Rattleton came
up to Merriwell with the box of loaded shells.
"They are not all just alike, Merry!" he declared. "I have been looking
them over. See!"
He took up three of the shells and exhibited them to Frank. A casual
glance would show no difference between them and the other shells in the
box. But a close inspection showed that the brass did not go up quite so
high on the paper.
"I am sure that all the shells in the box were just alike," said Merry.
"Those were slipped in there. Keep them safe."
"But what if they blow me up?" Rattleton gasped. "I'm afraid of the
things. Some of the fellows are saying there was dynamite in the shell
that tore up the gun!"
"There is no danger, I think. Take care of them, and see that the other
boxes are not tampered with. Watch Morton Agnew."
"Let your bife I'll watch him! And he has been watching me! I caught him
at it awhile ago!"
"I think Agnew fixed up some shells to kill or maim me," said Frank. "No
doubt he would give a great deal to get the unused ones away. Look out
for him."
Then Merriwell went back to the crowd, where Badger was exhibiting his
benumbed arm and hand, and explaining how it felt to have a gun burst in
one's fingers.
"Are you ready?" he asked. "I am."
"Yes," Frank answered.
Pages:
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111