CHAPTER VIII. AFTER FRANK'S MONEY.

"Haow are ye, Frank?" cried Ephraim Gallup, a friend of Frank's, from Vermont, as Merry entered the office of the hotel.

The long, lank Vermonter came forward, followed by a short, fat lad, who exclaimed:

"Yaw, how you peen, ain'd id, Vrankie?"

The short lad was Hans Dunnerwurst, another friend.

"Ephraim! Hans!" gasped Frank.

"Yes, we're here, bag an' baggage, by gum!" declared the down-Easter.

"Dot peen a fact," nodded Hans, with owl-like gravity. "Der pag und paggages vos here mit us."