CHAPTER XIV.
THE MESSENGER.
As Morgan was hurled headlong from Merry's room he collided with a manoutside, who was very nearly upset. This young man caught a glimpse ofFrank in the act of violently ejecting the man of money, and whatimmediately happened to Morgan was the result of this discovery.
"What's the meaning of this great agitation by which you seek tooverthrow my corporosity?" savagely demanded Cap'n Wiley, for it was he."This insult to my indignity is several degrees beyond my comprehension,and without waste of verbosity or the expenditure of violent language, Ifeel called upon to precipitate your corporosity on its journey."
Saying which, he sprang, catlike, on the millionaire, seized him, ranhim swiftly along the corridor and flung him head over heels down thestairs. As Morgan crashed to the bottom, Wiley stood at the head of thestairs, his arms akimbo, nodding with satisfaction, and remarked:
"Possibly that jarred you some."
Morgan was not seriously hurt, but he arose in a terrible fury.
"I will land you both where you belong for this outrage!" he declared,white to the lips. "I will place you both behind iron bars!"
Then he limped away. Merriwell had followed, and his hand fell on thesailor's shoulder.
"Why do you mix up in this, Wiley?" he demanded sternly. "It was notyour quarrel."
"If I have offended by my impulsive and impetuous demeanor, I entreatpardon," said the sailor. "When the gent bumped me and I saw that he hadbeen scientifically ejected by you, I couldn't resist the temptation togive him another gentle boost."
"And by doing so you may find yourself in a peck of trouble," saidFrank. "That man has power and influence, and he will try to make goodhis threat, which you heard. He is a money king."
"What is money?" loftily returned Wiley. "I scorn the filthy stuff. But,regardless of his money, it seems to me that you unhesitatingly elevatedhis anatomy with the toe of your boot."
"It was my quarrel, Wiley; and there is no reason why you should pitchin."
"My dear comrade, I ever feel it my duty to stand by my friends, andyour quarrel in some degree must be mine. I inferred that in some mannerhe offended you most copiously."
"He did arouse my ire," admitted Merry, as he walked back to his room,followed by the sailor. "But he is the sort of a man who will seek tomake good his threat and place us behind bars."
"It will not be the first time your humble servant has lingered inendurance vile. In connection with that, I might mention another littlenannygoat. On the last occasion when I indulged too freely in Westernjag juice I was living in regal splendor in one of those hotels wherethey have lots of furniture and little to eat. I started out to put ared stripe on the city, and somewhere during my cruise I lost mybearings. I didn't seem to remember much of anything after that until Iawoke with my throat feeling as dry as the desert of Sahara and my headsplitting.
"Just where I was I couldn't tell. I had some vague remembrance ofwhooping things up in glorious style, and knew I had been hitting theredeye. In a somewhat dormant condition I stretched my hands above myhead, and, to my horror, they encountered iron bars. This aroused meslightly, and I looked in that direction and beheld before me, to myunutterable dismay, the bars I had touched. 'Cap'n,' says I, 'you haveagain collided with the blue-coated guardians of the peace, and you arepinched.'
"I noted, however, that these iron bars seemed somewhat frail andslender, and it struck me that my colossal strength might be able tobend them. With the thought of escape, I wrenched the bars apart andthrust my head between them. By vigorous pushing I injected myshoulders, but there I stuck. In spite of all my desperate efforts, Icould not crawl through, and I finally discovered that I couldn't getback. I floundered and kicked a while and then gave it up and yelled forhelp. My cries finally brought some one, who entered the place anddragged me from the trap, at the same time nearly shaving off my leftear with one of the bars. My rescuer proved to be a hotel attendant, whoasked me, in no small astonishment, what I was trying to do. Then, to myinexpressible relief, on sitting up and looking round, I found that Iwas in my own room at the hotel, where I had somehow landed, and that mydelusion had led me to endeavor to escape from limbo by crawling throughthe bars at the head of my iron bedstead. I gave the attendant who haddragged me out seven thousand dollars and pledged him to eternalsilence. This is the first time my lips have ever betrayed the tale tomortal ears."
In spite of the humor of the sailor's whimsical story, Merry did notlaugh. This convinced Wiley that the affair with Macklyn Morgan was farmore serious than he had at first apprehended.
"Cap'n," said Frank, "I wish you would find Dick and send him here.After that, if you can get track of Morgan and keep watch of hismovements it will be a good thing. I'd like to know just what he meansto do."
"Depend upon me," nodded the sailor. "I will shadow him with all theskill of those heroes about whom I used to read in the yellow-backedliterature."
Saying which, he hastily left the room. Within ten minutes Dick appearedand found Merry walking up and down.
"What's the matter, Frank?" he asked. "From Wiley's words I inferredthere was trouble in the air."
"There is," Merry nodded; and he proceeded to tell his brother the wholestory.
Dick's indignation burst forth.
"The unmitigated scoundrel!" he cried. "Tried to force you to give upthe Queen Mystery, did he?"
"That was his game."
"Well, you didn't give him half what he deserves. And he threatened tohave you arrested for murder--you, Frank, arrested for murder!"
Merry smiled grimly.
"That was the threat he made."
"But it was a bluff, Frank--a bluff pure and simple. He will never trythat game."
"You can't tell what a man like Morgan may try. Sukes was desperate anddangerous, but I regard Macklyn Morgan as even more so. As a rule, he isquiet, cold, and calculating, and he lays his plans well. He would nothave started in on this thing had he not been convinced that there was agood prospect of succeeding."
"Why, he can't succeed! It is impossible!"
"I don't propose to let him succeed, but I feel certain I am going tohave a hot time with him. I am ready for it; let it come."
Again Frank's fighting blood was aroused, and Dick saw it in thesternness of his handsome face and the gleam of his flashing eyes.
"That's the talk, Frank!" cried the boy, thrilled by the spirit of hisbrother. "They can't down you. They've tried it and failed too manytimes. But what are your plans now? You intend to start for the newmines early to-morrow?"
"I may alter my plans. I may remain here for a while to face MacklynMorgan. For all of his power and his money, I think I have a few friendsand some influence in Prescott. There is one, at least, whom I candepend upon, and that is Frank Mansfield. He is white to the bone, andhe always stands by his friends."
"But you cannot depend upon your friends alone in an emergency likethis," said Dick. "You will have to rely on yourself. Of course, Bradand I will stand by you, no matter what happens."
While they were talking Wiley came rushing in.
"The gent who lately descended the stairs with such graceful impetuosityis now in consultation with the city marshal," he declared. "I tracedhim thither, and I have left one Bradley Buckhart to linger near andkeep an eagle eye upon his movements."
"By Jove!" exclaimed Dick; "I believe he does mean to have you arrested,Frank."
"His movement seems to indicate something of the sort," was Frank's coolconfession. "I suppose he will make a charge of personal assault, withthe idea of putting me to inconvenience and detaining me until he canagain try the effect of his threats of arrest on a more serious charge.Were I sure things are all right at the Enchanted Valley, I would notmind. I am afraid you have made a mess of it, cap'n, in sending thosemen there."
"It seems that I have a clever little way of putting my foot into it,"retorted the sailor. "When I seek to do what I supremely consider to befor the best I make a b
obble."
"Yet we will not worry over that now," said Merry. "However, in case ofemergency, Dick, I wish you to have my horse constantly ready for me. Ifanything happens that I decide to get out in a hurry, you, and Brad, andWiley are to take care of Felicia and little Abe."
"All right," nodded Dick. "I will see to it at once."
Ten minutes later Frank was standing alone upon the steps of the hotel,when a man on horseback came riding furiously down the street. He wascovered with dust, and his horse was so spent that it was only by themost savage urging that the beast was forced into a gallop. Behind theman, at a distance, came two more horsemen, who were likewise spurringtheir mounts mercilessly. Plainly they were in pursuit of the man inadvance.
As Merry was wondering what it meant, the horse of the fugitive wentdown, as if shot, directly in front of the hotel, flinging the rider,who seemed stunned.
With a great clatter of hoofs, the pursuers came up and stopped short,leaping from their saddles. As one of them dismounted, he whipped out awicked-looking knife. Both seemed to be desperadoes, and it was evidentthat their intention toward the fugitive was anything but friendly.
Now, it was not Frank's nature to stand idly by and see two men jump ona third who was helpless and do him up. Without a moment's hesitation,Merry leaped from the steps and rushed upon those men. A heavy blow sentone of them to the ground.
The other had stooped above the fallen man when Frank's toe precipitatedhim headlong and caused him to roll over and over in the dust.
At the same time Merriwell drew a pistol.
"Get up and sneak, both of you!" he ordered. "If you linger, I will blowa window in each of you!"
Muttering oaths, the ruffians rose, but the look they saw in Frank'sface caused them to decide that the best thing they could do would be toobey.
"It's none of your funeral!" cried one, as he grasped the bridle rein ofhis horse.
"But it will be yours if you linger here ten seconds!" retorted Merry."Git! If you value your skins, don't even turn to look back until youare out of shooting distance."
As the baffled ruffians were retreating, the fugitive sat up, slowlyrecovering from his shock.
"Thank you, pard," he said. "It was mighty lucky for me you pitched injust as you did. But for you, they had me dead to rights, and I opinethey would have finished me."
"What is it all about?" questioned Merry.
"Got a message," answered the man. "Got to send it without fail. Theymeant to stop me. It has been a hot run. They headed me off from Bigbug,and I had to strike for this town. They've wasted lots of lead on me;but they were riding too fast to shoot well. And I didn't hold up togive them an easy chance at me."
As the man was speaking, Merry assisted him to his feet. His horse hadlikewise risen, but stood with hanging head, completely pegged out.
"Poor devil!" said the man, sympathetically patting the creature's neck."It's a wonder I didn't kill you. But even if I did, I was going to sendthe message to Frank Merriwell, if possible."
"What's that?" shouted Frank, in astonishment. "A message to FrankMerriwell! Man, I am Frank Merriwell!"
"You?" was the almost incredulous answer. "Why, Hodge told me to wire toSan Diego. He said it might reach you there."
"I am just back from San Diego. Give me the message."
The man fumbled in his pocket and brought forth a crumpled piece ofpaper, which he placed in Merriwell's hand.
Opening the paper, this was what Merry read:
"If possible, come at once. Trouble at the mines. Plot to seize them. --Hodge."
"Come into the hotel," said Frank, turning to the man who had broughtthis message. "We will send some one to take charge of your horse."
The man followed him. Having asked that the horse be cared for, Merryinstructed his companion to follow, and he proceeded to his room.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"It's Colvin--Dash Colvin."
"Well, Colvin, you are from the Enchanted Valley?"
"Yes, sir."
"You were one of the men engaged by Wiley, I presume?"
"Yes, sir."
"It seems that Hodge trusts you?"
"He did, sir."
"What's the trouble there?"
"Those men are plotting a heap to take the mines, sir. Hodge discoveredit."
"How did he make the discovery?"
"That I don't know. He discovers it, somehow, and he sends me with thisyere message. He picks me out and asks me could he trust me a whole lot.I tells him he could, and he chances it. I plans with him to git out inthe night, and I does so."
"But you were followed?"
"Yes. One of the crew sees me a-talking with Mr. Hodge, and theysuspects me. Arter that they watches me mighty close. That makes itplenty hard for me to git away. I don't opine I am much more than out ofthe valley afore they finds out I am gone. I didn't think they'd git onso quick, and so I fails to push as hard as I might at first. Shortlyafter sun-up I sees two horsemen coming miles behind me. Even then I'mnot dead sure they're arter me. But they was, sir--they was. I had ahard run for it, but I have made good by getting the message to you."
"And you shan't lose by it, Colvin. Be sure of that. Did you know aboutthis plot to seize the mines--before Hodge discovered it?"
"I knows there was something up, sir; but the rest of the gang theydon't trust me complete, and so I don't find out just what was a-doing.I sees them whispering and acting queer, and I thinks there's troublebrewing before Hodge speaks to me about it."
"What sort of men are they?"
"A right tough lot, Mr. Merriwell. They has liquor, too. Somehow it'sbrought to them, but the head one of the bunch, Texas Bland, he don'tladle it out free at once. He seems to keep it for some occasion later."
Merry's face wore a serious expression.
"How many men do you think there are in this plot?"
"Fifteen or twenty, sir."
"All armed?"
"Every mother's son of them."
"If I had my Thirty!" muttered Frank.
But he was not prepared with an organized force to meet the plottingruffians, and he felt that it would require precious time in order toget together a band of fighting men.
"Whatever do you propose to do, Mr. Merriwell?" asked Colvin.
"I see it is necessary for me to lose no time in reaching the mines."
"But you don't go alone, I judge? You takes some good men with you?"
"If possible."
"Better do it, sir. That gang is a heap tough, and it takes twice asmany men to down 'em."
"Not twice as many of the right sort. I have two or three comrades I candepend upon."
"But two or three are no good, Mr. Merriwell; you hears me."
"Perhaps not; but if I can get the move on those rascals it will countin my favor."
"Now, don't you reckon any on holding those mines with the aid of two orthree backers," warned Dash Colvin. "You will never do it."
At this juncture Dick came in.
"Your horse is ready, Frank," he said. "I have given orders to have itsaddled and held prepared for you."
"I may have to use it within an hour."
Dick immediately perceived that some new development had transpired, andhe glanced from his brother to the stranger in the room.
"What is now, Frank?" he anxiously questioned.
"Read that," said Merry, thrusting the message into his hand.
"By Jove!" exclaimed Dick, "this is bad business, Frank--bad business!How did you get this?"
"It was brought by Mr. Colvin here. He was pursued and barely reached mewith his life."
"Which I allows I would not have done but for Mr. Merriwell himself,"said Colvin. "My horse throws me unexpected, and the two galoots arterme has me down and is about to silence me some when Mr. Merriwell takesa hand."
"Are you sure this is straight goods?" questioned Dick.
"That's Bart's writing," declared Merry. "I'd know it anywhere."
"Then there can be no mistake."
"Certainly not. Colvin tells me that there are fifteen or more ruffiansin this plot."
"Do you believe, Frank, that it is their scheme?"
"I can't say."
"Perhaps this Macklyn Morgan is behind it."
"He may be."
"I believe he is!" cried Dick. "Somehow I am confident of it, Frank. Ifhe detains you here in Prescott, you will lose those mines. You must getout of this place without delay."
"It certainly looks that way. I shall do so, Dick."
"But we must go with you."
"Have you thought of Felicia? She is here. Some one must remain to lookafter her."
"But, good gracious, Frank! I can't stay here, knowing that you are insuch difficulties. It is impossible!"
"It may seem impossible to you, Dick, but you know the peril throughwhich Felicia has lately passed. You also know that Black Joaquin is atliberty and may find her again."
"But can't we take her?"
"Do you think she is prepared to endure the hardships she would becompelled to face? No, Dick, it can't be done. You will have to staywith her."
"I will be crazy, Frank. When I think of you pitting yourself againstsuch odds I will literally explode."
Dick's cheeks were flushed and he was panting with excitement. It seemedthat even then the scent of battle was in his nostrils and he longed forthe fray.
"Don't let your hot blood run away with your judgment, boy," half smiledMerriwell. "Colvin, do you know anybody in Prescott?"
"I reckons not, sir."
"You don't know a man you can depend upon--a good fighter who will stickby us if paid well?"
"Nary a one, sir."
"Then that's not to be reckoned on."
Merriwell frowned as he walked the floor. Of a sudden there came a soundof heavy feet outside and the door burst open. Into the room strode BradBuckhart, color in his cheeks and fire in his eyes.
"Waugh!" he cried. "Get out your artillery and prepare for action!"
"What's up now, Brad?" demanded Frank.
"I certain judge they're after you in earnest," said the Texan. "Cap'nWiley left me to watch a fine gent named Morgan. I did the trick, andI'll bet my shooting irons that Morgan has a warrant sworn out for youthis minute, and he is on his way here with officers. They mean to jugyou, pard, sure as shooting. You hear me gently murmur!"
"Then," said Frank calmly, "it's about time for me to make myself scarcein Prescott."
"If you're going, you want to get a move on," declared Brad. "I am not awhole lot ahead of old Morgan and the officers."
Even as he spoke there reached their ears the sound of many feetoutside.
"Here they come!" said Dick.
With a leap, the Texan reached the door and pressed himself against it.A hand fell on the knob of the door, but the powerful shoulder ofBuckhart prevented any one from entering. Immediately there was a heavyknock.
"Open this door!" commanded a voice.
"Who is there? and what do you want?" demanded Buckhart.
"We want Frank Merriwell. Open this door!"
"Perhaps you will wait some," retorted Brad.
Then another voice was heard outside, and it was that of Morgan himself.
"Break down the door!" he commanded. "Merriwell is in there! Break itdown!"
"Remember my instructions, Dick," said Frank, as he coolly turned andopened a window. "Just hold this window a moment."
On the door there fell a crashing blow.
"That's right!" growled Buckhart, who remained immovable. "I hope youdon't damage yourself in doing it."
Frank balanced himself on the window ledge, glancing downward.
"Remember, Dick," he said again.
Crash, crash! fell the blows upon the door. It could not withstand suchshocks, and the hinges began to break clear.
"I am good for four seconds more!" grated Brad, maintaining hisposition.
Frank made a light spring outward and dropped. It was more than fifteenfeet to the ground, but he landed like a cat upon his feet, turned towave his hand to Dick, and disappeared round the corner.
Dick quietly lowered the window.
"Let them in, Brad," he said.
The Texan sprang away from the door and two men came plunging into theroom as it fell. Behind them was a third, and behind him was MacklynMorgan.
Dick faced them, his eyes flashing.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
"Where is Frank Merriwell?" questioned one of the officers.
"He is here! He is here!" asserted Morgan, in the doorway. "I know he ishere!"
"You're a whole lot wise," sneered Buckhart. "You certain could havegiven old Solomon a few points! I admire you a great deal--not!"
"He is hiding somewhere in this room," asserted Morgan, paying noattention to the Texan.
"If that is so, he may as well come out," said the leading officer. "Wewill have him in a minute."
"Go ahead," said Dick, beginning to laugh. "Pull him out."
Dick's laughter was tantalizing, and one of the officers became enragedand threatened him.
"Why, you're real amusing!" said Dick. "Ha! ha! ha! Oh! ha! ha! ha! Someone has a door to pay for. There is a joke on somebody here."
"Who are you?" demanded Morgan.
Dick took a step nearer, his dark eyes fixing on the man's face.
"Who am I? I will tell you who I am. I am Frank Merriwell's brother."
"His brother? I have heard of you."
"Not for the last time, Macklyn Morgan; nor have you heard of Frank forthe last time. Your plot will fizzle. Your infamous schemes will fail.You know what the plotting of your partner, Milton Sukes, brought himto. Look out, Mr. Morgan--look out for yourself!"
"Don't you dare threaten me, you impudent young whelp!" raged Morgan.
"You will find, sir, that I dare tell you just what you are. Your moneyand your power do not alarm me in the least. You're an unscrupulousscoundrel! You have trumped up a charge against my brother. He will foolyou, and he will show you up, just as he did Milton Sukes. Where isSukes now? Look out, Macklyn Morgan!"
Although usually able to command his passions and appear cold as ice,the words of this fearless, dark-eyed lad were too much for Morgan, andhe lifted his clinched fist.
Quick as thought, his wrist was seized by Buckhart, who growled in hisear:
"If you ever hit my pard, you will take a trip instanter to join MiltonSukes down below!"
Then he thrust Morgan aside. In the meantime the officers had beensearching the room. They opened the closet, looked under the bed, andinspected every place where a person could hide.
"You're mistaken," said one of them. "Your man is not here."
"He must be!" asserted Morgan. "I know it!"
"You can see for yourself he is not here."
"Then where is he?"
As this question fell from Morgan's lips there was a clatter of hoofsoutside. Morgan himself glanced from the window and quickly uttered acry of baffled rage.
"There he is now!" he shouted. "There he goes on a horse! He is gettingaway! After him!"
"And may the Old Nick give you the luck you deserve!" laughed Dick.