Frank Merriwell's Triumph; Or, The Disappearance of Felicia — Reading Notes

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Authors: Standish, Burt L., 1866-1945 Digital Source: Project Gutenberg Gutenberg Release Year: 2012 First Publication Year: Not confirmed

Key Word: Western stories; Adventure stories; Arizona -- Juvenile fiction; Mines and mineral resources -- Juvenile fiction; Merriwell, Frank (Fictitious character) -- Juvenile fiction Target Reader: Readers of public-domain and historical texts

Book Edition: Project Gutenberg digital edition Book Language: en

Edition facts

Words 93,421

Reading time 407 min

Text sections 28

The source record for Frank Merriwell's Triumph; Or, The Disappearance of Felicia — Reading Notes measures this digital text at 93,421 words, 6 hr 47 min estimated reading time, and 28 detected text sections.

The text analysis averages about 12.2 words per sentence, while the detected sections provide another way to judge how the source is divided.

Project Gutenberg metadata also associates the work with “Western stories,” connecting these edition facts with the source record’s subject description.

Source: Project Gutenberg record #40262

Frank Merriwell faces a blackmail threat from Macklyn Morgan while preparing to investigate new mines. The opening chapters establish a compact of rascals, a vanished map, and a night watch, setting the stage for a western adventure involving the disappearance of Felicia.

Editorial Edition Score 4.9/5

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Title & short description10 pts
Source metadata20 pts
Text length15 pts
Chapters / structure15 pts
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Edition quality

File: pg40262

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A COMPACT OF RASCALS.

They were dangerous-looking men, thirty of them in all, armed to the teeth. They looked like unscrupulous fellows who would hesitate at no desperate deed. Some of them had bad records, and yet they had served Frank Merriwell faithfully in guarding his mine, the Queen Mystery, against those who tried to wrest it from him by force and fraud.

Frank had called these men together, and he now stood on his doorstep in Mystery Valley, Arizona, looking them over. Bart Hodge, Frank's college chum and companion in many adventures, was behind him in the doorway. Little Abe, a hunchback boy whom Merriwell had rescued from ruffians at a mining camp and befriended for some time, peered from the cabin. Merry smiled pleasantly as he surveyed the men.

"Well, boys," he said, "the time has come when I shall need your services no longer."

Some of them stirred restlessly and looked regretful.

"To tell you the truth," Frank went on, "I am genuinely sorry to part with you. You have served me well. But I need you no more. My enemies have been defeated, and the courts have recognized my rightful claim to this property. You fought for me when it was necessary. You risked your lives for me."

"That's what we is paid for, Mr. Merriwell," said Tombstone Phil, the leader. "We tries to earn our money."

"You have earned it, every one of you. I remember the day we stood off a hundred painted ruffians in the desert; I remember the hunting of Jim Rednight; and I don't forget that when Hodge and I stood beneath a tree near Phoenix, with ropes about our necks, that you charged to the rescue and saved us. Have I paid you in a satisfactory manner?"

"You don't hear us kick any!"

These exclamations were uttered by various men in the gathering.

"I am glad to know, boys," declared Frank, "that you are all satisfied. If you must leave me, I like to have you leave feeling that you have been treated on the square."

"Mr. Merriwell," said Mexican Bob, a wizened little man, "I ken chew up the galoot what says you ain't plumb on the level. Thar's nary a critter in the bunch whatever makes a murmur about you."

"You can see, boys," Frank went on, "that I have no further use for you as a guard to my property. If any of you wish to remain, however, I shall try to find employment for you. There's work enough to be done here, although it may not be the sort of work you care to touch. I need more men in the mine. You know the wages paid. It's hard work and may not be satisfactory to any of you."

"As we are parting," Merry added, "I wish to show my appreciation of you in a manner that will be satisfactory to you all. For that purpose I have something to distribute among you. Hand them out, Hodge."

Bart stepped back and reappeared some moments later loaded down with a lot of small canvas pouches.

"Come up one at a time, boys," invited Merry, as he began taking these from Bart. "Here you are, Phil."

He dropped the first pouch into Tombstone Phil's hand, and it gave forth a musical, clinking sound that made the eyes of the men sparkle.

One by one they filed past the doorstep, and into each outstretched hand was dropped a clinking canvas pouch, each one of which was heavy enough to make its recipient smile.

When the last man had received his present, they gathered again in front of the door, and suddenly Tombstone Phil roared:

"Give up a youp, boys, for the whitest man on two legs, Frank Merriwell!"

They swung their hats in the air and uttered a yell that awoke the echoes of the valley.

"Thanks, men," said Merry quietly. "I appreciate that. As long as you desire to remain in Mystery Valley you are at liberty to do so; when you wish to depart you can do so, also. So-long, boys. Good luck to you."

He waved his hand, and they answered with another sharp yell. Then they turned and moved away, declaring over and over among themselves that he was the "whitest man." One of those who repeated this assertion a number of times was a leathery, bowlegged, bewhiskered individual in greasy garments known as Hull Shawmut. If anything, Shawmut seemed more pleased and satisfied than his companions.

Continue Reading →

The story opens with a compact of rascals, immediately signaling a world of scheming and hidden agendas. Frank Merriwell, the perennial hero, is confronted by Macklyn Morgan, who attempts to force him to give up the “Queen Mystery” under threat of arrest for murder. The dialogue reveals Morgan as “quiet, cold, and calculating,” a foil to Frank’s straightforward courage. This early confrontation, set before any journey begins, establishes the stakes: Frank’s reputation and freedom are on the line, and he must navigate a web of deceit that extends beyond the western frontier.

A Compact of Rascals and a Vanished Map

The first chapter, “A Compact of Rascals,” introduces a group of villains whose conspiracy sets the plot in motion. The table of contents lists “The Map Vanishes” and “The Night Watch,” indicating that a crucial object—likely a map to the new mines—disappears early on. This loss forces Frank and his allies into a reactive, investigative role. The catalog subjects mention Arizona and mines, so the map is probably tied to mineral wealth. Readers should note how the disappearance is handled: is it theft, misplacement, or a deliberate trap? The early chapters build suspense through these missing pieces, making the reader complicit in the search for answers.

Wiley’s Whimsical Tale and the Shadow of Morgan

In a later excerpt, the sailor Wiley relates a humorous story about waking up with his head stuck in an iron bedstead, mistaking it for a jail cell. Despite the comedy, Frank does not laugh, underscoring the seriousness of Morgan’s threat. Wiley then volunteers to shadow Morgan, echoing the “yellow-backed literature” he once read. This self-aware nod to dime novels hints at the story’s own genre conventions. The contrast between Wiley’s tall tale and Frank’s grim resolve shows how the narrative balances levity with tension. Readers should watch how Wiley’s role evolves—he is more than comic relief, acting as a spy and messenger.

Frank’s Fighting Blood and the Threat of Arrest

When Frank tells his brother Dick about Morgan’s blackmail, Dick’s indignation is immediate: “Tried to force you to give up the Queen Mystery, did he?” The phrase “Queen Mystery” is not explained in the excerpts, but it clearly represents a valuable secret or object. Frank’s response—“I am ready for it; let it come”—reveals his characteristic defiance. The narrative emphasizes his “fighting blood” through physical description: “the sternness of his handsome face and the gleam of his flashing eyes.” This moment crystallizes Frank’s determination, setting up a personal duel with Morgan that transcends the larger adventure. The threat of a murder charge adds legal peril to the physical dangers of the West.

Setting Out for the New Mines

Frank announces his intention to “start for the new mines early to-morrow,” shifting the action from urban intrigue to the Arizona frontier. The catalog subjects confirm the setting: Western stories, Arizona, and mines. The excerpts do not reveal what happens on the journey, but the chapter titles hint at encounters with “Felipe Dulzura,” a monk, and a “Valley of Desolation.” Readers should anticipate a transition from dialogue-driven conflict to survival-based adventure. The disappearance of Felicia, mentioned in the subtitle, remains unexplained in the provided text; her fate likely intertwines with the mine plot. The early chapters thus serve as a prologue, establishing motives and threats before the wilderness takes center stage.

This edition’s excerpts offer a concentrated view of the story’s opening machinery: a blackmail plot, a missing map, and a hero girding for action. Readers should pay attention to how the compact of rascals operates—their schemes may echo later obstacles. The narrative voice, alternating between Wiley’s folksy humor and Frank’s steely resolve, provides a tonal guide. As you read, track the “Queen Mystery” and the map; their resolution likely drives the plot toward the titular triumph.

There’s a particular ache in watching Frank square off against Macklyn, that old fear of being trapped by someone who knows too much. It reminded me of another quiet, isolated place, where trust thins out like morning fog. I kept thinking about No Man's Island — Reading Notes, and how loneliness can feel like a character itself, waiting just off the page.

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Timothy Jacqueline Waters - 1 month ago

An exciting addition to the Frank Merriwell series! The mystery of Felicia's disappearance keeps you guessing until the very end. Frank's resourcefulness and bravery shine through, and the action is non-stop. This is a classic adventure that will thrill young readers and adults alike with its suspense and good old-fashioned heroism.

Dana Thompson - 4 weeks ago

This book relies too heavily on improbable coincidences and clichéd dialogue. The portrayal of Felicia is disappointingly one-dimensional, and the suspense is undermined by a predictable outcome. While it's a product of its time, modern readers may find it dated and lacking in depth. Only for die-hard series completists.

Nicole Martinez - 3 weeks ago

A solid adventure story with plenty of twists and turns. Frank is as dependable as ever, and the plot is engaging. However, the resolution feels a bit rushed, and some coincidences stretch belief. Still, it's an enjoyable read for series fans and anyone who likes a good mystery.