LARGEST WEEKLY CIRCULATION IN AMERICA ra IDEAL PUBLICATFION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH is] Issued Weekly. Ry Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at New York Post Office 6 STREET & SMITH, 238 Wiliam St., N. ¥- _No. 470. Price, Five Cents. on THE GO nine read 7 2 F a! #5 4 ye se 6¥ BURT L.STANDISH Holbrook could not escape, and the liquid that was intended for Frank’s face struck him across the chest, burning like fire, and causing him to shout with pain. It was vitriol. issued Weekly. By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 278 William St., N. Yo Entered according to Act of Congress tn the year 1905, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. No. 470. FRANK MERRIWELL IN NEW YORK, April 15, 1905. Price Five Cents. RISCO: OR, THE GO AT THE GOLDEN GATE. By BURT L. STANDISH. CHAPTER I. ; FRANK HAS HIS WAY. When Frank Merriwell stepped off the train at Santa _ Barbara, California, he was met by an angular, wiry, keen-eyed man, dressed in a somewhat soiled suit of _ The latter was Tom Cooper, who had caused the ar- rest of Porfias del Norte in Santa Barbara, the previous 7 * and had 5 Merry to come up at once. 1 epee Frank, grasping the — it isn’t well,” Jere Cooper, with an air of I oe I was “You wired me that “T had him pinched.” “Exactly.” “TI did have him, but “You don’t mean to say “He’s gone—sloped—vanished—that’s what. ashamed to confess it, but I have to.” 9? Vip ke Merriwell uttered an exclamation of vexation. “T warned you i ty “That he was a slippery customer—you did: ae warned the local police. I had no warrant, and ] was | compelled ‘to make the charge disorderly conduct, until you appeared. He was taken in as a Seon per- I had it all fixed with the local officers.” 99 son. “But how: igs ‘Wait a imate and T tL tell you. 1 don’t blame y yu 2 TIP TOP WEEKLY. for asking. I don’t blame you for being annoyed. It’s shameful. He was locked up at headquarters here. I insisted that he should ‘be placed in a separate cell and have a special guard. Everything was done that I asked. Oh, he was highly indignant and threatened all sorts of things. Nobody paid any attention to his threats. I went to bed, satisfied that I had made five hundred, minus expenses, and I was feeling pretty good. Early this morning I was called up by phone. Call came from headquarters. Del Norte’s cell was unlocked, door open, and the prisoner gone. Guard seemed to be drugged, while the night sergeant was clean daffy. I jumped into my clothes and made head- quarters on the flying jump. Found telephone message correct. Tried to find out what had become of Del Norte. No use. He had melted away. That’s all.” _ “TI might have known it!” muttered Frank, regret- fully. “In fact, I did think it was-doubtful if you could hold him. Still I don’t understand how he got out.” “That’s what’s puzzling everybody.” “The guard 4 “Has been in a stupor é¢ver since. Had him taken home, and several doctors have examined him. [I left the house to come here and meet you. Doctors dis- agree. Can’t seem to find indications that he has been poisoned or drugged, yet he appears that way.” “How about the night sergeant?” “T’ve talked with him. He’s queer. Swears he can’t tell what happened. Remembers that he was called by the guard some time after midnight. Remembers go- ing to the cell where Del Norte was. Looked in. Saw _ man standing in center of cell and looking straight at him. After that he doesn’t remember anything at all, _ until this morning—or pretends that he doesn’t.” “Which of these men, the night sergeant or the guard, can we reach first?” ; “The guard. He doesn’t live far away. We can “yy catch a car on the corner-—— “We'll takea carriage,” said Merry. j In a closed carriage they were whirl ed through the streets of beautiful Santa Barbara. ' They came at last to a quarter of small, plain cottages. In front of one of these they stopped. ee Cooper led the way up the steps and i the bell. A young woman admitted them. “Flow is Hanley?’ asked Cooper. “Just about the same, sir,” was the answer. Gray is still with him.”’ “May we see him?” “T’ll call the doctor.” In a few moments a tall, “Dr is ° somber, sallow man ap- } _away voice. peared, rubbing his hands together and looking very grave. “What is it?” he asked. What's wanted ?” “We would like to see Hanley, doctor.” “Well, I don’t know about it—really I don’t. I’m trying to keep him quiet. I’m afraid of the effect of - excitement upon him. You know there has been a consultation, and Drs. Loudin and Swartmore have agreed with me, that he must be kept very quiet.” “Oh, it’s you, Cooper! “We won’t disturb him,” declared the officer. “Mr. Merriwell is very anxious to——” Dr. Gray frowned on Frank. “Who is he? and why should he see Mr. Hanley?” he asked. “He is the gentleman who or dered the arrest of Del | Norte.”’ | . The somber-looking physician shook his head. “T don’t see that that is any reason why he should see my patient. No, I think 9? “Pardon me, doctor,” said Frank, pleasantly, “you know I am intensely interested to learn how the pris- oner escaped, and, Mr. Hanley being the guard “He can answer no questions now, young man. You will have to postpone it.” Frank had no desire to postpone it. He caught the doctor's eye and held it with his steady, powerful: glance. The physician seemed suddenly fascinated. His jaw drooped and he stood looking at Merry, as if unable to move. rm Tom Cooper saw some strange thing was occurring. _ A quiver ran over him as he watched. Once he started to speak, but paused and remained silent. | After a little, Merry stepped forward softly and placed both his hands on the doctor’s shoulders, still gazing in that wonderfully intent manner, into the man’s eyes. He began to speak in a very quiet, posi- tive manner. | “Doctor,” he said, portance that I should see Mr. Hanley, immediately. _ “it is a matter of the most im- Rest assured that we will be very quiet and will cause : your patient no vise You will take us to Stee him. Lead the oe | “Follow me,” said the doctor, in a strange, far Be “Come, Cooper,” said Frank; and ey followed the pues into the adj jonite | room. | — Jf : ; 2 ne TIP TOP WEEKLY. : 3 CHAPTER: Ti MERRIWELL'S MAGIC POWER. The patient was in bed. open, but staring and expressionless. His _were relaxed and his face like putty. He was a big man, with broad shoulders and a deep chest, yet he breathed so slightly that his bosom scarcely moved with the inhalations and exhalations. Frank stepped to the side of the bed and gazed at the man intently. “You see I have told you the truth concerning his condition,” said the doctor. “It is very puzzling.” “Not at all,” returned Merry, to the surprise of Cooper. “It is the simplest thing in the world.” The physician attempted to draw himself up with dignity. “Do you mean to tell me, young man, that “I mean to tell you, doctor, that 1 know what is the matter with Mr, Hanley.” “The drug: “He has taken no drug.” “What, what, what, sir?’ spluttered the doctor. “Did you use a stomach pump on him?” es.’ . “And did you find traces of a drug or poison in the K contents of his stomach?” - “No definite traces, but an analyzation of “Don’t waste your time in that manner, doctor. If . you will help me bolster hini up with these pillows, I will see if I can restore him to his normal condition.” Dr. Gray was indignant. “No, sir! no, sir!” he exclaimed. “I shall not per- mit it! The idea that a mere stripling like you should come in here and He stopped speaking, for again Merry was looking him straight in the eyes with that singular, command- ‘ing, compelling expression, - Tom Cooper held his breath, for he realized that some ta thing was taking place. _ After a few moments, Merry quietly observed :. “Now we will bolster him up, doctor. You take hold on that side. Mr. Doi ee the pillows be- He lay with his eyes wide features 99 ” “rt be ee Lb er Cooper. ia The nee was lifted and bolstered according to did not seem to comprehend what was being done to him. When the man was arranged to Frank’s satisfaction, he bade the doctor and Cooper sit down and remain quiet. Then he seated himself on the side of the bed, in such a position.that he could gaze squarely into Han- He took both the man’s hands, getting hold of them in a peculiar manner, press- ing the balls of his thumbs against the balls of Han- ley’s thumbs. He leaned forward slightly and sat thus for something like two minutes, the expression of com- mand on his face again seeming all-compelling. Fi- nally he released the man’s hands and began making some strange passes over him, at the same time speak- ing in a low, yet wonderfully penetrating, tone of voice: “Hanley, you have been sleeping, but you are now awake. You have dreamed that you could not stir, that you had no command over any part of your body, © and that you could not even speak. It was nothing but a dream. You are now able to move, to speak, or to do anything you like. Do you understand ?” “Yes, sir,’ answered Hanley, to the great amazement of Dr. Gray. “That is good,” said Frank. ‘You will get up out of bed. in a few moments, but, before you do so, I wish you to do something for me. You were compelled to sleep by a man with a pair of eyes that seemed to burn into you and rob you of strength. After you had looked into those eyes a few moments, you fancied you — could not move unless that man ordered you to move, Am I eS ef “You are,’ “He ordered you to call the sergeant from the deck? on some excuse or other. What did he command you to tell the sergeant?” f “That he was trying to commit suicide in the cell.” “Just so. And the sergeant came to the cell ?” eae” | “Then the prisoner with the fiery eyes induced the sergeant to look at him. After a time, he ordered the sergeant to open the door of the cell and release him. The sergeant obeyed.” Bet “Ves,” “Good gracious!” exclaimed Dr. Gray. hypnotized !’ ley’s expressionless eyes. hes ee Merry nodded, but did not withdraw his attention — from Hanley. | “Before leaving, the prisoner told you that. you would not be able to make any voluntary movements © to n tals tot a safes ‘Period of Hae - TAP oN es, Sit.” “He ordered ally unbalanced r” D Lees “After which he departed ?” es, “Now, Hanley, you must do something for me. must close your eyes. That’s right. Be quiet.’ Again, Merry made some passes over the man’s head and face. Cooper watched in breathless wonderment. Dr. Gray leaned forward, staring with a mingled air of astonishment and doubt. “Now,” said Merry, still speaking to the man on the bed, “you can see a very long distance. I want you to look for the man with the fiery eyes. Look for him everywhere. Are you looking?” With his eyes still closed, Hanley answered: “T am looking.” “What do you see?” “I see plains, mountains, valleys, vineyards, farms, the ocean, islands—-I can see the whole world.” “Then it will be easy for you to find that man. He cannot hide from you. Look! Search! You must find him. What do you see?’ the sergeant to act like a person men- You I see a Pullman car. I see the pas- Ah!—I see him!” “He is in the car?” “Ves 9) “What is he doing?” “T see a train. sengers in the car. - “Fe is looking out of the window. He smiles. It is a terrible smile. It makes his face look like a fiend’s ‘face. He whispers to himself.” “What is he saying? Can you hear?” “Yes, yes. He says, “The fools, to think they can hold me behind bars! While my patron saint, the devil, stands by me, the cell is not made that can hold ‘me. For a time I’ll leave Merriwell to suffer with his withered arm and his blasted hopes, and then I’ll strike again. The second blow shall be more terrible.’ ” “Tell me which way the train is going,” commanded Frank, “To the north.” “That’s enough, Hanley. Open your eyes. Wake up!” As he uttered the final words, Frank clapped his hands sharply before the man’s face. Hanley gave a great start, leaned forward and then stared round him, with an expression of unspeakable amazement on his face. sh Lis TOP WEEKLY. ere. he faltered, “where am I?) What’s bed! home—in Pm What do you want? What are you doing here?’ the matter? Who are you? “It’s all right, Mr. Hanley,” assured Merry. “You have been slightly ill, but yee are better now, and you will have no further trouble. Here is your doctor.” Dr. Gray came forward hastily. “Young man,” he said, speaking to Frank, “such a thing as I have just seen I’ve heard about and read of, but never believed in. It is amazing. Why, with that power you are capable of accomplishing any amount of good or evil in this world. It is a dangerous power to possess,” “T think there is no danger that I shall misuse it, doctor; but I am thankful that I possess it, for other- _ wise I must have fallen the victim of Porfias del Norte long ere this,” said Merry. CHAPTER III. AON EC £0: 0:3. RO Frank and his friends occupied seats in a Pullman, the train being northward bound from Los Angeles. After returning from Santa Barbara, Merry lost lit- tle time in starting for Frisco. He had reached the point where he felt that it would be best to turn on his enemy and give the man no peace. He was wearied from much annoyance, and he knew he would continue to be annoyed, unless Porfias del Norte received the punishment his career of crime justly merited. | | Del Norte was no ordinary criminal. underestimate the man. In the first place, the Mexican was a direct descend- ant of old Guerrero del Norte, a born fighter and a man with a bloody record as a bandit. Porfias had become arrayed against Merriwell on account of the fact that Frank had a wonderfully rich gold mine in the State of Sonora, and this mine was lo- | cated on territory included in an old land grant, made _ to Guerrero. j It made no difference to Porfias that this been revoked and annulled. He claimed that he was the rightful owner of the land, and of Frank Merri- 3 well’s San Pablo Mine, Regarding Frank as a usurper, the man sought to oust him in various ways, all of which attempts proved failures. Ev ery failure aroused him to a still greater pitch of resentment and rage against Merry. had right on his side, Del Norte ceased to reason and — Although Frank swore he would triumph in some manner, and it made no difference to him i in what manner he succeeded. Merry did not grant had mt \ th j ag Sag ayqnrree fa ee Peet is - TIP TOP WEEKLY. He finally tried to murder Adiron- dacks. While hiding in a cav was buried by a landslide; and there called on the devil, and pledged his soul to the foul fiend, in return for life and liberty. He escaped by means of a riftlike passage, but he came forth from that cave with his hair snowy white and his face changed to that of an old and broken man. Although Merriwell’s enemy had thus aged in ap- pearance, he remained strong, and supple and youthful in physique. who Merry in the after this attempt, he it was that he Therefore he was a good fighter, could endure no end of hardship. He seemed to have the heart of a fiend, for he planned to destroy not only Frank, but many of his friends and business associates. At the outset, after reaching this point, he sought to poison Watson Scott, a wealthy New Yorker, who had been chosen to-push through the building of the Central Sonora Railroad, one of Merriwell’s pet schemes. After this, Del Norte’s criminal acts followed in be- wildering rapidity, up to the time that he was trapped ‘by the police in Buftalo and took poison to escape arrest. The poison swallowed by the man was not deadly. Nevertheless, it threw him into a condition resembling death. He was pronounced dead by a physician and a coroner. p As he lay on a dissecting table in a aden! school, and one of the students made the first incision in his body, this remarkable man returned to life. It was weeks, however, before he recovered suffi- ciently to again set out to make good his threat to de- stroy Merriwell. He was accompanied by Calvin Kant, one of the medical students, whom he had hyp- notized and made his servant. In Denver Del Norte attempted to chop off the fin- gers of Frank’s right hand, which would have made it impossible for the victim to play baseball any more. In the struggle Merry secured the ax and wounded ie the man in the forearm. \ With blood streaming from the wound, Eanes flung himself on the back of a horse and escaped. | | In Los Angeles, disguised as a feeble and tottering man, the wretch attempted to plunge into Frank’s right ie arm a needle that was coated with a substance that he believed would cause that arm to wither away and be- come useless. Re iek Believing he had succeeded in his purpose, he fled. _ He.was pursued by Tom Cooper, who was anxious to _ secure the reward of fivé hundred dollars Sree by aes for Del at s arrest. Cooper caused the scoundrel to be arrested in Santa Barbara, and wired Merry to come on without delay. The result of Merriwell’s trip to Santa Barbara, the reader has seen. However, he was able to learn how Del Norte escaped, and to bring both Hanley and the police sergeant out of the hypnotic trance into which they had been cast by the villain. Frank felt certain that as soon as Del Norte dis- covered he had made another failure, he would reap- pear and resume his efforts. The one thing of most im- portance was that Merry should be constantly on his guard. Merriwell did not fear Del Norte. Indeed, it seemed that he must be devoid of fear, for the malignance of the man and his persistent efforts, were enough to fill any but a strong heart with dread and terror. Guided by his feelings, he was bound for ’Frisco, something seeming to assure him that he would find Del Norte in that city. Merry was as jolly and light-hearted as any of his friends. He knew everything ‘n connection with his mines was progressing finely, while the project of building the Central Sonora Railroad was again being pushed. Railroads are not built in a day; Frank knew that, and refused to grow impatient. While things were culminating, he was enjoying a tour with his old-time friends and meeting with won- derful success. In Los Angeles they had defeated at baseball the Chicago Nationals, winning two games out of three played. The baseball season was on in California, and the boys were looking for plenty of sport. The air was filled with rumors of challenges. The only “fly in the ointment” was Del Norte. And Merry hoped to dispose of him before long. CHAPTER IV. A LONG RUN. “Yes,” said Jim Stretcher, the boy from Missouri, “I confess that Frank is a wonderful runner. stretch a good long single into a three-bagger, in that last game; but still I maintain that, under pressure, 7% can outrun him.” “You vos dalking a great deal your mouth by, Chames!” cried Dunnerwurst. “I vill oxcuse you, uf I tell you dot you vos a liar.” AS, “Once on a time,” said Stretcher, with a curl of his 3 lips and a brush at his bang, ey might have cece ies I saw him | 0 words like that; but I have found other idiots besides Dutchmen, who were inclined to doubt my word.” “Who vos I calling an idiots?’ squawked Hans. “You had petter took it pack pefore I ged trouble indo. wese SNO?” “Oh, chop that statter—I mean stop that chatter!’ exclaimed Rattleton, pushing Hans down on his seat. “Stretcher must have some reason for thinking he can outrun Frank.” “T have,” nodded the Missourian. “I have the best reason in the world. I hold the record for running. Perhaps you haven’t heard about it. Made that record two years ago, last July. It happened this way: Paw lost one of our cows, Old Brindle, somewhere down in the bottoms. After she had been missing three days, he told me it was up to me to go forth and find her. Well, I started. I took my lunch, done up in a news- paper, and crammed into my side coat-pocket, and set forth for the bottoms, resolved to bring Old Brindle back or report her finish. “The bottoms were covered with timber, with cow- paths running every way. In places there were jungles and thickets, impossible to penetrate. There were a number of miry places, and paw thought it possible Old Brindle had struck one of these and got bogged. “Well, fellows, I just wandered around through the bottoms for about four hours without seeing hide or hair of that confounded cow. It wasn’t any fun, and I was getting pretty tired. The sun told me it was about ‘noon, or a little past, when I sat down on a fallen tree and rested. There was a spring near, and I decided to eat my lunch before I continued the search. So I pulled out my newspaper package and spread my grub out on the log beside me. “It was mighty lonesome eating there by myself, and I had to talk to keep up my spirits. I was chat- ting in a sociable way with myself between bites, and pretending I was jolly, when I heard a twig or some-_ thing snap behind me. Instantly I thought of Old e Brindle, and I expected to see her when I looked round. _ What I saw gave me a great shock, I assure yqu. | “Co, boss,’ says I, turning my head. ‘Come, Brin- _ dle, you old fool! I'll kick the ribs out of you when ’ Right there, fellows, I paused. I couldn’t i speak another word to save my life. My hair rose right up and stood on its hind legs. Sweat started from ' every pore on my body.” “Perspiration, James,” reminded Jack Ready. “Sweat isa vulgar word. It was perspiration. ey “Oh, was it?” cried Jim. PLP. TOP WEEKLY: - “Well, now, } don’t think. 2 What I saw y behind ‘me wasn’ é a cow; it was ra big, ‘on the i ice, and sat down and rested, for that eta brown bear, standing on his hind legs, about four feet away, and reaching out to embrace me with his fore- paws. The stuff that bubbled out of me just then was sweat!” said Jack. “Under those cir- cumstances you had a right to sweat.” | “But I didn’t sit around to mop off the sweat any. — Perspiration! Go on! “I stand corrected,” No, sir! I let out a howl that must have surprised | that old bear a little. At the same time I madea jump that carried me something like twenty feet from that log. I lost my appetite for lunch right there. I didn’t care if I lost that lunch. - In fact, I was per- fectly willing the bear should stop to eat it. I didn’t . | look round to see if he had stopped until ’'d made a number of those leaps. Then I gave a glance over my shoulder, and there he was, coming like the wind — f- right after me. “T had to run. There wasn’t anything else I felt like I knew my life depended on it. That bear had — / picked me out for his midday meal. I hated to dis- . | appoint him, but my feeling of sympathy didn’t lead =f} me to linger. (i doing. “T wish you could have seen me run! The ground fairly flew beneath me. I went through thickets and jungles. Nothing stopped me. Occasionally I looked | round, and every time I did so, there was that blamed bear rémping along in pursuit. ity “I didn’t have time to decide on any particular =f} course, but I just ran any old way to escape from that. _ | bear. After a time I got out of the bottoms, and away — we went across country, uphill, downhill, through the — valleys and straight on. The air began to smoke be- hind us. I appealed to the bear. | ““Please stop, said I.” ‘I’ve been running some — distance, and I’m getting tired. Or, if you haven tN had exercise enough, and wish to continue this diver- < sion, just run in some other direction. I’m willing you ie should turn round and run as far and as fast as you like. Don’t hesitate about leaving me alone.’ “Tt didn’t do a bit of good. The bear kept on com- ing, and I was getting awful tired. I began to look round for some means of escape. I knew I couldn’t | “T don’t think you need look any further,” Badger. “There he is.” - He motioned toward Frank. “T thought it must be,” smiled. a tall, handsome, deep- ~ chested youth. “Mr. Merriwell, I am awfully glad to know you! I’ve wanted to see you. My name is ‘Standing—Lester Standing. Of course, you’ ve never heard of me, but FS - “Wait,” said Merry, who Hdd accepted the fellow’s hand. “Lester Standing? Are you the fellow who had such a record as a wrestler at Michigan, two years ago?” : oe TTe's the fellow,” nodded one of Standing’s com- ; -panions. “Had a standing challenge against any col- lege man in the country.” as A ae challenge is good,” ae Frank. said Buck Tt sas, and you're € just about the chap I should expect to see.” se WEEKLY. In truth, Standing was good to look upon, ap» ently physically perfect-and in the pink of health. “Let me introduce my friends,” he saitl “This . Walter Piatt.” Piatt was a small, delicate-appearing fellow, yet his hand was firm and his grip hearty, when he took Merry’s hand. “Christopher !’’ said Piatt; “why weren’t we all born athletes, like you and Lester ?” “This,” said Standing, bringing forward the third fellow, who was tall and dark, “is Philip Riggles.” Somehow Riggles did not strike Frank favorably. Merry then presented his friends, one and all, and the three newcomers were invited to make themselves comfortable. “We wanted to get back to Los Angeles in time to see your team play the Chicagos, Mr. Merriwell,” Piatt. “That’s right,” nodded Standing. “We've been down to Catalina, you know. That’s the place! (I could stay there a month. Wouldn’t be going back now if I didn’t have to. Got a match on, and I don’t want to be called a squealer.”’ | “Oh, you’re going to wrestle?” questioned Merry. OY ese : Where?" “At the Golden Gate A. A., “Who’s your man?” “Manton Holbrook, of Seattle. Ever hear of him?” “T should say so! What sort of a rasteh is this?” “Strictly amateur.” “Well, if Manton Holbrook has managed to keep.in ~ the amateur class it’s surprising. He’s a wizard. Why, he defeated Komo, the Jap, more than a year ago. Amateur! Why, it seems to me that man should be classed as a professional.” “Well, he’s not.” Merry surveyed Standing from head to feet. “I haven’t seen Holbrook for two yéars,” he said; “but, if I remember correctly, he’s larger than you.” “He says he'll weigh in at ten pounds more than I.” “And you hope to defeat him?” “T have money bet on it.” “So have I!” exclaimed Piatt, ‘Lester is going to take two falls out of three off EB or I'll be busted.” Riggles said nothing. said in ’Frisco.” “How was this match made?” Merry continued to | question. “Is it to be a straight open match between Holbrook and yourself, Standing ?” 4 “ito was Holbrook's palenns He offered to go. admitted Merriwell, et TOP WEEKLY. against any gobo and-ninety pound man our club would put up.” “But his ®pponent had to be a member of your club?” “Oh, no; he simply had to be an amateur. Hol- brook believes he can defeat any amateur in America. Why, a doesn’t know now who it is he is going to meet.’ ' Frank was growing more and more interested. “What’s the style of the match?” “Catch-as-catch-can.” “Holbrook weighs one-ninety, evidently.” eS. “And you about “One-eighty.” ‘His ten pounds will give him ah advantage.” “IT suppose so, for it must be good meat. They say he keeps himself in condition constantly, although he drinks some.” “Do you drink?” “Not while in training.” “You shouldn’t drink any time, Standing, old man. The stuff never did any man good as a beverage.” “Oh, I’ve heard a lot of rot like that,” broke in Rig- gles; “but I notice that some of the best men drink ‘moderately. According to Dr. Wyman, of Denver, one half pint of whisky a day, properly taken, acts as a food and is beneficial.’’ “T do not believe you have quoted Dr. Wyman cor- rectly. I believe I have seen his statement that a small amount of whisky acts as a food, but he modified that statement by pointing out the danger of acquiring an ‘appetite that will be ruinous, of increased indulgence, ‘and of final physical wreckage.”’ “Which is all rot,’ said Riggles. “I’ve seen many ~ men who drank habitually and were better off for it. s Whisky does act as a food and a tonic, in many cases. Look at the consumptives w ho are helped by keeping themselves full of whisky.” _ “Asa niedicine, properly used, whisky has its place,” “A sick man may take certain poisons with apparently beneficial results. Let a per- _ fectly well man take those same poisons and he becomes | I am no crank, but I insist that no thor- _ oughly well man need ever touch a drop of liquor. I believe the stuff is bad for a healthy man, and I think [ am supported by the best medical authorities in the world. If Manton Holbrook drinks Bia he pil weaken himself in time.” Ps “Oh, you have a right to your opinions, I suppose,” la ghed Riggles, unpleasant. to go with the crowd now and then. Peas ‘wont argue: with | you, but I shall continue to take a drink whenever I feel like it.” Standing now broke in again, acknowledging that he was inclined to believe Frank right in his premises, and adding that he drank so very little that it never could do him the slightest harm. “Look here, Merriwell,”’ he said, “I suppose you and your friends are bound for ’Frisco? Well, why don’t you take in the match at the Golden Gate A. A.? I'll see that you and your friends have tickets. Will you come?” “IT should be delighted,” confessed Frank; believe the others would, also.” “Sure! sure!’ cried the boys. “That settles it,” nodded Standing. “Tl look out. for you all. I want you to see me take the crimp out of Holbrook Thursday night.” “ord I CHAPTER VI. FRANK IS CHALLENGED. The following day, directly after lunch, Lester le Standing appeared at the Palace Hotel, where Frank and his friends were stopping in San Francisco, and in- vited Merriwell to visit the quarters of the Golden Gate A. A. Merry was only too glad to go. Others in‘the patie were asked to come along, but only Hodge accepted. — Standing had a cab outside the door, and this con- — veyance soon carried the three to the door of the club. The club occupied three floors in a commodious building. There were reading and lounging rooms, a billiard. room, smoking room, bowling alley, fine gym- — nasium, and an immense room where the athletic con- - a tests took place. “What do you think of it, Saas ” asked Stand- ing. is “Tt is first-class,”’ deckaced Merry. have no bar in connection.” “No. “That is a fine thing. not go together.” “But, unfortunately,” “T notice you — Athletics and drinking should said siete “there is a a attractive little bar that may be reached without step- _ Q ping outside the building, and lots of the fellows patronize it altogether too much. I’m not much of a drinker, you know, but I can’t be a chump, and I have It’s bad yin not to be a good fellow ina place like this.” i ie s bad Practice | to be a Seco fellow after the man- a dt ey ner of many fellows,” asserted Merriwell. “Being a good fellow has ruined lots of chaps.”’ “Oh, well, there’s no danger it will ever hurt me. I Siti the limit, and I seldom go over it.” Frank did not feel called on to say anything more just then, for he had learned that preaching seldom good 6 > reforms a In the billiard room were a number of persons play- a ing. Standing spoke to two, who were engaged at Lae pool, and Frank saw one of these was Phil Riggles. a “Hello!” exclaimed Riggles, observing Merry. “So ‘it’s you, old man! Looking our place over, eh? How does it strike you?” a: “First-class.” . pe “Thought it would. Let me introduce my friend -§ ~—Hal Hitchcock. Mr. Hitchcock, Mr. Frank Merriwell and Mr. Bart Hodge.” Hitchcock was a husky chap, finely put up, but with " a shifty eye. =e being classed as handsome. Frank and Bart. “Phil was speaking of you a little while ago,” he said. “We can’t order anything up here, you know; no drinking allowed in the club rooms. So let’s go down to Cupid’s Bar. I shall feel it an honor to blow the great and only Merriwell.”’ “IT beg you to excuse me,” bowed Merry. not drink.” _ “What, never—or just hardly ever?” “Never.” “Oh, say, how careless! _-you’re missing.” “7 think Ido! I’m missing lots of headaches and at the same time preserving my vitality and vigor.” rn “Can't agree with you, my boy. There’s lots of zs vitality and vigor in whisky, detieieg taken. Pll have _ to talk to you.” Then, to Frank’s surprise, Standing proposed that _ they should take “just one little drink.” ‘good fellow. It was his eye that prevented him from ‘He shook hands with \ no 5} “T do You don’t know what _ “Y’m afraid you failed to take me seriously,’ ” said _ Merry. “TI was in earnest, Mr. eG I never _ touch the stuff.” “Well, your friend “No,” said Bart, decisively. _it and reformed.” Hitchcock laughed, and there was a touch of ridicule in his merriment. ; bs “Look at Hal,” he said, placing his hand on Hitch- - RBs shoulder. “He drinks when he chooses, and “he’s the champion heavyweight boxer of this club. If he wished | to g° into the peer hes. 3 he could “T’ve had my turn at a1IP TOP: WEEKEY. 9 served. bluff has damaged your reputation.” at sak tHe léngt.: cn i this Po make some of the good ones hustle. Of course I’m not saying he could do Jeffries to-day; but I expect the time will come when “Cut it out, Phil!” interrupted Hitchcock, with pre- “I’m not looking for a professional tended modesty. reputation.” “All right, old chap,” “We all know what you can do with the gloves, but you're a I’ve been playing him fifty laughed Riggles. mighty sloppy pool player points to twenty, and he hasn’t won a go'from me for a month.” ‘Well, aren’t you the champion scratch man of the club?” growled Hitchcock. “I'd like to see somebody who could trim you.” A strange, muttered sound came from Bart Hodge. Instantly Hitchcock whirled on him. “Did you speak?” he inquired. “No, sir.” “Oh! I thought I understood you to say you knew a man who could trim Riggles.”’ “T didn’t say it; 1 may have thought it.” Bart had taken a powerful dislike to both Hitchcock and Riggles. “Perhaps you fancy you have some one in your crowd who can do that little trick?” “Perhaps I do.” “Perhaps the person is present?” “Perhaps he is.” “Perhaps it is you?” “Tt is not.” “We've cut it down to a fine point,” sneered the — boxer, looking at Frank. “It must be the great and only Merriwell.” . Instantly Riggles exclaimed : “That just suits me! I’m no great athlete, but T know ‘my game, and I'd like to have the satisfaction of saying I had taught Frank Merriwell something. I challenge you, Merriwell, to a fifty point go, and I'll give you a handicap.” ae “T’m not in practice,” said Merry. “Haven't you played lately ?” “Only a couple of games in Los Angeles.”’ “Oh, I thought by the talk of your friend “Fe was a trifle hasty,” said Frank. Hitchcock laughed loudly. “A bluff isn’t much good when it is called,” he db , “T’m sorry, Mr. Merriwell, if your friend’ ne > Now this manner of talking was calculated to warm Frank’s blood a bit. At the same time he did not show IO £iP SOP WEEKLY. “Oh, well,” he smiled, “if that is the way you look at it, 1 suppose I’ll have to play you one frame; but let’s begin with the distinct understanding that a go of fifty points settles it.” “And what handicap do you ask?” “No handicap.” “Why, I don’t wish to take the slightest advantage of you, and I'll give you é “Not a point. We'll play even. If you beat me fifteen, twenty or twenty-five points, that will be so much to your credit.” Merry took off his coat and rolled back his cuffs, while Standing hastened to bring out a number of private cues. “Take any one of these,” said Lester. “I don’t know what weight you prefer, but this one is mine and I think it’s all right.” Merry balanced the cue in his hand, looked at the tip and nodded. “It’s good enough,” he said. “If anything depended on the match I might be fussy, but this is a fine cue and it will serve, although it’s just an ounce light for “Better be fussy,” laughed Hitchcock, who had over- heard the words. “You'll need everything in your favor that you can have.”’ _ “T hope you hold Riggles down well,” whispered | Standing, in Frank’s ear; “but I’m afraid you can’t, for he’sa wizard at this game.” Bart Hodge was not worrying. He did not smile, but there was a look of serene confidence in his dark eyes. It was true that Merry had not played’ much pool lately, but Bart had seen him do some great work one evening in Los Angeles, and he felt that Frank had lost none of his old-time skill. Riggles was waiting. “Much obliged to you, Hal,” he muttered, as Hitch- cock paused near him. “It will do me good to take some of the starch out of this great Merriwell. I'll bury him at this game. Now, if you could follow it by getting him into a little bout and putting it all over him, he would lose some of his reputation in ’Frisco.” _“Ffe’s the sort I’d like to punch the face off,” said Hitchcock. “Tt’s not likely you'll have the chance; but I want everyone who can to come and see me sriow him un- der. Go tell the fellows to come in here. Gather them up and bring them along.”’ “Tl do it,” nodded the boxer. A moment later he made an excuse to go for a drink and sauntered away. CHAPTER VII. MERRY ON HIS METTLE, Before the toss a safety break was agreed on, and it was Riggles’ proposition that the cue ball alone need be driven to the cushion. Standing flipped the coin. “Heads,” said Riggles. “Tails,” said Merry. “Heads it is,” announced Standing. Phil.” “Merriwell may break.” Frank had wiped his cue with a handkerchief until there was not the slightest moisture on it. He chalked it deliberately and tapped it to dislodge the loose par- ticles of chalk. Then he placed the white ball inside the line and about a foot to one side of the spot. With deliberation, yet without wearisome waste of time, he played. The cue ball traveled down the table with moderate speed, gently. and lightly grazed the third and fourth ball from the apex of the triangle, then passed on, struck the foot cushion within two inches of the corner pocket, caromed to the side cushion and came rolling back up the table. The beauty of this shot was that somehow it seemed Frank had not moved a single ball in the triangular set of fifteen. They lay just as they had been “racked,” yet he had made the opening shot according to the agreement. But what added to the cleverness of it was the Pact that the cue ball returned to the head of the table and froze to the cushion, close to one of the corner pockets. Riggles gazed at the cue ball, then lifted his eye- brows and surveyed Merry. “Your choice, “Foxy quiller !” he observed. Hitchcock re-entered the room at this juncture, fol- lowed by a number of young men. The party came up and gathered in the vicinity of the pool table to watch the contest. Others straggled in after them. Merry knew Hitchcock had. invited them in to wit- ness the triumph of Riggles. . Up to this point Merry had entertained no great amount of feeling about the affair, but now his resent- ment was ayoused. Frarik could lose with good grace, but he was unwilling that anyone should seek to make him in the slightest degree the butt of ridicule. He. now resolved to strain every nerve to win and to take | the match from Riggles if it lay in his power. er Bart had been watching Frank’s face, and a feeling of satisfaction flashed over Hodge as he noted a cer- / tain squaring of the j aws and caught a meaning gleam | _in the eyes of his comrade. “It’s all right now, his mettle.” Riggles played gracefully and touched the corner The eng- ” thought Bart. “Merry is on ball, which was broken off from the punch. | _ lish used on the cue ball brought it back and lodged almost frozen to them. ” chuckled the it behind the object balls, “ “We can be a little bit foxy ourselves, a champion of the : Frank studied the position of the balls. He discoy- ered a combination that he fancied would go, but he was in such a position that there was no way to play it. ‘safe,’ He played the safety shot, touching one ball and going to the side cushion, The white ball came back, but stopped fully two inches from where he had meant that it should. “T don’t see anything safe about that,” laughed Rig- giles. “I'll double the nine ball for the upper right hand ce scratch man” club. he finally called. corner.” It was the only shot possible under the: circum- stances, and that would not ‘have been possible had _ Frank succeeded in his effort to place the cue ball. Riggles made the shot. It was no easy matter to hit the nine properly to double it the full length of the table, but he succeeded. The nine dropped into the upper right hand corner. ‘Hitchcock led the handclapping. _ But Riggles’ success with the nine was not all he accomplished. He had caused the cue ball to carom from the cushion and strike the balls hard enough to _ “Dreak” the bunch, driving out several of them. “Now you're off!” laughed Hitchcock. ‘Look out for him, Merriwell. He may riever stop.” “T should hate to run fifty without. stopping,” Riggles, grinning and winking at Hitchcock. “I really should dislike to see you do it,’ confessed Frank, with perfect good nature. said Riggles now picked off four balls with ease, and on Be - his fourth shot he succeeded in driving out two or : three more, _ Hodge was frowning, for hé saw that the fellow had obtained an advantage on the start. _ Eleven balls were secured by the Golden Gate expert before he missed. When he did miss it was through an sffort to get into position to clean the table of the re- maining balls. ‘ , He uttered an exclamation of vexation. 7 > “Never mind, Phil,” said Hitchcock. ell a small show. ‘He’ It ne it. oy “Give Merri- tif FOP WEEKLY. ‘Ir growled Hodge—‘‘wait and see!” Merry had no trouble in running off the last four “Wait a little!’ balls, and then he chalked his cue while they were be- ing racked again. at the start,”’ he said; “but of course a call-shot break goes ?”’ “Oh, sure!” “If you wish to call a shot and break them up for me, I see no reason why I should raise an objection.” said Frank, “I'll call the yellow striper on the corner for this pocket He touched the pocket at his left as he stood at the head of the table. Hitchcock laughed. “It’s possible,” he said; “but I’ve seen a professional miss it twice out of three times.” ‘Bet you ten dollars he doesn’t miss it!” “We spoke of a ‘safety’ break laughed Riggles. “Then,” 9) here. exclaimed Bart, scarcely above a whisper. “That’s ten for me,’ retorted Hitchcock, quickly. “T go you, my boy.” Frank did not hurry. When he was ready he played the shot with plenty of force. The ball named was driven from the corner of the triangular group to the cushion, from which it rebounded, rolling the length of the table and dropping with a click’into the pocket named. “Whew!” whistled Riggles. “Accident !’ sneered Hitchcock. buck, Mr. Hodge. “Take your time,” satisfied. “He did it!” “T owe you a saw- Pay after the game.” CHAPTER VIII. TWO TO ONE. Merry played without haste and without waste of time. He was deliberate in his judgment, yet he did not procrastinate and spend time surveying the posi- tion of the balls. He made his plan of play. as a gen- eral plans a battle, and proceeded to carry it out. The first shot at the mass had served to drive offa — number of balls, and these were clipped into the pockets until the cue ball was in position to break those re- maining. 3 : Frank had brought the white ball to that spot, hav- _ ing seen a complicated four-ball combination. He named it, whereupon Hitchcock laughed de- risively. : ‘‘Not in a thousand years!” he observed. “Just be- cause Me made that opening double he fancies he can do any old thing.” Bas him alone,” said A Riggics. oe ay male ihe said Bart, easily, feeling well — Frank did make it, and he smashed the balls hard enough to scatter them well. Hodge did not laugh aloud; he simply smiled. In short order Frank cleaned the table and the boy racked the balls Riggles began to look worried, for at last he real- ized that the man he had challenged could play pool. His eyes were open to the fact that he had not caught a sucker. The crowd was beginning to become deeply in- terested. “Don’t let a stranger drop in here and do you, Rig,” advised one. “That would be disgraceful,” said another. “Oh, he’s having a little spurt,” declared Riggles. “Tt won’t last. He’s about through now.” Frank placed his ball to shoot. “He doesn’t dare break them again!” cried Hitch- cock. ‘He’s going to play safe.”’ : “The thirteen ball in this pocket,” said Merry, touch- ing the pocket to his right. There was a breathless hush. Was it possible Mer- riwell could repeat his surprising feat at breaking and securing the balf named? Tunk—crack ! The cue sent the white ball cracking against the thir- teen. The balls flew, and out of the mass came the s thirteen, rebounding from the foot cushion. _. | “He has it!” exclaimed one of the witnesses. _ But the ball struck on the corner of the pocket, rolled across the mouth, rebounded softly and stopped. It did not fall in, but it hung on the very edge, so that a light jar might cause it to fall. “Hard luck!” exclaimed Hodge, in disappointment. | Riggles, seeing how insecurely the ball lay on the brink of the pocket, hastened to get into position for a shot. He chose another ball and quickly sent it into a pocket. At the same instant the thirteen dropped. “Spot it,” directed Riggles. “T’ll take no advantage, although it properly belongs to me.” “Tf you hadn’t hurried, Phil, it would have fallen and belonged to Merriwell.”’ “That’s right,” agreed Hodge. The thirteen was spotted, and Riggles continued playing. He failed on the seventh ball, however, which left him two points behind Merriwell. again. “Rotten! he growled. | Then, discovering that his failure had cauiséd the : cue ball to roll into a bad position, he brightened a somewhat and paused to watch Frank’s next effort. (ed 12 ciP TOP WEERLY: Merry was compelled to consider his course, ‘“‘Here’s a chance for him to show some of his won- derful skill,’ said Hitchcock, in his most aggravating manner. The hands of Bart Hodge twitched a little. longed to hit Hal Hitchcock. Frank had to choose between a safety and trying a He decided to try the shot, and gave no heed to Hitchcock’s sneering laugh, as he called it, and “bridged.” Merry played the shot softly, and again he met with a disappointment. The ball rolled into the mouth of the pocket with barely enough force to fall, but struck against the leather protecting flap, which hid been left up by the table boy when the last balls were removed from that pocket. The position of the flap would have made no difference with anything but a very light shot. In this case, however, it stopped and held the ball. “Push down that flap!’ exclaimed Hodge, at once. “T object!’ cut in Riggles. “Nothing about the table can be touclied to change the result of a shot after the shot is played. Merriwell should have seen the leather was up and ordered it pushed down in advance of shooting.” He very difficult—almost impossible—shot. “Well, you must be pretty well frightened!” said Bart. “I thought this a gentleman’s game.” “What do you think now?’ savagely demanded Hitchcock, turning on Bart with a belligerent air. “Do you mean to insinuate that we are not gentlemen in this club?” Instantly Standing and Merriwell stepped between the two. Frank spoke in a low tone to Bart. “Keep still, old man,” he ordered. : “Don’t pick up a fuss—for Standing’s sake. He’s a good fellow.” “But I’m going to punch Hitchcock before I leave ’Frisco!” grated Bart, his blood on fire. “He’s an in- solent dog,’’ “He’s a fighter, you know.” “T don’t care if he is. how to fight.” “Not here, Bart.” “All right; but I’ll find a place.” Frank did not insist that the leather should be pushed | down, and Riggles took advantage of this unfortunate occurrence. He ran off the remaining nine balls with | ease, and the balls were then racked once more. By this time the champion of the club had regained | his nerve. “Mr. Merriwell has been very bold | in breaking the , balls,” he said. “Tl Bis him the same > show. I am Perhaps I haven’t forgotten — \ . than that. going to play the ball on the right hand corner for this pocket, here at my right.” Several of the watching club members applauded, but Hal Hitchcock looked worried and shook his head. Hitchcock realized how many chances Riggles was taking, for he knew now that Merriwell was remark- ably clever at the game. Riggles placed his cue ball and made the shot. He struck the corner ball a smash that drove it to the cushion. The mass of balls was broken. The ball named flew back from the foot cushion, struck the side cushion and started up the table. litchcock cursed under his breath, for he saw the ball would not come within twenty inches of the pocket named. Then an accident happened that caused Hitchcock to shout. Another ball rolled into the track of the ball named, and they “kissed.” That kiss was just sufficient to de- flect the ball and cause it to fall into the pocket Riggles had called. “That kiss wasn’t called,” said Frank, quietly. “We don’t have to call kisses here,” declared Rig- gles, as he chalked his cue and prepared to shoot again. Merriwell looked at Standing. “It’s the rule of the club,” go, whether called or not.” “Tt’s a bad rule,” asserted Merry, “for it introduces said Standing. “Kisses an element of chance into the game that should not be _ present. However, as it is the rule of your club, 1 have nothing more to say.” This accident gave Riggles a remarkable opening, : and he played with all the nerve and skill he could command, gradually picking off twelve more balls be- fore missing. When he did miss the score stood thirty-eight to - nineteen on even plays. ‘Just two to one, Phil!” laughed Hitchcock. “Really I’m ashamed of you! You ought to beat him worse He may be clever at football or baseball, but it’s plain he isn’t much at this little game.” Bart Hodge sidled swiftly over to Hitchcock. Bart’s blood was leaping and he seemed to throw good judgment and discretion to the wind. “Tl bet you a hundred dollars Merriwell wins this | game!” he breathed. “What?” gasped Hitchcock. “Good Lord! you're ; crazy ! Have you got a hundred?” a Bart flourished a roll of bills. “T’ll go you!” exclaimed Hitchcock, eagerly. “It’s i like finding money!” TIP TOR: WEERLY. CHAPTER IX. THE WINNER. Merriwell knew nothing of the bet made by his friend. He was preparing to play. Frank realized that he was now in such a position that he must do his handsomest. Riggles needed only twelve points more to win the game. Frank ran off the three remaining balls. “Let’s see him break them now!” cried Hitchcock. But Merry was playing to win. The time for reck- lessness had passed. He knew he must be cautious, and so he again used the safety break, which was really no break at all. Lightly touching the balls, as he had at the opening of the contest, he brought the cue ball back to the head of the table and left it there. “T reckon somebody else is frightened now,” chuckled Riggles. “No doubt of it,” grinned Hitchcock. “He ought to be.” “Tt’s almost too easy,” yawned the club champion. Then he called a safety, but drove out one ball from the mass. Merry promptly picked that one off and followed with a safety that again left the cue ball at the head of the table. “Sparring for wind,” laughed Hitchcock. Riggles frowned. “Why don’t you get gay and break them?” quired. “I’m waiting for you,” said Frank, quietly. “You'll have a long wait.” Then Riggles tried another safety, but this time he drove out two balls. Frank picked off both of these, playing for a break on the second one. He secured the break and made three more shots, but missed in trying to get a position that would enable him to continue the run, After get- ting five balls he found himself tied up. He was compelled to drive a ball round the table, and he barely missed making the shot. “Now you have him!” cried Hitchcock. “He’s fid- dled along until he’s left you where you can close the You're ten points ahead of him.” Cat game out. Nine balls remained: on the table. Riggles went after these with confidence. If he secured them he would need only three more points to win. He made seven of them, but missed the eighth through overconfidence. He needed five more points to win the contest. Merriwell needed twenty-two points, and everything in connection with the game seemed against him. tit He made the two remaining balls and chalked his cue while the table boy was racking the fifteen. Still cautious, he played safe instead of breaking. Riggles laughed and also played a safety, using eng- lish that left the cue ball behind the mass and close to them. Frank took his time to study the balls. He discov- ered a handsome combination, but it was necessary to play it with the ball coming down the table. He could see no way of attempting it. But while he studied he discovered yet that looked as if it might go. It was pointed toward the side pocket. Where the cue ball lay there was no possibility of playing either com- -bination direct, but Frank fancied he saw a possible chance at the second one. He called it. “What?” shouted Riggles. Name that again!’ Frank did. “Why, you can’t hit it!” “Perhaps I can.” Merriwell played cushion first. The cue ball came back sharply and struck the combination properly. The ball named rolled into the stde pocket. The spectators applauded. Bart Hodge felt a thrill of exultation, for Frank had _ obtained a position to go after the entire fifteen balls. Never had Merry played with greater caution, yet he seemed full of confidence. He picked off ball after ball, breaking them as he needed them. Hitchcock looked on with growing nervousness, - while Riggles could not keep still, but continued to _ walk round the table and watch. Fifteen balls Frank made without pausing. _ “Now they are tied!” cried Lester Standing. “They _ have forty-five points each! This is hot stuff!” Hitchcock was worried, although he tried to conceal it. He did not fancy losing a hundred and ten dollars just then, especially as he had reckoned on winning it _as almost a dead sure thing. “Come, Rig!” he exclaimed. this. . “Can’t stop if I don’t have a chance, can I?’ Te- torted Riggles, petulantly. another “What do you mean? “You'll have to stop “He has to break or play safe now.” | Frank chose to play “safe,” but he did not leave the - cue ball as well as usual. | Riggles followed with, a clever safety. A Wien ‘herciwell: called a safety, but detached a ball from the mass, and this Rigegles promptly picked off. Then the club champion, whose caution had been thor- TIP TOP WEEKLY. oughly awakened, played a safety that left to play from the head of the table. The spectators were breathless, for they realized that a slight thing would settle the game now. Merriwell i Frank leaned over the balls and studied their posi- tions, while Riggles watched with some anxiety. “No combination there,” declared Riggles. ‘You'll have to play another safety.”’ Merry continued to study the balls. Finally he straightened up. , “T shall play a combination,” ‘the eleven ball for the corner pocket over there.”’ 4 “How are you going to hit ’em?” exclaimed Riggles. 4 “Let him go ahead,” put in Hitchcock. “He'll break 3 the balls for you and then you can run them off.” But Riggles was afraid. He had seen Frank make one almost impossible combination. If he made this one he might have the game in his hands. It was likely he would have it. “T don’t see how he can net the eleven ball into that b; corner,” muttered Riggles. 3 “I’m going to kiss it’ in off the two,” explained Frank. ; a: “Why, the two—the two won’t touch it!” van “Not until after the two caroms from the cushion. — | It should go. Watch.” Crack!—he drove the cue ball against the mass. | The two flew off to the cushion. The eleven rolled r more slowly, but not for the pocket named. Back came 4 the two and “kissed” the eleven daintily, deflecting it } just enough to drop it into the corner pocket. Me Nearly every one present uttered a shout. Riggles!: aac: made a sound, but it was a smothered groan, while | Hitchcock cursed under his breath. All saw Frank had the game in his hands. There was nothing to stop him now. He ran off the four balls needed, apparently without effort, and the contest was ended. Riggles had met defeat, wile Hitchcock owes Hodge one hundred and ten dollars. he said—‘ CHAPTER X. HODGE AROUSED. The club members gathered around Merry and shook his hand. “You're a dandy!” they said. “There are only two men in the club who pretend to play Riggles even, and he can wallop either of them twice out of three times.” _ Hitchcock sullenly clinked five twenty- dollar gold " pieces and a ten. | TIP TOP WEEKLY. “Greatest accident that ever happened,” he said. “Wouldn't happen again in a hundred games.” ~ “You think so,” smiled Bart; “but you don’t know ‘Frank Merriwell. He delivers the goods.” “Occasionally, perhaps. so have you.” ‘Take that to yourself, Mr. Hitchcock. We're vis- itors in this club and we’re not looking for trouble.” “Any time you are looking for trouble,” said the boxer, “just hunt me up. I'll accommodate you.” They glareu into each other’s eyes, the look one of intense hatred. Frank was watching, and once more he hastened to avert trouble. Riggles was anxious for another contest, but Merry turned down his cuffs and put on his coat, saying: “It was understood in advance that one go settled it. I’m not here to play pool. Can’t afford to spend much time at that game, when there are so many other things of greater interest and advantage.” A little later Standing took them into the great hall where the wrestling matches and boxing bouts were pulled off. In the center of the room was a raised platform cov- ered by canvas and roped off into a “square ring.” Around this platform were three rows of chairs, and then tiers of seats rising one tier above another as they receded from the platform. The place was empty now and looked bare and des- olate. “It will be packed Thursday night,” said Standing. “There is more than the wrestling match on for that evening >” “Oh, sure! We have several things. There will be two or three boxing bouts and at least one other wrestling match; but they have featured my go with _ Holbrook.” _ Hitcheock and Riggles now followed them into the place and stopped near. “Merriwell beat you at pool,” said Hitchcock; “but I’d like to have a go at him with the gloves. I’d take some of the conceit out of him.” He’s got lots to learn, and Frank smiled. “A poor loser and a sorehead,” he said to Standing. Bart Hodge was holding himself in check with an effort. “Efe doesn’t seem to hear you, Hitch,” said Riggles. “Better speak louder.” “Oh, he hears all right,” declared Hitchcock; “but he hasn’t the nerve, that’s what’s the matter with him.” - Quick-as a flash, Bart Hodge whirléd on Hitchcock. “Make your talk to me!’ he cried. “Merriwell can’t bother with you, but I’ll give you time enough for about three rounds, and be glad of the opportunity.”’ “You?” sneered the boxer. PO YeSt. “Three rounds! You wouldn’t last one.” “Give me a try at it,” urged Hodge. “You won some of my money.” “Yess: “T’ll go you a like amount that I put you down for the count before three three-minute rounds are fin- ished.”’ “Done!” cried Bart. . Frank had been surprised. He now seized Bart by the shoulder, demanding: “What's this about money won off him? Have you been betting on me? You know I don’t approve of it, old man, and ‘4 “T had to, Merry,” declared Hodge. some trunks and shoes. I’m going after his pelt “T’ll fix you up,” said Standing. -“Come to my locker. I have everything you need. But you have 1ade a big mistake in letting Hitchcock provoke you into this. He’s a wonderful fighter, and he’ll damage you if he can.” “Now I want yp? “If he can, without doubt,” nodded Bart; “but I ~ we don’t propose to let him.” “T’ll be ready for you inside of twenty minutes,” called the champion boxer of the Golden Gate, from. the door. “Meet me here.” “Depend on it,” said Bart. : Standing was much worried as he led the way to the dressing room in which his locker was located. “I’m sorry all these annoyances have taken place here to-day,” he said. “I hope you do not think I had any hand in it, gentlemen?” , “Don’t worry about it,” said Frank, genially. “The only thing that-disturbs me is that Bart should be bet- ting money on that pool contest. He knows——” — “T know all about it, Frank,” confessed Hodge; “but there are times when a fellow forgets. You’re not to blame, I couldn’t stand to hear that duffer croaking.” _ “Hitchcock isn’t such a bad chap,” said Standing; ~ “but he’s rather revengeful. He is an awful scrapper. He’s heavier than Hodge. I am afraid o ’ “Don’t you worry about me,” said Bart, as he began to strip. “If he can give me my medicine I'll take it.” — “Who's to referee this affair?” asked Frank, sud- — r denly. “T’'ll fix that,” said Standing. “George Keene, our a regular referee, is in the club. Hitch can’t object to t him. but we won’t let him. thing you see in that locker and want. He hurried from the room. Frank seized the opportunity to give Bart some advice. “Look here, old man, your temper is up, and you don’t want to let it run away with you. You can fight like a whirlwind if you keep your head. You're hot at this Hitchcock. Don’t let him make you hotter. He'll try it, if he thinks he can work. you that way. If you rush him, be sure to have your wits about you all the tinae, for you know the man who rushes is in danger of getting knocked out. A rushing fight is your game as long as you keep cool. If I speak to you pay attention to what I say.” Bart promised. When Standing returned Hodge was fully prepared for the ring. Standing stared at him in astonishment and ad- miration. “Great ginger! you’re put up about right! I didn’t have an idea you would strip so well. You're deceptive in your street clothes. Look at.those shoulders and arms! Look at that back! Man, you’re physically perfect. I fancy you'll surprise Hitchcock some.” “T hope to,” said Bart. Perhaps Hitch meant to ring in somebody else, Go ahead and dress. Use any- I'll get Keene.” "URLAGE © Ruka s oe Sa NEARLY OUT IN THE FIRST ROUND. Hodge, Merriwell and Standing returned and were waiting by the ring when Hitchcock and his friends appeared. Bart had a heavy overcoat flung over his shoulders. Hitchcock came striding in, adorned in a striped bath robe. George Keene appeared a moment later, and he was not alone. Into the room swarmed more than fifty club members, who had heard that there was “some- _ thing doing.” “ Already Standing had explained to Bart and Frank ; ges having sent Riggles for him. Keene brought a timekeeper with him. zi “Hello, Hal!’ cried one of the crowd that followed Keene. “Don’t let these fellows come in here and make - look like a lot of scuffers. It’s up to you.” _ Hitchcock waved his hand. “Don’t worry, ’ he smiled. between this ers ash ok ae pool” i t TERPS EOP OW EERE Y: various modes of attack. that Keene was Hitchcock’s choice for referee, the | “There is a difterence f Then he climbed up into the ring, Riggles and an- other chap accompanying him. ae Hodge climbed up into the opposite corner, accom- panied by Merry and Standing. The spectators, delighted over the prospect of an impromptu bout. of this sort, obtained seats, laughing and joking. Hitchcock dropped off his bath robe. He was splen- didly put up, and he knew it. He posed a moment while the gloves were being adjusted and tied on his — hands. Hodge kept the heavy overcoat around him, while Merry and Standing adjusted the gloves. George Keene climbed into the ring while the time- keeper took a seat outside near the gong. / “Gentlemen,” said Keene, “I am pleased to announce 4 this three-round go in the heavyweight class between Hal Hitchcock, of the Golden Gate A. A., and Bartley Hodge, of Frank Merriwell’s Athletic Team, now tour- ing the country.” As Bart’s name was spoken he rose and dropped off the old overcoat. In a moment every good judge of human physique who saw him was interested more deeply. There were exclamations and comments, “Boys,” said one man, “I have a hunch that Hitch- — cock hasn’t any cinch with that fellow.” “Oh, Hitch will wallop him easy,” declared another, Clang !—sounded the gong. | 3 The boxers advanced and shook hands. Then they fell into position and the bout was on. “Go in, Hitch!” shouted a voice. ‘‘Put it to him right off the reel!” \ i ae Frank had feared Bart would be too anxious, but he soon saw that Hodge was prepared to try out his op-.. * ponent. He sparred carefully, working to the right cm and doing very little leading. a This seemed to lead Hitchcock on. After a few — moments, the fellow began to believe Bart was scared _ at the very start, and so he pushed the affair, trying eg Hodge showed himself rather clever in defense ea i in escaping, but the crowd began to laugh and call i a sprinting match. ; “Put him into a corner, Hal!’’ “Stop this foolishness!’ “Make him fight!’ “He’s a quitter!” Hoyt a Bart smiled grimly. Frank saw that alte and felt still more reassured. Hodge was keeping his head, and he was as studying SE rete style, When whe? time 2ip BOT Swish !—spud !~-spank! Something had happened. Hitchcock attempted to rush Bart. He was met by a jab in the wind and an- other on the jaw that astounded him and sent him stag- gering. More than that, Hodge followed him up and he was compelled to be lively on his pins to escape sev- eral more bad blows. The spectators shouted. Hitchcock showed his teeth in a snarling smile. “So you really are awake!” he sneered. “I thought you were asleep or dead.” “You have another think coming,” said Hodge. Having recovered from the shock and feeling pro- voked, Hitchcock attempted to retaliate. He pressed the fighting, swinging at Bart’s jaw with his left. Bart ducked and returned with a left Ae on his enemy’s body. Hitchcock was not stopped. He Based in and they ‘clinched. Keene broke them. As they broke Hitchcock struck low and foul, but - did not hurt Bart. “Look out for that, Hodge!” called Merry. Keene warned Hitchcock that he must not repeat it. The Golden Gate man laughed and improved the first opportunity following to press the fighting. Bart avoided a left lead at the head by crouching. At the same time he sent a blow to Hitchcock’s body. As he got away he found Hitchcock had cleverly A _ pinned him in a corner. _ Some fast work followed. It was almost impossible Std keep track of the blows. There were hooks and counters and body blows. in bewildering succession, some of them seeming effective and some doing no damage whatever. ! - Out of that corner they tottered to a clinch, which a as brolcet by the referee. After that Bart went for Hitchcock with surprising J suddenness. gleaming. ’ At this point neither man showed a mark, but sud- -denly Hitchcock got in a corkscrew blow that stag- if gered Hodge and caused him to drop his hands. " “Got him, Hal!” shouted a voice. ‘Put him out!” ‘Hal tried it, only to see his enemy awake like a pan- His dark eyes were shining and his teeth er and to get a heart blow that gave him an awful | why’ ‘the chair placed by Poulan He was faint when water was dashed over him. Riggles and his assistant WEEKLY. “17 worked fiercely, and Hitchcock recovered with sur- prising rapidity. “Good thunder, Hal!” breathed Riggles. you were gone! He nearly put you out!” “I—I know!” gasped Hitchcock. “Carelessness. I'll watch out next time.” “He’s no slouch.” “I thought In the meantime Merry had been working hard over Bart and talking to him. “He came within a hair of having you once,” said Frank. “Let him do most of the rushing until the time comes, then carry him off his feet if you can; but keep — awake every moment. Look out for that left swing for your jaw. He’s trying to get in a knockout. You came back well with your left at his body, but still he hit you oftener than he should.” “All right,” breathed Bart. often next round.” 29 “He won’t hit me so CHAPTER XII. OUT AT LAST. Clang! Considering the fact that he seemed almost out at the finish of the first round, Hitchcock came up won- derfully fresh at the beginning of the second. Bart was fresh, too; and neither man showed a scar. Hitchcock began to taunt Hodge. “Stand up this time,” he said. “You’re a good run- ‘ ner, but a rotten poor boxer. Don’t be such a jack- rabbit. Have a little backbone.” A moment later he got a blow on the nose that started the blood. ! Hitchcock was not badly hurt, but he was infuriated — by Bart’s success in drawing first blood. He endeay- | ored to pin Hodge in a corner and seemed successful. | Then he closed in, feinting and letting drive with a straight left. Bart stepped outside the blow and retaliated ith: ais left swing that staggered the Golden Gate champion. “Ah!” cried the spectators. . , ne It did not stop there. Hodge saw his opportunity, | and he followed Hitchcock up, driving him clean across _ the ring to the opposite ropes. At this point Hiteh-. _cock clinched and hung on obstinately until the referee parted them. : Phil Riggles was white with alarm. ' “Great smoke!” he muttered. “Hitch — is “getting groggy ! 7 "4 Hodge did not give his opponent ee time, ke pressed him earnestly, looking for an opening to get in the blow that should end the contest. Never in his \ I8- life had he handled himself better, and Frank Merriwell smiled his satisfaction. Standing was no less astonished than was Rigegles. He clutched Merry’s arm, exclaiming : “T believe he can whip Hitchcock!’ “Of course he can,” nodded Frank. ‘“But—but you didn’t say he was such a boxer.” “No.” “Why not?” ‘““He’s not a fellow who goes round boasting about himself, and he would be offended if any one else were to boast for him.” “Look! look!” gasped Standing. Hitchcock was dazed. His nose was bleeding and his lower lip was split. He swung and jahbed wildly. Hodge was seeking his opening, the look in his eyes telling his purpose to end the affair quickly. Clang! With a start of surprise Merriwell glanced at his watch. ‘*Ah,” he said, ‘‘the timekeeper saved Mr. Hitchcock that time.” | “How?” asked Standing. “By cutting the round thirty seconds short. In less than thirty seconds more Bart would have put Hitch- cock out.” ‘Hodge was comparatively fresh as he took a seat in his corner. Hitchcock’s seconds seized him and lowered him on his chair. They drenched him with water and then rubbed his arms, legs and stomach. Riggles held some smelling salts under the boxer’s nose, from which the blood had been wiped with a sponge. He pushed it away. “Water!” he gasped. They gave him a swallow from a bottle. “Great blazes, Hal!” said Riggles. ‘‘You came near getting yours that round. Are you going to let that fellow do you?” The glare of a desperate wild animal came into Hitchcock’s eyes. -“Hecan’t do me!” he panted. , “He will if you don’t do better next round.” Again the smelling salts were held beneath Hitch- cock’s nése. He revived wonderfully; but Frank, keep- ing note of the time, discovered that more than a min- tite was being given between the rounds. “They're giving him time to brace up,” he said. “Never mind,” said Hodge. they’ll give him.” At last the gong sounded for the finishing round. “He needs all the time TIP TOP WEEKLY. It was really surprising that Hitchcock should come up as fresh as he did. He did not wait a moment, but made a lead at Bart as soon as they met in the center of the ring. Bart blocked the blow and countered. They came together for some sharp in-fighting, which ended with a clinch. Bart broke clean, but a second time Hitchcock de- livered a foul blow. The eyes of the dark-haired young chap snapped. “That won't do you any good,” he said. “Bah!” retorted Hitchcock. “You are not He did not finish, for Hodge was at him. stepped and retreated, Bart following him up. Suddenly Hitchcock stopped and feinted with his right at Bart’s face. At the same instant he swung hard and straight for the solar plexus with his left. ”? He side- This was intended for a finishing blow, and it came near catching Hodge, who succeeded in partly blocking it, but was jarred somewhat. “At him! at him!” cried Riggles, thinking Hitchcock had landed fairly. “Now you have him!” The boxer tried to get in a swing at Bart’s jaw, but the blow was blocked and a scientific uppercut made his head snap. Again Hitchcock was dazed, but he attempted to get away. When Bart followed closely he changed his movements and closed in for another clinch. By this time the crowd was beginning to realize that their champion had met his match. Still many of them held on, hoping a lucky turn would enable their man to win the bout. More than once had they seen such a thing happen, and they hoped for it now. The moment Keene caused Hitchcock to break Bart . ¥ went at him again. The boxer braced and tried a left — swing at Bart’s body. Hodge drew away, but his own _ left arm shot out in a wonderfully long reach, landing a left hook on his antagonist’s: jaw. The spectators gasped. “Fe can’t stand many like that!” exclaimed one. For a moment the platform beneath Hitchcock seemed to sway. He realized his peril, and, by a mighty effort, checked the dizziness that must have made him an easy victim. His heart was sick within him. He had reckoned on nothing like this when he asked George Keene to referee and to bring along all the fellows in the club to see the stranger “get his medicine.” | | Fury and despair filled the heart of Hitchcock. He : knew he was beaten in the eyes of the spectators, unless _ TIP TOP he could get in and put Hodge out before the third round ended. Bracing up, he went after Bart. "Hodge stopped him. Then he made a left hook at Hitchcock’s jaw and missed. The boxer fancied he saw an opening, and again he swung a left at Bart’s stomach. The blow was blocked, and at the same time Bart delivered a back-hand swing that nearly floored the other. TNO. <4ase!’- “Hodge is the most scientific. this club is over.” Bart had fooled Hitchcack repeatedly. Now he went after ‘the fellow, who made a last rally and seemed 5 strong as ever for a few moments. _ The rally did not last, however. Hitchcock weak- ened again before the rapid work of his antagonist, _and finally Hodge caught him a fearful jolt.on the jaw and stretched him on the mat. , Slowly George Keene counted Hitchcock out. Hodge had won. gasped Riggles, shaking his head. Hal’s day of glory at / CHAPTER: XIII. ‘ BOUND BY UNSEEN BONDS. Hal Hitchcock sat at a table in a saloon on Market Street and shed tears. His sole companion was Phil Riggles. Both were drinking whisky. | ~ “IT was a fool!” choked Hitchcock. him any day. I underrated him.” “T know you did, old man,” nodded Riggles. “That was the trouble. I saw at the start that he was a better man than you thought.” “T can whip “But I’m a better man than he is. Burn him! Look at me! Look at my lip! I don’t believe he has a mark. I was playing for his body, that’s why.” “Well, we both were fooled. I can beat Merriwell at pool—I know it. I thought I had him easy. It was rotten, Hal! What are we going todo? How can we get even?” _ “T’m sore on Standing. He brought them into the club and he seemed to think he had done something to be proud of. Never did like Standing. He has an idea Sa great wrestler. I’d like to see Manton een ak his back!” Hitchcock said this viciously. “To tell you the truth, old man,” said Riggles, “I en’t any great use for Lester Standing, although ae know it, He thinks I’m his ee but I'd WEEKLY. 19 to spread him all over the mat. Then he wouldn’t be so top-lofty about his fine friends, Frank Merriwell and Sart Hodge. Tell you what, Phil, if we could get some dope into Standing before the match gasped Riggles. “We might.” He'll drink with you. Say, you might have something in your locker. That's the stuff! Ill fix you up some stuff.” PP ates “Sure.” “How ?” “Leave that to me.” . “But I—I don’t want to give him anything that will hurt him.” “Tt won’t hurt him, but it will make him sick, and he won’t put up much of a match for Holbrook. That will spoil his pride. Let Holbrook floor him twice in succession and he’ll wilt.” “T’m afraid to do it,” said Riggles “Afraid?” sneered Hitchcock. yesi “What is there to be afraid of ?” “Tf it should be found out is ‘ If you’re anywhere near slick it won’t be found out. We've both been disgraced to- day, and he’s rejoiced in it. Do you want to hang round the club with him strutting and showing off, while we have to take the joshing we'll get? You don’t stand joshing very well, and “You're right I don’t! They tried it on me to-day after that game of pool, and I blazed. All right, Hal; but I want to be sure the stuff you fix up-won’t hurt him permanently.” “Crickey !’’ “You might, for he drinks sometimes. “Don’t worry. “Take my word for it. Oh, but I’d like to find some way to get at Merriwell!” “Wouldn’t I? I could kill him!’ A man who had been reading a paper in a corner rose at this juncture and stepped over to the table at which the young men sat. ) “Your pardon, sefiors,’ he said, in a soft, musical. “T did not intend to listen, but I caught the name of Merriwell. From your words and your tone, _ I judged you bear him no love. I hate him, also— hate him unto death! But I have made him suffer— ah, yes! If you have seen him lately, you know this! I shall cause him to suffer a thousandfold more. I have sworn it. I shall ruin his health, his beauty, rob him of friends, sweetheart, money, everything he holds s dear! Jn the end I mean to be at his side as he dies 5, : and to laugh at him a and taunt him!” % voice. 20 TEP TOP words spoken by this strange man, who had a pair of strangely burning eyes set in the head of one who had apparently passed middle age, and was well along to- ward the end of life’s journey. “I pray you be not alarmed,” he said, noting their appearance of doubt and uncertainty. “I am perfectly sane. I cannot tell you the many ways in which Frank Merriwell has injured me—lI need not tell it. You think me old? I am still in the twenties. Of course you cannot believe me, and I do not wonder; but what I have suffered has made me look like an old and broken man. But my body is still strong as of old, and my heart is filled with fire. Look here—see this arm.” For the first time they noted that one of his arms was hidden beneath his coat and suspended in a sling. “TJ was wounded in a battle with Frank Merriwell. He struck me with an ax. To-morrow I shall try to put on my coat for the first time in many days. But I was revenged, for I drove the poisoned needle into his right arm and he'll never use it again. By this time it must be weak and withered.” “Say,” broke in Hitchcock, “you’re due in the bug- house. There’s nothing the matter with Merriwell’s arms.” “What—what do you say?” cried the man. “You are lying! How do you know? You have seen him— when ?” “To-day, not more than an hour ago.” “And his arms—both of them—he could use them ?” “T should say he could!” said Riggles. “He defeated me at a game of pool.” “Tt can’t be true!” “But it is true, old man. You've been smoking hop.” “Better keep away from Chinatown,” advised Hitch- cock. | The stranger leaned over and placed his hand on Riggles’ shoulder. “Look at me,” he commanded. Phil did so, and, after a few moments, discovered that he could not withdraw his gaze. A strange sensa- tion of helplessness crept over him. “Now,” said the stranger, ‘you cannot lie to me if you wish. Knowing this, I shall believe what you tell me. Tell me how you met Merriwell and everything about it. I am listening.” Riggles did as commanded, and the stranger lis- tened, hearing the story of the meeting on the train ™ and of Frank’s appearance in the Golden Gate Club, where he defeated the champion pool player of the or- _ ganization. “And his right arm,” questioned the stranger, with WEEKLY. the all-compelling eyes, “did he handle it as well as the other? Was it not weak? Did he not complain of pain?” “T saw no trouble with either of his arms,’ answered Riggles. The man smote the table with his fist. “How did he escape the effect of the poison?” he “What unseen power protects him? He shall not continue to escape! You young men shall take me to him, and [’ll find a way to strike him a blow from which he’ll never recover.” cried. “T don’t think we'll get mixed up with a madman,” objected Hitchcock. \ The stranger turned his wonderful eyes on the boxer, “My dear young man,” he said, softly, soothingly, “T am sure you will change your mind on that point, in case you think me the madman. We'll get along very well together, and you'll do exactly as I ask you | to do.” “Not by a blamed sight!” The man with the wonderful eyes smiled. “You can’t help it, sefior.”’ “T’d like to know why not!’ exploded Hitchcock. “Because you have not the power. Your will is not easily bent, but every man meets his master, and I am yours.” . (7? “You fool!’ cried the boxer. “Now I know you are amaniac! Get out of here before I have you pinched!” The stranger did not stir. He sat quite still, smiling that calm smile and keeping his eyes fixed on the eyes of the rebellious young man. : “That was your last effort at rebellion,” he asserted. “You are beginning to feel my power. The spell is on you.” ‘ He lifted one hand and waved it slowly before Hitch- cock’s eyes. “You feel it,” he repeated. “It is creeping over you little by little. It is binding you to that chair. You cannot see the cords that hold you fast, but they are there. I will convince you. You cannot rise from the chair, Try it! try it!” Hitchcock attempted to get up, but found he could — “not move. He began to struggle, while beads of per- spiration started out on his face. His movements were like those of a man straining at bonds which hold him helpless. Finally he gave up, gasping for breath. “Man, who are you?” he panted. “T am Frank Merriwell’s enemy, Porfias del Norte,” ? * was the answer, “and you are my servant, to obey my | every command. Ha! ha! ha!” diane OP eres ts ae me ou re he Id — FREE ce ee ere er ot reo a ae wee = eae. =e nee eee ee ~bub-beat me bub-bub-bowling _ “You vos much obliged vor dot,” er AS, many tries vill took me as I vant.” CHAPTER BEFORE THE XIV. MATCH, It was the night of the contests at the Golden Gate A. A. The club rooms were thronged in the evening. Nearly gether with a great throng of visitors. early all the members were present, to- Frank Merriwell’s party was there, and all seemed to be enjoying themselves as they wandered about from room to room. Gamp and Dunnerwust strolled into the bowling room, found an alley that was not being used and promptly peeled off their coats and went t it. “You neffer seen this game play me, dit you?” quired. Hans, as he spat on his hands and prepared to deliver the first ball. “Vale, you vant to got ready a greadt surbrise vor. “Gug-g-git out!’’ laughed Joe. if you in- I vos going to dood you upness.” “You couldn’t bub- tried twenty years.” “Who toldt me so?” game will start me righdt off mit a strike. vatch der balls go down ven I roll a pin indo them.” Then he made a run, swung the heavy ball furiously, slipped, lost his footing and came down flat on his back, cried the Dutch youth. “This Shust you 4 while the ball rolled down the gutter. *A-haw! a-haw! a-haw!” roared Gamp. Hans sat up. “Vos id fairness?” he inquired. up ondo me.” Try again,’”’ invited Joe. next tut-time.” . “You bet my life I vill, Dot peen an accidents. Nexdt time a strike vill make me. Yes? No?” e He selected another ball, posed with it at the end of the runway, glared at the pins, and then started again. ‘This time he fell flat on his stomach, but the ball went “Der alley slipped “You may dud-do better down the alley until it almost struck one of the corner “pins, but dropped off without getting a single pin. Hans lay still and watched the ball until it fell off. - Then he sat up once more. “Der alley vos crookedness,’ he declared. “Id vos B. so crooked der pins couldt not hit der ball.” said Gamp. sneered Hans. “T'll gug-give you one more try,” On his third trial he managed to keep on his feet, and important. “Ditn’d I toldt you id vould do me britty crea ate he ee aheadt, Choe, und peat dot uf I can.” TOP WEEKLY. Zk Gamp did much better, for he secured six pins with his first ball. shouted Hans. to bow! mit your eyes shut up. “Holdt on!’’ “Id vos nod fairness I must objection.” During the next twenty minutes Hans and Joe provided the spectators with them A crowd was gathering. plenty of amusement, keeping shouting with laughter. The finish of the game, however, convinced every watcher that the visitors were not nearly as green as they appeared, for both players piled up strikes in rapid succession. And when it was all over Gamp and Hans gave the spectators the laugh and marched away to- gether. The rest of the boys other parts of the club. Frank and Bart encountered Riggles and Hitchcock, who were talking in low tones, with their heads close together. Riggles saw the visitors and called the atten- Hitchcock glared at Bart with were enjoying themselves in tion of his companion. a look of the most deadly hatred. “T suppose they are here to see their Standing get his medicine,” he said. “Hush!” cautioned Riggles, in alarm. “Don’t let them hear you say anything against Standing in my fine friend presence. It might queer the whole business,” “Oh, I guess not,” said Hitchcock. “Already we have Standing pretty well doped.” “Perhaps we've done enough,” suggested Rigegles. “What Standing has taken ought to put him to the bad.” “Don’t you take any chances, money bet that Holbrook will off our man. Phil. I’ve lots of take the first two falls — I must win. I still owe Hodge a hun- dred, for I’ve never paid that last bet. If Holbrook wins to-night ll be flush.” “But we must take pains not to get Standing un- steady enough for anyone to suspect in time for the committee to withdraw him and substitute some one else. You know this match is not made definitely with Standing as the club’s man. He was chosen because he’s the best wrestler we have.”’ “There is no one they can substitute, for they can’t find another man who would have a ghost of a show against Holbrook.” get his medicine in We want to see him shown up before the club and the visitors.”’ “That’s right.” Frank and Bart had passed on without giving the © two schemers any particular attention. : “But we want to see Standing g the ring. 22 muttered “What were those chaps hatching up?” Hodge. “They seemed to be up to something,” J § said Merry. “Tf ever I saw chaps who had the appearance of plot- ting rascals those fellows were the ones.” “T think Riggles is just as crooked as Hitchcock.” “So ‘do; I,”’ : “And I don’t see how Lester Standing can have any- thing to do with either of them. Standing seems to be a clean sort of man.” “Just a little weak morally,” declared Merry. “His desire to be considered a good fellow is going to do him harm some day. This being a good fellow at the sacrifice of principles has ruined many a chap.” A little later they came upon Standing. He was with several other young men, whom he introduced. All were pleased to meet Frank and Bart. “We ought to have you matched up for a three- round go to-night, Mr. Hodge,” said one. “Hitch- cock. has withdrawn, and that loses us one event. Won't you take his place?” “Not on your life,” answered Bart, promptly. “Why not?” “Because I’m not in the business. I box occasion- ally, just as I did with Hitchcock; but I’m not looking for glory as an amateur pugilist, and I care to take no part in contests before a howling mob of people. I learned boxing in order to Be able to defend myself road to the professional ring.” “Oh, I see! But most fellows with your science get into it sooner or later.” “There is not the least danger that anything of the kind will ever happen to me. Professional prize fight- ing is bad business, and amateur prize fighting is the road to the professional riing.”’ “YT hope you don’t regard wrestling in the same light?’ laughed Standing. “Wrestling seems somewhat different,” admitted _ Bart. “Professionally it has its bad features; but so has almost everything, not excepting baseball. When it comes to boxing or wrestling I’m not inclined to get _chesty, for I know of a man who can put me to the bad at either game, and he never advertises that he _ knows a thing about it.” _ Immediately Standing and his companions clamored ha ‘to know the name of the on Tettey to in this _manner. “Why,” laughed Bart, “it’s my friend here, Merri- well. He taught me most of the fine points of boxing’ and wrestling. Had he been up against Hitchcock the affair would have eo over in the first round, a TL TOR WEEKLY. Frank was placed in an awkward position. He gave r Be. Bart a thump in the ribs, and declared to the others. ie ee that Hodge was talking to hear the sound of his own ‘ t] voice. : “T happen to know better,’ put in one chap, who had a Ti been a silent listener. ‘““My chum, Springer, who fin- pe ished at Yale the year after Merriwell graduated, has . M told me many times about Merriwell’s wonderful abil- a 1 ity as a wrestler and fighter. I reckon Hodge speaks | ct the truth, gentlemen.” fe th Standing clasped Frank round the neck. ‘= gt “He’s all right, fellows!” he declared. “I know his | record myself. He’s the all-round champion: amateur < th athlete of this country.” f '. da Standing was altogether too effusive, and Frank felt L er “annoyed. As soon as possible he broke away from the — | we party. 2 tu “Look here, Hodge,” he said, “something is going to _ e do happen toryou if you don’t stop boasting about my won- |) po derful abilities.” MeSo “T hope you’re not offended, old man?”,said Bart. © ap “Not offended; only nna All that bunch had usi been drinking.” | sue “Standing: ‘ ) 1 “Standing with the others. I smelled liquor on his | sip, breath. It’s a shame. If he takes much more he’s , | hia liable to lose to-night.” Be P | - So CHARTER XV. a = THE FALL OF A “GOOD FELLOW.” ee i ie _ The rising tiers of seats were packed. Within the > A ropes on the raised platform the referee was making | of { the first announcement. Men were smoking every- mh > bits; where. A buzzing electric fan served to clear the | Joo), smoke in a measure, but still there was a blue haze _ 7 abo: over all the great room. aa wes Frank and his friends were in seats near one corner P they of the ring. : é cei F out. “Alas!” sighed Jack Ready. “I did not wear my | ye, mackintosh.: We're liable to take several shower | sayi baths here.” | Pn Ent th “This is great!” exclaimed Jim Stretcher. “Look at got those bottles. I wonder what they contain?” _ plan “Something for the fellows who are going to tale part in the ereUgeres said Frank. “Water oe lemon ay. i, juice, usually.” v3 ois “Somehow they remind me of Jasper Giles’ great | hil ‘Elixir,’ ” said Jim. “Bottles just the same shape. Bee. That was great stuff. It would do almost anything. ferer One bottle would make aman of woh feet like a ki , i roul 1 iP TOP velous. If Giles had lived he would have revolution- ized medicine in Sa rica. He died without revealing the secret of his wonderful elixir.” “T know a man,” said “who. invented. a right good elixir himself. peka. Why, I tell you what he did with the stuff. Mebbe you won’t believe it any, but I can’t help that. Badger, It was a doctor out in To- This doctor had a pet dog who accidentally got his tail cut off. The doctor applied the elixir to the stump.of that dog’s tail and in exactly thirty days another tail grew on that dog.” “That was pretty good,” admitted Stretcher; “but the great elixir manufactured by Jasper Giles, of Se- dalia, beat that a mile. Giles had a dog who was crushed to death by an iron safe falling on him.. They were lifting the safe into the third-story window of a building when it broke loose and fell. It mashed the dog out into a mere grease spot. All that was left of ' poor Fido was his tail, which the safe hadn’t struck. Some wag picked up the tail and gave it to Giles. Giles applied. some of his elixir right away. He kept on using it for fifteen days, and in that length of time he - succeeded in growing a new dog onto that tail.” By this time the first two contestants were in the ring. It was to be a three-round bout between light- ‘4 weights. , They were scarcely more than mere boys. The first round was lively enough to please the - crowd. But it did not please Frank Merriwell. Merry believed in boxing as a sport, but exhibitions of this sort always brought out the brutal side of the business and gave him a feeling of repulsion. He looked round at the faces of the men, rising tier on tier above him, and plainly saw that their worst instincts were aroused. Their faces and their eyes denoted that they were eagerly watching for some one to be knocked out. Unless a number of knockouts occurred that - evening the majority of those present would go away saying the affair was “no good.” They shouted advice at the fighters.. When one or the other of the two boys got in a savage punch the crowd laughed and ap- plauded. “Tt’s the way of the world,” thought Merry, ‘All through life we have to fight, and the victor re- ceives the appla use and admiration of the multitude, 3 while the poor devil Hs a loser is eee with indif- sadly. ‘He looked for Lester Beatie who had said he vould be at the ringside to watch the contests until his WEEKLY. 23 time came. Nowhere could Merfy see anything of Standing. “I hope he hasn’t been fool enough to drink any- thing more,” thought Frank. The more he thought about this the more he wor- ried. At last he began to make inquiries for Standing, but no one in the vicinity had seen him within an hour. Without saying anything to his friends, Frank rose in the midst of a round and quietly slipped out of the room. * sarely was he outside before he encountered a young man who came rushing from a dressing room. “Have you seen Dr. Brown?’ breathlessly inquired the young man. ’ “Don’t know him,” answered Frank. ‘‘What’s the matter? Somebody ill?’ eee “Who?” The young man did not answer, but made a dash for the room where the contests were taking place. Frank stepped quickly to the door of the dressing room and pushed it open. What he saw within caused him to enter at once. A number of young men were gathered about a chap who, half undressed, sat on a chair, his head on his hands, groaning dismally. The fellow on the chair was Standing! Phil Riggles saw Merry and hastened to stop him, sharply demanding: “What are you butting in here for? vate!” This is pri- He placed his hands on Frank, only to have them swept aside and to feel himself lifted clear of the floor and thrust out of the way. “What’s the matter, Standing, old man?” asked Merry, as he bent over the groaning chap. Standing lifted a white face and saw Merriwell through a haze. : “Oh, I’m sick!” he gasped—“so sick!” “You look it,” thought Merriwell. “Being a good fellow is bad business sometimes, just as I said.” “T must wrestle!’ ““Where’s a doctor ? mumbled Standing. I’ve got to do it!” “You can’t wrestle to-night,’ declared Merry, grimly. ‘All the doctors in ’Frisco can’t get you into condition to wrestle.” snapped Riggles, If he “What are you talking about?” “He'll be all right precy soon. doesn’t wrestle they’ll call him a quitter.” “A man as ill as he is cannot be called a quitter. cannot wrestle.” sneeringly. He at 6 Standing got hold of Merry and pulled him down, whispering huskily in his ear: “T must do it! “Why, you couldn’t defeat a ten-year-old boy!” Got to defeat Holbrook!” “Then I’m ruined!” “Ruined ?” ess “T don’t understand.” “T’ve bet heavily on it—bet all the money I could get.” “You were foolish, old man. I’m very sorry for you.” “But you—you don’t know, Merriwell. It wasn't all my money!” Frank started as if he had received an electric shock. “Vou don’t mean that you appropriated money to gamble on the result of this match?” | “Ves, I did! I know it was wrong, but I was con- fident of winning. I meant to put it back—every dol- lar, I meant to put it back before they discovered it Oh, I'm so sick! It’s the jug for me!” was gone. Merriweil, I’m ruined! > “T’m afraid it is,” muttered Frank. “Good heavens! why will some fellows be so weak! I knew you were weak, Standing, and all because you were ambitious to be known as a good fellow. You have been spend- ing more money than you could afford. See where your folly has landed you.” “Don’t—don’t preach! It’s too late! I must wrestle —I must win!” Riggles was trying tohear. Merry gave him a look. “Better step back, ” he said. “Standing is telling me something private.” like a gentleman, ‘Riggles turned away with a sneering laugh. “Standing is a fool who doesn’t know his real friends,” he declared. for him, but I’ll bother no more about it. to see the fun.” | 4 “T’ve been trying to do my best I’m going He strode out of the room. “Tt was that last drink,’ whispered the unfortunate wrestler. “If.I hadn’t taken that!” “Tf you hadn’t taken any!” said Merry. “That’s the safe way, and the only safe way. Where a you g get the ae drink re took? ye. | a4 TIP TOP. WEEKLY. oR joo" geles gave it to “Riggles ?” SOS “Where?” Ore “From a bottle?” VES. ‘Frank’s jaws squared. He was seized by a convic- tion that Standing had been “doped.” “Where's the bottle?” he asked. Oh, it’s hard, Merri- well! I’ll go to the jug, but I don’t care so much for It will break “Riggles put it in his pocket. myself. It’s my sister—and my mother. my mother’s heart!” “You should have thought of that before. Your Standing, it is fixed that a member of this Is that mother ! club must meet Manton Holbrook to-night. the agreement ?”’ “No. against him. The committee chose me.” We were to match any straight amateur “Where is this committee ?” 9 . 5 ; ion “T am! chairman,” said one of the bystanders, step- — ping forward. “We'll have to put some one else against Holbrook, but we haven’t a man who can de- ‘feat him.” “Take me". place and do my best to win.” said Frank. “Tl go on in Standing’s CHAPTER XVI. TRIUMPHANT. receiving Mr. Holbrook’s challenge the committee s “lected Lester Standing as Holbrook’s opponent.” He was interrupted by vigorous handclapping. “Wait,” he commanded, lifting his hand. “I reg et to state that Mr. Standing has been taken ill this ev ing, and it is not possible for him to wrestle.” ‘| There was a chorus of groans. . “But,” the referee continued, Lit TOP: WEEKLY: 25 securing a straight amateur who will meet Holbrook - according to the agreement. Gentlemen, let me present ‘Manton Holbrook, of Seattle. Holbrook had climbed into the ring. He tossed aside a handsome bath robe and stood bowing, while the audience greeted him with a mighty burst of ap- plause. He was a splendid animal, clean-limbed, muscular, white-skinned and handsome as a god. “Who's the fellow against him?’ was the general question. “There he is!” cried some one. “Gentlemen,” said the referee, as Frank entered the arena, “the substitute for Standing—Frank Merri- well !” They had heard of They raised a mighty c That name acted ‘like magic. Merriwell almost to a man. hout as he tossed his bath robe over the ropes. _ And Frank’s friends—well, some of them nearly fainted. Then they stood up and howled. Bart Hodge had been summoned by Merry, and he tered the ring as Frank’s second, There was little delay now. The gong sounded and two splendidly formed youths advanced and shook vands. | said Holbrook. Have been intending to go after you at the first op- “Glad to meet you, Merriwell,”’ portunity. I'll have to dim your glory a bit to-night.” _ Frank smiled the least bit. : began to seek for a hold. Slowly they worked round each other. Holbrook reached out and clasped his ight hand back of Frank’s neck. Merry’ s left hand ypgiags caught the fellow’s elbow, wh he Senne Then they crouched and left. With a twist and a push he came near’ upset- he Seattle champion. ‘Merry followed, up, Holbrook came aide and _ (Quick as Hough Beer ae him about ae knees. devices. from that, and he resorted to head twisting. As Merry fell he went for a hold. He caught Hol- brook’s nearest foot with his right hand, at the same time reaching under his chin with his left, and gripping his shoulder. Then, witha surge, he flopped Holbrook. But the Seattle man bridged like a flash, keeping his shoulders from the floor. The referee was lying flat and peering under. The crowd was wildly excited. Merry’s friends were scarcely able to keep in their seats. In a twinkling Frank had his left forearm across Holbrook’s neck, while he pressed his pointed right elbow into the wrestler’s stomach. No man could en- dure much of that, and Holbrook succumbed, his shoul- ders going down. | “First fall for Merriwell in one minute and ten sec- onds,” announced the referee. Bart Hodge scarcely smiled, but the light in his eyes showed his satisfaction as he worked over Merry in the corner. ee Holbrook was both surprised and sullen. shaking his head. Over and over he told his seconds | : that he had been careless, but would take the next two falls, ‘ The delighted crowd discussed the first go and de e ciided that it had been swift and clever. | Swift as was, the first one, the second was even swifter. at it. Holbrook tried a hiplock and threw Merry to the floor, but Frank came down on his stomach. Then Holbrook attempted to turn him, resorting to various | nh First he tried a leg twist, but Merry broke et In the - midst of it Frank made a flip and secured a hold that brought ‘Holbrook down beside him. During their twistings they got off the mat and the referee caused a ‘ them to rise and go at it again. 7 ioe For a moment or two they shifted so swiftly that it was difficult to tell which had an advantage. Holbrook came near getting ee foul; but in the | \ end Frank worked the “flying . mare.” He sectired a to hold on Holbrook’ S Het wrist, twitched ne forward He kept ae The wrestlers lost not a second about getting — Twice 26 LES LASEON Rte Ls Ye then, with a mighty. heave, sent his feet spinning in a half circle through the air, Holbrook had no time to bridge or do anything else when he struck the mat. Frank was on him and pinned him flat on his back, thus winning the second fall and the match. . As they started to rise Merry saw a man in the sec- ond row of chairs spring up. He caught a.glimpse of the man’s eyes, and that was warning enough. The man had something in his hand. The hand swept through the air. Merry dodged with a pantherish leap. Holbrook could not escape, and the liquid that was intended for Frank’s face struck him across the chest, burning like fire and causing him to shout with pain. It was vitriol! Over the ropes went Frank. The one glance he had obtained at the eyes of the vitriol thrower told him that Del Norte had somehow obtained admission to that room. Del Norte turned and ran along an aisle. “Stop him!” shouted Merry. The man whirled to the left. To escape he should have turned to the right. He ran along behind the 7 seats, while the whole room was in an uproar. | Reaching the wall, Del Norte discovered his mis- take. The door was not there, but ahead of him was a window. What lay beyond it he did not know. Be- hind him was Frank Merriwell. Without pausing, he flung himself through that window) disappearing with a great crash and jangling of glass. Stripped as he was, with only a breech-cloth about . his loins, Frank could do nothing more just then. - He looked from the window and found he was peering down into a dark and silent alley. Then he turned back and found himself surrounded by a hundred per- sons, all of whom were trying to question him. ~“Go down there and nail that man! him, dead or alive, and don’t let him escape! Get I must he cried. dress.” \ Some of them rushed out. Merry reached the dressing room after a time: Standing was there, still very ill, but very happy at the same time, for he had learned of Merriw ell’ S success. He grasped Frank’s hand. “You've saved me, old man!’ he whispered, chok- ingly. Phil Riggles and Hal Hitchcock forced their way Riggles was very nervous, and Hitch- cock looked worried. They were there when a man brought word that Del Norte had been picked up in the alley with blood running from his mouth and into the room. nose. “Where is he?” cried Frank, who was making haste to dress. “Where is he now?” “A policeman summoned an ambulance. They have taken him away, but the doctor said he was injured © internally and would surely die before the hospital was. 4 reached.” % “And thus he will escape the gallows!” said Merry. THE END. The Next Number (471) Will Contain Frank Merriwell’s Dope Ball; * OR, THE WIZARD TWIRLER OF LELAND STANFORD. The Death of Porfias Del Norte! 7 £ Concerning Hal Hitchcock and Phil Riggles—Lester — Standing Promises to Brace Up—-The Growth of “ Strange Opposition—Riggles and Hitchcock Hire i, Five Thugs—A Midnight Assault—-A “Go” with — Leland Stanford—Frank Meets a Great Pitcher. Bart Hodge Meets a Veiled Lady— The Influence of a Pair of Powerful Eyes—The “ Throwing - of Wonderful Game—Who the Woman Was in bee oe Bomb. TIP TOP WEEKLY. oF J OY Jalag t foP the Anith NEW YORK, April 15, 1905. TERMS TO TIP TOP WEEKLY MAIL SUBSCRIBERS. (PostTacz FREE.) Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Bach. 65c. | One year Die Vos WA 0 Fe ae 85c. 2 copies one year.......... 4.00 pratt head fev Wis) gre ana ee $1.25 1 copy two years..... . 4.00 : How To SpND MoNnEY.—By post-office or express money order, _ fegistered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own eo if sent by currency, coin, or postage stamps _ in ordinary _ Ietter. RECEIPTS.—Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper Ohange of number on your label. If not correct you have not been properly credited, and should let us know at once. STREET & SMITH’S TIP TOP WEEKLY, 238 William St., New York City. APPLAUSE. Owing to the number of letters received, the editors 3 months 4 months 6 months ; You will be surprised to hear that “A Son of Texas” is away _ out here in the Philippines, but such is the case. I can see the wrecks that Dewey left scattered around the bay now. This is the hottest climate “out.” A Texas summer is delightful com- pared with the P. I. Our “little brown brothers” are about as poor and shiftless a lot of “shorthorns” as I ever saw loose on the range. But the Tip Top finds its way even out here to this Heaven deserted place. The boys who do not subscribe for it have to pay ten cents per copy from the newsboys. Everything is something over a month old when we get it, letters and all. But our weekly is cheap at any reasonable price. All books and magazines come high out here on account of the duty. __I see that the editor does not agree with me about Texans. _ Well, of course there are some boys like Brad, just as there are some boys in Vermont like Gallup or Jolliby. I am sure Burt L. _ does not mean that all Vermonters talk the mountain vernacular, or all Englishmen the Cockney, any more than he does that all exans carry “heavy ordnance” and shoot at the feet of a ten- derfoot to make him dance. While such things do happen oc- sionally in the far western part of our State, it is very rare, ‘ Pecos County would probably be the place. I am not _ ashamed of Brad, as some Texans seem to be. I think he is a _ noble, true-hearted and loyal “longhorn,” and will hold his own with any of ’em. True, he got sore and lost one game, over a gad decision of the umpire, but any real human boy would have ome near doing the same, as any baseball player can testify. I have some hopes for Chet’s ultimate reformation, yet. greatest misfortune was being born rich. Had he had to strug- ‘ le for a place in the world, as his father did, he would have made a man. I’d like to see him on Dick’s team, but don’t ex- pect to soon. I see another letter from Mercedes d’Alveraz in a late issue, n she was kind enough to pass some nice words about my st poor effort. I am sure I thank her very kindly for her icism, and again, I admire her ladylike letter. If any Tip pers care to correspond with a boy so far away from home ould be glad to hear from them. This may, seem bold, but just dying for something new and refreshing to break the “monotony of life in the tropics. The only trouble with Tip — the come often enough. I could read one op is that it doesn’t f and true American boy, Richard Merriwell. Why, ply honor him as I do the Stars and | Looking forward to seeing this in print, and hearing from my fellow readers, and seeing Tip Top prosper more each year, | remain, M. S. STRICKLEN, The Anchor Watch Club, Cavite, P. I. So pleasant and informing a letter deserves the praise of all who read it. We are glad that the distance which lies between New York and the Philippines does not break the chain of good feeling that binds so many of our readers. All our far-away cor- respondents are most welcome to our columns. The further they are away, the better we like to hear from them. Now, readers, in criticising the characters in Tip Top, we should take example from Frank—that is, look for everyon good points. Hal has many of them, but as G. I. Bunch says, he cannot check his temper. But do you remember when Dick’s temper got the best of him? How he fought and conquered it? So must Hal do the same, and he will! Now a word for Zona. She is not perfect, by a long shot, bu: why cry her down when she has erred? There is a chance fo- girls, as well as boys, to reform. I have high hopes that she will some day become “true blue.” We need all the characters, even the worst, for, if nothing else, to show the good in others. Then, three cheers for Burt L. and Street & Smith. I wait in terrible suspense, as at the critical moment in a baseball game—for next week’s issue of the Tip Top Weekly, I. M. Leapine. Stamford, Conn. Well, you will not be like the person who has to wait in vain. Tip Top is something that usually arrives on time, as you have’ probably observed. I have just finished the latest number of the most famous Tip Top Weekly, and seeing no letter in the Applause column from this town, I will write and let you know that we read the Tip Top. It is as far ahead of other weeklies as an electric car is ahead of a dump cart. Here is another jolt for I. M. K., and © I. M. A., and Theodore S. They better never show up down this way. If they do, I will put my brand on them good and heavy. Say, have you those Tip Top albums printed yet? When ' they are out, let me know, please, for I want one, sure. Of the girls, I like June and Grace best. Hurrah for Earl Gardner, for getting such a nice girl as Grace Garrett! I don’t agree with Mr. Patterson about Brad Buckhart. Besides Dick, he was the best one on the Fairhaven team. I am a true Southerner, and I think Patterson is the oneriest coyote that ever escaped from the Rio Pecos, for saying what he did about Brad. I would like to get my paws on him? I would make him think a longhorn was after him, - I will close my lengthy letter,.wishing Burt L. and Street & Smith success. Yours sincerely, BARNEY JAMESON. Muskogee, I. T. You are evidently in a mood to pick fights. Some of these people may get after you. Having read Tip Top for about two years, and having never before written to the Applause column, I would like to express my opinion about it. I think it is the best weekly published for — young or old. The characters that are described are perfect, and © show the talent of a fine author. Frank and Dick are perfect models of the American boy. Next, I like Brad, Bart, Ted and the rest of the friends of Dick and Frank. June Arlington is | the girl for Dick, while Brad deserves Nadia Budthorne. ; Good luck to Frank Merriwell and his brother Dick; Good luck to Inza, Elsie and Bart; ’ Good luck to Street & Smith and Burt L.; Good luck to Buckhart, Tubbs and Smart. Wishing good luck to Burt L. and S. & S., also all Tip Top © readers, I remain, JosePH RuFFNeER, JR. | Charleston, W. Va. We accept your good wishes, with thanks. e sf ; ' : Just a few words of praise from one of the old readers, who _ appreciates the value of Tip Top, and is in love with that noble _ I just sim or him as much ok 28 afl the boys in this old world would make it a habit of living like our hero, would not this be a grand world of perfected manhood? Every boy has a chance to make of himself a strong athlete, if he has any physical power whatever. The fair sex can also advance in the same line, the results of which are health and happiness. Are not these the grandest gifts from God? Money may buy everything necessary to enjoy life for a limited time, but we are all aware of the fact that all the gold we may possess will never take us through the pearly gates of heaven. And, take notice, you friends of cigarettes and slaves to vice and strong drink! God accepts only the pure in mind, soul and body. For the benefit of the few readers who are not just, and con- tinually criticise Brad and his native State, I will say that, al- though we are very rough in our speech at times, and often find it hard to modify our tempers, we Texans can be as sensitive as anybody else. Even though we possess blowhard mouths, we are chivalrous. How I long for old Prof. Gunn to return to Fardale and give Gooch all that’s coming to him. I trust Dick will soon be in his proper position again at Fardale. Poor old Arlington, everybody is down on him. Now, my motto is, “Look - up, lift up.” Though the poor boy has fallen from grace, he is yet young, and undoubtedly will reform, and be a good friend to Dick, like Bart is to Frank. I fear Mr. Burt L. Standish will pass this long letter by, for I know space is valuable to him. Better letters than I am able to write often comé, no doubt. Nevertheless, I thank him for his efforts to please the many readers of Tip Top, and must say. his ability as a writer is hard to beat. It is worthy the world’s praise. To-morrow I shall