The minister was on the point of pronouncing Frank and Inza man and wife, when there came a staruuing interruption. A wild-eyed youth dashed down the isle. ‘Hold! I forbid this marriage!” PHYSICAL CULTURE DEPARTMENT. Edited by PROF. FOURMEN. Owing to the lurge number of letters now awaiting answers, which are being constantly added to each day, it will be necessary to condense some of them, retaining only the more important questions. Correspon- dents are requested to make their letters as brief as possible, in order that all may be answered in due time. Pror. FourMEN: I would like you to give me your opinion of my measurements. Age, 1I4 years 10 months; weight, 125 pounds; height, 5 feet 414 inches; neck, 13 inches; breadth of shoulders, 17 inches; chest, normal, 33% inches; expanded, 36 inches; waist, 29% inches; forearm, 10 inches; upper arm, 13 inches; wrist, 614 inches; thighs, 19 inches; calves, 13% inches; ankle, 91% inches. How are my measurements compared with other boys my age? What are my strong points? 3. What are my weak points? I can chin a bar ten times with my left hand and twenty-two times with my two hands. NP ee Greensburg, Pa. You are exceptionally well developed for a boy of your age, and far above the average. 2. Your weight, height, chest, forearm, wrist, waist, thighs, calves and ankles. Absolutely none. FourMEN: I would like to know what you think of my 1 am 16 years old; weight, 120 pounds; height, 5 3334 inches; expanded, 36% inches; waist, 2814 inches; calf, 15 inches; thigh, 22 inches. What are my weak points, what are my strong ones, and how can I improve them? 2. Do you think my measurements are good enough to pass me through Annapolis Academy? 3. Can you tell me where to get a book telling about how to get in Annapolis? New York City. J. B. Menzir. 1. All your measurements are excellent, and you do not appear to have any weak points. ey CR, 3. Write to the Navy Department, Washington, D. C., your desire to secure an appointment to Annapolis and request- Your congressman could inform you if there Pror. measurements. feet 2 inches; chest, stating ing information. was any chance of your securing the coveted appointment. Pror. FourMEN: Being a constant reader of Tip Top Weekly, and one among its ten thousand admirers, I desire to ask a few questions which I have not seen in print. Is there any way I can straighten my legs? I am knock-kneed. Is it better to take a run before breakfast on an empty stomach or at night after supper? An admirer, W. Barr. Troy, Ala. 1. You should consult a surgeon in regard to your knees, as I believe that a surgical operation could cure you. 2. A short walk or run before breakfast is beneficial. Pror. Fourmen: I am 15 years 2 months old. My measure- ments are thus: 5 feet 4% inches tall; chest, 3514 inches; biceps, 12% inches; thighs, 21 inches; calf, 14 inches; ankle, 10 inches. I weigh 135 pounds, stripped. Do you think my measurements are all right? Am I too heavy? If so, how can I decrease it? Baltimore, Md. AC; Your measurements are excellent for your age, and much above the average boy of fifteen. While you are about ten pounds too heavy, if your flesh i firm and solid and not flabby, it should not worry you, for as you are at an age when boys grow very rapidly, in a few months your height will probably correspond with your weight. Pror. FourMEN: I would like to ask you a few questions. I am 15% years old; 5 feet 3 inches high; weight, 107 pounds; chest, normal, 30 inches; expanded, 32 inches; waist, 31 inches; neck, 13% inches. My record for the running high jump is three feet five inches. I have not practiced this much. I am a good mile runner and football player and a fair baseball player. How are my measurements, and what are my weak and strong points? Do you think I could become a baseball pitcher? I have tried to learn to pitch curves, but I find it hard to learn. Thanking you in advance for an answer, I remain, yours sincerely, ELOY, NY. An Anxious Boy AND A FRIEND To Tip Top. You are about ten pounds underweight. Your height is very good for your age. 2. By constant practice you should become a clever player. A. G. Spalding & Bro. publish a handbook on “How to Pitck Curves.” By following the instructions contained therein you should improve as a pitcher. ° I am 14 years 4 months old and weigh 131 pounds. I am 5 feet 8 inches tall. These measurements were taken with no clothing on: Chest, normal, 32 inches; expanded, 34 inches; shoulders, 161% inches; reach, 70 inches; biceps, nat- ural, 914 inches; flexed, inches; waist, 30 inches; calves, 1214 inches; thighs, 19% inches; neck, 13 inches. 1. What do you think of my measurements? 2. What should I do to broaden my shoulders? 3. How can I increase my weight? 4. What parts should I develop to secure a more perfect physique? I re- main, AN ADMIRER. Caney, . Your measurements a Rowing is excellent; also practice the U. Pror. FourMEN: Kan. are far above the average for your age. S. Army setting-up exercises. 3. You are not too light for your age as you grow older. 4. Your chest, calves and thighs. You are.still quite young, however, and are evidentiy destined to be a man of large frame. Exercise daily, get at least eight hours sleep and don’t smoke cigarettes. and will gain weight Pror. FourMEN: Kindly tell me through your question depart- ment what you think of my measurements as compared north other young men ot my age. Age, 19 years; height, 5 feet 5 inches; weight, 125 pounds; chest, normal, 32 inches; expanded, 36 inches; contracted, 29 inches; neck, 13 inches; biceps, 1114 inches; thighs, 18 inches; waist, 27 inches; across shoulders, 19 inches. 1. What are my weak points? 2. What are my strong points? I’m a firm believer in lots of fresh air. I sleep in our attic—where there is nothing but a string of pipes going through —with both windows up: about twelve inches high, and I have not had a cold yet this winter. I use dumb-bells, punching bag, exerciser, etc. Yours, in best of health, Jas. L. Smiru. Smith’s Falls, Ontario. 1. Your biceps are your only weak point. 2. Your chest is your strongest point. Your idea of plenty of fresh air is an excellent one and should be continued. It is probably owing to this that you are in such good health. Pror. FourmMEeN: I am 18 years old; height, 5 feet 114 inches; weight, 88 pounds: chest, normal, 29% inches; wrists, 6 inches; neck, 12 inches; thighs, 18 inches; calves, 1114 inches. 1. Are outdoor games good for me? Baseball is my favorite game. 2. How could I increase my height? I don’t smoke or chew. 3. I get about nine hours sleep. Do you think that is enough? 4. What exercise do you think I should use? I remain, Winnipeg, Manitoba. A Homety Guy From WINNIPEG. Yes, by all means indulge in all the outdoor sports you pos- sibly can. It is impossible for anyone to increase their height. If you have been antended by Nature for a small man, you must accept her decree. 3. Yes, nine hours sleep is ample for anyone. 4. Dumb-bells, Indian clubs, punching bag, and if you are near the water, rowing is a most beneficial exercise, developing arms, chest and back. ——<— ———————" — For continuation of other questions and answers see Page 30 Issued Weekly. By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-59 Seventh Avenue, N.Y. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1005, 1n the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. No. 481. NEW YORK, July 1, 1905. Price Five Cents. a“ CHAPTER TI. - ELSIE BELLWOODS RESOLVE, “How are you feeling to-night, Elsie?’ “No better.” “That’s too bad, dear! Inza Burrage placed her arm lovingly about Elsie I’m so sorry!” Oe ear rere a, ‘ ; aoe eb aid and drew Elsie’s head down upon her shoul- der. Loder, in Baltimore, where they had been stopping They were in their room in the home of John for some time. ’ i The time was evening. “I'm so sorry!” repeated Inza, sympathetically, as _ she softly patted Elsie’s pale cheek. _ be the matter?” — “T'm tired, tired. ' now, Inza. I seem to be tired all the time I can’t get rested.” FRANK MERRIWELL’S GREAT DAY; OR, “What seems to The Crowning Triumph of His Career. By BURT L. STANDISH. “You'll be better to-morrow, dear,’ declared the dark-eyed girl, cheerfully; “I’m sure you'll be better to-morrow.” ’ “Tl don’t know,’ “T fear not. Each day I’ve thought I would be better the next, but I im- prove sa slowly it is very discouraging. It doesn’t — seem that I’ll ever be well and strong again, as I used to be.” «. Vag sighed Elsie. “Oh, but you will—of course you will! You're much better than you were,in Virginia.” “T’d be dead now if I hadn’t improved at all,” re- turned Elsie, with a faint smile. “I used to feel so Inza, you’re wasting your time staying by me But I know well. this way. I appreciate it, oh, so much! how you must feel. You are well and strong and full . a ETP eee of life. You make me feel guilty over keeping you in like this. I feel that | am———” “There, there P cing a soft hand over Elsie’s such nonsense! Are you not my dearest friend! It’s a great satisfaction to me if I can do anything for exclaimed Inza, laughingly, pla- lips. “I won't listen to you, as I know how much you have done for me in the past and how much you would do now if you had the opportunity.” “But you would be with Frank a great deal more if you did not feel it your duty to stay here with me. I am robbing you of that pleasure. It is not right. You had a letter from him in the last delivery to-day.” OW 63," “And I had one from Bart. Dear Bart! They have been very successful with their lacrosse team, and now they are coming back from their trip.” “And Frank must leave for Mexico in a very few days. He wants me to go with him.” Elsie started a little, and her face seemed to take on an added shade of pallor. “To go with him?” she murmured. “As—as Mrs. Merriwell.” Slowly Elsie lifted one not quite steady hand to her cheek, -“T am glad,” she finally said, in a voice that was very low. “You will go with him, Inza?”’ “Are you ready for the marriage?” “Am I ready?” “Yes, Elsie. I know Bart has urged you. You know it has been our plan to be married together—to have a double marriage. Frank wants it; Bart wants it; I want it. When will you be ready?” Elsie did not reply immediately. It seemed that she was thinking. In truth, she was summoning her _ strength. “Tt will be a longtime before I am ready, | fear,” she-finally answered. “You must not wait for me, Inza.” “Oh, Elsie, that would spoil everything Oh, we must wait! I shall insist upon it.” Elsie turned and looked into the dake eyes of her companion. ” she said, “I may not be married for a year —I doubt very much if I shall. I may not be married then. It is not right for you to wait longer. Frank has asked you; he is impatient. Too many times _ something has arisen to delay your union with him. Through it all your love has been constant and his has neve er ce eaanged. - sede *Tnza; often on his words. WEEKLY, “Oh, no matter what happened, my love for Frank: would remain the same.” ) “You have been tried as with fire. There is no reason why you should permit anything to longer de- lay the consummation of your happiness and his. It would not be right to Frank if you did permit any- thing. You must marry him and go with him to Mexico for your wedding trip.” | “But why won’t you make it a double wedding? 1 do not understand % “When the boys were here in Baltimore I talked the matter over with Bart. He almost insisted that I should set a date. He wanted us to get together and agree on a date. I said no.” “But why—why? I can’t understand why!” “Don’t fancy for a moment, Inza, that you love Frank more than I love Bart. It is not that my. feel- ings have changed, but I have been ill and Re “You are much better now. At times you are quite strong for a little while. Why, you attended the lacrosse game with me.” ~I tried not to I did not wish you to “And. was ill for two days after. let you know how ill I was. think me spleeny, Inza.”’ Inza laughed musically. “T know you too well to think anything like’ that,” she said. “I have known you to endure too much. Oh, no, no, no! you are not spleeny! Anything but that!” “IT never knew my mother to remember her well,” said Elsie. “My father told me lots about her. My mother was for many years a semi-invalid. If she seemed pretty well for a day or two, she was ill for weeks after. Father adored her. He told me that never was there a sweeter or more patient woman.: He told me I was like her as he knew her when they first | met. Even as alittle girl I bore a remarkable re- semblance to my mother. of her was precisely like a picture I had taken, with the exception that there was a difference in our dresses and the way our hair was arranged. Father often said it was his prayer. that I always remained well and strong. I would exactly resemble my mother. I’ve meditated would become an invalid, the same as mother. fear has grown upon me. me, and I cannot shake it off. Something seems to — tell me that I shall never be wholly well and strong A young man burdened with an invalid for a wife has a millstone about his neck, continually | after this. | One old-fashioned picture In every other way save in health he hoped. I used to fear that sometime I cg . That 9 It has taken a firm hold of Vw 3S © Heo Dp Fae 4 DOE aiagging him down. If he is a man of ambition and i ability his life may be ruined. He can never rise as Bi he would if he had a wife to cheer, encourage and stim- ulate him to his best efforts. I believe Bart was meant by fate to become a great man. As his wife, if I were an invalid, I should hold him down. Therefore, Inza, I have resolved not to marry him—now.”’ CHAPTER II. A GIRL’S SELF-SACRIFICE. The girl with blue eyes and golden hair had spoken earnestly, sincerely, from the bottom of her heart. ‘She meant the words she uttered. There was no sham- | ming about it; she was not posing. She really feared she would become an incumbrarice upon Bart Hodge, and, for that reason and that alone, she was not ready N to marry him. On her part it indicated a most re- | markable attitude and most astonishing self-sacrifice. Few girls, loving a man as she loved Hodge, would have paused to consider—would have firmly held the future. 3 In these days it is seldom a girl thinks that she may _. make or mar the man whose bride she is to be. As a frule, the one thought of the girl is to gratify herself and her selfish desires for comfort, ease, position and happiness. Not one girl in a thousand hesitates to -’ marry a man through fear that she may become a burden to him. For years Inza had known Elsie to be generous, un- | selfish and self-sacrificing to a wonderful degree; but sie now it seemed to Inza that her dearest friend was carrying her self-denying inclination to a mistaken extreme, and of this she attempted to convince her. Elsie listened to Inza’s argument, but it did not alter her determination. re ie _ “My dearest friend,” she said, softly yet firmly, “‘T -am not strang enough now to pass through the ex- _ citement and strain of preparing for such a wedding. _ It would overtax me, even were I willing to place such oe burden on Bart’s shoulders. But you must, not per- - mit me to delay your own pappiness and that of Frank. You must marry him now,’ This Inza was extremely loath to do. _ “It ruins our plan, which we have talked over so : many times,” she murmured, regretfully. “Does noth- ing ever transpire in this world as we plan it?” “Pm afraid few things come out just as hem,” So Elsie; we wish cup of happiness back—out of consideration for his — ‘yet we should be happy. 1 WEEKLY. 3 all will be well in the sn Promise me that you will not put Frank off longer. aim sure It was no simple task to induce Inza to agree to but finally, Elsie suc- ceeded. Immediately a sweet smile illumined her face. she breathed. “Both you and Frank this, by her gentle persuasion, “Tam so glad!” will be very happy together.” “But you, Elsie—how about you?” “Don’t think of*me. I am all right here, where I have a good home and kind friends.” “Bart " “It will be better for him than it would be if he found himself tied to an invalid wife. It is my love for him that has led me to this resolution. I have writ- ten him, explaining as well as possible the situation, although I have not told him that I am putting off our union for his sake. Promise me, Inza, that you will not tell him this. Let him think, if he will, that it is on my own account that I ask the delay.” Again Inza flung her arms round Elsie, “You are the dearest, sweetest girl in all the world!” she exclaimed; “but I cannot believe that your fears for your own health have any foundation. You have been so strong and well! It will all come out right in time, and we will be together again, you as Bart’s wife and I as Frank’s. We'll have jolly times, as we have had in the past. .Oh, but we have ad such splendid times, haven’t we, Elsie?” | “Surely we have. No matter what may happen to me now, I shall always remember the past with un- speakable pleasure and be glad I have lived.” They fell to talking over old times and the many scenes and adventures through which they had passed since the wild night when Capt. Bellwood’s vessel was wrecked on Tiger Tooth Ledge, near Fardale. They laughed lightly as they spoke of misunderstandings and jealousies, now happily forever at an end. Then, as was natural, they began to talk of Inza’s trousseau and plan it, and both were very deeply en- gaged in this and very happy over it. Finally they paused from sheer exhaustion. . “One thing has made me a bit unhappy,” Elsie finally observed. \ Inza looked at her quickly. “You mean——” “Frank’s unfortunate trouble with Fred Fillmore. Fred is Mrs. Loder’s brother. At first she didn’t know why he left Baltimore so suddenly that night after the lacrosse game; but I think he has written her, placing | the blame on Frank.” : “TVrank was not in the least to blame!” cclaiias dreams are going to be realized.’ 4 TIP Inza, quickly. “Fred made a mistake when he picked out Frank and Bart as easy marks and tried to get them intoxicated that day at Hastings’ road house. Frank had a right to be angry, for it was plain Fred planned to have him beaten up by that bruiser Galway. He thought it would be easy for Galway to mark him up while he was under the influence of liquor. He wouldn't believe that Frank and Bart did not drink. They suspected some sort of a trick, so they tricked him by ordering gin, with water on the side. They drank the water instead of the gin. Then, to see what the scheme was, they pretended to be somewhat in- toxicated. The result was that Galway got a good whipping when he attempted to beat Merry up with hard gloves, and both Fred and Tom Hackett were chagrined and disgusted.” “Which led them to drink still more,” said Elsie, “and they finally appeared here in a pitiful condition. It was shameful. I was so afraid Fred’s sister would see him.” “So she would only that I induced him and Hackett to go to Fred’s room, where they both slept off the effects of what they had drunk.” “But they felt the disgrace of being seen in that condition By us. Tom Hackett couldn’t look me in the face the next time he saw me after that.” “He got bravely over it, though,” said Inza. he actually tried to cut Bart out!’ , “Yes, he was very troublesome before Fred left, but he hasn’t been able to bother me so much since, for he has had no excuse to come here so often.” “Oh, they were just foolish boys, both of them. Fred thought himself in love with me, and I had to _hold him at a distance. He must have been crazy, else he would not have tried to knock Frank out in the game by hitting him over the head. No one could _ blame Frank for being angry and threatening to settle with Fred the next time they met. That was why Fred left Baltimore that very night. There was no need for him to do so, for I would not have permitted Frank to quarrel with him.” A little later Elsie said: “I think I'll go to bed now, Inza. I need rest. If T could only rest so I would not feel tired in the morn- ing Be : Inza remained to assist Elsie. The girl with the blue eyes and the sweet, pale face sank whi amid the pillows with a sigh. “Pm so glad, Inza,” she breathed—‘“so glad all your You will be ety ery happy, - 1 shall a * happy b becanise ve are.” “Why, TOP S WEEKLY. Inza kissed her. “Always thinking of others, you unselfish child!” she exclaimed. “What a world this would be if there were more like you in it! I am going down to the library for a book I am reading, dear. I will re- turn soon.” Lightly she descended the stairs. The library wa’ dark as she stepped in, but she pushed a button and turned on the electric lights. At the same moment she detected an odor of tobacco smoke. The flood of light showed her a person standing near the center of the room, his feet quite wide apart, smoking a ciga- rette. “Fred!” she exclaimed, startled; “Fred Fillmore!” CHAPTER IIL. FRED FILLMORE, He regarded her with a peculiar look. His face was flushed and his manner unnatural. ‘ “Good-evening, Miss Burrage,” he bowed, with cool self-assurance. ‘‘This is a great pleasure, I declare.” She detected something odd in his speech, and, being quick of wit, decided at once that he had been drink- ing. | . He wore a blue coat, light trousers, tan shoes, outing shirt and no waistcoat. His tasty necktie was care- lessly knotted. The evening was almost oppressively warm. Inza caught her breath. | “You startled me,” she confessed. “Did 1? I beg your pardon. the button myself, although I should know where it is. Had I been able to find it I’d turned on the lights for you.” “Oh, but you didn’t know “I knew you were coming.” “You did?” eyes.” “How ?” “Perhaps I heard your footsteps,” he answered, eva- - sively. “Perhaps I know the rustle of your garments. — T assure you the sound to me was like the rustle of an angel’s wings.” A shadow came to Inza’s face. “When did you return to the city?” she asked. “I arrived an hour ago.” “You have seen your sister?” “Not yet. see far more than her. My desire has been gratified.” 3 “How did you get i into the house: Re I couldn’t seem to find There was some one here [ longed 1 to. ke av “ Cael ee ee H 1 + | 4 j 1 7 ] | ‘like a gentleman. Shame on you, Fred Fillmore! haved like anything other than a gentleman.” IEP. TOP “With my own key, which I carried with me when biett.” He held the key up. “Mrs. Loder knew you were coming, I suppose?” “Not through me.” “Then you had better see her at once. She was much distressed because you left so suddenly without even bidding her good-by.” “You know why I left. I did it for your sake.” “For my sake?” cried Inza, in great surprise. Yes,” “T don’t understand you.” “You know I had trouble with that fellow Merri- well.” ” The dark eyes of the girl flashed. ““That fellow Merriwell!’” not like the manner in whic “I beg your pardon.” “You had better!” “T couldn’t help saying it. ble with him.” she exclaimed. ‘‘I do h you refer to him.” You know I had trou- “Which was your own fault.” “Perhaps you think so, but I assure you that you are mistaken. If he had acted like a gentleman that day he accompanied us to Hastings’ on the Pimlico Road all would have been well.” ? rd “Tf he had acted like a gentleman! Once more she quoted his words. “‘Frank Merriwell always acts It is natural for him.” \ _.“I presume you think so, but the fellows in that party universally agreed that he behaved like a cad. Why, he preer to drink with us, but he took water instead of gin.’ “He told you at the start that he did not drink, but you insisted. You tried to force it upon him. Why? Because you had arranged a miserable scheme to make him ridiculous. You hoped to get him full and then to pit him against a prize fighter and a slugger. You thought you were fooling him, but he fooled you. That is why you say he did not act like a gentleman. It was you who be- She was aroused and he was beginning to feel the : sting of her scorn. _ But, strange as it seems, he liked it! Why? : "Because, with her cheeks flushed and her eyes flash- ing indignation, she was far handsomer than ever be- s fore 4 in his a ‘and he 1 had thought 1 her the hanidyont- WEEKLY. 5 as she stood before him glowing with indignation in her defense of Frank. “T don’t blame you for thinking that,” he said. “Of course he told you anything he pleased, and you be- lieved him.” “He never told a lie in all his life!” “Is that so? A second George ee SSO, it seems! [’'ll'not attempt to undeceive you.’ “It would be quite useless.” “Tf I had remained in Baltimore I'd felt it necessary to give Mr. Merriwell all that was due him. tains,’ ; % “I have a tight to. do what I please in this house. - You are an intruder here! You'd better get out!” “You have a right to do what you please anywhere _ if you behave yourself. I did not intend to touch you, but you struck at me, and I was compelled to defend myself. The last time you struck at me I was unpre- pared and could not defend myself. I have a little scar on my head now.” | “T wish I had brained you “T can’t understand your folly. It doesn’t seem pos- sible that you can hold a silly grudge because you and 7? As WEEKLY. Q Hackett failed in your little trick to get me full at Hastings’ road house and have me hammered by a paid ruffian. That can’t be the reason why you hate me so intensely “Tt isn’t.” “T thought not. I’ve never done you harm, and I have no desire to harm you. Miss Burrage and Miss Bellwood have been stopping beneath your sister’s roof re “Which you seem to forget.” “Tf they had not been stopping here I might be in- clined to handle you without gloves. Let’s not make more of a scene before them. Miss Bellwood is not well. I shall be in Baltimore a day or two. If you wish to see me, call at the = “No, Frank—no!” cried Inza. “For my sake—and Elsie’s! Fred is unreasonable; he’s out of his senses. Please consider us!” “Of course I will,” said Merry, quickly. “Of course you'll be glad to hide behind petticoats!” panted Fillmore. “But petticoats cannot protect you. You are my enemy, and I hate you! When a Fillmore hates he’s never satisfied until he crushes!” “Don’t bring disaster on yourself through your un- reasonable and unwarranted hatred.” “Don’t give me advice, but look out for yourself !” “I think I can look out for myself.” “You're very self-confident, but you’re not the smart- est chap in the world, and you'll find it out.” “T’m afraid you have been annoying these girls.” “No!” declared Inza, quickly. “Anything he might do could not annoy us.” This seemed to string Fillmore. He ground his white teeth together and attempted to break from Frank with a jerk. A slight pressure on his arm caused him to desist. “Go ahead!” he groaned; “go ahead and break my arm!” He had been caught with a jiu-jitsu hold. “You think you’re smart, I suppose!’ he went on, pantingly. “Just because you happened to get this hold — on me I presume you fancy you are a great master of the art of jiu-jitsu. Bah! You'd be a baby ‘in the hands of one who actually knew something about it:” “We're not discussing that,” said Frank. “I was forced to this to defend myself without getting into a disgraceful fight with you here in the presence of the girls.” sf “You may have a chance to defend.yourself before you leave Baltimore,” declared Fillmore, significantly. — “T presume you mean that you are going to force me — 9? 1O eas into a fight. Well, forewarned is foréarmed. I'll try to be. ready for you.” “See that you are!” In vain Inza tried to pu and pacify Fillmore. “You can’t blame me,’ “You know why I hate him. I have a right to hate him!” “You are not gaining favor in my eyes by such dis- graceful behavior.” These words from Inza’s lips were enough to open Merry’s eyes to the true situation. His faith in Inza was absolute, but he knew Fillmore had been trying to pay her attentions. This and the fact that Mrs. Loder was Fillmore’s sister made the matter most em- barrassing, Merry saw at once that it would be necessary to take Inza from that house as soon as possible. “Please, Fred,’ entreated Elsie—“please, for my sake, don’t make any more trouble here!” “All right,’ he said. “Let Merriwell release me. V’ll make no more trouble—here.” . Instantly Frank set him free. “Take my advice,” he said, “and make no more trouble anywhere. It can do you no good.” “T want no advice from you!” snarled the infuriated fellow, moving his wrenched arm to make sure it was not seriously hurt. “All I have to say to you is: Look out for yourself!’ With which he turned and hurried away. * “he: Said, CHAPTER, VII. THE UNSEEN LOVER. Shortly after Frank and Inza departed Fred Fill- more left the house. _ Elsie watched him run down the white steps and hurry away along the street. hig “He means to make trouble for Frank, Bart,” she - said, turning to Hodge. “He’s a desperate ‘fellow.” “What's the matter with him?” asked Bart. “Is he crazy?” “He’s quite lost his eal over Inza.” “T thought that was about the size of it.” _ “That was the cause of all the trouble in the first place. He fell to hovering round Inza and paying her attention. She never encouraged him in the least, for she is no flirt. Of course she treated him well, for we are in his sister's home. When Frank“appeared he was jealous. That’s what led on to that affair at the road house.” » “Well, he’d better not fool with Frank NMorrwelt fot he'll regret it if he does. Frank will not harm-him unless forced into it. Ww as has he heen goin ae "i him in the same degree. WEEKLY. “Just watching constantly to get a look at Inza. es q He’s quite lost his senses over her. And he drinks, too, | Bart. He seems to be full almost all the time. He actually proposed to Inza the night he returned here, forcing her to listen to him.” “Oh, he did, eh?” KBB.) “She wrote Frank nothing of it.” “No, for she knew it would do no good, and she did not wish to make, trouble. She has been thinking he might get over his unreasoning infatuation, but I think he grows worse and worse every day.” “Inza will soon be Mrs. Merriweil, and that will set- tle Mr. Fillmore.” He led Elsie back to her seat amid the pillows, taking care to see that she was perfectly comfortable. _ “There, little girl!’ he laughed, his eyes shining as. he looked at her; “there you are. I’ve been a scoun- drel! What you need is the right kind of a doctor, and I’m the doctor! You never let me know you were more than a trifle indisposed. Why should you be ill? It’s all nonsense! Sweetheart, we'll have the color back to your cheeks in short order. Oh, yes we will!” She smiled on him. “You're so encouraging, Bart dear!” she breathed. BN) . aia “Truly you make me feel better.” , i ies “T hope to make you feel so well that you'll agree to carry out the plan we have spoken of so many times. Are you willing to see Frank and Inza reach the con- summation of their happiness and leave us behind?” i “T have to be willing,” she said. “We must wait, | Bart dear.” | . | . “T’ve waited so long, Elsie—so long!” he exclaimed, in a low tone that was deep with feeling. “And now — the time has come. Elsie, my own, why do you put it off?” | “Because I ue that it is right.” He had her hand imprisoned in his. She was lean- ing against one of his strong arms and looking up into his dark eyes, where she saw a world of tenderness and et devotion. ee “Don't ou love me the same as ou did?” he asked, ¥ y anxiously. | | _ “What a foolish question, you big, silly boy! 1 love , you more than ever before. You don’t understand— you don’t know how much I love you!” : He thrilled as he heard her speak these words with lips that knew not insincerity or deceit. He had trusted — her fully, completely, and he was certain she trusted Between them there was no Pera Oe shadow of doubt, for “love cannot dwell with sus- picion.” “Elsie,” he urged, all palpitant with the intensity of his yearning for her, “be mine—my own little wife —and [’ll guard you and tenderly care for you until you are well and strong again. My strength shall be yours. I'll bear you over all the rough places in life’s pathway. I'll shield you from every chill breath of the world. You shall be, as you have been, the star of my ambition. With you/near me, I'll be encouraged and espurred on to do great things in the world. The knowledge that you trust me fully will forever guard me from my weaker self and keep me strong and true.” Young though he was, he instinctively knew that the greatest evil that can befall a man is to be doubted or distrusted by one he deeply loves. The knowledge that a beloved one is absolute in her faith and trust in him has kept many a man true and faithful and ex- alted, even above his natural self; while doubt, sus- picion and distrust has ruined thousands who were naturally upright and honorable. A man with a con- science that makes him worthy to be called a man is re- pelled at the thought of betraying one who has proved that she loves and trusts him fully. Bart Hodge had once been wayward and willful— even weak at times; but the friendship and trust of Frank and Elsie had fortified him against temptation and made him strong and manly in every way. He was worthy of Elsie’s love, even though she was a girl among ten thousand. “Bart dear,” said Elsie, gently, “I have thought it all ~ over, and I know it would be a mistake for me to at- tempt to pass through the strain and excitement at this time. I beg you not to urge me. As you love me, do not insist. I hope the time will come very soon when I shall feel ready to take your name. When that time comes I[’ll be i happiest and proudest girl the sun ever shone on.’ _ A sigh of disappointment and resignation came from his fluttering heart. “Man proposes and woman disposes, to alter an old saying,” he smiled, regretfully. “I’ve waited, and I can wait longer. It seems that I'll have to.” He kissed her as he spoke these words. “You dear, good boy!” “You'll find me ready when you are, sweetheart,” he declared. “I shall not go to Mexico with Frank.” “Oh, I wouldn’t prevent that for anything!” she | cried. “If yen have planned ~ him. WEEKLY. II “My plans must be altered, that is all. be near you until you are yourself ‘And then “And then I'll positively decline to be put off longer, Miss Perversity.”’ “T hope you do not think I am perverse.” I’m going to again, little girl.” any “T think you are the most bewitchingly perverse lit- tle body in all creation; charms and fascinates me. but your very perverseness Girl, you were bewitching in health and strength; but by my life, you’re a hun- dred times more sonow! Why, I just long to do some- thirte to shield and protect you. It makes me feel a hundred times stronger than usual to see you pale and weak. You had the face of a flower, but now you have the face of an angel!” “Oh, Bart, you’re too extravagant in your flattery!” “It’s no flattery, Elsie dear.”’ But of a sudden she saw a cloud stealing over his face as he gazed upon her. “What is it?’ she asked, quick to feel every chan- ging mood of his. “Oh, nothing—nothing,” he answefed; but after a moment he embraced’ her and held her as if fearful that she would slip away from him. It was in truth this fear which had found lodgment in his heart. For the first time he had been seized by a feeling of apprehension lest he might lose her ere she could become wholly his. What was thiststrange weakness that had come upon her and clung to her in spite of everything? Always she had seemed a bit etherial, as if not wholly of this world; and now a singular, terrifying fancy took hold of Bart. It seemed to him that some envious lover of the spirit world had laid claim to her and was seeking to win her from His active fancy pictured this unseen lover slowly but surely drawing her to him. As this fancy ran through his mind Bart was silent, but of a sudden he hoarsely cried: 3 “He shall not have you!” Elsie was startled. “Bart!” she exclaimed. ’ “He shall not have you!” repeated Bart. mine! I'll not let him take you from me!” “Are you losing your reason?” she asked. “No, no, Elsie! You are mine! Look, sweetheart, “You are I seem to see a demon, a spirit, or something that is 4 striving to wrest you from me. That is why you are. weak and you do not grow stronger. Elsie, you love — me! Fight against this unseen power that is seeking — to part us—fight it with all your remaining strength! . Will that you shall grow strong. If you do not, dear- — 12 FL ae est girl, I’m afraid the monster may conquer! Elsie—fight for your life and for my love!’ Never had she seen Bart in such a mood. Fight, He clung to her as if fearing he would lose her at once if he relaxed his hold. “Bart—dear Bart, it is a silly fear. Shake it off.” “Promise me you will fight against him!” urged Hodge, huskily. “T promise.” “Then make up your mind to get well and strong as soon as you can. Throw off this weakness. You must, dear Elsie—you must!” © \ She repeated her promise, but still he could not get over the feeling of apprehension and dread that had assailed him. It’s the only way. CHAPTER VIII. THE PRICE OF A BROKEN LEG. Fred Fillmore boarded a car and sprang off at the Auditorium. He went directly to the box office, where he made certain inquiries that led him to take another car, which he left and walked ae to the Rennart Hotel. “Please send my card up to Mr. Hashi,” he said to the clerk. rooms of the hotel by a suave, smiling little Jap, who did not look particularly formidable, yet who had the movements of a panther coupled with that animal's grace. _ “What can I do for you, most honorable sir?” in- quired the Jap. “You are Mr. Hashi, the great Japanese master of _ jiu-jitsu, I believe?” : 3 “I have that humble honor, most respected sir.” _ “You can break a man’s bones as if they were pipe- stems?” | “It is true that which you speak. If sii should be my wish, noble sir, I could swiftly obtain its accom- plishment.”’ “You are giving exhibitions here in Baltimore, and _ ventured to face you on the stage.” “Tt is with accuracy that you have made this state- Pe iment. Such has been my exceeding good fortune.” _ “Do you want to make some money?” Riad. Peis: for, that purpose, highly intelligent sir, that Tam traveling in your most interesting country.” sOePY give you five hundred dollars to break a man ’s arm!” cried Fillmore. WEE Ten minutes later he was received in one of the _ thus far you have by your art defeated all who have lars if you break the man’s leg.” Lae Hashi smiled blandly. “Such an accomplishment may not be obtained un- less the opportunity occurs. Even then it may not be secured without much trouble making of extreme seri- Ouisness, wise and respected sir.” “But it might be done in a contest? You might do it if you were matched against another man,” “It might then by accident be made to appear.” “That’s it—that’s the idea!” “But five hundred dollars—the amount is small in its exceedingness, discreet sir.” < “Five hundred dollars—it’s a good price. I will undertake to arrange it for you to meet this man I wish injured. If you break his arm, Ill give you five hun- dred.” “Is this to be accomplished on the platform in the j view of the audience.” “Oh, no; I won’t want you to do it in the theater. I intend to arrange a private meeting.” -“In what place is this to be, distinguished sir?” “In a club.” “When do you bring it about . | “To-night.” Png “Tt is extremely soon.” a Mae “No time is to be lost. Will you do it?” “Five hundred dollars—the amount does not to me appear a sufficient sum. Your generosity should in- crease it when you apprehend the trouble which may after it occur. If I should be placed in the arrest and 1 prevented from my engagement at the theater fulfilling it would to me be a misfortune.” “There is no danger of anything of the sort. you break a man’s leg?” : This seemed to be.an afterthought on the part . Fillmore. “It is in no degree ‘ difficult accomplishment to ob-. tain, distinguished sir.’ Can “Then that’s what I want—that’s Hat I wart? cried Fillmore. “A man, can’t walk into church to be married with a broken leg.” “The remuneration should be exceedingly larger, ee ey complished sir. For an arm five hundred is extremely insufficient. For a leg one thousand would be the = smallest amount I could humbly accept.” ; Fillmore thought a moment. He did not havea thousand dollars. In his pocket: there was something _ more than six hundred, and five hundred of this he — had obtained by re raising a check ova him hy: is his: mother. : “I'll go you!” he “dA toed. “A thousand S dol _ “T hate him! _ break his neck!” Tie: tarp “| should humbly expect the money in advance, gen- -erous sir,” “And then give me the throwdown! failed to make good? trick?” “Hashi has the modest honor of never making of his promises a failure. give me the required opportunity, you may rest in dependence on it that I shall accomplish the matter.” “That sounds first rate, but you don’t know the man I am going to pit you against. He has a reputation.” Hashi smiled confidently. “Tt makes not a difference who he may be.” “You'll find hima hard nut to crack.” ‘Do you mind mentioning his honorable name?” “His name is Frank Merriwell.” The Jap cpntinued to smile. “Somewhere in your interesting country I have heard of him. Is it not that he is a what you call athlete ?” eae “That’s the fellow. He claims to be the champion amateur athlete of this country. He is conceited and overbearing. He knows a little something of every- thing. He thinks he knows all there is to know about jiu-jitsu.” Hashi’s smile had a pitying flavor: “Tt is a thing of remarkability that those who the What if you What if you could not do the If I give you my word and you least know about the art are ones that think noth- ing more there is left for them to attain.” “That’s him!” “Against him you must have a great enmity, ‘honor- able sir.” It would give me joy if you were to “A thing that might be done with great ease of ac- complishment.” . J “Will you? Still smiling, Hashi shook his head. What’s your price?” “Respected sir, it is not money enough you can make advancement to bring me to that.” “ll give you anything you ask! I'll raise the money somehow Still the Jap shook his head. “A broken limb will make amendment, but a broken neck remains fatally so.” “That's yay would aut me! Then he would be wy spected sir, no, no. A broken limb—yes; a broken neck—no!”’ “Then it is settled, you are to break his leg to-night. What time are you through with your exhibition at the theater?” “T come at the advancement of the program, and it is before nine that I am quite ended.” “That’s all right. Leave the theater as soon as possible. IJ’ll be waiting for you with a carriage, and we'll drive directly to the University Club, where we shall find Merriwell.” “How, respected sir, will it then be arranged ?” “T’ll find a way. I know a number Pil tip them off It should be easy to bring about a meet- Leave it to me. of college fellows who will be there. to be on hand. ing between you and Merriwell. me. him up.” “It will be better, I would humbly suggest, to draw him into the contest without his suspicions arousing by Let it seem that it shall be a friendly affair from the commencement. That is what it should not be difficult.” “That’s right if you'll do your part.” “You may depend on it that I am reliable if you pay me the advancement.”’ He tried jiu-jitsu on If necessary, |’ll insult him and say you can show the process of the insult. “T’ll give you a hundred down and the rest as soon as you do the job.” Hashi smiled as he shook his head. “Tt will not be a matter for considering unless I am in reception of five times that before starting.” The Jap had gauged Fillmore, and he was deter- mined to get every dollar possible out of*the fellow. In vain the young rascal argued; Hashi continued to smile and remained firm. Finally Fillmore was compelled to yield or give over his dastardly plan. “All right,” he said; you fail me.” “but there will be trouble if “Let me humbly urge, respected sir, that you have no need to use the threat. Be waiting at the stage door. If the opportunity is found for me, I shall earn from you the money that has been justly agreed upon.” Fillmore left the Rennart in high spirits. “A broken leg will block this marriage for a time,” he muttered. “It will give me an opportunity to make further plans and carry them out. Ah! Mr. Merriwell, you don’t know the kind of an enemy you have in me! I’m fighting for haughty, sracegtices, een and Pll per to the finish!” 4 oe CHAPTER IX. AT* THE UNIVERSITY CLUB. There was an unusual gathering of young college men at the University Club that evening. Word had been passed round that Merriwell would be there. He appeared shortly before nine o'clock, accom- panied by Hodge. Maurice Spaulding, a Yale man, hastened to greet him. Frank and Bart surrendered their hats to the darky checker and followed Spaulding into the reading room. Immediately several Yale grads hastened to greet them. After this, they were introduced to other club members and visitors. The Yale men gathered in a group, with Merry and Bart in their midst, and chatted of such things as in- terested them all. They were very proud of Merriwell and the athletic record he had made. “Tt will be a long day before Yale sees another leader like him!’ cried Spaulding, enthusiastically. “You made plenty of enemies in your day, Merriwell, old I believe my cousin Wallace was one of them.” asked man. “Wallace Spaulding—is he your cousin?” Frank, in some surprise. “T regretfully confess that he is,” grinned Maurice. “Wallace regarded himself as the real thing in his college days, and, as far as things go, he was.” Hodge smiled grimly over this, for he had always regarded Wallace Spaulding as a genuine “thing.” “T don’t see how you’ve kept up in athletics as you have since leaving college, Merriwell,’ observed Henry Harriman. “Most chaps take a slump unless they go into professionalism. Of course there are exceptions.” “And Merriwell is a shining star among the excep- tions,” nodded Cutler Priest. “Hail to the all-round amateur champion of the United States!’ cried Vincent Carroll. “What’s the secret, Merriwell, old chap?” “Never let up,” answered Frank, quickly. the secret of success in most things.” “Is that your motto?’’ questioned Harriman. “One of them,’ answered Merry. - “But you’ve had some things besides athletics to occupy your time and attention since toddling out into the world,” observed Raymond Harrow. “I under- stand you’re in the mining game.” “Somewhat,” admitted Frank. “Still I find a chance now and then to drop everything and go in for basebail and kindred sports.” - “Well, let’s all go take something,” suggested Car- roll. “Merriwell used to be a cold- water crank, I “That’s WEEKLY. but, of course, since he began to ramble from Old El’s fireside.” “On the contrary,” said Frank, “I’ve kept it the same as ever. That’s one secret of my success, only there is no secret about it. Be temperate, fellows—be temperate.” : “Oh, I am!” protested Carroll; “I’m temperate, but I’m no total abstainer. A total abstainer is not a temi- perance man. ‘Temperance means moderation, and unless you use a thing with moderation you have no claim to temperance. Got you there!” ; “Your argument cannot be overthrown,” admitted “Therefore I’m willing to be classed among understand ; he’s broken the pledge Frank. the cranks.” “Oh, but come have something with us!” they urged. “T'l] do that,” he laughed; “but it will be something nonintoxicating.” Hodge was treated with the same cordiality, and the entire party crowded in before the little bar. Frank and Bart both drank ginger ale. “FHere’s to Merriwell, the pride of Yale in the old days and the pride of Yale to-day!” cried Carroll, holding a glass of beer aloft. “May his star never grow dim!” “That’s the talk!’ down!” Some one ordered another round. “Here’s to Hodge!” cried Spaulding, right-hand man at Yale and his loyal backer ever since. If there’s any baseball on the Golden Shore, I'll expect to see Bart Hodge doing the backstopping when Frank Merriwell fans the batter with the double shoot.” “You expect to see it!” laughed Harrow, loudly. “You'll be fanning yourself in another country.” “Blasphemer!”” exclaimed | Spaulding. “Go to! You seem to think everyone is traveling the same road you've taken.” | They left the bar and entered the billiard and pool room, where some of the club members were amusing themselves. : Two young chaps had lately entered the bil liard they cried. “Drink—drink it room. known to some of those in Frank’s party. Manners brought Ridgely up. . | | “How are you, Harrow,” he said, familiarly. “Looking for a victim? I understand you're a shark at billiards.” “Not looking for a game to-night,” row. “Perhaps some of your friends are?” in the way of one inclined to “butt in.” “Merriwell’s They were Bob Ridgely and Martin Manners, | said Manners, — “T’ve been told — e answered Har-_ “” & ee ee rs, ld ESS AK ee -—- = a up soreheads. enid I care less.” settle him for insulting guests of the club.” LITO Prank Merriwell would be here to-night. he’s a sh 2% a everything, even billiards. try him a go.’ He looked straight at Peank as he made this chal- lenging remark. “Mr. Merriwell—Mr. They say I'd like to Manners,” said Harrow. $e7 5 . Z i * >> : j ag , Er—I beg your pardon, what name?” said Merry. “Manners is. his name.” “Quite remarkable,” said Merry, quietly. “Haven't heard that name in some time. How do you do, Mr. “Manners.” “What do you say, points?” asked Manners. champion at something.” “I beg to be excused this evening,” said Frank. “I didn't come here for billiards or anything of that sort, but to meet these friends of mine.” Ridgely laughed and pulled at Manners’ arm. “No go, Mart,” he said. “Better look for some one fast enough to make it interesting.” Hodge was angered at this insolence and felt like expr essing himself, but Maurice Spaulding pies it up. ee club is PpBROREG to be for gentlemen!” he ex- laimed, “It’s supposed to be,” are you good for a hundred “I'd enjoy beating the great drawled Ridgely; “but I see the rules are not enforced.” “Cad!” growled Carroll. “Oh, take a little joshing!” cried Manners. “The great Merriwell, who is champion at everything, ought to stand a little fun. What's the matter ?” “T hear he’s a gone-by,” grinned Ridgely. “He’s been playing baseball with schoolboys of late and try- ing to keep up his reputation that way.” It seemed that Spaulding would strike the insolent ) fellow, but Frank caught Maurice’s arm. “Never mind him,” he said. “I’m always stirring I don’t know what he has against me, The entire party seemed highly incensed by the’ wor ds and behavior of Manners and Ridgely, but the Jatter continued to insist that it was nothing but a joke. “T'd back Merriwell myself,” he averred. “That is, I'd back him in his own field. I wouldn’t put him up against professionals. It would be folly to back him against Jeffries in the ring.” “Some one will f ‘Don’t mind him,” said Harriman. ~ “But I haven’t insulted anyone,’ ’ persisted Ridgely. “Some | silly persons might put an amateur against a professional, WEEKLY. What” would Merriwell, or any other 15 amateur do against a professional wrestler like Ameri-~ cus?” “They say Americus is gaing to show up Hashi, the jiu-jitsu chap, to-morrow night,” said Manners, “What's that?” exclaimed the voice of a newcomer. “Well, Pll bet five hundred dollars that Americus or any other man in Baltimore can't get the best of my friend Hashi. If there is anyone here who thinks he can handle Hashi—well, Hashi to give him the chance.” here’s The speaker was Fred Fillmore, and he was accom- panied by the Japanese master of jiu-jitsu. CHAPTER X, THE JAR CHALLENGES FRANK. ‘"Ware, Merry!” hissed Hodge, quick as a flash. Instinctively he knew there was something in the air. He felt it like an electric shock. Frank did not need the warning. sudden tightening of his nerves. Fillmore swaggered into the room. His face was flushed and his manner seemed to indicate that he had been drinking heavily. The Jap who followed him was smiling serenely. A number of those present had seen Hashi’s per- formance at the theater, and they recognized ae} in- stantly. The billiard players paused and regarded him with interest. The others were no less interested. “Who says Americus can handle Hashi?” demanded Fillmore. “Americus is all right in his class, but he’ll overstep himself if he accepts Hashi’s challenge and goes after the hundred dollars offered to the wrestler of less than two hundred pounds who can handle this little master of jiu-jitsu. Why, Hashi can break Americus in two, if he wishes; but he’s a harmless lit- tle chap, and it’s likely he'll be content with flinging Americus over his head and across the stage.” — As he said this Fillmore placed a hand on the shoul- der of the Jap, who continued to smile and look inno- cent. | “Gentlemen,” said the Hopkins man, “it gives me great satisfaction to introduce my friend Hashi.” % The jiu-jitsu master bowed in his politest manner, , murmuring : Lt “It inexpressible pleasure gives me the honorable gentlemen to humbly greet.” “You see Hash is very modest,” laughed F illmore. 2 “Keep your eyes open for tricks, Merry,” whispered 43 Bart, “There is something betena Ne sure as ae He, too, felt a 16 Wee Tee Frank nodded the least bit. “Hfashi has taken to the warpath,” explained Fill- more. “He has heard a great deal of talk about jiu- jitsu being a fake. The Sun paper to-day contained a letter from some duffer who. claimed that there was nothing to the Japanese art of self-defense and that any ordinary American athlete could defeat a Japanese expert. It has angered him somewhat.” “Indeed meek confession I must speak that it has incensed me to the great extremeness,’ put in Hashi. “No one would ever dream it from his everlasting smile and his soft speech,’ muttered Raymond Har- Tow. | “The critic of the Sun paper didn’t have the nerve to sign his full name,” said Fillmore; “but I have a fancy that I know who the man is.” | “We are honored to meet Prof. Hashi,” said Maurice Spaulding. The Jap bowed very low, after his manner. “The honorableness is fully upon me,” he asserted. “T am quite overcome in your august presence.” _ Vincent Carrol! laughed softly. “He has a fluent way of expressing himself,” he ob- served in an aside to Cutler Priest. “Seems to take great satisfaction in articulating big words.” “Tt is the way 6f£ his countrymen,” nodded Priest. “In Japan they have no personal pronouns, but ap- parently Hashi has pigses: them up in this country, for he uses them.”’ “The professor is a particular friend of mine,” Fill- more went on, “and I am interested in seeing him maintain his reputation. He is looking for some of these great American athletes who think they can de- feat him.” ! “It’s coming, Merry!” muttered Bart, softly. Frank was calm and unconcerned. Apparently Fill- more had not observed him since entering the club; but Frank knew the fellow had a keen pair of eyes. This seeming oversight on Fillmore’s part was enough to convince Merry beyond doubt that the visit was pre- meditated in full expectation of encountering him there. He knew Bilas had listened behind the portiéres at John Loder’s and heard of the engagstnent to meet certain Yale grads at the club. “Did you read in the papers about the American wrestler who repeatedly defeated a Japanese jiu-jitsu expert in Omaha and other Western cities?” inquired Henry Harriman. | _ Fillmore laughed. “Of course we read it, all of us,’ * he answered. “I showed the reports ta Prof. Hashi. He says the Jap was no expert.”’ . “Honorable attention give,’ murmured Hashi, “and I will complete explanation make. No one ever a full master of the art can become who does not unto it give the long and faithful attention. Acquirement of it may not be obtained with the exceeding great rapid» ity. Since in your distinguished country the art has appeared, many there must be who it seek to teach that have not ever at all learned it in its uttermost com. pletion. Therefore thus discredit upon it is contumely heaped, which should not ever be the proper condi- tion. The pretending one in the West who has been much defeated by the honorable skillful American ath- lete was not of the art completely the full master.” “That’s about the size of it,” nodded Fillmore. “The Jap who was put to the bad in Omaha was a faker. Hashi is ready and eager to demonstrate that no American wrestler cz.n defeat him, and no ordinary athlete has a ghost of a show with him. He is most disgusted with the Americans who learn a little jiu- jitsu and think they know it all.” “It is even thus true, augustly honorable sirs, the Jap. “I presume,” said Spaulding, “that jiu-jitsu is re- garded in Japan as the proper mode of self-develop- ment ?”” > bowed “Teniently pardon my humble correction, beneficent sir,’ said Hashi. “Jiu-jitsu is not what in your bounteous country you know as the excellent art of self-development. . That is where the unfortunately grave error makes presentation. Jiu-jitsu is not the physical culture; it is the exceedingly efficient manner of self-defense. Boxing done in your expansive coun- try is for the self-defense much extremely more than — for the physical culture. In Japan jiu-jitsu is of the same nature. Continuation of practice may much in- grease the participator in physical development; but it is not that end solely that it is in use brought.” 9 “This gives me a new idea of jiu-jitsu,” confessed Spaulding. “Why, most of the teachers of it in this country speak of it as a system of physical culture.” “‘That’s more. proving the one who practices ; but it is not regarded in just where the mistake comes,” Japan in the light of an exercise for physical develop- It is chiefly taught that the one who | ‘acquires it may be able to defend himself against a _ ment solely. less skillful, even though a stronger, opponent.” | “We're finding out all about jiu- jitsu, Merry,” said Hodge softly. 3 | eee eee said Fill- “Ag Hashi says, practice of it cannot help im- “But not learning anything new,’ said Frank. suddenly Fillmore seemed to discover Merriwell. » Hello!” he muttered. Frank regarded the fellow calmly. “Here, Hashi,” said Fillmore, ‘you have the for- tune of beholding one who regards himself as the champion athlete of this country and has somehow won considerable recognition of his claim.” The Jap bowed very low. “Augustly deign to let my bewildered eyes find rest- ing upon the famous one,” he urged. Fred jerked his thumb toward’ Merry. gesture calculated to irritate Frank. “Behold him, professor.” Hashi smiled, but there was the least touch of. in- credulity and contempt in that smile. “I am greatly overcome in his honorable presence,” he murmured. “Here’s a chance for you to prove your claim that you are more than a master for any athlete or wrestler that weighs not more than two hundred pounds.” ‘How would you generously suggest that such may come about?” “Challenge him! His name is Merriwell. Chal- lenge him!” Fillmore laughed, as if considering it a great joke. The face of Bart Hodge was dark and frowning. “Here it comes!” he muttered again. Hashi advanced a little and surveyed Frank moré fully. . “I humbly confess my exceeding admiration at be- holding one so grandly famous,” he purred. ‘Believe ine greatly overcame in your august presence.” “What claptrap!” said Hodge. “Qut with it and show your hand! Nobody is fooled by this slick game.”’ Hashi looked surprised, but said: : “Wonderful much pleasure it would give if the ex- céllent honorable American athlete would condescend to meet me in the contest of skill.” “AIL right,” said Frank, promptly. “Where shall it be?” It was a CHAPTER-AL WARNED OF THE TRAY Fred Fillmore was somewhat surprised by Merry’s prompt acceptance of the smoothly delivered challenge. He had fancied it would be necessary to drive Frank into it through ridicule, ; ‘ Frank was not pleased. He was dressed in even- ing clothes, and he had no desire to meet Hashi; but WEEKLY. 17 he had understood from the first that it was a scheme to force him into the meeting in some manner, and therefore he decided to meet the schemers halfway. “The sooner it is over the better,’ he thought. Martin Manners and Bob Ridgely were somewhat disappointed. They were friends of Fillmore, and it had been ar- ranged that they were to join in the ridicule of Merry in case he declined or seemed reluctant to meet the Jap. 3 Hashi had been told by-Fillmore that it might be no easy matter to draw Frank into the snare, and he, also, was somewhat. surprised. “Tt is the exceeding great honor you are benefi- cently willing to bestow upon me?” he questioned. “Tf that’s the way you look at it,’ nodded Frank. “You'll get all that’s coming,” muttered Hodge. “T know where we can pull it off,” laughed Fill- more, quickly. “There’s a private gymnasium near the Diamond on Howard Street. That will be a fine chance.” “Well, well!” cried Spaulding; “it seems that we’re going to have an entertainment not down on the bills.” “Rah, ’rah!” cheered Harrow. “This is the kind of stuff to suit me!” The Yale men were enthusiastic, and to a man they expressed their confidence in Merry. “Do your best with him, old man,’ ing. “Without doubt I’ll have to,” nodded Frank. Merry knew he was going against “the real thing.” He was not one of the scoffers at jiu-jitsu, although he held that the Japanese art alone was not enough to make a man complete master of other men. , urged Spauld- Now it happened that for many months Merry had been perfecting his knowledge of jiu-jitsu, which he had first picked up during his trip round the world. In Japan he had learned much of the art, the secrets of which were well guarded at that time. It was this knowledge that had enabled him on many occasions to overcome assailants far heavier and stronger than himself, greatly to th@r dismay and chagrin. At Yale he had practiced it, although he had not called it jiu- jitsu at that time. Frank was not conceited enough to fancy himself the equal of Hashi in the knowledge of all the Japanese methods; but there was another thing that promised to make Merry the equal of the Jap. Frank was a wonderful wrestler and a scientific boxer. He had even learned the French method of ‘boxing with his © E feet. Every muscle in his body was splendidly de- | 18 veloped, but his mental development quite equaled his physical. Therefore he would not be confined in his encounter with Hashi to one style or system of offense and defense. He hoped to baflle the Jap by his knowledge of the Japanese acquirements, and to this he added the hope of defeating him by accomplish- ments of a sort in which Hashi was not proficient. In his heart Fred Fillmore was exulting. ; “Worked him easy!’ he mentally cried. “‘Hashi will do the job! He'll swear it was an accident. In- stead of making preparations for your wedding to- morrow, Mr. Merriwell, you'll be resting in Johns Hopkins Hospital with a broken leg.” | “How do we reach this gymnasium?’’ asked one of the party. “I presume we’re all invited to witness this set-to.” “Hashi wants you to come along,” nodded Fillmore. “As far as I’m concerned, you're all invited,” said Merry. “Call carriages!” cried Spaulding. “Leave it to me, gentlemen. Let me see, how many want to go?” - He quickly found out the number and hastened to order carriages for them. A short time later people on the street were sur- prised to see so many carriages collect before the Uni- versity Club. Those who watched observed a number of chatting, laughing, well-dressed young men leave the club and enter the carriages, which rumbled softly away over the asphalt. “Something doing somewhere, the watchers. _ Frank, Bart, Spaulding and Harrow were in one of the carriages. ” commented one of “This is a queer affair,” commented Spaulding. “I don’t know what to think about it.” “I do,” declared Hodge, “Eh? You do?” Mes, : : “What do you think?” “It's some sort of a put-up job. . “Vou mean——” ° “Fillmore and the ee came to the club for the pur- pose of bringing this affair about. Fillmore and Merry had a little trouble some time ago. You know Fill- - more struck Frank over the brad! in the lacrosse game at Oriole Park.” , 7 er Shas a fact!” exclaimed Harrow. “I'd forgot- ten about attr . n he ait, this afternoon. . Mark what : ohh that fel- Se 5 mamas 8S BO ite if it is in my power.” “They had a little trouble. ‘hot tly. after, we arrived — 2 Spec Priest, had turned Lame WEEKLY. low has engaged Hashi to make a holy show of Merry. He thinks it will be an easy thing to do.” ee ee, “Well, I didn’t see through the thing!’ confessed Spaulding. “I thought it was purely accidental. If | I'd thought it was a put-up job I’d surely had some- thing to say to Mr. Fillmore. How did you happen to agree to it under such circumstances, Merriwell?” “What was the difference?” said Frank. “If I'd spoken up and declared it a scheme more than one present would have fancied me a squealer.”’ “I suppose that is so.” “Besides, I must confess that I was not a little an- noyed, and I felt a desire to teach that Jap a lesson. : I hope I may be able to succeed. I'll wager that Fill- more has promised him money if he makes an exhibi- tion of me.” | : “Frank,” said Bart, “ behind this there is something: more than the mere: desire to. show you up.” is “What do you mean?” “Take my advice and be on your guard every mo- ment. You know what things may be done with these bone-breaking Japanese tricks.” _ “T kknow very well.” “Tf that Jap wished and he could catch you just — right, he might injure you for life.” ! oe “Would he venture to do that?” cried Harrow. ‘ one ‘ted Fillmore would be delighted to have him “This affair seems more serious than I suspected,’’ said Spaulding. “Are you certain you can handle him, Merriwell?” “No man can be certain of his aie to Rede an- other who is a stranger to him, ” confessed Frank. ! “But you had no,hesitation about Ast oeNE to: meet.) 5 him. I fancied you felt fully confident.” p “T give you the pete pee: I shall handle him r “Don’t worry; he’ll do the trick,” asserted. Hodge, whose confidence in Frank was solid as the gverlagth 6 pen. ing’ hills. _ It was not a long drive from the club to the gym ; a nasium on Howard Street. | They left the Cane and ascended a ‘flight of stairs. In a dark corner on the | stairs stood a fellow. Whey seemed waiting for something. As Frank passed, this | person seized his arm. ee i aah Os “One moment, Merriwell! AG he ‘ehdahiaad It was Cutler Priest. eae said F Frank, for Bart, right, I { odge,’ “not Sees se st an > st- is of AOL: | HS Py BEE teh io SE “T came over from the Le eee “Merriwell, you're in. danger!’ whispered Priest. club in the carriage with Man- Both had been drinking. They Fillmore® planned this ners and Ridgely. were shooting off their chin. whole affair.” “As I thought,” said Merry. “He’s paid the Jap to do you up.” “This simply makes my suspicion an assurance.” “But, from some things Manners let drop, | feel sure that it is not the intention to simply defeat you. The Jap is going to break your bones.” “Do you know this?” asked Frank, his heart burn- ing with indignation. ‘“T’'m dead sure of it. You are going to be maimed. 3etter not go into it. Keep out of the dirty trap!” “Keep out?” laughed Frank, and*there was some- thing terrible in the sound of that laugh. ee “On the contrary, I’ll go into it, and Fillmore’s tool had better look out for himself. He may get a portion of his own medicine!” paid 4 CHAPTER XII. AMERICAN AGAINST JAP. Stripped to sleeveless sweaters, trousers and light rubber-soled shoes, Frank and the Jap faced each other on the huge mat spread on the floor of a seldom- used room above the gymnasium. The spectators stood around, feeling a thrill of ex- citement. One and all they seemed to anticipate some- thing unusual. Hashi still smiled. ‘rank was calm and grave. ‘red Fillmore found it difficult to control his fea- tures to hide an expression of eager satisfaction and ee. ¢ “This is my time to triumph!” he thought. well walked into the trap like a lamb going to the slaughter. While he is recovering from a broken leg I'll be perfecting my plans to steal Inza Burrage from himg I’m bound to have her! She shall be mine!” Hodge was watching Fillmore, and the expression on the fellow’s face made Bart long to hit him. “Is the honorable gentleman quite prepared?” gently inquired Hashi. “Quite,” nodded Merry. They crouched and moved toward each other. Hashi held himself on the alert, waiting and expect- ‘Mer ri- ing his opponent to attack with a rush. It is a feature of jiu-jitsu to seem to yield before the 19 attack to the undoing of the assailant, actually causing him to use first rush of the enemy, but to turn the his own force to aid in his defeat. Therefore Hashi was a bit disappointed when Merry failed to come after him in the style of most American wrestlers. “T must provoke him to attack,” Aloud “The honorable gentleman seems exceedingly over- come by It was ‘T haven’t observed plunge,” he retorted. “I would humbly refrain from alarming you greatly discreet said Hashi. thought the Jap. he observed: vastly much timidness.”’ now. Frank’s turn to smile. you making any headlong more, bith. ‘That is indeed very considerate of you.” “Well, weil!” cried Fillmore, with a mocking tonation; “I do believe Merriwell is frightened!” “IT don’t see the professor Ewe amazing cour- age about coming to a clinch,” laughed Spaulding. “That’s his style.” “Perhaps it’s Merriwell’s style.” Frank and Hashi circled slowly. At last, tired of waiting, the Jap reached out swiftly as if to get a sud- den hold on Frank; but he drew back instantly and waited again. Merry knew it was an effort to lead him on. Twice Hashi repeated the movemerit, and once he came near falling into Frank’s clutch, for Merry made a lightning snap at his wrist and barely missed. Finally Hashi came still nearer. Suddenly he felt a hand close on the back of his- neck. Merriwell had caught him before he could prevent it. He knew now that Frank could move with such swiftness that light itself seemed barely faster. Hashi shot his own hand up and tried to secure a hold on Frank’s wrist, with the intention of seeking a certain nerve with his fingers and robbing the Amer- ican youth of strength in that arm. in- Frank read his intention and prevented it by his manner of maintaining his hold, at the same time closing on the professor’s arm at the shoulder. Hashi twisted and snapped away barely in time to prevent the American from finding one of those para- lyzing nerves. ut he understood that Mer- him at his own game. He continued to smile, . riwell was inclined to me A moment later Frank secured another hold on the Jap. Instead, of coming at Hashi, he drew the yellow . athlete toward him. 20 WEP TAY Then there was a grapple. “Ah!” cried the spectators. Hashi sought to get one of Frank’s hands in a cer- tain manner. Being baffled, he changed instantly and tried to bring himself into a position of advantage by twisting Merriwell’s arm behind his back. Again he was defeated. In the meantime Merry had continued to seek to secure a hold on the little man, finally obtaining it. They went to their knees together. Hashi broke Frank’s hold. As they came up, the Jap again sought to twist Frank’s arm behind his back. He was prevented in this, and he clasped Mer- ry’s body behind, getting him round the waist. Frank slipped down, reached up and closed his fingers in a lock about the back of Hashi’s neck. Hashi’s waist lock held, but Merry went over, sending the heels of the Jap in a half circle through the air. Hash landed flat on his back, with the American full upon him. {t was a clean case of a wrestler’s trick being baf- _ fled by another trick, and the Jap was down. A shout went up from the spectators. Fillmore looked astounded and dismayed. But the Jap did not let Frank rise. Instead of that, as Merry was getting up, Hashi caught one of his legs. Fillmore caught his breath, He knew what that meant, and he was satisfied now that Hashi had per- mitted Frank to bring about the fall in order to obtain this opportunity. Frank seemed warned just in time, for he gave a squirming whirl that brought him round facing in the opposite direction and prevented the Jap from securing the leverage he desired. “Let go of that leg!’ he commanded. But he did not wait to see if the Jap obeyed. He did not dare risk it. Instead of waiting, he dropped in such a manner that his free knee was driven into Hashi’s wind. That broke the fellow’s hold. Fillmore saw this and breathed a curse of dismay. Hodge was stirred up. “What did he try to do, Merry?” he palpitated. “Oh, nothing,’ smiled Frank. ‘These jiu-jitsu men never recognize a fair fall. To them it means nothing to be thrown flat on the back. He was trying _ for another hold, and I had to check him.” The Jap was breathing \yith difficulty. For some moments the smile seemed @sickly one, but he main- tained it, even as the Japanese soldier smiles in the face of intense suffering and death, F illmore gave Hashi water and hovered over him. : WEEKLY. “You failed!” he whispered. “Sufficient is the time, honorable answered Hashi, softly. “Il nearly made accomplishment.’ “Look out! Um afraid you led him to suspect. He'll be on his guard.” “Nothing can save the agile gentleman when I ob- tain the sufficient hold,’ declared the Jap. Merriwell was warmly congratulated by Spaulding and the others. | “That’s only the beginning,” he said. “The little man let himself go over that he might get his hold on me. He is recovering, and he’ll.be very dangerous after this.” Hashi rose and took his place on the mat. “Will the honorable gentleman athlete again give me the exceeding=pleasure?’’ he invited. Frank stepped out. “The professor has peculiar ideas of pleasure,” laughed Harrow. “I wouldn’t regard it as much sport to have the wind driven out of me in such a manner.” Again the American and the Jap crouched and ad- vanced with the greatest caution. Again Frank finally tried for the neck hold, but this time Hashi avoided it. “Get him! get him!” hissed Fillmore. “T’ll get you some day!” muttered Hodge. Hashi was disappointed because Frank would not attack after the American fashion. Once both secured a hold at the same moment, but instantly both broke, each ‘realizing that the hold of the other was dan- gerous. They were like crouching panthers. “Get his arm!’ mentally cried Fillmore. can’t break his leg, break his arm!” Suddenly there was a mix-up. The movements of the combatants were swift and sudden. They grap- pled, broke, grappled again, twisted, turned, writhed. Frank saw and baffled each effort on the part of Hashi to get his fingers in contact With some paralyzing nerve. In return the little man repeatedly - defeated Merriwell’s strategic moves. Suddenly Hashi went down, catching his arm with 09s Sif, “TE you a twisting lock about Frank’s right leg near the knee.’ ke’ll “He has him!” thought Fillmore. “Now break the fellow’s leg as if it were a pipestem!” CHAPTER XIIL. THE VICTOR. _ Instantly Frank stooped and seized the shoulder of the Jap, his grip being .one ne of iron as he drove his_ thumb into a certain spot. Had he not located the spot accurately Hashi ah have broken his leg in a nein ae hl RR a late sire ~ Eh base OS Sig OP CORE Re eee — a As op x G9 sistas wii = Ps — ~ oO |. flo _ me 5 |