The object of the tramps was doubtless robbery, as Mulloy is known to have had a considerable sum of money on his person." Browning looked up questioningly.
"Likely another fellow, though!" he said.
"By Jove! I'm afraid not!" exclaimed Frank, who had hastily taken the paper from Bruce, and was staring in consternation at the fateful item.
"There may be a hundred Barney Mulloys!" said Rattleton.
Frank shook his head.
"I had a letter from him a few days ago, and he was then stopping at Sea Cove.

He was making money, too!" Merriwell felt stunned.

Barney Mulloy had been one of his dearest friends, faithful and honest, kind-hearted and true, jolly and hopeful.
Through all of his hilarious experiences at Fardale, Frank had not a stancher adherent.

And now Barney was dead, slain by a lot of miserable tramps! Tears of honest grief and indignation came into Frank's eyes.
"Barney Mulloy dead ?" exclaimed Inza, coming up at that moment and hearing the news.
"What ?" cried Elsie.
"Report in the _Herald_," Frank answered.

"Killed yesterday by hoboes, somewhere below Sandy Hook." Bad news spreads as if by magic.