Frank Merriwell's New Comedian Part 8

"What can we do?"

"Take poison!"

"We'll have to eat dirt, or he'll throw us down."

"It looks that way."

Thus it came about that Fowler was almost the first to offer congratulations.

"By Jove, Mr. Merriwell," he cried, "I'm delighted! You are dead in luck, and you deserve it! It was pretty hard for you to be deserted by Folansbee, in such a sneaking way. I have said all along that you were a remarkably bright man and merited success."

"That's right," put in Harper; "he said so to me last night. We were talking over your hard luck. I congratulate you, Mr. Merriwell. Permit me!"

"Permit me!"

Both Harper and Fowler held out their hands.

Frank looked at the extended hands, but put his own hands in his pockets, laughing softly, somewhat scornfully.

"It is wonderful," he said, "how many true friends a man can have when he has money, and how few true friends he really has when he doesn't have a dollar."

"Oh, my dear Mr. Merriwell!" protested Fowler. "I know I was rather hasty in some of my remarks, but I a.s.sure you that you misunderstood me.

It was natural that all of us should be a trifle hot under the collar at being used as we were. I a.s.sure you I did not mean anything by what I said. If I spoke too hastily, I beg a thousand pardons. Again let me congratulate you."

Again he held out his hand.

"You are at liberty to congratulate me," said Merry, but still disdaining the proffered hand. "I shall pay you the same as the others.

Don't be afraid of that. But I shall give you your notice, for I shall not need you any more. With several of the others I shall make contracts to go out with this piece again, as soon as I can make some alterations, get new paper, and start the company."

Fowler turned green.

"Oh, of course you can do as you like, sir," he said. "I don't think I care to go out with this piece again. It is probable I should so inform you, even if you wanted me."

Harper backed away. He did not wish to receive such a calling down as had fallen to the lot of Fowler.

Ca.s.sie Lee held out her hand, her thin face showing actual pleasure.

"You don't know how glad I am, Frank!" she said, in a low tone. "Never anybody deserved it more than you."

"That's right," agreed Havener.

Douglas Dunton had not been saying much, but now he stood forth, struck a pose, and observed:

"Methinks that, along with several of me n.o.ble colleagues, I have made a big mistake in making offensive remarks to you, most n.o.ble high muck-a-muck. Wouldst do me a favor? Then apply the toe of thy boot to the seat of me lower garments with great vigor."

Frank laughed.

"The same old Dunton!" he said. "Forget it, old man. It's all right.

There's no harm done."

While the members of the company were crowding around Merriwell, Fowler and Harper slipped out of the room and descended the stairs.

Straight to the bar of the hotel they made their way. Leaning against the bar, they took their drinks, and discussed Frank's fortune.

Another man was drinking near them. He p.r.i.c.ked up his ears and listened when he heard Merriwell's name, and he grew excited as he began to understand what had happened.

"Excuse me, gentlemen," he said, after a time. "I do not wish to intrude, but I happen to know Mr. Merriwell. Will you have a drink with me?"

They accepted. They were just the sort of chaps who drink with anybody who would "set 'em up."

"Do you mind telling me just what has happened to Mr. Merriwell?" asked the stranger, who wore a full beard, which seemed to hide many of the features of his face. "Has he fallen heir to a fortune?"

"Rather," answered Harper, dryly. "More than forty-three thousand dollars has dropped into his hands this morning."

"Is it possible?" asked the stranger, showing agitation. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am sure. I saw the certified check on a Carson City bank. He was broke this morning, but now he has money to burn."

The stranger lifted a gla.s.s to his lips. His hand trembled somewhat. All at once, with a savage oath, he dashed the gla.s.s down on the bar, s.h.i.+vering it to atoms. As he did so, the hairs of his beard caught around the stone of a ring on his little finger, and the beard was torn from his face, showing it was false.

The face revealed was black with discomfiture and rage.

It was the face of Leslie Lawrence!

Frank's old enemy was again discomfited!

CHAPTER IV.

IN THE SMOKER.

So Frank took the company back to Denver. He was able to do so without depositing the check till Denver was reached, as Horace Hobson furnished the funds, holding the check as security.

Hobson went along at the same time.

While on the train Frank made arrangements with several members of his company in the revised version of "For Old Eli," when the play went on the road again.

He said nothing to Lloyd Fowler nor Charlie Harper. Although he did not make arrangements with Granville Garland, he asked Garland if he cared to go out with the company again, informing him that he might have an opening for him.

Fowler saw Merry talking with some of the members, and he surmised what it meant. He began to feel anxious as time pa.s.sed, and Frank did not come to him. He went to Harper to talk it over.

Harper was in the smoker, pulling at a brierwood pipe and looking sour enough. He did not respond when Fowler spoke to him.

"What's the matter?" asked Fowler. "Sick?"