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+The Project Gutenberg eBook of Frank Merriwell's First Job, by Burt L.
+Standish
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
+most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
+whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
+of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
+www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you
+will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before
+using this eBook.
+
+Title: Frank Merriwell's First Job
+       At The Foot of the Ladder
+
+Author: Burt L. Standish
+
+Release Date: February 26, 2021 [eBook #64635]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+Produced by: David Edwards, Sue Clark, and the Online Distributed
+             Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S FIRST JOB ***
+
+
+
+
+  Frank Merriwell’s First Job
+    OR
+  AT THE FOOT OF THE LADDER
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER
+
+       I. A BLOW BY FATE                           5
+
+      II. FAREWELL TO YALE                        11
+
+     III. ON THE WAY HOME                         16
+
+      IV. THE REWARD OF WRONGDOING                23
+
+       V. THE MAN WHO WORKED THE WIRES            28
+
+      VI. THE SETTING OF THE SUN                  34
+
+     VII. PHANTOM FINGERS                         40
+
+    VIII. UNWELCOME VISITORS                      46
+
+      IX. CAPTURED BY WHITECAPS                   52
+
+       X. COWARDLY WORK                           57
+
+      XI. FRANK’S STRANGE FRIEND                  63
+
+     XII. FOR HIS ENEMY                           69
+
+    XIII. THE BULLY OF THE ROUNDHOUSE             75
+
+     XIV. THE BULLY MEETS HIS MATCH               80
+
+      XV. STRIKING A JOB                          86
+
+     XVI. THE FIRST FORENOON                      91
+
+    XVII. THE STREET MUSICIANS                    97
+
+   XVIII. UPLIFTED HEARTS                        103
+
+     XIX. AN ANGRY ENGINEER                      109
+
+      XX. SOME POINTS ABOUT HICKS                115
+
+     XXI. FRANK DISCOVERS A BREAK                120
+
+    XXII. THE INTERRUPTED SUPPER                 126
+
+   XXIII. AN UNWELCOME RELATION                  132
+
+    XXIV. FRANK EXACTS A PROMISE                 137
+
+     XXV. ON A SWITCH ENGINE                     143
+
+    XXVI. CAPTURING A WILD ENGINE                148
+
+   XXVII. FRANK’S FRIENDS                        154
+
+  XXVIII. FIRING A FREIGHT ENGINE                160
+
+    XXIX. THE FIGHT ON THE ENGINE                165
+
+     XXX. MERRIWELL’S GENEROSITY                 171
+
+    XXXI. AN UNGRATEFUL MAN                      177
+
+   XXXII. ON THE STAIRS                          182
+
+  XXXIII. UNDER THE CRUST OF A HUMAN HEART       188
+
+   XXXIV. THE REVELATION OF A SECRET             193
+
+    XXXV. THE LITTLE PILOT                       200
+
+   XXXVI. “ON TIME, AT LAST!”                    206
+
+
+
+
+  Frank Merriwell’s First Job
+    OR
+  AT THE FOOT OF THE LADDER
+
+  _By BURT L. STANDISH_
+
+  _Author of_ “Frank Merriwell’s School Days,” “Frank
+  Merriwell’s Chums,” “Frank Merriwell’s Foes,”
+  “Frank Merriwell’s Trip West,” etc.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+  STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS
+  238 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK CITY
+
+
+
+
+  Copyright, 1898
+  By STREET & SMITH
+
+  Frank Merriwell’s First Job
+
+
+
+
+FRANK MERRIWELL’S FIRST JOB.
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+A BLOW BY FATE.
+
+
+Biff--thump!
+
+“Oh, what a soaker!”
+
+“Go at him, Rattleton!”
+
+“Don’t let him knock you up against the door like that.”
+
+Biff! biff!--thump!
+
+“There you go again!”
+
+“Oh, jose your claw--I mean close your jaw!” panted Harry Rattleton, as
+he ducked and escaped a left-hand swing from Frank Merriwell, with whom
+he was boxing in the room of the latter at Yale. “You fellows are not
+in this!”
+
+“You’re not in it, either,” lazily laughed Bruce Browning, who was half
+sitting, half reclining on the couch, watching the boxing bout and
+smoking a pipe at the same time.
+
+“Well, you weren’t such a much when you got up against Merriwell that
+time you tried to do him,” snapped Rattleton, backing out as Frank
+slowly followed him up.
+
+“That’s ancient history,” declared the big fellow. “But Merriwell found
+me a pretty warm baby!”
+
+“Get up and try him now!” cried Harry. “I’ll bet he’ll bang you all
+over the room before you touch him.”
+
+“Thanks!” grinned Bruce. “I’ve quit the ring. I’m not looking for
+pugilistic glory any more.”
+
+“Stand up to him, Rattleton,” advised Diamond. “You do too much running
+away.”
+
+“Oh, you know!” flung back Rattleton. “You’ve had your turn, too, and
+you wasn’t so good.”
+
+“You can’t do anything with him if you don’t try to hit him,” said Bart
+Hodge, who was sitting astride a chair in the corner.
+
+“More thanks! If you’ll put the gloves on, I’ll guarantee you will
+not hit him any oftener than I have. I believe he gave you a dose of
+medicine once on a time. I’m the only fellow in the room who hasn’t
+been punched in earnest by him. You chaps are good talkers, but---- No
+you don’t.”
+
+Then he went under Frank’s arm like a cat, giving Merry a sharp jab in
+the ribs.
+
+“Keep it up.”
+
+“Well, that wasn’t so worse!” yawned Browning.
+
+But Frank whirled swiftly and followed Harry, sparring for an opening,
+which he quickly got.
+
+Biff! biff!--bang!
+
+“Oh, my!” gurgled Harry. “That last one was on the nose! She’s
+beginning to bleed! I’m knocked out!”
+
+He flung off the boxing gloves and got out his handkerchief in a hurry,
+for the blow on his nose had started the blood.
+
+“Didn’t mean to hit you hard enough for that, Rattles,” said Frank,
+apologetically.
+
+“Don’t mention it,” grinned Rattleton. “It’s nothing much. I don’t mind
+a little thing like that.”
+
+Frank took off his gloves and hung the set up, after which he quickly
+set the room in order.
+
+Rattleton’s nose bled very little, and he soon recovered.
+
+“It seems to me you are worse than ever since your trip into Maine,
+Merriwell,” said Harry. “You’ll be a swift one on the football team
+this fall.”
+
+“I shall not give much time to football,” Frank declared.
+
+“No?” shouted Rattleton, Diamond and Hodge.
+
+“Is that so?” grunted Browning. “You talked like that last fall, and
+you know what came of it. You had to get into gear in order to save Old
+Eli from being thrown down.”
+
+Merriwell nodded.
+
+“I know all about that; but it seems to me that I have done my part in
+the way of upholding the honor of Old Eli, and there should be somebody
+to fill my place by this time.”
+
+“Why do you want anybody to fill your place?” asked Hodge.
+
+“The time has come for me to study. Fooling must be dropped.”
+
+“The time has come for you to ease up on your studies,” said Diamond.
+“You know the first year or two are the hardest in college.”
+
+“Yes; but I have some ambitions for class honors. I have managed to
+scrub right along so far, but I’ve got to make a change.”
+
+Browning straightened up a little.
+
+“I don’t think you can do it, Merriwell,” he said, seriously. “You have
+made a record as an athlete, and you will be expected to stand by it.
+Your attempt last year should convince you that you can’t make such a
+rank change. You stand well with the professors, and you will pull out
+near the head of your class, anyway. What’s the use to look for too
+much?”
+
+“I am beginning to realize what is ahead of me, gentlemen,” came
+soberly from Frank. “My mother is dead, my father is--I know not where.
+Although I am generally supposed to be independently rich, I have but
+a small fortune, which was left me by my uncle. I can’t live on that
+and do nothing; I wouldn’t if I could. I must go out into the world
+and hustle. Thus far I have not even decided what I will do when it
+is necessary for me to go to work. Most fellows have this all settled
+before they go to college. Thus far with me, for the most part, life
+has been a holiday. Now I realize that it must be something different
+in the future. I have not got a foolish notion in my head that as soon
+as I leave college and go out into the world large city newspapers
+will eagerly offer me editorial positions, bankers will be yearning to
+take me into their banks, and large salaries for short hours will be
+thrust at me on every side. In most things influence counts, and it is
+a fact that the man with a pull and a fair stock of brains generally
+gets ahead of the man with no pull and heavy brain power. I shall have
+no pull; but in its place I hope to use considerable push. If I do not
+land on top in time it will not be my fault.”
+
+“You’ve been struck with one of your serious spells, that’s what’s the
+matter with you!” cried Rattleton. “Don’t get worried. You’ve had lots
+of sport this summer. Wish I might have taken that trip into Maine.
+Next summer----”
+
+“Who can tell what next summer may bring?” said Frank, in a manner that
+added to the astonishment of his friends. “Before that time some great
+change may alter all our plans.”
+
+There was a rap on the door.
+
+“Come,” called Frank.
+
+The door opened.
+
+“Lettah, sah,” said the colored man who thrust his head in at the door.
+
+Frank took it, and the colored man disappeared.
+
+“It’s from Prof. Scotch,” he said, and then he laid it on the table.
+
+Prof. Scotch was Frank’s old teacher and guardian.
+
+Three times Frank walked up and down the room. He paused and looked
+around. It was a pleasant, well-furnished room. There were handsome
+pictures on the walls, there were foils, boxing gloves, tennis rackets
+and so forth. There also were strange curios from many lands, all
+gathered by Frank himself.
+
+This room was like home to Frank. He loved it for its associations.
+Some day he must leave it, but what pleasant memories of his college
+days he would carry away.
+
+Watching him his friends saw the strange expression on his face, and
+they knew not what to make of the change in him. He stopped by the
+table and picked up the letter.
+
+“Excuse me while I read it, please,” he said.
+
+“Of course,” they cried.
+
+Then he tore it open and read it. They saw his face grow pale and his
+hand tremble, while his breast heaved. He read to the end, and then he
+lifted his eyes to his friends.
+
+“What is it?” cried Bart Hodge, in apprehension. “Bad news, Merry?”
+
+“Fellows,” said Frank, hoarsely, “my career at Yale is ended! I am
+ruined!”
+
+They leaped to their feet.
+
+“Ruined?” gasped Diamond. “What do you mean?”
+
+“My fortune is lost! Prof. Scotch, my guardian, has speculated with my
+money, and lost every dollar! I am a beggar!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+FAREWELL TO YALE.
+
+
+Like wildfire spread the report that Frank Merriwell was going to
+leave college. In an hour it seemed that all Yale knew it. There was
+consternation in the dormitories and on the campus. Students gathered
+in groups to talk of it. Everyone seemed to regard it as a great
+calamity.
+
+Charlie Creighton was perched on the fence, looking as if he had just
+buried his last friend. Paul Pierson came along.
+
+“Awful, isn’t it?” asked Pierson.
+
+“Terrible!” said Creighton.
+
+“Have you seen him?”
+
+“No; I’m waiting till I can do so without slopping over and making a
+fool of myself.”
+
+“What will Old Eli do without him?”
+
+“Give it up. Why, the professors have heard of it, and they positively
+refuse to believe it. Look at those chaps over there in that group.
+There are Benson and some of the fellows who were supposed to be
+Merriwell’s enemies. Just came by them, and every man is saying it’s a
+thundering shame.”
+
+“I don’t believe Merriwell has a real enemy in the college.”
+
+Bink Stubbs came up. Usually Bink was grinning and cracking jokes. Now
+he did not say a word, but leaned against the fence with his hands in
+his pockets and kicked the ground with his toe.
+
+Lewis Little joined the group. Lewis was a mild sort of chap generally,
+but when asked how he felt, he said he’d like to punch the stuffing out
+of somebody.
+
+Halliday, Griswold and Puss Parker came up in a bunch.
+
+“I tell you it is a practical joke!” Parker was saying. “Somebody has
+put up this job. I won’t believe Merriwell is going to leave college.”
+
+“He’s forced to leave,” said Halliday. “I saw the letter from his
+guardian in which Scotch confesses that he has squandered every dollar
+of Merry’s fortune.”
+
+“How did the old fool do it?”
+
+“In some kind of a wild-cat mining scheme. That is, the most of it was
+sunk in that, although old Scotch confesses that he tried to retrieve
+by plunging in stocks.”
+
+“Well, I’m sorry for Merriwell,” sighed Griswold.
+
+“Really, my deah boys, I don’t know that I am sorry, don’t yer ’now,”
+broke in a voice, and Willis Paulding, a pronounced Anglomaniac, joined
+the group.
+
+“Oh, you’re not?” snarled Lewis Little, who had the reputation of never
+speaking an angry word or doing an angry act.
+
+“No, really, I am not,” said Paulding. “Mr. Merriwell flew altogether
+too high, don’t yer ’now. This will take him down considerable.”
+
+“And this will take you down a trifle!” grated Little, as he struck
+Paulding with all his strength, knocking him down instantly.
+
+The others immediately closed about the two, and Willis was quickly
+lifted to his feet, where he stood trembling and pressing a snowy
+handkerchief to the bruise between his eyes.
+
+“Sir,” he said, his voice trembling, “you are no gentleman! By Jawve! I
+think I shall report that you assaulted me on the campus!”
+
+“Report and be--hanged!” retorted Little, contemptuously. “But take my
+advice and close up about Frank Merriwell, or you will get your face
+broken. No man can say anything against him in my presence!”
+
+Paulding was the only man rash enough to make a public statement of
+satisfaction over the misfortune that had befallen Merriwell, and even
+he did not repeat it. If there were any others who really rejoiced at
+Frank’s bad luck, they kept still.
+
+Merry decided to leave as soon as possible, and he set about packing up
+his goods without delay. In this work he was assisted by such friends
+as Rattleton, Diamond and Hodge. Browning started to help, but he
+stumbled like one dazed, and was so much in the way that he was asked
+to sit down and keep still, which he did, looking thoroughly ill for
+once in his life.
+
+The door was locked to keep out the friendly throng that kept coming
+up to express regret. It was opened for one person, who knocked on the
+door and called out till Frank recognized his voice. Prof. Such came
+stumbling into the room and nearly fell over one of the chests.
+
+“Er--er--Mr. Merriwell,” said the near-sighted little professor,
+looking from one to the other till he found Frank, “is it--can it be
+true?”
+
+“Yes, Prof. Such,” said Frank, “I must leave at once. You see we are
+packing my stuff!”
+
+“Oh, dear!” said the little man, his voice trembling. “I am very sorry!
+I shall miss you, Mr. Merriwell--we’ll all miss you. Perhaps you will
+not mind if I speak frankly now. I have thought a great deal of you,
+sir. I have seen in you one of the brightest young men it has ever
+been my fortune to deal with here. You were very promising. Never
+before have I known a young man who was able to do the many things
+you accomplished and still rank so remarkably well in his classes. I
+believe you are phenomenal in that line. And now you are going to leave
+us! What will you do?”
+
+“That is something I cannot tell, professor. If my guardian has told
+the whole truth, I shall go to work to earn my living, and make my way
+in the world.”
+
+“And you will succeed--I am sure you will, Mr. Merriwell!” declared the
+little man. “You are built of the right stuff. You have succeeded in
+everything to which you have turned your hand since coming to college,
+and you will succeed in the battle of life. If your fortune is really
+lost, you are now at the foot of the ladder. By your own efforts you
+will mount upward a step at a time till the top is reached. If you
+should slip, don’t give up the struggle, but cling and fight your way
+upward.”
+
+“Prof. Such,” said Frank, “your illustration is a good one, and I shall
+not forget your kindly advice. Hereafter I shall think of myself as
+climbing upward on the ladder of life. I thank you, sir.”
+
+“No thanks, young man. Your hand.”
+
+Their hands met, and there was a strange quiver on the professor’s face
+as he tried to look up at Frank.
+
+“Excuse me,” he said; “excuse me, but my eyes--my spectacles are
+blurred. I’ll have to wipe them. I can’t see you very well, and I want
+to take a good look at you before you go.”
+
+He wiped his spectacles and adjusted them, after which he stared at
+Merry several seconds. Then he nodded his head, saying:
+
+“It’s all right. You have the right kind of chin, and your face shows
+determination. There is a cast of firmness about your mouth. You will
+not be easily daunted. I think you will reach the top of the ladder,
+Mr. Merriwell. I wish you good fortune in every undertaking. Good-by,
+my boy--good-by!”
+
+Then the little professor turned, as if fearful of remaining longer or
+saying any more, and hurried from the room.
+
+Every one of the boys were profoundly affected by this scene. Frank the
+most of them all.
+
+Later Merriwell appeared on the campus, and the students gathered about
+him by hundreds at the fence, all eager to shake his hand and wish
+him good luck. Never before had there been an impromptu demonstration
+of this character that could compare with this. Some of the manly
+young fellows actually wept, although they tried to hide it, and Frank
+himself dashed moisture from his eyes more than once, while his voice
+failed him many times.
+
+Lib Benson, a big, broad-shouldered freshman, who had been the leader
+of Merry’s freshmen foes, forced his way to a spot where he could grasp
+Frank’s hand.
+
+“Merriwell,” he said, huskily, “I hope you aren’t ashamed to shake
+hands with me. I know I’ve been a mean cuss--I know it! I’ve tried to
+hurt you when I had no reason for doing so, and you’ve always used me
+white. I hope you won’t hold a grudge against me, Merriwell. I want
+to say right here, before everybody, that I’ve always been in the
+wrong, and you’ve always been right. You’re the whitest man I ever saw!
+Good-by, Merriwell! Good luck go with----”
+
+Then Lib Benson choked, broke down completely, and made a rush to get
+away, tears dropping from his eyes as he held his head down with shame.
+
+There were other scenes like this.
+
+Frank bade the professors good-by.
+
+That afternoon he was escorted to the train by five hundred students,
+who marched in silence and looked as solemn as if they were going to a
+funeral.
+
+It was over at last. Dear old Yale was left behind--forever!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+ON THE WAY HOME.
+
+
+It was a sad homeward journey for Frank Merriwell. After his trip
+into Maine he had not found time to visit his home before returning
+to college. In fact, he had seen very little of Bloomfield in recent
+years. It had not been the home of his mother, but of his uncle. His
+mother, however, was buried in the quiet little country cemetery at
+Bloomfield, and he kept thinking of her as he drew nearer home and
+wondering if her grave had always been cared for as he had directed.
+Whenever he had visited it he had found it perfectly kept.
+
+Not many persons in Bloomfield were well acquainted with Frank. They
+had known his crusty old uncle, who had few friends, and it was but
+natural for them to fancy that the nephew must be somewhat like the
+uncle, therefore they had not desired his acquaintance. Frank was glad
+of this, as he approached the place he had called home, for he thought
+there would not be so many persons to express condolence and ask
+questions.
+
+He sat alone in the car as the train flew through the twilight and
+night came down over the brown world. It was a beautiful world. He
+realized that as he gazed sadly out of the window, but now he, who a
+short time before had been surrounded by so many friends, felt like an
+outcast and a wanderer on the face of the earth.
+
+In his bosom was a swelling homesickness for dear old Yale and the
+friends he had left. He had been torn in one moment almost from those
+friends and the associations that had become so dear to him. Just when
+life was looking the fairest the blow had fallen.
+
+Some hearts might have been numbed, some spirits might have been
+broken; not so with Frank Merriwell. For one moment the thought that
+life really was not worth living forced itself in upon him, and then he
+banished it in haste and shame.
+
+He looked up at the sky as the train sped along. High up the clouds had
+a dull, leaden hue, and were somber and gloomy. Lower down they grew
+lighter and tinged with color, till they lay bright and golden on the
+western horizon. It seemed to Frank that the black clouds overshadowing
+him now must give way to golden ones in the future.
+
+It is the stout heart that looks forward to a bright future that finds
+real happiness in life.
+
+Merry realized that the time had come when he must fight his own way
+in the world. It had come suddenly and unexpectedly, and had not found
+him fully prepared for the emergency, but, nevertheless, he faced it
+without flinching.
+
+Now he remembered how for some time he had been troubled by a
+foreboding of impending calamity. It had made him moody and so much
+unlike his usual gay self that his friends had wondered.
+
+When they had started to plan what they would do on the return of
+another summer vacation, he had stopped them, saying the circle might
+be broken before that time.
+
+He had been determined to study hard and fit himself for graduation on
+his return to college, and not even the influence of his many friends
+could have changed that determination had he remained in Yale to the
+end of the course.
+
+Night shut down as the train sped on. The lamps within the cars were
+lighted, but Frank sat with his face pressed against the window,
+looking out toward the west where a faint streak of golden light
+lingered in the sky.
+
+He was thinking of Prof. Scotch now. The professor’s letter had
+indicated that the unfortunate man was nearly distracted, and Merriwell
+dreaded the meeting between them. There was no bitterness in his heart
+and no thought of making his speculating guardian suffer for the
+criminal mismanagement of his fortune.
+
+Frank knew that Prof. Scotch had not been adapted for the position of
+responsibility and trust imposed upon him by Asher Merriwell. During
+active life Frank’s uncle had been regarded as unusually shrewd in all
+his moves, but old age had brought failing abilities, and, happening to
+take a strong fancy to Merry’s professor at Fardale Academy, where he
+had studied, he appointed him Frank’s guardian.
+
+The professor had found it necessary to give much of his attention
+to the management of Frank’s property. At first he had been cautious
+enough, but in Bloomfield was a man, Darius Conrad, who was interested
+in Western mining property, and Scotch became very friendly with this
+Conrad.
+
+Darius Conrad was a rascal, but he had made money and escaped prison,
+so he was regarded in Bloomfield as a smart business man. He was away
+a great deal, and, when he became concerned in the Golden Peaks Mining
+and Smelting Company, it was said that he was destined to become one of
+the richest men in the country.
+
+Conrad did not find it difficult to convince Horace Scotch that there
+was a mint of money awaiting every man who bought stock at an early
+date in the concern. He said, as he was on the inside, he could let a
+friend in “on the ground floor,” with a sure chance of doubling every
+dollar invested in six months’ time.
+
+At first Scotch hesitated. He thought of writing to Frank all about
+it, but he mentioned it to Conrad, who very quickly showed him that it
+would be folly, as Merriwell really knew nothing of the true standing
+of the company, and was not competent to judge as to the value of such
+an investment. But it was certain that any young man would be very
+grateful toward a guardian who had good sense and good luck enough to
+double his fortune at one bold stroke.
+
+So Scotch was ensnared. Within six months the Golden Peaks Mining
+and Smelting Company went into the air. Then it was hinted that the
+whole scheme had been a fraud, there was talk of investigations and
+prosecutions, and nothing at all was done.
+
+Driven desperate by his misfortune, and not daring to let Frank know
+the truth, Prof. Scotch sought to retrieve by plunging in cotton, but
+the market turned the wrong way, and he saw the last of Frank’s fortune
+swept away.
+
+Then came the moment when the distracted professor stood before a
+mirror with a loaded revolver in his hand and selected the spot against
+which he would place the muzzle when he pressed the trigger.
+
+As he lifted the weapon he remembered that he had not written to Frank.
+He sat down and wrote the letter that told Merry everything. The letter
+was given to Toots to mail, and then the professor locked himself in
+with the loaded revolver.
+
+He walked the floor till he chanced to look in the glass once more and
+beheld his own reflection. Then he shook his head, saying:
+
+“That is not Horace Scotch! It is a stranger to me. What a terrible
+thing it would have been if I had shot a stranger!”
+
+He felt relieved to think he had escaped committing murder. He laughed
+softly, and then sat down on a rocking chair. As he rocked he hummed a
+light song to himself.
+
+And thus he waited Frank’s appearance.
+
+That night Toots assisted him to undress and get into bed.
+
+“Yo’ mus’ be sick, p’ofessah,” said the colored boy, anxiously.
+
+“You are mistaken,” said Scotch, wearily; “I am not the professor. I am
+an entire stranger. The professor is gone.”
+
+Then he closed his eyes and seemed to fall asleep almost immediately.
+
+Toots shook his head and retired from the room.
+
+Frank did not receive the letter till the following day, and then, as
+soon as possible, he started for Bloomfield.
+
+It was ten in the evening when the train drew up at Bloomfield Station,
+and Frank stepped off, grip in hand.
+
+There were few persons at the station. Some of them stared at him with
+curiosity.
+
+Bloomfield was a sleepy town in the daytime, and now nearly all the
+houses lay in darkness.
+
+Frank walked down the platform.
+
+“To the hotel, sir?” asked a boy. “Let me carry your grip.”
+
+Frank turned to look at the youngster and ran plump into another person.
+
+“Confound you!” snapped the individual Merry had encountered. “Haven’t
+you any eyes?”
+
+“I beg your pardon,” said Frank. “I was not look----”
+
+He stopped short. A gleam of light from the station showed him the face
+of the person to whom he was speaking.
+
+“Dyke Conrad!” muttered Merry.
+
+“Yes,” said the young man; “but I don’t know you, unless you are--you
+are---- Why, you are Frank Merriwell!”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+They stood there looking at each other, the youth who had been ruined,
+and the son of the man who had ruined him.
+
+Dyke had always disliked Merry, and now he grinned.
+
+“Well, I don’t know why you have come here to Bloomfield,” he said.
+“There’s nothing here for you, and you might just as well stay away. In
+the future you won’t fly quite so high as you have in the past.”
+
+With a sudden mad impulse, Frank half lifted his clinched fist, but he
+quickly let it fall by his side, turned out, passed the fellow who had
+taunted him, and walked on into the darkness.
+
+Self-control had always been a strong feature in Frank’s make-up, and
+now he needed it more than ever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE REWARD OF WRONGDOING.
+
+
+Frank walked slowly through the village and along the road that led
+toward what had been his home. As he approached he dreaded the meeting
+with the professor, and he let his steps become slower and slower.
+
+The main part of the village soon lay behind. He took off his hat and
+carried it in his hand, letting the evening breeze cool his brow. There
+was a scent of fallen apples from the orchard he was passing. A bit of
+silvery sheen was showing in the east, telling that the moon would soon
+be up. Away in the distance a watchdog was barking, but that was the
+only sound to disturb the perfect peace of the tranquil night.
+
+At last, through the trees, Frank saw a gleam of light that he knew
+came from a window of the old mansion that had become his on the death
+of his uncle. He wondered if the professor was sitting there by that
+light waiting for him to appear.
+
+As he turned in upon the gravel walk somebody stepped out from beneath
+a low tree and spoke:
+
+“Who am dat?”
+
+“Toots,” said Frank, “is it you?”
+
+“Bress de Lawd!” cried the colored boy. “It am Mistah Frank him
+ownself! Oh, sah, I’s po’erful glad yo’ has come!”
+
+Then he embraced Frank.
+
+Frank knew that whatever might happen the colored boy would remain
+faithful and true, and he appreciated Toots’ affection.
+
+“How are things, Toots?”
+
+“All done gone wrong--done gone wrong!” was the answer. “I dunno w’at’s
+de mattah, sah, but I knows suffin’ hab happened.”
+
+“Why were you out here under this tree?”
+
+“Watchin’ fo’ yo’, sah. De p’ofessah sent a lettah to yo’, an’ I
+s’pected yo’ was comin’.”
+
+“He did not say I was coming?”
+
+“No, sah. He’s been powerful strange, sah.”
+
+“Strange? How?”
+
+“He act queer, sah; an’ now he hab tooken his bed.”
+
+“Taken his bed? Is he ill?”
+
+“Think so, sah; but he won’t let me sen’ fo’ a doctah. Said he’d
+shoot de fus’ doctah showed his haid roun’ yeah, sah, an’ he keeps de
+revolvah undah his pillow.”
+
+Frank whistled.
+
+“I should say I have not arrived any too soon,” he muttered. “Can’t
+tell what the professor might take a fancy to do if he is acting that
+way.”
+
+“I hab been berry scat ob him, sah!”
+
+“I don’t wonder at that. Let me into the house without arousing
+anybody.”
+
+“Dar am nobody to ’rouse ’cept de p’fessah an’ de cook. Yo’ can go
+right in, sah. Come on, sah.”
+
+So Toots admitted Merry to the house, having taken the grip from him.
+Frank decided to go directly to the room of the professor, and mounted
+the stairs at once. The door of the chamber occupied by the professor
+was standing slightly ajar, and a light was burning within.
+
+Frank pushed open the door and entered, stepping so lightly that he was
+not heard by the man.
+
+The professor was in bed. He looked pale and careworn, and there were
+great hollows in his cheeks. He was not asleep, but lay gazing steadily
+up at the ceiling, his hands, which rested on the white spread,
+clasping and unclasping nervously.
+
+There was no bitterness nor resentment in Frank’s heart, only pity as
+he stood there looking at the unfortunate man, for he could see that
+his guardian had been terribly shaken by all he had passed through. The
+lips of the man moved at times, but he spoke no words that Frank could
+hear.
+
+After a little, the professor slowly turned his head, and his eyes
+rested on Frank. He did not start or show surprise.
+
+Now Merry advanced quickly, saying:
+
+“Professor, I have come! You are ill?”
+
+“Yes,” said the man, in a weak voice; “I see you have come, but you are
+too late.”
+
+“Too late? Oh, no, professor. I came as soon as possible after
+receiving your letter. I am so sorry to see this misfortune has
+completely upset you.”
+
+“You are making a mistake.”
+
+“I? A mistake? How?”
+
+“You should not call me professor.”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“The professor, Horace Scotch, is a rascal. Don’t interrupt me. I
+have thought it all out lying here. That man is a rascal. He should be
+properly punished. Any man that uses in speculation money held in trust
+by him is a rascal. It is a criminal act. Horace Scotch must receive
+his just deserts.”
+
+“My dear professor----”
+
+The man made a weak motion with one thin hand.
+
+“That is where you make the mistake. I am not the professor. He is
+gone.”
+
+“Gone?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“What do you mean?”
+
+“Vanished.”
+
+“No, professor----”
+
+“He is a coward, or he would not have run away!” faintly but savagely
+cried the man on the bed. “I did not know he had gone till I looked in
+the mirror. Till that moment I was thinking myself the professor, but
+when I looked in the mirror I saw I was quite another man. How he did
+it--how he slipped away and left me in his place I cannot tell. But
+here I am, and he is gone. He must be overtaken! He must be captured!
+He must be punished! You will do it?”
+
+“No! no! I hold no bitterness, for I am sure he did not mean to
+squander my fortune. Oh, professor, you need have no fear that I will
+seek to punish you!”
+
+“I--fear? Ha! I see it now! Somehow he left me in his place, and I
+am the one who is to suffer. Ha! ha! ha! Crafty rascal. Well, I know
+something was holding me here--I knew there was a spell upon me, for my
+strength was gone. He put a spell upon me that I might not get away,
+did he? Ha! ha! ha! Crafty rascal!”
+
+Frank looked into the eyes of the man. They were bright and burning,
+as if they reflected the fires that were consuming his soul. It was
+not stimulation, Frank felt certain of that. The professor’s mind was
+shaken--his reason was tottering on its throne.
+
+Instantly Frank decided to humor him and try to soothe his mind.
+
+“Let the rascal go,” he said, softly. “No one shall be punished.
+Perhaps it is better for me that he should lose my small fortune than
+that he should have doubled it. If he had succeeded in making me very
+rich, I might have become a worthless fellow in the world, content to
+live on what I possessed. Now I shall have to become a worker, and only
+workers are worthy to live.”
+
+The professor clasped his fingers very tightly together and stared at
+the ceiling for some seconds.
+
+“You are right about that,” he said, at last; “but that does not make
+him any less a criminal. Why do you suppose that pain darts through my
+head when I try to think? It goes through my eyes and up into the top
+of my head like a knife.”
+
+“You should not think. What you need is rest--is sleep.”
+
+“I cannot sleep. I have tried. No matter. He left me here to suffer in
+his place. Perhaps it is right that I should not sleep.”
+
+“No; it is wrong. Wait. I must wash off the dust. I will return in a
+short time.”
+
+Then Frank went out, found Toots and sent him in haste for the village
+doctor.
+
+The doctor came and made an examination. He talked with Scotch, asking
+him many questions. The professor was rambling in his talk. The doctor
+left some medicine and called Frank from the room.
+
+“His condition is very serious,” said the physician, sagely. “He
+is threatened by a complete loss of his mental faculties. He must
+have perfect rest, and light, nourishing food. Give him the medicine
+according to the directions I have written, and I will call early in
+the morning. Good-night.”
+
+Then he departed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE MAN WHO WORKED THE WIRES.
+
+
+All through the weary night Frank watched at the bedside of the
+professor, scarcely closing his eyes to sleep for a moment. When the
+gray light of morning came the sick man lay in a doze, for the medicine
+had taken effect at last.
+
+Then Frank was relieved by Toots, and he sought rest.
+
+The doctor sent an experienced nurse, who arrived by nine o’clock that
+forenoon. The doctor himself came shortly after, and Frank, who had
+been unable to sleep long, had a talk with him after he had seen the
+professor.
+
+The doctor was very grave.
+
+“The strain upon the man has been severe,” he said. “He may come round
+all right in a day or two. I hope to avert brain fever.”
+
+“Do everything you can for him, doctor,” Merry urged. “You shall be
+well paid, for there must be still something left to pay bills with.”
+
+The physician looked at Frank in a strange manner.
+
+“This man has squandered your fortune?”
+
+“No; he simply misapplied it.”
+
+“And you hold no hard feelings against him?”
+
+“No; I am sure he thought he was doing what was for the best. I pity
+him.”
+
+“You are a strange young man.”
+
+“Why so?”
+
+“Few persons in your place would care to see him live, unless it were
+to punish him.”
+
+“What good would it do me to punish him? That would not bring my
+money back, and it would give me no satisfaction. I think he is being
+punished now.”
+
+“You are generous.”
+
+“I fail to see the generosity. A person who could wish to harm that
+poor, old man would be cruel.”
+
+“They say Darius Conrad led him into the first speculations. Have you
+no feelings against him?”
+
+“Yes! He is the one who should be punished; but he is rich and
+powerful, and I am poor now. How can I reach him? His money would save
+him, as it has saved him from his other victims; but he will not
+always triumph. The mills of the gods grind slowly, but his turn will
+come!”
+
+Frank’s eyes were flashing now, and his face showed the fire that was
+burning deep within his soul. Looking at him, the doctor suddenly awoke
+to the fact that there was something besides forgiveness in his nature.
+Frank would not forget the real cause of his ruin.
+
+“Be careful, young man,” he warned. “If you seek revenge on him, you
+will find he is powerful, and he will crush you.”
+
+Frank smiled grimly.
+
+“I shall wait my time,” he said. “It will come, something tells me
+that. It may not be for years, but it will come.”
+
+“What do you intend to do now that your fortune is gone?”
+
+“Work.”
+
+“At what?”
+
+“I do not know yet. At something--anything.”
+
+“But you are not accustomed to work; you were not brought up to work.”
+
+“The time has come for me to get accustomed to it. I have played, and
+now I will work.”
+
+“Don’t you dread it?”
+
+“Dread it? No! I welcome it! When I leave Bloomfield it will be to go
+out into the world and seek honest work of some kind.”
+
+“But you do not expect to become a common day laborer?”
+
+“I expect to become what I must. It is an old saying that beggars must
+not be choosers.”
+
+“But think of the disgrace of it!”
+
+Frank drew himself up with dignity.
+
+“The disgrace, doctor? There is no disgrace in honest toil. I shall not
+fear it.”
+
+“Your hand, young man!” cried the physician. “You will get on in the
+world, I am sure of that. You have the right spirit, and you will make
+a success in life.”
+
+“Thank you, sir; I hope you are right. I shall do my best.”
+
+“And that will be good enough. I wish you the best of luck, which you
+will deserve.”
+
+And the physician left the house thinking that the calamity that had
+befallen Frank Merriwell was not nearly as severe as he had at first
+imagined.
+
+Frank ate a good breakfast, served by Toots, and then he went up and
+saw the professor. Scotch awoke, but turned his face away, with a weary
+sigh, and did not look at Frank again.
+
+There was business ahead of Merry, for it was necessary to learn just
+how his affairs stood. He obtained the keys to the professor’s desk,
+and to the little safe, and spent the forenoon in rummaging among
+private papers and examining documents, but he could find very little
+to satisfy him.
+
+After dinner he visited the lawyer who had done much of the business
+for the estate. Two hours spent with the lawyer convinced Frank that
+he would be fortunate to find a dollar that he could call his own when
+everything was settled. Indeed, it looked as if he would be forced to
+sell the old place in order to square all claims against him.
+
+The lawyer attempted to condole with him, but Frank cut him short with
+the declaration that, although he appreciated the motive, he was not in
+need of sympathy. He left the office with a firm step, his head erect,
+his manner betraying no despondency.
+
+And just outside the door he met Darius Conrad.
+
+“Ah, Mr. Merriwell,” said the rascal, with an oily smile that was
+followed immediately by a look of pretended sorrow; “this is a most
+unfortunate affair. I assure you that you have my heartfelt sympathy in
+your misfortune.”
+
+Frank stopped and surveyed the man from his head to his feet, and the
+look on his face was crushing. Darius Conrad seemed to wither before
+it, and he rubbed his hands together in a nervous manner.
+
+“Mr. Conrad,” said Merry, very slowly, “it is unnecessary for you to
+play the hypocrite with me.”
+
+“Eh? What do you mean, sir?”
+
+“Just what I say. I know you for just what you are, and that is an
+unprincipled scoundrel!”
+
+“Be careful! be careful!” blustered the man, growing red in the face
+and making a threatening gesture. “I will not endure such insolence
+from you!”
+
+“I am glad of this opportunity to tell you just what I think of you,”
+said Frank, grimly. “If I had not met you here by accident, I should
+have sought you. You lured my guardian into your robber scheme, and you
+fleeced him easily, as you have many other men; but the time will come
+when you will overstep the bounds, and the hand of the law will reach
+you.”
+
+“You have no right to make such statements! Horace Scotch was eager to
+invest money in the Golden Peaks Mining and Smelting Company. I did not
+lure him into doing so, and I will not be accused of it. He did ask my
+advice, and I gave it. I believed the concern solid and all right. I
+was mistaken, that is all.”
+
+“It is known that the whole business was a fake, and you were one of
+the chief movers in it. The greater portion of the money you obtained
+through Horace Scotch went into your own pocket. It is not the first
+time you have been implicated in fraudulent concerns. Once you were
+a poor man; now you are rich. You have made your money by fraud and
+crime!”
+
+“I will have you arrested for using such language. It is criminal
+libel!”
+
+“You are at liberty to have me arrested, but you will not dare, for you
+know I might be able to put you in a very bad box. I do not fear you.”
+
+“It is scandalous--scandalous! Why, I really sympathized with you. I
+thought you would appreciate it.”
+
+“Sympathy from you? Now, I shall despise you even more than I did
+before!”
+
+Dyke Conrad came up hastily at this moment.
+
+“What is he saying to you, governor?” he asked, glaring at Frank. “Is
+he using insulting language? If he is, I will slap his face!”
+
+Frank smiled.
+
+“I wish you would do that,” he said, almost entreatingly. “I’d very
+much enjoy the privilege of knocking you down.”
+
+Dyke hesitated. Something told him it would be very rash for him to
+attempt to slap Frank, so he said:
+
+“Come away, governor. Don’t talk to the low fellow!”
+
+And he led his father away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE SETTING OF THE SUN.
+
+
+Toward evening Frank walked out to the village cemetery that lay on
+the hillside. The sun was letting fall its slanting rays on the marble
+shafts and white tombstones. Below the hill was a small, pretty lake.
+
+Hat in hand, Frank Merriwell stood beside his mother’s grave, which was
+marked by a beautiful slender marble shaft, at the apex of which was a
+pure white dove.
+
+The grave was well kept, as Frank had instructed that it should be. All
+the grass had been neatly trimmed by a lawn-mower, and the flowers of
+early autumn were growing there.
+
+A long, long time the young man stood with his head bowed by the grave.
+His thoughts were of the tenderest and saddest nature. Once again he,
+a little boy, was standing beside the chair of his dear, sweet-faced
+mother, and he seemed to feel her arm about him, while he laid his head
+against her shoulder. How plainly he saw her as she looked fondly
+into his eyes and told him one of the many stories that he begged
+her to tell over and over, day after day. Not one of these stories
+but had a moral and taught a lesson, and yet they were so skillfully
+constructed and so beautifully told that they were his delight. He
+realized that with the aid of these little stories she had helped shape
+his future character, for they had taught him patience, perseverance,
+truthfulness, honesty, kindness and forgiveness.
+
+He thought it all over now as he stood there in the last rays of the
+setting sun, and his heart swelled with gratitude and love for that
+mother of whom he had been so proud and who had been so proud of him.
+He knew that her whole life had been pure and tender and patient, and
+her memory was an inspiration.
+
+The tears dimmed his eyes and ran down his cheeks, but on his face was
+a look of mingled sadness and happiness. Oh, it was good to have such a
+mother to remember.
+
+Down by the grave he knelt, and he prayed to his mother in heaven. He
+felt that she was looking down on him and blessing him. He knew her
+spirit would hover near him and guide him. She had been an angel on
+earth, and it did not seem that she could be any purer now that she was
+an angel in heaven.
+
+At last he rose. There had been a pain in his heart, but it was gone;
+there had been a sadness in his soul, but it was gone. He felt calm and
+at peace with all the world. From the grave he plucked a few sprigs,
+and with them in his hand he turned away.
+
+The sun had set, and purple twilight lay in the valleys. Far across
+the meadows cows were lowing, while the boy, driving them homeward,
+whistled a merry strain. It seemed that there was nothing but peace and
+tranquillity in all the world.
+
+Along the road came a horseman at a canter. Frank paid little notice to
+him till he was near, and then, happening to look at the person, he saw
+it was Dyke Conrad.
+
+The fellow recognized Frank at the same moment. There was no sidewalk
+at this point, and Merry was walking along the road. With a muttered
+exclamation, Dyke cut the horse with his whip, and the spirited animal
+leaped straight at Frank.
+
+It was an attempt to run Merry down, and Frank did not leap out of the
+way. Instead, with a swift movement and a grasp of iron, he caught the
+animal by the bit and set it on its haunches, with a single wrench,
+causing it to snort with terror and bringing Dyke tumbling into the
+dust.
+
+Conrad sprang up, snarling forth angry words.
+
+“What do you mean, you dog!” he almost shouted. “Why, I’ll--I’ll----”
+
+“Be good enough to mount your horse and go on your way,” came quietly
+from Frank. “I do not wish to lift my hand in anger against you--now.”
+
+“But you caught my horse by the bit and made me lose my seat.”
+
+“I was forced to do it to protect myself when you tried to run me
+down.”
+
+“You might have got out of the way!”
+
+“There was little time for that. Come, do as I asked. I do not wish a
+quarrel with you now.”
+
+Dyke took this as a symptom of fear.
+
+“Oh, no, you don’t want a quarrel! I know that! But I think I’ll cut
+you across the face a few times with my whip, just so you will remember
+me.”
+
+“Stop! Don’t force me to give you a drubbing now, for I have just come
+from my mother’s grave, and--I----”
+
+“If your mother was like you----” The fellow got no further.
+
+Releasing the horse, Frank sprang like a tiger upon him, caught him by
+the collar till Dyke choked and grew purple, then swiftly said:
+
+“Take it back! You may insult me, but your lips shall not breathe a
+word about my mother! Take it back--quick!”
+
+There was a look in Merry’s eyes that frightened Dyke as he had never
+been frightened before. Before he realized it, he was cowering and
+whimpering:
+
+“I didn’t mean to say anything against your mother--honest, I didn’t.
+I spoke before I thought. Of course I wouldn’t say anything against
+anybody that is dead! Don’t! You choke!”
+
+“You are not worth thrashing!” said Frank, in contempt. “But have a
+care! It is well you found me in my present mood, or I would not have
+let you off so easy. Go!”
+
+He released the fellow and walked away, not once turning his head to
+see what Conrad was doing.
+
+When Frank reached the house he found the place in confusion. The nurse
+had been driven from the professor’s room by the raving man, and she
+said he had a revolver, with which he said he was hunting for Horace
+Scotch, whom he would shoot on sight.
+
+“He is crazy!” declared the excited woman. “He must be taken care of,
+or he will murder somebody.”
+
+Frank unhesitatingly went up to the room, opened the door and entered.
+The professor was standing before a long mirror in his nightdress, with
+the revolver in his hand, talking wildly to himself.
+
+“Ha! ha! ha!” he laughed, shrilly. “So I have found you at last! You
+thought you could get away, you robber! Ha! ha! ha! There is no escape
+for such as you! You robbed the boy who trusted you! You deserve to
+die, and now you shall!”
+
+Then he lifted the revolver and fired straight into the center of the
+mirror.
+
+Frank reached him with a rush and grappled with him, attempting to hold
+him still and wrest the revolver from his grasp. But the professor
+developed the strength of a maniac for a time, and a terrible struggle
+ensued, in which the revolver was twice discharged, although neither of
+the bullets did any harm.
+
+At last Frank secured the revolver, but even then the maniac fought on,
+screaming:
+
+“He deserves death! He shall not escape! Let me go! I will kill him! I
+will kill him!”
+
+“Be quiet, professor!” commanded Frank, as he finally forced the man
+down upon a chair and held him there. “Be still, I tell you! You know
+me. I am Frank.”
+
+“Then why didn’t you let me kill him?” panted the man, giving up at
+last. “You are the one he robbed. He should die, as he deserves! He was
+a coward! Once he stood up to shoot himself with that very pistol, but
+his nerve failed him, and he ran away, leaving me here in his place.
+I have been watching for him to come back. Ha! ha! ha! Oh, he can’t
+escape!”
+
+Frank talked soothingly to the man, and finally got him back into the
+bed. The professor was deathly white, and his eyes fairly burned. His
+hands were hot and cold by turns.
+
+Frank sat by the bedside till the doctor came and gave the sick man
+something that put him to sleep.
+
+When the physician heard Frank’s story, he shook his head, saying:
+
+“I am afraid he is done for. There is every indication that his reason
+is shattered. If he has another violent spell, you will be forced to
+have him taken to a place where he can be properly cared for.”
+
+“As long as there is a ray of hope, doctor, he shall remain here, and I
+will care for him myself.”
+
+That night Frank slept in a room near at hand, with the door standing
+open, so that he could hear the nurse if she called. At intervals he
+awoke and listened. Midnight passed, morning approached. Frank was
+sleeping in the gray light of dawn when the nurse awoke him and said:
+
+“He is awake now and a great change has come over him. He is asking for
+you.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+PHANTOM FINGERS.
+
+
+Frank rose immediately, a feeling of sickening dread stabbing him to
+the heart.
+
+When he entered the professor’s chamber, the sick man lay with his face
+turned toward the door. Near the bed a lamp burned faintly, although
+the pale light of morning sifted in at the windows.
+
+“Professor, you are better!”
+
+Frank uttered the exclamation gently, hurrying to the bedside and
+clasping the thin hands that lay on the white spread.
+
+“Do you think so?” asked the man, with a voice that seemed to come from
+a great distance.
+
+“Yes, yes! You will soon be well now!”
+
+“But you--you cannot wish to see me get well? You would not wish, even
+though I have been false to my trust and ruined you, that I should
+recover and spend the rest of my days in prison? I am an old, old man.
+At best there could not be many years left for me. They would be made
+shorter within prison walls.”
+
+“Don’t, professor--don’t talk about prisons!”
+
+“Ah! but I am a criminal! Were I to get well, it would be your duty to
+send me to prison.”
+
+“Then, for once in my life, at least, I would shirk my duty!” cried
+Frank.
+
+The thin, cold fingers tightened over the warm ones of the youth, and a
+light of happiness and admiration showed in the failing eyes.
+
+“You are noble-hearted!” murmured the sick man. “Oh, heavens! how much
+would I give could I undo the wrong I have done you!”
+
+“There, there, professor! Think no more of that. Perhaps you have done
+me the greatest good that could happen to me, for I shall be compelled
+to make my own way in the world, and I might have been a sluggard.”
+
+“No, not that! I am sure there is nothing of the sluggard in your
+nature. A young man like you, with a small fortune to start on, has
+great opportunities in life. I robbed you of those opportunities when I
+lost your fortune.”
+
+“I will make other opportunities, professor.”
+
+“I believe it, my boy; but still I am guilty. I do not care to get
+well. I am glad the end is near.”
+
+Again that feeling of sickening dread stabbed Frank to the heart.
+
+“You must not talk like that, professor. You are far better than you
+were.”
+
+“I think I must have been deranged. It seems like a bad dream to me.
+But that is past. Put out that light, please. It seems to stifle me.”
+
+The light was extinguished and the nurse carried it from the room,
+leaving the man and youth alone together.
+
+“It is morning,” whispered the sick man; “but how thin and pale the
+light is! I wonder if I shall see the sunlight shining in at that
+window again?”
+
+“Of course you will! You must stop thinking and talking like that. I
+can’t bear it, professor.”
+
+“Oh, you have a kind and noble heart! I have known it always. Frank,
+I could not have loved you more had you been my own son. I was an old
+fool and easily duped. I thought I would make a large fortune for you.
+It was for you alone that I was thinking; not for myself. It seemed a
+safe investment. Ah, but that man could make things look promising! And
+then, when I had lost more than half of your fortune, I had not the
+courage to confess. I was desperate. It seemed that my last hope was
+to plunge again. I went into cotton, and was led on till I reached the
+last ditch. The crash came at last, and everything was swept away.
+
+“My boy, this goes to show how one false step leads to another, and
+to final ruin. Beware of the first step. There is seldom any turning
+back for a person who once goes wrong. Honor is lost with the first
+false move, and then the fine sensibilities become dulled so that
+the descent, slow at first, becomes swift and sure after a time. The
+black secret cannot be kept long. When it becomes known that the first
+downward step has been taken, confidence in you is lost, and those
+who know of your mistake are always expecting you to repeat it. You
+discover this, and their lack of confidence in you causes you to doubt
+yourself. As soon as you doubt yourself, the battle has turned against
+you, and your defeat must follow.”
+
+The professor paused, quite out of breath. After some seconds, he
+hastened to say:
+
+“I know you do not need this sermon, my boy, but something drew it from
+me. You have learned the lesson well, and I am sure there is no cause
+to fear for you. Your mother taught you all these things. I had hoped
+to live to see you prosperous and successful, an honored man among men.
+All those hopes are ended. I am weary now, and I shall soon be at rest.”
+
+The final words came like a sigh, and, looking into the face of the
+sick man, Frank saw the seal of the Destroyer there. Then Merry knew
+that the time had come for a mortal being to face the Great Creator.
+Like the lamplight that faded in the day dawn the human flame was
+growing dimmer in the dawn of Eternity.
+
+A breeze came up and moved the trees outside. Upon a window pane some
+twigs were tapping like the ghostly fingers of death seeking admittance
+to that chamber. The swaying of the branches made shifting blots and
+blurs on the ceiling. They were shadowy hands that beckoned, beckoned,
+beckoned.
+
+“I was lonely in the world,” said the sinking man, after a time; “I was
+lonely till you came into my life. Others did not understand me. They
+said I was erratic and cranky. You seemed to understand me, and there
+was a bond of sympathy between us. Now, at the last, you are the only
+one to be with me. It is well; I ask no more.”
+
+The dim eyes rested lovingly on Frank’s face, and the thin hands still
+clung to those of the youth. Frank tried to speak, but he choked, and
+then, despite his efforts, burst into tears, dropping his face upon the
+bed.
+
+“Don’t!” entreated the professor, placing one hand on Frank’s head. “It
+is not right that you should weep for me, the cause of your misfortune.”
+
+“Please don’t speak of that again!” sobbed Frank. “Do not make it any
+harder for us both! You have been like a father to me, and it does not
+seem that the time has come when we must part!”
+
+“It is better. As I said, I am an old man. I have squandered your
+fortune, and I would be adrift in the world, a wrecked vessel--a
+derelict on the ocean of life.”
+
+“Not that, professor, for I would stand by you.”
+
+“You? Why, you have your own way to make in the world. You must set a
+course for yourself and keep to it. Many a good vessel has been sunk
+by a worthless derelict. It is better that I should go down than,
+worthless and helpless, I should remain afloat.”
+
+Again his voice failed him. Wiping away his tears, Frank saw the shadow
+had deepened on the pale face, and the eyes were dimmer than before.
+
+Tap! tap! tap! It seemed that the knocking at the window was louder and
+more insistent. The dying man heard it.
+
+“What is that?” he whispered, in a tone that filled Frank with awe. “Do
+you hear that rapping?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Let them enter.”
+
+“It is nothing--nothing but the branches that reach the window.”
+
+“No, no! They have come for me, the boatmen who are to take me over the
+dark river. Let them enter!”
+
+The weary eyes closed, and Frank leaned forward, thinking the end had
+come. After some minutes, however, there was a slight heaving of the
+breast, and the eyes opened again, as if by some mighty effort the
+dying man had dragged his soul back from the borders of the unknown.
+
+“Frank,” came the whisper like the wind amid the leaves, “are you
+there?”
+
+“Yes, professor.”
+
+“I had forgotten something. I could not go till you forgave me for the
+injury I have done you.”
+
+“I freely forgive everything.”
+
+A faint smile came to the life-weary face.
+
+“Now I can go.”
+
+Again the wind swept through the trees.
+
+“Do you hear them? They are rapping again! You have not opened the
+window!”
+
+“No.”
+
+“Do so at once! Admit them!”
+
+An arm was lifted and a hand pointed toward the window. Frank crossed
+the room and threw the casement wide. At that moment the morning
+sunlight shone through the trees and reached the window. When Frank
+turned about one bright ray was resting on the peaceful face of the
+dead.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+UNWELCOME VISITORS.
+
+
+It was all over at last. The funeral had been held, and Horace Scotch
+was buried in the little village cemetery.
+
+Frank returned to the old mansion, which seemed so lonely and deserted
+now. From room to room he strayed, and the memories that hung about the
+old place crowded thick upon him.
+
+In one of the rooms was an old melodeon that had not been opened for
+years. He opened it and sat down to it, letting his fingers stray over
+the keys. It was marvelous how well it was in tune, considering the
+fact that it had not been played upon for so long.
+
+Frank played many of the old tunes that he remembered. Toots crept
+up and listened at the door, not making a sound to disturb the young
+master he loved so well.
+
+At last Frank sang, and the song was one that thrills every heart,
+“Home; Sweet Home.”
+
+  “An exile from home splendor dazzles in vain;
+   Oh! give me my lowly thatched cottage again;
+   The birds singing gayly, that come at my call;
+   Give me them, sweet peace of mind, dearer than all.
+     Home, home, sweet, sweet home,
+     Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.
+
+  “Farewell, peaceful cottage! farewell, happy home!
+   Forever I’m doomed a poor exile to roam;
+   This poor aching heart must be laid in the tomb,
+   Ere it cease to regret the endearments of home.
+     Home, home, sweet, sweet home,
+     Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.”
+
+As Frank stopped singing, he was surprised to hear a sobbing sound
+behind him, and he turned to see Toots kneeling in the doorway, his
+face buried in his hands.
+
+“Why, what is the matter with you, Toots?” asked Merry, rising and
+going toward the colored boy.
+
+It was some moments before Toots could answer. Frank lifted him to his
+feet.
+
+“Oh, Mistah Frank,” sobbed the colored lad, “I feel so bad!”
+
+“Everything will come out all right in the end, my boy.”
+
+“Dat song neah broke me all up, sah. Dis ole place hab been mah home so
+long, an’ now--an’ now----”
+
+“And now we must bid it farewell. It is hard, but it is life.”
+
+“I dunno what’s gwan teh become ob me, sah.”
+
+“I will look out for you, Toots. I’ll see that you have a good position
+somewhere. You are faithful and reliable. You love horses, and you
+would make a first-class jockey. Don’t worry. I must go out and hustle
+myself. It needs a stout heart to face the world.”
+
+“Dat’s right, sah, but when I think ob leabin’ dis ole place it clean
+breaks mah heart.”
+
+Frank succeeded in comforting the colored boy after a time. He spoke to
+Toots as gently as if the lad’s skin had been white, and the face of
+the boy showed his love and admiration for his young master.
+
+It was not easy for Frank to throw off the cloud of sadness that bore
+down upon him, but he made an effort to do so. There was work before
+him ere he could leave Bloomfield. All the tangled affairs must be
+straightened, and every account must be settled.
+
+It was some time before Frank could learn just how matters stood, but
+he succeeded at last, and then he found, as he had feared, that the old
+place must be sold. It was necessary, too, to dispose of it immediately.
+
+Thus it came about that soon the whole of Bloomfield knew the Merriwell
+mansion was for sale. Darius Conrad had his eye on the place. Believing
+it must be disposed of at a great sacrifice, he was eager to get
+possession of it, and so, with small loss of time, he set out to look
+the property over.
+
+Toots answered the ring at the door when Darius and his son Dyke
+called. Young Conrad had been eager to accompany his father, thinking
+he would find an opportunity to sneer at Frank and be quite safe with
+his father near.
+
+Toots knew Darius Conrad, and he would have shut the door in the man’s
+face, but Conrad forced his way in, followed by his worthy son.
+
+“I wish to see Frank Merriwell,” said the man.
+
+“Well, sah,” answered the colored boy, frankly, “I don’ believe he
+wants teh see yo’, sah.”
+
+“None of your insolence!” growled Darius, shaking his cane. “This is a
+matter of business.”
+
+“Then I am suah Mistah Frank don’ care teh see yo’. He don’ do business
+in yoah style, sah.”
+
+“Haw!” snorted the man, growing red in the face. “Why, you black
+rascal! I will----”
+
+“Bettah be careful how yo’ call names, sah! It don’ set well fo’ a man
+ob youah class to call anybody a rascal.”
+
+“Shall I thump him, governor?” asked Dyke, aggressively.
+
+“Huah! Jes’ yo’ try hit!” shouted Toots, putting up his hands. “I’d
+jes’ lak teh see yo’ try hit! Why, I’d smash yeh quicker dan a cat
+could wink! Yes, sah--yes, indeed!”
+
+“Don’t get into a quarrel with a nigger, Dyke,” cautioned the father.
+
+“Niggah!” exploded Toots. “I’s a cullad gemman, sah, an’ yeh wants teh
+’dress me wif respec’.”
+
+“Call your master immediately.”
+
+“Tell yeh he don’ want teh see yeh.”
+
+“I have come to look this place over in view of purchasing it. I
+understand it is for sale.”
+
+“Mistah Frank won’t sell hit teh yo’, sah.”
+
+“I am not here to waste my breath with you.”
+
+“There is the doah. I guess yo’ hab beat Mistah Frank enough, an’ he’d
+be silly if he let yo’ beat him some moah.”
+
+“If you do not call him at once, I’ll make you sorry for it! Such
+insolence I never met before!”
+
+“What is the matter down there, Toots?” called the voice of Frank
+Merriwell from the head of the stairs.
+
+“Sah, Mistah Conrad insists on seein’ yo’, sah.”
+
+“Mr. Conrad?”
+
+“Yes, sah.”
+
+“I do not care to see the man.”
+
+“I tole him so, sah.”
+
+“Tell him to go away.”
+
+“I tole him dat, sah.”
+
+“What then?”
+
+“He won’t go, sah. He forced his way into the house, an’ I can’t mek
+him go out.”
+
+There was a sharp exclamation, and Frank came swiftly downstairs in
+dressing gown and slippers. He halted near the foot of the stairs and
+gave the two Conrads a withering look.
+
+“I must say that you have considerable crust to come here and force
+yourselves into this house!” he exclaimed, scornfully.
+
+“Now, don’t talk like that--don’t talk like that, young man!”
+spluttered Darius. “We didn’t come here to be insulted. We came here on
+a matter of business.”
+
+“I do not care to transact any business with you.”
+
+“Dar!” shouted Toots, exultantly. “Didn’t I tole yeh! Dat am jes’ what
+I said!”
+
+“I understand that this place is for sale,” said Conrad, ignoring
+Frank’s words. “If the terms are satisfactory, and if it suits me, I
+will buy it.”
+
+“No, you will not.”
+
+“Eh? what do you mean?”
+
+“I will not sell it to you.”
+
+“I knowed it!” nodded Toots, grinning triumphantly.
+
+“But I am ready to pay spot cash, young man--spot cash. Do you
+understand? I have the money.”
+
+“I know you have it, and I know how you obtained it. No, Darius Conrad,
+not one dollar of money will I accept from you. This place is for sale,
+but you can’t buy it.”
+
+“I guess dat will hole yeh fo’ a while!” muttered Toots.
+
+“Well, I must say you are ridiculous!” stormed Conrad--“perfectly
+ridiculous! If you will be reasonable----”
+
+“There is the door, sir,” said Frank, stepping from the stairs and
+pointing to the door, which Toots held open. “This is still my house.
+Will you leave it? or do you choose to be put out?”
+
+“He’s actually threatening us, governor!” cried Dyke.
+
+“Don’t dare threaten me, young man!” snarled Darius, shaking his cane
+at Frank. “If you do, I’ll give you a good caning, and that is what you
+deserve!”
+
+“Go!”
+
+“I will not be driven out in----”
+
+Frank grasped the man by the collar and marched him out in a hurry,
+despite his endeavors to break away.
+
+“Here! here!” cried Dyke, springing on Frank. “Stop that!”
+
+Merry turned and grappled with the younger rascal. He laughed as he
+swung Dyke off his feet, having grasped him by the collar and the seat
+of the trousers.
+
+Wildly flourishing his cane, Darius Conrad was hurrying in at the door
+just as his son came sailing out, having been hurled by the muscular
+arms of Frank Merriwell.
+
+The young man struck his father fairly amidships, and over they went
+together, rolling down the steps to the ground.
+
+For the first time in a week, Toots doubled up and shouted with
+laughter.
+
+“Good-day, gentlemen,” said Frank, gently, as he closed the door.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+CAPTURED BY WHITECAPS.
+
+
+Fuming with fury, the Conrads walked back into the village.
+
+“I think I will have him arrested!” grated Darius. “Assault and
+battery--that’s the charge! He must be punished for what he has done,
+the young ruffian!”
+
+“That’s right, governor,” whined Dyke, who walked with a limp, and had
+a general shaken-up appearance. “If you don’t give it to him, I will!”
+
+“You? Haw! You are no match for him.”
+
+“Not alone.”
+
+“Nor with me to aid you. Why, the fellow has muscles of steel, and he
+is quick as a cat!”
+
+“You wouldn’t be asked to help.”
+
+“Hum! No? What are you driving at?”
+
+“You remember how Eli Gibbons was used when he refused to leave town a
+while ago?”
+
+“Yes. It was scandalous. He was nearly killed by a gang of masked
+ruffians who carried him off into the woods somewhere, stripped him,
+tied him to a tree and lashed him with withes till he fainted. Several
+papers had articles in them about the outbreak of whitecaps right here
+in our county.”
+
+“Well, I know the fellows who did that job,” grinned Dyke.
+
+“You do?” gasped the father, with a look of great consternation and
+distress. “My son, I am astonished--I am pained! It cannot be that you
+associate with such disreputable characters? I will not believe it!”
+
+“Perhaps, if it became necessary, they could be induced to give Mr.
+Frank Merriwell some of the same medicine. But of course, if you are
+going to have him arrested, it will not be necessary.”
+
+“Haw! No, of course not. On second thought, however, I am not sure that
+the charge against him would stand. He might defeat us. He might show
+that we were the aggressors. That colored boy would swear to anything.”
+
+“In that case----”
+
+“Really, I don’t see that anything can be done.”
+
+“Then the Bloomfield whitecaps will have to take a hand. Oh, he’ll be
+fixed, governor!”
+
+“Hum! Don’t speak to me of such lawless acts. Really, I cannot
+countenance anything of the kind. Of course he should receive some
+punishment. If whitecaps were to take him out and give him such a
+walloping as Gibbons received, it would be my duty as a peaceable,
+law-abiding citizen to frown down upon such acts. However, in case it
+were discovered that you were concerned in it, Dyke, as a parent, I
+should be obliged to protect you. Money would do that, you know. It is
+a most disgraceful state of affairs, I must confess, but money will do
+almost anything in this country.”
+
+“Then we’d better go ahead and do him up, hadn’t we, governor?”
+
+“My son, my son!” cried the old hypocrite, with uplifted hands; “you
+know I always set my face against such acts of unlawfulness. I am a
+good citizen and a church member. However, you are too old for me to
+control now, and I shall not hold myself responsible for your acts. The
+proud in spirit should be humbled in the dust, even though it may be by
+human agency, and Frank Merriwell needs humbling.”
+
+Dyke grinned.
+
+“He’ll get humbling enough,” the young rascal declared. “Wait till
+the gang gets after him. But I’ll need some money to fix it with the
+gang. There are seven of them, and they won’t do a thing less than ten
+dollars each. About a hundred dollars will do the trick.”
+
+“I don’t see where the money is coming from.”
+
+“You’ll have to cough, governor.”
+
+“I? You forget! Why, I have told you plainly that I do not countenance
+such things. The idea that I would give money to have anything of
+the kind carried on! I am shocked! But I believe you need a new suit
+of clothes, my son. I am pleased to see you well dressed. Here is a
+hundred dollars to purchase a new suit.”
+
+Darius took out a roll of bills and stripped off a fifty, two twenties
+and a ten, which he passed to Dyke.
+
+“That new suit of clothes will be a great deal warmer for Mr. Frank
+Merriwell than for me,” grinned the worthy son of a worthy father.
+“This is all right, governor. You’ll hear something drop some of these
+dark nights.”
+
+“There, there! Don’t mention such disgraceful proceedings to me again.
+I am pained at the mere thought. If you need any more money for that
+suit let me know.”
+
+By this time they were in the village, and they separated, Darius going
+to his office, while his son sought “the gang.”
+
+So it happened that one night as Frank was returning home from the
+village, he was tripped by a rope stretched across the road about a
+foot from the ground. Before he could recover, he was pounced upon by a
+gang of masked ruffians.
+
+Frank made a savage fight, but he was overpowered by superior numbers,
+and his hands were tied behind his back, while a gag was forced into
+his mouth. In order to compel him to take the gag between his teeth, he
+was choked till he was nearly dead.
+
+After this treatment, Frank was too weak to walk. The ruffians did
+not dare remain in the road longer than absolutely necessary, so the
+captive was picked up and carried across fields, over fences and into a
+dark strip of woods.
+
+In the woods the gang rested.
+
+“Well, he made a hard fight fer it,” said one.
+
+“Come mighty near gettin’ away oncet,” observed another.
+
+“Get out!” exclaimed a third. “He made us hustle, that’s all. I
+expected it. He’s an athlete.”
+
+“Where we goin’ to take him?”
+
+“To the old house.”
+
+“Let’s make him walk.”
+
+“Perhaps he will walk of his own willin’ness, but I don’t believe you
+can make him. He can’t be drove much.”
+
+“Oh, he’ll be easy enough to handle before the night is over, if the
+chap that hired us to do this trick carries out his plan.”
+
+Frank heard this talk. He was wondering what it all meant. Why had he
+been set upon in such a manner and handled so roughly? Why had he been
+made a captive and taken there into the woods?
+
+He had not been suspecting danger when he was set upon, and so was
+quite unprepared.
+
+At last the gang was ready to start on again, and Frank was placed on
+his feet and marched along in their midst. He made no resistance now,
+feeling that it was folly to do so.
+
+There was a road through the woods, but it was rough and crooked, and
+they all stumbled along in the darkness, some of them uttering language
+of a savage nature.
+
+After some time they came to an opening. Frank heard the sound of a
+waterfall, and then he was taken into a dark house that stood there in
+the woods.
+
+The door closed behind him, and he was pushed through a hall. Then
+another door opened, and a lighted room was entered.
+
+In that room a single person was waiting. He was roughly dressed, and
+over his head was a cowl-like cap of white that fell to his shoulders.
+In this were two slits for eyeholes.
+
+This person was standing when the other whitecaps forced Frank into the
+room. He uttered an exclamation of satisfaction when he saw Merriwell.
+
+“Well done!” he cried, in a disguised voice. “I was beginning to fear
+you had failed.”
+
+So this was the person who had ordered the capture. Frank looked at him
+searchingly.
+
+“None of your insolent staring!” grated the leader, and, reaching Frank
+with a single stride, he struck him on the cheek with the open hand.
+
+Quick as thought, Frank lifted a foot and kicked the fellow fairly
+across the room!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+COWARDLY WORK.
+
+
+Bang!
+
+The fellow struck up against the wall and fell to the floor, where he
+lay, groaning dismally.
+
+There were exclamations of astonishment from the other members of the
+gang.
+
+“Well,” grunted one, a strapping six-footer, “he’s tied and gagged, but
+he is still able to fight.”
+
+“He’s--half--killed--me!” gasped the fellow Frank had kicked. “But I’ll
+make him suffer for it!”
+
+“Better see his feet are tied before you try any more tricks with him,”
+half laughed the big whitecap, who seemed to admire Frank’s pluck.
+
+“Tie his legs!” grated the leader, sitting up, but still groaning. “Tie
+them at the knees!”
+
+Frank made a sudden leap and placed his back against the wall, while
+his eyes flashed the defiance and warning his lips could not utter. It
+was plain enough that he meant to defend himself as long as possible,
+bound though he was.
+
+“At him!” snarled the leader. “Jump on him!”
+
+“Why don’t you get in and do some of the jumping?” asked the big
+fellow. “Here’s a nice chance for you.”
+
+“Oh, I will! I’ll----”
+
+He finished with a cry of pain and fell back to the floor, after trying
+to rise.
+
+“My leg!” he gasped. “I believe it is broken!”
+
+A sound like mocking laughter came from behind the gag in Merry’s mouth.
+
+“He’s laughing!” muttered one of the gang, in astonishment.
+
+“Good grit!” nodded the big fellow.
+
+“I believe you are in sympathy with him!” snarled the leader. “Help me
+up, somebody!”
+
+They aided him to rise, but it was with difficulty that he could stand
+unassisted upon his feet. He leaned against the wall, glaring in a
+deadly manner at the defiant captive.
+
+“Are you going to let him stand there and bluff you all?” he fumed.
+“You can down him with a rush. Go at him now!”
+
+“We’re not paid for that,” said the big fellow. “We were paid to catch
+him and bring him here. That’s what we’ve done.”
+
+“I’ll pay you! Down him! I’ll make it five dollars more all round.”
+
+“That goes!” was the cry, and the ruffians rushed upon Frank.
+
+Then Merry’s feet came into play. In France he had learned the art of
+boxing with his feet, and he could handle them almost as nimbly as an
+ordinary boxer could handle his fists. The first man to spring at him
+received a kick in the stomach that doubled him up like a jack-knife,
+the next was hurled to the floor, and the third got one on the side of
+the head that sent him staggering away, bewildered and blinded.
+
+But there were too many of them, and Frank was not able to stand them
+off more than a few seconds. They crushed him to the floor, and his
+legs were bound at the knees, as the leader directed.
+
+In this assault the big fellow had taken no part. He stood aloof,
+his arms folded over his broad breast, looking on with an air of
+indifference.
+
+When Frank was subjugated and helpless, the leader turned on the big
+fellow and expressed anger at his conduct.
+
+“That will do!” was the surly retort that was growled from beneath
+the mask. “I won’t stand it from you! I did my part of this business
+according to agreement. I did not agree to do anything more.”
+
+“You don’t get an extra V.”
+
+“I don’t want it, so don’t worry yourself.”
+
+The leader ordered a fire to be built in the old open fireplace, and
+his directions were carried out. He could scarcely hobble round, and he
+was in an ugly mood.
+
+With his own hands, he removed the gag from Frank Merriwell’s mouth.
+
+“That is better,” said Frank, coolly. “My jaws were aching.”
+
+“That will be nothing to what is coming!” declared the fellow. “I’ll
+make you wish you never were born!”
+
+“Marvelous! You must be a perfect savage.”
+
+“Well, I am going to treat you the way savages sometimes treat their
+captives.”
+
+“I’m sorry about that.”
+
+“You’ll be more so before I am done with you. Oh, I’ll make you whimper
+and beg!”
+
+“Yes? Bright prospect for me; but it’s possible you had better think it
+over before you go into it. It might not be healthy for you in the end.
+There are other days coming--and other nights.”
+
+“Bah! You put up a good bluff, but it does not go. I’ll take some of
+the nerve out of you!”
+
+“Your turn will come! Whatever you do will not be forgotten.”
+
+“Rot! You are welcome to remember it. Little good that will do you.”
+
+“Oh, I don’t know! I may make it decidedly uncomfortable for you.”
+
+“You can’t.”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“You will not know whom to strike.”
+
+“Don’t fool yourself with that idea, Mr. Dyke Conrad!”
+
+The leader started and caught his breath. Then he forced a harsh laugh.
+
+“That will be all right,” he said, with attempted flippancy. “You are
+welcome to think me Dyke Conrad.”
+
+“I do not think anything about it.”
+
+“Indeed.”
+
+“I know!”
+
+“How?”
+
+“By your voice, your manner, your gestures--everything about you.”
+
+“That won’t do. You are welcome to think what you like. I am not Dyke
+Conrad, but I’m willing you should think so.”
+
+“Dyke Conrad is the only person in Bloomfield, with the exception of
+his estimable father, who could wish me harm. Whatever happens to me
+to-night, Dyke Conrad shall suffer for, and that is no bluff. You will
+find that I can strike when I am aroused.”
+
+The leader of the ruffians ground his teeth together.
+
+“When I am done with you, you will not be in condition to bother
+anybody for some time to come!” he hissed.
+
+“Oh, but I do not forget easily. I have a splendid memory. If you wish
+to escape my vengeance for this night’s work, I advise you to kill me
+outright--then you will hang for it.”
+
+“Oh, I’ll take chances! I am satisfied as long as you believe me Dyke
+Conrad. I don’t care what you do to him.”
+
+The fellow looked toward the fire, which was beginning to blaze
+brightly. He nodded his head, with a gesture of satisfaction.
+
+“It will soon be ready,” he muttered.
+
+“Are you going to fry me, or broil me?” asked Frank.
+
+“You will be well warmed,” was the answer. “Somebody sit on his legs
+and keep him still while his shoes are removed.”
+
+This order was obeyed, and Frank’s feet were stripped till they were
+bare. Then Merry realized the dastardly purpose of his captor, and,
+despite himself, he turned faint.
+
+“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed the leader. “Now you are guessing it, and
+you’re getting pale. I knew you would lose your nerve. I’ll have the
+satisfaction of hearing you whimper and whine.”
+
+“You cowardly cur!” came contemptuously from Frank’s lips. “You are
+not a human being! You are a brute! You should associate with cowardly
+savages. They would make fit companions for such a beast as you!”
+
+“Be careful!” snarled the fellow. “Every word will be charged up
+against you, and you’ll not get off any the easier for them.”
+
+“It is not possible for me to express my contempt for you by words!”
+said Frank, his voice clear and distinct.
+
+“You’ll be expressing something else in a short time. Oh, you sing high
+now, you do; but your tune will change, and you will cry pretty soon.”
+
+The wretch selected a brand from the fire and laughed as he flashed the
+blaze before Frank’s face.
+
+“Is it warm?” he asked. “Well, it will seem warmer when I apply it to
+the tender skin on your feet.”
+
+“Go ahead!” grated Merry; “but do not forget what I have told you. My
+turn will come!”
+
+The fellow prepared to apply the blaze to Frank’s feet, but, as he
+stooped to do so, another voice was heard:
+
+“Stop!”
+
+It was the tall whitecap, and he was pointing straight at the leader.
+
+“Stop!” he roared. “This job doesn’t go!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+FRANK’S STRANGE FRIEND.
+
+
+There was no misunderstanding the big fellow’s meaning. It was plain
+enough that he intended to interfere.
+
+“What’s that?” snarled the leader, glaring through the slits in the
+hood, the blazing brand shaking in his hand. “What do you mean by
+that?”
+
+“Just what I say,” retorted the other, standing over Frank and
+returning the glare with interest. “This fellow’s all right. He’s got
+nerve and sand. I’m not goin’ to stand here and see him roasted in that
+style.”
+
+Angry imprecations burst from the hidden lips of Merriwell’s would-be
+torturer.
+
+“Stand back!” he shouted, shrilly, flourishing the brand at Frank’s
+defender.
+
+“Well, I guess not! I helped lace Eli Gibbons, for he was a thief, a
+liar, a wife-beater, and everything mean; but this case is different.”
+
+“And I know you were in the Gibbons affair, so it’s not best for you to
+interfere here. I could have a warrant out for your arrest to-morrow
+morning, and, by the Eternal, if you meddle with me now, I will! This
+is my business. You were paid for your part of the work, and you did
+it.”
+
+“Why, blame your eyes!” roared the big fellow. “If you dared to blow on
+me, I’d skin ye alive! Since I’ve seen what you mean to do with this
+chap, whose little finger is more man than the whole of you, I’d like
+the job of tying you up to a tree and giving you the same kind of a
+dose Gibbons received!”
+
+“You wouldn’t dare!”
+
+“Wouldn’t I?”
+
+“No.”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“Why, my father--my father would have you sent to prison!”
+
+The big fellow snapped his fingers and laughed.
+
+“That for your father! He wouldn’t touch me, for if he did, I would
+land his son behind bars. Oh, you can’t make any bluffs with me, for
+they will not go.”
+
+Dyke Conrad, for it was that worthless rascal, literally gnashed
+his teeth. With the cruelty of a savage, he had planned to torture
+Merriwell, whom he bitterly hated, and now he could not endure the
+thought of being robbed of his fiendish enjoyment by one of his hired
+tools.
+
+He appealed to the others.
+
+“Stand by me, fellows!” he cried. “I’ll double the amount paid you!”
+
+He turned to make this appeal, and, in that moment, the big fellow
+reached down with one hand, grasped Frank and stood him on his feet.
+Then, with remarkable swiftness, he retreated to the wall, bearing
+Merry.
+
+“I’ll have you free in a minute,” he declared.
+
+“Thank you,” said Frank, quietly. “I’ll not forget it.”
+
+“Oh, I’m not doing this for any reward. I’m naturally a mean cuss, but
+I couldn’t keep still and see a fellow with your grit roasted by that
+miserable sneak.”
+
+He whipped out a jack-knife and opened it.
+
+Seeing the revolter was about to set Frank free, Dyke Conrad uttered a
+howl of rage and rushed at him. There was a short struggle, and then,
+with a scream, Dyke staggered backward.
+
+“I’m stabbed!” he gasped, and fell to the floor, blood spurting from a
+wound in his side.
+
+“The fool ran right onto the knife!” panted the big fellow, hastily
+cutting the ropes that held Frank. “I didn’t mean to hit him with the
+knife. I could handle him with one hand.”
+
+“It’s unfortunate,” said Frank; “but he brought it on himself.”
+
+“You will testify to that if he dies?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“I can depend on you?”
+
+“You may.”
+
+The horrified whitecaps gathered about their fallen leader, who was
+groaning and moaning on the floor, his blood-stained fingers pressed to
+his side.
+
+“I’m dying, fellows!” whimpered Dyke. “I have been murdered! Oh, dear!
+I can’t die now--I can’t die!”
+
+Frank Merriwell stepped forward, boldly, moving the helpless whitecaps
+aside, and knelt beside the wounded youth.
+
+Dyke saw him and tried to move away.
+
+“Oh, don’t!” he whined. “Don’t hurt me now! I’m dying!”
+
+“I will not hurt you,” assured Frank. “I have no desire to harm you
+now. I am here to help you--if I can.”
+
+“To help me?” repeated Dyke, in wonder.
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“How?”
+
+“Let me look at that wound. It may not be so bad, and I may be able to
+check the flow of blood till it can be properly cared for.”
+
+“Would you do that--for me?”
+
+“Yes. I do not wish to see you die. As yet you have done me no great
+injury. It is your father who has injured me.”
+
+Frank opened the fellow’s coat and vest, and then made a slit in his
+shirt and under-garment, exposing the wound, which was bleeding freely.
+The sight of the blood completely unmanned Dyke, who sobbed:
+
+“Oh, I know I shall die! I am not ready to die! It is a terrible thing
+to have to die! Save me--save me somehow!”
+
+“Keep still,” ordered Frank, sharply. “It’s useless to get so excited.
+From the looks, I do not believe this wound is serious, although it is
+bleeding profusely. I want this hood.”
+
+He took it from Dyke’s head and tore it into strips. Then, with skill
+that set those who watched him wondering, he bound up the wound, aided
+by the big fellow.
+
+“There,” said Frank, “that will stop the bleeding in a measure; but you
+must get to the nearest doctor as soon as you can, and have the cut
+properly treated.”
+
+“Come,” said the big whitecap, touching Frank’s arm.
+
+But Merry waited till he had seen Dyke assisted to his feet.
+
+“I can’t walk!” whined the fellow.
+
+“It is walk or bleed to death, and you have your choice,” said Frank.
+
+It was wonderful how soon Dyke was able to walk.
+
+As Frank and the companion who had befriended him were leaving, one of
+the other whitecaps spoke to their companion.
+
+“Look here,” he said, “you are not going to blow on us?”
+
+“Not on your life!” was the answer. “You need not be afraid of that. I
+shall not blow on any of my pals.”
+
+“All right. We didn’t know.”
+
+“Don’t worry.”
+
+Then Frank and his strange friend set out through the woods and the
+darkness, Merry following the lead of the other.
+
+They proceeded in silence till the edge of the woods was reached. There
+the big fellow halted, saying:
+
+“We will part here.”
+
+“All right,” said Frank, holding out his hand. “I want to thank you for
+your friendship.”
+
+“I don’t deserve it.”
+
+“I think you do. But for you, I might have walked on crutches for some
+time to come, or been crippled for the remainder of my life. I was in a
+bad box, and I could not help myself.”
+
+“That is true, but I helped put you in that box. Not till you showed
+your nerve was I ready to stand by you. If you had been a coward, I
+should not have had the least sympathy with you; but I couldn’t stand
+by and see Conrad torture a chap with sand.”
+
+“Won’t you tell me your name? You may be sure of my friendship. You
+need not fear to trust me.”
+
+“I do not fear to trust you, for I am sure that a fellow with your grit
+is on the level; but I do not deserve your friendship, and I will not
+tell you my name. It makes no difference who I am. You may be sure I
+am of no account, or I would not be in with such a gang.”
+
+“Why don’t you cut clear from them? You have the making of a man in
+you--you are a man! It is a mistake for you to be associating with such
+a crowd.”
+
+“Perhaps you are right. I never thought much about that, but I shall
+think of it in the future. You have made me ashamed of myself to-night,
+Frank Merriwell; and I believe I shall turn over a new leaf.”
+
+“I hope you will. If you ever need a friend, come to me. All you will
+have to do is to mention this time.”
+
+“I believe you. Good-by.”
+
+“Good-by.”
+
+Thus they parted.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+FOR HIS ENEMY.
+
+
+“Fire!”
+
+Two nights after the events just related, Frank had taken his evening
+walk and was returning to the old place, which he was leaving forever
+on the morrow, as it was already sold, and the writings had been made.
+
+The cry reached his ears from a distance.
+
+The cry of fire at night has a weird, peculiar sound, once heard never
+forgotten.
+
+Frank started from the spell that had been on him. He threw up his head
+and listened.
+
+“Fire!”
+
+Again the cry reached his ears. It came from a distant part of the
+village.
+
+Quick as thought he whirled about and ran in that direction.
+
+In the city the alarm is sometimes heard, but, more frequently, the
+first knowledge of the fire comes from the sight of the engine as it
+goes dashing to the rescue.
+
+In small country places the wild cry of fire is almost always the first
+alarm.
+
+Frank knew this. He had lived in cities where the sound of the clanging
+gong of a fire engine scarcely awakened passing notice; but now he was
+in a small country town, and it was different.
+
+He had not exerted himself to the utmost for some time, and, with
+something like a feeling of exultation at the opportunity, he sped
+along the road.
+
+“Fire!”
+
+The cry sounded nearer. He was in the border of the village, and he
+thought he saw a red glow ahead and to the right. He turned a corner
+and sped onward.
+
+Soon he came upon others who were running in the same direction. And
+then, after a little, he located the red glow beyond a doubt.
+
+Lights were flashing in the windows of the houses, showing that the
+inhabitants had been awakened and were rising hastily.
+
+“Where is it?” asked a man who dashed out from one of the houses.
+
+“Don’t know,” Merry answered, and sped onward.
+
+“It must be Rufus Gray’s house!” shouted a man who was running and
+puffing along the street.
+
+Frank said nothing, but passed him like the wind.
+
+The smell of smoke came to his nostrils as he turned another corner.
+The fire had obtained a fine start before it was discovered. Through
+the buildings and the trees the red glow was bursting forth with
+greater brightness each moment.
+
+Another corner turned, and the burning house was before him, with the
+fire bursting from its upper windows.
+
+“It’s Darius Conrad’s house!” cried somebody.
+
+“Retribution!” exclaimed Frank. “It is the hand of fate that strikes
+the man!”
+
+For a moment a feeling like exultation ran all over him. He stopped
+running, and walked forward slowly. Before the house a number of
+persons could be seen huddled together, as if they were dazed, while
+others were running about wildly in the red glare of the fire.
+
+Frank came up.
+
+“Are they all out of the house?” asked somebody.
+
+“They must be,” said another person.
+
+Just then the door burst open, and a man came out in a few scanty
+garments, looking as if he plunged from a sea of fire, which glowed red
+and yellow behind him. He ran out into the middle of the street, waving
+his arms above his head and shouting. There he fell in the dust, and
+the crowd gathered about him.
+
+“Oh, my son! my son!” groaned the man, as he writhed prostrate in the
+dust. “I went back for him! I could not reach him! He is in there
+somewhere--sick, wounded, helpless! My God! Can no one save him?”
+
+“Too late!” said a voice. “Is he in one of the chambers?”
+
+“Yes!”
+
+“The entire upper part of the house is in flames!”
+
+“He is lost!”
+
+“My God! My son--my own boy!”
+
+Such a cry of heart-breaking anguish! It stirred Frank Merriwell’s
+heart.
+
+“I will try to find him and bring him out!” came in a tone of
+determination from Frank’s lips.
+
+“God bless you!” gasped Darius Conrad. “If you will----”
+
+But the volunteer life-saver was gone. Hands were outstretched to stop
+him, but he avoided them; voices called for him to come back, but he
+heeded them not. In at the door he plunged.
+
+“He is gone!” screamed a woman.
+
+“Yes,” said a man; “and that is the last of him. He’ll never come out
+of that!”
+
+Darius Conrad, wicked old sinner that he was, knelt down in the dust
+and prayed. His wife found him kneeling there, and knelt at his side.
+They prayed for their son--their only boy.
+
+The flames crackled with an exultant sound, and the yellow smoke rolled
+upward. The moments seemed hours. In the distance the volunteer firemen
+could be heard coming with the hand tub. By the time they reached the
+spot there would be nothing for them to do but wet down some of the
+nearer houses to keep them from catching, for then a city fire engine
+would be unable to save the home of Darius Conrad.
+
+And still Frank Merriwell was somewhere within that burning building
+searching for the helpless youth who had been his foe. Those who had
+hoped at first that he, at least, might come forth began to give up in
+despair.
+
+And then, out from the smoke and flame staggered a figure. It was a
+human being, and on his shoulders he carried another human being.
+
+“There he is!” screamed a voice.
+
+“Hurrah!” roared a man.
+
+“And he has Dyke Conrad!”
+
+Forward to the street reeled Frank Merriwell, bearing his helpless foe.
+Then he suddenly dropped to the ground, coughing violently.
+
+Darius Conrad was on hand, and he folded his son in his arms. Dyke’s
+mother fainted in the arms of a strong man.
+
+But Frank was not forgotten. Scores of witnesses of his brave act
+gathered about him. He was lifted by a young man who was six feet tall,
+and very muscular.
+
+“If he’s hurt in the least, it’ll be a dear sacrifice for the life of
+that worthless dog!” declared the young man, and Frank recognized the
+voice.
+
+“I--am--not--hurt--my--friend,” he said, faintly. “My lungs are full of
+smoke--that’s all.”
+
+He had felt those strong arms about him before; he had heard that voice
+defying Dyke Conrad in the old house in the forest.
+
+But when Frank fully recovered, that strange friend was gone.
+
+Dyke Conrad had been saved, and Darius was asking for the rescuer of
+his son. They took him to Frank.
+
+“You?” he cried, astounded, as the light of the conflagration showed
+Merry’s features.
+
+“Yes,” was the quiet answer.
+
+“How can I ever pay you for saving my boy?”
+
+“You can’t!”
+
+Then Frank turned away, and he heeded not that the man called to him.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The time had come for Frank Merriwell to leave Bloomfield. The old home
+was gone, and everything was settled at last. He had found a place for
+Toots, and the colored boy had departed a day in advance.
+
+And now Frank must face the world--he must start on a new career as a
+breadwinner. He did not hesitate; he was not afraid. Deep within his
+heart was a confidence that he would win in the battle of life, even
+though forced to start at the very bottom of the ladder and fight his
+way upward.
+
+He turned and waved a farewell to his old home. The sun was shining,
+and never had it seemed so beautiful and so dear before.
+
+“Some time,” he said, “some time I will return and buy the old place
+back. It shall be mine again.”
+
+In Bloomfield now he was all too well known, and it seemed that nearly
+all the citizens of the place turned out to bid him farewell at the
+station. They shook hands with him, old men, young men and boys. Old
+women cried over him, and some young women kissed him.
+
+Neither Darius Conrad nor his son was there.
+
+The train came and bore Frank away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE BULLY OF THE ROUNDHOUSE.
+
+
+“Will you please tell me where I can find the foreman?” asked Frank,
+several days later, as he entered a roundhouse of the Blue Mountain
+Railroad.
+
+“Hey? The foreman?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“What do ye want?”
+
+“I will explain my business to him, if you will be kind enough to tell
+me where I may find him.”
+
+The greasy man in greasy overalls and jumper straightened up from his
+position partly beneath the engine he had been wiping, and glared
+contemptuously at the smooth-faced, clean, well-dressed youth who had
+inquired for the roundhouse foreman.
+
+The place seemed dark and dusty, and smelled of smoke and grease. All
+around were engines, many of them with wipers or machinists working on
+them. One, with steam up, was standing ready to run out upon the track.
+The engineer was in the cab, while the fireman, with a long brass
+oiler in his hand, was making sure that every bearing was properly
+lubricated.
+
+The well-dressed youth had found admission to the roundhouse in some
+manner, but it was plain enough that he was unfamiliar there, or he
+would not have asked a wiper where to find the foreman.
+
+The wiper was an ugly-looking fellow, with red hair and freckled face.
+He had a brawny arm and thick shoulders, and he glared at the stranger
+as if longing to eat him.
+
+“What’re ye in here for, anyhow?” he growled.
+
+“That is my business. I asked you a civil question, but you have not
+seen fit to answer it civilly, so I see that I shall have to inquire
+elsewhere.”
+
+“Wait!” said the wiper, as the youth turned away. “You’re puttin’ on
+a heap of manners just because you can wear fine clothes and keep yer
+hands clean. I’m just as good as you be.”
+
+“We will not argue about that at all, sir.”
+
+“Mebbe you’ll have to dirty yer hands some time.”
+
+To this the stranger made no retort, but, as he started away, the wiper
+said:
+
+“Hold on. Stay here, an’ I’ll find the foreman.”
+
+“All right.”
+
+Then the man lounged away, growling to himself. He was gone nearly
+fifteen minutes, and when he returned he was accompanied by four or
+five other wipers, all looking just as dirty and greasy as he did.
+
+The well-dressed youth was standing by the engine, his eyes taking in
+everything that was going on in the building.
+
+He had seen the waiting engine run out on the track and another one
+back in off the turntable. In a brief space of time he had learned
+something about the work that went on in the roundhouse.
+
+“Well,” growled the red-haired wiper, “ther foreman ain’t round. When
+he’s out, I take his place. What dyer want?”
+
+“Never mind,” said the youth. “I was looking for a job, but----”
+
+“Hey? A job? What kind of a job?”
+
+The wiper was astonished, as he plainly showed.
+
+“Most any kind of a job,” was the quiet answer. “I will call when the
+foreman is in.”
+
+“Well, dern my eyes!” shouted the red-headed man, bursting into a
+roar of coarse laughter. “Mebbe you wanted to hire out as general
+superintendent or president of the road, or something of that sort?
+Haw! haw! haw!”
+
+“Haw! haw! haw!” roared the other wipers.
+
+Some of the machinists stopped work and came where they could watch and
+listen; a crowd was collecting around the applicant for work, who began
+to show embarrassment, his cheeks flushing.
+
+“Look at him, fellers!” cried the big wiper, pointing at the stranger.
+“He’s lookin’ fer work--here! Haw! haw! haw!”
+
+“Well, sir,” said the youth, sharply, “will you tell me what there is
+so very funny about that?”
+
+“Oh, it ain’t funny at all!” said the big man. “It’s just thunderin’
+ridiculous! I s’pose you’d be satisfied with a salary of ten thousand
+dollars a year?”
+
+“Oh, I might be willing to accept that,” dryly answered the youth.
+
+“I s’pose likely. What d’yer know?”
+
+“About what?”
+
+“Runnin’ a railroad.”
+
+“Nothing. I am not here to run the railroad, but to work for the men
+who do run it.”
+
+“Well, you’ve got ter know somethin’ in order ter be fit fer somethin’.”
+
+“I might be able to learn something in time.”
+
+“No; I’m afraid not. You’d have ter begin at the wrong end. You’ve made
+a mistake. This ain’t no candy store. We don’t sell dry goods here,
+either. You’d look pretty measurin’ off ribbon for ladies, an’ that’s
+about all you’d be good for.”
+
+The stranger smiled in a cool manner, letting his eyes run over the
+wiper from his feet to his head and then back again.
+
+“It strikes me that you must be a misfit at anything,” he said,
+suavely. “About the only thing you can be real good for is to drink
+beer. It’s plain that you are a tank!”
+
+“Yah!” snarled the man, ceasing to laugh in a moment and showing his
+temper. “You don’t want to make any funny remarks!”
+
+“I don’t see anything funny about that. On the face of it, it is a
+truthful statement, and you are a living, breathing witness. If you
+can’t have your booze regularly, you do not consider life worth the
+living. You would make a first-class advertisement for a cheap grog
+shop.”
+
+The big wiper actually staggered.
+
+“What?” he faintly gasped. “What’s that? Why, I’ll eat him!”
+
+“If you try it, you will find that I digest hard,” came calmly from the
+stranger, who was watching the man closely. “I can read your history in
+short order. Numb, rum, bum. That’s enough.”
+
+For a few moments it seemed that the big wiper would hit the stranger,
+but instead, he struck one of the men who had caught hold of his arm
+and cautioned him. The force of the blow drove the man up against the
+rear driving wheel of the engine and made a cut on his cheek, starting
+the blood. The man put up a greasy hand to wipe away the blood, saying,
+huskily:
+
+“That’s all right, Mart. I was doin’ it for your good. Knowed you’d be
+fired if you struck him and he complained on ye. That’s all right.”
+
+And not one of the other men said a word. It was plain that every one
+of them was afraid of the fellow called Mart, whom the visitor saw was
+the bully among the wipers.
+
+The lips of the youth curled with scorn as he surveyed the bruiser.
+
+“So you are a brute as well as a drinking bummer!” he exclaimed. “It’s
+a wonder to me how a man like you can hold any kind of a job.”
+
+“Ya-a-a-ah!” snarled the now thoroughly angered ruffian, showing his
+yellow, tobacco-stained teeth. “You get out of here, or I’ll give you
+some of the same!”
+
+“No, you won’t! I have dealt with brutes like you before.”
+
+This cool defiance of the stranger, scarcely more than a boy, with
+smooth face and dainty hands, was something the big, greasy wiper could
+not understand.
+
+“If it wasn’t for spilin’ yer fine clothes, I’d use ye fer a wiper ter
+finish the job on this machine,” declared Mart. “I think you’re too
+clean, anyhow.”
+
+Then he ejected into his hand the quid of tobacco that had been stowed
+in his cheek, and, with a flirt of the hand, sent it full at the white
+bosom of the shirt worn by the youth.
+
+Spat! it struck and stuck there.
+
+Smack!
+
+With a leap the youth had planted his fist fairly between the eyes of
+the bully.
+
+Thud! the man dropped to the ground.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+THE BULLY MEETS HIS MATCH.
+
+
+It was a clean knockout blow, delivered with marvelous skill and
+swiftness. The strange youth had not waited an instant before avenging
+the insult bestowed upon him.
+
+The wipers gasped for breath and showed their excitement, while the
+engineers came hurrying toward the scene of the trouble.
+
+“Now there’ll be blazes to pay!” whispered one man, his eyes betraying
+his fear.
+
+“Mart’ll kill him!”
+
+“In a minute! Look out for Old Slugs! He’s gettin’ up!”
+
+The dazed and astounded wiper was sitting up. He looked at the youth
+in bewilderment. The visitor was calmly removing the tobacco from his
+shirt with a dainty white handkerchief.
+
+“Did--did he hit me?” asked the bruiser.
+
+“Yes; I hit you, you scum!” rang out the clear voice of the visitor.
+“If you will get up, I’ll take great pleasure in hitting you again!”
+
+One of the machinists got hold of the arm of the youth, and found it
+hard as iron. He whispered in the stranger’s ear:
+
+“You’d better get out! That’s Old Slugs, and he’ll kill you! He’s dead
+nutty when he’s mad.”
+
+“Thank you,” said the visitor, quietly. “Don’t worry about me. That’ll
+be all right.”
+
+“You took him by surprise before. Next time----”
+
+“Next time I shall hit him harder.”
+
+The wiper scrambled to his feet, snarling savagely. He leaped backward
+as he got up, in order to be beyond the reach of the fearless youth,
+who seemed ready to come at him.
+
+“Now,” he grated--“now I’ll smash ye!”
+
+Then he rushed at the other.
+
+With the grace of a fawn and the agility of a cat, the young man
+avoided the rush, and he planted a swinging blow under the ear of the
+wiper, sending the latter whirling and staggering away.
+
+But the infuriated man quickly recovered, and came at the stranger once
+more. This time he did not make such a fierce rush, but closed in as if
+he would prevent the youth from dodging.
+
+The stranger laughed in the face of “Old Slugs,” as the wiper was often
+called. It was a peculiar laugh, and it added to the anger of the man.
+
+“Laugh, drat ye!” he snarled. “I’ll make ye laugh outer t’other side of
+yer mouth pretty quick!”
+
+“Marvelous!” smiled the youth, as, with uplifted hands, he slipped to
+one side and darted under the wiper’s arm like a flash. “You surprise
+me, sir!”
+
+Still snarling, Slugs whirled about and let out with his left for
+the head of the nimble visitor. The blow was neatly ducked, and the
+stranger countered on the wiper’s wind.
+
+A grunting puff came from the lips of Old Slugs, but he managed to
+avoid the youth’s straight drive for his jaw. At the same time he
+realized that had he not escaped the blow must have been a knockout.
+
+Such pugilistic skill on the part of the boyish-looking visitor was
+astounding, but still the wiper felt confident that he would be able to
+end the fight with a single blow.
+
+Within a very few seconds he discovered that it was almost impossible
+to get in that blow. Only once had he been able to hit the stranger,
+and that was a glancing blow that simply seemed to put the youth on his
+mettle.
+
+Old Slugs was a bulldog to fight, and, for that reason, the watchers
+were confident that he would be the victor in the end. For all that the
+stranger rained blow after blow upon the wiper’s face and body, Slugs
+continued the fight as if he had not been hit. His face was cut by the
+hard knuckles of the visitor, and blood was running, but that made no
+difference.
+
+“I should think there was a flea pesterin’ me if I didn’t know,” said
+the man, with a sneer.
+
+“How is this for a flea bite?”
+
+The laughing stranger struck Slugs a terrible blow on the chin, hurling
+him backward into the arms of one of the spectators.
+
+For a second the ruffian was dazed. He lay limply in the arms of the
+man, his eyes rolling, while he feebly lifted one hand to his chin.
+
+Then, with astonishing swiftness, he recovered, uttering a howl of fury
+as he leaped out to confront the stranger once more.
+
+Now the wiper made several attempts to close with the visitor, but each
+time he was avoided or beaten back with severe punishment. It was plain
+that the youth did not intend to let Slugs get hold of him if he could
+help it.
+
+“If Slugs ever gets a hand on him, he’ll tear him limb from limb,” said
+one of the watching wipers.
+
+“Sure,” nodded the other. “And he’ll get him before long. All that
+thumping don’t bother Mart.”
+
+“That one on the chin shook him up for a minute.”
+
+“Notice how quick he recovered?”
+
+“Yes; but the boy didn’t foller up his advantage.”
+
+“He couldn’t ’thout hittin’ Mart when he was in Dave’s arms.”
+
+“This ain’t no prize fight under rules. He’d oughter finished it up
+when he had a chance. He won’t get another.”
+
+The spectators were greatly excited. They applauded the stranger as
+much as they dared, but were universal in their belief that he must get
+the worst of it in the end.
+
+But still the youth smiled and danced about the man, who was beginning
+to rush less and fight more slowly. The roundhouse men began to realize
+that Slugs’ efforts were telling on him, while the stranger seemed just
+as fresh as at the beginning.
+
+“Oh, why don’t ye keep still a minute?” grated the battered wiper, in
+disgust.
+
+“All right,” was the cool answer. “I will.”
+
+Then, to the amazement of all, the youth stood quite still, carelessly
+dropping his hands at his sides.
+
+Slugs rushed, a cry of satisfaction breaking from his lips as he made a
+clutch to gather the other into his grasp, but his arms closed on empty
+air, and he felt something catch him about the knees, and he seemed to
+spin over and over to strike the ground with an awful thud.
+
+The crafty stranger had ducked close to the ground, caught him low,
+about the legs, and thrown him into the air.
+
+It was an amazing feat, and the witnesses could hardly believe the
+evidence of their eyes.
+
+Slugs lay still on the ground, breathing heavily and staring straight
+up toward the dirty, smoky roof.
+
+There were some moments of silence.
+
+“I believe he’s finished.”
+
+Somebody uttered the words, and they were heard by the fallen man.
+
+“Who says so?” he hissed, sitting up. “They lie--they lie!”
+
+To his feet he sprang, although he staggered in a manner that told he
+was giddy. A torrent of fierce language poured from his lips. He looked
+scarcely human, with his blood-stained face and tobacco-colored teeth.
+Still the stranger did not appear in the least alarmed.
+
+Now, however, the youth took the offensive. It seemed that he decided
+that the time had arrived to end the fight, and he went at Slugs like a
+whirlwind.
+
+The ruffian tried to withstand the assault, but he was bewildered by it
+and his defense was feeble. Backward he was forced. The knuckles of the
+stranger played a tattoo on his face, while not one of his blows seemed
+to reach.
+
+Smash!
+
+With one swinging hook the youth sent Old Slugs staggering across a
+track to drop on his hands and knees.
+
+Up the man leaped, but his opponent followed closely. Another blow sent
+the bully of the roundhouse to earth again.
+
+The excitement was intense, for the witnesses saw that the stranger was
+determined to end the fight as soon as possible.
+
+Slugs got up, but he was in no condition to carry on the battle, and
+he fell again almost instantly. Then the fighting youth stood over him
+with clinched fists and flashing eyes, demanding:
+
+“Have you got enough?”
+
+“Yes,” gasped the whipped ruffian; “I give up!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+STRIKING A JOB.
+
+
+A shout went up. For the first time since his entrance into the
+roundhouse Old Slugs was whipped. He had browbeaten and bullied
+everybody except the foreman, and now this clean, boyish-looking
+stranger had defeated him in a square fight.
+
+Such a thing had seemed beyond the range of possibility, but it had
+happened.
+
+“Here comes the foreman!”
+
+Some one uttered the words, and there was a scattering as a dark-faced
+man was seen walking swiftly toward the group.
+
+Old Slugs started to get up, but he fell back limply, as if all the
+strength had been beaten out of him.
+
+The victor calmly took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood off his
+knuckles. He scarcely seemed to be breathing heavily after his recent
+exertions.
+
+The foreman came up and looked the youth over.
+
+“I don’t know how you did it,” he said; “but it was a pretty job, young
+man. I saw the whole thing from start to finish.”
+
+“I am sorry it occurred, sir,” was the calm retort; “but if you saw it
+all you know I was not to blame.”
+
+The foreman nodded.
+
+“Hall attempted to bully you--I know. I’ll discharge him.”
+
+“Not on my account, sir. It strikes me that he has received punishment
+enough. I am satisfied, and you may be sure I shall make no complaint.”
+
+The foreman looked the defeated wiper over.
+
+“Get up!” he growled. “Go wash the blood off your face and go to work
+again, if you are able. I should have fired you if this gentleman had
+requested it.”
+
+The wiper succeeded in getting upon his feet, but he staggered a bit as
+he walked away.
+
+Something like a grim smile passed over the face of the foreman.
+
+“He has received a good lesson,” nodded the man. “It was what he
+deserved, and I’m glad you were able to give it to him. You are a
+wonder for a boy.”
+
+“I am hardly a boy, sir.”
+
+“Well, you are hardly more than that. Did I hear you say you were
+looking for work?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“What kind of work?”
+
+“Any kind that I can get.”
+
+“Why, there is no work in here that you would do. You are not a
+machinist?”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“Know anything about locomotives?”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“I’m sorry, but it’s no use to talk to you. The only work for an
+inexperienced man in this place is that of wiper, and you would not
+like that kind of work.”
+
+“I must do something. Can you give me a place as wiper?”
+
+The foreman lifted his eyebrows and again surveyed the youth critically.
+
+“It can’t be that you understand what wipers have to do. It is the
+lowest and dirtiest work on a railroad.”
+
+“I presumed so.”
+
+“They have to wipe engines, turn the table, shovel ashes, wash out
+boilers and tanks, help the machinists to lug and lift, and do a
+hundred other things equally unpleasant.”
+
+“But there is a chance for promotion?”
+
+“Oh, yes, for good men; but it comes slow. A man must wipe long enough
+to become familiar with every part of an engine, and know how one is
+run before he can get anything better. Even then there may be two or
+three others waiting ahead of him, and he is likely to lose his courage
+before he gets an opportunity to fire.”
+
+“But engine wipers stand a show of becoming firemen?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“I wish you would give me a chance as wiper, sir.”
+
+“But you will not stand the work.”
+
+“Won’t I? I am strong, and I think I can stand it.”
+
+“I do not mean that way. You will become disgusted and quit before you
+have worked a day.”
+
+“Try me.”
+
+“Are you in earnest?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“What is your name?”
+
+“Frank Merriwell.”
+
+“You have never done any hard work. Your hands show that.”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“I don’t understand why you want such a job.”
+
+“Because I must do something, and I think I would like to become a
+locomotive engineer.”
+
+“Why are you forced to work, Mr. Merriwell? You look like a young man
+of means.”
+
+“I have lost every dollar I had in the world. I was in college, but the
+loss of my fortune forced me to leave. When I knew I must do something,
+I resolved to try to get a job on a railroad. That is all, sir.”
+
+“Parents living?”
+
+“My mother is dead.”
+
+“And your father?”
+
+“I know not where he is.”
+
+“Hum! You’ve had hard luck. But you are not fit to become a wiper. Why,
+the men would not give you any peace. They would regard you as a dude,
+and worry you to death.”
+
+The youth smiled.
+
+“I think I can take care of myself, sir,” he said, with quiet
+confidence. “Haven’t I proved that?”
+
+“By George! I really believe you can! And you seem to be in earnest.
+I shouldn’t like to bother with you if you are going to get sick in
+a few hours or a day or two and leave your work. Too many such chaps
+start in here.”
+
+“I give you my word that you need not fear that I will leave within a
+day, or a week--or a month.”
+
+“I hardly think you will. If you have the right sort of stuff in you
+you will work up. I began as wiper, as did the master mechanic and
+nearly all the engineers on this road. There are some good men among
+them, too.”
+
+“I believe that.”
+
+“Have you any relatives to support--brothers, sisters, or anything like
+that?”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“Drink?”
+
+“Not a drop.”
+
+“That’s good. You stand all the better chance. Drink is what keeps
+many a good man down. Of course, if a man wants to take a little beer
+occasionally, no one can really object to that. I suppose you take some
+beer once in a while?”
+
+The face of the youth flushed.
+
+“I told you, sir, that I do not drink anything.”
+
+“All right, all right. I thought perhaps you would not consider that
+drinking. Don’t usually ask men these questions, but I’m interested in
+you.”
+
+The youth said nothing.
+
+The foreman seemed to hesitate, and it was plain that he was not yet
+fully convinced that it was worth while to bother with this clean,
+dainty-looking stripling.
+
+The applicant seemed to think that he had said quite enough, and he
+did not urge his case at all, but stood there waiting.
+
+The sound of hammering was to be heard in the roundhouse. Another
+engine ran in on the table outside, and some wipers swung it round.
+Then the engine ran out again upon the tracks, instead of backing into
+the house.
+
+Old Slugs, his face patched up with plaster, came back and went to work
+on the engine he had been cleaning. He moved slowly, as if he felt sore
+in every limb.
+
+The foreman smiled the least bit as he watched the man. He nodded his
+head, and there was an expression of satisfaction on his dark face.
+Then he turned to Frank Merriwell.
+
+“A fellow who could whip Martin Hall should have grit enough for
+anything,” he said. “Come back to-morrow morning, prepared for work.
+You shall have a job.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+THE FIRST FORENOON.
+
+
+The following morning Frank Merriwell appeared at the roundhouse in
+overalls and jumper, ready for work. His working clothes were new and
+clean, in contrast to the clothes of the other wipers, who stared at
+him, grinned and made comments on his “dudish” appearance. Although
+Frank could hear nearly every word spoken, he paid not the slightest
+attention to anything the men said. He was there to work, and he
+waited for the foreman to appear and tell him what he was to do.
+
+“He’ll leave quick,” declared one of the wipers.
+
+“It’s two to one he’ll quit before noon,” said another.
+
+“You’d win,” chuckled a third.
+
+“Nivver a bit can yez tell about thot, me b’ys,” put in a young
+Irishman with a pleasant face. “He had th’ grit to b’ate th’ shtuffin’
+oout av Ould Sloogs, an’ it’s a fair chance he’ll be afther havin’ th’
+grit to shtay and wor-ruk, no matther av he don’t loike it. Oi’ll bet
+me money on him.”
+
+Frank gave the speaker a grateful look. He saw a begrimed but rather
+comely youth of twenty, who looked as if he had a heart overflowing
+with good nature.
+
+The wipers went to work, relieving those who were there, and the
+machinists appeared and began their tasks of the day.
+
+After a little, Frank found himself left quite alone, and he began to
+feel restless and long to be doing something.
+
+“Here, boy!”
+
+A man was beckoning to him, and he hastened toward him.
+
+“Workin’ here?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“Get hold of this casting and help me lift it. I’ll carry the biggest
+part of it, for it’s heavy.”
+
+Frank’s pride was touched. Immediately he stooped and picked up the
+heavy casting without assistance.
+
+“Where will you have it, sir?” he asked.
+
+The machinist gasped.
+
+“Well--you’re--no--baby! Bring it over here.”
+
+Frank obeyed and put it down as directed.
+
+“That’s all right, young fellow,” said the machinist; “but I advise
+you not to keep it up. If you do, you’ll find all the heavy lifts
+shouldered onto you. I see you are new here. Don’t be too ambitious to
+show what you can do.”
+
+“Thank you for the advice,” said Merry, quietly.
+
+Then he looked around to discover something else to do, and it was not
+long before he found a task shoveling ashes. He was working steadily at
+this when the foreman passed.
+
+Frank expected the foreman would stop and say something to him, but the
+man did not seem to notice him at all.
+
+“All right,” thought Merry, grimly. “You told me to come prepared for
+work, and I’m here. I’m going to work, too.”
+
+He found plenty to be done, and also discovered that the other wipers
+took great satisfaction in giving him the very dirtiest jobs. Still he
+did not complain, but, no matter what he was asked to do, he kept about
+his work steadily and quietly.
+
+“How do you like it, dudie?” asked one of the wipers, mockingly.
+
+“Speaking to me, sir?” inquired Frank, placidly.
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“My name is Merriwell.”
+
+“Oh, it is?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“Well, dudie is good enough, and that goes.”
+
+“Hey, Bill,” called another wiper, “you don’t know who you’re chinnin’
+there.”
+
+“Why, I’m chinnin’ the new superintendent of the road,” grinned the
+taunting wiper.
+
+“You’re talkin’ to the chap that knocked the stuffin’ out of Old Slugs
+yesterday.”
+
+“The blazes I am! What, that soft-looking guy?”
+
+“That’s the one.”
+
+“Well, may I be gosh-darned!”
+
+The man stared at Frank as if unable to believe such a thing possible.
+
+“Why, he’s a kid!”
+
+“If you think so, just get him after ye. Slugs gave you a thrashing,
+and you wouldn’t last half as long with that kid.”
+
+After this the man did not call Frank “dudie” again, but there were
+others who did. Whenever two or three wipers were together in Frank’s
+vicinity, they did their best to jolly him.
+
+Merry did not get angry. He knew that would be the worst thing for him.
+He said very little, but occasionally he made some retort, and in every
+case it proved cutting for the one at whom it was aimed. The men began
+to realize after a while that the soft-looking youth could use his
+tongue quite as skillfully as his fists.
+
+What surprised everybody was the fact that Frank did not show
+hesitation in taking hold of any kind of a job, no matter how dirty. He
+was not squeamish, or, if he was, he did not betray it.
+
+Nearly half the forenoon had passed before Frank learned that Martin
+Hall, or Old Slugs, as he was generally called, had not put in an
+appearance that morning, but was reported to be ill in bed, unable to
+work.
+
+Then some strange workmen came round to see the boy who had whipped Old
+Slugs. They looked him over doubtfully, and were inclined to disbelieve
+the story.
+
+“Slugs could chaw him up in a minute,” one declared.
+
+“That’s what everybody thought till they saw him try it,” said a
+witness of the fight.
+
+“Well, it must have been an accident if that boy knocked Slugs out.”
+
+“It wasn’t no accident. It was the cleanest, smartest fightin’ I ever
+saw. Why, look at him! He don’t bear a mark, and Slugs is in bed, with
+his face all cut and plastered.”
+
+“All right, if you say so; but I don’t understand it.”
+
+All this was very embarrassing to Frank, who regretted the unfortunate
+occurrence that had made him so conspicuous in the roundhouse. He
+continued about his work, pretending that he did not hear the talk.
+
+Long before noon Frank was smeared with dirt and grease. It was a
+strange experience to him, for all his life he had been immaculate
+about his dress and his person.
+
+But he had started out to make his way in the world, and he had begun
+at the very foot of the ladder. No one understood better than he that
+there was no room at the top for shirkers. It was honest work, and he
+hoped for something better in the future.
+
+He did not allow his mind to dwell on the pleasures that were past. He
+knew the winner in the battle of life is the one who looks forward, not
+backward.
+
+Frank felt confidence in himself. He believed he would be able to rise
+in time, and he had entered the roundhouse with the determination to
+keep his eyes and ears open and learn everything possible as fast as
+possible.
+
+Along toward noon, when it happened that there was no worse work
+for him to do, one of the wipers set him to aiding in cleaning up a
+locomotive.
+
+It happened that the man was of a sociable turn, and he fell to talking
+with Frank, asking him many questions, all of which Merry answered
+truthfully.
+
+“It don’t seem to me that you was cut out for this kind of work,” said
+the wiper. “But mebbe you may have luck and get somewhere. It’s mighty
+hard, though. Now, I know every part of an engine, and I can handle one
+as well as half the engineers, but I don’t get no show. I did think
+there was a chance for me to get on firing till the strike over on the
+P. B. & Y. That throwed lots of good men out of work, and some of them
+came right over here and found jobs firing or running engines, which
+knocked out us chaps who was waiting for an opening. No telling now
+when my turn’ll come.”
+
+Frank did his best to cheer the man up, and then found his opportunity
+to ask a number of questions about the names of the different parts of
+the engine. Every explanation the wiper made to him he fixed in his
+mind, and, when noon came, he was satisfied that he had not let his
+first half day pass without learning something.
+
+The foreman came up to him.
+
+“I’ve had my eye on you this forenoon,” he said.
+
+Frank started. He had not fancied that the foreman was noticing him at
+all.
+
+“Yes; I’ve had my eye on you,” said the foreman. “You’ve worked all
+right, and you didn’t stand round with your hands in your pockets
+waiting for somebody to tell you what to do. You found enough to do,
+and you did it. That’s right. Keep on the same way. That’s all.”
+
+Then he walked away, without another word.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE STREET MUSICIANS.
+
+
+That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making
+some repairs on an engine. The work was difficult to reach, and the
+machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them. Frank
+watched to see how everything was done, and asked some questions. At
+first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way
+of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
+He was an intelligent man, and he appreciated intelligence in others.
+This being the case, it did not take him a great while to discover that
+Merriwell was different from the ordinary wiper.
+
+When the machinist spoke of certain parts of the locomotive he found
+that his assistant knew something about them, or, at least, quickly
+caught onto his meaning. Then he was astonished to learn that Merry was
+spending his first day in a roundhouse.
+
+“How have you picked up a knowledge of so many things about an engine,
+young man?” he asked.
+
+“I have two books on locomotive engineering which I purchased,”
+answered Frank, reddening somewhat. “It was a subject that interested
+me, and I have read the books pretty thoroughly.”
+
+“That’s it, eh? Well, you can’t learn anything of real practical value
+without experience; but those books may help you, my boy.”
+
+“I think they will, sir, for I have a good memory, and I do not easily
+forget anything I study.”
+
+“Keep on studying. Anything you want to know you can find out by asking
+me. They’ll tell you old Tom Bowers is sulky and surly, but don’t mind
+that. It’s only my way. I rather like your appearance. I think you are
+a young man with get-there in him, and get-there is what counts in this
+world.”
+
+In this way Frank found another friend, much to the surprise of the
+other wipers, none of whom had been able to get along with Tom Bowers.
+
+The work that afternoon was far more agreeable than it had been in the
+forenoon, and Frank was well satisfied when night came.
+
+At the same time, he knew some of the wipers were already growing
+jealous of him, seeing that he promised to be something of a favorite,
+as he had been able to draw Tom Bowers into conversation. As a rule,
+Bowers swore and snarled at his assistants, but he had treated Frank
+in a different manner.
+
+As Frank left the roundhouse three of the wipers were talking together
+near the door, and one of them said:
+
+“There goes the fellow now. I tell you, we don’t want such chaps here.”
+
+“We can’t help it,” said another.
+
+“Why not? We’ve driven men out.”
+
+“If you think you can drive him, try it. Old Slugs didn’t cut much of a
+figure with him.”
+
+“Oh, I’m not going to try it alone; but the whole of us----”
+
+Frank passed on and heard no more of their talk. He was not disturbed,
+for he knew there was certain to be rivalries and jealousies among
+workmen, and he believed he could live down the dislike for him that
+was being shown at the very beginning of his career.
+
+Frank had taken a room in a cheap quarter. He felt that he must live
+according to his means, and his pay as wiper was sure to be poor.
+
+Merriwell’s former friends would not have believed it possible for
+him to bring himself to one small square room, with bare floors and
+undecorated walls. He smiled as he fancied some of them looking in on
+him in his new quarters.
+
+But no one realized better than Frank Merriwell that the young man who
+lives beyond his means forms habits that lead to certain ruin in the
+end, and he was determined to start right.
+
+There is much in the right kind of a start in life. It is slow,
+heart-breaking work climbing the ladder of fortune, but the patient
+plodder wins in the end, for he makes sure of each step as he goes.
+
+Frank had arranged to take his meals at a cheap restaurant, but he
+went home and washed up thoroughly before going out. He had bought
+some curled hair, which he knew would, with the aid of good soap, be
+very effective in removing the grime from his hands, and, after he
+had washed, scarcely a trace of his work could be discovered by the
+closest inspection. He knew that in time the dirt must wear beneath
+his finger nails so it could not be removed, and so he had cut his
+beautifully-shaped nails as short as possible, preferring to sacrifice
+them rather than carry them about “in mourning.”
+
+He had been fortunate in finding a place to eat, for, although the
+restaurant was cheap, everything looked clean, and he was able to eat
+the food with relish.
+
+Somehow, as he sat there eating, he was not cast down or dejected.
+Instead, a feeling of self-reliance and independence possessed him, and
+his heart swelled with something like exultation.
+
+He had been cast upon his own resources, and he must make his way along
+in the world and unaided. If there was any real ability in him, he
+firmly believed he would succeed, and he welcomed the test. Not a fear
+or a doubt concerning the future possessed him.
+
+Having eaten heartily, he went out for a stroll about the city. He felt
+the need of a walk in the open air, after which he would go to his room
+and get a good night’s rest.
+
+Gradually he walked toward a better section of the city. At last he was
+attracted by the sound of music and of singing, and, in front of some
+shops he saw a boy and girl standing, while a small crowd had gathered
+near.
+
+The boy was playing on a guitar, while the girl was singing. They were
+rather poorly clad, although their clothes were neat and clean. The boy
+might have been seventeen years old, and he had one short, crooked leg,
+making necessary the use of a crutch. The girl was not over fifteen,
+and she had one of the sweetest faces Frank had ever looked upon. There
+was something pathetic about her face--something that struck to Merry’s
+heart with a pang.
+
+The boy joined in with her on the chorus of the song, and there was
+something about it that brought a mist to Frank’s eyes. He stopped and
+listened, feeling in his pocket for a piece of money.
+
+When the song was finished the boy passed around the hat. Few of the
+listeners gave anything, but each one was thanked. Frank threw a dime
+into the hat. It was more than he could afford, but he felt that it was
+the only kind of extravagance in which he would indulge.
+
+The boy and girl looked alike, and Frank decided they were brother and
+sister. The boy played again, and they sang.
+
+A crowd of roistering young chaps came along and stopped. When the song
+was finished they made some comments about the girl, bringing the hot
+blood to the cheeks of Frank Merriwell.
+
+“She’s good enough to hug,” said one.
+
+“That she is,” laughed another. “She’s a peach. What’ll you bet I don’t
+hug her?”
+
+“She needs money. Perhaps she’d let you kiss her for a quarter, Ned.”
+
+“By Jove! I’d give it!”
+
+“You don’t dare, right here on the street.”
+
+“I’ll go you the drinks on it.”
+
+“Done.”
+
+Then Frank Merriwell moved a little nearer.
+
+The fellow called Ned walked up to the girl and chuckled her under the
+chin, saying:
+
+“Ah, there, my little daisy! You’ll make a prima donna some day. Give
+us a kiss, and I’ll give you a quarter.”
+
+The girl shrank away with a little cry of alarm, reaching out in a
+vague way toward her brother.
+
+In an instant the latter was aroused. He uttered a cry of anger.
+
+“Go ’way!” he exclaimed, excitedly. “She’s my sister! How dare you
+insult her?”
+
+“Oh, don’t get gay!” said the youth. “I’m not insulting her. I made her
+an offer.”
+
+“Go ’way, or I’ll strike you with my crutch!”
+
+“You wouldn’t hurt anything. I’ve got a bet on this, and I must kiss
+her or lose. Come, now, here’s half a dollar. That should be an object.”
+
+“Jack!” gasped the girl.
+
+“He shall not touch you!” exclaimed the boy, trying to push the fellow
+away.
+
+“Get out!” ordered the aggressor, catching the boy by the collar and
+giving him a swing that threw him down.
+
+“Shame! shame!” cried some of the spectators.
+
+They started to interfere, but the young bloods jumped in, ready for a
+fight, and the witnesses hesitated.
+
+With one exception.
+
+Frank Merriwell’s blood was boiling. His lips parted slightly, showing
+his white teeth, which were set together.
+
+Just as the fellow caught the shrinking, terrified girl by the
+shoulder, Frank struck him a terrible blow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+UPLIFTED HEARTS.
+
+
+The fellow seemed to whirl end over end and strike out in the middle of
+the street, where he lay in a stunned condition, not even appearing to
+breathe.
+
+Quick as a flash, Frank whirled and faced the others, knowing the
+fellow’s companions would be sure to attempt to avenge him.
+
+“Come on, you loafers!” he cried.
+
+“He struck Ned!” shouted one. “Give it to him!”
+
+They all jumped for Frank, but in doing so they bothered each other
+more or less.
+
+Merry met them halfway, his arms working like piston rods, his hard
+fists cracking on their heads.
+
+It was an astonishing spectacle, for he went into them like a tornado,
+knocking them right and left.
+
+To Frank it seemed that never before had he felt so strong and able.
+He was perfectly confident that he could clean out the entire crowd of
+half-intoxicated young bloods, and he was doing a very satisfactory job
+when somebody cried:
+
+“Police!”
+
+Instantly there was a scattering. Somebody had aided to his feet the
+fellow Frank struck first, and in a few seconds every one of the gang
+vanished.
+
+The policeman came up, followed closely by another, and demanded to
+know what it was all about.
+
+The witnesses of this remarkable encounter quickly explained, while
+Frank was reassuring the frightened boy and girl.
+
+The officer came and looked Merry over.
+
+“That was Bloodgood’s crowd,” said one of them.
+
+“And this chap fought the whole of them,” exclaimed the other.
+
+“He didn’t know what he was up against.”
+
+“It didn’t seem to make any difference, if what the crowd says is true.
+He was getting the best of it.”
+
+“All the same, I reckon it’s a good thing for him that we came along.”
+
+“Young man, you got off easy. We’ll not arrest you, for the people who
+saw it say you were in the right.”
+
+“I think I was, sir,” said Frank, quietly.
+
+“Oh, Mr. Policeman!” exclaimed the lame boy, “those fellows insulted my
+sister and threw me down. Nobody else dared interfere with them, but
+this gentleman fought them all. He knocked down the one who insulted
+Nellie.”
+
+“If we’d got along in time, we’d gathered some of them in. You want to
+look out for that gang, young fellow,” addressing Frank. “They are a
+hard crowd, and they’ll try to get even with you.”
+
+Then the officers dispersed the crowd that had gathered, and moved
+along themselves.
+
+“Oh, how can we thank you, sir?” cried the boy, getting hold of Frank’s
+hand. “You were so good--and so brave!”
+
+The girl reached out in a strange, uncertain way, saying:
+
+“I must thank him, Jack! Where is his hand?”
+
+“She’s blind,” explained the boy. “She’s my sister, Nell, and we’re all
+alone in the world.”
+
+“Blind?” gasped Frank, with a shock of horror. “Why, her eyes look all
+right.”
+
+“Yes; but a doctor said once that the optic nerve was injured by a fall
+she received.”
+
+“Blind?” whispered Frank, as he held both her hands and looked down
+into her blue eyes. “My poor, little girl.”
+
+Her hands trembled in his, and a thrill of sympathy seemed to pass
+between them.
+
+“Oh,” she said, gently, “I know you are good--so good! And I want to
+thank you for defending me from that--that person.”
+
+“Don’t speak of that,” murmured Frank. “It was a great satisfaction.
+You are looking straight at me now. Can’t you see me at all?”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“It is strange. Your eyes look all right save for an uncertain
+expression in them. Some time your sight will be restored. I feel sure
+of that.”
+
+A look of happiness came to her sweet face, and she almost panted as
+she answered:
+
+“I am so glad to hear you say so! I don’t know why, but it seems that
+you must be right. It is so strange, for I feel as if I had known you
+always. What is your name?”
+
+“Frank Merriwell.”
+
+“My name is Nellie Norton. I wish I could see you, Mr. Merriwell.”
+
+“We are trying to get money enough together to have her eyes treated by
+a great oculist,” explained the boy; “but times are hard, and people do
+not have much money to spare.”
+
+“Well, we’ll see what can be done right here,” said Frank, observing
+that a number of the original crowd had returned and were standing
+about.
+
+Then he turned to them and said:
+
+“Gentlemen, this girl is blind. She was not born that way, but
+sustained an injury by a fall that affected the optical nerve. She
+has been told that her sight might be restored by an operation, and,
+with her brother, she is trying to get together enough money to pay a
+specialist to do the work. This she and her brother have just told me,
+for I never saw either of them before this evening. Now, I am poor,
+and can afford no luxuries, but I can afford to give a dollar to help
+this girl recover her sight. I am going to put a dollar in my hat, and
+then I will pass it round. I hope others will give as much as they can
+afford.”
+
+He took off his hat and dropped a silver dollar into it. Then, talking
+in his most pleasant and persuasive manner, he went round with the hat.
+
+Every person present gave something. One old Irishwoman threw in a
+dime, saying:
+
+“Thot’s arl Oi have, an’ Oi wish it wur a hoondred dollars, so Oi do!
+Me ould marn sint me out fer a can av beer, but it’s warther he’ll have
+ter drink to-noight, an’ it’s jist as much good it’ll be afther doin’
+av him. God bliss th’ dear girrul’s swate hearrut! an’ it’s bloind she
+is? An’ she can’t see th’ skoy an’ th’ birruds an’ th’ flowers? An’
+it’s me own litthle b’y as is dead now pwhat wur borrun thot way, an’
+he uster be afther axin’ me pwhat things looked loike, an’ now he’s
+gone foriver where he can see. It’s ounly tin cints, a dhrop in th’
+bucket, but it will do th’ dear, swate girrul more good thot way than
+it’ll do me ould marn roonin’ down his throat, bad cess to th’ lazy
+dog!”
+
+Then she turned and hobbled away in a hurry.
+
+Her example led many of the others to give with the greatest
+liberality, and when the money was counted and passed over to little
+Nell, Frank announced that six dollars and eighteen cents had been
+received.
+
+The blind girl held out her hands to the crowd, laughing even as the
+tears streamed down her face, and brokenly said:
+
+“Oh! I thank you all so much--so much! You have been so kind to me! It
+will be such a help!”
+
+“And I thank you, too!” said the boy, his voice trembling. “Why, it’s a
+small fortune! Sometimes we have worked a whole week and not received
+so much; but I believe luck has turned now, and Nellie will be able to
+see very soon.”
+
+Frank was deeply touched. Then he regretted the loss of his fortune for
+the first time, as it made it impossible for him to take charge of the
+blind girl and see that she had the best medical attention, which he
+would have done in other days.
+
+“Can’t we do something?” asked the boy, eagerly. “We will sing
+something more for you.”
+
+He hastily adjusted the guitar, and strummed the strings a moment.
+
+“What shall we sing, Nellie?” he asked.
+
+“Oh, something lively--some happy song,” she answered, still laughing
+through her tears.
+
+So they sang one of the late popular songs, but the voices of both were
+uncertain, and it was pathetic to witness the affection and happiness
+in the boy’s eyes when he looked at his sister.
+
+In the very middle of the song the girl broke down completely and
+stopped.
+
+“Oh!” she exclaimed; “I can’t sing! Somehow my heart is so full that
+the words will not come out. But I want to thank you again and again! I
+want to thank Mr. Merriwell. Where is he?”
+
+But Frank Merriwell was gone. Stirred to the very depths of his soul,
+he had hurried away while they were singing; and he walked along the
+city’s streets, unmindful of his surroundings, uplifted, exalted,
+strengthened for the battle of life.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+AN ANGRY ENGINEER.
+
+
+That night, as Frank was reading in his room by the light of a kerosene
+lamp, he heard voices from a room adjoining. There seemed something
+familiar in the sound, and he laid down the book on engineering which
+he had been studying.
+
+The voices ceased, but there was a sound of clattering dishes.
+
+The wall was thin, and up near the ceiling a crack showed a ray of
+light.
+
+Frank began to study again, and again the voices interrupted him. This
+time he was sure there was a familiar sound about them.
+
+“Is it possible?” he muttered, starting to his feet. “Can they have a
+room so near?”
+
+His curiosity was aroused, and, with a desire to satisfy himself, he
+drew a chair to the partition and stood upon it. This enabled him to
+peer through the crack.
+
+He found himself looking into a room much like his own. In the middle
+of the floor, directly in the range of his vision, was a table, on
+which stood a lighted lamp. The table was spread for a meal, and at
+that table sat the street musicians, the blind girl and her brother. It
+was evident that they had just sat down, for, as Frank looked, the girl
+bowed her head to ask a blessing.
+
+Hushing his breathing, Frank tried to hear her words. He could not
+understand them all, but he heard her mention his name, and he knew he
+was included in that blessing.
+
+Frank could study no more that night. He walked the floor for a time,
+feeling that a new interest had come into his life, for somehow it
+seemed there was a bond between himself and the young street musicians.
+
+His dreams that night were pleasant.
+
+Frank’s second day in the roundhouse was almost a repetition of the
+first, save that he learned to assist in turning the engines upon the
+table, and he listened to a discussion among the wipers about the
+mysterious properties of the slide valve, which led him to read up on
+the subject as far as possible.
+
+A week passed. By the end of that time Frank was able to clean certain
+parts of the engine in a manner thoroughly satisfactory, and he could
+see that he was making progress in knowledge.
+
+He had also found an opportunity to make known to the young musicians
+that his room was next to theirs, and there was visiting back and forth.
+
+It really seemed to the brother and sister that their fortune had
+turned with the meeting with Frank, for they were doing far better than
+they had done before.
+
+“You must be a mascot, Mr. Merriwell,” laughed the lame boy, as they
+all sat together one evening.
+
+“Please don’t call me Mr. Merriwell any more,” requested Merry. “You
+know my first name. Call me by that.”
+
+“Oh, it doesn’t seem right!”
+
+“It will please me far better.”
+
+“Then we will try, eh, sister?”
+
+The girl smiled.
+
+“Yes,” she said. “Frank is a beautiful name, and it seems so well
+suited to him. Yes, we will call him that if he really wishes us to.”
+
+“I do; and I will call you Nellie and Jack. I hope it is true that I am
+your mascot, and there may be something in it, for my friends who have
+stuck to me have all had good luck.”
+
+“Fortune has been against us a long time,” said the boy; “ever since
+mother died.”
+
+“Tell me something of yourselves,” urged Frank. “How long have you been
+alone in the world?”
+
+“Almost two years now. Father was an invalid the last of his life,
+and so all the money he had saved was used in caring for him. Mother
+did not live long after he went away. She loved him so! Her heart was
+broken, and if it had not been for leaving us, I think she would have
+been glad to go.”
+
+“But have you no relatives?”
+
+“No near relatives who care anything for us. Mother had a brother, but
+we do not know where he is now.”
+
+“But we feel that we have found some one in you who is almost as near
+and dear as a relative,” said the girl.
+
+The absolute loneliness of the brother and sister affected Frank, and
+he resolved to do everything in his power to brighten their lives.
+Thus it came about that he was so often with them. He took pleasure in
+playing upon the guitar, and he regretted to discover that his work was
+beginning to stiffen his fingers. Having made this discovery, he bought
+a preparation to use on his hands to keep them from growing stiff.
+
+Among the engineers was one by the name of Joe Hicks, a man with a
+coal-black mustache and a sullen face. Hicks drank a great deal, but he
+was one of the best engineers on the road, and he managed to keep his
+job. He was surly when he was not well filled with liquor, and brutal
+when he had been drinking.
+
+The wipers, with the exception of Old Slugs, who was back at work, were
+afraid of Hicks. Not one of them liked the job of cleaning his engine,
+for a speck of dirt left anywhere brought a growl.
+
+And it happened before a week was out that Frank was put onto Hicks’
+engine.
+
+The engineer had not left the roundhouse when Merry began work. On his
+way out he paused and stared at Frank.
+
+“Here!” he growled; “what are you doing?”
+
+“Cleaning this engine, sir.”
+
+“Who told ye to?”
+
+“Mr. Ganzell.”
+
+That was the name of the foreman.
+
+“Ganzell’s a fool! Get away from there!”
+
+Frank kept at work.
+
+“Get away from there, I tell ye!” snarled Hicks. “Don’t you hear what I
+say?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Well, why don’t ye mind?”
+
+“Because you are not the foreman.”
+
+“The foreman be--blowed. That’s my engine; I run her. I’m not going
+to have a greenhorn plugging round her. Get away, now. If you don’t,
+I’ll----”
+
+“What?”
+
+Frank turned and looked the man straight in the eyes, and he was
+perfectly cool when he said:
+
+“What will you do?”
+
+“Why, blame your head! I’ll break your neck!”
+
+“I wouldn’t advise you to try it.”
+
+The coolness of the youth staggered Hicks, who was accustomed to seeing
+the wipers start and cringe before him. He felt like collaring Frank,
+but something caused him to stay his hand.
+
+Larry Logan, the young Irishman, came up and stood looking on, an
+expression of satisfaction on his face.
+
+“Oi think ye’d betther foind out th’ b’y ye’re tacklin’, Mr. Hicks,”
+chuckled Larry.
+
+“What in thunder do I care who he is! If he’s one of Ganzell’s
+favorites, it won’t make any difference. If he don’t get away from that
+engine, I’ll mop him all over the ground.”
+
+“It’s a roight swate job ye’d be afther takin’, sur,” grinned the young
+Irishman. “This is th’ chap phwat knocked out Ould Sloogs widout
+gettin’ a marruk on himself.”
+
+“Hey?”
+
+The engineer looked astonished. He had heard of the encounter between
+the bully of the roundhouse and an applicant for work, but it did not
+seem possible that this boy had whipped the ruffian.
+
+“Thot’s dead straight, sur,” asserted Larry.
+
+“Well, I don’t care who he is, I won’t have a slob clean old 33!”
+
+“Phwat are yez goin’ to do?”
+
+“See Ganzell about it.”
+
+“Thot’ll be aisier fer yez than av ye troied to take th’ b’y off th’
+job yersilf.”
+
+“Shut up! Don’t you get sassy, fer I’ll thump ye if ye do.”
+
+Then Hicks hurried away in search of the foreman.
+
+“It’s a roight foine toime ye’ll have wid him,” said Larry to Frank.
+“He’s worse thin Ould Sloogs, fer he’ll be afther hittin’ yez in th’
+back.”
+
+“I am not afraid of him,” declared Frank, quietly.
+
+In a short time Hicks came round with the foreman. Stopping near the
+engine, the angry man pointed to Frank, growling:
+
+“Look here, Mr. Ganzell, you know I take special pride in the way I
+keep my engine. Now what d’yer mean by puttin’ a greenhorn on her to
+clean her?”
+
+“It was necessary, Hicks,” said the foreman, with an expression of
+anger. “I will have an old wiper go over her after Merriwell finishes,
+so she will be all right.”
+
+“But I don’t want a greenie plugging at her. They’re sure to be tryin’
+to find out how things work, and they get things out of order.”
+
+“I don’t think there will be any trouble in that line.”
+
+“Then you don’t mean to take him off?”
+
+“No.”
+
+Hicks was boiling.
+
+“All right!” he snarled. “If anything happens, don’t blame me. You know
+how particular I am with old 33, an’ I don’t think you are givin’ me a
+square deal.”
+
+With that he left the roundhouse, muttering and growling as he went.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+SOME POINTS ABOUT HICKS.
+
+
+Ganzell, the foreman, was not in the most pleasant frame of mind, for
+he did not fancy being talked to in such a manner.
+
+“See what you can do on her, young man,” he said, scowling at Frank.
+“Hicks will raise a howl if he finds the least little thing wrong.”
+
+“I’ll do my best, sir,” declared Frank, as he continued about his work.
+
+“Here, Logan,” called the foreman, “look 33 over after Merriwell
+finishes.”
+
+“All roight, sur,” said the young Irishman, who was at work near by.
+“Oi’ll do thot.”
+
+Then the foreman went away.
+
+After a little Larry Logan came over and watched Frank, making
+suggestions now and then.
+
+“It’s a bad marn ye have agin’ yez, Mr. Merriwell,” said Larry.
+
+“Who, Hicks?”
+
+“Yis, sur.”
+
+“I have done nothing to get him against me!”
+
+“Oi know thot; but he’ll hate yez jist th’ soame, an’ it’s th’ divvil
+he is at toimes.”
+
+“Well, I can’t help it if he does hate me. I was set to work on this
+engine, and I propose to do the job.”
+
+Larry nodded approvingly.
+
+“Oi don’t belave yer afraid av th’ divvil hisself; but it’s well enough
+to kape yer oie open.”
+
+“That’s right. How about Old Slugs?”
+
+“He’s been quiet as a lamb ivver since ye did him oop. Thot wur a foine
+job, Mr. Merriwell, but it won’t be thot way wid Hicks.”
+
+“No?”
+
+“Nivver. He’ll not attimpt to foight yez on th’ square.”
+
+“Will he fight?”
+
+“He may be afther stroiking yez whin ye’re not lookin’.”
+
+“Such foes are the most dangerous.”
+
+“Thot they are, me b’y. An’ av all suspicions are thrue, ye’d not be
+th’ firrust wan Joe Hicks has hit in th’ back.”
+
+“How is that?”
+
+“’Sh! It’s divvil a bit anybody loikes to say it around here, an’ ye
+must kape shtill thot Oi said a wurrud.”
+
+“I’m dumb.”
+
+“Av old Joe wur not a foine ingineer, he’d not hold his job a day, fer
+there do be times whin he st’ames op wid phwhisky, an’ they have to put
+a marn in his place. Anybody ilse would lose his job. Old Joe is docked
+or laid off, at th’ wurust. An’ whin he has pwhisky in, he’s th’ ould
+imp an’ all.”
+
+Larry looked about, as if making sure there was no one near enough to
+hear, and then taking a seat on the pilot, and biting off a huge chew
+of tobacco from a black plug, he went on:
+
+“It wur a year ago old Joe got in his wurrust schrape. It wur thirty
+days thot cost him, besides th’ toime he wur in jail.”
+
+“So he got into jail?”
+
+“Yis.”
+
+“What for?”
+
+“Th’ firrust charge wur fer bein’ droonk an’ disorderly, but thot came
+near not bein’ th’ wurrust av it. It wur thought he did something
+wurruse thin thot.”
+
+Again the young Irishman looked all around, and his manner showed that
+he was fearful that other ears than those of Frank Merriwell should
+hear his words.
+
+“There wur a murther in th’ case!” whispered Larry.
+
+“A murder?” repeated Frank, growing interested.
+
+“’Sh! Nivver a man spakes av it here in th’ place. Hicks were sane wid
+a marn in a tough parrut av th’ city. Th’ nixt marnin’ th’ marn wur
+found dead. He had been hit on th’ head wid a shtone, an’ his skull
+wur not hard enough to shtand th’ crack at all, at all.”
+
+“And they suspected that Hicks did it?”
+
+“Be aisy! be aisy! Th’ charge wur made against him.”
+
+“But not proven?”
+
+“Nivver a bit. He got out av it wid th’ aid av an alibi, av yez know
+what thoat is, divil a bit do Oi.”
+
+“Why, he must have proved that he was in another locality at the time
+the murder was committed.”
+
+“Thot’s it! thot’s it! Thot’s th’ way he escaped.”
+
+“Well, if he proved that he was all right.”
+
+“Av he proved it? Well, he samed to prove it. Anyhow, it wur enough to
+get him off.”
+
+“Of course it is pretty tough to be charged with murder, but many an
+innocent man has been accused of the crime.”
+
+Larry nodded and turned the quid in his mouth.
+
+“An’ minny a marn thot wur not innocent has got off widout bein’
+poonished. It have been talked since thin thot old Joe’s alibi would
+not hold warther.”
+
+“If that is true, why wasn’t it discovered in the first place?”
+
+“It wur fixed fer him thin, an’ th’ weak point not discovered till
+aftherward. Even thin it wur not found by anybody thot cared to get
+mixed in it at all, at all; but thim thot know say it’s more thin aven
+old Joe tapped th’ unlucky devvil on th’ head. Oi warneted to tell yez,
+so ye’d know th’ koind av a coostomer ye wur d’aling wid.”
+
+“Thank you, Mr. Logan.”
+
+“Now, don’t be afther callin’ me Misther Logan. Call me Larry. That is
+good enough fer me.”
+
+“All right, Larry.”
+
+“Take me advice, an’ kape yer oies open fer Joe Hicks. He has been
+known to stroike more thin one marn behoind his back. He’ll hate yez
+now.”
+
+“I can’t help that.”
+
+“Nivver a bit. It’s particular he is wid his engine. Ye know some
+av th’ engineers lave th’ woipers to look out fer breaks on th’ old
+girruls.”
+
+“Yes; I find a great many of them do that.”
+
+“Joe Hicks is not wan av thim.”
+
+“He inspects his own engine.”
+
+“Yis. No woiper iver found a broken spring, leaver ur hanger on his
+engine. He discovers all th’ cracked aquilizers an’ iccintric shtraps.
+It’s really an aisy job cl’anin’ his engine, av ye take care to clane
+it.”
+
+“Well, I am not liable to have the job again.”
+
+“Ye may. Ganzell is square, an’ he don’t loike to have any marn kick at
+him. Av ye do it well this toime, he may kape ye roight here on this
+engine ivery toime she comes in. Oi thought av thot, an’ it’s phwoy Oi
+warnted to tell yez about Joe Hicks.”
+
+“I appreciate your kindness, Larry.”
+
+“Don’t mention it. Now, Oi’ll get to wurruk, an’ Oi’ll look 33 over
+whin ye have finished.”
+
+Then the friendly young Irishman left Frank to his labor and his
+thoughts.
+
+Merry worked slowly and carefully. He was determined to take plenty of
+time on the job and make sure that everything was done as it should
+be. When he thought he had finished, he went over everything again.
+Then he called Larry.
+
+“It’s all roight, me b’y,” declared the young Irishman. “It’s loike the
+wurruk av an ould hand, but it’s tin to wan thot Hicks will be afther
+kickin’ about it.”
+
+“All right,” said Frank. “Let him kick. If you say the job is done all
+right, I am satisfied.”
+
+The foreman came round, but he did not give either engine or Merriwell
+a glance. He had set Larry to look after the matter, and he knew it
+would be all right.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+FRANK DISCOVERS A BREAK.
+
+
+Engine wipers are severe critics of engineers. They know whose engine
+is always in first-class order, wedges never down, nuts and bolts in
+place and tight, and other things as they should be.
+
+Frank rapidly became familiar with all the outward and visible parts of
+a locomotive, for he had plenty of opportunities to see them taken to
+pieces by the mechanics, with whom he soon became a favorite, because
+of his pleasing manners and readiness to do anything.
+
+Manners have much to do with the success of a young man in the world.
+The one who is polite, courteous and willing to make an effort to
+please is certain to stand far better show of success than he who is
+indifferent, thoughtless and rude.
+
+Many young men are taught self-reliance and aggressiveness, and they
+pay too little attention to the forms and conventionalities of life. On
+this account they are apt to value too lightly the little courtesies
+which mark the man of real politeness.
+
+It is said that but for Washington’s courteous bearing and conciliatory
+manners the War of the Revolution might not have been brought to a
+successful close. A person entirely familiar with the history of this
+country at that period, must appreciate the remarkable tact Washington
+used in allaying sectional jealousies. But for his unselfishness and
+polished manners he could not have succeeded in reconciling so many
+conflicting interests and unharmonious elements.
+
+Napoleon well knew the value of courtesy. No great military commander
+was ever more beloved by the officers and men who served under him,
+and, while he felt it necessary to observe a certain degree of dignity
+in his bearing, he often, however, put himself on a footing of perfect
+equality with the common soldiers. He was known to share his rations
+with a soldier and to drink from the canteen of a sentinel.
+
+Chesterfield declared that the art of pleasing is, in truth, the art of
+rising and distinguishing oneself, and of making a fortune and figure
+in the world.
+
+Frank Merriwell lost no opportunity to please those with whom he was
+dealing, and, although he had been regarded as something of a dude when
+he entered the roundhouse, his associates soon found he was ready and
+willing to attempt any and all kinds of work. He never grumbled, and he
+was always volunteering to do things.
+
+Thus it was not strange that some of the wipers quickly grew jealous of
+him, thinking he was shown too many favors.
+
+Frank’s habitual association with well-bred people had done much for
+him. The very air about him was different from that of the other
+wipers, no matter if his clothes were as greasy and his hands as dirty.
+At the same time he never made it apparent that he felt himself too
+good for his work and associates.
+
+The foreman observed this, although he made no sign. He was watching
+Frank with astonishment, but scarcely a word of approval did he speak.
+He was not ready to express himself.
+
+Although he had familiarized himself with the mysterious properties
+of the slide valve, Merry did not attempt to take part in the deeply
+erudite discussions which frequently took place among wipers and
+firemen. He listened and kept still. All the time he was learning,
+feeling sure the time would come when he would be given an opportunity
+to display his knowledge to advantage.
+
+To the surprise of everybody, and the disgust of Joe Hicks, Frank was
+given time after time No. 33 to clean. Hicks growled and glared at
+the youth, but Frank remained polite in his bearing toward the surly
+engineer.
+
+To Merry’s surprise, Old Slugs came to him one day, and said:
+
+“I don’t know that I want to see you done up, even if you did give me
+a thumping. I don’t hold a grudge, for you done it fair and square. But
+I want to tell ye to look out--keep your eyes open all the time.”
+
+“I thank you for the warning, Mr. Hall; but I am afraid I do not
+understand what you mean.”
+
+“You’ve got a bad man down on you.”
+
+“Do you mean Mr. Hicks?”
+
+“Just him. Now, I don’t want it known I made any talk, for I’m not
+hankering to have Joe Hicks get after me when he is on a rampage, but I
+say look out.”
+
+“I shall try to do so; but I see no real reason why Mr. Hicks should
+wish to injure me.”
+
+“Mebbe he ain’t got no real reason. When old Joe gets down on a man, he
+don’t have to have a reason. All he wants is a good chance to do him,
+and he’ll do you, if you ain’t careful.”
+
+“What makes you so sure?”
+
+“Well, I heard him say last night that there was a young upstart here
+who wouldn’t remain here another week.”
+
+“And you think he meant me?”
+
+“I am sure of it.”
+
+“And he means to do me bodily harm?”
+
+“That’s the way he fixes them he don’t like.”
+
+“All right, Mr. Hall. Thank you again. I shall watch out.”
+
+As Larry Logan had said, old Joe was one who always looked his own
+engine over for breaks, never trusting the wipers to discover them.
+
+One day, however, Frank noticed that the center casting on No. 33 was
+broken in such a way that but one bolt held it at all, and that very
+slightly.
+
+He supposed, of course, that the engineer had reported it, and he
+expected every minute to see the men come along with the jacks and jack
+her up to put in a new one.
+
+Though there was a king pin down through both castings, it would be
+suicidal for a man to trust that alone. In rounding a curve the engine
+would be apt to sheer off and shoot off the track at a tangent.
+
+Frank was surprised as the time approached for old 33 to leave the
+house and no attempt had been made to repair her. Then he hunted up Mr.
+Ganzell and reported what he had discovered.
+
+Ganzell seemed doubtful.
+
+“Come with me,” he said, and together they went round the house to the
+hook on which the machinists hung the engineer’s work reports after
+jobs were finished.
+
+He looked the report over and found 33’s.
+
+“It’s O. K.’d,” he said. “Not a word about the center casting. You must
+be mistaken, Mr. Merriwell.”
+
+“I am sure I am not, sir,” declared Frank.
+
+“Well, I will investigate. Come.”
+
+Away they went to inspect the engine. On the way they came face to face
+with Joe Hicks.
+
+“Mr. Hicks,” said the foreman, “Merriwell reports that your truck
+center casting is broken.”
+
+Old Joe’s face turned black, and he gave Frank an awful glare.
+
+“It’s a lie!” he growled. “What’s that kid know about an engine! He
+makes me sick.”
+
+“I beg your pardon, Mr. Hicks,” said Frank, quietly; “I really thought
+it better to report my discovery than to let you take the chance of
+being killed and wrecking the train by going out with her in such a
+condition.”
+
+“Bah! You are trying to play smart, but you’ve made a fool of yourself.”
+
+“Let’s see about it,” said Ganzell.
+
+“My report is O. K.”
+
+“I know it is, for I just looked it up.”
+
+“That’s enough.”
+
+“No! I shall look at your engine.”
+
+“All right. But, if it ain’t so, I want you to take this boy off my
+engine and give me a man that knows something. I’ve stood it just as
+long as I can!”
+
+Down to the engine they went, and the foreman soon satisfied himself
+that Frank had told the truth. Then he was angry.
+
+“What do you mean, Hicks,” he demanded, “by reporting O. K. when your
+engine is in such condition?”
+
+Old Joe tried to answer, but he could not do much of anything but swear.
+
+“Such carelessness is astonishing!” exclaimed Ganzell. “You do not
+deserve an engine. You are incompetent!”
+
+That made the old man furious, and the look he gave Merriwell was
+evidence of the deadly hatred seething in his heart.
+
+“You shall pay for this!” he muttered, in a deadly way.
+
+“No threats, sir!” exclaimed Ganzell. “Merriwell simply did his duty.
+We shall not need you for the next week. You may go home!”
+
+So the engineer was laid off because of Frank’s discovery, and it made
+him hate Merry more than ever.
+
+“He shall pay for it!” he vowed over and over.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+THE INTERRUPTED SUPPER.
+
+
+One evening the street musicians came home in a greatly disturbed state
+of mind and hurried into Frank’s room, where they found Merry.
+
+“Oh, Mr. Merriwell!” cried Jack; “there is a man who has been following
+us about everywhere!”
+
+“And--and he spoke to us!” fluttered the blind girl.
+
+“He’s such a bad-looking man!” said the boy.
+
+“He asked us where we lived,” said little Nell.
+
+“I refused to tell him, and then he got angry.”
+
+“And said we should be arrested as vagrants. Oh! I am so afraid of him!”
+
+“There! there!” said Frank; “don’t get so excited. Was the man
+intoxicated?”
+
+“No! no! no!” answered the boy. “I am sure he was not, and still--and
+still he might have been drinking.”
+
+“Well, you escaped from him all right, and it’s not likely you will see
+him again.”
+
+“I’m afraid we shall, for I am sure the same man followed us last
+evening, though I said nothing to Nellie about it, not wishing to
+frighten her.”
+
+“I don’t see why he should follow you.”
+
+“All I know is that he did.”
+
+“Did he follow you here?”
+
+“Part way, but I guess we gave him the slip by coming through an alley.”
+
+“Well, I wouldn’t worry about it any more. If he makes any more trouble
+for you, I’ll see him.”
+
+“Oh! you are so good!” said the girl, getting an arm about Frank’s
+neck. “I feel safe when we are with you.”
+
+He kissed her tenderly and soothed her fears. Then they invited him in
+to have supper with them.
+
+It happened that Frank had not eaten, having started in to study upon a
+certain part of an engine immediately after reaching his room and taken
+a sponge bath and changed his clothes, he finally agreed to take supper
+with the little musicians.
+
+“You know what a good cook I am,” laughed the lame boy.
+
+“I should be the one to cook,” said the girl; “but I can’t see to do
+that. I can help get supper ready, though.”
+
+They went into the room occupied by the brother and sister. There were
+two small beds in opposite corners of the room, which was rather large,
+one of them being curtained off with cheap cloth.
+
+At one side of the room was a cupboard and a bench. There was a small
+cook stove in the room.
+
+“Now,” cried the boy, as he hopped about with his crutch, “I’ll show
+you what coffee and what biscuits I can make.”
+
+“And I will set the table,” declared little Nell.
+
+“I have a plan,” said Frank. “We will take the table into my room, for
+it will be hot in here after Jack gets his cooking done. We’ll eat in
+there.”
+
+This was agreed upon, and Frank managed to move the table, with very
+little aid from the lame boy.
+
+Jack built the fire and prepared for work. He took off his jacket,
+rolled up his sleeves, washed face and hands, and then got out the cake
+board. In a short time he was working in the flour, and the way he went
+at it proclaimed his skill.
+
+“If you will bring the dishes, Frank, I’ll set the table,” said little
+Nell.
+
+So Merry carried the dishes, what few there were, out through the short
+passage and into his room, where the blind girl, after the cloth was
+spread, stood by the table and arranged them. She seemed to do this
+work by instinct, for she could not have done it better had she been
+able to see.
+
+“Oh, we will have such a lovely supper!” she laughed, her sweet face
+glowing with pleasure. “It seems to me that we have much better times
+since we knew you, Frank. I am certain we are far happier. I am so glad
+we found you!”
+
+“And I am glad, Nellie!” Merry declared. “It would have been lonely
+living here, and you have brightened my life like sunshine bursting
+through a cloud.”
+
+She came near him, her hands clasped, her sightless eyes turned upon
+his face, as if she could see.
+
+“I love to hear you talk,” she murmured. “You have such a pleasant
+voice, and you say such beautiful things. Anyone would know there was
+nothing bad in your heart just to hear you speak.”
+
+“I hope there is nothing bad in my heart, Nellie,” he said, with deep
+earnestness. “It is our duty to keep our hearts free from all evil, but
+sometimes I find it necessary to fight to do so.”
+
+“But you fight so bravely I am sure you’ll never be conquered.”
+
+“Thank you, dear little Nell,” he said, taking both her hands and
+looking down at her face. “Your confidence in me will help me in the
+battle of life. I am at the foot of the ladder now, but some day I may
+mount to the top. If I do, I shall not forget my little companions of
+my days of misfortune.”
+
+“How good you are!” she murmured. “Oh, how I long to see your face!”
+
+“Some day, as true as it is possible, you shall!” he cried. “I cannot
+believe you are fated to be blind forever. The money is coming in
+slowly, but it is coming. Pretty soon you will have enough to travel to
+New York, and have the great specialist treat you.”
+
+“Yes! yes!” she fluttered. “The money never came in so fast as it has
+since we met you. Jack says each night that the time is growing shorter
+and shorter. I can remember something about the way things look. I
+remember the flowers, and I love them so much! They are like fairies,
+decked out in all their fancy dresses. Sometimes Jack, who knows how
+dearly I love them--sometimes he brings me home a few. Then I put
+them in water, and I sit by them, and smell them, and touch them, and
+whisper to them. It seems that they must hear and understand me.”
+
+Her face was bright as she was speaking, but, of a sudden, it became
+shadowed and saddened.
+
+“But, for all I can do,” she went on, mournfully, “they wither and die
+at last. And that hurts me so! I cry over them, and it makes brother
+feel bad, and he says he will not bring me any more flowers. It doesn’t
+seem right that beautiful things should fade and die. Oh, why is it so?”
+
+“It is the law of nature,” said Frank, gently. “All things must have an
+end, but nothing perishes. The flower turns to dust, and from the dust
+another flower springs perhaps. Something comes from it. There is a
+constant and continual change, but nothing really perishes.”
+
+“Yes, yes; Jack and I have talked of that. Sometimes we speak of the
+loss of our dear mother, for she seemed to fade like a flower, and he
+says we shall find her again--some time.”
+
+“It is a beautiful belief,” said Frank. “But you are getting sad,
+little Nell; and we are to be happy to-night, you know.”
+
+Then he cheered her up till soon she was laughing.
+
+Jack came to the door and cried:
+
+“Ready for the feast. The coffee is cooked, and the biscuits will be
+done in four minutes.”
+
+“Wait,” said Frank. “I want to slip out to the street for something. I
+will be back directly.”
+
+He seized his hat and went out. At the corner he passed a man who was
+standing back in the deep shadow. He did not pay any attention to the
+man.
+
+At a fruit store Frank purchased some oranges and bananas. With them he
+hurried back.
+
+The man near the corner slunk deep into a doorway as he passed, and
+then stepped out and followed him lightly.
+
+“Here we are!” cried Frank, gayly, as he deposited the fruit on the
+table. “To-night we will have a treat.”
+
+Everything was ready, and they sat down. Little Nell folded her hands
+and asked a blessing, while Frank and Jack bowed their heads. Jack
+started to pour the coffee. All at once he stopped and stared at
+his sister.
+
+“Gracious, Nellie!” he cried. “You never looked so much like mother
+before! Why, somehow you look just like her as you sit there at that
+end of the table. You should have seen her, Frank. She was a beautiful
+woman.”
+
+“Get her picture,” said the girl--“get it and show it to him.”
+
+Jack sat down the coffee pot and hopped away into the other room. He
+quickly returned with a photograph, which he gave to Frank.
+
+Merry looked at the picture, and, indeed, the blind girl showed a
+strong resemblance to the sad-faced, beautiful woman.
+
+Rap! rap! rap!--a heavy knock on the door.
+
+Little Nell uttered a startled exclamation, and then the door was flung
+open.
+
+Outside stood a dark-faced man, whom Frank recognized instantly.
+
+It was old Joe Hicks!
+
+“It’s the man who followed us!” cried the lame boy, in a flutter of
+excitement.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+AN UNWELCOME RELATION.
+
+
+Frank had risen to his feet and he took a step toward the door.
+
+From the lips of the blind girl came another cry, one of fear.
+
+Frank turned to her.
+
+“Don’t be afraid,” he said, reassuringly. “He shall not harm anyone
+here.”
+
+Then he demanded to know what the man wanted.
+
+Hicks showed his teeth.
+
+“So this is where you stop?” he said. “Well, I’m glad I found that out,
+but it was them others I came to see.”
+
+“What do you want of them?”
+
+The engineer stepped into the room, but Merry halted him with a sharp
+word.
+
+“Stand where you are! You are an intruder here!”
+
+“Oh, don’t put on airs!” snarled old Joe, and Frank saw the man had
+been drinking. “I know my business.”
+
+“State it.”
+
+“Well, a man gets queer notions in his head sometimes, and when I saw
+the face of that gal I was hit by a queer one. I tried to talk with
+her, but she got skeered. I want to know what her name is. Won’t you
+tell me your name, little gal?”
+
+Nell hesitated, trembling slightly. Her brother had his arm about her
+now, and was speaking reassuring words to her.
+
+“Why should she tell you her name?” demanded Frank, a strange feeling
+of apprehension assailing him.
+
+“I’m not doin’ my business with you!” grated the man. “I’ll look after
+you some other time.”
+
+“You may have to do some business with me now, for I am the friend and
+protector of this boy and girl.”
+
+“Oh, you are? Well, who made ye so? You’re not old enough to be their
+guardian.”
+
+“I am old enough to look out for them, and I shall see that they come
+to no harm.”
+
+“You’re a pretty swift young chap for a common engine wiper. Soon as
+you get out from work at night you swell round in good clothes, as if
+you was the son of a millionaire. Where do ye get all your money to do
+that?”
+
+“That is none of your business!” returned Merry, warmly.
+
+“Ain’t, eh? Well, I reckon I can tell ye. You sponge it out of this
+boy and gal you are protectin’. They must pick up lots of money on the
+street, and you get it.”
+
+“It’s not true!” cried the lame boy, his eyes flashing. “Mr. Merriwell
+does not get one cent of it!”
+
+“No! no! no!” exclaimed the girl. “He helps us! He is so good to us!”
+
+“He’s playin’ his game pretty slick,” declared old Joe, “but he ain’t
+your friend for nothin’.”
+
+Then the man obtained a fair view of the picture in Frank’s hand. With
+remarkable swiftness he snatched it, and then, holding it in both
+hands, he stood staring at it, his face working strangely.
+
+Merriwell had started to take the picture from the man, but he stopped,
+astonished by the expression on the face of Hicks.
+
+The engineer looked from the picture to the face of the girl. He seemed
+comparing the two. At last he hoarsely asked:
+
+“Is this the picture of your mother, gal?”
+
+“Yes, sir,” Nell faintly answered.
+
+“Then you are my niece, for it is the picture of my own sister!”
+
+Frank Merriwell started, as if he had been struck a blow. Both the boy
+and girl uttered cries of astonishment.
+
+“It can’t be that you are our uncle!” said little Jack.
+
+“I am Joseph Hicks,” said the engineer, “and Mary Hicks, your mother,
+was my sister.”
+
+“That was mother’s name before she married father,” confessed the boy.
+“But it does not seem possible that you--are--her--brother. You are not
+a bit like her.”
+
+“Well, I’m her brother. That’s why I follered ye. I saw in your
+sister’s face the resemblance to Mary. It was so remarkable that I
+could not help following you about. She is dead?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“And Dave Norton?”
+
+“He is dead, too.”
+
+“Good thing! Never liked him. He was too stuck up. He wouldn’t take a
+drink, or do anything like other people. I’m glad he’s dead.”
+
+“Sir,” cried the boy, “he was my father!”
+
+“That’s no credit to you. But you’re orphans now--all alone in the
+world.”
+
+“Not all alone.”
+
+“No? How’s that?”
+
+“We have Mr. Merriwell.”
+
+“Rot! I’m your uncle. It’s my duty to look after ye. I’ll take care of
+ye, and of the money ye make, too. Ha! ha! ha!”
+
+The lame boy looked appealingly at Frank.
+
+“You may be their uncle,” said Merry, “but you are not yet their
+guardian. There is the door.”
+
+“What of it?” snarled old Joe. “You can’t drive me out! I won’t go! I’m
+goin’ to take charge of these orphans.”
+
+“Not yet.”
+
+“I will!”
+
+“Not till the law gives you the right. Go!”
+
+Then the man appealed to the children.
+
+“I’m your uncle. You must mind me. You can’t refuse.”
+
+“Oh, I am so afraid of him!” half sobbed little Nell, clinging to her
+brother.
+
+“What do you say, Jack?” asked Frank. “Shall he go?”
+
+“Yes!” cried the boy, straightening up. “He looks like a bad man, and
+he talks like one. Sister is afraid of him. He must go!”
+
+“You hear,” said Merry to Hicks.
+
+“Yes, I hear,” he snarled; “but I will not go! I stand on my rights.
+You’re not going to have the money they make to blow for clothes! I’ll
+take care of it.”
+
+“And squander it for liquor. You shall not do that. If you do not go at
+once, I shall throw you out.”
+
+“Don’t you dare put a hand on me!”
+
+Old Joe looked dangerous then, but Frank advanced on him. The man flung
+down the picture and reached toward a pocket. With a leap, Merry was on
+him and had him by the neck.
+
+“You dog!” said Frank. “You deserve to be jailed! You are thoroughly
+evil! Out you go!”
+
+There was a struggle, during which the man drew something bright from
+his pocket. Little Jack uttered a shrill cry and leaped forward,
+swinging his crutch. With that weapon, the boy knocked the knife from
+the man’s hand, and it fell clattering to the floor.
+
+“Aha!” grated the engineer. “He saved ye that time!”
+
+When Frank realized that the man had attempted his life, he was
+furious. With wonderful strength, he lifted old Joe, ran him out into
+the passage, reached the head of the stairs, and threw him down.
+
+Bump! thump! bang!
+
+The man bounced down the stairs, and struck in the darkness at the
+bottom.
+
+“Get out!” cried Frank. “I am coming down, and I’ll throw you out if
+you are there when I reach the bottom!”
+
+The man gathered himself and made haste to get away before Frank could
+reach him, but he retreated swearing vengeance.
+
+Frank turned and ascended the stairs. In the room, little Nell was
+sobbing in the arms of her brother.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+FRANK EXACTS A PROMISE.
+
+
+The very next day old Joe appeared at the roundhouse, although his week
+was not up. He took care to keep out of Ganzell’s sight, but he hung
+around.
+
+“Phwat th’ divvil is he up to?” asked Larry Logan. “He’s apt to git
+another wake off av th’ ould marn sees him.”
+
+Some of the men spoke to old Joe, but he snarled at them in reply, so
+they quickly decided to let him alone.
+
+Hicks was seen in the vicinity of 33, and Logan got a fancy that he
+contemplated some trick with the engine.
+
+Frank Merriwell was busy at work, and he paid no attention to his enemy.
+
+Hicks showed he was still drinking, for he was in his shirt sleeves,
+not even having worn a coat to the roundhouse.
+
+Frank’s work often took him outside the building, sometimes to turn the
+table, sometimes to do other things.
+
+No. 33 was being run by a spare man, who appeared as the time
+approached for her to go out. The fireman was on hand in advance, and
+had steam up.
+
+It happened that Frank Merriwell was on his way to the roundhouse from
+another building when the time came for old Joe’s engine to come out.
+He was walking near the track just as 33 glided out of the door.
+
+There were several persons about, and Merry was paying very little
+attention to any of them. He was attending strictly to his business, as
+was his habit.
+
+As old 33 came along, Frank received a heavy jolt that threw him on the
+track directly in front of her pilot!
+
+Had the engine been running a trifle faster, or had Frank been less
+nimble, the life of the young wiper would have been crushed out beneath
+the wheels then and there. As it was, the pilot brushed Merry as he
+scrambled from the track.
+
+Frank leaped to his feet, quivering all over with anger.
+
+Whoever the man was, he was on the other side of the engine at that
+moment, but Merry would know quickly.
+
+The fireman of 33 had been running her out. He saw Merriwell knocked
+down before her nose, and threw back the lever, although he realized
+it was too late to save the youth by his efforts to stop the engine. A
+moment later, he saw Frank was safe from harm, and he sent her ahead
+again.
+
+Then, as the engine passed on, Frank leaped across the track and sprang
+after a man who was walking swiftly away.
+
+“Here!” he cried, and his hand fell on old Joe Hicks’ shoulder.
+
+The engineer turned, uttering a snarl. His face was white and his eyes
+staring. It was plain enough that he was completely unstrung at that
+moment.
+
+“So it was you who tried to kill me in that cowardly manner!” cried
+Frank, his eyes blazing. “Well, that is even worse than I expected of
+you!”
+
+“What d’yer mean?” hoarsely demanded the man.
+
+“I mean that you knocked me onto the track in front of 33, which was a
+deliberate and criminal attempt to kill me!”
+
+“You lie!”
+
+“It is true!”
+
+“I say you lie!”
+
+“And I say you lie, Hicks!” growled a hoarse voice, and Old Slugs came
+up. “I saw the whole thing, an’ I’ll swear you done it on purpose.”
+
+“You?” Hicks hissed. “Why, you’re a fool! You ain’t got no reason to
+love this youngster! You’d oughter be glad ter see him knocked out.”
+
+“Mebbe I had, but I’m no murderer, an’ I don’t care ter ’sociate with
+murderers. Merriwell gave me a hammerin’, but he done it fair, an’ I
+ain’t doin’ him dirt in return.”
+
+“You’re a fool!” Hicks again hissed.
+
+“All ther same, I reckon my word will stand if I have ter tell what I
+jest saw you do. You’ll git scarce mighty quick round this shop when
+the old man hears of that.”
+
+“You hear!” came from Frank. “I have the proof!”
+
+“All right!” panted the desperate engineer. “I can live. I’ll take care
+of my nevvy and niece. If I’m out of work, I can look arter them all
+the better.”
+
+Frank started. So that was what Hicks would do. He would force himself
+on the lame boy and the blind girl by right of relationship. He would
+take the money they made on the street, and he would spend it for drink.
+
+A sudden idea came to Merry.
+
+“Look here, Mr. Hicks,” he said, “on one condition I will agree not to
+make a charge against you.”
+
+“What’s that?”
+
+“You are to let little Jack and his sister quite alone. You are not
+even to claim them as relations, or try to see them.”
+
+“Think I’ll do that?”
+
+“If you don’t, I’ll swear you tried to kill me to-day, and I have the
+proof. You were seen by Mr. Hall and by the fireman on 33. You will
+lose your job on this road. You will be discharged in disgrace, and it
+will not be easy for you to get a job anywhere else. When they ask you
+why you left the last place, you’ll have to lie. Perhaps they will know
+why you left. You may be blacklisted.”
+
+Old Joe’s face turned almost green, while his lips seemed dry and
+parched. He stood before Frank Merriwell, half cowering, half defiant,
+like a tiger driven at bay.
+
+“Choose!” commanded Frank.
+
+“I don’t like the idea of letting you have your way with the kids.”
+
+“Choose!”
+
+“Oh, well, you could fix me if you went and told that stuff to the old
+man. It was all an accident, but----”
+
+“Choose!”
+
+“I don’t care a rap about the kids anyway. You needn’t worry about me
+botherin’ them.”
+
+“You give your word not to trouble them?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“You will not even try to see them? Promise that.”
+
+“I promise.”
+
+“All right. I will not make a complaint against you.”
+
+“But I may,” growled Old Slugs, who did not seem at all satisfied.
+
+“No!” exclaimed Frank, quickly. “You must not!”
+
+“I ain’t makin’ any promises.”
+
+“Why, blow ye!” grated Hicks. “You don’t dare!”
+
+“Yes, I do,” returned Old Slugs, sullenly. “I don’t like you none too
+well, and I’d as lives see you get out of here as not. It’s my duty to
+report what I saw, an’ I’m goin’ to do my duty.”
+
+“Ah--a--ah! You’re thunderin’ particular about your duty all to once! I
+won’t forgit it. I’ll have a score to settle with you!”
+
+“I’ll keep watch for ye better than Merriwell did. You won’t get the
+chance on me.”
+
+“But you shall not report this affair, Mr. Hall,” came firmly from
+Frank’s lips.
+
+“Who says so?”
+
+“I do.”
+
+“But you ain’t got any right to say so.”
+
+“All the same, I do. If you report it, I’ll----”
+
+Frank hesitated, and Old Slugs quickly asked:
+
+“What’ll you do?”
+
+“I’ll give you another thrashing, and it will be worse than the first!”
+flared Frank, looking as if he were ready to start in on the job at
+that moment. “I’ll fix you so you will not work for more than one day!”
+
+It was plain enough that Frank meant exactly what he said. Old Slugs
+could not doubt it.
+
+“Why,” said Hall, “I’m your friend now. I came here and stood by you in
+this matter against Hicks.”
+
+“You are not my friend if you say a word about it to the old man. You
+will be my enemy.”
+
+“You must be foolish! If Hicks stays here, he’ll get at you ag’in, and
+he may do me, too. The only safe thing for us now is to report him, and
+then he’ll be fired.”
+
+“I will take my chances. As for you, you can’t be afraid of him, for
+you can handle him. Give him another show. Perhaps he will appreciate
+it.”
+
+“All right, if you say so, but it seems like a fool trick.”
+
+“You’ll keep mum?”
+
+“If you say so.”
+
+“I do. I have your promise. Do not break it.”
+
+Old Slugs went away grumbling and growling, and Frank turned to the
+engineer.
+
+“I have saved you from being discharged,” he said. “Of that there can
+be no doubt. All I ask of you in return is that you let Jack and Nellie
+entirely alone.”
+
+Hicks nodded.
+
+“If you do not,” cried Frank, his fine eyes flashing, “by the eternal
+skies, I’ll make you regret the day you ever saw them! That is all.”
+
+Then he turned and walked into the roundhouse to go about his work.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+ON A SWITCH ENGINE.
+
+
+Two days later Frank was working in the yard when Sam Hobson, a yard
+engineer, came up behind him and addressed him.
+
+“Is your name Frank Merriwell?” he asked.
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“I want you.”
+
+Frank went over to the grimy-looking man who had spoken to him. Engine
+91, used for switching purposes, was ready to go out of the roundhouse.
+
+“Get inter the cab there,” said the man, motioning for Frank to climb
+up.
+
+Merriwell was amazed, and he hesitated, saying:
+
+“Mr. Ganzell----”
+
+“Don’t you worry about Mr. Ganzell, but do as I told you. He sent me
+for a man. Get inter the cab.”
+
+Frank hesitated no longer, although he was filled with wonder.
+
+Often when short of firemen the yard engineers would take one of the
+wipers, but it did not seem possible to Frank that he had been selected
+for such work.
+
+Merry swung up into the cab, and Hobson leisurely followed. Several
+wipers stared in astonishment, not one of them regarding it as possible
+that the boy who had been at work in the roundhouse but a short time
+had been chosen to fire on 91.
+
+The engineer glanced at the gauge, and then looked to see that
+everything was in place.
+
+“Ring,” he said, for he had received the signal to go ahead.
+
+Frank pulled the bell-rope, and Hobson opened her up a little and let
+off the brake. Then 91 ran out of the roundhouse into the yard, and was
+switched onto a certain track.
+
+“Keep the gauge about where she is now,” said the engineer.
+
+Then Frank knew he had been selected to fire on that engine for the
+time being, at least. His heart gave a great leap of joy, but he simply
+and calmly said:
+
+“All right, sir.”
+
+Frank was nervous. It was not the first time he had been on an engine,
+for he had sought the friendship of the engineers, and had found
+opportunities to ride about the switches and watch the work, but never
+yet had he flung a shovel of coal in at a furnace door. He had watched
+and studied, feeling sure that his time would come, and all his life it
+had been his way to pick up all the knowledge he could obtain, knowing
+that almost anything a man learns comes of practical use some time.
+
+Open came the furnace door and Merry gave a glance at the glowing heap
+within. Then he seized the shovel, and, feeling stronger than ever
+before in his life, began to fling in the coal, giving each shovelful
+a dextrous flirt that scattered and distributed it evenly. When he
+thought he had shoveled enough, he closed the door with a clang.
+
+Hobson said not a word, but just then, having received another signal,
+he reversed, and 91 started backward along the track. Up to the leather
+seat went Frank, and he rang the bell as the engine backed along the
+track.
+
+In a very few minutes 91 was busy pushing and hauling cars about and
+moving them from one track to another.
+
+For nearly an hour Hobson had nothing to say, and Frank made no talk,
+for his mind was on the various tasks it was his duty to perform. He
+seemed to know exactly what to do, and not once did the engineer have
+to give him directions.
+
+Then came a few minutes of leisure when 91 was not busy. Hobson caught
+up a black pipe and lighted it. As he was rolling great puffs of
+blue-white smoke out of his mouth, he shut one eye in a queer way and
+stared at his companion with the other.
+
+“Humph!” he grunted. “When did you fire before?”
+
+Frank flushed, for there seemed a trace of derision in the voice and
+manner of the man.
+
+“I never fired before, sir.”
+
+“What!”
+
+“That is true. This is my first attempt.”
+
+“You’re pretty young. Ain’t twenty-one yet?”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“How long have you worked wiping?”
+
+“Almost four weeks.”
+
+“No longer than that?”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“Humph!” grunted Hobson again, pulling away at the black pipe with an
+expression of deep satisfaction.
+
+It seemed that the engineer doubted Merry’s statements, which made
+Frank feel rather resentful.
+
+After a brief silence, Hobson spoke again.
+
+“You’re the chap that thrashed Old Slugs?”
+
+“I had a fight with the man.”
+
+“Ya-as, I heard about it. Everybody was astonished. Said a boy licked
+him, and he’s a tough nut. How’d you do it?”
+
+“With my fists, sir.”
+
+“Of course, but I don’t understand it. You’re a queer case. I wondered
+why the old man told me to take you to fire to-day.”
+
+Frank started.
+
+“Then you were told to take me?”
+
+“Ya-as. Ganzell told me to find the youngest wiper in the house and
+take him. Said his name was Frank Merriwell. I wouldn’t have picked you
+if it hadn’t been for that.”
+
+Frank’s heart was filled with gratitude, for he realized that Ganzell
+had given him this opportunity, which would not, in the natural order
+of things, have come to him in a long time.
+
+Ganzell had seemed to pay very little attention to Merry, but, in
+truth, he was watching him closely. It did not take him long to
+discover that the youth was built of the right material, and, although
+Frank did not know it, the foreman gave him all sorts of opportunities
+for learning things.
+
+And now, before the first month was up, Frank had been selected to fire
+on a switch engine!
+
+He knew the position might be simply temporary, and that there was a
+chance for him to go back wiping engines, but the mere fact that he had
+been chosen once, if he proved competent, was enough to pave the way to
+a regular job as fireman.
+
+Hobson started in to find out how much Frank really knew. He asked
+Merry a hundred questions about the different parts of a locomotive,
+and about handling one, and, with very few exceptions, the youth
+answered correctly.
+
+“Well,” said the engineer, “you know as much in certain ways about a
+locomotive as some men who have been running ’em for years. How you
+found out so much in a short time is what sticks me.”
+
+“I have been studying a book on locomotive engineering,” explained
+Frank.
+
+“Oh, that’s it! Well, what you want to study now is an engine, and let
+your book alone. We’ve got the signal to run out onto the main track.
+Here, see if you can run her out.”
+
+Then he stepped away and gave up the lever to Frank.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+CAPTURING A WILD ENGINE.
+
+
+Frank ran the engine out all right, although it startled him somewhat
+to feel her go the instant he touched the throttle. He knew how she
+ought to be handled, but found it rather confusing when he came to do
+it himself. The throttle, reverse lever and brake seemed to be in each
+other’s way, and he could not find them with his hands without looking
+for them, something that is a dead giveaway for a greenhorn.
+
+Hobson talked to Frank, telling him just how everything should be done,
+and he permitted Frank to handle the engine for some time, although
+some of his criticisms were rather cutting.
+
+Occasionally Frank caught himself in the act of giving her steam when
+he should have reversed her first, and the laughter of Hobson was not
+calculated to make him any cooler. Still, after a time, he began to
+grow more confident, and the engineer ceased laughing and criticising.
+
+At the end of an hour, Hobson said:
+
+“You’ll be a winner all right, young man; but you want to let booze
+alone.”
+
+“I do not touch it, sir,” answered Frank.
+
+“That’s all right. By booze I mean everything--beer and all.”
+
+“I never drink beer.”
+
+“With your color? Not when you are thirsty?”
+
+“Never.”
+
+“Hum! Where did you work before you came here?”
+
+“I was in college, sir.”
+
+“College? And you never worked anywhere else?”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“What college?”
+
+“Yale.”
+
+“Then you used to drink?”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“Why, all them college chaps drink! They’re a wild crowd, and they
+don’t do a thing but steam up at times. You must have had your little
+toots with the boys.”
+
+“If by ‘little toots’ you mean drunks, you are mistaken. I suppose I
+have had as much sport as anybody, but I never took a drink of beer or
+liquor in my life!”
+
+“Well, you’re a wonder! But you’ll have to look out now. Railroad men
+are worked pretty hard, especially firemen and engineers, and many of
+them brace up by drinking, especially when they have not had a wink of
+sleep for twenty-four hours, as sometimes happens. You’ll be tempted to
+do that some time.”
+
+“I do not think so, sir; but, if I am tempted, I shall resist.”
+
+“That’s right,” nodded Hobson, gravely. “If you never take your first
+drink, you’ll be all right. I would have been myself. I was a passenger
+engineer once, and now I am on a switch engine. What put me here?
+Rum! Couldn’t let booze alone. I don’t like to talk about it, for it
+makes me feel ugly. I’ve sworn off a thousand times, but it’s no use.
+I always break over. You see I know so many of the boys who take
+something. After I have been without it a long time, I get a hankering
+to do something. Then I run into some of the men. I think I won’t
+drink, but the man who has done so once is always tempted. His friends
+say that a little snifter will do him good. He ain’t lookin’ well, and
+he thinks he ain’t feeling well. He says he’ll just take a small one as
+medicine. Then it’s all off. That small one starts him in again, and
+he’s just as bad off as he was before. Yes, if you never take the first
+one, you’ll be all right, and you will get somewhere in the world.
+Drink is what holds men down. It keeps them from rising. It wastes
+their money and keeps them poor. It makes hard times for the laborer.
+Oh, I know! I know all about the man who gets plumb full, loses his
+job, and curses the hard times.”
+
+The man’s manner, as much as his words, showed how deeply he felt what
+he was saying.
+
+It was not necessary to read Frank Merriwell a temperance lecture.
+He fully realized the truth of Hobson’s words. Years before he had
+promised his dying mother that he would not drink, and although he had
+been greatly tempted, that promise had never been broken.
+
+Finally, when the work slackened somewhat, Hobson swung down from the
+engine and went into the yardmaster’s office, saying he would be back
+in a minute.
+
+The main track was clear, and Hobson had not been gone a minute when
+Frank was directed to run up past the freight house and change onto
+another switch. This was to be done on the main track, as no trains
+were due.
+
+But just as 91 was running along the main track past the freight
+house, the operator came jumping out of the little office, showing
+great excitement.
+
+“Get off the track!” he cried. “Clear the track. There is a wild engine
+coming, and she ought to be here now!”
+
+Frank’s heart gave a leap. A wild engine was coming, and he was on the
+main track.
+
+“Which way is she coming?” he cried.
+
+“East.”
+
+She was behind him.
+
+“Here she comes!”
+
+The operator waved his arms and shouted. Looking over the tender Frank
+saw the wild engine just rounding a curve in the distance. Then he
+opened up, and 91 jumped ahead.
+
+Frank thought he might get down past the switch, and back onto the
+first siding, thus letting the wild engine pass. He was going to make
+the attempt.
+
+But, as he approached the switch, he saw that the tender was not on
+hand, although he had whistled for the man.
+
+Another look back told Merry he had not a moment to spare if he would
+get out of the way of the runaway engine. He thought he might be able
+to stop 91, jump off, open the switch, get on again, and back out of
+harm’s way. Then he saw that he might not be able to do the trick, and,
+even if he did succeed, he could not leave the engine again in time to
+throw the switch and save the runaway from being wrecked.
+
+In such a position it was necessary to think swiftly. There was one
+thing he could do.
+
+He could run away from the wild engine if he could keep up steam.
+
+Now the engine was close upon him, and he hooked 91 up another notch.
+Down past the first switch he ran, bidding farewell to the hope of
+backing in and leaving a clear track.
+
+“I must stop the runaway!”
+
+He muttered the words and his jaws squared. Now that he was in a
+position of peril, he never felt cooler in his life. Again he looked
+back at the oncoming engine, calmly measuring the distance between them.
+
+He wondered why the operator had not received notice before of the
+runaway, but there was little time then to speculate on that point.
+
+As he looked back, he became aware that the runaway was not making much
+over twenty miles an hour. It was evident that her steam was running
+down, and she was nearing the end of her wild trip.
+
+Then Frank became confident. He knew well enough that there was a
+clear track ahead, but it would be necessary to whistle for crossings
+whenever possible. Four miles away was a hard grade.
+
+“I’ll stop her there,” he decided.
+
+He set about regulating the speed of 91 so that he could keep clear of
+the runaway, and still the wild engine was permitted to creep nearer
+and nearer.
+
+It gave Frank a creepy feeling to see her coming up silently, without
+sound of bell or whistle, and with no human being in her cab.
+
+When the stretch of woods at the foot of the grade was reached, the
+runaway was not over four rods away. Then Frank permitted her to come
+nearer and nearer till the nose of her pilot was right under the tender
+of 91.
+
+Then Frank left the cab and scrambled back over the tender, swinging
+down onto the pilot of the runaway. He worked swiftly, fearing the wild
+engine might give out and let 91 get away, but this did not happen, and
+he succeeded in coupling the two.
+
+“Hurrah!” he cried, with boyish enthusiasm. “I have her!”
+
+Back along the running board he went and soon was in the cab. He found
+she was hooked up to within one short notch of the center. Her cylinder
+cocks were open.
+
+It did not take Merry a moment to shut off steam, so that the runaway
+was helpless, but in that moment he discovered the cause of the
+runaway--a weak throttle latch-spring.
+
+Back to 91 Merry made his way, and soon both engines were at a
+standstill. He had successfully captured the runaway.
+
+There was a crowd waiting when Frank backed to the yards with the wild
+engine. Sam Hobson was there, looking pale but relieved, and a gang of
+brakemen and switch-tenders welcomed the hero of the adventure with
+cheer after cheer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+FRANK’S FRIENDS.
+
+
+“Well done, boy!” cried Hobson, as he swung into the cab. “No man could
+have done better. But I’ll get it in the neck for being away from the
+engine. I’ll have to lie about it.”
+
+“I beg your pardon, sir,” said Frank; “but I think that would be the
+very worst thing you could do.”
+
+“Hey? Well, you don’t suppose I’m going to tell that I was off to get a
+drink?”
+
+“Was that why you left the engine?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“And you were reading me a temperance lecture a short time before!”
+
+“I told ye what the cursed stuff does for a man. No one knows better
+than I! Just talkin’ about it made me feel that I must have a swaller.
+I knew where to get it, and I went after it. It was just my luck to
+have something happen to show that I was gone.”
+
+Frank felt like preaching a sermon on luck then and there, but
+refrained.
+
+Hobson wanted to know just how Frank succeeded in stopping the runaway,
+and Merry told him the story briefly.
+
+“That is bound to fix you all right,” said the engineer. “I’ll bet
+anything your days as wiper are over.”
+
+He was right. That night Frank was told to come the following morning
+ready to take a regular job as fireman, while Hobson, who was unable
+to satisfactorily account for his absence from 91, was laid off.
+
+The wipers were jealous and angry. Some of them sneered at Merry, but
+the most of them kept still and contented themselves by giving him
+black looks.
+
+The cause of the runaway was explained by the weak throttle
+latch-spring, which had been reported over and over again, but had not
+been replaced, as it should have been. However, somebody had to suffer
+for it, and the man who had charge of her was the one.
+
+Frank was feeling light-hearted as he walked homeward that night, when,
+of a sudden, he remembered that little Nell, the blind girl, was ill.
+He stopped on his way and bought some fruit for her.
+
+The lame boy was sitting at the bedside of his sister when Frank came
+in. There was an eager look on Nellie’s face, for she had heard and
+recognized Frank’s step.
+
+“I’m so glad you have come!” she said, weakly, stretching her arms
+toward him.
+
+He hurried to her, took both her delicate hands in his, and kissed her
+tenderly.
+
+“How is my little girl to-night?” he asked.
+
+“Oh, I was so tired--so tired of lying here!” she answered. “But I am
+better now that you have come. It seemed that you were away such a
+long, long time. It is awfully tiresome to be ill in bed--and blind.
+Oh, if I could see!”
+
+“You know you are going to be able to see again some time when we get
+together enough money to have the great specialist treat you.”
+
+“Yes, I know; but this being ill is using up all the money we have
+saved. Oh, it is such an awful setback!”
+
+“That is worrying her,” said the lame boy, anxiously. “I am afraid it
+keeps her from getting well as fast as she should.”
+
+“Well, do not let it worry you any more, little girl,” said Frank. “I
+have been given a new job to-day. I am to be a fireman after this, and
+I shall get better pay. This money business is coming out all right.
+All I want of you is to get well as soon as you can, and that for your
+own sake.”
+
+“But we have no right to take your money--the money you have to work so
+hard for. No, no; we can’t take that.”
+
+“No, no,” cried the lame boy.
+
+“You leave things to me,” laughed Frank. “It will be all right. Think
+how lonely I should have been if I had not found you for companions. It
+is the greatest pleasure I have in life to aid you.”
+
+“But we can’t take your money.”
+
+“No, no!”
+
+“I do not wish you to take it as a gift,” said Merry. “I will loan it
+to you, you know. It will not be much, anyway. What did the doctor have
+to say to-day?”
+
+“Oh, he said I was doing well,” answered little Nell. “He said I was
+not strong, and I came very near having a fever, but I will be all
+right very soon.”
+
+“Well, that is encouraging. He told me last night that I might bring
+you some fruit, but you must eat sparingly of it. I bought some as I
+came home.”
+
+“Oh, how good you are to us!” cried the girl, with a graceful sob. “You
+have such a kind heart! Once it seemed that the world was full of bad,
+cruel people; but, since we met you, I know it is not true.”
+
+“No, Nellie, there is far more good in the world than anything else.
+Human beings are peculiar. Sometimes a person may seem very bad and
+wicked when all it needs is the right influence to develop in him the
+most surprisingly noble qualities. Never lose confidence in human
+nature.”
+
+“That is the way you always talk, Frank, and it makes me feel so
+hopeful and happy. Before I knew you I was often sad, but no one can be
+sad where you are.”
+
+“I never permit myself to be sad for any length of time,” declared
+Frank, “for sadness is one of the greatest causes of failure in the
+world. The person who is always sad and mournful is shunned in business
+as well as in society. He is anything but a pleasant companion, and men
+do not care to deal with him. In almost every case, the real source of
+sadness is feebleness of the soul, and it is the strong soul that wins
+in the battle of life. But I am not going to preach.”
+
+“Oh, I love to hear you talk!” declared the girl, still clinging to his
+hands. “There is always a lesson in what you say. I wonder how it is
+that you know so much.”
+
+Frank laughed.
+
+“You fancy I know so much, that’s all.”
+
+“No. You never say foolish things.”
+
+Then Frank blushed, for he thought of his college days, and he knew
+that a thousand foolish things had tripped lightly from his tongue in
+the badinage that prevailed on many an occasion.
+
+“We are glad you have been promoted, Frank,” said the lame boy. “How
+did it happen? I am sure you deserved it.”
+
+Then Frank told all about his capture of the wild engine, but he was
+forced to make the account of the adventure as mild as possible, for
+little Nell grew very excited over the thrilling parts.
+
+“Oh, I knew you would stop it!” she exclaimed. “It is just like you!
+You always do such things.”
+
+“I might not if I had been able to get off the main line onto the
+switch,” laughed Frank.
+
+“Oh, I believe you would--I believe you would have followed and
+captured the engine.”
+
+Frank felt that it was an inspiration to know some one had such
+confidence in him. The person who knows brave and noble things are
+expected of him is more likely to be brave and noble than one who
+realizes that no one has confidence in him.
+
+Little Jack hopped about getting supper ready, while Frank sat beside
+the bed and talked to Nellie. While he was near her face bore an
+expression of perfect contentment and happiness. To him she was just
+a dear, frail, little child who had found a place in his heart by her
+innocence and her gentleness. To her he was the one great hero of whom
+she had dreamed, and she loved and revered him more than words could
+express.
+
+Sometimes she had longed to ask him many questions about himself, but
+she had been afraid to do so, and, for the most part, he had remained
+silent. Now, however, she plucked up courage enough to ask some
+questions, and Frank told her about his early school days, about his
+mother who was dead, about his life at Fardale and Yale, and about the
+two girls, Inza Burrage and Elsie Bellwood, who had been so dear to him.
+
+As he spoke of Inza and Elsie, her hands gripped his fingers a bit
+tighter, and it seemed that her blind eyes were looking into his with a
+wistful expression. She showed the deepest interest then, and, when he
+ceased speaking, she asked him to describe both girls to her.
+
+He did so, telling of Inza first. She listened, seeming to hush her
+breathing, so eager was she. When he had finished describing Inza’s
+striking beauty and spirited ways, a sigh escaped the listener’s
+lips--a sight of relief.
+
+“Ah!” she said, with a faint smile; “you cared for her because she was
+so handsome.”
+
+“No, no!” cried Frank, quickly. “Inza is a splendid girl. She is a girl
+of whom any fellow would be proud.”
+
+“I believe that, but still---- Tell me of Elsie.”
+
+Frank hesitated.
+
+“I don’t know how to describe her,” he declared. “She is so different
+from Inza.”
+
+Then, faltering at first, but growing eloquent as he proceeded, he
+described the blue-eyed, golden-haired girl who had been Inza’s rival.
+His voice was full of music and tenderness, and, all unconscious to
+himself, his words became poetic. As he proceeded, he felt little
+Nell’s hands trembling in his grasp.
+
+At last he finished, and there was a little silence.
+
+“Frank,” said the blind girl, with something like a sob, “you love
+Elsie!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+FIRING A FREIGHT ENGINE.
+
+
+The next morning Frank came to the roundhouse at an early hour, for
+he knew it was his duty to have his engine ready when the engineer
+appeared.
+
+Old Slugs came up and said:
+
+“I’m glad for ye, boy, but the gang is mighty sore, and ye’ll have your
+troubles. They don’t like to have a man push in over them the way you
+have done.”
+
+“I have simply taken things that came my way,” declared Frank.
+
+“That’s all right, but it don’t make no difference. They hate ye just
+as bad for havin’ the chance.”
+
+“Well, I can’t help that.”
+
+“Of course not. They think I ought to make a kick, but I ain’t sore,
+and I think you got the place because you was smart, as well as lucky.
+You and I ain’t never had no trouble since that first time, have we?”
+
+“No.”
+
+“Well, we won’t. I wish ye good luck.”
+
+“Thank you, Mr. Hall.”
+
+Old Slugs slouched away to his work, and, ten minutes later, Frank was
+set to getting Engine 33 ready.
+
+Merry started when he was put onto that engine, for it was run by his
+worst enemy on the road, old Joe Hicks, the uncle of the lame boy and
+blind girl.
+
+Old Joe had tried in every way possible to injure Merry, but had failed
+in every attempt.
+
+Not a word did Frank say, but climbed onto the engine and went to work
+making her ready. He knew there would be a warm time when the engineer
+appeared.
+
+Old Joe came hurrying in and climbed aboard the engine without noticing
+Frank. When he saw Merry he stopped short, stared at him a moment, and
+uttered a curse.
+
+“What’re you doin’ here?” he snarled, looking as if he longed to fly at
+the youth.
+
+“Getting this engine ready to go out,” was the calm answer.
+
+“The deuce you are! What’s the matter with Bob?”
+
+“I don’t know. All I know is that I was put onto this engine to fire.”
+
+“Well, I’m blowed if I’ll have it! Get off!”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“This is my engine, and----”
+
+“You run her, but you don’t own her.”
+
+“I’ll never run her an inch with you on board.”
+
+“All right. But your chances of running her any more is mighty small if
+you stick to that.”
+
+“You talk as if you owned the road.”
+
+Frank was silent, for he did not care to waste his breath on the man
+unnecessarily, and he felt that he had said quite enough. Old Joe
+snarled at him, and threatened him, but Frank remained unruffled.
+
+“You don’t know how to fire, anyway,” declared the man. “Why, you’ve
+been at work less than a month. I need a good man on my engine, and
+I’ll have one.”
+
+“Anyone would think you were running a passenger engine to hear you
+talk,” said Frank.
+
+“It’s harder runnin’ a freight engine, as you’d know, if you knew
+anything. You have to dodge all the passenger trains on the line, and
+you get the devil if you don’t make time. I’m blowed if I’ll keep you
+on this engine.”
+
+Frank decided that the time had come for him to assert himself, so he
+straightened up and faced the engineer, looking him straight in the eye
+as he said:
+
+“Look here, Mr. Hicks, I can fire this engine as well as anybody, and
+I am going to fire her. You can’t frighten me with a lot of talk, and,
+as far as you are concerned, I have heard enough from you. I have stood
+too much from you in times past, and now I tell you what I’ll do. If
+you work against me and get me dropped off this engine, I’ll thrash you
+as I did Old Slugs every day for a year!”
+
+This talk was “square from the shoulder,” and it set the engineer to
+gasping.
+
+“Well, I’ll be blowed!” he muttered.
+
+It took him some moments to recover, and then he grated:
+
+“I’ll take her out alone before I’ll have you!”
+
+Then he jumped down from the cab and made for the office.
+
+Frank kept about his work, and had 33 ready when old Joe came back,
+looking sour enough. Without a word, he got on and pulled out for the
+train shed.
+
+It was not till they were coupled on and ready to start that Joe spoke.
+Then he growled:
+
+“You’ve got to keep her hot, and if you make me lose time for want of
+steam, I’ll report you to the general manager.”
+
+“That will be all right,” came quietly from Frank. “If you are looking
+for steam, you shall have all you want.”
+
+Then Frank started in to keep the firebox door and the shovel on the
+swing, having resolved to give old Joe what he asked for. The engineer
+sat on his seat and scowled blackly, but said not a word as Frank
+“ladled in the lampblack.”
+
+To Merry’s surprise, he was unable to get up more steam; in fact, the
+gauge dropped off a little, even though he worked like a slave. That
+was something he could not understand, but he thought at first that the
+fault was with him.
+
+Old Joe looked ugly and triumphant.
+
+“I told ye you didn’t know how to fire,” he said, after a while.
+“You’re a slouch.”
+
+“And it is my opinion that you are a pounder,” returned Frank, a trifle
+warmly.
+
+“Ya-ah!” snarled the engineer. “Mebbe you think you can run her better
+than I can?”
+
+Up to this time Frank had paid no attention to the manner in which she
+was being run, as all his time had been taken up in shoveling. Now,
+however, he began to watch old Joe on the quiet.
+
+When the first coaling station was reached, it was necessary to stop
+and take on coal and water, although Frank knew well enough that not
+half as much coal should have been used.
+
+After this station was left, Frank resumed the task of keeping the
+shovel swinging as regularly as the pendulum of a clock. All the while,
+however, he was thinking. Something told him that he was being worked
+too hard, but it was not easy for him, a green hand, to discover how it
+was being done.
+
+At last Frank observed that there was a certain notch in the quadrant
+that was worn smooth and bright, but old Joe was not running her there.
+He had her hooked up to a different notch, and he was not cutting off
+when he could help it, but was wasting every ounce of steam that he
+could.
+
+When Merry realized this he began to grow warm.
+
+“Look here, Mr. Hicks,” he said, “I am getting tired of this.”
+
+Old Joe grinned in an ugly way.
+
+“Knew ye would,” he grunted. “You’re too tender.”
+
+“It’s not that. But you are making needless work for me just because
+you do not like me. You are not running her right.”
+
+Then the old engineer was furious.
+
+“Drat ye!” he snarled. “Don’t ye talk to me in my own cab like that! I
+won’t stand it!”
+
+Then he leaped on Merry so suddenly that Frank was flung from his feet.
+They went down together, the man on top. He had a wrench in his hand,
+and he swung it aloft.
+
+“Aha! I’ll fix ye now!” he howled.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+THE FIGHT ON THE ENGINE.
+
+
+Frank had been taken by surprise at the sudden movement of the
+infuriated engineer. He had not thought Hicks would dare attack him in
+such a manner, and thus he was thrown down in the bottom of the cab,
+with the train running at forty miles an hour.
+
+Old Joe had every advantage, for he had fastened one hand on Frank’s
+throat, and he was strong. The glare in his eyes as he raised the
+wrench was that of a maniac.
+
+Merriwell knew his life was in danger, and it was a good thing for him
+that he was not stunned. Like a flash he squirmed aside, for all of the
+weight of the man.
+
+Bang! the wrench struck the floor on the very spot where Frank’s head
+had been a moment before.
+
+The blow would have crushed Frank’s skull like an eggshell had it
+landed.
+
+“Drat ye!” shouted the engineer, again lifting the wrench. “I’ll do it
+this time!”
+
+Frank could not speak, for the fingers of the man were crushing into
+his throat. He could not breathe, and a blur was beginning to come over
+his eyes. He knew that blur might prevent him from dodging the next
+blow, and a desperate sensation seemed to burst through his heart.
+
+“Heaven help me!”
+
+He did not utter the words aloud, for he could not, but it was an
+inward cry.
+
+Then, succeeding in getting one hand free, he reached upward and
+clutched something.
+
+It was old Joe’s wrist.
+
+In a blind way he had stopped the second blow, and, realizing this
+instantly, he held on for dear life.
+
+“No, ye don’t,” snarled the man, as he tried to wrench away. “I’ve got
+ye, and I’ll fix ye!”
+
+Frank held on, although the pressure of those fingers on his throat was
+awful to endure, and it seemed that colored fires were bursting in his
+brain. Black shadows and bright lights flitted before him, and, through
+a haze as of blood and smoke, he caught glimpses of the fiendish face
+of the mad engineer. The eyes of the man seemed to pierce him like
+knives.
+
+Then, with his other hand, Frank tore at the fingers which were
+shutting off his wind and robbing him of strength and reason. He pulled
+those fingers up till he could get one gasping breath, and then they
+seemed to close down tighter than ever.
+
+The agony was awful, but through it all Frank tried to keep his wits,
+and he succeeded.
+
+“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed the engineer.
+
+That laugh sounded far away, but it was full of dreadful meaning. It
+was the laugh of a murderous maniac.
+
+It seemed that old Joe had gone crazy in one instant, and surely he had
+the strength of a madman.
+
+“I’ll kill ye!” grated the man, triumphantly. “I’ll tell them how ye
+attacked me, and I was forced to do it.”
+
+Frank set his fingers around the wrist of the man, turned his head to
+one side, and made a last desperate wrench.
+
+It seemed to Merry that his windpipe would be torn out by those iron
+fingers, but he did not give up, for that meant certain death. He
+dragged the hand away, and breathed again with a horrible gasping
+sound, as if he were dying.
+
+But now he held both hands of the man for a moment, and, when Joe
+wrenched one of them away, Frank fought to keep it from getting his
+throat again.
+
+“I’ll do it! I’ll do it!” the man kept snarling.
+
+Then, with a sudden change, he tore free the hand that held the wrench.
+A second later he struck again at Frank’s head.
+
+With his arm Frank warded off that blow. He gave a squirm and a twist
+that threw the man partly off, but he was unable to get on top as he
+desired.
+
+Around over the bottom of the cab squirmed the two, the man trying to
+end it with one blow, while the boy fought for his life.
+
+Onward thundered the engine, dragging the long train of cars. There
+was no warning whistle as a crossing was approached, and the bell
+remained silent.
+
+An old farmer was about to drive over the crossing when the train
+thundered down on him.
+
+“Whoa, Betsey!” he shouted, yanking his horse back on its haunches,
+much to the surprise of the docile old creature. “Waal, gol darn that
+train! Why didn’t it toot? There’s a law fer----”
+
+He stopped short as the locomotive thundered past, and then he rose up
+in his wagon, his eyes as large as saucers, and his jaw dropping on his
+breast.
+
+“Jee-roo-sa-lum!” he gasped. “They was fightin’ in there!”
+
+He had caught a glimpse of the terrible battle going on in the cab of
+the locomotive, and it made his hair stand.
+
+Frank began to feel that he was getting some of his strength back, for
+all that it was necessary to make such a furious struggle to keep his
+enemy from accomplishing his mad purpose.
+
+Hicks was literally frothing at the mouth. He seemed to grow worse as
+the struggle continued, and he was baffled repeatedly.
+
+Out of the cab they rolled, and were fairly on the coal in the tender.
+Three times Frank almost succeeded in getting on top and pinning Hicks
+down.
+
+“I’ll do it! I’ll do it!” the engineer panted.
+
+Not a word came from Frank. He was not wasting his breath in such a
+manner.
+
+At last Merry got hold of the wrench, and then the struggle turned on
+the possession of the weapon. Old Joe set his teeth in the back of the
+youth’s hand, but Frank struck him a terrible blow between the eyes
+with his clinched fist.
+
+That blow was a fortunate one, for it seemed to daze the crazy
+engineer, although he still fought on.
+
+A moment later Frank succeeded in tearing the wrench away, and he gave
+it a fling that sent it off the engine.
+
+Then Merry’s confidence came back to him. It had seemed that he might
+fail and be killed, but now he was sure that he would conquer the man.
+
+Although he was swift as thought in all his movements, he was cool now,
+and everything he did counted.
+
+He saw an opportunity to dash Hicks’ head back against the iron edge
+of the tender, and he did it, cutting a gash in the man’s scalp. Blood
+began to flow.
+
+Frank’s throat had been torn by the finger nails of his enemy, and the
+two presented a grimy, gory appearance.
+
+“Oh, curse you!” gasped Hicks. “I’ll do it yet.”
+
+“I think not,” said Frank, as he gave the man a flip.
+
+Then he rose to the top for the first time since the encounter had
+begun.
+
+But Hicks was hard to hold, and he came near getting out from under the
+youth in a twinkling.
+
+Merry grasped the man’s ears, one with each hand, lifted his head from
+the floor and banged it down with a thump.
+
+Old Joe screamed with pain and rage.
+
+They had rolled back into the cab, which was rocking and swaying as it
+plunged along over an uneven bit of road. Around curves whizzed the
+engine, with the long train reeling along behind.
+
+Frank wondered that some of the train hands had not noticed they
+were passing crossings without whistling and did not come forward to
+investigate.
+
+Merry did not wish to severely injure the crazy engineer, but the man
+fought on so desperately that it became evident something must be done
+to subdue him.
+
+Again Frank caught him by the ears and banged his head down on the
+floor. Old Joe groaned and snapped at his antagonist’s wrists as a mad
+dog snaps at everything within reach.
+
+Bang! bang! bang!
+
+Frank kept it up, having resolved to jar the senses out of the man.
+
+Hicks did not beg, but, after a time, he lay there stunned, so that
+Merriwell was able to open the box seat and get out some stout pieces
+of rope, with which he tied old Joe’s hands behind his back. Before
+this was fully accomplished the man recovered and tried to resume the
+fight, but Frank was able to handle him then.
+
+Merry did not stop till the engineer was tied so securely that there
+was no danger of his being able to free himself.
+
+“There!” sighed Merry, with relief, “I think that’ll hold you for a
+while.”
+
+Then he blew a signal that brought the conductor hurrying over the top
+of the cars to see what was the matter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+MERRIWELL’S GENEROSITY.
+
+
+The conductor was astounded. He stared at the tied and bleeding
+engineer, and then at Merry, who was at the throttle. Then he clambered
+down over the coal in the tender, crying:
+
+“Well, what in thunder has happened here?”
+
+Old Joe groaned and opened his eyes.
+
+“I’ll kill him!” he muttered, thickly.
+
+“I’ve had a fight with Hicks,” said Frank.
+
+“A fight? What about?”
+
+“He jumped on me and tried to beat my brains out with a wrench.”
+
+“I’ll kill him!” grated the engineer again.
+
+“This beats all!” said the conductor, faintly. “He didn’t seem to
+succeed very well.”
+
+“He came near succeeding. I thought he would one spell.”
+
+“Well, this is a fine scrape. This is Joe’s engine, and he’ll have to
+take the train through.”
+
+“He isn’t able to take the train through now.”
+
+“What can we do?”
+
+“Send me a brakeman who can fire, and I’ll take her through.”
+
+“You?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“You’re no engineer.”
+
+“I am engineer enough to do that trick.”
+
+“Well, I’ll send you a man, and we’ll wait for instructions at the next
+station. If this don’t beat thunder!”
+
+As the conductor scrambled back over the tender, Frank flung open the
+firebox door and put the coal to her. During the struggle the fire had
+not been tended, of course, and the steam was beginning to show the
+effect of it.
+
+In a few minutes one of the brakemen came forward, and he fired her
+to the next station, where the conductor held up and telegraphed for
+instructions.
+
+By this time old Joe was begging to be released.
+
+“Look here, Merriwell,” he said, “you’re goin’ to do me out of my job,
+and I can’t afford to lose the place.”
+
+“It’s not my fault,” said Frank. “You will be fortunate if you get off
+by simply losing your job.”
+
+“Now, ye don’t mean to push me, do ye?” whined the thoroughly
+subjugated man. “You wouldn’t do that?”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“That would be tough! It can’t be you’d do it.”
+
+“You deserve it. You tried to kill me.”
+
+“Mebbe I did for a minute,” confessed the engineer; “but I was crazy
+mad, and I didn’t know what I was doin’. I’ve had a heap of trouble
+lately, and it’s broke me all up. You don’t want to ruin me entirely,
+do ye?”
+
+“I do not want to ruin anyone. You brought it on yourself.”
+
+Old Joe had managed to sit up in an awkward position, and he raised his
+eyes to Frank appealingly. He was a pitiful-looking object, with his
+begrimed, blood-stained face. Frank could not help feeling sorry for
+the man.
+
+“I kept my word when I promised you I wouldn’t trouble Jack and Nell,”
+said the engineer; “and I never bothered you no more till you forced
+yourself onter me.”
+
+“I did not force myself onto you. I was placed here by the manager. I
+simply did what I was told to do.”
+
+“I know that’s right; but I didn’t like ye, and I had taken some drinks
+to stiddy my nerves this morning. The stuff got inter my head.”
+
+“It’s a wonder the stuff has not lost you your job before this.”
+
+“You hadn’t oughter talked to me the way ye did.”
+
+“I told you the truth. You were trying to knock me on the first trip,
+and you know it. I have not kept eyes and ears open since taking this
+work without finding out something. I have listened to the talk in the
+roundhouse, and I know that an engineer can knock out the best fireman
+who ever swung a shovel.”
+
+Old Joe was silent, and his face showed that Frank had hit upon the
+truth.
+
+“You were not cutting off short,” Frank went on, “and you were running
+your pump wrong, besides having her hooked up different from usual. If
+we had lost time, I should have been blamed for it, and it is likely I
+should have been taken off. That was what you were counting on.”
+
+“Perhaps you’re right,” admitted old Joe; “but you got the best of me,
+and it’s no use to kick a man when he’s down.”
+
+The old engineer was pitiful in his humbleness, and Frank began to feel
+some misgivings about pushing him further, for he realized that it
+meant the utter ruin of the man.
+
+Watching Merry’s face, old Joe fancied he saw a gleam of hope.
+
+“What can I do now?” Frank asked. “It is too late, for the conductor
+has dispatched for instructions.”
+
+“Perhaps it ain’t too late,” eagerly said the engineer, “if another
+dispatch is sent that I am all right. Perhaps you can fix it. I can
+take the train through, if I have a chance. Won’t you do that for me,
+Merriwell? Think--think what it means to me!”
+
+Frank swung down from the engine and went after the conductor.
+
+“I wish to speak with you a moment, Mr. Evans,” he said, when he found
+the conductor in the little office of the station.
+
+He drew the man aside, and said:
+
+“Old Joe has come round, and seems to be all right now. He is begging
+for a chance to take the train through.”
+
+“What?”
+
+The conductor was amazed.
+
+“That’s right,” nodded Frank.
+
+“Well, the jig is up with him. The old man won’t have a crazy engineer
+running things.”
+
+“What did you wire?”
+
+“That Hicks was knocked out, and somebody must take the train through.”
+
+“You did not give particulars?”
+
+“Couldn’t.”
+
+“Then, as yet, but ourselves and the train hands know there was a fight
+between us.”
+
+“And the dispatcher here.”
+
+“Well, you might send another message that Hicks had recovered and was
+able to take the train through. This is a freight, and perhaps the old
+man will let him go on with it, as there is no other regular engineer
+to take it.”
+
+Evans stared at Frank in astonishment.
+
+“You are the queerest chap I ever struck,” he exclaimed.
+
+“Why?”
+
+“Most fellows in your place would be ready to hang Hicks.”
+
+“Perhaps so; but I feel as if he were hanging over a chasm, and I might
+save him or push him down. If I do not give him a hand, my conscience
+will trouble me.”
+
+“If you do, the chances are about ten to one that it will put you in a
+bad scrape.”
+
+“How?”
+
+“It won’t be much trouble for him to make out that you were in the
+wrong, and he’ll do it, too.”
+
+“I don’t believe that.”
+
+“I do.”
+
+“I think he will be so glad to get out of the scrape that he won’t try
+anything dirty. He says he will take the train through, and run it
+right. He will not dare tackle me again, and I shall watch him.”
+
+“But the old man will have to let you take us through if old Joe
+doesn’t. Saunders can fire for you, and it will give you a great
+chance to show what you can do. It will be a direct step upward for
+you.”
+
+“Over the body of another man?”
+
+“That’s the way men get on in this world, my boy.”
+
+“It seems to be; but I do not feel like climbing the ladder by pushing
+others down.”
+
+“Well, just as you say. If you are for giving old Joe such a chance, I
+don’t kick. I’ll dispatch that he is all right now and able to take the
+train through.”
+
+“Do it.”
+
+Evans did so, and in a short time received an answer: “All right; go
+ahead.”
+
+That settled it. Frank went back to the engine in a hurry, and said:
+
+“I have fixed it.”
+
+“How?” asked Hicks, eagerly.
+
+For answer Frank set him free.
+
+“I ask no promises of you,” he said; “but Evans and the train men know
+what has happened. If you try to knock me with the general manager,
+they will have something to say.”
+
+“Oh, I won’t try any knocking. I promise that. You are usin’ me better
+than I deserve, and I appreciate it. I won’t fergit it--I won’t fergit
+it!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+AN UNGRATEFUL MAN.
+
+
+So old Joe took the train through, after all, and he ran the engine
+right. It made a remarkable difference in Frank’s work, as Merry
+quickly found out. It was not necessary to bend his back and shovel
+coal all the time.
+
+The old engineer looked like a wreck when the end of the run was
+reached, but he had stuck to his post. Scarcely a word had passed
+between him and Frank after he took the engine the second time. Merry
+watched him closely, but Hicks never let his eyes meet Frank’s. He paid
+as little attention to his companion in the cab as possible.
+
+When they pulled back to the roundhouse that night an explanation of
+the trouble was asked for by the “old man,” who summoned them to his
+office.
+
+Frank permitted old Joe to tell his story, and the engineer claimed
+that he had been seized by a fit. Merriwell had fought to handle him.
+
+The manager looked at Frank.
+
+“What have you to say about it, young man?” he asked.
+
+“Nothing,” said Merry. “You have heard Mr. Hicks’ story.”
+
+“Yes; and we can’t keep an engineer on this road who is liable to have
+fits. You can come around for your time to-morrow morning, Hicks.”
+
+Old Joe staggered.
+
+“Then I’m discharged?” he said, huskily.
+
+“Yes.”
+
+The old engineer turned and went slowly out of the office, bent as with
+a heavy burden. The sight of him going thus filled Frank’s heart with
+pity, but he could do nothing for him.
+
+“There will be another man on 33 to-morrow, Merriwell,” said the
+manager. “You’ll go with him. Good-night.”
+
+“Good-night, sir.”
+
+Larry Logan was waiting for Frank.
+
+“Pwhat’s this they do be afther tellin’ av me?” asked the young
+Irishman. “Is it old Joe ye had a foight wid? An’ is he discharraged?”
+
+“Yes; old Joe has been discharged.”
+
+“Well, it’s a moighty good thing, fer it’s th’ divvil he wur at toimes.”
+
+“I am sorry for him.”
+
+“Ye are? G’wan! Fer whoy?”
+
+“He has been a good engineer.”
+
+“Thot’s roight, but his day is parrust, me b’y. He moight be roonin’
+a passenger engine now, but he’s killed himseluf wid dhrink. It’s a
+wonder he has been afther holdin’ his place so long.”
+
+Frank knew that well enough.
+
+“Still, I did not want to have anything to do with his losing his
+position. It’s not likely he will be able to strike another place very
+soon.”
+
+“Nivver. It’s done fer he is.”
+
+“That is why I am sorry. He is an old man, and he has not saved a cent.
+How will he live?”
+
+“That’s no consern av yours.”
+
+“Perhaps not; but it is a sad thing to see an old man like him, who
+might be something, shut out with nothing.”
+
+“It’s tinder-hearruted ye are, me b’y; but it don’t pay to be to saft
+in this worruld. Ye’re not thought a bit more av fer it. It’s more
+loikely they will be afther thinkin’ yez too aisy, an’ dispise yez for
+thot.”
+
+Frank realized that this was true.
+
+“Some day ye’ll be afther havin’ an engine av yer own,” said Larry;
+“an’ Oi hope it’ll be me luck ter foire fer yez.”
+
+“I hope you may,” said Frank. “I think we’d be able to get along.”
+
+“Foriver, me b’y! Oi’d sthick ter yez loike glue. But it’s ould Joe yez
+warnt to look out fer now. He’ll thry to do yez th’ firrust chance he
+gets.”
+
+“Perhaps so; but I doubt it. I won his gratitude to-day by not pushing
+him to the wall.”
+
+“Mebbe ye did fer th’ toime; but he’ll fergit it th’ firrust toime he
+is dhrunk, an’ thin he’ll lay fer yez. Marruk my worrud, an’ watch out.”
+
+“All right, Larry, I’ll do so. Good-night.”
+
+As Frank was passing through the yard a man stepped out and confronted
+him. It was old Joe.
+
+“Ye’ve done it at last!” huskily said the old engineer, raising one
+shaking hand to his chin. “Ye’ve knocked the old man out for good!”
+
+“I am very sorry, Mr.----”
+
+“Bah! Little good that does. It’s all over.”
+
+“I don’t see how you can blame me.”
+
+“If ye’d never come to work on this railroad it would have been all
+right.”
+
+“That may be true; but I did come here, and I had a right to do that,
+as you very well know. If you had not become my enemy in the first
+place and tried to injure me, you would have been all right.”
+
+“I always hated ye!” grated Hicks. “Something made me hate ye the first
+time I saw ye. You was so independent, and so polite at the same time.
+You never was afraid of me. If you’d been afraid it might have been
+different.”
+
+“And you hated me because I was not afraid of you. That was
+unreasonable.”
+
+“Mebbe so; but I couldn’t help it. An’ ye came between me an’ my nevvy
+and niece.”
+
+“No; I kept you from taking advantage of them.”
+
+“Oh, is that the way ye put it? Well, ye won’t keep me no longer.”
+
+Frank started.
+
+“What do you mean?”
+
+“That I’m out of work here. You was goin’ to get me discharged if I
+bothered Jack and Nell. You can’t keep me back that way now.”
+
+Merriwell stared hard at the man, and then asked:
+
+“Do you mean to make trouble for them?”
+
+“No; but I’m goin’ to take care of them.”
+
+“Take care of them? Why, how can you do that? You are not earning
+anything.”
+
+There was a crafty look on old Joe’s face.
+
+“That’s why I’m goin’ to take care of them,” he said.
+
+“By that you mean that you are going to rob them of the money they
+earn by playing and singing on the street? That is your game, you old
+scoundrel! You shall not do it!”
+
+“Won’t I?”
+
+“No!”
+
+“Who’ll stop me?”
+
+“I will!”
+
+“How?”
+
+“I’ll find a way. You shall not be a burden to those poor children, if
+there is any justice in the world.”
+
+“There ain’t. Justice is a mockery. The meaner rascal a man is the
+better show he has.”
+
+“That may be your belief, but it is not mine.”
+
+“There is some law, an’ I reckon it’ll appoint me as guardeen of my
+dear nevvy and niece, who need somebody to look out for them properly.
+That’s what’ll happen.”
+
+“You may apply, but you’ll not succeed in getting appointed.”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“Because I shall appear and show that you are thoroughly incompetent
+and unable to take care of yourself, much less two other persons. I
+have all the proof that is necessary. Your game is to rob them, which
+can be made very apparent. The boy is lame and the girl is blind. They
+are trying to save some money that her eyes may be treated, and you
+would take that away from them. You are even worse than I thought you
+could be!”
+
+Frank was highly indignant, and old Joe cowered a bit before his
+flashing eyes.
+
+“Well,” he snarled, “if I don’t get appointed as guardeen, I’ll show
+that you are beatin’ them, and they’ll be taken care of, that’s all.”
+
+Frank knew it was useless to appeal to the man’s generosity, and so he
+said:
+
+“Go ahead! I have the proof that you tried to murder me by pushing me
+onto the track in front of an engine, and, by the eternal skies! I’ll
+do my best to jail you for it if you carry out your threat! Go ahead!
+We’ll see who gets the worst of it!”
+
+Then he walked swiftly away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+ON THE STAIRS.
+
+
+Frank went home with a heavy heart, for he saw the black shadow of
+coming trouble hanging over Jack and Nellie. He was resolved to protect
+them to the best of his ability, but he realized at last that there
+was nothing like gratitude in the heart of old Joe, and there was no
+foretelling what the man would do.
+
+The blind girl was sitting up on the bed, and Frank heard her singing
+softly before he reached the door. He entered the room gently, but she
+heard his step, stopped and stretched out her arms, with a glad cry. He
+hurried to her, exclaiming:
+
+“You are better, Nellie?”
+
+“Oh, yes; so much better!” she smiled. “The doctor says he’ll not have
+to come any more.”
+
+“That is fine,” cried Frank, as gayly as possible. “Oh, I told you it
+would be all right, dear little girl.”
+
+“Yes; I’ll be out soon.”
+
+“Where is Jack?”
+
+“He went out to the store. He’ll be right back. He went out to-day and
+played and sang all by himself, and he brought back eighty-seven cents,
+though he wasn’t gone more than two hours. Wasn’t that just perfectly
+splendid?”
+
+“It was very good. But did he leave you all alone? I told him not to do
+that.”
+
+“Oh, he has been here so close. I wanted him to go, for we have not
+been earning any money. I was all right by myself.”
+
+“And you were not lonesome?”
+
+“Well--not much. You see, I was thinking of you.”
+
+“Of me?”
+
+“Yes; and of Elsie you told me about. Oh, I have pictured her in my
+mind. She must be a good girl, Frank.”
+
+“She is one of the sweetest, dearest girls in the whole, wide world!”
+
+There was a flitting shadow on Nellie’s face, but it was gone in a
+moment.
+
+“I am sure you are right,” she said. “Some time you will marry Elsie?”
+
+Frank felt the blood rush to his cheeks and his heart gave a leap.
+
+“Perhaps so,” he said, softly.
+
+“I know you will,” came from her lips. “I hope you may always be happy,
+Frank. I hope no shadows may come between you and Elsie.”
+
+“My dear little friend, why have you been thinking so much of this?”
+
+“Oh, I don’t know--I couldn’t help it. It was the way you described
+Elsie. You told me how beautiful Inza was, but you told how much like
+a dear little saint Elsie was, and then I knew you cared for her
+the more. Perhaps, Frank--perhaps I may be able to see when you are
+married, and perhaps I may be a bridesmaid at the wedding.”
+
+“You shall!” he exclaimed, laughing and kissing her forehead. “What a
+dear little bridesmaid you will make!”
+
+There was a faint quivering of her chin, and he wondered what it meant.
+He stared at her in surprise.
+
+“Why, you appear so strange!” he said. “At one moment you are happy,
+and the next you look sad.”
+
+“Do I? Don’t notice that, Frank. I am not sad; I am very gay because I
+think you should be. Elsie must have inspired you to be good and brave
+and noble.”
+
+“I think she has many times. She has so much confidence in me, and it
+is an inspiration to know some one believes you must do everything
+right.”
+
+“I do not believe you could do anything wrong, Frank.”
+
+“And you are also an inspiration for me, Nellie. I think of you very,
+very often.”
+
+“Did you think of me to-day?”
+
+“Many times.”
+
+“Tell me about it. How have you done to-day?”
+
+“The best I could.”
+
+“I know that; but has everything gone well?”
+
+“Not as well as it might.”
+
+“Tell me about it,” she urged again.
+
+But Frank had no desire to let her know what had occurred, and he was
+glad when, at this moment, he heard the stumping sound of a crutch on
+the stairs.
+
+“Here comes Jack,” he said.
+
+The lame boy came in, bringing a bundle.
+
+“There,” he said, with a laugh, “I made some money to-day, and I’m
+going to help provide for this ranch. This thing is altogether too
+one-sided, Frank Merriwell.”
+
+“You young rascal,” cried Frank, “do you dare play tyrant?”
+
+“On this occasion I do. If you try to boss me now, you’ll find I’m a
+bad, bad man. Just get ready for supper, and I’ll have it on the table
+pretty quick.”
+
+“Mutiny! mutiny!” exclaimed Merry, tragically. “I didn’t expect this. I
+am quite unprepared, and I suppose I’ll have to surrender the ship.”
+
+“If you don’t, I’ll scuttle her.”
+
+“The jig is up. You’re in command to-night.”
+
+This pleased the lame boy, and he hopped off, giving orders like an old
+sea captain, and speaking in such a deep voice that he soon began to
+grow hoarse.
+
+“You’d better stop talking that way, captain,” laughed Merry, “or
+you’ll ruin your voice. Don’t try to talk down in the hold all the
+time. Come up on deck!”
+
+“Sir,” scowled little Jack, “you should address your superior officer
+in a more respectful manner. I will not have it, sir.”
+
+“Ay! ay! sir.”
+
+“That’s the stuff! No, I mean that’s right. Shiver my timbers and dash
+my toplights! I’m a rough old tar; but I am master of my own ship. Get
+onto your job here, and help me jib up the sheet.”
+
+Frank aided Jack in spreading the tablecloth, assuring him at the same
+time that “get onto your job” was not a thoroughly nautical expression.
+
+The coffee pot was set to simmering on the stove, and in a short time
+supper was ready.
+
+Little Nell did not come to the table, but Frank took her food to her,
+and aided her in eating it. All the while he talked to her in his jolly
+way, and she declared that she had never eaten such a pleasant supper.
+
+“Here! here!” cried the lame boy, rapping on the table; “on this vessel
+I will not permit such familiarity with my first officer and the man
+before the mast. It is certain to result in poor discipline. Break
+away, there!”
+
+“You’ll have to take another trip to sea, captain, before you get rid
+all your landlubber expressions. ‘Break away’ is pretty bad.”
+
+When the meal was over, Frank took the lame boy’s guitar, put it in
+tune, and strummed away on it for some time, while Jack and Nellie
+listened. Frank played strange little bits of his own composing, some
+of them lively, some soft and pathetic. He sang one or two of the old
+college songs, and then turned to and helped Jack clear the table and
+wash the dishes.
+
+Jack announced that he was going out to see if he could not pick up
+some money that evening. Frank tried to dissuade him, but the lame boy
+was determined, and he finally departed with the guitar.
+
+Being left with the blind girl, Merry told her stories for more than
+an hour. She listened to them, holding onto one of his hands. Outside
+the wind came up and rattled around the building, slamming a shutter at
+intervals and moaning at the corners like a creature in pain.
+
+“Hear the wind!” Nellie whispered, after a time. “How it sobs and
+cries! It seems as if some one with a broken heart were lost out there
+in the night.”
+
+“Don’t think of such things, Nellie,” urged Frank. “You make yourself
+nervous and sad, and you will not get well so quick. To-morrow the sun
+will shine.”
+
+“I cannot see it.”
+
+“You shall soon.”
+
+There was a clattering sound on the stairs, and Frank sprang up
+quickly, turning toward the door.
+
+“What is it?” asked the blind girl, still clinging to him.
+
+“It is Jack! Hear his crutch.”
+
+“Yes; but why is he stumbling upstairs so fast? Hark! Somebody is
+following him! I hear heavy steps!”
+
+Frank released her hold and sprang toward the door. Before he reached
+it, it burst open, and the lame boy staggered in, looking white and
+scared.
+
+At that moment a heavy body was heard falling down the stairs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+UNDER THE CRUST OF A HUMAN HEART.
+
+
+“What’s the matter?” asked Frank.
+
+Little Jack dropped down on a chair, panting for breath.
+
+“He--he followed me!” gasped the lame boy.
+
+“He? Who?”
+
+“My uncle.”
+
+“Hicks?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Oh! don’t let him come in here!” exclaimed little Nell. “Please keep
+him out, Frank! I am so afraid of him!”
+
+“Don’t worry, little girl,” assured Merry. “He shall not harm you. I
+will take care of him.”
+
+“He was drunk,” said Jack; “and he talked awfully to me! I was afraid.
+He caught me by the shoulder once, and said I must go with him.”
+
+“It may be a good plan to turn him over to the police,” cried Frank,
+who felt that he had already endured too much from the man.
+
+Then Frank went outside the door and listened. From the bottom of the
+stairs came a low groan.
+
+“He has fallen down and hurt himself,” thought Merry. “He brought it on
+himself, and no one else is to blame.”
+
+Then he descended the stairs. At the bottom a dark figure was lying.
+Frank lighted a match, and saw old Joe curled there, with his head
+doubled under him, as if his neck were broken.
+
+In a moment Frank again became very sorry for the man. He took hold of
+the engineer and straightened him out into a more comfortable position.
+
+“I wonder how much he is hurt,” thought Frank.
+
+At the head of the stairs little Jack appeared, with a lighted lamp in
+his hand. The lamp was shaking so that there was danger of losing the
+chimney.
+
+“What is it?” asked the boy, in a faint tone.
+
+“He is hurt,” Merry answered.
+
+“How bad?”
+
+“I can’t tell; but he seems to be unconscious.”
+
+Then the blind girl, who had risen from the bed, found her way to the
+door and took hold of her brother.
+
+“Oh, I hope he is not hurt much!” she half sobbed. “He made such a
+noise when he was falling. It is terrible.”
+
+Frank went upstairs and got some water, with which he wet the head of
+the unfortunate man. Old Joe remained silent, except for his heavy,
+rasping breathing, and Frank began to fear that he was seriously
+injured.
+
+“If I had some place to take him,” he muttered.
+
+His words were heard by the girl, and she quickly cried:
+
+“Bring him up here. If he is injured, we must take care of him, for he
+is our uncle.”
+
+Merry hesitated.
+
+“Bring him up,” said little Jack, stoutly. “Wait, and I will come down.
+Perhaps I can help you.”
+
+“No; you cannot help. Stay where you are, and hold the light.”
+
+Then, after considerable trouble, the young fireman lifted the man’s
+limp body in his arms and carried him up the stairs.
+
+“Put him on my bed,” whispered Nellie. “Oh, it was such a hard fall,
+and he is our uncle! We must do something for him.”
+
+“It is our duty,” said Jack.
+
+“If I can’t bring him round pretty soon, I’ll go for a doctor,”
+declared Frank. “Perhaps he is dying.”
+
+But old Joe was not dying. After some minutes he groaned again and
+slowly opened his eyes. He was completely bewildered, as his manner
+showed. He stared at those near the bed, then closed his eyes again,
+and his lips moved.
+
+“I’ve got ’em.”
+
+Little Nell shrank away, one hand lifted to her throbbing heart, while
+her face bore an expression of fear. Frank put an arm about her,
+whispering:
+
+“Don’t be afraid, little girl. Remember that I will protect you.”
+
+She clasped his hand and clung to it closely.
+
+“I will not be afraid now,” she said. “I know you can take care of us.
+How is he? Can’t I do something for him?”
+
+“Perhaps so. Don’t let him see that you fear him. You may be able to
+arouse a sense of shame and gratitude in his breast, for it can’t be
+that all human instincts are crushed out.”
+
+Then the blind girl became very brave, and she sat down near the bed,
+reaching out and touching the hand of the old engineer.
+
+“Dear uncle,” she said, gently, “I am so sorry you are hurt! It was
+such an awful fall!”
+
+Again the man opened his blood-shotten eyes. He turned his head and lay
+looking at her in a strange way.
+
+“Isn’t there something I can do for you, dear uncle?” asked little
+Nell. “I will do anything I can. I am sorry for you.”
+
+“I’m dreamin’,” muttered the man. “An’ I ain’t had such a dream as this
+for years. I thought I had the shakes, but it’s a dream. I don’t want
+to wake up.”
+
+A thrill of satisfaction passed through Frank Merriwell, for those
+words satisfied him that, indeed, the better side of the man’s nature
+was not entirely dead. At last, old Joe had been touched by the
+pathetic beauty of the blind girl and by her gentle ways.
+
+“Shan’t we get a doctor for you, uncle?” asked the boy.
+
+“Doctor? No! What does a man want of a doctor when he is dreamin’? Keep
+still, or I shall wake up!”
+
+“Oh, dear uncle,” said Nellie, touching his iron-gray hair, “you have
+had such a hard, hard time in the world!”
+
+“Angel!” whispered old Joe. “Never believed in ’em! Never took no stock
+in ’em. But she’s one! ’Sh! Let me sleep.”
+
+He closed his eyes and was silent for some time. Little Jack looked at
+Frank, who nodded his satisfaction.
+
+When the old engineer opened his eyes again, he said:
+
+“Go away! You mustn’t touch me like this! I’m not fit to be touched
+by those white hands! I shall leave a stain upon them. Let me get up.
+Where am I?”
+
+“You are here--here in our room, which we call home. You shall stay
+here till you are well. I will nurse you. I have been ill myself, but
+now I am well enough to nurse you.”
+
+“I don’t deserve it. It’s not a dream, after all. It’s true!”
+
+“Yes; it is true.”
+
+“And you have been ill? Why, ye show it. And ye want to nurse me? Well,
+nobody ever cared enough about me to do that before. If you knew what a
+miserable old sinner I am----”
+
+“There, there, uncle! Don’t talk like that! I will be so good to you!
+You’ve never had anyone to be good to you, and that is all the trouble.”
+
+“Mebbe you’re right,” he muttered, huskily. “Nobody has ever cared
+a rap about Joe Hicks. I’ve been alone, an’ I’ve never cared about
+anybody else.”
+
+His voice choked, and he turned his head away, as if ashamed to betray
+any emotion.
+
+“That is just it,” said the blind girl. “It makes us better when we
+know somebody cares for us and we have somebody to care for.”
+
+“But you--you are afraid of me, Nellie? Ain’t you afraid now?”
+
+“No; somehow I do not feel afraid of you at all--only sorry for you.
+And I want to help you somehow.”
+
+“Ye can’t! It’s too late! Old Joe’s done for.”
+
+“It is never too late, dear uncle. You were my mother’s brother, and
+she was such a dear, good mother to us! We loved her so!”
+
+“Yes; she was a good gal--she always was. I didn’t treat her right
+when she got married. Your dad was a dreamer--alwus expectin’ to do
+something great. I was a worker, and I didn’t like him. But she was a
+good gal, and you look like her. You have her face--and her eyes. But
+you can’t see?”
+
+“Not now; some time----”
+
+“Some time you shall! I know that! I must think about it, but I can’t
+think now. My head aches so bad.”
+
+Jack brought some cool water and a handkerchief. Then little Nell wet
+the handkerchief and placed it upon the man’s forehead. Old Joe watched
+everything in a wondering way, as if he could not understand why they
+should do so much for him.
+
+Frank had drawn back out of sight.
+
+“There!” said the man, huskily; “now let me think. I’m a brute. Let me
+sleep. When I wake up I’ll be able to think better. Sit here by me,
+Nellie, till I fall asleep. You need not touch me, but it is good to
+have an angel near!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+THE REVELATION OF A SECRET.
+
+
+The old engineer fell into a sleep or a stupor in a short time, and
+little Nell, exhausted, was taken to the bed in Frank’s room. Merry
+carried her in his arms.
+
+“Now you must sleep and rest, dear little girl,” said Frank, as he
+placed her gently on the bed.
+
+“I am afraid I can’t.”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“Oh, I shall think, think, think; and you know it is hard to sleep when
+you are thinking.”
+
+“You need the rest, Nellie. The excitement to-night might bring on a
+relapse and make you ill again. You do not want to be ill any longer.”
+
+“No! no!”
+
+“Then keep still and count yourself to sleep. You can do it if you try.”
+
+“If uncle wakes up and calls for me----”
+
+“You shall know it. But I think he will sleep straight through till
+morning. He has been drinking heavily since he was discharged to-day,
+and that was why he fell downstairs.”
+
+“I know, for I could smell his breath. Oh, don’t you suppose we may be
+able to get him to sign the pledge? Perhaps we can save him and make a
+good man of him.”
+
+“You may be able to do it, Nellie; but it is not possible for me to do
+anything. I have tried my best with him, and it has been a failure.”
+
+“I will try. Somehow I am not afraid of him the way I was. He seems so
+ill and lonely in the world. It must be terrible to be all alone in the
+world, with no one to work for, and no one to care about.”
+
+“Yes,” said Frank, a touch of sadness coming to his handsome face; “I
+realized it, for I was all alone in the world till we met. I have had
+more courage since.”
+
+“But--some time--we must be separated.”
+
+Something in the way she said the words smote Frank with a sensation of
+pain. He had not thought of that.
+
+“I suppose so,” he said, slowly; “it always happens so. Our early
+friendships are broken, and we are separated from those without whom we
+often fancied we could not exist. In time we form other attachments,
+which, in turn, may be broken.”
+
+“Oh, but I know--I know----”
+
+“What is it that you know, dear little girl?”
+
+“I know we can never care for anyone as we care for you. I know it,
+Frank!”
+
+She reached up her slender arms as he bent down to kiss her, clasping
+them about his neck and straining him close to her with all her
+childish strength. He was surprised, for this was quite unlike her; she
+usually demonstrated her affection by a gentle touch or a whispered
+word.
+
+“You are overwrought, Nellie,” he said, gently. “Your nerves are all
+unstrung. It is too bad that that man followed Jack here to-night.”
+
+“No; I am glad of it,” she declared, with her eyes upturned to his
+face, as if she were trying to pierce the black veil between them. “I
+do not think it will hurt me, and I shall have a chance to try to save
+him from certain ruin. It is his last chance. If I fail----”
+
+“If you fail, dear little girl, an angel from heaven could not save
+him!”
+
+Her lips quivered, and then a slow smile came and lingered on her pale
+face.
+
+“You do care for me, don’t you, Frank?” she eagerly asked.
+
+“Care for you? Nellie, I love you as if you were my own--sister.”
+
+“And you never had a sister?”
+
+“No.”
+
+“You were the only child?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“How lonely it must have been! Just think what if I had not Jack. I
+love him, and he loves me. But I love you just as much, dear Frank.”
+
+She reached up her hands and placed them on either side of his face,
+holding them there.
+
+“There,” she softly breathed, “now I know I am looking straight at you,
+and I fancy I can see you. You are so manly and so noble! Your eyes
+are dark brown, and so is your hair. Your mouth is tender, but firm,
+without a hard line about it. You have a high, wide forehead, which is
+fair and unlined. You are young, and you will always remain young, for
+your heart will not let you grow old.”
+
+“Why, Nellie, how do you know my eyes are brown--my hair is brown?”
+
+“Ah-a!” she laughed. “A little bird told me. And I have dreamed of you.
+I saw you in my dream, and I am sure I saw you as you really are. When
+I can really see again, I shall know you without having you pointed out
+to me.”
+
+He began to realize how much she loved him--how much time she had spent
+thinking and dreaming of him.
+
+Still he regarded her as a mere child, nothing more.
+
+“I know how you learned so much,” he laughed. “Jack told you.”
+
+“Yes,” she confessed; “I have had him describe you to me many times.”
+
+“Jack is a good boy.”
+
+“He has always been good to me, and I love him; but, oh, Frank! it does
+not seem that I care for--anybody--else--as much as--I care--for you!”
+
+She seemed frightened when she had said this, and she half sat up,
+clasping an arm about his neck.
+
+“Is it wrong?” she whispered--“is it wrong for me to care more for you
+than I do for Jack? He is my own brother. It does not seem that I could
+love him more than I do, and yet, somehow, I seem to care more for you,
+Frank, than I do for Jack. Oh! I am afraid it is wrong. I am afraid I
+am a wicked girl!”
+
+“There! there!” he exclaimed, smoothing back her hair and patting her
+head. “Don’t get so excited over it, Nellie. You simply fancy now that
+you care more for me--that’s all.”
+
+She shook her head, leaning away back as she did so.
+
+“No! no! no!” she whispered. “It is not fancy. I did not think I could
+care more for anybody than I did for Jack; but, this very day, the
+truth came to me, and I knew I loved you more. I don’t know what you
+will think of me for telling you all this. I can’t help it, Frank! I
+must tell somebody, and I can’t tell Jack. I couldn’t keep the secret
+longer. I thought I would bury it deep in my heart, and never, never
+let anybody know; but I could not keep it. If there had been some one
+else for me to tell, I should not have told you; but there was no one
+to whom I could talk about you, save Jack, and I could not tell him my
+secret. He must not know it. It would break his heart.”
+
+Frank knew not what to say. For the first time he was confused.
+
+“Lie down and sleep, Nellie,” he finally murmured. “I know your nerves
+are unstrung, for you are trembling all over.”
+
+“It is because I am happy,” she declared, and the color came to her
+face that had been so pale. “I am happy because I told you my secret.
+You must keep it for me. It will be a secret between us. Oh, I have not
+had a secret for so long, and it is just lovely to have one now!”
+
+Again she appeared like a mere child, and the troubled look disappeared
+from Frank Merriwell’s face.
+
+“Yes,” he returned; “if you say so, it shall be our secret, dear little
+girl. But you must not care for me more than you do for your brother.”
+
+“Mustn’t I?”
+
+“No.”
+
+“Is it wrong?”
+
+“I fear it is.”
+
+She dropped back on the pillow, covering her face with her hands, and
+lay there quietly. He bent over and spoke some gentle words to her.
+
+“Frank!” she breathed.
+
+“Yes, little one. What is it?”
+
+“What was your pet name for Elsie?”
+
+“My pet name? Why, sometimes I called her Sweetheart.”
+
+“Frank!”
+
+“Yes, Nellie.”
+
+“Just once--for to-night--just once--won’t you call me--that?”
+
+Frank Merriwell started and turned pale, and, for the first time, he
+fully realized how much the blind girl cared for him.
+
+“Oh, is it wrong for you to call me that--just once?” she asked. “Won’t
+you be true to Elsie just the same? If it is wrong, don’t do it, Frank.
+But I’ll never ask it again--I’ll never expect it. Only once, and I
+know Elsie would forgive you if she knew.”
+
+Remarkable were the emotions which thrilled Frank’s heart, for he
+understood now what it all meant. Never again could he look on little
+Nell as a mere child, and he was sorry.
+
+She knew he was hesitating, and she feared he would refuse. She turned
+away, and it was wonderful how the blood rushed to her face and neck.
+
+Frank bent over her.
+
+“Only once!” he said to himself. “Elsie would not mind.”
+
+Then, with infinite tenderness, he murmured:
+
+“Sweetheart!”
+
+She thrilled all over, and something like a sob came from behind the
+hands that were again clasped over her face.
+
+He waited, unable to say another word. After a little time she put out
+one hand and he took it with his own.
+
+“Thank you, Frank,” she said, with as much calmness as she could
+command. “It was foolish of me, and I am ashamed; but you were kind,
+and I’ll not forget. You’ll never see me this way again--never! I
+promise you that.”
+
+He was silent.
+
+“Go to bed and dream of Elsie,” she softly said. “Some day you and
+Elsie will be so happy together! I will pray for her, Frank--and for
+you! Good-night!”
+
+“Good-night.”
+
+He rose and started from the room. At the door he paused and looked
+back. She was lying as he had left her, with her hands over her face.
+He went out and closed the door.
+
+Then, without making a sound, she wept herself to sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV.
+
+THE LITTLE PILOT.
+
+
+Frank and Jack slept on the bed of the latter. It was necessary for
+Merry to rise early and get away, but little Jack was up ahead of him,
+and had breakfast ready when the hour came for him to get out of bed.
+
+Old Joe had been sleeping. After rising and washing, Frank went over
+and stood beside the man.
+
+The engineer opened his eyes and saw Merry. Instantly an ugly look
+overspread his face.
+
+“You?” he grated, hoarsely.
+
+“Yes,” nodded Frank.
+
+“Where did you come from?”
+
+“It must be that you do not remember what happened last night.”
+
+“Last night?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“No. My head! Why, how strange I feel! Where am I? This is not my room.
+Let me get up!”
+
+He tried to do so, but fell back limply, moaning a bit.
+
+“Why, my strength--my strength is gone! I don’t know why this is so!
+What has happened to me?”
+
+“You fell downstairs.”
+
+“Fell? How?”
+
+“You were pursuing Jack Norton.”
+
+“Ha! And I struck on my head when I fell. But that should not make me
+so weak. I can scarcely lift my hand. I’m afraid I’m going to die.
+Afraid? No! What do I care? I’d as lief croak now as any time. I ain’t
+got anything to live for.”
+
+“Oh, yes, you have, dear uncle!” said the blind girl, as she came into
+the room and approached the bed.
+
+“Dear uncle!” gasped old Joe. “Did she call me that?”
+
+“She did,” nodded Frank. “Last night she cared for you.”
+
+The old man seemed bewildered.
+
+“Mebbe it’s all right,” he said; “but it don’t seem so. Nobody’s
+called me ‘dear’ for a long time. Why, I’m an old wreck. It’s too much!”
+
+“You are my uncle,” said the girl.
+
+“Well, you’d be better off if I wasn’t. Help me up, somebody. I must
+go. I can’t stay here. I must have a drink! Won’t you help me up?”
+
+“You had better keep still,” said Frank.
+
+“No; I must get up--I will!”
+
+He rolled off the bed and tried to stand on his feet, but would have
+fallen sprawling had not Merry caught him.
+
+“All gone--strength all gone!” moaned the engineer, as he was restored
+to the bed. “It’s sure I’m goin’ to die now!”
+
+“You shall stay here till you have recovered,” said little Nell. “I
+will take care of you, dear uncle.”
+
+“Why is she so kind to me? Why is anybody so kind to me? I don’t
+deserve anything.”
+
+“All I have to say,” observed Frank, “is that hanging will be too good
+for you if you harm one of these children after this!”
+
+Then he turned away to eat his breakfast.
+
+When Frank left that morning the old engineer was sleeping, having
+eaten some gruel which little Jack had prepared for him.
+
+Frank’s heart was not as light as it might have been when he went to
+work, for he could not help thinking of the secret the blind girl had
+revealed to him, and he pitied her.
+
+Frank was put on with an engineer by the name of Hank Slattery. It
+happened that Slattery was almost the only friend old Joe Hicks had on
+the road. He scowled blackly at Frank, but said nothing at first. When
+they had hitched on and pulled out, Slattery observed:
+
+“So you’re the chap that kicked Joe Hicks out of a job, are ye?”
+
+“No, sir, I am not,” was the reply.
+
+“What? Why, your name’s Merriwell?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“Then you’re the one. No use denyin’ it.”
+
+“I do deny it, for it isn’t true. I never kicked any man out of a job.
+Old Joe had no one but himself to blame. If he had treated me right, it
+would have been all right.”
+
+“Oh, so that’s the way ye talk! I s’pose you think you’re runnin’ the
+road now?”
+
+“Nothing of the sort. I think I am attending to my business, and that’s
+all. It’s plain you do not like me.”
+
+“No.”
+
+“Well, I can’t help that.”
+
+“You think you’re too smart.”
+
+“How do you know?”
+
+“Oh, you’ve got the swelled head. Poke in more coal there.”
+
+Frank soon found that he was forced to work quite as hard as he had
+done when he started out with old Joe, and he was not at all satisfied.
+
+“See here,” he finally said, “what are you trying to do? Have you
+started in to knock me on this trip?”
+
+“No; but this engine takes a heap of coal.”
+
+“Because you’re not running her right.”
+
+“Hey?” shouted Slattery; “I said you thought you knew too much! That
+proves it. You’re trying to tell me how to run this engine.”
+
+“You are running her just as old Joe started to run her yesterday.
+That’s what the row was over.”
+
+“And you’re goin’ to pick a row with me, are ye? Well, they’ll get
+onter you after a while, if you keep it up.”
+
+“I am not going to pick a row with you, but I am going to tell you
+this: On the return trip old Joe ran her right, and we got along well.
+The quadrant shows his notch. You are not keeping her there.”
+
+“His notch? Where?”
+
+“Where it is worn smooth there.”
+
+“Did he run her there?”
+
+“After our trouble.”
+
+Slattery looked doubtful, but Frank gave him some straight talk then
+and there, telling what Hicks had done on the return trip.
+
+“Joe’s one of the best engineers on the road,” said Slattery. “What he
+don’t know ain’t worth knowin’. Just you show me how he ran her.”
+
+Frank was surprised, but he did as requested, and his surprise
+increased when the engineer did his best to change his style of
+handling the locomotive. As a result, Frank, the fireman, was the
+instructor of his engineer during the greater part of the trip. When
+the trip was almost over, Slattery said:
+
+“Young feller, I’m much obliged to you. You’re all right, and I’m
+going to tell you something I’ve never told any living person before.
+I’m not a regular engineer; I’m a machinist by trade. When this road
+was opened, I had a pull, and I got a job. I’ve managed to hook along
+all right, though my firemen would always growl. I said I didn’t like
+you when we started out, but I lied. I did like your appearance, and,
+somehow, I was willin’ to have you show me how old Joe ran his engine.
+I think I’ve learned something to-day, and I kinder reckon we’ll git
+along all right. Yes; I’m much obliged.”
+
+Frank felt satisfied with the result of that day.
+
+When he arrived home that night, little Nell was telling old Joe some
+Bible stories which she had learned from the lips of her mother and
+Sabbath-school teacher. The old man was on the bed, listening in a
+wondering way. Without letting them know it, Merry paused and watched
+them.
+
+“I never read the book any,” confessed the man. “Never seemed to care
+for it, for I thought it was full of foolish things; but them stories
+you have been tellin’ me have made me feel a heap better. If them’s the
+things what’s in the Bible, I don’t wonder people read it. It must do
+’em good.”
+
+“It is our guide,” said the girl; “all the guide we have in this life.
+If it were not for the Bible, all humanity would be adrift.”
+
+“Yep, I reckon you’re right. I’ve been adrift myself, an’ I ’lowed
+there was no port open for me, but now----”
+
+“Now you see a light.”
+
+“Yes; it seems so. It seems that I’m goin’ into port at last, and
+I’ll drop anchor where no storms can reach me. You must be my pilot,
+Nellie.”
+
+He held out his hand, and she took it.
+
+“I will!” she exclaimed. “And I will ask the aid of the Great Pilot
+above.”
+
+She knelt down beside the bed and began to pray.
+
+Frank Merriwell turned and stole softly away.
+
+“God bless her!” he whispered, tears in his eyes. “She is, indeed, an
+angel! She has done for that wretched man what no other living being
+could have done.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+“ON TIME, AT LAST!”
+
+
+It was two nights later that Frank came home and found little Jack in a
+fairly frantic condition.
+
+“What?--what is the matter?” asked Merry, stopping in the door and
+staring at the lame boy in astonishment.
+
+Jack gave a great cry.
+
+“Here!” he screamed, hobbling toward Frank, and holding out a slip of
+paper. “Read that!”
+
+Frank took it, and read:
+
+ “I can forgive all my enemies but one, and that is Frank Merriwell. I
+ have stayed near him as long as I can, but I can’t leave Nellie, so I
+ take her with me.
+            “OLD JOE.”
+
+That was enough to set Frank’s blood on fire.
+
+“Are they gone?” he cried.
+
+“Yes! yes!” sobbed the lame lad, wringing his hands.
+
+“You went out and left them?”
+
+“Yes; I went to see if I could not earn some money. Nellie said she
+was not afraid of him, and I left them together. When I came back they
+were gone, and that note was here. Oh, Frank, it is terrible! My poor
+little, blind sister!”
+
+“We will find her,” said Frank, growing calm.
+
+“How?”
+
+“Somehow. Don’t cry, Jack. Trust me. I will bring her back to you!”
+
+“Oh! I believe you will!” cried the lame boy; “but do so as soon as you
+can. Think how frightened she must be, and how she must suffer. She
+will be ill again. Can’t I help you search?”
+
+“Come,” said Merry.
+
+Taking the note, he went to police headquarters, and reported what
+had happened. He was asked many questions, and the officer in charge
+promised that an immediate search for the abducted girl should be made.
+
+Then Frank and Jack started out to search for the missing girl,
+asking questions everywhere. Till after midnight they wandered about
+the streets, but found no clew. The lame boy was ready to drop from
+exhaustion, and Frank literally carried him home on his back.
+
+“Oh, Frank!” sobbed little Jack; “I’ll never see my sister any more. I
+know I shall not!”
+
+“Yes, you will,” assured Merry. “She will be found.”
+
+“He has taken her away--away out of the city. I feel sure of that,
+Frank.”
+
+“I do not think he has.”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“Because he had not the money to do anything of the sort. He used his
+money as fast as he received it, and I do not believe he had a dollar
+left to his name five hours after he was discharged from his job on the
+railroad.”
+
+“But he might put her on a train some way. He might put her into a box
+car, and carry her off that way.”
+
+“He might,” admitted Frank; “but I do not believe he has. It is likely
+that by morning the police will have found them both.”
+
+It was difficult to reassure and quiet the boy, and Frank himself
+feared there might be some truth in Jack’s fancy that old Joe had
+carried Nellie off in a box car. The old engineer knew the ropes about
+the railroad so well that he might do such a thing with very little
+trouble.
+
+Still carrying Jack, Frank mounted the stairs to the rooms they called
+home.
+
+“Oh, it don’t seem that I can go in there!” moaned the lame boy. “It
+will be so bare and lonely without her!”
+
+“Hark!” whispered Frank, stopping.
+
+They heard a voice singing softly and sweetly, “Nearer, My God, to
+Thee!”
+
+Little Jack almost shrieked aloud.
+
+“It’s her--it’s sister!”
+
+Frank bounded up the stairs and flung open the door. Beside the bed
+sat Nellie. She heard them and turned, with a finger uplifted, still
+singing.
+
+On the bed lay the old engineer, and there was an ashen grayness to
+his face. One glance revealed to Frank that the man was facing the last
+mystery of life--death!
+
+Merry lowered little Jack and gave him his crutch. Then they slowly and
+softly approached the bed.
+
+“Twenty-three minutes late!” muttered the old engineer. “We’ve got ter
+make her up somehow. We must be at Roaring Run bridge in an hour and
+three minutes. More coal, man--more coal!”
+
+“He is making his last run,” whispered Frank. “And the end of the trip
+is near.”
+
+Little Jack crept up and kissed his sister’s cheek.
+
+“How do you happen to be here now?” he asked.
+
+“He brought me back,” said Nellie. “I begged him to and he did so.
+Before you came he was asking for Frank.”
+
+“Frank!” exclaimed the dying man, catching the whispered word. “Where
+is Frank Merriwell? I’ve got to see him.”
+
+“I am here, Mr. Hicks,” said Merry, stepping close to the bed.
+
+“Yes; I hear you, but I can’t see you very well. Bend lower. Yes; it is
+you. I did hate you, but I was wrong. I ask you to fergive me. Will ye?”
+
+“With all my heart!”
+
+“I am glad. You are a fine young man, and I want to leave them in your
+care--Nellie and Jack. You will take care of them?”
+
+“I will.”
+
+“I believe it, and they will be safe with you. Oh! she is such an
+angel! She has put me onto a new trip, and--and I am making the run.
+The steam is getting low. More coal! more coal!”
+
+He seemed peering ahead, as he had peered out from the window of an
+engine cab many times.
+
+“This is the straightest strip of road I ever struck,” he muttered.
+“Not a curve nor a grade as fur as you kin see. It’s wonderful! But the
+steam is low, and we are behind time. We must be at Roaring Run bridge
+on time. We must get there somehow. More coal!”
+
+Then, after another period of silence, he began again:
+
+“I’m runnin’ her in the right notch now, and we’re gaining. We will
+make it. Hear her sing over the rails. Oh, she is humming now! Ah, we
+are beginning to make up lost time.”
+
+“Sing, Nellie,” whispered Frank.
+
+The girl did so, although her cheeks were wet with tears. For a long
+time the dying engineer lay still and listened.
+
+“’Sh!” he whispered, now and then. “Somebody is singing. It is such
+sweet singing! Don’t make a noise, for she may stop.”
+
+Finally he began to peer before him again. All at once he cried:
+
+“It’s getting dark on the track! Light the headlight! We’re
+gaining--we’re gaining. Only ten minutes late! We--will--make it!”
+
+His hands gripped and relaxed. With his left he reached out, as if
+feeling for the throttle.
+
+“A little more does it,” he muttered, weakly. “There--that’s it. We’ll
+be--there--soon. It’s just--just--ahead. Ha! Here we are on time--on
+time, at last!”
+
+The end of the trip was reached.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+And so passed away the principal enemy that Frank Merriwell had. As for
+Frank himself, he had already won a place and respect on the railroad.
+He was in a position to help the blind girl and her crippled brother,
+and there was no one who could hinder him now. He was recognized
+already as one of the best firemen on the road, and eligible for
+promotion to the post of engineer at any time. He had taken the first
+step upward in the struggle through life, and the first step in this
+struggle is always the hardest one. After this, it would be plainer
+sailing, and although Frank Merriwell was destined to pass through many
+more adventures on the railroad, he had overcome the chief difficulties
+in the way of success, and made a good start. He had started at the
+foot of the ladder with his first job, but already he had surmounted
+the lowest rung and was in a fair way to climb, up and up, to ultimate
+success.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+THE MEDAL LIBRARY
+
+FAMOUS COPYRIGHTED STORIES FOR BOYS, BY FAMOUS AUTHORS
+
+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.
+
+PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+To be Published During December
+
+  339--In School and Out                           By Oliver Optic
+  338--A Cousin’s Conspiracy                 By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  337--Jack Harkaway After Schooldays        By Bracebridge Hemyng
+  336--Frank Merriwell’s Great Scheme          By Burt L. Standish
+
+To be Published During November
+
+  335--The Haunted Hunter                       By Edward S. Ellis
+  334--Tony, the Tramp                       By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  333--Rich and Humble                             By Oliver Optic
+  332--Frank Merriwell’s Stage Hit             By Burt L. Standish
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  331--The Hidden City                        By Walter MacDougall
+  330--Bob Burton                            By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  329--Masterman Ready                            By Capt. Marryat
+  328--Frank Merriwell’s Prosperity            By Burt L. Standish
+  327--Jack Harkaway’s Friends               By Bracebridge Hemyng
+  326--The Tin Box                           By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  325--The Young Franc-Tireurs                      By G. A. Henty
+  324--Frank Merriwell’s New Comedian          By Burt L. Standish
+  323--The Sheik’s White Slave                    By Raymond Raife
+  322--Helping Himself                       By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  321--Snarleyyow, The Dog Fiend                  By Capt. Marryat
+  320--Frank Merriwell’s Fortune               By Burt L. Standish
+  319--By Right of Conquest                         By G. A. Henty
+  318--Jed, the Poorhouse Boy                By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  317--Jack Harkaway’s Schooldays            By Bracebridge Hemyng
+  316--Frank Merriwell’s Problem               By Burt L. Standish
+  315--The Diamond Seeker of Brazil                  By Leon Lewis
+  314--Andy Gordon                           By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  313--The Phantom Ship                           By Capt. Marryat
+  312--Frank Merriwell’s College Chums         By Burt L. Standish
+  311--Whistler                                  By Walter Aimwell
+  310--Making His Way                        By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  309--Three Years at Wolverton                  By A Wolvertonian
+  308--Frank Merriwell’s Fame                  By Burt L. Standish
+  307--The Boy Crusoes                          By Jeffreys Taylor
+  306--Chester Rand                          By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  305--Japhet in Search of a Father               By Capt. Marryat
+  304--Frank Merriwell’s Own Company           By Burt L. Standish
+  303--The Prairie                           By J. Fenimore Cooper
+  302--The Young Salesman                    By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  301--A Battle and a Boy                 By Blanche Willis Howard
+  300--Frank Merriwell on the Road             By Burt L. Standish
+  299--Mart Satterlee Among the Indians     By William O. Stoddard
+  298--Andy Grant’s Pluck                    By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  297--Newton Forster                             By Capt. Marryat
+  296--Frank Merriwell’s Protege               By Burt L. Standish
+  295--Cris Rock                               By Capt. Mayne Reid
+  294--Sam’s Chance                          By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  293--My Plucky Boy Tom                        By Edward S. Ellis
+  292--Frank Merriwell’s Hard Luck             By Burt L. Standish
+  291--By Pike and Dyke                             By G. A. Henty
+  290--Shifting For Himself                  By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  289--The Pirate and the Three Cutters           By Capt. Marryat
+  288--Frank Merriwell’s Opportunity           By Burt L. Standish
+  287--Kit Carson’s Last Trail                       By Leon Lewis
+  286--Jack’s Ward                           By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  285--Jack Darcy, the All Around Athlete       By Edward S. Ellis
+  284--Frank Merriwell’s First Job             By Burt L. Standish
+  283--Wild Adventures Round the Pole            By Gordon Stables
+  282--Herbert Carter’s Legacy               By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  281--Rattlin, the Reefer                        By Capt. Marryat
+  280--Frank Merriwell’s Struggle              By Burt L. Standish
+  279--Mark Dale’s Stage Venture             By Arthur M. Winfield
+  278--In Times of Peril                            By G. A. Henty
+  277--In a New World                        By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  276--Frank Merriwell in Maine                By Burt L. Standish
+  275--The King of the Island              By Henry Harrison Lewis
+  274--Beach Boy Joe                      By Lieut. James K. Orton
+  273--Jacob Faithful                             By Capt. Marryat
+  272--Facing the World                      By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  271--Frank Merriwell’s Chase                 By Burt L. Standish
+  270--Wing and Wing                         By J. Fenimore Cooper
+  269--The Young Bank Clerk                  By Arthur M. Winfield
+  268--Do and Dare                           By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  267--Frank Merriwell’s Cruise                By Burt L. Standish
+  266--The Young Castaways                           By Leon Lewis
+  265--The Lion of St. Mark                         By G. A. Henty
+  264--Hector’s Inheritance                  By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  263--Mr. Midshipman Easy                      By Captain Marryat
+  262--Frank Merriwell’s Vacation              By Burt L. Standish
+  261--The Pilot                             By J. Fenimore Cooper
+  260--Driven From Home                      By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  259--Sword and Pen                       By Henry Harrison Lewis
+  258--Frank Merriwell In Camp                 By Burt L. Standish
+  257--Jerry                                     By Walter Aimwell
+  256--The Young Ranchman                     By Lieut. Lounsberry
+  255--Captain Bayley’s Heir                        By G. A. Henty
+  254--Frank Merriwell’s Loyalty               By Burt L. Standish
+  253--The Water Witch                       By J. Fenimore Cooper
+  252--Luke Walton                           By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  251--Frank Merriwell’s Danger                By Burt L. Standish
+  250--Neka, the Boy Conjurer              By Capt. Ralph Bonehill
+  249--The Young Bridge Tender               By Arthur M. Winfield
+  248--The West Point Rivals                   By Lieut. Frederick
+                                                Garrison, U. S. A.
+  247--Frank Merriwell’s Secret                By Burt L. Standish
+  246--Rob Ranger’s Cowboy Days        By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+  245--The Red Rover                         By J. Fenimore Cooper
+  244--Frank Merriwell’s Return to Yale        By Burt L. Standish
+  243--Adrift in New York                    By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  242--The Rival Canoe Boys                By St. George Rathborne
+  241--The Tour of the Zero Club              By Capt. R. Bonehill
+  240--Frank Merriwell’s Champions             By Burt L. Standish
+  239--The Two Admirals                      By J. Fenimore Cooper
+  238--A Cadet’s Honor         By Lieut. Fred’k Garrison, U. S. A.
+  237--Frank Merriwell’s Skill                 By Burt L. Standish
+  236--Rob Ranger’s Mine                      By Lieut. Lounsberry
+  235--The Young Carthaginian                       By G. A. Henty
+  234--The Store Boy                         By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  233--Frank Merriwell’s Athletes              By Burt L. Standish
+  232--The Valley of Mystery               By Henry Harrison Lewis
+  231--Paddling Under Palmettos            By St. George Rathborne
+  230--Off for West Point      By Lieut. Fred’k Garrison, U. S. A.
+  229--Frank Merriwell’s Daring                By Burt L. Standish
+  228--The Cash Boy                          By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  227--In Freedom’s Cause                           By G. A. Henty
+  226--Tom Havens With the White Squadron By Lieut. James K. Orton
+  225--Frank Merriwell’s Courage               By Burt L. Standish
+  224--Yankee Boys in Japan                By Henry Harrison Lewis
+  223--In Fort and Prison                By William Murray Graydon
+  222--A West Point Treasure   By Lieut. Fred’k Garrison, U. S. A.
+  221--The Young Outlaw                      By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  220--The Gulf Cruisers                   By St. George Rathborne
+  219--Tom Truxton’s Ocean Trip               By Lieut. Lounsberry
+  218--Tom Truxton’s School Days              By Lieut. Lounsberry
+  217--Frank Merriwell’s Bicycle Tour          By Burt L. Standish
+  216--Campaigning With Braddock             By Wm. Murray Graydon
+  215--With Clive in India                          By G. A. Henty
+  214--On Guard                By Lieut. Fred’k Garrison, U. S. A.
+  213--Frank Merriwell’s Races                 By Burt L. Standish
+  212--Julius, the Street Boy                By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  211--Buck Badger’s Ranch                     By Russell Williams
+  210--Sturdy and Strong                            By G. A. Henty
+  209--Frank Merriwell’s Sports Afield         By Burt L. Standish
+  208--The Treasure of the Golden Crater
+                                       By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+  207--Shifting Winds                      By St. George Rathborne
+  206--Jungles and Traitors                  By Wm. Murray Graydon
+  205--Frank Merriwell at Yale                 By Burt L. Standish
+  204--Under Drake’s Flag                           By G. A. Henty
+  203--Last Chance Mine                   By Lieut. James K. Orton
+  202--Risen From the Ranks                  By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  201--Frank Merriwell in Europe               By Burt L. Standish
+  200--The Fight for a Pennant                  By Frank Merriwell
+  199--The Golden Cañon                             By G. A. Henty
+  198--Only an Irish Boy                     By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  197--Frank Merriwell’s Hunting Tour          By Burt L. Standish
+  196--Zip, the Acrobat                        By Victor St. Clair
+  195--The Lion of the North                        By G. A. Henty
+  194--The White Mustang                        By Edward S. Ellis
+  193--Frank Merriwell’s Bravery               By Burt L. Standish
+  192--Tom, the Bootblack                    By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  191--The Rivals of the Diamond               By Russell Williams
+  190--The Cat of Bubastes                          By G. A. Henty
+  189--Frank Merriwell Down South              By Burt L. Standish
+  188--From Street to Mansion                 By Frank H. Stauffer
+  187--Bound to Rise                         By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  186--On the Trail of Geronimo                 By Edward S. Ellis
+  185--For the Temple                               By G. A. Henty
+  184--Frank Merriwell’s Trip West             By Burt L. Standish
+  183--The Diamond Hunters                          By James Grant
+  182--The Camp in the Snow              By William Murray Graydon
+  181--Brave and Bold                        By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  180--One of the 28th                              By G. A. Henty
+  178--Frank Merriwell’s Foes                  By Burt L. Standish
+  177--The White Elephant                        By William Dalton
+  176--By England’s Aid                             By G. A. Henty
+  175--Strive and Succeed                    By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  173--Life at Sea                               By Gordon Stables
+  172--The Young Midshipman                         By G. A. Henty
+  171--Erling the Bold                         By R. M. Ballantyne
+  170--Strong and Steady                     By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  169--Peter, the Whaler                      By W. H. G. Kingston
+  168--Among Malay Pirates                          By G. A. Henty
+  167--Frank Merriwell’s Chums                 By Burt L. Standish
+  166--Try and Trust                         By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  165--The Secret Chart                   By Lieut. James K. Orton
+  164--The Cornet of Horse                          By G. A. Henty
+  163--Slow and Sure                         By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  162--The Pioneers                                By J. F. Cooper
+  161--Reuben Green’s Adventures at Yale             By James Otis
+  160--Little by Little                            By Oliver Optic
+  159--Phil, the Fiddler                     By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  158--With Lee in Virginia                         By G. A. Henty
+  157--Randy, the Pilot                By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+  156--The Pathfinder                              By J. F. Cooper
+  155--The Young Voyagers                      By Capt. Mayne Reid
+  154--Paul, the Peddler                     By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  153--Bonnie Prince Charlie                        By G. A. Henty
+  152--The Last of the Mohicans              By J. Fenimore Cooper
+  151--The Flag of Distress                    By Capt. Mayne Reid
+  150--Frank Merriwell’s School Days           By Burt L. Standish
+  149--With Wolfe in Canada                         By G. A. Henty
+  148--The Deerslayer                              By J. F. Cooper
+  147--The Cliff Climbers                      By Capt. Mayne Reid
+  146--Uncle Nat                                   By A. Oldfellow
+  145--Friends Though Divided                       By G. A. Henty
+  144--The Boy Tar                             By Capt. Mayne Reid
+  143--Hendricks, the Hunter                  By W. H. G. Kingston
+  142--The Young Explorer                        By Gordon Stables
+  141--The Ocean Waifs                         By Capt. Mayne Reid
+  140--The Young Buglers                            By G. A. Henty
+  139--Shore and Ocean                        By W. H. G. Kingston
+  138--Striving for Fortune                  By Horatio Alger. Jr.
+  137--The Bush Boys                           By Capt. Mayne Reid
+  136--From Pole to Pole                         By Gordon Stables
+  135--Dick Cheveley                          By W. H. G. Kingston
+  134--Orange and Green                             By G. A. Henty
+  133--The Young Yagers                        By Capt. Mayne Reid
+  132--The Adventures of Rob Roy                    By James Grant
+  131--The Boy Slaves                          By Capt. Mayne Reid
+  130--From Canal Boy to President           By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  129--Ran Away to Sea                         By Capt. Mayne Reid
+  128--For Name and Fame                            By G. A. Henty
+  127--The Forest Exiles                       By Capt. Mayne Reid
+  126--From Powder Monkey to Admiral          By W. H. G. Kingston
+  125--The Plant Hunters                       By Capt. Mayne Reid
+  124--St. George for England                       By G. A. Henty
+  123--The Giraffe Hunters                     By Capt. Mayne Reid
+  122--Tom Brace                             By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  121--Peter Trawl                            By W. H. G. Kingston
+  120--In the Wilds of New Mexico              By G. Manville Fenn
+  119--A Final Reckoning                            By G. A. Henty
+  118--Ned Newton                            By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+  117--James Braithwaite, The Supercargo      By W. H. G. Kingston
+  116--Happy-Go-Lucky Jack                    By Frank H. Converse
+  115--Adventures of a Young Athlete         By Matthew White, Jr.
+  114--The Old Man of the Mountains            By George H. Coomer
+  113--The Bravest of the Brave                     By G. A. Henty
+  112--20,000 Leagues Under the Sea                 By Jules Verne
+  111--The Midshipman, Marmaduke Merry        By W. H. G. Kingston
+  110--Around the World in Eighty Days              By Jules Verne
+  109--A Dash to the Pole                       By Herbert D. Ward
+  108--Texar’s Revenge                              By Jules Verne
+  107--Van; or, In Search of an Unknown Race
+                                              By Frank H. Converse
+  106--The Boy Knight                           By George A. Henty
+  105--The Young Actor                          By Gayle Winterton
+  104--Heir to a Million                      By Frank H. Converse
+  103--The Adventures of Rex Staunton           By Mary A. Denison
+  102--Clearing His Name                     By Matthew White, Jr.
+  101--The Lone Ranch                          By Capt. Mayne Reid
+  100--Maori and Settler                        By George A. Henty
+   99--The Cruise of the Restless; or, On Inland Waterways
+                                                     By James Otis
+   98--The Grand Chaco                     By George Manville Fenn
+   97--The Giant Islanders                     By Brooks McCormick
+   96--An Unprovoked Mutiny                          By James Otis
+   95--By Sheer Pluck                               By G. A. Henty
+   94--Oscar; or, The Boy Who Had His Own Way    By Walter Aimwell
+   93--A New York Boy                        By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+   92--Spectre Gold                                 By Headon Hill
+   91--The Crusoes of Guiana                   By Louis Boussenard
+   90--Out on the Pampas                            By G. A. Henty
+   89--Clinton; or, Boy Life in the Country      By Walter Aimwell
+   88--My Mysterious Fortune                 By Matthew White, Jr.
+   87--The Five Hundred Dollar Check         By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+   86--Catmur’s Cave                            By Richard Dowling
+   85--Facing Death                                 By G. A. Henty
+   84--The Butcher of Cawnpore           By William Murray Graydon
+   83--The Tiger Prince                          By William Dalton
+   82--The Young Editor                      By Matthew White, Jr.
+   81--Arthur Helmuth, of the H. & N. C. Railway
+                                                By Edward S. Ellis
+   80--Afloat in the Forest                    By Capt. Mayne Reid
+   79--The Rival Battalions                    By Brooks McCormick
+   78--Both Sides of the Continent           By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+   77--Perils of the Jungle                     By Edward S. Ellis
+   76--The War Tiger; or, The Conquest of China
+                                                 By William Dalton
+   75--Boys in the Forecastle                  By George H. Coomer
+   74--The Dingo Boys                      By George Manville Fenn
+   73--The Wolf Boy of China                     By William Dalton
+   72--The Way to Success; or, Tom Randall     By Alfred Oldfellow
+   71--Mark Seaworth’s Voyage on the Indian Ocean
+                                         By William H. G. Kingston
+   70--The New and Amusing History of Sandford and Merton
+                                                  By F. C. Burnand
+   69--Pirate Island                          By Harry Collingwood
+   68--Smuggler’s Cave                            By Annie Ashmore
+   67--Tom Brown’s School Days                    By Thomas Hughes
+   66--A Young Vagabond                           By Z. R. Bennett
+   65--That Treasure                          By Frank H. Converse
+   64--The Tour of a Private Car             By Matthew White, Jr.
+   63--In the Sunk Lands                        By Walter F. Bruns
+   62--How He Won                              By Brooks McCormick
+   61--The Erie Train Boy                    By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+   60--The Mountain Cave                       By George H. Coomer
+   59--The Rajah’s Fortress              By William Murray Graydon
+   58--Gilbert, The Trapper                  By Capt. C. R. Ashley
+   57--The Gold of Flat Top Mountain          By Frank H. Converse
+   56--Nature’s Young Noblemen                 By Brooks McCormick
+   55--A Voyage to the Gold Coast             By Frank H. Converse
+   54--Joe Nichols; or, Difficulties Overcome  By Alfred Oldfellow
+   53--The Adventures of a New York Telegraph Boy
+                                             By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+   52--From Farm Boy to Senator              By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+   51--Tom Tracy                             By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+   50--Dean Dunham                           By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+   49--The Mystery of a Diamond               By Frank H. Converse
+   48--Luke Bennett’s Hide-Out   By Capt. C. B. Ashley, U.S. Scout
+   47--Eric Dane                             By Matthew White, Jr.
+
+
+
+
+TALES OF VICTORIES
+
+Gained in the Pre-Revolutionary wars by lads of pluck and intelligence.
+Every true boy will be fascinated with these stories of the exciting
+adventures of boys who gladly gave their lives to freedom’s cause.
+
+_BOYS OF LIBERTY LIBRARY_
+
+   3.--The Young Ambassador.      By John De Morgan
+   7.--The Young Guardsman.      By John De Morgan
+  11.--Fighting Hal.      By John De Morgan
+  15.--By Order of the Colonel.      By Lieut. Lounsberry
+  19.--A Call to Duty.      By Lieut. Lounsberry
+  23.--The Young Patriot.      By Lieut. Lounsberry
+  26.--The Trader’s Captive.      By Lieut. Lounsberry
+
+  Only Ten Cents Per Copy
+  At All Newsdealers
+
+  _If ordered by mail, add four cents to
+  cover postage._
+
+  STREET & SMITH, Publishers
+  NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+CIRCUS LIFE
+
+Is admirably described in Stanley Norris’ great series of books for
+boys, published in the BOUND TO WIN LIBRARY. The hero has strange
+adventures while fighting his way to the top of his chosen profession.
+Every boy will thrill to the finger tips to read of his many narrow
+escapes.
+
+_PRICE, 10 CENTS PER COPY AT ALL NEWSDEALERS_
+
+STANLEY NORRIS
+
+  29 Phil, the Showman
+  31 The Young Showman’s Rivals
+  33 The Young Showman’s Pluck
+  35 The Young Showman’s Triumph
+  82 The Young Showman’s Foes
+
+If ordered by mail, add four cents to cover postage.
+
+STREET & SMITH, Publishers, New York
+
+
+
+
+WEST POINT STORIES
+
+One of the most interesting series of stories for boys is that which
+details the adventures of Mark Malloy at West Point. No boy who likes
+good, exciting tales of adventure should miss reading them. Published
+only in THE MEDAL LIBRARY.
+
+PRICE, 10 CENTS PER COPY
+
+LIEUT. FREDERICK GARRISON, U. S. A.
+
+  _214 On Guard_
+  _222 A West Point Treasure_
+  _230 Off for West Point_
+  _238 A Cadet’s Honor_
+  _248 The West Point Rivals_
+
+For Sale By All Newsdealers. If ordered by mail, add four cents to
+cover postage.
+
+Street & Smith, Publishers, New York
+
+
+
+
+Ho! For Annapolis
+
+The enchanted city of every boy’s dreams. All cannot enter its gates,
+but all may read of the adventures of a crowd of jolly fellows who
+were fortunate enough to do so. Clif Farraday’s dare-devil plots and
+pranks are of intense interest. Published only in the _BOUND TO WIN
+SERIES_.
+
+ONLY 10c. PER COPY
+
+By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N.
+
+   3. Bound for Annapolis
+   8. Clif, the Naval Cadet
+  13. A Strange Cruise
+  18. The Cruise of the Training Ship
+  23. From Port to Port
+
+If these books are ordered by mail four cents per copy must be added to
+cover postage.
+
+STREET & SMITH, Publishers, New York.
+
+
+
+
+Battles on Sea and Land
+
+We heartily recommend our _Boys of Liberty Library_ to boys who
+have good, red blood coursing through their veins--who like really good
+tales of adventure.
+
+The books listed below detail the adventures of brave lads who took an
+active part in the Revolutionary War, who, in many cases, saved the
+day to the Patriot army when all seemed lost. Read this series boys,
+nothing you can buy for the money will please you half so well.
+
+   1. Paul Revere and the Boys of Liberty
+        By John De Morgan
+
+   5. The first Shot for Liberty
+        By John De Morgan
+
+   9. The Hero of Ticonderoga
+        By John De Morgan
+
+  13. On the Quebec
+        By John De Morgan
+
+  17. Fooling the Enemy
+        By John De Morgan
+
+  21. Into the Jaws of Death
+        By John De Morgan
+
+  25. The Tory Plot
+        By T. C. Harbaugh
+
+  27. In Buff and Blue
+        By T. C. Harbaugh
+
+For sale by all newsdealers at 10c. per copy. If ordered by mail, add
+four cents to cover postage.
+
+Street & Smith, Publishers, New York
+
+
+
+
+_HORATIO ALGER, JR._
+
+The greatest and most famous writer of rattling good tales of adventure
+for boys, was Horatio Alger, Jr. He is the Dickens of juvenile
+literature. His best works are published in the Medal library at ten
+cents per copy. For sale by all newsdealers.
+
+ALGER, HORATIO, JR.
+
+   42. Young Acrobat, The.
+   50. Dean Dunham.
+   52. From Farm Boy to Senator.
+   61. Erie Train Boy, The.
+   87. Five Hundred Dollar Check, The.
+  118. Ned Newton; or, The Adventures of a New York Bootblack.
+  122. Tom Brace.
+  130. From Canal Boy to President.
+  138. Striving for Fortune.
+  154. Paul, the Peddler.
+  159. Phil, the Fiddler.
+  163. Slow and Sure.
+  166. Try and Trust.
+  170. Strong and Steady.
+  175. Strive and Succeed.
+  181. Brave and Bold.
+  187. Bound to Rise.
+  192. Tom, the Bootblack.
+  198. Only an Irish Boy.
+  202. Risen From the Ranks.
+  212. Julius, the Street Boy.
+  221. Young Outlaw, The.
+  228. Cash Boy, The.
+  234. Store Boy, The.
+  243. Adrift in New York.
+  252. Luke Walton.
+  260. Driven From Home.
+  264. Hector’s Inheritance.
+  268. Do and Dare.
+  272. Facing the World.
+  277. In a New World.
+  282. Herbert Carter’s Legacy.
+
+If these books are ordered by mail, add four cents per copy to cover
+postage.
+
+STREET & SMITH, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+A New Novel by
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Charles Garvice
+
+The publication of a new copyrighted story by the celebrated Charles
+Garvice is an event eagerly looked forward to by all lovers of
+good fiction. We are glad, therefore, to be in a position to offer
+“=Edna’s Secret Marriage=.” This story has never been published in
+book form before and will make its appearance as Eagle Series No. 440.
+
+As the authorized American publishers of Charles Garvice, we take this
+opportunity to warn the public against purchasing spurious Garvice
+books. The early novels of Garvice, written before International
+Copyright, have been published on this side of the water in pirated
+editions under all sorts of titles to the great confusion of the
+reading public. In some cases, books bearing the name of Charles
+Garvice as author, but which Mr. Garvice never wrote, have been forced
+on the unsuspecting public. We are now preparing to prosecute the
+offenders in all such cases in behalf of Mr. Garvice.
+
+STREET & SMITH, Publishers
+
+
+
+
+MEDAL LIBRARY
+
+A weekly publication devoted to good literature.
+
+November 12, 1904. NO. 284
+
+The HARKAWAY LIBRARY
+
+[Illustration: Jack Harkaways Return]
+
+Detailing the Complete Adventures of Jack Harkaway
+
+Every boy will rejoice to know that at last the adventures of the
+famous Jack Harkaway are published in cheap paper edition.
+
+Bracebridge Hemyng, the author of these tales, has established an
+enviable reputation as a writer of stories for boys. No better tales
+of thrilling adventures, in school and out, on land and sea, have ever
+been written. The boy reader at once feels a most lively interest in
+Jack’s welfare and will not miss following him through all the ups and
+downs of his interesting life.
+
+  STREET & SMITH, Publishers
+  238 William Street, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber’s Note
+
+The Contents has been added by the transcriber.
+
+Punctuation has been standardised. Hyphenation and spelling have been
+retained as in the orignal publication except as follows:
+
+  Page 12
+    did the old food do it _changed to_
+    did the old fool do it
+
+  Page 101
+    cheeks of Frank Merrriwell _changed to_
+    cheeks of Frank Merriwell
+
+  Page 131
+    Jack started to pour the tea _changed to_
+    Jack started to pour the coffee
+
+  Page 195
+    the black vail between them _changed to_
+    the black veil between them
+
+  Page 201
+    an ugly look overpread his face _changed to_
+    an ugly look overspread his face
+
+  Catalogue of books page v
+    Hunting Tour, Burt L. Standish  _changed to_
+    Hunting Tour, By Burt L. Standish
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S FIRST JOB ***
+
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+<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Frank Merriwell's First Job, by Burt L. Standish</div>
+
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
+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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. 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.
+</div>
+
+<table style='min-width:0; padding:0; margin-left:0; border-collapse:collapse'>
+  <tr><td>Title:</td><td>Frank Merriwell's First Job</td></tr>
+  <tr><td></td><td>At The Foot of the Ladder</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Burt L. Standish</div>
+
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: February 26, 2021 [eBook #64635]</div>
+
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div>
+
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div>
+
+<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: David Edwards, Sue Clark, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net</div>
+
+<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S FIRST JOB ***</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<img id="cover" src="images/cover2.jpg" width="420" height="600" alt="Cover" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h1>Frank Merriwell’s First Job<br />
+<small>OR</small><br/>
+<span>AT THE FOOT OF THE LADDER</span></h1>
+
+
+<div class="section">
+<hr class="divider2" />
+</div>
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+<table summary="Contents">
+<tr>
+<th class="tdr">Chapter</th>
+<th class="tdl">&nbsp;</th>
+<th class="tdr2">Page</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">I.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">A Blow by Fate</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#i">5</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">II.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Farewell to Yale</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#ii">11</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">III.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">On the Way Home</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#iii">16</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">IV.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">The Reward of Wrongdoing</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#iv">23</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">V.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">The Man Who Worked the Wires</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#v">28</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">VI.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">The Setting of the Sun</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#vi">34</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">VII.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Phantom Fingers</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#vii">40</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">VIII.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Unwelcome Visitors</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#viii">46</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">IX.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Captured by Whitecaps</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#ix">52</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">X.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Cowardly Work</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#x">57</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XI.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Frank’s Strange Friend</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xi">63</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XII.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">For His Enemy</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xii">69</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XIII.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">The Bully of the Roundhouse</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xiii">75</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XIV.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">The Bully Meets His Match</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xiv">80</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XV.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Striking a Job</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xv">86</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XVI.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">The First Forenoon</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xvi">91</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XVII.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">The Street Musicians</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xvii">97</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XVIII.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Uplifted Hearts</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xviii">103</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XIX.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">An Angry Engineer</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xix">109</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XX.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Some Points About Hicks</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xx">115</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXI.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Frank Discovers a Break</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxi">120</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXII.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">The Interrupted Supper</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxii">126</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXIII.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">An Unwelcome Relation</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxiii">132</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXIV.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Frank Exacts a Promise</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxiv">137</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXV.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">On a Switch Engine</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxv">143</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXVI.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Capturing a Wild Engine</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxvi">148</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXVII.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Frank’s Friends</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxvii">154</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXVIII.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Firing a Freight Engine</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxviii">160</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXIX.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">The Fight on the Engine</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxix">165</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXX.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Merriwell’s Generosity</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxx">171</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXXI.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">An Ungrateful Man</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxxi">177</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXXII.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">On the Stairs</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxxii">182</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXXIII.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">Under the Crust of a Human Heart</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxxiii">188</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXXIV.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">The Revelation of a Secret</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxxiv">193</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXXV.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">The Little Pilot</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxxv">200</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">XXXVI.</td>
+<td class="tdl smcap">“On Time, at Last!”</td>
+<td class="tdr2"><a href="#xxxvi">206</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="section">
+<hr class="divider2" />
+<p class="center"><span class="p180">Frank Merriwell’s First Job</span><br />
+<small>OR</small><br/>
+<span class="p120">AT THE FOOT OF THE LADDER</span></p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>By BURT L. STANDISH</i></p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>Author of</i> “Frank Merriwell’s School Days,” “Frank<br />
+Merriwell’s Chums,” “Frank Merriwell’s Foes,”<br />
+“Frank Merriwell’s Trip West,” etc.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+  <img class="smaller" src="images/colophon.jpg" width="217" height="221" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="center">STREET &amp; SMITH, PUBLISHERS<br />
+238 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK CITY</p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<div class="section">
+<p class="center">Copyright, 1898<br />
+By STREET &amp; SMITH</p>
+
+<p class="center">Frank Merriwell’s First Job</p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5"></a>5</span>
+<p class="center p180" id="title">FRANK MERRIWELL’S FIRST JOB.</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="tb" />
+
+<h2 class="nobreak" id="i">CHAPTER I.<br />
+<span>A BLOW BY FATE.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Biff&mdash;thump!</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, what a soaker!”</p>
+
+<p>“Go at him, Rattleton!”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t let him knock you up against the door like that.”</p>
+
+<p>Biff! biff!&mdash;thump!</p>
+
+<p>“There you go again!”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, jose your claw&mdash;I mean close your jaw!” panted Harry Rattleton, as
+he ducked and escaped a left-hand swing from Frank Merriwell, with whom
+he was boxing in the room of the latter at Yale. “You fellows are not
+in this!”</p>
+
+<p>“You’re not in it, either,” lazily laughed Bruce Browning, who was half
+sitting, half reclining on the couch, watching the boxing bout and
+smoking a pipe at the same time.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you weren’t such a much when you got up against Merriwell that
+time you tried to do him,” snapped Rattleton, backing out as Frank
+slowly followed him up.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s ancient history,” declared the big fellow. “But Merriwell found
+me a pretty warm baby!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a>6</span>
+“Get up and try him now!” cried Harry. “I’ll bet he’ll bang you all
+over the room before you touch him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thanks!” grinned Bruce. “I’ve quit the ring. I’m not looking for
+pugilistic glory any more.”</p>
+
+<p>“Stand up to him, Rattleton,” advised Diamond. “You do too much running
+away.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, you know!” flung back Rattleton. “You’ve had your turn, too, and
+you wasn’t so good.”</p>
+
+<p>“You can’t do anything with him if you don’t try to hit him,” said Bart
+Hodge, who was sitting astride a chair in the corner.</p>
+
+<p>“More thanks! If you’ll put the gloves on, I’ll guarantee you will
+not hit him any oftener than I have. I believe he gave you a dose of
+medicine once on a time. I’m the only fellow in the room who hasn’t
+been punched in earnest by him. You chaps are good talkers, but&mdash;&mdash; No
+you don’t.”</p>
+
+<p>Then he went under Frank’s arm like a cat, giving Merry a sharp jab in
+the ribs.</p>
+
+<p>“Keep it up.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, that wasn’t so worse!” yawned Browning.</p>
+
+<p>But Frank whirled swiftly and followed Harry, sparring for an opening,
+which he quickly got.</p>
+
+<p>Biff! biff!&mdash;bang!</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, my!” gurgled Harry. “That last one was on the nose! She’s
+beginning to bleed! I’m knocked out!”</p>
+
+<p>He flung off the boxing gloves and got out his handkerchief in a hurry,
+for the blow on his nose had started the blood.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7"></a>7</span>
+“Didn’t mean to hit you hard enough for that, Rattles,” said Frank,
+apologetically.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t mention it,” grinned Rattleton. “It’s nothing much. I don’t mind
+a little thing like that.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank took off his gloves and hung the set up, after which he quickly
+set the room in order.</p>
+
+<p>Rattleton’s nose bled very little, and he soon recovered.</p>
+
+<p>“It seems to me you are worse than ever since your trip into Maine,
+Merriwell,” said Harry. “You’ll be a swift one on the football team
+this fall.”</p>
+
+<p>“I shall not give much time to football,” Frank declared.</p>
+
+<p>“No?” shouted Rattleton, Diamond and Hodge.</p>
+
+<p>“Is that so?” grunted Browning. “You talked like that last fall, and
+you know what came of it. You had to get into gear in order to save Old
+Eli from being thrown down.”</p>
+
+<p>Merriwell nodded.</p>
+
+<p>“I know all about that; but it seems to me that I have done my part in
+the way of upholding the honor of Old Eli, and there should be somebody
+to fill my place by this time.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why do you want anybody to fill your place?” asked Hodge.</p>
+
+<p>“The time has come for me to study. Fooling must be dropped.”</p>
+
+<p>“The time has come for you to ease up on your studies,” said Diamond.
+“You know the first year or two are the hardest in college.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; but I have some ambitions for class honors. I<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8"></a>8</span> have managed to
+scrub right along so far, but I’ve got to make a change.”</p>
+
+<p>Browning straightened up a little.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t think you can do it, Merriwell,” he said, seriously. “You have
+made a record as an athlete, and you will be expected to stand by it.
+Your attempt last year should convince you that you can’t make such a
+rank change. You stand well with the professors, and you will pull out
+near the head of your class, anyway. What’s the use to look for too
+much?”</p>
+
+<p>“I am beginning to realize what is ahead of me, gentlemen,” came
+soberly from Frank. “My mother is dead, my father is&mdash;I know not where.
+Although I am generally supposed to be independently rich, I have but
+a small fortune, which was left me by my uncle. I can’t live on that
+and do nothing; I wouldn’t if I could. I must go out into the world
+and hustle. Thus far I have not even decided what I will do when it
+is necessary for me to go to work. Most fellows have this all settled
+before they go to college. Thus far with me, for the most part, life
+has been a holiday. Now I realize that it must be something different
+in the future. I have not got a foolish notion in my head that as soon
+as I leave college and go out into the world large city newspapers
+will eagerly offer me editorial positions, bankers will be yearning to
+take me into their banks, and large salaries for short hours will be
+thrust at me on every side. In most things influence counts, and it is
+a fact that the man with a pull and a fair stock of brains generally
+gets ahead of the man with no pull and heavy brain power. I shall<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9"></a>9</span> have
+no pull; but in its place I hope to use considerable push. If I do not
+land on top in time it will not be my fault.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve been struck with one of your serious spells, that’s what’s the
+matter with you!” cried Rattleton. “Don’t get worried. You’ve had lots
+of sport this summer. Wish I might have taken that trip into Maine.
+Next summer&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“Who can tell what next summer may bring?” said Frank, in a manner that
+added to the astonishment of his friends. “Before that time some great
+change may alter all our plans.”</p>
+
+<p>There was a rap on the door.</p>
+
+<p>“Come,” called Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The door opened.</p>
+
+<p>“Lettah, sah,” said the colored man who thrust his head in at the door.</p>
+
+<p>Frank took it, and the colored man disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s from Prof. Scotch,” he said, and then he laid it on the table.</p>
+
+<p>Prof. Scotch was Frank’s old teacher and guardian.</p>
+
+<p>Three times Frank walked up and down the room. He paused and looked
+around. It was a pleasant, well-furnished room. There were handsome
+pictures on the walls, there were foils, boxing gloves, tennis rackets
+and so forth. There also were strange curios from many lands, all
+gathered by Frank himself.</p>
+
+<p>This room was like home to Frank. He loved it for its associations.
+Some day he must leave it, but what<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a>10</span> pleasant memories of his college
+days he would carry away.</p>
+
+<p>Watching him his friends saw the strange expression on his face, and
+they knew not what to make of the change in him. He stopped by the
+table and picked up the letter.</p>
+
+<p>“Excuse me while I read it, please,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>“Of course,” they cried.</p>
+
+<p>Then he tore it open and read it. They saw his face grow pale and his
+hand tremble, while his breast heaved. He read to the end, and then he
+lifted his eyes to his friends.</p>
+
+<p>“What is it?” cried Bart Hodge, in apprehension. “Bad news, Merry?”</p>
+
+<p>“Fellows,” said Frank, hoarsely, “my career at Yale is ended! I am
+ruined!”</p>
+
+<p>They leaped to their feet.</p>
+
+<p>“Ruined?” gasped Diamond. “What do you mean?”</p>
+
+<p>“My fortune is lost! Prof. Scotch, my guardian, has speculated with my
+money, and lost every dollar! I am a beggar!”</p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="ii">CHAPTER II.<br />
+<span>FAREWELL TO YALE.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Like wildfire spread the report that Frank Merriwell was going to
+leave college. In an hour it seemed that all Yale knew it. There was
+consternation in the dormitories<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11"></a>11</span> and on the campus. Students gathered
+in groups to talk of it. Everyone seemed to regard it as a great
+calamity.</p>
+
+<p>Charlie Creighton was perched on the fence, looking as if he had just
+buried his last friend. Paul Pierson came along.</p>
+
+<p>“Awful, isn’t it?” asked Pierson.</p>
+
+<p>“Terrible!” said Creighton.</p>
+
+<p>“Have you seen him?”</p>
+
+<p>“No; I’m waiting till I can do so without slopping over and making a
+fool of myself.”</p>
+
+<p>“What will Old Eli do without him?”</p>
+
+<p>“Give it up. Why, the professors have heard of it, and they positively
+refuse to believe it. Look at those chaps over there in that group.
+There are Benson and some of the fellows who were supposed to be
+Merriwell’s enemies. Just came by them, and every man is saying it’s a
+thundering shame.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t believe Merriwell has a real enemy in the college.”</p>
+
+<p>Bink Stubbs came up. Usually Bink was grinning and cracking jokes. Now
+he did not say a word, but leaned against the fence with his hands in
+his pockets and kicked the ground with his toe.</p>
+
+<p>Lewis Little joined the group. Lewis was a mild sort of chap generally,
+but when asked how he felt, he said he’d like to punch the stuffing out
+of somebody.</p>
+
+<p>Halliday, Griswold and Puss Parker came up in a bunch.</p>
+
+<p>“I tell you it is a practical joke!” Parker was saying.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12"></a>12</span> “Somebody has
+put up this job. I won’t believe Merriwell is going to leave college.”</p>
+
+<p>“He’s forced to leave,” said Halliday. “I saw the letter from his
+guardian in which Scotch confesses that he has squandered every dollar
+of Merry’s fortune.”</p>
+
+<p>“How did the old
+<a name="fool" id="fool"></a>
+<ins title="Original has 'food'">fool</ins> do it?”</p>
+
+<p>“In some kind of a wild-cat mining scheme. That is, the most of it was
+sunk in that, although old Scotch confesses that he tried to retrieve
+by plunging in stocks.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I’m sorry for Merriwell,” sighed Griswold.</p>
+
+<p>“Really, my deah boys, I don’t know that I am sorry, don’t yer ’now,”
+broke in a voice, and Willis Paulding, a pronounced Anglomaniac, joined
+the group.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, you’re not?” snarled Lewis Little, who had the reputation of never
+speaking an angry word or doing an angry act.</p>
+
+<p>“No, really, I am not,” said Paulding. “Mr. Merriwell flew altogether
+too high, don’t yer ’now. This will take him down considerable.”</p>
+
+<p>“And this will take you down a trifle!” grated Little, as he struck
+Paulding with all his strength, knocking him down instantly.</p>
+
+<p>The others immediately closed about the two, and Willis was quickly
+lifted to his feet, where he stood trembling and pressing a snowy
+handkerchief to the bruise between his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>“Sir,” he said, his voice trembling, “you are no gentleman! By Jawve! I
+think I shall report that you assaulted me on the campus!”</p>
+
+<p>“Report and be&mdash;hanged!” retorted Little, contemptuously.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13"></a>13</span> “But take my
+advice and close up about Frank Merriwell, or you will get your face
+broken. No man can say anything against him in my presence!”</p>
+
+<p>Paulding was the only man rash enough to make a public statement of
+satisfaction over the misfortune that had befallen Merriwell, and even
+he did not repeat it. If there were any others who really rejoiced at
+Frank’s bad luck, they kept still.</p>
+
+<p>Merry decided to leave as soon as possible, and he set about packing up
+his goods without delay. In this work he was assisted by such friends
+as Rattleton, Diamond and Hodge. Browning started to help, but he
+stumbled like one dazed, and was so much in the way that he was asked
+to sit down and keep still, which he did, looking thoroughly ill for
+once in his life.</p>
+
+<p>The door was locked to keep out the friendly throng that kept coming
+up to express regret. It was opened for one person, who knocked on the
+door and called out till Frank recognized his voice. Prof. Such came
+stumbling into the room and nearly fell over one of the chests.</p>
+
+<p>“Er&mdash;er&mdash;Mr. Merriwell,” said the near-sighted little professor,
+looking from one to the other till he found Frank, “is it&mdash;can it be
+true?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Prof. Such,” said Frank, “I must leave at once. You see we are
+packing my stuff!”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, dear!” said the little man, his voice trembling. “I am very sorry!
+I shall miss you, Mr. Merriwell&mdash;we’ll all miss you. Perhaps you will
+not mind if I speak frankly now. I have thought a great deal of you,
+sir. I have seen in you one of the brightest young men it has<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14"></a>14</span> ever
+been my fortune to deal with here. You were very promising. Never
+before have I known a young man who was able to do the many things
+you accomplished and still rank so remarkably well in his classes. I
+believe you are phenomenal in that line. And now you are going to leave
+us! What will you do?”</p>
+
+<p>“That is something I cannot tell, professor. If my guardian has told
+the whole truth, I shall go to work to earn my living, and make my way
+in the world.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you will succeed&mdash;I am sure you will, Mr. Merriwell!” declared the
+little man. “You are built of the right stuff. You have succeeded in
+everything to which you have turned your hand since coming to college,
+and you will succeed in the battle of life. If your fortune is really
+lost, you are now at the foot of the ladder. By your own efforts you
+will mount upward a step at a time till the top is reached. If you
+should slip, don’t give up the struggle, but cling and fight your way
+upward.”</p>
+
+<p>“Prof. Such,” said Frank, “your illustration is a good one, and I shall
+not forget your kindly advice. Hereafter I shall think of myself as
+climbing upward on the ladder of life. I thank you, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“No thanks, young man. Your hand.”</p>
+
+<p>Their hands met, and there was a strange quiver on the professor’s face
+as he tried to look up at Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Excuse me,” he said; “excuse me, but my eyes&mdash;my spectacles are
+blurred. I’ll have to wipe them. I can’t see you very well, and I want
+to take a good look at you before you go.”</p>
+
+<p>He wiped his spectacles and adjusted them, after which<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15"></a>15</span> he stared at
+Merry several seconds. Then he nodded his head, saying:</p>
+
+<p>“It’s all right. You have the right kind of chin, and your face shows
+determination. There is a cast of firmness about your mouth. You will
+not be easily daunted. I think you will reach the top of the ladder,
+Mr. Merriwell. I wish you good fortune in every undertaking. Good-by,
+my boy&mdash;good-by!”</p>
+
+<p>Then the little professor turned, as if fearful of remaining longer or
+saying any more, and hurried from the room.</p>
+
+<p>Every one of the boys were profoundly affected by this scene. Frank the
+most of them all.</p>
+
+<p>Later Merriwell appeared on the campus, and the students gathered about
+him by hundreds at the fence, all eager to shake his hand and wish
+him good luck. Never before had there been an impromptu demonstration
+of this character that could compare with this. Some of the manly
+young fellows actually wept, although they tried to hide it, and Frank
+himself dashed moisture from his eyes more than once, while his voice
+failed him many times.</p>
+
+<p>Lib Benson, a big, broad-shouldered freshman, who had been the leader
+of Merry’s freshmen foes, forced his way to a spot where he could grasp
+Frank’s hand.</p>
+
+<p>“Merriwell,” he said, huskily, “I hope you aren’t ashamed to shake
+hands with me. I know I’ve been a mean cuss&mdash;I know it! I’ve tried to
+hurt you when I had no reason for doing so, and you’ve always used me
+white. I hope you won’t hold a grudge against me, Merriwell.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16"></a>16</span> I want
+to say right here, before everybody, that I’ve always been in the
+wrong, and you’ve always been right. You’re the whitest man I ever saw!
+Good-by, Merriwell! Good luck go with&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>Then Lib Benson choked, broke down completely, and made a rush to get
+away, tears dropping from his eyes as he held his head down with shame.</p>
+
+<p>There were other scenes like this.</p>
+
+<p>Frank bade the professors good-by.</p>
+
+<p>That afternoon he was escorted to the train by five hundred students,
+who marched in silence and looked as solemn as if they were going to a
+funeral.</p>
+
+<p>It was over at last. Dear old Yale was left behind&mdash;forever!</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="iii">CHAPTER III.<br />
+<span>ON THE WAY HOME.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>It was a sad homeward journey for Frank Merriwell. After his trip
+into Maine he had not found time to visit his home before returning
+to college. In fact, he had seen very little of Bloomfield in recent
+years. It had not been the home of his mother, but of his uncle. His
+mother, however, was buried in the quiet little country cemetery at
+Bloomfield, and he kept thinking of her as he drew nearer home and
+wondering if her grave had always been cared for as he had directed.
+Whenever he had visited it he had found it perfectly kept.</p>
+
+<p>Not many persons in Bloomfield were well acquainted<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17"></a>17</span> with Frank. They
+had known his crusty old uncle, who had few friends, and it was but
+natural for them to fancy that the nephew must be somewhat like the
+uncle, therefore they had not desired his acquaintance. Frank was glad
+of this, as he approached the place he had called home, for he thought
+there would not be so many persons to express condolence and ask
+questions.</p>
+
+<p>He sat alone in the car as the train flew through the twilight and
+night came down over the brown world. It was a beautiful world. He
+realized that as he gazed sadly out of the window, but now he, who a
+short time before had been surrounded by so many friends, felt like an
+outcast and a wanderer on the face of the earth.</p>
+
+<p>In his bosom was a swelling homesickness for dear old Yale and the
+friends he had left. He had been torn in one moment almost from those
+friends and the associations that had become so dear to him. Just when
+life was looking the fairest the blow had fallen.</p>
+
+<p>Some hearts might have been numbed, some spirits might have been
+broken; not so with Frank Merriwell. For one moment the thought that
+life really was not worth living forced itself in upon him, and then he
+banished it in haste and shame.</p>
+
+<p>He looked up at the sky as the train sped along. High up the clouds had
+a dull, leaden hue, and were somber and gloomy. Lower down they grew
+lighter and tinged with color, till they lay bright and golden on the
+western horizon. It seemed to Frank that the black clouds overshadowing
+him now must give way to golden ones in the future.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18"></a>18</span>
+It is the stout heart that looks forward to a bright future that finds
+real happiness in life.</p>
+
+<p>Merry realized that the time had come when he must fight his own way
+in the world. It had come suddenly and unexpectedly, and had not found
+him fully prepared for the emergency, but, nevertheless, he faced it
+without flinching.</p>
+
+<p>Now he remembered how for some time he had been troubled by a
+foreboding of impending calamity. It had made him moody and so much
+unlike his usual gay self that his friends had wondered.</p>
+
+<p>When they had started to plan what they would do on the return of
+another summer vacation, he had stopped them, saying the circle might
+be broken before that time.</p>
+
+<p>He had been determined to study hard and fit himself for graduation on
+his return to college, and not even the influence of his many friends
+could have changed that determination had he remained in Yale to the
+end of the course.</p>
+
+<p>Night shut down as the train sped on. The lamps within the cars were
+lighted, but Frank sat with his face pressed against the window,
+looking out toward the west where a faint streak of golden light
+lingered in the sky.</p>
+
+<p>He was thinking of Prof. Scotch now. The professor’s letter had
+indicated that the unfortunate man was nearly distracted, and Merriwell
+dreaded the meeting between them. There was no bitterness in his heart
+and no thought of making his speculating guardian suffer for the
+criminal mismanagement of his fortune.</p>
+
+<p>Frank knew that Prof. Scotch had not been adapted for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19"></a>19</span> the position of
+responsibility and trust imposed upon him by Asher Merriwell. During
+active life Frank’s uncle had been regarded as unusually shrewd in all
+his moves, but old age had brought failing abilities, and, happening to
+take a strong fancy to Merry’s professor at Fardale Academy, where he
+had studied, he appointed him Frank’s guardian.</p>
+
+<p>The professor had found it necessary to give much of his attention
+to the management of Frank’s property. At first he had been cautious
+enough, but in Bloomfield was a man, Darius Conrad, who was interested
+in Western mining property, and Scotch became very friendly with this
+Conrad.</p>
+
+<p>Darius Conrad was a rascal, but he had made money and escaped prison,
+so he was regarded in Bloomfield as a smart business man. He was away
+a great deal, and, when he became concerned in the Golden Peaks Mining
+and Smelting Company, it was said that he was destined to become one of
+the richest men in the country.</p>
+
+<p>Conrad did not find it difficult to convince Horace Scotch that there
+was a mint of money awaiting every man who bought stock at an early
+date in the concern. He said, as he was on the inside, he could let a
+friend in “on the ground floor,” with a sure chance of doubling every
+dollar invested in six months’ time.</p>
+
+<p>At first Scotch hesitated. He thought of writing to Frank all about
+it, but he mentioned it to Conrad, who very quickly showed him that it
+would be folly, as Merriwell really knew nothing of the true standing
+of the company, and was not competent to judge as to the value<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20"></a>20</span> of such
+an investment. But it was certain that any young man would be very
+grateful toward a guardian who had good sense and good luck enough to
+double his fortune at one bold stroke.</p>
+
+<p>So Scotch was ensnared. Within six months the Golden Peaks Mining
+and Smelting Company went into the air. Then it was hinted that the
+whole scheme had been a fraud, there was talk of investigations and
+prosecutions, and nothing at all was done.</p>
+
+<p>Driven desperate by his misfortune, and not daring to let Frank know
+the truth, Prof. Scotch sought to retrieve by plunging in cotton, but
+the market turned the wrong way, and he saw the last of Frank’s fortune
+swept away.</p>
+
+<p>Then came the moment when the distracted professor stood before a
+mirror with a loaded revolver in his hand and selected the spot against
+which he would place the muzzle when he pressed the trigger.</p>
+
+<p>As he lifted the weapon he remembered that he had not written to Frank.
+He sat down and wrote the letter that told Merry everything. The letter
+was given to Toots to mail, and then the professor locked himself in
+with the loaded revolver.</p>
+
+<p>He walked the floor till he chanced to look in the glass once more and
+beheld his own reflection. Then he shook his head, saying:</p>
+
+<p>“That is not Horace Scotch! It is a stranger to me. What a terrible
+thing it would have been if I had shot a stranger!”</p>
+
+<p>He felt relieved to think he had escaped committing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21"></a>21</span> murder. He laughed
+softly, and then sat down on a rocking chair. As he rocked he hummed a
+light song to himself.</p>
+
+<p>And thus he waited Frank’s appearance.</p>
+
+<p>That night Toots assisted him to undress and get into bed.</p>
+
+<p>“Yo’ mus’ be sick, p’ofessah,” said the colored boy, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>“You are mistaken,” said Scotch, wearily; “I am not the professor. I am
+an entire stranger. The professor is gone.”</p>
+
+<p>Then he closed his eyes and seemed to fall asleep almost immediately.</p>
+
+<p>Toots shook his head and retired from the room.</p>
+
+<p>Frank did not receive the letter till the following day, and then, as
+soon as possible, he started for Bloomfield.</p>
+
+<p>It was ten in the evening when the train drew up at Bloomfield Station,
+and Frank stepped off, grip in hand.</p>
+
+<p>There were few persons at the station. Some of them stared at him with
+curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>Bloomfield was a sleepy town in the daytime, and now nearly all the
+houses lay in darkness.</p>
+
+<p>Frank walked down the platform.</p>
+
+<p>“To the hotel, sir?” asked a boy. “Let me carry your grip.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank turned to look at the youngster and ran plump into another person.</p>
+
+<p>“Confound you!” snapped the individual Merry had encountered. “Haven’t
+you any eyes?”</p>
+
+<p>“I beg your pardon,” said Frank. “I was not look&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22"></a>22</span>
+He stopped short. A gleam of light from the station showed him the face
+of the person to whom he was speaking.</p>
+
+<p>“Dyke Conrad!” muttered Merry.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” said the young man; “but I don’t know you, unless you are&mdash;you
+are&mdash;&mdash; Why, you are Frank Merriwell!”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>They stood there looking at each other, the youth who had been ruined,
+and the son of the man who had ruined him.</p>
+
+<p>Dyke had always disliked Merry, and now he grinned.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I don’t know why you have come here to Bloomfield,” he said.
+“There’s nothing here for you, and you might just as well stay away. In
+the future you won’t fly quite so high as you have in the past.”</p>
+
+<p>With a sudden mad impulse, Frank half lifted his clinched fist, but he
+quickly let it fall by his side, turned out, passed the fellow who had
+taunted him, and walked on into the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>Self-control had always been a strong feature in Frank’s make-up, and
+now he needed it more than ever.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23"></a>23</span>
+<h2 id="iv">CHAPTER IV.<br />
+<span>THE REWARD OF WRONGDOING.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Frank walked slowly through the village and along the road that led
+toward what had been his home. As he approached he dreaded the meeting
+with the professor, and he let his steps become slower and slower.</p>
+
+<p>The main part of the village soon lay behind. He took off his hat and
+carried it in his hand, letting the evening breeze cool his brow. There
+was a scent of fallen apples from the orchard he was passing. A bit of
+silvery sheen was showing in the east, telling that the moon would soon
+be up. Away in the distance a watchdog was barking, but that was the
+only sound to disturb the perfect peace of the tranquil night.</p>
+
+<p>At last, through the trees, Frank saw a gleam of light that he knew
+came from a window of the old mansion that had become his on the death
+of his uncle. He wondered if the professor was sitting there by that
+light waiting for him to appear.</p>
+
+<p>As he turned in upon the gravel walk somebody stepped out from beneath
+a low tree and spoke:</p>
+
+<p>“Who am dat?”</p>
+
+<p>“Toots,” said Frank, “is it you?”</p>
+
+<p>“Bress de Lawd!” cried the colored boy. “It am Mistah Frank him
+ownself! Oh, sah, I’s po’erful glad yo’ has come!”</p>
+
+<p>Then he embraced Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Frank knew that whatever might happen the colored<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24"></a>24</span> boy would remain
+faithful and true, and he appreciated Toots’ affection.</p>
+
+<p>“How are things, Toots?”</p>
+
+<p>“All done gone wrong&mdash;done gone wrong!” was the answer. “I dunno w’at’s
+de mattah, sah, but I knows suffin’ hab happened.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why were you out here under this tree?”</p>
+
+<p>“Watchin’ fo’ yo’, sah. De p’ofessah sent a lettah to yo’, an’ I
+s’pected yo’ was comin’.”</p>
+
+<p>“He did not say I was coming?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, sah. He’s been powerful strange, sah.”</p>
+
+<p>“Strange? How?”</p>
+
+<p>“He act queer, sah; an’ now he hab tooken his bed.”</p>
+
+<p>“Taken his bed? Is he ill?”</p>
+
+<p>“Think so, sah; but he won’t let me sen’ fo’ a doctah. Said he’d
+shoot de fus’ doctah showed his haid roun’ yeah, sah, an’ he keeps de
+revolvah undah his pillow.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank whistled.</p>
+
+<p>“I should say I have not arrived any too soon,” he muttered. “Can’t
+tell what the professor might take a fancy to do if he is acting that
+way.”</p>
+
+<p>“I hab been berry scat ob him, sah!”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t wonder at that. Let me into the house without arousing
+anybody.”</p>
+
+<p>“Dar am nobody to ’rouse ’cept de p’fessah an’ de cook. Yo’ can go
+right in, sah. Come on, sah.”</p>
+
+<p>So Toots admitted Merry to the house, having taken the grip from him.
+Frank decided to go directly to the room of the professor, and mounted
+the stairs at once.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25"></a>25</span> The door of the chamber occupied by the professor
+was standing slightly ajar, and a light was burning within.</p>
+
+<p>Frank pushed open the door and entered, stepping so lightly that he was
+not heard by the man.</p>
+
+<p>The professor was in bed. He looked pale and careworn, and there were
+great hollows in his cheeks. He was not asleep, but lay gazing steadily
+up at the ceiling, his hands, which rested on the white spread,
+clasping and unclasping nervously.</p>
+
+<p>There was no bitterness nor resentment in Frank’s heart, only pity as
+he stood there looking at the unfortunate man, for he could see that
+his guardian had been terribly shaken by all he had passed through. The
+lips of the man moved at times, but he spoke no words that Frank could
+hear.</p>
+
+<p>After a little, the professor slowly turned his head, and his eyes
+rested on Frank. He did not start or show surprise.</p>
+
+<p>Now Merry advanced quickly, saying:</p>
+
+<p>“Professor, I have come! You are ill?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” said the man, in a weak voice; “I see you have come, but you are
+too late.”</p>
+
+<p>“Too late? Oh, no, professor. I came as soon as possible after
+receiving your letter. I am so sorry to see this misfortune has
+completely upset you.”</p>
+
+<p>“You are making a mistake.”</p>
+
+<p>“I? A mistake? How?”</p>
+
+<p>“You should not call me professor.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why not?”</p>
+
+<p>“The professor, Horace Scotch, is a rascal. Don’t<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26"></a>26</span> interrupt me. I
+have thought it all out lying here. That man is a rascal. He should be
+properly punished. Any man that uses in speculation money held in trust
+by him is a rascal. It is a criminal act. Horace Scotch must receive
+his just deserts.”</p>
+
+<p>“My dear professor&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>The man made a weak motion with one thin hand.</p>
+
+<p>“That is where you make the mistake. I am not the professor. He is
+gone.”</p>
+
+<p>“Gone?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean?”</p>
+
+<p>“Vanished.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, professor&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“He is a coward, or he would not have run away!” faintly but savagely
+cried the man on the bed. “I did not know he had gone till I looked in
+the mirror. Till that moment I was thinking myself the professor, but
+when I looked in the mirror I saw I was quite another man. How he did
+it&mdash;how he slipped away and left me in his place I cannot tell. But
+here I am, and he is gone. He must be overtaken! He must be captured!
+He must be punished! You will do it?”</p>
+
+<p>“No! no! I hold no bitterness, for I am sure he did not mean to
+squander my fortune. Oh, professor, you need have no fear that I will
+seek to punish you!”</p>
+
+<p>“I&mdash;fear? Ha! I see it now! Somehow he left me in his place, and I
+am the one who is to suffer. Ha! ha! ha! Crafty rascal. Well, I know
+something was holding me here&mdash;I knew there was a spell upon me, for my
+strength<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27"></a>27</span> was gone. He put a spell upon me that I might not get away,
+did he? Ha! ha! ha! Crafty rascal!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked into the eyes of the man. They were bright and burning,
+as if they reflected the fires that were consuming his soul. It was
+not stimulation, Frank felt certain of that. The professor’s mind was
+shaken&mdash;his reason was tottering on its throne.</p>
+
+<p>Instantly Frank decided to humor him and try to soothe his mind.</p>
+
+<p>“Let the rascal go,” he said, softly. “No one shall be punished.
+Perhaps it is better for me that he should lose my small fortune than
+that he should have doubled it. If he had succeeded in making me very
+rich, I might have become a worthless fellow in the world, content to
+live on what I possessed. Now I shall have to become a worker, and only
+workers are worthy to live.”</p>
+
+<p>The professor clasped his fingers very tightly together and stared at
+the ceiling for some seconds.</p>
+
+<p>“You are right about that,” he said, at last; “but that does not make
+him any less a criminal. Why do you suppose that pain darts through my
+head when I try to think? It goes through my eyes and up into the top
+of my head like a knife.”</p>
+
+<p>“You should not think. What you need is rest&mdash;is sleep.”</p>
+
+<p>“I cannot sleep. I have tried. No matter. He left me here to suffer in
+his place. Perhaps it is right that I should not sleep.”</p>
+
+<p>“No; it is wrong. Wait. I must wash off the dust. I will return in a
+short time.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28"></a>28</span>
+Then Frank went out, found Toots and sent him in haste for the village
+doctor.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor came and made an examination. He talked with Scotch, asking
+him many questions. The professor was rambling in his talk. The doctor
+left some medicine and called Frank from the room.</p>
+
+<p>“His condition is very serious,” said the physician, sagely. “He
+is threatened by a complete loss of his mental faculties. He must
+have perfect rest, and light, nourishing food. Give him the medicine
+according to the directions I have written, and I will call early in
+the morning. Good-night.”</p>
+
+<p>Then he departed.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="v">CHAPTER V.<br />
+<span>THE MAN WHO WORKED THE WIRES.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>All through the weary night Frank watched at the bedside of the
+professor, scarcely closing his eyes to sleep for a moment. When the
+gray light of morning came the sick man lay in a doze, for the medicine
+had taken effect at last.</p>
+
+<p>Then Frank was relieved by Toots, and he sought rest.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor sent an experienced nurse, who arrived by nine o’clock that
+forenoon. The doctor himself came shortly after, and Frank, who had
+been unable to sleep<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29"></a>29</span> long, had a talk with him after he had seen the
+professor.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor was very grave.</p>
+
+<p>“The strain upon the man has been severe,” he said. “He may come round
+all right in a day or two. I hope to avert brain fever.”</p>
+
+<p>“Do everything you can for him, doctor,” Merry urged. “You shall be
+well paid, for there must be still something left to pay bills with.”</p>
+
+<p>The physician looked at Frank in a strange manner.</p>
+
+<p>“This man has squandered your fortune?”</p>
+
+<p>“No; he simply misapplied it.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you hold no hard feelings against him?”</p>
+
+<p>“No; I am sure he thought he was doing what was for the best. I pity
+him.”</p>
+
+<p>“You are a strange young man.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why so?”</p>
+
+<p>“Few persons in your place would care to see him live, unless it were
+to punish him.”</p>
+
+<p>“What good would it do me to punish him? That would not bring my
+money back, and it would give me no satisfaction. I think he is being
+punished now.”</p>
+
+<p>“You are generous.”</p>
+
+<p>“I fail to see the generosity. A person who could wish to harm that
+poor, old man would be cruel.”</p>
+
+<p>“They say Darius Conrad led him into the first speculations. Have you
+no feelings against him?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes! He is the one who should be punished; but he is rich and
+powerful, and I am poor now. How can I reach him? His money would save
+him, as it has saved<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30"></a>30</span> him from his other victims; but he will not
+always triumph. The mills of the gods grind slowly, but his turn will
+come!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank’s eyes were flashing now, and his face showed the fire that was
+burning deep within his soul. Looking at him, the doctor suddenly awoke
+to the fact that there was something besides forgiveness in his nature.
+Frank would not forget the real cause of his ruin.</p>
+
+<p>“Be careful, young man,” he warned. “If you seek revenge on him, you
+will find he is powerful, and he will crush you.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank smiled grimly.</p>
+
+<p>“I shall wait my time,” he said. “It will come, something tells me
+that. It may not be for years, but it will come.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you intend to do now that your fortune is gone?”</p>
+
+<p>“Work.”</p>
+
+<p>“At what?”</p>
+
+<p>“I do not know yet. At something&mdash;anything.”</p>
+
+<p>“But you are not accustomed to work; you were not brought up to work.”</p>
+
+<p>“The time has come for me to get accustomed to it. I have played, and
+now I will work.”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t you dread it?”</p>
+
+<p>“Dread it? No! I welcome it! When I leave Bloomfield it will be to go
+out into the world and seek honest work of some kind.”</p>
+
+<p>“But you do not expect to become a common day laborer?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31"></a>31</span>
+“I expect to become what I must. It is an old saying that beggars must
+not be choosers.”</p>
+
+<p>“But think of the disgrace of it!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank drew himself up with dignity.</p>
+
+<p>“The disgrace, doctor? There is no disgrace in honest toil. I shall not
+fear it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Your hand, young man!” cried the physician. “You will get on in the
+world, I am sure of that. You have the right spirit, and you will make
+a success in life.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you, sir; I hope you are right. I shall do my best.”</p>
+
+<p>“And that will be good enough. I wish you the best of luck, which you
+will deserve.”</p>
+
+<p>And the physician left the house thinking that the calamity that had
+befallen Frank Merriwell was not nearly as severe as he had at first
+imagined.</p>
+
+<p>Frank ate a good breakfast, served by Toots, and then he went up and
+saw the professor. Scotch awoke, but turned his face away, with a weary
+sigh, and did not look at Frank again.</p>
+
+<p>There was business ahead of Merry, for it was necessary to learn just
+how his affairs stood. He obtained the keys to the professor’s desk,
+and to the little safe, and spent the forenoon in rummaging among
+private papers and examining documents, but he could find very little
+to satisfy him.</p>
+
+<p>After dinner he visited the lawyer who had done much of the business
+for the estate. Two hours spent with the lawyer convinced Frank that
+he would be fortunate to find a dollar that he could call his own when
+everything was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32"></a>32</span> settled. Indeed, it looked as if he would be forced to
+sell the old place in order to square all claims against him.</p>
+
+<p>The lawyer attempted to condole with him, but Frank cut him short with
+the declaration that, although he appreciated the motive, he was not in
+need of sympathy. He left the office with a firm step, his head erect,
+his manner betraying no despondency.</p>
+
+<p>And just outside the door he met Darius Conrad.</p>
+
+<p>“Ah, Mr. Merriwell,” said the rascal, with an oily smile that was
+followed immediately by a look of pretended sorrow; “this is a most
+unfortunate affair. I assure you that you have my heartfelt sympathy in
+your misfortune.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank stopped and surveyed the man from his head to his feet, and the
+look on his face was crushing. Darius Conrad seemed to wither before
+it, and he rubbed his hands together in a nervous manner.</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Conrad,” said Merry, very slowly, “it is unnecessary for you to
+play the hypocrite with me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Eh? What do you mean, sir?”</p>
+
+<p>“Just what I say. I know you for just what you are, and that is an
+unprincipled scoundrel!”</p>
+
+<p>“Be careful! be careful!” blustered the man, growing red in the face
+and making a threatening gesture. “I will not endure such insolence
+from you!”</p>
+
+<p>“I am glad of this opportunity to tell you just what I think of you,”
+said Frank, grimly. “If I had not met you here by accident, I should
+have sought you. You lured my guardian into your robber scheme, and you
+fleeced him easily, as you have many other men; but<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33"></a>33</span> the time will come
+when you will overstep the bounds, and the hand of the law will reach
+you.”</p>
+
+<p>“You have no right to make such statements! Horace Scotch was eager to
+invest money in the Golden Peaks Mining and Smelting Company. I did not
+lure him into doing so, and I will not be accused of it. He did ask my
+advice, and I gave it. I believed the concern solid and all right. I
+was mistaken, that is all.”</p>
+
+<p>“It is known that the whole business was a fake, and you were one of
+the chief movers in it. The greater portion of the money you obtained
+through Horace Scotch went into your own pocket. It is not the first
+time you have been implicated in fraudulent concerns. Once you were
+a poor man; now you are rich. You have made your money by fraud and
+crime!”</p>
+
+<p>“I will have you arrested for using such language. It is criminal
+libel!”</p>
+
+<p>“You are at liberty to have me arrested, but you will not dare, for you
+know I might be able to put you in a very bad box. I do not fear you.”</p>
+
+<p>“It is scandalous&mdash;scandalous! Why, I really sympathized with you. I
+thought you would appreciate it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Sympathy from you? Now, I shall despise you even more than I did
+before!”</p>
+
+<p>Dyke Conrad came up hastily at this moment.</p>
+
+<p>“What is he saying to you, governor?” he asked, glaring at Frank. “Is
+he using insulting language? If he is, I will slap his face!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank smiled.</p>
+
+<p>“I wish you would do that,” he said, almost entreatingly.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34"></a>34</span> “I’d very
+much enjoy the privilege of knocking you down.”</p>
+
+<p>Dyke hesitated. Something told him it would be very rash for him to
+attempt to slap Frank, so he said:</p>
+
+<p>“Come away, governor. Don’t talk to the low fellow!”</p>
+
+<p>And he led his father away.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="vi">CHAPTER VI.<br />
+<span>THE SETTING OF THE SUN.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Toward evening Frank walked out to the village cemetery that lay on
+the hillside. The sun was letting fall its slanting rays on the marble
+shafts and white tombstones. Below the hill was a small, pretty lake.</p>
+
+<p>Hat in hand, Frank Merriwell stood beside his mother’s grave, which was
+marked by a beautiful slender marble shaft, at the apex of which was a
+pure white dove.</p>
+
+<p>The grave was well kept, as Frank had instructed that it should be. All
+the grass had been neatly trimmed by a lawn-mower, and the flowers of
+early autumn were growing there.</p>
+
+<p>A long, long time the young man stood with his head bowed by the grave.
+His thoughts were of the tenderest and saddest nature. Once again he,
+a little boy, was standing beside the chair of his dear, sweet-faced
+mother, and he seemed to feel her arm about him, while he laid his head
+against her shoulder. How plainly he saw her<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35"></a>35</span> as she looked fondly
+into his eyes and told him one of the many stories that he begged
+her to tell over and over, day after day. Not one of these stories
+but had a moral and taught a lesson, and yet they were so skillfully
+constructed and so beautifully told that they were his delight. He
+realized that with the aid of these little stories she had helped shape
+his future character, for they had taught him patience, perseverance,
+truthfulness, honesty, kindness and forgiveness.</p>
+
+<p>He thought it all over now as he stood there in the last rays of the
+setting sun, and his heart swelled with gratitude and love for that
+mother of whom he had been so proud and who had been so proud of him.
+He knew that her whole life had been pure and tender and patient, and
+her memory was an inspiration.</p>
+
+<p>The tears dimmed his eyes and ran down his cheeks, but on his face was
+a look of mingled sadness and happiness. Oh, it was good to have such a
+mother to remember.</p>
+
+<p>Down by the grave he knelt, and he prayed to his mother in heaven. He
+felt that she was looking down on him and blessing him. He knew her
+spirit would hover near him and guide him. She had been an angel on
+earth, and it did not seem that she could be any purer now that she was
+an angel in heaven.</p>
+
+<p>At last he rose. There had been a pain in his heart, but it was gone;
+there had been a sadness in his soul, but it was gone. He felt calm and
+at peace with all the world. From the grave he plucked a few sprigs,
+and with them in his hand he turned away.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36"></a>36</span>
+The sun had set, and purple twilight lay in the valleys. Far across
+the meadows cows were lowing, while the boy, driving them homeward,
+whistled a merry strain. It seemed that there was nothing but peace and
+tranquillity in all the world.</p>
+
+<p>Along the road came a horseman at a canter. Frank paid little notice to
+him till he was near, and then, happening to look at the person, he saw
+it was Dyke Conrad.</p>
+
+<p>The fellow recognized Frank at the same moment. There was no sidewalk
+at this point, and Merry was walking along the road. With a muttered
+exclamation, Dyke cut the horse with his whip, and the spirited animal
+leaped straight at Frank.</p>
+
+<p>It was an attempt to run Merry down, and Frank did not leap out of the
+way. Instead, with a swift movement and a grasp of iron, he caught the
+animal by the bit and set it on its haunches, with a single wrench,
+causing it to snort with terror and bringing Dyke tumbling into the
+dust.</p>
+
+<p>Conrad sprang up, snarling forth angry words.</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean, you dog!” he almost shouted. “Why, I’ll&mdash;I’ll&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“Be good enough to mount your horse and go on your way,” came quietly
+from Frank. “I do not wish to lift my hand in anger against you&mdash;now.”</p>
+
+<p>“But you caught my horse by the bit and made me lose my seat.”</p>
+
+<p>“I was forced to do it to protect myself when you tried to run me
+down.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37"></a>37</span>
+“You might have got out of the way!”</p>
+
+<p>“There was little time for that. Come, do as I asked. I do not wish a
+quarrel with you now.”</p>
+
+<p>Dyke took this as a symptom of fear.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, no, you don’t want a quarrel! I know that! But I think I’ll cut
+you across the face a few times with my whip, just so you will remember
+me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Stop! Don’t force me to give you a drubbing now, for I have just come
+from my mother’s grave, and&mdash;I&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“If your mother was like you&mdash;&mdash;” The fellow got no further.</p>
+
+<p>Releasing the horse, Frank sprang like a tiger upon him, caught him by
+the collar till Dyke choked and grew purple, then swiftly said:</p>
+
+<p>“Take it back! You may insult me, but your lips shall not breathe a
+word about my mother! Take it back&mdash;quick!”</p>
+
+<p>There was a look in Merry’s eyes that frightened Dyke as he had never
+been frightened before. Before he realized it, he was cowering and
+whimpering:</p>
+
+<p>“I didn’t mean to say anything against your mother&mdash;honest, I didn’t.
+I spoke before I thought. Of course I wouldn’t say anything against
+anybody that is dead! Don’t! You choke!”</p>
+
+<p>“You are not worth thrashing!” said Frank, in contempt. “But have a
+care! It is well you found me in my present mood, or I would not have
+let you off so easy. Go!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38"></a>38</span>
+He released the fellow and walked away, not once turning his head to
+see what Conrad was doing.</p>
+
+<p>When Frank reached the house he found the place in confusion. The nurse
+had been driven from the professor’s room by the raving man, and she
+said he had a revolver, with which he said he was hunting for Horace
+Scotch, whom he would shoot on sight.</p>
+
+<p>“He is crazy!” declared the excited woman. “He must be taken care of,
+or he will murder somebody.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank unhesitatingly went up to the room, opened the door and entered.
+The professor was standing before a long mirror in his nightdress, with
+the revolver in his hand, talking wildly to himself.</p>
+
+<p>“Ha! ha! ha!” he laughed, shrilly. “So I have found you at last! You
+thought you could get away, you robber! Ha! ha! ha! There is no escape
+for such as you! You robbed the boy who trusted you! You deserve to
+die, and now you shall!”</p>
+
+<p>Then he lifted the revolver and fired straight into the center of the
+mirror.</p>
+
+<p>Frank reached him with a rush and grappled with him, attempting to hold
+him still and wrest the revolver from his grasp. But the professor
+developed the strength of a maniac for a time, and a terrible struggle
+ensued, in which the revolver was twice discharged, although neither of
+the bullets did any harm.</p>
+
+<p>At last Frank secured the revolver, but even then the maniac fought on,
+screaming:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39"></a>39</span>
+“He deserves death! He shall not escape! Let me go! I will kill him! I
+will kill him!”</p>
+
+<p>“Be quiet, professor!” commanded Frank, as he finally forced the man
+down upon a chair and held him there. “Be still, I tell you! You know
+me. I am Frank.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then why didn’t you let me kill him?” panted the man, giving up at
+last. “You are the one he robbed. He should die, as he deserves! He was
+a coward! Once he stood up to shoot himself with that very pistol, but
+his nerve failed him, and he ran away, leaving me here in his place.
+I have been watching for him to come back. Ha! ha! ha! Oh, he can’t
+escape!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank talked soothingly to the man, and finally got him back into the
+bed. The professor was deathly white, and his eyes fairly burned. His
+hands were hot and cold by turns.</p>
+
+<p>Frank sat by the bedside till the doctor came and gave the sick man
+something that put him to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>When the physician heard Frank’s story, he shook his head, saying:</p>
+
+<p>“I am afraid he is done for. There is every indication that his reason
+is shattered. If he has another violent spell, you will be forced to
+have him taken to a place where he can be properly cared for.”</p>
+
+<p>“As long as there is a ray of hope, doctor, he shall remain here, and I
+will care for him myself.”</p>
+
+<p>That night Frank slept in a room near at hand, with the door standing
+open, so that he could hear the nurse if she called. At intervals he
+awoke and listened. Midnight passed, morning approached. Frank was
+sleeping<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40"></a>40</span> in the gray light of dawn when the nurse awoke him and said:</p>
+
+<p>“He is awake now and a great change has come over him. He is asking for
+you.”</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="vii">CHAPTER VII.<br />
+<span>PHANTOM FINGERS.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Frank rose immediately, a feeling of sickening dread stabbing him to
+the heart.</p>
+
+<p>When he entered the professor’s chamber, the sick man lay with his face
+turned toward the door. Near the bed a lamp burned faintly, although
+the pale light of morning sifted in at the windows.</p>
+
+<p>“Professor, you are better!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank uttered the exclamation gently, hurrying to the bedside and
+clasping the thin hands that lay on the white spread.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you think so?” asked the man, with a voice that seemed to come from
+a great distance.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, yes! You will soon be well now!”</p>
+
+<p>“But you&mdash;you cannot wish to see me get well? You would not wish, even
+though I have been false to my trust and ruined you, that I should
+recover and spend the rest of my days in prison? I am an old, old man.
+At best there could not be many years left for me. They would be made
+shorter within prison walls.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41"></a>41</span>
+“Don’t, professor&mdash;don’t talk about prisons!”</p>
+
+<p>“Ah! but I am a criminal! Were I to get well, it would be your duty to
+send me to prison.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then, for once in my life, at least, I would shirk my duty!” cried
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The thin, cold fingers tightened over the warm ones of the youth, and a
+light of happiness and admiration showed in the failing eyes.</p>
+
+<p>“You are noble-hearted!” murmured the sick man. “Oh, heavens! how much
+would I give could I undo the wrong I have done you!”</p>
+
+<p>“There, there, professor! Think no more of that. Perhaps you have done
+me the greatest good that could happen to me, for I shall be compelled
+to make my own way in the world, and I might have been a sluggard.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, not that! I am sure there is nothing of the sluggard in your
+nature. A young man like you, with a small fortune to start on, has
+great opportunities in life. I robbed you of those opportunities when I
+lost your fortune.”</p>
+
+<p>“I will make other opportunities, professor.”</p>
+
+<p>“I believe it, my boy; but still I am guilty. I do not care to get
+well. I am glad the end is near.”</p>
+
+<p>Again that feeling of sickening dread stabbed Frank to the heart.</p>
+
+<p>“You must not talk like that, professor. You are far better than you
+were.”</p>
+
+<p>“I think I must have been deranged. It seems like a bad dream to me.
+But that is past. Put out that light, please. It seems to stifle me.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42"></a>42</span>
+The light was extinguished and the nurse carried it from the room,
+leaving the man and youth alone together.</p>
+
+<p>“It is morning,” whispered the sick man; “but how thin and pale the
+light is! I wonder if I shall see the sunlight shining in at that
+window again?”</p>
+
+<p>“Of course you will! You must stop thinking and talking like that. I
+can’t bear it, professor.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, you have a kind and noble heart! I have known it always. Frank,
+I could not have loved you more had you been my own son. I was an old
+fool and easily duped. I thought I would make a large fortune for you.
+It was for you alone that I was thinking; not for myself. It seemed a
+safe investment. Ah, but that man could make things look promising! And
+then, when I had lost more than half of your fortune, I had not the
+courage to confess. I was desperate. It seemed that my last hope was
+to plunge again. I went into cotton, and was led on till I reached the
+last ditch. The crash came at last, and everything was swept away.</p>
+
+<p>“My boy, this goes to show how one false step leads to another, and
+to final ruin. Beware of the first step. There is seldom any turning
+back for a person who once goes wrong. Honor is lost with the first
+false move, and then the fine sensibilities become dulled so that
+the descent, slow at first, becomes swift and sure after a time. The
+black secret cannot be kept long. When it becomes known that the first
+downward step has been taken, confidence in you is lost, and those
+who know of your mistake are always expecting you to repeat it. You
+discover this, and their lack of confidence in you causes you<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43"></a>43</span> to doubt
+yourself. As soon as you doubt yourself, the battle has turned against
+you, and your defeat must follow.”</p>
+
+<p>The professor paused, quite out of breath. After some seconds, he
+hastened to say:</p>
+
+<p>“I know you do not need this sermon, my boy, but something drew it from
+me. You have learned the lesson well, and I am sure there is no cause
+to fear for you. Your mother taught you all these things. I had hoped
+to live to see you prosperous and successful, an honored man among men.
+All those hopes are ended. I am weary now, and I shall soon be at rest.”</p>
+
+<p>The final words came like a sigh, and, looking into the face of the
+sick man, Frank saw the seal of the Destroyer there. Then Merry knew
+that the time had come for a mortal being to face the Great Creator.
+Like the lamplight that faded in the day dawn the human flame was
+growing dimmer in the dawn of Eternity.</p>
+
+<p>A breeze came up and moved the trees outside. Upon a window pane some
+twigs were tapping like the ghostly fingers of death seeking admittance
+to that chamber. The swaying of the branches made shifting blots and
+blurs on the ceiling. They were shadowy hands that beckoned, beckoned,
+beckoned.</p>
+
+<p>“I was lonely in the world,” said the sinking man, after a time; “I was
+lonely till you came into my life. Others did not understand me. They
+said I was erratic and cranky. You seemed to understand me, and there
+was a bond of sympathy between us. Now, at the last, you<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44"></a>44</span> are the only
+one to be with me. It is well; I ask no more.”</p>
+
+<p>The dim eyes rested lovingly on Frank’s face, and the thin hands still
+clung to those of the youth. Frank tried to speak, but he choked, and
+then, despite his efforts, burst into tears, dropping his face upon the
+bed.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t!” entreated the professor, placing one hand on Frank’s head. “It
+is not right that you should weep for me, the cause of your misfortune.”</p>
+
+<p>“Please don’t speak of that again!” sobbed Frank. “Do not make it any
+harder for us both! You have been like a father to me, and it does not
+seem that the time has come when we must part!”</p>
+
+<p>“It is better. As I said, I am an old man. I have squandered your
+fortune, and I would be adrift in the world, a wrecked vessel&mdash;a
+derelict on the ocean of life.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not that, professor, for I would stand by you.”</p>
+
+<p>“You? Why, you have your own way to make in the world. You must set a
+course for yourself and keep to it. Many a good vessel has been sunk
+by a worthless derelict. It is better that I should go down than,
+worthless and helpless, I should remain afloat.”</p>
+
+<p>Again his voice failed him. Wiping away his tears, Frank saw the shadow
+had deepened on the pale face, and the eyes were dimmer than before.</p>
+
+<p>Tap! tap! tap! It seemed that the knocking at the window was louder and
+more insistent. The dying man heard it.</p>
+
+<p>“What is that?” he whispered, in a tone that filled Frank with awe. “Do
+you hear that rapping?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45"></a>45</span>
+“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“Let them enter.”</p>
+
+<p>“It is nothing&mdash;nothing but the branches that reach the window.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, no! They have come for me, the boatmen who are to take me over the
+dark river. Let them enter!”</p>
+
+<p>The weary eyes closed, and Frank leaned forward, thinking the end had
+come. After some minutes, however, there was a slight heaving of the
+breast, and the eyes opened again, as if by some mighty effort the
+dying man had dragged his soul back from the borders of the unknown.</p>
+
+<p>“Frank,” came the whisper like the wind amid the leaves, “are you
+there?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, professor.”</p>
+
+<p>“I had forgotten something. I could not go till you forgave me for the
+injury I have done you.”</p>
+
+<p>“I freely forgive everything.”</p>
+
+<p>A faint smile came to the life-weary face.</p>
+
+<p>“Now I can go.”</p>
+
+<p>Again the wind swept through the trees.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you hear them? They are rapping again! You have not opened the
+window!”</p>
+
+<p>“No.”</p>
+
+<p>“Do so at once! Admit them!”</p>
+
+<p>An arm was lifted and a hand pointed toward the window. Frank crossed
+the room and threw the casement wide. At that moment the morning
+sunlight shone<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46"></a>46</span> through the trees and reached the window. When Frank
+turned about one bright ray was resting on the peaceful face of the
+dead.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="viii">CHAPTER VIII.<br />
+<span>UNWELCOME VISITORS.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>It was all over at last. The funeral had been held, and Horace Scotch
+was buried in the little village cemetery.</p>
+
+<p>Frank returned to the old mansion, which seemed so lonely and deserted
+now. From room to room he strayed, and the memories that hung about the
+old place crowded thick upon him.</p>
+
+<p>In one of the rooms was an old melodeon that had not been opened for
+years. He opened it and sat down to it, letting his fingers stray over
+the keys. It was marvelous how well it was in tune, considering the
+fact that it had not been played upon for so long.</p>
+
+<p>Frank played many of the old tunes that he remembered. Toots crept
+up and listened at the door, not making a sound to disturb the young
+master he loved so well.</p>
+
+<p>At last Frank sang, and the song was one that thrills every heart,
+“Home; Sweet Home.”</p>
+
+<div class="poetry-container">
+<div class="poetry">
+  <div class="verse">
+    <div class="line indent">“An exile from home splendor dazzles in vain;</div>
+    <div class="line indent0">Oh! give me my lowly thatched cottage again;</div>
+    <div class="line indent0">The birds singing gayly, that come at my call;</div>
+    <div class="line indent0">Give me them, sweet peace of mind, dearer than all.</div>
+    <div class="line indent2">Home, home, sweet, sweet home,</div>
+    <div class="line indent2">Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47"></a>47</span>
+  </div>
+  <div class="verse">
+    <div class="line indent">“Farewell, peaceful cottage! farewell, happy home!</div>
+    <div class="line indent0">Forever I’m doomed a poor exile to roam;</div>
+    <div class="line indent0">This poor aching heart must be laid in the tomb,</div>
+    <div class="line indent0">Ere it cease to regret the endearments of home.</div>
+    <div class="line indent2">Home, home, sweet, sweet home,</div>
+    <div class="line indent2">Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.”</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+<p>As Frank stopped singing, he was surprised to hear a sobbing sound
+behind him, and he turned to see Toots kneeling in the doorway, his
+face buried in his hands.</p>
+
+<p>“Why, what is the matter with you, Toots?” asked Merry, rising and
+going toward the colored boy.</p>
+
+<p>It was some moments before Toots could answer. Frank lifted him to his
+feet.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, Mistah Frank,” sobbed the colored lad, “I feel so bad!”</p>
+
+<p>“Everything will come out all right in the end, my boy.”</p>
+
+<p>“Dat song neah broke me all up, sah. Dis ole place hab been mah home so
+long, an’ now&mdash;an’ now&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“And now we must bid it farewell. It is hard, but it is life.”</p>
+
+<p>“I dunno what’s gwan teh become ob me, sah.”</p>
+
+<p>“I will look out for you, Toots. I’ll see that you have a good position
+somewhere. You are faithful and reliable. You love horses, and you
+would make a first-class jockey. Don’t worry. I must go out and hustle
+myself. It needs a stout heart to face the world.”</p>
+
+<p>“Dat’s right, sah, but when I think ob leabin’ dis ole place it clean
+breaks mah heart.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank succeeded in comforting the colored boy after a time. He spoke to
+Toots as gently as if the lad’s skin had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48"></a>48</span> been white, and the face of
+the boy showed his love and admiration for his young master.</p>
+
+<p>It was not easy for Frank to throw off the cloud of sadness that bore
+down upon him, but he made an effort to do so. There was work before
+him ere he could leave Bloomfield. All the tangled affairs must be
+straightened, and every account must be settled.</p>
+
+<p>It was some time before Frank could learn just how matters stood, but
+he succeeded at last, and then he found, as he had feared, that the old
+place must be sold. It was necessary, too, to dispose of it immediately.</p>
+
+<p>Thus it came about that soon the whole of Bloomfield knew the Merriwell
+mansion was for sale. Darius Conrad had his eye on the place. Believing
+it must be disposed of at a great sacrifice, he was eager to get
+possession of it, and so, with small loss of time, he set out to look
+the property over.</p>
+
+<p>Toots answered the ring at the door when Darius and his son Dyke
+called. Young Conrad had been eager to accompany his father, thinking
+he would find an opportunity to sneer at Frank and be quite safe with
+his father near.</p>
+
+<p>Toots knew Darius Conrad, and he would have shut the door in the man’s
+face, but Conrad forced his way in, followed by his worthy son.</p>
+
+<p>“I wish to see Frank Merriwell,” said the man.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, sah,” answered the colored boy, frankly, “I don’ believe he
+wants teh see yo’, sah.”</p>
+
+<p>“None of your insolence!” growled Darius, shaking his cane. “This is a
+matter of business.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49"></a>49</span>
+“Then I am suah Mistah Frank don’ care teh see yo’. He don’ do business
+in yoah style, sah.”</p>
+
+<p>“Haw!” snorted the man, growing red in the face. “Why, you black
+rascal! I will&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“Bettah be careful how yo’ call names, sah! It don’ set well fo’ a man
+ob youah class to call anybody a rascal.”</p>
+
+<p>“Shall I thump him, governor?” asked Dyke, aggressively.</p>
+
+<p>“Huah! Jes’ yo’ try hit!” shouted Toots, putting up his hands. “I’d
+jes’ lak teh see yo’ try hit! Why, I’d smash yeh quicker dan a cat
+could wink! Yes, sah&mdash;yes, indeed!”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t get into a quarrel with a nigger, Dyke,” cautioned the father.</p>
+
+<p>“Niggah!” exploded Toots. “I’s a cullad gemman, sah, an’ yeh wants teh
+’dress me wif respec’.”</p>
+
+<p>“Call your master immediately.”</p>
+
+<p>“Tell yeh he don’ want teh see yeh.”</p>
+
+<p>“I have come to look this place over in view of purchasing it. I
+understand it is for sale.”</p>
+
+<p>“Mistah Frank won’t sell hit teh yo’, sah.”</p>
+
+<p>“I am not here to waste my breath with you.”</p>
+
+<p>“There is the doah. I guess yo’ hab beat Mistah Frank enough, an’ he’d
+be silly if he let yo’ beat him some moah.”</p>
+
+<p>“If you do not call him at once, I’ll make you sorry for it! Such
+insolence I never met before!”</p>
+
+<p>“What is the matter down there, Toots?” called the voice of Frank
+Merriwell from the head of the stairs.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50"></a>50</span>
+“Sah, Mistah Conrad insists on seein’ yo’, sah.”</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Conrad?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sah.”</p>
+
+<p>“I do not care to see the man.”</p>
+
+<p>“I tole him so, sah.”</p>
+
+<p>“Tell him to go away.”</p>
+
+<p>“I tole him dat, sah.”</p>
+
+<p>“What then?”</p>
+
+<p>“He won’t go, sah. He forced his way into the house, an’ I can’t mek
+him go out.”</p>
+
+<p>There was a sharp exclamation, and Frank came swiftly downstairs in
+dressing gown and slippers. He halted near the foot of the stairs and
+gave the two Conrads a withering look.</p>
+
+<p>“I must say that you have considerable crust to come here and force
+yourselves into this house!” he exclaimed, scornfully.</p>
+
+<p>“Now, don’t talk like that&mdash;don’t talk like that, young man!”
+spluttered Darius. “We didn’t come here to be insulted. We came here on
+a matter of business.”</p>
+
+<p>“I do not care to transact any business with you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Dar!” shouted Toots, exultantly. “Didn’t I tole yeh! Dat am jes’ what
+I said!”</p>
+
+<p>“I understand that this place is for sale,” said Conrad, ignoring
+Frank’s words. “If the terms are satisfactory, and if it suits me, I
+will buy it.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, you will not.”</p>
+
+<p>“Eh? what do you mean?”</p>
+
+<p>“I will not sell it to you.”</p>
+
+<p>“I knowed it!” nodded Toots, grinning triumphantly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51"></a>51</span>
+“But I am ready to pay spot cash, young man&mdash;spot cash. Do you
+understand? I have the money.”</p>
+
+<p>“I know you have it, and I know how you obtained it. No, Darius Conrad,
+not one dollar of money will I accept from you. This place is for sale,
+but you can’t buy it.”</p>
+
+<p>“I guess dat will hole yeh fo’ a while!” muttered Toots.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I must say you are ridiculous!” stormed Conrad&mdash;“perfectly
+ridiculous! If you will be reasonable&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“There is the door, sir,” said Frank, stepping from the stairs and
+pointing to the door, which Toots held open. “This is still my house.
+Will you leave it? or do you choose to be put out?”</p>
+
+<p>“He’s actually threatening us, governor!” cried Dyke.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t dare threaten me, young man!” snarled Darius, shaking his cane
+at Frank. “If you do, I’ll give you a good caning, and that is what you
+deserve!”</p>
+
+<p>“Go!”</p>
+
+<p>“I will not be driven out in&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>Frank grasped the man by the collar and marched him out in a hurry,
+despite his endeavors to break away.</p>
+
+<p>“Here! here!” cried Dyke, springing on Frank. “Stop that!”</p>
+
+<p>Merry turned and grappled with the younger rascal. He laughed as he
+swung Dyke off his feet, having grasped him by the collar and the seat
+of the trousers.</p>
+
+<p>Wildly flourishing his cane, Darius Conrad was hurrying<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52"></a>52</span> in at the door
+just as his son came sailing out, having been hurled by the muscular
+arms of Frank Merriwell.</p>
+
+<p>The young man struck his father fairly amidships, and over they went
+together, rolling down the steps to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>For the first time in a week, Toots doubled up and shouted with
+laughter.</p>
+
+<p>“Good-day, gentlemen,” said Frank, gently, as he closed the door.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="ix">CHAPTER IX.<br />
+<span>CAPTURED BY WHITECAPS.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Fuming with fury, the Conrads walked back into the village.</p>
+
+<p>“I think I will have him arrested!” grated Darius. “Assault and
+battery&mdash;that’s the charge! He must be punished for what he has done,
+the young ruffian!”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s right, governor,” whined Dyke, who walked with a limp, and had
+a general shaken-up appearance. “If you don’t give it to him, I will!”</p>
+
+<p>“You? Haw! You are no match for him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not alone.”</p>
+
+<p>“Nor with me to aid you. Why, the fellow has muscles of steel, and he
+is quick as a cat!”</p>
+
+<p>“You wouldn’t be asked to help.”</p>
+
+<p>“Hum! No? What are you driving at?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53"></a>53</span>
+“You remember how Eli Gibbons was used when he refused to leave town a
+while ago?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. It was scandalous. He was nearly killed by a gang of masked
+ruffians who carried him off into the woods somewhere, stripped him,
+tied him to a tree and lashed him with withes till he fainted. Several
+papers had articles in them about the outbreak of whitecaps right here
+in our county.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I know the fellows who did that job,” grinned Dyke.</p>
+
+<p>“You do?” gasped the father, with a look of great consternation and
+distress. “My son, I am astonished&mdash;I am pained! It cannot be that you
+associate with such disreputable characters? I will not believe it!”</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps, if it became necessary, they could be induced to give Mr.
+Frank Merriwell some of the same medicine. But of course, if you are
+going to have him arrested, it will not be necessary.”</p>
+
+<p>“Haw! No, of course not. On second thought, however, I am not sure that
+the charge against him would stand. He might defeat us. He might show
+that we were the aggressors. That colored boy would swear to anything.”</p>
+
+<p>“In that case&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“Really, I don’t see that anything can be done.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then the Bloomfield whitecaps will have to take a hand. Oh, he’ll be
+fixed, governor!”</p>
+
+<p>“Hum! Don’t speak to me of such lawless acts. Really, I cannot
+countenance anything of the kind. Of course he should receive some
+punishment. If whitecaps<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54"></a>54</span> were to take him out and give him such a
+walloping as Gibbons received, it would be my duty as a peaceable,
+law-abiding citizen to frown down upon such acts. However, in case it
+were discovered that you were concerned in it, Dyke, as a parent, I
+should be obliged to protect you. Money would do that, you know. It is
+a most disgraceful state of affairs, I must confess, but money will do
+almost anything in this country.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then we’d better go ahead and do him up, hadn’t we, governor?”</p>
+
+<p>“My son, my son!” cried the old hypocrite, with uplifted hands; “you
+know I always set my face against such acts of unlawfulness. I am a
+good citizen and a church member. However, you are too old for me to
+control now, and I shall not hold myself responsible for your acts. The
+proud in spirit should be humbled in the dust, even though it may be by
+human agency, and Frank Merriwell needs humbling.”</p>
+
+<p>Dyke grinned.</p>
+
+<p>“He’ll get humbling enough,” the young rascal declared. “Wait till
+the gang gets after him. But I’ll need some money to fix it with the
+gang. There are seven of them, and they won’t do a thing less than ten
+dollars each. About a hundred dollars will do the trick.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t see where the money is coming from.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ll have to cough, governor.”</p>
+
+<p>“I? You forget! Why, I have told you plainly that I do not countenance
+such things. The idea that I would give money to have anything of
+the kind carried on! I am shocked! But I believe you need a new suit
+of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55"></a>55</span> clothes, my son. I am pleased to see you well dressed. Here is a
+hundred dollars to purchase a new suit.”</p>
+
+<p>Darius took out a roll of bills and stripped off a fifty, two twenties
+and a ten, which he passed to Dyke.</p>
+
+<p>“That new suit of clothes will be a great deal warmer for Mr. Frank
+Merriwell than for me,” grinned the worthy son of a worthy father.
+“This is all right, governor. You’ll hear something drop some of these
+dark nights.”</p>
+
+<p>“There, there! Don’t mention such disgraceful proceedings to me again.
+I am pained at the mere thought. If you need any more money for that
+suit let me know.”</p>
+
+<p>By this time they were in the village, and they separated, Darius going
+to his office, while his son sought “the gang.”</p>
+
+<p>So it happened that one night as Frank was returning home from the
+village, he was tripped by a rope stretched across the road about a
+foot from the ground. Before he could recover, he was pounced upon by a
+gang of masked ruffians.</p>
+
+<p>Frank made a savage fight, but he was overpowered by superior numbers,
+and his hands were tied behind his back, while a gag was forced into
+his mouth. In order to compel him to take the gag between his teeth, he
+was choked till he was nearly dead.</p>
+
+<p>After this treatment, Frank was too weak to walk. The ruffians did
+not dare remain in the road longer than absolutely necessary, so the
+captive was picked up and carried across fields, over fences and into a
+dark strip of woods.</p>
+
+<p>In the woods the gang rested.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, he made a hard fight fer it,” said one.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56"></a>56</span>
+“Come mighty near gettin’ away oncet,” observed another.</p>
+
+<p>“Get out!” exclaimed a third. “He made us hustle, that’s all. I
+expected it. He’s an athlete.”</p>
+
+<p>“Where we goin’ to take him?”</p>
+
+<p>“To the old house.”</p>
+
+<p>“Let’s make him walk.”</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps he will walk of his own willin’ness, but I don’t believe you
+can make him. He can’t be drove much.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, he’ll be easy enough to handle before the night is over, if the
+chap that hired us to do this trick carries out his plan.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank heard this talk. He was wondering what it all meant. Why had he
+been set upon in such a manner and handled so roughly? Why had he been
+made a captive and taken there into the woods?</p>
+
+<p>He had not been suspecting danger when he was set upon, and so was
+quite unprepared.</p>
+
+<p>At last the gang was ready to start on again, and Frank was placed on
+his feet and marched along in their midst. He made no resistance now,
+feeling that it was folly to do so.</p>
+
+<p>There was a road through the woods, but it was rough and crooked, and
+they all stumbled along in the darkness, some of them uttering language
+of a savage nature.</p>
+
+<p>After some time they came to an opening. Frank heard the sound of a
+waterfall, and then he was taken into a dark house that stood there in
+the woods.</p>
+
+<p>The door closed behind him, and he was pushed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57"></a>57</span> through a hall. Then
+another door opened, and a lighted room was entered.</p>
+
+<p>In that room a single person was waiting. He was roughly dressed, and
+over his head was a cowl-like cap of white that fell to his shoulders.
+In this were two slits for eyeholes.</p>
+
+<p>This person was standing when the other whitecaps forced Frank into the
+room. He uttered an exclamation of satisfaction when he saw Merriwell.</p>
+
+<p>“Well done!” he cried, in a disguised voice. “I was beginning to fear
+you had failed.”</p>
+
+<p>So this was the person who had ordered the capture. Frank looked at him
+searchingly.</p>
+
+<p>“None of your insolent staring!” grated the leader, and, reaching Frank
+with a single stride, he struck him on the cheek with the open hand.</p>
+
+<p>Quick as thought, Frank lifted a foot and kicked the fellow fairly
+across the room!</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="x">CHAPTER X.<br />
+<span>COWARDLY WORK.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Bang!</p>
+
+<p>The fellow struck up against the wall and fell to the floor, where he
+lay, groaning dismally.</p>
+
+<p>There were exclamations of astonishment from the other members of the
+gang.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58"></a>58</span>
+“Well,” grunted one, a strapping six-footer, “he’s tied and gagged, but
+he is still able to fight.”</p>
+
+<p>“He’s&mdash;half&mdash;killed&mdash;me!” gasped the fellow Frank had kicked. “But I’ll
+make him suffer for it!”</p>
+
+<p>“Better see his feet are tied before you try any more tricks with him,”
+half laughed the big whitecap, who seemed to admire Frank’s pluck.</p>
+
+<p>“Tie his legs!” grated the leader, sitting up, but still groaning. “Tie
+them at the knees!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank made a sudden leap and placed his back against the wall, while
+his eyes flashed the defiance and warning his lips could not utter. It
+was plain enough that he meant to defend himself as long as possible,
+bound though he was.</p>
+
+<p>“At him!” snarled the leader. “Jump on him!”</p>
+
+<p>“Why don’t you get in and do some of the jumping?” asked the big
+fellow. “Here’s a nice chance for you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I will! I’ll&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>He finished with a cry of pain and fell back to the floor, after trying
+to rise.</p>
+
+<p>“My leg!” he gasped. “I believe it is broken!”</p>
+
+<p>A sound like mocking laughter came from behind the gag in Merry’s mouth.</p>
+
+<p>“He’s laughing!” muttered one of the gang, in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>“Good grit!” nodded the big fellow.</p>
+
+<p>“I believe you are in sympathy with him!” snarled the leader. “Help me
+up, somebody!”</p>
+
+<p>They aided him to rise, but it was with difficulty that he could stand
+unassisted upon his feet. He leaned<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59"></a>59</span> against the wall, glaring in a
+deadly manner at the defiant captive.</p>
+
+<p>“Are you going to let him stand there and bluff you all?” he fumed.
+“You can down him with a rush. Go at him now!”</p>
+
+<p>“We’re not paid for that,” said the big fellow. “We were paid to catch
+him and bring him here. That’s what we’ve done.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll pay you! Down him! I’ll make it five dollars more all round.”</p>
+
+<p>“That goes!” was the cry, and the ruffians rushed upon Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Then Merry’s feet came into play. In France he had learned the art of
+boxing with his feet, and he could handle them almost as nimbly as an
+ordinary boxer could handle his fists. The first man to spring at him
+received a kick in the stomach that doubled him up like a jack-knife,
+the next was hurled to the floor, and the third got one on the side of
+the head that sent him staggering away, bewildered and blinded.</p>
+
+<p>But there were too many of them, and Frank was not able to stand them
+off more than a few seconds. They crushed him to the floor, and his
+legs were bound at the knees, as the leader directed.</p>
+
+<p>In this assault the big fellow had taken no part. He stood aloof,
+his arms folded over his broad breast, looking on with an air of
+indifference.</p>
+
+<p>When Frank was subjugated and helpless, the leader turned on the big
+fellow and expressed anger at his conduct.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60"></a>60</span>
+“That will do!” was the surly retort that was growled from beneath
+the mask. “I won’t stand it from you! I did my part of this business
+according to agreement. I did not agree to do anything more.”</p>
+
+<p>“You don’t get an extra V.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t want it, so don’t worry yourself.”</p>
+
+<p>The leader ordered a fire to be built in the old open fireplace, and
+his directions were carried out. He could scarcely hobble round, and he
+was in an ugly mood.</p>
+
+<p>With his own hands, he removed the gag from Frank Merriwell’s mouth.</p>
+
+<p>“That is better,” said Frank, coolly. “My jaws were aching.”</p>
+
+<p>“That will be nothing to what is coming!” declared the fellow. “I’ll
+make you wish you never were born!”</p>
+
+<p>“Marvelous! You must be a perfect savage.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I am going to treat you the way savages sometimes treat their
+captives.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m sorry about that.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ll be more so before I am done with you. Oh, I’ll make you whimper
+and beg!”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes? Bright prospect for me; but it’s possible you had better think it
+over before you go into it. It might not be healthy for you in the end.
+There are other days coming&mdash;and other nights.”</p>
+
+<p>“Bah! You put up a good bluff, but it does not go. I’ll take some of
+the nerve out of you!”</p>
+
+<p>“Your turn will come! Whatever you do will not be forgotten.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61"></a>61</span>
+“Rot! You are welcome to remember it. Little good that will do you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I don’t know! I may make it decidedly uncomfortable for you.”</p>
+
+<p>“You can’t.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why not?”</p>
+
+<p>“You will not know whom to strike.”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t fool yourself with that idea, Mr. Dyke Conrad!”</p>
+
+<p>The leader started and caught his breath. Then he forced a harsh laugh.</p>
+
+<p>“That will be all right,” he said, with attempted flippancy. “You are
+welcome to think me Dyke Conrad.”</p>
+
+<p>“I do not think anything about it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Indeed.”</p>
+
+<p>“I know!”</p>
+
+<p>“How?”</p>
+
+<p>“By your voice, your manner, your gestures&mdash;everything about you.”</p>
+
+<p>“That won’t do. You are welcome to think what you like. I am not Dyke
+Conrad, but I’m willing you should think so.”</p>
+
+<p>“Dyke Conrad is the only person in Bloomfield, with the exception of
+his estimable father, who could wish me harm. Whatever happens to me
+to-night, Dyke Conrad shall suffer for, and that is no bluff. You will
+find that I can strike when I am aroused.”</p>
+
+<p>The leader of the ruffians ground his teeth together.</p>
+
+<p>“When I am done with you, you will not be in condition to bother
+anybody for some time to come!” he hissed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62"></a>62</span>
+“Oh, but I do not forget easily. I have a splendid memory. If you wish
+to escape my vengeance for this night’s work, I advise you to kill me
+outright&mdash;then you will hang for it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I’ll take chances! I am satisfied as long as you believe me Dyke
+Conrad. I don’t care what you do to him.”</p>
+
+<p>The fellow looked toward the fire, which was beginning to blaze
+brightly. He nodded his head, with a gesture of satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>“It will soon be ready,” he muttered.</p>
+
+<p>“Are you going to fry me, or broil me?” asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“You will be well warmed,” was the answer. “Somebody sit on his legs
+and keep him still while his shoes are removed.”</p>
+
+<p>This order was obeyed, and Frank’s feet were stripped till they were
+bare. Then Merry realized the dastardly purpose of his captor, and,
+despite himself, he turned faint.</p>
+
+<p>“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed the leader. “Now you are guessing it, and
+you’re getting pale. I knew you would lose your nerve. I’ll have the
+satisfaction of hearing you whimper and whine.”</p>
+
+<p>“You cowardly cur!” came contemptuously from Frank’s lips. “You are
+not a human being! You are a brute! You should associate with cowardly
+savages. They would make fit companions for such a beast as you!”</p>
+
+<p>“Be careful!” snarled the fellow. “Every word will<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63"></a>63</span> be charged up
+against you, and you’ll not get off any the easier for them.”</p>
+
+<p>“It is not possible for me to express my contempt for you by words!”
+said Frank, his voice clear and distinct.</p>
+
+<p>“You’ll be expressing something else in a short time. Oh, you sing high
+now, you do; but your tune will change, and you will cry pretty soon.”</p>
+
+<p>The wretch selected a brand from the fire and laughed as he flashed the
+blaze before Frank’s face.</p>
+
+<p>“Is it warm?” he asked. “Well, it will seem warmer when I apply it to
+the tender skin on your feet.”</p>
+
+<p>“Go ahead!” grated Merry; “but do not forget what I have told you. My
+turn will come!”</p>
+
+<p>The fellow prepared to apply the blaze to Frank’s feet, but, as he
+stooped to do so, another voice was heard:</p>
+
+<p>“Stop!”</p>
+
+<p>It was the tall whitecap, and he was pointing straight at the leader.</p>
+
+<p>“Stop!” he roared. “This job doesn’t go!”</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xi">CHAPTER XI.<br />
+<span>FRANK’S STRANGE FRIEND.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>There was no misunderstanding the big fellow’s meaning. It was plain
+enough that he intended to interfere.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s that?” snarled the leader, glaring through the slits in the
+hood, the blazing brand shaking in his hand. “What do you mean by
+that?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64"></a>64</span>
+“Just what I say,” retorted the other, standing over Frank and
+returning the glare with interest. “This fellow’s all right. He’s got
+nerve and sand. I’m not goin’ to stand here and see him roasted in that
+style.”</p>
+
+<p>Angry imprecations burst from the hidden lips of Merriwell’s would-be
+torturer.</p>
+
+<p>“Stand back!” he shouted, shrilly, flourishing the brand at Frank’s
+defender.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I guess not! I helped lace Eli Gibbons, for he was a thief, a
+liar, a wife-beater, and everything mean; but this case is different.”</p>
+
+<p>“And I know you were in the Gibbons affair, so it’s not best for you to
+interfere here. I could have a warrant out for your arrest to-morrow
+morning, and, by the Eternal, if you meddle with me now, I will! This
+is my business. You were paid for your part of the work, and you did
+it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, blame your eyes!” roared the big fellow. “If you dared to blow on
+me, I’d skin ye alive! Since I’ve seen what you mean to do with this
+chap, whose little finger is more man than the whole of you, I’d like
+the job of tying you up to a tree and giving you the same kind of a
+dose Gibbons received!”</p>
+
+<p>“You wouldn’t dare!”</p>
+
+<p>“Wouldn’t I?”</p>
+
+<p>“No.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why not?”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, my father&mdash;my father would have you sent to prison!”</p>
+
+<p>The big fellow snapped his fingers and laughed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65"></a>65</span>
+“That for your father! He wouldn’t touch me, for if he did, I would
+land his son behind bars. Oh, you can’t make any bluffs with me, for
+they will not go.”</p>
+
+<p>Dyke Conrad, for it was that worthless rascal, literally gnashed
+his teeth. With the cruelty of a savage, he had planned to torture
+Merriwell, whom he bitterly hated, and now he could not endure the
+thought of being robbed of his fiendish enjoyment by one of his hired
+tools.</p>
+
+<p>He appealed to the others.</p>
+
+<p>“Stand by me, fellows!” he cried. “I’ll double the amount paid you!”</p>
+
+<p>He turned to make this appeal, and, in that moment, the big fellow
+reached down with one hand, grasped Frank and stood him on his feet.
+Then, with remarkable swiftness, he retreated to the wall, bearing
+Merry.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll have you free in a minute,” he declared.</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you,” said Frank, quietly. “I’ll not forget it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I’m not doing this for any reward. I’m naturally a mean cuss, but
+I couldn’t keep still and see a fellow with your grit roasted by that
+miserable sneak.”</p>
+
+<p>He whipped out a jack-knife and opened it.</p>
+
+<p>Seeing the revolter was about to set Frank free, Dyke Conrad uttered a
+howl of rage and rushed at him. There was a short struggle, and then,
+with a scream, Dyke staggered backward.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m stabbed!” he gasped, and fell to the floor, blood spurting from a
+wound in his side.</p>
+
+<p>“The fool ran right onto the knife!” panted the big fellow, hastily
+cutting the ropes that held Frank. “I<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66"></a>66</span> didn’t mean to hit him with the
+knife. I could handle him with one hand.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s unfortunate,” said Frank; “but he brought it on himself.”</p>
+
+<p>“You will testify to that if he dies?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“I can depend on you?”</p>
+
+<p>“You may.”</p>
+
+<p>The horrified whitecaps gathered about their fallen leader, who was
+groaning and moaning on the floor, his blood-stained fingers pressed to
+his side.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m dying, fellows!” whimpered Dyke. “I have been murdered! Oh, dear!
+I can’t die now&mdash;I can’t die!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank Merriwell stepped forward, boldly, moving the helpless whitecaps
+aside, and knelt beside the wounded youth.</p>
+
+<p>Dyke saw him and tried to move away.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, don’t!” he whined. “Don’t hurt me now! I’m dying!”</p>
+
+<p>“I will not hurt you,” assured Frank. “I have no desire to harm you
+now. I am here to help you&mdash;if I can.”</p>
+
+<p>“To help me?” repeated Dyke, in wonder.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“How?”</p>
+
+<p>“Let me look at that wound. It may not be so bad, and I may be able to
+check the flow of blood till it can be properly cared for.”</p>
+
+<p>“Would you do that&mdash;for me?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. I do not wish to see you die. As yet you have<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67"></a>67</span> done me no great
+injury. It is your father who has injured me.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank opened the fellow’s coat and vest, and then made a slit in his
+shirt and under-garment, exposing the wound, which was bleeding freely.
+The sight of the blood completely unmanned Dyke, who sobbed:</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I know I shall die! I am not ready to die! It is a terrible thing
+to have to die! Save me&mdash;save me somehow!”</p>
+
+<p>“Keep still,” ordered Frank, sharply. “It’s useless to get so excited.
+From the looks, I do not believe this wound is serious, although it is
+bleeding profusely. I want this hood.”</p>
+
+<p>He took it from Dyke’s head and tore it into strips. Then, with skill
+that set those who watched him wondering, he bound up the wound, aided
+by the big fellow.</p>
+
+<p>“There,” said Frank, “that will stop the bleeding in a measure; but you
+must get to the nearest doctor as soon as you can, and have the cut
+properly treated.”</p>
+
+<p>“Come,” said the big whitecap, touching Frank’s arm.</p>
+
+<p>But Merry waited till he had seen Dyke assisted to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t walk!” whined the fellow.</p>
+
+<p>“It is walk or bleed to death, and you have your choice,” said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>It was wonderful how soon Dyke was able to walk.</p>
+
+<p>As Frank and the companion who had befriended him were leaving, one of
+the other whitecaps spoke to their companion.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68"></a>68</span>
+“Look here,” he said, “you are not going to blow on us?”</p>
+
+<p>“Not on your life!” was the answer. “You need not be afraid of that. I
+shall not blow on any of my pals.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right. We didn’t know.”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t worry.”</p>
+
+<p>Then Frank and his strange friend set out through the woods and the
+darkness, Merry following the lead of the other.</p>
+
+<p>They proceeded in silence till the edge of the woods was reached. There
+the big fellow halted, saying:</p>
+
+<p>“We will part here.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right,” said Frank, holding out his hand. “I want to thank you for
+your friendship.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t deserve it.”</p>
+
+<p>“I think you do. But for you, I might have walked on crutches for some
+time to come, or been crippled for the remainder of my life. I was in a
+bad box, and I could not help myself.”</p>
+
+<p>“That is true, but I helped put you in that box. Not till you showed
+your nerve was I ready to stand by you. If you had been a coward, I
+should not have had the least sympathy with you; but I couldn’t stand
+by and see Conrad torture a chap with sand.”</p>
+
+<p>“Won’t you tell me your name? You may be sure of my friendship. You
+need not fear to trust me.”</p>
+
+<p>“I do not fear to trust you, for I am sure that a fellow with your grit
+is on the level; but I do not deserve your friendship, and I will not
+tell you my name. It makes no<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69"></a>69</span> difference who I am. You may be sure I
+am of no account, or I would not be in with such a gang.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why don’t you cut clear from them? You have the making of a man in
+you&mdash;you are a man! It is a mistake for you to be associating with such
+a crowd.”</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps you are right. I never thought much about that, but I shall
+think of it in the future. You have made me ashamed of myself to-night,
+Frank Merriwell; and I believe I shall turn over a new leaf.”</p>
+
+<p>“I hope you will. If you ever need a friend, come to me. All you will
+have to do is to mention this time.”</p>
+
+<p>“I believe you. Good-by.”</p>
+
+<p>“Good-by.”</p>
+
+<p>Thus they parted.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xii">CHAPTER XII.<br />
+<span>FOR HIS ENEMY.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>“Fire!”</p>
+
+<p>Two nights after the events just related, Frank had taken his evening
+walk and was returning to the old place, which he was leaving forever
+on the morrow, as it was already sold, and the writings had been made.</p>
+
+<p>The cry reached his ears from a distance.</p>
+
+<p>The cry of fire at night has a weird, peculiar sound, once heard never
+forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>Frank started from the spell that had been on him. He threw up his head
+and listened.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70"></a>70</span>
+“Fire!”</p>
+
+<p>Again the cry reached his ears. It came from a distant part of the
+village.</p>
+
+<p>Quick as thought he whirled about and ran in that direction.</p>
+
+<p>In the city the alarm is sometimes heard, but, more frequently, the
+first knowledge of the fire comes from the sight of the engine as it
+goes dashing to the rescue.</p>
+
+<p>In small country places the wild cry of fire is almost always the first
+alarm.</p>
+
+<p>Frank knew this. He had lived in cities where the sound of the clanging
+gong of a fire engine scarcely awakened passing notice; but now he was
+in a small country town, and it was different.</p>
+
+<p>He had not exerted himself to the utmost for some time, and, with
+something like a feeling of exultation at the opportunity, he sped
+along the road.</p>
+
+<p>“Fire!”</p>
+
+<p>The cry sounded nearer. He was in the border of the village, and he
+thought he saw a red glow ahead and to the right. He turned a corner
+and sped onward.</p>
+
+<p>Soon he came upon others who were running in the same direction. And
+then, after a little, he located the red glow beyond a doubt.</p>
+
+<p>Lights were flashing in the windows of the houses, showing that the
+inhabitants had been awakened and were rising hastily.</p>
+
+<p>“Where is it?” asked a man who dashed out from one of the houses.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t know,” Merry answered, and sped onward.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71"></a>71</span>
+“It must be Rufus Gray’s house!” shouted a man who was running and
+puffing along the street.</p>
+
+<p>Frank said nothing, but passed him like the wind.</p>
+
+<p>The smell of smoke came to his nostrils as he turned another corner.
+The fire had obtained a fine start before it was discovered. Through
+the buildings and the trees the red glow was bursting forth with
+greater brightness each moment.</p>
+
+<p>Another corner turned, and the burning house was before him, with the
+fire bursting from its upper windows.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s Darius Conrad’s house!” cried somebody.</p>
+
+<p>“Retribution!” exclaimed Frank. “It is the hand of fate that strikes
+the man!”</p>
+
+<p>For a moment a feeling like exultation ran all over him. He stopped
+running, and walked forward slowly. Before the house a number of
+persons could be seen huddled together, as if they were dazed, while
+others were running about wildly in the red glare of the fire.</p>
+
+<p>Frank came up.</p>
+
+<p>“Are they all out of the house?” asked somebody.</p>
+
+<p>“They must be,” said another person.</p>
+
+<p>Just then the door burst open, and a man came out in a few scanty
+garments, looking as if he plunged from a sea of fire, which glowed red
+and yellow behind him. He ran out into the middle of the street, waving
+his arms above his head and shouting. There he fell in the dust, and
+the crowd gathered about him.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, my son! my son!” groaned the man, as he writhed prostrate in the
+dust. “I went back for him! I could<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72"></a>72</span> not reach him! He is in there
+somewhere&mdash;sick, wounded, helpless! My God! Can no one save him?”</p>
+
+<p>“Too late!” said a voice. “Is he in one of the chambers?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes!”</p>
+
+<p>“The entire upper part of the house is in flames!”</p>
+
+<p>“He is lost!”</p>
+
+<p>“My God! My son&mdash;my own boy!”</p>
+
+<p>Such a cry of heart-breaking anguish! It stirred Frank Merriwell’s
+heart.</p>
+
+<p>“I will try to find him and bring him out!” came in a tone of
+determination from Frank’s lips.</p>
+
+<p>“God bless you!” gasped Darius Conrad. “If you will&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>But the volunteer life-saver was gone. Hands were outstretched to stop
+him, but he avoided them; voices called for him to come back, but he
+heeded them not. In at the door he plunged.</p>
+
+<p>“He is gone!” screamed a woman.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” said a man; “and that is the last of him. He’ll never come out
+of that!”</p>
+
+<p>Darius Conrad, wicked old sinner that he was, knelt down in the dust
+and prayed. His wife found him kneeling there, and knelt at his side.
+They prayed for their son&mdash;their only boy.</p>
+
+<p>The flames crackled with an exultant sound, and the yellow smoke rolled
+upward. The moments seemed hours. In the distance the volunteer firemen
+could be heard coming with the hand tub. By the time they reached the
+spot there would be nothing for them to do but wet down<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73"></a>73</span> some of the
+nearer houses to keep them from catching, for then a city fire engine
+would be unable to save the home of Darius Conrad.</p>
+
+<p>And still Frank Merriwell was somewhere within that burning building
+searching for the helpless youth who had been his foe. Those who had
+hoped at first that he, at least, might come forth began to give up in
+despair.</p>
+
+<p>And then, out from the smoke and flame staggered a figure. It was a
+human being, and on his shoulders he carried another human being.</p>
+
+<p>“There he is!” screamed a voice.</p>
+
+<p>“Hurrah!” roared a man.</p>
+
+<p>“And he has Dyke Conrad!”</p>
+
+<p>Forward to the street reeled Frank Merriwell, bearing his helpless foe.
+Then he suddenly dropped to the ground, coughing violently.</p>
+
+<p>Darius Conrad was on hand, and he folded his son in his arms. Dyke’s
+mother fainted in the arms of a strong man.</p>
+
+<p>But Frank was not forgotten. Scores of witnesses of his brave act
+gathered about him. He was lifted by a young man who was six feet tall,
+and very muscular.</p>
+
+<p>“If he’s hurt in the least, it’ll be a dear sacrifice for the life of
+that worthless dog!” declared the young man, and Frank recognized the
+voice.</p>
+
+<p>“I&mdash;am&mdash;not&mdash;hurt&mdash;my&mdash;friend,” he said, faintly. “My lungs are full of
+smoke&mdash;that’s all.”</p>
+
+<p>He had felt those strong arms about him before; he had heard that voice
+defying Dyke Conrad in the old house in the forest.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74"></a>74</span>
+But when Frank fully recovered, that strange friend was gone.</p>
+
+<p>Dyke Conrad had been saved, and Darius was asking for the rescuer of
+his son. They took him to Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“You?” he cried, astounded, as the light of the conflagration showed
+Merry’s features.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” was the quiet answer.</p>
+
+<p>“How can I ever pay you for saving my boy?”</p>
+
+<p>“You can’t!”</p>
+
+<p>Then Frank turned away, and he heeded not that the man called to him.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb" />
+
+<p>The time had come for Frank Merriwell to leave Bloomfield. The old home
+was gone, and everything was settled at last. He had found a place for
+Toots, and the colored boy had departed a day in advance.</p>
+
+<p>And now Frank must face the world&mdash;he must start on a new career as a
+breadwinner. He did not hesitate; he was not afraid. Deep within his
+heart was a confidence that he would win in the battle of life, even
+though forced to start at the very bottom of the ladder and fight his
+way upward.</p>
+
+<p>He turned and waved a farewell to his old home. The sun was shining,
+and never had it seemed so beautiful and so dear before.</p>
+
+<p>“Some time,” he said, “some time I will return and buy the old place
+back. It shall be mine again.”</p>
+
+<p>In Bloomfield now he was all too well known, and it seemed that nearly
+all the citizens of the place turned<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75"></a>75</span> out to bid him farewell at the
+station. They shook hands with him, old men, young men and boys. Old
+women cried over him, and some young women kissed him.</p>
+
+<p>Neither Darius Conrad nor his son was there.</p>
+
+<p>The train came and bore Frank away.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xiii">CHAPTER XIII.<br />
+<span>THE BULLY OF THE ROUNDHOUSE.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>“Will you please tell me where I can find the foreman?” asked Frank,
+several days later, as he entered a roundhouse of the Blue Mountain
+Railroad.</p>
+
+<p>“Hey? The foreman?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do ye want?”</p>
+
+<p>“I will explain my business to him, if you will be kind enough to tell
+me where I may find him.”</p>
+
+<p>The greasy man in greasy overalls and jumper straightened up from his
+position partly beneath the engine he had been wiping, and glared
+contemptuously at the smooth-faced, clean, well-dressed youth who had
+inquired for the roundhouse foreman.</p>
+
+<p>The place seemed dark and dusty, and smelled of smoke and grease. All
+around were engines, many of them with wipers or machinists working on
+them. One, with steam up, was standing ready to run out upon the track.
+The engineer was in the cab, while the fireman,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76"></a>76</span> with a long brass
+oiler in his hand, was making sure that every bearing was properly
+lubricated.</p>
+
+<p>The well-dressed youth had found admission to the roundhouse in some
+manner, but it was plain enough that he was unfamiliar there, or he
+would not have asked a wiper where to find the foreman.</p>
+
+<p>The wiper was an ugly-looking fellow, with red hair and freckled face.
+He had a brawny arm and thick shoulders, and he glared at the stranger
+as if longing to eat him.</p>
+
+<p>“What’re ye in here for, anyhow?” he growled.</p>
+
+<p>“That is my business. I asked you a civil question, but you have not
+seen fit to answer it civilly, so I see that I shall have to inquire
+elsewhere.”</p>
+
+<p>“Wait!” said the wiper, as the youth turned away. “You’re puttin’ on
+a heap of manners just because you can wear fine clothes and keep yer
+hands clean. I’m just as good as you be.”</p>
+
+<p>“We will not argue about that at all, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“Mebbe you’ll have to dirty yer hands some time.”</p>
+
+<p>To this the stranger made no retort, but, as he started away, the wiper
+said:</p>
+
+<p>“Hold on. Stay here, an’ I’ll find the foreman.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right.”</p>
+
+<p>Then the man lounged away, growling to himself. He was gone nearly
+fifteen minutes, and when he returned he was accompanied by four or
+five other wipers, all looking just as dirty and greasy as he did.</p>
+
+<p>The well-dressed youth was standing by the engine,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77"></a>77</span> his eyes taking in
+everything that was going on in the building.</p>
+
+<p>He had seen the waiting engine run out on the track and another one
+back in off the turntable. In a brief space of time he had learned
+something about the work that went on in the roundhouse.</p>
+
+<p>“Well,” growled the red-haired wiper, “ther foreman ain’t round. When
+he’s out, I take his place. What dyer want?”</p>
+
+<p>“Never mind,” said the youth. “I was looking for a job, but&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“Hey? A job? What kind of a job?”</p>
+
+<p>The wiper was astonished, as he plainly showed.</p>
+
+<p>“Most any kind of a job,” was the quiet answer. “I will call when the
+foreman is in.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, dern my eyes!” shouted the red-headed man, bursting into a
+roar of coarse laughter. “Mebbe you wanted to hire out as general
+superintendent or president of the road, or something of that sort?
+Haw! haw! haw!”</p>
+
+<p>“Haw! haw! haw!” roared the other wipers.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the machinists stopped work and came where they could watch and
+listen; a crowd was collecting around the applicant for work, who began
+to show embarrassment, his cheeks flushing.</p>
+
+<p>“Look at him, fellers!” cried the big wiper, pointing at the stranger.
+“He’s lookin’ fer work&mdash;here! Haw! haw! haw!”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, sir,” said the youth, sharply, “will you tell me what there is
+so very funny about that?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78"></a>78</span>
+“Oh, it ain’t funny at all!” said the big man. “It’s just thunderin’
+ridiculous! I s’pose you’d be satisfied with a salary of ten thousand
+dollars a year?”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I might be willing to accept that,” dryly answered the youth.</p>
+
+<p>“I s’pose likely. What d’yer know?”</p>
+
+<p>“About what?”</p>
+
+<p>“Runnin’ a railroad.”</p>
+
+<p>“Nothing. I am not here to run the railroad, but to work for the men
+who do run it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you’ve got ter know somethin’ in order ter be fit fer somethin’.”</p>
+
+<p>“I might be able to learn something in time.”</p>
+
+<p>“No; I’m afraid not. You’d have ter begin at the wrong end. You’ve made
+a mistake. This ain’t no candy store. We don’t sell dry goods here,
+either. You’d look pretty measurin’ off ribbon for ladies, an’ that’s
+about all you’d be good for.”</p>
+
+<p>The stranger smiled in a cool manner, letting his eyes run over the
+wiper from his feet to his head and then back again.</p>
+
+<p>“It strikes me that you must be a misfit at anything,” he said,
+suavely. “About the only thing you can be real good for is to drink
+beer. It’s plain that you are a tank!”</p>
+
+<p>“Yah!” snarled the man, ceasing to laugh in a moment and showing his
+temper. “You don’t want to make any funny remarks!”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t see anything funny about that. On the face of it, it is a
+truthful statement, and you are a living, breathing witness. If you
+can’t have your booze regularly,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79"></a>79</span> you do not consider life worth the
+living. You would make a first-class advertisement for a cheap grog
+shop.”</p>
+
+<p>The big wiper actually staggered.</p>
+
+<p>“What?” he faintly gasped. “What’s that? Why, I’ll eat him!”</p>
+
+<p>“If you try it, you will find that I digest hard,” came calmly from the
+stranger, who was watching the man closely. “I can read your history in
+short order. Numb, rum, bum. That’s enough.”</p>
+
+<p>For a few moments it seemed that the big wiper would hit the stranger,
+but instead, he struck one of the men who had caught hold of his arm
+and cautioned him. The force of the blow drove the man up against the
+rear driving wheel of the engine and made a cut on his cheek, starting
+the blood. The man put up a greasy hand to wipe away the blood, saying,
+huskily:</p>
+
+<p>“That’s all right, Mart. I was doin’ it for your good. Knowed you’d be
+fired if you struck him and he complained on ye. That’s all right.”</p>
+
+<p>And not one of the other men said a word. It was plain that every one
+of them was afraid of the fellow called Mart, whom the visitor saw was
+the bully among the wipers.</p>
+
+<p>The lips of the youth curled with scorn as he surveyed the bruiser.</p>
+
+<p>“So you are a brute as well as a drinking bummer!” he exclaimed. “It’s
+a wonder to me how a man like you can hold any kind of a job.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ya-a-a-ah!” snarled the now thoroughly angered ruffian,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80"></a>80</span> showing his
+yellow, tobacco-stained teeth. “You get out of here, or I’ll give you
+some of the same!”</p>
+
+<p>“No, you won’t! I have dealt with brutes like you before.”</p>
+
+<p>This cool defiance of the stranger, scarcely more than a boy, with
+smooth face and dainty hands, was something the big, greasy wiper could
+not understand.</p>
+
+<p>“If it wasn’t for spilin’ yer fine clothes, I’d use ye fer a wiper ter
+finish the job on this machine,” declared Mart. “I think you’re too
+clean, anyhow.”</p>
+
+<p>Then he ejected into his hand the quid of tobacco that had been stowed
+in his cheek, and, with a flirt of the hand, sent it full at the white
+bosom of the shirt worn by the youth.</p>
+
+<p>Spat! it struck and stuck there.</p>
+
+<p>Smack!</p>
+
+<p>With a leap the youth had planted his fist fairly between the eyes of
+the bully.</p>
+
+<p>Thud! the man dropped to the ground.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xiv">CHAPTER XIV.<br />
+<span>THE BULLY MEETS HIS MATCH.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>It was a clean knockout blow, delivered with marvelous skill and
+swiftness. The strange youth had not waited an instant before avenging
+the insult bestowed upon him.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81"></a>81</span>
+The wipers gasped for breath and showed their excitement, while the
+engineers came hurrying toward the scene of the trouble.</p>
+
+<p>“Now there’ll be blazes to pay!” whispered one man, his eyes betraying
+his fear.</p>
+
+<p>“Mart’ll kill him!”</p>
+
+<p>“In a minute! Look out for Old Slugs! He’s gettin’ up!”</p>
+
+<p>The dazed and astounded wiper was sitting up. He looked at the youth
+in bewilderment. The visitor was calmly removing the tobacco from his
+shirt with a dainty white handkerchief.</p>
+
+<p>“Did&mdash;did he hit me?” asked the bruiser.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; I hit you, you scum!” rang out the clear voice of the visitor.
+“If you will get up, I’ll take great pleasure in hitting you again!”</p>
+
+<p>One of the machinists got hold of the arm of the youth, and found it
+hard as iron. He whispered in the stranger’s ear:</p>
+
+<p>“You’d better get out! That’s Old Slugs, and he’ll kill you! He’s dead
+nutty when he’s mad.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you,” said the visitor, quietly. “Don’t worry about me. That’ll
+be all right.”</p>
+
+<p>“You took him by surprise before. Next time&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“Next time I shall hit him harder.”</p>
+
+<p>The wiper scrambled to his feet, snarling savagely. He leaped backward
+as he got up, in order to be beyond the reach of the fearless youth,
+who seemed ready to come at him.</p>
+
+<p>“Now,” he grated&mdash;“now I’ll smash ye!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82"></a>82</span>
+Then he rushed at the other.</p>
+
+<p>With the grace of a fawn and the agility of a cat, the young man
+avoided the rush, and he planted a swinging blow under the ear of the
+wiper, sending the latter whirling and staggering away.</p>
+
+<p>But the infuriated man quickly recovered, and came at the stranger once
+more. This time he did not make such a fierce rush, but closed in as if
+he would prevent the youth from dodging.</p>
+
+<p>The stranger laughed in the face of “Old Slugs,” as the wiper was often
+called. It was a peculiar laugh, and it added to the anger of the man.</p>
+
+<p>“Laugh, drat ye!” he snarled. “I’ll make ye laugh outer t’other side of
+yer mouth pretty quick!”</p>
+
+<p>“Marvelous!” smiled the youth, as, with uplifted hands, he slipped to
+one side and darted under the wiper’s arm like a flash. “You surprise
+me, sir!”</p>
+
+<p>Still snarling, Slugs whirled about and let out with his left for
+the head of the nimble visitor. The blow was neatly ducked, and the
+stranger countered on the wiper’s wind.</p>
+
+<p>A grunting puff came from the lips of Old Slugs, but he managed to
+avoid the youth’s straight drive for his jaw. At the same time he
+realized that had he not escaped the blow must have been a knockout.</p>
+
+<p>Such pugilistic skill on the part of the boyish-looking visitor was
+astounding, but still the wiper felt confident that he would be able to
+end the fight with a single blow.</p>
+
+<p>Within a very few seconds he discovered that it was almost impossible
+to get in that blow. Only once had he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83"></a>83</span> been able to hit the stranger,
+and that was a glancing blow that simply seemed to put the youth on his
+mettle.</p>
+
+<p>Old Slugs was a bulldog to fight, and, for that reason, the watchers
+were confident that he would be the victor in the end. For all that the
+stranger rained blow after blow upon the wiper’s face and body, Slugs
+continued the fight as if he had not been hit. His face was cut by the
+hard knuckles of the visitor, and blood was running, but that made no
+difference.</p>
+
+<p>“I should think there was a flea pesterin’ me if I didn’t know,” said
+the man, with a sneer.</p>
+
+<p>“How is this for a flea bite?”</p>
+
+<p>The laughing stranger struck Slugs a terrible blow on the chin, hurling
+him backward into the arms of one of the spectators.</p>
+
+<p>For a second the ruffian was dazed. He lay limply in the arms of the
+man, his eyes rolling, while he feebly lifted one hand to his chin.</p>
+
+<p>Then, with astonishing swiftness, he recovered, uttering a howl of fury
+as he leaped out to confront the stranger once more.</p>
+
+<p>Now the wiper made several attempts to close with the visitor, but each
+time he was avoided or beaten back with severe punishment. It was plain
+that the youth did not intend to let Slugs get hold of him if he could
+help it.</p>
+
+<p>“If Slugs ever gets a hand on him, he’ll tear him limb from limb,” said
+one of the watching wipers.</p>
+
+<p>“Sure,” nodded the other. “And he’ll get him before long. All that
+thumping don’t bother Mart.”</p>
+
+<p>“That one on the chin shook him up for a minute.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84"></a>84</span>
+“Notice how quick he recovered?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; but the boy didn’t foller up his advantage.”</p>
+
+<p>“He couldn’t ’thout hittin’ Mart when he was in Dave’s arms.”</p>
+
+<p>“This ain’t no prize fight under rules. He’d oughter finished it up
+when he had a chance. He won’t get another.”</p>
+
+<p>The spectators were greatly excited. They applauded the stranger as
+much as they dared, but were universal in their belief that he must get
+the worst of it in the end.</p>
+
+<p>But still the youth smiled and danced about the man, who was beginning
+to rush less and fight more slowly. The roundhouse men began to realize
+that Slugs’ efforts were telling on him, while the stranger seemed just
+as fresh as at the beginning.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, why don’t ye keep still a minute?” grated the battered wiper, in
+disgust.</p>
+
+<p>“All right,” was the cool answer. “I will.”</p>
+
+<p>Then, to the amazement of all, the youth stood quite still, carelessly
+dropping his hands at his sides.</p>
+
+<p>Slugs rushed, a cry of satisfaction breaking from his lips as he made a
+clutch to gather the other into his grasp, but his arms closed on empty
+air, and he felt something catch him about the knees, and he seemed to
+spin over and over to strike the ground with an awful thud.</p>
+
+<p>The crafty stranger had ducked close to the ground, caught him low,
+about the legs, and thrown him into the air.</p>
+
+<p>It was an amazing feat, and the witnesses could hardly believe the
+evidence of their eyes.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85"></a>85</span>
+Slugs lay still on the ground, breathing heavily and staring straight
+up toward the dirty, smoky roof.</p>
+
+<p>There were some moments of silence.</p>
+
+<p>“I believe he’s finished.”</p>
+
+<p>Somebody uttered the words, and they were heard by the fallen man.</p>
+
+<p>“Who says so?” he hissed, sitting up. “They lie&mdash;they lie!”</p>
+
+<p>To his feet he sprang, although he staggered in a manner that told he
+was giddy. A torrent of fierce language poured from his lips. He looked
+scarcely human, with his blood-stained face and tobacco-colored teeth.
+Still the stranger did not appear in the least alarmed.</p>
+
+<p>Now, however, the youth took the offensive. It seemed that he decided
+that the time had arrived to end the fight, and he went at Slugs like a
+whirlwind.</p>
+
+<p>The ruffian tried to withstand the assault, but he was bewildered by it
+and his defense was feeble. Backward he was forced. The knuckles of the
+stranger played a tattoo on his face, while not one of his blows seemed
+to reach.</p>
+
+<p>Smash!</p>
+
+<p>With one swinging hook the youth sent Old Slugs staggering across a
+track to drop on his hands and knees.</p>
+
+<p>Up the man leaped, but his opponent followed closely. Another blow sent
+the bully of the roundhouse to earth again.</p>
+
+<p>The excitement was intense, for the witnesses saw that the stranger was
+determined to end the fight as soon as possible.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86"></a>86</span>
+Slugs got up, but he was in no condition to carry on the battle, and
+he fell again almost instantly. Then the fighting youth stood over him
+with clinched fists and flashing eyes, demanding:</p>
+
+<p>“Have you got enough?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” gasped the whipped ruffian; “I give up!”</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xv">CHAPTER XV.<br />
+<span>STRIKING A JOB.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>A shout went up. For the first time since his entrance into the
+roundhouse Old Slugs was whipped. He had browbeaten and bullied
+everybody except the foreman, and now this clean, boyish-looking
+stranger had defeated him in a square fight.</p>
+
+<p>Such a thing had seemed beyond the range of possibility, but it had
+happened.</p>
+
+<p>“Here comes the foreman!”</p>
+
+<p>Some one uttered the words, and there was a scattering as a dark-faced
+man was seen walking swiftly toward the group.</p>
+
+<p>Old Slugs started to get up, but he fell back limply, as if all the
+strength had been beaten out of him.</p>
+
+<p>The victor calmly took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood off his
+knuckles. He scarcely seemed to be breathing heavily after his recent
+exertions.</p>
+
+<p>The foreman came up and looked the youth over.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87"></a>87</span>
+“I don’t know how you did it,” he said; “but it was a pretty job, young
+man. I saw the whole thing from start to finish.”</p>
+
+<p>“I am sorry it occurred, sir,” was the calm retort; “but if you saw it
+all you know I was not to blame.”</p>
+
+<p>The foreman nodded.</p>
+
+<p>“Hall attempted to bully you&mdash;I know. I’ll discharge him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not on my account, sir. It strikes me that he has received punishment
+enough. I am satisfied, and you may be sure I shall make no complaint.”</p>
+
+<p>The foreman looked the defeated wiper over.</p>
+
+<p>“Get up!” he growled. “Go wash the blood off your face and go to work
+again, if you are able. I should have fired you if this gentleman had
+requested it.”</p>
+
+<p>The wiper succeeded in getting upon his feet, but he staggered a bit as
+he walked away.</p>
+
+<p>Something like a grim smile passed over the face of the foreman.</p>
+
+<p>“He has received a good lesson,” nodded the man. “It was what he
+deserved, and I’m glad you were able to give it to him. You are a
+wonder for a boy.”</p>
+
+<p>“I am hardly a boy, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you are hardly more than that. Did I hear you say you were
+looking for work?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“What kind of work?”</p>
+
+<p>“Any kind that I can get.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, there is no work in here that you would do. You are not a
+machinist?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88"></a>88</span>
+“No, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“Know anything about locomotives?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m sorry, but it’s no use to talk to you. The only work for an
+inexperienced man in this place is that of wiper, and you would not
+like that kind of work.”</p>
+
+<p>“I must do something. Can you give me a place as wiper?”</p>
+
+<p>The foreman lifted his eyebrows and again surveyed the youth critically.</p>
+
+<p>“It can’t be that you understand what wipers have to do. It is the
+lowest and dirtiest work on a railroad.”</p>
+
+<p>“I presumed so.”</p>
+
+<p>“They have to wipe engines, turn the table, shovel ashes, wash out
+boilers and tanks, help the machinists to lug and lift, and do a
+hundred other things equally unpleasant.”</p>
+
+<p>“But there is a chance for promotion?”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, yes, for good men; but it comes slow. A man must wipe long enough
+to become familiar with every part of an engine, and know how one is
+run before he can get anything better. Even then there may be two or
+three others waiting ahead of him, and he is likely to lose his courage
+before he gets an opportunity to fire.”</p>
+
+<p>“But engine wipers stand a show of becoming firemen?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“I wish you would give me a chance as wiper, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“But you will not stand the work.”</p>
+
+<p>“Won’t I? I am strong, and I think I can stand it.”</p>
+
+<p>“I do not mean that way. You will become disgusted and quit before you
+have worked a day.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89"></a>89</span>
+“Try me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Are you in earnest?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“What is your name?”</p>
+
+<p>“Frank Merriwell.”</p>
+
+<p>“You have never done any hard work. Your hands show that.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t understand why you want such a job.”</p>
+
+<p>“Because I must do something, and I think I would like to become a
+locomotive engineer.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why are you forced to work, Mr. Merriwell? You look like a young man
+of means.”</p>
+
+<p>“I have lost every dollar I had in the world. I was in college, but the
+loss of my fortune forced me to leave. When I knew I must do something,
+I resolved to try to get a job on a railroad. That is all, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“Parents living?”</p>
+
+<p>“My mother is dead.”</p>
+
+<p>“And your father?”</p>
+
+<p>“I know not where he is.”</p>
+
+<p>“Hum! You’ve had hard luck. But you are not fit to become a wiper. Why,
+the men would not give you any peace. They would regard you as a dude,
+and worry you to death.”</p>
+
+<p>The youth smiled.</p>
+
+<p>“I think I can take care of myself, sir,” he said, with quiet
+confidence. “Haven’t I proved that?”</p>
+
+<p>“By George! I really believe you can! And you seem to be in earnest.
+I shouldn’t like to bother with you if<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90"></a>90</span> you are going to get sick in
+a few hours or a day or two and leave your work. Too many such chaps
+start in here.”</p>
+
+<p>“I give you my word that you need not fear that I will leave within a
+day, or a week&mdash;or a month.”</p>
+
+<p>“I hardly think you will. If you have the right sort of stuff in you
+you will work up. I began as wiper, as did the master mechanic and
+nearly all the engineers on this road. There are some good men among
+them, too.”</p>
+
+<p>“I believe that.”</p>
+
+<p>“Have you any relatives to support&mdash;brothers, sisters, or anything like
+that?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“Drink?”</p>
+
+<p>“Not a drop.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s good. You stand all the better chance. Drink is what keeps
+many a good man down. Of course, if a man wants to take a little beer
+occasionally, no one can really object to that. I suppose you take some
+beer once in a while?”</p>
+
+<p>The face of the youth flushed.</p>
+
+<p>“I told you, sir, that I do not drink anything.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right, all right. I thought perhaps you would not consider that
+drinking. Don’t usually ask men these questions, but I’m interested in
+you.”</p>
+
+<p>The youth said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>The foreman seemed to hesitate, and it was plain that he was not yet
+fully convinced that it was worth while to bother with this clean,
+dainty-looking stripling.</p>
+
+<p>The applicant seemed to think that he had said quite<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91"></a>91</span> enough, and he
+did not urge his case at all, but stood there waiting.</p>
+
+<p>The sound of hammering was to be heard in the roundhouse. Another
+engine ran in on the table outside, and some wipers swung it round.
+Then the engine ran out again upon the tracks, instead of backing into
+the house.</p>
+
+<p>Old Slugs, his face patched up with plaster, came back and went to work
+on the engine he had been cleaning. He moved slowly, as if he felt sore
+in every limb.</p>
+
+<p>The foreman smiled the least bit as he watched the man. He nodded his
+head, and there was an expression of satisfaction on his dark face.
+Then he turned to Frank Merriwell.</p>
+
+<p>“A fellow who could whip Martin Hall should have grit enough for
+anything,” he said. “Come back to-morrow morning, prepared for work.
+You shall have a job.”</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xvi">CHAPTER XVI.<br />
+<span>THE FIRST FORENOON.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The following morning Frank Merriwell appeared at the roundhouse in
+overalls and jumper, ready for work. His working clothes were new and
+clean, in contrast to the clothes of the other wipers, who stared at
+him, grinned and made comments on his “dudish” appearance. Although
+Frank could hear nearly every word spoken, he paid not the slightest
+attention to anything the men said.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92"></a>92</span> He was there to work, and he
+waited for the foreman to appear and tell him what he was to do.</p>
+
+<p>“He’ll leave quick,” declared one of the wipers.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s two to one he’ll quit before noon,” said another.</p>
+
+<p>“You’d win,” chuckled a third.</p>
+
+<p>“Nivver a bit can yez tell about thot, me b’ys,” put in a young
+Irishman with a pleasant face. “He had th’ grit to b’ate th’ shtuffin’
+oout av Ould Sloogs, an’ it’s a fair chance he’ll be afther havin’ th’
+grit to shtay and wor-ruk, no matther av he don’t loike it. Oi’ll bet
+me money on him.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank gave the speaker a grateful look. He saw a begrimed but rather
+comely youth of twenty, who looked as if he had a heart overflowing
+with good nature.</p>
+
+<p>The wipers went to work, relieving those who were there, and the
+machinists appeared and began their tasks of the day.</p>
+
+<p>After a little, Frank found himself left quite alone, and he began to
+feel restless and long to be doing something.</p>
+
+<p>“Here, boy!”</p>
+
+<p>A man was beckoning to him, and he hastened toward him.</p>
+
+<p>“Workin’ here?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“Get hold of this casting and help me lift it. I’ll carry the biggest
+part of it, for it’s heavy.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank’s pride was touched. Immediately he stooped and picked up the
+heavy casting without assistance.</p>
+
+<p>“Where will you have it, sir?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>The machinist gasped.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93"></a>93</span>
+“Well&mdash;you’re&mdash;no&mdash;baby! Bring it over here.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank obeyed and put it down as directed.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s all right, young fellow,” said the machinist; “but I advise
+you not to keep it up. If you do, you’ll find all the heavy lifts
+shouldered onto you. I see you are new here. Don’t be too ambitious to
+show what you can do.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you for the advice,” said Merry, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>Then he looked around to discover something else to do, and it was not
+long before he found a task shoveling ashes. He was working steadily at
+this when the foreman passed.</p>
+
+<p>Frank expected the foreman would stop and say something to him, but the
+man did not seem to notice him at all.</p>
+
+<p>“All right,” thought Merry, grimly. “You told me to come prepared for
+work, and I’m here. I’m going to work, too.”</p>
+
+<p>He found plenty to be done, and also discovered that the other wipers
+took great satisfaction in giving him the very dirtiest jobs. Still he
+did not complain, but, no matter what he was asked to do, he kept about
+his work steadily and quietly.</p>
+
+<p>“How do you like it, dudie?” asked one of the wipers, mockingly.</p>
+
+<p>“Speaking to me, sir?” inquired Frank, placidly.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“My name is Merriwell.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, it is?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, dudie is good enough, and that goes.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94"></a>94</span>
+“Hey, Bill,” called another wiper, “you don’t know who you’re chinnin’
+there.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, I’m chinnin’ the new superintendent of the road,” grinned the
+taunting wiper.</p>
+
+<p>“You’re talkin’ to the chap that knocked the stuffin’ out of Old Slugs
+yesterday.”</p>
+
+<p>“The blazes I am! What, that soft-looking guy?”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s the one.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, may I be gosh-darned!”</p>
+
+<p>The man stared at Frank as if unable to believe such a thing possible.</p>
+
+<p>“Why, he’s a kid!”</p>
+
+<p>“If you think so, just get him after ye. Slugs gave you a thrashing,
+and you wouldn’t last half as long with that kid.”</p>
+
+<p>After this the man did not call Frank “dudie” again, but there were
+others who did. Whenever two or three wipers were together in Frank’s
+vicinity, they did their best to jolly him.</p>
+
+<p>Merry did not get angry. He knew that would be the worst thing for him.
+He said very little, but occasionally he made some retort, and in every
+case it proved cutting for the one at whom it was aimed. The men began
+to realize after a while that the soft-looking youth could use his
+tongue quite as skillfully as his fists.</p>
+
+<p>What surprised everybody was the fact that Frank did not show
+hesitation in taking hold of any kind of a job, no matter how dirty. He
+was not squeamish, or, if he was, he did not betray it.</p>
+
+<p>Nearly half the forenoon had passed before Frank<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95"></a>95</span> learned that Martin
+Hall, or Old Slugs, as he was generally called, had not put in an
+appearance that morning, but was reported to be ill in bed, unable to
+work.</p>
+
+<p>Then some strange workmen came round to see the boy who had whipped Old
+Slugs. They looked him over doubtfully, and were inclined to disbelieve
+the story.</p>
+
+<p>“Slugs could chaw him up in a minute,” one declared.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s what everybody thought till they saw him try it,” said a
+witness of the fight.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, it must have been an accident if that boy knocked Slugs out.”</p>
+
+<p>“It wasn’t no accident. It was the cleanest, smartest fightin’ I ever
+saw. Why, look at him! He don’t bear a mark, and Slugs is in bed, with
+his face all cut and plastered.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right, if you say so; but I don’t understand it.”</p>
+
+<p>All this was very embarrassing to Frank, who regretted the unfortunate
+occurrence that had made him so conspicuous in the roundhouse. He
+continued about his work, pretending that he did not hear the talk.</p>
+
+<p>Long before noon Frank was smeared with dirt and grease. It was a
+strange experience to him, for all his life he had been immaculate
+about his dress and his person.</p>
+
+<p>But he had started out to make his way in the world, and he had begun
+at the very foot of the ladder. No one understood better than he that
+there was no room at the top for shirkers. It was honest work, and he
+hoped for something better in the future.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96"></a>96</span>
+He did not allow his mind to dwell on the pleasures that were past. He
+knew the winner in the battle of life is the one who looks forward, not
+backward.</p>
+
+<p>Frank felt confidence in himself. He believed he would be able to rise
+in time, and he had entered the roundhouse with the determination to
+keep his eyes and ears open and learn everything possible as fast as
+possible.</p>
+
+<p>Along toward noon, when it happened that there was no worse work
+for him to do, one of the wipers set him to aiding in cleaning up a
+locomotive.</p>
+
+<p>It happened that the man was of a sociable turn, and he fell to talking
+with Frank, asking him many questions, all of which Merry answered
+truthfully.</p>
+
+<p>“It don’t seem to me that you was cut out for this kind of work,” said
+the wiper. “But mebbe you may have luck and get somewhere. It’s mighty
+hard, though. Now, I know every part of an engine, and I can handle one
+as well as half the engineers, but I don’t get no show. I did think
+there was a chance for me to get on firing till the strike over on the
+P. B. &amp; Y. That throwed lots of good men out of work, and some of them
+came right over here and found jobs firing or running engines, which
+knocked out us chaps who was waiting for an opening. No telling now
+when my turn’ll come.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank did his best to cheer the man up, and then found his opportunity
+to ask a number of questions about the names of the different parts of
+the engine. Every explanation the wiper made to him he fixed in his
+mind, and, when noon came, he was satisfied that he had not let his
+first half day pass without learning something.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97"></a>97</span>
+The foreman came up to him.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve had my eye on you this forenoon,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>Frank started. He had not fancied that the foreman was noticing him at
+all.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; I’ve had my eye on you,” said the foreman. “You’ve worked all
+right, and you didn’t stand round with your hands in your pockets
+waiting for somebody to tell you what to do. You found enough to do,
+and you did it. That’s right. Keep on the same way. That’s all.”</p>
+
+<p>Then he walked away, without another word.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xvii">CHAPTER XVII.<br />
+<span>THE STREET MUSICIANS.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making
+some repairs on an engine. The work was difficult to reach, and the
+machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them. Frank
+watched to see how everything was done, and asked some questions. At
+first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way
+of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
+He was an intelligent man, and he appreciated intelligence in others.
+This being the case, it did not take him a great while to discover that
+Merriwell was different from the ordinary wiper.</p>
+
+<p>When the machinist spoke of certain parts of the locomotive he found
+that his assistant knew something about<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98"></a>98</span> them, or, at least, quickly
+caught onto his meaning. Then he was astonished to learn that Merry was
+spending his first day in a roundhouse.</p>
+
+<p>“How have you picked up a knowledge of so many things about an engine,
+young man?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“I have two books on locomotive engineering which I purchased,”
+answered Frank, reddening somewhat. “It was a subject that interested
+me, and I have read the books pretty thoroughly.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s it, eh? Well, you can’t learn anything of real practical value
+without experience; but those books may help you, my boy.”</p>
+
+<p>“I think they will, sir, for I have a good memory, and I do not easily
+forget anything I study.”</p>
+
+<p>“Keep on studying. Anything you want to know you can find out by asking
+me. They’ll tell you old Tom Bowers is sulky and surly, but don’t mind
+that. It’s only my way. I rather like your appearance. I think you are
+a young man with get-there in him, and get-there is what counts in this
+world.”</p>
+
+<p>In this way Frank found another friend, much to the surprise of the
+other wipers, none of whom had been able to get along with Tom Bowers.</p>
+
+<p>The work that afternoon was far more agreeable than it had been in the
+forenoon, and Frank was well satisfied when night came.</p>
+
+<p>At the same time, he knew some of the wipers were already growing
+jealous of him, seeing that he promised to be something of a favorite,
+as he had been able to draw Tom Bowers into conversation. As a rule,
+Bowers<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99"></a>99</span> swore and snarled at his assistants, but he had treated Frank
+in a different manner.</p>
+
+<p>As Frank left the roundhouse three of the wipers were talking together
+near the door, and one of them said:</p>
+
+<p>“There goes the fellow now. I tell you, we don’t want such chaps here.”</p>
+
+<p>“We can’t help it,” said another.</p>
+
+<p>“Why not? We’ve driven men out.”</p>
+
+<p>“If you think you can drive him, try it. Old Slugs didn’t cut much of a
+figure with him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I’m not going to try it alone; but the whole of us&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>Frank passed on and heard no more of their talk. He was not disturbed,
+for he knew there was certain to be rivalries and jealousies among
+workmen, and he believed he could live down the dislike for him that
+was being shown at the very beginning of his career.</p>
+
+<p>Frank had taken a room in a cheap quarter. He felt that he must live
+according to his means, and his pay as wiper was sure to be poor.</p>
+
+<p>Merriwell’s former friends would not have believed it possible for
+him to bring himself to one small square room, with bare floors and
+undecorated walls. He smiled as he fancied some of them looking in on
+him in his new quarters.</p>
+
+<p>But no one realized better than Frank Merriwell that the young man who
+lives beyond his means forms habits that lead to certain ruin in the
+end, and he was determined to start right.</p>
+
+<p>There is much in the right kind of a start in life. It is<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100"></a>100</span> slow,
+heart-breaking work climbing the ladder of fortune, but the patient
+plodder wins in the end, for he makes sure of each step as he goes.</p>
+
+<p>Frank had arranged to take his meals at a cheap restaurant, but he
+went home and washed up thoroughly before going out. He had bought
+some curled hair, which he knew would, with the aid of good soap, be
+very effective in removing the grime from his hands, and, after he
+had washed, scarcely a trace of his work could be discovered by the
+closest inspection. He knew that in time the dirt must wear beneath
+his finger nails so it could not be removed, and so he had cut his
+beautifully-shaped nails as short as possible, preferring to sacrifice
+them rather than carry them about “in mourning.”</p>
+
+<p>He had been fortunate in finding a place to eat, for, although the
+restaurant was cheap, everything looked clean, and he was able to eat
+the food with relish.</p>
+
+<p>Somehow, as he sat there eating, he was not cast down or dejected.
+Instead, a feeling of self-reliance and independence possessed him, and
+his heart swelled with something like exultation.</p>
+
+<p>He had been cast upon his own resources, and he must make his way along
+in the world and unaided. If there was any real ability in him, he
+firmly believed he would succeed, and he welcomed the test. Not a fear
+or a doubt concerning the future possessed him.</p>
+
+<p>Having eaten heartily, he went out for a stroll about the city. He felt
+the need of a walk in the open air, after which he would go to his room
+and get a good night’s rest.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_101"></a>101</span>
+Gradually he walked toward a better section of the city. At last he was
+attracted by the sound of music and of singing, and, in front of some
+shops he saw a boy and girl standing, while a small crowd had gathered
+near.</p>
+
+<p>The boy was playing on a guitar, while the girl was singing. They were
+rather poorly clad, although their clothes were neat and clean. The boy
+might have been seventeen years old, and he had one short, crooked leg,
+making necessary the use of a crutch. The girl was not over fifteen,
+and she had one of the sweetest faces Frank had ever looked upon. There
+was something pathetic about her face&mdash;something that struck to Merry’s
+heart with a pang.</p>
+
+<p>The boy joined in with her on the chorus of the song, and there was
+something about it that brought a mist to Frank’s eyes. He stopped and
+listened, feeling in his pocket for a piece of money.</p>
+
+<p>When the song was finished the boy passed around the hat. Few of the
+listeners gave anything, but each one was thanked. Frank threw a dime
+into the hat. It was more than he could afford, but he felt that it was
+the only kind of extravagance in which he would indulge.</p>
+
+<p>The boy and girl looked alike, and Frank decided they were brother and
+sister. The boy played again, and they sang.</p>
+
+<p>A crowd of roistering young chaps came along and stopped. When the song
+was finished they made some comments about the girl, bringing the hot
+blood to the cheeks of Frank
+<a name="Merriwell" id="Merriwell"></a>
+<ins title="Original has 'Merrriwell'">Merriwell</ins>.</p>
+
+<p>“She’s good enough to hug,” said one.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102"></a>102</span>
+“That she is,” laughed another. “She’s a peach. What’ll you bet I don’t
+hug her?”</p>
+
+<p>“She needs money. Perhaps she’d let you kiss her for a quarter, Ned.”</p>
+
+<p>“By Jove! I’d give it!”</p>
+
+<p>“You don’t dare, right here on the street.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll go you the drinks on it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Done.”</p>
+
+<p>Then Frank Merriwell moved a little nearer.</p>
+
+<p>The fellow called Ned walked up to the girl and chuckled her under the
+chin, saying:</p>
+
+<p>“Ah, there, my little daisy! You’ll make a prima donna some day. Give
+us a kiss, and I’ll give you a quarter.”</p>
+
+<p>The girl shrank away with a little cry of alarm, reaching out in a
+vague way toward her brother.</p>
+
+<p>In an instant the latter was aroused. He uttered a cry of anger.</p>
+
+<p>“Go ’way!” he exclaimed, excitedly. “She’s my sister! How dare you
+insult her?”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, don’t get gay!” said the youth. “I’m not insulting her. I made her
+an offer.”</p>
+
+<p>“Go ’way, or I’ll strike you with my crutch!”</p>
+
+<p>“You wouldn’t hurt anything. I’ve got a bet on this, and I must kiss
+her or lose. Come, now, here’s half a dollar. That should be an object.”</p>
+
+<p>“Jack!” gasped the girl.</p>
+
+<p>“He shall not touch you!” exclaimed the boy, trying to push the fellow
+away.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103"></a>103</span>
+“Get out!” ordered the aggressor, catching the boy by the collar and
+giving him a swing that threw him down.</p>
+
+<p>“Shame! shame!” cried some of the spectators.</p>
+
+<p>They started to interfere, but the young bloods jumped in, ready for a
+fight, and the witnesses hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>With one exception.</p>
+
+<p>Frank Merriwell’s blood was boiling. His lips parted slightly, showing
+his white teeth, which were set together.</p>
+
+<p>Just as the fellow caught the shrinking, terrified girl by the
+shoulder, Frank struck him a terrible blow.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xviii">CHAPTER XVIII.<br />
+<span>UPLIFTED HEARTS.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The fellow seemed to whirl end over end and strike out in the middle of
+the street, where he lay in a stunned condition, not even appearing to
+breathe.</p>
+
+<p>Quick as a flash, Frank whirled and faced the others, knowing the
+fellow’s companions would be sure to attempt to avenge him.</p>
+
+<p>“Come on, you loafers!” he cried.</p>
+
+<p>“He struck Ned!” shouted one. “Give it to him!”</p>
+
+<p>They all jumped for Frank, but in doing so they bothered each other
+more or less.</p>
+
+<p>Merry met them halfway, his arms working like piston rods, his hard
+fists cracking on their heads.</p>
+
+<p>It was an astonishing spectacle, for he went into them like a tornado,
+knocking them right and left.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104"></a>104</span>
+To Frank it seemed that never before had he felt so strong and able.
+He was perfectly confident that he could clean out the entire crowd of
+half-intoxicated young bloods, and he was doing a very satisfactory job
+when somebody cried:</p>
+
+<p>“Police!”</p>
+
+<p>Instantly there was a scattering. Somebody had aided to his feet the
+fellow Frank struck first, and in a few seconds every one of the gang
+vanished.</p>
+
+<p>The policeman came up, followed closely by another, and demanded to
+know what it was all about.</p>
+
+<p>The witnesses of this remarkable encounter quickly explained, while
+Frank was reassuring the frightened boy and girl.</p>
+
+<p>The officer came and looked Merry over.</p>
+
+<p>“That was Bloodgood’s crowd,” said one of them.</p>
+
+<p>“And this chap fought the whole of them,” exclaimed the other.</p>
+
+<p>“He didn’t know what he was up against.”</p>
+
+<p>“It didn’t seem to make any difference, if what the crowd says is true.
+He was getting the best of it.”</p>
+
+<p>“All the same, I reckon it’s a good thing for him that we came along.”</p>
+
+<p>“Young man, you got off easy. We’ll not arrest you, for the people who
+saw it say you were in the right.”</p>
+
+<p>“I think I was, sir,” said Frank, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, Mr. Policeman!” exclaimed the lame boy, “those fellows insulted my
+sister and threw me down. Nobody else dared interfere with them, but
+this gentleman fought them all. He knocked down the one who insulted
+Nellie.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105"></a>105</span>
+“If we’d got along in time, we’d gathered some of them in. You want to
+look out for that gang, young fellow,” addressing Frank. “They are a
+hard crowd, and they’ll try to get even with you.”</p>
+
+<p>Then the officers dispersed the crowd that had gathered, and moved
+along themselves.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, how can we thank you, sir?” cried the boy, getting hold of Frank’s
+hand. “You were so good&mdash;and so brave!”</p>
+
+<p>The girl reached out in a strange, uncertain way, saying:</p>
+
+<p>“I must thank him, Jack! Where is his hand?”</p>
+
+<p>“She’s blind,” explained the boy. “She’s my sister, Nell, and we’re all
+alone in the world.”</p>
+
+<p>“Blind?” gasped Frank, with a shock of horror. “Why, her eyes look all
+right.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; but a doctor said once that the optic nerve was injured by a fall
+she received.”</p>
+
+<p>“Blind?” whispered Frank, as he held both her hands and looked down
+into her blue eyes. “My poor, little girl.”</p>
+
+<p>Her hands trembled in his, and a thrill of sympathy seemed to pass
+between them.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh,” she said, gently, “I know you are good&mdash;so good! And I want to
+thank you for defending me from that&mdash;that person.”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t speak of that,” murmured Frank. “It was a great satisfaction.
+You are looking straight at me now. Can’t you see me at all?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, sir.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106"></a>106</span>
+“It is strange. Your eyes look all right save for an uncertain
+expression in them. Some time your sight will be restored. I feel sure
+of that.”</p>
+
+<p>A look of happiness came to her sweet face, and she almost panted as
+she answered:</p>
+
+<p>“I am so glad to hear you say so! I don’t know why, but it seems that
+you must be right. It is so strange, for I feel as if I had known you
+always. What is your name?”</p>
+
+<p>“Frank Merriwell.”</p>
+
+<p>“My name is Nellie Norton. I wish I could see you, Mr. Merriwell.”</p>
+
+<p>“We are trying to get money enough together to have her eyes treated by
+a great oculist,” explained the boy; “but times are hard, and people do
+not have much money to spare.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, we’ll see what can be done right here,” said Frank, observing
+that a number of the original crowd had returned and were standing
+about.</p>
+
+<p>Then he turned to them and said:</p>
+
+<p>“Gentlemen, this girl is blind. She was not born that way, but
+sustained an injury by a fall that affected the optical nerve. She
+has been told that her sight might be restored by an operation, and,
+with her brother, she is trying to get together enough money to pay a
+specialist to do the work. This she and her brother have just told me,
+for I never saw either of them before this evening. Now, I am poor,
+and can afford no luxuries, but I can afford to give a dollar to help
+this girl recover her sight. I am going to put a dollar in my hat, and
+then I will pass<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_107"></a>107</span> it round. I hope others will give as much as they can
+afford.”</p>
+
+<p>He took off his hat and dropped a silver dollar into it. Then, talking
+in his most pleasant and persuasive manner, he went round with the hat.</p>
+
+<p>Every person present gave something. One old Irishwoman threw in a
+dime, saying:</p>
+
+<p>“Thot’s arl Oi have, an’ Oi wish it wur a hoondred dollars, so Oi do!
+Me ould marn sint me out fer a can av beer, but it’s warther he’ll have
+ter drink to-noight, an’ it’s jist as much good it’ll be afther doin’
+av him. God bliss th’ dear girrul’s swate hearrut! an’ it’s bloind she
+is? An’ she can’t see th’ skoy an’ th’ birruds an’ th’ flowers? An’
+it’s me own litthle b’y as is dead now pwhat wur borrun thot way, an’
+he uster be afther axin’ me pwhat things looked loike, an’ now he’s
+gone foriver where he can see. It’s ounly tin cints, a dhrop in th’
+bucket, but it will do th’ dear, swate girrul more good thot way than
+it’ll do me ould marn roonin’ down his throat, bad cess to th’ lazy
+dog!”</p>
+
+<p>Then she turned and hobbled away in a hurry.</p>
+
+<p>Her example led many of the others to give with the greatest
+liberality, and when the money was counted and passed over to little
+Nell, Frank announced that six dollars and eighteen cents had been
+received.</p>
+
+<p>The blind girl held out her hands to the crowd, laughing even as the
+tears streamed down her face, and brokenly said:</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! I thank you all so much&mdash;so much! You have been so kind to me! It
+will be such a help!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_108"></a>108</span>
+“And I thank you, too!” said the boy, his voice trembling. “Why, it’s a
+small fortune! Sometimes we have worked a whole week and not received
+so much; but I believe luck has turned now, and Nellie will be able to
+see very soon.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank was deeply touched. Then he regretted the loss of his fortune for
+the first time, as it made it impossible for him to take charge of the
+blind girl and see that she had the best medical attention, which he
+would have done in other days.</p>
+
+<p>“Can’t we do something?” asked the boy, eagerly. “We will sing
+something more for you.”</p>
+
+<p>He hastily adjusted the guitar, and strummed the strings a moment.</p>
+
+<p>“What shall we sing, Nellie?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, something lively&mdash;some happy song,” she answered, still laughing
+through her tears.</p>
+
+<p>So they sang one of the late popular songs, but the voices of both were
+uncertain, and it was pathetic to witness the affection and happiness
+in the boy’s eyes when he looked at his sister.</p>
+
+<p>In the very middle of the song the girl broke down completely and
+stopped.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh!” she exclaimed; “I can’t sing! Somehow my heart is so full that
+the words will not come out. But I want to thank you again and again! I
+want to thank Mr. Merriwell. Where is he?”</p>
+
+<p>But Frank Merriwell was gone. Stirred to the very depths of his soul,
+he had hurried away while they were<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_109"></a>109</span> singing; and he walked along the
+city’s streets, unmindful of his surroundings, uplifted, exalted,
+strengthened for the battle of life.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xix">CHAPTER XIX.<br />
+<span>AN ANGRY ENGINEER.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>That night, as Frank was reading in his room by the light of a kerosene
+lamp, he heard voices from a room adjoining. There seemed something
+familiar in the sound, and he laid down the book on engineering which
+he had been studying.</p>
+
+<p>The voices ceased, but there was a sound of clattering dishes.</p>
+
+<p>The wall was thin, and up near the ceiling a crack showed a ray of
+light.</p>
+
+<p>Frank began to study again, and again the voices interrupted him. This
+time he was sure there was a familiar sound about them.</p>
+
+<p>“Is it possible?” he muttered, starting to his feet. “Can they have a
+room so near?”</p>
+
+<p>His curiosity was aroused, and, with a desire to satisfy himself, he
+drew a chair to the partition and stood upon it. This enabled him to
+peer through the crack.</p>
+
+<p>He found himself looking into a room much like his own. In the middle
+of the floor, directly in the range of his vision, was a table, on
+which stood a lighted lamp.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_110"></a>110</span> The table was spread for a meal, and at
+that table sat the street musicians, the blind girl and her brother. It
+was evident that they had just sat down, for, as Frank looked, the girl
+bowed her head to ask a blessing.</p>
+
+<p>Hushing his breathing, Frank tried to hear her words. He could not
+understand them all, but he heard her mention his name, and he knew he
+was included in that blessing.</p>
+
+<p>Frank could study no more that night. He walked the floor for a time,
+feeling that a new interest had come into his life, for somehow it
+seemed there was a bond between himself and the young street musicians.</p>
+
+<p>His dreams that night were pleasant.</p>
+
+<p>Frank’s second day in the roundhouse was almost a repetition of the
+first, save that he learned to assist in turning the engines upon the
+table, and he listened to a discussion among the wipers about the
+mysterious properties of the slide valve, which led him to read up on
+the subject as far as possible.</p>
+
+<p>A week passed. By the end of that time Frank was able to clean certain
+parts of the engine in a manner thoroughly satisfactory, and he could
+see that he was making progress in knowledge.</p>
+
+<p>He had also found an opportunity to make known to the young musicians
+that his room was next to theirs, and there was visiting back and forth.</p>
+
+<p>It really seemed to the brother and sister that their fortune had
+turned with the meeting with Frank, for they were doing far better than
+they had done before.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_111"></a>111</span>
+“You must be a mascot, Mr. Merriwell,” laughed the lame boy, as they
+all sat together one evening.</p>
+
+<p>“Please don’t call me Mr. Merriwell any more,” requested Merry. “You
+know my first name. Call me by that.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, it doesn’t seem right!”</p>
+
+<p>“It will please me far better.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then we will try, eh, sister?”</p>
+
+<p>The girl smiled.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” she said. “Frank is a beautiful name, and it seems so well
+suited to him. Yes, we will call him that if he really wishes us to.”</p>
+
+<p>“I do; and I will call you Nellie and Jack. I hope it is true that I am
+your mascot, and there may be something in it, for my friends who have
+stuck to me have all had good luck.”</p>
+
+<p>“Fortune has been against us a long time,” said the boy; “ever since
+mother died.”</p>
+
+<p>“Tell me something of yourselves,” urged Frank. “How long have you been
+alone in the world?”</p>
+
+<p>“Almost two years now. Father was an invalid the last of his life,
+and so all the money he had saved was used in caring for him. Mother
+did not live long after he went away. She loved him so! Her heart was
+broken, and if it had not been for leaving us, I think she would have
+been glad to go.”</p>
+
+<p>“But have you no relatives?”</p>
+
+<p>“No near relatives who care anything for us. Mother had a brother, but
+we do not know where he is now.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_112"></a>112</span>
+“But we feel that we have found some one in you who is almost as near
+and dear as a relative,” said the girl.</p>
+
+<p>The absolute loneliness of the brother and sister affected Frank, and
+he resolved to do everything in his power to brighten their lives.
+Thus it came about that he was so often with them. He took pleasure in
+playing upon the guitar, and he regretted to discover that his work was
+beginning to stiffen his fingers. Having made this discovery, he bought
+a preparation to use on his hands to keep them from growing stiff.</p>
+
+<p>Among the engineers was one by the name of Joe Hicks, a man with a
+coal-black mustache and a sullen face. Hicks drank a great deal, but he
+was one of the best engineers on the road, and he managed to keep his
+job. He was surly when he was not well filled with liquor, and brutal
+when he had been drinking.</p>
+
+<p>The wipers, with the exception of Old Slugs, who was back at work, were
+afraid of Hicks. Not one of them liked the job of cleaning his engine,
+for a speck of dirt left anywhere brought a growl.</p>
+
+<p>And it happened before a week was out that Frank was put onto Hicks’
+engine.</p>
+
+<p>The engineer had not left the roundhouse when Merry began work. On his
+way out he paused and stared at Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Here!” he growled; “what are you doing?”</p>
+
+<p>“Cleaning this engine, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“Who told ye to?”</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Ganzell.”</p>
+
+<p>That was the name of the foreman.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_113"></a>113</span>
+“Ganzell’s a fool! Get away from there!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank kept at work.</p>
+
+<p>“Get away from there, I tell ye!” snarled Hicks. “Don’t you hear what I
+say?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, why don’t ye mind?”</p>
+
+<p>“Because you are not the foreman.”</p>
+
+<p>“The foreman be&mdash;blowed. That’s my engine; I run her. I’m not going
+to have a greenhorn plugging round her. Get away, now. If you don’t,
+I’ll&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“What?”</p>
+
+<p>Frank turned and looked the man straight in the eyes, and he was
+perfectly cool when he said:</p>
+
+<p>“What will you do?”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, blame your head! I’ll break your neck!”</p>
+
+<p>“I wouldn’t advise you to try it.”</p>
+
+<p>The coolness of the youth staggered Hicks, who was accustomed to seeing
+the wipers start and cringe before him. He felt like collaring Frank,
+but something caused him to stay his hand.</p>
+
+<p>Larry Logan, the young Irishman, came up and stood looking on, an
+expression of satisfaction on his face.</p>
+
+<p>“Oi think ye’d betther foind out th’ b’y ye’re tacklin’, Mr. Hicks,”
+chuckled Larry.</p>
+
+<p>“What in thunder do I care who he is! If he’s one of Ganzell’s
+favorites, it won’t make any difference. If he don’t get away from that
+engine, I’ll mop him all over the ground.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a roight swate job ye’d be afther takin’, sur,” grinned the young
+Irishman. “This is th’ chap phwat<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_114"></a>114</span> knocked out Ould Sloogs widout
+gettin’ a marruk on himself.”</p>
+
+<p>“Hey?”</p>
+
+<p>The engineer looked astonished. He had heard of the encounter between
+the bully of the roundhouse and an applicant for work, but it did not
+seem possible that this boy had whipped the ruffian.</p>
+
+<p>“Thot’s dead straight, sur,” asserted Larry.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I don’t care who he is, I won’t have a slob clean old 33!”</p>
+
+<p>“Phwat are yez goin’ to do?”</p>
+
+<p>“See Ganzell about it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thot’ll be aisier fer yez than av ye troied to take th’ b’y off th’
+job yersilf.”</p>
+
+<p>“Shut up! Don’t you get sassy, fer I’ll thump ye if ye do.”</p>
+
+<p>Then Hicks hurried away in search of the foreman.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a roight foine toime ye’ll have wid him,” said Larry to Frank.
+“He’s worse thin Ould Sloogs, fer he’ll be afther hittin’ yez in th’
+back.”</p>
+
+<p>“I am not afraid of him,” declared Frank, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>In a short time Hicks came round with the foreman. Stopping near the
+engine, the angry man pointed to Frank, growling:</p>
+
+<p>“Look here, Mr. Ganzell, you know I take special pride in the way I
+keep my engine. Now what d’yer mean by puttin’ a greenhorn on her to
+clean her?”</p>
+
+<p>“It was necessary, Hicks,” said the foreman, with an expression of
+anger. “I will have an old wiper go over her after Merriwell finishes,
+so she will be all right.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_115"></a>115</span>
+“But I don’t want a greenie plugging at her. They’re sure to be tryin’
+to find out how things work, and they get things out of order.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t think there will be any trouble in that line.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then you don’t mean to take him off?”</p>
+
+<p>“No.”</p>
+
+<p>Hicks was boiling.</p>
+
+<p>“All right!” he snarled. “If anything happens, don’t blame me. You know
+how particular I am with old 33, an’ I don’t think you are givin’ me a
+square deal.”</p>
+
+<p>With that he left the roundhouse, muttering and growling as he went.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xx">CHAPTER XX.<br />
+<span>SOME POINTS ABOUT HICKS.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Ganzell, the foreman, was not in the most pleasant frame of mind, for
+he did not fancy being talked to in such a manner.</p>
+
+<p>“See what you can do on her, young man,” he said, scowling at Frank.
+“Hicks will raise a howl if he finds the least little thing wrong.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll do my best, sir,” declared Frank, as he continued about his work.</p>
+
+<p>“Here, Logan,” called the foreman, “look 33 over after Merriwell
+finishes.”</p>
+
+<p>“All roight, sur,” said the young Irishman, who was at work near by.
+“Oi’ll do thot.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_116"></a>116</span>
+Then the foreman went away.</p>
+
+<p>After a little Larry Logan came over and watched Frank, making
+suggestions now and then.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a bad marn ye have agin’ yez, Mr. Merriwell,” said Larry.</p>
+
+<p>“Who, Hicks?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yis, sur.”</p>
+
+<p>“I have done nothing to get him against me!”</p>
+
+<p>“Oi know thot; but he’ll hate yez jist th’ soame, an’ it’s th’ divvil
+he is at toimes.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I can’t help it if he does hate me. I was set to work on this
+engine, and I propose to do the job.”</p>
+
+<p>Larry nodded approvingly.</p>
+
+<p>“Oi don’t belave yer afraid av th’ divvil hisself; but it’s well enough
+to kape yer oie open.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s right. How about Old Slugs?”</p>
+
+<p>“He’s been quiet as a lamb ivver since ye did him oop. Thot wur a foine
+job, Mr. Merriwell, but it won’t be thot way wid Hicks.”</p>
+
+<p>“No?”</p>
+
+<p>“Nivver. He’ll not attimpt to foight yez on th’ square.”</p>
+
+<p>“Will he fight?”</p>
+
+<p>“He may be afther stroiking yez whin ye’re not lookin’.”</p>
+
+<p>“Such foes are the most dangerous.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thot they are, me b’y. An’ av all suspicions are thrue, ye’d not be
+th’ firrust wan Joe Hicks has hit in th’ back.”</p>
+
+<p>“How is that?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_117"></a>117</span>
+“’Sh! It’s divvil a bit anybody loikes to say it around here, an’ ye
+must kape shtill thot Oi said a wurrud.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m dumb.”</p>
+
+<p>“Av old Joe wur not a foine ingineer, he’d not hold his job a day, fer
+there do be times whin he st’ames op wid phwhisky, an’ they have to put
+a marn in his place. Anybody ilse would lose his job. Old Joe is docked
+or laid off, at th’ wurust. An’ whin he has pwhisky in, he’s th’ ould
+imp an’ all.”</p>
+
+<p>Larry looked about, as if making sure there was no one near enough to
+hear, and then taking a seat on the pilot, and biting off a huge chew
+of tobacco from a black plug, he went on:</p>
+
+<p>“It wur a year ago old Joe got in his wurrust schrape. It wur thirty
+days thot cost him, besides th’ toime he wur in jail.”</p>
+
+<p>“So he got into jail?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yis.”</p>
+
+<p>“What for?”</p>
+
+<p>“Th’ firrust charge wur fer bein’ droonk an’ disorderly, but thot came
+near not bein’ th’ wurrust av it. It wur thought he did something
+wurruse thin thot.”</p>
+
+<p>Again the young Irishman looked all around, and his manner showed that
+he was fearful that other ears than those of Frank Merriwell should
+hear his words.</p>
+
+<p>“There wur a murther in th’ case!” whispered Larry.</p>
+
+<p>“A murder?” repeated Frank, growing interested.</p>
+
+<p>“’Sh! Nivver a man spakes av it here in th’ place. Hicks were sane wid
+a marn in a tough parrut av th’ city. Th’ nixt marnin’ th’ marn wur
+found dead. He had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_118"></a>118</span> been hit on th’ head wid a shtone, an’ his skull
+wur not hard enough to shtand th’ crack at all, at all.”</p>
+
+<p>“And they suspected that Hicks did it?”</p>
+
+<p>“Be aisy! be aisy! Th’ charge wur made against him.”</p>
+
+<p>“But not proven?”</p>
+
+<p>“Nivver a bit. He got out av it wid th’ aid av an alibi, av yez know
+what thoat is, divil a bit do Oi.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, he must have proved that he was in another locality at the time
+the murder was committed.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thot’s it! thot’s it! Thot’s th’ way he escaped.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, if he proved that he was all right.”</p>
+
+<p>“Av he proved it? Well, he samed to prove it. Anyhow, it wur enough to
+get him off.”</p>
+
+<p>“Of course it is pretty tough to be charged with murder, but many an
+innocent man has been accused of the crime.”</p>
+
+<p>Larry nodded and turned the quid in his mouth.</p>
+
+<p>“An’ minny a marn thot wur not innocent has got off widout bein’
+poonished. It have been talked since thin thot old Joe’s alibi would
+not hold warther.”</p>
+
+<p>“If that is true, why wasn’t it discovered in the first place?”</p>
+
+<p>“It wur fixed fer him thin, an’ th’ weak point not discovered till
+aftherward. Even thin it wur not found by anybody thot cared to get
+mixed in it at all, at all; but thim thot know say it’s more thin aven
+old Joe tapped th’ unlucky devvil on th’ head. Oi warneted to tell yez,
+so ye’d know th’ koind av a coostomer ye wur d’aling wid.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you, Mr. Logan.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_119"></a>119</span>
+“Now, don’t be afther callin’ me Misther Logan. Call me Larry. That is
+good enough fer me.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right, Larry.”</p>
+
+<p>“Take me advice, an’ kape yer oies open fer Joe Hicks. He has been
+known to stroike more thin one marn behoind his back. He’ll hate yez
+now.”</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t help that.”</p>
+
+<p>“Nivver a bit. It’s particular he is wid his engine. Ye know some
+av th’ engineers lave th’ woipers to look out fer breaks on th’ old
+girruls.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; I find a great many of them do that.”</p>
+
+<p>“Joe Hicks is not wan av thim.”</p>
+
+<p>“He inspects his own engine.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yis. No woiper iver found a broken spring, leaver ur hanger on his
+engine. He discovers all th’ cracked aquilizers an’ iccintric shtraps.
+It’s really an aisy job cl’anin’ his engine, av ye take care to clane
+it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I am not liable to have the job again.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ye may. Ganzell is square, an’ he don’t loike to have any marn kick at
+him. Av ye do it well this toime, he may kape ye roight here on this
+engine ivery toime she comes in. Oi thought av thot, an’ it’s phwoy Oi
+warnted to tell yez about Joe Hicks.”</p>
+
+<p>“I appreciate your kindness, Larry.”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t mention it. Now, Oi’ll get to wurruk, an’ Oi’ll look 33 over
+whin ye have finished.”</p>
+
+<p>Then the friendly young Irishman left Frank to his labor and his
+thoughts.</p>
+
+<p>Merry worked slowly and carefully. He was determined to take plenty of
+time on the job and make sure that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_120"></a>120</span> everything was done as it should
+be. When he thought he had finished, he went over everything again.
+Then he called Larry.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s all roight, me b’y,” declared the young Irishman. “It’s loike the
+wurruk av an ould hand, but it’s tin to wan thot Hicks will be afther
+kickin’ about it.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right,” said Frank. “Let him kick. If you say the job is done all
+right, I am satisfied.”</p>
+
+<p>The foreman came round, but he did not give either engine or Merriwell
+a glance. He had set Larry to look after the matter, and he knew it
+would be all right.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xxi">CHAPTER XXI.<br />
+<span>FRANK DISCOVERS A BREAK.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Engine wipers are severe critics of engineers. They know whose engine
+is always in first-class order, wedges never down, nuts and bolts in
+place and tight, and other things as they should be.</p>
+
+<p>Frank rapidly became familiar with all the outward and visible parts of
+a locomotive, for he had plenty of opportunities to see them taken to
+pieces by the mechanics, with whom he soon became a favorite, because
+of his pleasing manners and readiness to do anything.</p>
+
+<p>Manners have much to do with the success of a young man in the world.
+The one who is polite, courteous and willing to make an effort to
+please is certain to stand far<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_121"></a>121</span> better show of success than he who is
+indifferent, thoughtless and rude.</p>
+
+<p>Many young men are taught self-reliance and aggressiveness, and they
+pay too little attention to the forms and conventionalities of life. On
+this account they are apt to value too lightly the little courtesies
+which mark the man of real politeness.</p>
+
+<p>It is said that but for Washington’s courteous bearing and conciliatory
+manners the War of the Revolution might not have been brought to a
+successful close. A person entirely familiar with the history of this
+country at that period, must appreciate the remarkable tact Washington
+used in allaying sectional jealousies. But for his unselfishness and
+polished manners he could not have succeeded in reconciling so many
+conflicting interests and unharmonious elements.</p>
+
+<p>Napoleon well knew the value of courtesy. No great military commander
+was ever more beloved by the officers and men who served under him,
+and, while he felt it necessary to observe a certain degree of dignity
+in his bearing, he often, however, put himself on a footing of perfect
+equality with the common soldiers. He was known to share his rations
+with a soldier and to drink from the canteen of a sentinel.</p>
+
+<p>Chesterfield declared that the art of pleasing is, in truth, the art of
+rising and distinguishing oneself, and of making a fortune and figure
+in the world.</p>
+
+<p>Frank Merriwell lost no opportunity to please those with whom he was
+dealing, and, although he had been regarded as something of a dude when
+he entered the roundhouse,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_122"></a>122</span> his associates soon found he was ready and
+willing to attempt any and all kinds of work. He never grumbled, and he
+was always volunteering to do things.</p>
+
+<p>Thus it was not strange that some of the wipers quickly grew jealous of
+him, thinking he was shown too many favors.</p>
+
+<p>Frank’s habitual association with well-bred people had done much for
+him. The very air about him was different from that of the other
+wipers, no matter if his clothes were as greasy and his hands as dirty.
+At the same time he never made it apparent that he felt himself too
+good for his work and associates.</p>
+
+<p>The foreman observed this, although he made no sign. He was watching
+Frank with astonishment, but scarcely a word of approval did he speak.
+He was not ready to express himself.</p>
+
+<p>Although he had familiarized himself with the mysterious properties
+of the slide valve, Merry did not attempt to take part in the deeply
+erudite discussions which frequently took place among wipers and
+firemen. He listened and kept still. All the time he was learning,
+feeling sure the time would come when he would be given an opportunity
+to display his knowledge to advantage.</p>
+
+<p>To the surprise of everybody, and the disgust of Joe Hicks, Frank was
+given time after time No. 33 to clean. Hicks growled and glared at
+the youth, but Frank remained polite in his bearing toward the surly
+engineer.</p>
+
+<p>To Merry’s surprise, Old Slugs came to him one day, and said:</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know that I want to see you done up, even if<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_123"></a>123</span> you did give me
+a thumping. I don’t hold a grudge, for you done it fair and square. But
+I want to tell ye to look out&mdash;keep your eyes open all the time.”</p>
+
+<p>“I thank you for the warning, Mr. Hall; but I am afraid I do not
+understand what you mean.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve got a bad man down on you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Do you mean Mr. Hicks?”</p>
+
+<p>“Just him. Now, I don’t want it known I made any talk, for I’m not
+hankering to have Joe Hicks get after me when he is on a rampage, but I
+say look out.”</p>
+
+<p>“I shall try to do so; but I see no real reason why Mr. Hicks should
+wish to injure me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Mebbe he ain’t got no real reason. When old Joe gets down on a man, he
+don’t have to have a reason. All he wants is a good chance to do him,
+and he’ll do you, if you ain’t careful.”</p>
+
+<p>“What makes you so sure?”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I heard him say last night that there was a young upstart here
+who wouldn’t remain here another week.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you think he meant me?”</p>
+
+<p>“I am sure of it.”</p>
+
+<p>“And he means to do me bodily harm?”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s the way he fixes them he don’t like.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right, Mr. Hall. Thank you again. I shall watch out.”</p>
+
+<p>As Larry Logan had said, old Joe was one who always looked his own
+engine over for breaks, never trusting the wipers to discover them.</p>
+
+<p>One day, however, Frank noticed that the center casting<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_124"></a>124</span> on No. 33 was
+broken in such a way that but one bolt held it at all, and that very
+slightly.</p>
+
+<p>He supposed, of course, that the engineer had reported it, and he
+expected every minute to see the men come along with the jacks and jack
+her up to put in a new one.</p>
+
+<p>Though there was a king pin down through both castings, it would be
+suicidal for a man to trust that alone. In rounding a curve the engine
+would be apt to sheer off and shoot off the track at a tangent.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was surprised as the time approached for old 33 to leave the
+house and no attempt had been made to repair her. Then he hunted up Mr.
+Ganzell and reported what he had discovered.</p>
+
+<p>Ganzell seemed doubtful.</p>
+
+<p>“Come with me,” he said, and together they went round the house to the
+hook on which the machinists hung the engineer’s work reports after
+jobs were finished.</p>
+
+<p>He looked the report over and found 33’s.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s O. K.’d,” he said. “Not a word about the center casting. You must
+be mistaken, Mr. Merriwell.”</p>
+
+<p>“I am sure I am not, sir,” declared Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I will investigate. Come.”</p>
+
+<p>Away they went to inspect the engine. On the way they came face to face
+with Joe Hicks.</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Hicks,” said the foreman, “Merriwell reports that your truck
+center casting is broken.”</p>
+
+<p>Old Joe’s face turned black, and he gave Frank an awful glare.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a lie!” he growled. “What’s that kid know about an engine! He
+makes me sick.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_125"></a>125</span>
+“I beg your pardon, Mr. Hicks,” said Frank, quietly; “I really thought
+it better to report my discovery than to let you take the chance of
+being killed and wrecking the train by going out with her in such a
+condition.”</p>
+
+<p>“Bah! You are trying to play smart, but you’ve made a fool of yourself.”</p>
+
+<p>“Let’s see about it,” said Ganzell.</p>
+
+<p>“My report is O. K.”</p>
+
+<p>“I know it is, for I just looked it up.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s enough.”</p>
+
+<p>“No! I shall look at your engine.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right. But, if it ain’t so, I want you to take this boy off my
+engine and give me a man that knows something. I’ve stood it just as
+long as I can!”</p>
+
+<p>Down to the engine they went, and the foreman soon satisfied himself
+that Frank had told the truth. Then he was angry.</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean, Hicks,” he demanded, “by reporting O. K. when your
+engine is in such condition?”</p>
+
+<p>Old Joe tried to answer, but he could not do much of anything but swear.</p>
+
+<p>“Such carelessness is astonishing!” exclaimed Ganzell. “You do not
+deserve an engine. You are incompetent!”</p>
+
+<p>That made the old man furious, and the look he gave Merriwell was
+evidence of the deadly hatred seething in his heart.</p>
+
+<p>“You shall pay for this!” he muttered, in a deadly way.</p>
+
+<p>“No threats, sir!” exclaimed Ganzell. “Merriwell simply did his duty.
+We shall not need you for the next week. You may go home!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_126"></a>126</span>
+So the engineer was laid off because of Frank’s discovery, and it made
+him hate Merry more than ever.</p>
+
+<p>“He shall pay for it!” he vowed over and over.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xxii">CHAPTER XXII.<br />
+<span>THE INTERRUPTED SUPPER.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>One evening the street musicians came home in a greatly disturbed state
+of mind and hurried into Frank’s room, where they found Merry.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, Mr. Merriwell!” cried Jack; “there is a man who has been following
+us about everywhere!”</p>
+
+<p>“And&mdash;and he spoke to us!” fluttered the blind girl.</p>
+
+<p>“He’s such a bad-looking man!” said the boy.</p>
+
+<p>“He asked us where we lived,” said little Nell.</p>
+
+<p>“I refused to tell him, and then he got angry.”</p>
+
+<p>“And said we should be arrested as vagrants. Oh! I am so afraid of him!”</p>
+
+<p>“There! there!” said Frank; “don’t get so excited. Was the man
+intoxicated?”</p>
+
+<p>“No! no! no!” answered the boy. “I am sure he was not, and still&mdash;and
+still he might have been drinking.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you escaped from him all right, and it’s not likely you will see
+him again.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m afraid we shall, for I am sure the same man followed us last
+evening, though I said nothing to Nellie about it, not wishing to
+frighten her.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_127"></a>127</span>
+“I don’t see why he should follow you.”</p>
+
+<p>“All I know is that he did.”</p>
+
+<p>“Did he follow you here?”</p>
+
+<p>“Part way, but I guess we gave him the slip by coming through an alley.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I wouldn’t worry about it any more. If he makes any more trouble
+for you, I’ll see him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! you are so good!” said the girl, getting an arm about Frank’s
+neck. “I feel safe when we are with you.”</p>
+
+<p>He kissed her tenderly and soothed her fears. Then they invited him in
+to have supper with them.</p>
+
+<p>It happened that Frank had not eaten, having started in to study upon a
+certain part of an engine immediately after reaching his room and taken
+a sponge bath and changed his clothes, he finally agreed to take supper
+with the little musicians.</p>
+
+<p>“You know what a good cook I am,” laughed the lame boy.</p>
+
+<p>“I should be the one to cook,” said the girl; “but I can’t see to do
+that. I can help get supper ready, though.”</p>
+
+<p>They went into the room occupied by the brother and sister. There were
+two small beds in opposite corners of the room, which was rather large,
+one of them being curtained off with cheap cloth.</p>
+
+<p>At one side of the room was a cupboard and a bench. There was a small
+cook stove in the room.</p>
+
+<p>“Now,” cried the boy, as he hopped about with his crutch, “I’ll show
+you what coffee and what biscuits I can make.”</p>
+
+<p>“And I will set the table,” declared little Nell.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_128"></a>128</span>
+“I have a plan,” said Frank. “We will take the table into my room, for
+it will be hot in here after Jack gets his cooking done. We’ll eat in
+there.”</p>
+
+<p>This was agreed upon, and Frank managed to move the table, with very
+little aid from the lame boy.</p>
+
+<p>Jack built the fire and prepared for work. He took off his jacket,
+rolled up his sleeves, washed face and hands, and then got out the cake
+board. In a short time he was working in the flour, and the way he went
+at it proclaimed his skill.</p>
+
+<p>“If you will bring the dishes, Frank, I’ll set the table,” said little
+Nell.</p>
+
+<p>So Merry carried the dishes, what few there were, out through the short
+passage and into his room, where the blind girl, after the cloth was
+spread, stood by the table and arranged them. She seemed to do this
+work by instinct, for she could not have done it better had she been
+able to see.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, we will have such a lovely supper!” she laughed, her sweet face
+glowing with pleasure. “It seems to me that we have much better times
+since we knew you, Frank. I am certain we are far happier. I am so glad
+we found you!”</p>
+
+<p>“And I am glad, Nellie!” Merry declared. “It would have been lonely
+living here, and you have brightened my life like sunshine bursting
+through a cloud.”</p>
+
+<p>She came near him, her hands clasped, her sightless eyes turned upon
+his face, as if she could see.</p>
+
+<p>“I love to hear you talk,” she murmured. “You have such a pleasant
+voice, and you say such beautiful things.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_129"></a>129</span> Anyone would know there was
+nothing bad in your heart just to hear you speak.”</p>
+
+<p>“I hope there is nothing bad in my heart, Nellie,” he said, with deep
+earnestness. “It is our duty to keep our hearts free from all evil, but
+sometimes I find it necessary to fight to do so.”</p>
+
+<p>“But you fight so bravely I am sure you’ll never be conquered.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you, dear little Nell,” he said, taking both her hands and
+looking down at her face. “Your confidence in me will help me in the
+battle of life. I am at the foot of the ladder now, but some day I may
+mount to the top. If I do, I shall not forget my little companions of
+my days of misfortune.”</p>
+
+<p>“How good you are!” she murmured. “Oh, how I long to see your face!”</p>
+
+<p>“Some day, as true as it is possible, you shall!” he cried. “I cannot
+believe you are fated to be blind forever. The money is coming in
+slowly, but it is coming. Pretty soon you will have enough to travel to
+New York, and have the great specialist treat you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes! yes!” she fluttered. “The money never came in so fast as it has
+since we met you. Jack says each night that the time is growing shorter
+and shorter. I can remember something about the way things look. I
+remember the flowers, and I love them so much! They are like fairies,
+decked out in all their fancy dresses. Sometimes Jack, who knows how
+dearly I love them&mdash;sometimes he brings me home a few. Then I put
+them in water, and I sit by them, and smell them, and touch them, and
+whisper<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_130"></a>130</span> to them. It seems that they must hear and understand me.”</p>
+
+<p>Her face was bright as she was speaking, but, of a sudden, it became
+shadowed and saddened.</p>
+
+<p>“But, for all I can do,” she went on, mournfully, “they wither and die
+at last. And that hurts me so! I cry over them, and it makes brother
+feel bad, and he says he will not bring me any more flowers. It doesn’t
+seem right that beautiful things should fade and die. Oh, why is it so?”</p>
+
+<p>“It is the law of nature,” said Frank, gently. “All things must have an
+end, but nothing perishes. The flower turns to dust, and from the dust
+another flower springs perhaps. Something comes from it. There is a
+constant and continual change, but nothing really perishes.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, yes; Jack and I have talked of that. Sometimes we speak of the
+loss of our dear mother, for she seemed to fade like a flower, and he
+says we shall find her again&mdash;some time.”</p>
+
+<p>“It is a beautiful belief,” said Frank. “But you are getting sad,
+little Nell; and we are to be happy to-night, you know.”</p>
+
+<p>Then he cheered her up till soon she was laughing.</p>
+
+<p>Jack came to the door and cried:</p>
+
+<p>“Ready for the feast. The coffee is cooked, and the biscuits will be
+done in four minutes.”</p>
+
+<p>“Wait,” said Frank. “I want to slip out to the street for something. I
+will be back directly.”</p>
+
+<p>He seized his hat and went out. At the corner he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_131"></a>131</span> passed a man who was
+standing back in the deep shadow. He did not pay any attention to the
+man.</p>
+
+<p>At a fruit store Frank purchased some oranges and bananas. With them he
+hurried back.</p>
+
+<p>The man near the corner slunk deep into a doorway as he passed, and
+then stepped out and followed him lightly.</p>
+
+<p>“Here we are!” cried Frank, gayly, as he deposited the fruit on the
+table. “To-night we will have a treat.”</p>
+
+<p>Everything was ready, and they sat down. Little Nell folded her hands
+and asked a blessing, while Frank and Jack bowed their heads. Jack
+started to pour the
+<a name="coffee" id="coffee"></a>
+<ins title="Original has 'tea'">coffee</ins>.
+All at once he stopped and stared at
+his sister.</p>
+
+<p>“Gracious, Nellie!” he cried. “You never looked so much like mother
+before! Why, somehow you look just like her as you sit there at that
+end of the table. You should have seen her, Frank. She was a beautiful
+woman.”</p>
+
+<p>“Get her picture,” said the girl&mdash;“get it and show it to him.”</p>
+
+<p>Jack sat down the coffee pot and hopped away into the other room. He
+quickly returned with a photograph, which he gave to Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Merry looked at the picture, and, indeed, the blind girl showed a
+strong resemblance to the sad-faced, beautiful woman.</p>
+
+<p>Rap! rap! rap!&mdash;a heavy knock on the door.</p>
+
+<p>Little Nell uttered a startled exclamation, and then the door was flung
+open.</p>
+
+<p>Outside stood a dark-faced man, whom Frank recognized instantly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_132"></a>132</span>
+It was old Joe Hicks!</p>
+
+<p>“It’s the man who followed us!” cried the lame boy, in a flutter of
+excitement.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xxiii">CHAPTER XXIII.<br />
+<span>AN UNWELCOME RELATION.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Frank had risen to his feet and he took a step toward the door.</p>
+
+<p>From the lips of the blind girl came another cry, one of fear.</p>
+
+<p>Frank turned to her.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t be afraid,” he said, reassuringly. “He shall not harm anyone
+here.”</p>
+
+<p>Then he demanded to know what the man wanted.</p>
+
+<p>Hicks showed his teeth.</p>
+
+<p>“So this is where you stop?” he said. “Well, I’m glad I found that out,
+but it was them others I came to see.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you want of them?”</p>
+
+<p>The engineer stepped into the room, but Merry halted him with a sharp
+word.</p>
+
+<p>“Stand where you are! You are an intruder here!”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, don’t put on airs!” snarled old Joe, and Frank saw the man had
+been drinking. “I know my business.”</p>
+
+<p>“State it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, a man gets queer notions in his head sometimes, and when I saw
+the face of that gal I was hit by a queer<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_133"></a>133</span> one. I tried to talk with
+her, but she got skeered. I want to know what her name is. Won’t you
+tell me your name, little gal?”</p>
+
+<p>Nell hesitated, trembling slightly. Her brother had his arm about her
+now, and was speaking reassuring words to her.</p>
+
+<p>“Why should she tell you her name?” demanded Frank, a strange feeling
+of apprehension assailing him.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m not doin’ my business with you!” grated the man. “I’ll look after
+you some other time.”</p>
+
+<p>“You may have to do some business with me now, for I am the friend and
+protector of this boy and girl.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, you are? Well, who made ye so? You’re not old enough to be their
+guardian.”</p>
+
+<p>“I am old enough to look out for them, and I shall see that they come
+to no harm.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’re a pretty swift young chap for a common engine wiper. Soon as
+you get out from work at night you swell round in good clothes, as if
+you was the son of a millionaire. Where do ye get all your money to do
+that?”</p>
+
+<p>“That is none of your business!” returned Merry, warmly.</p>
+
+<p>“Ain’t, eh? Well, I reckon I can tell ye. You sponge it out of this
+boy and gal you are protectin’. They must pick up lots of money on the
+street, and you get it.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s not true!” cried the lame boy, his eyes flashing. “Mr. Merriwell
+does not get one cent of it!”</p>
+
+<p>“No! no! no!” exclaimed the girl. “He helps us! He is so good to us!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_134"></a>134</span>
+“He’s playin’ his game pretty slick,” declared old Joe, “but he ain’t
+your friend for nothin’.”</p>
+
+<p>Then the man obtained a fair view of the picture in Frank’s hand. With
+remarkable swiftness he snatched it, and then, holding it in both
+hands, he stood staring at it, his face working strangely.</p>
+
+<p>Merriwell had started to take the picture from the man, but he stopped,
+astonished by the expression on the face of Hicks.</p>
+
+<p>The engineer looked from the picture to the face of the girl. He seemed
+comparing the two. At last he hoarsely asked:</p>
+
+<p>“Is this the picture of your mother, gal?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sir,” Nell faintly answered.</p>
+
+<p>“Then you are my niece, for it is the picture of my own sister!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank Merriwell started, as if he had been struck a blow. Both the boy
+and girl uttered cries of astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>“It can’t be that you are our uncle!” said little Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“I am Joseph Hicks,” said the engineer, “and Mary Hicks, your mother,
+was my sister.”</p>
+
+<p>“That was mother’s name before she married father,” confessed the boy.
+“But it does not seem possible that you&mdash;are&mdash;her&mdash;brother. You are not
+a bit like her.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I’m her brother. That’s why I follered ye. I saw in your
+sister’s face the resemblance to Mary. It was so remarkable that I
+could not help following you about. She is dead?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sir.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_135"></a>135</span>
+“And Dave Norton?”</p>
+
+<p>“He is dead, too.”</p>
+
+<p>“Good thing! Never liked him. He was too stuck up. He wouldn’t take a
+drink, or do anything like other people. I’m glad he’s dead.”</p>
+
+<p>“Sir,” cried the boy, “he was my father!”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s no credit to you. But you’re orphans now&mdash;all alone in the
+world.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not all alone.”</p>
+
+<p>“No? How’s that?”</p>
+
+<p>“We have Mr. Merriwell.”</p>
+
+<p>“Rot! I’m your uncle. It’s my duty to look after ye. I’ll take care of
+ye, and of the money ye make, too. Ha! ha! ha!”</p>
+
+<p>The lame boy looked appealingly at Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“You may be their uncle,” said Merry, “but you are not yet their
+guardian. There is the door.”</p>
+
+<p>“What of it?” snarled old Joe. “You can’t drive me out! I won’t go! I’m
+goin’ to take charge of these orphans.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not yet.”</p>
+
+<p>“I will!”</p>
+
+<p>“Not till the law gives you the right. Go!”</p>
+
+<p>Then the man appealed to the children.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m your uncle. You must mind me. You can’t refuse.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I am so afraid of him!” half sobbed little Nell, clinging to her
+brother.</p>
+
+<p>“What do you say, Jack?” asked Frank. “Shall he go?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_136"></a>136</span>
+“Yes!” cried the boy, straightening up. “He looks like a bad man, and
+he talks like one. Sister is afraid of him. He must go!”</p>
+
+<p>“You hear,” said Merry to Hicks.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I hear,” he snarled; “but I will not go! I stand on my rights.
+You’re not going to have the money they make to blow for clothes! I’ll
+take care of it.”</p>
+
+<p>“And squander it for liquor. You shall not do that. If you do not go at
+once, I shall throw you out.”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t you dare put a hand on me!”</p>
+
+<p>Old Joe looked dangerous then, but Frank advanced on him. The man flung
+down the picture and reached toward a pocket. With a leap, Merry was on
+him and had him by the neck.</p>
+
+<p>“You dog!” said Frank. “You deserve to be jailed! You are thoroughly
+evil! Out you go!”</p>
+
+<p>There was a struggle, during which the man drew something bright from
+his pocket. Little Jack uttered a shrill cry and leaped forward,
+swinging his crutch. With that weapon, the boy knocked the knife from
+the man’s hand, and it fell clattering to the floor.</p>
+
+<p>“Aha!” grated the engineer. “He saved ye that time!”</p>
+
+<p>When Frank realized that the man had attempted his life, he was
+furious. With wonderful strength, he lifted old Joe, ran him out into
+the passage, reached the head of the stairs, and threw him down.</p>
+
+<p>Bump! thump! bang!</p>
+
+<p>The man bounced down the stairs, and struck in the darkness at the
+bottom.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_137"></a>137</span>
+“Get out!” cried Frank. “I am coming down, and I’ll throw you out if
+you are there when I reach the bottom!”</p>
+
+<p>The man gathered himself and made haste to get away before Frank could
+reach him, but he retreated swearing vengeance.</p>
+
+<p>Frank turned and ascended the stairs. In the room, little Nell was
+sobbing in the arms of her brother.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xxiv">CHAPTER XXIV.<br />
+<span>FRANK EXACTS A PROMISE.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The very next day old Joe appeared at the roundhouse, although his week
+was not up. He took care to keep out of Ganzell’s sight, but he hung
+around.</p>
+
+<p>“Phwat th’ divvil is he up to?” asked Larry Logan. “He’s apt to git
+another wake off av th’ ould marn sees him.”</p>
+
+<p>Some of the men spoke to old Joe, but he snarled at them in reply, so
+they quickly decided to let him alone.</p>
+
+<p>Hicks was seen in the vicinity of 33, and Logan got a fancy that he
+contemplated some trick with the engine.</p>
+
+<p>Frank Merriwell was busy at work, and he paid no attention to his enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Hicks showed he was still drinking, for he was in his shirt sleeves,
+not even having worn a coat to the roundhouse.</p>
+
+<p>Frank’s work often took him outside the building, sometimes to turn the
+table, sometimes to do other things.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_138"></a>138</span>
+No. 33 was being run by a spare man, who appeared as the time
+approached for her to go out. The fireman was on hand in advance, and
+had steam up.</p>
+
+<p>It happened that Frank Merriwell was on his way to the roundhouse from
+another building when the time came for old Joe’s engine to come out.
+He was walking near the track just as 33 glided out of the door.</p>
+
+<p>There were several persons about, and Merry was paying very little
+attention to any of them. He was attending strictly to his business, as
+was his habit.</p>
+
+<p>As old 33 came along, Frank received a heavy jolt that threw him on the
+track directly in front of her pilot!</p>
+
+<p>Had the engine been running a trifle faster, or had Frank been less
+nimble, the life of the young wiper would have been crushed out beneath
+the wheels then and there. As it was, the pilot brushed Merry as he
+scrambled from the track.</p>
+
+<p>Frank leaped to his feet, quivering all over with anger.</p>
+
+<p>Whoever the man was, he was on the other side of the engine at that
+moment, but Merry would know quickly.</p>
+
+<p>The fireman of 33 had been running her out. He saw Merriwell knocked
+down before her nose, and threw back the lever, although he realized
+it was too late to save the youth by his efforts to stop the engine. A
+moment later, he saw Frank was safe from harm, and he sent her ahead
+again.</p>
+
+<p>Then, as the engine passed on, Frank leaped across the track and sprang
+after a man who was walking swiftly away.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_139"></a>139</span>
+“Here!” he cried, and his hand fell on old Joe Hicks’ shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>The engineer turned, uttering a snarl. His face was white and his eyes
+staring. It was plain enough that he was completely unstrung at that
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>“So it was you who tried to kill me in that cowardly manner!” cried
+Frank, his eyes blazing. “Well, that is even worse than I expected of
+you!”</p>
+
+<p>“What d’yer mean?” hoarsely demanded the man.</p>
+
+<p>“I mean that you knocked me onto the track in front of 33, which was a
+deliberate and criminal attempt to kill me!”</p>
+
+<p>“You lie!”</p>
+
+<p>“It is true!”</p>
+
+<p>“I say you lie!”</p>
+
+<p>“And I say you lie, Hicks!” growled a hoarse voice, and Old Slugs came
+up. “I saw the whole thing, an’ I’ll swear you done it on purpose.”</p>
+
+<p>“You?” Hicks hissed. “Why, you’re a fool! You ain’t got no reason to
+love this youngster! You’d oughter be glad ter see him knocked out.”</p>
+
+<p>“Mebbe I had, but I’m no murderer, an’ I don’t care ter ’sociate with
+murderers. Merriwell gave me a hammerin’, but he done it fair, an’ I
+ain’t doin’ him dirt in return.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’re a fool!” Hicks again hissed.</p>
+
+<p>“All ther same, I reckon my word will stand if I have ter tell what I
+jest saw you do. You’ll git scarce mighty quick round this shop when
+the old man hears of that.”</p>
+
+<p>“You hear!” came from Frank. “I have the proof!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_140"></a>140</span>
+“All right!” panted the desperate engineer. “I can live. I’ll take care
+of my nevvy and niece. If I’m out of work, I can look arter them all
+the better.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank started. So that was what Hicks would do. He would force himself
+on the lame boy and the blind girl by right of relationship. He would
+take the money they made on the street, and he would spend it for drink.</p>
+
+<p>A sudden idea came to Merry.</p>
+
+<p>“Look here, Mr. Hicks,” he said, “on one condition I will agree not to
+make a charge against you.”</p>
+
+<p>“What’s that?”</p>
+
+<p>“You are to let little Jack and his sister quite alone. You are not
+even to claim them as relations, or try to see them.”</p>
+
+<p>“Think I’ll do that?”</p>
+
+<p>“If you don’t, I’ll swear you tried to kill me to-day, and I have the
+proof. You were seen by Mr. Hall and by the fireman on 33. You will
+lose your job on this road. You will be discharged in disgrace, and it
+will not be easy for you to get a job anywhere else. When they ask you
+why you left the last place, you’ll have to lie. Perhaps they will know
+why you left. You may be blacklisted.”</p>
+
+<p>Old Joe’s face turned almost green, while his lips seemed dry and
+parched. He stood before Frank Merriwell, half cowering, half defiant,
+like a tiger driven at bay.</p>
+
+<p>“Choose!” commanded Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t like the idea of letting you have your way with the kids.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_141"></a>141</span>
+“Choose!”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, well, you could fix me if you went and told that stuff to the old
+man. It was all an accident, but&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“Choose!”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t care a rap about the kids anyway. You needn’t worry about me
+botherin’ them.”</p>
+
+<p>“You give your word not to trouble them?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“You will not even try to see them? Promise that.”</p>
+
+<p>“I promise.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right. I will not make a complaint against you.”</p>
+
+<p>“But I may,” growled Old Slugs, who did not seem at all satisfied.</p>
+
+<p>“No!” exclaimed Frank, quickly. “You must not!”</p>
+
+<p>“I ain’t makin’ any promises.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, blow ye!” grated Hicks. “You don’t dare!”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I do,” returned Old Slugs, sullenly. “I don’t like you none too
+well, and I’d as lives see you get out of here as not. It’s my duty to
+report what I saw, an’ I’m goin’ to do my duty.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ah&mdash;a&mdash;ah! You’re thunderin’ particular about your duty all to once! I
+won’t forgit it. I’ll have a score to settle with you!”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll keep watch for ye better than Merriwell did. You won’t get the
+chance on me.”</p>
+
+<p>“But you shall not report this affair, Mr. Hall,” came firmly from
+Frank’s lips.</p>
+
+<p>“Who says so?”</p>
+
+<p>“I do.”</p>
+
+<p>“But you ain’t got any right to say so.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_142"></a>142</span>
+“All the same, I do. If you report it, I’ll&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>Frank hesitated, and Old Slugs quickly asked:</p>
+
+<p>“What’ll you do?”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll give you another thrashing, and it will be worse than the first!”
+flared Frank, looking as if he were ready to start in on the job at
+that moment. “I’ll fix you so you will not work for more than one day!”</p>
+
+<p>It was plain enough that Frank meant exactly what he said. Old Slugs
+could not doubt it.</p>
+
+<p>“Why,” said Hall, “I’m your friend now. I came here and stood by you in
+this matter against Hicks.”</p>
+
+<p>“You are not my friend if you say a word about it to the old man. You
+will be my enemy.”</p>
+
+<p>“You must be foolish! If Hicks stays here, he’ll get at you ag’in, and
+he may do me, too. The only safe thing for us now is to report him, and
+then he’ll be fired.”</p>
+
+<p>“I will take my chances. As for you, you can’t be afraid of him, for
+you can handle him. Give him another show. Perhaps he will appreciate
+it.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right, if you say so, but it seems like a fool trick.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ll keep mum?”</p>
+
+<p>“If you say so.”</p>
+
+<p>“I do. I have your promise. Do not break it.”</p>
+
+<p>Old Slugs went away grumbling and growling, and Frank turned to the
+engineer.</p>
+
+<p>“I have saved you from being discharged,” he said. “Of that there can
+be no doubt. All I ask of you in return is that you let Jack and Nellie
+entirely alone.”</p>
+
+<p>Hicks nodded.</p>
+
+<p>“If you do not,” cried Frank, his fine eyes flashing, “by<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_143"></a>143</span> the eternal
+skies, I’ll make you regret the day you ever saw them! That is all.”</p>
+
+<p>Then he turned and walked into the roundhouse to go about his work.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xxv">CHAPTER XXV.<br />
+<span>ON A SWITCH ENGINE.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Two days later Frank was working in the yard when Sam Hobson, a yard
+engineer, came up behind him and addressed him.</p>
+
+<p>“Is your name Frank Merriwell?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“I want you.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank went over to the grimy-looking man who had spoken to him. Engine
+91, used for switching purposes, was ready to go out of the roundhouse.</p>
+
+<p>“Get inter the cab there,” said the man, motioning for Frank to climb
+up.</p>
+
+<p>Merriwell was amazed, and he hesitated, saying:</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Ganzell&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t you worry about Mr. Ganzell, but do as I told you. He sent me
+for a man. Get inter the cab.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank hesitated no longer, although he was filled with wonder.</p>
+
+<p>Often when short of firemen the yard engineers would take one of the
+wipers, but it did not seem possible to Frank that he had been selected
+for such work.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_144"></a>144</span>
+Merry swung up into the cab, and Hobson leisurely followed. Several
+wipers stared in astonishment, not one of them regarding it as possible
+that the boy who had been at work in the roundhouse but a short time
+had been chosen to fire on 91.</p>
+
+<p>The engineer glanced at the gauge, and then looked to see that
+everything was in place.</p>
+
+<p>“Ring,” he said, for he had received the signal to go ahead.</p>
+
+<p>Frank pulled the bell-rope, and Hobson opened her up a little and let
+off the brake. Then 91 ran out of the roundhouse into the yard, and was
+switched onto a certain track.</p>
+
+<p>“Keep the gauge about where she is now,” said the engineer.</p>
+
+<p>Then Frank knew he had been selected to fire on that engine for the
+time being, at least. His heart gave a great leap of joy, but he simply
+and calmly said:</p>
+
+<p>“All right, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank was nervous. It was not the first time he had been on an engine,
+for he had sought the friendship of the engineers, and had found
+opportunities to ride about the switches and watch the work, but never
+yet had he flung a shovel of coal in at a furnace door. He had watched
+and studied, feeling sure that his time would come, and all his life it
+had been his way to pick up all the knowledge he could obtain, knowing
+that almost anything a man learns comes of practical use some time.</p>
+
+<p>Open came the furnace door and Merry gave a glance at the glowing heap
+within. Then he seized the shovel,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_145"></a>145</span> and, feeling stronger than ever
+before in his life, began to fling in the coal, giving each shovelful
+a dextrous flirt that scattered and distributed it evenly. When he
+thought he had shoveled enough, he closed the door with a clang.</p>
+
+<p>Hobson said not a word, but just then, having received another signal,
+he reversed, and 91 started backward along the track. Up to the leather
+seat went Frank, and he rang the bell as the engine backed along the
+track.</p>
+
+<p>In a very few minutes 91 was busy pushing and hauling cars about and
+moving them from one track to another.</p>
+
+<p>For nearly an hour Hobson had nothing to say, and Frank made no talk,
+for his mind was on the various tasks it was his duty to perform. He
+seemed to know exactly what to do, and not once did the engineer have
+to give him directions.</p>
+
+<p>Then came a few minutes of leisure when 91 was not busy. Hobson caught
+up a black pipe and lighted it. As he was rolling great puffs of
+blue-white smoke out of his mouth, he shut one eye in a queer way and
+stared at his companion with the other.</p>
+
+<p>“Humph!” he grunted. “When did you fire before?”</p>
+
+<p>Frank flushed, for there seemed a trace of derision in the voice and
+manner of the man.</p>
+
+<p>“I never fired before, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“What!”</p>
+
+<p>“That is true. This is my first attempt.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’re pretty young. Ain’t twenty-one yet?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“How long have you worked wiping?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_146"></a>146</span>
+“Almost four weeks.”</p>
+
+<p>“No longer than that?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“Humph!” grunted Hobson again, pulling away at the black pipe with an
+expression of deep satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed that the engineer doubted Merry’s statements, which made
+Frank feel rather resentful.</p>
+
+<p>After a brief silence, Hobson spoke again.</p>
+
+<p>“You’re the chap that thrashed Old Slugs?”</p>
+
+<p>“I had a fight with the man.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ya-as, I heard about it. Everybody was astonished. Said a boy licked
+him, and he’s a tough nut. How’d you do it?”</p>
+
+<p>“With my fists, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“Of course, but I don’t understand it. You’re a queer case. I wondered
+why the old man told me to take you to fire to-day.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank started.</p>
+
+<p>“Then you were told to take me?”</p>
+
+<p>“Ya-as. Ganzell told me to find the youngest wiper in the house and
+take him. Said his name was Frank Merriwell. I wouldn’t have picked you
+if it hadn’t been for that.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank’s heart was filled with gratitude, for he realized that Ganzell
+had given him this opportunity, which would not, in the natural order
+of things, have come to him in a long time.</p>
+
+<p>Ganzell had seemed to pay very little attention to Merry, but, in
+truth, he was watching him closely. It did not take him long to
+discover that the youth was built of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_147"></a>147</span> the right material, and, although
+Frank did not know it, the foreman gave him all sorts of opportunities
+for learning things.</p>
+
+<p>And now, before the first month was up, Frank had been selected to fire
+on a switch engine!</p>
+
+<p>He knew the position might be simply temporary, and that there was a
+chance for him to go back wiping engines, but the mere fact that he had
+been chosen once, if he proved competent, was enough to pave the way to
+a regular job as fireman.</p>
+
+<p>Hobson started in to find out how much Frank really knew. He asked
+Merry a hundred questions about the different parts of a locomotive,
+and about handling one, and, with very few exceptions, the youth
+answered correctly.</p>
+
+<p>“Well,” said the engineer, “you know as much in certain ways about a
+locomotive as some men who have been running ’em for years. How you
+found out so much in a short time is what sticks me.”</p>
+
+<p>“I have been studying a book on locomotive engineering,” explained
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, that’s it! Well, what you want to study now is an engine, and let
+your book alone. We’ve got the signal to run out onto the main track.
+Here, see if you can run her out.”</p>
+
+<p>Then he stepped away and gave up the lever to Frank.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_148"></a>148</span>
+<h2 id="xxvi">CHAPTER XXVI.<br />
+<span>CAPTURING A WILD ENGINE.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Frank ran the engine out all right, although it startled him somewhat
+to feel her go the instant he touched the throttle. He knew how she
+ought to be handled, but found it rather confusing when he came to do
+it himself. The throttle, reverse lever and brake seemed to be in each
+other’s way, and he could not find them with his hands without looking
+for them, something that is a dead giveaway for a greenhorn.</p>
+
+<p>Hobson talked to Frank, telling him just how everything should be done,
+and he permitted Frank to handle the engine for some time, although
+some of his criticisms were rather cutting.</p>
+
+<p>Occasionally Frank caught himself in the act of giving her steam when
+he should have reversed her first, and the laughter of Hobson was not
+calculated to make him any cooler. Still, after a time, he began to
+grow more confident, and the engineer ceased laughing and criticising.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of an hour, Hobson said:</p>
+
+<p>“You’ll be a winner all right, young man; but you want to let booze
+alone.”</p>
+
+<p>“I do not touch it, sir,” answered Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s all right. By booze I mean everything&mdash;beer and all.”</p>
+
+<p>“I never drink beer.”</p>
+
+<p>“With your color? Not when you are thirsty?”</p>
+
+<p>“Never.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_149"></a>149</span>
+“Hum! Where did you work before you came here?”</p>
+
+<p>“I was in college, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“College? And you never worked anywhere else?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“What college?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yale.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then you used to drink?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, all them college chaps drink! They’re a wild crowd, and they
+don’t do a thing but steam up at times. You must have had your little
+toots with the boys.”</p>
+
+<p>“If by ‘little toots’ you mean drunks, you are mistaken. I suppose I
+have had as much sport as anybody, but I never took a drink of beer or
+liquor in my life!”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you’re a wonder! But you’ll have to look out now. Railroad men
+are worked pretty hard, especially firemen and engineers, and many of
+them brace up by drinking, especially when they have not had a wink of
+sleep for twenty-four hours, as sometimes happens. You’ll be tempted to
+do that some time.”</p>
+
+<p>“I do not think so, sir; but, if I am tempted, I shall resist.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s right,” nodded Hobson, gravely. “If you never take your first
+drink, you’ll be all right. I would have been myself. I was a passenger
+engineer once, and now I am on a switch engine. What put me here?
+Rum! Couldn’t let booze alone. I don’t like to talk about it, for it
+makes me feel ugly. I’ve sworn off a thousand times, but it’s no use.
+I always break over. You see I know<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_150"></a>150</span> so many of the boys who take
+something. After I have been without it a long time, I get a hankering
+to do something. Then I run into some of the men. I think I won’t
+drink, but the man who has done so once is always tempted. His friends
+say that a little snifter will do him good. He ain’t lookin’ well, and
+he thinks he ain’t feeling well. He says he’ll just take a small one as
+medicine. Then it’s all off. That small one starts him in again, and
+he’s just as bad off as he was before. Yes, if you never take the first
+one, you’ll be all right, and you will get somewhere in the world.
+Drink is what holds men down. It keeps them from rising. It wastes
+their money and keeps them poor. It makes hard times for the laborer.
+Oh, I know! I know all about the man who gets plumb full, loses his
+job, and curses the hard times.”</p>
+
+<p>The man’s manner, as much as his words, showed how deeply he felt what
+he was saying.</p>
+
+<p>It was not necessary to read Frank Merriwell a temperance lecture.
+He fully realized the truth of Hobson’s words. Years before he had
+promised his dying mother that he would not drink, and although he had
+been greatly tempted, that promise had never been broken.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, when the work slackened somewhat, Hobson swung down from the
+engine and went into the yardmaster’s office, saying he would be back
+in a minute.</p>
+
+<p>The main track was clear, and Hobson had not been gone a minute when
+Frank was directed to run up past the freight house and change onto
+another switch. This was to be done on the main track, as no trains
+were due.</p>
+
+<p>But just as 91 was running along the main track past<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_151"></a>151</span> the freight
+house, the operator came jumping out of the little office, showing
+great excitement.</p>
+
+<p>“Get off the track!” he cried. “Clear the track. There is a wild engine
+coming, and she ought to be here now!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank’s heart gave a leap. A wild engine was coming, and he was on the
+main track.</p>
+
+<p>“Which way is she coming?” he cried.</p>
+
+<p>“East.”</p>
+
+<p>She was behind him.</p>
+
+<p>“Here she comes!”</p>
+
+<p>The operator waved his arms and shouted. Looking over the tender Frank
+saw the wild engine just rounding a curve in the distance. Then he
+opened up, and 91 jumped ahead.</p>
+
+<p>Frank thought he might get down past the switch, and back onto the
+first siding, thus letting the wild engine pass. He was going to make
+the attempt.</p>
+
+<p>But, as he approached the switch, he saw that the tender was not on
+hand, although he had whistled for the man.</p>
+
+<p>Another look back told Merry he had not a moment to spare if he would
+get out of the way of the runaway engine. He thought he might be able
+to stop 91, jump off, open the switch, get on again, and back out of
+harm’s way. Then he saw that he might not be able to do the trick, and,
+even if he did succeed, he could not leave the engine again in time to
+throw the switch and save the runaway from being wrecked.</p>
+
+<p>In such a position it was necessary to think swiftly. There was one
+thing he could do.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_152"></a>152</span>
+He could run away from the wild engine if he could keep up steam.</p>
+
+<p>Now the engine was close upon him, and he hooked 91 up another notch.
+Down past the first switch he ran, bidding farewell to the hope of
+backing in and leaving a clear track.</p>
+
+<p>“I must stop the runaway!”</p>
+
+<p>He muttered the words and his jaws squared. Now that he was in a
+position of peril, he never felt cooler in his life. Again he looked
+back at the oncoming engine, calmly measuring the distance between them.</p>
+
+<p>He wondered why the operator had not received notice before of the
+runaway, but there was little time then to speculate on that point.</p>
+
+<p>As he looked back, he became aware that the runaway was not making much
+over twenty miles an hour. It was evident that her steam was running
+down, and she was nearing the end of her wild trip.</p>
+
+<p>Then Frank became confident. He knew well enough that there was a
+clear track ahead, but it would be necessary to whistle for crossings
+whenever possible. Four miles away was a hard grade.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll stop her there,” he decided.</p>
+
+<p>He set about regulating the speed of 91 so that he could keep clear of
+the runaway, and still the wild engine was permitted to creep nearer
+and nearer.</p>
+
+<p>It gave Frank a creepy feeling to see her coming up silently, without
+sound of bell or whistle, and with no human being in her cab.</p>
+
+<p>When the stretch of woods at the foot of the grade<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_153"></a>153</span> was reached, the
+runaway was not over four rods away. Then Frank permitted her to come
+nearer and nearer till the nose of her pilot was right under the tender
+of 91.</p>
+
+<p>Then Frank left the cab and scrambled back over the tender, swinging
+down onto the pilot of the runaway. He worked swiftly, fearing the wild
+engine might give out and let 91 get away, but this did not happen, and
+he succeeded in coupling the two.</p>
+
+<p>“Hurrah!” he cried, with boyish enthusiasm. “I have her!”</p>
+
+<p>Back along the running board he went and soon was in the cab. He found
+she was hooked up to within one short notch of the center. Her cylinder
+cocks were open.</p>
+
+<p>It did not take Merry a moment to shut off steam, so that the runaway
+was helpless, but in that moment he discovered the cause of the
+runaway&mdash;a weak throttle latch-spring.</p>
+
+<p>Back to 91 Merry made his way, and soon both engines were at a
+standstill. He had successfully captured the runaway.</p>
+
+<p>There was a crowd waiting when Frank backed to the yards with the wild
+engine. Sam Hobson was there, looking pale but relieved, and a gang of
+brakemen and switch-tenders welcomed the hero of the adventure with
+cheer after cheer.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_154"></a>154</span>
+<h2 id="xxvii">CHAPTER XXVII.<br />
+<span>FRANK’S FRIENDS.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>“Well done, boy!” cried Hobson, as he swung into the cab. “No man could
+have done better. But I’ll get it in the neck for being away from the
+engine. I’ll have to lie about it.”</p>
+
+<p>“I beg your pardon, sir,” said Frank; “but I think that would be the
+very worst thing you could do.”</p>
+
+<p>“Hey? Well, you don’t suppose I’m going to tell that I was off to get a
+drink?”</p>
+
+<p>“Was that why you left the engine?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you were reading me a temperance lecture a short time before!”</p>
+
+<p>“I told ye what the cursed stuff does for a man. No one knows better
+than I! Just talkin’ about it made me feel that I must have a swaller.
+I knew where to get it, and I went after it. It was just my luck to
+have something happen to show that I was gone.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank felt like preaching a sermon on luck then and there, but
+refrained.</p>
+
+<p>Hobson wanted to know just how Frank succeeded in stopping the runaway,
+and Merry told him the story briefly.</p>
+
+<p>“That is bound to fix you all right,” said the engineer. “I’ll bet
+anything your days as wiper are over.”</p>
+
+<p>He was right. That night Frank was told to come the following morning
+ready to take a regular job as fireman,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_155"></a>155</span> while Hobson, who was unable
+to satisfactorily account for his absence from 91, was laid off.</p>
+
+<p>The wipers were jealous and angry. Some of them sneered at Merry, but
+the most of them kept still and contented themselves by giving him
+black looks.</p>
+
+<p>The cause of the runaway was explained by the weak throttle
+latch-spring, which had been reported over and over again, but had not
+been replaced, as it should have been. However, somebody had to suffer
+for it, and the man who had charge of her was the one.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was feeling light-hearted as he walked homeward that night, when,
+of a sudden, he remembered that little Nell, the blind girl, was ill.
+He stopped on his way and bought some fruit for her.</p>
+
+<p>The lame boy was sitting at the bedside of his sister when Frank came
+in. There was an eager look on Nellie’s face, for she had heard and
+recognized Frank’s step.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m so glad you have come!” she said, weakly, stretching her arms
+toward him.</p>
+
+<p>He hurried to her, took both her delicate hands in his, and kissed her
+tenderly.</p>
+
+<p>“How is my little girl to-night?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I was so tired&mdash;so tired of lying here!” she answered. “But I am
+better now that you have come. It seemed that you were away such a
+long, long time. It is awfully tiresome to be ill in bed&mdash;and blind.
+Oh, if I could see!”</p>
+
+<p>“You know you are going to be able to see again some time when we get
+together enough money to have the great specialist treat you.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_156"></a>156</span>
+“Yes, I know; but this being ill is using up all the money we have
+saved. Oh, it is such an awful setback!”</p>
+
+<p>“That is worrying her,” said the lame boy, anxiously. “I am afraid it
+keeps her from getting well as fast as she should.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, do not let it worry you any more, little girl,” said Frank. “I
+have been given a new job to-day. I am to be a fireman after this, and
+I shall get better pay. This money business is coming out all right.
+All I want of you is to get well as soon as you can, and that for your
+own sake.”</p>
+
+<p>“But we have no right to take your money&mdash;the money you have to work so
+hard for. No, no; we can’t take that.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, no,” cried the lame boy.</p>
+
+<p>“You leave things to me,” laughed Frank. “It will be all right. Think
+how lonely I should have been if I had not found you for companions. It
+is the greatest pleasure I have in life to aid you.”</p>
+
+<p>“But we can’t take your money.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, no!”</p>
+
+<p>“I do not wish you to take it as a gift,” said Merry. “I will loan it
+to you, you know. It will not be much, anyway. What did the doctor have
+to say to-day?”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, he said I was doing well,” answered little Nell. “He said I was
+not strong, and I came very near having a fever, but I will be all
+right very soon.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, that is encouraging. He told me last night<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_157"></a>157</span> that I might bring
+you some fruit, but you must eat sparingly of it. I bought some as I
+came home.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, how good you are to us!” cried the girl, with a graceful sob. “You
+have such a kind heart! Once it seemed that the world was full of bad,
+cruel people; but, since we met you, I know it is not true.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, Nellie, there is far more good in the world than anything else.
+Human beings are peculiar. Sometimes a person may seem very bad and
+wicked when all it needs is the right influence to develop in him the
+most surprisingly noble qualities. Never lose confidence in human
+nature.”</p>
+
+<p>“That is the way you always talk, Frank, and it makes me feel so
+hopeful and happy. Before I knew you I was often sad, but no one can be
+sad where you are.”</p>
+
+<p>“I never permit myself to be sad for any length of time,” declared
+Frank, “for sadness is one of the greatest causes of failure in the
+world. The person who is always sad and mournful is shunned in business
+as well as in society. He is anything but a pleasant companion, and men
+do not care to deal with him. In almost every case, the real source of
+sadness is feebleness of the soul, and it is the strong soul that wins
+in the battle of life. But I am not going to preach.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I love to hear you talk!” declared the girl, still clinging to his
+hands. “There is always a lesson in what you say. I wonder how it is
+that you know so much.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank laughed.</p>
+
+<p>“You fancy I know so much, that’s all.”</p>
+
+<p>“No. You never say foolish things.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_158"></a>158</span>
+Then Frank blushed, for he thought of his college days, and he knew
+that a thousand foolish things had tripped lightly from his tongue in
+the badinage that prevailed on many an occasion.</p>
+
+<p>“We are glad you have been promoted, Frank,” said the lame boy. “How
+did it happen? I am sure you deserved it.”</p>
+
+<p>Then Frank told all about his capture of the wild engine, but he was
+forced to make the account of the adventure as mild as possible, for
+little Nell grew very excited over the thrilling parts.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I knew you would stop it!” she exclaimed. “It is just like you!
+You always do such things.”</p>
+
+<p>“I might not if I had been able to get off the main line onto the
+switch,” laughed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I believe you would&mdash;I believe you would have followed and
+captured the engine.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank felt that it was an inspiration to know some one had such
+confidence in him. The person who knows brave and noble things are
+expected of him is more likely to be brave and noble than one who
+realizes that no one has confidence in him.</p>
+
+<p>Little Jack hopped about getting supper ready, while Frank sat beside
+the bed and talked to Nellie. While he was near her face bore an
+expression of perfect contentment and happiness. To him she was just
+a dear, frail, little child who had found a place in his heart by her
+innocence and her gentleness. To her he was the one great hero of whom
+she had dreamed, and she loved and revered him more than words could
+express.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_159"></a>159</span>
+Sometimes she had longed to ask him many questions about himself, but
+she had been afraid to do so, and, for the most part, he had remained
+silent. Now, however, she plucked up courage enough to ask some
+questions, and Frank told her about his early school days, about his
+mother who was dead, about his life at Fardale and Yale, and about the
+two girls, Inza Burrage and Elsie Bellwood, who had been so dear to him.</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke of Inza and Elsie, her hands gripped his fingers a bit
+tighter, and it seemed that her blind eyes were looking into his with a
+wistful expression. She showed the deepest interest then, and, when he
+ceased speaking, she asked him to describe both girls to her.</p>
+
+<p>He did so, telling of Inza first. She listened, seeming to hush her
+breathing, so eager was she. When he had finished describing Inza’s
+striking beauty and spirited ways, a sigh escaped the listener’s
+lips&mdash;a sight of relief.</p>
+
+<p>“Ah!” she said, with a faint smile; “you cared for her because she was
+so handsome.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, no!” cried Frank, quickly. “Inza is a splendid girl. She is a girl
+of whom any fellow would be proud.”</p>
+
+<p>“I believe that, but still&mdash;&mdash; Tell me of Elsie.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know how to describe her,” he declared. “She is so different
+from Inza.”</p>
+
+<p>Then, faltering at first, but growing eloquent as he proceeded, he
+described the blue-eyed, golden-haired girl who had been Inza’s rival.
+His voice was full of music and tenderness, and, all unconscious to
+himself, his words<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_160"></a>160</span> became poetic. As he proceeded, he felt little
+Nell’s hands trembling in his grasp.</p>
+
+<p>At last he finished, and there was a little silence.</p>
+
+<p>“Frank,” said the blind girl, with something like a sob, “you love
+Elsie!”</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xxviii">CHAPTER XXVIII.<br />
+<span>FIRING A FREIGHT ENGINE.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The next morning Frank came to the roundhouse at an early hour, for
+he knew it was his duty to have his engine ready when the engineer
+appeared.</p>
+
+<p>Old Slugs came up and said:</p>
+
+<p>“I’m glad for ye, boy, but the gang is mighty sore, and ye’ll have your
+troubles. They don’t like to have a man push in over them the way you
+have done.”</p>
+
+<p>“I have simply taken things that came my way,” declared Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s all right, but it don’t make no difference. They hate ye just
+as bad for havin’ the chance.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I can’t help that.”</p>
+
+<p>“Of course not. They think I ought to make a kick, but I ain’t sore,
+and I think you got the place because you was smart, as well as lucky.
+You and I ain’t never had no trouble since that first time, have we?”</p>
+
+<p>“No.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, we won’t. I wish ye good luck.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_161"></a>161</span>
+“Thank you, Mr. Hall.”</p>
+
+<p>Old Slugs slouched away to his work, and, ten minutes later, Frank was
+set to getting Engine 33 ready.</p>
+
+<p>Merry started when he was put onto that engine, for it was run by his
+worst enemy on the road, old Joe Hicks, the uncle of the lame boy and
+blind girl.</p>
+
+<p>Old Joe had tried in every way possible to injure Merry, but had failed
+in every attempt.</p>
+
+<p>Not a word did Frank say, but climbed onto the engine and went to work
+making her ready. He knew there would be a warm time when the engineer
+appeared.</p>
+
+<p>Old Joe came hurrying in and climbed aboard the engine without noticing
+Frank. When he saw Merry he stopped short, stared at him a moment, and
+uttered a curse.</p>
+
+<p>“What’re you doin’ here?” he snarled, looking as if he longed to fly at
+the youth.</p>
+
+<p>“Getting this engine ready to go out,” was the calm answer.</p>
+
+<p>“The deuce you are! What’s the matter with Bob?”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know. All I know is that I was put onto this engine to fire.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I’m blowed if I’ll have it! Get off!”</p>
+
+<p>“No, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“This is my engine, and&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“You run her, but you don’t own her.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll never run her an inch with you on board.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right. But your chances of running her any more is mighty small if
+you stick to that.”</p>
+
+<p>“You talk as if you owned the road.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_162"></a>162</span>
+Frank was silent, for he did not care to waste his breath on the man
+unnecessarily, and he felt that he had said quite enough. Old Joe
+snarled at him, and threatened him, but Frank remained unruffled.</p>
+
+<p>“You don’t know how to fire, anyway,” declared the man. “Why, you’ve
+been at work less than a month. I need a good man on my engine, and
+I’ll have one.”</p>
+
+<p>“Anyone would think you were running a passenger engine to hear you
+talk,” said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s harder runnin’ a freight engine, as you’d know, if you knew
+anything. You have to dodge all the passenger trains on the line, and
+you get the devil if you don’t make time. I’m blowed if I’ll keep you
+on this engine.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank decided that the time had come for him to assert himself, so he
+straightened up and faced the engineer, looking him straight in the eye
+as he said:</p>
+
+<p>“Look here, Mr. Hicks, I can fire this engine as well as anybody, and
+I am going to fire her. You can’t frighten me with a lot of talk, and,
+as far as you are concerned, I have heard enough from you. I have stood
+too much from you in times past, and now I tell you what I’ll do. If
+you work against me and get me dropped off this engine, I’ll thrash you
+as I did Old Slugs every day for a year!”</p>
+
+<p>This talk was “square from the shoulder,” and it set the engineer to
+gasping.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I’ll be blowed!” he muttered.</p>
+
+<p>It took him some moments to recover, and then he grated:</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll take her out alone before I’ll have you!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_163"></a>163</span>
+Then he jumped down from the cab and made for the office.</p>
+
+<p>Frank kept about his work, and had 33 ready when old Joe came back,
+looking sour enough. Without a word, he got on and pulled out for the
+train shed.</p>
+
+<p>It was not till they were coupled on and ready to start that Joe spoke.
+Then he growled:</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve got to keep her hot, and if you make me lose time for want of
+steam, I’ll report you to the general manager.”</p>
+
+<p>“That will be all right,” came quietly from Frank. “If you are looking
+for steam, you shall have all you want.”</p>
+
+<p>Then Frank started in to keep the firebox door and the shovel on the
+swing, having resolved to give old Joe what he asked for. The engineer
+sat on his seat and scowled blackly, but said not a word as Frank
+“ladled in the lampblack.”</p>
+
+<p>To Merry’s surprise, he was unable to get up more steam; in fact, the
+gauge dropped off a little, even though he worked like a slave. That
+was something he could not understand, but he thought at first that the
+fault was with him.</p>
+
+<p>Old Joe looked ugly and triumphant.</p>
+
+<p>“I told ye you didn’t know how to fire,” he said, after a while.
+“You’re a slouch.”</p>
+
+<p>“And it is my opinion that you are a pounder,” returned Frank, a trifle
+warmly.</p>
+
+<p>“Ya-ah!” snarled the engineer. “Mebbe you think you can run her better
+than I can?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_164"></a>164</span>
+Up to this time Frank had paid no attention to the manner in which she
+was being run, as all his time had been taken up in shoveling. Now,
+however, he began to watch old Joe on the quiet.</p>
+
+<p>When the first coaling station was reached, it was necessary to stop
+and take on coal and water, although Frank knew well enough that not
+half as much coal should have been used.</p>
+
+<p>After this station was left, Frank resumed the task of keeping the
+shovel swinging as regularly as the pendulum of a clock. All the while,
+however, he was thinking. Something told him that he was being worked
+too hard, but it was not easy for him, a green hand, to discover how it
+was being done.</p>
+
+<p>At last Frank observed that there was a certain notch in the quadrant
+that was worn smooth and bright, but old Joe was not running her there.
+He had her hooked up to a different notch, and he was not cutting off
+when he could help it, but was wasting every ounce of steam that he
+could.</p>
+
+<p>When Merry realized this he began to grow warm.</p>
+
+<p>“Look here, Mr. Hicks,” he said, “I am getting tired of this.”</p>
+
+<p>Old Joe grinned in an ugly way.</p>
+
+<p>“Knew ye would,” he grunted. “You’re too tender.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s not that. But you are making needless work for me just because
+you do not like me. You are not running her right.”</p>
+
+<p>Then the old engineer was furious.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_165"></a>165</span>
+“Drat ye!” he snarled. “Don’t ye talk to me in my own cab like that! I
+won’t stand it!”</p>
+
+<p>Then he leaped on Merry so suddenly that Frank was flung from his feet.
+They went down together, the man on top. He had a wrench in his hand,
+and he swung it aloft.</p>
+
+<p>“Aha! I’ll fix ye now!” he howled.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xxix">CHAPTER XXIX.<br />
+<span>THE FIGHT ON THE ENGINE.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Frank had been taken by surprise at the sudden movement of the
+infuriated engineer. He had not thought Hicks would dare attack him in
+such a manner, and thus he was thrown down in the bottom of the cab,
+with the train running at forty miles an hour.</p>
+
+<p>Old Joe had every advantage, for he had fastened one hand on Frank’s
+throat, and he was strong. The glare in his eyes as he raised the
+wrench was that of a maniac.</p>
+
+<p>Merriwell knew his life was in danger, and it was a good thing for him
+that he was not stunned. Like a flash he squirmed aside, for all of the
+weight of the man.</p>
+
+<p>Bang! the wrench struck the floor on the very spot where Frank’s head
+had been a moment before.</p>
+
+<p>The blow would have crushed Frank’s skull like an eggshell had it
+landed.</p>
+
+<p>“Drat ye!” shouted the engineer, again lifting the wrench. “I’ll do it
+this time!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_166"></a>166</span>
+Frank could not speak, for the fingers of the man were crushing into
+his throat. He could not breathe, and a blur was beginning to come over
+his eyes. He knew that blur might prevent him from dodging the next
+blow, and a desperate sensation seemed to burst through his heart.</p>
+
+<p>“Heaven help me!”</p>
+
+<p>He did not utter the words aloud, for he could not, but it was an
+inward cry.</p>
+
+<p>Then, succeeding in getting one hand free, he reached upward and
+clutched something.</p>
+
+<p>It was old Joe’s wrist.</p>
+
+<p>In a blind way he had stopped the second blow, and, realizing this
+instantly, he held on for dear life.</p>
+
+<p>“No, ye don’t,” snarled the man, as he tried to wrench away. “I’ve got
+ye, and I’ll fix ye!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank held on, although the pressure of those fingers on his throat was
+awful to endure, and it seemed that colored fires were bursting in his
+brain. Black shadows and bright lights flitted before him, and, through
+a haze as of blood and smoke, he caught glimpses of the fiendish face
+of the mad engineer. The eyes of the man seemed to pierce him like
+knives.</p>
+
+<p>Then, with his other hand, Frank tore at the fingers which were
+shutting off his wind and robbing him of strength and reason. He pulled
+those fingers up till he could get one gasping breath, and then they
+seemed to close down tighter than ever.</p>
+
+<p>The agony was awful, but through it all Frank tried to keep his wits,
+and he succeeded.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_167"></a>167</span>
+“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed the engineer.</p>
+
+<p>That laugh sounded far away, but it was full of dreadful meaning. It
+was the laugh of a murderous maniac.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed that old Joe had gone crazy in one instant, and surely he had
+the strength of a madman.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll kill ye!” grated the man, triumphantly. “I’ll tell them how ye
+attacked me, and I was forced to do it.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank set his fingers around the wrist of the man, turned his head to
+one side, and made a last desperate wrench.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to Merry that his windpipe would be torn out by those iron
+fingers, but he did not give up, for that meant certain death. He
+dragged the hand away, and breathed again with a horrible gasping
+sound, as if he were dying.</p>
+
+<p>But now he held both hands of the man for a moment, and, when Joe
+wrenched one of them away, Frank fought to keep it from getting his
+throat again.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll do it! I’ll do it!” the man kept snarling.</p>
+
+<p>Then, with a sudden change, he tore free the hand that held the wrench.
+A second later he struck again at Frank’s head.</p>
+
+<p>With his arm Frank warded off that blow. He gave a squirm and a twist
+that threw the man partly off, but he was unable to get on top as he
+desired.</p>
+
+<p>Around over the bottom of the cab squirmed the two, the man trying to
+end it with one blow, while the boy fought for his life.</p>
+
+<p>Onward thundered the engine, dragging the long train<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_168"></a>168</span> of cars. There
+was no warning whistle as a crossing was approached, and the bell
+remained silent.</p>
+
+<p>An old farmer was about to drive over the crossing when the train
+thundered down on him.</p>
+
+<p>“Whoa, Betsey!” he shouted, yanking his horse back on its haunches,
+much to the surprise of the docile old creature. “Waal, gol darn that
+train! Why didn’t it toot? There’s a law fer&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>He stopped short as the locomotive thundered past, and then he rose up
+in his wagon, his eyes as large as saucers, and his jaw dropping on his
+breast.</p>
+
+<p>“Jee-roo-sa-lum!” he gasped. “They was fightin’ in there!”</p>
+
+<p>He had caught a glimpse of the terrible battle going on in the cab of
+the locomotive, and it made his hair stand.</p>
+
+<p>Frank began to feel that he was getting some of his strength back, for
+all that it was necessary to make such a furious struggle to keep his
+enemy from accomplishing his mad purpose.</p>
+
+<p>Hicks was literally frothing at the mouth. He seemed to grow worse as
+the struggle continued, and he was baffled repeatedly.</p>
+
+<p>Out of the cab they rolled, and were fairly on the coal in the tender.
+Three times Frank almost succeeded in getting on top and pinning Hicks
+down.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll do it! I’ll do it!” the engineer panted.</p>
+
+<p>Not a word came from Frank. He was not wasting his breath in such a
+manner.</p>
+
+<p>At last Merry got hold of the wrench, and then the struggle turned on
+the possession of the weapon. Old<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_169"></a>169</span> Joe set his teeth in the back of the
+youth’s hand, but Frank struck him a terrible blow between the eyes
+with his clinched fist.</p>
+
+<p>That blow was a fortunate one, for it seemed to daze the crazy
+engineer, although he still fought on.</p>
+
+<p>A moment later Frank succeeded in tearing the wrench away, and he gave
+it a fling that sent it off the engine.</p>
+
+<p>Then Merry’s confidence came back to him. It had seemed that he might
+fail and be killed, but now he was sure that he would conquer the man.</p>
+
+<p>Although he was swift as thought in all his movements, he was cool now,
+and everything he did counted.</p>
+
+<p>He saw an opportunity to dash Hicks’ head back against the iron edge
+of the tender, and he did it, cutting a gash in the man’s scalp. Blood
+began to flow.</p>
+
+<p>Frank’s throat had been torn by the finger nails of his enemy, and the
+two presented a grimy, gory appearance.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, curse you!” gasped Hicks. “I’ll do it yet.”</p>
+
+<p>“I think not,” said Frank, as he gave the man a flip.</p>
+
+<p>Then he rose to the top for the first time since the encounter had
+begun.</p>
+
+<p>But Hicks was hard to hold, and he came near getting out from under the
+youth in a twinkling.</p>
+
+<p>Merry grasped the man’s ears, one with each hand, lifted his head from
+the floor and banged it down with a thump.</p>
+
+<p>Old Joe screamed with pain and rage.</p>
+
+<p>They had rolled back into the cab, which was rocking and swaying as it
+plunged along over an uneven bit of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_170"></a>170</span> road. Around curves whizzed the
+engine, with the long train reeling along behind.</p>
+
+<p>Frank wondered that some of the train hands had not noticed they
+were passing crossings without whistling and did not come forward to
+investigate.</p>
+
+<p>Merry did not wish to severely injure the crazy engineer, but the man
+fought on so desperately that it became evident something must be done
+to subdue him.</p>
+
+<p>Again Frank caught him by the ears and banged his head down on the
+floor. Old Joe groaned and snapped at his antagonist’s wrists as a mad
+dog snaps at everything within reach.</p>
+
+<p>Bang! bang! bang!</p>
+
+<p>Frank kept it up, having resolved to jar the senses out of the man.</p>
+
+<p>Hicks did not beg, but, after a time, he lay there stunned, so that
+Merriwell was able to open the box seat and get out some stout pieces
+of rope, with which he tied old Joe’s hands behind his back. Before
+this was fully accomplished the man recovered and tried to resume the
+fight, but Frank was able to handle him then.</p>
+
+<p>Merry did not stop till the engineer was tied so securely that there
+was no danger of his being able to free himself.</p>
+
+<p>“There!” sighed Merry, with relief, “I think that’ll hold you for a
+while.”</p>
+
+<p>Then he blew a signal that brought the conductor hurrying over the top
+of the cars to see what was the matter.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_171"></a>171</span>
+<h2 id="xxx">CHAPTER XXX.<br />
+<span>MERRIWELL’S GENEROSITY.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The conductor was astounded. He stared at the tied and bleeding
+engineer, and then at Merry, who was at the throttle. Then he clambered
+down over the coal in the tender, crying:</p>
+
+<p>“Well, what in thunder has happened here?”</p>
+
+<p>Old Joe groaned and opened his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll kill him!” he muttered, thickly.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve had a fight with Hicks,” said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“A fight? What about?”</p>
+
+<p>“He jumped on me and tried to beat my brains out with a wrench.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll kill him!” grated the engineer again.</p>
+
+<p>“This beats all!” said the conductor, faintly. “He didn’t seem to
+succeed very well.”</p>
+
+<p>“He came near succeeding. I thought he would one spell.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, this is a fine scrape. This is Joe’s engine, and he’ll have to
+take the train through.”</p>
+
+<p>“He isn’t able to take the train through now.”</p>
+
+<p>“What can we do?”</p>
+
+<p>“Send me a brakeman who can fire, and I’ll take her through.”</p>
+
+<p>“You?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’re no engineer.”</p>
+
+<p>“I am engineer enough to do that trick.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_172"></a>172</span>
+“Well, I’ll send you a man, and we’ll wait for instructions at the next
+station. If this don’t beat thunder!”</p>
+
+<p>As the conductor scrambled back over the tender, Frank flung open the
+firebox door and put the coal to her. During the struggle the fire had
+not been tended, of course, and the steam was beginning to show the
+effect of it.</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes one of the brakemen came forward, and he fired her
+to the next station, where the conductor held up and telegraphed for
+instructions.</p>
+
+<p>By this time old Joe was begging to be released.</p>
+
+<p>“Look here, Merriwell,” he said, “you’re goin’ to do me out of my job,
+and I can’t afford to lose the place.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s not my fault,” said Frank. “You will be fortunate if you get off
+by simply losing your job.”</p>
+
+<p>“Now, ye don’t mean to push me, do ye?” whined the thoroughly
+subjugated man. “You wouldn’t do that?”</p>
+
+<p>“Why not?”</p>
+
+<p>“That would be tough! It can’t be you’d do it.”</p>
+
+<p>“You deserve it. You tried to kill me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Mebbe I did for a minute,” confessed the engineer; “but I was crazy
+mad, and I didn’t know what I was doin’. I’ve had a heap of trouble
+lately, and it’s broke me all up. You don’t want to ruin me entirely,
+do ye?”</p>
+
+<p>“I do not want to ruin anyone. You brought it on yourself.”</p>
+
+<p>Old Joe had managed to sit up in an awkward position, and he raised his
+eyes to Frank appealingly. He was a pitiful-looking object, with his
+begrimed, blood-stained face. Frank could not help feeling sorry for
+the man.</p>
+
+<p>“I kept my word when I promised you I wouldn’t<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_173"></a>173</span> trouble Jack and Nell,”
+said the engineer; “and I never bothered you no more till you forced
+yourself onter me.”</p>
+
+<p>“I did not force myself onto you. I was placed here by the manager. I
+simply did what I was told to do.”</p>
+
+<p>“I know that’s right; but I didn’t like ye, and I had taken some drinks
+to stiddy my nerves this morning. The stuff got inter my head.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a wonder the stuff has not lost you your job before this.”</p>
+
+<p>“You hadn’t oughter talked to me the way ye did.”</p>
+
+<p>“I told you the truth. You were trying to knock me on the first trip,
+and you know it. I have not kept eyes and ears open since taking this
+work without finding out something. I have listened to the talk in the
+roundhouse, and I know that an engineer can knock out the best fireman
+who ever swung a shovel.”</p>
+
+<p>Old Joe was silent, and his face showed that Frank had hit upon the
+truth.</p>
+
+<p>“You were not cutting off short,” Frank went on, “and you were running
+your pump wrong, besides having her hooked up different from usual. If
+we had lost time, I should have been blamed for it, and it is likely I
+should have been taken off. That was what you were counting on.”</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps you’re right,” admitted old Joe; “but you got the best of me,
+and it’s no use to kick a man when he’s down.”</p>
+
+<p>The old engineer was pitiful in his humbleness, and Frank began to feel
+some misgivings about pushing him<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_174"></a>174</span> further, for he realized that it
+meant the utter ruin of the man.</p>
+
+<p>Watching Merry’s face, old Joe fancied he saw a gleam of hope.</p>
+
+<p>“What can I do now?” Frank asked. “It is too late, for the conductor
+has dispatched for instructions.”</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps it ain’t too late,” eagerly said the engineer, “if another
+dispatch is sent that I am all right. Perhaps you can fix it. I can
+take the train through, if I have a chance. Won’t you do that for me,
+Merriwell? Think&mdash;think what it means to me!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank swung down from the engine and went after the conductor.</p>
+
+<p>“I wish to speak with you a moment, Mr. Evans,” he said, when he found
+the conductor in the little office of the station.</p>
+
+<p>He drew the man aside, and said:</p>
+
+<p>“Old Joe has come round, and seems to be all right now. He is begging
+for a chance to take the train through.”</p>
+
+<p>“What?”</p>
+
+<p>The conductor was amazed.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s right,” nodded Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, the jig is up with him. The old man won’t have a crazy engineer
+running things.”</p>
+
+<p>“What did you wire?”</p>
+
+<p>“That Hicks was knocked out, and somebody must take the train through.”</p>
+
+<p>“You did not give particulars?”</p>
+
+<p>“Couldn’t.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_175"></a>175</span>
+“Then, as yet, but ourselves and the train hands know there was a fight
+between us.”</p>
+
+<p>“And the dispatcher here.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you might send another message that Hicks had recovered and was
+able to take the train through. This is a freight, and perhaps the old
+man will let him go on with it, as there is no other regular engineer
+to take it.”</p>
+
+<p>Evans stared at Frank in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>“You are the queerest chap I ever struck,” he exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>“Why?”</p>
+
+<p>“Most fellows in your place would be ready to hang Hicks.”</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps so; but I feel as if he were hanging over a chasm, and I might
+save him or push him down. If I do not give him a hand, my conscience
+will trouble me.”</p>
+
+<p>“If you do, the chances are about ten to one that it will put you in a
+bad scrape.”</p>
+
+<p>“How?”</p>
+
+<p>“It won’t be much trouble for him to make out that you were in the
+wrong, and he’ll do it, too.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t believe that.”</p>
+
+<p>“I do.”</p>
+
+<p>“I think he will be so glad to get out of the scrape that he won’t try
+anything dirty. He says he will take the train through, and run it
+right. He will not dare tackle me again, and I shall watch him.”</p>
+
+<p>“But the old man will have to let you take us through if old Joe
+doesn’t. Saunders can fire for you, and it will<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_176"></a>176</span> give you a great
+chance to show what you can do. It will be a direct step upward for
+you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Over the body of another man?”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s the way men get on in this world, my boy.”</p>
+
+<p>“It seems to be; but I do not feel like climbing the ladder by pushing
+others down.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, just as you say. If you are for giving old Joe such a chance, I
+don’t kick. I’ll dispatch that he is all right now and able to take the
+train through.”</p>
+
+<p>“Do it.”</p>
+
+<p>Evans did so, and in a short time received an answer: “All right; go
+ahead.”</p>
+
+<p>That settled it. Frank went back to the engine in a hurry, and said:</p>
+
+<p>“I have fixed it.”</p>
+
+<p>“How?” asked Hicks, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>For answer Frank set him free.</p>
+
+<p>“I ask no promises of you,” he said; “but Evans and the train men know
+what has happened. If you try to knock me with the general manager,
+they will have something to say.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I won’t try any knocking. I promise that. You are usin’ me better
+than I deserve, and I appreciate it. I won’t fergit it&mdash;I won’t fergit
+it!”</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_177"></a>177</span>
+<h2 id="xxxi">CHAPTER XXXI.<br />
+<span>AN UNGRATEFUL MAN.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>So old Joe took the train through, after all, and he ran the engine
+right. It made a remarkable difference in Frank’s work, as Merry
+quickly found out. It was not necessary to bend his back and shovel
+coal all the time.</p>
+
+<p>The old engineer looked like a wreck when the end of the run was
+reached, but he had stuck to his post. Scarcely a word had passed
+between him and Frank after he took the engine the second time. Merry
+watched him closely, but Hicks never let his eyes meet Frank’s. He paid
+as little attention to his companion in the cab as possible.</p>
+
+<p>When they pulled back to the roundhouse that night an explanation of
+the trouble was asked for by the “old man,” who summoned them to his
+office.</p>
+
+<p>Frank permitted old Joe to tell his story, and the engineer claimed
+that he had been seized by a fit. Merriwell had fought to handle him.</p>
+
+<p>The manager looked at Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“What have you to say about it, young man?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Nothing,” said Merry. “You have heard Mr. Hicks’ story.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; and we can’t keep an engineer on this road who is liable to have
+fits. You can come around for your time to-morrow morning, Hicks.”</p>
+
+<p>Old Joe staggered.</p>
+
+<p>“Then I’m discharged?” he said, huskily.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_178"></a>178</span>
+“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>The old engineer turned and went slowly out of the office, bent as with
+a heavy burden. The sight of him going thus filled Frank’s heart with
+pity, but he could do nothing for him.</p>
+
+<p>“There will be another man on 33 to-morrow, Merriwell,” said the
+manager. “You’ll go with him. Good-night.”</p>
+
+<p>“Good-night, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>Larry Logan was waiting for Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Pwhat’s this they do be afther tellin’ av me?” asked the young
+Irishman. “Is it old Joe ye had a foight wid? An’ is he discharraged?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; old Joe has been discharged.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, it’s a moighty good thing, fer it’s th’ divvil he wur at toimes.”</p>
+
+<p>“I am sorry for him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ye are? G’wan! Fer whoy?”</p>
+
+<p>“He has been a good engineer.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thot’s roight, but his day is parrust, me b’y. He moight be roonin’
+a passenger engine now, but he’s killed himseluf wid dhrink. It’s a
+wonder he has been afther holdin’ his place so long.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank knew that well enough.</p>
+
+<p>“Still, I did not want to have anything to do with his losing his
+position. It’s not likely he will be able to strike another place very
+soon.”</p>
+
+<p>“Nivver. It’s done fer he is.”</p>
+
+<p>“That is why I am sorry. He is an old man, and he has not saved a cent.
+How will he live?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_179"></a>179</span>
+“That’s no consern av yours.”</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps not; but it is a sad thing to see an old man like him, who
+might be something, shut out with nothing.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s tinder-hearruted ye are, me b’y; but it don’t pay to be to saft
+in this worruld. Ye’re not thought a bit more av fer it. It’s more
+loikely they will be afther thinkin’ yez too aisy, an’ dispise yez for
+thot.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank realized that this was true.</p>
+
+<p>“Some day ye’ll be afther havin’ an engine av yer own,” said Larry;
+“an’ Oi hope it’ll be me luck ter foire fer yez.”</p>
+
+<p>“I hope you may,” said Frank. “I think we’d be able to get along.”</p>
+
+<p>“Foriver, me b’y! Oi’d sthick ter yez loike glue. But it’s ould Joe yez
+warnt to look out fer now. He’ll thry to do yez th’ firrust chance he
+gets.”</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps so; but I doubt it. I won his gratitude to-day by not pushing
+him to the wall.”</p>
+
+<p>“Mebbe ye did fer th’ toime; but he’ll fergit it th’ firrust toime he
+is dhrunk, an’ thin he’ll lay fer yez. Marruk my worrud, an’ watch out.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right, Larry, I’ll do so. Good-night.”</p>
+
+<p>As Frank was passing through the yard a man stepped out and confronted
+him. It was old Joe.</p>
+
+<p>“Ye’ve done it at last!” huskily said the old engineer, raising one
+shaking hand to his chin. “Ye’ve knocked the old man out for good!”</p>
+
+<p>“I am very sorry, Mr.&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“Bah! Little good that does. It’s all over.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t see how you can blame me.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_180"></a>180</span>
+“If ye’d never come to work on this railroad it would have been all
+right.”</p>
+
+<p>“That may be true; but I did come here, and I had a right to do that,
+as you very well know. If you had not become my enemy in the first
+place and tried to injure me, you would have been all right.”</p>
+
+<p>“I always hated ye!” grated Hicks. “Something made me hate ye the first
+time I saw ye. You was so independent, and so polite at the same time.
+You never was afraid of me. If you’d been afraid it might have been
+different.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you hated me because I was not afraid of you. That was
+unreasonable.”</p>
+
+<p>“Mebbe so; but I couldn’t help it. An’ ye came between me an’ my nevvy
+and niece.”</p>
+
+<p>“No; I kept you from taking advantage of them.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, is that the way ye put it? Well, ye won’t keep me no longer.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank started.</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean?”</p>
+
+<p>“That I’m out of work here. You was goin’ to get me discharged if I
+bothered Jack and Nell. You can’t keep me back that way now.”</p>
+
+<p>Merriwell stared hard at the man, and then asked:</p>
+
+<p>“Do you mean to make trouble for them?”</p>
+
+<p>“No; but I’m goin’ to take care of them.”</p>
+
+<p>“Take care of them? Why, how can you do that? You are not earning
+anything.”</p>
+
+<p>There was a crafty look on old Joe’s face.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s why I’m goin’ to take care of them,” he said.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_181"></a>181</span>
+“By that you mean that you are going to rob them of the money they
+earn by playing and singing on the street? That is your game, you old
+scoundrel! You shall not do it!”</p>
+
+<p>“Won’t I?”</p>
+
+<p>“No!”</p>
+
+<p>“Who’ll stop me?”</p>
+
+<p>“I will!”</p>
+
+<p>“How?”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll find a way. You shall not be a burden to those poor children, if
+there is any justice in the world.”</p>
+
+<p>“There ain’t. Justice is a mockery. The meaner rascal a man is the
+better show he has.”</p>
+
+<p>“That may be your belief, but it is not mine.”</p>
+
+<p>“There is some law, an’ I reckon it’ll appoint me as guardeen of my
+dear nevvy and niece, who need somebody to look out for them properly.
+That’s what’ll happen.”</p>
+
+<p>“You may apply, but you’ll not succeed in getting appointed.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why not?”</p>
+
+<p>“Because I shall appear and show that you are thoroughly incompetent
+and unable to take care of yourself, much less two other persons. I
+have all the proof that is necessary. Your game is to rob them, which
+can be made very apparent. The boy is lame and the girl is blind. They
+are trying to save some money that her eyes may be treated, and you
+would take that away from them. You are even worse than I thought you
+could be!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_182"></a>182</span>
+Frank was highly indignant, and old Joe cowered a bit before his
+flashing eyes.</p>
+
+<p>“Well,” he snarled, “if I don’t get appointed as guardeen, I’ll show
+that you are beatin’ them, and they’ll be taken care of, that’s all.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank knew it was useless to appeal to the man’s generosity, and so he
+said:</p>
+
+<p>“Go ahead! I have the proof that you tried to murder me by pushing me
+onto the track in front of an engine, and, by the eternal skies! I’ll
+do my best to jail you for it if you carry out your threat! Go ahead!
+We’ll see who gets the worst of it!”</p>
+
+<p>Then he walked swiftly away.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xxxii">CHAPTER XXXII.<br />
+<span>ON THE STAIRS.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Frank went home with a heavy heart, for he saw the black shadow of
+coming trouble hanging over Jack and Nellie. He was resolved to protect
+them to the best of his ability, but he realized at last that there
+was nothing like gratitude in the heart of old Joe, and there was no
+foretelling what the man would do.</p>
+
+<p>The blind girl was sitting up on the bed, and Frank heard her singing
+softly before he reached the door. He entered the room gently, but she
+heard his step, stopped and stretched out her arms, with a glad cry. He
+hurried to her, exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_183"></a>183</span>
+“You are better, Nellie?”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, yes; so much better!” she smiled. “The doctor says he’ll not have
+to come any more.”</p>
+
+<p>“That is fine,” cried Frank, as gayly as possible. “Oh, I told you it
+would be all right, dear little girl.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; I’ll be out soon.”</p>
+
+<p>“Where is Jack?”</p>
+
+<p>“He went out to the store. He’ll be right back. He went out to-day and
+played and sang all by himself, and he brought back eighty-seven cents,
+though he wasn’t gone more than two hours. Wasn’t that just perfectly
+splendid?”</p>
+
+<p>“It was very good. But did he leave you all alone? I told him not to do
+that.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, he has been here so close. I wanted him to go, for we have not
+been earning any money. I was all right by myself.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you were not lonesome?”</p>
+
+<p>“Well&mdash;not much. You see, I was thinking of you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Of me?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; and of Elsie you told me about. Oh, I have pictured her in my
+mind. She must be a good girl, Frank.”</p>
+
+<p>“She is one of the sweetest, dearest girls in the whole, wide world!”</p>
+
+<p>There was a flitting shadow on Nellie’s face, but it was gone in a
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>“I am sure you are right,” she said. “Some time you will marry Elsie?”</p>
+
+<p>Frank felt the blood rush to his cheeks and his heart gave a leap.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_184"></a>184</span>
+“Perhaps so,” he said, softly.</p>
+
+<p>“I know you will,” came from her lips. “I hope you may always be happy,
+Frank. I hope no shadows may come between you and Elsie.”</p>
+
+<p>“My dear little friend, why have you been thinking so much of this?”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I don’t know&mdash;I couldn’t help it. It was the way you described
+Elsie. You told me how beautiful Inza was, but you told how much like
+a dear little saint Elsie was, and then I knew you cared for her
+the more. Perhaps, Frank&mdash;perhaps I may be able to see when you are
+married, and perhaps I may be a bridesmaid at the wedding.”</p>
+
+<p>“You shall!” he exclaimed, laughing and kissing her forehead. “What a
+dear little bridesmaid you will make!”</p>
+
+<p>There was a faint quivering of her chin, and he wondered what it meant.
+He stared at her in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>“Why, you appear so strange!” he said. “At one moment you are happy,
+and the next you look sad.”</p>
+
+<p>“Do I? Don’t notice that, Frank. I am not sad; I am very gay because I
+think you should be. Elsie must have inspired you to be good and brave
+and noble.”</p>
+
+<p>“I think she has many times. She has so much confidence in me, and it
+is an inspiration to know some one believes you must do everything
+right.”</p>
+
+<p>“I do not believe you could do anything wrong, Frank.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you are also an inspiration for me, Nellie. I think of you very,
+very often.”</p>
+
+<p>“Did you think of me to-day?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_185"></a>185</span>
+“Many times.”</p>
+
+<p>“Tell me about it. How have you done to-day?”</p>
+
+<p>“The best I could.”</p>
+
+<p>“I know that; but has everything gone well?”</p>
+
+<p>“Not as well as it might.”</p>
+
+<p>“Tell me about it,” she urged again.</p>
+
+<p>But Frank had no desire to let her know what had occurred, and he was
+glad when, at this moment, he heard the stumping sound of a crutch on
+the stairs.</p>
+
+<p>“Here comes Jack,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>The lame boy came in, bringing a bundle.</p>
+
+<p>“There,” he said, with a laugh, “I made some money to-day, and I’m
+going to help provide for this ranch. This thing is altogether too
+one-sided, Frank Merriwell.”</p>
+
+<p>“You young rascal,” cried Frank, “do you dare play tyrant?”</p>
+
+<p>“On this occasion I do. If you try to boss me now, you’ll find I’m a
+bad, bad man. Just get ready for supper, and I’ll have it on the table
+pretty quick.”</p>
+
+<p>“Mutiny! mutiny!” exclaimed Merry, tragically. “I didn’t expect this. I
+am quite unprepared, and I suppose I’ll have to surrender the ship.”</p>
+
+<p>“If you don’t, I’ll scuttle her.”</p>
+
+<p>“The jig is up. You’re in command to-night.”</p>
+
+<p>This pleased the lame boy, and he hopped off, giving orders like an old
+sea captain, and speaking in such a deep voice that he soon began to
+grow hoarse.</p>
+
+<p>“You’d better stop talking that way, captain,” laughed Merry, “or
+you’ll ruin your voice. Don’t try to talk down in the hold all the
+time. Come up on deck!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_186"></a>186</span>
+“Sir,” scowled little Jack, “you should address your superior officer
+in a more respectful manner. I will not have it, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ay! ay! sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s the stuff! No, I mean that’s right. Shiver my timbers and dash
+my toplights! I’m a rough old tar; but I am master of my own ship. Get
+onto your job here, and help me jib up the sheet.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank aided Jack in spreading the tablecloth, assuring him at the same
+time that “get onto your job” was not a thoroughly nautical expression.</p>
+
+<p>The coffee pot was set to simmering on the stove, and in a short time
+supper was ready.</p>
+
+<p>Little Nell did not come to the table, but Frank took her food to her,
+and aided her in eating it. All the while he talked to her in his jolly
+way, and she declared that she had never eaten such a pleasant supper.</p>
+
+<p>“Here! here!” cried the lame boy, rapping on the table; “on this vessel
+I will not permit such familiarity with my first officer and the man
+before the mast. It is certain to result in poor discipline. Break
+away, there!”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ll have to take another trip to sea, captain, before you get rid
+all your landlubber expressions. ‘Break away’ is pretty bad.”</p>
+
+<p>When the meal was over, Frank took the lame boy’s guitar, put it in
+tune, and strummed away on it for some time, while Jack and Nellie
+listened. Frank played strange little bits of his own composing, some
+of them lively, some soft and pathetic. He sang one or two of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_187"></a>187</span> old
+college songs, and then turned to and helped Jack clear the table and
+wash the dishes.</p>
+
+<p>Jack announced that he was going out to see if he could not pick up
+some money that evening. Frank tried to dissuade him, but the lame boy
+was determined, and he finally departed with the guitar.</p>
+
+<p>Being left with the blind girl, Merry told her stories for more than
+an hour. She listened to them, holding onto one of his hands. Outside
+the wind came up and rattled around the building, slamming a shutter at
+intervals and moaning at the corners like a creature in pain.</p>
+
+<p>“Hear the wind!” Nellie whispered, after a time. “How it sobs and
+cries! It seems as if some one with a broken heart were lost out there
+in the night.”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t think of such things, Nellie,” urged Frank. “You make yourself
+nervous and sad, and you will not get well so quick. To-morrow the sun
+will shine.”</p>
+
+<p>“I cannot see it.”</p>
+
+<p>“You shall soon.”</p>
+
+<p>There was a clattering sound on the stairs, and Frank sprang up
+quickly, turning toward the door.</p>
+
+<p>“What is it?” asked the blind girl, still clinging to him.</p>
+
+<p>“It is Jack! Hear his crutch.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; but why is he stumbling upstairs so fast? Hark! Somebody is
+following him! I hear heavy steps!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank released her hold and sprang toward the door. Before he reached
+it, it burst open, and the lame boy staggered in, looking white and
+scared.</p>
+
+<p>At that moment a heavy body was heard falling down the stairs.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_188"></a>188</span>
+<h2 id="xxxiii">CHAPTER XXXIII.<br />
+<span>UNDER THE CRUST OF A HUMAN HEART.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Little Jack dropped down on a chair, panting for breath.</p>
+
+<p>“He&mdash;he followed me!” gasped the lame boy.</p>
+
+<p>“He? Who?”</p>
+
+<p>“My uncle.”</p>
+
+<p>“Hicks?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! don’t let him come in here!” exclaimed little Nell. “Please keep
+him out, Frank! I am so afraid of him!”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t worry, little girl,” assured Merry. “He shall not harm you. I
+will take care of him.”</p>
+
+<p>“He was drunk,” said Jack; “and he talked awfully to me! I was afraid.
+He caught me by the shoulder once, and said I must go with him.”</p>
+
+<p>“It may be a good plan to turn him over to the police,” cried Frank,
+who felt that he had already endured too much from the man.</p>
+
+<p>Then Frank went outside the door and listened. From the bottom of the
+stairs came a low groan.</p>
+
+<p>“He has fallen down and hurt himself,” thought Merry. “He brought it on
+himself, and no one else is to blame.”</p>
+
+<p>Then he descended the stairs. At the bottom a dark figure was lying.
+Frank lighted a match, and saw old Joe curled there, with his head
+doubled under him, as if his neck were broken.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_189"></a>189</span>
+In a moment Frank again became very sorry for the man. He took hold of
+the engineer and straightened him out into a more comfortable position.</p>
+
+<p>“I wonder how much he is hurt,” thought Frank.</p>
+
+<p>At the head of the stairs little Jack appeared, with a lighted lamp in
+his hand. The lamp was shaking so that there was danger of losing the
+chimney.</p>
+
+<p>“What is it?” asked the boy, in a faint tone.</p>
+
+<p>“He is hurt,” Merry answered.</p>
+
+<p>“How bad?”</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t tell; but he seems to be unconscious.”</p>
+
+<p>Then the blind girl, who had risen from the bed, found her way to the
+door and took hold of her brother.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I hope he is not hurt much!” she half sobbed. “He made such a
+noise when he was falling. It is terrible.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank went upstairs and got some water, with which he wet the head of
+the unfortunate man. Old Joe remained silent, except for his heavy,
+rasping breathing, and Frank began to fear that he was seriously
+injured.</p>
+
+<p>“If I had some place to take him,” he muttered.</p>
+
+<p>His words were heard by the girl, and she quickly cried:</p>
+
+<p>“Bring him up here. If he is injured, we must take care of him, for he
+is our uncle.”</p>
+
+<p>Merry hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>“Bring him up,” said little Jack, stoutly. “Wait, and I will come down.
+Perhaps I can help you.”</p>
+
+<p>“No; you cannot help. Stay where you are, and hold the light.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_190"></a>190</span>
+Then, after considerable trouble, the young fireman lifted the man’s
+limp body in his arms and carried him up the stairs.</p>
+
+<p>“Put him on my bed,” whispered Nellie. “Oh, it was such a hard fall,
+and he is our uncle! We must do something for him.”</p>
+
+<p>“It is our duty,” said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“If I can’t bring him round pretty soon, I’ll go for a doctor,”
+declared Frank. “Perhaps he is dying.”</p>
+
+<p>But old Joe was not dying. After some minutes he groaned again and
+slowly opened his eyes. He was completely bewildered, as his manner
+showed. He stared at those near the bed, then closed his eyes again,
+and his lips moved.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve got ’em.”</p>
+
+<p>Little Nell shrank away, one hand lifted to her throbbing heart, while
+her face bore an expression of fear. Frank put an arm about her,
+whispering:</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t be afraid, little girl. Remember that I will protect you.”</p>
+
+<p>She clasped his hand and clung to it closely.</p>
+
+<p>“I will not be afraid now,” she said. “I know you can take care of us.
+How is he? Can’t I do something for him?”</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps so. Don’t let him see that you fear him. You may be able to
+arouse a sense of shame and gratitude in his breast, for it can’t be
+that all human instincts are crushed out.”</p>
+
+<p>Then the blind girl became very brave, and she sat<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_191"></a>191</span> down near the bed,
+reaching out and touching the hand of the old engineer.</p>
+
+<p>“Dear uncle,” she said, gently, “I am so sorry you are hurt! It was
+such an awful fall!”</p>
+
+<p>Again the man opened his blood-shotten eyes. He turned his head and lay
+looking at her in a strange way.</p>
+
+<p>“Isn’t there something I can do for you, dear uncle?” asked little
+Nell. “I will do anything I can. I am sorry for you.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m dreamin’,” muttered the man. “An’ I ain’t had such a dream as this
+for years. I thought I had the shakes, but it’s a dream. I don’t want
+to wake up.”</p>
+
+<p>A thrill of satisfaction passed through Frank Merriwell, for those
+words satisfied him that, indeed, the better side of the man’s nature
+was not entirely dead. At last, old Joe had been touched by the
+pathetic beauty of the blind girl and by her gentle ways.</p>
+
+<p>“Shan’t we get a doctor for you, uncle?” asked the boy.</p>
+
+<p>“Doctor? No! What does a man want of a doctor when he is dreamin’? Keep
+still, or I shall wake up!”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, dear uncle,” said Nellie, touching his iron-gray hair, “you have
+had such a hard, hard time in the world!”</p>
+
+<p>“Angel!” whispered old Joe. “Never believed in ’em! Never took no stock
+in ’em. But she’s one! ’Sh! Let me sleep.”</p>
+
+<p>He closed his eyes and was silent for some time. Little Jack looked at
+Frank, who nodded his satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>When the old engineer opened his eyes again, he said:</p>
+
+<p>“Go away! You mustn’t touch me like this! I’m not<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_192"></a>192</span> fit to be touched
+by those white hands! I shall leave a stain upon them. Let me get up.
+Where am I?”</p>
+
+<p>“You are here&mdash;here in our room, which we call home. You shall stay
+here till you are well. I will nurse you. I have been ill myself, but
+now I am well enough to nurse you.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t deserve it. It’s not a dream, after all. It’s true!”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; it is true.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you have been ill? Why, ye show it. And ye want to nurse me? Well,
+nobody ever cared enough about me to do that before. If you knew what a
+miserable old sinner I am&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“There, there, uncle! Don’t talk like that! I will be so good to you!
+You’ve never had anyone to be good to you, and that is all the trouble.”</p>
+
+<p>“Mebbe you’re right,” he muttered, huskily. “Nobody has ever cared
+a rap about Joe Hicks. I’ve been alone, an’ I’ve never cared about
+anybody else.”</p>
+
+<p>His voice choked, and he turned his head away, as if ashamed to betray
+any emotion.</p>
+
+<p>“That is just it,” said the blind girl. “It makes us better when we
+know somebody cares for us and we have somebody to care for.”</p>
+
+<p>“But you&mdash;you are afraid of me, Nellie? Ain’t you afraid now?”</p>
+
+<p>“No; somehow I do not feel afraid of you at all&mdash;only sorry for you.
+And I want to help you somehow.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ye can’t! It’s too late! Old Joe’s done for.”</p>
+
+<p>“It is never too late, dear uncle. You were my mother’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_193"></a>193</span> brother, and
+she was such a dear, good mother to us! We loved her so!”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; she was a good gal&mdash;she always was. I didn’t treat her right
+when she got married. Your dad was a dreamer&mdash;alwus expectin’ to do
+something great. I was a worker, and I didn’t like him. But she was a
+good gal, and you look like her. You have her face&mdash;and her eyes. But
+you can’t see?”</p>
+
+<p>“Not now; some time&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“Some time you shall! I know that! I must think about it, but I can’t
+think now. My head aches so bad.”</p>
+
+<p>Jack brought some cool water and a handkerchief. Then little Nell wet
+the handkerchief and placed it upon the man’s forehead. Old Joe watched
+everything in a wondering way, as if he could not understand why they
+should do so much for him.</p>
+
+<p>Frank had drawn back out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>“There!” said the man, huskily; “now let me think. I’m a brute. Let me
+sleep. When I wake up I’ll be able to think better. Sit here by me,
+Nellie, till I fall asleep. You need not touch me, but it is good to
+have an angel near!”</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xxxiv">CHAPTER XXXIV.<br />
+<span>THE REVELATION OF A SECRET.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The old engineer fell into a sleep or a stupor in a short time, and
+little Nell, exhausted, was taken to the bed in Frank’s room. Merry
+carried her in his arms.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_194"></a>194</span>
+“Now you must sleep and rest, dear little girl,” said Frank, as he
+placed her gently on the bed.</p>
+
+<p>“I am afraid I can’t.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why not?”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I shall think, think, think; and you know it is hard to sleep when
+you are thinking.”</p>
+
+<p>“You need the rest, Nellie. The excitement to-night might bring on a
+relapse and make you ill again. You do not want to be ill any longer.”</p>
+
+<p>“No! no!”</p>
+
+<p>“Then keep still and count yourself to sleep. You can do it if you try.”</p>
+
+<p>“If uncle wakes up and calls for me&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“You shall know it. But I think he will sleep straight through till
+morning. He has been drinking heavily since he was discharged to-day,
+and that was why he fell downstairs.”</p>
+
+<p>“I know, for I could smell his breath. Oh, don’t you suppose we may be
+able to get him to sign the pledge? Perhaps we can save him and make a
+good man of him.”</p>
+
+<p>“You may be able to do it, Nellie; but it is not possible for me to do
+anything. I have tried my best with him, and it has been a failure.”</p>
+
+<p>“I will try. Somehow I am not afraid of him the way I was. He seems so
+ill and lonely in the world. It must be terrible to be all alone in the
+world, with no one to work for, and no one to care about.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” said Frank, a touch of sadness coming to his handsome face; “I
+realized it, for I was all alone in the world till we met. I have had
+more courage since.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_195"></a>195</span>
+“But&mdash;some time&mdash;we must be separated.”</p>
+
+<p>Something in the way she said the words smote Frank with a sensation of
+pain. He had not thought of that.</p>
+
+<p>“I suppose so,” he said, slowly; “it always happens so. Our early
+friendships are broken, and we are separated from those without whom we
+often fancied we could not exist. In time we form other attachments,
+which, in turn, may be broken.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, but I know&mdash;I know&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“What is it that you know, dear little girl?”</p>
+
+<p>“I know we can never care for anyone as we care for you. I know it,
+Frank!”</p>
+
+<p>She reached up her slender arms as he bent down to kiss her, clasping
+them about his neck and straining him close to her with all her
+childish strength. He was surprised, for this was quite unlike her; she
+usually demonstrated her affection by a gentle touch or a whispered
+word.</p>
+
+<p>“You are overwrought, Nellie,” he said, gently. “Your nerves are all
+unstrung. It is too bad that that man followed Jack here to-night.”</p>
+
+<p>“No; I am glad of it,” she declared, with her eyes upturned to his
+face, as if she were trying to pierce the black
+<a name="veil" id="veil"></a><ins title="Original has 'vail'">veil</ins>
+between them. “I
+do not think it will hurt me, and I shall have a chance to try to save
+him from certain ruin. It is his last chance. If I fail&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“If you fail, dear little girl, an angel from heaven could not save
+him!”</p>
+
+<p>Her lips quivered, and then a slow smile came and lingered on her pale
+face.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_196"></a>196</span>
+“You do care for me, don’t you, Frank?” she eagerly asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Care for you? Nellie, I love you as if you were my own&mdash;sister.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you never had a sister?”</p>
+
+<p>“No.”</p>
+
+<p>“You were the only child?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“How lonely it must have been! Just think what if I had not Jack. I
+love him, and he loves me. But I love you just as much, dear Frank.”</p>
+
+<p>She reached up her hands and placed them on either side of his face,
+holding them there.</p>
+
+<p>“There,” she softly breathed, “now I know I am looking straight at you,
+and I fancy I can see you. You are so manly and so noble! Your eyes
+are dark brown, and so is your hair. Your mouth is tender, but firm,
+without a hard line about it. You have a high, wide forehead, which is
+fair and unlined. You are young, and you will always remain young, for
+your heart will not let you grow old.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, Nellie, how do you know my eyes are brown&mdash;my hair is brown?”</p>
+
+<p>“Ah-a!” she laughed. “A little bird told me. And I have dreamed of you.
+I saw you in my dream, and I am sure I saw you as you really are. When
+I can really see again, I shall know you without having you pointed out
+to me.”</p>
+
+<p>He began to realize how much she loved him&mdash;how much time she had spent
+thinking and dreaming of him.</p>
+
+<p>Still he regarded her as a mere child, nothing more.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_197"></a>197</span>
+“I know how you learned so much,” he laughed. “Jack told you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” she confessed; “I have had him describe you to me many times.”</p>
+
+<p>“Jack is a good boy.”</p>
+
+<p>“He has always been good to me, and I love him; but, oh, Frank! it does
+not seem that I care for&mdash;anybody&mdash;else&mdash;as much as&mdash;I care&mdash;for you!”</p>
+
+<p>She seemed frightened when she had said this, and she half sat up,
+clasping an arm about his neck.</p>
+
+<p>“Is it wrong?” she whispered&mdash;“is it wrong for me to care more for you
+than I do for Jack? He is my own brother. It does not seem that I could
+love him more than I do, and yet, somehow, I seem to care more for you,
+Frank, than I do for Jack. Oh! I am afraid it is wrong. I am afraid I
+am a wicked girl!”</p>
+
+<p>“There! there!” he exclaimed, smoothing back her hair and patting her
+head. “Don’t get so excited over it, Nellie. You simply fancy now that
+you care more for me&mdash;that’s all.”</p>
+
+<p>She shook her head, leaning away back as she did so.</p>
+
+<p>“No! no! no!” she whispered. “It is not fancy. I did not think I could
+care more for anybody than I did for Jack; but, this very day, the
+truth came to me, and I knew I loved you more. I don’t know what you
+will think of me for telling you all this. I can’t help it, Frank! I
+must tell somebody, and I can’t tell Jack. I couldn’t keep the secret
+longer. I thought I would bury it deep in my heart, and never, never
+let anybody know; but I could not keep it. If there had been some one
+else for me to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_198"></a>198</span> tell, I should not have told you; but there was no one
+to whom I could talk about you, save Jack, and I could not tell him my
+secret. He must not know it. It would break his heart.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank knew not what to say. For the first time he was confused.</p>
+
+<p>“Lie down and sleep, Nellie,” he finally murmured. “I know your nerves
+are unstrung, for you are trembling all over.”</p>
+
+<p>“It is because I am happy,” she declared, and the color came to her
+face that had been so pale. “I am happy because I told you my secret.
+You must keep it for me. It will be a secret between us. Oh, I have not
+had a secret for so long, and it is just lovely to have one now!”</p>
+
+<p>Again she appeared like a mere child, and the troubled look disappeared
+from Frank Merriwell’s face.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” he returned; “if you say so, it shall be our secret, dear little
+girl. But you must not care for me more than you do for your brother.”</p>
+
+<p>“Mustn’t I?”</p>
+
+<p>“No.”</p>
+
+<p>“Is it wrong?”</p>
+
+<p>“I fear it is.”</p>
+
+<p>She dropped back on the pillow, covering her face with her hands, and
+lay there quietly. He bent over and spoke some gentle words to her.</p>
+
+<p>“Frank!” she breathed.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, little one. What is it?”</p>
+
+<p>“What was your pet name for Elsie?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_199"></a>199</span>
+“My pet name? Why, sometimes I called her Sweetheart.”</p>
+
+<p>“Frank!”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Nellie.”</p>
+
+<p>“Just once&mdash;for to-night&mdash;just once&mdash;won’t you call me&mdash;that?”</p>
+
+<p>Frank Merriwell started and turned pale, and, for the first time, he
+fully realized how much the blind girl cared for him.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, is it wrong for you to call me that&mdash;just once?” she asked. “Won’t
+you be true to Elsie just the same? If it is wrong, don’t do it, Frank.
+But I’ll never ask it again&mdash;I’ll never expect it. Only once, and I
+know Elsie would forgive you if she knew.”</p>
+
+<p>Remarkable were the emotions which thrilled Frank’s heart, for he
+understood now what it all meant. Never again could he look on little
+Nell as a mere child, and he was sorry.</p>
+
+<p>She knew he was hesitating, and she feared he would refuse. She turned
+away, and it was wonderful how the blood rushed to her face and neck.</p>
+
+<p>Frank bent over her.</p>
+
+<p>“Only once!” he said to himself. “Elsie would not mind.”</p>
+
+<p>Then, with infinite tenderness, he murmured:</p>
+
+<p>“Sweetheart!”</p>
+
+<p>She thrilled all over, and something like a sob came from behind the
+hands that were again clasped over her face.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_200"></a>200</span>
+He waited, unable to say another word. After a little time she put out
+one hand and he took it with his own.</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you, Frank,” she said, with as much calmness as she could
+command. “It was foolish of me, and I am ashamed; but you were kind,
+and I’ll not forget. You’ll never see me this way again&mdash;never! I
+promise you that.”</p>
+
+<p>He was silent.</p>
+
+<p>“Go to bed and dream of Elsie,” she softly said. “Some day you and
+Elsie will be so happy together! I will pray for her, Frank&mdash;and for
+you! Good-night!”</p>
+
+<p>“Good-night.”</p>
+
+<p>He rose and started from the room. At the door he paused and looked
+back. She was lying as he had left her, with her hands over her face.
+He went out and closed the door.</p>
+
+<p>Then, without making a sound, she wept herself to sleep.</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xxxv">CHAPTER XXXV.<br />
+<span>THE LITTLE PILOT.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Frank and Jack slept on the bed of the latter. It was necessary for
+Merry to rise early and get away, but little Jack was up ahead of him,
+and had breakfast ready when the hour came for him to get out of bed.</p>
+
+<p>Old Joe had been sleeping. After rising and washing, Frank went over
+and stood beside the man.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_201"></a>201</span>
+The engineer opened his eyes and saw Merry. Instantly an ugly look
+<a name="overspread" id="overspread"></a>
+<ins title="Original has 'overpread'">overspread</ins>
+his face.</p>
+
+<p>“You?” he grated, hoarsely.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” nodded Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“Where did you come from?”</p>
+
+<p>“It must be that you do not remember what happened last night.”</p>
+
+<p>“Last night?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“No. My head! Why, how strange I feel! Where am I? This is not my room.
+Let me get up!”</p>
+
+<p>He tried to do so, but fell back limply, moaning a bit.</p>
+
+<p>“Why, my strength&mdash;my strength is gone! I don’t know why this is so!
+What has happened to me?”</p>
+
+<p>“You fell downstairs.”</p>
+
+<p>“Fell? How?”</p>
+
+<p>“You were pursuing Jack Norton.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ha! And I struck on my head when I fell. But that should not make me
+so weak. I can scarcely lift my hand. I’m afraid I’m going to die.
+Afraid? No! What do I care? I’d as lief croak now as any time. I ain’t
+got anything to live for.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, yes, you have, dear uncle!” said the blind girl, as she came into
+the room and approached the bed.</p>
+
+<p>“Dear uncle!” gasped old Joe. “Did she call me that?”</p>
+
+<p>“She did,” nodded Frank. “Last night she cared for you.”</p>
+
+<p>The old man seemed bewildered.</p>
+
+<p>“Mebbe it’s all right,” he said; “but it don’t seem so.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_202"></a>202</span> Nobody’s
+called me ‘dear’ for a long time. Why, I’m an old wreck. It’s too much!”</p>
+
+<p>“You are my uncle,” said the girl.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you’d be better off if I wasn’t. Help me up, somebody. I must
+go. I can’t stay here. I must have a drink! Won’t you help me up?”</p>
+
+<p>“You had better keep still,” said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>“No; I must get up&mdash;I will!”</p>
+
+<p>He rolled off the bed and tried to stand on his feet, but would have
+fallen sprawling had not Merry caught him.</p>
+
+<p>“All gone&mdash;strength all gone!” moaned the engineer, as he was restored
+to the bed. “It’s sure I’m goin’ to die now!”</p>
+
+<p>“You shall stay here till you have recovered,” said little Nell. “I
+will take care of you, dear uncle.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why is she so kind to me? Why is anybody so kind to me? I don’t
+deserve anything.”</p>
+
+<p>“All I have to say,” observed Frank, “is that hanging will be too good
+for you if you harm one of these children after this!”</p>
+
+<p>Then he turned away to eat his breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>When Frank left that morning the old engineer was sleeping, having
+eaten some gruel which little Jack had prepared for him.</p>
+
+<p>Frank’s heart was not as light as it might have been when he went to
+work, for he could not help thinking of the secret the blind girl had
+revealed to him, and he pitied her.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was put on with an engineer by the name of Hank Slattery. It
+happened that Slattery was almost the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_203"></a>203</span> only friend old Joe Hicks had on
+the road. He scowled blackly at Frank, but said nothing at first. When
+they had hitched on and pulled out, Slattery observed:</p>
+
+<p>“So you’re the chap that kicked Joe Hicks out of a job, are ye?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, sir, I am not,” was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>“What? Why, your name’s Merriwell?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then you’re the one. No use denyin’ it.”</p>
+
+<p>“I do deny it, for it isn’t true. I never kicked any man out of a job.
+Old Joe had no one but himself to blame. If he had treated me right, it
+would have been all right.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, so that’s the way ye talk! I s’pose you think you’re runnin’ the
+road now?”</p>
+
+<p>“Nothing of the sort. I think I am attending to my business, and that’s
+all. It’s plain you do not like me.”</p>
+
+<p>“No.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I can’t help that.”</p>
+
+<p>“You think you’re too smart.”</p>
+
+<p>“How do you know?”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, you’ve got the swelled head. Poke in more coal there.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank soon found that he was forced to work quite as hard as he had
+done when he started out with old Joe, and he was not at all satisfied.</p>
+
+<p>“See here,” he finally said, “what are you trying to do? Have you
+started in to knock me on this trip?”</p>
+
+<p>“No; but this engine takes a heap of coal.”</p>
+
+<p>“Because you’re not running her right.”</p>
+
+<p>“Hey?” shouted Slattery; “I said you thought you<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_204"></a>204</span> knew too much! That
+proves it. You’re trying to tell me how to run this engine.”</p>
+
+<p>“You are running her just as old Joe started to run her yesterday.
+That’s what the row was over.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you’re goin’ to pick a row with me, are ye? Well, they’ll get
+onter you after a while, if you keep it up.”</p>
+
+<p>“I am not going to pick a row with you, but I am going to tell you
+this: On the return trip old Joe ran her right, and we got along well.
+The quadrant shows his notch. You are not keeping her there.”</p>
+
+<p>“His notch? Where?”</p>
+
+<p>“Where it is worn smooth there.”</p>
+
+<p>“Did he run her there?”</p>
+
+<p>“After our trouble.”</p>
+
+<p>Slattery looked doubtful, but Frank gave him some straight talk then
+and there, telling what Hicks had done on the return trip.</p>
+
+<p>“Joe’s one of the best engineers on the road,” said Slattery. “What he
+don’t know ain’t worth knowin’. Just you show me how he ran her.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank was surprised, but he did as requested, and his surprise
+increased when the engineer did his best to change his style of
+handling the locomotive. As a result, Frank, the fireman, was the
+instructor of his engineer during the greater part of the trip. When
+the trip was almost over, Slattery said:</p>
+
+<p>“Young feller, I’m much obliged to you. You’re all right, and I’m
+going to tell you something I’ve never told any living person before.
+I’m not a regular engineer;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_205"></a>205</span> I’m a machinist by trade. When this road
+was opened, I had a pull, and I got a job. I’ve managed to hook along
+all right, though my firemen would always growl. I said I didn’t like
+you when we started out, but I lied. I did like your appearance, and,
+somehow, I was willin’ to have you show me how old Joe ran his engine.
+I think I’ve learned something to-day, and I kinder reckon we’ll git
+along all right. Yes; I’m much obliged.”</p>
+
+<p>Frank felt satisfied with the result of that day.</p>
+
+<p>When he arrived home that night, little Nell was telling old Joe some
+Bible stories which she had learned from the lips of her mother and
+Sabbath-school teacher. The old man was on the bed, listening in a
+wondering way. Without letting them know it, Merry paused and watched
+them.</p>
+
+<p>“I never read the book any,” confessed the man. “Never seemed to care
+for it, for I thought it was full of foolish things; but them stories
+you have been tellin’ me have made me feel a heap better. If them’s the
+things what’s in the Bible, I don’t wonder people read it. It must do
+’em good.”</p>
+
+<p>“It is our guide,” said the girl; “all the guide we have in this life.
+If it were not for the Bible, all humanity would be adrift.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yep, I reckon you’re right. I’ve been adrift myself, an’ I ’lowed
+there was no port open for me, but now&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“Now you see a light.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; it seems so. It seems that I’m goin’ into port at last, and
+I’ll drop anchor where no storms can reach me. You must be my pilot,
+Nellie.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_206"></a>206</span>
+He held out his hand, and she took it.</p>
+
+<p>“I will!” she exclaimed. “And I will ask the aid of the Great Pilot
+above.”</p>
+
+<p>She knelt down beside the bed and began to pray.</p>
+
+<p>Frank Merriwell turned and stole softly away.</p>
+
+<p>“God bless her!” he whispered, tears in his eyes. “She is, indeed, an
+angel! She has done for that wretched man what no other living being
+could have done.”</p>
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="divider" />
+<h2 id="xxxvi">CHAPTER XXXVI.<br />
+<span>“ON TIME, AT LAST!”</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>It was two nights later that Frank came home and found little Jack in a
+fairly frantic condition.</p>
+
+<p>“What?&mdash;what is the matter?” asked Merry, stopping in the door and
+staring at the lame boy in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>Jack gave a great cry.</p>
+
+<p>“Here!” he screamed, hobbling toward Frank, and holding out a slip of
+paper. “Read that!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank took it, and read:</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="mb0">“I can forgive all my enemies but one, and that is Frank Merriwell. I
+have stayed near him as long as I can, but I can’t leave Nellie, so I
+take her with me.</p>
+
+<p class="mt0 right smcap">“Old Joe.”</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>That was enough to set Frank’s blood on fire.</p>
+
+<p>“Are they gone?” he cried.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes! yes!” sobbed the lame lad, wringing his hands.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_207"></a>207</span>
+“You went out and left them?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; I went to see if I could not earn some money. Nellie said she
+was not afraid of him, and I left them together. When I came back they
+were gone, and that note was here. Oh, Frank, it is terrible! My poor
+little, blind sister!”</p>
+
+<p>“We will find her,” said Frank, growing calm.</p>
+
+<p>“How?”</p>
+
+<p>“Somehow. Don’t cry, Jack. Trust me. I will bring her back to you!”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! I believe you will!” cried the lame boy; “but do so as soon as you
+can. Think how frightened she must be, and how she must suffer. She
+will be ill again. Can’t I help you search?”</p>
+
+<p>“Come,” said Merry.</p>
+
+<p>Taking the note, he went to police headquarters, and reported what
+had happened. He was asked many questions, and the officer in charge
+promised that an immediate search for the abducted girl should be made.</p>
+
+<p>Then Frank and Jack started out to search for the missing girl,
+asking questions everywhere. Till after midnight they wandered about
+the streets, but found no clew. The lame boy was ready to drop from
+exhaustion, and Frank literally carried him home on his back.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, Frank!” sobbed little Jack; “I’ll never see my sister any more. I
+know I shall not!”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, you will,” assured Merry. “She will be found.”</p>
+
+<p>“He has taken her away&mdash;away out of the city. I feel sure of that,
+Frank.”</p>
+
+<p>“I do not think he has.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_208"></a>208</span>
+“Why not?”</p>
+
+<p>“Because he had not the money to do anything of the sort. He used his
+money as fast as he received it, and I do not believe he had a dollar
+left to his name five hours after he was discharged from his job on the
+railroad.”</p>
+
+<p>“But he might put her on a train some way. He might put her into a box
+car, and carry her off that way.”</p>
+
+<p>“He might,” admitted Frank; “but I do not believe he has. It is likely
+that by morning the police will have found them both.”</p>
+
+<p>It was difficult to reassure and quiet the boy, and Frank himself
+feared there might be some truth in Jack’s fancy that old Joe had
+carried Nellie off in a box car. The old engineer knew the ropes about
+the railroad so well that he might do such a thing with very little
+trouble.</p>
+
+<p>Still carrying Jack, Frank mounted the stairs to the rooms they called
+home.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, it don’t seem that I can go in there!” moaned the lame boy. “It
+will be so bare and lonely without her!”</p>
+
+<p>“Hark!” whispered Frank, stopping.</p>
+
+<p>They heard a voice singing softly and sweetly, “Nearer, My God, to
+Thee!”</p>
+
+<p>Little Jack almost shrieked aloud.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s her&mdash;it’s sister!”</p>
+
+<p>Frank bounded up the stairs and flung open the door. Beside the bed
+sat Nellie. She heard them and turned, with a finger uplifted, still
+singing.</p>
+
+<p>On the bed lay the old engineer, and there was an ashen<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_209"></a>209</span> grayness to
+his face. One glance revealed to Frank that the man was facing the last
+mystery of life&mdash;death!</p>
+
+<p>Merry lowered little Jack and gave him his crutch. Then they slowly and
+softly approached the bed.</p>
+
+<p>“Twenty-three minutes late!” muttered the old engineer. “We’ve got ter
+make her up somehow. We must be at Roaring Run bridge in an hour and
+three minutes. More coal, man&mdash;more coal!”</p>
+
+<p>“He is making his last run,” whispered Frank. “And the end of the trip
+is near.”</p>
+
+<p>Little Jack crept up and kissed his sister’s cheek.</p>
+
+<p>“How do you happen to be here now?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“He brought me back,” said Nellie. “I begged him to and he did so.
+Before you came he was asking for Frank.”</p>
+
+<p>“Frank!” exclaimed the dying man, catching the whispered word. “Where
+is Frank Merriwell? I’ve got to see him.”</p>
+
+<p>“I am here, Mr. Hicks,” said Merry, stepping close to the bed.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; I hear you, but I can’t see you very well. Bend lower. Yes; it is
+you. I did hate you, but I was wrong. I ask you to fergive me. Will ye?”</p>
+
+<p>“With all my heart!”</p>
+
+<p>“I am glad. You are a fine young man, and I want to leave them in your
+care&mdash;Nellie and Jack. You will take care of them?”</p>
+
+<p>“I will.”</p>
+
+<p>“I believe it, and they will be safe with you. Oh! she is such an
+angel! She has put me onto a new trip, and&mdash;and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_210"></a>210</span> I am making the run.
+The steam is getting low. More coal! more coal!”</p>
+
+<p>He seemed peering ahead, as he had peered out from the window of an
+engine cab many times.</p>
+
+<p>“This is the straightest strip of road I ever struck,” he muttered.
+“Not a curve nor a grade as fur as you kin see. It’s wonderful! But the
+steam is low, and we are behind time. We must be at Roaring Run bridge
+on time. We must get there somehow. More coal!”</p>
+
+<p>Then, after another period of silence, he began again:</p>
+
+<p>“I’m runnin’ her in the right notch now, and we’re gaining. We will
+make it. Hear her sing over the rails. Oh, she is humming now! Ah, we
+are beginning to make up lost time.”</p>
+
+<p>“Sing, Nellie,” whispered Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The girl did so, although her cheeks were wet with tears. For a long
+time the dying engineer lay still and listened.</p>
+
+<p>“’Sh!” he whispered, now and then. “Somebody is singing. It is such
+sweet singing! Don’t make a noise, for she may stop.”</p>
+
+<p>Finally he began to peer before him again. All at once he cried:</p>
+
+<p>“It’s getting dark on the track! Light the headlight! We’re
+gaining&mdash;we’re gaining. Only ten minutes late! We&mdash;will&mdash;make it!”</p>
+
+<p>His hands gripped and relaxed. With his left he reached out, as if
+feeling for the throttle.</p>
+
+<p>“A little more does it,” he muttered, weakly. “There&mdash;that’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_211"></a>211</span> it. We’ll
+be&mdash;there&mdash;soon. It’s just&mdash;just&mdash;ahead. Ha! Here we are on time&mdash;on
+time, at last!”</p>
+
+<p>The end of the trip was reached.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb" />
+
+<p>And so passed away the principal enemy that Frank Merriwell had. As for
+Frank himself, he had already won a place and respect on the railroad.
+He was in a position to help the blind girl and her crippled brother,
+and there was no one who could hinder him now. He was recognized
+already as one of the best firemen on the road, and eligible for
+promotion to the post of engineer at any time. He had taken the first
+step upward in the struggle through life, and the first step in this
+struggle is always the hardest one. After this, it would be plainer
+sailing, and although Frank Merriwell was destined to pass through many
+more adventures on the railroad, he had overcome the chief difficulties
+in the way of success, and made a good start. He had started at the
+foot of the ladder with his first job, but already he had surmounted
+the lowest rung and was in a fair way to climb, up and up, to ultimate
+success.</p>
+
+<p class="center p120">THE END.</p>
+
+
+<div class="section">
+<hr class="double" />
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_i"></a>i</span>
+</div>
+<div class="book-container">
+<p id="books" class="center p160">THE MEDAL LIBRARY</p>
+
+<p class="center p120">FAMOUS COPYRIGHTED STORIES FOR BOYS, BY FAMOUS AUTHORS</p>
+
+<p>This is an ideal line for boys of all ages. It contains juvenile
+masterpieces by the most popular writers of interesting fiction for
+boys. Among these may be mentioned the works of Burt L. Standish,
+detailing the adventures of Frank Merriwell, the hero, of whom every
+American boy has read with admiration. Frank is a truly representative
+American lad, full of character and a strong determination to do right
+at any cost. Then, there are the works of Horatio Alger, Jr., whose
+keen insight into the minds of the boys of our country has enabled him
+to write a series of the most interesting tales ever published. This
+line also contains some of the best works of Oliver Optic, another
+author whose entire life was devoted to writing books that would tend
+to interest and elevate our boys.</p>
+
+<p class="center p120">PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK</p>
+
+<hr class="double" />
+
+<p class="center bold">To be Published During December</p>
+
+<dl>
+<dt>339&mdash;In School and Out</dt>
+<dd>By Oliver Optic</dd>
+<dt>338&mdash;A Cousin’s Conspiracy</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>337&mdash;Jack Harkaway After Schooldays</dt>
+<dd>By Bracebridge Hemyng</dd>
+<dt>336&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Great Scheme</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+</dl>
+
+<p class="center bold clear pt3">To be Published During November</p>
+
+<dl>
+<dt>335&mdash;The Haunted Hunter</dt>
+<dd>By Edward S. Ellis</dd>
+<dt>334&mdash;Tony, the Tramp</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>333&mdash;Rich and Humble</dt>
+<dd>By Oliver Optic</dd>
+<dt>332&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Stage Hit</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+</dl>
+
+<hr class="tb" />
+
+<dl>
+<dt>331&mdash;The Hidden City</dt>
+<dd>By Walter MacDougall</dd>
+<dt>330&mdash;Bob Burton</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>329&mdash;Masterman Ready</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Marryat</dd>
+<dt>328&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Prosperity</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_ii"></a>ii</span>
+327&mdash;Jack Harkaway’s Friends</dt>
+<dd>By Bracebridge Hemyng</dd>
+<dt>326&mdash;The Tin Box</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>325&mdash;The Young Franc-Tireurs</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>324&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s New Comedian</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>323&mdash;The Sheik’s White Slave</dt>
+<dd>By Raymond Raife</dd>
+<dt>322&mdash;Helping Himself</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>321&mdash;Snarleyyow, The Dog Fiend</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Marryat</dd>
+<dt>320&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Fortune</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>319&mdash;By Right of Conquest</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>318&mdash;Jed, the Poorhouse Boy</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>317&mdash;Jack Harkaway’s Schooldays</dt>
+<dd>By Bracebridge Hemyng</dd>
+<dt>316&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Problem</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>315&mdash;The Diamond Seeker of Brazil</dt>
+<dd>By Leon Lewis</dd>
+<dt>314&mdash;Andy Gordon</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>313&mdash;The Phantom Ship</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Marryat</dd>
+<dt>312&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s College Chums</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>311&mdash;Whistler</dt>
+<dd>By Walter Aimwell</dd>
+<dt>310&mdash;Making His Way</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>309&mdash;Three Years at Wolverton</dt>
+<dd>By A Wolvertonian</dd>
+<dt>308&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Fame</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>307&mdash;The Boy Crusoes</dt>
+<dd>By Jeffreys Taylor</dd>
+<dt>306&mdash;Chester Rand</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>305&mdash;Japhet in Search of a Father</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Marryat</dd>
+<dt>304&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Own Company</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>303&mdash;The Prairie</dt>
+<dd>By J. Fenimore Cooper</dd>
+<dt>302&mdash;The Young Salesman</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>301&mdash;A Battle and a Boy</dt>
+<dd>By Blanche Willis Howard</dd>
+<dt>300&mdash;Frank Merriwell on the Road</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>299&mdash;Mart Satterlee Among the Indians</dt>
+<dd>By William O. Stoddard</dd>
+<dt>298&mdash;Andy Grant’s Pluck</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>297&mdash;Newton Forster</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Marryat</dd>
+<dt>296&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Protege</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>295&mdash;Cris Rock</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Mayne Reid</dd>
+<dt><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_iii"></a>iii</span>
+294&mdash;Sam’s Chance</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>293&mdash;My Plucky Boy Tom</dt>
+<dd>By Edward S. Ellis</dd>
+<dt>292&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Hard Luck</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>291&mdash;By Pike and Dyke</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>290&mdash;Shifting For Himself</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>289&mdash;The Pirate and the Three Cutters</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Marryat</dd>
+<dt>288&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Opportunity</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>287&mdash;Kit Carson’s Last Trail</dt>
+<dd>By Leon Lewis</dd>
+<dt>286&mdash;Jack’s Ward</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>285&mdash;Jack Darcy, the All Around Athlete</dt>
+<dd>By Edward S. Ellis</dd>
+<dt>284&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s First Job</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>283&mdash;Wild Adventures Round the Pole</dt>
+<dd>By Gordon Stables</dd>
+<dt>282&mdash;Herbert Carter’s Legacy</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>281&mdash;Rattlin, the Reefer</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Marryat</dd>
+<dt>280&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Struggle</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>279&mdash;Mark Dale’s Stage Venture</dt>
+<dd>By Arthur M. Winfield</dd>
+<dt>278&mdash;In Times of Peril</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>277&mdash;In a New World</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>276&mdash;Frank Merriwell in Maine</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>275&mdash;The King of the Island</dt>
+<dd>By Henry Harrison Lewis</dd>
+<dt>274&mdash;Beach Boy Joe</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. James K. Orton</dd>
+<dt>273&mdash;Jacob Faithful</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Marryat</dd>
+<dt>272&mdash;Facing the World</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>271&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Chase</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>270&mdash;Wing and Wing</dt>
+<dd>By J. Fenimore Cooper</dd>
+<dt>269&mdash;The Young Bank Clerk</dt>
+<dd>By Arthur M. Winfield</dd>
+<dt>268&mdash;Do and Dare</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>267&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Cruise</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>266&mdash;The Young Castaways</dt>
+<dd>By Leon Lewis</dd>
+<dt>265&mdash;The Lion of St. Mark</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>264&mdash;Hector’s Inheritance</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>263&mdash;Mr. Midshipman Easy</dt>
+<dd>By Captain Marryat</dd>
+<dt>262&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Vacation</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>261&mdash;The Pilot</dt>
+<dd>By J. Fenimore Cooper</dd>
+<dt>260&mdash;Driven From Home</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>259&mdash;Sword and Pen</dt>
+<dd>By Henry Harrison Lewis</dd>
+<dt>258&mdash;Frank Merriwell In Camp</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_iv"></a>iv</span>
+257&mdash;Jerry</dt>
+<dd>By Walter Aimwell</dd>
+<dt>256&mdash;The Young Ranchman</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Lounsberry</dd>
+<dt>255&mdash;Captain Bayley’s Heir</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>254&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Loyalty</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>253&mdash;The Water Witch</dt>
+<dd>By J. Fenimore Cooper</dd>
+<dt>252&mdash;Luke Walton</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>251&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Danger</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>250&mdash;Neka, the Boy Conjurer</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Ralph Bonehill</dd>
+<dt>249&mdash;The Young Bridge Tender</dt>
+<dd>By Arthur M. Winfield</dd>
+<dt>248&mdash;The West Point Rivals</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Frederick Garrison, U. S. A.</dd>
+<dt>247&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Secret</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>246&mdash;Rob Ranger’s Cowboy Days</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</dd>
+<dt>245&mdash;The Red Rover</dt>
+<dd>By J. Fenimore Cooper</dd>
+<dt>244&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Return to Yale</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>243&mdash;Adrift in New York</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>242&mdash;The Rival Canoe Boys</dt>
+<dd>By St. George Rathborne</dd>
+<dt>241&mdash;The Tour of the Zero Club</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. R. Bonehill</dd>
+<dt>240&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Champions</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>239&mdash;The Two Admirals</dt>
+<dd>By J. Fenimore Cooper</dd>
+<dt>238&mdash;A Cadet’s Honor</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Fred’k Garrison, U. S. A.</dd>
+<dt>237&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Skill</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>236&mdash;Rob Ranger’s Mine</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Lounsberry</dd>
+<dt>235&mdash;The Young Carthaginian</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>234&mdash;The Store Boy</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>233&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Athletes</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>232&mdash;The Valley of Mystery</dt>
+<dd>By Henry Harrison Lewis</dd>
+<dt>231&mdash;Paddling Under Palmettos</dt>
+<dd>By St. George Rathborne</dd>
+<dt>230&mdash;Off for West Point</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Fred’k Garrison, U. S. A.</dd>
+<dt>229&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Daring</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>228&mdash;The Cash Boy</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>227&mdash;In Freedom’s Cause</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>226&mdash;Tom Havens With the White Squadron</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. James K. Orton</dd>
+<dt>225&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Courage</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>224&mdash;Yankee Boys in Japan</dt>
+<dd>By Henry Harrison Lewis</dd>
+<dt>223&mdash;In Fort and Prison</dt>
+<dd>By William Murray Graydon</dd>
+<dt><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_v"></a>v</span>
+222&mdash;A West Point Treasure</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Fred’k Garrison, U. S. A.</dd>
+<dt>221&mdash;The Young Outlaw</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>220&mdash;The Gulf Cruisers</dt>
+<dd>By St. George Rathborne</dd>
+<dt>219&mdash;Tom Truxton’s Ocean Trip</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Lounsberry</dd>
+<dt>218&mdash;Tom Truxton’s School Days</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Lounsberry</dd>
+<dt>217&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Bicycle Tour</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>216&mdash;Campaigning With Braddock</dt>
+<dd>By Wm. Murray Graydon</dd>
+<dt>215&mdash;With Clive in India</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>214&mdash;On Guard</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Fred’k Garrison, U. S. A.</dd>
+<dt>213&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Races</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>212&mdash;Julius, the Street Boy</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>211&mdash;Buck Badger’s Ranch</dt>
+<dd>By Russell Williams</dd>
+<dt>210&mdash;Sturdy and Strong</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>209&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Sports Afield</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>208&mdash;The Treasure of the Golden Crater</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</dd>
+<dt>207&mdash;Shifting Winds</dt>
+<dd>By St. George Rathborne</dd>
+<dt>206&mdash;Jungles and Traitors</dt>
+<dd>By Wm. Murray Graydon</dd>
+<dt>205&mdash;Frank Merriwell at Yale</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>204&mdash;Under Drake’s Flag</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>203&mdash;Last Chance Mine</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. James K. Orton</dd>
+<dt>202&mdash;Risen From the Ranks</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>201&mdash;Frank Merriwell in Europe</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>200&mdash;The Fight for a Pennant</dt>
+<dd>By Frank Merriwell</dd>
+<dt>199&mdash;The Golden Cañon</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>198&mdash;Only an Irish Boy</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>197&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Hunting Tour</dt>
+<dd><a name="By" id="By"></a><ins title="Original omits 'By'">By</ins>
+Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>196&mdash;Zip, the Acrobat</dt>
+<dd>By Victor St. Clair</dd>
+<dt>195&mdash;The Lion of the North</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>194&mdash;The White Mustang</dt>
+<dd>By Edward S. Ellis</dd>
+<dt>193&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Bravery</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>192&mdash;Tom, the Bootblack</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>191&mdash;The Rivals of the Diamond</dt>
+<dd>By Russell Williams</dd>
+<dt>190&mdash;The Cat of Bubastes</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>189&mdash;Frank Merriwell Down South</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>188&mdash;From Street to Mansion</dt>
+<dd>By Frank H. Stauffer</dd>
+<dt>187&mdash;Bound to Rise</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>186&mdash;On the Trail of Geronimo</dt>
+<dd>By Edward S. Ellis</dd>
+<dt>185&mdash;For the Temple</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_vi"></a>vi</span>
+184&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Trip West</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>183&mdash;The Diamond Hunters</dt>
+<dd>By James Grant</dd>
+<dt>182&mdash;The Camp in the Snow</dt>
+<dd>By William Murray Graydon</dd>
+<dt>181&mdash;Brave and Bold</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>180&mdash;One of the 28th</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>178&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Foes</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>177&mdash;The White Elephant</dt>
+<dd>By William Dalton</dd>
+<dt>176&mdash;By England’s Aid</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>175&mdash;Strive and Succeed</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>173&mdash;Life at Sea</dt>
+<dd>By Gordon Stables</dd>
+<dt>172&mdash;The Young Midshipman</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>171&mdash;Erling the Bold</dt>
+<dd>By R. M. Ballantyne</dd>
+<dt>170&mdash;Strong and Steady</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>169&mdash;Peter, the Whaler</dt>
+<dd>By W. H. G. Kingston</dd>
+<dt>168&mdash;Among Malay Pirates</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>167&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s Chums</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>166&mdash;Try and Trust</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>165&mdash;The Secret Chart</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. James K. Orton</dd>
+<dt>164&mdash;The Cornet of Horse</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>163&mdash;Slow and Sure</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>162&mdash;The Pioneers</dt>
+<dd>By J. F. Cooper</dd>
+<dt>161&mdash;Reuben Green’s Adventures at Yale</dt>
+<dd>By James Otis</dd>
+<dt>160&mdash;Little by Little</dt>
+<dd>By Oliver Optic</dd>
+<dt>159&mdash;Phil, the Fiddler</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>158&mdash;With Lee in Virginia</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>157&mdash;Randy, the Pilot</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</dd>
+<dt>156&mdash;The Pathfinder</dt>
+<dd>By J. F. Cooper</dd>
+<dt>155&mdash;The Young Voyagers</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Mayne Reid</dd>
+<dt>154&mdash;Paul, the Peddler</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>153&mdash;Bonnie Prince Charlie</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>152&mdash;The Last of the Mohicans</dt>
+<dd>By J. Fenimore Cooper</dd>
+<dt>151&mdash;The Flag of Distress</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Mayne Reid</dd>
+<dt>150&mdash;Frank Merriwell’s School Days</dt>
+<dd>By Burt L. Standish</dd>
+<dt>149&mdash;With Wolfe in Canada</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>148&mdash;The Deerslayer</dt>
+<dd>By J. F. Cooper</dd>
+<dt>147&mdash;The Cliff Climbers</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Mayne Reid</dd>
+<dt>146&mdash;Uncle Nat</dt>
+<dd>By A. Oldfellow</dd>
+<dt>145&mdash;Friends Though Divided</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>144&mdash;The Boy Tar</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Mayne Reid</dd>
+<dt>143&mdash;Hendricks, the Hunter</dt>
+<dd>By W. H. G. Kingston</dd>
+<dt>142&mdash;The Young Explorer</dt>
+<dd>By Gordon Stables</dd>
+<dt>141&mdash;The Ocean Waifs</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Mayne Reid</dd>
+<dt>140&mdash;The Young Buglers</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>139&mdash;Shore and Ocean</dt>
+<dd>By W. H. G. Kingston</dd>
+<dt>138&mdash;Striving for Fortune</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger. Jr.</dd>
+<dt>137&mdash;The Bush Boys</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Mayne Reid</dd>
+<dt>136&mdash;From Pole to Pole</dt>
+<dd>By Gordon Stables</dd>
+<dt>135&mdash;Dick Cheveley</dt>
+<dd>By W. H. G. Kingston</dd>
+<dt><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_vii"></a>vii</span>
+134&mdash;Orange and Green</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>133&mdash;The Young Yagers</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Mayne Reid</dd>
+<dt>132&mdash;The Adventures of Rob Roy</dt>
+<dd>By James Grant</dd>
+<dt>131&mdash;The Boy Slaves</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Mayne Reid</dd>
+<dt>130&mdash;From Canal Boy to President</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>129&mdash;Ran Away to Sea</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Mayne Reid</dd>
+<dt>128&mdash;For Name and Fame</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>127&mdash;The Forest Exiles</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Mayne Reid</dd>
+<dt>126&mdash;From Powder Monkey to Admiral</dt>
+<dd>By W. H. G. Kingston</dd>
+<dt>125&mdash;The Plant Hunters</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Mayne Reid</dd>
+<dt>124&mdash;St. George for England</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>123&mdash;The Giraffe Hunters</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Mayne Reid</dd>
+<dt>122&mdash;Tom Brace</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>121&mdash;Peter Trawl</dt>
+<dd>By W. H. G. Kingston</dd>
+<dt>120&mdash;In the Wilds of New Mexico</dt>
+<dd>By G. Manville Fenn</dd>
+<dt>119&mdash;A Final Reckoning</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>118&mdash;Ned Newton</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>117&mdash;James Braithwaite, The Supercargo</dt>
+<dd>By W. H. G. Kingston</dd>
+<dt>116&mdash;Happy-Go-Lucky Jack</dt>
+<dd>By Frank H. Converse</dd>
+<dt>115&mdash;Adventures of a Young Athlete</dt>
+<dd>By Matthew White, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>114&mdash;The Old Man of the Mountains</dt>
+<dd>By George H. Coomer</dd>
+<dt>113&mdash;The Bravest of the Brave</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>112&mdash;20,000 Leagues Under the Sea</dt>
+<dd>By Jules Verne</dd>
+<dt>111&mdash;The Midshipman, Marmaduke Merry</dt>
+<dd>By W. H. G. Kingston</dd>
+<dt>110&mdash;Around the World in Eighty Days</dt>
+<dd>By Jules Verne</dd>
+<dt>109&mdash;A Dash to the Pole</dt>
+<dd>By Herbert D. Ward</dd>
+<dt>108&mdash;Texar’s Revenge</dt>
+<dd>By Jules Verne</dd>
+<dt>107&mdash;Van; or, In Search of an Unknown Race</dt>
+<dd>By Frank H. Converse</dd>
+<dt>106&mdash;The Boy Knight</dt>
+<dd>By George A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>105&mdash;The Young Actor</dt>
+<dd>By Gayle Winterton</dd>
+<dt>104&mdash;Heir to a Million</dt>
+<dd>By Frank H. Converse</dd>
+<dt>103&mdash;The Adventures of Rex Staunton</dt>
+<dd>By Mary A. Denison</dd>
+<dt>102&mdash;Clearing His Name</dt>
+<dd>By Matthew White, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>101&mdash;The Lone Ranch</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Mayne Reid</dd>
+<dt>100&mdash;Maori and Settler</dt>
+<dd>By George A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;99&mdash;The Cruise of the Restless; or, On Inland Waterways</dt>
+<dd>By James Otis</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;98&mdash;The Grand Chaco</dt>
+<dd>By George Manville Fenn</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;97&mdash;The Giant Islanders</dt>
+<dd>By Brooks McCormick</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;96&mdash;An Unprovoked Mutiny</dt>
+<dd>By James Otis</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;95&mdash;By Sheer Pluck</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;94&mdash;Oscar; or, The Boy Who Had His Own Way</dt>
+<dd>By Walter Aimwell</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;93&mdash;A New York Boy</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;92&mdash;Spectre Gold</dt>
+<dd>By Headon Hill</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;91&mdash;The Crusoes of Guiana</dt>
+<dd>By Louis Boussenard</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;90&mdash;Out on the Pampas</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;89&mdash;Clinton; or, Boy Life in the Country</dt>
+<dd>By Walter Aimwell</dd>
+<dt><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_viii"></a>viii</span>
+&#8199;88&mdash;My Mysterious Fortune</dt>
+<dd>By Matthew White, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;87&mdash;The Five Hundred Dollar Check</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;86&mdash;Catmur’s Cave</dt>
+<dd>By Richard Dowling</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;85&mdash;Facing Death</dt>
+<dd>By G. A. Henty</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;84&mdash;The Butcher of Cawnpore</dt>
+<dd>By William Murray Graydon</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;83&mdash;The Tiger Prince</dt>
+<dd>By William Dalton</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;82&mdash;The Young Editor</dt>
+<dd>By Matthew White, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;81&mdash;Arthur Helmuth, of the H. &amp; N. C. Railway</dt>
+<dd>By Edward S. Ellis</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;80&mdash;Afloat in the Forest</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. Mayne Reid</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;79&mdash;The Rival Battalions</dt>
+<dd>By Brooks McCormick</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;78&mdash;Both Sides of the Continent</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;77&mdash;Perils of the Jungle</dt>
+<dd>By Edward S. Ellis</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;76&mdash;The War Tiger; or, The Conquest of China</dt>
+<dd>By William Dalton</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;75&mdash;Boys in the Forecastle</dt>
+<dd>By George H. Coomer</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;74&mdash;The Dingo Boys</dt>
+<dd>By George Manville Fenn</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;73&mdash;The Wolf Boy of China</dt>
+<dd>By William Dalton</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;72&mdash;The Way to Success; or, Tom Randall</dt>
+<dd>By Alfred Oldfellow</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;71&mdash;Mark Seaworth’s Voyage on the Indian Ocean</dt>
+<dd>By William H. G. Kingston</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;70&mdash;The New and Amusing History of Sandford and Merton</dt>
+<dd>By F. C. Burnand</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;69&mdash;Pirate Island</dt>
+<dd>By Harry Collingwood</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;68&mdash;Smuggler’s Cave</dt>
+<dd>By Annie Ashmore</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;67&mdash;Tom Brown’s School Days</dt>
+<dd>By Thomas Hughes</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;66&mdash;A Young Vagabond</dt>
+<dd>By Z. R. Bennett</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;65&mdash;That Treasure</dt>
+<dd>By Frank H. Converse</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;64&mdash;The Tour of a Private Car</dt>
+<dd>By Matthew White, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;63&mdash;In the Sunk Lands</dt>
+<dd>By Walter F. Bruns</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;62&mdash;How He Won</dt>
+<dd>By Brooks McCormick</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;61&mdash;The Erie Train Boy</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;60&mdash;The Mountain Cave</dt>
+<dd>By George H. Coomer</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;59&mdash;The Rajah’s Fortress</dt>
+<dd>By William Murray Graydon</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;58&mdash;Gilbert, The Trapper</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. C. R. Ashley</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;57&mdash;The Gold of Flat Top Mountain</dt>
+<dd>By Frank H. Converse</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;56&mdash;Nature’s Young Noblemen</dt>
+<dd>By Brooks McCormick</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;55&mdash;A Voyage to the Gold Coast</dt>
+<dd>By Frank H. Converse</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;54&mdash;Joe Nichols; or, Difficulties Overcome</dt>
+<dd>By Alfred Oldfellow</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;53&mdash;The Adventures of a New York Telegraph Boy</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;52&mdash;From Farm Boy to Senator</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;51&mdash;Tom Tracy</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;50&mdash;Dean Dunham</dt>
+<dd>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;49&mdash;The Mystery of a Diamond</dt>
+<dd>By Frank H. Converse</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;48&mdash;Luke Bennett’s Hide-Out</dt>
+<dd>By Capt. C. B. Ashley, U.S. Scout</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;47&mdash;Eric Dane</dt>
+<dd>By Matthew White, Jr.</dd>
+</dl>
+</div>
+
+
+<div class="section clear pt3">
+<hr class="double" />
+</div>
+<div class="book-container">
+<p class="center p140">TALES OF VICTORIES</p>
+
+<p class="noi">Gained in the Pre-Revolutionary wars by lads of pluck and intelligence.
+Every true boy will be fascinated with these stories of the exciting
+adventures of boys who gladly gave their lives to freedom’s cause.</p>
+
+<hr class="single" />
+
+<p class="center p120"><i>BOYS OF LIBERTY LIBRARY</i></p>
+
+<dl>
+<dt>&#8199;3.&mdash;The Young Ambassador.</dt>
+<dd>By John De Morgan</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;7.&mdash;The Young Guardsman.</dt>
+<dd>By John De Morgan</dd>
+<dt>11.&mdash;Fighting Hal.</dt>
+<dd>By John De Morgan</dd>
+<dt>15.&mdash;By Order of the Colonel.</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Lounsberry</dd>
+<dt>19.&mdash;A Call to Duty.</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Lounsberry</dd>
+<dt>23.&mdash;The Young Patriot.</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Lounsberry</dd>
+<dt>26.&mdash;The Trader’s Captive.</dt>
+<dd>By Lieut. Lounsberry</dd>
+</dl>
+
+<p class="center p120 bold clear pt3">Only Ten Cents Per Copy
+At All Newsdealers</p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>If ordered by mail, add four cents to
+cover postage.</i></p>
+
+<p class="center">STREET &amp; SMITH, Publishers<br />
+NEW YORK</p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<div class="section clear">
+<hr class="double" />
+</div>
+
+<div class="book-container">
+<p class="center p140">
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_x"></a>x</span>
+CIRCUS LIFE</p>
+
+<hr class="double" />
+
+<p class="noi">Is admirably described in Stanley Norris’ great series of books for
+boys, published in the BOUND TO WIN LIBRARY. The hero has strange
+adventures while fighting his way to the top of his chosen profession.
+Every boy will thrill to the finger tips to read of his many narrow
+escapes.</p>
+
+<p class="center p120"><i>PRICE, 10 CENTS PER COPY AT ALL NEWSDEALERS</i></p>
+
+<p class="center">STANLEY NORRIS</p>
+
+<ul>
+<li>29 Phil, the Showman</li>
+<li>31 The Young Showman’s Rivals</li>
+<li>33 The Young Showman’s Pluck</li>
+<li>35 The Young Showman’s Triumph</li>
+<li>82 The Young Showman’s Foes</li>
+</ul>
+
+<p class="center">If ordered by mail, add four cents to cover postage.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb" />
+
+<p class="center bold p120">STREET &amp; SMITH, Publishers, New York</p>
+</div>
+
+
+<div class="section clear">
+<hr class="double" />
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xi"></a>xi</span>
+</div>
+
+<div class="book-container">
+<p class="center p120">WEST POINT STORIES</p>
+
+<hr class="double" />
+
+<p>One of the most interesting series of stories for boys is that which
+details the adventures of Mark Malloy at West Point. No boy who likes
+good, exciting tales of adventure should miss reading them. Published
+only in THE MEDAL LIBRARY.</p>
+
+<p class="center">PRICE, 10 CENTS PER COPY</p>
+
+<p class="center">LIEUT. FREDERICK GARRISON, U. S. A.</p>
+
+<ul>
+<li><i>214 On Guard</i></li>
+<li><i>222 A West Point Treasure</i></li>
+<li><i>230 Off for West Point</i></li>
+<li><i>238 A Cadet’s Honor</i></li>
+<li><i>248 The West Point Rivals</i></li>
+</ul>
+
+<p class="center">For Sale By All Newsdealers. If ordered by mail, add four cents to
+cover postage.</p>
+
+<p class="center bold p120">Street &amp; Smith, Publishers, New York</p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="double" />
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xii"></a>xii</span>
+</div>
+<div class="book-container">
+<p class="center p140">Ho! For Annapolis</p>
+
+<p class="noi">The enchanted city of every boy’s dreams. All cannot enter its gates,
+but all may read of the adventures of a crowd of jolly fellows who
+were fortunate enough to do so. Clif Farraday’s dare-devil plots and
+pranks are of intense interest. Published only in the <i>BOUND TO WIN
+SERIES</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="center">ONLY 10c. PER COPY</p>
+
+<p class="center">By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N.</p>
+
+<ul>
+<li>&#8199;3. Bound for Annapolis</li>
+<li>&#8199;8. Clif, the Naval Cadet</li>
+<li>13. A Strange Cruise</li>
+<li>18. The Cruise of the Training Ship</li>
+<li>23. From Port to Port</li>
+</ul>
+
+<p class="center">If these books are ordered by mail four cents per copy must be added to
+cover postage.</p>
+
+<p class="center bold p120">STREET &amp; SMITH, Publishers, New York.</p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<hr class="double" />
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xiii"></a>xiii</span>
+</div>
+<p class="center p140">Battles on Sea and Land</p>
+<div class="book-container">
+
+<p class="noi">We heartily recommend our <i>Boys of Liberty Library</i> to boys who
+have good, red blood coursing through their veins&mdash;who like really good
+tales of adventure.</p>
+
+<p class="noi">The books listed below detail the adventures of brave lads who took an
+active part in the Revolutionary War, who, in many cases, saved the
+day to the Patriot army when all seemed lost. Read this series boys,
+nothing you can buy for the money will please you half so well.</p>
+
+<dl>
+<dt>&#8199;1. Paul Revere and the Boys of Liberty</dt>
+<dd>By John De Morgan</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;5. The first Shot for Liberty</dt>
+<dd>By John De Morgan</dd>
+<dt>&#8199;9. The Hero of Ticonderoga</dt>
+<dd>By John De Morgan</dd>
+<dt>13. On the Quebec</dt>
+<dd>By John De Morgan</dd>
+<dt>17. Fooling the Enemy</dt>
+<dd>By John De Morgan</dd>
+<dt>21. Into the Jaws of Death</dt>
+<dd>By John De Morgan</dd>
+<dt>25. The Tory Plot</dt>
+<dd>By T. C. Harbaugh</dd>
+<dt>27. In Buff and Blue</dt>
+<dd>By T. C. Harbaugh</dd>
+</dl>
+
+<p class="center clear pt1">For sale by all newsdealers at 10c. per copy. If ordered by mail, add
+four cents to cover postage.</p>
+
+<p class="center p120 bold">Street &amp; Smith, Publishers, New York</p>
+</div>
+
+
+<div class="section clear">
+<hr class="double" />
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xiv"></a>xiv</span>
+</div>
+
+<div class="book-container">
+<p class="center p180 smcap"><i>Horatio Alger, Jr.</i></p>
+<hr class="double" />
+
+<p>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>
+
+<p class="center p120 bold">ALGER, HORATIO, JR.</p>
+
+<ul>
+<li>&#8199;42. Young Acrobat, The.</li>
+<li>&#8199;50. Dean Dunham.</li>
+<li>&#8199;52. From Farm Boy to Senator.</li>
+<li>&#8199;61. Erie Train Boy, The.</li>
+<li>&#8199;87. Five Hundred Dollar Check, The.</li>
+<li>118. Ned Newton; or, The Adventures of a New York Bootblack.</li>
+<li>122. Tom Brace.</li>
+<li>130. From Canal Boy to President.</li>
+<li>138. Striving for Fortune.</li>
+<li>154. Paul, the Peddler.</li>
+<li>159. Phil, the Fiddler.</li>
+<li>163. Slow and Sure.</li>
+<li>166. Try and Trust.</li>
+<li>170. Strong and Steady.</li>
+<li>175. Strive and Succeed.</li>
+<li>181. Brave and Bold.</li>
+<li>187. Bound to Rise.</li>
+<li>192. Tom, the Bootblack.</li>
+<li>198. Only an Irish Boy.</li>
+<li>202. Risen From the Ranks.</li>
+<li>212. Julius, the Street Boy.</li>
+<li>221. Young Outlaw, The.</li>
+<li>228. Cash Boy, The.</li>
+<li>234. Store Boy, The.</li>
+<li>243. Adrift in New York.</li>
+<li>252. Luke Walton.</li>
+<li>260. Driven From Home.</li>
+<li>264. Hector’s Inheritance.</li>
+<li>268. Do and Dare.</li>
+<li>272. Facing the World.</li>
+<li>277. In a New World.</li>
+<li>282. Herbert Carter’s Legacy.</li>
+</ul>
+
+<p class="center">If these books are ordered by mail, add four cents per copy to cover
+postage.</p>
+
+<p class="center p120 bold">STREET &amp; SMITH, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xv"></a>xv</span>
+<hr class="double" />
+</div>
+<div class="book-container">
+<p class="center p160">A New Novel by</p>
+
+<p class="center p180">Charles Garvice</p>
+
+<p>The publication of a new copyrighted story by the celebrated Charles
+Garvice is an event eagerly looked forward to by all lovers of
+good fiction. We are glad, therefore, to be in a position to offer
+<strong>“Edna’s Secret Marriage.”</strong> This story has never been published in
+book form before and will make its appearance as Eagle Series No. 440.</p>
+
+<p>As the authorized American publishers of Charles Garvice, we take this
+opportunity to warn the public against purchasing spurious Garvice
+books. The early novels of Garvice, written before International
+Copyright, have been published on this side of the water in pirated
+editions under all sorts of titles to the great confusion of the
+reading public. In some cases, books bearing the name of Charles
+Garvice as author, but which Mr. Garvice never wrote, have been forced
+on the unsuspecting public. We are now preparing to prosecute the
+offenders in all such cases in behalf of Mr. Garvice.</p>
+
+<p class="center p120">STREET &amp; SMITH, Publishers</p>
+</div>
+
+
+<div class="section">
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xvi"></a>xvi</span>
+<hr class="double" />
+</div>
+<div class="book-container">
+<p class="center p120">MEDAL LIBRARY<br />
+A weekly publication
+devoted to good literature.<br />
+November 12, 1904. NO. 284</p>
+
+
+<hr class="double" />
+
+<p class="center p180">The HARKAWAY LIBRARY</p>
+
+<div class="figright" id="return">
+  <img src="images/return.jpg" width="299" height="446" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="noi p140 align-left">Detailing the Complete Adventures of
+Jack Harkaway</p>
+
+<p>Every boy will rejoice to know that at last the adventures of the
+famous Jack Harkaway are published in cheap paper edition.</p>
+
+<p>Bracebridge Hemyng, the author of these tales, has established an
+enviable reputation as a writer of stories for boys. No better tales
+of thrilling adventures, in school and out, on land and sea, have ever
+been written. The boy reader at once feels a most lively interest in
+Jack’s welfare and will not miss following him through all the ups and
+downs of his interesting life.</p>
+
+<hr class="double" />
+
+<p class="center p120">STREET &amp; SMITH, Publishers</p>
+
+<p class="noi">238 William Street,
+<span class="float-right">NEW YORK</span></p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="section">
+<hr class="divider" />
+</div>
+<div class="tn">
+<p class="center">Transcriber’s Note</p>
+
+<p class="noi">The Contents has been added by the transcriber.</p>
+
+<p class="noi">Punctuation has been standardised. Hyphenation and spelling have been
+retained as in the orignal publication except as follows:</p>
+
+<ul>
+<li>Page 12<br />
+did the old food do it <i>changed to</i><br />
+did the old <a href="#fool">fool</a> do it</li>
+
+<li>Page 101<br />
+cheeks of Frank Merrriwell <i>changed to</i><br />
+cheeks of Frank <a href="#Merriwell">Merriwell</a></li>
+
+<li>Page 131<br />
+Jack started to pour the tea <i>changed to</i><br />
+Jack started to pour the <a href="#coffee">coffee</a></li>
+
+<li>Page 195<br />
+the black vail between them <i>changed to</i><br />
+the black <a href="#veil">veil</a> between them</li>
+
+<li>Page 201<br />
+an ugly look overpread his face <i>changed to</i><br />
+an ugly look <a href="#overspread">overspread</a> his face</li>
+
+<li>Catalogue of books page v<br />
+  Hunting Tour, Burt L. Standish  <i>changed to</i><br />
+  Hunting Tour, <a href="#By">By</a> Burt L. Standish</li>
+</ul>
+</div>
+
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author	nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org>	2025-01-23 08:23:37 -0800
committer	nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org>	2025-01-23 08:23:37 -0800
commit	b38e6b4ce41fd205bfd985c04a7cb8a2e700c7da (patch)
tree	a2c690f05cf97f975f4e2fbea3bb02d4a5bec1ef