NKEY'S NECK TO THE DO CLINGING * PHRAIM LN “ey 2 a C(LLE SRAZY CRITTER!’ YE EOU DRATTED C ¥ “AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH.” Tire Tor WEEKLY. Xesued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office. Srrunr & Smivru, 81 Fulton St., N. Y. Entered Aceording to Act of Congress, in the Year 1898, in the Office of the qhibr arian of Congress, Wi “ashington, DG. No. 144. NEW YORK, Sertaaay: 14, 1890. Price Five Cents. F B : jan Bird. “I didn’t suppose she had’the nerve puzzled Waterman Wolfe, ding it! didn’t she go right about in the face phy,” quoth Douglas Dunton. “Some very. Contents of This Number. FRANK MERRIWELL nISSING; or, On the Brink of Disaster. = = + = + = dL eee ae ee a ne ee ee ee 3 o- ® @ Frank Merriwell Missing; — aul g; : Geo | | On the Brink of Disaster. a By BURT L. STANDISH. Set a CHAPTER I. of the mob last night an’ keep Lockwell from { shootin’ Frank when the hull of the rest of yeou people was huddled in this dressin-roqm, skeered to move fer yer lives! Don’t talk : oe ’ abaout her not havin’ nerve!” “T should guess yes,” slangily nodded Hat- tie Harrison. “Wecan’t play the piece with- TROUBLE AT THE THEATRE. “It’s a bad scrape,” declared Douglas Dun- ton, shaking his head. “But she always seemed so gentle and re- served,” said Hattie Harrison. out her.” 4 “Who knows she’s really gone?” asked Ba- “That's because she wasn’t rousted up,” de- | ei Pie os: clared Ephraim. “She was full of ginger ” “TI know it, b’gosh!” answered Ephraim when she was rousted up. Gallup, gloomily. “She jest left a letter say- “Well, I wonder how she happened to be in’ she had left fer good an’ ferever.” ‘rousted’ up?” questioned Lilian Bird. “Who'd thought Elsie Bellwood would “And what could induce her to leave the have done anything like that?” exclaimed Lil- company when she was the leading lady?” 4 to go off by herself, e * ‘ “Methinks there are more things in heaven, “Nerve!” exploded the Vermonter. “Why, and earth than are dreamed of in our philoso- » TIP TOP WEEKLY. singular things have happened lately, and this disappearance is not the least singular among them.” “Perhaps Gallup might explain it,” hinted Harold Dangerford. ’ “Can’t explain northing,” grunted Ephraim. But he was not inclined to explain. Had he been, he might have thrown considerable light on the matter, for he could have told them that Inza Burrage, who had lately ar- ; rived in Blair, accompanied by her father, had in the past been a rival of Elsie for the favors of Frank Merriwell. _ friendly rivalry, but the time came when the It had long been a friendship of the girls became strained, and, since Inza’s appearance in the Western town where Frank’s company was playing a week stand, they had quarreled. Now Elsie was gone, and there was no one to fill her place in the company. Bart Hodge knew the meaning of this, but he was keeping his mouth closed. He had feared that Gallup would talk too much, and it was a relief when Ephraim declared that he couldn’t “explain northing.” : Nearly the entire company had gathered in the largest dressing-room of the theatre, while Roscoe Havener, the stage manager, was moving restlessly about outside. The door was standing open, and Havener could hear them talking. Now he came to the door. “I don’t believe Miss Bellwood has gone very far,” he said. “I called this rehearsal in order to get that little change Merriwell made _in the tableau at the close of the second act, put I don’t see how we are going to do it with- ‘out Miss Bellwood, as she is the central figure in the tableau along with Merriwell.” “Where’s Merriwel?” asked Basil Holt. “Fe isn’t around.” -“T suppose he’s looking for the girl.” “I thought he was hurt so bad that he couldn’t get out of his room,” said Danger- ford. “That fall——” 3 “He was hurt,” cut in Hodge, speaking for the first time. “I was the first one to reach him at the bottom of the ravine, and I thought him done for; but, after he was brought back to town, he said he’d play to-night if he could stand on his feet.” “An’ he’s ther boy ter do it!” nodded Gal- lup. “But he won’t be able ter play unless he kin find Elsie, an’ that’s why he ain’t here.” “Tf he doesn’t find her, what can we do?” muttered Holt. “It’s mighty hard to have to close when we are doing such business as we've struck here. It’s like refusing to pick up money because we don’t want to stoop.” “Tf Elsie Bellwood had -waited two days longer, I might have been able to fill, her place,” said *Havener. “How ?” cried several. “There’s some one coming who could do it,” “Who?” was the cry. “Some of you know her.” “Not Cassie Lee?” asked Dunton. Havener nodded. “I wired for her day before yesterday,” he said, “and I received a message back that she would come. She started as soon as possible, and is on her way to join us now.” ; “But she won’t be able to play for two days after reaching us,” said Holt. “She’ll have to learn the lines and rehearse.” “She is liable to have the lines when she arrives.” “How is that?” “Well, you know she has been ill.” eX es." “T sent her the old prompt book of the play after Merriwell had a new one made. He said I might. As she didri’t have much else to do, it’s likely she has committed all the female parts, not knowing but she might have a chance to play some one of them if some-_ body got ill or left the company.” “Prithee, great master, where didst thou, 4 *m be lucky!” exclaimed Hattie Harrison. obtain all thy long-headedness?” cried Doug- las Dunton. “But we'll have to lose some time—two per- formances, I reckon,” said Wolfe, regretfully. “But your salaries will go on just the same,’ assured Havener. “Folansbee is mak- ing a good thing off this piece, and he won't let you loose anything by laying off. It will be a rest, too.” “By me halidom!” exclaimed Dunton, “T had rather take my rest in some more civilized town. There is no prophesying what the citi- zens of this burgh will do. Last eve they went wild over Merriwell during the perform- ance and then tried to lynch him afterwards.” “Lockwell caused that,” said Dangerford, “but the poor crazy fellow will make no more trouble for Merriwell.” “No!” said Hodge. “He received a dose of. his own medicine. When the men of Blair found that he was the one who brought about the injury of the sheriff by the infernal ma- chine, they didn’t do a thing but run him down and string him up in a hurry.” “Tt was gol darn lucky fer his friend Scud- der that he got erway,” putin Ephraim. “If they'd ketched him with Lockwell, I guess they’d hung the two of um up together.” “That’s exactly what would have hap- “Tf it hadn’t been for me, I believe they would have strung Hank pened,” nodded Bart. Ryan up when they found him. You know Ryan helped Scudder and Lockwell get out of town, and he was guiding them toward the nearest settlement. He was instrumental in keeping Lockwell from finishing me when they caught me, and so I stood by him when Pete McAllister, the giant Merry thrashed, brought Ryan down with a ‘he was caught. shot that came near going through his head.” “Tf we all get out of this place alive, we'll ‘ave played all over the West, but I never struck a place like this before.” 3 TIP TOP WEEKLY. 3 “And I never want to again!” put in Lilian Bird. “The accommodations at the hotel 9) “T have seen worse.” “You must have been cast away on a desert island!” “Tf we are not going to rehearse, I don’t , see the good of hanging around here,” said Holt. “Tt is not necessary,” admitted Havener. “Then we can go?” CY Ge They were glad to escape the rehearsal, and lost little time leaving the theatre. Hodge spoke to the Vermonter, calling him aside. | “Look here; Ephraim,” he said, “what has become of Merriwell ?” “Ask me!” exclaimed Gallup. “You don’t know?” “Nope.” “But you were in the hotel when he discov- ered that Elsie was gone.” ees: : “Inza was with him?” “Yep. They went up to Elsie’s room to- gether to see her, an’ there Frank found a letter from her.” “What was in that letter?” “Yeou kin search me!” “You don’t know ?” “Northing more than that Elsie had writ that she was goin’ erway.” “What's the matter with that girl! She’s let Inza Bur- “Confound it!” muttered Hodge. rage drive her away.” , “T kainder cal’lated so,” admitted Ephraim. “She too soft!’ grated Bart. “‘Now, wh Oo y should she give up to Inza ? It’s foolishness.” q “Why didn’t Inza Burrage stay erway an’ | : ; ai << mind her own business?” came from Gallup, — “That’s whut I’d like ter know, b’gosh!” 7 “Tf either one of those girls thinks Frank Merriwell is going to get married in a hurry, she is making a big mistake,’ said Bart. “Merry s going back to Yale, and, after he - finishes college ,he will not think of marrying till he settles down in the world. Frank knows “that the young fellow who marries in a hurry is sure to wish he had taken more time.about it. He’ll be certain he can support a wife properly before he takes one. By the time he gets ready to do that, both of those girls may be hitched to other fellows.” “Inza is engaged to that Harvard feller, Creston Clayton.” “Do you know this?” “FHeerd her say so.” “Does Elsie know ?” . “T ruther guess so.” ' “Then she is all the bigger fool for running what he has to say about it. Come on.” Gallup followed Hodge from the theatre. CHAPTER II. BART SPEAKS PLAINLY. Frank was not at the Magnificent Hotel, and no one seemed to know anything about him around the place. Hodge and Gallup searched high and tow. for him, and, at last, they paused and looked at each other. “What does it mean >” muttered Bart. “Veou tell” exclaimed the Vermonter, “Frank was badly shaken up by his fall.” “Sure thing.” “He should be here.” —~ “But he ain’t. Where is he?” “Tt must be he has gone to the Clarendon to see Inza.” , » _ *Mebbe so, but what ef he ain’t there?” [ “Then where is he?” Rare “That’s ther question.” en - Bart decided to go at once to Inza and find b “out if she knew saghing of Frank’s where- 4 2 TIP TOP WEEKLY, away. But we must find Frank now, and see He found her alone in her room, which was connected with her father’s by a door. The door was closed now, and Inza’s eyes plainly showed she had been shedding tears. _ She in- vited Bart in and asked him to sit down. He entered, but stood with his hat in his hand. “T am looking for Mr. Merriwell,” he said, stiffly. . His manirer chilled her, and she instantly asked : “Then why do you come here?” “He is not at the Magnificent.” “Well?” , “T thought he might be here, for he did not appear at the theatre, although a rehearsal was called for this afternoon.” “He is not here.” “It’s strange,” muttered Bart, turning as if to leave. She caught the troubled look on his face and sprang forward, grasping him by the arm. “What is the matter?” she anxiously de- 2 99 manded. “You don’t mean “T have not been able to find Frank, and no one seems to know where he is.” “Well, Frank Merriwell can take care of himself.” “T haven’t a doubt of it,” retorted Bart, cut- tingly. “At the same time, itwould be a good thing if some other people would let him alone.” “I presume that thrust is intended for me?” “You are at liberty to think whatever you choose.” ; Inza’s spirit asserted itself. She tossed her head and her red lips curled proudly. “Tf Mr. Merriwell had remained away from me, you may be sure I should not have > troubled him,” she said. “Why did you come here at all?” asked _ Bart. “Here? Where Pr “To Blair: “My father has business here.” “Your father? Clayton.” “My father is interested in Mr. Clayton’s mine, the Princess.” “Oh!” exclaimed Bart. “Really!” “Yes, really!” flared Inza. ‘You sneer as if you doubted my word.” “Oh, not at all. should come here with him to this rough It is very singular that you place at this particular time.” The girl’s face flamed red. , “I know what you hint!” she hotly declared. “You insinuate that I came because Frank was here. Mr. Hodge, let me inform you : 2 that I am engaged to Mr. meee and Frank a. Merriwell is nothing to me.’ ort. Hodge was merciless, as he ha@ taken a + strong dislike to Inza. . “Tf you were married to Mr. Clayton it ae ao might be better for several persons!” he ex- 2 claimed. s + I. don’t know that it is anything to you , whether I am married or not. You are med- | dling with something that is none of your af- og ase” | = ab _- “T didn’t come here to meddle,” he said, . “Tf I have said anything unpleasant, you have led me to do again starting as if to leave. so. Of course, you know that Elsie Bellwood » has disappeared, and “You would insinuate that I had something to do with that.” “If you had not come here, Elsie would be _ rehearsing at this moment. knows where she is.” “If she were silly enough to run away I don’t see that I am to be blamed.” “If you had let her alone—if you had not seen Frank “He came to me, Mr. Hodge, in the first place. You may be sure I did not trouble him. He is nothing to me. _ Why, you talk as if ’ Frank Merriwell were the only fellow I could I thought it was Creston , Now no one ~ TIP TOP WEEKLY. | 6 catch. There are hundreds of fellows in the world, just as good as Frank Merriwell, who would be glad to “Stop! doubt if there is another fellow in the wide You know that is not true! I world who is his equal!” Ha! ha! ha! Miss Bellwood may have him, if she wants “What an idea! I am sure him; and I rather think she wants him from the way she has hung around him.” Bart wheeled squarely about and faced Inza. ?? “That is anything but kind of you!” he ex- “put it is about what I should ex- After all Elsie did to get out of the way and give you the inside track, you claimed ; pect from you. sneer at her. Yes, it is just what I could have expected from you.” . “How dare you speak to me like that!” blazed the angry girl. “The truth cuts deep.” “T did think you were my friend once, but I Well, Mr. Hodge, I don’t Your friendship is not so valuable. I see you are not. care. know a few things about you that are not to your credit. If you are mean and ungentle- manly enough to become personal, I shall be- come personal, too.” | Bart’s face became darker than usual, and it was plain that it cost him no small effort to hold himself in check. “You have a sharp tongue of your own,” he said, “ does you little credit when you say unkind and you know how to use it, but it things of Elsie.” “If you knew the things she said to me. Why, she actually told me to my face that she hated me.” : “Did she?” exclaimed Bart, eagerly, with a grim laugh. “I didn’t think it of her.” CRN coe ee } “1 “4 didn’t suppose she had so much spirit. | Now, I think more of her than I did before. | By Jove! I have wondered sometimes what ; 6 Merry could see in her, but I begin to fancy that he read her better than I did. She has +B] courage “Since when? I haven’t seen much of it.” “Possibly not. You were not around last night when, in the face of a howling mob, she ptevented the man who was lynched this morning from shooting Frank.” “No.” “Frank could not induce her to get in out ot danger. While he was in peril, she re- mained near.” “T don’t suppose she had sense enough to get away, or she was too frightened.” “More of your sneers! I have admired you 9 myself in the past, Miss Burrage “Oh, thank you, indeed!” “But in the future I fancy I shall entertain a different opinion. ff anything happens to Elsie Bellwood = “What could happen to her?” “A thousand things might happen. This 39 is a rough part of the country “Do you think anything serious could hap- pen?” asked Inza, unable to repress a show of anxiety. “Of course, something serious might hap- pen. She has disappeared. Where is she? How did she leave Blair? Is she not wan- dering alone and unguarded somewhere in the mountains ?” “Inza gave a little cry, clasping her hands together. “That would be terrible!’”’ she exclaimed. “At last you begin to realize what you have done,” said Bart, mercilessly. ; “But I didn’t mean to do it—truly I didn’t! After Elsie came here—after she told me how she hated me because I had spoken so of Frank, I was sorry, and I went to her. I told her I was not in earnest—I confessed every- thing, and begged her pardon.” - “T suppose she granted it ?” ): Blair. Late that afternoon Hodge learned that Frank had found Hank Ryan, who was lying wounded in a cabin on the outskirts of the town, and was the owner of a fine horse. Merry had been seen entering the cabin, prob- ably for the purpose of making some sort of a bargain with Ryan. Not long after finding this out Hodge was knocking at the cabin door. A voice invited Ht: him to come in, and he entered. Hank Ryan, with a bandage about his head, was lying on a poor bed in the one illy fur- nished room, He had not even removed his boots, although his coat was off. He had a revolver in his hand when Bart walked in. “Wa-al, what do ye want?” suspiciously asked the wounded man, glaring at his vis- itor and holding the revolver ready for use. He had partly risen, but it was plain that he was weak from the wound. “T am seeking information,’ said Bart, ig- noring the weapon, the muzzle of which was pointed toward him. “Any other gents with yer?” asked Ryan. “No; I am alone.” TIP TOP WEEKLY. : |. “Wa-al, come round yere whar I kin look at yer squar’, You're one of them show fel- lers?” Sr Me S ees “Got a grudge ag’inst me because I showed a certain gent how to git outer town last night ?” “No.” “Sure?” SRE: “I didn’t know,” said the man on the bed, with evident relief. “Thar’s no tellin’ what people may take a notion to do arter they git to lynchin’. I’ve more’n half been expectin’ a call from a lynchin’ party, an’'so I’m on my guard.” He put the revolver under the blanket where he could grasp it quickly. Barely had he done so when there was another knock at the door. | “Whatever does that mean?” “he ‘suspi- ciously demanded, again clutching the weapon. “It must be another visitor.” “With you?” “No; I came alone. Shall I open the door ?” “No; stand whar ye are. Don’t try any- thing crooked. I'll take care of ther gent out- side.” “Then, with the revolver again in hand, Ryan called a second time, “Come in.” There was some hesitation, and then the door slowly opened. The person the wounded man saw on the threshold caused him to give ye a gasp of surprise and thrust the revolver out : of sight in a twinkling. A handsome and stylishly dressed girl came into the cabin. It was Inza Burrage. “Mr. Hodge,” she said, “I saw you come here, and I followed you. I have something to tell you.””. See Bart did not look perfectly pleased, but he simply said: i. “Very well.” > = TIP TOP “Frank Merriwell left Blair directly after noon, going south.” “South?” in surprise. “Are you sure? Why, Ironton, the nearest town on the rail- road, is to the north.” “But he was seen going out of the town to the south.” Bart turned to Ryan. “Ts there a way of reaching Ironton by go- ing to the south?” he asked. , “Wa-al, thar may be,” said the man on the bed; “but I don’t reckon anybody but a fool’d go that way. He’d have ter travel about five times as fur as he would ef he went t’other way.” “There is no way of turning about imme- diately after leaving the town and getting round to the north trail?” : “Nary way.” “Then, if you are right, Miss Burrage, it can’t be that Frank was making for the rail- road; but I am not satisfied that you are right.” Inza flushed a bit. “T hope you do not think I would delib- —erately lie to you?” she exclaimed.. “T trust you would not,” said Bart, eva- sively. “But that is not answering my question!” cried the girl. “You do not understand me at all, Mr. Hodge! rest since you came and talked to me so cruel- ly. what has become of Frank.” “And Elsie?” “Yes, and Elsie. Mr. Clayton has assisted me. I have not been able to I have been doing my best to find out Even now he is doing his best to learn particulars.” “Well, I thank you,” said Bart, quietly. Then he turned to the man on the bed, ask- ing: “Do you know Frank Merriwell?” “T reckon he’s ther show chap what Lock- well hed such a feelin’ ag’inst ?” vee. | acetate mere aera ma EREDAR np pherneeenae OTR ee se WEEKLY. : 3 “T know him.” “Has he been here to-day ?” ‘ok tecwons “When ?” “Bout noon,” “What did he want?” “A hawse.” “You had one?” “T reckon.” “Did he buy it?” “T reckon.” “Did he say what he wanted of it?” “No; didn’t say anything except thet he wanted ter buy my hawse. Told him I didn’t want ter sell. He told me ter set a price. I done it, expectin’ to come down some, but he snapped me in a minute and forked the cash right over. He seemed in a big hurry.” “He didn’t speak of his object in buying — the horse?” ; “Not a word.” “Describe your horse.” “Black gelding, six years old, white star in forrud, white stockin’ on left hind foot, scar on rump near roots of tail, whar a man shot at me when I was ridin’ him an’ hit the hawse. Said man is burried down in Clear Water Canyon, whar I was obliged ter dig his grave with my bowie, not havin’ any shovel at hand.” At that moment there was a commotion outside. First they heard the sound of ex- cited shouts of distress, coming nearer and nearer, mingled with an approaching clatter of hoofs. A “It must be a runaway!” exclaimed Inza, moving as if to hurry to the door. Before she could take two steps the clat- tering racket-and,shouting came right up to the door. It did not stop there. Bang !—open flew the door, and into the — cabin plunged a small, long-eared donkey, ; astride of which sat Ephraim Gallup, clinging © vt 10 TIP TOP WEEKLY. to the creature’s neck with all his strength. “Whoa, ye dratted crazy critter!’ yelled Ephraim. Had he straightened down his bent up legs his feet must have rested on the floor. The donkey came to an abrupt stop after bursting open the door and bolting into the cabin. The creature threw its long ears for- ward and stared at the inmates of the place with such a look of astonishment that the pic- ture was comical in the extreme. “Hee-haw! hee-haw!”’ brayed the donkey. CHAPTER TV. ASSISTANCE DECLINED. “Ther gol dinged annymile is larfing at “Naow, b’gosh, me!” squawked Ephraim. that makes me mad!” He straightened down his legs and stood up, whereupon the donkey calmly walked out from beneath him, leaving him standing there. “You pestiferous wild beast!” shouted Gal- lup, shaking his fist at the donkey. “What do yeou mean by runnin’ erway with me an’ tryin’ ter break my neck! I’d good mind to kick the corners offen yeou right here and naow !” The donkey turned round and looked at Gallup in a manner that was quite enough to make anyone with a sense of humor shout with laughter. It canted one ear forward and the other backward, and it actually seemed to smile. | “That beats anything I ever see, b’jee!” gurgled the Vermonter. “Why, ding it all! how darst yeou grin at me like that?” Then once more the donkey opened its mouth, and from its throat came that hoarse, derisive “hee-hawing.” Gallup fell back against the door, which closed with a slam. He leaned against it weakly. Then the donkey stepped forward a bit and _ the point of lifting one forward foot and plac- deliberately sat down on its haunches, like a dog, still facing Ephra m, as if watching and waiting for Gallup to make a move. The creature opened its mouth wide, showing its teeth and shaking its head at Gallup, who flattened himself up against the door, his hair seeming to stand. “Git aout! git aout!’ gasped the Vermont- er. “I may be green, but I ain’t grass! Don't ‘ yeou try ter chaw me up!” “Hee-haw!” laughed the donkey. “Take him erway!” appealed Ephraim, “What's the meaning of all this?” asked Hodge, impatiently. “Ts that yeou, Bart?’ exclaimed Gallup, seeming to recognize his friend for the first time. “Didn’t notiss ye when I came in. I was in an awful hurry, so I didn’t stop to knock. Stop winkin’ at me, yeou blamed jack-muel !” “What are you doing with that donkey ?” ‘ “Doin’—me doin’? I ain’t doin’ a thing! a y’s doin’ Why don’t yeou ask what that donke with me?” “You weré riding the beast.” “Was I? I was so scat I didn’t know. Tried to git a hoss back at the hotel, but a feller there said he’d bet I didn’t know haow to ride a donkey. That made me mad, b’jee! an’ I told him to bring on his donkey. He done it, by thunder! an’ here I be. Did I ride him ?” “You are making a fool of yourself!” came impatiently from Bart. ; “No, it’s ther jack-muel that’s makin’ a fool of me,” asserted Gallup. “Never saw a crit- ter of that size that was made up of chain lightnin’ an’ greased ’léctricity. He’s the most decepshus beast that ever stood on four hoofs. Look at him winkin’ at me! I bet he’s larfin’ in his sleeve.” It really seemed as if the donkey were on ing it against his nose, but he did nothing of the kind. “Take the donkey out of here!’ com- manded Bart. : “He’s all reddy to bite me if I make a move to touch him.” “Can't do it,’”’ declared Gallup. “Well, what are you going to do?” “Ask me!” With walked past the donkey, pushed Gallup away, an impatient exclamation, Bart and opened the door. Immediately the don- key got up and calmly started to walk out. Thinking he saw his chance, Ephraim lifted his foot to give the creature a kick as he went out, but, at that instant, the little animal let its heels fly, and the Vermonter barely escaped being hit. : “Jee-roo-sa-lum!” gurgled Gallup. “He must hev eyes round behind him somewhere!” “Hee-haw !” the donkey, trotted away. “Wal, he’s gone, b’gee!” said the country brayed as it youth, in relief. “I say, Bart, I’ve faound out that Frank’s gone somewhere on hossback. I was tryin’ to git a hoss to foller.” “Which way did he go?” “They say he went aout of taown to the south.” | Inza gave Hodge a triumphant look, which Bart did not seem to notice. He turned to Ryan again, asking: “Do you know where I can get a good horse?” “Dave Drew has two hawses, but I dunno’s ye can git um,” was the answer. “Where can I find Dave Drew?” “Anybody around ther Clarendon will tell yer, < 7 “Allright; thank you. So long.” “So long.” _Inza went out in advance. Bart followed, closing the door. Ephraim and The girl did not look round or seek their eR ger ne RR nang PE TIP TOP WEEKLY. ad escort, but hurried away toward the Claren- don Hotel. “Something’s the matter with her,” ob- served Gallup. “What was she doin’ of there ?” “4 came to tell me that she had learned Frank left town going to the south.” “Then she takes some interust in him.” “Altogether too much interest.” Inza hurried away. Before she reached the ‘hotel, they saw her meet a stylishly-dressed youth, who carried a cane and was smoking a cigarette. It was Creston Clayton. A few words passed between the girl and the Harvard man, and then Clayton came for- ward to meet Bart and Ephraim. Hodge scowled as he saw this, for he had taken a dis- like to Clayton. “Aw,” drawled the Harvard youth. “Mr. Hodge and Mr. Gallup, I believe. I have had the pleasure of seeing you on the stage. I believe I saw Mr. Hodge catch a game of ball for Yale. I have heard that Mr. Merriwell is missing. Miss Bur- rage is really concerned, don’t yer ’now.” Unfortunate, indeed. Hodge pressed his lips together. A drawk ing fop always annoyed him, and his dislike for Clayton increased. “Miss Burrage need not concern herself,” said Bart, shortly. “Mr. Merriwell has plenty of friends, so it is unnecessary for outsiders to concern themselves with his affairs.” “But, my deah fellow,” said Clayton, “Miss Burrage claims she is his friend.” “She may be, but ee Bart paused of his own accord, and, after waiting politely for him to go on, Clayton said: “She wishes me to assist in finding him, and I shall be glad to do what I can, don’t yer understand. much. He whipped that ruffian McAllister in a beautiful manner aftaw the fellow had — 4 g I admire Mr. Merriwell very 12 TIP TOP WEEKLY. done me up. You will observe that I carry the marks of McAllister’s fists.” This was true. Clayton’s face was bruised and cut in several places, and there was a dark circle around one eye. Bart wondered that such a fellow had dared stand up and face the giant of Blair, Big Pete McAllister. “Your kindness is appreciated,’ said Hodge, “but your aid will not be needed.” “Really, deah boy, I wish you would permit me to. go along with you,” pleaded Clayton. “TI don’t pretend to be much of a fitaw, but I assure you I will do my best if it is neces- sary.” “Thank you; I think we'll get along with-_ out you.” With that, Bart and Ephraim passed on. “He talks as if he was purty tired,” said Gallup, grinning. “T have no use for a fellow like that!” ex- claimed Bart, impatiently. “They are no good on earth.” “But they say he’s got dead loads of money.” “And for that very reason I have less use- for,him. How did he get his money? He hasn’t brains enough to work for it.” His Aather is rich. Well, so is mine,” bitterly, “but Iam an outcast. “I'll fight my own way, and my old father can do what he likes with his money. He can burn it, for all I care! He’s never helped me with it.” “Perhaps yeou’ve bin too gol darn duty.” suggested Gallup. “T inherited some of his disposition, and he blames me for it. He is so ugly that no one bas ever been able to get along with him.” “VYeou ain’t givin’ the old gent a very cates record,” grinned Ephraim. “T am giving him all he deserves. I owe everything to my mother—my. poor mother ! _I am sorry I have caused her so much. pain -and trouble. Had a letter from her to-day. She wrote that she wa’ telieved to find out I was with Frank. She knows all about Frank, although she has never seen him, for T have written lots of long letters concerning 1im. I have told her many times that if I ever became anything in the world I should owe it all to Frank Merriwell. He has done. more for me than my own father. He showed me how to curb my passions and control my temper to a certain extent. He has convinced me that it is better to be honest than crooked. , Before I met him, I held in contempt any fel- low who would not swear or drink or do any- thing bad, for I thought all such sissies. I started in by despising him in the same man- ner, and I tried my best to hurt him. It did not take me long to find I had struck a good fellow who could fight like a tiger when forced to do so and was my master at every- thing. He made me his friend by thrashing me soundly and then defending me and clear- ing me from disgrace when I was unjustly charged with a crime at school.” “Frank has a gol darn queer way of dis- posin’ of his enemies,” said Ephraim. “I’ve heerd him say that the way to git rid of an enemy was to make him a friend.” “He will make an enemy a friend if there is anything worth making over in the fellow, but he can’t do it every time. Percy Lockwell © was an example. The fellow was thoroughly bad, and there wasn’t any decent material to work on. But he met his just deserts in the end.” “Do yeou think we’ll be able to find Besa oo ‘to-day ?” “We'll try it. Anyhow, we'll follow him up, to be on hand, if possible, when he needs. — friends.” “That’s what we will, b’ gee! I ain’t much of a fighter, but somehow I’ve alwus bin able to put in a few licks when it was to help him anyhaow. A feller that wouldn’t fight fer Frank Merriwell’d be a mighty mean critter.” ae Blair, Pete McAllister. games onto us. CHAPTER V. AMONG DESPERATE MEN. It was growing dark when three persons rode into the small collection of huts known by the name of Ace High, some ten or twelve miles to the south of Blair. They were Hodge, Gallup and the giant of Finding Bart and Ephraim were going to follow Frank, Big Pete announced that he was going with them, and he would not be refused. In the pursuit of Lockwell the previous night and early that day, McAllister had 7 His face still bore the marks of Frank’s fists, for shown his friendship and earnestness. Merry had soundly trounced him in the Clar- endon Hotel the previous day. That thrash- ing filled the ruffian with such unbounded as- tonishment and admiration of the “tender- foot show feller” that he immediately became Merriwéll’s friend, and he did not seem able to do enough for Frank. y Now, if there was to be a chance to fight for Merry, Big Pete expressed a determination to be “in it.” In Ace High there was a building that was. known as “The Hotel.” The trio decided to stop there and make inquiries for Merriwell, While they obtained something to eat, for, all “were hungry. McAllister had explained that Ace High. had a bad name, many of the citizens of the place being men who had been driven out of Blair. | | “They'll steal yer shirt hyar ef ye’ll let em,” said the giant; “but they all know me purty well, an’ I don’t reckon they’ll try any crooked Ef they do—wa-al, thar’ll be some funerals in Ace High ter-morrer.” He examined both of his revolvers to make oN TIP TOP WEEKLY. town from that yar direction?” 13 sure they were in perfect working order, and advised Hodge to look his over. “Gosh!” “Yeou don’t think there’s likely to be any shutin’, de ye?” ~ “Can’t tell,” answered McAllister, grimly. “Thar may be hyar in Ace High. It wouldn’t © be ther fust time.”’ gasped Ephraim. “Jeewhillikins!” muttered the Vermonter, in evident alarm; “I wisht I was to hum on the farm!” “Don’t get scared before you are hurt,” growled Hodge, who was in anything but a pleasant mood. “What in thunder’s the use of bein’ skeert _ arter ye’re hurt?” exploded Gallup, in dis- _ gust. “It’s too late then.’ When “The Hotel” horses were turned over to a man who ap- was reached their peared to take cHarge of them. “Look out fer them yar critters,” advised McAllister, in a significant manner. ‘“They’re valuable.” ' “Don’t worry about them none whatever,” | advised the man. “They'll be taken care of all right.” . “Has thar been anybody hyar ahead of us from Blair ter-day ?” questioned the giant. “Wa-al, mebbe, but I dunno of anybody.” “Then you ain’t seen nobody ? es ENO se ss “Male ner female?” “Neither.” “You're certain?” “Dead certain.” | “An’ yer ain’t seen nobody go through ther | “Not a livin’ critter. Folks from Blair travels t’other way.” “They do ther most of ther time,” nodes : Big Pete; “but then thar is exceptions, i EERO: between. Wuz you gents a- “ookin’ for. some body?” | 14 TIP TOP “Wa-al, thar was a young feller what left Blair in a hurry “bout noon, an’ it wuz al- lowed as how he came this yar way. Didn’t know but he stopped yere? I s’pase you'd a took keer of his hawse ef he had?” “T reckon. You gents are the first ter stop hyar ter-day. To be sure, thar might some gent go through town ’thout my knowin’ it, but I don’t allow that’d be likely.” “Nor I,” said McAllister, immediately. “It "pears ter me every human critter in this place’d be shore ter see anybody that went through.” i “You said somethin’ about a female.” i EX ED. 4 “Are yer lookin’ fer a female, too?” | “Wa-al, we allowed we might find her, though we ain’t lookin’ fer her so much as fur ther young gent.” : “What wuz this yar gal like?” “She wuz "bout eighteen ur nineteen year old, a stunner from headwaters, high-headed an’ a high-stepper, sleek an’ well groomed, pink-an’-white complexion, with yaller hair an’ han’s so durn small an’ white that they’d make yer think of a doll. She hed ther pur- tiest blue eyes you ever saw in all yer life, an’ her mouth wuz jest like a red rose. She was so dainty an’ neat that it’d make yer feel dirty jest ter look at her, an’ when she talked her voice was soft like the music of a harp when _ ther wind wuz playin’ on ther strings. That is, it wur that yar way ther most of ther time, but she could chirp right peert when she took a notion, as I will sw’ar, fer I saw her play on ther stage in a show, an’ I heerd her say, ‘Stand back, villain!’ Arter I saw her thai an’ heerd her say that, I allowed as how thar wuz plenty of snap an’ ginger hid in that yar dainty bundle, though you’d never dream it jest to look at her when she wasn’t rousted up.” | - Hodge regarded the big fellow in astonish- ‘ment, for McAllister spoke in something of a WEEKLY. rhapsody, and it was plain he meant every word. Bart had not iancied that the giant had given Elsie much attention, but now he recognized his mistake. “Ts this yar gal a friend of any of your party ?” asked the hostler. “T allow she is,” nodded Pete; “an’ ef any galoot has meddled with her ur hurt her in any way whatever, he'd better settle up his yearthly affairs right away an’ make arrange ments fer his own funeral. I believe you said you hedn’t seen nothing: at all of her?” ’ “Not a thing,” iastily declared the hostler. A few moments later, when they were on their way into the hotel, Big Pete stopped then and said: “Pards, that yar hostler asked too many questions.” Hodge nodded. “T noticed that,” he said. “He was mighty curious to know all about us an’ what we wuz hyar fer.” . “That’s right.” “An’ he wanted ter kncw ef ther gal wuza friend of any of us.” 3 « Bart nodded again. “Now,” said the giant, with a shrewd look on his none too intelligent face, “I kinder reckon that thar means something. What- ever it meant I ain’t yit reddy ter say, but I'll allow that we’d best keep our eyes open.” “Jimminy!” muttered Ephraim, in agita- tion.. “I kainder seem ter feel trouble in ther _air. We’re goin’ ter git inter it before we git outer heer. I’d be a darn sight more comfort- able ef I was plantin’ ’taturs at hum on ther farm.” “Hey yer gun handy whar ye kin draw it instanter, young gent,” said McAllister to Bart. “Don’t keep it round in yer back pocket. It’s only tenderfeet what kerry their shootin’ irons thar.” “ So Hodge dropped his revolver into the axeakied pat. ipa niches saat asc ee 88 Serle. ae side pocket of his coat, and they went on into the hotel, the big man leading the way. Two villainous looking men were lounging outside, watching them with sullen eyes. They neither nodded nor spoke, but immediately followed them into the building. The landlord, Red Mike, a “man with a record,’ met them when they entered. Mc- Mike knew all about the giant, and his manner indicated that Allister had seen him before. he entertained a wholesome respect for the giant of Blair. He was as polite as he could be in his greeting, and he looked at Pete’s companions with no small curiosity. “We're lookin’ fer a feed, Mike,” explained Pete. “I reckon you kin give us somethin’ ?” “Thot’s pwhat Oi can fer yersilf,” answered the landlord; “but Oi’ll not be afther sayin’ Oi kin fade yer fri’nds. It’s divvil a bit av poie Oi have in th’ house.” “Oh, wa-al,” drawled McAllister, “T’ll al- low that these hyar young gents kin eat some- thin’ besides pie. They’re not quite so tender as they look.” “All roight, Oi’ll give yez th’ bist Oi have.” “That'll do. Have it hustled on in a hurry.” “Thin ye’re not goin’ to stop wid me th’ noight at all, at all?” “Mebbe so, mebbe not. We ain’t made up our minds as ter that. We started out ter look for a young gent what is a friend of these here gents, but we ain’t made much so fur. I don’t allow as how you've seen him hyar?” “Whin ?” “To-day.” “Nivver a bit at all, at all.” “Thar ain’t bin anybody from Blair ahead of us?” “Nivver a soul ixcept Bill Wilson.” “Wilson. Then he’s hyar?” ie Sd “Came to-day ?” “About thray hours ago, He’s in beyant havin’ a bit av a game wid some av th’. b’ys.” TIP TOP WEEKLY. ~ with a sense of danger. It was plain to them 16 “All right. git our feed reddy.” We'll go in and wait while ye As they moved toward the other room, Pete whispered : “The hostler lied to us, young gents, fer he said as how nary soul had been hyar ahead of Mike says Bill Wilson, Thar must hev been a reason us ter-day. from Blair, is hyar. fer ther lie.” “Right!” Bart whispered back. “I thought of that.” | They entered a square room, lighted by two d windows. Near one of the windows sat a table, around which were four men, engaged in a game of draw poker. The card players were quite as villainous in appearance as the two men who had stared at them outside the place. Not a man looked up from his cards as they entered. “Make yerselves ter home, gents,” said Big “We'll hev ter wait fer | Mike ter git our feed tergether.” Pete, in a loud voice. Even at that none of the mei looked up. It seemed plain that they purposely ignored the | newcomers, which was rather irritating to the giant, although he held himself in check for — the time. Both Hodge and Gallup were impressed — that they were in a nest of desperadoes, and» somehow they felt there might be no end of © trouble before they got out of it. CHAPTER VI. A STARTLING DISCOVERY. Bart had little to say, while Ephraim fid- geted nervously. ot “Them critters look like they’d enjoy cut-— tin’ a feller’s throat,” whispered the Ver- monter. : Big Pete took a chew of tobacco and stood watching the game, his huge hands resting on 16 his hips and his hat slouched over his eyes. He made a picture that would have delighted the eye of an artist like Frederick Reming- ton. Bart sat down and kept still, looking out from beneath his black eyebrows, his face He had his hands thrust deep down into his trowsers’ pockets. stern and -his mouth tightly closed. In his mind Hodge went over the conversa- tion with the hostler, and his conviction that the man had deliberately lied to them grew on Once Bart noted that one of the card players sized him up with a quick side- him swiftly. . long glance. Through the open door. the two villainous looking men who had been outside could be “seen talking to Red Mike in the adjoining room. They were speaking in low tones, oc- casionally glancing toward the door of the room where the game of cards was taking place. There was something secret and sin- ister in their manner. Ephraim continued to fidget. Finally he again whispered to Hodge: “T’ve gotter go aout an’ git some air,” he declared. “It seems kainder gol darn close in here.” “T think I'll go, too,” Together they went outside, where Eph- said Bart, rising. raim drew a deep breath of relief. “Ef them critters in there ain’t villains an’ cut-throats I don’t know beans when ther bag’s open,” declared the Vermonter. “They are a tough-looking crowd,” agreed Bart; “but they may not be as bad as they look.” “Wal, I wouldn’t want ter meet any of um a dark night ef I hed two dollars in money - araound me.” “You must remember that Pete McAllister was considered a ruffian in Blair, and yet he has not seemed so very bad at heart. It’s TIP TOP WEEKLY. likely these men look worse than they really be”. “Mebbe so, but I shell feel a darn sight bet- ter when we git erway frum heer.” ~ “We may not get away very soon.” “Hey? Why not?” “It strikes me that we may find it well to look for Frank right here.” “Sho! Yeou don’t think them fellers has done anything to him?” “If Merry passed through Ace High with- out being molested, there was no reason why they should lie to us.” “That’s so,” nodded Gallup. “The hostler lied, or Red Mike lied. It was not possible for Bill Wilson to come here from Blair without being seen by the hostler, yet he said there had been no one from Blair here to-day.” . “T heerd him say it.” “And you heard Red Mike say Wilson was playing in that game of poker.” “That’s so.” “Why did one of them lie to us?” “Ask me!” “The hostler didn’t know Big Bees the landlord knew him. The hostler wasn’t aware that Pete kr :w Wilson; the landlord realized that the giant would recognize Wilson as soon as he saw him.” “Wal, why should ary one of um want to tell us a lie abaout this air Wilson? We ain’t lookin’ fer him.” “But we may be lookin for somebody who came here with him.” “Hey? Frank “No; Elsie.” “Yeou think “Rlsie Bellwood may have left Blair in company with Bill Wilson.” “VYeou think she hired him?” “Perhaps.” “But why’d she come this way when Tron- ‘ton was t’other way ?” “He may have fooled her.” “Haow ?” “He may have made her believe he was taking her to Ironton.” Ephraim slapped his knee. “Jee-roo-sa-lum!” he exclaimed, gazing at Bart with admiration. “I'll bet a good squash yeou’ve hit it!” “It would not have been difficult for the man to deceive Elsie in the first place ; but her suspicions must have been aroused by the time she reached this place.” “An’ yeou think she never got no further ?” “If she came this way in company with that man, it is certain she got no further.” “An’ Frank must hev faound aout she come this way.” “Yes; he followed her here.” “An’ he didn’t git no further ?” “That is what I think. If he had gone on, we should have been told so.” “Mebbe not.” “Why not?” “Mebbe them critters caounted on us as good pickin’, an’ they wanted us to stay heer, too.” Bart thought of this a moment, and then said: “It begins to look that way.” “An’ what ef this air Big Pete shou!d be standin’ right in with um?” asked Ephraim, his hair beginning to rise. “We'd be in a tight box,” answered Bart, coolly. “We'll have to trust in McAllister.” “Wal, I don’t do a thing but pray that Mc- Allister turns aout all right. W7’re goners ef he don’t.” “Let’s go out to the stable and have a talk with that hostler.” “Whut fer ?” “We maybe able to get something out of him.” “It’s mighty gosh darn dangerous foolin’ araound him.” ae, TIP TOP WEEKLY. ae “Come on. You must keep your nerve now, if you have any,” Gallup groaned. “T wisht to goshfry I was to hum on the farm!” he muttered, as he followed Bart. The hostler was not found around the stable, but their horses had been cared for. It was quite dark within the place, but Bart lighted matches and investigated. Ephraim was afraid assassins might be lurking in the darkness, and cold chills ran up and down his back, although he set his teeth and put on a bold front. , Bart seemed utterly devoid of fear, but he was on the alert, for he, also, was fully aware that the stable would be a fine place for an assassination, if the ruffians contemplated such a deed. Gallup saw there were other horses besides their own in the place, and, following Bart’s example, he lighted matches and looked them over. At any sudden sound he would start and catch his breath in terror, feeling a strong desire to take to his heels and run out of the © stable, although he did nothing of the kind. All at once an exclamation came from Bart. “What’s the matter?’ whispered Gallup, anxiously. “Come here,” commanded Hodge. Ephraim obeyed. “Here,” said Bart, “light matches and hold them for me to look this horse over.” “This ain’t one of ourn.” “What yeou lookin’ him over fer?” “Do as I tell you!” hissed Bart. “Hurry. up, for I want to examine the animal before anybody comes.” The Vermonter obeyed. Bart also lighted matches, thus making quite a light. As he examined the horse he muttered: 3 “Gelding, with white stocking on left hind | foot and white star in forehead. Hold a match here; I want to look in the creature’s mouth. Six years old, if ’m any judge. De- | scription tallies so far. If I can find the 99 scar Bart was excited now, and Gallup realized that his companion had made a discovery that he considered important. Ephraim asked a dozen questions, but Hodge did not answer one of them. With the aid of the light from the burning matches, he examined the rump of the horse near the tail. “That’s all I want to find out,” he finally said, in a cold, hard voice. “Come, let’s get out of this stable.” Ephraim followed him with alacrity. Hodge paused outside and began to do something. The Vermonter gasped when he found Bart had cocked his revolver and was whirling the cylinder. “Whut yeou doin’ that fer?” asked Gallup, in agitation. “IT am taking McAllister’s advice and mak- ing sure the gun is in perfect working order,” was the grim answer. “Whut did yeou finu aout abaout that air hoss ?” “The animal belonged to Hank Ryan this morning. “Well?” ° “Ryan sold him to Frank Merriwell just after noon.” “Gosh!” “And the horse brought Frank Merriwell to this place,” concluded Bart. “The horse is here now, and, dead or alive, Frank Merri- well is not far away.” _ CHAPTER VIL FACING RUFFIANS. “Wal, darn my pertutters!” gurgled the youth from Vermont, “I jest wisht I had some kaind of a shutin’ iron. Ef them dratted crit- ters hev killed Frank, we'll jest evehlastin’ly chaw um up!” “We must find McAllister at once and tell } - 18 TIP TOP WEEKLY. him what we have discovered,” said Bart. “Now I know there is going to be trouble around Ace High right away.” “T ain’t feelin’ very well,’ muttered Gallup; “but [ll do my level best to git squar’ fer Frank.” He followed Bart into the hotel, and they went straight to the room where they had left — Big Pete. The giant was not there. Then they sought for him everywhere, but he was not to be found. They asked Red Mike about McAllister, but the proprietor of the hotel said he had not seen Pete since he entered the room where the game was going on. “He’s gone, too!” whispered Gallup, in great awe. him?” “Don’t know,” admitted Bart. “Tt’s t’arnal sing’ler.” “Tt’s all of that.” “Whut kin hev happened to “P’raps he’s gone ther same way Frank went. Mebbe they got rid of him while we was aout in ther barn.” “No,” said Hodge. “It could not have been done without raising a disturbance that we should have heard.” “Then whut has happened ?” “Perhaps McAllister slipped away of his own accord.” “An’ left. us?” eae pe “To be cooked by them critters?” “Tt is possible.” “Oh, gosh!” groaned the agitated country lad. “I guess this is the last end of us, sure as fate!” Bart thought swiftly. “Come,” he said, “we'll make some in- a quiries.” “Who of ?” “Those men playing cards.” ae eerie SiR oo See OT octet, wl br lo he tv ta fc Ic 7 Th iy it 7@ at ry, Le 4 a 4 a & a pt aS “Whew!” whistled Ephraim. “Be keerful!’ Whut yeou goin’ to ask?” But Bart was walking toward the room where the poker game was taking place, and, bracing up as much as possible, Gallup fol- lowed at his heels. Bart walked into the room and straight to- ward the group around the table. One of the men was speaking. “The watch is worth fifty dollars, at least,” he was saying. “I puts it up against your twenty-five, and I raises you twenty-five more.” _ He shoved a handsome gold watch onto the table. ~ Hodge saw that watch, and he made a leap forward, snatching it from the table. One look he took at it, and then cried: “Where did you get this watch?” Up from the table rose the four card play- ers, uttering savage exclamations. “Heer it comes!’ gasped Gallup. “Lord have mercy on us!” “Drap that watch!” snarled the man who had placed it on the table. “Whatever are yer doin’, tenderfoot ?” “Where did you get this watch?” again demanded Bart, backing toward the wall, and thrusting his hand into the side pocket of his coat. “None o’ your business!” roared the gam- bler. “This watcn does not belong to you.” “You lie!” “No; tell the truth. I demand that you ex- plain how this timepiece came into your pos- - session.” ‘“Wa-al, heer him, gents! exploded the man. “An’ him a tenderfoot_ kid! Did you ever !” ) - “Never!” chorused the others. “Tl wring his neck!” said the man from _ S whom Bart had taken the watch. “Back!” grated Hodge, as the fellow was TIP TOP WEEKLY. 19 about to rush at him. “You will get hurt. I know this watch. Frank Merriwell!” “Here that, gents!’ cried the man. It belongs to my friend, “Vil allow he’s accusin’ me of stealin’.” “That’s whatever,” said one of the others. “Do you stand fer it, Sandy?” “An’ he’s got the watch,” said another. “Which same he has no right to.” Bart was standing with his back against the wall, and he seemed to be facing the mob alone, for Ephraim was cowering at one side, apparently quite overcome by fear. Not one of the men paid any attention to him. “Hyar goes fer that watch!” cried the one called Sandy, and he made a leap forward. Just at that instant, the long, lank Ver- monter leaned forward, out shot his arm, and his hand grasped the man as he made his first jump. “Hold right on a bit!” cried Gallup, stop- ping the fellow and giving him a swing. “I wouldn’t be in sech a gol dinged rush.” ‘Slam !—he flung the fellow clean over the tables Then, with one long stride, the Vermonter reached the side of his friend and turned to face the mob, putting up his fists like a pro- fessional pugilist. “Come on, yeou gol danged cut-throats !” he squawked. “Wade right in an’ git yer money ’s wuth! We'll give ye jest abaout as hot a hustle as yeou ever run up ag’inst.” The two men who had been standing out- side when the boys first entered the hotel now came rushing in from the other room and joined the gang. The man who had been thrown across the table gathered himself up in a dazed manner, utterly bewildered by what had happened. The two youths were face to face with six” ruffians, who looked fierce enough to eat them. “Men,” cried Hodge, distinctly, “we shall 20 defend ourselves. keep off!” If you value your lives, He drew his revolver. “Shoot ’em! cut'’em down!” roared the men. Weapons appeared in a moment. Then Red Mike came running in. “Howld on, ye spalpanes!”’ he shouted. “Don’t be afther doin’ inny av thot here! It’s mesilf’ll not have me place all daubed up with blud.”’- “T shall shoot to defend myself!” declared Hodge, his black eyes gleaming and his face showing his determination. “Av ye do inny shootin’ here, 1t’s yersilf’ll be planted in th’ marnin’,” declared the pro- prietor. | “Then call off these curs!” rang out the fearless fellow’s clear voice. “If I am planted to-morrow, others will be planted with me, ” you may bet your life on that! “Va-ow !’’ whooped Ephraim, who seemed to have forgotten his fears in a most remark- able manner. ‘“That’s ther kind of talk, “p’gosh! We-kin clean aout this hull; dern gang, an’ two ur three more® throwed in! Darned ef I ain’t ruther glad I come!” “All together, gents,” urged the one who had lost the watch. “We will make a rush.” “And you'll be the first man I'll shoot Ee clared Hodge, pointing his revolver at the ruffian. “I shall have the satisfaction, least, of knowing I have done something to de- at avenge my friend, from whose person you must have takerr that watch.” The fellow was cowed a bit when he real- ized that he was covered by the revolver and that the dark-faced youth really meant to _ shoot at him first of all. He tried to get be- hind some of the others, at the same time urg- ‘ing them on. GON ake why don’t yeou critters sratl up an’ take yet medicine ?” en Gallup, tantaliz- TIP TOP WEEKLY, ingly. “I’m gittin’ tired of waitin’ fer ye ter wade in.” “Hold on a minute, my deah boys a voice; “ ,’ drawled if there is going to be a fight heah, it is possible that I may be of some assistance to you, don’t yer ’now.” Into the room sauntered Creston Clayton, Through the midst of the ruffans he sauntered, pulling off his gloves, and calmly and serenely took his place beside Hodge and Gallup. carrying his cane. CHAPTER VIII. : A BRAVE BATTLE, The desperadoes stared at him in amaze- ment. They could scarcely believe the evi- dence of their eyes. “What is it?” ~ “Whar did it come from?” “Wa-al, I be durned!”™ “A real dood!” These exclamations broke from ities men of Ace High. Hodge and Gallup were no less astonistied by the surprising appearance of the igre Harvard man. “T beg your pawdon,” said Clayton, suiave- ly. don’t yer ‘now, and, finding you in trouble, I “I hope I don’t intrude. Just arrived, thought I might be of some aid.” -“Wal, I dunno’s we need any aid ter lick this gol darn gang,” putting on a bold front; “but then yeou can come inter ther game, ef ye really want to.” _ “Thank you,” murmured Clayton, gently. / Then he adjusted his: monocle and surveyed the ruffians through the single glass. “Very desperate looking fellaws,” drawled. have to soil one’s hands on such cattle.” “Hear that!” howled Sandy. There was a chorus of ce swe ¥ pa et at “It’s really too bad, deah boys, 1623 “Why, - dood calls us cattle! Will ye stand that: pit : + ; ; hs 5 4 j 4 / . a nore said Gallup, who was we seed Ape FA Ip TABS Clayton, regretfully. 33 “Really like a pack of dogs,” said Clayton. ‘Sound like they were quarelling over a bone, by Jawve!” “J am afraid you do not understand the seriousness of the situation, sir,” said Hodge, swiftly. ‘These men are ruffians of the worst class, and they mean to wipe us out. I have every reason to believe that they have mur- dered Frank Merriwell.” “Don’t tell me that, deah boy!” exclaimed “T have promised Miss Burrage that I'll find Mr. Merriwell. and bring him back safe to Blair. If he is dead, I cawn’t keep my promise, don’t yer now.” “That is how you happen to be here?” “Yes. You would not let me come along with you, and so I followed. I trust you will pardon me,” There was something about the calm fop that caused Hodge to think there was more to the fellow than appeared on the surface. _ Either Creston Clayton did not have wit enough to realize the danger they were in, or _ he possessed nerve and courage. “Now is your last chance to get out of this melee before it begins,” said Hodge. “Better *embrace the opportunity.” “That’s right, dood,” said one of the ruf- fians. “Ye’d better git out, ef ye want. ter keep a whole skin.” “Very much obliged, don’t yer ’now,” said Clayton, not appearing in the least alarmed. “T wouldn’t miss the mix-up for anything. A man who has been in a cane rush can’ stand anything that’s likely to happen here.” He had removed his gloves and thrust them into his pockets. His hands were small, white and shapely. “Jest like a woman’s paws, fians whispered to another. ” one of the ruf- “And now, strange to say, the devas seemed to hesitate about precipitating the struggle. _ Ephraim felt his courage beginning to ooze, and he feared he ‘might become weak-kneed if - the battle did not begin right away, so he set about taunting the gang. “Whut’s the matter with yeou fellers?” « : “Where is yer sand? The - odds is all on yeour_side, so why don’t ye asked, derisively. TIP TOP WEEKLY. _ the fighting fop. 2 wade in. You're scat! B’gosh! yeou dassent fight !’’ “Give up that watch,” said the man called Sandy, “an’ we'll let ye off, jest “cause ye’re such blamed fools that ye don’t realize what vere inter.” “That watch is in my pocket,” said Hodge, “and there it stays. It belonged to my friend, Frank Merriwell, and it has his monogram on the back of the case. It was stolen from him, and the men of this place must tell what has become of him, or Ace High will be wiped out of existence.” “Well, you does chirp mighty loud fer a_ kid!” exclaimed a ruffian. ‘You'll be wiped out of existence yerself right hyar an’ now!” Then he went forward with a jump, trying — to catch hold of Clayton, thinking to keep the dandy between him and Hodge, so that Bart would not shoot. é Clayton met the fellow with a straight blow from the shoulder, and the man was knocked | sprawling. - That precipitated the struggle, for, wie hoarse shouts, the others ciosed in. Bart did not wish to shoot if he could help it, so he reversed his revolver and struck a» | man with the butt, sending — a stagger-_ ing. At the same instant he received a crack on the ear that nearly lifted him off his feet. He was dazed, and the man mandy came at his throat like a tiger. ~ Hodge tried to meet the fellow squarely, but he had been stunned, and Sandy had him by the’throat in a moment. Then Bart tried to use the revolver, but it was wrenched from his‘hand and he was dis- _ armed. Sandy forced him against the par- — tition and held him there, sinking his fingers into Bart’s throat. oe In the midst of this Hodge saw Creston | Clayton whirl and strike out. The fist of the — Harvard man landed on Sandy’s thick neck, — and the ruffian fell like a stricken ox. ~ “Hope you are not hurt, deah abOy r said =: -. Hodge could not reply in edie but he gave Clayton a look of thanks, and then the struggle continued. es ee was Saying about him rather r blindly although many of his blows counted, and the _ men did not seem anxious to get within reach of his long arms. “Come on, yeou pie-faced lobsters!’ he squawked. “Crawl up an’ git inter ther muss! Come up where I kin hit ye, yeou punkin- headed suckers! Oh, I’m jest achin’ to ham- ‘mer the stuffin’ aout of four ur five dozen of ye! Come an’ see me, yeou chaw-maouthed kioodles! Whut ye dodgin’ fer? Yeou started this raow, an’ yeou’ll git enough of it, b’gosh! Walk in, yeou half-shucked clams! Why, yeou fellers can’t fight a-tall! This js more fun than huskin’ corn!” The country youth really seemed to enjoy - it. It made no difference that he was hit sev- eral times, being knocked up against the wall once so hard that the whole building shook from the shock. Now that he was fairly launched into the fight, nothing seemed to . hurt him, and when he was struck it simply seemed to make him anxious for more. _ “J wouldn’t have missed this air racket fer a farm daown East!” he declared. “Why, I did think yeou critters could fight, but [’m darned ef yeou ain’t a lot of snails! Howdy- do, mister! Haow do yeou like that?” Smash!—he struck a man in the mouth, loosening some of the fellow’s teeth. Gallup laughed loudly as the man spat out a tooth and rushed at him again. “Veou'll need a hull new set ter chaw beef- steak with when I’m done with ye,” asserted - the Vermonter, ducking and giving the man - another in the same place. “Ain’t it .fun ter eS It was Red Mike who struck him over the ~ head with a short club, and Gallup dropped to the floor, finished by a single blow from be- - : hind. i - The landlord and his club hastened the ‘end of the fight, for he reached Creston Clayton immediately after Ephraim, and the Harvard man was done up witha blow. ~ Hodge was left alone. Bart swung round, slid along the ‘wall into a corner, where he stood fighting off his as- sailants, never uttering a word, his teeth set, eyes filled with a terrible glare. = c Hodge realized that he could not hold out . 22 TIP TOP WEEKLY. against such odds, but he was determined to fight as long as he could keep on his feet. Stretched on the floor were Gallup and Clayton, and both lay as if dead. Red Mike tried to get at Bart, and Hodge sacrificed his own momentary safety to dodge out, leap aside when the Irishman struck, and give him a return blow that lifted him off his feet and hurled him backward to the floor. A man leaped on Bart’s neck, others clutched his legs, and down he went. He fought like a devil, but they hammered him into submission and bound him. The fight was over, and the three youths were in the hands of the ruffians of Ace High Where was Pete McAllister? CHAPTER IX. THE TREACHERY OF BIG PETE. Gallup and Clayton were also bound, and then the ruffians began to investigate their own injuries. looked at each other and found their victory had been purchased at no small damage to themselves, for, with the exception of Red Mike, there was not a man who did not bear’ marks of the conflict. And just then, while they were discussing their injuries and the fighting qualities of the youthful tenderfeet, Pete McAllister came sauntering in, his hands in his pockets. —, “Hello, pards,” he said. I heard a little racket over yere. It kinder strikes me ye’ve got ther kids corraled tight an’ safe.” “Whichever I presume you may have ob- jections to?” said one of the men, inquir- ingly. ; : “None whatever,” answered the giant, coolly. “I reckoned as how you'd take ther hint when I made myself absent.” “We allowed it — be you oe: it on purpose.” “To be course,” nodded the foxy ruffian. Bart Hodge ground his teeth together and ‘glared\at McAllister, and Ephraim, who had “recovered from the stunning blow, muttered: “Wal, I be gosh dinged!” “That's what we get for trusting that dog os hissed Hodge. “I knew it was not safe.” They swore fiercely when they | “It "pears ter me at S64 fa hi it. ot ae os Pete, looking the proprietor over. “But Frank trusted him,” weakly. “That’s it!’ came savagely from the dark- faced youth. “Merriwell is forever trusting his reformed enemies, and this is the result of it. The wretch betrayed us!” “T didn’t think he’d do it,” Vermonter. “You're almost as soft as Merriwell!’ snapped Bart. “Now we are done for!” “I guess that’s right,’ admitted Ephraim. “It’s likely they’ll finish us off. Oh, my! haow I’d like to be to hum on the farm dig- gin’ pertutters, hoein’ corn, or doin’ any old 2? thing! said Gallup, whispered the “Brace up and take your medicine!’’ ad- vised Bart. “Don’t lose your nerve.” “Never hed much to loose,” confessed Gal- lup. “It alwus oozed aout mighty gol dinged easy.” Big Pete was making himself on easy terms with the ruffianly gang. He was inclined to guy them over their battered appearance. “It don’t ’pear ter me you hed it any too easy takin’ keer of ther tenderfeet,” he said, surveying the toughs. “They fought like wildcats,” confessed a man, with his hand over an eye that was Pei swelling and turning black. “But: they’re nothin’ but kids,” pinned Mc- Allister, turning the huge chew of tobacco in his mouth. “All the same, they fought like tigers.” “But you wuz more’n two to their one.”’ “T reckon we hed ter be ter down ’em,” ad- mitted one of the gang. - “An’ then we'd never did it ef Mike hedn’t chipped in with his club,” said another. — “So Mike took a hand, did he?” inquired “Wa-al, Mike is mighty handy with a club.” “Tt’s mesilf thot nivver allows a riot in me house,” declared Red Mike, shaking his head. “It wud spoil th’ riputation av me place.” “That would be too bad!” grinned McAl- lister, in a queer way. “An’ now,” said the man called Sandy, “I wants that watch.” “An’ I reckon’ we'd better go through ther kids an’ divvy ther plunder,” said another. “Tt’s roight an’ proper thot they should pay ‘ TIP TOP WEEKLY. 93 fer makin’ a distarbance in me house,” de- clared the proprietor. “Hennesy, ye'll be afther seein’ thot Oi git me proper share.” “T’ll do that,” assured Hennesy. “Oi must close me doors,” said Mike, “fer it’s possible somebody moight happen along.” “An’ it wouldnt look very well ter see this croud goin’ through ther kids, that’s so,” nodded Big Pete. “Close up, Mike, an’ we'll settle th’ dividin’. I want you gents ter un- derstand I’m in this dividin’ business, fer didn’t I bring ther birds here fer pluckin’. I have my regular divvy, an’ a per cent. fer bringin’ ther game.” There was some discussion over this, but it was plain that Big Pete meant to fight for what he called his “rights,” and the battered crowd had no stomach for further fighting, especially with a man of McAllister’s reputa- tion. “Hear the miserable cur calmly making ar- rangements with those thugs to rob us!” ground forth Hodge. “T don’t mind that air so much ef they don’t end up by finishin’ us off altogether,” said Ephraim. “Of course they will do that. It’s what has happened to Frank. It wouldn’t do for them to let us go, after robbing us here.” “An’ this is the end of ev’rything !” “Ves, this is the end. Frank Merriwell, with the brightest of prospects before him, has been foully destroyed by these creatures, who are no more than beasts! A brilliant light ha8 been extinguished. If I could avenge _ him, I would be willing to go, too.” It was plain that Hodge felt their case was hopeless, and that caused Ephraim’s heart to sink still further. Creston Clayton groaned and stirred slight- ly. His eyes opened, and he looked around. It took him some moments to comprehend _ where he was and what had happened. He A listened to the talk of the men who were dis- _ cussing the division of the spoils, and then _ turned his head toward Bart and Ephraim, saying: . “Really, deah boys, this seems ‘to be a raw- ther bad predicament.” os “We are done for,” said Bart. “eT hey are going to rob and murder us. You made a mis- take, Mr. Clayton, in coming here and get- ting into this box.” “My dear fellow,” came gently from the lips of the Harvard man, “Miss Burrage asked me to come, and I would not have re- fused her had I known beyond a doubt that I was coming to this.” ' The words were spoken quietly, and Hodge was impressed with the sincerity of the fop. It was difficult for Bart to confess that he had been mistaken, but his heart warmed to- ward this fellow, who had fully proved his mettle, and he said: “Clayton, this may be my last chance to do so, and I want to acknowledge that I made a mistake in sizing you up. You have shown that you are built of the stuff from which they make men.” ’ “Thanks, replied the fop, quietly. “Wal, by jee!” muttered Gallup, in aston- ishment . “I didn’t think yeou’d ever say that much, Hodge. It’s sayin’ Frank Was right in one thing, fer he told me there was good stuff in Mr. Clayton arter he saw him fight with Big Pete.” “Mr. Clayton is made of different material from that ruffian. Merriwell made his mis- take in trusting McAllister.” “Yes,” agreed Clayton, “such low creatures never turn out well, don’t yer now.” By this time the ruffians had agreed to fin- deah boy,” started as “freeze out,” and rob the captives afterwards. They did this in spite of the ob- jections of Sandy, who was nearly “frozen out.” Sandy started to recover the watch from Hodge, but McAllister promptly stepped for- ward, saying he would attend to that. As the giant bent over Bart, their eyes met, and Hodge gave him a look of hatred and _ contempt. ~ “You miserable dog!” grated Bart. “You treacherous cur! I felt that such a low-lived wretch could not be trusted. You have proved that I was right.” _ Big Pete scowled. “Better hold yer tongue!” he snarled: don’t like that none whatever eS Bey don’ t SUPP ONE: ace = rue sneak! ys ish their game of cards, which had been ... oe ; ae TIP TOP WEERI:: panted Bart. “You are a giant and a brute, but, if you will set me free, I will fight you— and IJ’ll whip you, too!” “Why, I’d end yer with one sanee de- clared McAllister. _ | “You can’t! You don’t dare try it! big blow! You are afraid of me! I'd whip you!’ The other ruffians laughed. “Thar’s a challenge fer ye, Pete!” cried one. “Why don’t yer take it? Ther kid kin fight.” “Oh, he wouldn’t be a pinch fer me,” said McAllister. “Besides that, Mike wouldn’t like it ef we kicked up any more rumpus hyar.” “The excuse of a coward!” hissed Bart. “T dare you! Oh, you crawling snake—you mongrel cur—you scum of the earth! I spit on you!” Hodge actually did so! McAllister gave a howl of rage, lifting his huge clenched hand, as if he would smash the youth in the face. Bart did not quail, but panted : “Strike, you brute—you coward!” “Oh, what’s ther use,” said Pete, as he rose to his feet, with the watch. “I'll hev ther pleasure of cuttin’ yer throat bimeby.” Then he gave Bart a kick with his foot and turned away. You You fear ”” CHAPTER X. PETE’S LITTLE GAME. The game of cards was resumed. McAl- lister insisted on setting up the drinks for everybody, not once or twice, but again and again. He seemed to get hilarious himself, and he wanted everybody else to do the same. “We've made a great haul, gents, he said, “an’ I feel like celebratin’.” “They are getting drunk in order to dull their conscience when the time comes to snuff us out,” muttered Bart. He watched McAllister, as if his one re- maining desire was to get free and have re- venge on the treacherous giant. ous. The big man grew more and more boister- He seemed to drink an astonishing amount of the vile whiskey sold at the hotel, — ee == = 1 | | » | z { | “4 ile tae - grated Hodge. ese yer now,’ TIP TOP WEEKLY. 26 and he insisted on the others drinking every time he did. When any one attempted to de- cline he seemed on the point of becoming very angry, and nobody wished to enrage him, for he was known to be “a bad man.” It was but natural that the ruffians should become intoxicated in time, used though they were to the vile stuff they were drinking. One of them became sleepy and nodded over the game. His companions were forced to arouse him once or twice, and then, growing angry, they told him to. get out of the game. He tried to get up, but fell back on his seat. “Hyar,” said Big Pete, “I'll take your place.”’ Grasping the man by the collar, he lifted him and swung him aside as if he were a feather. The man plunged helplessly into a corner, where he lay, after making one feeble attempt to rise, and soon went to sleep. “Talk about tenderfeet,” sneered Big Pete. “Why, thet yar galoot’s no yearthly use. He ain’t fit ter be counted in with ther rest of you gents. Why, you kin hold your share of fire- water, same as real Bens should.” “That’s whatever,” declared Sandy, thickdy: “We're ther proper hot stuff.” “Shore you be,” nodded the giant, but there ~ewas something like derision in a manner. “Have somethin’ more with me.’ It was plain that the most of the men were in. no condition to take anything more, but the ruffan from Blair forced it onto them, and they all made a “stagger” at drinking their portion. | By this time they were in no condition to know they could not stand any more, and so they were ready enough to drink. “Go8h darned ef I ever saw so much whiskey swallered before!” muttered Gallup. “The gentleman from Blair really seems to be trying to make a record, deah boys,” mut- tered Creston Clayton. “All he knows is to drink that vile stuff!” “T have drank it in the past, but, if I live, I’ll never drink another drop after this night. It is fit for such cattle as _ those creatures, but it never was fit for men to - _ drink !” apy Jawve! Pbelieve you are right, don’t ’ agreed the Harvard man. “Just seeing those fellaws swill it down has been a great temperance lecture for me. The lower a man gets, the more whiskey he drinks!” “The stuff turns men into brutes!” said Bart. “It robs them of conscience and makes them fit to commit crime.” “TI guess yeou’re right,” Ephraim. came faintly from “T uster like cider when I was to hum on the farm, but they do say cider leads to drinkin’ somethin’ stronger, an’ I’d never touch another drop of cider ef I was to git aout of here.” Of a sudden, something like a row began at the table. McAllister declared somebody had taken some money from his pile. Then he jumped up, sprang over to the door, which he closed and fastened, turning on the rest of the gang. “Not an onery galoot goes outer hyar till I gits my money back!” he roared. They tried to tell him that no one had touched his money, but he seemed to think that they were calling him a liar, and then he sailed into them. Of them all, Big Pete was the only one who did not seem to feel the effect of the stuff he thad drunk. One of the others tried to get up, but fell sprawling to the floor, where he lay in helpless intoxication. Those who did get up did not stay long. McAllister knocked over first one and then another with his maul- like fists. He struck with all his strength, and, in a most amazing manner, he “put them to sleep.” In a very few seconds the giant eds in the middle of the room, with his hands on his hips, surveying the fallen ruffians. He laughed hoarsely. “Wa-al, they was easy!” he declared. “I reckon I didn’t need ter bother to git ’em all doped, but that was ther surest way.” Then he turned toward the three captives. “Now, youngsters, ” he said, “I reckon I'll ‘jest t’end ter you.’ a “He got them drunk so that he eae have all the plunder,” muttered Bart. ; “Yot: called me some purty names, young © gent, ” observed Big Pete, standing over Bart; — “and I will allow you came near raisin’ my temper ; but I jest held her down, sceoniae ther gang’d be fooled all ther better.” 26 “Oh, go ahead with your work!” said _ Hodge. “Put us out of our misery.” “Right away,” grinned the ruffian, drawing a wicked-looking knife and bending over Creston Clayton. “Don’t bungle it,” urged the Harvard man, without a tremor in his voice. ‘Make it sure the first stroke.” Big Pete chuckled. To the three captives it seemed the chuckle of a fiend in human guise, Then he made two or three quick slashes with the knife, cutting Clayton’s bonds and setting him free. Without pausing a moment, he turned and did the same thing with Gallup. Then he bent over Bart, saying: ' “Now that ther gang is done fer, we’ve got nobody but Red Mike ter look after, an’ I reckon ther four of us kin do him up. . Thar ye are, young gent, an ’I hope yer ain’t ther wuss fer yer game fight. You kids did shore show yer mettle.” Bart was set free. Hodge sat up, and then he leaped to his feet and backed away, still doubting that he was not dreaming. “What. do you mean?” he panted. “Are you trying to prolong our torture? Well, you have given us a chance to fight for our lives.” “IT don’t reckon ye’ll need ter fight much,” said Pete, putting the knife out of sight. “I kin handle Mike.” “But you—you ”? | friend of Frank Merriwell. Unfortunate, I _ went out ter find ef Mr. Merriwell hed been hyar, an’ I didn’t git back in time ter take a hand in ther little rumpus hyar. It wuz all over when I got hyar, an’ so I thought it’d be best ter fool ther gang some, I’ll allow I done 6 ne Still Bart was in doubt. “You mean that you did not betray us int the hands of those ruffians ?” / “Ef I did,” said Big Pete, solemnly, “I hope | JI may never draw another breath. Hyar, young gent, is yer gun, what wuz knocked outer your paw. Ef I wuz yer enemy, I don't rockon I’d give ye that.” He tossed the revolver to Bart, who caught it, looked into the cylinder and saw it was loaded. , with the utmost humbleness, he said: “Mr. McAllister, I beg your pardon. I wronged you. You—you are a man all through, and I am ashamed of what I said.” “Don’t mention it, young gent. I reckon it did look purty black fer me, an’ I don’t lame yer none whatever. I hed a hard time er keep from gittin’ loaded myself when I TIP TOP WEEKLY. “Pm ther friend of any gent what is ther One moment did Hodge hesitate, and then, : was turnin’ ther red-eye inter ther gang, an’ I ain’t in ther best condition, but ef Red Mike re Thump! thump! taump! Somebody was hammering on the door, and the voice of the landlord could be heard hoarsely shouting to them. “Now,” said Big Pete, softly, “ther time hes come. We'll make that galoot tell us whar Merriwell an’ ther gal is.” CHAPTER XI. THE RESCUE. Big Pete led them over to the door, which he opened suddenly, stepping out on Red Mike and catching him by the throat. “Not a chirp,” said the giant from Blair, grimly. “Ef ye let out < yowl, it'll be your last, Mike.” “The eyes of the landlord bulged. “Pwhat’s this?” he asked, huskily. “Ther gang is did up,” declared Pete, “an’ now we're goin’ ter do you up ef ye don’t show us whar ther young feller an’ ther gal are.” “Fer ther love av hivven!” gasped Mike. “Divil a bit do Oi know who ye mane!” Out came Big Pete’s long knife, which he flashed before Red Mike’s eyes. 3 “We ain’t got time ter fool with you,” de- clared the giant. “Jest you show us whar ther young feller an’ ther gal is, ur I'll slit. yer _ woozle, an’ we'll look fer them arterwards. Thar won’t be a bit of foolin’ hyar, so decide instanter.” The Irishman was frightened. “Don’t be afther floorishin’ thot shtabber so near!” he palpitated. “Oi’ll show yez.” “No foolin’, understand,” growled McAI- lister, glaring into Mike’s eyes. “Ef you fool with me, it’ll be ther end of Red Mike!” With that, he let the man go. “Now march on ahead of us,” said Pete, “and show us whar ye hev ther feller ay’ gal.” The Irishman was a ruffian, but none of his gang were at hand to stand by him, and, knowing McAllister’s record, he was fright- ened. They followed him into the other room, keeping close at his heels. Once Mike looked over his shoulder, as if he contemplated bolt- ing, but he caught his breath when the muzzle of a revolver in Pete’s hand was thrust against — the end of his nose. ' The landlord took up a lamp-and led the way through a door into a small back room. It seemed that he had given over the idea of attempting to baffle them, but he had not, for ke sprang quickly through the door and tried _ to slam it behind him. ies ta ee eee a ae With a snarl, Big Pete thrust one of his feet between the door and the casing. Then he put his shoulder against the door and gave a heave that hurled it open and flung Red Mike clean-across the room, lamp and all. There was a crash of glass and a flare of flame. The lamp had broken, and the oil was blaz- ing in an instant. Spattered over with oil, the clothes of Red Mike were on fire in a twink- ling. For a moment he was stunned, and then he scrambled up. “Foire! foire!” he shouted. A living torch, Red Mike ran shrieking from the room. “For heaven’s sake, where is Merriwell ?” cried Hodge, in unspeakable alarm. ‘The place is afire! It will burn to the ground! Merriwell will be roasted if we do not find and save him!” At this moment, from some point near, came the sound of a smothered cry. “B’gosh! that’s him !’’-burst from Ephraim. “Listen, deah boys,” calmly advised Cres- ton Clayton. “You can’t tell where the sound comes from if you are making such a fright- ful racket, don’t yer ’now.” _ They took his advice and listened. Again they heard the cry. It came from beneath their feet. “There must be a suller!’” fluttered Gallup. “He’s daown there. Haow kin we git inter it?” “Here!” shouted Hodge—‘“here! here!” He pointed to the outlines of a trap door in the floor. “Whew!” came from Ephraim. ‘We've got ter git ther thing open gol darn suddint! This fire’s gittin’ hot.” The door was fastened down by an iron staple and a padlock. The lock was a huge affair. Bart tried to open the door, but all his strength would not budge it. . “Merciful powers!” he gasped. “Nothing can open that but the key! And Red Mike has the key!” “We can’t follow him and recover it, deah. boys,” said Creston Clayton, and the flaring fire showed that his face was very pale. _ Gallup began to gasp and choke, following it with a coughing fit, as his lungs were filled with the smoke. sees ‘ The fire was spreading with frightful swift- ‘hess,and advancing on them. Again that smothered cry from beneath their feet! Hodge literally tore his hair. “A thousand furies!” he screamed. “Find something to pry open this door! Think of ___ them being roasted down there! So help me TIP TOP WEEKLY. her up. Ephraim boré her from the room, Q7 heaven, if we can’t get them out, I'll stay here and die trying to open this infernal trap!” “Stand aside thar !” Pete McAllister spoke. His huge hand fell on Bart’s shoulder, lifted him and set him aside. Then the giant stooped and took hold of the lock. He gave a surge, his hands slipped off, and he went sprawling. Hodge sprang to the door again. “Stand aside thar!” McAllister fairly roared the command. He literally hurled Bart aside this time. He spat on his hands, and again he gripped the huge lock. Then he strained with his entire strength. Every muscle of his gigantic frame seemed drawn taut, the cords stood out on his bull-like neck, his teeth were set, and his eyes bulged. They seemed to hear his great joints cracking from the frightful strain he put upon them. The flames curled nearer, the smoke grew denser. Would the giant win? If he did not, then Frank Merriwell was doomed to a horrible death. There was a snapping sound, and, of a sudden, the man shot up straight, flinging aside the broken iron that had held the door. Over he bent again, and then he lifted the door, exposing a square opening. “Frank!” shouted Hodge, “are you down there?” “Here, old chum!” was the answer that made Bart’s heart leap with joy. Without waiting for anything, Hodge reck- lessly swung himself down through the trap, let go and disappeared. “Hurry, deah boy!” urged Creston Clay- ton from above. “The fire is getting rawther warm, don’ yer ’now.” There was a pause, voices. below, other scunds ,and then “Give us a lift above!’ Frank’s voice called up to them, but it was not Frank that appeared. Up into view was lifted a girl, bound and gagged, and that girl — was Elsie Bellwood ! Gallup and Clayton grasped her and drew which was now insufferably hot. A Then Frank appeared, and, with a genuine grunt of delight, Pete McAllister caught hold of his hands and drew him out. Hodge quickly followed. . Gasping for breath and coughing from the smoke, blinded by the glare and seared by the heat, they made their way out to the open air, where Gallup had already released Elsie from her bonds and removed the gag from. her mouth, . caf 28 “The hawses,” said McAllister. “We must git away from hyar.” Men came running up. They were villain- ous-looking men, typical citizens of Ace High. They asked some question, and McAllister said : “Tt wuz an accident, gents. Lamp exploded. Thar are some chaps in yander now. You’d better git ’em out right away.” No one offered to molest them, and they lost not a moment in getting the horses ready and starting away from the place. ‘By the light of the doomed “hotel” they rode out of Ace High, their faces turned to- ward Blair. When they were some miles away, Frank Merriwell told how he had learned that Elsie left Blair for Ironton in company with Bill Wilson, whom she had hired -to escort her to the railroad. station, and how he had also learned that Wilson had decoyed her in an opposite direction. He had followed them to Ace High, where he had been trapped and flung into the cellar, along with Elsie. Whatever fate the brutal men had in store for Elsie, it was certain they intended in the end to destroy Frank, but they were waiting till they could do so in the night and remove his body from the “hotel” under cover of darkness. "2 “We owe everything to you, my friends,” said Merry, gratefully. “We ‘were both - gagged down there in that black hole. I could hear many of the things taking place above, but I could not cry.out. I worked a long while before I succeeded in getting the gag out of my mouth. The moment I did so, - T shouted. I knew Hodge and Gallup would do their best to find me, but I feared they ~ would not be able to trace me, or would come | too late.” re . TIP TOP WEEKLY. “Wal, b’gosh! we ain’t ther only folks yeou want ter thank, Frank,” put in Ephraim. “Heer’s Mr. Clayton. I hope ter dig per- tutters ther rest of my natteral born days ef he didn’t do as much as we did. He’s all right, by thutteration, ef he is a dood!” “T wish to thank Mr. Clayton with the others,” said Frank. It was Bart’s turn to speak. “There is one man who did more than all the rest of us,” he said. “But for him we should have failed. But for him we should have shared your fate. But for him, at the last moment, when the old building was afire and we knew you were down there in the cel- lar, we could not have saved you, and you would have been roasted alive. I have said you were a fool to trust that man. Now I say I was a fool to make such talk! Give him all the thanks for your rescue! He is here, and his name is Peter McAllister.” “Jest plain Pete,’ said the voice of the giant in the darkness. “Don’t hitch no frills ter my name, an’ don’t paste on yer taffy so thick. I can’t stand it none whatever. I’m a purty low down critter, but I kin fight, an’ I knows a man that’s better’n I be, which his name is Frank Merriwell. When I ties to a gent, I ties solid, fer better ur wuss, an’ I'll allow that Frank Merriwell is a man what anybody kin be proud ter tie to.” Frank reached out his hand and found the huge’ paw of the giant. XS (THE END.) a The next number (145) of the Tip Top Weekly will contain ‘*Frank Merriwell’s Disaster; or, The Hand of the Law,’’ by Burt L,. Standish. ‘ (a eres f ee ’ ‘ 3 mont 4 mont 6 mont How registe risk if ordina REC: change proper i iil, - Tip Tops. _ Colerick were tied for first place. his old friends? ger, Willie Rabus, Chas. Foote, _ ard Sweringer, Peter Blair and a few girls. IP IOPWEEKLY. AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH ” NEW YORK, JANUARY 14, 1899. Terms to Tip Top Weekly Mail Subscribers. (PosTaGk FREER.) BcINGNCHSy, =.-° 8. oS - - 65c.| One year - - - += - - - $2.50 4 months - - - -. - - 85c.|2 copiesone year - - - - 4.00 6 months - - +--+. - $1.25 | 1 copy two years - ‘- - - 4,00 How 'ro SknpD Monry.—By post-office or express money orde registered etter, bank check or drsit, at your risk. At yourown risk if sent by postal note, currency. coin, or postage stamps in ordinary letter. ECKIP'’S.— Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper change of number on yourlabel. If notcorrect you have not been properly credited, and should let us know at once. Lo CLuR Rasskits.—Upon request we will send sample copies to aid you in obtaining subscribers. All letters should be addressed to STREET & SMITH’S TIP TOP WEEKLY, $1 Fulton St., New York City. PPPPPPPL PLP PPA PAA AA EPAPER PPP P PPP _ TIP TOP LEAGUE. Our readers will see upon the last page of this issue announcement that the badge is now ready. There has been some delay on the part of the manufac- turers, but now that the badges are made we can find no other fault with them, and we believe our readers will echo this sentiment when they see the badge, for it is a beauty. Read the announcement carefully, and you will find, that for the small sum of ten cents in cash and two coupons from Tip Top, accepted as ten cents cash, you can secure one of: these badges, in the pendant of which will be found the embossed photograph of Frank Merriwell and _ the password of the league. This password ‘“‘True as Steel,” appears in small létters under the photograph Somewhat as does the lettering on a large coin, and should furnish an introduction to all readers and-in- ‘Sure a hearty welcome which will serve to strengthen the tie that already binds them one to the other. We are prepared to supply the badges promptly, for . though our first order to the manufacturers was only fifty thousand, now that the expensive dies are made ' others can be-supplied by them at short notice if we find that all our readers want one, of which we are confident. We don’t supply them for profit, but would like to have them worn by at least one hun- dred thousand readers. APPLAUSE. I take great pleasure in writing an account of our Tip Top Club. We meet at different places every week, and have a race to see who can read the most Last week Master Willie Rabus and Guy Will Frank meet I hope so. His railroad stories were fine. We all hope you would send* out your apers twice a week. The names of the club mem- ers are as follows: Guy Colerick, Garrett Swerin- Chas. Golder, How- _ Fort Wayne, Ind. We learn of the competition for reading Tip Tops It is cer- It is a suggestion for other We appreciate your desire to have he weekly twice a week, but the great labor in- Volved in getting out our large editions will not al- Ow us to double the number of our issues. You rill have noticed in a recent issue that Frank’s old ds have been heard from. TIP TOP WEEKLY. : 2° We are certainly glad to know that there is such a publication as the Tip Top Weekly. We read your books every week, and wish to thank you for pub- lishing the best boys’ journal to be found on any news stand. We hope they shall, for many years to come, be published. Long live the Tip Top Week- ly in all its glory. FRED LAMONT, HARRY WILSON, JR. Bristol, Tenn. ‘ Thank you for your kind and cheerful words and your good wishes. a constant reader of the Tip Top Weekly, and can say that it is the best paper I ever read. I would like to hear of Elsie Bellwood again, for she is the best of any of the girls Frank ever met, for she tried to break off from Frank for the sake-of Inza. I approve the proposal that you I have been make a ‘‘Frank Merriwell’’ button*and give us a password. E. G. Oto Ee G. O. Li EMANUEL WICKSTOWN. Bonham, Tex. In answer to this and many kindred inquiries in regard to Elsie and Inza and Frank, we can only say that whom Frank is to marry or when can be decided only by the future course of events. It is pretty safe to say that he will marry the right girl. After Frank Merriwell has been back to Yale I would like to know if he will go back to the place where he was railroading, and if he will meet Jack and Nellie Norton? am so interested in Frank Merriwell that if anybody asked me what college I will go to, if I ever do go to college, I always say Yale. Wishing you success, ; LAWRENCE, CROWLEY. Brockton, Mass. Frank’s future movements are not kndDwn to any one but Mr. Standish, and even he cannot always PLOpnedy: correctly in advance. Yale is a fine old col- ege. When I first read a copy of the Tip Top Weekly I was very agreeably. surprised to find that there was such a good story paper published at a. price within the reach of every one. I was first shown a copy of the paper by a friend of mine, and from that time on I was a great admirer of Frank Merriwell stories. Then I have since shown copies of the pa- per to some of my other companions, who were very favorably impressed with the stories of Frank Merriwell’s travels and adventures. I would like Frank Merriwell to return to Yale or Harvard, and meet his old friends Browning, Hodge, Diamond, Rattleton and others. I think if Frank wants to marry, which I hope he doesn’t for a ae time to come, he should keep his choice, Elsie ellwood. How old is Frank? Hope that you wiil keep up the good work. HOWARD M. BINGAMAN. Lykins, Pa. : Your friend did you a service, and we are glad to know that his belief in the merits of the Tip Top is seconded by you. Our acquaintance invariably become our friends. Frank will return to Yale. His matrimonial affairs are dependent upon the fu- ture. Frank is at present about 18 years of age. Having taken and read your Tip Top books from No. 1 to the present date, I consider myself com- petent to pass my modest opinion. I think your characters are real and interesting, and the ideas and examples set forth are worthy of the considera- tion of every youth. I wish Frank every success. A faithful reader, CHARLES DUNNING, Altoona, Pa. You show your competence to pass a very intelli- gent judgment, and we are appreciative of it. Thank ~ “you. be . I am an ardent admirer of Tip Top Weekly, and have read from No. 1 to date. I think the plan of having a badge an excellent one; so, if you decide to adopt a badge for Tip Top readers, and give notice of it in some number of Tip Top, I shall not fail to proeure one. Sse Ade aa a Pretty Marsh, Me. You will find all the particulars in this issue of the Tip Top. The badges will be beauties. i 30 As I take great interest in reading the letters of applause, and not having seen any from this city, I thought I would write and tell you what I think of Frank Merriwell. He is the most manly fellow I have ever met, and I want to keep his acquaintance for a long, long time. I want also to say a word in his favor in regard to his future happiness. First, I wish to say that our three Morristown (Tenn.) friends surprise me in thinking Elsie Bellwood the weakest character of Tip Top, but I do agree with “EH. H. S.’’ of Elizabeth, N. J., in saying that ‘‘Elsie is my ideal of a young Jady,’’ and is certainly the kind of a young lady Frank should marry. The noble character and strong mind of Frank does not require the daring courage of Inza Burrage to com- plete his happiness, but he does require the shy and gentle disposition and loving manner of Elsie Bell- wood for his future happiness. A man of so much self-will requires a disposition entirely different from his own. Therefore, I say Elsie is the girl for him. I hope some of my obstinate friends will think it over, and decide in favor of Elsie also. Yet I think if we leave it for Frank and Mr. Standish to decide we will all be’ satisfied. I hope Mr. Standish will live a long time to keep all of Uncle Sam’s boys in Tip Top reading. I wish you every success, and hope to see this letter in print. TP ales WV Hudson, N. Y. Opinions in regard to the proper mate for Frank are bound to differ in accordance with individual tastes. All Tip Top readers share your wish that Frank will continue his adventures for a long time, and undoubtedly he will. Mr. Standish is grateful for your good wishes. Three months ago I was complaining to my cousin that I had nothing to read in my spare hours, and asked him to lend me a good book, but instead he handed me a Tip Top Weekly, which I read with great enjoyment. I have since bought the whole set, and believe that one is just as interesting as the other, I have also often heard boys, and even girls, say that they would be glad if the Tip Top came out twice a week, and I would be only too glad to buy it. I would-also advise any boy or girl who wants to read a good library to buy the Tip Top Weekly. I hope to hear more about Frank and Elsie. VICTOR STERN. New York city. Your verdict is the common one, ‘‘Once read, al- ways read.” Your advice is excellent, and thousands are following. it. fe ! I have read all the Tip Tops to date, and think they are simply fine. I have read nearly every pub- lication in the country, but none can compare with Tip Top. I see in No. 133 a reader proposes that you give Merry’s portrait when he reached the top of the ladder. I think that is a very good idea, as hun- dreds of his friends read about him, not even know- ing how he looks. Are Nos. 14, 21, 33, 68, 75 and 103 of the Tip Top in print? JOHN WILCOX. Chattanooga, Tenn. Your suggestion will be carefully considered. All the numbers are in print, and can be supplied upon receipt of order. Your kind words are appreciated. We have read the Tip Top Weekly. for several months, and hope to read it many more, for we take great interest in it We hope that Frank will go back to work on the railroad soon. He made a fine engineer. We wish him success in all things. FERD BOYLE. , FRED LINDBLAD. Malvern, Ark. The future can only determine Frank’s later ca- reer. No doubt he will succeed in whatever he un- dertakes. : We, the undersigned, are constant readers of the Tip Top Weekly, and we do not think, but know, that it is the best publication for the American. youth. We think Mr. Standish has, pictured with his pen a genuine American hero. i WwW. ALLEN. é \ EDWARD AUGSBACH. WILL. UPSON, E. MOORE. Cc. SAGER. CHAS. THORNBURG, Cc. NAGEHY. Toledo, Ohio. No paper can be too good for the American youth. The Tip Top is trying to be good enough. We are glad you like it. ‘little fear that he will go wrong. We -at your pleasure with the Tip Top. TIP TOP WEEKLY. It is with pleasure I write you a few lines thanking you for publishing the Tip Top Weekly, of which Frank Merriwell is the modest hero. I have only read from No. 93 to the present number, but I can truthfully say that the Tip Top Weekly contains some of the finest stories I have ever read. / to have a badge made that will cost about a quar- ter, and I would like very much to see it carried out, , Though T have read over fifty of the Frank Merri- well stories Frank. is beginning to seem like an old friend, and I can hardly wait till Friday of each week to get it. of success. A Mt. Pleasant, Pa. Cr Oke The more you read the better friends you are sure to become, and it is a friendship that never grows wearisome. Jnformation about the badges will be given elsewhere in this issue. For answer to re- marks about Hlsie and Inza see other replies. The Frank Merriwells are all right. I think the “vacation” series just before the railroad series is — the best as a whole, but the best single number, I think, is ‘‘Reaping the Harvest.’’ Many readers want Frank to marry Inza. I think Elsie is the best. So does ‘‘Merry.” I wish you would tell Mr. Stand- ish to try and give Indiana some attention before © long. In the Brown County hills, the northern lakes and the southern caves x of. fun. ARDENT ADMIRER. You show careful thought in your judgment of — the stories, but, of course, individual tastes differ. Frank is obliged to go whither circumstances direct, and if they should lead him into Indiana, which is quite possible, no doubt he would have a hearty welcome and stirring adventures, but at present he © is occupied in the East. T have taken your most interesting books from No. 1 to the present number. My father thought at first that they were doing me harm, so one night I read one through to him, and after that he is always ask- , ing me if the latest Tip Top has come. I hope you will leave Frank return to Yale to meet all of his old chums, finish his course, and then marry Inza. I wish success to Frank Merriwell for ever more, © Chicago, Ill. PAUL T. CASE. Your father is wise in supervising your reading, and his decision in favor of Tip Top is a very ‘great compliment to its merits. It never fails to interest I wish the Tip Top Weekly the best © aber fares % ‘ L I no- |. ticed that in one of your numbers a reader proposes — — Accept my congratulations on the Tip Top Weekly. | I have It is certainly a revelation in up-to-date reading } the past matter. I belonged to Company H, Fifth Pennsyl-— cellent. ‘vania Volunteers, and when we were camped at to avoid Chickamauga I received it every week. I hope Frank company does well in the theatrical business, and Elsie, too, , publishe I wish Hans Dunnerwust could go on the stage. He | ginning would certainly make a hit or get hit. Long live | but goo Frank and Elsie. NED N. M’CUNE. 4 thor is | Johnstown, Pa. that thi S : ; _-@ has don We are especially glad to hear from this soldier Provid boy. and to know that Frank was an agreeable com- panion at Chicakamauga. Thank you for your ap-| . The p oreciative letter. | been a succeed Your th _I have read a great many of your Tip Top Week-} for you lies, and I think it the finest publication that any boy could read, or girl either. I. hope Frank will soon meet his old chums. OHN L. WHITE. We a Indianapolis, Ind. i weekly Frank i ars * re We are rank is 18 years of age. Your appreciation is ; : very welcome. wees: 1 coupon 4 of Frat Frank fortun Yale’”’ little publis long 1 “that | erry’’ could have plenty © Min In more Yale. daily atie’ is b those who once read it. Your good wishes are ap- | | preciated. ; | T am a constant reader of the Tip Top Weekly, and am perfectly, delighted with it. I think those readers that want their own personal satisfaction granted are selfish. Whom Mr. Standish wants Frank to marry we do not know. That is_his own business. People that want him to marry Inza are not thinking of other readers.who disagree. Let Mr. Standish decide for himself, business. Baldwinsville, N. Y. ; Your admonition to let Mr. Standish work out Frank’s destiny is very wise, but perhaps we can hardly blame his other anxious friends in their at-_ tempts to influence his choice. At any rate there is It is none of our — are pleased I have been a reader of the Tip Top Weekly for ithe past two years,.and I think every story is ex- cellent. I like them because they show boys how o avoid bad habits and how to keep out of bad company. It is without doubt the best paper ever _) published, and shows clear American grit from be- + ginning to end. It does not foster any bad thoughts, + but good common sense, and it shows that the au- ‘thor is a man of brains and not of mouth. I hope Week- it any k will ITH. ion is 4 inking — which — > only © I can ntains I no- oposes | quar- d out, — Merri- in old - each e best — ies q . L. e sure grows ‘ill be | to re- k the ‘ies is | ber, I aders . best. itand- | sefore — lakes | Nenty ER. nt of % differ. — lirect, | ich is j learty nt he | iene n No. EMTS read s ask- | e you tf -his 4 Inga t- eS, SE. ding, great ferest e ap- sekly, those ction ‘appreciate your enthusiastic praise. — about - had Tip Top to read. a that this paper will hold up its good record, as it + has done in the past. EDMUND H. LEACH. Providence, R. I. The plane on which the Tip Top is set has always been a high one, and we are glad that we have succeeded in pleasing so faithful a reader as you. Your thought is certainly a good one. Many thanks for your good word. We are readers of your books, and out of all the weekly books we select the Tip Top as the best. We are so interested in Frank Merriwell that we wish it was printed every day. We hope the next coupon will give us a chance to secure the picture of Frank Merriwell or on a button. MATTHEW O’NEILL. HARRY BURNSTEIN. HENRY TARCHES, JACOB KESSLER. EDDIE TARCHES. EDDIE FRANK. Albany, N. Y. Our badges will be out before very long, and they will be fully up to your expectations. A daily Tip Top is fascinating to think about, but hardly prac- tical. We thank you for the kindly thought that Suggests it. I have been reading your Tip Top Weekly ever since the first one was published, and I think there isn’t another paper in the United States I like as well. But I haven’t heard from Frank’s father for so long that I think he must be lost or dead. I hope Frank will find him soon, and that he has a large fortune, and so Frank can start back to good ‘‘old Yale’ again, and also wish he finds that sweet little girl Blsie and marries her. Why don’t you publish a Tip Top every day? A whole week is a bee time to wait. I hope to hear from Frank, and that he has good success in his next venture. as ARTHUR ANDERSON. Minneapolis, Minn. In the latest number you have already learned more of Frank’s father and Frank’s brief visit to Yale. There are many difficulties in the way of a daily Tip Top. We sympathize with you in your im- patience for “‘the next one.’’ Frank is sure to do his best, and you know that speaks volumes. I am one of the many admirers of the Tip Top Weekly, and, noticing how many there are who ex- tol its merits. I also wish to say that a better paper for boys never was published. It fills a young man with many good resolves, and still shows him in case of failure to try again. I have read your paper from No. 1 to the last, and shall continue doing so. My earnest wish for the Tip Top is for the best. Long live the Tip Top. EMANUEL WICKSTROM. -Bscanaba, Mich. These are some of-my friends who are also ardent admirers of your valuable weekly: Charles Peterson, Charles Haglund, C. E. Anderson. It is our constant aim to make the Tip Top Week- ly a novel incentive to young men, and we are very glad that it has proved efficient in your case. We Your remarks Elsie are answered elsewhere in the Tip Top. I have been reading different weeklies for four years, and I must say that Tip Top is the best one for us all. There is always a moral in each one if -@ person wants to find it. I was in the United States Army for six months, and just got back a week ago. I was in Georgia, Cuba and California, and always T hope Frank will get to the top of the ladder, and though he must have his ups and downs ill get there in the end. a ee H. W. FOWZER. : Rs Company K, 23d Reg., U. 8. A., Butler, Pa. We are glad to hear from a soldier of Uncle Sam, of the gallant Twenty-third Regiment, and to learn that he found comfort and cheer in the Tip Top in the weary days of the war. Success and long life to the “boys in blue!’ TIP TOP WEEKLY. Correspondence. N. F. M., Oberlin, Ohio.—You will find a full de- scription of the badge in another column. Inquisitive Mike, New Bedford, Mass.—March 4, 1881, fell on Friday. Anna Held is not married. She is a native of France. Brude, . —Diamond Dick, Jr., is the son of the original Diamond Dick. Jesse James was shot by a private detective, named Bob Ford. W. S., St. Louis, Mo.—There is no premium on the dime of 1853. We thank you for the suggestion, which will be handed to the author. J. A., Jr., Frostburg, Md.—There is no premium on the twenty-cent piece of 1875. Thank you for your kind opinion. Bart Hodge, Warsaw, N. Y.—Your dimensions are admirable in every respect, with the exception that you are a little short in stature for your age. Sport, Johnstown, Pa.—Clog dancers do not, to our knowledge, use any preparation to “limber up” their joints. Practice and a certain leg exercise are all that is necessary to render them supple. C. S. R., Kansas City, Mo.—1. Yes. 2. No premium, 8. The only nickel cent that is worth more than its face value is that of 1856. According to condi- tion, this is worth from half a dollar to a dollar. Buffalo, N. Y.—1l. Magnesia is On the contrary, it is used for many skin diseases. 2. The inhabitants of Ha- waii cannot at present vote for President. 3. You will find your question answered in our announce-| ment of the Tip Top badge, which is really a beauty. 4, Your writing is excellent. Cc. G C., Georgetown, Col.—There is no need to worry, aS you are only one inch under the average height for a boy fifteen years of age. There is no recipe to increase your growth. Help nature all you can by outdoor exercise, keep in good health and good humor, and you will, no doubt, grow te be an average-sized man. Ee. M. P., Merrick, Mass.—Pimples would not pre- vent a man from entering the United States Army. The number of furloughs depends upon many things, good behavior among others. A musician’s life is comparatively an easy one, but the pay is small. Yes, the soldiers at the various posts have all seta of athletic exercise. 9. S. H., Detroit, Mich.—Yes, certainly there is such a thing as ventriloquism. The art, if art it can be called, is partially due to natural gifts and partially to study and practice. There are several books upon the subject, which you can obtain by writing to the American News Company, Chambers. street, New York City. BE. M. N., Indianapolis, Ind.—The president of Har- vard is Charles W. Eliot; of Yale, Timothy Dwight; of Princéton, F. L. Patton; of the University of Pennsylvania, Charles C. Harrison; of the University of Chicago, Wm. R. Harper, and of the University of Michigan, James B. Angell. Catalogues will be fur- nished you on application. Write to the principal of the high school in your city. ¥, M., Kirksville, Mo.—1. Cornell College is in Ithaca, N. Y. Yale is in New Haven, Conn. Cata- logues of either will be supplied upon application. 2. Mardi-Gras is the festival preceding. the first day of Lent or Ash Wednesday. Mardi-Gras is held on Shrove Tuesday, a day of pleasure in most Roman Catholic countries. It is the carnival of the Italians, the Mardi-Gras of the French. and the Pancake _ Tuesday of former times in England. In this country it is chiefly celebrated in New Orleans, where the pageants are very gorgeous. 3. There are no statis- tics on the subject, but the number was several hun- dred thousand. 4. The average number of children to a family in the United States is, we believe, two. 5. No correct estimate has as yet been published of the men killed in the late war. F. S. J., Delphos, Ohio.—We would like to help you in your desire to see the world, but, honestly, we know of no way in which you could have “all your expenses paid and more, too.’’ It is just pos- sible, however, with your knowledge of German, that you might get a position as a courier. H. Y., Galveston.—Dewey, Sampson and Schley are all of American ancestry. Alexander Dumas, the elder, was a mulatto. — ; Constant Reader, not injurious to the skin. \ The Tip Top League “Member’s Badge HALF PRICE TO OUR READERS ONLY. Tn response to the urgent request of a host of Tip Top readers, the publishers have carefully considered a number of designs as badges of membership in the TIP TOP LEAGUE, finally adopting one which is an artistic gem of excellence. This organization is composed exclusively of and open only to Tip Top readers as members. The picture which will appear in next week’s issue shows the design chosen, but it does not give you an adequate idea of the exquisite beauty of this elegant ornament. Solidly and substantially made, finished in gilt aud beautifully embossed. Such a badge in lots of 1,000 or less wonld cost at least $1.00 each. The widespread desire for.this badge gives us so much faith in the enterprise that we have ordered 50,000, to secure the lowest possible rate, and are therefore enabled to offer it to our readers at a very low figure, viz.: Twenty Cents (TEN CENTS in cash or stamps and Ten Cents in Coupons). This barely covers the cost to us. Each conpon is worth five cents when accompanied by five cents in stamps or coin. You can get as many badges as you desire at the same rate by use of the extra The coupons are free to ‘lip ha readers, and we adopt CENTS SECURES YOU THE BADGE, Badges without coupons will cost fifty cents each. this method to prevent others from getting the badge at the special rate given to our patrons. coupons. Sj CONDITIONS % TWO COUPONS AND TEN F YOU ARE A READER OF THE TIP TOP YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE LEAGUE, AND ENTITLED TO WEAR THE EMBLEM OF THE ORDER—and our word for it, you will be more than pleased when you receive it. TIP TOP LEAGUE MEMBER’S COUPON This Coupon and FIVE CENTS will be’ accepted for ten cents towards the purchase of the League Badge. STREET & SMITH. “TIP TOP LEAGUE MEMBER’S COUPON This Coupon and FIVE CENTS will be accepted for ten cents towards the purchase of the League Badge. STREET & SMITH. TIP TOP LEAGUE MEMBER’S COUPON This Coupon and FIVE CENTS will be accepted for ten cents towards the purchase of the League Badge. STREET & SMITH. TIP TOP LEAGUE MEMBER’S COUPON This Coupon and FIVE CENTS will be accepted for ten cents towards the purchase of the League Badge. STREET & SMITH. TIP TOP LEAGUE MEMBER’S COUPON This Coupon and FIVE CENTS will be accepted for ten cents towards the purchase of the ~ "League Badge. STREET & SMITH. An Exact PICTURE OF THE LEAGUE »«« mK BADGE @ Will appear in this space next week... The engraver was not able to com- plete it in time for insertion in this issue as promised. The Badge itself "is now ready. DESCRIPTION. The badge consists of a circular disc, overlaid on a Greek Cross, and pendant from a bar bear- ing the legend “Tip Top League.” The circle bears the password of the League, “True as Steel,” and a raised medallion head of Frank Merriwell. TIP TOP LEAGUE MEMBER’S COUPON This Coupon and FIVE CENTS ° will be accepted for ten cents towards the purchase of the League Badge. STREET & SMITH. TIP TOP LEAGUE MEMBER’S COUPON This Coupon and FIVE CENTS will be accepted for ten cents towards the purchase of the League Badge. STREET & SMITH. % TIP TOP_ LEAGUE MEMBER’S COUPON This Coupon and FIVE CENTS will be accepted for ten cents towards the purchase of the League Badge. STREET & SMITH. TIP TOP LEAGUE MEMBER’S COUPON This Coupon and FIVE CENTS will be accepted for ten cents towards the purchase of the League Badge. : STREET & SMITH. TIP TOP LEAGUE MEMBER’S COUPON This Coupon and FIVE CENTS will be accepted for ten cents towards the. purchase of the League Badge. : STREET & SMITH. To secure the promptest attention, address all letters on this subject to (Care STREET & SMITH) The offer formerly occupying this page (College Badges) is omitted for lack of coupons will be accepted in connection with the offer as formerly published. re » «#2 THE. TIP TOP-LEAGUE «<0.0) et 81 Fulton Street, New York. — space, but one of the above League ae 72 73 74 15 76 77 718 19 80 Fu CATALOGUE OF FRANK MERRIWELL STORIES IN TIP TOP WEEKLY Frank Merriwell; or, First Days at Fardale. Frank Merriwell's Foe; or, ‘*Plebe’’ Life in Barracks. Frank Merriwell’s Medal; or, ‘‘Plebe”’ Life in Camp. Frank Merriwell’s Rival; or, By Fair Play or Foul. Frank Mérriwell’s Fault. Frank Merriwell’s Frolics; or, Fun at Fardale. Frank Merriw 8 Mysterious Ring. Frank Merriwell's Fag; or, Fighting for the Weak. Frank Merriwell’s Furlough. Frank Merriwell on His Mettle, Frank Merriwell's Fate; or, The Old Sailor’s Legacy Frank Merriwell’s Motto; or, The Young Life Savers. Frank Merriwell in New York; or, an Unknown Foe, Frank Merriwell in Chicago; or, Meshed by Mysteries. Frank Merriwell in Colorado, Frank Merriwell in Arizona; or, Mysteries of the Mine. Frank Merriwell in Mexico, Frank Merriweil in New Orleans. Frank Merriwell’s Mercy. Frank Merriwell’s Friend; or, Muriel the Moonshiner. Frank Merriwell’s Double; or, Fighting for Life. Frank Merriwell Meshed; or, The Last of the Danites. Frank Merriwell’s Fairy. Frank Merriwell’s Money. Frank Merriwell's Mission Frank Merriwell’s Mysterious Foe; or, Wild the Pampas. Frank Merriwell a Monarch; or, The King of Phantom Islani, Frank Merriwell in Gorilla Land; or, The Search for the Missing Link. Frank Merriwell’s Magic; or Frank Merriwell in France; Masked Unknown Frank Merriwell’s Feat; Fighters. Frank Merriwell in London; or, The Grip of Doom, Frank Merriwell’s Venture; or, Driven from Armenia, Frank Merriwell in India; or, Hunting Human Leop- ards. Frank Merriwell’s Vow; or, After Big Game in Ceylon. Frank Merriwell in Japan; or, The Sign of Avenger. | Frank Merriwell’s Dead Shot; or, Roughing it in Australia, Frank Merriwell in the South Sea; or, Cast for Life, Frank Merriwell at Home Again; or, The Mystery of Ethel Driscoll. Frank Merriwell Freshman. Frank Merriwell’s Match; or, The King of the Sopho- mores. Frank Merriwell’s Victory; or, The Winning Oar. Frank Merriwell’s Finish; or, Blue Against Crimson. Frank Merriwell’s Game; or, Snaring the Sharper. Frank Merviwell’s Run; or, Trouncing the Tigers. Frank Merriwell’s Even Up; or, Squaring the Score, Frank Merriwell’s Queen; or, Blow for Blow. Frank Merriwell’s Find; or, The Waif of the Train. Frank Merriwell’s Racer; or, Birds of a Feather. Frank Merriwell’s Nerve; or, Game to the End. Frank Merriwell’s Shadow; or, The Mysterious Stran- ger. Frank Merriwell's Dash; or, Yale Against the Field. Frank Merriwell’s Bicycle Boys; or, ‘The Start Across the Continent. Frank Merriwell’s Ride for Life. Frank Merriwell’s Great Capture; or, Bicycle Against Horse. Frank Merriwell to the Rescue; or, Through Fire and Water, Frank Merriwell’s Close Call; or, The Tramp's Token. Frank Merriwell’s Unknown Friend; or, Old Friends in New Places. Frank Merriwell Among the Rustlers; or, The Cattle King’s Daughter. Frank Merriwell’s Desperate Drop; or, Wild Adven- tures in the Rockies. Frank Merriwell in the Mines; or, The Blind Singer. Frank Merriwell Among the Mormons, Frank Merriwell on the Desert; or, The Mystery of the Skeleton. Vrank Merriwell’s Underground Search. Frank Merriwell in California; or, The End of the Great Tour. Prize Plot Story; Frank Merriwell as the Star. Frank Merriwell’s Yacht: or, Chase Down the Coast. Frank Merriwell’s Combination; or, The All Arouud Athletes. Frank Merriwell’s Red Rival. Frank Merriwell’s Texas Tournament; Among the Cowboys. Frank Merriwell’s Nine; League. Frank Merriwell’s Shot; or, Out With the Gun Club. Frank Merriwell’s Flyer; or, The Winning Wheel. Frank Merriwell’s Thoroughbred; or, Honesty Against Crookedness. s Frank Merriwell’s Enemy; or, Rivals of Blne Ridge. Frank Merriwell’s Crew; or, The Champions of the Potomac. Frank Merriwell’s Hunt; or, Tn at the Death. Frank Merriwell’s Blow; or, Unmasking a Rascal, Frank Merriwell’s Return to Yale; or, The Mystery of the Examination Papers. Frank Merriwell as “‘Anchor;” or, The Winning Pull. Life on The Pearl of Tangier. The Mystery of the + or, or, The Queen of the Bull at Yale; or, Freshman Against or, Sport or, Surprising the Southern For Sale by all Newsdealers, or will be sent, Postpaid, on receipt of Price, tron St., New York. | | | | | | | | | 81 82 134Frank Merriwell’s 135 136 137 138 139 i40 141 142 143 144 145 146 Frank Merriwell’s Initiation; or, The Secret Order. Frank Merriwell’s Sign; or, The Secret of the Silent Student. Frank Merriwell as Full Back; or. True to His Colors. Frauk Merriwell’s Duel; or, A Point of Honor. Frank Merriwell’s Mark; or, Subduing a Bully. Frank Merriwell’s Secret; or, A Friend in Need. Frank Merriwell’s Revenge; or, Aroused at Last. Frank Merriwell’s Capture; or, The Black Schooner, Frank Merri *s Chinn; or, The Hand of a Friend. Frank Merriwell’s Double Shoot; or, Winning in the Box. Frank rriwell’s Danger; or, Shadow of Disgrace, x Arriwell’s Wager; or, Bound to Win, ‘ arriwellin Training; or, The Mystery of the Midnight Prowler. Frank Merriwell’s Courage; or, Loyal to the Last, Krank Merriwell at Fardale Again; or, Yale Lads at the Military Academy. Frank Merriwell in Camp; or, dale Boys. Frank Merriwell’s Fardale Friends; or, Old Foes. Frank Merriwell’s Yale Chums; or, The Jolly Dogs of Fardale. Frolics with the Far- Frank Merriwell’s Choice; or, Fair Rivals of Fardale Frank Merriwell’s Fardale Racket. Frank Merriwell’s Courage; or, Nerve Against Bluff. Frank Merriwell’s Faith; or, The Shadow of a Crime Frank Merriwell’s Celebration; or, Last Days at Fardale. Frank Merriwell Afloat; or, The Cruise of the White Wings. Frank Merriwell Under Megunticook; Knox County League. Frank Merriwell’s Mystery; or, The Island, Frank Merriwell’s Disappearance; or, The Secret of the Island, Frank Merriwell Belfast. Frank Merriwell’s Stolen Yacht. Frank Merriwell’s Catch; or, The Canoe Boys of Lake Sebasticook. Frank Merriwell’s Guide; or, Sport Around Moose- Head Lake. Frank Merriwell’s Peril; or, The Smugglers of the Border. Frank Merriwell’s Drift; or, With the River Drivers. Frank Merriwell’s Daring; or, Klsie’s Sacrifice. Frank Merriwell's Fist; or, Bound to Know the Truth Frank Merriwell’s Masquerade; or, The Belle of Hur- ricane Island. Frank Merriwell’s Misfortune: or, The Start of a New Career. Frank Merriwell, Engine Wiper; or, At the Foot of the Ladder. Frank Merriwell. Fireman; or, First Step Upward, Frank Merriwell's Opportunity; or, The Ghost of Black Gorge. Frank Merriwell’s First Run; or, Chance of His Life Frank Merriwell, Engineer: or, The Turn of Fortune Frank Merriwell’s Hard Luck; or, A Shp on The Ladder. Frank Merriwell’s Advancement; or, Engineer of the Mountain xpress. Frank Merriwell Held Up; or, Mountain Express. Frank Merriwell’s Protege; Hand. ; Frank Merriwell on Strike; or, Saving the Enemy’s Property. Frank Merriwell as a Ferret; or, Tracking the‘ rain Wreckers, Frank Merriwell Accused; or, Reaping the Harvest. Frank Merriwell on the Road; or, The All-Star Coimbi- nation. Frank Merriwell'’s First Part; or, The Start as an Actor, Frank Merriwell in Advance; or, Adventures Aheud of the Show. Frank Merriwell Magician; or, For Fun, Fame, and Fortune, or, With the Monster of Devil Aroused; or, The Bicycle Boys of Pursuit; or, The Chase of the The Robbery of the or, Lending a Helping Own Company; or, Barnstorming In the Middle West. Frank Merriwell Stranded; or, The Fate of the First Venture. Frank Merriwell’s New Venture; Elsie. Frank Merriwell’s Play; or, Putting on Piece. Frank Merriwell’s Fame; or, The Road to Success, Frank Merriwells Father; or, The Man With Money to Burn. Frank Merriwell’s Wonderful Shot. Frank Merriwell’s Friend, Frank Merriwell Puzzled, or, the Mystery of Inza. Frank Merriwell’s Problem; or, ‘The V anishing of Elsie Frank Merriwell Missing; or,On the Brink of Disaster Frank Merriwell’s Disaster; or, rhe Hand of the Law. Frank Merriwell’s Fortune; or, The Legacy of the - Skeleton. or, The Finding of His Own College Chums; or, Bart Hodge's Understudy; or, Helping an Old by STREET & SMITH, Pustisuers, 8!