MARY J. HOLMES CHARLES GARVICE MAY AGNES FLEMING MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON Four authors enshrined in the heart of every reader of fiction in America. See the list of their works in the NEW EAGLE SERIES. FRANK MERRIWELL'S ALARM OR, DOING HIS BEST BY BURT L. STANDISH Author of the famous Merriwell Stories. STREET & SMITH CORPORATION PUBLISHERS 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York Copyright, 1903 By STREET & SMITH Frank Merriwell's Alarm All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign languages, including the Scandinavian. CONTENTS I--ADRIFT IN THE DESERT II--ON TO THE MOUNTAINS III--THE SKELETON IV--"INDIANS!" V--BLUE WOLF TRIES THE BICYCLE VI--TRICK RIDING VII--ESCAPE VIII--THE MYSTERY EXPLAINED IX--A NIGHT ADVENTURE X--THE STORY XI--ANOTHER ESCAPE XII--AT LAKE TAHOE XIII--A RACE ON THE LAKE XIV--THE HERMIT'S POWER XV--RECOVERY XVI--LOST UNDERGROUND XVII--BROTHER AND SISTER XVIII--OLD FRIENDS XIX--BART HODGE MAKES A CONFESSION XX--FRANK BECOMES ALARMED XXI--ARREST AND ESCAPE XXII--ISA ISBAN XXIII--A KNOCK ON THE DOOR XXIV--THE SHERIFF'S SHOT XXV--ESCAPE--CONCLUSION FRANK MERRIWELL'S ALARM. CHAPTER I. ADRIFT IN THE DESERT. Once more the bicycle boys pushed on westward, and it must be said that in spite of all their perils they were in the best of spirits. The beautiful valley in Utah was left behind, and some time later found them on the edge of the great American Desert. Water was not to be had, and they began to suffer greatly from thirst. The thirst at last became so great that nearly all were ready to drop from exhaustion. Toots was much affected, and presently he let out a long wail of discouragement. "Land of watermillions! mah froat am done parched so I ain't gwan teh be able teh whisper if we don' find some warter po'erful soon, chilluns! Nebber struck nuffin' lek dis in all mah bawn days--no, sar!" "You're not the only one," groaned Bruce. "What wouldn't I give for one little swallow of water!" "We must strike water soon, or we are done for," put in Jack. Toots began to sway in his saddle, and Frank spurted to his side, grasping him by the arm, as he sharply said: "Brace up! You mustn't give out now. The mountains are right ahead, and----" "Lawd save us!" hoarsely gasped the darky. "Dem dar mount'ns had been jes' as nigh fo' de las' two houah, Marser Frank. We don' git a bit nearer 'em--no, sar! Dem mount'ns am a recepshun an' a delusum. We ain't nebber gwan teh git out ob dis desert--nebber! Heah's where we's gwan teh lay ouah bones, Marser Frank!" "You are to blame for this, Merriwell," came reproachfully from Diamond. "You were the one to suggest that we should attempt to cross instead of going around to the north, and----" "Say, Diamond!" cried Harry; "riv us a guest--I mean give us a rest! You were as eager as any of us to try to cross the desert, for you thought we'd have it to boast about when we returned to Yale." "But we'll never return."