initial commit of ebook 10904HEADmain

14 files changed, 17330 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/10904-0.txt b/10904-0.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5f3c274
--- /dev/null
+++ b/10904-0.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2958 @@
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10904 ***
+
+TIP TOP WEEKLY
+
+"An ideal publication for the American Youth"
+
+
+FRANK MERRIWELL'S NOBILITY
+
+OR
+
+THE TRAGEDY OF THE OCEAN TRAMP
+
+By BURT L. STANDISH.
+
+
+NEW YORK, April 22, 1899.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+OFF FOR EUROPE.
+
+
+"Off------"
+
+"At last!"
+
+"Hurrah!"
+
+The tramp steamer "Eagle" swung out from the pier and was fairly started
+en her journey from New York to Liverpool.
+
+On the deck of the steamer stood a group of five persons, three of whom
+had given utterance to the exclamations recorded above.
+
+On the pier swarmed a group of Yale students, waving hands, hats,
+handkerchiefs, bidding farewell to their five friends and acquaintances
+on the steamer. Over the water came the familiar Yale cheer. From the
+steamer it was answered.
+
+In the midst of the group on deck was Frank Merriwell. Those around him
+were Bruce Browning, Jack Diamond, Harry Rattleton and Tutor Wellington
+Maybe.
+
+It was Frank's scheme to spend the summer months abroad, while studying
+in the attempt to catch up with his class and pass examinations on
+re-entering college in the fall. And he had brought along his three
+friends, Browning, Diamond and Rattleton. They were on their way to
+England.
+
+Frank was happy. Fortune had dealt him a heavy blow when he was
+compelled by poverty to leave dear old Yale, but he had faced the world
+bravely, and he had struggled like a man. Hard work, long hours and poor
+pay had not daunted him.
+
+At the very start he had shown that he possessed something more than
+ordinary ability, and while working on the railroad he had forced his
+way upward step by step till it seemed that he was in a fair way to
+reach the top of the ladder.
+
+Then came disaster again. He had lost his position on the railroad, and
+once more he was forced to face the world and begin over.
+
+Some lads would have been discouraged. Frank Merriwell was not. He set
+his teeth firmly and struck out once more. He kept his mouth shut and
+his eyes open. The first honorable thing that came to his hand to do he
+did. Thus it happened that he found himself on the stage.
+
+Frank's success as an actor had been phenomenal. Of course, to begin
+with, he had natural ability, but that was not the only thing that won
+success for him. He had courage, push, determination,
+stick-to-it-iveness. When he started to do a thing he kept
+at it till he did it.
+
+Frank united observation and study. He learned everything he could about
+the stage and about acting by talking with the members of the company
+and by watching to see how things were done.
+
+He had a good head and plenty of sense. He knew better than to copy
+after the ordinary actors in the road company to which he belonged. He
+had seen good acting enough to be able to distinguish between the good
+and bad. Thus it came about that the bad models about him did not exert
+a pernicious influence upon him.
+
+Frank believed there were books that would aid him. He found them. He
+found one on "Acting and Actors," and from it he learned that no actor
+ever becomes really and truly great that does not have a clear and
+distinct enunciation and a correct pronunciation. That is the beginning.
+Then comes the study of the meaning of the words to be spoken and the
+effect produced by the manner in which they are spoken.
+
+He studied all this, and he went further. He read up on "Traditions of
+the Stage," and he came to know all about its limitations and its
+opportunities.
+
+From this it was a natural step to the study of the construction of
+plays. He found books of criticism on plays and playwriting, and he
+mastered them. He found books that told how to construct plays, and he
+mastered them.
+
+Frank Merriwell was a person with a vivid imagination and great
+mechanical and constructive ability. Had this not been so, he might have
+studied forever and still never been able to write a successful play. In
+him there was something study could not give, but study and effort
+brought it out. He wrote a play.
+
+"John Smith of Montana" was a success. Frank played the leading part,
+and he made a hit.
+
+Then fate rose up and again dealt him a body blow. A scene in the play
+was almost exactly like a scene in another play, written previously. The
+author and owner of the other play called on the law to "protect" him.
+An injunction was served on Merry to restrain him from playing "John
+Smith." He stood face to face with a lawsuit.
+
+Frank investigated, and his investigation convinced him that it was
+almost certain he would be defeated if the case was carried into the
+courts.
+
+He withdrew "John Smith."
+
+Frank had confidence in himself. He had written a play that was
+successful, and he believed he could write another. Already he had one
+skeletonized. The frame work was constructed, the plot was elaborated,
+the characters were ready for his use.
+
+He wrote a play of something with which he was thoroughly
+familiar---college life. The author or play-maker of ability who writes
+of that with which he is familiar stands a good chance of making a
+success. Young and inexperienced writers love to write of those things
+with which they are unfamiliar, and they wonder why it is that they
+fail.
+
+They go too far away from home for their subject.
+
+At first Frank's play was not a success. The moment he discovered this
+he set himself down to find out why it was not a success. He did not
+look at it as the author, but as a critical manager to whom it had been
+offered might have done.
+
+He found the weak spots. One was its name. People in general did not
+understand the title, "For Old Eli." There was nothing "catchy" or
+drawing about it.
+
+He gave it another name. He called it, "True Blue: A Drama of College
+Life."
+
+The name proved effective.
+
+He rewrote much of the play. He strengthened the climax of the third
+act, and introduced a mechanical effect that was very ingenious. And
+when the piece next went on the road it met with wonderful success
+everywhere.
+
+Thus Frank snatched success from defeat.
+
+It is a strange thing that when a person fights against fate and
+conquers, when fortune begins to smile, when the tide fairly turns his
+way, then everything seems to come to him. The things which seemed so
+far away and so impossible of attainment suddenly appear within easy
+reach or come tumbling into his lap of their own accord.
+
+It was much this way with Frank. He had dreamed of going back to college
+some time, but that time had seemed far, far away. Success brought it
+nearer.
+
+But then it came tumbling into his lap. No one had been found to claim
+the fortune he discovered in the Utah Desert. Investigation had shown
+that there were no living relatives of the man who had guarded the
+treasure till his death. That treasure had been turned over to Frank.
+
+Frank had brought his play to New Haven, and his old college friends had
+given him a rousing welcome. And now he had made plans to return to
+college in the fall, while his play was to be carried on the road by a
+well-known and experienced theatrical manager.
+
+The friends who had been with Frank when he discovered the treasure,
+with the exception of Toots, the colored boy, had refused to accept
+shares of the fortune. Then Merry had insisted on taking them abroad
+with him, and here they were on the steamer "Eagle," bound for
+Liverpool.
+
+Toots, dressed like a "swell," was on the pier. He shouted with the
+others, waving his silk hat.
+
+The crowd was cheering now:
+
+     "Beka Co ax Co ax Co ax!
+     Breka Co ax Co ax Co ax!
+       O-----up! O-----up!
+         Parabolou!
+       Yale! Yale! Yale!
+       'Rah! 'rah! 'rah!
+         Yale!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+SURPRISING THE FRENCHMAN.
+
+
+"Bah! Ze American boy, he make me--what you call eet?--vera tired!"
+
+Frank turned quickly and saw the speaker standing near the rail not far
+away. He was a man between thirty-five and forty years of age, dressed
+in a traveling suit, and having a pointed black beard. He was smoking.
+
+An instant feeling of aversion swept over Merry. He saw the person was a
+supercilious Frenchman, critical, sneering, insolent, a man intolerant
+with everything not of France and the French.
+
+This man was speaking to another person, who seemed to be a servant or
+valet, and who was very polite and fawning in all his retorts.
+
+"Ah! look at ze collectshung on ze pier," continued the sneering
+speaker. "Someone say zey belong to ze great American college. Zey act
+like zey belong to ze--ze--what you call eet?--ze menageray. Zey yell,
+shout, jump--act like ze lunatic."
+
+"It is possible, monsieur," said Frank, with a grim smile, "that they
+are copying their manners after Frenchmen at a Dreyfus demonstration."
+
+The foreigner turned haughtily and stared at Frank. Then he shrugged his
+shoulders, turned away and observed to his companion:
+
+"Jes' like all ze Americans--ah!--what eez ze word?--fresh."
+
+The other man bowed and rubbed his hands together.
+
+"Haw!" grunted Browning, lazily. "How do you like that, Frank?"
+
+"Oh, I don't mind it," murmured Merry. "I consider the source from which
+it came, and regard it as of no consequence."
+
+Diamond was glaring at the Frenchman, for it made his hot Southern blood
+boil to hear a foreigner criticize anything American. Like all youthful
+Americans, his great admiration and love for his own country made him
+intolerant of criticism.
+
+Frank had a cooler head, and he was not so easily ruffled.
+
+Rattleton was unable to express his feelings.
+
+Tutor Maybe looked somewhat perturbed, for he was an exceedingly mild
+and peaceable man, and the slightest suggestion of trouble was enough to
+agitate him.
+
+But the Frenchman did not deign to look toward Frank again, and it
+seemed that all danger of trouble was past.
+
+The "Eagle" sailed slowly down the harbor, signaling now and then to
+other boats.
+
+Frank, Jack, Bruce and Harry formed a fine quartette, and they sang:
+
+     "Soon we'll be in London town;
+       Sing, my lads, yo! heave, my lads, ho!
+     And see the queen, with her golden crown;
+       Heave, my lads, yo-ho!"
+
+The Frenchman made an impatient gesture, and showed annoyance, which
+caused Frank to laugh.
+
+Behind them Brooklyn Bridge spanned the river, looking slender and
+graceful, like a thing hung in the air by delicate threads.
+
+Close at hand were Governor's Island and the Statue of Liberty. The
+Frenchman was pointing it out.
+
+"Ze greatest work of art in all America,"' he declared,
+enthusiastically; "an' France give zat to America. Ze Americans nevare
+think to put eet zere themselves. France do more for America zan any
+ozare nation, but ze Americans forget. Zey forget Lafayette. Zey forget
+France make it possibul for zem to conquaire Engalande an' get ze
+freedom zey ware aftaire. An' now zey--zey--what you call eet?--toady to
+Engalande. Zey pretende to love ze Engaleesh. Bah! Uncale Sam an' John
+Bull both need to have some of ze conaceit taken out away from zem."
+
+"It would take more than France, Spain, Italy and all the rest of the
+dago nations to do the job!" spluttered Harry Rattleton, who could not
+keep still longer.
+
+"Maurel," said the Frenchman, speaking to his companion, "t'row ze
+insolent dog ovareboard!"
+
+"Oui, monsieur!"
+
+Quick as thought the man sprang toward Harry, as if determined to
+execute the command of his master.
+
+He did not put his hands on Rattleton, for Frank was equally swift in
+his movements, and blocked the fellows' way, coolly saying:
+
+"I wouldn't try it if I were you."
+
+"Out of ze way!" snarled the man, who was an athlete in build. "If you
+don't, I put you ovare, too!"
+
+"I don't think you will."
+
+"Put him ovare, Maurel," ordered the Frenchman, with deadly coolness.
+
+The athletic servant clutched Frank, but, with a twist and a turn, Merry
+broke the hold instantly, kicked the fellow's feet from beneath him, and
+dropped him heavily to the deck.
+
+Bruce Browning stooped and picked the man up as if he were an infant.
+Every year seemed to add something to the big collegian's wonderful
+strength, and now the astounded Frenchman found himself unable to
+wiggle.
+
+Browning held the man over the rail turning to Frank to ask:
+
+"Shall I give him a bath, Merriwell?"
+
+"I think you hadn't better," laughed Frank. "Perhaps he can't swim,
+and--"
+
+"He can swim or sink," drawled Bruce. "It won't make any difference if
+he sinks. Only another insolent Frenchman out of the way."
+
+The master was astounded. Up to that moment he had regarded the young
+Americans as scarcely more than boys and he had fancied his athletic
+servant could easily frighten them. Instead of that, something quite
+unexpected by him had happened.
+
+The astounded servant showed signs of terror, but in vain he struggled.
+He was helpless in the clutch of the giant collegian.
+
+The master seemed about to interfere, but Frank Merriwell confronted him
+in a manner that spoke as plainly as words.
+
+"Out of ze way!" snarled the man.
+
+"Speaking to me?" inquired Merry, lifting his eyebrows.
+
+"Oui! oui!"
+
+"I am sorry, but I can't accommodate you till my friend gets through
+with your servant, who was extremely fresh, like most Frenchmen."
+
+"Zis to me!"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Sare, I am M. Rouen Montfort, an' I--"
+
+"It makes no difference to me if you are the high mogul of France. You
+are on the deck of an English vessel, and you are dealing with
+Americans."
+
+The Frenchman flung his cigar aside and seemed to feel for a weapon.
+
+Frank stood there quietly, his eyes watching every movement.
+
+"If you have what you are seeking about your person," he said, with
+perfect calmness, "I advise you not to draw it. If you do, as sure as
+you are sailing down New York harbor, I'll fling you over the rail,
+weapon and all!"
+
+That was business, and it was not boasting. Frank actually meant to
+throw the man into the water if he drew a weapon.
+
+M. Rouen Montfort paused and stared at Frank Merriwell, beginning to
+understand that he was not dealing with an ordinary youth.
+
+"Fool!" he panted. "You geeve me ze eensult I will haf your life!"
+
+"You have already insulted me, my friends and everything American. It's
+your turn to take a little of the medicine."
+
+"Eef we were een France--"
+
+"Which we are not. We are still in America, the land of the free. But I
+don't care to have a quarrel with you. Bruce put the fellow down. If he
+minds his business in the future, don't throw him overboard."
+
+"All right," grunted the big fellow; "but I was just going to drop him
+in the wet."
+
+He put the man down, and the fellow seemed undecided what to do.
+
+Harry Rattleton laughed.
+
+"Now wake a talk--no, I mean take a walk," he cried. "It will be a good
+thing for your health."
+
+"Come, Maurel," said the master, with an attempt at dignity; "come away
+from ze fellows!"
+
+Maurel was glad enough to do so. He had thought to frighten the youths
+without the least trouble, but had been handled with such ease that even
+after it was all over he wondered how it could have happened.
+
+M. Montfort walked away with great dignity, and Maurel followed, talking
+savagely and swiftly in French.
+
+"Well, it wasn't very hard to settle them," grinned Browning.
+
+"But we have not settled them," declared Frank. "There will be further
+trouble with M. Rouen Montfort and his man Maurel."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A FRESH YOUNG MAN.
+
+
+Frank and his three friends bad a stateroom together. The tutor was
+given a room with other parties.
+
+The weather for the first two days was fine, and the young collegians
+enjoyed every minute, not one of them having a touch of sea-sickness
+till the third day.
+
+Then Rattleton was seized, and he lay in his bunk, groaning and dismal,
+even though he tried to be cheerful at times.
+
+Browning enjoyed everything, even Rattleton's misery, for he could be
+lazy to his heart's content.
+
+They had enlivened the times by singing songs, those of a nautical
+flavor, such as "Larboard Watch" and "A Life on the Ocean Wave," having
+the preference.
+
+Now it happened that the Frenchman occupied a room adjoining, and he was
+very much annoyed by their singing. He pounded on the partition, and
+expressed his feelings in very lurid language, but that amused them, and
+they sang the louder.
+
+"M. Montfort seems to get very agitated," said Frank, laughing.
+
+"But I hardly think there is any danger that he will do more than hammer
+on the partition," grunted Bruce. "He's kept away from us since he found
+he could not frighten anybody."
+
+"He's a bluffer," was Diamond's opinion.
+
+"He's a great fellow to play cards," said Merry. "But he seems to ply
+for something more than amusement."
+
+"How's that?" asked Jack, interested.
+
+"I've noticed that he never cares for whist or any game where there are
+no stakes. He gets into a game only when there's something to be won."
+
+"Well, it seems to me that he's struck a poor crowd on this boat if he's
+looking for suckers. He should have shipped on an ocean liner. What does
+he play?"
+
+"He seems to have taken a great fancy to draw poker. 'Pocaire' is what
+he calls it. He pretended at first that he didn't know much of anything
+about the game, but, if I am not mistaken, he's an old stager at it. I
+watched the party playing in the smoking-room last night."
+
+"Who played?" asked Bruce.
+
+"The Frenchman, a rather sporty young fellow named Bloodgood, a small,
+bespectacled man, well fitted with the name of Slush, and an Englishman
+by the name of Hazleton."
+
+"That's the crowd that played in the Frenchman's stateroom to-day,"
+groaned Rattleton from his berth.
+
+"Played in the stateroom?" exclaimed Frank. "I wonder why they didn't
+play in the smoking-room?"
+
+"Don't know," said Harry; "but I fancy there was a rather big game on,
+and you know the Frenchman has the biggest stateroom on the boat, so
+there was plenty of room for them. They could play there without
+interruption."
+
+"There seems to be something mysterious about that Frenchman," said
+Frank.
+
+"I think there's something mysterious about several passengers on this
+boat," grunted Browning. "I haven't seen much of this young fellow
+Bloodgood, but he strikes me as a mystery."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Well he seems to have money to burn, and I don't understand why such a
+fellow did not take passage on a regular liner."
+
+"As far as that goes," smiled Merry, "I presume some people might think
+it rather singular that we did not cross the pond in a regular liner;
+but then they might suppose it was a case of economy with us."
+
+While they were talking there came a rap on their door which Frank threw
+open.
+
+Just outside stood a young man with a flushed face and distressed
+appearance. He was dressed in a plaid suit, and wore a red four-in-hand
+necktie, in which blazed a huge diamond. There were two large solitaire
+rings on his left hand, and he wore a heavy gold chain strung across his
+vest.
+
+"Beg your pardon, dear boys," he drawled. "Hope I'm not intruding."
+
+Then he walked in and closed the door.
+
+"My name's Bloodgood," he said--"Raymond Bloodgood. I've seen you
+fellows together, and you seem like a jolly lot. Heard you singing, you
+know. Great voices--good singing."
+
+Then he stopped speaking, and they stared at him, wondering what he was
+driving at. For a moment there was an awkward pause, and then Bloodgood
+went on:
+
+"I was up pretty late last night, you know. Had a little game in the
+smoking-room. Plenty of booze, and all that, and I'm awfully rocky
+to-day. Got a splitting headache. Didn't know but some of you had a
+bromo seltzer, or something of the sort. You look like a crowd that
+finds such things handy occasionally."
+
+At this Frank laughed quietly, but Diamond looked angry and indignant.
+
+"What do you take us for?" exclaimed the Virginian, warmly. "Do you
+think we are a lot of boozers?"
+
+Bloodgood turned on Jack, lifting his eyebrows.
+
+"My dear fellow--" he began.
+
+But Frank put in:
+
+"We have no use for bromo seltzer, as none of us are drinkers."
+
+"Oh, of course not," said the intruder, with something like a sneer.
+"None of us are drinkers, but then we're all liable to get a little too
+much sometimes, especially when we sit up late and play poker."
+
+Frank saw that Diamond had taken an instant dislike to the youth with
+the diamonds and the red necktie, and he felt like averting a storm,
+even though he did not fancy the manner of the intruder.
+
+"We do not sit up late and play poker," he said.
+
+"Eh? Oh, come off! You're a jolly lot of fellows, and you must have a
+fling sometimes."
+
+"We can be jolly without drinking or gambling."
+
+"Why, I'm hanged if you don't talk as if you considered it a crime to
+take a drink or have a little social game!"
+
+Frank felt his blood warm up a bit, but he held himself in hand, as he
+quietly retorted:
+
+"Intemperance is a crime. I presume there are men who take a drink, as
+you call it, without being intemperate; but I prefer to let the stuff
+alone entirely, and then there is no danger of going over the limit."
+
+"And I took you for a sport! That shows how a fellow can be fooled. But
+you do play poker occasionally. I know that."
+
+"How do you know it, Mr. Bloodgood?"
+
+"By your language. You just spoke of going over the limit. That is a
+poker term."
+
+"And one used by many people who never played a game of cards in their
+lives."
+
+"But you have played cards? You have played poker? Can you deny it?"
+
+"If I could, I wouldn't take the trouble, Mr. Bloodgood. I think you
+have made a mistake in sizing up this crowd."
+
+"Guess I have," sneered the fellow. "You must be members of the
+Y.M.C.A."
+
+"Say, Frank!" panted Jack; "open the door and let me----"
+
+But Frank checked the hot-headed youth again.
+
+"Steady, Jack! It is not necessary. He will go directly. Mr. Bloodgood,
+you speak as if it were a disgrace to belong to the Y.M.C.A. That shows
+your ignorance and narrowness. The Y.M.C.A. is a splendid organization,
+and it has proved the anchor that has kept many a young man from dashing
+onto the rocks of destruction. Those who sneer at it should be ashamed
+of themselves, but, as a rule, they are too bigoted, prejudiced, or
+narrow-minded to recognize the fact that some of the most manly young
+men to be found belong to the Y.M.C.A."
+
+Bloodgood laughed.
+
+"And I took you for a sport!" he cried. "By Jove! Never made such a
+blunder before in all my life! Studying for the ministry, I'll wager!
+Ha! ha! ha!"
+
+Frank saw that Diamond could not be held in check much longer.
+
+"One last word to you, Mr. Bloodgood," he spoke. "I am not studying for
+the ministry, and I do not even belong to the Y.M.C.A. If I were doing
+the one or belonged to the other, I should not be ashamed of it. I don't
+like you. I can stand a little freshness; in fact, it rather pleases me;
+but you are altogether too fresh. You are offensive."
+
+Merry flung open the door.
+
+"Good-day, sir."
+
+Bloodgood stepped out, turned round, laughed, and then walked away.
+
+"Hang it, Merriwell!" grated Diamond, as Frank closed the door; "why
+didn't you let me kick him out onto his neck!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+WHO IS BLOODGOOD?
+
+
+Diamond was thoroughly angry. So was Rattleton. In his excitement, Harry
+said something that caused Frank to turn quickly, and observe:
+
+"Don't use that kind of language, old man, no matter what the
+provocation. Vulgarity is even lower than profanity."
+
+Harry's face flushed, and he looked intensely ashamed of himself.
+
+"I peg your bardon--I mean I beg your pardon!" he spluttered. "It
+slipped out. You know I don't say anything like that often."
+
+"I know it," nodded Frank, "and that's why it sounded all the worse. I
+don't know that I ever heard you use such a word before."
+
+Harry did not resent Frank's reproof, for he knew Frank was right, and
+he was ashamed.
+
+Every young man who stoops to vulgarity should be ashamed. Profanity is
+coarse and degrading; vulgarity is positively low and filthy. The youth
+who is careful to keep his clothes and his body clean should be careful
+to keep his mouth clean. Let nothing go into it or come out of it that
+is in any way lowering.
+
+Did you ever hear a loafer on a corner using profane and obscene
+language? I'll warrant most of you have, and I'll warrant that you were
+thoroughly disgusted. You looked on the fellow as low, coarse, cheap,
+unfit to associate with respectable persons. The next time you use a
+word that you should be ashamed to have your mother or sister hear just
+think that you are following the example of that loafer. You are
+lowering yourself in the eyes of somebody, even though you may not think
+so at the time. Perhaps one of your companions may be a person who uses
+such language freely, and yet he has never before heard it from you. He
+laughs, he calls you a jolly good fellow to your face; but he thinks to
+himself that you are no better than anybody else, and behind your back
+he tells somebody what he thinks. He is glad of the opportunity to show
+that you are no better than he is. Never tell a vulgar story. Better
+never listen to one, unless your position is such that you cannot escape
+without making yourself appear a positive cad. If you have to listen to
+such a story, forget it as soon as possible. Above all things, do not
+try to remember it.
+
+Some young men boast of the stories they know. And all their stories are
+of the "shady" sort. It is better to know no stories than to know that
+kind. It is better not to be called a good fellow than to win a
+reputation by always having a new story of the low sort ready on your
+tongue.
+
+There are other and better ways of winning a reputation as a good
+fellow. There are stories which are genuinely humorous and funny which
+are also clean. No matter how much of a laugh he may raise, any
+self-respecting person feels that he has lowered himself by telling a
+vulgar story. It is not so if he has told a clean story. He is
+satisfied with the laughter he has caused and with himself.
+
+Frank Merriwell was called a good fellow. It was not often that he told
+a story, but when he did, it was a good one, and it was clean. He had an
+inimitable way of telling anything, and his stories were all the more
+effective because they came at rare intervals. He did not cheapen them
+by making them common.
+
+And never had anybody heard him tell a story that could prove offensive
+to the ears of a lady.
+
+Not that he had not been tempted to do so. Not that he had not heard
+such stories. He had been placed in positions where he could not help
+hearing them without making himself appear like a thorough cad.
+
+Frank's first attempt to tell a vulgar story had been the lesson that he
+needed. He was with a rather gay crowd of boys at the time, and several
+had told "shady" yarns, and then they had called for one from Frank. He
+started to tell one, working up to the point with all the skill of which
+he was capable. He had them breathless, ready to shout with laughter
+when the point was reached. He drew them on and on with all the skill of
+which he was capable. And then, just as the climax was reached, he
+suddenly realized just what he was about to say. A thought came to him
+that made his heart give a great jump.
+
+"What if my mother were listening?"
+
+That was the thought. His mother was dead, but her influence was over
+him. A second thought followed. Many times he had seemed to feel her
+hovering near. Perhaps she was listening! Perhaps she was hearing all
+that he was saying!
+
+Frank Merriwell stopped and stood quite still. At first he was very
+pale, and then came a rush of blood to his face. He turned crimson with
+shame and hung his head.
+
+His companions looked at him in astonishment. They could not understand
+what had happened. Some of them cried, "Go on! go on!"
+
+After some seconds he tried to speak. At first he choked and could say
+nothing articulate. After a little, he muttered:
+
+"I can't go on--I can't finish the story! You'll have to excuse me,
+fellows! I'm not feeling well!"
+
+And he withdrew from the jolly party as soon as possible.
+
+From that day Frank Merriwell never attempted to tell a story that was
+in the slightest degree vulgar. He had learned his lesson, and he never
+forgot it.
+
+Some boys swagger, chew tobacco, talk vulgar, and swear because they do
+not wish to be called "sissies." They fancy such actions and language
+make them manly, but nothing could be a greater mistake.
+
+Frank did nothing of the sort, and all who knew him regarded him as
+thoroughly manly. Better to be called a "sissy" than to win reputed
+manliness at the cost of self-respect.
+
+Frank had forced those who would have regarded him with scorn to respect
+him. He could play baseball or football with the best of them; he could
+run, jump, swim, ride, and he excelled by sheer determination in almost
+everything he undertook. He would not be beaten. If defeated once, he
+did not rest, but prepared himself for another trial and went in to win
+or die. In this way he showed himself manly, and he commanded the
+respect of enemies as well as friends.
+
+Rattleton was ashamed of the language he had used after the departure of
+Bloodgood, and he did not attempt to excuse himself further. He lay back
+in his berth, looking sicker than ever.
+
+"I'd give ten dollars for the privilege of helping Mr. Bloodgood out
+with my foot!" hissed Jack Diamond. "Never saw anybody so fresh!"
+
+"Oh, I've seen lots of people just like him," grunted Browning, getting
+out a pipe and lighting it.
+
+"Don't smoke, Bruce!" groaned Rattleton, as the steamer gave an
+unusually heavy roll. "I'm sick enough now. That will make me worse."
+
+"Oh, we'll open the port."
+
+"Open the port!" laughed Frank. "And we just told Bloodgood we did not
+drink."
+
+"Port-hole, not port wine," said the big fellow, with a yawn. "We'll let
+in some fresh air."
+
+"We can't let in anything fresher than just went out," declared the
+Virginian, as he flung open the round window that served to admit light
+and air.
+
+"There's something mighty queer about that fellow," said Frank. "Did you
+notice the diamonds he was wearing, fellows?"
+
+"Yes," said Bruce, beginning to puff away at his new briarwood. "Regular
+eye-hitters they were."
+
+"Who knows they were genuine?" asked Jack.
+
+"Nobody here," admitted Frank. "It is impossible to distinguish some
+fake stones from real diamonds, unless you examine them closely. But,
+somehow, I have a fancy that those were genuine diamonds."
+
+"What makes you think so?"
+
+"I don't know just why I think so, but I do. Something tells me that for
+all of his swagger Bloodgood is a fellow who would scorn to wear paste
+diamonds."
+
+"What do you make out of the fellow, anyway?" asked Bruce.
+
+"I'm not able to size him up yet," admitted Frank. "I'm not certain
+whether he came of a good family or a bad one, but I'm inclined to fancy
+it was the former."
+
+"I'd like to know why you think so?" from Jack. "He did not show very
+good breeding."
+
+"But there is a certain something about his face that makes me believe
+he comes from a high-grade family. I think he has become lowered by
+associating with bad companions."
+
+"Well, I don't care who or what he is," declared Jack; "if he gets fresh
+around me again, I'll crack him one for luck. I can't stand him for a
+cent!"
+
+"Better turn him over to me," murmured Bruce, dozily. "I'll sit on him."
+
+"And he'll think he's under an elephant," laughed Merry. "Bruce cooked
+M. Montfort, and I reckon he'd have less trouble to cook Mr. Bloodgood."
+
+At this moment there was a hesitating, uncertain knock on the door.
+
+"Another visitor, I wonder?" muttered Frank.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE SUPERSTITIOUS MAN.
+
+
+A little man hesitated outside the door when it was opened. He had a
+sad, uncertain, mournful drab face, puckered into a peculiar expression
+about the mouth. He was dressed in black, but his clothes were not a
+very good fit or in the latest style. He fingered his hat nervously. His
+voice was faltering when he spoke.
+
+"I--I beg your pardon, gentlemen. I--I hope I am not--intruding?"
+
+He had not crossed the threshold. He seemed in doubt about the
+advisability of venturing in.
+
+There was something amusing in the appearance of the little man. Frank
+recognized a "character" in him, and Merry was interested immediately.
+He invited the little man in, and closed the door when that person had
+entered.
+
+"I--I know it's rather--rather--er--bold of me," said the stranger,
+apologetically. "But you know people on shipboard--er--take
+many--liberties."
+
+"Oh, yes, we know it!" muttered Diamond.
+
+Browning grunted and looked the little man over. He was a curiosity to
+Bruce.
+
+"What can we do for you, sir?" asked Frank.
+
+The little man hesitated and looked around. He sidled over and put his
+hand on the partition.
+
+"The--ah--next room is occupied by the--er--the French gentleman, is it
+not?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I--I presume--presume, you know--that you are able to hear
+any--ah--conversation that may take place in that room, unless--er--the
+conversation is--guarded."
+
+"Not unless we take particular pains to listen," said Merry. "Even then,
+it is doubtful if we can hear anything plainly."
+
+"And we are not eavesdroppers," cut in Diamond. "We do not take pains to
+listen."
+
+"Oh, no--er--no, of course not!" exclaimed the singular stranger. "I--I
+didn't insinuate such a thing! Ha! ha! ha! The idea! But you
+know--sometimes--occasionally--persons hear things when they--er--do not
+try to hear."
+
+"Well, what in the world are you driving at?" asked Frank, not a little
+puzzled by the man's singular manner.
+
+"Well, you see, it's--this way: I--I don't care to be--overheard. I
+don't want anybody to--to think I'm prying into their--private business.
+You understand?"
+
+"I can't say that I do."
+
+"Perhaps I can make myself--er--clearer."
+
+"Perhaps you can."
+
+"My name is--er--Slush--Peddington Slush."
+
+"Holy cats! what a name!" muttered Browning, while Rattleton grinned
+despite his sickness.
+
+"I--I'm taking a sea voyage--for--for my health," explained Mr. Slush.
+"That's why I didn't go over on a--a regular liner. This way I shall be
+longer at--at sea. See?"
+
+"And you are keeping us at sea by your lingering way in coming to a
+point," smiled Merry.
+
+"Eh?" said the little man. Then he seemed to comprehend, and he broke
+into a sudden cackle of laughter, which he shut off with startling
+suddenness, looking frightened.
+
+"Beg your pardon!" he exclaimed. "Quite--ah--rude of me. I don't do
+it--often."
+
+"You look as if it wouldn't hurt you to do it oftener," said Merry,
+frankly. "Laughter never hurt anyone."
+
+"I--I can't quite agree with--you, sir. I beg your pardon! No offense!
+I--I don't wish to be offensive--you understand. I once knew a man who
+died from--er--laughing. It is a fact, sir. He laughed so long--and so
+hard---that he--he lost his breath--entirely. Never got it back again.
+Since then I've been very--cautious. It's a bad sign to laugh--too
+hard."
+
+Merry felt like shouting, but Jack was looking puzzled and dazed.
+Diamond could not comprehend the little man, and he failed to catch the
+humor of the character.
+
+"Now," said Mr. Slush, "I will come directly to the--point."
+
+"Do," nodded Frank.
+
+"I just saw a--er--person leave this room. I wish to know if--Good
+gracious, sir! Do you know that is a bad sign!"
+
+He pointed a wavering finger at Frank.
+
+"What is a bad sign?" asked Merry, surprised.
+
+"To wear a--a dagger pin thrust through a--a tie in which there is the
+least bit of--red. It is a sign of--of bloodshed. I--I beg you to remove
+that--that pin from that scarf!"
+
+The little man seemed greatly agitated.
+
+After a moment of hesitation, Frank laughed lightly and took the pin
+from the scarf.
+
+Immediately the visitor seemed to breathe more freely.
+
+"Ah--er--thank you!" he said. "I--I've seen omens enough. Everything
+seems to point to--to a--tragedy. I regret exceedingly that I ever
+sailed--on this steamer. I--I shall be thankful when I put my feet on
+dry land--if I ever do again."
+
+"You must be rather superstitious," suggested Frank.
+
+"Not at all--that is, not to any extent," Mr. Slush hastened to aver.
+"There are a few signs--and omens--which I know--will come true."
+
+"Indeed!"
+
+"Yes, sir!" asserted the little man, with surprising positiveness. "I
+know something will happen--to this boat. I--I am positive of it."
+
+"Why are you so positive?"
+
+"Everything foretells it. At the very start it was--foretold. I was
+foolish then that I did not demand--demand, sir--to be set ashore, even
+after the steamer had left--her pier."
+
+"How was that?"
+
+"There was a cat, sir--a poor, stray cat--that came aboard this steamer.
+They did not let her stay--understand me? They--they drove her off!"
+
+"And that was a bad omen?"
+
+"Bad! It was--ah--er--frightful! Old sailors will tell you that.
+Always--er--let a cat remain on board a vessel--if--she--comes on board.
+If you--if you do not--you will regret it."
+
+"And you think something must happen to this steamer?"
+
+"I'm afraid so--I feel it. There is--something mysterious about the
+vessel, gentlemen. I don't know--just what it is--but it's something.
+The--the captain looks worried. I--I've noticed it. I've talked with
+him. Couldn't get any satisfaction--out of him. But I--I know!"
+
+"I'm afraid you are a croaker," said Diamond, unable to keep still
+longer.
+
+"You may think so--now; but wait and see--wait. Keep your eyes--open.
+I--I think you will see something. I think you will find there
+are--mysterious things going on."
+
+"Well, you have not told us what you want of us, Mr. Slush," said Frank.
+
+"That's so--forgot it." Then, of a sudden, to Bruce: "Don't twirl your
+thumbs--that way. Do it backward--backward! It--it's a sure sign
+of--disaster to twirl your thumbs--forward."
+
+"All right," grunted the big fellow; "backward it is." And he reversed
+the motion.
+
+"Thank you," breathed Mr. Slush, with a show of relief. "Now, I'll tell
+you--why I called. I--er--saw a young man--leaving this room--a few
+minutes ago."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Mr. Bloodgood."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I--I have taken an interest in--Mr. Bloodgood. I--I think he is--a
+rather nice young man."
+
+"I don't admire your taste," came from Jack.
+
+"Eh? I don't know him--very well. You understand. Met him--in the
+smoking-room. Sometimes I--er--play cards--for amusement. Met him that
+way."
+
+"Does he play for amusement?" asked Frank.
+
+"Oh, yes--ah--of course. That is--he--he likes--a little stake."
+
+"I thought so."
+
+"I--I don't mind that."
+
+"Great Scott!" thought Merry. "I don't see how he ever gets round to
+play cards for money. I shouldn't think he'd know what to do. It would
+take him so long to make up his mind."
+
+"But I--I don't care to make a--a companion of anybody about whom I
+know--nothing. That's why I--came to you. I--I thought it might be you
+could give me--some information--about Mr. Bloodgood."
+
+"You've come to the wrong place."
+
+"Really? Don't you know--anything about him? You are--er--well
+acquainted with him?"
+
+"On the contrary, to-day is the first time we have ever spoken to him."
+
+"Is that so?" said Mr. Slush, in evident disappointment. "You
+are--er--young men about--about his age, and--and--"
+
+"Not in his class," put in Diamond.
+
+"No?" said Mr. Slush, looking at Jack queerly. "I didn't know--I
+thought--"
+
+There the queer little man stopped, seeming quite unable to proceed.
+Then, in his hesitating, uncertain way, he tried to make it clear that
+he did not care to play cards for money with anybody about whom he knew
+nothing. He was not very effective in his explanation, and seemed
+himself rather uncertain concerning his real reason for wishing to make
+inquiries concerning Bloodgood.
+
+Frank studied Mr. Slush closely, but could not take the measure of the
+man. Somehow, Merry seemed to feel that there was more to the queer
+little fellow than appeared on the surface.
+
+"Well, you have come to the wrong parties to get information about Mr.
+Bloodgood," said Frank. "But, if you are so particular about your
+company, it might be well to learn something concerning the other
+members of your party."
+
+"Oh--er--I know all about them," asserted Mr. Slush.
+
+"Indeed?"
+
+"Yes. Hugh Hazleton is the younger son of an English nobleman, and he
+is--is all--right."
+
+"Who told you this?"
+
+"He did."
+
+"Then it must be true," grunted Browning, with a grin on his broad face.
+
+"Yes," nodded the little man, innocently, "that is--ah--settled. M.
+Rouen Montfort is a--a great French journalist and--er--writer of
+books."
+
+"Is that so?" smiled Merry. "Queer, I never heard of him. I suppose he
+told you this?"
+
+"Oh, yes. He is a very fine--gentleman. Ah--did Mr. Bloodgood
+invite--er--any of you to come into the--ah--game?"
+
+Frank fancied he saw a sudden light. Was it possible Mr. Slush was
+looking for "suckers?"
+
+Was it possible he had been sent there to inveigle them into the party,
+so that some sharp might "skin" them? It did not seem improbable.
+
+Harry seemed to catch onto the same idea, for he popped up in his bunk
+suddenly, but a sudden roll of the steamer caused him to sink down again
+with a groan.
+
+Diamond's eyes began to glitter. He, too, fancied he saw the little
+game.
+
+"No," said Merry, slowly, "he did not invite any of us to come in."
+
+The little man seemed relieved.
+
+"I--I didn't know," he faltered. "If he had--I--I was going to say
+something. Perhaps it is not--necessary."
+
+"Perhaps not," said Frank; "but it may not do any hurt to say it."
+
+"And it may do some hurt--to you," muttered Diamond under his breath. "I
+will kick this fellow!"
+
+But, to the surprise of all, the superstitious man cackled out a short,
+broken laugh, and said:
+
+"Oh, I was going to--to warn you--that's all. It--it's liable to be a
+pretty--stiff game. I thought it would be a--good thing for you to--keep
+out of it. It started--light, but it's working--up--right along. Almost
+any time somebody is liable to--to propose throwing off the--the limit,
+and then somebody is going to get--hurt. If you are--not in it, why you
+won't be in any--danger."
+
+There was a silence. The four youths looked at the visitor and then at
+each other.
+
+What did it mean?
+
+If he was playing them for "suckers," surely he was doing it in a queer
+manner.
+
+"Thank you," said Frank, stiffly. "You are kind!"
+
+"More than kind!" muttered Diamond.
+
+"Don't mention it," said the little man, trying to look pleasant, but
+making a dismal failure. "I--I dont' like to see respectable young men
+caught in a--trap. That's all. Thought I'd tell you. Didn't know that
+you would--thank me. Took my chances on that. Well, I think I'll--be
+going."
+
+He turned, falteringly, seemed about to say something more, opened the
+door part way, hesitated, then said "good-day," and went out.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE CARGO OF THE "EAGLE."
+
+
+"Well?"
+
+"Well!"
+
+"Well!"
+
+The same word, but from three different persons, and spoken in three
+different inflections.
+
+"Will somebody please hit me with something hard!" murmured Jack.
+
+"What does it mean, Merry?" asked Rattleton.
+
+"You may search me!" exclaimed Frank, in rather expressive slang,
+something in which he seldom indulged, unless under great provocation.
+
+Browning had said nothing. He was pulling steadily at his pipe, quite
+unaware that it had gone out.
+
+"What do you make of Mr. Peddington Slush?" asked Jack.
+
+"I don't know what to make of him," confessed Frank. "About the only
+thing of which I am sure is that he has a corker for a name. That name
+is enough to make any man look sad and dejected."
+
+"What did he come here for, anyhow?" asked Rattleton.
+
+"To find out about Raymond Bloodgood--he said."
+
+"I know he said so, but I don't stake any talk--I mean take any stock in
+that. What difference does it make to him who Bloodgood is?"
+
+"That was something he did not make clear."
+
+"He didn't seem to make anything clear," declared Jack. "I thought for
+sure that he was going to throw out some hooks to drag us into that game
+of poker. If he had, I should have known he was sent here, and I'd
+kicked him out, whether you had been willing or not, Merry!"
+
+"I'd opened the door and held it wide for you," smiled Frank.
+
+"What do you think of him, Browning?" asked Harry.
+
+"His way of talking made me very tired," yawned the big fellow. "He
+seemed to work so hard to get anything out."
+
+"I'll allow that we have had two rather queer visitors," said the
+Virginian.
+
+"And I shall take an interest in them both after this," declared Frank.
+
+"Talk about superstitious persons, I believe he heads the list," from
+Jack.
+
+"He said he was not superstitious," laughed Merry.
+
+"But the cat worried him."
+
+"And my twiddling my thumbs," put in Bruce.
+
+"And this dagger pin in my scarf," said Frank.
+
+"It's a wonder he didn't prophecy shipwreck, or something of that sort,"
+groaned Rattleton, who had settled at full length in his berth. "If this
+rolling motion keeps up, I shall get so I won't care if we are wrecked."
+
+"He must be a dandy in a good swift game of poker!" laughed Frank. "I
+shouldn't think he'd be able to make up his mind how to discard. He'd be
+a drawback to the game, or I'm much mistaken."
+
+"It strikes me that he'd be easy fruit," said Rattleton.
+
+"He looks like a 'sucker' himself, but sometimes it is impossible to
+tell about a man till after you see him play. Anyhow, these two visits
+were something to break the monotony of the voyage. It promised to be
+pretty lively at the start, but it has settled down to be rather quiet."
+
+Bloodgood and Slush proved good food for conversation, but the boys
+tired of that after a while.
+
+Diamond went out by himself, and Frank went to Tutor Maybe's room, where
+he spent the time till the gong sounded for supper.
+
+"Come, Harry," said Frank, appearing in the stateroom, "aren't you ready
+for supper?"
+
+Rattleton gave a groan.
+
+"Don't talk to me about eating!" he exclaimed. "It makes me sick to
+think about it. Leave me--let me die in peace!"
+
+Jack was not there, so Frank and Bruce washed up and went out together.
+They were nearly through eating when the Virginian came in and took his
+place near them at the table.
+
+Usually the captain sat at the head of that table, but he was not there
+now.
+
+"Where have you been?" asked Frank.
+
+"Getting onto a few things," said Jack, in a peculiar way.
+
+"Why, what's the matter with you?" asked Bruce, pausing to stare at the
+Southerner. "You are pale as a ghost!"
+
+"Am I?" said Diamond, his voice sounding rather strained and unnatural.
+
+"Sure thing. I wouldn't advise you to eat any more, and perhaps you
+hadn't better look at the chandeliers while they are swinging. You'll be
+keeping Rattleton company."
+
+"Oh, I'm not sick--at least, not seasick," averred Jack.
+
+"Then what ails you? I was going to prescribe ginger ale if it was the
+first stage of seasickness. Sometimes that will brace a person up and
+straighten out his stomach."
+
+"Oh, don't talk remedies to me. I took medicine three days before I
+started on this voyage, and everybody I saw told me something to do to
+keep from being sick. I'm wearing a sheet of writing paper across my
+chest now."
+
+When supper was over Jack motioned for his friends to follow him. The
+three went on deck and walked aft till they were quite alone.
+
+The "Eagle" was plowing along over a deserted sea. The waves were
+running heavily, and night was shutting down grimly over the ocean.
+
+"What's the matter with you, Diamond?" asked Browning. "Why have you
+dragged us out here? It's cold, and I'd rather go into our stateroom and
+take a loaf after eating so heartily. By Jove! if this keeps up, they
+won't have provisions enough on this boat to feed me before we get
+across."
+
+"I wanted to have a little talk without," said Jack; "and I didn't care
+about talking in the stateroom, where I might be overheard."
+
+"What's up, anyway?" demanded Frank, warned by the manner of the
+Virginian that Jack fancied he had something of importance to tell
+them.
+
+"I've been investigating," said Jack.
+
+"What?"
+
+"Well, I found out that there is something the matter on this boat."
+
+"Did you learn what it was?"
+
+"I don't know that I have, but I've discovered one thing. I've learned
+the kind of cargo we carry."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Petroleum and powder!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+PREMONITIONS OF PERIL.
+
+
+"Well, that's hot stuff when it's burning," said Merriwell, grimly.
+
+"Rather!" grunted Browning.
+
+"If I'd known what the old boat carried, I think I'd hesitated some
+about shipping on her," declared Jack. "What if she did get on fire?"
+
+"We'd all go up in smoke," said Merriwell, with absolute coolness. "That
+is about the size of it."
+
+"Well," said Jack, "I heard two of the sailors talking in a very
+mysterious manner. They say the 'Eagle' is hoodooed and the captain
+knows it. They say he has not slept any to speak of since we left New
+York."
+
+"Sailors are always superstitious. They are ignorant, as a rule, and
+ignorance breeds superstition."
+
+"Do you consider Mr. Slush ignorant?" asked Bruce.
+
+"Didn't have time to size him up, but he's queer."
+
+"I shall feel that I am over a volcano during the rest of the voyage,"
+said Jack. "What if there was somebody on board who wished to destroy
+the ship?"
+
+"It wouldn't be much of a job," grunted Browning. "A match touched to a
+powder keg would do the trick in a hurry."
+
+"But he'd go up with the rest of us," said Frank.
+
+"Unless he used a slow match," put in Jack. "These captains always have
+their enemies, who are desperate fellows and ready to do almost anything
+to injure them. The steamer might be set afire by means of a slow match,
+which would give the villain time enough to get away."
+
+"I hardly think there's anybody desperate enough to do that kind of a
+trick, for it would be a case of suicide."
+
+"Perhaps not. The chap who did the trick might have some plan of
+escaping. Then I have known men desperate enough to commit suicide if
+they could destroy an enemy at the same time."
+
+"Well, it's likely all this worry about this vessel and cargo is
+entirely needless and foolish."
+
+"I don't believe it," said the Virginian. "I know now that the captain
+has been worried. I have noticed it in his manner. He is pale and
+restless."
+
+"Well, it's likely he may be rather anxious, for it's certain he cannot
+carry any insurance on such a cargo."
+
+"He was not at the table to-night."
+
+"No."
+
+"I'd give something to be on solid ground and away from this powder
+mill. You know that sometimes there is such a thing as an unaccountable
+explosion. A heavy sea must cause motion or friction in the cargo, and
+friction often starts a fire on shipboard. Fire on this vessel means a
+quick road to glory."
+
+"Huah!" grunted Bruce. "I'm not in the habit of worrying about things
+that may happen. It's cold out here. Let's go back to the stateroom."
+
+"It will be well enough to keep still about the nature of the cargo,
+Diamond," said Frank.
+
+"Oh, I shall keep still about that all right!" assured Jack.
+
+As they moved back along the deck they discovered somebody who was
+leaning over the rail and making all sorts of dismal sounds and groans.
+
+"The next time I go to Europe I'll stay at home!" moaned this
+individual. "Oh, my! oh, my! How bad I feel! Next that comes will be the
+shaps of my twos--I mean the taps of my shoes!"
+
+"It's Rattles!" laughed Frank, softly; "and he is sicker than ever. He's
+tried to crawl out to get some air."
+
+At this moment a man opened the door near Rattleton, and asked:
+
+"Is the--ah--er--moon up yet?"
+
+"I don't know," moaned Harry. "But it is if I swallowed it. Everything
+else is up, anyhow."
+
+"If the--ah--moon comes up red tonight, it will mean----"
+
+"I don't give a rap what it means!" snorted Rattleton. "Don't talk to
+me! Let me die without torturing me! I'm sick enough without having you
+make me worse!"
+
+Mr. Slush, for he was the anxious inquirer about the moon, dodged back
+into the cabin, closing the door hesitatingly.
+
+Then Rattleton, unaware of the proximity of his amused friends, hung
+over the rail and groaned again.
+
+Frank walked up and spoke:
+
+"I see, my dear boy, that you are heeding the Bible admonition."
+
+"Hey?" groaned Harry. "What is it?"
+
+"'Cast thy bread upon the waters!' You are doing it all right, all
+right."
+
+"Now, don't carry this thing too far!" Rattleton tried to say in a
+fierce manner, but his fierceness was laughable. "The worm will turn
+when trodden upon."
+
+"But the banana peel knows a trick worth two of that. Did you ever hear
+that touching little poem about the man who stepped on a banana peel?
+Never did? Why, that is too bad! You don't know what you've missed.
+Listen, and you shall hear it."
+
+Then Frank solemnly declaimed:
+
+     "He walked along one summer day,
+       As stately as a prince;
+     He stepped upon a banana peel,
+       And he hasn't 'banana' where since."
+
+Rattleton gave a still more dismal groan.
+
+"You are conspiring with the elements to hasten my death!" he said. "I
+can't stand many more like that."
+
+"You should wear a sheet of writing paper across your breast, same as I
+do," said Diamond. "Then you won't be sick."
+
+"I've got two sheets of writing paper across mine," declared Harry.
+
+"You should drink a bottle of ginger ale to settle your stomach," put in
+Frank.
+
+"Just drank three bottles of ginger ale, and they've turned my stomach
+wrong side out," gurgled the sick youth.
+
+"You should allow yourself perfect relaxation, and not try to fight
+against it," from Browning.
+
+"Oh, I haven't allowed myself anything else but perfect relaxation,"
+came from Harry. "You all make me tired!"
+
+Then he staggered into the cabin and disappeared on his way back to the
+stateroom.
+
+Diamond and Browning followed, but Frank lingered behind.
+
+Although he had kept the fact concealed, Merry was troubled with a
+strange foreboding of coming disaster. In every way he tried to overcome
+anything like superstition, but he remembered that, on many other
+occasions, he had been warned of coming trouble by just such feelings.
+
+"I'd like to know just what is going on upon this steamer," he muttered,
+as he walked forward. "I feel as if something was wrong, and I shall not
+be satisfied till I investigate."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+IN THE STOKE-HOLE.
+
+
+Frank found the chief engineer taking some air. Merry fell into
+conversation with the man, who was smoking and seemed quite willing to
+talk.
+
+Having a pleasant and agreeable way, Frank easily led the engineer on,
+and it was not long before the man was quite taken with the chatty
+passenger.
+
+Frank was careful not to seem inquisitive or prying, for he knew it
+would be easy to arouse the engineer's suspicions if there should be
+anything wrong on the steamer.
+
+However, Merry was working for a privilege, and he obtained it. When he
+expressed a desire to go below and have a look at the engines and
+furnaces, the engineer invited him to come along.
+
+They passed through a door, and then began a descent by means of iron
+ladders. The clanking roar of the machinery came up to them. Frank could
+hear and feel the throbbing heart beats of the great boat.
+
+The engine room was quickly reached, and there the engineer showed him
+the massive machinery that moved with the regularity of clockwork and
+the grace and ease that came from great power and perfect adjustment.
+
+All this was interesting, but Frank was anxious to go still deeper.
+
+"Go ahead," said the engineer, showing him the way. "Down that ladder
+there. You'll be able to see the furnaces and the stokers at work. I
+don't believe you'll care to go into the stoke-hole."
+
+Frank descended. Great heat came up to him, accompanied by a glow that
+shifted and changed, dying down suddenly at one moment and glaring out
+at the next. He could hear the ring of shovels and the clank of iron
+doors.
+
+He reached an iron grating, where a fierce heat rolled up and seemed to
+scorch him. From that position he could look down into the stoke-hole
+and see the black, grimy, sweating, half-clad men at work there.
+
+Above him, at the head of the ladder he had just descended, a pair of
+shining eyes glared down, but he saw them not. He had not observed a
+cleaner who was at work on the machinery in the engine-room, and who
+kept his hat pulled over his eyes till Frank departed.
+
+The blackened stokers looked like grim demons of the fiery pit as they
+labored at the coal, which they were shoveling into the mouths of the
+greedy furnaces.
+
+The shifting glow was caused by the opening and closing of the furnace
+doors, which clanged and rang.
+
+For a moment the pit below would seem shrouded in almost Stygian
+darkness, save for some bar of light that gleamed out from a crack or
+draft, and then there would be a rattle of iron and a flare of blood-red
+light that came with the flinging open of a furnace door.
+
+In the glare of light the bare-armed, dirt-grimed stokers would shovel,
+shovel, shovel, till it seemed a wonder that the fire was not completely
+deadened by so much coal.
+
+Sometimes the doors of all the furnaces would seem open at once, and the
+glare and heat that came up from the place was something awful.
+
+Merry wondered how human beings could live down there in that terrible
+place.
+
+Some of the men were raking out ashes and hoisting it by means of a
+mechanism provided for the purpose.
+
+Frank pitied the poor creatures who were forced to work down in that
+place. Yet he remembered it was not so many months since he had applied
+for the position of wiper in an engine round-house, obtained the job,
+and worked there with the grimiest and lowest employees of the railroad.
+
+There was something fascinating in the black pit and the grimy men who
+labored down there in the glare and heat. Frank was so absorbed that he
+heard no sound, received no warning of danger.
+
+Merry leaned out over the edge of the iron grating. Something struck on
+his back, he was clutched, thrust out, hurled from the grating!
+
+It was done in a twinkling. He could not defend himself, but he made a
+clutch to save himself, caught something, swung in, struck against the
+iron ladder, and went tumbling and sliding downward.
+
+At the moment when Frank was attacked, a glare of light had filled the
+pit. One of the stokers had turned his back to the gleaming mouths of
+the furnaces and looked upward, as if to relieve his aching eyes.
+
+He saw everything that occurred on the grating. He saw a man slip down
+the ladder behind Frank and spring on his back. He saw that man hurl
+Frank from the grating.
+
+The stoker uttered a shout and ran toward the foot of the ladder,
+expecting to find Frank laying there, severely injured or killed. He was
+astounded when he saw the ready-witted youth grasp the grating, swing
+in, strike the ladder, cling and slide.
+
+Down Frank came with a rush, but he did not fall. He landed in the
+stoke-hole without being severely injured. He was on his feet in a
+twinkling, and up that ladder he went like a cat.
+
+His assailant had darted up the ladder above and disappeared. Merry
+reached the grating from which he had been hurled, and then he ran up
+the other ladder.
+
+He was soon in the engine-room.
+
+In that room there was no excitement. The machinery was sliding and
+swinging in a regular manner, while the engineer sat watching its
+movements, talking to an assistant. Oilers and cleaners were at work.
+
+"Where is he?" cried Frank, his voice sounding clear and distinct.
+
+They looked at him in amazement.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked the engineer, coming forward.
+
+"I was attacked from behind and thrown into the stoke-hole," Merry
+explained. "The fellow who did it came in here."
+
+"Thrown into the stoke-hole?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"From where?"
+
+"The grating at the foot of the first ladder."
+
+The engineer looked doubtful.
+
+"My dear fellow," he said, "you would have been maimed or killed. You do
+not seem to be harmed."
+
+Frank realized that the engineer actually doubted his word.
+
+"He might have fallen," said the assistant; "but it would have broken
+his neck."
+
+"I tell you I was attacked from behind and thrown down!" exclaimed
+Frank. "I managed to get hold of the ladder and slide, so I was not
+killed."
+
+The engineer looked annoyed.
+
+"This is what comes of letting a passenger in here," he said. "It's the
+last time I'll do it on my own responsibility. Now if you go out and
+tell you were thrown into the stoke-hole, there'll be any amount of fuss
+over it."
+
+"I am telling it right here," said Frank, grimly, "and I want to know
+who did the trick. Somebody who came from this room must have done it."
+
+"Impossible!"
+
+"Then where did he come from?"
+
+The engineer and his assistant looked at each other, and the former
+began to swear.
+
+"What do you think of it, Joe?" he asked.
+
+"Think you made a mistake, Bill; but his story won't go. Nobody'll take
+any stock in it."
+
+Frank was angry. It was something unusual for his word to be doubted,
+and he felt like expressing his feelings decidedly.
+
+He was saved the trouble. The grimy stoker who had witnessed the
+struggle and the fall appeared in the door of the engine-room. He saw
+Frank and cried:
+
+"Hello, you! So you're all right? Wonder you wasn't killed. You came
+down with a rush, young feller, but you went back just as quick."
+
+Frank understood instantly.
+
+"Here is a man who saw it!" he cried. "He will tell you that I am not
+lying."
+
+The engineer turned to the stoker.
+
+"How did he happen to fall?" he asked.
+
+"He didn't fall," declared the begrimed coal heaver.
+
+"No? What then--"
+
+"'Nother chap jumped on his back and flung him down. It's wonderful he
+wasn't killed."
+
+Frank was triumphant. He regarded the engineer and his assistant with a
+grim smile on his face.
+
+"This is incredible!" exclaimed the engineer. "Who could have done such
+a thing?"
+
+"Somebody who came from this room!" rang out Merry's clear voice.
+
+"This shall be investigated!" declared the engineer. "Look around! See
+if you can find the man who attacked you. The only ones here are myself,
+Mr. Gregory, and the wipers."
+
+"I want a look at those wipers," said Frank.
+
+"You shall have it. Mr. Gregory and I were talking together over here
+all the time you were gone."
+
+"Oh, I do not suspect you," said Merry; "but I want a good look at those
+wipers."
+
+"Did you see the man who threw you into the stoke-hole?"
+
+"No, but--"
+
+"Then how will you know who it was if you see him?"
+
+"Whoever did so had a reason for the act--a motive. He must have known
+me before. I may know him."
+
+"Come," invited the engineer.
+
+He called one of the wipers down from amid the sliding shafts and moving
+machinery. The man came unhesitatingly.
+
+Frank took a square look at this man, who did not seek to avoid
+inspection.
+
+"Never saw him before," confessed Merry.
+
+The wiper was dismissed.
+
+"Hackett," called the engineer.
+
+The other wiper did not seem to hear. He pretended to be very busy, and
+kept at work.
+
+"Hackett!"
+
+He could not fail to hear that. He kept his face turned away, but
+answered:
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Come here. I want you."
+
+The wiper hesitated. Then he turned and slowly approached. His face was
+besmeared till scarcely a bit of natural color showed, and his hat was
+pulled low over his eyes. He shambled forward awkwardly, and stood in an
+awkward position, with his eyes cast down.
+
+Frank looked at him closely and started. Then, in a perfectly calm
+manner, but with a trace of triumph in his voice, he declared:
+
+"This is the fellow who did the job!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+IN IRONS.
+
+
+"What?" cried the engineer, in astonishment.
+
+"How do you know?" asked the engineer's assistant, incredulously.
+
+"That's it--how do you know?" demanded the engineer. "You said you did
+not see the person who attacked you."
+
+"I did not."
+
+"Yet you say this is the man."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"I know him."
+
+"You do?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You have seen him before?"
+
+"I should say so, on several occasions. He is one of my bitterest
+enemies. This is not the first time he has tried to kill or injure me.
+He has made the attempt many times before. He is the only person here
+who would do such a thing."
+
+"If this is true," said the engineer, grimly, "he shall pay dearly for
+his work!"
+
+The assistant nodded.
+
+"What have you to say, Hackett?" demanded the engineer.
+
+"I say it's a lie!" growled the fellow. "I never saw this chap before he
+came into the engine-room. He doesn't know me, and I don't know him."
+
+"You hear what Hackett has to say," said the engineer, turning to Frank.
+
+"I hear what this fellow has to say, but his name is not Hackett."
+
+"Is not?"
+
+"No, no more than mine is Hackett."
+
+"Then what is his name?"
+
+"His name is Harris!" asserted Merry, "and he is a gambler and a crook.
+I'll guarantee that he has not been long on the 'Eagle.'"
+
+"No; we took him on in New York scarcely two hours before we sailed. We
+needed a man, and he applied for any kind of a job. Found he had worked
+round machinery, and we took him as wiper and general assistant."
+
+"It was not so many weeks ago that he attacked me at New Haven," said
+Frank. "He failed to do me harm. When he found I was going abroad he
+declared he would go along on the same steamer. At the time he must have
+thought I was going by one of the regular liners; but it is plain he
+followed me up pretty close and found I was going over this way. As
+there is no second-class passage on this boat, he decided he could not
+travel in the same class with me without being discovered, and he
+resolved to go as one of the crew, if he could get on that way. That's
+how he happens to be here."
+
+"If what you say is true, it will go pretty hard with Mr. Harris. We'll
+have him ironed and--"
+
+A cry of rage broke from the lips of the accused.
+
+"There is no proof!" he snarled. "No one can swear I attacked this
+fellow and threw him into the stoke-hole!"
+
+"Oh, yes!" said the stoker who had come up from below. "I saw the whole
+business. By the light from the furnaces, I plainly saw the man who did
+it, and you are the man!"
+
+"That settles it!" declared the engineer. "You'll make the rest of the
+voyage in irons, Mr. Harris!"
+
+"Then I'll give you something to iron me for!" shouted the furious young
+villain.
+
+He leaped on Frank Merriwell with the fierceness of a wounded tiger.
+
+Frank was not expecting the assault, and, for the moment, he was taken
+off his guard.
+
+They were close to the moving machinery. Within four feet of them a huge
+plunging rod was playing up and down, moved by a steel bar that weighed
+many tons. Harris attempted to fling Frank beneath this bar, where he
+would be struck and crushed.
+
+The villain nearly succeeded, so swift and savage was his attack.
+
+Frank realized that the purpose of the wretch was to fling him into the
+machinery, and he braced himself to resist as quickly as possible.
+
+Shouts of consternation broke from the engineer and his assistant. They
+sprang forward to seize Harris and help Frank.
+
+But, before they could interfere, Frank broke the hold of his enemy,
+forced him back and struck him a terrible blow between the eyes felling
+him instantly.
+
+Merriwell stood over Harris, his hands clenched his eyes gleaming.
+
+"Get up!" he cried. "Get up you dog! I can't strike you when you are
+down, and I'd give a hundred dollars to hit you just once more!"
+
+But Harris did not get up. He realized that his second attempt had
+failed, and he stood in awe of Frank's terrible fists. He looked up at
+those gleaming eyes, and turned away quickly, feeling a sudden great
+fear.
+
+Did Frank Merriwell bear a charmed life?
+
+Surely it seemed that way to Harris just then. For the first time,
+perhaps, the young rascal began to believe that it was not possible to
+harm the lad he hated with all the intensity of his nature.
+
+The engineer and his assistants grabbed Harris and held him, the former
+swearing savagely. They dragged the fellow to his feet, but warned him
+to stand still.
+
+Harris did so. For the moment, at least, he was completely cowed.
+
+A man was sent for the captain, with instructions to tell him just what
+occurred. Of course the captain of the steamer was the only person who
+could order one of the men placed in irons.
+
+The captain came in in a little while, and he listened in great
+amazement to the story of what had taken place. His face was hard and
+grim. He asked Frank a few questions, and then he ordered that Harris be
+ironed and confined in the hold.
+
+"Mr. Merriwell," said the captain, "I am very sorry that this happened
+on my ship."
+
+"It's all right, captain," said Frank. "You are in no way to blame. The
+fellow shipped with the intention of doing just what he did, if he found
+an opportunity."
+
+"It will go hard-with him," declared the master. "He'll not get out of
+this without suffering the penalty."
+
+Harris was sullen and silent. Frank spoke to him before he was led away.
+
+"Harris," he said, "you have brought destruction on yourself. I can't
+say that I arm sorry for you, for, by your persistent attacks on me, you
+have destroyed any sympathy I might have felt. You have ruined your own
+life."
+
+"No!" snarled Sport. "You are the one! You ruined me! If I go to prison
+for this, I'll get free again sometime, and I'll not forget you, Frank
+Merriwell! All the years I am behind the bars will but add to the debt I
+owe you. When I come forth to freedom, I'll find you if you are alive,
+and I'll have your life!"
+
+Then he was marched away between two stout men, his irons clanking and
+rattling.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE GAME IN THE NEXT ROOM.
+
+
+When Merry appeared in his stateroom he was greeted with a storm of
+questions.
+
+"Well, what does this mean?"
+
+"Trying to dodge us?"
+
+"Running away?"
+
+"Muts the whatter with you--I mean what's the matter?"
+
+"Where have you been?"
+
+"Stand and give an account of yourself!"
+
+Then he told them a little story that astounded them beyond measure. He
+explained how he had taken a fancy to look the steamer over and had
+fallen in with the engineer. Then he related how he had visited the
+engine room and been thrown into the stoke-hole.
+
+But when he told the name of his assailant the climax was capped.
+
+"Harris?" gasped Rattleton, incredulously.
+
+"Harris?" palpitated Diamond, astounded.
+
+"Harris?" roared Browning, aroused from his lazy languidness.
+
+"On this steamer?" they shouted in unison.
+
+"On this steamer," nodded Frank, really enjoying the sensation he had
+created.
+
+"He--he attacked you?" gurgled Rattleton, seeming to forget his recent
+sickness.
+
+"He did."
+
+"And you escaped after being thrown into the stoke-hole?" fluttered
+Diamond.
+
+"I am here."
+
+"And you didn't kill the cur on sight?" roared Browning.
+
+"He is in the hold in irons."
+
+"Serves him right!" was the verdict of Frank's three friends.
+
+"Well, this is what I call a real sensation!" said the Virginian. "You
+certainly found something, Frank!"
+
+"Well, that fellow has reached the end of his rope at last," said Harry,
+with intense satisfaction, once more stretching himself in his bunk.
+
+"That's pretty sure," nodded Jack. "Attempted murder on the high seas is
+a pretty serious thing."
+
+"He'll get pushed for it all right this time," grunted Browning,
+beginning to recover from his astonishment.
+
+Then they talked the affair over, and Frank gave them his theory of
+Sport's presence on the steamer, which seemed plausible.
+
+"This is something rather more interesting than the superstitious man or
+the Frenchman," said Diamond.
+
+"The superstitious man was interesting at first," observed Merry; "but
+I've a fancy that he might prove a bore."
+
+Then Bruce grunted:
+
+     "Say, does Fact and Reason err,
+     And, if they both err, which the more?
+     The man of the smallest calibre
+     Is sure to be the greatest bore."
+
+While they were talking, the sound of voices came from the stateroom
+occupied by the Frenchman. Soon it became evident that quite a little
+party had gathered in that room.
+
+The boys paid no attention to the party till it came time to turn in for
+the night. Then they became aware that something was taking place in the
+adjoining room, and it was not long before they made out that it was a
+game of poker.
+
+As they became quiet, they could hear the murmur of voices, and,
+occasionally, some person would speak distinctly, "seeing," "raising" or
+"calling."
+
+Diamond began to get nervous.
+
+"Say," he observed, "that makes me think of old times. Many a night
+I've spent at that."
+
+"What's the matter with you?" said Frank. "Do you want to go in there
+and take a hand?"
+
+"Well," Jack confessed, "I do feel an itching."
+
+"I feel like getting some sleep," grunted Bruce, "and they are keeping
+me awake."
+
+"Why are they playing in a stateroom, anyhow?" exclaimed Frank. "It's no
+place for a game of cards at night."
+
+"That's so," agreed Rattleton, dreamily. "But you are keeping me awake
+by your chatter a good deal more than they are. Shut up, the whole lot
+of you!"
+
+There was silence for a time, and then, with a savage exclamation,
+Diamond sprang out of his berth and thumped on the partition, crying:
+
+"Come, gentlemen, it's time to go to bed! You are keeping us awake."
+
+There was no response.
+
+Jack went back to bed, but the murmuring continued in the next
+stateroom, and the rattle of chips could be heard occasionally.
+
+"What are we going to do about it, Merriwell?" asked Jack, savagely.
+
+"We can complain."
+
+But making a complaint was repellent to a college youth, who was
+inclined to regard as a cheap fellow anybody who would do such a thing,
+and Diamond did not agree to that.
+
+"Well," said Frank, "I suppose I can go in there and clean them all
+out."
+
+"How?"
+
+"At their own game," laughed Merry, muffledly.
+
+"If anybody in this crowd tackles them that way I'll be the one,"
+asserted the Virginian.
+
+"Then nobody here will tackle them that way," said Frank, remembering
+how he had once saved Diamond from sharpers in New Haven.
+
+Frank was a person who believed that knowledge of almost any sort was
+likely to prove of value to a man at some stage of his career, and he
+had made a practice of learning everything possible. He had studied up
+on the tricks of gamblers, so that he knew all about their methods of
+robbing their victims. Being a first-class amateur magician, his
+knowledge of card tricks had become of value to him in more than one
+instance. He felt that he would be able to hold his own against pretty
+clever card-sharps, but he did not care or propose to have any dealings
+with such men, unless forced to do so.
+
+The boys kept still for a while. Their light was extinguished, but, up
+near the ceiling, a shaft of light came through the partition from the
+other room.
+
+Diamond saw it. He jumped up and dragged a trunk into position by that
+partition. Mounted on the trunk, he applied his eye to the orifice and
+discovered that he could see into the Frenchman's room very nicely.
+
+"What can you see?" grunted Browning.
+
+"I can see everyone in there," answered Jack.
+
+"Name them."
+
+"The Frenchman, the Englishman, the superstitious man, and our fresh
+friend, Bloodgood."
+
+"Same old crowd," murmured Frank.
+
+"Yes, and a hot old game!" came from the youth on the trunk. "My! my!
+but they are whooping her up! They've got plenty to drink, and they are
+playing for big dust."
+
+"Tell them to saw up till to-morrow," mumbled Bruce.
+
+Jack did not do so, however. He remained on the trunk, watching the
+game, seeming greatly interested.
+
+A big game of poker interested him any time. It was through the
+influence of Frank that he had been led to renounce the game, but the
+thirst for its excitements and delights remained with him, for he had
+come from a family of card-players and sportsmen.
+
+"Come, come!" laughed Frank, after a while; "I can hear your teeth
+chattering, old man. Get off that trunk and turn in."
+
+"Wait!" fluttered Jack--"wait till I see this hand played out."
+
+In less than half a minute he cried:
+
+"It's a skin game! I knew it was!"
+
+"What's the lay?" asked Merry.
+
+"That infernal Frenchman is a card-sharp!"
+
+"I suspected as much."
+
+"His pal is the Englishman. They are standing in together."
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"Sure thing. They are bleeding Bloodgood and Slush. Bloodgood thinks
+he's pretty sharp, and I have not much sympathy for him; but I am sorry
+for poor little Slush. He should have paid attention to some of his
+signs and omens. He knew something disastrous would happen during this
+voyage, and I rather think it will happen to him."
+
+Then Diamond thumped the wall again, crying:
+
+"Stop that business in there! Mr. Slush, you are playing cards with
+crooks--you are being robbed! Get out of that game as soon as you can!"
+
+There was a sudden silence in the adjoining room, and then M. Rouen
+Montfort was heard to utter an exclamation in French, following which he
+cried:
+
+"I see you to-morrow, saire! I make you swallow ze lie!"
+
+"You may see me any time you like!" Diamond flung back.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE HORRORS OF THE HOLD.
+
+
+To the surprise of the four youths, M. Montfort utterly ignored them on
+the following day, instead of seeking "trouble," as had been
+anticipated.
+
+"Well," said Jack, in disgust, "he has less courage than I thought. He
+is just a common boasting Frenchman."
+
+"He is not a common Frenchman." declared Frank. "I believe he is a
+rascal of more than common calibre."
+
+"But he lacks nerve, and I have nothing but contempt for him," said the
+Virginian. "I didn't know but he would challenge me to a duel."
+
+"What if he had?"
+
+"What if he had?" hissed the hot-blooded Southern youth. "I'd fought him
+at the drop of the hat!"
+
+"That's all right, but you know most Frenchmen fight well in a duel."
+
+"I don't know anything of the kind. They are expert fencers, but I
+notice it is mighty seldom one of them is killed in a duel. They
+sometimes draw a drop of blood, and then they consider that 'honor is
+satisfied,' and that ends it."
+
+It was midway in the forenoon that Frank met Mr. Slush on deck. The
+little man was looking more doleful and dejected than ever, if possible.
+
+"The--ah--the moon showed rather yellow last night," he said. "That is
+a--a sure sign of disaster."
+
+"Well," said Merry, with a smile, "I think the disaster will befall you,
+sir, if you do not steer clear of the crowd you were in last night."
+
+Mr. Slush looked surprised.
+
+"Might I--ah--inquire your meaning?" he faltered.
+
+"I mean that you are playing poker with card-sharps, and they mean to
+rob you," answered Frank, plainly.
+
+"I--I wonder how you--er--know so much," said the little man, with
+something like faint sarcasm, as Frank fancied.
+
+"It makes little difference how I know it, but I am telling you the
+truth. I am warning you for your good, sir."
+
+"Er--ahem! Thank you--very much."
+
+Mr. Slush walked away.
+
+"Well, I'm hanged if he doesn't take it coolly enough!" muttered Frank,
+perplexed.
+
+Frank felt an interest to know how Sport Harris was getting along. He
+walked forward and found the captain near the steps that led to the
+bridge.
+
+In reply to Merry's inquiry, the captain said:
+
+"Oh, don't worry about him. There are rats down there in the hold, but I
+guess he'll be able to fight them off. He'll have bread and water the
+rest of the voyage."
+
+After that Merry could not help thinking of Harris all alone in the
+darkness of the hold, with swarms of rats around him, eating dry bread,
+washed down with water.
+
+Frank felt that the youthful villain did not deserve any sympathy, but,
+despite himself, he could not help feeling a pang of pity for him.
+
+When he expressed himself thus to his friends, however, they scoffed at
+him.
+
+"Serves the dog right!" flashed Diamond. "He is getting just what he
+deserves, and I'm glad of it!"
+
+"He will get what he deserves when we reach the other side," grunted
+Browning.
+
+"No," said Merry; "he is an American, and he'll have to be taken back
+to the United States for punishment."
+
+"Well, he'll get it all right."
+
+"Well, I don't care to think that he may be driven mad shut up in the
+dark hold with the rats."
+
+This feeling grew on Frank. At last he went to the captain and asked
+liberty to see Harris.
+
+The request was granted, and, accompanied by two men, Frank descended
+into the hold.
+
+Down there, amid barrels and casks, they came upon Harris. Frank heard
+the irons rattle, and then a gaunt-looking, wild-eyed creature rose up
+before them, shown by the yellow light of the lanterns.
+
+Frank Merriwell had steady nerves, but, despite himself, he started.
+
+The appearance of the fellow had changed in a most remarkable manner.
+Harris looked as if he was overcome with terror.
+
+"There he is," said one of the men, holding up his lantern so the light
+fell more plainly on the wretched prisoner.
+
+"Have you come to take me out of here?" cried Harris, in a tone of voice
+that gave Frank a chill. "For God's sake, take me out of this place!
+I'll go mad if I stay here much longer! It is full of rats! I could not
+sleep last night--I dare not close my eyes for a minute! Please--please
+take me out of here!"
+
+Then he saw and recognized Frank.
+
+"You?" he screamed. "Have you come here to gloat over me, Frank
+Merriwell?"
+
+"No," said Frank; "I have come to see if I can do anything for you."
+
+"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Harris, in a manner that made Frank believe
+madness could not be far away. "You wouldn't do that! I know why you are
+here! You have triumphed over me! You wish to see me in all my misery!
+Well, look at me! Here I have been thrown into this hellish hole, amid
+rats and vermin, ironed like a nigger! Look till you are satisfied! It
+will fill your heart with satisfaction! Mock me! Sneer at me! Deride
+me!"
+
+"I have no desire to do anything of the sort," declared Frank. "I am
+sorry for you, Harris."
+
+"Sorry! Bah! You lie! Why do you tell me that?"
+
+"It is the truth. You brought this on yourself, and so----"
+
+"Don't tell me that again! You have told it enough! If I'd never seen
+you, I'd not be here now. You brought it on me, Frank Merriwell. If I
+die here in this cursed hole, you'll have something pleasant to think
+about! You can laugh over it!"
+
+"You shall not die here, Harris, if I can help it. I'll speak to the
+captain about you."
+
+The wretch stared at Merry, his eyes looking sunken and glittering.
+Then, all at once, he crouched down there, his chains clanking, covered
+his face with his hands and began to cry.
+
+No matter what Harris had done, Frank was deeply pitiful then.
+
+"I shall go directly to the captain," he promised, "and I'll ask him to
+have you taken out of this place. I will urge him to have it done."
+
+Harris said nothing.
+
+Frank had seen enough, and he turned away. As they were moving off,
+Harris began to scream and call to them, begging them not to leave him
+there in the darkness.
+
+Those cries cut through and through Frank Merriwell. He knew he was in
+no way responsible for the fate that had befallen the fellow, and yet he
+felt that he must do something for Harris.
+
+He kept his word, going directly to the captain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE FINISH OF A THRILLING GAME.
+
+
+The captain listened to what Frank had to say, but his sternness did not
+seem to relax in the least, as Merry described the sufferings the
+prisoner was enduring. But Frank would not be satisfied till the captain
+had made a promise to visit Harris himself and see that the fellow was
+taken out and cared for if he needed it.
+
+Needless to say that the captain forgot to make the visit right away.
+
+Frank did not tell his friends where he had been and what he had seen.
+He did not feel like talking about it, and they noticed that he looked
+strangely grim and thoughtful.
+
+Tutor Maybe tried to talk to him about studies, but Merry was in no
+mood for that, as his instructor soon discovered.
+
+Despite the fact that the sea was running high, Rattleton seemed to have
+recovered in a great measure from his sickness, so he was able to get on
+deck with the others. At noon, he even went to the table and ate
+lightly, drinking ginger ale with his food.
+
+An hour after dinner Frank found a game of poker going on in the
+smoking-room. Mr. Slush was in the game. So were the Frenchman, the
+Englishman, and Bloodgood.
+
+No money was in sight, but it was plain enough from the manner in which
+the game was played that the chips each man held had been purchased for
+genuine money, and the game was one for "blood."
+
+M. Montfort looked up for a moment as Frank stopped to watch the game.
+Their eyes met. The Frenchman permitted a sneer to steal across his
+face, while Frank looked at him steadily till his eyes dropped.
+
+At a glance, Merry saw that Bloodgood was "shakey." The fellow had been
+growing worse and worse as the voyage progressed, and now he seemed on
+the verge of a break-down.
+
+A few minutes after entering the room Frank heard one of the spectators
+whisper to another that Bloodgood was "bulling the game," and had lost
+heavily.
+
+Bloodgood was drinking deeply. Mr. Slush seemed to be indulging rather
+freely. The Frenchman sipped a little wine now and then, and the
+Englishman drank at regular intervals.
+
+The Frenchman was perfectly cool. The Englishman was phlegmatic. Slush
+hesitated sometimes, but, to the surprise of the boys, seemed rather
+collected. Bloodgood was hot and excited.
+
+Frank took a position where he could look on. He watched every move.
+After a time he discerned that the Englishman and the Frenchman were
+playing to each other, although the trick was done so skillfully that it
+did not seem apparent.
+
+Bloodgood lost all his chips. The game was held up for a few moments. He
+stepped into the next room and returned with a fresh supply.
+
+"This is the bottom," he declared. "You people may have them as soon as
+you like. To blazes with them! Let's lift the limit."
+
+"Ah--er--let's throw it off--entirely," suggested Mr. Slush.
+
+Bloodgood glared at the little man in astonishment.
+
+"What?" he cried. "You propose that? Why, you didn't want to play a
+bigger game than a quarter limit at the start!"
+
+"Perhaps you are--er--right," admitted Mr. Slush. "I--er--don't deny it.
+But I have grown more--more interested, you understand. I--I don't mind
+playing a good game--now."
+
+"Well, then, if the other gentlemen say so, by the gods, we'll make it
+no limit!" Bloodgood almost shouted.
+
+The Frenchman bowed suavely, a slight smile curling the ends of his
+pointed mustache upward.
+
+"I haf not ze least--what you call eet?--ze least objectshong," he
+purred.
+
+"I don't mind," said the Englishman.
+
+Now there was great interest. Somehow, Frank felt that a climax was
+coming. He watched everything with deep interest.
+
+Luck continued to run against Bloodgood. To Frank's surprise, it was
+plain Mr. Slush was winning. This seemed to surprise and puzzle both the
+Englishman and the Frenchman.
+
+It was hard work to draw the little man in when Hazleton or Montfort
+dealt. On his own deal or that of Bloodgood, he seemed ready for
+anything.
+
+"By Jove!" whispered Frank, in Diamond's ear. "That man is not such a
+fool as I thought! I haven't been able to understand him at all, and I
+don't understand him now."
+
+At length there came a big jack-pot. It was passed round several times.
+Then Hazleton opened it on three nines.
+
+Bloodgood sat next. He had two pairs, aces up, and he raised instantly.
+
+Montfort was the next man. He held a pair of deuces, but he saw all that
+had been bet, and doubled the amount!
+
+Mr. Slush hesitated a little. He seemed ready to lay down, but finally
+braced up and came in, calling.
+
+Hazleton did not accept the call. He raised again.
+
+Bloodgood looked at his hand and cursed under his breath. It was just
+good enough to make him feel that he ought to make another raise, but
+he began to think there were other good hands out, and it was not
+possible to tell where continued raising would land him, so he "made
+good."
+
+With nothing but a pair of deuces in his hand, Montfort "cracked her up"
+again for a good round sum.
+
+The hair on the head of Mr. Slush seemed to stand. He swallowed and
+looked pale. Then he "made good."
+
+Hazleton had his turn again, and he improved it. For the next few
+minutes, Montfort and Hazleton had a merry time raising, but neither
+Slush nor Bloodgood threw up.
+
+"This is where they are sinking the knife in the suckers!" muttered Jack
+Diamond.
+
+Frank Merriwell said not a word. His eyes were watching every move.
+
+At last the betting stopped, and Slush picked up the pack to give out
+the cards.
+
+Hazleton called for two. He received them, and remained imperturbable.
+
+He had caught nothing with his three nines.
+
+Bloodgood had tumbled to the fact that he was "up against" threes, and
+he had discarded his pair of low cards, holding only the two aces. To
+these he drew a seven and two more aces!
+
+Bloodgood turned pale and then flushed. He held onto himself with all
+his strength. Here was his chance to get back his losings. Everything
+was in his favor. He was confident there were some good hands out, and
+it was very likely some of them might be improved on the draw, but he
+felt the pot was the same as his.
+
+The Frenchman drew two cards.
+
+Slush took one.
+
+Then hot work began. Within three minutes Hazleton, with his three
+nines, had been driven out. Bloodgood, Montfort and Slush remained,
+raising steadily.
+
+There was intense excitement in that room. The captain of the steamer
+had come in, and he was looking on. Some of the spectators were
+literally shaking with excitement.
+
+Bloodgood's chips were used up. He flung money on the table.
+
+All that he had went into the pot, and still he would not call. He
+offered his I.O.U.'s, but Mr. Slush declined to agree.
+
+"Money or its equivalent," said the little man, with such decisiveness
+that all were astonished.
+
+"I haven't any money," protested Bloodgood.
+
+"Then you are out," said Slush.
+
+"It's robbery!" cried Bloodgood.
+
+"Why, you can't kick; you haven't even called once."
+
+"Not even once, saire," purred the Frenchman.
+
+"By blazes! I have the equivalent!" shouted Bloodgood.
+
+Into an inner pocket he plunged. He brought out a velvet jewel box. When
+this was opened, there was a cry of wonder, for a magnificent diamond
+necklace was revealed.
+
+"That is worth ten thousand dollars!" declared Bloodgood, "and I'll bet
+as long as it lasts!"
+
+Mr. Slush held out his hand.
+
+"Please let me examine it," he said.
+
+He took a good look at it.
+
+"Ees it all right, sair?" asked the Frenchman, eagerly.
+
+"It is," said Mr. Slush, "and I will take charge of it!"
+
+He thrust the case into his pocket, rose quickly, stepped past Montfort
+and clapped a hand on Bloodgood's shoulder.
+
+"I arrest you, Benton Hammersley, for the Clayton diamond robbery!" he
+said. "It is useless for you to resist, for you are on shipboard, and
+you cannot escape."
+
+Bloodgood uttered a fierce curse,
+
+"Who in the fiend's name are you?" he snarled, turning pale.
+
+And "Mr. Slush" answered:
+
+"Dan Badger, of the New York detective force! Permit me to present you
+with a pair of handsome bracelets, Mr. Hammersley."
+
+Click--the trapped diamond thief was ironed!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+FIRE IN THE HOLD.
+
+
+Everyone except the detective himself seemed astounded. The clever
+officer, who had played his part so well, was as cool as ice.
+
+The Frenchman cried:
+
+"But zis pot--eet ees not settailed to whom eet belong yet!"
+
+The detective stepped back to his chair.
+
+"The easiest way to settle that is by a show-down," he said. "Under the
+circumstances, further bettering is out of the question."
+
+"And I rather think I am in the showdown," choked out the prisoner.
+"I'll need this money to defend myself when I come to trial."
+
+"You shall have it," assured Dan Badger--"if you win it."
+
+"Well, I think I'll win it," said the ironed man, spreading out his
+hand. "I have four aces, and you can't beat that."
+
+"Oh, my dear saire!" cried the Frenchman. "Zat ees pretty gude, but I
+belief zis ees battaire. How you like zat for a straight flush?"
+
+He lay his cards on the table, and he had the two, three, four, five and
+six of hearts.
+
+There was a shout of astonishment.
+
+"Ze pot ees mine!" exultantly cried the Frenchman.
+
+"Stop!" rang out Frank Merriwell's clear voice. "That pot is not yours!"
+
+Everyone looked at Merry.
+
+"He is using a table 'hold-out!'" accused Frank, pointing straight at
+Montfort. "I saw him make the shift. The five cards that really belong
+in his hands will be found in the hold-out under the table!"
+
+There was dead silence. The Frenchman turned sallow.
+
+"It makes no difference," said the quiet voice of the detective,
+breaking the silence. "I have a higher straight flush of clubs here.
+Mine runs up to the eight spot, and so I win the pot."
+
+He showed his cards and raked in the pot.
+
+With a savage cry, M. Montfort flung his hand aside, leaped to his feet,
+sprang at Frank, and struck for Merry's face.
+
+The blow was parried, and he was knocked down instantly.
+
+A sailor, pale and shaking, came dashing into the room and whispered a
+word in the captain's ear.
+
+An oath broke from the captain's lips, and he whirled about and rushed
+from the room.
+
+Slowly Montfort picked himself up. There was a livid mark on his cheek.
+He glared at Frank with deadly hatred.
+
+"Cursed meddlaire!" he grated. "You shall pay for this."
+
+There was consternation outside. On the deck was heard the sound of
+running feet.
+
+"Something has happened!" said Diamond, hurrying to the door. "I wonder
+what it is."
+
+The "Eagle" was plunging along through a heavy sea. On the deck some men
+were running to and fro. Everyone seemed in the greatest consternation.
+
+Jack sprang out and stopped a man.
+
+"What is the matter?" he demanded.
+
+"The ship is on fire!" was the shaking answer. "There is a fire in the
+hold!"
+
+Diamond staggered. He whirled about and sprang into the smoking-room. In
+a moment he was at Frank's side.
+
+"Merry," he said, "what I feared has come! The steamer is on fire!"
+
+"Where?"
+
+"In the hold."
+
+Frank remembered the barrels and casks he had seen there.
+
+"Then we are liable to go scooting skyward in a hurry!" he said. "It
+can't take the fire long to reach the petroleum and powder!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+SAVING AN ENEMY.
+
+
+In truth, there was a fire in the "Eagle's" hold. The captain and the
+crew seemed perfectly panic-stricken. The thought of the explosion that
+might come any moment seemed to rob them of all reason.
+
+Frank Merriwell and his friends rushed out of the smoking-room.
+
+The hold had been opened in an attempt to get water onto the flames.
+Smoke was rolling up from the opening.
+
+"Close down the hatch!" shouted somebody. "It is producing a draft, and
+that helps the fire along!"
+
+Then faint cries came from the hold--cries of a human being in danger
+and distress!
+
+"It's Harris!" exclaimed Diamond. "He is down there, and his time has
+come at last!"
+
+"A rope!" shouted Frank Merriwell, flinging off his coat.
+
+"What are you going to do?" demanded Bruce Browning.
+
+"By heavens! I am going down there and try to bring Harris out!"
+
+"You're a fool!" chattered Harry Rattleton. "Think of the oil and powder
+down there! The stuff is liable to explode any moment! You shall not
+go!"
+
+Frank saw a coil of rope at a distance. He rushed for it, brought it to
+the hold, let an end drop and dangle into the darkness from whence the
+smoke rolled up.
+
+"You are crazy!" roared Bruce Browning, attempting to get hold of Frank.
+"I refuse to let you go down there!"
+
+"Don't put your hands on me, Browning!" cried Frank. "If you do, I shall
+knock you down!"
+
+They saw that he meant just what he said. He would not be stopped then.
+Bruce Browning, giant that he was, felt that he would be no match for
+Frank then.
+
+The rope was made fast, and down into the smoke and darkness slid Frank,
+disappearing from view.
+
+Barely had he done so when some sailors came rushing forward and
+attempted to close the hatch.
+
+"Hold on!" thundered Browning. "You can't do that now!"
+
+"Get out of the way!" commanded one of them, who seemed to be an
+officer. "We must close this hatch to hold the fire in check long enough
+for the boats to be lowered."
+
+"A friend of mine has gone down there. You can't close it till he comes
+out!"
+
+"To blazes with your friend!" snarled the man. "What business had he to
+go down there? If he's gone, he will have to stay there. His life does
+not count against all the others."
+
+Then, under his directions the men started to close the hatch.
+
+Browning sailed into them. He was aroused to his full extent by the
+thought of what would happen if the hatch was closed and Frank was shut
+down there with the fire and smoke. He knocked them aside, he hurled
+them away as if they were children. They could not stand before him for
+an instant.
+
+There was a cry from below.
+
+"Pull away, up there!"
+
+It was Frank's voice.
+
+Willing hands seized the rope. There was a heavy weight at the end of
+it. They dragged the weight up, with the smoke rolling into their faces
+in a cloud that grew denser and denser.
+
+And up through the smoke came Sport Harris, irons and all, with the ends
+of the rope tied about his waist!
+
+Frank had found Harris, and here the fellow was.
+
+They untied the rope from Sport's waist in a hurry. Then they lowered it
+again.
+
+"Pull away!"
+
+Frank Merriwell was dragged up through the smoke.
+
+"Now," said Browning, "down goes the hatch!"
+
+And it was slammed into place in a hurry, holding the smoke back.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+THE SEA GIVES UP.
+
+
+The pumps were going, in an attempt to flood the hold, but the men did
+not attempt to fight the fire in anything like a reasonable manner.
+
+The knowledge of the cargo down there in the hold turned them to cowards
+and unreasoning beings. They were expecting to be blown skyward at any
+moment.
+
+Of a sudden the engines stopped and the "Eagle" began to lose headway.
+Men were making preparations to lower the boats.
+
+"Well, I'll be hanged if they are not going to abandon the ship!"
+exclaimed Frank. "The case must be pretty bad. I wonder how the fire
+started?"
+
+"I set it!"
+
+At his feet was Harris, whom he had just rescued from the hell below,
+and the fellow had declared that he set the fire!
+
+"You?"
+
+"Yes," said the wretch. "I was crazy. I found a match in my pocket, and
+I thought I was willing to roast if I could destroy you, so I set the
+fire. Pretty soon I realized what I had done, but then I found it too
+late when I tried to beat it out. The old steamer will go into the air
+in a few minutes, and we'll all go with it, unless we can get off in
+the boats right away."
+
+"It would have served you right had I left you to your fate!" grated
+Frank, as he turned away.
+
+He ran down to his stateroom to gather up some of the few little
+valuables he hoped to save. He was not gone long, but when he returned,
+he found two boats had been launched and were pulling away, the persons
+in them being in great haste to get as far from the steamer as they
+could before the explosion.
+
+Three or four women were in the first boat.
+
+It was rather difficult to lower the boats in the heavy sea that was
+running, but the men were working swiftly, pushed by the terror of the
+coming disaster.
+
+A little smoke curled up from the battened-down hatches.
+
+As Frank reached the deck, he nearly ran against M. Rouen Montfort, who
+was carrying a pair of swords in scabbards, which seemed to be treasures
+he wished to save.
+
+The Frenchman stopped and glared at Merry.
+
+"Cursed Yankee!" he grated. "I would like to put one of zese gude blades
+t'rough your heart!"
+
+"Haven't a doubt of it," said Merriwell, coolly. "That's about the kind
+of a man I took you to be."
+
+Another boat got away, and the last boat was swung from the davits.
+
+A sailor counted the men who remained and spoke to the captain. The
+latter said:
+
+"At best, the boat will not hold them all. There is one too many, at
+least. Let the fellow in irons stay behind."
+
+Harris heard this, and fancied his doom was sealed. He began to beg to
+be taken along, but one of the men gave him a kick.
+
+The Frenchman turned on Frank.
+
+"Do you hear?" he cried. "One cannot go. Do you make eet ze poor deval
+in ze iron? or do you dare fight me to see wheech one of us eet ees? Eef
+you make eet ze poor devval, eet show you are ze cowarde. Ha! I theenk
+you do not dare to fight!"
+
+He spat toward Merry to express his contempt.
+
+"Let me fight him!" panted Diamond at Frank's elbow.
+
+"See that Harris is put into the boat!" ordered Merriwell. "I fancy I
+can take care of this Frenchman. If you do not get Harris into the boat
+I swear I will not enter it if I conquer Montfort!"
+
+Then he whirled on the Frenchman.
+
+"I accept your challenge!" he cried in clear tones.
+
+Montfort uttered an exclamation of satisfaction. He flung off his coat,
+saying:
+
+"Choose ze weapon, saire."
+
+Frank did not pause to look them over in making a selection. He caught
+up one of them and drew it from the scabbard.
+
+Montfort took the other.
+
+"Ready?" cried the American youth.
+
+"Ready!" answered the Frenchman.
+
+Clash!--the swords came together and there on the deck of the burning
+steamer the strange duel began.
+
+Frank fought with all the coolness and skill he could command. He fought
+as if he had been standing on solid ground instead of the deck of a ship
+that might be blown into a thousand fragments at any moment.
+
+The Frenchman had fancied that the Yankee would prove easy to conquer,
+but he soon discovered Frank possessed no little skill, and he saw that
+he must do his best.
+
+More than once Montfort thrust to run Frank through the body, and once
+his sword passed between the youth's left arm and his side.
+
+Merry saw that the Frenchman really meant to kill him if possible.
+
+Then men were getting into the boat. There were but few seconds left in
+which to finish the duel. Rattleton called to him from the, boat,
+shouting above the roar of the wind:
+
+"Finish him, Frank! Come on, now! Lively!"
+
+The tip of Montfort's sword slit Frank's sleeve and touched his arm.
+
+"Next time I get you!" hissed the vindictive Frenchman.
+
+But right then Frank saw his opportunity. He made a lunge and drove his
+sword into the Frenchman's side.
+
+Montfort uttered a cry, dropped his sword, flung up his hands, and sunk
+bleeding to the deck.
+
+Merry flung his blood-stained weapon aside and bent over the man,
+saying sincerely:
+
+"I hope your wound is not fatal, M. Montfort."
+
+"It makes no difference!" gasped the man. "You are ze victor, so I must
+stay here an' die jus' ze same."
+
+But Frank Merriwell was seized by a feeling of horror at the thought of
+leaving this man whom he had wounded. In a moment he realized he would
+be haunted all his life by the memory if he did so.
+
+Quickly he caught M. Montfort up in his arms. He sprang to the side of
+the steamer. The boat was holding in for him. His friends shouted to
+him. The captain ordered him to jump at once.
+
+"Catch this man!"
+
+He lifted M. Montfort, swung him over the rail, and dropped him fairly
+into the boat!
+
+"He has chosen," said the captain. "The boat will hold no more. Pull
+away!"
+
+It was useless for Frank's friends to beg and plead. Away went the boat,
+leaving the noble youth to his doom.
+
+Forty minutes later there was a terrible flare of fire and smoke, a
+thunderous explosion, and the ill-fated steamer had blown up.
+
+Harry Rattleton was crying like a baby.
+
+"Poor Frank!" he sobbed. "Noblest fellow in all the world--good-by! I'll
+never see you again!"
+
+Tears rolled down Bruce Browning's face, and Jack Diamond, grim and
+speechless, looked as if the light of the world had gone out forever.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Some days later the passengers and crew from the lost "Eagle" were
+landed at Liverpool by the steamer "Seneca," which had picked them up at
+sea. The "Seneca" was a slow old craft, but she got there all right.
+
+A little grimy tender carried Bruce, Jack, Harry and the tutor from the
+"Seneca" to the floating dock. It was a sad and wretched-looking party.
+
+On the dock stood a young man who shouted to them and waved his hand.
+
+Jack Diamond started, gasped, clutched Browning and whispered:
+
+"Look--look there, Bruce! Tell me if I am going crazy, or do you see
+somebody who looks like--"
+
+Harry Rattleton clutched the big fellow by the other side, spluttering:
+
+"Am I doing gaffy--I mean going daffy? Look there! Who is that waving
+his hand to us?"
+
+"It's the ghost of Frank Merriwell, as true as there are such things as
+ghosts!" muttered Browning.
+
+But it was no ghost. It was Frank Merriwell in the flesh, alive and
+well! He greeted them as they came off the tender. He caught them in his
+arms, laughing, shouting, overjoyed. And they, realizing it really was
+him, hugged him and wept like a lot of big-hearted, manly young men.
+
+Frank explained in a few words. He told how, after they had left him,
+he had belted himself well with life-preservers and left the "Eagle" in
+time to get away before the explosion. Then he was picked up by an
+Atlantic liner, which brought him to Liverpool in advance of his
+friends.
+
+Thus he was there to receive them, and it seemed that the sea had given
+up its dead.
+
+
+[THE END.]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Frank Merriwell's Nobility
+by Burt L. Standish (AKA Gilbert Patten)
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10904 ***
diff --git a/10904-h.zip b/10904-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..95babc6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/10904-h.zip
diff --git a/10904-h/10904-h.htm b/10904-h/10904-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf4c8c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/10904-h/10904-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,3796 @@
+<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
+
+<html>
+<head>
+  <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content=
+  "text/html; charset=us-ascii">
+
+  <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Frank Merriwell's Nobility,
+  or The Tragedy of the Ocean Tramp, by Burt L. Standish.</title>
+  <style type="text/css">
+    <!--
+    * { font-family:   Times;}
+    P { text-indent:   1em;
+        margin-top:    .75em;
+        font-size:     12pt;
+        text-align:    justify;
+        margin-bottom: .75em; }
+    PRE { margin-left: 1em; text-align: left; }
+    H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; }
+    HR  { width: 33%; }
+    // -->
+  </style>
+</head>
+
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Frank Merriwell's Nobility
+by Burt L. Standish (AKA Gilbert Patten)
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Frank Merriwell's Nobility
+       The Tragedy of the Ocean Tramp
+
+Author: Burt L. Standish (AKA Gilbert Patten)
+
+Release Date: February 2, 2004 [EBook #10904]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: US-ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S NOBILITY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Garcia, David Starner, Brett Koonce and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+	
+	
+<br><br>
+<center>
+<img alt="10904-title (164K)" src="10904-title.jpg" height="785" width="677" />
+</center>
+<br><br>
+
+	
+	
+
+  <h2>TIP TOP WEEKLY</h2>
+
+  <center>
+    "An ideal publication for the American Youth"<br>
+    No. 158
+  </center>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <h1>FRANK MERRIWELL'S NOBILITY</h1>
+
+  <center>
+    OR
+  </center>
+
+  <h3>THE TRAGEDY OF THE OCEAN TRAMP</h3>
+
+  <center>
+    <b>By BURT L. STANDISH.</b>
+  </center>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <center>
+    NEW YORK, April 22, 1899.
+  </center>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+	<center>
+<table summary="">
+<tr><td>
+
+  
+    <a href="#CH1">CHAPTER I.&mdash;Off For Europe.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH2">CHAPTER II.&mdash;Surprising The
+    Frenchman.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH3">CHAPTER III.&mdash;A Fresh Young Man.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH4">CHAPTER IV.&mdash;Who Is Bloodgood?</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH5">CHAPTER V.&mdash;The Superstitious Man.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH6">CHAPTER VI.&mdash;The Cargo of the
+    "Eagle."</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH7">CHAPTER VII.&mdash;Premonitions of
+    Peril.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH8">CHAPTER VIII.&mdash;In the Stoke-Hole.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH9">CHAPTER IX.&mdash;In Irons.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH10">CHAPTER X.&mdash;The Game in the Next
+    Room.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH11">CHAPTER XI.&mdash;The Horrors of the
+    Hold.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH12">CHAPTER XII.&mdash;The Finish of a Thrilling
+    Game.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH13">CHAPTER XIII.&mdash;Fire in the Hold.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH14">CHAPTER XIV.&mdash;Saving an Enemy.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH15">CHAPTER XV.&mdash;The Sea Gives Up.</a>
+  
+
+
+</td></tr>
+</table>
+</center>
+	
+	
+	
+  <hr>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH1"><!-- CH1 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+  <h3>OFF FOR EUROPE.</h3>
+
+  <p>"Off&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"At last!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Hurrah!"</p>
+
+  <p>The tramp steamer "Eagle" swung out from the pier and was
+  fairly started en her journey from New York to Liverpool.</p>
+
+  <p>On the deck of the steamer stood a group of five persons,
+  three of whom had given utterance to the exclamations recorded
+  above.</p>
+
+  <p>On the pier swarmed a group of Yale students, waving hands,
+  hats, handkerchiefs, bidding farewell to their five friends and
+  acquaintances on the steamer. Over the water came the familiar
+  Yale cheer. From the steamer it was answered.</p>
+
+  <p>In the midst of the group on deck was Frank Merriwell. Those
+  around him were Bruce Browning, Jack Diamond, Harry Rattleton and
+  Tutor Wellington Maybe.</p>
+
+  <p>It was Frank's scheme to spend the summer months abroad, while
+  studying in the attempt to catch up with his class and pass
+  examinations on re-entering college in the fall. And he had
+  brought along his three friends, Browning, Diamond and Rattleton.
+  They were on their way to England.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank was happy. Fortune had dealt him a heavy blow when he
+  was compelled by poverty to leave dear old Yale, but he had faced
+  the world bravely, and he had struggled like a man. Hard work,
+  long hours and poor pay had not daunted him.</p>
+
+  <p>At the very start he had shown that he possessed something
+  more than ordinary ability, and while working on the railroad he
+  had forced his way upward step by step till it seemed that he was
+  in a fair way to reach the top of the ladder.</p>
+
+  <p>Then came disaster again. He had lost his position on the
+  railroad, and once more he was forced to face the world and begin
+  over.</p>
+
+  <p>Some lads would have been discouraged. Frank Merriwell was
+  not. He set his teeth firmly and struck out once more. He kept
+  his mouth shut and his eyes open. The first honorable thing that
+  came to his hand to do he did. Thus it happened that he found
+  himself on the stage.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank's success as an actor had been phenomenal. Of course, to
+  begin with, he had natural ability, but that was not the only
+  thing that won success for him. He had courage, push,
+  determination, stick-to-it-iveness. When he started to do a thing
+  he kept at it till he did it.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank united observation and study. He learned everything he
+  could about the stage and about acting by talking with the
+  members of the company and by watching to see how things were
+  done.</p>
+
+  <p>He had a good head and plenty of sense. He knew better than to
+  copy after the ordinary actors in the road company to which he
+  belonged. He had seen good acting enough to be able to
+  distinguish between the good and bad. Thus it came about that the
+  bad models about him did not exert a pernicious influence upon
+  him.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank believed there were books that would aid him. He found
+  them. He found one on "Acting and Actors," and from it he learned
+  that no actor ever becomes really and truly great that does not
+  have a clear and distinct enunciation and a correct
+  pronunciation. That is the beginning. Then comes the study of the
+  meaning of the words to be spoken and the effect produced by the
+  manner in which they are spoken.</p>
+
+  <p>He studied all this, and he went further. He read up on
+  "Traditions of the Stage," and he came to know all about its
+  limitations and its opportunities.</p>
+
+  <p>From this it was a natural step to the study of the
+  construction of plays. He found books of criticism on plays and
+  playwriting, and he mastered them. He found books that told how
+  to construct plays, and he mastered them.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank Merriwell was a person with a vivid imagination and
+  great mechanical and constructive ability. Had this not been so,
+  he might have studied forever and still never been able to write
+  a successful play. In him there was something study could not
+  give, but study and effort brought it out. He wrote a play.</p>
+
+  <p>"John Smith of Montana" was a success. Frank played the
+  leading part, and he made a hit.</p>
+
+  <p>Then fate rose up and again dealt him a body blow. A scene in
+  the play was almost exactly like a scene in another play, written
+  previously. The author and owner of the other play called on the
+  law to "protect" him. An injunction was served on Merry to
+  restrain him from playing "John Smith." He stood face to face
+  with a lawsuit.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank investigated, and his investigation convinced him that
+  it was almost certain he would be defeated if the case was
+  carried into the courts.</p>
+
+  <p>He withdrew "John Smith."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank had confidence in himself. He had written a play that
+  was successful, and he believed he could write another. Already
+  he had one skeletonized. The frame work was constructed, the plot
+  was elaborated, the characters were ready for his use.</p>
+
+  <p>He wrote a play of something with which he was thoroughly
+  familiar&mdash;-college life. The author or play-maker of ability
+  who writes of that with which he is familiar stands a good chance
+  of making a success. Young and inexperienced writers love to
+  write of those things with which they are unfamiliar, and they
+  wonder why it is that they fail.</p>
+
+  <p>They go too far away from home for their subject.</p>
+
+  <p>At first Frank's play was not a success. The moment he
+  discovered this he set himself down to find out why it was not a
+  success. He did not look at it as the author, but as a critical
+  manager to whom it had been offered might have done.</p>
+
+  <p>He found the weak spots. One was its name. People in general
+  did not understand the title, "For Old Eli." There was nothing
+  "catchy" or drawing about it.</p>
+
+  <p>He gave it another name. He called it, "True Blue: A Drama of
+  College Life."</p>
+
+  <p>The name proved effective.</p>
+
+  <p>He rewrote much of the play. He strengthened the climax of the
+  third act, and introduced a mechanical effect that was very
+  ingenious. And when the piece next went on the road it met with
+  wonderful success everywhere.</p>
+
+  <p>Thus Frank snatched success from defeat.</p>
+
+  <p>It is a strange thing that when a person fights against fate
+  and conquers, when fortune begins to smile, when the tide fairly
+  turns his way, then everything seems to come to him. The things
+  which seemed so far away and so impossible of attainment suddenly
+  appear within easy reach or come tumbling into his lap of their
+  own accord.</p>
+
+  <p>It was much this way with Frank. He had dreamed of going back
+  to college some time, but that time had seemed far, far away.
+  Success brought it nearer.</p>
+
+  <p>But then it came tumbling into his lap. No one had been found
+  to claim the fortune he discovered in the Utah Desert.
+  Investigation had shown that there were no living relatives of
+  the man who had guarded the treasure till his death. That
+  treasure had been turned over to Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank had brought his play to New Haven, and his old college
+  friends had given him a rousing welcome. And now he had made
+  plans to return to college in the fall, while his play was to be
+  carried on the road by a well-known and experienced theatrical
+  manager.</p>
+
+  <p>The friends who had been with Frank when he discovered the
+  treasure, with the exception of Toots, the colored boy, had
+  refused to accept shares of the fortune. Then Merry had insisted
+  on taking them abroad with him, and here they were on the steamer
+  "Eagle," bound for Liverpool.</p>
+
+  <p>Toots, dressed like a "swell," was on the pier. He shouted
+  with the others, waving his silk hat.</p>
+
+  <p>The crowd was cheering now:</p>
+  <pre>
+     "Beka Co ax Co ax Co ax!
+     Breka Co ax Co ax Co ax!
+       O&mdash;&mdash;up! O&mdash;&mdash;up!
+         Parabolou!
+       Yale! Yale! Yale!
+       'Rah! 'rah! 'rah!
+         Yale!"
+</pre>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH2"><!-- CH2 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+  <h3>SURPRISING THE FRENCHMAN.</h3>
+
+  <p>"Bah! Ze American boy, he make me&mdash;what you call
+  eet?&mdash;vera tired!"</p>
+
+  <p>Frank turned quickly and saw the speaker standing near the
+  rail not far away. He was a man between thirty-five and forty
+  years of age, dressed in a traveling suit, and having a pointed
+  black beard. He was smoking.</p>
+
+  <p>An instant feeling of aversion swept over Merry. He saw the
+  person was a supercilious Frenchman, critical, sneering,
+  insolent, a man intolerant with everything not of France and the
+  French.</p>
+
+  <p>This man was speaking to another person, who seemed to be a
+  servant or valet, and who was very polite and fawning in all his
+  retorts.</p>
+
+  <p>"Ah! look at ze collectshung on ze pier," continued the
+  sneering speaker. "Someone say zey belong to ze great American
+  college. Zey act like zey belong to ze&mdash;ze&mdash;what you
+  call eet?&mdash;ze menageray. Zey yell, shout, jump&mdash;act
+  like ze lunatic."</p>
+
+  <p>"It is possible, monsieur," said Frank, with a grim smile,
+  "that they are copying their manners after Frenchmen at a Dreyfus
+  demonstration."</p>
+
+  <p>The foreigner turned haughtily and stared at Frank. Then he
+  shrugged his shoulders, turned away and observed to his
+  companion:</p>
+
+  <p>"Jes' like all ze Americans&mdash;ah!&mdash;what eez ze
+  word?&mdash;fresh."</p>
+
+  <p>The other man bowed and rubbed his hands together.</p>
+
+  <p>"Haw!" grunted Browning, lazily. "How do you like that,
+  Frank?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, I don't mind it," murmured Merry. "I consider the source
+  from which it came, and regard it as of no consequence."</p>
+
+  <p>Diamond was glaring at the Frenchman, for it made his hot
+  Southern blood boil to hear a foreigner criticize anything
+  American. Like all youthful Americans, his great admiration and
+  love for his own country made him intolerant of criticism.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank had a cooler head, and he was not so easily ruffled.</p>
+
+  <p>Rattleton was unable to express his feelings.</p>
+
+  <p>Tutor Maybe looked somewhat perturbed, for he was an
+  exceedingly mild and peaceable man, and the slightest suggestion
+  of trouble was enough to agitate him.</p>
+
+  <p>But the Frenchman did not deign to look toward Frank again,
+  and it seemed that all danger of trouble was past.</p>
+
+  <p>The "Eagle" sailed slowly down the harbor, signaling now and
+  then to other boats.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank, Jack, Bruce and Harry formed a fine quartette, and they
+  sang:</p>
+  <pre>
+     "Soon we'll be in London town;
+       Sing, my lads, yo! heave, my lads, ho!
+     And see the queen, with her golden crown;
+       Heave, my lads, yo-ho!"
+</pre>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman made an impatient gesture, and showed annoyance,
+  which caused Frank to laugh.</p>
+
+  <p>Behind them Brooklyn Bridge spanned the river, looking slender
+  and graceful, like a thing hung in the air by delicate
+  threads.</p>
+
+  <p>Close at hand were Governor's Island and the Statue of
+  Liberty. The Frenchman was pointing it out.</p>
+
+  <p>"Ze greatest work of art in all America,"' he declared,
+  enthusiastically; "an' France give zat to America. Ze Americans
+  nevare think to put eet zere themselves. France do more for
+  America zan any ozare nation, but ze Americans forget. Zey forget
+  Lafayette. Zey forget France make it possibul for zem to
+  conquaire Engalande an' get ze freedom zey ware aftaire. An' now
+  zey&mdash;zey&mdash;what you call eet?&mdash;toady to Engalande.
+  Zey pretende to love ze Engaleesh. Bah! Uncale Sam an' John Bull
+  both need to have some of ze conaceit taken out away from
+  zem."</p>
+
+  <p>"It would take more than France, Spain, Italy and all the rest
+  of the dago nations to do the job!" spluttered Harry Rattleton,
+  who could not keep still longer.</p>
+
+  <p>"Maurel," said the Frenchman, speaking to his companion,
+  "t'row ze insolent dog ovareboard!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Oui, monsieur!"</p>
+
+  <p>Quick as thought the man sprang toward Harry, as if determined
+  to execute the command of his master.</p>
+
+  <p>He did not put his hands on Rattleton, for Frank was equally
+  swift in his movements, and blocked the fellows' way, coolly
+  saying:</p>
+
+  <p>"I wouldn't try it if I were you."</p>
+
+  <p>"Out of ze way!" snarled the man, who was an athlete in build.
+  "If you don't, I put you ovare, too!"</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't think you will."</p>
+
+  <p>"Put him ovare, Maurel," ordered the Frenchman, with deadly
+  coolness.</p>
+
+  <p>The athletic servant clutched Frank, but, with a twist and a
+  turn, Merry broke the hold instantly, kicked the fellow's feet
+  from beneath him, and dropped him heavily to the deck.</p>
+
+  <p>Bruce Browning stooped and picked the man up as if he were an
+  infant. Every year seemed to add something to the big collegian's
+  wonderful strength, and now the astounded Frenchman found himself
+  unable to wiggle.</p>
+
+  <p>Browning held the man over the rail turning to Frank to
+  ask:</p>
+
+  <p>"Shall I give him a bath, Merriwell?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I think you hadn't better," laughed Frank. "Perhaps he can't
+  swim, and&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"He can swim or sink," drawled Bruce. "It won't make any
+  difference if he sinks. Only another insolent Frenchman out of
+  the way."</p>
+
+  <p>The master was astounded. Up to that moment he had regarded
+  the young Americans as scarcely more than boys and he had fancied
+  his athletic servant could easily frighten them. Instead of that,
+  something quite unexpected by him had happened.</p>
+
+  <p>The astounded servant showed signs of terror, but in vain he
+  struggled. He was helpless in the clutch of the giant
+  collegian.</p>
+
+  <p>The master seemed about to interfere, but Frank Merriwell
+  confronted him in a manner that spoke as plainly as words.</p>
+
+  <p>"Out of ze way!" snarled the man.</p>
+
+  <p>"Speaking to me?" inquired Merry, lifting his eyebrows.</p>
+
+  <p>"Oui! oui!"</p>
+
+  <p>"I am sorry, but I can't accommodate you till my friend gets
+  through with your servant, who was extremely fresh, like most
+  Frenchmen."</p>
+
+  <p>"Zis to me!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes."</p>
+
+  <p>"Sare, I am M. Rouen Montfort, an' I&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"It makes no difference to me if you are the high mogul of
+  France. You are on the deck of an English vessel, and you are
+  dealing with Americans."</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman flung his cigar aside and seemed to feel for a
+  weapon.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank stood there quietly, his eyes watching every
+  movement.</p>
+
+  <p>"If you have what you are seeking about your person," he said,
+  with perfect calmness, "I advise you not to draw it. If you do,
+  as sure as you are sailing down New York harbor, I'll fling you
+  over the rail, weapon and all!"</p>
+
+  <p>That was business, and it was not boasting. Frank actually
+  meant to throw the man into the water if he drew a weapon.</p>
+
+  <p>M. Rouen Montfort paused and stared at Frank Merriwell,
+  beginning to understand that he was not dealing with an ordinary
+  youth.</p>
+
+  <p>"Fool!" he panted. "You geeve me ze eensult I will haf your
+  life!"</p>
+
+  <p>"You have already insulted me, my friends and everything
+  American. It's your turn to take a little of the medicine."</p>
+
+  <p>"Eef we were een France&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"Which we are not. We are still in America, the land of the
+  free. But I don't care to have a quarrel with you. Bruce put the
+  fellow down. If he minds his business in the future, don't throw
+  him overboard."</p>
+
+  <p>"All right," grunted the big fellow; "but I was just going to
+  drop him in the wet."</p>
+
+  <p>He put the man down, and the fellow seemed undecided what to
+  do.</p>
+
+  <p>Harry Rattleton laughed.</p>
+
+  <p>"Now wake a talk&mdash;no, I mean take a walk," he cried. "It
+  will be a good thing for your health."</p>
+
+  <p>"Come, Maurel," said the master, with an attempt at dignity;
+  "come away from ze fellows!"</p>
+
+  <p>Maurel was glad enough to do so. He had thought to frighten
+  the youths without the least trouble, but had been handled with
+  such ease that even after it was all over he wondered how it
+  could have happened.</p>
+
+  <p>M. Montfort walked away with great dignity, and Maurel
+  followed, talking savagely and swiftly in French.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, it wasn't very hard to settle them," grinned
+  Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>"But we have not settled them," declared Frank. "There will be
+  further trouble with M. Rouen Montfort and his man Maurel."</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH3"><!-- CH3 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+  <h3>A FRESH YOUNG MAN.</h3>
+
+  <p>Frank and his three friends bad a stateroom together. The
+  tutor was given a room with other parties.</p>
+
+  <p>The weather for the first two days was fine, and the young
+  collegians enjoyed every minute, not one of them having a touch
+  of sea-sickness till the third day.</p>
+
+  <p>Then Rattleton was seized, and he lay in his bunk, groaning
+  and dismal, even though he tried to be cheerful at times.</p>
+
+  <p>Browning enjoyed everything, even Rattleton's misery, for he
+  could be lazy to his heart's content.</p>
+
+  <p>They had enlivened the times by singing songs, those of a
+  nautical flavor, such as "Larboard Watch" and "A Life on the
+  Ocean Wave," having the preference.</p>
+
+  <p>Now it happened that the Frenchman occupied a room adjoining,
+  and he was very much annoyed by their singing. He pounded on the
+  partition, and expressed his feelings in very lurid language, but
+  that amused them, and they sang the louder.</p>
+
+  <p>"M. Montfort seems to get very agitated," said Frank,
+  laughing.</p>
+
+  <p>"But I hardly think there is any danger that he will do more
+  than hammer on the partition," grunted Bruce. "He's kept away
+  from us since he found he could not frighten anybody."</p>
+
+  <p>"He's a bluffer," was Diamond's opinion.</p>
+
+  <p>"He's a great fellow to play cards," said Merry. "But he seems
+  to ply for something more than amusement."</p>
+
+  <p>"How's that?" asked Jack, interested.</p>
+
+  <p>"I've noticed that he never cares for whist or any game where
+  there are no stakes. He gets into a game only when there's
+  something to be won."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, it seems to me that he's struck a poor crowd on this
+  boat if he's looking for suckers. He should have shipped on an
+  ocean liner. What does he play?"</p>
+
+  <p>"He seems to have taken a great fancy to draw poker. 'Pocaire'
+  is what he calls it. He pretended at first that he didn't know
+  much of anything about the game, but, if I am not mistaken, he's
+  an old stager at it. I watched the party playing in the
+  smoking-room last night."</p>
+
+  <p>"Who played?" asked Bruce.</p>
+
+  <p>"The Frenchman, a rather sporty young fellow named Bloodgood,
+  a small, bespectacled man, well fitted with the name of Slush,
+  and an Englishman by the name of Hazleton."</p>
+
+  <p>"That's the crowd that played in the Frenchman's stateroom
+  to-day," groaned Rattleton from his berth.</p>
+
+  <p>"Played in the stateroom?" exclaimed Frank. "I wonder why they
+  didn't play in the smoking-room?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Don't know," said Harry; "but I fancy there was a rather big
+  game on, and you know the Frenchman has the biggest stateroom on
+  the boat, so there was plenty of room for them. They could play
+  there without interruption."</p>
+
+  <p>"There seems to be something mysterious about that Frenchman,"
+  said Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"I think there's something mysterious about several passengers
+  on this boat," grunted Browning. "I haven't seen much of this
+  young fellow Bloodgood, but he strikes me as a mystery."</p>
+
+  <p>"Why?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Well he seems to have money to burn, and I don't understand
+  why such a fellow did not take passage on a regular liner."</p>
+
+  <p>"As far as that goes," smiled Merry, "I presume some people
+  might think it rather singular that we did not cross the pond in
+  a regular liner; but then they might suppose it was a case of
+  economy with us."</p>
+
+  <p>While they were talking there came a rap on their door which
+  Frank threw open.</p>
+
+  <p>Just outside stood a young man with a flushed face and
+  distressed appearance. He was dressed in a plaid suit, and wore a
+  red four-in-hand necktie, in which blazed a huge diamond. There
+  were two large solitaire rings on his left hand, and he wore a
+  heavy gold chain strung across his vest.</p>
+
+  <p>"Beg your pardon, dear boys," he drawled. "Hope I'm not
+  intruding."</p>
+
+  <p>Then he walked in and closed the door.</p>
+
+  <p>"My name's Bloodgood," he said&mdash;"Raymond Bloodgood. I've
+  seen you fellows together, and you seem like a jolly lot. Heard
+  you singing, you know. Great voices&mdash;good singing."</p>
+
+  <p>Then he stopped speaking, and they stared at him, wondering
+  what he was driving at. For a moment there was an awkward pause,
+  and then Bloodgood went on:</p>
+
+  <p>"I was up pretty late last night, you know. Had a little game
+  in the smoking-room. Plenty of booze, and all that, and I'm
+  awfully rocky to-day. Got a splitting headache. Didn't know but
+  some of you had a bromo seltzer, or something of the sort. You
+  look like a crowd that finds such things handy occasionally."</p>
+
+  <p>At this Frank laughed quietly, but Diamond looked angry and
+  indignant.</p>
+
+  <p>"What do you take us for?" exclaimed the Virginian, warmly.
+  "Do you think we are a lot of boozers?"</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood turned on Jack, lifting his eyebrows.</p>
+
+  <p>"My dear fellow&mdash;" he began.</p>
+
+  <p>But Frank put in:</p>
+
+  <p>"We have no use for bromo seltzer, as none of us are
+  drinkers."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, of course not," said the intruder, with something like a
+  sneer. "None of us are drinkers, but then we're all liable to get
+  a little too much sometimes, especially when we sit up late and
+  play poker."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank saw that Diamond had taken an instant dislike to the
+  youth with the diamonds and the red necktie, and he felt like
+  averting a storm, even though he did not fancy the manner of the
+  intruder.</p>
+
+  <p>"We do not sit up late and play poker," he said.</p>
+
+  <p>"Eh? Oh, come off! You're a jolly lot of fellows, and you must
+  have a fling sometimes."</p>
+
+  <p>"We can be jolly without drinking or gambling."</p>
+
+  <p>"Why, I'm hanged if you don't talk as if you considered it a
+  crime to take a drink or have a little social game!"</p>
+
+  <p>Frank felt his blood warm up a bit, but he held himself in
+  hand, as he quietly retorted:</p>
+
+  <p>"Intemperance is a crime. I presume there are men who take a
+  drink, as you call it, without being intemperate; but I prefer to
+  let the stuff alone entirely, and then there is no danger of
+  going over the limit."</p>
+
+  <p>"And I took you for a sport! That shows how a fellow can be
+  fooled. But you do play poker occasionally. I know that."</p>
+
+  <p>"How do you know it, Mr. Bloodgood?"</p>
+
+  <p>"By your language. You just spoke of going over the limit.
+  That is a poker term."</p>
+
+  <p>"And one used by many people who never played a game of cards
+  in their lives."</p>
+
+  <p>"But you have played cards? You have played poker? Can you
+  deny it?"</p>
+
+  <p>"If I could, I wouldn't take the trouble, Mr. Bloodgood. I
+  think you have made a mistake in sizing up this crowd."</p>
+
+  <p>"Guess I have," sneered the fellow. "You must be members of
+  the Y.M.C.A."</p>
+
+  <p>"Say, Frank!" panted Jack; "open the door and let
+  me&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>But Frank checked the hot-headed youth again.</p>
+
+  <p>"Steady, Jack! It is not necessary. He will go directly. Mr.
+  Bloodgood, you speak as if it were a disgrace to belong to the
+  Y.M.C.A. That shows your ignorance and narrowness. The Y.M.C.A.
+  is a splendid organization, and it has proved the anchor that has
+  kept many a young man from dashing onto the rocks of destruction.
+  Those who sneer at it should be ashamed of themselves, but, as a
+  rule, they are too bigoted, prejudiced, or narrow-minded to
+  recognize the fact that some of the most manly young men to be
+  found belong to the Y.M.C.A."</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood laughed.</p>
+
+  <p>"And I took you for a sport!" he cried. "By Jove! Never made
+  such a blunder before in all my life! Studying for the ministry,
+  I'll wager! Ha! ha! ha!"</p>
+
+  <p>Frank saw that Diamond could not be held in check much
+  longer.</p>
+
+  <p>"One last word to you, Mr. Bloodgood," he spoke. "I am not
+  studying for the ministry, and I do not even belong to the
+  Y.M.C.A. If I were doing the one or belonged to the other, I
+  should not be ashamed of it. I don't like you. I can stand a
+  little freshness; in fact, it rather pleases me; but you are
+  altogether too fresh. You are offensive."</p>
+
+  <p>Merry flung open the door.</p>
+
+  <p>"Good-day, sir."</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood stepped out, turned round, laughed, and then walked
+  away.</p>
+
+  <p>"Hang it, Merriwell!" grated Diamond, as Frank closed the
+  door; "why didn't you let me kick him out onto his neck!"</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH4"><!-- CH4 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+  <h3>WHO IS BLOODGOOD?</h3>
+
+  <p>Diamond was thoroughly angry. So was Rattleton. In his
+  excitement, Harry said something that caused Frank to turn
+  quickly, and observe:</p>
+
+  <p>"Don't use that kind of language, old man, no matter what the
+  provocation. Vulgarity is even lower than profanity."</p>
+
+  <p>Harry's face flushed, and he looked intensely ashamed of
+  himself.</p>
+
+  <p>"I peg your bardon&mdash;I mean I beg your pardon!" he
+  spluttered. "It slipped out. You know I don't say anything like
+  that often."</p>
+
+  <p>"I know it," nodded Frank, "and that's why it sounded all the
+  worse. I don't know that I ever heard you use such a word
+  before."</p>
+
+  <p>Harry did not resent Frank's reproof, for he knew Frank was
+  right, and he was ashamed.</p>
+
+  <p>Every young man who stoops to vulgarity should be ashamed.
+  Profanity is coarse and degrading; vulgarity is positively low
+  and filthy. The youth who is careful to keep his clothes and his
+  body clean should be careful to keep his mouth clean. Let nothing
+  go into it or come out of it that is in any way lowering.</p>
+
+  <p>Did you ever hear a loafer on a corner using profane and
+  obscene language? I'll warrant most of you have, and I'll warrant
+  that you were thoroughly disgusted. You looked on the fellow as
+  low, coarse, cheap, unfit to associate with respectable persons.
+  The next time you use a word that you should be ashamed to have
+  your mother or sister hear just think that you are following the
+  example of that loafer. You are lowering yourself in the eyes of
+  somebody, even though you may not think so at the time. Perhaps
+  one of your companions may be a person who uses such language
+  freely, and yet he has never before heard it from you. He laughs,
+  he calls you a jolly good fellow to your face; but he thinks to
+  himself that you are no better than anybody else, and behind your
+  back he tells somebody what he thinks. He is glad of the
+  opportunity to show that you are no better than he is. Never tell
+  a vulgar story. Better never listen to one, unless your position
+  is such that you cannot escape without making yourself appear a
+  positive cad. If you have to listen to such a story, forget it as
+  soon as possible. Above all things, do not try to remember
+  it.</p>
+
+  <p>Some young men boast of the stories they know. And all their
+  stories are of the "shady" sort. It is better to know no stories
+  than to know that kind. It is better not to be called a good
+  fellow than to win a reputation by always having a new story of
+  the low sort ready on your tongue.</p>
+
+  <p>There are other and better ways of winning a reputation as a
+  good fellow. There are stories which are genuinely humorous and
+  funny which are also clean. No matter how much of a laugh he may
+  raise, any self-respecting person feels that he has lowered
+  himself by telling a vulgar story. It is not so if he has told a
+  clean story. He is satisfied with the laughter he has caused and
+  with himself.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank Merriwell was called a good fellow. It was not often
+  that he told a story, but when he did, it was a good one, and it
+  was clean. He had an inimitable way of telling anything, and his
+  stories were all the more effective because they came at rare
+  intervals. He did not cheapen them by making them common.</p>
+
+  <p>And never had anybody heard him tell a story that could prove
+  offensive to the ears of a lady.</p>
+
+  <p>Not that he had not been tempted to do so. Not that he had not
+  heard such stories. He had been placed in positions where he
+  could not help hearing them without making himself appear like a
+  thorough cad.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank's first attempt to tell a vulgar story had been the
+  lesson that he needed. He was with a rather gay crowd of boys at
+  the time, and several had told "shady" yarns, and then they had
+  called for one from Frank. He started to tell one, working up to
+  the point with all the skill of which he was capable. He had them
+  breathless, ready to shout with laughter when the point was
+  reached. He drew them on and on with all the skill of which he
+  was capable. And then, just as the climax was reached, he
+  suddenly realized just what he was about to say. A thought came
+  to him that made his heart give a great jump.</p>
+
+  <p>"What if my mother were listening?"</p>
+
+  <p>That was the thought. His mother was dead, but her influence
+  was over him. A second thought followed. Many times he had seemed
+  to feel her hovering near. Perhaps she was listening! Perhaps she
+  was hearing all that he was saying!</p>
+
+  <p>Frank Merriwell stopped and stood quite still. At first he was
+  very pale, and then came a rush of blood to his face. He turned
+  crimson with shame and hung his head.</p>
+
+  <p>His companions looked at him in astonishment. They could not
+  understand what had happened. Some of them cried, "Go on! go
+  on!"</p>
+
+  <p>After some seconds he tried to speak. At first he choked and
+  could say nothing articulate. After a little, he muttered:</p>
+
+  <p>"I can't go on&mdash;I can't finish the story! You'll have to
+  excuse me, fellows! I'm not feeling well!"</p>
+
+  <p>And he withdrew from the jolly party as soon as possible.</p>
+
+  <p>From that day Frank Merriwell never attempted to tell a story
+  that was in the slightest degree vulgar. He had learned his
+  lesson, and he never forgot it.</p>
+
+  <p>Some boys swagger, chew tobacco, talk vulgar, and swear
+  because they do not wish to be called "sissies." They fancy such
+  actions and language make them manly, but nothing could be a
+  greater mistake.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank did nothing of the sort, and all who knew him regarded
+  him as thoroughly manly. Better to be called a "sissy" than to
+  win reputed manliness at the cost of self-respect.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank had forced those who would have regarded him with scorn
+  to respect him. He could play baseball or football with the best
+  of them; he could run, jump, swim, ride, and he excelled by sheer
+  determination in almost everything he undertook. He would not be
+  beaten. If defeated once, he did not rest, but prepared himself
+  for another trial and went in to win or die. In this way he
+  showed himself manly, and he commanded the respect of enemies as
+  well as friends.</p>
+
+  <p>Rattleton was ashamed of the language he had used after the
+  departure of Bloodgood, and he did not attempt to excuse himself
+  further. He lay back in his berth, looking sicker than ever.</p>
+
+  <p>"I'd give ten dollars for the privilege of helping Mr.
+  Bloodgood out with my foot!" hissed Jack Diamond. "Never saw
+  anybody so fresh!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, I've seen lots of people just like him," grunted
+  Browning, getting out a pipe and lighting it.</p>
+
+  <p>"Don't smoke, Bruce!" groaned Rattleton, as the steamer gave
+  an unusually heavy roll. "I'm sick enough now. That will make me
+  worse."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, we'll open the port."</p>
+
+  <p>"Open the port!" laughed Frank. "And we just told Bloodgood we
+  did not drink."</p>
+
+  <p>"Port-hole, not port wine," said the big fellow, with a yawn.
+  "We'll let in some fresh air."</p>
+
+  <p>"We can't let in anything fresher than just went out,"
+  declared the Virginian, as he flung open the round window that
+  served to admit light and air.</p>
+
+  <p>"There's something mighty queer about that fellow," said
+  Frank. "Did you notice the diamonds he was wearing, fellows?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes," said Bruce, beginning to puff away at his new
+  briarwood. "Regular eye-hitters they were."</p>
+
+  <p>"Who knows they were genuine?" asked Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"Nobody here," admitted Frank. "It is impossible to
+  distinguish some fake stones from real diamonds, unless you
+  examine them closely. But, somehow, I have a fancy that those
+  were genuine diamonds."</p>
+
+  <p>"What makes you think so?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't know just why I think so, but I do. Something tells
+  me that for all of his swagger Bloodgood is a fellow who would
+  scorn to wear paste diamonds."</p>
+
+  <p>"What do you make out of the fellow, anyway?" asked Bruce.</p>
+
+  <p>"I'm not able to size him up yet," admitted Frank. "I'm not
+  certain whether he came of a good family or a bad one, but I'm
+  inclined to fancy it was the former."</p>
+
+  <p>"I'd like to know why you think so?" from Jack. "He did not
+  show very good breeding."</p>
+
+  <p>"But there is a certain something about his face that makes me
+  believe he comes from a high-grade family. I think he has become
+  lowered by associating with bad companions."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, I don't care who or what he is," declared Jack; "if he
+  gets fresh around me again, I'll crack him one for luck. I can't
+  stand him for a cent!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Better turn him over to me," murmured Bruce, dozily. "I'll
+  sit on him."</p>
+
+  <p>"And he'll think he's under an elephant," laughed Merry.
+  "Bruce cooked M. Montfort, and I reckon he'd have less trouble to
+  cook Mr. Bloodgood."</p>
+
+  <p>At this moment there was a hesitating, uncertain knock on the
+  door.</p>
+
+  <p>"Another visitor, I wonder?" muttered Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH5"><!-- CH5 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+  <h3>THE SUPERSTITIOUS MAN.</h3>
+
+  <p>A little man hesitated outside the door when it was opened. He
+  had a sad, uncertain, mournful drab face, puckered into a
+  peculiar expression about the mouth. He was dressed in black, but
+  his clothes were not a very good fit or in the latest style. He
+  fingered his hat nervously. His voice was faltering when he
+  spoke.</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I beg your pardon, gentlemen. I&mdash;I hope I am
+  not&mdash;intruding?"</p>
+
+  <p>He had not crossed the threshold. He seemed in doubt about the
+  advisability of venturing in.</p>
+
+  <p>There was something amusing in the appearance of the little
+  man. Frank recognized a "character" in him, and Merry was
+  interested immediately. He invited the little man in, and closed
+  the door when that person had entered.</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I know it's rather&mdash;rather&mdash;er&mdash;bold
+  of me," said the stranger, apologetically. "But you know people
+  on shipboard&mdash;er&mdash;take many&mdash;liberties."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, yes, we know it!" muttered Diamond.</p>
+
+  <p>Browning grunted and looked the little man over. He was a
+  curiosity to Bruce.</p>
+
+  <p>"What can we do for you, sir?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>The little man hesitated and looked around. He sidled over and
+  put his hand on the partition.</p>
+
+  <p>"The&mdash;ah&mdash;next room is occupied by
+  the&mdash;er&mdash;the French gentleman, is it not?" he
+  asked.</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I presume&mdash;presume, you know&mdash;that you are
+  able to hear any&mdash;ah&mdash;conversation that may take place
+  in that room, unless&mdash;er&mdash;the conversation
+  is&mdash;guarded."</p>
+
+  <p>"Not unless we take particular pains to listen," said Merry.
+  "Even then, it is doubtful if we can hear anything plainly."</p>
+
+  <p>"And we are not eavesdroppers," cut in Diamond. "We do not
+  take pains to listen."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, no&mdash;er&mdash;no, of course not!" exclaimed the
+  singular stranger. "I&mdash;I didn't insinuate such a thing! Ha!
+  ha! ha! The idea! But you
+  know&mdash;sometimes&mdash;occasionally&mdash;persons hear things
+  when they&mdash;er&mdash;do not try to hear."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, what in the world are you driving at?" asked Frank, not
+  a little puzzled by the man's singular manner.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, you see, it's&mdash;this way: I&mdash;I don't care to
+  be&mdash;overheard. I don't want anybody to&mdash;to think I'm
+  prying into their&mdash;private business. You understand?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I can't say that I do."</p>
+
+  <p>"Perhaps I can make myself&mdash;er&mdash;clearer."</p>
+
+  <p>"Perhaps you can."</p>
+
+  <p>"My name is&mdash;er&mdash;Slush&mdash;Peddington Slush."</p>
+
+  <p>"Holy cats! what a name!" muttered Browning, while Rattleton
+  grinned despite his sickness.</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I'm taking a sea voyage&mdash;for&mdash;for my
+  health," explained Mr. Slush. "That's why I didn't go over on
+  a&mdash;a regular liner. This way I shall be longer at&mdash;at
+  sea. See?"</p>
+
+  <p>"And you are keeping us at sea by your lingering way in coming
+  to a point," smiled Merry.</p>
+
+  <p>"Eh?" said the little man. Then he seemed to comprehend, and
+  he broke into a sudden cackle of laughter, which he shut off with
+  startling suddenness, looking frightened.</p>
+
+  <p>"Beg your pardon!" he exclaimed. "Quite&mdash;ah&mdash;rude of
+  me. I don't do it&mdash;often."</p>
+
+  <p>"You look as if it wouldn't hurt you to do it oftener," said
+  Merry, frankly. "Laughter never hurt anyone."</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I can't quite agree with&mdash;you, sir. I beg your
+  pardon! No offense! I&mdash;I don't wish to be
+  offensive&mdash;you understand. I once knew a man who died
+  from&mdash;er&mdash;laughing. It is a fact, sir. He laughed so
+  long&mdash;and so hard&mdash;-that he&mdash;he lost his
+  breath&mdash;entirely. Never got it back again. Since then I've
+  been very&mdash;cautious. It's a bad sign to laugh&mdash;too
+  hard."</p>
+
+  <p>Merry felt like shouting, but Jack was looking puzzled and
+  dazed. Diamond could not comprehend the little man, and he failed
+  to catch the humor of the character.</p>
+
+  <p>"Now," said Mr. Slush, "I will come directly to
+  the&mdash;point."</p>
+
+  <p>"Do," nodded Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"I just saw a&mdash;er&mdash;person leave this room. I wish to
+  know if&mdash;Good gracious, sir! Do you know that is a bad
+  sign!"</p>
+
+  <p>He pointed a wavering finger at Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"What is a bad sign?" asked Merry, surprised.</p>
+
+  <p>"To wear a&mdash;a dagger pin thrust through a&mdash;a tie in
+  which there is the least bit of&mdash;red. It is a sign
+  of&mdash;of bloodshed. I&mdash;I beg you to remove
+  that&mdash;that pin from that scarf!"</p>
+
+  <p>The little man seemed greatly agitated.</p>
+
+  <p>After a moment of hesitation, Frank laughed lightly and took
+  the pin from the scarf.</p>
+
+  <p>Immediately the visitor seemed to breathe more freely.</p>
+
+  <p>"Ah&mdash;er&mdash;thank you!" he said. "I&mdash;I've seen
+  omens enough. Everything seems to point to&mdash;to
+  a&mdash;tragedy. I regret exceedingly that I ever sailed&mdash;on
+  this steamer. I&mdash;I shall be thankful when I put my feet on
+  dry land&mdash;if I ever do again."</p>
+
+  <p>"You must be rather superstitious," suggested Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Not at all&mdash;that is, not to any extent," Mr. Slush
+  hastened to aver. "There are a few signs&mdash;and
+  omens&mdash;which I know&mdash;will come true."</p>
+
+  <p>"Indeed!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes, sir!" asserted the little man, with surprising
+  positiveness. "I know something will happen&mdash;to this boat.
+  I&mdash;I am positive of it."</p>
+
+  <p>"Why are you so positive?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Everything foretells it. At the very start it
+  was&mdash;foretold. I was foolish then that I did not
+  demand&mdash;demand, sir&mdash;to be set ashore, even after the
+  steamer had left&mdash;her pier."</p>
+
+  <p>"How was that?"</p>
+
+  <p>"There was a cat, sir&mdash;a poor, stray cat&mdash;that came
+  aboard this steamer. They did not let her stay&mdash;understand
+  me? They&mdash;they drove her off!"</p>
+
+  <p>"And that was a bad omen?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Bad! It was&mdash;ah&mdash;er&mdash;frightful! Old sailors
+  will tell you that. Always&mdash;er&mdash;let a cat remain on
+  board a vessel&mdash;if&mdash;she&mdash;comes on board. If
+  you&mdash;if you do not&mdash;you will regret it."</p>
+
+  <p>"And you think something must happen to this steamer?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I'm afraid so&mdash;I feel it. There is&mdash;something
+  mysterious about the vessel, gentlemen. I don't know&mdash;just
+  what it is&mdash;but it's something. The&mdash;the captain looks
+  worried. I&mdash;I've noticed it. I've talked with him. Couldn't
+  get any satisfaction&mdash;out of him. But I&mdash;I know!"</p>
+
+  <p>"I'm afraid you are a croaker," said Diamond, unable to keep
+  still longer.</p>
+
+  <p>"You may think so&mdash;now; but wait and see&mdash;wait. Keep
+  your eyes&mdash;open. I&mdash;I think you will see something. I
+  think you will find there are&mdash;mysterious things going
+  on."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, you have not told us what you want of us, Mr. Slush,"
+  said Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"That's so&mdash;forgot it." Then, of a sudden, to Bruce:
+  "Don't twirl your thumbs&mdash;that way. Do it
+  backward&mdash;backward! It&mdash;it's a sure sign
+  of&mdash;disaster to twirl your thumbs&mdash;forward."</p>
+
+  <p>"All right," grunted the big fellow; "backward it is." And he
+  reversed the motion.</p>
+
+  <p>"Thank you," breathed Mr. Slush, with a show of relief. "Now,
+  I'll tell you&mdash;why I called. I&mdash;er&mdash;saw a young
+  man&mdash;leaving this room&mdash;a few minutes ago."</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes."</p>
+
+  <p>"Mr. Bloodgood."</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes."</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I have taken an interest in&mdash;Mr. Bloodgood.
+  I&mdash;I think he is&mdash;a rather nice young man."</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't admire your taste," came from Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"Eh? I don't know him&mdash;very well. You understand. Met
+  him&mdash;in the smoking-room. Sometimes I&mdash;er&mdash;play
+  cards&mdash;for amusement. Met him that way."</p>
+
+  <p>"Does he play for amusement?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, yes&mdash;ah&mdash;of course. That is&mdash;he&mdash;he
+  likes&mdash;a little stake."</p>
+
+  <p>"I thought so."</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I don't mind that."</p>
+
+  <p>"Great Scott!" thought Merry. "I don't see how he ever gets
+  round to play cards for money. I shouldn't think he'd know what
+  to do. It would take him so long to make up his mind."</p>
+
+  <p>"But I&mdash;I don't care to make a&mdash;a companion of
+  anybody about whom I know&mdash;nothing. That's why I&mdash;came
+  to you. I&mdash;I thought it might be you could give
+  me&mdash;some information&mdash;about Mr. Bloodgood."</p>
+
+  <p>"You've come to the wrong place."</p>
+
+  <p>"Really? Don't you know&mdash;anything about him? You
+  are&mdash;er&mdash;well acquainted with him?"</p>
+
+  <p>"On the contrary, to-day is the first time we have ever spoken
+  to him."</p>
+
+  <p>"Is that so?" said Mr. Slush, in evident disappointment. "You
+  are&mdash;er&mdash;young men about&mdash;about his age,
+  and&mdash;and&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"Not in his class," put in Diamond.</p>
+
+  <p>"No?" said Mr. Slush, looking at Jack queerly. "I didn't
+  know&mdash;I thought&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>There the queer little man stopped, seeming quite unable to
+  proceed. Then, in his hesitating, uncertain way, he tried to make
+  it clear that he did not care to play cards for money with
+  anybody about whom he knew nothing. He was not very effective in
+  his explanation, and seemed himself rather uncertain concerning
+  his real reason for wishing to make inquiries concerning
+  Bloodgood.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank studied Mr. Slush closely, but could not take the
+  measure of the man. Somehow, Merry seemed to feel that there was
+  more to the queer little fellow than appeared on the surface.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, you have come to the wrong parties to get information
+  about Mr. Bloodgood," said Frank. "But, if you are so particular
+  about your company, it might be well to learn something
+  concerning the other members of your party."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh&mdash;er&mdash;I know all about them," asserted Mr.
+  Slush.</p>
+
+  <p>"Indeed?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes. Hugh Hazleton is the younger son of an English nobleman,
+  and he is&mdash;is all&mdash;right."</p>
+
+  <p>"Who told you this?"</p>
+
+  <p>"He did."</p>
+
+  <p>"Then it must be true," grunted Browning, with a grin on his
+  broad face.</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes," nodded the little man, innocently, "that
+  is&mdash;ah&mdash;settled. M. Rouen Montfort is a&mdash;a great
+  French journalist and&mdash;er&mdash;writer of books."</p>
+
+  <p>"Is that so?" smiled Merry. "Queer, I never heard of him. I
+  suppose he told you this?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, yes. He is a very fine&mdash;gentleman. Ah&mdash;did Mr.
+  Bloodgood invite&mdash;er&mdash;any of you to come into
+  the&mdash;ah&mdash;game?"</p>
+
+  <p>Frank fancied he saw a sudden light. Was it possible Mr. Slush
+  was looking for "suckers?"</p>
+
+  <p>Was it possible he had been sent there to inveigle them into
+  the party, so that some sharp might "skin" them? It did not seem
+  improbable.</p>
+
+  <p>Harry seemed to catch onto the same idea, for he popped up in
+  his bunk suddenly, but a sudden roll of the steamer caused him to
+  sink down again with a groan.</p>
+
+  <p>Diamond's eyes began to glitter. He, too, fancied he saw the
+  little game.</p>
+
+  <p>"No," said Merry, slowly, "he did not invite any of us to come
+  in."</p>
+
+  <p>The little man seemed relieved.</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I didn't know," he faltered. "If he
+  had&mdash;I&mdash;I was going to say something. Perhaps it is
+  not&mdash;necessary."</p>
+
+  <p>"Perhaps not," said Frank; "but it may not do any hurt to say
+  it."</p>
+
+  <p>"And it may do some hurt&mdash;to you," muttered Diamond under
+  his breath. "I will kick this fellow!"</p>
+
+  <p>But, to the surprise of all, the superstitious man cackled out
+  a short, broken laugh, and said:</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, I was going to&mdash;to warn you&mdash;that's all.
+  It&mdash;it's liable to be a pretty&mdash;stiff game. I thought
+  it would be a&mdash;good thing for you to&mdash;keep out of it.
+  It started&mdash;light, but it's working&mdash;up&mdash;right
+  along. Almost any time somebody is liable to&mdash;to propose
+  throwing off the&mdash;the limit, and then somebody is going to
+  get&mdash;hurt. If you are&mdash;not in it, why you won't be in
+  any&mdash;danger."</p>
+
+  <p>There was a silence. The four youths looked at the visitor and
+  then at each other.</p>
+
+  <p>What did it mean?</p>
+
+  <p>If he was playing them for "suckers," surely he was doing it
+  in a queer manner.</p>
+
+  <p>"Thank you," said Frank, stiffly. "You are kind!"</p>
+
+  <p>"More than kind!" muttered Diamond.</p>
+
+  <p>"Don't mention it," said the little man, trying to look
+  pleasant, but making a dismal failure. "I&mdash;I dont' like to
+  see respectable young men caught in a&mdash;trap. That's all.
+  Thought I'd tell you. Didn't know that you would&mdash;thank me.
+  Took my chances on that. Well, I think I'll&mdash;be going."</p>
+
+  <p>He turned, falteringly, seemed about to say something more,
+  opened the door part way, hesitated, then said "good-day," and
+  went out.</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH6"><!-- CH6 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+  <h3>THE CARGO OF THE "EAGLE."</h3>
+
+  <p>"Well?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Well!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Well!"</p>
+
+  <p>The same word, but from three different persons, and spoken in
+  three different inflections.</p>
+
+  <p>"Will somebody please hit me with something hard!" murmured
+  Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"What does it mean, Merry?" asked Rattleton.</p>
+
+  <p>"You may search me!" exclaimed Frank, in rather expressive
+  slang, something in which he seldom indulged, unless under great
+  provocation.</p>
+
+  <p>Browning had said nothing. He was pulling steadily at his
+  pipe, quite unaware that it had gone out.</p>
+
+  <p>"What do you make of Mr. Peddington Slush?" asked Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't know what to make of him," confessed Frank. "About
+  the only thing of which I am sure is that he has a corker for a
+  name. That name is enough to make any man look sad and
+  dejected."</p>
+
+  <p>"What did he come here for, anyhow?" asked Rattleton.</p>
+
+  <p>"To find out about Raymond Bloodgood&mdash;he said."</p>
+
+  <p>"I know he said so, but I don't stake any talk&mdash;I mean
+  take any stock in that. What difference does it make to him who
+  Bloodgood is?"</p>
+
+  <p>"That was something he did not make clear."</p>
+
+  <p>"He didn't seem to make anything clear," declared Jack. "I
+  thought for sure that he was going to throw out some hooks to
+  drag us into that game of poker. If he had, I should have known
+  he was sent here, and I'd kicked him out, whether you had been
+  willing or not, Merry!"</p>
+
+  <p>"I'd opened the door and held it wide for you," smiled
+  Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"What do you think of him, Browning?" asked Harry.</p>
+
+  <p>"His way of talking made me very tired," yawned the big
+  fellow. "He seemed to work so hard to get anything out."</p>
+
+  <p>"I'll allow that we have had two rather queer visitors," said
+  the Virginian.</p>
+
+  <p>"And I shall take an interest in them both after this,"
+  declared Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Talk about superstitious persons, I believe he heads the
+  list," from Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"He said he was not superstitious," laughed Merry.</p>
+
+  <p>"But the cat worried him."</p>
+
+  <p>"And my twiddling my thumbs," put in Bruce.</p>
+
+  <p>"And this dagger pin in my scarf," said Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"It's a wonder he didn't prophecy shipwreck, or something of
+  that sort," groaned Rattleton, who had settled at full length in
+  his berth. "If this rolling motion keeps up, I shall get so I
+  won't care if we are wrecked."</p>
+
+  <p>"He must be a dandy in a good swift game of poker!" laughed
+  Frank. "I shouldn't think he'd be able to make up his mind how to
+  discard. He'd be a drawback to the game, or I'm much
+  mistaken."</p>
+
+  <p>"It strikes me that he'd be easy fruit," said Rattleton.</p>
+
+  <p>"He looks like a 'sucker' himself, but sometimes it is
+  impossible to tell about a man till after you see him play.
+  Anyhow, these two visits were something to break the monotony of
+  the voyage. It promised to be pretty lively at the start, but it
+  has settled down to be rather quiet."</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood and Slush proved good food for conversation, but the
+  boys tired of that after a while.</p>
+
+  <p>Diamond went out by himself, and Frank went to Tutor Maybe's
+  room, where he spent the time till the gong sounded for
+  supper.</p>
+
+  <p>"Come, Harry," said Frank, appearing in the stateroom, "aren't
+  you ready for supper?"</p>
+
+  <p>Rattleton gave a groan.</p>
+
+  <p>"Don't talk to me about eating!" he exclaimed. "It makes me
+  sick to think about it. Leave me&mdash;let me die in peace!"</p>
+
+  <p>Jack was not there, so Frank and Bruce washed up and went out
+  together. They were nearly through eating when the Virginian came
+  in and took his place near them at the table.</p>
+
+  <p>Usually the captain sat at the head of that table, but he was
+  not there now.</p>
+
+  <p>"Where have you been?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Getting onto a few things," said Jack, in a peculiar way.</p>
+
+  <p>"Why, what's the matter with you?" asked Bruce, pausing to
+  stare at the Southerner. "You are pale as a ghost!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Am I?" said Diamond, his voice sounding rather strained and
+  unnatural.</p>
+
+  <p>"Sure thing. I wouldn't advise you to eat any more, and
+  perhaps you hadn't better look at the chandeliers while they are
+  swinging. You'll be keeping Rattleton company."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, I'm not sick&mdash;at least, not seasick," averred
+  Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"Then what ails you? I was going to prescribe ginger ale if it
+  was the first stage of seasickness. Sometimes that will brace a
+  person up and straighten out his stomach."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, don't talk remedies to me. I took medicine three days
+  before I started on this voyage, and everybody I saw told me
+  something to do to keep from being sick. I'm wearing a sheet of
+  writing paper across my chest now."</p>
+
+  <p>When supper was over Jack motioned for his friends to follow
+  him. The three went on deck and walked aft till they were quite
+  alone.</p>
+
+  <p>The "Eagle" was plowing along over a deserted sea. The waves
+  were running heavily, and night was shutting down grimly over the
+  ocean.</p>
+
+  <p>"What's the matter with you, Diamond?" asked Browning. "Why
+  have you dragged us out here? It's cold, and I'd rather go into
+  our stateroom and take a loaf after eating so heartily. By Jove!
+  if this keeps up, they won't have provisions enough on this boat
+  to feed me before we get across."</p>
+
+  <p>"I wanted to have a little talk without," said Jack; "and I
+  didn't care about talking in the stateroom, where I might be
+  overheard."</p>
+
+  <p>"What's up, anyway?" demanded Frank, warned by the manner of
+  the Virginian that Jack fancied he had something of importance to
+  tell them.</p>
+
+  <p>"I've been investigating," said Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"What?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, I found out that there is something the matter on this
+  boat."</p>
+
+  <p>"Did you learn what it was?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't know that I have, but I've discovered one thing. I've
+  learned the kind of cargo we carry."</p>
+
+  <p>"What is it?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Petroleum and powder!"</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH7"><!-- CH7 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+  <h3>PREMONITIONS OF PERIL.</h3>
+
+  <p>"Well, that's hot stuff when it's burning," said Merriwell,
+  grimly.</p>
+
+  <p>"Rather!" grunted Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>"If I'd known what the old boat carried, I think I'd hesitated
+  some about shipping on her," declared Jack. "What if she did get
+  on fire?"</p>
+
+  <p>"We'd all go up in smoke," said Merriwell, with absolute
+  coolness. "That is about the size of it."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well," said Jack, "I heard two of the sailors talking in a
+  very mysterious manner. They say the 'Eagle' is hoodooed and the
+  captain knows it. They say he has not slept any to speak of since
+  we left New York."</p>
+
+  <p>"Sailors are always superstitious. They are ignorant, as a
+  rule, and ignorance breeds superstition."</p>
+
+  <p>"Do you consider Mr. Slush ignorant?" asked Bruce.</p>
+
+  <p>"Didn't have time to size him up, but he's queer."</p>
+
+  <p>"I shall feel that I am over a volcano during the rest of the
+  voyage," said Jack. "What if there was somebody on board who
+  wished to destroy the ship?"</p>
+
+  <p>"It wouldn't be much of a job," grunted Browning. "A match
+  touched to a powder keg would do the trick in a hurry."</p>
+
+  <p>"But he'd go up with the rest of us," said Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Unless he used a slow match," put in Jack. "These captains
+  always have their enemies, who are desperate fellows and ready to
+  do almost anything to injure them. The steamer might be set afire
+  by means of a slow match, which would give the villain time
+  enough to get away."</p>
+
+  <p>"I hardly think there's anybody desperate enough to do that
+  kind of a trick, for it would be a case of suicide."</p>
+
+  <p>"Perhaps not. The chap who did the trick might have some plan
+  of escaping. Then I have known men desperate enough to commit
+  suicide if they could destroy an enemy at the same time."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, it's likely all this worry about this vessel and cargo
+  is entirely needless and foolish."</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't believe it," said the Virginian. "I know now that the
+  captain has been worried. I have noticed it in his manner. He is
+  pale and restless."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, it's likely he may be rather anxious, for it's certain
+  he cannot carry any insurance on such a cargo."</p>
+
+  <p>"He was not at the table to-night."</p>
+
+  <p>"No."</p>
+
+  <p>"I'd give something to be on solid ground and away from this
+  powder mill. You know that sometimes there is such a thing as an
+  unaccountable explosion. A heavy sea must cause motion or
+  friction in the cargo, and friction often starts a fire on
+  shipboard. Fire on this vessel means a quick road to glory."</p>
+
+  <p>"Huah!" grunted Bruce. "I'm not in the habit of worrying about
+  things that may happen. It's cold out here. Let's go back to the
+  stateroom."</p>
+
+  <p>"It will be well enough to keep still about the nature of the
+  cargo, Diamond," said Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, I shall keep still about that all right!" assured
+  Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>As they moved back along the deck they discovered somebody who
+  was leaning over the rail and making all sorts of dismal sounds
+  and groans.</p>
+
+  <p>"The next time I go to Europe I'll stay at home!" moaned this
+  individual. "Oh, my! oh, my! How bad I feel! Next that comes will
+  be the shaps of my twos&mdash;I mean the taps of my shoes!"</p>
+
+  <p>"It's Rattles!" laughed Frank, softly; "and he is sicker than
+  ever. He's tried to crawl out to get some air."</p>
+
+  <p>At this moment a man opened the door near Rattleton, and
+  asked:</p>
+
+  <p>"Is the&mdash;ah&mdash;er&mdash;moon up yet?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't know," moaned Harry. "But it is if I swallowed it.
+  Everything else is up, anyhow."</p>
+
+  <p>"If the&mdash;ah&mdash;moon comes up red tonight, it will
+  mean&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't give a rap what it means!" snorted Rattleton. "Don't
+  talk to me! Let me die without torturing me! I'm sick enough
+  without having you make me worse!"</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Slush, for he was the anxious inquirer about the moon,
+  dodged back into the cabin, closing the door hesitatingly.</p>
+
+  <p>Then Rattleton, unaware of the proximity of his amused
+  friends, hung over the rail and groaned again.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank walked up and spoke:</p>
+
+  <p>"I see, my dear boy, that you are heeding the Bible
+  admonition."</p>
+
+  <p>"Hey?" groaned Harry. "What is it?"</p>
+
+  <p>"'Cast thy bread upon the waters!' You are doing it all right,
+  all right."</p>
+
+  <p>"Now, don't carry this thing too far!" Rattleton tried to say
+  in a fierce manner, but his fierceness was laughable. "The worm
+  will turn when trodden upon."</p>
+
+  <p>"But the banana peel knows a trick worth two of that. Did you
+  ever hear that touching little poem about the man who stepped on
+  a banana peel? Never did? Why, that is too bad! You don't know
+  what you've missed. Listen, and you shall hear it."</p>
+
+  <p>Then Frank solemnly declaimed:</p>
+  <pre>
+     "He walked along one summer day,
+       As stately as a prince;
+     He stepped upon a banana peel,
+       And he hasn't 'banana' where since."
+</pre>
+
+  <p>Rattleton gave a still more dismal groan.</p>
+
+  <p>"You are conspiring with the elements to hasten my death!" he
+  said. "I can't stand many more like that."</p>
+
+  <p>"You should wear a sheet of writing paper across your breast,
+  same as I do," said Diamond. "Then you won't be sick."</p>
+
+  <p>"I've got two sheets of writing paper across mine," declared
+  Harry.</p>
+
+  <p>"You should drink a bottle of ginger ale to settle your
+  stomach," put in Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Just drank three bottles of ginger ale, and they've turned my
+  stomach wrong side out," gurgled the sick youth.</p>
+
+  <p>"You should allow yourself perfect relaxation, and not try to
+  fight against it," from Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, I haven't allowed myself anything else but perfect
+  relaxation," came from Harry. "You all make me tired!"</p>
+
+  <p>Then he staggered into the cabin and disappeared on his way
+  back to the stateroom.</p>
+
+  <p>Diamond and Browning followed, but Frank lingered behind.</p>
+
+  <p>Although he had kept the fact concealed, Merry was troubled
+  with a strange foreboding of coming disaster. In every way he
+  tried to overcome anything like superstition, but he remembered
+  that, on many other occasions, he had been warned of coming
+  trouble by just such feelings.</p>
+
+  <p>"I'd like to know just what is going on upon this steamer," he
+  muttered, as he walked forward. "I feel as if something was
+  wrong, and I shall not be satisfied till I investigate."</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH8"><!-- CH8 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+  <h3>IN THE STOKE-HOLE.</h3>
+
+  <p>Frank found the chief engineer taking some air. Merry fell
+  into conversation with the man, who was smoking and seemed quite
+  willing to talk.</p>
+
+  <p>Having a pleasant and agreeable way, Frank easily led the
+  engineer on, and it was not long before the man was quite taken
+  with the chatty passenger.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank was careful not to seem inquisitive or prying, for he
+  knew it would be easy to arouse the engineer's suspicions if
+  there should be anything wrong on the steamer.</p>
+
+  <p>However, Merry was working for a privilege, and he obtained
+  it. When he expressed a desire to go below and have a look at the
+  engines and furnaces, the engineer invited him to come along.</p>
+
+  <p>They passed through a door, and then began a descent by means
+  of iron ladders. The clanking roar of the machinery came up to
+  them. Frank could hear and feel the throbbing heart beats of the
+  great boat.</p>
+
+  <p>The engine room was quickly reached, and there the engineer
+  showed him the massive machinery that moved with the regularity
+  of clockwork and the grace and ease that came from great power
+  and perfect adjustment.</p>
+
+  <p>All this was interesting, but Frank was anxious to go still
+  deeper.</p>
+
+  <p>"Go ahead," said the engineer, showing him the way. "Down that
+  ladder there. You'll be able to see the furnaces and the stokers
+  at work. I don't believe you'll care to go into the
+  stoke-hole."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank descended. Great heat came up to him, accompanied by a
+  glow that shifted and changed, dying down suddenly at one moment
+  and glaring out at the next. He could hear the ring of shovels
+  and the clank of iron doors.</p>
+
+  <p>He reached an iron grating, where a fierce heat rolled up and
+  seemed to scorch him. From that position he could look down into
+  the stoke-hole and see the black, grimy, sweating, half-clad men
+  at work there.</p>
+
+  <p>Above him, at the head of the ladder he had just descended, a
+  pair of shining eyes glared down, but he saw them not. He had not
+  observed a cleaner who was at work on the machinery in the
+  engine-room, and who kept his hat pulled over his eyes till Frank
+  departed.</p>
+
+  <p>The blackened stokers looked like grim demons of the fiery pit
+  as they labored at the coal, which they were shoveling into the
+  mouths of the greedy furnaces.</p>
+
+  <p>The shifting glow was caused by the opening and closing of the
+  furnace doors, which clanged and rang.</p>
+
+  <p>For a moment the pit below would seem shrouded in almost
+  Stygian darkness, save for some bar of light that gleamed out
+  from a crack or draft, and then there would be a rattle of iron
+  and a flare of blood-red light that came with the flinging open
+  of a furnace door.</p>
+
+  <p>In the glare of light the bare-armed, dirt-grimed stokers
+  would shovel, shovel, shovel, till it seemed a wonder that the
+  fire was not completely deadened by so much coal.</p>
+
+  <p>Sometimes the doors of all the furnaces would seem open at
+  once, and the glare and heat that came up from the place was
+  something awful.</p>
+
+  <p>Merry wondered how human beings could live down there in that
+  terrible place.</p>
+
+  <p>Some of the men were raking out ashes and hoisting it by means
+  of a mechanism provided for the purpose.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank pitied the poor creatures who were forced to work down
+  in that place. Yet he remembered it was not so many months since
+  he had applied for the position of wiper in an engine
+  round-house, obtained the job, and worked there with the grimiest
+  and lowest employees of the railroad.</p>
+
+  <p>There was something fascinating in the black pit and the grimy
+  men who labored down there in the glare and heat. Frank was so
+  absorbed that he heard no sound, received no warning of
+  danger.</p>
+
+  <p>Merry leaned out over the edge of the iron grating. Something
+  struck on his back, he was clutched, thrust out, hurled from the
+  grating!</p>
+
+  <p>It was done in a twinkling. He could not defend himself, but
+  he made a clutch to save himself, caught something, swung in,
+  struck against the iron ladder, and went tumbling and sliding
+  downward.</p>
+
+  <p>At the moment when Frank was attacked, a glare of light had
+  filled the pit. One of the stokers had turned his back to the
+  gleaming mouths of the furnaces and looked upward, as if to
+  relieve his aching eyes.</p>
+
+  <p>He saw everything that occurred on the grating. He saw a man
+  slip down the ladder behind Frank and spring on his back. He saw
+  that man hurl Frank from the grating.</p>
+
+  <p>The stoker uttered a shout and ran toward the foot of the
+  ladder, expecting to find Frank laying there, severely injured or
+  killed. He was astounded when he saw the ready-witted youth grasp
+  the grating, swing in, strike the ladder, cling and slide.</p>
+
+  <p>Down Frank came with a rush, but he did not fall. He landed in
+  the stoke-hole without being severely injured. He was on his feet
+  in a twinkling, and up that ladder he went like a cat.</p>
+
+  <p>His assailant had darted up the ladder above and disappeared.
+  Merry reached the grating from which he had been hurled, and then
+  he ran up the other ladder.</p>
+
+  <p>He was soon in the engine-room.</p>
+
+  <p>In that room there was no excitement. The machinery was
+  sliding and swinging in a regular manner, while the engineer sat
+  watching its movements, talking to an assistant. Oilers and
+  cleaners were at work.</p>
+
+  <p>"Where is he?" cried Frank, his voice sounding clear and
+  distinct.</p>
+
+  <p>They looked at him in amazement.</p>
+
+  <p>"What's the matter?" asked the engineer, coming forward.</p>
+
+  <p>"I was attacked from behind and thrown into the stoke-hole,"
+  Merry explained. "The fellow who did it came in here."</p>
+
+  <p>"Thrown into the stoke-hole?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes."</p>
+
+  <p>"From where?"</p>
+
+  <p>"The grating at the foot of the first ladder."</p>
+
+  <p>The engineer looked doubtful.</p>
+
+  <p>"My dear fellow," he said, "you would have been maimed or
+  killed. You do not seem to be harmed."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank realized that the engineer actually doubted his
+  word.</p>
+
+  <p>"He might have fallen," said the assistant; "but it would have
+  broken his neck."</p>
+
+  <p>"I tell you I was attacked from behind and thrown down!"
+  exclaimed Frank. "I managed to get hold of the ladder and slide,
+  so I was not killed."</p>
+
+  <p>The engineer looked annoyed.</p>
+
+  <p>"This is what comes of letting a passenger in here," he said.
+  "It's the last time I'll do it on my own responsibility. Now if
+  you go out and tell you were thrown into the stoke-hole, there'll
+  be any amount of fuss over it."</p>
+
+  <p>"I am telling it right here," said Frank, grimly, "and I want
+  to know who did the trick. Somebody who came from this room must
+  have done it."</p>
+
+  <p>"Impossible!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Then where did he come from?"</p>
+
+  <p>The engineer and his assistant looked at each other, and the
+  former began to swear.</p>
+
+  <p>"What do you think of it, Joe?" he asked.</p>
+
+  <p>"Think you made a mistake, Bill; but his story won't go.
+  Nobody'll take any stock in it."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank was angry. It was something unusual for his word to be
+  doubted, and he felt like expressing his feelings decidedly.</p>
+
+  <p>He was saved the trouble. The grimy stoker who had witnessed
+  the struggle and the fall appeared in the door of the
+  engine-room. He saw Frank and cried:</p>
+
+  <p>"Hello, you! So you're all right? Wonder you wasn't killed.
+  You came down with a rush, young feller, but you went back just
+  as quick."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank understood instantly.</p>
+
+  <p>"Here is a man who saw it!" he cried. "He will tell you that I
+  am not lying."</p>
+
+  <p>The engineer turned to the stoker.</p>
+
+  <p>"How did he happen to fall?" he asked.</p>
+
+  <p>"He didn't fall," declared the begrimed coal heaver.</p>
+
+  <p>"No? What then&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"'Nother chap jumped on his back and flung him down. It's
+  wonderful he wasn't killed."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank was triumphant. He regarded the engineer and his
+  assistant with a grim smile on his face.</p>
+
+  <p>"This is incredible!" exclaimed the engineer. "Who could have
+  done such a thing?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Somebody who came from this room!" rang out Merry's clear
+  voice.</p>
+
+  <p>"This shall be investigated!" declared the engineer. "Look
+  around! See if you can find the man who attacked you. The only
+  ones here are myself, Mr. Gregory, and the wipers."</p>
+
+  <p>"I want a look at those wipers," said Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"You shall have it. Mr. Gregory and I were talking together
+  over here all the time you were gone."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, I do not suspect you," said Merry; "but I want a good
+  look at those wipers."</p>
+
+  <p>"Did you see the man who threw you into the stoke-hole?"</p>
+
+  <p>"No, but&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"Then how will you know who it was if you see him?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Whoever did so had a reason for the act&mdash;a motive. He
+  must have known me before. I may know him."</p>
+
+  <p>"Come," invited the engineer.</p>
+
+  <p>He called one of the wipers down from amid the sliding shafts
+  and moving machinery. The man came unhesitatingly.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank took a square look at this man, who did not seek to
+  avoid inspection.</p>
+
+  <p>"Never saw him before," confessed Merry.</p>
+
+  <p>The wiper was dismissed.</p>
+
+  <p>"Hackett," called the engineer.</p>
+
+  <p>The other wiper did not seem to hear. He pretended to be very
+  busy, and kept at work.</p>
+
+  <p>"Hackett!"</p>
+
+  <p>He could not fail to hear that. He kept his face turned away,
+  but answered:</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+  <p>"Come here. I want you."</p>
+
+  <p>The wiper hesitated. Then he turned and slowly approached. His
+  face was besmeared till scarcely a bit of natural color showed,
+  and his hat was pulled low over his eyes. He shambled forward
+  awkwardly, and stood in an awkward position, with his eyes cast
+  down.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank looked at him closely and started. Then, in a perfectly
+  calm manner, but with a trace of triumph in his voice, he
+  declared:</p>
+
+  <p>"This is the fellow who did the job!"</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH9"><!-- CH9 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+  <h3>IN IRONS.</h3>
+
+  <p>"What?" cried the engineer, in astonishment.</p>
+
+  <p>"How do you know?" asked the engineer's assistant,
+  incredulously.</p>
+
+  <p>"That's it&mdash;how do you know?" demanded the engineer. "You
+  said you did not see the person who attacked you."</p>
+
+  <p>"I did not."</p>
+
+  <p>"Yet you say this is the man."</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes."</p>
+
+  <p>"How do you know?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I know him."</p>
+
+  <p>"You do?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes."</p>
+
+  <p>"You have seen him before?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I should say so, on several occasions. He is one of my
+  bitterest enemies. This is not the first time he has tried to
+  kill or injure me. He has made the attempt many times before. He
+  is the only person here who would do such a thing."</p>
+
+  <p>"If this is true," said the engineer, grimly, "he shall pay
+  dearly for his work!"</p>
+
+  <p>The assistant nodded.</p>
+
+  <p>"What have you to say, Hackett?" demanded the engineer.</p>
+
+  <p>"I say it's a lie!" growled the fellow. "I never saw this chap
+  before he came into the engine-room. He doesn't know me, and I
+  don't know him."</p>
+
+  <p>"You hear what Hackett has to say," said the engineer, turning
+  to Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"I hear what this fellow has to say, but his name is not
+  Hackett."</p>
+
+  <p>"Is not?"</p>
+
+  <p>"No, no more than mine is Hackett."</p>
+
+  <p>"Then what is his name?"</p>
+
+  <p>"His name is Harris!" asserted Merry, "and he is a gambler and
+  a crook. I'll guarantee that he has not been long on the
+  'Eagle.'"</p>
+
+  <p>"No; we took him on in New York scarcely two hours before we
+  sailed. We needed a man, and he applied for any kind of a job.
+  Found he had worked round machinery, and we took him as wiper and
+  general assistant."</p>
+
+  <p>"It was not so many weeks ago that he attacked me at New
+  Haven," said Frank. "He failed to do me harm. When he found I was
+  going abroad he declared he would go along on the same steamer.
+  At the time he must have thought I was going by one of the
+  regular liners; but it is plain he followed me up pretty close
+  and found I was going over this way. As there is no second-class
+  passage on this boat, he decided he could not travel in the same
+  class with me without being discovered, and he resolved to go as
+  one of the crew, if he could get on that way. That's how he
+  happens to be here."</p>
+
+  <p>"If what you say is true, it will go pretty hard with Mr.
+  Harris. We'll have him ironed and&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>A cry of rage broke from the lips of the accused.</p>
+
+  <p>"There is no proof!" he snarled. "No one can swear I attacked
+  this fellow and threw him into the stoke-hole!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, yes!" said the stoker who had come up from below. "I saw
+  the whole business. By the light from the furnaces, I plainly saw
+  the man who did it, and you are the man!"</p>
+
+  <p>"That settles it!" declared the engineer. "You'll make the
+  rest of the voyage in irons, Mr. Harris!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Then I'll give you something to iron me for!" shouted the
+  furious young villain.</p>
+
+  <p>He leaped on Frank Merriwell with the fierceness of a wounded
+  tiger.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank was not expecting the assault, and, for the moment, he
+  was taken off his guard.</p>
+
+  <p>They were close to the moving machinery. Within four feet of
+  them a huge plunging rod was playing up and down, moved by a
+  steel bar that weighed many tons. Harris attempted to fling Frank
+  beneath this bar, where he would be struck and crushed.</p>
+
+  <p>The villain nearly succeeded, so swift and savage was his
+  attack.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank realized that the purpose of the wretch was to fling him
+  into the machinery, and he braced himself to resist as quickly as
+  possible.</p>
+
+  <p>Shouts of consternation broke from the engineer and his
+  assistant. They sprang forward to seize Harris and help
+  Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>But, before they could interfere, Frank broke the hold of his
+  enemy, forced him back and struck him a terrible blow between the
+  eyes felling him instantly.</p>
+
+  <p>Merriwell stood over Harris, his hands clenched his eyes
+  gleaming.</p>
+
+  <p>"Get up!" he cried. "Get up you dog! I can't strike you when
+  you are down, and I'd give a hundred dollars to hit you just once
+  more!"</p>
+
+  <p>But Harris did not get up. He realized that his second attempt
+  had failed, and he stood in awe of Frank's terrible fists. He
+  looked up at those gleaming eyes, and turned away quickly,
+  feeling a sudden great fear.</p>
+
+  <p>Did Frank Merriwell bear a charmed life?</p>
+
+  <p>Surely it seemed that way to Harris just then. For the first
+  time, perhaps, the young rascal began to believe that it was not
+  possible to harm the lad he hated with all the intensity of his
+  nature.</p>
+
+  <p>The engineer and his assistants grabbed Harris and held him,
+  the former swearing savagely. They dragged the fellow to his
+  feet, but warned him to stand still.</p>
+
+  <p>Harris did so. For the moment, at least, he was completely
+  cowed.</p>
+
+  <p>A man was sent for the captain, with instructions to tell him
+  just what occurred. Of course the captain of the steamer was the
+  only person who could order one of the men placed in irons.</p>
+
+  <p>The captain came in in a little while, and he listened in
+  great amazement to the story of what had taken place. His face
+  was hard and grim. He asked Frank a few questions, and then he
+  ordered that Harris be ironed and confined in the hold.</p>
+
+  <p>"Mr. Merriwell," said the captain, "I am very sorry that this
+  happened on my ship."</p>
+
+  <p>"It's all right, captain," said Frank. "You are in no way to
+  blame. The fellow shipped with the intention of doing just what
+  he did, if he found an opportunity."</p>
+
+  <p>"It will go hard-with him," declared the master. "He'll not
+  get out of this without suffering the penalty."</p>
+
+  <p>Harris was sullen and silent. Frank spoke to him before he was
+  led away.</p>
+
+  <p>"Harris," he said, "you have brought destruction on yourself.
+  I can't say that I arm sorry for you, for, by your persistent
+  attacks on me, you have destroyed any sympathy I might have felt.
+  You have ruined your own life."</p>
+
+  <p>"No!" snarled Sport. "You are the one! You ruined me! If I go
+  to prison for this, I'll get free again sometime, and I'll not
+  forget you, Frank Merriwell! All the years I am behind the bars
+  will but add to the debt I owe you. When I come forth to freedom,
+  I'll find you if you are alive, and I'll have your life!"</p>
+
+  <p>Then he was marched away between two stout men, his irons
+  clanking and rattling.</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH10"><!-- CH10 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+  <h3>THE GAME IN THE NEXT ROOM.</h3>
+
+  <p>When Merry appeared in his stateroom he was greeted with a
+  storm of questions.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, what does this mean?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Trying to dodge us?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Running away?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Muts the whatter with you&mdash;I mean what's the
+  matter?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Where have you been?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Stand and give an account of yourself!"</p>
+
+  <p>Then he told them a little story that astounded them beyond
+  measure. He explained how he had taken a fancy to look the
+  steamer over and had fallen in with the engineer. Then he related
+  how he had visited the engine room and been thrown into the
+  stoke-hole.</p>
+
+  <p>But when he told the name of his assailant the climax was
+  capped.</p>
+
+  <p>"Harris?" gasped Rattleton, incredulously.</p>
+
+  <p>"Harris?" palpitated Diamond, astounded.</p>
+
+  <p>"Harris?" roared Browning, aroused from his lazy
+  languidness.</p>
+
+  <p>"On this steamer?" they shouted in unison.</p>
+
+  <p>"On this steamer," nodded Frank, really enjoying the sensation
+  he had created.</p>
+
+  <p>"He&mdash;he attacked you?" gurgled Rattleton, seeming to
+  forget his recent sickness.</p>
+
+  <p>"He did."</p>
+
+  <p>"And you escaped after being thrown into the stoke-hole?"
+  fluttered Diamond.</p>
+
+  <p>"I am here."</p>
+
+  <p>"And you didn't kill the cur on sight?" roared Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>"He is in the hold in irons."</p>
+
+  <p>"Serves him right!" was the verdict of Frank's three
+  friends.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, this is what I call a real sensation!" said the
+  Virginian. "You certainly found something, Frank!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, that fellow has reached the end of his rope at last,"
+  said Harry, with intense satisfaction, once more stretching
+  himself in his bunk.</p>
+
+  <p>"That's pretty sure," nodded Jack. "Attempted murder on the
+  high seas is a pretty serious thing."</p>
+
+  <p>"He'll get pushed for it all right this time," grunted
+  Browning, beginning to recover from his astonishment.</p>
+
+  <p>Then they talked the affair over, and Frank gave them his
+  theory of Sport's presence on the steamer, which seemed
+  plausible.</p>
+
+  <p>"This is something rather more interesting than the
+  superstitious man or the Frenchman," said Diamond.</p>
+
+  <p>"The superstitious man was interesting at first," observed
+  Merry; "but I've a fancy that he might prove a bore."</p>
+
+  <p>Then Bruce grunted:</p>
+  <pre>
+     "Say, does Fact and Reason err,
+     And, if they both err, which the more?
+     The man of the smallest calibre
+     Is sure to be the greatest bore."
+</pre>
+
+  <p>While they were talking, the sound of voices came from the
+  stateroom occupied by the Frenchman. Soon it became evident that
+  quite a little party had gathered in that room.</p>
+
+  <p>The boys paid no attention to the party till it came time to
+  turn in for the night. Then they became aware that something was
+  taking place in the adjoining room, and it was not long before
+  they made out that it was a game of poker.</p>
+
+  <p>As they became quiet, they could hear the murmur of voices,
+  and, occasionally, some person would speak distinctly, "seeing,"
+  "raising" or "calling."</p>
+
+  <p>Diamond began to get nervous.</p>
+
+  <p>"Say," he observed, "that makes me think of old times. Many a
+  night I've spent at that."</p>
+
+  <p>"What's the matter with you?" said Frank. "Do you want to go
+  in there and take a hand?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Well," Jack confessed, "I do feel an itching."</p>
+
+  <p>"I feel like getting some sleep," grunted Bruce, "and they are
+  keeping me awake."</p>
+
+  <p>"Why are they playing in a stateroom, anyhow?" exclaimed
+  Frank. "It's no place for a game of cards at night."</p>
+
+  <p>"That's so," agreed Rattleton, dreamily. "But you are keeping
+  me awake by your chatter a good deal more than they are. Shut up,
+  the whole lot of you!"</p>
+
+  <p>There was silence for a time, and then, with a savage
+  exclamation, Diamond sprang out of his berth and thumped on the
+  partition, crying:</p>
+
+  <p>"Come, gentlemen, it's time to go to bed! You are keeping us
+  awake."</p>
+
+  <p>There was no response.</p>
+
+  <p>Jack went back to bed, but the murmuring continued in the next
+  stateroom, and the rattle of chips could be heard
+  occasionally.</p>
+
+  <p>"What are we going to do about it, Merriwell?" asked Jack,
+  savagely.</p>
+
+  <p>"We can complain."</p>
+
+  <p>But making a complaint was repellent to a college youth, who
+  was inclined to regard as a cheap fellow anybody who would do
+  such a thing, and Diamond did not agree to that.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well," said Frank, "I suppose I can go in there and clean
+  them all out."</p>
+
+  <p>"How?"</p>
+
+  <p>"At their own game," laughed Merry, muffledly.</p>
+
+  <p>"If anybody in this crowd tackles them that way I'll be the
+  one," asserted the Virginian.</p>
+
+  <p>"Then nobody here will tackle them that way," said Frank,
+  remembering how he had once saved Diamond from sharpers in New
+  Haven.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank was a person who believed that knowledge of almost any
+  sort was likely to prove of value to a man at some stage of his
+  career, and he had made a practice of learning everything
+  possible. He had studied up on the tricks of gamblers, so that he
+  knew all about their methods of robbing their victims. Being a
+  first-class amateur magician, his knowledge of card tricks had
+  become of value to him in more than one instance. He felt that he
+  would be able to hold his own against pretty clever card-sharps,
+  but he did not care or propose to have any dealings with such
+  men, unless forced to do so.</p>
+
+  <p>The boys kept still for a while. Their light was extinguished,
+  but, up near the ceiling, a shaft of light came through the
+  partition from the other room.</p>
+
+  <p>Diamond saw it. He jumped up and dragged a trunk into position
+  by that partition. Mounted on the trunk, he applied his eye to
+  the orifice and discovered that he could see into the Frenchman's
+  room very nicely.</p>
+
+  <p>"What can you see?" grunted Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>"I can see everyone in there," answered Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"Name them."</p>
+
+  <p>"The Frenchman, the Englishman, the superstitious man, and our
+  fresh friend, Bloodgood."</p>
+
+  <p>"Same old crowd," murmured Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes, and a hot old game!" came from the youth on the trunk.
+  "My! my! but they are whooping her up! They've got plenty to
+  drink, and they are playing for big dust."</p>
+
+  <p>"Tell them to saw up till to-morrow," mumbled Bruce.</p>
+
+  <p>Jack did not do so, however. He remained on the trunk,
+  watching the game, seeming greatly interested.</p>
+
+  <p>A big game of poker interested him any time. It was through
+  the influence of Frank that he had been led to renounce the game,
+  but the thirst for its excitements and delights remained with
+  him, for he had come from a family of card-players and
+  sportsmen.</p>
+
+  <p>"Come, come!" laughed Frank, after a while; "I can hear your
+  teeth chattering, old man. Get off that trunk and turn in."</p>
+
+  <p>"Wait!" fluttered Jack&mdash;"wait till I see this hand played
+  out."</p>
+
+  <p>In less than half a minute he cried:</p>
+
+  <p>"It's a skin game! I knew it was!"</p>
+
+  <p>"What's the lay?" asked Merry.</p>
+
+  <p>"That infernal Frenchman is a card-sharp!"</p>
+
+  <p>"I suspected as much."</p>
+
+  <p>"His pal is the Englishman. They are standing in
+  together."</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Sure thing. They are bleeding Bloodgood and Slush. Bloodgood
+  thinks he's pretty sharp, and I have not much sympathy for him;
+  but I am sorry for poor little Slush. He should have paid
+  attention to some of his signs and omens. He knew something
+  disastrous would happen during this voyage, and I rather think it
+  will happen to him."</p>
+
+  <p>Then Diamond thumped the wall again, crying:</p>
+
+  <p>"Stop that business in there! Mr. Slush, you are playing cards
+  with crooks&mdash;you are being robbed! Get out of that game as
+  soon as you can!"</p>
+
+  <p>There was a sudden silence in the adjoining room, and then M.
+  Rouen Montfort was heard to utter an exclamation in French,
+  following which he cried:</p>
+
+  <p>"I see you to-morrow, saire! I make you swallow ze lie!"</p>
+
+  <p>"You may see me any time you like!" Diamond flung back.</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH11"><!-- CH11 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+  <h3>THE HORRORS OF THE HOLD.</h3>
+
+  <p>To the surprise of the four youths, M. Montfort utterly
+  ignored them on the following day, instead of seeking "trouble,"
+  as had been anticipated.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well," said Jack, in disgust, "he has less courage than I
+  thought. He is just a common boasting Frenchman."</p>
+
+  <p>"He is not a common Frenchman." declared Frank. "I believe he
+  is a rascal of more than common calibre."</p>
+
+  <p>"But he lacks nerve, and I have nothing but contempt for him,"
+  said the Virginian. "I didn't know but he would challenge me to a
+  duel."</p>
+
+  <p>"What if he had?"</p>
+
+  <p>"What if he had?" hissed the hot-blooded Southern youth. "I'd
+  fought him at the drop of the hat!"</p>
+
+  <p>"That's all right, but you know most Frenchmen fight well in a
+  duel."</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't know anything of the kind. They are expert fencers,
+  but I notice it is mighty seldom one of them is killed in a duel.
+  They sometimes draw a drop of blood, and then they consider that
+  'honor is satisfied,' and that ends it."</p>
+
+  <p>It was midway in the forenoon that Frank met Mr. Slush on
+  deck. The little man was looking more doleful and dejected than
+  ever, if possible.</p>
+
+  <p>"The&mdash;ah&mdash;the moon showed rather yellow last night,"
+  he said. "That is a&mdash;a sure sign of disaster."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well," said Merry, with a smile, "I think the disaster will
+  befall you, sir, if you do not steer clear of the crowd you were
+  in last night."</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Slush looked surprised.</p>
+
+  <p>"Might I&mdash;ah&mdash;inquire your meaning?" he
+  faltered.</p>
+
+  <p>"I mean that you are playing poker with card-sharps, and they
+  mean to rob you," answered Frank, plainly.</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I wonder how you&mdash;er&mdash;know so much," said
+  the little man, with something like faint sarcasm, as Frank
+  fancied.</p>
+
+  <p>"It makes little difference how I know it, but I am telling
+  you the truth. I am warning you for your good, sir."</p>
+
+  <p>"Er&mdash;ahem! Thank you&mdash;very much."</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Slush walked away.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, I'm hanged if he doesn't take it coolly enough!"
+  muttered Frank, perplexed.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank felt an interest to know how Sport Harris was getting
+  along. He walked forward and found the captain near the steps
+  that led to the bridge.</p>
+
+  <p>In reply to Merry's inquiry, the captain said:</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, don't worry about him. There are rats down there in the
+  hold, but I guess he'll be able to fight them off. He'll have
+  bread and water the rest of the voyage."</p>
+
+  <p>After that Merry could not help thinking of Harris all alone
+  in the darkness of the hold, with swarms of rats around him,
+  eating dry bread, washed down with water.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank felt that the youthful villain did not deserve any
+  sympathy, but, despite himself, he could not help feeling a pang
+  of pity for him.</p>
+
+  <p>When he expressed himself thus to his friends, however, they
+  scoffed at him.</p>
+
+  <p>"Serves the dog right!" flashed Diamond. "He is getting just
+  what he deserves, and I'm glad of it!"</p>
+
+  <p>"He will get what he deserves when we reach the other side,"
+  grunted Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>"No," said Merry; "he is an American, and he'll have to be
+  taken back to the United States for punishment."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, he'll get it all right."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, I don't care to think that he may be driven mad shut up
+  in the dark hold with the rats."</p>
+
+  <p>This feeling grew on Frank. At last he went to the captain and
+  asked liberty to see Harris.</p>
+
+  <p>The request was granted, and, accompanied by two men, Frank
+  descended into the hold.</p>
+
+  <p>Down there, amid barrels and casks, they came upon Harris.
+  Frank heard the irons rattle, and then a gaunt-looking, wild-eyed
+  creature rose up before them, shown by the yellow light of the
+  lanterns.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank Merriwell had steady nerves, but, despite himself, he
+  started.</p>
+
+  <p>The appearance of the fellow had changed in a most remarkable
+  manner. Harris looked as if he was overcome with terror.</p>
+
+  <p>"There he is," said one of the men, holding up his lantern so
+  the light fell more plainly on the wretched prisoner.</p>
+
+  <p>"Have you come to take me out of here?" cried Harris, in a
+  tone of voice that gave Frank a chill. "For God's sake, take me
+  out of this place! I'll go mad if I stay here much longer! It is
+  full of rats! I could not sleep last night&mdash;I dare not close
+  my eyes for a minute! Please&mdash;please take me out of
+  here!"</p>
+
+  <p>Then he saw and recognized Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"You?" he screamed. "Have you come here to gloat over me,
+  Frank Merriwell?"</p>
+
+  <p>"No," said Frank; "I have come to see if I can do anything for
+  you."</p>
+
+  <p>"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Harris, in a manner that made Frank
+  believe madness could not be far away. "You wouldn't do that! I
+  know why you are here! You have triumphed over me! You wish to
+  see me in all my misery! Well, look at me! Here I have been
+  thrown into this hellish hole, amid rats and vermin, ironed like
+  a nigger! Look till you are satisfied! It will fill your heart
+  with satisfaction! Mock me! Sneer at me! Deride me!"</p>
+
+  <p>"I have no desire to do anything of the sort," declared Frank.
+  "I am sorry for you, Harris."</p>
+
+  <p>"Sorry! Bah! You lie! Why do you tell me that?"</p>
+
+  <p>"It is the truth. You brought this on yourself, and
+  so&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"Don't tell me that again! You have told it enough! If I'd
+  never seen you, I'd not be here now. You brought it on me, Frank
+  Merriwell. If I die here in this cursed hole, you'll have
+  something pleasant to think about! You can laugh over it!"</p>
+
+  <p>"You shall not die here, Harris, if I can help it. I'll speak
+  to the captain about you."</p>
+
+  <p>The wretch stared at Merry, his eyes looking sunken and
+  glittering. Then, all at once, he crouched down there, his chains
+  clanking, covered his face with his hands and began to cry.</p>
+
+  <p>No matter what Harris had done, Frank was deeply pitiful
+  then.</p>
+
+  <p>"I shall go directly to the captain," he promised, "and I'll
+  ask him to have you taken out of this place. I will urge him to
+  have it done."</p>
+
+  <p>Harris said nothing.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank had seen enough, and he turned away. As they were moving
+  off, Harris began to scream and call to them, begging them not to
+  leave him there in the darkness.</p>
+
+  <p>Those cries cut through and through Frank Merriwell. He knew
+  he was in no way responsible for the fate that had befallen the
+  fellow, and yet he felt that he must do something for Harris.</p>
+
+  <p>He kept his word, going directly to the captain.</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH12"><!-- CH12 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+  <h3>THE FINISH OF A THRILLING GAME.</h3>
+
+  <p>The captain listened to what Frank had to say, but his
+  sternness did not seem to relax in the least, as Merry described
+  the sufferings the prisoner was enduring. But Frank would not be
+  satisfied till the captain had made a promise to visit Harris
+  himself and see that the fellow was taken out and cared for if he
+  needed it.</p>
+
+  <p>Needless to say that the captain forgot to make the visit
+  right away.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank did not tell his friends where he had been and what he
+  had seen. He did not feel like talking about it, and they noticed
+  that he looked strangely grim and thoughtful.</p>
+
+  <p>Tutor Maybe tried to talk to him about studies, but Merry was
+  in no mood for that, as his instructor soon discovered.</p>
+
+  <p>Despite the fact that the sea was running high, Rattleton
+  seemed to have recovered in a great measure from his sickness, so
+  he was able to get on deck with the others. At noon, he even went
+  to the table and ate lightly, drinking ginger ale with his
+  food.</p>
+
+  <p>An hour after dinner Frank found a game of poker going on in
+  the smoking-room. Mr. Slush was in the game. So were the
+  Frenchman, the Englishman, and Bloodgood.</p>
+
+  <p>No money was in sight, but it was plain enough from the manner
+  in which the game was played that the chips each man held had
+  been purchased for genuine money, and the game was one for
+  "blood."</p>
+
+  <p>M. Montfort looked up for a moment as Frank stopped to watch
+  the game. Their eyes met. The Frenchman permitted a sneer to
+  steal across his face, while Frank looked at him steadily till
+  his eyes dropped.</p>
+
+  <p>At a glance, Merry saw that Bloodgood was "shakey." The fellow
+  had been growing worse and worse as the voyage progressed, and
+  now he seemed on the verge of a break-down.</p>
+
+  <p>A few minutes after entering the room Frank heard one of the
+  spectators whisper to another that Bloodgood was "bulling the
+  game," and had lost heavily.</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood was drinking deeply. Mr. Slush seemed to be
+  indulging rather freely. The Frenchman sipped a little wine now
+  and then, and the Englishman drank at regular intervals.</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman was perfectly cool. The Englishman was
+  phlegmatic. Slush hesitated sometimes, but, to the surprise of
+  the boys, seemed rather collected. Bloodgood was hot and
+  excited.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank took a position where he could look on. He watched every
+  move. After a time he discerned that the Englishman and the
+  Frenchman were playing to each other, although the trick was done
+  so skillfully that it did not seem apparent.</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood lost all his chips. The game was held up for a few
+  moments. He stepped into the next room and returned with a fresh
+  supply.</p>
+
+  <p>"This is the bottom," he declared. "You people may have them
+  as soon as you like. To blazes with them! Let's lift the
+  limit."</p>
+
+  <p>"Ah&mdash;er&mdash;let's throw it off&mdash;entirely,"
+  suggested Mr. Slush.</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood glared at the little man in astonishment.</p>
+
+  <p>"What?" he cried. "You propose that? Why, you didn't want to
+  play a bigger game than a quarter limit at the start!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Perhaps you are&mdash;er&mdash;right," admitted Mr. Slush.
+  "I&mdash;er&mdash;don't deny it. But I have grown more&mdash;more
+  interested, you understand. I&mdash;I don't mind playing a good
+  game&mdash;now."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, then, if the other gentlemen say so, by the gods, we'll
+  make it no limit!" Bloodgood almost shouted.</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman bowed suavely, a slight smile curling the ends
+  of his pointed mustache upward.</p>
+
+  <p>"I haf not ze least&mdash;what you call eet?&mdash;ze least
+  objectshong," he purred.</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't mind," said the Englishman.</p>
+
+  <p>Now there was great interest. Somehow, Frank felt that a
+  climax was coming. He watched everything with deep interest.</p>
+
+  <p>Luck continued to run against Bloodgood. To Frank's surprise,
+  it was plain Mr. Slush was winning. This seemed to surprise and
+  puzzle both the Englishman and the Frenchman.</p>
+
+  <p>It was hard work to draw the little man in when Hazleton or
+  Montfort dealt. On his own deal or that of Bloodgood, he seemed
+  ready for anything.</p>
+
+  <p>"By Jove!" whispered Frank, in Diamond's ear. "That man is not
+  such a fool as I thought! I haven't been able to understand him
+  at all, and I don't understand him now."</p>
+
+  <p>At length there came a big jack-pot. It was passed round
+  several times. Then Hazleton opened it on three nines.</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood sat next. He had two pairs, aces up, and he raised
+  instantly.</p>
+
+  <p>Montfort was the next man. He held a pair of deuces, but he
+  saw all that had been bet, and doubled the amount!</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Slush hesitated a little. He seemed ready to lay down, but
+  finally braced up and came in, calling.</p>
+
+  <p>Hazleton did not accept the call. He raised again.</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood looked at his hand and cursed under his breath. It
+  was just good enough to make him feel that he ought to make
+  another raise, but he began to think there were other good hands
+  out, and it was not possible to tell where continued raising
+  would land him, so he "made good."</p>
+
+  <p>With nothing but a pair of deuces in his hand, Montfort
+  "cracked her up" again for a good round sum.</p>
+
+  <p>The hair on the head of Mr. Slush seemed to stand. He
+  swallowed and looked pale. Then he "made good."</p>
+
+  <p>Hazleton had his turn again, and he improved it. For the next
+  few minutes, Montfort and Hazleton had a merry time raising, but
+  neither Slush nor Bloodgood threw up.</p>
+
+  <p>"This is where they are sinking the knife in the suckers!"
+  muttered Jack Diamond.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank Merriwell said not a word. His eyes were watching every
+  move.</p>
+
+  <p>At last the betting stopped, and Slush picked up the pack to
+  give out the cards.</p>
+
+  <p>Hazleton called for two. He received them, and remained
+  imperturbable.</p>
+
+  <p>He had caught nothing with his three nines.</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood had tumbled to the fact that he was "up against"
+  threes, and he had discarded his pair of low cards, holding only
+  the two aces. To these he drew a seven and two more aces!</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood turned pale and then flushed. He held onto himself
+  with all his strength. Here was his chance to get back his
+  losings. Everything was in his favor. He was confident there were
+  some good hands out, and it was very likely some of them might be
+  improved on the draw, but he felt the pot was the same as
+  his.</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman drew two cards.</p>
+
+  <p>Slush took one.</p>
+
+  <p>Then hot work began. Within three minutes Hazleton, with his
+  three nines, had been driven out. Bloodgood, Montfort and Slush
+  remained, raising steadily.</p>
+
+  <p>There was intense excitement in that room. The captain of the
+  steamer had come in, and he was looking on. Some of the
+  spectators were literally shaking with excitement.</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood's chips were used up. He flung money on the
+  table.</p>
+
+  <p>All that he had went into the pot, and still he would not
+  call. He offered his I.O.U.'s, but Mr. Slush declined to
+  agree.</p>
+
+  <p>"Money or its equivalent," said the little man, with such
+  decisiveness that all were astonished.</p>
+
+  <p>"I haven't any money," protested Bloodgood.</p>
+
+  <p>"Then you are out," said Slush.</p>
+
+  <p>"It's robbery!" cried Bloodgood.</p>
+
+  <p>"Why, you can't kick; you haven't even called once."</p>
+
+  <p>"Not even once, saire," purred the Frenchman.</p>
+
+  <p>"By blazes! I have the equivalent!" shouted Bloodgood.</p>
+
+  <p>Into an inner pocket he plunged. He brought out a velvet jewel
+  box. When this was opened, there was a cry of wonder, for a
+  magnificent diamond necklace was revealed.</p>
+
+  <p>"That is worth ten thousand dollars!" declared Bloodgood, "and
+  I'll bet as long as it lasts!"</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Slush held out his hand.</p>
+
+  <p>"Please let me examine it," he said.</p>
+
+  <p>He took a good look at it.</p>
+
+  <p>"Ees it all right, sair?" asked the Frenchman, eagerly.</p>
+
+  <p>"It is," said Mr. Slush, "and I will take charge of it!"</p>
+
+  <p>He thrust the case into his pocket, rose quickly, stepped past
+  Montfort and clapped a hand on Bloodgood's shoulder.</p>
+
+  <p>"I arrest you, Benton Hammersley, for the Clayton diamond
+  robbery!" he said. "It is useless for you to resist, for you are
+  on shipboard, and you cannot escape."</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood uttered a fierce curse.</p>
+
+  <p>"Who in the fiend's name are you?" he snarled, turning
+  pale.</p>
+
+  <p>And "Mr. Slush" answered:</p>
+
+  <p>"Dan Badger, of the New York detective force! Permit me to
+  present you with a pair of handsome bracelets, Mr.
+  Hammersley."</p>
+
+  <p>Click&mdash;the trapped diamond thief was ironed!</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH13"><!-- CH13 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+  <h3>FIRE IN THE HOLD.</h3>
+
+  <p>Everyone except the detective himself seemed astounded. The
+  clever officer, who had played his part so well, was as cool as
+  ice.</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman cried:</p>
+
+  <p>"But zis pot&mdash;eet ees not settailed to whom eet belong
+  yet!"</p>
+
+  <p>The detective stepped back to his chair.</p>
+
+  <p>"The easiest way to settle that is by a show-down," he said.
+  "Under the circumstances, further bettering is out of the
+  question."</p>
+
+  <p>"And I rather think I am in the showdown," choked out the
+  prisoner. "I'll need this money to defend myself when I come to
+  trial."</p>
+
+  <p>"You shall have it," assured Dan Badger&mdash;"if you win
+  it."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, I think I'll win it," said the ironed man, spreading
+  out his hand. "I have four aces, and you can't beat that."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, my dear saire!" cried the Frenchman. "Zat ees pretty
+  gude, but I belief zis ees battaire. How you like zat for a
+  straight flush?"</p>
+
+  <p>He lay his cards on the table, and he had the two, three,
+  four, five and six of hearts.</p>
+
+  <p>There was a shout of astonishment.</p>
+
+  <p>"Ze pot ees mine!" exultantly cried the Frenchman.</p>
+
+  <p>"Stop!" rang out Frank Merriwell's clear voice. "That pot is
+  not yours!"</p>
+
+  <p>Everyone looked at Merry.</p>
+
+  <p>"He is using a table 'hold-out!'" accused Frank, pointing
+  straight at Montfort. "I saw him make the shift. The five cards
+  that really belong in his hands will be found in the hold-out
+  under the table!"</p>
+
+  <p>There was dead silence. The Frenchman turned sallow.</p>
+
+  <p>"It makes no difference," said the quiet voice of the
+  detective, breaking the silence. "I have a higher straight flush
+  of clubs here. Mine runs up to the eight spot, and so I win the
+  pot."</p>
+
+  <p>He showed his cards and raked in the pot.</p>
+
+  <p>With a savage cry, M. Montfort flung his hand aside, leaped to
+  his feet, sprang at Frank, and struck for Merry's face.</p>
+
+  <p>The blow was parried, and he was knocked down instantly.</p>
+
+  <p>A sailor, pale and shaking, came dashing into the room and
+  whispered a word in the captain's ear.</p>
+
+  <p>An oath broke from the captain's lips, and he whirled about
+  and rushed from the room.</p>
+
+  <p>Slowly Montfort picked himself up. There was a livid mark on
+  his cheek. He glared at Frank with deadly hatred.</p>
+
+  <p>"Cursed meddlaire!" he grated. "You shall pay for this."</p>
+
+  <p>There was consternation outside. On the deck was heard the
+  sound of running feet.</p>
+
+  <p>"Something has happened!" said Diamond, hurrying to the door.
+  "I wonder what it is."</p>
+
+  <p>The "Eagle" was plunging along through a heavy sea. On the
+  deck some men were running to and fro. Everyone seemed in the
+  greatest consternation.</p>
+
+  <p>Jack sprang out and stopped a man.</p>
+
+  <p>"What is the matter?" he demanded.</p>
+
+  <p>"The ship is on fire!" was the shaking answer. "There is a
+  fire in the hold!"</p>
+
+  <p>Diamond staggered. He whirled about and sprang into the
+  smoking-room. In a moment he was at Frank's side.</p>
+
+  <p>"Merry," he said, "what I feared has come! The steamer is on
+  fire!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Where?"</p>
+
+  <p>"In the hold."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank remembered the barrels and casks he had seen there.</p>
+
+  <p>"Then we are liable to go scooting skyward in a hurry!" he
+  said. "It can't take the fire long to reach the petroleum and
+  powder!"</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH14"><!-- CH14 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+  <h3>SAVING AN ENEMY.</h3>
+
+  <p>In truth, there was a fire in the "Eagle's" hold. The captain
+  and the crew seemed perfectly panic-stricken. The thought of the
+  explosion that might come any moment seemed to rob them of all
+  reason.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank Merriwell and his friends rushed out of the
+  smoking-room.</p>
+
+  <p>The hold had been opened in an attempt to get water onto the
+  flames. Smoke was rolling up from the opening.</p>
+
+  <p>"Close down the hatch!" shouted somebody. "It is producing a
+  draft, and that helps the fire along!"</p>
+
+  <p>Then faint cries came from the hold&mdash;cries of a human
+  being in danger and distress!</p>
+
+  <p>"It's Harris!" exclaimed Diamond. "He is down there, and his
+  time has come at last!"</p>
+
+  <p>"A rope!" shouted Frank Merriwell, flinging off his coat.</p>
+
+  <p>"What are you going to do?" demanded Bruce Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>"By heavens! I am going down there and try to bring Harris
+  out!"</p>
+
+  <p>"You're a fool!" chattered Harry Rattleton. "Think of the oil
+  and powder down there! The stuff is liable to explode any moment!
+  You shall not go!"</p>
+
+  <p>Frank saw a coil of rope at a distance. He rushed for it,
+  brought it to the hold, let an end drop and dangle into the
+  darkness from whence the smoke rolled up.</p>
+
+  <p>"You are crazy!" roared Bruce Browning, attempting to get hold
+  of Frank. "I refuse to let you go down there!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Don't put your hands on me, Browning!" cried Frank. "If you
+  do, I shall knock you down!"</p>
+
+  <p>They saw that he meant just what he said. He would not be
+  stopped then. Bruce Browning, giant that he was, felt that he
+  would be no match for Frank then.</p>
+
+  <p>The rope was made fast, and down into the smoke and darkness
+  slid Frank, disappearing from view.</p>
+
+  <p>Barely had he done so when some sailors came rushing forward
+  and attempted to close the hatch.</p>
+
+  <p>"Hold on!" thundered Browning. "You can't do that now!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Get out of the way!" commanded one of them, who seemed to be
+  an officer. "We must close this hatch to hold the fire in check
+  long enough for the boats to be lowered."</p>
+
+  <p>"A friend of mine has gone down there. You can't close it till
+  he comes out!"</p>
+
+  <p>"To blazes with your friend!" snarled the man. "What business
+  had he to go down there? If he's gone, he will have to stay
+  there. His life does not count against all the others."</p>
+
+  <p>Then, under his directions the men started to close the
+  hatch.</p>
+
+  <p>Browning sailed into them. He was aroused to his full extent
+  by the thought of what would happen if the hatch was closed and
+  Frank was shut down there with the fire and smoke. He knocked
+  them aside, he hurled them away as if they were children. They
+  could not stand before him for an instant.</p>
+
+  <p>There was a cry from below.</p>
+
+  <p>"Pull away, up there!"</p>
+
+  <p>It was Frank's voice.</p>
+
+  <p>Willing hands seized the rope. There was a heavy weight at the
+  end of it. They dragged the weight up, with the smoke rolling
+  into their faces in a cloud that grew denser and denser.</p>
+
+  <p>And up through the smoke came Sport Harris, irons and all,
+  with the ends of the rope tied about his waist!</p>
+
+  <p>Frank had found Harris, and here the fellow was.</p>
+
+  <p>They untied the rope from Sport's waist in a hurry. Then they
+  lowered it again.</p>
+
+  <p>"Pull away!"</p>
+
+  <p>Frank Merriwell was dragged up through the smoke.</p>
+
+  <p>"Now," said Browning, "down goes the hatch!"</p>
+
+  <p>And it was slammed into place in a hurry, holding the smoke
+  back.</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH15"><!-- CH15 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+  <h3>THE SEA GIVES UP.</h3>
+
+  <p>The pumps were going, in an attempt to flood the hold, but the
+  men did not attempt to fight the fire in anything like a
+  reasonable manner.</p>
+
+  <p>The knowledge of the cargo down there in the hold turned them
+  to cowards and unreasoning beings. They were expecting to be
+  blown skyward at any moment.</p>
+
+  <p>Of a sudden the engines stopped and the "Eagle" began to lose
+  headway. Men were making preparations to lower the boats.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, I'll be hanged if they are not going to abandon the
+  ship!" exclaimed Frank. "The case must be pretty bad. I wonder
+  how the fire started,"</p>
+
+  <p>"I set it!"</p>
+
+  <p>At his feet was Harris, whom he had just rescued from the hell
+  below, and the fellow had declared that he set the fire!</p>
+
+  <p>"You?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes," said the wretch. "I was crazy. I found a match in my
+  pocket, and I thought I was willing to roast if I could destroy
+  you, so I set the fire. Pretty soon I realized what I had done,
+  but then I found it too late when I tried to beat it out. The old
+  steamer will go into the air in a few minutes, and we'll all go
+  with it, unless we can get off in the boats right away."</p>
+
+  <p>"It would have served you right had I left you to your fate!"
+  grated Frank, as he turned away.</p>
+
+  <p>He ran down to his stateroom to gather up some of the few
+  little valuables he hoped to save. He was not gone long, but when
+  he returned, he found two boats had been launched and were
+  pulling away, the persons in them being in great haste to get as
+  far from the steamer as they could before the explosion.</p>
+
+  <p>Three or four women were in the first boat.</p>
+
+  <p>It was rather difficult to lower the boats in the heavy sea
+  that was running, but the men were working swiftly, pushed by the
+  terror of the coming disaster.</p>
+
+  <p>A little smoke curled up from the battened-down hatches.</p>
+
+  <p>As Frank reached the deck, he nearly ran against M. Rouen
+  Montfort, who was carrying a pair of swords in scabbards, which
+  seemed to be treasures he wished to save.</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman stopped and glared at Merry.</p>
+
+  <p>"Cursed Yankee!" he grated. "I would like to put one of zese
+  gude blades t'rough your heart!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Haven't a doubt of it," said Merriwell, coolly. "That's about
+  the kind of a man I took you to be."</p>
+
+  <p>Another boat got away, and the last boat was swung from the
+  davits.</p>
+
+  <p>A sailor counted the men who remained and spoke to the
+  captain. The latter said:</p>
+
+  <p>"At best, the boat will not hold them all. There is one too
+  many, at least. Let the fellow in irons stay behind."</p>
+
+  <p>Harris heard this, and fancied his doom was sealed. He began
+  to beg to be taken along, but one of the men gave him a kick.</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman turned on Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Do you hear?" he cried. "One cannot go. Do you make eet ze
+  poor deval in ze iron? or do you dare fight me to see wheech one
+  of us eet ees? Eef you make eet ze poor devval, eet show you are
+  ze cowarde. Ha! I theenk you do not dare to fight!"</p>
+
+  <p>He spat toward Merry to express his contempt.</p>
+
+  <p>"Let me fight him!" panted Diamond at Frank's elbow.</p>
+
+  <p>"See that Harris is put into the boat!" ordered Merriwell. "I
+  fancy I can take care of this Frenchman. If you do not get Harris
+  into the boat I swear I will not enter it if I conquer
+  Montfort!"</p>
+
+  <p>Then he whirled on the Frenchman.</p>
+
+  <p>"I accept your challenge!" he cried in clear tones.</p>
+
+  <p>Montfort uttered an exclamation of satisfaction. He flung off
+  his coat, saying:</p>
+
+  <p>"Choose ze weapon, saire."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank did not pause to look them over in making a selection.
+  He caught up one of them and drew it from the scabbard.</p>
+
+  <p>Montfort took the other.</p>
+
+  <p>"Ready?" cried the American youth.</p>
+
+  <p>"Ready!" answered the Frenchman.</p>
+
+  <p>Clash!&mdash;the swords came together and there on the deck of
+  the burning steamer the strange duel began.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank fought with all the coolness and skill he could command.
+  He fought as if he had been standing on solid ground instead of
+  the deck of a ship that might be blown into a thousand fragments
+  at any moment.</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman had fancied that the Yankee would prove easy to
+  conquer, but he soon discovered Frank possessed no little skill,
+  and he saw that he must do his best.</p>
+
+  <p>More than once Montfort thrust to run Frank through the body,
+  and once his sword passed between the youth's left arm and his
+  side.</p>
+
+  <p>Merry saw that the Frenchman really meant to kill him if
+  possible.</p>
+
+  <p>Then men were getting into the boat. There were but few
+  seconds left in which to finish the duel. Rattleton called to him
+  from the, boat, shouting above the roar of the wind:</p>
+
+  <p>"Finish him, Frank! Come on, now! Lively!"</p>
+
+  <p>The tip of Montfort's sword slit Frank's sleeve and touched
+  his arm.</p>
+
+  <p>"Next time I get you!" hissed the vindictive Frenchman.</p>
+
+  <p>But right then Frank saw his opportunity. He made a lunge and
+  drove his sword into the Frenchman's side.</p>
+
+  <p>Montfort uttered a cry, dropped his sword, flung up his hands,
+  and sunk bleeding to the deck.</p>
+
+  <p>Merry flung his blood-stained weapon aside and bent over the
+  man, saying sincerely:</p>
+
+  <p>"I hope your wound is not fatal, M. Montfort."</p>
+
+  <p>"It makes no difference!" gasped the man. "You are ze victor,
+  so I must stay here an' die jus' ze same."</p>
+
+  <p>But Frank Merriwell was seized by a feeling of horror at the
+  thought of leaving this man whom he had wounded. In a moment he
+  realized he would be haunted all his life by the memory if he did
+  so.</p>
+
+  <p>Quickly he caught M. Montfort up in his arms. He sprang to the
+  side of the steamer. The boat was holding in for him. His friends
+  shouted to him. The captain ordered him to jump at once.</p>
+
+  <p>"Catch this man!"</p>
+
+  <p>He lifted M. Montfort, swung him over the rail, and dropped
+  him fairly into the boat!</p>
+
+  <p>"He has chosen," said the captain. "The boat will hold no
+  more. Pull away!"</p>
+
+  <p>It was useless for Frank's friends to beg and plead. Away went
+  the boat, leaving the noble youth to his doom.</p>
+
+  <p>Forty minutes later there was a terrible flare of fire and
+  smoke, a thunderous explosion, and the ill-fated steamer had
+  blown up.</p>
+
+  <p>Harry Rattleton was crying like a baby.</p>
+
+  <p>"Poor Frank!" he sobbed. "Noblest fellow in all the
+  world&mdash;good-by! I'll never see you again!"</p>
+
+  <p>Tears rolled down Bruce Browning's face, and Jack Diamond,
+  grim and speechless, looked as if the light of the world had gone
+  out forever.</p>
+  <hr>
+
+  <p>Some days later the passengers and crew from the lost "Eagle"
+  were landed at Liverpool by the steamer "Seneca," which had
+  picked them up at sea. The "Seneca" was a slow old craft, but she
+  got there all right.</p>
+
+  <p>A little grimy tender carried Bruce, Jack, Harry and the tutor
+  from the "Seneca" to the floating dock. It was a sad and
+  wretched-looking party.</p>
+
+  <p>On the dock stood a young man who shouted to them and waved
+  his hand.</p>
+
+  <p>Jack Diamond started, gasped, clutched Browning and
+  whispered:</p>
+
+  <p>"Look&mdash;look there, Bruce! Tell me if I am going crazy, or
+  do you see somebody who looks like&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>Harry Rattleton clutched the big fellow by the other side,
+  spluttering:</p>
+
+  <p>"Am I doing gaffy&mdash;I mean going daffy? Look there! Who is
+  that waving his hand to us?"</p>
+
+  <p>"It's the ghost of Frank Merriwell, as true as there are such
+  things as ghosts!" muttered Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>But it was no ghost. It was Frank Merriwell in the flesh,
+  alive and well! He greeted them as they came off the tender. He
+  caught them in his arms, laughing, shouting, overjoyed. And they,
+  realizing it really was him, hugged him and wept like a lot of
+  big-hearted, manly young men.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank explained in a few words. He told how, after they had
+  left him, he had belted himself well with life-preservers and
+  left the "Eagle" in time to get away before the explosion. Then
+  he was picked up by an Atlantic liner, which brought him to
+  Liverpool in advance of his friends.</p>
+
+  <p>Thus he was there to receive them, and it seemed that the sea
+  had given up its dead.</p>
+  <hr>
+
+  <center>
+    [THE END.]
+  </center>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <hr>
+
+  <center>
+    The next number (159) of the TIP TOP WEEKLY will contain "Frank
+    Merriwell's Backer; or, Among London Sports," by Burt L.
+    Standish.
+  </center>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Frank Merriwell's Nobility
+by Burt L. Standish (AKA Gilbert Patten)
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S NOBILITY ***
+
+***** This file should be named 10904-h.htm or 10904-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/9/0/10904/
+
+Produced by David Garcia, David Starner, Brett Koonce and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's
+eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII,
+compressed (zipped), HTML and others.
+
+Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over
+the old filename and etext number.  The replaced older file is renamed.
+VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving
+new filenames and etext numbers.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000,
+are filed in directories based on their release date.  If you want to
+download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular
+search system you may utilize the following addresses and just
+download by the etext year.
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/etext06
+
+    (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99,
+     98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90)
+
+EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are
+filed in a different way.  The year of a release date is no longer part
+of the directory path.  The path is based on the etext number (which is
+identical to the filename).  The path to the file is made up of single
+digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename.  For
+example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234
+
+or filename 24689 would be found at:
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689
+
+An alternative method of locating eBooks:
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/10904-h/10904-title.jpg b/10904-h/10904-title.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..abaf5e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/10904-h/10904-title.jpg
diff --git a/10904.txt b/10904.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bf7a48b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/10904.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3382 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Frank Merriwell's Nobility
+by Burt L. Standish (AKA Gilbert Patten)
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Frank Merriwell's Nobility
+       The Tragedy of the Ocean Tramp
+
+Author: Burt L. Standish (AKA Gilbert Patten)
+
+Release Date: February 1, 2004 [EBook #10904]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S NOBILITY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Starner, Brett Koonce and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+
+
+TIP TOP WEEKLY
+
+"An ideal publication for the American Youth"
+
+
+FRANK MERRIWELL'S NOBILITY
+
+OR
+
+THE TRAGEDY OF THE OCEAN TRAMP
+
+By BURT L. STANDISH.
+
+
+NEW YORK, April 22, 1899.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+OFF FOR EUROPE.
+
+
+"Off------"
+
+"At last!"
+
+"Hurrah!"
+
+The tramp steamer "Eagle" swung out from the pier and was fairly started
+en her journey from New York to Liverpool.
+
+On the deck of the steamer stood a group of five persons, three of whom
+had given utterance to the exclamations recorded above.
+
+On the pier swarmed a group of Yale students, waving hands, hats,
+handkerchiefs, bidding farewell to their five friends and acquaintances
+on the steamer. Over the water came the familiar Yale cheer. From the
+steamer it was answered.
+
+In the midst of the group on deck was Frank Merriwell. Those around him
+were Bruce Browning, Jack Diamond, Harry Rattleton and Tutor Wellington
+Maybe.
+
+It was Frank's scheme to spend the summer months abroad, while studying
+in the attempt to catch up with his class and pass examinations on
+re-entering college in the fall. And he had brought along his three
+friends, Browning, Diamond and Rattleton. They were on their way to
+England.
+
+Frank was happy. Fortune had dealt him a heavy blow when he was
+compelled by poverty to leave dear old Yale, but he had faced the world
+bravely, and he had struggled like a man. Hard work, long hours and poor
+pay had not daunted him.
+
+At the very start he had shown that he possessed something more than
+ordinary ability, and while working on the railroad he had forced his
+way upward step by step till it seemed that he was in a fair way to
+reach the top of the ladder.
+
+Then came disaster again. He had lost his position on the railroad, and
+once more he was forced to face the world and begin over.
+
+Some lads would have been discouraged. Frank Merriwell was not. He set
+his teeth firmly and struck out once more. He kept his mouth shut and
+his eyes open. The first honorable thing that came to his hand to do he
+did. Thus it happened that he found himself on the stage.
+
+Frank's success as an actor had been phenomenal. Of course, to begin
+with, he had natural ability, but that was not the only thing that won
+success for him. He had courage, push, determination,
+stick-to-it-iveness. When he started to do a thing he kept
+at it till he did it.
+
+Frank united observation and study. He learned everything he could about
+the stage and about acting by talking with the members of the company
+and by watching to see how things were done.
+
+He had a good head and plenty of sense. He knew better than to copy
+after the ordinary actors in the road company to which he belonged. He
+had seen good acting enough to be able to distinguish between the good
+and bad. Thus it came about that the bad models about him did not exert
+a pernicious influence upon him.
+
+Frank believed there were books that would aid him. He found them. He
+found one on "Acting and Actors," and from it he learned that no actor
+ever becomes really and truly great that does not have a clear and
+distinct enunciation and a correct pronunciation. That is the beginning.
+Then comes the study of the meaning of the words to be spoken and the
+effect produced by the manner in which they are spoken.
+
+He studied all this, and he went further. He read up on "Traditions of
+the Stage," and he came to know all about its limitations and its
+opportunities.
+
+From this it was a natural step to the study of the construction of
+plays. He found books of criticism on plays and playwriting, and he
+mastered them. He found books that told how to construct plays, and he
+mastered them.
+
+Frank Merriwell was a person with a vivid imagination and great
+mechanical and constructive ability. Had this not been so, he might have
+studied forever and still never been able to write a successful play. In
+him there was something study could not give, but study and effort
+brought it out. He wrote a play.
+
+"John Smith of Montana" was a success. Frank played the leading part,
+and he made a hit.
+
+Then fate rose up and again dealt him a body blow. A scene in the play
+was almost exactly like a scene in another play, written previously. The
+author and owner of the other play called on the law to "protect" him.
+An injunction was served on Merry to restrain him from playing "John
+Smith." He stood face to face with a lawsuit.
+
+Frank investigated, and his investigation convinced him that it was
+almost certain he would be defeated if the case was carried into the
+courts.
+
+He withdrew "John Smith."
+
+Frank had confidence in himself. He had written a play that was
+successful, and he believed he could write another. Already he had one
+skeletonized. The frame work was constructed, the plot was elaborated,
+the characters were ready for his use.
+
+He wrote a play of something with which he was thoroughly
+familiar---college life. The author or play-maker of ability who writes
+of that with which he is familiar stands a good chance of making a
+success. Young and inexperienced writers love to write of those things
+with which they are unfamiliar, and they wonder why it is that they
+fail.
+
+They go too far away from home for their subject.
+
+At first Frank's play was not a success. The moment he discovered this
+he set himself down to find out why it was not a success. He did not
+look at it as the author, but as a critical manager to whom it had been
+offered might have done.
+
+He found the weak spots. One was its name. People in general did not
+understand the title, "For Old Eli." There was nothing "catchy" or
+drawing about it.
+
+He gave it another name. He called it, "True Blue: A Drama of College
+Life."
+
+The name proved effective.
+
+He rewrote much of the play. He strengthened the climax of the third
+act, and introduced a mechanical effect that was very ingenious. And
+when the piece next went on the road it met with wonderful success
+everywhere.
+
+Thus Frank snatched success from defeat.
+
+It is a strange thing that when a person fights against fate and
+conquers, when fortune begins to smile, when the tide fairly turns his
+way, then everything seems to come to him. The things which seemed so
+far away and so impossible of attainment suddenly appear within easy
+reach or come tumbling into his lap of their own accord.
+
+It was much this way with Frank. He had dreamed of going back to college
+some time, but that time had seemed far, far away. Success brought it
+nearer.
+
+But then it came tumbling into his lap. No one had been found to claim
+the fortune he discovered in the Utah Desert. Investigation had shown
+that there were no living relatives of the man who had guarded the
+treasure till his death. That treasure had been turned over to Frank.
+
+Frank had brought his play to New Haven, and his old college friends had
+given him a rousing welcome. And now he had made plans to return to
+college in the fall, while his play was to be carried on the road by a
+well-known and experienced theatrical manager.
+
+The friends who had been with Frank when he discovered the treasure,
+with the exception of Toots, the colored boy, had refused to accept
+shares of the fortune. Then Merry had insisted on taking them abroad
+with him, and here they were on the steamer "Eagle," bound for
+Liverpool.
+
+Toots, dressed like a "swell," was on the pier. He shouted with the
+others, waving his silk hat.
+
+The crowd was cheering now:
+
+     "Beka Co ax Co ax Co ax!
+     Breka Co ax Co ax Co ax!
+       O-----up! O-----up!
+         Parabolou!
+       Yale! Yale! Yale!
+       'Rah! 'rah! 'rah!
+         Yale!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+SURPRISING THE FRENCHMAN.
+
+
+"Bah! Ze American boy, he make me--what you call eet?--vera tired!"
+
+Frank turned quickly and saw the speaker standing near the rail not far
+away. He was a man between thirty-five and forty years of age, dressed
+in a traveling suit, and having a pointed black beard. He was smoking.
+
+An instant feeling of aversion swept over Merry. He saw the person was a
+supercilious Frenchman, critical, sneering, insolent, a man intolerant
+with everything not of France and the French.
+
+This man was speaking to another person, who seemed to be a servant or
+valet, and who was very polite and fawning in all his retorts.
+
+"Ah! look at ze collectshung on ze pier," continued the sneering
+speaker. "Someone say zey belong to ze great American college. Zey act
+like zey belong to ze--ze--what you call eet?--ze menageray. Zey yell,
+shout, jump--act like ze lunatic."
+
+"It is possible, monsieur," said Frank, with a grim smile, "that they
+are copying their manners after Frenchmen at a Dreyfus demonstration."
+
+The foreigner turned haughtily and stared at Frank. Then he shrugged his
+shoulders, turned away and observed to his companion:
+
+"Jes' like all ze Americans--ah!--what eez ze word?--fresh."
+
+The other man bowed and rubbed his hands together.
+
+"Haw!" grunted Browning, lazily. "How do you like that, Frank?"
+
+"Oh, I don't mind it," murmured Merry. "I consider the source from which
+it came, and regard it as of no consequence."
+
+Diamond was glaring at the Frenchman, for it made his hot Southern blood
+boil to hear a foreigner criticize anything American. Like all youthful
+Americans, his great admiration and love for his own country made him
+intolerant of criticism.
+
+Frank had a cooler head, and he was not so easily ruffled.
+
+Rattleton was unable to express his feelings.
+
+Tutor Maybe looked somewhat perturbed, for he was an exceedingly mild
+and peaceable man, and the slightest suggestion of trouble was enough to
+agitate him.
+
+But the Frenchman did not deign to look toward Frank again, and it
+seemed that all danger of trouble was past.
+
+The "Eagle" sailed slowly down the harbor, signaling now and then to
+other boats.
+
+Frank, Jack, Bruce and Harry formed a fine quartette, and they sang:
+
+     "Soon we'll be in London town;
+       Sing, my lads, yo! heave, my lads, ho!
+     And see the queen, with her golden crown;
+       Heave, my lads, yo-ho!"
+
+The Frenchman made an impatient gesture, and showed annoyance, which
+caused Frank to laugh.
+
+Behind them Brooklyn Bridge spanned the river, looking slender and
+graceful, like a thing hung in the air by delicate threads.
+
+Close at hand were Governor's Island and the Statue of Liberty. The
+Frenchman was pointing it out.
+
+"Ze greatest work of art in all America,"' he declared,
+enthusiastically; "an' France give zat to America. Ze Americans nevare
+think to put eet zere themselves. France do more for America zan any
+ozare nation, but ze Americans forget. Zey forget Lafayette. Zey forget
+France make it possibul for zem to conquaire Engalande an' get ze
+freedom zey ware aftaire. An' now zey--zey--what you call eet?--toady to
+Engalande. Zey pretende to love ze Engaleesh. Bah! Uncale Sam an' John
+Bull both need to have some of ze conaceit taken out away from zem."
+
+"It would take more than France, Spain, Italy and all the rest of the
+dago nations to do the job!" spluttered Harry Rattleton, who could not
+keep still longer.
+
+"Maurel," said the Frenchman, speaking to his companion, "t'row ze
+insolent dog ovareboard!"
+
+"Oui, monsieur!"
+
+Quick as thought the man sprang toward Harry, as if determined to
+execute the command of his master.
+
+He did not put his hands on Rattleton, for Frank was equally swift in
+his movements, and blocked the fellows' way, coolly saying:
+
+"I wouldn't try it if I were you."
+
+"Out of ze way!" snarled the man, who was an athlete in build. "If you
+don't, I put you ovare, too!"
+
+"I don't think you will."
+
+"Put him ovare, Maurel," ordered the Frenchman, with deadly coolness.
+
+The athletic servant clutched Frank, but, with a twist and a turn, Merry
+broke the hold instantly, kicked the fellow's feet from beneath him, and
+dropped him heavily to the deck.
+
+Bruce Browning stooped and picked the man up as if he were an infant.
+Every year seemed to add something to the big collegian's wonderful
+strength, and now the astounded Frenchman found himself unable to
+wiggle.
+
+Browning held the man over the rail turning to Frank to ask:
+
+"Shall I give him a bath, Merriwell?"
+
+"I think you hadn't better," laughed Frank. "Perhaps he can't swim,
+and--"
+
+"He can swim or sink," drawled Bruce. "It won't make any difference if
+he sinks. Only another insolent Frenchman out of the way."
+
+The master was astounded. Up to that moment he had regarded the young
+Americans as scarcely more than boys and he had fancied his athletic
+servant could easily frighten them. Instead of that, something quite
+unexpected by him had happened.
+
+The astounded servant showed signs of terror, but in vain he struggled.
+He was helpless in the clutch of the giant collegian.
+
+The master seemed about to interfere, but Frank Merriwell confronted him
+in a manner that spoke as plainly as words.
+
+"Out of ze way!" snarled the man.
+
+"Speaking to me?" inquired Merry, lifting his eyebrows.
+
+"Oui! oui!"
+
+"I am sorry, but I can't accommodate you till my friend gets through
+with your servant, who was extremely fresh, like most Frenchmen."
+
+"Zis to me!"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Sare, I am M. Rouen Montfort, an' I--"
+
+"It makes no difference to me if you are the high mogul of France. You
+are on the deck of an English vessel, and you are dealing with
+Americans."
+
+The Frenchman flung his cigar aside and seemed to feel for a weapon.
+
+Frank stood there quietly, his eyes watching every movement.
+
+"If you have what you are seeking about your person," he said, with
+perfect calmness, "I advise you not to draw it. If you do, as sure as
+you are sailing down New York harbor, I'll fling you over the rail,
+weapon and all!"
+
+That was business, and it was not boasting. Frank actually meant to
+throw the man into the water if he drew a weapon.
+
+M. Rouen Montfort paused and stared at Frank Merriwell, beginning to
+understand that he was not dealing with an ordinary youth.
+
+"Fool!" he panted. "You geeve me ze eensult I will haf your life!"
+
+"You have already insulted me, my friends and everything American. It's
+your turn to take a little of the medicine."
+
+"Eef we were een France--"
+
+"Which we are not. We are still in America, the land of the free. But I
+don't care to have a quarrel with you. Bruce put the fellow down. If he
+minds his business in the future, don't throw him overboard."
+
+"All right," grunted the big fellow; "but I was just going to drop him
+in the wet."
+
+He put the man down, and the fellow seemed undecided what to do.
+
+Harry Rattleton laughed.
+
+"Now wake a talk--no, I mean take a walk," he cried. "It will be a good
+thing for your health."
+
+"Come, Maurel," said the master, with an attempt at dignity; "come away
+from ze fellows!"
+
+Maurel was glad enough to do so. He had thought to frighten the youths
+without the least trouble, but had been handled with such ease that even
+after it was all over he wondered how it could have happened.
+
+M. Montfort walked away with great dignity, and Maurel followed, talking
+savagely and swiftly in French.
+
+"Well, it wasn't very hard to settle them," grinned Browning.
+
+"But we have not settled them," declared Frank. "There will be further
+trouble with M. Rouen Montfort and his man Maurel."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A FRESH YOUNG MAN.
+
+
+Frank and his three friends bad a stateroom together. The tutor was
+given a room with other parties.
+
+The weather for the first two days was fine, and the young collegians
+enjoyed every minute, not one of them having a touch of sea-sickness
+till the third day.
+
+Then Rattleton was seized, and he lay in his bunk, groaning and dismal,
+even though he tried to be cheerful at times.
+
+Browning enjoyed everything, even Rattleton's misery, for he could be
+lazy to his heart's content.
+
+They had enlivened the times by singing songs, those of a nautical
+flavor, such as "Larboard Watch" and "A Life on the Ocean Wave," having
+the preference.
+
+Now it happened that the Frenchman occupied a room adjoining, and he was
+very much annoyed by their singing. He pounded on the partition, and
+expressed his feelings in very lurid language, but that amused them, and
+they sang the louder.
+
+"M. Montfort seems to get very agitated," said Frank, laughing.
+
+"But I hardly think there is any danger that he will do more than hammer
+on the partition," grunted Bruce. "He's kept away from us since he found
+he could not frighten anybody."
+
+"He's a bluffer," was Diamond's opinion.
+
+"He's a great fellow to play cards," said Merry. "But he seems to ply
+for something more than amusement."
+
+"How's that?" asked Jack, interested.
+
+"I've noticed that he never cares for whist or any game where there are
+no stakes. He gets into a game only when there's something to be won."
+
+"Well, it seems to me that he's struck a poor crowd on this boat if he's
+looking for suckers. He should have shipped on an ocean liner. What does
+he play?"
+
+"He seems to have taken a great fancy to draw poker. 'Pocaire' is what
+he calls it. He pretended at first that he didn't know much of anything
+about the game, but, if I am not mistaken, he's an old stager at it. I
+watched the party playing in the smoking-room last night."
+
+"Who played?" asked Bruce.
+
+"The Frenchman, a rather sporty young fellow named Bloodgood, a small,
+bespectacled man, well fitted with the name of Slush, and an Englishman
+by the name of Hazleton."
+
+"That's the crowd that played in the Frenchman's stateroom to-day,"
+groaned Rattleton from his berth.
+
+"Played in the stateroom?" exclaimed Frank. "I wonder why they didn't
+play in the smoking-room?"
+
+"Don't know," said Harry; "but I fancy there was a rather big game on,
+and you know the Frenchman has the biggest stateroom on the boat, so
+there was plenty of room for them. They could play there without
+interruption."
+
+"There seems to be something mysterious about that Frenchman," said
+Frank.
+
+"I think there's something mysterious about several passengers on this
+boat," grunted Browning. "I haven't seen much of this young fellow
+Bloodgood, but he strikes me as a mystery."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Well he seems to have money to burn, and I don't understand why such a
+fellow did not take passage on a regular liner."
+
+"As far as that goes," smiled Merry, "I presume some people might think
+it rather singular that we did not cross the pond in a regular liner;
+but then they might suppose it was a case of economy with us."
+
+While they were talking there came a rap on their door which Frank threw
+open.
+
+Just outside stood a young man with a flushed face and distressed
+appearance. He was dressed in a plaid suit, and wore a red four-in-hand
+necktie, in which blazed a huge diamond. There were two large solitaire
+rings on his left hand, and he wore a heavy gold chain strung across his
+vest.
+
+"Beg your pardon, dear boys," he drawled. "Hope I'm not intruding."
+
+Then he walked in and closed the door.
+
+"My name's Bloodgood," he said--"Raymond Bloodgood. I've seen you
+fellows together, and you seem like a jolly lot. Heard you singing, you
+know. Great voices--good singing."
+
+Then he stopped speaking, and they stared at him, wondering what he was
+driving at. For a moment there was an awkward pause, and then Bloodgood
+went on:
+
+"I was up pretty late last night, you know. Had a little game in the
+smoking-room. Plenty of booze, and all that, and I'm awfully rocky
+to-day. Got a splitting headache. Didn't know but some of you had a
+bromo seltzer, or something of the sort. You look like a crowd that
+finds such things handy occasionally."
+
+At this Frank laughed quietly, but Diamond looked angry and indignant.
+
+"What do you take us for?" exclaimed the Virginian, warmly. "Do you
+think we are a lot of boozers?"
+
+Bloodgood turned on Jack, lifting his eyebrows.
+
+"My dear fellow--" he began.
+
+But Frank put in:
+
+"We have no use for bromo seltzer, as none of us are drinkers."
+
+"Oh, of course not," said the intruder, with something like a sneer.
+"None of us are drinkers, but then we're all liable to get a little too
+much sometimes, especially when we sit up late and play poker."
+
+Frank saw that Diamond had taken an instant dislike to the youth with
+the diamonds and the red necktie, and he felt like averting a storm,
+even though he did not fancy the manner of the intruder.
+
+"We do not sit up late and play poker," he said.
+
+"Eh? Oh, come off! You're a jolly lot of fellows, and you must have a
+fling sometimes."
+
+"We can be jolly without drinking or gambling."
+
+"Why, I'm hanged if you don't talk as if you considered it a crime to
+take a drink or have a little social game!"
+
+Frank felt his blood warm up a bit, but he held himself in hand, as he
+quietly retorted:
+
+"Intemperance is a crime. I presume there are men who take a drink, as
+you call it, without being intemperate; but I prefer to let the stuff
+alone entirely, and then there is no danger of going over the limit."
+
+"And I took you for a sport! That shows how a fellow can be fooled. But
+you do play poker occasionally. I know that."
+
+"How do you know it, Mr. Bloodgood?"
+
+"By your language. You just spoke of going over the limit. That is a
+poker term."
+
+"And one used by many people who never played a game of cards in their
+lives."
+
+"But you have played cards? You have played poker? Can you deny it?"
+
+"If I could, I wouldn't take the trouble, Mr. Bloodgood. I think you
+have made a mistake in sizing up this crowd."
+
+"Guess I have," sneered the fellow. "You must be members of the
+Y.M.C.A."
+
+"Say, Frank!" panted Jack; "open the door and let me----"
+
+But Frank checked the hot-headed youth again.
+
+"Steady, Jack! It is not necessary. He will go directly. Mr. Bloodgood,
+you speak as if it were a disgrace to belong to the Y.M.C.A. That shows
+your ignorance and narrowness. The Y.M.C.A. is a splendid organization,
+and it has proved the anchor that has kept many a young man from dashing
+onto the rocks of destruction. Those who sneer at it should be ashamed
+of themselves, but, as a rule, they are too bigoted, prejudiced, or
+narrow-minded to recognize the fact that some of the most manly young
+men to be found belong to the Y.M.C.A."
+
+Bloodgood laughed.
+
+"And I took you for a sport!" he cried. "By Jove! Never made such a
+blunder before in all my life! Studying for the ministry, I'll wager!
+Ha! ha! ha!"
+
+Frank saw that Diamond could not be held in check much longer.
+
+"One last word to you, Mr. Bloodgood," he spoke. "I am not studying for
+the ministry, and I do not even belong to the Y.M.C.A. If I were doing
+the one or belonged to the other, I should not be ashamed of it. I don't
+like you. I can stand a little freshness; in fact, it rather pleases me;
+but you are altogether too fresh. You are offensive."
+
+Merry flung open the door.
+
+"Good-day, sir."
+
+Bloodgood stepped out, turned round, laughed, and then walked away.
+
+"Hang it, Merriwell!" grated Diamond, as Frank closed the door; "why
+didn't you let me kick him out onto his neck!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+WHO IS BLOODGOOD?
+
+
+Diamond was thoroughly angry. So was Rattleton. In his excitement, Harry
+said something that caused Frank to turn quickly, and observe:
+
+"Don't use that kind of language, old man, no matter what the
+provocation. Vulgarity is even lower than profanity."
+
+Harry's face flushed, and he looked intensely ashamed of himself.
+
+"I peg your bardon--I mean I beg your pardon!" he spluttered. "It
+slipped out. You know I don't say anything like that often."
+
+"I know it," nodded Frank, "and that's why it sounded all the worse. I
+don't know that I ever heard you use such a word before."
+
+Harry did not resent Frank's reproof, for he knew Frank was right, and
+he was ashamed.
+
+Every young man who stoops to vulgarity should be ashamed. Profanity is
+coarse and degrading; vulgarity is positively low and filthy. The youth
+who is careful to keep his clothes and his body clean should be careful
+to keep his mouth clean. Let nothing go into it or come out of it that
+is in any way lowering.
+
+Did you ever hear a loafer on a corner using profane and obscene
+language? I'll warrant most of you have, and I'll warrant that you were
+thoroughly disgusted. You looked on the fellow as low, coarse, cheap,
+unfit to associate with respectable persons. The next time you use a
+word that you should be ashamed to have your mother or sister hear just
+think that you are following the example of that loafer. You are
+lowering yourself in the eyes of somebody, even though you may not think
+so at the time. Perhaps one of your companions may be a person who uses
+such language freely, and yet he has never before heard it from you. He
+laughs, he calls you a jolly good fellow to your face; but he thinks to
+himself that you are no better than anybody else, and behind your back
+he tells somebody what he thinks. He is glad of the opportunity to show
+that you are no better than he is. Never tell a vulgar story. Better
+never listen to one, unless your position is such that you cannot escape
+without making yourself appear a positive cad. If you have to listen to
+such a story, forget it as soon as possible. Above all things, do not
+try to remember it.
+
+Some young men boast of the stories they know. And all their stories are
+of the "shady" sort. It is better to know no stories than to know that
+kind. It is better not to be called a good fellow than to win a
+reputation by always having a new story of the low sort ready on your
+tongue.
+
+There are other and better ways of winning a reputation as a good
+fellow. There are stories which are genuinely humorous and funny which
+are also clean. No matter how much of a laugh he may raise, any
+self-respecting person feels that he has lowered himself by telling a
+vulgar story. It is not so if he has told a clean story. He is
+satisfied with the laughter he has caused and with himself.
+
+Frank Merriwell was called a good fellow. It was not often that he told
+a story, but when he did, it was a good one, and it was clean. He had an
+inimitable way of telling anything, and his stories were all the more
+effective because they came at rare intervals. He did not cheapen them
+by making them common.
+
+And never had anybody heard him tell a story that could prove offensive
+to the ears of a lady.
+
+Not that he had not been tempted to do so. Not that he had not heard
+such stories. He had been placed in positions where he could not help
+hearing them without making himself appear like a thorough cad.
+
+Frank's first attempt to tell a vulgar story had been the lesson that he
+needed. He was with a rather gay crowd of boys at the time, and several
+had told "shady" yarns, and then they had called for one from Frank. He
+started to tell one, working up to the point with all the skill of which
+he was capable. He had them breathless, ready to shout with laughter
+when the point was reached. He drew them on and on with all the skill of
+which he was capable. And then, just as the climax was reached, he
+suddenly realized just what he was about to say. A thought came to him
+that made his heart give a great jump.
+
+"What if my mother were listening?"
+
+That was the thought. His mother was dead, but her influence was over
+him. A second thought followed. Many times he had seemed to feel her
+hovering near. Perhaps she was listening! Perhaps she was hearing all
+that he was saying!
+
+Frank Merriwell stopped and stood quite still. At first he was very
+pale, and then came a rush of blood to his face. He turned crimson with
+shame and hung his head.
+
+His companions looked at him in astonishment. They could not understand
+what had happened. Some of them cried, "Go on! go on!"
+
+After some seconds he tried to speak. At first he choked and could say
+nothing articulate. After a little, he muttered:
+
+"I can't go on--I can't finish the story! You'll have to excuse me,
+fellows! I'm not feeling well!"
+
+And he withdrew from the jolly party as soon as possible.
+
+From that day Frank Merriwell never attempted to tell a story that was
+in the slightest degree vulgar. He had learned his lesson, and he never
+forgot it.
+
+Some boys swagger, chew tobacco, talk vulgar, and swear because they do
+not wish to be called "sissies." They fancy such actions and language
+make them manly, but nothing could be a greater mistake.
+
+Frank did nothing of the sort, and all who knew him regarded him as
+thoroughly manly. Better to be called a "sissy" than to win reputed
+manliness at the cost of self-respect.
+
+Frank had forced those who would have regarded him with scorn to respect
+him. He could play baseball or football with the best of them; he could
+run, jump, swim, ride, and he excelled by sheer determination in almost
+everything he undertook. He would not be beaten. If defeated once, he
+did not rest, but prepared himself for another trial and went in to win
+or die. In this way he showed himself manly, and he commanded the
+respect of enemies as well as friends.
+
+Rattleton was ashamed of the language he had used after the departure of
+Bloodgood, and he did not attempt to excuse himself further. He lay back
+in his berth, looking sicker than ever.
+
+"I'd give ten dollars for the privilege of helping Mr. Bloodgood out
+with my foot!" hissed Jack Diamond. "Never saw anybody so fresh!"
+
+"Oh, I've seen lots of people just like him," grunted Browning, getting
+out a pipe and lighting it.
+
+"Don't smoke, Bruce!" groaned Rattleton, as the steamer gave an
+unusually heavy roll. "I'm sick enough now. That will make me worse."
+
+"Oh, we'll open the port."
+
+"Open the port!" laughed Frank. "And we just told Bloodgood we did not
+drink."
+
+"Port-hole, not port wine," said the big fellow, with a yawn. "We'll let
+in some fresh air."
+
+"We can't let in anything fresher than just went out," declared the
+Virginian, as he flung open the round window that served to admit light
+and air.
+
+"There's something mighty queer about that fellow," said Frank. "Did you
+notice the diamonds he was wearing, fellows?"
+
+"Yes," said Bruce, beginning to puff away at his new briarwood. "Regular
+eye-hitters they were."
+
+"Who knows they were genuine?" asked Jack.
+
+"Nobody here," admitted Frank. "It is impossible to distinguish some
+fake stones from real diamonds, unless you examine them closely. But,
+somehow, I have a fancy that those were genuine diamonds."
+
+"What makes you think so?"
+
+"I don't know just why I think so, but I do. Something tells me that for
+all of his swagger Bloodgood is a fellow who would scorn to wear paste
+diamonds."
+
+"What do you make out of the fellow, anyway?" asked Bruce.
+
+"I'm not able to size him up yet," admitted Frank. "I'm not certain
+whether he came of a good family or a bad one, but I'm inclined to fancy
+it was the former."
+
+"I'd like to know why you think so?" from Jack. "He did not show very
+good breeding."
+
+"But there is a certain something about his face that makes me believe
+he comes from a high-grade family. I think he has become lowered by
+associating with bad companions."
+
+"Well, I don't care who or what he is," declared Jack; "if he gets fresh
+around me again, I'll crack him one for luck. I can't stand him for a
+cent!"
+
+"Better turn him over to me," murmured Bruce, dozily. "I'll sit on him."
+
+"And he'll think he's under an elephant," laughed Merry. "Bruce cooked
+M. Montfort, and I reckon he'd have less trouble to cook Mr. Bloodgood."
+
+At this moment there was a hesitating, uncertain knock on the door.
+
+"Another visitor, I wonder?" muttered Frank.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE SUPERSTITIOUS MAN.
+
+
+A little man hesitated outside the door when it was opened. He had a
+sad, uncertain, mournful drab face, puckered into a peculiar expression
+about the mouth. He was dressed in black, but his clothes were not a
+very good fit or in the latest style. He fingered his hat nervously. His
+voice was faltering when he spoke.
+
+"I--I beg your pardon, gentlemen. I--I hope I am not--intruding?"
+
+He had not crossed the threshold. He seemed in doubt about the
+advisability of venturing in.
+
+There was something amusing in the appearance of the little man. Frank
+recognized a "character" in him, and Merry was interested immediately.
+He invited the little man in, and closed the door when that person had
+entered.
+
+"I--I know it's rather--rather--er--bold of me," said the stranger,
+apologetically. "But you know people on shipboard--er--take
+many--liberties."
+
+"Oh, yes, we know it!" muttered Diamond.
+
+Browning grunted and looked the little man over. He was a curiosity to
+Bruce.
+
+"What can we do for you, sir?" asked Frank.
+
+The little man hesitated and looked around. He sidled over and put his
+hand on the partition.
+
+"The--ah--next room is occupied by the--er--the French gentleman, is it
+not?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I--I presume--presume, you know--that you are able to hear
+any--ah--conversation that may take place in that room, unless--er--the
+conversation is--guarded."
+
+"Not unless we take particular pains to listen," said Merry. "Even then,
+it is doubtful if we can hear anything plainly."
+
+"And we are not eavesdroppers," cut in Diamond. "We do not take pains to
+listen."
+
+"Oh, no--er--no, of course not!" exclaimed the singular stranger. "I--I
+didn't insinuate such a thing! Ha! ha! ha! The idea! But you
+know--sometimes--occasionally--persons hear things when they--er--do not
+try to hear."
+
+"Well, what in the world are you driving at?" asked Frank, not a little
+puzzled by the man's singular manner.
+
+"Well, you see, it's--this way: I--I don't care to be--overheard. I
+don't want anybody to--to think I'm prying into their--private business.
+You understand?"
+
+"I can't say that I do."
+
+"Perhaps I can make myself--er--clearer."
+
+"Perhaps you can."
+
+"My name is--er--Slush--Peddington Slush."
+
+"Holy cats! what a name!" muttered Browning, while Rattleton grinned
+despite his sickness.
+
+"I--I'm taking a sea voyage--for--for my health," explained Mr. Slush.
+"That's why I didn't go over on a--a regular liner. This way I shall be
+longer at--at sea. See?"
+
+"And you are keeping us at sea by your lingering way in coming to a
+point," smiled Merry.
+
+"Eh?" said the little man. Then he seemed to comprehend, and he broke
+into a sudden cackle of laughter, which he shut off with startling
+suddenness, looking frightened.
+
+"Beg your pardon!" he exclaimed. "Quite--ah--rude of me. I don't do
+it--often."
+
+"You look as if it wouldn't hurt you to do it oftener," said Merry,
+frankly. "Laughter never hurt anyone."
+
+"I--I can't quite agree with--you, sir. I beg your pardon! No offense!
+I--I don't wish to be offensive--you understand. I once knew a man who
+died from--er--laughing. It is a fact, sir. He laughed so long--and so
+hard---that he--he lost his breath--entirely. Never got it back again.
+Since then I've been very--cautious. It's a bad sign to laugh--too
+hard."
+
+Merry felt like shouting, but Jack was looking puzzled and dazed.
+Diamond could not comprehend the little man, and he failed to catch the
+humor of the character.
+
+"Now," said Mr. Slush, "I will come directly to the--point."
+
+"Do," nodded Frank.
+
+"I just saw a--er--person leave this room. I wish to know if--Good
+gracious, sir! Do you know that is a bad sign!"
+
+He pointed a wavering finger at Frank.
+
+"What is a bad sign?" asked Merry, surprised.
+
+"To wear a--a dagger pin thrust through a--a tie in which there is the
+least bit of--red. It is a sign of--of bloodshed. I--I beg you to remove
+that--that pin from that scarf!"
+
+The little man seemed greatly agitated.
+
+After a moment of hesitation, Frank laughed lightly and took the pin
+from the scarf.
+
+Immediately the visitor seemed to breathe more freely.
+
+"Ah--er--thank you!" he said. "I--I've seen omens enough. Everything
+seems to point to--to a--tragedy. I regret exceedingly that I ever
+sailed--on this steamer. I--I shall be thankful when I put my feet on
+dry land--if I ever do again."
+
+"You must be rather superstitious," suggested Frank.
+
+"Not at all--that is, not to any extent," Mr. Slush hastened to aver.
+"There are a few signs--and omens--which I know--will come true."
+
+"Indeed!"
+
+"Yes, sir!" asserted the little man, with surprising positiveness. "I
+know something will happen--to this boat. I--I am positive of it."
+
+"Why are you so positive?"
+
+"Everything foretells it. At the very start it was--foretold. I was
+foolish then that I did not demand--demand, sir--to be set ashore, even
+after the steamer had left--her pier."
+
+"How was that?"
+
+"There was a cat, sir--a poor, stray cat--that came aboard this steamer.
+They did not let her stay--understand me? They--they drove her off!"
+
+"And that was a bad omen?"
+
+"Bad! It was--ah--er--frightful! Old sailors will tell you that.
+Always--er--let a cat remain on board a vessel--if--she--comes on board.
+If you--if you do not--you will regret it."
+
+"And you think something must happen to this steamer?"
+
+"I'm afraid so--I feel it. There is--something mysterious about the
+vessel, gentlemen. I don't know--just what it is--but it's something.
+The--the captain looks worried. I--I've noticed it. I've talked with
+him. Couldn't get any satisfaction--out of him. But I--I know!"
+
+"I'm afraid you are a croaker," said Diamond, unable to keep still
+longer.
+
+"You may think so--now; but wait and see--wait. Keep your eyes--open.
+I--I think you will see something. I think you will find there
+are--mysterious things going on."
+
+"Well, you have not told us what you want of us, Mr. Slush," said Frank.
+
+"That's so--forgot it." Then, of a sudden, to Bruce: "Don't twirl your
+thumbs--that way. Do it backward--backward! It--it's a sure sign
+of--disaster to twirl your thumbs--forward."
+
+"All right," grunted the big fellow; "backward it is." And he reversed
+the motion.
+
+"Thank you," breathed Mr. Slush, with a show of relief. "Now, I'll tell
+you--why I called. I--er--saw a young man--leaving this room--a few
+minutes ago."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Mr. Bloodgood."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I--I have taken an interest in--Mr. Bloodgood. I--I think he is--a
+rather nice young man."
+
+"I don't admire your taste," came from Jack.
+
+"Eh? I don't know him--very well. You understand. Met him--in the
+smoking-room. Sometimes I--er--play cards--for amusement. Met him that
+way."
+
+"Does he play for amusement?" asked Frank.
+
+"Oh, yes--ah--of course. That is--he--he likes--a little stake."
+
+"I thought so."
+
+"I--I don't mind that."
+
+"Great Scott!" thought Merry. "I don't see how he ever gets round to
+play cards for money. I shouldn't think he'd know what to do. It would
+take him so long to make up his mind."
+
+"But I--I don't care to make a--a companion of anybody about whom I
+know--nothing. That's why I--came to you. I--I thought it might be you
+could give me--some information--about Mr. Bloodgood."
+
+"You've come to the wrong place."
+
+"Really? Don't you know--anything about him? You are--er--well
+acquainted with him?"
+
+"On the contrary, to-day is the first time we have ever spoken to him."
+
+"Is that so?" said Mr. Slush, in evident disappointment. "You
+are--er--young men about--about his age, and--and--"
+
+"Not in his class," put in Diamond.
+
+"No?" said Mr. Slush, looking at Jack queerly. "I didn't know--I
+thought--"
+
+There the queer little man stopped, seeming quite unable to proceed.
+Then, in his hesitating, uncertain way, he tried to make it clear that
+he did not care to play cards for money with anybody about whom he knew
+nothing. He was not very effective in his explanation, and seemed
+himself rather uncertain concerning his real reason for wishing to make
+inquiries concerning Bloodgood.
+
+Frank studied Mr. Slush closely, but could not take the measure of the
+man. Somehow, Merry seemed to feel that there was more to the queer
+little fellow than appeared on the surface.
+
+"Well, you have come to the wrong parties to get information about Mr.
+Bloodgood," said Frank. "But, if you are so particular about your
+company, it might be well to learn something concerning the other
+members of your party."
+
+"Oh--er--I know all about them," asserted Mr. Slush.
+
+"Indeed?"
+
+"Yes. Hugh Hazleton is the younger son of an English nobleman, and he
+is--is all--right."
+
+"Who told you this?"
+
+"He did."
+
+"Then it must be true," grunted Browning, with a grin on his broad face.
+
+"Yes," nodded the little man, innocently, "that is--ah--settled. M.
+Rouen Montfort is a--a great French journalist and--er--writer of
+books."
+
+"Is that so?" smiled Merry. "Queer, I never heard of him. I suppose he
+told you this?"
+
+"Oh, yes. He is a very fine--gentleman. Ah--did Mr. Bloodgood
+invite--er--any of you to come into the--ah--game?"
+
+Frank fancied he saw a sudden light. Was it possible Mr. Slush was
+looking for "suckers?"
+
+Was it possible he had been sent there to inveigle them into the party,
+so that some sharp might "skin" them? It did not seem improbable.
+
+Harry seemed to catch onto the same idea, for he popped up in his bunk
+suddenly, but a sudden roll of the steamer caused him to sink down again
+with a groan.
+
+Diamond's eyes began to glitter. He, too, fancied he saw the little
+game.
+
+"No," said Merry, slowly, "he did not invite any of us to come in."
+
+The little man seemed relieved.
+
+"I--I didn't know," he faltered. "If he had--I--I was going to say
+something. Perhaps it is not--necessary."
+
+"Perhaps not," said Frank; "but it may not do any hurt to say it."
+
+"And it may do some hurt--to you," muttered Diamond under his breath. "I
+will kick this fellow!"
+
+But, to the surprise of all, the superstitious man cackled out a short,
+broken laugh, and said:
+
+"Oh, I was going to--to warn you--that's all. It--it's liable to be a
+pretty--stiff game. I thought it would be a--good thing for you to--keep
+out of it. It started--light, but it's working--up--right along. Almost
+any time somebody is liable to--to propose throwing off the--the limit,
+and then somebody is going to get--hurt. If you are--not in it, why you
+won't be in any--danger."
+
+There was a silence. The four youths looked at the visitor and then at
+each other.
+
+What did it mean?
+
+If he was playing them for "suckers," surely he was doing it in a queer
+manner.
+
+"Thank you," said Frank, stiffly. "You are kind!"
+
+"More than kind!" muttered Diamond.
+
+"Don't mention it," said the little man, trying to look pleasant, but
+making a dismal failure. "I--I dont' like to see respectable young men
+caught in a--trap. That's all. Thought I'd tell you. Didn't know that
+you would--thank me. Took my chances on that. Well, I think I'll--be
+going."
+
+He turned, falteringly, seemed about to say something more, opened the
+door part way, hesitated, then said "good-day," and went out.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE CARGO OF THE "EAGLE."
+
+
+"Well?"
+
+"Well!"
+
+"Well!"
+
+The same word, but from three different persons, and spoken in three
+different inflections.
+
+"Will somebody please hit me with something hard!" murmured Jack.
+
+"What does it mean, Merry?" asked Rattleton.
+
+"You may search me!" exclaimed Frank, in rather expressive slang,
+something in which he seldom indulged, unless under great provocation.
+
+Browning had said nothing. He was pulling steadily at his pipe, quite
+unaware that it had gone out.
+
+"What do you make of Mr. Peddington Slush?" asked Jack.
+
+"I don't know what to make of him," confessed Frank. "About the only
+thing of which I am sure is that he has a corker for a name. That name
+is enough to make any man look sad and dejected."
+
+"What did he come here for, anyhow?" asked Rattleton.
+
+"To find out about Raymond Bloodgood--he said."
+
+"I know he said so, but I don't stake any talk--I mean take any stock in
+that. What difference does it make to him who Bloodgood is?"
+
+"That was something he did not make clear."
+
+"He didn't seem to make anything clear," declared Jack. "I thought for
+sure that he was going to throw out some hooks to drag us into that game
+of poker. If he had, I should have known he was sent here, and I'd
+kicked him out, whether you had been willing or not, Merry!"
+
+"I'd opened the door and held it wide for you," smiled Frank.
+
+"What do you think of him, Browning?" asked Harry.
+
+"His way of talking made me very tired," yawned the big fellow. "He
+seemed to work so hard to get anything out."
+
+"I'll allow that we have had two rather queer visitors," said the
+Virginian.
+
+"And I shall take an interest in them both after this," declared Frank.
+
+"Talk about superstitious persons, I believe he heads the list," from
+Jack.
+
+"He said he was not superstitious," laughed Merry.
+
+"But the cat worried him."
+
+"And my twiddling my thumbs," put in Bruce.
+
+"And this dagger pin in my scarf," said Frank.
+
+"It's a wonder he didn't prophecy shipwreck, or something of that sort,"
+groaned Rattleton, who had settled at full length in his berth. "If this
+rolling motion keeps up, I shall get so I won't care if we are wrecked."
+
+"He must be a dandy in a good swift game of poker!" laughed Frank. "I
+shouldn't think he'd be able to make up his mind how to discard. He'd be
+a drawback to the game, or I'm much mistaken."
+
+"It strikes me that he'd be easy fruit," said Rattleton.
+
+"He looks like a 'sucker' himself, but sometimes it is impossible to
+tell about a man till after you see him play. Anyhow, these two visits
+were something to break the monotony of the voyage. It promised to be
+pretty lively at the start, but it has settled down to be rather quiet."
+
+Bloodgood and Slush proved good food for conversation, but the boys
+tired of that after a while.
+
+Diamond went out by himself, and Frank went to Tutor Maybe's room, where
+he spent the time till the gong sounded for supper.
+
+"Come, Harry," said Frank, appearing in the stateroom, "aren't you ready
+for supper?"
+
+Rattleton gave a groan.
+
+"Don't talk to me about eating!" he exclaimed. "It makes me sick to
+think about it. Leave me--let me die in peace!"
+
+Jack was not there, so Frank and Bruce washed up and went out together.
+They were nearly through eating when the Virginian came in and took his
+place near them at the table.
+
+Usually the captain sat at the head of that table, but he was not there
+now.
+
+"Where have you been?" asked Frank.
+
+"Getting onto a few things," said Jack, in a peculiar way.
+
+"Why, what's the matter with you?" asked Bruce, pausing to stare at the
+Southerner. "You are pale as a ghost!"
+
+"Am I?" said Diamond, his voice sounding rather strained and unnatural.
+
+"Sure thing. I wouldn't advise you to eat any more, and perhaps you
+hadn't better look at the chandeliers while they are swinging. You'll be
+keeping Rattleton company."
+
+"Oh, I'm not sick--at least, not seasick," averred Jack.
+
+"Then what ails you? I was going to prescribe ginger ale if it was the
+first stage of seasickness. Sometimes that will brace a person up and
+straighten out his stomach."
+
+"Oh, don't talk remedies to me. I took medicine three days before I
+started on this voyage, and everybody I saw told me something to do to
+keep from being sick. I'm wearing a sheet of writing paper across my
+chest now."
+
+When supper was over Jack motioned for his friends to follow him. The
+three went on deck and walked aft till they were quite alone.
+
+The "Eagle" was plowing along over a deserted sea. The waves were
+running heavily, and night was shutting down grimly over the ocean.
+
+"What's the matter with you, Diamond?" asked Browning. "Why have you
+dragged us out here? It's cold, and I'd rather go into our stateroom and
+take a loaf after eating so heartily. By Jove! if this keeps up, they
+won't have provisions enough on this boat to feed me before we get
+across."
+
+"I wanted to have a little talk without," said Jack; "and I didn't care
+about talking in the stateroom, where I might be overheard."
+
+"What's up, anyway?" demanded Frank, warned by the manner of the
+Virginian that Jack fancied he had something of importance to tell
+them.
+
+"I've been investigating," said Jack.
+
+"What?"
+
+"Well, I found out that there is something the matter on this boat."
+
+"Did you learn what it was?"
+
+"I don't know that I have, but I've discovered one thing. I've learned
+the kind of cargo we carry."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Petroleum and powder!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+PREMONITIONS OF PERIL.
+
+
+"Well, that's hot stuff when it's burning," said Merriwell, grimly.
+
+"Rather!" grunted Browning.
+
+"If I'd known what the old boat carried, I think I'd hesitated some
+about shipping on her," declared Jack. "What if she did get on fire?"
+
+"We'd all go up in smoke," said Merriwell, with absolute coolness. "That
+is about the size of it."
+
+"Well," said Jack, "I heard two of the sailors talking in a very
+mysterious manner. They say the 'Eagle' is hoodooed and the captain
+knows it. They say he has not slept any to speak of since we left New
+York."
+
+"Sailors are always superstitious. They are ignorant, as a rule, and
+ignorance breeds superstition."
+
+"Do you consider Mr. Slush ignorant?" asked Bruce.
+
+"Didn't have time to size him up, but he's queer."
+
+"I shall feel that I am over a volcano during the rest of the voyage,"
+said Jack. "What if there was somebody on board who wished to destroy
+the ship?"
+
+"It wouldn't be much of a job," grunted Browning. "A match touched to a
+powder keg would do the trick in a hurry."
+
+"But he'd go up with the rest of us," said Frank.
+
+"Unless he used a slow match," put in Jack. "These captains always have
+their enemies, who are desperate fellows and ready to do almost anything
+to injure them. The steamer might be set afire by means of a slow match,
+which would give the villain time enough to get away."
+
+"I hardly think there's anybody desperate enough to do that kind of a
+trick, for it would be a case of suicide."
+
+"Perhaps not. The chap who did the trick might have some plan of
+escaping. Then I have known men desperate enough to commit suicide if
+they could destroy an enemy at the same time."
+
+"Well, it's likely all this worry about this vessel and cargo is
+entirely needless and foolish."
+
+"I don't believe it," said the Virginian. "I know now that the captain
+has been worried. I have noticed it in his manner. He is pale and
+restless."
+
+"Well, it's likely he may be rather anxious, for it's certain he cannot
+carry any insurance on such a cargo."
+
+"He was not at the table to-night."
+
+"No."
+
+"I'd give something to be on solid ground and away from this powder
+mill. You know that sometimes there is such a thing as an unaccountable
+explosion. A heavy sea must cause motion or friction in the cargo, and
+friction often starts a fire on shipboard. Fire on this vessel means a
+quick road to glory."
+
+"Huah!" grunted Bruce. "I'm not in the habit of worrying about things
+that may happen. It's cold out here. Let's go back to the stateroom."
+
+"It will be well enough to keep still about the nature of the cargo,
+Diamond," said Frank.
+
+"Oh, I shall keep still about that all right!" assured Jack.
+
+As they moved back along the deck they discovered somebody who was
+leaning over the rail and making all sorts of dismal sounds and groans.
+
+"The next time I go to Europe I'll stay at home!" moaned this
+individual. "Oh, my! oh, my! How bad I feel! Next that comes will be the
+shaps of my twos--I mean the taps of my shoes!"
+
+"It's Rattles!" laughed Frank, softly; "and he is sicker than ever. He's
+tried to crawl out to get some air."
+
+At this moment a man opened the door near Rattleton, and asked:
+
+"Is the--ah--er--moon up yet?"
+
+"I don't know," moaned Harry. "But it is if I swallowed it. Everything
+else is up, anyhow."
+
+"If the--ah--moon comes up red tonight, it will mean----"
+
+"I don't give a rap what it means!" snorted Rattleton. "Don't talk to
+me! Let me die without torturing me! I'm sick enough without having you
+make me worse!"
+
+Mr. Slush, for he was the anxious inquirer about the moon, dodged back
+into the cabin, closing the door hesitatingly.
+
+Then Rattleton, unaware of the proximity of his amused friends, hung
+over the rail and groaned again.
+
+Frank walked up and spoke:
+
+"I see, my dear boy, that you are heeding the Bible admonition."
+
+"Hey?" groaned Harry. "What is it?"
+
+"'Cast thy bread upon the waters!' You are doing it all right, all
+right."
+
+"Now, don't carry this thing too far!" Rattleton tried to say in a
+fierce manner, but his fierceness was laughable. "The worm will turn
+when trodden upon."
+
+"But the banana peel knows a trick worth two of that. Did you ever hear
+that touching little poem about the man who stepped on a banana peel?
+Never did? Why, that is too bad! You don't know what you've missed.
+Listen, and you shall hear it."
+
+Then Frank solemnly declaimed:
+
+     "He walked along one summer day,
+       As stately as a prince;
+     He stepped upon a banana peel,
+       And he hasn't 'banana' where since."
+
+Rattleton gave a still more dismal groan.
+
+"You are conspiring with the elements to hasten my death!" he said. "I
+can't stand many more like that."
+
+"You should wear a sheet of writing paper across your breast, same as I
+do," said Diamond. "Then you won't be sick."
+
+"I've got two sheets of writing paper across mine," declared Harry.
+
+"You should drink a bottle of ginger ale to settle your stomach," put in
+Frank.
+
+"Just drank three bottles of ginger ale, and they've turned my stomach
+wrong side out," gurgled the sick youth.
+
+"You should allow yourself perfect relaxation, and not try to fight
+against it," from Browning.
+
+"Oh, I haven't allowed myself anything else but perfect relaxation,"
+came from Harry. "You all make me tired!"
+
+Then he staggered into the cabin and disappeared on his way back to the
+stateroom.
+
+Diamond and Browning followed, but Frank lingered behind.
+
+Although he had kept the fact concealed, Merry was troubled with a
+strange foreboding of coming disaster. In every way he tried to overcome
+anything like superstition, but he remembered that, on many other
+occasions, he had been warned of coming trouble by just such feelings.
+
+"I'd like to know just what is going on upon this steamer," he muttered,
+as he walked forward. "I feel as if something was wrong, and I shall not
+be satisfied till I investigate."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+IN THE STOKE-HOLE.
+
+
+Frank found the chief engineer taking some air. Merry fell into
+conversation with the man, who was smoking and seemed quite willing to
+talk.
+
+Having a pleasant and agreeable way, Frank easily led the engineer on,
+and it was not long before the man was quite taken with the chatty
+passenger.
+
+Frank was careful not to seem inquisitive or prying, for he knew it
+would be easy to arouse the engineer's suspicions if there should be
+anything wrong on the steamer.
+
+However, Merry was working for a privilege, and he obtained it. When he
+expressed a desire to go below and have a look at the engines and
+furnaces, the engineer invited him to come along.
+
+They passed through a door, and then began a descent by means of iron
+ladders. The clanking roar of the machinery came up to them. Frank could
+hear and feel the throbbing heart beats of the great boat.
+
+The engine room was quickly reached, and there the engineer showed him
+the massive machinery that moved with the regularity of clockwork and
+the grace and ease that came from great power and perfect adjustment.
+
+All this was interesting, but Frank was anxious to go still deeper.
+
+"Go ahead," said the engineer, showing him the way. "Down that ladder
+there. You'll be able to see the furnaces and the stokers at work. I
+don't believe you'll care to go into the stoke-hole."
+
+Frank descended. Great heat came up to him, accompanied by a glow that
+shifted and changed, dying down suddenly at one moment and glaring out
+at the next. He could hear the ring of shovels and the clank of iron
+doors.
+
+He reached an iron grating, where a fierce heat rolled up and seemed to
+scorch him. From that position he could look down into the stoke-hole
+and see the black, grimy, sweating, half-clad men at work there.
+
+Above him, at the head of the ladder he had just descended, a pair of
+shining eyes glared down, but he saw them not. He had not observed a
+cleaner who was at work on the machinery in the engine-room, and who
+kept his hat pulled over his eyes till Frank departed.
+
+The blackened stokers looked like grim demons of the fiery pit as they
+labored at the coal, which they were shoveling into the mouths of the
+greedy furnaces.
+
+The shifting glow was caused by the opening and closing of the furnace
+doors, which clanged and rang.
+
+For a moment the pit below would seem shrouded in almost Stygian
+darkness, save for some bar of light that gleamed out from a crack or
+draft, and then there would be a rattle of iron and a flare of blood-red
+light that came with the flinging open of a furnace door.
+
+In the glare of light the bare-armed, dirt-grimed stokers would shovel,
+shovel, shovel, till it seemed a wonder that the fire was not completely
+deadened by so much coal.
+
+Sometimes the doors of all the furnaces would seem open at once, and the
+glare and heat that came up from the place was something awful.
+
+Merry wondered how human beings could live down there in that terrible
+place.
+
+Some of the men were raking out ashes and hoisting it by means of a
+mechanism provided for the purpose.
+
+Frank pitied the poor creatures who were forced to work down in that
+place. Yet he remembered it was not so many months since he had applied
+for the position of wiper in an engine round-house, obtained the job,
+and worked there with the grimiest and lowest employees of the railroad.
+
+There was something fascinating in the black pit and the grimy men who
+labored down there in the glare and heat. Frank was so absorbed that he
+heard no sound, received no warning of danger.
+
+Merry leaned out over the edge of the iron grating. Something struck on
+his back, he was clutched, thrust out, hurled from the grating!
+
+It was done in a twinkling. He could not defend himself, but he made a
+clutch to save himself, caught something, swung in, struck against the
+iron ladder, and went tumbling and sliding downward.
+
+At the moment when Frank was attacked, a glare of light had filled the
+pit. One of the stokers had turned his back to the gleaming mouths of
+the furnaces and looked upward, as if to relieve his aching eyes.
+
+He saw everything that occurred on the grating. He saw a man slip down
+the ladder behind Frank and spring on his back. He saw that man hurl
+Frank from the grating.
+
+The stoker uttered a shout and ran toward the foot of the ladder,
+expecting to find Frank laying there, severely injured or killed. He was
+astounded when he saw the ready-witted youth grasp the grating, swing
+in, strike the ladder, cling and slide.
+
+Down Frank came with a rush, but he did not fall. He landed in the
+stoke-hole without being severely injured. He was on his feet in a
+twinkling, and up that ladder he went like a cat.
+
+His assailant had darted up the ladder above and disappeared. Merry
+reached the grating from which he had been hurled, and then he ran up
+the other ladder.
+
+He was soon in the engine-room.
+
+In that room there was no excitement. The machinery was sliding and
+swinging in a regular manner, while the engineer sat watching its
+movements, talking to an assistant. Oilers and cleaners were at work.
+
+"Where is he?" cried Frank, his voice sounding clear and distinct.
+
+They looked at him in amazement.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked the engineer, coming forward.
+
+"I was attacked from behind and thrown into the stoke-hole," Merry
+explained. "The fellow who did it came in here."
+
+"Thrown into the stoke-hole?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"From where?"
+
+"The grating at the foot of the first ladder."
+
+The engineer looked doubtful.
+
+"My dear fellow," he said, "you would have been maimed or killed. You do
+not seem to be harmed."
+
+Frank realized that the engineer actually doubted his word.
+
+"He might have fallen," said the assistant; "but it would have broken
+his neck."
+
+"I tell you I was attacked from behind and thrown down!" exclaimed
+Frank. "I managed to get hold of the ladder and slide, so I was not
+killed."
+
+The engineer looked annoyed.
+
+"This is what comes of letting a passenger in here," he said. "It's the
+last time I'll do it on my own responsibility. Now if you go out and
+tell you were thrown into the stoke-hole, there'll be any amount of fuss
+over it."
+
+"I am telling it right here," said Frank, grimly, "and I want to know
+who did the trick. Somebody who came from this room must have done it."
+
+"Impossible!"
+
+"Then where did he come from?"
+
+The engineer and his assistant looked at each other, and the former
+began to swear.
+
+"What do you think of it, Joe?" he asked.
+
+"Think you made a mistake, Bill; but his story won't go. Nobody'll take
+any stock in it."
+
+Frank was angry. It was something unusual for his word to be doubted,
+and he felt like expressing his feelings decidedly.
+
+He was saved the trouble. The grimy stoker who had witnessed the
+struggle and the fall appeared in the door of the engine-room. He saw
+Frank and cried:
+
+"Hello, you! So you're all right? Wonder you wasn't killed. You came
+down with a rush, young feller, but you went back just as quick."
+
+Frank understood instantly.
+
+"Here is a man who saw it!" he cried. "He will tell you that I am not
+lying."
+
+The engineer turned to the stoker.
+
+"How did he happen to fall?" he asked.
+
+"He didn't fall," declared the begrimed coal heaver.
+
+"No? What then--"
+
+"'Nother chap jumped on his back and flung him down. It's wonderful he
+wasn't killed."
+
+Frank was triumphant. He regarded the engineer and his assistant with a
+grim smile on his face.
+
+"This is incredible!" exclaimed the engineer. "Who could have done such
+a thing?"
+
+"Somebody who came from this room!" rang out Merry's clear voice.
+
+"This shall be investigated!" declared the engineer. "Look around! See
+if you can find the man who attacked you. The only ones here are myself,
+Mr. Gregory, and the wipers."
+
+"I want a look at those wipers," said Frank.
+
+"You shall have it. Mr. Gregory and I were talking together over here
+all the time you were gone."
+
+"Oh, I do not suspect you," said Merry; "but I want a good look at those
+wipers."
+
+"Did you see the man who threw you into the stoke-hole?"
+
+"No, but--"
+
+"Then how will you know who it was if you see him?"
+
+"Whoever did so had a reason for the act--a motive. He must have known
+me before. I may know him."
+
+"Come," invited the engineer.
+
+He called one of the wipers down from amid the sliding shafts and moving
+machinery. The man came unhesitatingly.
+
+Frank took a square look at this man, who did not seek to avoid
+inspection.
+
+"Never saw him before," confessed Merry.
+
+The wiper was dismissed.
+
+"Hackett," called the engineer.
+
+The other wiper did not seem to hear. He pretended to be very busy, and
+kept at work.
+
+"Hackett!"
+
+He could not fail to hear that. He kept his face turned away, but
+answered:
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Come here. I want you."
+
+The wiper hesitated. Then he turned and slowly approached. His face was
+besmeared till scarcely a bit of natural color showed, and his hat was
+pulled low over his eyes. He shambled forward awkwardly, and stood in an
+awkward position, with his eyes cast down.
+
+Frank looked at him closely and started. Then, in a perfectly calm
+manner, but with a trace of triumph in his voice, he declared:
+
+"This is the fellow who did the job!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+IN IRONS.
+
+
+"What?" cried the engineer, in astonishment.
+
+"How do you know?" asked the engineer's assistant, incredulously.
+
+"That's it--how do you know?" demanded the engineer. "You said you did
+not see the person who attacked you."
+
+"I did not."
+
+"Yet you say this is the man."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"I know him."
+
+"You do?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You have seen him before?"
+
+"I should say so, on several occasions. He is one of my bitterest
+enemies. This is not the first time he has tried to kill or injure me.
+He has made the attempt many times before. He is the only person here
+who would do such a thing."
+
+"If this is true," said the engineer, grimly, "he shall pay dearly for
+his work!"
+
+The assistant nodded.
+
+"What have you to say, Hackett?" demanded the engineer.
+
+"I say it's a lie!" growled the fellow. "I never saw this chap before he
+came into the engine-room. He doesn't know me, and I don't know him."
+
+"You hear what Hackett has to say," said the engineer, turning to Frank.
+
+"I hear what this fellow has to say, but his name is not Hackett."
+
+"Is not?"
+
+"No, no more than mine is Hackett."
+
+"Then what is his name?"
+
+"His name is Harris!" asserted Merry, "and he is a gambler and a crook.
+I'll guarantee that he has not been long on the 'Eagle.'"
+
+"No; we took him on in New York scarcely two hours before we sailed. We
+needed a man, and he applied for any kind of a job. Found he had worked
+round machinery, and we took him as wiper and general assistant."
+
+"It was not so many weeks ago that he attacked me at New Haven," said
+Frank. "He failed to do me harm. When he found I was going abroad he
+declared he would go along on the same steamer. At the time he must have
+thought I was going by one of the regular liners; but it is plain he
+followed me up pretty close and found I was going over this way. As
+there is no second-class passage on this boat, he decided he could not
+travel in the same class with me without being discovered, and he
+resolved to go as one of the crew, if he could get on that way. That's
+how he happens to be here."
+
+"If what you say is true, it will go pretty hard with Mr. Harris. We'll
+have him ironed and--"
+
+A cry of rage broke from the lips of the accused.
+
+"There is no proof!" he snarled. "No one can swear I attacked this
+fellow and threw him into the stoke-hole!"
+
+"Oh, yes!" said the stoker who had come up from below. "I saw the whole
+business. By the light from the furnaces, I plainly saw the man who did
+it, and you are the man!"
+
+"That settles it!" declared the engineer. "You'll make the rest of the
+voyage in irons, Mr. Harris!"
+
+"Then I'll give you something to iron me for!" shouted the furious young
+villain.
+
+He leaped on Frank Merriwell with the fierceness of a wounded tiger.
+
+Frank was not expecting the assault, and, for the moment, he was taken
+off his guard.
+
+They were close to the moving machinery. Within four feet of them a huge
+plunging rod was playing up and down, moved by a steel bar that weighed
+many tons. Harris attempted to fling Frank beneath this bar, where he
+would be struck and crushed.
+
+The villain nearly succeeded, so swift and savage was his attack.
+
+Frank realized that the purpose of the wretch was to fling him into the
+machinery, and he braced himself to resist as quickly as possible.
+
+Shouts of consternation broke from the engineer and his assistant. They
+sprang forward to seize Harris and help Frank.
+
+But, before they could interfere, Frank broke the hold of his enemy,
+forced him back and struck him a terrible blow between the eyes felling
+him instantly.
+
+Merriwell stood over Harris, his hands clenched his eyes gleaming.
+
+"Get up!" he cried. "Get up you dog! I can't strike you when you are
+down, and I'd give a hundred dollars to hit you just once more!"
+
+But Harris did not get up. He realized that his second attempt had
+failed, and he stood in awe of Frank's terrible fists. He looked up at
+those gleaming eyes, and turned away quickly, feeling a sudden great
+fear.
+
+Did Frank Merriwell bear a charmed life?
+
+Surely it seemed that way to Harris just then. For the first time,
+perhaps, the young rascal began to believe that it was not possible to
+harm the lad he hated with all the intensity of his nature.
+
+The engineer and his assistants grabbed Harris and held him, the former
+swearing savagely. They dragged the fellow to his feet, but warned him
+to stand still.
+
+Harris did so. For the moment, at least, he was completely cowed.
+
+A man was sent for the captain, with instructions to tell him just what
+occurred. Of course the captain of the steamer was the only person who
+could order one of the men placed in irons.
+
+The captain came in in a little while, and he listened in great
+amazement to the story of what had taken place. His face was hard and
+grim. He asked Frank a few questions, and then he ordered that Harris be
+ironed and confined in the hold.
+
+"Mr. Merriwell," said the captain, "I am very sorry that this happened
+on my ship."
+
+"It's all right, captain," said Frank. "You are in no way to blame. The
+fellow shipped with the intention of doing just what he did, if he found
+an opportunity."
+
+"It will go hard-with him," declared the master. "He'll not get out of
+this without suffering the penalty."
+
+Harris was sullen and silent. Frank spoke to him before he was led away.
+
+"Harris," he said, "you have brought destruction on yourself. I can't
+say that I arm sorry for you, for, by your persistent attacks on me, you
+have destroyed any sympathy I might have felt. You have ruined your own
+life."
+
+"No!" snarled Sport. "You are the one! You ruined me! If I go to prison
+for this, I'll get free again sometime, and I'll not forget you, Frank
+Merriwell! All the years I am behind the bars will but add to the debt I
+owe you. When I come forth to freedom, I'll find you if you are alive,
+and I'll have your life!"
+
+Then he was marched away between two stout men, his irons clanking and
+rattling.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE GAME IN THE NEXT ROOM.
+
+
+When Merry appeared in his stateroom he was greeted with a storm of
+questions.
+
+"Well, what does this mean?"
+
+"Trying to dodge us?"
+
+"Running away?"
+
+"Muts the whatter with you--I mean what's the matter?"
+
+"Where have you been?"
+
+"Stand and give an account of yourself!"
+
+Then he told them a little story that astounded them beyond measure. He
+explained how he had taken a fancy to look the steamer over and had
+fallen in with the engineer. Then he related how he had visited the
+engine room and been thrown into the stoke-hole.
+
+But when he told the name of his assailant the climax was capped.
+
+"Harris?" gasped Rattleton, incredulously.
+
+"Harris?" palpitated Diamond, astounded.
+
+"Harris?" roared Browning, aroused from his lazy languidness.
+
+"On this steamer?" they shouted in unison.
+
+"On this steamer," nodded Frank, really enjoying the sensation he had
+created.
+
+"He--he attacked you?" gurgled Rattleton, seeming to forget his recent
+sickness.
+
+"He did."
+
+"And you escaped after being thrown into the stoke-hole?" fluttered
+Diamond.
+
+"I am here."
+
+"And you didn't kill the cur on sight?" roared Browning.
+
+"He is in the hold in irons."
+
+"Serves him right!" was the verdict of Frank's three friends.
+
+"Well, this is what I call a real sensation!" said the Virginian. "You
+certainly found something, Frank!"
+
+"Well, that fellow has reached the end of his rope at last," said Harry,
+with intense satisfaction, once more stretching himself in his bunk.
+
+"That's pretty sure," nodded Jack. "Attempted murder on the high seas is
+a pretty serious thing."
+
+"He'll get pushed for it all right this time," grunted Browning,
+beginning to recover from his astonishment.
+
+Then they talked the affair over, and Frank gave them his theory of
+Sport's presence on the steamer, which seemed plausible.
+
+"This is something rather more interesting than the superstitious man or
+the Frenchman," said Diamond.
+
+"The superstitious man was interesting at first," observed Merry; "but
+I've a fancy that he might prove a bore."
+
+Then Bruce grunted:
+
+     "Say, does Fact and Reason err,
+     And, if they both err, which the more?
+     The man of the smallest calibre
+     Is sure to be the greatest bore."
+
+While they were talking, the sound of voices came from the stateroom
+occupied by the Frenchman. Soon it became evident that quite a little
+party had gathered in that room.
+
+The boys paid no attention to the party till it came time to turn in for
+the night. Then they became aware that something was taking place in the
+adjoining room, and it was not long before they made out that it was a
+game of poker.
+
+As they became quiet, they could hear the murmur of voices, and,
+occasionally, some person would speak distinctly, "seeing," "raising" or
+"calling."
+
+Diamond began to get nervous.
+
+"Say," he observed, "that makes me think of old times. Many a night
+I've spent at that."
+
+"What's the matter with you?" said Frank. "Do you want to go in there
+and take a hand?"
+
+"Well," Jack confessed, "I do feel an itching."
+
+"I feel like getting some sleep," grunted Bruce, "and they are keeping
+me awake."
+
+"Why are they playing in a stateroom, anyhow?" exclaimed Frank. "It's no
+place for a game of cards at night."
+
+"That's so," agreed Rattleton, dreamily. "But you are keeping me awake
+by your chatter a good deal more than they are. Shut up, the whole lot
+of you!"
+
+There was silence for a time, and then, with a savage exclamation,
+Diamond sprang out of his berth and thumped on the partition, crying:
+
+"Come, gentlemen, it's time to go to bed! You are keeping us awake."
+
+There was no response.
+
+Jack went back to bed, but the murmuring continued in the next
+stateroom, and the rattle of chips could be heard occasionally.
+
+"What are we going to do about it, Merriwell?" asked Jack, savagely.
+
+"We can complain."
+
+But making a complaint was repellent to a college youth, who was
+inclined to regard as a cheap fellow anybody who would do such a thing,
+and Diamond did not agree to that.
+
+"Well," said Frank, "I suppose I can go in there and clean them all
+out."
+
+"How?"
+
+"At their own game," laughed Merry, muffledly.
+
+"If anybody in this crowd tackles them that way I'll be the one,"
+asserted the Virginian.
+
+"Then nobody here will tackle them that way," said Frank, remembering
+how he had once saved Diamond from sharpers in New Haven.
+
+Frank was a person who believed that knowledge of almost any sort was
+likely to prove of value to a man at some stage of his career, and he
+had made a practice of learning everything possible. He had studied up
+on the tricks of gamblers, so that he knew all about their methods of
+robbing their victims. Being a first-class amateur magician, his
+knowledge of card tricks had become of value to him in more than one
+instance. He felt that he would be able to hold his own against pretty
+clever card-sharps, but he did not care or propose to have any dealings
+with such men, unless forced to do so.
+
+The boys kept still for a while. Their light was extinguished, but, up
+near the ceiling, a shaft of light came through the partition from the
+other room.
+
+Diamond saw it. He jumped up and dragged a trunk into position by that
+partition. Mounted on the trunk, he applied his eye to the orifice and
+discovered that he could see into the Frenchman's room very nicely.
+
+"What can you see?" grunted Browning.
+
+"I can see everyone in there," answered Jack.
+
+"Name them."
+
+"The Frenchman, the Englishman, the superstitious man, and our fresh
+friend, Bloodgood."
+
+"Same old crowd," murmured Frank.
+
+"Yes, and a hot old game!" came from the youth on the trunk. "My! my!
+but they are whooping her up! They've got plenty to drink, and they are
+playing for big dust."
+
+"Tell them to saw up till to-morrow," mumbled Bruce.
+
+Jack did not do so, however. He remained on the trunk, watching the
+game, seeming greatly interested.
+
+A big game of poker interested him any time. It was through the
+influence of Frank that he had been led to renounce the game, but the
+thirst for its excitements and delights remained with him, for he had
+come from a family of card-players and sportsmen.
+
+"Come, come!" laughed Frank, after a while; "I can hear your teeth
+chattering, old man. Get off that trunk and turn in."
+
+"Wait!" fluttered Jack--"wait till I see this hand played out."
+
+In less than half a minute he cried:
+
+"It's a skin game! I knew it was!"
+
+"What's the lay?" asked Merry.
+
+"That infernal Frenchman is a card-sharp!"
+
+"I suspected as much."
+
+"His pal is the Englishman. They are standing in together."
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"Sure thing. They are bleeding Bloodgood and Slush. Bloodgood thinks
+he's pretty sharp, and I have not much sympathy for him; but I am sorry
+for poor little Slush. He should have paid attention to some of his
+signs and omens. He knew something disastrous would happen during this
+voyage, and I rather think it will happen to him."
+
+Then Diamond thumped the wall again, crying:
+
+"Stop that business in there! Mr. Slush, you are playing cards with
+crooks--you are being robbed! Get out of that game as soon as you can!"
+
+There was a sudden silence in the adjoining room, and then M. Rouen
+Montfort was heard to utter an exclamation in French, following which he
+cried:
+
+"I see you to-morrow, saire! I make you swallow ze lie!"
+
+"You may see me any time you like!" Diamond flung back.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE HORRORS OF THE HOLD.
+
+
+To the surprise of the four youths, M. Montfort utterly ignored them on
+the following day, instead of seeking "trouble," as had been
+anticipated.
+
+"Well," said Jack, in disgust, "he has less courage than I thought. He
+is just a common boasting Frenchman."
+
+"He is not a common Frenchman." declared Frank. "I believe he is a
+rascal of more than common calibre."
+
+"But he lacks nerve, and I have nothing but contempt for him," said the
+Virginian. "I didn't know but he would challenge me to a duel."
+
+"What if he had?"
+
+"What if he had?" hissed the hot-blooded Southern youth. "I'd fought him
+at the drop of the hat!"
+
+"That's all right, but you know most Frenchmen fight well in a duel."
+
+"I don't know anything of the kind. They are expert fencers, but I
+notice it is mighty seldom one of them is killed in a duel. They
+sometimes draw a drop of blood, and then they consider that 'honor is
+satisfied,' and that ends it."
+
+It was midway in the forenoon that Frank met Mr. Slush on deck. The
+little man was looking more doleful and dejected than ever, if possible.
+
+"The--ah--the moon showed rather yellow last night," he said. "That is
+a--a sure sign of disaster."
+
+"Well," said Merry, with a smile, "I think the disaster will befall you,
+sir, if you do not steer clear of the crowd you were in last night."
+
+Mr. Slush looked surprised.
+
+"Might I--ah--inquire your meaning?" he faltered.
+
+"I mean that you are playing poker with card-sharps, and they mean to
+rob you," answered Frank, plainly.
+
+"I--I wonder how you--er--know so much," said the little man, with
+something like faint sarcasm, as Frank fancied.
+
+"It makes little difference how I know it, but I am telling you the
+truth. I am warning you for your good, sir."
+
+"Er--ahem! Thank you--very much."
+
+Mr. Slush walked away.
+
+"Well, I'm hanged if he doesn't take it coolly enough!" muttered Frank,
+perplexed.
+
+Frank felt an interest to know how Sport Harris was getting along. He
+walked forward and found the captain near the steps that led to the
+bridge.
+
+In reply to Merry's inquiry, the captain said:
+
+"Oh, don't worry about him. There are rats down there in the hold, but I
+guess he'll be able to fight them off. He'll have bread and water the
+rest of the voyage."
+
+After that Merry could not help thinking of Harris all alone in the
+darkness of the hold, with swarms of rats around him, eating dry bread,
+washed down with water.
+
+Frank felt that the youthful villain did not deserve any sympathy, but,
+despite himself, he could not help feeling a pang of pity for him.
+
+When he expressed himself thus to his friends, however, they scoffed at
+him.
+
+"Serves the dog right!" flashed Diamond. "He is getting just what he
+deserves, and I'm glad of it!"
+
+"He will get what he deserves when we reach the other side," grunted
+Browning.
+
+"No," said Merry; "he is an American, and he'll have to be taken back
+to the United States for punishment."
+
+"Well, he'll get it all right."
+
+"Well, I don't care to think that he may be driven mad shut up in the
+dark hold with the rats."
+
+This feeling grew on Frank. At last he went to the captain and asked
+liberty to see Harris.
+
+The request was granted, and, accompanied by two men, Frank descended
+into the hold.
+
+Down there, amid barrels and casks, they came upon Harris. Frank heard
+the irons rattle, and then a gaunt-looking, wild-eyed creature rose up
+before them, shown by the yellow light of the lanterns.
+
+Frank Merriwell had steady nerves, but, despite himself, he started.
+
+The appearance of the fellow had changed in a most remarkable manner.
+Harris looked as if he was overcome with terror.
+
+"There he is," said one of the men, holding up his lantern so the light
+fell more plainly on the wretched prisoner.
+
+"Have you come to take me out of here?" cried Harris, in a tone of voice
+that gave Frank a chill. "For God's sake, take me out of this place!
+I'll go mad if I stay here much longer! It is full of rats! I could not
+sleep last night--I dare not close my eyes for a minute! Please--please
+take me out of here!"
+
+Then he saw and recognized Frank.
+
+"You?" he screamed. "Have you come here to gloat over me, Frank
+Merriwell?"
+
+"No," said Frank; "I have come to see if I can do anything for you."
+
+"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Harris, in a manner that made Frank believe
+madness could not be far away. "You wouldn't do that! I know why you are
+here! You have triumphed over me! You wish to see me in all my misery!
+Well, look at me! Here I have been thrown into this hellish hole, amid
+rats and vermin, ironed like a nigger! Look till you are satisfied! It
+will fill your heart with satisfaction! Mock me! Sneer at me! Deride
+me!"
+
+"I have no desire to do anything of the sort," declared Frank. "I am
+sorry for you, Harris."
+
+"Sorry! Bah! You lie! Why do you tell me that?"
+
+"It is the truth. You brought this on yourself, and so----"
+
+"Don't tell me that again! You have told it enough! If I'd never seen
+you, I'd not be here now. You brought it on me, Frank Merriwell. If I
+die here in this cursed hole, you'll have something pleasant to think
+about! You can laugh over it!"
+
+"You shall not die here, Harris, if I can help it. I'll speak to the
+captain about you."
+
+The wretch stared at Merry, his eyes looking sunken and glittering.
+Then, all at once, he crouched down there, his chains clanking, covered
+his face with his hands and began to cry.
+
+No matter what Harris had done, Frank was deeply pitiful then.
+
+"I shall go directly to the captain," he promised, "and I'll ask him to
+have you taken out of this place. I will urge him to have it done."
+
+Harris said nothing.
+
+Frank had seen enough, and he turned away. As they were moving off,
+Harris began to scream and call to them, begging them not to leave him
+there in the darkness.
+
+Those cries cut through and through Frank Merriwell. He knew he was in
+no way responsible for the fate that had befallen the fellow, and yet he
+felt that he must do something for Harris.
+
+He kept his word, going directly to the captain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE FINISH OF A THRILLING GAME.
+
+
+The captain listened to what Frank had to say, but his sternness did not
+seem to relax in the least, as Merry described the sufferings the
+prisoner was enduring. But Frank would not be satisfied till the captain
+had made a promise to visit Harris himself and see that the fellow was
+taken out and cared for if he needed it.
+
+Needless to say that the captain forgot to make the visit right away.
+
+Frank did not tell his friends where he had been and what he had seen.
+He did not feel like talking about it, and they noticed that he looked
+strangely grim and thoughtful.
+
+Tutor Maybe tried to talk to him about studies, but Merry was in no
+mood for that, as his instructor soon discovered.
+
+Despite the fact that the sea was running high, Rattleton seemed to have
+recovered in a great measure from his sickness, so he was able to get on
+deck with the others. At noon, he even went to the table and ate
+lightly, drinking ginger ale with his food.
+
+An hour after dinner Frank found a game of poker going on in the
+smoking-room. Mr. Slush was in the game. So were the Frenchman, the
+Englishman, and Bloodgood.
+
+No money was in sight, but it was plain enough from the manner in which
+the game was played that the chips each man held had been purchased for
+genuine money, and the game was one for "blood."
+
+M. Montfort looked up for a moment as Frank stopped to watch the game.
+Their eyes met. The Frenchman permitted a sneer to steal across his
+face, while Frank looked at him steadily till his eyes dropped.
+
+At a glance, Merry saw that Bloodgood was "shakey." The fellow had been
+growing worse and worse as the voyage progressed, and now he seemed on
+the verge of a break-down.
+
+A few minutes after entering the room Frank heard one of the spectators
+whisper to another that Bloodgood was "bulling the game," and had lost
+heavily.
+
+Bloodgood was drinking deeply. Mr. Slush seemed to be indulging rather
+freely. The Frenchman sipped a little wine now and then, and the
+Englishman drank at regular intervals.
+
+The Frenchman was perfectly cool. The Englishman was phlegmatic. Slush
+hesitated sometimes, but, to the surprise of the boys, seemed rather
+collected. Bloodgood was hot and excited.
+
+Frank took a position where he could look on. He watched every move.
+After a time he discerned that the Englishman and the Frenchman were
+playing to each other, although the trick was done so skillfully that it
+did not seem apparent.
+
+Bloodgood lost all his chips. The game was held up for a few moments. He
+stepped into the next room and returned with a fresh supply.
+
+"This is the bottom," he declared. "You people may have them as soon as
+you like. To blazes with them! Let's lift the limit."
+
+"Ah--er--let's throw it off--entirely," suggested Mr. Slush.
+
+Bloodgood glared at the little man in astonishment.
+
+"What?" he cried. "You propose that? Why, you didn't want to play a
+bigger game than a quarter limit at the start!"
+
+"Perhaps you are--er--right," admitted Mr. Slush. "I--er--don't deny it.
+But I have grown more--more interested, you understand. I--I don't mind
+playing a good game--now."
+
+"Well, then, if the other gentlemen say so, by the gods, we'll make it
+no limit!" Bloodgood almost shouted.
+
+The Frenchman bowed suavely, a slight smile curling the ends of his
+pointed mustache upward.
+
+"I haf not ze least--what you call eet?--ze least objectshong," he
+purred.
+
+"I don't mind," said the Englishman.
+
+Now there was great interest. Somehow, Frank felt that a climax was
+coming. He watched everything with deep interest.
+
+Luck continued to run against Bloodgood. To Frank's surprise, it was
+plain Mr. Slush was winning. This seemed to surprise and puzzle both the
+Englishman and the Frenchman.
+
+It was hard work to draw the little man in when Hazleton or Montfort
+dealt. On his own deal or that of Bloodgood, he seemed ready for
+anything.
+
+"By Jove!" whispered Frank, in Diamond's ear. "That man is not such a
+fool as I thought! I haven't been able to understand him at all, and I
+don't understand him now."
+
+At length there came a big jack-pot. It was passed round several times.
+Then Hazleton opened it on three nines.
+
+Bloodgood sat next. He had two pairs, aces up, and he raised instantly.
+
+Montfort was the next man. He held a pair of deuces, but he saw all that
+had been bet, and doubled the amount!
+
+Mr. Slush hesitated a little. He seemed ready to lay down, but finally
+braced up and came in, calling.
+
+Hazleton did not accept the call. He raised again.
+
+Bloodgood looked at his hand and cursed under his breath. It was just
+good enough to make him feel that he ought to make another raise, but
+he began to think there were other good hands out, and it was not
+possible to tell where continued raising would land him, so he "made
+good."
+
+With nothing but a pair of deuces in his hand, Montfort "cracked her up"
+again for a good round sum.
+
+The hair on the head of Mr. Slush seemed to stand. He swallowed and
+looked pale. Then he "made good."
+
+Hazleton had his turn again, and he improved it. For the next few
+minutes, Montfort and Hazleton had a merry time raising, but neither
+Slush nor Bloodgood threw up.
+
+"This is where they are sinking the knife in the suckers!" muttered Jack
+Diamond.
+
+Frank Merriwell said not a word. His eyes were watching every move.
+
+At last the betting stopped, and Slush picked up the pack to give out
+the cards.
+
+Hazleton called for two. He received them, and remained imperturbable.
+
+He had caught nothing with his three nines.
+
+Bloodgood had tumbled to the fact that he was "up against" threes, and
+he had discarded his pair of low cards, holding only the two aces. To
+these he drew a seven and two more aces!
+
+Bloodgood turned pale and then flushed. He held onto himself with all
+his strength. Here was his chance to get back his losings. Everything
+was in his favor. He was confident there were some good hands out, and
+it was very likely some of them might be improved on the draw, but he
+felt the pot was the same as his.
+
+The Frenchman drew two cards.
+
+Slush took one.
+
+Then hot work began. Within three minutes Hazleton, with his three
+nines, had been driven out. Bloodgood, Montfort and Slush remained,
+raising steadily.
+
+There was intense excitement in that room. The captain of the steamer
+had come in, and he was looking on. Some of the spectators were
+literally shaking with excitement.
+
+Bloodgood's chips were used up. He flung money on the table.
+
+All that he had went into the pot, and still he would not call. He
+offered his I.O.U.'s, but Mr. Slush declined to agree.
+
+"Money or its equivalent," said the little man, with such decisiveness
+that all were astonished.
+
+"I haven't any money," protested Bloodgood.
+
+"Then you are out," said Slush.
+
+"It's robbery!" cried Bloodgood.
+
+"Why, you can't kick; you haven't even called once."
+
+"Not even once, saire," purred the Frenchman.
+
+"By blazes! I have the equivalent!" shouted Bloodgood.
+
+Into an inner pocket he plunged. He brought out a velvet jewel box. When
+this was opened, there was a cry of wonder, for a magnificent diamond
+necklace was revealed.
+
+"That is worth ten thousand dollars!" declared Bloodgood, "and I'll bet
+as long as it lasts!"
+
+Mr. Slush held out his hand.
+
+"Please let me examine it," he said.
+
+He took a good look at it.
+
+"Ees it all right, sair?" asked the Frenchman, eagerly.
+
+"It is," said Mr. Slush, "and I will take charge of it!"
+
+He thrust the case into his pocket, rose quickly, stepped past Montfort
+and clapped a hand on Bloodgood's shoulder.
+
+"I arrest you, Benton Hammersley, for the Clayton diamond robbery!" he
+said. "It is useless for you to resist, for you are on shipboard, and
+you cannot escape."
+
+Bloodgood uttered a fierce curse,
+
+"Who in the fiend's name are you?" he snarled, turning pale.
+
+And "Mr. Slush" answered:
+
+"Dan Badger, of the New York detective force! Permit me to present you
+with a pair of handsome bracelets, Mr. Hammersley."
+
+Click--the trapped diamond thief was ironed!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+FIRE IN THE HOLD.
+
+
+Everyone except the detective himself seemed astounded. The clever
+officer, who had played his part so well, was as cool as ice.
+
+The Frenchman cried:
+
+"But zis pot--eet ees not settailed to whom eet belong yet!"
+
+The detective stepped back to his chair.
+
+"The easiest way to settle that is by a show-down," he said. "Under the
+circumstances, further bettering is out of the question."
+
+"And I rather think I am in the showdown," choked out the prisoner.
+"I'll need this money to defend myself when I come to trial."
+
+"You shall have it," assured Dan Badger--"if you win it."
+
+"Well, I think I'll win it," said the ironed man, spreading out his
+hand. "I have four aces, and you can't beat that."
+
+"Oh, my dear saire!" cried the Frenchman. "Zat ees pretty gude, but I
+belief zis ees battaire. How you like zat for a straight flush?"
+
+He lay his cards on the table, and he had the two, three, four, five and
+six of hearts.
+
+There was a shout of astonishment.
+
+"Ze pot ees mine!" exultantly cried the Frenchman.
+
+"Stop!" rang out Frank Merriwell's clear voice. "That pot is not yours!"
+
+Everyone looked at Merry.
+
+"He is using a table 'hold-out!'" accused Frank, pointing straight at
+Montfort. "I saw him make the shift. The five cards that really belong
+in his hands will be found in the hold-out under the table!"
+
+There was dead silence. The Frenchman turned sallow.
+
+"It makes no difference," said the quiet voice of the detective,
+breaking the silence. "I have a higher straight flush of clubs here.
+Mine runs up to the eight spot, and so I win the pot."
+
+He showed his cards and raked in the pot.
+
+With a savage cry, M. Montfort flung his hand aside, leaped to his feet,
+sprang at Frank, and struck for Merry's face.
+
+The blow was parried, and he was knocked down instantly.
+
+A sailor, pale and shaking, came dashing into the room and whispered a
+word in the captain's ear.
+
+An oath broke from the captain's lips, and he whirled about and rushed
+from the room.
+
+Slowly Montfort picked himself up. There was a livid mark on his cheek.
+He glared at Frank with deadly hatred.
+
+"Cursed meddlaire!" he grated. "You shall pay for this."
+
+There was consternation outside. On the deck was heard the sound of
+running feet.
+
+"Something has happened!" said Diamond, hurrying to the door. "I wonder
+what it is."
+
+The "Eagle" was plunging along through a heavy sea. On the deck some men
+were running to and fro. Everyone seemed in the greatest consternation.
+
+Jack sprang out and stopped a man.
+
+"What is the matter?" he demanded.
+
+"The ship is on fire!" was the shaking answer. "There is a fire in the
+hold!"
+
+Diamond staggered. He whirled about and sprang into the smoking-room. In
+a moment he was at Frank's side.
+
+"Merry," he said, "what I feared has come! The steamer is on fire!"
+
+"Where?"
+
+"In the hold."
+
+Frank remembered the barrels and casks he had seen there.
+
+"Then we are liable to go scooting skyward in a hurry!" he said. "It
+can't take the fire long to reach the petroleum and powder!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+SAVING AN ENEMY.
+
+
+In truth, there was a fire in the "Eagle's" hold. The captain and the
+crew seemed perfectly panic-stricken. The thought of the explosion that
+might come any moment seemed to rob them of all reason.
+
+Frank Merriwell and his friends rushed out of the smoking-room.
+
+The hold had been opened in an attempt to get water onto the flames.
+Smoke was rolling up from the opening.
+
+"Close down the hatch!" shouted somebody. "It is producing a draft, and
+that helps the fire along!"
+
+Then faint cries came from the hold--cries of a human being in danger
+and distress!
+
+"It's Harris!" exclaimed Diamond. "He is down there, and his time has
+come at last!"
+
+"A rope!" shouted Frank Merriwell, flinging off his coat.
+
+"What are you going to do?" demanded Bruce Browning.
+
+"By heavens! I am going down there and try to bring Harris out!"
+
+"You're a fool!" chattered Harry Rattleton. "Think of the oil and powder
+down there! The stuff is liable to explode any moment! You shall not
+go!"
+
+Frank saw a coil of rope at a distance. He rushed for it, brought it to
+the hold, let an end drop and dangle into the darkness from whence the
+smoke rolled up.
+
+"You are crazy!" roared Bruce Browning, attempting to get hold of Frank.
+"I refuse to let you go down there!"
+
+"Don't put your hands on me, Browning!" cried Frank. "If you do, I shall
+knock you down!"
+
+They saw that he meant just what he said. He would not be stopped then.
+Bruce Browning, giant that he was, felt that he would be no match for
+Frank then.
+
+The rope was made fast, and down into the smoke and darkness slid Frank,
+disappearing from view.
+
+Barely had he done so when some sailors came rushing forward and
+attempted to close the hatch.
+
+"Hold on!" thundered Browning. "You can't do that now!"
+
+"Get out of the way!" commanded one of them, who seemed to be an
+officer. "We must close this hatch to hold the fire in check long enough
+for the boats to be lowered."
+
+"A friend of mine has gone down there. You can't close it till he comes
+out!"
+
+"To blazes with your friend!" snarled the man. "What business had he to
+go down there? If he's gone, he will have to stay there. His life does
+not count against all the others."
+
+Then, under his directions the men started to close the hatch.
+
+Browning sailed into them. He was aroused to his full extent by the
+thought of what would happen if the hatch was closed and Frank was shut
+down there with the fire and smoke. He knocked them aside, he hurled
+them away as if they were children. They could not stand before him for
+an instant.
+
+There was a cry from below.
+
+"Pull away, up there!"
+
+It was Frank's voice.
+
+Willing hands seized the rope. There was a heavy weight at the end of
+it. They dragged the weight up, with the smoke rolling into their faces
+in a cloud that grew denser and denser.
+
+And up through the smoke came Sport Harris, irons and all, with the ends
+of the rope tied about his waist!
+
+Frank had found Harris, and here the fellow was.
+
+They untied the rope from Sport's waist in a hurry. Then they lowered it
+again.
+
+"Pull away!"
+
+Frank Merriwell was dragged up through the smoke.
+
+"Now," said Browning, "down goes the hatch!"
+
+And it was slammed into place in a hurry, holding the smoke back.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+THE SEA GIVES UP.
+
+
+The pumps were going, in an attempt to flood the hold, but the men did
+not attempt to fight the fire in anything like a reasonable manner.
+
+The knowledge of the cargo down there in the hold turned them to cowards
+and unreasoning beings. They were expecting to be blown skyward at any
+moment.
+
+Of a sudden the engines stopped and the "Eagle" began to lose headway.
+Men were making preparations to lower the boats.
+
+"Well, I'll be hanged if they are not going to abandon the ship!"
+exclaimed Frank. "The case must be pretty bad. I wonder how the fire
+started?"
+
+"I set it!"
+
+At his feet was Harris, whom he had just rescued from the hell below,
+and the fellow had declared that he set the fire!
+
+"You?"
+
+"Yes," said the wretch. "I was crazy. I found a match in my pocket, and
+I thought I was willing to roast if I could destroy you, so I set the
+fire. Pretty soon I realized what I had done, but then I found it too
+late when I tried to beat it out. The old steamer will go into the air
+in a few minutes, and we'll all go with it, unless we can get off in
+the boats right away."
+
+"It would have served you right had I left you to your fate!" grated
+Frank, as he turned away.
+
+He ran down to his stateroom to gather up some of the few little
+valuables he hoped to save. He was not gone long, but when he returned,
+he found two boats had been launched and were pulling away, the persons
+in them being in great haste to get as far from the steamer as they
+could before the explosion.
+
+Three or four women were in the first boat.
+
+It was rather difficult to lower the boats in the heavy sea that was
+running, but the men were working swiftly, pushed by the terror of the
+coming disaster.
+
+A little smoke curled up from the battened-down hatches.
+
+As Frank reached the deck, he nearly ran against M. Rouen Montfort, who
+was carrying a pair of swords in scabbards, which seemed to be treasures
+he wished to save.
+
+The Frenchman stopped and glared at Merry.
+
+"Cursed Yankee!" he grated. "I would like to put one of zese gude blades
+t'rough your heart!"
+
+"Haven't a doubt of it," said Merriwell, coolly. "That's about the kind
+of a man I took you to be."
+
+Another boat got away, and the last boat was swung from the davits.
+
+A sailor counted the men who remained and spoke to the captain. The
+latter said:
+
+"At best, the boat will not hold them all. There is one too many, at
+least. Let the fellow in irons stay behind."
+
+Harris heard this, and fancied his doom was sealed. He began to beg to
+be taken along, but one of the men gave him a kick.
+
+The Frenchman turned on Frank.
+
+"Do you hear?" he cried. "One cannot go. Do you make eet ze poor deval
+in ze iron? or do you dare fight me to see wheech one of us eet ees? Eef
+you make eet ze poor devval, eet show you are ze cowarde. Ha! I theenk
+you do not dare to fight!"
+
+He spat toward Merry to express his contempt.
+
+"Let me fight him!" panted Diamond at Frank's elbow.
+
+"See that Harris is put into the boat!" ordered Merriwell. "I fancy I
+can take care of this Frenchman. If you do not get Harris into the boat
+I swear I will not enter it if I conquer Montfort!"
+
+Then he whirled on the Frenchman.
+
+"I accept your challenge!" he cried in clear tones.
+
+Montfort uttered an exclamation of satisfaction. He flung off his coat,
+saying:
+
+"Choose ze weapon, saire."
+
+Frank did not pause to look them over in making a selection. He caught
+up one of them and drew it from the scabbard.
+
+Montfort took the other.
+
+"Ready?" cried the American youth.
+
+"Ready!" answered the Frenchman.
+
+Clash!--the swords came together and there on the deck of the burning
+steamer the strange duel began.
+
+Frank fought with all the coolness and skill he could command. He fought
+as if he had been standing on solid ground instead of the deck of a ship
+that might be blown into a thousand fragments at any moment.
+
+The Frenchman had fancied that the Yankee would prove easy to conquer,
+but he soon discovered Frank possessed no little skill, and he saw that
+he must do his best.
+
+More than once Montfort thrust to run Frank through the body, and once
+his sword passed between the youth's left arm and his side.
+
+Merry saw that the Frenchman really meant to kill him if possible.
+
+Then men were getting into the boat. There were but few seconds left in
+which to finish the duel. Rattleton called to him from the, boat,
+shouting above the roar of the wind:
+
+"Finish him, Frank! Come on, now! Lively!"
+
+The tip of Montfort's sword slit Frank's sleeve and touched his arm.
+
+"Next time I get you!" hissed the vindictive Frenchman.
+
+But right then Frank saw his opportunity. He made a lunge and drove his
+sword into the Frenchman's side.
+
+Montfort uttered a cry, dropped his sword, flung up his hands, and sunk
+bleeding to the deck.
+
+Merry flung his blood-stained weapon aside and bent over the man,
+saying sincerely:
+
+"I hope your wound is not fatal, M. Montfort."
+
+"It makes no difference!" gasped the man. "You are ze victor, so I must
+stay here an' die jus' ze same."
+
+But Frank Merriwell was seized by a feeling of horror at the thought of
+leaving this man whom he had wounded. In a moment he realized he would
+be haunted all his life by the memory if he did so.
+
+Quickly he caught M. Montfort up in his arms. He sprang to the side of
+the steamer. The boat was holding in for him. His friends shouted to
+him. The captain ordered him to jump at once.
+
+"Catch this man!"
+
+He lifted M. Montfort, swung him over the rail, and dropped him fairly
+into the boat!
+
+"He has chosen," said the captain. "The boat will hold no more. Pull
+away!"
+
+It was useless for Frank's friends to beg and plead. Away went the boat,
+leaving the noble youth to his doom.
+
+Forty minutes later there was a terrible flare of fire and smoke, a
+thunderous explosion, and the ill-fated steamer had blown up.
+
+Harry Rattleton was crying like a baby.
+
+"Poor Frank!" he sobbed. "Noblest fellow in all the world--good-by! I'll
+never see you again!"
+
+Tears rolled down Bruce Browning's face, and Jack Diamond, grim and
+speechless, looked as if the light of the world had gone out forever.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Some days later the passengers and crew from the lost "Eagle" were
+landed at Liverpool by the steamer "Seneca," which had picked them up at
+sea. The "Seneca" was a slow old craft, but she got there all right.
+
+A little grimy tender carried Bruce, Jack, Harry and the tutor from the
+"Seneca" to the floating dock. It was a sad and wretched-looking party.
+
+On the dock stood a young man who shouted to them and waved his hand.
+
+Jack Diamond started, gasped, clutched Browning and whispered:
+
+"Look--look there, Bruce! Tell me if I am going crazy, or do you see
+somebody who looks like--"
+
+Harry Rattleton clutched the big fellow by the other side, spluttering:
+
+"Am I doing gaffy--I mean going daffy? Look there! Who is that waving
+his hand to us?"
+
+"It's the ghost of Frank Merriwell, as true as there are such things as
+ghosts!" muttered Browning.
+
+But it was no ghost. It was Frank Merriwell in the flesh, alive and
+well! He greeted them as they came off the tender. He caught them in his
+arms, laughing, shouting, overjoyed. And they, realizing it really was
+him, hugged him and wept like a lot of big-hearted, manly young men.
+
+Frank explained in a few words. He told how, after they had left him,
+he had belted himself well with life-preservers and left the "Eagle" in
+time to get away before the explosion. Then he was picked up by an
+Atlantic liner, which brought him to Liverpool in advance of his
+friends.
+
+Thus he was there to receive them, and it seemed that the sea had given
+up its dead.
+
+
+[THE END.]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Frank Merriwell's Nobility
+by Burt L. Standish (AKA Gilbert Patten)
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S NOBILITY ***
+
+***** This file should be named 10904.txt or 10904.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/9/0/10904/
+
+Produced by David Starner, Brett Koonce and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's
+eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII,
+compressed (zipped), HTML and others.
+
+Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over
+the old filename and etext number.  The replaced older file is renamed.
+VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving
+new filenames and etext numbers.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000,
+are filed in directories based on their release date.  If you want to
+download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular
+search system you may utilize the following addresses and just
+download by the etext year.
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/etext06
+
+    (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99,
+     98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90)
+
+EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are
+filed in a different way.  The year of a release date is no longer part
+of the directory path.  The path is based on the etext number (which is
+identical to the filename).  The path to the file is made up of single
+digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename.  For
+example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234
+
+or filename 24689 would be found at:
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689
+
+An alternative method of locating eBooks:
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL
+
+
diff --git a/10904.zip b/10904.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..85ad0a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/10904.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..83f33a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #10904 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10904)
diff --git a/old/10904-h.zip b/old/10904-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..95babc6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/10904-h.zip
diff --git a/old/10904-h/10904-h.htm b/old/10904-h/10904-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf4c8c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/10904-h/10904-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,3796 @@
+<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
+
+<html>
+<head>
+  <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content=
+  "text/html; charset=us-ascii">
+
+  <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Frank Merriwell's Nobility,
+  or The Tragedy of the Ocean Tramp, by Burt L. Standish.</title>
+  <style type="text/css">
+    <!--
+    * { font-family:   Times;}
+    P { text-indent:   1em;
+        margin-top:    .75em;
+        font-size:     12pt;
+        text-align:    justify;
+        margin-bottom: .75em; }
+    PRE { margin-left: 1em; text-align: left; }
+    H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; }
+    HR  { width: 33%; }
+    // -->
+  </style>
+</head>
+
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Frank Merriwell's Nobility
+by Burt L. Standish (AKA Gilbert Patten)
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Frank Merriwell's Nobility
+       The Tragedy of the Ocean Tramp
+
+Author: Burt L. Standish (AKA Gilbert Patten)
+
+Release Date: February 2, 2004 [EBook #10904]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: US-ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S NOBILITY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Garcia, David Starner, Brett Koonce and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+	
+	
+<br><br>
+<center>
+<img alt="10904-title (164K)" src="10904-title.jpg" height="785" width="677" />
+</center>
+<br><br>
+
+	
+	
+
+  <h2>TIP TOP WEEKLY</h2>
+
+  <center>
+    "An ideal publication for the American Youth"<br>
+    No. 158
+  </center>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <h1>FRANK MERRIWELL'S NOBILITY</h1>
+
+  <center>
+    OR
+  </center>
+
+  <h3>THE TRAGEDY OF THE OCEAN TRAMP</h3>
+
+  <center>
+    <b>By BURT L. STANDISH.</b>
+  </center>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <center>
+    NEW YORK, April 22, 1899.
+  </center>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+	<center>
+<table summary="">
+<tr><td>
+
+  
+    <a href="#CH1">CHAPTER I.&mdash;Off For Europe.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH2">CHAPTER II.&mdash;Surprising The
+    Frenchman.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH3">CHAPTER III.&mdash;A Fresh Young Man.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH4">CHAPTER IV.&mdash;Who Is Bloodgood?</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH5">CHAPTER V.&mdash;The Superstitious Man.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH6">CHAPTER VI.&mdash;The Cargo of the
+    "Eagle."</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH7">CHAPTER VII.&mdash;Premonitions of
+    Peril.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH8">CHAPTER VIII.&mdash;In the Stoke-Hole.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH9">CHAPTER IX.&mdash;In Irons.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH10">CHAPTER X.&mdash;The Game in the Next
+    Room.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH11">CHAPTER XI.&mdash;The Horrors of the
+    Hold.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH12">CHAPTER XII.&mdash;The Finish of a Thrilling
+    Game.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH13">CHAPTER XIII.&mdash;Fire in the Hold.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH14">CHAPTER XIV.&mdash;Saving an Enemy.</a><br>
+    <a href="#CH15">CHAPTER XV.&mdash;The Sea Gives Up.</a>
+  
+
+
+</td></tr>
+</table>
+</center>
+	
+	
+	
+  <hr>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH1"><!-- CH1 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+  <h3>OFF FOR EUROPE.</h3>
+
+  <p>"Off&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"At last!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Hurrah!"</p>
+
+  <p>The tramp steamer "Eagle" swung out from the pier and was
+  fairly started en her journey from New York to Liverpool.</p>
+
+  <p>On the deck of the steamer stood a group of five persons,
+  three of whom had given utterance to the exclamations recorded
+  above.</p>
+
+  <p>On the pier swarmed a group of Yale students, waving hands,
+  hats, handkerchiefs, bidding farewell to their five friends and
+  acquaintances on the steamer. Over the water came the familiar
+  Yale cheer. From the steamer it was answered.</p>
+
+  <p>In the midst of the group on deck was Frank Merriwell. Those
+  around him were Bruce Browning, Jack Diamond, Harry Rattleton and
+  Tutor Wellington Maybe.</p>
+
+  <p>It was Frank's scheme to spend the summer months abroad, while
+  studying in the attempt to catch up with his class and pass
+  examinations on re-entering college in the fall. And he had
+  brought along his three friends, Browning, Diamond and Rattleton.
+  They were on their way to England.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank was happy. Fortune had dealt him a heavy blow when he
+  was compelled by poverty to leave dear old Yale, but he had faced
+  the world bravely, and he had struggled like a man. Hard work,
+  long hours and poor pay had not daunted him.</p>
+
+  <p>At the very start he had shown that he possessed something
+  more than ordinary ability, and while working on the railroad he
+  had forced his way upward step by step till it seemed that he was
+  in a fair way to reach the top of the ladder.</p>
+
+  <p>Then came disaster again. He had lost his position on the
+  railroad, and once more he was forced to face the world and begin
+  over.</p>
+
+  <p>Some lads would have been discouraged. Frank Merriwell was
+  not. He set his teeth firmly and struck out once more. He kept
+  his mouth shut and his eyes open. The first honorable thing that
+  came to his hand to do he did. Thus it happened that he found
+  himself on the stage.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank's success as an actor had been phenomenal. Of course, to
+  begin with, he had natural ability, but that was not the only
+  thing that won success for him. He had courage, push,
+  determination, stick-to-it-iveness. When he started to do a thing
+  he kept at it till he did it.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank united observation and study. He learned everything he
+  could about the stage and about acting by talking with the
+  members of the company and by watching to see how things were
+  done.</p>
+
+  <p>He had a good head and plenty of sense. He knew better than to
+  copy after the ordinary actors in the road company to which he
+  belonged. He had seen good acting enough to be able to
+  distinguish between the good and bad. Thus it came about that the
+  bad models about him did not exert a pernicious influence upon
+  him.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank believed there were books that would aid him. He found
+  them. He found one on "Acting and Actors," and from it he learned
+  that no actor ever becomes really and truly great that does not
+  have a clear and distinct enunciation and a correct
+  pronunciation. That is the beginning. Then comes the study of the
+  meaning of the words to be spoken and the effect produced by the
+  manner in which they are spoken.</p>
+
+  <p>He studied all this, and he went further. He read up on
+  "Traditions of the Stage," and he came to know all about its
+  limitations and its opportunities.</p>
+
+  <p>From this it was a natural step to the study of the
+  construction of plays. He found books of criticism on plays and
+  playwriting, and he mastered them. He found books that told how
+  to construct plays, and he mastered them.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank Merriwell was a person with a vivid imagination and
+  great mechanical and constructive ability. Had this not been so,
+  he might have studied forever and still never been able to write
+  a successful play. In him there was something study could not
+  give, but study and effort brought it out. He wrote a play.</p>
+
+  <p>"John Smith of Montana" was a success. Frank played the
+  leading part, and he made a hit.</p>
+
+  <p>Then fate rose up and again dealt him a body blow. A scene in
+  the play was almost exactly like a scene in another play, written
+  previously. The author and owner of the other play called on the
+  law to "protect" him. An injunction was served on Merry to
+  restrain him from playing "John Smith." He stood face to face
+  with a lawsuit.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank investigated, and his investigation convinced him that
+  it was almost certain he would be defeated if the case was
+  carried into the courts.</p>
+
+  <p>He withdrew "John Smith."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank had confidence in himself. He had written a play that
+  was successful, and he believed he could write another. Already
+  he had one skeletonized. The frame work was constructed, the plot
+  was elaborated, the characters were ready for his use.</p>
+
+  <p>He wrote a play of something with which he was thoroughly
+  familiar&mdash;-college life. The author or play-maker of ability
+  who writes of that with which he is familiar stands a good chance
+  of making a success. Young and inexperienced writers love to
+  write of those things with which they are unfamiliar, and they
+  wonder why it is that they fail.</p>
+
+  <p>They go too far away from home for their subject.</p>
+
+  <p>At first Frank's play was not a success. The moment he
+  discovered this he set himself down to find out why it was not a
+  success. He did not look at it as the author, but as a critical
+  manager to whom it had been offered might have done.</p>
+
+  <p>He found the weak spots. One was its name. People in general
+  did not understand the title, "For Old Eli." There was nothing
+  "catchy" or drawing about it.</p>
+
+  <p>He gave it another name. He called it, "True Blue: A Drama of
+  College Life."</p>
+
+  <p>The name proved effective.</p>
+
+  <p>He rewrote much of the play. He strengthened the climax of the
+  third act, and introduced a mechanical effect that was very
+  ingenious. And when the piece next went on the road it met with
+  wonderful success everywhere.</p>
+
+  <p>Thus Frank snatched success from defeat.</p>
+
+  <p>It is a strange thing that when a person fights against fate
+  and conquers, when fortune begins to smile, when the tide fairly
+  turns his way, then everything seems to come to him. The things
+  which seemed so far away and so impossible of attainment suddenly
+  appear within easy reach or come tumbling into his lap of their
+  own accord.</p>
+
+  <p>It was much this way with Frank. He had dreamed of going back
+  to college some time, but that time had seemed far, far away.
+  Success brought it nearer.</p>
+
+  <p>But then it came tumbling into his lap. No one had been found
+  to claim the fortune he discovered in the Utah Desert.
+  Investigation had shown that there were no living relatives of
+  the man who had guarded the treasure till his death. That
+  treasure had been turned over to Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank had brought his play to New Haven, and his old college
+  friends had given him a rousing welcome. And now he had made
+  plans to return to college in the fall, while his play was to be
+  carried on the road by a well-known and experienced theatrical
+  manager.</p>
+
+  <p>The friends who had been with Frank when he discovered the
+  treasure, with the exception of Toots, the colored boy, had
+  refused to accept shares of the fortune. Then Merry had insisted
+  on taking them abroad with him, and here they were on the steamer
+  "Eagle," bound for Liverpool.</p>
+
+  <p>Toots, dressed like a "swell," was on the pier. He shouted
+  with the others, waving his silk hat.</p>
+
+  <p>The crowd was cheering now:</p>
+  <pre>
+     "Beka Co ax Co ax Co ax!
+     Breka Co ax Co ax Co ax!
+       O&mdash;&mdash;up! O&mdash;&mdash;up!
+         Parabolou!
+       Yale! Yale! Yale!
+       'Rah! 'rah! 'rah!
+         Yale!"
+</pre>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH2"><!-- CH2 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+  <h3>SURPRISING THE FRENCHMAN.</h3>
+
+  <p>"Bah! Ze American boy, he make me&mdash;what you call
+  eet?&mdash;vera tired!"</p>
+
+  <p>Frank turned quickly and saw the speaker standing near the
+  rail not far away. He was a man between thirty-five and forty
+  years of age, dressed in a traveling suit, and having a pointed
+  black beard. He was smoking.</p>
+
+  <p>An instant feeling of aversion swept over Merry. He saw the
+  person was a supercilious Frenchman, critical, sneering,
+  insolent, a man intolerant with everything not of France and the
+  French.</p>
+
+  <p>This man was speaking to another person, who seemed to be a
+  servant or valet, and who was very polite and fawning in all his
+  retorts.</p>
+
+  <p>"Ah! look at ze collectshung on ze pier," continued the
+  sneering speaker. "Someone say zey belong to ze great American
+  college. Zey act like zey belong to ze&mdash;ze&mdash;what you
+  call eet?&mdash;ze menageray. Zey yell, shout, jump&mdash;act
+  like ze lunatic."</p>
+
+  <p>"It is possible, monsieur," said Frank, with a grim smile,
+  "that they are copying their manners after Frenchmen at a Dreyfus
+  demonstration."</p>
+
+  <p>The foreigner turned haughtily and stared at Frank. Then he
+  shrugged his shoulders, turned away and observed to his
+  companion:</p>
+
+  <p>"Jes' like all ze Americans&mdash;ah!&mdash;what eez ze
+  word?&mdash;fresh."</p>
+
+  <p>The other man bowed and rubbed his hands together.</p>
+
+  <p>"Haw!" grunted Browning, lazily. "How do you like that,
+  Frank?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, I don't mind it," murmured Merry. "I consider the source
+  from which it came, and regard it as of no consequence."</p>
+
+  <p>Diamond was glaring at the Frenchman, for it made his hot
+  Southern blood boil to hear a foreigner criticize anything
+  American. Like all youthful Americans, his great admiration and
+  love for his own country made him intolerant of criticism.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank had a cooler head, and he was not so easily ruffled.</p>
+
+  <p>Rattleton was unable to express his feelings.</p>
+
+  <p>Tutor Maybe looked somewhat perturbed, for he was an
+  exceedingly mild and peaceable man, and the slightest suggestion
+  of trouble was enough to agitate him.</p>
+
+  <p>But the Frenchman did not deign to look toward Frank again,
+  and it seemed that all danger of trouble was past.</p>
+
+  <p>The "Eagle" sailed slowly down the harbor, signaling now and
+  then to other boats.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank, Jack, Bruce and Harry formed a fine quartette, and they
+  sang:</p>
+  <pre>
+     "Soon we'll be in London town;
+       Sing, my lads, yo! heave, my lads, ho!
+     And see the queen, with her golden crown;
+       Heave, my lads, yo-ho!"
+</pre>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman made an impatient gesture, and showed annoyance,
+  which caused Frank to laugh.</p>
+
+  <p>Behind them Brooklyn Bridge spanned the river, looking slender
+  and graceful, like a thing hung in the air by delicate
+  threads.</p>
+
+  <p>Close at hand were Governor's Island and the Statue of
+  Liberty. The Frenchman was pointing it out.</p>
+
+  <p>"Ze greatest work of art in all America,"' he declared,
+  enthusiastically; "an' France give zat to America. Ze Americans
+  nevare think to put eet zere themselves. France do more for
+  America zan any ozare nation, but ze Americans forget. Zey forget
+  Lafayette. Zey forget France make it possibul for zem to
+  conquaire Engalande an' get ze freedom zey ware aftaire. An' now
+  zey&mdash;zey&mdash;what you call eet?&mdash;toady to Engalande.
+  Zey pretende to love ze Engaleesh. Bah! Uncale Sam an' John Bull
+  both need to have some of ze conaceit taken out away from
+  zem."</p>
+
+  <p>"It would take more than France, Spain, Italy and all the rest
+  of the dago nations to do the job!" spluttered Harry Rattleton,
+  who could not keep still longer.</p>
+
+  <p>"Maurel," said the Frenchman, speaking to his companion,
+  "t'row ze insolent dog ovareboard!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Oui, monsieur!"</p>
+
+  <p>Quick as thought the man sprang toward Harry, as if determined
+  to execute the command of his master.</p>
+
+  <p>He did not put his hands on Rattleton, for Frank was equally
+  swift in his movements, and blocked the fellows' way, coolly
+  saying:</p>
+
+  <p>"I wouldn't try it if I were you."</p>
+
+  <p>"Out of ze way!" snarled the man, who was an athlete in build.
+  "If you don't, I put you ovare, too!"</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't think you will."</p>
+
+  <p>"Put him ovare, Maurel," ordered the Frenchman, with deadly
+  coolness.</p>
+
+  <p>The athletic servant clutched Frank, but, with a twist and a
+  turn, Merry broke the hold instantly, kicked the fellow's feet
+  from beneath him, and dropped him heavily to the deck.</p>
+
+  <p>Bruce Browning stooped and picked the man up as if he were an
+  infant. Every year seemed to add something to the big collegian's
+  wonderful strength, and now the astounded Frenchman found himself
+  unable to wiggle.</p>
+
+  <p>Browning held the man over the rail turning to Frank to
+  ask:</p>
+
+  <p>"Shall I give him a bath, Merriwell?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I think you hadn't better," laughed Frank. "Perhaps he can't
+  swim, and&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"He can swim or sink," drawled Bruce. "It won't make any
+  difference if he sinks. Only another insolent Frenchman out of
+  the way."</p>
+
+  <p>The master was astounded. Up to that moment he had regarded
+  the young Americans as scarcely more than boys and he had fancied
+  his athletic servant could easily frighten them. Instead of that,
+  something quite unexpected by him had happened.</p>
+
+  <p>The astounded servant showed signs of terror, but in vain he
+  struggled. He was helpless in the clutch of the giant
+  collegian.</p>
+
+  <p>The master seemed about to interfere, but Frank Merriwell
+  confronted him in a manner that spoke as plainly as words.</p>
+
+  <p>"Out of ze way!" snarled the man.</p>
+
+  <p>"Speaking to me?" inquired Merry, lifting his eyebrows.</p>
+
+  <p>"Oui! oui!"</p>
+
+  <p>"I am sorry, but I can't accommodate you till my friend gets
+  through with your servant, who was extremely fresh, like most
+  Frenchmen."</p>
+
+  <p>"Zis to me!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes."</p>
+
+  <p>"Sare, I am M. Rouen Montfort, an' I&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"It makes no difference to me if you are the high mogul of
+  France. You are on the deck of an English vessel, and you are
+  dealing with Americans."</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman flung his cigar aside and seemed to feel for a
+  weapon.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank stood there quietly, his eyes watching every
+  movement.</p>
+
+  <p>"If you have what you are seeking about your person," he said,
+  with perfect calmness, "I advise you not to draw it. If you do,
+  as sure as you are sailing down New York harbor, I'll fling you
+  over the rail, weapon and all!"</p>
+
+  <p>That was business, and it was not boasting. Frank actually
+  meant to throw the man into the water if he drew a weapon.</p>
+
+  <p>M. Rouen Montfort paused and stared at Frank Merriwell,
+  beginning to understand that he was not dealing with an ordinary
+  youth.</p>
+
+  <p>"Fool!" he panted. "You geeve me ze eensult I will haf your
+  life!"</p>
+
+  <p>"You have already insulted me, my friends and everything
+  American. It's your turn to take a little of the medicine."</p>
+
+  <p>"Eef we were een France&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"Which we are not. We are still in America, the land of the
+  free. But I don't care to have a quarrel with you. Bruce put the
+  fellow down. If he minds his business in the future, don't throw
+  him overboard."</p>
+
+  <p>"All right," grunted the big fellow; "but I was just going to
+  drop him in the wet."</p>
+
+  <p>He put the man down, and the fellow seemed undecided what to
+  do.</p>
+
+  <p>Harry Rattleton laughed.</p>
+
+  <p>"Now wake a talk&mdash;no, I mean take a walk," he cried. "It
+  will be a good thing for your health."</p>
+
+  <p>"Come, Maurel," said the master, with an attempt at dignity;
+  "come away from ze fellows!"</p>
+
+  <p>Maurel was glad enough to do so. He had thought to frighten
+  the youths without the least trouble, but had been handled with
+  such ease that even after it was all over he wondered how it
+  could have happened.</p>
+
+  <p>M. Montfort walked away with great dignity, and Maurel
+  followed, talking savagely and swiftly in French.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, it wasn't very hard to settle them," grinned
+  Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>"But we have not settled them," declared Frank. "There will be
+  further trouble with M. Rouen Montfort and his man Maurel."</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH3"><!-- CH3 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+  <h3>A FRESH YOUNG MAN.</h3>
+
+  <p>Frank and his three friends bad a stateroom together. The
+  tutor was given a room with other parties.</p>
+
+  <p>The weather for the first two days was fine, and the young
+  collegians enjoyed every minute, not one of them having a touch
+  of sea-sickness till the third day.</p>
+
+  <p>Then Rattleton was seized, and he lay in his bunk, groaning
+  and dismal, even though he tried to be cheerful at times.</p>
+
+  <p>Browning enjoyed everything, even Rattleton's misery, for he
+  could be lazy to his heart's content.</p>
+
+  <p>They had enlivened the times by singing songs, those of a
+  nautical flavor, such as "Larboard Watch" and "A Life on the
+  Ocean Wave," having the preference.</p>
+
+  <p>Now it happened that the Frenchman occupied a room adjoining,
+  and he was very much annoyed by their singing. He pounded on the
+  partition, and expressed his feelings in very lurid language, but
+  that amused them, and they sang the louder.</p>
+
+  <p>"M. Montfort seems to get very agitated," said Frank,
+  laughing.</p>
+
+  <p>"But I hardly think there is any danger that he will do more
+  than hammer on the partition," grunted Bruce. "He's kept away
+  from us since he found he could not frighten anybody."</p>
+
+  <p>"He's a bluffer," was Diamond's opinion.</p>
+
+  <p>"He's a great fellow to play cards," said Merry. "But he seems
+  to ply for something more than amusement."</p>
+
+  <p>"How's that?" asked Jack, interested.</p>
+
+  <p>"I've noticed that he never cares for whist or any game where
+  there are no stakes. He gets into a game only when there's
+  something to be won."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, it seems to me that he's struck a poor crowd on this
+  boat if he's looking for suckers. He should have shipped on an
+  ocean liner. What does he play?"</p>
+
+  <p>"He seems to have taken a great fancy to draw poker. 'Pocaire'
+  is what he calls it. He pretended at first that he didn't know
+  much of anything about the game, but, if I am not mistaken, he's
+  an old stager at it. I watched the party playing in the
+  smoking-room last night."</p>
+
+  <p>"Who played?" asked Bruce.</p>
+
+  <p>"The Frenchman, a rather sporty young fellow named Bloodgood,
+  a small, bespectacled man, well fitted with the name of Slush,
+  and an Englishman by the name of Hazleton."</p>
+
+  <p>"That's the crowd that played in the Frenchman's stateroom
+  to-day," groaned Rattleton from his berth.</p>
+
+  <p>"Played in the stateroom?" exclaimed Frank. "I wonder why they
+  didn't play in the smoking-room?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Don't know," said Harry; "but I fancy there was a rather big
+  game on, and you know the Frenchman has the biggest stateroom on
+  the boat, so there was plenty of room for them. They could play
+  there without interruption."</p>
+
+  <p>"There seems to be something mysterious about that Frenchman,"
+  said Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"I think there's something mysterious about several passengers
+  on this boat," grunted Browning. "I haven't seen much of this
+  young fellow Bloodgood, but he strikes me as a mystery."</p>
+
+  <p>"Why?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Well he seems to have money to burn, and I don't understand
+  why such a fellow did not take passage on a regular liner."</p>
+
+  <p>"As far as that goes," smiled Merry, "I presume some people
+  might think it rather singular that we did not cross the pond in
+  a regular liner; but then they might suppose it was a case of
+  economy with us."</p>
+
+  <p>While they were talking there came a rap on their door which
+  Frank threw open.</p>
+
+  <p>Just outside stood a young man with a flushed face and
+  distressed appearance. He was dressed in a plaid suit, and wore a
+  red four-in-hand necktie, in which blazed a huge diamond. There
+  were two large solitaire rings on his left hand, and he wore a
+  heavy gold chain strung across his vest.</p>
+
+  <p>"Beg your pardon, dear boys," he drawled. "Hope I'm not
+  intruding."</p>
+
+  <p>Then he walked in and closed the door.</p>
+
+  <p>"My name's Bloodgood," he said&mdash;"Raymond Bloodgood. I've
+  seen you fellows together, and you seem like a jolly lot. Heard
+  you singing, you know. Great voices&mdash;good singing."</p>
+
+  <p>Then he stopped speaking, and they stared at him, wondering
+  what he was driving at. For a moment there was an awkward pause,
+  and then Bloodgood went on:</p>
+
+  <p>"I was up pretty late last night, you know. Had a little game
+  in the smoking-room. Plenty of booze, and all that, and I'm
+  awfully rocky to-day. Got a splitting headache. Didn't know but
+  some of you had a bromo seltzer, or something of the sort. You
+  look like a crowd that finds such things handy occasionally."</p>
+
+  <p>At this Frank laughed quietly, but Diamond looked angry and
+  indignant.</p>
+
+  <p>"What do you take us for?" exclaimed the Virginian, warmly.
+  "Do you think we are a lot of boozers?"</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood turned on Jack, lifting his eyebrows.</p>
+
+  <p>"My dear fellow&mdash;" he began.</p>
+
+  <p>But Frank put in:</p>
+
+  <p>"We have no use for bromo seltzer, as none of us are
+  drinkers."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, of course not," said the intruder, with something like a
+  sneer. "None of us are drinkers, but then we're all liable to get
+  a little too much sometimes, especially when we sit up late and
+  play poker."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank saw that Diamond had taken an instant dislike to the
+  youth with the diamonds and the red necktie, and he felt like
+  averting a storm, even though he did not fancy the manner of the
+  intruder.</p>
+
+  <p>"We do not sit up late and play poker," he said.</p>
+
+  <p>"Eh? Oh, come off! You're a jolly lot of fellows, and you must
+  have a fling sometimes."</p>
+
+  <p>"We can be jolly without drinking or gambling."</p>
+
+  <p>"Why, I'm hanged if you don't talk as if you considered it a
+  crime to take a drink or have a little social game!"</p>
+
+  <p>Frank felt his blood warm up a bit, but he held himself in
+  hand, as he quietly retorted:</p>
+
+  <p>"Intemperance is a crime. I presume there are men who take a
+  drink, as you call it, without being intemperate; but I prefer to
+  let the stuff alone entirely, and then there is no danger of
+  going over the limit."</p>
+
+  <p>"And I took you for a sport! That shows how a fellow can be
+  fooled. But you do play poker occasionally. I know that."</p>
+
+  <p>"How do you know it, Mr. Bloodgood?"</p>
+
+  <p>"By your language. You just spoke of going over the limit.
+  That is a poker term."</p>
+
+  <p>"And one used by many people who never played a game of cards
+  in their lives."</p>
+
+  <p>"But you have played cards? You have played poker? Can you
+  deny it?"</p>
+
+  <p>"If I could, I wouldn't take the trouble, Mr. Bloodgood. I
+  think you have made a mistake in sizing up this crowd."</p>
+
+  <p>"Guess I have," sneered the fellow. "You must be members of
+  the Y.M.C.A."</p>
+
+  <p>"Say, Frank!" panted Jack; "open the door and let
+  me&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>But Frank checked the hot-headed youth again.</p>
+
+  <p>"Steady, Jack! It is not necessary. He will go directly. Mr.
+  Bloodgood, you speak as if it were a disgrace to belong to the
+  Y.M.C.A. That shows your ignorance and narrowness. The Y.M.C.A.
+  is a splendid organization, and it has proved the anchor that has
+  kept many a young man from dashing onto the rocks of destruction.
+  Those who sneer at it should be ashamed of themselves, but, as a
+  rule, they are too bigoted, prejudiced, or narrow-minded to
+  recognize the fact that some of the most manly young men to be
+  found belong to the Y.M.C.A."</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood laughed.</p>
+
+  <p>"And I took you for a sport!" he cried. "By Jove! Never made
+  such a blunder before in all my life! Studying for the ministry,
+  I'll wager! Ha! ha! ha!"</p>
+
+  <p>Frank saw that Diamond could not be held in check much
+  longer.</p>
+
+  <p>"One last word to you, Mr. Bloodgood," he spoke. "I am not
+  studying for the ministry, and I do not even belong to the
+  Y.M.C.A. If I were doing the one or belonged to the other, I
+  should not be ashamed of it. I don't like you. I can stand a
+  little freshness; in fact, it rather pleases me; but you are
+  altogether too fresh. You are offensive."</p>
+
+  <p>Merry flung open the door.</p>
+
+  <p>"Good-day, sir."</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood stepped out, turned round, laughed, and then walked
+  away.</p>
+
+  <p>"Hang it, Merriwell!" grated Diamond, as Frank closed the
+  door; "why didn't you let me kick him out onto his neck!"</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH4"><!-- CH4 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+  <h3>WHO IS BLOODGOOD?</h3>
+
+  <p>Diamond was thoroughly angry. So was Rattleton. In his
+  excitement, Harry said something that caused Frank to turn
+  quickly, and observe:</p>
+
+  <p>"Don't use that kind of language, old man, no matter what the
+  provocation. Vulgarity is even lower than profanity."</p>
+
+  <p>Harry's face flushed, and he looked intensely ashamed of
+  himself.</p>
+
+  <p>"I peg your bardon&mdash;I mean I beg your pardon!" he
+  spluttered. "It slipped out. You know I don't say anything like
+  that often."</p>
+
+  <p>"I know it," nodded Frank, "and that's why it sounded all the
+  worse. I don't know that I ever heard you use such a word
+  before."</p>
+
+  <p>Harry did not resent Frank's reproof, for he knew Frank was
+  right, and he was ashamed.</p>
+
+  <p>Every young man who stoops to vulgarity should be ashamed.
+  Profanity is coarse and degrading; vulgarity is positively low
+  and filthy. The youth who is careful to keep his clothes and his
+  body clean should be careful to keep his mouth clean. Let nothing
+  go into it or come out of it that is in any way lowering.</p>
+
+  <p>Did you ever hear a loafer on a corner using profane and
+  obscene language? I'll warrant most of you have, and I'll warrant
+  that you were thoroughly disgusted. You looked on the fellow as
+  low, coarse, cheap, unfit to associate with respectable persons.
+  The next time you use a word that you should be ashamed to have
+  your mother or sister hear just think that you are following the
+  example of that loafer. You are lowering yourself in the eyes of
+  somebody, even though you may not think so at the time. Perhaps
+  one of your companions may be a person who uses such language
+  freely, and yet he has never before heard it from you. He laughs,
+  he calls you a jolly good fellow to your face; but he thinks to
+  himself that you are no better than anybody else, and behind your
+  back he tells somebody what he thinks. He is glad of the
+  opportunity to show that you are no better than he is. Never tell
+  a vulgar story. Better never listen to one, unless your position
+  is such that you cannot escape without making yourself appear a
+  positive cad. If you have to listen to such a story, forget it as
+  soon as possible. Above all things, do not try to remember
+  it.</p>
+
+  <p>Some young men boast of the stories they know. And all their
+  stories are of the "shady" sort. It is better to know no stories
+  than to know that kind. It is better not to be called a good
+  fellow than to win a reputation by always having a new story of
+  the low sort ready on your tongue.</p>
+
+  <p>There are other and better ways of winning a reputation as a
+  good fellow. There are stories which are genuinely humorous and
+  funny which are also clean. No matter how much of a laugh he may
+  raise, any self-respecting person feels that he has lowered
+  himself by telling a vulgar story. It is not so if he has told a
+  clean story. He is satisfied with the laughter he has caused and
+  with himself.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank Merriwell was called a good fellow. It was not often
+  that he told a story, but when he did, it was a good one, and it
+  was clean. He had an inimitable way of telling anything, and his
+  stories were all the more effective because they came at rare
+  intervals. He did not cheapen them by making them common.</p>
+
+  <p>And never had anybody heard him tell a story that could prove
+  offensive to the ears of a lady.</p>
+
+  <p>Not that he had not been tempted to do so. Not that he had not
+  heard such stories. He had been placed in positions where he
+  could not help hearing them without making himself appear like a
+  thorough cad.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank's first attempt to tell a vulgar story had been the
+  lesson that he needed. He was with a rather gay crowd of boys at
+  the time, and several had told "shady" yarns, and then they had
+  called for one from Frank. He started to tell one, working up to
+  the point with all the skill of which he was capable. He had them
+  breathless, ready to shout with laughter when the point was
+  reached. He drew them on and on with all the skill of which he
+  was capable. And then, just as the climax was reached, he
+  suddenly realized just what he was about to say. A thought came
+  to him that made his heart give a great jump.</p>
+
+  <p>"What if my mother were listening?"</p>
+
+  <p>That was the thought. His mother was dead, but her influence
+  was over him. A second thought followed. Many times he had seemed
+  to feel her hovering near. Perhaps she was listening! Perhaps she
+  was hearing all that he was saying!</p>
+
+  <p>Frank Merriwell stopped and stood quite still. At first he was
+  very pale, and then came a rush of blood to his face. He turned
+  crimson with shame and hung his head.</p>
+
+  <p>His companions looked at him in astonishment. They could not
+  understand what had happened. Some of them cried, "Go on! go
+  on!"</p>
+
+  <p>After some seconds he tried to speak. At first he choked and
+  could say nothing articulate. After a little, he muttered:</p>
+
+  <p>"I can't go on&mdash;I can't finish the story! You'll have to
+  excuse me, fellows! I'm not feeling well!"</p>
+
+  <p>And he withdrew from the jolly party as soon as possible.</p>
+
+  <p>From that day Frank Merriwell never attempted to tell a story
+  that was in the slightest degree vulgar. He had learned his
+  lesson, and he never forgot it.</p>
+
+  <p>Some boys swagger, chew tobacco, talk vulgar, and swear
+  because they do not wish to be called "sissies." They fancy such
+  actions and language make them manly, but nothing could be a
+  greater mistake.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank did nothing of the sort, and all who knew him regarded
+  him as thoroughly manly. Better to be called a "sissy" than to
+  win reputed manliness at the cost of self-respect.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank had forced those who would have regarded him with scorn
+  to respect him. He could play baseball or football with the best
+  of them; he could run, jump, swim, ride, and he excelled by sheer
+  determination in almost everything he undertook. He would not be
+  beaten. If defeated once, he did not rest, but prepared himself
+  for another trial and went in to win or die. In this way he
+  showed himself manly, and he commanded the respect of enemies as
+  well as friends.</p>
+
+  <p>Rattleton was ashamed of the language he had used after the
+  departure of Bloodgood, and he did not attempt to excuse himself
+  further. He lay back in his berth, looking sicker than ever.</p>
+
+  <p>"I'd give ten dollars for the privilege of helping Mr.
+  Bloodgood out with my foot!" hissed Jack Diamond. "Never saw
+  anybody so fresh!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, I've seen lots of people just like him," grunted
+  Browning, getting out a pipe and lighting it.</p>
+
+  <p>"Don't smoke, Bruce!" groaned Rattleton, as the steamer gave
+  an unusually heavy roll. "I'm sick enough now. That will make me
+  worse."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, we'll open the port."</p>
+
+  <p>"Open the port!" laughed Frank. "And we just told Bloodgood we
+  did not drink."</p>
+
+  <p>"Port-hole, not port wine," said the big fellow, with a yawn.
+  "We'll let in some fresh air."</p>
+
+  <p>"We can't let in anything fresher than just went out,"
+  declared the Virginian, as he flung open the round window that
+  served to admit light and air.</p>
+
+  <p>"There's something mighty queer about that fellow," said
+  Frank. "Did you notice the diamonds he was wearing, fellows?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes," said Bruce, beginning to puff away at his new
+  briarwood. "Regular eye-hitters they were."</p>
+
+  <p>"Who knows they were genuine?" asked Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"Nobody here," admitted Frank. "It is impossible to
+  distinguish some fake stones from real diamonds, unless you
+  examine them closely. But, somehow, I have a fancy that those
+  were genuine diamonds."</p>
+
+  <p>"What makes you think so?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't know just why I think so, but I do. Something tells
+  me that for all of his swagger Bloodgood is a fellow who would
+  scorn to wear paste diamonds."</p>
+
+  <p>"What do you make out of the fellow, anyway?" asked Bruce.</p>
+
+  <p>"I'm not able to size him up yet," admitted Frank. "I'm not
+  certain whether he came of a good family or a bad one, but I'm
+  inclined to fancy it was the former."</p>
+
+  <p>"I'd like to know why you think so?" from Jack. "He did not
+  show very good breeding."</p>
+
+  <p>"But there is a certain something about his face that makes me
+  believe he comes from a high-grade family. I think he has become
+  lowered by associating with bad companions."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, I don't care who or what he is," declared Jack; "if he
+  gets fresh around me again, I'll crack him one for luck. I can't
+  stand him for a cent!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Better turn him over to me," murmured Bruce, dozily. "I'll
+  sit on him."</p>
+
+  <p>"And he'll think he's under an elephant," laughed Merry.
+  "Bruce cooked M. Montfort, and I reckon he'd have less trouble to
+  cook Mr. Bloodgood."</p>
+
+  <p>At this moment there was a hesitating, uncertain knock on the
+  door.</p>
+
+  <p>"Another visitor, I wonder?" muttered Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH5"><!-- CH5 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+  <h3>THE SUPERSTITIOUS MAN.</h3>
+
+  <p>A little man hesitated outside the door when it was opened. He
+  had a sad, uncertain, mournful drab face, puckered into a
+  peculiar expression about the mouth. He was dressed in black, but
+  his clothes were not a very good fit or in the latest style. He
+  fingered his hat nervously. His voice was faltering when he
+  spoke.</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I beg your pardon, gentlemen. I&mdash;I hope I am
+  not&mdash;intruding?"</p>
+
+  <p>He had not crossed the threshold. He seemed in doubt about the
+  advisability of venturing in.</p>
+
+  <p>There was something amusing in the appearance of the little
+  man. Frank recognized a "character" in him, and Merry was
+  interested immediately. He invited the little man in, and closed
+  the door when that person had entered.</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I know it's rather&mdash;rather&mdash;er&mdash;bold
+  of me," said the stranger, apologetically. "But you know people
+  on shipboard&mdash;er&mdash;take many&mdash;liberties."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, yes, we know it!" muttered Diamond.</p>
+
+  <p>Browning grunted and looked the little man over. He was a
+  curiosity to Bruce.</p>
+
+  <p>"What can we do for you, sir?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>The little man hesitated and looked around. He sidled over and
+  put his hand on the partition.</p>
+
+  <p>"The&mdash;ah&mdash;next room is occupied by
+  the&mdash;er&mdash;the French gentleman, is it not?" he
+  asked.</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I presume&mdash;presume, you know&mdash;that you are
+  able to hear any&mdash;ah&mdash;conversation that may take place
+  in that room, unless&mdash;er&mdash;the conversation
+  is&mdash;guarded."</p>
+
+  <p>"Not unless we take particular pains to listen," said Merry.
+  "Even then, it is doubtful if we can hear anything plainly."</p>
+
+  <p>"And we are not eavesdroppers," cut in Diamond. "We do not
+  take pains to listen."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, no&mdash;er&mdash;no, of course not!" exclaimed the
+  singular stranger. "I&mdash;I didn't insinuate such a thing! Ha!
+  ha! ha! The idea! But you
+  know&mdash;sometimes&mdash;occasionally&mdash;persons hear things
+  when they&mdash;er&mdash;do not try to hear."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, what in the world are you driving at?" asked Frank, not
+  a little puzzled by the man's singular manner.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, you see, it's&mdash;this way: I&mdash;I don't care to
+  be&mdash;overheard. I don't want anybody to&mdash;to think I'm
+  prying into their&mdash;private business. You understand?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I can't say that I do."</p>
+
+  <p>"Perhaps I can make myself&mdash;er&mdash;clearer."</p>
+
+  <p>"Perhaps you can."</p>
+
+  <p>"My name is&mdash;er&mdash;Slush&mdash;Peddington Slush."</p>
+
+  <p>"Holy cats! what a name!" muttered Browning, while Rattleton
+  grinned despite his sickness.</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I'm taking a sea voyage&mdash;for&mdash;for my
+  health," explained Mr. Slush. "That's why I didn't go over on
+  a&mdash;a regular liner. This way I shall be longer at&mdash;at
+  sea. See?"</p>
+
+  <p>"And you are keeping us at sea by your lingering way in coming
+  to a point," smiled Merry.</p>
+
+  <p>"Eh?" said the little man. Then he seemed to comprehend, and
+  he broke into a sudden cackle of laughter, which he shut off with
+  startling suddenness, looking frightened.</p>
+
+  <p>"Beg your pardon!" he exclaimed. "Quite&mdash;ah&mdash;rude of
+  me. I don't do it&mdash;often."</p>
+
+  <p>"You look as if it wouldn't hurt you to do it oftener," said
+  Merry, frankly. "Laughter never hurt anyone."</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I can't quite agree with&mdash;you, sir. I beg your
+  pardon! No offense! I&mdash;I don't wish to be
+  offensive&mdash;you understand. I once knew a man who died
+  from&mdash;er&mdash;laughing. It is a fact, sir. He laughed so
+  long&mdash;and so hard&mdash;-that he&mdash;he lost his
+  breath&mdash;entirely. Never got it back again. Since then I've
+  been very&mdash;cautious. It's a bad sign to laugh&mdash;too
+  hard."</p>
+
+  <p>Merry felt like shouting, but Jack was looking puzzled and
+  dazed. Diamond could not comprehend the little man, and he failed
+  to catch the humor of the character.</p>
+
+  <p>"Now," said Mr. Slush, "I will come directly to
+  the&mdash;point."</p>
+
+  <p>"Do," nodded Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"I just saw a&mdash;er&mdash;person leave this room. I wish to
+  know if&mdash;Good gracious, sir! Do you know that is a bad
+  sign!"</p>
+
+  <p>He pointed a wavering finger at Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"What is a bad sign?" asked Merry, surprised.</p>
+
+  <p>"To wear a&mdash;a dagger pin thrust through a&mdash;a tie in
+  which there is the least bit of&mdash;red. It is a sign
+  of&mdash;of bloodshed. I&mdash;I beg you to remove
+  that&mdash;that pin from that scarf!"</p>
+
+  <p>The little man seemed greatly agitated.</p>
+
+  <p>After a moment of hesitation, Frank laughed lightly and took
+  the pin from the scarf.</p>
+
+  <p>Immediately the visitor seemed to breathe more freely.</p>
+
+  <p>"Ah&mdash;er&mdash;thank you!" he said. "I&mdash;I've seen
+  omens enough. Everything seems to point to&mdash;to
+  a&mdash;tragedy. I regret exceedingly that I ever sailed&mdash;on
+  this steamer. I&mdash;I shall be thankful when I put my feet on
+  dry land&mdash;if I ever do again."</p>
+
+  <p>"You must be rather superstitious," suggested Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Not at all&mdash;that is, not to any extent," Mr. Slush
+  hastened to aver. "There are a few signs&mdash;and
+  omens&mdash;which I know&mdash;will come true."</p>
+
+  <p>"Indeed!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes, sir!" asserted the little man, with surprising
+  positiveness. "I know something will happen&mdash;to this boat.
+  I&mdash;I am positive of it."</p>
+
+  <p>"Why are you so positive?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Everything foretells it. At the very start it
+  was&mdash;foretold. I was foolish then that I did not
+  demand&mdash;demand, sir&mdash;to be set ashore, even after the
+  steamer had left&mdash;her pier."</p>
+
+  <p>"How was that?"</p>
+
+  <p>"There was a cat, sir&mdash;a poor, stray cat&mdash;that came
+  aboard this steamer. They did not let her stay&mdash;understand
+  me? They&mdash;they drove her off!"</p>
+
+  <p>"And that was a bad omen?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Bad! It was&mdash;ah&mdash;er&mdash;frightful! Old sailors
+  will tell you that. Always&mdash;er&mdash;let a cat remain on
+  board a vessel&mdash;if&mdash;she&mdash;comes on board. If
+  you&mdash;if you do not&mdash;you will regret it."</p>
+
+  <p>"And you think something must happen to this steamer?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I'm afraid so&mdash;I feel it. There is&mdash;something
+  mysterious about the vessel, gentlemen. I don't know&mdash;just
+  what it is&mdash;but it's something. The&mdash;the captain looks
+  worried. I&mdash;I've noticed it. I've talked with him. Couldn't
+  get any satisfaction&mdash;out of him. But I&mdash;I know!"</p>
+
+  <p>"I'm afraid you are a croaker," said Diamond, unable to keep
+  still longer.</p>
+
+  <p>"You may think so&mdash;now; but wait and see&mdash;wait. Keep
+  your eyes&mdash;open. I&mdash;I think you will see something. I
+  think you will find there are&mdash;mysterious things going
+  on."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, you have not told us what you want of us, Mr. Slush,"
+  said Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"That's so&mdash;forgot it." Then, of a sudden, to Bruce:
+  "Don't twirl your thumbs&mdash;that way. Do it
+  backward&mdash;backward! It&mdash;it's a sure sign
+  of&mdash;disaster to twirl your thumbs&mdash;forward."</p>
+
+  <p>"All right," grunted the big fellow; "backward it is." And he
+  reversed the motion.</p>
+
+  <p>"Thank you," breathed Mr. Slush, with a show of relief. "Now,
+  I'll tell you&mdash;why I called. I&mdash;er&mdash;saw a young
+  man&mdash;leaving this room&mdash;a few minutes ago."</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes."</p>
+
+  <p>"Mr. Bloodgood."</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes."</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I have taken an interest in&mdash;Mr. Bloodgood.
+  I&mdash;I think he is&mdash;a rather nice young man."</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't admire your taste," came from Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"Eh? I don't know him&mdash;very well. You understand. Met
+  him&mdash;in the smoking-room. Sometimes I&mdash;er&mdash;play
+  cards&mdash;for amusement. Met him that way."</p>
+
+  <p>"Does he play for amusement?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, yes&mdash;ah&mdash;of course. That is&mdash;he&mdash;he
+  likes&mdash;a little stake."</p>
+
+  <p>"I thought so."</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I don't mind that."</p>
+
+  <p>"Great Scott!" thought Merry. "I don't see how he ever gets
+  round to play cards for money. I shouldn't think he'd know what
+  to do. It would take him so long to make up his mind."</p>
+
+  <p>"But I&mdash;I don't care to make a&mdash;a companion of
+  anybody about whom I know&mdash;nothing. That's why I&mdash;came
+  to you. I&mdash;I thought it might be you could give
+  me&mdash;some information&mdash;about Mr. Bloodgood."</p>
+
+  <p>"You've come to the wrong place."</p>
+
+  <p>"Really? Don't you know&mdash;anything about him? You
+  are&mdash;er&mdash;well acquainted with him?"</p>
+
+  <p>"On the contrary, to-day is the first time we have ever spoken
+  to him."</p>
+
+  <p>"Is that so?" said Mr. Slush, in evident disappointment. "You
+  are&mdash;er&mdash;young men about&mdash;about his age,
+  and&mdash;and&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"Not in his class," put in Diamond.</p>
+
+  <p>"No?" said Mr. Slush, looking at Jack queerly. "I didn't
+  know&mdash;I thought&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>There the queer little man stopped, seeming quite unable to
+  proceed. Then, in his hesitating, uncertain way, he tried to make
+  it clear that he did not care to play cards for money with
+  anybody about whom he knew nothing. He was not very effective in
+  his explanation, and seemed himself rather uncertain concerning
+  his real reason for wishing to make inquiries concerning
+  Bloodgood.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank studied Mr. Slush closely, but could not take the
+  measure of the man. Somehow, Merry seemed to feel that there was
+  more to the queer little fellow than appeared on the surface.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, you have come to the wrong parties to get information
+  about Mr. Bloodgood," said Frank. "But, if you are so particular
+  about your company, it might be well to learn something
+  concerning the other members of your party."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh&mdash;er&mdash;I know all about them," asserted Mr.
+  Slush.</p>
+
+  <p>"Indeed?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes. Hugh Hazleton is the younger son of an English nobleman,
+  and he is&mdash;is all&mdash;right."</p>
+
+  <p>"Who told you this?"</p>
+
+  <p>"He did."</p>
+
+  <p>"Then it must be true," grunted Browning, with a grin on his
+  broad face.</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes," nodded the little man, innocently, "that
+  is&mdash;ah&mdash;settled. M. Rouen Montfort is a&mdash;a great
+  French journalist and&mdash;er&mdash;writer of books."</p>
+
+  <p>"Is that so?" smiled Merry. "Queer, I never heard of him. I
+  suppose he told you this?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, yes. He is a very fine&mdash;gentleman. Ah&mdash;did Mr.
+  Bloodgood invite&mdash;er&mdash;any of you to come into
+  the&mdash;ah&mdash;game?"</p>
+
+  <p>Frank fancied he saw a sudden light. Was it possible Mr. Slush
+  was looking for "suckers?"</p>
+
+  <p>Was it possible he had been sent there to inveigle them into
+  the party, so that some sharp might "skin" them? It did not seem
+  improbable.</p>
+
+  <p>Harry seemed to catch onto the same idea, for he popped up in
+  his bunk suddenly, but a sudden roll of the steamer caused him to
+  sink down again with a groan.</p>
+
+  <p>Diamond's eyes began to glitter. He, too, fancied he saw the
+  little game.</p>
+
+  <p>"No," said Merry, slowly, "he did not invite any of us to come
+  in."</p>
+
+  <p>The little man seemed relieved.</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I didn't know," he faltered. "If he
+  had&mdash;I&mdash;I was going to say something. Perhaps it is
+  not&mdash;necessary."</p>
+
+  <p>"Perhaps not," said Frank; "but it may not do any hurt to say
+  it."</p>
+
+  <p>"And it may do some hurt&mdash;to you," muttered Diamond under
+  his breath. "I will kick this fellow!"</p>
+
+  <p>But, to the surprise of all, the superstitious man cackled out
+  a short, broken laugh, and said:</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, I was going to&mdash;to warn you&mdash;that's all.
+  It&mdash;it's liable to be a pretty&mdash;stiff game. I thought
+  it would be a&mdash;good thing for you to&mdash;keep out of it.
+  It started&mdash;light, but it's working&mdash;up&mdash;right
+  along. Almost any time somebody is liable to&mdash;to propose
+  throwing off the&mdash;the limit, and then somebody is going to
+  get&mdash;hurt. If you are&mdash;not in it, why you won't be in
+  any&mdash;danger."</p>
+
+  <p>There was a silence. The four youths looked at the visitor and
+  then at each other.</p>
+
+  <p>What did it mean?</p>
+
+  <p>If he was playing them for "suckers," surely he was doing it
+  in a queer manner.</p>
+
+  <p>"Thank you," said Frank, stiffly. "You are kind!"</p>
+
+  <p>"More than kind!" muttered Diamond.</p>
+
+  <p>"Don't mention it," said the little man, trying to look
+  pleasant, but making a dismal failure. "I&mdash;I dont' like to
+  see respectable young men caught in a&mdash;trap. That's all.
+  Thought I'd tell you. Didn't know that you would&mdash;thank me.
+  Took my chances on that. Well, I think I'll&mdash;be going."</p>
+
+  <p>He turned, falteringly, seemed about to say something more,
+  opened the door part way, hesitated, then said "good-day," and
+  went out.</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH6"><!-- CH6 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+  <h3>THE CARGO OF THE "EAGLE."</h3>
+
+  <p>"Well?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Well!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Well!"</p>
+
+  <p>The same word, but from three different persons, and spoken in
+  three different inflections.</p>
+
+  <p>"Will somebody please hit me with something hard!" murmured
+  Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"What does it mean, Merry?" asked Rattleton.</p>
+
+  <p>"You may search me!" exclaimed Frank, in rather expressive
+  slang, something in which he seldom indulged, unless under great
+  provocation.</p>
+
+  <p>Browning had said nothing. He was pulling steadily at his
+  pipe, quite unaware that it had gone out.</p>
+
+  <p>"What do you make of Mr. Peddington Slush?" asked Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't know what to make of him," confessed Frank. "About
+  the only thing of which I am sure is that he has a corker for a
+  name. That name is enough to make any man look sad and
+  dejected."</p>
+
+  <p>"What did he come here for, anyhow?" asked Rattleton.</p>
+
+  <p>"To find out about Raymond Bloodgood&mdash;he said."</p>
+
+  <p>"I know he said so, but I don't stake any talk&mdash;I mean
+  take any stock in that. What difference does it make to him who
+  Bloodgood is?"</p>
+
+  <p>"That was something he did not make clear."</p>
+
+  <p>"He didn't seem to make anything clear," declared Jack. "I
+  thought for sure that he was going to throw out some hooks to
+  drag us into that game of poker. If he had, I should have known
+  he was sent here, and I'd kicked him out, whether you had been
+  willing or not, Merry!"</p>
+
+  <p>"I'd opened the door and held it wide for you," smiled
+  Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"What do you think of him, Browning?" asked Harry.</p>
+
+  <p>"His way of talking made me very tired," yawned the big
+  fellow. "He seemed to work so hard to get anything out."</p>
+
+  <p>"I'll allow that we have had two rather queer visitors," said
+  the Virginian.</p>
+
+  <p>"And I shall take an interest in them both after this,"
+  declared Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Talk about superstitious persons, I believe he heads the
+  list," from Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"He said he was not superstitious," laughed Merry.</p>
+
+  <p>"But the cat worried him."</p>
+
+  <p>"And my twiddling my thumbs," put in Bruce.</p>
+
+  <p>"And this dagger pin in my scarf," said Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"It's a wonder he didn't prophecy shipwreck, or something of
+  that sort," groaned Rattleton, who had settled at full length in
+  his berth. "If this rolling motion keeps up, I shall get so I
+  won't care if we are wrecked."</p>
+
+  <p>"He must be a dandy in a good swift game of poker!" laughed
+  Frank. "I shouldn't think he'd be able to make up his mind how to
+  discard. He'd be a drawback to the game, or I'm much
+  mistaken."</p>
+
+  <p>"It strikes me that he'd be easy fruit," said Rattleton.</p>
+
+  <p>"He looks like a 'sucker' himself, but sometimes it is
+  impossible to tell about a man till after you see him play.
+  Anyhow, these two visits were something to break the monotony of
+  the voyage. It promised to be pretty lively at the start, but it
+  has settled down to be rather quiet."</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood and Slush proved good food for conversation, but the
+  boys tired of that after a while.</p>
+
+  <p>Diamond went out by himself, and Frank went to Tutor Maybe's
+  room, where he spent the time till the gong sounded for
+  supper.</p>
+
+  <p>"Come, Harry," said Frank, appearing in the stateroom, "aren't
+  you ready for supper?"</p>
+
+  <p>Rattleton gave a groan.</p>
+
+  <p>"Don't talk to me about eating!" he exclaimed. "It makes me
+  sick to think about it. Leave me&mdash;let me die in peace!"</p>
+
+  <p>Jack was not there, so Frank and Bruce washed up and went out
+  together. They were nearly through eating when the Virginian came
+  in and took his place near them at the table.</p>
+
+  <p>Usually the captain sat at the head of that table, but he was
+  not there now.</p>
+
+  <p>"Where have you been?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Getting onto a few things," said Jack, in a peculiar way.</p>
+
+  <p>"Why, what's the matter with you?" asked Bruce, pausing to
+  stare at the Southerner. "You are pale as a ghost!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Am I?" said Diamond, his voice sounding rather strained and
+  unnatural.</p>
+
+  <p>"Sure thing. I wouldn't advise you to eat any more, and
+  perhaps you hadn't better look at the chandeliers while they are
+  swinging. You'll be keeping Rattleton company."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, I'm not sick&mdash;at least, not seasick," averred
+  Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"Then what ails you? I was going to prescribe ginger ale if it
+  was the first stage of seasickness. Sometimes that will brace a
+  person up and straighten out his stomach."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, don't talk remedies to me. I took medicine three days
+  before I started on this voyage, and everybody I saw told me
+  something to do to keep from being sick. I'm wearing a sheet of
+  writing paper across my chest now."</p>
+
+  <p>When supper was over Jack motioned for his friends to follow
+  him. The three went on deck and walked aft till they were quite
+  alone.</p>
+
+  <p>The "Eagle" was plowing along over a deserted sea. The waves
+  were running heavily, and night was shutting down grimly over the
+  ocean.</p>
+
+  <p>"What's the matter with you, Diamond?" asked Browning. "Why
+  have you dragged us out here? It's cold, and I'd rather go into
+  our stateroom and take a loaf after eating so heartily. By Jove!
+  if this keeps up, they won't have provisions enough on this boat
+  to feed me before we get across."</p>
+
+  <p>"I wanted to have a little talk without," said Jack; "and I
+  didn't care about talking in the stateroom, where I might be
+  overheard."</p>
+
+  <p>"What's up, anyway?" demanded Frank, warned by the manner of
+  the Virginian that Jack fancied he had something of importance to
+  tell them.</p>
+
+  <p>"I've been investigating," said Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"What?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, I found out that there is something the matter on this
+  boat."</p>
+
+  <p>"Did you learn what it was?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't know that I have, but I've discovered one thing. I've
+  learned the kind of cargo we carry."</p>
+
+  <p>"What is it?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Petroleum and powder!"</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH7"><!-- CH7 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+  <h3>PREMONITIONS OF PERIL.</h3>
+
+  <p>"Well, that's hot stuff when it's burning," said Merriwell,
+  grimly.</p>
+
+  <p>"Rather!" grunted Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>"If I'd known what the old boat carried, I think I'd hesitated
+  some about shipping on her," declared Jack. "What if she did get
+  on fire?"</p>
+
+  <p>"We'd all go up in smoke," said Merriwell, with absolute
+  coolness. "That is about the size of it."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well," said Jack, "I heard two of the sailors talking in a
+  very mysterious manner. They say the 'Eagle' is hoodooed and the
+  captain knows it. They say he has not slept any to speak of since
+  we left New York."</p>
+
+  <p>"Sailors are always superstitious. They are ignorant, as a
+  rule, and ignorance breeds superstition."</p>
+
+  <p>"Do you consider Mr. Slush ignorant?" asked Bruce.</p>
+
+  <p>"Didn't have time to size him up, but he's queer."</p>
+
+  <p>"I shall feel that I am over a volcano during the rest of the
+  voyage," said Jack. "What if there was somebody on board who
+  wished to destroy the ship?"</p>
+
+  <p>"It wouldn't be much of a job," grunted Browning. "A match
+  touched to a powder keg would do the trick in a hurry."</p>
+
+  <p>"But he'd go up with the rest of us," said Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Unless he used a slow match," put in Jack. "These captains
+  always have their enemies, who are desperate fellows and ready to
+  do almost anything to injure them. The steamer might be set afire
+  by means of a slow match, which would give the villain time
+  enough to get away."</p>
+
+  <p>"I hardly think there's anybody desperate enough to do that
+  kind of a trick, for it would be a case of suicide."</p>
+
+  <p>"Perhaps not. The chap who did the trick might have some plan
+  of escaping. Then I have known men desperate enough to commit
+  suicide if they could destroy an enemy at the same time."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, it's likely all this worry about this vessel and cargo
+  is entirely needless and foolish."</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't believe it," said the Virginian. "I know now that the
+  captain has been worried. I have noticed it in his manner. He is
+  pale and restless."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, it's likely he may be rather anxious, for it's certain
+  he cannot carry any insurance on such a cargo."</p>
+
+  <p>"He was not at the table to-night."</p>
+
+  <p>"No."</p>
+
+  <p>"I'd give something to be on solid ground and away from this
+  powder mill. You know that sometimes there is such a thing as an
+  unaccountable explosion. A heavy sea must cause motion or
+  friction in the cargo, and friction often starts a fire on
+  shipboard. Fire on this vessel means a quick road to glory."</p>
+
+  <p>"Huah!" grunted Bruce. "I'm not in the habit of worrying about
+  things that may happen. It's cold out here. Let's go back to the
+  stateroom."</p>
+
+  <p>"It will be well enough to keep still about the nature of the
+  cargo, Diamond," said Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, I shall keep still about that all right!" assured
+  Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>As they moved back along the deck they discovered somebody who
+  was leaning over the rail and making all sorts of dismal sounds
+  and groans.</p>
+
+  <p>"The next time I go to Europe I'll stay at home!" moaned this
+  individual. "Oh, my! oh, my! How bad I feel! Next that comes will
+  be the shaps of my twos&mdash;I mean the taps of my shoes!"</p>
+
+  <p>"It's Rattles!" laughed Frank, softly; "and he is sicker than
+  ever. He's tried to crawl out to get some air."</p>
+
+  <p>At this moment a man opened the door near Rattleton, and
+  asked:</p>
+
+  <p>"Is the&mdash;ah&mdash;er&mdash;moon up yet?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't know," moaned Harry. "But it is if I swallowed it.
+  Everything else is up, anyhow."</p>
+
+  <p>"If the&mdash;ah&mdash;moon comes up red tonight, it will
+  mean&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't give a rap what it means!" snorted Rattleton. "Don't
+  talk to me! Let me die without torturing me! I'm sick enough
+  without having you make me worse!"</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Slush, for he was the anxious inquirer about the moon,
+  dodged back into the cabin, closing the door hesitatingly.</p>
+
+  <p>Then Rattleton, unaware of the proximity of his amused
+  friends, hung over the rail and groaned again.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank walked up and spoke:</p>
+
+  <p>"I see, my dear boy, that you are heeding the Bible
+  admonition."</p>
+
+  <p>"Hey?" groaned Harry. "What is it?"</p>
+
+  <p>"'Cast thy bread upon the waters!' You are doing it all right,
+  all right."</p>
+
+  <p>"Now, don't carry this thing too far!" Rattleton tried to say
+  in a fierce manner, but his fierceness was laughable. "The worm
+  will turn when trodden upon."</p>
+
+  <p>"But the banana peel knows a trick worth two of that. Did you
+  ever hear that touching little poem about the man who stepped on
+  a banana peel? Never did? Why, that is too bad! You don't know
+  what you've missed. Listen, and you shall hear it."</p>
+
+  <p>Then Frank solemnly declaimed:</p>
+  <pre>
+     "He walked along one summer day,
+       As stately as a prince;
+     He stepped upon a banana peel,
+       And he hasn't 'banana' where since."
+</pre>
+
+  <p>Rattleton gave a still more dismal groan.</p>
+
+  <p>"You are conspiring with the elements to hasten my death!" he
+  said. "I can't stand many more like that."</p>
+
+  <p>"You should wear a sheet of writing paper across your breast,
+  same as I do," said Diamond. "Then you won't be sick."</p>
+
+  <p>"I've got two sheets of writing paper across mine," declared
+  Harry.</p>
+
+  <p>"You should drink a bottle of ginger ale to settle your
+  stomach," put in Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Just drank three bottles of ginger ale, and they've turned my
+  stomach wrong side out," gurgled the sick youth.</p>
+
+  <p>"You should allow yourself perfect relaxation, and not try to
+  fight against it," from Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, I haven't allowed myself anything else but perfect
+  relaxation," came from Harry. "You all make me tired!"</p>
+
+  <p>Then he staggered into the cabin and disappeared on his way
+  back to the stateroom.</p>
+
+  <p>Diamond and Browning followed, but Frank lingered behind.</p>
+
+  <p>Although he had kept the fact concealed, Merry was troubled
+  with a strange foreboding of coming disaster. In every way he
+  tried to overcome anything like superstition, but he remembered
+  that, on many other occasions, he had been warned of coming
+  trouble by just such feelings.</p>
+
+  <p>"I'd like to know just what is going on upon this steamer," he
+  muttered, as he walked forward. "I feel as if something was
+  wrong, and I shall not be satisfied till I investigate."</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH8"><!-- CH8 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+  <h3>IN THE STOKE-HOLE.</h3>
+
+  <p>Frank found the chief engineer taking some air. Merry fell
+  into conversation with the man, who was smoking and seemed quite
+  willing to talk.</p>
+
+  <p>Having a pleasant and agreeable way, Frank easily led the
+  engineer on, and it was not long before the man was quite taken
+  with the chatty passenger.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank was careful not to seem inquisitive or prying, for he
+  knew it would be easy to arouse the engineer's suspicions if
+  there should be anything wrong on the steamer.</p>
+
+  <p>However, Merry was working for a privilege, and he obtained
+  it. When he expressed a desire to go below and have a look at the
+  engines and furnaces, the engineer invited him to come along.</p>
+
+  <p>They passed through a door, and then began a descent by means
+  of iron ladders. The clanking roar of the machinery came up to
+  them. Frank could hear and feel the throbbing heart beats of the
+  great boat.</p>
+
+  <p>The engine room was quickly reached, and there the engineer
+  showed him the massive machinery that moved with the regularity
+  of clockwork and the grace and ease that came from great power
+  and perfect adjustment.</p>
+
+  <p>All this was interesting, but Frank was anxious to go still
+  deeper.</p>
+
+  <p>"Go ahead," said the engineer, showing him the way. "Down that
+  ladder there. You'll be able to see the furnaces and the stokers
+  at work. I don't believe you'll care to go into the
+  stoke-hole."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank descended. Great heat came up to him, accompanied by a
+  glow that shifted and changed, dying down suddenly at one moment
+  and glaring out at the next. He could hear the ring of shovels
+  and the clank of iron doors.</p>
+
+  <p>He reached an iron grating, where a fierce heat rolled up and
+  seemed to scorch him. From that position he could look down into
+  the stoke-hole and see the black, grimy, sweating, half-clad men
+  at work there.</p>
+
+  <p>Above him, at the head of the ladder he had just descended, a
+  pair of shining eyes glared down, but he saw them not. He had not
+  observed a cleaner who was at work on the machinery in the
+  engine-room, and who kept his hat pulled over his eyes till Frank
+  departed.</p>
+
+  <p>The blackened stokers looked like grim demons of the fiery pit
+  as they labored at the coal, which they were shoveling into the
+  mouths of the greedy furnaces.</p>
+
+  <p>The shifting glow was caused by the opening and closing of the
+  furnace doors, which clanged and rang.</p>
+
+  <p>For a moment the pit below would seem shrouded in almost
+  Stygian darkness, save for some bar of light that gleamed out
+  from a crack or draft, and then there would be a rattle of iron
+  and a flare of blood-red light that came with the flinging open
+  of a furnace door.</p>
+
+  <p>In the glare of light the bare-armed, dirt-grimed stokers
+  would shovel, shovel, shovel, till it seemed a wonder that the
+  fire was not completely deadened by so much coal.</p>
+
+  <p>Sometimes the doors of all the furnaces would seem open at
+  once, and the glare and heat that came up from the place was
+  something awful.</p>
+
+  <p>Merry wondered how human beings could live down there in that
+  terrible place.</p>
+
+  <p>Some of the men were raking out ashes and hoisting it by means
+  of a mechanism provided for the purpose.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank pitied the poor creatures who were forced to work down
+  in that place. Yet he remembered it was not so many months since
+  he had applied for the position of wiper in an engine
+  round-house, obtained the job, and worked there with the grimiest
+  and lowest employees of the railroad.</p>
+
+  <p>There was something fascinating in the black pit and the grimy
+  men who labored down there in the glare and heat. Frank was so
+  absorbed that he heard no sound, received no warning of
+  danger.</p>
+
+  <p>Merry leaned out over the edge of the iron grating. Something
+  struck on his back, he was clutched, thrust out, hurled from the
+  grating!</p>
+
+  <p>It was done in a twinkling. He could not defend himself, but
+  he made a clutch to save himself, caught something, swung in,
+  struck against the iron ladder, and went tumbling and sliding
+  downward.</p>
+
+  <p>At the moment when Frank was attacked, a glare of light had
+  filled the pit. One of the stokers had turned his back to the
+  gleaming mouths of the furnaces and looked upward, as if to
+  relieve his aching eyes.</p>
+
+  <p>He saw everything that occurred on the grating. He saw a man
+  slip down the ladder behind Frank and spring on his back. He saw
+  that man hurl Frank from the grating.</p>
+
+  <p>The stoker uttered a shout and ran toward the foot of the
+  ladder, expecting to find Frank laying there, severely injured or
+  killed. He was astounded when he saw the ready-witted youth grasp
+  the grating, swing in, strike the ladder, cling and slide.</p>
+
+  <p>Down Frank came with a rush, but he did not fall. He landed in
+  the stoke-hole without being severely injured. He was on his feet
+  in a twinkling, and up that ladder he went like a cat.</p>
+
+  <p>His assailant had darted up the ladder above and disappeared.
+  Merry reached the grating from which he had been hurled, and then
+  he ran up the other ladder.</p>
+
+  <p>He was soon in the engine-room.</p>
+
+  <p>In that room there was no excitement. The machinery was
+  sliding and swinging in a regular manner, while the engineer sat
+  watching its movements, talking to an assistant. Oilers and
+  cleaners were at work.</p>
+
+  <p>"Where is he?" cried Frank, his voice sounding clear and
+  distinct.</p>
+
+  <p>They looked at him in amazement.</p>
+
+  <p>"What's the matter?" asked the engineer, coming forward.</p>
+
+  <p>"I was attacked from behind and thrown into the stoke-hole,"
+  Merry explained. "The fellow who did it came in here."</p>
+
+  <p>"Thrown into the stoke-hole?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes."</p>
+
+  <p>"From where?"</p>
+
+  <p>"The grating at the foot of the first ladder."</p>
+
+  <p>The engineer looked doubtful.</p>
+
+  <p>"My dear fellow," he said, "you would have been maimed or
+  killed. You do not seem to be harmed."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank realized that the engineer actually doubted his
+  word.</p>
+
+  <p>"He might have fallen," said the assistant; "but it would have
+  broken his neck."</p>
+
+  <p>"I tell you I was attacked from behind and thrown down!"
+  exclaimed Frank. "I managed to get hold of the ladder and slide,
+  so I was not killed."</p>
+
+  <p>The engineer looked annoyed.</p>
+
+  <p>"This is what comes of letting a passenger in here," he said.
+  "It's the last time I'll do it on my own responsibility. Now if
+  you go out and tell you were thrown into the stoke-hole, there'll
+  be any amount of fuss over it."</p>
+
+  <p>"I am telling it right here," said Frank, grimly, "and I want
+  to know who did the trick. Somebody who came from this room must
+  have done it."</p>
+
+  <p>"Impossible!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Then where did he come from?"</p>
+
+  <p>The engineer and his assistant looked at each other, and the
+  former began to swear.</p>
+
+  <p>"What do you think of it, Joe?" he asked.</p>
+
+  <p>"Think you made a mistake, Bill; but his story won't go.
+  Nobody'll take any stock in it."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank was angry. It was something unusual for his word to be
+  doubted, and he felt like expressing his feelings decidedly.</p>
+
+  <p>He was saved the trouble. The grimy stoker who had witnessed
+  the struggle and the fall appeared in the door of the
+  engine-room. He saw Frank and cried:</p>
+
+  <p>"Hello, you! So you're all right? Wonder you wasn't killed.
+  You came down with a rush, young feller, but you went back just
+  as quick."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank understood instantly.</p>
+
+  <p>"Here is a man who saw it!" he cried. "He will tell you that I
+  am not lying."</p>
+
+  <p>The engineer turned to the stoker.</p>
+
+  <p>"How did he happen to fall?" he asked.</p>
+
+  <p>"He didn't fall," declared the begrimed coal heaver.</p>
+
+  <p>"No? What then&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"'Nother chap jumped on his back and flung him down. It's
+  wonderful he wasn't killed."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank was triumphant. He regarded the engineer and his
+  assistant with a grim smile on his face.</p>
+
+  <p>"This is incredible!" exclaimed the engineer. "Who could have
+  done such a thing?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Somebody who came from this room!" rang out Merry's clear
+  voice.</p>
+
+  <p>"This shall be investigated!" declared the engineer. "Look
+  around! See if you can find the man who attacked you. The only
+  ones here are myself, Mr. Gregory, and the wipers."</p>
+
+  <p>"I want a look at those wipers," said Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"You shall have it. Mr. Gregory and I were talking together
+  over here all the time you were gone."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, I do not suspect you," said Merry; "but I want a good
+  look at those wipers."</p>
+
+  <p>"Did you see the man who threw you into the stoke-hole?"</p>
+
+  <p>"No, but&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"Then how will you know who it was if you see him?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Whoever did so had a reason for the act&mdash;a motive. He
+  must have known me before. I may know him."</p>
+
+  <p>"Come," invited the engineer.</p>
+
+  <p>He called one of the wipers down from amid the sliding shafts
+  and moving machinery. The man came unhesitatingly.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank took a square look at this man, who did not seek to
+  avoid inspection.</p>
+
+  <p>"Never saw him before," confessed Merry.</p>
+
+  <p>The wiper was dismissed.</p>
+
+  <p>"Hackett," called the engineer.</p>
+
+  <p>The other wiper did not seem to hear. He pretended to be very
+  busy, and kept at work.</p>
+
+  <p>"Hackett!"</p>
+
+  <p>He could not fail to hear that. He kept his face turned away,
+  but answered:</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+  <p>"Come here. I want you."</p>
+
+  <p>The wiper hesitated. Then he turned and slowly approached. His
+  face was besmeared till scarcely a bit of natural color showed,
+  and his hat was pulled low over his eyes. He shambled forward
+  awkwardly, and stood in an awkward position, with his eyes cast
+  down.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank looked at him closely and started. Then, in a perfectly
+  calm manner, but with a trace of triumph in his voice, he
+  declared:</p>
+
+  <p>"This is the fellow who did the job!"</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH9"><!-- CH9 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+  <h3>IN IRONS.</h3>
+
+  <p>"What?" cried the engineer, in astonishment.</p>
+
+  <p>"How do you know?" asked the engineer's assistant,
+  incredulously.</p>
+
+  <p>"That's it&mdash;how do you know?" demanded the engineer. "You
+  said you did not see the person who attacked you."</p>
+
+  <p>"I did not."</p>
+
+  <p>"Yet you say this is the man."</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes."</p>
+
+  <p>"How do you know?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I know him."</p>
+
+  <p>"You do?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes."</p>
+
+  <p>"You have seen him before?"</p>
+
+  <p>"I should say so, on several occasions. He is one of my
+  bitterest enemies. This is not the first time he has tried to
+  kill or injure me. He has made the attempt many times before. He
+  is the only person here who would do such a thing."</p>
+
+  <p>"If this is true," said the engineer, grimly, "he shall pay
+  dearly for his work!"</p>
+
+  <p>The assistant nodded.</p>
+
+  <p>"What have you to say, Hackett?" demanded the engineer.</p>
+
+  <p>"I say it's a lie!" growled the fellow. "I never saw this chap
+  before he came into the engine-room. He doesn't know me, and I
+  don't know him."</p>
+
+  <p>"You hear what Hackett has to say," said the engineer, turning
+  to Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"I hear what this fellow has to say, but his name is not
+  Hackett."</p>
+
+  <p>"Is not?"</p>
+
+  <p>"No, no more than mine is Hackett."</p>
+
+  <p>"Then what is his name?"</p>
+
+  <p>"His name is Harris!" asserted Merry, "and he is a gambler and
+  a crook. I'll guarantee that he has not been long on the
+  'Eagle.'"</p>
+
+  <p>"No; we took him on in New York scarcely two hours before we
+  sailed. We needed a man, and he applied for any kind of a job.
+  Found he had worked round machinery, and we took him as wiper and
+  general assistant."</p>
+
+  <p>"It was not so many weeks ago that he attacked me at New
+  Haven," said Frank. "He failed to do me harm. When he found I was
+  going abroad he declared he would go along on the same steamer.
+  At the time he must have thought I was going by one of the
+  regular liners; but it is plain he followed me up pretty close
+  and found I was going over this way. As there is no second-class
+  passage on this boat, he decided he could not travel in the same
+  class with me without being discovered, and he resolved to go as
+  one of the crew, if he could get on that way. That's how he
+  happens to be here."</p>
+
+  <p>"If what you say is true, it will go pretty hard with Mr.
+  Harris. We'll have him ironed and&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>A cry of rage broke from the lips of the accused.</p>
+
+  <p>"There is no proof!" he snarled. "No one can swear I attacked
+  this fellow and threw him into the stoke-hole!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, yes!" said the stoker who had come up from below. "I saw
+  the whole business. By the light from the furnaces, I plainly saw
+  the man who did it, and you are the man!"</p>
+
+  <p>"That settles it!" declared the engineer. "You'll make the
+  rest of the voyage in irons, Mr. Harris!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Then I'll give you something to iron me for!" shouted the
+  furious young villain.</p>
+
+  <p>He leaped on Frank Merriwell with the fierceness of a wounded
+  tiger.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank was not expecting the assault, and, for the moment, he
+  was taken off his guard.</p>
+
+  <p>They were close to the moving machinery. Within four feet of
+  them a huge plunging rod was playing up and down, moved by a
+  steel bar that weighed many tons. Harris attempted to fling Frank
+  beneath this bar, where he would be struck and crushed.</p>
+
+  <p>The villain nearly succeeded, so swift and savage was his
+  attack.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank realized that the purpose of the wretch was to fling him
+  into the machinery, and he braced himself to resist as quickly as
+  possible.</p>
+
+  <p>Shouts of consternation broke from the engineer and his
+  assistant. They sprang forward to seize Harris and help
+  Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>But, before they could interfere, Frank broke the hold of his
+  enemy, forced him back and struck him a terrible blow between the
+  eyes felling him instantly.</p>
+
+  <p>Merriwell stood over Harris, his hands clenched his eyes
+  gleaming.</p>
+
+  <p>"Get up!" he cried. "Get up you dog! I can't strike you when
+  you are down, and I'd give a hundred dollars to hit you just once
+  more!"</p>
+
+  <p>But Harris did not get up. He realized that his second attempt
+  had failed, and he stood in awe of Frank's terrible fists. He
+  looked up at those gleaming eyes, and turned away quickly,
+  feeling a sudden great fear.</p>
+
+  <p>Did Frank Merriwell bear a charmed life?</p>
+
+  <p>Surely it seemed that way to Harris just then. For the first
+  time, perhaps, the young rascal began to believe that it was not
+  possible to harm the lad he hated with all the intensity of his
+  nature.</p>
+
+  <p>The engineer and his assistants grabbed Harris and held him,
+  the former swearing savagely. They dragged the fellow to his
+  feet, but warned him to stand still.</p>
+
+  <p>Harris did so. For the moment, at least, he was completely
+  cowed.</p>
+
+  <p>A man was sent for the captain, with instructions to tell him
+  just what occurred. Of course the captain of the steamer was the
+  only person who could order one of the men placed in irons.</p>
+
+  <p>The captain came in in a little while, and he listened in
+  great amazement to the story of what had taken place. His face
+  was hard and grim. He asked Frank a few questions, and then he
+  ordered that Harris be ironed and confined in the hold.</p>
+
+  <p>"Mr. Merriwell," said the captain, "I am very sorry that this
+  happened on my ship."</p>
+
+  <p>"It's all right, captain," said Frank. "You are in no way to
+  blame. The fellow shipped with the intention of doing just what
+  he did, if he found an opportunity."</p>
+
+  <p>"It will go hard-with him," declared the master. "He'll not
+  get out of this without suffering the penalty."</p>
+
+  <p>Harris was sullen and silent. Frank spoke to him before he was
+  led away.</p>
+
+  <p>"Harris," he said, "you have brought destruction on yourself.
+  I can't say that I arm sorry for you, for, by your persistent
+  attacks on me, you have destroyed any sympathy I might have felt.
+  You have ruined your own life."</p>
+
+  <p>"No!" snarled Sport. "You are the one! You ruined me! If I go
+  to prison for this, I'll get free again sometime, and I'll not
+  forget you, Frank Merriwell! All the years I am behind the bars
+  will but add to the debt I owe you. When I come forth to freedom,
+  I'll find you if you are alive, and I'll have your life!"</p>
+
+  <p>Then he was marched away between two stout men, his irons
+  clanking and rattling.</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH10"><!-- CH10 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+  <h3>THE GAME IN THE NEXT ROOM.</h3>
+
+  <p>When Merry appeared in his stateroom he was greeted with a
+  storm of questions.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, what does this mean?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Trying to dodge us?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Running away?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Muts the whatter with you&mdash;I mean what's the
+  matter?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Where have you been?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Stand and give an account of yourself!"</p>
+
+  <p>Then he told them a little story that astounded them beyond
+  measure. He explained how he had taken a fancy to look the
+  steamer over and had fallen in with the engineer. Then he related
+  how he had visited the engine room and been thrown into the
+  stoke-hole.</p>
+
+  <p>But when he told the name of his assailant the climax was
+  capped.</p>
+
+  <p>"Harris?" gasped Rattleton, incredulously.</p>
+
+  <p>"Harris?" palpitated Diamond, astounded.</p>
+
+  <p>"Harris?" roared Browning, aroused from his lazy
+  languidness.</p>
+
+  <p>"On this steamer?" they shouted in unison.</p>
+
+  <p>"On this steamer," nodded Frank, really enjoying the sensation
+  he had created.</p>
+
+  <p>"He&mdash;he attacked you?" gurgled Rattleton, seeming to
+  forget his recent sickness.</p>
+
+  <p>"He did."</p>
+
+  <p>"And you escaped after being thrown into the stoke-hole?"
+  fluttered Diamond.</p>
+
+  <p>"I am here."</p>
+
+  <p>"And you didn't kill the cur on sight?" roared Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>"He is in the hold in irons."</p>
+
+  <p>"Serves him right!" was the verdict of Frank's three
+  friends.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, this is what I call a real sensation!" said the
+  Virginian. "You certainly found something, Frank!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, that fellow has reached the end of his rope at last,"
+  said Harry, with intense satisfaction, once more stretching
+  himself in his bunk.</p>
+
+  <p>"That's pretty sure," nodded Jack. "Attempted murder on the
+  high seas is a pretty serious thing."</p>
+
+  <p>"He'll get pushed for it all right this time," grunted
+  Browning, beginning to recover from his astonishment.</p>
+
+  <p>Then they talked the affair over, and Frank gave them his
+  theory of Sport's presence on the steamer, which seemed
+  plausible.</p>
+
+  <p>"This is something rather more interesting than the
+  superstitious man or the Frenchman," said Diamond.</p>
+
+  <p>"The superstitious man was interesting at first," observed
+  Merry; "but I've a fancy that he might prove a bore."</p>
+
+  <p>Then Bruce grunted:</p>
+  <pre>
+     "Say, does Fact and Reason err,
+     And, if they both err, which the more?
+     The man of the smallest calibre
+     Is sure to be the greatest bore."
+</pre>
+
+  <p>While they were talking, the sound of voices came from the
+  stateroom occupied by the Frenchman. Soon it became evident that
+  quite a little party had gathered in that room.</p>
+
+  <p>The boys paid no attention to the party till it came time to
+  turn in for the night. Then they became aware that something was
+  taking place in the adjoining room, and it was not long before
+  they made out that it was a game of poker.</p>
+
+  <p>As they became quiet, they could hear the murmur of voices,
+  and, occasionally, some person would speak distinctly, "seeing,"
+  "raising" or "calling."</p>
+
+  <p>Diamond began to get nervous.</p>
+
+  <p>"Say," he observed, "that makes me think of old times. Many a
+  night I've spent at that."</p>
+
+  <p>"What's the matter with you?" said Frank. "Do you want to go
+  in there and take a hand?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Well," Jack confessed, "I do feel an itching."</p>
+
+  <p>"I feel like getting some sleep," grunted Bruce, "and they are
+  keeping me awake."</p>
+
+  <p>"Why are they playing in a stateroom, anyhow?" exclaimed
+  Frank. "It's no place for a game of cards at night."</p>
+
+  <p>"That's so," agreed Rattleton, dreamily. "But you are keeping
+  me awake by your chatter a good deal more than they are. Shut up,
+  the whole lot of you!"</p>
+
+  <p>There was silence for a time, and then, with a savage
+  exclamation, Diamond sprang out of his berth and thumped on the
+  partition, crying:</p>
+
+  <p>"Come, gentlemen, it's time to go to bed! You are keeping us
+  awake."</p>
+
+  <p>There was no response.</p>
+
+  <p>Jack went back to bed, but the murmuring continued in the next
+  stateroom, and the rattle of chips could be heard
+  occasionally.</p>
+
+  <p>"What are we going to do about it, Merriwell?" asked Jack,
+  savagely.</p>
+
+  <p>"We can complain."</p>
+
+  <p>But making a complaint was repellent to a college youth, who
+  was inclined to regard as a cheap fellow anybody who would do
+  such a thing, and Diamond did not agree to that.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well," said Frank, "I suppose I can go in there and clean
+  them all out."</p>
+
+  <p>"How?"</p>
+
+  <p>"At their own game," laughed Merry, muffledly.</p>
+
+  <p>"If anybody in this crowd tackles them that way I'll be the
+  one," asserted the Virginian.</p>
+
+  <p>"Then nobody here will tackle them that way," said Frank,
+  remembering how he had once saved Diamond from sharpers in New
+  Haven.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank was a person who believed that knowledge of almost any
+  sort was likely to prove of value to a man at some stage of his
+  career, and he had made a practice of learning everything
+  possible. He had studied up on the tricks of gamblers, so that he
+  knew all about their methods of robbing their victims. Being a
+  first-class amateur magician, his knowledge of card tricks had
+  become of value to him in more than one instance. He felt that he
+  would be able to hold his own against pretty clever card-sharps,
+  but he did not care or propose to have any dealings with such
+  men, unless forced to do so.</p>
+
+  <p>The boys kept still for a while. Their light was extinguished,
+  but, up near the ceiling, a shaft of light came through the
+  partition from the other room.</p>
+
+  <p>Diamond saw it. He jumped up and dragged a trunk into position
+  by that partition. Mounted on the trunk, he applied his eye to
+  the orifice and discovered that he could see into the Frenchman's
+  room very nicely.</p>
+
+  <p>"What can you see?" grunted Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>"I can see everyone in there," answered Jack.</p>
+
+  <p>"Name them."</p>
+
+  <p>"The Frenchman, the Englishman, the superstitious man, and our
+  fresh friend, Bloodgood."</p>
+
+  <p>"Same old crowd," murmured Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes, and a hot old game!" came from the youth on the trunk.
+  "My! my! but they are whooping her up! They've got plenty to
+  drink, and they are playing for big dust."</p>
+
+  <p>"Tell them to saw up till to-morrow," mumbled Bruce.</p>
+
+  <p>Jack did not do so, however. He remained on the trunk,
+  watching the game, seeming greatly interested.</p>
+
+  <p>A big game of poker interested him any time. It was through
+  the influence of Frank that he had been led to renounce the game,
+  but the thirst for its excitements and delights remained with
+  him, for he had come from a family of card-players and
+  sportsmen.</p>
+
+  <p>"Come, come!" laughed Frank, after a while; "I can hear your
+  teeth chattering, old man. Get off that trunk and turn in."</p>
+
+  <p>"Wait!" fluttered Jack&mdash;"wait till I see this hand played
+  out."</p>
+
+  <p>In less than half a minute he cried:</p>
+
+  <p>"It's a skin game! I knew it was!"</p>
+
+  <p>"What's the lay?" asked Merry.</p>
+
+  <p>"That infernal Frenchman is a card-sharp!"</p>
+
+  <p>"I suspected as much."</p>
+
+  <p>"His pal is the Englishman. They are standing in
+  together."</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Sure thing. They are bleeding Bloodgood and Slush. Bloodgood
+  thinks he's pretty sharp, and I have not much sympathy for him;
+  but I am sorry for poor little Slush. He should have paid
+  attention to some of his signs and omens. He knew something
+  disastrous would happen during this voyage, and I rather think it
+  will happen to him."</p>
+
+  <p>Then Diamond thumped the wall again, crying:</p>
+
+  <p>"Stop that business in there! Mr. Slush, you are playing cards
+  with crooks&mdash;you are being robbed! Get out of that game as
+  soon as you can!"</p>
+
+  <p>There was a sudden silence in the adjoining room, and then M.
+  Rouen Montfort was heard to utter an exclamation in French,
+  following which he cried:</p>
+
+  <p>"I see you to-morrow, saire! I make you swallow ze lie!"</p>
+
+  <p>"You may see me any time you like!" Diamond flung back.</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH11"><!-- CH11 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+  <h3>THE HORRORS OF THE HOLD.</h3>
+
+  <p>To the surprise of the four youths, M. Montfort utterly
+  ignored them on the following day, instead of seeking "trouble,"
+  as had been anticipated.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well," said Jack, in disgust, "he has less courage than I
+  thought. He is just a common boasting Frenchman."</p>
+
+  <p>"He is not a common Frenchman." declared Frank. "I believe he
+  is a rascal of more than common calibre."</p>
+
+  <p>"But he lacks nerve, and I have nothing but contempt for him,"
+  said the Virginian. "I didn't know but he would challenge me to a
+  duel."</p>
+
+  <p>"What if he had?"</p>
+
+  <p>"What if he had?" hissed the hot-blooded Southern youth. "I'd
+  fought him at the drop of the hat!"</p>
+
+  <p>"That's all right, but you know most Frenchmen fight well in a
+  duel."</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't know anything of the kind. They are expert fencers,
+  but I notice it is mighty seldom one of them is killed in a duel.
+  They sometimes draw a drop of blood, and then they consider that
+  'honor is satisfied,' and that ends it."</p>
+
+  <p>It was midway in the forenoon that Frank met Mr. Slush on
+  deck. The little man was looking more doleful and dejected than
+  ever, if possible.</p>
+
+  <p>"The&mdash;ah&mdash;the moon showed rather yellow last night,"
+  he said. "That is a&mdash;a sure sign of disaster."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well," said Merry, with a smile, "I think the disaster will
+  befall you, sir, if you do not steer clear of the crowd you were
+  in last night."</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Slush looked surprised.</p>
+
+  <p>"Might I&mdash;ah&mdash;inquire your meaning?" he
+  faltered.</p>
+
+  <p>"I mean that you are playing poker with card-sharps, and they
+  mean to rob you," answered Frank, plainly.</p>
+
+  <p>"I&mdash;I wonder how you&mdash;er&mdash;know so much," said
+  the little man, with something like faint sarcasm, as Frank
+  fancied.</p>
+
+  <p>"It makes little difference how I know it, but I am telling
+  you the truth. I am warning you for your good, sir."</p>
+
+  <p>"Er&mdash;ahem! Thank you&mdash;very much."</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Slush walked away.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, I'm hanged if he doesn't take it coolly enough!"
+  muttered Frank, perplexed.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank felt an interest to know how Sport Harris was getting
+  along. He walked forward and found the captain near the steps
+  that led to the bridge.</p>
+
+  <p>In reply to Merry's inquiry, the captain said:</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, don't worry about him. There are rats down there in the
+  hold, but I guess he'll be able to fight them off. He'll have
+  bread and water the rest of the voyage."</p>
+
+  <p>After that Merry could not help thinking of Harris all alone
+  in the darkness of the hold, with swarms of rats around him,
+  eating dry bread, washed down with water.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank felt that the youthful villain did not deserve any
+  sympathy, but, despite himself, he could not help feeling a pang
+  of pity for him.</p>
+
+  <p>When he expressed himself thus to his friends, however, they
+  scoffed at him.</p>
+
+  <p>"Serves the dog right!" flashed Diamond. "He is getting just
+  what he deserves, and I'm glad of it!"</p>
+
+  <p>"He will get what he deserves when we reach the other side,"
+  grunted Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>"No," said Merry; "he is an American, and he'll have to be
+  taken back to the United States for punishment."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, he'll get it all right."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, I don't care to think that he may be driven mad shut up
+  in the dark hold with the rats."</p>
+
+  <p>This feeling grew on Frank. At last he went to the captain and
+  asked liberty to see Harris.</p>
+
+  <p>The request was granted, and, accompanied by two men, Frank
+  descended into the hold.</p>
+
+  <p>Down there, amid barrels and casks, they came upon Harris.
+  Frank heard the irons rattle, and then a gaunt-looking, wild-eyed
+  creature rose up before them, shown by the yellow light of the
+  lanterns.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank Merriwell had steady nerves, but, despite himself, he
+  started.</p>
+
+  <p>The appearance of the fellow had changed in a most remarkable
+  manner. Harris looked as if he was overcome with terror.</p>
+
+  <p>"There he is," said one of the men, holding up his lantern so
+  the light fell more plainly on the wretched prisoner.</p>
+
+  <p>"Have you come to take me out of here?" cried Harris, in a
+  tone of voice that gave Frank a chill. "For God's sake, take me
+  out of this place! I'll go mad if I stay here much longer! It is
+  full of rats! I could not sleep last night&mdash;I dare not close
+  my eyes for a minute! Please&mdash;please take me out of
+  here!"</p>
+
+  <p>Then he saw and recognized Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"You?" he screamed. "Have you come here to gloat over me,
+  Frank Merriwell?"</p>
+
+  <p>"No," said Frank; "I have come to see if I can do anything for
+  you."</p>
+
+  <p>"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Harris, in a manner that made Frank
+  believe madness could not be far away. "You wouldn't do that! I
+  know why you are here! You have triumphed over me! You wish to
+  see me in all my misery! Well, look at me! Here I have been
+  thrown into this hellish hole, amid rats and vermin, ironed like
+  a nigger! Look till you are satisfied! It will fill your heart
+  with satisfaction! Mock me! Sneer at me! Deride me!"</p>
+
+  <p>"I have no desire to do anything of the sort," declared Frank.
+  "I am sorry for you, Harris."</p>
+
+  <p>"Sorry! Bah! You lie! Why do you tell me that?"</p>
+
+  <p>"It is the truth. You brought this on yourself, and
+  so&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>"Don't tell me that again! You have told it enough! If I'd
+  never seen you, I'd not be here now. You brought it on me, Frank
+  Merriwell. If I die here in this cursed hole, you'll have
+  something pleasant to think about! You can laugh over it!"</p>
+
+  <p>"You shall not die here, Harris, if I can help it. I'll speak
+  to the captain about you."</p>
+
+  <p>The wretch stared at Merry, his eyes looking sunken and
+  glittering. Then, all at once, he crouched down there, his chains
+  clanking, covered his face with his hands and began to cry.</p>
+
+  <p>No matter what Harris had done, Frank was deeply pitiful
+  then.</p>
+
+  <p>"I shall go directly to the captain," he promised, "and I'll
+  ask him to have you taken out of this place. I will urge him to
+  have it done."</p>
+
+  <p>Harris said nothing.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank had seen enough, and he turned away. As they were moving
+  off, Harris began to scream and call to them, begging them not to
+  leave him there in the darkness.</p>
+
+  <p>Those cries cut through and through Frank Merriwell. He knew
+  he was in no way responsible for the fate that had befallen the
+  fellow, and yet he felt that he must do something for Harris.</p>
+
+  <p>He kept his word, going directly to the captain.</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH12"><!-- CH12 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+  <h3>THE FINISH OF A THRILLING GAME.</h3>
+
+  <p>The captain listened to what Frank had to say, but his
+  sternness did not seem to relax in the least, as Merry described
+  the sufferings the prisoner was enduring. But Frank would not be
+  satisfied till the captain had made a promise to visit Harris
+  himself and see that the fellow was taken out and cared for if he
+  needed it.</p>
+
+  <p>Needless to say that the captain forgot to make the visit
+  right away.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank did not tell his friends where he had been and what he
+  had seen. He did not feel like talking about it, and they noticed
+  that he looked strangely grim and thoughtful.</p>
+
+  <p>Tutor Maybe tried to talk to him about studies, but Merry was
+  in no mood for that, as his instructor soon discovered.</p>
+
+  <p>Despite the fact that the sea was running high, Rattleton
+  seemed to have recovered in a great measure from his sickness, so
+  he was able to get on deck with the others. At noon, he even went
+  to the table and ate lightly, drinking ginger ale with his
+  food.</p>
+
+  <p>An hour after dinner Frank found a game of poker going on in
+  the smoking-room. Mr. Slush was in the game. So were the
+  Frenchman, the Englishman, and Bloodgood.</p>
+
+  <p>No money was in sight, but it was plain enough from the manner
+  in which the game was played that the chips each man held had
+  been purchased for genuine money, and the game was one for
+  "blood."</p>
+
+  <p>M. Montfort looked up for a moment as Frank stopped to watch
+  the game. Their eyes met. The Frenchman permitted a sneer to
+  steal across his face, while Frank looked at him steadily till
+  his eyes dropped.</p>
+
+  <p>At a glance, Merry saw that Bloodgood was "shakey." The fellow
+  had been growing worse and worse as the voyage progressed, and
+  now he seemed on the verge of a break-down.</p>
+
+  <p>A few minutes after entering the room Frank heard one of the
+  spectators whisper to another that Bloodgood was "bulling the
+  game," and had lost heavily.</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood was drinking deeply. Mr. Slush seemed to be
+  indulging rather freely. The Frenchman sipped a little wine now
+  and then, and the Englishman drank at regular intervals.</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman was perfectly cool. The Englishman was
+  phlegmatic. Slush hesitated sometimes, but, to the surprise of
+  the boys, seemed rather collected. Bloodgood was hot and
+  excited.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank took a position where he could look on. He watched every
+  move. After a time he discerned that the Englishman and the
+  Frenchman were playing to each other, although the trick was done
+  so skillfully that it did not seem apparent.</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood lost all his chips. The game was held up for a few
+  moments. He stepped into the next room and returned with a fresh
+  supply.</p>
+
+  <p>"This is the bottom," he declared. "You people may have them
+  as soon as you like. To blazes with them! Let's lift the
+  limit."</p>
+
+  <p>"Ah&mdash;er&mdash;let's throw it off&mdash;entirely,"
+  suggested Mr. Slush.</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood glared at the little man in astonishment.</p>
+
+  <p>"What?" he cried. "You propose that? Why, you didn't want to
+  play a bigger game than a quarter limit at the start!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Perhaps you are&mdash;er&mdash;right," admitted Mr. Slush.
+  "I&mdash;er&mdash;don't deny it. But I have grown more&mdash;more
+  interested, you understand. I&mdash;I don't mind playing a good
+  game&mdash;now."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, then, if the other gentlemen say so, by the gods, we'll
+  make it no limit!" Bloodgood almost shouted.</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman bowed suavely, a slight smile curling the ends
+  of his pointed mustache upward.</p>
+
+  <p>"I haf not ze least&mdash;what you call eet?&mdash;ze least
+  objectshong," he purred.</p>
+
+  <p>"I don't mind," said the Englishman.</p>
+
+  <p>Now there was great interest. Somehow, Frank felt that a
+  climax was coming. He watched everything with deep interest.</p>
+
+  <p>Luck continued to run against Bloodgood. To Frank's surprise,
+  it was plain Mr. Slush was winning. This seemed to surprise and
+  puzzle both the Englishman and the Frenchman.</p>
+
+  <p>It was hard work to draw the little man in when Hazleton or
+  Montfort dealt. On his own deal or that of Bloodgood, he seemed
+  ready for anything.</p>
+
+  <p>"By Jove!" whispered Frank, in Diamond's ear. "That man is not
+  such a fool as I thought! I haven't been able to understand him
+  at all, and I don't understand him now."</p>
+
+  <p>At length there came a big jack-pot. It was passed round
+  several times. Then Hazleton opened it on three nines.</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood sat next. He had two pairs, aces up, and he raised
+  instantly.</p>
+
+  <p>Montfort was the next man. He held a pair of deuces, but he
+  saw all that had been bet, and doubled the amount!</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Slush hesitated a little. He seemed ready to lay down, but
+  finally braced up and came in, calling.</p>
+
+  <p>Hazleton did not accept the call. He raised again.</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood looked at his hand and cursed under his breath. It
+  was just good enough to make him feel that he ought to make
+  another raise, but he began to think there were other good hands
+  out, and it was not possible to tell where continued raising
+  would land him, so he "made good."</p>
+
+  <p>With nothing but a pair of deuces in his hand, Montfort
+  "cracked her up" again for a good round sum.</p>
+
+  <p>The hair on the head of Mr. Slush seemed to stand. He
+  swallowed and looked pale. Then he "made good."</p>
+
+  <p>Hazleton had his turn again, and he improved it. For the next
+  few minutes, Montfort and Hazleton had a merry time raising, but
+  neither Slush nor Bloodgood threw up.</p>
+
+  <p>"This is where they are sinking the knife in the suckers!"
+  muttered Jack Diamond.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank Merriwell said not a word. His eyes were watching every
+  move.</p>
+
+  <p>At last the betting stopped, and Slush picked up the pack to
+  give out the cards.</p>
+
+  <p>Hazleton called for two. He received them, and remained
+  imperturbable.</p>
+
+  <p>He had caught nothing with his three nines.</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood had tumbled to the fact that he was "up against"
+  threes, and he had discarded his pair of low cards, holding only
+  the two aces. To these he drew a seven and two more aces!</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood turned pale and then flushed. He held onto himself
+  with all his strength. Here was his chance to get back his
+  losings. Everything was in his favor. He was confident there were
+  some good hands out, and it was very likely some of them might be
+  improved on the draw, but he felt the pot was the same as
+  his.</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman drew two cards.</p>
+
+  <p>Slush took one.</p>
+
+  <p>Then hot work began. Within three minutes Hazleton, with his
+  three nines, had been driven out. Bloodgood, Montfort and Slush
+  remained, raising steadily.</p>
+
+  <p>There was intense excitement in that room. The captain of the
+  steamer had come in, and he was looking on. Some of the
+  spectators were literally shaking with excitement.</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood's chips were used up. He flung money on the
+  table.</p>
+
+  <p>All that he had went into the pot, and still he would not
+  call. He offered his I.O.U.'s, but Mr. Slush declined to
+  agree.</p>
+
+  <p>"Money or its equivalent," said the little man, with such
+  decisiveness that all were astonished.</p>
+
+  <p>"I haven't any money," protested Bloodgood.</p>
+
+  <p>"Then you are out," said Slush.</p>
+
+  <p>"It's robbery!" cried Bloodgood.</p>
+
+  <p>"Why, you can't kick; you haven't even called once."</p>
+
+  <p>"Not even once, saire," purred the Frenchman.</p>
+
+  <p>"By blazes! I have the equivalent!" shouted Bloodgood.</p>
+
+  <p>Into an inner pocket he plunged. He brought out a velvet jewel
+  box. When this was opened, there was a cry of wonder, for a
+  magnificent diamond necklace was revealed.</p>
+
+  <p>"That is worth ten thousand dollars!" declared Bloodgood, "and
+  I'll bet as long as it lasts!"</p>
+
+  <p>Mr. Slush held out his hand.</p>
+
+  <p>"Please let me examine it," he said.</p>
+
+  <p>He took a good look at it.</p>
+
+  <p>"Ees it all right, sair?" asked the Frenchman, eagerly.</p>
+
+  <p>"It is," said Mr. Slush, "and I will take charge of it!"</p>
+
+  <p>He thrust the case into his pocket, rose quickly, stepped past
+  Montfort and clapped a hand on Bloodgood's shoulder.</p>
+
+  <p>"I arrest you, Benton Hammersley, for the Clayton diamond
+  robbery!" he said. "It is useless for you to resist, for you are
+  on shipboard, and you cannot escape."</p>
+
+  <p>Bloodgood uttered a fierce curse.</p>
+
+  <p>"Who in the fiend's name are you?" he snarled, turning
+  pale.</p>
+
+  <p>And "Mr. Slush" answered:</p>
+
+  <p>"Dan Badger, of the New York detective force! Permit me to
+  present you with a pair of handsome bracelets, Mr.
+  Hammersley."</p>
+
+  <p>Click&mdash;the trapped diamond thief was ironed!</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH13"><!-- CH13 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+  <h3>FIRE IN THE HOLD.</h3>
+
+  <p>Everyone except the detective himself seemed astounded. The
+  clever officer, who had played his part so well, was as cool as
+  ice.</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman cried:</p>
+
+  <p>"But zis pot&mdash;eet ees not settailed to whom eet belong
+  yet!"</p>
+
+  <p>The detective stepped back to his chair.</p>
+
+  <p>"The easiest way to settle that is by a show-down," he said.
+  "Under the circumstances, further bettering is out of the
+  question."</p>
+
+  <p>"And I rather think I am in the showdown," choked out the
+  prisoner. "I'll need this money to defend myself when I come to
+  trial."</p>
+
+  <p>"You shall have it," assured Dan Badger&mdash;"if you win
+  it."</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, I think I'll win it," said the ironed man, spreading
+  out his hand. "I have four aces, and you can't beat that."</p>
+
+  <p>"Oh, my dear saire!" cried the Frenchman. "Zat ees pretty
+  gude, but I belief zis ees battaire. How you like zat for a
+  straight flush?"</p>
+
+  <p>He lay his cards on the table, and he had the two, three,
+  four, five and six of hearts.</p>
+
+  <p>There was a shout of astonishment.</p>
+
+  <p>"Ze pot ees mine!" exultantly cried the Frenchman.</p>
+
+  <p>"Stop!" rang out Frank Merriwell's clear voice. "That pot is
+  not yours!"</p>
+
+  <p>Everyone looked at Merry.</p>
+
+  <p>"He is using a table 'hold-out!'" accused Frank, pointing
+  straight at Montfort. "I saw him make the shift. The five cards
+  that really belong in his hands will be found in the hold-out
+  under the table!"</p>
+
+  <p>There was dead silence. The Frenchman turned sallow.</p>
+
+  <p>"It makes no difference," said the quiet voice of the
+  detective, breaking the silence. "I have a higher straight flush
+  of clubs here. Mine runs up to the eight spot, and so I win the
+  pot."</p>
+
+  <p>He showed his cards and raked in the pot.</p>
+
+  <p>With a savage cry, M. Montfort flung his hand aside, leaped to
+  his feet, sprang at Frank, and struck for Merry's face.</p>
+
+  <p>The blow was parried, and he was knocked down instantly.</p>
+
+  <p>A sailor, pale and shaking, came dashing into the room and
+  whispered a word in the captain's ear.</p>
+
+  <p>An oath broke from the captain's lips, and he whirled about
+  and rushed from the room.</p>
+
+  <p>Slowly Montfort picked himself up. There was a livid mark on
+  his cheek. He glared at Frank with deadly hatred.</p>
+
+  <p>"Cursed meddlaire!" he grated. "You shall pay for this."</p>
+
+  <p>There was consternation outside. On the deck was heard the
+  sound of running feet.</p>
+
+  <p>"Something has happened!" said Diamond, hurrying to the door.
+  "I wonder what it is."</p>
+
+  <p>The "Eagle" was plunging along through a heavy sea. On the
+  deck some men were running to and fro. Everyone seemed in the
+  greatest consternation.</p>
+
+  <p>Jack sprang out and stopped a man.</p>
+
+  <p>"What is the matter?" he demanded.</p>
+
+  <p>"The ship is on fire!" was the shaking answer. "There is a
+  fire in the hold!"</p>
+
+  <p>Diamond staggered. He whirled about and sprang into the
+  smoking-room. In a moment he was at Frank's side.</p>
+
+  <p>"Merry," he said, "what I feared has come! The steamer is on
+  fire!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Where?"</p>
+
+  <p>"In the hold."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank remembered the barrels and casks he had seen there.</p>
+
+  <p>"Then we are liable to go scooting skyward in a hurry!" he
+  said. "It can't take the fire long to reach the petroleum and
+  powder!"</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH14"><!-- CH14 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+  <h3>SAVING AN ENEMY.</h3>
+
+  <p>In truth, there was a fire in the "Eagle's" hold. The captain
+  and the crew seemed perfectly panic-stricken. The thought of the
+  explosion that might come any moment seemed to rob them of all
+  reason.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank Merriwell and his friends rushed out of the
+  smoking-room.</p>
+
+  <p>The hold had been opened in an attempt to get water onto the
+  flames. Smoke was rolling up from the opening.</p>
+
+  <p>"Close down the hatch!" shouted somebody. "It is producing a
+  draft, and that helps the fire along!"</p>
+
+  <p>Then faint cries came from the hold&mdash;cries of a human
+  being in danger and distress!</p>
+
+  <p>"It's Harris!" exclaimed Diamond. "He is down there, and his
+  time has come at last!"</p>
+
+  <p>"A rope!" shouted Frank Merriwell, flinging off his coat.</p>
+
+  <p>"What are you going to do?" demanded Bruce Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>"By heavens! I am going down there and try to bring Harris
+  out!"</p>
+
+  <p>"You're a fool!" chattered Harry Rattleton. "Think of the oil
+  and powder down there! The stuff is liable to explode any moment!
+  You shall not go!"</p>
+
+  <p>Frank saw a coil of rope at a distance. He rushed for it,
+  brought it to the hold, let an end drop and dangle into the
+  darkness from whence the smoke rolled up.</p>
+
+  <p>"You are crazy!" roared Bruce Browning, attempting to get hold
+  of Frank. "I refuse to let you go down there!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Don't put your hands on me, Browning!" cried Frank. "If you
+  do, I shall knock you down!"</p>
+
+  <p>They saw that he meant just what he said. He would not be
+  stopped then. Bruce Browning, giant that he was, felt that he
+  would be no match for Frank then.</p>
+
+  <p>The rope was made fast, and down into the smoke and darkness
+  slid Frank, disappearing from view.</p>
+
+  <p>Barely had he done so when some sailors came rushing forward
+  and attempted to close the hatch.</p>
+
+  <p>"Hold on!" thundered Browning. "You can't do that now!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Get out of the way!" commanded one of them, who seemed to be
+  an officer. "We must close this hatch to hold the fire in check
+  long enough for the boats to be lowered."</p>
+
+  <p>"A friend of mine has gone down there. You can't close it till
+  he comes out!"</p>
+
+  <p>"To blazes with your friend!" snarled the man. "What business
+  had he to go down there? If he's gone, he will have to stay
+  there. His life does not count against all the others."</p>
+
+  <p>Then, under his directions the men started to close the
+  hatch.</p>
+
+  <p>Browning sailed into them. He was aroused to his full extent
+  by the thought of what would happen if the hatch was closed and
+  Frank was shut down there with the fire and smoke. He knocked
+  them aside, he hurled them away as if they were children. They
+  could not stand before him for an instant.</p>
+
+  <p>There was a cry from below.</p>
+
+  <p>"Pull away, up there!"</p>
+
+  <p>It was Frank's voice.</p>
+
+  <p>Willing hands seized the rope. There was a heavy weight at the
+  end of it. They dragged the weight up, with the smoke rolling
+  into their faces in a cloud that grew denser and denser.</p>
+
+  <p>And up through the smoke came Sport Harris, irons and all,
+  with the ends of the rope tied about his waist!</p>
+
+  <p>Frank had found Harris, and here the fellow was.</p>
+
+  <p>They untied the rope from Sport's waist in a hurry. Then they
+  lowered it again.</p>
+
+  <p>"Pull away!"</p>
+
+  <p>Frank Merriwell was dragged up through the smoke.</p>
+
+  <p>"Now," said Browning, "down goes the hatch!"</p>
+
+  <p>And it was slammed into place in a hurry, holding the smoke
+  back.</p>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p><a name="CH15"><!-- CH15 --></a>
+
+  <h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+  <h3>THE SEA GIVES UP.</h3>
+
+  <p>The pumps were going, in an attempt to flood the hold, but the
+  men did not attempt to fight the fire in anything like a
+  reasonable manner.</p>
+
+  <p>The knowledge of the cargo down there in the hold turned them
+  to cowards and unreasoning beings. They were expecting to be
+  blown skyward at any moment.</p>
+
+  <p>Of a sudden the engines stopped and the "Eagle" began to lose
+  headway. Men were making preparations to lower the boats.</p>
+
+  <p>"Well, I'll be hanged if they are not going to abandon the
+  ship!" exclaimed Frank. "The case must be pretty bad. I wonder
+  how the fire started,"</p>
+
+  <p>"I set it!"</p>
+
+  <p>At his feet was Harris, whom he had just rescued from the hell
+  below, and the fellow had declared that he set the fire!</p>
+
+  <p>"You?"</p>
+
+  <p>"Yes," said the wretch. "I was crazy. I found a match in my
+  pocket, and I thought I was willing to roast if I could destroy
+  you, so I set the fire. Pretty soon I realized what I had done,
+  but then I found it too late when I tried to beat it out. The old
+  steamer will go into the air in a few minutes, and we'll all go
+  with it, unless we can get off in the boats right away."</p>
+
+  <p>"It would have served you right had I left you to your fate!"
+  grated Frank, as he turned away.</p>
+
+  <p>He ran down to his stateroom to gather up some of the few
+  little valuables he hoped to save. He was not gone long, but when
+  he returned, he found two boats had been launched and were
+  pulling away, the persons in them being in great haste to get as
+  far from the steamer as they could before the explosion.</p>
+
+  <p>Three or four women were in the first boat.</p>
+
+  <p>It was rather difficult to lower the boats in the heavy sea
+  that was running, but the men were working swiftly, pushed by the
+  terror of the coming disaster.</p>
+
+  <p>A little smoke curled up from the battened-down hatches.</p>
+
+  <p>As Frank reached the deck, he nearly ran against M. Rouen
+  Montfort, who was carrying a pair of swords in scabbards, which
+  seemed to be treasures he wished to save.</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman stopped and glared at Merry.</p>
+
+  <p>"Cursed Yankee!" he grated. "I would like to put one of zese
+  gude blades t'rough your heart!"</p>
+
+  <p>"Haven't a doubt of it," said Merriwell, coolly. "That's about
+  the kind of a man I took you to be."</p>
+
+  <p>Another boat got away, and the last boat was swung from the
+  davits.</p>
+
+  <p>A sailor counted the men who remained and spoke to the
+  captain. The latter said:</p>
+
+  <p>"At best, the boat will not hold them all. There is one too
+  many, at least. Let the fellow in irons stay behind."</p>
+
+  <p>Harris heard this, and fancied his doom was sealed. He began
+  to beg to be taken along, but one of the men gave him a kick.</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman turned on Frank.</p>
+
+  <p>"Do you hear?" he cried. "One cannot go. Do you make eet ze
+  poor deval in ze iron? or do you dare fight me to see wheech one
+  of us eet ees? Eef you make eet ze poor devval, eet show you are
+  ze cowarde. Ha! I theenk you do not dare to fight!"</p>
+
+  <p>He spat toward Merry to express his contempt.</p>
+
+  <p>"Let me fight him!" panted Diamond at Frank's elbow.</p>
+
+  <p>"See that Harris is put into the boat!" ordered Merriwell. "I
+  fancy I can take care of this Frenchman. If you do not get Harris
+  into the boat I swear I will not enter it if I conquer
+  Montfort!"</p>
+
+  <p>Then he whirled on the Frenchman.</p>
+
+  <p>"I accept your challenge!" he cried in clear tones.</p>
+
+  <p>Montfort uttered an exclamation of satisfaction. He flung off
+  his coat, saying:</p>
+
+  <p>"Choose ze weapon, saire."</p>
+
+  <p>Frank did not pause to look them over in making a selection.
+  He caught up one of them and drew it from the scabbard.</p>
+
+  <p>Montfort took the other.</p>
+
+  <p>"Ready?" cried the American youth.</p>
+
+  <p>"Ready!" answered the Frenchman.</p>
+
+  <p>Clash!&mdash;the swords came together and there on the deck of
+  the burning steamer the strange duel began.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank fought with all the coolness and skill he could command.
+  He fought as if he had been standing on solid ground instead of
+  the deck of a ship that might be blown into a thousand fragments
+  at any moment.</p>
+
+  <p>The Frenchman had fancied that the Yankee would prove easy to
+  conquer, but he soon discovered Frank possessed no little skill,
+  and he saw that he must do his best.</p>
+
+  <p>More than once Montfort thrust to run Frank through the body,
+  and once his sword passed between the youth's left arm and his
+  side.</p>
+
+  <p>Merry saw that the Frenchman really meant to kill him if
+  possible.</p>
+
+  <p>Then men were getting into the boat. There were but few
+  seconds left in which to finish the duel. Rattleton called to him
+  from the, boat, shouting above the roar of the wind:</p>
+
+  <p>"Finish him, Frank! Come on, now! Lively!"</p>
+
+  <p>The tip of Montfort's sword slit Frank's sleeve and touched
+  his arm.</p>
+
+  <p>"Next time I get you!" hissed the vindictive Frenchman.</p>
+
+  <p>But right then Frank saw his opportunity. He made a lunge and
+  drove his sword into the Frenchman's side.</p>
+
+  <p>Montfort uttered a cry, dropped his sword, flung up his hands,
+  and sunk bleeding to the deck.</p>
+
+  <p>Merry flung his blood-stained weapon aside and bent over the
+  man, saying sincerely:</p>
+
+  <p>"I hope your wound is not fatal, M. Montfort."</p>
+
+  <p>"It makes no difference!" gasped the man. "You are ze victor,
+  so I must stay here an' die jus' ze same."</p>
+
+  <p>But Frank Merriwell was seized by a feeling of horror at the
+  thought of leaving this man whom he had wounded. In a moment he
+  realized he would be haunted all his life by the memory if he did
+  so.</p>
+
+  <p>Quickly he caught M. Montfort up in his arms. He sprang to the
+  side of the steamer. The boat was holding in for him. His friends
+  shouted to him. The captain ordered him to jump at once.</p>
+
+  <p>"Catch this man!"</p>
+
+  <p>He lifted M. Montfort, swung him over the rail, and dropped
+  him fairly into the boat!</p>
+
+  <p>"He has chosen," said the captain. "The boat will hold no
+  more. Pull away!"</p>
+
+  <p>It was useless for Frank's friends to beg and plead. Away went
+  the boat, leaving the noble youth to his doom.</p>
+
+  <p>Forty minutes later there was a terrible flare of fire and
+  smoke, a thunderous explosion, and the ill-fated steamer had
+  blown up.</p>
+
+  <p>Harry Rattleton was crying like a baby.</p>
+
+  <p>"Poor Frank!" he sobbed. "Noblest fellow in all the
+  world&mdash;good-by! I'll never see you again!"</p>
+
+  <p>Tears rolled down Bruce Browning's face, and Jack Diamond,
+  grim and speechless, looked as if the light of the world had gone
+  out forever.</p>
+  <hr>
+
+  <p>Some days later the passengers and crew from the lost "Eagle"
+  were landed at Liverpool by the steamer "Seneca," which had
+  picked them up at sea. The "Seneca" was a slow old craft, but she
+  got there all right.</p>
+
+  <p>A little grimy tender carried Bruce, Jack, Harry and the tutor
+  from the "Seneca" to the floating dock. It was a sad and
+  wretched-looking party.</p>
+
+  <p>On the dock stood a young man who shouted to them and waved
+  his hand.</p>
+
+  <p>Jack Diamond started, gasped, clutched Browning and
+  whispered:</p>
+
+  <p>"Look&mdash;look there, Bruce! Tell me if I am going crazy, or
+  do you see somebody who looks like&mdash;"</p>
+
+  <p>Harry Rattleton clutched the big fellow by the other side,
+  spluttering:</p>
+
+  <p>"Am I doing gaffy&mdash;I mean going daffy? Look there! Who is
+  that waving his hand to us?"</p>
+
+  <p>"It's the ghost of Frank Merriwell, as true as there are such
+  things as ghosts!" muttered Browning.</p>
+
+  <p>But it was no ghost. It was Frank Merriwell in the flesh,
+  alive and well! He greeted them as they came off the tender. He
+  caught them in his arms, laughing, shouting, overjoyed. And they,
+  realizing it really was him, hugged him and wept like a lot of
+  big-hearted, manly young men.</p>
+
+  <p>Frank explained in a few words. He told how, after they had
+  left him, he had belted himself well with life-preservers and
+  left the "Eagle" in time to get away before the explosion. Then
+  he was picked up by an Atlantic liner, which brought him to
+  Liverpool in advance of his friends.</p>
+
+  <p>Thus he was there to receive them, and it seemed that the sea
+  had given up its dead.</p>
+  <hr>
+
+  <center>
+    [THE END.]
+  </center>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+  <hr>
+
+  <center>
+    The next number (159) of the TIP TOP WEEKLY will contain "Frank
+    Merriwell's Backer; or, Among London Sports," by Burt L.
+    Standish.
+  </center>
+
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+  <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Frank Merriwell's Nobility
+by Burt L. Standish (AKA Gilbert Patten)
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S NOBILITY ***
+
+***** This file should be named 10904-h.htm or 10904-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/9/0/10904/
+
+Produced by David Garcia, David Starner, Brett Koonce and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's
+eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII,
+compressed (zipped), HTML and others.
+
+Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over
+the old filename and etext number.  The replaced older file is renamed.
+VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving
+new filenames and etext numbers.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000,
+are filed in directories based on their release date.  If you want to
+download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular
+search system you may utilize the following addresses and just
+download by the etext year.
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/etext06
+
+    (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99,
+     98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90)
+
+EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are
+filed in a different way.  The year of a release date is no longer part
+of the directory path.  The path is based on the etext number (which is
+identical to the filename).  The path to the file is made up of single
+digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename.  For
+example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234
+
+or filename 24689 would be found at:
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689
+
+An alternative method of locating eBooks:
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/old/10904-h/10904-title.jpg b/old/10904-h/10904-title.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..abaf5e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/10904-h/10904-title.jpg
diff --git a/old/10904.txt b/old/10904.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bf7a48b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/10904.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3382 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Frank Merriwell's Nobility
+by Burt L. Standish (AKA Gilbert Patten)
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Frank Merriwell's Nobility
+       The Tragedy of the Ocean Tramp
+
+Author: Burt L. Standish (AKA Gilbert Patten)
+
+Release Date: February 1, 2004 [EBook #10904]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S NOBILITY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Starner, Brett Koonce and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+
+
+TIP TOP WEEKLY
+
+"An ideal publication for the American Youth"
+
+
+FRANK MERRIWELL'S NOBILITY
+
+OR
+
+THE TRAGEDY OF THE OCEAN TRAMP
+
+By BURT L. STANDISH.
+
+
+NEW YORK, April 22, 1899.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+OFF FOR EUROPE.
+
+
+"Off------"
+
+"At last!"
+
+"Hurrah!"
+
+The tramp steamer "Eagle" swung out from the pier and was fairly started
+en her journey from New York to Liverpool.
+
+On the deck of the steamer stood a group of five persons, three of whom
+had given utterance to the exclamations recorded above.
+
+On the pier swarmed a group of Yale students, waving hands, hats,
+handkerchiefs, bidding farewell to their five friends and acquaintances
+on the steamer. Over the water came the familiar Yale cheer. From the
+steamer it was answered.
+
+In the midst of the group on deck was Frank Merriwell. Those around him
+were Bruce Browning, Jack Diamond, Harry Rattleton and Tutor Wellington
+Maybe.
+
+It was Frank's scheme to spend the summer months abroad, while studying
+in the attempt to catch up with his class and pass examinations on
+re-entering college in the fall. And he had brought along his three
+friends, Browning, Diamond and Rattleton. They were on their way to
+England.
+
+Frank was happy. Fortune had dealt him a heavy blow when he was
+compelled by poverty to leave dear old Yale, but he had faced the world
+bravely, and he had struggled like a man. Hard work, long hours and poor
+pay had not daunted him.
+
+At the very start he had shown that he possessed something more than
+ordinary ability, and while working on the railroad he had forced his
+way upward step by step till it seemed that he was in a fair way to
+reach the top of the ladder.
+
+Then came disaster again. He had lost his position on the railroad, and
+once more he was forced to face the world and begin over.
+
+Some lads would have been discouraged. Frank Merriwell was not. He set
+his teeth firmly and struck out once more. He kept his mouth shut and
+his eyes open. The first honorable thing that came to his hand to do he
+did. Thus it happened that he found himself on the stage.
+
+Frank's success as an actor had been phenomenal. Of course, to begin
+with, he had natural ability, but that was not the only thing that won
+success for him. He had courage, push, determination,
+stick-to-it-iveness. When he started to do a thing he kept
+at it till he did it.
+
+Frank united observation and study. He learned everything he could about
+the stage and about acting by talking with the members of the company
+and by watching to see how things were done.
+
+He had a good head and plenty of sense. He knew better than to copy
+after the ordinary actors in the road company to which he belonged. He
+had seen good acting enough to be able to distinguish between the good
+and bad. Thus it came about that the bad models about him did not exert
+a pernicious influence upon him.
+
+Frank believed there were books that would aid him. He found them. He
+found one on "Acting and Actors," and from it he learned that no actor
+ever becomes really and truly great that does not have a clear and
+distinct enunciation and a correct pronunciation. That is the beginning.
+Then comes the study of the meaning of the words to be spoken and the
+effect produced by the manner in which they are spoken.
+
+He studied all this, and he went further. He read up on "Traditions of
+the Stage," and he came to know all about its limitations and its
+opportunities.
+
+From this it was a natural step to the study of the construction of
+plays. He found books of criticism on plays and playwriting, and he
+mastered them. He found books that told how to construct plays, and he
+mastered them.
+
+Frank Merriwell was a person with a vivid imagination and great
+mechanical and constructive ability. Had this not been so, he might have
+studied forever and still never been able to write a successful play. In
+him there was something study could not give, but study and effort
+brought it out. He wrote a play.
+
+"John Smith of Montana" was a success. Frank played the leading part,
+and he made a hit.
+
+Then fate rose up and again dealt him a body blow. A scene in the play
+was almost exactly like a scene in another play, written previously. The
+author and owner of the other play called on the law to "protect" him.
+An injunction was served on Merry to restrain him from playing "John
+Smith." He stood face to face with a lawsuit.
+
+Frank investigated, and his investigation convinced him that it was
+almost certain he would be defeated if the case was carried into the
+courts.
+
+He withdrew "John Smith."
+
+Frank had confidence in himself. He had written a play that was
+successful, and he believed he could write another. Already he had one
+skeletonized. The frame work was constructed, the plot was elaborated,
+the characters were ready for his use.
+
+He wrote a play of something with which he was thoroughly
+familiar---college life. The author or play-maker of ability who writes
+of that with which he is familiar stands a good chance of making a
+success. Young and inexperienced writers love to write of those things
+with which they are unfamiliar, and they wonder why it is that they
+fail.
+
+They go too far away from home for their subject.
+
+At first Frank's play was not a success. The moment he discovered this
+he set himself down to find out why it was not a success. He did not
+look at it as the author, but as a critical manager to whom it had been
+offered might have done.
+
+He found the weak spots. One was its name. People in general did not
+understand the title, "For Old Eli." There was nothing "catchy" or
+drawing about it.
+
+He gave it another name. He called it, "True Blue: A Drama of College
+Life."
+
+The name proved effective.
+
+He rewrote much of the play. He strengthened the climax of the third
+act, and introduced a mechanical effect that was very ingenious. And
+when the piece next went on the road it met with wonderful success
+everywhere.
+
+Thus Frank snatched success from defeat.
+
+It is a strange thing that when a person fights against fate and
+conquers, when fortune begins to smile, when the tide fairly turns his
+way, then everything seems to come to him. The things which seemed so
+far away and so impossible of attainment suddenly appear within easy
+reach or come tumbling into his lap of their own accord.
+
+It was much this way with Frank. He had dreamed of going back to college
+some time, but that time had seemed far, far away. Success brought it
+nearer.
+
+But then it came tumbling into his lap. No one had been found to claim
+the fortune he discovered in the Utah Desert. Investigation had shown
+that there were no living relatives of the man who had guarded the
+treasure till his death. That treasure had been turned over to Frank.
+
+Frank had brought his play to New Haven, and his old college friends had
+given him a rousing welcome. And now he had made plans to return to
+college in the fall, while his play was to be carried on the road by a
+well-known and experienced theatrical manager.
+
+The friends who had been with Frank when he discovered the treasure,
+with the exception of Toots, the colored boy, had refused to accept
+shares of the fortune. Then Merry had insisted on taking them abroad
+with him, and here they were on the steamer "Eagle," bound for
+Liverpool.
+
+Toots, dressed like a "swell," was on the pier. He shouted with the
+others, waving his silk hat.
+
+The crowd was cheering now:
+
+     "Beka Co ax Co ax Co ax!
+     Breka Co ax Co ax Co ax!
+       O-----up! O-----up!
+         Parabolou!
+       Yale! Yale! Yale!
+       'Rah! 'rah! 'rah!
+         Yale!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+SURPRISING THE FRENCHMAN.
+
+
+"Bah! Ze American boy, he make me--what you call eet?--vera tired!"
+
+Frank turned quickly and saw the speaker standing near the rail not far
+away. He was a man between thirty-five and forty years of age, dressed
+in a traveling suit, and having a pointed black beard. He was smoking.
+
+An instant feeling of aversion swept over Merry. He saw the person was a
+supercilious Frenchman, critical, sneering, insolent, a man intolerant
+with everything not of France and the French.
+
+This man was speaking to another person, who seemed to be a servant or
+valet, and who was very polite and fawning in all his retorts.
+
+"Ah! look at ze collectshung on ze pier," continued the sneering
+speaker. "Someone say zey belong to ze great American college. Zey act
+like zey belong to ze--ze--what you call eet?--ze menageray. Zey yell,
+shout, jump--act like ze lunatic."
+
+"It is possible, monsieur," said Frank, with a grim smile, "that they
+are copying their manners after Frenchmen at a Dreyfus demonstration."
+
+The foreigner turned haughtily and stared at Frank. Then he shrugged his
+shoulders, turned away and observed to his companion:
+
+"Jes' like all ze Americans--ah!--what eez ze word?--fresh."
+
+The other man bowed and rubbed his hands together.
+
+"Haw!" grunted Browning, lazily. "How do you like that, Frank?"
+
+"Oh, I don't mind it," murmured Merry. "I consider the source from which
+it came, and regard it as of no consequence."
+
+Diamond was glaring at the Frenchman, for it made his hot Southern blood
+boil to hear a foreigner criticize anything American. Like all youthful
+Americans, his great admiration and love for his own country made him
+intolerant of criticism.
+
+Frank had a cooler head, and he was not so easily ruffled.
+
+Rattleton was unable to express his feelings.
+
+Tutor Maybe looked somewhat perturbed, for he was an exceedingly mild
+and peaceable man, and the slightest suggestion of trouble was enough to
+agitate him.
+
+But the Frenchman did not deign to look toward Frank again, and it
+seemed that all danger of trouble was past.
+
+The "Eagle" sailed slowly down the harbor, signaling now and then to
+other boats.
+
+Frank, Jack, Bruce and Harry formed a fine quartette, and they sang:
+
+     "Soon we'll be in London town;
+       Sing, my lads, yo! heave, my lads, ho!
+     And see the queen, with her golden crown;
+       Heave, my lads, yo-ho!"
+
+The Frenchman made an impatient gesture, and showed annoyance, which
+caused Frank to laugh.
+
+Behind them Brooklyn Bridge spanned the river, looking slender and
+graceful, like a thing hung in the air by delicate threads.
+
+Close at hand were Governor's Island and the Statue of Liberty. The
+Frenchman was pointing it out.
+
+"Ze greatest work of art in all America,"' he declared,
+enthusiastically; "an' France give zat to America. Ze Americans nevare
+think to put eet zere themselves. France do more for America zan any
+ozare nation, but ze Americans forget. Zey forget Lafayette. Zey forget
+France make it possibul for zem to conquaire Engalande an' get ze
+freedom zey ware aftaire. An' now zey--zey--what you call eet?--toady to
+Engalande. Zey pretende to love ze Engaleesh. Bah! Uncale Sam an' John
+Bull both need to have some of ze conaceit taken out away from zem."
+
+"It would take more than France, Spain, Italy and all the rest of the
+dago nations to do the job!" spluttered Harry Rattleton, who could not
+keep still longer.
+
+"Maurel," said the Frenchman, speaking to his companion, "t'row ze
+insolent dog ovareboard!"
+
+"Oui, monsieur!"
+
+Quick as thought the man sprang toward Harry, as if determined to
+execute the command of his master.
+
+He did not put his hands on Rattleton, for Frank was equally swift in
+his movements, and blocked the fellows' way, coolly saying:
+
+"I wouldn't try it if I were you."
+
+"Out of ze way!" snarled the man, who was an athlete in build. "If you
+don't, I put you ovare, too!"
+
+"I don't think you will."
+
+"Put him ovare, Maurel," ordered the Frenchman, with deadly coolness.
+
+The athletic servant clutched Frank, but, with a twist and a turn, Merry
+broke the hold instantly, kicked the fellow's feet from beneath him, and
+dropped him heavily to the deck.
+
+Bruce Browning stooped and picked the man up as if he were an infant.
+Every year seemed to add something to the big collegian's wonderful
+strength, and now the astounded Frenchman found himself unable to
+wiggle.
+
+Browning held the man over the rail turning to Frank to ask:
+
+"Shall I give him a bath, Merriwell?"
+
+"I think you hadn't better," laughed Frank. "Perhaps he can't swim,
+and--"
+
+"He can swim or sink," drawled Bruce. "It won't make any difference if
+he sinks. Only another insolent Frenchman out of the way."
+
+The master was astounded. Up to that moment he had regarded the young
+Americans as scarcely more than boys and he had fancied his athletic
+servant could easily frighten them. Instead of that, something quite
+unexpected by him had happened.
+
+The astounded servant showed signs of terror, but in vain he struggled.
+He was helpless in the clutch of the giant collegian.
+
+The master seemed about to interfere, but Frank Merriwell confronted him
+in a manner that spoke as plainly as words.
+
+"Out of ze way!" snarled the man.
+
+"Speaking to me?" inquired Merry, lifting his eyebrows.
+
+"Oui! oui!"
+
+"I am sorry, but I can't accommodate you till my friend gets through
+with your servant, who was extremely fresh, like most Frenchmen."
+
+"Zis to me!"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Sare, I am M. Rouen Montfort, an' I--"
+
+"It makes no difference to me if you are the high mogul of France. You
+are on the deck of an English vessel, and you are dealing with
+Americans."
+
+The Frenchman flung his cigar aside and seemed to feel for a weapon.
+
+Frank stood there quietly, his eyes watching every movement.
+
+"If you have what you are seeking about your person," he said, with
+perfect calmness, "I advise you not to draw it. If you do, as sure as
+you are sailing down New York harbor, I'll fling you over the rail,
+weapon and all!"
+
+That was business, and it was not boasting. Frank actually meant to
+throw the man into the water if he drew a weapon.
+
+M. Rouen Montfort paused and stared at Frank Merriwell, beginning to
+understand that he was not dealing with an ordinary youth.
+
+"Fool!" he panted. "You geeve me ze eensult I will haf your life!"
+
+"You have already insulted me, my friends and everything American. It's
+your turn to take a little of the medicine."
+
+"Eef we were een France--"
+
+"Which we are not. We are still in America, the land of the free. But I
+don't care to have a quarrel with you. Bruce put the fellow down. If he
+minds his business in the future, don't throw him overboard."
+
+"All right," grunted the big fellow; "but I was just going to drop him
+in the wet."
+
+He put the man down, and the fellow seemed undecided what to do.
+
+Harry Rattleton laughed.
+
+"Now wake a talk--no, I mean take a walk," he cried. "It will be a good
+thing for your health."
+
+"Come, Maurel," said the master, with an attempt at dignity; "come away
+from ze fellows!"
+
+Maurel was glad enough to do so. He had thought to frighten the youths
+without the least trouble, but had been handled with such ease that even
+after it was all over he wondered how it could have happened.
+
+M. Montfort walked away with great dignity, and Maurel followed, talking
+savagely and swiftly in French.
+
+"Well, it wasn't very hard to settle them," grinned Browning.
+
+"But we have not settled them," declared Frank. "There will be further
+trouble with M. Rouen Montfort and his man Maurel."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A FRESH YOUNG MAN.
+
+
+Frank and his three friends bad a stateroom together. The tutor was
+given a room with other parties.
+
+The weather for the first two days was fine, and the young collegians
+enjoyed every minute, not one of them having a touch of sea-sickness
+till the third day.
+
+Then Rattleton was seized, and he lay in his bunk, groaning and dismal,
+even though he tried to be cheerful at times.
+
+Browning enjoyed everything, even Rattleton's misery, for he could be
+lazy to his heart's content.
+
+They had enlivened the times by singing songs, those of a nautical
+flavor, such as "Larboard Watch" and "A Life on the Ocean Wave," having
+the preference.
+
+Now it happened that the Frenchman occupied a room adjoining, and he was
+very much annoyed by their singing. He pounded on the partition, and
+expressed his feelings in very lurid language, but that amused them, and
+they sang the louder.
+
+"M. Montfort seems to get very agitated," said Frank, laughing.
+
+"But I hardly think there is any danger that he will do more than hammer
+on the partition," grunted Bruce. "He's kept away from us since he found
+he could not frighten anybody."
+
+"He's a bluffer," was Diamond's opinion.
+
+"He's a great fellow to play cards," said Merry. "But he seems to ply
+for something more than amusement."
+
+"How's that?" asked Jack, interested.
+
+"I've noticed that he never cares for whist or any game where there are
+no stakes. He gets into a game only when there's something to be won."
+
+"Well, it seems to me that he's struck a poor crowd on this boat if he's
+looking for suckers. He should have shipped on an ocean liner. What does
+he play?"
+
+"He seems to have taken a great fancy to draw poker. 'Pocaire' is what
+he calls it. He pretended at first that he didn't know much of anything
+about the game, but, if I am not mistaken, he's an old stager at it. I
+watched the party playing in the smoking-room last night."
+
+"Who played?" asked Bruce.
+
+"The Frenchman, a rather sporty young fellow named Bloodgood, a small,
+bespectacled man, well fitted with the name of Slush, and an Englishman
+by the name of Hazleton."
+
+"That's the crowd that played in the Frenchman's stateroom to-day,"
+groaned Rattleton from his berth.
+
+"Played in the stateroom?" exclaimed Frank. "I wonder why they didn't
+play in the smoking-room?"
+
+"Don't know," said Harry; "but I fancy there was a rather big game on,
+and you know the Frenchman has the biggest stateroom on the boat, so
+there was plenty of room for them. They could play there without
+interruption."
+
+"There seems to be something mysterious about that Frenchman," said
+Frank.
+
+"I think there's something mysterious about several passengers on this
+boat," grunted Browning. "I haven't seen much of this young fellow
+Bloodgood, but he strikes me as a mystery."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Well he seems to have money to burn, and I don't understand why such a
+fellow did not take passage on a regular liner."
+
+"As far as that goes," smiled Merry, "I presume some people might think
+it rather singular that we did not cross the pond in a regular liner;
+but then they might suppose it was a case of economy with us."
+
+While they were talking there came a rap on their door which Frank threw
+open.
+
+Just outside stood a young man with a flushed face and distressed
+appearance. He was dressed in a plaid suit, and wore a red four-in-hand
+necktie, in which blazed a huge diamond. There were two large solitaire
+rings on his left hand, and he wore a heavy gold chain strung across his
+vest.
+
+"Beg your pardon, dear boys," he drawled. "Hope I'm not intruding."
+
+Then he walked in and closed the door.
+
+"My name's Bloodgood," he said--"Raymond Bloodgood. I've seen you
+fellows together, and you seem like a jolly lot. Heard you singing, you
+know. Great voices--good singing."
+
+Then he stopped speaking, and they stared at him, wondering what he was
+driving at. For a moment there was an awkward pause, and then Bloodgood
+went on:
+
+"I was up pretty late last night, you know. Had a little game in the
+smoking-room. Plenty of booze, and all that, and I'm awfully rocky
+to-day. Got a splitting headache. Didn't know but some of you had a
+bromo seltzer, or something of the sort. You look like a crowd that
+finds such things handy occasionally."
+
+At this Frank laughed quietly, but Diamond looked angry and indignant.
+
+"What do you take us for?" exclaimed the Virginian, warmly. "Do you
+think we are a lot of boozers?"
+
+Bloodgood turned on Jack, lifting his eyebrows.
+
+"My dear fellow--" he began.
+
+But Frank put in:
+
+"We have no use for bromo seltzer, as none of us are drinkers."
+
+"Oh, of course not," said the intruder, with something like a sneer.
+"None of us are drinkers, but then we're all liable to get a little too
+much sometimes, especially when we sit up late and play poker."
+
+Frank saw that Diamond had taken an instant dislike to the youth with
+the diamonds and the red necktie, and he felt like averting a storm,
+even though he did not fancy the manner of the intruder.
+
+"We do not sit up late and play poker," he said.
+
+"Eh? Oh, come off! You're a jolly lot of fellows, and you must have a
+fling sometimes."
+
+"We can be jolly without drinking or gambling."
+
+"Why, I'm hanged if you don't talk as if you considered it a crime to
+take a drink or have a little social game!"
+
+Frank felt his blood warm up a bit, but he held himself in hand, as he
+quietly retorted:
+
+"Intemperance is a crime. I presume there are men who take a drink, as
+you call it, without being intemperate; but I prefer to let the stuff
+alone entirely, and then there is no danger of going over the limit."
+
+"And I took you for a sport! That shows how a fellow can be fooled. But
+you do play poker occasionally. I know that."
+
+"How do you know it, Mr. Bloodgood?"
+
+"By your language. You just spoke of going over the limit. That is a
+poker term."
+
+"And one used by many people who never played a game of cards in their
+lives."
+
+"But you have played cards? You have played poker? Can you deny it?"
+
+"If I could, I wouldn't take the trouble, Mr. Bloodgood. I think you
+have made a mistake in sizing up this crowd."
+
+"Guess I have," sneered the fellow. "You must be members of the
+Y.M.C.A."
+
+"Say, Frank!" panted Jack; "open the door and let me----"
+
+But Frank checked the hot-headed youth again.
+
+"Steady, Jack! It is not necessary. He will go directly. Mr. Bloodgood,
+you speak as if it were a disgrace to belong to the Y.M.C.A. That shows
+your ignorance and narrowness. The Y.M.C.A. is a splendid organization,
+and it has proved the anchor that has kept many a young man from dashing
+onto the rocks of destruction. Those who sneer at it should be ashamed
+of themselves, but, as a rule, they are too bigoted, prejudiced, or
+narrow-minded to recognize the fact that some of the most manly young
+men to be found belong to the Y.M.C.A."
+
+Bloodgood laughed.
+
+"And I took you for a sport!" he cried. "By Jove! Never made such a
+blunder before in all my life! Studying for the ministry, I'll wager!
+Ha! ha! ha!"
+
+Frank saw that Diamond could not be held in check much longer.
+
+"One last word to you, Mr. Bloodgood," he spoke. "I am not studying for
+the ministry, and I do not even belong to the Y.M.C.A. If I were doing
+the one or belonged to the other, I should not be ashamed of it. I don't
+like you. I can stand a little freshness; in fact, it rather pleases me;
+but you are altogether too fresh. You are offensive."
+
+Merry flung open the door.
+
+"Good-day, sir."
+
+Bloodgood stepped out, turned round, laughed, and then walked away.
+
+"Hang it, Merriwell!" grated Diamond, as Frank closed the door; "why
+didn't you let me kick him out onto his neck!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+WHO IS BLOODGOOD?
+
+
+Diamond was thoroughly angry. So was Rattleton. In his excitement, Harry
+said something that caused Frank to turn quickly, and observe:
+
+"Don't use that kind of language, old man, no matter what the
+provocation. Vulgarity is even lower than profanity."
+
+Harry's face flushed, and he looked intensely ashamed of himself.
+
+"I peg your bardon--I mean I beg your pardon!" he spluttered. "It
+slipped out. You know I don't say anything like that often."
+
+"I know it," nodded Frank, "and that's why it sounded all the worse. I
+don't know that I ever heard you use such a word before."
+
+Harry did not resent Frank's reproof, for he knew Frank was right, and
+he was ashamed.
+
+Every young man who stoops to vulgarity should be ashamed. Profanity is
+coarse and degrading; vulgarity is positively low and filthy. The youth
+who is careful to keep his clothes and his body clean should be careful
+to keep his mouth clean. Let nothing go into it or come out of it that
+is in any way lowering.
+
+Did you ever hear a loafer on a corner using profane and obscene
+language? I'll warrant most of you have, and I'll warrant that you were
+thoroughly disgusted. You looked on the fellow as low, coarse, cheap,
+unfit to associate with respectable persons. The next time you use a
+word that you should be ashamed to have your mother or sister hear just
+think that you are following the example of that loafer. You are
+lowering yourself in the eyes of somebody, even though you may not think
+so at the time. Perhaps one of your companions may be a person who uses
+such language freely, and yet he has never before heard it from you. He
+laughs, he calls you a jolly good fellow to your face; but he thinks to
+himself that you are no better than anybody else, and behind your back
+he tells somebody what he thinks. He is glad of the opportunity to show
+that you are no better than he is. Never tell a vulgar story. Better
+never listen to one, unless your position is such that you cannot escape
+without making yourself appear a positive cad. If you have to listen to
+such a story, forget it as soon as possible. Above all things, do not
+try to remember it.
+
+Some young men boast of the stories they know. And all their stories are
+of the "shady" sort. It is better to know no stories than to know that
+kind. It is better not to be called a good fellow than to win a
+reputation by always having a new story of the low sort ready on your
+tongue.
+
+There are other and better ways of winning a reputation as a good
+fellow. There are stories which are genuinely humorous and funny which
+are also clean. No matter how much of a laugh he may raise, any
+self-respecting person feels that he has lowered himself by telling a
+vulgar story. It is not so if he has told a clean story. He is
+satisfied with the laughter he has caused and with himself.
+
+Frank Merriwell was called a good fellow. It was not often that he told
+a story, but when he did, it was a good one, and it was clean. He had an
+inimitable way of telling anything, and his stories were all the more
+effective because they came at rare intervals. He did not cheapen them
+by making them common.
+
+And never had anybody heard him tell a story that could prove offensive
+to the ears of a lady.
+
+Not that he had not been tempted to do so. Not that he had not heard
+such stories. He had been placed in positions where he could not help
+hearing them without making himself appear like a thorough cad.
+
+Frank's first attempt to tell a vulgar story had been the lesson that he
+needed. He was with a rather gay crowd of boys at the time, and several
+had told "shady" yarns, and then they had called for one from Frank. He
+started to tell one, working up to the point with all the skill of which
+he was capable. He had them breathless, ready to shout with laughter
+when the point was reached. He drew them on and on with all the skill of
+which he was capable. And then, just as the climax was reached, he
+suddenly realized just what he was about to say. A thought came to him
+that made his heart give a great jump.
+
+"What if my mother were listening?"
+
+That was the thought. His mother was dead, but her influence was over
+him. A second thought followed. Many times he had seemed to feel her
+hovering near. Perhaps she was listening! Perhaps she was hearing all
+that he was saying!
+
+Frank Merriwell stopped and stood quite still. At first he was very
+pale, and then came a rush of blood to his face. He turned crimson with
+shame and hung his head.
+
+His companions looked at him in astonishment. They could not understand
+what had happened. Some of them cried, "Go on! go on!"
+
+After some seconds he tried to speak. At first he choked and could say
+nothing articulate. After a little, he muttered:
+
+"I can't go on--I can't finish the story! You'll have to excuse me,
+fellows! I'm not feeling well!"
+
+And he withdrew from the jolly party as soon as possible.
+
+From that day Frank Merriwell never attempted to tell a story that was
+in the slightest degree vulgar. He had learned his lesson, and he never
+forgot it.
+
+Some boys swagger, chew tobacco, talk vulgar, and swear because they do
+not wish to be called "sissies." They fancy such actions and language
+make them manly, but nothing could be a greater mistake.
+
+Frank did nothing of the sort, and all who knew him regarded him as
+thoroughly manly. Better to be called a "sissy" than to win reputed
+manliness at the cost of self-respect.
+
+Frank had forced those who would have regarded him with scorn to respect
+him. He could play baseball or football with the best of them; he could
+run, jump, swim, ride, and he excelled by sheer determination in almost
+everything he undertook. He would not be beaten. If defeated once, he
+did not rest, but prepared himself for another trial and went in to win
+or die. In this way he showed himself manly, and he commanded the
+respect of enemies as well as friends.
+
+Rattleton was ashamed of the language he had used after the departure of
+Bloodgood, and he did not attempt to excuse himself further. He lay back
+in his berth, looking sicker than ever.
+
+"I'd give ten dollars for the privilege of helping Mr. Bloodgood out
+with my foot!" hissed Jack Diamond. "Never saw anybody so fresh!"
+
+"Oh, I've seen lots of people just like him," grunted Browning, getting
+out a pipe and lighting it.
+
+"Don't smoke, Bruce!" groaned Rattleton, as the steamer gave an
+unusually heavy roll. "I'm sick enough now. That will make me worse."
+
+"Oh, we'll open the port."
+
+"Open the port!" laughed Frank. "And we just told Bloodgood we did not
+drink."
+
+"Port-hole, not port wine," said the big fellow, with a yawn. "We'll let
+in some fresh air."
+
+"We can't let in anything fresher than just went out," declared the
+Virginian, as he flung open the round window that served to admit light
+and air.
+
+"There's something mighty queer about that fellow," said Frank. "Did you
+notice the diamonds he was wearing, fellows?"
+
+"Yes," said Bruce, beginning to puff away at his new briarwood. "Regular
+eye-hitters they were."
+
+"Who knows they were genuine?" asked Jack.
+
+"Nobody here," admitted Frank. "It is impossible to distinguish some
+fake stones from real diamonds, unless you examine them closely. But,
+somehow, I have a fancy that those were genuine diamonds."
+
+"What makes you think so?"
+
+"I don't know just why I think so, but I do. Something tells me that for
+all of his swagger Bloodgood is a fellow who would scorn to wear paste
+diamonds."
+
+"What do you make out of the fellow, anyway?" asked Bruce.
+
+"I'm not able to size him up yet," admitted Frank. "I'm not certain
+whether he came of a good family or a bad one, but I'm inclined to fancy
+it was the former."
+
+"I'd like to know why you think so?" from Jack. "He did not show very
+good breeding."
+
+"But there is a certain something about his face that makes me believe
+he comes from a high-grade family. I think he has become lowered by
+associating with bad companions."
+
+"Well, I don't care who or what he is," declared Jack; "if he gets fresh
+around me again, I'll crack him one for luck. I can't stand him for a
+cent!"
+
+"Better turn him over to me," murmured Bruce, dozily. "I'll sit on him."
+
+"And he'll think he's under an elephant," laughed Merry. "Bruce cooked
+M. Montfort, and I reckon he'd have less trouble to cook Mr. Bloodgood."
+
+At this moment there was a hesitating, uncertain knock on the door.
+
+"Another visitor, I wonder?" muttered Frank.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE SUPERSTITIOUS MAN.
+
+
+A little man hesitated outside the door when it was opened. He had a
+sad, uncertain, mournful drab face, puckered into a peculiar expression
+about the mouth. He was dressed in black, but his clothes were not a
+very good fit or in the latest style. He fingered his hat nervously. His
+voice was faltering when he spoke.
+
+"I--I beg your pardon, gentlemen. I--I hope I am not--intruding?"
+
+He had not crossed the threshold. He seemed in doubt about the
+advisability of venturing in.
+
+There was something amusing in the appearance of the little man. Frank
+recognized a "character" in him, and Merry was interested immediately.
+He invited the little man in, and closed the door when that person had
+entered.
+
+"I--I know it's rather--rather--er--bold of me," said the stranger,
+apologetically. "But you know people on shipboard--er--take
+many--liberties."
+
+"Oh, yes, we know it!" muttered Diamond.
+
+Browning grunted and looked the little man over. He was a curiosity to
+Bruce.
+
+"What can we do for you, sir?" asked Frank.
+
+The little man hesitated and looked around. He sidled over and put his
+hand on the partition.
+
+"The--ah--next room is occupied by the--er--the French gentleman, is it
+not?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I--I presume--presume, you know--that you are able to hear
+any--ah--conversation that may take place in that room, unless--er--the
+conversation is--guarded."
+
+"Not unless we take particular pains to listen," said Merry. "Even then,
+it is doubtful if we can hear anything plainly."
+
+"And we are not eavesdroppers," cut in Diamond. "We do not take pains to
+listen."
+
+"Oh, no--er--no, of course not!" exclaimed the singular stranger. "I--I
+didn't insinuate such a thing! Ha! ha! ha! The idea! But you
+know--sometimes--occasionally--persons hear things when they--er--do not
+try to hear."
+
+"Well, what in the world are you driving at?" asked Frank, not a little
+puzzled by the man's singular manner.
+
+"Well, you see, it's--this way: I--I don't care to be--overheard. I
+don't want anybody to--to think I'm prying into their--private business.
+You understand?"
+
+"I can't say that I do."
+
+"Perhaps I can make myself--er--clearer."
+
+"Perhaps you can."
+
+"My name is--er--Slush--Peddington Slush."
+
+"Holy cats! what a name!" muttered Browning, while Rattleton grinned
+despite his sickness.
+
+"I--I'm taking a sea voyage--for--for my health," explained Mr. Slush.
+"That's why I didn't go over on a--a regular liner. This way I shall be
+longer at--at sea. See?"
+
+"And you are keeping us at sea by your lingering way in coming to a
+point," smiled Merry.
+
+"Eh?" said the little man. Then he seemed to comprehend, and he broke
+into a sudden cackle of laughter, which he shut off with startling
+suddenness, looking frightened.
+
+"Beg your pardon!" he exclaimed. "Quite--ah--rude of me. I don't do
+it--often."
+
+"You look as if it wouldn't hurt you to do it oftener," said Merry,
+frankly. "Laughter never hurt anyone."
+
+"I--I can't quite agree with--you, sir. I beg your pardon! No offense!
+I--I don't wish to be offensive--you understand. I once knew a man who
+died from--er--laughing. It is a fact, sir. He laughed so long--and so
+hard---that he--he lost his breath--entirely. Never got it back again.
+Since then I've been very--cautious. It's a bad sign to laugh--too
+hard."
+
+Merry felt like shouting, but Jack was looking puzzled and dazed.
+Diamond could not comprehend the little man, and he failed to catch the
+humor of the character.
+
+"Now," said Mr. Slush, "I will come directly to the--point."
+
+"Do," nodded Frank.
+
+"I just saw a--er--person leave this room. I wish to know if--Good
+gracious, sir! Do you know that is a bad sign!"
+
+He pointed a wavering finger at Frank.
+
+"What is a bad sign?" asked Merry, surprised.
+
+"To wear a--a dagger pin thrust through a--a tie in which there is the
+least bit of--red. It is a sign of--of bloodshed. I--I beg you to remove
+that--that pin from that scarf!"
+
+The little man seemed greatly agitated.
+
+After a moment of hesitation, Frank laughed lightly and took the pin
+from the scarf.
+
+Immediately the visitor seemed to breathe more freely.
+
+"Ah--er--thank you!" he said. "I--I've seen omens enough. Everything
+seems to point to--to a--tragedy. I regret exceedingly that I ever
+sailed--on this steamer. I--I shall be thankful when I put my feet on
+dry land--if I ever do again."
+
+"You must be rather superstitious," suggested Frank.
+
+"Not at all--that is, not to any extent," Mr. Slush hastened to aver.
+"There are a few signs--and omens--which I know--will come true."
+
+"Indeed!"
+
+"Yes, sir!" asserted the little man, with surprising positiveness. "I
+know something will happen--to this boat. I--I am positive of it."
+
+"Why are you so positive?"
+
+"Everything foretells it. At the very start it was--foretold. I was
+foolish then that I did not demand--demand, sir--to be set ashore, even
+after the steamer had left--her pier."
+
+"How was that?"
+
+"There was a cat, sir--a poor, stray cat--that came aboard this steamer.
+They did not let her stay--understand me? They--they drove her off!"
+
+"And that was a bad omen?"
+
+"Bad! It was--ah--er--frightful! Old sailors will tell you that.
+Always--er--let a cat remain on board a vessel--if--she--comes on board.
+If you--if you do not--you will regret it."
+
+"And you think something must happen to this steamer?"
+
+"I'm afraid so--I feel it. There is--something mysterious about the
+vessel, gentlemen. I don't know--just what it is--but it's something.
+The--the captain looks worried. I--I've noticed it. I've talked with
+him. Couldn't get any satisfaction--out of him. But I--I know!"
+
+"I'm afraid you are a croaker," said Diamond, unable to keep still
+longer.
+
+"You may think so--now; but wait and see--wait. Keep your eyes--open.
+I--I think you will see something. I think you will find there
+are--mysterious things going on."
+
+"Well, you have not told us what you want of us, Mr. Slush," said Frank.
+
+"That's so--forgot it." Then, of a sudden, to Bruce: "Don't twirl your
+thumbs--that way. Do it backward--backward! It--it's a sure sign
+of--disaster to twirl your thumbs--forward."
+
+"All right," grunted the big fellow; "backward it is." And he reversed
+the motion.
+
+"Thank you," breathed Mr. Slush, with a show of relief. "Now, I'll tell
+you--why I called. I--er--saw a young man--leaving this room--a few
+minutes ago."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Mr. Bloodgood."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I--I have taken an interest in--Mr. Bloodgood. I--I think he is--a
+rather nice young man."
+
+"I don't admire your taste," came from Jack.
+
+"Eh? I don't know him--very well. You understand. Met him--in the
+smoking-room. Sometimes I--er--play cards--for amusement. Met him that
+way."
+
+"Does he play for amusement?" asked Frank.
+
+"Oh, yes--ah--of course. That is--he--he likes--a little stake."
+
+"I thought so."
+
+"I--I don't mind that."
+
+"Great Scott!" thought Merry. "I don't see how he ever gets round to
+play cards for money. I shouldn't think he'd know what to do. It would
+take him so long to make up his mind."
+
+"But I--I don't care to make a--a companion of anybody about whom I
+know--nothing. That's why I--came to you. I--I thought it might be you
+could give me--some information--about Mr. Bloodgood."
+
+"You've come to the wrong place."
+
+"Really? Don't you know--anything about him? You are--er--well
+acquainted with him?"
+
+"On the contrary, to-day is the first time we have ever spoken to him."
+
+"Is that so?" said Mr. Slush, in evident disappointment. "You
+are--er--young men about--about his age, and--and--"
+
+"Not in his class," put in Diamond.
+
+"No?" said Mr. Slush, looking at Jack queerly. "I didn't know--I
+thought--"
+
+There the queer little man stopped, seeming quite unable to proceed.
+Then, in his hesitating, uncertain way, he tried to make it clear that
+he did not care to play cards for money with anybody about whom he knew
+nothing. He was not very effective in his explanation, and seemed
+himself rather uncertain concerning his real reason for wishing to make
+inquiries concerning Bloodgood.
+
+Frank studied Mr. Slush closely, but could not take the measure of the
+man. Somehow, Merry seemed to feel that there was more to the queer
+little fellow than appeared on the surface.
+
+"Well, you have come to the wrong parties to get information about Mr.
+Bloodgood," said Frank. "But, if you are so particular about your
+company, it might be well to learn something concerning the other
+members of your party."
+
+"Oh--er--I know all about them," asserted Mr. Slush.
+
+"Indeed?"
+
+"Yes. Hugh Hazleton is the younger son of an English nobleman, and he
+is--is all--right."
+
+"Who told you this?"
+
+"He did."
+
+"Then it must be true," grunted Browning, with a grin on his broad face.
+
+"Yes," nodded the little man, innocently, "that is--ah--settled. M.
+Rouen Montfort is a--a great French journalist and--er--writer of
+books."
+
+"Is that so?" smiled Merry. "Queer, I never heard of him. I suppose he
+told you this?"
+
+"Oh, yes. He is a very fine--gentleman. Ah--did Mr. Bloodgood
+invite--er--any of you to come into the--ah--game?"
+
+Frank fancied he saw a sudden light. Was it possible Mr. Slush was
+looking for "suckers?"
+
+Was it possible he had been sent there to inveigle them into the party,
+so that some sharp might "skin" them? It did not seem improbable.
+
+Harry seemed to catch onto the same idea, for he popped up in his bunk
+suddenly, but a sudden roll of the steamer caused him to sink down again
+with a groan.
+
+Diamond's eyes began to glitter. He, too, fancied he saw the little
+game.
+
+"No," said Merry, slowly, "he did not invite any of us to come in."
+
+The little man seemed relieved.
+
+"I--I didn't know," he faltered. "If he had--I--I was going to say
+something. Perhaps it is not--necessary."
+
+"Perhaps not," said Frank; "but it may not do any hurt to say it."
+
+"And it may do some hurt--to you," muttered Diamond under his breath. "I
+will kick this fellow!"
+
+But, to the surprise of all, the superstitious man cackled out a short,
+broken laugh, and said:
+
+"Oh, I was going to--to warn you--that's all. It--it's liable to be a
+pretty--stiff game. I thought it would be a--good thing for you to--keep
+out of it. It started--light, but it's working--up--right along. Almost
+any time somebody is liable to--to propose throwing off the--the limit,
+and then somebody is going to get--hurt. If you are--not in it, why you
+won't be in any--danger."
+
+There was a silence. The four youths looked at the visitor and then at
+each other.
+
+What did it mean?
+
+If he was playing them for "suckers," surely he was doing it in a queer
+manner.
+
+"Thank you," said Frank, stiffly. "You are kind!"
+
+"More than kind!" muttered Diamond.
+
+"Don't mention it," said the little man, trying to look pleasant, but
+making a dismal failure. "I--I dont' like to see respectable young men
+caught in a--trap. That's all. Thought I'd tell you. Didn't know that
+you would--thank me. Took my chances on that. Well, I think I'll--be
+going."
+
+He turned, falteringly, seemed about to say something more, opened the
+door part way, hesitated, then said "good-day," and went out.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE CARGO OF THE "EAGLE."
+
+
+"Well?"
+
+"Well!"
+
+"Well!"
+
+The same word, but from three different persons, and spoken in three
+different inflections.
+
+"Will somebody please hit me with something hard!" murmured Jack.
+
+"What does it mean, Merry?" asked Rattleton.
+
+"You may search me!" exclaimed Frank, in rather expressive slang,
+something in which he seldom indulged, unless under great provocation.
+
+Browning had said nothing. He was pulling steadily at his pipe, quite
+unaware that it had gone out.
+
+"What do you make of Mr. Peddington Slush?" asked Jack.
+
+"I don't know what to make of him," confessed Frank. "About the only
+thing of which I am sure is that he has a corker for a name. That name
+is enough to make any man look sad and dejected."
+
+"What did he come here for, anyhow?" asked Rattleton.
+
+"To find out about Raymond Bloodgood--he said."
+
+"I know he said so, but I don't stake any talk--I mean take any stock in
+that. What difference does it make to him who Bloodgood is?"
+
+"That was something he did not make clear."
+
+"He didn't seem to make anything clear," declared Jack. "I thought for
+sure that he was going to throw out some hooks to drag us into that game
+of poker. If he had, I should have known he was sent here, and I'd
+kicked him out, whether you had been willing or not, Merry!"
+
+"I'd opened the door and held it wide for you," smiled Frank.
+
+"What do you think of him, Browning?" asked Harry.
+
+"His way of talking made me very tired," yawned the big fellow. "He
+seemed to work so hard to get anything out."
+
+"I'll allow that we have had two rather queer visitors," said the
+Virginian.
+
+"And I shall take an interest in them both after this," declared Frank.
+
+"Talk about superstitious persons, I believe he heads the list," from
+Jack.
+
+"He said he was not superstitious," laughed Merry.
+
+"But the cat worried him."
+
+"And my twiddling my thumbs," put in Bruce.
+
+"And this dagger pin in my scarf," said Frank.
+
+"It's a wonder he didn't prophecy shipwreck, or something of that sort,"
+groaned Rattleton, who had settled at full length in his berth. "If this
+rolling motion keeps up, I shall get so I won't care if we are wrecked."
+
+"He must be a dandy in a good swift game of poker!" laughed Frank. "I
+shouldn't think he'd be able to make up his mind how to discard. He'd be
+a drawback to the game, or I'm much mistaken."
+
+"It strikes me that he'd be easy fruit," said Rattleton.
+
+"He looks like a 'sucker' himself, but sometimes it is impossible to
+tell about a man till after you see him play. Anyhow, these two visits
+were something to break the monotony of the voyage. It promised to be
+pretty lively at the start, but it has settled down to be rather quiet."
+
+Bloodgood and Slush proved good food for conversation, but the boys
+tired of that after a while.
+
+Diamond went out by himself, and Frank went to Tutor Maybe's room, where
+he spent the time till the gong sounded for supper.
+
+"Come, Harry," said Frank, appearing in the stateroom, "aren't you ready
+for supper?"
+
+Rattleton gave a groan.
+
+"Don't talk to me about eating!" he exclaimed. "It makes me sick to
+think about it. Leave me--let me die in peace!"
+
+Jack was not there, so Frank and Bruce washed up and went out together.
+They were nearly through eating when the Virginian came in and took his
+place near them at the table.
+
+Usually the captain sat at the head of that table, but he was not there
+now.
+
+"Where have you been?" asked Frank.
+
+"Getting onto a few things," said Jack, in a peculiar way.
+
+"Why, what's the matter with you?" asked Bruce, pausing to stare at the
+Southerner. "You are pale as a ghost!"
+
+"Am I?" said Diamond, his voice sounding rather strained and unnatural.
+
+"Sure thing. I wouldn't advise you to eat any more, and perhaps you
+hadn't better look at the chandeliers while they are swinging. You'll be
+keeping Rattleton company."
+
+"Oh, I'm not sick--at least, not seasick," averred Jack.
+
+"Then what ails you? I was going to prescribe ginger ale if it was the
+first stage of seasickness. Sometimes that will brace a person up and
+straighten out his stomach."
+
+"Oh, don't talk remedies to me. I took medicine three days before I
+started on this voyage, and everybody I saw told me something to do to
+keep from being sick. I'm wearing a sheet of writing paper across my
+chest now."
+
+When supper was over Jack motioned for his friends to follow him. The
+three went on deck and walked aft till they were quite alone.
+
+The "Eagle" was plowing along over a deserted sea. The waves were
+running heavily, and night was shutting down grimly over the ocean.
+
+"What's the matter with you, Diamond?" asked Browning. "Why have you
+dragged us out here? It's cold, and I'd rather go into our stateroom and
+take a loaf after eating so heartily. By Jove! if this keeps up, they
+won't have provisions enough on this boat to feed me before we get
+across."
+
+"I wanted to have a little talk without," said Jack; "and I didn't care
+about talking in the stateroom, where I might be overheard."
+
+"What's up, anyway?" demanded Frank, warned by the manner of the
+Virginian that Jack fancied he had something of importance to tell
+them.
+
+"I've been investigating," said Jack.
+
+"What?"
+
+"Well, I found out that there is something the matter on this boat."
+
+"Did you learn what it was?"
+
+"I don't know that I have, but I've discovered one thing. I've learned
+the kind of cargo we carry."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Petroleum and powder!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+PREMONITIONS OF PERIL.
+
+
+"Well, that's hot stuff when it's burning," said Merriwell, grimly.
+
+"Rather!" grunted Browning.
+
+"If I'd known what the old boat carried, I think I'd hesitated some
+about shipping on her," declared Jack. "What if she did get on fire?"
+
+"We'd all go up in smoke," said Merriwell, with absolute coolness. "That
+is about the size of it."
+
+"Well," said Jack, "I heard two of the sailors talking in a very
+mysterious manner. They say the 'Eagle' is hoodooed and the captain
+knows it. They say he has not slept any to speak of since we left New
+York."
+
+"Sailors are always superstitious. They are ignorant, as a rule, and
+ignorance breeds superstition."
+
+"Do you consider Mr. Slush ignorant?" asked Bruce.
+
+"Didn't have time to size him up, but he's queer."
+
+"I shall feel that I am over a volcano during the rest of the voyage,"
+said Jack. "What if there was somebody on board who wished to destroy
+the ship?"
+
+"It wouldn't be much of a job," grunted Browning. "A match touched to a
+powder keg would do the trick in a hurry."
+
+"But he'd go up with the rest of us," said Frank.
+
+"Unless he used a slow match," put in Jack. "These captains always have
+their enemies, who are desperate fellows and ready to do almost anything
+to injure them. The steamer might be set afire by means of a slow match,
+which would give the villain time enough to get away."
+
+"I hardly think there's anybody desperate enough to do that kind of a
+trick, for it would be a case of suicide."
+
+"Perhaps not. The chap who did the trick might have some plan of
+escaping. Then I have known men desperate enough to commit suicide if
+they could destroy an enemy at the same time."
+
+"Well, it's likely all this worry about this vessel and cargo is
+entirely needless and foolish."
+
+"I don't believe it," said the Virginian. "I know now that the captain
+has been worried. I have noticed it in his manner. He is pale and
+restless."
+
+"Well, it's likely he may be rather anxious, for it's certain he cannot
+carry any insurance on such a cargo."
+
+"He was not at the table to-night."
+
+"No."
+
+"I'd give something to be on solid ground and away from this powder
+mill. You know that sometimes there is such a thing as an unaccountable
+explosion. A heavy sea must cause motion or friction in the cargo, and
+friction often starts a fire on shipboard. Fire on this vessel means a
+quick road to glory."
+
+"Huah!" grunted Bruce. "I'm not in the habit of worrying about things
+that may happen. It's cold out here. Let's go back to the stateroom."
+
+"It will be well enough to keep still about the nature of the cargo,
+Diamond," said Frank.
+
+"Oh, I shall keep still about that all right!" assured Jack.
+
+As they moved back along the deck they discovered somebody who was
+leaning over the rail and making all sorts of dismal sounds and groans.
+
+"The next time I go to Europe I'll stay at home!" moaned this
+individual. "Oh, my! oh, my! How bad I feel! Next that comes will be the
+shaps of my twos--I mean the taps of my shoes!"
+
+"It's Rattles!" laughed Frank, softly; "and he is sicker than ever. He's
+tried to crawl out to get some air."
+
+At this moment a man opened the door near Rattleton, and asked:
+
+"Is the--ah--er--moon up yet?"
+
+"I don't know," moaned Harry. "But it is if I swallowed it. Everything
+else is up, anyhow."
+
+"If the--ah--moon comes up red tonight, it will mean----"
+
+"I don't give a rap what it means!" snorted Rattleton. "Don't talk to
+me! Let me die without torturing me! I'm sick enough without having you
+make me worse!"
+
+Mr. Slush, for he was the anxious inquirer about the moon, dodged back
+into the cabin, closing the door hesitatingly.
+
+Then Rattleton, unaware of the proximity of his amused friends, hung
+over the rail and groaned again.
+
+Frank walked up and spoke:
+
+"I see, my dear boy, that you are heeding the Bible admonition."
+
+"Hey?" groaned Harry. "What is it?"
+
+"'Cast thy bread upon the waters!' You are doing it all right, all
+right."
+
+"Now, don't carry this thing too far!" Rattleton tried to say in a
+fierce manner, but his fierceness was laughable. "The worm will turn
+when trodden upon."
+
+"But the banana peel knows a trick worth two of that. Did you ever hear
+that touching little poem about the man who stepped on a banana peel?
+Never did? Why, that is too bad! You don't know what you've missed.
+Listen, and you shall hear it."
+
+Then Frank solemnly declaimed:
+
+     "He walked along one summer day,
+       As stately as a prince;
+     He stepped upon a banana peel,
+       And he hasn't 'banana' where since."
+
+Rattleton gave a still more dismal groan.
+
+"You are conspiring with the elements to hasten my death!" he said. "I
+can't stand many more like that."
+
+"You should wear a sheet of writing paper across your breast, same as I
+do," said Diamond. "Then you won't be sick."
+
+"I've got two sheets of writing paper across mine," declared Harry.
+
+"You should drink a bottle of ginger ale to settle your stomach," put in
+Frank.
+
+"Just drank three bottles of ginger ale, and they've turned my stomach
+wrong side out," gurgled the sick youth.
+
+"You should allow yourself perfect relaxation, and not try to fight
+against it," from Browning.
+
+"Oh, I haven't allowed myself anything else but perfect relaxation,"
+came from Harry. "You all make me tired!"
+
+Then he staggered into the cabin and disappeared on his way back to the
+stateroom.
+
+Diamond and Browning followed, but Frank lingered behind.
+
+Although he had kept the fact concealed, Merry was troubled with a
+strange foreboding of coming disaster. In every way he tried to overcome
+anything like superstition, but he remembered that, on many other
+occasions, he had been warned of coming trouble by just such feelings.
+
+"I'd like to know just what is going on upon this steamer," he muttered,
+as he walked forward. "I feel as if something was wrong, and I shall not
+be satisfied till I investigate."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+IN THE STOKE-HOLE.
+
+
+Frank found the chief engineer taking some air. Merry fell into
+conversation with the man, who was smoking and seemed quite willing to
+talk.
+
+Having a pleasant and agreeable way, Frank easily led the engineer on,
+and it was not long before the man was quite taken with the chatty
+passenger.
+
+Frank was careful not to seem inquisitive or prying, for he knew it
+would be easy to arouse the engineer's suspicions if there should be
+anything wrong on the steamer.
+
+However, Merry was working for a privilege, and he obtained it. When he
+expressed a desire to go below and have a look at the engines and
+furnaces, the engineer invited him to come along.
+
+They passed through a door, and then began a descent by means of iron
+ladders. The clanking roar of the machinery came up to them. Frank could
+hear and feel the throbbing heart beats of the great boat.
+
+The engine room was quickly reached, and there the engineer showed him
+the massive machinery that moved with the regularity of clockwork and
+the grace and ease that came from great power and perfect adjustment.
+
+All this was interesting, but Frank was anxious to go still deeper.
+
+"Go ahead," said the engineer, showing him the way. "Down that ladder
+there. You'll be able to see the furnaces and the stokers at work. I
+don't believe you'll care to go into the stoke-hole."
+
+Frank descended. Great heat came up to him, accompanied by a glow that
+shifted and changed, dying down suddenly at one moment and glaring out
+at the next. He could hear the ring of shovels and the clank of iron
+doors.
+
+He reached an iron grating, where a fierce heat rolled up and seemed to
+scorch him. From that position he could look down into the stoke-hole
+and see the black, grimy, sweating, half-clad men at work there.
+
+Above him, at the head of the ladder he had just descended, a pair of
+shining eyes glared down, but he saw them not. He had not observed a
+cleaner who was at work on the machinery in the engine-room, and who
+kept his hat pulled over his eyes till Frank departed.
+
+The blackened stokers looked like grim demons of the fiery pit as they
+labored at the coal, which they were shoveling into the mouths of the
+greedy furnaces.
+
+The shifting glow was caused by the opening and closing of the furnace
+doors, which clanged and rang.
+
+For a moment the pit below would seem shrouded in almost Stygian
+darkness, save for some bar of light that gleamed out from a crack or
+draft, and then there would be a rattle of iron and a flare of blood-red
+light that came with the flinging open of a furnace door.
+
+In the glare of light the bare-armed, dirt-grimed stokers would shovel,
+shovel, shovel, till it seemed a wonder that the fire was not completely
+deadened by so much coal.
+
+Sometimes the doors of all the furnaces would seem open at once, and the
+glare and heat that came up from the place was something awful.
+
+Merry wondered how human beings could live down there in that terrible
+place.
+
+Some of the men were raking out ashes and hoisting it by means of a
+mechanism provided for the purpose.
+
+Frank pitied the poor creatures who were forced to work down in that
+place. Yet he remembered it was not so many months since he had applied
+for the position of wiper in an engine round-house, obtained the job,
+and worked there with the grimiest and lowest employees of the railroad.
+
+There was something fascinating in the black pit and the grimy men who
+labored down there in the glare and heat. Frank was so absorbed that he
+heard no sound, received no warning of danger.
+
+Merry leaned out over the edge of the iron grating. Something struck on
+his back, he was clutched, thrust out, hurled from the grating!
+
+It was done in a twinkling. He could not defend himself, but he made a
+clutch to save himself, caught something, swung in, struck against the
+iron ladder, and went tumbling and sliding downward.
+
+At the moment when Frank was attacked, a glare of light had filled the
+pit. One of the stokers had turned his back to the gleaming mouths of
+the furnaces and looked upward, as if to relieve his aching eyes.
+
+He saw everything that occurred on the grating. He saw a man slip down
+the ladder behind Frank and spring on his back. He saw that man hurl
+Frank from the grating.
+
+The stoker uttered a shout and ran toward the foot of the ladder,
+expecting to find Frank laying there, severely injured or killed. He was
+astounded when he saw the ready-witted youth grasp the grating, swing
+in, strike the ladder, cling and slide.
+
+Down Frank came with a rush, but he did not fall. He landed in the
+stoke-hole without being severely injured. He was on his feet in a
+twinkling, and up that ladder he went like a cat.
+
+His assailant had darted up the ladder above and disappeared. Merry
+reached the grating from which he had been hurled, and then he ran up
+the other ladder.
+
+He was soon in the engine-room.
+
+In that room there was no excitement. The machinery was sliding and
+swinging in a regular manner, while the engineer sat watching its
+movements, talking to an assistant. Oilers and cleaners were at work.
+
+"Where is he?" cried Frank, his voice sounding clear and distinct.
+
+They looked at him in amazement.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked the engineer, coming forward.
+
+"I was attacked from behind and thrown into the stoke-hole," Merry
+explained. "The fellow who did it came in here."
+
+"Thrown into the stoke-hole?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"From where?"
+
+"The grating at the foot of the first ladder."
+
+The engineer looked doubtful.
+
+"My dear fellow," he said, "you would have been maimed or killed. You do
+not seem to be harmed."
+
+Frank realized that the engineer actually doubted his word.
+
+"He might have fallen," said the assistant; "but it would have broken
+his neck."
+
+"I tell you I was attacked from behind and thrown down!" exclaimed
+Frank. "I managed to get hold of the ladder and slide, so I was not
+killed."
+
+The engineer looked annoyed.
+
+"This is what comes of letting a passenger in here," he said. "It's the
+last time I'll do it on my own responsibility. Now if you go out and
+tell you were thrown into the stoke-hole, there'll be any amount of fuss
+over it."
+
+"I am telling it right here," said Frank, grimly, "and I want to know
+who did the trick. Somebody who came from this room must have done it."
+
+"Impossible!"
+
+"Then where did he come from?"
+
+The engineer and his assistant looked at each other, and the former
+began to swear.
+
+"What do you think of it, Joe?" he asked.
+
+"Think you made a mistake, Bill; but his story won't go. Nobody'll take
+any stock in it."
+
+Frank was angry. It was something unusual for his word to be doubted,
+and he felt like expressing his feelings decidedly.
+
+He was saved the trouble. The grimy stoker who had witnessed the
+struggle and the fall appeared in the door of the engine-room. He saw
+Frank and cried:
+
+"Hello, you! So you're all right? Wonder you wasn't killed. You came
+down with a rush, young feller, but you went back just as quick."
+
+Frank understood instantly.
+
+"Here is a man who saw it!" he cried. "He will tell you that I am not
+lying."
+
+The engineer turned to the stoker.
+
+"How did he happen to fall?" he asked.
+
+"He didn't fall," declared the begrimed coal heaver.
+
+"No? What then--"
+
+"'Nother chap jumped on his back and flung him down. It's wonderful he
+wasn't killed."
+
+Frank was triumphant. He regarded the engineer and his assistant with a
+grim smile on his face.
+
+"This is incredible!" exclaimed the engineer. "Who could have done such
+a thing?"
+
+"Somebody who came from this room!" rang out Merry's clear voice.
+
+"This shall be investigated!" declared the engineer. "Look around! See
+if you can find the man who attacked you. The only ones here are myself,
+Mr. Gregory, and the wipers."
+
+"I want a look at those wipers," said Frank.
+
+"You shall have it. Mr. Gregory and I were talking together over here
+all the time you were gone."
+
+"Oh, I do not suspect you," said Merry; "but I want a good look at those
+wipers."
+
+"Did you see the man who threw you into the stoke-hole?"
+
+"No, but--"
+
+"Then how will you know who it was if you see him?"
+
+"Whoever did so had a reason for the act--a motive. He must have known
+me before. I may know him."
+
+"Come," invited the engineer.
+
+He called one of the wipers down from amid the sliding shafts and moving
+machinery. The man came unhesitatingly.
+
+Frank took a square look at this man, who did not seek to avoid
+inspection.
+
+"Never saw him before," confessed Merry.
+
+The wiper was dismissed.
+
+"Hackett," called the engineer.
+
+The other wiper did not seem to hear. He pretended to be very busy, and
+kept at work.
+
+"Hackett!"
+
+He could not fail to hear that. He kept his face turned away, but
+answered:
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Come here. I want you."
+
+The wiper hesitated. Then he turned and slowly approached. His face was
+besmeared till scarcely a bit of natural color showed, and his hat was
+pulled low over his eyes. He shambled forward awkwardly, and stood in an
+awkward position, with his eyes cast down.
+
+Frank looked at him closely and started. Then, in a perfectly calm
+manner, but with a trace of triumph in his voice, he declared:
+
+"This is the fellow who did the job!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+IN IRONS.
+
+
+"What?" cried the engineer, in astonishment.
+
+"How do you know?" asked the engineer's assistant, incredulously.
+
+"That's it--how do you know?" demanded the engineer. "You said you did
+not see the person who attacked you."
+
+"I did not."
+
+"Yet you say this is the man."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"I know him."
+
+"You do?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You have seen him before?"
+
+"I should say so, on several occasions. He is one of my bitterest
+enemies. This is not the first time he has tried to kill or injure me.
+He has made the attempt many times before. He is the only person here
+who would do such a thing."
+
+"If this is true," said the engineer, grimly, "he shall pay dearly for
+his work!"
+
+The assistant nodded.
+
+"What have you to say, Hackett?" demanded the engineer.
+
+"I say it's a lie!" growled the fellow. "I never saw this chap before he
+came into the engine-room. He doesn't know me, and I don't know him."
+
+"You hear what Hackett has to say," said the engineer, turning to Frank.
+
+"I hear what this fellow has to say, but his name is not Hackett."
+
+"Is not?"
+
+"No, no more than mine is Hackett."
+
+"Then what is his name?"
+
+"His name is Harris!" asserted Merry, "and he is a gambler and a crook.
+I'll guarantee that he has not been long on the 'Eagle.'"
+
+"No; we took him on in New York scarcely two hours before we sailed. We
+needed a man, and he applied for any kind of a job. Found he had worked
+round machinery, and we took him as wiper and general assistant."
+
+"It was not so many weeks ago that he attacked me at New Haven," said
+Frank. "He failed to do me harm. When he found I was going abroad he
+declared he would go along on the same steamer. At the time he must have
+thought I was going by one of the regular liners; but it is plain he
+followed me up pretty close and found I was going over this way. As
+there is no second-class passage on this boat, he decided he could not
+travel in the same class with me without being discovered, and he
+resolved to go as one of the crew, if he could get on that way. That's
+how he happens to be here."
+
+"If what you say is true, it will go pretty hard with Mr. Harris. We'll
+have him ironed and--"
+
+A cry of rage broke from the lips of the accused.
+
+"There is no proof!" he snarled. "No one can swear I attacked this
+fellow and threw him into the stoke-hole!"
+
+"Oh, yes!" said the stoker who had come up from below. "I saw the whole
+business. By the light from the furnaces, I plainly saw the man who did
+it, and you are the man!"
+
+"That settles it!" declared the engineer. "You'll make the rest of the
+voyage in irons, Mr. Harris!"
+
+"Then I'll give you something to iron me for!" shouted the furious young
+villain.
+
+He leaped on Frank Merriwell with the fierceness of a wounded tiger.
+
+Frank was not expecting the assault, and, for the moment, he was taken
+off his guard.
+
+They were close to the moving machinery. Within four feet of them a huge
+plunging rod was playing up and down, moved by a steel bar that weighed
+many tons. Harris attempted to fling Frank beneath this bar, where he
+would be struck and crushed.
+
+The villain nearly succeeded, so swift and savage was his attack.
+
+Frank realized that the purpose of the wretch was to fling him into the
+machinery, and he braced himself to resist as quickly as possible.
+
+Shouts of consternation broke from the engineer and his assistant. They
+sprang forward to seize Harris and help Frank.
+
+But, before they could interfere, Frank broke the hold of his enemy,
+forced him back and struck him a terrible blow between the eyes felling
+him instantly.
+
+Merriwell stood over Harris, his hands clenched his eyes gleaming.
+
+"Get up!" he cried. "Get up you dog! I can't strike you when you are
+down, and I'd give a hundred dollars to hit you just once more!"
+
+But Harris did not get up. He realized that his second attempt had
+failed, and he stood in awe of Frank's terrible fists. He looked up at
+those gleaming eyes, and turned away quickly, feeling a sudden great
+fear.
+
+Did Frank Merriwell bear a charmed life?
+
+Surely it seemed that way to Harris just then. For the first time,
+perhaps, the young rascal began to believe that it was not possible to
+harm the lad he hated with all the intensity of his nature.
+
+The engineer and his assistants grabbed Harris and held him, the former
+swearing savagely. They dragged the fellow to his feet, but warned him
+to stand still.
+
+Harris did so. For the moment, at least, he was completely cowed.
+
+A man was sent for the captain, with instructions to tell him just what
+occurred. Of course the captain of the steamer was the only person who
+could order one of the men placed in irons.
+
+The captain came in in a little while, and he listened in great
+amazement to the story of what had taken place. His face was hard and
+grim. He asked Frank a few questions, and then he ordered that Harris be
+ironed and confined in the hold.
+
+"Mr. Merriwell," said the captain, "I am very sorry that this happened
+on my ship."
+
+"It's all right, captain," said Frank. "You are in no way to blame. The
+fellow shipped with the intention of doing just what he did, if he found
+an opportunity."
+
+"It will go hard-with him," declared the master. "He'll not get out of
+this without suffering the penalty."
+
+Harris was sullen and silent. Frank spoke to him before he was led away.
+
+"Harris," he said, "you have brought destruction on yourself. I can't
+say that I arm sorry for you, for, by your persistent attacks on me, you
+have destroyed any sympathy I might have felt. You have ruined your own
+life."
+
+"No!" snarled Sport. "You are the one! You ruined me! If I go to prison
+for this, I'll get free again sometime, and I'll not forget you, Frank
+Merriwell! All the years I am behind the bars will but add to the debt I
+owe you. When I come forth to freedom, I'll find you if you are alive,
+and I'll have your life!"
+
+Then he was marched away between two stout men, his irons clanking and
+rattling.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE GAME IN THE NEXT ROOM.
+
+
+When Merry appeared in his stateroom he was greeted with a storm of
+questions.
+
+"Well, what does this mean?"
+
+"Trying to dodge us?"
+
+"Running away?"
+
+"Muts the whatter with you--I mean what's the matter?"
+
+"Where have you been?"
+
+"Stand and give an account of yourself!"
+
+Then he told them a little story that astounded them beyond measure. He
+explained how he had taken a fancy to look the steamer over and had
+fallen in with the engineer. Then he related how he had visited the
+engine room and been thrown into the stoke-hole.
+
+But when he told the name of his assailant the climax was capped.
+
+"Harris?" gasped Rattleton, incredulously.
+
+"Harris?" palpitated Diamond, astounded.
+
+"Harris?" roared Browning, aroused from his lazy languidness.
+
+"On this steamer?" they shouted in unison.
+
+"On this steamer," nodded Frank, really enjoying the sensation he had
+created.
+
+"He--he attacked you?" gurgled Rattleton, seeming to forget his recent
+sickness.
+
+"He did."
+
+"And you escaped after being thrown into the stoke-hole?" fluttered
+Diamond.
+
+"I am here."
+
+"And you didn't kill the cur on sight?" roared Browning.
+
+"He is in the hold in irons."
+
+"Serves him right!" was the verdict of Frank's three friends.
+
+"Well, this is what I call a real sensation!" said the Virginian. "You
+certainly found something, Frank!"
+
+"Well, that fellow has reached the end of his rope at last," said Harry,
+with intense satisfaction, once more stretching himself in his bunk.
+
+"That's pretty sure," nodded Jack. "Attempted murder on the high seas is
+a pretty serious thing."
+
+"He'll get pushed for it all right this time," grunted Browning,
+beginning to recover from his astonishment.
+
+Then they talked the affair over, and Frank gave them his theory of
+Sport's presence on the steamer, which seemed plausible.
+
+"This is something rather more interesting than the superstitious man or
+the Frenchman," said Diamond.
+
+"The superstitious man was interesting at first," observed Merry; "but
+I've a fancy that he might prove a bore."
+
+Then Bruce grunted:
+
+     "Say, does Fact and Reason err,
+     And, if they both err, which the more?
+     The man of the smallest calibre
+     Is sure to be the greatest bore."
+
+While they were talking, the sound of voices came from the stateroom
+occupied by the Frenchman. Soon it became evident that quite a little
+party had gathered in that room.
+
+The boys paid no attention to the party till it came time to turn in for
+the night. Then they became aware that something was taking place in the
+adjoining room, and it was not long before they made out that it was a
+game of poker.
+
+As they became quiet, they could hear the murmur of voices, and,
+occasionally, some person would speak distinctly, "seeing," "raising" or
+"calling."
+
+Diamond began to get nervous.
+
+"Say," he observed, "that makes me think of old times. Many a night
+I've spent at that."
+
+"What's the matter with you?" said Frank. "Do you want to go in there
+and take a hand?"
+
+"Well," Jack confessed, "I do feel an itching."
+
+"I feel like getting some sleep," grunted Bruce, "and they are keeping
+me awake."
+
+"Why are they playing in a stateroom, anyhow?" exclaimed Frank. "It's no
+place for a game of cards at night."
+
+"That's so," agreed Rattleton, dreamily. "But you are keeping me awake
+by your chatter a good deal more than they are. Shut up, the whole lot
+of you!"
+
+There was silence for a time, and then, with a savage exclamation,
+Diamond sprang out of his berth and thumped on the partition, crying:
+
+"Come, gentlemen, it's time to go to bed! You are keeping us awake."
+
+There was no response.
+
+Jack went back to bed, but the murmuring continued in the next
+stateroom, and the rattle of chips could be heard occasionally.
+
+"What are we going to do about it, Merriwell?" asked Jack, savagely.
+
+"We can complain."
+
+But making a complaint was repellent to a college youth, who was
+inclined to regard as a cheap fellow anybody who would do such a thing,
+and Diamond did not agree to that.
+
+"Well," said Frank, "I suppose I can go in there and clean them all
+out."
+
+"How?"
+
+"At their own game," laughed Merry, muffledly.
+
+"If anybody in this crowd tackles them that way I'll be the one,"
+asserted the Virginian.
+
+"Then nobody here will tackle them that way," said Frank, remembering
+how he had once saved Diamond from sharpers in New Haven.
+
+Frank was a person who believed that knowledge of almost any sort was
+likely to prove of value to a man at some stage of his career, and he
+had made a practice of learning everything possible. He had studied up
+on the tricks of gamblers, so that he knew all about their methods of
+robbing their victims. Being a first-class amateur magician, his
+knowledge of card tricks had become of value to him in more than one
+instance. He felt that he would be able to hold his own against pretty
+clever card-sharps, but he did not care or propose to have any dealings
+with such men, unless forced to do so.
+
+The boys kept still for a while. Their light was extinguished, but, up
+near the ceiling, a shaft of light came through the partition from the
+other room.
+
+Diamond saw it. He jumped up and dragged a trunk into position by that
+partition. Mounted on the trunk, he applied his eye to the orifice and
+discovered that he could see into the Frenchman's room very nicely.
+
+"What can you see?" grunted Browning.
+
+"I can see everyone in there," answered Jack.
+
+"Name them."
+
+"The Frenchman, the Englishman, the superstitious man, and our fresh
+friend, Bloodgood."
+
+"Same old crowd," murmured Frank.
+
+"Yes, and a hot old game!" came from the youth on the trunk. "My! my!
+but they are whooping her up! They've got plenty to drink, and they are
+playing for big dust."
+
+"Tell them to saw up till to-morrow," mumbled Bruce.
+
+Jack did not do so, however. He remained on the trunk, watching the
+game, seeming greatly interested.
+
+A big game of poker interested him any time. It was through the
+influence of Frank that he had been led to renounce the game, but the
+thirst for its excitements and delights remained with him, for he had
+come from a family of card-players and sportsmen.
+
+"Come, come!" laughed Frank, after a while; "I can hear your teeth
+chattering, old man. Get off that trunk and turn in."
+
+"Wait!" fluttered Jack--"wait till I see this hand played out."
+
+In less than half a minute he cried:
+
+"It's a skin game! I knew it was!"
+
+"What's the lay?" asked Merry.
+
+"That infernal Frenchman is a card-sharp!"
+
+"I suspected as much."
+
+"His pal is the Englishman. They are standing in together."
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"Sure thing. They are bleeding Bloodgood and Slush. Bloodgood thinks
+he's pretty sharp, and I have not much sympathy for him; but I am sorry
+for poor little Slush. He should have paid attention to some of his
+signs and omens. He knew something disastrous would happen during this
+voyage, and I rather think it will happen to him."
+
+Then Diamond thumped the wall again, crying:
+
+"Stop that business in there! Mr. Slush, you are playing cards with
+crooks--you are being robbed! Get out of that game as soon as you can!"
+
+There was a sudden silence in the adjoining room, and then M. Rouen
+Montfort was heard to utter an exclamation in French, following which he
+cried:
+
+"I see you to-morrow, saire! I make you swallow ze lie!"
+
+"You may see me any time you like!" Diamond flung back.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE HORRORS OF THE HOLD.
+
+
+To the surprise of the four youths, M. Montfort utterly ignored them on
+the following day, instead of seeking "trouble," as had been
+anticipated.
+
+"Well," said Jack, in disgust, "he has less courage than I thought. He
+is just a common boasting Frenchman."
+
+"He is not a common Frenchman." declared Frank. "I believe he is a
+rascal of more than common calibre."
+
+"But he lacks nerve, and I have nothing but contempt for him," said the
+Virginian. "I didn't know but he would challenge me to a duel."
+
+"What if he had?"
+
+"What if he had?" hissed the hot-blooded Southern youth. "I'd fought him
+at the drop of the hat!"
+
+"That's all right, but you know most Frenchmen fight well in a duel."
+
+"I don't know anything of the kind. They are expert fencers, but I
+notice it is mighty seldom one of them is killed in a duel. They
+sometimes draw a drop of blood, and then they consider that 'honor is
+satisfied,' and that ends it."
+
+It was midway in the forenoon that Frank met Mr. Slush on deck. The
+little man was looking more doleful and dejected than ever, if possible.
+
+"The--ah--the moon showed rather yellow last night," he said. "That is
+a--a sure sign of disaster."
+
+"Well," said Merry, with a smile, "I think the disaster will befall you,
+sir, if you do not steer clear of the crowd you were in last night."
+
+Mr. Slush looked surprised.
+
+"Might I--ah--inquire your meaning?" he faltered.
+
+"I mean that you are playing poker with card-sharps, and they mean to
+rob you," answered Frank, plainly.
+
+"I--I wonder how you--er--know so much," said the little man, with
+something like faint sarcasm, as Frank fancied.
+
+"It makes little difference how I know it, but I am telling you the
+truth. I am warning you for your good, sir."
+
+"Er--ahem! Thank you--very much."
+
+Mr. Slush walked away.
+
+"Well, I'm hanged if he doesn't take it coolly enough!" muttered Frank,
+perplexed.
+
+Frank felt an interest to know how Sport Harris was getting along. He
+walked forward and found the captain near the steps that led to the
+bridge.
+
+In reply to Merry's inquiry, the captain said:
+
+"Oh, don't worry about him. There are rats down there in the hold, but I
+guess he'll be able to fight them off. He'll have bread and water the
+rest of the voyage."
+
+After that Merry could not help thinking of Harris all alone in the
+darkness of the hold, with swarms of rats around him, eating dry bread,
+washed down with water.
+
+Frank felt that the youthful villain did not deserve any sympathy, but,
+despite himself, he could not help feeling a pang of pity for him.
+
+When he expressed himself thus to his friends, however, they scoffed at
+him.
+
+"Serves the dog right!" flashed Diamond. "He is getting just what he
+deserves, and I'm glad of it!"
+
+"He will get what he deserves when we reach the other side," grunted
+Browning.
+
+"No," said Merry; "he is an American, and he'll have to be taken back
+to the United States for punishment."
+
+"Well, he'll get it all right."
+
+"Well, I don't care to think that he may be driven mad shut up in the
+dark hold with the rats."
+
+This feeling grew on Frank. At last he went to the captain and asked
+liberty to see Harris.
+
+The request was granted, and, accompanied by two men, Frank descended
+into the hold.
+
+Down there, amid barrels and casks, they came upon Harris. Frank heard
+the irons rattle, and then a gaunt-looking, wild-eyed creature rose up
+before them, shown by the yellow light of the lanterns.
+
+Frank Merriwell had steady nerves, but, despite himself, he started.
+
+The appearance of the fellow had changed in a most remarkable manner.
+Harris looked as if he was overcome with terror.
+
+"There he is," said one of the men, holding up his lantern so the light
+fell more plainly on the wretched prisoner.
+
+"Have you come to take me out of here?" cried Harris, in a tone of voice
+that gave Frank a chill. "For God's sake, take me out of this place!
+I'll go mad if I stay here much longer! It is full of rats! I could not
+sleep last night--I dare not close my eyes for a minute! Please--please
+take me out of here!"
+
+Then he saw and recognized Frank.
+
+"You?" he screamed. "Have you come here to gloat over me, Frank
+Merriwell?"
+
+"No," said Frank; "I have come to see if I can do anything for you."
+
+"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Harris, in a manner that made Frank believe
+madness could not be far away. "You wouldn't do that! I know why you are
+here! You have triumphed over me! You wish to see me in all my misery!
+Well, look at me! Here I have been thrown into this hellish hole, amid
+rats and vermin, ironed like a nigger! Look till you are satisfied! It
+will fill your heart with satisfaction! Mock me! Sneer at me! Deride
+me!"
+
+"I have no desire to do anything of the sort," declared Frank. "I am
+sorry for you, Harris."
+
+"Sorry! Bah! You lie! Why do you tell me that?"
+
+"It is the truth. You brought this on yourself, and so----"
+
+"Don't tell me that again! You have told it enough! If I'd never seen
+you, I'd not be here now. You brought it on me, Frank Merriwell. If I
+die here in this cursed hole, you'll have something pleasant to think
+about! You can laugh over it!"
+
+"You shall not die here, Harris, if I can help it. I'll speak to the
+captain about you."
+
+The wretch stared at Merry, his eyes looking sunken and glittering.
+Then, all at once, he crouched down there, his chains clanking, covered
+his face with his hands and began to cry.
+
+No matter what Harris had done, Frank was deeply pitiful then.
+
+"I shall go directly to the captain," he promised, "and I'll ask him to
+have you taken out of this place. I will urge him to have it done."
+
+Harris said nothing.
+
+Frank had seen enough, and he turned away. As they were moving off,
+Harris began to scream and call to them, begging them not to leave him
+there in the darkness.
+
+Those cries cut through and through Frank Merriwell. He knew he was in
+no way responsible for the fate that had befallen the fellow, and yet he
+felt that he must do something for Harris.
+
+He kept his word, going directly to the captain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE FINISH OF A THRILLING GAME.
+
+
+The captain listened to what Frank had to say, but his sternness did not
+seem to relax in the least, as Merry described the sufferings the
+prisoner was enduring. But Frank would not be satisfied till the captain
+had made a promise to visit Harris himself and see that the fellow was
+taken out and cared for if he needed it.
+
+Needless to say that the captain forgot to make the visit right away.
+
+Frank did not tell his friends where he had been and what he had seen.
+He did not feel like talking about it, and they noticed that he looked
+strangely grim and thoughtful.
+
+Tutor Maybe tried to talk to him about studies, but Merry was in no
+mood for that, as his instructor soon discovered.
+
+Despite the fact that the sea was running high, Rattleton seemed to have
+recovered in a great measure from his sickness, so he was able to get on
+deck with the others. At noon, he even went to the table and ate
+lightly, drinking ginger ale with his food.
+
+An hour after dinner Frank found a game of poker going on in the
+smoking-room. Mr. Slush was in the game. So were the Frenchman, the
+Englishman, and Bloodgood.
+
+No money was in sight, but it was plain enough from the manner in which
+the game was played that the chips each man held had been purchased for
+genuine money, and the game was one for "blood."
+
+M. Montfort looked up for a moment as Frank stopped to watch the game.
+Their eyes met. The Frenchman permitted a sneer to steal across his
+face, while Frank looked at him steadily till his eyes dropped.
+
+At a glance, Merry saw that Bloodgood was "shakey." The fellow had been
+growing worse and worse as the voyage progressed, and now he seemed on
+the verge of a break-down.
+
+A few minutes after entering the room Frank heard one of the spectators
+whisper to another that Bloodgood was "bulling the game," and had lost
+heavily.
+
+Bloodgood was drinking deeply. Mr. Slush seemed to be indulging rather
+freely. The Frenchman sipped a little wine now and then, and the
+Englishman drank at regular intervals.
+
+The Frenchman was perfectly cool. The Englishman was phlegmatic. Slush
+hesitated sometimes, but, to the surprise of the boys, seemed rather
+collected. Bloodgood was hot and excited.
+
+Frank took a position where he could look on. He watched every move.
+After a time he discerned that the Englishman and the Frenchman were
+playing to each other, although the trick was done so skillfully that it
+did not seem apparent.
+
+Bloodgood lost all his chips. The game was held up for a few moments. He
+stepped into the next room and returned with a fresh supply.
+
+"This is the bottom," he declared. "You people may have them as soon as
+you like. To blazes with them! Let's lift the limit."
+
+"Ah--er--let's throw it off--entirely," suggested Mr. Slush.
+
+Bloodgood glared at the little man in astonishment.
+
+"What?" he cried. "You propose that? Why, you didn't want to play a
+bigger game than a quarter limit at the start!"
+
+"Perhaps you are--er--right," admitted Mr. Slush. "I--er--don't deny it.
+But I have grown more--more interested, you understand. I--I don't mind
+playing a good game--now."
+
+"Well, then, if the other gentlemen say so, by the gods, we'll make it
+no limit!" Bloodgood almost shouted.
+
+The Frenchman bowed suavely, a slight smile curling the ends of his
+pointed mustache upward.
+
+"I haf not ze least--what you call eet?--ze least objectshong," he
+purred.
+
+"I don't mind," said the Englishman.
+
+Now there was great interest. Somehow, Frank felt that a climax was
+coming. He watched everything with deep interest.
+
+Luck continued to run against Bloodgood. To Frank's surprise, it was
+plain Mr. Slush was winning. This seemed to surprise and puzzle both the
+Englishman and the Frenchman.
+
+It was hard work to draw the little man in when Hazleton or Montfort
+dealt. On his own deal or that of Bloodgood, he seemed ready for
+anything.
+
+"By Jove!" whispered Frank, in Diamond's ear. "That man is not such a
+fool as I thought! I haven't been able to understand him at all, and I
+don't understand him now."
+
+At length there came a big jack-pot. It was passed round several times.
+Then Hazleton opened it on three nines.
+
+Bloodgood sat next. He had two pairs, aces up, and he raised instantly.
+
+Montfort was the next man. He held a pair of deuces, but he saw all that
+had been bet, and doubled the amount!
+
+Mr. Slush hesitated a little. He seemed ready to lay down, but finally
+braced up and came in, calling.
+
+Hazleton did not accept the call. He raised again.
+
+Bloodgood looked at his hand and cursed under his breath. It was just
+good enough to make him feel that he ought to make another raise, but
+he began to think there were other good hands out, and it was not
+possible to tell where continued raising would land him, so he "made
+good."
+
+With nothing but a pair of deuces in his hand, Montfort "cracked her up"
+again for a good round sum.
+
+The hair on the head of Mr. Slush seemed to stand. He swallowed and
+looked pale. Then he "made good."
+
+Hazleton had his turn again, and he improved it. For the next few
+minutes, Montfort and Hazleton had a merry time raising, but neither
+Slush nor Bloodgood threw up.
+
+"This is where they are sinking the knife in the suckers!" muttered Jack
+Diamond.
+
+Frank Merriwell said not a word. His eyes were watching every move.
+
+At last the betting stopped, and Slush picked up the pack to give out
+the cards.
+
+Hazleton called for two. He received them, and remained imperturbable.
+
+He had caught nothing with his three nines.
+
+Bloodgood had tumbled to the fact that he was "up against" threes, and
+he had discarded his pair of low cards, holding only the two aces. To
+these he drew a seven and two more aces!
+
+Bloodgood turned pale and then flushed. He held onto himself with all
+his strength. Here was his chance to get back his losings. Everything
+was in his favor. He was confident there were some good hands out, and
+it was very likely some of them might be improved on the draw, but he
+felt the pot was the same as his.
+
+The Frenchman drew two cards.
+
+Slush took one.
+
+Then hot work began. Within three minutes Hazleton, with his three
+nines, had been driven out. Bloodgood, Montfort and Slush remained,
+raising steadily.
+
+There was intense excitement in that room. The captain of the steamer
+had come in, and he was looking on. Some of the spectators were
+literally shaking with excitement.
+
+Bloodgood's chips were used up. He flung money on the table.
+
+All that he had went into the pot, and still he would not call. He
+offered his I.O.U.'s, but Mr. Slush declined to agree.
+
+"Money or its equivalent," said the little man, with such decisiveness
+that all were astonished.
+
+"I haven't any money," protested Bloodgood.
+
+"Then you are out," said Slush.
+
+"It's robbery!" cried Bloodgood.
+
+"Why, you can't kick; you haven't even called once."
+
+"Not even once, saire," purred the Frenchman.
+
+"By blazes! I have the equivalent!" shouted Bloodgood.
+
+Into an inner pocket he plunged. He brought out a velvet jewel box. When
+this was opened, there was a cry of wonder, for a magnificent diamond
+necklace was revealed.
+
+"That is worth ten thousand dollars!" declared Bloodgood, "and I'll bet
+as long as it lasts!"
+
+Mr. Slush held out his hand.
+
+"Please let me examine it," he said.
+
+He took a good look at it.
+
+"Ees it all right, sair?" asked the Frenchman, eagerly.
+
+"It is," said Mr. Slush, "and I will take charge of it!"
+
+He thrust the case into his pocket, rose quickly, stepped past Montfort
+and clapped a hand on Bloodgood's shoulder.
+
+"I arrest you, Benton Hammersley, for the Clayton diamond robbery!" he
+said. "It is useless for you to resist, for you are on shipboard, and
+you cannot escape."
+
+Bloodgood uttered a fierce curse,
+
+"Who in the fiend's name are you?" he snarled, turning pale.
+
+And "Mr. Slush" answered:
+
+"Dan Badger, of the New York detective force! Permit me to present you
+with a pair of handsome bracelets, Mr. Hammersley."
+
+Click--the trapped diamond thief was ironed!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+FIRE IN THE HOLD.
+
+
+Everyone except the detective himself seemed astounded. The clever
+officer, who had played his part so well, was as cool as ice.
+
+The Frenchman cried:
+
+"But zis pot--eet ees not settailed to whom eet belong yet!"
+
+The detective stepped back to his chair.
+
+"The easiest way to settle that is by a show-down," he said. "Under the
+circumstances, further bettering is out of the question."
+
+"And I rather think I am in the showdown," choked out the prisoner.
+"I'll need this money to defend myself when I come to trial."
+
+"You shall have it," assured Dan Badger--"if you win it."
+
+"Well, I think I'll win it," said the ironed man, spreading out his
+hand. "I have four aces, and you can't beat that."
+
+"Oh, my dear saire!" cried the Frenchman. "Zat ees pretty gude, but I
+belief zis ees battaire. How you like zat for a straight flush?"
+
+He lay his cards on the table, and he had the two, three, four, five and
+six of hearts.
+
+There was a shout of astonishment.
+
+"Ze pot ees mine!" exultantly cried the Frenchman.
+
+"Stop!" rang out Frank Merriwell's clear voice. "That pot is not yours!"
+
+Everyone looked at Merry.
+
+"He is using a table 'hold-out!'" accused Frank, pointing straight at
+Montfort. "I saw him make the shift. The five cards that really belong
+in his hands will be found in the hold-out under the table!"
+
+There was dead silence. The Frenchman turned sallow.
+
+"It makes no difference," said the quiet voice of the detective,
+breaking the silence. "I have a higher straight flush of clubs here.
+Mine runs up to the eight spot, and so I win the pot."
+
+He showed his cards and raked in the pot.
+
+With a savage cry, M. Montfort flung his hand aside, leaped to his feet,
+sprang at Frank, and struck for Merry's face.
+
+The blow was parried, and he was knocked down instantly.
+
+A sailor, pale and shaking, came dashing into the room and whispered a
+word in the captain's ear.
+
+An oath broke from the captain's lips, and he whirled about and rushed
+from the room.
+
+Slowly Montfort picked himself up. There was a livid mark on his cheek.
+He glared at Frank with deadly hatred.
+
+"Cursed meddlaire!" he grated. "You shall pay for this."
+
+There was consternation outside. On the deck was heard the sound of
+running feet.
+
+"Something has happened!" said Diamond, hurrying to the door. "I wonder
+what it is."
+
+The "Eagle" was plunging along through a heavy sea. On the deck some men
+were running to and fro. Everyone seemed in the greatest consternation.
+
+Jack sprang out and stopped a man.
+
+"What is the matter?" he demanded.
+
+"The ship is on fire!" was the shaking answer. "There is a fire in the
+hold!"
+
+Diamond staggered. He whirled about and sprang into the smoking-room. In
+a moment he was at Frank's side.
+
+"Merry," he said, "what I feared has come! The steamer is on fire!"
+
+"Where?"
+
+"In the hold."
+
+Frank remembered the barrels and casks he had seen there.
+
+"Then we are liable to go scooting skyward in a hurry!" he said. "It
+can't take the fire long to reach the petroleum and powder!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+SAVING AN ENEMY.
+
+
+In truth, there was a fire in the "Eagle's" hold. The captain and the
+crew seemed perfectly panic-stricken. The thought of the explosion that
+might come any moment seemed to rob them of all reason.
+
+Frank Merriwell and his friends rushed out of the smoking-room.
+
+The hold had been opened in an attempt to get water onto the flames.
+Smoke was rolling up from the opening.
+
+"Close down the hatch!" shouted somebody. "It is producing a draft, and
+that helps the fire along!"
+
+Then faint cries came from the hold--cries of a human being in danger
+and distress!
+
+"It's Harris!" exclaimed Diamond. "He is down there, and his time has
+come at last!"
+
+"A rope!" shouted Frank Merriwell, flinging off his coat.
+
+"What are you going to do?" demanded Bruce Browning.
+
+"By heavens! I am going down there and try to bring Harris out!"
+
+"You're a fool!" chattered Harry Rattleton. "Think of the oil and powder
+down there! The stuff is liable to explode any moment! You shall not
+go!"
+
+Frank saw a coil of rope at a distance. He rushed for it, brought it to
+the hold, let an end drop and dangle into the darkness from whence the
+smoke rolled up.
+
+"You are crazy!" roared Bruce Browning, attempting to get hold of Frank.
+"I refuse to let you go down there!"
+
+"Don't put your hands on me, Browning!" cried Frank. "If you do, I shall
+knock you down!"
+
+They saw that he meant just what he said. He would not be stopped then.
+Bruce Browning, giant that he was, felt that he would be no match for
+Frank then.
+
+The rope was made fast, and down into the smoke and darkness slid Frank,
+disappearing from view.
+
+Barely had he done so when some sailors came rushing forward and
+attempted to close the hatch.
+
+"Hold on!" thundered Browning. "You can't do that now!"
+
+"Get out of the way!" commanded one of them, who seemed to be an
+officer. "We must close this hatch to hold the fire in check long enough
+for the boats to be lowered."
+
+"A friend of mine has gone down there. You can't close it till he comes
+out!"
+
+"To blazes with your friend!" snarled the man. "What business had he to
+go down there? If he's gone, he will have to stay there. His life does
+not count against all the others."
+
+Then, under his directions the men started to close the hatch.
+
+Browning sailed into them. He was aroused to his full extent by the
+thought of what would happen if the hatch was closed and Frank was shut
+down there with the fire and smoke. He knocked them aside, he hurled
+them away as if they were children. They could not stand before him for
+an instant.
+
+There was a cry from below.
+
+"Pull away, up there!"
+
+It was Frank's voice.
+
+Willing hands seized the rope. There was a heavy weight at the end of
+it. They dragged the weight up, with the smoke rolling into their faces
+in a cloud that grew denser and denser.
+
+And up through the smoke came Sport Harris, irons and all, with the ends
+of the rope tied about his waist!
+
+Frank had found Harris, and here the fellow was.
+
+They untied the rope from Sport's waist in a hurry. Then they lowered it
+again.
+
+"Pull away!"
+
+Frank Merriwell was dragged up through the smoke.
+
+"Now," said Browning, "down goes the hatch!"
+
+And it was slammed into place in a hurry, holding the smoke back.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+THE SEA GIVES UP.
+
+
+The pumps were going, in an attempt to flood the hold, but the men did
+not attempt to fight the fire in anything like a reasonable manner.
+
+The knowledge of the cargo down there in the hold turned them to cowards
+and unreasoning beings. They were expecting to be blown skyward at any
+moment.
+
+Of a sudden the engines stopped and the "Eagle" began to lose headway.
+Men were making preparations to lower the boats.
+
+"Well, I'll be hanged if they are not going to abandon the ship!"
+exclaimed Frank. "The case must be pretty bad. I wonder how the fire
+started?"
+
+"I set it!"
+
+At his feet was Harris, whom he had just rescued from the hell below,
+and the fellow had declared that he set the fire!
+
+"You?"
+
+"Yes," said the wretch. "I was crazy. I found a match in my pocket, and
+I thought I was willing to roast if I could destroy you, so I set the
+fire. Pretty soon I realized what I had done, but then I found it too
+late when I tried to beat it out. The old steamer will go into the air
+in a few minutes, and we'll all go with it, unless we can get off in
+the boats right away."
+
+"It would have served you right had I left you to your fate!" grated
+Frank, as he turned away.
+
+He ran down to his stateroom to gather up some of the few little
+valuables he hoped to save. He was not gone long, but when he returned,
+he found two boats had been launched and were pulling away, the persons
+in them being in great haste to get as far from the steamer as they
+could before the explosion.
+
+Three or four women were in the first boat.
+
+It was rather difficult to lower the boats in the heavy sea that was
+running, but the men were working swiftly, pushed by the terror of the
+coming disaster.
+
+A little smoke curled up from the battened-down hatches.
+
+As Frank reached the deck, he nearly ran against M. Rouen Montfort, who
+was carrying a pair of swords in scabbards, which seemed to be treasures
+he wished to save.
+
+The Frenchman stopped and glared at Merry.
+
+"Cursed Yankee!" he grated. "I would like to put one of zese gude blades
+t'rough your heart!"
+
+"Haven't a doubt of it," said Merriwell, coolly. "That's about the kind
+of a man I took you to be."
+
+Another boat got away, and the last boat was swung from the davits.
+
+A sailor counted the men who remained and spoke to the captain. The
+latter said:
+
+"At best, the boat will not hold them all. There is one too many, at
+least. Let the fellow in irons stay behind."
+
+Harris heard this, and fancied his doom was sealed. He began to beg to
+be taken along, but one of the men gave him a kick.
+
+The Frenchman turned on Frank.
+
+"Do you hear?" he cried. "One cannot go. Do you make eet ze poor deval
+in ze iron? or do you dare fight me to see wheech one of us eet ees? Eef
+you make eet ze poor devval, eet show you are ze cowarde. Ha! I theenk
+you do not dare to fight!"
+
+He spat toward Merry to express his contempt.
+
+"Let me fight him!" panted Diamond at Frank's elbow.
+
+"See that Harris is put into the boat!" ordered Merriwell. "I fancy I
+can take care of this Frenchman. If you do not get Harris into the boat
+I swear I will not enter it if I conquer Montfort!"
+
+Then he whirled on the Frenchman.
+
+"I accept your challenge!" he cried in clear tones.
+
+Montfort uttered an exclamation of satisfaction. He flung off his coat,
+saying:
+
+"Choose ze weapon, saire."
+
+Frank did not pause to look them over in making a selection. He caught
+up one of them and drew it from the scabbard.
+
+Montfort took the other.
+
+"Ready?" cried the American youth.
+
+"Ready!" answered the Frenchman.
+
+Clash!--the swords came together and there on the deck of the burning
+steamer the strange duel began.
+
+Frank fought with all the coolness and skill he could command. He fought
+as if he had been standing on solid ground instead of the deck of a ship
+that might be blown into a thousand fragments at any moment.
+
+The Frenchman had fancied that the Yankee would prove easy to conquer,
+but he soon discovered Frank possessed no little skill, and he saw that
+he must do his best.
+
+More than once Montfort thrust to run Frank through the body, and once
+his sword passed between the youth's left arm and his side.
+
+Merry saw that the Frenchman really meant to kill him if possible.
+
+Then men were getting into the boat. There were but few seconds left in
+which to finish the duel. Rattleton called to him from the, boat,
+shouting above the roar of the wind:
+
+"Finish him, Frank! Come on, now! Lively!"
+
+The tip of Montfort's sword slit Frank's sleeve and touched his arm.
+
+"Next time I get you!" hissed the vindictive Frenchman.
+
+But right then Frank saw his opportunity. He made a lunge and drove his
+sword into the Frenchman's side.
+
+Montfort uttered a cry, dropped his sword, flung up his hands, and sunk
+bleeding to the deck.
+
+Merry flung his blood-stained weapon aside and bent over the man,
+saying sincerely:
+
+"I hope your wound is not fatal, M. Montfort."
+
+"It makes no difference!" gasped the man. "You are ze victor, so I must
+stay here an' die jus' ze same."
+
+But Frank Merriwell was seized by a feeling of horror at the thought of
+leaving this man whom he had wounded. In a moment he realized he would
+be haunted all his life by the memory if he did so.
+
+Quickly he caught M. Montfort up in his arms. He sprang to the side of
+the steamer. The boat was holding in for him. His friends shouted to
+him. The captain ordered him to jump at once.
+
+"Catch this man!"
+
+He lifted M. Montfort, swung him over the rail, and dropped him fairly
+into the boat!
+
+"He has chosen," said the captain. "The boat will hold no more. Pull
+away!"
+
+It was useless for Frank's friends to beg and plead. Away went the boat,
+leaving the noble youth to his doom.
+
+Forty minutes later there was a terrible flare of fire and smoke, a
+thunderous explosion, and the ill-fated steamer had blown up.
+
+Harry Rattleton was crying like a baby.
+
+"Poor Frank!" he sobbed. "Noblest fellow in all the world--good-by! I'll
+never see you again!"
+
+Tears rolled down Bruce Browning's face, and Jack Diamond, grim and
+speechless, looked as if the light of the world had gone out forever.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Some days later the passengers and crew from the lost "Eagle" were
+landed at Liverpool by the steamer "Seneca," which had picked them up at
+sea. The "Seneca" was a slow old craft, but she got there all right.
+
+A little grimy tender carried Bruce, Jack, Harry and the tutor from the
+"Seneca" to the floating dock. It was a sad and wretched-looking party.
+
+On the dock stood a young man who shouted to them and waved his hand.
+
+Jack Diamond started, gasped, clutched Browning and whispered:
+
+"Look--look there, Bruce! Tell me if I am going crazy, or do you see
+somebody who looks like--"
+
+Harry Rattleton clutched the big fellow by the other side, spluttering:
+
+"Am I doing gaffy--I mean going daffy? Look there! Who is that waving
+his hand to us?"
+
+"It's the ghost of Frank Merriwell, as true as there are such things as
+ghosts!" muttered Browning.
+
+But it was no ghost. It was Frank Merriwell in the flesh, alive and
+well! He greeted them as they came off the tender. He caught them in his
+arms, laughing, shouting, overjoyed. And they, realizing it really was
+him, hugged him and wept like a lot of big-hearted, manly young men.
+
+Frank explained in a few words. He told how, after they had left him,
+he had belted himself well with life-preservers and left the "Eagle" in
+time to get away before the explosion. Then he was picked up by an
+Atlantic liner, which brought him to Liverpool in advance of his
+friends.
+
+Thus he was there to receive them, and it seemed that the sea had given
+up its dead.
+
+
+[THE END.]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Frank Merriwell's Nobility
+by Burt L. Standish (AKA Gilbert Patten)
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S NOBILITY ***
+
+***** This file should be named 10904.txt or 10904.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/9/0/10904/
+
+Produced by David Starner, Brett Koonce and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's
+eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII,
+compressed (zipped), HTML and others.
+
+Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over
+the old filename and etext number.  The replaced older file is renamed.
+VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving
+new filenames and etext numbers.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000,
+are filed in directories based on their release date.  If you want to
+download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular
+search system you may utilize the following addresses and just
+download by the etext year.
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/etext06
+
+    (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99,
+     98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90)
+
+EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are
+filed in a different way.  The year of a release date is no longer part
+of the directory path.  The path is based on the etext number (which is
+identical to the filename).  The path to the file is made up of single
+digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename.  For
+example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234
+
+or filename 24689 would be found at:
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689
+
+An alternative method of locating eBooks:
+     https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL
+
+
diff --git a/old/10904.zip b/old/10904.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..85ad0a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/10904.zip