No.790 JUNE 99,1911 ibid” AN TALL CATION oes “GO IT, SNOOPY! GET SOME SPEED INTO THOSE PIPESTEMS" YELLED THE HILARIOUS BOYS. 5 CENTS "4 ayer " Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N.Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Ave. .» LV. Y. Copyright, 1911, dy STREET & SMITH. No. 790. NEW YORK, June 3, 1911. 7 Price Five Costs, ; DICK MERRIWELL’S BRAIN nl OR, The Frustration of the Sneaky Tutor. ‘By BURT L. STANDISH. CHAPTER I. “BILLYGOATITIS.”’, “Dick Merriwell, whistling blithely, raced up the _ stairs of Durfee and burst precipitately into the study. by the open window, thrust a hand hurriedly into his - coat pocket and became intensely absorbed in watch- ing-a group of fellows crossing the campus. Dick. flung his books on the table, his cap into a _ chair, and,dropped down into another, warbling in a _ clear tenor, a verse of the song which was in his mind: ee “A plain and simple answer for This question’s what we wish: Does fishing make a’man a liar, or Do only liar’s fish?” Suddenly he raised his nose and sniffed. “Funny smell, that,” he nmurmured. - Buckhart made no responise. The elm- dotted campus ie: sniffed again and his eyes braveind over the. X‘ “table. As'the door was flung open, Brad Buckhart, standing: Nothing there. He glanced about the room, but could pergeive nothing to account for the peculiar odor which had assailed his nostrils. The bedroom “door was closed. Finally his eyes became focused upon the Texan and widened a little as they took in the latter's unusual attitude of absorption. Then a> twinkle crept into them, and the corners of his mouth began to twitch. : “I said that was a funny smell,” he repeated, in a louder, more emphatic tone. Buckhart gave a start and half turned. “Eh! What's that?” he said, with well-stimulated surprise. “What smell?” 3 Merriwell rose and strolled over to the window. “Exactly what I asked,” he remarked calmly. “You don’t mean to tell me you haven’t noticed it?” Pe Buckhart dropped down on the window seat. The group of fellows had reached the fence by this time and strung themselves along the top. They seemed to interest the Texan amazingly. “What's it like? ? he asked. i CSE SATO RAHI OY A A SEE 7 Thon “Oh, I don’t know. Sort of aromatic, I should say.’ ‘Maybe it comes from outdoors,” gested, with sudden inspiration. ‘Maybe it does,” Merriwell said calmly notice it stronger near the window.” He was standing close to Buckhart by this:time, and there was a decided twinkle in his eyes as he watched the red creeping slowly upward from his chum’s col- lar and spreading over the muscular neck, showing but faintly through the tan. Suddenly, with a rapid motion of his arm, he slid his hand into the Texan’s side pocket and withdrew it, grasping a fat, linen bag, not unlike the sort that cer- tain kinds of tobacco come in, drawn together at re mouth with a Purmnitig string. “T guess this is it,” he chuckled, carrying it to his nose. “Whew! I should say so.” Before he could proceed further with the examina- tion, Buckhart had whirled’ about and.snatched it out of his hand. ‘ “Here, come back with that!” he exclaimed. personal property.” Buckhart sug- “T seem to “That's Carefully returning it to his pocket—he chose the one farthest away from Dick—he linked his’ fingers about drawn-up knees and regarded his chum with de- cidedly more composure. “Ts that what you were talking about?” he inquired innocently. “I sure ought to have savvied. it if my mind hadn’t been woolgathering. Why, that’s a— er—new perfume I’m thinking of eee and putting on the market.” Merriwell regarded him with a sphinxlike ee ORR Tr Oe ’ “Ah, indeed?” he drawled. “Have you christened it yet?” r MA | Buckhart’s ‘attention was suddenly aieebeled to the line of fellows ornamenting the fence. For a mo- ment he seemed to be in.the grip of some emotion, but when he spoke his voice was steady and quite se- rious. ‘ pial “T was thinking of calling it~-er—Billygoatitis,” he remarked casually. . oy: hat certainly has the merit of originality.” Merri- well returned, with equal calmness. “I hope you're go- ing to let me in on the ground.floor.. A fellow has so little chance these days of getting into a eae good money; maker at the bottom.” . “Sure thing. Your name can head the: abl list, 7 ik you want: it to... I sure peat leave out my, best descended on the campus. at WEEKLY. é friend. You hear me chortle! It’s going to be a money maker, too, or I’m plumb locoed.” *. “No doubt,” Dick returned noncommitally, as he . walked back to the table. et For a moment he stood there silent, and, had the Texan been looking in that direction, he might have seen the broad grin which flashed suddenly into Mer- riwell’s face and was as swiftly suppressed. “Guess I’ll see if I can find Jim,” he said presently, in a casual tone. “I had something I wanted to talk 4 over with him, and I may as well do it before grub.” Buckhart darted a glance of suspicion at his chum, but Dick’s face was childlike in its innocence, and, Jim Graham being captain of the varsity nine, it was quite natural that the two should want’to confer, to- gether. “See you at the chuck wagon, then,” reassured, 3 the Téxan said, From his place at the window he watched his chum © issue forth a moment later, and, after a jesting re- tort. or two with the fellows lounging along the fence, pass on toward Lawrence Hall and disappear. Then, remembering a letter he had to write, he went over to. the desk, determined to get it off his mind at once. | ~Had-he remained a little longer at his point. of vantage, he would have seen three of the loungers. arise from the fence, with intervals of about a min- ute between, stretch lazily, and stroll in the direction Merriwell had taken. Had he been able further to penetrate the leafy 7 screen made by the drooping branches of the elms, he a would have beheld those same three fellows making ‘a val bee line for Welch Hall, on the steps of which stood Merriwell, with Jim Graham and two other men. The newcomers joined the group, and there ensued an animated conversation, .punctuated by grins, © chuckles, and smothered laughter. “A little later they -all separated with much mirth, and fora time a calm by It was nearly one when Buckhart came "down the 4 steps of Durfee. The row of loungers had dwindled | to a single specimen, the volatile, harum-scarum Eric + — Fitzgerald, and when Brad appeared he, too, seemed on the point of departure. | ee f “Hello, you Texas steer!” he greeted the varsity catcher, . “Going, oyer to grub e c 4 “No,” retorted ‘Buckhart; “Tm on my Hey. for a game of croquet with Prexie.” ie Fitzgerald cast up his eyes thournfully. . | “Hal Wit!” he exclaimed. “We scintillate t é el &. SESE ee simulated indignation. else; you can’t get me to bite.” _ was getting monotonous. TIP TOR morning. That being the case, I will constitute myself a spectator.’ An instant later he sniffed. “Delicious,” he murmured ecstatically. “Is that the lovely odor of sweet-growing things wafted to my nostrils? Roses—lilies—heliotrope! bination of exquisite scents.” He sniffed again, and Brad gave a guilty start. He had been at pains to conceal the plump bag in the very farthest corner of the closet, but there might be some remnants of the stuff clinging to his clothes, though he was not conscious of it. “You're dotty!’ he retorted, recovering his pres- ence of mind. “Alas! I sometimes fear so,” the slim chap said sadly. ‘‘Nevertheless, my sense of smell is still keen. By Jove! It’s you, you old bucking broncho! You're got a new perfume, or I'll eat my hat. Don’t hog it. Let me in on it, too, so I can get some. What's the name of that rapturous odor?” “Go to thunder!’ snapped the Texan, with well- “Try your joke on some one A subtle com- 9 Fitzgerald protested that it wasn’t a joke, and that he was very much in earnest, but Buckhart refused | to incriminate himself, and they parted on Wail Street. A moment later, on the steps of the dining hall, Brad overtook Rudolph Rose, a sophomore who played on the second nine. Rose promptly sniffed several times in quick succession. “Say, Brad, got a new perfume, fiaven’ t you?” he inquired. “It’s a corker, all right. What’s the name? Where do you get it?” The Texan smiled sweetly. “Don’t you wish you knew?” he retorted. my. business.” Rose shrugged his shoulders and smiled, and they “That's ~ entered the hall. ' As Brad took his seat at the table a regular chorus __ of sniffs arose, some loud, some barely audible, which brought the color creeping into his face. The thing He darted a glance of sus- picion at his chum, but Dick, with the guileless ex- pression of a cherub, was shorted in conversation with Joe Crowfoot, who sat next to him. “Say,” remarked Jim Graham suddenly, “who’s . ‘using that perfume? I never smelled anything like it __ before. It’s not bad.” He glanced expectantly about thé table, and his eyes finally came to rest on the Texan’s expression- less but still faintly flushed face. to hold his tongue. WEEKLY: 3 “Ts it you?” he, inquired pointedly. “Me?” exclaimed Buckhart. “I don’t use perfume —never did.” “Funny,” mused Graham. “I didn’t notice it be- fore you came in.”’ During the meal there were constant references from all sides to the -entrancing odor which everybody seemed to notice except the Texan himself. At first he really believed that it must be lingering about his clothes and did his best to detect some traces of it. But very soon he came to the conclusion that it was a put-up job. Merriwell looked almost too innocent, and his chum noticed that he seémed quite oblivious to the matter which was attracting the attention of al- most every one else at the table. This might have been due to his absorption in the conversation with Crowfoot, but Brad was more than suspicious. Dinner over, he started for the door, but somehow _ became mixed up with a crowd at the entrance. As they closed around him the sniffs arose with redoubled ‘volume, and one of the fellows exclaimed: “Tib-bet it’s Brad! The closer you get to him the stronger the perfume is.” “Perfume!” repeated Dick, seeming to come alive for the first time. ‘Why, of course, it’s Brad. He’s invented or discovered a corking scent which he’s go- ing to put on the market. He calls it Say, old fellow, what is the name? It’s such a long one that it seems to have slipped my mind.” “What's the name?” roared Buckhart, his face pur- pling. “Waugh! Billy—go to blazes, the whole of sh) | 3 With which emphatic remark he burst his way through the crowd and disappeared, but not in time to miss the yell of laughter which arose, and which came plainly to his ears all the way through the narrow confines of “Grub Alley.” \ CHAPTER II. a THE TWO CONSPIRATORS, Long before the end of the afternoon Brad Buck- hart.was heartily sick of the mention of perfume which continued to greet his ears from most unexpected quar- ters. Too late, he wished that he had had sense enough He might have known that Dick would make the most of that slip of his and pay him up for being so close-mouthed. “But I couldn’t tell him what it was,” he muttered, as | OS ORAM, AS A REIN RAY ~ 4 TIP’ TOP WEEKLY. he left the track house and hustled for a car after practice was over. “He'd think it was senseless.” Which shows that even the Texan had not fathomed his chum’s capacity for mischief when the spirit moved him. At High Street he encountered Eric Fitzgerald, swinging a tennis racket and looking as if he yearned for something to liven up life generally. His eyes gleamed mischieviously as they fell upon the big var- sity pitcher. 7 “Ah, my bucking broncho!’” he chirped. ‘‘Still ex- uding that sweet, intoxicating fragrance, I perceive. Why won’t you be generous and tell us what it is?” Buckhart scowled and then the look of ill temper melted into a wide grin. The thought had suddenly come to him that here was just the fellow he wanted. To carry out his scheme successfully, two persons were necessary, and who could make a more likely second than the mischief-loving Fitz? He had once been known as the worst fellow in college, and in his time had played nearly every possible trick that the versa- tile mind of the undergraduate could conceive. He would revel in this one. — Buckhart clutched him by the arm and drew him © tip High Street. “T will tell you what it is,” he chuckled. ‘What's more, I'll put you wise to the whole pe f thing, on one condition.” The slim chap looked | suspicious ¢ at this unexpected candor. “And what’s that?” he inquired. ; eae a ll you'll come in on the scheme and hel P me ” the Texan returned. ‘i OF Picwersne s eyes brightened. The word had diead: ant possibilities, and life had been dull and uneventful for a long time. “You bet I wel, ” he rejoined emphatic ally, any fun in it.” Buckhart hesitated, cer vesng na ‘iataantnstly from under drooping lids. . “Bunches of it,” he ven iad) with a swift ire around. “Say, Fitz, do you remeniber a ramble we took last fall out toward North Haven?” > The little chap screwed up his face thoughtfully. “Which one?” she asked, at length. “Seems to me we took several.” : | “The one where we met the goat. remember the goat.” — “Do 1?” exclaimed Fitzgerald. “Well, I guess, _ yes! He near gave me heart failure, the Ngee But és ‘what’ s that got to aes “if there’s Texan put in. distribution: of this wonderful substance, which has plied tenfold. ‘in two, sizes, 75 cents and $1.25. Satisfaction praran4 | You must sure _ the thing must be a fake. the “Just hold your horses and you'll find out,” SFR ye EPR x bis dea yet 7 They had paused at one corner of the library, and 3uckhart cast another searching glance around. See- ing that the coast was clear, he thrust a hand into his inside coat pocket and drew forth a folded’ paper, which he passed to his companion. “Cast your blinkers on that,” he chuckled. Agog with curiosity, the volatile senior made haste: He found within an adver- It read Sent ey 6G sd TRH < to twitch open the paper. tisement, cut, apparently, from a newspaper. something like this: “BUTTLEss GOATS! “Who has not, at one time or another, experienced the annoyance, the humiliation, aye, the pain, incident to having about the place an ill-tempered goat? Who does not know the craftiness, the cunning, the posi-— tively diabolical ingenuity with which these creatures patiently bide their time until they can catch their vic- | tim unawares and inflict upon him the greatest pos- sible.injury in the most sensitive spot? et “Let such sufferers rejoice and be glad. Their | troubles are now at an end, thanks to the discovery — by a famous scientist in the jungles of Central America — of a hitherto unknown plant, the properties. of which | are positively marvelous. ‘We have secured the sole rights of preparation and been named Caprine. Don’t forget it! You will have — jtist cause to bless it énce you have convinced yourself of its value. By the aid of Caprine the most ram- — pageous, riotous old butter can be instantly reduced _ to a state of lamblike gentleness. Caprine has for ruminants something of the attraction possessed by — the familiar catnip for the feline tribe, AS bia multi- It soothes instantly to an incredible degree, and, once a goat has tasted it, he will follow its possessor without hesitation, so eager is he er more. : “Send to-day for a package of this marvelous prepa- ration and enjoy life on the farm | once more. Put up teed or money refunded. " As Fitzgerald acueed the advertisement his chuckles ~ became more and more frequent, and, at the end, he let out a shout of laughter which was swiftly stifled by a prompt application of Buckhart s t beoad palm over his mouth. te “Shut up!” adjured the Texan Perey. “You'll have somebody asking what’s the matter, and we's got to keep it quiet.” ! The slim chap stifled his mirth w ith an effort. “So that’s what Dick found in your pocket, is it” he choked. .Caprine! Pretty good; but, say, Brad, It can’t be true, you know.” fir FOr Brad scratched his head doubtfully. “That’s what I want to find out,’ he said. “There must be something in it or they'd never dare to ad- vertise that way. You see the possibilities, don’t your” Fitzgerald’s face was serious, but his eyes gleamed. at “Ina way, yes,” he returned. “The effect—if there is any effect—is not lasting, I take it. Mr. Billy Goat is like a lamb as long as the stuff’s around, but if he can’t get any more of it he must return to his ‘cunning craft’ and ‘diabolical ingenuity’ again.” Buckhart grinned broadly. “You're on, kid,” he chuckled. “Picture to yourself a real scrumptious butter, like Farmer Hanson’s, tamed for the moment by the marvelous Caprine and led gently from his happy home to the sacred precincts of this hallowed campus.- Suppose his arrival was timed for around noon, when the crowds are just com- ing out from lectures. He might be kept in somebody’s room overnight, so there wouldn’t be any risk of dis- covery. With the stuff, that would be easy enough. Then he could be brought downstairs at the right min- ute, shoved through the door, and the fellow with the Caprine would then make himself scarce. Get the idea?” Fitzgerald’ was almost exploding with repressed laughter. “Oh, gee, yes!” he gurgled. “For a minute or two he'll try to find the man who was so good to him. Then he’ll run against the crowd and there’ll be a circus let loose. Jiminy! That’s the dandiest stunt I ever heard of, Brad. It’s almost too good to be true. But, say, what if the stuff don’t work? What if it’s all a fake?” ” “We'll have to find that out first,” Butkhare re- fe turned | quickly. “How?” “We're through to-morrow at eleven. I'll borrow _ Dick’s car, and you and I can take a spin out to Han- - gon’s. The goat’s kept in a field out of sight of the house, you know, and we sure ought to be able to test the stuff on him then. Are you game?” ote ets bét Ivam!” exclaimed Fitzgerald -emphati- cally. “I wouldn’t be left out of this for mohey. - Count me in, every time. I’d better be the one to take him overnight, hadn’t 1? There’s nobody in with me, and if you had him, Dick might raise ructions.” _ “He might,” agreed the Texan, i I’ve known him to do crazier things than n. I’d rather not run “and again ‘he WEEKLY. 5 goatness, it would be safer. I sure hope we're not counting our chickens before they're hatched.” “Hope not,” echoed the slim chap. “Well, we'll know to-morrow. Let me know in the morning if you can get the car, and I'll meet you over at the garage.” It might have been noticed that the allusions to per- fume made at the training table that night utterly failed to disturb Buckhart’s serenity. They slid off him like water from a duck’s back, and, when his would-be tormentors saw that, they ceased their futile efforts and left him in peace to ponder joyfully on the scene which would follow the mitroducHon: oF, Mr. Billy Goat on the crowded campus. CHAPTER III. “OVER THE FENCE AND OUT.” ‘Not being of an inordinately curious disposition, Dick asked no questions when his chum requested the loan of the car for a couple of hours next morning, and Buckhart was under no necessity of faking up a treason which would not too far stretch the truth. The two conspirators met at thé garage a few min- utes past eleven and were soon whirling toward North Haven, beyond which lay the farm of Job Hanson, and the goat. This selfsame animal had acquired something more than a local reputation for ferocity. He was large be- yond the ordinary, with powerful neck and shoulders | and a pair of wide, curving horns which were particu- larly awe-inspiring. He might well have served as the model for the trade-mark of a well-known brand of beer, and in his earlier days, before his temper had soured to an extent that made him almost unmanage- able, he had been in frequent requisition for initiation purposes. : Latterly, however, he had anil so vicious that it was necessary to keep him shut up in a small pasture, where he sulked in solitary state, an object of fearful joy to the small boys who baited him from the other side of the high rail fence, and the cause of extreme discomfort, if nothing worse, to the unwary stranger who ventured, as Buckhart and Fitzgerald had once done, to cross his domain. The Texan ran the car into a wood road about half a mile from the pasture, where it would be well out of eS sight of any passer-by, and the two seniors made thea Fi7s rest of the trip on foot. ee, Warily they emerged from the dilesareai which ee bordered one side oF the oy and ee over the a 6 TP ..TOP fence. That is, Buckhart peered over, his companion finding it easier to look between the rails. For a moment Mr. Billy Goat was nowhere to be seen, and their hearts sank. Then, with an instant rise of spirits, they discerned him cropping the grass in an extreme corner of the pasture. “There’s the old butter,” Fitzgerald remarked. “Of course, he has to be as far away from us as he can get. We can’t sneak around to that side, either, with- out being seen from the barn.” The Texan grinned. “I don’t reckon we'll have to,’ he chuckled. “The minute one of us shows biteaeee in the pasture, he’ll be over here, hotfoot and humming.” “Humph!” .commented the slim chap doubtfully. “And which of us is going to take the thrilling but un- certain role of bait?” | “Well, you’re the lightest on your feet,” Buckhart drawled. “You'd be able to shinny over the fence quicker than I would.” “Precisely!” retorted Fitz, with emphasis. “And likewise I’d go the highest if those horns once caught up to me. No, I think we'd better toss up for it. That’s the only fairway.” Without comment, the Texan drew a quarter from his pocket and sent it spinning into the air. “Heads!” exclaimed Fitz. i Tails it was. , | “You lose,” Brad said pleasantly, as he secured th coin. “Well, let’s not waste any time. We want to wet back before one, you know. Just slip over and show yourself. You won't have to go far from \the fence. The minute the old duffer catches sight of you, he’ll start this way like a shot.” | Thus urged, the slim chap mounted the fence slowly and cautiously. He lingered for a minute or two on the top rail, hoping that the goat would thus be moved » to a furious rush without the necessity of his venturing farther. He had vivid and painful recollections of that fall day when he and Buckhart had reached the middle of the field before they became aware of the animal’s presence; of the frantic race for the fence which then ensued, and of his own humiliating flight over it, assisted by the forceful impact of the pur- suer. | ! “Aw, go on!” taunted the Texan. “What are you scared of? Just walk a little ways toward him and it'll sure start him going.” : Slipping to the ground, Fitzgerald advanced a dozen paces with absolutely, no effect. Apparently the goat did not see the intruder. With head bent over, he WEEKLY. cropped the grass energetically and ceaselessly. The slim chap took a few steps farther and waved his arms tauntingly. Still nothing doing. Mr. Goat deliberately turned his back as if he considered the little fellow not worth considering. “Go ahead, why. don’t you?’ urged Buckhart. “You've got heaps of time to get back after. he starts.” , ~ “You talk big!” retorted Fitzgerald. “I guess you wouldn’t be so crazy about going ahead if you were on this side of the fence. I don’t trust the old snoozer for a second. I’ll bet he’s seen me already, and is just waiting till I get a little nearer.” 7 Slowly and warily he advanced, and still the goat paid no attention, He was even moving leisurely in the other. direction, and presently he disappeared be- hind a clump of bushes. Somewhat emboldened, Fitzgerald went on a little farther and whistled. There was no response, and so he advanced slowly, his eyes fixed intently on the point where the animal had disappeared. All at once he ws: startled by a yell of warning from Buck- hart. “Run, Fitz—run like the mischief! “He’s after you!”* | As the slim chap whirled swiftly and started for the fence, he saw the goat, head down and not making a sourid, thudding toward him from quite another di- rection. The wily animal had entered the bushes at ' ; - Des ss Sante Ree: ghee Sco * ae LST ery ’ He ZS 7 3 ais DA POE RA peo ns one end, made his way along behind their impenetrable — q screen, and emerged at a point where he would be able to get a:good start before the enemy woke up. © ‘Fitz fairly flew over the ground, hitting a pace. 3 which made the excited Texan open his eyes. ‘All — would have been well had not a stray bowlder, moss- covered and almost imbedded in the turf, intervened at precisely the crucial moment. The slim chap struck it at the beginning of a stride, staggered, made a wild” effort to recover himself, and then sprawled headlong. He was up again in an instant, but the momentary — delay had given the pursuer a chance to lessen the gap to a vital extent. Fitz dared not look behind, but he did not have to do so to realize how fearfully near The sound of thudding hoofs — the creature was. seemed to him like a whole herd of stampeding cattle; he could almost feel the beast’s snorting breath against his back. — With a last desperate spurt, he flung himself against the fence and grasped the upper rail. After that he was put to no further exertion, for something hit him \ set} +7 cs EU So A aa AEE | a oS ae, ees OT ae ‘sSug 3 a , I I GOD GOO EN LOCO as OSs _ think I’m made of cast iron? “a of thorns. terly. TIP TOP. WEEKLY. 7 like a thousand of brick and sent him swiftly on his way, to land an instant later, with a crash, in a brambly tangle on the other side. CHAPTER IV. - THE MIRACULOUS PROPERTIES OF CAPRINE. Buckhart, much concerned, hurried to extricate him. “Are you hurt, Fitz?” he asked anxiously. “Hurt!” shrilled the angry senior. “Yah! Do you Of course I’m hurt! That infernal old villain of a goat! Ouch! For gra- cious sake look what you’re doing! Those thorns are making ruts all over my face. Cut the branches off before you go pulling at me. Oh, gee! If ever I get the chance you'll pay up for this, you old ruffian!” He shook his fist angrily at the goat, who was pawing the ground on the other side of the fefice, occasionally butting viciously at the rails and giving vent to furious snortings. “Say, will you look at these trousers!” wailed Fitz- gerald, when he was at last assisted to his feet. “Ruined—utterly ruined! I think my ankle’s broken, too, and the rest of me’s one anni bruise stuck full Oh, you--you 3 .For a moment he could find no words to express his opinion of the offending animal, and then they came with such a rush that the air was blue. Buckhart, standing a little behind his companion, “was struggling to suppress his mirth, for Fitz certainly | was a sight. _. foot, his face and hands were lacerated by the sharp thorns, and, somehow, in that rapid flight over the He was covered with dirt from head to fence his trousers had caught on something which had ; torn away an extremely vital section of the cloth, exposing to the garish light of day some rather fragile “underwear, | When he discovered that the slim chap was not se- - riotsly hurt, Buckhart exploded. which had also suffered considerably. “Haha! ha!” he roared. - Fitzgerald whirled furiously on him. "That's right, laugh, hang you!” he Giclaineds bit- “do all the hard work for you, and you ne the Texan. " there and laugh when I get it in the neck.” © so1 ~ *T should say you got it in some-other placet?’:chor- “Vou'rea spectacle,’ Fitz.” >!u¢ ~ "Of course I am,” Fitzgerald retorted. _ ... Withea:strenuous’effort, he: managed to Bet a rh ck: view of himself, and groaned : mere the deuce I’m going. to get back to my rooms - statue. without being mobbed, I don’t know,” he said. mouru- fully. “Oh, we can find some pins, I reckon,” Buckhart said cheerfully. ‘Tl. take the car around to the back of Lawrence, and you can slip in somehow. _ You're all right so long as you're sitting down.”’ He grinned again, and presently the slim chap, hav- ing by this time recovered somewhat from the shock of his sudden rise in the world, began to look at things in a more cheerful light. “I spose it did look funny,” he admitted, with a giggle, “but it felt anything but.” He glanced at the pawing goat and scowled. “Just you wait, my young friend,’ he said emphati- cally. “You'll get yours. Well, my bucking broncho, it’s up to you to step forth into the limelight. Why don’t you get busy and tame the ramping monster now that I’ve so kindly lured him hither?” The Texan gave a start. “Gosh!” he exclaimed. “I was so taken up with your troubles, ll be hanged if I didn’t forget all about the Billygoatitis.” He drew the bag. from his pocket and advanced to the fence, Fitzgerald close behind. The goat watched their approach with lowered head and vicious, smol- dering eyes. -As Buckhart loosened the string and poured a little of the finely chopped dried herb into his © palm, the animal lunged forward suddenly and struck the rail with crashing force. , “FHe’s quite a pet, isn’t he?” observed the slim chap - gleefully... “What an acquisition he’d ‘make to the varsity eleven. Stick your hand through and give him a smell of the stuff.’’ Cautiously Buckhart did so, keeping his weather 2 The goat stood off a few feet, apparently ready for another onslaught.” He even low- eye peeled for storms. ered his head and snorted fiercely, but there he stopped. “He's got a whiff of it!” Fitzgerald exclaimed eagerly, “See him smell it?’ Scarcely’ daring to breathe, they watched the. ‘animal raise his head and sniff the air. He had ceased his pawing and snorting and stood for an instant like a Buckhart ventured to thrust his hand far- ther through the bars, and the goat eyed it curiously, but apparently without anger. There was another pause before he took a hesitating step forward. _ “By Jove!” breathed Fitzgerald, his eyes ne “Tl be hanged if he isn't going to. fall for. tT" He waited without mov- ing a muscle, and presently the animal took another step, toward et Little by, dicen: he advanced until at ES ; The Texan did not reply. _— 3 last he was close to the fence. Then he craned his neck forward, and the next instant was eagerly nib- bling the herb in Buckhart’s hand. The latter then poured out a little more, pulling the bag away just in time to prevent the animal snatch- ing it out of his hand, so eager did the creature appear for the strange new fodder. When the second handful had been consumed, the Texan ventured to stroke the thick-matted hair be- hind the goat’s long ears. Wonder of wonders! Noth- ing happened. Mr. Billy Goat not only evinced no _ distaste for the unwonted caress, but actually thrust his nose between the rails and sniffed longingly. “Well, [ll—be—hanged!” gasped Fitzgerald, his eyes fairly popping out with surprise. ‘‘What da you think of that?” “Suffering catamounts!’ ejaculated the Texan. “Would you believe it? The stuff really works. Whoopee!” “He certainly likes it,’ commented the slim chap. “But how are we going to find out whether he'll fol- low you around like a blooming lamb?” Buckhart stood up, holding the bag in one hand, and _ walked slowly ‘along the fence. The goat followed, trotting along to keep pace with him and occasionally poking his nose between the rails. Fitzgerald was enamored of the situation. “Greatest thing I ever knew of,” he chuckled. “Why, the old duffer’s wild gver it. Do you know, Brad, he _ looks: positively amiable. That nasty look in his eyes has gone altogether. If he were a human being he'd smile.” “Perhaps you ivetde’s mind, then, taking the bag and slipping over the fence,’ Buckhart suggésted. “I'd really like to see how he behaves when you’re on the same. side with him.” | “Not on your life!” retorted the slim chap hastily. “I wouldn’t do it for money. He’s your pet. “Why don’t you get over yourself?” | . “T opine I’ll have to,” the Texan returned. “That's the only way we can be sure about it.” . Then etisued some discussion as to how this rather ticklish feat had better be performed. Finally Fitz- gerald was induced to keep the goat’s attention at- _ tracted by a handful of the herb, while Brad, taking the precious bag with - little distance and cautiously approached’ the animal. It was a thrilling moment. The goat had consumed every particle of the marvelous Caprine adhering to _ Fitzgerald’s hand when he caught sight of Buckhart s a out of the tail of his eye and whirled round to face Tif maa ets es tie PRE me oa eras a - e me ae Pee. deoclatind Test ee Se ee Se aa e ¥ PRS ee sts i i OR REE it ee AN Rt REE AS Fhe Sa - z RINT torte? ae se sa ae ed and partly to, conceal him from any one happening to_ enter. All this was not accomplished without more or less ‘noise, put apparently there was no one about at the he said, stepping forward hur- ing and grating of his chair along the floor. Bids e the two had disappeared he sprang to the door and is flung it open. ay around. ; “Anything special I can do for you, Mr, Sn—erss 12 PER. TOP moment to hear it. Fitzgerald’s room was, luckily, on the second floor, and the strange trio had almost reached it when Buckhart heard a door below open softly. Instantly he stopped still and halted his com- panion with a swift gesture. For a long time—it seetned hours—not a sound broke the stillness save for the rather stentorian breath- ing of the goat and the eager champing of his jaws as he munched the fodder which Fitzgerald was feed- ing frantically and recklessly to him in a desperate effort to keep him quiet. At last the door below creaked shut again, and, with a long-drawn sigh of relief, the procession resumed its march, finally reaching the slim chap’s sitting room, and locking the door behind them. “Gee!” exclaimed the latter, sinking into a chair and wiping the perspiration from his forehead. “TI thought it was all up with us. That was Snoopy, or I'll eat my hat.” Buckhart looked a little anxious. “The onery yarmint!” he muttered. “But, say, if it was, why didn’t he come up? The gent’s always so plenty anxious to poke his nose into other people’s business, I opine & He broke off with a startled gasp as a siden brisk knock sounded at the door. Fitz turned pale. “Tt’s him!” he hissed. “For Heaven's sake, get the goat out of sight! Take him into the bedroom—any- where! If Snoopy gees him here, we’re done for.” Aloud he called in a voice which he tried desperately ~ to make calm and casual: “What is it?” | “Open the door, Fitzgerald,” came from without to the accompaniment of a quick rattling of the knob. “This is Mr. Saulpaugh.” - “All right, sir. Just one minute. Hustle, for gra- - cious sake, Brad! YY The last words were utteted in art agonizing whisper as Buckhart snatched the bag of Caprine and hastily lured the intoxicated animal toward the bedroom as’ softly as he could. In spite of his pains, some noise was inevitable, but Fitz covered it as much as possible by a noisy creak- ‘Snoopy entered with a bouncing step and glared f Saulpatigh ?” inquired the slim chap suavely. The tutor stared fixedly at his naive countenance, f When WEEKLY. “What ” he began abruptly ; and then he stopped, realizing that as yet he had no particular excuse for catechizing the senior. There was silence for a moment or two as the tutor collected his thoughts. Then he smiled disagreeably. “You came in just now, did you not?” he inquired. “About half a minute ago,’ Fitzgerald nodded calmly. “I—er—happened to be coming out of my room and detected the sound of heavy breathing—I might al- most say a choking sound,” pursued the intruder. “I hope you are not—er—ill, Mr. Fitzgerald?” The student laughed pleasantly. “Oh, dear, no, Mr. Saulpaugh!’ he returned promptly. “It’s very thoughtful of you to take so much interest in’me, but I’m perfectly well. ing hard, I guess, for I’d been hurrying. Probably that was what you heard.” Snoopy looked far from convinced as his pale-blue eyes darted about the room. | “Possibly,” he said shortly. ‘You were alone?” Fitzgerald shrugged his shoulders and waved one hand in an explanatory gesture. “You see for yourself,” he returned nonchalantly. The tutor’s glance rested on the bedroom door sus- piciously. He would very much have liked to know who was in there, but even he did not quite dare go so far on so slim an excuse. There was anything but, an amiable expression on his face as he turned back to the hall. “T thought I heard talking ; apparently I was wrong,” he said, in the tone of one believing nothing of the sort, Without further winds he departed, and Fitz locked the door again and hastened in to Buckhart. “The coyote!” growled the latter, having heard all that passed through a crack in the door. “I'd sure like to larrup him good and plenty. You don’t think he’s on, do you?” “Gracious, no!” exclaimed Fitzgerald. been in here like a shot if he thought there was a goat here. How did he behave?” | “Like a lamb,” grinned the Texan. out of him.” The slim chap eyed the animal, who stood. blinking peacefully in the middle of the room. “Aren’t you afraid he'll go batty with so much of the stuff?” he asked anxiously. ee a Ys : I wouldn’t feed him any . me i “Had to run the chance. more, though, unless he kicks up a thundering row. Well, T must sesne over to the warage With mm el I was breath- | “He'd have “Not a sound } LER::'TOR car. J didn’t ask him for it this time; he’s beginning to smell a rat now,” He started toward the door, and the other fellow scowled. (i “Have I got to stay with the beast all evening?” he asked, with some heat. “T don’t see what else,’ Brad rejoined. “If you're not here he'll likely start rampaging around some -. riotous. I’ll slip over the first thing in the morning, and we can dope out our plans.” “Humph!” grunted Fitz. “Nice prospect, I must say.” “Tt’ll sure be worth it to-morrow,’ the Texan re- minded him; and, at the thought of what they hoped to bring about, the practical joker began to recover his good humor. It was worth even sitting up with a goat all evening. “Look out for Snoopy as you go down,” he cau- tioned. “Better sneak up another flight and come down loud so he can’t help hearing you. He'll think you've been seeing some one upstairs.”’ ; “Good idea,” chuckled Buckhart. “I'd like to, fool the onery sneak.” Fitzgerald turned the key without a sound, and his companion slipped into the hall and crept upstairs. A few minutes later he started to thump down the two flights with a noise which could not fail to attract the attention of any one on the alert. Sure enough, the tutor’s door was ajar, and Brad could see the shadowy form of Snoopy hovering be- hind it, evidently on the watch. “Much good it'll do you!” muttered the senior, as he ostentatiously left by the front door. “Hope you choke!” he found that Dick had not appeared that evening. It began to look as if the scheme would go through without suspicion being aroused in any quarter: CHAPTER VII. THE RIOT ON THE CAMPUS. “Not a wink of sleep, I tell you,’ snappel Eric Fitzgerald—“not a single wink of sleep the whole blamed night!” | ~ Buckhart strove to keep his face serious. “Was he as bad as all that?’ he asked, “Bad! exclaimed the slim chap. “He-was 4 Well, I’d hate to say it. I didn’t dare shut him up Quickly making a circuit of the building, he started the car, and drove straight back to the garage, where. WEEKLY. 13 in the sitting room for fear of his making a facket, and so he poked around the bedroom all night. I s pose it was because the stuff was in my top bureau Every time I’d start to doze off [d be waked up by his chewing on the bed- Once he pretty near choked to death trying to swallow the sheet, and after that I put on some clothes and stayed up. Don’t goats ever go to sleep?” He glared malevolently at the four-legged star who had been cast for the principal part in the stirring comedy so soon to take place. Mr. Billy Goat had settled down on the floor, where he lay with half- , closed eyes and gently moving jaws. “Looks a-plenty quiet now,’ the Texan observed. “Who wouldn't be after romping about all night?” returned Fitzgerald, with heat. “There’s one thing about it, I’m not going to wait till noon to spring him on the unsuspecting public. Why not do it right away?” “Not enough of a crowd,” Brad explained. “We might when the push is just oozing out of chapel, though.”’ “Well,” sighed Fitz, “I suppose I can stand another hour of it. Get back as soon as you can.” The Texan was the first man to shoot out of the chapel door the instant service was over, and he fairly flew to Lawrence, where he found Fitzgerald and his cumbersome charge ready and waiting.) “Hustle up!” he said quickly, as he burst into the room. ‘We want to get him outside and the door closed before anybody sees where he comes from.” Snoopy was, of.course, at chapel, and, the need for silence being removed, their progress downstairs was swift. On the steps they paused a moment. Then Buckhart gave the goat a sniff of the Caprine, some drawer and he smelled it. clothes. ~ of which had been placed in a small paper bag, ‘dangled it tantalizingly before him for an instant, and tossed it out onto the grass. . Mr. Billy Goat made for it at once, and the two’ conspirators slammed the door shut and flew out by the back entrance. s , For a moment or two the placid serenity of the campus was undisturbed. The animal pounced joy- _ fully upon the bag, which swiftly vanished from sight, and stood working his jaws slowly in an effort to. get the last possible iota of enjoyment out of the in- | toxicating herb. Then some one in the crowd pouring forth from | Battell Chapel discovered. the ruminating animal and gave vent to a joyful shout. Instantly the attention — of others became attracted to the unwonted spectacle, tA TIP TOP and other shouts arose as the crowd swerved toward Lawrence to investigate the matter. The goat, soothed by the miraculous Caprine, viewed them with tolerance. His malevolent attitude toward mankind temporarily subdued, he seemed even to wel- come the approach of the eager throng. Perhaps they were bringing more of that entrancing fodder. Through his half-closed eyes he watched them with a deceptive air of gentle anticipation and good nature. “An unbranded maverick escaped from the Western “Where's Buckhart or some of the other cowboy guys with their plains!’ exclaimed Rudolph Rose gleefully. rawhide lariats ?” “Yes, somebody get a rope!” cried another sopho- “We'll capture this little butter and hold an impromptu initiation of freshmen into the Grand Or- Get busy, fellows, and find a rope.” more. der of Capricorn. “Aw, what do you want a rope for?” scoffed a burly junior. ‘Can’t you see he’s gentle as a lamb. Why, I can muzzle him with one hand.” He advanced straight toward the sleepy-looking crea- ture, who extended his neck eagerly. and sniffed in anticipation. | “Look at that !”’ This is too easy.” grinned the junior. “Like a pet dog. He reached out and grasped one of the long, curving horns firmly. The next instant he sprang back with alacrity as the goat gave his head a sudden toss and stamped one hoof angrily. Evidently he was mistaken ‘in his surmise. No fodder was forthcoming; his sniffing nostrils could not detect even the faintest odor. The circle of erinning faces about him suddenly be- came extremely distasteful. He disliked, also, the chorus of jeers which greeted the junior’s atternpt to catch him by the horns. He pawed the ground rest- ively and tossed his head. | “Don’t seem “Try again, Hamilton,” jeered Rose. to be as easy as you thought.” The junior flushed a little and glanced at the goat. Gone was that sleepy, placid look and air of indolence. The eyes gleamed sulkily and the head continued to toss up and ‘down restively. It was not a reassuring sight, but Hamilton was not a fellow to be dared, so / , y WEEKLY. he stepped swiftly forward again, hoping to catch the creature unawares by quick moving. Instead of being caught, Mr. Billy Goat leaped back- ward and lowered his head. His blood was up now, With a defiant bellow, he launched himself forward and struck his old vicious spirit rapidly gaining force. the rash youth amidships with a force which knocked every breath out of his body and bowled him over like a tenpin. Then the fun began. - Instead of stopping, the goat dashed on at the nearest tormentor, who instantly bit the dust. There was a swift scramble to get out of the way. Excited shouts and yells arose. Some few brave ones stood their ground to no purpose whatever, and at last the animal broke through the ring, leaving the green- sward behind him strewn with fallen foes, and looked round for fresh worlds to conquer. There were plenty of them. Already students were pouring out of dormitories on every side, belching forth from the chapel, and running in from side streets, attracted by the sudden turmoil which had arisen. In a trice the placid quiet of the orderly student body > had been turned into a howling, riotous mob, half of which seemed bent on a frantic pursuit of the goat, and the other in an equally strenuous effort to avoid the deadly impact of those spreading harns. a Such was the joyful sight which met the enamored gaze of Buckhart and Fitzgerald when they appeared breathlessly in the passage beside the chapel, having _ made all speed thither from the back entrance of Law- rence. “Look at ‘em!’ ehortled the slim chap, doubled up with mirth. Shy look at ’em! Come on. Let’s get into the game.” They darted forward with a crowd of ae Suddenly the group split apart as of it had been cut with a knife, and, with an excited yell, Fitz had barely time to leap swiftly to one side to escape the mad rush of their erstwhile gentle pet. Buckhart managed to dodge, also, and they whirled about to join in the pursuit. The next instant Fitz gave a shriek of joy. “Brad! He’s after Snoopy! Do you see him? Look at him run—just look at him! Oh, gee! somebody x aS NE EE IE OE Se Rb AS scarcely able to believe his senses. ‘ tately and took refuge in belated flight. Par hold’me or I'll bust laughing, Isn’t that the greatest thing you ever saw?” It was indeed the case. The tutor, having been somewhat delayed in coming out of chapel, had’ missed the beginning of this interesting scene. He was first made aware that something serious was wrong by the shameless and unparalleled sounds of disorder which But by the time he had hastened forth to the campus, bent upon crushing at came to his sensitive ears. once the indecent clamor, or knowing the reason why, the struggling, tightly packed mob for the moment hid the cause of all this disturbance from view. With tightly compressed lips and an ominous ex- pression of countenance, he made haste toward the scene, “Disgraceful!” he exclaimed aloud, as a fresh burst of yells sounded in front of him. ‘*Some one shall pay dearly The words. froze on his lips as the crowd suddenly opened and the rampageous goat appeared, dashing straight toward .the paralyzed tutor. For a moment Snoopy was rooted to the ground, Then he waved his arms frantically and exclaimed: | “Scat, you beast Yin his most impressive tone. This having-no effect whatever, he turtied precipi- Straight across the grass he ran, coat tails flying behind him,. knees knocking together, and his long, spindly legs. clearing the ground awkwardly but with surprising swiftness. Of course the goat pursued. And, equally of course, the spectacle instantly mn sorbed the attention and interest of every one within Hurriedly the fellows sought points of van- tage. Shrieks of laughter and delight arose, mingling with yells of encouragement to either party. view. “Go it, Snoopy! Get some more speed into those pipestems !”’ / a . “Get a hustle on, Billy! I'll bet on you!” “Lift him good when you catch up!” And Billy did. Whether or not the bedlam behind { a é a him stirred him to greater effort, the fact remains that he Brean was seen to be gaining rapidly on the ex-_ TOP WEEKLY. 15 hausted tutor.’ There was a -sudden extra-burst of speed, a leap, a crash-like a house’falling, and-the de- tested Snoopy executed a.neat parabolic curve and landed with a thud some distance away, A wild burst of joy went up from. the watching multitude, who.instantly prepared themselves for fur- ther enjoyment in the pursuit of this wonderful goat who had apparently been vouchsafed them by a special dispensation of Providence. Billy, however, seemed to have other intentions. Per- haps he was a little bewildered by the vast, unaccus- tomed throng, and the raucus disorder may have been a little too strenuous, following so closely on that. pe- riod of quiet bliss brought about by the miraculous Caprine. “J ! Though he had so far conducted himself with un- faltering bravery, he may possibly have realized that discretion is the better part of valor. The pursuit of Snoopy had taken him well across the campus and away from the crowd. Opposite was the wide space between the library and Dwight Hall. ' The opportunity for an orderly retreat was unsur- passed, and he took advantage of it instantly. Passing Snoopy, who had not dared to rise, with a contemptuous toss of his head, he trotted straight for the opening into High Street and freedom. The instant his move was seen there was a frantic, . yelling rush after him on the part of the mob. Quiek-— ening his trot to a gallop, Billy scooted past the library, with but two harryeig di between him and Ae . Street. «Unhappily it was the dean and the senior professor ‘of Greek, who had witnessed the tutor’s downfall and then decided that the campus was no place for them. Of course, Billy did not know that. He only saw in them two more of his tormentors who were blocking the way to freedom, and charged the larger of them valiantly. | ‘As the dignified executive of the university bit the dust a concerted exclamation of dismay arose from — the crowd, which instantly began’ to melt away. It was one thing to rejoice over the downfall of ahated — “4 tutor and quite another to see the dean come to grief. é ; At once ae en Spanients in classrooms ee 16 TIP TOP WEEKLY. elsewhere were remembered, and with amazing rapidity the great crowd melted away. , In five minutes there was scarcely a student to be seen where before they had been numbered by .hun- dreds. | ey CHAPTER VIII. * FOUND OUT. Buckhart and Fitzgerald took refuge in the former’s rooms, and from the shelter of the curtains they watched the unfortunate tutor limp across the grass and disappear into Lawrence. Both were in high spirits at the success of their scheme, which had been | even more spectacular than they had expected. “Just to think of his boosting Snoopy that way!” chuckled the slim chap. ever saw. The old goat ought to have a leather medal.” “Tt was the loveliest thing I “Tt was sure all to the merry,’’ Buckhart agreed, with a reminiscent grint. “He couldn’t have done better if he’d been trained to lay for that sneaking coyote. I’m some afraid we're going to have our hands full hunting him up, though.” “What—the goat?” inquired Fitz. “Jove, yes! He must’ be miles off by this time, at the rate he was going after he ‘bowled the dean over. about that. They’ll kick up the deuce of a row now, I suppose.” | | Brad nodded. ; “They sure will,” he agreed. “But I don’t see why we should be suspected.”’ Fitz straightened up and pulled out his watch. “Nor I. tures. Suppose we take a run down Chapel Street and Say, we’ve got half an hour before lec- see if we can get any news. of Billy.” ~ News was plentiful.. The goat’s progress through town seemed to have been almost as spectacular as had his performance on the campus, but it had been uninterrupted. Always they were told that he had kept on out Chapel Street, and at last they were obliged to hurry back to lectures without having discovered | _ anything. ANG o “We'll take the car and Scoot out that way after ¢ I’m blanted sorry’ dinner,” Buckhart remarked, as they entered Alumni Hall: “Old Billy was all to the good, and I’d hate to have him wandering over the country. Don’t forget the Billygoatitis. I left it on your table, what there was left of it.” 3 But when Fitzgerald came to look for it, just before dinner, the linen sack was nowhere to be found. He searched high and low and was on the point of hunt- ing Brad up to find out exactly what he had done with it, when the door opened without the: formality of a knock, and Snoopy Saulpaugh entered and closed it behind him. : For a moment he stood with his back against it, regarding the slim chap with an unpleasant expression which sent chills of foreboding chasing up and down ‘his spine. At last he smiled a sour, triumphant smile. “So, Mr. Fitzgerald,” he said. significantly, “we have you to thank for the disgraceful affair which took place on the campus ’this morning!” The senior’s heart leaped into his throat, but he. managed to summon a childlike look of innocent in- quiry to his face. _ “—’m not very good at riddles, Mr. Saulpaugh,” he. returned coolly. “I’m afraid I don’t understand what you're driving at.” ; The tutor snorted indignantly. “Oh, don’t you?” he sneéred. “Perhaps you don’t know what this is, then?” ; He drew suddenly from his pocket the half-emptied bag of Caprine for which Fitz had been vainly search- _ing, and dangled it before the astonished youth’s eyes. “It looks like tobacco,” the latter managed to drawl, ' with a fair imitation of nonchalance. | Inwardly he was saying to himself: thunder did the old sneak come across that ?”” “Tt is not tobacco, as you very well know,” retorted the tutor triumphantly, “since I found it here on your table. My investigations were also productive of more evidence.” He whisked out of his pocket a cutting from a news-.. paper and glanced at it, his lip curling. “ ‘Buttless goats,’ ” he read, with cutting emphasis. “ ‘Reduced instantly to a state of lamblike gentleness. Will follow its possessor without hesitation.’ “Where in Smee ction Gas > eeianeeiaeeeiaitiaien Se KAR Sea igtipedaeeee: hens Se ag CAE ae Sees aR BTS eee ROAR Se Re: a . s 7 se $ sha aS " Bie 2 aa aie Sut -- we ee ee ee ee fy a i i Se ete Soa 2 : ¥ - wus Ses x “ pe ese : ee Saat ho - Tar. eee So that is how you managed this infamous scheme, is it?” Fitzgerald’s face was slightly flushed, and he eyed the tutor with a steady, contemptuous gaze. “Been sneaking, have you?” he inquired scornfully. “Nice, dignified occupation, that—breaking into a fellow’s rooms and going through his things.” “Silence, sir!” exclaimed the tutor furiously, his face purple. “How dare you say such things to me? _I did not break into your rooms; the door was unlocked. Besides, I had ample reason for searching here for any evidence I could find. You need not think that im- pertinence will do you any good. I had a suspicion last We shall see what view the faculty will take of your out- night that something was wrong. I know now. rageous behavior when I report it to them at the In all my experience 9 regular meeting next Monday. of ‘college life I have never “T think thet had better be about all, Mr. Saul- _ paugh,” Fitz interrupted coolly, though he was far from feeling composed or easy in his mind. \“You _ are quite at liberty to report what you choose to the faculty, but I certainly don’t propose to stand here and be blackguarded at your own sweet will.” He stepped forward and held the door open invit- ingly. paled, flushed again, opened his lips convulsively to re- Snoopy gasped with indignation, reddened, tort, and then stepped mechanically into the hall, fling- ing back a last sarcastic jibe as he went: “T wouldn’t give much for your chances of gradua- tion with your class, Mr. Fitzgerald.” : The slim chap closed the door sharply and turned the key. . “By Jove!” he murmured, as he dropped down in a “Neither would I. sneak! To think of his coming in here and finding near-by chair. The rotten old that. I'd like to wring his scrawny neck for him, [’ll be hanged if I wouldn’t!” Presently his indignation subsided and the serious side of the situation became uppermost in his mind. “Gee whiz, what a hole!” he groaned. “What in a time did I leave the door unlocked for, and these things lying around? It’s certainly all up with yours truly now. I'll be dragged before the faculty on Monday, WEEKLY. iz and, when they find out it’s so, they'll throw me out head over heels. I might have skinned through if it hadn’t been for the dean getting knocked over; but — Whew!” , He sprang to his feet and, thrusting both hands into his trousers pockets, began to walk nervously up as it is and down the room. “Jove! I’m glad he hasn’t roped Brad into it,” he muttered presently. . “That would play the deuce with the nine. Kind of looks as if Snoopy had slipped up there. out just now. Well, that’s something to be thank- ful for.” He paused by the window-and stood looking thought- fully down. He was scowling darkly, and presently. - he blinked several times in rapid succession.” “Some folks at home are going to feel like the deuce about it,’ he said, in a low, rather uneven tone. “Oh, hang it all! I wish that meddling sneak was in Halifax!” 7 . oe CHAPTER IX, .. ON THE POINT OF EXPULSION. Fitzgerald's decidedly unpleasant meditations were broken into by a sharp knock on the door, accompanied by a violent rattling of the knob. , “Back again!’’ he muttered angrily, under his breath. “Well, you won’t get in this time, Snoopy.”’ “Fitz!” called the voice of Buckhart impatiently, “Let-me in, can’t you?” ; The slim chap sprang across the room and unlocked the door. r “What in thunder’s keeping you so long?”’ the Texan exclaimed, as he entered. “I waited right some time at the garage and then hiked over to see’ what was up. Can’t you find the Billygoatitis ?”” “Snoopy’s got it,” explained the little fellow mourn- fully. “Snoopy!” gasped Brad incredulously. “How in the | ” j * “He sneaked in here before dinner and swiped it. He’s got the clipping, too, and is wise to the whole _ shooting match. He’s going to report me to the If he suspected he’d certainly have let it - > 18 oe TOR faculty meeting next Monday, and you know .what that means.” — ‘He tried to maintain an air of careless nonchalance, but it was hard work, feeling, as he did, that the bottom had dropped out of everything. Buckhart sank into a chair, his face a picture of as- tonishment and indignation. “Well, what do you know about that?’ he ex- claimed, his eyes flashing. “The low-down coyote! Sneaked into your room while you were out, did he? Waugh! He ought to have his hide tanned good and proper, the son.of a gun!” “T suppose it was my fault in a way,” said regretfully. “I had no business to leave the door unlocked and these things lying on the table, but--we left in such a hurry and-I-never thought he’d come Fitzgerald snooping around like that.” ‘~ “Who would?” snapped the Texan. “He must have -heard more last night than we thought. Thunder! This puts us in bad, Fitz. If we’re up against the faculty Monday, we sure can’t—— ”. interrupted the slim chap, his face lighting up a little. ‘That’s the only cheerful thing about the whole rotten business. The old fox missed a trick this time. He hasn’t wised up to your being in it at all.) He thinks I’m the only one, which is some 399 . “It isn’t we, comfort.” Rk gut _ Buckhart stared at him for a’ moment in perfect silence, a rather odd expression on his face. The next instant he sprang to his feet and caught the little fellow by the shoulders. “you old idiot!’ he exclaimed, with a grin. “What sort of a galoot do you think I am, anyhow? I’d sure bé a nice specimen to drag you into this and then let you shoulder all the blame. Not on your tintype, kiddo! That's not your Uncle Bradley’s style.” He ocmege tnd jaw squared and an expression of determination on his face, and made’ for the door. Fitzgerald flew after him and clutched his arm. © “Don’t be a fool, Brad,” he pleaded. “For Heaven’s iy sake, don’t tell him! It won’t do mea particle of good, and it'll only mix you up in it. - sensible; Brad, and - det things go the way they are.” “Can't son,” the paeaae one Ga *i OR aria See ERA Ae RR MEET re rag Tr “T started | oP ent eay rctapm Serdaeaat leshathtieed WEEKLY. racket, and I’m not mean and ornery enough to Maybe when I tell him that the slip out of it this way. it was my scheme and that I roped you into it, he’ll be reasonable.” “He won't,” Fitz wailed—‘“you know he won't! Don’t you know Snoopy better than that? We'll both be fired, and then what will the varsity do for a catcher ?” . This. phase of the matter sobered the Texan, but did not in the least alter his determination. fused to listen to his companion’s pleadings and argu- ments, and ended by putting him quietly but firmly aside and descending to the tutor’s quarters below. There was a very genuine surprise on Mr, Saul- sallow face as he recognized the varsity catcher, he said shortly. “What-can paugh’s “Well, Mr. Buckhart,” I do for you?” Brad stifled his first impulse to show his contempt There was no sense in irritating him unduly, considering the conditions; but neither did His manner was crisp, for the man. he betray servility in the least. abrupt, and to the point. “T understand that you are going to have Fitzgerald | up before the faculty on account of this goat busi- ness,” he said, without preamble. “I want to tell’ you that I am to blame entirely. I saw the advertisement and sent for the stuff. I planned out the whole affair, and Fitzgerald’s part in it was very small.” The tutor straightened up in his chair, an expres- , sion of the utmost satisfaction on his face. He had not forgotten the insulting manner in which this stal- wart Texan had cut him a few days before. This chance for getting even seemed almost too good to be true. “TIn-deed " he remarked, with a pursing up of his thin 4. “This is most be realize the serious- lips and a malicious gleam in his eyes. interesting, Mr. Buckhart. ness of your position, I presume.” His face darkened with rage as he recalled his an intense humiliation of that morning. “A most outrageous performance! !” he bes on f swiftly, giving Buckhart no time\to put in 4 word. ee “Al disgraceful scene such as I have never known oe ; 4 all my Eapetictics « of raleg routine. ‘The aight of ui He re- as ge sta nig ets St ee Saree iia Tl i lis ve re a ec sae oe ¢ ee Bi iis SP outtatti aa es aoe ee ia 3 52 ‘in 4 coe ae Se. venerable dean assaulted and tossed roughly into the dirt\ by that monster can never be effaced from my memory. And the whole thing deliberately planned in cold blood. Disgusting!’ “That part of it wasn’t plannéd,”’ the Texan re- torted sharply, and then was silent, realizing the utter futility of arguing with the man before him. “You are quite capable of it,” snapped the tutor. — He might have gone further had he not caught a glimpse of the senior’s angry, threatening face, which caused him to conclude the interview abruptly. The matter will be reported at the meeting on Monday, where, “But that is neither here nor there. I have no doubt, it will be probed to the bottom and I am very glad to have It would proper punishment meted out. discovered the real instigator of the outrage. otherwise have been most unfortunate.” “Then you won't report Fitzgerald?” Buckhart said in a tone of relief. the tutor retorted. 39 “T most certainly shall,” “But he isn’t to blame, “You are both tarred with the same stick, in my opinion,’ Saulpaugh said, in a tone of vindictive sat- isfaction. “Fitzgerald is quite old enough to be re- sponsible for his actions. I have more than a sus- _picion that half the infractions of college discipline can be laid at his door, and it is extremely gratifying to It is high time the students learned that college is a place for the acqui- me to bring him up short at last. sition of knowledge, not for the playing of low, shame- ful tricks which would disgrace a hoodlum.” “But— “Quite useless, Mr. Buckhart,” interrupted the tu- “The inter- view is at anend. I wish you good afternoon.” Did he but know it, Mr. Snoopy Saulpaugh had never in all his life been nearer a thorough, out-and- out thrashing than at that moment. Brad fairly itched to plant a few good jabs on that sneering mouth, and ” began Brad desperately. tor, raising one hand commandingly. _» follow them up by a general pounding which would give the sneaking tutor good cause for remembering him for some time to come. He "casa however, that such a proceeding would the Texan expostulated. might not—— WEEKLY. only make a bad matter worse; but it was only by gritting his teeth and exercising every atom of self- control he possessed that he managed to get out of the room without letting off steam in some manner that he would afterward deeply regret. Fitzgerald received the expected news with deep - gloom, and in an unusual state of depression the two discussed the unfortunate situation. “T don’t: see any earthly way out of it,” the slim chap concluded mournfully. ‘We're due for the grand bounce as sure as shooting.” “I’m going “Looks that way,” Buckhart agreed. to put Dick wise, though. He’s got a corking head- piece, and if any one can pull us out of this hole, he’s the gent.” \ a x CHAPTER ’X. MERRIWELL TAKES A HAND, “Vou’ll be interested to know that Farmer Hanson's ' goat was captured out in the west end of town. and returned to him this afternoon,” Dick Merriwell remarked casually, as he and Buckhart were returning from the athletic field toward six o'clock. The Texan glanced swiftly at his chum, a quick flush tinging his brown face. Then he burst into a sudden shout of laughter. “By thunder!” the game all the time, pard?” he exclaimed. ‘Were you wise to “TI had rather more than a suspicion,” Dick smiled. “Why didn’t you let me in on it? It must have been a regular circus. The excitement on the campus this morning was certainly all to the good, except, per- haps, knocking the dean down. I pretty nearly split my sides when Snoopy came to grief, You didn’t | think I’d throw cold water on it, I hope?” Brad looked somewhat shamefaced. “T don’t know what I thought,” he confessed. T s’pose I was a ee ee fool, but I was afraid yon 9? “You old idiot!” exclaimed Merriwell “forcibly. I’m not a candidate for the Wel, what’s | “You make me weary! theological seminary yet, by a long shot. t LLL LE LTD OTS LIT EET TIT Si LLY NT SATE T ise LOe yr Buckhart’s face had grown ~ the matter now?” F suddenly serious. “Matter enough,” the Texan explained morosely. “Snoopy’s wised up to the whole business, hang him!’ “What?” exclaimed Dick incredulously. _ “Fact. He can hardly wait for the faculty meeting Monday to show us up, and you know what that means,” He went on to explain in detail, and when he had finished Dick’s face was serious. “Tove, that’s bad!’ he exclaimed. “The sneak! It would be a delight to hand him one right across the platter.” “Tt sure would,” Brad said, in a depressed tone. “But it wouldn’t help matters a-plenty. He’s had it in for me ever since I gave him the icy stare the other day, and I opine he’s got me where he wants me now.” Merriwell was frowning thoughtfully. “Tt wouldn’t be so bad if the dean hadn’t been bowled over,” he said, in a worried tone. “Naturally that makes him hot under the collar, and he’s likely to do Thunder, Brad! We can’t let it go through, though: That would mean you'd be off the varsity for all the big games of the season, and there’s no- body can handle my pitching the way you do. We’ve just got to think up some way to beat the old sneak.” things. That was distinctly more easily said than’done. Dick _ knew quite well that the tutor would be fixed as a rock in his purpose. As Buckhart had expressed it, he simply itched to take his news to the faculty and thus: cause the downfall of the two men for whom he had taken an intense dislike. aca move him an inch. It would be breath wasted. ~ Supper that night was a decidedly quiet meal, Brad was dispirited, and his chum sat in his place, saying scarcely a word, so intent was he on striving to think of a way out of the dilemma. Jim Graham and a few other trustworthy fellows had been given the Fi of the case and were appalled at the prospect. | Buckhart and Merriwell had worked together for so ae on the diamond that it sometimes seemed as if their minds were tuned to the same pitch, and that each. ; 4 read the other’s thoughts by intuition. Signals passed between them which no other human being could see, WEEKLY. ! : No amount of persuasion — much less understand; and from long practice the Texan had reached the state of perfection when he knew, nine times out of ten, what sort of a ball his chum was going to throw, even though no signal were given. No other player could possibly eth Brad’s place behind the bat successfully, and, with most of the im- portant games still to be played, the prospect was any- thing but agreeable. Supper over, with serious, downcast faces, they ad- journed to Merriwell’s rooms to discuss the situation. “We've simply got to find a way to shut him up,” Dick said positively. “If Brad is thrown off the nine at this stage of the game, you all know what the result will be.” Jim Graham sighed gloomily. “We sure do,” he agreed fervently. a rattling good bunch this year, and it’s my opinion we couldn’t hold ‘em down without Buckhart.” “T suppose we couldn’t kidnap him and keep him suggested Rudolph “Harvard’s got shut up till the season’s over,” Rose doubtfully, 4fter a long silence. Merriwell shook his head. “Hardly,” he returned. “Such a crazy idea did oc cur to’me, but that would be going a little too far. If there was raf some way we could get a hold on him and force | He stopped abruptly and dropped his head into his cupped hands. For some minutes he sat silent, and then the others saw an i elas bi of hope flash into @ his face. “By Jove!’ he murmured, do the trick, all right, if we could work it.” His eyes traveled swiftly around the circle of ex- _ pectant faces and rested at last on that of Rudolph Rose. He hesitated an instant longer and then leaned | forward eagerly. For five minutes he talked steadily, in a low, ade voice, and little by little the, gloom on those other faces lightened. Presently one of the men chuckled con-. tageously, and, as Dick finished and sat back in, his_ chair, Buckhart burst into a guffaw. | : » “What do you thinte of it! o% Merriwell asked quietly. iin sedi ee “TI wonder? That would The question was a general one, but his eyes bie TET pened to be looking at Rose, and the sophomore smiled again. “Corking!’’ he said enthusiastically. great head.” “You've got a / “But do you think it’s possible?” persisted Dick. “Sure I do,” the other nodded, and was backed up by a chorus of agreement from the others. ) _ Merriwell stood up at once. “Tl get busy right away, then,” he said, reaching for his hat. it in. “There’s a lot to do and not much time to do Come along, Rudie. Make yourself at home, fellows, and perhaps I’ll be able to report progress _ when I get back.” Fifteen minutes later he was sitting in the room oc- cupied by Lance Fair and his Hoosier chum, in close confab with the former, whose rosy cheeks and wide, innocent blue eyes gave him an angelic appearance which was extremely deceptive. When he laughed a dimple appeared and disappeared at one side of his = accel i tt nl Spe en eee a pn SS REE EOE Ewe ts ees chin in a most fetching manner, the color came and - went in his cheeks, and he showed two rows of very good-looking teeth. i hn a at a - ioe . Sg sit tore After Dick had been talking a moment or two, Fair began to chuckle, and did not leave off laughing until his guest arose to go. oe Ie SSE SPE ee OSES ae “Sure thing,” he said readily, in answer i a ques- tion. oe ll have the time of my life. Dick. it . Count on me, iS ais tn a ta aa call on some friends of the latter, living near the campus, and when they emerged, nearly an hour later, both seemed in amazingly good spirits. — = a “kgneoe eed ne CHAPTER XI. THE FASCINATING MISS RICHARDS, a a ee Herman Saulpaugh came mincing across the campus ind up the steps of Lawrence. His face wore an ex- yression of malicious satisfaction, which had been there Imost constantly for the past two days, leading more he m one undergraduate to wonder uneasily what noopy was up to. _ envelope over and over between his fingers. Merriwell and Rose made their way bnively to WEEKLY, Unlocking the door of his sitting room, he entered and closed it behind him. As he laid his hat on the small table near by, his glance strayed to a calendar hanging above the writing table between the windows. “Only Friday,” he murmured. ‘The week seems slow in passing. However, Monday will soon be here. [ must confess I have rarely looked forward to a meet- ing of the faculty with so much delightful anticipa- tion.” Taking a step forward, he discovered that he had been standing squarely upon a letter which had been thrust through a slit in the door by the postman. He picked it up quickly and glanced at the address with some curiosity. The writing was large and angu- lar, rather attractive in appearance, and decidedly fem- inine. Snoopy smiled. “Hal A lady,” who this can be?” he murmured. “Now I wonder He might well wonder. Though having a decided liking for the fair sex, the tutor’s somewhat ques- tionable charms had not’so far been productive of any close friendships among them. The writing was, moreover, quite unfamiliar. One would have supposed that the quickest way of solving the puzzle would be to open the letter, but Snoopy preferred to dally with the unusual and de- cidedly gratifying situation. | , Dropping down on the desk chair, he turned the ; The pa- per was thick, cream-tinted, and fashionable. The post=- mark, New Haven. He raised it to his nose and de- tected a faint, subtle perfume of mignonette. He smiled again and carefully opened it with a paper knife. The contents was brief and to mw, point: “If Mr. Saulpaugh would care to make the acquaint- ance of the young lady who has apparently attracted his attention for the past week or more, he may do - so by calling this evening at eight o’clock at 334’ Whitney Avenue, and asking for Miss Richards, who has béen flattered by his re but unmistakable interest in her.” Snoopy gasped _ at the unexpected nature. of the: en } oc neater 22 iP. FOP note and reddened with pleasure. He had almost begun to despair of arousing any interest in the breast of the fair one he had so persistently but timidly followed for some time past. Apparently he had been wrong. He read the note over carefully again and then smirked at his reflection in the glass opposite. “Well, well!’ he murmured. “So she has noticed me, after all. I had begun to think her lacking in re- fined taste. This is most gratifying. Whitney Ave- nue, eh? A very exclusive neighborhood. A family of wealth, perhaps. Who knows but that something may come of it. Well, well! Very pleasant indeed.” While these thoughts were passing through his mind, he was strutting up and down the room, his scanty chest thrust out and his sallow face contorted into what he supposed to be a very fetching expression. _, “I really think I must go,” he murmured. Chains could not have kept him away, but this attitude seemed “It would be a pity to dis- Yes, I believe I will stroll suave and condescending. appoint the little. girl. around there to-night.” From his casual tone one would scarcely have sup- posed that he meant to do much in the way of prep- aration. It was a fact, however, that ‘considerably over an hour wvas spent in prinking and preening be- fore the glass, after he had discarded his first im- ptilse to array himself in evening dress, which he felt might be too conspicuous. | A dozen scarfs were selected and discarded before he was satisfied, and half as many collars did not seem /to sit right and were tossed aside. One pair of trousers were not properly creased ; another seemed too striking in pattern. And so it went with every- thing. ‘At last, however, he was ready, and, setting a new straw hat carefully upon his straight, black, painfully slicked-down hair, he picked up a cane and issued forth, swinging the stick nonchalantly, He prudently departed by the rear entrance, thus avoiding the gantlet of students on the campus, and set out briskly’ for Whitney Avenue. proached the house, he noticed that while there were lights upstairs, the lower floor seemed rather shadowy. \ As, he ap-_ WEEKLY. | ‘Probably she means to sit out on the porch,” he thought complacently. ‘The moon rises a little later.” The tinkle of the bell had scarcely died away before the door was opened suddenly, and, in the faint light from the single, turned-down burner, the tutor glimpsed the beautiful, burnished-gold hair which he had hitherto admired from a distance. The next instant a sweet, contralto voice broke the silence. “It’s Mr. Saulpaugh, is it not?” she said, rather falteringly. “I thought it must be, and so I came to the door myself. Won’t you—er—come in?” Snoopy Stepped into the hall, and, having deposited hat and stick on a settee, followed the slim, graceful figure into what seemed to be a spacious drawing- room to one side. Here, also, the light was dim, and he could barely distinguish the features of the girl as she sank into a big chair and motioned him with a tiny hand, glittering with rings, to take the sofa, which stood across one end of the room, facing a pair of drawn portiéres at the other. “Wonilt you sit there?” said the sweet voice; “and I hope you won’t mind the absence of light. I have a dreadful headache and can’t stand the glare at all. I really shouldn’t be receiving callers; but, having written to you in that informal way, I felt as if I simply must come down.” : The tutor murmured some vague expressions of con- dolence and regret, and suggested ‘that perhaps it would be better for him to call another time. “Oh, the girl said quickly. “That is, I hope, of course, you ‘Il want to call again; but I should feel dreadfully to have you sent away the very first titte:”: She rested her chin lightly on one hand, and Snoopy could see the bright gleam of her soulful eyes as she looked at him. / dear, no!” “I suppose my writing to you must have seemed very — “But, no! I take that — back. You’re the sort of broad-minded man who 3 would understand how petty little conventions irritate i ¢ I felt as if I wanted to know — you; we seemed to have no mutual friends, so where strange,” she went on quickly. me—I’m sure you are. was the harm in taking the matter into my own | hands ee asking you to come?’ 4 ‘ htc eicshtina ‘ 9 SERRE ER —_. ea ta 54 ® PENSE ee a2 Oh wert —- — oe MTs o> ~ ete ILS be > Sis < SRE eA SING i eae ipa ih eKS% oe .’ exclaimed ‘None whatever, my dear Miss Richards the tutor. “A little unconyentionality often leads to the mést delightful friendships, as I hope ours is des- tined to be,” He threw out his chest as he spoke, simpering. Evi- dently she was very much smitten with his charms, | and he was beginning to be thrilled to the very core ! by her attractiveness. There was a faint, silken rustle as she leaned swiftly forward, and an impalpable fra- | grance of mignonette was wafted toward him. } “Ves, indeed,” came in that low, sweet voice; ‘I’m ig sure it will. Those are the friendships which are really worth while in life; the sort which one feels ‘She broke off abruptly with a swift-drawn breath, and’ one hand flew to her heart. The tutor leaned for- «ward anxiously. | F “What is it, Miss Richards?’ he asked. “Is any- ae thing the matter?” | She did not answer at once, and when at last she __ spoke it seemed as if she did so with an effort. ; “I—don’t know. I’m—afraid—lI feel a little faint. Te a those—spells before. It’s the+headache, of c course.’ | | a The. last words had scarcely been uttered before * _ she staggered to her feet, one hand across her eyes. _ Before Snoopy could rise to her assistance, he was ¢ horrified to see her sway toward him and collapse onto | the sofa at his side, her head against his shoulder and her perfumed, burnished hair brushing his face. | _ With an_ exclamation of helpless alarm—Snoopy was not at all a good man in emergencies; he never i arm. The next instant there was.a pop and a flash : : of light from the other end of the room, which sent f a shuddering quiver through the girl. “Qh! she moaned. “What was that?” The same question was in the tutor’s bewildered pind. What under the sun was it? Fora single 4 Becond the room had been lit up by a blinding glare, TIP: TOP WEERLY. . he dashed down the steps in a veritable panic. _ knew what to do—he steadied her limp form with his ° “My brother !” she gasped, in a frightened: voice. “I did not know he was in the house.” She staggered to her feet and caught Snoopy by the arm. “Oh, you must’ go—go at once!’’ she whispered. “He’s dreadful! He won’t'even-let me speak to aman. Oh, please go!” i The tutor did not have to be urged. Already cold chills were coursing up and down his, spine at the thought of this fearful brother, and he leaped to-his feet and made a hurried dash for the hall, The girl followed him. she breathed, in,a stricken voice— You'll “I’m so sorry,” “so dreadfully sorry! y never thought.of this. come again, won't you?’ “Not if: I can help it,” muttered the- dazed, be- wildered Snoopy as the door closed behind him ‘and “My heavens, what an escape! What an escape!” CHAPTER XI. LIKE PULLING TEETH, Inside the house, Miss Richards, peering through the curtains in the drawing-room, watched the tutor’s hur- When he had turned the corner, she stepped forward pear: and Poe Bas flared up suddenly. ried flight with calculating eyes. “Did you get it?’ she asked eagerly, facing ibe drawn portiéres at the end of the room. As if by a signal, a perfect shriek of laughter went up, seeming to have gained in strength and yolume ® by the necessity for long suppression. Peal after. peal rang out, and Miss Richards, grinning in sym- pathy, walked over with a raarilline stride and yanked aside the curtains. ) ee , A camera on a tripod stood in the middle of: the opening and collapsed into a chair beside it was Dick | Merriwell, tears coursing down his cheeks and stran- gling sobs issuing from his throat. Buckhart and an- other man roared in unison from near by; while Eric see rolled upon the aoe, bott Habes clasping SRE seem etree 24 TIP TOP WE his aching sides, and howled in helpless, hysterical mirth. ; “Oh, gee!” he groaned. “I'll die, I know I will! And you'll be the death of me!” “A little unconventionality often leads to the most delightful friendships,” the girl intoned, mimicking the tutor’s throaty tones. “Don’t!” expostulated the Texan helplessly. “Wait till I get my breath.” ae went all right, then?” she inquired. ere sure did,” Dick said emphatically, as he sat up and wiped his eyes. “You were corking, but you missed the best part of the whole thing. You didn't see his face when he found your head nestling against his shoulder. “You think the picture’s all right, then?” she asked. It was great!” “Yes, I’m pretty sure it is. Of course you can never tell about flash lights, but it went off without a hitch, and there’s no reason to think it won't be a dandy.”’ | “Well, if it is, Snoopy’s goose is cooked,” observed the girl vindictively. “Jove, this blasted wig is hot!” With Dick’s assistance the elaborately arranged mass of burnished-gold hair was removed from “the girl’s” head, and Lance Fair appeared in his own close- cropped blond hair, giving a sigh of relief. +) “7 think ll get rid of my sylphlike form, too,” he went on. “You fellows yanked the stays so tight that they're. almost killing me. Shall I chase right upstairs, Helmouth?”? | ie The young fellow. standing beside Buckhart nodded. _ Sure, You know the way.” When. F air had departed to shed his Sartowed plumes, Merriwell proceeded to pack the camera into its box and shut up the tripod. . “We're eternally indebted to you, Helmouth, for ‘ie loan of your house,” he smiled, when he had fin- ished. “We’ d never have pulled this off but for that. " « he young New Haven architect grinned. “Don't mention it,” he returned. “The show was worth it, many times over. Besides, it hasn’t been the least bit of trouble, with all the family away. If dad had been here he might have kicked, but, as it is, he'll who sat so-close together on the sofa. .against his shoulder. PR NESE ATA el *+EKLY. never. know,anything about it. I hope the flash light turns out all right. I'd like well enough to see that sneak crawl.” “T reckon he will, all right,” Dick retorted grimly. “He'll be willing to do most anything rather than have that picture come out in the News.” x * * ” * * * A little after noon the next day Dick burst into his room, where Buckhart and Fitzgerald were eagerly awaiting him, and drew a long Manila envelope from his pocket. “It’s all to the good!” he laughed, tossing ‘it on the table. “Just take a look at it.” Buckhart snatched it up and hurriedly extracted the single picture it contained. For a flash light, it was a remarkably clear one, and there could be no doubt whatever as to the identity of one of the two figures, It was Snoopy toethe life, in the full glory of his calling regalia. His head was bent over and his eyes seemed -fixed upon the face of the very charming girl who nestled One of his arms had slipped about her in an effectionate manner. But the joyful and unexpected part of the Arse combination was the expression which Lance Fair had managed to throw into his face just at the crucial mo- ment. An instant before he had been presumably fainting, but when the camera clicked there had been nothing in the least suggestive of that about him. His eyes were wide open and staring straight into the tutor’s face with an expression of such fanguishing, coy sweetness that the three beholders threatened to become almost as hysterical as they had been the night before. “He’s certainly a jewel,” Merriwell choked, when — he had recovered his composure. “I didn’t know he was doing it, arid I nearly died when I saw it down at the photographer’s. would be lacking to make it lifelike.” He stood up and glanced at Brad. S “Well, suppose we beard the lion and get it’ over with,” he smiled. | The Texan leaped to his feet with alacrity. . It’s just the one thing I thought — ay. ¥ 44) a ; at, aes ae, ny Ly ‘ be expelled. Tiz. FOP “You bet, pard!’’ “T’m sure itching to see the coyote crawl. he chuckled joyfully. Come on.” “Hustle back and let me know about it,’’ admonished Fitzgerald. It had been arranged that Morrivet and Buckhart carry the matter through, and, though the slim chap _ was dying to be a witness, he saw the wisdom of not having too many in the party. “Sure,” Buckhart called back, as they clattered down the stairs. | The tutor was at home and in a very sour humor. He glanced up in surprise as Dick entered, but his face darkened when he saw the brawny Texan follow- ing his chum. | “Well, gentlemen?” he snapped crossly. as brief as possible. I warn you”—his mouth straight- ened firmly and his eyes narrowed—“that if your business has anything to do with the report I intend turning in to the faculty day after to-morrow, you may as well save your breath.” : “That does happen ‘to be what we came for,” Dick said quietly. “Quite useless,” retorted Snoopy. My mind is made up, and nothing can change it—noth- outrage, for which no penalty can be too severe. ing!” “Sure about that?” Merriwell asked pleasantly. - The tutor darted an angry glance at him. “Of course I’m sure,’ he snapped. “It is not my habit to be vague and undecided.” “I had hoped you might——” Dick began; but the tutor ‘cut him short. “Your hopes are quite unwarranted, Mr. Merriwell,” he said coldly. “I shall make my report in full on Monday. The two students in question will probably . Buckhart has ‘something to do with baseball, I believe, and no doubt I’m sure they deserve it. that is what brings you here. An unnecessary waste of time, and mine is somewhat valuable. He should have thought of all this before he plotted to bring about that ceuenng scene of riot on the CARO UE: a few days since.’ _ Curious to know whether the man had a particle of “Please be. “A. disgraceful , let me say it or you will be sorry.” é 1 AMA AN AO ATR: CINE el” Sortie ; WEEKLY. wi regard for the athletic victories of his Alma Mater, Dick tried him once more. “Tf Buckhart is expelled it will be a blow to the “Without him it is quite possible that Harvard may defeat us.”’ varsity,” he explained patiently. “Vy ery unfortunate, I’m sure,” the tutor remarked, in a bored tone; “but quite immaterial. “I must do my duty at any cost.” Merriwell’s eyes narrowed and his jaw squared. “Ah, your duty!” he said, in a contemptuous tone. “You consider it your duty, I suppose, to sneak into a student’s room and pry about among his personal belongings for evidence which will help you gratify your petty spite. A fine sense of duty!” The tutor sprang to his feet, his face purple with rage. “How dare you!” he frothed. ‘“Leave-the room in- stantly !”’ Dick smiled coolly and drew the photograph from his pocket. “Presently, Mr. Saulpaugh,” he returned quietly. “I have a little more to say before I go. You had better There was something in his tone which cooled the fury of the older man insensibly and made him crush down the imprecations which were rising to his lips. “It is just this,” your threat to report Buckhart and Fitzgerald at the Dick went on: “If you carry out faculty meeting on Monday, or in any way betray to the authorities their connection with the goat episode, this photograph will appear the next day on = front page of the Yale News.” | He stepped forward and etieided the photograph to the astonished tutor, who took it instinctively bee cast a quick glance at the two figures it ene Silence. os The sallow fave flamed crimson and then went white as chalk. The lips trembled and the pale-blue’ eyes In that single instant the fellow’s pompous self-assertion vanished as does the air from a pricked balloon, and he seemed actually to shrink and wither up as he clasped the ie of his desk to oe himself. stared in horror as if at a basilisk. _course,”. pursued the tutor, in a more steady voice. “know.” | Dick agreed. Sle eee ae a a Se Pr ee! PRIS 26 “Infamous!” he breathed. “You wouldn’t dare!” - But there was no conviction in his voice, nor did he once turn his eyes from the dreadful evidence before him, “Tt would be a pleasure,” Merriwell assured him calmly. ‘The tutor swallowed convulsively: “It was all a put-up job,” he laraenet at length. e was lured there for this purpose.” | ~ “Quite so,” Dick said sweetly. “‘And you fell for it beautifully. Do you really imagine that decent girls are in the habit of making men’s acquaintance that way,” Snoopy bit his lips and flushed red with embarrass- ment. .He made no.attempt at answering, but stood fingering the photograph with shaking hands. at ESTE. ‘T—consent to-——keep silent,” he faltered, length, “you, will give me the plate of this—er—photo- graph?” 7 Dick answered quickly. “Qf course,.’ “We. should have ne use for it.” _.»And you would reserve no copies for yourself, of oe _r7er—naturally would not care to have any in exist- ence. They might get Sere ener hands, you : always that possibility, ay course,” “You shall have the plate, and. I'll give a ee there’s you my word of honor that there are no other prints in existence. Will that satisfy you?” | “nally: planned it.” ‘that he almost smiled, ‘but realized in. time and drew “down the’ corners of his mouth morosely. . 4, it a ey | Yes, perfectly,” the tutor answered at once. _ He straightened up and rubbed his hands. Decidedly he was becoming more composed. A moment before there had flashed through his mind that a promise ex- ie - acted. under threat need not hold. - been extorted from him by force and vile conspiracy. ; With the plate and prints. of the infamous thing in his. | possession, he could’ snap his fingers at Merriwell and the others, and: obtalar a swift revenge as: he had orig-, Surely this one had “The prospect. was so comforting - of seem to have no choice,” she said sourly; ‘ | “thanks . “ward the door. of the Ruby.” “TIP. TOP 'WEHERLY: To have .suck a thing to your underhand behavior. as this’ —he tapped the photograph viciously— “appear in public would ruin my career. I shall have to ac- cede to your outrageous demand and keep. silent.” “Good!” “I thought you'd be sensible. We can count on you, then, to re- Merriwell said cheerfully. frain from making known to any one the facts you have discovered regarding the prank played by Buck- hart and. Fitzgerald?” Snoopy hesitated an instant. “Ves,” he said, at length, with drooping eyes, vided you will carry out your share of the bargain,” “No fear of that,” Dick chuckted, as he turned to- “You shall have plate and print.” He opened the door and was on the point of follow- ing Buckhart into the hall, when the tutor checked him. “It will be soon, I hope?” he said questioningly. | #y cannot feel at ease while these things are in es hands,” | ba There was a curious glint in Dick’s eyes as he fixed his level gaze on the man’s face. Weds “About the first of July, Mr. Saulpaugh, ™ Tie said pointedly. “After the baseball season is over and we have all three graduated safely. That will prevent any unpleasant results should you undergo a change of heart. Understand : ; He closed the door, and the tutor’ stood glaring at ) it with an expression of baffled fury which ‘was not ‘lessened as the Texan’s infectious chuckle came: to his ears-and made him grind his teeth in impotent rage. THE END, How do you like a ripping baseball yarn combined — a is with a detective story? That’s what you will get next week in “Dick Merriwell’s Queer Case; or, The Lure “f The tale opens with a cracking ball: 4] » game, in which Dick astonishes his friends and ey ; one else by going off his form. But * ‘there’s a reason,” and the subsequent developments ‘show how easy i it, ae es for a fellow to fall down in a gare on. account: mes ‘ purely. outside influences. . You will. find, this’ bully He sUORY in No. er a ee 10th.” andy Sh es “pro-- Riinscilt sD ptla A Banana TIP TOP WEEKLY. "NEW YORK, June 3, 1911, : 2 [Ss TERMS TO TIP TOP WEEKLY MAIL SUBSCRIBERS. (Postage Free.) Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each. ee Pere ee atone wee eee ee 65e, Onb ear auth neues dWeadsdweteeoOO 2 L ccbaasinasanadaanese> 850. 2 copies ONG. YOAL..acccccenesee 4,00 BONES ic cdiideceadsensenesace $1.25 | 1 COpy CWO YOATB.ncnnescccenee 4.00 How to Send Money—By post-office or express money order, registered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own risk if sent by currency, coin, or postage stamps in ordinary letter. Receipts—Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper change of number on your label. If not correct you have not been properly credited, and should let us know at once, Ormonp G. Smitu, STREET & SMITH, Publishers, Grorce C. Smits, 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City. ae THE BEST DETECTIVES, : A Frenchman naturally thinks the Parisian detectives the best. Englishmen swear by the shrewdness of Scotland Yard men, and Americans, of course, swear by the New York detectives. After t Proprietors. = _ three years’ residence in China, says a traveler, I do not think either of the three bodies are entitled to the credit given them. | The Chinese beat them all. They are at one time the most expert thieves, and at another the most skilled detectives in the world. A Chinaman can steal your watch while you are looking at it, and he can catch the _man who stole it, if it happen to be some other man than himself, when a French detective could not. I have seen evidences of detective ability among the Chinese which would startle even Lecocq. It is impossible for an evildoer to long eludé the Chinese detectives. They scent a crime and fellow it to the last before civilized detectives would know of it. The Chinese detective force is a secret body, and the best organization in the world. They have an eye upon’ every man, woman and child, foreign or native, in China, and in addition watch over each other. ! : Informers are encouraged, and collusion is impossible. The head of the Chinese police is not known, but there is one, and a very active one, too, I have heard that the present head was once an ambassador to a European country, but really I do not belive that any one knows who he is. There is said to be over sixty thousand men under him and his assistants, who control the various districts. . CLEVER SPARROWS, aa There is a well-known fowl breeder, who rears and keeps his fowls in a pen close to the railway. One morning he gave his hens a lot of Indian corn to eat, and was surprised to see the sparrows swallowing the corn and eating as much as the hens, and he made up his mind to prevent them by getting the very biggest corn he could procure. The next morning he watched _ closely to see if the sparrows came. They came, but could not swallow the corn, and he thought he had got them, but they kept - flying away and coming again, taking a grain at a time till it was all ‘gone. Then he made up his mind-to watch where they went to, and, to his astonishment and dismay, saw them place the grain of corn on the railway metals, fly onto the telegraph wires, and wait till the train had gone over them, when they flew down and ate it, thus outdoing the old fowl breeder with all his tricks. Ie ; fp t - + Gh np Ba yin Melanie « Meyebn Ave 0 wo Maal 27 EXPELLED BUT NOT DISGRACED. The boys of Freshfield School, at which Frank Leicester had « been but a few weeks, hardly knew what to make of that young gentleman. Born and reared in Texas, he had all the charac- teristics of the typical American boy, though his parents were English. Dying within a few weeks of each other, they had left him to the care of his relatives in the old country, who placed him ag Doctor Polluck to have him fitted for English commercial ife. He apparently neither knew nor cared anything about cricket or fives; but at running and swimming he had proved himself equal to the best; and he was already looked to for ideas when mischief was brewing. His latest proposal was causing a great commotion. Imbued with the Yankee spirit, he wanted to celebrate the Fourth of July. Like true Britons, the whole school had at first objected. But when Frank vaguely hinted of the many new fireworks that he would show them how to make, and dilated on the fun they could have with them at this time of the year, their patriotism cooled, and most of them agreed to assist him. The elder boys, however, jealous of Frank’s growing popu- larity, did all they could to suppress the scheme. There had been many angry disputes, for Frank, accustomed to leading, chafed under opposition; and a crowd«was now fiercely wrang- ling over the matter round the cricket pavilion. “Who cares tuppence about the Fourth of July?” said Pelling, their vice captain and the principal objector. “I don’t know any- thing about the Fourth of July.” “Or anything else, I guess,” put in Frank aggressively. here, you fellows; you're as good as Americans”—Pelling pro- tested—“well, nearly as good ; anyhow, you’re not duffers to stand out when there’s such mighty fun about.” “Fourth of July be bothered!” shouted young Jackson. “I vete for the fun.” “Fun !” said Pelling; “all rot, I-——” But the Texan would stand no more. ‘ “Tell you what,” said he, beginning to take off his coat; “if you can lick me, I reckon the thing can slide.” Pelling was ready enough; in a moment he threw off his coat, and. faced his challenger. j But it was not to be. Jackson, senior, their captain, stepped between them. The doctor had asked him to keep an eye on Frank; and the youngster looked no match for Pelling, who was one of the best fighters in the school. “What's the sack: Pelling?” said he. “Blow the Fourth of July! Let him have his fireworks if he wants them.” : the boys, though ever eager for a fight, backed up their cap- tain; and Frank being well content with this compromise, the matter was amicably settled. ‘ For the next few days Frank was hard at work. Nearly all were ready to assist him, but only a faithful few were permitted to have a hand in the arrangements. They. made several surreptitious journeys into the town, and had quickly collected all the necessary materials. At every avaitl- able moment mysterious meetings: were being held in the out- house abutting the left wing of the school, the rest of the boys loyally combining to keep all knowledge of the proceedings from the authorities. . : It was the evening of the third; and Frank’s preparations were practically complete. As soon after tea as possible, he and his assistants slipped one by one to their temporary workshop, and were now putting the final touches to their creations. | “Hello, young Jackson, what are you doing with that fuse?” said Frank, looking up from the set piece he had just finished. “Don’t waste it, you little idiot; we shall want that to-morrow.” He snatched the burning fuse from the boy’s hand, and, throw- ing it on the ground, put his foot on it. The supper bell then ringing, their things were packed away in Frank’s locker, and the boys trooped off to the dining hall. Pelling ran against Frank in the doorway. “I say, Mr. Yankee Doodle, you haven’t told us how you're. going to let ’em off,” he jeered. ee Frank hadn’t thought-of that, so took refuge in a lofty silence. “No talking,” was the rule during sunbes time, but as soon as that meal was over, the point raised by Pelling was eagerly dis- cussed. e “Fine specimen of Yankee cuteness!” laughed he. dare to let them off.” . “Won't I dare?” said Frank. “I'll show you-—— Suddenly cries of “Fire! fire!” and of women’s screams from “You won't — ? “Fireworks don’t light themselves.” 28 Le SUAS the kitchen, made every boy’s heart stand still. The next moment they were all rushing pell-mell downstairs. “My stars!” shouted Frank; “it’s the outhouse. they'll go off now.” He was right. There was a sudden explosion, and immediately the outhouse burst into a mass of flames. The doctor was heard above the babel of voices. “Run for the engine—you, Jackson!” Jackson made off to the town; but in an incredibly short space of time the whole wing appeared to be in flames—masters, boys, and domestics gazing helplessly at the conflagration. The next few minutes seemed an age to them, for they could do absolutely nothing. “Keep back, boys. Here they. come!” the doctor shouted, as the noise of the approaching engine was heard. Suddenly an excited figure pushed its way through the crowd; and Mr. Joyce, the junior master, made a rush for the burning doorway. “Come back, Mr. Joyce, come back!” was the cry taken up on all sides. But the master dashed on; and only a few heard his “My papers! my papers!’ as he disappeared into the smoke. The fire brigade were already getting to work, and all was bustle and excitement. “Is there any one in the house?” demanded their captain. He was answered by a cry from the boys. The unfortunate Mr. Joyce, his retreat cut off by the rapidly advancing flames, appeared at afi upper window. ‘Help! help!” he shouted. “Bring the escape!” But the fierce flames, bursting through the lower windows, rendered the escape useless. It was death for him to remain there; already the room beneath him was well alight; and the crowd gazed horror-stricken at the master’s desperate plight. But British firemen are never beaten. A yell of delight went up as one of the plucky fellows was seen clambering along the roof, with a rope attached to his body. To fasten one end toa chimney stack, slide down to the coping, and lower the other to the master, was the work of a few seconds. Cheer after cheer rang out as through the smoke the two were oo standing together away from all reach of the devouring ames. By this time the efforts of the firemen weré meeting with their reward; dnd though it was a hard struggle, they managed to keep the fire from the rest of the building. Just before midnight the flames were Badly subdued, and the boys sent the firemen off with three hearty cheers. “Lucky for us it isn’t in the dormitories,” remarked Frank, as he turned into bed that night—or rather early the next morning; “though it doesn’t matter much to me, I suppose. Guess I shall be like my fireworks, and go off suddenly.” ; A few of them laughed feebly, but the rest took too serious a view of Frank’s situation to appreciate his joke. “My word,” said young Jackson softly to himself, “won't there be a row to-morrow!” There was a hush of expectancy over all when the school as- - sembled the next morning, and the boys hardly dared to breathe when the doctor rose to address them. Quietly and impressively he spoke, dwelling on the seriousness of the ree night’s events, and then, suddenly holding up the charred case of a squib, said: “Now, boys, one of the firemen brought this to me. Which of you has been making fireworks?” Fort a moment no one spoke. ane sp “Come, boys,” the doctor added sternly, “which of you has been making fireworks ?” ~ “Now for explosion number two,” muttered Frank. “Here goes. Please, sir, it was me.” . A sigh of mingled relief and admiration escaped from, the boys as they realized that their leader in the enterprise meant to take the responsibility. “How comes this, Leicester?” the doctor demanded. “What were you doing with fireworks?” ay - “They were for the Fourth, sir,” replied Frank. “I made them to celebrate it, sir.” , Des The doctor looked mystified. I reckon “But do you mean to say that you let them off in the out-- house?” — | iP fo i one sir; I was keeping them for to-day.” . "Then how came they alight a thundered Doctor Polluck. “I don’t kriow, sir,” faltered Frank. “Tam sire I put: them _ away quite safely.” é) A Ne alt Pa yy hs PL ED TO ee WEEKLY. a “T need hardly point out what the result of this must be,” said the doctor, turning to the boys. “This is a most serious matter for all concerned in it. As for Leicester, who is obviously the leader, it is quite impossible that his name should remain on the books of this school.” “I am very sorry,’ said Frank tearfully. fault.” “No, it wasn’t!” The whole school turned, startled by this sudden interruption. ’Twas Pelling, stung into speech by the manly way in which Leicester was taking the blame. “What does this mean, Pelling?” Pelling, flushing and paling by turns, looked a pitiable object. “T did it, sir,” he gasped; “I wanted to spoil his fun!” “This is most extraordinary,” said the doctor. “Did what?” “Set fire to them, sir. I file a bit of fuse alight in the out- house after he’d gone, and I threw it in his locker.” And, fairly overcome by the terrible result of his spite, he burst out blubbering. The boy’s evident distress so moved Doctor Polluck that he said little more. Sending the two boys to his study, he dismissed the school. Both Leicester and Pelling were expelled, though even Doctor Polluck felt a touch of regret at the loss of his two black sheep. At Freshfield School their names will never be forgotten, for the boys consider that their behavior in the hour of trial more than atoned for their previous misdeeds. “But it was all my INSTANTANEOUS WEALTHI ‘The miners of New Mexico tell a queer story which illustrates their belief in luck. A: miner was trudging along one hot day through a gulch, with the sun shining on his back, when he smelled smoke, and presently, to his dismay, discovered that his knapsack was on fire. Like all miners, he carried a large lens for the purpose of ex- amining specimens, and for want of room he had hung the glass on the oeree and the rays of the sun had been concentrated on the pack. f As among its contents’were fifteen pounds of powder, he lost no time in dropping the dangerous burden and getting as far away as possible. The knapsack fell between two big rocks, while ‘the miner, from a safe distance, mournfully watched the smoke rising from his sole worldly possessions. Presently there came a — | deafening explosion, and the miner went to gather up what he could find, ad Then his eyes almost started out of his head at seeing the quartz that had been blown up fairly glistening with gold. His powder had literally blown open a gold mine, and he was made a rich man in an instant. He named his mine the “Nick o’ Time.” ' PROMPTNESS REWARDED. _ “What should I do if I met a highwayman some night and he ordered me to hold up my hands?” said a mtan who had had some experience foughing it in the Far West, repeating the question of — a friend. “Well, I should put my hands up in such a h it would make your head swim. If you value your life it is wise to promptly obey a bandit that has ‘got the drop’ on you and is si My experience has taught — showing you the interior of his gun. me this. “I remember a close call I had in Arizona, I was hunting alone one day when a man hove in sight, and, before I could realize his intention, requested me to hold up my hands and keep them 9 up while I dismounted from my horse. I knew if I attempted to reach for my rifle of revolver that would be the sigaal for hos- tilities to begin; and so as the other fellow would get the first — shot, my chances would be slim. So I meekly erected my arms _in a perpendicular position and got off my horse with as much | alacrity as was possible under the circumstances. “In trying to release my foot from the stirrup, however, I i Before he © knew what had happened, the animal had upset the bandit, and — frightened the horse, and he started off on a run, his pistol flew ottt of his hand. 2, “This is where I came in, and the persuasive eloquence of my : ae gun induced the otttlaw to march ahead of me all the way to our ‘camp, and there we detained him until we could turn him over to | * the officers of the law. il nye, Poe “Tf I had even att pte parley with that eget, desper- ado, it’s very certain I shouldn't be here how to tell th 8 story.” Reve. ee SE RR SECS KO ™ = ok : : _ always interesting and often amusing. In the first ber of your Popular Magazine appeared a little story that was a “jim dandy,” and so rich in local color that the author must at sh Mexican border. — _ From a Yale Grad. . Satine foe Se _. Although I am a grown-up and a graduate of Yale University, Lam still a reader of your delightful Trp Top Wrexiy. You are ee to the American boy clean, interesting stories, and are TIP TOP’ WEEKLY. APPLAUSE E)9s (Gy Or ‘This is ‘the “Get Together” Department. Here, every week, the “Tip Top’’ friends chat with the editor and with each other. The “Tip Top” family knows no geographical boundaries: all over the great round earth, from North to South, the members stand shoulder to shoulder with Burt L. Standish for truth, honor, strength, courage, and clean living. Many letters are received—letters of comradeship, praise and friendly criticism—and while we have not sufficient space for their immediate publication, they are all welcomed, in turn, to their place by the fireside, A Good, Long One. I have not written to the Applause column for some years, although I have been a constant reader of Trp Top ever since its very first issue. At that time I was a schoolboy, attending a military school in New Jersey. Since those days I haven’t missed a single number, although sometimes I have had to wait several weeks to get the late issue, for business has kept me away from the “Big Town” for many years, and I have been pretty well over the South and Southwest, and even in Mexico. You must have many readers in the latter country, by the way, for I never had any trouble getting my favorite publication in any of the larger cities of the sister republic—the news stands carry Tip Top in Mexico City, Vera Cruz, San Luis Potosi, Monterey, et cetera, although the numbers are from a week to,ten days.old when they reach these points. Mr. Standish’s local color when his scenes are laid in Mexico is so true as to indicate a personal knowledge of the places he describes. The same is true also when Frank or Dick visit cities in the South or Southwest. When I read of Frank’s visits to Denver, Salt Lake, Los Angeles, Frisco, et cetera, it is like revisiting them myself. I have been particu- larly interested in the late numbers—in No. 773, for instance; a fellow with any real manhood in him must have all his sympathy and better impulses touched to the full by Park Davis’ troubles over the brutal treatment of that dandy horse of his. The last -number—776—gives a vivid and true pen picture of conditions existing in Mexico to-day—a republic in name only—an empire ‘in reality. The moral tone and uplift of the Standish stories has seldom been equalled and never surpassed by any fiction in- tended for boys and young men, and any boy or young fellow will be bettered morally and mentally by reading such stories— and in all probability there will also be aroused a desire for physical betterment as well. I never fail to read the letters in the Applause column after finishing the story—they are nearly ctober’ num- have written it while down in the country in which it was laid— : The new Top-Notch Magazine, edited by the author of the Tip Top stories, is another good addition for those who like manly, red-blood fiction. I hope you won't find this letter too long for the Applause column, and you must for- give an old friend for being too loquacious, — . Austin, Texas. A Grown-up Tip-Topper. wt Iping many of those little chaps to lead a clean, healthy life. [have read many of the magazines which are supposed to cater to the taste of the American boy, but I have found that they fail in their efforts, because the men who write the stories feel that they must assume a juvenile tone, and that “don’t go” with boys. about American college life? The boys pictured in those stories are little prigs, and not young men. Likewise, the absurd Western . other college chap in this Western country, engaged in ee e best are Frank, Bart, Dick, Brad, Tommy, Inza, June, and Madge. ~I am now reading “Dick Merriwell’s Stroke,” and it is just fine, ‘With nine cheers for Bert L, and the Merries, 1 Fema a yt | _gvould like to hear more of Dale. Hoping that ; tinue to write Tip Tor for years to come, and that this letter I have started a small club of ten members, and have gotten — every) member to read Tip Top. We all wait for Friday after- For instance, can anything be more absurd than the average story | oe Nea Sant See tae eee oe pees eeene ee tales, which even the writers for more mature readers love to revel in, are utterly untrue to life and presefit conditions in the West.* Mr. Standish is writing for the most critical set of little readers in the United States. They like his stories because they like his hero. They believe in Merriwell and all that he stands for. You give them stories which are true to life, but flavored with an aroma of romance and adventure that appeals to their taste. Other “boy writers” sketch absurd Western yarns or im- possible college or school episodes. My life work -has carried me around the globe. I have been all over the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Alaska, and almost everywhere I have gone I have run across little American boys who are loyal friends of Merriwell. ‘I believe that your method of shifting from one end q of the country to the other in your scenes, is one of the reasons for your great success. The Western boy loves to read about his Eastern cousin, and about the great schools and colleges of New f England and the Middle Atlantic States. The Eastern lad is in- terested in the great and wonderful West. May I suggest three scenes for some of your future stories? Why not let Boston and ‘New England be the scene of one of Frank’s future adventures? Anything concerning New England is thrice welcomed in the West, and especially in California. New England boys are your ; readers and admirers, and I’m sure a yarn about Cape Cod or Maine, or little old Boston, would interest every one, East, West, North, or South, The South is another section of the country : where Frank might stray some time. The third scene 1 had in q mind is New York City. Give us a good, virile story of a fine ; young New York boy, for I can assure you, and I’ve traveled ' through the West from the banks of the Rio Grande to Puget on Sound, that a New York lad, when he is a good one, cannot be beaten anywhere for manliness or strength. Even the Bowery boys make the best pugilists in the country. Take the football teams of the leading colleges, and the New York boys are found to be the “stars” of the teams. Doctor Anderson, of Yale, has found that the boys from New York City schools are stronger than the lads from any section of the country, save New Eng- land. So let’s have a New York boy in one of your future stories, who is a true representative of the greatest city in the New World—a boy who overcomes the temptations of the sordid metropolis, and who is a better man for his experiences. Pardon these few suggestions, please. I wish you well, and I assure you that Tre Tor | WeEEKLy will always be welcome at my little ranch in the Oregon hills. It’s lonely there sqametimes, but your stories carry me back to other and better places. There is many an- ranching, and other work, who reads your interesting litt weekly. A Yate Man. Portland, Oregon. Nine Cheers. — i I have been reading Tie Top for about two years, and as I don’t see any letters from the newest State, I thought I would write a few lines to let you know I like it. The characters I like. Tip-ToppeEr. Okmulgee, Okla. A Doris Admirer. I have just read the Applause column of Trp Top, and think it - is great. I have been reading it for the last four years. I can- not tell which I like the best, Frank or Dick, as they are both great. I would like to see some of Dick’s old friends come into the books again, such as Flint, Black, Riordan, Singleton, and _ Smart. Of the girls I like Doris best. Next comes Inza, Elsie, ig: Claudia, and Madge. I would like to see Doris appear more — regularly in Tip Tor. I think she is the girl for Dick. I also © urt L. will con- — misses the wastebasket, I remain, a Doris admirer te ' _Cuester King. A Paterson, New Jersey. ; Stopped Drinking. noon with great anxiety. Tip Top has helped me to stop drink- ing liquors, and has helped a number of my friends to stop smok- ing. We are getting new members, and we make them re id Tie Tor and the books which are published in ih es Medal Li- brary. ea RED Newark, N. J. ‘ a} A PRS Talks with your chun Bef Farmer So many inquiries reach us from week to week concerning the various manuals on athletic development, which we publish, that we have decided to keep a list of them standing here. Any number can be had by mail by remitting 10 cents, and 3 cents postage, for each copy, to the publishers. Frank Merriwell’s Book of Physical Development. The Art of Boxing and Self-defense, by Prof. Donovan, U. S. Army Physical Exercises, revised by Prof. Donovan. Physical Health Culture, by Prof. Fourmen. Cartooning. Pror. Fourmen: -I am taking the liberty of writing you again, I wish to ask your opinion concerning a correspondence course in cartooning. I would like to learn cartooning, and I would like your advice. Do you think this is a good profession? I like drawing, especially cartooning, but I am in doubt concerning it as a good vocation. Do you think that I could make a success if I took a correspondence course, and do you think thateI could find a position in St. Louis? There are so many cartoonists here that I am afraid to start in this line. M. McLauGHLIN. _ St. Louis, Mo. Success in cartooning, as in all other branches of art, is entirely a matter of individual ability. If you have artistic talent and sufficient true ambition to carry you through the trials and tribu- lations of = early life of an artist, then you should certainly make the effort. An art school giving thorough personal instruc- tion is by all means preferable to any other source of training, but some of the correspendence schools are well spoken of. Suc- cess depends more upon the individual than the school, and the things most necessary are true artistic sense, and unlimited energy and industry. Do not regard cartooning as a trade to be learned at a work bench. It is as much a true art as sculpture and paint- ing, and should be treated as such. There are plenty of good openings for cartoonists in all the large cities. You are right in saying that there are many cartoonists, but you probably do not realize how woefully rare are the good cartoonists. An Unfortunate Fellow. Pror. Fourmen: I have just finished reading “Dick Merri- well’s Discernment; or, The *Heroism of a Coward.” I also keep- up with the latest. The reason for my writing is that I . have a friend who has the same fault as Tip Mixer—cowardice. He is of good build, and I found him to be a pretty good man with the gloves. A few weeks ago while accompanying him home a fellow poked him deliberately in the ribs. Instead of fighting he showed the white feather. (The other fellow had insulted him also.) That whole day he was very sad. I asked him the cause of his gloominess, and he answered me thus: “I really cannot see how any one can be happy if he is a coward. I really don’t know what to do. I try to cure myself, but when an op- portunity comes I forget about my resolution, my heart goes up in my throat, and it is all up with me. I think a fellow of this nature ought to be shot full of holes.” Is there any method of curing him? If there really is, will you please tell me how he - could do so? Otherwise he is a fine athlete, and this is what sur- arises me most; when he boxes in a friendly bout he is very cool _and clever, but as soon as he has to use his ability in defending himself he is utterly helpless. M. K. New York City. . It would be pretty hard to determine upon a specific cure for _ cowardice. It grows out of so many sources. It may commonly be accounted for by physical weakness, ill health, nervous trou-— _ bles, spirit broken by grief or adversity, congenital weakness, ts pre-natal influence, and a score of other things. Then there is \ 30 TIP TOP WEEKLY. the common, contemptible coward who has no excuse to offer. Your friend’s greatest source of hope for a regeneration lies in his frank admission of his cowardice, and his honest regret. In that alone there is a certain degree of nobility. If his physical health is good, he should strive to cultivate resolution. He must be his own taskmaster, for he is chiefly accountable to himself in matters affecting his own honor and pride. It should not be hard for a manly lad to choose between the admiration and con- tempt of his fellows. Fighting is never to be encouraged, but one should never shrink from it when honor and dignity are at stake. The highest form of bravery is in moral strength, and the manly man of strong character will never shrink from physical pain or danger. It is better to be beaten ignominiously by your enemy, and show that you can take your punishment like a soldier, than to keep a whole skin by running away. The bravest man in the world is he who can accept defeat and punishment with good grace. It is easy to smile at the plaudits of the crowd when things are coming your way, but it takes a man of genuine ~ nobility to bear defeat with a stiff upper lip and no complaint. Your friend must first learn not to fear his enemies, and realize that they are insignificant, for his greatest enemy is within him- self, and that one must be fought to a finish. Short Legs. Pror. FouRrMEN: Being a constant reader of Tip Top, I take the liberty of sending you my measurements and asking a few questions. Age, 18 years; height, 5 feet 2 inches; weight, 140 pounds; chest, 36 inches; neck, 14% inches; thighs, 2114 inches; ‘calves, 15 inches. My legs are short and muscular. Can you suggest a method by which I may lengthen them? Dees walking and plenty of sleep help to increase the height? Hoping to see this in print, I am, \ Brooklyn, N. Y. Your measurements are uncommonly good. It is a pleasure to hear of so good a chest. But you carry far too much weight. You should not weigh over 115 pounds. If you will train down and get your body into better proportion, your legs will probably not appear so short. There is practically no reasonable method of increasing the height. Nature has that matter entirely in her charge. It lays with every man, however, to make his body symmetrical, and it amounts practically to a duty. Plenty of sleep is of course highly beneficial, but there is such a thing as too much of it, and the result of that is indolence and heaviness. Hard exercise is what the fat man needs, and a strong will to keep him away from the tempting, fattening foods, and habits of indolence. . Peter J. CALLAHAN, _ Exercise in the Morning. Pror. FourmMEN: Having been a constant reader of Tie Top for the last two years, I take the privilege of asking you a few questions concerning my measurements. Height, 5 feet 10 inches; weight, 130 pounds; chest, 34 inches; waist, 2614 inches. I work from seven till six every day. How is it to take exercises before breakfast every morning? The greatest part of my height is my legs, they being 3 feet in length. What are my weak points? ' Jersey City, N. J. A Loyat Tip-Topper. . You should weigh about thirty pounds more than you do; your chest should be eight inches larger, and your waist is about eight inches too small. The length of your legs depends upon your method of measuring them, but a leg measuring three feet from the hip joint is not considered long. Your measurements show that you are conspicuously undeveloped, and that condition may account for the apparent unnatural length of limb. A tall, un- developed man usually appears out_of proportion, as there is no breadth of shoulders or depth of chest to balance the height. You will do well to exercise systematically in the morning, and you may repeat the practice before retiring. txercise moderately at night, and 0 to bed in a cool room, with the windows open and you may be sure of restful sleep. * —— ge Me ap Wace, eS a a 5 I e ey = Sead PTE pes aes Rati Up! PLAY B ALL! Line It Out! TIP TOP CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT OF 1911 Sy pg ye pe ee pe ey One chance for glory and the TIP TOP. Pennant _ || Two chances for a complete equipment of uniforms _ § BEGIN NOW! TOURNAMENT CLOSES OCTOBER 15th_ FIRST—The team that plays the greatest number of games, scores the most runs - - and loses the fewest games will be declated the TIP TOP CHAMPIONSHIP us TEAM OF 1911, and will receive A HANDSOME CHAMPIONSHIP PENNANT OF FINE SILK, bearing an appropriate inscription. In addition, the team. will receive A COMPLETE EQUIPMENT OF NINE HIGH-GRADE UNIFORMS, consisting of cap, shirt, breeches, belt, stockings and shoes. The suit will be of gray, trimmed with the colors of the club, and lettered with the insignia of the club. The shoes will be of fine black calfskin with steel spikes. anita RE ca 3 A hace aaa ROR Ager SS aa ad eS ARES et SECOND—The team showing the next highest average will be declared the winner of second place in the tournament, and will receive a prize of the same equipment of uniforms. i CONDITIONS OF THE CONTEST Foreach game played during the season by a competing team the manager must fill out a certificate, like that below, sign it, obtain the endorsement of his postmaster or a reputable news dealer, as provided in the certificate, and mail it to this office. In addition to this, newspaper accounts of the game should be sent with the certificate if possible. THE LAST CERTIFIOATE OF (THE SEASON MUST BE MAILED ON OR, BEFORE OCTOBER 15th. - In the event of a tie between two teams, the batting and. Gelding average of the.teams will-be ecdinitaet. ys The ad it to of competing teams ate therefore advised to preserve the detailed score of each game, but not . n. sen it to this office unless requested to: do $0, ~ ee ~ Se ee ee 7 TIP TOP BASEBALL TOURNAMENT OF 1911 : ee, oe awe CLUB CERTIFICATE ebb iia! Co SiS SS hes ee ee ae a snap oe Name of Teamannsa.- o | Gilles ke ea Sma iat e Se See re: Pape eens etenet Te a aes ee ‘Ist Pinks baikaeca lea tosh se ne stems Sh Ca ue ie : Winner wecgpaenenees Sb ec . 2nd Bese isco nn apsadp ak re sechilih onghen's eh be o> Sapam Capa at ab eh en i wes ewevesewesseen aie OPE BabOscccsincaifecivan Sila h hi Sach ttl SNL cas ‘ i os * 7 ‘ % ' Wasa Diabed ios Peis chee bade cuba sea Mek cbabin ku ad tant, > 3 - ‘, BOMMOEE oS ct Shack Lalbksacre iain ue. abel hiaeibaed ery ; eae . / He ; Short Stop... fh Sel splints San btm 8k ah ree {Uap p ae hnadee heaae ~soseenceneneunnuwenne a ; ; : eT ‘ : Address a / R Feld... isiaint i i pe ; Daal ba eas we } St scomawa’ of Cc. Field bona ee ‘ a a % . as . é ‘LL... Postmaster or : ! ¥ ; ||... News dealer... “ . ---- || L. Field... Rvuiece tec secs , ¥ 4 the. Se ‘ . erento err, ¢ ¥ w0. - ————————— ALT, OF THE BACK NUMBERS OF TIP TOP WEEKLY THAT CAN NOW BE SUPPLIED 246—Frank Merriwell’s Mastery. 565—F rank Merriwell’s Horse. 646—Dick Merriwell in the Wilds. 724—Frank Merriwell, the Always 247—Frang Merriwell’s Dilemma. 566—Frank Merriwell’s Intrusion. 647—Dick Merriwell’s Red Comrade Rea aay. 249—Frank Merriwell’s Search. 567—Frank Merriwell’s Bluff. 648—Frank Merriwell’s Ranch 725—Frank Merriwell in Diamond 250—Frank Merriwell’s Ring. 568—Dick Merriwell’s Regret. 649—F rank Merriwell in the Saddle Lan 251—Frank Merriwell’s Party. 569—Dick Merriwell’s Silent Work. oe eee Merriwell’s Brand. | 726—Frank Merriwell’ 8 Desperate 253—Frank Merriwell’s Skill. 570—Dick Merriwell’s Arm. 651—Frank Merriwell’s Red Guide Chan 254—Frank Merriwell’s Club. 571—Dick Merriwell’s Skill, 652—-Dick Merriwell’s Rival. a "Merriwell’ s Black Ter- 255—F rank Merriwell’s Scheme. 572—Dick Merriwell’s Magnetism. 653—Dick Merriwell’s Strength. 469—Frank Merriwell’s Retaliation. 573—Dick Merriwell’s System. 654—Dick Merriwell’s Secret Work 728—Frank papetivect Again on 485—Dick Merriwell in Manila. 574—Dick Merriwell’s Salvation. eee Teen Merriwel:’s he Sla 486—Dick Merriwell Marooned. 575—Dick Merriwell’s Twirling. 656—Frank Merriwell’ 8 Red Visitor 729—Frank Merriwell’ s Hard Game 488—Dick Merriwell, Gap-Stopper. 576—Dick Merriwell’s Party. 657—-Frank Merriwell’s Rope. 730—Frank Merriwell’s Six-in-hand 489—Dick Merriwell’s Sacrifice Hit 577—Dick Merriwell’s Backers. 658—Frank Merriwell’s Lesson. 731—-Frank Merriwell’s Duplicate. 490—Dick Merriwell’s Support, 578—Dick Merriwell’s Coach. 659—Frank Merriwell’s Protection 732—Frank Merriwell on Rattle- 491—Dick Merriwell’s Stroke. 579—Dick Merriwell’s Bingle. 660—Dick Merriwell’s Reputation. snake Ranch. 492—Dick Merriwell Shadowed. 580—Dick Merriwell’s Hurdling. 661—Dick Merriwell’s Motto. 733—Frank Merriwell’s Sure Hand 493—Dick Merriwell’s Drive. 581—Dick Merriwell’s Best Work. | 662-——Dick Merriwell’s Restraint. 734—Frank Merriwell’s Treasure 494—Dick Merriwell’s Return. 582—Dick Merriwell’s Respite. 663—Dick Merriwell’s Ginger. Map. 495—Dick Merriwell’s Restoration, 58838—Dick Merriwell’s Disadvantage 664—Dick Merriwell’s Driving. 7 35—Frank ge Prince . of 496—Dick Merriwell’s Value. 584—Dick Merriwel! Beset. 665—Dick Merriwell’s Good Cheer. 497—Dick Merriwell’s “Dukes.” 586—Dick Merriwell’s Distrust. 666—Frank Merriwell’s Theory. 736—Dick Merriwell, Captain of 498—Dick Merriwell’s Drop Kick. 5&87—Dick Merriwell, Lion-Tamer, 667—Frank Merriwell’s Diplomacy. the Varsity. | 499—Dick Merriwell’s Defeat. 588—Dick Merriwell’s Camp-site. 668—Frank Merriwell’s Encour- 737—Dick Merriweil s Control. 500—Dick Merriwell’s Chance, 589—Dick Merriwell’s Debt. agement. 738—Dick Merriwell’s Back Stop. 501—Dick Merriwell’s Stride. 590—Dick Merriwell’s Camp-Mates 669—Frank Merriwell’s Great Work 7 renee er 8 Masked En- 502—Dick Merriwell’s Wing-Suit. | 591—Dick Merriwell’s Draw. 670—Dick Merriwell’s Mind. : 503—Dick Merriwell’s Skates. 592—Dick Merriwell’s Disapproval. 671—Dick Merriwell’s a ip.” 740—Dick Merriwell s Motor Car. 504—Dick Merriwell’s Four Fists. 593—Dick Merriwell’s Mastery. 672—Dick Merriwell’s Rally. 741—Dick Merriwell’s Hot. Pursuit. 505—Dick Merriwell’s Dashing Game 594—Dick Merriwell’s Warm Work 673—Dick Merriwell’s Flier. 742—Dick Merriwell at Forest Lake 506—Frank Merriwell’s Tigers. peers diegrimell: s “Double 674—Frank Merriwell’s Bullets. 743—Dick Merriwell in Court. 508—Frank Merriwell’s Fl ing Fear 675—Frank Merriwell Cut O 744—Dick Merriwell’s Silence. 509—Dick Merriwell in Maine. 596-—Dick Merriwell’s Senne: 676—Frank Merriwell’s aaah Boss ieee Merriwell’s Dog. 510—Dick Merriwell’s Polo Team. 597—Dick Merriwell Adrift 677—Dick Merriwell’s Equal. 6—Dick Merriwell’s Subterfuge. 511—Dick Merriwell in the Ring. 598—Dick Merriwell’s Influence. 678—Dick Merriwell’s Development. 147—Dick Merriwell’s Enigma. 512—Frank Merriwell’s New Idea. 599—Frank Merriwell’s Worst Boy. 679—Dick Merriwell’s Hye. 48—Dick Merriwell Defeated. 513—Frank Merriwell’s Trouble. 600—Frank Merriwell’s Annoyance 680—Frank }