diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-04 11:32:27 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-04 11:32:27 -0800 |
| commit | cf37a5ecde198ff59affc17e9a7a715485224208 (patch) | |
| tree | 7b0262d7413ba70e919b6345bf4a20751d58fe8b | |
| parent | a3f02da6114a6e1e22b3b317af9fbbd42ad63123 (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/63815-0.txt | 9087 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/63815-0.zip | bin | 116435 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/63815-h.zip | bin | 801677 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/63815-h/63815-h.htm | 10808 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/63815-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 248024 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/63815-h/images/i008.jpg | bin | 249649 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/63815-h/images/i225.jpg | bin | 226978 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/63815-h/images/publogo.jpg | bin | 13348 -> 0 bytes |
11 files changed, 17 insertions, 19895 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f2d134a --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #63815 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/63815) diff --git a/old/63815-0.txt b/old/63815-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e9bda0a..0000000 --- a/old/63815-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9087 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Frank Merriwell on the Road, by Burt L -Standish - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this ebook. - -Title: Frank Merriwell on the Road - The All-Star Combination - -Author: Burt L Standish - -Release Date: December 05, 2020 [EBook #63815] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: David Edwards, Barry Abrahamsen, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL ON THE ROAD *** - - - THE MEDAL LIBRARY - - FAMOUS COPYRIGHTED STORIES - FOR BOYS, BY FAMOUS AUTHORS - - PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK - - -─────────────────────────── - - - This is an ideal line for boys of all ages. It contains juvenile - masterpieces by the most popular writers of interesting fiction - for boys. Among these may be mentioned the works of Burt L. - Standish, detailing the adventures of Frank Merriwell, the hero, - of whom every American boy has read with admiration. Frank is a - truly representative American lad, full of character and a - strong determination to do right at any cost. Then, there are - the works of Horatio Alger, Jr., whose keen insight into the - minds of the boys of our country has enabled him to write a - series of the most interesting tales ever published. This line - also contains some of the best works of Oliver Optic, another - author whose entire life was devoted to writing books that would - tend to interest and elevate our boys. - - -─────────────────────────── - - - To be Published During January, 1905 - - 295—Cris Rock By Capt. Mayne Reid - - 294—Sam’s Chance By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 293—My Plucky Boy Tom By Edward S. Ellis - - 292—Frank Merriwell’s Hard By Burt L. Standish - Luck - - - To be Published During December - - - 291—By Pike and Dike By G. A. Henty - - 290—Shifting For Himself By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 289—The Pirate and the Three By Captain Marryat - Cutters - - 288—Frank Merriwell’s By Burt L. Standish - Opportunity - - 287—Kit Carson’s Last Trail By Leon Lewis - - - To be Published During November - - - 286—Jack’s Ward By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 285—Jack Darcy, the All-Around By Edward S. Ellis - Athlete - - 284—Frank Merriwell’s First By Burt L. Standish - Job - - 283—Wild Adventures Round the By Gordon Stables - Pole - - * * * * * - - 282—Herbert Carter’s Legacy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 281—Rattlin, the Reefer By Captain Marryat - - 280—Frank Merriwell’s Struggle By Burt L. Standish - - 279—Mark Dale’s Stage Venture By Arthur M. Winfield - - 278—In Times of Peril By G. A. Henty - - 277—In a New World By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 276—Frank Merriwell in Maine By Burt L. Standish - - 275—The King of the Island By Henry Harrison Lewis - - 274—Beach Boy Joe By Lieut. James K. Orton - - 273—Jacob Faithful By Captain Marryat - - 272—One of Horatio Alger’s - Best Stories. - - 271—Frank Merriwell’s Chase By Burt L. Standish - - 270—Wing and Wing By J. Fenimore Cooper - - 269—The Young Bank Clerk By Arthur M. Winfield - - 268—Do and Dare By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 267—Frank Merriwell’s Cruise By Burt L. Standish - - 266—The Young Castaways By Leon Lewis - - 265—The Lion of St. Mark By G. A. Henty - - 264—Hector’s Inheritance By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 263—Mr. Midshipman Easy By Captain Marryat - - 262—Frank Merriwell’s Vacation By Burt L. Standish - - 261—The Pilot By J. Fenimore Cooper - - 260—Driven From Home By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 259—Sword and Pen By Henry Harrison Lewis - - 258—Frank Merriwell In Camp By Burt L. Standish - - 257—Jerry By Walter Aimwell - - 256—The Young Ranchman By Lieut. Lounsberry - - 255—Captain Bayley’s Heir By G. A. Henty - - 254—Frank Merriwell’s Loyalty By Burt L. Standish - - 253—The Water Witch By J. Fenimore Cooper - - 252—Luke Walton By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 251—Frank Merriwell’s Danger By Burt L. Standish - - 250—Neka, the Boy Conjurer By Capt. Ralph Bonehill - - 249—The Young Bridge Tender By Arthur M. Winfield - - 248—The West Point Boys By Lieut. Frederick Garrison, - U.S.A. - - 247—Frank Merriwell’s Secret By Burt L. Standish - - 246—Rob Ranger’s Cowboy Days By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry - - 245—The Red Rover By J. Fenimore Cooper - - 244—Frank Merriwell’s Return By Burt L. Standish - to Yale - - 243—Adrift in New York By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 242—The Rival Canoe Boys By St. George Rathborne - - 241—The Tour of the Zero Club By Capt. R. Bonehill - - 240—Frank Merriwell’s By Burt L. Standish - Champions - - 239—The Two Admirals By J. Fenimore Cooper - - 238—A Cadet’s Honor By Lieut. Fred’k Garrison, - U.S.A. - - 237—Frank Merriwell’s Skill By Burt L. Standish - - 236—Rob Ranger’s Mine By Lieut. Lounsberry - - 235—The Young Carthaginian By G. A. Henty - - 234—The Store Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 233—Frank Merriwell’s Athletes By Burt L. Standish - - 232—The Valley of Mystery By Henry Harrison Lewis - - 231—Paddling Under Palmettos By St. George Rathborne - - 230—Off for West Point By Lieut. Fred’k Garrison, - U.S.A. - - 229—Frank Merriwell’s Daring By Burt L. Standish - - 228—The Cash Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 227—In Freedom’s Cause By G. A. Henty - - 226—Tom Havens With the White By Lieut. James K. Orton - Squadron - - 225—Frank Merriwell’s Courage By Burt L. Standish - - 224—Yankee Boys in Japan By Henry Harrison Lewis - - 223—In Fort and Prison By William Murray Graydon - - 222—A West Point Treasure By Lieut. Frederick Garrison, - U.S.A. - - 221—The Young Outlaw By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 220—The Gulf Cruisers By St. George Rathborne - - 219—Tom Truxton’s Ocean Trip By Lieut. Lounsberry - - 218—Tom Truxton’s School Days By Lieut. Lounsberry - - 217—Frank Merriwell’s Bicycle By Burt L. Standish - Tour - - 216—Campaigning With Braddock By Wm. Murray Graydon - - 215—With Clive in India By G. A. Henty - - 214—On Guard By Lieut. Frederick Garrison, - U.S.A. - - 213—Frank Merriwell’s Races By Burt L. Standish - - 212—Julius, the Street Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 211—Buck Badger’s Ranch By Russell Williams - - 210—Sturdy and Strong By G. A. Henty - - 209—Frank Merriwell’s Sports By Burt L. Standish - Afield - - 208—The Treasure of the Golden By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry - Crater, - - 207—Shifting Winds By St. George Rathborne - - 206—Jungles and Traitors By Wm. Murray Graydon - - 205—Frank Merriwell at Yale By Burt L. Standish - - 204—Under Drake’s Flag By G. A. Henty - - 203—Last Chance Mine By Lieut. James K. Orton - - 202—Risen From the Ranks By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 201—Frank Merriwell in Europe By Burt L. Standish - - 200—The Fight for a Pennant By Frank Merriwell - - 199—The Golden Cañon By G. A. Henty - - 198—Only an Irish Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 197—Frank Merriwell’s Hunting Burt L. Standish - Tour - - 196—Zip, the Acrobat By Victor St. Clair - - 195—The Lion of the North By G. A. Henty - - 194—The White Mustang By Edward S. Ellis - - 193—Frank Merriwell’s Bravery By Burt L. Standish - - 192—Tom, the Bootblack By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 191—The Rivals of the Diamond By Russell Williams - - 190—The Cat of Bubastes By G. A. Henty - - 189—Frank Merriwell Down South By Burt L. Standish - - 188—From Street to Mansion By Frank H. Stauffer - - 187—Bound to Rise By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 186—On the Trail of Geronimo By Edward S. Ellis - - 185—For the Temple By G. A. Henty - - 184—Frank Merriwell’s Trip By Burt L. Standish - West - - 183—The Diamond Hunters By James Grant - - 182—The Camp in the Snow By William Murray Graydon - - 181—Brave and Bold By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 180—One of the 28th By G. A. Henty - - 179—The Land of Mystery By Edward S. Ellis - - 178—Frank Merriwell’s Foes By Burt L. Standish - - 177—The White Elephant By William Dalton - - 176—By England’s Aid By G. A. Henty - - 175—Strive and Succeed By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 174—Golden Rock By Edward S. Ellis - - 173—Life at Sea By Gordon Stables - - 172—The Young Midshipman By G. A. Henty - - 171—Erling the Bold By R. M. Ballantyne - - 170—Strong and Steady By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 169—Peter, the Whaler By W. H. G. Kingston - - 168—Among Malay Pirates By G. A. Henty - - 167—Frank Merriwell’s Chums By Burt L. Standish - - 166—Try and Trust By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 165—The Secret Chart By Lieut. James K. Orton - - 164—The Cornet of Horse By G. A. Henty - - 163—Slow and Sure By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 162—The Pioneers By J. F. Cooper - - 161—Reuben Green’s Adventures By James Otis - - 160—Little by Little By Oliver Optic - - 159—Phil, the Fiddler By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 158—With Lee in Virginia By G. A. Henty - - 157—Randy, the Pilot By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry - - 156—The Pathfinder By J. F. Cooper - - 155—The Young Voyagers By Capt. Mayne Reid - - 154—Paul, the Peddler By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 153—Bonnie Prince Charlie By G. A. Henty - - 152—The Last of the Mohicans By J. Fenimore Cooper - - 151—The Flag of Distress By Capt. Mayne Reid - - 150—Frank Merriwell’s By Burt L. Standish - Schooldays - - 149—With Wolfe in Canada By G. A. Henty - - 148—The Deerslayer By J. F. Cooper - - 147—The Cliff Climbers By Capt. Mayne Reid - - 146—Uncle Nat By A. Oldfellow - - 145—Friends Though Divided By G. A. Henty - - 144—The Boy Tar By Capt. Mayne Reid - - 143—Hendricks, the Hunter By W. H. G. Kingston - - 142—The Young Explorer By Gordon Stables - - 141—Ocean Waifs By Capt. Mayne Reid - - 140—The Young Buglers By G. A. Henty - - 139—Shore and Ocean By W. H. G. Kingston - - 138—Striving for Fortune By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 137—The Bush Boys By Capt. Mayne Reid - - 136—From Pole to Pole By Gordon Stables - - 135—Dick Cheveley By W. H. G. Kingston - - 134—Orange and Green By G. A. Henty - - 133—The Young Yagers By Capt. Mayne Reid - - 132—The Adventures of Rob Roy By James Grant - - 131—The Boy Slaves By Capt. Mayne Reid - - 130—From Canal Boy to By Horatio Alger, Jr. - President - - 129—Ran Away to Sea By Capt. Mayne Reid - - 128—For Name and Fame By G. A. Henty - - 127—The Forest Exiles By Capt. Mayne Reid - - 126—From Powder Monkey to By W. H. G. Kingston - Admiral - - 125—The Plant Hunters By Capt. Mayne Reid - - 124—St. George for England By G. A. Henty - - 123—The Giraffe Hunters By Capt. Mayne Reid - - 122—Tom Brace By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 121—Peter Trawl By W. H. G. Kingston - - 120—In the Wilds of New Mexico By G. Manville Fenn - - 119—A Final Reckoning By G. A. Henty - - 118—Ned Newton By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 117—James Braithwaite, The By W. H. G. Kingston - Supercargo - - 116—Happy-Go-Lucky Jack By Frank H. Converse - - 115—The Adventures of a Young By Matthew White, Jr. - Athlete - - 114—The Old Man of the By George H. Coomer - Mountains - - 113—The Bravest of the Brave By G. A. Henty - - 112—20,000 Leagues Under the By Jules Verne - Sea - - 111—The Midshipman, Marmaduke By W. H. G. Kingston - Merry - - 110—Around the World in Eighty By Jules Verne - Days - - 109—A Dash to the Pole By Herbert D. Ward - - 108—Texar’s Revenge By Jules Verne - - 107—Van; or, In Search of an By Frank H. Converse - Unknown Race, - - 106—The Boy Knight By George A. Henty - - 105—The Young Actor By Gayle Winterton - - 104—Heir to a Million By Frank H. Converse - - 103—The Adventures of Rex By Mary A. Denison - Staunton - - 102—Clearing His Name By Matthew White, Jr. - - 101—The Lone Ranch By Capt. Mayne Reid - - 100—Maori and Settler By George A. Henty - - 99—The Cruise of the Restless; By James Otis - or, On Inland Waterways, - - 98—The Grand Chaco By George Manville Fenn - - 97—The Giant Islanders By Brooks McCormick - - 96—An Unprovoked Mutiny By James Otis - - 95—By Sheer Pluck By G. A. Henty - - 94—Oscar; or, The Boy Who Had By Walter Aimwell - His Own Way, - - 93—A New York Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 92—Spectre Gold By Headon Hill - - 91—The Crusoes of Guiana By Louis Boussenard - - 90—Out on the Pampas By G. A. Henty - - 89—Clinton; or, Boy Life in By Walter Aimwell - the Country - - 88—My Mysterious Fortune By Matthew White, Jr. - - 87—The Five Hundred Dollar By Horatio Alger, Jr. - Check, - - 86—Catmur’s Cave By Richard Dowling - - 85—Facing Death By G. A. Henty - - 84—The Butcher of Cawnpore By William Murray Graydon - - 83—The Tiger Prince By William Dalton - - 82—The Young Editor By Matthew White, Jr. - - 81—Arthur Helmuth, of the H. & By Edward S. Ellis - N. C. Railway, - - 80—Afloat in the Forest By Capt. Mayne Reid - - 79—The Rival Battalions By Brooks McCormick - - 78—Both Sides of the Continent By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 77—The Perils of the Jungle By Edward S. Ellis - - 76—The War Tiger; or, The By William Dalton - Conquest of China, - - 75—The Boys in the Forecastle By George H. Coomer - - 74—The Dingo Boys By George Manville Fenn - - 73—The Wolf Boy of China By William Dalton - - 72—The Way to Success; or, Tom By Alfred Oldfellow - Randall - - 71—Mark Seaworth’s Voyage on By William H. G. Kingston - the Indian Ocean, - - 70—The New and Amusing History By F. C. Burnand - of Sandford and Merton, - - 69—Pirate Island By Harry Collingwood - - 68—Smuggler’s Cave By Annie Ashmore - - 67—Tom Brown’s School Days By Thomas Hughes - - 66— A Young Vagabond By Z. R. Bennett - - 65—That Treasure By Frank H. Converse - - 64—The Tour of a Private Car By Matthew White, Jr. - - 63—In the Sunk Lands By Walter F. Bruns - - 62—How He Won By Brooks McCormick - - 61—The Erie Train Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 60—The Mountain Cave By George H. Coomer - - 59—The Rajah’s Fortress By William Murray Graydon - - 58—Gilbert, The Trapper By Capt. C. B. Ashley - - 57—The Gold of Flat Top By Frank H. Converse - Mountain - - 56—Nature’s Young Noblemen By Brooks McCormick - - 55—A Voyage to the Gold Coast By Frank H. Converse - - 54—Joe Nichols; or, By Alfred Oldfellow - Difficulties Overcome - - 53—Adventures of a New York By Horatio Alger, Jr. - Telegraph Boy, - - 52—From Farm Boy to Senator By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 51—Tom Tracy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 50—Dean Dunham By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 49—The Mystery of a Diamond By Frank H. Converse - - 48—Luke Bennett’s Hide-Out By Capt. C. B. Ashley, U.S. - Scout - - 47—Eric Dane By Matthew White, Jr. - - 46—Poor and Proud By Oliver Optic - - 45—Jack Wheeler; A Western By Capt. David Southwick - Story - - 44—The Golden Magnet By George Manville Fenn - - 43—In Southern Seas By Frank H. Converse - - 42—The Young Acrobat By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 41—Check 2134 By Edward S. Ellis - - 40—Canoe and Campfire By St. George Rathborne - - 39—With Boer and Britisher in By William Murray Graydon - the Transvaal, - - 38—Gay Dashleigh’s Academy By Arthur Sewall - Days - - 37—Commodore Junk By George Manville Fenn - - 36—In Barracks and Wigwam By William Murray Graydon - - 35—In the Reign of Terror By G. A. Henty - - 34—The Adventures of Mr. By Cuthbert Bede, B. A. - Verdant Green, - - 33—Jud and Joe, Printers and By Gilbert Patten - Publishers - - 32—The Curse of Carnes’ Hold By G. A. Henty - - 31—The Cruise of the Snow Bird By Gordon Stables - - 30—Peter Simple By Captain Marryat - - 29—True to the Old Flag By G. A. Henty - - 28—The Boy Boomers By Gilbert Patten - - 27—Centre-Board Jim By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry - - 26—The Cryptogram By William Murray Graydon - - 25—Through the Fray By G. A. Henty - - 24—The Boy From the West By Gilbert Patten - - 23—The Dragon and the Raven By G. A. Henty - - 22—From Lake to Wilderness By William Murray Graydon - - 21—Won at West Point By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry - - 20—Wheeling for Fortune By James Otis - - 19—Jack Archer By G. A. Henty - - 18—The Silver Ship By Leon Lewis - - 17—Ensign Merrill By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry - - 16—The White King of Africa By William Murray Graydon - - 15—Midshipman Merrill By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry - - 14—The Young Colonists By G. A. Henty - - 13—Up the Ladder By Lieut. Murray - - 12—Don Kirk’s Mine By Gilbert Patten - - 11—From Tent to White House By Edward S. Ellis - - 10—Don Kirk, the Boy Cattle By Gilbert Patten - King - - 9—Try Again By Oliver Optic - - 8—Kit Carey’s Protégé By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry - - 7—Chased Through Norway By James Otis - - 6—Captain Carey of the Gallant By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry - Seventh, - - 5—Now or Never By Oliver Optic - - 4—Lieutenant Carey’s Luck By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry - - 3—All Aboard By Oliver Optic - - 2—Cadet Kit Carey By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry - - 1—The Boat Club By Oliver Optic - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - _The Radium of All Humor_ - - - _Comical - Confessions - of Clever - Comedians_ - By F. P. PITZER - ~EDITED BY~ - DEWOLF - HOPPER - - -Search the world over and you cannot find more genuine, original humor -than that contained in “Comical Confessions of Clever Comedians.” - -This little volume has been compiled after the fashion of a continuous -performance. There is an All-Star Cast, or we might say a regular -“Whoop-De-Doo,” introducing such well known comedians as DeWolf Hopper, -Francis Wilson, Lew Dockstadter, Frank Daniels, Dave Warfield, Joe -Weber, and others. Just imagine what there is in store for the reading -public when a glance at the title page reveals the fact that DeWolf -Hopper, the hero of “Wang,” is the editor or manager of this All-Star -Vaudeville Company. - - Issued in a very attractive cloth binding. Price, 75c. postpaid. - - - Street & Smith, Publishers, 238 William St., New York City - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - FRANK MERRIWELL - ON THE ROAD - - - - OR - - The All-Star Combination - - - - BY - - BURT L. STANDISH - - AUTHOR OF - - “_The Merriwell Stories_” - - Publisher’s Logo - - - - - _STREET & SMITH PUBLISHERS_ - - _79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York_ - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - Copyright, 1898 - By STREET & SMITH - ───── - Frank Merriwell on the Road - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - FRANK MERRIWELL ON THE ROAD. - - ───── - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - A LUDICROUS MEETING. - - -“Stop dot tonkey!” - -Boom-te-boom-te-boom-boom! - -The bass drummer of the band at the head of “Haley’s All-Star -Combination and Mammoth Uncle Tom’s Cabin Company” did not miss a beat -when the three “fierce and terrible untamed Siberian bloodhounds” darted -between his legs in pursuit of the escaping donkey. - -But when the fat Dutch lad, who had been leading the donkey, attempted -to follow the dogs, there was a catastrophe. - -The excited Dutch lad struck the drummer squarely, and the drummer -uttered a yell of astonishment and terror. Into the air he flew, down he -came, and—boom! bang! slam he went through the head of the drum. - -“Shimminy Gristmas!” - -The Dutch boy was startled by the havoc, but he quickly recovered and -started once more in hot pursuit of dogs and donkey. - -“Hee-haw! hee-haw!” brayed the donkey, joyously whisking its heels in -the air. - -“Hear dot tonkey laugh!” shouted the Dutch boy. - -The dogs set up a wild baying, and there was no end of commotion on the -street along which the parade had been making its way toward the Thalia -Theater. Among the spectators, some of the men laughed, while many of -the women screamed and made a scramble to get out of the way of the -terrible “bloodhounds.” - -“Stop dot tonkey!” - -The pursuing lad waved his short arms wildly in the air, his face -flushed with excitement, his eyes bulging from his head. - -The donkey made for a small fruit and cigar store, seeming bent on -rushing straight through the large window where the goods were -temptingly displayed. - -A young man standing near the store placed himself squarely in the path -of the little animal, and skillfully caught the dangling halter by which -the creature had been led. - -The donkey halted abruptly, while the dogs came up and leaped around it, -still baying. - -Puffing like a pony engine, the Dutch boy dashed up and grasped the -donkey’s tail with both hands, shouting: - -“Vot der madder vos mit you, ain’d id? I can’t run avay you from uf you -vant me to! Now, don’d try any uf my tricks on yourseluf, for uf you do, -I vill——Wow!” - -Up flew the donkey’s heels once more, and the little beast lifted the -fat lad and sent him whirling over in the air. - -The creature had seemed to kick with the force of a pile driver, and he -fairly flung the Dutch boy into the air. - -Down came the lad, plunging headfirst into a garbage barrel that had -been standing on the curb, awaiting the arrival of the garbage -gatherers. - -Into the barrel plunged the boy. Fortunately the barrel was not quite -half filled. Down he went till he stuck fast, his fat legs kicking -wildly in the air. - -The youth who had stopped the donkey now released the animal and started -to extricate the boy from the barrel. - -A tall, awkward youth, who had been with the parade, forming one of the -band, rushed up, brass horn in hand. - -“Darn my pertaturs!” he shouted, dropping the instrument. “That ’air -donkey will be the death of that feller yit!” - -Then he made a grab at the legs of the lad in the barrel and received a -kick behind the ear that knocked him over in a twinkling. He struck in a -sitting position on the ground, and there he remained, rubbing his head -and looking dazed. - -The youth who had stopped the donkey succeeded in getting hold of the -legs of the unlucky fellow in the barrel, and dragged him out, after -upsetting the barrel. - -By this time everybody on the street was roaring with laughter, and the -donkey joined in with a ridiculous “hee-haw.” - -“There, my friend,” said the rescuer, as he released the lad he had -extracted from the barrel, “you are all right now.” - -The Dutch boy sat up beside his friend who had started to pull him out, -and a most wretched spectacle he presented. - -“Oxcuse me!” he exclaimed, clawing dirt out of his eyes. “I don’t like -dot kindt uf peesness!” - -“Waal, what in thutteration did yeou want to kick the head offen me for -when I tried to pull yeou aout?” snapped the other lad, glaring at him. -“Yeou made me see mor’n four bushels of stars, an’ there’s many’s four -hundrud an’ seventeen chime bells a ding-dongin’ in my head naow.” - -“Who id vos kicked my headt off you?” spluttered the Dutch boy. “You -nefer touched me. Vot der madder vos, anyhow?” - -The youth who had extracted the Dutch lad from the barrel laughingly -said: - -“I see you fellows are up to your old tricks. You are quarreling, as -usual.” - -“Hey?” cried the tall lad. - -“Vot?” squawked the Dutch boy. - -“How are you, Ephraim?” laughed the rescuer. - -“Jeewhillikins!” yelled the tall youth, jumping to his feet, his face -fairly beaming. “Jee-roo-sa-lum! Yeou kin beat my brains out with a -feather duster ef it ain’t Frank Merriwell!” - -“Shimminy Gristmas!” howled the Dutch boy, wildly scrambling up. “I hope -I may nefer see your eyes oudt uf again uf dot ain’t Frank Merriwell!” - -“Right,” nodded the rescuer. “I am Frank Merriwell, just as sure as you -are Ephraim Gallup and Hans Dunnerwurst.” - -“Whoop!” roared Ephraim. - -“Wa-ow!” bellowed Hans. - -Then they made a rush at the handsome fellow, who had given his name as -Frank Merriwell, flung their arms about him, and literally danced as -they hugged him. - -The spectators looked on in astonishment. - -“Oh, great jumpin’ grasshoppers!” shouted the Yankee lad. “Ain’t this -the gol dingdest s’prise party I ever struck!” - -“I peen so asdonished I vos afraidt you vill die heardt vailure uf -britty queek alretty!” gurgled the delighted Dutch lad. - -“Break away!” laughed Frank. “You’ll have me off my pins if you keep -this up.” - -“Gol darned ef I ever saw anybody whut could git yeou offen your pins -yit,” declared Ephraim Gallup. - -“Yaw, dot vos righdt,” put in Hans. “Nopody peen aple got your pins off -you a hurry in.” - -“Oh, Jimminy!” squealed the Vermonter. “This is too good to be true!” - -“Yaw!” agreed the Dutch boy; “dot vos shust righdt! Id peen too true to -peen goot!” - -“Haow in thunder is it we find yeou here?” asked the overjoyed Yankee. - -“Dot vos vot you’d like to know,” declared Hans. “How id vos you -happened to foundt us here?” - -“Well, I’d like to know how you two happen to be here,” said Merriwell. -“Have you turned showmen?” - -“Yaw.” - -“Yeou bet.” - -“We peen dwo uf der sdars der ‘All-Star Gombination’ in.” - -“We’re hot stuff, b’gosh!” - -“Efy blays der paratone horns.” - -“An’ Hans plays the donkey when the donkey gets sick and can’t come on.” - -“Id vos a greadt shnap. We ged our poard vor our glothes.” - -“An’ we’re havin’ a high old time travelin’ around over the kentry.” - -“Well,” smiled Frank, as they clung to his hands, “I never dreamed of -seeing you chaps traveling with a show.” - -“We nefer knew vot you had pecome uf since der college left you.” - -“An’ we was talkin’ abaout yeou last night.” - -“Yaw. We said how you would enjoy yourseluf if dese show vos dravelin’ -aroundt mit you.” - -“There’s a heap of fun in it, Frank. Whillikins! yeou’d oughter be with -us.” - -“You come to der theater und let der show seen you to-night,” invited -Hans. - -“That’s it!” cried Ephraim. “Won’t you do it?” - -“Oh, I think so,” smiled Merry. “But I want to see you chaps before -that. Have you taken dinner?” - -“No.” - -“Then take dinner with me, and we will have a jolly time talking over -old times. Will you do it?” - -“You pet my life!” shouted the Dutch boy. - -“By gum, we will!” vociferated Ephraim. “Jest yeou come up to the -theater, an’ we’ll be reddy to go with yeou inside of twenty minutes. -Come on.” - -“All right. Go ahead.” - -One of the other members of the company had secured the donkey and dogs. -The little donkey was turned over to Hans again, with a warning not to -let the creature get away. Ephraim recovered his horn and took his place -in the band. The procession formed, the band struck up vigorously, minus -the bass drum, and the “All-Star Combination” moved along the street as -if nothing had happened. - -In fact, this little affair of the escaping donkey and dogs was regarded -as an incident that would serve to help advertise the show, and that was -exactly what satisfied and pleased Barnaby Haley, owner and manager of -the organization. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - FRANK AND HIS FRIENDS. - - -The band played two pieces in front of the Thalia Theater. The man who -was handling the “fierce and untamed bloodhounds” skillfully succeeded -in getting all three of them into a fight, appearing nearly frightened -to death over it. The donkey walked into the midst of the dogs and -separated them by taking the aggressor in his teeth and pulling him -away, and Barnaby Haley was well satisfied with the advertising he would -receive on account of all this. - -Frank, looking on, understood that the same things happened in nearly -every town visited by the company. - -The donkey was to be taken into the theater by the stage entrance, but -Hans found a chance to say to Frank: - -“Shust vait here till dot theater comes oudt uf me. I vill peen righdt -pack a minute in.” - -Ephraim induced one of the musicians to take charge of his horn, and -remained with Frank. - -Hans soon reappeared. - -“Now shust you took dot tinner to me,” invited the Dutch lad. “I pelief -a square meal can eadt me a minute in.” - -“Eat!” cried the Vermont lad. “Why, that Dutch sausage can eat any gol -darn time an’ all the gol darn time! Never see northing like him in all -my born days.” - -“Oh, shust shut yourseluf ub!” cried Hans, quickly. “Your mouth dalks -too much mit you. You don’d peen no ganary pird to eadt. You vos aple to -ged der oudtside uf a whole lot.” - -“Waal, b’gosh! these air howtels we stop at some of um have pritty -blamed poor grub,” confessed the Yankee youth. “Their beefsteak is made -of luther, an’ their bread might be bought up by ther loaf an’ used fer -pavin’-stuns on the streets.” - -“Well, I think I’ll be able to give you something to eat that you can -digest, but you mustn’t expect too much.” - -“We kin eat any old thing with you, Frank,” declared Ephraim. “Why, when -we was campin’ aout at Fardale last summer we hed appetites like hosses, -an’ it didn’t make no diffrunce whut there was to eat, we jest et it.” - -“Yaw,” nodded Hans; “und some uf der things vot vasn’t to eadt we shust -eated all der same.” - -“But naow we want yeou to tell us haow it happens yeou are here, Frank,” -urged Ephraim, as they walked along together. - -Frank, who had formerly been a schoolmate of the boys at Fardale -Academy, after which he had gone to Yale, briefly explained that he had -been forced to leave college on account of the loss of his fortune, and -was now making his own way in the world. The boys knew he had left -college, but they had not heard he was working on a railroad. Both were -astonished. - -“Darn my turnups!” cried Ephraim. - -“Shimminy Gristmas!” gurgled Hans. - -“Whut yeou been doin’ on the railroad?” - -“Running an engine,” explained Merry. - -“Runnin’ it? Haow?” - -“Engineer.” - -“Vot?” gasped Hans. - -“Come off!” palpitated Ephraim. - -“I have come off,” smiled Frank. “I am out of a job now.” - -“Haow is that?” - -“Railroad made a reduction of wages, there was a strike, big fight over -it, rival road scooped all the business, my road went to pieces.” - -“An’ naow—whut?” - -“The rival road has scooped the road I worked on—absorbed it. A lot of -old engineers have taken the places of the men who used to run on the -Blue Mountain road. I’ve been trying for a show, but I’m so young they -don’t want to give me anything. Looks like I’d have to get out of here -and strike for something somewhere else.” - -“Waal, that’s too darn bad!” drawled Ephraim, sympathetically. “But -haow’d you ever git to be ingineer, anyhaow?” - -“Worked my way up. Began as engine-wiper in the roundhouse, got to be -fireman, then engineer. Right there came the trouble, and now I’m on the -rocks.” - -The eyes of the Vermonter glistened. - -“If the hanged old railroad hadn’t went up the spaout, you’d bin runnin’ -that in a year!” he cried. - -“Yaw,” nodded Hans. - -“Yeou’re a hummer!” declared Ephraim. “Yeou’ve got lots of git there in -ye, an’ that’s whut does the trick. But I swan to man, it must have -seemed tough to yeou to have to git right aout an’ work like a Trojan.” - -“Yaw,” put in the Dutch boy. “Vork nefer had nottinks to done mit you -pefore dot.” - -“I don’t see haow yeou brought yerself to it.” - -Frank looked grave and not exactly pleased. - -“I have always expected to work when the time came,” he asserted. “I -hope you didn’t suppose for a moment that I was going to spend my life -in idleness?” - -“Oh, no, no!” the Vermonter hastily cried; “but yeou wan’t reddy. Yeou -was in college an’ havin’ a slappin’ good time. It was mighty rough to -have ter break right off from that all to once an’ git out an’ dig fer a -livin’.” - -“Well,” said Merry, slowly, “I will admit that it was not pleasant at -first; but I made up my mind that it was to be done, and I went at it -heartily. After a time, I came to enjoy it as I never enjoyed anything -before.” - -“Whut! Yeou don’t mean to say yeou liked it better than playin’ -baseball?” - -“Yes!” - -“Jee-roo-sa-lum!” - -“Better than anything. Work is the greatest sport in the world, for it -is a game at which one plays to win the prize of his life. The winning -of all other games are tame in comparison with this. It draws out the -best qualities in a man, it tests him as nothing else can. Oh, yes, work -is the champion sport, and success is the prize for which all earnest -workers strive. The man who shirks and fears honest work can never -succeed in the world. Determined men will push him aside, and he will be -with the losers at the end of the great game.” - -Ephraim Gallup clapped Frank on the shoulder familiarly. - -“Yeou are yerself, b’gosh!” he cried. “I kin see that yeou are soberer -an’ stiddyer, but yeou are Frank Merriwell jest the same. Yeou was alwus -sayin’ things like that that no other feller ever thought to say. There -ain’t no danger but yeou’ll be with the winner in this game yeou’re -talkin’ abaout.” - -“Uf der vinners don’d peen mit him they vill peen der wrong side on,” -asserted Hans. - -“Come in here,” he said, “and I will introduce you to a particular -friend.” - -He led them into the small fruit and cigar store in front of which he -had been standing when the donkey ran away from Hans. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - LUCKY LITTLE NELL. - - -“Hello, Jack!” - -Frank saluted the keeper of the store, who proved to be a bright-faced, -lame boy. - -“Jack,” said Merry, “did you ever hear me speak of Ephraim Gallup?” - -“Of course I have!” exclaimed the boy. - -“And Hans Dunnerwurst?” - -“Yes.” - -“Well, here they are.” - -“What?” - -Jack Norton stared at Frank’s two companions. - -“These are the friends of whom I have told you; and this, fellows, is -Jack Norton, a hustling young business man of this city. Some day he’ll -be one of the greatest retail merchants in the place.” - -Jack blushed. - -“I’m gol darned glad to see ye!” declared the Vermonter, striding up and -grasping the lame lad’s hand. “Anybody Frank Merriwell trains with is -all right, an’ I’m ready to hitch hosses with ’um.” - -He wrung the young shopkeeper’s hand heartily. - -“Yaw,” nodded Hans, waddling up. “You vos plamed clad to seen us, Shack. -Shust catch me holdt your handt uf. How you vos alretty yet?” - -“Frank has told me about you,” said Jack, “but I never expected to see -you.” - -“Waal, we’re travelin’ araound with the greatest show on earth.” - -“Barnum’s?” - -“Not by a long shot! Barnum’s ain’t in it. Haley’s ‘All-Star Combination -an’ Mammoth Uncle Tom’s Cabin Company’ knocks ’em all aout.” - -“Dot’s vot der madder vos,” agreed Hans. “Dot gompany has dwo ‘Topsys,’ -dwo ‘Marks,’ dwo ‘Gumption Cutes’——” - -“An’ two jackasses,” grinned the Yankee youth. “One of them leads the -other every day in the street parade.” - -“Hey?” exclaimed the Dutch youth. “You don’d mean——Say, you vill lick me -a minute in uf I say dot again!” - -He squared off in a fighting attitude, seeming ready to go at Ephraim. - -“There, there!” laughed Frank. “Up to your old tricks, I see. Why, I -believe you two fought a duel once at Fardale.” - -“We did, b’jee!” nodded Ephraim. - -“Mit eggs,” spoke Hans. - -“Ripe aigs, at that.” - -“Dose eggs couldt smell me vor a veek.” - -“It was awful.” - -“Yaw; id peen a put ub shob us onto.” - -“An’ Frank Merriwell was the feller whut put it up.” - -“Yaw. I peliefed I vos all ofer plood mit.” - -“So did I.” - -“But I nefer knewed pefore dot plood vos so pad to smell uf anybody like -dot.” - -“We never got even with him fer that sell, Hans.” - -“Nefer.” - -“Well, we’ll eat enough to-day to square the account. He’ll think he’s -run up ag’inst a cyclone.” - -“Yaw, we vill done dot, Efy. You haf a greadt headt on me, ain’d id!” - -“Well, if I can settle the score that way, I won’t kick,” said Merry. -“Is Nellie at home, Jack?” - -“Yes, she went home to get dinner. You know one of us has to stay here -and keep the shop open. We take turns getting dinner. She will have it -all ready when you get there, but she may not have enough, for she won’t -know anyone is coming with you.” - -“I’ll fix that all right,” said Frank. “There is a restaurant on the -corner, and I can get all kinds of stuff there to take out.” - -“Can’t yeou shut up to-day an’ come with us, Mister Norton?” asked -Ephraim. - -“Yaw,” put in Hans, “shust haf der shop shut you up und come along us -mit.” - -“I’d like to do it,” said the lame lad, “but it might hurt my business, -and I believe in looking after one’s business before anything else. -Frank has taught me that.” - -“He’s alwus teachin’ somebody somethin’,” muttered the Vermonter. - -Slam!—open flew the door. Bounce!—in popped a lively boy in a neat suit -of clothes. - -“Hello, Frank!” he cried. “Goin’ by w’en I seen yer t’rough der window, -an’ I t’ought I’d stop an’ speak.” - -It was Bob, the newsboy, whom Frank had befriended in his railroad days. - -“Hello, Bob!” exclaimed Merry. “On the jump, as usual. How do you like -your new position in the broker’s office?” - -“Great!” was the instant answer. “Der boss treats me fine, an’ he says -w’en I’ve been ter night school long ernough ter have der proper -eddycashun, he’ll put me onter der turns of der business. Oh, I’ll be a -broker meself some day, see if I don’t.” - -Frank introduced Bob to Ephraim and Hans. - -“Say, dis is great!” cried the former newsboy. “I’ve heard Frank tell -heaps of t’ings about youse chaps.” - -He seemed genuinely delighted over the meeting. - -“I invited them to dinner,” said Merry. “We wanted Jack to come along, -but he can’t close up.” - -“How long will it take?” - -“Oh, he might be back in three-quarters of an hour.” - -“If he kin do it in dat time, I’ll stay right here an’ run dis joint. I -kin git back on time den. Go ahead, Jack.” - -“Oh, but you are out for your own dinner,” protested the lame boy. “It’s -too much to expect you to do all that for me.” - -“Not by a blame sight! Youse folks didn’t do a t’ing fer me w’en I was -down on me luck, did yer? No, not a t’ing but take me in an’ keep me -till I could git somewhere. Now, don’t make any talk about dis t’ing, -but jest you skip right along with der odders. Only be sure ter git back -in time fer me ter git ter der office.” - -Bob settled it that way, and Jack was carried off with Frank and his two -friends. - -On the way home, Merry stepped into a restaurant and ordered plenty of -food, which was given him in a large pail, the pail being wrapped to -disguise its real nature. - -Little Nell, Jack Norton’s sister, was waiting for Frank to appear when -she recognized his familiar step on the stairs. She rose hastily to her -feet, but paused to listen. - -There were other steps, and she realized that several persons were -coming. Wondering what it meant, she waited till the door opened and the -four filed into the room. - -Then there were introductions. - -“I am pleased to meet any of Frank’s friends,” declared the girl. “I am -very pleased to see you.” - -“That’s right,” nodded the lame boy. “She is pleased to see you. Two -weeks ago she could not have seen you had she stood face to face with -you as she does now.” - -“I don’t toldt you so!” exclaimed Hans. - -“Whut was the matter?” asked Ephraim. - -“She was blind.” - -“Plind?” - -“Blind?” - -“Yes, stone blind.” - -“Jeewhillikins! She kin see all right naow.” - -“By a miracle. We were saving money to have her treated by a great -oculist in New York, and we had almost enough. One night she got up in a -dream and walked out to those stairs. She fell all the way to the -bottom, striking on her head. I dragged her up the stairs and got her -into bed. The next morning she could see. I believe it was the work of -God!” - -“It was marvelous!” put in Merriwell. “You see, she was not born blind, -but received a blow on the head that injured the optic nerve in some -manner so she became blind. Most marvelously, by falling and striking on -her head, the shock restored her sight.” - -“And the money we had saved we put into our little business,” said Jack. - -“Say, you nefer heardt such a peculiar thing as that uf pefore!” cried -Hans. - -“I doubt if anyone ever did. Nellie, I have brought my friends to dine -with me, and here is plenty of food that I bought at the restaurant. All -you have to do is get it onto the table.” - -“I’ll do that,” laughed the happy girl. “It seems so good to be able to -do such work! We will have a delightful dinner! I am so glad you brought -them, Frank!” - -“There, b’gosh!” exclaimed Ephraim; “that’s whut makes a feller feel -right to hum! Naow I know I’ve got right among the kaind of folks I take -to.” - -“Yaw,” nodded the Dutch boy; “id makes beoble feel like you vos right to -home. Oxcuse us uf we make ourseluf so.” - -“Go ahead,” invited Frank. “I want you to feel free here.” - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - NEWS OF ELSIE. - - -It was truly a jolly party that sat down to the table when it was spread -and everything prepared. Ephraim, Frank and Hans talked over old times, -spoke of the jolly days at Fardale, where they had attended school, -recalled the struggles, sports, jokes, night raids and hazings. - -All too soon the time came when Jack was forced to leave in order to get -back to his shop in time to let Bob return to his duties. - -“I just hate to go!” he exclaimed. “It seems good to hear you talk about -those times. I never had any chance to go to school like that. It must -have been such heaps of sport!” - -“Say,” cried Ephraim, “looker here, can’t yeou take yer sister an’ go to -the show this evenin’?” - -“Both of us cannot go, for the shop must be kept open in the evening the -same as any other time. Nellie can go.” - -“Gosh all hemlock! can’t the thing be fixed somehow so ye kin go -together? I’ll see to it that yeou git the best seats in the haouse. Yes -by gum! I’ll git one of the boxes fer ye if yeou’ll go.” - -“Oh, Jack!” broke from Nellie. “You know I’ve never been to see a real -theater show, but now I think my eyes are strong enough to stand the -light. Can’t we go?” - -“I don’t see how,” answered Jack, regretfully. - -“You can fix it with Bob,” said Frank. - -“He doesn’t have to work evenings, and you can get him to keep shop.” - -“That’s so!” exclaimed the girl, clapping her hands. “Try it, Jack—do!” - -The face of the lame lad brightened. - -“All right,” he said, “I’ll ask him.” - -“And you will go with us, won’t you, Frank?” asked Nellie. - -“Oh, I think so.” - -“If Inza were here now we’d have a splendid party.” - -“Inza!” gasped Ephraim. “Inza Burrage? Has she been here?” - -“All the winter. She was visiting a friend. Left a little more than a -week ago.” - -“Dot vos too pad!” murmured Hans. “She vould haf been deekled to seen -me.” - -“I’m sorry we didn’t git here afore she went,” said the Vermonter; “but -we had the fun of seein’ Elsie Bellwood abaout a month ago, though it -wasn’t much fun, come to think of it, she was feelin’ so darn bad.” - -Inza Burrage and Elsie Bellwood had been two dear girl friends of Frank -in his college days. - -Frank sprang to his feet, his face working with excitement. - -“Saw Elsie?” he cried, amazed. - -“Yaw,” nodded Hans. - -“Where?” - -“In Bittsburg.” - -“Pittsburg?” - -“Yaw.” - -“Impossible!” - -“It’s true,” declared Ephraim. - -“But—but I don’t understand it.” - -“Whut’s the matter?” - -“Why—why, I heard she had sailed with her father for a long voyage.” - -“She did.” - -“But now she is in Pittsburg? Why, how can that be? It was not many -months ago they sailed—some time last fall, wasn’t it?” - -“Yes.” - -“And they were to be gone a year?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then something happened?” - -“Sure thing.” - -“What?” - -“You ain’t heered abaout it?” - -“Not a word.” - -“Justin Bellwood died the second day out from New York.” - -Frank gasped for breath, caught hold of the back of his chair, and stood -staring at the Vermonter. - -“Justin—Bellwood—dead?” - -He spoke the words slowly, as if he did not quite realize what they -meant. - -“Yaw,” said Hans, “he vos a gone case.” - -“Then—then Elsie is left all alone in the world. Poor little Elsie! I -supposed she was far away on the ocean. What was she doing in -Pittsburg?” - -“She was living there with some of her folks or some of her friends, I -dunno which. Didn’t git much chaince to talk with her.” - -“But you found out her address—where she was living?” - -“No.” - -“Too bad! I must know where she is—I must communicate with her as soon -as possible. This is terrible news!” - -Merry sat down weakly, and his manner showed how he was affected. - -Little Jack whispered something to Nellie, and then slipped out of the -room. - -A sudden gloom had come over the merry gathering. Hans and Ephraim -looked at each other dolefully. Little Nell got up and came round to -Frank, putting an arm about his neck. - -“Dear Frank,” she whispered, “you know Heaven orders everything for the -best. You must have perfect trust.” - -He put his arm about her slender waist, drew her to him and kissed her. - -“Yes, dear little comforter,” he said, in his low, musical voice, “I am -sure Heaven orders everything for the best, for many a time I have seen -apparent misfortune prove a blessing in disguise. For instance, your -falling downstairs. But this separation from Elsie is hard. Before I -became a day laborer, forced to depend on my hands for a living, I could -have spent money freely in tracing her and finding her. Now that is an -impossibility. We separated for a year, neither dreaming of the changes -a few months would bring about. I fear those changes, instead of -bringing us nearer together, have torn us further apart.” - -Nellie was surprised. - -“Why, Frank!” she exclaimed, “you are seldom this way. You are so -light-hearted and hopeful. Nothing seems to daunt you.” - -“That is true, but things have been going against me for some time now, -and it is but natural that I should not feel as cheerful as usual. The -railroad strike came just when my prospects were brightest, and then, at -the very hour when it seemed certain everything would be settled and I -should go back to my old job, the railroad went to the wall and the F. -B. & Y. swallowed it. Now comes the news of Elsie’s misfortune, and I -cannot extend to her a helping hand. I cannot even write to her, for I -do not know her address.” - -“Trust in Heaven. All will come right in the end. That is the lesson you -have taught me, Frank. You say justice always triumphs. Remember the -case of Darius Conrad.” - -“Yes, yes, I know. I will have perfect trust, little girl. But I must do -something—I must find work right away, for I have been idle too long. If -I cannot get back onto the railroad, I must do something else.” - -“Why don’d you gone der show pusiness indo?” asked Hans. “I pet me your -life you vould like him.” - -“That’s raight,” drawled Ephraim. “Gosh! I wish yeou was in our company. -It would be great.” - -“Does the ghost walk regularly?” asked Merry, with a slight smile.[1] - -Footnote 1: - - Among theatrical people the “ghost walks” when salaries are paid. - -“Waal, purty much so,” answered the Down Easter. “There was a time when -we run ag’inst mighty hard business, an’ Haley got three weeks behind; -but we’ve been doin’ tarnal well lately, an’ ev’rybody’s flush ag’in.” - -“Oxcept me,” said Hans, ruefully. “Mein salary’s peen so schmall dot id -nefer missed me ven I don’d got him.” - -“Well,” said Merry, “I hardly think I’ll go into the theatrical -business; but we’ll come and see the play to-night, if you get that box -for us, Ephraim.” - -“Oh I’ll git it, yeou bet!” assured the Vermonter. “I’ll git right arter -it fust thing this afternoon afore rehearsal.” - -“Yaw,” assured Hans. “Uf he don’d done dot, I vill got after him.” - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - MURDEROUS REALISM. - - -Jack, the lame boy, succeeded in getting Bob to keep shop for him that -evening, and so he was able to attend the theater with his sister and -Frank. - -Ephraim Gallup kept his word and secured a box for them. - -Little Nell was in raptures when they were seated in the box and -“Haley’s Mammoth Gold Band” played the overture in the place of an -orchestra. - -The band was made up of an odd collection of human beings, but they had -practiced on a few pieces till they could “tear them off” in a style -that was pretty sure to please the uneducated ear and catch the fancy of -the crowd. - -Ephraim Gallup sat up proudly and puffed out his cheeks as he blew away -at his horn. He was aware that Frank Merriwell must be regarding him -with interest, and he was determined to do his best. - -“Isn’t it lovely!” murmured little Nell, as she sat with one hand -clasped in her brother’s. - -Despite the age of the play, the house was filled with spectators. It -was a “popular price” theater, and its patrons were the common people. -The gallery was packed with youngsters who were there to sympathize with -“Uncle Tom,” applaud “George Harris,” laugh with “Topsy” and “Gumption -Cute,” and hiss “Simon Legree.” - -When the band had finished playing, the gallery broke into a roar, amid -which could be distinguished cat calls, screams and shrill whistles. - -The footlights flashed, and the musicians played a “riser” as the -curtain rolled swiftly up. - -The play was on, and little Nell was enchained, enraptured, enchanted. -For the first time in her life she saw a genuine “theater show,” and, -within three minutes, everything happening on the stage was true as life -for her. - -It was a great satisfaction for Frank to watch the face of the girl. He -saw how keenly she was enjoying everything, and her enjoyment gave him -the greatest pleasure. - -Merry soon saw that this “All-Star Combination” was made up of -“ham-fatters,” among whom were two or three fairly good people. Haley -knew how to catch the crowd with specialties, and he had introduced -singing and dancing into every act. - -Frank watched for Hans. The Dutch lad appeared at last, blackened with -burnt cork, representing one of the negro laborers. He did not have any -lines, which was fortunate, as his dialect would not have corresponded -with his color. - -Hans was one of the slaves on sale at the auction at which “Simon -Legree” obtained possession of “Uncle Tom.” - -Before the play was half finished little Nell was greatly wrought up -over it. The escape of “Eliza” over the floating ice, with the -bloodhounds in pursuit, was well done, and it caused the gallery to go -wild. - -When the curtain went down after that climax, little Nell fell back in -her chair, crying: - -“Oh, Frank, isn’t it wonderful! I never knew anything could be so real -and still a play.” - -From where he sat, Merry could see through one of the open stage -entrances at the opposite side. Several times he saw some of the actors -pause there and watch what was taking place on the stage. It happened -that he was looking through that entrance when one of them stopped -there, glanced quickly around, and produced a bottle from one of his -pockets. The man quickly uncorked the bottle and took a long drink from -it. - -He was the one who played the part of “Legree.” - -When the man next appeared on the stage, Merry saw he was drunk. Frank -watched him closely. - -“That fellow acts to me as if he is out for trouble,” he thought. “I -believe he is well cast in the piece, for he seems to be a ruffian by -nature.” - -Frank sat so near the stage that he was able to see bits of by-play that -the audience did not catch. Thus it happened that he saw “Legree” give -“Uncle Tom” a look of genuine hatred and make a menacing gesture toward -him. - -Merry instantly “tumbled.” - -“Trouble between them,” he decided. - -A little later, when both these characters were off the stage, Frank saw -“Legree” again prepare to take a drink in the wings. Just as he tipped -the bottle to his lips, a hand reached out and caught it from his grasp. - -Crash!—it was smashed on the floor. - -“Uncle Tom” was there, and he started in to remonstrate with the -intoxicated actor. - -“Legree” was furious, and he tried to grasp the other by the throat. He -was held off some seconds, a sharp struggle taking place. Then he -succeeded in getting one hand fastened on the throat of the man who was -impersonating the leading character of the play. - -“Uncle Tom’s” fist was lifted, and he struck his assailant fairly -between the eyes. - -Down went “Legree!” - -Frank Merriwell felt like applauding the little drama behind the scenes. - -“Uncle Tom” departed, and, after a time, some of the players came and -assisted “Legree” to his feet. - -Frank Merriwell now knew there were two men in the company who were -bitter enemies. - -Both Jack and Nellie had been so absorbed in what was taking place on -the stage that they had not observed the encounter behind the scenes. - -Frank watched for the two men when they should next appear on the stage. - -“Uncle Tom” was calm as ever when he came on. He was a fairly good -actor. - -“Legree” came on. - -Watching them closely, Merry heard some low-spoken words pass between -them while the action of the piece was being carried on by other -characters. - -“Oh, I’ll fix you for that!” hissed “Legree.” - -“You’re drunk!” declared the other, contemptuously. - -“Am I? Well, it’s none of your business! I’ll soak you before the night -is over!” - -“Try it!” - -“I will! I’ll kill ye!” - -Then they went on playing their parts as if nothing unusual had -happened. - -“There is bad blood between them,” decided Frank, “and the fellow with -the rum in him is dangerous.” - -He did not realize how dangerous till the scene was being played where -“Legree” lashes “Uncle Tom” to death with a heavy whip. - -“Simon” came on with the whip, and there was a strange glitter in his -dark eyes. With his first blow at the old slave, he caused “Uncle Tom” -to collapse, uttering a yell of pain. - -For the whip had whistled through the air, wielded by a powerful arm, -and the hissing lash had curled about the body of “Uncle Tom.” - -The audience looked on spellbound, rather astonished by the realism of -this whipping scene. - -Grinding his teeth together, “Legree” bent over and pitilessly cut the -writhing man with the whip. - -Cries of pain broke from the fallen man. - -“Curse you!” Merry heard “Legree” hiss. “Here is where I fix you!” - -“Help!” cried “Uncle Tom.” - -It was a genuine appeal for aid. This was not acting. - -Frank Merriwell started to his feet. - -“Oh!” gasped little Nell—“oh, Frank, he is really murdering ‘Uncle -Tom’!” - -“Hanged if it doesn’t look that way!” Merry admitted to himself. - -The whip dropped from “Legree’s” hand. It struck the floor heavily, but -the man caught it up in a twinkling, reversing it. - -Then, with the loaded butt, he struck “Uncle Tom” a savage blow on the -head. - -The stricken man straightened out, quivering in every limb. - -With the expression of a fiend on his face, “Legree” lifted the heavy -whip again to bring the butt down upon the man’s head. It seemed to be -his purpose to smash the skull of the actor he hated. - -As one man, the audience rose and stood, uttering a cry of horror, for -everyone seemed to realize that this was not acting. - -It was murder! - -“Stop!” - -The word shot like a bullet from the lips of a handsome youth who went -flying over the rail of the right-hand proscenium box and alighted on -the stage. - -“Drop it!” - -Frank Merriwell dashed at the murderous actor, caught the whip, tore it -from his hand, flung it aside. - -Then they grappled! - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - FRANK’S POPULARITY. - - -The audience shouted its astonishment. - -“Off!” snarled the actor, trying to break from Frank. - -“Steady!” commanded Merry. “You have gone over the limit. What are you -trying to do?” - -“I said I’d fix him!” - -“He’s in luck if you haven’t done it already.” - -“Let go!” - -“Never!” - -Then the fellow tried to strike Frank, but Merry warded off the blow. In -another moment a fierce struggle was taking place between them in full -view of the audience. - -Up to this time the actors behind the scenes had seemed asleep or -paralyzed with surprise. Now they came rushing onto the stage and -surrounded the combatants. - -Barnaby Haley himself came on. He was greatly excited. - -“Seize that fellow!” he ordered, pointing at Frank. “Where are the -police? I’ll have him arrested for interfering with the show!” - -Down the aisle rushed two policemen, clambering over the footlights and -onto the stage. - -The actors, directed by the manager, had torn Frank and “Legree” apart. -Merriwell flung off those who attempted to hold him, and stood there in -their midst. - -“Arrest him!” commanded Haley. - -A long, lank, awkward youth came scaling over the footlights from the -midst of the band. With two long strides he reached Merriwell and -planted himself by Frank’s side. - -“Hold on, b’gosh!” he cried, flourishing the brass horn he carried. “You -don’t arrest him in a hurry!” - -Out from the wings rushed a fat lad, with a blackened face. He took a -position on the other side of Frank. - -“Yaw, py shimminy!” he gurgled! “he don’d arrest you a hurry in -alretty.” - -Frank’s friends were on hand. Ephraim and Hans were there. - -Barnaby Haley gasped with surprise, and the policemen hesitated a -moment. - -“What’s this? what’s this?” spluttered the manager. - -“Business, by gum!” declared the Vermonter. - -“Yaw!” nodded Hans, “id peen pusiness.” - -“This man attacked Storms.” - -“Waal, I guess it was a gol darn good thing for Havener that he did. -Mebbe Storms has fixed Havener anyhaow.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“Jest take a look at Havener an’ you’ll find aout.” - -“Uncle Tom” was lying where he had fallen, and a hasty examination -showed he was unconscious, while blood was flowing from a wound on his -head, caused by the blow from the butt of the whip. - -Haley, who had not seen the encounter between the two actors, was dazed. - -“Who did it?” he asked. - -“Him!” - -Ephraim Gallup’s long index finger pointed straight at the one who had -impersonated “Legree.” - -“How?” - -“With that whip.” - -“But—but why should he do——” - -“Ask him. He’s had a grutch ag’in Havener fer a month, an’ to-night he -tried ter kill him right here on the stage afore all these people!” - -“That’s right!” shouted fifty voices from the audience. - -“He is the one to be arrested!” roared a man standing in the front row -of the first balcony. “I know t’other feller. He’s Frank Merriwell, an’ -he’s the right sort.” - -Frank Merriwell! Many persons in the audience had recognized Merry when -he leaped on the stage, but the mention of his name sent a surge of -emotion over the entire house. - -Now they knew him! The name of Frank Merriwell was familiar to everybody -in that city, for the prominent part he had taken in the railroad strike -had advertised him thoroughly. - -And Frank’s greatest admirers were aroused. Up in the gallery a -red-headed boy poised himself on the rail and shrilly yelled: - -“Well, wot’s der matter wid Frank Merriwell?” - -And the gallery broke into an answering roar: - -“He’s—all—right!” - -“Dat’s wot!” screamed the red-headed boy. “Let him erlone an’ see wot -he’ll do ter ‘Simon Legree’!” - -“He won’t do a thing to him!” significantly bellowed half the gallery. - -“If dem cops puts a fin on him, we’ll come down an’ wipe up der -the-a-tur with ’em!” threatened the red-headed champion. - -“Dat’s what we will!” shouted the others. - -Frank looked up, smiled and bowed. That smile was enough to set his -admirers wild. They howled, roared, clapped and stamped till the gallery -shook and threatened to come down. - -“Great gosh!” cried Ephraim Gallup, in Merry’s ear; “I ruther think -yeou’ve got a few friends in this ’air taown!” - -One of the policemen was examining the wound on the head of the -unconscious actor. He spoke to a companion: - -“Call an ambulance,” he said. “It looks to me as if this chap’s skull -may be cracked. He may never recover consciousness.” - -“Is it possible?” gasped Barnaby Haley, who had heard the words. “And -Storms did it? I declare!” - -He turned and glared at the drunken actor. - -“What’s the matter with you?” he asked. “Are you mad?” - -Storms did not reply, but now he began to show symptoms of fear. - -“If Havener is dead, I’ll see that you hang for it!” declared the -manager. - -“Shall we arrest Mr. Merriwell?” asked one of the policemen, a touch of -sarcasm in his voice. - -“No, no!” cried Haley. “My gracious, no! It seems that I was mistaken -concerning his purpose. He sprang onto the stage to stop Storms—to keep -him from finishing his work. Do not molest Mr. Merriwell.” - -The gallery heard this, and shouted its delight. The red-headed boy -stood up and screamed: - -“T’ree cheers fer Frank Merriwell! Open yer t’roats ev’rybody!” - -Then the entire audience, catching the spirit of the occasion, broke -into a mighty cheer, bringing the hot blood to Merry’s face. - -“There, b’gosh!” sighed Ephraim Gallup, with satisfaction. “Naow yeou’ve -got whut ye deserve.” - -“Yaw,” agreed Hans, “now you haf got vot I deserfe.” - -“Merriwell! Merriwell! Speech! Speech!” - -The audience was calling for a speech, but Frank simply shook his head -and flatly refused to make a speech. - -“Arrest ole ‘Legree’!” howled the red-headed boy. - -“Yes,” said Barnaby Haley, speaking to the officers. “I want you to -arrest him.” - -Storms glanced quickly around, as the officer stepped toward him. - -“Wait!” he exclaimed. - -Like a flash he snatched out a revolver. - -“As well for two as for one!” he snarled. - -Up went his hand. - -Click! - -The hammer of the revolver fell, but there was no report. - -The cartridge had failed to explode, and Frank Merriwell’s life was -spared. - -Uttering a howl of rage, the fellow flung the weapon at Merry, striking -him fairly on the breast and staggering him. - -Then, with a shout of defiance, the desperate actor made a run and a -leap, sailing out over the footlights, out over the heads of the band, -and alighting on his feet. - -“Stop him!” Haley cried. - -Up the aisle flew the fugitive. The policemen sprang after him, but no -one seemed to care to get in the ruffian’s path, so he dashed through an -open door and disappeared. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - AN ENGAGEMENT OFFERED. - - -The patrons of the Thalia Theater had been given a surprising sensation -that evening, and they did not think of demanding their money back when -they were forced to file out without seeing the final scene of the play. - -The name of Frank Merriwell seemed to be on every tongue. - -Barnaby Haley was quick to see the advertising value of the affair, -which, at first, he had regarded as most unfortunate. He perceived that -Frank Merriwell was well known and popular with the common people, such -as patronized that house. - -It had not proved necessary to remove Roscoe Havener, the injured actor, -in an ambulance. Havener was carried to a dressing room, where he soon -recovered consciousness, and his injury was dressed by a physician, who -pronounced it a mere scalp wound. - -Haley had taken Frank down into the dressing room, where he was profuse -in the expression of his thanks. - -“Mr. Havener,” he said, “I believe you owe your life to the prompt -action of this young man.” - -“Yes?” said the actor, staring at Frank. - -“Yes,” assured the manager. “He was in a proscenium box, and he sprang -onto the stage and grappled with Storms in time to keep the fellow from -hitting you again with the heavy end of the whip.” - -“Well, I am sure I am much obliged, Mr. Merriwell,” said Havener, -holding out his hand, which Frank took. - -“Don’t mention it,” said Merry. “I happened to be watching Storms, for I -saw he had it in for you.” - -“Yes, he was dead nuts on me. I’m the stage-manager, you know, and I -have been calling him down lately for drinking. He got so he hated me.” - -“I heard him tell you he would ‘fix’ you.” - -“Yes, he did that, but I did not dream he would try anything on the -stage. I wasn’t prepared at all. The first cut he gave me with that whip -seemed to take all the strength out of me.” - -“Saw it,” nodded Frank. “Hardly thought he was in the habit of putting -it on that way every night.” - -“Guess not!” - -“The way you cried out told me it was a genuine surprise to you.” - -“I should guess yes.” - -“That made me ready for what followed, but was not quite quick enough to -keep him from hitting you the first time with the butt of the whip. I -stopped the blow he intended for a finisher, just the same.” - -“And earned my everlasting gratitude, Mr. Merriwell.” - -“They were ready to arrest me for interrupting the play,” laughed Frank. - -Haley flushed. - -“You must forget that, Mr. Merriwell,” he said. “I didn’t see Storms hit -Havener, so I could not understand why you jumped on the stage and -grappled with him.” - -“But I understood it, b’gosh!” broke in Ephraim Gallup, who was on hand; -“an’ yeou kin bet I was goin’ to stan’ by Mr. Merriwell if it took a -wing off me.” - -“Yaw,” came gravely from the Dutch boy, who was likewise there, “Vrank -Merrivell nefer made a misdake your life in.” - -“You seem to know Mr. Merriwell,” insinuated Haley. - -“Waal, I guess we do!” cried the Vermonter. - -“You petter pelief we do!” exclaimed the Dutch youth. - -“We was old chums at skule,” explained Ephraim. - -“Yaw, we peen shums at Vardale,” elaborated Hans. “Dot peen vere he hadt -der bleasure our aguaintance uf makin’ alretty then.” - -“It seemed rather remarkable that you took sides with him so promptly, -but it’s all right. The papers will be full of it to-morrow, and we -ought to get a good run here the next two nights. I’ll have to get a man -to fill Storms’ place.” - -“That’s right,” quickly said Havener. “I’ll never play with him again. -If he’s arrested, I am going to push him for what he did.” - -“If you do that, you’ll have to stay in this place some time,” declared -the manager; “and you can’t stay here without breaking your contract. I -can’t spare you, for you know the loss of Storms will make me two men -short. I need a prompter and property man, and need him bad.” - -Ephraim nudged Frank, whispering: - -“There’s your chance.” - -“I guess not,” smiled Merry. - -But the Vermonter said: - -“Why don’t you make Mr. Merriwell an offer, Mr. Haley? He’s a gol darn -hustler, an’ he’s aout of a job jest naow. Mebbe yeou could git him.” - -“It’s not likely he knows anything about the business,” said the -manager, looking Frank over. - -“Waal,” declared Gallup, “yeou’ll find he kin l’arn ther quickest of -anybody yeou ever see. I’ll reckermend him.” - -“Und I vos anodder,” put in Hans. - -“Are you looking for an opening, Mr. Merriwell?” asked the manager. - -“I am looking for some kind of a job,” confessed Frank. “Must do -something, you know.” - -“You seem like a bright young man. Perhaps we might agree, if you are -willing to take hold and do not expect too much money at first.” - -Somehow the idea of going on the road with a show appealed to Frank. Had -he been working at anything steady just then he would not have thought -of giving up his job to take such an engagement; but he was doing -nothing, and any kind of a job was preferable to idleness. - -“I don’t know,” he said, slowly. “I haven’t thought about going into -such work, but——” - -“You might think about it?” - -“Possibly.” - -“All right. I’ll be ready to make you an offer to-morrow, if you are -ready to come right away. I’ll be in the box office of the theater at -eleven in the morning. Will you call?” - -“I think I will.” - -“Do so. It won’t do any harm, even if we don’t agree. I shall be glad to -see you, anyhow.” - -Frank was ready to go. He knew Jack and Nellie would wonder what had -become of him. - -Hans and Ephraim accompanied him, and they found the brother and sister -waiting near the entrance of the theater. - -“Oh, Frank!” cried little Nell. “We didn’t know where you had gone.” - -“I told her you would turn up all right,” asserted Jack, “but she was -nervous after that fight on the stage.” - -“It was dreadful!” shuddered the girl. “I was so frightened! I saw that -wretch was really and truly hurting ‘Uncle Tom,’ but I didn’t expect you -would jump right onto the stage, Frank.” - -“Had to do it,” smiled Merry. “Case of necessity.” - -“You did it so quick, and you handled that ruffian! I never saw a fight -before in my life, and it frightened me. But I was so proud of you when -all the crowd was shouting your name and cheering. They all seemed to -know you, Frank.” - -“That’s right, by gum!” cried Ephraim. “Yeou seem to be purty nigh as -well known here as yeou was at skule. Guess yeou’re bound to be pop’ler -wherever yeou go.” - -“I pet a dandy goot actor vould make him,” said Hans. - -“Yes, I ruther think he’d make a good actor,” agreed Ephraim. “He will -hev a chaince before he’s bin with Haley long, if he goes with the show. -Better do it, Frank. We’ll hev heaps of fun.” - -“Yaw, dot’s vot’s der madder!” cried Hans. “You’d petter took dot shob -uf he don’d pay a goot lot.” - -Little Nell showed her alarm. - -“What job is that?” she asked, flutteringly. - -“P’r’aps he’ll hev a chaince to go aout on the road with aour show,” -explained Ephraim. - -“And he’ll have to leave us!” cried Nellie. - -“Waal, little gal, it’s too bad, but he can’t stay here an’ live on -wind. That’s sartin sure.” - -“Oh, we don’t want to lose him like that!” - -“Folks hev to make a livin’. He ain’t got money to burn, same as he had -once.” - -“If I had, I should be very careful how I burned it,” asserted -Merriwell. “I have learned the value of money, and it will be precious -little that I shall throw away foolishly in the future. Must be going -home now. Good-night, fellows. See you to-morrow.” - -“Yeou’d better engage with Haley,” cried Ephraim, as Frank moved away -with Jack and Nellie. - -“Yaw,” shouted Hans. “Uf you don’d you vill peen sorry all mein life. -Goot-night.” - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - FRANK ACCEPTS. - - -The following day Frank went down to the Thalia Theater at the time -appointed, and he found Manager Haley waiting for him in the box office, -as he had said he would be. - -Merry was invited in, and he accepted the invitation. He was given an -introduction to the ticket seller, and then Haley asked him into a -little room adjoining the office. - -“I’ve struck a man this morning to fill Storms’ place,” he said, “and -now, if we can make arrangements, the company will be all right again.” - -“Did the officers arrest Storms?” asked Frank. - -“No. He got away, but he’s broke, and they’ll get him all right, unless -he counts the ties.” - -“Counts the ties?” - -“Yes; walks out of town on the railroad. I’m glad to be rid of him. He -made a good ‘Legree,’ but he was a quarrelsome fellow, always kicking up -a fuss. He made more trouble in the company than all the others put -together.” - -The manager opened a little closet door and took out a bottle and -glasses. He placed a glass before Frank on the table that served as a -desk, and then shoved the bottle toward Merry. - -“Help yourself,” he urged. “I’ll get some water for chasers.” - -“What is it?” - -“Whisky—good whisky, too. Needn’t be afraid of it. Took particular pains -to get good stuff.” - -“I do not care for any,” said Frank. - -“Eh? Don’t? What’s the matter?” - -“I never drink whisky.” - -“Singular! Young man, good color, full of life. Can’t be you prefer -rum?” - -“No, sir.” - -“Brandy?” - -“No. I do not drink.” - -“Don’t drink? Why, you take something occasionally?” - -“Never.” - -“Is that so? What made you swear off? Going it pretty hard?” - -“Didn’t swear off.” - -“Didn’t?” - -“No; I never took a drink of liquor in my life.” - -Haley stared hard at Frank. - -“If I were running a dime museum, I’d engage you as a freak,” he said, -in a manner that brought the color to Merry’s face. “You’ll excuse me if -I take a snifter. It’s my time for one.” - -“Go ahead, sir,” bowed the youth. - -So Haley poured out a brimming glass of the stuff and dashed it off -without a “chaser.” - -“Ah!” he said, smacking his lips. “That’s all right. Better than we’ll -get when we get further west.” - -He put away bottles and glasses. Then, turning to Frank once more, -produced a cigar case, opened it and held it out. - -“Have a weed?” he invited. - -“Excuse me,” protested Frank. - -“What? Oh, go ahead! Those are no two-fers; they’re straight tens. -Needn’t be afraid of them.” - -“I’m not afraid of them.” - -“Not? What’s the matter, then?” - -“I do not smoke.” - -The manager stared harder than before. - -“Don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t——Do you swear?” - -“No, sir.” - -“Then I’m afraid you won’t make a first-class property man. No man can -handle properties unless he swears.” - -Frank laughed. - -“I didn’t suppose it was absolutely necessary to swear in order to do -any kind of work successfully,” he said. - -“Never knew a property man who didn’t swear. If you take the place, -you’ll learn to swear within a week.” - -“Then it must be a position that provokes a man’s ill nature?” - -“It is—riles him all up. Going to tell you just what it is before we -talk business. Then you’ll know what you are going up against.” - -Then the manager sat down and told Merry all about the requirements and -duties of a first-class property man. - -“You see, it won’t be no fat job,” said Haley. “I’d rather you’d -understand at the start, for you might get disgusted with it after a -short time if you went with us thinking you had a soft snap.” - -“I am not looking for snaps,” declared Merry. “I expect to work.” - -“That’ll be all right. Some young chaps think traveling with a show and -acting is all play. Didn’t want you to start out with such a notion. -Gallup, who plays in the band, says you’re a wonder at anything you -attempt to do, and I’ve been making some inquiries about you in town -this morning. You did chop frost for a short time after getting a job on -the railroad, and that’s a fact. They say your rise was phenomenal. But -the strike knocked you out.” - -“Yes; and now I must do something for a living. Doesn’t seem to be any -show for me to get a job railroading right away, so, if we agree, I am -willing to engage with you.” - -They talked it over a long time, and finally came to terms. Frank was -not to receive much money at first, but Haley said he would do better -after he had learned all about his business. - -Ephraim and Hans knew of Frank’s appointment with the manager, and they -were waiting for him outside the theater when he appeared. Both made a -dive for him. - -“Did yeou do it?” asked Gallup, breathlessly. - -“Yaw!” cried Hans, “did it do you?” - -“I am going with the company, if that is what you want to know,” said -Frank. - -“Glory!” shouted the Vermonter, catching his hand and wringing it. - -“Py Chorch! dot vos pully!” gurgled Hans, getting hold of his other hand -and trying to pull his arm out of the socket. - -“Say, we’ll jest have haydoogins of fun!” declared the Yankee youth. - -“You pet my life!” fluttered the Dutch youth. - -Frank went home and found little Nell there, anxiously awaiting his -return. - -“What is it?” she asked, immediately on his appearance. - -“I am engaged,” answered Merry. - -A deep cloud came over her face, and she slowly turned away. He hastened -to her side. - -“You know, I must do something for a living, Nellie,” he quickly said. -“I cannot remain idle.” - -“I know,” she nodded, chokingly. - -“I have been idle too long. Last night I did not sleep. I was thinking -of Elsie. I must earn money; I must find her. I feel that she needs my -aid.” - -“But, Frank, you will not be able to find her if you are traveling over -the country with a show.” - -“I shall be earning something. When spring comes, I shall go in search -of her.” - -“Oh, but it will be so lonely when you are gone!” - -Her face dropped in her hands, and she gave a choking sob. He had his -arm about her in a moment. - -“It is not fated that we shall be together always, Nellie,” he said. “I -have been with you some time, and fortune has turned in your favor -during that time. You were blind when I first saw you; now you can see. -You have a snug little business which will grow, and you will prosper -and be happy.” - -Her face was hidden by her hands, and she made no reply. - -“Don’t do that way, Nellie!” he implored, gently. “We shall meet -again—some time.” - -“Some time!” she sobbed. “When?” - -“I can’t tell that.” - -She turned quickly, reached up and put her arms about his neck, burying -her face on his breast, where she wept, while he vainly tried to comfort -her. - -“Nellie, Nellie, don’t!” he pleaded, his own voice husky. “I can’t bear -this! Please don’t—for my sake!” - -“For your sake!” she murmured. “For your sake, Frank, I’ll try not to -cry. You have been so good to us. Oh, I shall miss you so much! Heaven -bless and keep you, Frank! Heaven guide you to Elsie! May you -prosper—may you always be happy! I shall pray for you every night!” - -“And I shall pray for you, dear little friend,” he said, in his sincere, -manly way. “I will write to you often.” - -Then they sat down together, hand in hand, and talked of the future. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - FRANK’S UNPLEASANT DISCOVERY. - - -A week later Frank had become pretty familiar with his duties. Besides -being “manager of properties,” he was the prompter, and he found plenty -of work. - -He took hold of the new work readily, and Barnaby Haley soon became -satisfied that he had made no mistake in engaging him. - -The company was “on the road,” playing one-night stands, having -abandoned the larger cities. - -It was a case of hustle day after day. The moment the show was over at -night everything had to be picked up and packed for the morning train. - -Frank soon became familiar with all the stuff, so that he knew just -where everything belonged, and this enabled him to do the packing -swiftly. - -A certain amount of special scenery was carried for the piece, and that -was the most difficult to handle. - -As soon as Merry had taken care of the properties, he was expected to -lend his aid in getting the scenery ready for shipment, and thus it came -about that he seldom got to bed before one or two o’clock in the -morning. - -Then it was necessary for him to be up early to see that everything got -off right, and, immediately on arriving at a destination, he had to -attend to the getting of the baggage to the theater. - -Arriving at the theater, he was required to have the trunks placed in -the proper dressing rooms, the people who played the leading parts -always being allotted by the stage-manager to the most convenient, -commodious and handy rooms. - -Sometimes the assignment of dressing rooms caused no small amount of ill -feeling, but Frank tried to keep things as pleasant as possible. - -He soon showed he was not afraid of work, for which reason a large -amount of work it was not his duty to perform was thrust upon him. - -But he started in at this business, as he had at railroading, to learn -everything possible about it in the shortest possible time. Thus it came -about that, having assisted in the work of making the stage ready, in -one week’s time there was not a scene of the play that he could not set -properly. - -It was not long before the stage-manager discovered this, and he began -to take a still greater interest in Frank. - -“Say,” he broke out one night, as Frank was assisting in the setting of -the stage, “what are you trying to do?” - -“Helping,” was the laconic answer. - -“Yes, but you are helping differently from any novice I ever saw before. -You take hold as if you were trying to do all there is to be done.” - -“I want to do my part.” - -“You want to do more than that, and I fancy you know it, for you are no -fool. What’s the object?” - -“If I’m going to follow this business any length of time, I am going to -know all I can about it.” - -“So that’s it! Well, that’s all right as far as it goes, but you will -get tired of it. Fellow who is willing to do his work and everybody -else’s work is pretty sure to get crowded. Better let up on it.” - -“Thank you. I don’t believe anybody will crowd me.” - -“All right; do as you like. I’m willing you should as long as you don’t -attempt to get in front of me.” - -This was said with a laugh, but Merriwell caught the significance of the -words. - -“Don’t be afraid, Mr. Havener,” he said. “I am not seeking anybody’s -chance in this company.” - -Frank had become acquainted with the different members of the company, -and the personality of each interested him. - -Arthur Sargent, the new man, who filled the place of Errol Storms, -playing “Simon Legree,” was a man quite unlike Storms. He was a jolly, -good-natured fellow off the stage, always joking and telling stories. -But he did make a fierce “Legree,” and he was detested and hissed by the -small boy in the gallery quite as much as Storms had been. - -Cassie Lee, the “leading Topsy,” for there were two “Topsys” in the -play, interested Frank more than anybody else. Off the stage, she was a -thin, frail, sad-faced little girl, with a hollow, hacking cough. On the -stage, she was a supple, bright-eyed, lively, vivacious creature, -dancing and singing, as if she had not a care in the world. - -Cassie’s father, old Dan Lee, played small parts, making many changes. -In fact, his skill at making quick changes was something marvelous, and -it was astonishing how many different parts he could fill. - -It was said that old Dan knew every line in the piece, and could play -any male part. Some even insisted that the old man in his palmy days had -played “Little Eva,” but Dan himself denied the accusation. - -Old Dan’s one failing was his strong liking for liquor. But for Cassie’s -watchful eyes, he would have been “loaded” the greater part of the time, -and lost his engagement a dozen times a month. Cassie could handle him -unless he was crazed by liquor, and he was humble and pliant in her -hands. - -But there were stories that on occasions old Dan took too much and -became like a maniac. Then even Cassie could do nothing with him, and it -was said that he had once beaten her so severely while madly intoxicated -that she had been taken to the hospital, where she remained six weeks. - -It was said that through her father’s ill-treatment and neglect Cassie’s -health had been broken down. - -Frank wondered at the change that came over her every night just before -she went onto the stage. She suddenly seemed to become quite a different -creature. The lackluster departed from her eyes, her step became elastic -and buoyant, and even her voice seemed to change. - -All this was a mystery to Merry at first, but, one night, when she sent -him to her dressing room for some article she had forgotten, he made a -discovery that enlightened and horrified him. - -A small needle syringe lay on the shelf beside the square mirror. - -“Morphine!” gasped Frank. “That is the secret of the change!” - -Little Cassie was a morphine fiend! - -The knowledge preyed on Frank’s mind. He pitied the girl, and longed to -do something for her, but he knew that when the dreaded habit had once -fairly fastened itself on a victim that person was almost surely doomed. - -Frank was very considerate with Cassie. He showed her many favors, and -he never minded her freaks and whims when she was in a bad humor. As a -result, after a time, the girl began to take a great interest in Frank. - -“Look here, Merriwell,” she said, one night as she was “laying on” the -burnt cork, “I cotton to you. You are the right stuff, but you never -ought to be in this business.” - -“What business?” - -“Show.” - -“Why?” asked Frank, surprised. - -“’Cause you ain’t the same grade as the rest of us. That’s plain -enough.” - -“I don’t think I quite understand you. Am I not good enough to become an -actor, if I wish?” - -Cassie laughed unmusically. - -“That’s the matter with yer,” she declared. “You’re too good. This kind -of a life will ruin you.” - -“I guess not.” - -“I guess yes, and I know what I’m talking about. I hate to see a nice -young man like you spoiled.” - -“Don’t let that worry you.” - -“You think I’m jollying you, but I ain’t. I mean what I say. Common -actors are poor associates for such a fellow as you are. You don’t -drink, smoke or swear now, but, if you stick to the road, I’ll bet a -month’s salary you are doing all three within a year.” - -“I will not take your bet, for it would be robbing you, Miss Lee.” - -“Don’t you believe yourself. I’d win. I know, for I’ve seen what it all -leads to.” - -“I don’t suppose you mean to say the life depraves everybody who follows -it?” - -“No, not that; but it’s a hard strain on a fellow. This knocking around -just kills a person’s conscience. You’re the kind that’ll be a soft -thing for every bum who wants to hit you up for a fiver. You will think -they all mean to pay when they can, but by the time you have been beat -right and left you’ll begin to get onto the game, and think you may just -as well play it in order to get even. That’s what hurts. Borrow a five, -and fail to pay it once, and you’ve got your start on the wrong road. -The keen edge is taken off your conscience, and, before long, it gets -pretty dull. Oh, I know what I’m givin’ yer!” - -“Well, well!” exclaimed Frank, surprised. “Never thought I’d hear you -preaching, Miss Lee.” - -“Don’t call me Miss Lee! Don’t like it. I’m just plain Cassie, or Cass, -to all the boys.” - -“All right, I’ll call you Cassie, then.” - -“Do. Don’t tell the other fellers I lectured yer. They’d say I’s getting -soft. I don’t want Havener to know I take enough interest in you to say -anything like I did to yer.” - -“Don’t want Havener to know it?” - -“No.” - -“Why not?” - -“Well—because—you see him and me are—are—pretty friendly.” - -She blurted out the last two words, as if they cost her a great effort. - -“Why,” said Frank, “I never noticed.” - -“Course you didn’t. We’re keeping it quiet, for Havener’s got a wife.” - -Then, seeing the look that came over Frank’s face, Cassie hastened to -explain: - -“They ain’t lived together or ever heard from each other for four years, -and Havener’s going to get a divorce as soon as he can for desertion. We -couldn’t help gittin’ struck on each other, but I don’t want pop to know -it till Havener is free to marry me. That’s why we’re keeping shady. But -Storms was onto it.” - -“Storms.” - -“Yep. Feller you kept from knocking the head offen Havener.” - -“Oh! He——” - -“Was jealous.” - -“Ah! Then that——” - -“That was his real reason for cracking Ross that way, though the others -didn’t know it. He wanted me to marry him.” - -“Storms did?” - -“Sure thing.” - -“And you refused?” - -“I should guess yes! Roscoe Havener suits me. Him and I’ll get along all -right, and I’m glad Errol Storms is out of the comp’ny. I was afraid of -him.” - -“Then I——” - -“Done me a good turn—yes. It was a good thing when you jumped on that -night and nipped Storms. I was down in my dressin’ room when I heard -Havener holler, and I knew something was wrong, for that cry was too -real. I ran upstairs and got into the wings just in time to see you and -Storms have it. Then I came nigh giving the whole thing away by getting -sloppy over Ross, but I pulled myself up just in time, and nobody got -onto the real reason why that business happened. I don’t know why I told -you, ’less it was ’cause I have been dying to tell somebody about it, -and I reckon you’ll keep your mouth shut.” - -“You may be sure I’ll not give you away, Miss—Cassie.” - -“All right; but I’ve got something to tell you, too.” - -“Something more?” - -“Yes.” - -“About——” - -“You.” - -“About me?” - -“Sure thing.” - -“What is it?” - -“You want to look out not to let Ross get an idea you take any -particular interest in me.” - -“Why?” - -“He’s jealous of you now.” - -“Jealous of me?” - -“Yes.” - -“Why—why should he be?” - -“Well, there ain’t no real reason, but he don’t know. You’ve always been -trying to do me favors, and his eyes are sharp. He liked you at first, -but now he is beginning to growl to me. Says you are trying to know too -much. Says you’re fresh. Quizzes me about what I think of you, and all -that. I can read him, and I know he’s jealous, so look out.” - -“I am sure I thank you for the warning,” said Frank, embarrassed. - -“Oh, that’s all right. He’ll get over it.” - -“Aren’t you afraid of a jealous man?” - -“No; I like him all the better for it. If you was some chaps, I’d -pretend to like you pretty well, just to see how much he’d stand; but I -don’t know what he’d do, and I don’t want to get you into trouble. He -has a pull with Haley, and he might get you fired. I shouldn’t like -that.” - -Cassie had a frank way of speaking out that was decidedly embarrassing, -but she did not seem to imagine that she had said something about which -other girls would have hesitated to speak. - -This revelation opened Frank’s eyes to a great extent. He understood -thoroughly the real cause of the trouble between Storms and Havener, and -also why the latter’s manner toward him had changed within a day or two. - -“I must be careful,” Merry decided. - -After this talk with Cassie, Frank liked her and pitied her more than -ever. He wondered if Havener knew anything of the terrible habit that -had fastened itself on the girl, and if he would marry her just the same -should he discover it. - -Havener’s first venture in marriage had not proved a success, and his -second one might result disastrously unless Cassie could be cured of her -liking for the fatal drug. - -Although Merry felt certain the girl used morphine, sometimes he would -long to find that it was all a mistake. - -One night, however, it was all settled in his mind. - -Some of the theaters on the road contained but a few small, dirty -dressing rooms, so that it was necessary for a number of persons to -dress together in the same room. - -Cassie was put in with two other girls at one place. She did not “kick,” -for she was used to everything on the road. - -But she was not given much chance to be by herself. - -Just as the curtain was going up on the first act, Frank was sent down -to the dressing room to get something for one of the girls. - -The door was just a bit ajar, and Merry bolted in quickly. - -There was an exclamation of consternation, echoed by Frank. - -Cassie was there. The sleeve of her left arm was thrust back, showing -white above the line of black at her wrist. She was in the very act of -using the little syringe. - -The tiny instrument dropped from her fingers, and she staggered back a -step. - -“Merriwell!” she gasped. - -Frank started to turn away, then hastily explained why he had come to -the room. His manner told her he had seen and understood. - -“Look here!” she hoarsely said, springing forward and clutching him by -the arm; “I want you to promise me something.” - -“What?” - -“That you’ll keep mum.” - -“I will.” - -“Sure thing?” - -“You can trust me.” - -“You won’t tell Havener?” - -“No.” - -“Don’t you do it on your life! I’m going to stop it—some time. I want to -see you after the play to-night. I want to talk to you. I’ll tell you -all about it. Go on, now.” - -He secured the article he was after, and she pushed him out of the room, -closing and fastening the door behind him. - -Then the little syringe was recharged and used. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - THE JEALOUS STAGE-MANAGER. - - -There was now no doubt in Frank’s mind; he knew Cassie used the drug, -and his heart was full of pity for her. - -That night, after the play was over, Cassie lingered in the dressing -room, slowly picking up her things. The other girls were ready to leave, -and they called for her to hurry up. - -“Oh, go on,” she said. “I’ll be along pretty soon. Don’t wait for me.” - -So they started for their hotel, leaving her there. - -Frank was at work getting the properties together and packing them in -one of the dressing rooms, while Havener was above on the stage, looking -after the special scenery. - -Cassie found Frank and came in on him. - -“Look here,” she said, in a dull, dejected way, “I’ve got a few things I -want to say to you.” - -Frank was uneasy, but he stopped working, saying, respectfully: - -“All right, Cassie; I’ll listen.” - -“If you blow on me, I’m done for.” - -“Now don’t be afraid that I will blow. What put such a notion into your -head?” - -“Well, I don’t know but you’d be doing the right thing if you did.” - -“Why?” - -“Oh, because it might not be right for any man to hitch up with a girl -like me. If Havener knew——” - -“Do you think he’d go back on you?” - -“Can’t tell. His other wife drank like a fish, and he quit her. That -ain’t so bad as what I do.” - -“But you, Cassie—how in the world did you ever contract such a habit?” - -“Got it in the hospital.” - -“Oh, that is how?” - -“Yes,” she faltered, as if she found it difficult to choose her words. -“You know—I—was hurt. I went to the hospital. They had to inject -morphine to keep down the pain. When I came out I kept on using it once -in a while. After a time I used it oftener, and now——” - -“Now——” - -“I can’t seem to shake it. I’ve tried, but it’s no use.” - -She said this sadly, dejectedly, and Frank’s heart was stirred by a -great sympathy. - -“Are you sure?” - -“Well, I’m going to break it off some time—I will if I die!” she -declared, fiercely. “I have sworn it! It’s the only thing left for me, -and I must do it.” - -“Now you are talking right.” - -“Oh, I ain’t a fool, Frank Merriwell! I know well enough what I’ve got -to do. The thing is to do it. One night I tried to play ‘Topsy’ without -using it, but I was so dull and dead that Haley gave me a great call -down. It puts life into me, it braces me up long enough to play the -part. If I don’t do it, I’ll lose my engagement.” - -“Better lose your engagement than your health—your life.” - -“But I can’t afford to lay off now,” said Cassie, desperately. “I must -go through till the end of the season. Then I’m going to a sanitarium -somewhere and get rid of this business—get cured. I’ll do it! All I want -is for you to keep still.” - -“You can trust me,” assured Merry. “You may be sure I’ll keep still.” - -“Don’t tell Havener.” - -“No.” - -A man came quickly into the room. It was Havener himself, and his -scowling face showed he had overheard something. - -Cassie gave a gasp of terror. - -The stage-manager glared at them both. - -“What’s this secret between you that you are going to keep from me?” he -demanded. - -Neither answered. - -“Speak!” cried Havener, furiously. “It’s no use trying to keep the thing -hidden, for I am dead on.” - -Cassie looked at Frank appealingly. - -“Now don’t take a lot of time to think up something to say,” snarled the -angry man. “It won’t go down with me! I’ve seen how things were going -for some time.” - -Then he whirled madly on the girl. - -“So you’re stuck on him because he’s young and smart! Well, you may make -a fool of yourself! He’ll throw you over after a time. You have made a -fool of me already! Oh, I’d like to——” - -His clinched fist was drawn back, and he seemed on the point of striking -her. - -“Stop!” - -Frank leaped forward and caught the man’s wrist. - -With a howl, Havener turned and struck at Merry. - -Quick as he was, Frank dodged the blow. Then he grappled with the -stage-manager, strong as that person was, ran him up against the -partition, and held him there, helpless. - -“Listen a moment, Mr. Havener,” he said, with remarkable calmness; “you -are making a blithering idiot of yourself.” - -“Don’t lie——” - -“I am not lying. There is no affair between Miss Lee and myself.” - -“The secret——” - -“I shall keep. All the same, you have no reason in the world to be -jealous. I swear it. If you will permit, I’ll gladly be your friend and -Miss Lee’s.” - -“Let me go!” - -“Not so soon.” - -“Please don’t hurt him, Merriwell!” entreated Cassie, anxiously. - -Those words made Havener squirm. He felt the disgrace of being handled -thus easily by a beardless youth. At the same time, he was filled with -admiration and astonishment because of Frank’s strength. - -“I’ll not injure him,” promised Frank; “but he must come to his senses -before I let him go. He must promise not to act like a fool.” - -“Let go,” said Havener. “I was a fool to get stuck on the girl! Said I’d -never let another one fool me after my first mistake, but a man don’t -know much when it comes to women.” - -“You will make a fool of yourself if you break with Miss Lee because you -think there is anything between us, that’s sure.” - -“What was the secret?” - -“Perhaps she will tell you some day. If you care for her, you must -believe in her and trust her. If you cannot trust her now, it will be a -good thing for her to break with you right here.” - -Somehow those words seemed to take the excitement out of the -stage-manager. He looked at Frank, and then his eyes wandered to the -face of the girl. - -“You must believe him, Ross,” she said. “He is right. If you can’t trust -me now, you never will, and we shall be miserable, instead of happy.” - -“He knows——” - -“Everything. I have told him.” - -“Why did you do it?” - -“Because I had to tell somebody! You are a man, and you can keep still, -but a woman just has to talk.” - -“I guess that’s right.” - -“He is ready to help us, instead of trying to make trouble between us.” - -“That’s right,” nodded Frank. - -“Let me go,” urged Havener. “Let me think it over. Perhaps I have been -foolish. I don’t know. I’ll have to have time to think about it.” - -Frank released him, saying: - -“All right, but don’t get daffy about it. Believe me—believe Miss Lee. -All will be well in the end, I hope.” - -“You were talking together in a confidential way,” said the -stage-manager, “and I heard her ask you not to tell me about something. -That was enough to make any man suspicious.” - -“Perhaps so; but you had better forget it.” Frank went about his work, -leaving Cassie talking earnestly with Havener. - -It was evident to Merry that she finally satisfied him that his jealousy -was groundless, for he stooped and kissed her suddenly. - -In Frank’s heart, however, was a deep and heavy pain, caused by the -knowledge of the unfortunate girl’s terrible secret. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - TWO “ANGELS.” - - -The “All-Star Combination” struck bad business and a run of all-around -hard luck. The “ghost” did not “walk,” and distrust, dissension and -rebellion arose. Barnaby Haley had all he could do to hold the company -together. He did so, hoping that the “streak” would pass and good -business would come. - -The part of the country through which they were playing had been -surfeited with “Uncle Tom,” and the people were tired of the old piece, -so they refused to be aroused and inveigled into giving up their -hard-earned money, for all of the glaring paper, the donkey, the “fierce -bloodhounds,” and the “gold band.” - -One night there was a “council of war” among the members of the company, -and demands were made on Haley. He could not meet the demands, and the -entire company threatened to “quit.” - -The following morning several members of the company were missing, and -the show was forced to go on without them, or suspend. - -That night old Dan Lee filled more parts than he had ever before -attempted on one occasion. - -In order to get through with the piece, it was necessary for almost -every actor to “fake,” and Frank was obliged to fill in by assuming a -small part. He did it very well, saving the piece from complete -disaster, although the thin audience went away far from satisfied. - -When the next town was reached, it was found that their reputation had -reached there in advance of them. - -“We’ll be lucky if we take ten dollars to-night,” declared Havener, -after discovering the true state of affairs. - -Then one of the actresses “struck,” adding to the complications. It -seemed doubtful if they could play that night at all, but, as a last, -dying gasp, they resolved to make a bluff at it. - -The actress had been required each night to ascend into the flies as the -spirit of “Little Eva” after the death scene, and it was necessary for -some other person to take her place. - -That night it was arranged that Hans should dress in the flowing white -robes, and be hoisted into the flies when the proper time came. The -stage would be in semidarkness, and it was hoped that the audience would -not catch on. - -This struck Frank as very ludicrous. Merry believed the dissolution of -the company must come on the following day, and so he was ready to play -any sort of a practical joke. He resolved to have some sport at the -Dutch lad’s expense. - -To the astonishment of everybody, the theater filled surprisingly with -spectators. Barnaby Haley rubbed his hands together with satisfaction -and congratulated himself. - -But the audience was there for sport, and they began almost as soon as -the curtain went up to guy the players. As the play progressed, this -“jollying” became more and more offensive and hard to bear. - -Frank decided that, before the play was over, the audience would break -out all together. - -When the death scene came, Hans Dunnerwurst, arrayed in white robes, -with wings attached to his shoulders, was crouching behind the couch on -which “Little Eva” was supposed to be gasping her last. - -Frank had arranged the tackle that was to hoist Hans, and he was waiting -eagerly for the climax that was to come. - -It came. - -The footlights refused to grow dim, although a desperate attempt was -made to lower them, and there was a hitch in the play. - -At last, thoroughly desperate, Havener gave the signal for the men at -the windlass to hoist away. - -Something white rose swiftly into the air over the couch. - -The “spirit of Little Eva” was ascending. - -But such a spirit! - -The hook of the tackle was attached to the seat of the Dutch lad’s -trousers, so that he was held limply “amidships,” while his flowing -robes had fallen away in such a manner that his clothing was exposed -beneath. - -Probably never before in the history of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” on the stage -had such a “spirit” ascended before the eyes of a staring, astounded -audience. - -“Hell-up!” howled Hans, kicking and squawking, as he sailed toward the -flies. “Come und safe me pefore you vos a deat man!” - -Then there was a hitch, for the windlass refused to work, and there the -struggling Dutch lad hung in full view of the now laughing spectators. - -Missiles began to whizz through the air. - -Spat!—a stale egg struck Hans behind the ear. - -Whizz—plunk! - -A small cabbage sent him spinning round and round like a top. - -“Nail him!” - -“Soak him!” - -“Give it to him!” - -“Hooray!” - -The audience was in an uproar, and it seemed as if every person there -had brought something to throw. - -“Hel-lup!” bellowed the unfortunate lad. “I vos peing kilt alretty yet!” - -With the band, Ephraim Gallup roared with laughter. He knew a practical -joke had been perpetrated, and somehow it had the flavor of Frank -Merriwell’s old-time larks, so he was immensely amused. - -As Hans stopped revolving for a moment, he shook his fist at Ephraim, -gurgling: - -“Vait, vait! Uf I aind’t kilt pefore I die, I vill got efen mit you! You -vos a——” - -Swat!—a rotten apple struck him fairly in the mouth, stopping his flow -of speech. - -“This is the funniest show I ever seen!” shouted a man in the audience. -“Ain’t I glad I come!” - -Some boys began to sing “I Want to Be an Angel.” - -Then the windlass began to work again, and the pelted youth was drawn up -out of sight, just as Havener succeeded in arousing the curtain boy to -let the curtain down. - -It was not necessary to finish the play. The audience did not expect it, -and the theater was emptied. - -Hans Dunnerwurst was so angry that he couldn’t talk. - -Havener did not have much to say, for he decided that it would be a -waste of words, for the company was pretty sure to disband on the -following day. - -That night the stage-manager accompanied Cassie Lee when she left the -theater. It was dark on the side street, and a man sprang on them almost -as soon as they came out by the stage entrance. - -“Now I’ve caught ye together!” snarled a familiar voice. “I’ll finish -you both this time!” - -“Storms!” screamed the girl. - -“Yes, Storms!” grated the man. “Take that!” - -“That” was a bullet from a revolver aimed straight at Cassie. - -But the bullet did not touch her. - -Frank Merriwell had followed them from the building, and he leaped on -their assailant, bearing Storms to the ground. - -The revolver was discharged again, and Frank felt the powder singe his -wrist. - -Then Havener came to Frank’s aid, and, between them, they disarmed and -captured the ruffian, beating him into a stunned condition with the butt -of his own revolver. - -That night Storms lay in the town’s “cooler,” and on the following day -he was tried for murderous assault and held for the grand jury. - -Havener and Cassie promised to appear against him. - -The stage-manager went to Frank, like a man, and said: - -“Merriwell, I don’t know what the secret is between you and Cassie, and -I don’t want to know till you get ready to tell me, but I want to ask -your pardon for making a fool of myself over it.” - -“That’s all right,” assured Frank. “I had forgotten it.” - -“I hadn’t. I could hate you even if you did save my life, but since you -saved Cassie’s, I can hate you no longer. I believe Storms’ first shot -would have killed her.” - -“Perhaps so.” - -“You bore him down just in time. Keep the secret, and be my friend.” - -He held out his hand, which Frank grasped. - -“All right,” said Merry; “I am glad to be your friend. As for the -secret, some day Cassie will tell you that herself. We may part here, -but I wish you good fortune.” - -“Part?” said Havener. “I hope not. Haley has struck an angel.” - -“A what?” - -“An angel—a chap with money who will back the show. We are going to -reorganize and go on.” - -“Hurrah!” cried Frank. “That is good news!” - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - FRANK IS GIVEN A PART. - - -A few weeks later Frank was startled by a request to take a part himself -owing to the illness of one of the actors. The request came from the -stage-manager of the “Empire Theater Comedy Company,” which was, in -fact, the reorganized “All-Star Combination,” formerly on the road -playing a “modernized version” of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” This play was now -simply one of the numerous pieces in the repertory of the reorganized -company, the donkey and the bloodhounds being relegated to the -background for the time being, although the famous “Gold Band” was -retained in all its glory. - -Barnaby Haley believed in the efficacy of a band of music to draw -spectators in small cities and country towns. He rated it next to -“paper” in the general run, and even better in some cases. - -As for “paper,” three of the pieces in the repertory were “old -stand-bys,” and “stock paper” could be obtained for them from any of the -big eastern theatrical printing houses. - -Haley had retained his grip on the management of the company, although -obliged to take in a partner. The partner was the “angel” who saved the -company from going to pieces. His name was Zenas Hawkins, a man with -theatrical ambitions, who had “money to burn.” Haley was helping him -burn it. - -Haley realized that “Uncle Tom” had been done to death through the -section of the country he was in, and so the reorganized company -prepared to put on several other pieces. - -Some of those plays they could obtain legitimately. Others were secured -from a certain company of “pirates,” located in Chicago, who boasted -that they could supply any dramas on the American or English stage. - -These plays were secured by the “pirates” with the assistance of expert -shorthand writers, who were hired to attend them and take down the lines -as spoken by the different actors. From these shorthand notes -typewritten manuscript copies of the plays were made, and sold for sums -ranging from five to twenty-five dollars, to such unscrupulous managers -as cared to purchase and use them. - -Of course, this traffic in stolen property was unlawful. The manager who -purchased and produced the play was committing a crime, but, until -recently, the penalty was simply a fine, usually insignificant when -exacted, and the manager could jump on to some other part of the country -and go right ahead playing the piece. In nine cases out of ten he would -not have money enough to pay the fine, and it cost the rightful owners -of the piece more trouble and money to prosecute him than they could -afford, as such prosecution seldom or never interfered more than -temporarily with the pirating of the play. - -Under the amended copyright law of 1895, however, any manager unlawfully -presenting a play is liable to a fine of not less than one hundred -dollars for the first performance and fifty dollars for each subsequent -performance; and offenders who fail to pay the fines imposed may be -imprisoned upon order of the court. - -This revised law has, in a measure, stopped the pirating of plays, -although the fact that the rascally concern in Chicago is still doing -business is evidence that there are unscrupulous managers in the country -who are willing to take desperate chances in order to play in remote and -unfrequented towns the popular dramas of the day. - -Barnaby Haley had decided to take such chances, for he had obtained -three plays in manuscript from the Chicago thieves. The titles of these -plays, however, he had changed, to reduce the liability of detection, -and he had resolved to be very careful where he presented them. - -Of course, there was no paper for these pieces, but the advertising for -the other plays was good enough to attract attention at the start, and -the stolen plays would be presented to wind up full week engagements, -where a change of bill was required nightly. - -Haley had induced Hawkins to “put up” for one “full stand” of printed -advertising, made especially for them, and that was “pretty good stuff.” - -In the selection of a name for the organization, the crafty and astute -Mr. Haley had remembered that there was an “Empire Theater Stock -Company,” the fame of which had spread extensively. By calling his -aggregation the “Empire Theater Comedy Company” he fancied many people -might be deceived into believing it the organization of a similar name, -which was handled and controlled by a wonderfully successful theatrical -manager. - -Roscoe Havener, the former stage-manager, had been retained in his old -capacity, for he was a good man and knew his business. - -The company had played three days in a town where they were billed to -remain for a week, when, one afternoon just before rehearsal, Havener -sought Frank Merriwell and requested him to take the place of Mr. -Lawrence, who was dangerously ill. - -They were on the stage, which was set for the first act of the play to -be given that night. - -Several of the other members of the company, attired for a dress -rehearsal, were present and heard what was said. - -One of them, a young man, Douglas Dunton, who played the scheming -villain of the piece, listened with great interest. - -Leslie Lawrence, the actor who was ill, had been cast for the leading -character of the play, a part Dunton had coveted. - -“You, Merriwell,” said the stage-manager, “must play the part given to -Lawrence. The local stage-manager will have to serve as prompter -to-night, and every member of the company must, so far as possible, look -after the properties required by him or her. We must get through with -this piece somehow, even if you have to read Lawrence’s part.” - -Dunton stepped forward. - -“It strikes me, Havener,” he said, in his forward way, “that you can -make a better arrangement.” - -Ross Havener turned and scowled at the speaker, for he was a man who did -not fancy receiving suggestions from anyone. - -“What?” he said, sharply, like a pistol shot. - -Dunton repeated his words in a bold manner. - -“What do you mean?” asked the stage-manager. - -“It strikes me that it is a mistake to put Merriwell, a raw amateur, -onto such a part,” said Dunton, swiftly. “He cannot memorize the lines -in such a short time, and he is bound to make an awful mess of the whole -play if he tries it.” - -Frank said not a word, but his eyes looked the speaker straight through. - -Havener turned to Frank. - -“Think you can do anything at all with the part in such a short time?” -he asked. - -“I can try,” was the quiet answer. “I am very apt at memorizing -anything, and I believe I can have the greater part of the lines before -the evening performance, if I am not required to do anything else.” - -“Even if he had the lines perfectly,” put in Dunton, “he could not -handle the part.” - -“How do you know?” asked the stage-manager. - -“Reason will tell anybody that. Why, it is almost a star part! It -requires some one with experience and judgment. I have studied the part, -for I like it, and I believe I can play it as it should be played. It is -the kind of a part that suits me.” - -“Hum!” grunted Havener. “What are you driving at? Want to play it -yourself?” - -“Well, I believe that would be the best way to arrange it.” - -“Who’d fill your part?” - -“You might put Merriwell on that. It is only about half as long as the -other, and it does not make so much difference if it is not played well. -The audience hates the villain, anyway, and so what’s the odds if he is -rank?” - -“So that is the way you feel about your part, is it?” - -“Yes; I haven’t liked it from the start.” - -Havener drew himself up, and his black eyes glared at Dunton. - -“Then, sir!” he exploded; “you are not capable of playing the part as it -should be acted, much less a better part, like that given Lawrence! The -trouble with you is that you have an enlarged head. I advise you to put -it in soak and see if you can’t reduce its size. Get such notions out of -your nut, or I shall have to put you onto juveniles. You will play the -part assigned to you, and Mr. Merriwell will do his best with the part I -gave Lawrence. That settles it, and I don’t want to hear any more about -it.” - -Havener turned away, and Douglas Dunton, furious over such a “call -down,” gave Frank Merriwell a look of hatred, but remained silent. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - CASSIE, THE SOUBRETTE. - - -Frank was given the manuscript of the play, and he began looking the -part over at once. - -He had a wonderful memory, and he put his mind onto the lines in such a -manner that he did not hear Cassie Lee, the soubrette, till she had -spoken to him three times. - -“I don’t want to bother you, Frank,” she said, “but accept my -congratulations, and I hope you’ll just paralyze ’em to-night. Somehow I -believe you will astonish ’em.” - -“I shall do my best, Cassie,” said Merry. - -“I know it,” nodded Cassie, an unusually animated light coming to her -eyes. “I heard what Dunton said, and I was mighty glad Ross gave him -that call down. Dunton is a flub, but he’s got a bad temper, and he’ll -hate you worse than sin now. Look out for him.” - -“He won’t trouble me.” - -“Don’t you be too sure.” - -“Well, I shan’t worry about it. I’m not afraid of him.” - -“That’s just it. You’ll be too careless. I wouldn’t trust him as fur as -I could sling a mule by the tail. I don’t like his eyes. They’re too -shifty. He alwus struck me as treacherous.” - -“Well, he must hate Havener worse than he does me.” - -“He won’t dare touch Ross, and that’s the very reason why he may try all -the harder to do you. My! but I wish this old rehearsal was over.” - -“You’re tired.” - -“As a dog.” - -“This business of playing so many different parts is too much for you.” - -“It’s work, but I like it.” - -“Better than playing ‘Topsy’ regularly?” - -“Sure. I was dead sick of that old part. I’m glad ‘Uncle Tom’ is only -played once in a while, but pop is heartbroken.” - -“He’d rather stick to the old piece?” - -“Lord, yes! He’s been playin’ parts in it for the last twenty years, and -he knows every line and every bit of business. He thinks the country is -degenerating when people get stuffed with ‘Uncle Tom’ and don’t want no -more of him. He wouldn’t stay with the company if it wasn’t for me, and -he’s liable to break loose any time and get on a reg’l’r tear. I’m -watching him all the time and hold him down. Pop is all right when he -lets red-eye alone, but he’s worse’n an Indian when he gets on a tear.” - -“I hope you will be able to keep him straight, Cassie; but this watching -is wearing on you. You don’t get rest enough, and you show it.” - -She shot him a quick look. - -“It ain’t that so much,” she muttered. “It’s something else the most. -You know what ails me.” - -“Yes, I know,” admitted Frank. “Can’t you break away from the habit, -Cassie?” - -“How can I? Look at me! I’m dull as a rainstorm, my head feels like a -block of wood, and my feet are like lead. Wouldn’t I be in nice shape to -go on before a house? Time I did it twice, Haley’d fire me, and he -wouldn’t be to blame.” - -“But isn’t there anything else——” - -“Nope. Got to use the same old stuff till the season’s over anyhow.” - -“But it’s getting an awful hold on you, Cassie.” - -Hard lines formed round her mouth—a mouth that had once been rather -sweet and pretty. - -“Can’t help it,” she said, grimly. “It wasn’t my fault in the first -place, and I’ve got to live. All summer there won’t be nothing for me to -do, and I must stick the season out, so as to have something saved up -for hot weather. I tell you, this life ain’t what it’s cracked up to be. -A girl that’s got a good home and wants to go on the stage is a fool. -She don’t know when she’s well off.” - -Frank nodded his conviction that this was true. He had not seen much of -theatrical life, but already he was convinced that it was a hard life to -follow, especially for a girl. - -“I was brought up to it,” Cassie went on; “and that was just my hard -luck. Never had no good chance to get an education.” - -“You can educate yourself now.” - -She shook her head slowly. - -“No use,” she said. “I’m too old now.” - -“Too old! Why, how old are you?” - -“Eighteen.” - -“Only eighteen?” - -“That’s enough. Most girls are ready to leave school when they’re that -old.” - -Frank did not tell her, but he had fancied that she was twenty-three or -twenty-four. He now realized that it was the life she had led that had -made her seem so much older than she was in truth. - -Life on the stage in cheap dramatic companies that play one-night stands -is hard at best; but Cassie’s life had been particularly hard on account -of her father, who had neglected and abused her when he drank. - -For all of this neglect and abuse, Merry believed old Dan Lee really -loved his daughter, for, when the man was sober, he was proud of Cassie, -being tender and considerate in all his actions toward her. - -Old Dan was very jealous of her. He believed her too good to “tie up” to -a common ham-fatter, and so he had blocked the game of every cheap actor -who tried to show her particular attentions. He believed that, some day, -she would be able to make a “good match,” for other men must see in her -all the fine qualities that were so evident to him. - -Thus it came about that the girl did not dare let her father know there -was a love affair between herself and Roscoe Havener, the stage-manager, -for, although Havener had not seen his legal wife for four years, he was -not divorced, and the entire company knew it. - -When Frank discovered this attachment between the soubrette and the -stage-manager he felt like advising Cassie to wait a while before she -permitted herself to become very fond of Havener, but he quickly decided -that such advice would be a waste of words, and kept still. - -That Havener was favorably disposed toward Merriwell, Cassie felt sure, -even though he had said little or nothing about the young man. Now, -after seeing him give Merry the part that had been assigned to Lawrence, -who was really one of the best actors in the troupe, and hearing him -call down Dunton, she was certain Havener was aiming for one of two -things. Either he had confidence in Merriwell, and wished to give him a -chance to show up, or he believed Frank must make a wretched failure in -attempting to play on such short notice, which would mean his “release” -from the company. - -Cassie had such confidence in Frank that she believed that Havener would -fail if he was aiming to disgrace Frank. - -She wished to encourage Merry, and that was why she had spoken to him as -he was sitting on a canvas-covered property tree stump, industriously -and hurriedly running over his lines in the first act. - -“If you’re only eighteen, you’ve got plenty of time to study and add to -your education, Cassie,” said Frank. “You have a way of learning your -lines quickly when you take a part. You can read the right kind of books -and memorize their contents.” - -“I don’t know what kind of books to read.” - -“I can tell you.” - -“Oh, well, I’ll think it over. I don’t have much time, you know. Can’t -do it after the show is over, for I’m dead tired by that time. Can’t do -it forenoons, for I’m digging away on new parts all the time now.” - -“But you can do it vacations.” - -“Oh, I suppose I might. There, I’ve bothered you too much. Didn’t mean -to when I spoke to you. Just wanted to tell you I’d bet anything you -surprise ’em on the part to-night. Something makes me sure you will. You -have lots of lines with me, and I know them lines as well as I do my -own. If you get stuck, I’ll be able to give you a lift without the aid -of the prompter. Keep your nerve; don’t get the shakes. That’s all.” - -“The shakes?” - -“Yes.” - -“Stage fright?” - -“That’s what I mean.” - -“I don’t know, but I hardly think I’ll have that.” - -“You can’t tell.” - -“Why——” - -“Nobody can.” - -“You ever have it?” - -“Did I?” - -“Yes.” - -“Did I! I should guess yes!” - -“Thought you were brought up on the stage.” - -“Was.” - -“Then I don’t see why you should have stage fright.” - -“It’s a mighty funny thing, I tell you. I began as an infant prodigy, -and I don’t s’pose anything ever scared me till I was playing soubrette -parts. One night I got it, just as hard. Opened my mouth to speak, and, -by George! I couldn’t make a sound. I just stood there like I was nailed -to the boards. Pretty quick I began to shake, and you’d thought I was -taken with the ague. It was terrible, I thought I’d faint. After a -while, I got strength enough to rush off, and then I had fits in one of -the dressing rooms.” - -“That was strange.” - -“No. ’Most ev’rybody gets a touch of it sooner or later. When it was all -over, I was so hopping mad I didn’t know what to do. I went on again and -played right through the piece without a quiver, and I’ve never had a -touch of it since. But I had to have it some time. Some people never get -over it fully, but with most folks, one attack ends it. I hope you won’t -have it to-night, Frank.” - -“I hope so.” - -“Well, I’ll git. ’Scuse me for the bother.” - -She walked away, and Frank followed her sympathetically with his eyes. - -“As good-hearted girl as ever lived,” he murmured. “It’s a shame she’s -contracted that frightful habit. I’m afraid it has such a hold on her -that she’ll never be able to get rid of it. Poor Cassie!” - -Then he resumed his studying. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - THE REHEARSAL. - - -By this time the band, which had given its midday parade through the -town at the regular hour, was gathered before the stage, ready to -practice the pieces to be played that evening. - -Ephraim Gallup had managed to retain his position in the band, as he was -a remarkably good baritone player, and he had a way of making his horn -“talk” so that it pleased the ear of the average countryman mightily. - -Hans Dunnerwurst, the Dutch boy, had developed a knack for playing the -bass drum, so he was retained by Manager Haley. Hans played the drum and -cymbals at the same time, beating the drum with his right hand and -playing the cymbals with his left, one of the brass discs being attached -to the drum so that the other could be struck against it. - -The leader of the band had a great idea of the proper music for a street -parade and for an inclosure like the interior of a hall or theater. On -the street the little band of eight pieces roared and thundered in an -amazing manner, making enough noise for four times their number. It was -not noise without harmony, either; and it was the kind of music that -pleased all small boys and most men and women. - -In the band was a quartet of fine singers. Each night the band played in -front of the theater just before the doors were opened. The final piece -in the open air was one that always pleased the fancy of the listeners, -as it was replete with all kinds of musical tricks. It contained a -cornet solo, into which some imitation bugle calls were worked, a snare -drum solo, during which, for a few seconds, the drummer rattled away on -the side of his drum, instead of the head; a trombone solo, giving the -trombone player a chance to do some fancy flourishing, and, at one point -in the piece, every other instrument stopped for the bass drum and -cymbals to rattle, and bang, and thunder, and crash. But the real -catching features of the piece came toward the end. Of a sudden every -instrument stopped, and the entire band whistled a strain of the piece. -Then it was that Hans Dunnerwurst made his great hit, for he was a -marvelous whistler, and he warbled and trilled in a way that made it -seem a whole flock of mocking-birds had broken loose, and caused the -spectators to stand on their toes and crane their necks to see who was -producing all those amazing sounds. The final feature of this piece was -singing by the quartet, and when it was all over the crowd almost -invariably broke into a tumult of applause, and the astute Mr. Haley -rushed the band off the scene, knowing anything more would be too much, -as the crowd had been worked up to just the proper pitch to part with -its quarters and halves. - -The music provided by the band inside the hall was of quite a different -character. It was soft and subdued, full of rippling melody, and quite -suited to the situation. Of course, the medley was given in the evening, -as it was almost always called for by the audience, and some new -features were introduced, such as sleighbells, tinkling cymbals and the -shuffleboard to imitate dancing. - -Some of the musicians acted as accompanists for the singing given at -each performance, and furnished music for the dancing, so they were -required to rehearse with the company regularly. Indeed, Havener was -quite a stickler about the matter of rehearsals, no one being excused -from them without good cause. - -The band played through one of its new pieces, and then, in order to -give Merriwell more time to run over his part, Havener had the singers -go through with their songs for the evening performance. - -And Frank was so utterly absorbed in his effort to commit as many lines -as possible that he did not even notice when the rehearsal began. - -At last, the time for him to go on arrived, and Havener appeared at his -elbow, saying: - -“If you can get along at the start without the manuscript, Merriwell, it -will be better. I’ll take it and help you along. We’ve managed to go -this far without a prompter.” - -Frank did not stir. He sat with his eyes fastened on the page before -him. - -Havener touched his shoulder. - -“Come, Merriwell,” he said, sharply. - -Then Frank was aroused, and he got up quickly. - -“All right,” he spoke. “I’m ready.” - -He handed the manuscript to Havener. - -“Think you can do anything without reading?” asked the stage-manager. - -“I believe I can remember a part of the first act.” - -“All right; go ahead.” - -Frank went on, and Havener observed that he made the proper entrance. He -had an “enter speech,” and he gave it correctly. - -Dunton was standing in the wings, watching and sneering. - -Havener went down into the theater in front of the stage, where he could -watch the rehearsing and see that the characters went through their -business properly and grouped themselves to the best advantage. - -Ephraim Gallup and Hans Dunnerwurst were astonished, for they had not -known that Frank was to play a part. - -“Shimminy Gristmas!” gurgled Hans. - -“Gosh all hemlock!” gasped Ephraim. - -Frank knew everyone was watching him, which made his position extremely -embarrassing. Indeed, for a professional rehearsals are often far more -trying than performances when the theater is well filled with people. It -is difficult to act before empty seats, with the members of the company -looking on, for then the intensity required at certain times seems -foolish, and makes the performer feel ridiculous. - -Merry’s face was flushed, and he stammered somewhat at first. Then he -heard a low, sneering laugh, and he saw Dunton regarding him derisively. - -Instantly Frank stiffened up. He was on his mettle in a moment, resolved -to do his best, and he got through the scene fairly well. Of course, -Havener had to prompt him several times and give him directions about -certain business. - -But the stage-manager observed with satisfaction that Merriwell made a -good appearance and did not assume any awkward positions, get back to -the footlights, or turn in the wrong direction when it was necessary to -cross, go up or walk away from another person. - -When Frank came off, Cassie was waiting for him. - -“Good stuff!” she declared, approvingly. “You did that all right.” - -“I think it was pretty bad,” confessed Frank. - -“I tell you it was all right. Surely you did remember those lines well. -Got any more?” - -“I believe I can remember nearly all of the first act.” - -“If you can do that, you’re a wonder!” - -Frank did it. In fact, when he went on again, he was almost letter -perfect. This time much of his business was with Dunton, who continued -to wear a sneering expression on his face and did whatever he could to -break Merry up. In this the young rascal failed, for Frank acquitted -himself splendidly. - -The instant the end of the act was reached, Havener said: - -“We’ll go through that again.” - -“The third act is the heavy one,” said Dunton. “I think we’ll have to go -over that more than once, and we won’t have time if we repeat the first -act.” - -The stage-manager gave the fellow a withering stare. - -“Look here, Dunton,” he exclaimed, “if you are managing this business, -I’ll quit; if you are not, kindly permit me to give directions. That’s -all. We will repeat the first act.” - -The angry actor ground his teeth together and stalked off. Behind the -scenes he found his especial chum, Arthur Sargent, and gave vent to his -feelings. - -“This is too much!” he snarled, guardedly. “Havener gives that upstart -Merriwell the leading part in the piece, and then he calls me down twice -before the fellow. I feel like punching somebody.” - -“Punch Merriwell,” suggested Sargent. - -“All I want is a good opportunity,” declared Dunton. “I’d like to get at -him. I’d do him up in a hurry.” - -The fellow had a reputation as a “scrapper,” and he fully believed he -could whip Merriwell easily. - -“You can find an opportunity,” said Sargent. “I’d like to see you spoil -his face. He thinks he’s handsome, and a pair of black eyes would break -his heart.” - -“I’ll give them to him,” promised Frank’s new enemy. - -“Oh, he’ll make an awful mess of the whole play! Just think of him in -the duel scene with me! And I’ve got to let him disarm me and get the -best of the duel! Gods! it’s enough to make a man daffy!” - -“The whole business will be a farce,” Sargent consolingly declared. -“Havener will be to blame for it.” - -“That’s right. I’d like to tell Havener what I think of him.” - -“Then why don’t you do it!” exclaimed another voice, and Cassie Lee -suddenly appeared from behind some loose scenery. “I’d like to see you! -I’ll bet you don’t dare peep to him, but you raise a big blow behind his -back. You’re a stiff! That’s my opinion of you, Dug Dunton!” - -The soubrette was aroused now, and her accustomed languid, weary air had -vanished completely. Her eyes, generally dull and heavy, except when she -had resorted to the stimulation of morphine, were full of fire and -scorn. - -Sargent gasped and seemed to feel like sneaking away, but Dunton -brazened it out. - -“So you were playing eavesdropper, hey?” he hissed. “Well, I don’t care! -If you blow on me to Havener, I’ll give you away to your old man.” - -Cassie threw back her head, and her thin nostrils dilated. - -“Give me away?” she panted. “About what?” - -“Oh, you know,” asserted Dunton, with insolent significance. - -“Tell me what you mean!” commanded the little soubrette, bracing up to -him, her small fists clinched. “Tell me what you mean, Dug Dunton, or -I’ll light onto you myself, and I’ll bet a dollar I can make you look -pretty sick!” - -He saw she really meant what she threatened, and he backed off a step, -putting up his hands. - -“Easy now!” he fluttered. “Don’t make a fool of yourself, Cassie!” - -“Tell me what you meant by your words. What will you give away?” - -“Oh, I meant that I’d tell Dan about you being so thick with Havener. -That’s all.” - -“That’s enough! What do you mean by ‘so thick’? What do you know, -anyway?” - -“Oh, I know a few things.” - -“Then you’ve been rubber-necking. Well, it’s just like you. I believe I -have a right to be friendly with Mr. Havener?” - -“Yes; but you don’t want your father to know just how friendly, and I -don’t fancy you care to have the rest of the company know it. You keep -still about me, for I can hurt you if you don’t.” - -“So you’d try to hurt my character, would you? Well, I never thought any -better of you. But you do it if you dare! If you say one word about me -that is bad, I’ll shoot you full of holes! If you blow your mouth to -pop, I’ll have your hide and tan it for shoe leather! Don’t you forgit -it, either! And I advise you to keep away from Frank Merriwell, for he -can lick the stuffing out of you the best day you ever saw.” - -Dunton nearly lost his breath. - -“Why—why,” he gasped, “you’re crazy!” - -“Nope, just mad—blazin’ mad!” - -“If Merriwell gives me any guff, you’ll see——” - -“He never gives anybody guff, but he’ll give you a thrashing if you get -gay with him.” - -“I can whip him.” - -“Yes you can—I don’t think!” - -“He’s a stiff!” - -“He’s too stiff for you. He’s a gentleman, and you ain’t in his class. -You know it, and that’s what ails you. I don’t propose to waste any more -breath on you, for you ain’t worth it.” - -And Cassie walked away, leaving Dunton shaking with rage. - -“I’d like to wring her neck!” he panted. “I never liked her.” - -“Jingoes!” ejaculated Sargent. “Never thought there was so much fire in -that pale-faced, washed-out creature. She always reminded me of -Kipling’s poem, ‘A rag and a bone and a hank of hair.’ You better keep -still about her, Dug, for something makes me think she’d keep her word -and shoot you if you said anything about her character. Such girls as -she are liable to do such things; and you know you actually do not know -anything detrimental to her, except that she is stuck on Havener.” - -“Oh, she’s a fool! What makes me the hottest is that she thinks that -upstart Merriwell can do me. I’ll show her about that, if I get a -chance.” - -Dunton was still agitated with anger when it was necessary for him to go -on the stage again, and he went through his part in such an indifferent -manner that Havener was obliged to speak to him several times. This the -stage-manager did quietly, for he saw the actor was “broken up,” and he -believed it was because of the calling down he had received. - -As for Merriwell, he went through his work with a vim and assurance that -simply amazed everybody. This time he seemed to have his lines almost -perfectly, and the act went off smoothly so far as he was concerned. - -Then the second act was taken up and rushed through. As everyone but -Merry had his or her lines almost perfectly, there was no absolute -necessity of prompting, and Frank was given a chance to run over his -speeches when he was not on the stage. When he did go on, he again -astonished them all by the number of lines he could say correctly. - -In the third act came the duel scene between Merry and Dunton. In the -duel, Frank was to get the worst of it at first, to be wounded by a foul -thrust, and then to disarm his antagonist and generously decline to -retaliate for his injury. - -Just before the duel scene, Frank heard Dunton say to another member of -the company: - -“Think of being disarmed by such a stiff as that fellow! It will be -ridiculous, and the chances are that the audience will throw things at -us to-night. Probably he never saw a sword before.” - -Merry’s first thought was to show the fellow without delay that he was -greatly mistaken. Then came another thought. - -“I’ll let him think away till to-night,” decided Frank; “and then I’ll -try to give him a surprise.” - -So he went on for the duel scene and carried it through in a decidedly -awkward manner, so that Havener was obliged to come upon the stage and -try to show him how to handle his sword and follow out the idea of the -duel properly. - -Dunton looked disgusted. As they were going through the duel for the -seventh time, he whispered just loud enough for Frank to hear: - -“You’re a regular stick! You’ll make a holy show of us both to-night!” - -“Oh, I don’t know,” murmured the new actor. “Wait till to-night comes. I -may be able to do it better.” - -“Bah! you make me sick!” retorted Dunton, through his white teeth. - -“I may make you sicker still,” said Merry, with a soothing smile. “You -are not nearly as many as you imagine you are.” - -The fellow looked as if he longed to fly at Merriwell on the instant, -but he simply ground his teeth together and glared, which caused the -stage-manager to compliment him: - -“Now you are getting into the part, Dunton,” said Havener. “That -expression on your face is fine. It’s exactly what you want in that -scene.” - -Dunton swore under his breath. - -“Merriwell, too, has a good expression,” declared the stage-manager. -“That calm, confident smile is all right. I confess that I was afraid of -this scene, but I rather think it will go off all right.” - -Then the rehearsal went on to the end, Havener not allowing them to stop -till it was time to go to the hotel for supper. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - DUNTON SEEKS REVENGE. - - -The most of the company got out of the theater as soon as possible after -being given permission to go. - -Frank remained to receive some instructions from Havener. - -After giving Merry a few pointers, the stage-manager observed: - -“You did surprisingly well this afternoon, Merriwell.” - -“Thank you,” said Frank. - -“If you get stuck to-night for the exact lines, do you think you can -fake?” - -“I believe so.” - -“Well, don’t try it if there is any chance of getting off your trolley -and mixing yourself and everybody else. Faking lines is a dangerous and -reprehensible practice, and the resort of lazy actors who will not learn -their parts; but there are times when faking cannot very well be -avoided, and the ability to do it well on such occasions is worth much -to a man. Don’t try it to-night, Merriwell, unless you have some idea of -the real gist of your speech and feel certain you can finish by giving -the next speaker the proper cue.” - -“All right, sir.” - -Havener looked at Frank doubtfully, and then suddenly said: - -“Don’t get the swelled head, but if you do as well in playing to-night -as you did at rehearsing this afternoon, you’ll show yourself a wonder. -I don’t often say anything like this to anybody, but somehow I felt that -it might encourage you without doing you any harm, and I want to give -you all the encouragement possible.” - -“Thank you again,” came simply from Frank. - -“I don’t see how you committed so many lines by simply reading them over -once.” - -“I have a good memory.” - -“Good! Marvelous, I should say. If you save the piece by playing that -part pretty well to-night, you will pull us out of a bad hole and show -yourself cut out for an actor.” - -That was all Havener had to say, and it was remarkable for him, as he -seldom complimented anyone. He was profuse with his criticisms, and -sparing with his compliments. - -As Frank left the building by the stage door, he remembered that he had -in his pocket a letter which he wished to mail. The post office was near -at hand, and in that direction he turned his steps. - -In the window of a store near the post office were two “boards,” on -which were photographs of the various members of the “Empire Theater -Comedy Company,” and some photographed scenes from the various plays in -the repertory of the company. - -Two very pretty girls, sixteen or seventeen years of age, had paused to -look at the pictures, and Douglas Dunton, coming out of the post office, -observed them. - -Dunton considered himself a great masher, and he knew that, as a rule, -young girls entertain a foolish admiration for actors in general, so he -did not hesitate to walk up to this couple and speak to them. - -The girls looked startled. - -“Don’t be alarmed, young ladies,” said Dunton, in his most amiable -manner. “I saw you looking at the pictures. I presume you are going to -the play to-night?” - -The girls looked at each other, and then turned their backs squarely on -the presuming fellow, their action saying as plainly as words that they -did not care to have anything to do with him. - -Frank Merriwell, coming along, saw all this, and it gave him a feeling -of satisfaction. - -But Dunton was not to be turned down thus easily. - -“I am one of the actors,” he purred, in a manner intended to be very -captivating. “That is my picture in the upper right-hand corner.” - -The girls looked at each other again, and they smiled a bit at the -conceit of the fellow. - -Dunton misinterpreted the smile to mean that they were softening toward -him, and he continued, glibly: - -“I have a disagreeable part to-night, and you will not see me at my best -if you come. I am the villain.” - -One of the girls gave him a look, and then murmured to the other: - -“Too soft to be a villain.” - -Then both giggled, as young girls will. - -Dunton flushed a bit, but he was not to be rebuffed. - -“That’s all right,” he laughed. “I can stand a little jolly like that. -Don’t you want free passes to the show to-night? I happen to have two. -Here they are.” - -The girls hesitated. Surely this was a great temptation to them. - -Frank had paused to watch the success of Dunton’s efforts. - -“Take them, girls,” urged the presuming actor. “You are welcome to them. -I will see you after the show.” - -That was enough to decide one of the girls. - -“We do not accept presents from strangers, sir!” she said, cuttingly. - -The other one looked disappointed, but said nothing. - -“Then permit me to introduce myself,” laughed the masher. “I am Douglas -Dunton, of the Empire Theater Comedy Company. Now you can take turns in -introducing each other to me.” - -This was a very pretty little scheme, and one of the girls, who had -light hair and blue eyes, would have fallen into Dunton’s snare readily -enough. - -Her dark-haired companion, however, had more stamina and sense. - -“Will you kindly go away and leave us!” she exclaimed, sharply. “You are -very annoying, sir.” - -Now Dunton was cut to the quick. - -“Is that so!” he sneered. “You’re altogether too stuck up, Miss Prim. I -don’t care about talking to you, anyway; but the other young lady has -more sense.” - -“Come away, Lottie,” said the dark-haired girl, pulling her companion. -“He is insulting, and there is no one near to protect us.” - -That was Frank Merriwell’s cue. He stepped forward instantly, lifting -his hat to the girls and murmuring: - -“Permit me to offer my services.” - -Then he turned on his fellow actor. - -“Mr. Dunton,” he said, grimly, “you have not shown yourself much of a -gentleman in your attempt to force your attentions on these young -ladies. You had better desist.” - -Dunton gave a snarl. - -“Go to blazes!” he hissed. “If you fool around me, you’ll get thumped!” - -He made a threatening movement, but Frank did not stir, looking him -straight in the eyes, and quietly saying: - -“I wouldn’t advise you to try it.” - -That was too much for the angry actor, and, despite the time and place, -he aimed a blow at Merry’s cheek with his open hand. - -Frank ducked like a flash, came up instantly, caught the fellow by the -collar, whirled him about and gave him a push away, advising: - -“Go on, now! Don’t try that a second time.” - -Then he turned to the girls, swiftly speaking: - -“I am very sorry you have been annoyed, and I think you had better get -away from here at once, so you will not be connected in gossip with an -actor’s row, in case Mr. Dunton forces me to fight.” - -The dark-eyed girl gave him a grateful and admiring look, and they both -hastened away. - -By that time Dunton had turned, his face now white with rage. - -“You interfering puppy!” he grated. “I said I’d do it, and now I will!” - -He came at Frank with a rush. - -A very tall, lank youth and a short, fat lad, who were approaching, -uttered simultaneous exclamations: - -“Gosh all hemlock!” - -“Shimminy Gristmas!” - -“It’s a fight, Hans!” cried Ephraim Gallup. - -“Yaw,” said Hans, breathlessly, “id peen a vight!” - -“Frank Merriwell is in it!” - -“Yaw, he peen in id, und der odder veller peliefs he vos, too, but he -vill seen his misdake britty soon alretty.” - -“Yeou bet! Whoop! Looker that!” - -For Frank had met Dunton’s rush squarely, parried the fellow’s blow, and -knocked him down. - -The girls, looking back, saw all this. - -Dunton was stunned, dazed, astounded. He sat up, clasping a hand over -his eye, and staring at Frank. - -Hans and Ephraim strolled up. - -“Py Chorch!” said the Dutch lad. “I nefer oxbected to seen Misder Tunton -seddin’ himseluf down to rest der sidevalks on like dot.” - -“Waal,” drawled Ephraim, his face twisted into a comical grin, “yeou -can’t never tell jest whut a feller with a real light head will do. He’s -apt to lose his b’lance an’ set daown ’most anywhere.” - -“Vot you peen doin’ him to, Vrankie?” inquired Hans, innocently. “He -don’d seem to felt as vell as you might, don’d id?” - -“He does look kainder gol darn sick to his stummick,” nodded Ephraim. - -Some of the townspeople began to gather around, and Dunton hastily rose -to his feet. He glared at Frank, muttered: - -“All right! all right! You’ll settle for that! I’ll remember it!” - -Then he started away. - -“If yeou want a slice of beefsteak fer that air eye,” drawled the youth -from Vermont, “there’s a butcher shop daown the street a piece.” - -Dunton did not reply or turn about. - -The crowd was curious to know what the trouble was about, and so Frank -made haste to get away. - -Hans and Ephraim accompanied him. - -“That air chap kainder run up ag’inst a snag, didn’t he, Frank?” said -the Yankee. “Whut was the raow abaout?” - -Merry explained, as they entered the post office. - -“Vale,” said Hans, sagely, “some beoble don’d knew so much pefore some -dings happens as they knew afterward britty queek.” - -“That chap hates yeou, Frank,” asserted Ephraim; “and yeou want to look -aout for him.” - -“He doesn’t seem to be very dangerous,” smiled Merry, dropping his -letter into the slot. - -“Yeou can’t tell abaout that. When he finds he can’t hurt ye in a fair -way, he’s purty gol darn sure to try some other way. I wouldn’t trust -him an inch.” - -They left the post office and proceeded to the hotel, where Frank went -at once to his room, failing to appear at supper time, as he was busy -studying his part, and could not spare time to eat. - -Alone in his room, Merry walked the floor and dug away at the lines. His -door was closed, and he repeated his part, seeking to discover the -proper manner to emphasize the different expressions. - -Frank was thoroughly disgusted by the slovenly pronunciation of the -average traveling actor, but the matter of emphasis, he had discovered, -was given less attention than that of pronunciation. Indeed, many actors -mouthed their lines so that the real meaning was utterly obscured, or -the words were made to seem to mean something quite different from what -the playwright intended. - -As for gestures and poses, Frank knew that, on an average, twenty actors -gesticulate too much for one who gesticulates too little. The absence of -gesticulation is rarely, if ever, missed, while too many gestures are -almost certain to be offensive. - -Some actors seem to fancy they must do something with their hands every -time they open their mouths, and they quickly become annoying to the -audience. It is often the case that action is the resort of impotency. - -Frank had studied since starting out with the company, and he had -learned a great deal about actors and their art. He had found there were -books that would give him much needed information, and he had not lost -time in procuring them. - -It was Frank’s hobby to know something about everything possible, and to -know everything possible about the business with which he was connected. - -It was this that had caused him to get ahead so rapidly in railroading, -and, now that he was no longer employed on a railroad, he hoped to get -ahead swiftly in his new line of work. - -One of his books had told him that, “More than all else, it is an -actor’s utterance that fixes his position as an artist,” and, meditating -on the skill of the best actors he had seen, Merry soon decided that -this was true. - -It was plain enough to Frank that the “old-time” actor who resorted to -vocal gymnastics, roaring or cooing, as he fancied the occasion -required, did not possess so much actual force as some quiet -“new-school” actors, who seldom raised their voices above a certain -pitch, yet who succeeded in putting deep intensity into their -expressions. - -Merry had decided that the beginning and end of the actor’s study should -be the art of delivery. The other things an actor must learn are -comparatively easy, but the art of “reading” well is so difficult that -very few actors become sufficiently acquainted with it to discover how -difficult it really is. - -Frank knew he could not learn to deliver his part properly in the short -time given him to commit it, but he resolved to do his best on the lines -he did commit, and so he studied them over carefully to discover just -how they should be spoken. - -It was plain enough to him that “the art of elocution” as taught by -ninety-nine elocutionists out of a hundred was something that had far -better be left unlearned if a person really wished to become an actor, -for those “elocutionists” give their attention almost wholly to -modulation, and very little to the meaning of what they read. - -In the matter of emphasis, elocution teachers, as a rule, instruct their -pupils to emphasize words, but properly it is ideas and not words that -should be emphasized. - -Books on elocution give certain arbitrary rules to be followed, but no -rule that will apply to all cases can be made, and brains are far better -than rules. - -Merriwell shut himself up in his room to give his brains a chance to -study out certain things in connection with his lines, as well as to -commit the words to memory. Almost anybody can commit words so they may -be reeled off parrot-like, but it takes intellect to speak words thus -committed so that they convey the meaning the author intended they -should convey. - -So intent was Frank on his work that he did not notice when his door -swung open, and he did not know two persons had entered the room till -one of them spoke to the other. That one said: - -“Shut the door and lock it, Sargent! We’ve got him alone, and I’ll black -both his eyes before anybody can come up and stop the muss.” - -Frank whirled about, dropping the manuscript play on his bed. - -Dunton and Sargent were there, and Dunton was taking off his coat in a -very significant manner, while Sargent was hastily locking the door. - -There was trouble in the air. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - DUNTON’S DISCOMFITURE. - - -Frank did not wait to be attacked. He made a flying leap at Dunton, -caught the fellow with his coat halfway off, and flung him clean across -the bed, so that his head was rammed against the wall with a thud that -seemed to shake the building. - -Then he went at Sargent. - -Sargent turned to meet him, but did not get round quick enough. - -Frank slammed him up against the door so that it nearly burst open. - -“Glad you gentlemen called,” he declared, gently. “Make yourselves at -home. I shall do my best to entertain you.” - -He had Sargent by the neck, and he thumped the fellow’s head against the -door so hard that the panel was cracked. - -“Wow!” cried Dunton’s astonished friend. “I didn’t come up to fight with -you!” - -“Oh, you didn’t?” - -“No.” - -“Why did you come?” - -“To see fair play.” - -“Was that it?” - -“Yes. Ouch! You hurt!” - -“Well, you don’t seem to be fighting much,” observed Frank, disgustedly. -“Get in under cover out of the way.” - -He caught Sargent by the slack of his trousers and the collar and fired -him under the bed just as Dunton crawled off it. - -Sargent went in till nothing but his heels stuck out, and there he lay, -making no effort to retreat, evidently being well satisfied to get out -of the way like that, for it had dawned on him that he and Dunton were -“up against it.” - -Dunton was raving mad. He literally frothed at the mouth as he came off -the bed and leaped on the ex-Yale athlete. - -“I’ll kill you!” he howled. - -“Will you?” inquired Merry, calmly. “I don’t think!” - -Dunton tried to get him by the throat. For some moments there was a -terrific struggle, during which a chair and a stand were overturned. - -Dunton was nerved by such fury that he made a desperate antagonist for a -time, but he could not hold out against Merriwell. - -Seeing he was about to get the worst of it, the fellow tried to get some -kind of weapon out of his pocket. - -“Would you!” cried Frank, catching his wrist. - -“In a minute!” returned the other. - -“You’re pretty bad.” - -“You’ll find out!” - -Bang! bang! bang! - -Somebody was pounding on the door. - -“What’s going on in there?” cried a voice. “What are you doing, -Merriwell?” - -It was Havener. - -“Oh, I am practicing a little,” answered Frank. - -“Let me in.” - -“The door is locked, and my hands are full.” - -“Hands full of what?” - -“Man. Got one under the bed, and the other is—going.” - -With a twist and a snap, Frank whirled Dunton about, caught him up off -his feet, sent him shooting under the bed by the side of Sargent. - -Then he quickly unlocked the door. - -“Walk in, Mr. Havener,” he politely invited. - -The stage-manager did so, looking around in wonder. - -“Where’s the man?” he asked. - -“There.” - -Frank pointed, and his finger indicated two pairs of feet sticking out -from under the bed. - -Havener stared. - -“What!” he gasped. - -“Came in to do me up,” Merry explained. - -“But—but—what are they doing under the bed?” - -“By gum!” chuckled the voice of Ephraim Gallup, who was now standing in -the open door. “I guess they’re huntin’ fer him under the bed. Haw! haw! -haw!” - -“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Havener, and he was a man who seldom smiled. - -One pair of feet began to kick, and the owner struggled to get out from -beneath the bed. - -“Come out, both of you,” commanded Havener. - -They did so, one at a time, and two more crestfallen, sheepish, -disgusted-looking fellows never showed their faces. - -“I didn’t come here to fight,” Sargent hastened to again declare. - -Dunton said nothing, for he could find no words to express his feelings. - -Ephraim Gallup continued to roar with laughter, and all the noise had -brought several more of the company to the spot, together with other -guests of the hotel. - -Dunton ground his teeth together when he realized what a spectacle he -was, and the one look he gave Frank Merriwell was murderous. Then he -made a break for the door. - -“Let me out!” he snarled. - -“Go it!” cried Ephraim. “I don’t wonder yeou feel like runnin’! By gum! -if I was yeou, I’d feel like findin’ a hole somewhere and crawlin’ inter -it. Them fellers came up here to lick Frank Merriwell in his room,” he -explained, as Sargent hastened after his chum. “Gosh all hemlock! They -couldn’t ’a’ done it if they’d bin ten of ’um, ’stead of two.” - -The proprietor came up, and Merriwell apologized for the disturbance. -Havener, however, was forced to pacify the man, which he finally -succeeded in doing, with the assistance of Hawkins, who had found the -soft side of the hotel keeper at an early date. - -“Why haven’t you been down to supper, Merriwell?” asked the -stage-manager. - -“No time,” answered Merry, shortly. “Studying. I won’t eat till after -the show.” - -“Can’t get anything in this hotel at that hour.” - -“Then I’ll patronize a lunch cart. Can’t spend time to eat. Those -fellows cut me out of fifteen minutes. Send somebody to tell me when -it’s necessary for me to go to the theater.” - -“All right,” promised Havener, as he hustled everybody out of the room. -“I don’t think you’ll be disturbed again.” - -Closing the door, Frank picked up the manuscript and went on studying as -if nothing had happened. In a moment he dismissed the encounter from his -mind and gave his entire attention to the lines he was learning. - -Frank continued to study till Hans came to tell him that the band was -going to play before the theater, and the company was going over to make -up. - -Frank found Havener waiting in the office of the hotel. - -“How are you making it?” asked the stage-manager. - -“Fairly well,” answered Frank, modestly. - -“If you do as well as I hope, you will save us from making a big fizzle -to-night.” - -“I shall do my level best.” - -They went over to the theater, and Frank immediately sought his dressing -room to make up. - -Old Dan Lee was there. - -“Cassie told me I’d better help you make up, Merriwell,” said the -veteran actor. - -“Thank you, Mr. Lee,” smiled Frank, “but I believe I can do the trick -without assistance.” - -“All right, if you say so; but I’ll stay and put on the finishing -touches.” - -“I haven’t a make-up box. Shall have to borrow from somebody.” - -“Here,” said Lee, “use what you want out of this one. It belonged to -that fellow Storms, but he will do his making up in jail for some time.” - -Frank began work with the grease paint, and then Dunton came in. He -stopped and glared at Merry, astonished to find him in that dressing -room. - -“What the——” he began, and then stopped short. - -A moment later Dunton made a dive forward and caught up the make-up box -Frank was using. - -“Well, talk about crust!” he snarled; “this beats! Drop that stick of -grease paint!” - -Frank turned and surveyed him, quietly asking: - -“Why?” - -“It doesn’t belong to you.” - -“Does it belong to you?” - -“Yes.” - -“How’s that?” - -“Because it does.” - -“It was Storms’.” - -“What of that?” - -“He left it.” - -“He gave it to me.” - -“That’s a lie!” declared Dan Lee, who had been watching everything. -“Storms didn’t give it to anybody, but you took it. Before that you -bummed make-up off everybody else, because you spent all your money for -drinks, and didn’t have so much as a piece of coco-butter of your own.” - -“Oh, dry up!” snapped Dunton. “You’re always poking your nose into -something that doesn’t concern you.” - -“This business concerns me, for I told Merriwell to use that stuff, and -by the gods! he’s going to use it.” - -“He shan’t!” - -“He shall!” - -The old actor slammed the dressing-room door and placed his back against -it. - -“You’re not going to take that box out of here,” he declared. “Put it -down till Merriwell is through with it.” - -“I won’t!” - -“Then Merriwell will take it away from you.” - -“Let him try it!” - -“Go ahead, Merriwell,” directed old Dan; “and thump him if he don’t give -it up instanter.” - -Frank started toward Dunton, who backed away, holding onto the box. - -“Keep off!” grated the fellow. - -“Give it up!” commanded Frank. - -Dunton backed against the partition, and Frank confronted him. The -fellow remembered how he had been handled not very long before in -Merriwell’s room, and he scarcely wished to fall into Frank’s hands -again. - -“You can’t have it!” he declared, weakening somewhat. - -“Give it up!” repeated Merry, sternly. - -Then, like a flash, Dunton lifted the box and hurled it at the head of -the youth he hated. - -Frank dodged, and the box flew past his head, striking the partition and -falling to the floor, where its contents, powder, paint, puffs, and so -forth, flew in every direction. - -Dan Lee uttered an exclamation of anger. - -“Now thump him, Merriwell—thump him hard!” cried the old actor. “He -deserves it!” - -“No,” said Frank, scornfully. “I should be ashamed to do it. He is too -contemptible.” - -Then he turned and stooped to gather up whatever he could of the -contents of the box. - -Dunton fancied he saw his opportunity. - -“Look out!” - -The warning came from old Dan just as Dunton leaped onto Frank’s -shoulders. - -Merry was crushed to the floor, but Dan Lee rushed forward and caught -Dunton by the collar, dragging him off his intended victim. - -Up to his feet shot Frank, and he caught hold of his enemy. - -“Open the door!” - -Lee hastened to do so, and Merriwell lost no time in throwing Dunton out -of the dressing room, being unable to resist the temptation to give him -a boost with his toe. - -The fellow was sent sprawling, his undignified exit being witnessed by -several members of the company. - -Frank turned back and gathered up such of the contents of the box as he -could, and then resumed the work of making up. - -He did it rapidly, closely watched by old Dan. In a very short time -Frank had finished. - -“There,” he said, turning to be inspected, “now I will listen to your -suggestions, Mr. Lee.” - -“Ain’t got any to make,” said old Dan. “You’re all right; but where’d -you learn to make up?” - -“Oh, I’ve watched the others.” - -“Watching wouldn’t teach you to put it on like that without making a -single mistake. You’ve had some practice. Where?” - -“A little at college.” - -“College?” - -“Yes.” - -“What college?” - -“Yale.” - -“Did you go to Yale?” - -“I did.” - -“Never knew it before. Why didn’t you say something about it?” - -“Why should I?” - -“Oh, I don’t know, but you never say anything about yourself.” - -“I don’t think much of fellows who are forever telling something about -themselves.” - -“No more do I,” nodded old Dan. “You’re all right. But how did you learn -to make up at college?” - -“We had amateur theatricals.” - -“Yes, but——” - -“Of course we had to make up.” - -“But you were greenies.” - -“Sure.” - -“How could you learn to do it like an expert?” - -“Got a book of instructions and studied it till I knew it by heart.” - -“Huah! Don’t take much stock in such books. Fellow’s got to learn by -experience.” - -“I got some experience.” - -“How?” - -“Well, the others found I knew something about it, and I had to make up -the whole company. In that way I got a chance to try my hand at all -sorts of characters, for some of the fellows impersonated old men, some -brigands, some girls, and so forth.” - -“Well,” said old Dan, “I rather think you have a way of catching onto -things in a hurry. You’re all right. What are you going to do now?” - -“Study till it is time to go on.” - -Frank was to appear in the first act in ordinary street clothes, so his -costume for that act gave him no trouble. - -He took the manuscript and sat down in a corner, where he went at it -again, and he did not even hear the band when it played its first piece -in the theater. He was aroused by Havener, who came in and said: - -“I’ll have to take that manuscript now, Merriwell. The curtain goes up -in two minutes.” - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - FRANK’S FIRST APPEARANCE. - - -Frank stood behind the scenes, ready to make his first entrance. -Outwardly he was as calm as a clock, but inwardly he was not so calm. -Anyone looking at him closely must have observed that his eyes shone -with a strange light. Whether his face was pale or not could not be -told, for the make up concealed that. - -The play had started off all right, and already the audience was giving -it close attention. - -The house was good. - -Cassie had found an opportunity to whisper to Frank: - -“Keep a stiff upper lip, my boy. I’ll bet on you. You’re a winner, and I -know it.” - -“Thank you, Cassie,” he smiled, quietly. - -“Dunton’s the one that’s liable to go to pieces to-night, for he’s in a -deuce of a state. He’s been drinking, too. I’ll bet he gets stiff after -the show. That fellow hates you so he’d like to kill you now. Look out -for him.” - -“All right.” - -“So long, and good luck.” - -“So long.” - -He saw by her appearance that she had resorted to her regular stimulant, -and again he thought: - -“Poor Cassie!” - -Even in that moment when his own affairs weighed on him so heavily he -thought of another. - -What was that? One of the actors was speaking, and it was the speech -that preceded his entrance. - -The moment had arrived at last! - -Frank nerved himself, and then he—entered. - -For a single instant it seemed that his tongue was numb in his mouth and -he would not be able to speak, and then, with grace and dignity he -advanced down the center, smiling and delivering his first speech. - -The moment he gave utterance to the first words his embarrassment left -him and he was quite at ease. He made a fine appearance and impressed -the audience favorably. - -Frank went through the scene splendidly, for it was the one he had -rehearsed most, barring the duel scene. He had the air and bearing of a -professional actor, and no one in the audience could have imagined him a -novice. - -As Dunton was not on the stage at the time, he had a chance to stand in -the first entrance at the left and watch everything. His heart was -swelling with rage, and he did his best to attract Merriwell’s -attention, hoping to break Frank up by a sneering look. - -But Frank gave strict attention to the people on the stage, and neither -glanced toward the wings nor the audience. In fact, when he left the -stage he had not seen a single person besides those with whom he had had -business before the footlights. - -His exit was effective, and there was a ripple of applause as he -delivered the final speech of the scene and retired from the stage. - -Dunton was chewing his tongue viciously, and swearing beneath his -breath. - -“Oh, the fellow shall have a tumble before the piece is over!” the stage -villain muttered. “I’ll see to it that his light is dimmed. He shall not -triumph to-night.” - -Havener received Frank as he came off. - -“You did first rate that time, Merriwell,” he said, encouragingly. “If -you can keep that up, you will make a hit, but you know the hardest is -to come.” - -“I know,” came quietly from Frank’s lips. - -“Do you feel shaky?” - -“Not a bit.” - -“That’s good! You will do it!” - -Frank saw that the stage-manager was giving him all the encouragement -possible. - -Havener himself was playing a part, but he had very little business on -the stage with Merriwell. - -Cassie soon came round and congratulated Frank. - -“Merriwell, my boy, you did it great!” declared the little soubrette. “I -was proud of you. You made a splendid appearance. If I wasn’t stuck on -Ross, I’d be head over heels in love with you this minute.” - -“Don’t make me blush, Cassie!” protested Frank, embarrassed. - -“Oh, I ain’t giving you taffy; this is straight goods. I saw Dunton -watching you. His face was like a thundercloud, and he glared as if he -longed to kill you. Didn’t you see him?” - -“No.” - -“He was standing in the first entrance on the other side. I know he -tried to catch your eye.” - -“What for?” - -“Thought he could break you up.” - -“Well, he didn’t succeed.” - -“And I was mighty glad. He’s a bad egg. Some day he’ll hit you a slam in -the back that will hurt you.” - -“Oh, I rather think he’ll drop it after a while.” - -“He won’t drop it, for he ain’t that kind. He’s a snake. But I must go -on in a minute. See you later. Keep the good work up.” - -She skipped away. - -When Frank next went on, many of his lines were with Dunton. - -Then it was that Dunton did his best to break Merry up. He transposed -his speeches, getting everything in, but failing to give Frank more than -a third of the cues, and often the continuity of the conversation -depended entirely on the cues. - -Of course, Frank was placed at a disadvantage, but he faked as well as -he could and covered the breaks as far as possible. Indeed, he -astonished and disgusted Dunton by his skill in carrying the scene -along. - -And when Dunton left the stage Havener was waiting for him, looking -decidedly ugly. - -“Look here, man!” came harshly from the stage-manager; “what do you mean -by this kind of work?” - -Dunton pretended to be astonished. - -“What kind of work?” he asked, with pretended innocence. - -“You know what kind of work!” - -“I do not, sir. I am sure——” - -“That will do! You did your best to rattle Merriwell!” - -“Nothing of the sort. I——” - -“Don’t lie about it, Dunton! I have been in this business too long not -to see through such tricks.” - -“Mr. Havener, this is the third time to-day——” - -“It is the third time I have been forced to tell you something you do -not like to hear, and it will be the last time. If I have to make any -further talk to you this day it will be to tell you that you are -discharged.” - -This was straight talk, and Dunton could not misunderstand it. - -“You dare not discharge me without good cause. I have a contract with -Barnaby Haley, and you cannot give me any release.” - -Havener snapped his fingers. - -“That for your contract!” he said. “It was with the old ‘All-Star -Combination,’ and does not hold with the new company. You have no -contract with Haley and Hawkins, I know that, and, if I see fit to -release you, out you go. So now be careful.” - -“Such threats are uncalled for, Mr. Havener.” - -“I am talking business to you, for there is no other way to handle you. -You are so sore on Merriwell that you seem crazy to do him some sort of -injury. If you keep it up, you will injure yourself—nobody else.” - -“I shall appeal to Mr. Haley.” - -“Do so.” - -“I shall.” - -“I hope you will. The next time you have lines with Merriwell, however, -give him his proper cues. If you don’t——” - -Havener stopped of his own accord, and the look he gave Dunton was more -significant than words. Then he turned away. - -Thoroughly sore and heartsick, Dunton watched the climax of the first -act, which was worked out splendidly and received a burst of applause as -the curtain descended. - -Then, behind the scenes, Dunton saw the members of the company gather -around Merriwell and congratulate him. - -“Gods!” grated Frank’s new enemy. “I can’t stand that!” - -He rushed away to one of the dressing rooms, where he raved like a mad -person. - -Having worked himself up to this pitch in his hatred for Merriwell, -Dunton was ready for almost anything. He felt that he must ease his mind -by talking to somebody, and he uttered an exclamation of satisfaction -when Sargent came in to make a change in his costume and make up. - -“What do you think of it?” he hissed. - -“Of what?” asked Sargent, as he went about making the necessary change. - -“Of what!” snarled Dunton. “Why, curse it! of this Merriwell business, -of course!” - -“I think he did remarkably well,” said Sargent, shifting his collar and -tie. - -Dunton caught his breath and looked dazed. - -“Did well?” he muttered. - -“I should say so,” murmured Sargent, looking in the glass as he adjusted -the knot in his tie. “I think it was about the best job I ever saw, -considering the circumstances. I don’t understand how he did it so well -on such short notice. The fact that he committed the lines and was able -to speak them on the stage is something beyond my understanding.” - -Dunton made a rush, caught his chum by the collar, swung him round and -glared into his face. - -“Have you got it, too?” he snarled. - -“Eh? Got what?” asked Sargent. - -“This foolishness over that fellow. Everybody else seems to have it, and -now, by the eternal skies! you’ve caught it. It’s too much! Now I will -kill him!” - -“Better not,” said Sargent, calmly. - -“What do you mean? Are you going back on me?” - -“No.” - -“Well, then, what——” - -“I’m simply going to let Merriwell alone in the future, and I advise you -as a friend to do the same.” - -“To blazes with your advice—and you, too! You’re a squealer! That’s -what’s the matter with you!” - -Sargent simply shrugged his shoulders and went on making the necessary -changes. - -“A squealer!” repeated Dunton, grinding the words derisively through his -teeth. “You are scared of Merriwell, and so you are going to quit. I -hate a quitter!” - -“Now you are getting very excited, Dug,” murmured Sargent, applying some -powder to his neck. “What you need just now is a good, cold shower -bath.” - -“What you need is a good thumping!” - -“That’s what you said Merriwell needed, and I went up to his room with -you to watch you give it to him,” reminded Sargent. - -“Bah!” Dunton almost howled. “So you fling about that! I didn’t think -this of you! You’ve gone back on me.” - -“No, dear fellow.” - -“Yes, you have! You’re afraid of Merriwell! You are a blamed coward!” - -“In your excitement, Dug, you are saying a number of unpleasant things. -I have found out a few things about Merriwell, and I know he is a bad -man to fool with.” - -“Rot!” - -“All right; but take my advice and let him alone.” - -“I’ll let him alone when I’ve done him up.” - -“And you’ll get done up yourself, old man. Why, this Merriwell was in -Yale less than a year ago, and was called the champion all-around -athlete of the college. He was a great oarsman, football player, -sprinter and jumper. As for scrapping, they say he whipped the bully of -the college without getting a mark.” - -“Lies—all lies!” palpitated Dunton. “I don’t believe the fellow ever saw -Yale College.” - -“The trouble with you is that you won’t believe anything you don’t want -to believe; but I guess this stuff about Merriwell is straight goods.” - -“Lies, lies!” Frank’s enemy snarled. “How do people know so much about -him all at once?” - -“Oh, I don’t know.” - -“He’s been telling such stories, and that is enough to stamp them as -lies.” - -“I guess not. I remember seeing his name in the papers. Frank Merriwell -was often spoken of in connection with Yale sports and athletics.” - -“What of that?” - -“Isn’t that enough to prove what I’ve been telling you has some -foundation, at least?” - -“No.” - -“Why not?” - -“The Frank Merriwell spoken of may have been quite another fellow. I -know it was not this chap.” - -“How do you know?” - -“Why, didn’t we pick him up on the road, and hadn’t he been working on a -railroad! Such a famous Yale man wouldn’t be shoveling coal on a -railroad.” - -“I don’t know. I’ve heard he lost his fortune and was forced to leave -college and go to work.” - -“I don’t take any stock in such a fairy story, and you are a fool to -believe it. He’s just a common upstart, and I am going to take the -starch out of him.” - -“Well, I’ve warned you. I am your friend, Dug; but I’m not monkeying -with Merriwell any more. You’ve had bad luck at it. Havener is sore on -you, and——” - -“I’m sore on him.” - -“He’s the stage-manager, and he stands in with Haley. He can get you -fired if he wants to do so.” - -“They can’t get along without me.” - -“That’s where you make a mistake. They’d find a way to get along without -you.” - -Dunton looked thoroughly disgusted. - -“I see you have gone back on me, even though you say not,” he said, -dejectedly. “I didn’t think it of you, Art!” - -He turned away, and Sargent quickly stepped to his side, saying: - -“I am still your friend, Dug, but I can’t afford to get into trouble and -lose my engagement. You know I’ve got a mother——” - -Dunton flung off the hand his friend had placed on his arm. - -“The same old mother cry!” he sneered. “You pretend you send all your -money to your mother, and that’s why you’re forever broke. That mother -of yours is in a Tenderloin flat in New York, I’ll bet, and it’s ten to -one she’s drinking fizz with another popper to-night. I’ve sized you up -as a good, soft thing. You’ve had your leg pulled till it’s a wonder you -can walk without crutches. Soft things always make me tired!” - -He left the dressing room, with Sargent standing in the middle of the -floor. - -“All right!” muttered the latter; “all right, Dunton! I have been your -friend, but I rather think this ends it. My conscience won’t trouble me -if I quit you after this.” - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - A REMARKABLE STAGE DUEL. - - -Douglas Dunton was “sore.” He felt that, besides other unpleasant things -that had happened, he had lost his friend and chum, and he blamed Frank -Merriwell for it all. - -And when he saw Merriwell carry his part through the second act quite as -well as he had done in the first, only getting adrift twice, and then -faking lines so that it was unnecessary to prompt him, Dunton actually -was sick. His lips, on which there were no coloring, looked blue and -cold, and his flesh was clammy to the touch. - -When Merriwell won a burst of applause, Dunton cursed the audience for a -lot of fools, but took care that his curses were not heard by anyone. - -To add to his rage, Cassie had the impudence to sweetly ask him if he -didn’t think Mr. Merriwell was doing “real well.” - -He did not make a reply—he could not. - -“I’ll make a fool of the fellow in the duel scene,” he thought. “I’ll -show the audience just what a stick he is before I am disarmed, and I’ll -make everybody see that I voluntarily permit him to disarm me. That’s -where I’ll get in my work.” - -Somehow, when he thought it over, this seemed a weak sort of revenge. He -longed to humble Merriwell, to completely humiliate him, to disgrace -him, if possible. - -He could not hide from himself the fact that Merriwell’s work thus far -was really marvelous, and that added to his rage immeasurably. - -How was it that this fellow, with no experience on the stage, could take -an important part, commit it in such short time, and play it with the -skill of a drilled actor? - -When the second act was over, Dunton was surly as a dog with a sore ear. - -Havener came and spoke to him. - -“Merriwell is doing first rate,” said the stage-manager; “but the duel -will be difficult for him, and I want you to help him as much as you -can. You can help him make it effective, if you will, and I shall be -watching. Don’t be foolish, Dunton. You can see now that it was better -not to put two persons onto new parts, instead of one, and that’s what -would have been done if I had let you play the part Merriwell has. I -just spoke to him about you, and he says he holds no hard feelings. He -will bury the hatchet and forget all that has happened if you will do -the same. Now, come, promise me that you will help him on the duel. Will -you?” - -Dunton hesitated, a sour look on his face. - -“Be a man,” urged Havener. “Promise.” - -“Be a man!” Those words cut, and Dunton ground his teeth softly. Then, -all at once, he pretended to relent, and he said: - -“Oh, well, I can’t forget so quickly, but I’ll do what I can for the -fellow on the duel.” - -“That’s good,” nodded Havener. “I shall be watching.” - -“Yes, I’ll do what I can for him!” grated Dunton, softly, as the -stage-manager moved away. “Oh, but you had a crust to come to me and -talk like that!” - -When the curtain went up for the third act, Dunton was eager for the -time of the duel to arrive. His eagerness made him go at his part with -more vim than heretofore, and Havener, watching him, nodded his -satisfaction, saying to himself: - -“I guess the fellow sees at last that he has been making a fool of -himself. He’ll be all right, now.” - -The third act went with a swing that fairly carried the audience. Bursts -of applause were frequent. The play was a success, and Havener knew he -would receive congratulations from Haley, who was “on the front of the -house.” At last the duel scene was on. It was a forest setting, and -Merriwell, the challenged party, had fallen into a snare set for him by -Dunton, the villain, by naming swords as the weapons. - -Dunton and his second were first on the scene, and the conversation -between them was to the effect that in three minutes the time set for -the duel would pass, and there were no signs of the challenged party. - -Dunton: “He will not come—he dare not come!” - -Second: “There is yet time. He may arrive at the last moment.” - -Dunton: “He is a coward, from a race of cowards. He poses as a -gentleman, but the blood of a craven flows in his veins.” - -These words were spoken with an intensity and double significance that -Frank, waiting in the wings, did not miss. - -Second: “The time is nearly up.” - -Dunton: “Yes.”—Looks at his watch.—“There is but one minute more. He -will fail to appear, and when next we meet, I will brand him as the cur -he is.” - -Second: “You will come out of this affair honorably without danger to -yourself.” - -Dunton: “Danger! Bah! What danger would there be to face him! I would -toy with him—play with him as a cat plays with a mouse. I would let him -see that he was completely at my mercy. I would laugh at his clumsy -efforts, and then, when I had tired of the sport, I would run him -through the heart! But I shall not have that pleasure.”—Closes watch -with a snap.—“The time is up, and he is not here.” - -(Frank enters, followed by his second, with weapons in case.) - -Frank: “You are wrong, sir; I am here!” - -The audience, whose sympathy was entirely with Merry, gave him a hearty -round of applause. - -Dunton: “Your craven feet must have faltered slowly on the way.” - -Frank: “It was not the fault of our feet, sir; we lost the way, and were -forced to seek directions. I assure you that we made all haste, and, now -we are here, no time shall be lost.” - -Then arrangements were swiftly made for the duel, and soon the two young -men stood face to face, stripped of coats and vests, their swords in -their hands. - -The duel began, and, at the very first, it seemed evident that Dunton -was the most skillful swordsman. But Dunton himself soon discovered that -Merriwell had lost much of his apparent awkwardness displayed at the -rehearsal, and it called out the fellow’s best efforts to beat Frank -back and make a display of superiority. - -Dunton’s rage increased with every passing moment. He was failing to -make such a display of Merriwell as he had hoped, and his anger drove -him temporarily insane. With terrible fury he beat Merry back and back. - -Frank retreated, watching his antagonist closely. All at once, he saw a -deadly glare in Dunton’s eyes, and the fellow hissed: - -“Now you die!” - -Then he lunged straight at Frank’s heart! - -It was no false movement, but it was a savage thrust with murderous -intent. - -Frank realized his danger on the instant. Dunton, insane with anger, -meant to kill him, and then declare it was an accident. - -Merriwell leaped aside, and parried with a slight turn of his wrist. The -point of his enemy’s sword was turned aside, but it passed through his -shirt sleeve. - -Realizing he was baffled, Dunton fought like a fiend, and the swords -clashed and clanged, sparks flying from the glittering blades. - -The audience little dreamed a real duel was taking place on that stage, -but never before had they witnessed anything like it, and, as one man, -they arose to their feet. - -Clash! clash! clash! The ring of steel against steel filled the house. - -Like young tigers, the two antagonists crouched and darted and circled -and sprang. - -It was a most thrilling spectacle. - -“Curse you!” panted Dunton, as he was baffled again and again. - -Not a word came from Merriwell, but now there was a light in his eyes -that his enemy had never seen there. - -Dunton could not reach Frank, try as he might, and he began to realize -that this fellow whom he despised was really his master with the weapons -they held. - -The seconds became alarmed and seemed about to interfere, for they -realized that there was something more than acting about this wonderful -duel. - -“Keep back!” ordered Frank. “It will be all right.” - -“I’ll do it yet!” vowed Dunton, inwardly. - -Now Merriwell was toying with the stage villain, a true villain at -heart, and, realizing what a poor showing he was making, Dunton set his -teeth and made a last bold dash for the life of his foe. - -Right there Merriwell caught Dunton’s blade on his, let it slip past -till the hilts met, and then tore the weapon from the fellow’s hand, -sending it spinning into the air. - -Dunton fell back, with a cry of amazement and horror. - -Down came the blade, and Merry caught it gracefully, instantly offering -it, hilt first, to his disarmed foe. - -Dunton hesitated, then, like a flash, he snatched the weapon and tried -to run Frank through! - -The audience gasped. - -But Merriwell was not caught. Back he went with a spring, and again his -sword clanged against that of his enemy. - -Now it was not possible for the eye to follow all the movements of those -gleaming weapons. Frank was a perfect whirlwind, and the terrible look -on his set face frightened Dunton beyond measure. - -At last, being unable to withstand Merry, the fellow dropped his sword -and cried out for mercy. - -“Mercy!” shot from Frank’s lips. “What mercy do you deserve? But go! I -would not stain my hands with such treacherous blood!” - -Then the curtain came down amid a perfect uproar of applause. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - DUNTON SEES A LIGHT. - - -“By Jove!” exclaimed Ross Havener, as he rushed onto the stage the -moment the curtain was down. “That was great! Couldn’t have done it -better if you had practiced a year! Hear them roar! Why, they’re going -to give you a curtain call!” - -Dunton started to move away, and he fairly staggered. - -“Hold on, Dunton,” commanded the stage-manager. “You must go before the -curtain with Merriwell!” - -“I can’t!” gasped the wretched fellow. “I—I’m ill!” - -“It’ll be only a minute. You must go. Ready, Merriwell. Out here. Go on, -now. Bow—bow when they applaud.” - -Frank was pushed out, and he found himself before a crowd that seemed -beside itself with enthusiasm. Such cheering he had never before heard -in a theater. He bowed and walked across. - -Then Dunton came out. There was moderate applause, and a few hisses, but -it was plain that Merriwell was the one who had won the house. - -Behind the curtain Havener stopped them both. - -“I don’t understand it now,” he declared. “Why, that was more like a -real duel than anything else! One time I was actually scared, for I -thought it was a trifle too realistic. In fact, I don’t think it will do -for you to go at it like that every time, for you might make a slip that -would result in a dangerous wound. I noticed Dunton made some pretty -nasty thrusts.” - -Again Dunton tried to get away, for he fancied Merriwell would tell -Havener everything. - -“It looked worse than it really was, I fancy,” smiled Frank. “Mr. Dunton -was very easy with me, and all his thrusts were easily avoided.” - -Dunton felt like wilting. - -“What is the matter, Dunton?” asked Havener. - -“I tell you I am ill!” snapped the fellow. “Can’t you see it? My -nerves—are all—unstrung!” - -“The duel was too much for you. Now, Merriwell seems as cool as ice.” - -Dunton went down to his dressing room. - -Sargent was there, and he stared at Dunton as the latter came in and -dropped down limply on a square box. - -“Well,” said Sargent, “what do you think of Frank Merriwell now?” - -“Why!” gasped Dunton. - -“Why! Don’t I know! Didn’t I watch it all! Didn’t I understand! Think -I’m a fool?” - -“What are you driving at?” asked Dunton, weakly. - -“You know. You made a fool of yourself, Dug. You tried to run him -through!” - -The fellow sprang up off the box, his eyes glaring. - -“Don’t you dare say that!” he panted—“don’t you dare! It’s a lie!” - -“It’s the truth!” - -“Curse you! You have turned against me!” - -“If you are going to turn murderer—yes!” - -“Murderer!” - -“It would have been murder had you succeeded!” - -“In what?” - -“Your purpose in that duel. You’d thought you could make it seem an -accident if you thrust Merriwell through. You might have fooled a jury -into believing it accidental, but I should have known better. I should -have known you were a murderer!” - -“Don’t—don’t use that word!” - -“It is the word that applies.” - -“The jig is up with me!” half whimpered Dunton. “Merriwell knows, and he -will denounce me. You know, and you will say it is true. Oh, curse you -both! I hate you!” - -He seemed ready to burst into tears, and yet he was quivering with rage. - -“Dunton,” said Sargent, grimly, “you’re not in your right mind. You have -become insane through your hatred for Frank Merriwell, and your insanity -nearly led you to commit a terrible crime. It was not your fault that -you did not succeed. If Merriwell had not been your superior with a -sword, you would have accomplished the deed.” - -Dunton sat down on the box again, and dropped his face on his hands. - -“It’s no use!” he muttered, thickly. “Everything has gone against me! I -am finished!” - -“You have no one but yourself to blame,” said Sargent, rather stiffly. -“I warned you to let the fellow alone. But how is he going to prove that -you really tried to run him through?” - -“By you.” - -“He can’t.” - -“Why not?” - -“He doesn’t know I think so.” - -“You’ll tell.” - -“No.” - -“You won’t?” - -“No. If you will promise me to drop this thing here and let Merriwell -alone, wild horses can’t drag anything out of me.” - -Dunton lifted his head. - -“You will remain my friend?” - -“Yes, I’ll stick by you if you’ll quit this monkey business and walk a -straight line.” - -“I’ll do it, if Merriwell don’t floor me for this first round.” - -“You must take chances on that. Brace up, now, and——” - -“Yes; give me a drink. Here, I have something in my coat. I must take a -big drink, or I can’t play through the last act. They won’t do anything -with me till the piece is over, anyhow.” - -He got out a bottle and took a heavy drink. To his surprise, Sargent -declined to take anything. - -“I am done with the stuff for between-the-acts bracers,” he said. “Those -who want it may take it. Merriwell doesn’t drink a drop, and he’ll have -us all in the shade before the season is over.” - -“Are you going to take him for a model?” - -“I may. It wouldn’t hurt either of us to pattern after such a model.” - -Dunton managed to get through the final act of the play. Appearances -indicated that Frank had not betrayed him up to the end of the play, but -he felt sure Merry would do so immediately after all was over. - -As soon as possible, he wiped off his make-up, got into his street -clothes, and left the theater. He went straight to the hotel, and -proceeded to get as full of whisky as he could hold. - -“I’ll be good and drunk when they jump on me,” he thought. - -How he got to bed or when he went he never knew, but he awoke the -following morning with a splitting headache, and he was forced to start -the day with two stiff drinks. Those seemed to brace him up, and, -dressing, he went down to see what was being said about him. - -He met some of the members of the company, and they congratulated him on -the duel scene. At first he fancied they might be trying to draw him -out, but he soon decided they were in earnest. That made it evident that -they knew nothing of the facts. But Havener must know. - -He met Havener, and two minutes’ conversation with the stage-manager -convinced him that Havener did not know. - -Then it began to dawn upon him that it was possible Merriwell had not -yet denounced him. Before long he was convinced that this was true. - -What did it mean? - -“He’s waiting for a good opportunity to take me before the entire -company,” thought Dunton. “Well, I’ll give him the chance, and I’ll -swear every word he says is a lie. I never tried to run him through.” - -But, that afternoon at rehearsal, Frank had an opportunity to make the -denunciation, and did nothing of the sort. - -The rest of the week passed. - -Saturday night, after the show, Dunton found Merriwell alone. - -“Look here, Merriwell,” he said, “when are you going to do it?” - -“Do what?” asked Frank, surprised. - -“Blow the whole business.” - -“What business?” - -“About that duel.” - -“What about it?” - -“Why, you know I was furious with you, and I tried to do you up for -keeps. Of course, you will blow it to Havener and the others. Why don’t -you get about it? I’m tired of waiting.” - -“Look here, Mr. Dunton,” said Merriwell, facing the fellow squarely. “I -want to ask you one or two questions. First, aren’t you a little bit -disgusted with yourself for trying such a trick?” - -“Perhaps so,” admitted Dunton, sheepishly. - -“Next, would you try it again if you had the chance?” - -“No. I was a fool, and I’m glad I failed. I don’t want to kill anybody.” - -“I thought not, and I thought I would give you time to come to your -senses. You need not be afraid that I will blow. I don’t want to hurt -you.” - -“You—you will keep still about it?” - -“If you act decent in the future—yes.” - -The fellow was silent. He stood staring at Frank, seeming uncertain what -he had better do. Gradually the blood flowed into his face till it was -crimson. - -“Merriwell,” he said, huskily, “I never knew what a blamed cheap cuss I -am! You are a white man! You would have served me right if you had blown -the whole thing. I can’t see why you didn’t. I don’t expect friendship -from you—I wouldn’t accept it; but I don’t think you and I will have any -more trouble.” - -Then he turned and walked quickly away. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - - BARNABY HALEY RECEIVES A TELEGRAM. - - -“Barnaby Haley——” - -“Here! That’s my name.” - -“Telegram, sir.” - -“Let’s have it.” - -“Thirty cents, collect.” - -“Who’s it from?” - -“Don’t know. Sign for it here on the book.” - -Barnaby Haley hesitated about going down into his pocket and bringing up -thirty cents for a message that might be in the interest of the sender -far more than himself. The “Empire Theater Comedy Company” had been “up -against” bad business for a week, and Haley, who was associate manager -with Zenas Hawkins, the “angel,” was not flush with money. - -Up to date, the “angel” had seen very little of success, and he was -beginning to weary of paying bills on every hand and scarcely getting a -chance to count the box office receipts. - -Thus it came about that Hawkins was nearing the end of his string, and -Haley knew it. Realizing that the time might soon come when the “angel” -would refuse to be milked any longer and take himself out of the company -entirely, Mr. Haley was holding onto every cent with the grip of grim -death. - -But the messenger boy who had brought the telegram to the office of the -hotel at which the theatrical company was stopping held onto the yellow -envelope in a manner that indicated that he was not to be fooled into -letting go of it till he had “the price.” - -With a sigh, Haley parted with a silver quarter and a nickel and -obtained the message, for which he signed on the messenger’s book. - -“Any reply, sir?” asked the boy, waiting. - -“I’ll see.” - -Haley tore it open. A moment later, as he read the message, he started -violently and turned pale. Then he said something that would not look -well in print. - -Several members of the company were sitting around in the office, -smoking, chatting and telling stories. Now they were watching the -corpulent manager, for all realized that disaster might overtake the -company any day, and they dreaded the awful prospect of being stranded -so far from New York and the Rialto. - -Frank Merriwell had just finished writing a letter at the writing table. -As he was sealing it, he heard the exclamation that fell from Haley’s -lips. - -Ephraim Gallup, sitting near, guardedly drawled: - -“It kainder strikes me, b’gosh! the old man’s heerd something he don’t -jest like. I’ll bet a dollar the old show goes bu’st inside a week. Yeou -don’t darst take me up, Frank.” - -“It’s certain there’s trouble in the air,” said Frank, in a low tone. -“We’ve been doing a losing business for more than a week.” - -“If we bu’st up, I s’pose yeou’ll blame me fer gettin’ yeou inter such a -darn scrape?” - -“No; you didn’t know what was coming. Besides that, I have had some -experiences of value to me.” - -“Yeou’ve learnt something abaout the business, anyhaow.” - -“Yes, and I have had some experience as an actor.” - -“And yeou’ve jest shown ’em that yeou was no slouch. Half the old han’s -are jealous of ye, but they don’t say so.” - -“Oh, not quite as bad as that, Ephraim.” - -“Yes, sur, jest that. I don’t take back a bit of it. They don’t like to -see an amatoor do better’n they kin.” - -“But Lawrence is with us now, and I shall not get much show in the -future. You know they had to run me into his parts when he was ill.” - -“I bet yeou git a chance, jest the same. Roscoe Havener ain’t goin’ to -keep a stiff on a part when he’s got a good man right handy that he kin -run in.” - -“Well, if what you are afraid of happens, it’s little good my -opportunities will do me. I feel a strange curiosity to know the -contents of that message.” - -Barnaby Haley had crumpled the yellow sheet in one thick hand, and the -look on his phlegmatic face showed he was unusually aroused. - -“Answer, sir?” asked the messenger. - -“No!” snarled the manager. - -The boy dodged. - -“Needn’t bite my head off!” he exclaimed. - -Then he skipped away. - -Havener, the stage-manager, came down from his room and entered the -office. Haley saw him, and fanned him to approach. - -The stage-manager saw at a glance that something was the matter. Barnaby -Haley’s dignity was broken. He was angry, disgusted, desperate. - -“What is it?” asked Havener. - -“It’s blazes!” growled Haley. - -“Trouble?” - -“Heaps of it.” - -“What?” - -“Read that.” - -Haley thrust the crumpled telegram into Havener’s hand. The -stage-manager smoothed it out and read the message. Then he whistled. - -“That’s queer,” he observed. - -“It’s a thundering scrape!” grated the corpulent manager. “Collins ought -to be shot!” - -“Did you hear that name, Frank?” asked Ephraim. - -“Yes,” nodded Merry. - -“Know what they’re talkin’ abaout?” - -“Yes. Collins is the advance man.” - -“Sure pop. There’s somethin’ the matter with him, an’ that’ll bu’st the -show sure. No show kin run ’thout a corkin’ good man ahead of it, and——” - -“Isn’t Collins a good man?” - -“He’s all right, but somethin’s happened. All the bad luck is hittin’ us -in a heap. There’s a hoodoo with this show, and I know it, b’gosh! If -Haley can’t yank any more dollars aout of Hawkins, then there’ll be a -reduction of expenses. Know jest whut that means?” - -“No, I——” - -“I do. It means that the band will be dropped, fer it’s an almighty big -expense. Me and Hans will be aout of a job. Mebbe the comp’ny kin hold -together anuther week by droppin’ the band, but we pull the craowd, and -we’ll be missed. Gol darned if this air show business is jest whut it’s -cracked up to be! It’s too blamed oncertain. I wish I was to hum on the -farm.” - -It sounded like old times to hear Ephraim express such a wish, and Frank -smiled a bit. - -The other actors in the office were showing anxiety. They had huddled in -a little group, and were talking in low tones. - -Zenas Hawkins entered. He was tall, thin and ministerial in appearance. - -“Just the man we want to see,” said Haley. “Come over here.” - -Then he drew Hawkins and Havener into a corner, where the telegram was -shown to the thin “manager,” who read it through, puckered up his face -and scowled. - -A confidential talk between the three men followed. Havener seemed -struck by a sudden idea. He turned and looked over the room, his eyes -resting on Frank. - -“Come here, Merriwell,” he called. - -Frank rose and approached the group, wondering what they wanted of him. - -Haley pursed his thick lips and stared coldly at Merriwell as Frank came -up. - -“Too young,” he grunted. - -“I think not,” said Havener. - -“No experience,” objected the corpulent manager. - -“He’s smart,” declared Havener. - -“Needs an experienced man.” - -“Where can you get one?” - -“Give it up.” - -“It’s a case of necessity.” - -Then Frank stopped and asked: - -“What can I do for you, Mr. Havener?” - -And the stage-manager answered: - -“Mr. Haley and Mr. Hawkins want you to go out in advance of the show in -the place of Collins, who has thrown up his job and joined a rival -company.” - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - THE INQUISITIVE STRANGER. - - -Frank was surprised, but he immediately said: - -“All right, sir.” - -“You will go?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -These ready answers seemed to please Roscoe Havener. - -“You are the only man available,” he said; “and we can let you go now, -for Lawrence is back with us.” - -Right there Barnaby Haley hastened to put in: - -“You are the only man available, and so we are forced to take you. You -have done remarkably well, Merriwell, since I engaged you; but, of -course, it takes an experienced man to do the best work ahead of a -company. You haven’t the experience, and——” - -“He lacked experience as an actor, Mr. Haley,” said the stage-manager; -“but he did a remarkable turn, just the same.” - -“That was different—that was different. He could be shown in that case; -in this he must use his own judgment, after receiving a few general -instructions.” - -“You know that no man can be shown how to act in such a short time, Mr. -Haley,” came quietly from Havener’s lips. “He has tact, talent, ability. -He has remarkable catch-on-it-ive-ness. I say this before him, for I do -not believe he is in any danger of getting a swelled head. I think you -can give him his instructions and he will take up Collins’ work just -where Collins dropped it, and carry it on successfully. I hate to lose -him, for he is a first-class utility man; but this seems to be a case of -have to, and I am ready to do what I can for the interest of the -company.” - -“How could Collins break his contract?” asked Frank. “How could he leave -without proper notice?” - -“He had no contract with the new concern,” explained Haley. “All there -was between us was his old contract with me, as he was out ahead at the -time we reorganized, and I didn’t take the trouble to make a new -contract for him. Wish I had now, though he might have broken it anyway. -Couldn’t get anything out of him, for he hasn’t anything; but I could -make it hot for King for hiring him away from me.” - -“Who is King?” asked Frank. - -“King!” blurted Haley, wrathfully. “He’s a scoundrel—a confounded -scoundrel! He’s the manager of the ‘Julian King Stock Company,’ a fake -concern—a lot of bum ham-fatters.” - -“A rival company?” - -“Rival company—rival to the ‘Empire Theater Comedy Company’? Well, I -should say not! Such a collection of stiffs cannot be dignified by the -title.” - -It was plain to Merry that Haley entertained a strong feeling of hatred -for Julian King and his organization. - -“You see, King treated Mr. Haley very shabbily,” explained Havener. - -“Shabbily is not the word—not the word,” spluttered the manager. “He -robbed me! We were in Wisconsin. Had been having a hard run. He was my -partner in the venture. We were playing ‘Uncle Tom.’ It became necessary -to raise money somehow to recover our trunks, which the venial keeper of -a third-rate hotel refused to give up till his beastly bill was -liquidated. We were compelled to sell the donkey and some other -property. King secured the money thus obtained, and skipped with it, -leaving us worse off than before. I have never met him face to face -since that day, although we have been in close proximity several times. -Now he has induced my advance man to quit me and go with his miserable -old show.” - -“I don’t see just what he wants of Collins,” said Havener, “for he has -had Delvin Riddle in advance, and Riddle is one of the best men in the -business. Riddle may have left him.” - -“Left him—of course!” nodded Haley. “That’s what’s happened. King -couldn’t keep a man like Riddle. Now, if we could get hold of him——But I -suppose that’s out of the question. We don’t know where he is. We’ll -have to send Merriwell out. It’s the best we can do.” - -It was plain he was not quite satisfied with the idea of putting Merry -ahead of the show, but accepted it as the only resort. - -Hawkins was silent. He was a man who said very little on any occasion. - -“It is barely possible that King hasn’t engaged Collins for advance -agent,” said Havener. - -“What else could he want him for?” asked Haley. - -“You know Collins can fill a part, if necessary. He is pretty good on -old men. King may have taken him to fill in a vacancy.” - -“He took him to injure me! That’s exactly what he did! He is an -ungrateful reprobate.” - -“Well, he’s got him, anyhow; and the best thing we can do is go right -along as if we didn’t miss him at all. Where was Collins when King -scooped him?” - -“In Salacia.” - -“What’s the next town?” - -“Dundee.” - -“Well, Merriwell must take the morning train for Dundee. You must -provide him with complimentary passes, press notices, the route booked, -and instructions how to proceed. I believe he will prove himself equal -to the emergency, and we shall get along all right as far as the advance -work is concerned.” - -Havener spoke as if he were the actual manager of the company, instead -of being nothing but the stage-manager, and Haley did not resent being -told what he must do. - -Haley made a pretense of asking Hawkins’ advice, but Hawkins had not -much to say. - -Then the four went up to Haley’s room, where Merriwell was given the -necessary instructions in regard to the route, making arrangements with -local theater and hall managers, securing accommodations at hotels, and -getting notices into the newspapers. - -“Here are the regular notices we have been using,” said Haley, as he -brought a lot of typewritten slips and sheets out of his trunk and gave -them to Merriwell. “You must jolly up the editors of the papers, and get -all the space they will give us. A good advance man has a way of faking -up items and stories that editors will accept as news, but which are -advertisements of the best sort. Of course, you won’t be able to do -that, as you haven’t had the experience, but you must work in as much of -this stuff as possible. And you must see that our paper is up on every -board available and in every good window that can be obtained. If you do -your work well, it will be a case of hustle from the time you strike a -town till you leave it.” - -“And it’s my opinion that Merriwell is a hustler,” said Havener. - -“Well, he has received his instructions. You must be up in time to catch -the early train out of here, Merriwell. It leaves at 5:45 A. M. That’s -all. I shall not get a chance to talk with you any more, for I must see -that everything is settled up here for the move in the morning. We take -the seven o’clock train, you know.” - -Haley was hustling Merriwell out of the room, when Frank calmly -observed: - -“There’s one thing you have forgotten, sir.” - -“Eh? What’s that?” - -“Transportation.” - -“Hum! So I did. Ah—Mr. Hawkins, will you kindly attend to that?” - -Mr. Hawkins looked sour and doubtful. Mr. Haley was bland and -persuasive. In three minutes he had Hawkins feeling for his pocketbook; -in five minutes he had secured the needed cash. The “angel’s” leg had -been gently pulled once more. - -When Frank again appeared in the office, a young man sitting near a -window dropped his paper and got up quickly, a look of pleasure on his -face. He rushed forward with outstretched hand. - -“My dear boy!” he cried; “how delighted I am to see you again!” - -He grasped Frank’s hand and shook it heartily. - -“I can’t see that you’ve changed a bit since you left college,” declared -the stranger, familiarly. “You’re the same old Merriwell that was so -popular and cut such a dash. At first I could not believe it when I -heard you were here with a traveling theatrical company. Quite a change -from college life, eh, dear boy?” - -“Yes, it is a change,” admitted Frank, looking sharply at the familiar -stranger and wondering where and when they had met before, for, although -he had a remarkable memory for faces, there was nothing familiar about -this man. - -“I should say so!” the other rattled on. “This knocking around the -country must seem strange. How are all the fellows at Yale? I suppose -you hear from them regularly?” - -“No,” confessed Frank, “I can’t say that I do.” - -“Don’t? Well, well, well! Don’t hear from the fellows you used to chum -with? That’s remarkable! But, then, I suppose it is the way of the -world. Come have a drink with me, old man. We’ll be jolly and sociable.” - -“I do not drink.” - -“Eh? Don’t drink? How long since?” - -“I never drank.” - -The stranger seemed doubtful. - -“Oh, I understand,” he nodded. “You were moderate in your drinking. You -never swam in it, like some of the fellows.” - -Frank flushed. There was something offensive about the stranger’s -manner, and yet the fellow seemed to mean well. - -“I tell you I never drank under any circumstances,” came rather sharply -from Merry’s lips. - -“Oh, I beg your pardon! You see, I didn’t know about that. No offense, I -trust?” - -“No, but——” - -“I understand. I made a break. Just like me. But I know you’re the kind -of a fellow to forget it. Have a cigar.” - -A well-filled case was held toward Frank. - -“I do not smoke.” - -“Sworn off?” - -“Never smoked.” - -“The dickens!” - -Now the stranger was astonished. He slowly extracted a cigar from the -case and lighted it, all the while staring at Merry. - -“And you went to Yale College!” he exclaimed. “Didn’t drink—didn’t -smoke! And you were popular!” - -“It can’t be that you knew very much about me, or you would have been -aware that I neither drank nor smoked. You have the advantage of me -in——” - -The stranger broke into a jolly laugh. - -“Of course I have. You had so many friends. I didn’t expect you to -remember me. Never mind. Come down to the cardroom.” - -“Don’t play cards.” - -“What—again! Never did?” - -“I have.” - -“Oh! A relief! Then you have had one vice! Ha! ha! Don’t mind my -jollying, old fellow. You’re a rare bird. Come down to the cardroom -anyway. I want to talk to you where there won’t be so many rubbernecks -around.” - -He took Frank’s arm, and, somewhat puzzled and suspicious, Merry -permitted the fellow to lead him downstairs to the cardroom. - -When they were seated on opposite sides of a table, the stranger again -urged Frank to have a drink. - -“Take a seltzer lemonade, a ginger ale, anything to be sociable,” he -urged. - -Then, without waiting for Frank to consent, he pushed a button and -called the barkeeper from the adjoining room. Merry was urged to drink -something, and finally ordered ginger ale. - -The stranger took rum. - -“Best drink a man can take this time of year,” he declared. “Gives one a -vile breath, but it keeps the system in good condition, and it will not -knock a fellow out like whisky.” - -“That is your opinion,” said Merriwell. “It is my opinion that either -one will knock a fellow out quick enough if he sticks to it. It may do -as a stimulant for a very aged person, or it may be absolutely necessary -in some cases of sickness, but what any young man in good health can -want of such stuff I can’t tell.” - -“That’s because you never tried it. You’re not qualified to judge, -Merriwell.” - -“I have watched its effects on others, and never yet have I seen that it -did a well person any good. On the other hand, I know of hundreds of -instances where it has done them incalculable injury.” - -“Oh, well, let’s not have a temperance lecture, Merriwell. I didn’t -bring you down here for that. Here’s our drinks, and here’s success to -you on the road in advance.” - -Frank sipped his ginger ale, still keenly scanning his companion. Who -was this fellow? and what was he driving at? It was plain he knew Merry -was going out ahead of the show. - -The stranger tossed his rum off at a gulp, following it with a “chaser” -of water, and smacking his lips. - -“Pretty good stuff, that,” he nodded. “Better’n one can get in most -places out in this infernal country. I suppose you start out in the -morning?” - -Frank nodded. - -“Which way you going? I suppose the manager has given you his bookings? -Of course, you know all about his route and his plans?” - -Again Merry nodded, but that was all. - -“I may be traveling your way,” said the stranger. “We can go along -together. That will be jolly. Which way did you say you were going?” - -“I didn’t say,” answered Merriwell, dryly. - -“Oh!” - -The voluble stranger seemed brought to a stand for a moment, but he -quickly recovered. - -“So you didn’t say,” he laughed. “I suppose you are going west? There -are some good towns in the western part of the State. Salacia, Dundee, -Fardale, Crescent—all along the line are good show towns. Of course, -Haley is going that way?” - -“Now, look here, my friend,” said Frank, pointedly, “perhaps you will -tell me why you are so anxious to know which way the show is going? It -seems rather surprising to me that you should take such an interest in -us and be so anxious to learn our route.” - -The fellow was not ruffled in the least. - -“Why,” he murmured, with uplifted eyebrows, “it’s simply because I -happen to know you, and——” - -“I don’t know you. I don’t remember ever seeing you before.” - -“That’s not strange. Of course you forget many of the men you met at -college.” - -“You have been asking questions; now let me ask you a few?” - -“My dear fellow——” - -“First, what’s your name?” - -At this moment Leslie Lawrence, the actor whose place Frank had filled, -came strolling into the cardroom. He paused, stared at Merry’s -companion, and uttered an exclamation of surprise. - -“Hang me if it isn’t Delvin Riddle!” he exclaimed. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - A STRANGE SOUBRETTE. - - -Delvin Riddle! - -The name gave Frank Merriwell a shock, for Riddle was the advance agent -of the “Julian King Stock Company.” - -In a flash, Merry understood the fellow’s little game. - -It had signally failed. - -King had not been able to pump the new advance man of the “Empire -Theater Comedy Company,” although he had tried hard enough. - -Not a bit of information had he drawn from Merriwell’s lips. - -“Hello, Riddle!” cried Lawrence, stepping forward swiftly. “What are you -doing with Merriwell?” - -“Not a thing,” confessed Riddle, as he lay back lazily and puffed at his -cigar. - -“But you—you are working him! I know it!” - -“Tried to,” coolly admitted Riddle. “No go. He’s a clam. Won’t talk at -all. Couldn’t get him to answer questions, but he turned round and -started in asking me questions. Seemed suspicious. Wouldn’t drink, -wouldn’t smoke, wouldn’t do anything. What sort of a bird has Haley -found, anyhow?” - -There was a mild disgust in the baffled fellow’s manner and voice. - -A look of satisfaction came to Lawrence’s face. - -“So you didn’t get anything out of him?” he said, beginning to smile. - -“Not a blamed thing,” acknowledged Riddle. - -“I compliment you, Merriwell!” exclaimed Lawrence, heartily. “You have -started in well on your new duties. You’ll have to do considerable -talking sometimes; but there will be other times when you’ll need to -keep your mouth closed. If you talk as well as you have started in to -keep still, you are a winner. The laugh is on you, Riddle.” - -“That’s right. What’ll you have?” - -“A little brandy will do me. I’ve been off my feet, you know.” - -Drinks were ordered and brought, Frank refusing to take anything. -Lawrence proposed a toast, and they drank. - -“How did you get hold of Merriwell?” he asked of Riddle. “Why, how do -you happen to be here, anyway?” - -“Business,” was the laconic answer. - -“But it’s strange I didn’t hear you were here.” - -“Came a short time ago. Dropped into the office and heard a Yankee and a -Dutchman talking about Frank Merriwell being Haley’s new advance man. -They didn’t know me, so I pumped them. Got a description of Merriwell -and found out lots of particulars about him. When he came into the -office, I thought it must be him, and I made a crack at him. Hit him, -all right. Pretended I had known him at college. That went, but I might -have saved my breath. Didn’t get a thing out of him.” - -Riddle showed his disgust, but he was good-natured about it. Then he -complimented Merry on keeping still. Frank laughingly assured him it had -required no effort at all, which caused Lawrence to “jolly” Riddle -unmercifully. - -Frank got away in a few minutes, leaving Lawrence and Riddle together. -He went to his room, taking a railroad map with him, and there studied -over the route he was to follow, making himself familiar with the names -of the towns, distances to be “jumped,” time of trains, population of -the different places, and many other things he considered worth knowing. - -Thus Merry was starting out, as he started on everything he undertook, -by learning everything possible that might assist him in any way. - -He looked over the different notices, given him by Manager Haley, so -that he might become familiar with them and know just what kind of stuff -he was working onto the newspapers. - -Those notices were a disappointment to Merry. They seemed too -conventional, too tame, too much like other notices of traveling shows, -too plainly reading advertisements. - -“They are poor stuff,” he muttered. “Nearly half of them show in the -first or second sentence that they are advertisements. They are dry as -chips. There is no life or snap in them.” - -Then he sat down and wrote three new notices. Over these he spent some -time, and of one of them he was particularly proud. - -“That will be great for ‘Hayseed Valley’!” he exclaimed. “That’s the -piece the company opens with in almost every place where they stay more -than one night, and they play it pretty often on one-night stands. I -believe that will be worth more than all the other notices.” - -In “Hayseed Valley,” a farce comedy of the rural order, one of the -characters was a French adventurer who pretended to be a count, and who -was persistently seeking a rich wife. This is the notice Frank had -written: - -“The inhabitants of this city (town) and surrounding places are warned -to be on the watch for a certain Frenchman who has been creating -considerable excitement in this vicinity by his persistent and obnoxious -attention to ladies of wealth, both married and unmarried. This fellow -is an unscrupulous adventurer, who is masquerading under the name of -‘Count Cavaignac,’ but it is safe to say that he is actually no a-count, -and he is certain to have a number of furious husbands and brothers -after him, if he does not cease his annoying demonstrations and -attentions toward the fair sex. The base slander that every American -girl is eager for a title and ready to marry on sight any foreigner who -happens along and pretends to rightfully own a title has been refuted by -the treatment ‘Count Cavaignac’ has received from every sensible young -lady of this vicinity whose heart, hand and fortune he has vainly sought -to make his own. All of the bold count’s adventures are highly ludicrous -and doubly worth the price of admission to ‘Hayseed Valley,’ in which -the fake nobleman appears. ‘Hayseed Valley’ is a rattling three-act -farce comedy, and it will be played at the —— Opera House on (date here) -by the ‘Empire Theater Comedy Company,’ Haley & Havener, managers and -proprietors. Don’t fail to see ‘Count Cavaignac.’” - -The other notices were of the unusual order, and Frank believed they -would prove of value. He slipped them into his pocket, deciding to show -them to Barnaby Haley and seek his approval of their use. - -Then Merry went over to the theater, where the afternoon rehearsal was -to take place. He found the company assembled and the rehearsal about to -begin. - -Roscoe Havener came forward at sight of Frank. - -“Well, Merriwell,” he said, “Lawrence has been telling us how you played -the clam with Riddle, and I congratulate you on starting out well. Just -what Riddle was up to I don’t understand, but he had some object in -seeking to learn our route. Haley is ready to shoot him on sight, and he -has gone in search of him.” - -Cassie, the soubrette, approached. She looked pale and thin and -wretched. - -“I’m sorry you’re not going to be with the company any more, Frank,” she -said; “but I hope you’ll have luck in advance. You’ve been a good friend -to me—and to Ross.” - -“Yes, yes,” said Havener, quickly; “he has done a good turn for us -both.” - -Then he moved away to give some directions about setting the stage, -leaving Frank and Cassie together. - -The girl looked at Merriwell, a mournful expression in her face and -eyes. Frank thought how great the change when she came on the stage at -night, bounding, buoyant, vigorous, her eyes seeming to sparkle with -life. - -Merry knew the cause of that great change, and he wondered that Ross -Havener did not see and understand. It seemed impossible that Havener -should attribute the change entirely to excitement, for he must know -that the sameness of stagework made it seem to the girl like any other -occupation. - -“I shall miss you, Frank,” said Cassie, in her melancholy manner. -“You’re not like the rest of the crowd. You’re not common. Somehow, -there seems to be something dreadfully common about actors.” - -“That is not the general opinion of them,” smiled Frank. - -“Oh, I know people generally think they’re freaks, but that’s because -they don’t know the real truth about them. Actors are always posing so -as to make folks believe they are out of the ordinary. You can see that -in their photographs and everything. But you don’t have to pose, Frank, -to show that you’re no common duffer.” - -“Cassie! Cassie! spare my blushes!” - -“I’m giving you straight goods. There’s a kind of air about you that -shows you ain’t no common stuff. I can’t tell just what it is, but it’s -there, all right. And I want to tell you something that I’ll bet my hat -on; I’ll bet you’ll make a top-notch actor, if you stick to the -profession. You won’t be satisfied to be just an ordinary twenty-five a -week sidelight, but you’ll just climb up and up till you are a star.” - -“Gracious, Cassie! but you are putting it on thick!” - -“I’ve been thinking of this since I saw how you filled Lawrence’s place. -On the dead quiet, I think you can do just as good a job now as he can, -and he’s given leads almost all the time. When you have to play -gentleman parts, you’ve got the natural air, and Lawrence lacks that, -for he never had the breeding. I wish they’d kept you pegging away, -instead of shoving you on ahead.” - -“I don’t mind it, Cassie, for I want to learn every branch of the -business. I may not stick to the profession, but it is fascinating to -me, and——” - -“You like it?” - -“Yes.” - -“Don’t mind the knocking around?” - -“Rather enjoy that.” - -“Poor beds and poor grub?” - -“I can stand it.” - -“Poor business?” - -“That’s different, but I don’t get discouraged very easily, especially -when the work is so interesting.” - -“Say, Frank!” - -“What is it?” - -“You’ve got it!” - -“Got what?” - -“Stage fever. When they can stand all the hard knocks and still find the -work interesting and fascinating, they’ve got it. You’re liable to stick -to the stage the rest of your life. Well, if you do, I hope I’ll live to -see you away up in the pictures, but I’m afraid I won’t be that lucky.” - -“Now, Cassie, I don’t like to hear you talk like that.” - -“Well, it’s true, Frank. You know my trouble, and I guess it’ll throw me -down for keeps. I can’t shake the habit.” - -“Thought you were going to make a try at it this coming summer?” - -“Am. Don’t believe it’s any use. If I fail, I’m going to tell Havener -the whole business, and we’ll cry quits. That’ll be rough on me, for you -know how much I think of Ross; but I’ll never tie to him as I am.” - -“Oh, you’ll come out all right, Cassie.” - -“Mebbe so. I know you want to encourage me, Frank; but I’ve got the Old -Scratch to fight. If I was religious, there might be a chance for me; I -could pray then, and somehow it does seem that the prayers of real good -folks are answered.” - -This was a remarkable thing for the girl to say, and Frank wondered at -it not a little. It was unlike Cassie, but he said: - -“It won’t do any harm to pray, even if you are not religious, Cassie.” - -“Oh, what’s the use! God wouldn’t hear prayers from such as me.” - -“You do not know that,” came soberly and impressively from Frank -Merriwell’s lips. “You know it is said He notes even the sparrow’s -fall.” - -“But it would seem foolish for an actress to get down on her knees and -pray.” - -“Why not an actress, as well as anybody else?” - -“Oh, but you know how religious people regard us. They don’t reckon we -have any show of heaven.” - -“Narrow-minded persons may think so, but there is no reason why an actor -or actress should not be a good Christian and stand as good chance of -reaching heaven as a doctor, a merchant, or a person in any other -profession or business.” - -There was a strange look on the girl’s face. - -“Do you believe that?” she whispered; “do you really and truly believe -it?” - -“I certainly do.” - -“I wish I might be sure of it.” - -The strange look on the sad face of the girl deepened, and an infinite -longing came into her weary eyes. - -Somehow, Frank Merriwell felt that his words at that moment might have -great influence on her future, and he was almost frightened by his -position. - -“Cassie,” he said, softly, his voice full of music and persuasion, “I -believe you can be sure of it.” - -“How?” - -There was eagerness in her manner now, in contrast to her usual -listlessness. - -“Don’t be afraid to pray, if you feel like it. I am not a professor of -religion, yet I have prayed more than once, and more than once, I firmly -believe, my prayers have been answered.” - -“You did that?” - -“Yes.” - -“Why, Frank! you are so young and strong and healthy! Why should you -pray?” - -“The young and strong and healthy should pray as much as the weak and -ill and diseased. Prayer was not made exclusively for invalids, by any -means.” - -“And you prayed?” - -She could not seem to get over that. It was a wonder to her. - -“I did.” - -“I said you were not like other people; I knew it all the time. To look -at you, one would think you the last person in the world to pray.” - -“You can’t always judge by appearances.” - -“That’s so. If I was going to pray, how would I go about it, Frank?” - -She asked the question hesitatingly, timidly, with an effort. - -“Just get down on your knees in your room, Cassie, and pray. That is the -way. There is no rule to follow.” - -“Perhaps—perhaps I’ll try it.” - -“Do it, Cassie,” urged Frank, earnestly. “It won’t do any harm, if it -doesn’t do any good.” - -“It won’t be blasphemy for me to do it?” - -“Not if you are sincere.” - -“Then I’m going to try it, Frank—I’m going to try it! I’m not strong -enough to break the dreadful habit alone, and I believe the only way is -for me to have some aid from Heaven. You have given me new hope. If I -should—if I could get help that way, I’d owe everything to you.” - -“No,” he said, with deep impressiveness, “you would owe it to no earthly -power.” - -Looking into her weary face, he softly added: - -“I will pray for you, too, Cassie.” - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - STARTING OUT. - - -The following morning Frank was up bright and early and ready to take -the train. - -Havener came to the station to see him off, together with Ephraim Gallup -and Hans Dunnerwurst. - -“Gol dinged if I ain’t sorry yeou’re goin’ to leave us!” said the Yankee -youth, dolefully. - -“Yaw,” nodded the Dutch boy, sniffing; “you vos sorry I vos goin’ to -left you, Vrankie.” - -“Haow long do yeou expect to be aout ahead of the show?” asked Ephraim. - -“I can’t tell about that,” answered Frank. “Perhaps not very long, for I -may not suit.” - -“I’ll risk that,” said Havener. “You’ll be all right. There’s something -rather odd I’ve been thinking about—something of a mystery.” - -“What’s that?” - -“Why should Delvin Riddle try to pump you and get our route from you?” - -“Why, I suppose he wanted to know what towns we were going to play in so -he could——” - -“But Collins knew the route.” - -Frank started. - -“That’s so!” he exclaimed. “Never thought of that.” - -“King gobbled up Collins, and so, of course, Collins told him the -route.” - -“It seems so.” - -“Of course it was so.” - -“Then why——” - -“That’s it, exactly—why did Riddle take so much trouble to try to pump -it out of you? I’ve been puzzling over that. There’s some kind of a -mystery here.” - -“Where’s Riddle?” - -“Nobody knows. He didn’t stay at our hotel last night, and Haley was not -able to find him in town. He suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. -There is something queer about this business, Merriwell.” - -“I scent a mystery!” cried Frank. “Mysteries always interest me. Wish I -had time to solve this one.” - -“Well, don’t let it bother you. Here comes the train. Remember your -instructions. Of course, you know just how the company stands, but Haley -is holding fast to Hawkins, and the old man will be able to work the -‘angel’ if we get into another hard place. We must strike better -business soon, and I guess we’ll pull out all right.” - -A short time later, Frank was seated on the train, waving a farewell -from the window to his two friends and the stage-manager. - -Hans and Ephraim stood side by side in solemn sorrow, one tall, lank, -angular, the other short, stout, rotund. They presented a strong -contrast, and Merry could not help smiling a bit. Then came a thought -that saddened him somewhat. He could see there was a big change in -himself since the old, rollicking days at Fardale—he could feel it. He -had been forced to face the world and battle for bread, and the -circumstances and his advance in years had wrought the change. He was no -longer a thoughtless boy; he felt the blood and vigor of dawning manhood -in his veins. Boyish things were past. Still he could enjoy fun as well -as ever, but the time when he was continually planning and carrying into -execution practical jokes was gone. - -Frank believed that Hans and Ephraim saw the change in him. Still he was -sure their affection for him was as strong and enduring as ever. - -They, too, had changed somewhat, for they had been forced, like Frank, -to win their way in the world. - -Thinking it all over, Merry did not long to go back to his boyhood days, -pleasant though they had been. He realized that he was enjoying life as -he had never before enjoyed it. The battles, the rebuffs, the triumphs, -they were something, worth living for, and they gave such a pleasure to -existence that it took away all regrets for his lost boyhood. - -Then he thought of Yale—dear old Yale! Then a pang of regret shot -through his heart, for he had not completed his college course—he had -not graduated with honors, as he had believed he some day should. - -But the man who had robbed him of his fortune had not prospered. For a -long time the sword of justice had been suspended over Darius Conrad’s -head, and it had seemed that it would never fall. The unscrupulous -rascal had gone on his wicked way unmolested till the tide turned -against him. - -Then his downward course had been swift and the end awful. His -ill-gotten gains melted away, and the man who had been rich and the -ruling power of the Blue Mountain Railroad at last stood face to face -with ruin. - -Then came another thought that added to his heartsore feeling. Ephraim -Gallup had brought him unpleasant news of Elsie Bellwood. Her father was -dead, and Elsie was alone in the world, save for some not very closely -connected relatives. - -Poor Elsie! Thrown on her own resources, she must find the struggle hard -and trying. He did not even know her address, so he could not write to -her. - -Had fate parted them forever? - -That thought was maddening. He would not believe anything so cruel had -happened. Some time he would find his little, blue-eyed sweetheart, and -then they would be parted never again. - -Frank was musing thus when a man came out of the smoker and dropped into -the seat at his side, coolly observing: - -“Fine morning, Merriwell.” - -Frank looked up quickly. - -“Riddle!” he exclaimed. - -“Sure thing,” nodded the advance man for the “Julian King Stock -Company.” “We seem to be traveling in the same direction.” - -Frank was not pleased. He did not like Riddle. There was something about -the fellow that struck him unfavorably. - -“Yes,” he said, shortly. - -“Been having an after-breakfast smoke,” explained Riddle. “Bad habit to -smoke in the morning, but I’ve fallen into it. Old Haley was looking for -me last night, wasn’t he?” - -“I believe so.” - -“Well, I knew better than to let him find me. He’s ugly sometimes, and -he hates King as much as King hates him. He got King into a wild-cat -scheme once and did him out of a pretty little boodle. When they saw the -show was going to pieces, Haley planned to sell off a lot of the stuff -and get enough money to jump back to New York and leave the company. -King got ahead of him, though, and did the trick first. Since then they -have been ready to shoot each other on sight.” - -This was a different version of the story from the one told Merry by -Haley, and was an illustration of the old axiom “there’s always two -sides to a story.” - -Riddle rattled away with his talk. He told some stories, one or two of -which were not at all to Merriwell’s relish. He cracked a few jokes, and -he tried to show himself as an all-round good fellow. - -“The real fact is,” he finally said, “that old Haley is a skin. He does -everybody he can, and he’ll do you. Bet he’ll stick you a right good bit -by the time he gets ready to drop you—that is, if he is able to hold his -old show together, which I doubt most mightily. Think he’ll be able to -keep it running another month?” - -“Do you think I would tell you if I didn’t believe he’d be able to do -that?” asked Frank. - -“Oh, you’re too stiff, my boy. You’ll get over that by the time you’ve -associated with theatrical managers as long as yours truly. Now, look -here, I’ve got a proposal to make to you.” - -Frank was silent. - -“It’s this,” Riddle went on; “you give me the route of your company, and -I’ll give you mine. If you think this isn’t a fair exchange, I might -make it an object to you. Old Haley needn’t know anything about it, and -you can nail a tenner down into your inside pocket. What do you say?” - -“I say, Mr. Riddle,” said Frank, rising, his eyes flashing, “that you -are a confounded scoundrel! I don’t know what your object is in wishing -to learn the route of our company, but I do know it cannot be an honest -one, and I do not wish to have anything further to do with you. There -are lots of vacant seats in this car, so be good enough to get out of -this one, or I shall throw you out!” - -That was straight talk, and Delvin Riddle did not misunderstand it. He -looked Frank over rather sneeringly, then laughed in a most cutting -manner. - -“All right, my young gamecock,” he chirped, “I’ll leave you, for you are -altogether too touchy. You are a very fresh duck, and I’ll show you -before many days that you’re not half as smart as you fancy you are.” - -Then he got up, still laughing sneeringly, and retired to the smoker. - -Frank sat down. - -“I don’t like to be taken for a scoundrel by such a fellow,” he thought. -“It galls me. But it certainly is a singular thing that Riddle is so -anxious to learn our route, and it is far more singular that he has not -learned it through Collins. As Havener said, there is a mystery about -it.” - -Frank was provided with a ticket to Dundee, but he decided to get off at -Salacia, the town from which Collins had wired Haley that he had -abandoned his job and joined King’s company. - -Something made Merry desirous of asking a few questions about Weston -Collins. - -It was near eleven o’clock in the forenoon when the train arrived at -Salacia. - -Frank got off. - -So did Delvin Riddle! - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - FRANK PUTS UP PAPER. - - -A surprise awaited Frank in Salacia. Of course, the first thing he -looked for on striking the town was the billboards, expecting to find -the “Empire Theater Comedy Company’s” paper up everywhere. - -Not a piece of that paper was in sight. - -But every billboard in town was covered with Julian King’s paper, and -the show windows were filled with his lithographs! - -Without waiting for anything Frank sought the manager of the opera -house, for Salacia had but one first-class theater. - -The manager was not at home, but his assistant, the janitor of the -building, was easily found, and he acknowledged that he had charge of -everything during Manager Fuller’s absence. - -“Then,” said Merriwell, “you may be able to explain to me why Julian -King’s paper is on your billboards.” - -“Eh? Who are you?” - -“My name is Frank Merriwell.” - -“Well, what in——” - -“I am in advance of the ‘Empire Theater Comedy Company.’” - -“The deuce you are!” - -“Here’s a letter from Mr. Barnaby Haley that may convince you.” - -The janitor glanced over the sheet Frank spread before him. - -“But—but a man by the name of Collins is their advance agent.” - -“Was, you mean.” - -“He isn’t now?” - -“No.” - -“Well, I don’t understand——” - -“Neither do I. We have the opera house engaged for the eighteenth, and -King is to play here the nineteenth, yet his paper covers every board in -town, and I can’t even find one of our lithographs in a window. What -does it mean?” - -“Why, your company has gone up.” - -“Gone up?” - -“Yes, bu’sted.” - -“Who told you that?” - -“Dispatch from King said so.” - -“It’s a malicious falsehood, and Mr. King should be made to smart for -it!” - -Frank was aroused, as his flashing eyes indicated. - -“But—but,” stammered the janitor, “Collins, your man, he said it was no -use to put up the rest of the paper. He said so himself.” - -“Then he was here?” - -“Yes.” - -“And put up some of our paper?” - -“Yes, about half of it. He went round with me. I do the bill-posting -sometimes.” - -“How did he happen to quit so suddenly?” - -“Don’t know. He received a telegram, and it seemed to knock him all out. -He just said it was no use to put up any more paper, and stopped. I -tried to get something out of him, but he wouldn’t say a word. Next -thing we knew he was gone.” - -“Gone where?” - -“Don’t know. Just disappeared.” - -“What next?” - -“We had a telegram from King.” - -“Saying the ‘Empire Theater Company’ had gone up?” - -“Yes.” - -“And where is this paper you put up for us?” - -“Under King’s. That was put up over it right away.” - -“Well, that was a fine trick! Why didn’t you dispatch to Mr. Haley and -find out if King’s report was true?” - -“Why should we, after Collins acted so queer? Of course, we thought it -was true.” - -“It was untrue, and it was a rascally piece of business, for which King -should be made to pay dearly. Where is our paper that you hadn’t put -up?” - -“I think it’s here somewhere, if it hasn’t been sent away.” - -“Sent away where?” - -“With the rubbish. Man was here taking rubbish away this morning.” - -“Well, now I want you to find out in a hurry if he has taken that paper -away.” - -“Why, what are you going to——” - -“Don’t stop to ask questions. Find that paper!” - -Frank’s tone made the janitor jump. - -“All right, sir!” he exclaimed. “Wait here a minute and I’ll find out -about it.” - -The man was gone about two minutes, and then came back, looking alarmed. - -“It’s gone!” he declared. - -“Then follow it!” shot from Frank Merriwell’s lips. “Find it—recover -it—bring it back! You must do it in a hurry. That paper is going up -right after dinner, and I’ll be on hand to see that it goes up right. -We’ll block Mr. King’s little game right away. Now don’t make any -mistake, you must recover that paper, and you must be ready to start -with me at one o’clock to put it up. Have everything ready then. Do you -understand?” - -“I—I think so.” - -“All right. I’ll be here on the dot.” - -Then Frank hustled away. - -He inquired the way to the office of the local newspaper, and went there -direct, finding the editor just preparing to go home to dinner. - -Merry introduced himself and chatted with the editor a short time. He -found the manager of the opera house had brought in some notices of the -Julian King Company, but had furnished none of Haley & Hawkins’ Company. - -Frank told just what sort of a trick King had attempted to play, and the -editor became somewhat interested. - -While they were talking there was a commotion on the street, and, -looking out, Frank saw a runaway horse tearing along, with a little -child, scarcely more than a baby, clinging to the seat of the rocking -carriage. - -Like a flash, the ex-Yale athlete shot out of the door, took a run in -the same direction the frightened horse was going, caught the animal by -the bit, and stopped the creature in less than six rods, by a wonderful -display of strength and skill. - -The owner of the turnout, who was also the father of the child, came -rushing up, pale and trembling, and caught the uninjured little one in -his arms, kissing and caressing her. - -A crowd gathered and showered compliments on Merriwell. - -“Young man,” cried the father, “you saved my Bessie’s life! How can I -pay the debt?” - -“I’ll tell you,” smiled Frank; “take your family and come see the -‘Empire Theater Comedy Company,’ which plays here the evening of the -eighteenth. You’ll see a good show and get your money’s worth. Bring -along your friends.” - -“I’ll do it!” exclaimed the man. “I’ll bring everybody I can. Are you in -the show?” - -“I’m connected with it. Take this horse, somebody. I’ve got some -business with Mr. Jesper.” - -Jesper was the editor of the paper, and he walked back to the office -with Merriwell. - -“You’re a rattler,” he said, admiringly. “You made a good hit in -stopping Sam Henson’s horse. He thinks the world of his child, and he’s -got money to feed to the dogs. If he took a fancy, he could buy up every -seat in the opera house and not feel it. It would be just like him to do -it, too. I’ll have to make a good item of your stopping his horse.” - -“That’s all right,” laughed Frank, “as long as you wind the item up by -mentioning the ‘Empire Theater Comedy Company.’ You mustn’t fail to do -that. And here is some other stuff I’d like to get into your column of -locals.” - -He brought out the three news items he had written but had forgotten to -submit for Haley’s inspection. - -Jesper looked them over and smiled. - -“Why, this is good stuff!” he declared. “It’s different from the stuff -usually brought in here.” - -“Can you use it all?” - -“Well, that is crowding us, but——” - -“How many seats do you wish?” asked Merry, bringing out his passes. -“Will six be enough?” - -The editor thought six might do, and he got them. Then Frank made him -promise to have the items set up the first thing after dinner and a -number of proofs taken of them. - -“You see, I have no copies to furnish other papers,” Merry explained; -“and a dozen proofs of each one of these will be a great help to me.” - -“You shall have them,” assured Jesper. - -When Frank left that office, he was satisfied he had done as well as any -person could. - -Then he went to the hotel where theatrical people usually stopped, and, -before dinner, he made arrangements for the accommodation of the “Empire -Theater Comedy Company” when it arrived in town, getting a liberal -reduction on the regular rates. - -Riddle was in the dining room when Frank entered, and Merry took pains -to get a seat at a table as far as possible from the fellow. He observed -that Riddle surveyed him curiously, and he knew the fellow was wondering -just what he had been doing. - -Merry had hustled since striking town, accomplishing a great deal in a -remarkably short space of time. - -Frank ate heartily, for he had a good appetite. - -Riddle finished first, and he was waiting for Frank in the office, -smoking a good cigar. - -“You seem full of business, Merriwell,” he observed. - -“Yes,” answered Frank, shortly, and tried to move on. - -“What are you doing?” - -“Attending to my business.” - -“Don’t be crusty, old fellow. We’re in the same line, and there’s no -reason why we should snarl at each other. I don’t see where you are -going to get board room for your paper in this town. Our stuff is up on -everything.” - -“I’ll find room enough,” declared Frank, grimly. - -“Then you’ll have to put up new boards.” - -“Oh, I think not.” - -“I don’t see how you’ll get round it.” - -“You may find out later on.” - -Riddle was puzzled, as he plainly showed. He could not get anything out -of this remarkable young man who had been sent out in advance of Haley & -Hawkins’ show, and, as a rule, he was most successful in pumping -anybody. - -“Where are you going now?” he asked, desperately. - -“About my business, sir; hadn’t you better go about yours?” - -Riddle flushed. - -“Oh, keep it up!” he said, beginning to show anger. “You give me pains! -You’re altogether too new!” - -“And you are altogether too nosey, Mr. Riddle.” - -Frank walked out of the office and made straight for the opera house. -Just as he reached the stage door, the janitor came up with a -wheelbarrow, on which was piled the missing paper of the “Empire Theater -Comedy Company.” - -“I found it!” he exclaimed, with satisfaction. - -“I see you have,” nodded Frank, beginning to feel relieved himself. -“Now, we must make a hustle to get it up.” - -“But where shall we put it?” - -“On every billboard in town belonging to this opera house.” - -The janitor gasped. - -“But—but Julian King’s paper is up on those boards!” - -“What of that?” - -“It’s all the paper he sent us.” - -“What of that?” - -“We—we can’t cover his paper!” - -“Can’t we? Well, get your paste and brush, and we’ll see if we can. Be -lively, now, for I must catch a train to-night, and I’ve got some -hustling to do.” - -The janitor seemed dazed. He got his paste bucket and brush, and then he -and Frank started out. They began with the board on the side of the -opera house. - -“Gracious!” gasped the janitor, as they prepared to put the paper on. -“What will King do?” - -“He has done what he had no right to do now, and he can’t do anything -about this. Our paper is going up on these boards to stay till the night -we play here.” - -“That’ll give King only one day of advertising on the billboards.” - -“That’s not my concern. If he makes a date to play in a town one day -behind another show, he must take his chances on the advertising he can -secure. You can see that he is a scoundrel, or he would not have -resorted to the trick to obtain these boards.” - -“But how do you explain the action of Collins?” - -“Don’t explain it. Haven’t time.” - -They were fairly at work when the janitor looked up the street and saw -Delvin Riddle rushing in that direction, exhibiting unmistakable signs -of wrath. - -It was plain Riddle had been in Salacia before, and was known to the -janitor, for that individual dropped his brush, gasping: - -“Good Lord! Now there’ll be a muss!” - -Frank caught up the brush and continued the work of putting up the sheet -of paper. - -Riddle came up panting. - -“Here!” he shouted, as he approached; “what in thunder are you doing?” - -Frank made a skillful swipe up the middle of the sheet with his brush, -securing the paper at one stroke, then swiftly stroked it to the right -and left, affixing it in its proper place. - -“You seem to be excited, Mr. Riddle,” he coolly observed, as King’s -advance man came tearing up. - -“I want to know what in blazes you are doing!” roared Riddle, -wrathfully, his face fairly purple. - -“Putting up paper!” - -“But you’re putting it over our paper.” - -“I know it.” - -“How do you dare do such a thing?” - -“That’s easy.” - -“I forbid it.” - -Frank smiled placidly. - -“Look out, Mr. Riddle,” he said, with mock concern, “or you will choke -yourself with excitement.” - -“I forbid you to put on another piece of paper!” roared Riddle, shaking -his fist at Merry. - -“Forbid and be—blessed! It goes up just the same.” - -“You’ll get yourself into trouble!” - -“Julian King will get himself into trouble, if he telegraphs any more -lies about the ‘Empire Theater Company.’ He got this paper of his up -here through misrepresentation and fraud. Now let him put some more up -when we are through with the boards.” - -Frank prepared to go on with his work. - -“Pass me up the next sheet, Mr. Hobbs,” he said, speaking to the -janitor. - -“Don’t you do it!” ordered Riddle. “You are getting yourself into -trouble.” - -The janitor seemed doubtful. - -“You’ve already gotten yourself into trouble, Mr. Hobbs,” declared -Merry, “if Barnaby Haley sees fit to make trouble about it. You know you -had no right to cover such of our paper as was up, and you also know -that we own these boards till ten o’clock on the night of the -eighteenth. Pass up that sheet.” - -Frank had won. - -“He’s right, Mr. Riddle,” said the janitor. “The boards belong to Haley, -and we’ll have to put his paper up.” - -Riddle saw his game of bluff was called, and, furious at his defeat, he -lifted his foot and kicked over the bucket of paste. - -Quick as a flash, Merry turned and gave the brush a slash across the -fellow’s face, filling his mouth, nose and eyes with the sticky stuff. - -Riddle swore, spitting, blowing, rubbing at his eyes with a -handkerchief. - -“Put down that brush, and I’ll fight you!” he snarled. - -“Go away,” advised Frank. “I don’t want to fight with you.” - -“You don’t dare to fight! You’re a coward!” - -Merriwell did not fancy being called that. - -“Go away, Riddle,” he again advised. “You will be sorry if you don’t.” - -The fellow fancied Merry was afraid of him. - -“What you deserve is a good thrashing, to take some of the freshness out -of you!” he shouted, having mopped the most of the paste off his face. - -“Don’t be so stuck up,” said Frank, with a bit of a smile. “What you -need is some good soap and water to use on your face.” - -“You confounded fresh!” - -Riddle started toward Frank. - -“Wait!” - -That one word fell sharply from Merry’s lips. He leaned the long-handled -brush against the billboard and turned to meet his angry enemy. - -“All right, now,” he said, gently. “Come ahead, and I’ll make it -interesting for you.” - -Riddle hesitated a single instant, and then he saw something like a grin -on the face of the watching janitor. That decided him. He made a spring -for Frank. - -Out shot Merriwell’s arm. - -Crack! - -The blow sounded almost like a pistol shot. - -Delvin Riddle was knocked down on the instant, and struck sprawling in -the overturned mass of paste. In that he sprawled around for a moment, -and, when he got up, he was a sight to behold. - -Riddle looked at himself, then looked at Merriwell. - -“You shall pay for this!” he grated. “I’ll see you again.” - -A number of spectators had gathered, and they were laughing openly over -Riddle’s ludicrous appearance as he hurried away. The fellow was -thoroughly crestfallen, but in his heart he swore vengeance. - -“There seems to be enough paste in the bottom of the bucket for this -board, Mr. Hobbs,” said Merriwell, calmly. “Now we will go on with our -work.” - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - - “STOP THIEF!” - - -Of course, there was not enough paper left to completely cover all the -boards, but Frank was determined to hide King’s stuff, so he went to the -printing office and secured a supply of white paper. Then he would put -up two or three three-sheet posters on a large board, covering -everything else with the white paper. In this manner he hid all of -King’s advertising on the billboards. - -He saw nothing more of Delvin Riddle while he was at work. - -Leaving the janitor to finish the last of this work, he took some window -posters and started out. - -He found King’s stuff in all the best windows, but in many of them got -his in beside the other. - -The story of his encounter with Riddle had spread through the place, and -everybody seemed anxious to know the particulars. - -Frank took pains to tell just what kind of a trick Julian King had tried -to play on them in that place, and he had a way of telling it so that it -made a very good story and gave a favorable impression of the “Empire -Theater Comedy Company.” Frank was satisfied that the things which had -happened in Salacia would be strictly to the advantage of the show with -which he was connected. - -He was judicious but not niggardly in giving out passes. - -Before night Jesper, the editor of the local paper, hunted him up and -asked for particulars concerning his encounter with Riddle. Frank made -the account very ludicrous, and Jesper promised to put it in the paper -in such a manner that it would make Merriwell appear to advantage. - -Then Frank had a hustle to catch a train—and missed it! - -This filled him with dismay, for he had spent a day in Salacia when he -should have been in Dundee. - -He found there were no other trains over that road that would take him -to Dundee that night, but there was a train over another road some ten -miles away that might be flagged at a little village, and that would -carry him to the place he wished to reach. - -Immediately Frank made a rush for the nearest livery stable. - -“I want to hire a good horse,” he said. - -“What for?” asked the hostler, shortly. - -“To take me to Kilmerville in time to catch the night train west.” - -“Train doesn’t stop there.” - -“But it can be flagged, can’t it?” - -“Guess so.” - -“Then I’ll try to flag it.” - -“Don’t believe you can get there in time.” - -“Haven’t you got a horse that can take me there? I must get there.” - -“Well, I don’t know about letting you have Jack.” - -“Which is Jack?” - -“Black horse in that stall.” - -“He looks all right. Can he get me to Kilmerville in time for me to flag -the train?” - -“I reckon.” - -“Then I want him.” - -“Don’t know you.” - -“My name is Merriwell. I’m in advance of the ‘Empire Theater Comedy -Company.’” - -“Oh! Then you’re the fellow that stopped Sam Henson’s horse?” - -“Yes.” - -“I’ve heard all about that. You look all right.” - -“I hope so.” - -“And you pasted up the other show chap?” - -“Well, we had a little trouble, and I believe he did get covered with -paste.” - -“I like your appearance,” said the hostler. “I reckon you’re all right. -Where’ll you leave Jack?” - -“At the station at Kilmerville.” - -“Get somebody to take him to Pete Newell’s stable. I’ll send over for -him in the morning.” - -“Then I may have him?” - -“For five dollars—yes.” - -“Here’s your cash.” - -Frank had the money out in a moment and into the hand of the hostler. - -“Get the saddle on that horse in a hurry!” he exclaimed. “I’ll have to -get my satchel from the hotel, but I’ll be back here right away.” - -“Horse’ll be ready when you get back.” - -Merry made a run for the hotel. Up to his room he dashed, catching up -his satchel and securing it over his shoulder by the strap. Down to the -office he plunged. - -No one there. - -He pounded on the desk. - -No one appeared. - -Down to the cardroom he rushed. Outside the door he stopped suddenly, -hearing a voice saying: - -“His name is Frank Merriwell. Here’s your warrant, sheriff. Arrest him -on sight. I’m sure you’ll find my watch on his person. If not, then he’s -got rid of it.” - -Delvin Riddle was speaking. - -For one moment Frank was aghast, dazed, bewildered. - -What did it mean? - -Through his brain flashed the explanation. - -Riddle, driven desperate by his failure to frighten Frank, furious over -the treatment he had received at Merriwell’s hands, had put up a job to -detain Merriwell in Salacia. He had sworn out a warrant, charging Frank -with stealing his watch, and Merriwell was to be arrested. - -“Nice trick!” thought Merry. - -He felt like walking into that cardroom and finishing the half-completed -job of thrashing the tricky advance man of the “Julian King Stock -Company.” - -But he knew that would not do, for he would be arrested and detained in -Salacia just when it was most important that he should reach Dundee and -attend to his business. - -He stepped a bit nearer the open door. Inside the room was a mirror, and -in that mirror he saw the reflection of two men. One was Riddle, -smooth-faced, crafty, malicious; the other was the sheriff, large, -rough, booted. The latter was looking at the warrant just given him by -Frank’s enemy. - -“All right,” he said. “You’d better come along with me and point the -fellow out.” - -“It’s time to be moving!” thought Merry. - -Up the stairs he skipped. - -The clerk had just come in, and was at the desk. - -“My bill!” said Frank, sharply. - -“Your bill?” said the clerk, languidly. “Aren’t you going to stop -overnight?” - -“No.” - -“How’s that?” - -“Business. Got to go. My bill, quick! I’m in a hurry!” - -The clerk looked at the register and then told him what his bill would -be. Frank flung down some money. He heard heavy feet ascending the -stairs to the office. He heard voices. Riddle and the sheriff were -coming. - -“Keep the change,” said Merriwell. “Can’t stop for it.” - -He bolted out of the door, leaving the amazed clerk staring after him. - -Straight for the livery stable he darted. The hostler was in the wide -open door, holding the black horse, ready saddled and bridled. - -“Hold on!” - -Behind Frank there was a hoarse command. He looked over his shoulder and -saw the sheriff and Riddle come rushing out of the hotel. - -“Stop!” yelled Riddle. “Stop thief!” - -Frank reached the stable door. - -“What’s that they’re yelling at you?” asked the hostler, with an air of -sudden distrust. - -“They’ll tell you when they get here,” half laughed Frank. - -“Well, I don’t think I’ll let you have this horse just now. You’ll have -to wait a while before you——” - -“Can’t stop, sir. I’m in a great hurry.” - -“But I won’t——” - -“Yes, you will!” - -Frank caught him by the collar, at the same time grasping the horse by -the bit. With all his strength, the ex-Yale man gave the burly hostler a -snap and a fling. - -The hostler was literally lifted off his feet and sent spinning through -an open door into the little room that served as an office. - -The horse reared and snorted. He came down and reared again. When he -went into the air Frank went with him, swinging onto his back. - -“Stop!” - -“Git!” - -Out of the stable door shot the black horse, bearing Frank on its back. - -“Good-by!” he called. “I’ll see you later, Mr. Riddle!” - -“Stop him!” howled Riddle. - -The sheriff tried to catch the horse by the bit, missed, grasped at -Frank’s leg, touched it—that was all. - -Onward shot the horse and rider. Frank turned and waved his hand with a -taunting movement. - -“Thief! thief!—stop thief!” - -“That is a pleasant cry to hear!” commented Merry, grimly. “I’ll -remember Mr. Delvin Riddle for this little piece of business.” - -He looked back and saw men and boys running after him, shouting for him -to stop. - -A cloud of dust rose behind the heels of the horse, for it was dry in -the streets of the town. - -The cries grew fainter and fainter. Frank turned onto another street, -and his pursuers were seen no more for a time. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - THE FINISH OF THE RACE. - - -Frank had not asked directions, and he knew not which way Kilmerville -lay, so he was forced to stop and make inquiries. - -He found he had started in the wrong direction, and, in order to get -onto the right road, he must go back through the town. - -“That’ll be first rate!” he thought, with a laugh. - -But he turned back, taking another street. He was obliged to ride -directly through the heart of the town, and he saw some men in the -livery stable making hasty preparations for pursuit. Horses were being -saddled for the purpose. - -“So it’s going to be a race to Kilmerville,” he muttered. “All right. -That’ll add to the excitement.” - -He was seen. - -“There he is!” - -The cry went up from a number of men and boys. - -“Stop thief!” - -“Stop me!” invited Merriwell. “Try it!” - -Out of the stable door dashed two mounted men, followed by a third. The -hostler, believing he had let an animal to a rascal, had joined Riddle -and the sheriff in the chase. - -“By Jove!” exclaimed Frank. “This thing is getting mighty serious. I -don’t fancy being chased about over the country and called a thief. If -it wasn’t for business, I’d go back and face the thing; but that would -be playing right into Riddle’s hands. No, I’ll catch that train if I -can.” - -Through the town he rattled. The black horse was spirited and speedy. He -believed he had been given the best mount in the stable. If that was -true, his pursuers would have some trouble overtaking him. - -Surely he was finding excitement enough ahead of the show to satisfy the -most morbid craving for something stirring. - -There were several streets leading out of the town on that side, and he -was forced to choose one by chance, trusting to fortune to put him onto -the right one. - -He was fortunate, indeed, for he chose the road to Kilmerville. - -When he was clear of the town, he looked back and saw his pursuers -coming. He waved his hand tauntingly at them. - -“I’ll have the satisfaction of giving them a merry race, anyhow,” he -thought. - -The country was undulating, and he soon passed over a rise. Then he -looked back and did not see his pursuers for a time, but they finally -came up over the rise. - -The roads outside the town were not in the best condition, but this -disadvantage to Frank was also a disadvantage to those who were -following him. - -He kept looking for sign boards, as, at that time, he was not sure he -had struck the right road. - -As he dashed past a branch road, an old, weather-beaten board told him -he was all right. - -“Hurrah!” he cried, enthusiastically. “That’s the stuff! Now let them -come on!” - -Then came another thought. What if he reached Kilmerville too soon, -giving his pursuers time to come up and capture him before the train -arrived? - -That would be quite as bad as missing the train. - -But he remembered his conversation with the hostler, and he was -satisfied that he did not have any time to spare. He must put as much -distance as possible between himself and his pursuers before Kilmerville -was reached, and then trust to fortune. - -Frank talked to his mount, and it was not long before he decided that -the animal was unusually intelligent. He sought to make friends with the -horse, believing that the best way to get the best work out of the -animal. - -Occasionally he looked back. For some time he could obtain occasional -glimpses of his three pursuers, but he was drawing away from them, and, -at last, they were not to be seen. - -“It’s getting quieter,” he murmured; “but the excitement may not be -over. I suppose Riddle will follow me to Dundee and have me arrested -there; but it will give me time to get in some more work, I hope, and -send a telegram to Haley.” - -He kept on at a good pace till he came to another branch road. He looked -the roads over, and then selected the one to the right, for there was no -guide board to tell him which way to go. - -He had ridden on nearly half a mile when he met a man in a wagon. - -Frank drew up, lifting his hat. - -“Can you tell me, sir,” he asked, “if this is the right road to -Kilmerville?” - -“Yes, sur, I kin,” nodded the man in the wagon. - -Then he was silent, staring searchingly at Frank. - -Merry smiled. - -“Well, will you tell me?” he asked. - -“Huah! Yep!” - -“Is this the right road?” - -“Huah! Nope.” - -“Not?” - -“Nope. Right road is ’bout half a mile back.” - -“Thank you, sir.” - -Frank wheeled about in double quick haste. Back along the road he sent -the black horse flying. - -“Jeeminy!” muttered the old fellow in the wagon. “He must be in an awful -hurry!” - -Frank feared his pursuers would reach the junction of the two roads -ahead of him and cut him off, so he pushed the black horse to its -highest speed. The creature responded nobly, fairly flying over the -ground. - -“I wouldn’t mind owning you,” thought Merry. “Too bad you’re kept in a -livery stable and let out to every Tom, Dick and Harry!” - -As he approached the junction of the roads, he began looking for the -pursuers. It was not long before he saw them come over a rise, and an -exclamation of dismay broke from his lips. - -“They’ll get there ahead of me!” - -He saw they must, and his mind was quickly made up on the course he -would pursue. - -“Don’t know what kind of a hurdle horse you are, old fellow,” he said; -“but I’m going to try some cross-country riding with you.” - -He swung out of the road, aimed at the fence, and the black rose to the -touch, clearing the rails like a flying bird. - -Then a cheer broke from Merry’s lips. - -It was answered by shouts from the three men, who now saw him. They -whipped their horses along the road as fast as possible, trying to cut -him off. - -Of course, the ground was not firm beneath the feet of the black horse, -and it did seem for a time that Merriwell might be intercepted. But he -reached the road in advance of the trio of pursuers, the black again -clearing the fence beautifully. - -“Stop!” roared the sheriff. “Stop, I tell you!” - -“Can’t,” Frank called back. “I’m in a great hurry. Sorry I can’t jog -along with you. Ta, ta!” - -He waved his hand tauntingly, turning in the saddle to do so. - -At that instant the black horse stepped on a loose stone, and a second -later Merriwell was off and the animal was down. A shout of triumph came -from the pursuers. - -Like a flash Frank sprang up, and the horse rose at the same instant. -Into the saddle Merry leaped. - -“Go it, my boy—fine boy!” the fugitive called, and away sprang the -horse. - -The pursuing men expressed their rage and dismay. - -But the noble horse had been injured, and it was not many moments before -Frank saw the creature was going lame. This caused Merry some anxiety. - -“Good boy—noble fellow!” he said, leaning forward and patting the -creature’s glossy neck. - -The horse turned its head a bit, its breath fluttering through its -throbbing nostrils. It seemed that a bond of sympathy had been -established between horse and rider, and the intelligent animal was -straining every nerve to do its best. - -The pursuers saw something was wrong, saw the horse was lame, and again -they shouted their triumph. - -The hostler excepted. He was enraged, and he gave vent to his anger. - -“The fellow has spoiled our best saddle horse,” he grated. “He shall pay -for it!” - -“We’ll overtake him now,” declared the sheriff. “He can’t get away.” - -Delvin Riddle laughed. - -“He has given us lots of trouble,” said the advance agent. “But now he’s -in double trouble. If I don’t get back my watch, he’ll be detained to -settle for that horse.” - -“And you’ll be detained to push your charge against him,” said the -sheriff. - -“What’s that?” cried Riddle. “Why, my business won’t permit that. I have -to attend to my business.” - -“You swore out the warrant and gave it to me to serve. Now you will have -to let your business hang while you appear in court and press the -charge.” - -That did not suit Riddle at all. His object had been to bother and -detain Merriwell, while he went on, and he really had no intention of -appearing at the trial. - -“Perhaps you’ll detain me, and then again perhaps you won’t,” he -thought; but he kept this thought to himself. - -It was seen that Merriwell’s mount was failing rapidly, and Frank -plainly showed some anxiety. - -The sheriff looked at his watch. - -“He’ll not reach Kilmerville in time to stop that train,” he declared. -“We’ve got him.” - -But Merriwell was sparing the black horse as much as possible, hoping -the creature would hold out. He saw he could not run away from his -pursuers, and his only object was to keep in advance of them -sufficiently to catch the train and get away. - -Frank was anxious, but still he kept cool. He knew Riddle could not -prove the malicious charge of robbery, and he also knew the fellow could -make trouble for him in Dundee if he saw fit to follow the game up. - -Merry had made up his mind to telegraph to Haley from Dundee as soon as -the place was reached, in case he escaped the pursuers. In that way he -could put the manager onto the main points of the crooked business the -rival concern had attempted to carry out. - -At times it seemed that the black horse must give out entirely, but -Frank encouraged the creature without attempting to force it along, and -the animal responded bravely. - -“Too bad, old boy!” muttered the youth, sympathetically. “Hope I’ll not -lame you permanently by driving you this way. If I knew I should, I’d be -tempted to stop right here and let those chaps take me.” - -Looking back, he saw the pursuers lashing their horses and making -renewed efforts to overtake him in a hurry. - -Looking to the left and southeast, he detected a faint trail of smoke -against the evening sky. - -Then came the far-away, wailing shriek of a locomotive whistle. - -“By Jove!” Merry muttered. “That’s my train! Kilmerville must be just -beyond the next rise. Looks to me as if I’ll have a hard pull to make -connections with that train.” - -Now he did all he could to urge the black horse onward. There seemed a -magic persuasion about his voice, for the animal actually appeared to -fling off much of its lameness and shoot ahead with fresh fire and -speed. - -Up the rise they went. The crest was reached and, ahead in the valley, -Merry saw Kilmerville. - -Anxiously he turned his eyes in the direction of the trailing smoke that -rose against the sky. - -“It’s too near!” came through his teeth. “I’ll lose at the last minute! -It is a howling shame!” - -For the twentieth time his hand patted the sweat-stained neck and his -voice poured encouragement into those backward-tilted ears. - -“You’ve done a fine job, my gallant boy. Faster—a little faster, noble -fellow! I’ll not forget this ride—I’ll not forget you! If I had the -money I’d buy you and take care of you the rest of your life for this. -Get me there in time to catch that train, my boy! On, on! That’s the -stuff! Now you are doing it! Good boy—fine boy!” - -It was wonderful how that injured animal tore down the road toward the -little collection of houses huddled at the railroad crossing. Frank felt -himself thrill with the excitement of it all. - -The horse’s sides were heaving and falling, while its breath came -puffing from its nostrils like steam from an exhaust pipe. - -That line of smoke was coming nearer and nearer. The whistle of the -locomotive sounded like a taunting yell of derision. - -“Lost the race!” grated Frank. - -Still he kept on. - -“Not yet!” - -The train was close to the little village, but the black horse bore its -rider toward the crossing. - -Merry saw the train for a moment, then lost it behind some houses. He -tore off his hat and waved it as he went madly galloping toward that -crossing. - -Behind him the pursuers again shouted their triumph. - -“You haven’t got me yet!” muttered the desperate youth. “I’d do ’most -anything to give you the slip now.” - -He was near the crossing when the engine went past. The engineer did not -see him, and he knew his last chance to stop the train had passed. - -He could not check the horse, and one or two open-mouthed, staring -villagers believed he would dash straight against the cars, be hurled to -the ground, possibly mangled beneath the iron wheels. - -With all his strength Frank turned the horse to one side, so that it was -going in the same direction as the train. - -Then he formed a resolve, marvelous, daring, foolhardy. The pursuers -gasped, for they saw him rise to his knees on the back of the horse. -Then, with the skill of a circus rider, he stood upright on the back of -the galloping animal! - -A moment the desperate youth stood thus, and then, as the last car of -the train whirled by, Frank made a daring leap. - -His act was greeted with shouts of astonishment, for it seemed that no -person in his right mind would venture to attempt such an astounding -thing. - -Through the air Frank Merriwell shot, his hands clutched the rail of the -rear platform of the last car—clutched it and clung there. For a second -his body was straightened out in the air till it was in a position -almost horizontal. Then it swung in, and the youth stood erect on the -platform, laughing, triumphant, tauntingly and leisurely lifting his hat -and waving it in farewell toward his baffled and thunderstruck pursuers. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - ALL QUIET. - - -Frank expected to meet an officer at the station when he reached Dundee -late that night, for he fancied Riddle, intending to keep up the game, -would telegraph ahead for his arrest. - -When he stepped down from the train, Merry looked around for the -expected sheriff or policeman. - -No one was there to meet him. - -He was pretty tired, and so he took a carriage to a hotel, where he -registered, and asked if he could get something to eat. It was long past -the supper hour, but he was able to obtain a lunch, which satisfied him -very well. - -Next Frank sent a telegram to Barnaby Haley, and then sat down and wrote -a letter, telling briefly his adventures since starting out as advance -man for the company. - -By this time it was pretty late, and he decided to retire and get some -sleep. - -He was filled with wonder because he had not been molested in Dundee, -but decided that Riddle had resolved to come on himself and see to the -matter. - -Fully convinced that there would be more trouble for him in the morning, -he went to his room. - -As he was preparing to go to bed, he thought of Cassie and his last talk -with her. - -“Poor girl!” thought Frank. “I wonder if she really prayed to-night and -tried to go through her part without the stimulation of morphine. It is -too bad that the accursed drug should get such a hold on such a girl. -She said she would pray for me.” - -He was about to jump into bed when another thought came to him. - -“I said I would pray for her!” - -Down beside the bed Frank Merriwell knelt. He bowed his head, and his -lips moved in a whispered prayer. - -Who can say that prayer was not heard—and answered? - -For all of the exciting adventures of the day, Frank was soon sleeping -soundly. - -He was aroused by a sharp knocking on his door. - -“Hello!” he muttered, as he sat up. “Here’s the trouble I’ve been -expecting! They might have let me sleep till morning. Wonder if they -will take me to some wretched lockup and give me a buggy bunk. If they -do, I’ll have to stay up the rest of the night. I enjoy excitement, but -I draw the line at night encounters with bugs.” - -He got up leisurely. - -Rat-tat-tat! - -The person outside the door was getting impatient. - -“Don’t be in such a hurry,” called Merry, placidly. “I won’t jump out of -the window.” - -“Let me in!” - -“Directly.” - -Frank struck a match and lighted the gas. Then, in his nightgown, he -opened the door. - -A man dodged in quickly. - -“Shut the door!” he ordered, his voice and manner betraying agitation. - -“What’s the matter?” asked Frank, in surprise. - -“Lock it—lock it!” - -The stranger took hold of the key and turned it himself. - -Frank’s surprise increased. - -“Well,” he said, looking the man over, “will you be good enough to tell -me what this means?” - -“I want to see you.” - -“All right. Take a good look at me.” - -“Your name’s Merriwell?” - -“Sure thing.” - -“New man ahead of the ‘Empire Theater Comedy Company’?” - -“Right again.” - -“I’m Collins.” - -Frank jumped. - -“Collins?” he cried—“Weston Collins?” - -“Yes.” - -Frank had never seen the former advance man of the company, so it was -not strange he had not known Collins. - -“Well,” he said, sitting down on the edge of the bed and staring hard at -the intruder, “what in the name of all that’s bad are you doing here?” - -“I came in a little while ago. Saw your name on the register. You -registered with the name of the company attached, so I knew you must be -the man Haley had sent out to fill my place. I came up to see you.” - -“Did King send you?” - -“King! What made you think so?” - -“On account of your telegram.” - -“Telegram to whom?” - -“Mr. Haley.” - -“What telegram?” - -“The one you sent from Salacia.” - -“Never sent any.” - -“What?” - -Frank was surprised and incredulous. Was this more trickery? - -“Never sent Haley a telegram,” declared Collins. “Did he receive one?” - -“Yes.” - -“My name signed?” - -“Just that.” - -“Fake! King did it—or somebody representing King.” - -Merry was doubtful. - -“What did it say?” asked Collins. - -Frank told him, and the former advance man showed anger. - -“Just like King!” he cried. “He hates Haley, and he will do anything to -torment the old man.” - -“But—but you dropped the work in Salacia. Manager of the opera house -heard our company had gone up. He put King’s paper right up over what -you had put up for us. Why did you do that way?” - -Collins hesitated a little, and then, walking up and down, he began: - -“Look here, Merriwell, I want to set myself straight, but I don’t know -how to do it. That’s why I’m here. I’m taking all chances of being -arrested.” - -“Arrested?” - -“Yes. It’s like this: I got into some trouble out here in this country -once, and had to skip. I’ve kept it quiet all my life—never told anybody -about it. King knew it, because he was with me at the time. I changed my -name. Collins is not my right name. When Haley decided to book this -section, I tried to persuade him not to do it. Didn’t want to come here. -Had to come or throw up my job. Thought I might get into the county and -out again without being recognized. Could have done it, but when King -heard we were having a hard time to hold the show together, he believed -he could knock the company out by driving me off. He gave me an hour to -get out of Salacia before he put the officers on me. I was scared and -made a run for it. He must have had his advance man send the telegram -from Salacia. I suppose he has told everything, and they are looking for -me; but I made up my mind I’d go back and see Haley. That’s why I’m -here. I’ve got back this far. Registered here to-night under a fake -name. Have telegraphed Haley myself. Did that as soon as I got over my -scare. That’s the whole thing in a nutshell. I won’t be able to stay -with the company, and I’m glad they had a man to send right out in my -place.” - -Frank had been watching the man as he told the story, and Merry was -convinced that Collins was not lying. He could see that the fellow was -just recovering from the effects of too much liquor, which helped serve -to explain his singular conduct in taking flight without notifying -Haley. - -Merry talked with Collins for at least two hours, telling him everything -that had happened since he started out in advance of the show. - -Collins complimented him on his ability and the manner in which he had -gotten the best of Delvin Riddle. - -“It is my opinion,” he said, “that Riddle is thoroughly disgusted over -the attempt to side track you, and I don’t fancy you’ll have any more -trouble with him. He has found out that you are up to snuff and too -smart for him. It is quite probable that, when he got back in Salacia, -he made a find that caused him to withdraw that warrant from the hands -of the sheriff.” - -“What sort of a find?” - -“The stolen watch.” - -Frank brightened. - -“I understand!” he exclaimed. “Riddle may have done that in order to -avoid being detained himself.” - -“Just that. He’s liable to be on here to-morrow, and you’ll soon find -out if he’s going to let you alone. I shall get out of town the first -thing in the morning, and I’ll lay low till I can rejoin the company -somewhere outside the State.” - -Everything turned out just as Collins had fancied it would. Riddle -appeared the following day, but he did not even seem to see Merriwell. -Frank was not molested then or afterward by Julian King’s agent. - -After this Frank found that work on the road as an advance agent was a -great deal easier than it had appeared at the start. In defeating the -schemes of his rivals he had overcome the greatest difficulties of his -new career, and though he found other obstacles from time to time, he -met them with the same steady courage that was sure to win in the end. - -He proved one of the finest advance agents that had ever traveled for -Haley, and made a host of friends wherever he went. - - - THE END. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - BOUND TO WIN LIBRARY - -This library is “bound to win” its way into the heart of every American -lad. The tales are exceptionally clean, bright and interesting. - - - PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK - - - ------------------------------------------- - - - To be Published During January, 1905 - - - 104—Fatherless Bob By Bracebridge Hemyng - 103—Hank, the Hustler By Fred Thorpe - 102—Dick Stanhope Afloat By Harrie Irving Hancock - 101—The Golden Harpoon By Weldon J. Cobb - - - To be Published During December - - 100—Mischievous Matts’ Pranks By Bracebridge Hemyng - - 99—Mischievous Matt By Bracebridge Hemyng - - 98—Bert Chipley By John De Morgan - - 97—Down East Dune By Fred Thorpe - - 96—The Young Diplomat By Harrie Irving Hancock - - 95—The Fool of the Family By Bracebridge Hemyng - - 94—Slam, Bang & Co. By Weldon J. Cobb - - 93—On the Road By Stanley Norris - - 92—The Blood-Red Hand By John De Morgan - - 91—The Diamond King By Cornelius Shea - - 90—The Double-Faced Mystery By Fred Thorpe - - 89—The Young Theatrical By Stanley Norris - Manager - - 88—The Young West-Pointer By Harrie Irving Hancock - - 87—Held For Ransom. By Weldon J. Cobb - - 86—Boot-Black Bob By John De Morgan - - 85—Engineer Tom By Cornelius Shea - - 84—The Mascot of Hoodooville By Fred Thorpe - - 83—Walter Blackshaw By Frank Sheridan - - 82—The Young Showman’s Foes By Stanley Norris - - 81—On the Wing By Weldon J. Cobb - - 80—Yankee Grit By John De Morgan - - 79—Bicycle and Gun By Cornelius Shea - - 78—The Backwoods Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - 77—Ahead of the Show By Fred Thorpe - - 76—Merle Merton By Frank Sheridan - - 75—The Three Hills of Gold By Harrie Irving Hancock - - 74—A Barrel of Money By Weldon J. Cobb - - 73—Lucky Thirteen By John De Morgan - - 72—Two Ragged Heroes By Ernest A. Young - - 71—A Slave for a Year By Fred Thorpe - - 70—In the Woods By Frank Sheridan - - 69—The Prince of Grit By Harrie Irving Hancock - - 68—The Golden Pirate By Weldon J. Cobb - - 67—Winning His Way By John De Morgan - - 66—Boats, Bats and Bicycles By Ernest A. Young - - 65—Bob, The Hoodoo By Fred Thorpe - - 64—Railroad Ralph By Engineer James Fisk - - 63—Comrades Under Castro By Victor St. Clair - - 62—Life-Line Larry By Frank Sheridan - - 61—Track and Trestle By Ernest L. Young - - 60—The Phantom Boy By Weldon J. Cobb - - 59—Simple Simon By Herbert Bellwood - - 58—Cast Away in the Jungle By Victor St. Clair - - 57—In Unknown Worlds By John De Morgan - - 56—The Round-the-World Boys By Fred Thorpe - - 55—Bert Fairfax By Frank Sheridan - - 54—Pranks and Perils By Ernest A. Young - - 53—Up to Date By Weldon J. Cobb - - 52—Bicycle Ben By Herbert Bellwood - - 51—Lost in the Ice By John De Morgan - - 50—Fighting for a Name By Fred Thorpe - - 49—Lionel’s Pluck By Frank Sheridan - - 48—The Mud River Boys By Ernest A. Young - - 47—Partners Three By Weldon J. Cobb - - 46—The Rivals of the Pines By Herbert Bellwood - - 45—Always on Duty By John De Morgan - - 44—Walt, the Wonder-Worker By Fred Thorpe - - 43—Through Flame to Fame By Frank Sheridan - - 42—A Toss-Up for Luck By Ernest A. Young - - 41—The Jay from Maine By Herbert Bellwood - - 40—For Home and Honor By Victor St. Clair - - 39—A Bee Line to Fortune By John De Morgan - - 37—Never Give Up By Fred Thorpe - - 36—Vernon Craig By Frank Sheridan - - 35—The Young Showman’s Triumph By Stanley Norris - - 34—The Roustabout Boys By Herbert Bellwood - - 33—The Young Showman’s Pluck By Stanley Norris - - 32—Napoleon’s Double By John De Morgan - - 31—The Young Showman’s Rivals By Stanley Norris - - 30—Jack, the Pride of the Nine By Frank Sheridan - - 29—Phil, the Showman By Stanley Norris - - 28—Bob Porter at Lakeview By Walter Morris - Academy - - 27—Zig-Zag, the Boy Conjurer By Victor St. Clair - - 26—The Young Hannibal By Matt Royal - - 25—Git Up and Git By Fred Thorpe - - 24—School Life at Grand Court By Frank Sheridan - - 23—From Port to Port By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U.S.N. - - 22—The Rival Nines By Walt Winton - - 21—The Young Journalist By Harrie Irving Hancock - - 20—John Smith of Michigan By Herbert Bellwood - - 19—Little Snap, the Post Boy By Victor St. Clair - - 18—Cruise of the Training Ship By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U.S.N. - - 17—Chris, the Comedian By Fred Thorpe - - 16—Lion-Hearted Jack By Frank Sheridan - - 15—The Rivals of Riverwood By William G. Patten - - 14—His One Ambition By Herbert Bellwood - - 13—A Strange Cruise By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U.S.N. - - 12—Dick Derby’s Double By Fred Thorpe - - 11—The House of Mystery By Matt Royal - - 9—From Switch to Lever By Victor St. Clair - - 8—Clif, the Naval Cadet By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U.S.N. - - 7—The Boy in Black By Fred Thorpe - - 6—The Crimson “Q” By Herbert Bellwood - - 5—The Balas Ruby By Capt. Geoffrey Hale - - 3—Bound for Annapolis By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U.S.N. - - 2—Blind Luck By Fred Thorpe - - 1—The Boy Argus By William G. Patten - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - CIRCUS LIFE - - - ─────────────────────────── - - - -Is admirably described in Stanley Norris’ great series of books for -boys, published in the BOUND TO WIN LIBRARY. The hero has strange -adventures while fighting his way to the top of his chosen profession. -Every boy will thrill to the finger tips to read of his many narrow -escapes. - - - _PRICE, 10 CENTS PER COPY AT ALL NEWSDEALERS_ - - STANLEY NORRIS - - - 29 Phil, the Showman - 31 The Young Showman’s Rivals - 33 The Young Showman’s Pluck - 35 The Young Showman’s Triumph - 82 The Young Showman’s Foes - -If ordered by mail, add four cents to cover postage. - - -─────────────────────────── - - - STREET & SMITH, Publishers, New York - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Battles on Sea and Land - - - ─────────────────────────────────────────── - - - -We heartily recommend our _Boys of Liberty Library_ to boys who have -good, red blood coursing through their veins—who like really good tales -of adventure. - -The books listed below detail the adventures of brave lads who took an -active part in the Revolutionary War, who, in many cases, saved the day -to the Patriot army when all seemed lost. Read this series boys, nothing -you can buy for the money will please you half so well. - - 1. Paul Revere and the Boys of By John De Morgan - Liberty - - 5. The First Shot For Liberty By John De Morgan - - 9. The Hero of Ticonderoga By John De Morgan - - 13. On the Quebec By John De Morgan - - 17. Fooling the Enemy By John De Morgan - - 21. Into the Jaws of Death By John De Morgan - - 25. The Tory Plot By T. C. Harbaugh - - 27. In Buff and Blue By T. C. Harbaugh - -For sale by all newsdealers at 10c. per copy. If ordered by mail, add -four cents to cover postage. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - WEST POINT STORIES - - -─────────────────────────── - - -One of the most interesting series of stories for boys is that which -details the adventures of Mark Malloy at West Point. No boy who likes -good, exciting tales of adventure should miss reading them. Published -only in THE MEDAL LIBRARY. - - - PRICE, 10 CENTS PER COPY - - LIEUT. FREDERICK GARRISON, U.S.A. - - _214_ _On Guard_ - _222_ _A West Point Treasure_ - _230_ _Off for West Point_ - _238_ _A Cadet’s Honor_ - _248_ _The West Point Rivals_ - - -For Sale By All Newsdealers. If ordered by mail, add four cents to cover -postage. - - -─────────────────────────── - - - Street & Smith, Publishers, New York - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -[Illustration] - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - ● Transcriber’s Notes: - ○ Missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected. - ○ Typographical errors were silently corrected. - ○ Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only - when a predominant form was found in this book. - ○ Text that was in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_). - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL ON THE ROAD *** - -***** This file should be named 63815-0.txt or 63815-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/8/1/63815/ - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/63815-0.zip b/old/63815-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index bcfa820..0000000 --- a/old/63815-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/63815-h.zip b/old/63815-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 82867c1..0000000 --- a/old/63815-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/63815-h/63815-h.htm b/old/63815-h/63815-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 58e781c..0000000 --- a/old/63815-h/63815-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10808 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> - <title>Frank Merriwell on the Road, by Burt L. Standish--A Project Gutenberg eBook</title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 8%; } - h1 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em; } - h2 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em; } - p { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; text-align: justify; } - sup { vertical-align: top; font-size: 0.6em; } - .large { font-size: large; } - .xlarge { font-size: x-large; } - .xxlarge { font-size: xx-large; } - .lg-container-l { text-align: left; } - @media handheld { .lg-container-l { clear: both; } } - .linegroup { display: inline-block; text-align: left; } - @media handheld { .linegroup { display: block; margin-left: 1.5em; } } - .linegroup .group { margin: 1em auto; } - .linegroup .line { text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em; } - div.linegroup > :first-child { margin-top: 0; } - ul.ul_1 {padding-left: 0; margin-left: 2.78%; margin-top: .5em; - margin-bottom: .5em; list-style-type: disc; } - ul.ul_2 {padding-left: 0; margin-left: 6.94%; margin-top: .5em; - margin-bottom: .5em; list-style-type: circle; } - em.gesperrt { font-style: normal; letter-spacing: 0.2em; margin-right: -0.2em; } - @media handheld { em.gesperrt { font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0; - margin-right: 0;} } - div.footnote {margin-left: 2.5em; } - div.footnote > :first-child { margin-top: 1em; } - div.footnote .label { display: inline-block; width: 0em; text-indent: -2.5em; - text-align: right; } - div.pbb { page-break-before: always; } - hr.pb { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-bottom: 1em; } - @media handheld { hr.pb { display: none; } } - .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } - .figcenter { clear: both; max-width: 100%; margin: 2em auto; text-align: center; } - .figcenter img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; } - .id001 { width:840px; } - .id002 { width:575px; } - .id003 { width:60px; } - .id004 { width:770px; } - @media handheld { .id001 { margin-left:0%; width:100%; } } - @media handheld { .id002 { margin-left:14%; width:71%; } } - @media handheld { .id003 { margin-left:46%; width:7%; } } - @media handheld { .id004 { margin-left:2%; width:96%; } } - .ig001 { width:100%; } - .table0 { margin: auto; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; width: 100%; } - .table1 { margin: auto; margin-top: 2em; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; - width: 100%; } - .table2 { margin: auto; margin-left: 24%; margin-right: 25%; width: 51%; } - .nf-center { text-align: center; } - .nf-center-c0 { text-align: left; margin: 0.5em 0; } - .c000 { margin-top: 1em; } - .c001 { margin-top: 2em; } - .c002 { margin-top: 2em; text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c003 { margin-left: 5.56%; margin-right: 5.56%; margin-top: 2em; font-size: 85%; - text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c004 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em; - padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em; } - .c005 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em; - padding-left: 1em; } - .c006 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 0.8em; - margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 35%; margin-right: 35%; width: 30%; } - .c007 { font-size: 3em; } - .c008 { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c009 { page-break-before: always; margin-top: 2em; } - .c010 { margin-top: 3em; } - .c011 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 30%; width: 40%; margin-right: 30%; } - .c012 { margin-top: 4em; } - .c013 { page-break-before:auto; margin-top: 4em; } - .c014 { font-size: 0.9em; } - .c015 { text-decoration: none; } - .c016 { font-size: 85%; } - .c017 { margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c018 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 20%; width: 60%; margin-right: 20%; - margin-top: 2em; } - .c019 { margin-bottom: 2em; margin-top: 2em; } - body {width:80%; margin:auto; } - .tnbox {background-color:#E3E4FA;border:1px solid silver;padding: 0.5em; - margin:2em 10% 0 10%; } - .sans {font-family: "Ariel", sans-serif; } - </style> - </head> - <body> -<pre style='margin-bottom:6em;'>The Project Gutenberg EBook of Frank Merriwell on the Road, by Burt L -Standish - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this ebook. - -Title: Frank Merriwell on the Road - The All-Star Combination - -Author: Burt L Standish - -Release Date: December 05, 2020 [EBook #63815] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: David Edwards, Barry Abrahamsen, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL ON THE ROAD *** -</pre> -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>THE MEDAL LIBRARY</span></div> - <div class='c000'><b>FAMOUS COPYRIGHTED STORIES</b></div> - <div><b>FOR BOYS, BY FAMOUS AUTHORS</b></div> - <div class='c000'><b>PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK</b></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c002'>───────────────────────────</p> -<p class='c003'>This is an ideal line for boys of all ages. It contains juvenile masterpieces -by the most popular writers of interesting fiction for boys. -Among these may be mentioned the works of Burt L. Standish, -detailing the adventures of Frank Merriwell, the hero, of whom every -American boy has read with admiration. Frank is a truly representative -American lad, full of character and a strong determination to do right at -any cost. Then, there are the works of Horatio Alger, Jr., whose keen insight -into the minds of the boys of our country has enabled him to write a series -of the most interesting tales ever published. This line also contains some -of the best works of Oliver Optic, another author whose entire life was -devoted to writing books that would tend to interest and elevate our boys.</p> -<p class='c002'>───────────────────────────</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>To be Published During January, 1905</div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='50%' /> -<col width='50%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>295—Cris Rock</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>294—Sam’s Chance</td> - <td class='c005'>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>293—My Plucky Boy Tom</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>292—Frank Merriwell’s Hard Luck</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>To be Published During December</div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='50%' /> -<col width='50%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>291—By Pike and Dike</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>290—Shifting For Himself</td> - <td class='c005'>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>289—The Pirate and the Three Cutters</td> - <td class='c005'>By Captain Marryat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>288—Frank Merriwell’s Opportunity</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>287—Kit Carson’s Last Trail</td> - <td class='c005'>By Leon Lewis</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>To be Published During November</div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='50%' /> -<col width='50%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>286—Jack’s Ward</td> - <td class='c005'>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>285—Jack Darcy, the All-Around Athlete</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>284—Frank Merriwell’s First Job</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>283—Wild Adventures Round the Pole</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gordon Stables</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr class='c006' /> - -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='50%' /> -<col width='50%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>282—Herbert Carter’s Legacy</td> - <td class='c005'>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>281—Rattlin, the Reefer</td> - <td class='c005'>By Captain Marryat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>280—Frank Merriwell’s Struggle</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>279—Mark Dale’s Stage Venture</td> - <td class='c005'>By Arthur M. Winfield</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>278—In Times of Peril</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>277—In a New World</td> - <td class='c005'>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>276—Frank Merriwell in Maine</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>275—The King of the Island</td> - <td class='c005'>By Henry Harrison Lewis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>274—Beach Boy Joe</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. James K. Orton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>273—Jacob Faithful</td> - <td class='c005'>By Captain Marryat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>272—One of Horatio Alger’s Best Stories.</td> - <td class='c005'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>271—Frank Merriwell’s Chase</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>270—Wing and Wing</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. Fenimore Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>269—The Young Bank Clerk</td> - <td class='c005'>By Arthur M. Winfield</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>268—Do and Dare</td> - <td class='c005'>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>267—Frank Merriwell’s Cruise</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>266—The Young Castaways</td> - <td class='c005'>By Leon Lewis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>265—The Lion of St. Mark</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>264—Hector’s Inheritance</td> - <td class='c005'>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>263—Mr. Midshipman Easy</td> - <td class='c005'>By Captain Marryat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>262—Frank Merriwell’s Vacation</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>261—The Pilot</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. Fenimore Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>260—Driven From Home</td> - <td class='c005'>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>259—Sword and Pen</td> - <td class='c005'>By Henry Harrison Lewis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>258—Frank Merriwell In Camp</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>257—Jerry</td> - <td class='c005'>By Walter Aimwell</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>256—The Young Ranchman</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>255—Captain Bayley’s Heir</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>254—Frank Merriwell’s Loyalty</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>253—The Water Witch</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. Fenimore Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>252—Luke Walton</td> - <td class='c005'>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>251—Frank Merriwell’s Danger</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>250—Neka, the Boy Conjurer</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Ralph Bonehill</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>249—The Young Bridge Tender</td> - <td class='c005'>By Arthur M. Winfield</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>248—The West Point Boys</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Frederick Garrison, U.S.A.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>247—Frank Merriwell’s Secret</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>246—Rob Ranger’s Cowboy Days</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>245—The Red Rover</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. Fenimore Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>244—Frank Merriwell’s Return to Yale</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>243—Adrift in New York</td> - <td class='c005'>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>242—The Rival Canoe Boys</td> - <td class='c005'>By St. George Rathborne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>241—The Tour of the Zero Club</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. R. Bonehill</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>240—Frank Merriwell’s Champions</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>239—The Two Admirals</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. Fenimore Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>238—A Cadet’s Honor</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Fred’k Garrison, U.S.A.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>237—Frank Merriwell’s Skill</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>236—Rob Ranger’s Mine</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>235—The Young Carthaginian</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>234—The Store Boy</td> - <td class='c005'>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>233—Frank Merriwell’s Athletes</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>232—The Valley of Mystery</td> - <td class='c005'>By Henry Harrison Lewis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>231—Paddling Under Palmettos</td> - <td class='c005'>By St. George Rathborne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>230—Off for West Point</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Fred’k Garrison, U.S.A.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>229—Frank Merriwell’s Daring</td> - <td class='c005'>By Burt L. Standish</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>228—The Cash Boy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>227—In Freedom’s Cause</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>226—Tom Havens With the White Squadron</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. James K. Orton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>225—Frank Merriwell’s Courage</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>224—Yankee Boys in Japan</td> - <td class='c005'>By Henry Harrison Lewis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>223—In Fort and Prison</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>222—A West Point Treasure</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Frederick Garrison, U.S.A.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>221—The Young Outlaw</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>220—The Gulf Cruisers</td> - <td class='c005'>By St. George Rathborne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>219—Tom Truxton’s Ocean Trip</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>218—Tom Truxton’s School Days</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>217—Frank Merriwell’s Bicycle Tour</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>216—Campaigning With Braddock</td> - <td class='c005'>By Wm. Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>215—With Clive in India</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>214—On Guard</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Frederick Garrison, U.S.A.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>213—Frank Merriwell’s Races</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>212—Julius, the Street Boy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>211—Buck Badger’s Ranch</td> - <td class='c005'>By Russell Williams</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>210—Sturdy and Strong</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>209—Frank Merriwell’s Sports Afield</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>208—The Treasure of the Golden Crater,</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>207—Shifting Winds</td> - <td class='c005'>By St. George Rathborne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>206—Jungles and Traitors</td> - <td class='c005'>By Wm. Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>205—Frank Merriwell at Yale</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>204—Under Drake’s Flag</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>203—Last Chance Mine</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. James K. Orton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>202—Risen From the Ranks</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>201—Frank Merriwell in Europe</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>200—The Fight for a Pennant</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank Merriwell</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>199—The Golden Cañon</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>198—Only an Irish Boy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>197—Frank Merriwell’s Hunting Tour</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>196—Zip, the Acrobat</td> - <td class='c005'>By Victor St. Clair</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>195—The Lion of the North</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>194—The White Mustang</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>193—Frank Merriwell’s Bravery</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>192—Tom, the Bootblack</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>191—The Rivals of the Diamond</td> - <td class='c005'>By Russell Williams</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>190—The Cat of Bubastes</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>189—Frank Merriwell Down South</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>188—From Street to Mansion</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Stauffer</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>187—Bound to Rise</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>186—On the Trail of Geronimo</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>185—For the Temple</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>184—Frank Merriwell’s Trip West</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>183—The Diamond Hunters</td> - <td class='c005'>By James Grant</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>182—The Camp in the Snow</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>181—Brave and Bold</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>180—One of the 28th</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>179—The Land of Mystery</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>178—Frank Merriwell’s Foes</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>177—The White Elephant</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Dalton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>176—By England’s Aid</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>175—Strive and Succeed</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>174—Golden Rock</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>173—Life at Sea</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gordon Stables</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>172—The Young Midshipman</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>171—Erling the Bold</td> - <td class='c005'>By R. M. Ballantyne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>170—Strong and Steady</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>169—Peter, the Whaler</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>168—Among Malay Pirates</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>167—Frank Merriwell’s Chums</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>166—Try and Trust</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>165—The Secret Chart</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. James K. Orton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>164—The Cornet of Horse</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>163—Slow and Sure</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>162—The Pioneers</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. F. Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>161—Reuben Green’s Adventures</td> - <td class='c005'>By James Otis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>160—Little by Little</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Oliver Optic</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>159—Phil, the Fiddler</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>158—With Lee in Virginia</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>157—Randy, the Pilot</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>156—The Pathfinder</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. F. Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>155—The Young Voyagers</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>154—Paul, the Peddler</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>153—Bonnie Prince Charlie</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>152—The Last of the Mohicans</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. Fenimore Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>151—The Flag of Distress</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>150—Frank Merriwell’s Schooldays</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>149—With Wolfe in Canada</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>148—The Deerslayer</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. F. Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>147—The Cliff Climbers</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>146—Uncle Nat</td> - <td class='c005'>By A. Oldfellow</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>145—Friends Though Divided</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>144—The Boy Tar</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>143—Hendricks, the Hunter</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>142—The Young Explorer</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gordon Stables</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>141—Ocean Waifs</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>140—The Young Buglers</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>139—Shore and Ocean</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>138—Striving for Fortune</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>137—The Bush Boys</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>136—From Pole to Pole</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gordon Stables</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>135—Dick Cheveley</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>134—Orange and Green</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>133—The Young Yagers</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>132—The Adventures of Rob Roy</td> - <td class='c005'>By James Grant</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>131—The Boy Slaves</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>130—From Canal Boy to President</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>129—Ran Away to Sea</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>128—For Name and Fame</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>127—The Forest Exiles</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>126—From Powder Monkey to Admiral</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>125—The Plant Hunters</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>124—St. George for England</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>123—The Giraffe Hunters</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>122—Tom Brace</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>121—Peter Trawl</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>120—In the Wilds of New Mexico</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. Manville Fenn</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>119—A Final Reckoning</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>118—Ned Newton</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>117—James Braithwaite, The Supercargo</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>116—Happy-Go-Lucky Jack</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>115—The Adventures of a Young Athlete</td> - <td class='c005'>By Matthew White, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>114—The Old Man of the Mountains</td> - <td class='c005'>By George H. Coomer</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>113—The Bravest of the Brave</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>112—20,000 Leagues Under the Sea</td> - <td class='c005'>By Jules Verne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>111—The Midshipman, Marmaduke Merry</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>110—Around the World in Eighty Days</td> - <td class='c005'>By Jules Verne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>109—A Dash to the Pole</td> - <td class='c005'>By Herbert D. Ward</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>108—Texar’s Revenge</td> - <td class='c005'>By Jules Verne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>107—Van; or, In Search of an Unknown Race,</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>106—The Boy Knight</td> - <td class='c005'>By George A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>105—The Young Actor</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gayle Winterton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>104—Heir to a Million</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>103—The Adventures of Rex Staunton</td> - <td class='c005'>By Mary A. Denison</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>102—Clearing His Name</td> - <td class='c005'>By Matthew White, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>101—The Lone Ranch</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>100—Maori and Settler</td> - <td class='c005'>By George A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>99—The Cruise of the Restless; or, On Inland Waterways,</td> - <td class='c005'>By James Otis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>98—The Grand Chaco</td> - <td class='c005'>By George Manville Fenn</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>97—The Giant Islanders</td> - <td class='c005'>By Brooks McCormick</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>96—An Unprovoked Mutiny</td> - <td class='c005'>By James Otis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>95—By Sheer Pluck</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>94—Oscar; or, The Boy Who Had His Own Way,</td> - <td class='c005'>By Walter Aimwell</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>93—A New York Boy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>92—Spectre Gold</td> - <td class='c005'>By Headon Hill</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>91—The Crusoes of Guiana</td> - <td class='c005'>By Louis Boussenard</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>90—Out on the Pampas</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>89—Clinton; or, Boy Life in the Country</td> - <td class='c005'>By Walter Aimwell</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>88—My Mysterious Fortune</td> - <td class='c005'>By Matthew White, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>87—The Five Hundred Dollar Check</b>,</td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>86—Catmur’s Cave</td> - <td class='c005'>By Richard Dowling</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>85—Facing Death</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>84—The Butcher of Cawnpore</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>83—The Tiger Prince</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Dalton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>82—The Young Editor</td> - <td class='c005'>By Matthew White, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>81—Arthur Helmuth, of the H. & N. C. Railway,</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>80—Afloat in the Forest</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>79—The Rival Battalions</td> - <td class='c005'>By Brooks McCormick</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>78—Both Sides of the Continent</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr</b>.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>77—The Perils of the Jungle</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>76—The War Tiger; or, The Conquest of China,</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Dalton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>75—The Boys in the Forecastle</td> - <td class='c005'>By George H. Coomer</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>74—The Dingo Boys</td> - <td class='c005'>By George Manville Fenn</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>73—The Wolf Boy of China</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Dalton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>72—The Way to Success; or, Tom Randall</td> - <td class='c005'>By Alfred Oldfellow</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>71—Mark Seaworth’s Voyage on the Indian Ocean,</td> - <td class='c005'>By William H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>70—The New and Amusing History of Sandford and Merton,</td> - <td class='c005'>By F. C. Burnand</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>69—Pirate Island</td> - <td class='c005'>By Harry Collingwood</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>68—Smuggler’s Cave</td> - <td class='c005'>By Annie Ashmore</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>67—Tom Brown’s School Days</td> - <td class='c005'>By Thomas Hughes</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>66— A Young Vagabond</td> - <td class='c005'>By Z. R. Bennett</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>65—That Treasure</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>64—The Tour of a Private Car</td> - <td class='c005'>By Matthew White, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>63—In the Sunk Lands</td> - <td class='c005'>By Walter F. Bruns</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>62—How He Won</td> - <td class='c005'>By Brooks McCormick</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>61—The Erie Train Boy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>60—The Mountain Cave</td> - <td class='c005'>By George H. Coomer</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>59—The Rajah’s Fortress</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>58—Gilbert, The Trapper</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. C. B. Ashley</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>57—The Gold of Flat Top Mountain</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>56—Nature’s Young Noblemen</td> - <td class='c005'>By Brooks McCormick</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>55—A Voyage to the Gold Coast</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>54—Joe Nichols; or, Difficulties Overcome</td> - <td class='c005'>By Alfred Oldfellow</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>53—Adventures of a New York Telegraph Boy,</td> - <td class='c005'>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>52—From Farm Boy to Senator</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>51—Tom Tracy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>50—Dean Dunham</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>49—The Mystery of a Diamond</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>48—Luke Bennett’s Hide-Out</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. C. B. Ashley, U.S. Scout</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>47—Eric Dane</td> - <td class='c005'>By Matthew White, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>46—Poor and Proud</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Oliver Optic</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>45—Jack Wheeler; A Western Story</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. David Southwick</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>44—The Golden Magnet</td> - <td class='c005'>By George Manville Fenn</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>43—In Southern Seas</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>42—The Young Acrobat</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>41—Check 2134</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>40—Canoe and Campfire</td> - <td class='c005'>By St. George Rathborne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>39—With Boer and Britisher in the Transvaal,</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>38—Gay Dashleigh’s Academy Days</td> - <td class='c005'>By Arthur Sewall</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>37—Commodore Junk</td> - <td class='c005'>By George Manville Fenn</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>36—In Barracks and Wigwam</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>35—In the Reign of Terror</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>34—The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green,</td> - <td class='c005'>By Cuthbert Bede, B. A.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>33—Jud and Joe, Printers and Publishers</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gilbert Patten</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>32—The Curse of Carnes’ Hold</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>31—The Cruise of the Snow Bird</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gordon Stables</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>30—Peter Simple</td> - <td class='c005'>By Captain Marryat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>29—True to the Old Flag</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>28—The Boy Boomers</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gilbert Patten</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>27—Centre-Board Jim</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>26—The Cryptogram</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>25—Through the Fray</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>24—The Boy From the West</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gilbert Patten</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>23—The Dragon and the Raven</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>22—From Lake to Wilderness</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>21—Won at West Point</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>20—Wheeling for Fortune</td> - <td class='c005'>By James Otis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>19—Jack Archer</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>18—The Silver Ship</td> - <td class='c005'>By Leon Lewis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>17—Ensign Merrill</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>16—The White King of Africa</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>15—Midshipman Merrill</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>14—The Young Colonists</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>13—Up the Ladder</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Murray</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>12—Don Kirk’s Mine</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gilbert Patten</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>11—From Tent to White House</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>10—Don Kirk, the Boy Cattle King</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gilbert Patten</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>9—Try Again</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Oliver Optic</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>8—Kit Carey’s Protégé</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>7—Chased Through Norway</td> - <td class='c005'>By James Otis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>6—Captain Carey of the Gallant Seventh,</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>5—Now or Never</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Oliver Optic</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>4—Lieutenant Carey’s Luck</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>3—All Aboard</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Oliver Optic</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>2—Cadet Kit Carey</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>1—The Boat Club</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Oliver Optic</b></td> - </tr> -</table> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='sans'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='c007'><i>The Radium of All Humor</i></span></div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> -<div class='figcenter id002'> -<img src='images/i008.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> -<p class='c002'><span class='large'>Search</span> the world over and you cannot find more genuine, original humor -than that contained in “Comical Confessions of Clever Comedians.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>This little volume has been compiled after the fashion of a continuous -performance. There is an All-Star Cast, or we might say a regular “Whoop-De-Doo,” -introducing such well known comedians as DeWolf Hopper, Francis -Wilson, Lew Dockstadter, Frank Daniels, Dave Warfield, Joe Weber, and -others. Just imagine what there is in store for the reading public when a glance -at the title page reveals the fact that DeWolf Hopper, the hero of “Wang,” is -the editor or manager of this All-Star Vaudeville Company.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Issued in a very attractive cloth binding. Price, 75c. postpaid.</div> - <div class='c001'><span class='large'>Street & Smith, Publishers, 238 William St., New York City</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div> - <h1 class='c009'><span class='xxlarge'>FRANK MERRIWELL<br />ON THE ROAD</span></h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c010'> - <div>OR</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='xlarge'>The All-Star Combination</span></div> - <div class='c010'>BY</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='xlarge'>BURT L. STANDISH</span></div> - <div class='c000'>AUTHOR OF</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='xlarge'>“<i>The Merriwell Stories</i>”</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c011' /> -<div class='figcenter id003'> -<img src='images/publogo.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> -<hr class='c011' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c012'> - <div><em class='gesperrt'><span class='xlarge'>STREET & SMITH PUBLISHERS</span></em></div> - <div class='c000'><em class='gesperrt'><span class='xlarge'>79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York</span></em></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c012'> - <div>Copyright, 1898</div> - <div>By STREET & SMITH</div> - <div>─────</div> - <div>Frank Merriwell on the Road</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c012' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>FRANK MERRIWELL ON THE ROAD.</span></div> - <div class='c000'>─────</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER I.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>A LUDICROUS MEETING.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>“Stop dot tonkey!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Boom-te-boom-te-boom-boom!</p> - -<p class='c008'>The bass drummer of the band at the head of “Haley’s -All-Star Combination and Mammoth Uncle Tom’s Cabin -Company” did not miss a beat when the three “fierce and -terrible untamed Siberian bloodhounds” darted between -his legs in pursuit of the escaping donkey.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But when the fat Dutch lad, who had been leading the -donkey, attempted to follow the dogs, there was a catastrophe.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The excited Dutch lad struck the drummer squarely, -and the drummer uttered a yell of astonishment and terror. -Into the air he flew, down he came, and—boom! -bang! slam he went through the head of the drum.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Shimminy Gristmas!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The Dutch boy was startled by the havoc, but he quickly -recovered and started once more in hot pursuit of dogs -and donkey.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hee-haw! hee-haw!” brayed the donkey, joyously -whisking its heels in the air.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hear dot tonkey laugh!” shouted the Dutch boy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The dogs set up a wild baying, and there was no end -of commotion on the street along which the parade had -been making its way toward the Thalia Theater. Among -the spectators, some of the men laughed, while many of -the women screamed and made a scramble to get out of -the way of the terrible “bloodhounds.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Stop dot tonkey!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The pursuing lad waved his short arms wildly in the -air, his face flushed with excitement, his eyes bulging -from his head.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The donkey made for a small fruit and cigar store, -seeming bent on rushing straight through the large window -where the goods were temptingly displayed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A young man standing near the store placed himself -squarely in the path of the little animal, and skillfully -caught the dangling halter by which the creature had been -led.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The donkey halted abruptly, while the dogs came up -and leaped around it, still baying.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Puffing like a pony engine, the Dutch boy dashed up -and grasped the donkey’s tail with both hands, shouting:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Vot der madder vos mit you, ain’d id? I can’t run -avay you from uf you vant me to! Now, don’d try any -uf my tricks on yourseluf, for uf you do, I vill——Wow!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Up flew the donkey’s heels once more, and the little -beast lifted the fat lad and sent him whirling over in the -air.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The creature had seemed to kick with the force of a -pile driver, and he fairly flung the Dutch boy into the air.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Down came the lad, plunging headfirst into a garbage -barrel that had been standing on the curb, awaiting the -arrival of the garbage gatherers.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Into the barrel plunged the boy. Fortunately the barrel -was not quite half filled. Down he went till he stuck -fast, his fat legs kicking wildly in the air.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The youth who had stopped the donkey now released -the animal and started to extricate the boy from the -barrel.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A tall, awkward youth, who had been with the parade, -forming one of the band, rushed up, brass horn in hand.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Darn my pertaturs!” he shouted, dropping the instrument. -“That ’air donkey will be the death of that feller -yit!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he made a grab at the legs of the lad in the barrel -and received a kick behind the ear that knocked him over -in a twinkling. He struck in a sitting position on the -ground, and there he remained, rubbing his head and looking -dazed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The youth who had stopped the donkey succeeded in -getting hold of the legs of the unlucky fellow in the barrel, -and dragged him out, after upsetting the barrel.</p> - -<p class='c008'>By this time everybody on the street was roaring with -laughter, and the donkey joined in with a ridiculous -“hee-haw.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“There, my friend,” said the rescuer, as he released the -lad he had extracted from the barrel, “you are all right -now.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The Dutch boy sat up beside his friend who had started -to pull him out, and a most wretched spectacle he presented.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oxcuse me!” he exclaimed, clawing dirt out of his -eyes. “I don’t like dot kindt uf peesness!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Waal, what in thutteration did yeou want to kick the -head offen me for when I tried to pull yeou aout?” -snapped the other lad, glaring at him. “Yeou made me -see mor’n four bushels of stars, an’ there’s many’s four -hundrud an’ seventeen chime bells a ding-dongin’ in my -head naow.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Who id vos kicked my headt off you?” spluttered the -Dutch boy. “You nefer touched me. Vot der madder -vos, anyhow?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The youth who had extracted the Dutch lad from the -barrel laughingly said:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I see you fellows are up to your old tricks. You are -quarreling, as usual.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hey?” cried the tall lad.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Vot?” squawked the Dutch boy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How are you, Ephraim?” laughed the rescuer.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Jeewhillikins!” yelled the tall youth, jumping to his -feet, his face fairly beaming. “Jee-roo-sa-lum! Yeou -kin beat my brains out with a feather duster ef it ain’t -Frank Merriwell!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Shimminy Gristmas!” howled the Dutch boy, wildly -scrambling up. “I hope I may nefer see your eyes oudt -uf again uf dot ain’t Frank Merriwell!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Right,” nodded the rescuer. “I am Frank Merriwell, -just as sure as you are Ephraim Gallup and Hans Dunnerwurst.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Whoop!” roared Ephraim.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Wa-ow!” bellowed Hans.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then they made a rush at the handsome fellow, who -had given his name as Frank Merriwell, flung their arms -about him, and literally danced as they hugged him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The spectators looked on in astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, great jumpin’ grasshoppers!” shouted the Yankee -lad. “Ain’t this the gol dingdest s’prise party I ever -struck!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I peen so asdonished I vos afraidt you vill die heardt -vailure uf britty queek alretty!” gurgled the delighted -Dutch lad.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Break away!” laughed Frank. “You’ll have me off -my pins if you keep this up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Gol darned ef I ever saw anybody whut could git yeou -offen your pins yit,” declared Ephraim Gallup.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw, dot vos righdt,” put in Hans. “Nopody peen -aple got your pins off you a hurry in.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, Jimminy!” squealed the Vermonter. “This is too -good to be true!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw!” agreed the Dutch boy; “dot vos shust righdt! -Id peen too true to peen goot!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Haow in thunder is it we find yeou here?” asked the -overjoyed Yankee.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Dot vos vot you’d like to know,” declared Hans. -“How id vos you happened to foundt us here?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, I’d like to know how you two happen to be here,” -said Merriwell. “Have you turned showmen?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yeou bet.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We peen dwo uf der sdars der ‘All-Star Gombination’ -in.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We’re hot stuff, b’gosh!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Efy blays der paratone horns.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“An’ Hans plays the donkey when the donkey gets sick -and can’t come on.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Id vos a greadt shnap. We ged our poard vor our -glothes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“An’ we’re havin’ a high old time travelin’ around over -the kentry.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well,” smiled Frank, as they clung to his hands, “I -never dreamed of seeing you chaps traveling with a -show.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We nefer knew vot you had pecome uf since der college -left you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“An’ we was talkin’ abaout yeou last night.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw. We said how you would enjoy yourseluf if -dese show vos dravelin’ aroundt mit you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“There’s a heap of fun in it, Frank. Whillikins! yeou’d -oughter be with us.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You come to der theater und let der show seen you to-night,” -invited Hans.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s it!” cried Ephraim. “Won’t you do it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I think so,” smiled Merry. “But I want to see -you chaps before that. Have you taken dinner?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then take dinner with me, and we will have a jolly -time talking over old times. Will you do it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You pet my life!” shouted the Dutch boy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“By gum, we will!” vociferated Ephraim. “Jest yeou -come up to the theater, an’ we’ll be reddy to go with yeou -inside of twenty minutes. Come on.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right. Go ahead.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>One of the other members of the company had secured -the donkey and dogs. The little donkey was turned over -to Hans again, with a warning not to let the creature get -away. Ephraim recovered his horn and took his place -in the band. The procession formed, the band struck up -vigorously, minus the bass drum, and the “All-Star Combination” -moved along the street as if nothing had happened.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In fact, this little affair of the escaping donkey and -dogs was regarded as an incident that would serve to -help advertise the show, and that was exactly what satisfied -and pleased Barnaby Haley, owner and manager of -the organization.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER II.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>FRANK AND HIS FRIENDS.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>The band played two pieces in front of the Thalia Theater. -The man who was handling the “fierce and untamed -bloodhounds” skillfully succeeded in getting all three of -them into a fight, appearing nearly frightened to death -over it. The donkey walked into the midst of the dogs -and separated them by taking the aggressor in his teeth -and pulling him away, and Barnaby Haley was well satisfied -with the advertising he would receive on account -of all this.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank, looking on, understood that the same things -happened in nearly every town visited by the company.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The donkey was to be taken into the theater by the -stage entrance, but Hans found a chance to say to Frank:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Shust vait here till dot theater comes oudt uf me. I -vill peen righdt pack a minute in.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Ephraim induced one of the musicians to take charge -of his horn, and remained with Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hans soon reappeared.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now shust you took dot tinner to me,” invited the -Dutch lad. “I pelief a square meal can eadt me a minute -in.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Eat!” cried the Vermont lad. “Why, that Dutch -sausage can eat any gol darn time an’ all the gol darn -time! Never see northing like him in all my born days.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, shust shut yourseluf ub!” cried Hans, quickly. -“Your mouth dalks too much mit you. You don’d peen -no ganary pird to eadt. You vos aple to ged der oudtside -uf a whole lot.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Waal, b’gosh! these air howtels we stop at some of um -have pritty blamed poor grub,” confessed the Yankee -youth. “Their beefsteak is made of luther, an’ their -bread might be bought up by ther loaf an’ used fer pavin’-stuns -on the streets.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, I think I’ll be able to give you something to eat -that you can digest, but you mustn’t expect too much.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We kin eat any old thing with you, Frank,” declared -Ephraim. “Why, when we was campin’ aout at Fardale -last summer we hed appetites like hosses, an’ it didn’t -make no diffrunce whut there was to eat, we jest et it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw,” nodded Hans; “und some uf der things vot -vasn’t to eadt we shust eated all der same.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But naow we want yeou to tell us haow it happens -yeou are here, Frank,” urged Ephraim, as they walked -along together.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank, who had formerly been a schoolmate of the -boys at Fardale Academy, after which he had gone to -Yale, briefly explained that he had been forced to leave -college on account of the loss of his fortune, and was -now making his own way in the world. The boys knew -he had left college, but they had not heard he was working -on a railroad. Both were astonished.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Darn my turnups!” cried Ephraim.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Shimminy Gristmas!” gurgled Hans.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Whut yeou been doin’ on the railroad?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Running an engine,” explained Merry.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Runnin’ it? Haow?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Engineer.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Vot?” gasped Hans.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Come off!” palpitated Ephraim.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I have come off,” smiled Frank. “I am out of a job -now.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Haow is that?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Railroad made a reduction of wages, there was a -strike, big fight over it, rival road scooped all the business, -my road went to pieces.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“An’ naow—whut?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The rival road has scooped the road I worked on—absorbed -it. A lot of old engineers have taken the places -of the men who used to run on the Blue Mountain road. -I’ve been trying for a show, but I’m so young they don’t -want to give me anything. Looks like I’d have to get -out of here and strike for something somewhere else.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Waal, that’s too darn bad!” drawled Ephraim, sympathetically. -“But haow’d you ever git to be ingineer, -anyhaow?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Worked my way up. Began as engine-wiper in the -roundhouse, got to be fireman, then engineer. Right -there came the trouble, and now I’m on the rocks.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The eyes of the Vermonter glistened.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If the hanged old railroad hadn’t went up the spaout, -you’d bin runnin’ that in a year!” he cried.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw,” nodded Hans.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yeou’re a hummer!” declared Ephraim. “Yeou’ve -got lots of git there in ye, an’ that’s whut does the trick. -But I swan to man, it must have seemed tough to yeou -to have to git right aout an’ work like a Trojan.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw,” put in the Dutch boy. “Vork nefer had nottinks -to done mit you pefore dot.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t see haow yeou brought yerself to it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank looked grave and not exactly pleased.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I have always expected to work when the time came,” -he asserted. “I hope you didn’t suppose for a moment -that I was going to spend my life in idleness?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, no, no!” the Vermonter hastily cried; “but yeou -wan’t reddy. Yeou was in college an’ havin’ a slappin’ -good time. It was mighty rough to have ter break right -off from that all to once an’ git out an’ dig fer a livin’.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well,” said Merry, slowly, “I will admit that it was -not pleasant at first; but I made up my mind that it was -to be done, and I went at it heartily. After a time, I -came to enjoy it as I never enjoyed anything before.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Whut! Yeou don’t mean to say yeou liked it better -than playin’ baseball?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Jee-roo-sa-lum!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Better than anything. Work is the greatest sport in -the world, for it is a game at which one plays to win the -prize of his life. The winning of all other games are -tame in comparison with this. It draws out the best -qualities in a man, it tests him as nothing else can. Oh, -yes, work is the champion sport, and success is the prize -for which all earnest workers strive. The man who shirks -and fears honest work can never succeed in the world. -Determined men will push him aside, and he will be with -the losers at the end of the great game.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Ephraim Gallup clapped Frank on the shoulder familiarly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yeou are yerself, b’gosh!” he cried. “I kin see that -yeou are soberer an’ stiddyer, but yeou are Frank Merriwell -jest the same. Yeou was alwus sayin’ things like -that that no other feller ever thought to say. There ain’t -no danger but yeou’ll be with the winner in this game -yeou’re talkin’ abaout.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Uf der vinners don’d peen mit him they vill peen -der wrong side on,” asserted Hans.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Come in here,” he said, “and I will introduce you to -a particular friend.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He led them into the small fruit and cigar store in -front of which he had been standing when the donkey -ran away from Hans.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER III.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>LUCKY LITTLE NELL.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>“Hello, Jack!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank saluted the keeper of the store, who proved to -be a bright-faced, lame boy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Jack,” said Merry, “did you ever hear me speak of -Ephraim Gallup?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Of course I have!” exclaimed the boy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And Hans Dunnerwurst?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, here they are.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Jack Norton stared at Frank’s two companions.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“These are the friends of whom I have told you; and -this, fellows, is Jack Norton, a hustling young business -man of this city. Some day he’ll be one of the greatest -retail merchants in the place.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Jack blushed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’m gol darned glad to see ye!” declared the Vermonter, -striding up and grasping the lame lad’s hand. -“Anybody Frank Merriwell trains with is all right, an’ -I’m ready to hitch hosses with ’um.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He wrung the young shopkeeper’s hand heartily.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw,” nodded Hans, waddling up. “You vos plamed -clad to seen us, Shack. Shust catch me holdt your handt -uf. How you vos alretty yet?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Frank has told me about you,” said Jack, “but I never -expected to see you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Waal, we’re travelin’ araound with the greatest show -on earth.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Barnum’s?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Not by a long shot! Barnum’s ain’t in it. Haley’s -‘All-Star Combination an’ Mammoth Uncle Tom’s Cabin -Company’ knocks ’em all aout.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Dot’s vot der madder vos,” agreed Hans. “Dot gompany -has dwo ‘Topsys,’ dwo ‘Marks,’ dwo ‘Gumption -Cutes’——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“An’ two jackasses,” grinned the Yankee youth. “One -of them leads the other every day in the street parade.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hey?” exclaimed the Dutch youth. “You don’d -mean——Say, you vill lick me a minute in uf I say dot -again!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He squared off in a fighting attitude, seeming ready -to go at Ephraim.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“There, there!” laughed Frank. “Up to your old -tricks, I see. Why, I believe you two fought a duel -once at Fardale.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We did, b’jee!” nodded Ephraim.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Mit eggs,” spoke Hans.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Ripe aigs, at that.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Dose eggs couldt smell me vor a veek.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It was awful.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw; id peen a put ub shob us onto.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“An’ Frank Merriwell was the feller whut put it up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw. I peliefed I vos all ofer plood mit.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“So did I.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But I nefer knewed pefore dot plood vos so pad to -smell uf anybody like dot.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We never got even with him fer that sell, Hans.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Nefer.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, we’ll eat enough to-day to square the account. -He’ll think he’s run up ag’inst a cyclone.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw, we vill done dot, Efy. You haf a greadt headt -on me, ain’d id!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, if I can settle the score that way, I won’t kick,” -said Merry. “Is Nellie at home, Jack?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, she went home to get dinner. You know one -of us has to stay here and keep the shop open. We take -turns getting dinner. She will have it all ready when you -get there, but she may not have enough, for she won’t -know anyone is coming with you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll fix that all right,” said Frank. “There is a restaurant -on the corner, and I can get all kinds of stuff -there to take out.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Can’t yeou shut up to-day an’ come with us, Mister -Norton?” asked Ephraim.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw,” put in Hans, “shust haf der shop shut you up -und come along us mit.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’d like to do it,” said the lame lad, “but it might hurt -my business, and I believe in looking after one’s business -before anything else. Frank has taught me that.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He’s alwus teachin’ somebody somethin’,” muttered -the Vermonter.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Slam!—open flew the door. Bounce!—in popped a -lively boy in a neat suit of clothes.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hello, Frank!” he cried. “Goin’ by w’en I seen yer -t’rough der window, an’ I t’ought I’d stop an’ speak.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was Bob, the newsboy, whom Frank had befriended -in his railroad days.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hello, Bob!” exclaimed Merry. “On the jump, as -usual. How do you like your new position in the broker’s -office?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Great!” was the instant answer. “Der boss treats -me fine, an’ he says w’en I’ve been ter night school long -ernough ter have der proper eddycashun, he’ll put me -onter der turns of der business. Oh, I’ll be a broker meself -some day, see if I don’t.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank introduced Bob to Ephraim and Hans.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Say, dis is great!” cried the former newsboy. “I’ve -heard Frank tell heaps of t’ings about youse chaps.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He seemed genuinely delighted over the meeting.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I invited them to dinner,” said Merry. “We wanted -Jack to come along, but he can’t close up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How long will it take?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, he might be back in three-quarters of an hour.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If he kin do it in dat time, I’ll stay right here an’ run -dis joint. I kin git back on time den. Go ahead, Jack.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, but you are out for your own dinner,” protested -the lame boy. “It’s too much to expect you to do all that -for me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Not by a blame sight! Youse folks didn’t do a t’ing -fer me w’en I was down on me luck, did yer? No, not -a t’ing but take me in an’ keep me till I could git somewhere. -Now, don’t make any talk about dis t’ing, -but jest you skip right along with der odders. Only be -sure ter git back in time fer me ter git ter der office.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bob settled it that way, and Jack was carried off with -Frank and his two friends.</p> - -<p class='c008'>On the way home, Merry stepped into a restaurant -and ordered plenty of food, which was given him in a -large pail, the pail being wrapped to disguise its real -nature.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Little Nell, Jack Norton’s sister, was waiting for -Frank to appear when she recognized his familiar step -on the stairs. She rose hastily to her feet, but paused to -listen.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There were other steps, and she realized that several -persons were coming. Wondering what it meant, she -waited till the door opened and the four filed into the -room.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then there were introductions.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am pleased to meet any of Frank’s friends,” declared -the girl. “I am very pleased to see you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s right,” nodded the lame boy. “She is pleased -to see you. Two weeks ago she could not have seen you -had she stood face to face with you as she does now.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t toldt you so!” exclaimed Hans.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Whut was the matter?” asked Ephraim.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“She was blind.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Plind?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Blind?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, stone blind.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Jeewhillikins! She kin see all right naow.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“By a miracle. We were saving money to have her -treated by a great oculist in New York, and we had almost -enough. One night she got up in a dream and -walked out to those stairs. She fell all the way to the -bottom, striking on her head. I dragged her up the -stairs and got her into bed. The next morning she could -see. I believe it was the work of God!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It was marvelous!” put in Merriwell. “You see, she -was not born blind, but received a blow on the head that -injured the optic nerve in some manner so she became -blind. Most marvelously, by falling and striking on her -head, the shock restored her sight.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And the money we had saved we put into our little -business,” said Jack.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Say, you nefer heardt such a peculiar thing as that -uf pefore!” cried Hans.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I doubt if anyone ever did. Nellie, I have brought -my friends to dine with me, and here is plenty of food -that I bought at the restaurant. All you have to do is -get it onto the table.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll do that,” laughed the happy girl. “It seems so -good to be able to do such work! We will have a delightful -dinner! I am so glad you brought them, Frank!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“There, b’gosh!” exclaimed Ephraim; “that’s whut -makes a feller feel right to hum! Naow I know I’ve got -right among the kaind of folks I take to.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw,” nodded the Dutch boy; “id makes beoble feel -like you vos right to home. Oxcuse us uf we make ourseluf -so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Go ahead,” invited Frank. “I want you to feel free -here.”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER IV.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>NEWS OF ELSIE.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>It was truly a jolly party that sat down to the table when -it was spread and everything prepared. Ephraim, Frank -and Hans talked over old times, spoke of the jolly days -at Fardale, where they had attended school, recalled the -struggles, sports, jokes, night raids and hazings.</p> - -<p class='c008'>All too soon the time came when Jack was forced to -leave in order to get back to his shop in time to let Bob -return to his duties.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I just hate to go!” he exclaimed. “It seems good to -hear you talk about those times. I never had any chance -to go to school like that. It must have been such heaps -of sport!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Say,” cried Ephraim, “looker here, can’t yeou take yer -sister an’ go to the show this evenin’?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Both of us cannot go, for the shop must be kept open -in the evening the same as any other time. Nellie can go.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Gosh all hemlock! can’t the thing be fixed somehow so -ye kin go together? I’ll see to it that yeou git the best -seats in the haouse. Yes by gum! I’ll git one of the boxes -fer ye if yeou’ll go.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, Jack!” broke from Nellie. “You know I’ve never -been to see a real theater show, but now I think my eyes -are strong enough to stand the light. Can’t we go?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t see how,” answered Jack, regretfully.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You can fix it with Bob,” said Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He doesn’t have to work evenings, and you can get -him to keep shop.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s so!” exclaimed the girl, clapping her hands. -“Try it, Jack—do!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The face of the lame lad brightened.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right,” he said, “I’ll ask him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And you will go with us, won’t you, Frank?” asked -Nellie.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I think so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If Inza were here now we’d have a splendid party.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Inza!” gasped Ephraim. “Inza Burrage? Has she -been here?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All the winter. She was visiting a friend. Left a -little more than a week ago.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Dot vos too pad!” murmured Hans. “She vould haf -been deekled to seen me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’m sorry we didn’t git here afore she went,” said the -Vermonter; “but we had the fun of seein’ Elsie Bellwood -abaout a month ago, though it wasn’t much fun, come to -think of it, she was feelin’ so darn bad.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Inza Burrage and Elsie Bellwood had been two dear -girl friends of Frank in his college days.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank sprang to his feet, his face working with excitement.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Saw Elsie?” he cried, amazed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw,” nodded Hans.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Where?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“In Bittsburg.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Pittsburg?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Impossible!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s true,” declared Ephraim.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But—but I don’t understand it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Whut’s the matter?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why—why, I heard she had sailed with her father -for a long voyage.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“She did.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But now she is in Pittsburg? Why, how can that be? -It was not many months ago they sailed—some time last -fall, wasn’t it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And they were to be gone a year?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then something happened?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Sure thing.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You ain’t heered abaout it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Not a word.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Justin Bellwood died the second day out from New -York.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank gasped for breath, caught hold of the back of -his chair, and stood staring at the Vermonter.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Justin—Bellwood—dead?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He spoke the words slowly, as if he did not quite realize -what they meant.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw,” said Hans, “he vos a gone case.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then—then Elsie is left all alone in the world. Poor -little Elsie! I supposed she was far away on the ocean. -What was she doing in Pittsburg?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“She was living there with some of her folks or some -of her friends, I dunno which. Didn’t git much chaince to -talk with her.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But you found out her address—where she was living?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Too bad! I must know where she is—I must communicate -with her as soon as possible. This is terrible -news!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry sat down weakly, and his manner showed how -he was affected.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Little Jack whispered something to Nellie, and then -slipped out of the room.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A sudden gloom had come over the merry gathering. -Hans and Ephraim looked at each other dolefully. Little -Nell got up and came round to Frank, putting an arm -about his neck.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Dear Frank,” she whispered, “you know Heaven -orders everything for the best. You must have perfect -trust.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He put his arm about her slender waist, drew her to -him and kissed her.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, dear little comforter,” he said, in his low, musical -voice, “I am sure Heaven orders everything for the -best, for many a time I have seen apparent misfortune -prove a blessing in disguise. For instance, your falling -downstairs. But this separation from Elsie is hard. Before -I became a day laborer, forced to depend on my -hands for a living, I could have spent money freely in -tracing her and finding her. Now that is an impossibility. -We separated for a year, neither dreaming of the changes -a few months would bring about. I fear those changes, -instead of bringing us nearer together, have torn us -further apart.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Nellie was surprised.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why, Frank!” she exclaimed, “you are seldom this -way. You are so light-hearted and hopeful. Nothing -seems to daunt you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That is true, but things have been going against me -for some time now, and it is but natural that I should not -feel as cheerful as usual. The railroad strike came just -when my prospects were brightest, and then, at the very -hour when it seemed certain everything would be settled -and I should go back to my old job, the railroad went to -the wall and the F. B. & Y. swallowed it. Now comes the -news of Elsie’s misfortune, and I cannot extend to her a -helping hand. I cannot even write to her, for I do not -know her address.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Trust in Heaven. All will come right in the end. -That is the lesson you have taught me, Frank. You say -justice always triumphs. Remember the case of Darius -Conrad.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, yes, I know. I will have perfect trust, little girl. -But I must do something—I must find work right away, -for I have been idle too long. If I cannot get back onto -the railroad, I must do something else.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why don’d you gone der show pusiness indo?” asked -Hans. “I pet me your life you vould like him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s raight,” drawled Ephraim. “Gosh! I wish -yeou was in our company. It would be great.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Does the ghost walk regularly?” asked Merry, with a -slight smile.<a id='r1' /><a href='#f1' class='c015'><sup>[1]</sup></a></p> - -<div class='footnote c016' id='f1'> -<p class='c017'><span class='label'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. </span>Among theatrical people the “ghost walks” when salaries are paid.</p> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>“Waal, purty much so,” answered the Down Easter. -“There was a time when we run ag’inst mighty hard business, -an’ Haley got three weeks behind; but we’ve been -doin’ tarnal well lately, an’ ev’rybody’s flush ag’in.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oxcept me,” said Hans, ruefully. “Mein salary’s peen -so schmall dot id nefer missed me ven I don’d got him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well,” said Merry, “I hardly think I’ll go into the -theatrical business; but we’ll come and see the play to-night, -if you get that box for us, Ephraim.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh I’ll git it, yeou bet!” assured the Vermonter. “I’ll -git right arter it fust thing this afternoon afore rehearsal.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw,” assured Hans. “Uf he don’d done dot, I vill -got after him.”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER V.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>MURDEROUS REALISM.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Jack, the lame boy, succeeded in getting Bob to keep -shop for him that evening, and so he was able to attend the -theater with his sister and Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Ephraim Gallup kept his word and secured a box for -them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Little Nell was in raptures when they were seated in -the box and “Haley’s Mammoth Gold Band” played the -overture in the place of an orchestra.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The band was made up of an odd collection of human -beings, but they had practiced on a few pieces till they -could “tear them off” in a style that was pretty sure to -please the uneducated ear and catch the fancy of the crowd.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Ephraim Gallup sat up proudly and puffed out his -cheeks as he blew away at his horn. He was aware that -Frank Merriwell must be regarding him with interest, -and he was determined to do his best.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Isn’t it lovely!” murmured little Nell, as she sat with -one hand clasped in her brother’s.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Despite the age of the play, the house was filled with -spectators. It was a “popular price” theater, and its patrons -were the common people. The gallery was packed -with youngsters who were there to sympathize with “Uncle -Tom,” applaud “George Harris,” laugh with “Topsy” and -“Gumption Cute,” and hiss “Simon Legree.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>When the band had finished playing, the gallery broke -into a roar, amid which could be distinguished cat calls, -screams and shrill whistles.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The footlights flashed, and the musicians played a -“riser” as the curtain rolled swiftly up.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The play was on, and little Nell was enchained, enraptured, -enchanted. For the first time in her life she saw a -genuine “theater show,” and, within three minutes, everything -happening on the stage was true as life for her.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was a great satisfaction for Frank to watch the face -of the girl. He saw how keenly she was enjoying everything, -and her enjoyment gave him the greatest pleasure.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry soon saw that this “All-Star Combination” was -made up of “ham-fatters,” among whom were two or three -fairly good people. Haley knew how to catch the crowd -with specialties, and he had introduced singing and dancing -into every act.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank watched for Hans. The Dutch lad appeared at -last, blackened with burnt cork, representing one of the -negro laborers. He did not have any lines, which was -fortunate, as his dialect would not have corresponded with -his color.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hans was one of the slaves on sale at the auction at -which “Simon Legree” obtained possession of “Uncle -Tom.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Before the play was half finished little Nell was greatly -wrought up over it. The escape of “Eliza” over the floating -ice, with the bloodhounds in pursuit, was well done, -and it caused the gallery to go wild.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When the curtain went down after that climax, little -Nell fell back in her chair, crying:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, Frank, isn’t it wonderful! I never knew anything -could be so real and still a play.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>From where he sat, Merry could see through one of -the open stage entrances at the opposite side. Several -times he saw some of the actors pause there and watch -what was taking place on the stage. It happened that he -was looking through that entrance when one of them -stopped there, glanced quickly around, and produced a -bottle from one of his pockets. The man quickly uncorked -the bottle and took a long drink from it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was the one who played the part of “Legree.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>When the man next appeared on the stage, Merry saw -he was drunk. Frank watched him closely.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That fellow acts to me as if he is out for trouble,” he -thought. “I believe he is well cast in the piece, for he -seems to be a ruffian by nature.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank sat so near the stage that he was able to see bits -of by-play that the audience did not catch. Thus it happened -that he saw “Legree” give “Uncle Tom” a look of -genuine hatred and make a menacing gesture toward him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry instantly “tumbled.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Trouble between them,” he decided.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A little later, when both these characters were off the -stage, Frank saw “Legree” again prepare to take a drink -in the wings. Just as he tipped the bottle to his lips, a -hand reached out and caught it from his grasp.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Crash!—it was smashed on the floor.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Uncle Tom” was there, and he started in to remonstrate -with the intoxicated actor.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Legree” was furious, and he tried to grasp the other -by the throat. He was held off some seconds, a sharp -struggle taking place. Then he succeeded in getting one -hand fastened on the throat of the man who was impersonating -the leading character of the play.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Uncle Tom’s” fist was lifted, and he struck his assailant -fairly between the eyes.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Down went “Legree!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank Merriwell felt like applauding the little drama -behind the scenes.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Uncle Tom” departed, and, after a time, some of the -players came and assisted “Legree” to his feet.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank Merriwell now knew there were two men in the -company who were bitter enemies.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Both Jack and Nellie had been so absorbed in what was -taking place on the stage that they had not observed the -encounter behind the scenes.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank watched for the two men when they should next -appear on the stage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Uncle Tom” was calm as ever when he came on. He -was a fairly good actor.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Legree” came on.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Watching them closely, Merry heard some low-spoken -words pass between them while the action of the piece -was being carried on by other characters.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I’ll fix you for that!” hissed “Legree.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You’re drunk!” declared the other, contemptuously.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Am I? Well, it’s none of your business! I’ll soak -you before the night is over!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Try it!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I will! I’ll kill ye!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then they went on playing their parts as if nothing unusual -had happened.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“There is bad blood between them,” decided Frank, -“and the fellow with the rum in him is dangerous.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He did not realize how dangerous till the scene was -being played where “Legree” lashes “Uncle Tom” to -death with a heavy whip.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Simon” came on with the whip, and there was a strange -glitter in his dark eyes. With his first blow at the old -slave, he caused “Uncle Tom” to collapse, uttering a yell -of pain.</p> - -<p class='c008'>For the whip had whistled through the air, wielded by -a powerful arm, and the hissing lash had curled about the -body of “Uncle Tom.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The audience looked on spellbound, rather astonished -by the realism of this whipping scene.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Grinding his teeth together, “Legree” bent over and -pitilessly cut the writhing man with the whip.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cries of pain broke from the fallen man.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Curse you!” Merry heard “Legree” hiss. “Here is -where I fix you!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Help!” cried “Uncle Tom.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was a genuine appeal for aid. This was not acting.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank Merriwell started to his feet.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh!” gasped little Nell—“oh, Frank, he is really murdering -‘Uncle Tom’!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hanged if it doesn’t look that way!” Merry admitted -to himself.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The whip dropped from “Legree’s” hand. It struck -the floor heavily, but the man caught it up in a twinkling, -reversing it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then, with the loaded butt, he struck “Uncle Tom” a -savage blow on the head.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The stricken man straightened out, quivering in every -limb.</p> - -<p class='c008'>With the expression of a fiend on his face, “Legree” -lifted the heavy whip again to bring the butt down upon -the man’s head. It seemed to be his purpose to smash -the skull of the actor he hated.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As one man, the audience rose and stood, uttering a -cry of horror, for everyone seemed to realize that this -was not acting.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was murder!</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Stop!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The word shot like a bullet from the lips of a handsome -youth who went flying over the rail of the right-hand -proscenium box and alighted on the stage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Drop it!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank Merriwell dashed at the murderous actor, caught -the whip, tore it from his hand, flung it aside.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then they grappled!</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER VI.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>FRANK’S POPULARITY.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>The audience shouted its astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Off!” snarled the actor, trying to break from Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Steady!” commanded Merry. “You have gone over -the limit. What are you trying to do?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I said I’d fix him!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He’s in luck if you haven’t done it already.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Let go!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Never!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then the fellow tried to strike Frank, but Merry warded -off the blow. In another moment a fierce struggle was -taking place between them in full view of the audience.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Up to this time the actors behind the scenes had seemed -asleep or paralyzed with surprise. Now they came rushing -onto the stage and surrounded the combatants.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Barnaby Haley himself came on. He was greatly excited.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Seize that fellow!” he ordered, pointing at Frank. -“Where are the police? I’ll have him arrested for interfering -with the show!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Down the aisle rushed two policemen, clambering over -the footlights and onto the stage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The actors, directed by the manager, had torn Frank -and “Legree” apart. Merriwell flung off those who attempted -to hold him, and stood there in their midst.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Arrest him!” commanded Haley.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A long, lank, awkward youth came scaling over the -footlights from the midst of the band. With two long -strides he reached Merriwell and planted himself by -Frank’s side.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hold on, b’gosh!” he cried, flourishing the brass horn -he carried. “You don’t arrest him in a hurry!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Out from the wings rushed a fat lad, with a blackened -face. He took a position on the other side of Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw, py shimminy!” he gurgled! “he don’d arrest you -a hurry in alretty.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank’s friends were on hand. Ephraim and Hans -were there.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Barnaby Haley gasped with surprise, and the policemen -hesitated a moment.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What’s this? what’s this?” spluttered the manager.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Business, by gum!” declared the Vermonter.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw!” nodded Hans, “id peen pusiness.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“This man attacked Storms.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Waal, I guess it was a gol darn good thing for Havener -that he did. Mebbe Storms has fixed Havener anyhaow.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What do you mean?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Jest take a look at Havener an’ you’ll find aout.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Uncle Tom” was lying where he had fallen, and a -hasty examination showed he was unconscious, while -blood was flowing from a wound on his head, caused by -the blow from the butt of the whip.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Haley, who had not seen the encounter between the two -actors, was dazed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Who did it?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Him!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Ephraim Gallup’s long index finger pointed straight at -the one who had impersonated “Legree.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“With that whip.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But—but why should he do——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Ask him. He’s had a grutch ag’in Havener fer a -month, an’ to-night he tried ter kill him right here on the -stage afore all these people!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s right!” shouted fifty voices from the audience.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He is the one to be arrested!” roared a man standing -in the front row of the first balcony. “I know t’other -feller. He’s Frank Merriwell, an’ he’s the right sort.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank Merriwell! Many persons in the audience had -recognized Merry when he leaped on the stage, but the -mention of his name sent a surge of emotion over the -entire house.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Now they knew him! The name of Frank Merriwell -was familiar to everybody in that city, for the prominent -part he had taken in the railroad strike had advertised him -thoroughly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>And Frank’s greatest admirers were aroused. Up in -the gallery a red-headed boy poised himself on the rail -and shrilly yelled:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, wot’s der matter wid Frank Merriwell?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>And the gallery broke into an answering roar:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He’s—all—right!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Dat’s wot!” screamed the red-headed boy. “Let him -erlone an’ see wot he’ll do ter ‘Simon Legree’!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He won’t do a thing to him!” significantly bellowed -half the gallery.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If dem cops puts a fin on him, we’ll come down an’ -wipe up der the-a-tur with ’em!” threatened the red-headed -champion.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Dat’s what we will!” shouted the others.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank looked up, smiled and bowed. That smile was -enough to set his admirers wild. They howled, roared, -clapped and stamped till the gallery shook and threatened -to come down.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Great gosh!” cried Ephraim Gallup, in Merry’s ear; -“I ruther think yeou’ve got a few friends in this ’air -taown!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>One of the policemen was examining the wound on the -head of the unconscious actor. He spoke to a companion:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Call an ambulance,” he said. “It looks to me as if this -chap’s skull may be cracked. He may never recover consciousness.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Is it possible?” gasped Barnaby Haley, who had -heard the words. “And Storms did it? I declare!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He turned and glared at the drunken actor.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What’s the matter with you?” he asked. “Are you -mad?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Storms did not reply, but now he began to show symptoms -of fear.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If Havener is dead, I’ll see that you hang for it!” declared -the manager.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Shall we arrest Mr. Merriwell?” asked one of the -policemen, a touch of sarcasm in his voice.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No, no!” cried Haley. “My gracious, no! It seems -that I was mistaken concerning his purpose. He sprang -onto the stage to stop Storms—to keep him from finishing -his work. Do not molest Mr. Merriwell.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The gallery heard this, and shouted its delight. The -red-headed boy stood up and screamed:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“T’ree cheers fer Frank Merriwell! Open yer t’roats -ev’rybody!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then the entire audience, catching the spirit of the occasion, -broke into a mighty cheer, bringing the hot blood to -Merry’s face.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“There, b’gosh!” sighed Ephraim Gallup, with satisfaction. -“Naow yeou’ve got whut ye deserve.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw,” agreed Hans, “now you haf got vot I deserfe.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Merriwell! Merriwell! Speech! Speech!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The audience was calling for a speech, but Frank simply -shook his head and flatly refused to make a speech.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Arrest ole ‘Legree’!” howled the red-headed boy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes,” said Barnaby Haley, speaking to the officers. “I -want you to arrest him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Storms glanced quickly around, as the officer stepped -toward him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Wait!” he exclaimed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Like a flash he snatched out a revolver.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“As well for two as for one!” he snarled.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Up went his hand.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Click!</p> - -<p class='c008'>The hammer of the revolver fell, but there was no report.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The cartridge had failed to explode, and Frank Merriwell’s -life was spared.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Uttering a howl of rage, the fellow flung the weapon -at Merry, striking him fairly on the breast and staggering -him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then, with a shout of defiance, the desperate actor made -a run and a leap, sailing out over the footlights, out over -the heads of the band, and alighting on his feet.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Stop him!” Haley cried.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Up the aisle flew the fugitive. The policemen sprang -after him, but no one seemed to care to get in the ruffian’s -path, so he dashed through an open door and disappeared.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER VII.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>AN ENGAGEMENT OFFERED.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>The patrons of the Thalia Theater had been given a surprising -sensation that evening, and they did not think of -demanding their money back when they were forced to -file out without seeing the final scene of the play.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The name of Frank Merriwell seemed to be on every -tongue.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Barnaby Haley was quick to see the advertising value -of the affair, which, at first, he had regarded as most unfortunate. -He perceived that Frank Merriwell was well -known and popular with the common people, such as -patronized that house.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It had not proved necessary to remove Roscoe Havener, -the injured actor, in an ambulance. Havener was carried -to a dressing room, where he soon recovered consciousness, -and his injury was dressed by a physician, who -pronounced it a mere scalp wound.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Haley had taken Frank down into the dressing room, -where he was profuse in the expression of his thanks.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Mr. Havener,” he said, “I believe you owe your life -to the prompt action of this young man.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes?” said the actor, staring at Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes,” assured the manager. “He was in a proscenium -box, and he sprang onto the stage and grappled with -Storms in time to keep the fellow from hitting you again -with the heavy end of the whip.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, I am sure I am much obliged, Mr. Merriwell,” -said Havener, holding out his hand, which Frank took.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t mention it,” said Merry. “I happened to be -watching Storms, for I saw he had it in for you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, he was dead nuts on me. I’m the stage-manager, -you know, and I have been calling him down lately for -drinking. He got so he hated me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I heard him tell you he would ‘fix’ you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, he did that, but I did not dream he would try -anything on the stage. I wasn’t prepared at all. The -first cut he gave me with that whip seemed to take all the -strength out of me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Saw it,” nodded Frank. “Hardly thought he was in -the habit of putting it on that way every night.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Guess not!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The way you cried out told me it was a genuine surprise -to you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I should guess yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That made me ready for what followed, but was not -quite quick enough to keep him from hitting you the first -time with the butt of the whip. I stopped the blow he -intended for a finisher, just the same.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And earned my everlasting gratitude, Mr. Merriwell.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“They were ready to arrest me for interrupting the -play,” laughed Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Haley flushed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You must forget that, Mr. Merriwell,” he said. “I -didn’t see Storms hit Havener, so I could not understand -why you jumped on the stage and grappled with him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But I understood it, b’gosh!” broke in Ephraim Gallup, -who was on hand; “an’ yeou kin bet I was goin’ to -stan’ by Mr. Merriwell if it took a wing off me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw,” came gravely from the Dutch boy, who was -likewise there, “Vrank Merrivell nefer made a misdake -your life in.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You seem to know Mr. Merriwell,” insinuated Haley.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Waal, I guess we do!” cried the Vermonter.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You petter pelief we do!” exclaimed the Dutch youth.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We was old chums at skule,” explained Ephraim.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw, we peen shums at Vardale,” elaborated Hans. -“Dot peen vere he hadt der bleasure our aguaintance uf -makin’ alretty then.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It seemed rather remarkable that you took sides with -him so promptly, but it’s all right. The papers will be full -of it to-morrow, and we ought to get a good run here the -next two nights. I’ll have to get a man to fill Storms’ -place.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s right,” quickly said Havener. “I’ll never play -with him again. If he’s arrested, I am going to push him -for what he did.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If you do that, you’ll have to stay in this place some -time,” declared the manager; “and you can’t stay here -without breaking your contract. I can’t spare you, for -you know the loss of Storms will make me two men short. -I need a prompter and property man, and need him bad.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Ephraim nudged Frank, whispering:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“There’s your chance.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I guess not,” smiled Merry.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But the Vermonter said:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why don’t you make Mr. Merriwell an offer, Mr. -Haley? He’s a gol darn hustler, an’ he’s aout of a job -jest naow. Mebbe yeou could git him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s not likely he knows anything about the business,” -said the manager, looking Frank over.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Waal,” declared Gallup, “yeou’ll find he kin l’arn ther -quickest of anybody yeou ever see. I’ll reckermend him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Und I vos anodder,” put in Hans.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Are you looking for an opening, Mr. Merriwell?” asked -the manager.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am looking for some kind of a job,” confessed Frank. -“Must do something, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You seem like a bright young man. Perhaps we -might agree, if you are willing to take hold and do not -expect too much money at first.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Somehow the idea of going on the road with a show -appealed to Frank. Had he been working at anything -steady just then he would not have thought of giving up -his job to take such an engagement; but he was doing -nothing, and any kind of a job was preferable to idleness.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t know,” he said, slowly. “I haven’t thought -about going into such work, but——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You might think about it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Possibly.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right. I’ll be ready to make you an offer to-morrow, -if you are ready to come right away. I’ll be in the -box office of the theater at eleven in the morning. Will -you call?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I think I will.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Do so. It won’t do any harm, even if we don’t agree. -I shall be glad to see you, anyhow.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank was ready to go. He knew Jack and Nellie -would wonder what had become of him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hans and Ephraim accompanied him, and they found -the brother and sister waiting near the entrance of the -theater.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, Frank!” cried little Nell. “We didn’t know -where you had gone.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I told her you would turn up all right,” asserted Jack, -“but she was nervous after that fight on the stage.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It was dreadful!” shuddered the girl. “I was so frightened! -I saw that wretch was really and truly hurting -‘Uncle Tom,’ but I didn’t expect you would jump right -onto the stage, Frank.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Had to do it,” smiled Merry. “Case of necessity.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You did it so quick, and you handled that ruffian! I -never saw a fight before in my life, and it frightened me. -But I was so proud of you when all the crowd was shouting -your name and cheering. They all seemed to know -you, Frank.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s right, by gum!” cried Ephraim. “Yeou seem -to be purty nigh as well known here as yeou was at skule. -Guess yeou’re bound to be pop’ler wherever yeou go.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I pet a dandy goot actor vould make him,” said Hans.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, I ruther think he’d make a good actor,” agreed -Ephraim. “He will hev a chaince before he’s bin with -Haley long, if he goes with the show. Better do it, Frank. -We’ll hev heaps of fun.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw, dot’s vot’s der madder!” cried Hans. “You’d -petter took dot shob uf he don’d pay a goot lot.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Little Nell showed her alarm.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What job is that?” she asked, flutteringly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“P’r’aps he’ll hev a chaince to go aout on the road with -aour show,” explained Ephraim.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And he’ll have to leave us!” cried Nellie.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Waal, little gal, it’s too bad, but he can’t stay here an’ -live on wind. That’s sartin sure.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, we don’t want to lose him like that!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Folks hev to make a livin’. He ain’t got money to -burn, same as he had once.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If I had, I should be very careful how I burned it,” -asserted Merriwell. “I have learned the value of money, -and it will be precious little that I shall throw away foolishly -in the future. Must be going home now. Good-night, -fellows. See you to-morrow.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yeou’d better engage with Haley,” cried Ephraim, as -Frank moved away with Jack and Nellie.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw,” shouted Hans. “Uf you don’d you vill peen -sorry all mein life. Goot-night.”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>FRANK ACCEPTS.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>The following day Frank went down to the Thalia -Theater at the time appointed, and he found Manager -Haley waiting for him in the box office, as he had said he -would be.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry was invited in, and he accepted the invitation. -He was given an introduction to the ticket seller, and then -Haley asked him into a little room adjoining the office.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ve struck a man this morning to fill Storms’ place,” -he said, “and now, if we can make arrangements, the company -will be all right again.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Did the officers arrest Storms?” asked Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No. He got away, but he’s broke, and they’ll get him -all right, unless he counts the ties.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Counts the ties?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes; walks out of town on the railroad. I’m glad to -be rid of him. He made a good ‘Legree,’ but he was a -quarrelsome fellow, always kicking up a fuss. He made -more trouble in the company than all the others put together.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The manager opened a little closet door and took out -a bottle and glasses. He placed a glass before Frank on -the table that served as a desk, and then shoved the bottle -toward Merry.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Help yourself,” he urged. “I’ll get some water for -chasers.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What is it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Whisky—good whisky, too. Needn’t be afraid of it. -Took particular pains to get good stuff.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I do not care for any,” said Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Eh? Don’t? What’s the matter?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I never drink whisky.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Singular! Young man, good color, full of life. Can’t -be you prefer rum?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Brandy?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No. I do not drink.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t drink? Why, you take something occasionally?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Never.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Is that so? What made you swear off? Going it -pretty hard?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Didn’t swear off.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Didn’t?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No; I never took a drink of liquor in my life.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Haley stared hard at Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If I were running a dime museum, I’d engage you as -a freak,” he said, in a manner that brought the color to -Merry’s face. “You’ll excuse me if I take a snifter. It’s -my time for one.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Go ahead, sir,” bowed the youth.</p> - -<p class='c008'>So Haley poured out a brimming glass of the stuff -and dashed it off without a “chaser.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Ah!” he said, smacking his lips. “That’s all right. -Better than we’ll get when we get further west.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He put away bottles and glasses. Then, turning to -Frank once more, produced a cigar case, opened it and -held it out.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Have a weed?” he invited.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Excuse me,” protested Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What? Oh, go ahead! Those are no two-fers; they’re -straight tens. Needn’t be afraid of them.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’m not afraid of them.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Not? What’s the matter, then?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I do not smoke.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The manager stared harder than before.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t——Do you swear?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then I’m afraid you won’t make a first-class property -man. No man can handle properties unless he swears.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank laughed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I didn’t suppose it was absolutely necessary to swear -in order to do any kind of work successfully,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Never knew a property man who didn’t swear. If -you take the place, you’ll learn to swear within a week.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then it must be a position that provokes a man’s -ill nature?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It is—riles him all up. Going to tell you just what it -is before we talk business. Then you’ll know what you -are going up against.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then the manager sat down and told Merry all about -the requirements and duties of a first-class property man.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You see, it won’t be no fat job,” said Haley. “I’d -rather you’d understand at the start, for you might get disgusted -with it after a short time if you went with us -thinking you had a soft snap.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am not looking for snaps,” declared Merry. “I expect -to work.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’ll be all right. Some young chaps think traveling -with a show and acting is all play. Didn’t want you to -start out with such a notion. Gallup, who plays in the -band, says you’re a wonder at anything you attempt to do, -and I’ve been making some inquiries about you in town -this morning. You did chop frost for a short time after -getting a job on the railroad, and that’s a fact. They say -your rise was phenomenal. But the strike knocked you -out.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes; and now I must do something for a living. -Doesn’t seem to be any show for me to get a job railroading -right away, so, if we agree, I am willing to engage -with you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>They talked it over a long time, and finally came to -terms. Frank was not to receive much money at first, but -Haley said he would do better after he had learned all -about his business.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Ephraim and Hans knew of Frank’s appointment with -the manager, and they were waiting for him outside the -theater when he appeared. Both made a dive for him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Did yeou do it?” asked Gallup, breathlessly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw!” cried Hans, “did it do you?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am going with the company, if that is what you want -to know,” said Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Glory!” shouted the Vermonter, catching his hand -and wringing it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Py Chorch! dot vos pully!” gurgled Hans, getting -hold of his other hand and trying to pull his arm out of -the socket.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Say, we’ll jest have haydoogins of fun!” declared the -Yankee youth.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You pet my life!” fluttered the Dutch youth.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank went home and found little Nell there, anxiously -awaiting his return.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What is it?” she asked, immediately on his appearance.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am engaged,” answered Merry.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A deep cloud came over her face, and she slowly -turned away. He hastened to her side.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You know, I must do something for a living, Nellie,” -he quickly said. “I cannot remain idle.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I know,” she nodded, chokingly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I have been idle too long. Last night I did not sleep. -I was thinking of Elsie. I must earn money; I must find -her. I feel that she needs my aid.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But, Frank, you will not be able to find her if you are -traveling over the country with a show.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I shall be earning something. When spring comes, I -shall go in search of her.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, but it will be so lonely when you are gone!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Her face dropped in her hands, and she gave a choking -sob. He had his arm about her in a moment.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It is not fated that we shall be together always, Nellie,” -he said. “I have been with you some time, and fortune -has turned in your favor during that time. You were -blind when I first saw you; now you can see. You have -a snug little business which will grow, and you will prosper -and be happy.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Her face was hidden by her hands, and she made no -reply.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t do that way, Nellie!” he implored, gently. “We -shall meet again—some time.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Some time!” she sobbed. “When?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I can’t tell that.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>She turned quickly, reached up and put her arms about -his neck, burying her face on his breast, where she wept, -while he vainly tried to comfort her.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Nellie, Nellie, don’t!” he pleaded, his own voice husky. -“I can’t bear this! Please don’t—for my sake!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“For your sake!” she murmured. “For your sake, -Frank, I’ll try not to cry. You have been so good to us. -Oh, I shall miss you so much! Heaven bless and keep -you, Frank! Heaven guide you to Elsie! May you -prosper—may you always be happy! I shall pray for you -every night!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And I shall pray for you, dear little friend,” he said, -in his sincere, manly way. “I will write to you often.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then they sat down together, hand in hand, and talked -of the future.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER IX.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>FRANK’S UNPLEASANT DISCOVERY.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>A week later Frank had become pretty familiar with his -duties. Besides being “manager of properties,” he was -the prompter, and he found plenty of work.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He took hold of the new work readily, and Barnaby -Haley soon became satisfied that he had made no mistake -in engaging him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The company was “on the road,” playing one-night -stands, having abandoned the larger cities.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was a case of hustle day after day. The moment the -show was over at night everything had to be picked up -and packed for the morning train.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank soon became familiar with all the stuff, so that -he knew just where everything belonged, and this enabled -him to do the packing swiftly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A certain amount of special scenery was carried for the -piece, and that was the most difficult to handle.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As soon as Merry had taken care of the properties, he -was expected to lend his aid in getting the scenery ready -for shipment, and thus it came about that he seldom got to -bed before one or two o’clock in the morning.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then it was necessary for him to be up early to see that -everything got off right, and, immediately on arriving at -a destination, he had to attend to the getting of the baggage -to the theater.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Arriving at the theater, he was required to have the -trunks placed in the proper dressing rooms, the people -who played the leading parts always being allotted by the -stage-manager to the most convenient, commodious and -handy rooms.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sometimes the assignment of dressing rooms caused no -small amount of ill feeling, but Frank tried to keep things -as pleasant as possible.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He soon showed he was not afraid of work, for which -reason a large amount of work it was not his duty to perform -was thrust upon him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But he started in at this business, as he had at railroading, -to learn everything possible about it in the shortest -possible time. Thus it came about that, having assisted -in the work of making the stage ready, in one week’s time -there was not a scene of the play that he could not set -properly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was not long before the stage-manager discovered -this, and he began to take a still greater interest in Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Say,” he broke out one night, as Frank was assisting -in the setting of the stage, “what are you trying to do?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Helping,” was the laconic answer.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, but you are helping differently from any novice -I ever saw before. You take hold as if you were trying -to do all there is to be done.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I want to do my part.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You want to do more than that, and I fancy you know -it, for you are no fool. What’s the object?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If I’m going to follow this business any length of time, -I am going to know all I can about it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“So that’s it! Well, that’s all right as far as it goes, but -you will get tired of it. Fellow who is willing to do his -work and everybody else’s work is pretty sure to get -crowded. Better let up on it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Thank you. I don’t believe anybody will crowd me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right; do as you like. I’m willing you should as -long as you don’t attempt to get in front of me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>This was said with a laugh, but Merriwell caught the -significance of the words.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t be afraid, Mr. Havener,” he said. “I am not -seeking anybody’s chance in this company.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank had become acquainted with the different members -of the company, and the personality of each interested -him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Arthur Sargent, the new man, who filled the place of -Errol Storms, playing “Simon Legree,” was a man quite -unlike Storms. He was a jolly, good-natured fellow off -the stage, always joking and telling stories. But he did -make a fierce “Legree,” and he was detested and hissed -by the small boy in the gallery quite as much as Storms -had been.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cassie Lee, the “leading Topsy,” for there were two -“Topsys” in the play, interested Frank more than anybody -else. Off the stage, she was a thin, frail, sad-faced little -girl, with a hollow, hacking cough. On the stage, she was -a supple, bright-eyed, lively, vivacious creature, dancing -and singing, as if she had not a care in the world.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cassie’s father, old Dan Lee, played small parts, making -many changes. In fact, his skill at making quick -changes was something marvelous, and it was astonishing -how many different parts he could fill.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was said that old Dan knew every line in the piece, -and could play any male part. Some even insisted that -the old man in his palmy days had played “Little Eva,” -but Dan himself denied the accusation.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Old Dan’s one failing was his strong liking for liquor. -But for Cassie’s watchful eyes, he would have been -“loaded” the greater part of the time, and lost his engagement -a dozen times a month. Cassie could handle him -unless he was crazed by liquor, and he was humble and -pliant in her hands.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But there were stories that on occasions old Dan took -too much and became like a maniac. Then even Cassie -could do nothing with him, and it was said that he had -once beaten her so severely while madly intoxicated that -she had been taken to the hospital, where she remained -six weeks.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was said that through her father’s ill-treatment and -neglect Cassie’s health had been broken down.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank wondered at the change that came over her every -night just before she went onto the stage. She suddenly -seemed to become quite a different creature. The lackluster -departed from her eyes, her step became elastic and -buoyant, and even her voice seemed to change.</p> - -<p class='c008'>All this was a mystery to Merry at first, but, one night, -when she sent him to her dressing room for some article -she had forgotten, he made a discovery that enlightened -and horrified him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A small needle syringe lay on the shelf beside the square -mirror.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Morphine!” gasped Frank. “That is the secret of the -change!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Little Cassie was a morphine fiend!</p> - -<p class='c008'>The knowledge preyed on Frank’s mind. He pitied the -girl, and longed to do something for her, but he knew that -when the dreaded habit had once fairly fastened itself on -a victim that person was almost surely doomed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank was very considerate with Cassie. He showed -her many favors, and he never minded her freaks and -whims when she was in a bad humor. As a result, after a -time, the girl began to take a great interest in Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Look here, Merriwell,” she said, one night as she was -“laying on” the burnt cork, “I cotton to you. You are the -right stuff, but you never ought to be in this business.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What business?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Show.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why?” asked Frank, surprised.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“’Cause you ain’t the same grade as the rest of us. -That’s plain enough.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t think I quite understand you. Am I not good -enough to become an actor, if I wish?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cassie laughed unmusically.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s the matter with yer,” she declared. “You’re -too good. This kind of a life will ruin you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I guess not.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I guess yes, and I know what I’m talking about. I -hate to see a nice young man like you spoiled.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t let that worry you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You think I’m jollying you, but I ain’t. I mean what -I say. Common actors are poor associates for such a fellow -as you are. You don’t drink, smoke or swear now, -but, if you stick to the road, I’ll bet a month’s salary you -are doing all three within a year.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I will not take your bet, for it would be robbing you, -Miss Lee.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t you believe yourself. I’d win. I know, for I’ve -seen what it all leads to.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t suppose you mean to say the life depraves -everybody who follows it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No, not that; but it’s a hard strain on a fellow. This -knocking around just kills a person’s conscience. You’re -the kind that’ll be a soft thing for every bum who wants -to hit you up for a fiver. You will think they all mean to -pay when they can, but by the time you have been beat -right and left you’ll begin to get onto the game, and think -you may just as well play it in order to get even. That’s -what hurts. Borrow a five, and fail to pay it once, and -you’ve got your start on the wrong road. The keen edge -is taken off your conscience, and, before long, it gets -pretty dull. Oh, I know what I’m givin’ yer!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, well!” exclaimed Frank, surprised. “Never -thought I’d hear you preaching, Miss Lee.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t call me Miss Lee! Don’t like it. I’m just plain -Cassie, or Cass, to all the boys.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right, I’ll call you Cassie, then.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Do. Don’t tell the other fellers I lectured yer. They’d -say I’s getting soft. I don’t want Havener to know I take -enough interest in you to say anything like I did to yer.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t want Havener to know it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well—because—you see him and me are—are—pretty -friendly.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>She blurted out the last two words, as if they cost her a -great effort.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why,” said Frank, “I never noticed.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Course you didn’t. We’re keeping it quiet, for Havener’s -got a wife.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then, seeing the look that came over Frank’s face, -Cassie hastened to explain:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“They ain’t lived together or ever heard from each -other for four years, and Havener’s going to get a divorce -as soon as he can for desertion. We couldn’t help gittin’ -struck on each other, but I don’t want pop to know it till -Havener is free to marry me. That’s why we’re keeping -shady. But Storms was onto it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Storms.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yep. Feller you kept from knocking the head offen -Havener.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh! He——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Was jealous.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Ah! Then that——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That was his real reason for cracking Ross that way, -though the others didn’t know it. He wanted me to marry -him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Storms did?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Sure thing.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And you refused?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I should guess yes! Roscoe Havener suits me. Him -and I’ll get along all right, and I’m glad Errol Storms is -out of the comp’ny. I was afraid of him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then I——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Done me a good turn—yes. It was a good thing -when you jumped on that night and nipped Storms. I was -down in my dressin’ room when I heard Havener holler, -and I knew something was wrong, for that cry was too -real. I ran upstairs and got into the wings just in time -to see you and Storms have it. Then I came nigh giving -the whole thing away by getting sloppy over Ross, but I -pulled myself up just in time, and nobody got onto the -real reason why that business happened. I don’t know -why I told you, ’less it was ’cause I have been dying to -tell somebody about it, and I reckon you’ll keep your -mouth shut.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You may be sure I’ll not give you away, Miss—Cassie.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right; but I’ve got something to tell you, too.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Something more?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“About——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“About me?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Sure thing.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What is it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You want to look out not to let Ross get an idea you -take any particular interest in me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He’s jealous of you now.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Jealous of me?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why—why should he be?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, there ain’t no real reason, but he don’t know. -You’ve always been trying to do me favors, and his eyes -are sharp. He liked you at first, but now he is beginning -to growl to me. Says you are trying to know too much. -Says you’re fresh. Quizzes me about what I think of you, -and all that. I can read him, and I know he’s jealous, so -look out.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am sure I thank you for the warning,” said Frank, -embarrassed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, that’s all right. He’ll get over it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Aren’t you afraid of a jealous man?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No; I like him all the better for it. If you was some -chaps, I’d pretend to like you pretty well, just to see how -much he’d stand; but I don’t know what he’d do, and I -don’t want to get you into trouble. He has a pull with -Haley, and he might get you fired. I shouldn’t like that.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cassie had a frank way of speaking out that was decidedly -embarrassing, but she did not seem to imagine that -she had said something about which other girls would -have hesitated to speak.</p> - -<p class='c008'>This revelation opened Frank’s eyes to a great extent. -He understood thoroughly the real cause of the trouble -between Storms and Havener, and also why the latter’s -manner toward him had changed within a day or two.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I must be careful,” Merry decided.</p> - -<p class='c008'>After this talk with Cassie, Frank liked her and pitied -her more than ever. He wondered if Havener knew anything -of the terrible habit that had fastened itself on the -girl, and if he would marry her just the same should he -discover it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener’s first venture in marriage had not proved a -success, and his second one might result disastrously unless -Cassie could be cured of her liking for the fatal drug.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Although Merry felt certain the girl used morphine, -sometimes he would long to find that it was all a mistake.</p> - -<p class='c008'>One night, however, it was all settled in his mind.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Some of the theaters on the road contained but a few -small, dirty dressing rooms, so that it was necessary for -a number of persons to dress together in the same room.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cassie was put in with two other girls at one place. -She did not “kick,” for she was used to everything on the -road.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But she was not given much chance to be by herself.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Just as the curtain was going up on the first act, Frank -was sent down to the dressing room to get something for -one of the girls.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The door was just a bit ajar, and Merry bolted in -quickly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was an exclamation of consternation, echoed by -Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cassie was there. The sleeve of her left arm was thrust -back, showing white above the line of black at her wrist. -She was in the very act of using the little syringe.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The tiny instrument dropped from her fingers, and she -staggered back a step.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Merriwell!” she gasped.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank started to turn away, then hastily explained why -he had come to the room. His manner told her he had -seen and understood.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Look here!” she hoarsely said, springing forward and -clutching him by the arm; “I want you to promise me -something.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That you’ll keep mum.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I will.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Sure thing?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You can trust me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You won’t tell Havener?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t you do it on your life! I’m going to stop it—some -time. I want to see you after the play to-night. I -want to talk to you. I’ll tell you all about it. Go on, now.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He secured the article he was after, and she pushed him -out of the room, closing and fastening the door behind -him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then the little syringe was recharged and used.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER X.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>THE JEALOUS STAGE-MANAGER.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>There was now no doubt in Frank’s mind; he knew -Cassie used the drug, and his heart was full of pity for -her.</p> - -<p class='c008'>That night, after the play was over, Cassie lingered in -the dressing room, slowly picking up her things. The -other girls were ready to leave, and they called for her to -hurry up.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, go on,” she said. “I’ll be along pretty soon. -Don’t wait for me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>So they started for their hotel, leaving her there.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank was at work getting the properties together and -packing them in one of the dressing rooms, while Havener -was above on the stage, looking after the special scenery.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cassie found Frank and came in on him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Look here,” she said, in a dull, dejected way, “I’ve got -a few things I want to say to you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank was uneasy, but he stopped working, saying, respectfully:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right, Cassie; I’ll listen.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If you blow on me, I’m done for.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now don’t be afraid that I will blow. What put such -a notion into your head?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, I don’t know but you’d be doing the right thing -if you did.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, because it might not be right for any man to hitch -up with a girl like me. If Havener knew——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Do you think he’d go back on you?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Can’t tell. His other wife drank like a fish, and he -quit her. That ain’t so bad as what I do.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But you, Cassie—how in the world did you ever contract -such a habit?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Got it in the hospital.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, that is how?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes,” she faltered, as if she found it difficult to choose -her words. “You know—I—was hurt. I went to the hospital. -They had to inject morphine to keep down the pain. -When I came out I kept on using it once in a while. -After a time I used it oftener, and now——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I can’t seem to shake it. I’ve tried, but it’s no use.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>She said this sadly, dejectedly, and Frank’s heart was -stirred by a great sympathy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Are you sure?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, I’m going to break it off some time—I will if I -die!” she declared, fiercely. “I have sworn it! It’s the -only thing left for me, and I must do it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now you are talking right.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I ain’t a fool, Frank Merriwell! I know well -enough what I’ve got to do. The thing is to do it. One -night I tried to play ‘Topsy’ without using it, but I was so -dull and dead that Haley gave me a great call down. It -puts life into me, it braces me up long enough to play the -part. If I don’t do it, I’ll lose my engagement.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Better lose your engagement than your health—your -life.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But I can’t afford to lay off now,” said Cassie, desperately. -“I must go through till the end of the season. -Then I’m going to a sanitarium somewhere and get rid -of this business—get cured. I’ll do it! All I want is for -you to keep still.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You can trust me,” assured Merry. “You may be -sure I’ll keep still.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t tell Havener.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>A man came quickly into the room. It was Havener -himself, and his scowling face showed he had overheard -something.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cassie gave a gasp of terror.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The stage-manager glared at them both.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What’s this secret between you that you are going to -keep from me?” he demanded.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Neither answered.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Speak!” cried Havener, furiously. “It’s no use trying -to keep the thing hidden, for I am dead on.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cassie looked at Frank appealingly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now don’t take a lot of time to think up something to -say,” snarled the angry man. “It won’t go down with -me! I’ve seen how things were going for some time.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he whirled madly on the girl.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“So you’re stuck on him because he’s young and smart! -Well, you may make a fool of yourself! He’ll throw you -over after a time. You have made a fool of me already! -Oh, I’d like to——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>His clinched fist was drawn back, and he seemed on the -point of striking her.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Stop!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank leaped forward and caught the man’s wrist.</p> - -<p class='c008'>With a howl, Havener turned and struck at Merry.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Quick as he was, Frank dodged the blow. Then he -grappled with the stage-manager, strong as that person -was, ran him up against the partition, and held him there, -helpless.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Listen a moment, Mr. Havener,” he said, with remarkable -calmness; “you are making a blithering idiot of -yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t lie——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am not lying. There is no affair between Miss Lee -and myself.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The secret——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I shall keep. All the same, you have no reason in the -world to be jealous. I swear it. If you will permit, I’ll -gladly be your friend and Miss Lee’s.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Let me go!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Not so soon.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Please don’t hurt him, Merriwell!” entreated Cassie, -anxiously.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Those words made Havener squirm. He felt the disgrace -of being handled thus easily by a beardless youth. -At the same time, he was filled with admiration and astonishment -because of Frank’s strength.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll not injure him,” promised Frank; “but he must -come to his senses before I let him go. He must promise -not to act like a fool.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Let go,” said Havener. “I was a fool to get stuck on -the girl! Said I’d never let another one fool me after my -first mistake, but a man don’t know much when it comes -to women.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You will make a fool of yourself if you break with -Miss Lee because you think there is anything between us, -that’s sure.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What was the secret?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Perhaps she will tell you some day. If you care for -her, you must believe in her and trust her. If you cannot -trust her now, it will be a good thing for her to break with -you right here.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Somehow those words seemed to take the excitement -out of the stage-manager. He looked at Frank, and then -his eyes wandered to the face of the girl.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You must believe him, Ross,” she said. “He is right. -If you can’t trust me now, you never will, and we shall -be miserable, instead of happy.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He knows——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Everything. I have told him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why did you do it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Because I had to tell somebody! You are a man, and -you can keep still, but a woman just has to talk.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I guess that’s right.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He is ready to help us, instead of trying to make -trouble between us.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s right,” nodded Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Let me go,” urged Havener. “Let me think it over. -Perhaps I have been foolish. I don’t know. I’ll have to -have time to think about it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank released him, saying:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right, but don’t get daffy about it. Believe me—believe -Miss Lee. All will be well in the end, I hope.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You were talking together in a confidential way,” said -the stage-manager, “and I heard her ask you not to tell -me about something. That was enough to make any man -suspicious.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Perhaps so; but you had better forget it.” Frank went -about his work, leaving Cassie talking earnestly with -Havener.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was evident to Merry that she finally satisfied him -that his jealousy was groundless, for he stooped and -kissed her suddenly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In Frank’s heart, however, was a deep and heavy pain, -caused by the knowledge of the unfortunate girl’s terrible -secret.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XI.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>TWO “ANGELS.”</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>The “All-Star Combination” struck bad business and a -run of all-around hard luck. The “ghost” did not “walk,” -and distrust, dissension and rebellion arose. Barnaby -Haley had all he could do to hold the company together. -He did so, hoping that the “streak” would pass and good -business would come.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The part of the country through which they were playing -had been surfeited with “Uncle Tom,” and the people -were tired of the old piece, so they refused to be aroused -and inveigled into giving up their hard-earned money, for -all of the glaring paper, the donkey, the “fierce bloodhounds,” -and the “gold band.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>One night there was a “council of war” among the -members of the company, and demands were made on -Haley. He could not meet the demands, and the entire -company threatened to “quit.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The following morning several members of the company -were missing, and the show was forced to go on -without them, or suspend.</p> - -<p class='c008'>That night old Dan Lee filled more parts than he had -ever before attempted on one occasion.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In order to get through with the piece, it was necessary -for almost every actor to “fake,” and Frank was obliged -to fill in by assuming a small part. He did it very well, -saving the piece from complete disaster, although the thin -audience went away far from satisfied.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When the next town was reached, it was found that -their reputation had reached there in advance of them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We’ll be lucky if we take ten dollars to-night,” declared -Havener, after discovering the true state of affairs.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then one of the actresses “struck,” adding to the complications. -It seemed doubtful if they could play that -night at all, but, as a last, dying gasp, they resolved to -make a bluff at it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The actress had been required each night to ascend into -the flies as the spirit of “Little Eva” after the death scene, -and it was necessary for some other person to take her -place.</p> - -<p class='c008'>That night it was arranged that Hans should dress in -the flowing white robes, and be hoisted into the flies when -the proper time came. The stage would be in semidarkness, -and it was hoped that the audience would not catch -on.</p> - -<p class='c008'>This struck Frank as very ludicrous. Merry believed -the dissolution of the company must come on the following -day, and so he was ready to play any sort of a practical -joke. He resolved to have some sport at the Dutch lad’s -expense.</p> - -<p class='c008'>To the astonishment of everybody, the theater filled -surprisingly with spectators. Barnaby Haley rubbed his -hands together with satisfaction and congratulated himself.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But the audience was there for sport, and they began -almost as soon as the curtain went up to guy the players. -As the play progressed, this “jollying” became more and -more offensive and hard to bear.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank decided that, before the play was over, the -audience would break out all together.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When the death scene came, Hans Dunnerwurst, arrayed -in white robes, with wings attached to his shoulders, -was crouching behind the couch on which “Little Eva” -was supposed to be gasping her last.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank had arranged the tackle that was to hoist Hans, -and he was waiting eagerly for the climax that was to -come.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It came.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The footlights refused to grow dim, although a desperate -attempt was made to lower them, and there was a -hitch in the play.</p> - -<p class='c008'>At last, thoroughly desperate, Havener gave the signal -for the men at the windlass to hoist away.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Something white rose swiftly into the air over the -couch.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The “spirit of Little Eva” was ascending.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But such a spirit!</p> - -<p class='c008'>The hook of the tackle was attached to the seat of the -Dutch lad’s trousers, so that he was held limply “amidships,” -while his flowing robes had fallen away in such a -manner that his clothing was exposed beneath.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Probably never before in the history of “Uncle Tom’s -Cabin” on the stage had such a “spirit” ascended before -the eyes of a staring, astounded audience.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hell-up!” howled Hans, kicking and squawking, as he -sailed toward the flies. “Come und safe me pefore you -vos a deat man!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then there was a hitch, for the windlass refused to -work, and there the struggling Dutch lad hung in full -view of the now laughing spectators.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Missiles began to whizz through the air.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Spat!—a stale egg struck Hans behind the ear.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Whizz—plunk!</p> - -<p class='c008'>A small cabbage sent him spinning round and round -like a top.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Nail him!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Soak him!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Give it to him!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hooray!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The audience was in an uproar, and it seemed as if every -person there had brought something to throw.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hel-lup!” bellowed the unfortunate lad. “I vos peing -kilt alretty yet!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>With the band, Ephraim Gallup roared with laughter. -He knew a practical joke had been perpetrated, and -somehow it had the flavor of Frank Merriwell’s old-time -larks, so he was immensely amused.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As Hans stopped revolving for a moment, he shook his -fist at Ephraim, gurgling:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Vait, vait! Uf I aind’t kilt pefore I die, I vill got -efen mit you! You vos a——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Swat!—a rotten apple struck him fairly in the mouth, -stopping his flow of speech.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“This is the funniest show I ever seen!” shouted a man -in the audience. “Ain’t I glad I come!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Some boys began to sing “I Want to Be an Angel.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then the windlass began to work again, and the pelted -youth was drawn up out of sight, just as Havener succeeded -in arousing the curtain boy to let the curtain down.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was not necessary to finish the play. The audience -did not expect it, and the theater was emptied.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hans Dunnerwurst was so angry that he couldn’t talk.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener did not have much to say, for he decided that -it would be a waste of words, for the company was pretty -sure to disband on the following day.</p> - -<p class='c008'>That night the stage-manager accompanied Cassie Lee -when she left the theater. It was dark on the side street, -and a man sprang on them almost as soon as they came -out by the stage entrance.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now I’ve caught ye together!” snarled a familiar voice. -“I’ll finish you both this time!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Storms!” screamed the girl.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, Storms!” grated the man. “Take that!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That” was a bullet from a revolver aimed straight at -Cassie.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But the bullet did not touch her.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank Merriwell had followed them from the building, -and he leaped on their assailant, bearing Storms to the -ground.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The revolver was discharged again, and Frank felt the -powder singe his wrist.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then Havener came to Frank’s aid, and, between them, -they disarmed and captured the ruffian, beating him into a -stunned condition with the butt of his own revolver.</p> - -<p class='c008'>That night Storms lay in the town’s “cooler,” and on -the following day he was tried for murderous assault and -held for the grand jury.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener and Cassie promised to appear against him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The stage-manager went to Frank, like a man, and said:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Merriwell, I don’t know what the secret is between -you and Cassie, and I don’t want to know till you get ready -to tell me, but I want to ask your pardon for making a fool -of myself over it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s all right,” assured Frank. “I had forgotten -it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I hadn’t. I could hate you even if you did save my -life, but since you saved Cassie’s, I can hate you no -longer. I believe Storms’ first shot would have killed her.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Perhaps so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You bore him down just in time. Keep the secret, and -be my friend.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He held out his hand, which Frank grasped.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right,” said Merry; “I am glad to be your friend. -As for the secret, some day Cassie will tell you that -herself. We may part here, but I wish you good fortune.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Part?” said Havener. “I hope not. Haley has struck -an angel.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“A what?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“An angel—a chap with money who will back the show. -We are going to reorganize and go on.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hurrah!” cried Frank. “That is good news!”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XII.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>FRANK IS GIVEN A PART.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>A few weeks later Frank was startled by a request -to take a part himself owing to the illness of one of the -actors. The request came from the stage-manager of the -“Empire Theater Comedy Company,” which was, in fact, -the reorganized “All-Star Combination,” formerly on the -road playing a “modernized version” of “Uncle Tom’s -Cabin.” This play was now simply one of the numerous -pieces in the repertory of the reorganized company, the -donkey and the bloodhounds being relegated to the background -for the time being, although the famous “Gold -Band” was retained in all its glory.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Barnaby Haley believed in the efficacy of a band of -music to draw spectators in small cities and country towns. -He rated it next to “paper” in the general run, and even -better in some cases.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As for “paper,” three of the pieces in the repertory -were “old stand-bys,” and “stock paper” could be obtained -for them from any of the big eastern theatrical printing -houses.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Haley had retained his grip on the management of the -company, although obliged to take in a partner. The -partner was the “angel” who saved the company from going -to pieces. His name was Zenas Hawkins, a man with -theatrical ambitions, who had “money to burn.” Haley -was helping him burn it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Haley realized that “Uncle Tom” had been done to death -through the section of the country he was in, and so the -reorganized company prepared to put on several other -pieces.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Some of those plays they could obtain legitimately. -Others were secured from a certain company of “pirates,” -located in Chicago, who boasted that they could supply -any dramas on the American or English stage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>These plays were secured by the “pirates” with the assistance -of expert shorthand writers, who were hired to -attend them and take down the lines as spoken by the different -actors. From these shorthand notes typewritten -manuscript copies of the plays were made, and sold for -sums ranging from five to twenty-five dollars, to such unscrupulous -managers as cared to purchase and use them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Of course, this traffic in stolen property was unlawful. -The manager who purchased and produced the play was -committing a crime, but, until recently, the penalty was -simply a fine, usually insignificant when exacted, and the -manager could jump on to some other part of the country -and go right ahead playing the piece. In nine cases out of -ten he would not have money enough to pay the fine, and -it cost the rightful owners of the piece more trouble and -money to prosecute him than they could afford, as such -prosecution seldom or never interfered more than temporarily -with the pirating of the play.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Under the amended copyright law of 1895, however, -any manager unlawfully presenting a play is liable to a -fine of not less than one hundred dollars for the first performance -and fifty dollars for each subsequent performance; -and offenders who fail to pay the fines imposed -may be imprisoned upon order of the court.</p> - -<p class='c008'>This revised law has, in a measure, stopped the pirating -of plays, although the fact that the rascally concern in -Chicago is still doing business is evidence that there are -unscrupulous managers in the country who are willing to -take desperate chances in order to play in remote and -unfrequented towns the popular dramas of the day.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Barnaby Haley had decided to take such chances, for he -had obtained three plays in manuscript from the Chicago -thieves. The titles of these plays, however, he had -changed, to reduce the liability of detection, and he had -resolved to be very careful where he presented them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Of course, there was no paper for these pieces, but the -advertising for the other plays was good enough to attract -attention at the start, and the stolen plays would be presented -to wind up full week engagements, where a change -of bill was required nightly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Haley had induced Hawkins to “put up” for one “full -stand” of printed advertising, made especially for them, -and that was “pretty good stuff.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the selection of a name for the organization, the -crafty and astute Mr. Haley had remembered that there -was an “Empire Theater Stock Company,” the fame of -which had spread extensively. By calling his aggregation -the “Empire Theater Comedy Company” he fancied many -people might be deceived into believing it the organization -of a similar name, which was handled and controlled by a -wonderfully successful theatrical manager.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Roscoe Havener, the former stage-manager, had been -retained in his old capacity, for he was a good man and -knew his business.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The company had played three days in a town where -they were billed to remain for a week, when, one afternoon -just before rehearsal, Havener sought Frank Merriwell -and requested him to take the place of Mr. Lawrence, -who was dangerously ill.</p> - -<p class='c008'>They were on the stage, which was set for the first -act of the play to be given that night.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Several of the other members of the company, attired -for a dress rehearsal, were present and heard what was -said.</p> - -<p class='c008'>One of them, a young man, Douglas Dunton, who -played the scheming villain of the piece, listened with -great interest.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Leslie Lawrence, the actor who was ill, had been cast for -the leading character of the play, a part Dunton had coveted.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You, Merriwell,” said the stage-manager, “must play -the part given to Lawrence. The local stage-manager will -have to serve as prompter to-night, and every member of -the company must, so far as possible, look after the properties -required by him or her. We must get through with -this piece somehow, even if you have to read Lawrence’s -part.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton stepped forward.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It strikes me, Havener,” he said, in his forward way, -“that you can make a better arrangement.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Ross Havener turned and scowled at the speaker, for he -was a man who did not fancy receiving suggestions from -anyone.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What?” he said, sharply, like a pistol shot.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton repeated his words in a bold manner.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What do you mean?” asked the stage-manager.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It strikes me that it is a mistake to put Merriwell, a raw -amateur, onto such a part,” said Dunton, swiftly. “He -cannot memorize the lines in such a short time, and he is -bound to make an awful mess of the whole play if he tries -it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank said not a word, but his eyes looked the speaker -straight through.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener turned to Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Think you can do anything at all with the part in such -a short time?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I can try,” was the quiet answer. “I am very apt at -memorizing anything, and I believe I can have the greater -part of the lines before the evening performance, if I am -not required to do anything else.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Even if he had the lines perfectly,” put in Dunton, -“he could not handle the part.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How do you know?” asked the stage-manager.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Reason will tell anybody that. Why, it is almost a -star part! It requires some one with experience and judgment. -I have studied the part, for I like it, and I believe -I can play it as it should be played. It is the kind of a -part that suits me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hum!” grunted Havener. “What are you driving at? -Want to play it yourself?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, I believe that would be the best way to arrange -it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Who’d fill your part?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You might put Merriwell on that. It is only about -half as long as the other, and it does not make so much -difference if it is not played well. The audience hates the -villain, anyway, and so what’s the odds if he is rank?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“So that is the way you feel about your part, is it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes; I haven’t liked it from the start.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener drew himself up, and his black eyes glared -at Dunton.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then, sir!” he exploded; “you are not capable of playing -the part as it should be acted, much less a better part, -like that given Lawrence! The trouble with you is that -you have an enlarged head. I advise you to put it in soak -and see if you can’t reduce its size. Get such notions out -of your nut, or I shall have to put you onto juveniles. You -will play the part assigned to you, and Mr. Merriwell will -do his best with the part I gave Lawrence. That settles -it, and I don’t want to hear any more about it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener turned away, and Douglas Dunton, furious -over such a “call down,” gave Frank Merriwell a look of -hatred, but remained silent.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>CASSIE, THE SOUBRETTE.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Frank was given the manuscript of the play, and he began -looking the part over at once.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He had a wonderful memory, and he put his mind onto -the lines in such a manner that he did not hear Cassie Lee, -the soubrette, till she had spoken to him three times.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t want to bother you, Frank,” she said, “but accept -my congratulations, and I hope you’ll just paralyze -’em to-night. Somehow I believe you will astonish ’em.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I shall do my best, Cassie,” said Merry.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I know it,” nodded Cassie, an unusually animated -light coming to her eyes. “I heard what Dunton said, and -I was mighty glad Ross gave him that call down. Dunton -is a flub, but he’s got a bad temper, and he’ll hate you -worse than sin now. Look out for him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He won’t trouble me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t you be too sure.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, I shan’t worry about it. I’m not afraid of him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s just it. You’ll be too careless. I wouldn’t trust -him as fur as I could sling a mule by the tail. I don’t like -his eyes. They’re too shifty. He alwus struck me as -treacherous.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, he must hate Havener worse than he does me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He won’t dare touch Ross, and that’s the very reason -why he may try all the harder to do you. My! but I wish -this old rehearsal was over.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You’re tired.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“As a dog.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“This business of playing so many different parts is too -much for you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s work, but I like it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Better than playing ‘Topsy’ regularly?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Sure. I was dead sick of that old part. I’m glad -‘Uncle Tom’ is only played once in a while, but pop is -heartbroken.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He’d rather stick to the old piece?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Lord, yes! He’s been playin’ parts in it for the last -twenty years, and he knows every line and every bit of -business. He thinks the country is degenerating when -people get stuffed with ‘Uncle Tom’ and don’t want no -more of him. He wouldn’t stay with the company if it -wasn’t for me, and he’s liable to break loose any time and -get on a reg’l’r tear. I’m watching him all the time and -hold him down. Pop is all right when he lets red-eye -alone, but he’s worse’n an Indian when he gets on a tear.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I hope you will be able to keep him straight, Cassie; -but this watching is wearing on you. You don’t get rest -enough, and you show it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>She shot him a quick look.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It ain’t that so much,” she muttered. “It’s something -else the most. You know what ails me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, I know,” admitted Frank. “Can’t you break -away from the habit, Cassie?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How can I? Look at me! I’m dull as a rainstorm, my -head feels like a block of wood, and my feet are like lead. -Wouldn’t I be in nice shape to go on before a house? -Time I did it twice, Haley’d fire me, and he wouldn’t be to -blame.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But isn’t there anything else——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Nope. Got to use the same old stuff till the season’s -over anyhow.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But it’s getting an awful hold on you, Cassie.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hard lines formed round her mouth—a mouth that -had once been rather sweet and pretty.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Can’t help it,” she said, grimly. “It wasn’t my fault -in the first place, and I’ve got to live. All summer there -won’t be nothing for me to do, and I must stick the season -out, so as to have something saved up for hot weather. I -tell you, this life ain’t what it’s cracked up to be. A girl -that’s got a good home and wants to go on the stage is a -fool. She don’t know when she’s well off.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank nodded his conviction that this was true. He had -not seen much of theatrical life, but already he was convinced -that it was a hard life to follow, especially for a -girl.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I was brought up to it,” Cassie went on; “and that was -just my hard luck. Never had no good chance to get an -education.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You can educate yourself now.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>She shook her head slowly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No use,” she said. “I’m too old now.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Too old! Why, how old are you?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Eighteen.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Only eighteen?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s enough. Most girls are ready to leave school -when they’re that old.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank did not tell her, but he had fancied that she was -twenty-three or twenty-four. He now realized that it was -the life she had led that had made her seem so much older -than she was in truth.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Life on the stage in cheap dramatic companies that play -one-night stands is hard at best; but Cassie’s life had been -particularly hard on account of her father, who had neglected -and abused her when he drank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>For all of this neglect and abuse, Merry believed old -Dan Lee really loved his daughter, for, when the man was -sober, he was proud of Cassie, being tender and considerate -in all his actions toward her.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Old Dan was very jealous of her. He believed her too -good to “tie up” to a common ham-fatter, and so he had -blocked the game of every cheap actor who tried to show -her particular attentions. He believed that, some day, she -would be able to make a “good match,” for other men -must see in her all the fine qualities that were so evident -to him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Thus it came about that the girl did not dare let her -father know there was a love affair between herself and -Roscoe Havener, the stage-manager, for, although Havener -had not seen his legal wife for four years, he was not -divorced, and the entire company knew it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When Frank discovered this attachment between the -soubrette and the stage-manager he felt like advising -Cassie to wait a while before she permitted herself to become -very fond of Havener, but he quickly decided that -such advice would be a waste of words, and kept still.</p> - -<p class='c008'>That Havener was favorably disposed toward Merriwell, -Cassie felt sure, even though he had said little or -nothing about the young man. Now, after seeing him -give Merry the part that had been assigned to Lawrence, -who was really one of the best actors in the troupe, and -hearing him call down Dunton, she was certain Havener -was aiming for one of two things. Either he had confidence -in Merriwell, and wished to give him a chance to -show up, or he believed Frank must make a wretched -failure in attempting to play on such short notice, which -would mean his “release” from the company.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cassie had such confidence in Frank that she believed -that Havener would fail if he was aiming to disgrace -Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>She wished to encourage Merry, and that was why she -had spoken to him as he was sitting on a canvas-covered -property tree stump, industriously and hurriedly running -over his lines in the first act.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If you’re only eighteen, you’ve got plenty of time to -study and add to your education, Cassie,” said Frank. -“You have a way of learning your lines quickly when you -take a part. You can read the right kind of books and -memorize their contents.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t know what kind of books to read.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I can tell you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, well, I’ll think it over. I don’t have much time, -you know. Can’t do it after the show is over, for I’m -dead tired by that time. Can’t do it forenoons, for I’m -digging away on new parts all the time now.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But you can do it vacations.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I suppose I might. There, I’ve bothered you too -much. Didn’t mean to when I spoke to you. Just wanted -to tell you I’d bet anything you surprise ’em on the part -to-night. Something makes me sure you will. You have -lots of lines with me, and I know them lines as well as I -do my own. If you get stuck, I’ll be able to give you a lift -without the aid of the prompter. Keep your nerve; don’t -get the shakes. That’s all.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The shakes?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Stage fright?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s what I mean.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t know, but I hardly think I’ll have that.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You can’t tell.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Nobody can.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You ever have it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Did I?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Did I! I should guess yes!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Thought you were brought up on the stage.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Was.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then I don’t see why you should have stage fright.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s a mighty funny thing, I tell you. I began as an -infant prodigy, and I don’t s’pose anything ever scared me -till I was playing soubrette parts. One night I got it, just -as hard. Opened my mouth to speak, and, by George! I -couldn’t make a sound. I just stood there like I was -nailed to the boards. Pretty quick I began to shake, and -you’d thought I was taken with the ague. It was terrible, -I thought I’d faint. After a while, I got strength enough -to rush off, and then I had fits in one of the dressing -rooms.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That was strange.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No. ’Most ev’rybody gets a touch of it sooner or later. -When it was all over, I was so hopping mad I didn’t know -what to do. I went on again and played right through the -piece without a quiver, and I’ve never had a touch of it -since. But I had to have it some time. Some people never -get over it fully, but with most folks, one attack ends it. -I hope you won’t have it to-night, Frank.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I hope so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, I’ll git. ’Scuse me for the bother.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>She walked away, and Frank followed her sympathetically -with his eyes.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“As good-hearted girl as ever lived,” he murmured. -“It’s a shame she’s contracted that frightful habit. I’m -afraid it has such a hold on her that she’ll never be able -to get rid of it. Poor Cassie!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he resumed his studying.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>THE REHEARSAL.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>By this time the band, which had given its midday -parade through the town at the regular hour, was gathered -before the stage, ready to practice the pieces to be -played that evening.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Ephraim Gallup had managed to retain his position in -the band, as he was a remarkably good baritone player, -and he had a way of making his horn “talk” so that it -pleased the ear of the average countryman mightily.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hans Dunnerwurst, the Dutch boy, had developed a -knack for playing the bass drum, so he was retained by -Manager Haley. Hans played the drum and cymbals at -the same time, beating the drum with his right hand and -playing the cymbals with his left, one of the brass discs -being attached to the drum so that the other could be struck -against it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The leader of the band had a great idea of the proper -music for a street parade and for an inclosure like the interior -of a hall or theater. On the street the little band of -eight pieces roared and thundered in an amazing manner, -making enough noise for four times their number. It was -not noise without harmony, either; and it was the kind -of music that pleased all small boys and most men and -women.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the band was a quartet of fine singers. Each night -the band played in front of the theater just before the -doors were opened. The final piece in the open air was one -that always pleased the fancy of the listeners, as it was -replete with all kinds of musical tricks. It contained a -cornet solo, into which some imitation bugle calls were -worked, a snare drum solo, during which, for a few seconds, -the drummer rattled away on the side of his drum, -instead of the head; a trombone solo, giving the trombone -player a chance to do some fancy flourishing, and, at one -point in the piece, every other instrument stopped for the -bass drum and cymbals to rattle, and bang, and thunder, -and crash. But the real catching features of the piece -came toward the end. Of a sudden every instrument -stopped, and the entire band whistled a strain of the piece. -Then it was that Hans Dunnerwurst made his great hit, -for he was a marvelous whistler, and he warbled and trilled -in a way that made it seem a whole flock of mocking-birds -had broken loose, and caused the spectators to stand on -their toes and crane their necks to see who was producing -all those amazing sounds. The final feature of this piece -was singing by the quartet, and when it was all over -the crowd almost invariably broke into a tumult of applause, -and the astute Mr. Haley rushed the band off the -scene, knowing anything more would be too much, as the -crowd had been worked up to just the proper pitch to -part with its quarters and halves.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The music provided by the band inside the hall was of -quite a different character. It was soft and subdued, full -of rippling melody, and quite suited to the situation. Of -course, the medley was given in the evening, as it was -almost always called for by the audience, and some new -features were introduced, such as sleighbells, tinkling -cymbals and the shuffleboard to imitate dancing.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Some of the musicians acted as accompanists for the -singing given at each performance, and furnished music -for the dancing, so they were required to rehearse with -the company regularly. Indeed, Havener was quite a -stickler about the matter of rehearsals, no one being excused -from them without good cause.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The band played through one of its new pieces, and -then, in order to give Merriwell more time to run over his -part, Havener had the singers go through with their -songs for the evening performance.</p> - -<p class='c008'>And Frank was so utterly absorbed in his effort to -commit as many lines as possible that he did not even -notice when the rehearsal began.</p> - -<p class='c008'>At last, the time for him to go on arrived, and Havener -appeared at his elbow, saying:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If you can get along at the start without the manuscript, -Merriwell, it will be better. I’ll take it and help -you along. We’ve managed to go this far without a -prompter.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank did not stir. He sat with his eyes fastened on the -page before him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener touched his shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Come, Merriwell,” he said, sharply.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then Frank was aroused, and he got up quickly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right,” he spoke. “I’m ready.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He handed the manuscript to Havener.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Think you can do anything without reading?” asked -the stage-manager.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I believe I can remember a part of the first act.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right; go ahead.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank went on, and Havener observed that he made the -proper entrance. He had an “enter speech,” and he gave -it correctly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton was standing in the wings, watching and -sneering.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener went down into the theater in front of the -stage, where he could watch the rehearsing and see that -the characters went through their business properly and -grouped themselves to the best advantage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Ephraim Gallup and Hans Dunnerwurst were astonished, -for they had not known that Frank was to play a -part.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Shimminy Gristmas!” gurgled Hans.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Gosh all hemlock!” gasped Ephraim.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank knew everyone was watching him, which made -his position extremely embarrassing. Indeed, for a professional -rehearsals are often far more trying than performances -when the theater is well filled with people. It -is difficult to act before empty seats, with the members -of the company looking on, for then the intensity required -at certain times seems foolish, and makes the performer -feel ridiculous.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry’s face was flushed, and he stammered somewhat -at first. Then he heard a low, sneering laugh, and he saw -Dunton regarding him derisively.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Instantly Frank stiffened up. He was on his mettle in -a moment, resolved to do his best, and he got through the -scene fairly well. Of course, Havener had to prompt him -several times and give him directions about certain business.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But the stage-manager observed with satisfaction that -Merriwell made a good appearance and did not assume -any awkward positions, get back to the footlights, or turn -in the wrong direction when it was necessary to cross, go -up or walk away from another person.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When Frank came off, Cassie was waiting for him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Good stuff!” she declared, approvingly. “You did -that all right.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I think it was pretty bad,” confessed Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I tell you it was all right. Surely you did remember -those lines well. Got any more?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I believe I can remember nearly all of the first act.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If you can do that, you’re a wonder!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank did it. In fact, when he went on again, he was -almost letter perfect. This time much of his business was -with Dunton, who continued to wear a sneering expression -on his face and did whatever he could to break Merry up. -In this the young rascal failed, for Frank acquitted himself -splendidly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The instant the end of the act was reached, Havener -said:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We’ll go through that again.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The third act is the heavy one,” said Dunton. “I -think we’ll have to go over that more than once, and we -won’t have time if we repeat the first act.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The stage-manager gave the fellow a withering stare.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Look here, Dunton,” he exclaimed, “if you are managing -this business, I’ll quit; if you are not, kindly permit -me to give directions. That’s all. We will repeat the first -act.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The angry actor ground his teeth together and stalked -off. Behind the scenes he found his especial chum, Arthur -Sargent, and gave vent to his feelings.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“This is too much!” he snarled, guardedly. “Havener -gives that upstart Merriwell the leading part in the piece, -and then he calls me down twice before the fellow. I feel -like punching somebody.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Punch Merriwell,” suggested Sargent.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All I want is a good opportunity,” declared Dunton. -“I’d like to get at him. I’d do him up in a hurry.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The fellow had a reputation as a “scrapper,” and he -fully believed he could whip Merriwell easily.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You can find an opportunity,” said Sargent. “I’d like -to see you spoil his face. He thinks he’s handsome, and a -pair of black eyes would break his heart.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll give them to him,” promised Frank’s new enemy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, he’ll make an awful mess of the whole play! Just -think of him in the duel scene with me! And I’ve got to -let him disarm me and get the best of the duel! Gods! -it’s enough to make a man daffy!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The whole business will be a farce,” Sargent consolingly -declared. “Havener will be to blame for it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s right. I’d like to tell Havener what I think of -him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then why don’t you do it!” exclaimed another voice, -and Cassie Lee suddenly appeared from behind some loose -scenery. “I’d like to see you! I’ll bet you don’t dare -peep to him, but you raise a big blow behind his back. -You’re a stiff! That’s my opinion of you, Dug Dunton!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The soubrette was aroused now, and her accustomed -languid, weary air had vanished completely. Her eyes, -generally dull and heavy, except when she had resorted to -the stimulation of morphine, were full of fire and scorn.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sargent gasped and seemed to feel like sneaking away, -but Dunton brazened it out.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“So you were playing eavesdropper, hey?” he hissed. -“Well, I don’t care! If you blow on me to Havener, I’ll -give you away to your old man.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cassie threw back her head, and her thin nostrils dilated.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Give me away?” she panted. “About what?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, you know,” asserted Dunton, with insolent significance.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Tell me what you mean!” commanded the little soubrette, -bracing up to him, her small fists clinched. “Tell -me what you mean, Dug Dunton, or I’ll light onto you -myself, and I’ll bet a dollar I can make you look pretty -sick!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He saw she really meant what she threatened, and he -backed off a step, putting up his hands.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Easy now!” he fluttered. “Don’t make a fool of yourself, -Cassie!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Tell me what you meant by your words. What will -you give away?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I meant that I’d tell Dan about you being so -thick with Havener. That’s all.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s enough! What do you mean by ‘so thick’? -What do you know, anyway?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I know a few things.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then you’ve been rubber-necking. Well, it’s just like -you. I believe I have a right to be friendly with Mr. -Havener?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes; but you don’t want your father to know just how -friendly, and I don’t fancy you care to have the rest of the -company know it. You keep still about me, for I can hurt -you if you don’t.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“So you’d try to hurt my character, would you? Well, -I never thought any better of you. But you do it if you -dare! If you say one word about me that is bad, I’ll -shoot you full of holes! If you blow your mouth to pop, -I’ll have your hide and tan it for shoe leather! Don’t you -forgit it, either! And I advise you to keep away from -Frank Merriwell, for he can lick the stuffing out of you -the best day you ever saw.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton nearly lost his breath.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why—why,” he gasped, “you’re crazy!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Nope, just mad—blazin’ mad!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If Merriwell gives me any guff, you’ll see——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He never gives anybody guff, but he’ll give you a -thrashing if you get gay with him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I can whip him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes you can—I don’t think!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He’s a stiff!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He’s too stiff for you. He’s a gentleman, and you ain’t -in his class. You know it, and that’s what ails you. I -don’t propose to waste any more breath on you, for you -ain’t worth it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>And Cassie walked away, leaving Dunton shaking with -rage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’d like to wring her neck!” he panted. “I never liked -her.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Jingoes!” ejaculated Sargent. “Never thought there -was so much fire in that pale-faced, washed-out creature. -She always reminded me of Kipling’s poem, ‘A rag and -a bone and a hank of hair.’ You better keep still about -her, Dug, for something makes me think she’d keep her -word and shoot you if you said anything about her character. -Such girls as she are liable to do such things; and -you know you actually do not know anything detrimental -to her, except that she is stuck on Havener.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, she’s a fool! What makes me the hottest is that -she thinks that upstart Merriwell can do me. I’ll show -her about that, if I get a chance.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton was still agitated with anger when it was necessary -for him to go on the stage again, and he went -through his part in such an indifferent manner that Havener -was obliged to speak to him several times. This the -stage-manager did quietly, for he saw the actor was -“broken up,” and he believed it was because of the calling -down he had received.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As for Merriwell, he went through his work with a vim -and assurance that simply amazed everybody. This time -he seemed to have his lines almost perfectly, and the act -went off smoothly so far as he was concerned.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then the second act was taken up and rushed through. -As everyone but Merry had his or her lines almost perfectly, -there was no absolute necessity of prompting, and -Frank was given a chance to run over his speeches when -he was not on the stage. When he did go on, he again -astonished them all by the number of lines he could say -correctly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the third act came the duel scene between Merry and -Dunton. In the duel, Frank was to get the worst of it at -first, to be wounded by a foul thrust, and then to disarm -his antagonist and generously decline to retaliate -for his injury.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Just before the duel scene, Frank heard Dunton say to -another member of the company:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Think of being disarmed by such a stiff as that fellow! -It will be ridiculous, and the chances are that the -audience will throw things at us to-night. Probably he -never saw a sword before.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry’s first thought was to show the fellow without delay -that he was greatly mistaken. Then came another -thought.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll let him think away till to-night,” decided Frank; -“and then I’ll try to give him a surprise.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>So he went on for the duel scene and carried it through -in a decidedly awkward manner, so that Havener was -obliged to come upon the stage and try to show him how -to handle his sword and follow out the idea of the duel -properly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton looked disgusted. As they were going through -the duel for the seventh time, he whispered just loud -enough for Frank to hear:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You’re a regular stick! You’ll make a holy show of -us both to-night!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I don’t know,” murmured the new actor. “Wait -till to-night comes. I may be able to do it better.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Bah! you make me sick!” retorted Dunton, through -his white teeth.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I may make you sicker still,” said Merry, with a -soothing smile. “You are not nearly as many as you -imagine you are.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The fellow looked as if he longed to fly at Merriwell -on the instant, but he simply ground his teeth together -and glared, which caused the stage-manager to compliment -him:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now you are getting into the part, Dunton,” said -Havener. “That expression on your face is fine. It’s -exactly what you want in that scene.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton swore under his breath.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Merriwell, too, has a good expression,” declared the -stage-manager. “That calm, confident smile is all right. -I confess that I was afraid of this scene, but I rather -think it will go off all right.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then the rehearsal went on to the end, Havener not -allowing them to stop till it was time to go to the hotel -for supper.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XV.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>DUNTON SEEKS REVENGE.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>The most of the company got out of the theater as soon -as possible after being given permission to go.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank remained to receive some instructions from -Havener.</p> - -<p class='c008'>After giving Merry a few pointers, the stage-manager -observed:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You did surprisingly well this afternoon, Merriwell.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Thank you,” said Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If you get stuck to-night for the exact lines, do you -think you can fake?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I believe so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, don’t try it if there is any chance of getting off -your trolley and mixing yourself and everybody else. -Faking lines is a dangerous and reprehensible practice, -and the resort of lazy actors who will not learn their -parts; but there are times when faking cannot very well be -avoided, and the ability to do it well on such occasions is -worth much to a man. Don’t try it to-night, Merriwell, -unless you have some idea of the real gist of your speech -and feel certain you can finish by giving the next speaker -the proper cue.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener looked at Frank doubtfully, and then suddenly -said:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t get the swelled head, but if you do as well in -playing to-night as you did at rehearsing this afternoon, -you’ll show yourself a wonder. I don’t often say anything -like this to anybody, but somehow I felt that it -might encourage you without doing you any harm, and I -want to give you all the encouragement possible.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Thank you again,” came simply from Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t see how you committed so many lines by simply -reading them over once.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I have a good memory.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Good! Marvelous, I should say. If you save the -piece by playing that part pretty well to-night, you will -pull us out of a bad hole and show yourself cut out for -an actor.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>That was all Havener had to say, and it was remarkable -for him, as he seldom complimented anyone. He was -profuse with his criticisms, and sparing with his compliments.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As Frank left the building by the stage door, he remembered -that he had in his pocket a letter which he -wished to mail. The post office was near at hand, and in -that direction he turned his steps.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the window of a store near the post office were two -“boards,” on which were photographs of the various members -of the “Empire Theater Comedy Company,” and -some photographed scenes from the various plays in the -repertory of the company.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Two very pretty girls, sixteen or seventeen years of age, -had paused to look at the pictures, and Douglas Dunton, -coming out of the post office, observed them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton considered himself a great masher, and he -knew that, as a rule, young girls entertain a foolish admiration -for actors in general, so he did not hesitate to -walk up to this couple and speak to them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The girls looked startled.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t be alarmed, young ladies,” said Dunton, in his -most amiable manner. “I saw you looking at the pictures. -I presume you are going to the play to-night?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The girls looked at each other, and then turned their -backs squarely on the presuming fellow, their action saying -as plainly as words that they did not care to have -anything to do with him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank Merriwell, coming along, saw all this, and it gave -him a feeling of satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But Dunton was not to be turned down thus easily.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am one of the actors,” he purred, in a manner intended -to be very captivating. “That is my picture in the -upper right-hand corner.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The girls looked at each other again, and they smiled -a bit at the conceit of the fellow.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton misinterpreted the smile to mean that they were -softening toward him, and he continued, glibly:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I have a disagreeable part to-night, and you will not -see me at my best if you come. I am the villain.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>One of the girls gave him a look, and then murmured to -the other:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Too soft to be a villain.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then both giggled, as young girls will.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton flushed a bit, but he was not to be rebuffed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s all right,” he laughed. “I can stand a little -jolly like that. Don’t you want free passes to the show -to-night? I happen to have two. Here they are.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The girls hesitated. Surely this was a great temptation -to them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank had paused to watch the success of Dunton’s -efforts.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Take them, girls,” urged the presuming actor. “You -are welcome to them. I will see you after the show.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>That was enough to decide one of the girls.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We do not accept presents from strangers, sir!” she -said, cuttingly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The other one looked disappointed, but said nothing.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then permit me to introduce myself,” laughed the -masher. “I am Douglas Dunton, of the Empire Theater -Comedy Company. Now you can take turns in introducing -each other to me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>This was a very pretty little scheme, and one of the -girls, who had light hair and blue eyes, would have fallen -into Dunton’s snare readily enough.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Her dark-haired companion, however, had more stamina -and sense.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Will you kindly go away and leave us!” she exclaimed, -sharply. “You are very annoying, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Now Dunton was cut to the quick.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Is that so!” he sneered. “You’re altogether too stuck -up, Miss Prim. I don’t care about talking to you, anyway; -but the other young lady has more sense.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Come away, Lottie,” said the dark-haired girl, pulling -her companion. “He is insulting, and there is no one near -to protect us.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>That was Frank Merriwell’s cue. He stepped forward -instantly, lifting his hat to the girls and murmuring:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Permit me to offer my services.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he turned on his fellow actor.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Mr. Dunton,” he said, grimly, “you have not shown -yourself much of a gentleman in your attempt to force -your attentions on these young ladies. You had better -desist.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton gave a snarl.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Go to blazes!” he hissed. “If you fool around me, -you’ll get thumped!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He made a threatening movement, but Frank did not -stir, looking him straight in the eyes, and quietly saying:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I wouldn’t advise you to try it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>That was too much for the angry actor, and, despite the -time and place, he aimed a blow at Merry’s cheek with his -open hand.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank ducked like a flash, came up instantly, caught the -fellow by the collar, whirled him about and gave him a -push away, advising:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Go on, now! Don’t try that a second time.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he turned to the girls, swiftly speaking:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am very sorry you have been annoyed, and I think -you had better get away from here at once, so you will not -be connected in gossip with an actor’s row, in case Mr. -Dunton forces me to fight.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The dark-eyed girl gave him a grateful and admiring -look, and they both hastened away.</p> - -<p class='c008'>By that time Dunton had turned, his face now white -with rage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You interfering puppy!” he grated. “I said I’d do it, -and now I will!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He came at Frank with a rush.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A very tall, lank youth and a short, fat lad, who were -approaching, uttered simultaneous exclamations:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Gosh all hemlock!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Shimminy Gristmas!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s a fight, Hans!” cried Ephraim Gallup.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw,” said Hans, breathlessly, “id peen a vight!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Frank Merriwell is in it!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw, he peen in id, und der odder veller peliefs he vos, -too, but he vill seen his misdake britty soon alretty.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yeou bet! Whoop! Looker that!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>For Frank had met Dunton’s rush squarely, parried -the fellow’s blow, and knocked him down.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The girls, looking back, saw all this.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton was stunned, dazed, astounded. He sat up, -clasping a hand over his eye, and staring at Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hans and Ephraim strolled up.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Py Chorch!” said the Dutch lad. “I nefer oxbected to -seen Misder Tunton seddin’ himseluf down to rest der -sidevalks on like dot.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Waal,” drawled Ephraim, his face twisted into a -comical grin, “yeou can’t never tell jest whut a feller with -a real light head will do. He’s apt to lose his b’lance an’ -set daown ’most anywhere.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Vot you peen doin’ him to, Vrankie?” inquired Hans, -innocently. “He don’d seem to felt as vell as you might, -don’d id?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He does look kainder gol darn sick to his stummick,” -nodded Ephraim.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Some of the townspeople began to gather around, and -Dunton hastily rose to his feet. He glared at Frank, muttered:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right! all right! You’ll settle for that! I’ll remember -it!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he started away.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If yeou want a slice of beefsteak fer that air eye,” -drawled the youth from Vermont, “there’s a butcher shop -daown the street a piece.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton did not reply or turn about.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The crowd was curious to know what the trouble was -about, and so Frank made haste to get away.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hans and Ephraim accompanied him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That air chap kainder run up ag’inst a snag, didn’t he, -Frank?” said the Yankee. “Whut was the raow abaout?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry explained, as they entered the post office.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Vale,” said Hans, sagely, “some beoble don’d knew so -much pefore some dings happens as they knew afterward -britty queek.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That chap hates yeou, Frank,” asserted Ephraim; -“and yeou want to look aout for him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He doesn’t seem to be very dangerous,” smiled -Merry, dropping his letter into the slot.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yeou can’t tell abaout that. When he finds he can’t -hurt ye in a fair way, he’s purty gol darn sure to try some -other way. I wouldn’t trust him an inch.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>They left the post office and proceeded to the hotel, -where Frank went at once to his room, failing to appear -at supper time, as he was busy studying his part, and -could not spare time to eat.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Alone in his room, Merry walked the floor and dug -away at the lines. His door was closed, and he repeated -his part, seeking to discover the proper manner to emphasize -the different expressions.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank was thoroughly disgusted by the slovenly pronunciation -of the average traveling actor, but the matter -of emphasis, he had discovered, was given less attention -than that of pronunciation. Indeed, many actors mouthed -their lines so that the real meaning was utterly obscured, -or the words were made to seem to mean something quite -different from what the playwright intended.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As for gestures and poses, Frank knew that, on an average, -twenty actors gesticulate too much for one who gesticulates -too little. The absence of gesticulation is rarely, -if ever, missed, while too many gestures are almost certain -to be offensive.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Some actors seem to fancy they must do something with -their hands every time they open their mouths, and they -quickly become annoying to the audience. It is often the -case that action is the resort of impotency.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank had studied since starting out with the company, -and he had learned a great deal about actors and their art. -He had found there were books that would give him -much needed information, and he had not lost time in procuring -them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was Frank’s hobby to know something about everything -possible, and to know everything possible about the -business with which he was connected.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was this that had caused him to get ahead so rapidly -in railroading, and, now that he was no longer employed -on a railroad, he hoped to get ahead swiftly in his new -line of work.</p> - -<p class='c008'>One of his books had told him that, “More than all -else, it is an actor’s utterance that fixes his position as an -artist,” and, meditating on the skill of the best actors he -had seen, Merry soon decided that this was true.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was plain enough to Frank that the “old-time” actor -who resorted to vocal gymnastics, roaring or cooing, as he -fancied the occasion required, did not possess so much -actual force as some quiet “new-school” actors, who seldom -raised their voices above a certain pitch, yet who -succeeded in putting deep intensity into their expressions.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry had decided that the beginning and end of the -actor’s study should be the art of delivery. The other -things an actor must learn are comparatively easy, but the -art of “reading” well is so difficult that very few actors -become sufficiently acquainted with it to discover how difficult -it really is.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank knew he could not learn to deliver his part properly -in the short time given him to commit it, but he resolved -to do his best on the lines he did commit, and so -he studied them over carefully to discover just how they -should be spoken.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was plain enough to him that “the art of elocution” as -taught by ninety-nine elocutionists out of a hundred was -something that had far better be left unlearned if a person -really wished to become an actor, for those “elocutionists” -give their attention almost wholly to modulation, -and very little to the meaning of what they read.</p> - -<p class='c008'>In the matter of emphasis, elocution teachers, as a rule, -instruct their pupils to emphasize words, but properly it is -ideas and not words that should be emphasized.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Books on elocution give certain arbitrary rules to be -followed, but no rule that will apply to all cases can be -made, and brains are far better than rules.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merriwell shut himself up in his room to give his -brains a chance to study out certain things in connection -with his lines, as well as to commit the words to memory. -Almost anybody can commit words so they may be reeled -off parrot-like, but it takes intellect to speak words thus -committed so that they convey the meaning the author -intended they should convey.</p> - -<p class='c008'>So intent was Frank on his work that he did not notice -when his door swung open, and he did not know two -persons had entered the room till one of them spoke to the -other. That one said:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Shut the door and lock it, Sargent! We’ve got him -alone, and I’ll black both his eyes before anybody can come -up and stop the muss.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank whirled about, dropping the manuscript play on -his bed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton and Sargent were there, and Dunton was taking -off his coat in a very significant manner, while Sargent -was hastily locking the door.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was trouble in the air.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XVI.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>DUNTON’S DISCOMFITURE.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Frank did not wait to be attacked. He made a flying -leap at Dunton, caught the fellow with his coat halfway -off, and flung him clean across the bed, so that his head -was rammed against the wall with a thud that seemed to -shake the building.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he went at Sargent.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sargent turned to meet him, but did not get round -quick enough.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank slammed him up against the door so that it nearly -burst open.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Glad you gentlemen called,” he declared, gently. -“Make yourselves at home. I shall do my best to entertain -you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He had Sargent by the neck, and he thumped the fellow’s -head against the door so hard that the panel was -cracked.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Wow!” cried Dunton’s astonished friend. “I didn’t -come up to fight with you!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, you didn’t?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why did you come?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“To see fair play.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Was that it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes. Ouch! You hurt!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, you don’t seem to be fighting much,” observed -Frank, disgustedly. “Get in under cover out of the way.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He caught Sargent by the slack of his trousers and the -collar and fired him under the bed just as Dunton crawled -off it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sargent went in till nothing but his heels stuck out, and -there he lay, making no effort to retreat, evidently being -well satisfied to get out of the way like that, for it had -dawned on him that he and Dunton were “up against it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton was raving mad. He literally frothed at the -mouth as he came off the bed and leaped on the ex-Yale -athlete.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll kill you!” he howled.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Will you?” inquired Merry, calmly. “I don’t think!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton tried to get him by the throat. For some moments -there was a terrific struggle, during which a chair -and a stand were overturned.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton was nerved by such fury that he made a desperate -antagonist for a time, but he could not hold out -against Merriwell.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Seeing he was about to get the worst of it, the fellow -tried to get some kind of weapon out of his pocket.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Would you!” cried Frank, catching his wrist.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“In a minute!” returned the other.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You’re pretty bad.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You’ll find out!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Bang! bang! bang!</p> - -<p class='c008'>Somebody was pounding on the door.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What’s going on in there?” cried a voice. “What are -you doing, Merriwell?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was Havener.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I am practicing a little,” answered Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Let me in.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The door is locked, and my hands are full.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hands full of what?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Man. Got one under the bed, and the other is—going.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>With a twist and a snap, Frank whirled Dunton about, -caught him up off his feet, sent him shooting under the -bed by the side of Sargent.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he quickly unlocked the door.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Walk in, Mr. Havener,” he politely invited.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The stage-manager did so, looking around in wonder.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Where’s the man?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“There.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank pointed, and his finger indicated two pairs of -feet sticking out from under the bed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener stared.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What!” he gasped.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Came in to do me up,” Merry explained.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But—but—what are they doing under the bed?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“By gum!” chuckled the voice of Ephraim Gallup, who -was now standing in the open door. “I guess they’re -huntin’ fer him under the bed. Haw! haw! haw!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Havener, and he was a man -who seldom smiled.</p> - -<p class='c008'>One pair of feet began to kick, and the owner struggled -to get out from beneath the bed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Come out, both of you,” commanded Havener.</p> - -<p class='c008'>They did so, one at a time, and two more crestfallen, -sheepish, disgusted-looking fellows never showed their -faces.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I didn’t come here to fight,” Sargent hastened to again -declare.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton said nothing, for he could find no words to -express his feelings.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Ephraim Gallup continued to roar with laughter, and -all the noise had brought several more of the company to -the spot, together with other guests of the hotel.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton ground his teeth together when he realized what -a spectacle he was, and the one look he gave Frank Merriwell -was murderous. Then he made a break for the -door.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Let me out!” he snarled.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Go it!” cried Ephraim. “I don’t wonder yeou feel like -runnin’! By gum! if I was yeou, I’d feel like findin’ a -hole somewhere and crawlin’ inter it. Them fellers came -up here to lick Frank Merriwell in his room,” he explained, -as Sargent hastened after his chum. “Gosh all -hemlock! They couldn’t ’a’ done it if they’d bin ten of -’um, ’stead of two.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The proprietor came up, and Merriwell apologized for -the disturbance. Havener, however, was forced to pacify -the man, which he finally succeeded in doing, with the -assistance of Hawkins, who had found the soft side of the -hotel keeper at an early date.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why haven’t you been down to supper, Merriwell?” -asked the stage-manager.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No time,” answered Merry, shortly. “Studying. I -won’t eat till after the show.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Can’t get anything in this hotel at that hour.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then I’ll patronize a lunch cart. Can’t spend time to -eat. Those fellows cut me out of fifteen minutes. Send -somebody to tell me when it’s necessary for me to go to -the theater.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right,” promised Havener, as he hustled everybody -out of the room. “I don’t think you’ll be disturbed again.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Closing the door, Frank picked up the manuscript and -went on studying as if nothing had happened. In a moment -he dismissed the encounter from his mind and gave -his entire attention to the lines he was learning.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank continued to study till Hans came to tell him -that the band was going to play before the theater, and the -company was going over to make up.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank found Havener waiting in the office of the hotel.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How are you making it?” asked the stage-manager.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Fairly well,” answered Frank, modestly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If you do as well as I hope, you will save us from -making a big fizzle to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I shall do my level best.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>They went over to the theater, and Frank immediately -sought his dressing room to make up.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Old Dan Lee was there.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Cassie told me I’d better help you make up, Merriwell,” -said the veteran actor.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Thank you, Mr. Lee,” smiled Frank, “but I believe -I can do the trick without assistance.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right, if you say so; but I’ll stay and put on the -finishing touches.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I haven’t a make-up box. Shall have to borrow from -somebody.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Here,” said Lee, “use what you want out of this one. -It belonged to that fellow Storms, but he will do his making -up in jail for some time.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank began work with the grease paint, and then -Dunton came in. He stopped and glared at Merry, astonished -to find him in that dressing room.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What the——” he began, and then stopped short.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A moment later Dunton made a dive forward and -caught up the make-up box Frank was using.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, talk about crust!” he snarled; “this beats! Drop -that stick of grease paint!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank turned and surveyed him, quietly asking:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It doesn’t belong to you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Does it belong to you?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How’s that?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Because it does.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It was Storms’.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What of that?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He left it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He gave it to me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s a lie!” declared Dan Lee, who had been watching -everything. “Storms didn’t give it to anybody, but -you took it. Before that you bummed make-up off everybody -else, because you spent all your money for drinks, -and didn’t have so much as a piece of coco-butter of your -own.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, dry up!” snapped Dunton. “You’re always poking -your nose into something that doesn’t concern you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“This business concerns me, for I told Merriwell to use -that stuff, and by the gods! he’s going to use it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He shan’t!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He shall!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The old actor slammed the dressing-room door and -placed his back against it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You’re not going to take that box out of here,” he -declared. “Put it down till Merriwell is through with it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I won’t!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then Merriwell will take it away from you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Let him try it!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Go ahead, Merriwell,” directed old Dan; “and thump -him if he don’t give it up instanter.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank started toward Dunton, who backed away, holding -onto the box.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Keep off!” grated the fellow.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Give it up!” commanded Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton backed against the partition, and Frank confronted -him. The fellow remembered how he had been -handled not very long before in Merriwell’s room, and he -scarcely wished to fall into Frank’s hands again.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You can’t have it!” he declared, weakening somewhat.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Give it up!” repeated Merry, sternly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then, like a flash, Dunton lifted the box and hurled it -at the head of the youth he hated.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank dodged, and the box flew past his head, striking -the partition and falling to the floor, where its contents, -powder, paint, puffs, and so forth, flew in every direction.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dan Lee uttered an exclamation of anger.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now thump him, Merriwell—thump him hard!” cried -the old actor. “He deserves it!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No,” said Frank, scornfully. “I should be ashamed -to do it. He is too contemptible.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he turned and stooped to gather up whatever he -could of the contents of the box.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton fancied he saw his opportunity.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Look out!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The warning came from old Dan just as Dunton leaped -onto Frank’s shoulders.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry was crushed to the floor, but Dan Lee rushed -forward and caught Dunton by the collar, dragging him -off his intended victim.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Up to his feet shot Frank, and he caught hold of his -enemy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Open the door!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Lee hastened to do so, and Merriwell lost no time in -throwing Dunton out of the dressing room, being unable -to resist the temptation to give him a boost with his toe.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The fellow was sent sprawling, his undignified exit being -witnessed by several members of the company.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank turned back and gathered up such of the contents -of the box as he could, and then resumed the work of -making up.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He did it rapidly, closely watched by old Dan. In a very -short time Frank had finished.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“There,” he said, turning to be inspected, “now I will -listen to your suggestions, Mr. Lee.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Ain’t got any to make,” said old Dan. “You’re all -right; but where’d you learn to make up?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I’ve watched the others.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Watching wouldn’t teach you to put it on like that -without making a single mistake. You’ve had some practice. -Where?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“A little at college.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“College?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What college?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yale.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Did you go to Yale?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I did.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Never knew it before. Why didn’t you say something -about it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why should I?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I don’t know, but you never say anything about -yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t think much of fellows who are forever telling -something about themselves.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No more do I,” nodded old Dan. “You’re all right. -But how did you learn to make up at college?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We had amateur theatricals.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, but——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Of course we had to make up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But you were greenies.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Sure.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How could you learn to do it like an expert?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Got a book of instructions and studied it till I knew it -by heart.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Huah! Don’t take much stock in such books. Fellow’s -got to learn by experience.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I got some experience.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, the others found I knew something about it, and -I had to make up the whole company. In that way I got -a chance to try my hand at all sorts of characters, for some -of the fellows impersonated old men, some brigands, some -girls, and so forth.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well,” said old Dan, “I rather think you have a way -of catching onto things in a hurry. You’re all right. -What are you going to do now?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Study till it is time to go on.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank was to appear in the first act in ordinary street -clothes, so his costume for that act gave him no trouble.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He took the manuscript and sat down in a corner, where -he went at it again, and he did not even hear the band -when it played its first piece in the theater. He was -aroused by Havener, who came in and said:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll have to take that manuscript now, Merriwell. The -curtain goes up in two minutes.”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XVII.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>FRANK’S FIRST APPEARANCE.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Frank stood behind the scenes, ready to make his first -entrance. Outwardly he was as calm as a clock, but inwardly -he was not so calm. Anyone looking at him closely -must have observed that his eyes shone with a strange -light. Whether his face was pale or not could not be told, -for the make up concealed that.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The play had started off all right, and already the -audience was giving it close attention.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The house was good.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cassie had found an opportunity to whisper to Frank:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Keep a stiff upper lip, my boy. I’ll bet on you. You’re -a winner, and I know it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Thank you, Cassie,” he smiled, quietly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Dunton’s the one that’s liable to go to pieces to-night, -for he’s in a deuce of a state. He’s been drinking, too. -I’ll bet he gets stiff after the show. That fellow hates you -so he’d like to kill you now. Look out for him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“So long, and good luck.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“So long.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He saw by her appearance that she had resorted to her -regular stimulant, and again he thought:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Poor Cassie!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Even in that moment when his own affairs weighed on -him so heavily he thought of another.</p> - -<p class='c008'>What was that? One of the actors was speaking, and it -was the speech that preceded his entrance.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The moment had arrived at last!</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank nerved himself, and then he—entered.</p> - -<p class='c008'>For a single instant it seemed that his tongue was numb -in his mouth and he would not be able to speak, and then, -with grace and dignity he advanced down the center, smiling -and delivering his first speech.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The moment he gave utterance to the first words his -embarrassment left him and he was quite at ease. He -made a fine appearance and impressed the audience favorably.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank went through the scene splendidly, for it was the -one he had rehearsed most, barring the duel scene. He -had the air and bearing of a professional actor, and no -one in the audience could have imagined him a novice.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As Dunton was not on the stage at the time, he had a -chance to stand in the first entrance at the left and watch -everything. His heart was swelling with rage, and he did -his best to attract Merriwell’s attention, hoping to break -Frank up by a sneering look.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But Frank gave strict attention to the people on the -stage, and neither glanced toward the wings nor the audience. -In fact, when he left the stage he had not seen a -single person besides those with whom he had had business -before the footlights.</p> - -<p class='c008'>His exit was effective, and there was a ripple of applause -as he delivered the final speech of the scene and -retired from the stage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton was chewing his tongue viciously, and swearing -beneath his breath.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, the fellow shall have a tumble before the piece is -over!” the stage villain muttered. “I’ll see to it that his -light is dimmed. He shall not triumph to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener received Frank as he came off.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You did first rate that time, Merriwell,” he said, encouragingly. -“If you can keep that up, you will make -a hit, but you know the hardest is to come.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I know,” came quietly from Frank’s lips.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Do you feel shaky?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Not a bit.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s good! You will do it!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank saw that the stage-manager was giving him all -the encouragement possible.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener himself was playing a part, but he had very -little business on the stage with Merriwell.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cassie soon came round and congratulated Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Merriwell, my boy, you did it great!” declared the -little soubrette. “I was proud of you. You made a -splendid appearance. If I wasn’t stuck on Ross, I’d be -head over heels in love with you this minute.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t make me blush, Cassie!” protested Frank, embarrassed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I ain’t giving you taffy; this is straight goods. -I saw Dunton watching you. His face was like a thundercloud, -and he glared as if he longed to kill you. Didn’t -you see him?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He was standing in the first entrance on the other -side. I know he tried to catch your eye.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What for?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Thought he could break you up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, he didn’t succeed.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And I was mighty glad. He’s a bad egg. Some -day he’ll hit you a slam in the back that will hurt you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I rather think he’ll drop it after a while.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He won’t drop it, for he ain’t that kind. He’s a -snake. But I must go on in a minute. See you later. -Keep the good work up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>She skipped away.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When Frank next went on, many of his lines were with -Dunton.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then it was that Dunton did his best to break Merry -up. He transposed his speeches, getting everything in, -but failing to give Frank more than a third of the cues, -and often the continuity of the conversation depended entirely -on the cues.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Of course, Frank was placed at a disadvantage, but -he faked as well as he could and covered the breaks -as far as possible. Indeed, he astonished and disgusted -Dunton by his skill in carrying the scene along.</p> - -<p class='c008'>And when Dunton left the stage Havener was waiting -for him, looking decidedly ugly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Look here, man!” came harshly from the stage-manager; -“what do you mean by this kind of work?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton pretended to be astonished.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What kind of work?” he asked, with pretended innocence.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You know what kind of work!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I do not, sir. I am sure——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That will do! You did your best to rattle Merriwell!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Nothing of the sort. I——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t lie about it, Dunton! I have been in this business -too long not to see through such tricks.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Mr. Havener, this is the third time to-day——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It is the third time I have been forced to tell you -something you do not like to hear, and it will be the last -time. If I have to make any further talk to you this -day it will be to tell you that you are discharged.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>This was straight talk, and Dunton could not misunderstand -it.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You dare not discharge me without good cause. I -have a contract with Barnaby Haley, and you cannot -give me any release.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener snapped his fingers.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That for your contract!” he said. “It was with the -old ‘All-Star Combination,’ and does not hold with the -new company. You have no contract with Haley and -Hawkins, I know that, and, if I see fit to release you, out -you go. So now be careful.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Such threats are uncalled for, Mr. Havener.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am talking business to you, for there is no other way -to handle you. You are so sore on Merriwell that you -seem crazy to do him some sort of injury. If you keep -it up, you will injure yourself—nobody else.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I shall appeal to Mr. Haley.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Do so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I shall.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I hope you will. The next time you have lines with -Merriwell, however, give him his proper cues. If you -don’t——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener stopped of his own accord, and the look he -gave Dunton was more significant than words. Then he -turned away.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Thoroughly sore and heartsick, Dunton watched the -climax of the first act, which was worked out splendidly -and received a burst of applause as the curtain descended.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then, behind the scenes, Dunton saw the members of -the company gather around Merriwell and congratulate -him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Gods!” grated Frank’s new enemy. “I can’t stand -that!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He rushed away to one of the dressing rooms, where -he raved like a mad person.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Having worked himself up to this pitch in his hatred -for Merriwell, Dunton was ready for almost anything. -He felt that he must ease his mind by talking to somebody, -and he uttered an exclamation of satisfaction when Sargent -came in to make a change in his costume and make -up.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What do you think of it?” he hissed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Of what?” asked Sargent, as he went about making -the necessary change.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Of what!” snarled Dunton. “Why, curse it! of this -Merriwell business, of course!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I think he did remarkably well,” said Sargent, -shifting his collar and tie.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton caught his breath and looked dazed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Did well?” he muttered.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I should say so,” murmured Sargent, looking in the -glass as he adjusted the knot in his tie. “I think it was -about the best job I ever saw, considering the circumstances. -I don’t understand how he did it so well on such -short notice. The fact that he committed the lines and -was able to speak them on the stage is something beyond -my understanding.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton made a rush, caught his chum by the collar, -swung him round and glared into his face.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Have you got it, too?” he snarled.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Eh? Got what?” asked Sargent.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“This foolishness over that fellow. Everybody else -seems to have it, and now, by the eternal skies! you’ve -caught it. It’s too much! Now I will kill him!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Better not,” said Sargent, calmly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What do you mean? Are you going back on me?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, then, what——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’m simply going to let Merriwell alone in the future, -and I advise you as a friend to do the same.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“To blazes with your advice—and you, too! You’re -a squealer! That’s what’s the matter with you!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sargent simply shrugged his shoulders and went on -making the necessary changes.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“A squealer!” repeated Dunton, grinding the words -derisively through his teeth. “You are scared of Merriwell, -and so you are going to quit. I hate a quitter!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now you are getting very excited, Dug,” murmured -Sargent, applying some powder to his neck. “What you -need just now is a good, cold shower bath.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What you need is a good thumping!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s what you said Merriwell needed, and I went -up to his room with you to watch you give it to him,” reminded -Sargent.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Bah!” Dunton almost howled. “So you fling about -that! I didn’t think this of you! You’ve gone back on -me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No, dear fellow.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, you have! You’re afraid of Merriwell! You -are a blamed coward!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“In your excitement, Dug, you are saying a number -of unpleasant things. I have found out a few things -about Merriwell, and I know he is a bad man to fool -with.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Rot!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right; but take my advice and let him alone.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll let him alone when I’ve done him up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And you’ll get done up yourself, old man. Why, this -Merriwell was in Yale less than a year ago, and was called -the champion all-around athlete of the college. He was -a great oarsman, football player, sprinter and jumper. -As for scrapping, they say he whipped the bully of the -college without getting a mark.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Lies—all lies!” palpitated Dunton. “I don’t believe -the fellow ever saw Yale College.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The trouble with you is that you won’t believe anything -you don’t want to believe; but I guess this stuff -about Merriwell is straight goods.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Lies, lies!” Frank’s enemy snarled. “How do people -know so much about him all at once?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I don’t know.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He’s been telling such stories, and that is enough to -stamp them as lies.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I guess not. I remember seeing his name in the papers. -Frank Merriwell was often spoken of in connection -with Yale sports and athletics.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What of that?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Isn’t that enough to prove what I’ve been telling you -has some foundation, at least?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The Frank Merriwell spoken of may have been quite -another fellow. I know it was not this chap.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How do you know?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why, didn’t we pick him up on the road, and hadn’t -he been working on a railroad! Such a famous Yale man -wouldn’t be shoveling coal on a railroad.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t know. I’ve heard he lost his fortune and was -forced to leave college and go to work.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t take any stock in such a fairy story, and you -are a fool to believe it. He’s just a common upstart, and -I am going to take the starch out of him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, I’ve warned you. I am your friend, Dug; but -I’m not monkeying with Merriwell any more. You’ve had -bad luck at it. Havener is sore on you, and——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’m sore on him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He’s the stage-manager, and he stands in with Haley. -He can get you fired if he wants to do so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“They can’t get along without me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s where you make a mistake. They’d find a way -to get along without you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton looked thoroughly disgusted.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I see you have gone back on me, even though you -say not,” he said, dejectedly. “I didn’t think it of you, -Art!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He turned away, and Sargent quickly stepped to his -side, saying:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am still your friend, Dug, but I can’t afford to get -into trouble and lose my engagement. You know I’ve -got a mother——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton flung off the hand his friend had placed on his -arm.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The same old mother cry!” he sneered. “You pretend -you send all your money to your mother, and that’s -why you’re forever broke. That mother of yours is in a -Tenderloin flat in New York, I’ll bet, and it’s ten to one -she’s drinking fizz with another popper to-night. I’ve -sized you up as a good, soft thing. You’ve had your -leg pulled till it’s a wonder you can walk without crutches. -Soft things always make me tired!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He left the dressing room, with Sargent standing in -the middle of the floor.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right!” muttered the latter; “all right, Dunton! -I have been your friend, but I rather think this ends it. -My conscience won’t trouble me if I quit you after this.”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>A REMARKABLE STAGE DUEL.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Douglas Dunton was “sore.” He felt that, besides other -unpleasant things that had happened, he had lost his -friend and chum, and he blamed Frank Merriwell for it -all.</p> - -<p class='c008'>And when he saw Merriwell carry his part through the -second act quite as well as he had done in the first, only -getting adrift twice, and then faking lines so that it was -unnecessary to prompt him, Dunton actually was sick. -His lips, on which there were no coloring, looked blue -and cold, and his flesh was clammy to the touch.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When Merriwell won a burst of applause, Dunton -cursed the audience for a lot of fools, but took care that -his curses were not heard by anyone.</p> - -<p class='c008'>To add to his rage, Cassie had the impudence to sweetly -ask him if he didn’t think Mr. Merriwell was doing -“real well.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He did not make a reply—he could not.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll make a fool of the fellow in the duel scene,” he -thought. “I’ll show the audience just what a stick he is -before I am disarmed, and I’ll make everybody see that I -voluntarily permit him to disarm me. That’s where I’ll -get in my work.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Somehow, when he thought it over, this seemed a weak -sort of revenge. He longed to humble Merriwell, to -completely humiliate him, to disgrace him, if possible.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He could not hide from himself the fact that Merriwell’s -work thus far was really marvelous, and that added to his -rage immeasurably.</p> - -<p class='c008'>How was it that this fellow, with no experience on -the stage, could take an important part, commit it in such -short time, and play it with the skill of a drilled actor?</p> - -<p class='c008'>When the second act was over, Dunton was surly as -a dog with a sore ear.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener came and spoke to him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Merriwell is doing first rate,” said the stage-manager; -“but the duel will be difficult for him, and I want you to -help him as much as you can. You can help him make -it effective, if you will, and I shall be watching. Don’t -be foolish, Dunton. You can see now that it was better -not to put two persons onto new parts, instead of one, and -that’s what would have been done if I had let you play -the part Merriwell has. I just spoke to him about you, -and he says he holds no hard feelings. He will bury the -hatchet and forget all that has happened if you will do -the same. Now, come, promise me that you will help him -on the duel. Will you?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton hesitated, a sour look on his face.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Be a man,” urged Havener. “Promise.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Be a man!” Those words cut, and Dunton ground -his teeth softly. Then, all at once, he pretended to relent, -and he said:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, well, I can’t forget so quickly, but I’ll do what -I can for the fellow on the duel.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s good,” nodded Havener. “I shall be watching.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, I’ll do what I can for him!” grated Dunton, -softly, as the stage-manager moved away. “Oh, but you -had a crust to come to me and talk like that!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>When the curtain went up for the third act, Dunton -was eager for the time of the duel to arrive. His eagerness -made him go at his part with more vim than heretofore, -and Havener, watching him, nodded his satisfaction, -saying to himself:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I guess the fellow sees at last that he has been making -a fool of himself. He’ll be all right, now.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The third act went with a swing that fairly carried -the audience. Bursts of applause were frequent. The -play was a success, and Havener knew he would receive -congratulations from Haley, who was “on the front of -the house.” At last the duel scene was on. It was a -forest setting, and Merriwell, the challenged party, had -fallen into a snare set for him by Dunton, the villain, -by naming swords as the weapons.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton and his second were first on the scene, and the -conversation between them was to the effect that in three -minutes the time set for the duel would pass, and there -were no signs of the challenged party.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton: “He will not come—he dare not come!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Second: “There is yet time. He may arrive at the last -moment.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton: “He is a coward, from a race of cowards. He -poses as a gentleman, but the blood of a craven flows in -his veins.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>These words were spoken with an intensity and double -significance that Frank, waiting in the wings, did not -miss.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Second: “The time is nearly up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton: “Yes.”—Looks at his watch.—“There is but -one minute more. He will fail to appear, and when next -we meet, I will brand him as the cur he is.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Second: “You will come out of this affair honorably -without danger to yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton: “Danger! Bah! What danger would there -be to face him! I would toy with him—play with him as -a cat plays with a mouse. I would let him see that he -was completely at my mercy. I would laugh at his clumsy -efforts, and then, when I had tired of the sport, I would -run him through the heart! But I shall not have that -pleasure.”—Closes watch with a snap.—“The time is up, -and he is not here.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>(Frank enters, followed by his second, with weapons in -case.)</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank: “You are wrong, sir; I am here!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The audience, whose sympathy was entirely with Merry, -gave him a hearty round of applause.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton: “Your craven feet must have faltered slowly -on the way.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank: “It was not the fault of our feet, sir; we lost -the way, and were forced to seek directions. I assure -you that we made all haste, and, now we are here, no -time shall be lost.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then arrangements were swiftly made for the duel, -and soon the two young men stood face to face, stripped -of coats and vests, their swords in their hands.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The duel began, and, at the very first, it seemed evident -that Dunton was the most skillful swordsman. But -Dunton himself soon discovered that Merriwell had lost -much of his apparent awkwardness displayed at the rehearsal, -and it called out the fellow’s best efforts to beat -Frank back and make a display of superiority.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton’s rage increased with every passing moment. -He was failing to make such a display of Merriwell as he -had hoped, and his anger drove him temporarily insane. -With terrible fury he beat Merry back and back.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank retreated, watching his antagonist closely. All -at once, he saw a deadly glare in Dunton’s eyes, and the -fellow hissed:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now you die!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he lunged straight at Frank’s heart!</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was no false movement, but it was a savage thrust -with murderous intent.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank realized his danger on the instant. Dunton, insane -with anger, meant to kill him, and then declare it was -an accident.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merriwell leaped aside, and parried with a slight turn -of his wrist. The point of his enemy’s sword was turned -aside, but it passed through his shirt sleeve.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Realizing he was baffled, Dunton fought like a fiend, -and the swords clashed and clanged, sparks flying from -the glittering blades.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The audience little dreamed a real duel was taking -place on that stage, but never before had they witnessed -anything like it, and, as one man, they arose to their feet.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Clash! clash! clash! The ring of steel against steel -filled the house.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Like young tigers, the two antagonists crouched and -darted and circled and sprang.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was a most thrilling spectacle.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Curse you!” panted Dunton, as he was baffled again -and again.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Not a word came from Merriwell, but now there was a -light in his eyes that his enemy had never seen there.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton could not reach Frank, try as he might, and he -began to realize that this fellow whom he despised was -really his master with the weapons they held.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The seconds became alarmed and seemed about to interfere, -for they realized that there was something more -than acting about this wonderful duel.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Keep back!” ordered Frank. “It will be all right.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll do it yet!” vowed Dunton, inwardly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Now Merriwell was toying with the stage villain, a -true villain at heart, and, realizing what a poor showing -he was making, Dunton set his teeth and made a last -bold dash for the life of his foe.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Right there Merriwell caught Dunton’s blade on his, -let it slip past till the hilts met, and then tore the weapon -from the fellow’s hand, sending it spinning into the air.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton fell back, with a cry of amazement and horror.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Down came the blade, and Merry caught it gracefully, -instantly offering it, hilt first, to his disarmed foe.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton hesitated, then, like a flash, he snatched the -weapon and tried to run Frank through!</p> - -<p class='c008'>The audience gasped.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But Merriwell was not caught. Back he went with a -spring, and again his sword clanged against that of his -enemy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Now it was not possible for the eye to follow all the -movements of those gleaming weapons. Frank was a -perfect whirlwind, and the terrible look on his set face -frightened Dunton beyond measure.</p> - -<p class='c008'>At last, being unable to withstand Merry, the fellow -dropped his sword and cried out for mercy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Mercy!” shot from Frank’s lips. “What mercy do you -deserve? But go! I would not stain my hands with -such treacherous blood!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then the curtain came down amid a perfect uproar of -applause.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XIX.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>DUNTON SEES A LIGHT.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>“By Jove!” exclaimed Ross Havener, as he rushed onto -the stage the moment the curtain was down. “That was -great! Couldn’t have done it better if you had practiced -a year! Hear them roar! Why, they’re going to give -you a curtain call!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton started to move away, and he fairly staggered.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hold on, Dunton,” commanded the stage-manager. -“You must go before the curtain with Merriwell!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I can’t!” gasped the wretched fellow. “I—I’m ill!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’ll be only a minute. You must go. Ready, Merriwell. -Out here. Go on, now. Bow—bow when they -applaud.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank was pushed out, and he found himself before a -crowd that seemed beside itself with enthusiasm. Such -cheering he had never before heard in a theater. He -bowed and walked across.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then Dunton came out. There was moderate applause, -and a few hisses, but it was plain that Merriwell was the -one who had won the house.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Behind the curtain Havener stopped them both.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t understand it now,” he declared. “Why, that -was more like a real duel than anything else! One time -I was actually scared, for I thought it was a trifle too -realistic. In fact, I don’t think it will do for you to go -at it like that every time, for you might make a slip that -would result in a dangerous wound. I noticed Dunton -made some pretty nasty thrusts.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Again Dunton tried to get away, for he fancied Merriwell -would tell Havener everything.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It looked worse than it really was, I fancy,” smiled -Frank. “Mr. Dunton was very easy with me, and all his -thrusts were easily avoided.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton felt like wilting.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What is the matter, Dunton?” asked Havener.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I tell you I am ill!” snapped the fellow. “Can’t you -see it? My nerves—are all—unstrung!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The duel was too much for you. Now, Merriwell -seems as cool as ice.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton went down to his dressing room.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Sargent was there, and he stared at Dunton as the -latter came in and dropped down limply on a square box.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well,” said Sargent, “what do you think of Frank -Merriwell now?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why!” gasped Dunton.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why! Don’t I know! Didn’t I watch it all! Didn’t -I understand! Think I’m a fool?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What are you driving at?” asked Dunton, weakly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You know. You made a fool of yourself, Dug. You -tried to run him through!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The fellow sprang up off the box, his eyes glaring.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t you dare say that!” he panted—“don’t you -dare! It’s a lie!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s the truth!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Curse you! You have turned against me!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If you are going to turn murderer—yes!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Murderer!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It would have been murder had you succeeded!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“In what?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Your purpose in that duel. You’d thought you could -make it seem an accident if you thrust Merriwell through. -You might have fooled a jury into believing it accidental, -but I should have known better. I should have known -you were a murderer!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t—don’t use that word!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It is the word that applies.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The jig is up with me!” half whimpered Dunton. -“Merriwell knows, and he will denounce me. You know, -and you will say it is true. Oh, curse you both! I hate -you!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He seemed ready to burst into tears, and yet he was -quivering with rage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Dunton,” said Sargent, grimly, “you’re not in your -right mind. You have become insane through your hatred -for Frank Merriwell, and your insanity nearly led you -to commit a terrible crime. It was not your fault that -you did not succeed. If Merriwell had not been your -superior with a sword, you would have accomplished the -deed.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton sat down on the box again, and dropped his face -on his hands.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s no use!” he muttered, thickly. “Everything has -gone against me! I am finished!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You have no one but yourself to blame,” said Sargent, -rather stiffly. “I warned you to let the fellow alone. But -how is he going to prove that you really tried to run him -through?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“By you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He can’t.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He doesn’t know I think so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You’ll tell.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You won’t?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No. If you will promise me to drop this thing here -and let Merriwell alone, wild horses can’t drag anything -out of me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton lifted his head.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You will remain my friend?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, I’ll stick by you if you’ll quit this monkey business -and walk a straight line.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll do it, if Merriwell don’t floor me for this first -round.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You must take chances on that. Brace up, now, -and——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes; give me a drink. Here, I have something in -my coat. I must take a big drink, or I can’t play through -the last act. They won’t do anything with me till the -piece is over, anyhow.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He got out a bottle and took a heavy drink. To his -surprise, Sargent declined to take anything.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am done with the stuff for between-the-acts bracers,” -he said. “Those who want it may take it. Merriwell -doesn’t drink a drop, and he’ll have us all in the shade -before the season is over.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Are you going to take him for a model?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I may. It wouldn’t hurt either of us to pattern after -such a model.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Dunton managed to get through the final act of the -play. Appearances indicated that Frank had not betrayed -him up to the end of the play, but he felt sure Merry -would do so immediately after all was over.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As soon as possible, he wiped off his make-up, got into -his street clothes, and left the theater. He went straight -to the hotel, and proceeded to get as full of whisky as he -could hold.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll be good and drunk when they jump on me,” he -thought.</p> - -<p class='c008'>How he got to bed or when he went he never knew, -but he awoke the following morning with a splitting headache, -and he was forced to start the day with two stiff -drinks. Those seemed to brace him up, and, dressing, he -went down to see what was being said about him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He met some of the members of the company, and they -congratulated him on the duel scene. At first he fancied -they might be trying to draw him out, but he soon decided -they were in earnest. That made it evident that -they knew nothing of the facts. But Havener must know.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He met Havener, and two minutes’ conversation with -the stage-manager convinced him that Havener did not -know.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then it began to dawn upon him that it was possible -Merriwell had not yet denounced him. Before long he -was convinced that this was true.</p> - -<p class='c008'>What did it mean?</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He’s waiting for a good opportunity to take me -before the entire company,” thought Dunton. “Well, I’ll -give him the chance, and I’ll swear every word he says is -a lie. I never tried to run him through.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>But, that afternoon at rehearsal, Frank had an opportunity -to make the denunciation, and did nothing of the -sort.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The rest of the week passed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Saturday night, after the show, Dunton found Merriwell -alone.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Look here, Merriwell,” he said, “when are you going -to do it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Do what?” asked Frank, surprised.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Blow the whole business.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What business?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“About that duel.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What about it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why, you know I was furious with you, and I tried -to do you up for keeps. Of course, you will blow it to -Havener and the others. Why don’t you get about it? -I’m tired of waiting.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Look here, Mr. Dunton,” said Merriwell, facing the -fellow squarely. “I want to ask you one or two questions. -First, aren’t you a little bit disgusted with yourself -for trying such a trick?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Perhaps so,” admitted Dunton, sheepishly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Next, would you try it again if you had the chance?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No. I was a fool, and I’m glad I failed. I don’t want -to kill anybody.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I thought not, and I thought I would give you time -to come to your senses. You need not be afraid that I -will blow. I don’t want to hurt you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You—you will keep still about it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If you act decent in the future—yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The fellow was silent. He stood staring at Frank, -seeming uncertain what he had better do. Gradually the -blood flowed into his face till it was crimson.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Merriwell,” he said, huskily, “I never knew what a -blamed cheap cuss I am! You are a white man! You -would have served me right if you had blown the whole -thing. I can’t see why you didn’t. I don’t expect friendship -from you—I wouldn’t accept it; but I don’t think you -and I will have any more trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he turned and walked quickly away.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XX.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>BARNABY HALEY RECEIVES A TELEGRAM.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>“Barnaby Haley——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Here! That’s my name.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Telegram, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Let’s have it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Thirty cents, collect.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Who’s it from?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t know. Sign for it here on the book.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Barnaby Haley hesitated about going down into his -pocket and bringing up thirty cents for a message that -might be in the interest of the sender far more than himself. -The “Empire Theater Comedy Company” had been -“up against” bad business for a week, and Haley, who -was associate manager with Zenas Hawkins, the “angel,” -was not flush with money.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Up to date, the “angel” had seen very little of success, -and he was beginning to weary of paying bills on every -hand and scarcely getting a chance to count the box office -receipts.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Thus it came about that Hawkins was nearing the end -of his string, and Haley knew it. Realizing that the -time might soon come when the “angel” would refuse to -be milked any longer and take himself out of the company -entirely, Mr. Haley was holding onto every cent -with the grip of grim death.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But the messenger boy who had brought the telegram -to the office of the hotel at which the theatrical company -was stopping held onto the yellow envelope in a manner -that indicated that he was not to be fooled into letting -go of it till he had “the price.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>With a sigh, Haley parted with a silver quarter and a -nickel and obtained the message, for which he signed on -the messenger’s book.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Any reply, sir?” asked the boy, waiting.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll see.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Haley tore it open. A moment later, as he read the -message, he started violently and turned pale. Then he -said something that would not look well in print.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Several members of the company were sitting around -in the office, smoking, chatting and telling stories. Now -they were watching the corpulent manager, for all realized -that disaster might overtake the company any day, and -they dreaded the awful prospect of being stranded so far -from New York and the Rialto.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank Merriwell had just finished writing a letter at the -writing table. As he was sealing it, he heard the exclamation -that fell from Haley’s lips.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Ephraim Gallup, sitting near, guardedly drawled:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It kainder strikes me, b’gosh! the old man’s heerd -something he don’t jest like. I’ll bet a dollar the old -show goes bu’st inside a week. Yeou don’t darst take me -up, Frank.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s certain there’s trouble in the air,” said Frank, -in a low tone. “We’ve been doing a losing business for -more than a week.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“If we bu’st up, I s’pose yeou’ll blame me fer gettin’ -yeou inter such a darn scrape?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No; you didn’t know what was coming. Besides that, -I have had some experiences of value to me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yeou’ve learnt something abaout the business, anyhaow.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, and I have had some experience as an actor.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And yeou’ve jest shown ’em that yeou was no slouch. -Half the old han’s are jealous of ye, but they don’t say -so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, not quite as bad as that, Ephraim.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, sur, jest that. I don’t take back a bit of it. -They don’t like to see an amatoor do better’n they kin.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But Lawrence is with us now, and I shall not get -much show in the future. You know they had to run -me into his parts when he was ill.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I bet yeou git a chance, jest the same. Roscoe Havener -ain’t goin’ to keep a stiff on a part when he’s got a -good man right handy that he kin run in.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, if what you are afraid of happens, it’s little -good my opportunities will do me. I feel a strange curiosity -to know the contents of that message.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Barnaby Haley had crumpled the yellow sheet in one -thick hand, and the look on his phlegmatic face showed -he was unusually aroused.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Answer, sir?” asked the messenger.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No!” snarled the manager.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The boy dodged.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Needn’t bite my head off!” he exclaimed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he skipped away.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener, the stage-manager, came down from his room -and entered the office. Haley saw him, and fanned him to -approach.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The stage-manager saw at a glance that something was -the matter. Barnaby Haley’s dignity was broken. He -was angry, disgusted, desperate.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What is it?” asked Havener.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s blazes!” growled Haley.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Trouble?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Heaps of it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Read that.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Haley thrust the crumpled telegram into Havener’s -hand. The stage-manager smoothed it out and read the -message. Then he whistled.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s queer,” he observed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s a thundering scrape!” grated the corpulent manager. -“Collins ought to be shot!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Did you hear that name, Frank?” asked Ephraim.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes,” nodded Merry.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Know what they’re talkin’ abaout?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes. Collins is the advance man.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Sure pop. There’s somethin’ the matter with him, an’ -that’ll bu’st the show sure. No show kin run ’thout a -corkin’ good man ahead of it, and——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Isn’t Collins a good man?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He’s all right, but somethin’s happened. All the bad -luck is hittin’ us in a heap. There’s a hoodoo with this -show, and I know it, b’gosh! If Haley can’t yank any -more dollars aout of Hawkins, then there’ll be a reduction -of expenses. Know jest whut that means?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No, I——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I do. It means that the band will be dropped, fer -it’s an almighty big expense. Me and Hans will be aout -of a job. Mebbe the comp’ny kin hold together anuther -week by droppin’ the band, but we pull the craowd, and -we’ll be missed. Gol darned if this air show business is -jest whut it’s cracked up to be! It’s too blamed oncertain. -I wish I was to hum on the farm.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>It sounded like old times to hear Ephraim express such -a wish, and Frank smiled a bit.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The other actors in the office were showing anxiety. -They had huddled in a little group, and were talking in -low tones.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Zenas Hawkins entered. He was tall, thin and ministerial -in appearance.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Just the man we want to see,” said Haley. “Come -over here.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he drew Hawkins and Havener into a corner, -where the telegram was shown to the thin “manager,” -who read it through, puckered up his face and scowled.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A confidential talk between the three men followed. -Havener seemed struck by a sudden idea. He turned -and looked over the room, his eyes resting on Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Come here, Merriwell,” he called.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank rose and approached the group, wondering what -they wanted of him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Haley pursed his thick lips and stared coldly at Merriwell -as Frank came up.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Too young,” he grunted.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I think not,” said Havener.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No experience,” objected the corpulent manager.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He’s smart,” declared Havener.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Needs an experienced man.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Where can you get one?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Give it up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s a case of necessity.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then Frank stopped and asked:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What can I do for you, Mr. Havener?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>And the stage-manager answered:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Mr. Haley and Mr. Hawkins want you to go out in -advance of the show in the place of Collins, who has -thrown up his job and joined a rival company.”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XXI.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>THE INQUISITIVE STRANGER.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Frank was surprised, but he immediately said:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You will go?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>These ready answers seemed to please Roscoe Havener.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You are the only man available,” he said; “and we -can let you go now, for Lawrence is back with us.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Right there Barnaby Haley hastened to put in:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You are the only man available, and so we are forced -to take you. You have done remarkably well, Merriwell, -since I engaged you; but, of course, it takes an experienced -man to do the best work ahead of a company. You -haven’t the experience, and——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He lacked experience as an actor, Mr. Haley,” said -the stage-manager; “but he did a remarkable turn, just -the same.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That was different—that was different. He could be -shown in that case; in this he must use his own judgment, -after receiving a few general instructions.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You know that no man can be shown how to act in -such a short time, Mr. Haley,” came quietly from Havener’s -lips. “He has tact, talent, ability. He has remarkable -catch-on-it-ive-ness. I say this before him, for I -do not believe he is in any danger of getting a swelled -head. I think you can give him his instructions and he -will take up Collins’ work just where Collins dropped it, -and carry it on successfully. I hate to lose him, for he -is a first-class utility man; but this seems to be a case of -have to, and I am ready to do what I can for the interest -of the company.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How could Collins break his contract?” asked Frank. -“How could he leave without proper notice?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He had no contract with the new concern,” explained -Haley. “All there was between us was his old contract -with me, as he was out ahead at the time we reorganized, -and I didn’t take the trouble to make a new contract for -him. Wish I had now, though he might have broken -it anyway. Couldn’t get anything out of him, for he hasn’t -anything; but I could make it hot for King for hiring -him away from me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Who is King?” asked Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“King!” blurted Haley, wrathfully. “He’s a scoundrel—a -confounded scoundrel! He’s the manager of the -‘Julian King Stock Company,’ a fake concern—a lot of -bum ham-fatters.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“A rival company?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Rival company—rival to the ‘Empire Theater Comedy -Company’? Well, I should say not! Such a collection -of stiffs cannot be dignified by the title.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was plain to Merry that Haley entertained a strong -feeling of hatred for Julian King and his organization.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You see, King treated Mr. Haley very shabbily,” explained -Havener.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Shabbily is not the word—not the word,” spluttered -the manager. “He robbed me! We were in Wisconsin. -Had been having a hard run. He was my partner in the -venture. We were playing ‘Uncle Tom.’ It became -necessary to raise money somehow to recover our trunks, -which the venial keeper of a third-rate hotel refused to -give up till his beastly bill was liquidated. We were -compelled to sell the donkey and some other property. -King secured the money thus obtained, and skipped with -it, leaving us worse off than before. I have never met -him face to face since that day, although we have been -in close proximity several times. Now he has induced my -advance man to quit me and go with his miserable old -show.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t see just what he wants of Collins,” said Havener, -“for he has had Delvin Riddle in advance, and Riddle -is one of the best men in the business. Riddle may -have left him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Left him—of course!” nodded Haley. “That’s what’s -happened. King couldn’t keep a man like Riddle. Now, -if we could get hold of him——But I suppose that’s out -of the question. We don’t know where he is. We’ll -have to send Merriwell out. It’s the best we can do.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was plain he was not quite satisfied with the idea -of putting Merry ahead of the show, but accepted it as -the only resort.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hawkins was silent. He was a man who said very -little on any occasion.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It is barely possible that King hasn’t engaged Collins -for advance agent,” said Havener.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What else could he want him for?” asked Haley.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You know Collins can fill a part, if necessary. He is -pretty good on old men. King may have taken him to -fill in a vacancy.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He took him to injure me! That’s exactly what he -did! He is an ungrateful reprobate.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, he’s got him, anyhow; and the best thing we can -do is go right along as if we didn’t miss him at all. -Where was Collins when King scooped him?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“In Salacia.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What’s the next town?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Dundee.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, Merriwell must take the morning train for Dundee. -You must provide him with complimentary passes, -press notices, the route booked, and instructions how to -proceed. I believe he will prove himself equal to the -emergency, and we shall get along all right as far as -the advance work is concerned.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener spoke as if he were the actual manager of the -company, instead of being nothing but the stage-manager, -and Haley did not resent being told what he must do.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Haley made a pretense of asking Hawkins’ advice, but -Hawkins had not much to say.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then the four went up to Haley’s room, where Merriwell -was given the necessary instructions in regard to -the route, making arrangements with local theater and -hall managers, securing accommodations at hotels, and -getting notices into the newspapers.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Here are the regular notices we have been using,” said -Haley, as he brought a lot of typewritten slips and sheets -out of his trunk and gave them to Merriwell. “You -must jolly up the editors of the papers, and get all the -space they will give us. A good advance man has a way -of faking up items and stories that editors will accept -as news, but which are advertisements of the best sort. -Of course, you won’t be able to do that, as you haven’t -had the experience, but you must work in as much of -this stuff as possible. And you must see that our paper -is up on every board available and in every good window -that can be obtained. If you do your work well, it will -be a case of hustle from the time you strike a town till -you leave it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And it’s my opinion that Merriwell is a hustler,” said -Havener.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, he has received his instructions. You must be -up in time to catch the early train out of here, Merriwell. -It leaves at 5:45 A. M. That’s all. I shall not get -a chance to talk with you any more, for I must see that -everything is settled up here for the move in the morning. -We take the seven o’clock train, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Haley was hustling Merriwell out of the room, when -Frank calmly observed:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“There’s one thing you have forgotten, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Eh? What’s that?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Transportation.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hum! So I did. Ah—Mr. Hawkins, will you kindly -attend to that?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Mr. Hawkins looked sour and doubtful. Mr. Haley -was bland and persuasive. In three minutes he had -Hawkins feeling for his pocketbook; in five minutes he -had secured the needed cash. The “angel’s” leg had been -gently pulled once more.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When Frank again appeared in the office, a young man -sitting near a window dropped his paper and got up -quickly, a look of pleasure on his face. He rushed forward -with outstretched hand.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“My dear boy!” he cried; “how delighted I am to see -you again!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He grasped Frank’s hand and shook it heartily.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I can’t see that you’ve changed a bit since you left -college,” declared the stranger, familiarly. “You’re the -same old Merriwell that was so popular and cut such a -dash. At first I could not believe it when I heard you -were here with a traveling theatrical company. Quite a -change from college life, eh, dear boy?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, it is a change,” admitted Frank, looking sharply -at the familiar stranger and wondering where and when -they had met before, for, although he had a remarkable -memory for faces, there was nothing familiar about this -man.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I should say so!” the other rattled on. “This knocking -around the country must seem strange. How are -all the fellows at Yale? I suppose you hear from them -regularly?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No,” confessed Frank, “I can’t say that I do.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t? Well, well, well! Don’t hear from the fellows -you used to chum with? That’s remarkable! But, -then, I suppose it is the way of the world. Come have a -drink with me, old man. We’ll be jolly and sociable.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I do not drink.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Eh? Don’t drink? How long since?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I never drank.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The stranger seemed doubtful.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I understand,” he nodded. “You were moderate -in your drinking. You never swam in it, like some of -the fellows.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank flushed. There was something offensive about -the stranger’s manner, and yet the fellow seemed to mean -well.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I tell you I never drank under any circumstances,” -came rather sharply from Merry’s lips.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I beg your pardon! You see, I didn’t know about -that. No offense, I trust?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No, but——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I understand. I made a break. Just like me. But -I know you’re the kind of a fellow to forget it. Have a -cigar.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>A well-filled case was held toward Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I do not smoke.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Sworn off?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Never smoked.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The dickens!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Now the stranger was astonished. He slowly extracted -a cigar from the case and lighted it, all the while staring -at Merry.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And you went to Yale College!” he exclaimed. “Didn’t -drink—didn’t smoke! And you were popular!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It can’t be that you knew very much about me, or you -would have been aware that I neither drank nor smoked. -You have the advantage of me in——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The stranger broke into a jolly laugh.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Of course I have. You had so many friends. I -didn’t expect you to remember me. Never mind. Come -down to the cardroom.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t play cards.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What—again! Never did?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I have.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh! A relief! Then you have had one vice! Ha! -ha! Don’t mind my jollying, old fellow. You’re a rare -bird. Come down to the cardroom anyway. I want -to talk to you where there won’t be so many rubbernecks -around.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He took Frank’s arm, and, somewhat puzzled and suspicious, -Merry permitted the fellow to lead him downstairs -to the cardroom.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When they were seated on opposite sides of a table, -the stranger again urged Frank to have a drink.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Take a seltzer lemonade, a ginger ale, anything to be -sociable,” he urged.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then, without waiting for Frank to consent, he pushed -a button and called the barkeeper from the adjoining room. -Merry was urged to drink something, and finally ordered -ginger ale.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The stranger took rum.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Best drink a man can take this time of year,” he declared. -“Gives one a vile breath, but it keeps the system -in good condition, and it will not knock a fellow out like -whisky.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That is your opinion,” said Merriwell. “It is my -opinion that either one will knock a fellow out quick -enough if he sticks to it. It may do as a stimulant for a -very aged person, or it may be absolutely necessary in -some cases of sickness, but what any young man in good -health can want of such stuff I can’t tell.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s because you never tried it. You’re not qualified -to judge, Merriwell.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I have watched its effects on others, and never yet -have I seen that it did a well person any good. On the -other hand, I know of hundreds of instances where it has -done them incalculable injury.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, well, let’s not have a temperance lecture, Merriwell. -I didn’t bring you down here for that. Here’s our -drinks, and here’s success to you on the road in advance.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank sipped his ginger ale, still keenly scanning his -companion. Who was this fellow? and what was he -driving at? It was plain he knew Merry was going out -ahead of the show.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The stranger tossed his rum off at a gulp, following -it with a “chaser” of water, and smacking his lips.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Pretty good stuff, that,” he nodded. “Better’n one -can get in most places out in this infernal country. I -suppose you start out in the morning?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank nodded.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Which way you going? I suppose the manager has -given you his bookings? Of course, you know all about -his route and his plans?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Again Merry nodded, but that was all.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I may be traveling your way,” said the stranger. “We -can go along together. That will be jolly. Which way -did you say you were going?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I didn’t say,” answered Merriwell, dryly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The voluble stranger seemed brought to a stand for a -moment, but he quickly recovered.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“So you didn’t say,” he laughed. “I suppose you are -going west? There are some good towns in the western -part of the State. Salacia, Dundee, Fardale, Crescent—all -along the line are good show towns. Of course, Haley -is going that way?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now, look here, my friend,” said Frank, pointedly, -“perhaps you will tell me why you are so anxious to -know which way the show is going? It seems rather -surprising to me that you should take such an interest in -us and be so anxious to learn our route.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The fellow was not ruffled in the least.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why,” he murmured, with uplifted eyebrows, “it’s -simply because I happen to know you, and——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t know you. I don’t remember ever seeing you -before.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s not strange. Of course you forget many of -the men you met at college.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You have been asking questions; now let me ask you -a few?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“My dear fellow——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“First, what’s your name?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>At this moment Leslie Lawrence, the actor whose place -Frank had filled, came strolling into the cardroom. He -paused, stared at Merry’s companion, and uttered an -exclamation of surprise.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hang me if it isn’t Delvin Riddle!” he exclaimed.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XXII.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>A STRANGE SOUBRETTE.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Delvin Riddle!</p> - -<p class='c008'>The name gave Frank Merriwell a shock, for Riddle -was the advance agent of the “Julian King Stock Company.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>In a flash, Merry understood the fellow’s little game.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It had signally failed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>King had not been able to pump the new advance man -of the “Empire Theater Comedy Company,” although he -had tried hard enough.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Not a bit of information had he drawn from Merriwell’s -lips.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hello, Riddle!” cried Lawrence, stepping forward -swiftly. “What are you doing with Merriwell?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Not a thing,” confessed Riddle, as he lay back lazily -and puffed at his cigar.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But you—you are working him! I know it!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Tried to,” coolly admitted Riddle. “No go. He’s a -clam. Won’t talk at all. Couldn’t get him to answer -questions, but he turned round and started in asking me -questions. Seemed suspicious. Wouldn’t drink, wouldn’t -smoke, wouldn’t do anything. What sort of a bird has -Haley found, anyhow?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was a mild disgust in the baffled fellow’s manner -and voice.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A look of satisfaction came to Lawrence’s face.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“So you didn’t get anything out of him?” he said, beginning -to smile.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Not a blamed thing,” acknowledged Riddle.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I compliment you, Merriwell!” exclaimed Lawrence, -heartily. “You have started in well on your new duties. -You’ll have to do considerable talking sometimes; but there -will be other times when you’ll need to keep your mouth -closed. If you talk as well as you have started in to keep -still, you are a winner. The laugh is on you, Riddle.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s right. What’ll you have?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“A little brandy will do me. I’ve been off my feet, you -know.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Drinks were ordered and brought, Frank refusing to -take anything. Lawrence proposed a toast, and they -drank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How did you get hold of Merriwell?” he asked of -Riddle. “Why, how do you happen to be here, anyway?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Business,” was the laconic answer.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But it’s strange I didn’t hear you were here.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Came a short time ago. Dropped into the office and -heard a Yankee and a Dutchman talking about Frank -Merriwell being Haley’s new advance man. They didn’t -know me, so I pumped them. Got a description of Merriwell -and found out lots of particulars about him. When -he came into the office, I thought it must be him, and I -made a crack at him. Hit him, all right. Pretended I -had known him at college. That went, but I might have -saved my breath. Didn’t get a thing out of him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Riddle showed his disgust, but he was good-natured -about it. Then he complimented Merry on keeping still. -Frank laughingly assured him it had required no effort at -all, which caused Lawrence to “jolly” Riddle unmercifully.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank got away in a few minutes, leaving Lawrence -and Riddle together. He went to his room, taking a railroad -map with him, and there studied over the route he -was to follow, making himself familiar with the names -of the towns, distances to be “jumped,” time of trains, -population of the different places, and many other things -he considered worth knowing.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Thus Merry was starting out, as he started on everything -he undertook, by learning everything possible that -might assist him in any way.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He looked over the different notices, given him by -Manager Haley, so that he might become familiar with -them and know just what kind of stuff he was working -onto the newspapers.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Those notices were a disappointment to Merry. They -seemed too conventional, too tame, too much like other -notices of traveling shows, too plainly reading advertisements.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“They are poor stuff,” he muttered. “Nearly half of -them show in the first or second sentence that they are -advertisements. They are dry as chips. There is no life -or snap in them.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he sat down and wrote three new notices. Over -these he spent some time, and of one of them he was particularly -proud.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That will be great for ‘Hayseed Valley’!” he exclaimed. -“That’s the piece the company opens with in almost -every place where they stay more than one night, -and they play it pretty often on one-night stands. I believe -that will be worth more than all the other notices.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>In “Hayseed Valley,” a farce comedy of the rural order, -one of the characters was a French adventurer who pretended -to be a count, and who was persistently seeking -a rich wife. This is the notice Frank had written:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The inhabitants of this city (town) and surrounding -places are warned to be on the watch for a certain Frenchman -who has been creating considerable excitement in -this vicinity by his persistent and obnoxious attention to -ladies of wealth, both married and unmarried. This fellow -is an unscrupulous adventurer, who is masquerading -under the name of ‘Count Cavaignac,’ but it is safe to -say that he is actually no a-count, and he is certain to have -a number of furious husbands and brothers after him, if -he does not cease his annoying demonstrations and attentions -toward the fair sex. The base slander that every -American girl is eager for a title and ready to marry on -sight any foreigner who happens along and pretends to -rightfully own a title has been refuted by the treatment -‘Count Cavaignac’ has received from every sensible young -lady of this vicinity whose heart, hand and fortune he has -vainly sought to make his own. All of the bold count’s -adventures are highly ludicrous and doubly worth the -price of admission to ‘Hayseed Valley,’ in which the fake -nobleman appears. ‘Hayseed Valley’ is a rattling three-act -farce comedy, and it will be played at the —— Opera -House on (date here) by the ‘Empire Theater Comedy -Company,’ Haley & Havener, managers and proprietors. -Don’t fail to see ‘Count Cavaignac.’”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The other notices were of the unusual order, and Frank -believed they would prove of value. He slipped them into -his pocket, deciding to show them to Barnaby Haley and -seek his approval of their use.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then Merry went over to the theater, where the afternoon -rehearsal was to take place. He found the company -assembled and the rehearsal about to begin.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Roscoe Havener came forward at sight of Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, Merriwell,” he said, “Lawrence has been telling -us how you played the clam with Riddle, and I congratulate -you on starting out well. Just what Riddle was up to -I don’t understand, but he had some object in seeking to -learn our route. Haley is ready to shoot him on sight, -and he has gone in search of him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cassie, the soubrette, approached. She looked pale and -thin and wretched.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’m sorry you’re not going to be with the company any -more, Frank,” she said; “but I hope you’ll have luck in -advance. You’ve been a good friend to me—and to Ross.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, yes,” said Havener, quickly; “he has done a good -turn for us both.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he moved away to give some directions about -setting the stage, leaving Frank and Cassie together.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The girl looked at Merriwell, a mournful expression -in her face and eyes. Frank thought how great the change -when she came on the stage at night, bounding, buoyant, -vigorous, her eyes seeming to sparkle with life.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry knew the cause of that great change, and he -wondered that Ross Havener did not see and understand. -It seemed impossible that Havener should attribute the -change entirely to excitement, for he must know that the -sameness of stagework made it seem to the girl like -any other occupation.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I shall miss you, Frank,” said Cassie, in her melancholy -manner. “You’re not like the rest of the crowd. -You’re not common. Somehow, there seems to be something -dreadfully common about actors.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That is not the general opinion of them,” smiled Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I know people generally think they’re freaks, but -that’s because they don’t know the real truth about them. -Actors are always posing so as to make folks believe they -are out of the ordinary. You can see that in their photographs -and everything. But you don’t have to pose, -Frank, to show that you’re no common duffer.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Cassie! Cassie! spare my blushes!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’m giving you straight goods. There’s a kind of air -about you that shows you ain’t no common stuff. I can’t -tell just what it is, but it’s there, all right. And I want -to tell you something that I’ll bet my hat on; I’ll bet you’ll -make a top-notch actor, if you stick to the profession. You -won’t be satisfied to be just an ordinary twenty-five a -week sidelight, but you’ll just climb up and up till you are -a star.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Gracious, Cassie! but you are putting it on thick!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ve been thinking of this since I saw how you filled -Lawrence’s place. On the dead quiet, I think you can -do just as good a job now as he can, and he’s given leads -almost all the time. When you have to play gentleman -parts, you’ve got the natural air, and Lawrence lacks that, -for he never had the breeding. I wish they’d kept you -pegging away, instead of shoving you on ahead.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t mind it, Cassie, for I want to learn every -branch of the business. I may not stick to the profession, -but it is fascinating to me, and——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You like it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t mind the knocking around?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Rather enjoy that.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Poor beds and poor grub?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I can stand it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Poor business?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s different, but I don’t get discouraged very -easily, especially when the work is so interesting.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Say, Frank!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What is it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You’ve got it!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Got what?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Stage fever. When they can stand all the hard knocks -and still find the work interesting and fascinating, they’ve -got it. You’re liable to stick to the stage the rest of your -life. Well, if you do, I hope I’ll live to see you away up -in the pictures, but I’m afraid I won’t be that lucky.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Now, Cassie, I don’t like to hear you talk like that.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, it’s true, Frank. You know my trouble, and I -guess it’ll throw me down for keeps. I can’t shake the -habit.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Thought you were going to make a try at it this coming -summer?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Am. Don’t believe it’s any use. If I fail, I’m going -to tell Havener the whole business, and we’ll cry quits. -That’ll be rough on me, for you know how much I think -of Ross; but I’ll never tie to him as I am.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, you’ll come out all right, Cassie.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Mebbe so. I know you want to encourage me, Frank; -but I’ve got the Old Scratch to fight. If I was religious, -there might be a chance for me; I could pray then, and -somehow it does seem that the prayers of real good folks -are answered.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>This was a remarkable thing for the girl to say, and -Frank wondered at it not a little. It was unlike Cassie, -but he said:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It won’t do any harm to pray, even if you are not religious, -Cassie.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, what’s the use! God wouldn’t hear prayers from -such as me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You do not know that,” came soberly and impressively -from Frank Merriwell’s lips. “You know it is said He -notes even the sparrow’s fall.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But it would seem foolish for an actress to get down -on her knees and pray.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why not an actress, as well as anybody else?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, but you know how religious people regard us. -They don’t reckon we have any show of heaven.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Narrow-minded persons may think so, but there is no -reason why an actor or actress should not be a good -Christian and stand as good chance of reaching heaven -as a doctor, a merchant, or a person in any other profession -or business.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was a strange look on the girl’s face.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Do you believe that?” she whispered; “do you really -and truly believe it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I certainly do.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I wish I might be sure of it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The strange look on the sad face of the girl deepened, -and an infinite longing came into her weary eyes.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Somehow, Frank Merriwell felt that his words at that -moment might have great influence on her future, and he -was almost frightened by his position.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Cassie,” he said, softly, his voice full of music and -persuasion, “I believe you can be sure of it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>There was eagerness in her manner now, in contrast -to her usual listlessness.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t be afraid to pray, if you feel like it. I am -not a professor of religion, yet I have prayed more than -once, and more than once, I firmly believe, my prayers -have been answered.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You did that?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why, Frank! you are so young and strong and -healthy! Why should you pray?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The young and strong and healthy should pray as -much as the weak and ill and diseased. Prayer was not -made exclusively for invalids, by any means.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And you prayed?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>She could not seem to get over that. It was a wonder -to her.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I did.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I said you were not like other people; I knew it all -the time. To look at you, one would think you the last -person in the world to pray.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You can’t always judge by appearances.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s so. If I was going to pray, how would I go -about it, Frank?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>She asked the question hesitatingly, timidly, with an -effort.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Just get down on your knees in your room, Cassie, -and pray. That is the way. There is no rule to follow.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Perhaps—perhaps I’ll try it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Do it, Cassie,” urged Frank, earnestly. “It won’t do -any harm, if it doesn’t do any good.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It won’t be blasphemy for me to do it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Not if you are sincere.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then I’m going to try it, Frank—I’m going to try it! -I’m not strong enough to break the dreadful habit alone, -and I believe the only way is for me to have some aid from -Heaven. You have given me new hope. If I should—if -I could get help that way, I’d owe everything to you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No,” he said, with deep impressiveness, “you would -owe it to no earthly power.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Looking into her weary face, he softly added:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I will pray for you, too, Cassie.”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XXIII.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>STARTING OUT.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>The following morning Frank was up bright and early -and ready to take the train.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Havener came to the station to see him off, together with -Ephraim Gallup and Hans Dunnerwurst.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Gol dinged if I ain’t sorry yeou’re goin’ to leave us!” -said the Yankee youth, dolefully.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yaw,” nodded the Dutch boy, sniffing; “you vos sorry -I vos goin’ to left you, Vrankie.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Haow long do yeou expect to be aout ahead of the -show?” asked Ephraim.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I can’t tell about that,” answered Frank. “Perhaps -not very long, for I may not suit.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll risk that,” said Havener. “You’ll be all right. -There’s something rather odd I’ve been thinking about—something -of a mystery.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What’s that?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why should Delvin Riddle try to pump you and get -our route from you?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why, I suppose he wanted to know what towns we -were going to play in so he could——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But Collins knew the route.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank started.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s so!” he exclaimed. “Never thought of that.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“King gobbled up Collins, and so, of course, Collins -told him the route.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It seems so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Of course it was so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then why——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s it, exactly—why did Riddle take so much -trouble to try to pump it out of you? I’ve been puzzling -over that. There’s some kind of a mystery here.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Where’s Riddle?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Nobody knows. He didn’t stay at our hotel last night, -and Haley was not able to find him in town. He suddenly -and mysteriously disappeared. There is something queer -about this business, Merriwell.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I scent a mystery!” cried Frank. “Mysteries always -interest me. Wish I had time to solve this one.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, don’t let it bother you. Here comes the train. -Remember your instructions. Of course, you know just -how the company stands, but Haley is holding fast to -Hawkins, and the old man will be able to work the ‘angel’ -if we get into another hard place. We must strike better -business soon, and I guess we’ll pull out all right.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>A short time later, Frank was seated on the train, waving -a farewell from the window to his two friends and the -stage-manager.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Hans and Ephraim stood side by side in solemn sorrow, -one tall, lank, angular, the other short, stout, rotund. -They presented a strong contrast, and Merry could not -help smiling a bit. Then came a thought that saddened -him somewhat. He could see there was a big change in -himself since the old, rollicking days at Fardale—he could -feel it. He had been forced to face the world and battle -for bread, and the circumstances and his advance in years -had wrought the change. He was no longer a thoughtless -boy; he felt the blood and vigor of dawning manhood in -his veins. Boyish things were past. Still he could enjoy -fun as well as ever, but the time when he was continually -planning and carrying into execution practical jokes was -gone.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank believed that Hans and Ephraim saw the change -in him. Still he was sure their affection for him was as -strong and enduring as ever.</p> - -<p class='c008'>They, too, had changed somewhat, for they had been -forced, like Frank, to win their way in the world.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Thinking it all over, Merry did not long to go back to his -boyhood days, pleasant though they had been. He realized -that he was enjoying life as he had never before -enjoyed it. The battles, the rebuffs, the triumphs, they -were something, worth living for, and they gave such a -pleasure to existence that it took away all regrets for his -lost boyhood.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he thought of Yale—dear old Yale! Then a -pang of regret shot through his heart, for he had not completed -his college course—he had not graduated with honors, -as he had believed he some day should.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But the man who had robbed him of his fortune had -not prospered. For a long time the sword of justice had -been suspended over Darius Conrad’s head, and it had -seemed that it would never fall. The unscrupulous rascal -had gone on his wicked way unmolested till the tide turned -against him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then his downward course had been swift and the end -awful. His ill-gotten gains melted away, and the man -who had been rich and the ruling power of the Blue Mountain -Railroad at last stood face to face with ruin.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then came another thought that added to his heartsore -feeling. Ephraim Gallup had brought him unpleasant -news of Elsie Bellwood. Her father was dead, and Elsie -was alone in the world, save for some not very closely -connected relatives.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Poor Elsie! Thrown on her own resources, she must -find the struggle hard and trying. He did not even know -her address, so he could not write to her.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Had fate parted them forever?</p> - -<p class='c008'>That thought was maddening. He would not believe -anything so cruel had happened. Some time he would find -his little, blue-eyed sweetheart, and then they would be -parted never again.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank was musing thus when a man came out of the -smoker and dropped into the seat at his side, coolly observing:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Fine morning, Merriwell.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank looked up quickly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Riddle!” he exclaimed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Sure thing,” nodded the advance man for the “Julian -King Stock Company.” “We seem to be traveling in the -same direction.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank was not pleased. He did not like Riddle. There -was something about the fellow that struck him unfavorably.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes,” he said, shortly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Been having an after-breakfast smoke,” explained -Riddle. “Bad habit to smoke in the morning, but I’ve -fallen into it. Old Haley was looking for me last night, -wasn’t he?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I believe so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, I knew better than to let him find me. He’s ugly -sometimes, and he hates King as much as King hates him. -He got King into a wild-cat scheme once and did him out -of a pretty little boodle. When they saw the show was -going to pieces, Haley planned to sell off a lot of the stuff -and get enough money to jump back to New York and -leave the company. King got ahead of him, though, and -did the trick first. Since then they have been ready to -shoot each other on sight.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>This was a different version of the story from the -one told Merry by Haley, and was an illustration of the -old axiom “there’s always two sides to a story.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Riddle rattled away with his talk. He told some stories, -one or two of which were not at all to Merriwell’s relish. -He cracked a few jokes, and he tried to show himself as -an all-round good fellow.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The real fact is,” he finally said, “that old Haley is a -skin. He does everybody he can, and he’ll do you. Bet -he’ll stick you a right good bit by the time he gets ready -to drop you—that is, if he is able to hold his old show together, -which I doubt most mightily. Think he’ll be able -to keep it running another month?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Do you think I would tell you if I didn’t believe he’d -be able to do that?” asked Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, you’re too stiff, my boy. You’ll get over that by -the time you’ve associated with theatrical managers as -long as yours truly. Now, look here, I’ve got a proposal -to make to you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank was silent.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s this,” Riddle went on; “you give me the route of -your company, and I’ll give you mine. If you think this -isn’t a fair exchange, I might make it an object to you. -Old Haley needn’t know anything about it, and you can -nail a tenner down into your inside pocket. What do you -say?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I say, Mr. Riddle,” said Frank, rising, his eyes flashing, -“that you are a confounded scoundrel! I don’t know -what your object is in wishing to learn the route of our -company, but I do know it cannot be an honest one, and -I do not wish to have anything further to do with you. -There are lots of vacant seats in this car, so be good -enough to get out of this one, or I shall throw you out!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>That was straight talk, and Delvin Riddle did not misunderstand -it. He looked Frank over rather sneeringly, -then laughed in a most cutting manner.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right, my young gamecock,” he chirped, “I’ll leave -you, for you are altogether too touchy. You are a very -fresh duck, and I’ll show you before many days that you’re -not half as smart as you fancy you are.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he got up, still laughing sneeringly, and retired -to the smoker.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank sat down.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t like to be taken for a scoundrel by such a fellow,” -he thought. “It galls me. But it certainly is a -singular thing that Riddle is so anxious to learn our route, -and it is far more singular that he has not learned it -through Collins. As Havener said, there is a mystery -about it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank was provided with a ticket to Dundee, but he -decided to get off at Salacia, the town from which Collins -had wired Haley that he had abandoned his job and joined -King’s company.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Something made Merry desirous of asking a few questions -about Weston Collins.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was near eleven o’clock in the forenoon when the -train arrived at Salacia.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank got off.</p> - -<p class='c008'>So did Delvin Riddle!</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XXIV.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>FRANK PUTS UP PAPER.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>A surprise awaited Frank in Salacia. Of course, the -first thing he looked for on striking the town was the -billboards, expecting to find the “Empire Theater Comedy -Company’s” paper up everywhere.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Not a piece of that paper was in sight.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But every billboard in town was covered with Julian -King’s paper, and the show windows were filled with his -lithographs!</p> - -<p class='c008'>Without waiting for anything Frank sought the manager -of the opera house, for Salacia had but one first-class -theater.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The manager was not at home, but his assistant, the -janitor of the building, was easily found, and he acknowledged -that he had charge of everything during Manager -Fuller’s absence.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then,” said Merriwell, “you may be able to explain -to me why Julian King’s paper is on your billboards.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Eh? Who are you?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“My name is Frank Merriwell.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, what in——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am in advance of the ‘Empire Theater Comedy Company.’”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The deuce you are!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Here’s a letter from Mr. Barnaby Haley that may convince -you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The janitor glanced over the sheet Frank spread before -him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But—but a man by the name of Collins is their advance -agent.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Was, you mean.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He isn’t now?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, I don’t understand——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Neither do I. We have the opera house engaged for -the eighteenth, and King is to play here the nineteenth, -yet his paper covers every board in town, and I can’t even -find one of our lithographs in a window. What does it -mean?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why, your company has gone up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Gone up?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, bu’sted.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Who told you that?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Dispatch from King said so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s a malicious falsehood, and Mr. King should be -made to smart for it!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank was aroused, as his flashing eyes indicated.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But—but,” stammered the janitor, “Collins, your man, -he said it was no use to put up the rest of the paper. He -said so himself.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then he was here?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And put up some of our paper?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, about half of it. He went round with me. I do -the bill-posting sometimes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How did he happen to quit so suddenly?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t know. He received a telegram, and it seemed -to knock him all out. He just said it was no use to put -up any more paper, and stopped. I tried to get something -out of him, but he wouldn’t say a word. Next thing we -knew he was gone.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Gone where?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t know. Just disappeared.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What next?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We had a telegram from King.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Saying the ‘Empire Theater Company’ had gone up?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And where is this paper you put up for us?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Under King’s. That was put up over it right away.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, that was a fine trick! Why didn’t you dispatch -to Mr. Haley and find out if King’s report was true?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why should we, after Collins acted so queer? Of -course, we thought it was true.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It was untrue, and it was a rascally piece of business, -for which King should be made to pay dearly. -Where is our paper that you hadn’t put up?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I think it’s here somewhere, if it hasn’t been sent -away.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Sent away where?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“With the rubbish. Man was here taking rubbish away -this morning.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, now I want you to find out in a hurry if he has -taken that paper away.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why, what are you going to——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t stop to ask questions. Find that paper!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank’s tone made the janitor jump.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right, sir!” he exclaimed. “Wait here a minute -and I’ll find out about it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The man was gone about two minutes, and then came -back, looking alarmed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s gone!” he declared.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then follow it!” shot from Frank Merriwell’s lips. -“Find it—recover it—bring it back! You must do it in -a hurry. That paper is going up right after dinner, and -I’ll be on hand to see that it goes up right. We’ll block -Mr. King’s little game right away. Now don’t make any -mistake, you must recover that paper, and you must be -ready to start with me at one o’clock to put it up. Have -everything ready then. Do you understand?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I—I think so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right. I’ll be here on the dot.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then Frank hustled away.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He inquired the way to the office of the local newspaper, -and went there direct, finding the editor just preparing to -go home to dinner.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry introduced himself and chatted with the editor a -short time. He found the manager of the opera house -had brought in some notices of the Julian King Company, -but had furnished none of Haley & Hawkins’ Company.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank told just what sort of a trick King had attempted -to play, and the editor became somewhat interested.</p> - -<p class='c008'>While they were talking there was a commotion on -the street, and, looking out, Frank saw a runaway horse -tearing along, with a little child, scarcely more than a baby, -clinging to the seat of the rocking carriage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Like a flash, the ex-Yale athlete shot out of the door, -took a run in the same direction the frightened horse was -going, caught the animal by the bit, and stopped the creature -in less than six rods, by a wonderful display of -strength and skill.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The owner of the turnout, who was also the father -of the child, came rushing up, pale and trembling, and -caught the uninjured little one in his arms, kissing and -caressing her.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A crowd gathered and showered compliments on Merriwell.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Young man,” cried the father, “you saved my Bessie’s -life! How can I pay the debt?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll tell you,” smiled Frank; “take your family and -come see the ‘Empire Theater Comedy Company,’ which -plays here the evening of the eighteenth. You’ll see a -good show and get your money’s worth. Bring along -your friends.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll do it!” exclaimed the man. “I’ll bring everybody -I can. Are you in the show?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’m connected with it. Take this horse, somebody. -I’ve got some business with Mr. Jesper.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Jesper was the editor of the paper, and he walked back -to the office with Merriwell.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You’re a rattler,” he said, admiringly. “You made a -good hit in stopping Sam Henson’s horse. He thinks the -world of his child, and he’s got money to feed to the dogs. -If he took a fancy, he could buy up every seat in the opera -house and not feel it. It would be just like him to do it, -too. I’ll have to make a good item of your stopping his -horse.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s all right,” laughed Frank, “as long as you wind -the item up by mentioning the ‘Empire Theater Comedy -Company.’ You mustn’t fail to do that. And here is some -other stuff I’d like to get into your column of locals.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He brought out the three news items he had written -but had forgotten to submit for Haley’s inspection.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Jesper looked them over and smiled.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why, this is good stuff!” he declared. “It’s different -from the stuff usually brought in here.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Can you use it all?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, that is crowding us, but——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How many seats do you wish?” asked Merry, bringing -out his passes. “Will six be enough?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The editor thought six might do, and he got them. -Then Frank made him promise to have the items set up -the first thing after dinner and a number of proofs taken -of them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You see, I have no copies to furnish other papers,” -Merry explained; “and a dozen proofs of each one of these -will be a great help to me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You shall have them,” assured Jesper.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When Frank left that office, he was satisfied he had -done as well as any person could.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he went to the hotel where theatrical people usually -stopped, and, before dinner, he made arrangements -for the accommodation of the “Empire Theater Comedy -Company” when it arrived in town, getting a liberal reduction -on the regular rates.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Riddle was in the dining room when Frank entered, and -Merry took pains to get a seat at a table as far as possible -from the fellow. He observed that Riddle surveyed him -curiously, and he knew the fellow was wondering just -what he had been doing.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry had hustled since striking town, accomplishing -a great deal in a remarkably short space of time.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank ate heartily, for he had a good appetite.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Riddle finished first, and he was waiting for Frank -in the office, smoking a good cigar.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You seem full of business, Merriwell,” he observed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes,” answered Frank, shortly, and tried to move on.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What are you doing?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Attending to my business.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t be crusty, old fellow. We’re in the same line, -and there’s no reason why we should snarl at each other. -I don’t see where you are going to get board room for -your paper in this town. Our stuff is up on everything.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll find room enough,” declared Frank, grimly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then you’ll have to put up new boards.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, I think not.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I don’t see how you’ll get round it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You may find out later on.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Riddle was puzzled, as he plainly showed. He could not -get anything out of this remarkable young man who had -been sent out in advance of Haley & Hawkins’ show, and, -as a rule, he was most successful in pumping anybody.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Where are you going now?” he asked, desperately.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“About my business, sir; hadn’t you better go about -yours?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Riddle flushed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, keep it up!” he said, beginning to show anger. -“You give me pains! You’re altogether too new!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And you are altogether too nosey, Mr. Riddle.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank walked out of the office and made straight for -the opera house. Just as he reached the stage door, the -janitor came up with a wheelbarrow, on which was piled -the missing paper of the “Empire Theater Comedy Company.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I found it!” he exclaimed, with satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I see you have,” nodded Frank, beginning to feel relieved -himself. “Now, we must make a hustle to get it -up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But where shall we put it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“On every billboard in town belonging to this opera -house.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The janitor gasped.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But—but Julian King’s paper is up on those boards!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What of that?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s all the paper he sent us.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What of that?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We—we can’t cover his paper!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Can’t we? Well, get your paste and brush, and we’ll -see if we can. Be lively, now, for I must catch a train to-night, -and I’ve got some hustling to do.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The janitor seemed dazed. He got his paste bucket and -brush, and then he and Frank started out. They began -with the board on the side of the opera house.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Gracious!” gasped the janitor, as they prepared to put -the paper on. “What will King do?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He has done what he had no right to do now, and he -can’t do anything about this. Our paper is going up on -these boards to stay till the night we play here.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’ll give King only one day of advertising on the -billboards.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s not my concern. If he makes a date to play -in a town one day behind another show, he must take his -chances on the advertising he can secure. You can see -that he is a scoundrel, or he would not have resorted to -the trick to obtain these boards.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But how do you explain the action of Collins?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t explain it. Haven’t time.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>They were fairly at work when the janitor looked up -the street and saw Delvin Riddle rushing in that direction, -exhibiting unmistakable signs of wrath.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was plain Riddle had been in Salacia before, and -was known to the janitor, for that individual dropped his -brush, gasping:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Good Lord! Now there’ll be a muss!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank caught up the brush and continued the work -of putting up the sheet of paper.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Riddle came up panting.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Here!” he shouted, as he approached; “what in thunder -are you doing?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank made a skillful swipe up the middle of the sheet -with his brush, securing the paper at one stroke, then -swiftly stroked it to the right and left, affixing it in its -proper place.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You seem to be excited, Mr. Riddle,” he coolly observed, -as King’s advance man came tearing up.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I want to know what in blazes you are doing!” roared -Riddle, wrathfully, his face fairly purple.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Putting up paper!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But you’re putting it over our paper.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I know it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How do you dare do such a thing?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’s easy.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I forbid it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank smiled placidly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Look out, Mr. Riddle,” he said, with mock concern, -“or you will choke yourself with excitement.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I forbid you to put on another piece of paper!” roared -Riddle, shaking his fist at Merry.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Forbid and be—blessed! It goes up just the same.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You’ll get yourself into trouble!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Julian King will get himself into trouble, if he telegraphs -any more lies about the ‘Empire Theater Company.’ -He got this paper of his up here through misrepresentation -and fraud. Now let him put some more up -when we are through with the boards.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank prepared to go on with his work.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Pass me up the next sheet, Mr. Hobbs,” he said, -speaking to the janitor.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t you do it!” ordered Riddle. “You are getting -yourself into trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The janitor seemed doubtful.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You’ve already gotten yourself into trouble, Mr. -Hobbs,” declared Merry, “if Barnaby Haley sees fit to -make trouble about it. You know you had no right to -cover such of our paper as was up, and you also know -that we own these boards till ten o’clock on the night of -the eighteenth. Pass up that sheet.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank had won.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He’s right, Mr. Riddle,” said the janitor. “The boards -belong to Haley, and we’ll have to put his paper up.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Riddle saw his game of bluff was called, and, furious -at his defeat, he lifted his foot and kicked over the bucket -of paste.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Quick as a flash, Merry turned and gave the brush a -slash across the fellow’s face, filling his mouth, nose and -eyes with the sticky stuff.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Riddle swore, spitting, blowing, rubbing at his eyes with -a handkerchief.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Put down that brush, and I’ll fight you!” he snarled.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Go away,” advised Frank. “I don’t want to fight with -you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You don’t dare to fight! You’re a coward!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merriwell did not fancy being called that.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Go away, Riddle,” he again advised. “You will be -sorry if you don’t.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The fellow fancied Merry was afraid of him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What you deserve is a good thrashing, to take some -of the freshness out of you!” he shouted, having mopped -the most of the paste off his face.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t be so stuck up,” said Frank, with a bit of a -smile. “What you need is some good soap and water to -use on your face.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You confounded fresh!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Riddle started toward Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Wait!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>That one word fell sharply from Merry’s lips. He -leaned the long-handled brush against the billboard and -turned to meet his angry enemy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right, now,” he said, gently. “Come ahead, and -I’ll make it interesting for you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Riddle hesitated a single instant, and then he saw something -like a grin on the face of the watching janitor. -That decided him. He made a spring for Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Out shot Merriwell’s arm.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Crack!</p> - -<p class='c008'>The blow sounded almost like a pistol shot.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Delvin Riddle was knocked down on the instant, and -struck sprawling in the overturned mass of paste. In that -he sprawled around for a moment, and, when he got up, -he was a sight to behold.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Riddle looked at himself, then looked at Merriwell.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You shall pay for this!” he grated. “I’ll see you -again.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>A number of spectators had gathered, and they were -laughing openly over Riddle’s ludicrous appearance as he -hurried away. The fellow was thoroughly crestfallen, -but in his heart he swore vengeance.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“There seems to be enough paste in the bottom of the -bucket for this board, Mr. Hobbs,” said Merriwell, calmly. -“Now we will go on with our work.”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XXV.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>“STOP THIEF!”</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Of course, there was not enough paper left to completely -cover all the boards, but Frank was determined -to hide King’s stuff, so he went to the printing office and -secured a supply of white paper. Then he would put up -two or three three-sheet posters on a large board, covering -everything else with the white paper. In this manner -he hid all of King’s advertising on the billboards.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He saw nothing more of Delvin Riddle while he was at -work.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Leaving the janitor to finish the last of this work, he -took some window posters and started out.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He found King’s stuff in all the best windows, but in -many of them got his in beside the other.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The story of his encounter with Riddle had spread -through the place, and everybody seemed anxious to know -the particulars.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank took pains to tell just what kind of a trick -Julian King had tried to play on them in that place, and -he had a way of telling it so that it made a very good -story and gave a favorable impression of the “Empire -Theater Comedy Company.” Frank was satisfied that the -things which had happened in Salacia would be strictly -to the advantage of the show with which he was connected.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was judicious but not niggardly in giving out passes.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Before night Jesper, the editor of the local paper, hunted -him up and asked for particulars concerning his encounter -with Riddle. Frank made the account very ludicrous, and -Jesper promised to put it in the paper in such a manner -that it would make Merriwell appear to advantage.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then Frank had a hustle to catch a train—and missed -it!</p> - -<p class='c008'>This filled him with dismay, for he had spent a day in -Salacia when he should have been in Dundee.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He found there were no other trains over that road -that would take him to Dundee that night, but there was -a train over another road some ten miles away that might -be flagged at a little village, and that would carry him to -the place he wished to reach.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Immediately Frank made a rush for the nearest livery -stable.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I want to hire a good horse,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What for?” asked the hostler, shortly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“To take me to Kilmerville in time to catch the night -train west.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Train doesn’t stop there.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But it can be flagged, can’t it?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Guess so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then I’ll try to flag it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t believe you can get there in time.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Haven’t you got a horse that can take me there? I -must get there.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, I don’t know about letting you have Jack.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Which is Jack?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Black horse in that stall.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He looks all right. Can he get me to Kilmerville in -time for me to flag the train?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I reckon.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then I want him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t know you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“My name is Merriwell. I’m in advance of the ‘Empire -Theater Comedy Company.’”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh! Then you’re the fellow that stopped Sam Henson’s -horse?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ve heard all about that. You look all right.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I hope so.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And you pasted up the other show chap?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, we had a little trouble, and I believe he did -get covered with paste.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I like your appearance,” said the hostler. “I reckon -you’re all right. Where’ll you leave Jack?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“At the station at Kilmerville.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Get somebody to take him to Pete Newell’s stable. -I’ll send over for him in the morning.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then I may have him?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“For five dollars—yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Here’s your cash.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank had the money out in a moment and into the -hand of the hostler.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Get the saddle on that horse in a hurry!” he exclaimed. -“I’ll have to get my satchel from the hotel, but I’ll be -back here right away.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Horse’ll be ready when you get back.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry made a run for the hotel. Up to his room he -dashed, catching up his satchel and securing it over his -shoulder by the strap. Down to the office he plunged.</p> - -<p class='c008'>No one there.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He pounded on the desk.</p> - -<p class='c008'>No one appeared.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Down to the cardroom he rushed. Outside the door he -stopped suddenly, hearing a voice saying:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“His name is Frank Merriwell. Here’s your warrant, -sheriff. Arrest him on sight. I’m sure you’ll find my -watch on his person. If not, then he’s got rid of it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Delvin Riddle was speaking.</p> - -<p class='c008'>For one moment Frank was aghast, dazed, bewildered.</p> - -<p class='c008'>What did it mean?</p> - -<p class='c008'>Through his brain flashed the explanation.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Riddle, driven desperate by his failure to frighten -Frank, furious over the treatment he had received at Merriwell’s -hands, had put up a job to detain Merriwell in -Salacia. He had sworn out a warrant, charging Frank -with stealing his watch, and Merriwell was to be arrested.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Nice trick!” thought Merry.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He felt like walking into that cardroom and finishing -the half-completed job of thrashing the tricky advance -man of the “Julian King Stock Company.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>But he knew that would not do, for he would be arrested -and detained in Salacia just when it was most -important that he should reach Dundee and attend to his -business.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He stepped a bit nearer the open door. Inside the room -was a mirror, and in that mirror he saw the reflection -of two men. One was Riddle, smooth-faced, crafty, malicious; -the other was the sheriff, large, rough, booted. -The latter was looking at the warrant just given him by -Frank’s enemy.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right,” he said. “You’d better come along with -me and point the fellow out.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s time to be moving!” thought Merry.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Up the stairs he skipped.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The clerk had just come in, and was at the desk.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“My bill!” said Frank, sharply.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Your bill?” said the clerk, languidly. “Aren’t you -going to stop overnight?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How’s that?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Business. Got to go. My bill, quick! I’m in a -hurry!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The clerk looked at the register and then told him what -his bill would be. Frank flung down some money. He -heard heavy feet ascending the stairs to the office. He -heard voices. Riddle and the sheriff were coming.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Keep the change,” said Merriwell. “Can’t stop for -it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He bolted out of the door, leaving the amazed clerk -staring after him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Straight for the livery stable he darted. The hostler -was in the wide open door, holding the black horse, ready -saddled and bridled.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hold on!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Behind Frank there was a hoarse command. He looked -over his shoulder and saw the sheriff and Riddle come -rushing out of the hotel.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Stop!” yelled Riddle. “Stop thief!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank reached the stable door.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What’s that they’re yelling at you?” asked the hostler, -with an air of sudden distrust.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“They’ll tell you when they get here,” half laughed -Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, I don’t think I’ll let you have this horse just now. -You’ll have to wait a while before you——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Can’t stop, sir. I’m in a great hurry.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But I won’t——”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, you will!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank caught him by the collar, at the same time grasping -the horse by the bit. With all his strength, the ex-Yale -man gave the burly hostler a snap and a fling.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The hostler was literally lifted off his feet and sent -spinning through an open door into the little room that -served as an office.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The horse reared and snorted. He came down and -reared again. When he went into the air Frank went -with him, swinging onto his back.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Stop!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Git!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Out of the stable door shot the black horse, bearing -Frank on its back.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Good-by!” he called. “I’ll see you later, Mr. Riddle!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Stop him!” howled Riddle.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The sheriff tried to catch the horse by the bit, missed, -grasped at Frank’s leg, touched it—that was all.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Onward shot the horse and rider. Frank turned and -waved his hand with a taunting movement.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Thief! thief!—stop thief!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That is a pleasant cry to hear!” commented Merry, -grimly. “I’ll remember Mr. Delvin Riddle for this little -piece of business.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He looked back and saw men and boys running after -him, shouting for him to stop.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A cloud of dust rose behind the heels of the horse, for -it was dry in the streets of the town.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The cries grew fainter and fainter. Frank turned onto -another street, and his pursuers were seen no more for -a time.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XXVI.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>THE FINISH OF THE RACE.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Frank had not asked directions, and he knew not which -way Kilmerville lay, so he was forced to stop and make -inquiries.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He found he had started in the wrong direction, and, -in order to get onto the right road, he must go back -through the town.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“That’ll be first rate!” he thought, with a laugh.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But he turned back, taking another street. He was -obliged to ride directly through the heart of the town, -and he saw some men in the livery stable making hasty -preparations for pursuit. Horses were being saddled for -the purpose.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“So it’s going to be a race to Kilmerville,” he muttered. -“All right. That’ll add to the excitement.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was seen.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“There he is!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The cry went up from a number of men and boys.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Stop thief!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Stop me!” invited Merriwell. “Try it!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Out of the stable door dashed two mounted men, followed -by a third. The hostler, believing he had let an -animal to a rascal, had joined Riddle and the sheriff in -the chase.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“By Jove!” exclaimed Frank. “This thing is getting -mighty serious. I don’t fancy being chased about over -the country and called a thief. If it wasn’t for business, -I’d go back and face the thing; but that would be playing -right into Riddle’s hands. No, I’ll catch that train if I -can.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Through the town he rattled. The black horse was -spirited and speedy. He believed he had been given the -best mount in the stable. If that was true, his pursuers -would have some trouble overtaking him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Surely he was finding excitement enough ahead of -the show to satisfy the most morbid craving for something -stirring.</p> - -<p class='c008'>There were several streets leading out of the town -on that side, and he was forced to choose one by chance, -trusting to fortune to put him onto the right one.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was fortunate, indeed, for he chose the road to -Kilmerville.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When he was clear of the town, he looked back and saw -his pursuers coming. He waved his hand tauntingly at -them.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’ll have the satisfaction of giving them a merry race, -anyhow,” he thought.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The country was undulating, and he soon passed over -a rise. Then he looked back and did not see his pursuers -for a time, but they finally came up over the rise.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The roads outside the town were not in the best condition, -but this disadvantage to Frank was also a disadvantage -to those who were following him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He kept looking for sign boards, as, at that time, he was -not sure he had struck the right road.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As he dashed past a branch road, an old, weather-beaten -board told him he was all right.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hurrah!” he cried, enthusiastically. “That’s the stuff! -Now let them come on!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then came another thought. What if he reached Kilmerville -too soon, giving his pursuers time to come up and -capture him before the train arrived?</p> - -<p class='c008'>That would be quite as bad as missing the train.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But he remembered his conversation with the hostler, -and he was satisfied that he did not have any time to spare. -He must put as much distance as possible between himself -and his pursuers before Kilmerville was reached, and -then trust to fortune.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank talked to his mount, and it was not long before -he decided that the animal was unusually intelligent. He -sought to make friends with the horse, believing that the -best way to get the best work out of the animal.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Occasionally he looked back. For some time he could -obtain occasional glimpses of his three pursuers, but he -was drawing away from them, and, at last, they were not -to be seen.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s getting quieter,” he murmured; “but the excitement -may not be over. I suppose Riddle will follow me -to Dundee and have me arrested there; but it will give -me time to get in some more work, I hope, and send a -telegram to Haley.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He kept on at a good pace till he came to another branch -road. He looked the roads over, and then selected the -one to the right, for there was no guide board to tell him -which way to go.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He had ridden on nearly half a mile when he met a -man in a wagon.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank drew up, lifting his hat.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Can you tell me, sir,” he asked, “if this is the right -road to Kilmerville?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes, sur, I kin,” nodded the man in the wagon.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he was silent, staring searchingly at Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry smiled.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, will you tell me?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Huah! Yep!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Is this the right road?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Huah! Nope.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Not?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Nope. Right road is ’bout half a mile back.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Thank you, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank wheeled about in double quick haste. Back -along the road he sent the black horse flying.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Jeeminy!” muttered the old fellow in the wagon. -“He must be in an awful hurry!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank feared his pursuers would reach the junction of -the two roads ahead of him and cut him off, so he pushed -the black horse to its highest speed. The creature responded -nobly, fairly flying over the ground.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I wouldn’t mind owning you,” thought Merry. “Too -bad you’re kept in a livery stable and let out to every -Tom, Dick and Harry!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>As he approached the junction of the roads, he began -looking for the pursuers. It was not long before he -saw them come over a rise, and an exclamation of dismay -broke from his lips.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“They’ll get there ahead of me!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He saw they must, and his mind was quickly made up -on the course he would pursue.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t know what kind of a hurdle horse you are, old -fellow,” he said; “but I’m going to try some cross-country -riding with you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He swung out of the road, aimed at the fence, and -the black rose to the touch, clearing the rails like a flying -bird.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then a cheer broke from Merry’s lips.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was answered by shouts from the three men, who -now saw him. They whipped their horses along the -road as fast as possible, trying to cut him off.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Of course, the ground was not firm beneath the feet of -the black horse, and it did seem for a time that Merriwell -might be intercepted. But he reached the road in -advance of the trio of pursuers, the black again clearing -the fence beautifully.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Stop!” roared the sheriff. “Stop, I tell you!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Can’t,” Frank called back. “I’m in a great hurry. -Sorry I can’t jog along with you. Ta, ta!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He waved his hand tauntingly, turning in the saddle to -do so.</p> - -<p class='c008'>At that instant the black horse stepped on a loose -stone, and a second later Merriwell was off and the animal -was down. A shout of triumph came from the pursuers.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Like a flash Frank sprang up, and the horse rose at the -same instant. Into the saddle Merry leaped.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Go it, my boy—fine boy!” the fugitive called, and -away sprang the horse.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The pursuing men expressed their rage and dismay.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But the noble horse had been injured, and it was not -many moments before Frank saw the creature was going -lame. This caused Merry some anxiety.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Good boy—noble fellow!” he said, leaning forward and -patting the creature’s glossy neck.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The horse turned its head a bit, its breath fluttering -through its throbbing nostrils. It seemed that a bond of -sympathy had been established between horse and rider, -and the intelligent animal was straining every nerve to do -its best.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The pursuers saw something was wrong, saw the horse -was lame, and again they shouted their triumph.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The hostler excepted. He was enraged, and he gave -vent to his anger.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The fellow has spoiled our best saddle horse,” he -grated. “He shall pay for it!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“We’ll overtake him now,” declared the sheriff. “He -can’t get away.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Delvin Riddle laughed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He has given us lots of trouble,” said the advance -agent. “But now he’s in double trouble. If I don’t get -back my watch, he’ll be detained to settle for that horse.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And you’ll be detained to push your charge against -him,” said the sheriff.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What’s that?” cried Riddle. “Why, my business won’t -permit that. I have to attend to my business.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You swore out the warrant and gave it to me to serve. -Now you will have to let your business hang while you -appear in court and press the charge.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>That did not suit Riddle at all. His object had been -to bother and detain Merriwell, while he went on, and he -really had no intention of appearing at the trial.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Perhaps you’ll detain me, and then again perhaps you -won’t,” he thought; but he kept this thought to himself.</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was seen that Merriwell’s mount was failing rapidly, -and Frank plainly showed some anxiety.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The sheriff looked at his watch.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“He’ll not reach Kilmerville in time to stop that train,” -he declared. “We’ve got him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>But Merriwell was sparing the black horse as much -as possible, hoping the creature would hold out. He -saw he could not run away from his pursuers, and his -only object was to keep in advance of them sufficiently -to catch the train and get away.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank was anxious, but still he kept cool. He knew -Riddle could not prove the malicious charge of robbery, -and he also knew the fellow could make trouble for him -in Dundee if he saw fit to follow the game up.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry had made up his mind to telegraph to Haley -from Dundee as soon as the place was reached, in case -he escaped the pursuers. In that way he could put the -manager onto the main points of the crooked business -the rival concern had attempted to carry out.</p> - -<p class='c008'>At times it seemed that the black horse must give -out entirely, but Frank encouraged the creature without -attempting to force it along, and the animal responded -bravely.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Too bad, old boy!” muttered the youth, sympathetically. -“Hope I’ll not lame you permanently by driving -you this way. If I knew I should, I’d be tempted to -stop right here and let those chaps take me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Looking back, he saw the pursuers lashing their horses -and making renewed efforts to overtake him in a hurry.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Looking to the left and southeast, he detected a faint -trail of smoke against the evening sky.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then came the far-away, wailing shriek of a locomotive -whistle.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“By Jove!” Merry muttered. “That’s my train! Kilmerville -must be just beyond the next rise. Looks to -me as if I’ll have a hard pull to make connections with -that train.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Now he did all he could to urge the black horse onward. -There seemed a magic persuasion about his voice, -for the animal actually appeared to fling off much of its -lameness and shoot ahead with fresh fire and speed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Up the rise they went. The crest was reached and, -ahead in the valley, Merry saw Kilmerville.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Anxiously he turned his eyes in the direction of the -trailing smoke that rose against the sky.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It’s too near!” came through his teeth. “I’ll lose at -the last minute! It is a howling shame!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>For the twentieth time his hand patted the sweat-stained -neck and his voice poured encouragement into -those backward-tilted ears.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You’ve done a fine job, my gallant boy. Faster—a -little faster, noble fellow! I’ll not forget this ride—I’ll -not forget you! If I had the money I’d buy you and -take care of you the rest of your life for this. Get me -there in time to catch that train, my boy! On, on! -That’s the stuff! Now you are doing it! Good boy—fine -boy!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>It was wonderful how that injured animal tore down -the road toward the little collection of houses huddled -at the railroad crossing. Frank felt himself thrill with -the excitement of it all.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The horse’s sides were heaving and falling, while its -breath came puffing from its nostrils like steam from -an exhaust pipe.</p> - -<p class='c008'>That line of smoke was coming nearer and nearer. -The whistle of the locomotive sounded like a taunting -yell of derision.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Lost the race!” grated Frank.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Still he kept on.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Not yet!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The train was close to the little village, but the black -horse bore its rider toward the crossing.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry saw the train for a moment, then lost it behind -some houses. He tore off his hat and waved it as he -went madly galloping toward that crossing.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Behind him the pursuers again shouted their triumph.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“You haven’t got me yet!” muttered the desperate -youth. “I’d do ’most anything to give you the slip -now.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was near the crossing when the engine went past. -The engineer did not see him, and he knew his last -chance to stop the train had passed.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He could not check the horse, and one or two open-mouthed, -staring villagers believed he would dash -straight against the cars, be hurled to the ground, possibly -mangled beneath the iron wheels.</p> - -<p class='c008'>With all his strength Frank turned the horse to one -side, so that it was going in the same direction as the -train.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Then he formed a resolve, marvelous, daring, foolhardy. -The pursuers gasped, for they saw him rise to -his knees on the back of the horse. Then, with the skill -of a circus rider, he stood upright on the back of the -galloping animal!</p> - -<p class='c008'>A moment the desperate youth stood thus, and then, -as the last car of the train whirled by, Frank made a -daring leap.</p> - -<p class='c008'>His act was greeted with shouts of astonishment, for -it seemed that no person in his right mind would venture -to attempt such an astounding thing.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Through the air Frank Merriwell shot, his hands -clutched the rail of the rear platform of the last car—clutched -it and clung there. For a second his body -was straightened out in the air till it was in a position -almost horizontal. Then it swung in, and the youth -stood erect on the platform, laughing, triumphant, tauntingly -and leisurely lifting his hat and waving it in farewell -toward his baffled and thunderstruck pursuers.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c013'>CHAPTER XXVII.<br /> <br /><span class='c014'>ALL QUIET.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Frank expected to meet an officer at the station when -he reached Dundee late that night, for he fancied Riddle, -intending to keep up the game, would telegraph ahead -for his arrest.</p> - -<p class='c008'>When he stepped down from the train, Merry looked -around for the expected sheriff or policeman.</p> - -<p class='c008'>No one was there to meet him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was pretty tired, and so he took a carriage to a -hotel, where he registered, and asked if he could get -something to eat. It was long past the supper hour, but -he was able to obtain a lunch, which satisfied him very -well.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Next Frank sent a telegram to Barnaby Haley, and -then sat down and wrote a letter, telling briefly his adventures -since starting out as advance man for the company.</p> - -<p class='c008'>By this time it was pretty late, and he decided to retire -and get some sleep.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was filled with wonder because he had not been -molested in Dundee, but decided that Riddle had resolved -to come on himself and see to the matter.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Fully convinced that there would be more trouble for -him in the morning, he went to his room.</p> - -<p class='c008'>As he was preparing to go to bed, he thought of Cassie -and his last talk with her.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Poor girl!” thought Frank. “I wonder if she really -prayed to-night and tried to go through her part without -the stimulation of morphine. It is too bad that the -accursed drug should get such a hold on such a girl. -She said she would pray for me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was about to jump into bed when another thought -came to him.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I said I would pray for her!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Down beside the bed Frank Merriwell knelt. He -bowed his head, and his lips moved in a whispered -prayer.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Who can say that prayer was not heard—and answered?</p> - -<p class='c008'>For all of the exciting adventures of the day, Frank -was soon sleeping soundly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He was aroused by a sharp knocking on his door.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Hello!” he muttered, as he sat up. “Here’s the -trouble I’ve been expecting! They might have let me -sleep till morning. Wonder if they will take me to some -wretched lockup and give me a buggy bunk. If they -do, I’ll have to stay up the rest of the night. I enjoy -excitement, but I draw the line at night encounters with -bugs.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>He got up leisurely.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Rat-tat-tat!</p> - -<p class='c008'>The person outside the door was getting impatient.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Don’t be in such a hurry,” called Merry, placidly. -“I won’t jump out of the window.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Let me in!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Directly.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank struck a match and lighted the gas. Then, in -his nightgown, he opened the door.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A man dodged in quickly.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Shut the door!” he ordered, his voice and manner betraying -agitation.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What’s the matter?” asked Frank, in surprise.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Lock it—lock it!”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The stranger took hold of the key and turned it himself.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank’s surprise increased.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well,” he said, looking the man over, “will you be -good enough to tell me what this means?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I want to see you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“All right. Take a good look at me.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Your name’s Merriwell?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Sure thing.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“New man ahead of the ‘Empire Theater Comedy -Company’?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Right again.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I’m Collins.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank jumped.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Collins?” he cried—“Weston Collins?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank had never seen the former advance man of the -company, so it was not strange he had not known Collins.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well,” he said, sitting down on the edge of the bed -and staring hard at the intruder, “what in the name of -all that’s bad are you doing here?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I came in a little while ago. Saw your name on the -register. You registered with the name of the company -attached, so I knew you must be the man Haley had sent -out to fill my place. I came up to see you.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Did King send you?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“King! What made you think so?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“On account of your telegram.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Telegram to whom?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Mr. Haley.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What telegram?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The one you sent from Salacia.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Never sent any.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank was surprised and incredulous. Was this more -trickery?</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Never sent Haley a telegram,” declared Collins. “Did -he receive one?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“My name signed?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Just that.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Fake! King did it—or somebody representing King.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry was doubtful.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What did it say?” asked Collins.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank told him, and the former advance man showed -anger.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Just like King!” he cried. “He hates Haley, and he -will do anything to torment the old man.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But—but you dropped the work in Salacia. Manager -of the opera house heard our company had gone up. He -put King’s paper right up over what you had put up for -us. Why did you do that way?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Collins hesitated a little, and then, walking up and -down, he began:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Look here, Merriwell, I want to set myself straight, -but I don’t know how to do it. That’s why I’m here. -I’m taking all chances of being arrested.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Arrested?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Yes. It’s like this: I got into some trouble out here -in this country once, and had to skip. I’ve kept it quiet -all my life—never told anybody about it. King knew it, -because he was with me at the time. I changed my name. -Collins is not my right name. When Haley decided to -book this section, I tried to persuade him not to do it. -Didn’t want to come here. Had to come or throw up -my job. Thought I might get into the county and out -again without being recognized. Could have done it, but -when King heard we were having a hard time to hold the -show together, he believed he could knock the company -out by driving me off. He gave me an hour to get out -of Salacia before he put the officers on me. I was scared -and made a run for it. He must have had his advance -man send the telegram from Salacia. I suppose he has -told everything, and they are looking for me; but I made -up my mind I’d go back and see Haley. That’s why I’m -here. I’ve got back this far. Registered here to-night -under a fake name. Have telegraphed Haley myself. -Did that as soon as I got over my scare. That’s the whole -thing in a nutshell. I won’t be able to stay with the -company, and I’m glad they had a man to send right out -in my place.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank had been watching the man as he told the story, -and Merry was convinced that Collins was not lying. -He could see that the fellow was just recovering from -the effects of too much liquor, which helped serve to -explain his singular conduct in taking flight without -notifying Haley.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Merry talked with Collins for at least two hours, telling -him everything that had happened since he started out -in advance of the show.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Collins complimented him on his ability and the manner -in which he had gotten the best of Delvin Riddle.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“It is my opinion,” he said, “that Riddle is thoroughly -disgusted over the attempt to side track you, and I don’t -fancy you’ll have any more trouble with him. He has -found out that you are up to snuff and too smart for him. -It is quite probable that, when he got back in Salacia, he -made a find that caused him to withdraw that warrant -from the hands of the sheriff.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“What sort of a find?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“The stolen watch.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Frank brightened.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I understand!” he exclaimed. “Riddle may have done -that in order to avoid being detained himself.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Just that. He’s liable to be on here to-morrow, and -you’ll soon find out if he’s going to let you alone. I -shall get out of town the first thing in the morning, and -I’ll lay low till I can rejoin the company somewhere outside -the State.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Everything turned out just as Collins had fancied it -would. Riddle appeared the following day, but he did -not even seem to see Merriwell. Frank was not molested -then or afterward by Julian King’s agent.</p> - -<p class='c008'>After this Frank found that work on the road as an -advance agent was a great deal easier than it had appeared -at the start. In defeating the schemes of his -rivals he had overcome the greatest difficulties of his -new career, and though he found other obstacles from -time to time, he met them with the same steady courage -that was sure to win in the end.</p> - -<p class='c008'>He proved one of the finest advance agents that had -ever traveled for Haley, and made a host of friends -wherever he went.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>THE END.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>BOUND TO WIN LIBRARY</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>This library is “bound to win” its way into -the heart of every American lad. The tales -are exceptionally clean, bright and interesting.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='xlarge'>PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c018' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>To be Published During January, 1905</div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='50%' /> -<col width='50%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>104—Fatherless Bob</td> - <td class='c005'>By Bracebridge Hemyng</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>103—Hank, the Hustler</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>102—Dick Stanhope Afloat</td> - <td class='c005'>By Harrie Irving Hancock</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>101—The Golden Harpoon</td> - <td class='c005'>By Weldon J. Cobb</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>To be Published During December</div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='50%' /> -<col width='50%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>100—Mischievous Matts’ Pranks</td> - <td class='c005'>By Bracebridge Hemyng</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>99—Mischievous Matt</td> - <td class='c005'>By Bracebridge Hemyng</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>98—Bert Chipley</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>97—Down East Dune</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>96—The Young Diplomat</td> - <td class='c005'>By Harrie Irving Hancock</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>95—The Fool of the Family</td> - <td class='c005'>By Bracebridge Hemyng</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>94—Slam, Bang & Co.</td> - <td class='c005'>By Weldon J. Cobb</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>93—On the Road</td> - <td class='c005'>By Stanley Norris</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>92—The Blood-Red Hand</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>91—The Diamond King</td> - <td class='c005'>By Cornelius Shea</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>90—The Double-Faced Mystery</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>89—The Young Theatrical Manager</td> - <td class='c005'>By Stanley Norris</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>88—The Young West-Pointer</td> - <td class='c005'>By Harrie Irving Hancock</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>87—Held For Ransom.</td> - <td class='c005'>By Weldon J. Cobb</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>86—Boot-Black Bob</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>85—Engineer Tom</td> - <td class='c005'>By Cornelius Shea</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>84—The Mascot of Hoodooville</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>83—Walter Blackshaw</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank Sheridan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>82—The Young Showman’s Foes</td> - <td class='c005'>By Stanley Norris</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>81—On the Wing</td> - <td class='c005'>By Weldon J. Cobb</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>80—Yankee Grit</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>79—Bicycle and Gun</td> - <td class='c005'>By Cornelius Shea</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>78—The Backwoods Boy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>77—Ahead of the Show</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>76—Merle Merton</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank Sheridan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>75—The Three Hills of Gold</td> - <td class='c005'>By Harrie Irving Hancock</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>74—A Barrel of Money</td> - <td class='c005'>By Weldon J. Cobb</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>73—Lucky Thirteen</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>72—Two Ragged Heroes</td> - <td class='c005'>By Ernest A. Young</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>71—A Slave for a Year</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>70—In the Woods</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank Sheridan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>69—The Prince of Grit</td> - <td class='c005'>By Harrie Irving Hancock</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>68—The Golden Pirate</td> - <td class='c005'>By Weldon J. Cobb</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>67—Winning His Way</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>66—Boats, Bats and Bicycles</td> - <td class='c005'>By Ernest A. Young</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>65—Bob, The Hoodoo</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>64—Railroad Ralph</td> - <td class='c005'>By Engineer James Fisk</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>63—Comrades Under Castro</td> - <td class='c005'>By Victor St. Clair</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>62—Life-Line Larry</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank Sheridan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>61—Track and Trestle</td> - <td class='c005'>By Ernest L. Young</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>60—The Phantom Boy</td> - <td class='c005'>By Weldon J. Cobb</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>59—Simple Simon</td> - <td class='c005'>By Herbert Bellwood</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>58—Cast Away in the Jungle</td> - <td class='c005'>By Victor St. Clair</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>57—In Unknown Worlds</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>56—The Round-the-World Boys</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>55—Bert Fairfax</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank Sheridan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>54—Pranks and Perils</td> - <td class='c005'>By Ernest A. Young</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>53—Up to Date</td> - <td class='c005'>By Weldon J. Cobb</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>52—Bicycle Ben</td> - <td class='c005'>By Herbert Bellwood</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>51—Lost in the Ice</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>50—Fighting for a Name</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>49—Lionel’s Pluck</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank Sheridan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>48—The Mud River Boys</td> - <td class='c005'>By Ernest A. Young</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>47—Partners Three</td> - <td class='c005'>By Weldon J. Cobb</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>46—The Rivals of the Pines</td> - <td class='c005'>By Herbert Bellwood</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>45—Always on Duty</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>44—Walt, the Wonder-Worker</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>43—Through Flame to Fame</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank Sheridan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>42—A Toss-Up for Luck</td> - <td class='c005'>By Ernest A. Young</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>41—The Jay from Maine</td> - <td class='c005'>By Herbert Bellwood</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>40—For Home and Honor</td> - <td class='c005'>By Victor St. Clair</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>39—A Bee Line to Fortune</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>37—Never Give Up</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>36—Vernon Craig</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank Sheridan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>35—The Young Showman’s Triumph</td> - <td class='c005'>By Stanley Norris</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>34—The Roustabout Boys</td> - <td class='c005'>By Herbert Bellwood</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>33—The Young Showman’s Pluck</td> - <td class='c005'>By Stanley Norris</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>32—Napoleon’s Double</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>31—The Young Showman’s Rivals</td> - <td class='c005'>By Stanley Norris</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>30—Jack, the Pride of the Nine</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank Sheridan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>29—Phil, the Showman</td> - <td class='c005'>By Stanley Norris</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>28—Bob Porter at Lakeview Academy</td> - <td class='c005'>By Walter Morris</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>27—Zig-Zag, the Boy Conjurer</td> - <td class='c005'>By Victor St. Clair</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>26—The Young Hannibal</td> - <td class='c005'>By Matt Royal</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>25—Git Up and Git</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>24—School Life at Grand Court</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank Sheridan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>23—From Port to Port</td> - <td class='c005'>By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U.S.N.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>22—The Rival Nines</td> - <td class='c005'>By Walt Winton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>21—The Young Journalist</td> - <td class='c005'>By Harrie Irving Hancock</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>20—John Smith of Michigan</td> - <td class='c005'>By Herbert Bellwood</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>19—Little Snap, the Post Boy</td> - <td class='c005'>By Victor St. Clair</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>18—Cruise of the Training Ship</td> - <td class='c005'>By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U.S.N.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>17—Chris, the Comedian</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>16—Lion-Hearted Jack</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank Sheridan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>15—The Rivals of Riverwood</td> - <td class='c005'>By William G. Patten</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>14—His One Ambition</td> - <td class='c005'>By Herbert Bellwood</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>13—A Strange Cruise</td> - <td class='c005'>By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U.S.N.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>12—Dick Derby’s Double</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>11—The House of Mystery</td> - <td class='c005'>By Matt Royal</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>9—From Switch to Lever</td> - <td class='c005'>By Victor St. Clair</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>8—Clif, the Naval Cadet</td> - <td class='c005'>By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U.S.N.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>7—The Boy in Black</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>6—The Crimson “Q”</td> - <td class='c005'>By Herbert Bellwood</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>5—The Balas Ruby</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Geoffrey Hale</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>3—Bound for Annapolis</td> - <td class='c005'>By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U.S.N.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>2—Blind Luck</td> - <td class='c005'>By Fred Thorpe</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>1—The Boy Argus</td> - <td class='c005'>By William G. Patten</td> - </tr> -</table> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>CIRCUS LIFE</span></div> - <div class='c019'>───────────────────────────</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Is admirably described in Stanley Norris’ -great series of books for boys, published -in the BOUND TO WIN LIBRARY. -The hero has strange adventures while -fighting his way to the top of his chosen -profession. Every boy will thrill to the -finger tips to read of his many narrow -escapes.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'><i>PRICE, 10 CENTS PER COPY AT ALL NEWSDEALERS</i></span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>STANLEY NORRIS</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l c001'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>29 Phil, the Showman</div> - <div class='line'>31 The Young Showman’s Rivals</div> - <div class='line'>33 The Young Showman’s Pluck</div> - <div class='line'>35 The Young Showman’s Triumph</div> - <div class='line'>82 The Young Showman’s Foes</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>If ordered by mail, add four cents to cover postage.</p> -<p class='c002'>───────────────────────────</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><b>STREET & SMITH, Publishers, New York</b></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>Battles on Sea and Land</span></div> - <div class='c019'>───────────────────────────────────────────</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>We heartily recommend our <i>Boys of Liberty Library</i> -to boys who have good, red blood coursing through their -veins—who like really good tales of adventure.</p> - -<p class='c008'>The books listed below detail the adventures of brave -lads who took an active part in the Revolutionary -War, who, in many cases, saved the day to the Patriot -army when all seemed lost. Read this series boys, nothing -you can buy for the money will please you half so well.</p> - -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='50%' /> -<col width='50%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>1. Paul Revere and the Boys of Liberty</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>5. The First Shot For Liberty</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>9. The Hero of Ticonderoga</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>13. On the Quebec</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>17. Fooling the Enemy</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>21. Into the Jaws of Death</td> - <td class='c005'>By John De Morgan</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>25. The Tory Plot</td> - <td class='c005'>By T. C. Harbaugh</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>27. In Buff and Blue</td> - <td class='c005'>By T. C. Harbaugh</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p class='c008'>For sale by all newsdealers at 10c. per copy. If ordered -by mail, add four cents to cover postage.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>WEST POINT STORIES</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c002'>───────────────────────────</p> -<p class='c002'>One of the most interesting series of stories -for boys is that which details the adventures -of Mark Malloy at West Point. No boy who -likes good, exciting tales of adventure should -miss reading them. Published only in THE -MEDAL LIBRARY.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>PRICE, 10 CENTS PER COPY</div> - <div class='c000'>LIEUT. FREDERICK GARRISON, U.S.A.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table2' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='19%' /> -<col width='80%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><i>214</i></td> - <td class='c005'><i>On Guard</i></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><i>222</i></td> - <td class='c005'><i>A West Point Treasure</i></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><i>230</i></td> - <td class='c005'><i>Off for West Point</i></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><i>238</i></td> - <td class='c005'><i>A Cadet’s Honor</i></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><i>248</i></td> - <td class='c005'><i>The West Point Rivals</i></td> - </tr> -</table> -<p class='c002'>For Sale By All Newsdealers. If ordered by -mail, add four cents to cover postage.</p> -<p class='c002'>───────────────────────────</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='xlarge'>Street & Smith,</span> Publishers, <span class='xlarge'>New York</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='figcenter id004'> -<img src='images/i225.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<p class='c008'> </p> -<div class='tnbox'> - - <ul class='ul_1 c001'> - <li>Transcriber’s Notes: - <ul class='ul_2'> - <li>Missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected. - </li> - <li>Typographical errors were silently corrected. - </li> - <li>Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only when a predominant - form was found in this book. - </li> - </ul> - </li> - </ul> - -</div> -<p class='c008'> </p> - -<pre style='margin-top:6em'> -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL ON THE ROAD *** - -This file should be named 63815-h.htm or 63815-h.zip - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/8/1/63815/ - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - -</pre> -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/63815-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/63815-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index dc5def1..0000000 --- a/old/63815-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/63815-h/images/i008.jpg b/old/63815-h/images/i008.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3fe3fb3..0000000 --- a/old/63815-h/images/i008.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/63815-h/images/i225.jpg b/old/63815-h/images/i225.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index c118a3e..0000000 --- a/old/63815-h/images/i225.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/63815-h/images/publogo.jpg b/old/63815-h/images/publogo.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e24167e..0000000 --- a/old/63815-h/images/publogo.jpg +++ /dev/null |
