted some gold-rimmed nose-glasses +and looked the receipt over.</p> + +<p>“This is the receipt,” he nodded. “You instructed the +bank officials to use every effort and spare no expense to +find the relatives of Prof. Millard Fillmore and the rightful +heirs to the treasure.”</p> + +<p>“I did.”</p> + +<p>“I am here to inform you that the bank has carried +out your instructions faithfully.”</p> + +<p>“Then you have found Prof. Fillmore’s relatives?” +quickly asked Merry, his heart sinking a bit.</p> + +<p>“On the contrary, we have found that he has no +relatives living. He seems to have been the last of his +family—the end of it——”</p> + +<p>“Then——”</p> + +<p>“It has been necessary for us to go to considerable expense +to settle this point beyond a doubt, but we have +done so, in accordance with your directions. Of course, +we shall not lose anything. We have ascertained the +exact value of the treasure, and have deducted for our +expense and trouble. At a meeting of the bank directors +I was instructed to turn over the remainder to +you. I have here papers showing the exact valuation of +the treasure as deposited with us. Here is a complete +account of all our expenses and charges. We have found +a balance remaining of forty-three thousand seven hundred +and thirty-eight dollars. I was sent to turn this +money over to you, as I could identify you beyond doubt, +and there could be no mistake. To make it certain in my +own mind, I wished you to recognize me. You did so, +and I knew I could not be making a mistake. I will take +up this receipt here, and in return will give you a check +for the amount, if that is satisfactory to you.”</p> + +<p>Frank sat like one dazed, staring at Horace Hobson. +Was it possible that he was not dreaming? Was he in +his hour of need to receive this immense sum of money? +No wonder he fancied he was dreaming.</p> + +<p>At last he gave himself a slight shake, and his voice +did not falter as he said:</p> + +<p>“It is perfectly satisfactory to me, sir. I will accept +the check.”</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink03'>CHAPTER III.—MERRIWELL’S GENEROSITY.</h2> + +<p>Mr. Hobson departed, and then Frank rang for a bell +boy and sent for Bart and Ephraim. Merry’s two friends +came in a short time.</p> + +<p>“I have called you up,” said Merry, “to talk over the +arrangements for putting ‘For Old Eli’ on the road +again without delay. I have decided on that. It will +take some little time to manufacture the costly mechanical +effect that I propose to introduce into the third act, and +we shall have to get some new paper. I believe I can +telegraph a description to Chicago so a full stand lithograph +from stone can be made that will suit me, and I +shall telegraph to-day.”</p> + +<p>Hodge stared at Frank as if he thought Merry had +lost his senses.</p> + +<p>“You always were a practical joker,” he growled; “but +don’t you think it’s about time to let up? I don’t see that +this is a joking matter. You should have some sympathy +for our feelings, if you don’t care for yourself.”</p> + +<p>Merry laughed a bit.</p> + +<p>“My dear fellow,” he said, “I assure you I was never +more serious. I am not joking. I shall telegraph for +the paper immediately.”</p> + +<p>“Paper like that costs money, and the lithographers +will demand a guarantee before they touch the work.”</p> + +<p>“And I shall give them a guarantee. I shall instruct +them to draw on the First National Bank of Denver, +where my money will be deposited.”</p> + +<p>“Your money?” gasped Hodge.</p> + +<p>“Jeewhillikins!” gurgled Gallup.</p> + +<p>Then Frank’s friends looked at each other, the same +thought in the minds of both.</p> + +<p>Had Merry gone mad? Had his misfortune turned his +brain?</p> + +<p>“I believe I can have the effect I desire to introduce +manufactured for me in Denver,” Frank went on. “I shall +brace up that third act with it. I shall make a spectacular +climax on the order of the mechanical horse races you +see on the stage. I shall have some dummy figures and +boats made, so that the boat race may be seen on the +river in the distance. I have an idea of a mechanical +arrangement to represent the crowd that lines the river +and the observation train that carries a load of spectators +along the railroad that runs beside the river. I +think the swaying crowd can be shown, the moving train, +the three boats, Yale, Harvard and Cornell, with their +rowers working for life. Harvard shall be a bit in the +lead when the boats first appear, but Yale shall press her +and take the lead. Then I will have the scene shifted instantly, +so that the audience will be looking into the Yale +clubhouse. The rear of the house shall open direct upon +the river. There shall be great excitement in the clubhouse, +which I will have located at the finish of the +course. The boats are coming. Outside, along the river, +mad crowds are cheering hoarsely, whistles are screeching, +Yale students are howling the college cry. Here +they come! Now the excitement is intense. Hurrah! +Yale has taken the lead! The boats shoot in view at the +back of the stage, Yale a length ahead, Harvard next, +Cornell almost at her side, and in this form they cross +the line, Yale the victor. The star of the piece, myself, +who has escaped from his enemies barely in time to enter +the boat and help win the race, is brought on by the +madly cheering college men, and down comes the curtain +on a climax that must set any audience wild.”</p> + +<p>Hodge sat down on the bed.</p> + +<p>“Frank,” he said, grimly, “you’re going crazy! It +would cost a thousand dollars to get up that effect.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t care if it costs two thousand dollars, I’ll have +it, and I’ll have it in a hurry!” laughed Merriwell. “I am +out for business now. I am in the ring to win this time.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, you are going crazy!” nodded Hodge. “Where +is all the money coming from?”</p> + +<p>“I’ve got it!”</p> + +<p>Bart went into the air as if he had received an electric +shock.</p> + +<p>“You—you’ve what?” he yelled.</p> + +<p>“Got the money,” asserted Frank.</p> + +<p>“Where?” shouted Bart.</p> + +<p>“Right here.”</p> + +<p>“May I be tickled to death by muskeeters!” gasped +Gallup.</p> + +<p>“Got two thousand dollars?” said Hodge. “Oh, come +off, Merriwell! You are carrying this thing too far +now!”</p> + +<p>“Just take a look at this piece of paper,” invited Frank, +as he passed over the check he had received from Horace +Hobson.</p> + +<p>Bart took it, he looked at it, he was stricken dumb.</p> + +<p>Gallup looked over Bart’s shoulder. His jaw dropped, +his eyes bulged from his head, and he could not utter a +sound.</p> + +<p>“How do you like the looks of it?” smiled Merry.</p> + +<p>“What—what is it?” faltered Bart.</p> + +<p>“A check. Can’t you see? A check that is good for +forty-three thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight dollars.”</p> + +<p>“Good for that? Why, it can’t be! Now, is this more +of your joking, Merriwell? If it is, I swear I shall feel +like having a fight with you right here!”</p> + +<p>“It’s no joke, old man. That piece of paper is good—it +is good for every dollar. The money is payable to me. +I’ve got the dust to put my play out in great style.”</p> + +<p>Even then Bart could not believe it. He groped for +the bed and sat down, limply, still staring at the check, +which he held in his hand.</p> + +<p>“What’s this for?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“It’s for the Fillmore treasure, which I found in the +Utah Desert,” exclaimed Frank. “It was brought to me +by the man who came in here a little while ago.”</p> + +<p>Then Gallup collapsed.</p> + +<p>His knees seemed to buckle beneath him, and he +dropped down on the bed.</p> + +<p>“Waal, may I be chawed up fer grass by a spavin +hoss!” he murmured.</p> + +<p>Hodge sat quite still for some seconds.</p> + +<p>“Merry,” he said, at last, beginning to tremble all +over, “are you sure this is good? Are you sure there is +no crooked business behind it?”</p> + +<p>“Of course I am,” smiled Frank.</p> + +<p>“How can you be?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“I received it from the very man with whom I did the +business in Carson when I made the deposit. In order +that there might be no mistake he came on here and delivered +it to me personally.”</p> + +<p>“I think I’m dyin’!” muttered Ephraim. “I’ve received +a shock from which I’ll never rekiver! Forty-three +thousan’ dollars! Oh, say, I know there’s a mistake +here!”</p> + +<p>“Not a bit of a mistake,” assured Merriwell, smiling, +triumphant.</p> + +<p>“And all that money is yourn?”</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“Why—why, ther check’s made out to yeou.”</p> + +<p>“Because the treasure was deposited by me.”</p> + +<p>“And yeou faound it?”</p> + +<p>“I found it, but I did so while in company with four +friends.”</p> + +<p>Now Hodge showed still further excitement.</p> + +<p>“Those friends were not with you at the moment when +you found it,” he said. “I’ve heard your story. You +came near losing your life. The mad hermit fought to +throw you from the precipice. The way you found the +treasure, the dangers you passed through, everything that +happened established your rightful claim to it. It belongs +to you alone.”</p> + +<p>“I do not look at it in that light,” said Frank, calmly +and positively. “There were five of us in the party. +The others were my friends Diamond, Rattleton, Browning, +and Toots.”</p> + +<p>“A nigger!” exclaimed Bart. “Do you call him your +friend?”</p> + +<p>“I do!” exclaimed Merry. “More than once that black +boy did things for me which I have never been able to +repay. Although a coward at heart so far as danger to +himself was concerned, I have known him to risk his life +to save me from harm. Why shouldn’t I call him my +friend? His skin may be black, but his heart is white.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, all right,” muttered Hodge. “I haven’t anything +more to say. I was not one of your party at that +time.”</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“I wish I had been.”</p> + +<p>“So yeou could git yeour share of the boodle?” +grinned Ephraim.</p> + +<p>“No!” cried Hodge, fiercely. “So I could show the +rest of them how to act like men! I would refuse to +touch one cent of it! I would tell Frank Merriwell that +it belonged to him, and he could not force me to take it. +That’s all.”</p> + +<p>“Mebbe the others’ll do that air way,” suggested the +Vermont youth.</p> + +<p>“Not on your life!” sneered Bart. “They’ll gobble +onto their shares with both hands. I know them, I’ve +traveled with them, and I am not stuck on any of them.”</p> + +<p>“I shall compel them to take it,” smiled Frank. “I +am sorry, fellows, that you both were not with me, so I +could bring you into the division. I’d find a way to +compel Hodge to accept his share.”</p> + +<p>“Not in a thousand years!” exploded Bart.</p> + +<p>“Waal,” drawled Ephraim, “I ain’t saying, but I’d like +a sheer of that money well enough, but there’s one thing +I am sayin’. Sence Hodge has explained why he +wouldn’t tech none of it, I be gol-dinged if yeou could +force a single cent onter me ef I hed bin with yeou, same +as them other fellers was! I say Hodge is jest right +abaout that business. The money belongs to yeou, +Frank, an’ yeou’re the only one that owns a single dollar +of it, b’gosh!”</p> + +<p>“That’s right, Ephraim,” nodded Hodge. “And there +isn’t another chap in the country who would insist on +giving away some of his money to others under similar +circumstances. Some people might call it generosity; I +call it thundering foolishness!”</p> + +<p>“I can’t help what you call it,” said Frank; “I shall +do what I believe is right and just, and thus I will have +nothing to trouble my conscience.”</p> + +<p>“Conscience! conscience! You’ll never be rich in the +world, for you have too much conscience. Do you +suppose the Wall Street magnates could have become millionaires +if they had permitted their conscience to worry +them over little points?”</p> + +<p>“I fancy not,” acknowledged Merry, shaking his head. +“I am certain I shall never become wealthy in just the +same manner that certain millionaires acquired their +wealth. I’d rather remain poor. Such an argument does +not touch me, Hodge.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I suppose not! But it’s a shame for you to be +such a chump! Just think what you could do with +forty-three thousand dollars! You could give up this +show business, you could go back to Yale and finish your +course in style. You could be the king-bee of them all. +Oh, it’s a shame!”</p> + +<p>“Haow much’ll yeou hev arter yeou divide?” asked +Ephraim.</p> + +<p>“The division will give the five of us eight thousand +seven hundred and forty-six dollars and eighty cents +each,” answered Frank.</p> + +<p>“He’s figured that up so quick!” muttered Hodge.</p> + +<p>“I snum! eight thaousan’ dollars ain’t to be sneezed +at!” cried the Vermonter.</p> + +<p>“It’s a pinch beside forty-three thousand,” said Bart.</p> + +<p>“Yeou oughter be able to go back to college on that, +Frank.”</p> + +<p>“He can, if he’ll drop the show business,” nodded +Bart.</p> + +<p>“And confess myself a failure! Acknowledge that I +failed in this undertaking? Would you have me do +that?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you wouldn’t confess anything of the sort. What +were you working for? To go back to Yale, was it not?”</p> + +<p>“Sure.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I don’t suppose you expected to make so much +money that you would be able to return with more than +eight thousand dollars in your inside pocket?”</p> + +<p>“Hardly.”</p> + +<p>“Then what is crawling over you? If you are fool +enough to make this silly division, you can go back with +money enough to take you through your course in style.”</p> + +<p>“And have the memory of what happened in this +town last night rankle in my heart! Hardly! I made +a speech from the stage last night, in which I said I +would play again in this city, and I promised that the +audience should be satisfied. I shall keep that promise.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, all right! I suppose you’ll be thinking of rewarding +the ladies and gentlemen who called here a +short time ago and attempted to bulldoze you?”</p> + +<p>“I shall see that the members of the company, one and +all, are treated fairly. I shall pay them two weeks salary, +which will be all they can ask.”</p> + +<p>Hodge got up, thrust his hands deep into his pockets, +and stared at Frank, with an expression on his face that +was little short of disgust.</p> + +<p>“You beat them all!” he growled. “I’d do just like +that—I don’t think! Not one of those people has a +claim on you. I’d let them all go to the deuce! It would +be serving them right.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I shall do nothing of the sort, my dear fellow.”</p> + +<p>“I presume you will pay Lloyd Fowler two weeks +salary?”</p> + +<p>“I shall.”</p> + +<p>Bart turned toward the door.</p> + +<p>“Where are you going?”</p> + +<p>“I’m going out somewhere all alone by myself, where +I can say some things about you. I am going to express +my opinion of you to myself. I don’t want to do it here, +for there would be a holy fight. I’ve got to do it in order +to let off steam and cool down. I shall explode if I +keep it corked up inside of me.”</p> + +<p>He bolted out of the room, slamming the door fiercely +behind him.</p> + +<p>Frank and Ephraim went up to the room of Stella +Stanley, which was on the next floor. They found all +the members of the company packed into that room.</p> + +<p>“May we come in?” asked Merry, pleasantly.</p> + +<p>“We don’t need him,” muttered Lloyd Fowler, who +was seated in a corner. “Don’t get him into the benefit +performance. Let him take care of himself.”</p> + +<p>“Come right in, Mr. Merriwell,” invited Stella Stanley. +“I believe you can sing. We’re arranging a program +for the benefit, you know. Shall we put you down +for a song?”</p> + +<p>“I hardly think so,” smiled Frank.</p> + +<p>“Ah!” muttered Fowler, triumphantly. “He thinks +himself too fine to take part in such a performance with +the rest of us.”</p> + +<p>“I rather think you’ve hit it,” whispered Charlie +Harper.</p> + +<p>“And I know you are off your trolley!” hissed Cassie +Lee, who had not missed the words of either of them. +“He’s on the level.”</p> + +<p>“Really!” exclaimed Miss Stanley, in surprise and disappointment. +“Do you actually refuse?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Why?”</p> + +<p>“Because there will be no performance.”</p> + +<p>“Won’t?”</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“Why not?”</p> + +<p>“I refuse to permit it,” said Frank, a queer twinkle +in his eyes.</p> + +<p>Then several of the company came up standing, and +shouted:</p> + +<p>“What!”</p> + +<p>“That beats anything I ever heard of in my life!” +said Fowler.</p> + +<p>“For genuine crust, it surely does!” spoke up Harper.</p> + +<p>Cassie Lee looked surprised, and Havener was amazed.</p> + +<p>“Surely you are not in earnest, Merriwell?” the stage +manager hastened to say.</p> + +<p>“Never more so in my life!” answered Frank, easily.</p> + +<p>“Then you’re crazy.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I guess not.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you are,” said Garland. “You have gone over +the limit. We are not engaged to you in any way. You +said so. You explained that we could not hold you responsible. +You cannot come here and dictate to us. We +shall carry out this performance. If you try to prevent +it, you will make a great mistake.”</p> + +<p>“Be calm,” advised Merry. “You are unduly exciting +yourself, Mr. Garland.”</p> + +<p>“Well, it’s enough to excite anyone!”</p> + +<p>“Meow!”</p> + +<p>Out of the room trotted Frank’s black cat, which had +followed him up the stairs.</p> + +<p>“Put that cat out!” cried Agnes Kirk. “It has caused +all our bad luck!”</p> + +<p>Frank picked the cat up.</p> + +<p>“I told you the cat was a mascot,” he said. “It has +proved so!”</p> + +<p>“I should say so!” sneered Fowler.</p> + +<p>“Let him take himself out of here, cat and all!” cried +Charlie Harper.</p> + +<p>“Let him explain what he means by saying we shall +not give a benefit performance,” urged Havener, who +really hoped that Frank could say something to put himself +in a better light with the company.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” urged Cassie. “What did you mean by that, +Frank?”</p> + +<p>“Such a performance is quite unnecessary,” assured +Merry.</p> + +<p>“We’ve got to do something to raise money to get out +of this city.”</p> + +<p>“I will furnish you with the money, each and every +one.”</p> + +<p>“You?” shouted several.</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“How?” asked Havener. “You said a short time ago +that you hadn’t enough money to amount to anything.”</p> + +<p>“At that time I hadn’t. Since then I have been able to +make a raise.”</p> + +<p>Now there was another bustle of excitement.</p> + +<p>“Oh!” cried several, “that’s different.”</p> + +<p>“I knew there was something behind it!” exclaimed +Cassie, with satisfaction. “Have you been able to raise +enough to take us all back to Denver, Frank?”</p> + +<p>“I think so, and I believe I shall have a few dollars left +after we arrive there.”</p> + +<p>“How much have you raised?” asked Havener.</p> + +<p>“Forty-three thousand dollars,” answered Frank, as +coolly as if he were saying forty-three dollars.</p> + +<p>For a moment there was silence in the room, then expressions +of incredulity and scorn came from all sides.</p> + +<p>Fowler set up a shout of mocking laughter.</p> + +<p>“Well, of all the big bluffs I ever heard this is the +biggest!” he sneered.</p> + +<p>“Say, I don’t mind a joke,” said Stella Stanley; “but +don’t you think you are carrying this thing a trifle too +far, Mr. Merriwell?”</p> + +<p>“I would be if it were a joke,” confessed Frank, easily; +“but, as it happens to be the sober truth, I think no +one has a chance to ask. I will not only pay your fare +to Denver, but each one shall receive two weeks salary, +which I think you must acknowledge is the proper way +to treat you.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll believe it when I get my hands on the dough,” +said Fowler. “Forty-three thousand fiddlesticks!”</p> + +<p>“Any person who doubts my word is at liberty to take +a look at this certified check,” said Merry, producing +the check and placing it on the little table.</p> + +<p>Then they crushed and crowded about that table, staring +at the check.</p> + +<p>Fowler nudged Harper, to whom he whispered:</p> + +<p>“I believe it’s straight, so help me! I’d like to kick +myself!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, it’s straight,” acknowledged Harper, dolefully. +“I am just beginning to realize that we have made fools +of ourselves by talking too much.”</p> + +<p>“What can we do?”</p> + +<p>“Take poison!”</p> + +<p>“We’ll have to eat dirt, or he’ll throw us down.”</p> + +<p>“It looks that way.”</p> + +<p>Thus it came about that Fowler was almost the first +to offer congratulations.</p> + +<p>“By Jove, Mr. Merriwell,” he cried, “I’m delighted! +You are dead in luck, and you deserve it! It was pretty +hard for you to be deserted by Folansbee, in such a +sneaking way. I have said all along that you were a +remarkably bright man and merited success.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right,” put in Harper; “he said so to me last +night. We were talking over your hard luck. I congratulate +you, Mr. Merriwell. Permit me!”</p> + +<p>“Permit me!”</p> + +<p>Both Harper and Fowler held out their hands.</p> + +<p>Frank looked at the extended hands, but put his own +hands in his pockets, laughing softly, somewhat scornfully.</p> + +<p>“It is wonderful,” he said, “how many true friends +a man can have when he has money, and how few true +friends he really has when he doesn’t have a dollar.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, my dear Mr. Merriwell!” protested Fowler. “I +know I was rather hasty in some of my remarks, but I +assure you that you misunderstood me. It was natural +that all of us should be a trifle hot under the collar at being +used as we were. I assure you I did not mean anything +by what I said. If I spoke too hastily, I beg a +thousand pardons. Again let me congratulate you.”</p> + +<p>Again he held out his hand.</p> + +<p>“You are at liberty to congratulate me,” said Merry, +but still disdaining the proffered hand. “I shall pay you +the same as the others. Don’t be afraid of that. But I +shall give you your notice, for I shall not need you any +more. With several of the others I shall make contracts +to go out with this piece again, as soon as I can make +some alterations, get new paper, and start the company.”</p> + +<p>Fowler turned green.</p> + +<p>“Oh, of course you can do as you like, sir,” he said. +“I don’t think I care to go out with this piece again. +It is probable I should so inform you, even if you wanted +me.”</p> + +<p>Harper backed away. He did not wish to receive such +a calling down as had fallen to the lot of Fowler.</p> + +<p>Cassie Lee held out her hand, her thin face showing +actual pleasure.</p> + +<p>“You don’t know how glad I am, Frank!” she said, +in a low tone. “Never anybody deserved it more than +you.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right,” agreed Havener.</p> + +<p>Douglas Dunton had not been saying much, but now +he stood forth, struck a pose, and observed:</p> + +<p>“Methinks that, along with several of me noble colleagues, +I have made a big mistake in making offensive +remarks to you, most noble high muck-a-muck. Wouldst +do me a favor? Then apply the toe of thy boot to the +seat of me lower garments with great vigor.”</p> + +<p>Frank laughed.</p> + +<p>“The same old Dunton!” he said. “Forget it, old +man. It’s all right. There’s no harm done.”</p> + +<p>While the members of the company were crowding +around Merriwell, Fowler and Harper slipped out of +the room and descended the stairs.</p> + +<p>Straight to the bar of the hotel they made their way. +Leaning against the bar, they took their drinks, and +discussed Frank’s fortune.</p> + +<p>Another man was drinking near them. He pricked +up his ears and listened when he heard Merriwell’s name, +and he grew excited as he began to understand what had +happened.</p> + +<p>“Excuse me, gentlemen,” he said, after a time. “I do +not wish to intrude, but I happen to know Mr. Merriwell. +Will you have a drink with me?”</p> + +<p>They accepted. They were just the sort of chaps who +drink with anybody who would “set ’em up.”</p> + +<p>“Do you mind telling me just what has happened to +Mr. Merriwell?” asked the stranger, who wore a full +beard, which seemed to hide many of the features of his +face. “Has he fallen heir to a fortune?”</p> + +<p>“Rather,” answered Harper, dryly. “More than forty-three +thousand dollars has dropped into his hands this +morning.”</p> + +<p>“Is it possible?” asked the stranger, showing agitation. +“Are you sure?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I am sure. I saw the certified check on a Carson +City bank. He was broke this morning, but now +he has money to burn.”</p> + +<p>The stranger lifted a glass to his lips. His hand +trembled somewhat. All at once, with a savage oath, he +dashed the glass down on the bar, shivering it to atoms. +As he did so, the hairs of his beard caught around the +stone of a ring on his little finger, and the beard was +torn from his face, showing it was false.</p> + +<p>The face revealed was black with discomfiture and +rage.</p> + +<p>It was the face of Leslie Lawrence!</p> + +<p>Frank’s old enemy was again discomfited!</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink04'>CHAPTER IV.—IN THE SMOKER.</h2> + +<p>So Frank took the company back to Denver. He +was able to do so without depositing the check till Denver +was reached, as Horace Hobson furnished the funds, +holding the check as security.</p> + +<p>Hobson went along at the same time.</p> + +<p>While on the train Frank made arrangements with +several members of his company in the revised version of +“For Old Eli,” when the play went on the road again.</p> + +<p>He said nothing to Lloyd Fowler nor Charlie Harper. +Although he did not make arrangements with Granville +Garland, he asked Garland if he cared to go out with +the company again, informing him that he might have an +opening for him.</p> + +<p>Fowler saw Merry talking with some of the members, +and he surmised what it meant. He began to feel anxious +as time passed, and Frank did not come to him. +He went to Harper to talk it over.</p> + +<p>Harper was in the smoker, pulling at a brierwood +pipe and looking sour enough. He did not respond when +Fowler spoke to him.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Fowler. “Sick?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” growled Harper.</p> + +<p>“What ails you?”</p> + +<p>“Disgusted.”</p> + +<p>“At what?”</p> + +<p>“Somebody.”</p> + +<p>“Who?”</p> + +<p>“Myself for one.”</p> + +<p>“Somebody else?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Who?”</p> + +<p>“You’re it.”</p> + +<p>Fowler fell back and stared at Harper. He had taken +a seat opposite his fellow actor. Harper returned his +stare with something like still greater sourness.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter with me?” asked Fowler, wondering.</p> + +<p>“You’re a confounded idiot!” answered Harper, +bluntly.</p> + +<p>“Well, I must say I like your plain language!” exclaimed +Fowler, coloring and looking decidedly touched. +“You were in a bad temper when we started for Denver, +but you seem to be worse now. What’s the matter?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I see now that I’ve put a foot in the soup. I +am broke, and I need money. All I am liable to get is +the two weeks salary I shall receive from Merriwell. +If I’d kept my mouth shut I might have a new engagement +with him, like the others.”</p> + +<p>“Then some of the others have a new engagement?”</p> + +<p>“All of them, I reckon, except you and I. We are the +fools of the company.”</p> + +<p>“Well, what shall we do?”</p> + +<p>“Can’t do anything but keep still and swallow our +medicine.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you think that, but I’m going to hit Merriwell +up.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you’ll be a bigger fool if you do, after the calling +down you received from him to-day.”</p> + +<p>At that moment Frank entered the smoker, looking +for Hodge, who had been unable to procure a good seat +in one of the other cars. Bart was sitting near Harper +and Fowler.</p> + +<p>As Frank came down the aisle, Fowler arose.</p> + +<p>“I want to speak to you, Mr. Merriwell,” he said.</p> + +<p>“All right,” nodded Frank. “Go ahead.”</p> + +<p>“I have heard that you are making new engagements +with the members of the company.”</p> + +<p>“Well?”</p> + +<p>“You haven’t said anything to me.”</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose it is because I made some foolish talk to +you this morning. Well, I apologized, didn’t I?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I presume you will give me a chance when you +take the play out again?”</p> + +<p>“No, sir.”</p> + +<p>Frank said it quietly, looking Fowler full in the face.</p> + +<p>“So you are going to turn me down because I made +that talk? Well, I have heard considerable about your +generosity, but this does not seem very generous.”</p> + +<p>“Ever since joining the company and starting to rehearse, +Mr. Fowler, you have been a source of discord. +Once or twice you came near flatly refusing to do some +piece of business the way I suggested. Once you insolently +informed me that I was not the stage manager. +You completely forgot that I was the author of the piece. +I have heard that you told others not to do things as I +suggested, but to do them in their own way. Several +times before we started out I was on the verge of releasing +you, which I should have done had there been time +to fill your place properly. Last night you were intoxicated +when the hour arrived for the curtain to go up. +You went onto the stage in an intoxicated condition. +You did not do certain pieces of business as you had been +instructed to do them, but as you thought they should +be done, therefore ruining a number of scenes. You +were insolent, and would have been fined a good round +sum for it had we gone on. In a number of ways you +have shown that you are a man I do not want in my company, +so I shall let you go, after paying you two weeks +salary. I believe I have given the best of reasons for +pursuing such a course.”</p> + +<p>Then Frank stepped past Fowler and sat down with +Hodge.</p> + +<p>The actor took his seat beside Harper, who said:</p> + +<p>“I hope you are satisfied now!”</p> + +<p>“Satisfied!” muttered Fowler. “I’d like to punch his +head off!”</p> + +<p>“Very likely,” nodded Harper; “but you can’t do it, +you know. He is a holy terror, and you are not in his +class.”</p> + +<p>Behind them was a man who seemed to be reading +a newspaper. He was holding the paper very high, +so that his face could not be seen, and he was not reading +at all. He was listening with the keenest interest to +everything.</p> + +<p>As Frank sat down beside Hodge he observed a look +of great satisfaction on Bart’s face.</p> + +<p>“Well, Merriwell,” said the dark-faced youth, with +something like the shadow of a smile, “you have done +yourself proud.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s go forward,” suggested Merry. “The smoke +is pretty thick here, and some of it from those pipes is +rank. I want to talk with you.”</p> + +<p>So they got up and left the car.</p> + +<p>As they went out, Fowler glared at Merriwell’s back, +hissing:</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’d like to get even with you!”</p> + +<p>Instantly the man behind lowered his paper, leaned +forward, and said:</p> + +<p>“I see you do not like Mr. Merriwell much. If you +want to get even with him, I may be able to show you +how to do it.”</p> + +<p>With startled exclamations, both Harper and Fowler +turned round. The man behind was looking at them +over the edge of his paper.</p> + +<p>“Who are you?” demanded Fowler.</p> + +<p>“I think you know me,” said the man, lowering his +paper.</p> + +<p>Lawrence sat there!</p> + +<p>In Denver Frank was accompanied to the bank by Mr. +Hobson. It happened that Kent Carson, a well-known +rancher whom Frank had met, was making a deposit at +the bank.</p> + +<p>“Hello, young man!” cried the rancher, in surprise. +“I thought you were on the road with your show?”</p> + +<p>“I was,” smiled Frank, “but met disaster at the very +start, and did not get further than Puelbo.”</p> + +<p>“Well, that’s tough!” said Carson, sympathetically. +“What was the matter?”</p> + +<p>“A number of things,” confessed Frank. “The play +was not strong enough without sensational features. I +have found it necessary to introduce a mechanical effect, +besides rewriting a part of the play. I shall start out +again with it as soon as I can get it into shape.”</p> + +<p>“Then your backer is all right? He’s standing by +you?”</p> + +<p>“On the contrary,” smiled Merry, “he skipped out +from Puelbo yesterday morning, leaving me and the +company in the lurch.”</p> + +<p>“Well, that was ornery!” said Carson. “What are +you going to do without a backer?”</p> + +<p>“Back myself. I have the money now to do so. I +am here to make a deposit.”</p> + +<p>Then it came about that he told Mr. Carson of his +good fortune, and the rancher congratulated him most +heartily.</p> + +<p>Frank presented his check for deposit, asking for a +check book. The eyes of the receiving teller bulged +when he saw the amount of the check. He looked +Frank over critically.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hobson had introduced Frank, and the teller +asked him if he could vouch for the identity of the young +man.</p> + +<p>“I can,” was the answer.</p> + +<p>“So can I,” spoke up Kent Carson. “I reckon my +word is good here. I’ll stand behind this young man.”</p> + +<p>“Are you willing to put your name on the back of this +check, Mr. Carson?” asked the teller.</p> + +<p>“Hand it over,” directed the rancher.</p> + +<p>He took the check and endorsed it with his name.</p> + +<p>“There,” he said, “I reckon you know it’s good now.”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” said the teller. “There will be no delay now. +Mr. Merriwell can draw on us at once.”</p> + +<p>Frank thanked Mr. Carson heartily.</p> + +<p>“That’s all right,” said the cattleman, in an offhand +way. “I allow that a chap who will defend a ragged +boy as you did is pretty apt to be all right. How +long will it take to get your play in shape again?”</p> + +<p>“Well, I may be three or four days rewriting it. I +don’t know how long the other work will be.”</p> + +<p>“Three or four days. Well, say, why can’t you come +out to my ranch and do the work?”</p> + +<p>“Really, I don’t see how I can do that,” declared +Frank. “I must be here to see that the mechanical arrangement +is put up right.”</p> + +<p>“Now you must come,” declared Carson. “I won’t +take no for your answer. You can give instructions for +that business. I suppose you have a plan of it?”</p> + +<p>“Not yet, but I shall have before night.”</p> + +<p>“Can you get your business here done to-day?”</p> + +<p>“I may be able to, but I am not sure.”</p> + +<p>“Then you’re going with me to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>“I can’t leave my friends who are——”</p> + +<p>“Bring them right along. It doesn’t make a bit of +difference if there are twenty of them. I’ll find places +for them, and they shall have the best the Twin Star +affords. Now, if you refuse that offer, you and I are +enemies.”</p> + +<p>The man said this laughingly, but he placed Frank +in an awkward position. He had just done a great +favor for Merriwell, and Frank felt that he could not +refuse.</p> + +<p>“Very well, Mr. Carson,” he said, “if you put it in +that light, I’ll have to accept your hospitality.”</p> + +<p>“That’s the talk! Won’t my boy at Yale be surprised +when I write him you’ve been visiting me? Ha! ha! +ha!”</p> + +<p>Mr. Carson was stopping at the Metropole, while +Frank had chosen the American. The rancher urged +Merry to move right over to the Metropole, and the +young actor-playwright finally consented.</p> + +<p>But Frank had business for that day. First he telegraphed +to the lithographers in Chicago a long description +of the scene which he wanted made on his new +paper. He ordered it rushed, and directed them to +draw on his bankers for any reasonable sum.</p> + +<p>Then he started out to find the proper men to construct +the mechanical effect he wished. He went straight +to the theater first, and he found that the stage manager +of the Broadway was a genius who could make +anything. Frank talked with the man twenty minutes, +and decided that he had struck the person for +whom he was looking.</p> + +<p>It did not take them long to come to terms. The +man had several assistants who could aid him on the +work, and he promised to rush things. Frank felt well +satisfied.</p> + +<p>Returning to his hotel, Merry drew a plan of what +he desired. As he was skillful at drawing, and very +rapid, it did not take him more than two hours to draw +the plan and write out an explicit explanation of it.</p> + +<p>With that he returned to the stage manager. They +spent another hour talking it over, and Frank left, +feeling satisfied that the man perfectly understood his +wants and would produce an arrangement as satisfactory +as it could be if it were overseen during its construction +by Frank himself.</p> + +<p>Frank was well satisfied with what he had accomplished. +He went back to the American and drew up +checks for every member of the old company, paying +them all two weeks salary. Lloyd Fowler took the +check without a word of thanks. The others expressed +their gratitude.</p> + +<p>Then Frank moved over to the Metropole, where he +found Kent Carson waiting for him.</p> + +<p>Hodge and Gallup came along with Frank.</p> + +<p>“These are the friends I spoke of, Mr. Carson,” explained +Frank.</p> + +<p>“Where’s the rest of them?” asked the rancher, looking +about.</p> + +<p>“These are all.”</p> + +<p>“All?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Why, by the way you talked, I reckoned you were +going to bring your whole company along.”</p> + +<p>He remembered Hodge, whom he had seen with +Frank once before, and he shook hands with both Bart +and Ephraim.</p> + +<p>“You are lucky to be counted as friends of a young +man like Mr. Merriwell,” said the cattleman. “That is, +you’re lucky if he’s anything like what my boy wrote that +he was. My boy is a great admirer of him.”</p> + +<p>“It’s strange I don’t remember your son,” said Frank.</p> + +<p>“Why, he’s a freshman.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, but I know a large number of freshmen.”</p> + +<p>“So my boy said. Said you knew them because some +of them had been trying to do you a bad turn; but he +was glad to see you get the best of them, for you were +all right. He said the freshmen as a class thought so, +too.”</p> + +<p>“Your son was very complimentary. If I return to +Yale, I shall look him up.”</p> + +<p>“Then you contemplate returning to college?”</p> + +<p>“I do.”</p> + +<p>“When?”</p> + +<p>“Next fall, if I do not lose my money backing my +play.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you won’t lose forty-three thousand dollars.”</p> + +<p>“That is not all mine to lose. Only one-fifth of that +belongs to me, and I can lose that sum.”</p> + +<p>“Then why don’t you let the show business alone and +go back to college on that?”</p> + +<p>“Because I have determined to make a success with +this play, and I will not give up. Never yet in my life +have I been defeated in an undertaking, and I will not be +defeated now.”</p> + +<p>The rancher looked at Frank with still greater admiration.</p> + +<p>“You make me think of some verses I read once,” +he said. “I’ve always remembered them, and I think +they’ve had something to do with my success in life. +They were written by Holmes.”</p> + +<p>The rancher paused, endeavoring to recall the lines. +It was plain to Frank that he was not a highly educated +man, but he was highly intelligent—a man who had +won his way in the world by his own efforts and determination. +For that reason, he admired determination +in others.</p> + +<p>“I have it!” exclaimed the rancher. “Here it is:</p> + +<p> +     “‘Be firm! One constant element in luck<br/> +     Is genuine, solid, old Teutonic pluck.<br/> +     See yon tall shaft; it felt the earthquake’s thrill,<br/> +     Clung to its base and greets the sunrise still.<br/> +     Stick to your aim; the mongrel’s hold will slip,<br/> +     But only crowbars loose the bulldog’s grip;<br/> +     Small as he looks, the jaw that never yields<br/> +     Drags down the bellowing monarch of the fields.’”<br/> +</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink05'>CHAPTER V.—NATURE’S NOBLEMAN.</h2> + +<p>Frank found the Twin Star Ranch a pleasant place. +The house was large and well furnished, everything being +in far better taste than he had expected.</p> + +<p>Merry knew something of ranches and ranch life +which, however, he said nothing about. He was supposed +to be a very tender tenderfoot. Nobody dreamed +he had ever handled a lariat, ridden a bucking broncho, +or taken part in a round-up.</p> + +<p>Gallup roamed about the ranch, inspecting everything, +and he was a source of constant amusement to the +“punchers,” as the cowboys were called.</p> + +<p>After one of these tours of inspection, he came back +to the room where Frank and Bart were sitting, filled +with amazement.</p> + +<p>“Vermont farms are different from this one,” smiled +Merry.</p> + +<p>“Waal, naow yeou’re talkin’! I’d like ter know haow +they ever do the milkin’ here. I don’t b’lieve all ther +men they’ve got kin milk so menny caows. Why, I saw +a hull drove of more’n five hundred cattle about here on +the farm, an’ they told me them warn’t a pinch of what +Mr. Carson owns. Gosh all hemlock! but he must be +rich!”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Carson seems to be pretty well fixed,” said +Merry.</p> + +<p>“That’s so. He’s got a fine place here, only it’s too +gol-dinged mernoternous.”</p> + +<p>“Monotonous? How?”</p> + +<p>“The graound’s too flat. Ain’t any hills to rest a feller’s +eyes ag’inst. I tell yeou it does a man good to go +aout where he kin see somethin’ besides a lot of flatness +an’ sky. There ain’t northin’ in the world purtier than +the Varmount hills. In summer they’re all green an’ +covered with grass an’ trees, an’ daown in the valleys +is the streams an’ rivers runnin’ along, sometimes swift +an’ foamin’, sometimes slow an’ smooth, like glars. An’ +ther cattle are feedin’ on ther hills, an’ ther folks are +to work on their farms, an’ ther farm haouses, all painted +white, are somethin’ purty ter see. They jest do a man’s +heart an’ soul good. An’ then when it is good summer +weather in Varmount, I be dad-bimmed if there’s any +better weather nowhere! Ther sun jest shines right +daown as if it was glad to git a look at sech a purty +country, an’ ther sky’s as blue as Elsie Bellwood’s eyes. +Ther birds are singin’ in ther trees, an’ ther bees go +hummin’ in ther clover fields, an’ there’s sich a gol-durn +good feelin’ gits inter a feller that he jest wants ter +larf an’ shaout all ther time. Aout here there ain’t +no trees fer ther birds ter sing in, an’ there don’t seem +ter be northin’ but flat graound an’ cattle an’ sky.”</p> + +<p>Frank had been listening with interest to the words of +the country boy. A lover of nature himself, Merry realized +that Gallup’s soul had been deeply impressed by the +fair features of nature around his country home.</p> + +<p>“Yes, Ephraim,” he said, “Vermont is very picturesque +and beautiful. The Vermont hills are something +once seen never to be forgotten.”</p> + +<p>Gallup was warmed up over his subject.</p> + +<p>“But when it comes to daownright purtiness,” he +went on, “there ain’t northing like Varmount in the fall +fer that. Then ev’ry day yeou kin see ther purtiest sights +human eyes ever saw. Then is the time them hills is +wuth seein’. First the leaves on ther maples, an’ +beeches, an’ oaks they begin ter turn yaller an’ red a +little bit. Then ther frost comes more, an’ them leaves +turn red an’ gold till it seems that ther hull sides of them +hills is jest like a purty painted picter. The green of the +cedars an’ furs jest orfsets the yaller an’ gold. Where +there is rocks on the hills, they seem to turn purple an’ +blue in the fall, an’ they look purty, too—purtier’n they +do at any other time. I uster jest go aout an’ set right +daown an’ look at them air hills by the hour, an’ I uster +say to myself I didn’t see haow heaven could be any +purtier than the Varmount hills in ther fall.</p> + +<p>“But there was folks,” he went on, whut lived right +there where all them purty sights was an’ never saw +um. They warn’t blind, neither. I know some folks I +spoke to abaout how purty the hills looked told me they +hedn’t noticed um! Naow, what du yeou think of that? +I’ve even hed folks tell me they couldn’t see northin’ +purty abaout um! Naow whut do yeou think of that? I +ruther guess them folks missed half ther fun of livin’. +They was born with somethin’ ther matter with um.</p> + +<p>“It uster do me good ter take my old muzzle-loadin’ +gun an’ go aout in the woods trampin’ in the fall. I +uster like ter walk where the leaves hed fell jest to hear +um rustle. I’d give a dollar this minute ter walk +through the fallen leaves in the Varmount woods! I +didn’t go out ter shoot things so much as I did to see +things. There was plenty of squirrels, but I never shot +but one red squirrel in my life. He come aout on the +end of a limb clost to me an’ chittered at me in a real +jolly way, same’s to say, ‘Hello, young feller! Ain’t this a +fine day? Ain’t yeou glad yeou’re livin’?’ An’ then I up +an’ shot him, like a gol-durn pirut!”</p> + +<p>Ephraim stopped and choked a little. Bart was +looking at him now with a strange expression on his face. +Frank did not speak, but he was fully in sympathy with +the tender-hearted country youth.</p> + +<p>Bart rose to his feet, heaving a deep sigh.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid I missed some things when I was a boy,” +he said. “There were plenty of woods for me, but I +never found any pleasure in them. I used to think it fun +to shoot squirrels; but now I believe it would have been +greater pleasure for me if I had not shot them. I never +listened to the music of the woods, for I didn’t know +there was any music in them. Gallup, you have shown +me that I was a fool.”</p> + +<p>Then, with his hands thrust deep into his pockets, he +walked out of the room.</p> + +<p>Because Ephraim was very verdant the cowboys on +the Twin Star fancied that Mr. Carson’s other visitors +must be equally as accustomed to Western ways.</p> + +<p>Frank was hard at work on his play, and that caused +him to stick pretty close to the house. However, he +was a person who believed in exercise when he could +find it, and so, on the afternoon of the second day, he +went out and asked one of the punchers if he could +have a pony.</p> + +<p>The man looked him over without being able to +wholly conceal his contempt.</p> + +<p>“Kin you ride?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” answered Frank, quietly.</p> + +<p>“Hawse or kaow?” asked the cowboy.</p> + +<p>“If you have a good saddle horse, I’d like to have +him,” said Merry. “And be good enough to restrain +your sarcasm. I don’t like it.”</p> + +<p>The puncher gasped. He was angry. The idea of a +tenderfoot speaking to him in such a way!</p> + +<p>“All right,” he muttered. “I’ll git ye a critter, but +our Western hawses ain’t like your Eastern ladies’ +hawses.”</p> + +<p>He departed.</p> + +<p>Hodge had overheard all this, and he came up.</p> + +<p>“You want to look out, Merry,” he said. “That chap +didn’t like the way you called him down, and he’ll bring +you a vicious animal.”</p> + +<p>“I know it,” nodded Merry, pulling on a pair of heavy +gloves. “It is what I expect.”</p> + +<p>Bart said no more. He had seen Merry ride, and he +knew Frank was a natural horse breaker.</p> + +<p>The puncher returned in a short time, leading a little, +wiry, evil-eyed broncho. He was followed by several +other cowboys, and Merry heard one of them say:</p> + +<p>“Better not let him try it, Hough. He’ll be killed, +and Carson will fire you.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll warn him,” returned the one called Hough, “an’ +then I won’t be ter blame. He wants ter ride; let him +ride—if he kin.”</p> + +<p>Frank looked the broncho over.</p> + +<p>“Is this the best saddle horse you have?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Waal, he’s the only one handy now,” was the sullen +answer. “He’s a bit onreliable at times, an’ you’d better +look out fer him. I wouldn’t recommend him for a +lady ter ride.”</p> + +<p>“By that I presume you mean he is a bucker?”</p> + +<p>“Waal, he may buck some!” admitted the puncher, +surprised that Frank should ask such a question.</p> + +<p>“You haven’t anything but a hackamore on him,” +said Merry. “Why didn’t you put a bit in his mouth? +Do people usually ride with hackamores out here?”</p> + +<p>“He kinder objects to a bit,” confessed the cowboy, +his surprise increasing. “People out here ride with any +old thing. Mebbe you hadn’t better try him.”</p> + +<p>“Has he ever been ridden?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly.”</p> + +<p>“You give your word to that?”</p> + +<p>“Yep.”</p> + +<p>“All right. Then I’ll ride him.”</p> + +<p>Frank went into the saddle before the puncher was +aware that he contemplated such a thing. He yanked +the halter out of the man’s hand, who leaped aside, with +a cry of surprise and fear, barely escaping being hit by +the broncho’s heels, for the creature wheeled and kicked, +with a shrill scream.</p> + +<p>Frank was entirely undisturbed. He had put on a +pair of spurred riding boots which he found in the +house, and now the broncho felt the prick of the spurs.</p> + +<p>Then the broncho began to buck. Down went his +head, and up into the air went his heels; down came +his heels, and up went his head. Then he came down +on all fours, and his entire body shot into the air. He +came down stiff-legged, his back humped. Again and +again he did this, with his nose between his knees, but +still the tenderfoot remained in the saddle.</p> + +<p>“Good Lord!” cried the wondering cowboys.</p> + +<p>Bart Hodge stood at one side, his hands in his pockets, +a look of quiet confidence on his face.</p> + +<p>From an upper window of the ranch a pretty, sad-faced +girl looked out, seeing everything. Frank had +noticed her just before mounting the broncho. He wondered +not a little, for up to that moment he had known +nothing of such a girl being there. He had not seen +her before since coming to the ranch.</p> + +<p>All at once the broncho began to “pitch a-plunging,” +jumping forward as he bucked. He stopped short and +whirled end-for-end, bringing his nose where his tail +was a moment before. He did that as he leaped into the +air. Then he began to go up and down fore and aft +with a decidedly nasty motion. He screamed his rage. +He pitched first on one side and then on the other, letting +his shoulders alternately jerk up and droop down almost +to the ground.</p> + +<p>“Good Lord!” cried the cowboys again, for through +all this Frank Merriwell sat firmly in the saddle.</p> + +<p>“Is this yere your tenderfoot what yer told us ye was +goin’ ter learn a lesson, Hough?” they asked.</p> + +<p>“Waal, I’ll be blowed!” was all the reply Hough made.</p> + +<p>The broncho pitched “fence-cornered,” but even that +had no effect on the rider.</p> + +<p>Hough told the truth when he said the animal had +been ridden before. Realizing at last the fruitlessness +of its efforts, it suddenly ceased all attempts to unseat +Frank. Two minutes later Merriwell was riding away +on the creature’s back, and Hough, the discomfited cowboy, +was the laughing-stock of the Twin Star Ranch.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink06'>CHAPTER VI.—A CHANGE OF NAME.</h2> + +<p>At the open upper window of the ranch the sad-faced, +pretty girl watched and waited till Frank Merriwell came +riding back over the prairie.</p> + +<p>“Here he comes!” she whispered. “He is handsome—so +handsome! He is the first man I have seen who +could be compared with Lawton.”</p> + +<p>Kent Carson had heard of Frank’s departure on Wildfire, +the bucking broncho. He found it difficult to believe +that his guest had really ridden away on the animal, +and he was on hand, together with Bart and Ephraim, +when Merry came riding back.</p> + +<p>Near one of the corrals a group of cowboys had gathered +to watch the remarkable tenderfoot, and make sarcastic +remarks to Hough, who was with them, looking +sulky and disgusted.</p> + +<p>Mr. Carson hurried to greet Frank.</p> + +<p>“Look here, young man,” he cried, “I’d like to know +where you ever learned to ride bucking bronchos?”</p> + +<p>“This is not the first time I have been on a cattle +ranch, Mr. Carson,” smiled Frank, springing down +from Wildfire.</p> + +<p>One of the cowboys came shuffling forward. It was +Hough.</p> + +<p>“Say, tenderfoot,” he said, keeping his eyes on the +ground, “I allows that I made some onnecessary remarks +ter you a while ago. I kinder hinted as how you might +ride a kaow bettern a hawse. I’ll take it all back. You +may be a tenderfoot, but you knows how ter ride as +well as any of us. I said some things what I hadn’t +oughter said, an’ I swallers it all.”</p> + +<p>“That’s all right,” laughed Frank, good-naturedly. +“You may have had good reasons for regarding tenderfeet +with contempt, but now you will know all tenderfeet +are not alike. I don’t hold feelings.”</p> + +<p>“Thankee,” said Hough, as he led Wildfire away.</p> + +<p>Frank glanced up toward the open window above and +again he caught a glimpse of that sad, sweet face.</p> + +<p>Mr. Carson shook hands with Frank.</p> + +<p>“Now I know you are the kind of chap to succeed in +life,” he declared. “I can see that you do whatever +you undertake to do. I am beginning to understand better +and better how it happened that my boy thought so +much of you.”</p> + +<p>He took Frank by the arm, and together they walked +toward the house. Again Merry glanced upward, but, +somewhat to his disappointment, that face had vanished.</p> + +<p>It was after supper that Merry and Hodge were sitting +alone on the veranda in front of the house, when +Bart suddenly said, in a low tone:</p> + +<p>“Merriwell, I have a fancy that there is something +mysterious about this place.”</p> + +<p>“Is that so?” said Frank. “What is it?”</p> + +<p>“I think there is some one in one of those upper +rooms who is never seen by the rest of the people about +the place.”</p> + +<p>“What makes you think so?”</p> + +<p>“There is a room up there that I’ve never seen anyone +enter or leave. The door is always closed. Twice while +passing the door I have heard strange sounds coming +from that room.”</p> + +<p>“This grows interesting,” admitted Frank. “Go on.”</p> + +<p>“The first time,” said Bart, “I heard some one in there +weeping and sobbing as if her heart would break.”</p> + +<p>“Her heart?” came quickly from Merry’s lips.</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Then it is a female?”</p> + +<p>“Beyond a doubt. The second time I heard sounds in +that room to-day after you rode away on the broncho. I +heard some one singing in there.”</p> + +<p>“Singing?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. It was a love song. The voice was very +sad and sweet, and still there seemed something of happiness +in it.”</p> + +<p>Hodge was silent.</p> + +<p>“Well, you have stumbled on a mystery,” nodded +Frank, slowly. “What do you make of it?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know what to make of it, unless some friend +or relative of Carson’s is confined in that room.”</p> + +<p>“Why confined there?”</p> + +<p>“You know as well as I do.”</p> + +<p>Frank opened his lips to say something about the face +he had seen at the window, but at that moment Carson +himself came out onto the veranda, smoking his pipe. +The rancher took a chair near, and they chatted away as +twilight and darkness came on.</p> + +<p>“How are you getting along on your play, Mr. Merriwell?” +asked the man.</p> + +<p>“Very well.” answered Frank. “You know it is a +drama of college life—life at Yale?”</p> + +<p>“No, I didn’t know about that.”</p> + +<p>“It is. Just now I am puzzled most to find a name for +it.”</p> + +<p>“What was the name before?”</p> + +<p>“‘For Old Eli.’”</p> + +<p>“U-hum. Who was Old Eli?”</p> + +<p>“There!” cried Merry. “That shows me there is a +fault with the name. Even though your boy is in Yale, +you do not know that Yale College is affectionately +spoken of by Yale men as ‘Old Eli.’”</p> + +<p>“No, never knew it before; though, come to think +about it, Berlin did write something in some of his letters +about Old Eli. I didn’t understand it, though.”</p> + +<p>“And the public in general do not understand the title +of my play. They suppose Old Eli must be a character in +the piece, and I do not fancy there is anything catching +and drawing about the title. I must have a new title, +and I’m stuck to find one that will exactly fit.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose you must have one that has some reference +to college?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes! That is what I want. One that brings +Yale in somehow.”</p> + +<p>“All you Yale men seem to be stuck on that college. +You’re true blue.”</p> + +<p>Frank leaped to his feet with a cry of delight.</p> + +<p>“I have it!” he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“What?” gasped Mr. Carson.</p> + +<p>“The title!”</p> + +<p>“You have?”</p> + +<p>“Yes; you gave it to me then!”</p> + +<p>“I did?”</p> + +<p>“Sure thing.”</p> + +<p>“What is it?”</p> + +<p>“‘True Blue.’ That is a title that fits the play. Yale’s +color is blue, you know. People may not understand just +what the title means, but still I believe there is something +attractive about it, something that will draw, and the audience +will understand it before the play is over. ‘True +Blue’ is the name! I have been well paid for coming out +here, Mr. Carson! Besides entertaining me royally, you +have given me a striking name for my play.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I’m sure I’m glad if I’ve done that,” laughed +Kent Carson.</p> + +<p>“I must put that title down on the manuscript,” said +Frank. “I feel an inspiration. I must go to work at +once. I am in the mood now, and I can write.”</p> + +<p>Excusing himself, he hurried into the house. Soon +a light gleamed from the window of the room in which +he worked, which was on the ground floor. Looking +in at that window, Hodge saw Frank had started a fire +in the grate and lighted a lamp. He was seated at a +table, writing away swiftly.</p> + +<p>Kent Carson got up and stood beside Hodge looking +into the room.</p> + +<p>“Merriwell is a great worker,” said the rancher.</p> + +<p>“He’s a steam engine,” declared Bart. “I never saw +a fellow who could do so much work and so many +things. There is no telling how long he will drive away +at that play to-night. Now that he has the title, he may +finish it to-night, and be ready to leave here in the +morning.”</p> + +<p>“If that happens, I shall be sorry I gave the title so +soon,” said the cattleman, sincerely. “I have taken a +great liking to that young man.”</p> + +<p>Frank worked away a long time, utterly unconscious +of the flight of the hours. At last he became aware +that the fire in the open grate had made the room uncomfortably +warm. He had replenished it several times, +as there was something wonderfully cheerful in an open +fire. He arose and flung wide the window.</p> + +<p>The moon, a thin, shining scimitar, was low down in +the west. Soon it would drop from view beyond the +horizon. There was a haze on the plain. Slowly out +of that haze came two objects that seemed to be approaching.</p> + +<p>“Cattle,” said Merry, turning back from the window +and sitting down at the table again.</p> + +<p>He resumed work on the play. He did not hear the +door open softly, he did not hear a light footstep behind +him, he did not hear a rustling sound quite near, +and it was not until a deep, tremulous sigh reached his +ears that he became aware of another presence in the +room.</p> + +<p>Like a flash Frank whirled about and found himself +face to face with——</p> + +<p>The girl he had seen at the window!</p> + +<p>In astonishment Frank gazed at the girl, who was +dressed in some dark material, as if she were in mourning. +He saw that she was quite as pretty as he had +fancied at first, although her face was very pale and +sad. The color of her dress and hair made her face +seem paler than it really was.</p> + +<p>Only a moment did Frank remain thus. Then he +sprang up, bowing politely, and saying:</p> + +<p>“I beg your pardon! I did not know there was a lady +in the room.”</p> + +<p>She bowed in return.</p> + +<p>“Do not rise,” she said. “I saw you to-day from +my window, and I could not sleep till I had seen you +again. Somehow you seemed to remind me of Lawton. +I thought so, then, but now it does not seem so much +that way. Still you made me think of him. I have been +shut up there so long—so long! I have not talked to +anybody, and I wanted to talk to somebody who could +tell me something of the world—something of the places +far away. I am buried here, where nobody knows anything +to talk about but cattle and horses.”</p> + +<p>Frank’s heart was thrilled with sympathy.</p> + +<p>“Do they keep you shut up in that room?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“No; I stay there from choice. This is the first time +I have been downstairs for weeks. I have refused to +leave the room; I refused to see my father. I can’t bear +to have him look at me with such pity and anger.”</p> + +<p>“Your father—he is Mr. Carson?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“It is strange he has never spoken to me of you. I +was not aware he had a daughter, although he spoke +proudly of his son.”</p> + +<p>In an instant Frank regretted his words. A look +of anguish swept over the face of the girl, and she fell +back a step, one thin hand fluttering up to her bosom.</p> + +<p>“No!” she cried, and her voice was like the sob of +the wind beneath the leaves of a deserted house; “he +never speaks of me! He says I am dead—dead to the +world. He is proud of his son, Berlin, my brother; but +he is ashamed of his daughter, Blanche.”</p> + +<p>Frank began to suspect and understand the truth. +This girl had met with some great sorrow, a sorrow that +had wrecked her life. Instantly Merry’s heart was overflowing +with sympathy, but his situation was most +embarrassing, and he knew not what to say. The girl +seemed to understand this.</p> + +<p>“Don’t think me crazy because I have come here +to you in this way,” she entreated. “Don’t think me +bold! Oh, if you could know how I have longed for +somebody with whom I could talk! I saw you were a +gentleman. I knew my father would not introduce me to +you, but I resolved to see you, hoping you would talk to +me—hoping you would tell me of the things going on in +the world.”</p> + +<p>“I shall be glad to do so,” said Merry, gently. “But +don’t you have any papers, any letters, anything to tell +you the things you wish to know?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing—nothing! I am dead to the world. You +were writing. Have I interrupted you?”</p> + +<p>“No; I am through working on my play to-night.”</p> + +<p>“Your play?” she cried, eagerly. “What are you doing +with a play? Perhaps—perhaps——”</p> + +<p>She stopped speaking, seeming to make an effort to +hold her eagerness in check.</p> + +<p>“I am writing a play,” Frank explained. “That is, +I am rewriting it now. I wrote it some time ago and +put it on the road, but it was a failure. I am going out +again soon with a new company.”</p> + +<p>Her eagerness seemed to increase.</p> + +<p>“Then you must know many actors,” she said. “Perhaps +you know him?”</p> + +<p>“Know whom?”</p> + +<p>“Lawton—Lawton Kilgore.”</p> + +<p>Frank shook his head.</p> + +<p>“Never heard of him.”</p> + +<p>She showed great disappointment.</p> + +<p>“I am so sorry,” she said. “I hoped you might be able +to tell me something about him. If you can tell me +nothing, I must tell you. I must talk to somebody. You +see how it is. Mother is dead. Father sent me to school +in the East. It was there that I met Lawton. He was +so handsome! He was the leading man in a company +that I saw. Then, after the company disbanded for +the season, he came back to spend the summer in the +town where I was at school. I suppose I was foolish, but +fell in love with him. We were together a great deal. +We became engaged.”</p> + +<p>Frank fancied he knew what was coming. The girl +was skipping over the story as lightly as possible, but +she was letting him understand it all.</p> + +<p>“I didn’t write father about it,” she went on, “for I +knew he would not approve of Lawton. He wanted +me to marry Brandon King, who owns the Silver Forks +Ranch. I did not love King. I loved Lawton Kilgore. +But the principal of the school found out what was +going on, and he wrote father. Then Lawton disappeared, +and I heard nothing from him. They say he +deserted me. I do not believe it. I think he was driven +away. I waited and waited for him, but I could not +study, I could not do anything. He never came back, +and, at last, father came and took me away. He brought +me here. He was ashamed of me, but he said he would +not leave me to starve, for I was his own daughter. +His kindness was cruel, for he cut me off from the world. +Still I believe that some day Lawton will come for me +and take me away from here. I believe he will come—if +they have not killed him!”</p> + +<p>She whispered the final words.</p> + +<p>“They? Who?” asked Frank, startled.</p> + +<p>“My father and my brother,” she answered. “They +were furious enough to kill him. They swore they +would.”</p> + +<p>She had told Merry her story, and she seemed to feel +relieved. She asked him many questions about the actors +he knew. He said he had the pictures of nearly +all who had taken parts in his two plays. She asked to +see them, and he brought them out from his large traveling +case, showing them to her one by one. She looked +at them all with interest.</p> + +<p>Of a sudden, she gave a low, sharp cry. Her hand +darted out and caught up one of the photographs.</p> + +<p>“Here—here!——” she panted. “You have his picture +here! This is Lawton Kilgore—Lawton, my lover!”</p> + +<p>It was the picture of Leslie Lawrence!</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink07'>CHAPTER VII.—THE TRAGEDY AT THE RANCH.</h2> + +<p>“That?” exclaimed Frank. “You must be mistaken! +That man’s name is not Kilgore, it is Lawrence.”</p> + +<p>He fancied the girl was crazy. He had wondered if +her misfortune had affected her brain.</p> + +<p>“This is the picture of Lawton Kilgore!” she repeated, +in a dull tone.</p> + +<p>“Do you think I would not know him anywhere—under +any circumstances? This is the man who promised +to marry me! This is the man my father hates as he +hates a snake!”</p> + +<p>“Well, that man is worthy of your father’s hatred,” +said Merry, “for he is a thoroughbred villain. But I +think you must be mistaken, for your father met him in +Denver. This man had me arrested, and your father +followed to the police station, and was instrumental in +securing my release. If this man was Kilgore, your +father would have found his opportunity to kill him.”</p> + +<p>“You do not understand,” panted the girl. “Father +has never seen him to know him—has never even seen +his picture. If Lawton was known by another name, +father would not have recognized him, even though they +met in Denver.”</p> + +<p>Frank began to realize that the girl was talking in a +sensible manner, and something told him she spoke the +truth. To his other crimes, Lawrence had added that +of deceiving an innocent girl.</p> + +<p>“And he is in Denver?” panted the rancher’s daughter. +“He is so near! Oh, if he would come to me!”</p> + +<p>Frank was sorry that he had permitted her to see +the photographs, but it was too late now for regrets.</p> + +<p>The girl pressed the picture to her lips.</p> + +<p>“You must give it to me!” she panted. “I will take it +to my room! I wish to be alone with it at once! Oh, +I thank you!”</p> + +<p>Then she hurried from the room, leaving Merry in +anything but a pleasant frame of mind.</p> + +<p>There was a sound outside the window. Frank got up +and went over to the window. Looking out, he saw two +horses standing at a little distance from the ranch. A +man was holding them, and the faint light of the moon +fell on the man’s face.</p> + +<p>“Well, I wonder what that means?” speculated Frank. +“Those horses are saddled and bridled. Who is going +to ride them to-night?”</p> + +<p>Then he remembered the two forms he had seen +coming out of the mist that lay on the plain, and he +wondered if they had not been two horsemen.</p> + +<p>Something about the appearance of the man at the +heads of the horses seemed familiar. He looked closer.</p> + +<p>“About the size and build of Lloyd Fowler,” he muttered. +“Looks like Fowler, but of course it is not.”</p> + +<p>There was a step on the veranda, and a figure appeared +at the open window. Into the room stepped a man.</p> + +<p>Frank sprang back, and was face to face with the intruder.</p> + +<p>“Leslie Lawrence!” he whispered.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” said the man, advancing insolently; “I am +Leslie Lawrence.”</p> + +<p>“What do you want?”</p> + +<p>“I want an engagement in your new company. I have +come here for it. Will you give it to me?”</p> + +<p>Frank was astounded by the insolence of the fellow.</p> + +<p>“I should say not!” he exclaimed. “What do you take +me for? No, Leslie Lawrence, alias Lawton Kilgore, +villain, deceiver of innocent girls, wretch who deserves +hanging, I will not give you an engagement, unless it is +with an outraged father. Go! If you wish to live, leave +instantly. If Kent Carson finds you here, he will know +you now, and your life will not be worth a cent!”</p> + +<p>At this moment the door was flung open, and Ephraim +Gallup came striding into the room, saying as he entered:</p> + +<p>“Darned if I knowed there was a purty young gal in +this haouse! Thought I’d come daown, Frank, an’ see +if yeou was goin’ to stay up all night writin’ on that +play of—— Waal, I be gosh-blamed!”</p> + +<p>Ephraim saw Lawrence, and he was astounded.</p> + +<p>“Didn’t know yeou hed visitors, Frank,” he said.</p> + +<p>“So you refuse me an engagement, do you, Merriwell?” +snarled Lawrence. “All right! You’ll wish +you hadn’t in a minute!”</p> + +<p>He made a spring for the table and caught up the +manuscript lying on it. Then he leaped toward the open +grate, where the fire was burning.</p> + +<p>“That’s the last of your old play!” he shouted, hurling +the manuscript into the flames.</p> + +<p>Both Frank and Ephraim sprang to save the play, +but neither of them was in time to prevent Lawrence’s +revengeful act.</p> + +<p>“You miserable cur!” panted Frank.</p> + +<p>Out shot his fist, striking the fellow under the ear, +and knocking him down.</p> + +<p>At the same time Ephraim snatched the manuscript +from the fire and beat out the flames which had fastened +on it.</p> + +<p>Lawrence sat up, his hand going round to his hip. +He wrenched out a revolver and lifted it.</p> + +<p>Frank saw the gleam of the weapon, realized his danger, +and dropped an instant before the pistol spoke.</p> + +<p>The shot rang out, but even as he pressed the trigger, +Lawrence realized that Merriwell had escaped. But +beyond Frank, directly in line, he saw a pale-faced girl +who had suddenly appeared in the open door. He +heard her cry “Lawton!” and then, through the puff +of smoke, he saw her clutch her breast and fall on the +threshold, shot down by his own hand!</p> + +<p>Horror and fear enabled him to spring up, plunge out +of the open window, reach the horses, leap on one and +go thundering away toward the moonlight mists as if +Satan were at his heels.</p> + +<p>There was a tumult at the Twin Star. There was hot +mounting to pursue Lawrence and his companion. Carson +had heard the shot. He had rushed down to find his +daughter, shot in the side, supported in the arms of +Frank Merriwell.</p> + +<p>A few words had told Carson just what had happened.</p> + +<p>He swore a fearful oath to follow Lawrence to death.</p> + +<p>The girl heard the oath. She opened her eyes and +whispered:</p> + +<p>“Father—don’t! He didn’t mean—to shoot—me! It +was—an—accident!”</p> + +<p>“I’ll have the whelp stiff at my feet before morning!” +vowed the revengeful rancher.</p> + +<p>He gave orders for the preparing of horses. He saw +his daughter carried to her room. He lingered till the +old black housekeeper was at the bedside to bind up the +wound and do her best to save the girl.</p> + +<p>Then Carson bounded down the stairs and sent a cowboy +flying off on horseback for the nearest doctor, a hundred +miles away.</p> + +<p>“Kill the horse under ye, if necessary, Prescott!” he +had yelled at the cowboy. “Get the doctor here as quick +as you can!”</p> + +<p>“All right, sir!” shouted Prescott, as he thundered +away.</p> + +<p>“Now!” exclaimed Kent Carson—“now to follow that +murderous hound till I run him to earth!”</p> + +<p>He found men and horses ready and waiting. He +found Frank Merriwell and Bart Hodge there, both of +them determined to take part in the pursuit.</p> + +<p>“We know him,” said Merriwell. “He fired that shot +at me. We can identify him.”</p> + +<p>Frank believed that Lawrence had murdered the rancher’s +daughter, and he, like the others, was eager to run +the wretch down.</p> + +<p>They galloped away in pursuit, the rancher, four cowboys, +Merriwell and Hodge, all armed, all grim-faced, +all determined.</p> + +<p>The sun had risen when they came riding back to the +ranch. Ephraim Gallup met Frank.</p> + +<p>“Did ye git ther critter?” he asked, in a whisper.</p> + +<p>“No,” was the answer.</p> + +<p>“Then he got erway?” came in accents of disappointment +from the Vermonter.</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“Whut? Haow’s that?”</p> + +<p>“Neither Lawrence nor Fowler escaped.”</p> + +<p>“Then it was Fowler with him?”</p> + +<p>“I believe so.”</p> + +<p>“Whut happened to um?”</p> + +<p>“They attempted to ford Big Sandy River.”</p> + +<p>“An’ got drownded?”</p> + +<p>“No. Where they tried to cross is nothing but a bed +of quicksands. Horses and men went down into the +quicksands. They were swallowed up forever.”</p> + +<p>The doctor came at last. He extracted the bullet from +Blanche Carson’s side, and he told her she would get +well, as the wound was not dangerous.</p> + +<p>Kent Carson heard this with deep relief. He went +to the bedside of the girl and knelt down there.</p> + +<p>“Blanche,” he whispered, huskily, “can you forgive +your old dad for treating you as he has? You are my +own girl—my little Blanche—no matter what you have +done.”</p> + +<p>“Father!” she whispered, in return, “I am glad you +have come to me at last. But you know you are ashamed +of me—you can never forget what I have done.”</p> + +<p>“I can forget now,” he declared, thinking of the man +under the quicksands of Big Sandy. “You are my +daughter. I am not ashamed of you. You shall never +again have cause for saying that of me.”</p> + +<p>“Kiss me, papa!” she murmured.</p> + +<p>Sobbing brokenly, he pressed his lips to her cheeks.</p> + +<p>And when he was gone from the room she took a +photograph from beneath her pillow and gazed at it long +and lovingly.</p> + +<p>She knew not that the man had been swallowed beneath +the quicksands of the Big Sandy.</p> + +<hr class='tb' /> + +<p>The tragic occurrences of the night hastened the departure +of Frank and his friends from Twin Star Ranch, +although Kent Carson urged them to remain. Frank +had, however, finished his play, which, thanks to the +prompt act of Ephraim, had been only slightly injured +by its fiery experience, and was anxious to put it in rehearsal.</p> + +<p>So, a day or so later, Frank, Bart and Ephraim were +once more in Denver.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink08'>CHAPTER VIII.—THE OLD ACTOR’S CHAMPIONS.</h2> + +<p>Along a street of Denver walked a man whose appearance +was such as to attract attention wherever seen. +That he had once been an actor could be told at a glance, +and that he had essayed great rôles was also apparent. +But, alas! it was also evident that the time when this +Thespian trod the boards had departed forever, and with +that time his glory had vanished.</p> + +<p>His ancient silk hat, although carefully brushed, was +shabby and grotesque in appearance. His Prince Albert +coat, buttoned tight at the waist, and left open at the +bosom, was shabby and shining, although it also betokened +that, with much effort, he had kept it clean. His +trousers bagged at the knees, and there were signs of +mannish sewing where two or three rents and breaks +had been mended. The legs of the trousers were very +small, setting tightly about his thin calves. His shoes +were in the worst condition of all. Although they had +been carefully blackened and industriously polished, it +was plain that they could not hold together much longer. +The soles were almost completely worn away, and the +uppers were breaking and ripping. The “linen” of this +frayed gentleman seemed spotlessly white. His black +silk necktie was knotted in a broad bow.</p> + +<p>The man’s face was rather striking in appearance. +The eyes had once been clear and piercing, the mouth +firm and well formed; but there was that about the +chin which belied the firmness of the mouth, for this +feature showed weakness. The head was broad at the +top, with a high, wide brow. The eyes were set so far +back beneath the bushy, grayish eyebrows that they +seemed like red coals glowing in dark caverns—for +red they were and bloodshot. The man’s long hair fell +upon the collar of his coat.</p> + +<p>And on his face was set the betraying marks of the +vice that had wrought his downfall. The bloodshot eyes +alone did not reveal it, but the purplish, unhealthy flush +of the entire face and neck plainly indicated that the demon +drink had fastened its death clutch upon him and +dragged him down from the path that led to the consummation +of all his hopes and aspirations.</p> + +<p>He had been drinking now. His unsteady step told +that. He needed the aid of his cane in order to keep on +his feet. He slipped, his hat fell off, rolled over and +over, dropped into the gutter, and lay there.</p> + +<p>The unfortunate man looked round for the hat, but it +was some time before he found it. When he did, in attempting +to pick it up, he fell over in the gutter and +rolled upon it, soiling his clothes. At last, with a great +effort, he gathered himself up, and rose unsteadily to his +feet with his hat and cane.</p> + +<p>“What, ho!” he muttered, thickly. “It seems the world +hath grown strangely unsteady, but, perchance, it may +be my feet.”</p> + +<p>Some boys who had seen him fall shouted and laughed +at him. He looked toward them sadly.</p> + +<p>“Mock! mock! mock!” he cried. “Some of you +thoughtless brats may fall even lower than I have fallen!”</p> + +<p>“Well, I like that—I don’t think!” exclaimed one of +the boys. “I don’t ’low no jagged stiff to call me a +brat!”</p> + +<p>Then he threw a stone at the old actor, striking the +man on the cheek and cutting him slightly.</p> + +<p>The unfortunate placed his crushed and soiled hat on +his head, took out a handkerchief, and slowly wiped a +little blood from his cheek, all the while swaying a bit, +as if the ground beneath his feet were tossing like a +ship.</p> + +<p>“‘Now let it work,’” he quoted. “‘Mischief, thou +art afoot; take thou what course thou wilt. How now, +fellow?’”</p> + +<p>The thoughtless young ruffians shouted with laughter.</p> + +<p>“Looker the old duffer!” cried one. “Ain’t that a picture +fer yer!”</p> + +<p>“Look!” exclaimed the actor. “Behold me with thy +eyes! Even lower than I have fallen may thou descend; +but I have aspired to heights of which thy sordid soul +may never dream. Out upon you, dog!”</p> + +<p>With these words he reached the walk and turned +down the street.</p> + +<p>“Let’s foller him!” cried one of the gang. “We can +have heaps of fun with him.”</p> + +<p>“Come on! come on!”</p> + +<p>With a wild whoop, they rushed after the man. They +reached him, danced around him, pulled his coat tails, +jostled him, crushed his hat over his eyes.</p> + +<p>“Give the old duffer fits!” cried the leader, who was a +tough young thug of about eighteen.</p> + +<p>There were seven boys in the gang, and four or five +others came up on the run, eager to have a hand in the +“racket.”</p> + +<p>The old actor pushed his hat back from his eyes, +folded his arms over his out-thrown breast and gazed +with his red, sunken eyes at the leader. As if declaiming +on the stage he spoke:</p> + +<p> +         “‘You have done that you should be sorry for.<br/> +         There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats;<br/> +         For I am armed so strong in honesty<br/> +         That they pass me by as the idle wind,<br/> +         Which I respect not.’”<br/> +</p> + +<p>This caused the boys to shout with laughter.</p> + +<p>“Git onter ther guy!”</p> + +<p>“What ails him?”</p> + +<p>“He’s locoed.”</p> + +<p>“Loaded, you mean.”</p> + +<p>“He’s cracked in the nut.”</p> + +<p>“And he needs another crack on the nut,” shouted the +leader, dancing up, and again knocking the hat over the +old man’s eyes.</p> + +<p>Once more pushing it back, the aged actor spoke in +his deep voice, made somewhat husky by drink:</p> + +<p>“Be patient till the last. Romans, countrymen and +lovers! hear me for my cause; and be silent that you +may hear; believe me for mine honor; and have respect +to mine honor, that you may believe; censure me in your +wisdom, and awaken your senses, that you may——”</p> + +<p>“Oh, that’s too much!” cried the ruffianly young +leader. “We can’t stand that kind of guy. What’re +yer givin’ us, anyway?”</p> + +<p>“He’s drunk!” shouted several.</p> + +<p>“Alas and alack!” sighed the old man. “I fear thou +speakest the truth.</p> + +<p> +         “‘Boundless intemperance<br/> +         In nature is a tyranny; it hath been<br/> +         The untimely emptying of the happy throne,<br/> +         And the fall of many kings.’”<br/> +</p> + +<p>“That’s what causes your fall,” declared the ruffianly +leader, as he tripped the actor, causing him to fall +heavily.</p> + +<p>“What’s this?” exclaimed Frank Merriwell, who, with +Hodge for a companion, just returned from Twin Star +Ranch, at this moment came into view round a corner. +“What are those fellows doing to that poor man?”</p> + +<p>“Raising hob with him,” said Bart, quickly. “The old +fellow is drunk and they are abusing him.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I think it’s time for us to take a hand in that!”</p> + +<p>“I should say so!”</p> + +<p>“Come on!”</p> + +<p>Frank sprang forward; Bart followed.</p> + +<p>The old actor was just making an effort to get up. The +young ruffian who led the gang kicked him over.</p> + +<p>The sight made Frank’s blood leap.</p> + +<p>“You cowardly young cur!” he cried, and he gave the +fellow a crack on the ear that sent him spinning.</p> + +<p>Hodge struck out right and left, quickly sending two +of the largest fellows to the ground.</p> + +<p>“Permit me to assist you, sir,” said Frank, stooping +to aid the actor to rise.</p> + +<p>The leader of the gang had recovered. He uttered a +mad howl.</p> + +<p>“At ’em fellers! Knock the stuffin’s outer them!” he +screamed, rushing on Frank.</p> + +<p>Merry straightened up instantly. He whirled about +and saw the biggest tough coming at him, with the rest +of the gang at his back. Then Frank laughed.</p> + +<p>“Walk right up, you young terriers!” he cried, in a +clear, ringing voice. “We’ll make it rather interesting +for you! Give it to them, Hodge!”</p> + +<p>Hodge did so. Together the two friends met the onslaught +of the gang. Their hard fists cracked on the +heads of the young ruffians, and it was astonishing how +these fellows were bowled over. Bart was aroused. His +intense anger was betrayed by his knotted forehead, his +flashing eyes, and his gleaming teeth. He did not speak +a word, but he struck swift, strong and sure.</p> + +<p>If those chaps had expected an easy thing with the +two well-dressed youths who had interfered with their +sport, they met the disappointment of their lives.</p> + +<p>It actually seemed that, at one time, every one of the +gang had been knocked sprawling, and not one was on +his feet to face the fighting champions of the old actor.</p> + +<p>It was a terrible surprise for the toughs. One after +another, they sprang up and took to their heels.</p> + +<p>“What have we struck?” gasped the leader, looking +up at Frank.</p> + +<p>“Get up!” invited Merry, standing over him—“get up, +and I will give you another dose!”</p> + +<p>“Excuse me!” gasped the fellow, as he scrambled +away on his hands and knees, sprang up and followed +the rest of the young thugs.</p> + +<p>It was over; the gang had been put to flight, and it +had been accomplished in a very few moments.</p> + +<p>Hodge stood there, panting, glaring about, looking +surprised and disappointed, as well as angry.</p> + +<p>“That was too easy!” he exclaimed. “I thought we +were in for a fight.”</p> + +<p>“Evidently they did not stand for our kind of fighting,” +smiled Frank. “It surprised them so that they +threw up the sponge before the fight was fairly begun.”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t get half enough of it,” muttered Bart.</p> + +<p>During the fight the old actor had risen to his feet. +Now Frank picked up his hat and restored it to him, +after brushing some dirt from it. The man received it +with a profound bow. Placing it on his head, he thrust +his right hand into the bosom of his coat, struck a pose, +and cried:</p> + +<p> +         “‘Are yet two Romans living such as these?<br/> +         The last of all the Romans!’”<br/> +</p> + +<p>“We saw you were in trouble,” said Merry, “and we +hastened to give you such assistance as we could.”</p> + +<p>“It was a goodly deed, a deed well done. Thy arms +are strong, thy hearts are bold. Methinks I see before +me two noble youths, fit to have lived in the days of +knighthood.”</p> + +<p>“You are very complimentary,” smiled Frank, amused +at the old man’s quaint way.</p> + +<p>The actor took his hand from his bosom and made a +deprecating gesture, saying:</p> + +<p>“‘Nay, do not think I flatter; for what advancement +may I hope from thee?’ I but speak the thoughts my +heart bids me speak. I am old, the wreck of a once +noble man; yet you did not hesitate to stand by me in my +hour of need, even at peril to yourselves. I cannot reward +you. I can but offer the thanks of one whose +name it may be you have never heard—one whose name +to-day, but for himself and his own weakness, might be +on the tongues of the people of two continents. Gentlemen, +accept the thanks of William Shakespeare Burns.”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Burns,” said Frank, “from your words, and your +manner, I am led to believe that you are an actor.”</p> + +<p>“Nay, nay. Once I trod the boards and interpreted the +characters of the immortal bard, for whom I was named. +That time is past. I am an actor no longer; I am a ‘has +been.’ My day is past, my sun hath set, and night +draweth on apace.”</p> + +<p>“I thought I could not be mistaken,” said Frank. +“We, too, are actors, although not Shakespearian ones.”</p> + +<p>“Is this true?” exclaimed the old tragedian. “And I +have been befriended by those who wouldst follow the +noble art! Brothers, I greet thee! But these are sad, +sad days, for the drama hath fallen into a decline. The +legitimate is scoffed at, the stage is defiled by the ribald +jest, the clownish low-comedy star, the dancing and singing +comedian, and vaudeville—ah, me! that we should +have fallen into such evil ways. The indecencies now +practiced in the name of art and the drama are enough +to make the immortal William turn in his grave. Oh, +for the good old days! But they are gone—forever +gone!”</p> + +<p>“It seems strange to meet an actor like you ‘at liberty,’ +and so far from the Rialto,” declared Merry.</p> + +<p>“I have been touring the country, giving readings,” +Burns hastened to explain. “Ah, it is sad, sad! Once I +might have packed the largest theater of the metropolis; +to-day I am doing well if I bring out a round dozen to +listen to my readings at some crossroad schoolhouse in +the country. Thus have the mighty fallen!”</p> + +<p>“I presume you are thinking of getting back to New +York?”</p> + +<p>“Nay, nay. What my eyes have beheld there and my +ears have heard is enough. My heart is sick within me. +I was there at the opening of the season. One Broadway +theater was given over to burlesque of the very lowest +order, while another was but little better in character. +A leading theater close to Broadway was packed every +night by well-dressed people who went there to behold a +vile French farce, in which the leading lady disrobed +upon the stage. Ah, me! In truth, the world hath gone +wrong! The ways of men are evil, and all their thoughts +are vile. It is well that Shakespeare cannot rise from +his grave to look upon the horrors now perpetrated on +the English-speaking stage. If he were to be restored +to life and visit one of our theaters, I think his second +funeral would take place the following day. He would +die of heart failure.”</p> + +<p>Frank laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>“I believe you are right. It would give William a +shock, that is certain. But there are good modern plays, +you know.”</p> + +<p>The actor shook his head.</p> + +<p>“I do not know,” he declared. “I have not seen +them. If there is not something nasty in the play of to-day, +then it must of a certainty have its ‘effect’ in the +way of some mechanical contrivance—a horse race, a +steamboat explosion, a naval battle, or something of the +sort. It seems that a piece cannot survive on its merits +as a play, but must, perforce, be bolstered up by some +wretched device called an ‘effect.’”</p> + +<p>“Truer words were never spoken,” admitted Frank. +“And still there are a few plays written to-day that do +not depend on such devices. In order to catch the +popular fancy, however, I have found it necessary to +introduce ‘effects.’”</p> + +<p>“You speak as one experienced in the construction of +plays.”</p> + +<p>“I have had some experience. I am about to start on +the road with my own company and my own play.”</p> + +<p>Of a sudden Frank seemed struck by an idea.</p> + +<p>“By Jove!” he exclaimed. “Did you say you were +at liberty?”</p> + +<p>“Just at present, yes.”</p> + +<p>“Then, if I can get you, you are the very man I +want.”</p> + +<p>The old man shook his head.</p> + +<p>“Your play can contain no part I would care to interpret,” +he said, with apparent regret.</p> + +<p>“But I think it is possible that you might be induced +to play the part. I had a man for it, but I lost him. +I was on my way to the Orpheum, to see if I could not +find another to fill his place.”</p> + +<p>“What sort of a part is it?” asked Burns, plainly endeavoring +to conceal his eagerness.</p> + +<p>“It is comedy.”</p> + +<p>“What!” cried the old actor, aghast and horrified. +“Wouldst offer me such a part? Dost think I—I who +have played <i>Hamlet</i>, <i>Brutus</i>, <i>Lear</i> and <i>Othello</i>—would +stoop so low? ‘This is the most unkindest cut of all!’”</p> + +<p>“But there is money in it—good, sure money. I have +several thousand dollars to back me, and I am going +out with my piece to make or break. I shall keep it on +the road several weeks, at any cost.”</p> + +<p>The old actor shook his head.</p> + +<p>“It cannot be,” he sadly said. “I am no comedian. +I could not play the part.”</p> + +<p>“If you will but dress as you are, if you will add a +little that is fantastic to your natural acting, you can +play the part. It is that of a would-be tragedian—a +Shakespearian actor.”</p> + +<p>“Worse and worse!” moaned the old man. “You +would have me burlesque myself! Out upon you!”</p> + +<p>“I will pay you thirty-five dollars a week and railroad +expenses. How can you do better?”</p> + +<p>“Thirty-fi——”</p> + +<p>The old actor gasped for breath. He seemed unable +for some moments to speak. It was plain that the sum +seemed like a small fortune to him. At last his dignity +and his old nature reasserted itself.</p> + +<p>“Young man,” he said, “dost know what thou hast +done? I—I am William Shakespeare Burns! A paltry +thirty-five per week! Bah! Go to!”</p> + +<p>“Well, I’ll make it forty, and I can get a hundred +good men for that at this time of the season.”</p> + +<p>The aged Thespian bowed his head. Slowly he spoke, +again quoting:</p> + +<p>“Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you +make of me! You would play upon me; you would seem +to know my stops; you would pluck to the heart of my +mystery.”</p> + +<p>“But the money, you seem to need that. Money is a +good thing to have.”</p> + +<p>“‘Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.’ It +is true. Ah! but how can I thus lower myself?”</p> + +<p>“As you have said, the good old days are past. It is +useless to live for them. Live for the present—and the +future. Money is base stuff, but we must have it. Come, +come; I know you can do the part. We’ll get along +splendidly.”</p> + +<p>“‘Good reasons must, of force, give place to better.’ +As Cassius saith, ‘Men at some time in their lives +are masters of their fates;’ but I think for me that time +is past. But forty dollars—ye gods!”</p> + +<p>“It is better than reading to a scant dozen listeners at +crossroads schoolhouses.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, well! You take advantage of my needs. I +accept. But I must have a dollar at once, with which to +purchase that which will drown the shame my heart doth +feel.”</p> + +<p>“You shall have the dollar,” assured Frank. “Come +along with us, and we will complete arrangements.”</p> + +<p>So the old actor was borne away, outwardly sad, but +inwardly congratulating himself on the greatest streak +of luck he had come upon in many moons.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink09'>CHAPTER IX.—WELCOME LETTERS.</h2> + +<p>Frank Merriwell was determined to give a performance +of his revised play in Denver for advertising purposes. +He had the utmost confidence in “True Blue,” as +he had rechristened the piece, but the report of his failure +in Puelbo had spread afar in dramatic circles, being +carried broadcast by the Eastern dramatic papers, and +managers were shy of booking the revised version.</p> + +<p>Some time before, after receiving the fortune from +the Carson City Bank, Merry had made a fair and equal +division, sending checks for their share to Browning, +Diamond and Rattleton. Toots’ share he had been unable +to forward, not knowing the address of the faithful +darky, who had been forced to go forth into the world +to win his way when Frank met with the misfortune that +caused him to leave Yale.</p> + +<p>And now came three letters from three Yale men. +Diamond’s was brief.</p> + +<div class='bq'> +<p>“<span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Dear Old Comrade</span>: It is plain you are still a practical +joker. Your very valuable (?) check on the First National of +Denver received. I really do not know what to do with so much +money! But I am afraid you are making a mistake by using a check +on an existing bank. Why didn’t you draw one on ‘The First Sand +Bank of Denver’? It would have served your purpose just as well.</p> + +<p>“Can’t write much now, as I am making preparations for vacation, +which is only a month away. I’m afraid it will be a sorry +vacation for me this year; not much like the last one. Then we +were all together, and what times we did have at Fardale and in +Maine! I’m blue to-night, old friend, and do not feel like +writing. I fancy it has made me feel bluer than ever to read in +the <i>Dramatic Reflector</i> of your unfortunate failure in +Puelbo and the disbanding of your company after your backer +deserted you. Hard luck, Frank—hard luck! All the fellows have +been hoping you would make money enough to come back here in the +fall, but all that is over now.</p> + +<p>“What are you doing? Can’t you find time to write to us and let +us know? We are very anxious about you. I will write you again +when I am more in the mood. Hoping your fortune may turn for the +better, I remain,</p> +</div> + +<div class='bq'> +<p style='text-align:right; margin:0 4ex 0 auto'>“Always your friend,</p> +</div> + +<div class='bq'> +<p style='text-align:right; margin:0 0ex 0 auto'>“<span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Jack Diamond</span>.”</p> +</div> + +<p>Frank read this aloud to Hodge and Gallup in his +room at the Metropole Hotel.</p> + +<p>“Waal, by ginger!” exploded Ephraim. “What do yeou +think of that?”</p> + +<p>“Now you see what your reputation as a practical +joker is doing for you, Merry,” said Hodge.</p> + +<p>“Well, I’ll be hanged if I don’t believe Diamond considers +it a joke!” laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>“Of course he does,” nodded Bart.</p> + +<p>“Well, he is putting a joke on himself. He’ll be +somewhat surprised when he discovers that.”</p> + +<p>Ephraim began to grin.</p> + +<p>“That’s so, by thutter!” he cried.</p> + +<p>“Here is a letter from Rattleton,” said Merry, picking +up another from the mail he had just received. “I wonder +how he takes it?”</p> + +<p>“Read it and find aout,” advised Gallup.</p> + +<p>“A wise suggestion,” bowed Frank, with mock gravity, +tearing it open.</p> + +<p>This is what he read:</p> + +<div class='bq'> +<p>“<span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Dear Merry</span>: Cheese it! What do you take us for—a lot of +chumps? We’re onto you! Eight thousand fiddlesticks! I’m going +to have the check framed and hang it in my room. It will be a +reminder of you.</p> + +<p>“Say, that was tough about your fizzle in Puelbo! It came just +when we were hoping, you know. The fellows have been gathering +at the fence and talking about you and your return to college +since Browning came back and told us how you were making a +barrel of money with your play. Now the report of your disaster +is spread broadcast, and we know you cannot come back. It’s +tough.</p> + +<p>“Diamond is in a blue funk. He hasn’t been half the man he was +since you went away. Hasn’t seemed to care much of anything +about studying or doing anything else, and, as a result, it is +pretty certain he’ll be dropped a class.</p> + +<p>“But Diamond is not the only one. You know Browning was dropped +once. He is too lazy to study, but, in order to keep in your +class, he might have pulled through had you been here. Now it is +known for an almost certain thing that he will not be able to +pass exams, and you know what that means.</p> + +<p>“I’m not going to say anything about myself. It’s dull here. +None of your friends took any interest in the college +theatricals last winter, and the show was on the bum. The whole +shooting match made a lot of guys of themselves.</p> + +<p>“Baseball has been dead slow, so far this season. We are down in +the mud, with Princeton crowing. It takes you, Merry, to twist +the Tiger’s tail! What was the matter? Everything. All the +pitchers could do for us was to toss ’em up and get batted out +of the box. The new men were not in it. They had glass arms, and +the old reliables had dead wings. It was pitiful! I can’t write +any more about it.</p> + +<p>“I’d like to see you, Frank! Would I? Ask me! Oh, say! don’t you +think you can arrange it so you can come East this summer? Come +and see me. Say, come and stay all summer with me at my home! We +won’t do a thing but have a great time. Write to me and give me +your promise you will come. Don’t you refuse me, old man.</p> +</div> + +<div class='bq'> +<p style='text-align:right; margin:0 4ex 0 auto'>“Yours till death,</p> +</div> + +<div class='bq'> +<p style='text-align:right; margin:0 0ex 0 auto'>“<span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Rattles</span>.</p> +</div> + +<p>“Here’s another!” cried Frank. “If that doesn’t beat! +Why, they all think those checks fakes!”</p> + +<p>“As I said before,” said Hodge, “you see what your +reputation as a practical joker is doing for you.”</p> + +<p>“I see,” nodded Frank. “It is giving me a chance to +get a big joke on those fellows. They will drop dead +when they learn those checks actually are good.”</p> + +<p>“Waal, I should say yes!” nodded Ephraim. “Jest +naow they’re kainder thinkin’ yeou are an object fer +charity.”</p> + +<p>“Here’s Browning’s letter.”</p> + +<div class='bq'> +<p>“<span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Mr. Frank Merriwell</span>, Millionaire and Philanthropist.</p> + +<p>“<span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Dear Sir:</span> I seize my pen in my hand, being unable to seize +it with my foot, and hasten to acknowledge the receipt of +your princely gift. With my usual energy and haste, I dash off +these few lines at the rate of ten thousand words a minute, only +stopping to rest after each word. After cashing your check with +the pawnbroker, I shall use the few dollars remaining to settle +in part with my tailor, who has insisted in a most ungentlemanly +manner on the payment of his little bill, which has been running +but a short time—less than two years, I think. The sordid greed +and annoying persistence of this man has much embarrassed me, +and I would pay him off entirely, if it were not that I wish to +get my personal property out of my ‘uncle’s’ safe-deposit vault, +where it has been resting for some time.</p> + +<p>“It is evident to me that you have money to burn in an open +grate. That is great, as Griswold would say. And it was so kind +of you to remember your old friends. The little hint +accompanying each check that thus you divided the spoils of our +great trip across the continent was not sufficient to deceive +anyone into the belief that this was other than a generous act +on your part and a free gift.</p> + +<p>“There is not much news to write, save that everybody is in the +dumps and everything has turned blue. I suppose some of the +others will tell you all about things, so that will save me the +task, which you know I would intensely enjoy, as I do love to +work. It is the joy of my life to labor. I spend as much time as +possible each day working on a comfortable couch in my room; but +I will confess that I might not work quite so hard if it was not +necessary to draw at the pipe in order to smoke up.</p> + +<p>“When are you coming East? Aren’t you getting tired of the West? +Why can’t you make a visit to Yale before vacation time? You +would be received with great <i>éclat</i>. Excuse my French. I +have to fling it around occasionally, when I can’t think of any +Latin or Greek. Why do you suppose Latin and Greek were +invented? Why didn’t those old duffers use English, and save us +poor devils no end of grinding?</p> + +<p>“Unfortunately, I have just upset the ink, and, having no more, +I must quit.</p> + +<p style='text-align:right; margin:0 4ex 0 auto'>“Yours energetically,</p> + +<p style='text-align:right; margin:0 0ex 0 auto'>“<span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Bruce Browning</span>.”</p> +</div> + +<p>“Well, it’s simply marvelous that he stuck to it long +enough to write all that!” laughed Frank. “And he, like +the others, thinks the check a fake.”</p> + +<p>Hodge got up and stood looking sullenly out of the +window.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, Bart?” asked Merry, detecting +that there was something wrong.</p> + +<p>“Nothing,” muttered the dark-faced fellow.</p> + +<p>“Oh, come! Was there anything in those letters you +did not like?”</p> + +<p>“No. It was something there was not in the letters.”</p> + +<p>“What?”</p> + +<p>“Not one of those fellows even mentioned me!” cried +Hodge, fiercely whirling about. “I didn’t care a rap +about Diamond and Rattleton, but Browning would have +showed a trace of decency if he had said a word about +me. He made a bad blunder and was forced to confess +it, but I’ll bet he doesn’t think a whit more of me now.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you are too sensitive, old man. They did not +even write anything in particular for news, and think +how many of my friends at college they failed to mention.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, well; they knew I was with you, and one of +them might have asked for me. I hope you may go +back to Yale, Merry, but wild horses could not drag +me back there! I hate them all!”</p> + +<p>“Hate them, Hodge?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, hate them!” Bart almost shouted. “They are a +lot of cads! There is not a whole man among them!”</p> + +<p>Then he strode out of the room, giving the door a +bang behind him.</p> + +<p>Of course Frank made haste to reply to the letters of +his college chums, assuring them that the checks were +perfectly good, and adding that, although he had some +reputation as a practical joker, he was not quite crazy +enough to utter a worthless check on a well-known bank, +as that would be a criminal act.</p> + +<p>Frank mentioned Hodge, and, without saying so in so +many words, gave them to understand that Bart felt the +slight of not being spoken of in any of the letters from +his former acquaintances.</p> + +<p>One thing Frank did not tell them, and that was that +he was on the point of starting out again with his play, +having renamed it, and rewritten it, and added a sensational +feature of the “spectacular” order in the view of a +boat race between Yale, Harvard and Cornell.</p> + +<p>Even though he was venturing everything on the success +of the piece, Merry realized now better than ever +before that no man was so infallible that he could always +correctly foretell the fate of an untried play.</p> + +<p>It is a great speculation to put a play on the road at +large expense. The oldest managers are sometimes deceived +in the value of a dramatic piece of property, and +it is not an infrequent thing that they lose thousands of +dollars in staging and producing a play in which they +have the greatest confidence, but which the theater-going +public absolutely refuses to accept.</p> + +<p>Frank had been very confident that his second play +would be a winner in its original form, but disaster had +befallen it at the very start. He might have kept it on +the road as it stood, for, at the very moment when he +seemed hopelessly stranded without a dollar in the world, +fortune had smiled upon him by placing in his hands the +wealth which he had found in the Utah Desert at the time +of his bicycle tour across the continent.</p> + +<p>But Merry had realized that, in the condition in which +it then stood, it was more than probable that the play +would prove an utter failure should he try to force it +upon the public.</p> + +<p>This caused him to take prompt action. First he +brought the company to Denver, holding all of them, +save the two men who had caused him no small amount +of trouble, namely, Lloyd Fowler and Charlie Harper.</p> + +<p>Calmly reviewing his play at Twin Star Ranch, Frank +decided that the comedy element was not strong enough +in the piece to make it a popular success on the road; accordingly +he introduced two new characters. It would +be necessary, in order to produce the effect that he desired, +to employ a number of “supers” in each place +where the play was given, as he did not believe he would +be warranted in the expense of carrying nonspeaking +characters with him.</p> + +<p>On his return to Denver Frank had hastened at once +to look over the “mechanical effect” which had been constructed +for him. It was not quite completed, but was +coming on well, and, as far as Frank could see, had been +constructed perfectly according to directions and plans.</p> + +<p>Of course, one man had not done the work alone. He +had been assisted by carpenters and scene painters, and +the work had been rushed.</p> + +<p>Merry got his company together and began rehearsing +the revised play. His paper from Chicago came on, and +examination showed that it was quite “up to the mark.” +In fact, Havener, the stage manager, was delighted with +it, declaring that it was the most attractive stuff he had +seen in many years.</p> + +<p>But for the loss of one of the actors he had engaged +to fill one of the comedy parts, Merry would have been +greatly pleased by the manner in which things moved +along.</p> + +<p>Now, however, he believed that in William Shakespeare +Burns he had found a man who could fill the +place left vacant.</p> + +<p>Although Hodge had been ready enough to defend +Burns from the young ruffians who were hectoring him +on the street, he had little faith in the man as a comedian. +Hodge could see no comedy in the old actor. To tell the +truth, it was seldom that Hodge could see comedy in +anything, and low comedy, sure to appeal to the masses, +he regarded as foolish.</p> + +<p>For another reason Hodge felt uncertain about Burns. +It was plain that the aged tragedian was inclined to look +on the wine “when it was red,” and Bart feared he would +prove troublesome and unreliable on that account.</p> + +<p>“I am done with the stuff!” Hodge had declared over +and over. “On that night in the ruffians’ den at Ace High +I swore never to touch it again, for I saw what brutes +it makes of men. I have little confidence in any man +who will drink it.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, be a little more liberal,” entreated Frank. “You +know there are men who drink moderately, and it never +seems to harm them.”</p> + +<p>“I know there are such men,” admitted Bart; “but +it is not blood that runs in their veins. It’s water.”</p> + +<p>“Not all men are so hot-blooded and impulsive as you +and Jack Diamond.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t speak of Diamond! I don’t think anything of +that fellow. I am talking about this Burns. He is a sot, +that’s plain. Drink has dragged him down so far that +all the powers in the world cannot lift him up. Some +night when everything depends on him, he will fail you, +for he will be too drunk to play his part. Then you +will be sorry that you had anything to do with him.”</p> + +<p>“All the powers in this world might not be able to lift +him up,” admittted Frank; “but there are other powers +that can do so. I pity the poor, old man. He realizes +his condition and what he has missed in life.”</p> + +<p>“But the chances are that the audience will throw +things at him when he appears as a comedian.”</p> + +<p>“Instead of that, I believe he will convulse them with +laughter.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you have some queer ideas. We’ll see who’s +right.”</p> + +<p>Frank kept track of Burns, dealing out but little money +to him, and that in small portions, so that the old actor +could not buy enough liquor to get intoxicated, if he +wished to do so.</p> + +<p>The first rehearsal was called on the stage of the +theater in Denver. Merry had engaged the theater for +that purpose. The entire company assembled. Frank +addressed them and told them that he was glad to see +them again. One and all, they shook hands with him. +Then Burns was called forward and introduced as the +new comedian. At this he drew himself up to his full +height, folded his arms across his breast, and said:</p> + +<p>“Ay! ‘new’ is the word for it, for never before, I +swear, have I essayed a rôle so degraded or one that +hath so troubled me by night and by day. Comedy, +comedy, what sins are committed in thy name!”</p> + +<p>Granville Garland nudged Douglas Dunton in the +ribs, whispering in his ear:</p> + +<p>“Behold your rival!”</p> + +<p>“Methinks he intrudeth on my sacred territory,” +nodded Dunton. “But he has to do it on the stage, and +on the stage I am a villain. We shall not quarrel.”</p> + +<p>Burns proved to be something of a laughing-stock for +the rest of the company.</p> + +<p>“He’s a freak,” declared Billy Wynne, known as +“Props.”</p> + +<p>“All of that,” agreed Lester Vance.</p> + +<p>“I don’t understand why Merriwell should pick up +such a creature for us to associate with,” sniffed Agnes +Kirk. “But Merriwell is forever doing something freakish. +Just think how he carried around that black tramp +cat that came onto the stage to hoodoo us the first time +we rehearsed this piece.”</p> + +<p>“And there is the cat now!” exclaimed Vance, as the +same black cat came walking serenely onto the stage.</p> + +<p>“Yes, here is the cat,” said Frank, who overheard the +exclamation. “She was called a hoodoo before. I have +determined that she shall be a mascot, and it is pretty +hard to get me to give anything up when I am determined +upon it.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I haven’t a word to say!” declared Agnes Kirk, +but she looked several words with her eyes.</p> + +<p>The rehearsal began and progressed finely till it was +time for Burns to enter. The old actor came on, but +when he tried to say his lines the words seemed to stick +in his throat and choke him. Several times he started, +but finally he broke down and turned to Frank, appealingly, +saying, huskily:</p> + +<p>“I can’t! I can’t! It is a mockery and an insult to the +dead Bard of Avon! It’s no use! I give it up. I need +the money, but I cannot insult the memory of William +Shakespeare by making a burlesque of his immortal +works!”</p> + +<p>Then he staggered off the stage.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink10'>CHAPTER X.—AT THE FOOT OF THE BED.</h2> + +<p>Late that evening, after the work and rehearsing of +the day was over, Frank, Bart and Ephraim gathered in +the room of the first-mentioned and discussed matters.</p> + +<p>“I told you Burns was no good,” said Hodge, triumphantly, +“I knew how it would be, but he showed up +sooner than I expected. I suppose you will get rid of +him in a hurry now?”</p> + +<p>“I think not,” answered Merry, quietly.</p> + +<p>“What?” cried Hodge, astounded. “You don’t mean +to say you will keep him after what has happened?”</p> + +<p>“I may.”</p> + +<p>“Well, Frank, I’m beginning to believe the theatrical +business has turned your head. You do not seem to +possess the good sense you had once.”</p> + +<p>“Is that so?” laughed Merry.</p> + +<p>“Just so!” snapped Hodge.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I don’t know! I rather think Burns will turn +out all right.”</p> + +<p>“After making such a fizzle to-day? Well, you’re +daffy!”</p> + +<p>“You do not seem to understand the man at all. I +can appreciate his feelings.”</p> + +<p>“I can’t!”</p> + +<p>“I thought not. It must be rather hard for him, who +has always considered himself a tragedian and a +Shakespeare scholar, to burlesque the parts he has studied and +loved.”</p> + +<p>“Bah! That’s nonsense! Why, the man’s a pitiful +old drunkard! You give him credit for too fine feelings.”</p> + +<p>“And you do not seem to give him credit for any feelings. +Even a drunkard may have fine feelings at times.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps so.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps so! I know it. It is drink that degrades +and lowers the man. When he is sober, he may be kind, +gentle and lovable.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I haven’t much patience with a man who will +keep himself filled with whisky.”</p> + +<p>Frank opened his lips to say something, but quickly +changed his mind, knowing he must cut Hodge deeply. +He longed, however, to say that the ones most prone to +err and fall in this life are often the harshest judges +of others who go astray.</p> + +<p>“I ruther pity the pore critter,” said Ephraim; “but +I don’t b’lieve he’ll ever make ennyboddy larf in the +world. He looks too much like a funeral.”</p> + +<p>“That is the very thing that should make them laugh, +when he has his make-up on. I have seen the burlesque +tragedian overdone on the stage, so that he was nauseating; +but I believe Burns can give the character just the +right touch.”</p> + +<p>“Well, if you firmly believe that, it’s no use to talk to +you, for you’ll never change your mind till you have +to,” broke out Hodge. “I have seen a sample of that +in the way you deal with your enemies. Now, there was +Leslie Lawrence——”</p> + +<p>“Let him rest in peace,” said Frank. “He is gone +forever.”</p> + +<p>“An’ it’s a dinged good riddance!” said Gallup. “The +only thing I’m sorry fer is that the critter escaped +lynchin’!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, he should have been lynched!” flashed Bart. “At +the Twin Star Ranch now the poor girl he deserted is +lying on a bed of pain, shot down by his dastardly hand.”</p> + +<p>“He did not intend the bullet for her,” said Frank, +quickly.</p> + +<p>“No; but he intended it for you! It was a great case +of luck that he didn’t finish you. If you had pushed the +villain to the wall before that, instead of dealing with +him as if he had the least instinct of a gentleman in his +worthless body, you would have saved the girl from so +much suffering.”</p> + +<p>“She loves him still,” said Frank. “Her last words to +me were a message to him, for she does not know he is +dead beneath the quicksands of Big Sandy.”</p> + +<p>“The quicksands saved him from the gallows.”</p> + +<p>“An’ they took another ungrateful rascal along with +him, b’gee!” said Ephraim, with satisfaction.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” nodded Frank; “I think there is no doubt but +Lloyd Fowler perished with Lawrence, for I fancied I +recognized Fowler in the fellow who accompanied Lawrence +that fatal night.”</p> + +<p>“And Fowler was a drinking man, so I should think +he would be a warning to you,” said Hodge. “I shouldn’t +think you’d care to take another sot into the company.”</p> + +<p>“You must know that there is as little resemblance +between Fowler and Burns as there is between night and +day.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps so, but Burns can drink more whisky than +Fowler ever could.”</p> + +<p>“And he is ashamed of himself for it. I have talked +with him about it, and I know.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, he made you believe so. He is slick.”</p> + +<p>“He was not trying to deceive me.”</p> + +<p>“So you think. He knows where his money comes +from to buy whisky. It’s more than even chance that, +when you are ready to start on the road, he will give you +the slip.”</p> + +<p>“He asked me to release him to-day.”</p> + +<p>“And you refused?”</p> + +<p>“I did. I urged him to stay with us.”</p> + +<p>Hodge got up.</p> + +<p>“That settles it!” he exclaimed. “Now I know theatricals +have wrought your downfall! Your glory is fast +departing.”</p> + +<p>“Then let it depart!” laughed Frank. “You have +been forced to confess yourself mistaken on other occasions; +you may on this.”</p> + +<p>“Good-night,” said Hodge, and he went out.</p> + +<p>Ephraim grinned.</p> + +<p>“Some fellows would say it’d be a gol-danged sensible +thing fer yeou to git rid of that feller,” he said, nodding +toward the door. “He’s gittin’ to be the greatest croaker +I ever knew.”</p> + +<p>“Hodge is getting worse,” admitted Frank, gravely. +“I think the unfortunate end of his college course has had +much to do with it. He broods over that a great deal, +and it is making him sour and unpleasant. I can imagine +about how he feels.”</p> + +<p>“If he ever larfed he’d be more agreeable. Danged if +I like a feller that alwus looks so sollum an’ ugly. +Sometimes he looks as ef he could snap a spike off at one bite +an’ not harf try.”</p> + +<p>“Wait,” said Frank. “If I am successful with this +play, I hope to go back to Yale in the fall and take Hodge +with me. I think he is getting an idea into his head that +his life career has been ruined at the very start, and that +is making him bitter. I’ll take him back, run him into +athletics, get his mind off such unpleasant thoughts, and +make a new man of him.”</p> + +<p>“Waal, I hope ye do,” said Gallup, rising and preparing +to go. “There’s jest one thing abaout Hodge that +makes me keer a rap fer him.”</p> + +<p>“What’s that?”</p> + +<p>“It’s ther way he sticks to yeou. Be gosh! I be’lieve +he’d wade through a red-hot furnace to reach yeou an’ +fight for yeou, if yeou was in danger!”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t a doubt but he’d make the attempt,” nodded +Frank.</p> + +<p>“An’ he kin fight,” the Vermonter went on. “Aout at +Ace High, when we was up against all them ruffians, he +fought like a dozen tigers all rolled inter one. That’s +ernnther thing that makes me think a little somethin’ of +him.”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” agreed Merry, “Bart is a good fighter. The +only trouble with him is that he is too ready to fight. +There are times when one should avoid a fight, if possible; +but Hodge never recognizes any of those times. I +never knew him to try to avoid a fight.”</p> + +<p>“Waal,” drawled Ephraim, with a yawn, “I’m goin’ +to bed. Good-night, Frank.”</p> + +<p>“Good-night.”</p> + +<p>Merry closed the door after Gallup and carefully +locked and bolted it. Then he sat down, took a letter +from his pocket, and read it through from beginning to +end. When he had finished, he pressed the missive to +his lips, murmuring:</p> + +<p>“Elsie! Elsie! dear little sweetheart!”</p> + +<p>For some time he sat there, thinking, thinking. His +face flushed and paled softened and glowed again; sometimes +he looked sad, and sometimes he smiled. Had a +friend been there, he might have read Frank’s thoughts +by the changing expressions on his face.</p> + +<p>At last Merry put away the letter, after kissing it again, +and, having wound up his watch, undressed and prepared +for bed. His bed stood in a little alcove of the room, +and he drew the curtains back, exposing it. Donning +pajamas, he soon was in bed. Reaching out, he pressed +a button, and—snap!—out went the gas, turned off by +electricity.</p> + +<p>Frank composed himself to sleep. The dull rumble +of the not yet sleeping city came up from the streets and +floated in at his open window. The sound turned after +a time to a musical note that was like that which comes +from an organ, and it lulled him to sleep.</p> + +<p>For some time Merry seemed to sleep as peacefully as +a child. Gradually the roaring from the streets became +less and less. Frank breathed softly and regularly.</p> + +<p>And then, without starting or stirring, he opened his +eyes. He lay quite still and listened, but heard no sound +at first. For all of this, he was impressed by a feeling +that something was there in that room with him!</p> + +<p>It was a strange, creepy, chilling sensation that ran +over Frank. He shivered the least bit.</p> + +<p>Rustle-rustle! It was the lightest of sounds, but he +was sure he heard it.</p> + +<p>Some object was moving in the room!</p> + +<p>Frank remembered that he had closed and locked the +door. Not only had he locked it, but he had bolted it, +so that it could not be opened from the outside by the aid +of a key alone.</p> + +<p>What was there in that room? How had anything +gained admittance?</p> + +<p>Frank attempted to convince himself that it was imagination, +but he was a youth with steady nerves, and he +knew he was not given to imagining such things without +cause.</p> + +<p>Rustle—rustle!</p> + +<p>There it was again! There was no doubt of it this +time!</p> + +<p>Something moved near the foot of the bed!</p> + +<p>Still without stirring, Merriwell turned his gaze in +that direction.</p> + +<p>At the foot of the bed a dark shape seemed to tower!</p> + +<p>Impressed by a sense of extreme peril, Frank shot his +hand out of the bed toward the electric button on the +wall.</p> + +<p>By chance he struck the right button.</p> + +<p>Snap!—up flared the gas.</p> + +<p>And there at the foot of the bed stood a man in black, +his face hidden by a mask.</p> + +<p>The sudden up-flaring of the gas seemed to startle +the unknown intruder and disconcert him for a moment. +With a hiss, he started backward.</p> + +<p>Bolt upright sat Frank.</p> + +<p>Merry’s eyes looked straight into the eyes that peered +through the twin holes in the mask.</p> + +<p>Thus they gazed at each other some seconds.</p> + +<p>There was no weapon in the hands of the masked man, +and Merriwell guessed that the fellow was a burglar.</p> + +<p>That was Frank’s first thought.</p> + +<p>Then came another.</p> + +<p>Why had the man sought the bed? Frank’s clothes +were lying on some chairs outside the alcove, and in +order to go through them it had not been necessary to +come near the bed.</p> + +<p>Then Merry remembered the feeling of danger that +had come over him, and something told him this man +had entered that room to do him harm. Somehow, +Frank became convinced that the fellow had been creeping +up to seize a pillow, fling himself on the bed, press +the pillow over the sleeper’s face, and commit a fearful +crime.</p> + +<p>Even then Frank wondered how the man could have +gained admittance to the room.</p> + +<p>Up leaped the former Yale athlete; backward sprang +the masked man. Over the foot of the bed Merry recklessly +flung himself, dodging a hand that shot out at +him, and placing himself between the man and the door.</p> + +<p>As he bounded toward the door, Merriwell saw, with +a feeling of unutterable amazement, that it was tightly +closed and that the bolt was shot in place, just as he had +left it.</p> + +<p>He whirled about, with his back toward the door.</p> + +<p>“Good-evening!” he said. “Isn’t this rather late for +a call? I wasn’t expecting you.”</p> + +<p>The man was crouching before him, as if to spring +toward him, but Frank’s cool words seemed to cause +further hesitation. A muttering growl came from behind +the mask, but no words did the unknown speak.</p> + +<p>“It is possible you dropped into the wrong room,” +said Merry. “I trust you will be able to explain yourself, +for you are in a rather awkward predicament. Besides +that, you have hidden your face, and that does not +speak well for your honest intentions.”</p> + +<p>Without doubt, the intruder was astonished by Merriwell’s +wonderful coolness. Although startled from +slumber in such a nerve-shocking manner, Frank now +seemed perfectly self-possessed.</p> + +<p>Silence.</p> + +<p>“You don’t seem to be a very sociable sort of caller,” +said Merry, with something like a faint laugh. “Won’t +you take off your mask and sit down a while.”</p> + +<p>The youth asked the question as if he were inviting +the stranger to take off his hat and make himself at home.</p> + +<p>The man’s hand slipped into his bosom. Frank +fancied it sought a weapon.</p> + +<p>Now it happened that Merry had no weapon at hand, +and he felt that he would be in a very unpleasant position +if that other were to “get the drop” on him.</p> + +<p>Frank made a rush at the stranger.</p> + +<p>The man tried to draw something from his bosom, but +it seemed to catch and hang there, and Merry was on +him. The unknown tried to dodge, and he partly succeeded +in avoiding Frank’s arms.</p> + +<p>However, he did not get fully away, and, a second +later, they grappled.</p> + +<p>The man, however, had the advantage; for all that +Frank had rushed upon him, he had risen partly behind +Merry, after dodging. He clutched Frank about the +waist and attempted to hurl him to the floor with crushing +force.</p> + +<p>Frank Merriwell was an expert wrestler, and, although +taken thus at a disadvantage, he squirmed about and +broke his fall, simply being forced to one knee.</p> + +<p>“Now I have ye!” panted the man, hoarsely.</p> + +<p>“Have you?” came from Frank’s lips. “Oh, I don’t +know!”</p> + +<p>There was a sudden upward heaving, and the ex-Yale +athlete shot up to his feet.</p> + +<p>But the man was on his back, and a hand came round +and fastened on Merry’s throat with a terrible, crushing +grip.</p> + +<p>Frank realized that he was dealing with a desperate +wretch, who would not hesitate at anything. And Merriwell’s +life was the stake over which they were struggling!</p> + +<p>Frank got hold of the man’s wrist and tore those +fingers from his throat, although it seemed that they +nearly tore out his windpipe in coming away.</p> + +<p>On his back the fellow was panting, hoarsely, and +Merry found it no easy thing to dislodge him.</p> + +<p>Round and round they whirled. Frank might have +shouted for aid, but he realized that his door was bolted +on the inside, and no assistance could reach him without +breaking it down.</p> + +<p>Besides that, Merry’s pride held him in check. There +was but one intruder, and he did not feel like shouting +and thus seeming to confess himself outmatched and +frightened.</p> + +<p>They were at a corner of the alcove. The partition +projected sharply there, and, of a sudden, with all his +strength, Merry flung himself backward, dashing the man +on his back against that projecting corner.</p> + +<p>There was a grunt, a groan, and a curse.</p> + +<p>It seemed that, for an instant, the shock had hurt and +dazed the man, and, in that instant, Merry wrenched +himself free.</p> + +<p>“Now this thing will be somehow more even,” he whispered, +from his crushed and aching throat. He whirled +to grapple with the fellow, but again the slippery rascal +dodged him, leaping away.</p> + +<p>Frank followed.</p> + +<p>The man caught up a chair, swung it and struck at +Merriwell’s head with force enough to crush Frank’s +skull.</p> + +<p>Merry could not dodge, but he caught the chair and +saved his head, although he was sent reeling backward +by the blow.</p> + +<p>Had the fellow followed him swiftly then it is barely +possible he might have overcome Frank before Merry +could steady himself. A moment of hesitation, however, +was taken advantage of by the youth.</p> + +<p>The chair was tossed aside, and Merry darted after +the fellow, who was astounded and dismayed by his persistence.</p> + +<p>Round to the opposite side of the table darted the +intruder, and across the table they stared at each other.</p> + +<p>“Well,” said Frank, in grim confession, “you are making +a right good fight of it, and I will say that you are +very slippery. I haven’t been able to get a hold of you +yet, though. You’ll come down on the run when I do.”</p> + +<p>The man was standing directly beneath the gas jet +which Merry had lighted by pressing the electric button. +Of a sudden he reached up and turned off the gas, plunging +the room in darkness. Then, as Frank sprang toward +the jet, something swooped down on him, covering +his head and shoulders in a smothering manner!</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink11'>CHAPTER XI.—A MYSTERY TO SOLVE.</h2> + +<p>Frank realized that some of the clothing from the bed +had been torn off and flung over his head. He attempted +to cast it aside, but it became tangled so he could not +accomplish his purpose as readily as he wished, although +he was not long in doing so.</p> + +<p>Retreating, he was prepared for an assault, for it +seemed that the masked unknown would follow up the +advantage he had gained.</p> + +<p>No assault came.</p> + +<p>Frank paused and listened, and, to his amazement, he +could hear no sound in the room. Still, he felt that the +man must be there, awaiting for an opportunity to carry +out the deadly purpose which had brought him into his +apartment at that hour.</p> + +<p>It was not pleasant to stand there in the darkness, half +expecting to feel a knife buried between his shoulders at +any instant.</p> + +<p>Gradually Frank’s eyes became accustomed to the semi-gloom +of the room. Still, he could see nothing that +lived and moved. Beyond him was the window, standing +open as he had left it, the light wind gently moving +the draperies.</p> + +<p>“Well,” thought Merry, “I wonder how long the fellow +will keep still. He’ll have to make a move sometime.”</p> + +<p>He backed up against the door and stood there, facing +the window. Placing a hand behind him, he took hold of +the knob of the door, which he found was still locked +securely. This assured him that the intruder had not escaped +in that direction.</p> + +<p>Merry felt certain that the man was close at hand. He +knew he could unlock and unbolt the door and leap out +quickly. He could slam the door behind him and lock +it, thus penning the man in there. Then he could descend +to the office and inform the clerk that he had captured +a burglar.</p> + +<p>Somehow, he did not feel like doing that; that seemed +too much as if he were running away. He did not fancy +doing anything that seemed in the least cowardly, even +though it might be discreet.</p> + +<p>Further than that, however, it was by no means certain +that, even though he locked and secured the door +behind him after leaping out of the room, he could hold +the intruder captive.</p> + +<p>In some manner the man had entered that room without +disturbing the lock or bolt on the door.</p> + +<p>How had he entered?</p> + +<p>Frank looked toward the open window, but he knew +it opened upon the face of the hotel, four stories from the +level of the street, and that settled in his mind all doubts +about the window, for he instantly decided that it had +not been possible for the masked unknown to get into +the room that way.</p> + +<p>Had he been in some old colonial house he would have +fancied the fellow had gained admittance by means of a +panel in the wall and a secret passage; but he was in a +modern hotel, and it was beyond the range of probability +that there were secret passages or moving wall panels in +the structure.</p> + +<p>These thoughts flitted through his mind swiftly as he +stood there, trying to hear some sound that would tell +him where the intruder was in the room.</p> + +<p>All was still.</p> + +<p>Below in the street a cab rattled and rumbled along.</p> + +<p>The silence was even more nerve-racking than the unexpected +appearance of the masked man had been. The +mystery of the whole affair was beginning to impress +Merry, and a mystery always aroused his curiosity to the +highest pitch.</p> + +<p>“Take your time, sir,” he thought, as he leaned against +the door and waited. “I believe I can stand it as long +as you can.”</p> + +<p>Near at hand the door of another room swiftly opened +and closed. The sound of hurried footsteps passed the +door of Merriwell’s room.</p> + +<p>Frank was tempted to fling open his door and call to +the man, but he hesitated about that till it was too +late.</p> + +<p>“Let him go,” he thought. “Perhaps he would have +been frightened to death had I called him in here.”</p> + +<p>The push button by which he could call assistance from +the office was in the alcove. At this time of night it was +not likely there would be anything but a tardy answer +to his call should he make it.</p> + +<p>But the electric button which turned on and ignited the +gas was also in the alcove.</p> + +<p>Frank longed to reach that button. He longed to light +the gas in order to look around for the intruder.</p> + +<p>Of course he could have lighted it with a match; but +he realized that such a thing might be just what the +unknown hoped for and expected. The man might be +waiting for him to strike a match.</p> + +<p>The minutes fled.</p> + +<p>“Something must be done,” Merry at last decided.</p> + +<p>Then he resolved to leave the door, move slowly along +the wall, reach the button and light the gas—if possible.</p> + +<p>With the silence of a creeping cat, he inched along. +Every sense was on the alert.</p> + +<p>It took him a long time to come to the foot of the bed at +the opening of the alcove, but he reached it at last. Was +the masked man waiting for him in the darkness of the +alcove? It seemed certain that he could be nowhere else +in the room.</p> + +<p>Frank hesitated, nerving himself for what might come. +Surely it required courage to enter that alcove.</p> + +<p>He listened, wondering if he could hear the breathing +of the man crouching in the alcove.</p> + +<p>He heard nothing.</p> + +<p>Then every nerve and muscle seemed to grow taut in +Merriwell’s body, and, with one panther-like spring, he +landed on the bed. In the twinkling of an eye he was +at the head of the bed, and his fingers found the push +button.</p> + +<p>Snap!—the gas came on, with a flare.</p> + +<p>It showed him standing straight up on the bed, his +hands clinched, ready for anything that might follow.</p> + +<p>Nothing followed.</p> + +<p>Frank began to feel puzzled.</p> + +<p>“Why in the name of everything peculiar doesn’t he +get into gear and do something—if he’s going to do +anything at all?” thought the youth on the bed.</p> + +<p>Again a bound carried him over the footboard and out +into the middle of the room, where he whirled to face the +alcove, his eyes flashing round the place.</p> + +<p>The bed covering which had been flung over his head +lay in the middle of the floor, where he had cast it aside.</p> + +<p>Nothing stirred in the room. On a chair near at hand +Frank could hear his watch ticking in his pocket.</p> + +<p>Then the intruder had not taken the watch, which was +valuable.</p> + +<p>Frank glanced toward his clothes. He had carefully +placed them in a certain position when he undressed, and +there they lay, as if they had not been touched or disturbed +in the least.</p> + +<p>“Queer burglar,” meditated Merry. “Should have +thought he’d gone through my clothes first thing.”</p> + +<p>But where was the fellow? There seemed but one place +for him, and Frank stopped to look beneath the bed.</p> + +<p>There was no one under the bed. The wardrobe door +stood slightly ajar.</p> + +<p>“Ah!” thought Frank. “At last! He must be in there, +for there is no other place in this room where he could +hide.”</p> + +<p>Without hesitation, Frank flung open the door of the +wardrobe, saying:</p> + +<p>“Come out, sir!”</p> + +<p>But the wardrobe was empty, save of such clothing +and things as Frank had placed there with his own +hands.</p> + +<p>Merriwell fell back, beginning to feel very queer. He +looked all around the room, walking over to a sofa +across a corner and looking behind that. In the middle +of the floor he stopped.</p> + +<p>“This beats anything I ever came against!” he exclaimed. +“Was it a spook?”</p> + +<p>Then the pain in his throat, where those iron hands had +threatened to crush his windpipe, told him that it was no +“spook.”</p> + +<p>“And it could not have been a dream,” he decided. “I +know there was a living man in this room. How did he +escape? That is one question. When it is answered, +I shall know how he obtained admittance. And why did +he come here?”</p> + +<p>Frank examined his clothes to make sure that nothing +had been taken. He soon discovered that his watch, +money and such valuables as he carried about with him +every day, were there, not a thing having been disturbed. +That settled one point in Frank’s mind. The +man had not entered that room for the purpose of robbery.</p> + +<p>If not for robbery, what then?</p> + +<p>It must have been for the purpose of wreaking some +injury on Merriwell as he slept.</p> + +<p>“I was warned by my feelings,” Frank decided. “I +was in deadly peril; there is no doubt of that.”</p> + +<p>Frank went to the window and looked out. It seemed +a foolish thing to do, for he had looked out and seen +that there was not even a fire escape to aid a person in +gaining admittance to his room. The fire escape, he had +been told, was at the end of the corridor.</p> + +<p>It was a night without a moon, but the electric lights +shone in the street below. Something caused Merry to +turn his head and look to his left.</p> + +<p>What was that?</p> + +<p>Close against the face of the outer wall something +dangled.</p> + +<p>A sudden eagerness seized him. He leaned far out of +the window, doing so at no small risk, and reached along +the wall toward the object. With the tip of his fingers +he grasped it and drew it toward him.</p> + +<p>It was a rope!</p> + +<p>“The mystery is solved!” muttered Frank, with satisfaction. +“This explains how the fellow entered my +room.”</p> + +<p>He shook the rope and looked upward. He could see +that it ran over the sill of a window two stories above.</p> + +<p>“Did he come down from there? Should have thought +he would have selected a window directly over this. And +did he climb back up this swaying, loosely dangling +rope?”</p> + +<p>Frank wondered not a little. And then, as he was +leaning out of his window, the light of the street lamps +showed him that a window beyond the dangling rope, on +a level with his, was standing open.</p> + +<p>The sight gave Merry a new idea.</p> + +<p>“I believe I understand how the trick was worked,” he +muttered.</p> + +<p>“That must explain how the fellow was able to vanish +so swiftly while my head was covered by the bedclothes. +With the aid of this rope, he swung out from his window +and into mine. He could do it easily and noiselessly. +While my head was covered, he plunged out of the window, +caught the rope, and swung back. That’s it!”</p> + +<p>Frank drew his head in quickly, but he still clung to +the end of the rope. This he drew in and lay over the +sill.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” he decided, “that is the way the fellow escaped. +He had the rope right here, so that he could catch it in a +moment, and, grasping it, he plunged outward through +the window. His momentum carried him right across +and into the other window. It was a reckless thing to do, +but perfectly practical.”</p> + +<p>Then he remembered how he had heard, while standing +with his back against his own door, the door of an +adjoining room open and close, followed by the sound +of swift footsteps passing outside.</p> + +<p>“That was when he left his room,” Merry decided.</p> + +<p>It did not take Frank long to resolve to explore that +room—to seek for some clew to the identity of the masked +intruder.</p> + +<p>With the aid of the rope, he could swing into the open +window; with its aid he could swing back to his own +room.</p> + +<p>He would do it.</p> + +<p>Of course, Merry realized what a rash thing he was +about to do. Of course he understood that he might be +rushing to the waiting arms of his late antagonist.</p> + +<p>Still he was not deterred. All his curiosity was +aroused, and he was bent on discovering the identity of +the man, if such a thing were possible.</p> + +<p>He grasped the rope and climbed upon the window sill. +Looking out, he carefully calculated the distance to the +next window and the momentum he would require to take +him there. Having decided this, he prepared to make the +swing.</p> + +<p>And then, just at the very instant that he swung off +from the window sill, he heard a hoarse, triumphant +laugh above.</p> + +<p>He looked up.</p> + +<p>Out of the window from which ran the rope, a man +was leaning. In his hand was something on which the +light from the street lamps glinted.</p> + +<p>It was a knife!</p> + +<p>With that knife the wretch, whose face was covered +by a mask, gave a slash at the rope, just as Merry swung +off from the sill.</p> + +<p>With a twang, the rope parted!</p> + +<p>It was sixty feet to the street below.</p> + +<p>Frank fell.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink12'>CHAPTER XII.—THE NAME ON THE REGISTER.</h2> + +<p>Not far, however, for he released the rope and shot +out his arms. He had swung across so that he was opposite +the open window when the rope was cut.</p> + +<p>Merriwell knew all his peril at the instant when he +swung from the sill of his own window, but it was too +late for him to keep himself from being carried out by +the rope.</p> + +<p>In a twinkling, his one thought was to reach the other +window quickly, knowing he would be dashed to death on +the paving below if he did not. He flung himself toward +that window, just as the rope parted. His arms shot in +over the sill, and there he dangled.</p> + +<p>Down past his head shot the rope, twisting and writhing +in the air, like a snake. He heard it strike on the +sidewalk in front of the hotel.</p> + +<p>An exclamation of rage broke from the lips of the +man in the window above, for he realized that Frank had +not fallen with the rope.</p> + +<p>He leaned far out, lifted his arm, made a quick motion, +and something went gleaming and darting through +the air.</p> + +<p>He had flung the knife at Frank.</p> + +<p>It missed Merriwell, shot downward, and struck with +a ringing clang on the stones below.</p> + +<p>“Missed!” snarled the man. “Well, I’ll get you yet!”</p> + +<p>Then Merriwell drew himself in at the window, and +the peril was past.</p> + +<p>No wonder he felt weak and limp. No wonder that +he was jarred and somewhat bewildered. It was a +marvel that he was not lying dead in the street below.</p> + +<p>Frank understood the full extent of the peril through +which he had passed, and a prayer welled from his lips.</p> + +<p>“Thank God!”</p> + +<p>He was grateful in his heart, and he felt that he had +been spared through the kindness of an all-wise Providence.</p> + +<p>It was some moments before he could stir. He lay on +the floor, panting, and regaining his strength.</p> + +<p>He heard no sound in the room, for all the noise he +had made in coming in, and more than ever he became +convinced that the room had been occupied by his desperate +enemy who had sought to destroy him that night.</p> + +<p>There was now no longer a doubt concerning the purpose +of the man who had gained admission to Frank’s +room. The fellow had not come there for plunder, but for +the purpose of harming Merriwell.</p> + +<p>Frank rose and sought the gas jet, which he lighted. +Then he looked around.</p> + +<p>Somehow, it seemed that the room had been occupied +that night, although the bed was undisturbed, showing +that no person had slept in it.</p> + +<p>Frank fancied that his enemy had sat by the window, +waiting, waiting till he felt sure Merry was sound asleep.</p> + +<p>And Frank had been sleeping soundly. He realized +that, and he knew something had caused him to awaken, +just in time.</p> + +<p>What was it? Was it some good spirit that hovered +near to protect him?</p> + +<p>He looked all round the room, but could find nothing +that served as a clew to the identity of the man who had +occupied the apartment.</p> + +<p>But the register would tell to whom the room had +been let.</p> + +<p>Having decided to go down and look the register over, +Frank wondered how he was to get back into his own +room, for the door was locked and bolted on the inside.</p> + +<p>He went to the window and looked out. There was +no way for him to reach his window now that the rope +had been cut.</p> + +<p>“And I should not be surprised if I am locked in this +room,” thought Merry.</p> + +<p>Investigation showed, however, that the door was unlocked, +and he was able to step out into the corridor.</p> + +<p>But there he was, shut out from his own room by lock +and bolt, and dressed in nothing but a suit of pajamas.</p> + +<p>The adventure had assumed a ludicrous aspect. Frank +wondered what he could do. It was certain that they +would not break into his room at that hour of the night, +for the sound of bursting the bolt would disturb other +sleepers.</p> + +<p>The watchman came down the corridor. He saw +Frank and came onward with haste, plainly wondering +what Merry was doing there.</p> + +<p>“Look here,” said Frank, “I want to know the name +of the man who occupies No. 231, this room next to +mine.”</p> + +<p>“What is the matter?” asked the watchman.</p> + +<p>“This person has disturbed me,” said Frank, truthfully. +“I am not going to raise a kick about it to-night, +but I shall report it to the clerk in the morning.”</p> + +<p>“Does he snore loudly?” inquired the watchman. “I +didn’t think you could hear through those partitions.”</p> + +<p>“Here,” said Frank, who had seen the watchman before, +“you know me. My name is Merriwell. I haven’t +a cent in these pajamas, but I’ll give you two dollars in +the morning if you will go down to the office, look on the +register, find out who occupies No. 231, and come back +here and tell me.”</p> + +<p>Now it happened that Frank had given the watchman +fifty cents the night before to do something for him, and +so the man was persuaded to go down to the office, although +it is quite probable that he did not expect to see +the promised two dollars in the morning.</p> + +<p>Frank waited.</p> + +<p>The watchman came back after a time.</p> + +<p>“Well,” asked Merry, “did you look on the register and +find out the name of the man who was given No. 231?”</p> + +<p>“I did,” nodded the watchman.</p> + +<p>“What is his name?”</p> + +<p>“William Shakespeare Burns,” was the astonishing +answer.</p> + +<p>Frank staggered. He told the watchman he had made +a mistake, but the man insisted that he had not. That +was enough to excite Merry more than anything that had +happened to date.</p> + +<p>Could it be that Burns, the old actor, whom he had +befriended, had sought his life?</p> + +<p>It did not seem possible.</p> + +<p>If it were true, then, beyond a doubt, the man had been +bribed to do the deed by some person who remained in +the background.</p> + +<p>It did not take Frank long to tell the watchman what +had happened. The man could scarcely believe it. He +seemed to regard Merriwell as somewhat deranged.</p> + +<p>“If you do not think I am telling the truth,” said +Merry, “get your keys and try my door. If you are able +to open it, I shall be greatly pleased.”</p> + +<p>The watchman did so, but he could not open the door +of the room.</p> + +<p>“Now,” said Merry, “to make yourself doubly sure, +go down to the sidewalk in front of the hotel and you +will find the rope there.”</p> + +<p>The man went down and found the rope. He came +back greatly agitated.</p> + +<p>“This is a most astonishing occurrence,” he said. +“Never knew anything like it to happen here before.”</p> + +<p>“Keep your eyes open for the man who had No. 231,” +said Merry. “I am going to take that room and sleep +there the rest of the night. In the morning the door of +my room must be opened for me.”</p> + +<p>He went into that room, closed the door, locked it and +bolted it, closed and fastened the window, and went to +bed. Of course he did not go to sleep right away, but he +forced himself to do so, after a time, and he slept peacefully +till morning.</p> + +<p>In the morning Frank found the door of his room had +been forced, so he was able to go in immediately on +rising. He had been unable to obtain a room with a +private bath connected, but there was a bathroom directly +across the corridor, and he took his morning “dip,” +coming out as bright as a new dollar.</p> + +<p>But the mystery of the midnight intruder weighed +heavily on Merry. He felt that he would give anything +to solve it, and it must be solved in some manner.</p> + +<p>Bart came around before breakfast, and he found Merriwell +standing in the middle of his room, scowling at +the carpet. Frank was so unlike his accustomed self that +Hodge was astounded.</p> + +<p>“What’s happened?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“One of the most singular adventures of my life,” answered +Frank, and he proceeded to tell Bart everything.</p> + +<p>“Singular!” cried Hodge. “I should say so! You +are dead in luck to be alive!”</p> + +<p>“I consider myself so,” confessed Merry; “but I would +give any sum to know who entered my room last night. +Of course the name on the register was false.”</p> + +<p>“Are you certain?”</p> + +<p>“Certain! Great Scott! You do not fancy for an instant +that Burns was the man, do you?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I do!”</p> + +<p>“You mean you think you do.”</p> + +<p>“No; I mean that I know. Burns was not the man.”</p> + +<p>“How do you know?”</p> + +<p>“Why, hang it, Hodge! Why should that unfortunate +old fellow wish to harm me, who has been his friend?”</p> + +<p>“Somebody may have hired him to do it.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you’re daffy on that point! Reason will teach +you that. If it had been Burns, he would not have registered +under his own name. But I absolutely know it was +not Burns I encountered. Besides being ridiculous that +a man of his years and habits should venture to enter my +room in such a manner, the man whom I encountered +was supple, strong, and quick as a flash. Burns could +not have fought like that; he could not have escaped in +such an astonishing manner.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, well, perhaps not,” admitted Hodge, who seemed +reluctant to give up. “But I have warned you against +Burns all along, and——”</p> + +<p>“Oh, drop him now! Somebody else is trying to injure +the poor fellow. I want to know who did the job last +night, and W. S. Burns will not be able to tell me anything.”</p> + +<p>Bart had no more to say, and they went down to breakfast +together.</p> + +<p>Of course the hotel people promised to do everything +possible to discover who had made the assault, but Frank +had little confidence in their ability to accomplish anything. +In fact, he believed the time had passed to do +anything, for it seemed that his enemy had escaped from +the hotel without leaving a trace behind him.</p> + +<p>Frank thought over the list of enemies who had sought +to injure him since he entered theatricals, and he was +startled. Three of his enemies were dead. Arthur +Sargent had been drowned; Percy Lockwell was lynched, +and Leslie Lawrence met his death in the quicksands of +Big Sandy River. Of his living enemies, who might be +desperate enough to enter his room and seek to harm +him Philip Scudder stood alone.</p> + +<p>Where was Scudder? Was he in Denver? If so——</p> + +<p>“If so, he is the man!” decided Frank.</p> + +<p>Merry resolved to be on his guard, for something told +him another attempt would be made against him.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink13'>CHAPTER XIII.—THE RACE.</h2> + +<p>All that forenoon he worked in the theater setting up +the new mechanical arrangement, which had been completed, +and preparing for the rehearsal that afternoon.</p> + +<p>Rehearsal time came, and the members of the company +assembled.</p> + +<p>All but Burns.</p> + +<p>He was missing.</p> + +<p>“What do you think about it now?” asked Bart, grimly.</p> + +<p>“The same as I thought before,” declared Frank. +“Burns was almost broken-hearted at rehearsal yesterday. +It is possible he may not come to-day, for you know he +wished to be released.”</p> + +<p>“Ah,” said a sad voice, as the person in question appeared; +“it is necessity that brings me. I fain would +have remained away, but I need the money, and I must +do that which my heart revolts against.”</p> + +<p>“I believed you would come,” said Frank, greeting the +old tragedian. “You will get used to the part after +a while. It is better to make people laugh than to make +them weep.”</p> + +<p>“But it is too late for me to turn myself into a clown.”</p> + +<p>“Where did you stay last night?” asked Merry.</p> + +<p>“At my humble lodgings,” was the answer.</p> + +<p>“A man by your name registered at the hotel where +I stop, and had the room next to mine. Is it possible +there are two William Shakespeare Burns in the city of +Denver?”</p> + +<p>The old man drew himself up, thrusting his hand into +the bosom of his coat, with his familiar movement of +dignity.</p> + +<p>“There is but one,” he said—“but one real William +Shakespeare Burns in the whole world! I am he!”</p> + +<p>“But you were not at the hotel last night?”</p> + +<p>“Of a certainty I was not. To that I will pledge mine +honor. If another was there under my name, he is an impostor.”</p> + +<p>Frank was satisfied, but Bart was not; or, if Hodge +was satisfied, he would not confess it.</p> + +<p>The rehearsal began. Frank had engaged some people +to work the mechanical arrangement used in the third act, +and they had been drilled and instructed by Havener.</p> + +<p>The first act went off well, the storm at the conclusion +being worked up in first-class style. Scarcely a word of +that act had Frank altered, so there was very little trouble +over it.</p> + +<p>The second act was likewise a success, Havener finding +it necessary to interrupt and give instructions but twice.</p> + +<p>Then came the third act, which Merry had almost entirely +rewritten. In that act the burlesque tragedian was +given an opportunity, and Burns showed that he had his +lines very well, although he ran over them after the +style of the old-time professional who disdains to do +much more than repeat the words till the dress rehearsal +comes.</p> + +<p>The third act was divided into three scenes, the second +scene being an exterior, showing the river in the distance, +lined by a moving, swaying mass of people. Along the +river raced the three boats representing Yale, Harvard +and Cornell. Keeping pace with them on the shore was +the observation train, black with a mass of spectators. As +the boats first came on, Harvard had a slight lead, but +Yale spurted on appearing, and when they passed from +view Yale was leading slightly.</p> + +<p>All this was a mechanical arrangement made to represent +boats, a train, the river, and the great crowd of +spectators. The rowers in the boats were inanimate objects, +but they worked with such skill that it was hard to +believe they were not living and breathing human beings. +Even the different strokes of the three crews had been +imitated.</p> + +<p>This arrangement was an invention of Merriwell’s +own. In fact, it was more of an optical illusion than anything +else, but it was most remarkable in its results, for, +from the front of the house, a perfect representation of +the college boat race appeared to be taking place in the +distance on the stage.</p> + +<p>Havener was a man who said very little, but he showed +excitement and enthusiasm as this scene was being +worked out.</p> + +<p>When the boats had disappeared, the stage grew dark, +and there was a quick “shift” to the interior of the Yale +boathouse. The entire front of the house, toward the +river, had been flung wide open. Behind the scenes the +actors who were not on the stage at the moment and the +supers hurrahed much like the cheering of a vast multitude. +Whistles shrieked, and then the three boats shot +into view, with Yale still in the lead. The characters on +the stage proper, in the boathouse, had made it known +that the finish was directly opposite the boathouse, and +so, when the boats flew across with Yale in advance, it +was settled that the blue had won.</p> + +<p>Then Frank Merriwell, who had escaped from scheming +enemies, and rowed in the race for all the attempts to +drug him, was brought on by his admirers, and with +the Yale cheer of victory, the curtain came down.</p> + +<p>Roscoe Havener came rushing onto the stage and +caught Frank Merriwell by the hand, crying:</p> + +<p>“Merriwell, you are a genius! I want to say right +here that I have doubted the practicability of this invention +of yours, but now I confess that it is the greatest +thing I ever saw. Your sawmill invention in ‘John +Smith’ was great, but this lays way over it! You should +make your fortune with this, but you must protect it.”</p> + +<p>“I shall apply for a patent on the mechanism,” said +Frank. “I am having a working model made for that +purpose.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right. You have your chance to make a fortune, +and I believe you can make it with this piece.”</p> + +<p>“It is a chance,” agreed Frank, gravely; “but I shall +take it for better or worse. I am going into this thing +to make or break. I’ve got some money, and I’ll sink +every dollar I’m worth in the attempt to float this piece.”</p> + +<p>Frank spoke with quiet determination.</p> + +<p>Hodge stood near and nodded his approval and satisfaction.</p> + +<p>“It’s great, Merry,” he said, in approval. “It’s something +new, too. You will not have any trouble over this, +the way you did about the sawmill scene.”</p> + +<p>“I hope not.”</p> + +<p>Cassie Lee, the little soubrette, who was engaged to +Havener, found an opportunity to get hold of Frank’s +hand. She gave it a warm pressure.</p> + +<p>“I’m so glad!” she whispered, looking into his eyes. +“If Ross says it will go, you can bet it will! He knows +his business. I’ve been waiting for him to express himself +about it, and, now that he has, I feel better. You +are right in it, Frank! I think you are a dandy!”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Cassie,” smiled Frank, looking down at +her.</p> + +<p>And even though he liked Cassie, who had always been +his friend, he was thinking at that moment of another +little girl who was far away, but whom he had once hoped +would create the part in “True Blue” that had been given +to Cassie.</p> + +<p>In the fourth act Frank had skillfully handled the +“fall” of the play, keeping all in suspense as he worked +out the problem, one of the chief arts of successful +play constructing. Too often a play falls to pieces at +once after the grand climax is reached, and the final act +is obviously tacked on to lengthen it out.</p> + +<p>This one fault Frank had worked hard to avoid, and +he had succeeded with masterly skill, even introducing a +new element of suspense into the final act.</p> + +<p>Merry had noticed that, in these modern days, the +audience sniffs the “and-lived-happy-forever-after” conclusion +of a play from afar, and there was always a +rustling to get hats and coats and cloaks some moments +before the end of most plays. To avoid this, he determined +to end his play suddenly and in an original manner. +This he succeeded in doing in a comedy scene, but +not until the last speech was delivered was the suspense +entirely relieved.</p> + +<p>Havener, who could not write a play to save his life, +but who understood thoroughly the construction of a +piece, and was a discriminating critic, was nearly as well +pleased by the end of the piece as by the mechanical +effect in the third act.</p> + +<p>“If this play does not make a big hit I shall call myself +a chump,” he declared. “I was afraid of it in its +original form, but the changes have added to it the elements +it needed to become immensely popular.”</p> + +<p>When the rehearsal was over Cassie Lee found Burns +seated on a property stump behind the scenes, his face +bowed on his hands, his attitude that of one in deep +sorrow.</p> + +<p>“Now, what’s the matter with you?” she asked, not +unkindly. “Are you sick?”</p> + +<p>The old tragedian raised his sad face and spoke:</p> + +<p> +         “‘Join not with grief, fair woman, do not so,<br/> +         To make my end too sudden; learn good soul,<br/> +         To think our former state a happy dream;<br/> +         From which awaked, the truth of what we are<br/> +         Shews to us but this: I am sworn brother, sweet,<br/> +         To grim necessity; and he and I<br/> +         Will keep a league till death.’”<br/> +</p> + +<p>There was something strangely impressive in the old +man’s words and manner, and the laugh she tried to +force died on Cassie’s lips.</p> + +<p>“I s’pose that’s Shakespeare you are giving me,” she +said. “I don’t go much on Shake. He was all right in +his day, but his day is past, and he won’t go down with +people in general now. The public wants something up +to date, like this new play of Merriwell’s, for instance.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, yes,” sighed Burns; “I think you speak the truth. +In these degenerate days the vulgar rabble must be fed +with what it can understand. The rabble’s meager intellects +do not fathom the depths of the immortal poet’s +thoughts, but its eyes can behold a mechanical arrangement +that represents a boat race, and I doubt not that +the groundlings will whoop themselves hoarse over it.”</p> + +<p>“That’s the stuff!” nodded Cassie. “That’s what we +want, for I rather reckon Mr. Merriwell is out for the +dust.”</p> + +<p>“The dust! Ah, sordid mortals! All the world, to-day, +seems ‘out for the dust.’”</p> + +<p>“Well, I rather think that’s right. What do you want, +anyway? If you have plenty to eat and drink and wear +you’re in luck.”</p> + +<p> +                                       “‘What is a man<br/> +       If his chief good and market of his time<br/> +       Be but to sleep and feed? A beast, no more.’”<br/> +</p> + +<p>“That’s all right; but just think of the ones who can’t +get all they want to eat, and who are driven to work like +dogs, day after day, without ever getting enough sleep +to rest them.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, but few of them have hopes or aspirations. They +are worms of the earth.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I don’t know! I reckon some of them are as +good as anybody, but they’re down on their luck. The +world has gone against them.”</p> + +<p>“But they have never climbed to the heights, only to +slip back to the depths. Then is when the world turns +dark.”</p> + +<p>The old tragedian bowed his head again, and, feeling +that she could say nothing to cheer him up, Cassie left +him there.</p> + +<p>Frank came in later, and had a talk with Burns. The +old man acknowledged that he believed the play would +be a success, but he bemoaned his fate to be forced to +play a part so repulsive to him. Merry assured him that +he would get over that in time, and succeeded in putting +some spirit into the old fellow.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink14'>CHAPTER XIV.—FRANK’S NEW COMEDIAN.</h2> + +<p>The day came for the great dress rehearsal of “True +Blue,” to which the theatrical people of Denver, the +newspaper men, and a great number of prominent people +had been invited.</p> + +<p>Frank had determined on this course at great expense, +but he believed he would be repaid for the outlay.</p> + +<p>His chief object was to secure good newspaper notices +and recommendations from the theater managers in the +city.</p> + +<p>It was to be an afternoon performance, so that it +would not interfere with any of the regular theatrical +attractions to play in town that night.</p> + +<p>Early in the day Hodge advised Frank to keep a sharp +watch on Burns.</p> + +<p>“Don’t let him have any money, Merry. He fancies +he will have to go through a terrible ordeal this afternoon, +and he wishes to brace up for it. If he gets all +he wants to drink, he will be loaded to the muzzle when +the time comes to play.”</p> + +<p>Frank feared this, and so, when Burns appealed to +him for money, he refused the old man, telling him he +could have some after the performance.</p> + +<p>Then Merry set Gallup to watch the tragedian.</p> + +<p>Frank was at work in the theater, where various +members of the company were practicing specialties, and +the stage hands were arranging everything so that there +would be no hitch about the performance.</p> + +<p>Within thirty minutes after Gallup was set to watch +the old actor, he came to Frank in a hurry, saying:</p> + +<p>“If you want to keep Mr. Burns sober, I advise yeou +to come with me an’ git him aout of a grog shop daown +the street, Merry.”</p> + +<p>“What’s that?” exclaimed Frank. “Why, he hasn’t +the money to buy liquor, even if he has gone into a +saloon.”</p> + +<p>“He won’t hev to buy it, I guess.”</p> + +<p>“Why not?”</p> + +<p>“Well, I saw two men pick him up an’ take him inter +the gin mill. They axed him would he come in an’ have +somethin’ with them.”</p> + +<p>“Did he know them?”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t seem ter. He looked kainder s’prised, but he +accepted the invite in a hurry.”</p> + +<p>“Then it is time that we looked after him,” nodded +Merry, grimly. “Show me where he has gone, Ephraim.”</p> + +<p>Hodge followed them. They left the theater and hurried +along the street to a saloon.</p> + +<p>“He went in here,” said Ephraim.</p> + +<p>Without a word, Frank entered.</p> + +<p>The moment Merry was within the place he saw Burns +standing near the bar, while a crowd had gathered around +him. The old man had placed his hat on the bar, tossed +back his long, black hair, which was streaked with gray, +struck a pose, and was just beginning to declaim from +Shakespeare.</p> + +<p>“Go it, old chap!” cried a half-intoxicated man. “We’ll +put up the red eye for you as long as you will spout.”</p> + +<p>The old man’s voice rang out clear and strong. His +pronunciation was perfect, and his enunciation clear and +distinct. Involuntarily Merry paused a moment to listen. +At that moment it came to Frank that Burns might, beyond +a doubt, have been an actor of no small merit had he +eschewed drink and followed his ambition with unswerving +purpose. For the first time Merry fully appreciated +the outraged feelings of the old fellow who was compelled +to burlesque the tragedian on the stage.</p> + +<p>Frank strode forward into the crowd, followed by his +friends.</p> + +<p>“Burns,” he said, quietly, interrupting the old man, “I +want you to come with me.”</p> + +<p>The aged actor stopped speaking, all the dignity seemed +to melt from him in a moment, and he reached for his hat, +murmuring:</p> + +<p>“I merely came in for one small bracer. I needed it, +and the gentlemen were good enough to invite me.”</p> + +<p>“Here!” coarsely cried a man. “What’s this mean? +Who’s this that’s comin’ here to spoil our fun?”</p> + +<p>“Throw the feller out!” cried another.</p> + +<p>Growls of anger came from the others gathered about, +and they crowded nearer.</p> + +<p>“Look out for trouble!” whispered Hodge, in Frank’s +ear.</p> + +<p>“Get out of here,” ordered the first speaker, confronting +Merry. “We’re bein’ entertained.”</p> + +<p>“I beg your pardon—gentlemen,” said Merry, smoothly, +hesitating slightly before the final word. “There are +reasons why I come here to take Mr. Burns with me. I +am sorry to spoil your entertainment, but it is necessary.”</p> + +<p>“Is the old fellow bound out to you?” sneeringly, asked +one. “Do you own him?”</p> + +<p>“No man owns me!” cried the tragedian, drawing himself +up and staring round. “I am my own master.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet you don’t dare take another drink,” said the +man, quickly thrusting a brimming glass of whisky toward +Burns. “You’re afraid of the young gent.”</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid of nobody,” declared Burns, eagerly reaching +for the glass. “I have drunk all I could get, and I always +shall, for all of anybody.”</p> + +<p>“That’s the talk!”</p> + +<p>“Down with it!”</p> + +<p>“Take your medicine!”</p> + +<p>“You’re the boy!”</p> + +<p>The crowd shouted its approval.</p> + +<p>Burns lifted the glass.</p> + +<p>Frank’s hand fell gently on his arm.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Burns,” he said, swiftly, “I ask you as a particular +favor not to drink that liquor. I ask you as a gentleman +not to do it.”</p> + +<p>Merry knew how to appeal to the old man in a manner +that would touch the right spot. Burns looked straight +into Frank’s eyes an instant, and then he placed the glass +on the bar.</p> + +<p>“If you ask me that way,” he said, “ten thousand +fiends cannot force me to touch the stuff!”</p> + +<p>There was a groan from the crowd.</p> + +<p>“The old duffer caves!” sneered one man. “He hasn’t +any backbone.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, say!” sibilated Hodge, in Merry’s ear; “get him +out of here in a hurry! I can’t stand much of this! I +feel like thumping a few of these ruffians.”</p> + +<p>“Steady!” cautioned Frank. “We do not want to get +into a barroom brawl if we can avoid it.”</p> + +<p>“They’re a purty darn tough-lookin’ craowd,” muttered +Ephraim.</p> + +<p>“Why wouldn’t it be a purty good thing fer ther young +chaps all ter take a drink?” suggested somebody.</p> + +<p>“That’s right!” cried the leader. “I’ll stand for them +all, and the actor shall drink with them.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t let them git out, gents, till they’ve taken their +bitters.”</p> + +<p>The rough men hemmed them in.</p> + +<p>“I fear you are in an unfortunate predicament,” said +Burns. “You will have to drink with them.”</p> + +<p>“I never drink,” said Merry, quietly.</p> + +<p>“Yer can’t refuse here,” declared the man who had +offered to buy the drinks. “It’s a mortal insult ter refuse +ter drink hyar.”</p> + +<p>“I never took a drink in my life, gentlemen,” said +Merriwell, speaking calmly, and distinctly, “and I shall +not begin now. You will have to excuse me.”</p> + +<p>He started to force his way through the crowd. A hand +reached out to clutch him, and he wheeled like a flash toward +the man, at whom he pointed squarely, crying:</p> + +<p>“Take off that false beard! If you are a man, show +your face! You are in disguise! I believe you are a +criminal who does not dare show his face!”</p> + +<p>His ringing words drew the attention of the crowd to +the man whom he accused.</p> + +<p>Merry improved the opportunity and hurried his friends +and Burns toward the door. Before the gang was aware +of it, they were out of the saloon, and Frank breathed his +relief.</p> + +<p>Not till they had reached the theater did a thought come +to Frank that made him regret his hasty departure from +the saloon.</p> + +<p>“Heavens!” he exclaimed. “I believe the man who +wore the false beard was the same one who entered my +room at the hotel by means of the rope!”</p> + +<p>He dashed back to the saloon, followed by Hodge and +Gallup; but when he reached the place nearly all the +crowd had left, the man he sought having departed with +the others.</p> + +<p>Frank was disappointed. He learned at the saloon that +the accused man had not removed the beard, but had +sneaked out in a hurry after Frank was gone.</p> + +<p>Returning to the theater, Merry was informed that +Burns was behaving strangely.</p> + +<p>“He seems to be doped,” declared Hodge. “I think he +has been drugged.”</p> + +<p>Burns was in a dressing room, and Havener was working +to keep the man awake, although the old actor was +begging to be allowed to sleep.</p> + +<p>As soon as Frank saw him he dispatched one of the supers +for a physician.</p> + +<p>The doctor came and gave Burns a powerful emetic, +following that with a dose of medicine that seemed to +brace the man up. Thus Burns was pulled into shape for +the afternoon performance, although Frank realized that +he had very nearly wrecked everything.</p> + +<p>Burns remained in the theater, and lunch was brought +him there.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Merriwell,” he said, “I will surprise you by the +manner in which I’ll play my part this afternoon. It shall +be burlesque of a kind that’ll satisfy you.”</p> + +<p>The performance was to begin at two o’clock. Some +time before that people began to arrive, and they came fast. +At two o’clock there were nearly five hundred persons in +the auditorium.</p> + +<p>The company was all made up and waiting behind the +scenes.</p> + +<p>Cassie Lee started to find Frank to ask him how he +liked her make-up. In a corner behind the scenes she +saw a man stopping near a mass of piled-up scenery. +Something about the man’s appearance and his actions +attracted her attention. She saw him pick up a can and +pour some of the contents on the scenery. Then he +crouched down there, taking a match safe from his pocket.</p> + +<p>In a moment it dawned on Cassie that the fellow was +up to deviltry. He had saturated the scenery with oil, +and he was about to set it on fire!</p> + +<p>Cassie screamed, and Frank Merriwell, who was near +at hand, heard her. He came bounding to the spot, just +as the startled man lighted his match.</p> + +<p>“Quick, Frank!” cried Cassie. “He’s setting the scenery +afire!”</p> + +<p>Frank saw the fellow and leaped at him. The scenery +flared up where the match had touched it. Then the fire +bug turned to run.</p> + +<p>Merriwell was on him, had him, hurled him down.</p> + +<p>“No, you don’t, you dog!” grated Frank. “You shall +pay for this dastardly trick!”</p> + +<p>Cassie, with rare presence of mind, caught up a rug, +which happened to be near, and beat out the fire before it +had gained much headway.</p> + +<p>A terrible struggle was going on between Frank and +the man he had captured. The fellow was fighting with +all his strength to hurry off and escape.</p> + +<p>“No, you don’t!” came through Merriwell’s teeth. “I +know you! You are the chap who entered my room! +You it was who attempted to drug Burns so that this performance +would be ruined! And now you have made a +fatal mistake by attempting to fire the theater. I have +you, and I shall hold you. You will be safely lodged behind +prison bars for this trick.”</p> + +<p>“Curse you!” panted the man.</p> + +<p>“That does not hurt me,” said Merry. “Now, be quiet.”</p> + +<p>He pinned the fellow to the floor and held him till others +came up. Then the man’s hands were tied.</p> + +<p>“Now, we’ll have a look at him,” said Merry, rolling the +captive over on his back and pulling the old hat from his +head.</p> + +<p>Then he gave a cry of amazement, staggering back.</p> + +<p>Hodge was there, and he was no less astounded.</p> + +<p>Gallup was speechless with astonishment and incredulity.</p> + +<p>“The dead alive!” cried Frank.</p> + +<p>The man he had captured was the one he believed beneath +the quicksands of Big Sandy River, Leslie Lawrence!</p> + +<p>“I’m not dead yet!” grated Lawrence. “Fowler went +down in the quicksands, but I managed to float away. I +hid under the river’s bank, and there I stayed, like a +hunted wolf, till you gave up looking for me. I swore to +settle the score with you, but——”</p> + +<p>“You tried hard enough. You were the one who entered +my room at the hotel.”</p> + +<p>“Was I? Prove it.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t have to. The job you tried to do here is +enough. That will put you safely away. Somebody call +an officer.”</p> + +<p>An officer was called, and Lawrence was taken away.</p> + +<p>The audience in front had heard some of the commotion +behind the scenes and had grown rather restless, but +they were soon calmed. An orchestra was on hand to +play, and everything was carried out as if it had been a +regular performance.</p> + +<p>The first act went off well, and it received mild applause. +The second act seemed to take full better, but still, the audience +had not been aroused to any great show of enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>Then came the third act. The first surprise was Burns. +He literally convulsed the audience by the manner in +which he burlesqued the Shakespearian tragedian. He astonished +Frank, for Merry had not dreamed the old actor +could be so intensely funny. Even Hodge was seen to +smile once!</p> + +<p>When Burns came off after doing an exceptionally +clever piece of work, which caused the audience to applaud +most heartily, Frank met him and grasped his hand, +saying:</p> + +<p>“My dear Mr. Burns, you have made the comedy hit of +the piece! Your salary shall be fifty dollars a week, instead +of forty.”</p> + +<p>But William Shakespeare Burns burst into tears, sobbing +brokenly:</p> + +<p>“The comedy hit of the piece! And I have broken my +own heart!”</p> + +<p>It was impossible to cheer him up.</p> + +<p>The boat race followed swiftly, and it wrought the audience +up to a high pitch of enthusiasm and excitement. +When the curtain came down, there was a perfect shout +of applause, such as an enthusiastic Western audience +alone can give.</p> + +<p>“Frank Merriwell! Frank Merriwell!” was the cry +that went up from all parts of the house.</p> + +<p>Frank was obliged to come before the curtain and make +a speech, which he did gracefully and modestly. When +he was behind the curtain again, Havener had him by the +hand, saying:</p> + +<p>“You will get some rousing press notices to-morrow, +Merriwell! This play will be the hit of your life!”</p> + +<p>A manager of one of the local theaters came behind +the scenes and offered Frank three thousand dollars for +the piece. When Frank declined, the man promptly made +it five thousand, but even that sum was not accepted.</p> + +<p>Then came the fourth act, in which Burns again appeared +as the burlesque tragedian. In this he was to repeat +a parody on <i>Hamlet’s</i> soliloquy, but, apparently, before +he was aware of it, he began to give the soliloquy +itself.</p> + +<p>In a moment the man had flung off the air of the clown. +He straightened to his full height, his eyes gleamed +with a strange fire, his chest heaved, and his voice sounded +clear as the ring of steel. He electrified every person who +heard him. With all the dramatic fire of a Booth, he +swung into the soliloquy, and a hush fell over the audience. +He held them spellbound, he swayed them at his +will, he thrilled them as never had they been thrilled. At +that moment William Shakespeare Burns was the tragedian +sublime, and it is probable that he reached such +heights as he had never before attained.</p> + +<p>He finished. It was over, and then, realizing what he +had done, he tottered off the stage.</p> + +<p>Then the audience applauded long and loud, trying to +call him back again; but behind the scenes he had fallen +into Frank Merriwell’s arms, faintly murmuring:</p> + +<p>“It is finished!”</p> + +<p>Frank bore the man to a dressing room. The play went +on to the end without a break, but it was not necessary for +Burns to enter again.</p> + +<p>When the curtain fell on the final act, Havener came +hurrying to Merry:</p> + +<p>“Burns wants to see you in the dressing room,” he +said. “You had better come at once.”</p> + +<p>Frank went there. The moment he saw the old actor, +who was reclining on some rugs, his face ashen, his eyes +looking dim and sunken still deeper into his head, Frank +said:</p> + +<p>“Somebody go for a doctor at once!”</p> + +<p>He knelt beside the man, and the old actor murmured:</p> + +<p>“It is useless to go for a doctor. I heard you tell them, +but it is—no use. I told you—my heart—was broken. I +spoke the—truth. It broke my heart when I—had to—burlesque——”</p> + +<p>His words died out in his throat.</p> + +<p>“He’s going!” somebody whispered, for the company +was gathered around.</p> + +<p>There was a brief silence, and then the old man seemed +to draw himself up with pride, as they had seen him do in +life.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir,” he said, distinctly, “my name is Burns—William +Shakespeare Burns—tragedian—at liberty.”</p> + +<p>The old eyes closed, a faint sigh escaped his bloodless +lips, and the old actor was “at liberty.”</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink15'>CHAPTER XV.—A NEWSPAPER NOTICE.</h2> + +<p>“Yesterday afternoon, through the courtesy of Manager +Frank Merriwell, an invited audience of at least five +hundred persons witnessed the first performance of Mr. +Merriwell’s revised and rewritten play at the Orpheum +Theater, and the verdict of that audience, which represented +the highest and most cultured element of Denver +society, was that the sprightly, sensational, four-act comedy +drama was a success in every way. The play, which +is now named ‘True Blue,’ was originally christened ‘For +Old Eli,’ and, after a single performance, Mr. Merriwell +withdrew it for the purpose of rewriting it, correcting certain +faults he had discovered, and strengthening one or +two weak points. As he wrote the piece, he was able to +do this work of reconstruction quickly and thoroughly, +and the result is a play of which he, as author, manager +and star performer, may well be proud. The following +is the cast:</p> + +<p> +       DICK TRUEHEART FRANK MERRIWELL<br/> +       Barry Hattleman Douglas Dunton<br/> +       Spruce Downing Rufus Small<br/> +       Crack Hyerman Bartley Hodge<br/> +       Reuben Grass Ephraim Gallup<br/> +       Manny Sizzwell William Wynne<br/> +       Prof. Gash Roscoe Havener<br/> +       Edwin Treadwell William Shakespeare Burns<br/> +       Carius Dubad Granville Garland<br/> +       Spike Dubad Lester Vance<br/> +       Millie Blossom Miss Cassie Lee<br/> +       Inez Dalton Miss Stella Stanley<br/> +       Nancy Noodle Miss Agnes Kirk<br/> +</p> + +<p>“College life is the principal theme of ‘True Blue,’ and +Mr. Merriwell, having studied at Yale, is quite capable of +catching the air and spirit of Old Eli, and reproducing it +on the stage. This he has done with a deftness and fidelity +that makes the play remarkable in its class, or, possibly +with greater accuracy, lifts it out of its class, for, up +to the production of this piece, all college plays have been +feeble attempts to catch the spirit of the life they represent, +or have descended into the realm of farce or burlesque.</p> + +<p>“While the author of ‘True Blue’ has written a play to +suit the popular fancy, he has not considered it necessary +to write down to the general public, and, for all of the +college slang, which of a necessity is used by several of +the characters, there is nothing offensive in the entire +piece—nothing to shock the sensibilties of the most refined. +The comedy in places is a trifle boisterous, but that +was to be expected, and it does not descend to mere buffoonery. +It is the kind of comedy at which the spectator +must laugh, even though he may resolve that he will not, +and, when it is all over, he feels better for his laughter, +instead of feeling foolish, as he does in many cases after +witnessing other ‘popular plays.’</p> + +<p>“The pathos strikes the right chord, and the strongest +situations and climaxes are stirring enough to thrill the +most sluggish blood. In some respects the story of the +play is rather conventional, but it is handled in a manner +that makes it seem almost new. Through the four acts +<i>Dick Trueheart</i>, the hero, is pursued by his enemies, <i>Carius +Dubad</i>, and his, worthy son, <i>Spike</i>, and on various +occasions they succeed in making things extremely unpleasant +for the popular young athlete.</p> + +<p>“Through two acts the villains pursue the hero, keeping +the audience on the <i>qui vive</i>.</p> + +<p>“The climax of the third act was the great sensational +feature of the play. In this act <i>Dick</i> escapes from his +enemies and all sorts of crafty snares, and is barely in +time to take his place in the Yale boat, which is to race +against Harvard and Cornell. <i>Carius Dubad</i> has appeared +on the scene, and, at the last moment, in order to +break <i>Dick’s</i> spirit, he reveals that <i>Dick’s</i> guardian has +squandered his fortune, so that the hero is penniless and +will be forced to leave college. For all of this revelation, +<i>Trueheart</i> enters the boat and aids in winning the race +against Harvard and Cornell, greatly to the discomfiture +of the villainous father and son, who have bet heavily +against Yale. Of course, Mr. Merriwell made Yale win +in his play. The mechanism that showed the boat race on +the distant river, the moving observation train, the swaying +crowds with waving flags, hats, and handkerchiefs, +was truly a most wonderful arrangement, and it filled the +spectators with admiration and astonishment. A quick +‘dark shift’ followed, and then the boats actually appeared, +with Yale the winner, and <i>Trueheart</i> was brought onto +the stage in the arms of his admiring fellow collegians, +while the curtain descended amid a burst of genuine enthusiastic +applause such as is seldom heard in any theater. +Mr. Merriwell was called before the curtain, and he made +a brief speech, which seemed modest and characteristic +of this young actor and playwright, who is certain to follow +a brilliant career on the American stage.</p> + +<p>“In the final act the hero was in straitened circumstances, +but all ends well, with the discomfiture of old +<i>Dubad</i> and his worthy son, and the final settlement of all +jealousies between the other characters.</p> + +<p>“Not only as author of the play, but as the star does +Frank Merriwell merit a full meed of credit and praise. +Although he is young and impulsive, and his acting might +not meet the approval of certain critics, there was a breeziness +and freshness about him that captivated and carried +the audience. It is said that he has never attended a +school of acting, and this may readily be believed, for +there is nothing affected, nothing stiff, nothing stilted and +mechanical about his work on the stage. In his case, at +least, it has been greatly to his advantage not to attend a +dramatic school. He is a born actor, and he must work +out his own methods without being hampered by convention +and instruction from those who believe in doing everything +by rule. He is a handsome young man, and his +stage presence is both striking and effective. Worthy of +note was it that he enunciated every word distinctly and +pronounced it correctly, in great contrast to many other +stars, who sometimes mangle speech in a most distressing +manner. He has a voice that seems in perfect keeping +with his splendid figure, being clear as a mellow bell, +full of force, and delightful to hear.</p> + +<p>“The work of Douglas Dunton as <i>Barry Hattleman</i> +was good. Mr. Small, who is a very large man, faithfully +portrayed <i>Spruce Downing</i>, the lazy student. <i>Crack +Hyerman</i>, the hot-blooded Southerner, as represented by +Bartley Hodge, who made the Southerner a thorough fire-eater, +who would fight for his ‘honor’ at the drop of the +hat. As <i>Reuben Grass</i>, Ephraim Gallup literally convulsed +the audience. Without doubt his delineation of +the Down-East Yankee was the best ever seen in Denver.</p> + +<p>“Miss Cassie Lee played the sweet and winsome <i>Millie +Blossom</i>, and her singing and dancing met approval. The +<i>Inez Dalton</i> of Miss Stanley was handled with great +skill, and she was jealous, passionate, resentful, and loving +in turn, and in a manner that seemed true to life. As +<i>Nancy Noodle</i>, an old maid in love with <i>Prof. Gash</i>, +Miss Agnes Kirk was acceptable.</p> + +<p>“And now comes the duty of mentioning a man who +was the surprise of the evening. His name was given on +the program as William Shakespeare Burns, and, as he +represented a burlesque tragedian, it was supposed that +the name was assumed. It has been learned, however, that +this is the name by which he was known in real life. Mr. +Burns first appeared in the second act, and as <i>Edwin +Treadwell</i>, the frayed, back-number tragedian, he literally +caused many of the audience to choke in the effort +to repress their uncontrollable laughter. At the close +of the third act, a local theatrical man declared that W. S. +Burns far excelled as a comedian anybody he had ever +seen essay a similar part. But the sensation came in the +fourth act, when the actor started to parody <i>Hamlet’s</i> soliloquy, +but seemed to forget himself and the parody together, +and swung into the original William Shakespeare. +The laughter died out, the audience sat spellbound, +scarcely breathing. The eyes of every person were fixed +on the actor, who went through the soliloquy to the end, +giving it with all the power of a Forrest or a Booth. As +the actor retired, the audience awoke, realized it had seen +and heard a man who was no clown, but a real tragedian, +and the applause was long and loud.</p> + +<p>“William Shakespeare Burns did not appear again on +the stage of that theater; he will not appear again on any +stage. He is dead! But few particulars have been learned +about him, but it seems that this was his first attempt to +play comedy—and his last. He regarded himself as the +equal of any interpreter of Shakespeare, living or dead, +but misfortune and his own weakness had never permitted +him to rise to the heights to which he aspired. Grim necessity +had compelled him to accept Mr. Merriwell’s offer +to play in ‘True Blue’ the part of the burlesque tragedian. +His heart and soul had rebelled against doing so, and +often at rehearsals he had wept with mortification after +going through with his part. His body was weakened by +privation. He declared last night that his heart was +broken. A few minutes after leaving the stage the last +time he expired in one of the dressing rooms of the theater. +Thus ended a life that might have been a grand success +but for the failings of weak human nature.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Merriwell will go on the road at once with ‘True +Blue.’ He has engaged a competent man to fill the place +made vacant by the death of Mr. Burns. His route for +some little time is booked, and he leaves Denver to-day for +Puelbo, where he opens to-morrow. The play, the star, +and the company merit success, and we hope Mr. Merriwell +will find it convenient to play a regular engagement +in this city before long. It is certain, if he does, he will be +greeted by packed houses.”—<i>Denver Herald and Advertiser.</i></p> + +<hr class='tb' /> + +<p>All the Denver papers contained notices of the performance, +but the one quoted was the longest and the most +elaborate. Not one of the notices was unfavorable. They +were enough to make the heart of any manager glad, and +it was not strange that Frank felt well satisfied.</p> + +<p>But he was inexpressibly saddened by the sudden and +tragic death of William Burns, for he had recognized the +genius in the old actor, who had been dragged down from +a highroad to prosperity and fame by the hands of the +relentless demon that has destroyed so many men of +genius, drink.</p> + +<p>On account of his bookings, Frank could not remain in +Denver to attend the funeral of the veteran tragedian, +but he resolved that Burns should be buried with all +honors, and he made arrangements for a suitable funeral.</p> + +<p>Of course, the papers announced the funeral, and, the +story of Burns’ remarkable death having become familiar +to all, the church was packed to the doors. The man +whose wretched life had promised a wretched death and a +nameless grave was buried without pomp, but with such +honors as might have been given to one well known and +highly esteemed.</p> + +<p>Above his grave a modest marble was placed, and chiseled +on it was a single line from the “Immortal Bard,” +whom he loved and understood and interpreted with the +faithfulness and fire of genius:</p> + +<p>“After life’s fitful fever, he sleeps well.”</p> + +<p>And every expense Frank Merriwell provided for. +Nothing was neglected; everything was done that good +taste and a good heart demanded.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink16'>CHAPTER XVI.—THE VEILED WOMAN.</h2> + +<p>As may be understood, the members of Frank’s company +were individually and collectively delighted with the +apparent success of the play and their efforts. Perhaps +Agnes Kirk was the only one who complained. She was +not at all pleased by the notices she obtained.</p> + +<p>Frank immediately secured a supply of Denver papers +and, marking the notices, mailed them to the managers of +theaters and the editors of papers along the route “True +Blue” was to follow.</p> + +<p>Then he had typewritten copies made of extracts from +these notices, which he added to his collection of press +notices already manufactured for advertising purposes, +and sent them on to his advance agent, who had been out +on the road several days.</p> + +<p>Frank knew how to work every point to the best advantage, +and he did not lose anything. He was tireless in his +efforts, and it was wonderful what an immense amount +of work he accomplished. No one knows how much he +can do till he makes the test.</p> + +<p>Hodge aided him as far as possible, and Frank found +Bart a valuable assistant. Hodge was fully as eager as +Merriwell for the play to be a great success.</p> + +<p>Frank had opened with the piece under its original name +in Puelbo, and it had met disaster there. He vowed that +he would return to that place with the play and make a +success of his engagement. He engaged the leading theater +in the city for three nights, being obliged to pay in +advance for it, as the manager had no confidence in the revised +play.</p> + +<p>Frank had been working the papers of the city. One +of them was edited by a remarkably genial gentleman by +the name of Osgood, and this editor had seen in the original +play material for a strong piece. He admired Merry’s +pluck in opening the second time in that city, and he literally +opened the columns of his paper to Frank, who telegraphed +down extracts from the Denver papers as soon +as the notices appeared.</p> + +<p>The house in Puelbo was to be well “papered” the first +night, but was to depend entirely on the drawing qualities +of the play for the audience on the following two nights.</p> + +<p>Frank was making a great hustle to get away from +Denver, and he was returning from the theater to his +hotel, after seeing the last of the special scenery moved to +the railroad station, when a heavily veiled woman stopped +directly in his path. As he was walking hastily, he nearly +ran against her.</p> + +<p>“I beg your pardon, madam!” exclaimed Frank, lifting +his hat. “Very awkward of me.”</p> + +<p>“Not at all,” she said, in a low voice, that was not unpleasant +nor unmusical. “You were hurrying, and I +stopped directly in your way. I am the one who should +beg to be excused.”</p> + +<p>“Not at all,” he hastened to say. “I assure you that it +was entirely on account of my awkwardness.”</p> + +<p>He was about to pass on, but her gloved hand fell on his +arm, and she said:</p> + +<p>“I wish to speak with you, Mr. Merriwell.”</p> + +<p>“You know me?” exclaimed Frank, surprised.</p> + +<p>“Indeed, I do. Why should I not? All Denver knows +you to-day.”</p> + +<p>“Am I so famous as that?” smiled Merry. “I fear you +flatter, madam.”</p> + +<p>“It is not flattery. You must not doubt my sincerity.”</p> + +<p>“Very well, I will not; but you must speak hastily, for I +have a train to catch in an hour and thirty minutes, and I +haven’t too much time to attend to all I have to do.”</p> + +<p>“But you must give me a little of your time—you really +must,” she said, persuasively, putting her hand on his arm +again. “If you will come with me—please do!”</p> + +<p>“Where?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I know a nice, quiet place, where we can talk.”</p> + +<p>Somehow Frank did not like her words or manner. A +feeling that there was something wrong about her came +over him.</p> + +<p>“Really, you must excuse me,” he said. “I have not the +time to go anywhere to talk. If you have anything to say +to me, you can say it here.”</p> + +<p>“Now, don’t be obstinate. You’ll not regret it if you +come.”</p> + +<p>“But I do not even know who you are. That veil——”</p> + +<p>“If you come, I may remove the veil,” she murmured.</p> + +<p>Frank drew back, so that her hand fell from his arm.</p> + +<p>“Madam,” he said, “you have placed me in a very awkward +position. I do not like to appear rude to a lady, +but——”</p> + +<p>“Of course you do not, and so you will grant my request. +It is a small matter.”</p> + +<p>“But not to me, for my time is valuable just now. I am +ready to hear anything you have to say, but you must say +it here.”</p> + +<p>“Would you keep a lady standing on the street?” she exclaimed, +with a slight show of resentment. “I cannot say +all I have to tell you in a minute.”</p> + +<p>“And I have explained that I cannot spare time to talk +over anything for more than a few moments. I think you +will have to excuse me. Good-day.”</p> + +<p>He lifted his hat and started to pass on, but again she +placed herself squarely in front of him, to his great annoyance.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Merriwell,” she said, “I have seen you on the +stage, and I admire you greatly. You will not be rude +to one of your admirers, I know. You are far too gallant +for that.”</p> + +<p>It was plain she sought to cajole him by flattery, and +that was the surest way to repulse him.</p> + +<p>“Is it possible she is one of those foolish women who +fall in love with actors?” Frank asked himself.</p> + +<p>Somehow she did not seem like that. There was nothing +of the giddy, gushing girl about her. He could not +see her face, but her figure was that of a matured woman, +and he judged that she must be twenty-five years old, at +least. It seemed, too, that there was a purpose in her +words and movements.</p> + +<p>But Frank resolved on action, for he had found that it +was useless to waste words talking to her. He made a +quick move to one side and passed her, intending to hasten +away.</p> + +<p>Barely had he done so when she flung her arms about +his neck and screamed loudly!</p> + +<p>Frank was astounded by this unexpected move of the +veiled woman.</p> + +<p>“She’s crazy!”</p> + +<p>That was the thought that flashed through Merry’s +mind.</p> + +<p>He realized that he was in an awkward predicament, +and he attempted to whirl about.</p> + +<p>The woman was very strong, and, having taken him +by surprise, she nearly threw him down. To save himself, +he caught hold of her.</p> + +<p>“Help!” she cried.</p> + +<p>Some men came running up.</p> + +<p>“Madam,” said Frank, hurriedly, “are you demented? +What is the meaning of this?”</p> + +<p>“You wretch!” she blazed. “Oh, you cowardly scoundrel, +to assault a lady on the public street in broad daylight!”</p> + +<p>“Surely you are——”</p> + +<p>“I saw him do it!” declared a little man, with red whiskers. +“I saw him assault you, madam.”</p> + +<p>“Call an officer!” palpitated the woman. “Quick, before +he gets away!”</p> + +<p>“He shall not get away,” declared a big man with a +crooked eye, glowering at Frank. “If he tries it, I’ll +attend to him!”</p> + +<p>“Looks like a would-be masher,” piped a slim man, +with a very long neck, ducking and nodding his head in +an odd manner. “He should be taught a lesson.”</p> + +<p>One or two others expressed themselves in a similar +manner.</p> + +<p>Frank had thought of making a break and hastening +away, but now he saw it would not do, for he would have +a howling mob at his heels the instant he attempted such +a move. He realized it would seem cowardly to run +away in such a manner, and would look like a confession +of guilt, which caused him to decide to stay and face it +out, even though the predicament was most embarrassing.</p> + +<p>“Gentlemen,” he said, looking squarely at them, and +seeming to pay very little attention to the mysterious +woman, even though he was perfectly on his guard, not +knowing what move she might make next, “I trust you +will give me a chance to explain what has happened.”</p> + +<p>“Explain it in the police court,” growled the big man +with a crooked eye. “That’s the proper place for you +to make your explanations.”</p> + +<p>“The judge will listen to you,” cried the slim man, his +head bobbing on his long neck, like the head of a crane +that is walking along the edge of a marsh.</p> + +<p>“Don’t attempt to escape by means of falsehoods, you +rascal!” almost shouted the little man with the red whiskers, +bristling up in a savage manner, but dodging back +the moment Frank turned on him.</p> + +<p>“Gentlemen, I have been insulted by this fellow!” came +from behind the baffling veil worn by the woman. “He +is a low wretch, who attacked me in a most brutal manner.”</p> + +<p>“We will see that you are protected, madam,” assured +the little man, his red whiskers seeming to bristle like +porcupine quills, as he dodged round Frank and placed +himself on the opposite side of the veiled unknown. +“Madam,” he repeated, “I will see that you are protected—I +will!”</p> + +<p>“You are very kind,” she fluttered; “but where is the +officer? The reaction—the shock—the weakness!”</p> + +<p>“Permit me to offer you any assistance possible,” gallantly +spoke a man in a sack coat and a silk hat, stepping +forward and raising the latter piece of wearing apparel, +thereby disclosing a shining bald spot on the top of his +head, which he covered as quickly as possible, evidently +hoping it had escaped the woman’s notice. “You are in +a city, my dear lady, where insults to the fair sex never +go unpunished.”</p> + +<p>He attempted to smile on her in a pleasant manner, +but there was a sort of leer in his eyes and around his +sensual mouth that betrayed his true character plainly +enough.</p> + +<p>The woman did not accept his arm which was half +tendered, but she made a great show of agitation and +distress, which affected the various witnesses.</p> + +<p>“It’s a shame!” piped the man with the long neck and +the bobbing head.</p> + +<p>“It’s an outrage!” blustered the little man with the +bristling whiskers and savage manner.</p> + +<p>“It’s most unfortunate!” murmured the gallant man +with the silk hat and sack coat.</p> + +<p>“It’s a bad break for Mr. Masher!” ejaculated the big +man with the crooked eye and glowering look.</p> + +<p>Frank smiled; he could not help it, for he was impressed +by the comedy of the affair, despite the unpleasantness +of the situation he was in at that moment.</p> + +<p>“This would be good stuff for a scene in a play,” he +thought, and he made a mental note of it.</p> + +<p>Then he turned to the woman.</p> + +<p>“Madam,” he said, “what have I ever done to you +that you should attempt to injure me in this manner?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t let him speak to me, the scoundrel!” she entreated, +appealing to the men.</p> + +<p>“But it is no more than fair that you should answer +me,” persisted Merry. “I do not know you; I have not +even seen your face. Will you not lift your veil and permit +me to see your face, so that I may know who has +brought me into this unpleasant position?”</p> + +<p>“He adds to his insults by requesting me to expose my +identity on the street after such an affair as this!” she +almost sobbed. “He would disgrace me! He would +have my name in all the newspapers!”</p> + +<p>“Reprehensible!” purred the gallant man.</p> + +<p>“Terrible!” cackled the man with the bobbing head.</p> + +<p>“Dastardly!” exploded the individual with the red +whiskers.</p> + +<p>“Criminal!” grated the giant with the crooked eye.</p> + +<p>And they all glared at Frank—at least all of them but +the one with the crooked eye. It is possible that he, also, +glared at the supposed offender, but he seemed to be +glaring at a white horse on the opposite side of the street.</p> + +<p>Repressing his laughter with difficulty, Merry said:</p> + +<p>“I assure you, gentlemen, I never saw this lady, to my +knowledge, before a few minutes ago, when she stopped +me on the street, and——”</p> + +<p>Again the woman screamed.</p> + +<p>“Will you listen to his base falsehoods?” she cried, +with a show of the greatest indignation and distress. +“He is trying to disgrace me still further by asserting +that I stopped him on the street—stopped him! As if +a lady would do such a thing!”</p> + +<p>“The idea!” squawked the man with the long neck, +his head seeming to bob faster than ever, as if it sought +to express by its excited movements the indignant emotions +his tongue could not utter.</p> + +<p>“My dear lady, I would not remain here to be thus +insulted,” declared the gallant man, bending toward her, +and endeavoring to summon a look of concern to his +treacherous countenance.</p> + +<p>“He should be placed in irons!” blurted the fierce-appearing +little man, his red whiskers seeming to work +and squirm with intense excitement and anger.</p> + +<p>“He ought to have his head broken!” roared the big +man, his crooked eye still seeming to glare at the white +horse in a most terrible and awesome manner.</p> + +<p>Others of the assembled crowd murmured to themselves +in a most indignant manner, all seeming to regard +Frank as the offender.</p> + +<p>Frank took out his watch and looked at it.</p> + +<p>“Gracious!” he mentally exclaimed, “time is flying. +If this keeps up much longer, I’ll not reach Puelbo to-day.”</p> + +<p>“Now he shows his anxiety and concern,” said a voice +in the crowd.</p> + +<p>“He’s beginning to be frightened,” said another voice.</p> + +<p>“He’s anxious to get away,” said a third.</p> + +<p>“But he can’t get away,” said a fourth.</p> + +<p>“This is all very interesting,” thought Frank; “but +it is decidedly unpleasant.”</p> + +<p>“Waal, whut in time’s sake is goin’ on here, I’d like +ter know?” cried a voice that was familiar to Frank, and +a tall, lank, countrified-appearing youth came up to the +outskirts of the crowd, stood on his tiptoes, and peered +over.</p> + +<p>It was Ephraim Gallup, and he saw Frank.</p> + +<p>“Waal, darned if it ain’t——”</p> + +<p>Merry made a swift movement, clapping a finger to +his lips, and Gallup, usually rather slow to tumble to +anything, understood him at once, relapsing into silence.</p> + +<p>“Let me git in here where I kin see the fun,” he said, +and he elbowed the people aside as he forced his way +through the crowd.</p> + +<p>It did not take him long to reach the center of the +throng, although a number of persons were indignant +at his manner of thrusting them aside or stepping on +their feet.</p> + +<p>“Whut’s up?” he asked. “Ef there’s anything goin’ +on, I kainder want to see it.”</p> + +<p>“This young masher has insulted this lady!” explained +the man with the bobbing head.</p> + +<p>“Sho!” exclaimed Gallup. “Yeou don’t say so, mister! +Waal, I am s’prised!”</p> + +<p>“He has treated her in an outrageous manner!” added +the man with the agitated and fiery whiskers.</p> + +<p>“I do declare!” ejaculated Ephraim. “I’d never +thought it of him, by thutter!”</p> + +<p>“The lady requires protection,” declared the gallant +man with the mismated wearing apparel.</p> + +<p>“Yeou don’t tell me!” gasped the Vermonter, his surprise +seeming to increase. “Ain’t it awful!”</p> + +<p>“But the fellow needs a lesson!” rasped the man with +the eye that persisted in looking in the wrong direction. +“I think I’ll hit him once or twice.”</p> + +<p>“My gracious!” fluttered Gallup. “Hev ye gotter hit +him real hard? Don’t yeou s’pose he might hit back?”</p> + +<p>“Let him try it!” came fiercely from the giant.</p> + +<p>“Be yeou goin’ to hit where ye’re lookin’?” asked the +country youth. “Cause ef yeou be, I’d advise that man +with the wart on his nose to move.”</p> + +<p>At this the man who owned the wart dodged with a +suddenness that provoked a titter of laughter from several +witnesses.</p> + +<p>Ephraim was adding to the comedy of the affair, and +Frank bit his lips to keep from laughing outright, despite +his annoyance over being thus detained.</p> + +<p>The big man with the crooked eye flourished his fists +in the air in a most belligerent fashion, and instantly +Merriwell gazed at him sternly, saying:</p> + +<p>“Be careful, sir! You are imperiling the lives of +everyone near you, and you may strain yourself.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right, by gum!” nodded Gallup, whimsically. +“Yeou may warp one of them air arms, flingin’ it araound +so gol-darn permiscuous like.”</p> + +<p>“Here comes an officer!”</p> + +<p>Somebody uttered the cry.</p> + +<p>“It is high time!” exclaimed the little man, trying to +soothe his agitated whiskers by pulling at them.</p> + +<p>“It surely is,” croaked the lank individual, his head +bobbing with renewed excitement.</p> + +<p>“Madam, the law will give you redress,” bowed the +gallant man, again taking off his silk hat and again clapping +it on suddenly, as if a breath of cool air on his +shining pate had warned him of the exposure he was +making.</p> + +<p>“Oh, why didn’t the officer stay away a minute longer, +so I might have thumped him!” regretfully grunted the +fighting man with the misdirected eye.</p> + +<p>The policeman came up and forced his way through +the crowd, demanding:</p> + +<p>“What does this mean? What is happening here?”</p> + +<p>“A lady is in trouble,” the bobbing man hastened to +explain.</p> + +<p>“In serious trouble,” chirped the bewhiskered man.</p> + +<p>“She has been insulted,” declared the gallant man.</p> + +<p>“By a masher,” finished the man with the errant eye.</p> + +<p>“Where is the lady?” asked the officer.</p> + +<p>“There!”</p> + +<p>All bowed politely toward the masked woman.</p> + +<p>“Where is the masher?” was the next question.</p> + +<p>“There!”</p> + +<p>Their scornful fingers were leveled straight at Frank +Merriwell.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink17'>CHAPTER XVII.—ARRESTED.</h2> + +<p>“Oh, sir!” exclaimed the woman, “I beg you to protect +me from his insults!”</p> + +<p>The officer was a gallant fellow. He touched his hat +and bowed with extreme politeness. Then he frowned +on Merry, and that frown was terrible to behold. He +gripped Frank by the collar, gruffly saying:</p> + +<p>“You’ll have to come with me.”</p> + +<p>Merry knew it was useless to attempt to explain under +such circumstances. Every one of the assembled crowd +would be a witness against him.</p> + +<p>“Very well,” he said, quietly. “I am quite willing to +do so. Please do not twist my necktie off.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t worry about your necktie!” advised the policeman, +giving it a still harder twist. “I know how to deal +with chaps of your caliber.”</p> + +<p>Now of a sudden Ephraim Gallup began to grow +angry. He did not fancy seeing his idol treated in such +a manner, and his fists were clenched, while he glared +at the officer as if contemplating hitting that worthy.</p> + +<p>“It’s a gol-dern shame!” he grated. “This jest makes +my blood bile!”</p> + +<p>“I don’t wonder a bit,” piped the long-necked man, +misunderstanding the Vermonter; “but the officer will +take care of him now. He’ll get what he deserves.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, will he!” exploded Gallup. “Waal, ef I was yeou, +I’d hire myself aout to some dime museum as the human +bobber. Yeou teeter jest like a certun bird that I won’t +name.”</p> + +<p>“Wh—a—at?” squealed the individual addressed, in great +excitement. “This to me! Why, I’ll——”</p> + +<p>“I wish ter great goshfrey yeou would!” hissed +Ephraim, glaring at him. “I’d jest like to hev yeou try +it! I’d give yeou a jolt that’d knock yeou clean inter +the middle of next week!”</p> + +<p>“Why, who is this fellow that seeks to create a disturbance?” +blustered the little man, his fiery whiskers +beginning to bristle and squirm again. “He should be +sat upon.”</p> + +<p>The country youth turned on him.</p> + +<p>“I wish yeou’d tackle the job, yeou condemned little +red-whiskered runt;” he shot at the blusterer with such +suddenness that the little man staggered back and put +up his hands, as if he had been struck. “Yeou are another +meddler! I’d eat yeou, an’ I’d never know I’d +hed a bite!”</p> + +<p>“This is very unfortunate, madam,” purred the gallant +man at the veiled woman’s side. “I am extremely sorry +that you have had such an unpleasant experience. Now, +if that creature——”</p> + +<p>He designated Ephraim by the final word, and Gallup +cut him short right there.</p> + +<p>“Yeou’re the cheapest one of the hull lot, old oil-smirk!” +he flung at the speaker. “Such fellers as yeou are more +dangerous to real ladies than all the young mashers goin’, +fer yeou are a hypocrite who pretends to be virtuous.”</p> + +<p>The man gasped and tried to say something, but seemed +stricken speechless.</p> + +<p>Now the cock-eyed man was aroused once more. He +seemed on the point of making a swing at somebody or +something. He pushed his face up close to Ephraim, +but still his rebellious eye seemed looking in quite another +direction.</p> + +<p>“If you want any trouble here,” he said, hoarsely, “I’ll +attend to you. I can do that very well.”</p> + +<p>Ephraim looked at him, began to smile, broke into a +grin, and burst into a shout of laughter.</p> + +<p>“Haw! haw! haw!” he roared. “I couldn’t fight with +yeou ef I wanted to, fer I’d think yeou didn’t mean me +all the time, but that yeou really ought to be fightin’ with +some other feller yeou was lookin’ at. Yeou’re the funniest +toad in the hull puddle!”</p> + +<p>“I’ll arrest the whole lot of you!” threatened the policeman. +“Quit that business! Come along to the police +station if you want to make any complaints.”</p> + +<p>Then he turned to the woman, saying:</p> + +<p>“Madam, I presume you will make a complaint against +this fellow,” indicating Frank.</p> + +<p>“I certainly shall,” she promptly answered; “for it is +my duty to teach him a lesson.”</p> + +<p>“Will you come to the station?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Permit me to accompany you,” urged the gallant man.</p> + +<p>“You are very kind,” she said; “but I think I can get +along. I will follow at a distance.”</p> + +<p>“All right,” nodded the officer, once more gripping +Merriwell’s collar savagely. “March, sir!”</p> + +<p>And then they started toward the station.</p> + +<p>The bobbing man, the little man, the cock-eyed man, +and the gallant man formed behind. Then the crowd +fell in, and away they went, with the mysterious veiled +woman following at a distance.</p> + +<p>Ephraim placed himself at Frank’s side.</p> + +<p>“This is a gol-darn outrage!” fumed the Vermonter, +speaking to Merry. “Whut be yeou goin’ to do abaout +it?”</p> + +<p>“I shall have to do the best I can,” answered the +unfortunate youth, quietly.</p> + +<p>“But yeou won’t be able to start for Puelbo with the +rest of the people.”</p> + +<p>“It doesn’t look that way now.”</p> + +<p>“That’s tough!”</p> + +<p>“It is decidedly unfortunate, but I hope to get off in +time to join the company before the first performance +to-morrow night.”</p> + +<p>“Haow did it happen?”</p> + +<p>“I hardly know. The woman stopped me and insisted +that I should go somewhere to talk with her. I explained +that my time was limited, but that seemed to make no +impression on her. When I tried to get away she flung +her arms around me and screamed. That brought a crowd +together, and then she declared I had assaulted her.”</p> + +<p>The policeman on the other side of Frank laughed in +ridicule. Although he said nothing, it was plain he took +no stock in Frank’s story.</p> + +<p>“Larf!” grated Gallup, under his breath. “Yeou think +yeou know so gol-darned much that——”</p> + +<p>“Hush!” warned Frank. “I do not wish you to get +into trouble. You must inform the others what has happened +to me.”</p> + +<p>“It’s purty gol-darn hard to keep still,” declared +Ephraim. “I never see sich a set of natteral born fools +in all my life! How many of the craowd saw what happened +’tween yeou an’ the woman?”</p> + +<p>“No one, I think.”</p> + +<p>“An’ I’ll bet a squash they’ll all go up an’ swear to +any kind of a story she’ll tell. Who is she?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know.”</p> + +<p>“That’s queer. Wut was her little game?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t know that.”</p> + +<p>“By gum! it’s some kind of a put-up job!”</p> + +<p>“I have a fancy there is something more than appears +on the surface. It is an attempt to make trouble for me.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right.”</p> + +<p>“I hope to see the woman’s face at the police station.”</p> + +<p>“Yeou won’t!”</p> + +<p>“Why not?”</p> + +<p>“She won’t show it.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps the judge will request her to lift her veil.”</p> + +<p>“Not by a gol-darned sight! Men are too big fools +over women. They’ll take any old thing she’ll say abaout +yeou, an’ lock yeou up fer it. She’ll give some kind of +name and address, an’ they’ll let her go at that.”</p> + +<p>“Well, unless I can get bail right away I shall be in +a bad fix. If Kent Carson were in town he would pull +me out of it, as he did before.”</p> + +<p>The officer pricked up his ears.</p> + +<p>“Ha!” he exclaimed. “Then you have been arrested +in Denver before? This is a second offense! I rather +think you’ll not get off as easy as you did the first time.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yeou are enough to——”</p> + +<p>“Ephraim!”</p> + +<p>With that word Frank cut Gallup short.</p> + +<p>In a short time they approached the police station.</p> + +<p>“I have been here before,” said Merry, quietly. “This +is the station to which I was taken when Leslie Lawrence +made his false charge against me.”</p> + +<p>Entering, he was taken before the desk of the sergeant, +the bobbing man, the little man, the cock-eyed man, and +the gallant man following closely, while others also came +in.</p> + +<p>The sergeant looked up.</p> + +<p>“Ah, Brandon,” he said to the officer, “another one?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir,” answered the policeman.</p> + +<p>“What is the charge?”</p> + +<p>“Insulting a lady on the street.”</p> + +<p>“Who was the lady?”</p> + +<p>“She is coming. She will be here directly to make the +complaint against him.”</p> + +<p>Then the sergeant took a good look at the accused. +He started, bent forward, and looked closer.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Merriwell!” he exclaimed; “is it you?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sergeant,” bowed Frank, with a smile. “It seems +to be my luck to cause you trouble once more.”</p> + +<p>“Trouble!” ejaculated the man behind the desk. “Why, +this is very surprising! And you are accused of insulting +a lady?”</p> + +<p>“I am,” was the quiet answer.</p> + +<p>“Well! well! well! It hardly seems possible. I fail +to understand why you should do such a thing. It was +very kind of you to send me tickets for your performance +yesterday, and I was fortunate to be able to attend. I +was greatly pleased, both with your play and yourself, +to say nothing of your supporting company. I see the +papers have given you a great send-off, but it is no better +than you merit.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, sir,” said Frank, simply.</p> + +<p>The policeman began to look disturbed, while the bobbing +man, the little man, the gallant man, and the cock-eyed +man all stared at Frank and the sergeant in surprise.</p> + +<p>“You seem to recognize the offender, sir,” said the +officer who had arrested Frank.</p> + +<p>“I recognize the gentleman, Brandon,” said the sergeant, +putting particular emphasis on the word “gentleman.”</p> + +<p>“He said he had been arrested before.”</p> + +<p>“He was, on a trumped-up charge, and he was promptly +dismissed by me.”</p> + +<p>The officer looked still more disturbed.</p> + +<p>“But this is no trumped-up charge,” he declared. “I +have witnesses.”</p> + +<p>“Where are they?”</p> + +<p>“Here.”</p> + +<p>He motioned toward the men, who had followed closely +on entering the station, whereupon the little man drew +himself up stiffly, as if he imagined he must be six feet tall, +at least; the bobbing man bobbed in a reckless manner, as +if he had quite lost control of himself; the gallant man +lifted his hat and mopped the shiny spot on the top of his +head with a silk handkerchief, attempting to appear perfectly +at ease; and the cock-eyed man made a desperate +attempt to look the sergeant straight in the eye, but came +no nearer than the upper corner of the station window, +which was several yards away to the left.</p> + +<p>“And where is the lady who makes the charge?” +demanded the man behind the desk.</p> + +<p>Where, indeed! It was time for her to appear, but all +looked for her in vain.</p> + +<p>“She must be here directly,” said the sergeant, “if she +is coming at all.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, she is coming!” hastily answered the officer.</p> + +<p>“She may be waiting outside, hesitating about coming +in,” said the sergeant. “You may go out and bring her +in, Brandon.”</p> + +<p>The policeman hesitated an instant, as if he feared to +leave Frank.</p> + +<p>“It is all right,” asserted the sergeant. “I will guarantee +that Mr. Merriwell is quite safe.”</p> + +<p>Then Brandon hurried out.</p> + +<p>“I believe you are going on the road with your play, +Mr. Merriwell?” said the sergeant, in a most friendly +and affable manner.</p> + +<p>“I am,” answered Frank, “if I succeed in getting +started.”</p> + +<p>“How is that?”</p> + +<p>“Well,” smiled Merry, “I was due to take a train in +one hour and thirty minutes when I was accosted by the +unknown woman whom it is said I insulted. I hardly +think I shall be able to catch that train now.”</p> + +<p>The sergeant looked at his watch.</p> + +<p>“How much time have you now?” he asked.</p> + +<p>Frank consulted his timepiece.</p> + +<p>“Just forty-one minutes,” he said.</p> + +<p>“Will you kindly tell me what occurred on the street?” +invited the sergeant. “But wait—first I wish to know +who witnessed this assault.”</p> + +<p>There was some hesitation as the official behind the +desk looked the assembled crowd over.</p> + +<p>“Come,” he cried, sharply. “Who knows anything +about this affair?”</p> + +<p>“I do,” asserted the man with the cock-eye, summoning +courage to step forward a bit. “And here are others.”</p> + +<p>“Which ones?”</p> + +<p>“Him, and him, and him,” answered the crooked-eyed +man, jabbing a pudgy and none too clean forefinger at +the gallant man, the little man, and the bobbing man, +although he seemed to look at three entirely different +persons from those he named.</p> + +<p>The gallant man was perspiring, and looked as if he +longed to escape. He also seemed anxious over the non-appearance +of the veiled lady.</p> + +<p>The bobbing man took a step backward, but somebody +pushed him from behind, and he bobbed himself nearly +double.</p> + +<p>The little man tugged at his fluttering whiskers, looking +to the right and left, as if thinking of dodging and +attempting to escape in a hurry.</p> + +<p>“And these are the witnesses?” said the sergeant, his +eyes seeming to pierce them through and through. “Their +testimony against you shall be carefully heard, Mr. Merriwell, +and it will be well for them to be careful about +giving it.”</p> + +<p>“If I understand what is proper,” said the cock-eyed +man, who seemed the only one who dared speak outright, +“this is not the court, and you are not the judge.”</p> + +<p>But he subsided before the piercing eyes of the sergeant, +so that his final words were scarcely more than +a gurgle in his throat.</p> + +<p>“Now, Mr. Merriwell,” said the sergeant, “I will listen +to your story. Officer at the door, take care that none +of the witnesses depart until they are given permission.”</p> + +<p>Frank told his story briefly, concisely, and convincingly. +Barely had he finished when the officer who made the +arrest came in, looking crestfallen and disgusted.</p> + +<p>“Where is the lady, Brandon?” asked the sergeant.</p> + +<p>“I can’t find her, sir,” confessed the policeman. “She +is nowhere in the vicinity.”</p> + +<p>“Then it seems you have been very careless in permitting +her to slip away. Now there is no one to make +a charge against the prisoner.”</p> + +<p>“The witnesses—perhaps some of them will do so.”</p> + +<p>The sergeant turned sharply on the little man, to whom +he fired the question:</p> + +<p>“Did you witness this assault on the unknown lady, +sir?”</p> + +<p>The little man jumped.</p> + +<p>“No, sus-sus-sir,” he stammered; “but I——”</p> + +<p>“That will do!” came sternly from the man behind the +desk. “Step aside.”</p> + +<p>The little man did so with alacrity, plainly relieved.</p> + +<p>Then the sergeant came at the gallant man with the +same question:</p> + +<p>“Did you witness the assault on the lady, sir?”</p> + +<p>“I was not present when it took place, but I——”</p> + +<p>“That will do! Step aside.”</p> + +<p>The gallant man closed up and stepped.</p> + +<p>Next the bobbing man was questioned:</p> + +<p>“Did you witness the assault on the lady, sir?”</p> + +<p>“I arrived just after it was committed, but I can tell +you——”</p> + +<p>“Nothing! That will do! Step aside.”</p> + +<p>The cock-eyed man folded his arms across his breast +and glared fiercely at the window, which seemed to offend +him.</p> + +<p>“You are next.” said the sergeant. “What did you +see?”</p> + +<p>“I saw quite enough to convince me that the assault +had been committed before I reached the spot, but——”</p> + +<p>“Another ‘but.’ ‘But me no buts.’ There seems to +be no one present who witnessed the assault, and so no +one can prefer a charge against Mr. Merriwell. Mr. Merriwell, +you have now exactly thirty minutes in which to +catch your train. Don’t stop to say a word, but git up +and git. You are at liberty.”</p> + +<p>And Frank took the sergeant’s advice, followed closely +by Ephraim.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink18'>CHAPTER XVIII.—AT THE LAST MOMENT.</h2> + +<p>Frank Merriwell’s company had gathered at the railway +station to take the train for Puelbo. All but Merriwell +and Gallup were on hand. Havener had purchased +the tickets.</p> + +<p>Hodge restlessly paced up and down the platform, his +face dark and disturbed.</p> + +<p>There were inquiries for Frank. Stella Stanley came +to Havener and asked:</p> + +<p>“Where is Mr. Merriwell?”</p> + +<p>“I do not know,” confessed the stage manager, who +had been deputized for the occasion by Frank to look out +for tickets, and make necessary arrangements.</p> + +<p>“He hasn’t come?”</p> + +<p>“No; but he’ll be here before the train pulls out. You +know he has a way of always appearing on time.”</p> + +<p>Hodge stopped in his walk, and stared at Havener.</p> + +<p>“I’d like to know when he left the hotel,” said Bart. +“I called for him several times before coming here, but +each time I found he was not in his room, and no one +knew anything about him. His bill was not settled, +either.”</p> + +<p>“But his baggage came down with the others,” said +Havener.</p> + +<p>“Because the hotel people permitted it, as he was +vouched for by Mr. Carson, who seems to be well known +to everybody in this city.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t suppose anything has happened to detain +him, do you?” anxiously asked the actress. “I do hope +we shall not make another bad start, same as we did +before. Agnes Kirk says she knows something will happen, +for Mr. Merriwell gave away the cat Mascot.”</p> + +<p>“Agnes Kirk is forever prophesying something dismal,” +said Hodge. “She’s a regular croaker. If she didn’t have +something to croak about, she wouldn’t know what to do. +She declared the cat a hoodoo in the first place, but now +she says we’ll have bad luck because Frank let it go. She +makes me a trifle weary!”</p> + +<p>Hodge was not in a pleasant humor.</p> + +<p>Granville Garland and Lester Vance came up.</p> + +<p>“It’s almost train time,” said Garland. “Where is our +energetic young manager?”</p> + +<p>“He will be along,” Havener again asserted.</p> + +<p>“I hope so,” said Vance. “I sincerely hope this second +venture will not prove such a miserable fizzle as the +first one. Everything depends on Frank Merriwell.”</p> + +<p>“Something depends on you!” flashed Hodge, who +seemed easily nettled. “Frank Merriwell’s company did +all it could to make the first venture a fizzle. Now they +should do all they can to make this one a success.”</p> + +<p>“Hello, Thundercloud is lowering!” exclaimed Garland.</p> + +<p>“Save your epithets!” exclaimed Bart. “My name is +Hodge.”</p> + +<p>“My dear Hodge,” said Garland, with mock politeness, +“you must know it is but natural that we should feel a +bit anxious.”</p> + +<p>“I may feel as anxious as any of you, but I do not go +round croaking about it.”</p> + +<p>“But our first failure——”</p> + +<p>“There it is again! I’m tired of hearing about that! +You and Vance are dead lucky to be in this second company, +for you both joined in the attempted assault on +Merriwell when Folansbee skipped, and the company +seemed to be stranded in Puelbo. If I’d been Frank Merriwell +I’d sent you flying, and you can bet I would not +have taken you back.”</p> + +<p>“Then it’s fortunate for us that you were not Frank +Merriwell,” Garland sneered.</p> + +<p>“It is,” agreed Hodge. “Some people do not know +when they are treated well.”</p> + +<p>“That will do!” came sharply from Havener. “This +is no time to quarrel. By Jove! it’s time for that train, +and Merriwell’s not here.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps he’s backed out at the last minute and decided +not to take the play out,” said Vance. “It may be that +his courage has failed him.”</p> + +<p>“Now that kind of talk makes me sick!” exploded +Hodge. “If you had any sense you wouldn’t make it!”</p> + +<p>“I like that!” snapped Vance, his face flushing.</p> + +<p>“I’m glad you do!” flung back Bart. “Didn’t think +you would. Hoped you wouldn’t. Only a fool would +suppose that, after all this trouble and expense, any man +with an ounce of brains in his head would back out without +giving a single performance of the play.”</p> + +<p>“Well, where is Merriwell?”</p> + +<p>Again Havener declared:</p> + +<p>“He’ll be here.”</p> + +<p>“But here comes the train!”</p> + +<p>The train was coming. There was activity and bustle +at the station. The platform was alive with moving human +beings. Agnes Kirk and Cassie Lee came out of +the ladies’ waiting room. The male members of the +company got together quickly.</p> + +<p>“He has not come!” exclaimed Agnes Kirk, her keen +eyes failing to discover Frank. “I feared it! I knew it!”</p> + +<p>Hodge half turned away, grumbling something deep +in his throat.</p> + +<p>The actors looked at each other in doubt and dismay.</p> + +<p>With a rush and a roar the train came in, and drew +up at the station. Passengers began to get off.</p> + +<p>A heavily veiled woman in black came out of the ladies’ +room, and started for the train. As she passed the group +of actors some of their conversation seemed to attract +her notice. She paused an instant and looked them over, +and then she turned toward the steps of a car.</p> + +<p>“Excuse me, madam,” said Hodge, quickly. “You +have dropped your handkerchief.”</p> + +<p>He picked it up and passed it to her. As he did so, +he noticed the letters “L. F.” on one corner.</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” she said, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>At that moment, for the last time, Havener was reiterating:</p> + +<p>“I believe Frank Merriwell will be here. All get onto +the train. He never gets left.”</p> + +<p>Then the woman tossed her head a bit and laughed. +It was a scornful laugh, and it attracted the attention +of several of the group. She turned quickly, and stepped +into the nearest car.</p> + +<p>“Something tells me he will not arrive,” declared Agnes +Kirk. “The hoodoo is still on. This company will meet +the same fate the other did.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t talk so much about it,” advised Havener, rather +rudely. “Get onto the train—everybody!”</p> + +<p>Hodge was staring after the veiled woman.</p> + +<p>“Wonder what made her laugh like that?” he muttered. +“Seems to me I’ve heard that laugh before. It +seemed full of scornful triumph. I wonder——”</p> + +<p>He did not express his second wonder.</p> + +<p>“Come, Hodge,” said Havener, “get aboard. Follow +the others.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll be the last one,” said Hodge. “I’m waiting for +Frank.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid,” confessed Havener, beginning to weaken.</p> + +<p>“Afraid of what?” Hodge almost hissed.</p> + +<p>“It begins to look bad,” admitted the stage manager. +“I’m afraid something has happened to Frank. If he +doesn’t come——”</p> + +<p>“I don’t go,” declared Bart. “I shall stay and find +out what has happened to him. You must go. You +must sit on those croakers. Your place is with the company; +mine is with Frank Merriwell.”</p> + +<p>“All aboard!”</p> + +<p>The conductor gave the warning.</p> + +<p>“What’s this?”</p> + +<p>Rattle-te-bang, on the dead jump, a cab was coming +along the street. The cabman was putting the whip to +his foaming horses.</p> + +<p>“He’s coming,” said Hodge, with cool triumph, putting +his hands into his trousers pockets, and waiting the approach +of the cab.</p> + +<p>Something made him feel certain of it. Up to the +platform dashed the cab, the driver flinging the horses +back, and flinging himself to the platform to fling open +the door.</p> + +<p>Dong dong!</p> + +<p>The train was starting.</p> + +<p>Out of the cab leaped Frank Merriwell, grip in hand. +At his heels Ephraim Gallup came sprawling.</p> + +<p>Bart was satisfied, Havener was delighted. Both of +them sprang on board the train. Across the platform +dashed Frank and the Vermont youth, and they also +boarded the moving cars.</p> + +<p>“Well,” laughed Merry, easily, “that was what I call +a close call. Ten dollars to the cabby did it, and he +earned his sawbuck.”</p> + +<p>“I congratulate you!” cried Havener. “I confess I +had given you up. But what happened to detain you?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing but a little adventure,” answered Merry, +coolly. “I’ll tell you about it.”</p> + +<p>They followed him into the car.</p> + +<p>Several members of the company had been looking +from the car window, and the arrival of Frank had been +witnessed. They gave a shout as he entered the car, and +all were on their feet.</p> + +<p>“Welcome!” cried Douglas Dunton, dramatically—“welcome, +most noble one! Methinks thou couldst not +do it better in a play. It was great stuff—flying cab, +foaming horses, moving train, and all that. Make a +note of it.”</p> + +<p>“I believe he did it on purpose,” declared Agnes Kirk, +speaking to Vance, with whom she had taken a seat.</p> + +<p>“Very likely,” admitted Lester. “Wanted to do something +to attract attention.”</p> + +<p>“I think it was mean! He fooled us.”</p> + +<p>But several members of the company shook hands with +Frank, and congratulated him.</p> + +<p>“I told you he would not get left,” said Havener, with +triumph.</p> + +<p>At the rear end of the car was a veiled woman, who +seemed to sink down behind those in front of her, as +if she sought to avoid detection. Somehow, although her +face could not be seen, there was in her appearance something +that betokened disappointment and chagrin.</p> + +<p>Of course Frank was pressed for explanations, but he +told them that business had detained him. He did not +say what kind of business.</p> + +<p>At length, however, with Hodge, Havener and Gallup +for listeners, all seated on two facing seats, he told the +story of his adventure with the veiled woman, and his +arrest, which ended in a discharge that barely permitted +him to leap into a cab, race to the hotel, get his grip, pay +his bill, and dash to the station in time to catch the train.</p> + +<p>As the story progressed Hodge showed signs of increasing +excitement. When Merry finished, Bart exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“How did the woman look?”</p> + +<p>“I did not see her face.”</p> + +<p>“How was she dressed? Describe her.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t know as I can.”</p> + +<p>“Do the best you can.”</p> + +<p>Frank did so, and Bart cried:</p> + +<p>“I’ve seen her!”</p> + +<p>“What?”</p> + +<p>Merry was astonished.</p> + +<p>“I am sure of it,” asserted Bart. “I have seen that +very same woman!”</p> + +<p>“When?”</p> + +<p>“To-day.”</p> + +<p>“How long ago?”</p> + +<p>“A very short time.”</p> + +<p>“Where?”</p> + +<p>“At the station while we were waiting for you to +appear.”</p> + +<p>“Is it possible. How do you know it was her?”</p> + +<p>Then Bart told of the strange woman who had dropped +her handkerchief, of the initials he had seen when he +picked it up, and of her singularly scornful laugh when +she heard Havener declare that Merriwell never got left.</p> + +<p>All this interested Frank very much. Bart concluded +by saying:</p> + +<p>“That woman is on this very train!”</p> + +<p>“Waal, may I be tickled to death by grasshoppers!” +ejaculated the youth from Vermont. “Whut in thunder +do yeou s’pose she’s up to?”</p> + +<p>“It may be the same one,” said Frank. “It would be +remarkable if it should prove to be the same one. Two +women might look so much alike that the description +of one would exactly fit the other—especially if both were +heavily veiled.”</p> + +<p>Bart shook his head.</p> + +<p>“Something tells me it is the same woman,” he persisted.</p> + +<p>“But why should she be on this train?”</p> + +<p>“Who can answer that? Why did she try such a trick +on the street?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t know,” admitted Merry. “Once I thought it +might be that she was mashed on me, but it didn’t prove +that way.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I dunno,” drawled Gallup, with a queer grin. +“Yeou turned her daown, an’ that made her sore. Ef +she’d bin mashed on ye, perhaps she’d done jest as she +did to git revenge fer bein’ turned daown.”</p> + +<p>“No, something tells me this was more than a simple +case of mash,” said Frank.</p> + +<p>“What do you make of it?” asked Havener.</p> + +<p>“An attempt to bother me.”</p> + +<p>“For what?”</p> + +<p>“Who knows? Haven’t I had enough troubles?”</p> + +<p>“I should say so! But I thought your troubles of this +sort were over when you got rid of Lawrence. You left +two of the assistants who saw him try to fire the theater +to appear as witnesses against him.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I hardly think Lawrence was in this affair in +any way or manner. I confess I do not know just what +to make of it. Heretofore my enemies have been men, +but now there seems to be a woman in the case.”</p> + +<p>“If this woman follows you, what will you do?”</p> + +<p>“I shall endeavor to find out who she is, and bring +her to time, so she will drop the game.”</p> + +<p>“See that you do,” advised Hodge. “And don’t be soft +with her because she is a woman.”</p> + +<p>“Go look through the train and see if you can find the +woman you saw,” directed Frank. “If you find her, come +back here and tell me where she is.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll do it!” exclaimed Bart, getting up at once.</p> + +<p>“That fellow is faithful to you,” said Havener, when +Bart had walked down the aisle; “but he is awfully disagreeable +at times. It’s nothing but his loyalty that makes +me take any stock in him.”</p> + +<p>“His heart is in the right place,” asserted Merry.</p> + +<p>“Nothing makes him doubt you. Why, I believe he +wanted to fight the whole company when you failed to +appear.”</p> + +<p>“An’ he’s a fighter, b’gosh! when he gits started,” +declared Gallup. “I’ve seen him plunk some critters an’ +he plunked them in great style.”</p> + +<p>Hodge was gone some little time, but there was a grim +look of triumph when he returned.</p> + +<p>“Find her?” asked Merry.</p> + +<p>“Sure,” nodded Bart.</p> + +<p>“Where?”</p> + +<p>“Last car. She did not get onto this one, but I rather +think she moved after you came on board. That makes +me all the more certain that it is the woman. She’s near +the rear end of the car, on the left side, as you go down +the aisle.”</p> + +<p>“Well,” said Frank, rising, “I think I’ll go take a look +at her. Is she alone?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“That’s good. And she cannot escape from the train +till it stops, if it should happen to be the right woman, +which I hope it is.”</p> + +<p>Bart wished to accompany Frank to point the woman +out, but Merry objected.</p> + +<p>“No,” he said, “let me go alone.”</p> + +<p>“I can show her to you.”</p> + +<p>“If the woman I am looking for is in the car I’ll find +her.”</p> + +<p>Merry passed slowly through the train, scanning each +passenger as he went along. He entered the last car. In +a few moments he would know if the mysterious veiled +woman really were on that train. If he found her, he +would be certain the strange encounter on the street had +a meaning that had not appeared on the surface.</p> + +<p>The train was flying along swiftly, taking curves without +seeming to slacken speed in the least. Frank’s progress +through the car was rather slow, as the swaying +motion made it difficult for him to get along.</p> + +<p>But when he had reached the rear of the car he was +filled with disappointment.</p> + +<p>Not a sign of a veiled woman had he seen in the car.</p> + +<p>More than that, there was no woman in black who resembled +the woman who had stopped him on the street +in Denver.</p> + +<p>Could it be Hodge had been mistaken?</p> + +<p>No! Something told him Bart had made no mistake +in the matter of seeing a woman who answered the +description given by Frank. He had said she was in the +last car. She was not there when Frank passed through +the car. Then she had moved.</p> + +<p>Why?</p> + +<p>Was the woman aware that she was being watched? +Had she moved to escape observation?</p> + +<p>Frank stopped by the door at the rear end of the car. +He looked out through the glass in the door.</p> + +<p>Some one was on the platform at one side of the door. +Frank opened the door and looked out.</p> + +<p>The person on the platform was a woman in black, +and she wore a veil!</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink19'>CHAPTER XIX.—ON THE REAR PLATFORM.</h2> + +<p>A feeling of exultant satisfaction flashed over Merriwell, +and he quickly stepped out onto the platform, closing +the door behind him.</p> + +<p>The woman turned and looked toward him.</p> + +<p>The train was racing along, the track seeming to fly +away from beneath the last car.</p> + +<p>It was a strange place for a woman to be, out there +on the rear platform, and Merry’s first thought had been +that it must be the woman he sought, for had she not +come out there to escape him? She had fancied he would +look through the car, fail to find her, and decide that she +was not on the train. It must be that she had seen Hodge +come in, and had realized at once why he had entered +the car. When he departed to carry the information to +Frank, the desperate woman had fled to the rear platform.</p> + +<p>Immediately on stepping out onto the platform, however, +Frank decided that his reasoning was at fault.</p> + +<p>It was a veiled woman, and she was in black, but it +was not the woman he sought. It was not the woman +who had caused his arrest in Denver!</p> + +<p>Merry was disappointed.</p> + +<p>The unknown looked at him, and said nothing. He +looked at her and wondered. The veil was thick and +baffling.</p> + +<p>“Madam,” he said, “this is a dangerous place.”</p> + +<p>She said nothing.</p> + +<p>“You are liable to become dizzy out here and meet +with an accident,” he pursued. “If you should fall—well, +you know what that would mean. It is remarkable +that you should come out here.”</p> + +<p>“The air,” she murmured, in a hoarse, husky voice. +“The car was stifling, and I needed the air. I felt ill in +there.”</p> + +<p>“All the more reason why you should not come out +here,” declared Frank, solicitously. “You could have had +a window opened, and that would have given you air.”</p> + +<p>“The window stuck.”</p> + +<p>“It must be some of them would open. If you will +return, I’ll endeavor to find you a seat by an open window.”</p> + +<p>“Very kind of you,” she said, in the same peculiar, +husky voice. “Think I’ll stay out here. Don’t mind me.”</p> + +<p>“Then I trust you will permit me to remain, and see +that you do not meet with any misfortune?”</p> + +<p>“No. Go! Leave me! I had rather remain alone.”</p> + +<p>She seemed like a middle-aged lady. He observed +that her clothes fitted her ill, and her hands were large +and awkward. She attempted to hide them.</p> + +<p>All at once, with a suddenness that staggered him, the +truth burst on Frank.</p> + +<p>The woman was no woman at all! It was a man +in disguise!</p> + +<p>Merry literally gasped for a single instant, but he +recovered at once.</p> + +<p>Through his head flashed a thought:</p> + +<p>“This must be some criminal who is seeking to escape +justice!”</p> + +<p>Immediately Frank resolved to remain on the platform +at any hazard. He would talk to the disguised unknown.</p> + +<p>“The motion of the train is rather trying to one who +is not accustomed to it,” he said. “Some people feel it +quite as much as if they were on a vessel. Car sickness +and seasickness are practically the same thing.”</p> + +<p>She looked at him through the concealing veil, but did +not speak.</p> + +<p>“I have traveled considerable,” he pursued, “but, fortunately, +I have been troubled very little with sickness, +either on sea or land.”</p> + +<p>“Will you be kind enough to leave me!” came from +behind the veil, in accents of mingled imploration and +anger.</p> + +<p>“I could not think of such a thing, madam!” he bowed, +as gallantly as possible. “It is my duty to remain and +see that you come to no harm.”</p> + +<p>“I shall come to no harm. You are altogether too kind! +Your kindness is offensive!”</p> + +<p>“I am very sorry you regard it thus, but I know my +duty.”</p> + +<p>“If you knew half as much as you think, you would +go.”</p> + +<p>“I beg your pardon; it is because I do know as much +as I think that I do not go.”</p> + +<p>The unknown was losing patience.</p> + +<p>“Go!” he commanded, and now his voice was masculine +enough to betray him, if Frank had not dropped +to the trick before.</p> + +<p>“No,” smiled Merry, really beginning to enjoy it, “not +till you go in yourself, madam.”</p> + +<p>The train lurched round a curve, causing the disguised +unknown to swing against the iron gate. Frank sprang +forward, as if to catch and save the person from going +over, but his real object was to apparently make a mistake +and snatch off the veil.</p> + +<p>The man seemed to understand all this, for he warded +off Frank’s clutch, crying:</p> + +<p>“I shall call for aid! I shall seek protection!”</p> + +<p>“It would not be the first time to-day that a veiled +woman has done such a thing,” laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>The disguised man stared at him again. Merry fairly +itched to snatch away the veil.</p> + +<p>“If you are seeking air, madam,” he suggested, “you +had better remove your veil. It must be very smothering, +for it seems to be quite thick.”</p> + +<p>“You are far too anxious about me!” snapped the disguised +man. “I would advise you to mind your own business!”</p> + +<p>This amused Merry still more. The situation was remarkably +agreeable to him.</p> + +<p>“In some instances,” he said, politely, “your advice +would be worth taking, but an insane person should be +carefully watched, and that is why I am minding your +business just now.”</p> + +<p>“An insane person?”</p> + +<p>“Exactly.”</p> + +<p>“Do you mean that I am insane?”</p> + +<p>“Well, I trust you will excuse me, but from your appearance +and your remarkable behavior, it seems to me +that you should be closely guarded.”</p> + +<p>That seemed to make the unknown still more angry, but +it was plain he found difficulty in commanding words to +express himself.</p> + +<p>“You’re a fool!” he finally snapped.</p> + +<p>“Thank you!” smiled Frank.</p> + +<p>“You’re an idiot!”</p> + +<p>“Thank you again.”</p> + +<p>“You are the one who is crazy!”</p> + +<p>“Still more thanks.”</p> + +<p>“How have I acted to make you fancy me demented?”</p> + +<p>“You are out here, and you may be contemplating self-destruction +by throwing yourself from this train.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t worry about that. I am contemplating nothing +of the sort.”</p> + +<p>“But there are other evidences of your insanity.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, there are?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>As the disguised unknown did not speak, Merry went +on:</p> + +<p>“The strongest evidence of your unbalanced state of +mind is the ill-chosen attire you are wearing.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“Why are you not dressed in the garments of your +sex?”</p> + +<p>“Sir?”</p> + +<p>“You are not a woman,” declared Frank, coolly; “but +a man in the garments of a woman. Your disguise is altogether +too thin. It would not deceive anybody who +looked you over closely. You are——”</p> + +<p>Frank got no further. With a cry of anger, the disguised +unknown sprang at him, grappled with him, panted +in his ear:</p> + +<p>“You are altogether too sharp, Frank Merriwell! This +time you have overshot yourself! This ends you!”</p> + +<p>Then he tried to fling Merry from the swiftly moving +train.</p> + +<p>Frank instantly realized that it was to be a struggle for +life, and he met the assault as quickly and stiffly as he +could; but the disguised man seemed, of a truth, to have +the strength of an insane person. In his quick move, the +fellow had forced Frank back against the gate, and over +this, he tried to lift and hurl him.</p> + +<p>“No you don’t!” came from Merry’s lips.</p> + +<p>“Curse you!” panted the fellow. “I will do it!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, you will—I don’t think!”</p> + +<p>In the desperate struggle, both seemed to hang over +the gate for a moment. Then Frank slid back, securing a +firm grip, and felt safe.</p> + +<p>Just then, however, the door of the car flew open, and +out sprang Hodge. Bart saw what was happening in a +moment, and he leaped to Merry’s aid.</p> + +<p>Out on a high trestle that spanned a roaring, torrent-like +river rumbled the train.</p> + +<p>Bart clutched Frank, gave the disguised man a shove, +and——</p> + +<p>Just how it happened, neither of them could tell afterward, +but over the gate whirled the man, and down toward +the seething torrent he shot!</p> + +<p>Up from that falling figure came a wild cry of horror +that was heard above the fumbling roar of the train on the +trestle bridge.</p> + +<p>Over and over the figure turned, the skirts fluttering, +and then headlong it plunged into the white foam of the +torrent, disappearing from view.</p> + +<p>On the rear platform of the last car two white-faced, +horrified young men had watched the terrible fall. They +stared down at the swirling river, looking for the unfortunate +wretch to reappear. Off the bridge flew the train, +and no longer were they able to see the river.</p> + +<p>“He’s gone!” came hoarsely from Bart.</p> + +<p>“Then you saw—you knew it was a man?” cried Frank.</p> + +<p>“Yes, I saw his trousers beneath the skirts as I came +out the door.”</p> + +<p>“This is terrible!” muttered Frank.</p> + +<p>“He was trying to throw you over?”</p> + +<p>“Yes; attempted to take me off my guard and hurl me +from the train.”</p> + +<p>“Then the wretch has met a just fate,” declared Bart.</p> + +<p>But now it seemed that the struggle on the platform +had been noticed by some one within the car. There were +excited faces at the glass in the door, and a trainman +came out, demanding:</p> + +<p>“What is all this? Why are you out here? They tell +me a woman came out. Where is she?”</p> + +<p>With unusual readiness, Bart quickly answered:</p> + +<p>“She’s gone—jumped from the train.”</p> + +<p>“Jumped?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. We both tried to save her. Just as I reached the +door I saw my friend struggling to hold her, but she was +determined to fling herself over.”</p> + +<p>“Well, this is a fine piece of business!” came angrily +from the trainman. “What ailed her?”</p> + +<p>“She must have been insane,” asserted Bart. “She attacked +my friend here, and then tried to jump off. He +could not hold her. I did not get hold of her in time.”</p> + +<p>“What was he doing out here?”</p> + +<p>“Watching her. You will admit it was rather queer for +a woman to come out here on the platform and stand. He +thought so, and so he came out to watch her.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you can both come in off this platform!” +growled the trainman, in anything but a civil manner.</p> + +<p>They did so. The passengers swarmed round them +when they entered the car, literally flinging questions at +them.</p> + +<p>“Who was the woman?”</p> + +<p>“What ailed her?”</p> + +<p>“Why did she go out there?”</p> + +<p>“What did she do?”</p> + +<p>“Tell us about it!”</p> + +<p>Again Bart made the explanation, and then there arose +a babel.</p> + +<p>“I noticed her,” declared one. “I saw she looked +queer.”</p> + +<p>“I noticed her,” asserted another. “I saw she acted +queer.”</p> + +<p>“I saw her when she went out,” put in a third, “and I +thought it was a crazy thing to do.”</p> + +<p>“Without doubt the woman was insane,” declared a +pompous fat man.</p> + +<p>“She must have been instantly killed.”</p> + +<p>“She jumped into the river.”</p> + +<p>“Then, she was drowned.”</p> + +<p>“Who knows her?”</p> + +<p>“She was all alone.”</p> + +<p>Frank had been thinking swiftly all the while. He regretted +that Bart had been so hasty in making his explanation, +and now he resolved to tell as near the truth as +possible without contradicting Hodge.</p> + +<p>“Gentlemen and ladies,” he said, “I have every reason +for believing that the person was a man.”</p> + +<p>Then there were cries of astonishment and incredulity.</p> + +<p>“A man?”</p> + +<p>“Impossible!”</p> + +<p>“Never!”</p> + +<p>“Ridiculous!”</p> + +<p>But an elderly lady, who wore gold-bowed spectacles, +calmly said:</p> + +<p>“The young gentleman is correct, I am quite sure. The +person in question sat directly in front of me, and I discovered +there was something wrong. I felt almost certain +it was a man before he got up and went out on the platform.”</p> + +<p>Then there was excitement in the car. A perfect torrent +of questions was poured on Frank.</p> + +<p>Merry explained that he had thought it rather remarkable +that a woman should be standing all alone on the rear +platform, and, after going out and speaking to the person, +he became convinced that it was a man in disguise. Then +he told how the man, on being accused, had attacked him +furiously, and finally had seemed to fling himself over +the iron gate.</p> + +<p>It was a great sensation, but no one accused either +Merry or Bart of throwing the unknown over, not a little +to Frank’s relief.</p> + +<p>At last, they got away and went forward into the car +where the company was gathered. Havener and Gallup +had been holding the double seat, and Frank and Bart sat +down there.</p> + +<p>“Well, I fancy you failed to find the lady you were +looking for,” said Havener. “But what’s the matter? +You look as if something has happened.”</p> + +<p>“Something has,” said Frank, grimly.</p> + +<p>“Gol-darned ef I don’t b’lieve it!” exclaimed Ephraim. +“Both yeou an’ Hodge show it. Tell us abaout it.”</p> + +<p>Frank did so in a very few words, astonishing both +Ephraim and the stage manager.</p> + +<p>“Waal,” said the Vermonter, “the gal who tackled yeou +in Denver warn’t no man.”</p> + +<p>“Not much,” said Frank, “and it is remarkable that +Hodge should have mistaken a man for such a woman +as I described.”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t,” said Bart.</p> + +<p>“But you have acknowledged that you believed this +was a man.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, but this man was not the veiled woman I saw.”</p> + +<p>“Wasn’t?”</p> + +<p>“Not much!”</p> + +<p>“By Jove!” exclaimed Frank. “The mystery deepens!”</p> + +<p>“Did you mistake this person for the veiled woman I +meant?”</p> + +<p>“Sure thing.”</p> + +<p>“And did not find another?”</p> + +<p>“Not a sign of one. I do not believe there is another +on the train.”</p> + +<p>“Well, this is a mystery!” confessed Hodge. “I saw +nothing of the one I meant when I went to look for you.”</p> + +<p>“It must be you saw no one but that man in the first +place.”</p> + +<p>Bart shook his head, flushing somewhat.</p> + +<p>“Do you think I would take that man for a woman +with a perfect figure, such as you described? What in the +world do you fancy is the matter with my eyes?”</p> + +<p>“By gum!” drawled Gallup. “This air business is +gittin’ too thick fer me. I don’t like so much mystery a +bit.”</p> + +<p>“If that man was not the one you meant, Hodge,” said +Merry, “then the mysterious woman is still on this train.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” nodded Bart.</p> + +<p>“Find her,” urged Frank. “I want to get my eyes on +her more than ever. Surely you should be able to find +her.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll do it!” cried Bart, jumping up.</p> + +<p>Away he went.</p> + +<p>Frank remained with Havener and Gallup, talking over +the exciting and thrilling adventure and the mystery of it +all till Hodge returned. At a glance Merry saw that his +college friend had not been successful.</p> + +<p>“Well,” he said, “did you find her?”</p> + +<p>“No,” confessed Bart, looking crestfallen. “I went +through the entire train, and I looked every passenger +over. The woman I meant is not on this train.”</p> + +<p>“Then, it must be that your woman was the man who +met his death in the river. There is no other explanation +of her disappearance. You must give up now, Hodge.”</p> + +<p>But Hodge would not give up, although he could offer +no explanation, and the mystery remained unsolved.</p> + +<p>There were numerous stops between Denver and Puelbo, +and it was nightfall before the train brought them +to their destination. The sun had dropped behind the distant +Rockies, and the soft shades of a perfect spring evening +were gathering when they drew up at the station in +Puelbo.</p> + +<p>Lights were beginning to twinkle in windows, and the +streets were lighted. “Props” had gone to look after +the baggage, and the company was gathered on the platform. +Cabmen were seeking to attract fares.</p> + +<p>Of a sudden, a cry broke from the lips of Bart Hodge:</p> + +<p>“There she is!”</p> + +<p>All were startled by his sudden cry. They saw him +start from the others, pointing toward a woman who was +speaking to a cabman. That woman had left the train and +crossed the platform, and she was dressed in black and +heavily veiled.</p> + +<p>Frank saw her—recognized her.</p> + +<p>“By heavens! it is the woman,” he exclaimed.</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink20'>CHAPTER XX.—MAN OR WOMAN.</h2> + +<p>Into the cab sprang the woman. Slam! the door closed +behind her. Crack!—the whip of the driver fell on the +horses, and away went the cab.</p> + +<p>“Stop!” shouted Hodge.</p> + +<p>Cabby did not heed the command.</p> + +<p>Frank made a rush for another cab.</p> + +<p>“Follow!” he cried, pointing toward the disappearing +vehicle. “I will give you five dollars—ten dollars—if you +do not lose sight of that cab!”</p> + +<p>“In!” shouted the driver. “I’ll earn that ten!”</p> + +<p>In Frank plunged, jerking the door to behind him. The +cab whirled from the platform with a jerk. Away it flew.</p> + +<p>“It will be worth twenty dollars to get a peep beneath +that veil!” muttered Frank Merriwell.</p> + +<p>The windows were open. He looked out on one side. +He could see nothing of the cab they were pursuing. +Back he dodged, and out he popped his head on the +other side.</p> + +<p>“There it is!”</p> + +<p>He felt that he was not mistaken. The fugitive cab was +turning a corner at that moment. They were after it +closely.</p> + +<p>Frank wondered where the woman could have been +hidden on the train so that she had escaped observation. +He decided that she must have been in one of the toilet +rooms.</p> + +<p>But what about the veiled man who was disguised as +a woman? That man had known Frank—had spoken his +name.</p> + +<p>It was a double mystery.</p> + +<p>The pursuit of the cab continued some distance. At +last the cab in advance drew up in front of a hotel, and a +man got out!</p> + +<p>Merriwell had leaped to the ground, and cabby was +down quite as swiftly, saying:</p> + +<p>“There, sir, I followed ’em. Ten plunks, please.”</p> + +<p>The door of the other cab had been closed, and the +man was paying the driver. He wore no overcoat, and +carried no baggage.</p> + +<p>“Fooled!” exclaimed Frank, in disappointment. “You +have followed the wrong cab, driver!”</p> + +<p>“I followed the one you told me to follow,” declared +the driver.</p> + +<p>“No; you made a mistake.”</p> + +<p>“Now, don’t try that game on me!” growled the man. +“It’s your way of attempting to get out of paying the +tenner you promised.”</p> + +<p>“No; I shall pay you, for you did the best you could. +It was not your fault that you made a mistake in the mass +of carriages at the depot.”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t make no mistake,” asserted the cabby, sullenly.</p> + +<p>“Well, it’s useless to argue over it,” said Merry, as he +gave the man the promised ten dollars. “I am sure you +made a mistake.“</p> + +<p>“Think I couldn’t follow Bill Dover and his spotted +nigh hawse?” exploded the driver. “I couldn’t have missed +that hawse if I’d tried.”</p> + +<p>Frank saw one of the horses attached to the other cab +was spotted. He had noticed that peculiarity about one +of the horses attached to the cab the mysterious woman +had entered.</p> + +<p>“It’s the same horse!” exclaimed Merry.</p> + +<p>“’Course it is,” nodded the driver.</p> + +<p>The man had paid his fare and was carelessly sauntering +into the hotel. As he disappeared through the door-way, +Frank sprang to the door of the other cab, flung it +wide open, and looked in, more than half expecting to +discover the woman still inside.</p> + +<p>No woman was there!</p> + +<p>Frank caught his breath in astonishment, and stood +there, staring into the empty cab.</p> + +<p>“Hi, there! wot cher doin’?” called the man on the box.</p> + +<p>Frank did not answer. He reached into the cab and felt +on the floor. He found something, brought it forth, +looked at it amazed.</p> + +<p>It was a woman’s dress!</p> + +<p>But where was the woman?</p> + +<p>Garment after garment Frank lifted, discovering that +all a woman’s outer wearing apparel lay on the floor of +that cab.</p> + +<p>“Vanished!” he muttered. “Disappeared—gone? What +does it mean?”</p> + +<p>Then he thought of the man who had left the cab and +entered the hotel, and he almost reeled.</p> + +<p>“That was the woman!”</p> + +<p>He had seen one woman change into a man on the +train, and here was another and no less startling metamorphosis.</p> + +<p>“Driver,” he cried, “didn’t you take a person on in +woman’s clothes at the station and let one off in man’s +clothes just now?”</p> + +<p>“None of yer business!” came the coarse reply. “I +knows enough not ter answer questions when I’m paid ter +keep still.”</p> + +<p>That was quite enough; the driver might as well have +answered, for he had satisfied Merriwell.</p> + +<p>Frank was astonished by the remarkable change that +the woman had made while within the cab, but now he +believed he understood why she had not been detected +while on the train. She had been able to make a change +of disguises in the toilet room, and had passed herself off +as a man. Hodge had looked for a veiled woman, and he +had looked for a veiled woman; it was not strange that +both of them had failed to notice a person in masculine +attire who must have looked like a woman.</p> + +<p>Up the hotel steps Frank leaped. He entered the office, +he searched and inquired. At last, he found out that a +beardless man had entered by the front door, but had +simply passed through and left by a side door.</p> + +<p>“Given me the slip,” decided Frank. He realized that +he had encountered a remarkably clever woman.</p> + +<p>And the mystery was deeper than ever.</p> + +<p>Frank went to the hotel at which the company was to +stop, and found all save Wynne had arrived. Hodge was +on the watch for Merry, and eagerly inquired concerning +his success in following the woman. Frank explained +how he had been tricked.</p> + +<p>“Well, it’s plain this unknown female is mighty slippery,” +said Bart. “You have not seen the last of her.”</p> + +<p>“I am afraid there are some things about this double +mystery which will never be solved,” admitted Frank. +“For instance, the identity of the man who fell into the +river.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll be dead lucky if we do not have trouble over +that affair,” said Hodge.</p> + +<p>“How do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“Some fool is liable to swear out a warrant charging +us with throwing the unknown overboard.”</p> + +<p>“I thought of that,” nodded Frank, “and that is why I +took occasion on the train to straighten out your story +somewhat. It is always best, Bart, to stick to the straight +truth.”</p> + +<p>Hodge flushed and looked resentful, but plainly sought +to repress his feelings, as he said:</p> + +<p>“I am not the only person in the world who believes the +truth should not be spoken at all times.”</p> + +<p>“If one cannot speak the truth,” said Merry, quietly, “he +had better remain silent and say nothing at all, particularly +in a case like this. There is an old saying that ‘the +truth can afford to travel slowly, but a lie must be on the +jump all the time, or it will get caught.’”</p> + +<p>“Well, I don’t think this is any time to moralize,” came +a bit sharply from Bart. “If we were to go into an argument, +I rather think I could show logically that a white +lie is sometimes more commendable than the truth.”</p> + +<p>“In shielding another, possibly,” admitted Merry; “but +never in shielding the one who tells it. The more a person +lies, the more he has to lie, for it becomes necessary to +tell one falsehood to cover up another, and, after a while, +the unfortunate individual finds himself so ensnared in a +network of fabrications that it is impossible for him to +clear himself. Then disaster comes.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, don’t preach!” snapped Bart. “Let’s go to your +room and talk this matter of the veiled woman over. +There is trouble brewing for you, and you must be prepared +to meet it. Havener has registered for the company, +and all you have to do is call for your key.”</p> + +<p>So Frank and Bart went to the room of the former.</p> + +<p>Puelbo had been well “papered.” The work was done +thoroughly, and every board, every dead wall, and every +available window flaunted the paper of “True Blue.”</p> + +<p>The failure of “For Old Eli” was still fresh in the minds +of the people of the city, but neither had they forgotten +Frank Merriwell’s plucky promise to bring the play back +to that place and perform it successfully there.</p> + +<p>The newspapers of the place had given him their support, +but Frank was determined that extracts from the +notices in the Denver papers should reach the eyes of those +who did not read the Puelbo papers closely. With this +end in view, he had the extracts printed on flyers, as small +bills are called, and the flyers were headed in startling +type:</p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>“Five Hundred Dollars Fine!”</p> + +<p>To this he added:</p> + +<table style='margin:auto' summary=''> +<tr><td> +“Each and every person who reads the following clippings<br/> +from Denver newspapers will be fined Five Hundred Dollars!”<br/> +</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>It is needless to say that nearly every one who could +read was careful to read the clippings through to the end.</p> + +<p>This manner of attracting attention was effective, even +though it may seem rather boyish in its conception.</p> + +<p>His printing was done on the very night that he arrived +in Puelbo, and the flyers were scattered broadcast the following +day.</p> + +<p>He obtained the names of a large number of prominent +citizens, to whom he sent complimentary tickets, good for +the first night’s performance.</p> + +<p>Frank was determined to have a house, even if it was +made up principally of deadheads.</p> + +<p>On the occasion of his former visit to Puelbo he had +received some free advertising through Leslie Lawrence, +who had circulated printed accusations against him. He +scarcely expected anything of the sort on this occasion, +and he was rather startled when, on the morning following +his arrival, he discovered that a circular had been scattered +broadcast, which seemed to be even more malicious +than the former attempt upon him.</p> + +<p>In this circular he was plainly charged with the murder +of an unknown woman shortly after leaving Denver, and +it was said he had been aided in the crime by Bartley +Hodge.</p> + +<p>Frank was calmly reading this bold accusation when +Hodge came bursting into the room in a manner that +reminded Merry of his entrance under similar circumstances +on the former occasion.</p> + +<p>Seeing the paper in Merry’s hand, Bart hoarsely cried:</p> + +<p>“So you’ve got it! Then you know about it! Well, +now, sir, what do you think of that?”</p> + +<p>“Sit down, Hodge,” said Frank, calmly. “You seem all +out of breath. You are excited.”</p> + +<p>“Excited!” shouted the dark-faced youth. “Well, isn’t +that enough to excite a man of stone!”</p> + +<p>“Do you mean this?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, that! What in the name of creation do you suppose +I meant?”</p> + +<p>“I wasn’t certain.”</p> + +<p>“Wasn’t cert—— Oh, say; that’s too much! What +do you think? What are you made of, anyway?”</p> + +<p>“Now, my dear fellow, you must stop going on like this. +You’ll bring on heart disease if you keep it up.”</p> + +<p>Hodge dropped down on a chair and stared at Merry.</p> + +<p>“Well—I’ll—be—blowed!” he gasped.</p> + +<p>“You are nearly blowed now,” said Frank. “You +seem quite out of breath.”</p> + +<p>“Is it possible you have read that paper you hold in +your hand?” asked Bart, with forced calmness.</p> + +<p>“Yes, I have read it.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I do not understand you yet! I thought I did, +but I’m willing to confess that I don’t.”</p> + +<p>Then he jumped up, almost shouting:</p> + +<p>“Why, man alive, don’t you understand that we are +charged with murder—with murder?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” said Frank, still unruffled, “it seems so by this.”</p> + +<p>“And you take it like that!”</p> + +<p>“What is the use to take it differently?”</p> + +<p>“Use? Use? Sometimes I think you haven’t a drop +of good, hot blood in your body.”</p> + +<p>“If a person has plenty of good, hot blood, it is a good +thing for him to cool it off with good, cool brains. Hot +blood is all right, but it should be controlled; it should not +control the man.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t see how you can talk that way, under such circumstances. +Why, we may be arrested for murder any +moment!”</p> + +<p>“We shall not.”</p> + +<p>“Shall not?”</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“Why not?”</p> + +<p>“Because our unknown enemy does not dare come out +into the open and make the charge against us.”</p> + +<p>“What makes you think so?”</p> + +<p>“This.”</p> + +<p>Frank held up the accusing paper.</p> + +<p>“That?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Why should that make you think so?”</p> + +<p>“If our enemy had intended to come out and make the +charge against us openly, this would not have appeared. +It is simply an attempt to hurt us from under cover, or to +arouse others against us—against me, in particular.”</p> + +<p>Bart could see there was logic in Merry’s reasoning, but +still he was fearful of what might happen.</p> + +<p>“Well, even you must acknowledge that the unknown +enemy may succeed in his purpose,” said Hodge. “There +were a number of persons who saw something of the +struggle on the train. This may arouse some of them, or +one of them, at least, to do something.”</p> + +<p>“It may.”</p> + +<p>“You confess that?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t think you would.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t believe it will. Hodge, I have a fancy that, in +this case, same as in the other, my enemy will overshoot +the mark.”</p> + +<p>“How?”</p> + +<p>“Something tells me that this warning, intended to turn +suspicion against me, will serve as an advertisement. Of +course, it will be a most unpleasant notoriety to have, but +it may serve to bring people out to see me.”</p> + +<p>Bart looked thoughtful.</p> + +<p>“I never thought of that,” he confessed, hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>“I had far rather not had the notoriety,” admitted +Frank; “but that can’t be helped now. Let the people turn +out to see ‘True Blue.’ Perhaps I’ll get a chance at my +enemy later.”</p> + +<p>“The veiled woman——”</p> + +<p>“Is in it, I fancy. I believe there was some connection +between the veiled woman and the veiled man—the one +who plunged from the train into the river.”</p> + +<p>“I have thought of that, but I’ve been unable to figure +out what the connection could be. Why was the man +veiled and disguised thus?”</p> + +<p>“So that I would not recognize him.”</p> + +<p>“Then, it must be that you would know him if you saw +him face to face.”</p> + +<p>“As he knew me. He called me by name as he sprang +upon me.”</p> + +<p>“Well, he’s done for, but I believe the woman will +prove the most dangerous. Something tells me she was +the real mover in this business.”</p> + +<p>“I fancy you are right, Hodge. At first, in Denver, I +thought she had been piqued by the manner in which I +replied to her, but since all these strange things have +happened, I know it was more than a case of pique.”</p> + +<p>“When you make a woman your enemy, she is far more +dangerous than a man, for women are more reckless—less +fearful of consequences.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right,” nodded Frank. “Women know they +will not be punished to the full extent of the law, no +matter what they do. Juries are easily hypnotized by pretty +women. Where a woman and a man are connected in +committing a crime, and the woman is shown to be the +prime mover, a jury will let the woman off as easily as +possible. A jury always hesitates about condemning a +woman to death, no matter if she has committed a most +fiendish murder. In the East, women adventuresses ply +their nefarious arts and work upon the sympathies of the +juries so that, when called to the bar, they are almost always +acquitted. It is remarkable that men should be so +soft. It is not gallantry; it is softness. The very man +who would cry the loudest if he had been hit by an adventuress +is the most eager to acquit the woman in case +he happens to be on the jury to pronounce the verdict in +her case.”</p> + +<p>“Well,” said Hodge, “you are sound and level in that +statement, Frank. It’s plain you do not think true chivalry +consists of acquitting female blackmailers and assassins.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t let this little attempt to injure us frighten you, +Hodge,” advised Frank, rising. “I think it will miscarry +entirely. We’ve got plenty of work for to-day, and to-night +I believe I shall be able to tell beyond a doubt +whether ‘True Blue’ is a success or a failure. I think the +test will come right here in Puelbo, where we met disaster +before.”</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink21'>CHAPTER XXI.—GALLUP MEETS THE MYSTERIOUS WOMAN.</h2> + +<p>The mechanical arrangements and special scenery had +arrived and were moved into the theater. Supers had +been engaged to attend rehearsal in the afternoon, so that +they might know their business when evening came.</p> + +<p>Frank attended to the details of much of the work of +making ready, although he had full confidence in Havener +and Hodge, who assisted him. He saw that the mechanical +effect representing the boat race was put up and +tested, making sure it worked perfectly. He was anxious +about this, for any hitch in that scene was certain to +ruin the whole play.</p> + +<p>Gallup proved valuable. He worked about the stage, +and he was of great assistance to Havener, who wished +Merriwell to appoint him assistant stage manager.</p> + +<p>Of course, everybody was anxious about the result, but +the majority of the company had confidence in Merriwell +and his play. Cassie Lee, perhaps, was the only one who +was never assailed by a doubt concerning the outcome.</p> + +<p>“I shall do my best to-night—at any cost,” she told +Frank.</p> + +<p>At that moment he did not pause to consider the real +meaning of her words. Afterward he knew what she +meant. She still carried a tiny needle syringe and a phial +that contained a certain dangerous drug that had so nearly +wrought her ruin.</p> + +<p>The various members of the company drifted into +the theater by the stage entrance, looked over their +dressing rooms and the stage and drifted out again. They had +been engaged to act, and they did not propose to work +when it was not necessary.</p> + +<p>Gallup whistled as he hustled about the work Havener +directed him to do. He made his long legs carry him +about swiftly, although he sometimes tripped over his own +feet.</p> + +<p>Ephraim was arranging a mass of scenery so that every +piece would be handy for use that night when the time +came to use it. While doing this, he was surprised to see +one of the dressing-room doors cautiously open and a person +peer out.</p> + +<p>“Gosh!” exclaimed the Vermonter, stepping back out +of sight. “Who’s that?”</p> + +<p>Again the person peered out of the dressing room, as if +to make sure the coast was clear.</p> + +<p>“I must be dreamin’!” thought the Vermont youth, rubbing +his eyes. “I’ve got ’em jest from hearin’ Frank and +Hodge talk so much about her.”</p> + +<p>A moment later he changed his mind.</p> + +<p>“No, by ginger!” he hissed, as the person slipped out of +the dressing room. “It’s her!”</p> + +<p>It was “her,” and that means that it was the mysterious +veiled woman!</p> + +<p>Recovering instantly from the shock of his surprise, +Gallup sprang out from behind the scenery and made a +rush for the unknown.</p> + +<p>“Hold on!” he cried. “B’gosh! yeou’ve gotter give a +’count of yerself, an’ don’t yeou fergit it!”</p> + +<p>She started, turned on him, dodged. He flung out his +hand and clutched at her, catching hold of the chain that +encircled her neck and suspended her purse.</p> + +<p>“I want yeou!” palpitated the Yankee youth. “Yeou’re +jest the——”</p> + +<p>Flirt!—the woman made a quick motion toward him. +Something struck Ephraim in his eyes, burning like fire. +He was nearly knocked down by the shock, and a yell of +pain escaped his lips.</p> + +<p>“I’m blinded!” he groaned.</p> + +<p>It was true; he could not see.</p> + +<p>With something like a scornful laugh, the woman flitted +away and disappeared, leaving poor Ephraim bellowing +with pain and clawing at his eyes, as if he would dig them +out of his head.</p> + +<p>“Murder!” he howled. “Oh, I’m dyin’! Somebody +come quick! My eyes hev been put aout! Oh, wow-wow! +Oh, I wisht I’d staid to hum on the farm!”</p> + +<p>Down on the floor he fell, and over and over he rolled +in the greatest agony.</p> + +<p>Havener and some of the regular theater hands heard +his wild cries and came rushing to the spot. They found +him on the floor, kicking and thrashing about.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” demanded the stage manager.</p> + +<p>Gallup did not hear him.</p> + +<p>“I’m dyin’!” he blubbered. “Oh, it’s an awful way ter +die! My eyes are gone! Ow-yow!”</p> + +<p>“What is the matter?” Havener again cried, getting +hold of the thrashing youth. “What has happened?”</p> + +<p>“Stop her!” roared Ephraim, realizing that some person +had come and thinking instantly that the woman +must be detained. “Don’t let her git erway!”</p> + +<p>“Don’t let who get away?”</p> + +<p>“The woman! Ow-wow! Bring a pail of warter an’ +let me git my head inter it! I must do somethin’ ter put +aout the fire! Oh, my eyes! my eyes!”</p> + +<p>“What is the matter with your eyes?”</p> + +<p>“She threw somethin’ inter ’em.”</p> + +<p>“She?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Who?”</p> + +<p>“The woman.”</p> + +<p>“What woman?”</p> + +<p>“The veiled woman—the one that has made all the +trouble fer Merry! Oh, this is jest awful!”</p> + +<p>“What are you talking about?” demanded Havener, impatiently. +“There is no veiled woman here! Have you +lost your senses?”</p> + +<p>Then, realizing that they were doing nothing to prevent +her from making her escape, Gallup sat up and howled:</p> + +<p>“She was here! I saw her comin’ aout of a dressin’ +room. Oh, dear! Yow! I tried to ketch her! Oh, my +eyes! She flung somethin’ inter my face an’ put both my +eyes out!”</p> + +<p>“Something has been thrown into his eyes!” exclaimed +Havener. “It’s red pepper! He is telling the truth! +Somebody get some water! Somebody run to a drug +store and get something for him to use on his eyes!”</p> + +<p>“Darn it all!” shouted Gallup. “Let me die, ef I’ve gotter! +but don’t let that infarnal woman git erway!”</p> + +<p>“I will try to see to that,” said Havener, rushing away.</p> + +<p>He dashed down to the stage door, but he was too late, +for the doorkeeper told him the veiled woman had +gone out.</p> + +<p>“Why in the world did you let her in?” angrily demanded +the irate stage manager.</p> + +<p>“She said she belonged to the company.”</p> + +<p>“She lied! She has half killed one of the company!”</p> + +<p>“I heard the shouts,” said the doorkeeper, “and I +thought somebody was hurt. But it wasn’t my fault.”</p> + +<p>“If she tries to come in here again, seize and hold her. +I’ll give you five dollars if you hold her till I can reach +her! She is a female tiger!”</p> + +<p>Then Havener rushed back to see what could be done +for Gallup.</p> + +<p>Groaning and crying, Gallup was washing the pepper +from his eyes, which were fearfully inflamed and swollen. +He could not see Havener, but heard his voice, and eagerly +asked:</p> + +<p>“Did ye ketch the dratted critter?”</p> + +<p>“No; she got out before I reached the door.”</p> + +<p>“Darn her!” grated Ephraim. “I say darn her! Never +said ennything as bad as that about a female woman before, +but I jest can’t help it this time! I won’t be able to +see fer a week!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, you will,” assured Havener. “But I rather +think your eyes will look bad for some time to come.”</p> + +<p>“Here is something he had in his hand,” said one of +the supers. “It’s her purse, I reckon; but there ain’t no +money in it.”</p> + +<p>Havener took it.</p> + +<p>“Are you sure there wasn’t any money in it when you +examined it?” he asked, sharply.</p> + +<p>The super seemed to feel insulted, and he angrily protested +that he would not have touched a cent if there had +been five hundred dollars in it.</p> + +<p>“But I notice you had curiosity enough to examine the +contents of it,” came dryly from the stage manager. “I’ll +just keep this. It may prove to be a valuable clew to the +woman’s identity.”</p> + +<p>Everything possible was done for Ephraim’s eyes, but it +was a long time before he was much relieved from the +agony he was suffering. Then he was taken to the hotel, +with a bandage over his eyes, and a doctor came to attend +him.</p> + +<p>The physician said he would do everything possible to +get Ephraim into shape to play that evening, but he did +not give a positive assurance that he would be able to do +so. As soon as Frank heard of the misfortune which had +befallen the Vermont youth, he hastened to the hotel and +to the room where Ephraim was lying on the bed.</p> + +<p>Gallup heard his step and recognized it when he entered.</p> + +<p>“I’m slappin’ glad yeou’ve come, Frank!” he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“And I am terribly sorry you have met with such a misfortune, +Ephraim,” declared Merry.</p> + +<p>“So be I, Frank—so be I! But I’m goin’ ter play my +part ter-night ur bu’st my galluses tryin’! I ain’t goin’ +to knock aout the show ef I kin help it.”</p> + +<p>“That was not what I meant. I was sorry because of +the pain you must have suffered.”</p> + +<p>“Waal, it was ruther tough,” the faithful country lad +confessed. “By gum! it was jest as ef somebody’d chucked +a hull lot of coals right inter my lookers. It jest knocked +me silly, same ez if I’d bin hit with a club.”</p> + +<p>“How did it happen? Tell me all about it.”</p> + +<p>Ephraim told the story of his adventure, finishing with:</p> + +<p>“I kainder guess that red pepper warn’t meant fer me, +Frank. That was meant fer yeou. That woman was in +there ter fix yeou so yeou couldn’t play ter-night.”</p> + +<p>“It’s quite likely you may be right, Ephraim; but she +had to give it to you in order to escape. But where is this +purse you snatched from her?”</p> + +<p>“On the stand, there. Havener tuck possession of it, +but I got him to leave it here, so yeou might see it right +away when yeou came.”</p> + +<p>Frank found the purse and opened it. From it he drew +forth a crumpled and torn telegram. Smoothing this out, +he saw it was dated at Castle Rock the previous day. It +read as follows:</p> + +<div class='bq'> +<p>“<span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Mrs. Hayward Grace</span>, Puelbo, Colo.</p> + +<p>“All right. Close call. Fell from train into river. Came +near drowning, but managed to swim out. Will be along +on first train to-morrow. Keep track of the game.</p> + +<p style='text-align:right; margin:0 0ex 0 auto'>“P. F.”</p> +</div> + +<p>Frank jumped when he read that.</p> + +<p>“By Jove!” he cried.</p> + +<p>“Whut is it?” Ephraim eagerly asked.</p> + +<p>“I believe I understand this.”</p> + +<p>“Do ye?”</p> + +<p>“Sure! This was from the man who fell from the +train into the river—the man disguised as a woman, who +attacked me on the rear platform!”</p> + +<p>“Looks zif yeou might be right.”</p> + +<p>“I am sure of it! The fellow escaped with his life! It +is marvelous!”</p> + +<p>“I sh’u’d say so!”</p> + +<p>“He dispatched his accomplice, the woman, to let her +know that he was living.”</p> + +<p>“Yeou’ve struck it, Frank!”</p> + +<p>“And she was the one who got out the accusing flyers, +charging me with the crime of murder!”</p> + +<p>“I bet!”</p> + +<p>“The man is in this city now, and they are working together +again.”</p> + +<p>“I dunno’d I see whut they’re goin’ to make aout of it, +but mebbe yeou do.”</p> + +<p>“Not yet. They must be enemies I have made.”</p> + +<p>“Who’s Mrs. Hayward Grace?”</p> + +<p>“Never heard the name before.”</p> + +<p>“Waal, he didn’t sign his name Hayward Grace, so it +seems he ain’t her husband; don’t it, Frank?”</p> + +<p>“He signed ‘P. F.’ Now, I wonder what one of my +enemies can be fitted to those initials?”</p> + +<p>“I dunno.”</p> + +<p>“Nor do I. But this telegram has given me a feeling +of relief, for I am glad to know the man was not +drowned.”</p> + +<p>“Drownin’s too good fer him! He oughter be hung!”</p> + +<p>“Although my conscience was clear in the matter, I am +glad to know that I was in no way connected with his +death. Hodge will not be so pleased, for he will not stop +to reason that the chances of a charge of murder being +brought against us are about blotted out. Ephraim, I am +very sorry you were hurt, but I’m extremely glad you +snatched this purse and brought me this telegram. I shall +take care of it. I shall use it to trace my enemies, if +possible.”</p> + +<p>“Waal, I’m glad I done somethin’, though I’d bin a ’tarnal +sight gladder if I hed ketched that woman.”</p> + +<p>Frank carefully placed the purse and the telegram in his +pocket, where he knew it would be safe.</p> + +<p>Assuring Ephraim that everything possible should be +done for him, he hastened out.</p> + +<p>That afternoon the rehearsal took place, with another +person reading Ephraim’s part. It was feared that Gallup +would not be able to see to play when it came night, but +Frank hoped that he could, and the Vermont youth vowed +he’d do it some way.</p> + +<p>The rehearsal passed off fairly well, although there +were some hitches. Havener looked satisfied.</p> + +<p>“I’d rather it would go off this way than to have it go +perfectly smooth,” he declared. “I’ve noticed it almost always +happens that a good, smooth rehearsal just before a +first performance means that the performance will go bad, +and vice versa.”</p> + +<p>Frank had not been long in the business, but he, also, +had observed that it often happened as Havener had +said.</p> + +<p>The theater orchestra rehearsed with them, getting all +the “cue music” arranged, and having everything in readiness +for the specialties.</p> + +<p>The night came at last, and the company gathered at +the theater, wondering what the outcome would be.</p> + +<p>Gallup was on hand, but he still had the bandage over +his eyes. He was wearing it up to the last minute, so that +he would give them as much rest as possible.</p> + +<p>“Somebody’ll hev ter make me up ter-night,” he said. +“I don’t believe I kin see well enough ter do that.”</p> + +<p>Havener agreed to look after that.</p> + +<p>While the various members were putting the finishing +touches on their toilet and make-up, word came that people +were pouring into the theater in a most satisfactory manner. +The orchestra tuned up for the overture.</p> + +<p>Frank went round to see that everybody was prepared. +He had fallen into that habit, not feeling like depending +on some one else to do it.</p> + +<p>Most of the men were entirely ready. A few were making +the last touches. Stella Stanley and Agnes Kirk were +all ready to go on.</p> + +<p>“Where is Cassie?” asked Merry.</p> + +<p>“In the dressing room,” said Stella. “She told us not +to wait for her. Said she would be right out.”</p> + +<p>Frank went to the dressing room. The door was slightly +open, and, through the opening, he saw Cassie. She had +thrust back the sleeve of her left arm, and he saw a +tiny instrument in her right hand. He knew in a twinkling +what she was about to do.</p> + +<p>With a leap, Frank went into that room and caught +her by the wrist.</p> + +<p>“Cassie!” he cried, guardedly. “You told me you had +given it up! You told me you’d never use morphine +again!”</p> + +<p>“Frank!” she whispered, looking abashed. “I know I +told you so! I meant it, but I must use it just once more—just +to-night. I am not feeling at my best. I’m dull +and heavy. You know how much depends on me. If I +don’t do well I shall ruin everything. It won’t hurt me +to use it just this once. The success of ‘True Blue’ may +depend on it!”</p> + +<p>“If the success of ‘True Blue’ depended on it beyond +the shadow of a doubt, I would not let you use it, Cassie! +Great heavens! girl, you are mad! If you fall again into +the clutches of that fiend nothing can save you!”</p> + +<p>“But the play——”</p> + +<p>“Do you think I would win success with my play at the +price of your soul! No, Cassie Lee! If I knew it meant +failure I would forbid you to use the stuff in that syringe. +Here, give it to me!”</p> + +<p>He took it from her and put it into his pocket.</p> + +<p>“Now,” he said, “it is out of your reach. You must +play without it. There goes the overture. The curtain +will go up in a few minutes. All I ask of you is to do your +best, Cassie, let it mean success or failure.”</p> + +<h2 class='chapter' id='clink22'>CHAPTER XXII.—THE END OF THE ROPE.</h2> + +<p>The theater was packed. Under no circumstances had +Frank anticipated such an audience on the opening night. +He felt sure that the advertising given him through the +effort of his enemies to injure him had done much to bring +people out. Another thing had brought them there. Curiosity +led many of them to the theater. They remembered +Merriwell’s first appearance in Puelbo and its outcome, +and they had not forgotten how, in a speech from the +stage, he had vowed that he would bring the play back +there and give a successful performance. He had rewritten +the piece, and it had been played in Denver to an +invited audience, every member of which went away +highly pleased. The Denver papers had pronounced in +favor of it.</p> + +<p>Puelbo people admired pluck and determination. They +could not help feeling admiration for the dogged persistency +of Frank Merriwell. And they really hoped he would +make good his promise to give a successful performance.</p> + +<p>Frank’s first entrance was carefully worked up to in the +play, and he was astounded when he came laughing and +singing onto the stage, to be greeted by a perfect whirlwind +of applause. Nor did the applause cease till he had +recognized it by bowing.</p> + +<p>Then, as everything quieted down and the play was +about to move on again, there came a terrible cry that rang +through the house:</p> + +<p>“Fire!”</p> + +<p>Frank understood in a twinkling that it was a false +alarm, given for the purpose of producing a stampede and +raising the performance.</p> + +<p>After that cry for a moment everybody sat as if turned +to stone. It was the calm before the panic.</p> + +<p>Then Frank’s voice rang out clear as a bell:</p> + +<p>“There is no fire! Keep your seats!”</p> + +<p>Some had sprung up, but his clear voice reached every +part of the house, and it checked the movement.</p> + +<p>“Fire! fire!”</p> + +<p>Shrill and piercing was the cry, in the voice of a woman.</p> + +<p>“Arrest that woman!” cried Frank. “She is trying to +ruin this performance! She is the one who circulated a +lying and malicious circular charging me with the crime of +murder. It was a part of a plot to ruin me!”</p> + +<p>Frank confessed afterward that he did not understand +why the audience remained without stampeding after that +second alarm. It must have been that there was a magic +something in his voice and manner that convinced them +and held them. At any rate, there was no rush for the +doors.</p> + +<p>All at once there was a commotion in the first balcony, +from which the cries had come. Two policemen had +seized a man and a woman, and the arrested pair were +taken from the theater.</p> + +<p>Quiet was restored, and Frank made a few soothing remarks +to the audience, after which the play proceeded.</p> + +<p>And now he had the sympathy of every person in the +great audience. When an actor has once fairly won the +sympathy of his audience, he is almost sure of success.</p> + +<p>The first act went off beautifully. The storm and shipwreck +at the close of the act took with the spectators. +There was hearty applause when the curtain fell.</p> + +<p>Frank had arranged that things should be rushed in +making ready for the second act. He wanted no long +waits between acts, for long waits weary the patience of +the best audiences.</p> + +<p>The second act seemed to go even better than the first, +if such a thing were possible. The singing of the “Yale +Quartet” proved a great hit, and they were obliged to +respond to encore after encore. Cassie’s dancing and singing +were well appreciated, and Frank, who was watching +her, decided that she could not have done better under any +circumstances. He did not know how hard she was +working for success. He did not know that she had actually +prayed that she might do better than she had ever +done before in all her life.</p> + +<p>The discomfiture of <i>Spike Dubad</i> at the close of the +second act was relished by all.</p> + +<p>At last the curtain rose on the third act, round which +the whole plot of the play revolved. Now, the interest of +the audience was keyed up to the right pitch, and the +anxiety of the actors was intense.</p> + +<p>The first scene went off all right, and then came the +change to the scene where the boat race was shown on the +river. Everything worked perfectly, and there was a tumult +in that theater when the stage suddenly grew dark, +just as the Yale boat was seen to forge into the lead.</p> + +<p>And then, in a few moments, the distant sounds of +cheering and the screaming of steam whistles seemed to +burst out close at hand, filling the theater with an uproar +of sound. Then up flashed the lights, and the open boathouse +was shown, with the river beyond. The boats +flashed in at the finish, the Yale cheer drowned everything +else, and Frank Merriwell was brought onto the stage in +the arms of his college friends.</p> + +<p>The curtain came down, but the audience was standing +and cheering like mad, as if it had just witnessed the +success of its favorite in a real college race. The curtain +went up for the tableau again and again, but that audience +would not be satisfied till Frank Merriwell came out and +said something.</p> + +<p>Frank came at last, and such an ovation as he received +it brought a happy mist to his eyes.</p> + +<p>“There he is!” somebody cried. “He said he would +come back here with his play and do the trick!”</p> + +<p>“Well, he has done it!” cried another. “And he is the +real Frank Merriwell, who has shown us the kind of +never-say-die pluck that has made Yale famous the world +over. Three cheers for Frank Merriwell!”</p> + +<p>They were given. Then all Frank could say was a few +choking words:</p> + +<p>“My friends, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! +You cannot know how much was depending on the success +or failure of this play. Perhaps all my future career +depended on it. I vowed I would win——”</p> + +<p>“And you have!” shouted a voice.</p> + +<p>“It seems so. Again, I thank you. I am too happy to +say more. Words are idle now.”</p> + +<p>He retired.</p> + +<hr class='tb' /> + +<p>Frank Merriwell had won with his play; “True Blue” +was a success. In his happiness he forgot his enemies, +he forgot that two persons had been arrested in the balcony. +It was not till the next morning when he was invited +by a detective to come to the jail to see the prisoners +that he thought of them.</p> + +<p>The detective accompanied him.</p> + +<p>“I have been on this fellow’s track for a long time,” he +explained. “Spotted him in the theater last night, but was +not going to arrest him till the show was over. The +woman with him created the disturbance, and two policemen +took them both in. I don’t want her for anything, +but I shall take the man back to Chicago, to answer to the +charge of forgery. I shall hold him here for requisition +papers.”</p> + +<p>The jail was reached, and first Frank took a look at +the woman. He felt that she would prove to be the mysterious +woman of the veil, and he was right. She looked +up at him, and laughed.</p> + +<p>“Good-morning, Mr. Merriwell,” she said. “Pres and I +have made things rather warm for you, you must confess. +I reckon we made a mistake last night. We’d both been +looking on the wine when it was red, or we’d not attempted +to stampede the audience.”</p> + +<p>“Why, it is the woman who claimed to be Havener’s +wife!” cried Frank.</p> + +<p>“Here is the man,” said the detective.</p> + +<p>Frank turned to another cell.</p> + +<p>He was face to face with Philip Scudder, his old-time +enemy, who had reached the end of his rope at last!</p> + +<p>But, in the hour of victory, Frank gave little heed to +those who had made his path to this present success a +hard and stormy one.</p> + +<p>He was successful!</p> + +<p>As a playwright and as an actor he had won the palm +of victory, the future seemed to promise all the rewards +his energy and enterprise deserved.</p> + +<p>He had started out from college with the determination +to win wealth and fame. He had left the scenes of his +early triumphs and first misfortunes, with the firm purpose +to return honored and enriched by his own labors.</p> + +<p>Now he was on the eve of accomplishing that purpose.</p> + +<p>And as he looked into the future, the lines of will power +and determination that had always marked his handsome +countenance grew firmer, as he murmured:</p> + +<p>“I will myself be ‘True Blue!’ Come what may, let +my paths for the next few months be as untoward as they +ever have been, difficulties shall but act as a spur to me in +my purpose. For I shall be, soon, I hope, once more a son +of ‘Old Eli.’”</p> + +<p class='center' style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;'>THE END.</p> + +<p>No. 41 of <span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Merriwell Series</span>, entitled “Frank +Merriwell’s Prosperity,” by Burt L. Standish, shows our +hero as a successful playwright, and on a fair way to +fame and fortune.</p> +<hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; width:70%; margin:2em auto' /> + +<p>BUFFALO BILL</p> + +<p>King of the Plains</p> + +<p>William Cody, Colonel U.S.A., is little known +under his real name, but when you call him by +the title conferred upon him by the hard-headed, +harder-fisted Western pioneers, why, the whole +world knows him—BUFFALO BILL!</p> + +<p>Stories of his adventures would be most difficult +to write for one who had not shared his +camp-fire days; but Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, +who wrote the stories in Buffalo Bill’s Border +Stories, was his boon companion, sharing all of +his marvelous adventures—even to being wounded +with him.</p> + +<p>Therefore, while apparently they are fiction, +actually, these stories are based upon fact and +written by a clever pen.</p> + +<p>If you like good Western adventure, look up +the Buffalo Bill Border Stories at your news +dealer’s. There are many different ones—you +are bound to find them interesting and surprisingly +good at the price.</p> + +<p>STREET & SMITH CORPORATION</p> + +<p>79 Seventh Avenue—New York City</p> +<hr style='border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; width:70%; margin:2em auto' /> + +<p>NICK CARTER CAPTURED</p> + +<p>The Heart of the World</p> + +<p>Twenty years ago, when Nick Carter first +appeared upon the literary stage as a fiction +character, he was looked upon as a curiosity—more +to be smiled at than taken seriously.</p> + +<p>Now, however, he is the favorite of countless +millions of readers in every walk of life. Stories +of his adventures have been translated into +nearly every foreign tongue; he appears on the +screen in a series of most fascinating pictures +produced by Broadwell Productions, Inc.</p> + +<p>In short, Nick Carter’s great triumph lies in +the fact that he has captured the heart of the +world.</p> + +<p>Have you ever met him? If not, buy any of +the following three books and prepare to be +cheered up:</p> + +<p>New Magnet Library.</p> + +<p> +     1025 “Wildfire”<br/> +     1021 “The Secret of the Marble Mantel”<br/> +     1017 “A Spinner of Death”<br/> +</p> + +<p>STREET & SMITH CORPORATION</p> + +<p>79 Seventh Avenue—New York City</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Frank Merriwell's New Comedian, by Burt L. 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