When the ruffian recovered he was astonished to find Frank had not departed, but was bending over him.
"How do you feel?" the boy calmly inquired.
"Say, I'm all broke up!" was the feeble reply. "Are youse der feller wot done me?"
"To see how badly you are hurt. Your head struck the stones with frightful force when you fell."
"Did it? Well, it feels dat way! Here's a lump as big as yer fist. But wot d'youse care?"
"I didn't know but your skull was fractured."
"I didn't want you to remain here and suffer with a broken head."
"Didn't, eh? An' I tried ter do ye up widout givin' yer any warnin'! Dis is der quarest deal I ever struck! I was tryin' ter knock yer stiff an' den break year arm."
"Then you were here on purpose to meet me?"
"But why were you going to break my arm?"
"'Cause dat's wot I was paid fer, me boy."
Frank caught hold of the ruffian, who had arisen to a sitting posture and was holding onto his head.
"Paid for?" cried the boy, excitedly. "Do you mean to tell me that you were paid to waylay me and break my arm?"
"I didn't mean ter tell yer anyt'ing, but a feller wot kin fight like you kin an' den stay ter see if a chap wot tried ter do him was hurt--dat kind of a feller oughter be told."
"Then tell me--tell me all about it," urged Merriwell.
"Dere ain't much ter tell. Some sneak wanted yer arm broke, an' he came ter me ter do der job. He paid me twenty ter lay fer youse an' fix yer. I was hard up an' I took der job, dough I didn't like it much. Den he put me onter yer, an' I follored yer ter der house where youse went dis evenin'. I watched till yer comes out, and den I skips roun' ter head yer off yere. I heads yer an' asks fer a light. Youse knows der rest better dan wot I does."
"Well, this is decidedly interesting! So I have an enemy who wants my arm broken?"
"That would fix me so I'd never pitch any more."
"Dat's wot's likely, if ye're a pitcher."
"Would you know the person who hired you if you were to see him again?"
"Ha! That's what I want! See here! Tell me his name, or by the gods of war I will see that you are arrested and shoved for this night's work!"
"Well, den, yere's his card wot he give me.'"
The ruffian fumbled in his pocket and took out a card, which he passed to Frank, who eagerly grasped it.