diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/63752-h/63752-h.htm')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/63752-h/63752-h.htm | 11068 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 11068 deletions
diff --git a/old/63752-h/63752-h.htm b/old/63752-h/63752-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 0ae95ba..0000000 --- a/old/63752-h/63752-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11068 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> - <title>Frank Merriwell on the Boulevards, by Burt L. Standish--A Project Gutenberg eBook</title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 8%; } - h1 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em; } - h2 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em; } - p { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; text-align: justify; } - .sc { font-variant: small-caps; } - .large { font-size: large; } - .xlarge { font-size: x-large; } - .xxlarge { font-size: xx-large; } - .small { font-size: small; } - .lg-container-l { text-align: left; } - @media handheld { .lg-container-l { clear: both; } } - .linegroup { display: inline-block; text-align: left; } - @media handheld { .linegroup { display: block; margin-left: 1.5em; } } - .linegroup .group { margin: 1em auto; } - .linegroup .line { text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em; } - div.linegroup > :first-child { margin-top: 0; } - ul.ul_1 {padding-left: 0; margin-left: 2.78%; margin-top: .5em; - margin-bottom: .5em; list-style-type: disc; } - ul.ul_2 {padding-left: 0; margin-left: 6.94%; margin-top: .5em; - margin-bottom: .5em; list-style-type: circle; } - em.gesperrt { font-style: normal; letter-spacing: 0.2em; margin-right: -0.2em; } - @media handheld { em.gesperrt { font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0; - margin-right: 0;} } - div.pbb { page-break-before: always; } - hr.pb { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-bottom: 1em; } - @media handheld { hr.pb { display: none; } } - .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } - .figcenter { clear: both; max-width: 100%; margin: 2em auto; text-align: center; } - div.figcenter p { text-align: center; text-indent: 0; } - .figcenter img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; } - .id001 { width:856px; } - .id002 { width:60px; } - .id003 { width:729px; } - @media handheld { .id001 { margin-left:0%; width:100%; } } - @media handheld { .id002 { margin-left:46%; width:7%; } } - @media handheld { .id003 { margin-left:4%; width:91%; } } - .ic003 { width:100%; } - .ig001 { width:100%; } - .table0 { margin: auto; margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 9%; width: 83%; } - .nf-center { text-align: center; } - .nf-center-c0 { text-align: left; margin: 0.5em 0; } - .c000 { margin-top: 1em; } - .c001 { margin-top: 2em; } - .c002 { margin-top: 2em; text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c003 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 20%; width: 60%; margin-right: 20%; } - .c004 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em; - padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em; } - .c005 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em; - padding-left: 1em; } - .c006 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10%; width: 80%; margin-right: 10%; } - .c007 { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c008 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 10%; width: 80%; margin-right: 10%; - margin-top: 2em; } - .c009 { page-break-before: always; margin-top: 2em; } - .c010 { margin-top: 3em; } - .c011 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 30%; width: 40%; margin-right: 30%; - margin-top: 4em; } - .c012 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 30%; width: 40%; margin-right: 30%; } - .c013 { margin-top: 4em; } - .c014 { page-break-before:auto; margin-top: 4em; } - .c015 { margin-top: 1em; font-size: 85%; } - .c016 { margin-top: 1em; text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c017 { margin-left: 5.56%; margin-right: 5.56%; margin-top: 1em; font-size: 85%; - text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c018 { margin-left: 5.56%; margin-right: 5.56%; font-size: 85%; text-align: right; - } - .c019 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 0.8em; - margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 35%; margin-right: 35%; width: 30%; } - body {width:80%; margin:auto; } - .tnbox {background-color:#E3E4FA;border:1px solid silver;padding: 0.5em; - margin:2em 10% 0 10%; } - .box1 {border-style: solid; border-width:thick; padding: 1em; margin: 0 10% 0 10% } - .box2 {border-style: double; border-width:thick; padding:1em; - margin: 0 1em 1em 1em } - .sans {font-family: "Ariel", sans-serif; } - </style> - </head> - <body> -<pre style='margin-bottom:6em;'>The Project Gutenberg EBook of Frank Merriwell on the Boulevards, by Burt L -Standish - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this ebook. - -Title: Frank Merriwell on the Boulevards - Astonishing the Europeans - -Author: Burt L Standish - -Release Date: December 05, 2020 [EBook #63752] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: David Edwards, Barry Abrahamsen, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL ON THE -BOULEVARDS *** -</pre> -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>THE MEDAL LIBRARY</span></div> - <div class='c000'><b>FAMOUS COPYRIGHTED STORIES</b></div> - <div><b>FOR BOYS, BY FAMOUS AUTHORS</b></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c002'>This is an ideal line for boys of all ages. It contains juvenile -masterpieces by the most popular writers of interesting fiction -for boys. Among these may be mentioned the works of Burt L. -Standish, detailing the adventures of Frank Merriwell, the hero, -of whom every American boy has read with admiration. Frank -is a truly representative American lad, full of character and -a strong determination to do right at any cost. Then, there are -the works of Horatio Alger, Jr., whose keen insight into the -minds of the boys of our country has enabled him to write a -series of the most interesting tales ever published. This line also -contains some of the best works of Oliver Optic, another author -whose entire life was devoted to writing books that would tend -to interest and elevate our boys.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='xlarge'>PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c003' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'>To be Published During December</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='50%' /> -<col width='50%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>339—In School and Out</td> - <td class='c005'>By Oliver Optic</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>338—A Cousin’s Conspiracy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>337—Jack Harkaway After Schooldays</td> - <td class='c005'>By Bracebridge Hemyng</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>336—Frank Merriwell’s Great Scheme</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'>To be Published During November</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='50%' /> -<col width='50%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>335—The Haunted Hunter</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>334—Tony, the Tramp</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>333—Rich and Humble</td> - <td class='c005'>By Oliver Optic</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>332—Frank Merriwell’s Stage Hit</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>331—The Hidden City</td> - <td class='c005'>By Walter MacDougall</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>330—Bob Burton</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>329—Masterman Ready</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Marryat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>328—Frank Merriwell’s Prosperity</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>327—Jack Harkaway’s Friends</td> - <td class='c005'>By Bracebridge Hemyng</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>326—The Tin Box</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>325—The Young Franc-Tireurs</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>324—Frank Merriwell’s New Comedian</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>323—The Sheik’s White Slave</td> - <td class='c005'>By Raymond Raife</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>322—Helping Himself</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>321—Snarleyyow, The Dog Fiend</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Marryat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>320—Frank Merriwell’s Fortune</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>319—By Right of Conquest</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>318—Jed, the Poorhouse Boy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>317—Jack Harkaway’s Schooldays</td> - <td class='c005'>By Bracebridge Hemyng</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>316—Frank Merriwell’s Problem</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>315—The Diamond Seeker of Brazil</td> - <td class='c005'>By Leon Lewis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>314—Andy Gordon</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>313—The Phantom Ship</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Marryat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>312—Frank Merriwell’s College Chums</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>311—Whistler</td> - <td class='c005'>By Walter Aimwell</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>310—Making His Way</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>309—Three Years at Wolverton</td> - <td class='c005'>By A Wolvertonian</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>308—Frank Merriwell’s Fame</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>307—The Boy Crusoes</td> - <td class='c005'>By Jeffreys Taylor</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>306—Chester Rand</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>305—Japhet in Search of a Father</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Marryat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>304—Frank Merriwell’s Own Company</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>303—The Prairie</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. Fenimore Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>302—The Young Salesman</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>301—A Battle and a Boy</td> - <td class='c005'>By Blanche Willis Howard</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>300—Frank Merriwell on the Road</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>299—Mart Satterlee Among the Indians</td> - <td class='c005'>By William O. Stoddard</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>298—Andy Grant’s Pluck</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>297—Newton Forster</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Marryat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>296—Frank Merriwell’s Protege</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>295—Cris Rock</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>294—Sam’s Chance</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>293—My Plucky Boy Tom</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>292—Frank Merriwell’s Hard Luck</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>291—By Pike and Dyke</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>290—Shifting For Himself</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>289—The Pirate and the Three Cutters</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Marryat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>288—Frank Merriwell’s Opportunity</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>287—Kit Carson’s Last Trail</td> - <td class='c005'>By Leon Lewis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>286—Jack’s Ward</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>285—Jack Darcy, the All Around Athlete</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>284—Frank Merriwell’s First Job</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>283—Wild Adventures Round the Pole</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gordon Stables</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>282—Herbert Carter’s Legacy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>281—Rattlin, the Reefer</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Marryat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>280—Frank Merriwell’s Struggle</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>279—Mark Dale’s Stage Venture</td> - <td class='c005'>By Arthur M. Winfield</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>278—In Times of Peril</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>277—In a New World</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>276—Frank Merriwell in Maine</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>275—The King of the Island</td> - <td class='c005'>By Henry Harrison Lewis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>274—Beach Boy Joe</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. James K. Ortón</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>273—Jacob Faithful</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Marryat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>272—Facing the World</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>271—Frank Merriwell’s Chase</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>270—Wing and Wing</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. Fenimore Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>269—The Young Bank Clerk</td> - <td class='c005'>By Arthur M. Winfield</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>268—Do and Dare</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>267—Frank Merriwell’s Cruise</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>266—The Young Castaways</td> - <td class='c005'>By Leon Lewis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>265—The Lion of St. Mark</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>264—Hector’s Inheritance</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>263—Mr. Midshipman Easy</td> - <td class='c005'>By Captain Marryat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>262—Frank Merriwell’s Vacation</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>261—The Pilot</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. Fenimore Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>260—Driven From Home</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>259—Sword and Pen</td> - <td class='c005'>By Henry Harrison Lewis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>258—Frank Merriwell In Camp</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>257—Jerry</td> - <td class='c005'>By Walter Aimwell</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>256—The Young Ranchman</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>255—Captain Bayley’s Heir</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>254—Frank Merriwell’s Loyalty</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>253—The Water Witch</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. Fenimore Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>252—Luke Walton</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>251—Frank Merriwell’s Banger</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>250—Neka, the Boy Conjurer</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Ralph Bonehill</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>249—The Young Bridge Tender</td> - <td class='c005'>By Arthur M. Winfield</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>248—The West Point Rivals</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Frederick Garrison, U. S. A.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>247—Frank Merriwell’s Secret</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>246—Rob Ranger’s Cowboy Days</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>245—The Red Rover</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. Fenimore Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>244—Frank Merriwell’s Return to Yale</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>243—Adrift in New York</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>242—The Rival Canoe Boys</td> - <td class='c005'>By St. George Rathborne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>241—The Tour of the Zero Club</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. R. Bonehill</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>240—Frank Merriwell’s Champions</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>239—The Two Admirals</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. Fenimore Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>238—A Cadet’s Honor</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Fred’k Garrison, U. S. A.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>237—Frank Merriwell’s Skill</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>236—Rob Ranger’s Mine</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>235—The Young Carthaginian</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>234—The Store Boy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>233—Frank Merriwell’s Athletes</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>232—The Valley of Mystery</td> - <td class='c005'>By Henry Harrison Lewis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>231—Paddling Under Palmettos</td> - <td class='c005'>By St. George Rathborne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>230—Off for West Point</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Fred’k Garrison, U. S. A.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>229—Frank Merriwell’s Daring</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>228—The Cash Boy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>227—In Freedom’s Cause</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>226—Tom Havens With the White Squadron</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. James K. Orton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>225—Frank Merriwell’s Courage</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>224—Yankee Boys in Japan</td> - <td class='c005'>By Henry Harrison Lewis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>223—In Fort and Prison</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>222—A West Point Treasure</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Frederick Garrison, U. S. A.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>221—The Young Outlaw</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>220—The Gulf Cruisers</td> - <td class='c005'>By St. George Rathborne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>219—Tom Truxton’s Ocean Trip</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>218—Tom Truxton’s School Days</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>217—Frank Merriwell’s Bicycle Tour</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>216—Campaigning With Braddock</td> - <td class='c005'>By Wm. Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>215—With Clive in India</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>214—On Guard</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Frederick Garrison, U. S. A.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>213—Frank Merriwell’s Races</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>212—Julius, the Street Boy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>211—Buck Badger’s Ranch</td> - <td class='c005'>By Russell Williams</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>210—Sturdy and Strong</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>209—Frank Merriwell’s Sports Afield</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>208—The Treasure of the Golden Crater</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>207—Shifting Winds</td> - <td class='c005'>By St. George Rathborne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>206—Jungles and Traitors</td> - <td class='c005'>By Wm. Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>205—Frank Merriwell at Yale</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>204—Under Drake’s Flag</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>203—Last Chance Mine</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. James K. Orton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>202—Risen From the Ranks</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>201—Frank Merriwell in Europe</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>200—The Fight for a Pennant</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank Merriwell</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>199—The Golden Cañon</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>198—Only an Irish Boy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>197—Frank Merriwell’s Hunting Tour</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>196—Zip, the Acrobat</td> - <td class='c005'>By Victor St. Clair</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>195—The Lion of the North</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>194—The White Mustang</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>193—Frank Merriwell’s Bravery</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>192—Tom, the Bootblack</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>191—The Rivals of the Diamond</td> - <td class='c005'>By Russell Williams</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>190—The Cat of Bubastes</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>189—Frank Merriwell Down South</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>188—From Street to Mansion</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Stauffer</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>187—Bound to Rise</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>186—On the Trail of Geronimo</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>185—For the Temple</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>184—Frank Merriwell’s Trip West</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>183—The Diamond Hunters</td> - <td class='c005'>By James Grant</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>182—The Camp in the Snow</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>181—Brave and Bold</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>180—One of the 28th</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>178—Frank Merriwell’s Foes</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>177—The White Elephant</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Dalton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>176—By England’s Aid</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>175—Strive and Succeed</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>173—Life at Sea</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gordon Stables</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>172—The Young Midshipman</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>171—Erling the Bold</td> - <td class='c005'>By R. M. Ballantyne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>170—Strong and Steady</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>169—Peter, the Whaler</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>168—Among Malay Pirates</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>167—Frank Merriwell’s Chums</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>166—Try and Trust</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>165—The Secret Chart</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. James K. Orton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>164—The Cornet of Horse</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>163—Slow and Sure</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>162—The Pioneers</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. F. Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>161—Reuben Green’s Adventures at Yale</td> - <td class='c005'>By James Otis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>160—Little by Little</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Oliver Optic</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>159—Phil, the Fiddler</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>158—With Lee in Virginia</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>157—Randy, the Pilot</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>156—The Pathfinder</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. F. Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>155—The Young Voyagers</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>154—Paul, the Peddler</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger. Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>153—Bonnie Prince Charlie</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>152—The Last of the Mohicans</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. Fenimore Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>151—The Flag of Distress</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>150—Frank Merriwell’s School Days</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Burt L. Standish</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>149—With Wolfe in Canada</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>148—The Deerslayer</td> - <td class='c005'>By J. F. Cooper</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>147—The Cliff Climbers</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>146—Uncle Nat</td> - <td class='c005'>By A. Oldfellow</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>145—Friends Though Divided</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>144—The Boy Tar</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>143—Hendricks, the Hunter</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>142—The Young Explorer</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gordon Stables</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>141—The Ocean Waifs</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>140—The Young Buglers</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>139—Shore and Ocean</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>138—Striving for Fortune</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>137—The Bush Boys</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>136—From Pole to Pole</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gordon Stables</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>135—Dick Cheveley</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>134—Orange and Green</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>133—The Young Yagers</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>132—The Adventures of Rob Roy</td> - <td class='c005'>By James Grant</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>131—The Boy Slaves</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>130—From Canal Boy to President</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>129—Ran Away to Sea</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>128—For Name and Fame</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>127—The Forest Exiles</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>126—From Powder Monkey to Admiral</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>125—The Plant Hunters</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>124—St. George for England</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>123—The Giraffe Hunters</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>122—Tom Brace</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>121—Peter Trawl</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>120—In the Wilds of New Mexico</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. Manville Fenn</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>119—A Final Reckoning</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>118—Ned Newton</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>117—James Braithwaite, The Supercargo</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>116—Happy-Go-Lucky Jack</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>115—Adventures of a Young Athlete</td> - <td class='c005'>By Matthew White, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>114—The Old Man of the Mountains</td> - <td class='c005'>By George H. Coomer</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>113—The Bravest of the Brave</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>112—20,000 Leagues Under the Sea</td> - <td class='c005'>By Jules Verne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>111—The Midshipman, Marmaduke Merry</td> - <td class='c005'>By W. H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>110—Around the World in Eighty Days</td> - <td class='c005'>By Jules Verne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>109—A Dash to the Pole</td> - <td class='c005'>By Herbert D. Ward</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>108—Texar’s Revenge</td> - <td class='c005'>By Jules Verne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>107—Van; or, In Search of an Unknown Race</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>106—The Boy Knight</td> - <td class='c005'>By George A Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>105—The Young Actor</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gayle Winterton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>104—Heir to a Million</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>103—The Adventures of Rex Staunton</td> - <td class='c005'>By Mary A. Denison</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>102—Clearing His Name</td> - <td class='c005'>By Matthew White, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>101—The Lone Ranch</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>100—Maori and Settler</td> - <td class='c005'>By George A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>99—The Cruise of the Restless; or, On Inland Waterways</td> - <td class='c005'>By James Otis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>98—The Grand Chaco</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By George Manville Fenn</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>97—The Giant Islanders</td> - <td class='c005'>By Brooks McCormick</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>96—An Unprovoked Mutiny</td> - <td class='c005'>By James Otis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>95—By Sheer Pluck</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>94—Oscar; or, The Boy Who Had His Own Way</td> - <td class='c005'>By Walter Aimwell</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>93—A New York Boy</td> - <td class='c005'>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>92—Spectre Gold</td> - <td class='c005'>By Headon Hill</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>91—The Crusoes of Guiana</td> - <td class='c005'>By Louis Boussenard</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>90—Out on the Pampas</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>89—Clinton; or, Boy Life in the Country</td> - <td class='c005'>By Walter Aimwell</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>88—My Mysterious Fortune</td> - <td class='c005'>By Matthew White, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>87—The Five Hundred Dollar Check</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>86—Catmur’s Cave</td> - <td class='c005'>By Richard Dowling</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>85—Facing Death</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>84—The Butcher of Cawnpore</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>83—The Tiger Prince</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Dalton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>82—The Young Editor</td> - <td class='c005'>By Matthew White, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>81—Arthur Helmuth, of the H. & N. C. Railway</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>80—Afloat in the Forest</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. Mayne Reid</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>79—The Rival Battalions</td> - <td class='c005'>By Brooks McCormick</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>78—Both Sides of the Continent</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>77—Perils of the Jungle</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>76—The War Tiger; or, The Conquest of China</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Dalton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>75—Boys in the Forecastle</td> - <td class='c005'>By George H. Coomer</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>74—The Dingo Boys</td> - <td class='c005'>By George Manville Fenn</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>73—The Wolf Boy of China</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Dalton</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>72—The Way to Success; or, Tom Randall</td> - <td class='c005'>By Alfred Oldfellow</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>71—Mark Seaworth’s Voyage on the Indian Ocean</td> - <td class='c005'>By William H. G. Kingston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>70—The New and Amusing History of Sandford and Merton</td> - <td class='c005'>By F. C. Burnand</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>69—Pirate Island</td> - <td class='c005'>By Harry Collingwood</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>68—Smuggler’s Cave</td> - <td class='c005'>By Annie Ashmore</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>67—Tom Brown’s School Days</td> - <td class='c005'>By Thomas Hughes</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>66—A Young Vagabond</td> - <td class='c005'>By Z. R. Bennett</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>65—That Treasure</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>64—The Tour of a Private Car</td> - <td class='c005'>By Matthew White, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>63—In the Sunk Lands</td> - <td class='c005'>By Walter F. Bruns</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>62—How He Won</td> - <td class='c005'>By Brooks McCormick</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>61—The Erie Train Boy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>60—The Mountain Cave</td> - <td class='c005'>By George H. Coomer</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>59—The Rajah’s Fortress</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>58—Gilbert, The Trapper</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. C. B. Ashley</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>57—The Gold of Flat Top Mountain</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>56—Nature’s Young Noblemen</td> - <td class='c005'>By Brooks McCormick</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>55—A Voyage to the Gold Coast</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>54—Joe Nichols; or, Difficulties Overcome</td> - <td class='c005'>By Alfred Oldfellow</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>53—The Adventures of a New York Telegraph Boy</td> - <td class='c005'>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>52—From Farm Boy to Senator</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>51—Tom Tracy</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>50—Dean Dunham</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>49—The Mystery of a Diamond</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>48—Luke Bennett’s Hide-Out</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. C. B. Ashley, U.S. Scout</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>47—Eric Dane</td> - <td class='c005'>By Matthew White, Jr.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>46—Poor and Proud</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Oliver Optic</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>45—Jack Wheeler; A Western Story</td> - <td class='c005'>By Capt. David Southwick</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>44—The Golden Magnet</td> - <td class='c005'>By George Manville Fenn</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>43—In Southern Seas</td> - <td class='c005'>By Frank H. Converse</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>42—The Young Acrobat</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>41—Check 2134</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>40—Canoe and Campfire</td> - <td class='c005'>By St. George Rathborne</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>39—With Boer and Britisher in the Transvaal</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>38—Gay Dashleigh’s Academy Days</td> - <td class='c005'>By Arthur Sewall</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>37—Commodore Junk</td> - <td class='c005'>By George Manville Fenn</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>36—In Barracks and Wigwam</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>35—In the Reign of Terror</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>34—The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green</td> - <td class='c005'>By Cuthbert Bede, B. A.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>33—Jud and Joe, Printers and Publishers</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gilbert Patten</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>32—The Curse of Carnes’ Hold</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>31—The Cruise of the Snow Bird</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gordon Stables</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>30—Peter Simple</td> - <td class='c005'>By Captain Marryat</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>29—True to the Old Flag</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>28—The Boy Boomers</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gilbert Patten</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>27—Centre-Board Jim</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>26—The Cryptogram</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>25—Through the Fray</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>24—The Boy From the West</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gilbert Patten</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>23—The Dragon and the Raven</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>22—From Lake to Wilderness</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>21—Won at West Point</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>20—Wheeling for Fortune</td> - <td class='c005'>By James Otis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>19—Jack Archer</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>18—The Silver Ship</td> - <td class='c005'>By Leon Lewis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>17—Ensign Merrill</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>16—The White King of Africa</td> - <td class='c005'>By William Murray Graydon</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>15—Midshipman Merrill</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>14—The Young Colonists</td> - <td class='c005'>By G. A. Henty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>13—Up the Ladder</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Murray</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>12—Don Kirk’s Mine</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gilbert Patten</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>11—From Tent to White House</td> - <td class='c005'>By Edward S. Ellis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>10—Don Kirk, the Boy Cattle King</td> - <td class='c005'>By Gilbert Patten</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>9—Try Again</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Oliver Optic</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>8—Kit Carey’s Protégé</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>7—Chased Through Norway</td> - <td class='c005'>By James Otis</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>6—Captain Carey of the Gallant Seventh</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>5—Now or Never</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Oliver Optic</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>4—Lieutenant Carey’s Luck</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>3—All Aboard</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Oliver Optic</b></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'>2—Cadet Kit Carey</td> - <td class='c005'>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c004'><b>1—The Boat Club</b></td> - <td class='c005'><b>By Oliver Optic</b></td> - </tr> -</table> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<p class='c002'> </p> -<div class='box1'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'><i>Horatio Alger, Jr.</i></span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c006' /> - -<p class='c007'>The greatest and most famous writer of rattling -good tales of adventure for boys, was Horatio Alger, -Jr. He is the Dickens of juvenile literature. His -best works are published in the Medal Library at -ten cents per copy. For sale by all newsdealers.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'><b>ALGER, HORATIO, JR.</b></span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>42. Young Acrobat, The.</div> - <div class='line'>50. Dean Dunham.</div> - <div class='line'>52. From Farm Boy to Senator.</div> - <div class='line'>61. Erie Train Boy, The.</div> - <div class='line'>87. Five Hundred Dollar Check, The.</div> - <div class='line'>118. Ned Newton; or, The Adventures of a New York Bootblack.</div> - <div class='line'>122. Tom Brace.</div> - <div class='line'>130. From Canal Boy to President.</div> - <div class='line'>138. Striving for Fortune.</div> - <div class='line'>154. Paul, the Peddler.</div> - <div class='line'>159. Phil, the Fiddler.</div> - <div class='line'>163. Slow and Sure.</div> - <div class='line'>166. Try and Trust.</div> - <div class='line'>170. Strong and Steady.</div> - <div class='line'>175. Strive and Succeed.</div> - <div class='line'>181. Brave and Bold.</div> - <div class='line'>187. Bound to Rise.</div> - <div class='line'>192. Tom, the Bootblack.</div> - <div class='line'>198. Only an Irish Boy.</div> - <div class='line'>202. Risen From the Ranks.</div> - <div class='line'>212. Julius, the Street Boy.</div> - <div class='line'>221. Young Outlaw, The.</div> - <div class='line'>228. Cash Boy, The.</div> - <div class='line'>234. Store Boy, The.</div> - <div class='line'>243. Adrift in New York.</div> - <div class='line'>252. Luke Walton.</div> - <div class='line'>260. Driven From Home.</div> - <div class='line'>264. Hector’s Inheritance.</div> - <div class='line'>268. Do and Dare.</div> - <div class='line'>272. Facing the World.</div> - <div class='line'>277. In a New World.</div> - <div class='line'>282. Herbert Carter’s Legacy.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c002'>If these books are ordered by mail, add four cents -per copy to cover postage.</p> -<hr class='c008' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='xlarge'><b>STREET & SMITH, Publishers, NEW YORK</b></span></div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div> - <h1 class='c009'><span class='xxlarge'>Frank Merriwell on the Boulevards</span></h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c000'> - <div>OR</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='xlarge'>ASTONISHING THE EUROPEANS</span></div> - <div class='c010'>By</div> - <div><span class='xlarge'>BURT L. STANDISH</span></div> - <div>Author of</div> - <div class='c000'>“<i>The Merriwell Stories</i>“</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c011' /> -<div class='figcenter id002'> -<img src='images/publogo.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> -<hr class='c012' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c013'> - <div><em class='gesperrt'><span class='xlarge'>STREET & SMITH PUBLISHERS</span></em></div> - <div class='c000'><em class='gesperrt'><span class='xlarge'>79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York</span></em></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c013'> - <div>Copyright, 1899</div> - <div>By STREET & SMITH</div> - <div>────</div> - <div>FRANK MERRIWELL ON THE BOULEVARDS</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c013' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c013'> - <div><span class='xlarge'>FRANK MERRIWELL ON THE BOULEVARDS</span></div> - <div class='c000'>────────</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER I.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>“MADEMOISELLE MYSTERIE.”</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>“Well, fellows, what do you think of Paris?” asked -Frank Merriwell, settling himself into a comfortable position -on his chair.</p> - -<p class='c007'>With his three Yale friends, Frank had been in the -French capital a day. The party had crossed from England -the previous day, and, after a good night’s sleep, the -first for three of the party on French shore, they had sallied -forth to spend the day seeing the sights of Paris.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Paris!” cried Harry Rattleton, striking an attitude in -the middle of the room; “Paris is a—a relief!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I should say so!” nodded Jack Diamond, standing by -a window, from which he could look out upon the brilliantly -lighted Place Vendome, in the center of which -rose the majestic Vendome Column, the most imposing -monument of all Europe. “After London, Paris is -heaven!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Haw!” grunted Bruce Browning, who was in his favorite -attitude of rest, stretched at full length on a comfortable -couch. “Paris would be all right, if it wasn’t full -of Frenchmen.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“As for that,” smiled Frank, “it is full of Englishmen, -Americans, and people from all over the world, and -every well-educated Frenchman can talk English, you -know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Paris is beautiful!” cried Diamond. “Look at that -column out there! Just think, the bronze from which it -was built was furnished by Austrian and Russian cannon -captured in battle by the French! From base to summit, -it is covered with bronze figures, in relief, forming a miniature -army, with cannon, horses, and accouterments, ascending -by a spiral road to the massive figure of Napoleon -at the top. Oh, it is a sight for the eyes of the -world!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The statue, yes,” nodded Frank. “Think of robing -Napoleon in the garb of a Roman emperor! That is the -one thing in bad taste about the column. But that was -not always so.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How’s that?” exclaimed Rattleton. “Have they -changed his clothes from the original suit given him?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is not the original statue at the top of the -column.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No? Why, how——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“After Waterloo, when the Bourbons once more governed -France, they took Napoleon’s statue down. The -original one represented him in the cocked hat and old -gray coat, immortalized on many a field of victory.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And they never put it back?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In its place, they erected a monstrous <i>fleur-de-lis</i>. -However, this combination of the emblem of the Bourbon -family and a memorial of Napoleon was perfectly -absurd, and the people protested against it. Louis Philippe -yielded to the desire of the masses, and the present -figure of Napoleon was erected. This monument was -shamefully treated by the communists.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Eh! Why, they didn’t bother themselves with that, -did they?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They pulled it down. It was necessary to lay a thick -bed of tan along the street, to mitigate the shock when -it fell. The national troops arrived in time to prevent -its complete ruin, and it was reconstructed as you see it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s strange that people like the communists, nihilists, -anarchists, and that sort, always, when possible, destroy -everything they can in the way of sculpture, architecture, -and art. They seem possessed by a senseless rage against -the beautiful. Such human beings plainly show the low -and brutal in their natures. They rob themselves of sympathy -by their acts, and make themselves detested, as they -should be. God did not put us into the world to hate and -destroy,” declared Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, say, give us a rest!” grunted Browning. “I’m -tired.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“As usual.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now, don’t fling that!” growled the big Yale man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Merriwell has kept us on the jump all day, seeing -things. He trotted us from the Trocadero to Prison -Mazas, and that is pretty nearly from one end of the city -to the other. He has shown us all the sights——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I beg your pardon!” exclaimed Merry, with a laugh. -“I haven’t begun to show you anything of the sights of -Paris. All I tried to do was give you a general idea of -the city.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Dow the hickens—I mean, how the dickens—you ever -learned so much about Paris is what puzzles me,” burst -forth Rattleton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s a wonder to all of us,” admitted Diamond. “Why, -you seem perfectly familiar with the city, Frank.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To a certain extent, I am familiar with it. You know, -I spent three weeks here in company with our old friend, -Ephraim Gallup, and my guardian, poor Professor Scotch, -and I was on the hustle all the time, so I got the lay of -the land pretty well.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But, great Scott! why didn’t you ever say anything -about it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Never had occasion.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Didn’t you meet with any adventures in Paris worth -relating?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, I met with adventures enough, I assure you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Pleasant adventures?” asked Harry, with a grin and -a wink.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, I hardly think they’d be designated as pleasant.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Lovely girls, and all that sort of thing?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There was one girl concerned.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Only one?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“She was quite enough, under the circumstances. She -was an anarchist.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Huah!” grunted Bruce.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Whew!” whistled Harry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Jove!” exclaimed Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I fell in with a New York newspaper reporter, who -had been sent over to investigate and write up the recent -bomb outrages in this city. Being seen with him, I was -spotted by the anarchists, who regarded him as a spy. I -was warned to leave France, but didn’t fancy being driven -out that way.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, that was interesting!” ejaculated Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Rather!” drawled Bruce.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It was hot stuff!” said Rattleton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It was the night after Grand Prix, the great French -horse-race, that I received my first warning. It came -from a masked woman. Wynne, the reporter, followed -her, but she slipped him. On the night after Grand Prix, -all Paris turns out to enjoy itself, and be gay. It was -at the Jardin de Paris that I saw her again, in the midst -of the mob that was dancing and singing there in the -open air. I caught her by the wrist, and she tried to -stab me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Whew!” again whistled Rattleton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Huah!” once more grunted Browning.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Jove!” was Diamond’s repeated ejaculation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Her friends were on hand to aid her, and she managed -to break away, and slip me, as she had Wynne. -Afterward, at a place called the Red Flag, I ran across -Wynne. Anarchists resorted there, and they tried to -stop us both. Wynne got away, but I was roped in. -Somebody rapped the senses out of me, and I came to -myself in a dungeon-like place, a captive.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They knew he was telling the truth, for Frank Merriwell -never lied, but it dazed them to think he had never -mentioned the matter before.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What happened next?” breathlessly asked Harry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The woman, who was known as ‘Mademoiselle Mysterie,’ -came there to kill me. I was bound and gagged, -and she had a dagger to finish me off. I couldn’t squeal, -and so I smiled at her. Then what do you think happened?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Can’t guess.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You tell.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Go on!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“She fell in love with me,” said Frank quietly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The deuce!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come off!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“She did,” nodded Merry, smiling. “She decided not -to kill me. She resolved to save me, even though I had -been condemned to die by the bomb-throwers, who were -convinced that I was dangerous for them. Then, when -the real executioner came into the cellar to do the job, -she struck him senseless with a stone, and set me free.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Bruce Browning sat up, and stared at Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll admit that you are the queerest chap alive!” he -growled. “You had such an adventure here in Paris, and -yet you never told any of us a word about it! Merriwell, -I don’t understand you, and I thought I knew you pretty -well.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Now Frank laughed outright.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I had no occasion to say anything about it, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Most fellows would have made an occasion. Supposing -the story of that adventure had been known at -college. You’d been a king-pin from the very first.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, I don’t know about that. You know, a fellow’s -record before he enters Yale doesn’t cut much ice there. -It’s the record he makes afterward that counts. In almost -any other college it is different. A man’s standing -amounts to a great deal elsewhere. At Yale, he makes a -standing for himself. If he attempts to bolster himself -up by tales of what he has done, he is regarded with -suspicion and contempt. You know this is true. It is to -his direct disadvantage to boast.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But it was not necessary for you to boast. You -might have told your friends. You never told any of us.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Never!” exclaimed Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not a word!” came reproachfully from Rattleton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not even when we were coming here,” growled -Browning resentfully.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, I’ve told you now, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not everything,” said Jack eagerly. “Go on. How -did you escape?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Fought my way out through dynamiters, aided by the -woman. The men were in a room where a Russian manufacturer -of infernal machines was explaining how his -devilish inventions worked. He had all his bombs spread -out on a table. I got through that room, and out of the -building, and I was lucky. What happened behind me, I -can only surmise. It is certain one of those bombs was -exploded, and it exploded others. The building was -wrecked, the anarchists were killed, and among them was -found the body of the woman who had saved me, their -queen. She is buried at Mont Parnasse, and I paid for -the stone that marks her grave.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning struggled to his feet, and stood there, colossal, -imposing, outraged, his hands on his hips.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have considered you my friend,” he said; “but I feel -like punching you now! Why, you even trotted us round -all day, and never once mentioned this!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I didn’t want to bore you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Bore us—bore us with a yarn like that! Why, it’s -exciting enough to furnish a plot for a novel! And you -actually passed through such an adventure here in Paris?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Didn’t I say so? Do you think I’m drawing the long -bow?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, but——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But what?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is so remarkable. Why, you came to Yale in the -quietest way possible. Any one might have taken you for -a country lad just getting out into the world, for all of -anything you had to tell of yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What if I had told the story I’ve just related to you? -What if I had related a number of yarns about my adventures -in various parts of the world? What if I had -begun at college by prating of the things I had done?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You’d been set down as a howling liar!” exploded -Rattleton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Exactly,” nodded Merry. “If I had an inclination -to speak of such things, I put it aside, and kept corked -up. You need not set it down as modesty, unless you -like; you may call it horse-sense.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They talked over Frank’s adventure, just related, for -some time, asking him many questions about it, for it -was a most fascinating story.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Those must have been tot old himes—I mean hot -old times,” said Rattleton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I should say so!” agreed Diamond. “You struck a -circus in Paris, and that’s straight! I hardly think anything -like that will happen while you are here this time.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not likely,” admitted Merry. “I don’t believe I care -about having anything like that happen again. It’s well -enough to talk about, but I was rather too near being -snuffed out to enjoy it at the time.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>There came a timid knock on the door.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come!” called Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The door opened falteringly, and Mr. Maybe, Frank’s -tutor, looked in hesitatingly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mr. Merriwell,” he said, “I think you had better retire. -You must be tired, and, you know, your -studies——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Hang it, Mr. Maybe!” exclaimed Merry; “I’m not -going to begin cramming again the moment we reach -Paris. You must give me two or three days to look -round with my friends, and enjoy the sights.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have wasted to-day, sir, and——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Wasted it? No. We’ve taken in the streets, the -boulevards, the Seine, the Luxembourg Gardens, the -Champs-Élysées, the Bourse, and so forth. To-morrow, -we will visit other places of interest—Versailles, the Trocadero, -the Grand Opera-House, perhaps, the Eiffel Tower. -There are thousands of beautiful things to be seen in -Paris, Mr. Maybe, and I advise you to get out and circulate. -It will do you good.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You must have been reading the guide-books, to know -so much about Paris,” said Maybe. “I’m going to bed, -and I advise you to do the same. Good night.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He retired, closing the door.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He doesn’t even dream you ever saw Paris before,” -said Rattleton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well,” grunted Browning, from the couch, on which -he was stretched once more, “I think I’ll take his advice, -and go to bed. I know I shall sleep like a top to-night. -I don’t believe an earthquake would disturb me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But your snoring is likely to disturb everybody else -on this floor,” declared Rattleton. “I’m glad Merriwell -has taken pity on me, and arranged it so I don’t have to -sleep with you. You’ll have an entire bed and a whole -room to yourself to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What a relief that will be!” murmured the big fellow. -“How sweetly I will slumber!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He did not notice that his three companions looked at -each other knowingly, while Frank changed a laugh into -a choking cough. He did not suspect what was in store -for him that night, so he arose, bade good night to the -others, and went to his room.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER II.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>BRUCE’S LIVELY NIGHT.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Bruce really was tired. Big, strong fellow though he -was, his laziness overcame the energy it seemed natural -he should possess, and a day of hustling quite exhausted -him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was glad to have a room by himself, and he rolled -into bed with a satisfied grunt, muttering:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now, nothing will disturb me till morning.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>In a short time, he was asleep, and snoring. His slumbers, -however, were rudely disturbed. At first, it seemed -like a dream. He fancied he could hear the gong of a -fire-engine that was thundering down upon him, while he -seemed helpless to get out of the way and escape. The -gong pounded furiously, and he struggled with all his -might to flee. In the midst of the awful effort, he awoke, -sweat starting from every pore. The infernal clatter and -bang of the bell continued, and it sounded right there in -that room.</p> - -<p class='c007'>With a snort, Bruce sat up.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Fire, I’ll bet a hundred dollars!” he blurted, as he -made a dive to get out of bed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His feet became entangled with the bedclothes, and he -landed sprawling, with a terrible thud that knocked the -breath from his body.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Clatter! bang! ding! bang! clatter!</p> - -<p class='c007'>That bell was keeping it up at a fearful rate, and -Browning floundered around on the floor, becoming more -and more helplessly entangled in the bedclothing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This is awful!” he groaned. “I’m tying myself all up -here, and I’ll be burned to death! The old hotel is afire, -and that’s the alarm!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was tempted to uplift his voice, and roar aloud for -aid, but refrained from doing so, and forcibly tore himself -free from the entangling clothing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Keep cool, old man!” he said, as he got upon his feet. -“The people who lose their heads at fires get burned. -The ones who keep cool escape.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then he found the gas, and turned it on, but could not -find a match. He rushed round the room, bumping -against chairs, barking his shins, and bruising himself -generally. Over one of the chairs he fell, and he got so -tangled up with it that it really seemed that the chair was -clinging to him, like a living creature.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, yes!” he snarled. “Throw me down, and then -pile onto me, will you! Try to hold me down, so I’ll be -burned to death, will you! Punch your legs into my ribs, -will you! Hit me in the eye, and upper-cut me on the -chin, will you! Get out!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He flung the chair from him, with great violence. -There was a crash, a thud on the floor, a whirring sound -and the alarm-bell ceased to ring.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Rather dazed, Bruce got up. He was still trembling, -but he made a search for his vest, found it, and secured a -match.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The stillness which followed the racket of the bell and -the frantic gyrations of the big Yale man seemed awful, -and he was more frightened than ever. If he had wished -to shout then, it is doubtful if he could have raised a cry -that would have been heard outside his door.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The first match he struck spluttered and went out. -With the second, he lighted the gas, the odor of which -filled the room. Then he looked around, and the sight -that met his eyes filled him with wonder.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The chair he had flung across the room had struck a -small shelf, and knocked down a clock of the forty-nine-cent -variety, smashing it, and scattering its works over -the carpet. As he stood there, glaring at its ruins, the -truth began to dawn upon him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It was that thundering alarm-clock!” he snorted. “The -thing went off, and spoiled my slumbers! There is no fire -and no danger! I’ve been fooled by a bargain-counter -alarm-clock!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He felt like jumping on the ruins of the poor time-piece, -but remembered that he was barefooted, and it -would be sure to hurt him. Then his eye caught sight of -a slip of paper attached to a ring in the case of the clock. -He picked it up. On the paper were these words, written -in English:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c015'> - <div>“Good night!</div> - <div>Sleep tight!”</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c016'>Browning flung the clock-case into a corner, uttering a -“woosh” of indignation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s what I call a pretty cheap joke!” he exploded. -“My first night by myself, and they couldn’t let me rest -in peace! Oh, I’ll have revenge for this!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He gathered up the clothing, and piled it back onto -the bed, then turned out the gas, and rolled in once -more.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s like one of Merriwell’s old tricks,” he thought, as -he buried himself under the twisted clothing, and prepared -to make up for lost time.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Being really tired, it was not long before his nerves -quieted down, and he began to snore once more. He was -dreaming a very pleasant dream, when there was a repetition -of the former racket. Browning groaned, and -stirred. Then, with a snort, he sat up.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Murder!” he gurgled. “I thought I’d smashed the -old thing so it couldn’t go off again!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He flung himself out of bed, saying some very ugly -words, and lighted the gas once more. The remnants of -the clock he had smashed lay quietly in the corner, but -the racket of an alarm-bell came from another part of -the room. Furiously he began to search for it, and, in -about five minutes, he found it in the top drawer of the -dressing-case.</p> - -<p class='c007'>To the clock was attached a card, on which was written:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c015'> - <div>“Excuse me, please. I hope you are resting well.”</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c016'>Mad? Browning almost frothed at the mouth. He -opened the window, and flung the clock out with great -violence. Then he slammed down the window, turned -off the gas, and went back to bed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll get even for this, if it takes me the rest of my -life!” he grumbled, as he settled down, and tried to make -himself comfortable in the twisted bed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Being exhausted, it did not take him long to doze -again. Then another clock began operations. Bruce -made a flying leap from the bed, striking the floor before -he was fairly awake.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ten thousand furies!” he roared, as he chased around -the room about twenty times, and broke the world’s record -for the two-mile dash. “It’s another one! Where -is the fiendish thing? Let me get my hands on it! Oh, -I won’t do a thing to it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the course of four or five minutes, he found it, hidden -behind a picture. A tag was attached to it, and on -the tag was written:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c015'> - <div>“You must be very, very tired.”</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c016'>“Tired!” howled the big fellow. “I should say so! -This is enough to make anybody tired!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He dropped the clock to the floor, but it continued to -rattle away. With an exclamation of anger, quite forgetting -that his feet were not encased in boots, he drew -off and kicked the clock up against the wall, with all his -strength, breaking his great toe-nail, and knocking the -skin off the two neighboring toes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yow!” he howled, as he held onto his injured toes -with both hands, and hopped around the room on the -other foot. “Oh, my goodness! I’ve maimed myself for -life! I’ll be a helpless cripple as long as I live!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The clock gave a sort of derisive rattle, and stopped.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Bruce sat down on the edge of the bed, and examined -his injured foot. After awhile, he bound up his toes with -a handkerchief, and turned in again.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I guess this is the end of it,” he decided. “They’ve -spoiled my night’s rest! It’s an outrage!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>His nerves were not near the surface, so they soon became -quiet, and, despite what had happened, despite the -injury to his foot, he began to snore again. Then the -fourth clock started out to get in its work. When Browning -awoke, and realized what was taking place, he was -wild. He made another jump, to get out of bed, caught -his feet in the bedclothing again, and struck on his forehead -and nose, barking the latter, and causing it to bleed -slightly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All the fiends of the hot place couldn’t devise greater -torture!” he frothed. “It’s villainous! It’s criminal! -I’ll be a raving maniac before morning!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He began to fling things around at a furious rate in his -mad search for the clock. At last, he found it in his -grip, where it had been carefully tucked. When he -yanked it out, it flew from his fingers, and rolled away. -He scrambled after it on his hands and knees, upsetting -a marble-topped table, which struck him a terrible thump -on the back of the head, producing a swelling almost as -large as a hen’s egg.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When Browning got hold of the clock at last, he was -the maddest man in all France. He rushed to the window, -and slammed it open. Then he hurled the clock -into the street, with a fearful violence, barely missing a -passing pedestrian, who shouted something about bombs, -and took to his heels.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In yanking the clock from the grip, he had torn off -a bit of paper. On the paper he read these words:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c015'> - <div>“Hope this doesn’t disturb you, old man.”</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c016'>It must be confessed that Bruce Browning made a -few “dark-blue” remarks, which would not look well in -print. Then he searched all around the room for another -clock, but could not find one.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s the last of them,” he decided, looking at his watch. -“A quarter to three, and I haven’t slept ten minutes thus -far to-night. Oh, I’ll be in fine condition to-morrow!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>But he felt that the trick must be worn out, and he -went back to bed. Exactly twenty minutes later, just as -he was beginning to breathe heavily, another clock began -to bang away. Browning awoke, and groaned.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What! again?” he almost sobbed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He got up, and searched for the clock. It took him -four minutes to find it hidden among the slats of his -bed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As in the other cases, a slip of paper was attached to -the thing, and he read:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c015'> - <div>“Don’t you care, old man—it’ll soon be daylight.”</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c016'>He dropped the clock, and it went bounding merrily -under the bed, keeping up its cheerful racket.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come out here!” he roared, thrusting himself after it. -“Don’t try to dodge me! Don’t try to hide from me!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He touched it, with a frantic sweep of his arm, but -knocked it still farther away.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then he tore a slat from the bed, and struck at the -clock, knocking it out on the farther side. When he -tried to back out from beneath the bed, the frame had -him pinned across the shoulders, and he was forced to -lift it before he could get out. In a burst of anger, he -turned it over on its side. Then he got at the clock with -the slat.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, I’ll settle you!” he roared, making a crack at the -clock, but missing it entirely. “I’ll destroy you! I’ll -hammer the stuffing out of ye! I’ll annihilate ye! Take -that—and that! Yow!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>A piece of glass from the clock flew up and cut his face. -The coil-spring hopped out, sailed through the air, and -settled around his neck.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He dropped the slat, and caught at the spring.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come off, here!” he snarled, yanking at it. He cut -his neck, and nearly tore his left ear from his head in -getting the spring off.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Bleeding, perspiring, furious, he sat there in the middle -of the floor, and looked around. The room was a -spectacle. Furniture was smashed and scattered all -about. The bed was upset, and the battered cases and -scattered works of three clocks lay around, and a mirror -showed him that he was almost the greatest wreck in the -room.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To-morrow,” he hissed, through his clenched teeth, -“to-morrow, I shall be a murderer, for I shall kill the -fiend who devised this piece of business!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He decided that it was useless to try to sleep. He -filled his pipe, and sat in an easy chair by the window. -On the chair he planted himself in a comfortable position, -prepared to wait for the next outbreak, and nip it in the -bud. Exhausted nature, however, conquered. He smoked -ten minutes, perhaps, and the pipe fell from his mouth.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was fortunate for him that the next clock got “into -gear” just when it did, for it aroused him so that he -realized something was burning. He jumped up, with a -yell, for his pajamas were afire. With frantic haste, -he tore them off, smothering the fire, which had been -caused by a spark from his pipe, by the aid of a rug. -And the clock played a merry accompaniment while this -was taking place.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He found the thing beneath the grate in the fireplace, -and it was tagged. On the tag was written:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c015'> - <div>“Isn’t it just perfectly lovely in Paris!”</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c016'>Once more he used the window, taking care this time -not to hit anybody upon the street. It was near daybreak, -and Bruce Browning had spent a very lively night. -As the gray streaks of dawn crept in at his window, he -gathered some of the bedding in the middle of the floor, -and lay down there, where he fell asleep in the midst of -the mess.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the morning, three young men stopped before Bruce -Browning’s door, and listened.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can’t hear anything,” said Rattleton, with his ear -against a panel.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can’t see anything,” said Diamond, with his eye to -the keyhole.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then we will investigate, and find out if he has -passed a pleasant night,” said Frank Merriwell, taking a -key from his pocket, and preparing to fit it to the lock -of the door.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Eh?” exclaimed Rattleton, staring at the key. “What’s -that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Hey!” cried Diamond. “Is that the key to the door?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” nodded Frank, with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where did you get it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Took possession of it last night, after we’d distributed -the clocks,” Merry explained. “There’s a spring-lock on -all the doors in this hotel, and Browning never missed -the key.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank softly inserted the key in the lock, and turned it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll bet a cannon wouldn’t arouse him now,” grinned -Harry. “Needn’t be so easy, Frank.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry pushed open the door, and the sight that met -their gaze filled them with astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The room was a scene of disorder. Everything was -upset, even to the bed. The furniture was scattered about -in confusion, and the floor was strewn with the débris of -shattered clocks. On the floor beside the overturned bed, -Browning was wrapped in a mass of twisted and tangled -bedclothing. A sheet was twisted round his throat, and -his face was covered with cuts, bruises, and blood. There -was blood on the bedding, and it looked as if a sanguinary -encounter had taken place there. They came in, and stood -looking down at him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Wheejiz!” snickered Harry. “It’s plain he had a -lively time of it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Looks like he’d fought for his life!” muttered Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And he’s still enough to have lost the battle,” said -Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You don’t suppose he was driven to suicide?” gasped -Rattleton, in sudden alarm.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, no,” assured Frank. “Look—he is breathing. -Listen—he is muttering some words in his sleep.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning groaned, and thickly muttered:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Fiends! You have ruined my sleep, but I’ll get -square, if I——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then the words became an incoherent jumble.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Rattleton grinned.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Scrate gott, but he did have a lively time of it! Look -at this room! It’s a sight!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Look at him!” directed Frank. “He’s a sight! How -in the world did he get battered and cut up like that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Merriwell,” said Diamond, “he’s sure to be pretty ugly -about this when he wakes up.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, he’ll get over it. But I don’t believe he’ll forget -his second night in Paris as long as he lives.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s retribution,” declared Rattleton. “Night after -night he has tortured me, and kept me awake by his -beastly snoring, and he’s been mad enough to eat me -when I kicked about it. I didn’t think the clocks would -disturb him at all.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But it seems that they did,” observed Diamond, with -a faint smile.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Rattleton was for sneaking out of the room as quietly -as possible, without disturbing Browning, but Frank -could not think of leaving without letting Bruce know -they had seen him. So they all stood around the big fellow, -and sang “Kathleen Mavourneen.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The big fellow grunted, groaned, kicked—awoke!</p> - -<p class='c007'>For a few moments it was evident he did not catch on -to the situation. He lay there, amid the tangled bedding, -staring up at the laughing lads, and blinking in a -comical manner, so that Rattleton broke down, and began -to laugh.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Huah!” grunted Bruce.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then Frank and Jack stopped, and Merry said:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Excuse me, please. I hope this doesn’t disturb you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Waugh!” Bruce struggled to a sitting posture, with -the bedspread twisted about his neck like a muffler.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hope you are resting well,” snickered Rattleton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning began to tear at the bedspread, a look of -rage coming to his bruised and lacerated face.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You must be very, very tired,” observed Diamond -seriously.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A howl of fury escaped Browning’s lips. He looked -around the room, and saw the overturned furniture, and -the shattered clocks. In a moment, he remembered all the -horrors of the previous night.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You imps of Satan!” he thundered, making a floundering -jump to get upon his feet. “I have sworn an oath -of vengeance! My time has come! Not one of you -leaves this room alive!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then his tangled feet tripped him up, and he sprawled -on the floor, with a crash, causing the three lads to shout -with laughter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You seem to be excited, Bruce,” said Frank. “I hope -nothing happened in the night to disturb you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Excited!” exploded Browning, tearing at the bedclothes, -and ripping a sheet from end to end. “Oh, no, -I’m not excited! Let me get my hands on you, Frank -Merriwell! You’ll never put up another job like this!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You should take something for your nerves,” advised -Frank. “It’s plain you have bad dreams. Why don’t -you try Mrs. Soothlow’s Wynsling Syrup?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning got hold of a chair, and threw it at Frank, -who dodged, and the chair knocked down a mirror.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You’ll have a nice little bill to pay when you settle for -things here,” said Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You go to blazes!” cried the enraged giant. “You -come round here and grin at me, and you never had -sense enough to think up a good practical joke in all your -life! Get out of here! Get out lively, if you want to -escape with your life!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Alas! alas!” exclaimed Frank, with a tragedy pose. -“He is mad!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You bet I’m mad!” agreed Bruce. “I’m madder than -a wet setting hen! I’ll get back at you for this job!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He got onto his hands and knees, for the purpose of -rising, but Merry promptly pushed him over with his -foot, causing the big fellow to gnash his teeth.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Fellows,” said Merry, “we must commit him to an -asylum for the violently insane. It is plain that he’s -dangerous.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning tore off the baffling bedspread, and again -struggled to get up, actually intending to wreak vengeance -on them by personal violence; but Merry caught hold of -two ends of the spread, and tripped him up with a loop -of it, while Rattleton basted him on the head with a -pillow, and Diamond picked up all the clothes and flung -them on top of him. To finish the job, Merry turned the -bedstead over upon him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now, will you be good?” chirped Rattleton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We must leave you, Bruce,” said Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And we hope you will be feeling better when we return,” -laughed Merriwell.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning protruded his head from one side of the -mass that was piled upon him, and gasped:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This—settles—it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He would have said more, but they shouted with laughter -again, and left him there to extricate himself as best -he could, closing the door behind them as they went out.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER III.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>A WALK AND A WARNING.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>After breakfast, Frank, Jack, and Harry started out -for a stroll. Frenchmen of leisure seldom see Paris in -the morning. For that matter, the majority of foreigners -seldom see it at that time. It is the universal belief -that “gay Paree” is at its best at night, and foreigners -with that “frisky feeling” usually wear off much of -their exuberance at night, and sleep away forenoons in -recuperating for another night. But the Yale lads were -there to see the city by day, as well as by night. They -found it very bright and beautiful that sunny morning, as -they strolled down the Rivoli. The fountains were sparkling -in the sunshine, and sparrows were chittering on -the brink of the stone bowls. They came to the Place -du Châtelet, and strolled over the bridge, where the -heavy carts were rumbling, and an occasional omnibus -rolled along. From the bridge, the city looked very attractive, -rising amid a bower of trees, magnificent and -graceful in architecture, and harmonious in its general -effect. Columns and arches could be seen, and, as they -walked onward slowly, they came in view of the great -Cathedral of Notre Dame, rising beyond the barracks. -To the right was the Palais de Justice, with its clock and -turrets, and stalking sentinels, in blue and vermilion. -Then they came to the Place St. Michel, where there -was a jumble of carts and omnibuses at that early hour, -rumbling about the fountain of ugly, water-spitting -griffins.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As they strolled leisurely along, Frank talked to them -of the places they passed. Diamond was intensely interested -in everything. Paris had a history, and, for him, it -was fascinating in a thousand ways.</p> - -<p class='c007'>They passed on up the hill of the Boulevard St. Michel, -where there were tooting trams and dawdling gendarmes, -strolling in the sunshine, and Merry explained that, when -they stepped from the stones of the Place St. Michel, -they had “crossed the frontier” and entered the famous -Latin Quartier. At last they came to the Luxembourg, -which was a blaze of flowers. They walked slowly along -the tree-lined avenues, passing moss-covered marbles and -old-time columns, and strolled through the grove of the -bronze lion, till they came out to the tree-crowned terrace -above the fountain.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond uttered an exclamation of pleasure.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Beautiful!” he cried, gazing down at the basin, shimmering -in the morning sunshine.</p> - -<p class='c007'>All around them were trees, and flowers, and statues, -and winding walks. At a distance, where ended an avenue -of trees, the Observatory rose, its white dome looming -up amid the green like an Eastern mosque. At the -opposite end of the avenue was the massive palace, with -its every window fiery in the morning sunshine. Around -the fountain doves were wheeling and cooing. Bees were -buzzing amid the flowers, and a gendarme, or policeman, -was loitering on his way.</p> - -<p class='c007'>They found a place to sit down and talk. The bells of -St. Sulpice chimed the hour, and the palace answered -them, stroke for stroke. It was all so peaceful and beautiful -that it did not seem possible men had ever fought -like wild beasts there in that happy city. It did not -seem possible the streets had been deluged with innocent -blood, that wild-eyed fanatics had razed the beautiful columns -and statues, had burned, and wrecked, and ruined. -It did not seem possible that the city had been besieged, -and bombarded, and pillaged. They sat and talked of -those things.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Those days are past forever,” said Rattleton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who knows?” spoke Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>They looked at him in surprise.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you think?” asked Jack. “Do you look for -another revolution in France?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It may come.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What will bring it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Justice.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“By that you mean—just what?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The reversal of the Dreyfus verdict—perhaps. To-day, -France is resting over a slumbering volcano; it is -impossible to predict when the eruption may occur.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then you believe there is a possibility that poor Dreyfus -may obtain justice?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A possibility—yes. At any rate, the whole Dreyfus -affair is an ineffaceable blot on France. The country is -army-ridden. The army condemned the poor Jew to -Devil’s Island, and the army can make no mistake. The -honor of the army must be maintained, at any cost, and -so conspiracy follows conspiracy, and forgery follows -forgery, till the whole affair is so tangled and twisted -that a revolution may cut the twisted skein, which nothing -seems to unravel.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And then what will happen?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who can tell? The streets of Paris may again run -red with human blood, works of art may be destroyed, -beautiful buildings may be razed, and from the ashes and -ruins another form of government may rise. It is not -easy to foretell the future of France. Frenchmen are -changeable. What pleases them to-day they regard with -indifference or contempt to-morrow.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, I fancy we’ll have a peaceful time here,” said -Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’ll be a change from what we have been having,” -came quickly from Harry. “Things were exciting enough -in England.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” nodded Frank; “we did have a hot time there, -take it all together.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And the wind-up was about as hot as anything,” -grinned Rattleton. “We went down into the country with -Reynolds, where we thought it would be dead quiet, and -things fairly sizzled. Harris turned up again, and tried -to kidnap Elsie. The cross-country gallop turned into a -man-hunt, and Merry came near finishing Harris when -he caught him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He escaped being hanged when he was drowned, after -that,” declared Diamond. “He’ll never trouble anybody -again.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Never,” nodded Frank. “I am glad his blood is not -on my hands, but I did come near finishing him at the -bridge.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You came out of your trance then,” said the Virginian. -“Harris realized that the time when you would -spare him was past, and that is why he made such a desperate -attempt to escape by swimming the river.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Let’s not talk about the poor devil,” said Merry seriously. -“He is dead.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And so is his running-mate, Brattle.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No. I have learned that Martin Brattle was not -killed in London, but was seriously injured, and taken -to a hospital, where he gave a fictitious name. I have -reasons to believe he recovered.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, it’s hardly probable he’ll ever trouble you -again.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hope he’ll have sense enough to keep away from -me. One thing that happened in London I seriously -regret.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What was that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do not know what became of the man of mystery, -Mr. Noname, but it seems that he must have perished in -the East End fire, at which Brattle was injured.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He was a queer creature.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And it was remarkable that he took such an interest in -me. I did not understand it then, and I do not understand -it now. He claimed that he was my guardian spirit—my -good genius.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He talked like a lunatic sometimes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And yet to him I owe so much! But for him, I might -never have found Elsie when Brattle carried her off. He -led me straight to her, and then he vanished. Before -that, when I was in danger, he appeared, and warned me; -since then, no matter what danger has menaced me, he -has not appeared, so I fear he perished in the fire.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, it’s not likely you will need to be warned in -Paris, for I fancy our visit here will pass off quietly, with -nothing at all in the way of dangerous adventure.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>After awhile, they rose, and started to stroll back to the -hotel. They passed out of the Luxembourg to the Boulevard, -but had not walked far before a closed carriage -drew close to the curbing. From behind the curtained -window a black-gloved hand reached out, and beckoned, -while a voice called:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Frank Merriwell!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry started at the sound of that voice. It seemed -to stir slumbering memories in his heart, and it caused a -strange sensation to pass over him. The hand disappeared, -reappeared, held a folded paper toward Frank. -Again the voice spoke his name. Merry stepped toward -the cab, and took the bit of paper. Then he reached to -draw the curtain, but the driver whipped up his horses, -and the cab rolled away.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He unfolded the paper, and read:</p> - -<p class='c017'>“In Paris, you must face perils such as never before -menaced you, but I shall be near to warn you of danger.”</p> -<div class='c018'>“<span class='sc'>The Man Without a Name.</span>”</div> - -<p class='c016'>Frank would have pursued the carriage, but it was -rolling away too swiftly for him to overtake it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His companions observed his excitement, and, as such -agitation was something rare in him, they knew it meant -more than they could understand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is it?” asked Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s the matter?” spluttered Rattleton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank stared at the slip of paper.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It must be a trick,” he said. “Did either of you see -the person who handed me this?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Neither of them had.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I saw nothing but his hand,” said Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And that was covered by a black glove,” spoke Harry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s it say?” asked the Virginian.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank read it aloud, and then looked into the faces of -his friends.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you think of it?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You can search me!” gasped Harry. “I don’t know -what to think of it. Dut the whickens—no; what the -dickens does it mean?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It can’t be from the Man of Mystery,” asserted the -Virginian. “Still, he called himself the Man Without a -Name.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank stared hard at the writing on the paper. After a -little, he said:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is as if one had risen from the dead, for I believe -this came from Mr. Noname.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, this mysterious business is getting thin!” cried -Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think it’s getting thick,” said Harry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’ll you do, Frank?” asked the Virginian.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nothing; simply wait for developments.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You must be getting rather tired of this. Here, we -were just saying we’d have a peaceful, jolly time here in -Paris, and right on top of it the fun begins. Why should -you be in danger here? Harris will not trouble you, and -Brattle is in London. You are practically a stranger in -a strange city. I think it’s rot! I don’t take any stock -in it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Whether you take any stock in it or not, you must -confess that it is rather odd.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It couldn’t be a joke? You don’t suppose Browning——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I thought of that, but it doesn’t seem likely. I’ll -wager that Bruce is sleeping off the excitement of last -night.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The more they talked about it, the more mystified they -became, till, at last, they gave it up. Frank put the -paper in his pocket, and they continued their careless -stroll back to the hotel.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER IV.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>BRUCE ANGRY.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>It was high noon when they reached the Place Vendome, -having taken their time in returning. As they approached -the hotel, Browning came out, and stood on the -marble steps, smoking a cigar. Rattleton began to grin -as they drew near, and the big fellow scowled blackly at -them. They took off their hats, and saluted him, with -mock courtesy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Behold, he hath risen!” cried Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At last, at least, at loost!” gurgled Harry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Before you, gentlemen,” said Diamond, “you see a -most imposing man.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s right,” nodded Merry; “he’s imposed on everybody -he could borrow money from.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He had a very strong face,” observed Rattleton. “I -believe he could travel on it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It looks as if he’d been traveling on it,” smiled Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I should advise the gentleman to turn farmer,” said -Harry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” said Frank; “he might be able to raise a -beard.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning did not seem to take this chaffing in good -part, for he scowled blackly, uttered a growl, swung down -the steps, and started off.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where are you going, old man?” called Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning did not answer, or turn his head, but continued -walking away.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He’s niffed,” said Jack. “That’s queer, for him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He’ll get over it,” declared Rattleton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But Frank was perplexed and disturbed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t like it, fellows,” he declared. “Never saw -Bruce take a joke that way before.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, he’d thought it a fine thing if it’d been on somebody -else,” said Harry. “Let him go. I’m hungry. -Let’s have some lunch.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He caught hold of Frank’s arm, attempting to draw -him into the hotel, but Merry would not go.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t like it,” he confessed. “I don’t care to carry -a joke so far that any of my real friends will take -offense.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Bosh! If Browning is mad about that, it will do him -good to let him alone till he recovers.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank continued watching Bruce striding away across -the square, and into the Rue Castiglione.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Go order lunch, fellows,” he said. “I’m going to -bring Browning back.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t be fool enough to chase after him!” advised the -Virginian.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But Frank would not listen, and away he started after -the big Yale man, who was striding along as if he had -an important engagement to keep. It was near the -obelisk that stands by the beautiful fountain in the Place -de la Concorde that Frank overtook his college chum. -Bruce had paused a moment in the midst of this most -beautiful square in the whole world, probably, utterly unaware -that he had been followed, when Merry came up, -and put a hand on his shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come, old man,” said Frank; “come back to the hotel, -and have lunch with us.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning wheeled about, and scowled at Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who are you addressing?” he growled, like an angry -dog.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, come!” exclaimed Merry; “drop it! Don’t take -a joke from a friend to heart in this manner.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Friend!” rumbled the big fellow, with scorn and contempt. -“Do you call yourself my friend? Bah!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merriwell was astonished more than ever, but he was -not willing to think Bruce in earnest.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course I call myself your friend!” he exclaimed. -“Are you going to get sore over a harmless joke?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am done with you!” declared Browning dramatically. -“I understand your boasted friendship now! You would -make a laughing-stock of any friend you might have! -Don’t grin at me! I am in earnest! I see through your -hollow friendship now! I understand you at last! Leave -me! I am done with you!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Surely, you do not mean that, Browning?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Surely I do!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Impossible!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you think so? Well, you’ll see! I shall look for -another hotel! I shall go it alone, and no thanks to you, -Frank Merriwell! Don’t dare ever again call me your -friend! I am your enemy! All I ask is that you keep -away from me, now and forever!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank caught his breath, astounded beyond measure. -Browning was glaring at him in the fiercest manner imaginable, -and he seemed angry enough to smite Merry -full in the face.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Look here, Bruce,” said Frank, “I had no idea you -could be so thin-skinned. If I had thought you’d take it -this way, I would not have——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s too late to tell what you would not have done! -You’ve done it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But without a thought of——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I advise you to think next time. We were enemies -when you first came to Yale, and we’ll be enemies when -you return there, if you are lucky enough to get back. -I can make it pretty hot for you, and I think I will.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank’s face flushed, and he drew off a bit.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If you are willing to let a little thing like a joke ruin -our friendship——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Little thing!” again interrupted Browning. “What -do you call a little thing? I didn’t come here to Paris -with you to be made a guy! I don’t come here to stand -as a butt for your wretched jokes! You have been pretty -popular in your day, but you’re outgrowing it, and you -won’t cut so much ice in the future. I’m no sycophant, -to crawl round after you, and let you impose on me just -as you please!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are quite unreasonable, old man. I scarcely -looked for anything like this from you, and I think you’ll -come to your senses in time.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Think what you like; from this time, you and I are -quits!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then Browning turned, and crossed the square toward -the Champs-Élysées, leaving Merry there by the fountain. -As he walked away, the big fellow grinned, and -muttered:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You didn’t expect that, did you? Oh, I’ll get back at -you, Frank Merriwell! You’ll find there is somebody -else who can play at that little game! I wonder how you -like it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank Merriwell stood there in the midst of the Place -de la Concorde, and watched Browning depart. On one -side lay the swiftly flowing Seine, spanned by a bridge -five hundred feet in length; on the opposite side, to the -north, a beautiful street disclosed the majestic portal of -Madeline. To the left was the Garden of the Tuileries, -while to the right opened the Champs-Élysées. The fountain -tinkled and splashed in the sunshine, and over the -smooth, hard pavement cabs came and went like swarms -of insects. It seemed that this splendid square, where -crowds of joyous people seemed forever crossing and recrossing, -had been appropriately named, “The Place of -Peace,” but there Frank Merriwell had failed to make -peace with his offended comrade, and, as he stood reflecting, -he remembered all the horrors that had taken place -there on that spot where fell the shadow of the obelisk.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There had been erected the hideous guillotine, the glittering -blade of which had descended upon the necks of -thousands of the aristocracy of France, among whom -were Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. The very ground -beneath the stones was soaked with human blood, for -there, day after day, the imbruted mob had gathered to -sing, and laugh, and shout, as head after head of old and -young, weak and strong, proud and beautiful, rich and -famous, had rolled from the gory scaffold to mingle in -the common basket.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank shuddered with horror as he thought of the -“knitting women” and “The Vengeance,” described by -Dickens. He closed his eyes for a moment, and his vision -showed him the scaffold, and he could hear those women -calmly counting the blood-dripping heads as they continued -to knit, knit, knit, and the scarlet blade rose and -fell, cutting short the thread of a human life each time -it descended. He saw the long lines of tumbrels rumbling -through the streets, surrounded by the armed guard -and the howling mobs, all headed toward this blood-cursed -spot, bearing helpless and innocent victims to -doom.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In fancy, he saw a royal carriage enter that square, and -stop near the raised platform, above which rose the blood-red -post of the guillotine, and he saw Louis XVI. alight -from the carriage, to be immediately surrounded by his -executioners. He saw Louis remove his coat and cravat, -and then object when they tried to bind his hands. He -saw the confessor remonstrate with Louis, till, at last, -the doomed man stretched out his hands, saying: “Do -what you will; I will drink the cup to the dregs!” Frank -pictured him, with a firm step, ascending to that blood-soaked -platform. Then the drums beat, to drown his -words; the spring was touched, and the fearful knife slid -down the grooves.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then came Marie Antoinette, not in a closed carriage, -like the king, but in an open cart, the same as the poorest -wretch of them all. For a moment she had recoiled -from the cart, which she saw beyond the gate of the -courtyard, and then she had advanced up the steps, with -firm and steady tread, armed guards on every hand, a -hooting mob welcoming her appearance. And thus she -had ridden through the streets to that fearful square, now -called “The Place of Peace.” On the scaffold, she had -looked over the seething mob to the Garden of the Tuileries, -and the scenes of her former happiness, while a tear -had rolled down her pale cheek. “Farewell, my children!” -she had murmured; “I go to join your father.” -Then she bowed her head, the knife fell, and the frightful -deed was done.</p> - -<p class='c007'>France may erect fountains in the midst of that beautiful -square, but all the water in the world will not wash -away the blood that has been shed there!</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank Merriwell gave himself a shake, as if throwing -off these gruesome thoughts, and banishing the horrid -visions. Browning had disappeared.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I was a fool to let him go like that!” muttered Merry. -“If I am to blame, I’m willing to apologize, and I feel -sure Browning will accept an apology.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then he hurried across the square, and followed Bruce. -Frank fancied he must soon overtake Browning, but he -was surprised to traverse the entire length of the Elysian -Fields before catching a glimpse of the big Yale man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning was turning into a side street as Frank observed -him. He seemed walking as if to keep an appointment -with some one. Puzzled not a little by what had -happened, and by Browning’s mysterious behavior, Frank -followed at a distance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At last, Browning came to a little café, and he entered, -without once looking back. Merry decided that it was an -ordinary drinking-saloon, and he wondered if Browning -had gone in there for the purpose of indulging freely in -intoxicants.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After a moment of hesitation, Merry followed. The -moment Frank stepped inside the door, he decided it was -a cheap place, indeed. From the outside, it did not look -so bad; but, once inside, it reminded him of the den of -the Red Flag, where he had found the well-known ruffians -of Paris assembled.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A few men were drinking at tables. They looked at -Frank suspiciously as he glanced them over. He saw -nothing of Browning. A door opened into another room. -To that door he advanced. A man met him, and asked, -in French, what he wanted.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am looking for a friend,” answered Merry, likewise -in French.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you the sign?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The what?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The sign.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; I don’t know what——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then you cannot enter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>At this moment, a voice from within cried out something -in very bad French, and the man at the door suddenly -stepped aside, saying:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Enter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank hesitated a moment, and then stepped into the -room. Immediately the door closed behind him with a -click.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank stood there looking around in the dim light -which came through a curtained window. He saw there -were several persons in the room. At the farther end -was a passage.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“<i>L’espion!</i>”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The word was hissed through the gloom, and it put -Frank on the alert in a moment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Somebody had called him a spy! What did it mean? -All around him, men rose up, and, in that moment, he -realized he had walked into grave peril. Out in the passage, -a door opened, admitting a faint gleam of light. -Somebody passed through the door, and Frank was certain -he recognized Bruce Browning hurriedly leaving.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Browning!” he called. “Browning, stop!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He leaped toward the passage.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Slam! The door closed, and the departing person was -gone.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Bang! Another door slammed in his face, and he was -kept from entering the passage.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Like a flash, Frank whirled about. Somewhere, he -fancied, he heard a person hammering on a door, the -blows echoing along the closed passage. He was not -armed, and he realized that some sort of danger beset -him. It was startling, because it was so unexpected and -mysterious. Out from the men who had risen, one advanced. -Even in the gloom of the place, to which Frank’s -eyes were not yet accustomed, there seemed something -familiar about this person.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is Frank Merriwell!” exclaimed an exulting, triumphant -voice. “We are met again!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The hammering which echoed through the passage became -a crash, as if a door had fallen before an assault. -Then followed something like a sodden blow, and a groan. -What queer thing was happening beyond the door at -Frank Merriwell’s back?</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, we are met again!” exulted the man that confronted -Frank. “Look at me! You know me!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The man bent forward, and Frank’s eyes seemed to -pierce the gloom. In amazement, Merry started back -against the door.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Martin Brattle?” he exclaimed, in doubt. “It can’t -be!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, but it is!” declared the man. “You thought me -dead; but, you see, I am not. I have followed you here. -I have come for Elsie!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Elsie!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes. Where is she?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“She is not in Paris.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You lie! I know she is here! You shall send a message -that will bring her to you—and to me!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are you crazy, Brattle? Did your fall rob you of -reason? Elsie Bellwood is in England. She did not accompany -me to France.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And you think you can make me believe that? Bah! -I know you, Frank Merriwell! You are a great bluffer, -but the game will not go now!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then he turned to the other men, crying, in broken -French:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Down with the spy! Don’t let him escape! I have -told you who he is! Down with him!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>And they sprang, like famished tigers, at Frank!</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank Merriwell felt that it was to be a fight for life -against terrible odds. He leaped aside, caught up a chair, -swung it over his head, and splintered it with a blow that -stretched one of his assailants on the floor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then Frank laughed! It was the old-time, reckless -laugh that broke from his lips in moments of great danger. -It sounded weird and uncanny now, and, for a -single instant, it seemed to check the assault of his many -foes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At him!” screamed Brattle. “Capture him! Down -with him!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry flung the broken chair at the man who was -urging the others on. It struck him, and sent him sprawling -and spluttering.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come on, my fine fellows!” invited Frank. “Or, if -you won’t come on, I’ll come to you!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He did! With a leap, he was among them. Never had -the young Yale athlete used his hard fists to better advantage. -He was fresh and unhampered, and he cracked -about him at the heads of those men, leaping, darting, -ducking, diving, striking all the time. One man he -smashed on the ear, another he hit in the eye, a third he -struck fair and full in the pit of the stomach, having -dodged a blow himself. And Frank laughed again, exulting -in the fury of the fight.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Those Frenchmen were astonished, for they had not -conceived that one lone Yankee could make such a fight. -They had fancied it would be the easiest thing in the -world to leap on the American, crush him down, bind -him, make him captive. But he was like a whirlwind -among them, and he sent them flying in all directions.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“<i>Mon Dieu!</i>“ they cried. “He is a fury! He is a -madman!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am a trifle mad,” admitted Frank, as he skilfully -kicked one fellow full in the face, sending him flying -across a table. “It starts me a bit to be jumped on in -this manner. Good morning! Have you used Pear’s -soap?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>With this question, he came round at a fellow who -had tried to grapple him behind, hitting him a smashing -blow that flung him bodily against the partition. There -were yells, and groans, and curses. Men were scrambling -over each other on the floor, struggling up, and -falling again. There came the crash of glass and the -splintering of wood.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Somebody struck at Frank with a chair, but he dodged -the blow, so that it did not fall fairly, although he felt it -on his shoulder. Then he wrenched the chair from the -man’s hands, and beat him down with his own weapon.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think I shall enjoy this after awhile!” he exclaimed. -“It’s a real lively time!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Fight as much as you like!” snarled the voice of -Brattle. “You can’t get out! We have you, and you’ll -be used all the worse for making such a row!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come over where I can get another crack at you!” invited -Merry. “If I could hit you once more, real hard, -I wouldn’t mind what happened after that!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll get a crack at you before I’m done, see if I don’t!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You will follow your friend Harris, and he won’t -trouble anybody again!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You killed him?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; he drowned himself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll not follow him till I have settled with you! Down -with him, men!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>A door opened and closed, and a huge form loomed in -the gloom of the place.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank saw it, and cried:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Browning! You are just in time! Come on, old man, -give me a hand!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The gigantic form loomed at Merry’s side, and then -Frank was struck a terrible blow that stretched him on -the floor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Treachery!” he gasped, trying to struggle up. -“Browning, you have turned——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They piled upon him. With a fearful effort, he flung -them right and left.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Hold!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was a sudden burst of light, as the door leading -to the passage flew open. A man entered, bearing a -lamp that was lighted. Struggling to his feet, Frank -Merriwell saw the Mystery was there, having entered -from the passage!</p> - -<p class='c007'>The strange man was dressed in black from his head to -his feet. His hair and his beard were black as the raven’s -wing, and his deep-set eyes seemed like pools of ink, -while his face was pale as marble. His appearance caused -the ruffians to desist for a moment from their attack on -Frank. There was something terrible in the demeanor -of the man who called himself Mr. Noname. Before him -Martin Brattle shrank and cowered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But one of the ruffians uttered a snarl, crying, in -French:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Down with them both! They are both spies!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The mob crouched like tigers about to spring.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Back!” rang out the deep voice of the mysterious -man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>They paused.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Back!” he cried, lifting one hand above his head. “I -hold a bomb here, and, by the eternal heavens, I’ll drop -it, and blow this building to atoms, if you do not keep -off!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>That stopped them. They could see a round object in -his uplifted hand, and a sudden fear seized upon them. -There was something in his pose and manner that awed -them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now,” said the strange man, speaking to Frank Merriwell, -“the time for you to depart has come. No one -will lift a hand to stop you. The way is open.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank realized that the Mystery had appeared at the -proper moment to save him, and he was thankful, but -cool.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And you,” he asked, “what will you do?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will go with you. Never fear for me. Nothing -can harm me. But I shall blow them to pieces if they -try to stop us!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank stepped past him, and entered the passage. Still -holding his hand uplifted, the Man of Mystery retreated -backward into the passage.</p> - -<p class='c007'>With a swift movement, he placed the lamp on a shelf, -and closed the door, crying loudly, in perfect French:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The first man who tries to enter by that door will be -blown to a thousand fragments!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He stepped softly to Frank’s side.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Follow!” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At the end of the passage was the door by which -Merry had fancied he saw Browning departing. Now it -was shattered and broken, as if it had been struck by a -battering-ram, and Frank remembered the blows which -had resounded through the passage, and the crash that -had been followed by groans. Frank also remembered the -gigantic figure that had appeared in the darkened room -where the battle was taking place, and how he had -thought it Browning returned to his aid. But the giant -had struck him down with a blow, and he could not believe -Bruce had done that.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Out by the shattered door they passed, and found themselves -in a yard that was surrounded by a high stone wall. -In the wall was an iron gate, but it opened at the touch -of the Mystery. Beyond the gate, they were beneath -some drooping trees, which seemed to lack the sunlight -which was shut off by the crowding buildings.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Man Without a Name did not pause. He led the -way to a door, and, to Frank, it seemed that all portals -yielded like magic to his touch, for the door flew open -before him. Soon they had passed on, and emerged upon -a narrow street.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are free,” said the Mystery. “But go not back -to that place. It is a nest of serpents.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My friend—he went in there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Your friend?” said the Mystery questioningly. “Who -is your friend?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Bruce Browning.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who is your friend?” repeated the strange man. -“You can be sure of no friend but me. I am ever constant. -Other friends may fail you, but I will not.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But he is back there!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How do you know?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I followed him in there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And found him not. Trust not friends whom you -fail to find in your hour of need.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I cannot go away while he may be in peril!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You cannot go back, and escape with your life! It -is a devils’ nest! The vipers of Paris are there. They -plot, and rob, and slay. Among them is an enemy who -has followed you across the ocean. He has paid them -to destroy you. Keep away from the nest of vipers. -Even though you saw your friend go in there, did you -not see him come out?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who are you?” cried Frank, amazed. “How is it -you know so much? How is it you are always near when -I am in peril?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There is a tie that binds us.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What tie?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Fate.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do not understand this mystery.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is not for you to understand now. The time may -come when the scales will fall from your eyes, and you -shall know all.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The man seemed ready to turn away, but Frank put -out a hand appealingly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Can’t you tell me more?” he pleaded. “I thought you -had perished in the fire in London.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Fire cannot destroy me. My time has not come.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why is it that the sound of your voice seems to -awaken echoes of memory within me? Why is it I feel -a strange thrill run over me when you are near? Why -is it I trusted you from the very first, even though you -seemed an enemy?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Does not your heart answer those questions?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My heart struggled with the problem, but cannot answer -it. I am mystified—bewildered—dazed.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I tell you the time will come when the scales shall -fall from your eyes, and the mystery be revealed unto -you. I have proved that I am worthy of trust, have I -not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes—yes!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Trust me, and wait.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But why do men shrink before you? I am sure it -was more your presence than the bomb that cowed those -tigers.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The bomb!” said the strange man. “There was no -bomb!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No bomb?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; nothing but this.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>In his extended hand, the Man of Mystery held an -oval-shaped cake of dark-colored substance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is it?” wondered Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Soap!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Soap—nothing more!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Impossible!” gasped Merry. “Impossible that you -cowed those ruffians with a cake of soap!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is the bomb with which I threatened them. When -I entered the passage by that broken door to go to your -rescue, I found the lamp and the cake of soap on a shelf. -The lamp I lighted, and the cake of soap I took with me. -You witnessed the result.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Astounding!” gasped Frank. “It is almost beyond -belief! Talk of nerve—that takes the cake!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We shall meet again,” said the Mystery. “Go back -to the hotel now, and do not worry about any false friend. -Farewell, for a time.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then the man turned, and walked away along the narrow -street.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank hesitated, watching him. When the man was -far along the street, Merry hurried after him. He was -in time to see the strange being reach the corner, and -enter a closed carriage that seemed waiting for him. -Away rolled the carriage.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER V.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>FRANK IN A QUANDARY.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Wondering greatly over what had happened, and not -a little troubled thereat, Frank Merriwell returned to the -hotel. The singular appearance of the Mystery in Paris, -the remarkable behavior of Browning, the turning up of -Brattle, the encounter in the café, and the rescue by Mr. -Noname were events of an order to fill him with astonishment. -It is a credit to Frank that the behavior of -Browning troubled him more than anything else. It had -not seemed possible that big, good-natured Bruce would -turn against Frank for a little thing like a harmless practical -joke; but, when Merry thought over the talk in the -Place de la Concorde, and Browning’s manner, he was -led to confess to himself that it might be that Bruce was -actually too angry for reason.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He’ll be sorry for it,” thought Frank. “He must have -known I followed him to that café, and he dodged out by -the back way, as I entered that darkened room where -those ruffians were. I saw him departing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then he thought of the sound of blows echoing along -the passage, the crash, and the groans. He had found -the door broken down, but it had told him nothing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But the giant who appeared in the darkened room, and -struck him down—who was that? He knew it had looked -just like Browning, but it was not Browning, for nothing -could have led the big fellow to such dastardly work.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll find Bruce back at the hotel,” Merry told himself. -“He will laugh at me for the chase he has given me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He hurried his footsteps. His brain was in a whirl. -The mystery of the Man Without a Name was enough to -bewilder him, and that, added to the other things that -had happened, put him in a maze. And, only a few short -hours before, he had promised himself that his visit in -Paris was to be quiet and uneventful!</p> - -<p class='c007'>When he reached the hotel, he found Jack and Harry -watching for him. They plied him with questions, but he -answered nothing till he had asked:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is Bruce here?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We have seen nothing of him,” they declared.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He must be here,” insisted Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s strange we have not seen him, if he returned.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They looked for him, but he was not in his room, nor -could he be found about the hotel. Frank threw himself -upon a chair, and stared at the floor, with a troubled -look.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s the matter?” asked Diamond. “Hanged if -you don’t look as if you’d been in a scrimmage!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have,” said Merry quietly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Both lads stared at him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Kit your quidding—I mean quit your kidding!” spluttered -Harry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am not kidding,” assured Merry. “I have been in -one of the hottest scraps of my life.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then he told them about it, and they listened with -growing amazement. When he told them of the appearance -of Brattle, both lads leaped to their feet.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That fellow here?” shouted the Virginian.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Poly hoker!” panted Rattleton. “Have you been having -a pipe-dream, Merry?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s no dream. Mart Brattle is in Paris. He has -followed me here, thinking to get hold of Elsie Bellwood.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But Elsie is in London.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He didn’t know it. He thought she came to Paris at -the same time we came.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, it was a most unfortunate thing when that thug -escaped being killed in London!” cried Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It would have been no great loss to the world,” confessed -Frank; “but he did escape, and he is here. But -for Mr. Noname, Brattle’s gang must have downed me -in the end. That man appeared at just the right moment -to pull me out of the scrape.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And stood the ruffians off with a bomb?” said Rattleton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A bomb that was no bomb at all,” smiled Frank, -amused by the recollection.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No bomb?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How was that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank explained, causing Jack and Harry to collapse.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s the greatest trick I ever heard of!” exclaimed -the Virginian in admiration. “I’ll never again say anything -about Mr. Noname. A man who can do a thing -like that is all right.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They talked over all that had happened. It was very -remarkable, and created no end of discussion. Diamond -alone thought it possible Browning had been in earnest. -Rattleton could not conceive that Bruce would remain -offended, and Frank had felt all along that the big fellow -would come round.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But he’s shown what he’s made of,” said Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And you would have taken it just as much to heart, if -you had been in his place,” said Harry. “You are a poor -fellow to take a joke.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack flushed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When I know it’s a joke, I can take it,” he asserted.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Tutor Maybe appeared at this juncture, and began to -talk with Frank about his studies; but Merry was in no -mood to discuss such matters then, and he promptly said -so.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To-morrow, or the day after, will be time enough,” he -said. “Don’t bother me now. I have enough on my -mind.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was not considered advisable to alarm the tutor by -telling him of Frank’s adventure, and Maybe was left to -fret and worry as much as he liked, while the boys went -out to look after Bruce. The day passed, and Browning -failed to return. As evening drew on, Frank grew restless -and anxious. He could not think that the big fellow -was remaining away out of pique or anger, and he began -to fear, despite the remembered assurance of Mr. Noname, -that some thing had happened to Bruce.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Again and again he thought of the strange hammering -at the door in the passage of the queer café, the crash, -and the groans. At last, for all of any danger he might -encounter, he resolved to visit the place again. From -his trunk Merry took out a revolver, which he carefully -loaded. Diamond and Rattleton watched him with curiosity, -not to say anxiety.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where are you going?” the Virginian asked, after -awhile.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To the dive where I had the little scrap,” declared -Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, not there?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, right there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack rose.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come, Rattleton,” he said; “we must get our shooting-irons.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you intend to do?” asked Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Go with you,” asserted Diamond grimly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You bet!” nodded Harry, with satisfaction. “If you -are going back into that hornets’ nest, we’ll be right with -you. But why don’t you notify the police, and——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Be notified to keep away from the place? Excuse -me,” said Frank grimly. “I do not care for the French -police in mine. But, with a gun at hand, I’ll be able to -take care of myself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“With Rattleton and myself at hand, you’ll be better -able to take care of yourself, and so we are going along,” -said Jack, as he marched out of the room.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack and Harry armed themselves, and announced to -Frank that they were ready. The trio started out, prepared -for any kind of an adventure they might encounter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If I knew where to find Mr. Noname now,” said -Merry. “But it’s more than even money he will find me, -if I run my nose into any danger. He always pops up at -the right moment.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The lights were beginning to twinkle when they turned -into the crooked little street, and approached the café -where Frank had met with his adventure. Merry strode -along, with swinging step, seeming anxious to reach the -place as soon as possible. When they came in front of -the narrow little door, a white-aproned old man was lighting -the gas within. As they entered, they saw men sitting -at the tables, eating, drinking, and smoking, while -white-aproned waiters served them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank had made sure of the place, but, somehow, it -did not seem quite the same by gaslight. The door to the -back room was open, and Merry advanced, without hesitation, -to it. He expected that he would be denied admittance, -but, to his astonishment, no one asked him for -“the sign,” and he stepped into the room, where the -tables were covered by cloths, and a few rather respectable-looking -old men were drinking and smoking, as -they chatted in the seclusion of the place.</p> - -<p class='c007'>More dazed than ever, Frank looked round the place, -and it seemed quite unfamiliar, save that there was a door -just where he felt certain the entrance to the passage -must be. Two long steps took him to the door, but it -was fastened, and refused to move at his touch. The old -men looked at him in surprise. A waiter came up, and -mildly asked what he wanted. Everything seemed so -quiet and peaceful there that he wondered if he could be -dreaming. By day, the place had been dark and sinister, -filled with human tigers; by night, it was alight, and -seemed in every way a respectable café.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank’s companions observed the bewildered look on -his face, and they wondered if he had made a blunder.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What does monsieur want?” again asked the waiter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I want to see the proprietor,” said Frank boldly, -speaking in most excellent French. “It is important. Tell -him that I must see him at once.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, monsieur.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The waiter bowed low, and departed. After a little, he -returned with a gentlemanly looking man, who had a -white mustache and imperial, and carried himself with a -military air.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Monsieur,” said the waiter to Frank, “this is M. -Delambre.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>M. Delambre bowed in a most courteous manner.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And what favor may I have the honor of doing you, -gentlemen?” he asked suavely.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I was here this afternoon,” said Frank, speaking -boldly and to the point.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And you return again to-night,” smiled M. Delambre -in a flattered manner. “That speaks well for the manner -in which you were entertained. Accept my thanks.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, I was well entertained!” exclaimed Frank. “It -was in this room, too. Here I came, alone and a stranger, -and here I was set upon by a pack of ruffians, from whom -I barely escaped with my life!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>M. Delambre seemed thunderstruck. He started back, -and stared at Merry, one hand uplifted.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Monsieur,” he cried gently, “what are you saying? -Are you mad? Or are you jesting, after the manner of -some foreigners?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am neither, M. Delambre; I am speaking the truth, -as you must know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Be careful, sir. I have a respectable place here, and -I cannot afford to have my business ruined.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Your place seems respectable enough now, but it -was filled with ruffians this afternoon. In this very room, -I fought a band of them, and they came near doing me -up. Now, M. Delambre, I have some questions to ask -you, and it is best that you answer them.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Frenchman drew himself up haughtily.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Sir, you are insulting!” he said harshly. “I can prove -by a hundred persons that my house is thoroughly respectable, -and I will permit no one to injure me by such stories. -I advise you to leave here at once, or I will call in the -gendarmes!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Call them, if you like,” said Merry, with perfect coolness. -“I do not believe you care to attract attention to -yourself and your place.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>M. Delambre made a gesture of despair.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You foreigners—you Englishmen!” he cried. “It is -useless to argue with you!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank did not fancy being called an Englishman, and -he told the Frenchman as much.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am an American, and in America we have a way -of coming straight to the point. Now, see here, M. -Delambre, I do not wish to make you any trouble, but I -am trying to find out something about a friend whom I -followed into this place. He has disappeared.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Frenchman held up both hands, a look of horror -on his face.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Monsieur,” he cried, “do you mean to add that I -know something about the disappearance of your friend? -That is still worse! You have added to the insult! I -beg you to leave my place at once, or I shall be forced to -call my waiters, and have you ejected!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now, see here, sir,” came grimly from Merry, “I advise -you to go slow about this ejecting business! I don’t -think you can summon enough waiters to eject my friends -and myself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Let him try it!” exclaimed Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do let him try it!” urged Rattleton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Both of Frank’s friends looked very eager for a scrimmage, -and the proprietor of the café showed still further -agitation. Again Frank plied him with questions, but -now he took another turn, relapsing into grim silence, -shrugging his shoulders, sneering, and scowling. It was -useless to coax, or threaten, or cajole. M. Delambre -closed up like a clam, and nothing could they learn from -him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Better make a complaint to the authorities, Merry,” -suggested Diamond. “Better have the joint placed under -surveillance.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank did not fancy being baffled in such a manner, but -he realized that his efforts were wasted. Some of the -waiters came and stood near, scowling at the three lads, -which made Diamond long for a pitched battle. Rattleton, -also, expressed an “itching” to punch a few heads.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry knew better than to create a disturbance there -then, and so he was forced to beat a retreat, giving over -the effort to obtain any information concerning Browning. -When they were outside, he turned, and surveyed -the front of the place closely.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I suppose you are sure you’re right?” asked Jack. -“This is the place?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Beyond a doubt,” declared Frank. “There are some -clever rascals in there, and M. Delambre is chief of -them all.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>But Merry was more downcast over the outcome of the -affair than he cared to let his friends know.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER VI.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>TRAPPED.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>The Champs-Élysées were blazing with light from the -Arch of Triumph to the Place de la Concorde. The café-chantants -were in full blast. Colored electric lights -spelled out the names of the different places of amusement. -Swarms of cabs and carriages, with their yellow -side lamps, came and went. Long rows of tables stood -under the trees, surrounded by men and women, who -were dining in the open air, bareheaded, chatting, laughing, -joyous.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Down the broad avenue went the three American lads, -returning to the hotel, where they hoped to find the missing -one. The sound of music and singing from the theaters -lured them not. The sound of talk, and laughter, -and tinkling glasses at the tables did not stop them. The -sight of all these people enjoying themselves as human -beings can enjoy themselves in no other part of the world -did not check their footsteps.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank Merriwell had been there before, and he knew -all this by heart; but, to Jack and Harry, the sights and -sounds were new and novel. At some of the tables, they -saw parties of respectable Americans, people of high -standing and good breeding, eating and drinking there, -beneath the lighted trees at the edge of the sidewalk, -utterly unconscious that they were doing anything remarkable. -And yet no amount of money could have induced -those same persons to sit around a table place at -the corner of Thirty-third Street and Broadway, in New -York. In Paris, they were ready and glad to adopt the -manners of the natives.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Leaving all this behind, the boys hastened to the hotel, -where they were again disappointed, for Browning was -not there. They looked at each other helplessly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Something serious has happened to him,” asserted -Frank. “I feel it—I know it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He is to blame for it all!” exploded Jack petulantly. -“If he had not taken a nif, and posted off by himself, -you’d never run into that joint where you had the scrap. -If he’s been knocked down, and robbed, and murdered, -he brought it on himself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank was beginning to feel miserable. He went to -his room, where he paced up and down. Then he stole -out of the hotel, all by himself, and started back along -the route over which he had followed Bruce that morning. -Down in the midst of the Elysian Fields he paused, -and sat down, all alone, at a table, where he ordered a -drink of ginger-ale, and sat sipping it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank had about made up his mind to go to the authorities, -and report that the big Yale man was missing. He -hated to do it, but he feared he was making a mistake in -neglecting to do so. As he sat there, several persons -brushed past his table. Who had dropped a slip of paper -upon it, he could not tell, but he found it lying there before -him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry picked it up. There was writing upon the paper. -It said:</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Come to the Theater of the Republic. I will meet you -there. I am watching Mart Brattle, and do not wish to -leave him.</p> -<div class='c018'><span class='sc'>Browning.</span>”</div> - -<p class='c016'>Frank gave a great jump. He bent over, and examined -the writing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Browning’s hand!” he exclaimed. “This is from him, -but how did it get here?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was a mystery. Mysterious happenings were -crowding fast.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank began to fancy that he understood why Browning -had remained away from the hotel all day. The big -fellow had been tracking Brattle. Frank sprang up, completely -thrown off his guard for the moment. He did -not stop to think it over. The Theater of the Republic -was near at hand, and soon he was hurrying toward it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As he approached the entrance, a man suddenly appeared -at his side, and grasped his wrist, speaking a -single word into his ear:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Stop!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank faced the man like a flash.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was Mr. Noname!</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Stop!” commanded the Mystery. “You are going -straight to your death!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Needless to say, Frank stopped.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You here?” he exclaimed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes—in time to stop you from falling into the trap. -You have been summoned to enter that place. In there, -behind a column which you must pass, stands a man with -a dagger hidden in his sleeve. He means to place that -dagger in your heart!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Despite himself, Frank shivered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How do you know this?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How do I know anything? Do not ask me. Have I -ever deceived you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Never.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am not deceiving you now. I know whereof I -speak.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But, my friend, the one I seek has summoned me -there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No! The summons was a forgery. Your friend is -not there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Wondering still more, Frank snatched the scrap of -paper from his pocket, and scanned it again, standing -there in the glare of lights, which made the place as -bright as day.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is his writing!” he exclaimed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A forgery, I tell you!” persisted Mr. Noname. “A -clever one, perhaps; but your friend did not write it. -Your deadliest enemy is in there. He is watching the -assassin he has hired to do the job. The assassin has laid -his plans well, and expects to escape after he has struck -you down.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank was convinced, for never had he known the -Mystery to tell him anything but the truth.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What can I do?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Keep away.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can’t do that. You say my enemy is in there? You -say Brattle is there, then?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; he is there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I want to find him. I wish to shadow him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Better leave him to me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I cannot leave everything to you. My friend Bruce -Browning has disappeared. You cannot tell me where -to find him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Can’t I?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Can you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps not just now,” admitted the Mystery; “but, if -you want to know——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do! I shall not rest till I find out!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then I will help you to find out.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am sure this man Brattle has had a hand in the disappearance -of my friend. If not, how does it happen -that he knows Browning is not with me? Brattle must -be followed—he must be tracked to his hole!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Let me do it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You cannot do everything. I must have a disguise. -I must go in there! I am determined to go in there!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come with me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will see that you have what you want.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They sprang into a cab, the man of mystery spoke to -the driver, and away they went. It was not a long drive. -The cab dropped them at the door of a dark, little shop. -The Mystery knocked with his knuckles against a pane -in a window, and soon the door opened. They entered. -A coal-oil lamp lighted the place.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Felix,” said Mr. Noname, “my young friend wants a -disguise. It must change his appearance so his best -friend will not know him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“<i>Oui</i>,” grunted Felix, the withered old keeper of the -shop. “I will make him so his own mother could not -know him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>And when Frank issued from the place, less than -twenty minutes later, Felix had kept his word. Frank -was made up to look like a sap-headed English swell, and -his clothes were of the style affected by so many British -tourists, who seemed to delight in making themselves as -conspicuous and ridiculous as possible. Frank carried a -heavy stick, and his hair was combed down over his -forehead in a bang. The expression on his face was one -of vapid stupidity. He wore a monocle, and he walked -in an affected manner.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Thus Frank appeared at the door of the Theater of the -Republic, where he paid the price required, and entered. -A woman was singing on the stage as Merry came sauntering -in. Men were sitting everywhere about the tables, -talking to women. No one seemed paying much attention -to what was taking place on the stage.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank Merriwell looked for the assassin by the pillar—and -fancied he found him. A man was loitering near -one, his hat pulled over his eyes. This man seemed to -scan the face of every person who entered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Brattle must be near,” decided Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He took a position where he could watch, and waited -to get track of Brattle. The man by the pillar was impatient. -It was plain he had about given up. At last, -he turned, with an impatient gesture, and declined to remain -on the watch longer.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank knew well enough that this was one of the ruffians -who had attacked him in the saloon. He resolved -to try his disguise upon the man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Approaching the hired assassin, he paused, and -drawled:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Me good fellaw, can yer tell me what houah Anna -Held comes on? I have seen the little peach in Hamerica, -don’t y’ ’now, and I want to see her hagain, don’t y’ -hunderstand. Ya-as, by Jawve!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The man made a swift and rather savage retort in -French, shrugging his shoulders, and turning his back -on Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank smiled to himself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In rather bad temper, I take it,” he thought. “Failed -to see anything of your game, and so you are impolite.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Another man came up hurriedly, and spoke to the one -who had been loitering by the pillar. It was Brattle. -With boldness, Merry addressed his enemy, his face -wearing an expression of idiotic anxiety:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I say, me deah man, cawn’t yer tell me what time -Anna Held comes on? I’d like to see her hagain, ye -hunderstand.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, go to the devil, you wooden-headed chump!” exclaimed -Martin Brattle, grasping his companion by the -arm and turning toward the door.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Haw! Very wude cwecher!” gasped Frank, thrusting -the head of his cane into his mouth and staring after -them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He did not let them escape, but when they reached the -open air he was following them. It was no easy thing -to shadow two men along the brilliantly lighted Champs-Élysées, -but Frank did the job in a manner that would -have done credit to a professional detective; and, after a -time, they turned into another street, where it was easier.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank followed them a long, long time, for they did -not seem to suspect that he was at their heels. Then, -to his infinite disgust, he lost them. They seemed to -melt into the very stones of the street. Frank was certain -they must have entered some place near at hand, -but he had not seen them do so, and he could not tell -which way to turn.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was thoroughly aroused.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, I’ve done a smart trick!” he muttered. “I’ve -let them get away after tracking them here! What -would the Mystery say to that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That you did well to track them so far,” murmured -a voice, and the Mystery stepped out of a dark doorway -within ten feet of him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The appearance of the strange man gave Frank a -start, despite his strong nerves.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You?” he gasped. “How does it happen that you -are here?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do not ask questions now. You wish to know where -those men went?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This way.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mr. Noname drew Frank in at the doorway. They -passed through a narrow passage, ascended a flight of -stairs, descended another, and yet another, crossed a cemented -cellar, ascended some stone steps, and came out -into the little back yard of the café where the fight had -taken place that day. Directly before Frank, beneath -the gloomy trees, was the shattered door, now mended -and standing in place.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There is where you will find them,” asserted the -Mystery; “but this door is closed now, and it is barred -on the other side. Wait. I will pass to the other side -and open it for you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How can you do anything like——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank stopped and caught his breath. He was alone! -The Mystery had disappeared!</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, talk about your modern magic—this beats anything -yet! That man comes and goes like a disembodied -spirit.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Mystery had promised to open that door, and -Merry had confidence to believe he would keep his word, -so he waited there in the narrow yard beneath the -gloomy trees. He heard a distant clock tolling the hour, -and the sound gave him a chill, like a bell pealing for the -passing of a soul.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank pushed against the mended door, but it stood -firm before him. He moved about and explored the -yard. In this manner it seemed that at least an hour -passed. Of course it was not so long, but time dragged -slowly with him waiting there. Frank was growing -impatient, when he heard a sound behind him, and -wheeled about. Black shadows were appearing under the -trees. There was more than one of them—there were -several! Those shadows moved like creatures of life. -They seemed to crouch and steal toward him. In the -blackness under the trees there was a whisper. Frank -Merriwell recoiled against the mended door, his heart -leaping into his mouth.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Trapped!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The word leaped to his lips, and his hand flew for a -weapon. In that instant those shadows darted forward -and sprang upon him. He tried to draw his revolver, -but it was knocked from his hand. In falling it was -discharged when it struck the ground, and the flash -lighted for a single instant the triumphant face of Frank’s -enemy, Martin Brattle.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry struck hard and sure for that face, and his fist -landed. The man was knocked down, but he struggled -up, snarling:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Crush him down! Capture him! Don’t kill him! -I have a use for him! Take him alive!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If you can!” panted Merry, fighting like a tiger at -bay.</p> - -<p class='c007'>They leaped upon him, and he hurled them back. They -tried to beat him down, but he stood like iron before -their blows. He sent them reeling, cursing, falling. -He felt that he had been betrayed at last by the mysterious -man who had led him to that spot. A score of -times Diamond had warned him that Mr. Noname would -turn on him, but he had not heeded the words of the -Virginian. Now it had happened. The Man Without -a Name had brought him there to that yard and left -him in order that he might be captured by Brattle and -his gang.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The thought made Frank fight with such fierceness -that they could not beat him down. They hurled him -against the door time after time, till, at last, it flew open -beneath the shock. Frank’s heels caught on the stool, -and he fell backward into the passage.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Before he could rise, five men were on him. A light -gleamed near and he was dragged farther in. Then he -was beaten into non-resistance, and his hands were tied. -At last he was a captive in the hands of Martin Brattle!</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER VII.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>IN THE WINE-CELLAR.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Frank was carried down a shaking flight of stairs into -a cellar, where there were barrels and wine-casks and -long shelves of bottles, covered with dust and cobwebs. -They placed him on a bench, and the light of their coal-oil -lamps showed him something that caused him to start -and groan.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Bruce Browning was there, standing in the center of -the cellar, bound securely to a stone pillar, a gag in his -mouth. The eyes of the big Yale man met those of his -chum, and there was an instant understanding between -them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank knew why Bruce had not returned to the hotel. -At last the mighty giant had been conquered and made -a captive. In that look volumes were spoken. Bruce -expressed his anger, grief, and regret, while Frank -showed his sympathy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>They had found each other, but they were helpless -and in the power of desperate men. The faces of those -men were covered by masks, with the exception of that -of Brattle. It seemed that Martin did not care to attempt -to conceal his identity. There were seven of them in all.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Brattle stood before Frank and sneered at him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Poor fool!” he said. “Did you think you could get -the best of me? With all your tricks of disguise, you -are not smart enough to cope with Mart Brattle.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank was not gagged.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It must take a great rascal to match you,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I confess that I did not know you in the theater,” said -Brattle; “but I knew you after you had followed us so -far.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank was disgusted.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So you discovered I was following you?” he muttered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes. Then I was certain it must be you; but how -you found your way into that yard is what beats me. -You disappeared from the street in a twinkling, and next -you were in that yard when we came to hunt for you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And you don’t know how I got there?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know how you found the way.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank wondered if the man spoke the truth. He wondered -if, indeed, the Mystery had not betrayed him after -all. If not, what had become of Mr. Noname? Frank -remembered how many times that strange man had appeared -and saved him from his enemies, and he began -to wonder if it would not happen again.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Tell me how you found your way into that yard,” -commanded Martin Brattle.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank laughed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is something for you to find out,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You will not tell?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Brattle snapped his fingers.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It makes little difference. To-night ends your career -in France. You shall die, Frank Merriwell, and you -will never tell anything you may have learned to anybody -else.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Bah!” exclaimed Merry. “You boast; but I doubt if -you have the nerve to carry out your threats.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You will not doubt long. Let me tell you something. -Do you see these men about me?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am not blind.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They are the most desperate cutthroats in all Paris. -There is not one of them who has not killed his man. -They live by robbery and murder.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, I see you have chosen fit associates, Brattle.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t get funny!” growled the man. “I don’t like -it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You may not like it, but it is the truth. They are -fit associates for you. You have lived by robbery, and -I doubt not that you will be executed for murder.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Better keep a civil tongue, Merriwell!” snarled Brattle. -“You are in my power, and I can make you die -a thousand deaths!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have but one life, and so you can make me die but -one death.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Brattle stood with his hands on his hips, scowling down -at his victim. The masked ruffians were farther back. -They remained silent, and it is doubtful if any of them -understood what was being said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You do not know me, Frank Merriwell. I have -sworn to get even with you for all you have cost me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have known others to swear such an oath. One -who did so, a pal of yours, was drowned in England. -Drowning is too easy a death for you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Go on! You are digging your own grave with your -words!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A little while ago you said you had decided to kill -me, anyhow. What difference does it make?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Before I kill you you must tell me where to find Elsie -Bellwood. In what part of Paris is she?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“She is not in Paris.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t lie!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am not lying, Brattle. You have fooled yourself. -Elsie did not come to Paris at all. She is in England.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do not believe it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank laughed shortly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are at liberty to believe what you like. It makes -no difference to me. I am not telling you this to aid you -in any way, but simply to show you that you have made -a fool of yourself by chasing on here to France, thinking -you were following up Elsie Bellwood.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where is she in England?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is for you to find out, Brattle.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You refuse to tell?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll make you tell!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You can’t.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We shall see.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Brattle turned to one of the men and asked him in -French for his knife. When he turned back, he held a -long, glittering blade in his fingers.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now,” he said, resting one knee on the bench and -grasping Frank by the neck, “we’ll see if you can be -made to tell!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The point of the knife was at Frank Merriwell’s -throat. Merry felt it pricking there, but he never winced -or showed the least sign of fear.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Brattle was surprised.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Can you feel the knife?” he sneered, “or are you too -scared to feel anything, you young fool?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can feel it very plainly, thank you,” said Frank. -“I should say that the point must be just above my -jugular vein.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Brattle cried out something in French, and there came -muttered exclamations of astonishment and admiration -from the ruffians who were watching everything. They -could not help admiring the nerve of the captive. In the -center of the cellar Bruce Browning was twisting and -straining at his bonds, the veins beginning to stand out -like cords on his face and neck.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Martin Brattle had seen Frank Merriwell under other -circumstances, and knew Merry was nervy, but this was -something more than the villain had anticipated.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If I were to give a very slight pressure, this keen -blade would penetrate your jugular vein, and then all -the doctors in Paris could not give you one hour of -life.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s right, Brat,” admitted Frank. “When the -jugular is penetrated, a fellow is done for.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then speak!” ordered Martin fiercely. “Speak, or I -will tap the vein, and you shall see your life-blood spouting -from your neck!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning’s teeth cracked as they grated together.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s no use,” said Frank coolly; “you can’t force me -to speak in that way, Brattle. Go ahead with your -devilish work.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Martin Brattle sprang back and stood panting, trembling, -and glaring at his captive.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What are you made of?” he faltered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Flesh and blood,” was the answer; “but not the kind -of flesh and blood that quakes before a dastard like you!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Still you know I can kill you!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; but I know you cannot make me squeal. I’d -be ashamed to die after begging to you! It would be -dying like a coward! If I must croak, I prefer to do it -like a man! Go on with your work!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Whether they understood it or not, some of the masked -ruffians, who stood about with folded arms, murmured -as if they were applauding.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Never before had Bruce Browning felt such admiration -for his college chum. Always had he known Frank was -brave, but now he knew he had nerves of iron. Bruce -did not wonder that Merry had been a winner at everything, -for he felt that any man with such nerve could -not help winning.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Brattle swore.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I believe you think I am fooling with you!” he -snarled. “I believe you think I do not dare to kill you!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Quite the contrary,” said Merry promptly; “I believe -you are such a coward that you dare murder me, for -no one but a low-lived cur would think of doing such a -thing!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Again Brattle sprang on Frank and menaced him with -the glittering knife, on the very point of which was a -single drop of blood.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Go ahead!” cried Merry. “Don’t be fooling around -like this! Finish your job!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Brattle drew off.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not so quick,” he said. “I understand. You are -eager that I should do it, in order to have it over as -soon as possible. But I have sworn to make you tell -where I may find Elsie Bellwood, and I’ll do it. Do you -know how I am going to make you do it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I haven’t an idea.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll tell you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am going to begin by cutting off your fingers one -by one.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A nice idea!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then I shall cut off your ears, your nose, and so on. -I shall torture you by inches till you tell me what I wish -to know!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are a bigger coward than I thought!” observed -Merry. “Not only that, but you are a brute of the lowest -type, Brattle. You are not fit to mingle with men!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, you may say what you like! I have to get revenge -on you! You robbed me of Elsie! You ruined -my business in New York! You put the police after me! -You made it necessary for me to fly from the country!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What a fine thing that was for the country!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I followed you to England to get possession of that -girl, and also to get square with you. In London you -brought more trouble on me. Because of you, I lay -weeks in a hospital. At first they said I might not recover, -but I vowed that I would not die till I was able to -say I had squared my debt with you. I lived, and I am -here to square that debt!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, you have made talk enough about it. Go ahead -with the job.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You seem anxious to have the torture begin.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Or anxious to have it over.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, it will not end very quickly. Do you still fancy -I am fooling with you? Well, you shall see! I will -begin right away by taking a finger from your hand. -No; I think I will begin by taking off your ears.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning was straining at his bonds again. He saw -the wretch bend over Frank with the knife and reach -to slice off one of Merry’s ears. Then, with a mighty -surge, the Yale giant burst his bonds asunder. He tore -himself free, snatched the gag from his mouth, gave a -roar like that of a mad lion, and flung himself on Brattle.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The villain was knocked down in a moment. He -screamed for help, and the other ruffians attacked Browning. -Bruce was a perfect whirlwind. He caught one of -the men up and whirled him round his head like a club, -knocking the others over and tumbling them in heaps. -He was magnificent in his rage and strength.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Give it to ’em, Bruce!” cried Merry from the bench, -exulting in the turn the tide had taken. “Lay on, and -spare not!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, I’ll give it to them!” roared the big fellow. “I’ll -crack their heads! I’ll mow them down! Where’s that -cur who was going to cut off your fingers and your ears? -Let him stand forth! I want to get one more crack at -him!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Some of the men fled screaming from the cellar, but -more were knocked stiff and senseless on the cemented -floor. Bottles crashed down from the shelves and barrels -were upset. The fight did not last long, for the men -could not stand before the Yale giant. When they had -been knocked out, or had fled, Bruce hastened to set -Frank free.</p> - -<p class='c007'>They looked for Brattle, but he was one who had -escaped by flight.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We must get out of here,” said Merry. “I fancy we -have no time to lose.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are right,” said a deep voice, and they looked up -to see the Man of Mystery standing on the stairs. “I -have found you at last, led here by the sounds of battle. -I feared I had lost you forever. Come; I will lead you -from this place. You must get out before the gang -recovers.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They sprang up the stairs after him, and he led them -out to the yard where the battle had taken place. -Through the passage which he knew he escorted them -from the yard and brought them to the open street.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There,” he said, “you are free. Go!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>A door closed behind them, and when they tried to -open it they were unable to do so. The Mystery was -gone, and to them he remained a mystery still.</p> - -<hr class='c019' /> - -<p class='c007'>“Was it possible, Frank,” cried Bruce, as they were -talking it over the next day, “that you really thought me -angry with you? My dear fellow, that was part of the -joke. It was my plan to get back at you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, it was pretty good acting,” laughed Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I enjoyed it when I found you were chasing me up. -I dodged into that café by accident, and I found a way -out by the back door, which opened into that little yard. -The door closed behind me, and then I felt that something -was wrong. I hammered on it, but it would not -open before me. Then I put my shoulder to it and -burst it open.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The pounding and the crash I heard!” exclaimed -Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t remember much after that till I found myself -bound to that stone pillar in the cellar,” said Bruce. -“I think somebody struck me on the head with a club -as I stumbled into the passage.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And I heard you groan!” exclaimed Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, it has turned out pretty well, even though -Brattle escaped. He’ll meet his just deserts pretty -soon.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is certain,” nodded Frank. “But now I most -desire to see the Man Without a Name and thank him -for what he has done. He has promised that I shall -see him again.”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>THE BLACK BROTHERS.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Paris at night, three days later.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank Merriwell was strolling along the Avenue de -l’Opera, which was lighted as brightly as a ballroom. -On either hand were rows and clusters of tables, where -men and women were sitting in the open air, sipping -their cool drinks and chatting animatedly. It was like -walking the floor of a long dining-room. This, Frank -told himself, was one of the pleasures of Paris at night. -Nowhere else in the world could such a spectacle be seen. -The promenaders of the boulevards were patrolling the -avenue. They were men whose main ambition in life -seemed to be to acquire reputations as <i>boulevardiers</i>, -reputations easily obtained by persistently patrolling certain -streets at certain hours day after day, week after -week, month after month.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About it all there was something strictly and solely -Parisian. In Paris alone could one so quickly imbibe the -feeling of utter freedom and so quickly fling aside all -sensation of restraint and unfamiliarity. At least, so -thought Frank just then, as he swung along the avenue, -light-hearted, buoyant, careless. To Merry it seemed -that he had not a care in the world. It seemed that he -would never again have a care.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The appearance of the women sitting out of doors -under the trees, with their heads bare, made the city so -homelike and friendly that it was as if everybody knew -everybody else.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank came to the Boulevard des Capucines and paused -a moment in front of the Café de la Paix. Now at his -back were the cafés, blazing with electric lights, blushing -in gorgeous upholstery, glittering with magnificent mirrors, -and thronged by well-dressed men and women. -Across the square the Grand Opera-House rose, beautiful, -artistic, majestic.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will sit down a few moments,” thought Merry, as -he started toward the table.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Just then a man stumbled and fell against him quite -heavily. His first thought was that the man must be -intoxicated, but he remembered he was in Paris, and, -turning quickly, he saw a refined-looking gentleman, past -middle age, with gray mustache and imperial, pressing -his hand to his heart, while there was a look of distress -on his pale face.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Quick as thought, Frank grasped the man gently and -firmly, politely saying:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Permit me, monsieur. Can I be of assistance to -you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The stranger gasped as he attempted to reply, and the -only word Merry understood was “Rest.” The young -American assisted the stranger to a seat by the table, and -then bent over him solicitously, again asking how he could -be of assistance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have done all you can, thank you, my friend,” -murmured the gentleman, as his unsteady hand placed his -jewel-decorated cane on the table. “I was seized by a -pain in my heart, but it is passing now. You were about -to sit down here. Do not let me prevent.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank took a chair at the table, and the man looked -at him searchingly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If the curiosity is pardonable, may I ask if you are -English?” inquired the stranger, taking a handkerchief -from his pocket and using it to absorb a tiny drop of -blood that had appeared on his wrist.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am an American, monsieur.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The man showed fresh interest.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“An American!” he exclaimed, his face still remaining -pale. “I might have guessed it! I have been in -America. Americans love justice and liberty.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have hurt yourself, monsieur?” said Frank, as -the man continued to press the handkerchief to his wrist.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is nothing—a slight scratch. But I received it in -a peculiar manner a few moments ago. A woman spoke -to me. I attempted to pass on, and she became angry, -and struck at me with a hatpin. She barely touched my -wrist here—enough to draw blood.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I had no idea women were so vicious in Paris—at -this early hour of the night.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s seldom they are. In London it would not be -strange. This woman spoke French imperfectly. I do -not think she was French. At least, I hope not.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“She seemed Spanish in her readiness to strike with -a weapon,” said Frank. “But you are very pale, monsieur, -I fear you are harmed in some other manner.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Your solicitation speaks well for you, and is further -proof that you are American, not English. An Englishman -would not take such interest in a stranger.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps it is a proof of my freshness,” smiled Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Freshness? What do you mean by that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In English that is slang. It means that a person is -too forward, too presuming, lacking in reserve and discretion.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The American is impulsive, but to me that is his -charm. Having been in America, I know the Americans -who come to France do not fairly represent the people -of the country.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank glowed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am glad to hear you say that, monsieur!” he cried. -“In England, America is judged by the Americans who -come to London, much to the misfortune of my native -land. The newly rich, the uncultured, the bores and -the snobs of America rush to England and France as -soon as possible, and they are taken to be representative -Americans.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know this is true, and I am glad to meet in France -a representative American—outside the Latin Quarter. -Monsieur, my card.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank accepted the white bit of cardboard, on which -was engraved:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“M. Edmond Laforce.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The Duke of Benoit du Sault!” exclaimed Merry, in -surprise, looking up.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, monsieur,” bowed the Frenchman, lifting his -eyebrows. “But how is it you know that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why, you know all America takes a great interest in -the Dreyfus case, with which you have been concerned, -or, at least, with which newspaper reports have connected -you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Duke of Benoit du Sault frowned a little.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The newspapers! the newspapers!” he exclaimed. -“They have given me the publicity I shunned. I have -sought to do quietly what I could for that unfortunate -man on——Pardon me, monsieur; what do you think -of Dreyfus?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think as think nine Americans out of ten, if not -ninety-nine out of a hundred.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And that is—what?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That Dreyfus is innocent!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The face of the duke seemed to clear, although it remained -strangely pale, while there seemed to be something -of a hunted look in his piercing eyes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am glad to hear you say that,” he spoke in a low -tone. “I have known that America sympathized with -him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My card, monsieur.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank took his card from a morocco case and passed -it across the table, adding:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A friendly exchange, that may serve as an introduction, -if you care to have it so.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course I care to have it so, Monsieur Merriwell,” -said the duke, immediately extending his hand, which -Frank accepted.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The young American noticed that the hand of the man -was cold as ice, and it trembled the least bit in his grasp.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am sure, monsieur, that you are not feeling well,” -he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am feeling strangely,” admitted the Frenchman, -with a shrug of his shoulders. “I do not understand -what it is, unless——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He shivered again, glancing around with that hunted -look. Then he tried to force a laugh, saying:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It cannot be so. For all of the sign, I will not believe -my time has come. I have a work to do, a great -work—for the honor of France!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank had read in the newspapers—Frank’s trip occurred -some years ago—how the Duke of Benoit du -Sault had taken up the work for Dreyfus just where -Monsieur Zola had been forced to abandon it, and how -by doing so he had aroused an army of rabid and howling -enemies about his ears. To escape imprisonment, -Zola, the great novelist, had fled from France, and it was -more than hinted that the Duke of Benoit du Sault might -have to do likewise.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank was confident of the innocence of Dreyfus, the -unfortunate Jew, who had once been an officer in the -French Army, but had been accused of betraying the -army’s secrets to rival powers, had been publicly disgraced -and condemned to life imprisonment on Devil’s -Island, a barren bit of rock and sand, far from France, -on the burning bosom of a torrid sea.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry had read with great interest about the case, -and, being a lover of justice, it was but natural that his -soul should be stirred when he thought how Dreyfus had -been convicted and condemned on evidence of which he -knew absolutely nothing. The trial had been conducted -in secret, and the public at large, like the condemned -man, knew nothing of the proofs which established Dreyfus’ -guilt.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The story of Madame Dreyfus’ devotion, and her unceasing -efforts in behalf of her husband had touched -Merry. He read how she had appealed to power after -power, but all her appeals had seemed in vain till Monsieur -Zola had cast himself into the arena, like a gladiator, -and taken up the battle. But even Zola, great -novelist and political factor as he was, was unable to -stand against the army, and in France “the army can do -no wrong,” so it was claimed that Dreyfus had been -justly judged, and all who sought to show otherwise -were enemies of France. The agitation aroused a terrible -sentiment against the Jews, and there were repeated -riots in the courts and on the streets. Zola and -his friends contended against public sentiment and prejudice, -and the whole affair which followed was a travesty -of justice.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Even though the daring novelist was forced to flee -from France to escape imprisonment, the agitation accomplished -something. The one man who had done -more than all others to convict Dreyfus was likewise -forced to leave the country. In England he confessed -that he, under instructions of others, had forged the document -which had mainly served to convict the Jew. However, -this man Esterhazy had told so many stories about -the case that it was easy now to claim that this was but -another lie, and, strangely enough, in a short time, he -retracted the statement.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When the chief of police was forced to confess that he -had forged certain documents which seemed to establish -the guilt of the prisoner of Devil’s Island, there was a -terrible commotion in Paris. The chief of police committed -suicide without delay, or was murdered. The -friends of Dreyfus made another mighty effort to have -him brought back to France and given a fair trial. For -a time it looked as if they must succeed, but all the -power of the army was brought against them, and effort -after effort was frustrated. One after another those officers -who had been concerned in the conviction of Dreyfus -resigned; but their places were filled by men who -expressed themselves as fully confident that the Jew had -been justly judged. The reversal of the verdict would -mean the disgrace of men high in power, who had been -instrumental in certain ways in bringing about the conviction, -and so an innocent man was doomed to languish -out his life in an iron cage on the burning rock of -Devil’s Island, afar in the brassy bosom of a sun-scorched -sea.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There were Frenchmen who believed Dreyfus innocent -and who loved justice enough to desire his innocence -proven, even though it rent the republic in twain. -Edmond Laforce, the Duke of Benoit du Sault, was one -of these. He placed his wealth and his life at the disposal -of the friends of Dreyfus, and he set about devoting -himself to the mighty task of forcing France to -bring the prisoner back and give him a fair trial. The -duke had tried to do his work quietly, but the newspapers -had found out about him, and Frank Merriwell -had read of him. Thus it came about that Merry knew -the man’s title the moment he read his name on the card.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have my sympathy, sir,” assured Frank. “To -me it does not seem possible that fate will permit poor -Dreyfus to die on that desolate island without being -brought back and having a fair trial.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The ways of God may not be measured by man,” said -the duke solemnly; “but, like you, I believe that Dreyfus -must be brought back, no matter what may come -of it. They say to show him innocent means a revolution -in France—means that the streets of Paris must -again run with blood. Let it come! Better that than to -have him die in Devil’s Island and afterward to have his -innocence established. If he is truly guilty, it will be -established beyond a doubt by another trial. That will -end it forever. If he is innocent, it will mean the everlasting -disgrace of France to have him die on that -island!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>For a single moment a flush came into the duke’s -cheeks, faint, indeed, but still perceptible. It faded -quickly, and then, of a sudden, he pressed his hand to -his heart once more, uttering a smothered cry of pain.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank leaned across the table in instant solicitation, a -strange feeling of dread assailing him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is it, monsieur?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The pain——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Again?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Shall I order something?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A little brandy, please.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank gave the order quickly, and the brandy was -brought at once by a waiter. With trembling hand the -duke lifted the glass and sipped the liquor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are you subject to such attacks?” asked Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The gentleman shook his head.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No,” he asserted, “never before a few moments ago -have I felt one. I do not understand it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He stopped speaking, his eyes fastened on the slight -scratch on his wrist, which he had received from the hatpin -in the hands of the vicious woman who had accosted -him. He trembled as he looked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Strange!” he murmured, as if speaking to himself. -“The pain seems to shoot from that scratch to my heart. -Can it be——No, no! I will not believe it! The sign -was given to frighten me. This is nothing. It will pass -away.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Despite his attempt to assure himself, however, it became -plain that a great terror had seized upon him. He -fought against it, trying to throw it off.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank noticed this agitation, and he observed that the -duke again looked round in a hunted manner. No one -seemed paying any attention to them. The duke’s hand -fell from his heart to the table, and he leaned toward -Merry. There was a peculiar gleam in his eyes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have made enemies by the stand I have taken,” he -said. “It has proved fatal for more than one man who -espoused the cause of Dreyfus.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It has proved fatal?” questioned the young American. -“What do you mean?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What I have said. More than one has given up his -life because he dared proclaim the innocence of Dreyfus -and work to establish it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have not heard of such cases.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course not. Why should you? The Black Brothers -do their work in silence.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who are the Black Brothers?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A band of men sworn to keep Dreyfus on Devil’s -Island at any cost.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you mean to tell me there is such an organization -of men in France?” gasped Frank, in horror.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There is.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It does not seem possible!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There are said to be seven of the Black Brothers,” -said the duke, speaking in guarded tones. “They are -seven of the most desperate creatures in all France, and -they are the hired assassins of the enemies of Dreyfus. -They are paid to destroy such friends of the condemned -man as may seem dangerous, and they are guaranteed -protection by the men who employ them.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Horrible!” exclaimed Merry. “It’s like a grisly conception -of some romancist. But I think the law would -be able to reach the murderers.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not yet, for as yet there is no proof that they have -committed murder.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The victims——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have died suddenly and strangely, one and all, and -yet no man knows the cause of their death.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How is that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Each one has been warned to leave France within -ten days. One alone has heeded the warning. The -others are dead.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They were murdered?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of that there can be no doubt, yet on none of them -was found a mark to tell how they died. It seemed that -heart trouble cut short their lives.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank started a bit, thinking how strangely the duke -had been seized by pains in his heart. The Frenchman -seemed to read the thoughts of his companion, and his -face appeared to turn yet a shade paler than it had been.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have fancied that I might be able to detect the manner -in which the Black Brothers do their work,” he said; -“but now I fear I shall fail. The pains at my heart are -terrible symptoms, and I fear I am to be the next victim.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, no! That cannot be!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have been given the sign.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What sign?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The sign of the Black Brothers! the sign of death!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This is the tenth day since I received it!” whispered -the duke.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER IX.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>THE BLOOD-RED STAR.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Frank was startled, to say the least. He looked at -the man searchingly, wondering now that the duke could -be as calm as he seemed. It was plain he had more -nerve than Merry had thought.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The tenth day!” exclaimed Frank. “Then your time -is up!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” said the duke, with strange calmness.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That means——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry stopped.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have told you what it means.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And you have not heeded the warning?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have not been driven from France.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And you do not fear the Black Brothers?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The French nobleman drew himself up proudly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A Laforce never turns his back on danger,” he declared.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But such terrible peril! It were different if you -could face your foes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, it is hard to be beset by unseen peril.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Still you do not fear?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The duke hesitated a little, and then spoke slowly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I believe that the bravest may feel fear at times,” he -confessed. “In battle it is different, but when one knows -a peril he cannot see may be creeping upon him slowly -and surely he must be made of more than flesh and blood -not to feel a thrill of fear.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is a terrible thing!” exclaimed the young American -earnestly. “It is like being chained in a pit where the -water is rising inch by inch.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is worse. The prisoner in the pit can see the water -rise, but a man to whom the sign of the Black Brothers -has been given knows the danger is creeping upon him, -but he cannot see it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Now Frank felt a strong thrill of admiration for this -old Frenchman who could remain thus cool in the face of -an unseen and deadly peril.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If you meet the fate of the others—what then?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The assassins cannot destroy every friend of Dreyfus, -and justice shall triumph at last.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But are you willing to be a sacrifice?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No! Still I have lived, and my years to come are not -many, at most. If I fall, I have faith to believe that it -will mark the turning-point in favor of the prisoner of -Devil’s Island. I believe that somehow, sometime, -France shall emerge from the clouds and be purged of the -stain upon her.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It gave Frank Merriwell a sensation he had never before -experienced to be sitting there before the Café de -la Paix, in the heart of Paris, calmly speaking with a man -who had been doomed to death by a mysterious band of -assassins, and who knew that, were the assassins to carry -out their fearful threat, he had not many hours more to -live. All around them was life and pleasure, and nothing -but the seriousness of the duke could impress Merriwell -with the real horror of the situation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This sign of which you speak—what is it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Edmond Laforce felt in his pocket and brought something -forth. This he placed upon the table.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was a metal star, dark-red in color, with points -numbered from one to seven. Upon it were the words, -“Ten days.” Beneath the words appeared the dreadful -death-machine of France, the guillotine. Frank gazed -on the blood-red star with deep interest.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This,” said the duke, with forced calmness, “is the -sign of the Black Brothers. The seven points of the -star represent the seven members of the assassin band.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have kept it!” exclaimed Merry. “Why didn’t -you throw the thing away?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What good? It’s work was done when I received -it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How did it come to you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I was sitting at dinner in the Deux Mondes. My -first order had not been filled when, happening to glance -upon the table before me, I saw this blood-red star lying -there. That is how it came to me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ah!” exclaimed Frank, with a sudden feeling of relief. -“Then it was not sent to you direct?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, in a sense it was not.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You found it by accident.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So it seemed.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And it may not have been meant for you at all!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps,” said the duke frankly, “that is the reason -why I have not left France. Perhaps, I have thought, -it might not be meant for me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I see,” said the American youth eagerly. “But you -know beyond a doubt that it is the sign of the Black -Brothers?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; it is their sign of death. It is strange I have -told you all this. I have not talked to others of it, but -something led me to speak to you. Perhaps it was the -strange pains in my heart. They gave me a shock. I -thought of the others who had died suddenly and unaccountably. -Your sympathy with Dreyfus led me to talk -on, till now you know all.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Monsieur, it may be you have alarmed yourself needlessly. -There is a chance that you have not been selected -as a victim.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A chance—yes. But you must remember that I am -marked as a friend of Dreyfus. It would be most natural -that I had been selected to fall by the Black Brothers.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I understand your feeling in the matter, and I admire -your nerve. Still, I hope you may live to see Dreyfus -given a fair and open trial.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Laforce was about to speak in reply to this, when he -was again seized by the pains in his heart, and this time -they seemed to overcome him for some moments. Frank -arose in agitation, proposing to call for a physician, but -the duke restrained him with a gesture.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shall see my doctor as soon as possible,” he said in -a faint voice.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I believe you need medical aid at once.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If it is the doom of the Black Brothers, medicine will -not save me! I fear it may be! Who can tell? Wait, -and listen. I have in my possession something that may -prove the innocence of Dreyfus. If I should die suddenly, -it must not be found upon me, for it would be sure -to fall into wrong hands. You claim to have sympathy -with Dreyfus, and I wish you to do me a favor.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What favor?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The duke again felt in his pocket, producing a metal -ball somewhat larger than an ordinary marble. For a -moment he exposed it to Frank, and then he hid it in his -hand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This,” he half whispered, “holds what may some day -prove poor Dreyfus innocent. I am going to give it into -your keeping till to-morrow night at this hour, when I -will meet you here, and accept it from you—if I am -living!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The duke glanced around, as if to make sure they -were not watched, and then he covertly and quickly -passed the tiny metal ball to Frank, who felt a strange -thrill as he received it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Put it away at once,” whispered the Frenchman. “Do -not tell a soul that you have it. Promise me you will not -tell.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank wondered at his readiness to accept the trust, -and still more he wondered at the man’s willingness to -trust him, a stranger. Still, he understood the remarkable -position in which Laforce was placed. The man -feared he might drop dead at any moment, and he did -not wish the thing to be found upon him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What if you do not meet me here to-morrow to receive -it back?” asked Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shall be dead.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know; but what shall I do with it then?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Keep it till the right one calls for it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The right one?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, Monsieur Merriwell.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How shall I know the right one?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He will give you a signal.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What signal?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He will press his left hand over his eyes, and say, -‘Justice calls.’”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is that all?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is all. And now, perhaps, it will not be well -for us to remain longer together. I might arouse suspicion -if certain ones were to see us talking thus earnestly -for a long time. I have trusted you, not because -I was forced to trust some one, but because your face -has told me you may be trusted.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, monsieur.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Laforce waved his hand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is I who owe you thanks, Monsieur Merriwell. I -hope to see you here to-morrow evening at this hour.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hope you may.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Till then, guard that tiny ball with your life, for it -may give life and liberty to the innocent man on Devil’s -Island.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Edmond Laforce, the Duke of Benoit du Sault, picked -his jeweled cane from the table, and rose to his feet. -Frank rose, also, and their eyes met again.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will not offer my hand again, as we know not what -eyes are on us,” said the duke. “Till to-morrow night—or -forever—farewell!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He turned, and walked away, and Frank Merriwell returned -to his hotel, to think of the strange things he had -heard, and to wonder if they could be true. The following -morning, he read in <i>Figaro</i> that the Duke of -Benoit du Sault had been found dead in his bed. The -report stated that it was plainly and undoubtedly a case -of heart failure, but Frank Merriwell knew that it was -murder!</p> - -<p class='c007'>He sat staring at the paper in a dazed way, thinking of -his meeting with the doomed man the previous night, and -all the strange things the duke had told him across the -little table in front of the Café de la Paix. Now he knew -beyond a doubt that the Black Brothers had found another -victim. The strange pains Laforce had felt were -but the warnings of his coming dissolution.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was something uncanny and terrible about it, -something that gave a chill to Frank Merriwell’s warm -blood. Surely, the enemies of the prisoner of Devil’s -Island were ready to resort to any extreme of crime to -keep the friends of the unfortunate man from securing -justice for him. They counted human lives as nothing -in their terrible work.</p> - -<p class='c007'>And that was France—happy France.</p> - -<p class='c007'>From the first, Frank had felt sympathy for Dreyfus, -and now it seemed that he was in some way connected -with the miserable captive in the iron cage on that dread -island. He felt in his pocket for the tiny metal ball given -him by Edmond Laforce. It was there. He took it out, -and examined it closely, for the first time. It seemed too -light to be a solid piece of metal, and yet he could see no -flaw in it, no opening, nothing but the polished surface.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The dead Duke of Benoit du Sault had said that the -ball might some day prove the innocence of Dreyfus. -How could that be?</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank asked himself the question, as he sat there with -it in his fingers, turning it over and over. Was it not -possible that the duke had been mentally unbalanced?</p> - -<p class='c007'>That was a new thought, and it gave the young American -a start. Surely, the uncanny story the man had told -seemed like the imaginings of a diseased brain, and men -had gone mad in France from thinking of the Dreyfus -affair. Perhaps the duke had become crazed from brooding -over it, and had imagined the story of the Black -Brothers, the blood-red star, and the metal ball that was -to prove the innocence of the condemned man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was possible he had caused the star to be made by -his own directions. Or, perhaps, having found it as he -claimed, he had woven around it the weird story which -he had revealed to Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Surely, it was easy enough for a Frenchman who was -mentally unsound to have such conceptions, and to believe -in them. But the most remarkable part of it all was -that the duke should die on that night which he claimed -completed the tenth day of grace allotted to him by the -Black Brothers.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank had read that sometimes human beings become -so firmly convinced that they must die at a certain time -that they bring about the thing they fear. Had this -been the case with the duke?</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was possible; and, still, Merry could not quite bring -himself to believe the whole thing had been an hallucination -of the dead man’s diseased brain. He had promised -the duke to guard the metal ball with his life, and -he resolved to do so now, even though Laforce was -dead.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As he sat there, staring at the tiny ball, Wellington -Maybe, his tutor, came softly into the room.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mr. Merriwell,” said the little man in a small voice, -“I think to-day we will review——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nothing,” spoke Frank abruptly, putting the ball back -into his pocket. “I have studied faithfully for the past -three days, and to-day I shall take a rest.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There are no ‘buts’ about it, Mr. Maybe. You are at -liberty to spend the day as you please. I heard you say -yesterday that you wished to visit the art galleries at -Versailles. You will have a good opportunity to-day.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mr. Maybe knew it was useless to argue with Merry, -when his mind was made up, and so he did not attempt -it further, but withdrew, shaking his head, leaving Frank -once more to his thoughts.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I could not study to-day, after what has happened,” -muttered Merry. “I should be thinking all the time of -the Black Brothers, the blood-red star, and the dead -Duke of Benoit du Sault.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was a shout of laughter in an adjoining room, -and Rattleton came bounding into the room, lazily pursued -by Browning, who was growling about some sell he -had “bought.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, you’re a mark!” chuckled Harry. “Everybody -catches you. You’re a sucker.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Speaking of suckers,” said Diamond, following them -in, “do you remember the time Browning went fishing in -a fresh-water pond, and brought back a fine string of -mackerel.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, that was a lie!” grunted the big fellow, flinging -himself down on an easy chair, and getting out his pipe. -“You fellows used to think that yarn funny. It’s stale -now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Rattleton continued to chaff the big Yale man, but -Merry took no part in this, which the others noticed after -awhile.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s the matter, Frank?” asked Diamond. “You -look all fussed up. Anything gone wrong?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank felt like telling them all about it, but he remembered -his promise to Edmond Laforce, and refrained.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t mind me,” he said. “I am not feeling in the -best of spirits this morning.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Now, it was such a remarkable thing for him to feel -other than in high spirits that they all stared at him -blankly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why, I thought you were enjoying France since Mart -Brattle has ceased to trouble you?” said Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So I am,” assured Merry, rising, and walking to the -window, where he stood, looking out, his hands in his -pockets.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As Frank stood there, he noticed on the opposite side -of the wide street a man, who was lingering in a doorway. -The man was dressed in black, and he looked up -at the hotel in a searching way. After a little, he seemed -to observe Merry at the window, and then he drew back -into the doorway. There was something odd about the -man’s behavior, which caused Merry to retreat from the -window, but remain where he could see the doorway. -After a time, the man appeared in the doorway again, -and gazed up at the hotel.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Somehow, Frank felt that the fellow was a spy or -shadower. For whom was he watching? Merry turned -from the window, and announced that he was going out.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the street, Frank looked around for the man in the -doorway, but could see nothing of him, which caused -him to wonder if he had been wrong in thinking he was -a spy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Direct to the Deux Mondes Frank went, and there he -made inquiries about the dead duke. All he learned was -that Laforce had retired shortly before midnight, apparently -in good health, and had been found dead in the -morning, the early discovery being made as his door -stood slightly ajar. There were no marks of violence -nor anything to indicate the man had not died a natural -death. To Merry, it seemed rather strange that the -duke had left his door open; and, if he had not left it -open, why had it been found ajar in the morning?</p> - -<p class='c007'>Somehow, it seemed that the hand of death had opened -that door. Frank pictured the grim agent of destruction -creeping in on the man as he slept, and accomplishing -the dread work. It was not strange that the American -youth again felt a chill in his warm blood. Frank -asked if there had been anything queer in the behavior -of the duke previous to his death, and was told that he -had seemed rather odd and moody for a few days.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then, with all the skill he could command, Merry -sought to discover if there was a taint of insanity in the -Laforce blood, but no one seemed to know that such was -the case. The conviction that Edmond Laforce had met -death at the hands of assassins, for all that he bore no -mark of violence, grew upon Frank Merriwell.</p> - -<p class='c007'>And Frank began to feel that it was his duty to solve -the mystery, if possible. Fate had connected him with -the remarkable tragedy, and it would be cowardly not -to accept the commission placed on his shoulders by -chance. As Merry turned to leave the hotel, he noticed -a man, who had been lingering near while he asked the -questions. In a moment, he recognized the man in black, -whom he had seen in the doorway opposite his hotel.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the street, Frank walked briskly to the first corner. -As he turned into the next street, he gave a quick backward -glance. The shadower in black was coming!</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER X.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>“JUSTICE CALLS!”</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>“Followed!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merriwell muttered the word. He knew there was a -spy on his track. It was not a pleasant thing to think -that it was possible he had been spotted by the Black -Brothers. It was not a pleasant thing to think that it -might be he had been marked as a victim.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Perhaps he would be the next to receive the blood-red -star, the fearful symbol of death!</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll make sure he is shadowing me,” thought Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then he quickened his steps, turning from street to -street, boarded an omnibus, left it after a little for a cab, -and left the cab at the Rond Point de l’Etoile, where he -paused to gaze at the wonderful and awe-inspiring Arch -of Triumph, the grandest triumphal arch ever constructed, -which was erected in commemoration of Napoleon’s -victories. For some minutes Frank quite forgot -everything else in viewing the grand structure, situated -at the union of twelve broad and beautiful avenues, “each -of which sweeps away as grandly as the radiance of a -search-light on the sky at night.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was not strange that, for the time, he forgot the -black shadow that had been following him. He turned -into the magnificent Avenue des Champs Élysées. -Thoughtfully, he walked along, unmindful of the glittering -show about him. He had fell to meditating once -more on the mystery of the death of Edmond Laforce. -Scarcely noting where he was going, he turned into a -side street.</p> - -<p class='c007'>All at once, he turned square about, and stopped. -Frank’s eyes were keen. At a distance, on the opposite -side of the street, a man was buying a paper at one of -the little kiosks at which newspapers are sold in Paris.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is the shadower!” muttered the American youth, -with a strange, jumping feeling at his heart. “I have not -been able to shake him! There is no doubt about it now—I -am spotted!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He returned to the hotel, making no further effort to -throw the spy off his track. He found Browning lounging, -smoking, and reading. Diamond and Rattleton had -gone out. Ten minutes after entering his room, Frank -approached the window, and looked out. In the doorway, -on the opposite side of the street, was the same -figure in black!</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Browning!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Huah?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come here.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s the matter?” asked the big fellow lazily. “I’m -in a blamed comfortable position.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I want you to come to this window a moment.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Grumbling somewhat, Bruce dragged himself up, and -walked heavily across the room.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is it?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank flung open the window.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Look out,” he directed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’m looking.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the open window, Frank pointed straight at the man -in the doorway. The man looked up, and saw him, but -did not stir, or make an effort to conceal himself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you see that man down there, Bruce—the man in -black, who is standing on those steps?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He’s a spotter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Eh? What?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He has followed me ever since I left this hotel this -morning.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The dickens you say!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He was standing just where he stands now when I -looked out this morning.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, what’s the matter with him? What’s he want?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know what he wants, but I know he has followed -me everywhere. After I discovered it, I made an -effort to throw him off.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But couldn’t?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; not even when I dodged round corners, took an -omnibus, and then deserted that for a cab.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning whistled.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, that’s queer!” he said. “Do you fancy he’s -some ruffian Mart Brattle has hired to do you up?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course, I do not know who or what he is, but I -do know he is a spy.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, we haven’t any particular use for spies, have we, -Merriwell?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It doesn’t seem to me that we have.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then I’ll just go down and wipe him off the face of -the earth!” growled Bruce. “Rattleton said I needed exercise. -This will give me what I need.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What will you do?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Smash him!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And get yourself into trouble. You will be arrested.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, are you going to let every sneak that wants to -chase you around wherever you go?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do not like it, but you must remember that I have -no proof the man has chased me. When I have such -proof, I’ll have him arrested for annoying me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Better lead him to some good place where I can get -at him. Say, Merry, get him to follow you down to the -river, and I’ll throw him off a bridge. That’s what he -needs—a good ducking will cool him off properly.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have taken a fancy to corner him first, and demand -to know why he has chased me. I think I’ll go -down and do it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’m going with you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They descended to the street; but, when they reached -it, the man in black had disappeared, nor could they find -anything of him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He took the hint, and sneaked just in time,” muttered -Bruce. “Oh, if I could have thumped him once!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They lunched together, Rattleton and Diamond having -failed to return to be with them. Wellington Maybe had -gone to Versailles. The afternoon was spent in the Bois -de Boulogne, and, although Frank looked for him often, -no more was seen of the shadow in black.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At the hour that evening when he had agreed to meet -Edmond Laforce in front of the Café de la Paix, Frank -was there, sitting at the same little table. To save his -life, he could not tell why he had come there. Something -had seemed to draw him, and he came alone.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Thus far, he had said nothing to his friends and companions -about his meeting with Laforce, and the strange -things that followed. In part, he had promised secrecy -to the dead man, and he knew he could not tell a part -without revealing the whole, unless he placed himself in -an awkward position. He sat there, watching the flow of -life around that table, and thinking of the Black Brothers, -the blood-red star, and the mysterious metal ball -which might hold the fate of Dreyfus, and which lay safely -in his pocket. He wondered when any one would -call for that ball, if ever. How could any one know it -was in his possession?</p> - -<p class='c007'>As he was thinking of this, a man paused a moment -squarely in front of the table, looked straight at Frank, -and spoke two words:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Justice calls!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>These words gave Frank a great start, for, despite all -that had happened, they were most unexpected. But the -sign that was to accompany the words was not given. -The man did not cover his eyes with his hands.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry waited for this, and was about to speak, when -the stranger added:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not here. Follow.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then he turned, and walked slowly away, not once -looking back.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank hesitated. The signal had not been complete, -nor had the man seemed to expect to receive anything -there. It was plain he fully expected Frank would follow. -Perhaps he had not wished to receive the metal -ball there in that public place, and so he had given enough -of the signal for Merry to understand, and follow him to -a place more suited. Frank arose. As he did so, his -hand slid round to his hip, where he felt a loaded revolver -nestling in his pocket.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s more than even chances I shall not need it,” he -muttered; “but it is there, in case I do.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was half tempted to remove it to another pocket, -from which it could be produced more easily and expeditiously, -but, being aware he could not do this without -being seen by those around, he refrained.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The man who had spoken to him was crossing the -square, and Merry followed at a distance. The man -turned into the Rue Auber, and still he did not look -back. It seemed plain that he fully expected Frank to -follow him without hesitation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry felt that he was entering upon a most peculiar -adventure, and he seemed to scent danger in the air. -There was something mysterious and awesome about the -affair. He felt that an unseen tie connected him with -the wretched captive far away on a barren, rock-bound -island, in the midst of a torrid sea. Perhaps, at that moment, -he held the fate of Dreyfus in his grasp!</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank was resolved that no man should receive the -metal ball from him till he had first given the signal complete, -as described by Edmond Laforce.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Guard that tiny ball with your life,” the duke had -said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will!” Frank vowed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The man he was following turned into another street, -and still Merriwell followed him, on and on. After a -time, the youth began to wonder if he had not been -mistaken. Surely, the man would pause, or look back, if -he had expected Frank to follow.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, as long as I have pursued him thus far, I’ll -keep it up,” Merry decided.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At last, the man stopped before a little shop, from the -windows of which a light shone. Still without looking -back, he lifted his hand, and pointed at the door of the -shop. Then he entered. In front of that shop, Frank -stopped. In his ear something seemed whispering a -warning.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If I am in danger,” he thought, “where is Mr. Noname, -who has warned me so many times?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>And he actually looked around, as if expecting to see -the Man Without a Name near at hand. Whether Frank -was in danger or not, Mr. Noname did not appear.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have seen nothing of him since the night he led -me out of the trap into which Mart Brattle had lured -Browning and myself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>And it really seemed that the strange man would appear -if there was any great danger for Frank. Again -Merry’s hand went back to his revolver. He took it -from his hip pocket, and dropped it into a side pocket of -the coat he wore.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s ten to one I am making a fool of myself,” he -said. “I am an American, and there is no reason why -the Black Brothers should select me for a victim. I am -not dangerous enough for them to feel that my life must -come to an end.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then he entered the shop.</p> - -<p class='c007'>An old man, with spectacles set astride his nose, was -in the front room. He bowed to Frank, saying softly:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Monsieur, the gentleman waits for you in that room.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He pointed to a narrow door that was standing open. -It was plain now that Frank had not been deceived in -following the man who had spoken to him before the -Café de la Paix. That man had known he would follow, -and the old man in the shop had expected him to -enter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Wondering what would happen next, Frank passed -through the narrow door. The man he had followed -was standing in the middle of the small room, beside -a table, on which stood a lighted lamp. He bowed -gravely as Merriwell appeared. He had a thin, sharp -face, and a pair of unpleasant eyes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Monsieur,” he said, “justice calls!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He held out his hand as he spoke.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank Merriwell looked him straight in the eyes for a -moment, and then quietly said:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Justice has often called in vain.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He did not offer to take the little ball from his pocket -and pass it to the man, for the signal was not complete. -They stood there in silence, looking at each other, the -young American cool and self-possessed, the Frenchman -stern-faced and frowning. Frank fancied that the man -showed disappointment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Once more the stranger repeated the words:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Justice calls!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank was tempted to turn his back, and walk out of -the place without another word. He had vowed to hold -fast to the little ball till the proper signal was given, -and something seemed to tell him that this unknown man -who sought possession of it had no right to claim it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After some seconds, the stranger said:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Justice should not call in vain to you, for you have -what may give justice to one who is in sore need of it. -Come, monsieur, I am waiting.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There is another who is waiting in an iron cage. It -seems that the ways of justice are so slow that his short -life may be spent in waiting.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then you are his enemy?” cried the man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He has many enemies,” said Frank evasively.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But you—you have been trusted as a friend.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why should I be trusted? I am an American. He -is nothing to me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you speak the truth?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why should he be aught to me? He is not a countryman -of mine. If France sees fit to let him rot in his -prison cage, what is it to me? It is her disgrace.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The moment he spoke those final words, Frank was -sorry, for he saw he had lost an opportunity to draw the -man on by deceiving him into believing he had no sympathy -with the captive of Devil’s Island. He had begun -well, but deception formed no part of Frank Merriwell’s -nature, and it was hard for him to repress his real feelings. -A strange smile came to the face of the man. He -shrugged his shoulders, and nodded.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are right—you are discreet, Monsieur American. -It may be well for you to have a care, and take no interest -in the captive of whom you speak, but you have -been given a trust. I have come to relieve you of that.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When the right man comes, he may receive what he -seeks. You have failed to convince me that you are the -right man.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank retreated a step toward the door, keeping his -eyes on the man before him, and his hand near the hidden -revolver. Now Merry knew he was in danger, for he -was convinced that the stranger had no right to the metal -ball that was said to hold in its heart the fate of -Dreyfus.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Frenchman fixed his piercing eyes on Merry, saying -quietly:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Wait a little. Let’s talk it over.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There is no more to be said.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have what I seek. I have called for it, and I -have given the signal.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank was cool. He had slipped a hand into the side -pocket of his coat, and his fingers gripped the butt of his -revolver. The coolness of the American youth seemed -to anger the other.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You know I have!” he cried. “If you refuse to give -it up, you are false to your trust!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If I gave anything to you, I should be false to my -trust.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because you are an impostor, a fraud!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Harsh words, Monsieur American!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But true. You know it. You thought to deceive me, -but you have failed.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, come,” purred the man in an oily manner. “Why -is all this? I came to you in the manner that you expected -one to come. I have done my part; do yours. -Justice calls.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is useless for you to repeat those words. From -your lips, they are meaningless.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank had retreated to the door. Now he placed a -hand behind him, and made a discovery. The door was -closed! It had swung quietly to behind him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Frenchman smiled into his face, and he realized -that he was trapped!</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER XI.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>BRUANT, THE STRANGLER.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Frank Merriwell removed his hand from his coat -pocket, and his fingers gripped the butt of a revolver, on -the shining barrel of which the lamplight glinted. At -that moment, he felt disgusted with himself because he -had walked into the snare, and yet it was not strange he -had done so, for the failure of the man to give the complete -signal before the Café de la Paix had seemed natural -enough, considering the publicity of the place. Naturally, -Merry had reason that he should follow the man -to some more secluded spot, where the complete signal -would be given, and he would surrender the precious ball, -without being seen by eyes that should know nothing of -its whereabouts. But now it seemed plain that the man -knew no more than the words of the signal, and that did -not make it complete. This being the case, Frank had no -thought of giving up the tiny ball.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The door had closed softly behind him, and he was -alone in that room with the man he had followed there. -His hand found the knob of the door, and he satisfied -himself that it was fastened. Again the Frenchman -smiled into his face, a smile of craft and triumph.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Monsieur should not hurry,” he said in his purring -voice. “I am sure he will not hurry, for I wish to talk -with him more.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The man saw the revolver in Frank’s hand, but he -seemed to heed it very little. Merry leaned against the -door, crossing his feet. He was quite as cool as the -Frenchman.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps you are right,” he said. “I had thought to -keep an engagement, but it is rather late, and it will make -little difference if I do not appear. I shall make an excuse -that I was in very detaining company.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Monsieur is skilful in the use of words, and he speaks -French beautifully. One might almost believe him a -Frenchman, from listening to his language. Won’t you -sit down?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The man motioned toward a chair near the table, on -which stood the lamp, bowing politely.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“After you, monsieur,” said the American youth, with -equal politeness, indicating another chair. “I do not like -to sit with my back toward the door, for doors unexpectedly -opened sometimes admit dangerous drafts.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It will not be politeness for me, as your host, to be -seated first,” protested the man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps we had better disregard the matter of form -on this occasion. There are times when it is not well to -be too conventional. I pray you be seated first.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Very well; but I ask your pardon, in advance, for the -breach.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The man started to sit down.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not there, my dear friend,” said Frank. “Be kind -enough to take the chair to the left.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“As you like,” said the man, with a shrug of his -shoulders.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He sat down; and then, still holding his revolver in his -hand, Frank advanced to the table, and sat on the chair -the man had first attempted to take.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This is more comfortable,” said the Frenchman. “It -distressed me to see you standing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The ease with which you are distressed over the inconvenience -of others does you great credit,” said Merry, -with a curl at the corners of his lips. “Now we are -seated, you are at liberty to say whatever you have to -say.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you,” bowed the man, placing his hands on -the table before him, and leaning slightly toward Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank noticed those hands for the first time. Although -the fingers were long, they were also thick and muscular, -and there was something about them suggestive of great -strength. The man saw Merriwell looking at his hands, -and a strange, chilling smile hovered on his face.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you think of them?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Eh? Of what?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My hands.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why do you ask?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I saw you looking at them. Are they not very -strong?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They seem to be.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They are. There are no hands in Paris like them. -They are the most famous hands in all this city.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank wondered what the man could mean by all -this.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do I care about your hands!” he cried, forgetting -for the moment his assumption of suavity. “I did -not stop here to talk of them.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, monsieur; you stopped here because the door was -closed.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I believe you are right.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Frenchman bowed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am sure I am right,” he said. “But I saw you looking -at my hands. They attracted your attention. It is -not strange. They are very strong. Look.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He spread the sinewy fingers out till his hands looked -like huge talons, and then he brought them slowly together, -as if gripping something, and crushing it. There -was something so horribly suggestive about this action -that the lips of the American youth were pressed together, -and there was a frown on his forehead.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If I had something within the grasp of those fingers,” -purred the man across the table, “they would close just -the same. They can crush anything but iron, and that -they can bend.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I beg your pardon,” said Frank impatiently. “Was it -to boast of the strength of your hands that you induced -me to stay?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I thought of telling you about it, my cool young -friend from America. After I have told you all, we -will talk of something else.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The hands unclosed, and lay on the table. Surely, -there was something fascinating about them, and Frank -took his eyes from them with difficulty.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now,” said the Frenchman, in that same purring voice, -“suppose that those hands were to close on a human -throat, Monsieur American. What chance would the -owner of that throat have to escape with his life? They -would crush the windpipe, and end a human life with -ease. I did not lie to you when I told you those hands -were the most famous in all Paris. They have given me -my name.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank was silent.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have used those hands,” continued the man, “and I -expect to use them again—perhaps to-night. They have -felt human throats!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merriwell felt a creepy sensation stealing over him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did you ever hear of Claude Bruant?” asked the -man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Never.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then you have not been long in Paris. I am Claude -Bruant, but I have another name, given me in honor of -the work these hands have done. I am more often called -The Strangler!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A very pretty name for a man like you, and most appropriate,” -said the American youth, with unruffled coolness. -“I should say it fitted you very well. But there -are ropes that strangle, as well as hands, and in France -the guillotine is sometimes used by the executioner. -Sometime you may discover how very beautifully it -works!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The lips of the man curled back from his teeth in a -wolfish smile. The nerve of this youth, scarcely more -than a boy, was too much for him. If he had thought to -terrify Frank Merriwell, he realized now that he had -failed utterly. For all of his anger and disappointment, -which were betrayed by that wolfish smile, he could not -help admiring the lad who had remained unruffled by all -he had said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>That the American appreciated the situation was certain, -for he had been keen to scent danger, and his language -had shown that he possessed an unusually acute -brain. The Strangler knew little of Americans, save -what he had seen of them in Paris, and he had fancied -that they could be intimidated with ease. He had expected -to become more blunt and direct in his threats, but -now he felt that it would be useless.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Still, he was angry, and further threats came rolling to -his tongue without being summoned.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are very clever, Monsieur American!” he -sneered; “but there is such a thing as being too clever. -Do you know that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Without doubt, you are right, Monsieur Strangler. -You have shown considerable cleverness yourself, but you -are bound to overstep the limit in time, and then——Well, -you know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ah, monsieur, I fear you will not live to see that -time!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There is no reason why I should not, for I am much -younger than you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Accidents will happen, you know. A strong hand, or -two of them, might find the way to your throat.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hardly fear there is danger of that. A bullet is -much swifter than human hands.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank smiled as he handled his revolver.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And do you know how to shoot?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Monsieur, there is a fly crawling toward the lobe of -your left ear. If you will permit me, I’ll guarantee to -shoot him off without breaking the skin on your ear, and -then there will be no flies on you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank rested his elbow on the table, and pointed the revolver -at Bruant.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Instantly the man held up those fearful hands, with -the palms toward the young American, saying:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I beg you will not shoot! Not that I fear harm, of -course; but that is a pet fly of mine, and he has a way -of crawling to the lobe of my left ear every evening at -about this hour. If you were to destroy him, I should -miss him very much.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That being the case, I would not think of harming -him for the world; but, if you will turn your head, I’ll -agree to brush the dust from your eyebrows without -ruffling them in the least.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Monsieur, it would be easy to hit a large mark across -a table, but could you hit a small mark across a room?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am willing to exhibit my skill. If you will hold a -cigarette in your teeth, I think I may be able to clip it -close to your lips, without knocking out a single tooth, or -drawing blood.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That would be very good; but would you yourself -dare make such a test?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is an easy thing for you to learn. All you have to -do is to take a cigarette in your lips, and stand against -that door yonder.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, but I am certain you will not urge me -to arise after I have assured you that I am much tired, -not having slept well for several nights.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“As you like. It was for your pleasure I proposed -giving the exhibition of my skill. Under any circumstances, -you should not doubt my ability to hit a man -across a table.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Let us talk of other things.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“As you choose,” bowed Frank, feeling well satisfied -by what had passed between them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is needless to waste words,” said Bruant.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry lifted his eyebrows.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You make the discovery after a great many have -been wasted,” he smiled.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now I will talk direct.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have what I want.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Still you continue to waste words, for you told me -that once before.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, monsieur, I tell you so again!” came rather -sharply from the Strangler, his suavity beginning to break -down before the coolness of the young American. “You -have what I want. I led you here to obtain it from -you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have been to considerable trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And I am not to be baffled!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You may promise yourself that as much as you like, -but you must seek no such assurance from me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I promise you that! As truly as that door is closed, -you shall not leave this room till it is delivered to me! -On it the fate of a good man depends, and I must have it! -Why attempt to baffle the efforts of justice by seeking to -keep it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why attempt to deceive me, Monsieur Strangler? -You are not the friend of justice, but of something quite -different. There is no reason why I should deliver anything -into your hands.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You value your own life?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That I will admit.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then, that is reason enough.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I shall defend my life with this weapon. Further -than that, what is to hinder me from compelling you to -rise and escort me from this room? I have a weapon -in my hand, and I can put a piece of lead through your -body in a twinkling, if I choose. Were you to refuse, I -might shoot you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And that would be a serious thing for you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not in this case, which would be purely one of self-defense. -By your words, it is evident that Claude Bruant, -the Strangler, is known in Paris, and it would not -matter much if one of his intended victims were to end -his life. In fact, it seems probable that every honest -man would rejoice, and the one who did the deed would -be applauded, if not rewarded.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have that matter reasoned out to your own satisfaction, -I presume?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Fully.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, let me tell you that the friends of the Strangler -are within call. Were you to become careless with that -pistol——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I should not give you time to call.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The report of the weapon would suffice. My voice -would not be needed.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How many friends have you near?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh,” grinned Bruant, with a shrug of his shoulders, -“there are enough—four or five.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Five—not more?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why are you so anxious to know?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because this revolver holds six shots. That would be -one for you and each of your five friends. I really think -I had better begin on you, and let the others come along -later. I’ll take them as they come!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The astounded Frenchman began to fear that the -American really contemplated carrying out the idea.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Wait a little!” he urged. “You can save yourself -trouble by handing over the article. When you have done -that, you will be permitted to depart unharmed. I will -guarantee that not a hand shall be raised against you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are very kind!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then you will comply?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You refuse to give it up?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have nothing to give you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>At last, Bruant realized that the American could not -be wheedled or frightened into handing over the metal -ball. Indeed, all this talk had been a waste of words, and -the anger in Bruant’s heart was intense. A sudden idea -came to him. One thing he had not tried. Fool that he -was, he had forgotten that all Americans are ready to -sell their very souls for money!</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Strangler grinned with sudden satisfaction. He -leaned on the table close by the lamp, lowering his voice.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Monsieur American,” he said, “what you have is very -valuable to me, and I am willing to pay for it. I was -wrong in not coming to an understanding concerning its -value at once. I will buy it from you, and you shall be -well paid.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was a dark frown on the face of Frank Merriwell, -and he looked as if he longed to dash his clenched -fist into the evil face that was grinning at him with sudden -satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have made a mistake, Monsieur Strangler,” he -said grimly. “I have nothing to sell you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Bruant stared.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But, perhaps, you doubt that I will pay? Oh, I can -give you positive assurance of that!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do not need it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will bring the money here to this room, and place -it on this table, before you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Spare yourself the trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It may be you doubt me? It may be you think I will -bring you harm? Then we will both sit still, and I will -call old Mezin to bring the money.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I tell you that you are giving yourself needless -trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Wait till I have named a price.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Bruant,” said Frank Merriwell clearly and distinctly, -“you cannot command enough money to buy anything of -me! Do you think I’d touch one coin of your crime-stained -money! I should feel that every piece was dripping -with the blood of Dreyfus!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Most Americans are not such fools!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Bruant had quite lost control of his temper now, and -he snarled the words.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Most Americans cannot be bought with ill-gotten -coin!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then you absolutely refuse, at any price?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They looked at each other across the table, defeat flushing -the dusky face of the Strangler with black blood. -There was nothing but utter fearlessness in the face of -the young American.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Frenchman turned his head toward the lamp, and -gave a sudden great puff. Then, as it went out, plunging -the room in darkness, he sprang to one side, and flung -himself bodily across the table, his hands diving out in -search of a human throat!</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER XII.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>M. DE VILLEFORT.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Frank Merriwell’s movements had been equally swift. -The instant the light went out, he swung his body far to -one side, and thus it happened that Bruant’s hands -grasped nothing when he made that savage clutch across -the table. But the violence of his spring flung the table -against Frank, who was unable to extricate himself, and -over they went, with a crash, upon the floor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A curse escaped the lips of the Strangler.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You can’t escape my hands!” he hissed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He caught hold of Merry, and it was wonderful how -swiftly his hands leaped up to the throat of the young -American, and fastened there. Frank felt that the supreme -moment had come. He pushed the muzzle of his -revolver against one of the fellow’s elbows, and fired upward. -The bullet must have shattered the man’s arm, -and the hold on Frank’s throat relaxed in a moment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Hereafter,” said the American youth, “you will do -your strangling with one hand!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>A furious snarl of anger and pain came from the -wounded wretch, and, striking out with his fist, judging -well where to hit, Frank Merriwell struck Bruant down -in the dark. Then, in a most remarkable manner, he -found his way across the room to the door that had -closed behind him when he entered. Satisfied he had -reached the door, he flung his shoulder against it, and -burst it open.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The old man in the front shop stared at him, open-mouthed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Monsieur,” said Frank quietly, “the man in the back -room needs the services of a skilful surgeon.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then he walked out of the place, and no hand was -raised to halt him. He was not a little surprised at the -easy manner in which he had escaped, for he had expected -to fight his way out of a nest of desperadoes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Even after he was on the street, and walking swiftly -from that spot, it did not seem possible he had been fortunate -enough to get away so quickly, and with such little -difficulty. On leaving the shop, he had returned the revolver -to his pocket, as a man hurrying along the streets -of Paris at night, with a loaded revolver in his grasp, is -sure to attract considerable attention.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Just then attention was something little desired by -Frank. He had been forced to use his revolver in self-defense, -but he had not shot to kill. He felt sure he -had simply broken the arm of the man who had clutched -his throat. When it was all over, Frank wondered somewhat -at his perfect tranquillity, for he was not shaking -in the least.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In Paris, he had expected to rest, and enjoy life. He -had fancied no dangers would beset him there, but he -had found such dangers as he had seldom known, and -his adventures were of the most sensational nature. -When he was a little distance from the shop, he felt in -his pocket, to make sure the precious metal ball was still -there. His fingers found it, and he was well satisfied.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not till the right one comes will I part with it,” he -muttered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Now he felt certain the Duke of Benoit du Sault had -spoken nothing but the simple truth when he claimed that -in some manner the tiny ball might help to establish the -innocence of the captive of Devil’s Island. No longer -was he inclined to believe the duke mentally unbalanced. -He was now willing to accept the story of the Black -Brothers and the blood-red star. It was uncanny and -weird enough, and still it aroused in him a desire to solve -the mystery, and learn the whole truth.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank walked swiftly, now and then turning, to make -sure he was not followed. Unstopped and unmolested, -he made his way straight to the hotel. There he found -Diamond and Rattleton, engaged in a game of pinochle, -while Browning reclined on a couch, and filled the room -with smoke. Tutor Maybe was sleeping soundly in bed, -where he had been for some hours.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Look here, Merriwell,” cried Rattleton, as Frank appeared, -“this thing must stop!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s right,” grunted Browning, while Diamond -looked at Merry reproachfully and accusingly, and said -nothing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s the matter with you fellows?” asked Frank, -with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Looks happy, doesn’t he?” chuckled Rattleton, winking -at Bruce.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“As a clam,” said the big fellow. “He must have had -a very pleasant time this evening.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have,” confessed Merry. “I have enjoyed myself -exceedingly, I assure you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The brazen creature!” gasped Rattleton. “My! my! -but I never thought it of him!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nor I,” came from the big fellow on the couch. “I -say, Merry, what’s her name?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s who’s name?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, don’t give us any of that!” said Harry. “It won’t -go with this crowd!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I should say nit!” growled Bruce good-naturedly. -“Own right up like a man. What’s her name? Is she an -artist’s model? Oh, I’ll bet you’ve been over in the -Quarter!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And only away from Elsie Bellwood such a short -time!” said Diamond, more in reproof than in jest. “I -did not think it of you, Frank!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank laughed pleasantly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My dear boys,” he said, “you are off your trolleys.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now, don’t tell us there isn’t a girl in it!” shouted -Rattleton, flinging down his cards, and rising to his feet. -“I have always regarded you as the soul of veracity, and -I do not wish to lose faith in you now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Remember, my dear boy,” said Browning in a fatherly -way, “that you are in Paris—naughty Paris. You must -have a care not to lose your veracity along with your -other good qualities.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is the second evening you have been out alone,” -said Harry. “You are not in the habit of meandering -around all by yourself in a strange city. You are a person -who enjoys company.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’m afraid he’s had company enough,” said Diamond -soberly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Now, when Frank thought of what had actually happened, -and what his friends seemed to imagine had happened, -he sat down and laughed most heartily.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He’s becoming depraved fast!” exclaimed Rattleton. -“He can laugh over it in a heartless manner.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; he’s going to the dogs, sure enough!” grunted -Bruce. “It’s a shame! He was able to withstand temptation -till he came here to naughty Paris.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Boys,” said Diamond, “I’m afraid it’s no joking-matter.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>And that made Frank laugh still harder.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Wiping his eyes, Merry said:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My dear Diamond, surely you have not been affected -by the air of Paris? You are constant enough to Juliet, -whom you left in England.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack’s face turned crimson.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, that’s nothing serious!” he protested, scowling at -Frank, and trying to make Merry understand that he did -not wish too much said before the others.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But Harry and Bruce were quick to catch on, and they -made it rather warm for Diamond for some minutes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, you fellows think you are smart!” exclaimed the -Virginian. “You are ready to turn from Frank any time, -and pick at me, but you can carry it too far!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Take your medicine,” advised Browning. “Don’t fly -off the handle. You must stand a little jollying, when -your turn comes. You laughed with the others when the -alarm-clock joke was worked on me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The boys tried to induce Frank to tell where he had -been, but he kept them guessing, till, at last, Browning -and Rattleton gave up in disgust, and went to bed. Frank -was preparing to retire, when Diamond came and sat -down near-by. Merry took the revolver from his pocket, -wiped it out, and slipped a fresh cartridge into the cylinder. -Jack regarded him curiously while he was doing -this.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you been carrying that around?” asked the Virginian.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I took it with me this evening,” nodded Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And used it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“For what purpose?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am not in the habit of using a pistol unless it is -necessary.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond looked puzzled and troubled.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“See here, Frank,” he said, “you have been acting -rather strange for a day or two.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have I?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes. What’s up?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps I may tell you sometime.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Merriwell, am I your friend?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank turned about, and faced Diamond, who looked -very grave and earnest.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I sincerely hope you are, and I have every reason to -believe so,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack was nervous.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have something to say to you,” he faltered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, old man, I am ready to listen. Go ahead.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Plainly, it was not easy for the Southerner to begin. -Frank was surprised to see Jack so embarrassed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am ready to listen,” said Frank quietly. “Fire away, -old man.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Merriwell, as I am your friend, I hope you will take -in good part what I have to say.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t fear about that, Jack. Go ahead.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know Paris is a rather giddy place, and—and——” -Jack paused, to clear his throat, flushing, and looking -more embarrassed than ever. “There is something in the -atmosphere here that seems to take hold of the most -staid.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; a fellow feels new life and buoyancy.” Frank -wished to say something to encourage the Virginian, although -he was wondering more than ever what his companion -could be driving at.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes. Some old men, who must be good, sober citizens -at home, act in a most ridiculous manner as soon as -they come here. I have seen some of them in this hotel. -They are giddy, and they make me sick!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But I fail to see what connection this has with me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Er——Oh, it doesn’t have any real connection, -but——Why, what I want to say is, that you have—you -have acted rather strange for a day or two.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You said that before.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I believe I did. Don’t you ever think of Elsie since -coming to Paris, Frank?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Every day.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But, you know, you have been so strange—you have -taken to going out alone—and—and you haven’t seemed -to want anybody to go with you, especially at night. Now, -Frank, are you sure you have not been affected by the -atmosphere here? Are you sure you think of Elsie as -much as you should?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank stared in open-mouthed amazement for some -moments, and then he dropped on a chair, bursting into a -hearty, ringing laugh.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“By Jove!” he cried. “I didn’t think that was what -you were driving at, old man! I didn’t suppose you could -really think such a thing of me! Oh, say, it’s too much! -And you are all ready to give me a dose of fatherly advice! -Oh, ha! ha! ha! Say, this is the funniest thing -yet!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack was crimson.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t!” he pleaded; “don’t laugh at me like that! -Those fellows will hear you, and they’ll be rubbering -around in a minute! Please don’t laugh, Frank!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How can I help it?” gasped Merry, trying to repress -his mirth. “It is too ludicrous! And you really thought -I must be running after a girl, or girls, because I have -acted odd! Oh, Jack!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, now, you must confess that I had reasons. Rattleton -and Browning think so, too.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do they? Well, let them think. It makes no difference -to me. I will take the trouble to tell you that nothing -of the kind has happened. Don’t be silly, old man. -I appreciate all the good advice you were about to give -me, but it isn’t needed.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond felt decidedly awkward, but Frank put him -at his ease with a few words. The Virginian apologized, -but Merry assured him that apologies were not needed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps to-morrow, or the next day,” he said, “I may -have something to tell you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If you are in danger——” began Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“One never knows when danger may come,” interrupted -Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You seldom carry a revolver. When you do——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is liable to be needed.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And you needed it to-night?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Rather. I used it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry would make no further explanation, and Diamond -went to bed that night much mystified and not a -little troubled.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was not at all remarkable that Frank Merriwell did -not sleep very well that night. Surely, it would have been -remarkable if he had. His slumbers were broken by -dreams of blood-red stars, men in black, and a pair of -large, sinewy, evil hands. In his dreams, he fought -again and again to keep those hands from his throat.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the morning, his friends noticed that he looked worn -and unlike himself. Diamond, perhaps, thought most of -it, and he decided that Merry must be in some serious -trouble. Jack longed to urge Frank to unbosom himself, -but felt that it might be better to wait till Merry -should do so of his own accord. After breakfast, Merriwell -began pegging away at his studies, much to the -satisfaction of Tutor Maybe. Browning, Diamond, and -Rattleton went out for an “airing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Midway in the forenoon a card was brought Frank. -On it was engraved the name, “Murat de Villefort.” Beneath -the name was written, with a lead-pencil, “Justice -calls!” Murat de Villefort proved to be a tall, slender, -supple-appearing man, with a coal-black mustache and -imperial. His face was rather harsh and stern, but his -manners were pleasant and acceptable.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank surveyed the man critically, wondering if he -could be another impostor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Monsieur Merriwell,” said the visitor, “I trust you -will be glad of the opportunity to get rid of your -charge.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of what do you speak?” asked Frank evasively.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I speak of that for which I have called.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You will have to speak still more plainly, monsieur.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Excuse me,” said M. de Villefort coldly. “I fear you -are demanding too much. You have but to discharge -your duty, and deliver it into my hands.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When I am certain it will be discharging my duty, I -may deliver the ‘it’ of which you speak. You are not the -first who has sought it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But you have not let it go?” cried the man in apparent -alarm. “Don’t tell me you have let it pass from your -hands! <i>Mon Dieu!</i> If you have, all is ruined!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He seemed very sincere in his alarm.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I assure you that nothing passes from my hands till -I am certain it passes into the possession of the proper -person.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>De Villefort seemed relieved. He drew a deep breath, -saying:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I feared for a moment that you had been deceived -into giving it up to some impostor.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Impostors do not succeed very well with me, monsieur.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are very shrewd, Monsieur Merriwell,” bowed -the Frenchman, in a flattering manner. “It was fortunate -for justice that you were chosen as the guardian of such -treasure.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you. Then you know nothing of my encounter -with one who sought to obtain it from me?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nothing, monsieur. When did this happen?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Last night. In a little shop not far from Gare St. -Lazare.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And were you given the sign?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In part.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“By whom?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“One who called himself Claude Bruant, and claimed -to be known as the Strangler.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>De Villefort started.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The Strangler?” he cried. “A desperate wretch, who -has been well paid by the enemies of justice to do their -vile work! And you escaped his hands?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am here.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I see. It is remarkable. You are very wonderful. -How did you escape?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“With the aid of this,” said Merry, quietly taking his -revolver from his pocket. “I doubt much if the Strangler -ever has much use of one of his hands again, as I shattered -his arm with a bullet.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Again De Villefort complimented Frank in a most profuse -manner.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Justice owes you a greater debt than it can ever repay,” -he declared. “If the captive of Devil’s Island ever -escapes, it may be that he will owe his salvation to -you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are complimentary, indeed, M. de Villefort. I -assure you, I appreciate your words very highly.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>And still Frank made no move to deliver the little ball -into the man’s hands, for De Villefort had not given the -complete signal. The man held out his hand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now, I presume, you will answer the call of justice, -Monsieur Merriwell.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank smiled coolly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps as I answered it last night.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>De Villefort frowned.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This is no time for delay,” he said sternly. “With me, -time is precious.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thus far, then, you have wasted it,” declared Frank, -growing more and more suspicious.</p> - -<p class='c007'>All at once, as if struck by a sudden thought, the -Frenchman flung out his hand, with a strange gesture. -An instant later, he lifted that hand to his eyes, saying:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Justice calls.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was the signal, and, at last, it had been given correctly. -It came as a surprise to Frank, for he had begun -to believe that De Villefort would fail to give it. Merry -hesitated, for, even though the signal had been given, he -felt a strange reluctance to part with the precious ball delivered -into his hands by the dead Duke of Benoit de -Sault.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Frenchman lowered his eyes, and stood looking at -the youth expectantly, commandingly. Slowly, Frank felt -in his pocket for the precious ball. He felt a great desire -to know what secret it contained that might serve to -bring justice to the wretched prisoner of Devil’s Island.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry drew the metal ball from his pocket, and the -eyes of De Villefort glittered strangely when he saw it. -The man seemed to be holding himself in check.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Here it is,” said Frank regretfully. “I have thought -that I should be glad to get rid of it, but now I part with -it most reluctantly, I confess.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then he looked up suddenly, and surprised that strange, -crafty, triumphant look in the glittering eyes of the -Frenchman. It gave Frank a shock. It was as if some -one had shouted into his ears, “Beware—beware! He is -fooling you!” Frank had been on the point of delivering -up the mysterious ball, but now he hesitated.</p> - -<p class='c007'>De Villefort became aware that something had aroused -the suspicions of the shrewd American. And then, like -a flash, the Frenchman’s arm darted out, and his fingers -snatched the ball from Frank! That act told Frank Merriwell -as plainly as words that the man had no right to -the tiny sphere.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you, Monsieur Merriwell!” cried Murat de -Villefort triumphantly. “You have guarded the treasure -well, and you may be consoled to know it has reached -good hands at last.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He laughed outright, and that laugh was as if he had -struck Merriwell between the eyes. It removed the last -doubt from Frank’s mind. Although the man had given -the signal, he had no right to the metal ball. The precious -sphere had fallen into the hands of the enemies of -Dreyfus!</p> - -<p class='c007'>That ball had brought nothing but trouble and danger -to Frank, and almost any other person would have felt -gladness to get rid of it, especially as he could know he -had fulfilled his promise to the dead duke. Not so Frank -Merriwell. In an instant flashed before his eyes a vision -of the poor wretch on the burning rock of Devil’s Island, -doomed to spend the remainder of his days there, just because -that tiny ball had fallen into hands for whom it was -never intended!</p> - -<p class='c007'>That was enough.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Murat de Villefort had been swift in his movements, -but Frank was equally swift. He sprang upon the man, -with the fierceness of a panther. Then began a sharp and -terrible struggle for the possession of the tiny ball.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>DOOMED.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>“Give it up!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Never!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You shall!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Never!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll take it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You cannot!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We’ll see!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>In a very few moments, M. de Villefort was astounded -by the strength of the American youth, who seemed -scarcely more than a boy. Once his fingers had closed -on the ball, the man believed it safe in his possession, but -he soon realized that he must fight if he would retain it, -and he must fight as never before had he fought. Grappled -in each other’s embrace, the men swayed and staggered -about the room. They struck against pieces of -furniture, which they upset. They glared into each -other’s eyes, and panted as they fought.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank had clutched the man’s wrist, and his object was -to pin De Villefort against the wall, and force him to return -the ball. But the Frenchman was slippery, and it -was not easy for Merry to carry out his plan. However, -De Villefort had not the endurance to stand against the -American youth, and he soon realized that his strength -must give out, while Frank seemed as fresh and strong -as at first.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Fool!” panted the Frenchman. “I gave you the -signal!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“By accident, perhaps.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You know that is not possible!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And I know you have no right to the ball!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are mad! Do you wish to share the fate of the -Duke of Benoit du Sault?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“His fate? Why, the papers say he died a natural -death!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He died as others have died—and as you may die!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now I know you have no right to the ball! Now I -know you are not the friend, but the enemy, of justice! -You shall not leave this room with the ball!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>De Villefort made a furious effort to tear himself from -Frank’s grasp, panting as he struggled:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You may force me to use a dagger!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If you try it, I’ll give you an arm to match that of -your friend Claude Bruant, the Strangler!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is it to you, fool of an American! Is it possible -you are one who is working to bring disgrace on -France?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No! France has already disgraced herself!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Villefort found he could not get away. He was desperate -when Frank finally forced him up against the wall. -Twisting his wrist free, he lifted his hand, and slipped the -tiny ball into his mouth. Immediately, Frank realized -what the man meant to do.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He intended to swallow the little ball!</p> - -<p class='c007'>Quickly, Merry clutched De Villefort by the throat, -pinning him with all his strength against the wall, and -holding him there, so that he could not swallow. The -Frenchman tried to tear that hand from his throat, but -he could not do it. Frank’s fingers seemed made of iron, -and they sank into the man’s throat till there came a -cracking sound beneath them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>De Villefort’s mouth opened, and the tiny ball came -out with his protruding tongue. Frank caught it skilfully.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you!” he said with mocking politeness.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then he took his hand from the Frenchman’s throat, -and stepped back, releasing him. Like a limp rag, De -Villefort slid down the face of the wall to the floor, on -which he dropped softly, gasping in the most painful -manner for breath. Frank slipped the ball into his pocket, -retreating a few steps. With absolute coolness, he stood -watching the gasping Frenchman.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Murat de Villefort glared at him, with terrible hatred. -He made a gurgling sound in his throat, but his words, -if words he tried to speak, were inarticulate.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is a shame to choke a man so hard, unless the job -is finished,” said Merry, with his hands resting on his -hips. “I do not like to resort to such extreme measures, -but, in this case, you forced me to, monsieur.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>De Villefort seemed to gnash his teeth. He dragged -himself up to a sitting posture, with his back against the -wall, and sat there, rubbing his throat, and breathing -with a rasping sound.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I trust you will be all right in a short time, monsieur,” -continued the youth from across the ocean, “so -that I may have the extreme satisfaction of kicking you -out of this room. Nothing can give me more pleasure, -I assure you, than to kick you with all the violence I can -command.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You—you whelp!” panted the man against the wall.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You were very polite a short time ago,” said Frank. -“Even then, it seemed to me that your politeness was artificial. -The real ruffian showed through the veneering.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Fool!” gurgled the Frenchman, once more.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I came near being fooled,” admitted Frank; “but I -tumbled to you just in time. I wish you to make as much -haste as possible, for I do long to kick you!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Your end will come soon!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not till I have delivered the ball into the proper hands, -I trust.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That ball will destroy you!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What, after the wretched failures made by the Strangler -and yourself? Oh, I am beginning to enjoy this, I -assure you. I had thought Paris rather tame, but you -have made it seem real lively, and have added zest to -my visit here.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>De Villefort was at a loss for words. Never in all -his life before this day had he encountered a person like -this cool American lad. He realized now that Frank -Merriwell was something more than a boy—was something -more than an ordinary man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come!” cried Frank commandingly; “get up! You -are able to do so now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry walked to the door, and flung it open. With -some difficulty, De Villefort struggled to his feet, aided -by the partition. He sidled toward the door in a manner -that was rather laughable, and Frank followed him up.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You shall shed tears of blood for this!” snarled the -Frenchman.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right,” cheerfully said Merry. “I’ll lay in a fresh -supply of handkerchiefs, so that I may be ready for the -sorrowful occasion.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Your life shall be the forfeit!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh your threats are becoming tiresome! Walk out -of the room like a man, not like a whipped dog. You -are not giving me a fair chance to kick you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>But the Frenchman suddenly turned, and ran out of -the room so swiftly that Frank had no chance to kick -him. Frank closed the door, with satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When the boys returned, they were somewhat surprised -to find Frank in rare spirits. He laughed and -joked with them in his old-time manner, and again they -were the jolly party of Yale students that had started out -to “do” London and Paris. The struggle in Frank’s room -had not disturbed Wellington Maybe, and no one in the -hotel besides Merry himself knew anything about it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mr. Maybe complimented Frank on the manner in -which he had stuck to study on the forenoon of such a -beautiful day. Maybe took his meals in the hotel, but -the boys were in the habit of eating wherever they chose, -and their search after novelty took them to many places.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning, who was a great eater, told of a little café -he had found, where they had some rare dishes, and -where the cooking was of a high order. His tale aroused -the hungry boys so that they all demanded to be taken -to the place at once.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It proved to be a rather modest little restaurant on a -side street. There was something of a bohemian air -about the place, and a number of stout, red-faced men -were eating there.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The boys had a table by themselves, and they settled -down to order almost everything on the bill of fare. -Browning declared that his morning walk had made him -hungry enough to dine off a fried boot, or any old thing -of the sort. While they were waiting, they chatted and -told stories, after their usual wont. There was more or -less chaffing, and Frank seemed to have a streak of wit, -for everything said seemed to give him an opportunity -for a play of words.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At last, the food came on, and Browning could scarcely -remain seated when he obtained a whiff. The dishes -were arranged on the table, and the waiter departed for -something that had been omitted from the order.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, you can bet I’m going to begin the demolishing!” -exclaimed Browning. “Oh, say! I won’t do a -thing to this!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>And then, just as Frank was on the point of speaking, -something seemed to fall, with a jingling sound, on his -plate. Diamond bent forward, to see what it was.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Rubber!” grinned Rattleton. “Sit up straight, and -perhaps one will fall in your plate.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is it?” grunted Bruce. “Sounded like a piece -of money. Are they beginning to throw money at us?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If so, with his usual luck, Merry gets the first piece,” -said Harry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As for Frank, he saw what had fallen on his plate, -and lay square in the middle of the white surface. It -was a blood-red star!</p> - -<p class='c007'>At it Frank stared for a moment, and then he leaped -to his feet, and looked around, to see from whence it -came. First, he looked up at the ceiling, but it did not -seem possible it had fallen from there. Then he looked -in other directions. At the nearest table sat two old -men, who were eating busily, and talking quite as busily -as they ate. They seemed utterly absorbed in their own -affairs, and both were laughing at a story one of them -had lately told. The other people in the place were eating -and talking in a similar manner, and not one seemed -to be noticing the four American lads at the table in the -corner.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank sat down, and his face was very pale. He stared -at the red symbol of death that lay on his plate, and he -thought how the terrible sign had come to the doomed -Duke of Benoit du Sault. He doubted not for an instant -that the star had been intended for him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Ten days of life had been given to him, and then, if -he were not beyond the borders of France—death! And -was it certain that death could be escaped by fleeing from -the soil of France?</p> - -<p class='c007'>About the mystery there was something to chill the -stoutest heart, and it was not strange that Frank Merriwell -turned pale when he saw that crimson star lying on -his white plate. It would have been different if there -had been any way to fight the horrible doom that seemed -to creep with absolute certainty upon every person who -received the blood-red star.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It seemed, however, that the only resort a person had, -on receiving the star, was to fly from France without -delay—to get as far from the terrible Black Brothers as -possible. On the star were the words, “Ten days,” and -a drawing of the guillotine.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond reached to take it from Merry’s plate, but -Merry caught him by the wrist, saying in a strained -voice:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t touch it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank’s tone caused every one at the table to stare at -him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s the matter?” asked Jack, astonished. “No one -here but me shall touch it,” declared Frank. “It was -meant for me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Huah!” grunted Browning. “Never knew him to be -so greedy before. Who wants your old star, anyhow? -Keep it, and eat it, if you want it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He continued eating. Diamond, however, knew something -was wrong. He saw the sudden change that had -come over Frank, and his heart was filled with alarm.</p> - -<p class='c007'>What did it mean? He was unable to answer his own -question.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I did not mean to take it,” he said. “I was simply -going to look at it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You shall not touch it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Now Rattleton was attracted by the change in Merriwell.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is it so valuable?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is deadly!” said Frank. “It is the symbol of murder -and bloodshed!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Boo!” said Browning. “Throw it away!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No,” said Merry, taking the star from his plate and -putting it into his pocket. “It was meant for me, and -I accept it. It is a challenge from the Black Brothers!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Even Browning lifted his head and stared at Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Dut the whickens—no, what the dickens is the matter -with you?” exclaimed Rattleton. “What are you talking -about, anyhow?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Of Frank’s companions, Diamond was the only one -who seemed to have any realizing sense of the fact that -the dropping of the red star on Frank’s plate was an -incident of deep significance. He was trying to read -Frank’s face, and what he saw there filled him with alarm. -Surely this great change in Merry meant something. A -few moments before, Frank had been the jolliest one of -the party; now he was pale and stern, with a strange -light gleaming in his eyes. His mouth was set together -till the blood was forced from his lips, and a deep shadow -had fallen on his face.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack felt in his heart that, in some manner, that red -star was connected with the trouble into which Frank -had fallen. But not even Diamond could imagine for one -moment the terrible meaning of it all.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A star,” grunted Browning. “Merriwell has been a -star all his life, and so it is natural they should begin to -throw stars at him now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>And he kept on eating.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come, fellows,” said Frank to Jack and Harry, -“aren’t you going to eat?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When you do,” said the Virginian.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank prepared to begin, and the others did likewise; -but Diamond, watching Merry covertly, decided that it -was a poor meal Frank would eat that morning. He -was right. Frank tried to force himself to eat, but the -food was tasteless, and it seemed to choke him. He kept -up a pretense of eating till at last he fell into a brown -study, staring at the table.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He took out the red star and looked it over and over. -Diamond nudged Rattleton and nodded toward Merry -significantly. Harry, who had an opportunity, leaned -closer, so he could see what was on the star.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning was the only person who did justice to the -food before him. The big fellow was so hungry that he -declared he should have continued eating if a star from -the skies had fallen on the table. At last it was over. -Frank paid the bill, and they left the restaurant.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond longed to ask questions, but refrained. -Browning, however, attempted to chaff Merriwell about -the star, but discovered that Frank did not seem to hear -anything he was saying, and gradually closed up, aware -at last that something was wrong. They had not walked -far from the restaurant before Frank suddenly wheeled -and looked round.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the opposite side of the street, which in that quarter -happened to be rather deserted, a man dressed all in -black was walking slowly in the same direction as the -American lads.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The black shadow is again on my heels!” muttered -Frank.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>IN THE BROTHERHOOD’S POWER.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>“I want to quest you an askion—I mean, I want to ask -you a question,” said Rattleton, speaking to Diamond -one evening four days later.</p> - -<p class='c007'>They were alone in a room at the hotel where they -were stopping.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right,” said the Virginian gloomily. “Ask away, -but I don’t know that I’ll be able to answer it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What I’d like to know,” said Harry, “is what ails -Frank Merriwell.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, you have come to the wrong place to find out,” -said the Virginian.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You know something is the matter with him?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, anybody can see that.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Even Browning knows it now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have known it for some time, and I have tried to -find out, but I might as well not.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He has been so queer since the time when that red -star fell on his plate in the restaurant.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He was queer before that. He had not been like himself -in two days.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But he was not as he is now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No,” confessed Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now he talks of a black band of assassins, a metal -ball that holds the fate of Dreyfus, and of the time between -the falling of the red star and the death that -must follow. By Jove! Diamond, I am afraid something -is the matter with Merry’s upper deck!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You mean that his mind is affected?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes. What do you think?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know what to think.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And he has not remained in the hotel much of any -but a little while nights since the star came to him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And one night he did not come in till three o’clock -in the morning. Oh, yes, it is strange!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He never smiles any more. He is like a man contemplating -death.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Or fighting it. There is a look of determination on -his face, and he has said over and over that he must -bring the Black Brothers to their end before ten days -expire, or come to his own end. Now, who in the name -of all things mysterious are the Black Brothers?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ask me an easy one. I didn’t come to you to answer -questions, anyhow!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He does not sleep,” declared Diamond. “Night after -night I awakened repeated, only to find him wide-awake. -Perhaps he will be pacing the floor, but even if he is in -bed, I discover he is wide-awake. He acts as if he feared -some terrible danger, and yet sought to overcome it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But why doesn’t he tell us about it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s it,” nodded Harry; “why doesn’t he? It’s not -like him to be so secretive.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Surely he can trust some of us, if he can trust anybody. -I have tried to find out something from him, and -I have failed.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Same here.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He has said several times that he will tell soon, but -soon has not come yet.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I move that we get hold of him and make him tell.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If you will suggest a way by which we may force -Frank Merriwell to talk when he has resolved to keep -his mouth shut, your suggestion will be worth considering.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They stared at each other in silence, puzzling over the -strange affair.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He clings to that star,” muttered Diamond. “But -that is not all, for I have seen him staring at a small -metal ball, which he kept turning over and over in his -fingers. He seemed to be hypnotized with the thing. -Once I asked him what the thing was, and what do you -suppose he answered?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Give it up. You tell.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“One word.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What word?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Justice! Now tell me what he meant by that, if you -can! Tell me why that tiny ball should contain justice!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t!” cried Harry. “Didn’t I say I came to ask -you questions? Here you are shooting them at me one -after another.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, I’ve longed to shoot them at somebody for some -time.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Jack.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am beginning to fear it’s really true that Frank is -going daffy! You know there’s something queer about -his father and mother. It’s said his father was a most -eccentric man, and his mother was a delicate little -woman. Frank has been altogether too brilliant! I’m -afraid, Diamond, that our comrade is getting nutty.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I won’t believe it!” exclaimed the Virginian, in hot -rebellion at the thought. “I won’t believe that splendid -fellow can be destroyed in such a manner! I won’t believe -that brilliant mind can be clouded! Don’t speak of -it again!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You will not believe, and yet you fear. Where do -you suppose he is now?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I haven’t the least idea.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>At that very moment Frank Merriwell was a helpless -captive in the hands of the dreaded Black Brothers!</p> - -<hr class='c019' /> - -<p class='c007'>Around Frank Merriwell were stone walls. He was -standing in the midst of a cellar, with his back bound to -a pillar. At one end of the cellar was a wooden door; at -the other end was a flight of stairs. Around Frank stood -seven men, all dressed in black cloaks and hoods.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank had made a desperate attempt to hunt down the -Black Brothers, but the result had been that he had fallen -into their clutches. But a few moments before he had -been bound to the pillar. His hat and coat were gone, -for he had not succumbed without a struggle. The leader -of the band stepped forward.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At last, my brothers,” he said, in a deep voice, “we -have captured the one most dangerous to us and to the -honor of France. He is in our power, and we can destroy -him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We can,” said the others, in unison.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But first,” said the chief, “we must find on him the -precious ball that contains one-half of the torn document -that proved the innocence of Dreyfus.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>At last Frank knew what the metal ball contained. -The chief began to search Merry, and he soon found the -ball and brought it forth. A muttering exclamation of -triumph and satisfaction escaped the lips of the others as -their leader held up the tiny ball.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Here it is!” he cried. “At last the fate of Dreyfus -is in our grasp!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>There were exclamations of satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I will open it,” said the chief. “The paper shall be -removed and destroyed at once.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He examined the ball closely and then pressed hard -on a certain spot. Immediately it flew open in his hands!</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then there was a cry of anger and fury from the lips -of the man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A thousand fiends!” he shouted. “It is empty!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The hollow ball did not contain the torn paper they -had expected to find!</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Empty?” gasped the others.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes! It has been opened, and the paper has been -removed!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The captive bound to the pillar laughed. They turned -on him in fury.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You found the way to open the ball, and you removed -the paper!” snarled the chief. “Tell us where it is, you -American meddler!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are entirely wrong,” coolly said Frank. “I am -certain the ball has not been opened since it came into my -possession, and I know nothing of the paper it contained.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t lie!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am not lying.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What shall we do with him, brothers?” asked the -chief.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was a sudden swishing ring of steel, and seven -bright swords came leaping from their scabbards into the -hands of their owners.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We must destroy him!” said the hooded band.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Seven swords were pointed at Frank’s breast.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“For the honor of France he must die!” declared the -chief. “When I have counted to three, each man shall -plunge his sword through the captive’s body!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was not given an opportunity to count. There -came a sudden thundering and hammering at the door. -Then there was a summons to open in the name of -France.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The gendarmes!” gasped the Black Brothers. “They -have tracked us here! They have located us at last!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Bang! bang! bang!</p> - -<p class='c007'>The hammering at the door was furious and terrible.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Crash!—the door was falling!</p> - -<p class='c007'>In a moment the seven members of the murderous band -took to flight, escaping from the cellar by the other door, -and when the officers came swarming down the stairs, -they found no one to arrest, but were greeted politely and -cheerfully by the young American who stood with his -back bound against a pillar in the middle of the cellar.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER XV.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>ANOTHER WARNING.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Frank’s adventures preceding his incarceration in the -cellar, from which he was rescued by the gendarmes, can -be briefly told. As soon as he realized that the Brothers -had doomed him to death, and that his every move was -shadowed, he set himself earnestly to the task of hunting -down the band of assassins.</p> - -<p class='c007'>First he went to the police, and told the story of the -mystery connected with the death of the Duke of Benoit -du Sault, omitting all mention of the metal ball which he -knew would be taken from him if he mentioned its existence. -His story was laughed at by the police. They -seemed to regard him as a crank, a person deranged, or -one seeking notoriety, and treated him with small courtesy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His reception at the hands of the police was so discouraging -that if he were not filled with the purpose to -render every aid in his power, under the present circumstances, -to the poor prisoner of Devil’s Island, he would -have been disheartened. He made an attempt to locate -the band, in order to lay before the police absolute evidence -of such an organization, and thus it happened, while -working on the case alone, he fell into the hands of the -dreadful seven, and was taken captive to the cellar.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When the force of gendarmes rushed in, there was -Frank bound to the pillar. The capture of the conspirators, -rather than the rescue of their late prisoner, -seemed to be their purpose. Pausing to question as to -the direction of the flight of the Brothers, they made off -in pursuit without making the least effort to release the -captive from his bonds.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Down the stairs came a man who walked with dignity, -but who was followed by a wildly excited youth. The -youth was Jack Diamond. The man was the mysterious -Mr. Noname.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Here he is,” quietly said the Man Without a Name, -as he caught sight of Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack gave a shout of joy and rushed forward.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Frank, are you alive?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Sure thing,” laughed the nervy young American. -“But the gendarmes came at just the right moment. If -they had delayed ten seconds longer, you’d have found -me with seven large holes in my skin.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I brought them here,” said Mr. Noname.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then I again owe you my life,” came with genuine -thankfulness from Merriwell. “The debt is getting -pretty heavy, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There is no debt. I have told you I am your good -genius. You must believe me now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do! I have believed you for some time. But how -can I repay you for——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There is nothing to be repaid. Some day you shall -understand what seems so mysterious now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond was hastening to set Frank free. The Virginian -knew better than to question him then and there.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you,” said Merry, as he stepped away from -the pillar, rubbing his arms to start the circulation. -“This is much better. That position was becoming painful.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where are the devils who brought you here?” hissed -Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They took to flight when the gendarmes began hammering -at the door up there. There was another way -out of the cellar, and the officers are after them.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The officers will not capture them,” announced Mr. -Noname. “My mission is complete now that you have -been saved.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank seized the strange man’s hand and wrung it -warmly. A thrill shot over him at the touch. It was a -most peculiar sensation, and afterward, when he thought -about it, he wondered much.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Again I must thank you!” said the young American, -with deep feeling. “I do not understand how it is that -you always arrive in time to save me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There is an unseen tie between us. When you are -in danger, I am drawn to you by a power which no man -may measure. I feel your peril, and I hasten to your -aid. The stars may fade into endless night, and the sun -may turn to ashes, but death alone can break the bond -between us!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Strange words, like those that fall from the lips of a -person demented, and yet they impressed Frank Merriwell. -Somehow, he felt that there really was a bond -that held this man of mystery and himself linked together.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Let’s follow the police!” urged the Virginian. “Let’s -help hunt down those devils!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Stop!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The command came from the lips of Mr. Noname.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Let them go,” said the man. “You cannot do any -good.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Let them go!” panted Jack. “Let them get off after -they have nearly murdered my friend! Well, I’m not -built that way! If I can do anything to bring them to -justice, you bet I’m going to do it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is well enough, but you can do nothing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How do you know?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know! The officers will not capture one of them. -In a little while, they will return here. If Mr. Merriwell -is here, they will take him into custody, perhaps. They -will ask him a hundred questions. They will throw a -cloud of suspicion over him. They will not believe the -story he tells them. They will have him shadowed when -he is set at liberty, if he is set at liberty. In short, they -will make life in Paris rather unpleasant for him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And you advise—what?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That we all get out of here at once, before the officers -return.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But there are others on guard outside this building,” -said Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know a way to pass them.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He is right,” decided Frank, remembering his unpleasant -experience with the police. “Come.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Just as you say,” said Diamond regretfully; “but I’d -like to help mob those whelps.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They mounted the stairs and clambered over the -broken door, following the Man of Mystery. Above they -were in darkness, but he led them on. Their feet awoke -the echoes of empty rooms and corridors. They passed -through doors and made many turns. At last they -stopped. Barely had they done so when, somewhere in -the darkness, a voice was distinctly heard to say:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The decree is made, the red star has fallen, and Frank -Merriwell is doomed to die!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The words were distinctly spoken, but it was impossible -to tell from whence they came. Jack Diamond -gripped Frank’s arm.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you hear?” he whispered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A scornful laugh came from Merriwell’s lips.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I hear,” he said derisively; “but who fears a coward -who lurks in the darkness and spends his breath in -threats! It is nothing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then, once more, the voice spoke:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The days from the falling of the red star till the time -of death are ten, and they are passing!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Immediately Frank cried:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Before the ten days are over, the last of the assassin -band of Black Brothers shall meet his just deserts!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is right,” came solemnly from the lips of the -Man of Mystery. “The end of the brotherhood is near!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>These words were spoken in French, and the Man -Without a Name seemed to command the language without -an accent to mar his pronunciation. Following his -words, silence reigned in the old building.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Let’s get out!” muttered Diamond, who feared no -enemy he could see, but who now felt, despite his courage, -a strange chill stealing through his veins.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The man who was leading them found and opened a -door. When they had passed through, he barred the -door behind them, and again led them on till they stood -beneath the open sky. Then, when Frank turned to -speak to the Mystery, who seemed to have halted to -fasten the last door, he found the man had vanished. -The door was closed, and Mr. Noname was not with -them!</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Gone!” exclaimed Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where?” gasped Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry tried the door, but it would not move.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That must explain it,” he said. “He stepped back -through that door, and closed it behind him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What for?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You know as well as I.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t say that! This whole affair is a mystery to -me. I do not understand any part of it. You have puzzled -me for days by your strange actions. I knew -something was going wrong. To-night, when I could -stand it no longer, I left the hotel, meaning to walk and -think. Almost immediately I ran upon this man who -is known as Mr. Noname. He told me you were in great -peril. How did he know that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How does he know about so many things? You can -answer the question quite as well as I.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He led me here, and we found the officers ready to -break in. It seemed that he had told them of your peril, -and informed them where to find you. He showed them -how to enter the building and reach the door at the head -of the cellar stairs. Why, he seems to know almost -everything!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He is a marvel,” said Frank. “Whoever and whatever -he is, I owe him my life several times over. I -shall not forget that.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why doesn’t he come out and tell us who he is? -Why does he act in such a remarkable manner?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You can ask a hundred questions about him that I -cannot answer. The only thing of which I am absolutely -certain is that he is my friend.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are you absolutely certain of that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course I am! Why do you ask such a question?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because I do not believe you can be certain of anything -in connection with that man.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Something tells me he is crazy, and a crazy man cannot -be trusted.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have every reason to believe he may be trusted fully -and completely, and I shall continue to trust him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course you will do as you like about it, Frank.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>To this Merry said nothing in reply, and the two -young Americans made haste to get away from that vicinity. -Not far away they found a Jew’s shop, where -Merry procured a coat and hat.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the way to the hotel, Jack said:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Don’t you think it is about time to trust me, Frank?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do trust you, old man.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are wrong.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have not trusted me of late.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In what way?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have had a secret from me. You cannot deny -me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Even that is not proof that I do not trust you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then you confess you have had a secret?” cried the -Virginian eagerly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I knew it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But it has been a secret from all my friends, as well -as you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Still you did not dare to trust me!” came reproachfully -from Diamond’s lips.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That was not my reason for keeping the secret from -you, Jack.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Wasn’t?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What was the reason, then?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I was pledged to secrecy. I had promised to keep -it for a time, and you know Frank Merriwell never -breaks his word.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know that, old man, but——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come into this theater, Jack, and I will tell you all -about it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They had reached the brilliantly lighted Champs-Élysées, -where the theaters were in full blast, even at -that hour. The sound of music and singing came from -the tree-bowered region beyond the archway of a door, -and Diamond followed Merry to the ticket-office. Frank -purchased tickets, and they passed through into the garden, -where hundreds of people were seated beneath the -trees, gathered in groups around little tables, drinking -cooling beverages, chatting, laughing, and seeming to pay -very little heed to the singer on the distant stage. A -breath of cool air, the scent of flowers, and the tinkle of -water fountains added to the charm of the place. The -shadows were above the trees, which shut off the electric -lights from the sky. The boys had visited this particular -café-chantant before, and they soon found a table where -they could sit and talk without disturbing anybody. The -orchestra sawed away when the singer had retired, and -then two black-face “comedians” came out with banjos, -and prepared to inflict a “turn” on the unresenting spectators.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Just like a roof-garden act in New York,” said Frank. -“I’ll guarantee those gentlemen will spring the same old -gags, done over into French, and half the jokes will be -robbed of their points because of the translation.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, we didn’t come here to listen to them,” said -the eager and impatient Southerner. “You were going -to tell me something, Merry.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” nodded Frank, as he ordered two lemonades -from a waiter, “I feel free now to tell you the whole -story, for the metal ball is no longer in my possession.”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER XVI.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>FRANK AND JACK.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>“What are you talking about?” asked Jack, in a puzzled -way. “Frank, has anything gone wrong with your -brain?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I think not,” smiled Merry quietly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But you have acted so strangely! This is not the -first time you have spoken of the metal ball, the blood-red -star——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Which you saw fall before me, and which I have -here.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank took the crimson star from his pocket and -placed it on the table before them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is the sign of death!” he said. “It came from the -Black Brothers, from whose hands I was saved this -night. There are seven of the brothers, and there are -seven points to the star.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond gave himself a shake.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come, come, Merriwell!” he exclaimed. “What sort -of rot is this? Excuse me for using the word ‘rot,’ but -no other word seems appropriate. It is like a chapter -from a sensational story. You haven’t been reading -French detective novels till they have turned your brain, -have you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nothing of the sort, Diamond,” replied Frank calmly. -“I know it seems most remarkable, and I do not wonder -you think it crazy nonsense. I remember that I -thought Edmond Laforce insane.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who is Edmond Laforce?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He is, or was, the Duke of Benoit du Sault.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But he is dead.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, murdered in his bed by the Black Brothers!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nonsense! He died in a perfectly natural manner, -of heart failure.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All men die of heart failure, but there was a cause -for the death of Edmond Laforce. A star exactly like -this one before us had fallen into his hands, and he was -doomed to death. He knew it. He knew his time was -limited to ten days.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why was this?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because he was doing everything in his power to save -Dreyfus from Devil’s Island. Because, through his work, -he had become dangerous to the existence of the Anti-Dreyfus -League.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The Anti-Dreyfus League? Is there such an organization?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is it the same as the Black Brothers?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No. The Black Brothers are simply the executioners -of the great and powerful league, which contains some -of the wealthiest and most influential men in France. -The league is sworn to hold poor Dreyfus on his prison -island. I have learned that not all the members of the -league are aware, that there is a band of assassins connected -with the organization. The league is like a secret -order. A man may join it, and yet he may never -be initiated into its deeper mysteries. He may join it -by simply pledging himself to use all ‘honorable’ means -to keep Dreyfus on that island. That is the first degree. -There are other degrees, and only the right ones to take -them are advanced. When a man takes the highest degree, -he pledges himself, in case of necessity, to commit -murder to perpetuate the imprisonment of Dreyfus. -When he has taken this degree, he knows all about the -Black Brothers, but those who have never advanced beyond -the lower degrees know nothing of the connection -of the league with the seven assassins. They furnish -money to be used in the work of ‘honorably’ keeping -Dreyfus on the island, and are quite unaware that much -of that money goes to pay the assassins in black.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack Diamond listened with increasing astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And do you mean to tell me that such things can be -here in France?” he cried.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Are such things so very strange? You must not forget -that it was here the Commune existed. It was here -the bloodiest revolution of history took place. These -streets have run red with human blood!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But it seems so calm, so peaceful now! There seems -no hint of anything wrong.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The calm is all on the surface. The French people -are peculiar. At any moment the storm may break -forth. The men who seem so calm and happy at one -moment, in another instant may turn to wrangling, -raging, bloodthirsty demons. You cannot measure a -Frenchman by the standard of an American. They are -different, the same as an American differs from an -Englishman.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But how did you learn so much about this league?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Since the day the red star fell before me, I have been -doing my best to hunt down the Black Brothers, and -gradually I have learned the things just told you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But this star, Merry, is——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The sign the Black Brothers give one who has been -doomed to die by the death council of the league.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And you are one?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because the Duke of Benoit du Sault gave me the -metal ball, which he said contained something that might -help prove the innocence of Dreyfus.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When did he give you this?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The very night of his death. I met him in the Place -de l’Opera. He had been seized by strange pains in his -heart, and I assisted him to a seat by a table before the -Café de la Paix. Those pains alarmed him. It was the -tenth day after he had received the red star. He thought -he might be dying, and, finding I was an American and -in full sympathy with Dreyfus, he entrusted me with the -metal ball, pledging me to secrecy, and making me promise -to defend it with my life, till a person with the proper -signal called for it. My promise of silence has caused -me to keep still, and has given you an opportunity to -say I did not trust you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond had been intensely interested all along, but -now he was athrob with excitement.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But you are telling me now!” he exclaimed. “The -metal ball—where is it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Gone.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Gone?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes. I am released from my pledge.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You delivered it into the proper hands?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What then?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The Black Brothers took it from me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then they obtained the precious secret that was to -liberate Dreyfus?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nothing of the sort.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They did not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I fancied the secret would become theirs till I saw -the chief of the seven open the ball before me, as I -stood bound and helpless, with my back against that stone -pillar.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What did it contain?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nothing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack fell back in his chair.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It was——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Empty,” nodded Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After a little the Virginian eagerly asked:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How was that? Explain it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I cannot. All I know is that the hollow metal ball -which had caused me so much trouble was perfectly -empty. The Black Brothers were infuriated at the discovery, -and my death was set to occur at once. They -drew their swords and were ready to run them through -my body when the first blow fell on the door at the head -of the stairs and the officers demanded admittance.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack was silent, thinking of the wonderful things he -had heard.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have no doubt but the story seems almost beyond -belief,” said Frank; “but you came with Mr. Noname -and found me in the cellar. You know I did not tie -myself to that post. Here is the red star, which is the -sign of death. The metal ball I cannot show you, as that -has passed beyond my possession.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good heavens! What are you going to do, Frank? -Why don’t you get out of Paris and out of France?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>A grim look came to Merry’s face.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you advise me to run away?” he asked. “Would -that be manly?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Manly! Merciful goodness! do you think you can -defend your life against the powerful Anti-Dreyfus -League and its tools, the Black Brothers? This Dreyfus -affair is nothing to you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are wrong!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is something to every man who loves liberty and -justice!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But you cannot be willing to sacrifice your life in the -cause. It is not required of you. There are others who -may do that.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The existence of the league is well known; before I -leave France I am going to try to show that the seven -assassins in black are connected with the league. If I -can do that, it may be that the league will go to pieces, -for the decent ones in the lower degrees, who know -nothing of its connection with murderers, may withdraw -and denounce it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And, in the meantime, you may follow other victims -of the Black Brothers! It is horrible to think of! -But the papers said the Duke of Benoit du Sault died a -natural death.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because they did not know any better. He was murdered!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is yet a mystery. I have thought much about -it. I remember that he told me of an encounter with a -bold woman of the streets. When he repulsed her, she -struck him with a pin, inflicting a wound on his left -wrist. That was bleeding when he was attacked by the -pains. I remember that, from his manner, it seemed -that the pains shot up his arm.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then you think the wound on his wrist may have——Oh, -pshaw! That must be nonsense, Frank! That -could not have killed him. Those pains were brought -on by the excitement of the encounter with the woman. -His heart had been wrong all along, and it failed him -that night.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Still,” said Frank Merriwell, “you must admit it is -most singular that that night was the tenth one after he -received a star exactly like this blood-red one I hold in -my hand.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond was more deeply impressed than he wished -to acknowledge. He did not wish to believe that Merry, -his friend, had been selected as a victim by the dreaded -Black Brothers.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He had been with Frank when the red star fell on -Merry’s plate one day at a queer little restaurant, where -they were taking lunch. At the time he observed the -remarkable change that came over his friend, who, having -been gay and light-hearted, suddenly grew sober and -stern. Jack thought about this now. He thought of -other things which had seemed so mysterious to him, and -he did not wonder at Merry’s strange acts. Still, it was -most remarkable that Frank, a stranger and a foreigner, -had been drawn into the affair.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack’s sympathy was with the unfortunate prisoner of -Devil’s Island, believing Dreyfus had been unfairly and -unjustly condemned, but, hot-blooded though he was, -he felt certain he would have a care not to permit himself -to become involved as Frank had been. But Diamond -was not one to reproach a friend, or to desert him -in the hour of trouble. He was ready to stand by Frank -through any peril.</p> - -<p class='c007'>That Frank was in great peril he could no longer doubt. -That Frank had been condemned to die by the Anti-Dreyfus -League was apparent. Jack’s soul rebelled at -the thought that such a thing could be in a city like Paris. -And it was terrible to fancy that Merry might come to -his end as had the Duke of Benoit du Sault, without a -single mark being left on his body to tell how his death -had been accomplished.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack leaned across the table and spoke earnestly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why should you stay here in Paris, Frank, and wait -for those murderous wretches to accomplish their dastardly -work? Why don’t you get out? There is nothing -to keep us here. In fact, I am beginning to feel -that I have seen enough of this place.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And it was only yesterday,” retorted Frank, with a -smile, “that you said you could live a year in Paris -without getting tired.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did I say that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Sure.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, I’ve changed my mind. If you were fighting -an enemy like Harris or Brattle, it would be different. -By the way, where is Brattle?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You tell.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He has disappeared.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Completely.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps he is connected with the very ones who are -doing their best to snuff you out.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not likely. They would not trust him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And yet he may have aided to throw suspicion on -you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is possible, but does not seem probable.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank Merriwell sipped his lemonade, which had been -served, seeming cool and unconcerned, as if deadly danger -had never visited him in all his life. The black-face -comedians had retired, and there was a sudden burst of -applause, as a popular chanteuse appeared. She began -to sing, and the young Americans resumed their conversation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do not feel like running away now,” said Merry -grimly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You know the old saying,” muttered Jack: “‘He who -fights and runs away,’ etc.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know, but there is no reason why I should run. I -can do the anti-Dreyfus men no harm now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps they do not know that. Your sympathy is -with Dreyfus?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes. I believe he was unjustly condemned. I believe -everything points to Esterhazy as the guilty man.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But the <i>bordereau</i>, the paper which convicted -him——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Was forged by Esterhazy, I firmly believe. Of late, -everything has tended to prove that. There was no real -reason why Dreyfus should have acted as a traitor. It -could not have been from anger or disappointment, as -he had the finest prospects of an excellent military career.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And Esterhazy——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Always an adventurer and a soldier of fortune, always -begging money from the money-lenders, always -extravagant and dissolute, there were many reasons why -he might have been guilty. Letters of his, which he -cannot deny, and in which he abused France unmercifully, -have been found. Those letters are in the possession -of the friends of Dreyfus, and will be used at the -proper time.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But it has been claimed that Dreyfus was dissolute, -that he was a gambler, and an associate of the low and -vicious.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It has been claimed, but it has not been proven. Instead, -in many instances, it has been shown conclusively -that such charges against him were utterly false. It has -been shown that others by the name of Dreyfus have -been confounded with him. I do not suppose he was -a man without faults, but those faults and failings make -his unjust and cruel condemnation none the less horrible.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You feel strongly about this, Frank.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do! I confess it. And I feel more strongly now -than ever before. I feel like going into this thing -deeply, but it now seems that I have done everything in -my power, and that has proved to be—nothing!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have you other reasons to believe Dreyfus innocent?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes. It has been shown that he was not even aware -of some of the secrets given away in the forged papers. -He had not been placed in position to acquire the knowledge -contained in those papers. The dastards who -sought his ruin incorporated in the papers what they -thought he knew, but they were wrong.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This being the case, how is it possible to hold him -longer on Devil’s Island without a fair and open trial?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In America or England it would not be possible. In -France it is different. He is a Jew, and you see the -powerful feeling that has been aroused against the Jews. -He was condemned by the army, and it is a firmly entrenched -belief in this country that the army can do no -wrong. To give him another trial now, at which he -might be able to clear himself fully, would be to confess -that there was a possible doubt in the matter. That, -it is said, would throw discredit on the army. If he were -to be shown innocent, it might bring on a revolution.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And so they are going to let an innocent man rot on -Devil’s Island rather than give him justice and confess -that a terrible wrong has been done?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You must remember that it is ‘for the honor of -France!’”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is the dishonor of France!” exclaimed Diamond -hotly. “It means the eternal disgrace of France!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The day must come when the whole truth will be -known.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>In this speech Frank was prophetic. The day did come -when the whole wretched conspiracy came to light, and -the unfortunate Dreyfus was publicly proclaimed innocent.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So much the worse for France if Dreyfus dies on that -island.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are getting warm over it, Jack,” laughed Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A trifle,” confessed the Virginian. “Who wouldn’t?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is enough to warm up almost anybody,” agreed -Frank. “I think you begin to understand how I feel. -And you must see why I guarded that ball with my very -life.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But that contained nothing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When it was opened it contained nothing. I believe -there was a time when it contained a paper that would -have aided in proving Dreyfus innocent.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was a low, musical laugh near at hand, and a -voice spoke in French, saying:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Messieurs, you are so eager, so earnest! I wonder -what it can be you talk of so animatedly? It cannot be -of Mademoiselle Held, for you have scarcely glanced -toward the stage. Yet I’ll wager I can read the truth in -your faces and tell you your very thoughts.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>A woman, slender, supple, graceful, attired in airy -evening-dress, with a mask hiding the upper part of her -face, stood beside the table. Without being invited, she -sat down there.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER XVII.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>MADEMOISELLE NAMELESS.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Both lads were surprised, not to say startled. She -saw this plainly, and laughed softly, fluttering a jeweled -fan.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are Americans,” she said positively. “You are -not accustomed to some things you find in Paris.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is very true,” murmured Jack Diamond, a frown -on his face.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank lay back in his chair and studied the woman. -He saw she had a beautiful neck and chin, while there -was something strangely fascinating about the eyes seen -through the twin holes in the mask. They were coal-black, -like her hair, and seemed forever in motion. -When the woman’s lips parted, she showed two rows of -pearly teeth.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How do you think I know you are Americans?” she -asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Give it up,” said Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know—I read it in your face. I can read other -things there. I read that you are friends—very great -friends.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Astonishing!” said Jack, with mild sarcasm, while -Frank continued to keep silent.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The woman turned on Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are so still all at once! You suspect something—me? -Ha! ha! ha! Because I wear this mask? Oh, -no, no! Why, I can do that here. No one minds it. -They know me. I tell them their fortunes. All have -heard me. You want me to tell your fortune—yes?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>She leaned forward, seeming to peer more closely into -Frank’s face.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Your past is all written there,” she declared. “I see -it plain. In America, though young, already you are -famous. It is wonderful! No man as young as you has -ever become so famous in America. You are known all -over the land, and there all young men long to be like -you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank smiled.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I fear you are given to exaggeration and flattery,” -he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>She shook her head.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I speak the truth as I read it. Is it not true?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>She turned in her appeal to Jack. The Virginian remembered -how famous Frank had become in a short -time, and he said:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To some extent it is true, but it’s an easy guess.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The woman shrugged her shapely shoulders and fluttered -her fan.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, not so easy!” she exclaimed. “I have but begun. -When I am done, say I am an impostor—if you -can.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I beg your pardon,” came quietly from Frank; “I -must tell you honestly that I take no stock in the mummery -of fortune-telling. I do not wish to seem rude, -but you are interrupting——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know; still you will thank me when I am done. I -am going to tell you of the terrible dangers you have -been in, of the deadly perils to come, and how you may -escape them. This night you have been in danger! This -night you have been close to death! You escaped by a -miracle.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where were you that you learned so much?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I read it in your face, but the stars tell me many -things. To-night the stars have told me of you, Frank -Merriwell.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>She knew his name!</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank’s interest increased swiftly, and she laughed as -she saw it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I knew you would listen,” she declared. “No one refuses -to listen to me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You must have been listening to our conversation,” -said Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Again she shrugged her shoulders.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do not need to do that. I heard some words just -when I came up. I heard you speak of Dreyfus, the -traitor. But I did not need that to tell me you were interested -in him. You hope to see him free again.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“As hope thousands of good citizens of France.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; they are not good citizens! But why argue! -It was not for that I sat here. I was tired, and I needed -amusement. It would amuse me to astonish you by reading -your fortune. Monsieur Merriwell was warned of -his danger. He might have escaped it, but he chose not -to do so. He came near losing his life. If he heeds not -the warning he has received, he will yet lose his life.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How do you know so much?” cried Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You must be connected with the Anti-Dreyfus -League,” muttered Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>She shook her head.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is not well for a foreigner to come to France and -have so much knowledge. It is not fortunate for him -if he meets wrong ones and takes too much interest in -Dreyfus, the Jew. It may be thought he has come to -France for that very reason, and then his peril shall be -great, for hundreds of good men have sworn to protect -the honor of France with their very lives.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who are you that knows so much?” asked Frank -sharply.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am called Mademoiselle Nameless.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nameless?” muttered Jack, instantly thinking of the -man who called himself “Mr. Noname.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, I am called that, and it is enough for you to -know me by that name.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why do you refuse to tell us your true name?” asked -Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My true name is something I tell nobody.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then remove your mask and show your face.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>She drew back.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If I see fit to warn you of your great danger, and -still keep my face concealed, I have a right.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You cannot explain how it is you know so much.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The stars conceal nothing from Mademoiselle Nameless.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You cannot make a level-headed American take stock -in such trash.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It matters little. You must know I have told you -nothing but the truth. There is but one thing for you -to do, Frank Merriwell. You have been marked for -death, and there is but one way to escape.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How is that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Abandon everything and fly from France without delay.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Like a cowardly cur!” exclaimed Merry. “No, -thank you!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Beware!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If I am murdered, it will simply be another human -life added to the list set against the wretches who are -exerting every power to keep an innocent man on -Devil’s Island. I know all about the time-limit, and I -have yet several days left before the murderous band will -carry their threat into full execution.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You cannot be sure of that.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It has been thus with others.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But you have lifted your hands against those who seek -to protect the honor of France.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ve simply tried to expose the human whelps who -seek to murder me!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is enough. By that you have added to the peril -that besets you. At any time destruction may swoop -down upon you. Heed my warning. Fly from France!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, I rather think you are making this thing much -worse than it really is.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not the least.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If I am slain by the Black Brothers, I have friends -who will take my place in the work of hunting the dastardly -band down.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There will be no proof that you are slain by them. -Remember how others have fallen. There were no -marks of violence on them. The thought should chill -your heart with terror. I tell you to go, Monsieur Merriwell. -I beg you to go. It is your only way to escape -death. You must listen to me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>She leaned on the table, all eagerness and excitement, -her eyes dancing. Somehow those eyes made Frank -think of a snake. They seemed to fascinate him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Tell me why you are so eager for me to go?” he -asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I cannot tell you, save that I am earnest, for I know -what it means to you. Promise me you will drop this -Dreyfus affair and leave the country. If you do that, -your life may be spared. If you do not promise, your -doom is sealed, and death may swoop down on you at -any moment.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is remarkable that you should know so much about -me, a stranger, and take so much interest in me. I believe -you must somehow get close to the Black Brothers. -Can you deny it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I deny nothing!” she proudly cried. “You may think -what you like! I have warned you. Once, for the last -time, I tell you your doom is sealed!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>She had closed her fan, and now she leaned across the -table, reaching as if she would tap Frank on the wrist -with it, by the way of emphasis. It was his left wrist -she attempted to touch with the fan.</p> - -<p class='c007'>And he had no warning thrill to tell him of the frightful -peril that was so near.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A hand came down over the woman’s shoulder, -grasped her wrist, held it! Another hand snatched that -fan from her grasp before it had touched Frank Merriwell!</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Even the rattlesnake gives warning before striking!” -said a deep, well-known voice.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mr. Noname!” exclaimed Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was the Mystery who had suddenly appeared and -snatched the fan from the woman’s hand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mr. Noname and Mademoiselle Nameless!” murmured -Jack Diamond, looking from one to the other. -“Which is the greater mystery?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The woman had fallen back in her chair, and she was -staring at the Mystery through the twin holes in her -sable mask, her bosom rising and falling tumultuously. -The Man Without a Name fixed her with a steady, -piercing, accusing look. There was horror and condemnation -in his gaze, and she seemed to feel it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When the enemies of Dreyfus are forced to get a -woman to do their wretched work of murder, they have -fallen pretty low!” said the man, with deep contempt.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Murder?” came from Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What does he mean?” gasped Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The woman seemed to force a laugh from her lips, -which had grown colorless beneath their rouge.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What are you talking about, you old fool?” she exclaimed, -rather coarsely. “You are crazy! You should -be incarcerated in an asylum, and not permitted to run -around here and frighten folks with your wild babble.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mr. Noname drew himself up, speaking quietly, so -that he did not seem to be saying anything unusual. In -fact, everything that had taken place at that table had -occurred so quietly that those at the tables in the immediate -vicinity were not aware anything out of the ordinary -was happening.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Others whom I have exposed in their deviltry have -tried to make the public believe me insane,” said Mr. Noname. -“They have not been successful, for always have -I proved everything I have charged against them. You, -woman with the hidden face, I charge with an attempt -at murder!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Again she forced that scornful laugh.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Gentlemen,” she said, turning to Merry and Diamond, -“will you be good enough to call a waiter. I wish to -enter complaint against this crazy man.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Call a waiter,” said Mr. Noname. “I will call one -for you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He did so, making a signal which caused one of the -waiters to approach.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now enter your complaint!” said the Mystery, in a -low, cold tone of voice, his eyes fixed on the woman; -“but remember that I have this fan in my possession.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The waiter came up, and asked what was wanted.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The lady requested that you be summoned,” said Mr. -Noname. “She is the one who wants you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The waiter turned toward her inquiringly. She hesitated, -while Mr. Noname regarded her in grim, unbroken -silence. All at once she laughed. Then she ordered -absinthe for herself, and told the waiter to bring -any drinks the others might wish.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The waiter looked to the others for orders, but received -none. He departed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, why do you stare at me like that, old man?” cried -the masked woman.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I stare at you because I can see beneath that mask; -I can see beneath the flesh that covers your bones; I -can see the grinning death-head you carry on your -shoulders!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How terrible! You would do well at frightening -children. Why, you would be as good as a jack-in-the-box! -Give me back my fan.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You will not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It belongs to me. You have no right to take it! -Give it back!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Man of Mystery was perfectly calm and determined -in his refusal. Frank and Jack looked on wonderingly. -The woman turned swiftly on Frank Merriwell.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I appeal to you!” she cried. “You are a gentleman. -Will you see me insulted and robbed of my fan in such -a manner?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You do well to appeal to one you were about to strike -like a snake!” said Mr. Noname, with a sneer. “A few -moments ago you thought to destroy him, and now you -appeal to him to protect you from insult! You do well!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He is mad!” gasped the woman.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“She knows I speak the truth,” spoke the Mystery. -“She cannot deny it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do deny it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Indeed! I can prove every word I have spoken.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You can prove nothing! Who will believe anything -you may say, old fool! Give me that fan!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>She reached for it in a commanding manner. He -leaned forward, as if to comply, but made a sudden motion, -as if he would tap her on the wrist with the fan, -as she had been about to tap Frank Merriwell when it -was snatched from her hand. She jerked her hand back, -with a low cry of terror!</p> - -<p class='c007'>Although the face of Mr. Noname remained as stern -and grave as that of a stone image, a sound like a scornful, -triumphant laugh escaped his lips.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s all I ask,” he said. “Just hold out your wrist -and permit me to tap you lightly with this fan.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>She made no move to do so.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If you will do that,” said the man, “I’ll promise to -restore the fan to you instantly.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Still she sat silent. The waiter came with the drink -she had ordered. She threw a piece of money on the -table, then caught up the glass and swiftly swallowed -its contents.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Immediately she seemed to recover her nerve.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You can see that he is crazy, Monsieur Merriwell,” -she said to Frank. “No one but a crazy man would -make such a proposition.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You attempted to tap Frank Merriwell on the wrist -with this fan, which you held in a peculiar manner. All -I ask before restoring it to you is that I may tap you -on the wrist in like manner.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The desire of an insane person!” she declared.</p> - -<p class='c007'>To Jack Diamond it seemed that she was right, but -something told Frank Merriwell that Mr. Noname -knew very well what he was about.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Man of Mystery said:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I presume you have heard that it is best to humor -the insane in any little whims they may have. That being -the case, why not humor me now. It is a simple -thing I ask, and entirely harmless, of course. Why not -permit me to tap you on the wrist with this fan, Mademoiselle -Nameless, as you call yourself?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because I do not choose to do so.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because you know such a blow would be followed -by death, swift, sure, and certain!” declared the Mystery -fiercely. “Because you know the end of your life -would come as came the end of the miserable wretches -condemned by the Anti-Dreyfus League. Because you -know the poison would be injected into your veins, and -in a few hours it would reach a vital spot!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Look out for him!” cried the woman. “He is about -to become violent!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This fan is a deadly instrument!” continued the -strange old man. “Had you tapped Frank Merriwell -with it, no power on earth could have saved him from -death!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>She sprang up with a scream that attracted attention.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He is mad!” she cried, pointing at Mr. Noname. -“You can see it in his eyes! He is about to attack me! -Help! help!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>She turned to flee, and the man reached out to grasp -her. In a moment there was a great commotion in the -theater. Two or three men leaped between the woman -and Mr. Noname, offering her protection. But she -waited for nothing. With all haste, she made her escape.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is too bad for her to get away like that,” said the -Man of Mystery, sitting down quietly at the table.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The men turned to look at him. Some of them were -threatening, some talked of having him arrested. He -paid not the slightest attention to them, apparently, but -he leaned across the table and spoke to Jack and Frank -in a low tone of voice.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This is what he said:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“These men are members of the highest degree in the -Anti-Dreyfus League! They are sworn to commit murder, -if needs be, to keep the prisoner of Devil’s Island -safe in his cage of iron!”</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>THE DEADLY FAN.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Both Frank and Jack were startled to know that some -of the men of the league of which they had been speaking -before the appearance of the strange woman were so -near. Instantly Merriwell understood how it was that -the woman had known so well what they had been talking -about. Although those men had seemed to pay little -or no attention to the two young Americans, it was almost -certain that some of them had been listening attentively -to the words which fell from the lips of Frank -and Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Now these men scowled blackly at the Man of Mystery, -speaking rapidly to each other in French. Every -word was understood by Frank, and he knew they were -talking of having Mr. Noname arrested and shut up till -his insanity could be determined.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are in danger, sir,” said Merry, speaking to the -strange man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not the least,” was the quiet declaration.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You hear what they are saying?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They talk of having you arrested.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But they will not do it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because they do not dare.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do not dare?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No. They realize that I know too much about them. -The only danger is that one of them may drive a knife -into my back as I sit here.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Although he said there was such danger, the Mystery -paid not the slightest attention to the men behind him. -He sat there as if he felt himself quite secure from harm. -Frank believed this was a display of courage, and he admired -the man for it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack Diamond was somewhat bewildered. At last he -began to understand the full extent of the peril which -beset Frank Merriwell, even though he could not see why -harm could have come to Frank if the woman had carried -out her intention of tapping him on the wrist with -her fan. The men about continued to threaten. Mr. -Noname spoke in a calm tone of voice, which was loud -enough for them to hear.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The day that I am arrested I will make an exposure -that will startle all France. I know the names of the -men who are behind the work that is being done. I can -tell their methods of work. If I speak, Dreyfus will -leave Devil’s Island within a month!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Hush!” whispered Jack. “Yow are drawing terrible -danger on yourself! You will be the next man doomed -by the league!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The unsmiling face of Mr. Noname expressed a great -deal.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They may pronounce my doom, but no earthly power -can cut short the thread of my life till my work is complete. -I fear them not. However, they may well beware -of me. I am not here to meddle in their affairs, but -I am the guardian angel of Frank Merriwell, and woe to -them if harm comes to him!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Frenchmen could not help hearing all this. They -muttered among themselves, standing in a group. The -entertainment continued on the stage, but the hour was -late, and soon the theater would close for the night. -There was to be but one “turn” more. Some of the men -went away. Three of them sat down at a table, from -which some women had departed. They talked in low -tones, occasionally glancing toward the trio at the adjoining -table.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They have left three on guard,” said the Mystery, -although he had not turned his head, and it was impossible -to tell how he knew this. “We shall be -watched. They will shadow you to-night, Frank Merriwell, -and you must have a care. They are desperate -now, and it is impossible to tell when or how you may -be struck.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But I have yet four days of the ten days of grace.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have nothing!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How is that? Ten days always expire between the -falling of the red star and the death of the doomed -one.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That may be true in the past.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But now——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are not certain of another hour!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not! You know that this night the Black Brothers -would have destroyed you but for the coming of the -police!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That was because they had me in their power, and -they were enraged by their failure to find in my possession -what they sought.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That may have been the reason, then. It is probable -that they believe you still have the missing paper in your -possession.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Which I have not.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They do not know that; you could not make them -believe it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And so——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is plain they have decided to cut you off without delay. -The masked woman was sent here to do that.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How could she do it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“She attempted it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Tell me how.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“With this fan!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That fan? Why, she simply sought to tap me on the -wrist with it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That would have been enough.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You talk in riddles. Make yourself plain.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Indeed, he talks like a madman!” thought Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“With this very fan more than one victim of the -league has been destroyed!” asserted the Man of Mystery.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank restrained any impatience he may have felt, -although the man seemed beating about the bush in a -baffling manner.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How could that be?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You know in what peculiar manner the victims have -died. On none of them has been found a mark of violence.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yet you have believed they were murdered?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That being the case, the crime must have been carried -out in a remarkable manner.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I took no interest in the Anti-Dreyfus League and -the Black Brothers till I discovered that you had become -involved, through your meeting with Edmond Laforce, -the Duke of Benoit du Sault. Immediately on learning -that, I began my investigations, and I have learned many -startling things. How I learned them, it matters not. -Let it suffice to say that I have ways of obtaining knowledge—ways -unknown to other men. You did not know -I was near, to guard you, when you were in great peril.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; I thought you had disappeared completely, along -with Martin Brattle.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Brattle has disappeared, but he will turn up again, if -you remain here long enough.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you know where he has gone?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To London.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank started.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To London?” he cried. “Why has he gone there?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Elsie Bellwood is there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And he—the dastardly wretch!—he has gone there -to—to——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Have no fear; he will not accomplish his purpose.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not? How do you know?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Because I have sent one of my agents to London.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“One of your agents?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes. I have many agents, for I have plenty of money -to hire shrewd men to work for me. I enjoy spending my -money. I have more than a score of men in my employ -here in Paris, and they are shrewd men, too.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>A light began to dawn on Frank Merriwell. If Mr. -Noname spoke the truth, it showed how he became possessed -of so much astonishing information. With a score -of spies in his employ, he could pry into affairs which -would be sealed to the efforts of a single individual. But -Merry was thinking of Elsie Bellwood, and her danger, -if Martin Brattle had returned to London.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Man Without a Name seemed to read his thoughts, -for he said:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Fear not. I sent one of my most trusted agents along -with Brattle. Every effort of the rascal will be baffled, -for I have given instructions to protect Elsie Bellwood, -at any cost. He is to see that no harm comes to her, -even if he has to hire a hundred men to guard her, without -her knowledge, night and day.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond was listening, with astonishment unbounded. -Who was this wonderful man, who did not hesitate at any -expense, and who could afford to employ hundreds of -men for such a purpose?</p> - -<p class='c007'>The whole yarn seemed crazy enough, and still the Virginian -was impressed, despite himself. And Frank Merriwell -felt that Mr. Noname spoke nothing but the solemn -truth. Believing this, he breathed easier for the -safety of Elsie.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If what you say is true,” said Diamond, “you should -be able to destroy Martin Brattle, and bring his evil work -to an end. Why don’t you do it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Mystery gazed fixedly at Jack for some moments, -and then answered:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No matter how much power I possess, I have never -yet destroyed a human life. I am waiting till Brattle -brings about his own destruction, which he will do as -surely as we are sitting here at this moment.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank thought of Sport Harris, and others who had -wrought their own destruction, and the belief that evil-doing -brings its just deserts grew upon him. Diamond -seemed to feel rebuked. He sat back on his chair, biting -his lips.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now,” said Mr. Noname, “I will complete telling you -about this fan.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He lifted it from the table, and the eyes of all three -were turned upon it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This,” he declared, “is the instrument by which Frank -Merriwell was to be removed from the world!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But how?” urged Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Look here—see me press on the fan like this, as I hold -it in this manner. Now, look near that end, which is -toward you, and you will discover protruding from the -side of the fan a tiny needle-point. Look close. Do you -see it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They saw it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now, I release the pressure here,” continued the Man -of Mystery, “and that point disappears, having slid back -into its socket.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was true.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“When the woman reached out to tap Frank Merriwell -on the wrist, she pressed on the fan to cause the needle-point -to project. If she had struck him, she would have -pricked his flesh with that point.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Go on!” urged Merry breathlessly, his face growing -pale as he anticipated what was coming.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The point of that needle is covered with a strange -and subtle poison. Your blood would have been inoculated -with it. From that moment, unless the piece of -flesh about the needle-prick had been cut out, and the -wound cauterized, the poison would have been working -in your system. You would have heeded the wound on -your wrist very little, or not at all, for it would not have -swelled, or seemed troublesome. After a time, you would -have felt pains in the region of your heart. Then it -would have been too late for any earthly power to save -you!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good God!” gasped Jack Diamond, overcome by his -feelings. “Can such a thing be true?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is true,” affirmed the Mystery.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then, for Heaven’s sake, Frank, let’s get out of -France as quickly as we can! If the prick of a needle -will cause death, there is no telling when we may be done -to death!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack Diamond’s agitation was not strange, under the -circumstances. It would have been far more remarkable -if he had shown no agitation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank sat there, staring at that fan. For the first time, -he fully realized how close to death he had been, and his -face was a trifle pale.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are absolutely positive of what you say?” he -finally asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you doubt?” asked the Man of Mystery. “If I -have not told you the truth, why is that needle hidden in -the fan?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why, indeed?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank did not doubt any longer.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Give me the fan!” he exclaimed. “I want it! I want -to keep it, along with other curiosities I have gathered -in various parts of the world.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are not yet out of France. You seem to feel that -you will leave the country. Are you going at once?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you mean? Am I going to run away?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You realize your danger. There is nothing to keep -you here longer. Why shouldn’t you go?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you urge me to go?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I urge you to do nothing. Follow your own desires.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I must have time to think it over. I do not fancy -being driven out of the country in such a manner! If -there was a show of making a fight——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But you see now what dangers beset you. In a moment, -when you know not, death may descend upon you. -Your enemies believe you are dangerous to them. You -cannot convince them otherwise.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come, Frank!” urged Diamond. “You know I am -not a coward, but this business is altogether too much. -You can’t fight such sneaking and dastardly foes. A -brave man hates to retreat, but foolish persistence is not -bravery.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank actually laughed aloud.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This is the first time on record that Jack Diamond -ever gave anybody such counsel,” he declared. “If he -were in my shoes, I’ll wager he would be stubborn enough -to stick right here, no matter what came.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, no!” cried Jack. “I can fight an enemy that -comes out into the open, but I want nothing of the kind -that skulks and sneaks.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What will you do?” asked Mr. Noname, his eyes fixed -on Frank’s face.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Think it over till to-morrow,” was the answer. “Give -me the fan.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; I shall keep it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank was disappointed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is a thing I should prize.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I may need it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“For what?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Evidence.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Against whom?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That woman.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then you expect to see her again?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps so; perhaps not. Who can tell? However, -when I have all the evidence I want, I may place it before -the police. Just now, it would not do, for they -would call me a madman, and shut me up.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I haven’t a doubt of it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“While it is known there exists an Anti-Dreyfus -League, the public at large will not believe the league -will resort to dishonorable means and crime in order to -keep the captive fast on Devil’s Island. If any man were -to tell the whole truth about the organization, he would -be called a raving maniac, and placed in a cell without -delay.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank was much disappointed, for he longed to possess -that fan, which would be a great and valuable addition -to his collection of curious things gathered in various -parts of the world. He knew that Mr. Noname spoke -the truth, however, and he understood why the man -wished to secure and retain as much evidence against the -league as possible.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Besides,” said the Mystery, “they will try to recover -this fan. If you were to have it in your possession, it -might add to your peril.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then let it alone, Frank!” exclaimed Jack. “You do -not want it! You are in danger enough!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s true,” confessed Merry. “I fancy I’ll have my -hands full to look out for myself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The theater is about to let out,” said Mr. Noname. -“It will be well for you to leave before the crowd does. -In the crowd, something might happen to Mr. Merriwell -between this table and the street.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack grasped Frank’s arm.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Let’s go at once!” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank arose quietly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good night,” he said, speaking to Mr. Noname. -“When shall I see you again?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No person can tell,” was the answer. “I do not know. -I will keep the fan. Farewell.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was plain the Mystery spoke of the fan in order that -the men near might hear, and know it was not in the -possession of Frank. Mr. Noname seemed to fear no -peril to himself. When they were outside the theater, -Jack again urged Frank to leave France without delay.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Let’s not talk about it any more to-night,” said Merry. -“I am tired.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Tired!” exclaimed the Virginian. “Good gracious! -I don’t see how you can think of that now! What has -happened is enough to make anybody forget fatigue. -Why, while you remain in France, you cannot feel safe -for a moment! On the street, or in your room at the -hotel, you are in danger of being assassinated! It is -horrible!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank realized the full dimensions of the peril.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s rather too much sport,” he confessed. “I didn’t -bargain for anything of the sort.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It will not be from a lack of courage, if you leave -France,” urged Jack. “Why should you remain here to -be killed? You can do no good by staying here longer.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Perhaps not.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Of course you cannot. How can you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We have planned to stay longer.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That makes no difference. I have seen enough of -Paris, and so have Browning and Rattleton. We did -have a splendid time in England, but now——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You were the most eager to get away from England.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You know why, Frank. I explained it all to you. -Since leaving there, I have tried to forget Juliet Reynolds. -I find I can’t forget so easily.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And now you are ready to go back to her?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I did not say that.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But you meant it. I am afraid you are hard hit, -Jack.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’m afraid so, too, Merry; and, still, I know I’d never -be happy if I were to win her, and marry her. I must -keep away from her, that is all. It’s my only salvation.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Can you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can, and will!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is a good resolution.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But it is not what we were talking about. You have -explained why you had a secret from the rest of us, and -I understand it now, but I do not understand your desire -to remain longer in Paris.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Did you ever know Frank Merriwell to turn his back -on danger?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No; but this is different. What have you to gain by -continuing the fearful risk? Nothing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Look here, Diamond, I may have nothing to gain, -but there is one thing I fear if I leave France now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I fear I shall never forgive myself for doing so.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Better never forgive yourself than to be murdered.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know. I’d rather be dead than to always -feel myself a coward.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This brought a fierce protest from Jack, who declared -there would be nothing cowardly in going away. Over -this point they argued for some time, till Merry again -protested that he was too tired to talk further about it -that night.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Jack,” he said, “I want you to promise me something.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Name it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I want you to promise to say nothing about what -has happened. You are not to let Browning or Rattleton -know the particulars.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why? Why shouldn’t they know now? I think it is -your duty to tell them, Frank.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It will disturb them, without doing the least good. -Why should they be alarmed needlessly? No. Yet a -little while longer you must be silent. I will say when -you may tell everything.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was not easy to induce Jack to make the promise, -but Merry succeeded, at length.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Rattleton and Browning were in bed, and asleep, when -the hotel was reached. Under the door of Frank Merriwell’s -room, a sheet of paper had been thrust. On the -paper was written:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c015'> - <div>“The end draws near!”</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER XIX.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>THE BOMB.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>When, at last, he went to bed that night, Frank Merriwell -slept the sleep of exhaustion. He did not know that -all through the dark hours Jack Diamond watched over -him like a faithful dog. He did not know that Diamond -was unable to close his eyes in sleep. He did not know -the Virginian paced the room, thinking, thinking, thinking. -The light burned low, as Diamond had turned it -on. Frank lay breathing regularly, perfectly motionless -in the bed. After walking up and down a long time, -after looking from the window out upon the street, where -a few stray human beings flitted past beneath the electrics, -Diamond came and stood beside the bed, looking at -Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack’s heart was full. He was beset by deep emotions.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The whitest fellow who ever drew the breath of life!” -he murmured, as he gazed at his sleeping comrade. “In -many ways, he has made me what I am. I know it now. -He has been my model, and, as far as possible, I have -tried to be like him. I am not ashamed of having a -model! If all fellows could have one like Frank Merriwell, -and they would try to imitate him, it would be well -for them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He has shown me my failings without once mentioning -them to me. Never has he told me I was mean, and -fretful, and a poor comrade, yet I know I have been. I -know lots of fellows would have sickened of me, but -Frank Merriwell has not. He has seemed to understand -me, and to know all my petulance and ill temper would -pass away in time. He has shown me how to be master -of myself, and the task of conquering myself has been, at -times, the hardest thing I ever attempted. I don’t think -I’ve always succeeded in my efforts, but I am sure I have -at times, and I have felt better for it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And now, to think that such a fellow should be in -danger of losing his life at any moment, although he is -in perfect health, and has the brightest prospects before -him! It is awful! He has made all plans to go -back to Yale in the fall, and, goodness knows, Old Eli -needs him badly enough! Why, I believe the fellows -would mob us if we permitted him to be assassinated here -in Paris!</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Think of Frank Merriwell, the darling of Yale, murdered -by a lot of cowardly wretches, who are fighting to -keep an innocent man in a living tomb! And his peril -is something awful! Those dastards are powerful, and -it is folly to defy them. Frank must leave France at -once! But how may he be induced to go?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>That was a question for Diamond to study over, and -he spent more than an hour trying to answer it. Once -he muttered:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I must put up a job with Browning and Rattleton, and -carry him away! It’s a desperate plan, but it must be -done. Can I get them to join me? How will I work it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He pondered on various plans, but remembered that -he had given Frank a promise to say nothing to Bruce -and Harry about the terrible danger by which Merry -was beset.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I was a fool to make such a promise!” he exclaimed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The temptation to break it was strong, but Diamond -was a fellow of veracity, and he was forced to decide that -he would not follow that course. If he did not, how -could he induce Rattleton and Browning to join him in -his wild project to carry Merry bodily from France?</p> - -<p class='c007'>After a time, he decided that it would be impossible. -They would think him crazy if he proposed such a thing. -Then he began to plan other schemes. At last, he decided -to telegraph the whole facts to Dolph Reynolds. -He would ask Dolph to send a despatch, stating that Elsie -Bellwood was seriously ill.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’ll do it!” the Virginian exclaimed. “He may never -forgive me, but I’ll stand it! It is for his good, and it -shall be done! To-morrow, I’ll lose no time in sending -the message to Reynolds. Frank will be hustling out of -France in a few hours. Heaven grant that he may get -out before the Black Brothers do their dastardly work!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was daybreak before Jack closed his eyes. Even -then, he could not sleep soundly. He dreamed that Merriwell -was in frightful peril. He seemed to see Frank -enfolded in the coils of a monster serpent, and struggling -to escape. For all of his struggles, the coils drew tighter -and tighter, slowly crushing the life from Merry’s body. -He saw Frank’s eyes bulging from his head, and his -tongue hanging out, and the sight filled him with such -horror as seldom comes to one, save in dreams. He tried -to rush to the rescue of the friend he loved, but seemed -frozen to the ground, unable to move hand or foot. He -tried to shriek with anguish of soul, and——</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank Merriwell shook him till he awoke!</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come, come, old fellow!” laughed Merry. “You were -having a fearful time of it. You seemed to be straining -every nerve, and the gasps and gurgles that came from -your throat appeared to indicate that you were strangling. -It must have been a bad dream.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It was,” said Jack gloomily. “And the worst is -that I fear it is prophetic.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He then told Frank what he had dreamed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, pshaw!” cried Merry lightly. “You were affected -by our experiences last night. I don’t know that I wonder -at it, but I rather think there is no great danger that -the serpent will crush me. Take a good look at the -bright sunshine coming in at that window, and let it -drive the clouds away.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’ll take more than sunshine to do that, as long as we -remain in France, Merriwell,” declared the Virginian.</p> - -<p class='c007'>To his surprise, Frank seemed almost light-hearted. -This was something Diamond could not understand. Jack -had determined to make one more appeal to Merry, and -this he did; but Frank turned the subject, and more than -ever was the Virginian determined to carry out his plan -of drawing his friend from France by means of the false -telegram.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Rattleton was up, but it was necessary to drag Browning -out of bed. Both Harry and Bruce were delighted -to find Merry once more in a lively mood.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now you seem like yourself,” declared Rattleton. -“You have been glum enough for awhile. Acted like -you were under a spell, but I rather think the spell is -lifted.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If he only knew!” thought Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After breakfast, Diamond looked for an opportunity -to get away from the others, to send the telegram to -Dolph Reynolds; but, when he started out, he was joined -by Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A good, brisk walk will do us both good,” said Frank. -“Come on, old man.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond was not ready with excuses and subterfuges, -and so he went along, hoping something would turn up to -give him the opportunity he sought. Frank did not loiter -in the gardens, but sought the crowded thoroughfares of -the city, for the business portion of Paris was a-bustle -thus early in the day.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was mid-forenoon when they halted for a moment, -and stood on a curbing, where they could look along one -of the thoroughfares of the city. Jack had kept his eyes -open, for he felt that Frank was constantly menaced by -deadly danger. He it was who saw a man approach a -window in the second story of a building opposite where -they stood, and fling it open.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Look, Frank!” he exclaimed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Up there!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mr. Noname! What is he doing there?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank recognized the man who had opened the window -as the mysterious being known as Mr. Noname. -Something queer in the actions of the man caused both -lads to watch him. He stepped back from the window -for a moment, and there was a little flare of light, as if -he had struck a match. Then he came to the window, -with a spring, thrust his head out, looked up and down -the street, and lifted his hand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A signal!” said Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But it was not a signal. In the hand of the strange -man was an object from which a tiny wreath of blue -smoke curled upward. He lifted that hand, and flung the -smoking object straight at Frank Merriwell! A cry escaped -the lips of Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A bomb!” he shouted.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Down toward the young American flew the object, -and then, quick as thought, Frank Merriwell caught the -spluttering thing with the skill of a baseball-player!</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Drop it! Run!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond caught hold of Frank as he gasped the words. -Instead of that, Frank Merriwell lifted the bomb to his -mouth, caught the fuse in his teeth, and bit it off!</p> - -<p class='c007'>By his remarkable presence of mind, Frank Merriwell -had prevented an explosion, perhaps had saved his life -and Diamond’s. He had bitten the fuse off close to the -bomb.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack Diamond was paralyzed with astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank spat the end of the fuse from his mouth, observing:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I rather think that will prevent the thing from doing -any damage.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Great heavens!” gasped the Virginian. “How could -you think to do it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Had to think. Case of necessity. Now, I want to -know what this means.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It means murder! It means treachery! That old -madman threw the bomb!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Mr. Noname?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I saw him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He’s turned on you, Frank.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Looks that way. He’ll have to explain.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He can’t.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He’s gone from the window.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>That was true; the Mystery had disappeared. This -astonishing scene had been witnessed by several persons. -Two officers came hurrying up, and asked a score -of questions.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It’s a bomb,” explained Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Le bomb! le bomb!” cried the crowd that had gathered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And the man who threw it is in that building!” -shouted Diamond. “He threw it from that open window. -He is in there now. Capture him! Arrest him!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Arrest him!” shouted the crowd.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You know him? You can identify him?” asked the -officers.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In a minute!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come with us!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>They dashed across the street, and entered the café, -from the second story of which the bomb had been -thrown. Up-stairs they dashed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It will go hard with Mr. Noname if he is caught -now,” said Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It should!” hissed Diamond. “The man is a maniac! -I have felt it all along! I have feared him!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond was eager to capture the Mystery, but, when -the room was reached from which the bomb had been -thrown, all they found was a quiet-looking, smooth-faced -man, who was seated at a table, drinking coffee, and looking -over a morning paper. The officers demanded of -Frank and Jack if that were the man. They seemed disappointed -when both lads declared it was not. Then they -questioned the man, who seemed greatly surprised. Had -he seen another person in the room? He had. A man -had entered a short time before, but he had not noticed -him in particular, as he was sitting with his back toward -the window. The man had just left the room in a hurried -manner. Whither did he go? The door by which he -had departed was pointed out.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The officers were eager to capture the bomb-thrower. -It would be greatly to their credit. They hastened from -the room by the door. Frank and Jack followed. Barely -were they out of the room when Frank stopped.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This is mighty queer,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What?” asked the Virginian.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That the man in there knows nothing of the bomb-throwing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s right.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I believe he knows more than he has told.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You may be right.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He should be watched.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Sure thing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Go back, and keep an eye on him, Diamond.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All right.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack rushed back to the room, and then a cry came -from him. Wondering what had happened, Frank hurried -after him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is it, Jack?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The man!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Gone!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was true. The man had lost no time in getting out -of that room. His coffee was on the table, and his -paper lay on the floor. Frank Merriwell dashed down -the stairs, hoping to prevent the man from escaping. He -was too late to do so, however, for the stranger had left -the restaurant. Once outside in the crowd, he had melted -away.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We have been chumps!” exclaimed Frank regretfully. -“I am sure he was the one who could have explained -everything.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am sure of it, too,” nodded Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The search through the building did not result in the -capture of the man who threw the bomb.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Of course, Frank was requested to accompany the police -to headquarters, and tell everything he knew, while -the café was placed under surveillance. Frank told his -story, and the bomb was turned over to the police, who -promised to make a thorough investigation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Which will result in nothing,” said Diamond gloomily. -“They have taken your address, Merry, but all they will -do is call round at the hotel, and pump you with questions.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank was puzzled more than he wished to confess. It -seemed certain that Mr. Noname had deliberately attempted -to destroy him, and that was something he could -not understand. If the man was an enemy, why had he -saved his life so many times?</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond redoubled his argument for leaving France -with all possible haste.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER XX.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>FRANK PROTECTS THE MYSTERY.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>Mystery had followed mystery with astonishing swiftness, -and the very atmosphere of Paris now seemed full -of danger and death. Of this Frank Merriwell and Jack -Diamond were aware, while Bruce Browning and Harry -Rattleton were in blissful ignorance. Harry and Bruce -did not understand why, as soon as Merry and Jack returned -to the hotel, they shut themselves into a room, and -seemed to hold a secret conclave.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond’s excitement had increased. He paced up -and down the floor, his face pale, and his eyes glowing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I tell you, Merriwell, it is madness to remain here!” -he asserted. “You must confess it now. The one on -whom I believe you depended almost wholly for protection -has turned against you. What can you do now? I -am certain you had begun to think this Mr. Noname -possessed of supernatural powers, and you fancied he -could protect you from the assassins who sought your -destruction. Now you can no longer rely on his aid. -Instead of that it is certain he will do all he can to destroy -you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why should he?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Answer your own question.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I cannot.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then do!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He is mad.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You think so?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have no doubt of it. I have believed it all the time. -You know, I have told you so before.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He has the eyes of a maniac.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you say that because his eyes are deep and -dark?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No. They have a strange glitter. He seems to look -a person through and through.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is true.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Besides, at times his words have been those of a -maniac. He has not talked like a sane man. You must -confess it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I do not know.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You must know—you do know! You cannot say you -have never observed anything remarkable in his language. -He has claimed to be your good genius.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well he might, for he has saved my life repeatedly.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He has seemed to.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you mean by ‘seemed to’?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How do you know he has not been plotting your destruction -all the time?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is not possible.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is possible! Wait a minute. You have been in no -end of trouble since you met him, haven’t you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, but——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How do you know he has not been at the bottom of -it all?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ridiculous!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nothing of the sort!” persisted the Virginian warmly. -“It would be like the unaccountable acts of a madman. -He might get you into all this trouble, Frank, so that he -could pretend to save you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why should he do that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who can account for the actions of a madman? He -wishes to make himself notorious. He had wished that -you should believe him very wonderful. He may have -plotted against you all the time, and——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No!” cried Frank; “I cannot, and will not, believe -that of Mr. Noname!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Thank you!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The door had swung open, and Mr. Noname himself -stepped in, speaking the words of thanks as he entered. -Diamond stood in the middle of the room, thunderstruck -for the moment, his hands clenched, his finely chiseled -face stern and grim.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Man of Mystery closed the door behind him, and -turned toward the two young Americans, quietly saying:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have just learned of what happened to you this -morning, Mr. Merriwell, and I have come here to listen -to the story from your own lips.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, that is what I call bluff!” grated Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why should you come to me, when you were concerned -in it?” asked Merry. “You know what happened -as well as I. But I am glad you have come, for now you -must give me an explanation.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You say I know what happened, but I swear that I -know nothing beyond what I have heard!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You were there.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I was not.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Liar!” panted the Virginian. “We both saw you! -We saw you throw the bomb!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The strange man turned his dark eyes on the hot-blooded -Virginian, and he spoke in a calm tone:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It makes no difference what you may think you saw. -I deny taking any part in it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you deny that you hurled a bomb at me?” asked -Frank, astonished.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Deny it as much as you like!” cried Diamond; “you -did it! But for Merriwell’s quick wit, we should have -been blown to pieces! You tried to kill us!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What folly! Why should I try to kill you?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Answer that question yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I answer it by swearing that I know nothing about it. -Of you, Mr. Merriwell, I ask to know the full story. As -I have saved you from danger and death many times, I -appeal to you now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And this is the creature who professed to be your -guardian angel!” sneered Jack. “This is the creature -who said he’d always be near to protect you!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Mystery made a gesture, half of anger, half of reproof.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You know not what you are saying,” he declared. -“Tell me all, Frank Merriwell.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank did so, in a very few words. The man listened -till he had finished.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now,” exclaimed Diamond, “what have you to say to -that? We both saw you at the window! We both saw -you throw the bomb!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You may have thought you saw me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Listen to that, Frank! What do you think of it -for nerve?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It seems,” said the man, “that somebody who looked -like me must have thrown this bomb.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is thin! Why, do you think we would not know -your clothes, your beard, your long black hair, your face? -We are not fools! You are the man! You have pretended -to be Merriwell’s friend, but to-day you sought to -blow him to pieces!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I would sooner think of putting a gun to my head, -and blowing out my own brains,” said the man solemnly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Bah! You cannot make us believe that now!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have been misunderstood all my life,” said the man -rather sadly. “It is not remarkable that such should be -the case now. Well, it makes no difference. I do not -care. I will continue to prove my friendship to Frank -Merriwell by protecting him from peril.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“By Heaven!” shouted Diamond fiercely; “you shall -answer for your attempt on his life! I believe you have -been at the bottom of all his trouble in Paris! I believe -you have brought all this danger upon him! You shall -not escape now!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Mystery took a step toward the door, but, of a -sudden, the Virginian drew a revolver, and pointed it -straight at the man, fiercely commanding:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Stop! Take another step, and I’ll drop you! You -shall not slip away this time!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The man paused, and looked at Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry had been surprised by the swift action of his -friend, and now he cried:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Down with that revolver, Diamond! If you do -not——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Never!” snarled Jack. “If you will not hold this -man for the officers, I will! I shall turn him over to -them, and——”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You will do nothing of the sort!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank made a leap, and was upon Diamond. He -grasped Jack’s wrist, and, like a flash, wrenched the revolver -from his hand. Then he turned to the Man Without -a Name.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Go!” he said. “I will protect you once, in return for -the many times you have protected me. For all that appearances -are against you, I will trust you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And you shall never have cause to regret it,” assured -the Mystery, as he departed.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c014'>CHAPTER XXI.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>THE TURN OF THE TIDE.</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c002'>It was impossible to tell when a Dreyfus agitation -would break out in France during those anxious months. -The day following the events just related, one took place. -The courts were in session, and the friends of Dreyfus -sprang a surprise by having a new feature of the case -called up, and an attempt made to reopen the whole -affair. Then, in a most amazing manner, a great array -of evidence in favor of the prisoner of Devil’s Island piled -up. It fairly took away the breath of his enemies.</p> - -<p class='c007'>English and American newspapers printed the report -that a steamer had been sent to Devil’s Island, with a -strong military guard, for the purpose of taking Dreyfus -off, and bringing him back to France, where he would -have a new trial. These reports were cabled to Paris -without delay. Everybody sought confirmation of them, -and then a prominent French paper came out with the -assertion that it was absolutely true, and that Dreyfus was -on his way to France even then!</p> - -<p class='c007'>All Paris seemed to be hushed in waiting for some -great thing that must follow.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Jack Diamond was the first to get hold of the paper -that printed the cabled reports from the English and -American papers, and announced beneath that it was -absolutely true that Dreyfus was on his way to France. -Diamond had tried to keep Frank Merriwell in the hotel -while the excitement was going on in the streets, but had -not been successful. Frank had persisted in venturing -out to witness “the sport,” although Jack had warned -him that he was taking his life in his hand. Nothing had -happened to Merry, however.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond came rushing into the hotel with the newspaper, -and placed it before Frank, pointing out the report -mentioned. Frank read it, and his face flushed with satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Frank!” warned Jack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What is it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The Black Brothers will be desperate now. They -will be striking their final blows. You had better keep -still, and lay low.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I believe the whole Anti-Dreyfus League will be hunting -their holes. I do not believe the Black Brothers will -have much to do but lay low.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s a queer idea.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“See if I am not right.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank was elated, and he could talk of nothing else, -save the turn of the tide in favor of Dreyfus. He insisted -on going out that night, and they dined in the open -air, beneath the trees, Browning and Rattleton going -along.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The American lads were surprised at the calmness of -the people, who had seemed so wildly excited a short -time before. Listening, they heard men quietly saying, -one to another, that Dreyfus was coming back at last. -Some of them said there would be bloodshed the hour he -set his feet on French soil, but they said it quietly, as if -it were useless to struggle against fate.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Several striking-looking men came and took a table -near Frank and his friends. These men talked with -more excitement than had any others that night, but they -were not arguing over the fate of Dreyfus. Instead, they -were discussing the disruption of the Anti-Dreyfus -League.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Listen to that, Jack!” breathed Frank. “Those men -belong to the league.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They are members of the lower order.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That is plain, for they are discussing the doings of -the higher order.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And they do not seem pleased over it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not much!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It seems that there has been a serious split in the -league.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Sure thing.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And that means—just what, Frank?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The moment the league gets out from behind the -Black Brothers, the assassin band hunts its hole. Those -creatures will no longer be dangerous. The league paid -them to do its bloody work, and, when the league ceases -to exist, the Brothers will cease to be.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You may be right.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I’m sure of it! Oh, my dear fellow, things are coming -out all right in France! Justice may sleep for a -time, but there comes an hour when she awakens. That -hour has arrived.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, dow the hickens—I mean, how the dickens is -it that you are so intensely interested in the business, anyway, -Frank? You and Jack talk as if it might be a -matter of life or death with you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So it may,” declared Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Browning gave a grunt.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Huah!” he said. “Don’t talk in riddles. What do -you mean, anyhow?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s right,” urged Rattleton; “what do you mean?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That the turn affairs have taken may save my life.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Your life?” mumbled the big fellow.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Your life?” gurgled Harry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s what I said.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And it is gospel truth!” nodded Diamond solemnly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, say!” came from Harry; “get down onto the -earth, and give it to us straight! Merry might be stringing -us; but when did you start in backing him up in his -practical jokes, Diamond?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There is no joke about this. I should say Frank is -ready to tell you about the whole thing. When he does, -you’ll drop dead!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“As much as that?” murmured Browning. “I haven’t -made a will.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What do you wish to leave?” asked Harry, with a -grin.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“My will; it’s all I have to leave, and I want to leave -something.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Tell us about this business,” urged Rattleton, speaking -to Frank. Merry had decided to do so, and he explained -the whole affair in a few well-chosen words. -Their amazement increased as he proceeded. It did not -take them long to see that he was in sober earnest, and -they listened breathlessly. When he had finished, they -were indignant.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And you never told us?” questioned Rattleton resentfully.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Not a word!” came angrily from Bruce.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I found out the truth by accident,” said Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is that the proper way to treat your friends, Frank?” -asked Bruce almost sorrowfully.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Merry then explained how he was bound to secrecy as -long as the metal ball was in his possession.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; but you did not tell after that.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I didn’t know but I should be forced to flee from -France to save my life,” said Frank; “and, to be honest, -I didn’t want you to know I had taken to my heels.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>From any other fellow, this might have seemed a reasonable -explanation; but, although it was spoken openly -and honestly, it seemed like a confession of a weakness, -and they were looking for nothing of the sort in him. -However, if he really had a weakness, it seemed natural -that he should be the first to discover it, and expose it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That’s a pretty slim excuse!” growled the big Yale -man. “I think you have treated us in a thundering -shabby manner!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I can’t help it, boys. I may have to skip out of France -now, but something tells me that the hour of great danger -is past.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>At this moment, a man and a woman sat down at a -table just vacated by a party. The man was tall, dark, -scowling; the woman was young, handsome, scornful. -There was something extremely unpleasant about her, -even though she was handsome. As she sat down with -her companion, he said something that caused her to -laugh. Frank Merriwell started as if he had been shot. -His hand went out, and fell on Jack Diamond’s arm.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have heard that laugh before!” he whispered. “She -is Mademoiselle Nameless!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The woman who tried to murder you!” replied the -Virginian.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The same!” nodded Merry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As the man and woman sat down, several of the men -at another table, those whom the boys had heard talking -together, bowed coldly to the newcomers. One or two -of the men stared at them in stony silence.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The man with the woman returned the stare, and his -lips curled with contempt. He was a dangerous-looking -fellow, but no more dangerous than the woman. There -was something about her that proclaimed her desperate -and deadly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank had a fine opportunity to study her face. It was -not long before she saw him, and she actually smiled -upon him! That smile angered him, but he held himself -in check.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The woman spoke to her escort, and she was heard to -say:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There is the young American who caused so much -disturbance, Monsieur Merriwell. I think there was too -much fuss made over him.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, I don’t know,” growled the man, looking Frank -over.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then he said something to her, as if he did not wish to -be heard by anybody else, but she immediately gave him -away by exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You are sure, Louis—you know the very paper that -was in the ball has reached the courts?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Keep still!” he growled. “It’s not necessary to tell -everybody of it!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, what’s the use! The game is up, anyhow!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes; and you are advised to keep your mouth closed. -You may be arrested with others.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“If I am, I may take a fancy to tell some surprising -things,” she laughed. “Just look out that I am not arrested, -Louis.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was plain both had been drinking, else they would -not have spoken so loudly. Their words created a stir -among the men at the next table. Those men turned, -and stared at the young Americans, and then they jabbered -among themselves. All at once, one of them rose, -and approached the table at which the four lads were -sitting.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Diamond was on the alert instantly. He watched the -man with the eyes of a hawk, thinking he might do something -to injure Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Frenchman spoke politely.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I beg a thousand pardons, gentlemen,” he said; “but -what I have just heard leads me to believe one of your -number is Monsieur Merriwell. Am I right?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes, sir,” bowed Frank. “I am the one.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The man looked at Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have heard you met with a rather unpleasant adventure -recently, Monsieur Merriwell.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have had many of them. To what one do you -refer?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Frenchman hesitated, and then he seemed to decide -to come out flatly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is said you were captured by some ruffians, who -attempted to slay you, but were prevented by the gendarmes. -Is that true?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“It is.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And, further, that the ruffians were seeking to obtain -possession of a paper that had been delivered into your -hands by Edmond Laforce, the Duke of Benoit du Sault. -How about that?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I know nothing of the paper,” answered Frank truthfully.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then you have not turned it over to the courts?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“No, monsieur. I have never seen it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nevertheless, in some manner, that paper has reached -the courts. It is said it will clear Dreyfus. Of that I -have doubts, for I believe Dreyfus guilty. However, I -wished to confirm the story that you were connected -with the affair. I understand your life has been threatened?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And that is true. I have been told that I must leave -France, or the Anti-Dreyfus League would destroy me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, there is no reason why you need fear the Anti-Dreyfus -League.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That order no longer exists. Monsieur Merriwell, -you need have no further fear of the league.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“How about the tools of the league?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“They are harmless now, for the league is not behind -them. There is no reason why they should molest -you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was a scream, and a sudden commotion at the -adjoining table. Several gendarmes had appeared there, -and they were arresting the man and the woman. The -man was furious, and made a struggle. He tried to -draw a weapon and place it at his head, plainly with the -intention of committing suicide, but he was prevented and -disarmed. Then irons were placed upon him. A hand -fell on Frank Merriwell’s arm. He turned his head, and -saw the Man of Mystery at his elbow.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You have witnessed the arrest of the chief of the -Black Brothers!” said Mr. Noname, with great satisfaction. -“I have hunted him down! I have placed the officers -upon him!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes! The band is scattered and broken. One has -committed suicide to-night, while two others have been -arrested. Three have fled from Paris. My hired spies -have done their work swiftly and well!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And you have brought all this about?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Even so. More than that, I have solved the mystery -of the bomb-throwing. In a drawer of the very -table at which the man sat, drinking coffee and reading -a paper, when you rushed into the café to capture the -bomb-thrower, I discovered—these!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He held up a false beard, a long-haired wig, and a -slouch hat.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What are those?” asked Diamond.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The disguise worn by the fellow who threw the bomb. -He made himself up to look like me. Without doubt, he -was the man who was drinking coffee when you entered -the room. He was one of the band of Black Brothers.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I believe it,” nodded Frank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Now they again turned their attention to the gendarmes, -who were marching their prisoners away. As -they departed, the woman turned, and saw Frank standing -and staring after her.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Good night, Monsieur Merriwell!” she called. “You -have no reason to leave France now. There is no more -danger for you. I admire your nerve, and that is why -I tell you this. Good night, and farewell forever!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>In truth it was “farewell forever.” On the following -morning, the woman was found dead on the cot in her -prison cell. On her left wrist was a tiny drop of blood -that had oozed from a slight puncture, like a pin-prick!</p> - -<p class='c007'>The tide in the affairs of justice in France had turned -at last, and in the great work of charity toward the unfortunate -man who had endured years of torture indescribable -on Devil’s Island Frank had had a part, and no -small one, either, as he was to learn later. Looking back -on that time of danger for the French Republic, before -the great public had come to realize that a principle was -above a party-cry in the affairs of democracy, it seems -strange that a leading part in the struggle was taken by -an American, a mere lad. But, as a French statesman -said, when this comment was made before him: “<i>Oui, -monsieur!</i> A lad, a mere lad, if you will; but, remember, -this mere lad was an American lad, and the type of the -best of young American manhood!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Frank’s stay in France was not ended, and he had still -to encounter many dangers at the hands of his enemies, -but we must leave him for the present. Of one thing, -however, there need be no doubt. Whatever his perils, -whatever dangers might threaten, Frank Merriwell was -not the lad to quail. For he was American to the core, -and Americans do not fail. It might take Frank’s enemies -a long time to find it out, but, eventually, they would -realize all the French statesman meant, when he said: -“This mere lad was an American lad, and the type of the -best of young American manhood!”</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>THE END.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='figcenter id003'> -<img src='images/i257.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic003'> -<p>Medal Library No. 344</p> -</div> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<p class='c007'> </p> -<div class='tnbox'> - - <ul class='ul_1 c001'> - <li>Transcriber’s Notes: - <ul class='ul_2'> - <li>Missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected. - </li> - <li>Typographical errors were silently corrected. - </li> - <li>Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only when a predominant - form was found in this book. - </li> - </ul> - </li> - </ul> - -</div> -<p class='c007'> </p> - -<pre style='margin-top:6em'> -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL ON THE -BOULEVARDS *** - -This file should be named 63752-h.htm or 63752-h.zip - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/7/5/63752/ - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - -</pre> -</body> -</html> |