Tip Top Weekly No. 139: Frank Merriwell's Father — page 17: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 16 heard about him from the newspapers. The reporters have been chasing him.” “What have they found out about him?” “Not much. He refuses to talk, but it’s certain he’s got plenty of rocks.” Kansas City had been rather dull for some time. It needed something for a sensation, and it seemed that something had arrived at Jast. “That bill is only half destroyed,” said one of the little throng. “It will be redeemed. What are you going to do with it, young man?” | “T shall keep it and return it to Mr. Phe- nix,” answered Frank. “What right have you to keep it?” “I picked it up.” “Yes, but—— “Do you want to keep it?” The way Frank asked the question caused 2 laugh at the expense of the interested in- quirer. “Why—why, no—but I—I thought it would be a good thing to—to leave it with the clerk here,” stammered the confused man. ; | “You are very interested, sir,” murmured Merry, holding the bill in his hand. I think you will be the proper one to take charge of it. Now, don’t refuse. I think you had better. Here, take it.” He pressed the remnant of a bill into the man’s hand, closing the fellow’s fingers down over it, and then turned and picked up the pen to resume registering for the company. The man opened his hand and stared. The half-burned bill was not there! “Hey!” he gasped. “It’s gone!” Frank serenely began writing. “Here!” cried the man, catching him by the shoulder; “what did you do with it?” _“¥ou are very anno ing , sir,” said Merry, Ty y y ‘That was a Splendid “Make- -Upt Clif had on His Mission of Secrecy. True Blue No. 30 “Really, as if a bit impatient. “What is the matter with you?” | “What did you do with itr” “With what?” “That bill.” “Gave it to you.” “Never! You “I call these gentlemen to witness that I placed it in your hand. You see I haven’t it.” Frank held up his empty hands. “It’s a cheat!” cried the man. “Every- body here who saw Phenix, or whatever his name is, drop that bill has an interest in it. It doesn’t belong to you any more than it be- longs to the rest of us.” “Admitted. That’s why I gave it to you to keep. I ama stranger. I presume you are known here.” “But you didn’t give it to me! got it!” “And you didn’t drop it?” “No! Now you r “You are sure you haven’t it anywhere?” “You bet! Young man, you’re altogether too flip. Just you give it up, or I haven’t Perhaps you tucked Now, it might be in “You must have it. it away somewhere. this.” | Frank reached out and took hold of a locket that dangled on the man’s watch- chain. It was a large, snowy locket. Merry opened it a bit, and there, closely packed in- side it, was the half-burned bill. Frank quickly drew it out after having exposed it snugly packed in the locket. The man was astounded and confused. “Why—why—” he gasped. Frank interrupted him with a light laugh. “Of course you didn’t mean to conceal it,” he said, significantly. “You simply tucked it in there by accident.” GOMMIGooo (SO)