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CHAPTER XXXVI – AN EXPLOSION COMING

When Bart and Frank presented themselves at the police court on the following day to testify against Shiner Gregg, the judge took them into a private room and heard the story they had to tell, after which he said:

“I am going to hold this Gregg a day or two for a purpose before I give him a trial. The police are looking for some information they believed the prisoner could give them, and they proposed to ‘put on the screws.’”

Frank and Bart assured the judge that they would remain in Philadelphia four days and could be found at the Continental when wanted. Then they were allowed to depart.

Immediately after lunch Merriwell started for Charlie Creighton’s, feeling a strong anxiety to know how severely Fanny Darling had been burned.

As for Merriwell, he was astonished to find he had not been seriously injured by the fire. The prompt attention given his hands by the doctor had saved them from blistering, and, although they were red and tender, they promised to be all right in a day or two. He had them done up again, and was advised to keep the air from them as much as possible till the following day.

Creighton and his sister were at home, and they welcomed Frank warmly.

“I called at the Continental this forenoon to see you,” said Charlie; “but you and Hodge were out. However, the fellows told me your hands seemed much better than you had expected they would be.”

“Yes,” nodded Frank; “they seem to be coming out all right. The stuff the doctor put on them appears to have worked marvels.”

“I am so glad!” exclaimed Mabel. “It seemed terrible to think you might be hurt so you could not play football this fall, for Charlie says Yale could not get along without you.”

“Creighton is too kind!” exclaimed Frank. “He overestimates my abilities. But I wish to ask about Miss Darling. Have you heard from her to-day?”

“Yes, I have seen her. One of her arms is quite severely burned, but that seems to be all. She says she will be all right in two or three days, at most.”

“I am very glad to hear that, for I feared her burns might be more severe than was supposed at first. I reached her as soon as possible after she screamed.”

“It’s amazing to me that you reached her as quickly as you did,” declared Charlie. “Wallace Hegner was with her, and he did not find an opportunity to lift his hand to help her.”

“He acted like a coward!” exclaimed Mabel, her eyes flashing. “He retreated from her, and he has been rewarded for his pusillanimous act.”

“Rewarded – how?”

“When he tried to see her last evening after her burns had been attended, she refused to have anything to say to him, and she says she’ll never speak to him again.”

“Well,” said Merry, slowly, “I don’t know but that fire was a good thing if it has opened her eyes to Hegner’s true character.”

Creighton flushed and looked abashed, whereupon Frank quickly cried:

“I beg your pardon, old man! I made a break then, for I forgot you introduced us.”

“It’s all right,” declared Creighton; “and it is my place to beg your pardon for the introduction; but I assure you that I did not dream Hegner was the fellow he has since proved to be. If I had – Well, I scarcely think you would have met him at my home, and I am sure you will not see him here again. You have done considerable to show him up, and – ”

“I may do more.”

“More? How?”

“I cannot explain just now, but I am not through with Mr. Hegner. Yesterday I struck him with a boxing glove. The next time I strike it will be a far more severe blow, and I shall not use my hands.”

“That sounds queer from you, Merriwell. At college you have been considered altogether too kind to your enemies.”

“I am ready to be easy with an enemy who shows any redeeming features, and I am aware that a fellow may dislike me and still be a good fellow at heart. Such things happen. I have my own failings, and I believe in doing by others as I would that they should do by me. But a fellow like this Hegner – well, I doubt if he has a single redeeming trait, and I consider it my duty to expose him as far as possible. That’s all.”

Mabel was regarding Frank admiringly, and she was thinking that he could be stern and unrelenting if the occasion demanded, although he was naturally generous and forgiving.

After a little, Merriwell told of his street encounter of the previous evening, and his hearers listened with breathless interest.

“Great Scott!” cried Charlie. “You must have had a close call! And you think the object was not robbery?”

“I am sure it was not.”

“Then the gang must have attacked you with the sole object of doing you up.”

“That’s right.”

“And you think you know one of them?”

“Yes.”

“Who was it?”

“That is something I will tell you later. Shiner Gregg may be induced to squeal. Look out for an explosion, Creighton. It is coming.”

Two days later, while walking along one of Philadelphia’s principal streets, Merriwell noticed a fellow who was blocking the path of a girl with his person and speaking to her excitedly, although she was trying to pass to reach a carriage that stood at the curb.

“It’s Hegner!” muttered Frank. “And the girl is – Fanny Darling! She is trying to avoid him, and the rascal is – Confound him!”

The exclamation escaped Frank’s lips as he saw Wallace Hegner grasp the girl by the wrist, lean forward and hiss something in her ear.

Frank made a spring, and as he came forward, Hegner happened to turn his head slightly and see him. The girl also saw him, and a look of relief came over her face.

Hegner scowled blackly and hesitated, then he dropped Fanny’s wrist and hurried away.

Merriwell was tempted to follow him, but Fanny called to him, and he stopped. As he did so, lifting his hat with a graceful movement that was natural for him, her face, pale a moment before, grew crimson.

But she did not hesitate; immediately she came forward and held out her hand, saying:

“Mr. Merriwell, I said I would ask your pardon on my knees, but I can’t do it here in the street, and so perhaps you will not expect it.”

“Well, hardly!” laughed Frank. “I don’t know why you should ask my pardon at all.”

“I do! I ask it now, Mr. Merriwell! You were a gentleman, and I know I was not a lady. Oh, I have been so ashamed of myself when I thought it all over and realized what sort of an opinion you must have formed of me!”

“Miss Darling!”

“And I am trying to leave off slang, although I will make a break occasionally – there! I want to thank you for the heroic manner in which you came to my rescue when my clothes were on fire.”

“I am afraid you make too much of that. I fail to see where the heroism came in.”

“That – that fellow you just drove away did not make a move to help me, and he was the nearest of anybody! I don’t care, it was heroic of you!”

“All right,” smiled Frank; “if you are determined to have it that way, I’ll have to let you regard me as a hero.”

She looked him straight in the eyes, and softly said:

“I do!”

After a moment, her eyes drooped before his steady gaze, and he saw she had long lashes that almost touched her cheeks.

“Mr. Merriwell.”

“Yes, Miss Darling.”

“I am afraid it may seem bold, and I know you think me far too forward now – ”

“No, no – I protest!”

“I can’t help it if you do think so. I can’t be strictly conventional at all times. We are standing in the street, where we must attract more or less notice. There is my carriage. Will you ride with me?”

“With pleasure.”

The footman in livery held open the door for them to enter, and then that door closed behind them. The dignified footman ascended to his seat, and the coachman started up the horses. The closed carriage rolled away.

For some moments Frank and Fanny were silent, both seeming embarrassed. At last, he asked her about the burns she had received, and they chatted in a commonplace way for some time.

“Do you know,” he said, “when I heard you scream that night and saw the fire, my heart nearly leaped out of my mouth. I was afraid I could not reach you in time to keep the fire from your face and neck.”

“What if you hadn’t! I’m not a raving beauty now, and it would not have damaged my looks very much.”

“Don’t say that, Miss Darling! It would have been terrible! And you are pretty! I am sincere!”

She gasped for breath.

“Really – really, Mr. Merriwell! It’s impossible! Why, there is Mabel!”

“I know. She is charming, but to my eyes, you are far prettier. Don’t think I am trying taffy, for I give you my word, Miss Darling, that I am not.”

“Why, I – I thought you were dead stuck on Mabel!” cried the wondering girl.

“Not that. I like her, and she has treated me very nicely.”

“Yes, far better than I have; but that night, after you had saved me, I heard the doctor say, that if you did not save my life, at least you had prevented my frightful disfigurement. Oh, you will never know the sensation that came over me then! Such a sense of shame, for I thought how I had treated you. But – but I want to tell you something now, Mr. Merriwell. It is awfully hard for me to say, but I must say it. I did not treat you that way because I disliked you. No! no! no! It was for just the other reason. I liked you too well – there! I thought you did not care anything for me and was all taken up with Mabel, so I tried to get a dab at you every time I could. It was mean – I know it! I didn’t expect you to forgive me, for I am sure I did not deserve it. And then, after all the mean things I had done, you passed all those near me when I was in danger and saved me! I could have died from shame!”

She was sobbing now, although fighting back the tears. He did his best to soothe her, and succeeded very well.

“I think we understand each other very well now,” he said.

The closed carriage rolled on. The coachman pulled down the horses to a slower pace, as if he knew there was no need to hurry. The footman sat up very straight, with folded arms and solemn, dignified countenance, as if such a thing as curiosity had never entered his heart, and he had no thought of the young couple within the carriage.

Yes, they understood each other very well at last.

CHAPTER XXXVII – THE LAST BLOW – CONCLUSION

The gymnasium of the Olympic Athletic Club was crowded. There were seats all around the room, and a roped-off ring in the center. A referee and two judges had been chosen. Hank Burk’s second was Wallace Hegner, his trainer. Tom Jackson had a second who seemed to know his business.

The excitement was at fever heat, for the great match was about to begin. The principals came out and entered the ring, accompanied by their seconds. They wore bath robes, which were soon flung aside. Then the spectators cheered as they saw the two lads stripped to the waist.

On choice by lot the Olympic had secured the bout for themselves; but the guests of the Fairmount were admitted, so all of Frank Merriwell’s friends were there.

But Frank – where was he?

“I can’t understand it,” declared Diamond. “It is most remarkable that he should not be here. I didn’t suppose anything could keep him from this mill.”

Hodge looked worried.

“He will be here,” Bart declared. “You know he has promised a sensation, but I’m afraid he failed in securing the evidence he needs.”

Tang! – the gong sounded.

Burk and Jackson advanced to shake hands.

Then it was that Frank came hustling into the room, looking flushed but triumphant. Hurrying to the ringside, he turned to the spectators and cried:

“This match must be stopped five minutes! I have something to tell you before it goes on!”

There was a murmur of astonishment and disapproval. The audience, their nerves tingling with the desire to see the boxers go at each other, were angered by the interruption.

“You can tell it afterward,” cried a voice.

“No!” came firmly from Frank. “It must be told now, for it concerns this match. I know you all want to see fair play – with a very few exceptions. I tell you now that there is a job here, and I can prove it! This match is fixed!”

What a stir that created! For some moments it seemed that there would be a riot, but the excited spectators cooled down at last, although a dozen voices demanded the proof.

In the ring Hank Burk and Tom Jackson looked at each other in a startled way, while Wallace Hegner’s face grew pale.

“What does he know?” asked Burk in a whisper.

“He can’t know anything,” said Jackson. “He is putting up a bluff.”

Hegner found his voice and demanded that Merriwell be removed from the room. But it was too late, as he soon saw, for the young fellows who had heard his assertion were eager to hear more.

“I know you do not permit betting,” Frank cried; “but there has been betting on this match. Large sums of money have been staked on the result, but a most surprising fact is that the principal backer of Jackson – the one who has furnished most of the money bet on him is the trainer of Burk, Mr. Wallace Hegner!”

Hegner gave a howl and made a rush for Frank, but Bruce Browning was on hand and interposed his massive form, grasping the furious lad by the collar and holding him helpless.

“I will tell you how I know this,” Frank went on, speaking swiftly. “This Hegner has a grudge against me, and, with several of his friends, a gang of thugs, he attacked me the other night. In the fight I secured a handkerchief marked with his initials, and he came very near getting a knife into me. One of the gang was captured, a fellow known as Shiner Gregg. The police have been wanting to get hold of Gregg for some time, and when he fell into their hands they ‘put on the screws.’ As a result of the squeezing the fellow has confessed everything. He told how Mr. Hegner obtained his money to stake on this crooked match. Two weeks ago the jewelry store of Isaac Rosenfeld was entered and robbed. Gregg says Hegner planned the robbery and was one of the four concerned in it.”

“It’s a lie – a downright lie!” screamed Hegner, struggling to reach Frank. “Let me get at him! I will kill him!”

“It is the confession of Shiner Gregg,” said Frank. “He says this match was fixed – that Jackson would win, and Burk would receive good pay for flunking. Here is the proof that I have spoken the truth.”

He whistled, and into the room came six uniformed policemen. They quickly reached the ring, and Hegner, who had fought like a tiger to break from Browning, was collared, handcuffed and taken in charge.

By this time, in some mysterious manner, Burk and Jackson had disappeared. The spectators were furious. They talked of tar and feathers.

Wallace Hegner, limp, white and crushed, was marched away between the officers. As he passed Merriwell he lifted his eyes, but they fell instantly, and his appearance was that of a whipped cur.

Frank’s second blow had been a knockout.

Hegner was held for the Grand Jury, tried and convicted, for overwhelming evidence against him was obtained. As it seemed to have been his first offense, he was given a comparatively light sentence.

Frank pitied the fellow at last, for all the heart and life seemed gone out of him. Never before had Frank struck an enemy such a blow as that.

Burk and Jackson escaped from the Olympic with a portion of their clothes, and they took care to keep in hiding for a long time after that.

It was suspected that the judge had been tampered with, but this was never proved. That several of the Olympic men knew all about the game was certain, but Jackson and one other were the only ones expelled from the club.

Before leaving Philadelphia Frank Merriwell and his party attended a banquet given in their honor by the Fairmount Club. It was a jolly affair, for young lady guests were present and everything passed off finely.

There were speeches and toasts, and the mention of Merriwell’s name always brought a tumultuous burst of applause.

A gay time was had for two days more in Philadelphia, their new-found friends doing everything possible to make the visit a pleasant one.

From the South came news that Harlow had escaped from jail by striking down a keeper. But he had been hit in the head with a club later on, and was now in the hospital.

“He won’t come to trial just yet,” said Frank. “And perhaps it is just as well.”

“And now for Yale!” cried Jack. “Hurrah for old Eli!”

“So say we all of us!” shouted Harry.

And then a roar went up in which all of their new-found friends joined:

“Hurrah for old Eli! Hurrah for the brave boys of the Yale Combine!”

THE END

No. 20. of the Merriwell Series, entitled “Frank Merriwell’s Return to Yale,” gives an account of games, sports, and pastimes, work and study, in all of which Frank shines conspicuously, and retains the admiration of all his old friends.

BUFFALO BILL BORDER STORIES

The Career of the King of Scouts

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Since the Ladies’ Home Journal began the publication of the personal history of William F. Cody, or, as he was better known, Buffalo Bill, that famous old-time scout and plainsman has assumed a new importance in the eyes of Americans. For many years we have been telling the American reading public that no more interesting, native character ever lived. The stories of his adventures as narrated by his friend and chum, Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, are mostly facts, but they are written with such engaging interest that it is impossible to tell where the fact leaves off and fiction begins. Buffalo Bill was a truly great character. Prentiss Ingraham is truly great as an author and between the two they make the books in this line well worth the while of any American who wants to know something of the wild life on the rolling prairies of the Far West.

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1 – Buffalo Bill, the Border King
2 – Buffalo Bill’s Raid
3 – Buffalo Bill’s Bravery
4 – Buffalo Bill’s Trump Card
5 – Buffalo Bill’s Pledge
6 – Buffalo Bill’s Vengeance
7 – Buffalo Bill’s Iron Grip
8 – Buffalo Bill’s Capture
9 – Buffalo Bill’s Danger Line
10 – Buffalo Bill’s Comrades
11 – Buffalo Bill’s Reckoning
12 – Buffalo Bill’s Warning
13 – Buffalo Bill at Bay
14 – Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin Pards
15 – Buffalo Bill’s Brand
16 – Buffalo Bill’s Honor
17 – Buffalo Bill’s Phantom Hunt
18 – Buffalo Bill’s Fight With Fire
19 – Buffalo Bill’s Danite Trail
20 – Buffalo Bill’s Ranch Riders
21 – Buffalo Bill’s Death Trail
22 – Buffalo Bill’s Trackers
23 – Buffalo Bill’s Mid-air Flight
24 – Buffalo Bill, Ambassador
25 – Buffalo Bill’s Air Voyage
26 – Buffalo Bill’s Secret Mission
27 – Buffalo Bill’s Long Trail
28 – Buffalo Bill Against Odds
29 – Buffalo Bill’s Hot Chase
30 – Buffalo Bill’s Redskin Ally
31 – Buffalo Bill’s Treasure Trove
32 – Buffalo Bill’s Hidden Foes
33 – Buffalo Bill’s Crack Shot
34 – Buffalo Bill’s Close Call
35 – Buffalo Bill’s Double Surprise
36 – Buffalo Bill’s Ambush
37 – Buffalo Bill’s Outlaw Hunt
38 – Buffalo Bill’s Border Duel
39 – Buffalo Bill’s Bid for Fame
40 – Buffalo Bill’s Triumph
41 – Buffalo Bill’s Spy Trailer
42 – Buffalo Bill’s Death Call
43 – Buffalo Bill’s Body Guard
44 – Buffalo Bill’s Still Hunt
45 – Buffalo Bill and the Doomed Dozen
46 – Buffalo Bill’s Prairie Scout
47 – Buffalo Bill’s Traitor Guide
48 – Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza
49 – Buffalo Bill’s Swoop
50 – Buffalo Bill and the Gold King
51 – Buffalo Bill’s Deadshot
52 – Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin Bravos
53 – Buffalo Bill’s Big Four
54 – Buffalo Bill’s One-armed Pard
55 – Buffalo Bill’s Race for Life
56 – Buffalo Bill’s Return
57 – Buffalo Bill’s Conquest
58 – Buffalo Bill to the Rescue
59 – Buffalo Bill’s Beautiful Foe
60 – Buffalo Bill’s Perilous Task
61 – Buffalo Bill’s Queer Find
62 – Buffalo Bill’s Blind Lead
63 – Buffalo Bill’s Resolution
64 – Buffalo Bill, the Avenger
65 – Buffalo Bill’s Pledged Pard
66 – Buffalo Bill’s Weird Warning
67 – Buffalo Bill’s Wild Ride
68 – Buffalo Bill’s Redskin Stampede
69 – Buffalo Bill’s Mine Mystery
70 – Buffalo Bill’s Gold Hunt
71 – Buffalo Bill’s Daring Dash
72 – Buffalo Bill on Hand
73 – Buffalo Bill’s Alliance
74 – Buffalo Bill’s Relentless Foe
75 – Buffalo Bill’s Midnight Ride
76 – Buffalo Bill’s Chivalry
77 – Buffalo Bill’s Girl Pard
78 – Buffalo Bill’s Private War
79 – Buffalo Bill’s Diamond Mine
80 – Buffalo Bill’s Big Contract
81 – Buffalo Bill’s Woman Foe
82 – Buffalo Bill’s Ruse
83 – Buffalo Bill’s Pursuit
84 – Buffalo Bill’s Hidden Gold
85 – Buffalo Bill in Mid-air
86 – Buffalo Bill’s Queer Mission
87 – Buffalo Bill’s Verdict
88 – Buffalo Bill’s Ordeal
89 – Buffalo Bill’s Camp Fires
90 – Buffalo Bill’s Iron Nerve
91 – Buffalo Bill’s Rival
92 – Buffalo Bill’s Lone Hand
93 – Buffalo Bill’s Sacrifice
94 – Buffalo Bill’s Thunderbolt
95 – Buffalo Bill’s Black Fortune
96 – Buffalo Bill’s Wild Work
97 – Buffalo Bill’s Yellow Trail
98 – Buffalo Bill’s Treasure Train
99 – Buffalo Bill’s Bowie Duel
100 – Buffalo Bill’s Mystery Man
101 – Buffalo Bill’s Bold Play
102 – Buffalo Bill: Peacemaker
103 – Buffalo Bill’s Big Surprise
104 – Buffalo Bill’s Barricade
105 – Buffalo Bill’s Test
106 – Buffalo Bill’s Powwow
107 – Buffalo Bill’s Stern Justice
108 – Buffalo Bill’s Mysterious Friend

To Be Published in June, 1921.

109 – Buffalo Bill and the Boomers
110 – Buffalo Bill’s Panther Fight
111 – Buffalo Bill and the Overland Mail

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To Be Published in July, 1921.

112 – Buffalo Bill on the Deadwood Trail
113 – Buffalo Bill in Apache Land

To Be Published in August, 1921.

114 – Buffalo Bill’s Blindfold Duel
115 – Buffalo Bill and the Lone Camper
116 – Buffalo Bill’s Merry War

To Be Published in September, 1921.

117 – Buffalo Bill’s Star Play
118 – Buffalo Bill’s War Cry

To Be Published in October, 1921.

119 – Buffalo Bill on Black Panther’s Trail
120 – Buffalo Bill’s Slim Chance

To Be Published in November, 1921.

121 – Buffalo Bill Besieged

In order that there may be no confusion, we desire to say that the books listed above, will be issued, during the respective months, in New York City and vicinity. They may not reach the readers, at a distance, promptly, on account of delays in transportation.

HORATIO ALGER, JR.

Is the favorite writer of a million boys. Do you realize what this means? His stories are good!

MERRIWELL SERIES

Stories of Frank and Dick Merriwell

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Handsome Colored Covers – Stories of Generous Length

For three generations, the adventures of the Merriwell brothers have proven an inspiration to countless thousands of American boys.

Frank and Dick are lads of high ideals, and the examples they set in dealing with their parents, their friends, and especially their enemies, are sure to make better boys of their readers.

These stories teem with fun and adventure in all branches of sports and athletics. They are just what every red-blooded American boy wants to read – they are what he must read to develop into a manly, upright man.

ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT

1 – Frank Merriwell’s School Days
2 – Frank Merriwell’s Chums
3 – Frank Merriwell’s Foes
4 – Frank Merriwell’s Trip West
5 – Frank Merriwell Down South
6 – Frank Merriwell’s Bravery
7 – Frank Merriwell’s Hunting Tour
8 – Frank Merriwell in Europe
9 – Frank Merriwell at Yale
10 – Frank Merriwell’s Sports Afield
11 – Frank Merriwell’s Races

To Be Published in June, 1921.

12 – Frank Merriwell’s Party
13 – Frank Merriwell’s Bicycle Tour

To Be Published in July, 1921.

14 – Frank Merriwell’s Courage
15 – Frank Merriwell’s Daring

To Be Published in August, 1921.

16 – Frank Merriwell’s Alarm
17 – Frank Merriwell’s Athletes
18 – Frank Merriwell’s Skill

To Be Published in September, 1921.

19 – Frank Merriwell’s Champions
20 – Frank Merriwell’s Return to Yale

To Be Published in October, 1921.

21 – Frank Merriwell’s Secret
22 – Frank Merriwell’s Danger

To Be Published in November, 1921.

23 – Frank Merriwell’s Loyalty
24 – Frank Merriwell in Camp

To Be Published in December, 1921.

25 – Frank Merriwell’s Vacation
26 – Frank Merriwell’s Cruise

In order that there may be no confusion, we desire to say that the books listed above will be issued, during the respective months, in New York City and vicinity. They may not reach the readers, at a distance promptly on account of delays in transportation.