Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 1009) (1925 01 30)

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BOYS, READ THE RADIO ARTICLES IN THIS NUMRER JANUARY 30, 1925 Price 8 Cents poh matty iS SS SY B The situation became desperate when Fernandez, backed by his associates, partially forced the door “Caramba!” cried the Mexican, “open or we kill you!” Jack and Bart tried to close the door, while Edna, with flashing eyes, stood ready to shoot.

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est 28d Street, New York, N. Y¥ No. 1009 : ON HIS CHAPTER I—Jack Mason and Bart Foster. “Hello, Bart,” safd Jack Mason, a good-looking “ energebic lad of nineteen years who was’ chief clerk and cashier for the shipping firm of Fair- - aredbuertlage, in the city of Buffalo, to Bart Foster, junior clerk and messenger, “late again, eh? Lucky for you that Mr. Spencer hasn’t ar- rived yet, or there’d probably be something doing. He said if you turned up late again he’d——” “Fire me,” grinned Bart. = “Exactly. It doesn’t seem to worry you much.” Yes, it would worry me a good deal to lose my job,” replied Foster, soberly, as he hung up his hat; “but I couldn’t get here any sooner,” “Why couldn’t you?” “There was a blockade on Blank Street. Our - ear, as well as a couple of dozen behind, was held up by a heavily loaded truck that broke down across the track.” ; “Well, that’s a reasonable excuse, though I’m bound to say that Mr. Spencer might regard it with some suspicion.” “Oh, shoot Spencer!” exclaimed Bart, with a ook of disgust. “He gives me a pain in the ribs. “Ever since he was advanced from the position of manager to a silent partner in the business, just before Mr. Fairchild was taken sick and had to - go South to recuperate by the doctor’s orders, you and me have been in hot water.” “That's no lie,” answered Mason. “Mr. Spencer eems to have a standing grouch against me. rdly anything I do seems to suit him. I be- ieve he’d discharge me if he dared.” “You know why Spencer is down on, you, don’t you?” \ “T haven’t the least idea.” “Then you're pretty blind.” “Blind?” ‘Yes. Haven’t you tumbled to the fact that encer is sore on you because you and Mr. Fair- ild’s niece, Edna Garrison, are so thick?” f astonishment. “What has Mr. Spencer to do th Miss Garrison?” : Why, he’s in love with her. I should think a ps ours see ig with half an eye.” “Why, she’s har sold enough to be—" ¢ Read Page 24 for Radio News and Hints. FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY Issued weekly—Subscription price, $4.00 per year! Canada, $4.50; Foreign, $5.00. Harry E. Wolff, Publisher, snc., 16 Wy Bice DN. Y.. Entered as Second-Class Matter, October 4, 191 at” To" 18 Y¥., under the Act of March 3, 1879. _ Gj { of is) Q ba eR a A TT I a a a EE EY the Post-Offce at New York, N, NEW YORK, JANUARY 30, “Why no, of course not,” replied Jack, in a tone . y eighteen, while Mr. Spencer ‘ , pe er as rate n . ‘ 1925 Price 8 Cents. MERITS OR, THE SMARTEST BOY ALIVE By A SELF-MADE MAN : “Her father, eh? That doesn’t make any dif- ference—with him. He’s stuck on her as sure as you live. I thought you knew that.” “T never dreamed of such a thing.” “Well, you watch him, if he’s in, the next time she comes here to see you, for that’s what brings , her down here.” _“Oh, nonsense! weekly allowance.” “Of course. I know that; but she manages to hang around your desk just the same, as if yo. were the only thing on earth that attracted her.” “Come off, Bart Foster,” replied Jack, with a flushed face. “No, I won’t come off. It’s the truth. Don’t you s’pose I’ve got eyes? She’s a corking pretty girl, all right—golden. brown hair,.a mouth like’ a rosebud, two eyes that sparkle like a pair of sapphires, a figure——” ; “Bart, you’re wasting your time. If Mr. Spen- cer should tome in now and catch you he’d——” _ “He'll do nothing. Ain’t I busy looking over his invoices?” said Foster, with a chuckle, holding up a bundle of documents, “to see which ones I haven’t copied yet into my book?” “The nd of my desk isn’t the place for you to do that. You’ve got a desk of your own.” “Oh, all right. “I'll go there if you don’t want me here.” “J didn’t say that I don’t want you here. She comes here to get her Tm glad of a chance to talk to you, but I don’t want - to see you get into trouble with the boss.” “The boss!” exclaimed Bart, with a sneer. “I don’t recognize him as my boss. Mr. Fairchild is senior partner. He’s a gentleman, while Spencer —oh, lor’! Here he comes now,” and Foster flew to his.desk and got very busy as Gideon Spencer came into the office, and after'a sharp glance into the counting-room walked over to his private room. Mr. Spencer looked over his mail and then rang for his stenographer, a pretty young lady named Mamie Dunn, who had a desk in a sunny corner of the counting-room, and who, to tell the. exact truth, didn’t like Gideon Spencer for a cent. | Neither did the three or four men employed in © the warehouse adjoining the office like Mr. Spen- ~ cer either, so it is easy to understand that he was by no means a popular personage in the establish- os ¥

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~ 2 : ON TiS “MERITS es en ment. The only one who seemed to side in with the junor partner was his nephew, Morris Abbott, who occupied the post of warehouse clerk, and he was often seen in confidential conversation with Mr. Spencer. Morris was a disagreeable, unheal- thy-looking boy of about eighteen. He hated poth Jack and Bart, and disliked Mamie Dunn, because they both stood high in the esteem of Mr. Fairchild, the head of the house. He was ex tremely anxious to get into the counting-room himself, and was constantly after his uncle onthe subject. Finally Mr. Spencer promised to give Fairchild, the head of the house. He was ex- euse for discharging Foster. As Morris made no secret of his hostility to the counting-room “em- ployees it is quite natural to believe that he was not well liked in return. Bart threatened to punch his head. more than once,-and Morris had dared him to doit, which would have brought on a scrap between them only for Jack, who persuaded Bart to hold off, as he was afraid-Mr. Spencer would sustain his nephew and bounce: Foster. Morris played the spy on the office employees whenever he could, which was not near as often as he would have wished, because his duties kept him almost constantly in and around the ware- house. The firm did a very fair shipping trade on Lake Erie, between Buffalo, Cleveland and Toledo. The house had been long established under the name of Fairchild & Garrison, and bore a good reputation. Mr. Garrison, now dead two years, had married Mr. Fairchild’s sister, and was the father of Edna Garrison, who was quite an heiress in her way. ‘Soon after Mr. Garrison’s death the surviving and senior partner employed Mr. Gideon Spencer as a kind of general manager in the business. Spencer was a shrewd and cleyer man and played his cards so wel that Mr. Fairchild soon began to regard him“as a valuable addition to the house. At the expiration of his first year of service he intimated to Mr. Fairchild that he was con- sidering an offer from a Chicago firm that carried with it the promise of an ultimate interest in the business. Mr. Fairchild, not wishing to part with him, offered him a quarter interest in the ship- ping business on favorable terms. As this was just what Mr. Spencer was after, he closed with the proposition, and his name was thereafter printed in small letters in one corner, while Mr. Fairchild’s appeared in the other, just above the name of the old firm, which was not changed, on all the stationery used by the house. About the time that Spencer was admitted to the firm Mr. Fairchild was taken seriously ill and had to go to Florida with his wife. This left the new junior partner in control of the business, and the very first thing he did was to get rid of the young warehouse clerk and put his nephew, Morris Ab- ‘hott, in the place. : ee CHAPTER 11 —Mr. Spencer’s Visitor. Mamie Dunn was closeted quite a while with Mr. Spencer, for he had quite a good many let- _ ters to dictate that morning. Finally Mamie came out and went to her desk, and soon her typewriter { Serene ee aie tes oe “I had all I could do to square myself. ; e : was ‘clicking merrily away. After a while Mr. Spencer came into the counting-room, gave Jac some instructions, and then he went into the ware- : house. In half an hour he returned and called Bart into. his private office. The boy emerged in’ | a few minutes with a red face and perturbed man- -ner.., Cd “What do you think?” he said, going up to Jack’s desk. “That little sneak, Morris Abbott, saw me when I arrived this morning, and he has told Spencer that I-came half an hour late.” “The dickens he did,” replied Mason, with a look _ of sympathy. “What did Mr. Spencer say to you?” “He was going to fire me right off the reel, and ‘ I ain’t. sure yet how it will turn out.” “Tt’s a shame,” said Jack. “Tt’s an outrage. I’ve half a mind to go right into the warehouse and knock the suspenders off — Abbott.” “Don’t you do-it,” interposed Jack, hastily. “That would ruin all your chances of holding on — to your job. It’s my opinion that Abboott wants ~ your place, and is doing all he can to queer you.” At that-moment a swarthy-looking man. with earrings in his ears, entered the room. That he was a. Mexican Jack saw at a glance. He walked up to the little opening in the brass partition, — favored Mason with an impudent kind of leer, and then asked if Gideon Spencer was in. rates “Yes, he’s in,” replied Jack, wondering what — business this fellow could have with the junior — partner. “Hal Very.good. I want to see him.” ‘ “What’s your name and your business?” — “My name—ha! It is Manuel Fernandez. My beesness—that I shall myself explain to him.” ~ “Bart,” called out Jack. “Tell Mr. Spencer there is a man here who wants to see him on © business. His name is Manuel Fernandez.” “Y will not trouble the young senor to announce ~~ me. “I walk in myself,” said the Mexican. “Hold on,” teplied Bart. “You can’t.do that. -— I’ve got to tell Mr. Spencer first.” & “Caramba!”’ exclaimed the Mexican, fiercely, — seizing Bart by the arm and whirling him around. “Take yourself out of the way or I do te you what — you shall not like.” Bart was paralyzed, and be- fore he could interfere further Fernandez strode into the private office unannounced. Mr. Spencer — a was. seated at his desk, busily rummaging the drawers and pigeonholes, and there was an anxi- | ous, worried look on his face. 5 “Where could I have misplaced those papers?” he asked himself, resting his elbow on the desk and supporting his forehead with his index finger. — “Tf they were to get into anybody's hands who un- derstands their significance, I’d be ruined. -It is. evident that they’re not in my desk, as I supposed — they were. I must have taken them home, though © I do not recollect having done so. Bah! What a fool I am to excite myself with vague fears! Tl take a glass of whisky. That will pull me to- gether. He pulled out one of the lower drawers, from which he produced a bottle and a glass, and filling the latter half full of the amber-colore liquor drank it. down and replaced the articles. . that moment Manuel Fernandez pushed his way into the room. Mr. Spencer turned around at the

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sound and his face changed color as he noticed _ who his visitor was. ; “Well, Fernandez, what brings you here?” he asked gruffly. “And how came you to walk in unannounced?” “What shall bring me here, Senor Spencer?” observed the Mexican, after blowing several rings of sntoke from his lips. “What you suppose ?— money?” “T am not aware that I owe you anything, Fer- nandez,” replied Spencer coldly: : “Tt is a short memory you have, senor. It is not so long ago—six, seven months, perhaps— that you did arrange with me to sail the schooner Neptune “4d ; “You needn’t go any further. I did make an arrangement with you to sail the Neptune from the port of Buffalo to the port of Toledo. The vessel was lost somewhere in mid-lake. Well, you were liberally paid for your part in the transac- _ tion, were you not?” . “That is as it may be,” replied Fernandez, blow- | ing out more rings of smoke. “I was what you call it strapped at the time and did not make so good a bargain as I could have wished. I held my- self too cheap considering the—ha!—risk.” “Well, I am not responsible for that. I named the price I would pay. You accepted. It was a business transaction between us.” “Si It was a business transaction, as you call it, but not one such as shall bear the light. The Neptune was a rotten craft; you loaded her with a worthless cargo; you did insure both at, shall we say, twenty times its value; then you fixed matters with me to wreck her somewhere between this place and Toledo. Is it not so? Was it not all arranged that you might swindle the in- surance companies?” “Foy heaven’s sake, not so loud, Fernandez!” exclaimed Mr. Spencer, in a panic, “Why have you come here to rake that matter up? It is over and J hope—forgotten.” ; : “fT have a good memory and do not so easily ~ forget, senor. After I reported the loss of the schooner I had to go before what you call the ° Board of Underwriters and make under oath a statement, I do not remember that I was paid for so doing.” * “Tt was part of our arrangement, and a duty - you could not very well escape without ‘bringing | suspicion on yourself.” “J wnderstand, senor,” replied the Mexican, pre- paring and lighting a fres cigarette. “You got your money, eh?” = * “Phat is a matter that need not concern you, replied Spencer, sourly. + “But it does concern me, senor. I have called to make what you call the touch. Understand? _ I want the mazuma.” : “Tt is not my custom to pay twice for the same service,” replied Spencer. x “No? Perhaps in this case you will make an exception.” : “Why should 1?” ; “Because I want the money.” : : “tT do not admit that fact as a sufficient reason.’ = “Then suppose, senor, that a hint, shall I say, 3 of the truth should reach the ears of the Board of Inderwriters? What then?” 4 Rie “Would you betray my confidence, you ras—— ¢ ON HIS MERITS Giga Sas The Mexican shrugged his shoulders and smiled shrewdly. Mr. Spencer wiped the perspiration from his forehead, “T understand your purpose. You came here to bleed me. To levy blackmail.” “Call it what you will, senor,’ replied the Mexican carelessly. “It is necessary that I have the price to live. There is no one to whom I can make the touch but you. What say you, senor?” “How much do you want?” asked the junior partner, desperately. * “How much? Ha! Now you are talking. I see we shall come together. Suppose I say one thousand dollars? It is not too much, eh?” \ “A thousand furies!” cried Spencer, angrily. “T’l] give You one hundred.” “Tt shall not be enough, senor. what. you call a flea-bite. I want what shall let me spread myself. You understand?” Mr. : Spencer understodd, but did not take kindly to the suggestion. : “T will raise the ante to——”' At that moment there came a knock on the door. It would be CHAPTER III.—The Beginning of the Plot. . ” a ; S Come in,” said Mr. Spencer. Jack Mason -entered with a filled-in printed form in his hand. : “Will you please -put your signature to this, sir?” asked the young cashier. The junior partner took the paper, glanced over it, and then signing it without a word handed it back to Mason, who im- mediately retired. The brief appearance of Jack Mason in the room seemed to have made a change in Mr. Spencer’s thoughts. i “Did you take note of that boy, Fernandez?” ~ he asked the Mexican. “Si, senor. He is a smart boy, is he not? What you call a comer.” ; “He is a viper! You understand? A viper!” “T do not quite understand, senor,” said Fer- nandez, rolling his third cigarette. “A viper, as I know it, is some kind of reptile—a snake. In what way shall this boy resemble——” : “Suppose a viper crossed your path, Fernandez, bs ee should you do?” said Spencer in a tense “T’d crush it with my foot,” replied the Mexican calmly. “Of course you would. Well, that boy who just came in here is as hateful and dangerous to me as the reptile I have named.” Fernandez seemed to comprehend his meaning, for a peculiar smile crossed his features as he struck a match and lit the cigarette. re “T am going to remove him from my path at once. I may perhaps require your services in this matter if a little scheme I have hatched up fails me. Can I depend on you? ae senor, if you will pay me well.” ‘{ will make it worth your while, depend on it; but I hope it may not be necessary to call on you.” “As you please, senor. But this thousand I asked for? You will hand it over?” i “I will give you $500 now. If I have to use you in connection with this boy I will call on you and talk business. Where can I find you?” Fernan- Aah 4 * x= =

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— a 4 ON HIS dez mentioned an address where he could be found and Mr. Spencer noted it down. “When shall I hear from you, senor?” “To-morrow, or next day, perhaps,” “T will take the five hundred,” said the Mexican, “slowly, ‘on account.” The junior partner made ' no remark, but leaving his seat went into the -counting-room and asked Jack for $500 in bills. He returned with the money and handed it to his visitor.” “Do, not come here any more,” he said. “It might cause suspicion. .I will call on you if I find it necessary.” “Tf you do not come I shall want the other five ~ hundred—remember.” Thus speaking the Mexi- ean got*up, nodded to the shipper and then left the office and the building. . “Now to put my little scheme into execution that I hope will end in the utter ruin of the old man’s favorite—Jack Mason,” said the junior ~. partner to himself. _He has presumed to turn his eyes on Fairchild’s niece, and she, dazzled, no doubt, by his good looks, youth and prospects, re- ceives his attentions with favor, while she turns a cold shoulder on me. But I am not to be - thwarted. She holds the balance of power in this business, and through her I mean to succeed to the management. Fairchild is an old man. His- health is broken and he cannot long survive. It is up to me to make the best use of my opportuni- ties. With the old man out of the way in Florida, - YT ought to be able to shape matters so that in the ee end success will be mine..He that has the brain ~ to contrive and the will to execute should be able to overcome every obstacle that lies in his path. “Therefore I fancy I shall not fail. I think I ean depend on my nephew, Morris. He hates both of those boys—especially Foster, whom he seeks to displace. He ought.to be an easy tool. I will send for him now. He shall bait the trav.” Mr. Spen- - eer touched a bell on his desk and Bart responded. “Tell Morris that I want to see him in my of- - fice. : _™Yes, sir,” replied Foster. He paused for a moment beside Jack’s desk. “The boss has sent me for Morris,” he said, with an anxious expression on his face. “Do you s’pose - it has anything to do with me?” “Oh, I guess not,” replied Jack. “Don’t cross a - bridge before you come to it, Bart.” Bart then ‘went into the warehouse and told Morris Abbott that his uncle wanted to see him in his private office. Morris recived the summons with a grin of satisfaction, and bestowing a triumphant look of - malice on Foster he-started for the office. Morris _ entered the private office and took the chair lately ~ vacated by Manuel Fernandez. “You sent for me, Uncle Gideon.” . “¥ did. I want you to go down to the wharf - of the Buffalo, Cleveland & Toledo Steamship Line and buy a through ticket for Toledo. Here is the - money to pay for it.” Abbott’s face showed his _ disappointment. He thought his uncle had called, him in to tell him that he had decided to discharge ° _ Bart Foster at the end of the week, and he was ‘to take Bart’s desk. ~ “Don’t lose any time in: getting the ticket, and - bring it right in here. I have something to say to you.” Abbott’s face cleared. “Bring a time-table back with you, and remem- x . ‘back at your back.” 4; MERITS" ber, don’t show the ticket nor open your mouth on the subject to anybody. Understand?” Z All right, uncle,” replied Morris. The twelve- o’clock whistle was blowing when he got back and reported to Mr. Spencer in his office, laying the steamboat ee om, his desk, ow, Morris, I’ve got something to say t you,” said his uncle, regarding the ae with Bxed attention. “You don’t like Bart Foster, do you?” “I hate him,” replied Morris, venomously. I suppose you would be willing to do me a favor if I agreed to give you Foster’s place?” “Sure I would,” responded Morris, looking at his nde fs some surprise. ; You haven’t any .special Jiki either, have you?” - pe SP ah “Not much,” replied Morris, promptly. “T hate ~ ee ,too. aoe for Foster right Biode : ey re as good as chums. I wish th out of here.” Bama os “S06 do: -3,”" Mason.” “Do you?” exclaimed Morris, wondering what was coming. A answered the uncle. “Especially “Yes, Mason is a thorn in my side.” “Is he? Then why don’t you fire him? You’re the boss.” f “T have a scheme, and I want you to help me paises . out. Will you? Tt will be greatly to your interest. “Sure I will.” ' “I hope to come into complete control of this business one day, and then there will be nothing to prevent you from working yourself up to the post that Mason now holds. You will have me ‘ This was a glittering bait, ” and Morris snapped at it eagerly. 3 ae “You know where the boys hang their coats, | don’t you, near the washroom?” “Yes,” nodded Abbott. _ “Take this ticket and slip it into one of the inside pockets of Mason’s coat. Take care no one sees you.” “Tl do it,” grinned Morris, taking the steam- se “Going to charge boat ticket he had purchased. him with stealing it?” ‘ re “No. I’ve a better’scheme than that. Tell Ma- son, as you go out, that I want to see him.” “All right.” “Wait a moment. I’ll make your job easy for you. Send Miss Dunn in also, and tell Foster to run up to the stationer’s and get me a quire of foolscap. That will leave the counting-room empty enough for you to do the trick.” Morris chuckled gleefully and went outside. Presently-both Jack and the stenographer entered the private office. Bart also departed on his mission. _“I wonder- what Uncle Gid’s scheme is?” Mor-— ris asked himself as he made his way to the place where Jack’s coat now hung alone against the wall. I’m dead glad he intends to get Mason out of the way. I never liked him for a cent. He’s too stuck up to suit me, and he takes Foster’s — part all the time. when they are gone, and I won’t have to work so hard and will get more money. I’d.like to see ~ Mason hauled up on the charge of stealing this — ticket,” he continued as he deliberately dropped it into Jack’s pocket. “He'd get a year in jail for ; I'll have things my own way efi

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ON HIS it at least, and that would give me lots of satis- faction. What’s this he’s got in his pocket? Blamed if it ain’t Miss Garrison’s picture. Where did he get it? I don’t believe that she——” “Has Mr. Mason gone to lunch?” asked a sweet voice alomst behind him at that moment. Morris jumped nearly a foot with consternation, and as he turned hastily around he jammed the photo-. graph into his pocket. » CHAPTER IV.—Jack Mason and Edna Garrison. His eyes rested on a vision of loveliness at- tired in a gown of navy-blue cloth. .. “M—Miss Garrison!” gasped Abbott, Sith a face as red as a boiled lobster. “Yes. Why, what’s the matter? frightened.” “N—no, I—I ain’t frightened. I was just lookin’ for somethin’, that’s all,” he replied. “Well, you didn’t answer my question. Has Mr. _ Mason gone to lunch?” “No miss. He’s in with my uncle.” ? “Very well. Vl sit down and wait. Where is Miss Dunn?” : : “She’s in the private room, too. They’ll be out in a minute. I’m in a hurry,” and he made a break for the door of the warehouse, through which he disappeared like a shot. Z “How funny that boy acted,” mused Miss Ed- ; na 'Garrison. .“One. would almost fancy he was -. doing something he was ashamed of. He looked guilty, and, oh my! how he jumped when I first spoke to him. I wonder if that is Jack’s coat? I ‘* am almost sure he took something out of one of | the pockets and put it in his own. I must speak to Jack about this. At that moment Bart rushed in with the package of foolseap, and Jack and Mamie came out from the private room. The girls smiled and shook hands, and Mamie went to her desk and prepared to go out to her lunch. “Bart, having delivered the paper to Mr. Spencer, put on his hat preparatory to accompanying the stenographer. “This is a delightful surprise, Miss Edna,” said Mason, going up to Miss Garrison and taking her by the hand. “Ts it?” she laughingly replied. people delightful surprises.’ - “J am very glad to see you. Your presence here is like a sunbeam in a coal mine.’ “How complimentary you are, Mr. Mason,” she -- answered blushingly. + "You deserve all the compliments I could pos- -sibly pay you,” replied Jack. “How pretty you look to-day.” “My goodness! Do you want to make me vain?” she asked with a rippling laugh. “TY don’t think anything would make you vain, Miss Edna. - swered. ~ “Well, let us change the subject, please. I got a letter ‘from my uncle this’ morning. He’s on his way back to, Buffalo.” 5° You: don’t say!” exclaimed Jacke ina pleased ‘voice. Mr. Spencer said nothing to me about it.” >. And “you mustn't mention a a OES, about 3 Sol You look “T like to give You are too sensible a girl,” he an- MERITS é aes er it to him. I’m afraid there’s something wrong.” “What is the trouble?” = “Uncle didn’t explains He only told me to be — sure and not tell anyone except you, and that you : were to keep the ‘news to yourself.” -“J wonder what’s in the wind?” “Well, aunty wrote me also, and she said that uncle had received intelligence. from a business — friend in this city which refiects upon some busi- ness transaction in which Mr. Spencer was en- paged before he became a partner in this house. ft seems*he bought a schooner called the Neptune to carry a load of dry goods and other merchan-— dise he had bought on speculation to Toledo. The “vessel and cargo were heavily. insured, which was fortunate, as she was lost while making the trip. The money he got from the insurance companies he paid for interest in this business. Now it ap- pears that there is a suspicion that all was not — right about the vessel and her cargo.” “You astonish me, Miss Edna,” said Jack. ; “Well, Jack—I mean, Mr. Mason,” she corrected herself with a vivid blush—“I don’t assert there —_— was anything wrong, mind you; I only said that — a@ suspicion exists in some quarter that the transaction was, shall I*say irregular. At any rate uncle is coming back to investigate matters — for he is jealous naturally lest the reputation-of — the firm of Fairchild & Garrison should suffer ~ through any personal act of Mr. Spencer’s.” =e “And how is Mr. Fairchild’s health? He must be better to risk this trip north?” “He is much better I am thankful to say. Ine deed, aunt thinks that he is almost himself again.” _ “y am mighty glad to hear that, for, to say the -_ truth, Miss Edna, neither Bart nor myself gaat x been in a bed of roses since Mr. Fairchild went South. My. Spencer is not just the kind of boss — that we can get along with.” ees “T don’t wonder gnuch. I don’t like him myself. — He makes me nervous. Why, he paid me a visit — the other evening, and I was on pins and neddles — the whole evening. wt really believe he was trying ; to make love to me.’ ae “Make love to you!” Fae + “Of course I must have been mistaken. but he - was so pointed in his remarks, and he said many ~~ things that really embarrassed me. He said he would call again, though I gave him no encourage- : ment, and he tried to force me to accept an in-? | vitation to the.theatre; but I told him that I never went to-any place with a gentleman unless chap- eroned by my aunt or some particular la vy friend.” z “T am glad you have mentioned that, Miss Ed- na,” said Jack.. “I was just: going to ask you to go te the theater to-morrow evening with me. If you think you could honor me with your company I shal] be glad to get a third ticket for any lady you would like to accompany you.” ae “Oh, it isn’t necessary with you, Jack—I beg. © your pardon, Mr: Mason,” blushing again. “I shall ~ be glad to’go with you alone. I shall feel perfectly — safe with you. You are almost like one of the family.” “Thank you, Miss Edna,” Jack said, seizing one ~ of her hands and pressing it to his lips. At that’ moment Mr. Spencer entered the counting-root L and saw the action : ee e

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“CHAPTER V.—In Which Two Persons Ask a Mo- mentous Question with Different Results. The junior partner’s eyes flashed ominously as he advanced toward the young people. “Good afternoon, Miss Garrison,” he said, fore- ing as pleasant a smile as possible upon his fea- tures. Jack and Edna both turned a slightly startled look upon the acting *head of the estab- lishment. “Don’t let me interrupt you if your conversa- tion is confidential,” said Mr. Spencer, with a tinge of sarcasm in his tones; “but when you are quite through, Mr. Mason, I should like you to take this check to the bank and cash it.” “Tl take it now, sir,” replied Jack, moving away from the young lady. Spencer held the check out to him, which he took. j “Probably V’ll see you-when [ return, Miss Ed- na,” said the boy, after changing his office jacket for his street one and pausing near her, hat in hand. “T hope so,” she answered with a smile. “I ex- pect to remain a little while.” Jack bowed and left. the office. ss “Will you. walk into my private office, Miss Garrison?” said Mr. Spencer, when they were alone, waving his hand toward his sanctum. ~ “Thank you, Mr. Spencer, but I can sit here -yust as well,” she answered calmly. The junior partner looked at her in a way she didn’t like. “J have something of great importarice to say to you,’ he went on, after a pause. “To me!” she exclaimed in surprise. -*And why not? Is it singular that I should wish to speak with the one woman who is more to me than all else in the world?” “Mr. Spencer!” ejaculated Edna, rising in her embarrassment. “Don’t go, Miss Garrison,” and the junior part- ner, seizing her hand and detaining her. “Forgive me for being so abrupt, but it is my way and I can’t help it. I want to tell you what I have been whispering to myself for many weeks—ever since I first met you, in fact. Only three words, yet they mean more to me than any other words in the language—lI love you. I want you to be my wife. ‘Do you understand me, Miss—Edna?” “Of course I appreciate the honor you do me by making this proposal, but I wish to say that it is quite impossible that I ever can be your wife.” “Impossible!” he ejaculated, trying to hide his intense disappointment. “Quite impossible, Mr. Spencer,” she repeated, ‘decidedly. “I hope——” _.. “Do you mean to say that you care for some- body else?” he demanded, suddenly grasping her by the wrist. “Is it true, then, that—that this boy, Jack Mason, has dared to aspire to you— no, no, I’ll not believe he has had the impertinence to" “Mr. Spencer, release my hand, please!” cried Edna, rising indignantly. “Not till you answer me,” he said, rising also, -and holding her firmly. © “I will suffer no than, or boy, to come between us. I would kill him first!” he hissed. : : “Are you. out of your senses, sir? Let me ON HIS MERITS to Edna. bee 4 , ae “ = “I say you shall tell me,”. he continued, almost — fiercely. “Do you care for him?” “You have no right to ask such a question. Please release my. hand,” trying to free herself. “You are hurting me.” ; : “T say IT have a right, and I will know,” he said, tensely, not noticing the entrance of the young cashier at that moment with a roll of money in his fingers. “I swear——” “I beg your pardon, Mr. Spencer,” said Jack, quietly, stepping up to him, “aren’t you forgetting yourself ?” , : ; The man and the boy eyed each other steadily for a moment, then the junior partner released Edna’s wrist and said, in a threatening tone: es. jl sha’n’t forget you, young man, depend on a 72 Tie, Jack took no notice of the remark, but held out the roll of bills. $ “Here is the money you sent me to. the bank 4 for, sir,” he said, politely. : Mr. Spencer took the bills and turned to his ; desk, while Jack and Edna left the room. =e “I’m so glad you came, Jack—I mean——” the . — girl began impulsively when they were in the counting-room. = : She was flushed and excited, and there were tears in her eyes. : Fi Ne “You mean Jack, don’t you?” he asked, with a_ smile. << . “Yes, yes, of course,” in some confusion. “Dimas so glad you-—” aes “Came. I know. I’m glad myself. ‘No man, even if he is my employer, shall be. rude to you ‘im my presence,” he said emphatically. epee: “You are very kind to say so,” she replied “softly. CNY, : “Kind! Nonsense! Did he hurt you? Your. wrist is all inflamed,” he said, taking her hand gently in his. “What a pretty hand you have?” “Oh!” she cried, drawing her hand away quickly. qi “What was the trouble between you and Mr. Spencer?” “Nothing,” she replied hastily, with some em- barrassment. © ; \ thus? I hope not, for I would not offend yo for all the world.” “No, no, you have not offended me, Jack, . I know you mean all ‘right, and I am very, ve grateful to you for relieving me from that man a bi a oe : ibe “IT could not stand by you and see anyon you roughly, Edna. I beg your pardon, T have. no right to be so familiar, but—I can’t help it. You seem almost a sister to me. I wish you were, for 2 have nobody in all the world to care for “Nobody?” in a low tone. : ita “T mean in that way. I am an orphan, vi know, and have had to work my own Pie ee world unaided.” = “And you have done so merits.” “Thank you for that encourageme I appreciate it more from your nobly, Jack—on

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ON HIS from anyone else on earth. You have been very ind to me. I am not exactly your social equal—” “What nonsense, Jack!” exclaimed Edna, with much animation. “I think more highly of you than any boy I have ever——” She stopped in some confusion. a5; “Do you really?” he asked eagerly: “Do you - really like me—that is, do you—what I mean Is x “Now, Jack, you know I like you. You know—” “Yes, I know you think something of me, but Se wish—I wish that 1 was rich,” he blurted out. » “Rich!” she exclaimed. “Yes. Then maybe I’d stand a show of—of— winning you for my. wife some day,” he said, ~ desperately. “Oh, Jack!” she replied, looking down, but with- out taking her hand away. “3 “Do you think I’d stand a show, then?” he '. persisted, eagerly. She did not answer. “Ts there any show for me, anyhow?” he went - on, impetuously. “I do love you, Edna. help telling you so, to save my life. If there isn’t any chance for me I'll not bother you anv more, I'll try to—to forget you, though I don’t think that I ever can do that.” - “¥ don’t want you to forget me, Jack,” she said, looking up with x shy smile. : “And may I hope that some day—in the future, you jsnow—you will learn to love me as I love you? “No, Jack.” “No!” hé exclaimed, dropping her haat, “No, you foolish boy. because—because I love - you already with all my heart.” “Edna!” He grabbed her unresistingly | in his arms sod _ pressed a kiss upon her lips. At that moment - Bart Foster and Mamie entered the room. ~ _ “Oh,. lor?!” exclaimed Bart, “let’s sneak, _ Mamie.” _ The pretty stenographer burst into a rippling greatest confusion. CHAPTER VI.—Arrested. “Mamie went to her desk and she and Bart turn- ed their backs on Jack and Edna. i > “It’s my lunch hour,” said Mason. “will you “accompany me to a restaurant, “Edna ?” “If you wish me to,” she replied, demurely. > - “fF shall be glad to have you go along,” he said. Then, turning to Foster, who seemed to be great- ly interested in Mamie, he said: “Break away, Bart. Mr. Spencer is in his room and may come out at any moment and catch you.” ~ Bart took the hint and went to his desk as Jack and Edna left the building. It was well he did | so, for the junior partner came out a moment ater with his hat on. Foster glanced furtively t him, and thought he looked uncommonly ugly. “I’m going to lunch, Foster,” he growled. “While ’m away I want you to move my desk and ge up the Shipping Register that fell behind . “All right, sir. ll do it right away,” said 3 promptly, making a bee-line for the private — “He looks mad Lagutrdats to smake tt nes I can’t “Jaugh, and Jack and Edna broke apart in the_ MERITS | Re, x : + ee mighty unpleasant for the rest of the _afternoon,” Liat muttered the lad as he grabbed the junior part-- ner’s desk and swung one end out from the wall. “T wish Mr. Fairchild would come back. He’d put the squeegee on Morris Abbott?s underhand efforts to get me bounced. Gee! What a lot of dust there’s back of this desk. It’s a wonder . the porter wouldn’t clean it out once in a while,” he added, as he picked up the Shipping Register. “There’s something else here, too. It’s a package of papers. I suppose they slipped off Spencer’s , desk, too. J’ll pick them up, anyway. If they’re no good, he can five them into the waste-paper basket. Maybe_I’d better look at them first. He might roast me for laying worthless documents on his desky and I don’t want to give him another excuse for—hello! What’s this? Bills of lading —invoices—letters — memorandums — all about Spencer’s schooner, the Neptune, which he sent out. on his own hook just before he came into.» ~ the firm, and which foundered somewhere in the lake between here and Toledo. He collected the — insurance on her and the transaction is a thine . of the past. I guess he doesn’t want ‘these any more. .If he did he wouldn’t have let them lie there all covered with dust. He’d have got me to fish them out same as the Shipping Register. Vl look over them by and by and see what kind of stuff he had aboard that vessel.” f 3 Bart shoved the package into his pocket and ~ returned to his desk. In a few minutes-he ran against a snag in his work that only Jack could _Straighten out for him, and after glancing at the clock and calculating that Mason would be back shortly-he decided to stop and satisfy his — curiosity concerning the package of documents. he had found behind the junior partner’s desk. So he took them out:and started to overhaul them: In a moment or two his features began to ex- press the greatest astonishment. ‘ ; “Great Scott! Am I awake or what? Forty ~ eases of cotton and sawdust, marked X. Y. Z., shipped as real Valenciennes lace, value, $15, 000; thirty cases old books and newspapers, “marked — Q., shipped as watered silks, value, $10,000; eighteen’ cases old rags, marked—Gee! What does this all mean?” said Bart, much bewildered. — ” “Maybe these letters will explain?” Sa: The first letter was a scrawl, signed by Manuel _ Fernandez, accepting the offer of the command of _the schooner Neptune. The second was also from — Fernandez, in which the Mexican stated he had — secured a crew of men who, for a suitable in- F 2 ducement, could be depended on to keep dark | about anything that might happen to the Nep- tune. The third and last letter was a startler, and explained matters so that even Bart under- stood the whole scheme. Fernandez said that the cargo was all aboard the schooner and that he was ready to sail as soon as Spencer sent him a certain stated sum — of money. He said that Spencer could make his ~— mind easy about the Neptune—she would founder __ somewhere between Cleveland and Toledo, and that no one would ever know that the cargo was not as stated on the regular invoices. “Well,” breathed Bart, “if that isn’t the be gest skin I ever heard of. A regular swindlé. — A get-rich-quick-and- -easy method of doing uD ae the insurance companies. And Spencer is behind ‘the racket. I s’pose that’s how he got the fundn- to bay an interest in Hus business. Asan hardly

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2S | ON HIS MERITS e believe the evidence of my eyes. Why,. with these documents in my possession [ can cause him ab- solute ruin. How shall I act? I must show them to Jack first. He’ll be able to suggest a line of action.” : Bart returned the papers to his pocket and rubbed his hands gleefully, At that moment Mr. Spencer. returned. \ “Where’s Mason?” he asked angrily. “Hasn’t he got back from his lunch yet?” “No, sir,” replied Bart. “Send him into my room when he comes in.” A few minutes afterward Jack. came in an was about to change his coat when Bart told him that Mr. Spencer wanted to see him at once. -“T guess he’s going to give you a hauling over for staying out so long,” added Foster. Mason laughed and started for the private office. Evidently he didn’t seem to worry much about what the junior partner might have to say to him. - “Mason,” said Mr. Spencer, “I’m going out, for T have an imvortant engagement to keep. Now, ‘I expect a collector to call here from the firm of Green & Patton, to whom I’m indebted for the sum of $2,000. A personal account. I would have drawn a check to their order, but they phoned me that they would prefer the cash. Here is the money. Count it, please, and see that it is correct.” ees j Jack did so and replied that it was right. “All right. Now I'll place the money in this drawer and lock it. Here is the key. When the collector comes you can get it and pay him, Understand ?” i Ves sin? : : “That's all,” said the junior partner, getting up and putting on his hat. “I don’t expect to be back for a couple of hours.” ee Jack returned to his desk, changed his jacket. and started to work. | “Look here, Jack,” said to show vou.” “What is it?” “Tt will simply knock you silly when I show—” “Woster;” said the voice of Mr. Spencer at that’ moment, “I want you to go up the street with ” Bart,. “I’ve something ““ANl right, sir.” said Bart, reaching for his hat. “Pl tell you about that matter when I get back,” he whisvered to Mason, as he passed him. Mr. Spencer and Bart left the office together. “More than an hour passed and Bart did not re- turn. Quite a number of persons passed in and out on business with the firm, while Mamie con- tinued to rattle away at her typewriter. At length Morris came to the door and glanced in. There wers no callers in the room at the time. He stepped back and made a signal to some one. - Presently a young man walked in with a quick, - business-like step, and stepped up to the window. “yea bill here against Mr. Spencer for $2,000,” he said to Jack. “From Green & Patton?” asked the young cashier. _ ‘ “That’s right.” x, “Let me see it, please,” replied Jack. The caller presented it. “ATL right. Receipt it and I’ll get you the “money,” said Mason, going toward the private office, which he entered and proceeded to unlock, the drawer of the desk. \ ne M@he kev didn’t seem to work well for some ‘we supposed him to be, is neither more nor less — reason, and Jack wondered what was the matter with it. While he was thus engaged the collector, — singular to relate, hastily left the office without — the money. A moment or two afterward Mr. — Spencer entered the place, accompanied by a shrewd-lookinge man. - Es “You see, Mr. Sharpley,” he was saying, “I~ have missed money from the private drawer of — my desk om several occasions. I did not suspect — this young Mason at all, for he stands high ns Mr. Fairchild’s confidence, and it seemed absurd to associate him with such petty robberies; but — I put my nephew on the watch, and he has dis- — covered enough to convince me that our cashier, — instead of being the model, virtuous young man ~ than a common thief. My nephew has found out © that he purchased a ticket this morning for a first-class passage on the steamer Lake Erie, of the Buffalo, Cleveland: & Toledo Line, which sails at half-past four. Why should he have done this unless he means to leave the town? As he hasn’t — notified us of his intention to go anywhere, it — looks as if he’s going to do it on the quiet.” “Tt cert.inly. does not speak well for him.” — replied the man, who was a detective. “Where — is he now?” ae “At his desk, I suppose. Why, no, he isn’t. I hope he hasn’t given us the slip. And that re- minds me. I left $2,000 in the private drawer of — my desk to pay a private account of mine, and as I was afraid the collector might call while I was out I left the key of the drawer with Mason, so that he could get the money if the man called for it. Sy “What! You did this in the face of your sus- ‘picions?” asked the detective, in surprise. = “T had not at that time been put in possession — of the evidence against him. The moment my nephew convinced me of Mason’s crookedness I hurried to the police station for a detective, and you were selected to accompany me. I fear now the boy has taken adantage of my confidence. abstracted the money from the drawer, and al sconded. His absence from his desk is suspicious © at this hour of the day.” “Then you’d better look in your drawer a once and see whether the money is still there o not,” advised the officer. “You’re right. Come on, sir,” and the junio partner led the wav toward his private office. ~ Throwing open the door they saw Jack, w had at last succeeded in opening the drawer, tal ing the bundle of; money out of it. — , “We’ve caught him in the act, thank goodnes: ejaculated Mr. Spencer. “Officer, do you dut ‘As Mason looked up in surprise the detect) advanced and grasped him by the arm. “You are my prisoner, young man, tersely. ae “Your prisoner!” gasped Jack, in wonder. “What do you mean?” ; “J mean that you are under arrest.” “Under arrest! On what charge?” ~~ “Grand larceny, I should think, as the amou ‘of money you were in the act of stealing amount: I understand, to $2,000.” sk The detective deftly slipped a pair of h cuffs on Jack’s wrists. The boy was! si paralyzed. <4 ay \ ;

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ON HIS if ‘CHAPTER VII. —The Unmasking of the Junior AR Partner. “What does this mean, Mr. Spencer?” asked © lack, utterly at a loss to understand what the terrible situation meant. “Why am I arrested?” “The detective has just told you—stealing the _ two thousand dollars from my private drawer.” “Why, you yourself gave me the key to that drawer ,and told me to take the money and pay Green & Patton’s collector when he called,” re- plied the partly dazed boy. é “That is quite true; but perhaps you’ll explain why you are taking the money before he turns up?” said Mr. Spencer. _. “Before he turns up! waiting for it.” ¢ ' “Oh, he is?” replied Mr. Spencer, with a sar- _donic smile. “Yes, sir. came in. He presented his bill five minutes ago.” “He did, eh? Well, Mr. Sharpley is a witness that the room was perfectly empty when we came in. Am I not right, sir? le “You certainly are, sir,” answered the detec- tive. “You mean to say that there was not a sandy- _ featured young man standing by my window just now?” ' “That’s just what I do mean. Now, look here, Mason, I think this farce has gone far enough. I accuse you of stealing various petty sums of oes money from that drawer at different times dur- ing the last three months.” “You make such an accusation against me, sir? 2” oasped the astounded lad. “T do. I have proof of it.” : “What proof? Why, sir, I have not been in - this room at any time when you were out except the present occasion, when I am acting under your orders.” “T think, Mr. Spencer, that this argument here serves no purpose,” interrupted the detective im- “patiently. “I presume I am to take this young - fellow to the station and lock him up. It will be : necessary for you to come along and make the _ charge in due form.” _ #{ will go, much as I regret the unpleasant necessity,” said the junior partner. “Fetch him outside, It will be necessary to obtain some proof of his intention | ‘to abscond with this and perhaps other moneys.” _ “Abseond!” exclaimed Jack, indignantly. they walked into the counting-room. “It seems to me that you are making a great mis ake in this thing, Mr. Spencer.” “Tt would be well for you, Mason, if I were; Be but I have positive information that you pur- chased a ticket this morning at the office of the _ Buffalo, Cleveland & Toledo | Steamship Line. Se “YT did no such thing, sir.” “You will oblige me, officer, by searching him. coe to my information he ought to have e ticket in his possession.” As the detective proceeded to obey the request ry. Spencer was astounded to see Mr. Fairchild, eollowed by Edna and Bart -Foster, enter the room. oWhy, - Mr. Fairchild, ” exclaimed the junior tner. “this is a ‘great and unexpected sur- Why, he is outside now You must have seen him when you “a S sx E ie as MERITS 9 He walked forward with outstretched hand to - greet his business associate, but the senior part- ner drew back coldly. “T have no doubt it is a great surprise, sir,” he said, “but I think I have a greater one in store.” “J don’t understand, sir,” fited Spencer. » “You will presently, as soon as you have ex- plained the meaning of this scene. Why is that boy handeuffed and being subjected to a search? What has he done?” “Oh, Jack! Jack! What is the matter?” asked Edna, in a tone of undisguised distress, as she walked to his side. “It means, Edna, that I am charged by Mr. Spencer with theft.” “You a thief, Jack! Impossible! You are in- eapable of such a thing. How dare Mr. Spencer accuse you?” she cried indignantly. “T accuse him because I have abundant proof of his guilt,” replied Snencer. “I repeat that Mason is a thief—for” he has abused the con- fidence of his employers.” “T do not believe ~you, sir,” interrupted Mr. Fairchild. ““I have always found this boy per- fectly honest; otherwise I had not raised him to the post of cashier.” “But, sir, the evidence against him seems to be conclusive.” “What evidence?” . “I have missed money from a certain drawer in my desk on several occasions. I set a watch in order to discover the guilty person. This after- noon I was informed by an eyewitness that Mason has been in the habit of visiting my office after I left for the day. This morning the boy was seen to purchase a ticket for either Cleveland or Toledo at the steamboat company’s office——?. “Did you buy such a ticket, Jack?” interrupted Mr. Fairchild. “No, sir. I just told Mr. Spencer that I was not near the company’s offices at ail,” replied Mason, stoutly. : _ “Who told vou that Mason bought a steamboat ticket this morning?” asked Mr. Fairchild sternly. “T will produce my witness in good time, sir,” replied Spencer. “The detective searched him at my request to see if he had the ticket on his | person.” 4 “J have not been able to find it,” officer. “There is his outdoor coat yonder, Mr. ley.' Search that.” ~ Then, to the astonishment of all, Mr. Spencer excepted, the detective came forward with Jack’s coat in one hand and the steamboat ticket in the other. 3 “Here it is—a first-class passage to Toledo, | sir,” he said briskly. “Are you convinced now, Mr. Fairchild, that your favorite clerk is guilty?” said the junior partner, triumphantly. “No, sir, I-am not. It looks ‘to me as if some one has tried to ruin the boy for some purpose - not apparent on the surface.. Did you know that ticket was in your pocket, Jack?” : “No, sir. Its presence astonishes me.” a; “Tt is easy enough for you to deny it but the evidence is against you,” sneered Spencer. o- “Mr. Spencer, will you send Bary, Foster for : “replied the discom- said the Sharp- §: Sete, Feet ae

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10 ON HIS Morris Abbott?” interposed Edna at this point, a sudden recollection asserting. itself. “Why, Miss Garrison?” asked the junior part- * ner, uneasily. ; “Because I wish vou to,” she replied, with some spirit. 2 ee Poster, ask my nephew to step in here,” di- rected Spencer. : : In a moment or two Morris appeared. » “Uncle,” said Edna, in some excitement, “J ac- cuse that boy of putting that steamboat ticket in Jack’s pocket.” : “Miss Garrison!” exclaimed Spencer, ‘turning pale. “On what grounds do you make such a . — vidiculous charge?” _ “When-I entered the office, shortly after twelve, there was no One in the counting-room but Morris Abbott, and he was fumbling around Jack’s coat.” “T wasn’t touchin’ his coat,” snarled Morris, his face going white. : _ “T saw you touch it.. I was almost certair that you took something.out of one of the pockets and put it into your own,” said the girl. “Tt didn’t take nothin’ out of his coat,” blustered Morris: Sica “What made you jump, and look so frightened, when I spoke to you?” ; “7 didn’t take nothin’,” snorted Morris, glancing around as if in search of an opening for escape. “T object to my nephew being subjected to such i an indignity,” sputtered Spencer. “I guarantee his honesty.” ee fe _ “But you had no scruples about having Mason searched,” replied Mr. Fairchild. “What's fair for one is fair for the other. I insist that the boy » pe searched.” : Mr. Sharpley had no objection against obliging the senior partner, so he caught Morris by the arm ~~ and, putting his hand in the lad’s outside pocket, ‘withdrew Edna’s photograph. 2 +. "This seems to be your picture, young lady, he said, holding it up. at “Why, of Gaiae: " gave that to Mr. Mason,” she said? ty “Did you put that steamboat. ticket in Mason’s soe - pocket?” asked Mr. Fairchild of young Abbott, ~*~. whom he had never seen until he entered the room, :f ote tied not aware that the boy was in the firm’s ~ employ. : UN, I didn’t put it in his peeket,” replied Mor- _ pis, sulkily. “I don’t know nothin’ about it.” ; “1 will be responsible for my cashier,” said the old gentleman, with dignity. — 0 this house, and I do not believe that Mason is ' guilty of any crime.” : “All right, sir,” replied the detective, unlocking the handeuffs and returning them to his pocket. “J thank you, Mr. Fairchild, for this expression ‘of vour confidence,” said Jack, gratefully. ~ - “Tut, tut, my boy, I have known you too lonz ~ to suspect you of robbing the house. ~ “J suppose you wish this matter hushed up, Mr. Fairchild,” said Spencer, with a palpable sneer. i out noticing his associate’s remark, “T new hand ou a warrant to execute. You will observe that t’s signed by Judge Daly. eS Sharpley took the paper, glanced at it, put it nto his pocket, and then turned to the junior cael =e “Ss “T am the head of - “Neptune matter and the disappearance of Spencer, — - “Mr, Detective,” said the senior partn-~, with-- ~ Although Mr. Fairchild did not discharge M _ mistakes and other delinquencies, an MERITS | e: “T regret. Mr. Spencer, but-I shall have to arrest you.” “Arrest me!” gasped Spencer, aghast. what charge?” “Consniracy to defraud.” “What?” ; “Did vou ever see those papers before. Mr. — Spencer-” asked Mr. Fairchild, showing him the s é “On : “2 documents that B-** Foster had found behind the — junior partner’s desk. j Spencer rec*gnized the documents at a glance, and nearly collapsed. ; ec CHAPTER VIII.—The Abduction. e : ’ The junior partner saw ruin staring himin the _ face. His only chance lay in immediate flight, if ~ he could get away. Then summoning his energies, — he broke away from those assembled in the room — and sprang for the door. The detective was after _ him in a moment, but Spencer, perceiving the man would surely cverhaul him, suddenly stopped just outside the door_and struck him full in the — face with his clenched fist, knocking the officer down. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he dashed up the street, disappeared around the corner, and succeeded in losing himself in the crowd. In the meantime, Mr. Fairchild managed to intimidate Morris Abbott into making a full confession of the part he had played in the con- spiracy. The boy also admitted: that the claim of Green & Patton was a fictitious one, the head — bookkeeper of that firm, being a personal friend of Gideon Spencer’s, having prepared the state- ment of indebtedness against the junior partner _ at his request, and the bill was presented by a young man paid- by Spencer to carry out the part as arranged beforehand. Mr. Fairchild con- gratulated Jack -Mason on his lucky escape fro the trap set to bring about his ruin. He sai that Bart Foster had accidentally run across him and Edna, and had shown him the papers he di covered that day behind Spencer’s desk. The con- tents of the documents confirmed the suspicions imparted to him by a communication from a Buf- falo friend which had hastened his return North. He- therefore decided to proceed to his place of business at once, confront Mr. Spencer with the proofs of his iniquity, and demand his immediate — retirement from the firm. “After all explanations had been made, and the senior partner had a tended to. some pressing matters .of business left unattended to by Spencer, he and his niece took their departure for home. The papers, next morn ing, had a full account of the exposure of the who seemed to have successfully eluded the police. ' Mr. Fairchild had an interview with the Boa of Underwriters, and agreed to turn over to ther the amount that Spencer had paid for his inte in the business. While this didn’t fully cover loss that the insurance companies had suffer through the fraud, it reimbursed them to a cor siderable extent, and they were glad to get it. Abbott, the chances looked good for him his job, as he had no chance now t

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the ind wf boy who took any particular interest in nis work. However, he saved himself from be- ing fired by throwing up his job at the end of the following week. About ten days after the crisis un Spencer’s affairs Edna left her home to spend fae afternoon and evening at the house of a par- ticular friend. It was arranged that Jack was to 2 eall there about eight o'clock, pass the evening, ; and then see her home. At the appointed time Jack appeared, and he helped to make the evening pass in a lively and cheerful fashion. It was close on to eleven o’clock when Mason and Miss Garrison left for the home of Mr. Fairchild, half a mile away. A car took them within four blocks of their destination, and they proceeded to walk the balance of the way. — ; ; They were so absorbed in each other’s society that they did not observe that they were being followed by the two men. They were nearing their block when a hack came driving up the street at a rapid clip. On -the seat beside the driver sat a boy who bore a strong resemblance to Morris Abbott; in fact, it was that. young _ -vaseal. As the vehicle passed the two men it eased up, and one of the men made a sign. The hack drove ahead and stopped abruptly at the cor- ner. The two men then hastened their steps and came up with Jack and Edna as they started to cross the street. Before the young people woke up to the fact that they were in the slightest _ danger the men seized them with a strangle grip '- that prevented them from uttering the slightest ~ outery, and bore them toward the vehicle, the door of which was held open by Morris, who had - descended from his perch for that purpose. On reaching the hack, Edna and Jack were lifted in, the door was shut after them and their captors, and the hack started for the lake front. Edna fainted by this time. but Mason was struggling -. for all he was worth to break away from the vise-like grip of the man who held him. He was soon put out of business by the man who had relinquished the unconscious girl.. This individual drew a bottle from his pocket, saturated a hand- ~kerchief with its contents, and pressed it over the ‘boy’s nose and mouth. Jack’s struggles grew ‘weaker and weaker, and finally ceased altogether. “He’s safe now, senor,” said the voice of Fer- - nandez the Mexican. , « Good,” replied his companion, who was un- questionably Spencer. “Now I’ll treat the girl to a small dose to insure her insensibility.” This*was speedily accomplished while the hack hurried on. Fifteen minutes later the hack rolled on to-a small, unfrequented wharf along the - water front of Buffalo, and stopped. - Morris Abbott descended from the seat and opened the door. aa! ‘ . “There’s no one in sight,” he said to Spencer. ; “A)] right,” replied his uncle, taking Edna Gar- ‘vison in his arms and getting out of the hack. _ “Help Fernandez carry Mason aboard the vessel. Morris grabbed the insensible Jack by the legs, an operation that seemed to afford him great _ pleasure. Between him and the Mexican they got - Mason aboard the little one-masted craft that lay longside the wharf, and:lowered him down on a pile of rags at the bottom of a small square hole in the bows that was penetrated by the heel. of ON HIS MERITS e short bowsprit. Then Fernandez placed the Les scuttle over the hole and secured it with a spit that ran through a strong -hasp. While they were doing this the hack driver turned his horses and drove away. Spencer had carried Edna into the small cabin at the stern of the boat and laid her upon the bunk that had been surrounded with a board partition,-thus converting it into a very nayrow stateroom. Then he went on deck to assist his nephew and the Mexican to get the sloop under way. This was soon accomplished under the di- rection of Fernandez, who was a goed sailor, and ingest at home in any kind ofa fore-and-aft craft. BN The mainsail and a small jib were hoisted, and under the influence of a fair breeze the sloop headed out into the lake, her nose being pointed west by south. 3 “How long should it take us to reach Toledo?” aeree Spencer of the Mexican, who stood by the tiller. ‘ “About midnight to-morrow, if the wind holds fresh all the way,” was the reply. CHAPTER IX.—A Light on the Situation. When Jack Mason recovered his senses it was broad daylight, and he was rather astonished to find himself a prisoner in such gloomy and contracted quarters. The motion of his prison- house convinced him that he was in some vessel on the water; which, of course, must be Laké Erie. He soon recollected all that had happened the preceding night, and his chief concern was nat- urally for Edna, of whose whereabouts or condi- tion he had not the faintest idea. did not smoke, he made it a practice to carry a silver match-safe in his pocket, and he had found from experience that it was often a very handy thing to have a match to call on when he wanted _ to strike a light. The first thing he did, there-. fore, was to extract a match from the box and _ light it. The glare illuminated his narrow pen, are saw that he was in the bows of a small cerait. j “This is a pleasant situation, upon my word,” he said to himself. “I wonder what it all means? Why should I be put aboard this vessel? And where is Edna? Is she aboard, too? Who are the persons responsible for this outrage?” These were a few of the questions Jack put him- self, questions that he could not possibly answer, for he had not penetrated the identity of the men who attacked and captured Miss Garrison and himself on the previous night. Whatever kind of vessel. it was he was on, she was driving through | the water at a smart rate on a tolerably smooth sea. On examining’ the bulkhead closely, he dis- covered that several of the boards had worked themselves loose at the bottom, and that a good. kick would be sufficient to dislodge them alto- - gether. as As Jack had no desire to remain in his con- | tracted quarters any longer than he could make - a change, he speedily kicked the planks loose and, — pushing them aside, looked into the space beyond. He could make out-nothing but darkness in the ‘ hold. He flashed another match at arm’s length, and saw that there appeared to be nothing in the Y Although he —

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“ interior of the craft but a ballast of paving stones. As the craft was only leaning gently to the leeward, Jack decided to pursue his in- vestigations further. So pushing himself through the dislodged planks, he began to pick his way _ over the ballast, striking a match occasionally to take further note of his surroundings and to see where he was going. In this way he avoided con; taet with the heel of the single mast and reached the cabin bulkhead. Investigating the wooden wall, he found a knothole, through which he peered. He gave a start of astonishment at see- ing Gideon Spencer ‘and Morris Abbott seated at a narrow, oblong table, conversing. The sight of Se his two enemies explained in a measure the cause of his presence on board the sloop. He scarcely doubted but that Edna was a prisoner somewhere in the cabin, and the only possible place that af- forded concealment there was the newly construct- _~ ed bandbox of a stateroom directly aft, and as he i very fair idea of the main rascal’s purpose -= sake, hold him a prisoner, subject to my orders make it, plain to Miss Garrison that Mason is saw that the rude door was secured by a padlock, he judged that she might.be in there. Listening attentively to the conversation be- tween Spencer and his nephew, Jack gpraincs. e discovered that the sloop was aiming for Toledo, where she would enter the Maumee River and proceed to Fort Wayne, in Indiana. From that point the Little River would take them into the Wabash. which would enable them to reach the Mississippi via the Ohio. “Then,” went on Spencer, ‘we'll proceed down _ the Mississippi.to the Delta, Ynd thence across the Gulf of Mexico to the Rio Grande, which is the poundary between Texas and Mexico, and up that ‘river to Matamoras, as I outlined to you some days ago. Once on Mexican soil, Edna Garrison ~ must enther consent to an immediate marriage or remain a prisoner until she does consent to be- come Mrs. Gideon Spencer. As soon as she is my wife I will open negotiations with Mr. Fairchild _ to settle matters with the insurance companies so that all criminal proceedings against me may be squelched, and I can return with my wife to Buffalo.”- “Youre all right, uncle. I s’pose you'll get back into the firm again and give me a job in the “cou tin’-room?” replied Morris. “That’s the end I have in view, for Miss Gar- rison’s half interest in the business will give me ‘as much to Say about its conduct as Mr. Fair- child.” “What are you goin’ to. do with Jack Mason?” “T’m going to use him as a lever for bringing _ Miss Garrison to terms.” “How: will you?” “I’m satisfied that she’s really in love with the chap, and consequently would do a lot for his Well, Fernandez will take charge of him, ‘earry him | into the country Se et wi wholly in our power, and that unless she agrees to my, terms Mason will never be heard from again.” -“What will be*done with him?” ks can’t tell what Fernandez will do with him if omes to the pinch, but you may be sure that unl ss Miss Garrison becomes my wife, and turns ver we sean memerit of her interest in the veg ee ON HIS MERITS ping business to me, the boy will never step on American soil again.” At that moment Fernandez thrust his head into the cabin scuttle and called. Morris on deck. Spencer continued to smoke and’ ruminate over his plans, while Jack, still watching him, began” to consider how he could put a snoke in the ras- cal’s wheel. CHAPTER X.—The Picture That Spencer Drew, ' And Its Effect On Edna And Jack. Having obtained a general idea of Spencer’s plans, Jack felt that if he could make his escape from the-sloop at Toledo he could notify the authorities there and have the vessel captured after she had entered the Maumee River. Edna would thus be rescued, while Spencer, Fernandez, and Morris Abbott would be returned to Buffalo ~ to stand trial for their offence. “Of course, I can do nothing until this craft reaches Toledo,” soliloquized Jack. “That is, nothing except try for some loophole that will, at the proper time, let me out of this hold. T’ll have to work cautiously and not let it be found out that I’ve got out of my prison pen in the bow. If my enemies get on to the fact that I had even the liberty of the entire hold there might. be something doing I shouldn’t like. .They might tie me hand and foot like a prize pig on the way to market. That would put a spoke in my wheel instead of my puttine one in theirs. It is for- tunate that I can easilv detect the sound of steps - on the deck. which will give me time to fly back to the bow before the scuttle is lifted, if I hustle. Hello! Spencer is going over to that padlocked deor. Now I shall probably learn if Edna. is en board.” If he had any doubts at all on the subject they were set at rest a few moments later, when t 4 Spencer led the girl into the cabin and motioned her to a chair. “My dear Miss Garrison, you know my sgnti- ments toward you. I am sorry I was obliged to handle you in the way I did, but I had no other - course in face of the situation in which the dis- covery of those unfortunate paners placed me. — I could not bear to leave Buffalo without -you, for to make you my wife is the one object of my | life. posal “To which I gave you a decisive answer in tlie negative, hoping that the subject would never be | renewed.” “T told: you that I could. not accept such an answer. to consider——” “Time would make no difference CM in my answer.” “Miss Garrison, this is the refinement of cruel- * ty. Have vou no look of kindness—no word. of sympathy for me?” “Mr. Spencer, I am already pledged to an- other.” “To whom?” : “That is not a fair question to ask me.” “Answer but this: Is it young Mason?” ~ “Yes, it is Jack Mason,” she replied, with a touch of spirit. A “And you love that oe he said, biting his ips. ; : Yesterday I ventured to make you a pro- I told you that I would Rive you time +n

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ON HIS “T do.” Her tone was decided, and left no doubt in Spencer’s mind but that she was thoroughly in earnest. “I am sorry,” he said, after a pause. “I sus- pected such to be the ease, and have made my plans accordingly.” . “Where are you taking me?” she asked, turn- inig pale. ~ “To Mexico.” ~ F “Mexico! Oh, Heaven!” she gasped. be so cruel?” : : “T yegret the necessity, Miss: Garrison, but I am only returnine measure for measure. You yourself are treating me with the utmost cruelty by refusing to become my wife.” Z *“How can I when I do not love you?” : “Nothing is impossible in this world,” he an- swered calmlv. “Many a woman marries a man ‘for whom she does not particularly care, and learns to love him afterward.” '- «T could not do that; besides——” “1 know what you are going to say. . You are thinking of Mason’s‘claim on your heart. -You will have to forget*him, so far as considering him for a husband.” — “J. never will do that. I love him dearly. I leve him with all my heart, and sooner than prove false to him I’d die willingly.” Her tones. quivered with mingled love and de- - fiance, and in her eves there was the fire’ of resistance. ~ : 5 *- As for Jack, he was taking in the scene through the knothole in the bulkhead; his heart beat fast at the loyalty of the girl he loved with aH his nature, and he swore under his breath that he would go through fire and water to save her from - the machinations of the rascally Spencer. - *You say you love him with all your heart?” sneered Spencer, in a tense tone. “Then, of course, you would be willing to make a great sacrifice for his sake?” _ “What do you mean?” i “This. That a final refusal on your part to i marry me will be equivalent to his death warrant. - ‘Bither you become my wife, or he will die, as gure as the sun rises and sets each day. Now -** T hope you understand me.” ; = BS “And would you murder him?” she asked, in . a hushed tone. é > : “Murder is an ugly word, Miss Garrison,” he replied, with a slight. shudder. “No, I shall have no hand in his death. I shall merely turn Mason ever to the tender merey of my-associate, Manuel - Fernandez. It is not actually necessary to spill “a person’s blood to be rid of him forever. Down jn Mexico there are mines where the peon’s work “Can you fate if-he were taken into one of those mines and chained hundreds of feet below the surface. where he never would again see the light of day? ‘No blood of his would be shed. He would simply five on a prisoner until nature gave out. Would ‘he not, to all intents and purposes, be dead to the world? Surely he would. “The crime of murder would not be on my soul, for who can tell how many years he might live there and suffer? Perhaps until he became an old man, if he has an iron constitution. You have studied ‘history, Miss Garrison. You have a ingered unnamed months in their, solit ty even as slaves. What-think you would be Mason’s | read of the prisoners of the Bastile im Paris. They _ , ary dun- — MERITS 13: geons in the verv heart of a ereat city. cut off —- from kith and kin by the letters de cachet of Louis XIV, and others in power.. Perhaps you have also heard of the Prison of Chillon,. Who passed so many years in his island dungeon, be- — low the waters of the lake of Beneva, that he’ — ret a path in the stone flagging with his naked eet. ; re “Ts it necessary for me to mention other ex- — amples—the Man with ‘the Iron Mask, and so- on—to convince you that a young and healthy boy like Mason would probably linger for years ~~ under such conditions, until his mind gave way — ~~ beneath the strain and he became a driveling maniac? i ie “Think well, Miss Garrison, before. you con- sign your lover to such a fate. Remember it is you who will sentence him to it, not me. Refuse © to marry me, and you will as surely sacrifice him as if you drove a knife into his heart.” Edna listened to his words with beating heart and starting eyes. When he ceased to speak she ~ gasped for breath, swayed to and fro in her | - chair, and then, with a ery of despair, turned deathly white and fell forward on to the table in a dead faint. ue e When Jack heard Edna’s ery of anguish, and _ saw her fall senseless on the table, his very soul quivered with rage against the man who could- so heartlessly work upon her girlish sensibilities. So furious was he that every consideration of his own position was cast to the winds. His sole . object was to get at Spencer and take gatisfac-_ tion out of him. The stout bulkhead seemed A effectual barrier against that purpose. But Jack was too blind with anger to think that anything —— could stand between him and Spencer. The cob- — blestones around him suggested a method for beating an opening to Edna’s side. Without re-— alizing the danger and ultimate fruitlessness of- such a proceeding, he drew back, seized one of the > heavy stones, and hurled it with all his force. against the barricade. rage eg Crash! The wood quivered and cracked. Crash! Crash! Two more stones in rapid succession struck the fractured board, and it went to pieces in the center. Spencer started to his feet with a cry of consternation. Crash! Down went. a second board, and through the aperture Jack burst like one of the Three Furies of legendary story. He made straight for Spencer, with blood in his eye, and the man could not help uttering a cry of dismay. . “You scoundrel!” roared Jack, grasping him> by the throat. “It shall be your life or mine right now!” Boe “Help!” roared Spencer, as he went down on the floor, with the infuriated boy on top. “Help! Fernandez! Morris! Help!” ‘ . oe “You cur!” cried Jack. “I’ll choke your miser- _ able life out of you if I die for it!” Bear Then Fenandez, attracted by the crashes an Spencer’s cries, rushed down the ladder and stared in astonishment at the scene’ before his eyes. ¥ He rushed over to the combatants and tore ~ Jack away from Spencer. Then Fernandez, with a > ia Stor, ai

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4 : to eat, while both 1 men watched him while doing So. It was several days before the sloop reached the Mississippi River, and during all that time Jack was carefully watched by the villains. Their vigilance relaxed a little as the sloop entered the delta of the Mississippi. Matamoras, their destination, was about forty miles up the Rio Grande, which river they reached -about a week later. It was then that they were in Mexican territory. CHAPTER XI.—The' Bravery of Edna Garrison. Edna Garrison, after she recovered from her first paroxysm of despair, seemed a changed girl. Spencer was rather surprised and nonplussed by her deportment. He expected a series of hys- terics on her part, mingled wlth. pleadings for herself and for Mason. Nothing of the kind hap- “pened. She locked herself in her little stateroom, which had been specially fitted up with every possible convenience for her accommodation, and refused to open the door except when Morris rought her meals. She would hold no communi- cation whatever with Spencer, and the Mexican did not bother her. ~ How she employed her time the king-pin rascal had no means of knowing, and after an ineffectual attempt to force another interview he ceased to trouble her, contented to believe that he had her boy fully: in his power, and that it was only a question of a very short time when she would have to yield _ to his wishes or take the consequences that were also to extend to Jack Mason. 1t would probably have surprised him if he had been able to pene- trate her thoughts. He would have found that from a weak and confiding girl she had suddenly developed into a desperate.and very determined ,young woman. 2 The mental picture drawn by Spencer of her boy lover’s probable fate had nerved her to at- tempt Jack’s rescue at the first opportunity that presented itself. She knew where and how he was confined in the hold, and through the long hours of each night she had-watched for a chance _. to accomplish the purpose she had in her mind. -. But while the-sloop was sailing down the different rivers she found that the vigilance of the two rascals was. maintained at the highest pitch, and that it was useless for her to attempt to interfere - in Jack’s behalf. ; She did not lose her courage nor her hope in spite of that fact. She~believed that her per- _ severance would yet be rewarded. How to get into the hold, if a chance offered, was what most ~ concerned her. By adroit questioning, she learned from Morris that Spencer and the Mexican visited their prisoner by way of the fore-peak, which was covered by a hatch secured on the outside by a hasp. As either Fernandez or Spencer ead “watch at night in turns at the helm, the chance of reaching the fore-peak unobserved was scarcely possible. To attempt such a thing by day was absolutely out of the question. . She kept tab on their progre wid toward the Gulf by questioning Morris every day, and he wasn’t ver enough to suspect that she had any par- motive in asking for this information. At ae te mua ( ON HIS MERITS of the Misaisstnl and steered across the great Gulf for her destination, the Rio Grande. Edna ascertained that they expected to reach the river in two days if the wind was favorable. It was favorable for a matter of forty hours, and. the L : girl was beginning to despair of success, when at sundown of the second day the wind died down to a comparative calm, which promised soon to be a complete one. When Fernandez came into the cabin at mids night ‘to arouse Spencer to take his turn on deck, there wasn’t a breath of wind stirring, the sur- face of the Gulf was glassy, and the schooner was drifting with the tide. Spencer got up, vawned, and stumbled up the ladder to the deck. The — Mexican turned into Spencer’s bunk, and soon his deep breathing announced that he was asleep. | Edna at that moment was the most wide awake person on board. She knew that if.the, wind sprang up, the following forenoon would probably see the sloop in the Rio Grande. If Jack was to | be rescued, it must be done that night. Half an hour after she had seen Spencer go on deck she left her room, and securing a sharp knife from the locker which served the purpose of a pantry, she softly climbed the upright ladder until her eyes reached the level of the deck, and then looked’ for Spencer at thehelm. -Her heart gave a great throb of excitement and hope, for she saw her persecutor stretched out asleep on the deck near the steering apparatus. Slipping back down > the ladder, she secured the lantern which burned all night in the cabin, remounted the ladder, and stepped out on deck. With the lightness of a fawn she ran forward to where the scuttle cover was secured above the entrance to the fore-peak. The piece of iron that held the hasp in place was easily drawn, the cover raised, and down into the hole dropped the | courageous girl. Through the opening she passed~ into the hold, waving her lantern before her. In a moment she stood before Jack, who was seated on a pile of gunny sacks provided for his accom- modation, with his arms and chest bound tight to the mast. He was asleep, dreaming, perchance, . of old times in Buffalo. “Dear, dear Jack!” she breathed, bending down and barely touching her lips to his forehead: Then with a few slashes of the knife she cut him free. Putting her hand over his mouth, she ~ cried in his ear: 3 “Jack! Jack! Wake up!” NE In a moment. his eyes were wide open, and he was staring into her face, partially illumiged by — the light of the lantern. “Edna! : “You here, my sweetheart! In this hold! What~ does it mean?” he cried, in a tone of astonishment. _ “Tt means, Jack, that I have come to save you,” | she said, throwing her arms around his neck. 5 As .she spoke he became conscious that his bonds no. longer held him to the mast. ok. struggled up and caught her in his arms. “You came to save me, Edna! How did: you manage it?” “No matter how I did it, Jack; 1 dare not waste the time now to tell you, for every moment is precious to us, For two weeks I have bee watching for this chance, and it has dnly come at the eleventh hour, for we are but a few ho rs! sail ee Api Bie Grande.” ie 2 " ey Py eal a0

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- “A few hours’ sail!” he exclaimed. “Then we are in the Gulf?” ee are.” “And out of sight of land?” “Yes, since yesterday morning.” . “Yet the sloop Seems quite stationary to me.” “We are becalmed. There is not a breath of air stirring.” : - “How, then, are we to leave this vessel?” “Oh, Jack, I do not know! I did not think of that!” she cried, as she realized in its full sense their terrible predicament. 5 “Never mind, dear. ‘Don’t worry. But tell me how you managed to reach me without discovery. ' Are the men both asleep?” “Yes. Fernandez is asleep in the-cabin, and - My. Spencer is. through a fortunate chance, asleep on the deck near the wheel.” Jack considered the situation. It was a ticklish one, and he hardly knew how to get around it. “Where did you get the knife to cut my . lashings ?” = “From the locker where those articles are » kept.” _ “Well, remain here till I take a glance at the deck,” he said. ; ; He left her and made his way ‘into the fore- peak. He had a half-formed scheme in his mind. Spencer had a revolver. If it was on_his person now, and the man was still asleep, as Edna said he was, perhaps he could secure it. With that in his possession, he believed he could, perhaps, stand the rascals off if it came to such a pinch. Unfortunately for the success of this scheme, a sudden slant of wind struck the sloop just as he put his head out of the scuttle, and the heeling of the erait awoke Spencer. Jack saw him rise and grab the tiller. i é | “Blocked!” muttered the boy, dropping back out of sight. “What can we do now?” The breeze continued to blow, and gradually became steady in the right quarter, the sloop slipping along at her former speed. Jack could only return to Edna and report the unfortunate - change in affairs. Before leaving the fore-peak he took the precaution to softly close the scuttle cover. . : “We are cornered, sweetheart, and must remain here. Your absence from your stateroom will probably not be found out before some time in the - morning. When they bring me my breakfast they will discover that I am at liberty, and then I will have to try and stand them off as best I may. “Oh, Jack! Jack!” was all the girl could say. - He endeavored to comfort and reassure her as the moments slipped away, and they stood in the ‘darkness of the hold—for Jack had doused the - jantern—clasped in each other’s arms, hoping - against hope that something would turn up to - their advantage. ; . CHAPTER XII.—The Chase Of The Sloop. - The fact that Edna Garrison did not return to her home on the night of the abduction was not ‘noted until next morning, and then her aunt and uncle supposed she had been persuaded to remain al rs. Fairchild sent a servant around to find out if-anything was the matter with her. The man at "girl. ON HIS MERITS See returned with word that Edna, accompanied by. Jack Mason, had left her friend’s home for her own at akout eleven o’clock. This was rather startling news for the aunt, and she sent the servant at once to the shipping office to inform Mr. Fairchild of.the fact. Jack’s -unexplained absence from the office. had, of course, been noticed by the shipping merchant, and he was wondering what could be the cause of it. ; He was on the point of sending Bart around to Jack’s lodgings when the servant appeared with the unlooked-for news of Hdna’s noh-appearance at her home. The merchant was much disturbed, and started Bart out to see if-he could get any intelligence about Mason. Bart returned in an . hour and reported that Jack had not been home all night, find nobody had seen him. since he left the house the previous evening. Mr. Fairchild could not understand the situation, and decided it was serious enough to call in the services of the police. Two detectives were, put onthe case, and thus the day passed, without results. When the next day slipped by without news from the miss- ing ones, Mr. Fairchild was very - seriously alarmed. Bart Foster was also very much con- cerned over the disappearance of his chum. What could have become of him and Edna? Mr. Fair- child inserted a reward notice in the papers, pay- able for information about the absent boy and © Toward the end of the week a tall, thin young man came into the office and asked to se Mr. Fairchild. : “He’s out,” replied Bart. “Can I do anything for you?” “T’ve called about that advertisement of Mr. — Fairchild’s said the visitor, in a hesitating way. Do you know anything about the whereabouts ~ of Jack Mason and Edna Garrison?” asked Bart, in some excitement. ‘ “Maybe I do, and maybe I don’t,” replied the. caller, with a shrewd look. “Well. if you can put us on their track, it will be $500 in your pocket,” said Bart eagerly. The visitor licked his lips, as if he would like ~ to. earn that sum. Just then the merehant _ came 1n. ‘ “Mr. Fairchild,” said Bart, “here is a person who has called about your advertisement.” a “Step into my office,” said the shipper, and the young man followed him in. ; ‘ “My name is Clarence Hale,” said the visitor, after seating himself. “I am a friend of Morris Abbott. I may as-well admit that Iam the person who presented that bogus bill from Green & . Patton, and then made myself searce. It was a put-up job on your cashier. I was to get $25 for my part in the matter, but owing to the failure of the scheme the money was not paid me.” “Hum!” said Mr. ‘Fairchild, impatiently. “What — has this to do with my advertisement?” “This. Before I state what I have to say I want you to assure me that I will not be prosecuted for that little matter.” | : “Very well. If your information is. valuable, you shall not be troubled.” “And you will pay me the $500 reward?” “Assuredly, if you are entitled to it.” — a The visitor seemed to be satisfied, and pro- | ceeded. He said that he and Morris had been — very thick for some time past. cate ae That it was to oblige Morris he had posed — as the bill collector. That the evening before. the > : ee

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“16 ON disappearance of Mason and Miss Garrison he and Morris had been together until midnight, and that both had drunk more strong. waters than was good for them. That on that occasion Morris had, when in a tipsy state, confided to him the fact that Spencer and Fernandez, whom the police supposed had skipped the city, were still hiding in Buffalo. Further, Morris told him that Spencer had a splendid scheme for mending his tangled for- tunes—nothing more nor less than the abduction of Edna Garrison, whom he proposed to carry off to the town of Matamoras, in Mexico, where Fernandez was well known, and from which place Spencer could safely open negotiations with Mr. Fairchild after he had compelled Miss Garrison to marry him-as the price of her liberty. The shipper was thunderstruck at this revelation. “Why did you not come forward before with this information?” he asked Hale, in a severe ‘tone. “Because I did tot take any stock in Abbott’s story. He was more than half drunk when he told me about it. When I saw the account in the papers of the disappearance of Miss Garrison, as well as Mason, against whom I knew Spencer en- tertained a grudge, I began to think it was, true, after all. I was afraid to come to: you until I saw the offer of the reward, lest I might get into trouble over the matter.” : “Well,” said the merchant, “how did Spencer propose to carry off my niece, and what were his plans with respect to young Mason?” ; “T can’t tell you a thing about that. All 1 know -is what I have mentioned to you.” “Very well, I will call a detective to hear your story,” said Mr.. Fairchild, drawing his desk *phone toward him. __ “You: don’t mean to have me arrested?” asked the young man, in alarm. “No. Not if I find you have told me the exact truth.” “T have, upon my honor.” In fiteen minutes a cab brought a detective to the office. He listened to Hale’s story, questioned him closely, and then decided that he must be detained at headquarters pending an investiga- tion. Hale protested, to no purpose, and left the shipping house in company with the officer. That afternoon the night owl hackmen were rounded up and put through the third degree at head- quarters, with the result that the man who had been connected with the abduction of Mason and ‘Edna was discovered, and made to confess. He was put in a cell, and detectives were sent out to ascertain something about the sloop which had - been moored at the unfrequented wharf.° She was gone, of course, but telegraph inquiries to Cleveland and Toledo developed the fact that a eraft answering her description had been seen entering the Maumee River on the second morn- ing after the abduction, bound west. The authorities were now sure they were on the right track. After an interview with Mr. Fairchild, it was decided that Bart Foster, owing to his familiarity with Spencer’s personality, should ac- company Detective Ketcham in his pursuit of the sloop. They immediately took a Lake Shore train for Toledo. The detective learned enough. at - Toledo to give him an inkling of the course the sloop must. follow, and he and Bart went on by _ rail to Fort Wayne... HIS MERITS | ‘ something over 200 miles as the stream ran. and tried the handle of the door. Here they learned that the sloop had entered the Little River after a Mexican — had purchased some supplies for the craft. 4 Detective Ketcham and Bart went on to Hunt- — ington, Indiana, where the Little River flows into — the Wabash, and found that the sloop had been — seen there just ten days since. By this time the officer and his young ally had a »retty clear idea — as to the course the vessel would have to take to © reach Matamoras on the Rio Grande. After — tracking the sloop to Cairo, they took a train for — New Orleans. Here, persistent inquiry developed — the fact that a craft answering to the black sloop — had passed down toward the Delta thé preceding — afternoon. “That settles it, Posten.” said Detective Ket- cham. “We must go on to Matamoras and- head :: the vessel off.” They took the first train for Houston, in iste 3 thence to Austin, where they changed to th railroad that carried them straight down. to — Laredo, a border town of Texas on the Rio — Grande. Here they hired a.small craft to take them down the river to Matamoras, a distance of — — due time they arrived at their destination. A close search of the water-front of the Mexican town showed that the black sloop had- not yet — arrived, so the detective decided to continue on — down the river on their boat and meet thei quarry either in the river, or when she came i from the Gulf. jy CHAPTER XIIl—The End Of The Chase An a Tragedy. When Spencer went below, at four o’clock i the morning, to call Fernandez to the helm, h was surprised to find the cabin in darkness. “The lantern seems to have gone out.” he mut- \_ tered. “Well, it doesn’t matter.” ay He woke the Mexican un. told him the lantern \ had gone out, and then took his place in the bunk, after removing his coat, vest, and shoes. Fer. nandez did not bother with the lantern, which h supposed was still hanging in its place, bu slipped up the ladder and took charge of th helm. When the, sun rose the mouth of the Ri Grande was in full view straight ahead. At si o'clock Spencer came on deck and took the helm — while the Mexican started to prepare breakfast. The small cooking stove was in one corner of the cabin, and Fernandez soon had the fire going a the kettle on. He laid the table for two, and then proceeded to fry a pan of bacon and eggs. Whil thus engaged he noticed the disappearance lof ¢ lantern from its nail on the wall. That struck — him as a singular fact, so he ran up the ladde and asked Spencer what he had done with it. “I didn’t take it,” replied Spencer. “If you _ member, I told you that it was out at four o'clock © this morning, when I called you.” “Well, senor, it is gone from its place. “How can I tell?” replied Spencer, impatien The Mexican grunted, and went below, _ pushed the frying-pan back and looked at the do. of Edna’s stateroom. Then he walked softly ov It yielded his touch. This was suspicious, so he opened tt door and looked inside. The girl was not. aces ae: Fasomas! span this mean

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« ON HIS MERITS © claimed. “The girl is not in the cabin. Where, then? Ha! Somethin’ shall be wrong.” He sprang up the ladder and communicated the news to Spencer. “What!” roared that rascal. “Miss Garrison not in her room? Take the helm and let me investi- gate.” ; He rushed down into the cabin. In a few ' minutes he was back on deck. ’ trouble. “She is gone!” he cried, with a lowering brow. “She could not have jumped overboard.” “Hardly,” replied the Mexican. “Had she come on deck, either you or me would have seen her, senor. It must be she who took the lantern. Why? To go into the hold, perhaps, to find the boy. Yet how shall she do that? Not through “the bulkhead. It is impossible. The only way, then, is by the fore-peak. She did not pass that way while I was on deck. Is it not a fact, senor,. that you may have fallen asleep while on your _ , watch, and she took advantage of you?” Spencer uttered an imprecation. He remem- bered that %e had been asleep during the spell of calm. Without a word he walked forward and looked at the hasp of the scuttle cover. He saw the pin was out of it. Then he understood where Edna was, and it made him furious to think how the girl had;managed to outwit him. “She’s sharper than I dreamed of. Well, no matter. They are both down there together, but they cannot escape. They are trapped safe enough.” age With a malevolent smile he knelt down and re- inserted the pin in the hasp. Then he returned to the Mexican. “She is in the hold with Mason,” he said. “No doubt but she managed to free him long before this. What their plans are I care not. I have -checkmated them. We’ll let them dream of escape ‘for a while, and then——” “Senor, shall we do as I proposed some time since? You remember, I said there was an inlet about a mile up-the Rio Grande. Would it not be safe to disembark our passengers at the head of the inlet imstead of taking them to Matamoras? They will be quite safe in the hillside cave, while at Matamoras they could give us, perhaps, much The girl will be fully in your power, and if you win her consent to the marriage I get soon a padre to do the business. Then you can take her with you to Matamoras.and attend to your other business. As for the boy, it is for you to say what shall be done with him.” “Ts the gang of which you were the captain still in the neighborhood?” “Si, senor. They are expectin’ that I return. If they have been lucky I shall perhaps remain with them.” : Se “Then you can depend on their loyalty? “Si, senor.” “Very well. breakfast.” ; In half an hour the meal was ready, and Morris and his uncle sat down to it. After they were through they went on deck, and Fernandez retired to the cabin to get his own breakfast. No atten- tion was paid to the prisoners, who were not dis- turbed. By this time the sloop was entering the mouth of the Rio Grande. The Mexican now took We will go up the inlet. Now get _ the wheel, and kept a sharp lookout for the inlet _ that opened out from the stream. Finally he - they fell. = pointed it out to Spencer, and presently steered the sloop into it. At that moment a-small sail- boat was seen coming down the river. No atten- tion was paid to her, and soon the sloop was well — - on her way up the inlet. This narrow stream was a winding one, and the vessel proceeded ‘slowly, for the wind was dropping and the trees sheltered “her course. At length, after a run of half a mile, she passed into a secluded basin, entirely surrounded by trees, and came to a stop when Fernandez and Spencer shoved her anchor overboard. Then they lowered the mainsail and jib and let them lie as The small boat which had been towing astern Was pulled around to the starboard side, the Mexican boarded her, pulled to the shore, and difappeared among the trees. He had scarcely vanished from the scene before the small sailboat that they had sighted coming down the Rio Grande, came into view,and entered the basin. It | contained three persons—Detective Ketcham, Bart Foster, and a Mexican boatman. They had spied the black sloop coming up the Rio Grande, and the detective guessed it was the craft they were in search of. : He was rather surprised to see her turn into the inlet, but nevertheless he ordered the boatman to follow her. They did not sight the sloop again — until they found her anchored in the basin at the head of the inlet. Spencer had gone down into the cabin, leaving Morris sunning himself on deck. The young scamp did not observe the approach of the sailboat, which had just sufficient way on her _ to send her up alongside the sloop, as his atten- tion was attracted by a number of gorgéous-look- ~~ ing birds among the trees on the port side of the ie, vessel, while the sailboat was coming up on the _ starboard side. The first inkling’he had of trouble was when the detective, closely followed by Bart Foster, sprang aboard the sloop. Then he turned — and confronted the visitors. He nearly had a fit when his eyes rested on Bart, the very last person” he would have thought of meeting in that place. With a shrill ery of warning to his uncle, he tried to evade. Bart, who made a dash at him. Foster pursued him to the bows, and then, 4s he could go no further, grabbed him. oz “You young rascal!” cried Bart. “So we’ve got. hold of. you at last? It’s the Buffalo jail for you _ as soon as we can get you there.” Thus speaking he dragged the struggling bov | aft. In the meantime the detective had dropped _ down into the cabin, where he came face to face oe with Spencer. From the description he had rex ceived of the ex-junior partner he judged this was the man who had led him a chase of several thou- a sand miles. ? 5 “You are Gideon Spencer, officer, sharply: “Who are you, and what .do you want here ?” demanded Spencer, scenting trouble. _ “Iam a Buffalo detective, and I have a warrant in-my pocket for your arrest.” Bea Spencer stepped back and put his hand to his hip pocket, while with a sarcastie laugh he said: “This is Mexican soil and your warrant doesn’t. go here.” I believe,” said the “Throw up your hands or I'll shoot,” said the. officer, sternly, aiming the revolver he had whipped out on the instant at ena , Spencer, The raseal\sullenly obeyed. bas

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eae Ne ¥ Z = ow 13 _ “Where are your prisoners—Miss Garrison and voung Mason?” “None of your. business,” snarled Spencer, furious at the tables being turned on him. Crash! Crash! Two cobblestones crashed through the weakened bulkhead, and Jack Mason’s _ lead appeared in the opening. He and Edna, who _ for seme hours had been the prey of the gravést apprehension as to their fate when they saw no chance of escaping from the hold, had been at- tracted by the loud ands menacing words of the detective in the cabin. They had rushed to the bulkhead to investigate, and heard enough to con- vince them that help from’an unexpected quarter had arrived at the critical moment. “Grab a stone, Edna, and help me smash in the bulkhead,” he said to the girl, and the crasl that rather startled the detective followed. Instinctively the. officer turned to face what he Yancied might be a peril in his rear. Spencer was quick to take advantage of this. His right hand dropped to his hip, he pulled out his revolver, and _~ with a hurried’ aim fired at the detective. The cfficer clapped his left hand to his breast and staggered back, then, recovering himself with a ‘mighty effort, he took deliberate aim at Spencer, who had started up the ladder, and fired. With - 2 ery Spencer threw up his hands and fell back cn the cabin floor dead. The detective then slowly sank back against a locker and with a faint sigh expired. It had all happened so quickly before __dack’s eyes that for the moment he stood spell- ~ .bound half through the opening, with the af- -frighted face of Edna Garrison peering over ~ his shoulder into the smoke- clouded cabin. CHAPTER XIV.—At Bay. 2 ~, “Oh, Jack,” cried the girl, trembling with fear, “what has happened?” _. *Spencer shot the officer sent Seer Buffalo to arrest him and rescue us, and in turn has been killed himself by the revolver of the dying man.” : Edna turned white at this information and shuddered violently as Jack helped her through - the opening, into the cabin where she saw the ~ ‘dead men. : “Poor fellow,” said Jack, bending over the Tae officer. “He’s past all help.” 'He disengaged the revolver - officer’s fingers and thrust it into his pocket. _. Going to Spencer’s body, he secured his. revolver and handed it to Edna.. At that moment Bart, attracted by the shots in the cabin, and still hanging on to Morris Abbott, stuck his head down the opening. __“What’s the trouble, Mr. Ketcham?” he asked. from the dead - “Why, Jack, is that you? And you, too, Miss ~. Garrison?” : ae _ - *Bart Foster!” exclaimed Mason, in joyful -astonishment. “You here!” ~ “Sure I’m here.. Come up. I can’t come down, for I’ve got hold of that young villain, Morris.” ~ Jack assisted Edna on deck, and quickly igh lowed himself... “Bart, old chum, I never was so- glad to a ou before in my life,” cried Jack. - “Nor I you. Just help me secure this chap, “phat 634 _ON HIS MERITS hat’s what I will,” Pk Mason. picking up a said Jack. “Oh, lor’, I’m afraid not,” replied Bart, dole- ‘fully. “If ‘those chaps had guns now, they’d be_ piece of ropé from the deck and tying Abbott’s hands behind his back. is “Anybody hurt in. the cabin?” asked Bart, — thinking that the detective had fired at Spencer or the Mexican, who, he thought, was also below, to intimidate them. “Yes. The Buffalo officer and Spencer killed each other.” “What!” gasped Bart, while Morris turned white at the intelligence. “Tt’s the truth.” “And where is Fernandez?” “T don’t know. He's not below. maybe he was a prisouer on deck.” “No. We haven’t seen him.” “Where is he?” asked Jack of Morris. ae “Find out,” snarled the little rascal. And they did find out right away, for at that moment Fernandez and. several swarthy-looking companions came out from among the trees a few yards away. : “Caramba!” cried the Mexican, on poner the curious state of matters on the sloop’s deck. “To the boat!” “My gracious!” cried Jack. “There’s Fer- nandez with three chaps at his back. Where's your boat, Bart? We must try to escape.” “It's alongside. Jump in and we’ll be off.” “i While Bart helped Edna into the sailboat Jack fired his revolver at the Mexican, the bullet whistling by his ears, and causing the four rascals ~~ to seek the shelter of the shrubbery .in short | order, for they were not armed, and therefore not prepared for battle at that moment. That gave ~ the three young people time to enter the sailboat Morris being abandoned as a useless encum -brance, and shoved away from the sloop. The sail, however, was of no use now, as not a breath of the light air reached them in the basin. — “We'll never be able to. get away at this rate,” Ses I thought — able to make us come ashore in short order.” “It’s a good thing: we *ve a couple of revolvers, » of with five shots left in each, or they’d be down on us with their boat before we could, wink. \ Let : Bart have the gun I gave you, Edna.” ; She handed it over to Foster while the boat — 3 slowly drifted toward the entrance of the basin. The rascals were evidently following them behind _ the line of trees, but the drift of the boat was toward the other side of the narrow passage they were approaching. Suddenly they sew the bunch — of pursuers yunning ahead among the trees, as_ though aiming for some spot where they enedeaee to be able to cut the boat off. ; “Tt looks as if they’ll get us,” said Bart. “I'll bet they are going to do us up at a-bend of the — stream about-a quarter of a mile ‘down. It’s very narrow there, I noticed, when we came up. Poor — old Keteham remarked that the sloop must have shaved both banks in passing. If they ean fin the trunk of a fallen tree anywhere, all they’l have. to do is to throw it across that bend an then they'll have us in a trap for fair.” : “Then what the dickens ‘shall we do?” eee oF Jack; looking rather blank at his chum’s words, as the last of the swarthy rascals disappeared through the foliage. “T don’t know,” admitted Bart, i ina ton ccuragement, eo 5 eee

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_"] think we’d better land here,” suggested Edna, % “and try to escape by running.” 8 “If we do that we'll be at a great disadvantaze on your account, Edna,” said Jack. “You wouldn’t : i be able to keep up a quick pace long.” “T'll do the best I can, Jack, dear,” she said, resolutely. “If we keep on we'll be caught any- way, according to Bart. Now that those men are out of sight we may be able to slip away from _ them somewhere and hide until we think it is safe to continue on.” We: Jack considered the question a moment or two, ~ and then asked Foster what he thought of the plan. 3 “T guess it’s the best thing. we can do, Jack,” ‘he replied. “There seems to be a considerable wood around here. We ought to be able to stand a chance of giving Fernandez and his crowd the slip. If we go on I feel it in my bones that they'll have us dead to rights at the bend.” “Then we'll land and trust to luck. Speak to the boatman and see if he’ll go with us.” The boatman refused to leave his craft, saying that he did not.fear the Mexicans. He promised to wait for them at the mouth of the river if he was not stopped on the way down the inlet. Ac- cordingly Jack, Bart and Edna stepped on to the - bank and hurried away among the trees. They soon found, however, that the wood was not so dense after they had gone a little way as they had anticipated to find it, It gradually thinned out into an open country, which did not promise much in the way of shelter‘ until Jack noticed .a line of low hills. near at hand that were covered vith a lot of projecting rocks. He led the way in hat. direction, which carried them around the ack of the wood -in a semi-circle. At length they struck the hills. and the boys kept their eyes open for some place that promised tempor- ary security at least. They had proceeded half mile when, just as they reached-a collection of ocks, the gang of Mexicans, led by Fernandez, got to hustle at a lively gait.” ___ Thev rushed behind the rocks, but the boulders vere cf no advantage to them now. Presently they struck a kind of defile and darted into it. It ~ Jed thém in a circuitous way into the hills and finally right up to the mouth of a cavern. “I’m afraid we’re trapped,” said Jack, “for to turn back means sure capture anyway. We’ye got to\keep on. They’re bound to follow, but in the darkness we may be able to shoot a couple or more of them down, and that would even up hinges.” Into the cavern they pushed, and were aston- ished to find that it showed signs of occupancy. ‘It looked as if they had entered the rascals’ lair. A. couple of lanterns were burning against the rocky walls. . : “There’s a door yonder,” cried Jack. “If we m get in there maybe we'll be able to barricade urselves against them.” . “What good will that do?” asked Bart. “We'd e fairly trapped then. They couid starve us into bmission.” f : ey mind. It will give us a breathing spell, eter Comie.in,! agony from one of the attacking party. followed by a string of imprecations, and the rifle fell to ye the floor. The pressure on the door was removed. a ». from the other side, and the cowardly villains re- __ treated. Edna reached down, seized the barrel of the rifle, and drew the gun into the cave, white _ the two boys slammed the door to. They knew that it was but a temporary respite, but were - determined to make the most of it. bid he

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20 “Edna,” said Jack, that treasure stuff so we can move the chest.” - The two hurriedly obeyed Jack’s order, and when half the stuff was out on the floor Jack and Bart were able to drag the box against the door. They then returned the plates and vessels to the chest. again, and retired to a dark corner to Nothing happened for a while, and all sound: in the outer room ceased excent the gréans and maledictions of the wounded man, who had been removed from where await further developments. he fell to another part of th “J wonder what they’re Bart “Hush! -. -A sudden rush was made against the door and some heavy object struck it a resounding blow. The big chest, however, held it firm, and it only cave. _ oing now?” asked I think I-hear them outside.” quivered under the shock. The rascals were evi- dently surprised, and the three young people could hear ‘them jabbering away at a great rate. A second attack was made on the door, followed by. ; third and-fourth, but with no productive result. length they heard a kind of triumphant ring to their. tones, as though the -scamps had found a way to solve the difficulty. “What are they up to now?” said Bart. - “Looks as if they were figuring on getting us * at last,” replied Jack. . “Give me one of the re- ~ volvers, Edna. sell our lives dearly if it comes to such a pinch. 2g “Oh, Jack; dear, déar Jack!” cried the girl, throwing her arms around her lover. Something outside was rolled against the door, and the fugitives were wondering what it was when, without the slightest warning, a tre- mendous explosion shook the caverns. The heavy door was wrenched from its hinges and fell in over the chest, and the inner cave was filled with the suffocating fumes of burned powder. Through this dense pall nothing could be seen but the dim light of the lantern. “My gracious!” eried Jack, when he and his two companions had recovered from the first effects “They’ve blown the door of the terrible shock. in. Shoot now for your life, Bart.” e The two boys awaited the rush of their enemies, ss but it came not. was nobody in sight. ‘ “Strange,” he muttered. have gone? Are they waiting for us to come out? Or what is their object in holding off?” As his eyes wandered around the cave he began to notice grewsome objects scattered about. ~ less corpse, then with startling suddenness. whole gang had been blown to death. _-. “Hurrah! We’re safe,” he exclaimed jubilantly. “What do you mean?” Pi: eeived the a pe in- ene rach io ON HIS MERITS “you and Bart tumble out Then the villains retired to consult; at least‘ that is what the fucitives conjectured. At You take the other, Bart. We’ll* - Jack had sent a long telegraph dispatch to M ae: Ww: For half an hour the young people did not dare to move, then Jack, after re- marking upon the curious state of affairs, crawled forward and looked out into the outer cave. There “Where could they At first he could not understand what they were, but _it was not long before he identified a human leg, . then the mangled trunk of a man, then a head- y The truth dawned upon him The powder keg the rascals had pushed against the door had evidently -exploded prematurely from ‘some cause, and the Then Jack explained, and Bart. ‘and Edna re- They walked outside and saw evidences of the awful truth on every side. “Served them right,” Edna only shuddered. 2 “And what about all this money and valuable stuff?” asked Jack. “This is all ours now. What a haul!. Why it will make the three of us inde- pendently rich.” “Hurrah!” eried ae intensely excited over his ie chum’s words. “But how shall we get it away from this spot back to Buffalo?” he added, a moment later, with a very doubtful expression. “How? By the sloop, of course. The vessel elongs to us now, since there is no one else 1 claim her. We'll stow the stuff aboard of her and sail back to the Mississippi, and thence to Buffalo, by the way Spencer sailed her hence.” It was so decided, and the first thing they did was to load Edna with as much gold plate from the chest as she could carry, while Jack and Bart took charge of the pot of money between them. Thus loaded down they returned to the basin and — boarded, the sloop in the rowboat which Fer- nandez had brought ashore, where they foun Morris tied as they had left him. Their next move was to remove the bodies of the detective and Spencer from the cabin to the shore. ; During the afternoon the wind came up. A hands went ashore and buried Gideon Spencer an Detective Ketcham side by side in the wood. The anchor was then hauled up by means of a winch, the sails hoisted and the sloop slowly passed out of the basin and down the inlet to the Rio Grande. Inside of forty-eight hours they came in sight the coast of Louisiana and duly reached Ne Orleans without mishaps. Here they took sup- — plies aboard and then headed up the river, after commented Bart, but Fairchild. Two weeks later the black sloop moored to one of jy wharves controlled by the firm of Fairchild & Garrison and Edna was re- stored to her home and friends. Needless to. SAY, there was great rejoicing in the Fairchild home. — Jack and Bart boxed all their treasure the selves and had it removed to the warehouse, where it was subsequently appraised at a value of $300,000. Bart, therefore, came into a cool $100,- 000 as his share. Jack acted generously with Morris Abbott. He not only kept his promise n to prosecute him, but he placed $10,000 to his credit in a bank as a trust fund he was to get with interest when he reached twenty-one. Jack purchased a third interest in the firm of Fairchi & Garrison, and in due time married Edna, th practically coming: into control of the busines but he has no intention of advancing such a clai as long as Mr. Fairchild remains as the head’ » the house. It has.been arranged that Bart is to buy 0 Mr. Fairchild shortly, and then the three i portant characters of this story will be equ partners in the most successful shipping business in Buffalo. There is no doubt in the minds of all who know Jack Mason intimately that he has proved himself to be one of the Smartest B Alive, and has achieved his success in life ‘who On His Merits. Next week’s issue will contain “TRAPPI IG THE. BROKERS; oe A GAME WALL “BOY.”

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ORIGIN OF GQLDFISH. Goldfish are but a variety of the carp and owe their existence to the Chinese and Japanese peo- ples, who since the Sixteenth Century have kept them in domesticated state and by selective breed- ng have eliminated the somber colors of the orig- 1 stock and produced the beautiful colors we w have. During their first year goldfish are own, after which they assume a silvery tint, and as they grow older they change to gold. * raed SULPHUR STONE Sandstone is of little value as a building ma- terial, as it will not stand pressure. in excess of me 8,000 pounds per square inch. Recent ex- periments made by the United States Board of Standards indicate a cheap method of making _ sandstone as strong as granite. The stone is cut, then soaked in melted sulphur for several hours. - The sulphur permeates the structure, and, when - cold, blocks will stand a pressure of 30,000 pounds compression. Tests for weathering qualities are ill in progress, but initial results are reported be extremely favorable. SPRINTER RUNS DOWN GROWN FOX _ The Boquet Valley section of the Adirondacks has a sprinter in Harry Partridge who, residents believe, could show his heels to Charles Paddock— er-the proper conditions. . At Maigsville recently Partridge sighted an usually large red fox. Picking up a club -he arted after the animal. The race was brief, he man quickly overhauling Reynard and killing im. Many persons saw the fox later at the Par- dge home. It is said to be the first time on ecord that a full grown fox had been run down by a man. ‘ ; 24 HISTORY OF THE CRESCENT __ The crescent was not originally an emblem of the: Turks. It was first used by the primitive vistians of Constantinople and the eastern vovinces of the old Roman Empire as the emblem the growing influence of Christianity. It was ot until about the year 1453, after the Turks had overrun Asia Minor and parts of Southern - Europe, and had captured Constantinople, that ey adopted the crescent as their native emblem. e Koran prohibits the use of symbols and im- s in obe religious ceremonies of the strict k, or the internal decoration of their temples 1d mosques, the rule being so strict as not to nerals, or pashas, successful commanders or other distinguished persons: The adoption of the rescent as a national emblem is an oddity which s so far remained unexplained. It is sometimes said that it was assumed as a badge of triumph fter the capture of Constantinople in 1453, or commemorate a partial eclipse of the moon on “night of the final attack. As a matter of ‘seems to have been used be some of the s long before that event, but it was not until ut on at large FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY == le 21 CURRENT NEWS. | oe w the martial or civic decoration of their great © ‘ that time that it was adopted by the Turk- . by the heat from his body. A FAMOUS MOUNTAIN Adam’s Peak is one of the highest mountains on the Island of Ceylon, about 45 miles east of the City of Colombo. It is of a conical shape 7,- 420 feet high, and can be seen in fair weather from the sea from a great distance. From its solitary position and immense height above the surround- ing country the peak forms a striking and awe- inspiring object and has been for centuries vene- rated by the inhabitants. On the top, under a sort of opén pagoda, is the sacred footmark, a - natural hollow in the rock, artificially enlarged and bearing a rude resemblance to a human foot. Mohammedan tradition makes this the scene of Adam’s penitence after his expulsion from Para- dise; he stood for 1,000 years on one foot, weep- ing for his sin; hence the mark. To the Buddhists. the impression is the sacred footmark left by Bud- dha on his departure from Ceylon. Devotees of all creeds here meet and present their offerings (consisting chiefly of flowers) to the sacred foot- print, finishing their devotion by a draught from — the sacred well. The ascent of the mountain is assisted by steps cut. and iron chains riveted in the rock. The last 40 feet is accomplished by an oo ladder. The top is an area of 64 feet by 45 eet. . 3 ; SUN WEIGHED BY NEW PLAN Because of ‘he discovery of an error of one and a fifth quintrillion tons in the estimated weight of the earth, the Bureav of Standards has” decided to “reweigh” the earth, the sun, moon and stars. : : 5 ene The error has caused considerable worry to physicians and astronomers, who claim the inac- eer makes many of their calculations unrelia- e. : Dr. Paul R. Heyl. physicist of the Bur : Standards, is in charge of the rewcishine: eae Soe esses. He said the purpose is to enable astron- _ omers to make more accurate computations of the ~ movements of the universe so it would be possible to understand “fundamental nature.” : ‘ He aims to obtain a new gravitational constant, the magic figure by which celestial weights may be computed. This constant is the attraction one ee has 4 eeee.. Doctor Heyl is making his tests in a dark cave, thirty-five feet below the basement of the build- © ing which houses the Bureau of Standards. He has suspended two accurately weighed gold balls from the end of an aluminum bar, which in turn is suspended by a light wire which allows the apparatus to rotate. Thus the balls fellow a cir- cular course much like the orbits of the earth in its rotation around the sun. : Two steel cylinders are placed near the balls and their attraction for the moving bodies is~ measured by the distance the gold balls deviates, — from their orbit. The apparatus is being op: erated in a vacuum and Doctor Heyl measures the movements froma.distance by means of a series _ of mirrors in order not to affect the experiment — ty

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22 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY + GUS AND THE GUIDE — Or, — : Three Weeks Lost in the Rockies By GASTON GARNE (A Serial Story.) CHAPTER I.—(Continued). Mr. Marston produced a letter from his pocket, and read as follows: ¢ “Mr. MARRSTON.—Dear Sir: I have stolen your son. If you believe in hypnotism you can consider that I have hypnotized him; at all events, I have sueceeded in making him forget his duty to his parents, and have induced him to follow me to the Far West, where I belong. This I have done through deliberate purpose. I am not what I seem, but am actually a skilled chemist, a grad- uate of the best mining school in Germany, 4 man of intelligence and purpose. I have discovered a new process of working up low-grade gold and silver ores to a profit. There are untold millions of tons of such ore lying waste in the Far West. My process is an asstired success, but is not yet quite complete. -I have tried in vain to interest capitalists in it. .My money is exhausted. I need more for my experiments, and to complete my work. Knowing of no other way to interest capital without exposing my secret, I have tried this means. I want money; you doubtless, want your son. Send me a thousand dollars, and as + soon as my work is completed I will return the boy to you. It will probably take three weeks after the receipt of the money, and during that time I shall keep the boy with me in case I find need to ask for a further advance. The remit- tance must be in cash. It is to be forwarded to George Brandt, Black Rock, Idaho, in care of Colonel Tim Tolkins, who will see that it reaches ‘me. And now understand that it will be ntterly useless for you to attempt to arrest this man or to make him confess by what means he conveys the cash to me, for if you do go [ shall surely learn of it and will at once kill your son, Forewarned is forearmed, I repeat, and don’t forget it—arrest ~ means certain death to. Matt Marston. I will kill him if I have to kill myself one minute later. Yours in dead earnest, “ORLANDO BLAKE.” ” “There!” exclaimed Mr. Matston, “Now you see how J am fixed. If ever a man was tied hand and foot, I am that.man,” in y “You sent the money?” “I did; and four times manded Gus. : Aince I have responded to similar demands, It amounts to less than three thousand dollars altogether, which is the peculiar feature of the case, for this mad inventor—I can believe him to be gwar | else—could just as easily have bled me for a hundred thousand dol- lars as for the pittance he has, demanded.” — “And this man Tolkins?” “Ts a drunken lawyer at Black Rock. He is ab- / solutely deaf to all appeals. Arrest him I dare not. Detectives have shadowed him night and day, but _all to no purpose. He merely laughs at them. He says frankly that he knows Blake and believes in his invention; indeed, has advanced him much money, and is to have stock in the com- pany when it is formed. He further declares thai he does not know where Blake is; that he merely — delivers the money to George Brandt. Who resi is or where he keeps himself he refuses to ell.’ : “And the detectives can’t find out?” “As I said before, they have utterly failed. Tolkins never leaves town, and no such 4 man as. George Brandt is known in Black Rock. It is a most peculiar case.” f “What reason does Blake give in his letters for not keeping his promise?” demanded Gus, puzzled to understand just where he came in, or how he could help in the matter. “He writes that his process is not quite per- — fected, and that a little more cash is needs Tis last demand came a week ago, and was merely for a hundred dollars. In his letter he states that _ Matt is well and happy, and will be set free the — instant the experiments are successfully cém- pleted, which may be any day.- He kindly offers me the chance to take an interest in the company —to come in on the ground floor. And now, Gus, ‘es , know it all. Tell me what you think, my oy. aa “Why, Mr. Marston,” replied Gus, “I am: won- dering how I can possibly help you.” e é “Tt is this way,” said the banker. “When’ a, de- tective strikes Black Rock he is instantly spotted; the very nature of his business makes him a mark. But you know the West: You were born and brought up out there, and I believe that be- cause you are a boy you can fool these wretches, for if you are shréwd they will not suspect you. Get out there. Get in with this Colonel Tolkins, as he calls himself. Find out about George Brandt. Take your time to it. I will pay you double your present salary, and all expenses.. To avoid sus- picion I shall arrange to have money sent to you — from Denver, and I advise you to claim to hail from there. You know the town well, and can. make others believe that you belong there. Help me, Gus, and you will never regret it.” ior “But it-seems like sending a boy on a man’s er- rand,” said Gus, doubtfully. a “No,” replied Mr. Marston. “It is sending a sharp boy and an honest one to make success _ where dull, dishonest’ detectives have failed. Gus, will you go?” cemtifA> “Yes, Mr. Marston, I will,” replied Gus, quietly. _ “J will go and do my best.” : Deis és “More than which neither boy nor man can do,” said the banker. “And heaven grant that you may meet with success,” Be acc Gus went to Black Rock, Idaho, within a week, but he did not go dressed as a stylish New oueeks s a with-his pockets filled with money, as Mr. Marston wanted him to do. ere. This was where Gus showed the wisdom of Mr. Marston’s selection of an instrument to carry out his designs. : eee ea (To be dontnnteds Sia ae é

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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY HERE AND THERE MAKING MATCHES The first Lucifer or friction matches date back to 1829. They were made and dipped by hand and - sold for a little over two dollars per hundred. : To-day the same quantity may be bought for a ~ couple of cents, or even less. This cheapness is due to the fact that all matches are made, and most of them are dipped by machinery. _ In making matches by one process, a cylinder of . pe wood the length of seven matches, which has een soaked in water to make it tough, is placed in a sort of lathe and as it revolves the cireumference ~ eomes in contact with a sharp blade which cuts off a continuous shaving the thickness of a match. As_ this shaving comes away from the log it is eut into seven strips, each as wide.as a match is long. ‘These ribbons are cut into lenths of about eight - feet, and one Aundred and-twenty or so are piled on top of each other and fed into a cutting ma- -chife, whi¢h cuts as many splints at each stroke as there are ribbons in the pile. “ Rapid as this process of making splints is, it has “been displaced in America by another method in which very little hand work is required. In this ease the raw material‘is received at the factory in - the shape of a two-inch white pine plank..This is sawed into blocks the length of the match. ~The blocks are then fastened -by means of clamps to the bed of a machine and cutters groove’ out a set of splints from the surface. The cutters do not turn the entire surface into splints at one impact, but cut them out one-fourth of an inch apart. The ridges left between the places from which the first set of splints was cut, are then worked up, and so on until the whole block is consumed. = As soon as the splints are'separated from the a6 block they are seized in iron clamp plates, which form an endless chain. The endless chain carries the splints across a steam-heated drum, which warms them nearly to the temperature of the par- ~ affin, into which they are dipped. - From the paraffin bath the splints move on con- tinuously to the rollers that carry the ‘heading mixture”—phosphorus, chlorate of potash, ete.— and, as the matches are carried past the rollers each one receives a red or blue head, as the case * may be. From the rollers they continue on through a room swept by a blast of eold, dry air. ‘fhe matches move on until, just. before they reach the starting point again, an automatic punch thrusts the matches out and places them de by side in a box, put in the right place at the ght time by another endless belt. % } — ; : CANNIBAL SPIDERS ‘ we have long marveled at the deli- cate web of the spider, a web that is stronger In proportion to its thickness than steel, but few of are familiar with the spider’s method of love- : : ‘Although making. The male spider is apparently insignifi- ant, for it is the female of the species with ch we are familiar. Like the gnat family, it s the female spider that does the work, catches ood and looks after the material interests of amily. A remarkable thing is that the mal % pes “with his wife. - the cente is always able to recognize its wife because of the difference in color, markings, size and other features which would miss our eye entirely. The male loves to preen themselves and excite atten- tion to themselves whenever a female is near. Sometimes they will run wildly about the lady spider in an effort to catch her attention. — But the.female spider is of a cannibal mine. Oftentimes she devours her husband soon after the marriage and even before the courtship is — ended. Woe to the male spider that doesn’t agree He is usually small and insig- nificant, so she ends the argument by eating him. When a spider is attacked by an enemy other than one of her own species and size, her favorite form of self-protection is to feign death, drop- ping to the earth and lying crumpled up as if. dead. When in this state a spider can be lifted or rolled about without showing signs of. life. But when attacked bv their own species they either run or fight.. The spiders will twist their. bodies in all directions with much-waving of front ~ legs held well above the head, and, circling — round and round, will make: occasional advances to come to grips—and as. quickly retreat to avoid such an emergency. As the battle proceeds the fighters draw farther and farther away, and then, ~_ forgetting what it was all about, wander off in’ — opposite directions. : : The web can never be matched by man in its — fineness and strength. Before it leaves the spider’s body the web is a kind of gum. When it issues from the body of the spider it takes the form of the finest silk,-almost too thin to imagine. — ‘The spider is generally provided with six tubes— ~ ‘ sometimes there may be only four—placed in the lower part of its body. eae of these tubes is © more than a tube; each’ is really the finest of fin sieves. The silk does not ¢éome out in one strant from the tube. There are a thousand holes to this sieve that the tube encloses, and from each ~ hole the silk comes forth as a separate thread. The thousand threads coming from each tubo © combine to make one strand of the web. If ther’ are six tubes in the spider’s body there will be six ~~ strands in the single thread which we see in tho | web. Thus there are six thousand tiny strands — in the single filmy line of the web we see. first takes into consideration the weather condi- tions. By moving tiny hairs on her legs very Taps idly-she draws out a small quantity of silk, She ~_ fastens the end of the place where she is standing. Then she may run away to another place to make fast another end of her web. If the wind is — blowing she will allow the silk line to trail so that — the wind will carry it in contact with some sta tionarmy object. Since the silk is gummy whil> — fresh the strand will stick to whatever it touches, — Next she proceeds to anchor other supporting cables of her web and, after these have all bee secured, she settles down to the routine work o spinning the circular portion of the web. Sh starts at the outside and gradually works to ir.

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2A A GOOD RECEIVER A set that can receive the Sunday morning church. service from WBZ, Springfield, in New York, or pick up KDKA, Pittsburgh, during the morning or afternoon is a good set and can be depended upon to cover a wide area at night. KILLING DISTORTION “C” patteries in the grid circuit of radio fre- quency amplifiers will minimize distortion_and help to lengthen the life of the “B” battery. Most neutrodynes are not'licensed to use “C battery patents. ; BATTERY POLES Here’s the way to tell the positive from the negative terminals of a storage battery. The bat- tery is not marked with a positive and negative sign: Put the wires leading from the terminals in a glass of salf water, but keep the wires well apart. Bubbles will rise from the negative wire. The centre terminal is positive. NO GUESSING IN RADIO _ Years ago scientists guessed what caused the phenomena of radio, but to-day they know. There are many mysteries yet in radio, but causes and effects are well worked out in thathematics, and there is no doubt about the placement of coils, aie t condensers and resistances to secure certain re- sults. = ’ A FINE TIP. i: An antenna will receive more satisfactorily in the directions which the antenna points, and will favor reception from the end the lead-in is taken the wire should point east and west with the lead- in taken off the western end. : ; FINISHING OF PANELS Never use emery cloth to finish the surface of panels. This may leave small particles of car- porundum on the panel, which is a conducting medium. Use a fine grade of sandpaper. After working the panel to a duil finish dust it off and’ _ apply a light oil with a rag. Rub it on both sides 1S of the panel and wipe dry with a clean cloth. The ‘oil will prevent moisture from working its way into the finished panel. WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR GRID , The filament emits negative particles of elec- tricity called electrons. “If a-negative charge is placed on the grid the tube will not work efficient- ly as a detector. Unlike charges of electricity _» attract each. other therefore the grid is connected to the grid leak, which affords a path around the -» grid condenser, as the ‘positive side of the “A” battery attracts the negative charge off the grid. Amplifier tubes work better with a negative charge on the grid, and when the grid is con- nected to the négative.of the “A” battery the neg- ative charge is not attracted off, because. like sharges repel each other. ser ; / = peer ny 7d . off. If best reception is desired from the west. 4 what is taking place. announce and criticize at the same time. . FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY __ INTERESTING RADIO NEWS AND HINTS AS TO PANELS _Experiments conducted at the Craft high-ten- — sion laboratory of Harvard University, to which pyrad iolin panels were submitted, show that the new material, submerged in water for six hours, absorbed less than three-hundredths of 1 per cent. Owing to this minimum amount of absorption of water, the electrical constants remain practically unchanged under varying atmospheric conditions. The tests at this laboratory were continued over a period of six weeks. They also showed that the material had a col- umn of resistivity of 8,000,000 megohms per em. cube and a surface resistivity of 20,000,0000 meg- ohms per cm. square It had a power factor of (036 radians or 2.1 degrees at all frequencies and the dielectric constant was 5.7 at 1 kilocycle and 4.8 at 500 kilocyeles. This technical detail summed up means that the panels are completely satisfactory from a dielectric standpoint. _ The new panel has the further advantage that it can be handled as easily as a piece of soft pine. It is reported that it will not chip, crack, warp or shrink and is extremely easy to cut, saw, drill and engrave. ; fe? RADIO ANNOUNCERS A clear voice and ease of deliverty are among’ the first things to be considered in fort a announcer. After a candidate is chosen, he tray- els about with other announcers for three weeks, and is then drilled in handling a studio program. As one impresario said: “He must be able to go~ from a prohibition banquet to a midnight cabaret, 8 describe each with the same ease and versa- ility. : When broadcasting started, program directors | selected their announcers chiefly because of the quality of their voices. The result is that many announcérs to-day have had vocal training. This ' has an advantage in case an entertainer fails to . appear at the studio, because the announcer can sing or play in order to keep the program moving. © The field of broadcasting has widened material- ly since the pioneer announcers appeared before the microphones of KDKA and WJZ. The fact : than a man has an excellent baritone or tenor voice <a does not necessarily make him a good announcer. ~ Program directors are beginning to realize that an announcer suited to broadcost a football game is not always qualified to describe an opera, prize- fight or send out election returns. A goud studio announcer is defined as one who can handle a constantly changing program. Listeners in general do not care to hear whether ~ or not “this is the best football game I have ever seen.” What they want is a clear description of — the plays, and not a criticism of them. Radio im- presarios claim that unless a man is qualified as a ‘special in a certain branch of sport he eonma ie should limit himself to an accurate account of %

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eee y ae Se ae = 3 eye* _ \ ‘ 7 \ - BARBER CHAIR PHONES Telephone-equipped chairs are the latest inno- x vation in Atlanta, Ga. A barber shop in that city - has equipped each of its twelve chairs with in- dividual telephones for the use of patrons while : the barber clips and shaves. Connections from s each. of the chairs run to a miniature switch- board operated by the cashier. SMALLEST BOOK An opera singer in Elberfeld, Germany, owns what is said to be the.smallest book in the world. Its dimensions are one-quarter of an inch by one- 3 i? ~ ‘A - ss half inch. Its) titl® is “Almanac of: the year i Ep ABB. a TO ENTER ENDLESS CAVERNS # An organized expedition, headed by Captain Robert A. Bartlett, Arctic explorer, will nake an attempt to reach the end of the Endless Caverns, near New Market, Va. _ . According to announcement of the plans, Cap- “tain Bartlett and five others of the Explorers” ._ Club, including Henry C. Walsh, founder, who re- ‘eently made a preliminary study of the caverns, are to arrive Jan. 9. , The explorers, it was said, purpose to construct a cabin as a base for their explorations at a point a mile and a half within the mouth of the caverns, ‘beyond which no one has ever been known to go, due. to_the natural obstructions encountered there. From that point they hope to work their _ way back to the end. { A TRANSCONTINENTAL RADIO CHAIN Arrangements have been completed for the es- tablishment of stations in five cities in Western Canada. There remains only Vancouver to com- plete’ the transcontinental chain of radio stations - that will make the Canadian National Railways operator of the greatest chain of noncommercial radio broadcasting stations in the world. Ad- vices have been received that all arrangements for the’ establishment of stations in Winnipeg, -Saakatoon, Regina, Edmonton and Calgary have been completed. ; These stations are not new, like CKCH in Ot- tawa, but are stations already existing with which the Canadian National Railways have come to agreement for the broadcasting of programs. In Winnipeg, the Manitoba Government telephone station CKY, using the 450-meter wave length, will broadcast every Thursday, evening; from Saakatoon the radio supply station CFQC will -Proadeast every afternoon between 3 and 4 _o’clock; from Regina, station CKCK, 420 meters, “will broadcast each Tuesday evening; from Cal- gary, station CFCN, 440 meters, will broadcast every Wednesday evening, and station CFAC, - monton, station CJCK, 450 meters, will broadcast every Friday evening. t . 2 OLD CANS ; What becomes of old sardine boxes, tomato cans, eat cans, fruit cans and cans of all kinds? asks outh’s Companion. © FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY GOOD READING 430 meters, every Thursday evening; from Ed- ~ 166 West 23d Street il a, 1. 2 6 +. ee ee a In ‘this country they are usually tumbled into some waste lot or down by the side of the road, where they are left in unsightly heaps. i But the people do better in France, where noth-_ ing is allowed to go to waste. They gather them up and use them—to cut into tin soldiers. The making of tin soldiers is not an insignificant or unimportant business, by any means. There was published not long ago an item saying that the manufacture had reached “great artistic excel- lence,” and that “a certain eminent German of- ficer has found it possible to represent military operations On a large scale by their means.” He | has “35,000 tin soldiers,’ foot. solciers, horsemen and artillerymen, with all necessary equipments, — and top scenery; and with them he goes through evolutions and works out interesting problems — of military tactics. _ ie In France, too, the old boots and shoes are col- Nected, and every part is used over again. The work is mostly done by convicts in prisons. They take the boots and shoes to pieces and soak them; then the uppers are cut over into children’s shoes; gn if they are too far gone for that, a peculiar ind of pressed leather is made by some chemical action. The nails are Saved and sold, und the “scraps go to the farmer to fertilize the soil. z Who would have thought it possible to make — anything out of old saws? Yet it is said that many of the finest surgical instruments, and some of those used by engineers, are manufactured ~ from the steel that first did duty in saws. The steel of saws is of the very best quality and finest temper; afd, since it is good in the first place, it is always good. After that it is easy to believe there is a place’ in Canada where they make paper from sawdust It is a kind of paper pulp, rolled out in great sheets, for the purpose of sheathing; that is, for — using on buildings before the clapboards are put on. -Wood pulp, made of poplar and spruce, has — long been used; mixed with the rags in the paper mills, in the process of manufacture; but it is a — new thing to convert sawdust into paper. ; Where the largest quantity of lead pencils is” made the sawdust of the cedar wood is saved.and ~ distilled. A valuable oil is extracted, every ounce of which is sold at good figures. : So an old sardine box, a tomato can, a cast-off shoe, and a rusty pruning saw may be made over into something new; anda heap of sawdust and — the waste from a-lead pencil factory may furnish employment and be of actual use in the world. - “Moving Picture Stories” : A Weekiy Magazine Devoted to Photoplays and Players PRICE TEN CENTS PER COPY . Each number contains Three Stories of the Best. Films on the Secreen—Elegant Half-tone Scenes from the Plays —Interesting Articles About Prominent People in the Films—Doings, of Actors and Actresses in the Studio and Lessons in Scenario Writing. j = HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Ine. ‘New York City _ ys Siar se Sarr

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26, FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY NEW YORK, JANUARY 30, 1925 TERMS TO SUsSCRIBERS ' Bingle Copies One Cop 'Liree Months... ' One Copy Six Months... nea One Copy One Year............ 4 Canada, $4.50; Poreign, $5.00. HOW TO SEND MMONBEY — At ‘4 risk send P. 0. ...Postage Free 8 Cents “5 +e a $1.00 ’ 2.00 “! 4.00 “ “ Money Order, Check or Registered Letter; remittances “in any other way are at your risk, ve accept Postage stamps the same as cash. When setiding silver wrap the Coin in a separate piece of paper to avoid cutting the envelope.. Write your’ name and address plainly. Harry B. Wolff, Pres. es E. WOLFF, _ Charles I. Nylander, Sec. L, F. Wilzin, Treas. FROM ALL POINTS WARNED OF COUNTERFEIT. $20 NOTE New York storekeepers were warned to watch out for counterfeit $20 notes recently, after the arrest of Samuel Levine of Blooklyn, charged with attempting to pass counterfeit money in Newark. He acmitted, according to the Newark police, that he and another man had got rid of several bad notes in New York. He is said to have had twelve in his pockets when caught. Publisher, Inc. _ 166 W. 28d St., N. Ve U. S. IN WAR TO END RATS Plans for securing an extra appropriation from Congress for exterminating rats infected with bubonic plague in Alameda County, California, were discussed at a conference of Public Health Service men sheaded by Surgeon-General Cum- ming. . It has been decided to send 125 sanitary _in- spectors and trappers to aid the campaign against rodents in Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda. Dr. Cumming said that recent cutbreaks of bubonic . and. pneumoniec plague were directly traceable to - infected rats and squirrels. ~ ESKIMO AGE RECORDS ° The Eskimo people have no books. They can neither read nor write. But they can tell immedi- ately, by looking into a bag, the age of each little fat Eskimo playing about the hut in the snow and cold. -» This is the way they know, says the Cyrtle: When a baby comes to an Eskimo’s house, or igloo, a. fur bag is given to the little one. She ‘is to keep this bag as long’ as she lives. - Every year, when the sun comes once more after the long, cold Greenland night, a bone is put into the little bag. So when you look into the ‘-jittle bag and see seven bones, you know the little owner is seven years old. « - MODERN ENGINEER COPIES METHOD. OF ~ >). * ANCIENT CLIFF DWELLERS Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years ago, the iff- dwellers of what is now the Mesa Verde Nat- -‘jonal Park. of southvestern Colorado discovered a --yemarkable way to ‘sto.:e up the water of the sud- ‘den, spring freshets. - i : FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY eee “ Learning that water.left in reservoirs would — soon evaporate in the hot, dry air of the desert, — these semi-civilized hydraulic engineers found a way to force the water into the pores of the rocks — pe where it’ was safe from the attack of the summer sun. Thus stored, the water slowly trickled from the rocks, cool and crystal clear, providing afi am-_ “9 ple and continuous supply throughout the long 3 parched summer. Then came other tribes of red men, displacing the industrious cliff dwellers, but neglecting their clever engineering works. No more water oozed — from the spongelike sandstone, for no more water _ was+stored in it. was no water. ‘ Recently the methods by which the vanished ~ — cliff dwellers stored water" in the pores of the rock were re-disecovered and the present superintendent — of the park could find no better way to get a con- stant supply of water than to clean out and use — the hydraulic works of his ancient predecessors. Tvh severa] of thesmall steep creeks of the Mesa Verde there are ruins of many small dams not. over five feet high, which were left by the early | Indians. As the valley slopes are steep these dams — could not have backed the water up more than a 4 few feet, x _— ‘LAUGHS Friend—Got a lawyer? Prisoner—One. Friend—Why don’t yer git two? ain’t guilty ‘nough ter that. “Your boy is trying to write poetry. you say?” “Yes.” “Why don’t you discourage him?” editors will soon do that.” “The Finally, the white man came, — the Mesa Verde became.a national park,-bnt there Willie—Mother ,alwavs carves when we havi company to dinner. Bobby—isn’t your father able to? Willie—Guess he ain’t able to without — sayin’ things. Sree _ “Mr. Hardup must have used a great deal of flattery to win the heiress.” ol her the truth.” couldn’t live without her.” z Wife—How nice it would be if all things in this -world would work in harmony! go up and down with the thermometer! Spinks—-What made him so annoyed? Winks— He told his wife if had no judgment, and she just looked over him critically from head t foot, and said she was beginning to realize it. — Mrs. Highmore (with cold dignity)—To what am I indebted for the honor of this visit? U : “No; he simply told — “Indeed?” “Yes; he said he 4 Sree A Hub— Wouldn’t it, though? For instance, if coai would oe a 3 <3 expected Caller—To your careless servant, per- t, haps, madam, 1 dare say she forgot tha ‘were not at home. ag? pie tee you

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; CLOCK TICKING 200 YEARS ‘Mrs. W’. H. Crook of Maryville, Cal., has in her __ possession a clock which has ticked off the hours for 200 years, with a cessation only when it was packed and sipped cut from the Kast forty-five __- years ago by John Swift, father of the late Super- ' visor Clarence. E. Swift. GRASS FOUND IN NECK Four months ago Guy Turner, Lewis County farmer, near Weston, W. Va., placed a blade of green grass in his mouth. A part of it broke and . remained between his teeth. Following a surgi- eal operation, just performed by Dr. A. F. Law- son of Weston, the piece of grass was removed _ from his neck*about four inches from the base of the teeth. : Dr. Lewis and others of his profession were “surprised at the result. There is no parallel in the history of medicine, they say, and a full re- port of the unusual case is being prepared for the medical journals. LETTER IN EYE: OF NEEDLE - A miscroscopie letter, so tiny it rests in the eye of a small needle and can not be perceived by ~~ the naked eye, has been received by R. P. Tolman, - curator of graphic arts at the Smithsonian Insti- ~ tution. Prof. Tolman has decided to place the curiosity in a glass case, where the public may dook upon it through a powerful microscope. In order to see the letter, ‘it is necessary to magnify it 88 times, It is so small it may be ~ contained 11,250 times in a square inch: It was ~ sent to Prof. Tolman for Gispley before the annual “meeting of the Board of Regents of the Smith- - sonian. The letter follows: “This is a crude, hurriedly prepared large sample of micro-engraving. ‘trust it will contain a moment of interest to the ; regents, and regret that time presents preparing - an exhibition more worthy of their inspection. ¢ be, yours cordially, Alfred Mc- _~ Believe me to ~~ wen.” g NEW ASTRONOMICAL MIRROR TO BE THE “pe - - WORLD’S BIGGEST ; : The largest astronomical mirror in the world is to be constructed in the vaulted chamber of the. ' Paris observatory where Jean Picard and Philippe La Hire, famous astronomers of the days of Louis XIV, carried out their important experiments in determining the measurements of the earth and _ the planets. j _ Prof. George Willis Ritchey of Yerkes Observa- _ tory, who has received the Janssen gold medal from the Academy of Science, is in charge of the construction. The mirror, when completed, will measure 6 meters, or nearly 20 feet, in diameter. ‘Astronomy is at present halted only by inability _to make reflectors of greater dimensions, so that en the Ritchey mirror is completed vast strides ay be made similar to those brought about by the development or perfection of apparatus in . * branches of science. — BE iia FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY FROM EVERYWHERE Up to the present larger mirrors have been found impracticable, as a slight change in tem- perature has been sufficient to spoil them, owing to the fact that the surface of the glass is at- fected more rapidly than the internal mass. To overcome this Prof. Ritchey’s mirror is to be constructed of glass stuck together by a speciai preparation of his making and arranged in such a manner as to leave air channels below the sur- face and throughout the thickness of the mirror. Thus changes of temperature will affect all parts equally. /At first mirrors of ordinary dimensions are to be constructed and from these Prof. Ritchey wil! proceed, step by step, until he reaches the six- meter reflector, which he hopes to do within four years. } LOOK, BOYS! TRAPEZEE The Acrobatic Wonder Toy ALMOST HUMAN IN ITS ACTIONS! it consists of a handsome parallel iron frame on which the little yellow eet accurately performs like an ath-~ ete. Five Different Stunts— THE FLYING TRAPEZE — Release the trigger-pin and the tigure swings for- ward, gripping the brass trapeze-bar, turns a somersault in the air and catenes a cross-bar by his heels. THROUGH THE LOOP—<A swift swing and he goes through a wire loop, makes a turn and, catching by his heels, swings head downward from a bar.. ‘THE GIANT SWING — He goes forward with a rush, releases the trapeze, catches a horizontal-bar with his heels,- makes two swift somersaults in the air and catches by his heels again. He performs two more horizontal-bay acts with the grace and agility of a cir- cus star, and many new ones can be in- | vented. The Most Wonderful Toy in the World! PRICE $1.00 The collapsible stand and the little mani- kin are neatly packed in a handsome box, Delivered anywhere in the United States on ~ receipt of price. Address aaa WOLFF NOVELTY CO. 166 W. 23¢ St., : New York City, N.Y. aie

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f 28 16 APPLES A DAY Eating sixteen apples a day has kept W. D. Macown of Toronto, Can., off the sick list for twenty-six. years. Macown, who is employed by the Dominion as a tester of applies grown in ex- periment orchards, says that he has consumed sixteen apples daily in his duties as tester, and that they certainly did keep the doctor away. GIVES UP SAHARA TRIP One of the reasons why King Albert of the Bel- gians has decided to postpone his proposed trip across the Desert of Sahara with a party of Frenchmen, using automobiles with caterpillar - tractors for the journey, was a report from the Governor General of Algeria that there was a cer- tain amount of unrest among the Southern Mo- roccan tribes and that.groups of rebels were pre- pared to attack automobile trains. . — ‘Word was received in Paris that there had been an attack on Dec. 29 by the tribesmen on a French column about twenty miles from Colomb-Bechard, in which three native soldiers, including a chief, were killed and several wounded. On receipt of this information Marshal Petain and André Citroén, manufacturers of the type of car which has successfully negotiated the sandy wastes of the Sahara, and both of whom were to have accompanied King Albert, sent a telegram to the king urging him to postpone the journey. _M. Citroén said he would not start the line to Timbuctoo until] the region was pacified. 7 “BATTLESHIP ILLINOIS NOW A NAVAL ARMORY Shorn of her former power, her guns removed and her engines scrapped, the battleship Illinois lies at her slip, at the foot of West Ninety-seyenth street, North River, New York City. By the pro- visions of the naval treaty signed by the five larg- est maritime nations in the world she is not al- lowed to have anything even remotely suggesting a war weapon. Not even a radio receiving or sending set is permitted aboard the once mighty sea fortress. Yet the Jilinois is not a derelict. She is still serving the country in a way that is simply a modified continuation of her past performance. She has been converted into a drill ship and lent to the State to be used for training quarters for the First Battalion, Naval Militia, of New York City. : ever since the loss of the.Granite State, which was more than a century old, in a spectacular fire in May, 1921, the First Battalion has been in need of quarters to accommodate its 500 enlisted mem- bers. It has repeatedly appealed to the State for an armory. Acting upon this appeal, Governor Smith last year asked the Navy Department for a war vessel that could be spared fox the militias” ‘The State was told to select any one f the dis- ; fearded battleships in the Philadelphia Navy Yard. i = FAME AND: eee WEEKLY ARTICLES OF INTEREST _deck divisions, three engineering divisions, an. = Among these was the Illinois, laid down. in 1917, tions of the United States Navy. whose age required her to be sent to the bottom — of the sea in obedience to the decision of the — Washington Conference. Like her sister ship, the Alabama, she was slated for a premature and in- — glorious end by serving - a target for Uncle — Sam’s new bombing planés. By dismantling her and rendering her harmless and immovable the Government arranged her exemption from the provisions of the Washington treaty, and, after reconditioning her, turned the Illinois over to the _ State. Approximately $200,000 was spent in — transforming the’ Illinois from a war to a peate — vessel. The cost of some of the work wags saved to the Government by the men of.the First Bat. talion, who contributed their labor. Above the iron-plated hull of the dismantled man-of-war now rises a wooden shed 240 feet long, 72 feet wide and 22 feet high. It has a spar deck ex- tending through the entire length and width o the ship and providing a drill floor for 1,000 men. This deck will be used also as an athletic an social hall. : The armory will provide quarters for seven — fered for all forms of indoor sports, such as bas ketball, handball, tennis, wrestling, boxing, bowl ing and swimming. The First Battalion will no be better equipped to instruct its men in naviga tion and piloting, gunnery, small arm practic signals, radio and steam and electrical enginee: ing. A determined effort will be made by the 0: yee to increase its present membership 1,000. ai ae The First Battalion was the first naval unit to be mobilized in the World War. On the da; hostilities were declared 6,000 men reported for duty and were sent to Philadelphia, where they received their assignments to various battleships — and auxiliary vessels. During the war the train- ing quarters of the unit served as receiving post for hundreds of draft recruits who were to be trained for service in the navy. The Granite State also housed a company of gas engineers re- ceiving training at Columbia University. yas During the Spanish-American War the bat- — talion furnished crews for the Yankee, the Na- hant, New Hampshire, Freelwace and Elleen, and~ officers for the Buffalo and Rainbow. According — to the unit’s ship writer the Yankee was the first vessel of her type to be ready for sea in that war. She was also the first warship manned by a n: val militia to be under fire and the last ship 1 leave action at the bombardment of Santiago June 6, 1898. : a ae The origin of the organization dates back to

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_ the same bench. We were both discon- - tented. Remember the noon we saw the International Correspondence Schools’ advertisement? That woke me up. I realized that to get ahead I needed - special training, and I decided to let the —1,C.S. help me. When I marked the ~ coupon I asked you to sign with me. - You said, ‘Aw, forget it!’ “I made the most of my opportunity and have béen climbing ever since. You had the same chance I had, but you turned it down. No, Jim, you can "t ex. pect more money until you’ve trained yourself to handle bigger work.” There are lots of “Jims” in the world—in Stores, factories, offices, everywhere. Are you ‘one of them? Wake up! Every time you see an I. C. S. coupon your chance is staring you - in thé face. Don’t turn it down. - Right now more than 180, 000 men afe -you mit tell me hada chance!” z “Four years ago you and I worked at. preparing themselves for bigger jobs and bet- ter pay through I. C. S. courses. You can jéin them and get in line for pro- motion. Mark and mail the coupon, and find out how. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS Box 5262-D, Scranton, Penna. 2 Without cost or obligation, please tell me how I can quality for the position or in the subject before which I have marked an X: BUSINESS TRAINING COURSES ()Business Management ()Salesmanship [jindustrial Management Hes rtising () Personnel Organization Better Letters L}Traffic Management Show Card Lettering [) Business Law Stenography and Typing LiBanking and Banking Law Li Business English Accountancy (including C.P.A.) Civil Service Nicholson Cost Accounting Railway Mail Clerk Bookkeeping Common School Subjects Private Secretary High School Subjects Spanish 0 Frenth Illustrating [) Cartooning TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRIAL COURSES Electrical Engineering Architect Electric Lighting Architects’ Blue Prints Mechanical Engineer Contractor and Builder Mechanical Draftsman Machine Shop Practice Ratlroad Positions Architectural Draftsman Concrete Bullder (Structural Engineer Gas Engine Operating (Chemistry (] Pharmacy Civil Engineer Automobile Work Surveying and Mapping Airplane Engines Metallurgy Naylgation ~ Steam Engineering Agriculture and Poultry Radio Mathematics NAaiMb......corssresesvesoseracsesooressosepssveceacsnessnarssesonsonss stsstesessdbecereneeesesnete see Street Address... aes Occupations «2.21, -ncrsseneversestascsscascsascsanesesucsyeien Persona residing in Oanada should send this cox tional Correspondence Schools Canadia: S Limited. Mi Montreal, Canadas

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Yes! You can easily have, free, any of these beautiful and valuable gifts. All you need to do is to distribute among your friends just a few packages of our fragrant easy selling Sachet, at ten cents each. You will be surprised to see how easily you can earn one of these attractive gifts. Fill in the coupon for your share of our Fragrant Sachet, so you can start distributing it at once. You need send no money. We trust you. But get started right away before someone else gets into your territory.. Send the coupon TODAY! ong vpiimrmeterns mir nee wor teas ent Sporting Model STEVENS JUNIOR “22” We give you this famous Stevens 22 cal. blued finish, walnat stock rifie for alittle of your spare time, selling our fragrant sachet packages at 100 each. 20-inch barre! tapered to 7-30000 inch accurstely, and sighted for fine shooting. Boys, you will be delighted with this fine rifle. Send the coupon for 30 packages todayl Big Leather Football An excellent quality i regulation size foot- Ft ball. Leather spe- ayy. cially tanned and tempered to take out stretch. Reinforced seams and double strength seamless bladder. Each ballia hand finished and carefully examined for perfection in wee gh ee and shape. ly guar~ anteed. Sell only 30 packages of our easy selling Fragrant Sachet and get this REAL Football. A Real Movie : ; 10 Year Your Choice of Electric or Oil Gris d h ; uaranteed Watc This machine is a well-built and practical moving pic- °. e ture ontfit, so designed that it can be used for both ; and Fine Chain moving pictures and still life views. Equipped for electric or oil light. In addition we give you, abso- You can have this genuine’ American lutely free, a 4-apace slide carrier for showing still stem-wind and. set, fancy engraved ictures, a reel of film, tickets, show bills, etc., also watch, also fine chain, for selling 0 pictures free—enough for a one hour show. You only 80 packages of our Fragrant will be surprised to find how easily you can win one Sachet. Remember, it has our 10- of these wonderful machines. Send the coupon for year guarantee You will be delighted. 80 packages of Fragrant Sachet, Send coupon now, SUNDUOSEONUSApAUREDRUOSESUERUSGEHEOOREADORRORSEROCROROREOAD SEONaNTEWRUONEEOEDatEUoArEa EEE Chicago Sachet Works, 4313 Ravenswood Ave., Chicago = Gentlemen; Please send me 80 packages of your Fragrant easy-sel- = ling Sachet. I agree to sell them at ten cents each, and return to q = you the money and select my premium according to offer in your Just TT e oupon o = bie premium list which is sent-with the goods. If I cannot sell = them, I will return them to you. Make your choice of handsome gifts. Sendin = : y Tie caged ann pat. four Kavpln of tie Eikes: “A P I have checked the premium I desire: rant Sachet #9 you can start istributing them = O Movie Machine O Fine Leather Football at once. Send no money. 'e trust you. Jus = at oD aarti and mark the article you want. O 22 Calibre Stevens Rifle 0 TenYearGuaranteeWatch Chicago Sachet Works, Dept.10-98 : 4313 Ravenswood Ave,, Chicago, ill. = Name ....... Gasnangotan amcel ache Bc pianncet danhiecneane AoE ee cadaots For quick work, you also = f ; ‘ EXTRA! SE OieT wh tthleos-Beauese Addreie.. ils. cones ke em coe a nines Saat S tiful stone setrings. Send inthecoupon = {- TODAY, and we will tell you «li about it. = ES

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THE VAMPIRE Fritz Haar- mann, known as : the “vampire ; murderer,” has been charged with seventeen murders in an in- dictment just filed) by the - State’s Attorney of Hanover, Ger- many. An inves- tigation of eight other cases has not yet been con- ‘eluded, although ‘ the police believe ~ * they will be able to prove his guilt jn these also, as numerous difap- pearances report- ed in various parts of Germany are being directly traced to his house where the “mitted : . Criminologists attached to the Prussian _ Minis- » try of the Interior - are. conducting an exhaustive survey of Haar- and the part the them. Eight of- -- ficials at Police Headquarters , were summarily dismissed from the service be- cause of allega- tions that they "+ were involved in the Haarmann orgies. Haarmann says that he was un- conscious when slaying his. .vic- tims. Most of the murdered men were said to have been “floaters” who were gyrate- ful for a night’s lodging or a drink of brandy with which Haarmann is said to have . drugged them. -Haarmann ad- mitted that he us- ually strangled while . the men they were asleep. crimes were com-, ASTHMA: = -mann’s activities. Hanover police are alleged to have played in Get Rid - of Your F A T Free Tria! Treatment | Sent on request. Ask for my “pay-when-reduced” offer. I have successtully reduced thousands _“ot persons, often at the rate of a pound a day, without diet or Let me send you proof at my ex- Co exercise, pense. DR. KR. NEWMAN, Licensed Physician htate of New York, 266 Fifth Avenue New York, Desk W-18 PIMPLES Your Sia Can Be Quickly Cleared of Pimples, Blackheads. Acne Eruptions on the face or body, Barbers Itch, Pores and Oily or Shiny Skin, en Write today for MLET, ite FREE FREE “A Cumal Tox Brn, taing how f cured myself after being years. £.6.GIVENG, 186 Choabel Bidg., Kaneas City, Mo. GOVT HELP NEEDED | Marmola Co., Allmen, women, boys, girls, 17 , Willing to accept | 117-8250, st: Government Positions, $117-$250, stationary, ator near home, or traveling, Write, Mr. Ozment, 53, St. Louis, Mo, immediately, | § OLD MONEY WANTED | $2 to $500 KACH paid for hundreds of old) coins. eep ALL Old or odd money, it may | be VERY -yaluable, Send 10 cts. for ILLUS- | TRATED -COIN VALUE BOOK, 4x6, -Get Posted. We pay CASH. | CLARKE COIN CO., Ave 13, LeRoy, N. ¥ pedea Salata Ei iasattadiin nabbed lena TREATMENT mailoden | FREE TRIAL, Ifitcares, “REDUCO" GOITRE BANDAGE Wee Rie sehen If you have Goitre or Big-Neck then send in your name and address and we will mailyou a’ Reduco” Goitre Bandage Free of Charge, also a very interesting and valuable booklet on how to Treat Your Goitre at Home. No Charge For This Now or Ever. Give Size Around Neck. Only one to each person, Send now while this offer lasts. Address DR. ROCK LABORATORY, Box 737, Derr. 37 Mitwaunee. Wis. FR RE TE EE TE EE EE TE Reduce Your Weight! Why should you stay fat when there is such an easy way toreduce? Thousands of men and women each year regain slender, healthy fig- ures pleasantly and quickly simply by taking armola Prescription Tablets. These little tablets contain just the right amount of the famous Marmola Prescription tocorrect the action of your system, As soon as you try them, you will begin to get slender, and in a short time your fat will disappear. Don’t kill yourself with violent exercises or starva- tion diets. Marmola Pre- acription Tablets are what you need. Go to your drug- gist and get a box, or, if you prefer, send one dollar to the 1879 General and a box will be Take these little ~ Motors Bldg., Detroit, Mich., sent postpaid. Then try them. | tablets as directed and in no time people will be telling you how wonderfully slender you ate getting. Get your box now, today! \GIVEN 22 25% cording to our > Send for 40 p q today. Rastly Sold, arn big money or gif: AMERICAN SEED CO, ve Box C-127 Lancaster, Pa. WoNDERS ‘FREE BOYS ! dees > Macic, Mystery. y tion and _ THE MAGIC BOX (QUSAND in, ¥ > Ring, piri not, Cards, 73 'Tonsts, 52 Money Maki Fortune Tolling Secrets, Flirtation Signals, Magic and hundreds of other things for Wonderful, new device, guides your hand, corrects a writing in few days. Big improvement jn three urs, Nofailures. Complete ontline Write C.J. Ozment, Dept.39 St. Louis, Mo. TOBACCO Habit Cured or No Pay Any form, cigars,cigarsttes, pipe, chewing or snuff Gueranteed. Harmiess. Complete treatmentsent — Sit Coots $1.00 if it curns. Nothing if it fails. | SUPERBA CO, M-21, Baitimoce, Md. rine tarex CARTOONIST FIRE: TRICK Wir Ee BUYS COMPLET COURSH, includa- ing 40 Clever Cartoon Stunts, “How — to. Give a_ Performance,” “How. to Originate Ideas.” Samples 15e. Mod- ern Cartoon Service, Dept. W, 296 Bergen St., Brooklyn Nv YX. waSEe,

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Ah ie 166 West 23a Street ¥ 4 ora th FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY —— LATEST ISSUES —— 965 Boss of the Market; or, The Greatest Boy in Wall Street. 966 The Chance of His Life; or, The Young Pilot of Crytal Lake. 67 Striving for Fortune; or, From Bell-Boy to Million- aire. : 968 Out for Business; or, The Smartest Boy in Town. 069 A Favorite of Fortune; or, Striking It Rich in Wall Street. 970 Through Thick and Thin; or, The Adventures of @ Smart Boy. ‘971 Doing His Level Best; or, Working His Way Up. Always on Deck; or, The Boy Who Made His Mark. A Mint of Money; or, The Young Wall Street Broker. The Ladder of Fame; or, From Office Boy to Senator. On the Square; or, The Success of an Honest Boy. After a Fortune; or, The Pluckiest Boy in the West. Winning the dollars; or ,The Young Wonder of Walk Street. Making His Mark; or, The Boy Who Became President. Be Heir to a Million; or, The Boy Who Was Born Lucky. ; ‘ Lost in the Andes; or, The Treasures of the Buried City. 972 973 974 915 76 tT 978 979 9380 On His Mettle; or, A Plucky Boy in Wall Street. A Lucky Chance; or, Taking Fortune on the Wing. The Road to Success; or, The Career of a For- ~ tunate Boy. Chasing Pointers; or, The Luckiest Boy in Wall Street. 85 Rising in the : Manager. 986 From Dark to Dawn; or, A Poor Boy's Chance. ost 982 983 §g4 World; or, From Factory Boy to 987. Out for Himself; or, Paving His Way to Fortune. ogg Diamond Cut Diamond; or, The Boy Brokers of ~ Wall Street. 489 A Start in Life; or, A Bright Boy’s Ambition, 490 Out for a Million; or, The Young Midas of Wall Street. \ 491 Every Inch a Boy; or, Doing His Level Best. 992 Money rg Burn; or, The Shrewdest: Boy in Wall Street. . 993 An cee to Business; or, The Boy Who Was Not Asleep. no4 ‘Tipped by the Ticker; or, An Ambitious Boy in * Wall Street. 595 On to Success; or, The Boy Who Got Ahead. 096 A Bid hi a Fortune; or, A Country Boy in Wall Street. 997 Bound to Rise; or, Fighting His Way to Success. 09g Out for the Dollars; or, A Smart Boy in Wall Street. ‘ +99 For Fame and Fortune; or, The Boy Who Won Both. -900 A Wall Street Winner; or, Making a Mint of Money, 1901 The Road to Wealth; or, The Boy Who Found : Tt Out. 1002 On the Wing; ‘or, The Young Mereury of Wall Street. 1003 A’ Chase for a Fortune: or, The Boy who Hustled. 1004 Juggling with the Market; or, The Boy Who Made It Pay. * : drift; or. The Luck of a Homeless Boy. a ine the Market: or, A’ Keen Boy in Wall Street. : + or, The Legacy of a Lucky Boy. fay AE Ot of Money keaton A Lucky Wall Street 1008 From: Rags to Riches; or, A Messenger. For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 8c. per copy, in money or stamps, by HARRY K. WOLFF, Publisher, Inc., n° P| Fin * py “ ar > 2 York City o j OUR TEN-CENT HAND BOOKS Useful, Instructive, and Amusing. They contain _ Valuable Information on Almost Every Subject. No. 55. HOW TO COLLECT STAMPS AND COINS— Containing valuable information regarding thé collect- jie se strange of stamps and coins. Handsomely ustrated. No, 57. HOW TO MAKE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, —Full directions how to make a Banjo, Violin, Zither, Aeolian Harp, Xylophone and other. musical instru- ments; together with a brief description of nearly every musical instrument used in anclent or modern. times. Profusely illustrated By Algernon 8. Witzgerald, for twenty years bandmaster of the Royal Bengal Marines. No. 58, HOW TO BECOME A DETECTIVE.—By Old King Brady, the world-known detective. In which he lays down some valuable and sensible rules for beginners. and also relates some adventures and experiences. of well-known detectives. No. 60. HOW TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER.— Containing useful information regarding the Camera and how to work ft; also how to make Photographic Magic Lantern Slides and other Transparencies. Hand- somely flustrated. No, 64. HOW TO MAKE ELECTRICAL MACHINES, Containing full directions for making electrical ma- chines, inductions cofls, dynamos, and many novel toy@ fy ie voren by electricity: By R. A. R. Bennett. Fully ustrated. No. 65. MULDOON’sS JOKES.—The most original joke book ever published, and it is brimful of wit and humor, It contains a. large collection of songs, jokes, conundrums, ete., of Terrence Mnidoon, the great wit, humortst, and practical joker of the day. 2 No. 67 HOW TO DO ELECTRICAL TRICKS.—Con- taining a large collection of instructive and ‘highly Raabe ae electrical tricks, together with illustrations. By_A. Anderson. . No. 68. HOW TO DO CHEMICAL TRICKS.—Con- taining over one hundred highly amusing and instruc- tive tricks with chemicals. By A, Anderson. Hand- somely illustrated. Roa No. 69. HOW TO DO SLEIGHT-OF-HAND.—Con- taining over fifty of the latest and best tricks used by magicians. Also containing the secret of second sight. Fully illustrated. No. 7% HOW TO DO SIXTY TRICKS WITH CARDS. | Embracing all of the latest and most deceptive card tricks, with illustrations. - /No. 78. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH NUMBERS.— Showing many curtous tricks with figures and the magie of numbers. By A. Anderson. Fully illustrated. No, 14 HOW TO WRITE LETTERS CORRECTLY. Containing full instructions for writing letters on al- most any subject; also rules for punctuation and com- position, with specimen letters. ee 716. TO TELL FORTUNES BY THE HMAND.—Containing rules for telling fortunes by the ald of lines of the hand, or the secret of palmistry. Also the ‘secret of telling future events by ald of moles, marks, scars, etc. Tlustrated. No. 171. HOw T DO FORTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.—Containing deceptive Card Tricks as performed by leading conjurers and magicians. Arranged for eme amusement. Fully illustrated. . No. 79. HOW TO BECOME AN ACTOR,.—Contdining complete instructions how to make up for various char- acters on the stage; together with the duties of the oat og Manager, Prompter, Scenic Artist and Property an. No. 80. GUS WILLIAMS’ JOKE BOOK.—Containing the latest jokes, anecdotes and funny stories of this world-renowned German comedian. ixty-four pages; peeGeune colored cover containing a half-tone photo of e@ author. m No, 8. HOW TO DO Pete tin tinea on te the most approved methods of reading the lines on the hend, together with a full explanation of their meaning. Alse explaining phrenology, and the key for telling char- acter by the bumps on the head. By Leo Hugo Koch, A. C. S. Fully illustrated. No. 8. HOW TO BECOME AN AUTHOR.—Contain- ing information regarding choice of subjects, the use of words and the manner of preparing and submitting manuscript. Also containing valuable information as to the neatness, legibility and general composition of manu- — script. ‘ For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 10c. per copy, in money or stamps, by HARRY EB. WOLFF, Publisher, Inc. Par 166 West 23d Street New York City i

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