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diff --git a/old/64123-0.txt b/old/64123-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 730fd9b..0000000 --- a/old/64123-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8462 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Frank Merriwell's Own Company, 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's Own Company - BarnStorming the Middle West - -Author: Burt L. Standish - -Release Date: December 24, 2020 [eBook #64123] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S OWN COMPANY *** - -+-------------------------------------------------+ -|Transcriber's note: | -| | -|Obvious typographic errors have been corrected. | -| | -+-------------------------------------------------+ - - - - -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 July - -+316--Frank Merriwell's Problem+ +By Burt L. Standish+ - - -To be Published During June - -315--The Diamond Seeker of Brazil By Leon Lewis -+314--An Interesting Story+ +By Horatio Alger, Jr.+ -313--The Phantom Ship By Capt. Marryat -+312--Frank Merriwell's College Chums+, +By Burt L. Standish+ - - -To be Published During May - -311--Whistler By Walter Aimwell -+310--An Interesting Story+ +By Horatio Alger, Jr.+ -309--Three Years at Wolverton By A. Wolvertonian -+308--Frank Merriwell's Fame+ +By Burt L. Standish+ - - -To be Published During April - -307--The Boy Crusoes By Jeffreys Taylor -+306--An Interesting Story+ +By Horatio Alger, Jr.+ -305--Japhet in Search of a Father By Capt. Marryat -+304--Frank Merriwell's Own Company+, +By Burt L. Standish+ - - -To be Published During March - -303--The Prairie By J. Fenimore Cooper -+302--An Interesting Story+ +By Horatio Alger, Jr.+ -301--A Battle and a Boy By Blanche Willis Howard -+300--Frank Merriwell on the Road+ +By Burt L. Standish+ - - * * * * * - -299--Mart Satterlee Among the Indians By William O. Stoddard -+298--An Interesting Story+ +By Horatio Alger, Jr.+ -297--Newton Forster By Capt. Marryat -+296--Frank Merriwell's Protégé+ +By Burt L. Standish+ -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 Luck+ +By Burt L. Standish+ -291--By Pike and Dyke By G. A. Henty -+290--Shifting For Himself+ +By Horatio Alger, Jr.+ -289--The Pirate and the Three Cutters By Capt. Marryat -+288--Frank Merriwell's Opportunity+ +By Burt L. Standish+ -287--Kit Carson's Last Trail By Leon Lewis -+286--Jack's Ward+ +By Horatio Alger, Jr.+ -285--Jack Darcy, the All Around Athlete By Edward S. Ellis -+284--Frank Merriwell's First Job+ +By Burt L. Standish+ -283--Wild Adventures Round the Pole By Gordon Stables -+282--Herbert Carter's Legacy+ +By Horatio Alger, Jr.+ -281--Rattlin, the Reefer By Capt. 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 Capt. Marryat -+272--Facing the World+ +By Horatio Alger, Jr.+ -+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 Rivals 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 to Yale+ +By Burt L. Standish+ -+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 Champions+ +By Burt L. Standish+ -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 Squadron By Lieut. James K. Orton -+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 Tour+ +By Burt L. Standish+ -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 Afield+ +By Burt L. Standish+ -208--The Treasure of the Golden Crater By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry -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 Tour+ +Burt L. Standish+ -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 West+ +By Burt L. Standish+ -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--The 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 at Yale 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 School Days+ +By Burt L. Standish+ -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--The 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 President+ +By Horatio Alger, Jr.+ -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 Admiral By W. H. G. Kingston -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 Supercargo By W. H. G. Kingston -116--Happy-Go-Lucky Jack By Frank H. Converse -115--Adventures of a Young Athlete By Matthew White, Jr. -114--The Old Man of the Mountains By George H. Coomer -113--The Bravest of the Brave By G. A. Henty -112--20,000 Leagues Under the Sea By Jules Verne -111--The Midshipman, Marmaduke Merry By W. H. G. Kingston -110--Around the World in Eighty Days By Jules Verne -109--A Dash to the Pole By Herbert D. Ward -108--Texar's Revenge By Jules Verne -107--Van; or, In Search of an Unknown Race By Frank H. Converse -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 Staunton By Mary A. Denison -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; or, On Inland Waterways By James Otis - 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 His Own Way By Walter Aimwell - +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 the Country By Walter Aimwell - 88--My Mysterious Fortune By Matthew White, Jr. - +87--The Five Hundred Dollar Check+ +By Horatio Alger, Jr.+ - 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. & N. C. Railway By Edward S. Ellis - 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--Perils of the Jungle By Edward S. Ellis - 76--The War Tiger; or, The Conquest of China By William Dalton - 75--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 Randall By Alfred Oldfellow - 71--Mark Seaworth's Voyage on the Indian - Ocean By William H. G. Kingston - 70--The New and Amusing History of Sandford and - Merton By F. C. Burnand - 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 Mountain By Frank H. Converse - 56--Nature's Young Noblemen By Brooks McCormick - 55--A Voyage to the Gold Coast By Frank H. Converse - 54--Joe Nichols; or, Difficulties Overcome By Alfred Oldfellow - 53--The Adventures of a New York Telegraph Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. - +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 Story By Capt. David Southwick - 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 the Transvaal By William Murray Graydon - 38--Gay Dashleigh's Academy Days By Arthur Sewall - 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. Verdant Green By Cuthbert Bede, B. A. - 33--Jud and Joe, Printers and Publishers By Gilbert Patten - 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 King By Gilbert Patten - +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 Seventh By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry - +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+ - - - - -FRANK MERRIWELL'S -OWN COMPANY - -OR, - -Barnstorming in the Middle West - -BY -BURT L. STANDISH - -AUTHOR OF - -"_The Merriwell Stories_" - -[Illustration: Decoration] - -STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS -238 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK CITY - - - - -Copyright, 1898 - -By STREET & SMITH - -Frank Merriwell's Own Company - - - - -FRANK MERRIWELL'S OWN COMPANY. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -THE DYING MAGICIAN. - - -Manager Thaddeus Burnham, of the Keesport Opera House, was worried. -Zolverein, the magician, was billed to play in his house that Wednesday -evening. Zolverein was in town, stopping at the Midland Hotel, where he -had arrived at noon. All the magician's apparatus was in the theater, -and the stage was set for his appearance. The hour of opening the doors -had arrived, the box-office man was selling tickets as fast as he could -make change, and people were pouring in to witness the performance of -the man of magic, who was famous all through that part of the country. - -But Zolverein was in his room at the hotel, suffering from an attack of -heart trouble, to which he was subject. He had assured Thaddeus Burnham -that it was of no particular consequence, would soon pass away, and he -would be able to appear at the time when the curtain should rise and -give his regular performance, just as advertised. - -However, the doctor who was attending the magician expressed grave -doubts about Zolverein's immediate recovery, and, twenty minutes after -the opening of the theater, Manager Burnham heard that the physician -had sent in great haste for another prominent doctor of the place. - -Frank Merriwell, the famous Yale athlete, now advance agent for the -"Empire Theater Comedy Company," was talking with Thad Burnham. They -were standing in the lobby of the opera house, watching the people come -in. - -"The house will be full," said Burnham, nervously. "It's a shame to -have to refund so much money." - -"You don't know that you will have to refund it," consoled Frank. -"Zolverein has such spells frequently. He was telling me about them on -the train." - -"But Dr. Harte has summoned Dr. Gray, and Harte wouldn't do that for -nothing. How did you happen to meet Zolverein?" - -"I had the fortune to save him from what might have been a serious -accident at Newton." - -"How was that?" - -"He was too late to take the train before it started, and he sprang -aboard after the cars were under way. He slipped and would have fallen -between two cars. I caught him by the collar and dragged him back to -the platform. It gave him quite a shock, and he was afraid it might -bring on an attack of his trouble. That's how we came to talk about it." - -"Well, it brought on the attack all right." - -"It seems so, but he thought all danger was past by the time we reached -this place, for he was feeling much better." - -"Something makes me certain he will not be on hand to-night. If he had -not given me orders to open the doors, these people would not be coming -in now. Of course I did as he directed, but it is going to cause no end -of trouble." - -"It has a bad effect to turn away an audience after a house is filled." - -"Right. People go away sore. Hope nothing of this kind will happen in -connection with your show, Mr. Merriwell." - -"It's not likely to happen," declared Frank; but, if the manager had -noted the youth's expression just then, he might have seen a shade of -anxiety pass over Merriwell's face. - -Within a day or two Merriwell had learned that Zenas Hawkins, the -"angel" on which Barnaby Haley, the manager, had depended to keep the -"Empire Theater Company" afloat, had refused to give up any more good -money and had quit the organization. - -As the company had been "up against bad business," the wind must -change, or the end would come quickly, and Frank knew it. Hence his -anxiety. - -As Merriwell and the manager stood there, a boy came up hurriedly, -saying to Burnham: - -"Can you tell me where I can find Frank Merriwell? The magician has -sent for him." - -"Here he is," said the manager, indicating Merry. - -"Come on, sir," urged the boy. "They told me to tell you to come in a -hurry." - -"What is the matter?" asked Burnham. "Is it----" - -"I don't know. All I know is that they told me to get Mr. Merriwell in -a hurry." - -"Goodness!" muttered the manager. "I hope this don't mean that----" - -He did not finish, and Frank followed the boy, wondering why he had -been summoned by Zolverein. - -The messenger was a bell boy from the hotel, and he piloted Frank up to -the door of the magician's room. - -Frank knocked lightly. - -The door was opened at once by a tall man who wore a Vandyke beard. It -was Dr. Gray. - -"This is Mr. Merriwell," explained the bell boy. - -"Come in," said the doctor, softly. "You are in time." - -"In time!" echoed Merry, wonderingly. "In time for what?" - -Then he saw another man bending over the bed, on which lay Zolverein, -the great magician. One glance satisfied Frank that the man of magic -was face to face with the mighty mystery which no human being has ever -solved and lived. - -Zolverein's face was ghastly gray, while his eyes were wide open and -staring at the ceiling. It almost seemed that already he had solved the -mystery. - -But Merriwell's voice reached the man's ears, and, with a great -effort, he turned his head slightly, looking toward the door. - -"Yes, you are in time," he said, and his voice was hollow and faint -with a ghostly sound. "In time to see the end." - -"He's dying!" - -Merry did not utter the words aloud. Quickly, with light steps, he -approached the bed. - -"Young man," said that weary voice, "bend down--sit beside me." - -Merry took the chair at the bedside, the doctor stepping back, but -remaining near and watching the sinking man intently. - -The pallor on Zolverein's face became even more marked, as if his few -words had cost him too great an effort. His eyes left Merriwell and -found the doctor. - -"Brandy!" he whispered, pleadingly. "Something to give me a few minutes -more of life!" - -The doctor hastily mixed something in a glass and held it to the dying -man's lips. The small quantity Zolverein was able to swallow seemed to -bring a bit of brightness to his dimming eyes. - -"There," he whispered, "that will do it." - -The doctor straightened up, but not till he had breathed in Frank's ear: - -"If there is anything you wish to hear from him, make haste. He has not -many seconds more." - -"Young man," said the dying magician, "you did me a turn to-day--you -saved me from being mangled beneath the train. It would have made -but a few hours' difference, but I prefer to die here in bed. You -grabbed me and held me up at the risk of being drawn down yourself. -It--was--a--brave--act." - -He stopped, gasping painfully. - -"If you have anything in particular to say, do not talk of other things -now," warned the doctor. - -"All right," murmured the magician. "I understand what you mean. The -end is near. I'm ready to go." - -Again he looked at Frank. - -"I like you," he declared. "I took a liking to you on the train. That's -why I send for you. I have not a relative in the whole world that I -care for. I have some friends, but they are far away. You are here. -You befriended me--a stranger. My apparatus for performing my feats -of magic is worth several thousand dollars. Here and now I express my -desire that you shall have it when I am dead. If you sell it for what -it is worth, it will--bring you in--a tidy--sum--of----" - -His voice died in a gasping rattle, his breast heaved once and was -still, his eyes were set, and the end had come. - -Zolverein, the magician, had solved the great mystery. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -FRANK'S OPPORTUNITY. - - -It was Frank who carried the report of the magician's death to Thaddeus -Burnham. - -The manager looked disgusted. - -"Why couldn't the fellow have waited till to-morrow!" he exclaimed. -"Got the best house of the year. People will be terribly disappointed. -It's so much cold cash out of my pocket." - -"Death is something that cannot be postponed," said Frank. "When a -man's time comes, he has to go." - -"Now I must go in there and announce that there will be no -performance," growled Burnham. "If there was somebody to take -Zolverein's place----" - -"Let me take his place." - -"You?" - -Burnham stared. Then he grinned in a sickly manner. - -"What sort of a joke are you cracking?" he asked, harshly. - -"No joke," assured Frank. "I am in earnest. I'd like to take his place." - -"You can't." - -"Why not?" - -"Why, you're no magician." - -"How do you know?" - -"You're simply an advance man, and----" - -"Still, I have studied magic, and I am a good ventriloquist. For -instance----" - -"Bow-wow-wow!" barked a dog in the box office, and the ticket seller -gave a great jump and scrambled onto his stool, drawing up his feet and -looking down for the dog. - -"Me-e-e-e-ow!" - -A cat seemed to utter a wild yowl, following which the dog barked -again, and then a terrible clamor of sounds came from the ticket -office, as if the dog and cat were engaged in a fearful combat. - -"Well, how in blazes did they ever get in there?" gasped Thad Burnham, -making a rush for the side door and flinging it open. "Get out of here, -you----" - -He stopped and stared. - -"Where are they?" he asked, bewildered. - -"You tell!" burst from the ticket seller. "Thought they were right here -under my feet." - -The sounds had ceased. - -Frank was standing behind Burnham, looking in at the door and laughing. - -"Why don't you drive them out?" he asked. - -"Why, they're not in here," answered the manager. - -"Where do you suppose----" - -A cry came from the ticket seller--a cry of consternation and terror. - -"The money!" he fluttered. - -"What money?" asked Burnham. - -"The bills in the tray!" - -"What about them?" - -"Gone!" - -"Gone where?" - -"Don't know! Disappeared!" - -"How could they?" - -"Somebody must have reached in and taken them while we were looking for -the cat and dog. I've been robbed!" - -"Nobody reached in," declared Burnham, at once. "No person has been -near the window, Jones." - -"But the money was there a few moments ago--I saw it just before the -dog barked." - -"Then it must be right here now. Perhaps you brushed the bills off onto -the floor." - -"Couldn't brush them out of the tray." - -They looked on the floor, but the pile of bills was not found there. - -"You must have put them in your pocket, Jones," said Burnham, sternly. - -"On my honor----" - -"Feel and find out. You will be held responsible." - -The ticket seller was frightened, and he showed it. - -"Of course, Mr. Burnham," he began, unsteadily, "you do not think I -would take a dollar that does not belong to me? You have known me too -long----" - -"That money must be recovered," came furiously from the now excited -manager. "I must refund it to those who have purchased tickets here -to-night, for there will be no performance. Search in your pockets." - -Jones felt through his pockets, but protested that he could find -nothing. His agitation and terror grew apace. - -It seemed that the money had vanished into thin air. - -"Perhaps you picked up the money when you rushed in, Mr. Burnham," -suggested Frank Merriwell, from the door. - -"Impossible!" exclaimed the manager. "Didn't do it." - -"Better feel and see." - -Burnham felt through all his pockets, but discovered nothing. - -"Mr. Jones," he said, frigidly, "if you do not find that money, you'll -sleep in the lock-up to-night." - -"Don't be so hasty, Mr. Burnham," expostulated Frank. "There is one -place you have not looked." - -"Eh? What's that? Where?" - -"In your hat." - -"My hat? Why, it's----" - -"On your head--exactly." - -"But the money couldn't get into my hat. Don't joke, young man. This is -serious." - -"Not joking. Better take off your hat and look in it." - -"It's folly, but I'll---- Good gracious!" - -Thaddeus Burnham removed his hat, and out tumbled the roll of bills. He -caught them up and stared at them. - -"Is--is this the money?" he asked, bewildered. - -Jones looked it over, they counted it, they compared accounts, and they -found it was the correct amount. - -"That is the money," declared the satisfied ticket seller. "I -distinctly remember that torn five-dollar bill." - -"But," murmured the puzzled manager, "it--it was in my hat!" - -"That's right." - -"How did it get there?" - -"You must have caught it up and placed it there when you entered the -office to look for the cat and dog." - -"Never--never did any such thing! Why, it's ridiculous! I wouldn't put -the money in my hat." - -"You had your hat in your hand when you came in." - -"Yes, I was going to shoo the dog and cat with it. But where are the -dog and cat? Are things bewitched around here? There's something queer -about this." - -Frank Merriwell laughed quietly. - -"I don't think you will find the dog or the cat if you search a long -time," he said. "As for the money----" - -He finished with another laugh, and a light began to dawn on Thaddeus -Burnham. - -"You rascal!" exclaimed the vexed manager, flushing as he realized he -had been fooled. "You are responsible for all this! The dog and cat----" - -"Ventriloquism," admitted Frank - -"The money----" - -"Sleight of hand." - -"Why should you----" - -"Wanted to show you what I can do. Those are little things. I assure -you that I believe I can entertain an audience for an hour and thirty -minutes and send every person away satisfied. I have studied magic, -and, with Zolverein's apparatus, I can do many things of interest. -Give me a chance to try it." - -"But the apparatus--you have no right to touch it." - -"On the contrary, it belongs to me now." - -"Belongs to you--how?" - -"It was given me by Zolverein before he died. That was why he sent for -me. He gave it to me because he was grateful for what I did for him in -keeping him from falling beneath the wheels of the train." - -Burnham looked doubtful. - -"I have two witnesses that he gave me all his apparatus," said Merry. -"They are Drs. Harte and Gray. Both heard him give the stuff to me. Let -me look it over, give me twenty minutes' time, and, with the aid of his -assistant, who is waiting on the stage, I will give a performance that -will please and satisfy the audience." - -The manager shook his head. - -"It is barely possible," he admitted; "but I do not dare try it." - -"Why?" - -"The audience would not accept you in the place of a famous magician -like Zolverein." - -"I'll tell you what I'll do," said Frank, who was eager for the chance -to try his hand at magic; "I will make a speech to the audience. I will -tell them of Zolverein's sudden death. Then I will offer to entertain -them for thirty minutes without charge. At the end of thirty minutes -everyone who wishes will be given an opportunity to leave the theater -and collect their money at the box office. Those who wish to remain -will see the rest of the entertainment for whatever price they have -paid. Isn't that all right." - -"It sounds all right; but I don't wish to make a farce of this affair. -I am afraid to try it, young man." - -"If twenty persons leave the theater at the end of thirty minutes," -Merry proposed, "I will forfeit fifty per cent. of my share of the -gate receipts. If forty persons leave, I will forfeit the entire gate -receipts. What do you say to that?" - -Thaddeus Burnham hesitated. - -"I'd like to try it, but----" - -There was a shrill whistle through the speaking tube that connected -with the stage. Burnham stepped to the tube. - -"Hello!" he called. "What is it?" - -Then he listened. Pretty quick he turned to Frank, saying: - -"The audience is growing impatient. I must dismiss them, or----" - -"Give me a trial." - -"Well, I will; but I'm afraid I'm a fool. Go ahead and see what you can -do. If they throw eggs at you, don't blame me." - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -SNEEZING SILVER DOLLARS. - - -At last the report had reached the theater that Zolverein, the great -magician, was dead. It was beginning to spread among the impatient -spectators, who had been clamoring for some time for the curtain to go -up. - -Just then a clean, bright, business-appearing young man stepped in -front of the curtain and immediately began to speak: - -"Ladies and gentlemen, I am here to impart to you the sad information -that Gerard Zolverein, the magician billed to appear here this evening, -died suddenly and unexpectedly at the Midland Hotel at five minutes -to eight this evening. For a long time he has been the subject of a -serious heart trouble, which he was perfectly aware would finally cause -his death; but his recovery, on former occasions from the attacks led -him to believe that he would be able to appear before you this evening, -despite the fact that he felt the trouble coming on immediately after -supper. He sent Manager Burnham an assurance that he would be able -to give his regular performance to-night, and thus it happens that -the doors were opened here at the time advertised. Of course Manager -Burnham regrets that he opened the doors at all, and in order to -satisfy everyone present, he has made arrangements whereby you will -be able to witness free of charge an entertainment thirty minutes -in length, of modern magic and ventriloquism. At the end of thirty -minutes all who desire may leave the theater, and their money will be -refunded to them at the box office. Those who desire to remain will -be able to witness the 'Spirit Mysteries,' 'Talking Head,' 'Educated -Fly,' and other of the most wonderful things advertised as performed -only by Zolverein himself. Remember that the first thirty minutes of -this entertainment will be given entirely free of charge, and that due -notice will be given so that all who may wish to leave may do so and -collect their money at the box office. Please keep your seats while -preparations for the free entertainment are made. Prof. Pombal will -delight you with some choice selections on the piano." - -This little speech was delivered easily and gracefully, and it won some -applause, as the youth bowed himself off the stage and the "professor" -took a seat at the piano. - -Not a person left the theater, although there was a buzz of talk. -Frank had not announced that he was the person who would give the -entertainment, therefore there was considerable speculation among those -present as to who would attempt to perform Zolverein's most difficult -and marvelous feats. - -Frank found the magician's costumes in a dressing room, and it happened -that they fitted him very well, as Zolverein had been a well-built man, -so he made haste to get into one of the suits. - -The magician's assistant was present, and Frank had a talk with -him. The man agreed to assist Merry that evening, although he was -thoroughly broken up by the knowledge of his employer's sudden death, -having been sent to the theater by Zolverein to get everything ready -for the evening performance, and not having entertained an idea that -the magician would not recover and appear that night as advertised. - -By the time Prof. Pombal had played two selections, Frank was ready to -go on. - -Naturally Merriwell was nervous, but he braced himself for the task -before him. Having practiced amateur magic and studied the famous feats -of noted conjurers and necromancers, he believed himself capable of -amusing and pleasing the audience, even though not capable of giving -such a finished performance as one who was practicing the feats night -after night. - -Frank walked out onto the stage immediately upon the rising of the -curtain. He started in at once by telling a story about two Irishmen, -one of whom was down in a well, into which he had fallen while looking -at the reflection of the moon, which he had mistaken for a cheese, -being slightly intoxicated. His friend at the mouth of the well was -trying to get him out, and the talk of the two was very laughable. The -voice of the intoxicated man in the well seemed to issue from deep down -beneath the stage floor, and was a very clever piece of ventriloquism. -A good portion of the audience was amused, but some pretended to be -bored at the very start. - -Merry told four stories in rapid succession, and the last one was the -best of them all, giving him an opportunity to imitate the sounds -produced by fowls, birds, animals and so forth. At the finish the -audience burst into a round of applause, and Frank saw he had them in a -good humor at last. - -Then he proceeded to do a number of his own tricks, beginning with -the spinning of an egg on a shallow japanned tray. To do this trick -it is necessary to use a hard-boiled egg, and, having started the egg -spinning on its small end, the tray should be kept moving in a small -circle in the opposite direction to that in which the egg is spinning. - -Then Merry produced a short, sharp sword, which he passed round for the -audience to examine, warning them to be careful not to cut themselves -with it. The sword was very keen, as was easily ascertained. - -When the sword was returned to him, Frank proceeded to slice some -sheets of paper with it, to further demonstrate its keenness. Then he -took a potato and passed it to the assistant. - -"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "I propose to cut this potato in two -on the open hand of M. Mazarin with a single stroke of this sword, -without leaving the slightest mark on his hand. I do this to prove to -you that the magician should possess such skill that he can strike at -a vital spot with a deadly weapon and check the stroke within a hair's -breadth of where he may desire." - -He then took the potato and sliced off a thin piece from one side, -returning it to the assistant, who held his hand outstretched with the -potato upon it. - -Then Merriwell thrust back his cuff and carefully poised the sword, -as if gauging the exact force he would put into the stroke. Then he -made a savage feint, stopping short of touching the potato. Next time, -however, he seemed to strike swift and hard, and the potato was divided -in two parts upon the assistant's hand, and, as Merry had predicted, -the keen edge of the sword left no mark on the man's flesh. - -As this did not seem to impress the audience very much, Frank next -proposed to divide a potato placed upon the neck of the assistant. - -"You will realize, ladies and gentlemen," he said, "that I could quite -as easily strike Monsieur Mazarin's head from his body. In fact, should -I fail to check the descent of the sword at exactly the proper instant, -I must inflict a fatal wound." - -Now there was a rustling in the audience. - -"Ach-ew! a-chew!" sneezed an old farmer in the front row. "Gol darn -this cold!" he muttered, in a stage whisper. "I hev to sneeze ev'ry -time jest at the p'int where he's doin' somethin' I want to see." - -This caused a slight titter, and Frank spotted the possessor of the -cold. - -"I'll attend to your cold later, sir," he said. "Without doubt it is -very annoying to you, but I will show you how to make it profitable. -Whenever I catch cold, I retire from active life and do my best to -cultivate that cold, for I find I can make more money sneezing than in -any other way." - -The old fellow was in a bad humor, and he promptly retorted: - -"I didn't come here to be made fun of, young man! Yeou jest attend -to your business, an' I'll attend to mine. Ker-chew! ker-chee-eew! -ker-chee-ee-eew!" - -Some of the audience laughed outright, while others showed sympathy for -the afflicted farmer. - -"I assure you, my dear sir," smiled Merry, from the front of the stage. -"I have no thought of making fun of you. If I do not keep my word -and show you how to turn every sneeze into good hard money, I will -apologize to you before the audience. But first I must complete what I -have started to do." - -He picked up another potato and sliced off a thin piece from one side -of it. Then he placed a chair, on which the assistant sat, leaning far -forward and bowing his head, so the back of his neck was a horizontal -plain. - -Frank carefully placed the potato on the back of the man's neck. Then -he stepped back and lifted the sword. - -"Hold on, b'gosh!" cried the farmer, rising from his seat. "I -want to--ker-chew! ker-chew! ker-chew!--see this here--ker-chew! -ker-chew!--piece of business! An' I want to tell yeou that yeou -had better--ker-chew! ker-chew!--go purty dad-dinged keerful, for -if yeou cut that feller's head off. I'll--ker-chew! ker-chee-ew! -ker-chee-ee-eew!" - -The old fellow went off into such a violent fit of sneezing that he -could not finish what he was trying to say. - -"Too bad!" sighed Frank, in a drolly ludicrous manner. "If I had that -cold it would be worth a fortune to me. How I envy you, sir!" - -The old fellow dropped into his seat, still sneezing and gasping. - -Frank made a flourish with the sword, and out in the audience a nervous -woman uttered a little cry. The bright blade glittered and flashed -through the air, the keen edge struck the potato, and it seemed that it -must cleave potato and sever Monsieur Mazarin's head from his body. But -the potato simply dropped to the floor in two pieces, and the assistant -straightened up, smiling and unscathed. - -Some of the spectators clapped their hands. A voice cried "Fake!" - -Frank simply laughed. - -"In this world," he said, placidly, "fifty per cent. of the things we -see are fakes. In modern magic about one hundred per cent. is a fake. -That's what makes it interesting. Explain the fakes--if you can." - -This was said so good-naturedly that Frank won the sympathy of the -audience. - -Indeed, the potato-cutting trick was a fake. A needle had been inserted -crosswise in each potato, near one side. When the time came to do the -trick, Frank sliced off the portion of the potato near the needle, -pretending to do it so the potato would lay perfectly level. Then he -struck with sufficient force to divide the potato, but when the edge -of the sword struck the needle, which lay crosswise to the sword, the -keen weapon could go no further, and the potato fell apart. - -It was a very simple little trick, but it looked like a rather -remarkable feat. - -"Ker-chew!" sneezed the old farmer in the front row. "That's purty -good, but that air Zolverein could knock the spots offen that, an' he -never made no bluffs abaout turnin' sneezin' inter money." - -"Nor do I make any bluffs, sir," said Frank, pleasantly. "If you will -come up here onto the stage, I'll show you how to make your cold pay -you well." - -"Oh, yeou ain't goin' to git me up there an' then make a gol darn guy -of me for northin'." - -"I have no idea of doing that, sir. If you are not well paid for your -time and trouble, I will refund you the money you paid to get in here -to-night, and you shall stay through the entire entertainment without -paying." - -"That's fair, b'gosh!" exclaimed the man, as he started to get up. - -At this point, a quiet little woman who had been sitting at his side -caught him by the coat-tail and pulled him back into his seat. - -"Jo-si-ah!" she whispered, shrilly, "don't yeou go up there! Yeou can't -tell whut he'll be doin' to ye." - -"Waal, if he tried to--ker-chew! ker-chew!--do anything that I don't -like, I'll jest mop up the platform with him! Let me 'lone, Nancy!" - -"Yeou set still, Josiah!" - -"See here, old lady, I usually let yeou do the bossin', but I kainder -guess I'll do as I darn please this--ker-chew!--time." - -There seemed danger of a family row there in the front row, but Merry -said: - -"If I fail to satisfy you, sir, I will also refund the price of your -wife's admission." - -"Hear that, Nancy! Jeeminy! This is the chance to make a dollar, fer -he'll hev a darn hard time satisfyin' me!" - -That brought down the house. There was a roar of laughter, and, in the -midst of it, the old farmer broke away and scrambled for the stage. - -There were some steps at one end, and Frank assisted the man up those, -grasping his hand and shaking it warmly as he led him to a seat in the -center of the stage. - -"Oh, sir!" sighed Merry, with apparent sincerity, "if I had your -beautiful cold, I could sneeze out a barrel of money in a very short -time." - -"You're gassin'." - -"Certainly not. After I made the discovery of how easy it is to turn -sneezing into good money, I tried to keep a cold all the time. Before -that I could not seem to get rid of a cold when I caught it. Since -then I am not able to keep one after I have caught it. I used to have -a cold in the fall, the winter, the spring, the summer. When I didn't -have a cold, I had hay fever. I sneezed till I was sore and weary of -life. Then I sat down and set to work on a plan to turn my sneezing -into money. I studied over it for many moons, and finally I hit upon a -plan. I put it to the test, and the very first day of my experiment I -succeeded in sneezing about a peck of copper cents. I was not satisfied -with that, and I sought to improve the system. Before the end of the -second day, I was able to sneeze five and ten-cent pieces, but my cold -was getting better. On the third day I became sufficiently skillful -to sneeze silver quarters, but, to my intense regret, I found I could -not sneeze very often. The next day I only sneezed seven times, but -every sneeze brought me a good new half dollar. When the fifth day came -I sneezed just twice, but each time I got a silver dollar. And the -following day I was unable to sneeze at all, so I ceased to advance in -skill, but I am satisfied I should have been able to sneeze ten-dollar -gold pieces within a few more days. Since then I have done everything -in my power to catch a good, fat, sneezing cold, but fate is against -me. I expose myself to all kinds of wretched weather, but I can't get a -cold that will stay with me more than a couple of sneezes. It is a sad, -sad fate for one who has made such an important discovery." - -"Waal, I wisht you could have this cold. It keeps me jest--ker-chew! -ker-chew----" - -"Hold on! hold on!" cried Frank, bustling about; "don't waste such -splendid sneezes! It is too bad!" - -"Have to let 'em come when they come, b'jee!" - -"Well, we'll soon turn them to account. Are you in favor of free -silver?" - -"I be, b'gosh!" - -"I thought so. That will make it all the easier to turn those sneezes -to account." - -Frank borrowed a hat from a man in the audience. - -"This will do to catch the money in," he said, showing that it was -quite empty. "Of course there are no holes in it." - -Then he proceeded to poke his index finger at the hat, and apparently -thrust it through the crown. - -"My! my!" he exclaimed, wiggling his finger and looking at it ruefully. -"That's too bad! I'm afraid I have spoiled the hat. It was very tender, -or I could not have thrust my finger through it so easily." - -Then he seemed to pull his finger out, but when he looked for the hole -the hat was not damaged in the least. - -Of course this was a simple trick, done with a false finger, but Frank -sandwiched it in with the rest, and it "went." - -"I think this hat will do, after all," he observed. "Now, sir, as you -are in favor of free silver, I want you to put your mind upon one -thing. I want you to think constantly of silver dollars. When you -feel that you must sneeze, keep repeating to yourself, 'Come, silver -dollars--come, come, come!' I assure you that you will be astonished by -the result. I see that you are about to---- Ah! there you go!" - -Frank held one hand over the man's head, while the other hand held the -hat inverted before him. - -The old fellow caught his breath and threw back his head. Forward he -came, and a most explosive sneeze burst from him. - -It seemed that four or five shining silver dollars burst from his mouth -and nose and fell jingling into the hat! - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -CATCHING THE AUDIENCE. - - -"Great gosh!" - -The man with the cold was so astonished that he stopped sneezing and -stared down into the hat. - -"Where did them come from?" he gurgled, dazed. - -"Right out of your maouth an' nose, Josiah!" cried the little woman -he had left in the front row, bobbing up excitedly to her feet and -flourishing an old umbrella. - -"Set down, Nancy!" commanded the man. "All the folks is laughin' at ye!" - -"Let 'em laugh! Keep on sneezin', Josiah!" - -"Why, I---- Ker-chew! ker-chew! ker-chew!" - -Down into the hat fell more silver dollars, jingling right merrily. - -"That is first rate," complimented Frank Merriwell. "You are doing -finely, sir. We'll soon have a hat full." - -"But where do they come from, that's whut I want to know?" - -"Didn't I tell ye!" squealed the now thoroughly aroused little woman, -bobbing up again. "I see 'em when they flew aout of your maouth! Don't -stop sneezin', Josiah!" - -"I'd like to know when I swallered all them silver dollars!" muttered -the "hayseed," craning his neck and pulling at his long beard, as he -peered into the hat. - -The audience literally shouted with laughter. At last, Frank had done -something to catch the spectators. - -At the back of the theater Manager Burnham was standing, and, for the -first time, he rubbed his hands together and smiled, saying to himself: - -"The boy is all right! If he keeps this up, he'll hold a good part of -the audience. Didn't think he could do it. I am surprised." - -"This process of sneezing silver dollars, ladies and gentlemen," smiled -the young magician, "is distinctly my own invention. I have applied for -a patent, and I shall prosecute all who infringe on my rights. I must -protect myself at---- What, again!" - -"Ker-chew! ker-chew! ker-che-eew!" sneezed the farmer, and silver -dollars literally rained into the hat. - -"Keep it up, Josiah--don't stop!" urged his wife, from her seat in the -front row. - -"Gol darned if I don't!" gasped Josiah. "It's a regl'er snap to see 'em -fly inter the hat. Ker-chew! ker-chew!" - -"We'll soon have the hat filled, sir," declared Frank. - -"Waal, who be they goin' to b'long to?" - -"To us." - -"Us? Jest explain that." - -"To you and me." - -"Haow?" - -"Of course you will be willing to divide with me, as you could not -produce the money without my aid." - -"Waal," said the farmer, slowly and reluctantly, "I s'pose I'll have to -let ye hev part of it--say ten per cent." - -Of course this was amusing to the audience. - -"That is not at all satisfactory," said Frank, with a show of -disappointment. - -"But the money's mine, fer I sneezed it." - -"With my aid--don't forget." - -"Waal, I---- Ker-chew! ker-chew! ker-chew!" - -No more silver fell into the hat. - -"Say!" shouted the farmer, excitedly; "whut's happened? Why didn't any -come then?" - -"If I am to receive but ten per cent., I have decided not to assist you -in producing any more," said Frank, grimly. - -"Give him twenty, Josiah--give him twenty!" fluttered the farmer's wife -from her seat, again waving the umbrella. "Yeou'd better do it! Yeou'll -be makin' a big thing at that." - -"I s'pose I'll hev to," said the man. "All reddy now! I kin feel some -more sneezes comin'." - -"But twenty per cent. does not satisfy me," asserted Merry. - -Josiah groaned. - -"Haow much do yeou want?" he asked. "Say quick!" - -"You must divide equally with me, sir." - -"Waal, if I must, I must. Git reddy! Here it comes! Ker-chew! ker-chew! -ker-chew-eew!" - -Once more there was a shower of silver, and the hat seemed well filled. - -"I think we will stop with this," said the youthful magician. "Of -course it would be very pleasant for us both to go on piling up money -like this, but the audience would get tired, and my first duty is to -carry out this performance and amuse them, as advertised." - -He placed the hat on a small table, but the farmer's long arm shot out, -and his fingers clutched the coveted receptacle of all that money. - -A moment later Josiah was staring in open-mouthed dismay into the hat, -which was---- - -Empty! - -"Great smoke!" - -The farmer managed to gasp forth the words. - -"What is the matter, sir?" quietly asked Frank, without looking toward -the man. - -"It--it's gone!" - -"What's gone?" - -"The money!" - -Merry whirled, threw up his hands, gave a cry of feigned consternation. - -"What have you done?" he demanded, wringing his hands. - -"Why, I jest took up the hat arter yeou put it onter ther table, and -all the money was gone aout of it." - -"What made you touch it? Why did you do it? That is why the money -disappeared. You should have let me handle it." - -"Look here, young man," said the farmer, trying to appear indignant, -"yeou can't come this on me! Whut have yeou done with that money? Half -of it b'longs to me, an' b'gosh! I want it. Yeou must hev took it frum -the hat." - -"I appeal to the audience. I simply placed the hat on the table, while -I prepared to count and divide the money with you. You caught it up, -and this is the result. You, sir, and you alone, must assume the -responsibility." - -"That's right, Josiah!" cried the farmer's wife. "You're alwus doin' -some fool thing, an' naow you've done the biggest fool thing of your -life! If yeou'd let things alone yeou'd be better off." - -The audience shouted with laughter once more, and Frank congratulated -himself on the outcome of his little piece of legerdemain. - -But the old farmer seemed ready to shed tears. - -"Say," he quavered, "can't we do that thing over ag'in? I'd like to -sneeze aout a few more dollars an' divide even with ye. I'll let yeou -do all the dividin', too." - -"I don't know about it," said Merry, doubtfully. "I seldom repeat -anything before an audience, but----" - -"But----" - -"This time----" - -"Yeou will?" - -"My time is limited, but we'll see what we can do." - -Frank took the hat and held it before the farmer. - -"Now, sir," he urged. - -The man wrinkled up his face, stared into the hat, scratched his nose -with his index finger, and then shook his head. - -"Gosh!" he said, in great disappointment. "I don't seem to want to -sneeze naow." - -"That's jest like him!" squawked the little woman, bobbing up -excitedly. "He never wants to do the right thing at the right time! -Sneeze, Josiah--sneeze! If yeou don't, I'll hev a few words to say to -yeou when we git hum!" - -"Land, Nancy, how be I goin' to sneeze when I don't want to? Seems zif -I'd never want to sneeze ag'in." - -"I am very sorry," said Merry; "but my time is limited, and I can't -wait. If you----" - -"Ker-chew!" - -Down jingled two silver dollars into the hat. - -"That was rather weak," smiled Frank. "Can't you make it a trifle more -explosive? Those heavy ones count the----" - -"Ker-chew!" - -Two more dollars dropped into the hat. - -"Come again," urged the youthful magician. - -In vain Josiah tried to draw forth a genuine sneeze. Finding he could -not do so, he resorted to deception and feigned a sneeze. - -No money fell into the hat. - -Frank uttered a cry of pretended despair. - -"Oh, why did you do that?" he fluttered. "The charm is broken! I should -have told you!" - -"Whut is it?" asked the farmer, in great agitation. "Whut hev I done?" - -"You faked that sneeze. It was not genuine." - -"Whut of that?" - -"You broke the charm, and now you might sneeze your head off without -sneezing out so much as a plugged nickel. It's all over." - -"Josiah Doodle," came from the little woman, "yeou don't know so much -as I thought ye did, an' I never thought ye knew anything! Git your -sheer of whut there is in the hat an' come down often that air platform -before yeou do something to etarnally disgrace yourself." - -"Here, sir," said Frank, taking the money out of the hat, "is exactly -four dollars. Two dollars belong to you. Here they are." - -He gave them to the farmer, who clutched them eagerly. Frank led him to -the steps, and he went down from the stage. - -There was a great burst of applause. As the noise died down, Josiah was -heard saying to his wife: - -"Now don't sputter abaout it, Nancy! I got two dollars, an' I'd sneeze -twice as much ev'ry day for that money." - -That produced the greatest uproar yet, and, looking at his watch, when -the noise subsided, Frank announced: - -"The thirty minutes of free entertainment is over, ladies and -gentlemen, and now we come to the real show, for the following feats -will include the most famous marvels performed by Zolverein himself. -Those who wish may go now and collect their money at the box office, -but I guarantee satisfaction for all who remain. If at the conclusion -of the performance anybody is dissatisfied, he may call at the box -office then and his money will be refunded. I shall begin the regular -performance with the 'Miraculous Wineglasses,' which will be remembered -as one of Prof. Zolverein's favorite feats. Prof. Pombal, something -lively, please." - -The pianist was ready, and he struck into a rollicking tune that was -calculated to set the blood of the listeners dancing. - -Not a person left the theater. - -Frank had caught the audience all right. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE MIRACULOUS WINEGLASSES. - - -While the pianist was playing, Frank retired behind the scenes to -change his coat and make arrangements for the trick he was about to -attempt. - -Manager Burnham came rushing in. - -"I congratulate you, young man!" he exclaimed. "You have done well so -far, but you are going it a little too steep." - -"How's that?" Merry asked. - -"In guaranteeing satisfaction at the end of the show. Even Zolverein -himself wouldn't do that, for there's always a few soreheads who are -never satisfied, and when one man walks up and calls for his money -others are encouraged to do the same." - -"Don't let that worry you, Mr. Burnham. I'll stand for every dollar you -have to refund." - -That seemed to relieve the manager's apprehensions somewhat, but he -went on: - -"Then you made a mistake in promising so much in the performance to -come. You can do your own tricks all right, but when it comes to -Zolverein's----" - -"Wait, Mr. Burnham. You are not competent to judge till you have seen -what I can do. I shall have the assistance of Monsieur Mazarin in doing -his most difficult feats." - -"But I'm afraid you will bungle one of them, and that will ruin -everything. One false move in this kind of a show spoils the whole -business." - -Frank simply smiled. - -"I am not afraid of making any false moves," he said, carefully -arranging his coat. "The little trick I am about to perform is not the -simplest on the list. Go out in front and watch me." - -Then he walked onto the stage, just as the pianist ceased playing. - -"Now," said Merry, smiling on his audience and appearing perfectly -at his ease, "I would like to borrow a handkerchief--a gentleman's -handkerchief. Who will be good enough to let me have one a few moments? -Some one, please." - -He walked down the steps, while several gentlemen held up -handkerchiefs. He passed two of them, selecting one that was pretty -large. - -"This one will do," he said, lightly, giving it a flirt and spreading -it out. - -Then he looked around inquiringly, asking: - -"Are there any gentlemen in the audience who are good judges of wine? -If so, let them call for whatever they prefer." - -"Sherry," called one. - -Instantly Frank produced a brimming glass of sherry from the -handkerchief and passed it to the one who had called for it. - -"I think you will find that all right," he said, blandly, giving the -handkerchief a flirt. "Next." - -"Port," called another. - -Barely was the word spoken when Frank took another brimming glass of -wine from the handkerchief. - -"Rare old port," he smiled, passing it to the one who had called. "How -is that sherry, sir?" - -"It is sherry all right," was the answer; "and good sherry, at that. -Thank you." - -"And this is port," said the other, smacking his lips. - -"Some one else, please," called Frank, looking around. - -"Claret," said a voice. - -Out of the handkerchief Frank drew a glass of claret. - -"Tokay." - -As the word was spoken Merry flirted the handkerchief to show there was -nothing in it, but the following instant he took out a glass of tokay -and passed it to the one who had called. - -"Rhine wine," he said himself, pretending he had heard some person call -for it. "Here it is, sir. Who asked for it? You?" - -He placed it in an outstretched hand. - -"Champagne," laughed a rather lively-looking lad. - -Again the handkerchief was flirted, and then out from beneath its folds -came the brimming glass of champagne, the glass being so full that a -little of it was spilled as Frank passed it to the one who had called. - -"Of course I am not able to treat everyone present," said Merry, -apologetically. "I trust no one will be offended." - -He gathered up the emptied glasses and started for the stage. Then, of -a sudden, he turned about, looking around. - -"What's that?" he said, pretending to overhear a remark. "Not -satisfied? Think I am partial. Well, I don't like to seem partial to -anyone. If you will wait, I think I can supply all present who wish -something." - -Then he passed the handkerchief to the one from whom he had borrowed -it, thanking him for its use, and hastened upon the stage. - -"I will bring out a bottle of wine, ladies and gentlemen," he said. - -He left the stage for a moment. - -Almost immediately he reappeared with a small bottle in his hand, an -ordinary pint wine bottle. - -"Ladies and gentlemen," said Frank, "I have found this little bottle -very handy in emergencies like the present. You see it is empty just -now. I will rinse it out, in order that no one may fear to drink -whatever comes from it." - -The assistant brought on a dish of water and a towel. Frank proceeded -to rinse out the bottle before the eyes of the spectators. Then he -dried it with the towel. - -When he had completed this task, M. Mazarin came on with a large tray -which was literally covered with wine glasses, a hundred in all, at -least. - -"Now, ladies and gentlemen," said Merry, as he followed M. Mazarin -from the stage to the center aisle, "I will supply port wine from this -bottle for all present who may wish to drink." - -With that he began pouring wine from the apparently empty bottle into -the glasses, passing swiftly up the aisle. The glasses were given out -as fast as they were filled, and the astonishment of the audience -increased as Frank continued to pour wine from the originally empty -bottle till he had filled every glass on the tray. - -"There," he laughed, tripping back to the stage, while the assistant -collected the emptied glasses, "I trust everyone is satisfied now." - -"Zolverein never did it better!" cried a voice, and the applause was -all that Merry could desire. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE EDUCATED FLY. - - -While the glasses were being collected, Frank prepared for the next -feat. - -The wineglass trick had been cleverly performed, and yet it was done in -a very simple manner. - -The coat which Merry wore while doing this trick had three little inner -pockets on either side, made to hold the six glasses of wine produced -from behind the borrowed handkerchief. The glasses were filled, and -then over the top of each a rubber cap was stretched, to prevent the -wine from spilling. This done, the glasses were placed in the little -pockets, and Merry knew which pockets contained the different kinds. - -He was careful to secure a large handkerchief. When he performed the -trick, he spread the handkerchief out over his breast, and, beneath -its cover, reached in and took the glasses of wine from the pockets, -deftly removing the rubber caps as he took them out. Then it was easy -to pretend to draw the brimming glasses of wine from the handkerchief, -and the very fact that the glasses were full to the edge made the feat -seem all the more marvelous. - -Fortunately the audience had called for the very kinds with which he -had provided himself, with the exception of the Rhine wine. No one -called for that, but Merry pretended to hear some one call, and forced -the wine on a spectator, getting rid of it in that manner. - -When he went off the stage to get the trick bottle, he hastily took -off his coat and hung under his right arm a rubber bag containing -port wine. From this bag a rubber tube ran down his sleeve to his -hand. There was a hole in the bottle near the bottom. When he rinsed -the bottle in the presence of the audience, he kept his thumb over -the hole. While drying the bottle with the towel, he inserted the -rubber tube in the hole. Then it was an easy thing to go down into the -audience and pour wine from the bottle, which seemed inexhaustible. -Whenever he wished to pour out some wine he would press against the -rubber bag with his arm, and the wine was forced out through the tube -into the bottle. - -The glasses were of special make and of very thick glass, making a -bulky appearance, but holding a very little wine, so that the marvel -was not nearly so great as it seemed. - -The "Talking Head" trick was the next one Frank decided to perform. -This illusion was made effective by means of a set of mirrors which -made it seem that the audience could look right through beneath the -table on which the "severed head" seemed to rest, while, in fact, the -mirrors hid the body to which the head was attached. - -A clever assistant is much needed in performing this trick, and -Merry had a good one in M. Mazarin. The business was carried through -successfully. - -Then came the "Spirit Mysteries," which were a series of cabinet -tricks, none of them exactly new, but all of them performed well enough -to satisfy the now thoroughly good-natured audience. - -The final trick of the evening was announced--"The Educated Fly." - -This was something new, and the audience was interested. - -Frank had attempted none of the feats requiring extraordinary skill -and a large amount of practice, thus escaping the pitfall into which -Thaddeus Burnham had feared he would stumble. - -Yet he had given an hour of genuine pleasure to the wondering audience. - -"Ladies and gentlemen," said Frank, "I will now show for the first -time in this place Prof. Zolverein's wonderful 'Educated Fly.' Up -to this time there have been plenty of educated cats, dogs, pigs, -birds and mice, but I believe this is the first time on record that -a genuine educated fly has been on exhibition. Of course this is not -an ordinary fly. It is a native of South America, and was captured in -Ecuador, near the headwaters of the Amazon. There, far in the mighty -tropical forests, the flies grow to an immense size, so that even the -famous Jersey mosquito in his highest state of development is a mere -pigmy beside them. These flies are not easily kept in captivity, as -they almost invariably refuse to eat and pine away and die as soon -as they are taken from the fastnesses of the wild forests where they -abound. They love their native forests. These flies are possessed of -a wonderful intelligence, and they might be readily trained if they -did not almost invariably starve themselves to death when held in -captivity. Prof. Zolverein was fortunate in securing one of the flies -which had become accustomed to captivity, and he was able to teach the -tiny creature many astonishing feats. Among other things, the fly is a -ready reckoner, as you shall see. Prof. Pombal will entertain you while -the stage is being made ready for the final exhibition." - -As Frank finished, a voice in the back of the hall cried: - -"Rats!" - -Merry looked in the direction from whence the sound seemed to come. - -"I have no educated rats," he said, quietly; "but if the person who -called for them will come forward, I will show the audience an educated -monkey." - -This caused a laugh, and several persons in the rear of the -theater turned to look toward the one who had uttered the cry, a -flashily-dressed youth who had entered a few minutes before. - -This person grinned a bit, but did not accept Frank's invitation to -come forward. - -Merry retired, and the curtain was dropped for a few moments. - -When the professor finished playing on the piano, the curtain rose -swiftly, showing on the stage an easel, against which rested a large -mirror in a gilt frame. This mirror was about four and a half feet -wide, and three feet high. - -Frank walked out briskly upon the stage. - -"You will see, ladies and gentlemen," he said, "that I have had this -mirror placed in a position where the light falls strongly upon it, and -I think you will be able to follow the movements of the fly from any -part of the house. First, I wish to show you the mirror." - -He then took the mirror down from the easel, and, having shown both -sides to the audience, rested it on the floor, leaning it against the -easel. - -Next he took the glass from the frame and showed that to the audience. - -"It is just an ordinary mirror, as you can all see," he said. - -Having shown the glass, he rested that against the easel, and took up -the frame, which had a wooden back, and showed that to the audience. -Then the frame was placed on the easel in its proper position, while -the glass still leaned against the bottom part, which it covered up as -far as the lower edge of the frame. - -As it stood thus, Frank talked glibly a few moments, then he picked up -the glass and returned it carefully to the frame. - -"Now," he said, taking a piece of soap, "I am going to divide this -mirror into twenty-eight even squares." - -He proceeded to do so. - -"Next," explained Merry, "I will number twenty-six of those squares in -order as they come, like this." - -He numbered them from one to twenty-six. - -"The next square I will mark zero--thus. The last one I will leave -blank. That shall be a starting point. Now we will letter those squares -in the same manner from 'a' to 'z.'" - -This was quickly done. - -"At last," he smiled, "we are ready for the wonderful fly." - -He stepped toward a small stand, on which rested something covered by a -cloth. Removing the cloth, a small cage with very close wiring was seen. - -Frank opened a door in one side of the cage, chirping and murmuring -something. He put in his hand carefully, and took something from the -cage. - -By this time the audience was literally throbbing with interest and -expectancy. - -"What is it?" whispered one. - -"It's the fly," said another. - -"Fly! Never! Why, it was in a bird cage." - -"Well, it's large." - -"But not large enough for---- Great Scott!" - -Merry had placed the fly in the blank corner of the marked mirror, and -everyone was astonished by its appearance. - -"It's large as a humming bird!" shrilly hissed a boy. "My! but that's a -corker!" - -"That can't be a fly!" declared a man. - -Then the amazing insect was seen to start to crawl across the face of -the mirror. - -"Here! here!" laughed Frank, gently catching it and restoring it to the -blank place in the lower right-hand corner. "Don't be in a hurry to get -to work." - -"There is one amazing thing about this fly," he said, turning to smile -on the audience. "It is never afraid of working overtime, and it really -seems anxious to earn its salary." - -The fly moved restlessly in the corner, starting several times as if to -creep away, but turning back. - -"It is a fly!" said a man's voice in the midst of the audience. - -"Now," said Merry, "we are ready to give you one of the most -astonishing exhibitions on record. Before you, ladies and gentlemen, -you behold a fly that actually thinks and reasons." - -"Rats!" - -Again that voice from the rear of the hall. - -Frank looked keenly in that direction, hoping to discover the person -who uttered the derisive cry. - -"I will prove to you that I am not making an unfounded claim," the -young magician asserted. "Will some person in the audience be kind -enough to call one of the numbers marked on the mirror." - -"Number one," cried a voice. - -"Number one," repeated Frank. "Very well. Now, Solomon," addressing the -fly, "will you please show the ladies and gentlemen where number one is -located?" - -Immediately the fly started and crawled across the face of the mirror -to the upper left-hand corner, where it stopped on the number called. - -All over the theater there was a flutter. - -"Marvelous!" said one. - -"Astonishing!" spoke another. - -"There must be some trickery about it!" a little man in spectacles was -heard to declare. "No fly could be taught to do such a thing." - -"Fake!" cried the voice that had twice before shouted "rats." - -Frank laughed as if amused. - -"Wait," he said, quietly. "This is merely the beginning. What is to -follow will astonish you still more. Back, Solomon." - -Back to the unmarked square crept the huge fly. - -"Some person call a letter, please, requested Frank. - -"E," said a woman in the third row. - -"E is the letter," said Frank. "Now, Solomon, find it." - -The fly started to creep along the bottom of the mirror, hesitated, -turned about, started back, stopped. - -"Ha! ha! ha!" came a derisive laugh. "The old thing is off its trolley! -It's lost." - -"Come, Solomon, come," smiled the magician; "they are making sport of -you. Are you going to stand that? Find the letter E, and hurry up about -it." - -Slowly the fly turned, and then it ran swiftly up the face of the -mirror till it stopped on the letter E, directly under the figure five. - -There was a burst of applause. - -"It is the wonder of the age!" excitedly declared a big, fat man whose -flushed face seemed to indicate that he had been indulging too freely -in liquid refreshments. - -"Good enough, Solomon," complimented Merry, in a caressing tone of -voice. "You are all right." - -"Fake!" - -Again that hateful cry. - -Now several of the audience were aroused. Men began to look for the -disturbing person. - -"Put him out!" exclaimed two or three, angrily. - -"He has no right to disturb the show," declared a man in the right-hand -proscenium box. "I am near enough to see, and this thing is all right." - -It happened that the speaker was the mayor of the town, and his words -made an impression. - -"Whatever Mayor Durgin says is all right must be all right," was the -general decision. - -Frank ordered the fly back to the starting point. - -"Now, ladies and gentlemen," he said, calmly, "I will show you that -Solomon is able to reckon, as well as think. Will some person call -two of the numbers on the mirror, which added together will not amount -to more than twenty-six? Anyone present. I wish you to understand -that this is not arranged in advance. So I would like to have some -well-known lady name the numbers." - -"Mrs. Durgin! Mrs. Durgin!" called several. - -The mayor in the box turned and bowed to his wife, smiling. The lady -blushed and seemed confused, but she quickly recovered. Then she leaned -on the rail of the box, distinctly calling: - -"Seven and eleven." - -"Come seben, come eleben," laughed a youngster, and that produced some -amusement. - -"Solomon," said Frank, slowly and distinctly, "I wish you to find the -numbers seven and eleven, add them together, and indicate the sum -acquired." - -"That's getting into pretty deep water," whispered somebody. - -Straight up the side of the board ran the fly, stopping on the figure -seven. - -"All right so far," assured Merry. "Go ahead." - -The fly paused a moment, and then crept downward to the left till it -rested on the eleven, where it stopped again. - -There was a great hush of expectancy. - -"Seven and eleven," said Frank. "That is correct. Added together, seven -and eleven make how many?" - -The fly slowly faced in several different directions, and then it -seemed to hop down one square, alighting on the eighteen! - -It was not surprising that the audience burst into such a round of -applause as had not been previously heard that evening. - -Smiling triumphantly, Frank bowed in graceful acknowledgment. - -When the applause was over, he ordered the fly back to the starting -point. - -"I will next show you that the fly can subtract as well as add," -he said. "If any person will name two numbers, Solomon will deduct -the lesser from the greater, and then will indicate the number that -remains. All ready." - -"Twenty-two and nineteen," said the red-faced man, arising so all could -see him. "I think I am pretty well known here, and it will be evident -that I am in no way connected with this show." - -Then he sat down. - -Frank gave his orders to the fly, which started out in a rambling way, -pausing slightly several times. - -"He's gettin' tired," piped a boy. - -"This subtraction is too much for him," cried another. - -"What do you think about it Solomon?" asked Merriwell, quietly. "Are -you going to let them think you're about to throw up the job? Get down -to business. Come, come!" - -Thus urged, the fly started forward again, creeping directly to the -twenty-two. - -"That's the first one. Go on." - -The fly turned about and crept upward at an angle till it rested on -nineteen. - -"Now show them how much is left when nineteen is taken from twenty-two." - -Upward again at an angle in the opposite direction went the marvelous -fly, and it finally stopped on three. - -"Nineteen from twenty-two leaves three," called Merry, with -satisfaction. "That is right!" - -"Hooray!" shouted the red-faced man. "I'm going to start catching flies -and teaching them to reckon! There's money in it!" - -Next Frank had the fly do a sum in multiplication, following with one -in division. - -These feats were performed perfectly. - -"If some person present will name a word containing not more than four -letters, Solomon will spell it out for you," announced Frank. - -"Yale." - -It was the voice that had called "rats" and "fake." - -"Yale it is," said Frank, who was not a little surprised. "Come on, -Solomon." - -From letter to letter the fly ran, swiftly spelling out the word. - -"It is evident to me," said Merry, "that the person who gave that word -knows me. I would like to know who the individual is. Will he please -come forward?" - -No one stirred. - -There was a loud buzzing sound, and the fly was seen fluttering about -excitedly. - -"What is the matter, Solomon?" asked Frank. - -"Buz-z-z-z! buz-z-zz!" came from the fly, so loudly that everyone in -the theater could hear it. - -"Are you trying to talk, Solomon?" laughed Merry. - -"Buzz! buzz! buzz!" - -"You do not know the name of the person, do you?" - -"Buzz! buzz! buz-zz-zz-zz!" - -Now the fly was greatly excited. It made short jumps in several -directions. - -"Don't be trying any of your nonsense," warned the young magician. "If -you are fooling me, I shall be offended." - -If possible, the insect buzzed louder than before. - -"Well, if you know the name of the person, be good enough to spell it -out, so I may know who has several times disturbed the performance. Go -ahead, Solomon." - -Now the spectators lifted themselves in their seats and stared, for -the fly fairly darted out on the mirror. As the insect paused on each -letter, Frank spelled out the name. - -"S-p-o-r-t. That spells 'Sport,' Solomon. Are you making sport of me, -or are you giving me a name? Go on. What is the rest of it?" - -Away darted the fly, and Frank spelled: - -"H-a-r-r-i-s--Harris! Why, that is 'Sport Harris!' A fellow by that -name was my worst enemy at Yale College. Do you mean that he is here in -this theater?" - -Like a flash the wonderful fly spelled one word: - -"Yes!" - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -UNPLEASANT HAPPENINGS. - - -Up at the rear of the house rose a person, who shouted: - -"Yes, I'm here! Your old fly business is a fake, and I know it! You are -imposing on the people!" - -That person, who was no other than an old-time enemy of Merriwell's, -Sport Harris himself, hurled something at the mirror. - -That something was a set of brass knuckles, which the young tough -carried with him constantly. - -His aim was accurate. - -Had the knuckles struck the mirror a smash would have followed that -must have exposed the manner in which the trick was performed. - -But Frank, like a flash, thrust out his left hand and caught the flying -missile, preventing the catastrophe. - -"The act of a ruffian!" he said, his eyes flashing. "It is exactly what -I should expect from you, Harris!" - -"Arrest him!" roared the red-faced man. "Where is a policeman? He'll -stay in the lock-up to-night!" - -The ushers started toward Harris. - -"Keep away," warned the young ruffian. "If you chaps try to touch me, -you'll get hurt!" - -He reached toward his hip pocket, and the ushers stopped instantly. - -"Call an officer!" directed Mayor Durgin, from his box. "Don't let him -get away!" - -"No, don't let him get away!" cried a number of voices. - -There was a move toward the door. - -Harris vaulted over the back row of seats and rushed to the door, where -he paused, turned about, shook his fist at Frank, and shouted: - -"I'll see you again! I've been wanting to see you ever since I found -you had escaped my vengeance! Our account is not settled! I'll square -with you!" - -Dash--slam! Harris was gone. - -Several hurried after him, crying for him to stop. - -It was some moments before the excitement in the theater subsided. - -Frank advanced to the front of the stage, and made a short speech, in -which he said: - -"I thank you all for your kind attention, and I trust you are satisfied -with the performance given here. As announced in advance, the feats of -the 'Educated Fly' will close the entertainment. All those who are not -satisfied can recover their money by calling at the box office." - -"Anybody who calls at the box office is too mean to live in this town," -loudly declared the mayor. "Just to see the work of that fly was -worth more than the price anyone paid for seats here to-night. We are -satisfied with the performance, young man, and we hope you will appear -here again at some future time. If you do, you may be sure that you -will have a full house." - -"That's right!" - -"Just so!" - -"You bet!" - -"He's a good one!" - -Cries of approval came from all parts of the theater. - -"Possibly I may appear again," said Merriwell, "for I have been given -his entire apparatus by Prof. Zolverein, and it may be my fortune to -travel as a professional magician." - -"You're all right!" - -"You're a winner!" - -"Zolverein picked a good man!" - -"Good-night! good-night!" - -The curtain fell behind Frank, shutting out the marked mirror and the -wonderful fly, now resting quietly in the blank corner. - -Merriwell stood at the front of the stage, bowing, as the audience -departed, while the pianist marched them out with his music. - -Thaddeus Burnham remained in the box office until everyone had left the -theater, and then he came panting and palpitating to the dressing room, -where Frank was getting into his own clothes. - -"Not a cent," jubilantly cried Burnham--"not a cent did I give back! -Nobody called for money! It is amazing!" - -Frank smiled quietly. - -"But the performance was all right," averred the manager. "I didn't -suppose you could do it. And that fly business--why, that was -wonderful! How in the name of creation did you do that?" - -"Magicians do not give away the manner in which they perform their -feats," said Merry, quietly. - -"I know it, but--well, never mind. You did it, and that's enough. Come -into the office, and we'll settle. You have made a tidy sum to-night." - -The assistant, M. Mazarin, was standing near, looking glum and -dissatisfied. - -"Of course I could not have carried the thing through successfully -without M. Mazarin's aid," said Merriwell, who was bound to give credit -where credit was due. "He must have a liberal share of the proceeds -to-night." - -Even this did not clear the cloud from the man's face. - -"That is for you to settle between yourselves," said Burnham. "I don't -care what you do, as long as I was not forced to refund money to such -a house as this was to-night. The thought that I must do so galled me -terribly." - -He hurried back to the box office. - -Frank completed dressing, and then he observed that Mazarin was still -standing there, scowling and silent. - -"What is the matter?" asked Merry. "Did anything go wrong?" - -"Everything has gone wrong." - -"How is that?" - -"Oh, it's no use to talk it over!" - -"Why not?" - -"Because." - -"What do you mean?" - -"It wouldn't make any difference." - -Frank was determined to know what the man meant. - -"Have I offended you in any way, M. Mazarin?" he asked. - -"No," shortly. - -"Then I presume we will be able to make arrangements to travel -together, in case I decide to go on the road as a professional -magician?" - -"No!" - -"Can't? I will pay you well. You shall----" - -The assistant made a gesture that checked Frank. - -"I was a fool to help you to-night!" he exclaimed, angrily. - -Frank whistled. - -"A fool? Why?" - -"I have not been used right." - -"By whom?" - -"Zolverein." - -"Ah! How was that?" - -"I have been with him constantly for three years." - -"Yes?" - -"Yes. I was faithful to him." - -"I haven't a doubt of it." - -"What has he done for me?" - -"I don't know." - -"Nothing." - -"Hasn't he used you square in a business way?" - -"In a business way, perhaps. But didn't I have every reason to expect -something more?" - -"It is possible you did." - -"And I got--nothing." - -"Is that the trouble?" - -"Isn't it enough? Here he gave you, almost a stranger, this apparatus, -which is worth a large sum of money. Why didn't he give it to me?" - -"I can't answer that question." - -"Why did he give it to you?" - -"Because I was fortunate enough to save his life this morning." - -"You saved his life then that he might die to-night. I was shocked -by his sudden death, and that is how it happened that I consented to -assist you this evening. Had I thought it over, I should have refused. -I might have gone on and given a performance here to-night, and I was -the one to do it. I have traveled with him so long that I am perfectly -familiar with all his tricks." - -"Yes; but without the aid of a trained assistant, you could not have -given a good performance. Who could have assisted you?" - -"I would have done well enough. Zolverein did not know you could go on -and give a performance. How could you have carried out the 'Educated -Fly' trick without me?" - -"Couldn't," Merry immediately confessed. "And I want to compliment you -on the way you made the fly work. It was as natural as life. Now, even -if you think you have not been used right by Zolverein, there is no -reason why we should quarrel." - -But Mazarin would not be pacified. - -"I presume you actually mean to take the apparatus?" he asked. - -"Why," said Frank, surprised, "of course! It was given to me, and, with -its aid, I shall be able to go on the road and do a thriving business." - -"I thought you were under contract to Barnaby Haley?" - -"I am; but I have every reason to believe my engagement with him will -not last much longer." - -"How is that?" - -"I am certain the 'Empire Theater Comedy Company' will not stay out -another week." - -"Well, what if it does?" - -"I shall try to get Mr. Haley to let me off and fill my place with -somebody else." - -"Then you are determined to go on the road as a traveling magician?" - -"I have about decided to do so." - -"In that case, there is no chance for me to buy this apparatus from -you?" - -"No, I do not think there is." - -Mazarin turned away, and Frank saw he was thoroughly angered. - -Again Merry made an attempt to pacify the man and engage him to travel -as an assistant, but it was fruitless. - -"Go ahead!" cried the man. "I can't wish you good luck, and I do not -believe you will have any, for you will be forced to engage another -assistant. You have our ideas away up by your success to-night, but you -will not duplicate it. I feel certain of that." - -He was going away. - -"Wait," said Frank. "I have not paid you for your aid to-night." - -"And I will not take anything." - -Mazarin departed. - -"Well, that is unpleasant," muttered Frank; "but a fellow can't expect -everything to come his way." - -When he had finished dressing, he went up onto the stage to pack away -the apparatus with which the "Educated Fly" trick had been performed. - -The fly was placidly resting against the face of the mirror in the -blank corner. Frank took it up and put it into the fake cage. - -The fly was a perfect imitation of a real fly, but it was made of cork, -and it had an iron core, which rested flat against the glass when -everything was ready for the exhibition to begin. - -In addition to a wooden back, the mirror had a cloth back, which was -firmly fastened into the frame. The wooden back was hinged to the frame -at the bottom, and was very strong. - -When the frame was placed on the easel and the mirror rested on the -floor, the space behind the easel from the floor up was entirely -hidden. This was done when Merry took the mirror apart to exhibit it. - -At that moment M. Mazarin came up through a trap-door in the floor and -let down the wooden back of the frame, which formed a shelf, and on -that shelf he could rest with ease. When the mirror was returned to the -frame, the audience could look through beneath it, and no one could -suspect that a human being was concealed back of it. - -The black cloth was divided off into squares to correspond with those -afterward marked on the mirror with the soap. The squares were numbered -and lettered precisely the same, so that the assistant knew where every -character was located on the face of the mirror. - -The assistant behind the mirror was provided with a strong -electro-magnet, attached to a wire running down one leg of the easel to -a powerful battery under the stage. - -When the assistant heard the numbers called, he placed his magnet -opposite the corner where the fly was resting, and then moved it along -the back of the mirror to the required square. In that manner he was -able to add, subtract, multiply and divide. - -The buzzing of the fly was produced by Merriwell himself, who imitated -the proper sound. - -Frank located Sport Harris, and recognized the fellow. Then, standing -near the mirror, he whispered to Mazarin the name he wished him to -spell with the aid of the magnetized fly. - -Thus it will be seen that this apparently marvelous performance was -in truth a "fake," and not at all difficult to give. But it was always -successful when properly done. - -Merry took care of the apparatus, and then looked over the other stuff, -locking up such things as he did not wish to leave out to be inspected -by curious eyes. - -When this was done, he went to the box office, where he found Burnham -waiting for him. - -"What's the matter with Mazarin?" asked the manager of the opera house. - -"Why?" - -"He has been here growling like a dog with a sore ear." - -"He thinks Zolverein did not use him right in giving the apparatus to -me." - -"I thought it must be something of the kind. The fellow is cranky. You -had better look out for him." - -"What makes you think so?" - -"He says you'll never travel on the road and make a success of it. I -told him I thought you would. Then he went into the air and swore he'd -make sure you didn't. I believe he is so cranky that he's dangerous." - -"I hardly think so," said Merry. "I trust he will get over it." - -"And you have another enemy." - -"Yes. That fellow is dangerous, and I know it. Last time I saw him, he -tried to burn me to death in an old barn." - -"He must have a strong reason for hating you." - -"Well, I drove him out of college, but not till I had given him every -possible chance to straighten up and do right. Fellows said I was a -fool to give him such a chance, but I never like to push anybody down." - -"If he and Mazarin got together, they might make it rather warm for -you. Here is the account. Seventy per cent. is your share. I think you -will find it all right." - -Frank ran the account over. It was straight, and he pocketed a roll -of money that made him feel like a millionaire. Then he bade Burnham -good-night and started for the hotel. - -At the hotel a surprise awaited him. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -AFTER FRANK'S MONEY. - - -"Haow are ye, Frank?" cried Ephraim Gallup, a friend of Frank's, from -Vermont, as Merry entered the office of the hotel. - -The long, lank Vermonter came forward, followed by a short, fat lad, -who exclaimed: - -"Yaw, how you peen, ain'd id, Vrankie?" - -The short lad was Hans Dunnerwurst, another friend. - -"Ephraim! Hans!" gasped Frank. - -"Yes, we're here, bag an' baggage, by gum!" declared the down-Easter. - -"Dot peen a fact," nodded Hans, with owl-like gravity. "Der pag und -paggages vos here mit us." - -"Why, what does it mean?" Frank managed to ask. - -"The jig's up, b'gosh!" - -"Dot vos id," agreed the Dutch boy. - -"I do not understand," confessed Frank. "You should be playing in -Tornton to-night." - -"Waal, we ain't there." - -"Tornton don'd peen us in to-nighd," averred Hans. - -"But why not? Has the company----" - -"Busted--that's it." - -"Gone der spoudt ub," further explained Hans. - -"Is it possible?" - -"Yas." - -"Yaw." - -"And you----" - -"We managed to scrape together enough money to git here, an' we ketched -a train that took us here all right. Jest got to this air howtel an' -faound yeou was over to the theater. We was goin' right over there." - -"But now you haf come ofer us to id safed us der droubles," said the -Dutch boy. - -Frank sat down on a chair and stared at them some seconds. - -"Well," he murmured, "I thought the company would break up, but this is -sooner than I expected. What's the matter?" - -"Haley, the manager, skipped out." - -"Haley did?" - -"Yas; left ther hull craowd in ther lurch. They'd lynch him if they -could git their paws onter him." - -"How did he happen to skip?" - -"Waal, we done a purty good business last night at Ivervale, an' the -gang was shoutin' fer some dust, yeou bet. The ghost ain't walked for -three weeks, an' we wanted some money to git some shirts an' collars -an' things done up clean. Haley promised to cough when we got to -Tornton. We all went on board the train, s'posin' he was along with -the tickets. When the train started, he dropped off. That's abaout all -there is to it, except me an' Hans had some stuff soaked, an' we didn't -git chucked off at a little side deepoe, same's the rest of the gang -did." - -"Then the show is completely stranded?" - -"Jest that." - -"What's the name of the place?" - -"Ballardvale, I believe." - -"Hotel there?" - -"Dunno. We didn't stop to see." - -"Well, that was a miserable trick for Haley to play, but I guess most -of the managers of traveling companies play it sometimes. Why did you -chaps come here?" - -"We knowed you'd be here." - -"What of that?" - -"Waal, we reckoned mebbe we'd be able to git up some kind of a -three-cornered show an' keep from starvin'. That was aour scheme. I -dunno haow it'll hit ye, Frank." - -"I have just given a show at the opera house here." - -"Yeou hev?" - -"Yes." - -"Whut kaind of a show?" - -Then Frank explained just what had happened and what he had done, while -his two friends listened in open-mouthed astonishment and admiration. - -"Jest like ye, by gum!" shouted Ephraim. "Can't throw yeou down! Yeou -alwus light on yeour feet!" - -"Yaw," nodded Hans, "yer veet alvays lighd on you, Vrankie." - -"Haow much money did ye make?" whispered Ephraim, eagerly. - -Frank pulled out a large roll, on the outside of which was a -fifty-dollar bill. Both lads stared at it, and then they leaned heavily -against each other. - -"Efy," whispered Hans, "I pelief I vos goin' to had a pad case uf -heardt vailures!" - -"Waal, I'm ruther dizzy myself!" gurgled the Vermonter. "Never saw so -much money as that in all my life. Why don't yeou retire an' live on -the intrust of it, Frank?" - -"Yaw, why you don'd led der interest uf id life on you, Vrankie?" asked -Hans. - -"Here is just about enough to get us started on the road in good -shape," said Merriwell. "We shall need every dollar of it." - -"We!" squawked Ephraim. - -"Us!" gasped Hans. - -Merriwell nodded. - -"We will go into partnership," he said. "It will take three of us to -run the thing right." - -The Yankee youth and the Dutch lad fell into each other's arms. - -"Saved!" cried Ephraim. - -"Dot's vot's der madder!" rejoiced Hans. "Oh, dot Vrank Merriwell vas a -beach, you pet!" - -They sat down and talked it over for a long time. Frank believed -Ephraim could learn to assist him about his tricks, and he fancied Hans -would be good for something. They were his old Fardale schoolmates, and -he had no thought of leaving them stranded away out there so far from -their homes. - -By the time they had talked over their plans it was after midnight. -Then Frank found himself unable to deposit his money in the safe, as -the clerk had gone to bed and taken the key, and no one would assume -the responsibility of awakening him. - -Ephraim and Hans were given a room together. - -As they went upstairs, the Vermonter said to Frank: - -"Look aout for that air money, Frank. If yeou lose that, we're in the -soup fer sure." - -"Oh, I'll look out for it," assured Merry. "No one will think of -molesting me to-night." - -He little knew that these words were overheard by his worst enemy. -From his own unlighted room Sport Harris peered forth, having the door -slightly ajar. - -"So he's taking the money to his room?" thought the young scoundrel. -"Well, he must have a pretty good pile of it, for that was a great -house. I'm rather hard up, and I wouldn't mind lifting a fat roll off -that fellow." - -In his stocking feet he slipped out into the hall and followed Frank, -locating Merry's room. - -Frank went in, closed the door and locked it. - -He was pretty tired, and he lost little time in undressing. He did not -give Sport Harris a single thought. In a short time he was in bed and -the light was extinguished. - -Tired though he was, it was some time before Frank could get to sleep, -for his brain was teeming with exciting thoughts. - -At last, however, he dropped off. - -Frank awoke with a consciousness of danger. It seemed that a slight -rustling had aroused him. In a twinkling he was on the alert, although -he kept perfectly still. - -There was a sliding sound near the door. Turning his eyes, he saw a -dark figure slowly slipping in through the transom, which was wide open. - -"Hello!" thought Frank. "Somebody is after my boodle! Well, I'll give -that chap a surprise." - -He reached up near the head of his bed and pushed the button there, -distinctly hearing the bell ring down in the office. Again and again he -pushed it, determined to arouse somebody if possible. - -The intruder dropped down from the transom, and Frank shot out of bed. -A second later Merriwell and the burglar were locked in each other's -grasp. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -HARRIS AGAIN VANISHES. - - -The burglar uttered a gasp of astonishment as Merriwell precipitated -himself on the fellow. - -"Got you!" half laughed Frank. - -"I don't know!" - -The other twisted about like an eel. - -"Hold still!" - -"Not much!" - -The voice was choked by the efforts of the unknown, but Frank believed -he recognized it. - -"So it's you, Harris!" he said. "Up to your old tricks! You are just as -much a sneak as ever!" - -"If I'd got in before you discovered me, you might have never called me -that again!" panted Harris. - -"By that I suppose you were bent on murder. Well, that is no worse than -your record." - -"Why don't you shout?" hissed Harris. "Why don't you arouse the hotel?" - -"It isn't necessary." - -"Why not?" - -"Did you hear the bell ring in the office?" - -"Yes." - -"I pushed the button. Somebody is coming here even now. All I have to -do is to hold onto you till they come." - -Harris snarled and gnashed his teeth, which he tried to fasten in the -back of Frank's wrist. - -"Steady," said Merry. "It's no use. I've got you, and I'll hold you. -I'll see that you go to prison for this." - -"Never!" - -"It's what you deserve, and you'll have to take your medicine at last." - -Then Merry found his enemy was feeling in his bosom. Frank tried to -hold his hand, but Harris succeeded in getting out a knife. With this -he struck back at Merry. - -"That will look all the worse for you when they come," said Merry, -grimly. "You are putting yourself in a pretty bad place." - -"Oh, I could kill you!" panted Harris. "You ruined my college career!" - -"You are wrong." - -"It is true." - -"You ruined it yourself." - -"No; you did it." - -"I did nothing of the sort. I gave you several opportunities to brace -up and become a man, but you have bad blood in you, and blood will -tell. I never did anything against you that you did not force me to do." - -"Oh, you will say that, but I know better. But for you, I'd be in Yale -now." - -"Yale is better off without you." - -With a sudden twist, Harris broke Frank's hold. A cry of triumph -escaped him. - -"Now you get it!" - -The knife was driven at Merriwell's throat. - -Frank's hand caught his wrist, and the blade was stopped just as the -point touched Merry's neck. - -Frank gave a twisting wrench, and the bones in the wrist of the young -rascal seemed to snap. A cry of pain was wrung from his lips, and the -knife fell clanging to the floor. - -There was a sharp knock on the door. - -"Wait a minute," called Frank. "I'll let you in directly. Got my hands -full now." - -"What's the matter in there? What's this mean? Stepladder against the -door out here." - -"Caller used it to come in with," cried Frank. - -Just then he found an opportunity to break away a bit from Harris, and -he gave the fellow a terrible swinging blow. - -Frank's fist struck Harris under the ear, and the fellow was stunned. - -"Just lay there a moment," murmured Merry, as he dropped the baffled -rascal on the bed and turned to open the door. - -The night watchman came in. Harris tried to get up and dart out by the -open door, but Merry caught him and flung him back on the bed. - -"Just help me take care of him, will you?" said Frank. "He is pretty -ugly, and----" - -Over the foot of the bed went Harris, out of the half-open window he -dived. - -Frank leaped and clutched at his heels. - -Too late! - -"Gone!" gasped Merry. - -"Well, it's more than even money that he won't go very far," said the -watchman. "I'll wager something he's broken his neck by the fall to the -ground." - -They hurried out of the room and down the stairs, fully expecting to -find Harris lying under the window. - -But when they reached the spot both were amazed to discover that the -fellow was not there! - -Nor was he found at all, although a sharp search for him was made. - -He had escaped again. - -Zolverein's remains were shipped to the little Eastern town that he -sometimes called home, there to be interred in the village cemetery. -Frank took care that everything was properly attended to, as he felt it -his duty and privilege. - -M. Mazarin remained bitter toward Merriwell, and he disappeared almost -as mysteriously as had Sport Harris. - -Frank proceeded to fill Zolverein's engagements, taking Ephraim and -Hans along with him. - -"We're running a show of our own, now," he said, laughingly, "and we -are out for fun, fame and fortune." - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -IN THE POWER OF HIS ENEMY. - - -One eventful day Frank came alone to the theater for the purpose of -getting something out of one of his trunks. - -Entering by the stage door, he went up the stairs and onto the stage, -which was dark, behind the drop curtain. He discovered a man lifting -from the easel on which it had rested the large mirror which was used -in the "Educated Fly" trick. - -"Drop that!" shouted Frank. - -"All right!" - -The man promptly dropped the mirror at Frank's cry, smashing it into a -thousand pieces! - -"Scoundrel!" - -Frank was aroused. - -"Back!" - -The unknown caught up a heavy Indian club, one of a set used by Merry -each night in his exhibition of fancy club swinging. The club was -raised aloft. - -"Back, or I'll brain you!" - -"Drop that!" - -"On your head, if I do!" - -The fellow made a threatening swing with the club. Frank ducked, dodged -aside, leaped forward, caught his arm, grappled with him. - -Now they were face to face, so close together that Merry could -distinguish the features of the prowler. - -"Sport Harris!" he shouted, astonished by the discovery. - -"Yes!" snarled the other, trying to wrench his hand free. - -"You here?" - -"You bet!" - -"What for?" - -"Business." - -"Deviltry, more likely! How did you get in here?" - -"No matter." - -"Well, you'll pay dearly for that mirror!" - -"You'll never make me pay for it, you can gamble on that!" - -Now Harris made a furious struggle to break away, but Frank forced him -back against some scenery and pinned him there. - -"It's no use, you rascal!" came from Merry's lips. "You are caught this -time, and you won't get away." - -"Don't be so sure," panted Frank's enemy. "I have given you the slip -more than once, and now----" - -He uttered a strange cry, and, a moment later, Merriwell realized there -was danger behind him; but he was prevented from turning, and, all at -once, a pair of small, strong hands encircled his throat, the fingers -crushing into the flesh. - -Frank was in a bad scrape, as he instantly understood. Harris was not -alone, and his companion had caught Merry unawares. - -"Choke him! choke him!" hissed Sport, with a savage laugh of -satisfaction. "Now we've got him!" - -Frank twisted and squirmed. For some seconds a furious struggle took -place on that stage, but Harris managed to keep Merriwell from breaking -the choking grip of the unknown, and those small, strong hands were -crushing the life and energy out of the young magician. - -"Oh, we've got you!" exulted Frank's old Yale enemy. "You can't do it, -Merriwell! You came here just in time to run your head into this trap!" - -Frank could make no reply, for his tongue was protruding from his -mouth. In his ears there was a roaring sound, and colored lights seemed -bursting and changing before his eyes. - -Frank knew the venom of Harris--knew the fellow was a brute who would -hesitate at nothing to satisfy his evil desire for revenge. Alone he -could have handled the young ruffian easily, but the attack from behind -conquered him. - -He wavered, swayed, and would have fallen. They dragged him to a chair. - -"Ropes!" cried Harris. "Bring them quick! We'll tie him." - -The other hustled away and quickly returned. Then the two tied the -unfortunate magician to the chair. - -"Something for a gag," called Harris. - -The other looked about, but could not find anything that suited Sport. - -"Oh, never mind," said the fellow, as he took a huge clasp knife from -his pocket and opened it. "If he hollers, I'll cut his throat!" - -This was spoken in a way that seemed to indicate the ruffian would -actually do the deed without hesitation. - -Harris drew up another chair and sat down facing the captive. - -Slowly Merry's strength returned. At last he was able to sit up without -the support of the binding ropes. - -"Ha! ha!" laughed his bitter enemy. "How do you like it? I don't -believe you fancy it much. I have you now." - -Frank made no reply, but he peered through the gloom at the figure of -Sport's companion and assistant. There was something familiar about the -slight, supple form, but it was not till the man turned so the light -reached him differently that Merry recognized him. - -"M. Mazarin!" he gasped, incredulously. - -The little man nodded. - -"Yes," he said, coldly. "Are you surprised to see me?" - -"Rather." - -"I suppose you expected never to see me again. You thought I had gone -to leave you forever. You thought I would give up everything and let -you go about the country giving exhibitions with this apparatus that -should have become mine at the death of Zolverein. You fancied I was -a fool. You robbed me of what should have been mine, and I do not love -you for it." - -"Very fortunately," said Sport Harris, in his sneering way, "we met, -became acquainted, discovered our mutual hatred for you. We are -here--here to get even." - -"Right," nodded the little man. "If I can't take Zolverein's place on -the road, I swear you never shall!" - -"It is plain that you make a fine pair," said Frank, speaking huskily, -for his throat still felt the effect of the terrible pressure it had -received. "You will do well together. Harris should have been in jail -long ago, and it is not improbable you'll both get there before a great -while." - -"We'll ruin you before we go!" grated M. Mazarin. "It will take you a -long time to duplicate this apparatus. Some of it you'll never be able -to duplicate." - -"Are you going to steal it?" - -"Oh, no." - -"What----" - -"We are not that foolish," said the little man. "You might recover it -if we stole it." - -"But you are going to do something?" - -"That's easy guessing," sneered Harris. - -"What is it?" - -"I will soon show you," said Mazarin, with a cold little laugh. "But -you must keep him still, Harris." - -"If he utters a chirp, I'll slit his windpipe," promised the young -ruffian. - -Mazarin lighted a lamp, which he placed on a small table. Then he took -a heavy hammer, and before Frank's eyes he smashed at a single blow a -box that served to enable Merry to do one of his most difficult and -interesting feats. - -"Now," said the malicious little man, "you know what I am going to -do. I am here to destroy every bit of the apparatus you received from -Zolverein. I can do it in twenty minutes." - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -DEADLY PERIL. - - -Frank squirmed, and Harris laughed. - -"That hits you hard," said the fellow. "We'll soon put you out of -business as a professional magician." - -"You shall pay dearly for every bit of property you destroy!" vowed -Frank. - -"That's all right. You'll not worry anybody by talking like that. -You'll have to catch your hare, and we'll be far away from here -to-morrow." - -"I was too easy with you in the past, Harris," said Frank. "I can see -that now." - -"Oh, yes, you were easy with me!" snarled the fellow. "You didn't do a -thing but disgrace me in college! You----" - -"I simply exposed your tricks when you were fleecing my friends by -playing crooked at poker. You brought it on yourself." - -"It's a lie! I didn't play crooked. I----" - -"You acted as the decoy to draw them into the game, while Rolf Harlow -robbed them with his slick tricks. You can't deny that. You deserved -worse than you received." - -"That's what you think. Anyhow, I'll have my revenge now. Go ahead, -Mazarin; smash up the stuff." - -"He may shout." - -"If he does, it will be his last chirp, for I swear I'll use the knife -on him!" - -Frank fully believed the fellow would do just as he threatened. Besides -that, it was extremely doubtful if anyone could hear him in case he -shouted, as the theater was a detached building, in which there were no -offices or stores. - -So Merriwell was forced to sit there, bound and helpless, and witness -the destruction of his property, the intricate and costly apparatus for -performing his wonderful feats of magic. - -With savage frenzy the little man battered and hammered and smashed the -apparatus which had cost many hundreds of dollars. He laughed while he -was doing it. - -Harris lighted a cigarette and sat astride a chair near Frank, whom he -continued to taunt. - -"This is the finish of the career of Merriwell, the wonderful -magician," he sneered. "He'll never be heard of again. Smash the -stuff, Mazarin, old man! That's the way to do it! How do you like it, -Merriwell? Doesn't it make you feel real happy to see him break up the -furniture? Ha! ha! ha!" - -Now, not a word came from Frank, but his jaws were set and his eyes -gleaming. It was plain enough that he had vowed within his heart that -some day he would square the account with his enemies. - -Piece after piece of the apparatus was destroyed by the vengeful little -man, while Harris sat and smoked, puffing the vile-smelling stuff into -the face of the helpless youth. - -Since starting out to fill Zolverein's engagements on the road, -Frank had been remarkably successful, but he could not go on without -the apparatus, and it would take a long time for him to replace the -articles thus maliciously ruined. Some of them he knew he would never -be able to replace. - -With the wrecking of his property one of his dearest dreams vanished. -He had thought it possible that he might make enough money during -vacations to carry him through Yale, so he could complete his course in -college, which he had been forced to leave because of financial losses. - -He knew this was purely a speculation, as it was not certain he would -continue to do a good business, especially when he got off Zolverein's -route; but that had been his dream, and now it was over. - -Surely fate was giving him some hard blows, but still he did not quail, -and he was ready, like a man, to meet whatever came. - -He had tasted of the glamour of the footlights, and there was bitter -with the sweet. He had learned that the life of the traveling showman -is far from being as pleasant and easy as it seems. - -But Frank had not started out in the world looking for soft snaps. He -was prepared to meet adversity when it came and not be crushed. He felt -that the young man who is looking for a soft snap very seldom amounts -to anything in the world, while the one who is ready to work and push -and struggle and strive with all his strength, asking no favors of -anybody, is the one who is pretty sure to succeed in the end. - -Whenever fate landed a knockout blow on Frank he refused to be knocked -out, but invariably came up smiling at the call of "time." - -It was plain that his enemies believed they would floor him this time -and leave him stranded. - -Harris was watching Frank's face by the light of the lamp. - -"Oh, this is better than a circus!" chuckled the fellow, evilly. "Every -blow reaches you, and I am settling my score." - -"Instead of settling it," said Merry, grimly, "you are running up a big -account that I shall call for you to settle in the future." - -"You'll have a fine time collecting." - -"But I always collect once I start out to do so." - -"Bah! Your threats make me laugh!" - -"Because I was easy with you in the past, you fancy I may be if my -chance comes in the future. You are wrong!" - -"All bluff!" - -"Time will show that I am not bluffing now. I have given you more -chances than you deserved. I shall give you no more. When next my turn -comes, I shall have no mercy." - -Somehow Harris shivered a bit despite himself, for he knew that Frank -Merriwell was not given to idle words. True, Frank had been easy with -his enemies at college, but he must have changed since leaving Yale -and going out into the world to fight the great battle of life. He had -seen that the world gave him no favors, and now it was likely he would -retort in the same manner. - -"Perhaps I may have no mercy now," said Harris. "You are in my power, -and I can do with you as I choose. I am a stranger in this town. No -one knows I am here. What if you were found in this old building with -your throat cut? How could the deed be traced to me? Better spare your -threats, Merriwell, for if I really thought there was danger that you -would bother me in the future, I swear I'd finish you here and now!" - -Mazarin had finished his work of destruction. All the costly apparatus -was broken and ruined, and the little man was standing amid the -shattered wreck, wringing his hands and sobbing like a child that is -filled with remorse after shattering a toy in a fit of anger. - -"All done!" he moaned; "all done!" - -Harris looked around, annoyed. - -"What's the matter with you?" he fiercely demanded. "What are you -whimpering about?" - -"I have broken everything!" - -"Well, now is your time to laugh." - -"Now is my time to cry! All those things should have been mine." - -"But were not." - -"No one can ever replace them." - -"And that knocks out Mr. Frank Merriwell. Wasn't that what you were -after?" - -"But to have to smash all those beautiful things! I have broken my own -heart!" - -"You're a fool!" - -Harris turned from his repentant companion, his disgust and anger -redoubled. - -Frank, for all of the bitter rage in his heart, could see that Mazarin -was not entirely bad. The little man's conscience was troubling him now. - -"I hate fools!" grated Harris. "I hate sentiment! A man with sentiment -is a fool! You're a fool, Merriwell; you always were sentimental." - -"As far as you are concerned," spoke the captive, "I shall put -sentiment behind me in the future. I am satisfied that you are -irreclaimably bad, and you have the best chance in the world of ending -your career on the gallows." - -"I don't care what you think." - -"I didn't suppose you would care. You are too low and degraded to -care. In the past I spared you when you should have been exposed and -punished. Why? Because I hoped you would reform. Now I know there is -no chance of that. For your own sake I spared you in the past; in the -future, if my turn comes, for the sake of those with whom you will -mingle and injure and disgrace, I shall have no mercy." - -These words, for some reason, seemed to burn Harris like a hot iron. -His eyes glowed evilly, and he quivered in every limb. He leaned toward -Merriwell, panting: - -"Your turn will not come! I might have let you go, but now----" - -He glanced down at the knife in his hand. - -Frank watched him closely, feeling all at once that the desperate -wretch had formed a murderous resolve. - -Harris was hesitating. It was plain he longed to strike, and still his -blood was too cold to enable him to bring himself to that point without -further provocation. - -So he began to lash himself into fury, raving at Merriwell, striking -Frank with his open hand, and repeating over and over how much he hated -him. So savage did he become that Mazarin stopped his sobbing and -stared at him in wonder. - -"You ruined my college career!" panted Harris. "You made me an outcast! -You are the cause of all of my ill-fortune! And now you threaten to -drag me down still further. You never shall! I'll see to that now!" - -He clutched Frank's shoulder and lifted the knife! - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -RASCALS FALL OUT. - - -"Stop!" - -The word came from Mazarin's lips, and the little man's left hand shot -out and caught Sport's wrist, checking the murderous stroke, if Harris -really meant to deliver it. - -"Let go!" - -"No!" - -The murderous-minded young villain tried to wrench away. - -He met with a surprise. - -The small, soft hand held him fast, despite all his writhings. - -Harris had wondered that Mazarin so easily choked Merriwell into -helplessness, but, after twisting and pulling a few seconds and failing -to break away, he began to understand the astonishing strength of those -small hands. - -"What's the matter with you?" he snarled. "Are you daffy?" - -"You are, or you would not try that trick," shot back the little man. -"Do you think I'm going to stand here and see you do murder? I guess -not!" - -"It's my business!" - -"And mine now." - -"How?" - -"If you killed Merriwell, I should be an accomplice. I'm not taking -such chances." - -"You're a fool!" - -"No! you are the fool. I helped you get in here that we might square -our account with him, not that you might cut his throat. You have lost -your head. Do you want to hang?" - -"Of course not, but----" - -"Then have a little sense. I didn't think you rattle-headed. We are -even with Merriwell now." - -"No, I shall not be even with him till I have disgraced him as he -disgraced me!" hissed Harris. "I have brooded over it for months. I -have dreamed of it. Sometimes I have been unable to sleep nights from -thinking about it. I have formed a thousand plans for getting even with -the fellow, and now----" - -"Now you would make yourself a murderer. Well, you'll have to choose -another time to do that job. I am satisfied, and from this day I shall -have nothing more to do with you." - -"So you are going back on me?" - -"No; I am going to quit you, that's all, for I am satisfied that you -will get us both into a bad scrape if I stick by you." - -"All right; you can quit. You are too soft for me, anyway." - -Harris tried to show his contempt for Mazarin in his manner as well as -his voice, but the little man did not seem at all affected. - -"You are too hard for me," he said. "I believe I was foolish in having -anything to do with you." - -"Let go my wrist!" - -"Drop that knife!" - -They now stood looking straight into each other's eyes, and there was -something commanding in the manner of the little man who had smashed -Frank's apparatus and then wept like a child over the ruin he had -wrought. - -After some seconds, Sport's fingers relaxed on the handle of the knife, -which fell to the floor, striking point downward and standing quivering -there. - -Mazarin stooped and caught up the knife, closing it and thrusting it -into a pocket. - -"Give it back," commanded Harris. - -"After a while," was the quiet assurance. "Not now. I don't care to -trust you with it till----" - -He did not finish, but his meaning was plain. He believed Harris -treacherous, and he would not trust the fellow till he was sure there -would be no opportunity to use the knife on Merriwell. - -But Sport's rage had cooled, and now he himself was sick at heart when -he thought how near he had been to committing murder. Passion had -robbed him of reason for a time, but now cowardice robbed him of his -false nerve, and he was white and shaking. - -Frank had watched the struggle between the two men with interest and -anxiety, for he realized that his life might depend on the outcome. - -He fully understood that Mazarin had not saved him out of pity -for him, but because the little man was more level-headed than his -accomplice, and not such a ruffian. - -No matter if Mazarin did hate Merry, he was not ready to stain his -hands with blood in order to satisfy his desire to "get even." - -A student of human nature, Frank understood Harris very well, and he -saw when the reaction came. He knew well enough that all danger was -past when he saw the former Yale man grow white and tremble all over. - -In the past Merry had sometimes experienced a thrill of sympathy for -the young gambler, understanding how youths who are fairly started on -the downward course almost always find it impossible to halt and turn -back. One crooked act leads to another, and soon the descent becomes -swift and sure, leading straight to the brink of the precipice of ruin, -upon which not one man in a thousand has the strength to check his -awful career, obtain a foothold and climb back to the path of honesty -that leads to the plain of peace. - -Now it was plain that Harris had sunk so low that there was little hope -for him. He was almost past redemption. - -Incapable of feeling gratitude, the fellow had never realized that -Merry had shown him any kindness in not exposing him and bringing about -his disgrace when his crookedness was first discovered at college. - -Knowing that he would never let up in the least on an enemy, Harris had -believed Frank "soft" because of his generosity. The fellow's hatred -had grown steadily with each and every failure to injure Merriwell, -while his conscience had become so hardened that he was not troubled in -the least by things which might have worried him once. - -As Harris swung the knife aloft, Frank had braced his feet, preparing -to thrust himself over backward as the only means of escaping the blow. -This, however, had not been necessary, for Mazarin had interfered. - -"Now," said the little man, seeming to assume command, "it's time for -us to get out of here." - -"I guess that's right," came weakly from Harris. "Some one might come." - -"By this time it's dark, and we can slip out by the stage door without -attracting attention." - -"We mustn't be seen coming out." - -"It's well enough not to be seen, but it wouldn't make much difference -if we were. The people who saw us might think we were members of -Merriwell's show." - -"Merriwell's show!" cried Harris, forcing a laugh. "I rather think his -show business is over. We have put an end to that." - -Then he turned on Frank, some of the color getting back into his face. - -"We've fixed you this time," the revengeful fellow sneered. "It's the -first time I've ever been able to do you up in good shape. You always -managed to squirm out of everything before, but all your squirming will -do you no good now." - -Frank was silent, his eyes fixed on Harris' face, and the fellow felt -the contempt of that look as keenly as it was possible for him to feel -anything. - -"Don't look at me like that!" he snarled. - -Frank continued to look at him. - -Once more Harris seemed losing his head. - -"How I hate you, Merriwell!" he panted, bending toward Frank, while -Mazarin watched him narrowly. "I never dreamed I could hate anyone as I -hate you." - -Then, quick as a flash, he struck Frank a stinging blow with his open -hand, nearly upsetting the youth, chair and all. - -"Oh there is some satisfaction in that!" he grated. - -"A coward's satisfaction," said the steady voice of the helpless -victim. "Only a wretched coward would strike a person bound and unable -to resist!" - -"That's right!" - -Mazarin uttered the words, and they filled Harris with unspeakable fury. - -"Right!" he snarled. "What's the matter with you? You smashed his stuff -when he was tied and unable to prevent it. Was that cowardly?" - -"Yes!" - -Sport literally gasped for breath. - -"Yes?" he echoed. "What do you mean?" - -"Just that," nodded Mazarin, gloomily. "I have played the coward here, -as well as you. I know it now, but it is too late to undo anything I -have done." - -"Well, you make me sick!" Harris sneered. "You are one of the kind that -does a thing and then squeals. I'm glad we are going to quit, for I -wouldn't dare trust you after this." - -"Nor I you," returned the little man. "You'd be sure to do something to -get us both in a mess. Come, are you going to get out of here?" - -"Directly." - -"Now?" - -"Wait a little." - -"What for?" - -"I have a few more things to say to Merriwell." - -"You have said enough. Let him alone." - -"Well, we must gag him, or he will set up a howling the moment we are -gone." - -"Let him howl. We'll be outside of the building, and it is dark. We can -get away. It's not likely he'll be heard for some time if he does howl, -and----" - -Slam! - -Somewhere below in the building a door closed. - -Harris made a leap and caught Mazarin by the wrist. - -"Somebody coming!" he hissed. - -"Sure thing!" - -"We must skip!" - -"In a hurry." - -"Which way?" - -There were steps on the stairs leading to the stage. - -Then Frank shouted: - -"Help! help! This way! Look out for trouble! Hurry!" - -"Satan take him!" hissed Harris. "He has given the alarm!" - -Mazarin did not stop an instant, but darted away amid the scenery and -disappeared from view in the darkness. - -"Hello, Frank!" came a voice from the stairs. "Is that yeou? What in -thunder's the matter?" - -It was Ephraim Gallup! - -"Look out, Ephraim!" warned Merriwell. "Enemies here! Danger!" - -Tramp, tramp, the Vermonter's heavy feet sounded on the stairs. - -Then there was a rush, and a dark form swept down upon him, struck him, -knocked him rolling and bumping to the foot of the stairs. - -"Waal, darn--my--pun--ugh!--kins!" came from the Yankee youth in jolts -and bursts. - -Over him went the dark figure, closely followed by another. - -"Hold on a minute," invited Ephraim. "Whut's your gol darn rush?" - -But they did not stop. The door near the foot of the stairs was torn -open, and both figures shot out of the building. - -Gallup gathered himself up. - -"Back broke, leg broke, shoulder dislocated, jaw fractured, teeth -knocked out, tongue bit off, and generally injured otherwise," he -enumerated. "All done in a jiffy. Whatever hit me, anyhaow? Hey, Frank!" - -From above Merriwell answered, and again Ephraim started to mount the -stairs. He reached the top, found his way to the stage, and discovered -Merry tied to the chair. - -"Good-evening, Ephraim," said Frank, grimly. "You are a very welcome -caller. I'm getting tired of sitting here." - -"Hey?" gasped the Vermonter. "Whut in thunder----" - -He stopped, his jaw snapping up and down, but not another sound issuing -from his lips. He was utterly flabbergasted. - -"Just set me free," invited Frank. "I'll tell you all about it later. -Mazarin was one, Harris was the other. You've heard me speak of Harris. -They caught me here, smashed my stuff, got away. We must catch them." - -"Gol dinged if I don't think so!" shouted the Yankee, and, a moment -later, he was working fiercely to set Merriwell at liberty. Finding he -could not easily untie the knots, he took out his knife and slashed the -ropes. - -Frank sprang up. - -"Come on, Ephraim!" he cried. "We'll get after those chaps." - -Gallup followed Merriwell down the stairs, but both Harris and Mazarin -had disappeared when the open air was reached, and all inquiries failed -to put the pursuers on the track of them. - -In fact, the two rascals had disappeared from the town, and, for the -time, it seemed that they had utterly vanished from the face of the -earth. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -A SURPRISE BY CASSIE. - - -Of course Merriwell notified the authorities, swore out a warrant for -the arrest of both Harris and Mazarin, and did everything he could to -bring the rascals to justice. - -He was obliged to give up his project of filling Zolverein's dates and -cancel all engagements. - -That night, sitting amid the ruins of his apparatus, he held a council -with his two friends and assistants, Ephraim Gallup and Hans Dunnerwust. - -Hans seemed overwhelmed and stunned by what had happened, while Ephraim -was "so gol dern mad" he occasionally gave vent to his feelings in -violent outbreaks of lurid language. - -"I never was much of a hand to fight," said the Vermonter, "but I'll -be swuzzled if I wouldn't jest like to knock sixteen kainds of stuffin -aout of them critters whut bruk us up in business! I could do it, too, -by chaowder!" - -"Yaw," nodded Hans; "you could done it, Efy!" - -"Well, boys," said Frank, "we've got to do something to make a living. -Here we are out here in Missouri, a long distance away from home, and -it's a case of hustle." - -"How we peen goin' to donet dot, Vrankie?" - -"We'll hev to start up a three-cornered variety show," suggested -Ephraim, with a sickly grin. - -"If I had the old company here now," mused Merriwell, "I'd put what -money I've made in the past week into backing it." - -"An' lose it, same as t'others did." - -"Perhaps so. Nothing venture, nothing have, you know." - -"Waal, yeou ain't got the comp'ny." - -"No, I haven't anything but this broken stuff." - -Frank did not say that dejectedly. Indeed, he did not seem crushed by -what had happened, somewhat to Ephraim's surprise, for the Vermonter -could not understand how anyone could help being downcast by such -misfortune. - -Indeed, one of Merriwell's secrets of success was his sanguine and -hopeful temperament. He did not believe in worrying over anything, and -so, no matter how dark the future looked, he remained cheerful and -confident, knowing the clouds must clear away in time. - -People who worry much over things that may happen make a big mistake, -for in more than fifty per cent. of the cases the things they dread the -most never occur. - -Be cheerful and hopeful. That is a good motto. - -The three talked a long time, and at the end they had not decided on -what course they would pursue. - -The following morning Merriwell received a letter. It proved to be -from Cassie Lee, the soubrette of the company with which Frank had -originally started on the road. - -The letter was brief. It ran as follows: - - - "DEAR FRIEND FRANK: Your note received, and you bet we're all - glad to know you are making such a hit as a magician. The press - clippings you sent show you were not giving me a game of talk, but - how in the world you can do it is what puzzles me. When did you - learn to do magic? It seems to me that you are a kind of wonder, - for you do everything you attempt, and you do it well. - - "I write to tell you that we are on the road again with a - patched-up company, playing small towns--just barnstorming, that's - all. How long it will last nobody knows, for there ain't a blessed - dollar behind us, and Ross is doing the whole thing on pure bluff. - We may keep it up all right, but if we strike three nights of - bad business it will give us the final knockout. If we had a few - hundred dollars behind us to tide us over a bad streak, I guess - we'd be able to keep going till hot weather sets in. - - "There's something I want to write you about, Frank. You know - the last time we talked together we had something to say about - praying, and you told me you reckoned the prayers of an actress - would be heard same as the prayers of anybody else. You told me - to pray for strength to help me leave off using the drug that has - been pulling me down lately. Well, Frank, I took your advice and - prayed all alone in my room. You said you would pray for me, too. - I guess you did. I honestly believe I'm going to be able to quit - it without going to a sanitarium. If I do so, I shall owe it all - to you. - - "Hoping to hear from you again soon, and wishing you all the luck - you deserve, I am always your friend, - - "CASSIE LEE." - - -Frank read that letter over twice, and then he sat meditating over it. - -"She doesn't know what has happened to me," he said. "Cassie has a good -heart, and I hope she will get free from that dreadful habit. Here is -their route." - -It was written across the top of the sheet, and gave the towns the -company expected to play in for the next five days. - -Looking it over, Frank found they would play that night in a place -seventy-five miles away. - -"How surprised they would be if I should turn up there to-night!" he -laughed. "And I might as well do that as anything else." - -Then he thought that he would not leave Hans and Ephraim behind, and it -would cost money to take them along. - -"Never mind," he muttered. "I've made four hundred dollars in the time -I've been out for myself, and I shall look out for the boys. We'll all -go over to Blueburg." - -He looked up the railroad time-table, and found he could reach the -place by taking a train at one o'clock. So he told Ephraim and Hans to -pack up and get ready to leave right after dinner. - -Of course they wondered where he was going, but his manner betrayed no -intention of saying anything about that, and so even Hans had sense -enough not to ask questions. - -That afternoon they took the train, which was an accommodation and -stopped at every little shanty station. - -The monotonous scenery of that portion of the country did not interest -Merriwell, so he busied himself with paper and pencil as the train -crept snaillike along. - -"Whut be yeou doin' of, Frank?" asked Ephraim, curiously. - -"Plotting," was the short answer. - -"Hey? Plottin'?" - -"Yes." - -"Plottin' whut?" - -"A play." - -"Whut's that? Plottin' a play? Whut kind of a play?" - -"A comedy-drama." - -"Great gosh!" - -The Vermonter gazed at Merry in astonishment. - -"Yeou don't mean that yeou're goin' to write a play, do ye?" - -"Why not?" smiled Frank. - -"Waal, I be darned! When will yeou git time to do it?" - -"In my spare moments." - -"An' yeou really mean to write a play?" - -"I'm going to try it." - -"I dunno whut yeou won't try next. Do yeou s'pose yeou kin write a good -play?" - -"Well, that is something I don't know," laughed Merry. "Not even an -experienced playwright can tell if his piece will be good or bad till -after it is written and tried on the dog. Even then it is sometimes -difficult to tell what there is in it, and many failures have been -rewritten and become successes. There is nothing more uncertain in the -world than the fate of an untried play. The very pieces that managers -are most sanguine about often prove the greatest fizzles, while those -pieces that do not promise very much, and are rushed on as 'stop-gaps,' -often prove winners from the word go. Some playwriters produce one or -two great successes, and are never again able to construct anything -that will go. It is a great gamble, with the chances mainly in the -favor of losing." - -"You seem to know all about it." - -"I've been studying up about it." - -"Studyin'?" - -"Yes." - -"Haow?" - -"By observation, by reading, and by the aid of books." - -"Is there any books whut will help a feller abaout writin' plays?" - -"Yes, several. I have one called 'The Art of Playwriting,' and it has -been a wonderful aid to me. Of course experience is what a fellow needs -in writing good plays, like anything else, although it is said that -some persons have made successes out of their very first pieces." - -"Yeou beat any feller I ever saw! When yeou go to do any kind of work, -yeou set about readin' up an' studyin' over it with all yeour might." - -"That is the way to succeed. The fellow who does any kind of work must -take an interest in it in order to do it well. He who simply does his -work mechanically, without taking any interest in it, and gets away -from it as soon as possible, can never be successful. There are lots -of boys who work on that plan in offices and stores, and they wonder -how it is that their salaries are never raised and other boys get -ahead of them. Often bright boys and men are outstripped by those they -consider slow-witted and dull, and all because the dull ones work hard -and earnestly to get ahead, while the others think they ought to get -ahead anyhow." - -"Say," said Ephraim, nudging Hans; "ain't he a reg'ler filoserfer?" - -"Yaw," grunted the Dutch boy, who had not the least idea in the world -what a "filoserfer" could be. - -"It takes a heap of time to write a hull play, Frank," said Ephraim. -"I've heerd haow some of them fellers that write 'em take a hull year -on one single play." - -"That is right; but there are others." - -"Whut, do it in less time?" - -"Yes." - -"An' make good ones?" - -"Yes; some successful plays have been written in a very few days. -All the same, I do not expect to accomplish such a feat. I believe -I have hit on a fine plot for a good society comedy-drama, and now -I am working up the situations and climaxes. I have all the central -characters named and their peculiarities jotted down opposite their -names. See, here is a mass of notes on the piece. I shall not be able -to work in all that stuff. Much of it will be thrown away or altered. -Some of these situations that now seem so good I shall have to abandon, -I suppose, for it is not likely I can work them all into the piece in -a consistent manner." - -"Waal, I don't s'pose yeou're goin' to give up everything else an' set -daown an' go to writin' plays, be ye?" - -"Not much!" laughed Frank. "I am not quite daffy, Ephraim. Lots of -fellows have done that--and been sorry for it afterward. A man is -foolish to give up any kind of steady paying work and attempt to make -a living out of playwriting till he knows his ground and has plenty of -money to live on comfortably for a good long time. Some fellows have -given up good jobs after making a success of their first play, but in -four cases out of five they regretted that they did not stick to their -jobs and write plays on the side." - -"On der vich side?" asked Hans, thickly. - -"On the right side," smiled Frank. "No one wants to be left." - -"Darned if I don't hope yeou'll do somethin' with yeour play, Frank," -said the Vermonter. "That is, if yeou ever git it wrote, which I don't -see haow yeou're goin' ter." - -"Oh, I don't expect to make a fortune out of it. Of course I've had -some foolish dreams about having my own company and playing the leading -part, but I realize those are all dreams. All the same, I'm going to -write it when I can, and somebody may produce it sometime." - -Merry went to work again, and Hans and Ephraim left him alone. - -It was supper time when the train pulled into Blueburg, after a tedious -journey. The trio went direct to a restaurant and ate supper. By -inquiry they found the reorganized company was in town and would play -in the "town hall" that evening. - -"We'll be there," said Frank; "but I think we'd better give them a -surprise. We'll keep quiet till it is time for the curtain to go up, -and then we'll walk into the hall." - -This they did. It was exactly eight o'clock when Merry presented -himself at the box office and asked if he could obtain three passes. - -The local manager was selling tickets, and he immediately asked why he -should give up three passes to three strangers. - -Frank explained that he had at one time been connected with the -company. The manager asked for his name so that he could send back to -Havener to find out about him, but Frank saw a familiar face at the -door. - -"Hello, Dan!" he cried. "I think you'll vouch for us." - -Old Dan Lee, Cassie's father, gave a cry of surprise. - -"Merriwell?" he exclaimed. "What in the world does this mean? How do -you happen to be here?" - -"Just thought we'd drop down and see how you are getting along," Frank -explained. "Can we get passes, or do we have to plank down for seats?" - -"Well, I rather think you can pass any time. I'll stand responsible for -them, Mr. Crisper," he said, to the man in the box office. - -He shook hands warmly with Frank, and then greeted Ephraim and Hans. -The three were given some good seats in the second row, and they -entered just as the curtain was going up on the first act. - -Barely were they seated when Cassie came romping onto the stage in one -of her favorite parts, that of a tomboy, and her three friends in the -second row started a "hand" that surprised her. She opened her mouth to -speak, saw Frank, stopped, stared, and then exclaimed: - -"Well, I never!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -UNCERTAIN FRIENDSHIP. - - -Cassie had been thrown off her guard, but she quickly recovered and -went on with her part. The moment she left the stage she carried the -news to the other members behind the scenes. - -"Merriwell is out there, with Gallup and Dunnerwurst," she said, as she -grasped Havener by the arm. "What do you suppose it means?" - -"You must be mistaken," said the former stage manager, now the business -manager as well. "Merriwell is in Attleboro to-night." - -"Not by a long shot!" cried the somewhat slangy little soubrette. "If -he ain't out there in the second row middle I'll eat my hat!" - -"Then something is wrong with him. But I can't believe you are right." - -"Didn't you catch onto the hand I got on my enter?" - -"Of course." - -"He started it. He's got Dunnerwurst on one side of him and Gallup on -the other, and the three of them tried to break things when I went on." - -"Then it's sure something has happened to Merriwell. It's likely he's -as badly off as the rest and wants to get in with us. We might find a -chance for him, but we haven't any use for Gallup or Dunnerwurst now -there is no band." - -Lester Lawrence, the leading man of the company, had been standing near -enough to hear these words, and now he broke in: - -"I don't see that we have any chance for Merriwell," he said, quickly. -"By sharp doubling we can play any piece in our repertory, and to -take in Merriwell will add to the expense without proving a decided -advantage. As we are working on the commonwealth plan now, I am -against anything that will add a cent of expense. I shall vote against -Merriwell." - -"Don't be in such a hurry, Mr. Lawrence!" flashed Cassie. "No one knows -Frank Merriwell wants to join us. If he does, you're only one." - -"But there are others." - -"Name them." - -"Dunton, that's certain." - -"I don't know. Dunton did hate Merriwell, but he got over it." - -"You may think so, but a fellow like Dug Dunton seldom gets over -hating anybody. Then there is Sargent." - -"That's three, with yourself. You don't run everything. If Merriwell's -on his uppers, we'll take him in." - -"Who says so?" - -"I do, and you can bet your boots that what I say goes! See!" - -"Oh, are you running this show?" murmured Lawrence, gently lifting his -eyebrows. "I didn't know that." - -"I've got something of a pull with the people." - -"You must be stuck on Merriwell," sneered Lawrence. - -Havener was scowling at the leading man, for he was not at all pleased -by the fellow's manner toward Cassie. - -"That will do!" he said, sharply. "We won't have any growling between -you. It's not certain Merriwell wants to join us. If he does, we can -settle that business later. The play is going on now, so you can attend -to your own business." - -What Havener said "went," and the matter was dropped then, but a short -time later, Cassie saw Lawrence talking with Dunton and Sargent, and -she knew the fellow had begun his campaign against Merriwell. - -When the curtain fell on the first act, Havener sent out for Frank and -his friends to come behind the scenes. - -They did so, and there was a general handshaking all round. The actors -who were not busy changing makeups or helping reset the stage crowded -around Frank and plied him with questions. - -Frank told them just what had happened to him. - -"Harris and Mazarin got away," he said; "but I am ready to bet anything -I'll see something more of Sport. My turn will come next time." - -"I'm sorry for you, Merriwell," said Havener, who had found time to -stop and listen to Frank's explanation. "You were hitting them hard. -What are you going to do now?" - -"Don't know," answered Frank, honestly. "Haven't made any plans." - -"I suppose you're busted, like the rest of us?" - -"Not quite." - -"No?" - -"I made a big haul the first night I played to the audience that had -assembled to hear Zolverein, and I have done fairly well since then. -I'm pretty near five hundred dollars ahead." - -"Five hundred dollars!" cried several voices. - -"Five hundred dollars!" cried Collie Cates, the comedian, striking a -tragic pose. "Ye gods and little apples! A marvelous fortune! Hail, -Monte Christo! The world is yours!" - -"Five hundred dollars!" said Havener. "Then I suppose you are going to -get out of this forsaken country and make for the East in a hurry?" - -"Haven't formed my plans yet, but I'm thinking of backing a traveling -company on the road." - -There was a great catching of breaths. - -Lawrence caught Dunton by the arm. - -"He's a mark!" whispered the leading man. "He's stage-struck, and we -can get that five hundred behind us without a struggle. Talk about -angels! Here's one!" - -Then Lawrence pushed his way forward and grasped Frank's hand. - -"I congratulate you, old man!" he said, in a most friendly manner. "Not -many chaps could have done that. You're a hummer! If you want to back a -company, here's one ready organized for you. I rather think we'll let -you back us." - -That was too much for Cassie Lee to stand. Her eyes glittered, and she -surveyed Lawrence scornfully. - -"You've changed your mind mighty quick!" she cried. "Little while ago -you was saying we didn't want Merriwell anyhow, and now you are eager -enough to get him in, when you find he's got a little money. But I -don't guess you'll fool him that way. He ain't going to be the angel -for this gang." - -"Oh, you know I was joking, Cassie," laughed Lawrence, lightly and -easily, not disturbed in the least. "I've always regarded Merriwell -with the most friendly feelings." - -"Your friendship is good just as long as the other feller's money holds -out. When that's gone, your friendship gits cold in a hurry." - -"You do me a great injustice, Cassie, but I have nothing more to say -about it. Of course Merriwell will do as he pleases with his money." - -Dunton and Sargent took pains to shake hands with Frank and appear -very cordial, now that they had learned that Frank had some money. - -The play went on, with Frank sitting in the wings as prompter. - -Merry soon found the actors were up to their old tricks of "faking" -lines and whole speeches, not having committed their parts properly. He -was a good prompter, and he knew just when an actor was entirely off -and in need of assistance. - -The audience, however, was not critical, and there were few spectators -present who could tell that an actor was "off," even when he was -floundering helplessly, so the play passed off all right, with good -bursts of applause at the strong situations and climaxes. - -Frank paid attention to the audience, as well as to the play, for he -wished to learn just what sort of a piece would strike the fancy of -people out there in the country towns of Missouri. - -Before the end of the play, Lawrence came to Merry, finding an -opportunity when no person was near to hear him, and said: - -"I hope you don't take stock in what Cassie said about me, old fellow? -You know I was your friend when we were together on the road. You -remember how I prevented you from giving away points to Delvin Riddle, -King's advance man, when the fellow was trying to pump you." - -"No," smiled Frank, "I do not remember that." - -"Don't?" cried Lawrence, astonished. "Why, that's strange! Riddle had -induced you to come down into the hotel card room at----" - -"I know the time you mean perfectly well," said Frank; "but I do not -remember that you kept me from giving anything away, for I had not the -least idea in the world of giving anything away. It is possible, Mr. -Lawrence, that I am not as new as you imagine, even though I did say I -wanted to back a theatrical company with the small amount of money I -have." - -Lawrence was confused for a single instant, and then he laughed -pleasantly. - -"My dear boy," he murmured, "you quite misunderstand me. You have a -right to do as you like with your money. Of course you might not have -given anything away to Riddle, but you didn't know him, and the fellow -is pretty clever, as you must acknowledge." - -"Clever as he was, he did not get the best of me when he attempted to -stick up King's play bills in the place of ours." - -"That's right, Merriwell. You showed you could hustle when you were -out ahead of the show. The notices you got into the papers were simply -great." - -Frank understood the flattery of Lawrence's words and manner. - -"I think we understand each other pretty well," he said, quietly. - -"Well, I don't suppose you will hold any hard feelings?" - -"Why should I?" - -"That's it, why should you?" - -Dunton saw them and came up. - -"Look here, Merriwell," he said, in a manner that was intended to be -very candid, "I want you to know that I am glad you're back. I believe -you and I had some trouble once, but you treated me white, and I was -ready to acknowledge I was in the wrong. You never blowed on me." - -"I had nothing to blow." - -"Some fellows might have thought they had, though, to be sure, you -could not have proved that I tried to do you up in that stage duel. Of -course I didn't mean to kill you." - -"Oh, of course not!" smiled Frank, and there was a bit of sarcasm in -both words and voice. - -"I thought I might just wound you a little, but you were too much for -me. Where did you learn to handle a sword?" - -"I took lessons at Fardale Military Academy when I was a mere boy, and -then I received some instructions abroad. When I entered Yale, I placed -myself under the best fencing instructor to be found in New Haven. I -kept in form up to the time of leaving college." - -"That explains it. Your wrist is all right, and you are like a cat on -your feet. You made a holy show of me that night, though the audience -thought it all in the piece. I hope you'll stay with us. We really need -a man like you." - -"I fancy you think you need my money far more than you need me, but -that's all right. I shall not play the angel and lie dead afterward, be -sure of that. If my money goes behind this show, I go at the head of -it." - -That was plain enough, and Frank had nothing more to say. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -MERRIWELL'S PROPOSAL. - - -After the show that night the actors gathered in the office of the -hotel and waited for Havener to appear. Havener had remained at the -theater to settle up with the local manager. - -After a while Havener came in, looking fairly well satisfied. - -"How will we come out of this town?" asked Sargent. - -"All right," was the answer. "We'll be able to get out ahead of the -game, and we'll have something when we strike the next place, but we -are sailing close to the wind. Bad weather will mean bad business, and -that will mean bu'sted for us. If we had a little money in reserve, I -believe we could keep going to the end of the season." - -"Here is Merriwell, who wants to back a company," laughed Lawrence. - -"If he's got some money, he'd better keep it in his pocket," declared -Havener, much to the astonishment of everyone. "It will be much safer -there." - -Everyone stared at the speaker. They could not understand a person who -would have any scruples about "catching a sucker" whenever the sucker -was ready to bite, no matter who the sucker might be. Havener was the -last person they had expected would object to letting Frank "blow his -boodle" backing the company, if he really desired to do so. - -"This is not a very good place to talk it over," said Frank, glancing -around. "There are too many ears to hear. Can't we go up to somebody's -room?" - -"Who do you want to talk it over with?" asked Havener. - -"The whole company, if this thing is being run on the commonwealth -plan. Bring in the girls, everyone, and I'll tell you just what I'll -do." - -The manager hesitated. He had a friendly feeling for Frank, as Merry -had done him more than one good turn. At one time Havener had been -jealous of Merriwell, having discovered that there was some secret -between the young man and Cassie, with whom Roscoe was in love; but he -had been convinced that there was nothing really wrong in the secret, -and he finally came to appreciate Frank's manliness and courage. He had -been assured by Cassie that he should know everything about the secret -in time, and that satisfied him fairly well, although he sometimes -puzzled over it and wondered what it could be. - -It had happened that Frank, as property man of the company, was sent to -bring something from the dressing room used by the soubrette, and he -had entered abruptly, discovering the little actress in the very act of -injecting morphine into her arm with a needle syringe. - -Of course Cassie was overwhelmed, for she had kept her habit of using -the dreaded drug a secret from everybody, deceiving even Havener, who -believed her usual languidness and depression came from the effect of -an injury she had sustained which had caused her to spend some weeks in -a hospital. - -Finding she was detected, the soubrette opened her heart to Frank and -told him just how she had contracted the pernicious habit. The drug had -been used on her to allay the pain while she was in the hospital, and -she had continued to use it after being discharged, till at last she -found she could not give it up. - -She made Merriwell promise to keep her secret, but she had told him she -should reveal it to Havener in time, if she found she could not break -herself of it. - -At first Cassie's regard for the stage manager had been kept secret, as -Havener had a wife living somewhere, presumably, although he had not -seen her or heard anything of her for four years. He had applied for a -divorce for utter desertion, and expected to get it in the fall. Then -he and Cassie were to be married. - -"But I'll never marry him," the sad-faced little girl had said, "unless -I can break myself of the habit. I won't tie myself up to any man the -way I am. Ross Havener has used me white, and I'll use him white." - -In vain she had struggled to break herself of the habit. She suffered -tortures day after day depriving herself of the drug when her entire -system craved it. She tried to act at night without its aid, but that -she found impossible. She could not go on the stage and simulate a -light-hearted, happy girl without the assistance of the dreadful -stimulant. When she tried it her feet were like lead, and there was no -vivacity in her manner. She found she must use it or lose her position. - -That preyed on her mind, and it was a relief to have some person with -whom she could talk about it. - -Then came the time when Cassie began to believe she could never get rid -of the habit without the aid of some power other than her own, and she -thought of praying; but it seemed utterly blasphemous for a girl like -her and an actress to pray. - -She meditated over it a long time, not even speaking to Frank about it -till she found he was going to leave the company to go out ahead of the -show. - -Then she talked to him about it, and he had encouraged her to pray. He -had even said he would pray for her! - -Cassie had tried it, and she began to believe there might be something -in it, for it seemed that praying did her good. She even bought herself -a little Bible, and took to reading it every night before going to bed. - -Of course the girl who roomed with her--for it was necessary for the -members of the company to "double up" at hotels--soon found her reading -the little Bible, caught her on her knees beside the bed, and began to -tease her about it. - -But Cassie stood the teasing in silence, not once showing any -resentment. Everyone observed a change in her. While she had ever been -kind-hearted and generous, she became even more so, putting herself -out in many ways to do favors for the other members of the company. -A hopeful light came to her face at times, driving away the sad and -wearied expression, and when her roommate told the others that she -was reading the Bible and praying every night, it became rumored that -Cassie was turning Christian or going daffy. There seemed a general -doubt as to which was taking place. - -She was the good angel of the company, and not one of them all was -there who was not indebted to her for some kindness. - -Frank looked at Havener in surprise when he saw the man was hesitating. -Havener returned the look. He glanced at the others, and then abruptly -said: - -"I'm bound to tell you just what it is liable to mean if you put your -money behind us." - -"All right," smiled Frank. "You can tell me that up in the room. Come -ahead." - -"Well, if you say so. Cates, tell everybody to come to my room right -away." - -Fifteen minutes later the entire company was packed into Havener's -room. Hans and Ephraim were also there. - -"Mr. Merriwell asked me to have you called here," Havener explained. -"He has some kind of a proposal to make." - -Cassie caught him by the arm and pulled him round. - -"You don't mean to say that you're going to let him throw his little -roll away, do ye?" she hastily whispered, looking at him in surprise -and reproval. - -"I've told him what it means," muttered the manager, a bit resentfully. -"If he's itching to blow his stuff, he'll blow it, and we might as well -get the benefit of it." - -"Well, he's goin' to know just what it means before he does anything of -the kind. He can't be roped in blind. I won't stand for it, Ross!" - -"You'll get the others down on you if you say too much." - -"What do I care? He's worth more than all the rest of them. I'd rather -have his respect than that of the whole gang." - -Havener looked at her, knitting his brows. - -"You're queer," he said, doubtingly. "I don't know what to make of you. -If you didn't talk right out to me, I might think you was hard hit by -the fellow." - -"You know it's not that, Ross," protested the little soubrette. "I'm -not in love with him, but I respect him, and I don't want to see him -fooled. He's white, and he don't know everything about the tricks of -people in the profession. He has a way of thinking everybody honest -till he finds out they are crooked." - -"Still he hasn't let anybody get ahead of him thus far, unless it was -this chap Harris that he told us about. That fellow did him up by -smashing his stuff." - -"Well, I'm going to tell him something." - -"Better keep still till you hear what he proposes. It's no use going -off half cocked." - -By this time Frank was ready to speak. - -"It won't take me long to make my proposal," he said, in his quiet way. -"You are running now on the commonwealth plan, without any backing, -and you all know what it will mean if you strike a few days of frost. -Companies in such a condition are always on the outlook for an angel. -That's where I come in. I've got some money, about five hundred -dollars, and I'm here to offer myself as the angel." - -Surely Frank was not talking like a person who did not fully understand -the danger into which he was plunging. - -Right here Cassie spoke up. - -"It's mighty good of you, Frank, to make such an offer, but I don't -think we've got any right to accept it." - -This brought a murmur from nearly everyone present, and, tossing back -her head, Cassie went on swiftly: - -"Every chance is against our making a go of this thing, and we have no -right to rob you of your rocks. We couldn't fill the dates booked for -the original company by Barnaby Haley, and we've got no regular route -staked out far enough ahead to know where we're going to land if we -manage to pull along. We've got to play small towns and make the most -of our stands fer one night. We'll play in halls and almost any kind -of an old place where we can git in, instead of reg'lar theaters. It's -goin' to be a mighty rough knocking around, and there can't be much -money in it if we manage to keep on our pins--not enough to warrant -anybody putting his pile behind the show. There, that's just how the -land lays, and I don't believe there's anybody here dirty enough to -want to rope you in without letting you know it. If there is, I'm -ashamed of being out in the same company with him!" - -Cassie had expressed herself in language that was plain enough so not a -word could be misunderstood. - -And her finish had checked anybody who was on the point of protesting. - -Leslie Lawrence looked mildly disgusted. - -"She'll queer it," he muttered to Douglas Dunton. - -"Sure thing," growled Dunton. - -"She's too good since she got religion." - -"Far too good." - -"Think of losing the only opportunity we'll have to catch an angel!" - -"It's tough." - -"It's a shame!" - -Cassie could not understand what they were saying, but she gave them -a look that told them she knew they were expressing an opinion of her -that was not at all complimentary. - -Frank Merriwell laughed a little. - -"I am not going into this thing to make a fortune," he said, quietly. -"I know there can't be much money in it. I'm looking for experience." - -"He can get lots of that," murmured Lawrence. - -"I should smile!" chuckled Dunton. - -"You'll pay dear for your experience, I'm afraid," said Cassie. - -"Perhaps not. I'm willing to take the chances." - -"Well," whispered Lawrence, rousing up and showing fresh interest, -"he's bound to bite anyway. Somebody ought to muzzle Cassie!" - -"What kind of chances are you willing to take?" asked Havener, who was -growing more interested, now that Frank was so persistent. - -"That depends on what sort of arrangements I can make with you." - -"He shies a bit," whispered Dunton. - -"Just trying to show that he's really shrewd," yawned Lawrence, -lighting a cigarette without asking leave of anybody. - -Lillian Bird, the leading lady of the company, a woman with a fine -figure and a washed-out complexion, held out her hand toward Lawrence. - -"Don't be so mean," she said. "You might blow off once in a while when -you are wealthy." - -He grinned and passed her the cigarettes. She took one and lighted -it. Sitting on the top of the little table, which was pushed back -against the wall, she puffed away at the cigarette in a manner that -plainly indicated she did not fancy she was doing anything to attract -particular attention or comment. She handled the cigarette in a -familiar manner, inhaling the smoke, and the yellow stains on the -fingers of her right hand completed the public confession of her habit. - -"What sort of an arrangement are you expecting to make?" asked Havener -of Merriwell. - -"Well," said Frank, "if I put my money behind the company, I shall -expect to manage it." - -Lawrence whistled softly. - -"You'll be taking considerable on your shoulders," said Havener. - -"That is all right. I shall make contracts with everybody and stand by -them as far as possible. The favors will not come entirely from me." - -"Eh? What's that?" grunted Dunton, showing surprise. "Has he invented -some kind of a game?" - -"What'll he make out of it, if he has?" asked Lawrence, derisively. -"There's no money in us. We'd better agree to anything he may propose." - -"Let him become manager?" - -"Sure. He won't last long--only till his boodle is used up. Then we'll -get rid of him." - -"Will Havener agree?" - -"Don't know. He's a fool if he doesn't." - -"In case we strike poor business," Merriwell went on, "I shall expect -the members to accept a percentage of their salaries for the time, with -the understanding that whatever is held back will be paid as soon as -business picks up enough to enable me to do so." - -Lawrence was straight and stiff in his chair. - -"We might as well go along on the same old plan," he exclaimed. -"Merriwell is looking for everything to favor him. What good will it do -us to run that way?" - -"Now you are dissatisfied because he isn't fool enough to go into this -thing blind!" cried Cassie Lee. "His idea is all right." - -"All right for him, but he can claim any time that he is not making -enough to pay our full salaries." - -"I will agree to show up the accounts at the end of each week to each -and every member of the company," said Frank. "You shall see if I am -using you square." - -"That's fair," said more than one. - -But Lawrence, who had expected to catch a sucker, was not at all -pleased. - -"What salaries do you propose to pay us, Mr. Merriwell?" he asked. "How -are you going to settle that?" - -"When you started out with Mr. Haley," said Frank, "you were playing to -cities and large towns. You have come down from that to barnstorming -in small places. The expenses of the show have been reduced, but the -revenue cannot be a fourth as much. I have thought the thing over some, -and have decided to offer you all exactly two-thirds as much a week as -Mr. Haley agreed to pay you originally. You will bring copies of your -contracts made with him to me, and we will make out new contracts. That -is, we'll do so if you accept my offer." - -Now there was an animated discussion of Frank's proposal, everyone -taking part. While it was going on, Merry was asking Havener some -questions. - -"What pieces have you in your repertory?" asked Frank. - -"Why, we have the parts of all the pieces Haley obtained." - -"How many can we play if we come to an agreement?" - -"About three of them, I think." - -"That will fix it so we can stay three nights in one place, if we find -any towns good enough for that." - -"Yes." - -"Who's out ahead?" - -"Collins." - -"Then you got him back?" - -"After Haley jumped us, yes. King was satisfied as he had broken Haley -up and driven us off his route, so Collins was able to go out ahead of -us again. He's all right, and he has worked up business in worse towns -than the ones we'll have to play." - -"How about your paper?" - -"We have the stuff Haley ordered, you know. We can get it shipped from -the house in Chicago as fast as we need it, if we put up the dust for -it. All we'll have to look out for is house programs, and we can get -them printed as we go along." - -"How are you making up your route?" - -"Collins is finding out about the towns as he goes along, and is -sending back information. We'll have to depend on him to a great -extent, you see." - -"Are you going to be satisfied to let me manage the company?" - -"Well, I'm willing to let you try it, if the others are. I shall be -mighty glad if you can do it, for that will take a load off of my -shoulders. Just now I am business manager, stage manager and several -other things. It's too much." - -Merriwell and Havener came to an agreement without much trouble, but it -was necessary to talk it over with some of the company for a long time -before they were ready to accept the arrangement. - -Lawrence fought against it. He tried to hold Dunton and Sargent with -him. Sargent was the first to give in, and he influenced Dunton to -follow his lead. - -Then Lawrence was disgusted, and he showed it. - -"All right," he cried. "Go ahead and do what you like, but count me -out." - -"You won't go with us?" - -"No. Merriwell can get a new leading man. Perhaps he'll fill the place -himself." - -This was said in sarcasm, but Frank was not at all ruffled. - -"We can get along without Mr. Lawrence, if forced to do so," he said, -quietly; "but I trust he will change his mind." - -"I'm afraid you've made a big mistake," Cassie whispered in Merry's -ear; "but I guess we'll all pull for you as hard as we can. I'm sure -Ross and I will." - -"Thank you, little girl," smiled Merry. "I didn't go into it without -counting the possible cost." - -Then he told them to come to his room, which he would engage right -away, one at a time, that night, and he would make contracts with them, -so everyone would be ready to start out under the new management in the -morning. - -They came, and it was nearly three o'clock before all the business was -settled and Frank rolled his weary body into bed. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -HISSED. - - -A week later the reorganized company, under Frank Merriwell's -management, was billed to play in a little town called Bransfield. - -Frank was a great believer in paper, and he had wired Collins to see -that it was stuck up "regardless," so, when the players arrived in -Bransfield, they found every billboard and every dead wall pasted over -with lurid advertising. The windows were full of posters, and one could -not look in any direction without seeing something to remind him that -there was to be a show in town at the public hall that night. - -Merriwell was satisfied, but Havener shook his head. - -"It's a waste of paper," declared the stage manager. "Half as much -would have done as well." - -"Don't think it," said Frank. "Not many shows come here, and it's -doubtful if the people ever saw any of this paper before, even though -it is stock stuff. If I am not much mistaken they were astonished by -the display, and they will be inclined to judge the merit of the show -by the amount of advertising done. If there is any money afloat, we -ought to pull a house here." - -"Well, you are paying, so I'm not going to kick," said Havener. - -Frank had not been at the hotel thirty minutes before a small, ragged -boy brought him a note. The boy started to hurry away, but Frank caught -him by the collar, saying: - -"Hold on. I may want to answer it." - -"Feller that sent it said there warn't goin' to be an answer," -explained the boy, seeming anxious to get away. - -"That's odd. Wait till I read it." - -"I'm in a big hurry, boss." - -"You can wait a minute." - -"No, can't." - -"Ephraim." - -The tall Vermonter came forward at Frank's call. - -"Just keep your hands on this youngster till I read this note," invited -Merry. - -"All right," grinned Gallup, getting hold of the boy. "Naow don't ye -try to play any of yer gol darn pranks onter me, yeou little sarpint, -or I'll shack ye right aout of yer duds." - -The boy submitted, seeing it was useless to attempt to get away, and -Frank opened the note. This is what he read: - - - "The end is not yet. I am not done with you. - - "HARRIS." - - -Merry whistled softly. - -"Well, this is very interesting!" he commented. "Now, my boy, who gave -this to you?" - -"Don't you wish you could find out?" returned the youngster, saucily. - -"See this?" - -Frank poised a silver half-dollar on the tips of his fingers. - -The boy's eyes sparkled, and he moistened his lips with the end of his -tongue. - -"Just tell me all about who gave you that note, and where he was when -he gave it to you, and that half-dollar is yours." - -"That's all right, boss," said the boy, with a sickly grin; "but -t'other feller give me a dollar not to say a word." - -"And you promised that you wouldn't say a word?" - -"Yep." - -"Let him go, Ephraim." - -Gallup was surprised. - -"Whut fer? Ain't ye goin' to make him tell who sent him with the note?" - -"No." - -"Why not?" - -"Because he has promised not to tell." - -"Whut of that?" - -"I should be inducing him to lie." - -"An' ye won't make him tell fer that reason?" - -"That is the reason." - -"Waal, darn my punkins!" - -Ephraim was bewildered more than ever. - -"That's whut I call too much conscience," he growled. "I jest guess -I'll make the chap talk. I ain't got no conscience to stop me like -that." - -"You will let him go," came quietly from Frank. - -"Arter I take him aout inter the barn an' have a little set-daown with -him." - -"Now." - -Ephraim hesitated. He did not want to offend Frank, but he did long to -squeeze the truth out of the boy. - -"Come, naow, Frank," he urged, "don't yeou be foolish abaout this. Ef I -make him talk, it won't be northing to yeou." - -"I shall allow it, and so, indirectly, I'll be responsible for making -the boy lie. Let him go, Ephraim." - -There was no mistaking Merriwell's resolve, and Ephraim said to the lad: - -"All right, yeou kin go; but I'd tanned yer hide fer ye but I'd make ye -talk, if I'd had the doin' of it. Skip." - -Being released, the lad did skip in a hurry, quickly disappearing from -view. - -"Harris is in town," said Merry, speaking to the Vermonter. - -"Whut? Not the feller that bruck up your stuff?" - -"He helped the man that did the breaking. He is my old Yale enemy." - -"Waal, let's go right aout and find him." - -"That may be easier to say than to do, but we'll look for him. Keep -your eyes open, Ephraim. He threatens to do me further injury." - -It proved useless to search for Harris in that place. Nothing of the -fellow could be found in the limited time given them to look for him. - -It was necessary for the entire company to assemble at the hall to -rehearse that afternoon. - -Frank was playing the leading part in the society play, which was -billed for that evening. He had been able to procure a dress suit in -one of the towns through which they passed, so he was able to dress -properly for the reception scene in the play. The other actors had -managed to retain possession of their clothes, and all were fairly well -supplied. - -Lawrence really had left the company, refusing to go on with them under -the new arrangement, so it was necessary for Merriwell to fill his -place in playing leads, and, thus far, he had done so most successfully. - -There was some hard work done at the rehearsal, as Havener was -determined the play should go off smoothly, and the players were not at -all well up in the business of the piece. - -Frank's best scene was with Lillian Bird, the leading lady, in the -third act of the play. It was a love scene, at the end of which, -through a revelation by the villain, the lovers learn that they are -brother and sister. Of course, at the end of the play, it is revealed -that they are not related in such a manner, and everything finished -happily. - -Havener was determined that the scene should be made effective, and he -worked over it till he got every pose, every situation, every minor -piece of business, to suit him. - -He was greatly pleased by the readiness with which Frank took hold of -the part and grasped the details of the business. Merry had a beautiful -voice, and he governed it naturally so that it was most effective in -his speeches. - -There is no music sweeter than that of the human voice, and Frank -Merriwell had been endowed by nature with a magnificent voice. - -"Lawrence ought to see him play that scene," said Cassie, as she -watched Frank in silent admiration. "Anybody could tell he is a -gentleman, for never once does he make a move or a gesture that does -not plainly speak of the gentleman. There's a heap of difference -between his manners and the acquired gentlemanly air of Lawrence." - -"That's right," agreed Collie Cates. "Merriwell's blue blood sticks out -all over him, and yet he never seems to feel himself so much better -than the rest of us." - -"That's the very thing that marks him most as a perfect gentleman. It's -only the cad that tries to show you all the time that he's a topnotcher -and you ain't in his class." - -Frank became so absorbed in his work that he completely forgot about -Harris. Nor did a thought of the fellow enter his head till just as he -was ready to make his first entrance on the stage that evening. Then he -remembered Harris, and wondered if the fellow was in the hall. - -The rough benches and chairs were well filled by a decidedly -rough-looking audience. The advertising had turned out a far better -house than Havener had expected to see, and the stage manager confessed -to Frank that there might be something in making a lavish display of -paper in the right towns. - -The stage was a poor affair, with just two sets of scenery, one of -which could be used for a center door fancy by supposing that the -audience would permit a broad stretch of imagination. - -The footlights were plain kerosene lamps, as were the other lights in -the hall. - -The curtain rolled on a big heavy roller, and Havener had warned all -the company not to get under it and permit it to come down on them at -the finish of an act. - -"There will be some sudden deaths if you do," he said. "It is heavy -enough to finish a man if it struck him on the head." - -When Frank came onto the stage there was a profound silence in the hall. - -That silence was broken by a sound to stir the blood. - -A hiss! - -Where it came from no one could tell, but all heard it distinctly. - -Frank was not rattled. He did not even glance toward the audience to -see if he could tell from what quarter the odious hiss came. It is -possible there was a slight tightening of his nerves, and it is certain -that a certain thought flashed through his head: - -"That was Harris!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -DISPOSING OF A RUFFIAN. - - -It is possible that Frank did not appear at his best at the outset, but -he quickly got into the work. - -He expected to hear that odious hiss again, but to his surprise, it was -not repeated. The curtain fell on the first act, and the applause of -the audience showed that the spectators were satisfied thus far. - -Between the acts, Cassie came to Frank. - -"Who was it hissed?" she asked, fiercely. "That was a measly trick, for -you hadn't opened your mouth. If Lawrence was here----" - -"I think it must have been one of the fellows who ruined my magician's -apparatus," answered Frank. "He is in this town." - -"How do you know?" - -Merry explained. - -"Well, he ought to be lynched!" declared the little actress. "Don't let -him rattle you, if he tries it again, Frank. He may be holding back to -break you in one of your good scenes." - -"I am on my guard now," assured Merriwell. - -"I want to tell you something, Frank," said Cassie, glancing around to -make sure no one was near enough to hear. - -"I am listening." - -"I'm playing to-night without using the needle." - -"No?" - -"Yes. First time I've ever been able to quit it entirely, though I have -been tapering down on it. How am I doing?" - -"First rate, Cassie. Never could tell any difference from your usual -work." - -"Well, it's hard, hard! I have to brace up fearfully to keep keyed to -the right pitch, and I'll be all broke up when the show is over. But I -am winning out." - -"Brave little girl!" - -"I ain't doing it all alone, Frank. Some one is helping me." - -"Who?" - -Without a word the little soubrette pointed upward. - -Frank bowed his head. - -"I am glad you feel that way, Cassie," he said, earnestly and softly. - -"I have found in the Bible that He is just as ready to help the lowly -as anybody," murmured the girl. "That's what makes me so sure He -is helping me. Of course I must do my best, but, if I haven't the -strength, He will give me strength." - -Frank looked at her, feeling his heart swelling in his bosom with a -new, strange sensation. Had he by his advice led this girl to a rock to -which she could cling and thus escape being swept down by the flood to -the whirlpool of destruction? - -"Don't give up, Cassie," he urged. "You can see that you are winning -the fight. Stick to it to the end." - -"I will, Frank." - -She pressed his hand, and at that moment Havener came upon them. The -man halted and turned about, his face flushing and his jaws hardening. - -He had found them whispering together. Cassie had been looking up into -Frank's face with an expression of admiration that was little short of -adoration, and their hands had been clasped. - -It might be all right, but there was something strange about -it--something Havener could not understand. Once more he felt the demon -of jealousy stirring uneasily in his heart. He tried to quiet the -beast, but it refused to be soothed thus easily. - -What was this secret between the two? Why had they refused to tell it -to him? - -He walked away. - -"I'll keep my eyes open," he said. "Perhaps I am being made a fool of, -after all!" - -A man does not like to think that. Nothing galls him so much as to -think that he is being fooled by some one who is chuckling over the -easy manner in which he is deceived. - -The time came for the curtain to rise on the second act. It rolled up, -and the play went on. - -In this act Cassie seemed sprightlier than usual. Never before had the -little soubrette seemed so buoyant and full of animal spirits. She -had some good lines and a catchy song and dance. She was encored, and -gave another song, ending with an eccentric dance that fairly set the -audience in an uproar. - -Havener was watching her, his brows lowering. - -"Never saw her feeling better," he thought. "Is it because of something -Merriwell said to her?" - -Then he thought how she had defended Frank, and how eager she had been -to get him back with the company. - -The savage animal was gnawing at his heart. He could feel the pain of -its sharp teeth. - -"I am being fooled!" he told himself. "Well, if I am, they had better -look out for themselves! If I catch them I'm liable to kill them both!" - -Frank, also, played his part with a finish that was surprising, as he -was nothing more than an amateur. The scowling stage manager confessed -to himself that Lawrence could not have done it a whit better, if he -could have done as well. - -The third act came on, and everyone seemed getting into their parts -splendidly. - -Then there came an interruption. - -Down in the middle of the hall sat a big, rough, bewhiskered man, who -had gone out after the first and second acts. His flushed face and -bloodshot eyes told that he had been drinking heavily, and now he began -commenting on the actors and the play. - -"A lot of doods in them swaller-tail coats," he said, loudly enough to -be heard in his immediate vicinity. "They strut around, but they'd be -scared to death at the pop of a gun." - -Some of the spectators told him to keep still, but that aroused him all -the more. - -"Let somebody try to keep me still!" he invited. "I'm Bill Dyer, an' -I've jest come in from Colerader. I don't reckon ther folks around here -have fergot me." - -No, they had not forgotten Bill Dyer. He was a bad man before he went -out West to work on a ranch, and no person had cared to get him angry. -Now, from his appearance, it seemed that his residence in the West had -not improved him or his disposition. - -So the play went on, interrupted now and then by the muttered words of -Dyer. - -At last came the act in which Frank made love to the leading lady. They -were alone on the stage, and Merriwell was doing his best to win her -consent to an immediate marriage. Just as he clasped her waist, Bill -Dyer rose to his feet with a whoop, yelling: - -"That's hot stuff, young feller; but you hadn't oughter do it in the -light. Alwus make love in the dark. I'll jest give ye a little help by -puttin' out the lights." - -From some place about his person he produced a pair of revolvers, and, -a second later, he began shooting at the footlights in a most reckless -manner. - -With every shot the ruffian smashed a lamp. - -Men shouted, women screamed and there were symptoms of a panic. - -Regardless of the danger from flying bullets, Frank Merriwell leaped to -the front of the stage. - -"Keep your seats, ladies and gentlemen!" he cried, clearly and -distinctly. "That ruffian shall be taken care of at once." - -"Whoop!" roared Bill Dyer, as he blazed away. "Who'll take care of me?" - -"I will!" - -Over the footlights Frank vaulted, striking in the aisle. Straight -toward the desperado he bounded. - -"Hold up!" shouted Dyer--"hold up, or by mighty, I'll perforate yer -hide!" - -But Frank did not hold up. He rushed upon the ruffian, clutched him, -whirled him about, rushed him down the aisle. - -Dyer tried to squirm round. - -"I'll shoot ye full of holes!" he howled. - -As Frank reached the rear of the hall, he found the man's clothes were -beginning to give way. Dyer might twist about in a moment. - -At one side was a window. Frank hustled the fellow toward it, lifted -him off his feet, gave him a swing into the air, cast him headlong at -it. - -Crash--jangle! - -Through the window the fellow plunged, uttering a howl of dismay and -fear, and disappeared from view. The broken glass came rattling down, -but Dyer was gone. - -Frank hurried back to the stage. - -"Ladies and gentlemen," he cried, his voice ringing out clear and calm, -"if you will resume your seats, I think the play will go on without -further interruption. The party who made the disturbance has just gone -out, and I do not think there is anyone else present who will try to -fill his place and follow his example." - -A moment of silence, and then a terrific burst of applause. Men shouted -their admiration, stamping and clapping their hands. Women, also, -showed in all possible ways their appreciation of this courageous act. - -In a few moments all were seated again. Other lamps were brought to -restore the broken ones, and the play continued. - -And it seemed that Frank Merriwell played his part even better than -before the interruption. - -It is needless to say that he received an ovation and a curtain call at -the end of the act. He came out with the leading lady, and they were -cheered wildly. - -But not a complimentary word did he receive from the lips of Roscoe -Havener when it was all over. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -HAVENER'S DISCOVERY. - - -That night, after the show, Frank had reached the office of the hotel -when a man appeared and said: - -"I want to see the feller that threw me out of the hall to-night. - -"Won't somebody jest p'int him out to me?" - -"Skip, Merriwell," advised Sargent. "He's come loaded for you, and -there will be a hot time if he sees you." - -But Frank did not skip. - -"I am the one who threw you out of the hall, sir," he said, stepping -forward. - -Bill Dyer looked him over from his head to his feet. - -"Waal," he said, slowly, "I'll be hanged ef I kin tell how ye done it -so easy! You done it, all the same, an' done it well! I thought you was -a dood, but I reckon there's some purty good stuff in ye. I'd like to -shake hands with ye." - -He extended his hand, which Frank accepted. The man attempted to give -Merry a squeeze that would make him cringe, but Frank squeezed back in -earnest, looking him straight in the eyes and smiling sweetly. - -"Yes, you're all right," nodded Dyer. "I shan't monkey with you any -more, an' the feller who paid me ten dollars to break up the show when -you was on the stage is out that much money. That's about the way I -figger it." - -Frank was interested now. - -"Did somebody hire you to break up the show?" he asked. - -"Sure thing." - -"What sort of a fellow--how did he look?" - -Dyer gave a rather incoherent description, but Frank immediately -decided it must have been Harris. - -"Do you know where that fellow can be found?" - -"I reckon." - -"I'll give you ten dollars to take me to him." - -"Done!" - -"All I want you to do is wait till I can swear out a warrant for his -arrest and find a man to serve it." - -Frank hustled. In a short time he had a warrant for Sport Harris, and -he obtained the services of a deputy sheriff to serve it. Then Dyer -took them straight to the house where Harris was stopping. The fellow -was there, and he was taken into custody by the officer, who gave him -no chance to escape and lodged him in the "cooler." - -Of course Harris was furious. - -"I was a fool to get a drunken lout to do my work!" he snarled. "I -should have pasted you with good ripe eggs. But I'll get at you yet!" - -"You'll rest in jail a while." - -"Oh, I don't know! You can't afford the time to prosecute me." - -"I don't have to afford it. Dyer is ready to swear you hired him to do -what he did, and there are a dozen citizens who will push you." - -It was not difficult to find citizens of the place who were willing to -take the case up, so Merriwell was not detained, for when Harris was -released he was promptly rearrested on another warrant. - -The new company went on its way, and it did seem that success was -smiling on the organization now that Frank Merriwell had become manager -of it. Although they were barnstorming and playing in out-of-the-way -places, they seemed to have struck a good streak of business. - -But there was a shadow hanging over the company. Havener was changed. -He had grown sullen and touchy, and he treated Cassie with a mingling -of cold contempt and burning love that was bewildering to the girl. He -scarcely ever spoke to Merriwell, unless absolutely forced to do so. - -Then the story got out that Havener had purchased a revolver. One night -he sat in the office of a wretched little hotel and talked queerly. He -said life had been an utter failure with him, and he was sick of it. He -said that the world was full of deception and all women were liars. He -had been fooled once by a woman, and he didn't mean to be fooled again. - -"Havener is ill," declared those who heard his queer talk. "He's in -need of a tonic." - -The next morning Frank Merriwell rose early and went out to take a -walk. He was surprised when he came downstairs to find Cassie Lee -dressed and prepared to go out also. - -"Why, what does this mean?" he asked. "I thought you always stayed in -bed as late as possible?" - -"Used to," she laughed. "Don't now. Had to have something for a -stimulant when I knocked off the other thing, so I've been going in for -fresh air, morning walks, exercise and all that. I find it's doing me -good, too." - -"Of course it is! Nine actresses out of ten get too little good -open-air exercise. If you're for a walk, come with me." - -"All right. That will be jolly." - -Away they went together. - -And they were not the only ones who had risen early that morning. -Roscoe Havener, unable to sleep, was up ahead of them and out of the -hotel. He tramped fiercely out of the town to a little valley through -which ran a brook. There was some timber about, and he sat down beside -a brook. After a time he took out his revolver and looked it over. It -was loaded. - -"I can get out of the whole business here and now," he muttered. "A -single shot planted in the right place will do it. If I hold on, I -shall kill Cassie and Merriwell sure as fate!" - -He heard voices and drew back a little, still remaining seated on the -ground. - -Two persons came down the road past him and stopped by the little -bridge. They were Cassie and Frank. His eyes blazed, and the revolver -trembled in his hands. He half lifted it, thinking: - -"I can get them both before I empty every chamber!" - -Cassie was speaking. - -"I owe it all to you, Frank," she was saying, and Havener heard her -plainly. "I am sure I am getting rid of the awful habit now. You know -I can play without using morphine at all, and it all comes because you -encouraged me to pray. I didn't think it would do any good for a girl -like me to pray, but it has." - -"If I have helped you, Cassie, I am thankful. I discovered your secret -by accident, and I have kept it faithfully, though I fear Havener -suspects all is not right because there is a secret between us." - -"I will tell him all at once. He is changed lately, but I love him just -the same. He will be all right when he knows the truth. You know I told -you I would never, never marry him till I got rid of the habit. It is -you, Frank, who have made it possible for me to become his wife." - -Havener rose to his feet as quietly as he could, drawing back and -hiding himself by the bushes. He stole away from the spot, quivering in -every limb. - -"And I thought of committing suicide!" he whispered, as he hastened -away. "I thought of committing murder! What a fool I have been! Thank -God the discovery of my folly came in time! Thank God! thank God!" - -Then he threw the loaded revolver as far from him as possible. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -TROUBLE BEHIND THE SCENES. - - -Havener's mind was now freed from all doubts and he threw himself into -his business with a new zeal that ought to have made the fortunes of -the company. - -But fate has strange ways of rewarding industry, and instead of adding -success to success Frank and his brother Thespians struck a number of -dismal failures, and a heavy cloud was resting over the organization. - -Matters came to a head at the Grand Theater, in the little town of -Groton. - -The Grand Theater was grand in name only. Its interior was more like a -barn and its lack of scenery and stage accommodations were something -disheartening. - -The company billed to appear that evening in the society play called -"Haunted Hearts" had dressed and made up to go on. - -With one exception. - -Arthur Sargent, who was to play the part of a country cousin on his -first visit to the city, was still in his street clothes, and had -refused to appear unless two weeks' salary due him was paid before the -curtain rose on the first act. - -Frank was trying to persuade him to change his mind. - -"You are breaking your agreement with me, Sargent," said Merry, -remonstratingly. - -"Hang the agreement!" exclaimed the actor, snapping his fingers. "What -do I care for that! I want my money!" - -"But you made the agreement." - -"I signed nothing but my contract with you." - -"The agreement was verbal." - -"And therefore doesn't amount to that!" snapping his fingers. - -"But doesn't your word--your promise amount to more than that?" - -Sargent flushed a bit, and then he grew angry. - -"That's an insult, Mr. Merriwell!" he almost hissed. "I do not like it." - -"It was not intended as an insult, Sargent; but you know you promised -to stick by the company and take a share of the profits, in case -business should become so poor that I could not pay salaries in full." - -"Well, I have received nothing during the past two weeks--absolutely -nothing. That's not a share." - -"There have been no profits." - -"Then I think that frees me from my agreement." - -"I can't see it in that light. Wait a moment! You know very well that I -can't pay you all that is due you, the same as the others know I can't -pay them. They are not raising any kick, for they all know everyone -will be used fair----" - -Again the rebellious actor snapped his fingers. - -"Oh, I don't know!" he said, in a manner that was positively insolent. -"I am not so sure that everyone will be used square." - -Frank looked at him straight and hard for a few seconds, and then -slowly asked: - -"Do you mean to infer, Sargent, that I will deal crookedly with those -who give me their loyal support?" - -"Well, some of them get favors." - -"No! You are mistaken, sir. In business I have no favorites." - -"How about Cassie?" - -"What about her?" - -"Well, I know you have paid her money within a week." - -"I have not paid her any money, Sargent." - -"But Cates saw you give it to her in Hartland." - -"Cassie has been ill." - -"What of that?" - -"She needed a little money to buy medicine." - -"Ha! So you acknowledge it?" - -"I loaned her a small sum of money." - -"Loaned it?" - -"Exactly. She understood very well that it was not paid as a portion of -her salary." - -Sargent laughed derisively. - -"What a bluff!" he cried. "That wouldn't go with anybody! Managers do -not loan money to actors when salaries are due." - -"There was nothing due under the agreement, as you know." - -"Oh, you'll twist it to suit yourself. But I've made up my mind, and -you pay to-night, or I quit in advance of the show." - -"Besides," pursued Merriwell, calmly, "you know as well as I that -Cassie was threatened with a serious illness, and it would have broken -us up had she been taken ill. All that averted the catastrophe was the -prompt manner in which she obtained medicine to help her. That kept the -show from going to pieces." - -"That's nothing to me. She's had money, and I want mine." - -"After the show----" - -"Now!" - -"Don't be unreasonable, man! We have a fair house here, and ought to -make something clear. After the show I'll pay you something, so that -you----" - -"You'll pay me before the curtain goes up, or I'll not step on the -stage to-night! That is business! I know all about promises to pay -after the show. I've been fooled before with that kind of a bluff. It -won't go." - -Frank flushed. - -"I wish you would not judge me by the dishonest parties with whom you -have had dealings in the past," he said, just a bit sharply. "I have -not been in this business long, and I may be a fool, but I keep my -word." - -"Perhaps so; but I take no chances." - -"What do you wish to do--break us up?" - -"I want money." - -"If we stick together, we may pull out by a lucky streak. You know we -are going to strike better towns next week. If the company goes up -here, what will you do? You'll be stranded away out in this region, -hundreds of miles from anywhere, and that'll not be a pleasant -situation." - -"If this company goes up, we'll reorganize and go ahead as we were -before you took hold of it. You are not capable of managing anyhow, and -so----" - -"You are talking through your hat, Sargent!" broke in a sharp voice, as -Roscoe Havener came up. "Merriwell has done as well as any living man -could have done under the circumstances." - -"What's the matter with you?" demanded the rebel, insolently. "You were -the one who said before he took hold of the company that we'd quit him -when his money was gone--throw him over." - -Havener grew red and glared at Sargent. - -"Never--never said that!" he gurgled. "Lawrence was the man who made -that talk, and Lawrence----" - -"You can't shift it onto Lawrence simply because he is not here. The -very fact that he refused to go with Merriwell at all proves what -you claim is not true. We've been up against hard luck long enough. -Merriwell is a Jonah. I don't know how it happens that the whole gang -seems ready now to let Merriwell do just as he likes and stick by him. -They've changed wonderfully since the time they all said we'd use him -while he had money and then drop him." - -"They have found that Merriwell is a man. He uses us square, and we -should do the same with him." - -"Oh, I know--I know all about your reasons for sticking by him. Can't -fool me! But I'm done!" - -"You don't seem to have any reason about it." - -"I'm not to be jollied along by a game of talk." - -Sargent turned as if to walk away, but Havener caught hold of him and -yanked him round. - -"Wait!" he grated. "I've got something to say to you! I'm stage manager -of this show. You know that." - -"Yes." - -"Well, you are under my orders now." - -Sargent was silent. - -"Go into that dressing room," commanded Havener, pointing, "and make up -for your part." - -"What if I refuse?" - -"Then I'm blamed if I don't give you the thrashing you deserve!" - -Havener was thoroughly aroused, as his scowling face and threatening -manner showed. He was a large man, and Sargent was afraid of him. - -"Go!" thundered the stage manager. - -And, without another word, Sargent entered the dressing room. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -SARGENT FINDS A PARTNER. - - -"Thank you, Mr. Havener," said Frank. "You took hold of the fellow at -exactly the right time." - -"He didn't get what he merited," growled the stage manager. - -"I was surprised that he should kick. He has been quiet enough all -along. Why, when I had that trouble with Dunton, Sargent refused to -stand by Dunton, although they were chums." - -"Simply because Sargent was afraid Dunton would do something to get -them both jailed. He knew Dunton had a terrible temper. To-day I would -trust Dunton further than Sargent." - -"Perhaps you are right." - -"Know it. Dunton isn't a sneak. If he hates anybody, he lets them know -it. Sargent is two-faced, treacherous. He has a way of making people -think he's decent, but he has shown his true character to-night." - -"Is it true, Havener, that the company agreed to go out with me and -stand by me till my money was gone, after which they intended to throw -me over?" - -Havener hesitated. - -"Tell me the truth," urged Frank. - -"Well, I believe some of them made that kind of talk," confessed the -stage manager. "We were in desperate need of a backer, you know, when -you turned up with a roll. But, possibly with the single exception of -Sargent, they are ready to stand by you now. They know you have done -everything possible, and it is not your fault that we are in this hole. -Money is scarce out here in this country, and so people can't afford to -go to shows. Crops have been poor, and people are feeling blue. We've -been unlucky in striking this section of the country." - -"Anyhow, I am getting some experience for my money," smiled Frank. "If -I ever take out another company, I shall know how to avoid some of the -pitfalls we have run into this time. What's the prospect of a house -to-night?" - -"Pretty good, though the advance sale was light. Look out." - -They went to the peep-hole in the curtain where they could look out and -see the house. - -In the meantime, Sargent had gone into the dressing room, where he -found Douglas Dunton putting on the finishing touches of his make-up. -Sargent sat down on a box and expressed himself in some very lurid -language. - -Dunton put in some lines to represent a heavy scowl on his forehead, -then turned and surveyed Sargent. - -"Why aren't you made up, Art?" he asked. - -"Because I don't want to be!" grated Sargent. "I've quit." - -"What?" - -"Won't play to-night." - -"Are you crazy?" - -"No." - -"You must be." - -"You're a fool, Dug! The whole company are fools! What's the use to -go on this way? Things are getting worse and worse. No money for two -weeks; no prospect of any to come. Wash up, Dug, and we'll jump out of -here." - -"And leave Merriwell in the lurch?" - -"Hang Merriwell!" - -"He's not to blame for our hard luck." - -"He's not fit to manage a company, and you know it. You have every -reason for hating Merriwell; why are you sticking by him? You even -tried to kill him once." - -"When I was daffy. I was so mad I didn't know what I was doing." - -"It would have been a good thing had you done it." - -"Well, that beats!" gasped Dunton. "Why, you are the fellow who gave me -all kinds of fits because I thought of such a thing! You threatened to -quit me cold." - -"Because of the danger, and not from any love of Merriwell." - -"The danger?" - -"Yes." - -"What do you mean by that?" - -"Well, you might have been arrested and hanged. I didn't want my neck -stretched as an accomplice." - -"Was that it?" said Dunton, slowly, looking hard at his companion, the -scowl on his forehead making him seem very fierce. "It was not out of -friendship for me that you urged me to desist! It was because you were -scared--your heart failed you." - -"Oh, put it that way, if you like!" - -"I thought better of you, Sargent. Never mind. I suppose it is natural -for any man to be selfish. Now I know you for just what you are." - -"Don't be insulting, Dunton. We've been friends a long time. This case -is different from yours. I am not doing anything that will get either -of us into trouble. I simply refuse to be dragged along this way any -further. Merriwell may fool the others, but he can't fool me." - -"Fool you--how?" - -"He's been letting a certain member of the company have money." - -"What member?" - -"Cassie Lee." - -"How do you know?" - -"Cates saw him do it!" - -"When?" - -"Before we left Hartland." - -"Cassie was sick." - -"Sick! Rot! She'd been using the needle again." - -"The needle?" - -"Sure thing." - -"What needle?" - -"The syringe." - -"What are you driving at?" - -"Don't you know?" - -"I'm blessed if I do!" - -"She is a morphine fiend." - -"What?" - -"Dead right. Injects it into her arm with a syringe. You know well -enough there's something the matter with her. Her pale face, the dark -rings round her eyes, her queer actions--all indicate something ails -her. She had to have the stuff, and Merriwell forked over to her, -that's all." - -Dunton leaned against the little shelf. - -"I'm blessed if I ever knew anything about this before, but I have -known there was something the matter with Cassie. I wonder if Havener -knows any----" - -Sargent jumped up and paced the floor. - -"Curse Havener!" he hissed. "Don't talk to me about him! If it hadn't -been for him----" - -"What?" - -"Well, I wouldn't be in here now. Just told Merriwell I was done -unless he forked some stuff. Havener came along and bullied me. But -Havener doesn't know what I know. He doesn't know how thick Merriwell -and Cassie are, though he must be blind not to see there is something -between them. I'd open his eyes--I'd tell him, if I dared." - -"I wouldn't do it, Sargent, if I were you." - -"Oh, I won't--I know better! Havener's got an awful temper. He might -kill me. Let him go on being a fool. He'll find it all out sometime. -When he does--well, I pity Merriwell." - -"You will do well to keep yourself out of the muss. Merriwell isn't -so soft. I believe he is dangerous, and I know he can fight. He's not -afraid of anything. Go ahead and make up, Sargent. You'll have to go on -to-night." - -Muttering fiercely, Sargent began to change his clothes and get ready -to play his part. He took off his coat and hung it up. - -After watching him some seconds, Dunton looked at his watch and said: - -"You'll have to hurry. Not much time." - -Then he went out, leaving Sargent alone in the dressing room. - -Outside the door Havener was standing. - -"Is Sargent making up?" asked the stage manager. - -Dunton assured him that he was, but Havener continued to stand before -the door. - -Left alone, Sargent paused and looked around. There was a door in the -dressing room that opened into the next room. Sargent walked over and -tried it. It opened beneath his hand. He looked into the adjoining room -and saw it was empty. - -Then Sargent walked back and hastily donned his street clothes. In a -hurry he threw his costumes and other property into his trunk, which he -closed and locked. - -"We'll see!" he muttered--"we'll see if they can force me to play -to-night!" - -He slipped into the adjoining dressing room and made his way out by -a side door. No one saw him leave the room, but on the stairs he -encountered Collie Cates, the comedian. - -Cates was minus his make-up. - -"Where are you going?" asked Sargent. - -"'Sh!" warned Cates. "I'm going to do the trick." - -"What trick?" - -"Attach the box office." - -Sargent caught his breath. - -"No?" he softly cried. "Is it worth while?" - -"Sure thing! They've got a pretty good house up there. I heard your -growl with Merriwell, and I made up my mind to jump." - -"See here, Cates, let me in on this. We may be able to raise enough -dust to get out of here and strike some place where there's a show for -us. Perhaps we can make a team and do turns at the variety houses. What -do you say? You can dance, and I can sing. Is it a go?" - -"It's a go," grinned Cates. "If we can get enough dust from the box to -get to St. Louis, we're all right. Come on." - -"Ha! ha!" laughed Sargent. "We'll see who gets the best of this, Mr. -Frank Merriwell!" - -Then they hastily descended the stairs and left the building. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -TROUBLE FOLLOWS. - - -Cassie Lee found Frank looking through the peep-hole at the gathering -audience. - -"There," she said, "now I guess you'll believe Ross is your friend." - -"Yes," Merry nodded; "he certainly did me a good turn in handling -Sargent. I never expected that fellow would be the first to raise a -kick." - -"Knew it would be just like him," said the soubrette, leaning wearily -against one of the wings and heaving a sigh. - -Frank heard that sigh and faced about quickly. - -"Cassie," he said, with anxiety, "you are not feeling well to-night. -Your medicine has not cured you?" - -She did not look him straight in the face, as she slowly answered: - -"No, Frank, my medicine did not cure me, but it helped me go on and -play. I was afraid I'd not be able to do that much." - -"What is the matter, Cassie?" - -"Oh, the same old trouble, Frank--just a lack of nerve and life. I'm -discouraged, too." - -"About what?" - -She hesitated, and then of a sudden she answered: - -"I may as well tell you. It's about pop." - -"Your father?" - -"That's right." - -"What's the matter about him?" - -"Haven't you noticed?" - -"Well, I--that is--I have seen that--that, he----" - -"That's he taken to drinking again--that's it." - -Now, although old Dan Lee had been drinking for several days, Merry -had fancied Cassie was not aware of the fact, and had done everything -possible to keep the knowledge from her. Frank had hoped the old actor -would stop without getting on one of the "howling sprees" for which he -had made a record. - -When he was not drinking, old Dan was one of the kindest and most -loving of parents. He literally adored his daughter, guarding her with -a jealousy that, at times, was rather troublesome to Cassie herself. - -For her sake old Dan had done his best to leave off drinking. He had -fought the demon with all his power, but it had fastened its iron grip -upon him in such a manner that he was not able to fling it off entirely. - -And now he was drinking again. He was trying to do it on the sly, -promising himself that he would soon straighten up and would not get on -one of the old-time sprees. - -"Yes, Cassie," admitted Frank, "I know he has been drinking, but I -don't think it will amount to anything this time." - -She shook her head mournfully. - -"You don't know him, Frank." - -"How did you discover he was drinking?" - -"How? Why, I can tell as soon as he takes the first glass. I can always -tell. There is that in his manner, his voice, his eyes, that tells me." - -"But he thinks you do not know." - -"Yes, yes, he thinks so." - -"You have kept it from him." - -"Poor pop! I let him think he is fooling me." - -"It is better. Perhaps he will straighten up without--without----" - -"I know what you mean, but I'm afraid not. I can see that he is getting -worse and worse, although he is doing his best to remain the master. -When the stuff becomes his master, then--oh, Frank!" - -She put her thin hands over her face and shuddered. He felt like taking -the poor little soubrette, whose life had been so devoid of sunshine, -in his arms and trying to soothe her. - -Cassie was restless beneath Frank's gaze. - -"Why do you look at me like that?" she asked, almost petulantly. "You -look so queer, Frank! You almost seem to be accusing me with your eyes." - -"Don't misunderstand me, Cassie," he quickly implored. "I would not -accuse you. Don't think that--don't!" - -"But----" - -"What should I accuse you of, Cassie?" - -"Oh, you might think--that I--you might think something," she answered, -evasively. - -Those words aroused a suspicion within him. He started, and the thought -that flashed through his brain gave him a shock. - -She noticed that start, and she turned away. He reached out quickly, -gently grasping her arm. - -"Wait a moment more, Cassie," he urged. "I want to talk with you a -little longer." - -She looked back at him with those sad eyes. - -"Don't, Frank!" she entreated. "I'm afraid I know what you are going to -say. I--I couldn't help it, Frank--indeed, I couldn't! It was for you -that I did it!" - -"For me!" - -He actually staggered. Now his suspicion was swiftly becoming an -assurance. - -"Yes," she whispered, "for you. It was my duty to go on--my duty to -play, no matter how I felt. I had to do it somehow. If I didn't feel -like it, then I had to make myself feel like it, and so----" - -"And so you--you----" - -"I had to do it, I tell you!" she exclaimed, with something like real -spirit. "I didn't think you--would--reproach me!" - -"Oh, Cassie, Cassie! I am not reproaching you, my dear girl! But I -thought you had gained strength through prayer--such strength that you -no longer needed the dreadful drug, for I am led to believe you are -using it again." - -"Yes, I'm using it," she confessed, almost sullenly. - -"Since when?" - -"Since you gave me the money in Hartland." - -Frank fell back. - -"Was that it?" he gasped. "Was that why you wanted the money? You -wanted it not to enable you to buy medicine, but----" - -"Morphine's medicine for me now. I tell you I had to have it. I -couldn't go on that night without it. I knew I'd ruin the play if I -did. Don't look at me like that! Why, you look as if I'd committed a -crime! I'm not hurting anyone but myself. What if I do hurt myself! I'm -no good anyway! I'm only the daughter of a drunken actor, and I might -as well be dead as alive! I wish I were dead--I do! I do!" - -Then she buried her face in her hands and fell to sobbing, her small -body quivering with emotion. - -Every sob cut Frank Merriwell through and through. - -"Don't, Cassie--please don't!" he entreated. "You hurt me! The others -will see you, little girl!" - -"I don't care!" - -"Oh, yes, you do! What'll they think? They will get an idea that----" - -"I tell you I don't care!" - -"----there is something wrong between us," continued Frank, on the -broken sentence. "They will think queer of me, and----" - -Cassie braced up wonderfully. - -"I didn't think of that," she said, trying to wipe her tears away -without wiping off her make-up. "I don't want them to get a wrong idea -of you, Frank." - -For herself she did not care; but for him it was different. - -"I am awfully sorry about it, Cassie," said Merriwell, soothingly; "but -perhaps it is not so bad. You must try again to get rid of the habit." - -"No use!" - -"Why do you say that?" - -"I can't do it a second time." - -"I believe you can. Remember what prayer did for you. What it did once, -it can do again." - -"I shall never pray again!" - -"What's that? Why, Cassie! you don't mean that----" - -"That I am the wickedest girl in the world!" came passionately from her -lips. - -"What nonsense! How did you come to get such an idea into your silly -little head?" - -"It's not nonsense, Frank. I have done something that makes me a bad, -bad girl--something that will prevent all my prayers from being heard -and answered. Oh, it is dreadful!" - -What in the world did the girl mean? What had she done? Frank was -appalled by her words and manner. All sorts of conjectures ran riot -through his head. - -"What is this dreadful thing you have done?" he finally asked. "Tell -me, Cassie. You know I am your friend, and you can trust me. Tell me. -If it is a secret, you may be sure I'll never breathe it to a living -being." - -"Oh, I know that, Frank. I would trust you with any secret. But it is -so terrible that I--I'm ashamed to tell you." - -She turned her head away, and the curly hair of her blond wig fell -across her cheek and hid her painted face. - -"Tell me!" he urged. - -"Frank," she said, "I prayed for pop--prayed that he might stop -drinking." - -"Yes, Cassie, that was a good prayer." - -"But he did not stop." - -"He hasn't yet. He may." - -"He will not till he has had his spree. When I found my prayer was not -answered I did a dreadful thing." - -A shiver ran over her. - -"Tell me," urged Frank's gentle voice. - -"Oh, how can I! You--you'll despise me!" - -"Never, Cassie." - -"I'll tell you, Frank! I wonder if I can ever, ever be forgiven! It -is horrible! I lost my temper--I lost my head--Frank--oh, Frank! I--I -swore at God!" - -Those words were spoken in a manner that told the tale of the horror -that possessed her when she fully realized what she had done. She wrung -her thin hands, and her distress was pitiful to witness. - -For a moment Frank Merriwell was dumb and speechless. She did not look -at him, but she panted: - -"Now you see--now you know--now you understand! You don't speak! I know -you despise me now! I can feel your eyes on me! I can feel that you -are shrinking from me! I am a thing accursed! Oh, do you wonder I was -forced to take the fiendish drug after doing that? All the strength God -has given me left me in a moment! I felt as if His curse was on me! I -have felt so ever since! I am lost--lost! Now you will turn from me!" - -Frank caught her hand again and held it fast with a warm pressure. - -"My poor little girl!" he whispered; "I understand your feelings now. -It is terrible, but you must not give up hope." - -"What have I to hope for now? It's no use, Frank--no use!" - -"Do you read your Bible?" - -"I did till--till then. I haven't since. I have not dared to look at -it. I have hidden it in the bottom of my trunk. If I were to open it, I -am sure I would read something that would curse me." - -"Instead of that, I truly believe you would read something that would -comfort you. Try it, Cassie--try it." - -"What's the use! God will never forgive me for cursing Him after all He -has done to help me!" - -"You cannot limit His power of forgiveness. You are making a mistake, -little girl." - -She caught her breath, looking up eagerly. - -"Then do you think it possible for Him to forgive me after--after that?" - -"I do." - -"Oh, Frank!" - -"I am sure of it. Cassie, you are not as wicked as you think. You must -try again and again. Have faith! Don't use that drug! Cast it away! It -will ruin you!" - -"Just to-night, Frank--I must use it to-night! See, we have a good -house! I must do my best to-night--for your sake! This is your company, -you know, and everything may depend on to-night." - -"No, Cassie, not to-night. I had rather make a failure of this, my -first venture on the road, than have you yield in the least to the -tempter. I had rather lose everything I have in the world, which is -precious little, than to let that habit get another atom of power over -you. Even though you make a failure of your part to-night, do not touch -the stuff. You deceived me when you said it was medicine you wished to -buy with the money. Now I have a right to order you to throw the stuff -away. I do order you to do that, Cassie, for your own good." - -His earnestness impressed her, swayed her. - -"If you--say--so----" - -"I do!" - -"All right, Frank! For you--for you!" - -At that moment there was a cry, and Roscoe Havener came rushing out of -the dressing room into which he had sent Sargent. He was enraged, and -he showed it. - -"Something has happened!" exclaimed Cassie, darting out through the -wings, followed closely by Frank. - -"What's the matter, Mr. Havener?" asked Merry. - -"That confounded scoundrel!" grated the stage manager. - -"Who?" - -"Sargent." - -"What of him?" - -"Gone!" - -"What?" - -"That's what!" - -"Why, I thought he was in there dressing." - -"So did I, but he slipped into the other dressing room and got out that -way. He has gone, and here it is time to---- Listen!" - -There was a stamping of feet and burst of catcalls from the audience in -the building. - -"They're growing impatient," said Frank. "What are we going to do?" - -The other members of the company gathered about in their various -costumes. - -"I'll shoot Sargent when I meet him!" grated Havener. "He deserves it!" - -"And I left him dressing when I came out," said Dunton. "Hadn't any -idea but he intended to play, although he was fearfully angry." - -"We'll have to send out a man for him," suggested Basil Holt, who -played "heavies." - -"It's ten to one we don't find him," declared Dunton. "He'll lay low." - -"We'll have to fill his place," said Frank, grimly. - -"Fill his place!" gasped several. "How?" - -"With another man, of course." - -"What man?" - -"There's only one man who can do it. The part is that of a hayseed -visiting the city. I believe Ephraim Gallup can do it if he tries." - -"It's possible," admitted Havener. - -"Gallup's on the door. I'll send for him. He has prompted on this piece -a number of times, and it is possible he can get through with Sargent's -part somehow. It must be done." - -The stage manager looked the company over quickly. - -"Where's Cates?" he suddenly demanded. - -Several had seen him making up, but no one knew where he was just then, -nor could he be found. However, it was thought he would turn up all -right in a few seconds, and a messenger was sent out for Ephraim Gallup. - -While they were waiting for Gallup to appear, they excitedly -discussed the situation. All seemed agreed that Sargent had acted in -a reprehensible manner in leaving thus just when they had found their -first good house in two weeks. - -But another shock was coming. - -In by the side door came rushing the tall Vermonter. - -"Gosh all thutter, Frank!" cried Ephraim, the moment he saw Merry, "the -Old Nick is up! The sheriff has attached the box-office receipts, by -gum!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -COMING TO TERMS. - - -There were cries of dismay. - -"Attached the box-office receipts?" said Frank, in some surprise. "Is -that right?" - -"Yeou bet it is!" - -"For whom did he attach them?" - -"Sargent and Cates." - -"Cates! Then he is in it, too?" - -"Cates!" gasped Havener. "Has that fellow thrown up, too? Then we are -done for!" - -"The jig is up!" declared more than one, and it seemed to be the -general opinion. - -"Where are these fellows?" asked Frank. - -"Aout in front," answered Ephraim. - -Frank started for the door. - -"I think I'll see them, too," muttered Havener, following him. - -At the front of the theater the two rebellious actors were found, -together with the sheriff of the town. They had gotten out an -attachment, which had been served by the officer. - -Havener felt like diving into them then and there, but Frank held him -in check. - -"Look here," said Merry; "how do you chaps expect to hold the gate -receipts?" - -"I rather think we can hold them," answered Sargent, insolently. "We've -got them, and we'll keep them." - -"Not if the show does not go on." - -"Why not?" - -"Because the money will be refunded to every person who has entered the -house." - -"You can't refund it now; you're too late," sneered Sargent. - -"That's where you make a mistake. You cannot attach this money till it -becomes mine." - -"Well?" - -"Well, it is not mine till we have given the play, just as advertised. -If you have any sense, you will know that." - -"That's right," growled Havener. "You have been rather too premature." - -Sargent and Cates exchanged looks. They had not thought of this, but -now they knew it was true. - -"Oh, well," grinned Cates, "we've got the money, so we'll go on and -play our parts. Eh, Sargent?" - -"Not with this attachment on the receipts," said Frank, grimly. "Do you -think the rest of the company would stand for that? Not much!" - -"Then we won't go on at all," declared Sargent. - -"In that case, you will get nothing, for the money will be refunded to -those to whom it belongs." - -Sargent flushed, for he now plainly saw they had been too hasty in -making the attachment. They had baffled themselves. - -"Anyhow, we'll bust up the old show," he snapped. - -"Much satisfaction that will give you. You will be stranded here with -the rest of us. If you go on and play to-night, we shall raise enough -money to get out of town. You are playing against yourselves." - -Cates began to see it, and he weakened. He whispered something to -Sargent, but the actor who had made all the trouble shook his head and -snarled an answer. - -"Don't be a fool!" said Cates. - -There was some more talk, and then Sargent said: - -"We'll withdraw this attachment, but you, Merriwell, must sign a -written pledge to pay us our salaries in full at the end of the third -act." - -"I shall do nothing of the sort," said Frank, with quiet determination. -"As I have to play a part, I shall make no settlement with the manager -of the theater till after the show is over. I will agree then to pay -you whatever I can." - -"That's no go. We're not bluffed that way." - -"But," put in Cates, quickly, "we'll take half what is due us, if -you'll agree to that." - -Sargent muttered something, but both watched Frank to see what he would -say to the comedian's proposal. - -"That will not be treating the others fair," said Merry. "You will be -receiving more than they, and that is not a square deal." - -"Well, it's the best we'll do," snapped Sargent. "If you won't agree -to that, we'll break up the whole business." - -"And I'll thrash both of you as soon as I can get you by yourselves," -promised Havener, holding himself in check with difficulty. "I'd like -to begin on the job now!" - -After considerable parley, Frank found that was the best he could do -with the fellows, and he said: - -"I can't make such an agreement without letting the rest of the company -know about it. I will tell them, and see what they say." - -Then he hastened back behind the scenes, where the other members of the -organization were waiting in great suspense to know how matters stood. - -Frank called them together and told them just what had happened and -what the rebellious actors demanded. He did not urge them to agree -to anything, but left the matter for them to decide, explaining just -what the result would be if they did not agree to the terms offered by -Sargent and Cates. - -All denounced the two fellows, but they expressed a willingness to let -them have half the money due them from the box-office receipts. Then -word was sent out to the rebels, while Frank went before the curtain -and informed the audience that there had been an unavoidable delay, but -the curtain would go up in a very short time. - -Then the pianist banged away on the old piano, which was sadly out of -tune, and Sargent and Cates came in behind the scenes and hurried into -a dressing room to make up. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -THE OLD ACTOR'S CURSE. - - -At last the curtain rolled up and the play began; but there was -anything but a good feeling among the actors, and not one of them -seemed in first-class form, with the possible exception of Merriwell. - -It was remarkable how Frank seemed to cast aside even the remembrance -of what had happened and throw himself into the part he was playing. - -Watching Merry, Havener observed: - -"That chap has the making of a first-class actor in him. He will come -out on top, if he sticks to the profession." - -When Frank was not on the stage, however, he found enough to worry him. - -Old Dan Lee was in no condition to play his part. The old man had -proceeded to turn half a pint of whisky down his throat immediately -on hearing the box office had been attached, and he was about as near -drunk as he could be and keep on his pins. - -Cassie came to Frank. - -"Can't you do something to stop pop from drinking any more?" she -fluttered. "He's got a quart of stuff in his dressing room, and he -takes a drink every time he comes off the stage. He'll never get -through to the last curtain if he keeps it up." - -"How do you know he has the stuff?" - -"Why, I watched him--followed him--saw him drinking." - -"Does he know you saw him?" - -"Yes." - -"Then----" - -"I went into the dressing room just as he was taking a drink." - -"What did he do?" - -"Tried to hide the stuff at first." - -"But didn't succeed?" - -"No, for he was aware I had caught him." - -"Then what?" - -"He was dreadfully angry." - -"He didn't touch you?" - -"No; but he swore at me, Frank--he swore at me!" - -"It is getting serious." - -"Yes, yes, for pop would not think of swearing at me when he is all -right. The old wicked glare was in his eyes--his red eyes! Frank, -I'm afraid! I know something is going to happen! I've got the -feeling--here!" - -She pressed her hand to her breast. - -Merriwell was more troubled than he showed. - -"Don't worry, Cassie," he said. "I'll get after him." - -"Find the whisky--take it away! It's the only thing you can do, Frank. -Oh, everything is going wrong!" - -"You are discouraged, little girl." - -"But I know--I know! I have heard the others talking. They all think -we'll break up here. It's too bad, Frank, after you put all your money -into the company!" - -"Don't worry about me, Cassie. I'll pull along all right. Can't throw -me down and keep me down. It's the rest of the people I am thinking -about. It will be tough for them." - -She looked at him earnestly with her sad eyes, made to seem unnaturally -large by the lining pencil. - -"Do you ever think of yourself?" she whispered. "You always seem to be -thinking about others, but never of yourself." - -"Of course I think of myself, Cassie." - -"Well, you don't seem to, Frank." - -Merry watched the old actor. The next time Dan sneaked away to the -dressing room, Frank followed. He entered suddenly, and found the old -fellow just in the act of taking a drink. - -With two swift strides Frank reached the spot where he could snatch the -bottle from Lee. - -"I am sorry about this, Mr. Lee," said the young manager, reproachfully. - -Old Dan clutched at the bottle, choking with disappointment and -surprise. - -"It--it's mine!" he spluttered. - -"Yes, I presume so, but it is bad stuff for you to have just now. You -have taken too much already." - -"Only just enough to brace me up," whimpered the old actor. "Only a -little snifter." - -"Only a number of little snifters. You are full now, Mr. Lee." - -Old Dan braced up with an attempt to show indignation and dignity. - -"Be careful, young man! Won't shtand it! No, shir! Got a right to take -a little snifter!" - -"I will take charge of this." - -"Give it back!" panted the old fellow, advancing on Merry, his -trembling hands outstretched. "Let me have it!" - -"After the show--perhaps." - -"Now, now! I must have it! I'm shick! It's med'cine!" - -"It's bad medicine." - -"Who told you I had it? I know--I know! She shaw me take a little -snifter. She blabbed!" - -"Everyone could see you had taken too much. We all knew you had some of -the wretched stuff somewhere." - -"Not wretched stuff! 'Sgood whisky! I know poor shtuff when I taste it. -Tha's all ri'." - -"If you don't make a big brace, you'll get down without taking another -drop," declared Merry, in great concern. - -"Who shays so?" cried the old man, again stiffening up. "I know how -much I can hol'. Gimme that bottle!" - -"No, sir: you shall not have it." - -An angry glare came into Dan's red eyes. - -"Will have it!" he fumed. "Gotter have my med'cine! No ri' to take it -'way from me! Cussid girl had to blab! I'll fix her!" - -"Don't you dare lay a hand on Cassie!" warned Frank, instantly. "If you -do----" - -"What 'f I do?" - -"You'll be sorry for it!" - -"Gimme back shtuff 'n' I won't touch her." - -"No! You must play this piece through without another drink. Have a -little sense. If you take any more whisky, you will get down, and that -will wreck the play. Do you want to do that? Haven't I always treated -you right, Mr. Lee?" - -The inebriate hesitated, and then he slowly said: - -"Yesh, always treated me fine--fine. Gen'leman, Mr. Merriwell--'swhat -you are! Never misushed me till now." - -"I am not misusing you now, Mr. Lee; I'm simply keeping you from -ruining the play to-night. You have cast reason to the winds, and you -are proceeding to get drunk as quickly as you can. If you have the -least consideration for me, you will hold up here and now." - -"All ri'; I'll hold up. Gimme shtuff." - -"I will keep that, just to make sure. You can't object, if you really -mean to stop drinking." - -"Might need just one little snifter more." - -"You do not need it, and you must not take it. Come, come, Mr. Lee; I -am your friend, and you know it. My head is clearer than yours just -now. Trust to me. Let me have this stuff." - -"On condishun you'll give it back after show." - -"We'll talk about that then. No time to talk now. I must go on again in -a minute. Brace up. You are not very steady on your feet. The audience -will tumble to the fact that you have been taking something, and I'll -be held responsible for giving such a show. They will blame me." - -That appealed to the man more than anything else Frank could have said. - -"No business to blame you," said the old man, puckering his lip. -"You're all ri'; everybody elsh all wrong. I shtick by you, Mr. -Merriwell. You gen'leman--'swhat you are! No business to be 'soshyating -with lot of bum hamfatters. They ain't 'n your class. Anybody can shee -that." - -"Then it's all right, Mr. Lee; I'll take care of this whisky." - -"Just gimme one more little drop now," pleaded the old man. "You broke -me ri' off in middle of drink. Didn't get 'nough to wet my throat. -Loshin' my voice. Need something to clear it up." - -He was talking huskily, but Frank knew better than to let him get his -hands on the bottle again. - -"You can show what you are good for by bracing without taking another -drink, Mr. Lee," said Frank. - -"Not good for anything." - -"You may feel that way now, but you are all right. I must go on right -away." - -Without saying anything more, Merry hurried out of the dressing room -and soon hid the bottle of stuff behind some scenery packed in a corner -at the back of the stage. - -He was not aware that his movements were watched by a pair of -treacherous eyes. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -THE POWER OF LOVE. - - -Old Dan did keep on his pins till the play was over. In some manner he -played his part fairly well, although he got tangled in his lines once -or twice. In one place it was necessary for him to say to the villain -of the piece: - -"Now, Hubert Bancroft, the prison door that once closed on me opens to -receive you." - -Instead of saying that, he twisted it after this fashion: - -"Now, Bubert Hancroft, the prison door that once opened to close on me -now closes to open to close on you." - -Then, thinking some one else was wrong, he turned to one of the other -people on the stage and demanded, _sotto voce_: - -"What in thunder are you saying, anyway?" - -Of course that broke up the actor spoken to for a moment, and he was -forced to turn his back on the audience to keep them from seeing that -he was laughing. - -It was all over at last, and Frank breathed a deep sigh of relief when -the final curtain fell. - -The audience had not expected too much, and they departed fairly -satisfied. - -Sargent was not on the stage at the close of the play, and it was found -that he had removed his make-up and departed before the piece was over. - -"It's a good thing for him!" declared Havener. "I've been getting -hotter and hotter, and I'm just longing to punch that fellow. I'll get -at him too!" - -Then he went away somewhere to look for Sargent. - -Two minutes later there came a sudden scream from one of the dressing -rooms, followed by the sound of a hoarse, excited voice. - -Everyone gasped and turned toward that room. - -The scream was repeated. - -"Don't, pop--please don't hit me again! Oh--oh, pop!" - -Then came old Dan's voice: - -"Blab, will ye--blow on me! You hussy--you ungrateful girl! Take that, -dern ye!" - -Then there was a blow and a fall. - -Frank Merriwell made a rush for the door of the dressing room. - -It was fastened on the inside. - -From within the room came groans and sobs. - -"Oh, pop--don't kick me, pop! You are killing me! Oh, Heaven! Oh, oh, -oh!" - -Frank backed off, leaped forward, planted his shoulder against the door. - -Crash!--it fell before him, and he burst into the room. - -On the floor lay Cassie, face downward, while over her stood her -father, the picture of insane rage, his foot lifted to kick her again. - -Forward shot Merriwell, catching the mad actor by the neck, snatching -him aside, pinning him against the partition. - -"You miserable old devil!" grated Frank, quivering with such emotion -as he had not felt before in many months. "You sodden old brute! You -deserve to be hanged!" - -Old Dan gasped for breath. - -The rest of the company, with the exception of Sargent and Havener, -came pouring into the little room, or crowded to the door to look in. - -"She's an ungrateful hussy!" snarled old Dan. "She deserved it! She -told you I was drinking! You took the stuff away, but I got it back. I -had a friend, and he told me where you put it." - -On a shelf the empty bottle was standing. - -"Who did it?" demanded Frank. "Who told you?" - -"A friend." - -"Give me his name--give me his name, or by the eternal skies, I'll -choke it out of you! Who was the miserable cur who told you where I -placed that stuff?" - -"Don't--don't!" whined old Dan. "You--you hurt!" - -"His name!" thundered Frank, his eyes blazing, his face showing such -fury that the intoxicated man trembled and cowered. - -"It--it was Sargent," faltered the old actor. - -"I thought so!" came from Merriwell. "It was what I might expect of -him! The wretch! See what he has done! See what you have done! Look at -that poor girl!" - -"She blabbed!" - -"Silence! You struck her, knocked her down, kicked her! You should -spend the rest of your days in prison for that! Oh, what devilish stuff -whisky is!" - -"That's right--that's right!" fluttered the father, eagerly catching -at Frank's words. "It was the whisky did it! Why, I wouldn't strike my -girl--my poor little girl! It was the cursed whisky did it!" - -Cassie had not stirred; she still lay face downward, curled in a -position of pain. She did not seem to breathe. - -"She's badly hurt!" said the leading lady, bending over the little -soubrette. "Somebody bring water. She's fainted!" - -Outside the door of the dressing room there was a shout. - -"What's this? Cassie hurt? Back--let me in! Get away!" - -Roscoe Havener tore a way through to the door and came panting into -the room. In a moment he was kneeling on the floor, and had gathered -the little soubrette in his arms. Her head hung back, the blonde wig -falling off and showing her black hair beneath. Her eyes, lined along -the lashes with a black pencil, were closed. The paint on her cheeks -hid the pallor of her face, but she looked ghastly even then. - -A great groan broke from Havener's heart. - -"She is dead," he cried. "Oh, my darling--my own little sweetheart!" - -Old Dan stared at them with red eyes. - -"Eh?" grunted the old man. "What's that. What'd he call her? He ain't -no right to----" - -The old actor struggled as if he'd jump on the stage manager, but Frank -held him in check. - -"Steady!" Merry commanded. - -"See--can't you see!" panted old Dan. "Havener--he's got her in his -arms! He's callin' her his darling! Can't you see?" - -"Yes." - -"He's married! He ain't no right to touch her! I'm the one to hold her!" - -"You should be placed where you could never see her again, you old -brute!" declared Frank, his feelings getting the best of him. "There is -no manhood left in your old body when you have been drinking." - -Before them all, Havener kissed Cassie's painted lips again and again, -sobbing like a child. - -"Oh, my dear little girl--my own little girl! Dead! dead! dead!" - -"She ain't dead!" cried old Dan, hoarsely. "She can't be dead! I know -better! I won't have it!" - -"Keep still!" ordered Frank. "See what you have done!" - -"I didn't mean to--I didn't mean to do it!" whimpered the miserable old -actor, beginning to tremble. "It was the whisky--you know it was the -whisky! Why, my little pet, I wouldn't hurt her for the world! I love -her so--love her so! She's the sunshine of my life--she's all I have -left to live for! Oh, you all know how much I love her!" - -"You have shown your love!" - -"I swear I didn't know what I was doing!" - -"That won't save you from the gallows if you have killed her!" - -"The gallows!" whispered old Dan, his eyes, bloodshot, wide and -staring. "The gallows!" - -"It will be what you deserve." - -"The gallows! Oh, God! not that--not that! She can't be dead! I won't -believe it! Let me take her in my arms! Let me talk to her! I'll bring -her back to life!" - -"Back, old man!" came fiercely from Havener, as old Dan tried to kneel -beside the girl. "You have done your work! Here it is! Now she is mine!" - -"By what right?" weakly asked the wretched father. - -"By the right of my love for her! Let everybody know--who cares! Once -she forgave you when you had nearly murdered her; she'll not do it -again, if she lives." - -"She'll not forgive me!" muttered old Dan. "My girl will not forgive -me, do you say? She'll hate me--she'll curse me! And she's all I have -in the world. Oh, God! then I'll be ready to die!" - -Cassie opened her eyes, looked up at him, faintly whispered: - -"Pop--poor old pop! He didn't mean to do it! Don't--don't be too hard -on him!" - -Frank could hold old Dan no longer. With a wild cry he tore himself -free, flung himself on his knees, snatched Cassie from Havener's arms, -and strained her to his bosom. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -A TREACHEROUS TRICK. - - -They looked on, not even Havener venturing to take her from him. - -"They said ye wouldn't forgive me!" came thickly from the old man. -"They said I'd killed you, my sunshine--my little bird! And even if I -hadn't killed you, they said you'd hate me!" - -"No, no, pop! It wasn't you--it was the whisky! I know, pop--I know!" - -"I won't touch it any more, girl--I swear I won't! I've broken my word -a hundred times, but I'll keep it this time! Oh, my little pet! What -did I do? I was crazy! A devil was in me!" - -"Yes, pop, a devil that causes no end of misery in this world. Oh, oh, -my side! How it hurts! Oh, pop--such dreadful pain!" - -The old man began to weep. - -"Get a doctor!" he entreated, looking up, tears streaming from his eyes -and making tracks down his painted cheeks. "Somebody go for a doctor!" - -"Give her to me!" ordered Havener. "I'll take her out and put her on -the couch." - -"Can't I? I will! Get away! Let me!" - -Then, to the amazement of all, old Dan rose to his feet, lifting Cassie -in his arms. - -She moaned with pain. - -"Room!" cried old Dan, hoarsely. - -He marched out by the door, carried her to the couch, placed her on it, -and knelt beside her. - -The others followed and gathered about. - -Cassie continued to moan with pain. - -"What can be done for her?" asked Havener, great beads of perspiration -standing out on his forehead. - -"Frank!" - -Cassie called. - -Merry quickly bent over her, and she whispered: - -"The morphine--I must have it! It will help me some. It is in my -make-up box in the dressing room. Bring it." - -Frank did not hesitate, but hastened to get what she required. -However, before allowing her to use it, he called everyone away, except -old Dan and Havener. - -Then it was that, for a second time that evening, Ephraim came rushing -behind the scenes, showing great excitement. - -"Say, Frank," he cried, "b'gosh, they've done it!" - -"Done what?" said Merriwell, puzzled. - -"They have." - -"Done what?" - -"Got the money, by thutteration!" - -"What money?" - -"All the money taken at the door." - -"What's that? What do you mean? Who's got it?" - -"Them two sneaks--same ones, Sargent and Cates." - -"Sargent and Cates? Why----" - -Then Frank remembered that he had seen nothing of Cates since the play -was over. This was not very strange, considering all that had occurred. - -"Why, you must be mistaken, Ephraim!" he said. "They made an agreement -with me that they would not----" - -"What's their agreements good fer, Frank? I tell yeou it was a trick, -an' they've got all the money. They had the sheriff ready ter make the -grab the minute the show was over." - -Frank followed Ephraim out to the box office, and there he found the -Vermonter had told the truth. He had been deceived by the two actors, -and they had attached the receipts. - -Sargent and Cates were there. Frank looked them over, intense scorn in -his manner. - -"So this is the way you fellows keep promises!" he exclaimed. - -"Oh, you're easy, Merriwell!" said Cates, attempting to carry it -off with a laugh. "If you stay in the business, you'll sprout your -pin-feathers after a while. With us it was a case of do you or get -left, and we do not fancy getting left." - -"And so you did me." - -"Well, we made a strike for our money, and we've got it. You'll have -something left after settling with us." - -"I shall not be able to settle with you in full to-night," said Frank, -grimly. - -"You can't help it," sneered Sargent. - -"As far as the money goes, I shall make a settlement," came from Frank; -"but that will not square the bill. I shall still owe you something, -and I trust the time will come when I'll be able to square the account." - -They could not misunderstand him. - -"Oh, is that what you are driving at?" grinned Cates. "Well, we won't -let that worry us. We'll take our chances of getting anything else you -may fancy you owe us after we receive our money." - -"I presume you'll not need our services any more?" said Sargent, also -resorting to sarcasm. - -"No!" exclaimed Frank. "I am done with you." - -"Thanks!" murmured both actors, together. - -"You can fill our places with the Dutchman and the Yankee," snickered -Cates. "They will make great actors." - -"You have shown your incompetence by carrying them around with the -company," declared Sargent. "What have they done? The Dutchman has -passed around a few bills and looked after the baggage, while the -Yankee has taken tickets at the door. They have been a needless -expense. You don't know how to run a show!" - -"Hardly!" agreed Cates. - -"I hardly think it is necessary for you to make any comments on my -management of the company." - -"Oh, it isn't necessary, but it may do you some good." - -"You are very anxious to do something to benefit me, I see!" - -"As long as it won't harm us." - -Frank reckoned up with the manager of the theater, and he found there -would be something like thirty dollars left over after paying Sargent -and Cates what was due them and making the proper dividend with the -manager of the house. - -"Oh, you'll be able to settle hotel bills," laughed Cates. - -Frank said nothing, and the two actors took their money and departed. - -Yes, there would be enough to settle hotel bills, but not enough to -carry the entire company to the next town. Looking the affair squarely -in the face, Merriwell realized that they were stranded at last! - -He did not know how badly Cassie was injured, but now he hastened back -to see if anyone had been sent for a doctor. He was astonished to find -the girl sitting up. - -"Why, Cassie!" he cried; "you are all right!" - -She smiled weakly, held out her hand, and drew him down. - -"It's the morphine," she whispered in his ear. "I can feel the pain -now, but the stuff helps me bear it. I'll have to keep full of the drug -till the pain goes away, and then the stuff will have a firmer hold -than ever on me. I reckon this is the thing that does me up. I can see -my finish!" - -Havener was near. - -"What is it I hear?" he asked. "They're saying Sargent and Cates -attached the box office after all." - -"It's right," confessed Frank. "They have received every dollar I owed -them." - -"It's my fault we didn't look out for them," declared the stage -manager. "I should have known what they would do. And Sargent--it was -that skunk who told old Dan where you hid his whisky!" - -"Yes." - -"Then he is responsible for what happened to Cassie! Let him keep out -of my way!" - -"Oh, Ross!" cried the girl. - -"Let him keep out of my way!" repeated Havener, his face working with -passion. "I'll kill the cursed whelp if we meet!" - -"Ross! Ross!" - -"It's what he deserves! He ought to be hanged!" - -"That's right," muttered Frank. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -SYMPTOMS OF MADNESS. - - -Cassie was taken to her room in the hotel. It was necessary to carry -her over on a stretcher, for she found she could not walk. Havener -carried one end of the stretcher, while Frank was at the other. Old Dan -walked at the side, holding the girl's hand, and mumbling his shame, -his regret, his love. - -Occasionally Havener ground his big teeth together and muttered -something under his breath. At the hotel he took her in his arms. As he -lifted her from the stretcher she cried out with pain. - -"My side, Ross--my side!" she gasped. - -"Oh, that miserable whelp!" grated the stage manager. - -She lay on her bed, looking white and weak when the paint had been -removed from her face by the aid of cocoa butter, soap and water. With -folded arms, Havener stood and gazed down at her, his bosom heaving. - -The other women of the company came and did all they could for her. The -men came to the door to ask some questions. - -"How did it happen?" they inquired. - -"A brute did it!" answered Havener, and old Dan shrank and cowered in a -corner. - -"A--a brute?" faltered the physician. "A--a man?" - -"Yes." - -"Why don't you have him arrested? Why don't you have him punished?" - -"Oh, he shall be punished!" declared the stage manager. "He shall get -what he merits!" - -Old Dan trembled. - -"Where is he?" - -"I don't know." - -The old actor looked up in surprise. - -"But you know him--you know his name?" - -"Yes; his name is Sargent." - -Cassie's father half started up, and then dropped back on his chair, -gasping. - -The doctor said it was impossible to tell how much Cassie was hurt, but -he left some medicine to be taken internally and some liniment to be -applied to the bruises. - -When he was gone, old Dan came and grasped Havener by the hand. - -"It was' kind of you--kind of you!" burst from the lips of the old -actor. "I thought--I thought----" - -"I know what you thought," said Havener. "You are Cassie's father. For -her sake I shielded you, but if you ever lift your hand to her again, -I'll----" - -"Ross, Ross," cried the girl, "stop! Don't threaten him! He is my -father!" - -"Oh, my little sunshine--my poor child!" sobbed old Dan, falling on -his knees at the bedside. "Can you forgive me? Can you forgive your -miserable old father?" - -"There, there, pop!" she said, reaching out her thin hand and putting -it on his gray hair. "Don't you know I forgive you? It wasn't you; it -was the whisky." - -"And he gave it to me--he told me where Merriwell had hid it!" said the -old actor, glad to shift the responsibility. - -"He did it to hurt Merriwell," said Havener, grimly; "but that makes -him none the less responsible." - -Lillian Bird came in and sat beside the bed, and, as soon as possible, -Havener made an excuse to go out. Five minutes later Frank found the -stage manager in his room. - -Havener was loading a revolver! - -"What are you doing?" asked Merry, in surprise. - -"Getting ready," was the grim answer, as the man slipped the cartridges -into the cylinder. - -"Getting ready?" repeated Frank, wonderingly. - -"Yes." - -"For what?" - -"Trouble." - -"What kind of trouble?" - -"I'm going gunning." - -Frank understood now. - -"Oh, come, Havener!" he cried, "you can't mean that----" - -"Just that!" said Havener, grimly. "I'm going gunning for a man!" - -"That is folly, man! You must know what it means!" - -"It means that Sargent gets what he deserves!" - -"It means that you wreck your own life--that you may be hanged for -murder!" - -"Oh, what's the odds! My life doesn't amount to anything! The girl is -done for. I know it. She'll never recover from this." - -"What makes you think that?" - -"I feel it--I know it! The morphine--she is using it again. It will -kill her in the end, if she doesn't die from the treatment she received -to-night." - -"She won't die from that." - -"You don't know. You didn't see the look on that doctor's face. I -understood his meaning when he said he could not tell just how bad she -was hurt. He knows, but he would not say." - -"He knows what?" - -"That she is injured internally--that she will not recover." - -Frank was shocked. - -"Havener, Havener!" he cried, "you can't be right about this! You must -be mistaken! You have imagined what is not true." - -The desperate man shook his head gloomily. - -"No," he declared, "it is not imagination. I feel it in my heart. I -shall not let that whelp get away! His life shall pay for her life! -For it was he who murdered her!" - -Frank looked into Havener's eyes, and what he saw there made him -shudder. It seemed that the man was insane for the time. - -"Wait," Merry urged--"wait and see. Cassie may be all right in the -morning." - -"I'll take no chance of letting him get away. It is useless to talk to -me, Merriwell. My mind is made up. I shall shoot him on sight!" - -"And be arrested within the hour. Do you know what that will mean for -Cassie?" - -"What will it mean?" - -"You, Havener, will be the one to kill her. The bullet you fire at -Sargent will go straight to her heart!" - -The wild light in the stage manager's eyes turned to a look of horror. -He sank down on a chair and sat there, staring at Frank--staring, -staring, staring. - -"Now you see it, Havener," Merriwell went on. "You must hold your -hand--you must not do this thing." - -"Perhaps you are right," came huskily from the half-crazed man. "I had -not thought of it that way. I must wait till she is dead. Till she is -dead!" he moaned. "Ah, Merriwell, you do not know how I have loved that -girl! And now she is going to die!" - -"We'll hope not--we'll pray that she does not, Havener." - -"We'll pray! No! I've never prayed in my life! I don't know how. But -you--Cassie told me you prayed. Merriwell, pray for her--pray for me! -There is hell in my heart to-night! I never felt this way before. When -I came in there and found my little girl so still and limp--gods! it -seemed that something snapped in my head! Since then there has been a -buzzing and ringing in my ears. Sometimes it seems that I can hear a -great river of blood rushing through my head. I don't know what ails -me!" - -"You are all wrought up over this affair, Havener; you need time to -cool down." - -"To cool down! Ha, ha! As if I could cool down if I thought of it! My -little sweetheart knocked down and beaten in a most brutal manner! -Why, the thought is enough to make a devil of anybody! I won't search -for Sargent, but let him keep out of my sight! Let him beware! I shall -shoot him on sight!" - -Havener was on his feet now, pacing wildly up and down the small room, -his eyes blazing, his face flushed. - -Looking at him, Frank wondered if the seeds of madness were not -sprouting in his system. - -Again Merry talked to him; again he did his best to soothe the man. - -"Go to Cassie," he urged. "Stay by her a while." - -"Not now--not now!" breathed Havener, hoarsely. "The sight of her will -stir me up again. I must not see her for a time." - -Then he flung himself at full length on the bed, and Frank slipped out, -leaving him there. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -WARNING THE TRAITOR. - - -Frank felt that it was his duty to warn Arthur Sargent of his danger, -for he could not doubt that Havener really meant to shoot the man on -sight. The stage manager never blustered or made needless talk about -anything. In fact, he was a man of few words. His likes and dislikes -were strong and pronounced. He was just the sort of a person to make up -his mind to shoot a man and then go straightway and do it. - -But what troubled Frank most was Havener's singular actions and his -wild words. Never before had the man appeared like that. Frank had seen -a light in the stage manager's eyes that appalled him. - -"Just the look I saw in the eyes of the maniac who was hunting Darius -Conrad down," thought Merriwell. - -Was it possible that there was something of insanity in Havener and the -occurrences of the night had served to arouse it? Merry remembered the -man had said something seemed to snap in his head when he saw Cassie on -the floor of the dressing room. - -"No telling what freak may seize him. I will find Sargent without -delay." - -Down in the office of the hotel Cates was writing a letter. Frank went -straight up to him. - -"Where is Sargent?" he asked. - -Cates looked up with a start. - -"Eh?" he exclaimed. "Oh, is it you, Mr. Merriwell? Sargent? Now, what -do you want of him?" - -"I want to see him about an important matter." - -Cates grinned. - -"I can guess," he said. "What's the use to fight? It won't give you any -satisfaction." - -"I haven't the least idea in the world of fighting," assured Frank. -"But Sargent is in great danger." - -"Of what?" - -"Losing his life." - -"Come off! You don't mean to kill him?" - -"No; but somebody else does." - -"Oh, what a bluff!" - -"It's no bluff." - -"Who is this somebody else?" - -"I'll tell Sargent that when I find him." - -"Well, you're not liable to find him." - -"Why not?" - -"Because he's left this hotel." - -"It's a good thing for him that he has. You won't tell me where he has -gone?" - -"No." - -"Then tell him to get out of Groton without delay, for less than five -minutes ago I left a man who had a loaded revolver for him. That is -straight goods. I have no love for Sargent, but I don't wish to see -him shot, nor do I wish to see the other man arrested for murder. I am -giving you straight stuff, as you must see." - -Cates began to be impressed. - -"All right," he said; "I rather think Sargent will be out of Groton -early in the morning. I am writing now for an engagement for both of -us. We don't hold any feelings against you, Mr. Merriwell." - -"That is more than I can say to you, sir. You broke your promise to me, -and----" - -"Oh, you'll get used to little things like that by the time you have -been in the business a while. Promises don't amount to much, anyway." - -"Not with such men as you, that is plain." - -"What's the use of holding a grudge, old man?" smiled the comedian, -familiarly. "It won't do any good. The company was bound to go up -anyhow, and we did no more than anybody else would have done. We simply -made a break for our money--and got it." - -"At the expense of the others. With that money we could have made the -jump to the next town." - -"And been stranded there." - -"You don't know that." - -"It was sure enough. There's no business out here. Crops have failed, -and money is wanting. If you ever go out with another company, keep out -of this region." - -"Thank you for your very kind advice! If I ever go out with another -company, I shall take care to have all promises made in writing." - -"A very good scheme," grinned Cates, and Frank turned away, feeling his -pulses throbbing with anger, and fearing he might have trouble with -the insolent fellow if he talked with him longer. - -Merry continued his search for Sargent. - -"If he thinks of getting away in the morning, it must be that he'll get -his trunks out of the theater to-night," thought Frank. - -He started for the theater, where he knew Ephraim and Hans were at work -packing things. - -The stage door was open, and he entered, ascending to the stage. - -Hans met him there, and hoarsely whispered: - -"Der dressin' rooms vas in him!" - -"What's that?" asked Merry, puzzled. - -"Der dressin' rooms vas in him," repeated the Dutch lad. - -"The dressing room? Do you mean some person is in one of the dressing -rooms?" - -"Yaw." - -"Who?" - -"Sargent." - -"What?" - -"Dot vas right." - -"The very man I am looking for? Which room?" - -Hans pointed out the room, and Frank walked straight to the door, which -he thrust open, entering without hesitation. - -Sargent was there, just in the act of starting to drag his trunk toward -the door. He stopped and straightened up quickly, showing signs of -alarm. - -Frank closed the door, placing his back against it, while Sargent -showed symptoms of great alarm. - -"I have been looking for you," spoke Merriwell. - -Sargent fell back a step. - -"What--what do you want?" he asked, rather huskily, and it was plain he -feared an immediate attack. - -"I want to warn you." - -"Warn me? About what? What is the matter?" - -"Your life is in danger." - -"How?" - -"You told old Dan where I hid his bottle of whisky." - -"Perhaps I did." - -"There is no perhaps about it; old Dan says you did. Well, the old man -got wretchedly drunk, and he nearly killed Cassie in the next room -after the show was over. He knocked her down and kicked her. It was the -whisky that made him do it. You gave him the whisky, and so you are -responsible for all that happened." - -"No such thing! The old fool was drunk anyhow, and what I did made no -difference. In fact, he would have been uglier if he hadn't recovered -the whisky. Don't try to make out that I am to blame because he beat -the girl!" - -"Whether you are to blame or not, there is one man who believes you -are." - -"What man?" - -"Ross Havener." - -"Him?" - -"Yes; and you know the kind of a man Havener is. To-night he loaded a -revolver for you, and but for me he would have started on a hunt for -you, intending to shoot you on sight. I persuaded him to hold up for a -while, but even now he says he will shoot you if he sees you. You must -get out of Groton before another morning." - -"I don't know." - -"I do know! If you stay, you take your life in your hands. Havener -believes Cassie is seriously injured, and he is like a crazy man. If -Cassie should die before morning, your life would not be worth a pinch -of snuff!" - -Sargent turned pale. - -"Havener's a fool!" he snapped. "I am going anyhow--I shall get away -early, but it's not because of Havener. I want you to understand I am -not afraid of Roscoe Havener----" - -Frank had stepped away from the door! Bang!--it flew open. - -Havener stood in the doorway! - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -SAVING HIS ENEMY. - - -Havener saw Sargent, and the wild light leaped into his eyes. - -"You!" he hoarsely cried. - -Sargent shrank and cowered, for he saw in the face of the stage manager -that which filled him with deadly horror. - -"So you are here!" burst from Havener. "And you killed Cassie, you dog!" - -"Killed her?" gasped the frightened actor. "Is she dead?" - -"She's dying!" - -"Good gracious!" - -"You--you did it when you showed old Dan where Frank hid that whisky! -You put the devil into the miserable old father who is wailing and -tearing his hair at the bedside of his dying girl! You are responsible -for it all!" - -"I--I didn't think!" stammered Sargent. "I--I didn't mean to--to do -anything wrong!" - -"You lie!" roared Havener, pointing one finger at the terrified -fellow--"you look like the dog you are! You did mean to do something -wrong!" - -"No, no!" - -"Silence! You were trying to injure Frank Merriwell; you can't deny -that. You knew old Dan was drunk, and you hoped to get him down, so he -would break up the play. You knew Frank had taken the whisky from him." - -"But--but I never dreamed----" - -"It makes no difference; you are responsible, and nothing can save -you!" - -"Save me? Why--why, what do you mean? It can't be----" - -"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Havener, and that laugh turned the cowering -actor's blood to ice water. "I kept my word to Frank Merriwell. I did -not search for you. I found you here by accident. I said I would shoot -you on sight if I found you like this!" - -"But you were joking! You----" - -"Joking!" roared Havener, furiously. "Joking about that? No! I was in -deadly earnest! Arthur Sargent, get ready for eternity!" - -His hand went back to his hip pocket, and out flashed a revolver. - -With a scream of terror, the imperiled actor dropped on his knees, -clasping his hands and crying: - -"Don't do it, Havener--please don't shoot! I didn't mean to! I can't -die! I'm not fit to die! Oh, please, please, please!" - -"My ears are deaf," declared the man with the revolver. "Say your -prayers!" - -"Mercy!" - -"Say your prayers!" - -There was no sign of relenting in Havener's face. - -"Oh, Mr. Merriwell!" cried Sargent, appealingly, "speak to him--do -something to save me! Don't let him murder me in this cold-blooded way!" - -"It is useless for you to appeal to him," declared Havener. "He can't -save you now!" - -But Frank had no idea of standing still and seeing murder done in that -little room. - -"Hold, Havener!" he cried. "Drop that revolver!" - -"Keep back! Don't try to interfere with me!" - -Havener took aim at Sargent, who covered his face with his hands, and, -uttering a scream, fell forward on his face upon the floor. - -With a bound, Frank Merriwell was before the madman, having placed his -body in front of Havener's revolver at the very moment when the stage -manager was liable to fire! - -Thus Frank imperiled his life to save that of his enemy. - -"Stop!" he cried, advancing on the stage manager. - -"Get out!" snarled Havener, and the hammer of the self-acting revolver -quivered under the pressure of his finger on the trigger. "Stand aside!" - -"No!" - -"Stand aside!" - -"You shall not shoot!" - -"Stand aside, or by the living gods! I'll shoot through you to reach -him!" - -"You will do nothing of the kind!" - -Straight up to the muzzle of the revolver Frank walked. Then he grasped -the man's hand, thrust it aside, and tried to take the weapon from him. - -For a moment Ross Havener seemed dazed by Merriwell's nerve, and then, -uttering a furious cry, he struggled to retain the revolver and get a -shot at Sargent. - -Crack!--the weapon was discharged, but the bullet tore harmlessly -through the partition and buried itself in the wall of another room. - -"Let go!" ordered Havener, almost foaming at the mouth in his mad rage. - -"Give up that pistol!" - -"Not till I have killed him!" - -"That you shall not do!" - -"I swear I will!" - -It was a furious struggle, for Havener was big and strong, and he did -his best to retain the weapon and break away from Frank. But Merry, -once the champion all-round athlete at Yale, finally pinned the man to -the wall, large and strong though he was, and held him there. Never for -a moment had Frank relaxed his hold on the revolver, and now he broke -Havener's grip, taking the weapon from him, despite all his efforts. - -The stage manager was astounded, for never had he dreamed that Frank -Merriwell possessed such strength. - -Having secured the weapon, Frank suddenly leaped backward, setting -Havener free. - -For a moment the man remained motionless, and then he cried: - -"All right, you have the revolver, but you can't keep me from killing -the cur! I'll strangle him! I'll---- Why, where is he?" - -Sargent was gone! - -"Gone!" cried the disarmed man, amazed. - -"Yes," said Frank, with satisfaction. - -"When? How?" - -"While we were struggling for the revolver." - -"The coward! He ran away! But I'll find him yet!" - -Havener dashed from the room, looking around for Sargent. As he could -see nothing of the man, he went leaping toward the stairs that led to -the stage door. - -"I'll find him!" he shouted, as he bounded down the stairs. "I'll -avenge her yet!" - -Slam--he was gone. - -With the revolver in his hand, Frank turned back, unheeding a weak cry: - -"Vat's all der madder apoudt, Vrankie? I peliefed me a slycone hat -sdruck der blace, und I got me cofer under to peen oudt der vay uf id." - -The head of the Dutch lad popped up from behind a sofa, where he had -been hiding. - -Frank knew Ephraim Gallup was not there, for the Vermonter would have -forced his way into the dressing room to learn what was taking place -there. - -Merry did not believe Sargent had left the building. He entered the -dressing room, and then passed through by connecting door into the -adjoining room, taking a light with him. - -There he found Sargent, shivering with fear, trying to hide behind some -trunks. - -"Now is your time to get out of here," said Frank. "Havener believes -you have left the building, and he has gone to look for you." - -Sargent was so frightened that it was with difficulty he could stand on -his feet. - -"The man is mad!" he whispered. "I could see it in his eyes." - -"Yes. He is crazed by what has happened. You must not be seen by him. -You have the money to get away, and you must lose no time in doing so." - -"I won't lose a minute." - -"Your trunk----" - -"Hang the trunk! If I get off with a whole skin I'll let that go." - -"Tell me where to send it, and----" - -"I'll wire you. Will you send it?" - -"Yes." - -"All right." - -Then, without one word of thanks for what Frank had done, the -ungrateful actor hurried out of the building. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -THE WORK IS DONE. - - -Havener did not find Sargent, much to Frank's relief. It was near -morning when the stage manager came into the hotel again, looking weary -and worn. The wild light was gone from his eyes, and, when he saw -Frank, he crept up to him almost timidly, falteringly asking: - -"Cassie?" - -"Sleeping." - -That one word seemed to give Havener untold relief. He covered his eyes -with his hands for a moment, and then, again peering doubtfully at -Merry, he questioned: - -"Is there--is there any hope?" - -"We all hope for the best." - -"May I see her--just for a moment? If she is asleep she will not know. -May I see her?" - -"I think so. Miss Bird is with her." - -"Where is her father?" - -"No one knows." - -"How is that?" - -"He left the hotel shortly after you went out, and has not been seen -since." - -Together Frank and Havener went up to Cassie's room. Softly Merry -tapped on the door, which was soon opened by the leading lady of the -company. - -"Cassie?" whispered Havener. "I want to look at her--just a moment. I -won't disturb her." - -Lillian Bird stepped aside to let him come in. Softly he advanced to -the bedside, and there he stood looking down at the pale face of the -little soubrette. It was then that a faint smile stole over the sad -face of the sleeping girl, and she murmured: - -"Ross!" - -He started, and then he stretched his arms toward her. - -She stirred, awoke, saw him, and gladly cried out his name. - -An instant later his arms were about her. - -"Come away," whispered Frank, drawing Lillian Bird from the room and -gently closing the door. "Leave them together a little while." - - * * * * * * * * - -In the morning Cassie was somewhat better, and old Dan was missing. -They searched for the old actor, but did not find him. It was necessary -to tell Cassie little falsehoods to keep her from worrying about her -father. - -The company was stranded at last. Sargent and Cates were gone, and -Cassie was ill in bed. They were out of money and could not go on. - -Some of the good people of the town heard of their plight, and several -ladies visited the sick girl. There was that about her which won their -sympathy, and they talked of starting a subscription paper. Frank -objected to that. - -"It is not charity we need so much as a fair chance to earn some -money," he said. "If you will lend us your aid and support, I rather -fancy we might get up a benefit performance that would net us -something." - -The idea seemed all right. It was talked over and plans for such a -performance were hurriedly made. Frank got the members of the company -together and found out just what they could do, so that a program could -be made out. - -A quartet was formed, consisting of Merriwell, Dunton, Havener and -Holt. Lillian Bird was advertised to "render" some of the popular -songs of the day. Hans Dunnerwurst was put down as the great whistling -soloist, while Ephraim Gallup was advertised as a trombone soloist. -He borrowed an instrument in town. There were fourteen numbers on the -program. - -Then, to make it all the more effective, a local singer of considerable -renown and great popularity volunteered to appear. - -All this was advertised as a benefit, under the auspices of the Groton -Ladies' Benevolent Society, and the members of the society did all they -could to arouse the citizens and make them promise to come out to the -"show." - -That night the Grand Theater, the use of which was donated free of -charge by the manager, was packed, every seat being taken and not a few -spectators being forced to stand. - -Behind the scenes were gathered a delighted lot of actors and -actresses, for their fortune far exceeded their greatest hopes. - -"It's all on account of Cassie," said Frank. "Those ladies came and saw -her. They are doing this for the poor child. There are some good hearts -in this town." - -"And money is said to be scarce out here!" exclaimed Basil Holt. - -"It is scarce," declared Merry. "Without doubt half those people out -there could not afford the price of seats, but the ladies knew how to -touch their hearts and their sympathies, and they are here. We get the -benefit." - -"But where is old Dan?" questioned Dunton. - -No one knew. The old actor had not been seen since he left the hotel -the night before. - -"If Sargent and Cates were here to see this!" exclaimed Lillian Bird. -"It would make them sore. And all this comes in to us--every dollar of -it! There is no dividend." - -"Not with the manager of the house," smiled Frank. "There will be a -dividend between us. All shall share alike." - -The curtain rolled up and the entertainment began. The first number -on the program proved a success, and the audience applauded heartily, -making it evident they had come there to be pleased and were determined -to be pleased. - -As the entertainment progressed the spectators waxed more enthusiastic. -They greeted the quartet with a perfect thunder of applause, they -gave Dunnerwurst an ovation when he had rendered his imitation of the -mocking bird, and they clapped Ephraim Gallup till the Vermonter was -crimson in the face and nearly bursting with pride. - -"Gosh all hemlock!" spluttered the Yankee, as he came behind the scenes -after being called out the fourth time. "Never struck northing like -this! Them folks is jest like hum folks! I'd like to settle right daown -in this taown if the land wasn't so gol dern flat." - -Then Merriwell went out and sang one of the sweetest of the old college -songs. His beautiful voice thrilled every listener, and it seemed that -the audience scarcely drew a breath. Frank was absorbed by the dear -old song, and his handsome face showed intense feeling. His eyes were -misty with unshed tears as the memories of the old days--the dear old -days--came overwhelmingly upon him. - -It was finished, but it seemed that every person in that theater rose -and cheered as he bowed himself off. They called him on, and he sang -again. Again they called him out. He bowed and retired, but they were -not satisfied, and they thundered and stormed till he came out and sang -"Stars of the Summer Night." When that was over it seemed that the -enthusiasm was even greater that at any time before, and nine times was -Frank Merriwell called out before the audience would be satisfied. - -It was all over at last, and everyone was declaring it the greatest -success ever known in Groton. - -The receipts of the evening were heavy, and the hearts of the stranded -actors were happy. - -But where was old Dan? - - * * * * * * * * - -The following morning they found him in the river, one mile from town. -His arms were clasped in a death lock about the body of another dead -man. - -"Sargent!" cried Havener, in a thrilling voice, as he looked down at -that horror-stricken face. "He has paid the penalty! I could not have -done the work, for Cassie will get well, but old Dan has avenged her!" - -Havener was right; Cassie did get well, but not as speedily as he -wished. - -With the proceeds of the benefit Frank and his friends started for St. -Louis and thither we will follow them in the next volume of the series, -entitled "Frank Merriwell's Fame." - -Cassie was taken to the City Hospital in St. Louis for treatment. Here -she was given the very best attention, and with Frank and Havener to -cheer her there was every reason to expect that she would be on the way -to recovery. - -"If she gets well," said Havener, "it will be due to your kindness, -Merriwell. Since you took hold here you have shown us all an example of -forbearance and unselfishness that will do us more good than a hundred -sermons." - -And if the sad-faced little soubrette had heard his remarks her eyes -would probably have filled with tears of gratitude and she would have -said: - -"Frank is the best fellow in the world." - -A sentiment which all our readers will surely indorse. - - -THE END. - - - - -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 - - - - -TALES OF VICTORIES - - -Gained in the Pre-Revolutionary wars by lads of pluck and intelligence. -Every true boy will be fascinated with these stories of the exciting -adventures of boys who gladly gave their lives to freedom's cause. - - -_BOYS OF LIBERTY LIBRARY_ - - 3.--The Young Ambassador. By John De Morgan - 7.--The Young Guardsman. By John De Morgan -11.--Fighting Hal. By John De Morgan -15.--By Order of the Colonel. By Lieut. Lounsberry -19.--A Call to Duty. By Lieut. Lounsberry -23.--The Young Patriot. By Lieut. Lounsberry -26.--The Trader's Captive. By Lieut. Lounsberry - -Only Ten Cents Per Copy At All Newsdealers - -_If ordered by mail, add four cents to cover postage._ - -STREET & SMITH, Publishers -NEW YORK - - - - -Ho! For Annapolis - - -The enchanted city of every boy's dreams. All cannot enter its gates, -but all may read of the adventures of a crowd of jolly fellows who were -fortunate enough to do so. Clif Farraday's daredevil plots and pranks -are of intense interest. Published only in the _BOUND TO WIN SERIES_. - -ONLY 10c. PER COPY - - -By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N. - - 3. Bound for Annapolis - 8. Clif, the Naval Cadet -13. A Strange Cruise -18. The Cruise of the Training Ship -23. From Port to Port - -If these books are ordered by mail, four cents per copy must be added -to cover postage. - -STREET & SMITH, Publishers, New York. - - - - -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 - - - - -_HORATIO ALGER, JR._ - -The greatest and most famous writer of rattling good tales of adventure -for boys, was Horatio Alger, Jr. He is the Dickens of juvenile -literature. His best works are published in the Medal Library at ten -cents per copy. For sale by all newsdealers. - - -ALGER, HORATIO, JR. - - 42. Young Acrobat, The - 50. Dean Dunham. - 52. From Farm Boy to Senator. - 61. Erie Train Boy, The. - 87. Five Hundred Dollar Check, The. -118. Ned Newton; or, The Adventures of a New York Bootblack. -122. Tom Brace. -130. From Canal Boy to President. -138. Striving for Fortune. -154. Paul, the Peddler. -159. Phil, the Fiddler. -163. Slow and Sure. -166. Try and Trust. -170. Strong and Steady. -175. Strive and Succeed. -181. Brave and Bold. -187. Bound to Rise. -192. Tom, the Bootblack. -198. Only an Irish Boy. -202. Risen From the Ranks. -212. Julius, the Street Boy. -221. Young Outlaw, The. -228. Cash Boy, The. -234. Store Boy, The. -243. Adrift in New York. -252. Luke Walton. -260. Driven From Home. -264. Hector's Inheritance. -268. Do and Dare. -272. Facing the World. -277. In a New World. -282. Herbert Carter's Legacy. - -If these books are ordered by mail, add four cents per copy to cover -postage. - -STREET & SMITH, Publishers, NEW YORK - - - - -MEDAL LIBRARY A weekly publication devoted to good literature. NO. 304 -April 1, 1905. - - -Charles Garvice's New Stories - -If you are a novel reader, you certainly must be waiting for the -appearance of a new novel from the pen of Charles Garvice. We are glad -to inform you that you will find it in ... - - -SMITH'S MAGAZINE - -In the future, all of Charles Garvice's new stories will appear in this -magazine, as he is under contract to write for it exclusively. "DIANA'S -DESTINY" is the title of a bright, original story, of absorbing -interest. It began in the April number and is still being published.... - -If you are one of the vast army who have depended upon cheap, -occasional issues of early non-copyrights, of which there are now no -more by this author, you will find this new tale distinctly refreshing. - -In addition to a long installment of the Garvice story, there are other -features which make SMITH'S MAGAZINE one of the best and most pleasing -of all ten-cent publications.... - - -PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED BY THE BEST ARTISTS - -PRICE, TEN CENTS Sold by all Newsdealers - -THE SMITH PUBLISHING HOUSE, 150 FIFTH AVENUE -NEW YORK - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S OWN COMPANY *** - -***** This file should be named 64123-0.txt or 64123-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/6/4/1/2/64123/ - -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. 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