A week later the reorganized company, under Frank Merriwell's management, was billed to play in a little town called Bransfield.
Frank was a great believer in paper, and he had wired Collins to see that it was stuck up "regardless," so, when the players arrived in Bransfield, they found every billboard and every dead wall pasted over with lurid advertising. The windows were full of posters, and one could not look in any direction without seeing something to remind him that there was to be a show in town at the public hall that night.
Merriwell was satisfied, but Havener shook his head.
"It's a waste of paper," declared the stage manager. "Half as much would have done as well."
"Don't think it," said Frank. "Not many shows come here, and it's doubtful if the people ever saw any of this paper before, even though it is stock stuff. If I am not much mistaken they were astonished by the display, and they will be inclined to judge the merit of the show by the amount of advertising done. If there is any money afloat, we ought to pull a house here."
"Well, you are paying, so I'm not going to kick," said Havener.
Frank had not been at the hotel thirty minutes before a small, ragged boy brought him a note. The boy started to hurry away, but Frank caught him by the collar, saying:
"Feller that sent it said there warn't goin' to be an answer," explained the boy, seeming anxious to get away.
The tall Vermonter came forward at Frank's call.
"Just keep your hands on this youngster till I read this note," invited Merry.
"All right," grinned Gallup, getting hold of the boy. "Naow don't ye try to play any of yer gol darn pranks onter me, yeou little sarpint, or I'll shack ye right aout of yer duds."
The boy submitted, seeing it was useless to attempt to get away, and Frank opened the note. This is what he read:
"The end is not yet. I am not done with you.
"Well, this is very interesting!" he commented. "Now, my boy, who gave this to you?"
"Don't you wish you could find out?" returned the youngster, saucily.
Frank poised a silver half-dollar on the tips of his fingers.
The boy's eyes sparkled, and he moistened his lips with the end of his tongue.
"Just tell me all about who gave you that note, and where he was when he gave it to you, and that half-dollar is yours."