When the applause was over, he ordered the fly back to the starting point.
"I will next show you that the fly can subtract as well as add," he said. "If any person will name two numbers, Solomon will deduct the lesser from the greater, and then will indicate the number that remains. All ready."
"Twenty-two and nineteen," said the red-faced man, arising so all could see him. "I think I am pretty well known here, and it will be evident that I am in no way connected with this show."
Then he sat down.
Frank gave his orders to the fly, which started out in a rambling way, pausing slightly several times.
"He's gettin' tired," piped a boy.
"This subtraction is too much for him," cried another.
"What do you think about it Solomon?" asked Merriwell, quietly. "Are you going to let them think you're about to throw up the job? Get down to business. Come, come!"
Thus urged, the fly started forward again, creeping directly to the twenty-two.