MAY 10,1913 EW TIP 10 WEELAL = s . , _ Or 6 Sa ee Fe. et es — ~~ VY ~~ We ee HH Y = we ro et . rh Ey 7 Hy 4 . “ ” 4 ey : ; v pn a a ccthiicaiidies ainciationgs rae Sg nN nl Sai z . iis : sia etc gg it ms ma a - Na woe, A ee ae An Ideal Publication For The American Youth Ca Issued Weekly, Entered as Second-class Matter at the New York Post Office according to an act of Congress, March 8, 1879. Published by STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Ave., New York. Copyright,.1918, dy STREET & SMITH. O. G. Smith and G. C. Smith, Proprietors. Terms to NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY Mail Subscribers. (Postage Free.) Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each. How to Send Money—By post-office or express money order, regis- tered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own risk if sent by currency, coin, or postage stamps in ordinary letter. B MONEHS, ...- 66 cee eee cece cece GdC, OMG Year ceeeecrereecteteeceease $2.50 Receipts—Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper A MNODEHS, «i ceo vince he's dee nvecet 85c. 2 copies ONE Year «-++ee+ eeeeee-s 4.00 change of number on your label. If not correct you have not been G MONEHS, - +0 see cee ee were ceees $1.25 1 Copy tWO YEATS,«seeeeseeseeees 4.00 properly credited, and should let us know/at once, No. 41. NEW YORK, May 10, 1913. Price Five Cents. Frank Merriwell, Junior, Sidetracked; Or, THE CHINK OF By BURT L. CHAPTER I. HOP WAH, THE SPRINTER. “Then you fellows will join me along toward the end of the’ week ?” The eastbound “flyer” was just pulling into Juneau for its daily two-minute stop, as Frank Merriwell, junior, turned to Neil Rodno and Billy Dill. In the background were clustered other members of the Rodno Athletic Club, who had come down to the station to see Merriwell off. Besides these lads, the station platform was crowded with miners, out-going passengers, and the usual &ntingent of townspeople who always made it a rule to watch the trains arrive and depart. “We'll meet you in Blyfield by the end of the week, pard,” said Rodno. “That goes for me,” added Billy Dill, or “Pickles,” as the club members called him, “We both agree that you shall see a The remainder of the sentence was lost in the roar of the train as it drew up at the station. Merry had received a telegram from his chum, Owen Clancy, requesting him to come on to Montereysat once, and he was intending to ride in the parlor car at the end of the train, and watch the country from the “observation” platform. Handing his grip to the grinning porter, Merry ex- changed hasty handshakes with Neil and Billy. Then the rest of the crowd swept down, and Merry, noting that the eager athletes were getting in the way of the passeti- gers, sprang to the steps. “Come around to the rear, fellows,” he cried. “I'll meet you there.” The R. A. C. yell broke out as he entered the car, and it brought a smile to his lips. The parlor car was nearly HOBSON’S CHOICE. STANDISH. # empty, and he strode quickly through it until he reached the platform at the rear. About this the Rodnos were already gathering, for they had determined to give Merry a rousing send-off, and their yells were attracting no little attention from the crowd. “Merriwell! Merriwell! Chip, Chip Merriwell!” The quick, snappy yell broke clear and loud as Merry came out on the platform. He leaned over, shaking hands for a moment, and as the warning hiss of the air brakes came from below, straightened up. “Good-by, fellows!” he cried, with a smile. “I wish the whole bunch of you were going to meet me at Bly- field, instead of just Rod and Pickles!” “So do we, Chip!” returned Rushington heartily. “All abo-o-ard !” The warning shout rang out, and Fred Ricketts sprang up to the platform to exchange a parting handgrip with Frank. It was owing to Frank that Ricketts had been pulled out of what was apparently a very bad hole, and as the lad dropped off, Merry waved at him with a mean- ing smile. At the same instant the train began to move impercept- ibly. No sooner did the motion begin than an exciting scene at the end of the station platform, behind the group of Rodnos, caught Merry’s eye. A tall, roughly clad man, whose face expressed any- thing but honesty and good intentions, was holding another by the shoulder. It was the other who had attracted Merry’s attention, for beyond a doubt he was a young Chinaman. Of about Merry’s own age, well set up, and of sturdy build, he was dressed in a flowing silk blouse, very baggy trousers, and rubber-soléd shoes. He wore nc cap, and his hair was clipped short. a Ba st SS a ae ae eer Ea x NEW,- TIP -TOP WEEKLY. He was not resting passively in the grip of the vil- lainous-looking white man, but even as Merry glanced up, the Chinaman turned with a savage gesture and tried to break away. Frank guessed that the white man was trying to prevent him from catching it. An angry cry broke from the Chinaman, attracting the notice of the Rodnos. Neil and Ricketts rushed toward the pair. Merry stood watching from the slowly moving car, for*there was clearly little chance of the young fel- low getting aboard the train now. “Lettee go! Hop Wah makee catch Flank Melliwell!” The furious shout broke from the lips of the young Chinaman, to the amazement of Merry. stant the speaker struck heavily at his captor. His eyes went anxiously toward the train, and At the same in- 3efore Neil or Fred could interfere the man staggered back and the Chinaman, paying no heed to his would-be rescuers, darted between them toward the train. “Hey, you blamed chink! . That train’s gone!” cried the surprised station agent, attempting to hold the runner. Without pausing, the young fellow grinned and neatly tripped up the agent, who went backward with a yell of astonishment into the middle of a group of prospectors. By this time the train had begun to gather speed, and Merry thought that the Chinaman would give up the pur- suit. But he did not. Instead, he gave a wriggle, slipped the frogs of his silk blouse, and sent it fluttering to the ground. behind, Frank looked on in Instead of the unde- veloped, thin shoulders of the average Cantonese, this Chinaman had a magnificent torso, deep chest, and his arms denoted no little strength. He had now settled jinto a determined stride, and Merry .was more amazed than ever at the way in which he got over the. ground. What could the young fellow have meant by that cry? Did he really want Frank Merriwell, or had Merry’s ears deceived him? Merry stood watching in perplexity: ‘The young ‘fellow was barely holding his own with the train, but his face was set in a look.of resolve that won the heart of Frank. \ Suddenly, there.came a yell of warning from the station, and. the crowd scattered as the tall man, who had been ‘restraining the young Chinaman, came through it on a run, flinging Neil Rodno aside savagely. In his hand there was something that glinted in the sunshine, and Merry checked an angry ery. What could all this mean? *That. fellow doesn’t look as. if he:had any license to be flourishing that gun,” he thought... It never occurred to him that if the man should shoot, he himself would be in direct line of fire. Pursuer and pursued were sprinting along the cinders beside the track, in the wake of the train. The young Chinaman was some five yards behind the observation platform on which Merry stood, and the rough-looking man was about fifty feet behind him. Meanwhile, in- tense excitement was prevailing around the Juneau station, and the Rodnos were stringing along in pursuit\ of the, Chinaman and the, white man. . “Stop, you yellow thief! Stop or I fire!” The hoarse shout of the angry pursuer only brought a surprise. grim smile to the lips of the Chinaman, who looked up at Merry. The latter was strongly tempted to swing off the car and see the end of this curious affair, but restrained himself. The train was now getting up speed, but slowly, fer there was an up grade beyond Juneau. should the Chinam ‘ ‘going ata good r “Stop thief 1” \ ; pounding ate a a iva of the young Chinaman, who We © mong tor, all he. was worth, seemingly. His mouth opened, and Merry heard the quickly grunted wordt, which almost 5 : SE seemed to be an apne: ; the ye ’ an appeé he lad on observation platform: ppcal. to the ay jiminy Clismus ! stent we but for the evident gravity of 1 hae youl have Jaughed. But now it was ¢ saan (oe en 1 < beginning to draw away from the * eigner who was sats rill of sympathy for the young ell over with ; st Ng UP so gallant a chase, Merry leame a word of cncourageinent : | “Come alo a me atong, there! You’ : S pé ! Yo . e 1 bit more!” wre losing ground! Speed t “Jiminy Clismus ! alleady !” As the Chinaman other | The his No makee steal!” Hop Wah makee topside come-alons ieee a: Sasped out the words in despaif, a shout of anger caine from the man in pursuit S8round fast, lumbering along with panting for wind, and flourishing /'% latter was losing mouth open, revolver wildly, Even she . MA dubted ene dare to fire, which Merry strongly condition, Now ae able to take little aim in, such # station. behind Fy See en ee Cie ae + WHEE “every. one “was watching the race with eager int crest, puzzled I d at ; ; * Jut ready ake a han encouraging the runners % acy.te false. 4 ae ‘Rone cea You've got. him beat !” “Shoot te te a boy, Pardner.¥” anh aes tHe thief! Put a bullet in him!” ¥ shook his head as the train increased speed. abe: at who Seemed to possess amazing © ‘ F his race, manage td catch up, he wot! > Jump to reach the platform. The feat SE an Evidently, however, the man to a stop the i : could be done, for he suddenly - Méte skse hc dk 8 Up his weapon. Chinaman, dae . hal As he-did so the youre tened on the face ae behind, but with. his eyes iat his stride, From h ‘etriwell, gave a leap aside and kept tongue of red, a s} a ee evanyer Asani Se Fe » 4 sharp crack sounded, and something ae the cinders fyi Acie: flying a few feet ahead of the runner. ‘\gain the man shot of metal ; bullet bea and Merry uttered a cry of angert. ed to bic the brass mountings at his side, But the shots cen intended for him! : stared in Gade tere to work a miracle, and ‘Merry had suddenly set eae The Chinaman’s earnest young face losing. his aa a grim lines. He realized that h ) ©, that the train Was getting ahead of him, and now he br . ; oke j 2 st} : TAN ful to look cane nto a still faster gait that was wonder” durance for one o have to make seemed almost in pursuit thou came The an ae ounce of his energy into it, he came 4 terrific rate, his naked yellow chest bore. Merry A and sweat streaming from eV@ly — excitedly, all hj Over the brasswork, urging him along _) S Sympathy with the gall ng runner: — ich by itich hei : gallant young the distance fisrelges ia speed.. Foot by foot he decreas€ of struggling mer en. Behind, Merry could see a gtoUP 7 1 Surrounding the pursuer. Slowly he ae jittle and this time there was 2 co e was ; ys ter gained, though the train was NOW rds,” j ; ‘the the for- ned NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY. 3 young Chinaman forged ahead, until at length one slender but powerful hand shot out and rested on the bars. “Makee help!” he gasped. The words were not needed. Merry was already bend- ing over, and now he caught the naked arm of the young fellow. Timing his pull to the jumps of the runner, at the right instant Frank exerted all his strength in one great heave. Up came Hop Wah, his other hand caught Merry’s coat, he hung for an instant over the rail, and then plunged forward in a heap among the camp stools on the platform. CHAPTER II. AN UNKNOWN ADMIRER. Merry lifted up the inert, gasping form, settled it in a camp chair, and stood looking down quizzically. Hop Wah, if stich was indeed the name of the young Chinaman, had performed a most amazing feat. Seldom had Frank seen such running as this Celestial had put forth, and there was something in the determined, resolute face of the fellow that had gained Chip’s sympathy from the first. Besides, his own name had been shouted out; of that there was no doubt whatever, and he was curious to know { the reason. A hasty glance into the car told Merry that the two shots had attracted no attention from the occu- pants, having doubtless passed unheard. But as there were one or two ladies inside, who might come out to view the mountain scenery at any moment, Frank quickly stripped off his coat and placed it over the shoulders of Hop Wah, who sat helpless for the time being. Behind, Juneau had flashed out of sight around a bend, and the flyer was on the long up grade of the divide. Fif- teen miles from Juneau would come: the only stop until Monterey. This stop was an order point and water tank at the mining settlement of Hobson’s Choice. As no one seemed disposed to leave the interior of the car, Merry went in, got his grip, and brought it out to the platform again. Taking out a sleeveless shirt, he handed it to the reviving Chinaman, and resumed his coat. Hop Wah got into the shirt, surveyed himself with admiration, and then grinned. “You Missul Flank Melliwell, eh?” That rings the bell, Hop Wah!” Frank answered, with a laugh. Leaning back, he surveyed the other curiously. Hop Wah stared. “How come you makee catch name, allee samee topside ?” he inquired. i “It got jolted out of you while you were Ttunning; re- member? Well, let’s hear the yarn, Hop. Wah. What was that fellow after you for?” The determined face of Hop Wah suddenly became con- vulsed with ,anger. “Him velly bad man! Hop Wah look see Melliwell, him say no can do. Him say stop along, makee bang- bang. Mellican boys makee yell, Chi-chi-Melliwell! Hop Wah sabe tlain, look see Melly shakee hand.” Merry laughed, frankly amused. He could make out the curious, pidgin English fairly well, gathering that the man had tried to frighten Hop Wah into remaining until the train had pulled out. “How did you get away?” he asked. “I saw you putting up some fight back there!” Hop Wah grinned, his slanting eyes narrowing. “Me say, hab got pencil, you takee chit? Him wantee look see what Hop Wah wlite, him reachee fol pencil. Hop Wah say velly good, smashee nose. Velly fas’ lunner, tlain makee puff-puff, Hop Wah no can do. Meli- can makee bang-bang, flighten Hop Wah. Catchee tlain, him can do. You shakee hand, Flank Melliwell?” Merry thrust out a hand and gripped that of the China- man. “’m glad to, Hop Wah. You're all to the mustard, old man! ‘But tell me, why were you $0 anxious to see me? I never met you before, did I?” Hop Wah shook his head, and his beady eyes snapped. “China boy plenty gleat splinter, makee splint allee samee cannon ball, catchee wind! Makee ball pitch, can do plenty good. Velly fine can do one base, two base, makee catch. Hab got heap muchee wind, can do velly long lun, makee shot put, lun hu’dle lace. Hop Wah plenty topside mus- cle man, allee samee. Chi-chi-Merriwell!” - “Plenty topside muscle man, eh?” Merry laughed at the words. This young fellow was decidedly amusing, and his list of athletic qualifications was surprising. That it-was a truthful one Merry doubted very strongly, for he well knew the Oriental propensity to exaggerate every bit of personal prowess. None the less, Hop Wah had certainly made a wonder- ful sprint to catch the train. Probably, Merry decided, the wily young Oriental had determined at once to make the most of that fact and try to impress Merriwell with his athletic powers. ‘ “Well, you haven’t reached the point yet, Hop Wah. How did you come to be looking for me, and what was your errand?” Hop Wah grinned in a most ingratiating manner. i “Me heap sabe Flank Melliwell, him first-chop musclé man! Me hab got one piecee pidgin English, makee lead at Flisco school. Me lead newsypape—stop along Hobby Choy, lead ’bout Melliwell.” Hop Wah dug down into the pocket of his baggy trousers for something, while Merry puzzled vainly over the words. What was Hobby Choy, or who? That Hop Wah had learned to read at a San Francisco school was plausible enough. At this moment the conductor appeared with a suspicious glance at the Oriental. “Where to?” he demanded curtly. The Pullman con- ductor followed him. : “Monterey,” and Merry handed over his ticket and paid for his seat. Hop Wah gave him an appealing look. “Where are you bound for, Hop Wah?” he asked, with a smile. “Hobby Choy—allee samee Melliwell !” “I’m not going to Hobby Choy,” returned Frank, with a laugh. “I’m off for Monterey.” “Makee stop along Hobby Choy!” pleaded Hop Wah earnestly. The conductors looked from one to the other. “Hobby Choy?” queried the train conductor. “No such place—oh, yes! He must mean Hobson’s Choice!” Hop Wah nodded emphatically and Merry broke into a hearty laugh. Hobby Choy—why, of course! In the broken idiom of the Celestial, Hobson’s Choice would speedily be reduced to Hobby Choy, and Merry paid the fare of Hop Wah at once. “So you’ve come from Hobson’s Choice?” he turned to his companion when they were alone. “And I gather that you came to find me, for reason or reasons unknown. What’s that you have there?” ' \ { 4 f ‘ > of ht sasrfae me ‘ y Sp Sates 2A ey an DHE whesdec taeda! Dg Peel sido BC I Did L iL SR rR dase wh RELA RAR ALE NEW 4 a dirty scrap of newspaper from Wah had drawn a dirty aa Merry saw th: Hop é tly handed it over. Merry saw that : sheet: 2 romptly hanc ‘ ; pocket, and promptly Maree a week siuce, ee ; clipping from a Juneau newspaper of a ee 1 he boat race, in which Frank had rowed, “¢ e a c ’ ‘ 4 thich described the bo ses r imaginative which: . effusive terms, and gave a highly imaginat in extremely effusive : Fak Vie o see me! . > he young ee other shook his head. For a eee a . 1 © aw te welt. > ae ee tried to find words to explain : EGON a med to refuse to come to him, and an exy words see ‘ Bh ross his face. ‘ f despair swept across his fa Missul Melliwell!” he eae top along Hobby Choy, Missul } Bad eae ie tou, stop along + ; iecee velly bad mer ie t, at last. “Can do one piecee velly bac { »broke out, < hes a 499 1 Wh ae re- : ; 2 > brown, ee 10t anxious to do any bad men sce to Mon ey no Alls , ° re t r On to | - Be Chip decidedly. “Besides, I have to Po beclulels PISCE Ned d : f mine s abso r ee e, to. meet a friend of mine. ae abs a prey e, - ) a gait me to get off at ian i - impossible > anvway? Wah What got you after me, ae “Me lead newsypape ‘N, n do,” returned the other. “Me le: the ks “No ca 05 ‘ : elp Juneau. } é # ee ’bout Melliwell, makee help inne sl gece A allee ae akee help me. Melliwell Boe 10p ee lliwell, me scle man! Me lun velly fas’, sae Hop Wah first-chop muscle man! Me man, & é “ke.” 7 quick. ei ps \ aan neau plenty q cn oa ; makee catch a you ran from Hobson’s racist to SOY, mean ¢ eee the slanted eyes ee fifteen miles?” Merry searched the sle Juneau—f keenly, but Hop Wah nodded. i Wigs eclle “Snitch ay k fas’ splint, missee tlain, lun te ( miss “Makee tas s : dl 1145 ‘Ou stop < wane Me wantee Melliwell velly bad. You pd Juneau. J Sos Dance 1”? - bby Choy? Can do? Please! Frank slowly. “You pt ; Hop Wah,” answered Frank HPhea “I’m sorry, te ff at Hobson’s an b sv anxious to have me ae j If it’s re A hes st. why. : A d I wish you would tell me each | : I don't : Se, an F ’ uC , bu Rp ages nec important, | might do it aes ran yr $c > if . 74... are v¢ » any — = ca how I can unless it is. What are 3 see jus i a professional athlete: ta ede haan acer ant ke : scle man, WCls ; i irst-chop musc 4 e another deter- ot és Wah dully. Then he made soot an a ea after a quick glance at the country 2 eet = ined appeal, < F 5 2 oi r earnestness o piri There was no mistaking the deadly ii ee ag fellow this time, for sincerity was the young fe wea ; : : f his face. , : . Hobby Ba es Dae ul Melliwell! Makee stop eee mh i «“ Missul } ; 230 Hop, Wa a 1 makee help Hop Wah, mebbes: hi no : YOU Y ah an cl 7c-—+ ‘Roy: help you. You makee help Melican ma makee help you. er on hina boy: thate bat cheesy can makee help © h.” returned Merry kindly but firm y “Listen, Hop Wah, Y. M. C. A. man? Well, I don’t ’ © f “oe + - i t youre a Y. M. ba sngagement eae pian me todo, and I have an ai va hat you w Be cae costs. s 5 fn Meabecey which J must keep at = we \ devas oe t get off at Hobson’s Choice, a ce j to.” nno pe ’ ‘lad to. e thin else I can do, for you, I'll a - 1 sadly as the air ee do.” Hop Wah shook his head sa Bd aes sone On F Petes ct J ke » fine é nese to screech. Chip looked about tc 8 ae an f ‘ : Mg. th “7 +O = bralene Dew ing into the little mining cA . ‘they were drawing ; scattered buildings were in ie i and that a few scattere davcey heh 7 e Be ee eta spots a ee ne side, while from scattered ae tetas id at oO Pa a 1a e oer oa ills rose streaks of smoke th surrounding ‘hills ros ; shacks. fees, stood waiting wer fah rose with vacuous face and ea ie iy Hop W . cas rail. Slowly the young Chinama : ~ Vv ass ‘ beside the loy TIP. TOP WEEKLY, One foot over the rail and come to a halt. to say. waited until the ea viiat Merry watched him, not knowing The train pulled up at the tiny way-station ait Water tanks, A glance ahead showed Merry tha train crew were Hop Wah with hand extended. “Well, go0od-by, old man! with you, but 1 wisl doing |” to ; » turned busy taking on water, and he t I'm sorry that I cz “No can do?” - Tate) Marie pleaded Hep Wah, holding Franks M@ as | le got outside the railing, Ne Merry shook his head. The next instant Hop We ; : ; A ; , ail, caught Frank’s suit case, lifted it over the fF dropped to the sand! Taken by surprise, ment. The tall, Sand in the d “Here! angrily, sturdy , -ino across hgure was streaking ac irection of 4 1€ town. Come back with th As no answer the ground and 3 ani at grip!” shouted Fr rail, struck came, he vaulted the rail, ; ave. whe ‘ Jah ge d, set out in Swilt pursuit. Hop - 1 away: | s A t sila ance over his shoulder and scuttle One frightened rea Strangely enough, Merry though Hop Wah w Frank threw all knew that the tr Slowly he found that he gained but ine aS encumbered with the heavy: $ he his energy into a quick spurt, a nk. ain would not halt long at the watt one an to draw up on the Oriental, until ie he reached out and gripped the yellow, naked shoul a As he did 80, he heard two quick toots. Whirlimg, low cry of dismay br + past slowly moving out, A Whirl of dust and sand swept Fob- the water tank, and Merriwell was left stranded a a é. son’s Choice, with Hop Wah Standing amiably at his § beg x « CHAPTER IIL. THE TROUBLE At TENDERFOOT HILL. “Now then, confound you,” what you’ve done!” “Makee do plenty his softest and pleasantest’ voice. There was a smug Merry’s temper to and the smile cried Merry -angrily, in . sly fs . “‘hinaman, Nne, huh? rippled the China mount, which he 4 gasp to his lips, “Look here.” the train and tried to make And after I had helped Platform, too! When | thief, back there he w pe ostial, He whirled on the Amat Saw on the yellow face bt ; Said Frank from sharply, “you dropped ; : mine. off with that grip of Ee you to get up on that Chane heard that fellow calling yé at Juneau, I hadn’t the least notion ¢ as coming so near the mark.” 5k its The Chinaman’s Smile faded and a serious look took "> place. e oll a “You thinkee Hop Wah thief >” “What else am I to think? my suit case, didn’t you? anxious to get to. Montere he asked. m You ay to get away we You thought I was so A at y that I wouldn’t drop Sate Hobson’s Choice, even to recover my grip. That's * I fooled you,” Frank finished grimly. “You no Savvy the young Chinam “My wantee you m My makee you w makee lun, tly ¢ choo-choo tlain akee stop Hobby Choy. You no wa antee by takee glip, makee lun. ac atchee Hop Wah; while you PO at leave Hobby Choy. You gettee le ie Vad tyne ct Sa Mat A Mee aN 8 era LS APU Bah Git Tipe B EPA AS ALY should | in't get of & - youre = ; ty rer you , 1 you all good luck in whatey k 4 MOcKs eft 4 ra : thai Merry stared after him fe the: ail ‘ tee -aw the tra oke from his lips as he saw tl see sed \ : 4 cause complacency in the words that hat iwell,” | Hop Wah’s pidgin, Missul ee be an returned, in an earnest, grieve Ho bre do wa $O NEW: sTIP Hobby Choy. Now,” and here the Chinaman drew a long breath of satisfaction, “you makee help Hop Wah. No can do thing one way, then by gee clicket, my do him othel Way.” Merry stared at the yellow boy, in startled amazement. lor the first time it was dawning on Frank, that making off with the grip was merely a ruse on Hop Wah’s part to force events to fall out in accordance with his de- sires. “Well, (ll be hanged!” Frank murmured. “So you just worked it like that to make me stop over at Hobson’s Choice, eh?” “Allee samee,” was the bland and cheerful response. “And you want me to stop here so I can help you do something or other, eh?” “You catchee pidgin heap fine!” “Then, if you’re banking on all that, Hop Wah,’ went on Frank, stooping coolly and gathering up his suit case, “you're quite a long way off your mark. If you: have any battles. to fight, fight them) yourself. I don’t like your way of doing things.” Curtly he started off into the town. A wail of despair came from Hop Wah. A patter of feet sounded behind ‘Frank and a slim, yellow hand caught tremblingly at his arm. “Whoosh!” mourned the Chinaman’s voice, “me heap badd China boy! Flank Melliwell no likee China boy ally mo’! Me solly me takee glip. You be fliends with Hop Wah, huh?” Frank shook the hand’ from his arm. “I told you I had important business calling me to Monterey,” said he sharply, “and that I couldn’t spare the time to stop off at Hobson’s Choice. Well, my business didn’t make much difference with you, did it? You just went ahead according to your own ideas, and now can finish 'up along the same line.” _ Frank was justly. indignant. If the circumstances ‘had been different he might have enjoyed the Chinaman’s re- sourcefulness, even though his methods were high-handed and somewhat lawless; but the urgent telegram from Clancy, requesting Frank to be in Monterey as soon as possible, created a situation in which the delay so subtly engineered by Hop Wah might have a far-reaching effect. Merry marched grimly on toward the main part of town, leaving the Chinaman wringing his yellow hands in a de- spair at once dismal and wretched. As Frank drew near a one-story, shake-roofed, log-walled building which bore on its front a sign reading, “General store,” a young man de- scended by a short flight of steps from the platform in front of the establishment and took up a position directly in Frank’s path. : “Don’t be in a rush, neighbor,” said this person, with a smnile intended to be ingratiating; “there’s a hull lot of ’ you worse fellers in this neck of. the woods. than what that - chink is.” _ Frank looked the speaker over with a good deal of sur- prise. His eyes were blue and watery, and there was a scraggly beard om his chin with which the fingers of his right hand were continuously fumbling. Evidently the fellow. belonged in Hobson’s Choice, ‘although it was equally evident he was not one of the camp’s prosperous citizens. “What do you know about the Chinaman?” Merry asked. “A tollable lot, pilgrim. Purty nigh everybody in these parts has a passin’ acquaintance with Mr. Dade’s yaller TOP WEEKLY. 5 boy.” The citizen gave his chin whiskers a jerk and re- marked, as though by an afterthought: “Ye see, my name’s Hobson.” “Oh!” exclaimed: Frank. you, eh?” “This town was named after “Well, not so you could notice. It was dad who struck pay dirt in these parts and got the town started. His name’s Lafe Hobson. Somebody asked him, along in the beginnin’, which side o’ the creek he opined to build the town on, and he allowed it didn’t make no difference, so when the camp was built the people call¢d it ‘Hobson's Choice.” Ha, ha, ha! That’s allers been’a joke.” “Corking fine, Hobson, and no mistake,” Frank returned, but without much enjoyment. “What do you know about Hop Wah?” “Why, he’s about the only friend Mrs. Dade has got in this here trouble over at Tenderfoot Hill. Hop Wah sticks to Mrs. Dade through thick and thin. Say, I never allowed chinks was human till I see how this yaller boy helped Mrs. Dade hang on to the Tenderfoot mine.” This talk about Hop Wah did quite a little to arouse Merry’s interest in the discredited young Chinaman. Hop Wah must have had a powerful motive for doing what he had done, and now, it seemed, Merry had a chance to get at the motive. He put down the suit case. “I wish you'd tell me a little more about the chink, Hobson,” said he. “Just what is this trouble over at Tenderfoot Hill?” Hobson cast a cautious look around, There was ho one regarding them, apparently, save the disconsolate Hop Wah, and he was keeping carefully in the background. “Some knows. about it,” said) Hobson, dropping his voice warily and tugging nervously at the tuft on his chin, “and some don’t know about it. It’s kinder dangerous for them as has got an idee of what’s goin” on to, express their sentiments. Ye see, Mark Raynor; him as they call Black Mark, is back of the doin’s, and he’s quick to make trou- ble if anybody gets too nosey about his affairs.” “Then Black Mark is mixed up in the trouble at Ten- derfoot Hill, is he?” “Tm a-tellin’ you! He’s been playin’ a low-down game to get hold of the Tenderfoot Mine. Lew Dade owns the property, and Lew is a soak; he sponges, up, more red likker than ary other, hombre in Hobson’s Choice. Lew is a trial to Mrs. Dade, sure enough. Every time the old lady gets out enough ore to pay a few bills; Lew takes the dust and purceeds to tank up good and proper. Natcherly, Mrs. Dade got tired of that kind of business, and she begins to hold out the dust on Lew. That makes Lew mad, and he comes to town and sells the mine to Black Mark for five hundred dollars. *Course, the deed ain’t a mite o’ good till Mrs. Dade signs it, too. Well, Mark is foxy enough for that. For a long time Mrs. Dade has been tryin’ to get the saloon keepers to stop sellin’ booze to Lew. Mark knows that. He goes out to Tenderfoot Hill a spell ago and gets Mrs. Dade to sign a paper which, he says, will make the saloon keepers stop loadin’ Lew up with forty rod. But that wasn’t what she signed, oh, no. The paper that poor old woman put her name to.was the deed which was already signed by her husband.” : “That was a fine piece of business!” exclaimed Frank in- dignantly, “Missable, low-down bit 0” work, that’s what it was. Black Mark is that kind.” j 1 “<> re es QoS OS i y “This Black Mark can’t make such a bit of lawlessness stick. He can’t force Mrs. Dade to give up the mine.” “IT reckon ye don’t know Black Mark,” went on Hob- son, with a slight shiver. “He’s a hard citizen, and he’s got everybody in town afeared of him. Jest now he’s playin’ a waitin’ game, bidin’ his time and gettin’ ready to drive Mrs. Dade from the claim when he thinks it can be done without stirrin’ these diggin’s up too much. Hop Wah was workin’ for the Dades. Mrs. Dade took the chink in when he was sick and starvin’, and the yaller boy ain’t never forgot. He wants to do somethin’ to help Mrs. Dade out of her troubles, and he got the idee that a feller by the name o’ Chip Merriwell, who has been doin’ things over to Juneau, could jest about turn the trick. The faith Hop has in that Merriwell feller is so great it makes everybody in town bust their buttons laugh- in’. Of course, we all know a young chap like this Merri- wel®couldn’t do a thing to help Mrs. Dade and the chink against an ole fire eater like Black Mark. And then, ag’in, why should Merriwell butt inter the game? It ain’t none o’ his business, is it?” , “He might make it some of his business,” Frank re- marked. “Sure he might, but would he?” “That remains to be seen. When is there a‘train out of here for the EaSt?” “Not till to-morrow, about this time. Only one train a day, east and west, stops at Hobson’s Choice, and I reckon they wouldn’t stop more than now and then if there wasn’t a water tank here, and if this wasn’t a good order point.” “T see. Not many passengers drop off at the camp, eh?” “Not a hull lot. I was jest wonderin’ about you. Had to wonder a little, ye know, when I seen ye rushin’ after the chink, and finally collarin’ him and getting that grip out o’ his hands. Had a right smart squabble with him, eh?” “Well, you might call it that,’ answered Frank, with a smile. “ “Mind tellin’ me who you are?” “Not at all, Hobson. My name’s Chip Merriwell.” Hobson fell back with a gasp and took hold of his chin whiskers with both hands. Apparently the power of speech had left him, so overwhelming ‘was his surprise. Frank laughed outright. Then he turned and beckoned to Hop Wah. “T had made up my mind that I wouldn’t help the chink, Hobson,” said he, “but what you have just told me sheds a good deal of light upon his peculiar actions, If I have _to stay over in this camp until to-morrow, I might as well busy myself at something. You see, it will help to pass the time. Hurry up, Hop Wah,” he added to the Chinaman, who was slowly and rather doubtfully approach- ing. “I want a few words with you.” CHAPTER IV. BLACK MARK TAKES A HAND. Instantly the doleful face of Hop Wah brightened up into something like dawning hope. Hobson did not wait to see what happened, but as a number of men appeared coming from the station, he turned and slouched away. ’ Merry guessed that Hobson stood in.wholesome fear of Black Mark Raynor, and was taking no chances of being seen with Hop Wah, Nt ff DP MD IR LDL A ABEL Aap lok NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY. “You wantee me?” “ Mebbyso you wantee | “I wantee chin-chin inquired the Chinaman hopeful 1elp, huh?” ak 4 a whole lot first,” returned Fran’ ® i pO * ee grimly, Look here, my friend from the Flowery a dom, if I hadn’t met Mr. Hobson there, your little schem a woul d have been knocked into: a cocked hat. AS it a nt something to eat tight away. We can talk yc we eat. Is there a hotel here ?” a “One piece, first-chop hotel,” answered eagerly. His yellow face was now beaming all overs he reached down to take Merry’s suit case. i | “No, you don’t,” exclaimed Frank sharply. “I don't a a much of your methods, so you just lead the way t0 i ; first-chop hotel, Hop Wah. I'll tote my own load.” 7 Hop Wah murmured something, grinned, and steppe’ out. Now for the first time Frank had an opportunity % take stock of Hobson’s Choice, which lay spread out ie fore him in all its grandeur, At the far end w “Livery.” Apparently the place with his pr was lined with very fashion. Off at one down into the gulch of its own creation, whil past the corral and Winding out of sight into the was a very Presentable road. Merry smiled to him ight ayia Self t the € buildings which elt as he glanced about a ‘ I wa Hop Wah — 1 an qT ; ‘igh am as a large corral, bearing the ey | no town surveyor had ever trou 4 esence, for the main and only st side a small creek ribboned g€? hills) ; ey | comprised Hobson’s Choice. Next the corral stood : from a a ramblin _ Out fre the doorway of fis g structure of logs ‘eh J extended lank, 0” “ ee word “hotel” could Se ean ae one i an Sey the general Store, the hotel, and ne lar a e lve log Shacks differed in only one partie’ if dsues Cae Painted signs that were nailed over a two the ep me’ the hotel and the general store 4 th op: alace’ and the “Colonel’s Own.” Opposite ee an : irst Quencher,” the “Rising Sun,” and “Raynes Bie am he surveyed this last, Frank’s smile vanishé h yes Narrowed, but he said nothing to his 7 ae “he heading straight for the hotel. wee a soul had appeared in sight except ee ote i group of men coming from the station. ices nae A ernoon, and judging from the sound of v® Oo Ha rattle of chips Proceeding from one OF two r ve saloons, Merry guessed that more than one ey his hard-earned dust at games ° orral, was gamblin chance. ieee of four men from the station were slouchiné § in front of Merry and Hop Wah. One walked 2P4% from the rest £ dk and a slip Ses and Frank noted his heavy black bea! yellow a ‘ in wi some difficulty, Paper that he was deciphering Suddenly F crumple up the te] ‘ < €gram sava ‘nie nd turn his companions, gely in his fist a m ¢ oe later all four men turned in at “Raynor’s Glory: erie MaKe Zo spin-spin, ] No can @% — 3 Velly bad pidgin,” Pin, losee much cash. } “I ‘thought 8 away but Searching all China boys were great gamblers, HOPY, ——— reet RES rage ia” atm rough buildings built -in ae - - e leading a. ide, 7 5 i im et se watching him carelessly, saW hi a aan . An angry ruthble of words ensued, am© |) NEW Tip Wah?” chuckled Frank.. “Very bad business, eh? That doesn’t sound as if you were a born gambler!” “Too muchee-sense!” retorted Hop Wah scornfully. “Allee samee velly big fool to gamble.” “IT guess you're all to the mustard there,” assented Frank “Any man is a fool to gamble; Hop Wah. Especially when he can’t afford it, like most of the/ miners who patronize these places. Everybody hopes to win a pile, of. course, and to win it quickly, but I’ve noticed that it’s mighty seldom that gambling ever wins a man anything.” Hop Wah nodded, and halted before the doorway of the hotel. Just at that moment, a figure in corduroys and Stetson hat appeared at the door and inspected Frank with cool, gray eyes. “Lookin’ for me, stranger ?’’ “If you’re the proprietor, yes,” answered Frank smil- ingly. “Can I get a-bite to eat here? I take it that Hop Wah is hungry, too.” “Pass right in, pard. | reckon. Two bits. somewheres.” The proprietor nonchalantly slouched away, and Frank followed Hop Wah into the hote®. He found himself a large room about which were placed half a dozen blan- keted cots. On the log walls hung .various articles of Ah Sing can, rustle up somethin’, When you get done, I'll be around wearing apparel,, and a doorway opened into. a farther room, from which came the sound of a high-pitched voice chanting in a.singsong fashion. “Me. catchee. glub plenty quick,” asserted Hop Wah, with a grin, ashe scuttled through the farther door. A moment later Frank heard shrill voices, and passed onward after placing his hat beside the grip. He entered a long, low-ceilinged room which contained only a very long table, covered with oilcloth. Hop Wah emerged from a lean-to, at one end, followed by a second Ah Sing, was ; he. was Chinaman, -who was beaming and chattering. not of the same type as the young athlete, however narrow-shouldered, ‘stubby-nosed, and seemed inclined to _. treat Hop Wah with great respect. “Can you rustle up something to eat, Hop Wah?” asked Frank. “Velly quick, Missul Melliwell, chow, makee plenty glub.” Hop Wah did not rest. content with this, however, for while Ah Sing vanished, into his kitchen, he got two places cleared off and speedily had all in order. Frank settled into his seat with a sigh of content. A. few minutes later Ah Sing placed a rude but plenti- ful. meal before them and Merriwell wasted no time on talking until he had polished off the last. scrap and re- fused more. Then he turned to Hop Wah. “Now, Hop Wah, it’s about time to come across. Mr. Ah Sing catchee some Hobson has told me most of your story, and if you'd been equally frank in the first place you'd have been saved a heap of trouble. How far from here is this Tender- foot Mine?. How do we get there?” “Ten mile, mebbeso,” replied Hop Wah eagerly, a strange light of confidence in his slant eyes as they rested on Merry’s face. “We go lively stable, catchee cayuse makee lide to mine, huh?” “I suppose so,” nodded Frank thoughtfully. trail?” “Velly good load allee samee stleet,’”” Hop) Wah assured him, and rose. “We catchee cayuse now, mebbyso?” “Hold on, Hop Wah! I want to make sure of what yOe “Is there a WEE KLY. 7 I’m doing first. mine?” J “Velly easy! You catchee one piecee loom, Missy Dade catchee othel. Plenty fine.” There was no mistaking the eagerness that shone in the face of the young Chinaman, and Merry cast aside his lingering doubts for the last time. His first resentment at the ruse which had lured him from the train was now passed, and he could see that Hop Wah’s trickery was directed toward a good end. With a nod of assent, Merry rose. When he regained the outer’room he found the proprietor smoking an evil- smelling old corncob pipe, and paid for his meal. “Can you take care of my suit case until to-morrow? I am going to ride out to the Tenderfoot Mine with Hop Wah, if I can get horses.” “Sure, stranger.. Go right down to the corral an’ pick Like’s not Jim Howell’s oveh in the Palace, but V’ll tell him. No need to bother him, an’ he sure does hate to be interrupted in a poker game. Your war bag’s safe.” The utter lack of curiosity in the man surprised Frank a trifle, and he stopped. 3etter know my name, hadn’t you?” he said, with a smnile. “In case you’re not around when I come back for the grip.” “IT know it, pard. You're Chip Merriwell. I done heard Black Mark talkin’ you oveh with his friends in the Glory. I ‘low you'd bettéh blow right along, afore he takes a notion to disturb the peace. He's a plumb onpeace- ful citizen, suh.” “So I’ve heard,” and Merry smiled again, despite his surprise. “Much obliged, Mr.——” Calvert, suh—Bob Calvert. Mawnin’!” Merry strode out into the sunlight and turned thought- fully toward the corral. Now he remembered the black- bearded man who had read the telegram while coming up trom. the ‘station, Could that mat have been Black Mark himself? The savage gesturé, the rumble of words, the swift look that had been cast at him from across the street, all recurred to his mind, and-he caught Hop Wah by the. shoulder. “Was that. Black Mark who led the group of men up from the station?” “Allee same. Black Malk,”’ grunted Hop Wah. bad man,” “If. youd do. a_little more talking once in a while it wouldn’t hurt anything,” responded Merry, out of humor with the taciturn yet thoroughly eager Hop Wah. “I take it that you have your own way of doing things, but I have mine also, and they don’t jibe.” They had now reached the corral, however.. On entering the place, Frank found no sign of the livery man in evi- dence, and no voice replied to him.. Evidently Calvert had sized up the situation correctly, for Howell was not in evidence in the little shack by the gate, or in the lean-to for riding gear. The stalls contained several fairly good steeds, how- ever, so Merry lost no time in selecting two. Hop. Wah fetched the gear, and in ten minutes they opened the heavy gate of the corral and led the animals outside. Will we be able to stay all night at the out your beasts. “Velly While they were rebarring the gate, Merry noticed a figure striding quickly toward them. Hop Wah noticed it also, and lost no time in jumping into the saddle. Frank followed more leisurely, but he had hardly got seated and = ART Rats , y i NiLabctesne yal seized the bridle when the figure of the black-bearded man ; stepped out before him with up-flung hand. “One moment, Mr. Merriwell! My name is Raynor, and if you don’t mind I'd like just a few words with you.” Merry drew rein, surprised. Black Mark betrayed signs of former culture, but his face did not inspire trust. The leer which was meant to be ingratiating was too plainly an assumed mask, and seemed to indicate that there were less pleasant emotions behind it. “IT am in a hurry, Mr. Raynor,” returned Frank quietly, “We have quite a ride ahead, and a “T know,” broke in the other, flashing a single malignant glance at Hop Wah. “But I think I can persuade you to stay in town, just the same.” And his hand carelessly wandered toward his hip. CHAPTER V. A ROUND WITH BLACK MARK. Slight as it was, the action was significant, and showed Merry the kind-of man he had to deal with. His fingers tightened on the bride rein. “I am afraid that you are wrong there, Mr. Raynor. I have promised Hop Wah to ride out to the Tenderfoot Mine with him, and I usually keep my promises. Frankly, I have heard a good deal about you, and am not predisposed in your favor.” From the black beard came a flash of gleaming white teeth, as Black Mark laughed. “Oh, you’ve been hearing things, eh? Come, Merriwell, don’t be a fool! I’ll make it well worth your while to stay over in town, and there’s quite a bunch of good scouts here—might get up a little game, or 7 “That’s enough, Mr. Raynor!’ Merry’s eyes flashed, and he snapped out the words curtly. The brazen attempt to buy him outright, rendered him thoroughly angry. “If I needed any confirmation of the things which I have heard concerning your dealings with Mr. Dade, you have furnished it yourself. I never thought that a man could fall low enough to attempt to cheat a poor woman like Mrs. Dade, and you may rest assured that what- ever the outcome, your little game of bluff will not go down with me. Get out of my way, if you please!” But Black Mark had no intention of getting out of Merry’s way. At the boy’s heated words, every trace of his genial mask fell away. His face became lowering and threatening, he planted himself squarely in the path be- tween Merry and Hop Wah, and with his right hand he jerked out a long blued-steel forty-five. “Going to butt right in, are you?” he said, with a sneer. “You back up right pronto, kid. I’m runnin’ this game, and you don’t buy any chips—savvy ?” : Merry urged his horse forward. He never dreamed that the man would dare to shoot in broad daylight. But he speedily realized his mistake. At the action, a spasm of fury contracted the evil face of Black Mark, his revolver went up, and Merry saw his finger contract on the trigger. That shot was never fired. As Mark Raynor flung up his weapon, Hop Wah, behind him} made a quick move- ment. The young Chinaman had quietly been uncoiling the reata which hung at his saddle, and now he dropped the noose over the head of Black Mark and jerked back on the rope. So powerful, was that quick pull that Black Mark had not even time to yell. The revolver was jerked from his hand, ~~. 4 ph et pele mele ton tig ett ie ~mttip alay ate NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY. his feet left the earth, and his head and shoulders struck the sand almost beneatt ; \ 1 the cayuse of Hop Wah. £ mc >» : - ‘ ‘ Black tee: rater Merry sprang down and was, covering: 5 ~ Na ele rs : 3 1o ack Mark with’ his Own weapon. The man gained his Feat Hint fates ee ° : i . 3 his face working with passion, but stood silent as a faced Frank. Now,” said teal suddenly Mr Mark R 3 ” a alae xaynor! Right about! “You curse oe Phone os d young whelp—you'll regret this!” : on’s fac ; “pidn’t hurt ye none, did he?” € expressed quick alarm. Didn “ ’ No,” and Merr ting his horse, “H him and he struc announced Hobson calmly: -“ y smiled over at Hop Wah, placidly sit- e drew a gun on me, but Hop Wah rope were hg aa k ground Pretty hard. But I thought yoU Sichuan © store? Did you tide out to meet ts?” : scraggly bearded face expressed the utmost astonishment. He to . ok no heed : ; ion, but stared open-mouthed, of Frank’s question, “Bust my buttons! chink ?” Say, was Black Mark roped by that Merry nodded, | Suddenly Hobson flung back his head arty laughter, his ho i ing back from the walls of the gulch arse voice echoing | “Haw-haw |! Black M I git back an’ tel] the him out o’ town!” ark roped by a*chink! Wait till boys! Why, they'll plumb laugh “We must i she Setting on, Hobson,” exclaimed Merry» . pe Merry quietly, “you make tracks, and 40. it a { and the Chinaman shook his head” 4 ungs with the keen air, and g4V° | / after Sheth TaN up in horse a low quite to ré ye d “*N his ¢ el Ten they up 1 whi bun ot gett you Dac «) not! was A the NEW. TIP TOP WEEKLY. 9 after one appealing glance from the impatient Hop Wah. “If there’s anything you want to see me about f* “You're gosh-blamed right there is!” Hobson sobered up instantly, flung a quick glance around, and edged his horse up beside that of Frank. When he spoke, it was in a lowered voice and with much caution. “You’re a square-lookin’ feller, Merriwell, an’ I hate to see ye done dirt, or Mrs. Dade, either. Here’s the lay of the land. Ye know one o’ Mark’s pardners went to Juneau to keep an eye on the chink?” Merry nodded. “Well, you an’ him got clean away. This feller, Mor- gan, wired on to Black Mark tellin’ him all about ye. I went over to Mark’s place an’ heerd ’em talkin’ it over. Fust thing in the mornin’ Black Mark is goin’ to Mrs. Dade an’ tell her to git out. Then he’ll go/on to his own shack, quite a piece farther on, get the deed, an’ hike fer Juneau to record it.) Thought I’d come on an’ meet ye, ‘cause if ye do anythin’ it’s got to be done some pronto.” “Much obliged, Hobson. So Mark has the papers at his cabin, eh? Where is that?” “Up the trail a piece. Ye see, the road goes from Tenderfoot Hill over to Juneau. “Bout thirteen mile out, they’s an old cabin, where a trail turns off. Twelve mile up that trail, Black Mark hangs out when he’s to home, which ain’t often. It’s a kind of headquarters fer his bunch, ye see.” : “T-see,” returned Merry thoughtfully. “Well, we must be getting along, but I’m very grateful to you, Hobson, for your warning. I’ll have to talk éver things with Mrs. Dade and see what can be done.” “Don’t mention it,” and Hobson waved his hand. “’Tain’t nothin’, and that feller Black Mark won’t never know it was me put you wise. Well, so long!” And as Merry followed Hop Wah away, he could hear the youth with the scraggly beard mumbling to himself. “Black Mark—roped by a chink! Bust my buttons!” Merry turned over the friendly warning in his mind, as Hobson, of Hobson’s Choice, was shut» out behind by another turn of the winding road. If Black Mark was coming to the Tenderfoot Mine in the morning to execute his brutal purpose, then Frank determined that he would be on the spot, at least. Beyond that, he could formulate no plan. Once Black Mark had managed to file the deed with the recorder at Juneau, Mrs. Dade’s property would be gone beyond re- demption. But how to prevent his recording the deed? Merry could see no way, short of actual violence, and that was something to which he had no idea of resorting. He had by this time definitely made up his mind to do what he could for the lonely but~courageous woman who seemed to have so many obstacles flung in her way, and for the young Chinaman who had stood by her so stoutly. Hop Wah rode a little ahead of Frank, ‘and though the Oriental might be an athlete of no mean ability, his skill as a horseman was a very different thing. He swayed from side to side in the saddle, bounced up and down, and seemed to be anything but comfortable. However, Frank noted that he kept a sharp lookout on all ‘sides, as if looking for trouble from any source and at any moment. For nearly an hour after the meeting with Hobson, they rode steadily onward. Frank was turning over the situation in his mind, trying to find some way to check- mate Black Mark, and not until a sharp ejaculation broke / é a RA NGA REAR PON RE * ny * Re rN, a ‘ ' SA lees lane ck + from Hop Wah did he pay much heed to their surround- ings. “One-piecee mine, Missul Melliwell!” The Chinaman pointed ahead, and Merry had his first view of the claim which was worked by Mrs. Dade. Tenderfoot Hill, as Frank and his companion approached it, resolved itself into the perpendicular face of a cliff some fifty or seventy-five feet high. On drawing quite near, a gurgle of water could be heard, and Merry’s eyes took in'an odd makeshift in the world-old art of getting precious metal out of ore, A small iron pipe bent itself over the rim of the cliff and descended along the sheer wall at their side. At the cliff's base an old bicycle wheel had been equipped with cups and mounted on a pair of uprights. It was technically known as a “flutter wheel,” and revolved madly under the impetus of water from the pipe. This wheel was geared to a primitive~form of arastra, composed of an old wagon wheel pinned to a post. As the wagon wheel slowly turned it dragged pieces of heavy iron over the ore and ground it to powder. Along the south side of the hill ran the creek, and near the edge of this small watercourse stood a log cabin—a poor structure, and yet one which showed neatness in its surroundings. As the hoofs of the horses rang sharply on the rocks, a slender figure clad in gray calico came to the door and gazed at them from the sunshield of a worn, brown hand. Mrs. Dade was not a beautiful woman, but something about her seemed to indicate that she had known better days in the past. Her facé was deeply lined with wrinkles of care and worry, and as Hop Wah clambered out of the saddle she smiled. At sight of that smile Merry felt that he had known her for ages, and his heart thrilled with anger at thought of any scoundrel trying to defraud such a woman of her all. “Me catchee Missul Melliwell, Missy Dade!” exclaimed Hop Wah triumphantly, as Merry advanced hat in hand. ‘CHAPTER VI. LEW DADE ARRIVES HOME. “Mr. Merriwell?” exclaimed Mrs. Dade. She seemed somewhat surprised at his arrival, and Merry guessed that Hop Wah had kept his intentions to himself, as usual. “That is my name, Mrs. Dade,” and Frank smiled as he shook her hand. “I had an idea that you expected me, but I guess I simply took it for granted, from what Hop Wah said.” “He’s a dear, good boy,” answered Mrs Dade quickly. “Tf it wasn’t for him, I don’t know what I would have done of late. But come in, Mr. Merriwell. Hop’ Wah, take care of the horses.” | As Merry entered the doorway, his thoughts were trou- bled. It was apparent that Mrs. Dade was.still in igno- rance of the real nature of the paper she had signed, and Frank did not like the prospect of telling this sweet-eyed woman that she had, perhaps, lost her all. » The room in which he found himself was very rough, but there was a touch of refinement about it which Merry had seldom found in other such\ mining shacks. The floor was laid with and with wolf and coyote skins. The log walls were well chinked, and an effort had been made to cover up as much of their bare- ness as possible, by means of pictures cut from maga- boards strewn 1 RTI A ALAN OE ee Nt Cyn et PL in ® 5 Pa SSS = aS Se alee pl p< nk prt a _ bow” variety. Io r Id-fashioned framed por- i or two old-fas zines, and by one raits. ye ere Frank -felt a throb of sympathy for the: brave little ra lt!** i iman;"who -was trying to pull:a living out of the solid woman, w as g Oe: a hills amid such rough surroundings. He sat down on one x % 5 . . a f the -two camp chairs,’ looking into’the. room beyond, 1e i © 4 ’ " Li h,.né doubt, served as the kitchen, and wondered how which, V4 ; eee women he would break the news of Black Mark $ rascality. : ar, Mr. Merriwell?” asked Mrs. Dade. “Have you come far, Mr. ! oe a a atrasthd rer this unexpected visitor. ‘‘And « who was puzzled over this 1 e ue} siness, or—or pleas ! 7ou come on business, | 3 : “Pm not quite sure, Mrs. Dade, to tell the truth. ’s laugh rang out’ with the words, and into the Frank’s laugh rang ee ae woman’s deep-set eyes crept a look o king. ; ry r j ; Ey Hop Wah in Juneau, you see, and it was not until es sf landed at Hobson’s Choice that I managed to. fine xot me lz dig ed tc t just what he wanted. Even then I had to find it out ou st whz d from some one else——” , Pete hoe, i Frank was interrupted by the hasty entrance of. Hop ‘Tank as 5 - : Wah. whose face wore a look of wild alarm. “Mi Dade! Missy Dade! Missul Dade, “Wlissy ‘ 1 hg P Makee come chop-chop! load! Makee come c se i ieee ee im Frank comprehended the meaning of the rapid speech, he heard the click of ~ hoof on the rocks and a horse 1e hez e ns of Hae hinnied. Over the pale features of Mrs. Dade flashed m ift i k that was almost one of terror, and Frank a swi 00 z as rose’ instantly. Ge “Mrs. Dade, if you will let me meet roma “Sit down, Mr. Merriwell,”’ she returned sharply. am ee a ie yf s > As . rry that my husband should have returned homé at such so J st him on ” b ippose you know all about I f ferences by now. Do not, I beg of you, say ae ae aitt incense Mr. Dade, for he is apt to become hasty o temper, at times.” . ay es saw instantly that she: was ene ean. tempt to preserve her dignity and rere oe - fi * the eyes of per gueést. Futile though it reed sete? termined to help her in this if possible, so he : mp and resumed his seat. Hop Wah had slipped pul c destin there he resumed a flowing blouse similar to that oe Be the station platform at disease ae he Hebei’, both hands were hidden in the wide oe ‘ A moment later the door was darkened by a ue " ay Dade paused to look about, Merry we is ee ¥ from his chair. Dade was a heavy-set in om middle age, with massive features. At use ee ae have possessed a powerful build, Cates a his face and destroyed the strength within i ¥y. | His eyes were heavy and pea ae See while his mouth was hidden from sight Y : cid ay i d mustache of what was locally terme . ; ’ rs The once-strong and vigorous character a the man had gradually been sapped, is Pe aeta a about with a vacillating GRDTEHON W uch eon a quick anger at sight of Mrs. Dade, who stood q ing at him. ae here you are, eh?” he snapped out, in sare. made Merry’s blood boil, “Well, I’ve got a . ) for you, I reckon.” a im ld Dade put out a hand. “Lew, we eae aes Try and restrain yourself, if you can. Mr, Merri , this is my husband.” Boe all she could do, the poor De prevent a trace of bitterness creeping into the ‘ ae i : : 7 PD SLOP tL DG A ; : W's, y bch perce teat tf ak wh petmetivesd we at mega dete! Pps Cre: toe NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY. day (day a bitterness that told could have uttered. Then for the He whirled upon him snarl, and his face “Metrriwell ! ntnap, Lee Merry more than any wor with a low cry that was almost * was convulsed with fury. ua le By thunder, 1 heard-about youl W ae you -mean * butting: into my business, hey? I -s’pose es is some of your high-f was cute, sendin’ “You are entire calmly, thoug “Your wife was as much surprised as you are “ showed up, Now -that’ J am clearly that it was | as you. term it?? od “You do, hey?” growled the big man. “Got mighty it } eyesight, ain’t you? You jest wait, young feller. B Ads Mark’ll settle your dough in short. order. As fer: ¥O™ . . 7 re 1 hus- Sarah, I guess you need a little lesson, jest betwee! band an’ wife.” As he spoke, +] . 7 hd the chink after this kid, hey? Fra ly mistaken; Mr; Dade,” answered Fv nk | € i n se here, however, «1 mm diay: i i at P in ’ ugh time that some one was ‘butting j +retC © man stepped forward with outstre an. HOP: hand. Before he could touch the pale-faced woman, the Wah drew his Wide sleeves apart. Merry eae ‘ae flash of steel, and with a quick movement flung D: Pi back, “None.of that, Hop W out of here w Dade, flung Frank, ah!” he exclaimed sternly. ith that knife!” | callie back against the wall, stood glaring “Step ‘between husband “Guess the law will—_” “Tl step between a brute coward!” flashed out Merry, “The law doe you!” “Tt don’t, hey? W led. : °” ow an’ wife, will you?” he gt s as S not protect such low-down scoundrel ell, you two listen here. This i an’ this mine belongs to Black Mark Raynor—get ii ‘ "Nother of your cute little schemes, Sarah—thought Y¥? was gettin’ me posted when you signed that paper). you? Well, you wasn’t. You Signed the deed makin » this here place to Mark Raynor, and 1 got the com : my pocket! So the law don’t pertect scoundrels, Nes You folks clear Out 0’ here in mighty short order, you'll. find that the law will put you out!” id Dade, with a vengeful glance at Merry, flung about rr vanished through the door. Merry caught a low err from the woman, { sank into her “It’s done! sobs that shoo over chair, her hands over her face. It’s done!” she murmured, in dry, en k her frail body. “I’ve worked and slay after day to keep it’s too late!” “There, there,’ late, Mrs. Ray o Dade. This hor on such grounds, ; I give you my word.” And he was so 34 ing Smooth about it!” she went on, Pay é ‘ od ¥ no heed, “He said he was only anxious for Lew’s pc —and T thought—we'g be so happy once more—oh, it's use! Everything’s. lost— From Without cam the road below, everything |” € the clatter of hoofs, dying yen and Frank. knew that Dade had se his leave. - He bent over the poor woman once ™ nd doing his best to calm her. Hop Wah had vanished, 4 Cae me: from the kitchen came a rattle of crockery. A ment later he entered with tM s she. che co Mer first time Dade. seemed ‘to see Cai row - i : ght yor +) alutin’ work, Sarah! Thoug ) ‘ +« cheeks © hea slight touch of red mounted to his ¢ hed nq e rou , and. a woman any SP oa his face white with @ te didn't . : - now . him from his own folly—and “4 ’ . ‘ too . Frank tried to soothe her. “It’s ean uy mine shall never go to ae on © hewn a lighted lamp, and for t “Cleat " q oe : $ $8 and turned to catch her arm 4 | ae first t¢ horizo} “Cor thing : points that tl will n peacea The it was ure of with ¢ Dade out ir AG mirin; dishes Hobs« rt returt him, | he’s ; Thi taste, to th vain] “You June: Start there wec light Pid and | own get « ) “Get gooc Fr tion; miss Tak lean on said you NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY. " ‘ first time Merry realized that the sun was under the horizon. “Come, Mrs. Dade,” he concluded earnestly. “Every- thing is not lost yet, by a good deal. Possession is nine points of the law, you know. Besides, I happen to know that the deed hag not yet been recorded at Juneau, and will not be until Mark Raynor has urged you to remove~ peaceably.” The poor woman sat up and tried to smile feebly, and it was evident that Merry’s words had put some meas- ure of confidence into her heart. Hop Wah now appeared with the news that supper was feady, and although Mrs. Dade declared that she could eat nothing, Frank got her out into the kitchen and seated at the table. “You did this like magic, Hop Wah!” he exclaimed ad- miringly, gazing at the neatly arranged table and smoking dishes. Then he told Mrs. Dade what he had learned from Hobson, while they ate, and asked her advice. “The only thing to do, that I can see,” she said, with returning hope, “is to get to Black Mark’s cabin before him, and secure the paper. Lew usually stays there when he’s away.” This looked a good deal too high-handed to suit Merry’s taste, but after arguing the matter over, he was forced to the conclusion that she was right. Her signature had been obtained by bare-faced fraud, and morally any meas- ures would be right that would offset this. None the less, I'rank thought it possible to avoid the use of force. “See here,” he said, later in the evening, after they had vainly tried to find some means out of the difficulty. “You ride over to that cabin at the junction of the Juneau road and the‘ trail to Black Mark’s cabin, Hop Wah. Start out as soon as you get breakfast ready, and wait there for me. When Black Mark comes here, I’ll see if we can do anything by arguing with him. If not, then I'll light out on a horse and join you. If it’comes to a race Pll tire Black Mark’s horse before we reach the cabin, and you can easily beat him with your fresh mount to his own claim. Once there, you’ll have to find that paper and get off with it. Understand 2?” “Me catchee velly good,” nodded Hop Wah eagerly. “Gettee bleakfast, wait fol you at one-piecee cabin. Velly good, Missul Melliwell.” Frank made the young Chinaman repeat his instruc- tions, and then, satisfied that they were understood, dis- missed the matter. Not so with Mrs. Dade, however. Taking Merry’s hand’ as she bade him good night, she leaned forward and kissed his brow, tears in her eves. “You are a wonderful boy, Frank Merriwell!” she said softly. “I can never thank you enough—not for what you do, but for the way you do it, and the kindness, and —and—well, I’m a foolish old woman, but I’d like to know your mother!” The little speech went to Frank’s heart, and his thoughts flew back to his mother at Bloomfield. A lump caught in his throat, and he watched Mrs. Dade enter the front room through a mist that blurred his eyes, When Frank awoke the hext morning he found the bunk of Hop Wah empty, the sun streaming in at the window, and the voice of Mrs. Dade coming from the front room. “Mr. Merriwell! Time to get up!” “I’m up,” he returned cheerfully. Wah has breakfast ready for us!” wwLhey sat down together after Merry had visited the creek and washed. When the meal was finished, he pitched “Come along—Hop in and cleared things away, helping Mrs. Dade with the dishes, and instilling something of his own abundant spirits. into her tired soul. As they were finishing the task, Merry suddenly heard the sound of hoofs on the road, and sprang to the front room. “Black Mark is coming up the road,” he announced, with a calm smile. “Now, Mrs. Dade, brace up! I’ve got a little idea that may work out. Here it is.” CHAPTER VII. RAYNOR CALLS. While the startled woman stared at him, rrank swiftly outlined his plan of action. Desperate as it was, it seemed to be the only thing left to do, if the Tenderfoot Mine was to be saved. “Mrs. Dade, everything depends on our reaching Black Mark’s cabin ahead of him. Once there, I think we can manage to secure the paper in some manner. Say nothing about your husband’s visit of last night,, but try to hold him as long as you can. If necessary, pretend to weaken, but hold him here. I'll slip out and take the other horse —and Black Mark’s also, if I can. I hate to leave you alone here with the fellow, but it seems the only thing to do.” “Don’t worry about me,” answered the plucky little woman. She moved over to the wall and pulléd down a holster containing a big forty-five. “I’ve used this more than once, and I guess it wouldn’t take much persuasion to make me use it on that scoundrel.” “T don’t think you’ll have to do that,’ answered Frank, with a laugh. Together they listened, watching for the appearance of Raynor at the door. The hoofbeats had stopped, but there was no sign of their visitor. As moment after moment passed, slow uneasiness began to settle down over Frank. Finally he got up and stood by the window. As he looked out, a low cry of astonishment broke from his lips, and the window was suddenly darkened. Look- ing up at him was Black Mark, an evil grin on his dark face and his revolver in hand. But it was not this that had brought the cry to Merry’s lips. Black Mark was slipping the bridles of two horses over a peg driven into the sill of the window, and one of the two was the horse which Frank had ridden to the mine the afternoon before! Ere Frank had time to fathom the significance of this move, Black Mark had turned, and a moment later,stood in the doorway, hat in one hand and revolver in the other. “Mrs. Dade, your servant, ma’am!” As he spoke, Ray- nor stepped swiftly across the room to the side of Merry, and posted himself by the window. He was once more the genial, smiling ruffian, and seemed to delight in the pose as long as things went well for him. “You see, ma’am, I have to take precautions while this kid’s around. He’s a slick one, is Mr. Chip Merriwell!” “Isn’t that my horse you have hitched out there?” asked Frank curtly. “What business have you to touch him, I'd like to ask?” “Business of self-protection, my agile young sir! By the way, where is the Celestial gentleman of the kitchen?” “Skipped out,” replied Frank curtly. Mrs. Dade stepped forward, and spoke with a quiet dignity that for a mo- ment seemed to overawe Raynor. “Mr. Raynor, will you sit down, please?” th ANTS re ei el ee Nl ‘hey? pe kei Re FTO “Thanks, ma’am, I—I guess I'll stand right here where IT can keep an eye on them hosses. Much ’bliged.” He laughed, and now Frank fully comprehended his actions. Black Mark must have, in some way, learned of Frank’s knowledge of the deed being up at the claim, and to guard against the very thing Merry had ‘planned, he had secured both the horses! As comprehension dawned in Merry’s eyes, Raynor laughed again. He patted the revolver, that “Mrs. Dade, ma’am, you needn’t keep so near that gun of yours. I may be pretty bad, but Mark Raynor never lifted a finger against a woman yet, and he never will.” With a flush, Mrs. Dade sank into her chair. The man’s words recalled the visit of Lew Dade the previous evening, and Merry felt renewed sympathy for the pvor woman. Black Mark continued after a brief pause. “Merriwell, I may’s well tell you that young Hobson got pretty tight last night. He’s given to talk when he gets full, and he tells the whole yarn about how him and you was aiming to do me up. Young Hobson do up Black Mark! Say, that’s some joke! I guess he. won’t do any more talking for quite a spell.” “What!” exclaimed Frank quickly. > ‘Fooled ye this time, hey?” lay idly on the sill, covering the horses outside. “Do you tmean to say His eyes went to the revolver, and he had no need to complete the sentence. “No,” chuckled Black Mark, “I didn’t need to plug him —yet. But I give him a real lasting lesson not to inter- fere till he was asked. I reckon that chin of his will be too sore to paw over for some time to come. Seeing’s he had give away the whole game to you, I made bold to keep an eye on your hoss while I was here. I guess you figured on slipping out and making a run for that paper, Well, you slip out all you blamed please, for there ain’t another cayuse nigher’n Hobson’s Choice.” Frank looked calmly at the man, giving no sign of the dismay that rose within him. Now, for the first time, he began to realize that Black Mark was no ordi- nary ruffian, but possessed both brains and cunning. Even his speech, indeed, betrayed that he had been something more than a mere “bad man.” “Mrs. Dade, do I understand that your chink is plumb gone?” asked Raynor quickly. “T really cannot say where he is,” replied the little woman quietly. “He was gone when [I woke up this morning, so he must have ridden off early, I suppose he might be back at any time now.” She glanced toward the door as if expecting to see Hop Wah, and Black Mark grunted. “T got a little score to settle with that. chink, Mrs. Dade. If I meet him away from this place, I reckon [ll have to waste a bullet on his worthless hide. He’s a real “ nifty proposition, is Hop, like all the rest of ’em. When a chink’s got any brains whatever, he’s got so blamed many that they get plumb wearisome to other folks.” . At this speech Merry breathed with more freedom. Evidently Black Mark knew nothing of Hop Wah’s mis- sion and could not suspect, of course, that the young Chinaman was even then waiting at the cabin where the trail met the road, thirteen miles away. But how could Hop Wah be of any assistance, since he was waiting there for Merriwell? Frank’s eyes took in the horses, whose figures almost blocked the window, and knew that it was hopeless to tae Yof e 8 fL ELA pd eee tive blog hig mts NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY. day. ss dream of making Mark had shown the tate to shoot. With the horses Out of the reckoning, how" ever, there was simall chance of - claim in the hills. The clever scoundrel had carefully blocked every move that Frank had planned out. ) Did you call to see me or to see Mr. Mertiwell, Mt Raynor?” asked Mrs. Dade. Frank admired her quiet manner, for he knew that she must realize to the full that their plans had entitely fallen through. Yet did not betray in word or look that she knew anything of the real purport of Black Mark’s visit, ot that si© had no hope left of blocking ma’aim,” returned Raynor. a SOVNT | » ; Why, I cothe to see you Ve C i ~ 2 ad the grace to show 4 trace of nervousness, though ther d, gray eyes. “You see; Mrs; was no weakness in his bol Dade, £ got to own up that T put one over on you the vee I'd bought this . mae five hundred cash, but you had to sien the deed, So yO signed it, thinking it was a notice to get him posted er a Hobson’s Choice saloons. I didn’t ee to do nothing io hwin - ae but this here kid comes butting. a but this here cj in Me other ae ae os >elongs to me.” her hike. Hey eee answered the woman in vee i iy : indeed. “You surely know that - i fused to sell Bs Dy; hundred dollars! Why, I mane oa ture you niihdtnkd a. that sum! I doubt if the ee : a is ed from me would hold in the courts; i 4 aud and when it comes out I think these pat wi 0g too hot to hold you!” ne § ay ee to heating a kettle for Mark Raynoh un, neu “tend to that. J ain’t aiming to discuss as sie! aoe _ case, whatever, If yOu Ce rt ae ee welcome to try, but the present ee bought an’ paid ex a this here Tenderfoot Mine ” “Then you'll have to fight for it.” resolutely. “That old Colt guess, and I’d a heap you than on a coyote.” Raynor’s Swarthy f only admiration, an beating Raynor to his villainous purpose. ere claim from your husbe none that I want possession.” retorted Mrs. Dade of mine can do business ye sooner use it on a yellow dog like ace flushed, but his bold eyes held “Te adn’ a aoe he emitted an evil chuckle. Re Mate : a php: to come on, Mrs, Dade, Til ate L, said ‘before, ] Mi one the way you take it | 5 going to have says oy ae otee on @ wore BNE Ee Debihe sakGase " “ae filed with the recorder at June4? vou're | nse to-night. Then, if you refuse to move ° I, jase jumpin’ ny property andthe shel } there’s any discussin’ to do with the 1" zens Of this here local; | : cality, I guess this 1i ais He do a heap of talking,” ne oe aaae \ M -Cavight + y oe et: appealing glance from Mrs. Dade, but Stack ant He Sold ate no way out ofthe ent window, in fou faning back against the wall. beside ne béptn hig’ tone “88 ase, and was plainly in no hurry oe aA Ong Tide up to his own claitn, to get the deed. re : ae Se idea leaped into Frank’s brain. Could he eve aie oa at the window showed him that from his heatt re Was not visible, and hope flashed into - It was a desperate thing to attempt, put he Tesolve i mh Ived that it should be tried, at least. His eyes CO” veyed a warning glance off with one of them or both. Black “Tf , to Mrs. Dade. ' ent youll excuse me,” he ‘said quietly, “I'll fet yer “an day before that he would not ests. = f He here Mrs. ther - a for you d at hing inl, "am, test, it 18 ré- yna- it’s arts nor, the yust ade like eld» ad- As [im saul off, nd iti- an . NEW discuss this affair alone. I want to get into some easier shoes and loaf around a bit.” “Loaf all you like, kid,” sneered Black Mark. “Don’t touch them hosses, though, less’n you want to do your loafin’ in the cemetery down to Hobson’s Choice !” He laughed loudly at his own joke as Frank stepped across the room toward the kitchen. Merry knew that Mrs. Dade had caught his warning look, and that he could depend upon her to keep the ruffian there as long as possible. He did not think she would be in any danger, for Black Mark was of another stamp than Lew Dade. ' Entering the kitchen, he quietly drew the blanket that served as a door. Then he leaped into instant action. Darting to the bunk occupiéd by Hop Wah, he fell on his knees and began to look around. A low cry of satisfaction broke from his lips as he pulled out an old pair of the rubber-soled canvas shoes which the Chinaman affected. Without losing a second Merry began to strip, leaving his clothes folded on his own bunk. Another brief search disclosed a battered suit case, which he opened without compunction. In this he found, neatly rolled up, a run- ning suit, a pair of baseball trousers, spiked shoes, and various other articles which showed that Hop Wah had all the accessories of an athlete, at least. A moment later Merry, wearing the white running suit and canvas shoes, stole out of the back door of the shack, passed around the side of the house opposite to the horses and window, and cut across to the road. Then he fell into a steady, swinging lope, determination stamped upon every line of his face. CHAPTER VIII. MAN AGAINST HORSE. It had come to Frank that there was but one way open by which he might yet defeat Black Mark Raynor. Pro- curing a horse in time to beat him to the claim was out of the question. The only place where one could be ob- tained was Hobson’s Choice, ten miles away. But the cabin where Hop Wah was waiting was only three miles farthér than this, and Merry had determined to reach Hop Wskh, if possible, It was a marathon run, man against horse. Merry knew that Mrs. Dade would hold Black Mark at the mine as long as pdssible. But could she hold the man there until he had enough start to win through to the cabin at the “junction of the roads? “I’ve got to do it!” Frank inwardly cried, as he fell into his steady, easy stride. “At any rate, Raynor won't suspect anything for quite a while. When he does, Mrs. Dade may manage to lull his suspicions.. Once he does get started, however, he'll come with a rush, and it'll be up to Hop Wah at the end.” 4 Fortunately, the side of the cabin at which Black Mark was watching the horses did not overlook the road. This prevented the possibility of the ruffian’s catching sight of Merry, but none the less Frank breathed a sigh of relief as he turned away from the bluff on which the mine was situated, and a bend of the road shut out the view be- hind. Merry was in perfect condition, and in any other cir- cumstances he would have made light of a thirteen-mile run, for marathon work was no new and untried thing to N Na: Bo BE) UR Pir Lae WEEKLY. 3 him. But these wete no ordinary circumstances. Behind him was a determined, unscrupulous man who had two horses at his command, and who would be after him with all speed the instant that he detected Merry’s absence. “Not a sign of life anywhere, except that smoke!” he thought, searching the hills around with his eyes. From one of two points ascended faint threads of blue smoke that marked the location of shacks similar to that of Lew Dade. When he reached the level road, Merry increased his gait slightly. Now was no time to take the quiet, even pace of the running track. He must put every ounce of his energy into a sustained run, yet save his reserve strength for a final sprint. A minute or two saved at the end of his race, when Hop Wah and his cayuse would take up the trail, might make all the difference. Though he knew that Raynor might pass him, and prob- ably would, he was banking on Hop Wah to come in strong at the finish, The latter would have a fresb horse, and the twelve miles from the cabin to the shack of Black Mark would spell success or defeat. “T guess I'll have to speed up,” thought Merry. “Doesn’t look as if any one ever traveled this road, from present signs !” He had half hoped that he might meet some rider whom he could persuade to lend him his horse. But the winding old stage road seemed deserted. From occasional higher spots Frank could catch glimpses of the road before and behind him as it wound in and out through the trees and guiches and hills, but no movement could he see. He was running steadily and lightly, with no break in the even rhythm of his stride, and the light, sandy road was excellent for rurming. There were no ruts to break up his progress and keep his attention, and he ran with head well up, each slow breath pumping fresh air into his lungs and each step taking him a little nearer his goal. Merry felt thankful indeed that he had found Hop Wah’s running outfit. To make the long thirteen miles in his clothes would have! been impossible. Fortunately the shoes fitted him almost exactly, and if the running pants were just a bit tight it mattered little. The invigorating morning breeze was at his back, and his only trouble was that the road was continually rising and falling in- stead of being level. “Maybe the old Greek athletes had to run uphill, in sand above their ankles,” thought Frank, as he reached the crest of a long rise. “But believe me, I'll take a regular cinder track every time! This is a whole lot like work, and there’s more ahead.” His eyes took in another longer ascent ahead of him, where the road was visible in places as it dipped slightly, then rose on a two-mile up grade. He had never been over it before, of course, but from Hobson’s description he knew it was the only road in that locality, and there was no fear of his losing his way. Impelled by a sudden thought, he glanced back. Through 2 break in the trees, the Tenderfoot Mine was partially visible. Frank could not keep back a cry of satisfaction as he caught sight of the two horses, mere black dots, against the shack. “Raynor is still there! I must have covered a good five miles, too. If this keeps up I'll beat him to the -cabin easily !” Greatly encouraged, Merry continued his stride without a break, and now began the long and slow. two-mile £ Eee a 3H eee — rey a NEW TIP TOP WEEKLY. ascent that lay ahead. His figuring had been very rough, of course, but it was not hard to judge the distance which he had come, and when he reached that rise he guessed that he would have come halfway, at least. As he pounded along, his mind flew back to the events at the cabin of the previous evening. He recalled the startling abruptness with which Hop Wah had produced his well-concealed knife. “The only trouble with that chink is that he’s too faith- ful,” Merry reflected. “He certainly has a splendid build, and seems to have done athletics before—‘Clistian Assya- tion, he said. Probably meant the Y. M. C. A. some- where. Good thing I kept him away from Lew Dade with that carving knife! Well, I seem to be getting there.” He was still running easily and lightly as he reached the “rise”? This seemed to form a sort of miniature divide, for after a few hundred yards the ground gently sloped away on the other side and the road was lost among the hills and trees. But Merry had a fine view from where he stood, and turned to glance behind. Now the Tenderfoot Hill was in plain sight, the clear air making even distant objects quite distinct to the eye. Merry saw the shack plainly, but he also saw something else, something that brought his teeth together with a snap. A tiny black speck was just leaving the shack! “That’s Black Mark, right enough,” thought Frank swiftty, as he turned. “Well, I have about ‘seven. miles’ start on him. If I can’t reach Hop Wah first, it’ll be a mighty queer thing.’ Six miles to go! Merry grunted with satisfaction as he realized that his wind was as perfect as ever, seem- ingly. Now he struck into a faster pace, for the race was on. It was horse against man, and Merry deter- mined to cover those six miles before Raynor caught up with him or die in the attempt. As he ran, Frank mechanically began to count his steps. At a rough guess, he was taking between nine hundred and a thousand to the mile, although over this road such a computation was by no means an accurate ohe. However, it served to keep his mind off himself, which was an all-important thing in such a race. One mile, two,-and three flashed, by. No sign could he see ahead of the cabin, for the road seemed to wind interminably around the bases of the hills. As he counted out the fourth mile, he glanced behind and found that he could see the little divide which he had gained with so much toil. At the same instant he caught sight of a horseman outlined against the sky, riding furiously, and flapping his steed over the eyes with his hat. Four miles ahead and two to go! Now Merry called up every ounce of reserve strength and flung it into that two-mile spurt. If his calculdtions were off, if he had three or four miles to go, he knew that he was beaten. Black Mark had covered seven miles while he was doing four; now he must get over two before Raynor could cover those four, if he was to reach Hop Wah first. His legs were moving almost mechanically now, but not with the heavy, dragging mechanical stride of ex- haustion. Rather, it was with a perfect control of every muscle, for Merry ran with his body while he flung his mind ahead. He must get Hop Wah off at once, and then, if possible, he himself must detain Black Mark. “Hope it doesn’t come to a scrap,” he thought, while he kept up that endless “pad-pad, pad-pad, pad-pad” that reeled the distance behind with -monotonous regularity. PM ALT IIA lh, LPP R ALIVE, PPG AR GEL SPOS LIT 7 OT ES, , or ora ; ‘ ah fete ph ptt PA GO PEA erm a a re pass. Black Mark must have s “ I guess I won’t be in is finished !” ae advantage of his perfect condition, as he though it ee ei His breath was still regular, bide hake es deep and was beginning to bring a stab- * “+ moment later, however, he forgot all this as I (oe O¢ d p any shape to fight when this spurt The cabin was in sight ! j Merr 2 hack jo age y could see a rough $s catch a glimpse of the trail that | i » main road off into the hills. ed from the main :