  Frank Merriwell rose from the edge of the precipice and turned away. He stopped in astonishment, uttering an exclamation, for not fifteen feet away stood Inza Burrage, her face ghastly white in the moonlight and her eyes regarding him with an expression of horror. “Inza!” he exclaimed. She shrank from him. “I saw you do it!” she panted. “You saw?” “Yes.” “Saw what?” “I saw it all! I saw you hurl him over the precipice!” “But I didn’t hurl him over, Inza.” “I saw it!” she palpitated. “Oh, Frank, what made you do it?” “Inza, I tell you I did not! He attempted to hurl me over. He led me here, saying you had fallen over this very precipice. Then I bent over the brink and looked downward. He sprang upon me. We had a struggle.” “And you ended it when you pushed him to his death!” “Can’t you believe me, Inza? Your eyes deceived you. I didn’t push him. He tore away from me, and I saw him reeling on the very verge of the cliff. I saw he must fall, and I sprang to grasp him. I was too late, for almost as soon as my fingers touched him he fell.” She was silent now, looking intently at Frank. “It must be true,” she muttered; “but it seemed to me that you gave him a push. Frank, I know you never speak anything but the truth. Even had you pushed him over I would have kept your secret.” “I haven’t a doubt of it, Inza,” he said. “But I have hardly descended to such measures in disposing of an enemy. I regret exceedingly that this thing happened, for it spoils the trip up the mountain. We must go down without delay and search for Del Norte’s body. Let’s return to the hotel.” She was trembling as she took his arm. “I suppose that Mexican attacked me in order to get me out of the way, which would enable him to carry out his schemes in Mexico,” said Merry. “There was another reason,” confessed Inza. “Another reason?” “Yes.” “What was it?” She hesitated. “I will tell you the truth, Frank,” she finally said. “It’s best that you should know. I didn’t tell you before because I didn’t wish you to have trouble with Del Norte while we were guests of Mr. Crossgrove on the Sachem. It was my intention to let you know everything the moment we left the yacht. Del Norte has twice tried to make love to me. Last night on board the yacht he kissed my hand. Perhaps I was foolish to give him the opportunity, but he interested me with his story, and he seized the occasion to kiss my hand before I fancied he would attempt such a thing. To-night, on the hotel veranda, he made an effort to resume his love-making, but I gave him a warning which silenced him. Had he offered to annoy me again, even though it must have caused trouble between you, I should have told you everything. He swore to me that he would some day get the best of you, Frank, and make me love him.” “And this is what it has come to,” muttered Merry. “Well, the treacherous dog brought it on himself.” When they reached the veranda and told what had happened there was consternation in the party. Merry did not tell the entire truth. He concealed the fact that a struggle had taken place on the brink of the precipice. Without delay Henry Crossgrove ordered the team hitched up, and in a short time the party left the hotel, the men descending on foot. Frank led them all, with Hodge close beside him. As they hastened down the road, Merry told Bart in low tones exactly what had taken place. “I knew it!” said Hodge. “I knew the kind of thing he was! Are you going to lead the searching party, Frank?” “Yes. I think it best to notify the authorities and secure lanterns. Without the aid of lanterns we will be handicapped in our search down there amid the dark woods near the foot of the mountain.” They had reached the outskirts of the village when a carriage approached at a rapid pace. To their surprise they were hailed by the voice of Dick Merriwell. “Hello, Dick!” exclaimed Frank. “Is that you?” An instant later Dick and Brad sprang out. “We were just making for the top of the mountain,” explained young Merriwell. “We have something on board the Sachem that will interest you.” “What is it?” questioned Frank. “A slick rascal who broke into our stateroom, opened your strong box, and attempted to get away with one of the papers.” “Who was it?” cried Merry. “Porfias del Norte.” “Dick, you’re dreaming!” almost shouted Frank, as he caught his brother by the shoulder. “Porfias del Norte lies dead up there on the mountainside. He fell over a precipice.” “Porfias del Norte lies tied hand and foot in the saloon of the Sachem,” said Dick. “You can thank my friend Buckhart for it, too. I caught Del Norte as he was trying to get away with the paper, and we had a little racket in the saloon. I downed him once, but he squirmed away from me. The second time, as he was falling, he caught hold of the table, which threw me to one side, and my head struck against a chair. I was stunned, and Del Norte proceeded to choke me, with the intention of finishing me. Just then Brad sailed in and landed on Del Norte’s shoulders with one spring. We handled him all right, and left him tied hand and foot, with one of the sailors keeping watch at the head of the companionway.” “This is wonderful! This is astounding!” gasped Henry Crossgrove. “I didn’t think it of the man.” “It is astounding,” nodded Merry. “It’s astounding that he should escape death after falling over that precipice.” “He was some tattered and battered,” put in Buckhart. “His clothes were ripped and his face and hands scratched and cut.” “He must have landed fairly in a treetop and escaped in that manner,” said Frank. “Boys, you have done well. Let’s hurry to the Sachem and take a look at our captive.” No time was lost in getting off to the yacht. They found the sailor apparently still on guard at the head of the companionway. He was sitting in a bowed position, and when they approached him he was seen to be fast asleep. Henry Crossgrove was exasperated. “This chap shall receive his walking papers as soon as I can speak to the captain,” he declared. Dick led the way into the saloon, with the others close behind him. When he opened the door and looked in a cry of astonishment and dismay escaped his lips. On the floor lay the cords with which Del Norte had been bound. In some manner the slippery Mexican had released himself, and he had lost not a moment in sneaking up the companionway and past the sleeping guard. He was gone, having in some manner escaped unobserved from the yacht. It was supposed he had dropped overboard and swum to another yacht near by, where he secured a rowboat and put ashore. The boat was found drifting the following morning. “Too bad he got away,” muttered Bart Hodge. “Perhaps he has learned his lesson and will not bother the Merriwells in future.” “On the contrary,” said Frank, “I think I shall see more of Porfias del Norte before much time has elapsed. I fancy the struggle between that man and myself has just begun.” THE END. “Frank Merriwell’s Peril” is the title of the next volume of The Merriwell Series, No. 115. A story by Burt L. Standish showing the further adventures of the intrepid Frank Merriwell and his marvelous ability in outwitting his treacherous foes. BOOKS THAT NEVER GROW OLD ALGER SERIES Clean Adventure Stories for Boys Price, Fifteen Cents The Most Complete List Published The following list does not contain all the books that Horatio Alger wrote, but it contains most of them, and certainly the best. Horatio Alger is to boys what Charles Dickens is to grown-ups. His work is just as popular to-day as it was years ago. The books have a quality, the value of which is beyond computation. There are legions of boys of foreign parents who are being helped along the road to true Americanism by reading these books which are so peculiarly American in tone that the reader cannot fail to absorb some of the spirit of fair play and clean living which is so characteristically American. In this list will be included certain books by Edward Stratemeyer, Oliver Optic, and other authors who wrote the Alger type of stories, which are equal in interest and wholesomeness with those written by the famous author after which this great line of books for boys is named. ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT 1—Driven From Home By Horatio Alger, Jr. 2—A Cousin’s Conspiracy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 3—Ned Newton By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4—Andy Gordon By Horatio Alger, Jr. 5—Tony, the Tramp By Horatio Alger, Jr. 6—The Five Hundred Dollar Check By Horatio Alger, Jr. 7—Helping Himself By Horatio Alger, Jr. 8—Making His Way By Horatio Alger, Jr. 9—Try and Trust By Horatio Alger, Jr. 10—Only an Irish Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 11—Jed, the Poorhouse Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12—Chester Rand By Horatio Alger, Jr. 13—Grit, the Young Boatman of Pine Point By Horatio Alger, Jr. 14—Joe’s Luck By Horatio Alger, Jr. 15—From Farm Boy to Senator By Horatio Alger, Jr. 16—The Young Outlaw By Horatio Alger, Jr. 17—Jack’s Ward By Horatio Alger, Jr. 18—Dean Dunham By Horatio Alger, Jr. 19—In a New World By Horatio Alger, Jr. 20—Both Sides of the Continent By Horatio Alger, Jr. 21—The Store Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 22—Brave and Bold By Horatio Alger, Jr. 23—A New York Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 24—Bob Burton By Horatio Alger, Jr. 25—The Young Adventurer By Horatio Alger, Jr. 26—Julius, the Street Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 27—Adrift in New York By Horatio Alger, Jr. 28—Tom Brace By Horatio Alger, Jr. 29—Struggling Upward By Horatio Alger, Jr. 30—The Adventures of a New York Telegraph Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 31—Tom Tracy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 32—The Young Acrobat By Horatio Alger, Jr. 33—Bound to Rise By Horatio Alger, Jr. 34—Hector’s Inheritance By Horatio Alger, Jr. 35—Do and Dare By Horatio Alger, Jr. 36—The Tin Box By Horatio Alger, Jr. 37—Tom, the Bootblack By Horatio Alger, Jr. 38—Risen from the Ranks By Horatio Alger, Jr. 39—Shifting for Himself By Horatio Alger, Jr. 40—Wait and Hope By Horatio Alger, Jr. 41—Sam’s Chance By Horatio Alger, Jr. 42—Striving for Fortune By Horatio Alger, Jr. 43—Phil, the Fiddler By Horatio Alger, Jr. 44—Slow and Sure By Horatio Alger, Jr. 45—Walter Sherwood’s Probation By Horatio Alger, Jr. 46—The Trials and Triumphs of Mark Mason By Horatio Alger, Jr. 47—The Young Salesman By Horatio Alger, Jr. 48—Andy Grant’s Pluck By Horatio Alger, Jr. 49—Facing the World By Horatio Alger, Jr. 50—Luke Walton By Horatio Alger, Jr. 51—Strive and Succeed By Horatio Alger, Jr. 52—From Canal Boy to President By Horatio Alger, Jr. 53—The Erie Train Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 54—Paul, the Peddler By Horatio Alger, Jr. 55—The Young Miner By Horatio Alger, Jr. 56—Charlie Codman’s Cruise By Horatio Alger, Jr. 57—A Debt of Honor By Horatio Alger, Jr. 58—The Young Explorer By Horatio Alger, Jr. 59—Ben’s Nugget By Horatio Alger, Jr. 60—The Errand Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 61—Frank and Fearless By Horatio Alger, Jr. 62—Frank Hunter’s Peril By Horatio Alger, Jr. 63—Adrift in the City By Horatio Alger, Jr. 64—Tom Thatcher’s Fortune By Horatio Alger, Jr. 65—Tom Turner’s Legacy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 66—Dan, the Newsboy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 67—Digging for Gold By Horatio Alger, Jr. 68—Lester’s Luck By Horatio Alger, Jr. 69—In Search of Treasure By Horatio Alger, Jr. 70—Frank’s Campaign By Horatio Alger, Jr. 71—Bernard Brook’s Adventures By Horatio Alger, Jr. 72—Robert Coverdale’s Struggles By Horatio Alger, Jr. 73—Paul Prescott’s Charge By Horatio Alger, Jr. 74—Mark Manning’s Mission By Horatio Alger, Jr. 75—Rupert’s Ambition By Horatio Alger, Jr. 76—Sink or Swim By Horatio Alger, Jr. 77—The Backwoods Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 78—Tom Temple’s Career By Horatio Alger, Jr. 79—Ben Bruce By Horatio Alger, Jr. 80—The Young Musician By Horatio Alger, Jr. 81—The Telegraph Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 82—Work and Win By Horatio Alger, Jr. 83—The Train Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 84—The Cash Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 85—Herbert Carter’s Legacy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 86—Strong and Steady By Horatio Alger, Jr. 87—Lost at Sea By Horatio Alger, Jr. 88—From Farm to Fortune By Horatio Alger, Jr. 89—Young Captain Jack By Horatio Alger, Jr. 90—Joe, the Hotel Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 91—Out for Business By Horatio Alger, Jr. 92—Falling in With Fortune By Horatio Alger, Jr. 93—Nelson, the Newsboy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 94—Randy of the River By Horatio Alger, Jr. 95—Jerry, The Backwoods Boy By Horatio Alger, Jr. 96—Ben Logan’s Triumph By Horatio Alger, Jr. 97—The Young Book Agent By Horatio Alger, Jr. 98—The Last Cruise of The Spitfire By Edward Stratemeyer 99—Reuben Stone’s Discovery By Edward Stratemeyer 100—True to Himself By Edward Stratemeyer 101—Richard Dare’s Venture By Edward Stratemeyer 102—Oliver Bright’s Search By Edward Stratemeyer 103—To Alaska for Gold By Edward Stratemeyer 104—The Young Auctioneer By Edward Stratemeyer 105—Bound to Be an Electrician By Edward Stratemeyer 106—Shorthand Tom By Edward Stratemeyer 107—Fighting for His Own By Edward Stratemeyer 108—Joe, the Surveyor By Edward Stratemeyer 109—Larry, the Wanderer By Edward Stratemeyer 110—The Young Ranchman By Edward Stratemeyer 111—The Young Lumbermen By Edward Stratemeyer 112—The Young Explorers By Edward Stratemeyer 113—Boys of the Wilderness By Edward Stratemeyer 114—Boys of the Great Northwest By Edward Stratemeyer 115—Boys of the Gold Fields By Edward Stratemeyer 116—For His Country By Edward Stratemeyer 117—Comrades in Peril By Edward Stratemeyer 118—The Young Pearl Hunters By Edward Stratemeyer 119—The Young Bandmaster By Edward Stratemeyer 120—Boys of the Fort By Edward Stratemeyer 121—On Fortune’s Trail By Edward Stratemeyer 122—Lost in the Land of Ice By Edward Stratemeyer 123—Bob, the Photographer By Edward Stratemeyer In order that there may be no confusion, we desire to say that the books listed below will be issued during the respective months in New York City and vicinity. They may not reach the readers at a distance promptly, on account of delays in transportation. To be published in January, 1925. 124—Among the Missing By Oliver Optic 125—His Own Helper By Oliver Optic To be published in February, 1925. 126—Honest Kit Dunstable By Oliver Optic 127—Every Inch a Boy By Oliver Optic To be published in March, 1925. 128—The Young Pilot By Oliver Optic 129—Always in Luck By Oliver Optic 130—Rich and Humble By Oliver Optic To be published in April, 1925. 131—In School and Out By Oliver Optic 132—Watch and Wait By Oliver Optic To be published in May, 1925. 133—Work and Win By Oliver Optic 134—Hope and Have By Oliver Optic To be published in June, 1925. 135—Haste and Waste By Oliver Optic 136—Royal Tarr’s Pluck By Oliver Optic If You Know a Boy buy two or three of the books in this list for him, and so get him interested in the cleanest, most inspiring stories a boy can read. STREET & SMITH CORPORATION 79 Seventh Avenue New York City RATTLING GOOD ADVENTURE SPORT STORIES Price, Fifteen Cents Stories of the Big Outdoors There has been a big demand for outdoor stories, and a very considerable portion of it has been for the Maxwell Stevens stories about Jack Lightfoot, the athlete. These stories are of interest to old and young. They are not, strictly speaking, stories for boys, but boys everywhere will find a great deal in them to engage their interest. The Jack Lightfoot stories deal with every branch of sport—baseball, football, rowing, swimming, racing, tennis, and every sort of occupation, both indoor and out, that the healthy-minded man turns to. ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT 1—Jack Lightfoot, the Athlete By Maxwell Stevens 2—Jack Lightfoot’s Crack Nine By Maxwell Stevens 3—Jack Lightfoot Trapped By Maxwell Stevens 4—Jack Lightfoot’s Rival By Maxwell Stevens 5—Jack Lightfoot in Camp By Maxwell Stevens 6—Jack Lightfoot’s Canoe Trip By Maxwell Stevens 7—Jack Lightfoot’s Iron Arm By Maxwell Stevens 8—Jack Lightfoot’s Hoodoo By Maxwell Stevens 9—Jack Lightfoot’s Decision By Maxwell Stevens 10—Jack Lightfoot’s Gun Club By Maxwell Stevens 11—Jack Lightfoot’s Blind By Maxwell Stevens 12—Jack Lightfoot’s Capture By Maxwell Stevens 13—Jack Lightfoot’s Head Work By Maxwell Stevens 14—Jack Lightfoot’s Wisdom By Maxwell Stevens
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