"In the past you've made a lot of trouble for me and my friends," commenced Dave. "You were in league with some others to play me foul at every opportunity. You sent a letter to Roger Morr about me, and another letter to Crumville, to a young lady friend of mine--and you also sent a letter to my sister." At these last words Merwell's hand went up unconsciously to his breast-pocket. "You have blackened my character all you possibly could. Now, if I wanted to, I could place you in the hands of the law. But instead, I am going to take it out of you."
"Wha--what do you mean?" And the bully half arose to his feet.
"I mean just what I say, Merwell. Sit down!" And Dave shoved the bully back on the rock.
"Shut up!" And again Dave doubled up his fists. "I am not here to listen to you. I'll do the talking. Now to come to business. First of all, I want those letters."
"Do you want to make it necessary for me to search you?"
"I shall dare. Now hand over those letters, and be quick about it!"
Again Dave doubled up his fists and something like fire shone in his clear eyes. Merwell hesitated, shivered, and slowly his hand went to his breast-pocket.
"You'll rue this day!" he muttered, savagely.
Slowly he drew from his pocket the letters Laura had so foolishly sent him. Dave snatched them from his grasp and looked them over swiftly, then stowed them away in his own pocket.
"Now, Merwell, I want you to promise by all you hold sacred not to say a word to anybody about Gus Plum's doings during the past term. For the honor of the school I think this matter ought to be kept secret."
Again were Dave's fists doubled up, and again that fire showed itself in his determined eyes. Merwell shivered--for once he felt himself utterly cornered and beaten.
"All right, I promise," he said, in a low tone.
"And you must also promise that in the future you will leave me and my friends alone."
"What do you want next?" growled Merwell. He was feeling more uncomfortable every minute.
"I'll show you," answered Dave, and leaping forward he caught the bully by the collar and shook him as a dog might shake a rat. Then he cuffed the fellow right and left, gave him another shaking, and threw him down violently on the ground. Merwell did his best to resist, but Dave's muscles were at such a tension that Link was next to helpless in the other's grasp.