from quivering, and feeling that his
cheeks were burning with the angry blood that had surged into them.

"That's what I'll do, youngster. If you will pitch that game so Harvard
will win, I'll give you a thousand dollars in cold cash. Now I reckon
you understand me."

"I think I do," came icily from Frank. "You want me to sell the game for
a thousand dollars! You put a small price on my honor, sir!"

"A small price! You talk as if a thousand were nothing! Hang me if I
ever saw a youngster of your caliber! Perhaps you think I'm fooling?
Perhaps you think I won't pay? Look here! I'll make it two thousand
dollars, and I'll give you a thousand in advance. That is a square deal,
as you must allow."

Then he took a huge roll of bank notes from his pocket. Some were new
bills, while some were worn and soiled. He rapidly counted off a
thousand dollars in ten, twenty, fifty and one hundred dollar bills.
This money he thrust into Merriwell's hands, saying:

"There you have it, and that binds the bargain between us. I'll give you
the other thousand directly Harvard wins and I collect my wagers. I'm a
man of my word. I reckon it is settled?"

Frank looked at the money, making sure it was genuine. He quickly
satisfied himself on that point. It was all right.

Never before had such a bribe been offered Merriwell, and, for some
seconds, he stood with the money in his unbandaged hand, feeling
somewhat dazed and doubtful.

"Put it out of sight!" whispered the stranger. "Don't let 'em see you
have it. Give me your promise that you will throw the game to Harvard."

"I shall not pitch that game," said Frank.

"No?"

"No, sir."

"Why not?"

"My hand will not be in condition, as you should know. True it is my
left hand, but I'll not be able to bat with it, even if I could pitch."

"But you would throw the game if you could pitch?"

"No!" cried Merriwell, fiercely, letting his outraged indignation flame
forth. "What do you take me for? I am no sneak and traitor, and not for
ten thousand dollars--not for a hundred thousand dollars--not to save my
very life would I do such a dastardly thing! You have made a mistake in
your man! Take back your dirty money! I would not touch a dollar of it
for the world! It would contaminate me!"

Then he flung the roll of bills straight into the face of the astonished
man.

As the man stooped to pick up the money, which had fallen at his feet,
Frank caught him by the collar with his well ha