On his return to Denver Frank had hastened at once to look over the "mechanical effect" which had been constructed for him. It was not quite completed, but was coming on well, and, as far as Frank could see, had been constructed perfectly according to directions and plans.

Of course, one man had not done the work alone. He had been a.s.sisted by carpenters and scene painters, and the work had been rushed.

Merry got his company together and began rehearsing the revised play.

His paper from Chicago came on, and examination showed that it was quite "up to the mark." In fact, Havener, the stage manager, was delighted with it, declaring that it was the most attractive stuff he had seen in many years.

But for the loss of one of the actors he had engaged to fill one of the comedy parts, Merry would have been greatly pleased by the manner in which things moved along.

Now, however, he believed that in William Shakespeare Burns he had found a man who could fill the place left vacant.

Although Hodge had been ready enough to defend Burns from the young ruffians who were hectoring him on the street, he had little faith in the man as a comedian. Hodge could see no comedy in the old actor. To tell the truth, it was seldom that Hodge could see comedy in anything, and low comedy, sure to appeal to the ma.s.ses, he regarded as foolish.

For another reason Hodge felt uncertain about Burns. It was plain that the aged tragedian was inclined to look on the wine "when it was red,"

and Bart feared he would prove troublesome and unreliable on that account.

"I am done with the stuff!" Hodge had declared over and over. "On that night in the ruffians' den at Ace High I swore never to touch it again, for I saw what brutes it makes of men. I have little confidence in any man who will drink it."

"Oh, be a little more liberal," entreated Frank. "You know there are men who drink moderately, and it never seems to harm them."

"I know there are such men," admitted Bart; "but it is not blood that runs in their veins. It's water."

"Not all men are so hot-blooded and impulsive as you and Jack Diamond."

"Don't speak of Diamond! I don't think anything of that fellow. I am talking about this Burns. He is a sot, that's plain. Drink has dragged him down so far that all the powers in the world cannot lift him up.

Some night when everything depends on him, he will fail you, for he will be too drunk to play his part. Then you will be sorry that you had anything to do with him."

"All the powers in this world might not be able to lift him up,"

admittted Frank; "but there are other powers that can do so. I pity the poor, old man. He realizes his condition and what he has missed in life."

"But the chances are that the audience will throw things at him when he appears as a comedian."

"Instead of that, I believe he will convulse them with laughter."

"Well, you have some queer ideas. We'll see who's right."

Frank kept track of Burns, dealing out but little money to him, and that in small portions, so that the old actor could not buy enough liquor to get intoxicated, if he wished to do so.

The first rehearsal was called on the stage of the theater in Denver.

Merry had engaged the theater for that purpose. The entire company a.s.sembled. Frank addressed them and told them that he was glad to see them again. One and all, they shook hands with him. Then Burns was called forward and introduced as the new comedian. At this he drew himself up to his full height, folded his arms across his breast, and said:

"Ay! 'new' is the word for it, for never before, I swear, have I essayed a role so degraded or one that hath so troubled me by night and by day.

Comedy, comedy, what sins are committed in thy name!"

Granville Garland nudged Douglas Dunton in the ribs, whispering in his ear:

"Behold your rival!"

"Methinks he intrudeth on my sacred territory," nodded Dunton. "But he has to do it on the stage, and on the stage I am a villain. We shall not quarrel."

Burns proved to be something of a laughing-stock for the rest of the company.

"He's a freak," declared Billy Wynne, known as "Props."

"All of that," agreed Lester Vance.

"I don't understand why Merriwell should pick up such a creature for us to a.s.sociate with," sniffed Agnes Kirk. "But Merriwell is forever doing something freakish. Just think how he carried around that black tramp cat that came onto the stage to hoodoo us the first time we rehea.r.s.ed this piece."

"And there is the cat now!" exclaimed Vance, as the same black cat came walking serenely onto the stage.

"Yes, here is the cat," said Frank, who overheard the exclamation. "She was called a hoodoo before. I have determined that she shall be a mascot, and it is pretty hard to get me to give anything up when I am determined upon it."

"Well, I haven't a word to say!" declared Agnes Kirk, but she looked several words with her eyes.

The rehearsal began and progressed finely till it was time for Burns to enter. The old actor came on, but when he tried to say his lines the words seemed to stick in his throat and choke him. Several times he started, but finally he broke down and turned to Frank, appealingly, saying, huskily:

"I can't! I can't! It is a mockery and an insult to the dead Bard of Avon! It's no use! I give it up. I need the money, but I cannot insult the memory of William Shakespeare by making a burlesque of his immortal works!"

Then he staggered off the stage.

CHAPTER X.

AT THE FOOT OF THE BED.

Late that evening, after the work and rehearsing of the day was over, Frank, Bart and Ephraim gathered in the room of the first-mentioned and discussed matters.

"I told you Burns was no good," said Hodge, triumphantly, "I knew how it would be, but he showed up sooner than I expected. I suppose you will get rid of him in a hurry now?"

"I think not," answered Merry, quietly.

"What?" cried Hodge, astounded. "You don't mean to say you will keep him after what has happened?"

"I may."

"Well, Frank, I'm beginning to believe the theatrical business has turned your head. You do not seem to possess the good sense you had once."

"Is that so?" laughed Merry.

"Just so!" snapped Hodge.

"Oh, I don't know! I rather think Burns will turn out all right."

"After making such a fizzle to-day? Well, you're daffy!"

"You do not seem to understand the man at all. I can appreciate his feelings."