9 LEED IAL CIE IE : SE? SS oe ae PUBLISHEIRZS, \ vend ve YS a) o See PS See KA Tip lor es Ag.ideal publication Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N.Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, ree Seventh Avenue, N.Y. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1qo7, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress; yarns Ph i ic No. 610. \ > CHAPTER If. THE DOWNWARD PATH. ~ Pumper Welch thrust his head into Duncan Dit- ' son’s rdpm. Jim Poland, Ditson’s roommate, was there. ae “I say, Poland,” called Pumper, “where's Dunc?” a “Gone,” was the answer. | ve. 1 “Gone?” ee “Yes.” 3 pve “Gone where?” | . : eet “Give it up. Skipped. Left New Haven. | Left = wale. Nut _. Welch entered quickly and closed the door. “What are you giving me?” he asked sharply. _ “What are you saying, anyhow? What do you mean by it?” ie “There’s his trunk, ” said Jim, pointing. —« off. Come on, We can catch him at the sta- em ue | “Don’t believe it'll do any good. can stop him.” ' “Well, we can find out something, perhaps. We can get some sort of an explanation out of him, | hope, Are you coming?” Sure.” | “On the campus they encountered Phil Whiting, who was ‘alone. Welch grabbed Whiting’s arm, ~ “You'd better come, too, Phil,” he said, “Come to? Did you think I was walking in a trance, Welch? Perhaps I was. Iwas thinking about that Holy Cross game to-day.” f “You ‘come along with us,” urged Welch, “and [ll tell “you something as we hit the turf. Duncan Ditson is skipping out. He’s running away.” “Running away—from what?” “Ask me! I'd Tike to know myself. Poland. Don’t believe you Poland and:f _ think there’s s plenty of time, want with, us.’ ie Whiting looked rather doubtful, but yielded ee rectly to the urging of Welch, ; ? On their way they met many college men, nearly al- | “Ways in hilarious squads. Yale felt that at last the ‘team had demonstrated its full strength and shown _.that it was wholly prepared. for the great Harvard 3 _ game to follow. A bunch of a dozen gay sophomores _ Were singing college songs as ‘they struck diagonally across the campus: They were in high spirits be- You're the id chap we their class. | Ais Over near one of the dormitories dit group \ was _ cheering’ and calling the names of Mecerwelly ‘and _ Buckhart. . bo Merriweltt ‘Merriwelf! te muttered Pumper Welch. 3 “That's all we hear nowadays. You might think him - éaptain of the team: It’s rather tiresome.” | , “Rather,” -agreed Whiting, with a short laugh. | “<-Out on the lighted streets they found still more gay Ps imei) and even there’ they heard the name of Mer- riwell coming from many lips. Not until they were well down toward the’ station did they get are, from it. aes “Ves, we’ ve got indiey of time,’ * said Welch, ‘paus- “We'll catch him all right. oy Se Ret Tea etree btn ae she iiie Ad aiia mal Borgnine ¢ ‘are going to catch him at the station, if we can, I ° dooking characters were lined up. - cause three of the star players of the day represented - gently. reap | “Yes, tell us,” urged Pumper. “] think 1 Gas 1 ing in front of a saloon to take another glance af hip wate oh to know. ts ve been a bit chummy of late. me as ‘he spoke the door of the saloon, opened, en nine eh a Rat leaeta hed JAALT asin TIP TOP WEEKLY. he cried. .. _ twisting round and “The very man we'te looking for!” “Let breaking away. vo!” snarled Duncan,, “Let go or—— He stopped short, staring at the trio, the expression of fear slowly dying from his eyes. “What in blazes is the matter with you?’ demanded Poland, perplexed. “Any one would think you were in abject terror of being arrested, or something of that sort,” “You—you gave me a start, fellows,” confessed =~ Dune, trying to summon a smile, which, however, proved to be a painful distortion of his features. He was pale in spite of the fact that the odor of his breath inditated he had been drinking. . “What are you doing with that grip?” asked Welch, — pointing at the leather traveling-bag Ditson carried, — _ “Tm going away,” “T’ve got the truck I need in it.” ee “Poland told me you were doing some such fool ae thing, but I found it difficult to believe it, Let’s step inside and have a drink. This air is biting cold’? “Haven't time,” need Dunc. “Got to catch the — seven-o’clock train.’ a “You've got time enough for just one drink,” in- sisted Welch, giving Whiting and Poland a signal, Pumper pulled Ditson along by one arm, while the others fell in behind, and in this manner they carried him back into the cheap saloon. was the answer. At the bar a number of common or disreputable- Welch glanced. round and discovered a small side room with tables. . “In here,” he suggested. (ate “But I tell you T can’t lose that train,” said Ditncan ve nervously. I “That’s all tight,” sane Whiting, pushing. hin i “We'll be served right away, Barkeeper, bring us four hot whiskys,” ie \- The only occupant of the side r room was a “bleary- eyed, bloated-faced, middle-aged man of trampishvas-— pect, who. seemed to be bets at one, .of. the a "invited mete \ * iPS TOP “Don’t you worry about that,” said Duncan. “You're all right. All you have to do is keep your ‘mouth closed tight and swear you know nothing, in case your re questioned.” One of the barkeepers brought the drinks, placed them on the table, Whiting paying. i “Let’s have this round,” said Phil, lifting his glass. “J swear I think you need it, Dunc. You’re looking bum.” | At this final word the disreputable-appearing man in the corner, who had again seemed to doze off, lifted his head once more with a jerk, stared at them, and _ thickly muttered : “Now, don’t you go to calling names, you fellers. |, There wash a time—hic—when I wash jesht as re- a | __ spectable as you are, and I didn’t patronize places like (9 this in those days.’ No, shir. Who says I’m a bum? Show me to him. I’m gentleman. If I ain’t, I wash. Maybe shome time some one of you fellers will—hic —will be down on his luck shame as I am. You're if feeling pretty good now—pretty good; but you don’t | know what you’re coming to, any of ye. Drink—drink a the stuff. It'll down ye if you stick by it. It'll fool ye all right. Mebbe you think-you’re smarter’n other people. Mebbe you think you can drink much as you Oe like ’thouht no danger it’ll do ye up. Fools! fools— # i: -* all fools! I thought so myself. I laughed at anybody | who let booze get the best of them. It’s been a—hic— a long time since I’ve laughed like that.” . ““A temperance lecture from a, horrible example,” chuckled Poland. “Forget it, old boy. Go to ulenR _ and dream you’ve got money.” “Money? money?” mumbled the bummer. “I had it once—had lots of it. I made it go, too. I was good feller, then. I had lots of friends then. They uster Rt % call me Good Old Bill in those days.; Now they—now Y they call me Bill, the Bum. Bill, the Bum, Bill, 9 and the-—— Muttering in this manner, he once more permitted his head to droop until it rested on his arms, which lay before him upon the table. “Pretty near the bottom,” said Whiting. “His fin- ish is in sight. Drink up, boys. By George, that’s pretty stiff! It’s wit I needed to knock the col out of my bones.” _ Already Ditson had finished his, and now he again bgtaied that he must go. “Take the next train, old man, if sone got to take a train,” said Whiting. ‘“That’ll land you in the city _ soon enough. = a ae “But my time is up, WEEKLY, . : <5a8 ‘That’s the way they start. steps.” ; ‘ this place. forced you out ?” ic that. td hake it so hard if | it was his work: “Your time is up? Any one would think you just getting out of the jug. You haven’t been in the jug, have you?” “No, but. I may land there if I stay in New Ha- ven.” “Oh; What’s all this about? Tell us: what you mean by this sudden freak, Ditson, old fellow.. We're your friends. You can trust us, and 4 you know it. We'll stick by you. If you insist on i going, we'll see that you get the next train bound for a the city after seven.”’ “Will you stick by me? Well, he’ll think I’m gone. I don’t suppose it'll make any difference if I do lose the seven o’¢lock.” “Of course not. As I said, if you’re determined to go, we'll give you a little send off. Call the bar- keeper, Poland. Let’s have another.” “Keep it up, keep rit up,” mumbled the old bum- mer in the corner. “Have another and another. That’s the way they hit I’ve traveled it. I know the first come, come! the road to ruin. “And you know pretty nearly the last steps,” said Whiting, speaking to his companions more than to the’ muttering man. “You haven’t much farther to 39 go. CHAPTER IL. _ DITSON % ie A STORY. Another dcitile made Ditson talkative. The color had crept back into his. face, but it was a false and unnatural color, produced by the effect and stimu- i lation of alcohol. . 5 “T’m glad Tve. got a few friends left,” he said, looking at his companions. “I’m glad somebody cares whether I leave college or not. I tell you I was. feeling pretty, rotten as I hustled down to the station all by my lohesome. That’s what sent me in here for a drink. That’s why you found me coming out of It’s a cheap joint.” “You know that we’re your friends,” aia Poland. | “You wouldn’t explain to me when I asked you in our room, but prone you will now. Perhaps you'll” tell us why you’re running away. from college like’ a | sneak ora criminal.” hc at Merriwell’ s work?” asked Welch. ’ if Stas, he . 4 “T don’t know I'v “Merriwell? No!’ snarled Dune. Why, that’s the girl we had our quarrel over, » that he could qualify for a pugilist. of that little go. waiting for my turn. ~as well drop it, Whiting. ae and cut it out, he'll get the best of you in the end. ae must be his guardian: own head. Fie wt 7 ‘ 4 +E GOP. fought him, tooth and nail. But to be betrayed and undone by that other whelp—it makes my blood boil!” “What other whelp? Who are you talking about ?’ “Chester Arlington.” “Arlington ?”’ Whiting. “I the heard about a said dont believe | ‘and yet—and name is familiar. Why, haven't | —about a girl Merriwell is struck on? know him, yet Arlington? that name— “That's his sister June.’ “Oh, yes! oh, yes!’ cried Phil. - girl by “| remember now, Mer- little and he gave me the riwell and |. I chaffed him about her at a dinner in White’s one evening, call. He told me before the crowd that no gentle- man ever brought the name of a lady into such talk. Of course, I had to fight him. I expected to whip him, too, but, if it’s anything to his credit, I'll say As a scrapper, I misjudged him, and he got the best [ haven’t forgotten it, either. I’m If it ever comes, I’m going to he’s the limit. square the account with interest.” declared Duncan. “You may Don’t I know? Haven’t | had experience enough-to-night? Take my’ advice If you don’t, you'll be sorry, for Some. devilish I’ye. never yet tried _ to strike a blow at him that it didn’t recoil on. my -And now—now I’m done for. I’m down ; 4 “No use, no use,” and out.” He uttered the final words with a Sabla’ upfling- iH | ing gesture of his hands. \ - bother about him. ‘5 iY “That's ze i is ue “Me, too, old fellow,” mumbled the bummer. ‘I’m down and out, myself.” “Perhaps we'd better talk a little lower,” suggested _ Poland. “That old soak has his ears open.’ bs “But his brain i is numb,” declared Whiting. “Don't I wonder why they let him hang _ around here. Why don’t they throw him out ?”” With: an aoe the old man partially lifted his “That’s it. Get him drunk, and throw him out. comes to when a man gets where I am. into the street. Let him freeze, Let him die. He’s no good, World will be better when he’s dead. | But, look out—look et ‘young 'Take bids money. Kick him ou bs wid Shae, who ‘had bales a deep stutly of fb an a _ poisons. As’ we were eee and I knew I coulc you can trust us, and you know it.” Mi ‘mous poisoners of old times, That’s what 16 Let him starve; WEEKLY. don’t let “em with cold. 1 It’s Say, boys, stiff and | came in here. turn over new leat to-day. put me out. | almost was cold— had twenty cents, Spent it. That for my lodging a while, Bimeby—bimeby Ill go Got to sleep Spent twenty cents, and it would ; but I had to have the drink—I gone. ought to pay out myself, somewhere to-night. have paid for a bed had have it.” “Don’t any further attention to him, said Welch. “Look here, Ditson. I have a theory. I’ve been thinking a bit since you spoke Arlington’s country a pay fellows,” name. You and [ down into’ the few days *Y és, bitterly. “You proposed it. there at Steele's place; Hatch, went ago.” laughed for a little hunting-trip,” Meadwold. about. who lived in ‘the woods near You knew that old hernuit, Meadwold, You didn’t explain why you were so anxious to get close to Merriwell until we were on our way. Then few things. You invited him. over you told me a ton down there. He came, Arlington stayed pretty near ker one night. old Hatch’s hard cider. all night. didn’t know much about it at the time, but next morn- ing you were hot to get away from there. I was feeling bad, but you dragged me out of doors and We hoofed it out un=— | til we could find a farmer to take us to the railway- — That night — Tell us | shook me until | braced up. > been queer. you can trust us. . station. Since then you’ve Arlington was hurt. Now, what happened, old chap.” “Go ahead,” urged Whiting. “As “It won't make any difference whether I tell or not,” said Ditson, “I may as well: tell you chaps. To begin with, ['ll explain what took me down into A while ago I was reading about fa- It was a deuced in- the country, teresting article. who Was very slick in his method. he ae in a most mysterious manner. se: of that. Duncan - We ran across Arling- ) play po- — and we all a ‘au on. | When he left you went out with him, [ valk Pumper says, — You knew Merriwell was down | and you got me to go down with you. ff Sd ‘s ole TTH TOR trust him, I told him of the little idea that was stew- a ing in my brain. I wanted something with which ee I could doctor the leaves of the books belonging to } an enemy, so that that enemy might be taken ill— pe not killed—simply taken ill, if he turned those leaves with a moistened thumb or finger. My friend told me to come back the next day, and when I did he tuff I was afraid to use it at firs It was some time before I found the opportunity. I had a false key made to the door of Merriwell’s rooms. Here it is. With that key I obtained ad- mission when I knew Merriwell and Buckhart were both away at football practise. JI doctored Merri- ee _-well’s books. A queer fancy struck me, and I added i to it the dusky imprint of a five-cornered star, This was made with coloring matter that would fade in -. the space of a few hours. I don’t know why I was chump enough to do that, but it was a freakish fancy. jy} And when Merriwell began to get ill I found that the fading sign of the star rather preyed on his te nerves. Anyhow, I thought so, for I kept it up.” had the s for me. oa Whiting was breathless with interest. “By Jove!” “So. that’s what ailed Mer- he cried. riwell, is it?” “That’s what ailed him,’ nodded Duncan, with a grin. “I had him going, all right. It put him on I was sorry he got knocked out as [ was sorry when he started out I knew a few days away from I decided the sick list, soon as he did. on that little vacation. “his books would bring him round all right. to follow him up. country. I had some vague idea of finding a method of getting at him while he was at Meadwold. It was rotten luck for me that we ran across Arlington down there. That fellow has been Merriwell’s bit- terest foe in the past. I was with him ‘up in Maine last summer. Even at that time he was somewhat sore on Merriwell. Still, I was an idiot _ to trust Arlington. ‘do so, I thought he might help me in the scheme. I knew it. ~ “That night when we walked out from the hut of old man Hatch I idiotically teld Arlington every- thing. Heled me on. He made me tell. it a clever trick. And then, when he had learned - everything, he turned on me—curse him! he turned on me. We had a fierce quarrel. He declared he'd tell the whole business’ to Merriwell. | Remember that - 1 was loaded with hard cider, I pulled‘a pistol and threatened to shoot him. , ae upon a stone wail, disdainful of my threats. WEEKLY, 5 That’s why I went down into the head. It was the cider that led me to He thought | tion. It led you to fancy the scheme of doping Mer- riwell,in such a manner was practical ; but the height He laughed in my face. "With contempt that maddened me, ‘he turned. and. peta ah oe ee shes 8 but ee ent IT saw him fling up his arms and pitch forward over the wall. Then I but for couldn’t seem to think or reason. T scarcely knew when I fired at him, a time [ In the morning I knew it would be wise to get away, and that’s why I yanked Pumper out against his protests.” “Great Scott!’ exclaimed Whiting. “But you did_ have a time! You didn’t hurt Arlington?” ae He was stunned ; They found him there For- Wud rushed back to the hut, “The bullet grazed his head. when he fell from the wall. in the morning, and tunately for carried him to the house. he was not frozen stiff. I came back to New Haven. I knew I'd hear from him if he didn’t die. If he died, my secret was safe. Still, I didn’t want him to croak. I didn’t want his life on my hands. I1 heard from him all right. Yester- day I got notice that I’d have to leave New Haven for good this day. Arlington warned me to get out before he came. I didn’t go. I thought of trying to’ face him and defying him. But it wasn’t any use. He arrived in New Haven to-day, and at once he sent a messenger to me, stating that he would give me until seven o’clock to leave Yale forever. That's the whole of it, fellows. Now, you realize the scrape I’m in. I’ve seen Arlington. . There’s no question but — he’s in earnest. Neverthelé€s, with munificent, gen-— erosity—ha! fia! ha!—he promised to say nothing, to — keep the secret if I went as he ordered. There was only one road for me, fellows, and I had to take it.” “The road to ruin, the road to ruin,” mumbled the old bummer, although he did not lift his wretched © him, CHAPTER IIL PHIL WHITING’S SCHEME. They paid no attention to the wretched sot mum- bling in his corner. i “Ditson,” said Whiting, “you have too much j imag- ination. That's the tebable with you.” “What do you mean?” asked Dune, puzzled. “TI mean just what I say. It was the effect of read- f ing that article on poisons that aroused your imagina- of the ridiculous was your. effort to work on ‘hi nerves and superstition by that vanishing black star trick. In some things you're clever -enough, © in this matter you fell down badly. I.don’t. know oy eet tein _ anes . ba ne ash . { TIP. TOP ae , “Evidently, he’s like lots of other fellows who have. started out as Merriwell’s foes, and ended up as his submissive, adoring, worshipful friends,” sneered Welch. “He’s a treacherous dog!” snarled Ditson. “He’s forgotten that scores’ of times he’s been concerned in just such efforts to do up Dick Merriwell.” “J think you’re mistaken about that,” said Whi- ting, shaking his head. “I don’t believe he’s forgot- ten it.. I fancy he.remembers those things all too vividly, and that’s what’s the matter with him. . He’s ' cowed by Merriwell. He’s conquered. In fact, he’s hoisted the white flag, and surrendered. Now, he’s anxious to stand well in Merriwell’s eyes. I be- lieve I’m right in estimating him this way.” “Anyhow,” grated Ditson fiercely, “I’d give ten years of my life to get even with him! Don’t think _I mean that I would like to kill him. Not that; but _I would like to down him—down him in the mud and mire of disgrace, besmirch him, shame him, humble him. Yes, Whiting, I think you’re right. The fel- low’s anxious to stand well in Merriwell’s eyes. Dis- _ grace him in the eyes of Merriwell, and it will hurt him more than anything else. _ Oh, if there only was a way!” oh “Perhaps there is, » Surmikd Phil shoughtfally. “Not for me!” growled Dune. “It’s too late. I’ve got to get out, or he'll keep his threat.” “Presumably, you've gone already,” said Phil, still _ frowning thoughtfully. “You've packed your trunk and left it in your room, requesting. your roommate to express it when you sent instructions. You've packed your traveling-bag with such things as your immediate needs require, and you've taken the seven o'clock train out of New Haven. Yes, Ditson, you're gone. You're not here any longer. How can any _ one possibly know that you're here—that is, any ‘one _ beside us? You can remain under cover.’ “What “good will that da, me?” “Wait. I’m thinking. If something ltl to Mr. Arlington—if. sorietiittig happened that would nth him hard PATE see your idea, Phil,’’ “said Digseake “But what can happen to him? No, no; it’s no lise, old ‘man, “Hes got me foul, and I must give in.’ “This is the first time I ever saw you ready to lie lown!” exclaimed Welch. “That's Tight, ”” said eee WK 74 “Oh, ge you can’t linderstand it!” hal f-sneered Duncan “But ee ‘d tunderstand it if Mh were in BY, * was a sham. “T can’t pagerstand Ang to-night. place. Confound it, fellows, if that chap wishes, he can land me in the hands of the law on the charge © of attempted murder! All his pretense of generosity The only reason why he has not ex- posed me is because of the fact that he would have to expose himself at the same time. He’d have to confess that he sneaked out of Meadwold that night to join*‘us at old Bill Hatch’s hut, and played po- ker and drank hard cider until he was intoxicated. He wishes Merriwell to think that he’s reformed. He wishes his sister to think’ so. He told me he was going to take a position in a broker’s office right away. Now, a fellow who would get mixed up in ‘such an affair as we’re discussing wouldn't stand much show in a broker’s office if his employers learned the truth. In case I was arrested and the _ charge against“me was pressed Arlington would have to tell everything. And he had the cheek and gall to come to me in my own room and preach me a sermon. He boasted, and he told me how generous he was in simply ruining my college career, instead of putting the irons on my, wrists. He acknowledged _ —boastfully, braggingly—that he had been just as. rotten as I was. ~ “Had been? Now, that makes me laugh. Then he pulled a virtuous mouth and called my attention to the fact that he had reformed, that he was living a decent life, all because of the reforming influence of that paragon, of all the virtues, Dick Merriwell. Wouldn’t it make you sick!” “It certainly would,” murmured Whiting. blame you for feeling the way you do, Ditson. If [ were in your place, I’d take all chances to get back at this whelp, Arlington. I’d strike him—lI’d strike him hard. He’d feel the blow.” © | _“That’s all right to talk, old maf, but I wish you'd. tell\me how you'd go about it.’ “I’ve been trying to think of a method,” table, and drumming with it hervously. this fits the door of Mertiwell’s rooms 2” “Yes.” i “Arlingtony is ‘Vis isiting Merriwell?”” | “Well, I don’t kriow about that. He’s here in New Haven. When he left me he told me had an “You say appointment with peer ene and I presume ei went Z to the fellow’s room.’ | “Just so,” nodded > Wistne: “There’l be lots tae : The fellows are celebrating a little. Now, if there only was a way f getting hold of some valuables belonging to Merrivwell, and deposit: “T don't eat . said Whi- ¥ aa ting, picking up the key Dr nean had tossed on the ene ™ - lington’s person after it’s ~ room?” an, ing them on Arlington’s person. If,there only was ‘a way of getting Arlington loaded, and accusing him ‘of being a thief. [f those trinkets or valuables of Merriwell could be found on the fellow “Great! great!’ cried Duncan enthusiastically. “The scheme is a corker, Phil. Wouldn’t that bump him, though! The reformed Mr. Arlington steal- ing from his dear friend, the highly moral and vir-— _tuous Mr. Merriwell! Ha! ha! ha! would cook him?!” | By Jove, that Whiting smiled with a touch of pride over his own cleverness. “Yes, that would cook him,” he agreed. “Espe- cially would it cook him if he was caught by some of your friends, Ditson. If he could only be found by three or four of your particular chums with the stolen goods on his person. Then if you could step in and put the finishing twist on him. say, ‘Now, Mr. Arlington, you go ahead and peach on me, and I'll come back at you with interest by ' = ‘ * . - showing you up to your friend, Merriwell. Ah, that would do it!” Duncan seemed absolutely erated by this plat. “If I had it, I’d give ten thousand dollars to work that. thing on Arlington,” he declared. Then slowly, little by little, his countenance fell. “I don’t see how it can be done,” he finally’ de- ~~ clared. “Here’s Poland’ and Welch,” said Whiting. “One a _ of them could take this key and watch his chance to get into Merriwell’s rooms to look for. the fellow’s : valuable trinkets, such as stick-pins, ¥ cuff-buttons, rings _ +—oh, anything of that sort.’ “But how are you going to get the stuff onto Ar- swiped from Merriwell’s “That's the great question. That’s the dificult part of the trick. Still, there may be a way of doing it. Getting the stuff. with the aid of this key. is not so. difficult. the key.” Poland can do it. Here, Poland, “here’s “No, no!” “Not I! While Tm Daies cried Jim. friend, . and I sympathize with him, I can’t turn thief.” “Can't you?” murmured Whiting. “Seems to me it. wasn’t. more than a week ago that. I caught you - stealing a couple of cards in a little poker-game. ee didn’t blow on. you, did I, Jim? I might have done. it, and you know what that would have meant. I Jet you know that I was onto you, but I kept still. you. steal, Jim? Dear me! What do Jou, call that? bl “e ‘Can't | Paland, $ Ape was crimson, TOR _that he was a criminal? If you could’ Jim resentfully. _ cause you knew all about such tricks.” the key.. You get. the-trinkets and bring them.to. me, this thing we get the opportunity, we must be prepared. Vie cat from now. If you hustle, it’s likely you'll find } WEERLY. | er 9 “TL was in he de- clared. a game where I had to do it,” “I knew other fellows were playing crooked, and I had to hold my own.” “You knew it? How did you know it? detect any crookedness ?” Did you “No, I couldn't catch them, but I knew they were at it,” \ “A poor excuse, Poland. Even if it’s true it — doesn’t make you any the less of a thief. The fele. ie low in a-poker-game because he ad knows the other players would do the same if they sf got the chance simply puts himself as low as the low- Pe est there. If you knew a man was a burglar, would en you steal from him simply because you couldn’t proye — | Is that the way you would» do it, Poland?” | ’ i “No, But it’s different playing cards.” “Not a bit of it. “It’s the same thing. The card- player who wins a pot dishonestly simply steals that - ‘money. He's no less a thief if it happens that he — steals it from other thieves.” | ne who steals cards _“T don’t see why you should talk so to me!’ snapped — “You have the reputation of being — re pretty clever with cards.” 4 “But no man has ever yet detected me doing a crooked thing. I detected you, Jim.” uo im “That was because you were clever. That was te “We won't argue over that point. But don’t tel ; me that you couldn’t help carrying through this scheme we've proposed in order to get even with a fellow who is deliberately ruining your chum and roommate.” ; “Well, if there was any kind ot away to get the stuff into Arlington’ S possession "You'd do it? 1 thought you ncaa. Woke ee | Now, T must have them to-night. 1 must. haye ‘them just as. soon as possible. We-may not.be able to carry rough to-night; but who .can. tell? » rh _ Jim falteringly accepted the Wes but. sat tre, took. ing doubtful. “Go ahead,” nodded Whiting quietly, ie ek that sort of command which Poland had not the will-po vel to disobey. “We'll meet you at Fred’s place, an hour chance to g0 ae: Merriwell’s rooms Bier he at - 7 TIP TOP Jim rose and stood looking the little party over, “What if I swipe this stuff and then the whole thing fizzles °” “At least, we'll be makirig a try to carry it through. At least, doing our best to save Ditson.”’ “All right,” “Tl do it.” Duncan rose quickly and grasped his roommate's arm. “Whether it gdes through or not, old man, I'll never forget that you tried to do your best for me.” we'll be muttered Poland, { CHAPTER IV. ei OLD BILL BOLIVAR. ; After Poland departed Ditson seemed to get down- cast once more. Cheer up. old man!” cried Welch. you out yet.” “Well, I hope you can, but I still pectare I don't khow how you're going to do it. How are you go- ing to get next to Arlington?” “I’ve been thinking of that,’ said Whiting. “You say Arlington met Welch when you were down in the country and this unfortunate business happened ?” mr Oh, yes.” “You're suuposed to be gone from New Haven, “Dunc. You'll have to find a quiet place and keep under cover while we work for you. I know the ‘very place. It’s called a rooming-house, but it’s shady. The woman who runs it lets out rooms to fellows ~who-wish to have a: quiet little time, and she has a sway of providing the necessary booze. Of course, “We'll pull she’s breaking the law, for she hasn’t a license to - sell liquor. She makes -up palatable little lunches for the parties who patronize her, and she’s well paid for her trouble. Yes, Mrs. Bradley will give you a room, all right.” . ™ “But how long have I got to stay there? I. can't stay hiding like a rat in a hole a great while.” _“You can stand it over Sunday, if. you have to. "Between now and Monday we ought: to pull this \ ~ scheme through.” “How do you think you're going to do it! » “We must’ get hold of Arlington some way.” - “But how—tell me how,” persisted Duncan. _ “Don’t be so impatient, old man.» I am thinking Welch i 1s the fellow to do that. He must go to Ar-. lington—he must get hold of ‘the fellow under pre- _ tense of wishing to talk with him privately.” - Bat what can x ay, to oe asked Pumper. into the game. WEEKLY. “That’s easy enough to answer. You'll feel pretty much broken up over Ditson. You'll pretend to.try to pimp Arlington. You'll tell him how Dunc got f up scooted, without explaining anything, and you'll ask why he did so. -Can’t you see the right line to follow? Ask what happened that night down in the country Get him out somewhere to a saloon and get a drink into him. Get two drinks, three drinks, into him.” “er and when Arlington was hurt. That’s the way to handle him!” cried Duncan. “By the time he’s taken two drinks he’s ready’ for almost. anything.” | ; “I thought so,” nodded Whiting. “Poland must pretend to: feel very bad about his’ friend Ditson. He must pump the stuff into Arlington until Ches-. ter is ready for almost anything. According to your story, the chap loves to play poker.” “That’s right.” “Propose a poker-game, Welch. Tell him you know a nice quict little place where you can play a neat little game. , [’ll be watching you, if necessary, or you can give me the tip. Take him to Mrs, Brad- ley’s.” ees “What?” cried Dunc. “Take him there? Why, on you said I’d be there.” fe “So you will, but you'll be under cover. He won't see you until the right time comes. I'll get two or three fellows together, and we'll strip him to the bone in a poker-game.” | “You'll have to be pretty Saver about it. He’s lucky, and it’s my opinion he’s up to tricks.” “Leave that part of it to me,” urged Phil confi-: dently. “All right, go on. ving at.’ y “After we get him loaded and clean him out we'll a put up the cards on him and show him up asa crook, =| We'll make it appear that he’s cheated. We'll come near beating the face off him, but we won't quite do it. We'll drive him out onto the street and follow” — him—follow at his heels. Then some one will claim = = {) _ that he’s been touched. Some one will declare that . } his pockets have been picked. In the scrap before we leave Mrs. Bradley’s, while we’re manhandling Ar- lington, we'll manage to get Merriwell’s valuables into his pockets, together with a watch belonging to the fellow who makes the holler about having his pockets — picked. On the street we'll jump him again. We'll" threaten to call the cops. We'll find the stolen prop-. erty in his possession. / Then, Ditson, you'll come You'll show up and confront Mr. ber ; ae I dgn¢ see just what you're dri- * TIP TOP WEEKLY, 9 Arlington. Merriwell’s valuables will be recognized by several of us. Can’t you see your chance, Dit- A son?” , ou “T’m beginning to see a ray of light.” / “Why, it’s plain enough. You'll have him, then. Unless he’ll compromise with you on the spot we'll call a policeman. If he will compromise you'll beg us to let him go on his oath that he’ll drop the whole business against you. See? The articles stolen from Merriwell can be, returned to him in some manner we think best. There you have it. That’s my scheme, -. and if we can make it work it'll save you.’ “3 “Tf you can make it work,” muttered Duncan. “My . only fear is that \it won’t work.” iy “But it’s worth trying, isn’t it?” a “Oh, sure. I’m much obliged to you, Whiting, w whether it goes through all right, or not. [’m mighty - grateful, old man. I had no particular reason to think you would take so much trouble on my account.”’ a “You didn’t know me, Ditson, that was. the mat- he fm I rather like to get into a thing like this, It's - man who can plan such campaigns and carry them _ through all right who demonstrates his ability to get along in the world. Why, such traps are sprung in the political and business world every day in the year. Especially is this true in politics. If a party of: politicians wishes to get a dangerous fellow pol- itician on the hip they put up a job on him and trap him so that he will be forced to do/exactly as they. : order him to do: Grafters are ne working | out similar plots.” Fess “You ought to make a good political ¢ ra ter, Whi- ting,’ laughed Welch. “There’s nothing the matter with your head. Your brain is active enough.” “Thanks,” murmured Whiting. “Let’s have an- other round of drinks, fellows.” (/ He rapped on the table with his knuckles, and at || that sound the old bummer in the corner, who -had ; been snoring, suddenly, moved and muttered: Come in, come in.’ “Our friend is waking up from his nap,” Welch, with a laugh. ; ‘The barkeeper appeared once more and took their _ order. “Make it four, Johnny,” ner huskily. ay »'-“Got the price?” asked the barkeeper. , ~ _ -”That’sh > all right, my boy. © _ They’re treating.” ¢ He wagged his limp hand in the direction of the * . students. oa ea called the ast the cor- a \ young gentlemen. you. All Yale men together.” - said ie _ Friends of mine. 1s “Did you say four?” asked the barkeeper, turning to Whiting. 7 “Hardly,” replied Phil. money on anything like that. around ?” “T’m not wasting. my Why do you have him “Oh, he’s spending a little money in here, and we ‘didn’t want to put him out until he was in condi- tion to.navigate. It would be a bad advertisement for us if he keeled over on the street near-by.” : “’Sall right, Johnny,” said the old chap, blinking ‘a with his bleary eyes, and rubbing the end of his red nose with a dirty finger. “’Sall right, I shay. Fine All Yale men. We're all Yale. men. I’m a Yale man. ’Rah for old Yale!” “Cut it out,’ commanded the barkeeper harshly. “Don’t yap like that, or ou. ‘ll find yourself taking ., a walk in the —s air.” : mumbled. the man apologeticaliy. eats will overflow sometimes. That’sh_nat- ural, Yale’s greatest college in the world. They say she won a game to-day. That’sh all right. Course she did. I uster take in all the football-games. Ev- erybody knew Bill Bolivar, It was Good Old Bill | in those days, for I had the coin, and I spent it. Now, it’s Bill, the Bum, for the coin’s ‘all gone, all | Make it four. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank ae ‘’*Scouse me,” gone. But lwhen the barkeeper | ety he brought ac a ; three drinks. es “Where’sh mine?” asked the bummer. “You for got me, Johnny. ‘That’sh awful oversight—awfut oversight. I\got to have “nother one” I’m sick— yes, Iam. I was shaking clean to. my marrow when — I. dropped in here and spent my money with you, Johnny. I had ’nuff money to get a bed, but—hic-— — but I spent it with you, Johnny... Make it whisky.” ~ The barkeeper departed without even glaning at’ 2 the imploring old man. pt eee There was a fumbling, scraping sound in : the: cor- ner as the bummer dragged himself to his feet, hold-— ing onto the edge of the table for support. ve “Rheumatism in my legs, I think,” he said. “Got it sleeping in a barrel. Had a fine bed,in a barrel last night. Found some straw and tucke myself in pretty warm, pretty warm; but before morning the cold got to leaking through the straw} and T ae, rheumatism again.’ : “Oh, shut up!” ‘waadiped Welch. Go Le to ‘your self somewhere.” __ The old ehow, re) backwnid and forward as sing them on the campus. little parties, where it was all good and quiet, and we FIP; he clung to the table. A-look of mild-resentment and pain settled upon his dissipated face. .“‘Now; that’sh awful unkind—awful unkind,” he mumbled. “’Tain’t sociablée-to talk to myself. It)s mighty lonesome doing that. I ain’t very good com- pany for myself now’days. I don’t like to associate with such company, I like the company of nice young gentlemen, like you. Kinder cheers me up. Always be good to the old folks, boys. That’sh a good motto. You'll be old yourselves some day, ‘if you live long enough. Say, any of you fellows ever hear of William Bolivar—William Bolivar, of the class of Umpty Three, Yale? That’sh me—yes, sir, that’sh me. I’m William Bolivar. I was good fel- low. Those were great times, boys—great times. Hot times, too, you bet. We hit it up pretty hard—yes, ‘we did. Oh, I remember all about it. IT remember the old days at the fence, singing the old songs, ‘Nel- lie Was a Lady,’ ‘Stars of the Summer Night,’ ‘Sol- -omon Levi’—good old songs. But we didn’t always Sometimes we had’ our drank and sang and played poker all night long un- _ til the sun was up, and we went home with big heads in the morning, I liked it. I thought that was the life to live. I didn’t stop to think that it would ever “come to an end. My father was Rufus Ainsworth _ Bolivar, gentlemen. _My mother was a lady.” Derisively, Welch hummed a bit of the song, “My Mother Was a Lady.” “That’sh right!” cried the old man. She Was a lady, God bless her! She’s dead now. I guess I killed her. It went pretty hard with me when the old man lost his money in that stock ‘smash twenty- one years ago. ‘Twenty-one years ago! Sounds like a long time, don’t it? I wash just nineteen... Maybe _ you don’t b’lieve it. Maybe you don’t b’lieve I’m only ‘turning forty to-day. Look like I was sixty-five, or seventy, don’t 1? That’sh the cursed booze. I ought to be in my prime to-day, but I’m a miserable old wreck—a dismantled old derelict.. I’m a useless thing afloat on the sea of life. ‘That’s what booze .brought me to, boys. It’s done the same thing for a lot of — good -‘men—a lot. of men better than I ever was. “But what’s the use repining ?- Behind the clouds — the sun’s always shining. —Hic |—Beautiful sentiment. ai it’s true, but old sun hasn't shone on me for inin; si fae Old Bill Bolivar, ‘the fans bum. | hal ‘Tt used to be Good Old Bill Bolivar, the p that ever was, for Je was spending my -“That’s the way you look at it. ‘maybe I'd braced up and been a man. _ bit respectable. good mother, and she’s all right. gone she can’t see me now. TOR WEEKLY. money, then, and I had hosts of friends. Where are They’ve all turned against me. J don’t What's the use?. . Why. should.they ever Why should they acknowl- edge they ever knew me? Say, boys, did Johnny bring that drink? I’ve got to have ’nother. Why didn’t he bring ‘nother drink? You're Yale men, and you're good: fellows. You've got money. I’m a Yale man, and I was a good fellow, and I haven't Now, just be good and order: a high they now? blame “em. pay any attention to me? got money. one for me.” - By this time he had staggered across the floor and was lurching against Ditson. “Get out!’ snarled Dunc, giving the man a thrust with his elbow, and causing him to reél against the wall. “Don’t touch me. You'll soil me.” . The old fellow straightened up in a remarkable manner. “Soil your” he said, his husky voice expressive of the greatest contempt. “Soil you? I couldn’t-do it if I tried!’ My. hands may be a little dirty, and per- haps I’m a drunken bum, but my heart’s clean. I. f never did a crooked thing in my life. Can you .say that ?” ita “This disreputable old wretch is getting altogether too much for me,”’ said Duncan. “That’s the trouble _ with such joints as these. You have to mingle with ia low-down creatures of his sort.” ; Old Bill Bolivar laughed in his. throat. “Low-down: creatures of his sort!” he mumbled. — But maybe some day _ ¥ you'll be worse off than I am to-day. ting there pretty fast, young man—pretty fast. If — you don’t chain up and hit a new road, the road you're following will lead you straight to perdition. ‘Take my word for it, for I know. Maybe you got a mother. Think of her. If I’d thought of my mother not broken her heart. She’s been dead most fifteen | years. ‘There was money enough left to bury her, and I used to think some day I’d have a stone put ¢ up at her grave. I used to go to her grave and put flowers on it long time ago, but every time I'did I'd - vow that I’d brace up and get together enough money and buy a stone and make that poor grave look a Never did it. Dunno’s I could: find her grave now if I should hunt for it. She was a _T hope where. she __ Sotise me if Pes ‘ Mae bit. sloppy. You're get- _ Perhaps I'd ~ Jones. his finish will be. bunch and broke over.” boys, I’ve got to have another drink—I’ve got to have HT. And then, before they realized what he was doing, the old fellow reached over Whiting’s shoulder, seized his glass, lifted it, and poured the contents down his throat at a single gulp. Phil sprang up. “Why, you miserable old wretch!” he cried. out of here!” Seizing the man by the shoulder, Whiting rushed him to the door, and flung him out, crying to the bar- keeper that the bummer had stolen a drink of whisky. Immediately, the barkeeper picked Bolivar up from “Get the floor, dragged him to the door, and ejected him into the biting November night. CHAPTER Y. THE MAN IN THE GUTTER, A hundred students, making the rounds of the cam- pus, had paused to sing and shout beneath Merriwell’s window. In response to his name, Dick flung the window up and looked out. They cheered him wildly, flinging their caps into the air. And they, cheered for Buckhart when he appeared at the window. “Come out!” they cried—* come ‘out and. wake things up!” / %. , Not to- eaake fellows,” laughingly answered. Dick, “Enjoy, yourselves,” wre When the window was closed they reluctantly went on their way, seeking the windows of! other football men for whom they could cheer. “They're making it some lively, partner, “But wait till after the Harvard game! ” said the If ‘Texan. we win that game there'll be something doing.” Bouncer Bigelow came in, followed by Blessed “Say, Merriwell,” cried the fat youth, to stop him! If you don’t, there’s no telling what Doggone little fool, he wouldn't listen‘to me.” | “Who’s that?” questioned, Dick. _ “Tucker. He’s started ‘again. Got out with the “Yea, verily, it is ‘even so,” groaned Jones. “I warned him that he should not look on the wine when _ it was red, for it biteth like a serpent and stingeth _ like an adder, but he laughed at me, and said that he couldn’t afford wine, and so he was taking whisky, You know what it means, Dicky when Tucker starts . in on whisky.” TIP TOP WEEKLY. ‘pected we might look for him, gone got : gave him a yank that set him upright.’ the lowly. Dick knew what it meant. “Where is he?” he asked. “Oh, he’s with the crowd that’s making the rounds. of the town he’s in some saloon, and you can bet on that.” Merriwell opened the dresser, took down his light overcoat, and slipped it-on. Clapping his cap on his head, he said: “Let’s find him.” “Hold on!” cried Buckhart. you.” Chester Arlington appeared at this moment and asked them where they were going. When they told him he promptly proposed making one of the party. They set out, beginning first avith the student re- sorts “where they were. most likely to encounter Tucker. Inquiry brought them the information that Tommy had been in many of these places with ‘hot bunch,” and departed. 8 ° “T'll go along with At length they paused, feeling somewhat baffled. “Well, where can he be?’ muttered Dick. “Give it up, pard,” said Brad. best to find him, now go it.” “No, I'm not going to am yet. If Tucker sus- it’s probable he’s That’s his old “We've done our and we-may as well let ‘him struck out for the cheaper saloons. game in order to keep out of Sight and finish up his , _ toot, If necessary, the city.” / So they continued decile search, and it led them into a section where students were seldom seen. I'll go through oto saloon in “Hello,” laughed Chet, pointing at a figure recli-. ning in the gutter. ‘Some one laid out to cool off.” Dick bent over the prostrate figure. It was a man ‘who seemed to be sleeping seundly, a wretched, dis- reputable-looking man, who smelled of whisky. f “Here, wake up, my friend!” cried Dick, seizing — “You — the man’s shoulder, and giving him a shake. can't sleep here.” “That so?” mumbled the man. Why not? ’Sall the place I’ve got. and Tye got to sleep somewhere. Don’t dishturb me. \ Don’t break my slumber—lemme dream of the old ‘days when I was a man. When I was a man? Well, 1 thought I was, anyhow. Good night. Ta! tal Tuck me in and lemme sleep.” “But you'll freeze here, man. “Don’t be so rough,” Get up \. entreated the w “Be kind: to Be gentle, young man. I’ve got heart Don’t know just where he is now, but “Can't sleep here? 7 Money’s all’ gone, _ tch, as Dick | Fy i044 Tm lying, but I went to Yale. cite co TOR trouble, and you're Hable to send me‘off if you handle me like that.’ “Oh, you can't waste your time with him, well!’ cried Chet. Mahe ‘‘L.can't leave him here, Arlington,’’ said Dick. The man looked ‘round vaguely, as if searching for some one. “Who’sh miliar.” “Better call a cop, Merri- Arlington?” he asked. ‘‘Name sounds fa- Merriwell,’”” suggested Chet. “Who’sh Merriwell?”’ hoarsely cried the inebriate. “T’ve heard that name before. I’ve heard it some- where this very night. You Merriwell?” “That's my name.” “You are Yale man, * S03 “So’m I. Howdy do, Mishter name’s Bolivar. I am Yale man.” At this Arlington laughed derisively. “He looks it!” cried Chester. “Laugh!” mumbled the wretch. eh ?” Merriwell.. My “Maybe you think I wash good fellow then, for I had lots of money, and I spent it. When _ you have lots of money and you spend it you're dev- _ ilish good fellow. “no good.” _ “Why are you trying to sleep here in the gutter? e asked Dick. _* “No other place. No money. All gone, Spent it: _ for booze. Had ’nough for a bed, but spent it, and then they’ kicked me out.” ae, say call the police,” “persisted. Chester. “No, ‘Arlington, I’m not going to turn this oe ol creature over to the police.” “So Arlington says call the police, does he? — ‘He’ d oy tara me over to the police, would he? ‘Who said don’t do it? That was you,’wasn’t it, Merriwell? bhi re | / Pall right. You're a good fellow.” “Get hold, Chet, and let’s pull him onto his feet. ' We'll take him to some cheap lodging-house, and stow him: eway.”’ : | a FE don’t want to teed him,” Why, he’s filthy.” at? was Buckhart who assisted Merriwell in n lifting Old Bill Bolivar to his feet. , peo a “Wait ‘4 minute—just wait, ard TEE ie lioebitite. “Come here, Arlington, Want to shay. something to you. Want to tell you something. You dunno what'll oc to you some day. Maybe you'll be down and out. I know something bout you, though I never w you before. is me, tell. ia sasha that When the money’s all gone you're objected Arlington: it out of me. ing a finger at Chester. . and when you're marked for a thief you ‘member ine, WEEKLY. would save you a lot of trouble. You said call the T won't tell you anything. You’d give some but you'll never. get You wouldn’t touch me, eh? ’Fraid to soil your hands if you did. All right, Mr. Ar- lington—all right. You wait. You'll get yours, and when they brand you as a thief don’t forget Old Bill. Bolivar, and remember that he could have saved you if you'd shown that you had any heart in ye.” “What’s the old fool talking about?’ cried Ches- “T don’t believe he knows what he’s saying.”’ police. money to know what I know, ter. “All right, all right. you, Mishter Arlington.”’ You wait. It’s coming to “We can’t waste all this time on him, Merriwell,” said Buckhart. “If we’re going to do anything with him, let’s hurry up. Where can we take him?” “There ought to be some cheap lodging-house near here,” said Dick. “Let’s find one.” They dragged the old man along between them until they came to a lodging-house which advertised beds for twenty-five cents a night. “This place will do, if we can get him in here,” said Dick. | On entering they were met by the proprietor, who - objected to keeping Bolivar, = ean said qive this man a bed to-night, and herg’s:a “You fre beds for twenty-five cents,” Dick. - dollar,” That settled it at once. room, in which there was an apology for a bed, it being the only, piece of furniture save a broken chair. 93 urged the bummer, as they were * Thank — "Twas | Tf you “Wait a minute, about to depart. “Got to ’spress my thanks, | you, Mishter Merriwell, I'll ’member you.’ kind of cold sleeping outdoors to-night, hadn’t found me, maybe the police would. They'd ‘sent me up for thirty or sixty or ninety days. Maybe that’s what'll happen to me to-morrow. But just the same I'll ‘member you, Mishter Merriwell. And I'll ‘member you, too, Mishter Arlington!” he snarled, with sudden fury, lifting a shaking hand and point- “J hope they do you. eS will you? . You think of Old Bill Bolivar, and ’ mem ber that. he said he could have saved you if you shown you had a heart inside of ye. That’sh all ‘Good night, gentlemen. Not speaking to you, Mis a TAn ter Arlington. Good night. Good luck to you ‘all. cept the man that said turn him over to the cops Bad luck to mith curse him!" Old ‘Bill was led to a bare fh They left him there, sitting on the edge of the bed, and mumbling his curses at Arlington as they de- parted. , CHAPTER VI TO WHOM CREDIT IS DUE. aan, Tucker could not be found, rooms. it up. returned to their At last they gave and they ; Arlington stuck by Dick and Brad. ' — “T suppose you fellows have to obey the rules and turn in early,” he said. “What’s the hour?” “We're required to hunt the mattress at ten these days,’ said Dick. “It’s half-past nine now.” “Well, I'll just sit down for a little chat with you before you stow yourselves away. If there was any one I knew who would stick by me, I'd feel like going out and celebrating with the fellows who are having such a good time to-night.” Dick gave the speaker a quick glance, which Ches- ‘ter did not fail to observe, and which brought a slight ae flush to his cheeks. 5 “Oh,” he cried, “T’d be decent about-it! Don’t worry. You know, I’ve cut out my old method of celebrating, Merriwell. No more of that for me?’ | 4*T hope not, Arlington.” é |. “Yourmay rely on it,” asserted Chet positiv aa “A ~~ fellow can have a good time, you know, without - drinking or carousing. I didn’t think so once, but/T > _ know it now. And when the good time is over (he _- won’t wake up with a big head the next morning. - His fun won’t leave a dark-brown taste in his mouth.” “But I’m afraid Tucker will have a right big head to-morrow,” muttered Brad. “Queer you can’t beat . te any sense into that little snipe, Dick. 1 should think _ you’d get discouraged trying.’ “Tommy has sense enough to know right from declared Merriwell; “but he’s one of those 2 ‘eez — wr ong,” ~ to forget good resolutions. There never was a taint + of viciousness in Tucker. Sober or otherwise, he’s always loyal and true to his friends.” : Bi Chester looked somewhat abashed, and shook his head slowly. : : or the old days,” he confessed. “The moment I touched — a bit of liquor I became changed. All the worst part | of my nature arose and took possession of me. Oh, 1 know it now, and I used to know it then, although | to shut my eves to the ‘fact. am the last chap to slop over, but. still once TIP TOR WEEKLY, ‘bad. I effervescent, effusive, volatile chaps who are easily led “That was more than any one could say of me in’ ~Merriwell, old. more I want.to say flatly that I give you the credit for any change there may be in me. When I was at the worst stage of my career, when I was nearest the bottom, when in my intoxicated frenzy I came near killing my own sister, you told me you still had A confidence that there was a germ of good somewhere within me, buried beneath the smothering mass of don’t think many other fellows believed that. I know Buckhart didn’t, and I don’t blame him:” “You're right, Arlington,’ admitted the Texan «. frankly. “I certain didn’t think there was a grain of decency left in you. I allow I was mistaken, and I’m mighty glad of that. I opine I’ve told Dick a - hundred. times that he was a howling idiot to fancy oe any good could come out of such an onery, low-down varimint as you were. I take it back now. He wasa heap sight wiser than I.” “Thanks, Buckhart, old man. It’s encouraging when you, who were so set against me, will admit as much. I’m not going to give Dick all the credit, though. If Frank Merriwell hadn’t taken’ me in hand and held me steady with a good strong grip, it’s likely my own nature would not have been strong enough to combat with the weaknesses fostered by years of recklessness. I haven’t seen Frank for some — time now. | How’s he getting on with his school?” “Splendidly,” assured Dick. “At last men of money and influence haye become interested, and it’s now practically certain that the school will be a great ‘success.’ { “But I don’t see how it is that Frank can give so much time and attention to the school and look after his mining interests, also? Why, he has immensely rich mines in the Southwest and in Mexico, and it gene $9: me he should be on Ley ground more than he is.’ . Dick smiled. ’ sis Geet 7 _ “You're right about that, Arlington,” he nodded. — “Frank came to realize this very fact himself. Of course, he employed the very best superintendent and — engineers to attend to his mining interests, but even they were, not able to carry this on as they should | / without the controlling hand of my brother at the — helm. Some time ago the question arose ‘whether Frank should permit things to go on as they were at, the mines and stick to his school, or should give ia his school and take full charge of his mining in-- terests. You know my brother is a person who hates: to turn. back on a road he has ‘chosen. He found himself facing a great problem. If he closed the school at Bloomfield it meant ee in his , 1 of the season up in Maine. TIP. TOR but it also meant the abandonment of his great proj- ect for the physical betterment of American youth. He wrote me several timés about this. “Finally, there opened a way out of the difficulty, but in order to follow that course he had to sacri- A powerful organization of finan- They proposed to fice a great deal. ' ciers made a proposition to him. consolidate his mining interests under the manage- ment of one company, capitalize it for a large sum, and put the stock on the market. Frank was to re- tain a big interest in the consolidated company. It was made clear that with the capital with which this combine would bring into use those mines could be opened and developed on such a broad scale that they would pay ten or fifty or a hundred times as much as they were paying the way they were being worked. If this happened, Frank’s holdings would return him income than he was then getting, and, at the same time, he would be wholly relieved from the worry and responsibility of the past. He would have his entire time to devote to the perfection and a larger enlargement of his School of Athletic Development. “Of course, | have an interest in those mines. My brother has the authority to handle my property as he sees fit; still, he wrote me voluminously about the “new proposition, and declined to make any move un- til I was fully posted and willing he should do so, ‘It made no difference\ that at the very outset I as- sured him I trusted his judgment in everything, and urged him to do just as he pleased. He desired to talk the matter over with me, but at that time he was busy at Bloomfield, and, we were in the very height If ’'d known how he felt, I think I should have skipped the boys and gone on’to consult with him, but I did not go until later. Anyhow, the thing went through, and the stock of the Pablo-Mysterf Consolidated is now ae, on the New York Exchange, and selling near par.” “Why, tis is the first I’ve heard abopt it!” ad _ Chet. “You know, I’m going to take a position in a New York stock-broker’s office. I wonder if they are in any way interested in that stock.” “What's the name of the concern > “Dennison & Drake.” “Indeed!” laughed Dick. “Why, it was afin their office that the stock of the oetdcenagth Con- solidated’' was first put on’ the market.” . “Well, isn’t that strange!” laughed Chester. can bet I’ll take,a lot of interest in that stock.” Bigelow. flung open the door, and stood beckoning - excitedly. | | by a lucky rival, confound him! “Vou WEEKLY. “Come on, fellows—come on,” he cried. “Come take a look at him!” “Who ?” “Tommy.” “Where ?” “Found him in the room. Qh, Just come and take a look at him.” - Thus urged, Merriwell and Buckhart followed Bouncer. As he was not invited in particular, Ches- ter remained behind. he’s a bird, he is! CHAPTER VII. THE THEFT. *-Approaching the rooms occupied by Bigelow and heard the sound of music and singing. gurgled the fat fellow. “Oh, he’s Tucker, they “That’s him,” gay, he is!” Tommy, in pajamas, with a deby hat cocked over his-ear, was sitting on the top of the study-table, strumming at his mandolin, and singing a sentimental love-song while he marked time with his big toe of his bare right foot. Blessed Jones stood there, arms folded, solemnly regarding the gay little chap. ‘Sang Tommy: “Love is a queer little elfin: sprite, Blessed with deadliest aim. fellows.» Everybody join in the chorus Wow! Wee-ow! Here we go: i “Come in, when I reach it. “Shooting his arrows to left and right, Bagging the rarest game; Filling our hearts with glad surprise—— and let your feet hang Listen to this “Sit down on the floor, down. Make yourselyes at home. little ditty : “Almost too good to be true; ’ And still can you tell me Why do you love me? . Only because you are you, dear! Doesn’t that give you the tillywiggles round your heart? Makes me think of Janetté. Oh, Janette! Lost to me forever! Scooped Here we go on Get busy, fellows—get busy. “Say, isn’t that sweet? the chorus. “Not that you are fair, dear, Not that you are true; Not your golden hair, dear, Nor your eyes of blue. “Janette had brown eyes—gloricus brown eyes. Or eee = SEE See a ee ne . 4 ; is the advanced style, a ipere; - somebody ciable with myself. are others. _ Jones. wer than men, _ chance at marriage. Buckhart. happy. TIP. TOP were they hazel? I’ve forgotten. Anyhow, she had eyes. “When we ask the reason, Words are all too few; So I know I love you, dear, Because you're you, “Awful soulful, isn't it? left eye. If you'll take notice, my right eye is laugh- Hello, Dick! Hello, Brad! Say, we did ’em, didn’t we? We won to-day; hooray! hooray! And we'll win against Harvard as sure as you're a foot How do you like my new spring bonnet? This direct from Paree. Say, who the matter with Any one would think you saw a freak.”’ said Dick, “you ought to be ashamed.” “Had I?” asked Tucker, in surprise. “Wha’ for? If ‘you ‘say so, I suppose it’s right. If -you say so, I'll try to be ashamed, Dick, You're all right, you But don’t rub it in too hard. Had to celebrate. a little. Came home all by myself, too. What do you think of that? You didn’t have to bring me home this time, Dick, old fellow. Says I to myself, ‘Tommy, when you get enough you go home before has to carry you home.’ | I kept that right im my mind, and here I am. Oh, [ve had a lovely one But after coming in here and finding my- self all alone I began to get sort of downcast and blue, and so I tuned up the mandolin just to be so- You see, I fell to thinking about: 3ut she’s not the only one, is she? ‘There If I want to get married, I.can, can’t I?” foal enough to have you,” growled Excuse that tear in, my ing, high. are you looking at, anyhow? What's you? “Tommy,” Janette. “If anybody’s But then you know women are bra- Never saw one who wouldn't take a It’s a solemn question, fellows. “That’s right. “To wed or not to wed, ie That’s the question, Whether. ’tis better To remain single And disappoint : For a time BPs Or marry." ; And disappoint one woman _For life?” “Say, but you’re sure the limit, Tucker!” exclaimed “You ought to see yourself now.” * “*Scuse me. I've yelled until I’m a bit hoarse. esd fel- ti lege Galt? ll tell you, a deneat sited “Let's sing. gall sing.” .- ] WEEKLY. a few women ® nose to the grindstone now.” Never mind how I look as long’s I’m ~ AS “Can't..you smother. him, »Merriwell?”. spluttered Bigelow. . ‘Blessed and. I tried to ee him: to bed, but he fought like a wildcat.” “The idea of -going to. bed scien the a is sO new,’ scoffed Tucker. “And.I’m feeling’ wealthy, too, That’s a great feeling. Did you ever feel that way, fellows?” “You must remember,” said Jones, “that it’s not easy to be rich and happy.” » “Maybe that’s right,” chuckled Tommy, “but I’m willing to be used for experimental purposes. You can try it on me. Do you know, we’ were tearing | things wide open on-Churth Street, when we ran plumb into Professor Jope. Poor old Professor Jope! He’s poor; but he’s a man of ‘scientific distinction. Yes, he is. Why, when he makes’ a cail and sends in his card he has so many degrees on it that you can’t tell whether it’s his name or a problem in algebra. Won’t you please sing something, Dick? » You've got a lovely voice. Sing something soothing and sym- pathetic.” “I’m afraid I'll have to disappoint you to-night, Tucker. Bigelow, you'd better lock the door when we leave, and then re the key out of the window. ‘That'll keep hirn in.” , | . me ‘Now, that’s terrible jab at me,” protested Tommy. “Any one would think to hear you talk that I needed — a guardian.” ‘ “So you do. ‘Look out for him, Bouncer. night.” . Te ane re Arlington was still waiting when they. 9 re Dick’s room, but he glanced at his watch covered it was near the retiring | time for. Merriwell and ‘Buekhart. “Well, Vu drift adc he saad. “Good fee fellows: See you again to-morrow, perhaps. .Got to. be in the ‘metropolis Monday. Ofcourse, I won't be able to take in that Harvard game this year. | ‘That'll be a great disappointment je me, but it’ S Chester's _ He departed, laughing. Buckhart was in bed, and ace was idiake iS ready to follow when he made a discov ery ‘that /set him to investigating, and finally led him to arouse, the exan. didn't you roll in, © d _chap?” “Wake up a bit,” urged | Dick gravely. thing’s, happened.” “Eh? Boaeiing happened? “When?” poe NA ot a = Sap a | ewhat’ s the satter pe heer Bra seep. “Why fi. 16 TIPTOP *T don’t know when, but some one has been through my private drawer and cleaned it out.” Brad sat bolt upright. “Vou don’t mean that, pard!’’ -he cried. “Yes, I asserted Dick. “Every trinket of value belonging to ‘me has been taken. I’ve lost two do,” pairs of sleeve-buttons, four scarf-pins, my Fardale pin, a watch-fob, and a diamond collar-button given me for a Christmas present by Frank’s wife.” f The Texan leaped out of bed. he palpitated. Didn't you misplace them?” “Great horn spoon!” / para? Dick ‘shook his head. “Ts that right, “T’ve looked everywhere. place them, They've been stolén, been in these rooms.” I’m sure I didn’t mis- Brad: °A thief has “How did he get here?” ! 7. > | “T don’t know.” i “We didn’t leave the door unlocked when we went I out to look for Tucker; did we?” ° “No, I had the spring-lock on. When we returned [ was compelled to use my key.” “This certainly riles me some. To think that a Yale man, even the lowest onery cur among them all, could ne a sneak-thief ! Yale man,’ ¥ “Tf not, who could it be? How could any one else get in here?” eS caught his breath, seized by.a sudden thought, His ‘fd€e wore an expression that Merriwell instantly interpreted, for he cried: CEN, no, Buckhart! I know what you think, but you can’t be right about that. 4 “Maybe not,” It wasn’t Arlington.” “but he sure We left him here ‘said the Texan slowly ; had a good opportunity, partner, all by ‘his lonesome.” “But Arlington has refdrmed. He wouldn't, Jower himself to ‘ “You t ¢ You always trusted him a heap ‘sight more ‘than I ever did.” “But, Brad—Brad, it’s impossible,” ‘“Maybe it is,” was full of suspicion and doubt. “I hope you’re right, Dick. I sure do,” 8 if “Hope so? I aw it. Arlington said/this very evening: that he has turned over a new léaf, and [ Beye in re in muttered Buckhart, but his manner “ay But maybe it wasn’t a WEEKLY. CHAPTER VIIL. DRAWING THE SNARE, When Arlington thought it Wag mainly. his own folly which had deprived him of a college career he felt somewhat downcast. Even at this hour there were students crossing. the campus by twos and threes, their arms locked about each other, laughing, joking, singing light-heartedly. Chester envied them. “But Pll bea man,” he muttered. “If I can’t have a college education, I'll show them there’s something in me, ‘just the same.” Out in town the saw other students making merry, and he longed to join them. anes I’m an outsider. rl get That’s the best thing I can “But no one knows me. to the hotel and turn in. do.” “Hello, there, Arlington! I’m glad to see you!” That you? By Jove, Chester could not say that he was glad to see Pum- per Welch, who rushed forward with outstretched hand. He did not know that Welch had been fol- lowing him, and had crossed the street and recrosseF it in order to,pass him and meet him, Welch got hold of Chester’s reluctant hand and gave it a shake. ; “Didn’t know you were in town,”’he lied glibly. “Thought you were still down in the country recov- ering from your accident. Say, that was queer. I never understood about it.” “Didn’t you?” asked Chet dryly. “No, indeed. You see, Dunc was in rotten bad shape when he came back that night. You were both started somewhat. Oh, I was, too. I acknowledge it. ‘Say, wasn’t that cider just about the fiercest stuff you ever went against? It made me feel like swear-— ing off for time and eternity. But, look here, do you know what’s become of Ditson?” “What’s become of him?” fenced Chet. gwhat do you mean} ie — “Poland tells me that Duncan bicked up suddenly and Sout of town this evening. Packed his trunk —packed everything. Said he was going to leave col- lege. Now, what do you think of that?” “What do you think sof it?” “T don’t know what to think., Poland didn’t know what to think. Ditson wouldn’t explain. minutes ago I was thinking of you, and wondering if you could shed any light on that fellow’s remark- able action.”’ “What made you fancy I could do that?” Not twenty | ead z a ee reer seen TP -[’m thirsty. TIP .YOP “Oh, I don’t know. You see, Dune rather trusted you. He told me down at Hatch’s that you were all right, and could be trusted.” “Nid he? I suppose I should feel complimented, but, to tell you the truth, Welch, I don’t.” “Let’s talk it over, old fellow. Come on, let’s go where we can get out of the draft, and get at a little draft ale.” “None of that for me, thank you.” “What? Did you sign the pledge after recovering from old man Hatch’s cider? Don’t know as I blame you. But, say, I'd like to talk a bit about Ditson. Perhaps you know some things about him that I ought to know.” “T fancy you know enough about Ditson, Welch. You were pretty friendly with him.” “We did get a bit thick lately, but I never quite understood the fellow. You don’t have to drink, but I don’t suppose you’re afraid of yield- ing to temptation, are you? Ha! ha! ha! Why, I imagine you're the sort of fellow who can drink or. not, just as he pleases. from the stuff.” Now Chester knew that it was best to keep away You don’t have to keep away from “the stuff,” but the fact that this fellow seemed | _ to fancy he had will-power enough to resist tempta- tion touched his pride. “I don’t want to drink,” he said, “and that’s why I don’t drink. If I wanted to, I presume I could take . it, or let it alone.” And he knew he lied when he spoke those words. Knowing it, he flushed a bit, and was relieved when Welch evidently failed to notice this slight betrayal of his feelings. _ Pumper passed an arm through Chet’s “Didn’t I hear you. were thinking about coming to Yale?” he asked. “You ought ‘to see the town a bit. You ought to see the places where we fellows hang out for amusement. Come It won’t hurt you. on, Arlington.” In spite of his better judgment, Chester permitted Welch to lure him, and a few minutes later they Were in Fred’s, where they found a mixed. gathering of, students, all appearing to be in a gay frame of mind. They found a place at the far end of the bar, where, after regarding Arlington with uplifted eye- brows, Pumper laughingly ordered a glass of ale for ae himself, remarking that it looked a bit piggish for him to drink alone. “If you know what ailed Ditson,” said Welch, “] wish you’d put me wise. It wasn’t like him to leave WEEKLY. -was no worse than I was. Yale unless compelled, to. do.so fora very good rea- son. . More than.once -he’s been on the verge of. get- ting fired, but he’s always faced the music, and man- sane ie pull through. I don’t sée why he should quit now. Re Wee | “Without doubt, he quit for the best of reasons, Welch. Let me givé you a bit of advice.” “Go ahead, old chap. I’m always open to advice, whether I accept it or not.” “You'd better\accept this. A lot of fellows here at Yale have been bitterly opposed to Dick Merriwelk«. from the very start. I-can respect the men who have been mistaken in fancying Merriwell overrated ‘and “ stuck up, but by this time any fellow should realize . such a fancy erroneous. I’have no respect for the jealous, ambitious fellow who.may have hated Mer- riwell because Dick was successful, all the while know- ing that Merriwell deserved: his success. I say this frankly to you, at the same time acknowledging I was just such a fellow at Fardale. JI wanted to be a leader in the school, and I hated Merriwell because he filled the positidn I coveted. He’s a natural born leader, Welch. He’s not a self-seeker, but his abilities, his personality, his squareness, and whiteness generally put him at the top. The jealous man, who plots and schemes and ‘works by underhand means to down Merriwell is certainly doomed to bitter disappoint- | ment and possibly to disgrace. Why shouldn't I know? I had to leave Fardale on account of my own plots and schemes against that same chap. Ditson . That’s why I may have had some syipathy with him, even while I couldn't help despising him in a way.: You were his friend, Welch, and you also hated Merriwell.. I presume you still entertain that feeling. ‘But keep it suppressed, man—keep it suppressed. Bottle it up and strangle it, if you can. If you can’t strangle it, don’t let it lead you into dirty, contemptible plots against a man you know is your superior in every way. There, that’s bigs plain, and I hope you'll take it the way I mean it.” “That’s pretty plain,” admitted Pein, with a sickly grin; “but I don’t believe I need the advice. I’m not going to trouble Merriwell. I know better than to try that.’ Do you think that’s what finished Ditson ?” Ea “Yes, I think so. Now don’t ask any more ques- tions, for I’ve said all I seb: to say on this sub- ject.” Two fellows caine in and found a place at ‘the bar close beside them: _ Bik SUP ag “Hello!” « Jroulder. cried Pumper, giving one a slap on the ‘Hello, Whitmg, old chap! How are you, Rockwell? Say, fellows, let. me introduce a friend of mine. Mr. Whiting, Mi, Arlington. Mr. Rockwell, Mr. Arlington.’ They shook hands warmly with Chester. “Just going to order something,” said Phil. “Won't you join us? This is Yale’s night. We feel confi- dent now that old’ John’ Harvard’s scalp will hang in the bulldog’s kennel.’ Perhaps that’s a queer figure of speech, but let it go. What’s yours, Arlington?” — *Vou see, my friend is on the water-wagon just now,” said Welch quickly.. “He’s not much of a drinker. He’s oné of the kind who can knock off whenever he chooses.” oy “Sure,” nodded Whiting. “I'd know that at a glance, but one drink never hart any one. ) body here is happy. Why not get into the push, Ar- _ lington, old man? What’ll you take? I’m going to _ have a mixed one—a Manhattan. “Not just the time to drink cocktails, perhaps, but I’ve got a fancy ‘for ‘em to-night, and Johnny knows how to mix em, too. Every- Have one with us, Arlington.” _ The temptation was too much. With every man in the place drinking and laughing and joking, some- _ thing got into Chester's blood that could’ not be re-. __ sisted. “All right,’ ” he said. ap Mt try one of okey’ s fa- | mous Manhattans. Why shouldn’t I? It’s, Manhat- tan for me next week. It’s little old New York for mine. I’m going down to visit Father Knickerbocker ‘and stop with him a while. Going into business, you know. You fellows may waste your youthful energy in the. company, with Socrates, Plato, and Homer, but 7 m going to keep sompany with real live ones.’ ; “You look the part,’ ’ averred Bill Rockwell ; “but It ‘hope you're not going to bury yourself i in some hum- drum business occupation,” “Going into a brokerage office. ee to start at ‘the bottom and try to:climb. There’s nothing hum- drum about that business in these, days,” : | “Not with: the stock-market behaving the way it is “lately, I should say,” nodded: Whiting. “Here’s our Manbattans. Are. you drinking that slop, Weleh? Why, you'll get water-logged. Paice “But I have to be careful, you know,” said Pumper bin ae much of a toad, Ave ale doe me.” se > or sas ~ 02 er Ss ioe See? eg ws ~ =e <> at = ee 5 aq ae aaa Ps Beh vy ww “here's # pour ; | “MM y people have money enough to put me through, | but T don’t feel that it’s fallen. himself the same as certain big guns of recent years, and he got bumped. know, and when the een ay came “ pt the WEEKLY. ,) oe very good health and the best of-luck.in your new venture. May you prosper as you. deserve.”’ ay “Thank you,” bowed Chester. politely. .““The-sa to you.” He drank the cocktail without pausing, a towered the glass, catching his breath. ik “Rather a stiff one that,” he laughed. “I have | drunk smoother ones.”’ i: 1 “Oh, but those were ladies’ cocktails,’ chuckled ‘ Phil. “Johnny makes these for 1. Whiting had given the barkeeper the wink, with the result that the cocktails had been made unusually | “stiff.” aa It was less than a minute before Arlington felt the | stuff throbbing in his veins, and was seized by a sense , ie of hilarity and elation which lured him to throw dis- cretion to the winds. - He was not the fellow to drink without buying himself, and now he ordered a round. Whiting and Welch exchanged glances’. unseen by =| Chet. - Rockwell: was inthe secret to a certain ex- | tent, Whiting having sought him, and told him: they \ were going to “pluck a pigeon” that night. Billknew Arlington had been singled out as the pigeon. Of the | further scheme to: ensnare Chester he knew nothing. Phil had not thought best to let him in on that. ~ Hobe > Se Z : al “I believe every man who wishes to should go | through college,” said Rockwell, by the way of cont, a versation. He “Tf he has the mazuma to put him through in die pi cent style,” nodded Whiting. “I don’t bélieve any man should scrub through the way some chaps do, Why, it’s fierce. If I had to work my way through college, I’d never make it.” — “That's just about my case,” acknowledged Chester, ; s right for me to take it un-_ der the circumstances. There was a time when. my old man could have sent me through Yale in style, oe R bet. Perkaps you’ve heard of him—perhaps you’ve heard of D. Roscoe’ meee, the railroad magnate? That’s my father,” — “Don't believe I ever heard of him,” ieeaet Rockwell. i ae “e “Ts it possible?” muttered Chester, somewhat crest- “Well, the world moves in these days. It was only a few years ago that his fame ayas as well known — i as the name of Harriman is to-day. He ae : They were laying for him, you that he got out with a penny. What he did have when he cleaned up was scarcely a pittance compared with the fortune he once possessed: Still, I could through college without squeezing or living shabbily.” Co go “And you're not goiftig through because you fancy -it your duty to get busy and make the dollars, eh? Well, that’s a fine ambition. It’s all right, ) As long as you’re going to launch into business life so soon, you'd better circulate a bit with us to-night. We'll take you round. Eh, fellows? We'll treat him right. What say?” as “Sure we will! Sure! sure!” they cried, clapping | _ Chester on the shoulder. “We'll go easy and have a little sport without carrying it too far.” old man. _ | “Come on,” stiggested Whiting. 4 Odd rac “Wait a minute,” urged Rockwell. “I haven’t spent a' anything yet. There’s something coming on me. Let’s have one more before we start.” They had one more. As they were leaving they encounter€¢d Jim Poland. Soa Whiting seized him, crying: es 4 | “You'll another one! | bunch! Come on, Jim, oldchap! Arlington—Chester Arlington? Arlington. Two good fellows,” And now Chester "shook hands effusively. He was feeling gay as a lark, and it really seemed difficult to keep his feet down on the ground. He felt able to walk on the air. _ From place to place they went, all the time work- ing toward the questionable house kept by Mrs. Brad- Finally, at the proper moment, Welch suggested a little game of poker. Arlington acquiesced. eagerly. “Where are we going?” asked Welch. “It’s best not to play in our rooms to-night.” , “Oh, there are plenty of places!” cried Phil, “I know one, boys. I know a quiet little place where we “can sit down in Seclusion and have what we want to eat or drink. Come on.’ aa “That sounds good to me,” laughed Chester. The snare was closing on the pigeon. — = } You'll add to the Say, do you know Mr. Poland, Mr. make ley. 3 CHAPTER IX. A “SHADY” PLACE, ~< t The house was one of those queer, old-fashioned, mysterious-looking frame buildings frequently seen in gloomy depths of which _ were never penetrated at : night by the light from the street-lamps. PEPE TOP New Haven, and it stood back some distance from the street at the far end of a long, narrow yard, the WEEKLY. “Don’t turned in sing, fellows,” cautioned Whiting, as they “If we appear too at the. creaking gate. hilarious, Mrs. Bradley won’t take us in. She’s very careful.” “And can’t we sing after we're inside?’ Chester resentfully. “Oh, you understand.” asked no, that won’t do. We have to keep fairly quiet, Whiting’s hand found the knob of an old-fashioned door-bell, and gave it a jerk. Somewhere within the house the bell jangled harshly. Fully two minutes elapsed before the door softly™ and cautiously opened, and a woman, who spoke as if she had a bad cold in her head, inquired: “Who is it?” Mrs. Bradley was troubled with a chronic cold. She was always sniffling and snuffing. could not see her in the dark hall, they could hear her distinctly. ‘ “Mrs. Bradley, you know me,” said Whiting. been here before. Had your upper back room. name is Whiting.” “Oh, yer id’s Midsder Whiding, ids it?” said the woman. “Whose doze fellows wid you, Midsder Whiding ?” “These are particular friends of mine, Mrs. Brad-’ ley. Very quiet fellows, I assure you. If you could let us have that same room for a few hours “ “Come id,” invited the unseen woman, opening the door barely wide enough for them to enfer by single file, and softly closing it behind them the moment the last one was inside. They stood there in the dark hall, hearing her snif- — fling and shuffling away after a light. ; “Well, this is an adventure!” laughed Chet. “Gives — a fellow that/delicious feeling of doing something real - sly and devilish. Here we are in the dark cave of the brigands, and the queen of the band has just left us. Look! Methinks she approaches, a a flaring — torch.” | y The flaring torch was a tallow candle, held above _ the head of Mrs. Bradley. “Ever been here before?” inquired Chet, in a low tone, giving Bill Rockwell a nudge. ~< “Never,” answered Bill. “This is my first expe) rience. Wonder how Whiting ever ane out a joint of this sort.” . “Behold the queen of the brigands,” _ whispered Chet, witha motion toward the woman who bore the candle. “Evidently she’s a peach. a Ct ape Mrs. Bradley was a woman of uncertain age aad “T’ve My | While they. - TIP TOP of decided uncomeliness. She had a large red nose and a pair of eyes which seemed to be forever on the verge of weeping. She was dréssed wholly in black. “Hobe you don’t mind the caddle,”’ she said. “You understand I don’d like to have a lide id the front of the house ad this hour. When my hudsband was alive id -was different. He was od the force, you know. We were id society thed.” “On the force?” whispered Rockwell to Arlington. “What force does she mean?’ “The police force, I fancy,” “And they were in society then!’’ “What do you think of that?” Holding the candle high, the woman led the way up-stairs and into a large back room, the windows of which were hidden by heavy shades of sufficient density to prevent a ray of light from being seen on the outside. Here she turned on the gas and lighted several jets, which gave satisfactory illumination for the room. — _ “T hobe you will sniffed Mrs. Bradley. _ “It’s going to be a bit stuffy, madam,” said Chester. “ “Isn't there any way we can get some fresh air in here? Can’t we open one of those windows?” “Oh, no,” “Thad would nod do.” — “Why not? The wintlows iin ona they not?” - ; “Yes. Bud you never can dell. : tinh oud there ee the houdse.” * “Well, that’s interesting,” said Chester. “That's enough to make a fellow feel like sitting down for a _ little sociable game. What if the place is raided?” ore “Don’d you worry aboud thad,” advised Mrs. Brad- | ley. “Didn’d I say my hudsband was od the force? And when there ids danger of any one disturbing me, _ Pll ged my nodice id dime. Id’s all right as long as you keeb quiet, boys.” ! : She beamed upon them ina manner intended to be : “most soothing and reassuring. mae aal g . “Oh, yes, it’s all right,” agreed Whiting, “They - won't disturb Mrs. Bradley. As she says, if they ever decide to drop down on her, she’ll be tipped off in- advance. Now, Mrs. Bradley, all we want is the cards _ and the poker-chips, and something to refresh us and , | keep. us awake. What have you got in the house! r” om f have pe bestia, pene " said Chester. chuckled Bill. fide this comfordable, boys,’ was the hasty answer. a back yard, do ‘middle of the floor. There may be a WEEKLY. “Chambagne ?”’ g gasped the woman. Maybe I have a liddle whisky.” “No, indeed. “That I’m not “Beer and whisky, boys,’ said Whiting. ought to fix us so we can survive for a while. going to play late myself.” “Nor I,” said Poland. “I’m with you,” announced Welch fools to sit into an all-night session. feels rotten the next day.” } “I always have a big head,” confessed Rock well. “We'll run a kitty to pay lexpenses, Mrs. Biden if said Whiting. f and keep ac- count of it. The woman departed, candle in hand. “Well, what do you think of it?” laughed Whiting, and he seized a round table and pulled it out into the © “Isn’t it all right,’ Arlington?” Chet, “No all-night game for me.’ “Fellows are Amy one always “Bring up the wet stuff Leave the settling to me.” “T suppose so,” laughed “but it gives one a queer feeling to sneak into a place like this to play poker. I believe a few friends have a right to get to- gether for a little sociable game of poker without hav- ing to take the birth ia of pickpockets or house- breakers.” “Of course that’s right, old chap, but you know it’s s under the ban, and a man can be arrested for playing a the game for money.” . Ther let’s play it for matches,” cael Rock: well facetiously. ate Arlington stepped to one of the windows, pulled e the heavy\ shade aside, and tried to peer out. fet “What are you doing ?” asked Whiting, in: surprise. “Don’t do that.’ . My “Just wanted to see how far it was down into the back yard,’” laughed Chester. “Why?” “Qh, in case Mrs. Bradley is mistaken and the cops should happen to raid the place, I might make a dash for it. I wouldn't care to be pinched just now. It — would ruin my chances of getting that position in New York.” yee Welch and Whiting exchanged flashing ‘g sacle i “Come away from the window,” laughed Phil. ey tell you the police won't bother us. That’s maiiily a bluff on the part of the old lady. She wants us to keep quiet, and so she makes talk of that kind ‘s frighten us a bit. Fact is, I don’t believe the oe have this house spotted at all. wouldn’t come here.” ; smiled ae ie aa far 1 is it from _ “Well, that’s something of a relief,” as he turned hone me meee: AAP? TOP the yard. -Wonder if there is any way out of the } yard?” : a “T suppose there’s a back alley,” said Rockwell. The cover was now removed from the round table, disclosing the fact that it had been made for card- playing. Chairs were pulled up, cigars and cigarettes produced, and the party settled themselves, jokingly | awaiting the reappearance of Mrs. Bradley. re She came in a few minutes, bringing a basket of bottled beer, a quart of whisky, two packs of cards, and a box of poker-chips. ‘a “That’s the stuff,” said Whiting. ‘“Didn’t I tell you Mrs. Bradley would treat us right, boys? Now we'll treat her right. You leave it to me, old girl. -T’ll take care of the kitty, and I'll see that you get be what’s coming to you, and a little more.” — inate aaa ct aed pai Sees ie aes ae “You are a very fide young gendleman.” sniffed the widow. “Ids there anything else I can ged for you?” aks “Nothing at present. We're all right. We're nice- ~~} dy fixed, and you needn’t worry about us.” aN ' “How aboudt a liddle lunch bimeby?” inquired the | woman. “Oh, of course, of course,” said Phil. “We al- ‘ways have to have a bite. TU call you when we're hungry.” : “All righd, you ringd the bell.” She motioned toward a protruding handle near the _ door, smiled upon them hideously, snuffed half a dozen - times, and departed, closing the door with her usual _catlike caution. CHAPTER X., ; CROOKED PLAYING. _ “Oh, say,” cried Whiting, springing up a moment after the woman had departed, “I forgot something! I must tell her to have some of those elegant sand- _wiches she makes. I don’t know what she calls them. ‘Hello—Mrs. Bradley! Mrs. Bradley!” y He was at the door, calling softly, but seeming to get no answer. “Be back in a moment,” the door softly. he said, vanishing, closing struck a match outside, and found his way to the door of a room which opened at his touch. ‘Jet, turned low, was burning in that room. _ 1 some person sleeping soundly ‘man who was that much frightened of the cops.” ‘to make sure you were onto your job. _ so I can squeeze him, I'll never forget it, some way to return the favor. -well’s trinkets?” Instead of searching for the woman, however, he A gas- — ‘they are, sleeve-links, collar-buttons, and all. Ti Whiting turned the jet on, and the light showed 1 them into ele s ee depend on it. and snoring regu-~ WEEKLY. larly on a bed near at hand. In a moment he had that person by the shoulder and was shaking him. There was an upheaval, and Whiting receiv eda blow between the eyes that staggered him. “Get back, you devils! Let me go! I didn’t mean to kill him!” half-panted and half-gasped the rudely, awakened sleeper. j It was Duncan Ditson, from whose eyes the terror slowly died as he recognized Whiting. “Shut up, you confounded fool!’ rasped Phil, vig- orously rubbing the spot where Ditson’s fist had landed. “Are you nutty? By Jove! IT hope you | haven't given me a black eye or anything.” wl ae “You—you, Whiting?” a asta Duncan. “I—D thought it must be—the cops.’ a “Well, I will say you were sleeping aiuauctle SF a “Was I asleep? I didn’t know it. I’m pegged out. Thought I’d rest, and so I partly undressed and crawled into bed.” “Well, you'd better get up and get your clothes on.” “Why, what’s the matter?’ Anything gone: wrong ?”’ “Nea E verything’ s gone all right.” “Your plan “Is working handsomely.” “You found Arlington——’ . , “And got him right here in the house.” Ditson came out of the bed in a tw inkling. J “Here?” he palpitated. ‘I didn’t believe’ you “orale make it work. I didn't believe he’ d com How did” you do it, old man? oe re “Oh, it was easy. Can't stop to chin Wy W Sede It's a good - thing I did. We've got him, and we're going to ive him. Then we'll work the trick and throw him out of the house. You must be outside and on the watch, You must follow us and be ready to show up when | we jump him the second time and’ find the oe goods on his person. ‘That'll be your cue, Ditson.” Duncan seized Whiting’s hand, softly crying: “I didn’t believe you could make it work, old fel- low! By Jove, you're. cleverer than I thought! If you can do it—if*you can get him fairly into the trap mn find ¥ How about Merri- “All right, all right,” ‘impatiently siege Whiting “Poland got ‘em and turned ’em over to me. Her TIP TOP mustn't get dopy again. You must be wide-awake oe er and be ready for your part of the work a will,” promised Duncan, as he began apaidica “Got to,go back now,” said Phil. ‘“So-long, Dit- 4 son.” He found the party settled down and ready for him. | “Dark as a pocket and dead as a door-nail. Apparently we’re the only guests Mrs. Bradley has to-night., As for her, she departed like a wraith, and I couldn’t find a “Queerest house I ever saw,” he laughed. trace of her.” “Did you forget the bell?” asked Arlington. can call her, you know.” “Well, never mind,” “Vou said Phil. “It’s likely she'll fix up that lunch all right. Let’s start playing.” Rockwell and Welch had opened beer. Poland and _ Arlington were taking whisky, and Whiting joined and the them. Welch had been chosen as banker, chips were given out. It was agreed that the limit should be:one dollar and the ante a dime. Between’ the plotters there was an understanding to let Arlington win a little at the outset, but to get after him later and clean him out, This seemed a sim- | ple matter to them. Of course, he would have very lit- tle show playing a a square game in the company of four rascals . whe were combined to strip him. At least, that: was the way it appeared. But Chester Arlington was a clever poker-player. Not only that, but he was amazingly lucky. When Nit came down to trickery, it is doubtful if all the, others combined knew half as much about cheating as Chester. i 4 At the outsete Arlington was sae to play a square game. In his days of regret over past actions, one thing that had filled him with shame and self-scorn was the fact that he had’ cheated at cards. ‘He dearly : loved a gate of poker for the sport there was in it. To him, at any rate, it seemed sport. But whenever o ot ona, eit aseemeatt rete aera Ar eae WEEKLY. Either they were remarkably easy, or else there was some- before many pots had passed over the board. thing going on beneath the surface. .The: very fact that at the outset he was permitted to take pots he should not have had awakened his suspicions, and set him to watching them all with the stealth of a fox and the eyes of a hawk. “This is the way it used to be in the old days, when ~ I would put up a job with one or two friends to pluck “We always permitted the a sure thing,” he thought. sure thing to win at the start. If they’re not doing the same with me, they’re the dumbest poker-players I ever ran across—and I don’t believe that.” Outwardly he was gay and light-hearted and care- less. Once or twice Whiting had to caution him, for he was inclined to whistle or sing or laugh too loudly. Of them all, Rockwell seemed to be the only man who was really and genuinely numb. Bill’s brain had been befogged by drink, but he played mechanically, and did not interfere with the running of the game or the plan of his comrades. They drank and drank igh The. signal was given to get after Arlington, but the fellow seemed amazingly fortunate in dodging every trap that was set for him. Whenever they put up a hand to beat at once, unless, as two or better hand. When he did hold a better hand he seeemed to know it, and he him, he “got from under” three times occurred, he held a ae it cost them dear. “Well, did you ever see such luck?” Welch finally snapped, in exasperation. “Do you call it luck?” questioned Poland, with a half-sneer, | “Or fellows didn’t ae TL was green at this game. played it before” “T hope you cr skill ?”’ smiled Chester easily. “Evidently you have!” growled Pumper. “Oh, it will turn the other way by and by,” de- he remembered that scores of times he had deliberately. Clared Whiting. “Let’s ring UP the old girl and have. robbed unsophisticated chaps by, crooked tricks at cards his cheeks burned with shame. Cy apis A ae phe Row, in spite of the fact that Chet had been drink- ing, his wits were wonderfully active, and he began to » wonder a little over the playing of his companions avbite. I’m hungry.” | , He pulled the bell-knob, and soon Mrs. Bradley si re- tay sponded, She did not wait for them to request it, but = ye brought a spread piled high on a tray and coven: with a white cloth. ‘ a TIP’ TOR ~“T- thought id aboud time you had something -to “Here id is.” >:Whiting had taken charge of the kitty, and now he ead, boys,” she. said. settled with her for the roomn and refreshments. she had supplied. This left a small amount in the kitty, and Phil handed it over as a tip, with the complinrents of the party. . / 1 “Thag you, thag you,” snuffed the woman, bobbing her head. “You are Misder Whiding.” They ate the lunch, washing it down with beer. Welch, always very gederous, who was the heaviest loser, seemed itmpa- ee oe tient to resume playing. Unseen by Chester, Pumper te frowned and winked and signaled at Whiting, who re nodded that he understood. we - te Leaving the remnants of the lunch, they pulled up to the table once more; and now the players were - doubly determined to make short work of Arlington. Y AEBS 9 pe R Chester seemed to feel something of this in the at- mosphere, and he continued to hold himself on guard. . Tt was not long before he detected Pa passing e cards to Welch. Chet said nothing. _ Five minutes later he saw Whiting make a crooked deal. “So that’s We’ Flinging all scruples aside, Arlington went after "Occa- their game,” he thought. *T fancied as much. I} see who can play it best.” - them, using all the arts and tricks he knew. than made up for these small lossés by gathering in nearly two-thirds of the big pots. Welch went broke and borrowed of Whiting. ‘Then Poland followed, and Phil, inwardly furious ; and outwardly becoming nervous, pcyennars that “he did not have money to lend. | _ “What's the matter, anyhow?” muttered Rockwell, who somehow had managed to keep along. in the game. “Who's got all the money?” 7 | “Arlington has cashed chips five times,” said Whi- ting,’ “and look at the pile in front of him now. queer one. man should ‘have a oer streak of ‘that WEEKLY. sounded like an instmuation: sionally he permitted them to win off him, but he more rather queer hand. I tails you're out of this, - cards don’t go in this game.” It’s 23 “That 1. wonder if you're the fellow to make such talk, Welch.” “What do you mean?” ‘Wait. a minuté,” said Chester suddenly. “I presume you always play on the square?” “Of course I do. Do you mean to say that I play crooked ?” “Didn’t I say [ supposed you always played on the square’. Now look here. I had an idea I was get- ting in with gentlemen, and this was to be a gentle- man’s game. If there’s any one here who’s a hard loser, perhaps he’d better take his losings like a man and try to keep still.” _ “That's for that.” “Now stop—stop, Pumper,” s a jab at me!” cried Welch. “Tt won't stand commanded Whiting sharply, fearing that Welch would spoil everything at that stage of the game. “We're not going to quarrel. W e are gentlemen, and we're going to behave like gen- tlemen. No one really means to insinuate that there’s been crookedness going on here.” _ “Oh, very well,” smiled Chester. ‘““That suits me.” By this time Whiting, bow, had decided that it would be impossible for them who sat at Arlington’s el- to strip the fellow as they had planned, and therefore | he was determined to carry through their plot as_best he could with no further delay. | when Chet’s attention was turned toward W elch, Phil slipped three cards into Arlington’s side coat pocket. ‘Two minutes. later he found an opportunity to: ‘drop | Arlington had placed it a card upon Chester’ s hand. é face downward upon the table following the . draw, es and was bidding quietly as the cards lay thus. _ “Hold on!” cried. Phil, suddenly reaching; out. and putting his hand over Chestet’s cards. “Just wait.a Seems, to me you're holding. Se : Six” minute, my friend, rh “All right,” said Chester. . “Take back the none you ‘Aropped ontop of my han.” PGs ea “W hat’ 's that ?”’ jeer Whiting. “What do you mean?” 3 a. ‘ “T mn in K dot not you eta cr, ae - As soon as possible, _ é ne — a eee eagle tL Rear aah oc ow ea SO arnt can stn te A pe NM. = Se a Eee ee na TIP TOP WEEKLY. -There was a stir, a bustle, and Welch jumped up, demanding an explanation. “There’s. no explanation, only we caught this fel- low. playing six cards,” said Whiting. that he didn’t know he had too many. boys, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.” “You placed the sixth card on'top of my hand yourself.” “It may be If yout say so, “You're a liar, sir!’’.came from Arlington. In another moment Whiting was at Chester on one He tried to rise and fling them off, but they shoved him backward until he was pinned against the wall. Rockwell looked on stupidly. me side, Welch on the other, and Poland in front. “Why, curse you!” rasped Whiting. “You've car- ried this thing too far, my friend! I’ve been trying to catch you at your crooked tricks for some time. When they suspected you a while ago I knew we couldn’t prove anything, and so I smoothed it over; but now we’ve got you.” “First rate!’ sneered Chester, bunch, you are! “You're a shrewd You invited me here with the idea of going through me, I see. Oh, I was onto you some time ago. I saw you dealing from the bottom of the - pack to Whiting. 1 saw Poland, hand Welch cards under the table. Rockwell was the only man I didn’t detect doing something crooked. Take your hands ) it me, you cheats!” _ But they continued to ‘hold him pinned to the wall in spite of his struggles. rh “Let’s search him,” suggested Welch... _ Directly the three cards. which Whiting-had slipped ‘ | inte Chet’s pocket were brought to light. “There’s the proof!” burst from Phil. -““Now we've got him! Now, Mr. Arlington, cough up}. Hand BY over the money you’ ve stolen, or ‘we'll take it off | you!” ‘ " na a \ ‘With a sudden furious effort, Chet freed his right arm and smote Welch a blow on, the chin that knocked him down, T hen Chester struggled with Poland and Whiting, finally tearing himself free from both of them. ..In doing this he reeled, backward, ‘struck the window with a crash, smashing out glass’ and. sash, and bitched beaslone & haskward, into the darkness out-. te possession of Mr, Arlington.” They've caught you red-handed, CHAPTER XI. ARLINGTON CONFESSES. They expected to find him with a broken neck down there in the back yard. . Paying no heed to Mrs. Bradley, they rushed down through the house and out atsthe back door, The yard was searched in vain. Chester was not there. In falling, he had turned completely over in the air and struck upon his feet. With a sprained ankle, he lost no time in getting out of that yard and hob- bling through the dark allev toward the nearest street. They pursued him and overtook fhim on the street. By this time he found it impossible to walk upon his injured foot, and therefore they had no trouble in : nabbing him again, even though he made some re- sistance. While going through Aclingtes s. clothes, Whiting pretended to produce from the fellow’s pocket ‘the trinkets and valuables stolen from Dick Merriwell’s room. These he held up, one articlé after another, beneath the street-lamp for the inspection of his com-— panions. “So he carries his jewelry with him, does he?” said — Phil. “Rather odd collection, this.” “Odd!” exclaimed Poland: ‘Why, I know ‘doe . Those are Merriwell’s sleeve-links. That’s things! I’ve seen two of those cs Ae his collar-button. ws and they belong to Merriwell.” “ts that so?” said Whiting, Wonder how they came in the — “That’s rather ‘inter- ~ esting’ information. y “THe’s a thief as well as a card-shark,” said Welch. ee “We'll have to show him up to his friend, Merriwell.” “Or turn him over to the police,” suggested Whi- way ting. | ie “Then, turn hind over to the police!” cried a voice, | as Duncan Ditson suddenly appeared. “That will. finish hit! So they’ve got you, have they, Arlington? you double-faced sneak!) You ti to drive me out of New Haven, did A you? I haven’t gone yet, and posing? 4 rl be here fe after you are behind the bars.” Pe Chester was ee rapidly. EN ca t Pd “A Athy § if a » a.) M r.. ; { he said. Go ahead,.gentlemen, and _ call “Pretty well:done, Ditson,” “I compliment you on your scheme. the police.” 3 “Wait!” cried Duncan—“wait a minute, fellows! s. ke boys put you where you belong, in.a cell.” ow 4 ; i Chester felt that he-was in a serious predicament. MORI die es He realized that exposure would ruin his plan to go into business, while it might brand him forever as a ‘thief. Especially did he fear being thus exposed and branded before Dick Merriwell. See Se ee . “T’m hurt. _ My ankle is in such condition that I can’t walk on it. “Let’s temporize a little,” he suggested. 1 must‘ get somewhere and call a doc- Let’s make a truce, Ditson. Im in pain. tor. I'll see you ‘to-mor- -row—or, rather, to-day, for it’s Sunday already—and h | we’ it come to some sort of an Mee anne: ‘What a do you say to that?” _ “No!” rasped Dunc. “You ee now, or I'll get outa and let my friends call the cops.” ‘ “Then get out,” breath. said Chester, drawing a tens “You've got me trapped, but when this fhing _is sifted to the bottom some of you may go slate Be sure of that.” “You're a fool—an obstinate fool!” | ,me, and you won't escape, Ditson. “Perhaps I am, but I’ve made up my mind.’ Hurry 1 along with the cops, gentlemen.” kee : “Vou won't have to hurry!” palpitated Poland, who ae had been peering anxiously up and down the street. gi “Here's an et coming now! He just turned the f “We'd better Where'll I see “Good heavens!” gasped Ditson. All right, Arlington. TIP TOP ) { Don’t do that. He proposed giving me a show. Oh, é he was very generous, indeed. He told me that he | would keep my secret and not expose me if IJeft col- le lege. Wasn't that generosity personified? Now this | is.my. turn, I'll tell you What I'll do with you, Ar- - lington. if you get outof New Haventand keep your mouth closed, T’ll fix these feflows so they’ll let you off. : You may retain your stolen plunder belonging to Mer- % riwell if you. wish. You may do anything you choose. : with it, but you must swear that you'll keep your i face closed about me, or else I’ll step back and let the WEEKLY. ay - tut said Chester defiantly. “You wouldn't come, to: terms:when I made: the proposal.” “Oh, never mind,” “Well, you'd better keep mum!” palpitated Dunc. “I’m going to skip along, fellows. Better all dust out and leave him.” They had recovered the money won by Chester in the poker-game, and therefore they accepted :Dit- son’s suggestion, making haste to get away and leave Chester, who calmly awaited -the approach. of the policeman. * * * % * * * Shortly after noon the following day a messenger brought Merriwell word from Arlington. Dick read the message, and turned to Buckhart. es He says he’s laid up with a sprained ankle, and he asked me to visit him at once, as he has something from Chet,” he said. “He wants to see me. important to tell me.” : “Maybe he’s conscience-stricken, partner,” said the "Texan. “Maybe he’s going to confess. Perhaps you'll get your stolen property back.” Peer “Come with me, Brad,” was Dick’s invitation. In front of the cheap hotel Where Chester said they would find him they encountered old Bill Bolivar. The bummer recognized Dick at once. : he wheezed. I owe you the price of a_ “Why, it’s my old college chum, “Howdy, ‘Mr, Merriwell. lodging, I believe. *Scuse me. Always like to pay my debts right away. W hat was:the sum, please?” Bolivar produced a roll of bills that made both Dick “59 Brad stare. / ' “Where'd you'get that money?” asked Merriwell, — in. surprise. “Oh, my. luck has turned. Money’s coming my Sure. I wouldn’t be surprised to find. myself a bloated bondholder inside of: a few months. Tell you how I got hold of this roll. way, gentlemen. Couldn’t sleep last night. ‘ That is, couldn’t sleep for’ I snoozed until I woke up with a ‘dreadful thirst. Didn't. know where I was. a while. Awful surprise — to find myself in a bed. Didn’t seem natural. Had Had all my clothes on. Got up and went ottt looking for a drink. All the saloons closed. * gia soon i saw some fellows under a street-lamp. my boots on. 26 Tit .t OL. ‘A. hold- They were pretty raw about it right They were going through another fellow. up, says I, ‘there tinder the lamp, and so I kept shady and watched ‘em. They jawed a whole lot, Bimeby the. whole bunch, except one, skipped out, for a cop was com- ing. The run. He here into one who didn’t skip was so lame he couldn't waited for the. cop, who helped him over After and looked around where they'd been scrap- this hostelry. they were gone, [ went over ping. Picked up this roll of long green, and that put me on Easy Street. Lovely—perfectly lovely! How much did you say I owe you?” | “Nothing,” “Oh, but I insist on settling my debts—when | can, That’s William Bolivar. 59 me. answered Dick. “Keep your money.” You've got to settle with But Dick turned away in spite of the old bummer’s protests, and entered the hotel, followed by Buckhart. They were shown, Arlington’s room, and- found Ches- ter sitting on a chair, with his bandaged foot, resting on another chair. | “Hello, Merriwell!” said Arlington gravely. Pm in a bad scrape, old man. How do you'do, Buckhart ? - Tm sorry I haven’t chairs to offer you. I want to tell you a little story, Dick. Yes, Brad can stay. I'd rather he would.” ee Then Chester told cverf tli from start to finish, _ laying bare his own weakness in being led into the confession, but he did it, and’ seemed to feel better 4 when: hel had. finished: A ae Bi 3 “That's the truth, Merriwell. I hope you believe me. I hope you don’t believe I stole those things out of your room, I don’t kxiow who. stele them, but I do know those fellows placed them in my pockets when they had me trapped: I was a fool to get into but I'm afraid I was deceived. I'm afraid that leaf uM “remains unturned. a - ee insist on paying that bill,” old Bill Bolivar. thrust ‘open the door and: entered. pee Bet ee, and 2 ps Pay when, 1 have "trap: ‘It.catsed him unspeakable shame to’ make this. that scrape. I thought I had turned over a new leaf, sitieened a voice, as _ WEEKLY. He stopped Short and stared at Chet. “So. it’s you?” “he cried. “‘What’s ‘the matter with ye? Ah, | heard them when they rigged the ‘plot on you. [ Did they get ye? told: ye they would! : I could have warned you, but you said, “Call,.the police.’ ey? Hal! hal cried Dick, grabbing Bolivar by So they fixed you, did th 1a!” “Look here, man,” the shoulder, “what are you talking about? Explain yourself. This man is my friend. What do -you © know?” | “Your friend, is he?” a “Yes, he’s my friend. I befriended you: Now tell » me what you know.” : “Well, if he’s your friend, that makes a. differérice,” said the old bummer. “I don’t mind doing what I can for you, because you’re a white*man.” And thereupon Bolivar expdsed the whole plot. “That ‘settles it, partner,” said Buckhart: “Ar- © Tington, I beg your pardon, for I did suspect you, and — { didn’t believe your story. Now I know. it’s true. What are you going to do, Merriwell ?” | eae “If Ditson | | ‘swered Dick, “I think we'd better let this matter drop. What do you think, Arlington?” “I shall be glad to let it drop,” “Nothing could hurt me worse than to Waee me SOR is wise and leaves New Haven,” ane answered Chester. i become public.” “wise,” for ere that hour he had left New. Haven-and Yale to return: no more. | Evidently Duncan Ditson was ne MB 2 ie The Next Number (611) Will Contain i Frank. Merriwell i in the Market OR, “Panic-—A Blow for Blood—The Turning rid 5; a soem the Fangs. a i URE TOP NV eae NEW YORK, December 21, 1907. TERMS TO TIP TOP WEEKLY MAIL SUBSCRIBERS. (Postage Free.) Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each. - 3 montbs.....- PAA Pvncevan ae 65c..; |. One Yoar si... hcadaccncncccsnansPaebO . 4 months 85¢ 2 copies one year......-....- +- 4.00 re PEO OL, pcs cuteebnscs ese $1.25 1 copy two years...........- .- 4,00 How to Send Money—By post-office or express money order, ' registered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own risk if sent by currency, coin, or postage stamps in ordinary letter. ; Receipts—Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper change of number on your label. If not correct you have not been properly eredited, and should let us know at once. ' STREET & SMITH, Publishers, i Ormonp G. Swit : | Proprietors. 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City. Georce C. Smitx, TIP TOP ROLL OF HONOR. \ .& . Following the suggestion of Mr. Burt L. Standish; that appeared in his letter to Tip Top readers in No. 480, the following loyal Tip Toppers have won for themselves a place on our Honor Roll for their efforts to increase the circulation of the King of Weeklies. Get inline boys and girls and strive to have your name at the head of the list, Chas. Bay, Jr., Penn. Louis H. Davidson, Baltimore, Md. Maude Dublette, Texas. Mrs. E. B. Douglas, Los Angeles, Cal. Ford Sawyer, Mass. A. Mallory Shaw, Canada. Wright Chapman, Texas. David Jensen, Chicago, Ill. Chas. Lively, Nebraska. Angus Stafford, N.Y. P. J. Schnetzer, Brooklyn, N. Y. \ time to time. “Send in the result of your efforts to push the circula- tion of your favorite weekly and win a place on the Roll of Honor. TIP TOP BASEBALL TOURNAMENT FOR 1907. An unusually large number of really excellent records were placed in ‘competition for the prizes offered during the season of 1907; and after a careful examination of all claims, the committee announce that the ‘first prize has been awarded to the ‘Roger Wolcott Baseball Club’’ of Dorchester, Mass., with a clean score during the season of 53 games won; and that the second prize goes to the ‘‘Nason Field Club” of. Philadelphia, Pa., they losing only one game out of 33 played. Both | these records were fully substantiated by numerous newspaper clip- _ pings. TIP TOP warmly congratulates the winning clubs on their magnificent record, and at the same time desires to thank all those nthusiastic admirers of our famous magazine who entered thejr scores _in competition, hoping that next year they may be the lucky to It was a grand battle-royal, and some others came pretty near the heels of the winners, proving what an excellent quality of baseball played by the followers of the Merriwells; = = =» ie | gs SA: EDITOR OF TIP TOP WEEKLY. tas i § phat The names of other enthusiastic Tip Toppers will be added from . \ APPLAUSE. Owing to the number of fetters received, the editor of Tip Top cannot undertake to secure 'their publication under six weeks. Those who contribute to this department must not expect to see them before that time. SPECIAL NOTICE—There has been such a continuous call for the _ series of Tir Top postcards which we issued about two years ago, that we have reprinted the set, and any boy who writes us, telling why he loves Tip Top, and what the magazine has done for him, as well as what he is doing to increase its circulation, will, upon request, receive a set of these fine cards free by mail. Write early as the supply is limited, and may not last very long. (A letter from Maryland.) Iewould like a little information, and think, from what I have = noticed in “Tip Top Weeklies,” that you are possibly able to give it; 1. Will you give me names of some professional singers who would be the most likely to be willing to use, in their business, a new, descriptive, somewhat patriotic, song. I know, this is unusual, but thought you might help me. Give addresses, please. 2. Do you know any good, reliable teacher of boxing in Balti- more City? : 3. | would like to get a book on outdoor games, giving rules and considerable information. a Can you name such a book and tell me where I can get it? Yours very truly, E. A. WENDT. 1. Sorry, but we cannot refer you to any. Apply to some large music house, enclosing stamp. 2. We do not. . 3. Write to Spalding & Bros, New York; or, A. L. Reach. — Sporting Goods Dealer, Philadelphia. (A letter from Utah.) Being constant readers of “Tip Top,’ we wish to give our praise with the rest. “Tip Top”—may it prosper when all other papers and magazines are gone—has given me and my pard the most pleasure of anything in our little town. Anybody who says that “Tip Top” is not good reading for boys don’t know what they are talking about. And those that don’t read it are missing the time of their life. I would rather miss the best show im the country than miss one issue of the best paper in the world, with its artistic colored cover, and most interesting reading. This paper is “Tip Top.” it is the truth, and my pard will stick by me in saying it. I say this without bragging, because AC We may live in a mining-camp, but we know good reading when we see it. Long and prosperous life to Burt L. Standish and Street & Smith, we remain, true “Tip Toppers, Witrarp Crart, . . ; Ep. THOMPSON. -“It would require something like a surgical operation to change the steadfast belief of these two Utah lads. We glory in having such stanch friends among the coming men of America; and feel satisfied that neither they nor any other lad ever received anything but the noblest and best impulse from reading “Tip Top.” In this we are ‘backed by an unnumbered host of stanch upholders of the Merriwells. , 5) (A lettég from Massachusetts.) — I have read the “Tip Top” for about two years, and it is” , the best publication ever written. I think that Burt L. Standish — is the finest writer for boys there is, he even excels Alger, who — I like best of all the characters of the | was a splendid writer. “Tip % p,” Dick, next Brad, Tucker, Bigelow, Tubbs, Blessed, and Crowfoot; of Dick’s enemies, Arlington and Ditson, although | 3 the waste- jbasket, appear in print, and settle a dispute, I remain, a defender — Arlington has reformed. Hoping this will escape Esen G. Towns. © _, We print the main part of your letter, Eben, because it is in- of the “Tip Top” forever, teresting. Those friends of yours who dispute your belief in the genuine character of the letters appearing in “Tip Top” are very 'thoughtless.. With the enormous circulation of “Tip Top,” if only one in ‘ive: thousand readers wrote us we could not ne he Cth rf 1 » PG a t =: a . Sh a gee eee ee eer - ‘ _ er See an aren tiie eae om ad ~ a ee 2 28 TIP. TOP toom for the letters: At one time we had such an accumulation of letters that for about six months we had to fill the inside covers with additional “Applause” at very heavy expense to us in the way of presswork. (A letter from Texas.) Well, as T am an old “Tip Topper,” Pll undertake to say a few things in its favor. It is one of the greatest weeklies published and I have been reading it for eight years, and during the time have got about seventeen boys to read it and am still doing all I can. Hoping to see this in print, I close. Yours, : Jim CumMMINGs. Straight from the shoulder. Jim is evidently not accustomed to mincing matters, and when he has anything to say he goes about it as the bullet does for the bull’s-eye when a crack marks- man holds the gun. Glad to hear from Texas again. “Tip Top”) hag a host of good friends between the Panhandle and the Rio Grande. (& letter from New Jersey.) Just to sit at twilight, While the lights are low; Reviewing scenes of “Tip Top,” And characters we know. First cothes Frank, our hero, And his chum, good Bart; Then comes Dick, Frank’s brother, With his pard, Buckhart. Danny and Bink, the jokers, And Dismal Jones, so grave; In my mind’s eye pictured, Together with Diamond, so brave. Jolliby, Smart, and Darrell, And Tubbs with his love for pie; Earl Gardner, and Chet Arlington, . Ambitious to the sky. Soon Dick to Yale we followed, Where he met Jones’ brother, Blessed, Along with Tucker, Claxton, and Ditson, Whose qualities he tested. One of Frank’s boys is Sparkfair, With Bubbs and Jake Lander, too; And Ralph Sand, he’s another Who will wake things up a few. If these few lines of doggerel merit the honor of being placed in the Applause column, I sincerely hope that you can find space to do so. I have had, the Satisfaction of converting about half a dozen boys to the feading of “Tip Top,” one of whom called me “Frank Merriwell the Impossible” last winter, ‘but who is now an ardent admirer of Frank’s. I temain, sin- cerely yours, Arie / Wm. A, Fesmier, You are on the right road, and you will find plenty of good company while you travel toward the “Tip Top” camp. We _ have given your verses a show. At least, they stamp your opin- _ ion, if not proclaiming you a “poet laureate.” ‘As T have been a reader of your grand publication, “Tip Top,” - for about a year, and not having seen a letter from this “big city,” I thought I would write and let you known that “Tip Top” has - friends here, too. I like it very much, and have secured sev-, _ éral subscribers and am still working for more. _ erie _ I like all the characters, but Dale the best; dear jolly, joking, Dale, when will he appear again? . - Then comes our hero, Dick, then Frank, Brad, Tommy, Jones, Obey, and Crowfoot, Jr. they are all O. K. “Tip Top” is all _ tight with any kind of cover. Glad to hear Chet has reforined, and hope to hear more of him soon. Poor Cap'n Wiley, how I used to laugh over his wonderful tales. Burt L. certainly is here with the goods for writing stories. 1 would like to see a picture of him, as he is my ideal, and asure i le writing it, as I do good story to read I ha loftier ideas ‘through intercourse with the Merriwells. admirer of “Tip Top.” any idea, and T guess he gets as much ; do by reading it. a for nd them a in “ WEEKLY. “Tip Top,” and after reading it they always subscribe for it, Well, I guess I’d better stop for fear this may reach that dreadful waste-basket, so I will close by giving three cheers for Burt L., “Tip Top,” and Street & Smith. I remain, Rahway, N. J. Please accept our thanks for the good work you are doing. Who knows what such seed, sown in a boy’s mind, may do? Although yéu may never know it, your influence in persuading some boy to imitate the Merriwells in a clean life may change his entire destiny. Keep it up, Miss Rahway, and have the satisfac- tion of knowing that you are benefiting all parties concerned, A Gren READER. 1 have read “Tip Top” from No. 1 up to the present date, and they grow better every day. My wife is reading this week’s issue now. She started about three weeks ago. I had a hard time to get her to read them, but I guess I have landed her at last. I[ would like to see Dick and some of his chums come to Atlantic City some time, as I am sure they would like this great resort. Hoping to see this in print, and with three long cheers for “Tip Top.” A. JERSEYMAN, Atlantic City, N. J. Next, see if there is not some fellow among the young men — you know during work hours, whom you feel sure would be in- terested in the “paper that does things’ for its readers—loan — hima few of your copies, and in due time perhaps the seed thus sown gaay enable him to become a healthier fellow, imbued oe : We thank our unknown friend for his deep interest in “Tip Top.” (A letter from New Jersey.) a T want to write you a few lines to tell you how much I like © “Tip Top Weekly.” I have’ read it for about one year. characters are all fine, As I didn’t read the early numbers about Frank and his friends, I wish you would send me a cata- logue of the Medal Library, for which I enclose a stamp. ae Hoping to hear from you very soon, I remain, as before, a true “Tip Topper” from New Jersey. Kindly send catalogue of Medal Library to We are sending you a catalogue, John, but if you wish to read the early issues of “Tip Top” you can only do so by purchasing them in the Medal Library. See our last page of cover, (A letter from Pennsylvania.) T have been a constant reader of “Tip Top” for about six years, and each year they are getting better. I hope to be able to read them six years more. I think Dick is a,very fine fellow. I like Brad also, but.I fancy Dick the best. I think Frank will make a man out of Sands; at least, he is trying very hard, and I hope he will accomplish it. I succeeded in getting about ten boy friends to read “Tip Top.” After they saw I was determined’ i . they started them; now they are longing more to read them thar Iam. As this is my first attempt to write, I hope this will escape the waste-basket. I will draw to a close. Closing with three’ cheers for Burt L. and Street *& Smith, I remain, your friend, Cuas. Bay, JR. And we are pleased to place your name among those car friends and workers in the Honor Roll. ’ (A letter from Kansas.) y Lett are I have written a number of letters to the Applause column and | ‘have had a few published, for which I am very thankful. B “Tip Top” has done so much for me that I can never say enough ~ in praise of this great weekly. Whatever I may become in this world or whatever good I may do I shall owe it all to “Tip To and the fine example set by Frank and Dick. My father in February, and up to the time of his death he was a ¢ He bought mé all the Medal books that had been published up to that time. I would very much like to know where I can secure college pennants of a h leading colleges of the East, and what they would cost. - also tike fd know what it would cost to)secure the leadin: and yells of Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and the colleges spok Tip Top.” Have you any more of the “Tip Top’ y 1 The fs Joun SANDSTROM, =f tie TOP Badges? 1 would like to see more letters in the Applause column _ from the girl readers of “Tip Top.” Having written for a c: -cainies some time back, | will try again. Hoping I may receive a catalogue and that my letter may be deemed worthy of appearing in the Applause column of “Tip Top,” I remain, wishing success to the publishers and author, FRANK M. Sway. about fifty -You can get very good college pennants for cents “each. inform you what a book of college songs would cost; or, the latter could be obtained by New York, ’ What you say about the benefit you have received through read- ing “Tip Top” pleases us immensely. Yes, a few more badges deft, Spalding, in Chicago, carries them, writing to Brentano, in from Oklahoma. ) ' ever since No. 312 was pub- Are Medal Libraries the same (A letter I have read your famous paper lished. J think they are O. K. stories of Frank Merriwell as the old numbers of “Tip Top”? Please send me your catalogue. of “Tip Top” and Medal stories. 1’am doing everything to help “Tip Top” alon I have got ‘my brother to read \it and four of my friends. Ot “Tip Top” characters I like Frank M., Bart H,, Bruce B., Jack D. Of the new flock I like Dick M., Brad B., Bob Sis Earl G., Bradley, Dale Sparkfair, Young Joe Crowfoot, Bob Bubbs, and Arlington. Hoping to see this in print, I am, a true admirer of “Tip Top, ANTON binwenes Yes, the Medal stories are exactly the same as the earlier “Tip Tops,” save that connecting links have been made in order that the thfee or “Tip Top” tales contained in each book might read smoothly. That is, if you bought all the Merriwell stories now published in the Medal Library, as: advertised on the last page of our cover, you would have “Tip Top” complete from Number 1 down to about Number 288. tee four (A letter from Ohio.) As my other letter was not published we decided to try it over. We are anxious to know if some of our old friends from Far- dale will be heard from at Yale this year; that is, big Bob, Hal -Darrel,. Black, Flint, Gardner, Smart, and Arlington. It seems just like parting from old friends to have them dropped. [f would like to hear from the other readers just what they think about it; as my other letter was not printed, I hope to see this ng Well, as this is! getting long enough, I will close, wish- ing Street & Smith and Burt L. all the success in the world, I remain, a true “Tip Topper,” E,.V. RYAN, - Perhaps. author, Arlington at least is bound to be heard from, and _ possibly some of the others may turn up, i ' } ” (A letter,from Canada.) As I am a subscriber to the weekly and have been ever since . it came out, I thought I would send you the results of the games we played this year with the Columbians. We play them,a ‘series of three games every year, and last year they beat us once, and that was by a fluke. This, year, however, we beat theni easily, the three times. We are the junior champions of the city. _. We play the champions of leagues for a cup, and this. year we . were only beaten once, and that in an exhibition game with a team from Carleton Place, and they Stily beat us by one Tun, The score being 6 to 5—13 innings. 1 think the “Tip Top” is the best weeks ouhlished: seid 4 has done me lots of good. In the first place, it stopped me aoe smoking, and it helped me to build up my body until now I am as strong as any one of my size in the city, I take a run every morning of five miles, and this year up in Morristown, where I was visiting, I won a five-mile race, beating my opponents by ne hundred yards. And 1 owe it all to the ‘ SP Top “Well, I will close now, wishing luck to the ‘ editor, ‘and all friends of the “Tip Top,” also Burt re Top,” the L. RowLanps. As a usual thing we do not publish the letters sent in, competi- on for the prizes offered by “Tip Top,” but occasionally we a ean Eee Ur and doubtless can also! That must depend entirely upon the plans of the Standish. - Hoping that we win the pennant, I OAM yours respectfully, ~ WEEKLY. 209 has done him, so we cousin, that we show. Some splendid backed by clippings to substan- and: the award of. both prizes will be Top” assured, with. regard to the good “Tip to sav made room for his letter. Yot can rest shall give all the competing teams a fair scores have come im, newspaper tiate their correctness, made in a week or. two. (A letter from Vermont, ) reading acquaintance of more than eight years with the author of what I believe to be the most popular boys’ pub- lication, the “Tip Top Weekly,” I cannot resist the desire to. ex- press my appreciation to him for the many pleasant hours I have spent with the Merriwells. 1 consider Mr. Standish the most capable boys’ author m the country; and can honestly say that [ do not remember reading a single story by him that was unin- teresting. He has made real homan beings of his characters, and has handled. them im a manner that has every one’s admiratioti. [ have not one word of criticism to offer, and feel confident that Mr. Standish will give us as good, stories in the future as he has in the past. Another word, | am indebted to the “Tip Top” for a few very good friends I have formed through its columns. Wishing Street & Smith and Mr. Standish continued success, | remain, Axoysius EASTMAN. After a Be sure we appreciate such straightforward sentiments, friend Aloysius. Every shot you make hits the bull’s-eye. You could go even to greater Jengths and not limit the comparison to this country. There is not a boys’ writer living who has the wonder- ful power of fascinating his legions of young readers as Burt L. Standish possesses. (A. letter from Louisiana.) As I have been a reader of the “Tip Top Weekly” from No. 577 and have not yet seen a letter from this place, I take the liberty to write and tell you what I think of the Merriwells. let me say that they are the finest people on earth. Frank, Dick, and Brad are my favorites, but all of Frank and Dick’s friends are up to date. please let me know. Hoping to see this in the Applause, I will | close, with best wishes to Mr. Burt L. Standish and, Messrs. Street & Smith. Cyrus Bocan. You will be able to get all the earlier numbers of “Tip Top” by sending for the Medal books. There is no other way. (A letter from hcl oaes) Having read quite a number of, your “Tip Tops,” like to. express myself about them. I think they ate the best — that lever read. My best friends are Dick, Brad, Casper, and — Leblon, in Dick’s crowd, and Frank, Bart, Cap'n Wiley, % ck, and Bruce. I have induced about a dozen of my friends to read “Tip Top,” and I say it’s the best week in the world, and — my friends say the same. Well, I can’t use the typewriter any longer, so I'll stop, wishing Dick long life and happiness. Find penipsed \two-cent stamp for catalogue. Yours, — WM. ‘LAWRENCE. If you have any. back numbers earlier than 400 First — ‘Ts would : UGesatabica hide gone forward, and, William, you ‘must know that: we appreciate the sentiments you express. ‘I take great pleasure in Sa to you for ‘ a great weekly for both young and old. it was an Outing; perhaps you remember: I think there were ten given away at that time. of your space, so I will cut it short. Here is what T want to ‘say! I am a veteran reader of “Tip Top” ever since the first I have read every, one. and thirty weeks. If there are any “Tip Toppers” who ae a record like that, I would like to hear from them. “Tip Top” is my favorite; all the rest. e have laid Py: SSG Tea, yours re- spectfully, .. a Q Great Falls, Montana. ei | We take off our hat to’ this good old shuns He: is saith + number up to 602. - about the sterling. boys’ paper, Good News, i “of 4 stories by such. famous: writers a Gar young Canadian ten Bes eo tietiong: _ mon . e I don’t want to take up too much ‘Tip Top;” be is. I have read all kinds | of weeklies from the Good News, which, if 1 am not mistaken, was published by Street &- Smith, for in 1896 I won a bicycle, i That is eleven years” QUESTIONS NOTICE—So many inquiries reach us each week concerning the various manuals on athletic development, which we publish, that we have decided to keep a list of them at the head of this department. Any number can be had by mail by remitting 10 cents, and 3 cents postage, for each copy, to the publishers. FRANK MERRIWELL’S BOOK OF PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT. THE ART OF BOXING AND SELF-DEFENSE, by Prof. Donavan. U. S. ARMY PHYSICAL EXERCISES, revised by Prof, Donavan. PHYSICAL HEALTH CULTURE, - - by Prof. Fourmen. Pror, FouRMEN : Please tell me if there is any way of stop- ping one’s growth, I am five feet eleven and only 16 years of age. Weigh, 155 pounds. Yours, M. F, K, Rockford, Ill, Why? You give promise of being a fine manly fellow. Don’t think of it for a minute. The last letter I answered was from a lad of just your age, bemoaning the fact that he was only 4 feet 10 inches, and hoping he might yet be 5 feet 4 inches. You ought to be thankful, son, for Nature’s great gift. (A letter from New York.) Pror. Foyrmen: As I have been reading “Tip Top” for some ‘ time, I take the liberty of asking your opinion of my measure- ments. Age, 14 years 1 month; weight, 115 pounds; Peight, 5 feet 3 inches; chest, normal, 314 inches; expanded, 33 inches; biceps, expanded, 11% inches ; calves, 13 inches; lower arm, 10% inches; neck, 13% inches; waist, 26 inches; across shoul- ders, 15 inches ; wrist, 6 inches ; thighs, 18 inches; ‘ankle, 8 inches. Hoping you will grant this favor, and also that this letter will not find an abiding-place in the -waste-basket, I remain, Voces respectfully, Joun L. ‘CAREN. Your measurements, son, could hardly be better. I suppose you are kept pretty busy as page-boy in a State hospital, and exercise is what conduces to bring about perfect athletic develop- ment. Here’s wishing you success, John. Pror. FourMEN: My measurements are as follows: Height, 5 feet 6% inches; weight, 120 pounds; neck, 13 inches; biceps, contracted, 9% inches; forearm, 10% inches; chest, normal, 30 inches; expanded, 3 inches; waist, 27 inches; thigh, 19 inches; calf, 13 inches; age, 16 years. What are my weak points? Kindly outline a short course of training for me to take, my only time being in the morning and at night. From one of yours faithful readers and one who appreciates the good work you are doing. Yours truly, A Steapy READER. New York City. Your weight is exactly right, but you need chest culture, being 5 inches under the average. Devote yourself to developing the capacity of your lungs, Punch a bag, and above all, morning and night take several minutes for deep breathing exercises, in the fresh air, for they are of little value taken in a stuffy room. AND ANSW ERS. EvITe> BY ==—— PROF. FOURMEN I am a constant reader of “Tip Top,” and Age, 16 years 4 months; height, 5 feet 514 inches; weight, 10214 pounds; chest, normal, 2834 inches; expanded, 29/2 inches; biceps, right, 9!4 inches; flexed, 8% inches; neck, 12% inches; waist, 30 inches; across shoulders, 1614 inches; wrist, 534 inches; thigh, 167% inches ; calves, 1214 inches. 1. How are my measurements? Are two- “pound dumb- bells too heavy for me? 3. How can I seetaata my weight? 4, What are my weak points and how can I remedy them? Thank- ing you in advance, I remain, F, J. M. Philadelphia, Pa. : You are built on rather slender lines, and there is considerable room for improvement. Those dumb-bells ought to suit you, but if you prefer more vigorous exercise try lighter ones. You can only increase your weight by eating food that is known to make flesh, Get a manual and lay out a systematic course of athletic work for this winter. ~ Pror. FourMEN: wish to ask you the following: « Pror. FourMEN: As I am a great reader of “Tip Top,” I thought I would submit my measurements for approval. They are as follows: Age, 18 years; height, 5 feet 7 inches; weight, 112%4 pounds; neck, 1244 inches; waist, 29 inches; chest, normal, 30 inches; expanded, 34 inches, These are my correct measure- ments to date. What kind of exercise should I take? Are my measurements correct for my age? LI play baseball. Thankmg you in advance, I remain, ‘ Ci. ee Evan’ City, Pa Your measurements are far from being what they should, as you will understand when:I tell you that an average athlete of your height would weigh 130 paunds and his chest at normal measure 36 inches. Now, the only way to do is to concern your- self about this matter, buy a manual, and get busy during this winter. Then in the spring let me know your gain, particularly in lung capacity. > Pror. Fourmen: [| thought I would write and ask you about my measurements. Age, 20 years; height, 6 feet; weight, 153 pounds; chest, normal, 37 itches; expanded, 40 inches ; biceps, normal, 12% inches ; expanded, 13% inches; neck, 15 inches; wrist, 8 inches; waist, 3314 inches ; calves, 14 inches. Please let me know through the “Tip Top” how my measurements are and what exercises to take. Yours truly, Bricky. Allentown, Pa. Measurements fair. Doubtless you will fill out more, now that you have gotten your growth in stature. Exercise in a general way, so that all parts of torso ee limbs may be equally bene- fited. Pror. Fourmen: Having read the king of weeklies for about two years, I take the liberty to ask the following questions. My measurements are as follows: Age, 14 years.4 months; height, 5 feet 5 inches; biceps, normal, 9% inches ; flexed, 11 inches; forearm, 9% inches; wrist, 7 inches : neck, 301% inches; expanded, 3234 inches; waist, 28 inches; thighs, 20 inches ; calves, 133% inches; across ‘shoulders, 18 inches; weight, Bs Soe - ‘° we : v , M - ag an ac RN ET 8 yf 1314 ‘inches; chest, . 120 pounds. How are my measurements? What is my weak point? What exercises must I take and how long each day? . Can I become a good athlete? 1 pitch on our high-school base- bali-team-and piay left end on the fotball-team. in advance, I remain, CC: he Bid: Mobile, Ala, You are 10 pounds heavier than necessary. Cut down your food. allowance and. build up your chest. There seems ° _ ho reaton why you should not become, with persistent endeavor, a good athlete, (A letter from Oregon.) _ Pror. Fourmén: »As I have been a constant reader of the “Tip Top” for several years, I-would like to ask you a few questions. . My measurements are: Age, 17 years 1 month and 11 days; height, 5 feet 4 inches; weight, 135 pounds; chest, normal, 33 inches; expanded, 34% inches; waist, 29 inches; neck, 13% biceps, normal, 912 inches; wrist, 634 inches; calf, thigh, 1934 inches. Please what you think of my m 12% t me know, through the surements. What are my, inches; _ inches; “Tip Top,” them? “What is good to develop the muscles of the shoulders and chest? As this is my second attempt, I am anxious to see. this inthe “Tip Top.” Hoping { will not be disappointed, I will close. ‘ Yours truly, RALPH JAMEs, “Measurements fine; but you could work off 10 pounds or so of flesh with profit. Get in training until you do this and you ‘will be physically perfect. Punching the bag will, accomplish wondets in the line you mention. or (A letter from Virginia.) Prot. FourMEN: Kindly answer the following ‘questions and give me your opinion on my measurements: Height, 5 feet 11 inches; weight, 135 pounds; age, 16 years; chest, normal, 3214 inches; expanded, 36 inches. I go through the following exer- cises every day, in the morning: Fibtesn minutes, dumb-bell ex- ercises ; 15 minutes, Navy drill exercises; 5 minutes, deep-breath- ing exercises; and follow with a cold bath. At night or late in evening, I use Indian clubs for 15 minutes, dumb-bells 15 min- utes, and deep-breathing 5 minutes. I want to increase my weight, can you tell me how? ds deep breathing the be@® way to-enlarge the chest? Does jit consist of simply taking in as much air as the Jungs wiil hold and exhaling through the month? Can run 100 yards in 10 4-5 seconds. What branch of. athletics ant I best built for? Thanking you in advance, I remain, ae op’s true friend from. the W Ranch, Frep WARNER. You should weigh about 162 pounds and measure 39 hehe around the chest, Considerable of this will doubtless come as your” age: increases, “ especially if you keep up your exercises, and abstain from tobacco, liquor, and coffee. Always throw back the shoulders in deep breathing, and take in the fresh air rough the nose, A manual will explain just wi You should “a Necshana eae I judge. * Pror. Fourmen; -As I have read “Tip Top,” the king of ecklies, for several years, | would like your opinion on my surements... ee height, 5 feet 634 inches; weight, 140°pounds; chest, nor- a 32 inches; expanded, 35% inches; waist, 30 inches; 18 inches; thighs, 20 inches; calves, 134 inches ; hes; neck, 14% inches. Top,” I remain, as ever, a true “Tip Topper,” Imira, N. Y wrist, 7 D. H.. An athlete of 5 feet 6 inches aia ‘feasure 35 inches onda the chest, normal, and but 27 iches circumference lower down. | Pere? and cut off some of your rations. ' a aise? : t of asking you a few questions. veigh, with ies cai on, 153 sags ra s. Sewn . The: TIP TOP WEEKLY. Thanking you awitite cause ? to me weak and strong points, if I have any, and what shall I do for - ‘four rteen, Do you think I am-built good? 1f not let me kop what my faults are and how to’ correct them. Age, 18 . normal: 11 ineless. expanded, 114: inches.: Shouts Tam best built for and what exercises should 1 kere Hoping this will be gabe in the . ae almost any line of athletics with a fair measure of hone Try and rectify this, build © ic ct a 5 by 6 inches; chest, normal, 36 inches; expand inch Bing: tead=the “Tip Top Weekly” for ™ our years, T would like to impose on your. denecibity to the Tam ae years ae kis Sr measurements are stripped: Height, 6 feet %4 imch; chest, nor- mal, 304 inches; expanded, 35 inches; belt measure, 2814 inches; right upper arm, 12 inches; left, 1014 inches; neck, 13%4 inches; around shoulders, 40 inches; forearm, riglit, 934-miches; left, 94 inches; wrist, 634 imches; thighs, 20 inches. Although haying taken exercises;for the last year, J still have pains after exhaling each breath when. taking breathing exercises. Can you tell me Since starting training I have.tost almost 10 pounds in weight, is this allright? Not liking meat. very much, ‘T eat not ‘more than two ‘theals a week consisting of. meat, but:eat a great deal of vegetables), Should I eat more meat. My work is mainly office work. Apologizing for Biking up “so much space im your valued weekly, I am, | A. TENDERFOOT. ga Oakland, Cal. Ze Your weight is fair, though an average man of your height 7s would tip the~seales at 170 pounds. Your chest is the most. , serious defect, since yoit are over g inches shy there. Do every-®« thing in your power to increase your lung capacity... As you are “shot up” suddenly. You less than 18 it is oe that you have should eat such food as will produce good sound flesh, and devote your energies to building up your chest. If you work conscientiously. at this you oe make- a : make big aan a dew. years hence, Pror. Fourmen: Having read the‘ ‘Tip Top Weekly” ett regularly, and having paid special. attention to. your.page, | here take the liberty to ask your opinion of my measurements. I ain’ 4 years 7. months old; height, 5 feet23%4 inches; weight, 110 pounds; shoulders, 18 inches ; chest, normal, 3t inches ; expanded, 30% inches; waist, 27 inches; biceps, 11 inches; forearm, 10 — inches } thighs, 1834 ‘inches; calves, 1314 inches. I Kave rin 1 ~ mile in 1:56; and in an endurance test ran 9 miles on a circular track, 29 laps. toa mile. How do these compare with the aver- age? TE Srall River, Mass. \ Very good all around. e Prov. Fourmen: . Being. a constant reader + the “Tip Top,” 1 will take the'liberty to ask you a few questions.. My measure- ments are: Age, 12 years 2 months; height, 4 feet 7 inches; weight, 67 pounds; chest, normal, 2744 inches; create ; inches; waist, 2614’ inches ; biceps, right, 9 inches; neck, I inches : thighs, 15 inches; calves, 11 inches. . My records are: — Standing broad jump, 6 feet 4 inches; high jump, 3 feet 8 inches ; 60-yard dash, 8 3-5 seconds, What can I do to become heavier? Ate my measurements good? If not, tell me what I can do to improve them. Thanking you in advance, I remain, k a loyal “Sip Topper,” HYMAN SCHUFFLER. ” ae - New. York Aaty, ‘ S Let time do somes. You may Brow said ‘when about et —s Peak: owainie: Being a éonstant veadeke of: the “Tip: Tob Weekly,”.-I would like to ask your ‘opinion of my-itiedsurements. © Age, 1643 years; weight, 143. pounds’ stripped; neck, 16 inches; height, 5 feet BY, inches. in stocking feet ; thigh, 20 inches ; ichest, | normal, 36 inches; expanded 3834 inches ; shoulders, 17 inches ; wrist, 714 inches ; ‘biceps, normat, 10% inches; flexed, 12 inches; waist, 31 inches; ankle, 9% inches; calf, ie oietia: Sree at ; Hoping aoe truly, Te to, soon see this in print, and teats you. sO, Pittsburg, Pa, Lévis: JENNINGS. our measurements are. ae: ‘oh. alee such exeriteas hey you best, and keep your whole body in trim. You ¢ j Siete calih : “Poa: FourMEN : Be pt read. oT; Top” for pee yea take the liberty to ask you a few questions. I am 18 3 also have awful short wind. Am: -1-too li y age? tioping 3 ak see this ened in, a re remain, yours res Meta ch aye ot “Waaces, ia se aah . ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY Never has Burt L. Standish written such interesting tales of the adventures of the Merriwell brothers, Frank and Dick, as are now appear- ing in this weekly. Mr. Standish has a world-wide circle of friends and — he is putting forth his best efforts to amuse and entertain them. Boys, you have no idea of what a grand feast he is preparing for you, Top’s stories are going to astonish you. Do not fail to buy this weekly. - PRICE FIVE CENTS PER COPY For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, postpaid, by by publishers upon receipt of price in money or postage “ee . f HERE ARE THE s98-—Dick Merriwell’s Coach; or, Pride and Prejudice. 579—Dick Merriwell’s Bingle; or, A Hit in Time, . 580—Dick Merriwell’s Hurdling; or, The Star and the / Satellites. 581—Dick Merriwell’s Best Work; or, UP Against a Hard .Proposition. §82—Dick Merriwell’s Respite ; or, The Couper of Lake Calmface. §83—Dick Merriwell’s Disadvantage; or, The First Game -with Harvard. ; 584—Dick Merriwell Beset; or, The Revenge of Quinn Harvester. . §85—Dick Merriwell’s Great Rival; or, Dale Sparkfair on the Slab. | mee 586—Dick Merriwell’s Distrust; or, Betrayed. by a ee Blotfer. ie 587—Dick Merriwell, Lion-Tamer; or, Ate, Queen of the Air. 588—Dick Merriwell’s Camp-site; or, The Peril at Pind Point. #89--Dick Merriwell’s Debt; or, Settling the Score With Smoketown. 590—Dick Merriwell’s Camp-mates; or, Old Chums On ee the Field. §91—Dick Merriwell’s Draw; or, The Struggle With Smoketow n. ae Merriwell’s Disapproval ; or, Chester hetidgh ton’s New Chum. - B93—Dick ferriwell’s Mastery ; or, The Wolves of .Wolfwoods, ‘ If you want any back siusiey of this publication and cannot procure them from your newS- dealer, they can be obtained from this office direct. fs ‘STREET & eh Publishers, 79 Seventh meee, NEW YORK ap LATEST TITLES: 594—Dick Merriwell’s Warm Work; or, A Hot Day tbe Smoketown. 595—Dick Merriwell’s “Double Squeeze’; Blackpool in Command. 596—Dick Merriwell’s Vanishing or, Young Joe Crow- foot On the Trail. or, Brian 5 5 Dick Merriwell’s . Influence ; or, Reaping the . Harvest. 599—Frank Merriwell’s Worst Boy; ; or, Ralph Sand, he Reckless. 600—Frank Merriwell’s Annoyance; or, Reckless Ralph, the Runaway. 601—Frank Merriwell’s Restraint ; OF, The Revenge of | 6 a Redskin. . 602—Dick Merriwell Held Back; or, Secret, E nemies At. : Work. 603—Dick. Merriwell In The Line; or, Given a ‘Shae At Ay } Last. 604—Dick Merriwell’s Drop Kick; or, Winning, on Py Last Resort. ‘ 605—Frank Merriwell’s Air V oyage; or, The Wreck: of: 5 the “California Arrow.” @ 606—Frank Merriwell’s Auto Chase; or, The White Deer of Dead River. ieee 607—Frank Merriwell’s Capture ; or, The End of the Chase. 5 608—Dick Merriwell’s Value; or, The Game That Set- & tled the Question. 609—Dick Merriwell Doped; or, The Mystery of. the Black Star. Postage stamps taken the same as money, Tip 4 ——Tick Merriwell Adrift; or, ts the Grip of the Saale . THE TIP TOP WEEKLY HANDSOME COLORED COVERS © " al 3 .% 2 $ How the Early Numbers of the TIP TOP WEEKLY May Be Secured O the boys who take interest in the adventures of Frank Merriwell and want to read everything that was written about him, we desire to say that numbers 1 to 325 of the TIP TOP WEEKLY containing his early adventures are entirely out of stock and will not be reprinted. with No. 150 which is entitled ‘‘Frank Merriwell’s Schooldays.” These numbers, however, were published in the Medal Library beginning We give herewith a com- plete list of all the Merriwell stories that have been published in book form up to the time of writing. We will send a compete catalogue of the Medal Library, which is just full of good things for boys, on receipt of a one-cent stamp to cover postage. MEDAL LIBRARY AT 10c. 150—Frank 167—Frank 178—Frank 184—F rank 189—Frank 193—Frank 197—Frank 201—F rank 205—Frank 209—F rank 213—Frank 217—Frank 225—Frank 229—F rank 233—F rank 237—Frank 240—Frank 244—F rank 247—Frank 251—Frank 254—Frank 258—Frank 262—Frank 267—Frank 271—Frank 276—Frank 280—Frank 284—F rank 288—Frank 292—F rank 296—Frank 300—F rank 304—F rank 308— Frank 312—Frank 316—Frank 320—Frank 324—Frank 328—Frank 332—Frank 336—Frank 340—F rank Merriwell’s Schooldays. Merriwell’s Chums. Merriwell’s. Foes. Merriwell’s Trip West. Merriwell Down South. Merriwell’s Bravery. Merriwell’s Hunting Tour, Merriwell in Europe. Merriwell at Yale. Merriwell’s Sports Afield. Merriwell’s Races. Merriwell’s Bicycle Tour. Merriwell’s Courage. Merriwell’s Daring. Merriwell’s Athletes. Merriwell’s Skill. Merriwell’s Champions. Merriwell’s Return to Yale. Merriwell’s Secret. Merriwell’s Danger. Merriwell’s Loyalty. Merriwell in Camp. Merriwell’s Vacation. Merriwell’s Cruise. Merriwell’s Chase. Merriwell in Maine. Merriwell’s Struggle. Merriwell’s First Job. Merriwell’s Opportunity. Merriwell’s Hard Luck. Merriwell’s Protégé. Merriwell on the Road. Merriwell’s Own Company. Merriwell’s Fame. Merriwell’s College Chums. Merriwell’s Problem. Merriwell’s Fortune. Merriwell’s New Comedian. Merriwell’s Prosperity. Merriwell’s Stage Hit. Merriwell’s Great Scheme. Merriwell in England. MEDAL LIBRARY AT 10c. 348—Frank Merriwell’s Duel. 352—Frank Merriwell’s Double Shot. 356—Frank Merriwell’s Baseball Victories. 359—F rank Merriwell’s Confidence. 362—Frank Merriwell’s Auto. 365—Frank Merriwell’s Fun. 368—Frank Merriwell’s Generosity. 371—Frank Merriwell’s Tricks. 374—Frank Merriwell’s Temptation. 377—Frank Merriwell on Top. NEW MEDAL LIBRARY AT 15c. INCREASED SIZE 380—Frank Merriwell’s Luck. 383—Frank Merriwell’s Mascot. 386—Frank Merriwell’s Reward. 389—Frank Merriwell’s Phantom. 392—Frank Merriwell’s Faith. 395—Frank Merriwell’s Victories. 398—Frank Merriwell’s Iron Nerve. 401—Frank Merriwell in Kentucky. 404—Frank Merriwell’s Power. 407—Frank Merriwell’s Shrewdness. 410—Frank Merriwell’s Set-back. 413—Frank Merriwell’s Search. 416—Frank Merriwell’s Club. 419—Frank Merriwell’s Trust. 422—Frank Merriwell’s False Friend. Published About August 19th 425—Frank Merriwell’s Strong Arm. Published About September 9th 428—Frank Merriwell as Coach. Published About September 30th 431—F rank Merriwell’s Brother. Published About October 21st 434—Frank Merriwell’s Marvel. ; Published Aboat November 1ith 437—Frank Merriwell’s Support. Published About December 2nd 440—Dick Merriwell at Fardale. Published About December 23rd 344—Frank Merriwell on the Boulevards. 443—Dick Merriwell’s glory. STREET & SMITH, Publishers, New York City