It was a most astounding feat of strength, and Packard was breathless with admiration.
After a moment Hawkins began to stoop, lowering his body gradually, still balancing Packard on the chair as he let him down. Slowly, gently, deliberately the athlete lowered that chair and its human burden, depositing it lightly upon the floor.
“There!” cried Defarge triumphantly; “what do you think of that?”
“It was simply astounding!” admitted Roland, jumping up and drawing a deep breath.
“Are you satisfied?” asked Hawkins quietly.
“You believe I am stronger than Merriwell?”
“You must be. I know Merriwell seldom exhibits the full extent of his strength, but I cannot conceive that he is stronger than that. Can you wrestle?”
“Yes, in any style you may name. I have taken lessons from masters of the art.”
“Then you should be able to throw Merriwell. But the fellow is skilful in many other ways.”
“He can handle his fists and feet, as I have said.”
“There are a set of boxing-gloves on the wall. You may put on one pair and Defarge the other. Then you may both come at me and try to hit me.”
“I will not permit either of you to hit me once.”
“Oh, come off!” laughed Packard. “We can get you between us, and you can’t help being hit.”
“If either of you are able to hit me one fair blow in five minutes’ time, I will admit that I am not yet prepared to meet Merriwell.”
“All right; we’ll show you!” cried Packard. “Move the furniture out of the way. But, before you begin, I want you to know that I am something of a boxer. Once on a time I took lessons from Buster Kelley, New Haven’s great fighter, for the purpose of getting into shape for a go with Merriwell.”
“So much the better,” nodded the undisturbed athlete, “for it will serve as a more satisfactory test.”
So the furniture was moved back from the center of the room, and Packard and Defarge threw off coats and vests, drew on the gloves, and prepared for the encounter.
“Before we begin I will warn you that I may often defend myself with my feet, as well as with my hands. I shall strike neither of you with my clenched fists, but I may push you with either feet or hands.”
“That’s all right,” grinned Roland. “I’ll risk but I can dodge your feet.”
“You may find it more difficult than you think. Are you ready?”