“I’ll pay you! Down him! I’ll make it five dollars more all round.”
“That goes!” was the cry, and the ruffians rushed upon Frank.
Then Merry’s feet came into play. In France he had learned the art of boxing with his feet, and he could handle them almost as nimbly as an ordinary boxer could handle his fists. The first man to spring at him received a kick in the stomach that doubled him up like a jack-knife, the next was hurled to the floor, and the third got one on the side of the head that sent him staggering away, bewildered and blinded.
But there were too many of them, and Frank was not able to stand them off more than a few seconds. They crushed him to the floor, and his legs were bound at the knees, as the leader directed.
In this assault the big fellow had taken no part. He stood aloof, his arms folded over his broad breast, looking on with an air of indifference.
When Frank was subjugated and helpless, the leader turned on the big fellow and expressed anger at his conduct.
“That will do!” was the surly retort that was growled from beneath the mask. “I won’t stand it from you! I did my part of this business according to agreement. I did not agree to do anything more.”
“I don’t want it, so don’t worry yourself.”
The leader ordered a fire to be built in the old open fireplace, and his directions were carried out. He could scarcely hobble round, and he was in an ugly mood.
With his own hands, he removed the gag from Frank Merriwell’s mouth.
“That is better,” said Frank, coolly. “My jaws were aching.”
“That will be nothing to what is coming!” declared the fellow. “I’ll make you wish you never were born!”
“Marvelous! You must be a perfect savage.”
“Well, I am going to treat you the way savages sometimes treat their captives.”
“You’ll be more so before I am done with you. Oh, I’ll make you whimper and beg!”
“Yes? Bright prospect for me; but it’s possible you had better think it over before you go into it. It might not be healthy for you in the end. There are other days coming--and other nights.”
“Bah! You put up a good bluff, but it does not go. I’ll take some of the nerve out of you!”
“Your turn will come! Whatever you do will not be forgotten.”
“Rot! You are welcome to remember it. Little good that will do you.”