Vol. 1. No. 29. Five Cents. yy s ee SS ie j ( Meppiwen” = apie he WHEN THE PISTOL SPOKE, FRANK PRETENDED TO TAKE THE BULLET FROM HIS TEETH. ERG REE: Mice TIp Issued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year. OP October at. SDS Vol. 1. No. es LIBRARY. Entered as Second Class Matler at the N, Y. Post O; ce. STREET & See 29 Rose St., & y Entered Aceording to Act of Congress, in the Year 1896, in the - of the ee Sa. Congr ess, Washington, D. C. ic £ Ne ee Five Cents. PRANK MeRRIWELUS \ AGIG, THE PEARL OF TANGIER.. By the haere: of “PRANK MERRIWELL. = CHAPTER I. THE ARRIVAL IN TANGIER. “Hurrah !”’ It was a hearty boyish shout, and it came from the lips of Frank Merriwell, who stood on the deck of a steamer that yas approaching the coast of Morocco. Ephraim Gallup, the boy from Ver- mont, who was at Frank’s side, drawled: ‘“Anybody’d think yeou was gittin’ hum by the way yeou holler. I don’t know what yeou see to make such a *tarnal racket abaout.’’ “Took, Ephraim! yonder is Tangier, lying like a snow-white pearl on the shore of the blue Mediterranean. It isa sight to quicken the blood.”’ _ He pointed to the white walls of a city that could be plainly seen. “Tt looks purty fair from here,’’ ad- mitted the Vermonter;-‘‘but. ’cordin’ to yeour own statement abaout it, it won’t look so well when we git there.’’ ‘Phat is very true; bit it is the gate- way toa strange land for us—a land of strange people, strange customs, of wond- ers and marvels innumerable. . Besides that, I am tired of the sea, and Aglong to get ashore once more.”’ ‘“‘By gum! I don’t blame ye fer that. But I’d ruther git ashore where folks are civilized. I’ve seen enough uv black men an’ heathen.”’ Frank laughed. ‘‘Surely we have had our fill of them; but I would not like we return home withs out visiting Morocco.’ : Before long the es of the steamer - began to lessen, and it finally came_to a stop, the caches chains rattling, as His anchors were dropped. ‘Gol dern it all!’’ exclaimed phe clutching Frank’s arm. ‘‘Will yeow jest look there! Is that a gang uv ctazy ¢rit- ters comin’ to attack the steamer, ur what do they want ?”’ : _Some boats were pulling off from the shore, and behind them was a swarm of tattered Arabs, half naked, wading in the water, advancing toward the vessel, wav- ing their drms wildly, and uttering strange cries. . ‘*Evidently that is one of the queer: things we are to see in this country,” | said Frank, quietly. The boats reached the steamer, and the passengers were hurried into them by the boatmen. Frank and Ephraim succeeded © in getting in into one ‘Doak and were cated 3 eo 4 ae Seized by the jabbering gang, fatto, where he sat in a comfortable posi- | E Vermont! gnowled Ephraim, FRANK.MERRIWELL’S MAGIC. ater they had feft the steamer. ee Hoats moved toward the throng of tattered term-cotta-colored human _ be- mes, Some of whom had waded the mater tO the middle of their thighs. \As as’ this disreputable-looking | Hopde was reached, it precipitated itself | indi The passengers were | in soon the boats. as if they | ewere to be put to death without delay. fone old fellow grabbed Ephraim and tied to drag him from the boat. “Git aout!’ squawked the boy from | Vermont. | Me hit the old Arab a back-handed biOw with the flat of his hand, knocking’ #ie ian over in a twinkling. | But the old Arab was not to be baffled i such a manner. | Dripping with water, he scrambled up and grappled with the excited youth. peeing a catastrophe was coming, | Frank lost no time in climbing out of tne oat to the ; | { shoulders of a burly mu- ony waving his hat and shouting: | "Soit, boys! Ill bet two to one on Yankee Doodle forever!’ | Stand off, yeou gol dern black pirut!”? who had been some- What blinded by the splashed water. Keep yeour dirty hands off me, or I'll Wa-ow!”’ Over went the boat, precipitating the Hoatman and the Yankee lad into the Water, where there wasa general flounder- ing about, much to the amusement of the OLNGE passengers. _ Ftauk Merriwell’s hearty laugh rang Cle 3 "if “this is a sample of what we'll Ts a Morocco, we’ll have more fun i lian a’ funeral, he cried, |Hphraim came to the surface, oes Tike a. whale. “Ding Blast ye !’) he “squealed, sane aud shaking-his fist at the bewilde, deen ere | disgusted. Frank. any one would think we must ae thirsty savages.’ were enveloped. 4 ita sort~of long, woolen loak; with a large core i? -. tO pay for their passage immediately TePeM™Arab. ““Veou wait till we git no dry land, critter! I'll fix ye!’ Then he began to wade ashore. ‘‘T am surprised, Ephraim,’’ (said ‘Frank, soberly, ‘‘that you should ‘nigke isuch a racket over a matter like Migs The tan-colored gentleman simply wished to carry you ashore, as the water is fo¢ ishoal to permit the boats to approach You will observe that Alf sthe passengers are going ashore in that fame ner.’ The lad from Vermont looked arounmy iseeing that Frank spoke the truth. The |ladies were being carried ashore in chaigs, while the male passengers bestrodé the necks of the Arabs and negroes. ‘*Wal, why in thutteration didn’t’ they tell feller what they arter [2 nearer. a Was }growled Ephraim, looking ashamed Sand ‘They acted jest ez if ey | wanted to murder the hull on us.” When the shore was reached, Prank paid for the transportation of both fmm self and Ephraim, Whom the Vermonter had upset deman@e | payment. as the old felow ‘“‘Here we are!’’ Merriwell ‘“@eieq: ‘*And now we will find a hotel.’ Inquiry revealed that there was? One European hotel in the city, and amie secured a guide to pilot them thithem Ephraim grumbled as they made? tiem way along. He was dripping with Water, and presented a ludicrous aspect, but #ie populace in the streets did not smilemipeme him. He was regarded in a stoical, m= different manner, as if he were a worm of very sinall importance. from the boys, and women avoided @h@an while children fled in terror. Men drew) agede ‘‘Real_ sociable _ people,’’ ‘‘Judging by the way theyaaer Nearly all the.people in the strigets chiekien | ew ~ FRANK MERRIWELL’S MAGIC, ally worn straight upon the heads, that the whole city presented the aspect of a convent of Dominician monks. - Some of these hooded people passed gravely, slowly, and silently, a dreamy look in their eyes, as if their thoughts werg far away; some remained seated or crouching along the walls, or at the cor- ners of houses, immovable and with fixed eyes, dike the enchanted ones of the Arabian Nights. On their way to the hotel they passed through several narrow, winding streets, flanked by small white houses, without windows, and with small, ways, through which it could not be éasy to enter. In many of the streets nothing was to be seen but the whiteness of the walls and the blue sky overhead. Nearly all the streets were littered with rotten vegetables, feathers, rags, bones, and sometimes with deceased cats and dogs. ? As may be imagined, the odors were often anything but agreeable. At long intervals were seen groups of Arab children, playing or reciting verses from the Koran in a nasal drone. Beggars were plentiful, squatting along _the streets. Here and there the nostrils of the boys were assailed by the odor of garlic, burnt aloes, benzoine, fish, and things unnam- ‘able. 3 The square was reached, and was found to be a little rectangular place, sur- xounded by wretched shops. At one side was a fountain, around which wasa crowd of Arabs and negroes, : .engaged in drawing water in various vessels. At the other side of the square vailed women were seated on the ground, offer- ing bread for sale. The little square was thronged with al- ¥ most naked vagabonds, rich Moors, Jews, _ mployees of the legations, the houses of so| which mean door-’ were near at hand, inept, and beggars galore. For the time, Ephraim forgot. that a had received a ducking. He looked around, his jaw drooping. ‘“‘T be gol derned ef this don’t beat the — deck!’’ he muttered. ‘‘Never saw noth- ing like this before. ”’ “Tt is rather interesting,’’ “nodded Frank. ‘‘I fancied you would find it go.” At this moment, a vailed girl suddenly broke away from two men, who: seemed to be acting as her escorts, gave a low: cry of joy, rushed toward the boys, and flung her arms about Merriwell’s neck, sobbing : ‘*Frank ! dead !”’ Frank! they said you were. CHAPTER II. A MISSION IN MOROCCO, Never in his life was Frank Merriwell — more astonished. He could scarcely be- lieve he had heard aright. } Ephraim Gallup caught his breath and gurgled: ‘Wal, by gum!’’ eet Shouts of surprise and rage broke from the men who had accompanied the girl. Quickly drawing short, curved swords from beneath their cloa i a sprang toward the lads. cs ‘“‘Unhand her, Christian dogs!?? roared one, flourishing his sword, as if he would cut Frank down in a moment. fi “Take me away!’’ implored the gn “Tam willing to go with you now! Do not let-them touch me again!”’ } That appeal was enough to arouse the chivalry in Frank’s nature. * Swinging her to one side, he drew a revolver. ‘‘Stand off!’’ he ordered, sternly. ‘‘And keep off!’’ squealed- Ephraim, as he let his clinched fist shoot out and catch one of the men under the ear. It was a heayy blow, and the old’ Moor was knocked down in a twinkling. | wuieen went up from all sides, and a) Pisiee was made for the two lads, who | them faa themselves surrounded by a furious| annihilate them, yet hardly dared. |some moments, he spoke. Gee eeoine mob. T% iiad come about with marvelous Swiitness, so that even Frank was a trifle} gje! bewildered. | Some of the mob brandished daggers! aud Sscimiters, and all seemed thirsting tor the blood of the two youths. The old fellow who had been ‘knocked de@wir got upon his feet, waved his arms, and shouted forth an order. In the twinkling of an eye, the lads found themselves overwhelmed. The Fevolver was dashed from Frank’s hand, the girl was torn from his grasp, and he} beceived a blow that staggered and dazed hiss. Ephraim was used no less severely.” “Dogs,’’ howled the mob, in Arabic. *ill them! They have defiled.the Pearl | Of Tangier with their touch! Kill them!”’ Prank realized that they were in deadly man about to strike } @anger. Hesawa at Hphraim’s back with a dagger, and, Mitna terrific kick he sent the fellow Spinning into the midst of the crowd. A’ blow was aimed at Frank’s head With @ scimiter, and the boy barely had time to dodge it. | Tt is a fight for life!’ he cried. ‘‘We| must defend ourselves as best we can!| se your weapons, He struggled to get out his second re-| ¢phraim!’’ | Mover, but, just then, it was found un- ieeessaty for them to defend themselves With firearins. | Mhe second Moor, the one who had Sioeuted at Frank in English, now or-| dered the-mob back. He addressed them | mm Arabic, and they seemed to give over] the assault on the boys with great reluct-| ance, Grawino back slowly. Not knowing what might follow this| move, Frank held himself in readiness for anything, regarding the qld Moor witli no} latte: curiosity. |hedn’t thought it necessary. FRANK MURRIWELL’S. MAGIC. The man turned on the boys, gazing at loweringly, as if he longed to After or o ‘“Knaves,’’ he growled, ‘‘you should Do you know what you have done, miserable Christians ?”’ ‘‘Attempted to defend a girl who .ap- pealed to us, but made a sad failure of |it,’’ replied Frank, looking around for the mysterious girl, but seeing nothing of Oo her. ‘You defiled her with touch, and she is the Pearl of Tangier But that is not all. You struck Ben have your | Ahmet, whois her uncle and. protector, and who is also a descendant of Mohame med, the sacred one.’’ , >) ‘*Ts that so! ‘Wal, I wouldn’t -’a’ struck Ben ef @ As he’s@ trifle older then I be, I’m sorry I hit hit at all. Jest tell him I apologize.”’ ‘Bah! That will not wash away the stain. Your blood would have flowed % he had ordered it so. From this hour you are marked. If you remain in Moroceg you shall not escape just punishment f68 your offense. It is best that you delay |not in leaving the country.’’ Frank whistled. ‘This is interesting,’ 9 he said, coolly, |‘*We have just arrived.’’ “It matters not. depart at once.’’ ‘Well, we will think it If you would live over. We ican’t go till the steamer leaves, unless wé swim across the straits, and that would be too much trouble.’’ ‘‘T have spoken.”’ ‘‘And demanded who be yeou?’’ | Ephraim. ‘‘T am Ali Mustaf, the Caid of Thwat favored by the Prince of Believers, ang Vicegerent of God upon Earth.”’ ‘‘Wal, gol dern my’ cats!’ gasped thie boy from Vermont. ‘‘We didn’t know drawled Ephraim, dryly = — en a muted. FRANK MERRIWELL’ S MAGIC. we'd run up against anything like that. Will yeou excuse us for livin’ !”’ “You have heard. Take heed.”’ Ali Mustaf turned and waved his hands to the throng, whereupon the mob slowly and reluctantly dispersed, giving the boys many black looks, and muttering sullenly. - Ali Mustaf and away. “What in the world becafne of that girl??? muttered Frank, lookfhg about. ‘She disappeared in a twinkling.”’ ‘‘She was carried away by some uv the dad-blamed craowd,’’ said Ephraim. ‘One uv them old varmints must hev told them to take her away.”’ ‘fAnd she knew me.’ ‘‘She did ?”’ “Surely. Didn’t you hear her call me by natne?’’ “T guess I did. But haow in did she happen to know yeou ?”’ ‘That is a mystery—one I would give something to solve.’’ oP rraties mo esi.” *‘VYeou’re havin’ yeour same old luck.’ ‘*What do you mean ?”’ ~ “Why, gittin’ mixed up in’ some kind uv a racket with a gal. Gals alwus seem to be callin’ on yeou to help um, an’ Ben Ahmet moved they keep yeou in hot water a good part) ‘ ; uy the time.’’ Frank smiled, picked up the revolver that had been torn from his hand, and placed the weapon in his ‘pocket. “Tt is the way of the world,’’ he said. “The fair sex make most of the trouble for us.”’ Then his face became clouded again, and he bit his lip, looking about in an unsatisfied way. «= | How shall I find her again ?’” he mur- ee did not. see her: face: talk with —. ‘Wal, I ruther guess yeou’ll do jest as yeou durn please, fer I’ve alwus noticed yequ do. Yeou’d better take me along with ye.’’ ‘(Not on this trip, Ephraim. ing to go it alone.”’ Still Frank was doubtful, although he would not confess it, even to himself. He carefully examined his revolvers, taking both of them. Professor Scotch came in and expressed his curiosity over a queer little cabinet which Frank had taken from his trunk. “Oh, that’s a curiosity I picked up,”’ explained the boy. ‘‘I fancied it might - come in handy some time, and I mean to carry it home with me.’’ ~ “But what in the world is it?’ asked the professor, endeavoring to open it, but being unable to do so. ‘‘How do you get fMmto the thing ?”’ his way.’ - Frank touched the cabinet, and the top flew open, while up shot the head of a Serpent with forked tongue and fiery eyes, seeming to hiss and strike at the professor. Scotch gave a shriek of terror and fell Igela.’’ I am go- over backward. “Save me!’’ he roared. ‘‘I’m a dead man! Kill the thing!”’ .. ‘What’s all this about?’ asked Frank, in apparent surprise. ‘‘What is the mat- _ ter with you, professor ?’’ ‘Snakes! snakes!’’ ‘‘Snakes? What are you talking about? Where ?”’ ‘There why, 9) where is it? It vhas gore! The professor sat up and stared amazement at the cabinet, which wide open, but no snake was in sight. “Too bad!’ said Frank, turning™ to Ephraim. ‘‘I did havea faint hope that in was |the professor would leave it off, but it: is still plain that he sometimes looks on the wine when it is red.’’ ‘*What’s that ?’’ roared the little man, who had a big, hoarse voice. ‘‘What a5 you mean? Do you insinuate that I have ‘been drinking ?”’ ‘‘Of course I do not wish to hurt your feelings, but—-—”’ ‘*T tell you I saw a snake!”’ ‘“Too bad!’ sobbed Frank, getting out his handkerchief, and pretending to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye. = ‘‘But I am positive of it.’’ ‘(They always are.” | ‘It must be right here somewhere. Look around for it.” **T wouldn’t, professor—you may see something worse.”’ The professor was aroused. He had per- mitted the United States Consul to treat him rather generously with strong drink since coming to Tangier, but he was posi- tive that had nothing to do with the ap- pearance of the snake, and he was angry with Frank for insinuating anything of the sort. r “Look out!’’ he rumbled, grasping, his cane and thrusting it into the cabinet. ‘“T]1] poke the reptile out, or——- Whoop! Murder! Take it off!’’ With a shrilling squeal, a large rat had jumped out of the cabinet and seemed toward the ta to run along the cane professor’s hand. . 2 The little man dropped the stick { in an instant, and once more“fell flat upou the floor; where,he made a wild scramble to get awe ye: and stopping énly when he had a ko reached a distant corner, where he sat up om the floor, his back against the wall, his eyes popping from his head. “Where it the beast?’ he gurgled, Modisely. his hands in apparent distress. "The professor has gone mad!’’ he moaned. Mad!” roared the ig courage, as he ~ Who wouldn’t be Serpent strike at him, little man, gather- saw nothing of the rat. mad to have a slimy and then be at- tacked by a red-eyed rat.”’ ‘Too bad! too bad!”’ “1 fear he will become violent. send for a doctor ete x “Doctor !’ Want a doctor. sighed We must howled Scotch I tell you I’ma But i know when I see a snake and a rat. to get on my hand.”? ’? came soberly witis a very bad case, from ~ Frank, head to hide a broad grin. meotch got rovind, like while Ephraim turned his on his feet, and danced a maniac. 3 *Cénfound it “There’s nothing Tam all right! Prank followed him the back, caressed soothingly: all! the matter he shouted. with me! | I know what I see!” up, patted him on his hand, and ‘said, “Of course you know—to be sure you dor Tere was a au@meore than a hundred rats.”’ **No, Man, erinding his teeth. tat! Think I’m a fool ?”’ “ipo bad!”’ Frank, Mputaim a lugubrious look that nearly gan vilged the Vermont. ‘‘This pis tueewayewathethem every time. Now eis Suie he didn’t see any snakes and fats, liataseproof.positive that he is in ea dinvérous pce Wouldn't” it be terrible if we idtind. it. necessary to have whole drove of snakes, e little “Don’t tell me there wasn’t!’’ snarled th sighed giving lad from Prank turned to Ephraim, wringing | FRANK MERRIWELL’S MAGIC, fo i him taken in and cared constantly ?’’ Professor Scotch a wild and somewhat original war dance. charge When he was out of breath, he paused ju front of Frank, |a boy’s face as he gasped: shaking his fist in the } | ‘‘I see through your little game! You | | want to get rid of me! You want to go as 'you please! You want to do as you choose! |That’s why you ran away to South Amer = But it,won’t work, you young raseab! } ¢ Frank. |& iroom likea | ‘khe shake hissed at me, and the rat tried |* }view and nodded familiarly |I’ll stick by you now, though you may pring my gray hairs in sorrow to tHe | grave.” Then he tramped up and down the caged tiger. Coming near the “T don?t | Cabinet, he lifted his foot to give it a kick} ll right! | but, at that instant a hollow voice that itself; said: : |seemed to come from the cabinet ‘‘Beware! Touch me not!”’ And then.a grinning skull popped imto at the little man, The professor gave a howl, and rusBed who out of the room, leaving the two boys, | were in paroxysms, of laughter. } When the boys had ceased to laugh isomewhat, Frank approached the cabiiegy rolling up a little ball of invisible cord as Without hesitation, he teo# i\hold’of the skull and thrust it back imfé the it Tig | popped into view. ~he said, ‘‘I rather fancied tits he did so. compartment from which ‘There,’ cabinet would afford me some amusem@ne |'when I bought it from that travelirg 17 gician. The professor forgot that I soxiigs times practice ventriloquism, and so H¢€ fancied it was the skull that spoke. Ife to have shown had continued monkey him some other things of a surprising nature.’ cabinet I would Then he arranged everything in ti cabinet; he closed, and-rettit ied tp 7 which his trunk. gave an exhibition of around that = ha 2. _- FRANK MERRIWELL’S MAGIC. Far along the street there was a glare OMB. . CHAPTER V. TREACHERY. Under cover of darkness, guided by the * dark- skinned Azza, Frank Merriwell left Fthe hotel shortly before nine. es | fcat-like tread. Azza avoided the square and stole along the dark and narrow streets with a swift, 4 Frank followed closely, making sure his revolvers were ready®for instant use. Both man and boy were enveloped in ') the hooded cloak so common in Tangier. The shoes which Frank wore had cork a ‘goles, so his footsteps made very little ta --sons who were moving noise. At intervals they brushed against per- in the narrow ' Streets, and Frank seemed to see sharp t éyes peering at him from beneath beetling brows. Tangier was not a pleasant city to roam about in after nightfall. It seemed to Frarik that it was a city well adapted to dark deeds—a place where _trime might thrive with little fear of “punishment. em wr : pedestrians who were moving on the As far as possible, Azza avoided ‘the pee cts. _In every nook and angle dark shadows 4 Bice, like crouching assassins, and more eo than once the boy clutched his revolver, ~ -teady to draw and defend himself from : ‘ing streets, so that the boy became quite |- attack. _ They passed through a maze of wind- “th bewildered. He had thought to remember ‘st every turn, so he could return to the hotel without a guide, if necessary, but mer a "and Azza halted suddenly. Pye 4 he was soon forced to confess to himself that*such a thing would be beyond his ability to accomplish. - All at once, the silence of the night “was broken by a distant fusillade of shots, They had reached one of the ‘wider : . streets, which leads tg the gate of Sokko. tae of many torches, swaying, advancing. . =. Frank wondered what it could mean, and questioned his guide. a ‘‘Took, and you shall see,’’ said AM, drawing the boy still farther back, so t they might readily step into the hae, of a wall and let the torches pass. Frank did look, and he saw a surging © crowd of human beings, revealed by the flarjng torchlight, which flickered over- their dusky faces. They were dressed gro-— tesquely in cloaks and robes and winding garments, and all seemed greatly excited. Now and then they fired into the air with muskets and pistols. Dogs were barking, there were Suths of plaintive music, and the great throng _ kept up a droning and nasal chant, now and then broken by. strident cries. Near the van of the procession was ‘a coal-black horse, fiery and headstrong, held in check by the powerful Arabs, who walked on either side, On the back’of the horse was something in the shape of an upright coffin. ri ‘ £ ¥ C Frank gazed at this strange prog. oa with interest and wonder. ‘‘What does it mean ?’’ heasked. a funeral.’’ a ‘“No,”’ replied Azza; ‘‘it is the wedding march of a young girl. She is im that. casket. These people are her parents and friends, who are accgmpanying her to the home of-her husband.”’ Fas ‘‘Well, that is certainly very stagge and remarkable.”’ ‘To a Christian it may seem strange, ae admitted Azza; here.” ‘but it is the custgat the dark and winding wag At last, with a a iret . a>. When the procession had pe z- a4 4 a > ¥9 Matuer unsavory quarter of the city. eae is tGagestire which assailed his nostrils seemed him. of that. longer seemed a doubt they would meet | the Mysterious girl who was known as the Pear of Tangier. She came toward them in a hesitating, doubtiul way, till Azza assured her that all"was well. Even then she seemed op- pressed by terror and dread. When Frank »stepped toward her she shrank away. “You need said, softly. ‘‘I am your friend.”’ She did not reply, but she still seemed mach alarmed: Frank did his best te Téapsure her. Vou are in distress, ' > mie how J may serve you.’’ » "Not here,’’ she whispered. be seen. Come.”’ Hier hand touched his, and she led him toward the where small door opened. “New I will see the adventure through ta the end,’’ he thought, and he followed het recklessly. Azza followed, closing the door noise- lessiy. Frank could feel the fellow close bemaad him. The boy seemed to know it was a rash gaveutire, but, with a reckless abandon iat soitictimes assailed him, he went on, Cage: tO know what would follow. ies git] led ham through a narrow pas- e€ en anitea yoom where a lamp dimly dl. Fig. this. room they passed canals au open: court, entering by another dyor, atid traversing another long have’ no fear of me,’’ he > mie he: saids -*’Tell ‘(We shall wall, a FRANK MERRIWELL’S MAGIC. Bets 2 Surroundings, he felt that he was in a({lighted by a.swinging The| Ag7e uttered a soft signal, and then tie, waited. ‘Twice he repeated the sig- Wer At the third call a muffled figure pif@ed out of the shadows and approached them, ‘eit is Igela,’’ whispered the Arab. Biguk’s heart leaped. There no} lamp of fantastig¢ pattern. On the floor was a thick carpet | : |of Rabat, while the walls were hung with yellow and red tapestries. Matresses aud cushions were piled.everywhere, and the ‘colors of the rainbow met the eye om |every hand. ye ; | Frank looked around with interest. The sae i 2 ene seemed to be unoccupied when they | entered. Having made a hasty survey of the | |apartment, Frank turned toward the girl; bat at that moment there hind him, fierce-looking, was a noise be- and he wheeled to see twa bewhiskered, Moors rush into the room. turbaned They were Ben Ahmet and Ali Mustaf] ‘*Dog of a Christian!’ snarled Ali Mus- taf. ‘‘You have walked into the trap, and-~ a. now, by my beard, ue Ben Ahmet ie out something in his you shall die! cs z own language, flourishing a scimiter as if [oe he longed to strike the boy’s head from a3 his body. an! Instead of being overcome with terror,§ Zz Frank was astonishingly cool. He sur- ‘| veyed the two Moors complaisantly. j ‘‘So it was a trap, ’’ he quietly said | ‘Well, I should have known it, but I did wh trust this old wretch.”’ - ie Pl ok And then, wlth remarkable swiftness, 4 | ¥ he made a spring and let one hard fist As shoot out from the shoulder. . Frank’s knuckles caught Azza on the chin, and the scoundrel was lifted off hig feet and hurled with a dull thud against the wall, from which he dropped in a limp heap to the floor. ‘“That was easy,’’ laughed the reckless youth, as if he really enjoyed the situa# tion. ‘‘Now, Ben, Ben Ahmet flourished his scimiter, and Ali Mustaf lifted a long-bladed a crying: t{Back, dog of a Christian, or by Allah! this shall pierce your heart!’’ it is your turn.”’ ‘‘Oh-hot! So that’s the. trick | Well. 4 = boldly, 2 i against your wishes, ~ And you are old enough to be her father _—yes, her grandfather! You ought to be a FRANK MERRIWELL’S MAGiC. _-I stand back, what do you propose to do?| wrought up over the appearance of her Tell me that.” ‘“You are trapped, knave.”’ ‘‘Are you sure? I will acknowledge that I allowed yonder base slave to deceive me; | but it isa strong trap that can hold me.’’| ‘*By the beard of the Prophet, you speak boy.’”’ .*‘Tspeak the truth. What do you intend to do with me?”’ ‘(You shall nevet pass from beneath this roof alive.’’ Frank whistled softly. “That is agreeable information. mean to murder me?”’ ‘*VYou would have lured away the Pearl of Tangier.”’ ‘*And you would force her to marry you you old reprobate! So you tarred and feathered !”’ Ali Mustaf looked as if he longed to sink his glittering dagger in the heart of the dauntless youth. ‘*Vour tongue shall be torn out by the ‘roots!’ he grated, furiously. ‘‘Your body ‘shall be cast to the swine, Christian dog!” **VYou continue to. make pleasant prom- ' ises; but you may discover it is not possi- : ble to make them all good. I expect to be __frisking around on ¢erra firma long years “after you are sleeping sweetly under the daisies. ’’ Having walked into the trap, Frank _ was determined not to show a tremor, knowing it would be the worse for him if is these men saw that he entertained the - Jeast fear. Azza had crawled to his feet, and he ~was keeping his beady eyes on the boy, a © savage expression on his crafty face. . Plainly he longed to have revenge for the blow that had driven him like a bag of spwdust against the wall. _ The girl had remained spggciiless.s since . entering the room, much to Frank’s sur- 3 He had shouape she wenldhes much uncle and Ali Mustaf, but she betrayed no emotion. % Sudden suspicion assailed the hay: | Could it be possible that she had conspired - to lead him into this trap? _“Tgela,’’ he cried, ‘‘did you know tfiese men were lying in wait for me? It is. not ‘possible that you betrayed me?”’ ie ‘*She did,’’ declared Ali Mustaf, with fierce snedSestien. ‘She brought you here. that we might finish you this time.” 7 ‘*T will not believe it! It is not possibile she could be ‘capable of such treachery! Tell me it is not true, Igela!. Speak! say ‘this old wretch lies!’ “Tt is true!’ said the girl. ‘“‘I aided them in trapping you.’’ CHAPTER VI. A BOY OF NERVE. Never in his life was Frank Merriwell more taken aback and chagrined than at that moment. He could scarcely believe he had heard aright. Ali Mustaf laughed harshly. ‘‘See what a fool you have been, can tian dog'!’’ he sneered. Azza, the treacherous servant, joined i in the laughter. “‘T aided her in _ trapping you,’ ” he declared.: <3: es ‘‘Which is certainly something i ie ; very proud of,’’ came contemptuously from the boy. ‘‘But you shall’ receive your just deserts, you dirty wretch!” Now Frank was thoroughly aroused, and he showed his anger in his flashing eyes. He had walked into the snare alagainst the warnings of his better fudg- |ment, but he had not dreamed of treach- ery on the part of the g betray him. . How have I wronge ‘should do sucha thing?” nestly. Sree me ee : at, Igel 7 +2 Spe siutned away, something like a|snarled Ali FRANK MERRIWELL’S MAGIC. Mustaf. ‘*Do you fancy you awmetuered laugh coming from beyond the/can fight us all?” Vale peat concealed her face. Siici treachery appalled Frank Merri- | | y tee) aud filled him with wonder unutter- | mele bie could not understand it. Had he Secu tured to that place to be fextae d? Ves it possible that this fair girl who was ingwn as the Pearl of Tangier was the| Ba@eeay that secured victims for a set of Si@hbes and assassins? Hwen if this were true, it did not ex- Digan Low she happened to know his name, Waien she saw in the Square of Waneier for the first time. Agi at dnce Frank started. His eyes had falien on the girl’s hand and he was filled with astonishment. him One swift step the boy took, and then he piade a spring, crying: “I propose to see the face of the one who betrayed me!”’ 79 4 twinkling, he had snatched away te vailewhich concealed the face of the oil. Mie face of acoal-black negress was revealed ! Vigela!’’ exclaimed the boy, scornfully. “Wow are not Igela!’’ Whe girl fell back against the wall, Meitha cry of fear. Ben Ahmet and Ali Mustaf uttered feree oaths in their beards, starting togpard the boy. tm the twinkling of an eye Frank Whipped out both his revolvers, retreated tibm@is back was against the wall, and encermilly called: “Walk right up, gentlemen—walk up ae dake your medicine! You shall receive ie tianze and liberal doses. Walk up— wate aap ES ns f accepting his pleasant in- ta ee ge ‘sight of those glittering re- ets broitehe. thi toran abrupt. halt. it b a edliss Ho. state that they were in| aS; I can make it mighty warm for yo a do you fancy there is a chance for you to escape from “You can give up till he is dead. is a spark of life remaining in his body he will fight. ”’ ‘But the odds, mistrable boy—think of that.”’ ‘(Three men this place alive ?’’ American As long as there never make an and a treacherous black wench against one Yankee boy—why, at all. Don’t think you can frighten me in that way, Ali, old boy.’’ ‘‘Ha! Think you that is all? Fool! There is but one way that you can leave this room, and it is Look!’ The caid flung open the door at his back, and the light showed Frank Merri- well that the passage was literally filled with dark-faced ruffians, all of whom were armed to the teeth. They would have swarmed into the room, but Ali Mus- taf bade them remain where they were, and closed the door again. The crafty, Moor turned to the boy, ex- pecting to see him overcome with fear. He was much astonished to note that Frank stood up with a dauntless look on his handsomie face, showing not the least sign of trepidation. ‘*Fool!’’? snarled the caid once more. ‘‘Do you understand what you have seen ? Or are your wits too dull for that?”’ ‘“‘T understand that I: have seen a lot of dirty ciit-throats who*’are awaiting the call'to do your dirty work,’’ was the calm reply. that is nothing by this passage. ‘‘By the beard of the Prophet! you are a strange youth! You must know they are longing to shed your blood. They hate and despise afl Christians, aud to them st peat ae ce of.a Christian 2 )1s-argeeat: delight sla tee rca ie ‘PRANK MERRIWELL’S MAGIC. ee Christian dog. If I gave the signal, they! ‘‘By my beard!’’ gasped the caid. would rush in here and cut you down.’’ ‘‘Who ever heard of such impudence! ‘Very good. But you will not give the Boy, you must be insane!”’ signal. ”’ | “Think you so? Well, madmen. are “T will not?” ' dangerous, and I advise you to look out SG, ‘for me. If you do not obey my orders there ‘Why not, dog?” is no pene what I may see fit to do to ‘“‘Because it would be the signal for you.’ ; Nour death.” ~~ ‘“‘Your orders!’’ frothed Ali Asta. “What mean you?”? ‘‘Dog! Iam not your slave!”’ ‘‘T mean that I should take particular’ ‘‘But you are my captive, and I shall pains to send a bullet through your shoot you full of holes if you try to ‘skip wretched carcass the instant the signal me. That is plain United States, and I was given.’’ trust you understand it thoroughly” ~ Ali Mustaf’s swarthy skin grew sallow,! Once more the caid turned #6 Ben ~~~ and he recoiled a bit. Ahmet, speaking a few low, swift-words,. ‘Allah save ine!’’? “~he muttered, in Immediately the old sheriff would” have: Arabic. ‘‘The young dog means it! It is left the room, but Frank’s voice rang « out =) a marvel that he has no fear.’ sharply: Then the two Moors a some, ‘Tell him to stop, Ali Mustafa him words, keeping their eyes upon Frank all to stop or I will shoot him!’’ the while. | It was not necessary for Ali Mustaf to Frank Merriwell well understood the repeat the bdy’s words. “Bent “Ahmet peril of his situation, and he felt that all seemed to understand, and he& stopped, the chances were against’ him. At the grinding out an Arabic oath. Same time he had no thought of giving) ‘Good enough!’’ nodded Frank, “Now tp as long as he could struggle for his we will get down to business. Ali Musial, hfe. ‘you must do as I direct, if you haye. any _ While the men were consulting together desire to- prolong your existence in this ~Frank’s brain was busy trying to devise vale of tears. I am the ringmaster im this -~ some plan of escape. He felt that much little circus, and I am liable to use the : depended on his wits. iwhip.?’ ~ Ina few moments Ali Mustaf turned to| ‘‘What would you have nit do?” the boy once more. ; sullenly growled the caid. “Put down your weapons,’? com-} ‘‘First, I would have you cast. down manded the old tax-gatherer, with a se-| that nites Drop it, you old pirate, or PH vere frown. ‘‘Put them down at once. ees you!”? You can never escape aliveif you threaten,| Frank’s eyes flashed, and Ali Mista? but I may decide to spare you if you | made haste to cast aside the dagger, as. if surrender quietly.”’ |it had suddenly grown red-hot. °F Frank laughed scornfully. ‘*So far it is all right,’’ nodded fede e- ‘‘Because I walked into this trap so|termined youth. ‘‘Now you are ta order quietly it is plain that you believe me a| your side-partner, Uncle Ben, of the*pro- much greater fool than I am,”’ he said. |fuse whiskers, to drop his scimiter. That — “‘T do not propose to surrender myself ajis a real ugly looting weapon, and I helpless captive into your hands; but I do| wouldn’t on to have it t frisking around propose to hold you a prisoner till I am|my neck.’ Z once more safe in the streets of Tangier.’’! The caid pose to Ben Abmet, and, the eS ian e tolewers of the True Prophet outside to fieeaetieit assistance.’’ : g@powerlut black liands closed around the throat of thé unfortunate boy! FRANK MERR(IWELE'S MaGiee CHAPTER VII. gr Seria reluctantly dropped the curved| Wena. | What next, Ali istat. “Do you think you have one| Those ifon fingers crushed into flesh Phavec in a thousand of escaping? Then|and sinew till the bones of Frank Merrie "oa Geceive yourself greatly.’ | well’s neck cracked with the terrible pres= ‘Piee’s all right; don’t you worry|sure. He could not cry out, he could not hon Just do as I tell you, if you 'breathe, he could not turn about and Mie aeious about your own health. Some-| face his unseen assailant. ~ thes farther, Ali, old boy, and that is In a moment Frank dropped his revol+ Youve altogether too familiar manner of| vers and clutched at those: hands, seized > I'don’t like it. “It| the wrists, and tried to tear them away. Here- | THE DUNGEON OF DEATH. dog ?’” sullenly demanded mie. aucressing me as ‘dog. is Heb my name, and I object to it. @itet, you will not use it when you speak i? ate. Wo you catch on?”’ All in vain! The black man beyond the panel seemed | to have the strength of a Samson and be Whecaid snarled again, showing his} possessed with a fiendish desire to crush Wetow secth through his grizzly beard. ES life out of the boy. miNow,’’ coolly continued Frank, ‘‘the There was a buzzing sound in Frank’s mext thing on the programme will be) head, and it swiftly swelled toaroar. A Somemung else. You are to step to the | blood- red mist swam and. swayed before door and order the gang of dusky-skinned | | his eyes, and through this he saw the ex+ ‘ultant faces of Ali Mustaf and Bet Ahmet grinning. Frank felt that he must tear those irom hands from his: throat or he was lost, and he made frantic efforts to do so; but the frightful pressure had robbed him of his like the petize. You are to inform them that every- fig igssettled in here, and you will net Ae Mustaf seemed quite ready to do thige but Frank checked him immediately, Galgme out sharply: “Hold on a bit! I want to say this maou: © Although I do not speak Arabic, i Came understand it pretty well, and it Will net be pleasant for you if you tell the Slaves Outside anything but what I have @orected. If you do tell them anything diferent so help me Jack Robinson, I'll wut two) or three bullets between your Smeula@er blades! Go ahead, old boy.”’ strength, and his efforts were struggles of an infant. Then it seemed that mary lights flared before his vision, rockets burst into scing all the universe was whirling through 4 fiery sea of space. The roaring in his head had swelled to the thunder of a Niagara, and then died to the soft murmur of a lapping brook. AW Mustaf hesitated, his face black as| He seemed to hear tinkling fountains, a giotin cloud. Andas he hesitated he saw | delightful music, and sweet voices‘calling, sameumme-that caused a wild, exultant|¢ calling, calling—— light of triumph to leap into his eyes. Behind Frank Merriwell a panel in the Wall-opencd noiselessly. At the opening Bppedied a black face, and then a pair of Frank sat up. All was dark and dank about him, with a musty, underground smell. He drew his breath with difficulty, and there was a terrible pain in his throat and neck, which now and then sent a dagger oe to the very top’ of his head. He knew something had happened, and he felt that.he had been, imjured, but his & tillating stars of ten thousand colors, and@ a R- ] ' oa ; “Oe eee 9 i he 4 An 5 : : Be Z 7 o z FRANK remem ber. He put out one hand. ‘It touched a slimy wall of stone. He felt beneath him. Wet ground there. He put out the other hand. Nothingness. Then he heard some one breathing Peheavily close at hand,-and the sound— e , farsh, rasping, blood-chilling, like ‘the gasping ofa strangling person—seemed to ‘turn him to stone for ‘some minutes. He Sat there, listening to that horrible breath- fully a mortally fs) = wounded human being was dying near at ‘hand. x © As he sat thus, with arush, memory re- ° firned. He knew he had been led into a Meatap by the treacherous Azza. He remem- Hered holding off the two old Moors until he had been seized by an unseen assailant, and then—— That frightful sound continued near at hand, turning the boy’s blood icy cold. Bijad he been thrown into a dungeon ing, convinced that Pee hristian, it might be? He held his breath © listen, and the sound stopped. fe eee ‘He is dead!’ thought the horrified | ga dad. But, a moment later, the rasping Hreathing began again, and then Frank Seanade a singular discovery. : The sounds came from his own throat, Which had been fearfully crushed by the! Beiron fingers which had fastened on it, He lifted his hand to his neck, and Ound it terribly sore to his touch. = ‘It isa wonder that I am yet alive,’’ Th. told himself. SeAnd then came the thought that it om feght be much better for him if he were dead and out of his misery. > Beyond a doubt he was a prisoner, con- \fxed in some horrible place, doomed to ish there alone. s ’ a That was a terrifying thought. 7 mek 7 ; 4 MERRIWELL’S M senses were confused, and he could not! rg ‘dying man was near. ‘of my own efforts,’’ thought the boy; LGIC of mer: fancy a few seconds before that to cry out, to shotit: He openet more thang ‘i came ai A sudden desire to scream, came upon him. but that was half a groan, his lips to do so, no hoarse gasp, from them. He was seized by a feeling of despaite« ri a mad longing to spring up and rust 3 away somewhere, anywhere. PS : ; ; ; be te Staggeringly, feebly he got upon hig . feet; but then he was seized by another fear, and he stood still. Dense and fearful darkness lay alli around him, and he could not see what; pitfalls might be on every hand. . The situation was one to chill thé 3 strongest heart, to turn the blood of th jams bravest man to water. ‘*This is some’secret dungeon beneath the city, and I shall never escape from if ‘*Who is there to save me? The professor does not know I-left the hotel. I could not tell him, for he would have forbidden er. it. I was forced to leave Ephraim behind’ ™ to take up the attention of the professor, im while I got out. Ephraim knows I was = going somewhere to meet this mysterious a Igela, as I supposed; but he does not know a where I:was going. How will they trace me???’ That was a question to which he could not find a ready answer. ‘*Kven if Ephraim and the professor were to confront Ali Mustaf and Ben Ahmet and accuse them, the two rascally~ old wretches would plead utter ignorance; and.there is little chance for a Christian to obtain his rights in this country. The professor might get the United States Consul to do something, but I have my doubts.’ Frank fully understood how desperate and almost hopeless his situation musty be. At first he wondered that he-had not’) been killed outright, and then he came ‘a nad ’ J seemed evel more horrible. than his. believe that Ali Masia and sBee Abner w ' “he found his ‘strength brovght hope. “give up as long as life and energy were ‘Jeft in his body. FRANK, . MERRIWELL S MAGIC. efiad hated him so that they had thrown . him into this dank underground place to perish by inches in order that he might suffer‘wretchedly. And then it was pos- stble that they had believed him dead ‘when they cast him in there. For all of the boy’s gloomy thoughts, strength returning, and He would not But what could he do? “Tt I had a light!’ He uttered the words aloud, finding that his voice had regained its power in a measure, but it sounded hoarse, unnatural, and muffled. As the words left his lips, there was a sudden squeaking and a hurried scamper- ing sound that seemed to make his hair stand. Rats! They were there in large numbers. ‘*Great Scott!’’ gasped the boy. ‘‘I had ‘rather facea tiger than a swarm of rats in a dark cellar !’’ Nervously he felt through his pockets. His purse was gone, but it had not con- tained much money. Not a weapon was left him, his clasp-knife having been taken, with other things. Then he uttered‘a cry of joy. » His fingers had found his waterproof match-safe, which he constantly carried. That had not been taken from him. ‘CA mateh!’’ he palpitated. ‘That will show me something.”’ In another moment he had taken the ‘match safe from his pocket, but, in his nervousness, he dropped it. With a muttered exclamation of dismay he stooped to find it. - A moment later a gasping cry of horror came from his lips. His hands touched something cold and _ Slippery, and that tonch was enough to _ make him shudder and quake. Frank fell yack, ang for some minutes 3 he crouched there in the darkness of that terrible place, feeling cold chills run down. his back. “‘T must have those matches,’’ he finally muttered, although the words were broken and unsteady. ‘‘It is a case of must, and I’ll find them, even if I have to feel the thing all over.’’ He seemed to feel himself in the midst of unseen horrors, and he longed to rush from the spot, but he knew that there © would not be one chance in a hundred of = his finding the matches if he moved away, Setting his teeth and nerving himself for the task, he felt about for the match safe—and found it! With a feeling of unutterable joy aie reef he clutched the metallic case. His = fingers found the spring, and it opened to ~ his touch. Snap—splutter—flare ! A match was lighted. It flared abs and | then burned steadily. Frank immediately looked for the obs ject which he had touched, and there it | . was before him—a human skeleton! The bones were stripped clean of flesf and the skull grinned up at him in ghastly manner. The light of the burning’ match glistened on the white spots and showed a dank, green mold that was forming in places on the skeleton. It was a most ghastly and nerve- shak- ing spectacle. All at once, as Frank stood he : turned to stone, staring at the uncanny , object, the skull began to rock from sid # to side! It was no actually moved! To the staring, astounded, and horrifigie lad it seemed that the thing was about te speak. Indeed, Frank found himself lis- tening, with hushed breath and stilled | heart, for the hollow-sounding words that should issue from that fleshless head. — The boy was ae with horror. _ hallucination—it_ De eee eet See MScarcely less terrible to the eye. | ae underground vault or cellar. meres 2 passage leading from it to some o mihe stairs was a stone door. Position. FRANK MERRIWELL’S MAGIC. ®arned his fingers, a half-grown rat darted o@ui_of the skull and scampered away. ‘(he match fell and lay, a dying spark, 6m the damp ground. In a moment the boy had lighted an- Other match. He looked at the skeleton. 1@ now lay silent and motionless, but SA victim of those miserable old Ma@ors,’’ thought Frank. ‘‘And this fore- telis my own fate!’ I am to die here, and mye bones are to bleach and rot beside the bones of this unfortunate wretch, who Was, perhaps, a Christian like myself. ?” ahen he was seized by a tempest of fage, an ungovernable fury against the imem who had cast him into that dungeon @i@death. He longed for the power to| Say them, to blot them from the face of | Gie earth. myGod help me!’’ he madly cried. ‘‘I Thist not die here—I will not die here! I Mall live to get square with them!”’ | my) CHAPTER VIII. IGELA. aeons passed, and every hour seemed a ae rank Merriwell. explored the place | iiere he was confined, and found ita There At the head of Hercules @ould not have moved that door from its Pehippery stairs of stone. Frank explored all parts of his prison, @ud what he discovered was of a most dis- Rites nature. “Phere seemed no ping. maost boys would have given up in Sepair, but Frank still clung to hope, fine he would live to ‘‘get square’’ mi his captors. tis matches were running low, and the possible way of continued darkness was far from Sant. 6 had-returned to the spot where he found the skeleton, when he was (aptied to hear a jarring, scraping sound armlong the passage. he boy was on the aleft; Baan hisy Ais porters 1S Some one was coming! At the farther end rag the passage theres” aie was seen a gleam of light. . ‘‘They are coming to finish me!™% thought Frank. ‘‘It must be that. Well, they may have a heavy job.’’ He had no weapon save his bare hands, id but he was desperate, and he felt capabl@eeayaes lof coping with several men. He would bala ; |fighting for his life, and he would possesses iiaeaams all the fury of a cornered tiger. ae ee The light moved, and he could see tha its bearer was coming down: the steps of@ stone, moving rapidly. : Swiftly the boy moved toward the pass = sage, making no noise. He would be ready to meet the bearer of the light theme moment the vault was entered. Peering along the passage, he saw 4 strange figufe approaching—a _ girl} muffled and vailed, holding a lighted lamp of quaint and curious make above he head. Her face below the eyes was hidden by® a vail. ‘‘Can it be?’ thought Frank, in amaze ment. ‘‘Is this Igela? or is it the black wench that entrapped me?”’ The flaring light was of a baffling; nature, and he could not make out much? save that it was a girl beyond the shadow of a doubt. The thumping of his heart became so loud that he feared she must hear it. He pressed one hand over it, trying tosmother? the sound of its heavy and rapid pulsa- tions. Through his head the blood was rushing like a riotous, roaring river. ‘s His mind was filled with. a thousandy™ wild conjectures and speculations. His thoughts were in a mad tumult. < It seemed to the eager boy that the girl} advanced with the slowness of a snail, and still he dreaded to have het come neager. § Never before in his life had he been so# wrought up, and he began to realize that® his confinement in that horrible place had: worked havoc with his nerves. Many of the sensations Frank expe- rienced as he waited for the girl to ap-3§ proach were new to him, and he wondered | at himself. HE eR > tat “~ A Reg kia" NS 20 FRANK MERRLWELL'S MAGIC, git] which held the lamp was shaking as| if She had the palsy. It was a fair, plump! hand, but it seemed about to loose its hold| and let the lamp fall. The girl halted, and it was plain that| she was nearly overcome with fear. She| seemed on the verge of flight. ‘She must not run away now!”’ thought the excited youth. “If she tries at, I shall overtake her before she can | teach the steps.’ He bent forward, ready to make a dash if she turned to retreat. ““FPrank !”” ) She spoke his name, and it was the| voice he had heard once before in the “pquare of Tangier. For all that it echoed | 4 ‘that vail. Strangely in that underground place; he| Was sure that he recognized it. ‘‘Tgela! >) He. spoke the name softly, so that she| might not be frightened. | He saw her start, saw her lean forward | doubtfully, her attitude being that of a! _ person who fancies he has heard some-| thing, but is not sure. | ‘*Tgela!”’ | He repeated the name. ‘‘Allah be praised!’’ sobbed the girl, again starting forward. ‘‘He answers me! He lives! He is here!”’ : Then Frank advanced toward her saying: ‘‘T am here, and I am alive.’’ She swayed, and he caught the lamp from her hand with a deftness that saved it from falling. His free arm encircled her. He longed to see the face hidden by Ina moment the girl had recovered, and she started from him, saying swiftly: ‘“‘AmTachild that I lose my strength thus! Iam strong now. How you escaped from Bab-el-Maroc I know not. Great was my wonder and joy to see you in Tangier. Ben Ahmet told me you were dead, and Ali Mustaf swore it was true.”’ Frank was not a little puzzled by her words. He would have questioned her, but she suddenly started, catching him by the arm, and panting: “Listen! Is it some one I hear coming this way ?’’ Both listened, but heard nothing save the rustling movement of a rats. ~ ““We must get away soon,” whispered | jand I | placed you. | clared. the girl. “If they should come—if they: ‘should find us here! We must go!’} ‘‘But how did you know where to find |me??’ asked Frank, whose curiosity was pereae. ‘‘How did you know where they had placed me?”’ “T heard them talking. They did nof | know I was listening. ‘hey spoke of you, |saying they had disposed of you at last, and that you would never, escape to trouble ithem more. I stilled my heart—I listened, heard them say where they had Then, when my time came, |I hastened here. The door was barred, but with all my strength I dragged the |bar away. Then it was that my courage Inearly failed me. I prayed to Allah. 1 took up the lamp and here I am.”’ ‘*Brave little girl! They had left me | here to die—to starve and be devoured by | rats !??* ‘*And I will save you! But, oh Frank! | how are we to get out of Tangier? I can- ‘not! Yoy must go alene—you must leave \nfe to my fate!’’ Her voice broke in a sob, and he drew |her closer to him, mystified, bewildered, | but dauntless. ‘“That I will never do,’’ he boldly de- ‘*You shall come with me. We will seek the protection of the United States Consul. He will aid us.’’ ‘‘No, Frank, it is not-possible. He will have no power to hold me frem Ben Ahmet. It is not possible that we may escape together. That we must give up. You will be fortunate if you are able to escape with your life. Come, let us hurry from this place.”’ He longed to question her more, longed to solve the mystery that infolded the strange girl, but, well understanding the danger of discovery by the Moors, he permitted her to lead the way along the” passage. a ne The stairs were reached, and Igéla~ sprang up them as lightly as a fawn. : At the top of the stairs the heavy door was standing partly open. Beyond that door they might come face to face with Ben Ahmet and Ali Mustaf. Frank was not armed. He would have given almost anything for a revolver at that moment. With such a weapon in his possession, he would have feft able to cope with halfa dozen Moors. — mes she mS =. making as little noise as possible. eo pxemcthing like & sob. The door was reached, and they passed beyond it, -leaving underground dungeon behind. Every nerve in Frank Merriwell’s body | r | and he was ready | Was at a high tension, for any thing they might encounter. They came into a long, low 100m, the | from his lips. walls of ° tare and hitee: which were washed. The room was unfurnished and | gloomy, ,awith no opening windows to admit light and air. igela Ted the way through this room and | into a passage,. where she paused to listen, her hand trembling on Frank’s arm. He| grasped her fingérs, and gave them aj| reassuring pressure. Then they stole along the passage, Past a door that looked into an empty room they made their way, and, as they camé-to a Strong door, Igela made him put out the Slight. In the darkness his arm stole round her, and ‘She let him hold her thus while she listened. Being satisfied that. all was well, she opened the door, and a rush of air smote Frank in the face, telling him that the door opened to the outside world. How grateful that fresh air was to the boy who had been imprisoned in a place that was close and dank! He drew it into his lungs with a keen sense of delight, and he seemed to become himself once more—cool, nervy, self-reliant. But they were not yet on the street, as he quickly discovered. They were in the court which he had once before crossed that night. There was no moon, but the stars told Rihat the night was well spent, and morn- eng approaching. Igelaseemed to read the stars, for she whispered : ‘‘We must hasten. You “Yom here when day comes. * Across the court they bected passed | v through another door and another passage, and came at last to a door that let them Out upon the street. ‘They had seen no one—not even a i fslee ping servant. Fortunate, indeed, had must: be far i) they been, and Frank felt that Providence ~had smiled on them. “Vou are free,’’ whispered Igela, with ‘Gol. We shall FRANK MERRIWELL’S ‘| upon MAGIC. |delay. Ben Ahmet has the sultan’s fags uF; the horrors of the|and the sultan is all powerful here. \F rank! Allah | Farewell. $s He did not release her. ‘*T will not go like this!’’ came swiffly¥ ty must know the truth-=f must understand this mystery: Igela; lift that vail. The stars are bright, and hmy eyes have become gecistomeee to dates May protect y@ir7 ‘9 iness. I must see your face. Lift your lvail!” She raised her hand to obey, ahd, @& that moment, it seemed as if’ the yéry heavens came crashing and thunderim® Frank Merriwell’s head. He fe prostrate upon the ground, where he lay like a creature death-stricken by @& thunderbolt !° — ee CHAPTER IX. FRANK GROWS DESPERATE. ; How long he lay insensible in the street Frank never knew. When his senses re-% turned and he sat up, he saw an old water carrier staring wild-eyed at him. Frank spoke to the man, but the wate carrier seemed frightened, and hastened away, muttering prayers in the Berbe? tongue. And now the terrible pain that had been in his throat was in his head. Hé€ put up his hand, and it was red with blood when he took it away. ‘*T was struck down,’’ he muttered. It was morning, In the east was a gray light that was spreading and growing= rosy. It was the blush of the newly risem day. In a short time the boy gathered his scattered wits. He’ remembered all that had happened—remembered that Igela had aided him to escape—remembered that the heavens had seemed to crash upon his head just as she was about to lift her vail. And _ he had not seen her face! To him she remained a baffling mystery. Who struck him down ? What had become of her? Then came another question that puzzled him more than all. Why had he not been slain? He looked around. Nearat hand w small dgor sein the. hare white closed. . mes Smt a3 5 1 # Se vai: ae oo ‘“W¢ came out of there,’’ he told himself. ‘“S6me one must have been in that nook The thought made him feel desperate. | He longed to~ arise and batter down the door, walk into the house, and save her| from he1 —persecutors. faint and weak and I can do! I will mark this spot, so I may way back to it.”’ i “T am nothing. find my Thep he arose and moved away with an uncertain step, having taken note of the appearance of the door, so he felt sure he would recognize it if he saw it again. Tangier is not an easy city for a foreigner to find his way through, as Frank discovered. He moved slowly, noting every peculiarity of the narrow, e crooked street. Muffled figures passed him, gazing aslant at him from beneath beetling brows. All seemed to wonder that a for- eigner and a Christian should be astir, wandering through the streets at that hour imthe morning. That was what Frank fancied at first, but he finally lifted his hand to his throbbing head again, and he understood why they stared at him so strangely. He was hatless, and the blood from his wound had dripped down the side of his face. He knew he must be an object to attract the curiosity of any beholder. He found the square, and then it was not difficult to make his way to the hotel. As Frank had expected, he found Pro- -fessor Scotch and Ephraim, nearly dis- ‘tracted with fear and suspense. When they saw him their joy was boundless. It did not take the lad long to relate his adventures, having first bathed the : wound on his head, and bound it up with aecloth. ‘Well, for genuine downright fool- ~*~ hardiness you take the biscuit!’ declared the professor, falling into the slang that he had gometimes heard from the lips of his youthful companions, **But you should remember that I was im the company of Azza, your trusted sérvant,’’ said Frank, smiling grimly. i ‘“Hang that rascal! If I ever get hold i of oe Well, he will wish, I hadn’t! . He ought to be horsewhipped’”’ ow, FRANK MERRIWELL’S MAGIC. near by. We were seen, andI was knocked | over. Then she was dragged back.’’ “Gol dern him!’’ cried ‘*He’d oughter be shot!’’ ‘“Well, I scarcely fancy we shall see haan again while we remain in Tangier,’ |said Frank, quietly. ‘‘That does not | worry me nearly so much as the mystery |that surrounds the Pearl of Tangier. If iI do not find a way to solve that mystery I shall regret it all my life. She must be [saved from those miserable old Moors. ’ | ‘It is easy tosay that, my boy; but how |are we to save her ?’? | ‘You must lay the case before the United States Consul, professor.” ‘‘What good would that do? He would have no right to interfere between a girl and her uncle, who is her lawful guardian. It is not possible for us to help her now.’? ‘*That’s pleasant! But you do not know, professor.’’ ‘‘T know that we, are going to get out |of this city as soon as possible. You will | be killed if we remain here much longeg.”’ ‘*Professor, in the United States you are my guardian, but we are in a heathen country now, and I refuse to be dragged away till I am sure I have done everything in my power to aid that unfortunate girl.”’ ‘‘Are you in love with her?”’ ‘‘No; but my manhood has been ap- pealed to, and I feel that it is my duty to save her, if I can.’ ‘*Yeou may not be in love with her,”’ drawled E phraim ; ~ but, by thutter! she’s smashed on yeou.’’ ‘‘There is something remarkable about that,’’ said Frank. ‘‘The girl seems to know me, and she speaks as if there had been something between us in the past. That seems impossible, for I shave no recollection of her, and she appears to be a devout little Mohammedan. Is this not mystery enough to pique the curiosity of any.body.”’ ‘““Your curiosity may cost you your life. ’* j “Oh, you are a croaker, » professor. 3esides my curiosity to know more about the girl, I want to get even with Ali Mustaf and Ben Ahmet, as I swore I would when I was a captive in that underground dungeon.’’ Professor Scotch: made a gesture of despair. ‘‘Wait till get you back to the United Ephraim. ° au f Bet igre hao ce & breathless. States!’ he cried. ‘‘I’ll throw up my job as your guardian quicker than a wink.”’ The professor found it useless to argue with the boy, and he gave it up. Frank remembered what Igela had said about Bab-el-Maroc, and he sought to know whatshe meant. He found out that there was a gate of the city of Fez by that name, and also a castle so called. The castle belonged to Ben Ahmet, and was situated outside of Fez. Igela had spoken of Frank’s escape from Bab-el-Maroc, but the boy had never been there, which made the mystery all the deeper. Having eaten breakfast, and _ rested through much of the forenoon, Frank ac- companied the professor on a visit to Mr. Adams, the United States Consul. The houses occupied by the members of the foreign legations were situated near the square. They little buildings, but they had the appear- ance of palaces in the midst of the paltry dwellings by which they were surrounded, Mr. Adams received-the professor pleas- antly, and shook hands with Frank, saying: “*It really the face of a lively, youth.”’ Seated in the cozy little parlor, Frank related the story of his adventures since entering ‘Tangier. Mr. Adams listened with interest which grew to wonder and astonishment, By the time Frank had finished the man was “My boy, my boy!’ he exclaimed, ‘‘you are indeed fortynate to bealive! Ben Ahmetisrich and powerful, and has the favor of the sultan. If he had murdered you, you never would have been heard of again, and all efforts to trace you would have been baffled. You are only a ‘Christian dog,’ and your life is of little sconsequence in this miserable land.’’ “But the girl,’’’ cried Frank, ‘‘can nothing be done to save her from old Ali Mustat, whom, she loathes?’’ “‘T fear not? It isin the power of Ben does one good to look into wide-awake American { . Ahmet to make her marry whoever he enay choose, and.Ali Mustaf will get her, if Ben Ahanet wills it so. ‘eSuch-a thing was terrible for the boy- nd percep lates audit: did not seem Lees: were all very modest FRANK MERRIWELL’S MAGIC. oy ee sible that there was no law to prevent. It was almost impossible for Fragk™ %% realize that he was in a‘ land wef might ruled with a heavy, blood-staimed hand, and where the innocent atid Heip- less cried out in vain for merey gud justice ‘*T do not propose to give up,’’ declared Frank, resolutely. ‘‘Fortune has smpited on me many f{imes, and it may Smile again. It is not very far across the Straits to Spain In Spain we could defy—Bem Ahmet and Ali Mustaf to drag Igela back to Morocco.”’ ‘*But what could you do with hera you succeeded in getting her out of “ie country ? She is a Moorish maiden, and a is scarcely probable that you want {6 marry her.”’ ‘YT would not permit it if he diay roared Scotch. “‘T am not contemplating matrimony just at present,’? smiled Frank. “Batti ai determined to solve this mystery, and I will succeed.”?’ Mr. Adams shook his head gravelys ‘““You are rash and headstrong he said. ‘‘T’ake my advice and let the Peagl of Tangier alone.’’ He refused to aid Frank in any way but was courteous and polite. Wien Krank and the professor left the house amg started to return to the hotel the boy’s heart felt like lead in his bosom. Shortly after the hotel was reached Ephraim Gallup came rushing into theig room, caught hold of F rank excited yy? and spluttered : ‘‘Gol derned ef yeou naow !”’ ‘'What do you mean?”’ |other boy. **She’s gone.’ “Who?” Teen: ‘*Gone where ?”’ . ‘‘Rlew the coop—left the city.’? ™ ‘‘Left Tangier?’ “Yep. ‘*When ?”? ‘‘Jest naow.’’ ‘‘How do you know??? “Saw unpego..? ™\ Saag Shee WN Lom 22% “Joela, Al MastetesBen: At met. ofA apne of, gested ‘eplersy eit. otuek Way hain’t lost her demanded the 24 to the teeth. They rode away after a cara- van. I was jest ramblin’ araound, an’ I got outside the city, so that’s, haow I happened to see um go.”’ ‘Are you sure it was Igela,?”’ sovep. She saw me.’’ ~oue- did??? “Yep. Sodid Ben Ahmet. By thuttera- tion! it’sa mighty good thing I’ve got long laigs.. Ef I hedn’t I wouldn’t be here naow. Old Ben Sot three uv them - black fellers arter me, an’ yeou'd oughter seen me tear up the dust an’ git aout uv that. They chased mea piece, yellin’ like thunder, but I got erway, an’ here I be.”’ Frank took a quick turn up and down the room. **So they have dragged Igela away!”’ he muttered. ‘‘Without doubt, they are bound for Fez and the castle of Bab-el- Maroc. I shall follow.’’ — —- CHAPTER X. A MAD VENTURE. Frank was determined. Professor Scotch objected in vain. He appealed to Ephraim, and the Yankee lad said: — “Dll stick ter Frank. Idon’t keer adern where he goes!’ Frank set about pleading the professor ~ to stuecumb, and he was persuasive to a degree that astounded Ephraim. Indeed, it seemed that the boy almost hypnotized Scotch and led him to consent to follow the old Moors who were carrying Igela away. The professor himself was amazed when he gave in, and he remained ina dazed condition while Frank called the proprie- tor of the hotel and bargained for three horses, which he instructed the professor tb pay for. -.. The horses were quickly furnished, and “Scotch paid for them, muttering a feeble remonstrance, but feeling unable to resist the power of the boy’s steady eyes, which never left his face for an instant. “Frank had triumphed, but he showed io exultation. His face was grim and set, and it seemed that he had formed a resolu- ~ tion from which nothing could turn him... ett company. swith the professor and | ent out. “to ee informa- FRANK MERRIWELL'S MAGIC. lately started for Fez, either of which might be overtaken by nightfall by hard riding. That was what he wished to know. Ali Mustaf and Ben Ahmet would ave with one of those caravans. Frank, Eph- raim and the professor would travel with the other. Frank would bide his time, and he felt sure he would be able to. meet Igela and speak with her. It was a wild and desperate project at which a man would have hesitated; but Frank was a youth to whom nothing seemed impossible, Back to the hotel they went. they ate, the horses were ordered saddled and brought round. Frank had looked While — them over, and found them tough little © Arab horses, looking as if they could travel and stand hardship. ‘That satisfied him. After eating, Frank went to his trunk, from which he took a brace of revolvers, having lost his others the night before. In his trunk he also carried a light, short- barreled Winchester repeater, and this he took out. His eyes fell on the magician’s cabinet, — : and a thought struck him. He hesitated, and then muttered : ‘“Who knows? These Moors are supet~= a stitious, aud. they might prove valuable. ~ I will take such as I can carry.”? y rae x From the cabinet he extracted numer- ous things which he concealed about his — person. Among other things was a small electric battery. were, Ephraim armed himself in a manner similar to Frank. The professor had a strong aversion for te firearms, and so he went about entirely: e unarmed. Frank did not forget to take some. strong field-glasses. When everything’ was descended and left the hotel. Three black men were holding the horses at the door, and the proprietor of; the hotel was there to see them off. ‘““How far are you going?” he asked, regarding them curiously. ~ - ‘‘Not far,’’ answered Frank. rt is probable you will see us back to-morrow. 2 The proprietor shookehis head gravely. “T fear for: that,’’ he said. ‘‘You hac ready they 3 Ps better ECR sie a few miles oO ae city, for the plains at a distance arein- fésted with robber bands, any of which ie would not hesitate to do murder. I do not Wag understand why you are going outside the he city, any way; for there is nothing to be ke Seen.’ Frank was not inclined to satisfy his Curiosity, and they rode away, waving E him a farewell, which he returned. fi Not till they were beyond the city’s Himits did the professor think that he Bs. had not told his friend, the United States rs ‘Consul, of this foolhardy expedition. He would have turned back at once, but Prank said: ° ‘*Very well, professor, you may go; but we shall not wait for you, as we have no time to lose, if we hope to overtake one of those caravans before nightfall.’’ The professor had turned his horse about. A_ groan left his lips, ves to the high posts which stood on €ither side of the gate in the white wall of the city. **Look!’’ he gasped. ‘‘It is horrible!’ The boys looked, and on each of those Mosts they saw.a human head that had een severed from the body. These heads Had been suspended by the hair to some @urved points which projected from the posts, and they hung there in all their @hastly horror, dripping blood and gazing With sightless eyes toward the desert for Mhich the boys and the professor were e Dound. woe ‘Wal, I be gol derned!”’ gurgled Eph- faim, his voice sounding husky and catch- img in his throat. ‘‘Them’s purty things t0 look at!”’ 2 “They are the heads of criminals,’ ex- Plained Frank. ‘‘I have read that itis the Gustom of this country to suspend the “eads of criminals at the gates of the cities ii this manner. They are placed there as a ‘warning to others.”’ **A warning to us,’’ said the professor, Mis voice shaking. ‘‘It tells us we had Detter get out of this wretched country "Without delay. It is a warning to be 5 heeded.” 2 ‘Nonsense! gate losing time.’ ~.**Go on! I am going back.”’ i‘Good-by, professor.” & Lone on, professor; we PHANK MEBRIWELIAS MAGIC. and it! : @hanged to a cry of horror as he lifted his| brown, and patches of sandy soil reflected ao At a«signal from Frank the two lndg rode onward. ie The professor watched them a few ing. ments, and then rode after them, calling, ‘‘Hold-on; I will go.”’ Of this Frank had felt confident all the time. Away to the south they rode, having been told to bear a little to the east, Frank had a compass, and he did not be lieve they would get lost in the desert $6 they could not find their way out. Long, level plains lay before theme Here and there they could see small huts made of sun-baked clay. Occasionally they passed by fields whete some crude efforts at tilling the soil had been made, but the greater part of the country was bleak and bare. The sun beat down mercilessly on the bare plain. The grass was withered and the heat. There were no roads, but for some time Lafter leaving Tangier they could follow ig the track made by many caravans that had passed that way. Gradually this track be- came fainter and fainter, till at last it was lost entirely. The solitude of the plains depressing, the silence was awesome. Frank began to realize the magnitude of his undertaking, and, for the first time, he doubted the wisdom of the attenipt; but he said nothing, riding onward in silence, his face firm and resolute. Professor Scotch was silent and gioomy, while Ephraim’s jests seemed to fall flat and be lost on the others. The sun swung lower and lower, but its rays seemed to lose none of their scorching heat. ‘‘What ef we should not find one of them air carryvans ter-night, Frank?” asked Ephraim, rather anxiously. ‘*We will find it in the morning, the calm reply. Scotch groaned. ‘‘And have to stay all alone on the” desert to-night!’’ he exclaimed. ‘We should be devoured a hundred times by wild beasts. ’’ ‘“‘Tt’s not wild beasts we have to fear se much as wild men,’’ said Frank. “We must keep our eyes ‘about us. Wass s ”” was ‘What'd we eat for Subp a be eae es 26 boy from Vermont, who. possessed.a very healthy appetite. ‘‘That’s what I’d like to know.”’ “We would uot eat till we found the ‘Caravan in the morning. “Tf we did not find oh caravan, in the professor, ‘“we might starve. is a fine chance to starve out here.’’ **T scarcely think we willstarve. Ihave provided for that.”’ “You have? Why you have brought no provisions. ’”’ “No; but I have brought something that will keep us from starving.’’ ‘What is it ?”’ ‘Some nuts.” ““What kind of nuts?’’ _oola nuts, which I found in Bakalai- land, far to the south. The natives down there eat this nut when they cannot ob- tain food, and it keeps up their strength and preserves them from hunger for many days. Itisa wonderfui little nut, but it is dangerous. ’’ _*‘Haow’s that?’ asked Ephraim. “Tt is a very easy thing to fall into the habit of eating it to obtain relief from Over-exertion, and this habit fastens itself on.a person like drinking or smoking. It shows no ill result at first, but it-is ruin- ous to one-who persists in itsuse. It will make such a person a tottering wreck, like a victim of the morphine habit. Like _all good things, the koola nut may be used to excess. In the United States several concerns advertise decoctions made from the koola nut, recommending them to athletes, bicyclists and all who exert themselves in sports and pastimes. College lads are taking to its use, in case they play . football, baseball, or anything of the sort. Some of them will become addicted to the habit, and it may ruin them. Bicyclists have found it refreshing and invigorating after along run, and they are becoming victims of the habit. Hundreds, yes thousands will be ‘weakened and broken down by it. It is——”’ "Hold on, Frank,’’ cried Ephraim. *‘Jest let the kooly nut rest a while, an’ see what you make uv this.”’ He pointed across the plain to where a tiny cloud of dust could be seen. In the midst of the dust was a moving mass that - became more and more distinct with each passing moment. — ? put ‘There FRANK MERRIWELL’S MAGIC. - ‘*Horsemen,’’ said Frank Merriwell, grimly. “Took to your weapons, Ephraim. We may have trouble.”’ CHAPTER XI. AMATEUR MAGIC. Professor Scotch’s teeth chattered. ‘‘We are all done for!’ he groaned. “This is the end of this foolish expedition. I knew how it would come.”’ ‘*Wal, we’ll raise a little rumpus before they chaw us up,’’ said Ephraim, in his quaint way. ‘‘I’d feel a little safer ef I was to*hum on the farm, but ef I’ve gotter fight ll fight fer all I ain worth, yeou bet!” Frank was examining his rifle, making sure it was in perfect working order. The body of horsemen approached with great swiftness, so that in a short time . they could be seen quite distinctly. Frank surveyed them through his field-glasses.. ‘ They numbered more than half a hun- dred, and were dressed in long, flowing robes of many colors. bout their heads they wore turbans. They were /armed with muskets. ° Beyond the horsemen Frank saw a cara-. van of camels that was approaching, and he immediately decided that the people of’ the caravan had seen himself and his coni- panions and had sent out the band of horsemen to intercept them. ‘““Ten to one they are Ben Ahmet’s vas- sels,’’ was his thought. ‘‘It is possible he has received. word from Tangier that we are on the desert, and he has sent hiss slaves to murder us. Well, we will die ~ hard.”’ As they approached, the horsemen be- gan shouting and waving their long~-bar-~ reled rifles over their heads. “They rode recklessly, madly, and the sound of the horses’ hoofs was like sullen thunder. . — The leader was an old man with along ~ white beard, wearing about his head a bright-colored turban. He rode his coal- — black horse like a youth of twenty years. ‘‘Jingoes! they can ride!!’? muttered ~*~ “They remind me a es Frank, admiringly. American cowboys.’?” is ‘Ty kinder make me think it’s gol dern unhealthy araound here,’’ gurgle Ephraim. “Dm beginnin’ to wish : hedn't SoH. ae “Brace up,’ came sharply from Frank. “Everything depends on our nerve now. Ii we show signs of weakness, thereisnot| ‘‘I say Keep a/ repeated. one chance in a hundred for us. stiff backbone, Ephraim.”’ “It’safine thing to say ‘brace up,’ fluttered the agitated professor, of cut-throats!’’ ‘We are not going to lie down and die, professor.’ Of asudden, with a wild yell, the horse- men divided and swept round the party | im opposite directions, passed and swept. round again. ‘*Like Indians in the Western -States,’’ D¥eathed Frank, seeing them string out till there were two parties of horsemen Tiding in opposite directions, and both Surrounding the professor and the two boys. These evolutions were some time, with the caravan Steadily approaching while it was going on. When the Arabs had shown their skill as riders, the old leader, or sheik, Wave a signal that caused them to wheel £ into one compact mass. Then the chief rode boldly toward the professor and the boys. “I sp’ose he thinks aour hair is stand- | in’ by this time,’’ drawled Ephraim. “Be cool,’’ directed Frank. ‘‘I will meet him.”’ The boy dismounted and calmly ad- Wahced to meet the old Arab, having wiven his rifle to Ephraim. *‘What do you desire of us, sir?’ asked | Prank, as they came near together. The old man glowered at the boy, and then asked, in rather poor English: ‘Is there no man Khair has no time to waste with boys.”’ Frank flushed a bit, drawing himself | up proudly, as he returned: “Though Iam a boy, I am the leader @f this party. If you have any’ business with us, you will do it with me.’ *“By the beard of the Prophet, you Speak boldly for a youth! But you do not Know me, else you would grovel in the dust at my feet.”’ “Yam not in the habit.of groveling in the dust for any one,’’ said the boy, proudly. ‘‘I scarcely think I would begin ~ with you.”? PRANK MERRPWEEI Ss ALAGIC. ‘but | rascal. what show have we got against that gang | slay them with delight. continued for | of camels | with you? Ain-el-| The scowl on Ain-el-Khair’s i> | deepened. you Sete, but I know you well,’’ declared | Prank, ‘You are a robber and a eréat You hate your enemies, and you Your ha ands age |stained with blood, but your conscienes | does not trouble you.’ ‘‘Dog of a Christian!’’ roared the oft |sheik, quivering with passion. ‘‘Do yqii dare speak thus to me?”’ ‘*Why should I fear? You cannot harig He"? This statement was sufficient to cause Ain-el-Khair’s face to change from an expression of fury to one of derision and amusement. ‘*Fool!’ he sneered. ‘‘It must be that you have lost your senses. I have mote than half a hundred men behind me, and they would wipe three Christians off the face of the earth in a moment.”’ ‘If you hada thousand men, you could not harm me. I am protected by a power you know nothing of.’’ The old sheik knew of the boy, and so he said: ‘*T will not pass words with you. My followers have arrived, and we must moye lon, Ww hen you have paid ae we will leave you.’ ‘*We shall not pay tribute to you.”’ ‘‘What? Knave, do you dare refuse? | Then I will slay you with my own hand!” | Ain-el- Khair drew a long- -barreled pis- |tol, which he pointed at the boy; but | Frank did not seem at all ee The caravan of camels had halted, and the Arabs were gathered in a group ata little distance, watching what was paés- ing between the old sheik and the boy, Much nearer were the professor and ‘phraim, who had also dismounted, thei horses standing close at hand. ‘*T tell you it is not possible for you to harm me, Ain-el-Khair,’’ Frank again ideclared. ‘‘If you think you can, take 'aim and shoot. I dare you to do so.”’ The old robber was not one to be dared in such a manner. He lifted the long-bai reled pistol, and, without hesitation, fired at the boy. | do not know me.”’ he not what to maken When the pistol spoke Frank pretendeie ‘to. take the bullet from his teeth, He stouty j Ae 25 ereét and unharmed, holding a round ball of lead between his thumb and finger, smiling at the astounded Arab. Ain-el-Khair staggered, his eyes bulging from his head. “Allah save me!’’ he gasped. . not harmed!”’ “*Not in the least,’’ said the lad, easily. “You might fire a hundred bullets at me, and not one of them would do any harm.”’ ‘“You must be a sorcerer,’’ ‘‘T am the greatest sorcerer alive. I can- not be slain, but I have power to slay by my touch.’’ That was too much for the sheik to be- lieve, and he plainly expressed his unbelief. Immediately Frank stepped forward and grasped both of Ain-el-Khair’s hands. A yell of fear and pain came from the lips of the old Arab, who began to squirm and dance in a most amazing manner, trying to tear his hands away. After a’‘moment of this, Frank released him, stepping back. The robber chief stared at the boy, ‘*He is _ with fear showing plainly in his bulging | eyes. This Christian was truly a great sorcerer. _ ‘*Are you satisfied ?’’ demanded Frank ; ‘‘or would you see more ?’’ Ain-el-Khair did not speak. ‘‘Look!’’ cried the boy. ‘‘Behold my protectors. Had I willed it thus a hundred of them would have planted their poison fangs in your flesh when I touched your hands.”’ Out of the boy’s sleeves, his pockets, and various parts of his clothing, squirm- ing, hissing serpents writhed and twisted. They twined along his arms, twisted about his legs and his neck, popped into view, and vanished. All the while he was moving his hands up and down and around, seeming to pick them off his body and cast them into the air, where they instantly vanished. Of a sudden he slapped his hands, and every serpent “. disappeared. ““Are you satisfied?’ Frank again demanded. - “T am satisfied,’? confessed the sheik. “Vou are a great sorcerer. What wouldst ‘thou have me do?”’ -. A sudden thought flashed through the boy’ Ss biain. ee y FRANK MERRIWELL’S MAGIC. “Take me to ‘Ben -Ahmet,’’ -he answered. ‘‘It is he whom I seek.” ‘*Ben Ahmet !’’ cried Ain-el-Khair. ‘SA © thousand curses on him! He has led the sultan to place a price on my head. I have heard that he is in Tangier, and that is why [am here. I hope to meet him face to face when he attempts to return to Fez,” ‘‘He is already on his way. He left Tangier this morning, and, with his fight- ing men, he is somewhere on the desert. We have followed to overtake him. We have little money with us, but, if you can aid us against Ben Ahmet, I will promise you a goodly sum. What is your answer ?”’ ‘‘We will sit down together and tallg it over. Perhaps it can be done.”’ : So they sat upon the ground, Ain-el- Khair taking care to keep at a distance from the boy whom he now feared and respected. CHAPTER XII. A COMPACT WITH ROBBERS. é Frank Merriwell had played a desperate game, and it looked as if he had won. If, Ain-el-Khair had fired at the boy’s head. « the game would have ended suddenly in~ a tragedy; but the old sheik discharged. the pistol at Frank’s breast, and, although the bullet pierced the outer clothing, no harm was done. From the traveling magician of whom he had purchased the cabinet the boy had obtained a bullet-proof shirt. This he had donned before accompanying Azza in re- sponse to the appeal supposed’ to come from Igela, which may account, in a measure, for his unusual recklessness, The small electric battery which cam with the magician’s cabinet was vé ty powerful, and was supplied with som fine wires that ran down Frank’s sleeves ~ to his hands. Before going out to meet ~ the robber sheik Frank had taken care'to — see that the battery was in working order, ~ and he had given the old rascal a severe shock when he grasped his hand. E The serpent trick was one of the illu- sions he had learned from the magician, and it had proved very valuable in work- ing on the superstitious fears of Ain-el- — es airs after fee had Sear them ‘ 3 FRANK MERRIWGLD'S MAGIC ne ferves face to face™ upon the ground, the| slieik was constantly watching for the| Swaying head of a snake to appear some- | Whete about the boy’s person. The old| robber was sure a hundred serpents must} be concealed in Frank’s clothes. Wek The astonishment of Professsor Scotch | fs = ica be much better imagined than| @escribed. To him it had seemed that Prank was crazy when he advanced to| meet the old chief, and what followed | pes that meeting filled him with unspeakable | } giazement. He could not tnderstand | Why Frank did not fall when the sheik | fred point-blank at him, nor could he | Ris imagine why Ain-el-Khair danced and) Metled when Frank grasped his hands. | By the time the serpents began to ap-| pear and disappear- about the boy’ S per-| Son the professor realized that Frank was | @itempting to overawe the Arab by a| @isplay of legerdemain. “Tt is folly,’’ muttered the professor. | PWe shall be murdered just the same.’’ ‘Wal, Idunno abaout that,’’ drawled Miphraim Gallup, “By gum! 7 kainder | @al’late Frank knows what he’s doin’ of.’? | The boy from Vermont was beginning | fo believe Frank could accomplish almost | @mything he undertook, no matter how @atficult it might be. For nearly half an Mie old sheik sat face to face on the Syound, talking earnestly. The robber @hief was seen to make excited gestures, @s if much aroused by something Frank fad told him. Me The sheik’s followers witnessed this | iiterview with unbounded astonishment. @hey could not understand what it meant. Finally the old sheik and the boy arose, and Ain-el-Khair made.a gesture that @aused his fighting men to leap upon their Morses and come tearing down at the two @pout whom they gathered, paying not @he slightest attention to the professor and Bphraim. me The chief made a brief speech in Warabic, and his words were greeted with micud yells from his followers. Then the band parted, atid Frank Walked back to his anxious friends. me ‘For Heaven’s sake! what does all this geigean >’ fluttered. the, agitated proféssor. Sex plain it-atvence:”’ e~~ hour the boy and - | made?’ ithe garment in his hand. ling it curiously. |tions about 'that no bullet could pierce it. ow . “It means that I e made a Compact with Ain-el-Khair,’’ declared Frank, smil ing triumphantly. ‘‘He hates Ben Ahmet land Ali Mustaf most hearti ily, and heqs | looking for them now. ‘‘What kind of a compact have you ‘‘T have agreed to give him a garmeme gas that will make him bullet-proof if he wit aid us in rescuing Igela from Ben oe 4 He says he will “do so, and will guard @ to within a short distance of the wall of Tangier.’’ ‘*But how can you give him a garmené that will make him bullet-proof ?”’ ‘‘By giving him the shirt I have om You must stand between me and the Arabs while I remove it. Bring two of the | horses on the same side.’ This was done, and Frank hastily and deftly removed the shirt, while Ain-el- | Khair supposed the young sorcerer was Imanufacturing the garment by some | | mysterious process. ‘“‘T hope he will be able to get it on; said the boy, anxiously. A great shout went up from the Arabs as Frank advanced toward them, with The sheik mef the boy and received the shirt, examin- He asked many ques- and Frank assured him it, Then Ain-el Khair made one of his fol- lowers don the shirt, after which the fellow was forced to stand up while the old sheik fired a shot at him at a distance of not more than ten feet. The wearer of the shirt staggered a bit, but remained unharmed by the bullet. When Ain-el-Khair saw this he turned to Frank and made a most profound salaam, saying: ‘‘You have kept your word, Christian | sorcerer, and now you shall see that Ain- - el-Khair can keep his.’ Then he lost no time in donning the shirt, which, fortunately, was large enough, although itewas a ‘‘tight fit.”’ The caravan of camels had been cap- tured by the sheik, and he was holding them for tribute; but he quickly decided not to bother with them longer, but to ride at once with horses in Sean gts Bern, Ahinet. o$ 3) In a short time the desert robbers were on the move, and Frank rode at the side of Ain-el-Khair, with Ephraim and the professor close behind. It wasa queer adventure, and Frank -was inclined to wonder if he would not * awaken and discover that it was a dream. Night came on the desert, and the cara- van had not been sighted. Still Ain-el- Khair pressed on, and he was finally re- warded by seeing the gleam of a camp eeaite. Toward the light they rode. When they had come near enough for him to tell, the -old sheik declared a caravan had halted _there for the night. — We will attack it,’’ he ie ‘fand I pray Allah we may find my enemy there.’’ Straight toward the caravan they rode, and like a whirlwind the desert robbers|- The fighting wen’ dashed down upon it. of the caravan fired a few shots, but, dis- covering they were greatly outnumbered, quickly ceased, throwing down their muskets and crying to be spared. Ain-el-Khair looked for Ben Ahmet— and found him! The old sheik had joined that caravan, and Ali Mustaf was at his side. ‘They stood before one of the small - tents. ‘*Praise Allah,’’ cried the robber sheik, exultantly, speaking in Arabic. ‘‘I have _ found you, Ben Ahmet! You are the.one who caused the sultan to puta price on my head, but you shall not livé to see me destroyed. I have come to kill you.”’ - “But I will kill you first!’’ shouted the shek, as he lifted a pistol and fired straight at the breast of the robber chief. Ain-el-Khair felt the bullet strike against his wonderful shirt, but he was not harmed by it, and, a moment later, he shot Ben Ahmet through the head. Seeing this Ali Mustaf uttered a yell of terror and fled into the darkness. . Ina moment Frank Merriwell leaped . from his horse and tore open the front of - the tent. ‘‘Igela!’’ he called; ‘‘are you here?”’ With a cry of joy ‘she sprang into his arms! FRANK MERRIWELL'S MAGIC. CHAPTER XU. CONCLUSION. It was morning when four exhausted, dust-covered persons rode into Tangier and hastened to the house of the United States Consul. They were professor Scotch, Ephraim Gallup, Frank Merri- well and Igela. : Ain-el-Khair had kept his word in every particular. He had escorted them almost to the very gate of the city. : “We must get out, of Morocco before * the truth is known concerning the attack on that caravan,’’ said Frank. ‘‘We. Shall be branded as robbers, and a price will be placed on our head.”’ ‘‘Which is a very pleasant thing to contemplate !’’ said the professor. . At the house of the United States Con- sul a surprise awaited them. Mr. Adams listened to their story and then said: ‘“There seems to be a case of mistaken identity mixed up in this affair. Last © night a young man who has just erossed the’ - desert from Fez, after escaping. from the ~ castle of Bab-el-Maroc, came to me -for protection and aid. He has told meshis story, which, together with what Ihave heard from Mr. Merriwéll, has thrown some light on a very singular matter:”” He opened adoor and called to a person in an adjoining room. A moment later a rather thin and pale youth “entered the : parlor. . ‘‘Permit me to introduce you t Mr. Frank Parker, gentlemen,’’ said the con-. sul. ‘‘Mr. Parker is from London. Mr, Parker—Mr. Merriwell, Professor Sebtgh: Mr. Gallup, all from the United States, And this is——”? He was interrupted by a cry from Igela, who had been standing and staring at Frank Parker as if turned to stone. Her eyes passed from Parker’s face to that of Frank Merriwell; from one to. the other she looked a score of times, and then she. | tan into Parker’s arms. = ‘Remarkable!’ exclaimed Scotch—~ ‘‘very ‘remarkable! Why, Frank, this Parker laoks enough like you to be your brother—your twin brother: It is an astonishing resemblance.” . ‘That is true,’? smiled Frank ; fancy I have been taken for Me . by more page one Sees - FRANK -VERRIWEEL'S MAGLIO: morta d Ai-Mustaf-al believed tlrat 1; Waegeatect. Ben Alimet believed it, even| tag@ig@n a had left Parker confined in the' Saeieo) Bab-el-Maroc, hundreds of miles| atameeivela believed I had escaped from Pateegetic, and come here to Tangier, Siig explains some things she said to Meee ee whole matter is clearing up.’’ Hivos clearing up, but, somehow, Weeemelt as if he had lost something of | Meuegeeul value. He saw Igela.in the Gti o his counterpart and then he Lime away. Bie. eeecetms hastily and briefly explained | femme toeia’s father, having lost. the wife Mme@eved, and being very fond of his| @eaeieer, whom he regarded as a mete| Siig ad carried her with him on one of | Me mesiness expeditions to London. | Sereshemad met Frank Parker and had | feet eve with him. From that mo- Mietemteves the girl’s aim and ambition beer eee ge rself inthe English language, Wee sie studied persistently, speaking! Ro wereer black servant, who had once| een wee land, and knew the language. | Seteeeepained how it came about that) feeeeeapeeot Tangier could speak such| Siperiect @eclish. Met@ereturned to Morocco with her | Muaete pat she did not forget Frank Pegeem, wiio' had promised to come for| Metree@me clay and take her away with| Mii. a father died, and she fell into! a@m@aeof her uncle. Then she wrote| @svappee @ Parker, telling him he must| teG@omersoon, or she would be forced to) hiatty: | Peeper fad traveled in France and/| Ppeueeye wimself; but he dared not tell Pisiolee that he was going to Morocco Si ween was going. He obtained con-| SO@gm@e@omisit Paris, and, without delay, eiemmetened to Morocco, crossed the des- ae mer, saw Ivela, tried to carry her i weee captured and confined in a dun- mouegoit which he was never to be pased. Greeaneuglish youth he was a wonder. feeagenna an opportunity to attack and iy tue wecper who brought him food, and ie eeemped in the man’s clothes. By rare Oneume Ne had been able to get across the meer. to Tangier. Melciweney had heard this stoty from Mir. Adams, Frank. told-hew oh ie ia igela had been” rescued, and ‘that it w likely the entire party would be branded as robbers with very little delay. ‘You must all get out of the colimtry imimediately,’’ said Mr. Adams. ‘‘I kitoay a very wealthy gentleman who is laying off Tangier in his steam yacht, in whic# 7 'he contemplates a cruise up the Mediter | Tanean. ht You must get aboard that yaeht without delay, and he must take yout am away. If the girl goes she must be takem through Tangier as a boy—she must Be disguised.’’ Arrangements quickly made. *K *K for the attempt wets * * * The party succeeded in getting of board the yacht, which carried them from Tangier to Marseilles, in France. By that time Frank Parker had related hi§ story in detail a score of times, atid all confessed it a most wonderful and remarkable adventure. Igela had discarded her vail in the hotsé of the United States Consul, and she des clared she would never wear it again: She was very pretty. ‘‘T am going to London to becothe a Christian,’’ she said, laughing. ‘You are going to London become——”’ Parker whispered the final words in fer ear, and she laughed again, her dark eyes glowing, her cheeks warm with color. In Paris the party separated, for Parker and the girl hastened onward towasgd London. In parting from Frank, the girl suddenly held her:face up to him, saying: ‘“My Frank.wili not be angryy and you are so brave and noble! Kiss me!’’ = Frank felt the blood leap into his face, but he stooped and touched his lips te” hers. The memory of that kiss remained with him always. ; te * . (THE END.) ‘*FPRANK MERRIWELL’S IN FRANCE; OF, THE MYSTERY OF THE MASKED UN- KNOWN,” by the author of ‘‘Frank Mer- tiwell,’’ wilbkeb@ published in- the next. iiimber (30) of the “Yip’Tor LIBRARY" og ow 32 AvGuUSTA, Mzr., September 29, 1896. StREEr & Smit, New York Tip Top LIBRARY, PwaAR MR. PUBLISHERS :—I think the stories in your Trp Top LIBRARY are great. I like Frank Merriwell. Gosh, I wish I could do like him. He’s the best hero I ever liked in any stories Lever read. His adventures are all so true and real, just like-what a boy would do. I sball read the Tip Tor as long as I can get it, and tell ail my chums to do so, for 1 think it’s the best paper published. Hoping you are glad to hear what I had to say, lam, © Very respectfully, Joun A. WarTson. Eriz, Pa., Sept. 26, 1896. Spreer & Smits, Publishers Tir Tor Liskary, New York City. DBAR Sirs :—I want to tell you how much I like your Tip Top stories. I think it’s a fine paper; the cover is fine; it caught my eye, and I bought one to see what it » was like, and I think Frank Merriwell is a.dandy. I “think Mr. Standish writes the best story for boys I ever read. You can bet I won’t miss. any number, I sent for the back numbers, and I have got it now right from the ‘first. Yours truly, ~ WALTER PENNANT. PuEBLO, COL., October\3, 18969 SrrREET & SMITH, Now York City. DEAR Sirs:—I see you publish some ier from boys who are readers of your fine library, the Tip Top, and I suppose you like to hear what the different boys think of it. I have read lots of different libraries, but I think the Tie Tor stories ‘‘take the bun.”’ They are so natural and full of fun and adventure, just what a boy ikes; anyways, it’s what I like. I hope it will bea big: success, cause it deserves it. _ iam, yours truly, FRANK HARTWELL. Troy, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1896. DEAR Sirs :—I would like to let you know that I am reading our Tip Top LIBRARY since it was started. A friend of mine who ought the Tip Tor No. 1 let me read it and I have bought it ever ‘since. Iam a member of a bicycle club, of about 25 members, and ; te IT was the first one who read it in the club, but now the Troy News ‘ SrDeADy leaves eleven at the club. Yours ae C. RANNOTT, ; LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept, 26, 1896. Pabiiekors Tip Tor LIBRARY, New York City. DEAR Sires :—I have read every one of your issues from number one to the present one, and find it the. best of all boys’ books and hope it will enjoy an extensive circulation. ‘Very respectfully, WALTER E. BOWLES. 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