With a twist and a snap, Merriwell flung the desperate fellow against the wall and held him there, despite all his struggles. “Break away!” Mart Woodock tried to part them, but was prevented by Dustan, who spoke swiftly and sharply: “Let them alone! Merriwell knows what he is doing.” “But—but——” “He can handle Mr. Flynn.” “Flynn is our guest. We can’t see him misused.” “There is no danger that I will misuse him, gentlemen,” cut in Frank, still holding the fellow against the wall. “I have not offered to give a blow in return for his.” “He attacked me—he assaulted me!” cried Flynn, in a half whine. “I never did anything to him. I call on the members of this club for protection.” “You do not need it, Flynn,” said Frank, “for you are in no danger.” “Then let me go.” “In a minute. First, I want to tell these gentlemen just who and what you are. I know you.” “And I know you!” hissed the rascal, his face growing dark. “You are a thief! You were arrested as a thief in Rockland! You can’t deny it!” “I was arrested——” “Hear that! hear that!” shouted Flynn, triumphantly. “He confesses it! He owns that he was arrested!” “I was arrested on a warrant sworn out by you,” admitted Frank, quietly. “I do confess that.” “That’s enough.” “Perhaps so. Why didn’t you stay and prosecute me? Why did you take to your heels and fly from Rockland?” “Business——” “Business caused you to run away, eh? Tell the truth! You knew I had sworn out a warrant against you, charging you with an attempt to capture my yacht by force in Rockland harbor.” “I didn’t care for that. It’s not your yacht. It’s mine.” “Indeed! Then why didn’t you remain in Rockland and recover possession of it by legal means? You claimed to have bought it of a man who is now in an insane asylum. You fancied Benjamin, of whom I purchased it, was on his way to Alaska. When you discovered that Benjamin was in Rockland, you were so frightened that you lost not a moment in running away.” “It’s a lie! I didn’t care anything about Benjamin. The _White Wings_ belongs to me, and I will have her sooner or later. I am not talking through my hat, either.” “If you don’t let it alone, you will land in prison. I shall not fool with you. I can push you now if I wish, but I’ll be satisfied in exposing you. You have been a guest here. It is plain you have had the freedom of the club. I scarcely think you will be admitted in the future, for I brand you as a rascal and a ruffian unfit for the society of gentlemen.” Flynn turned crimson, and then he became ashen pale, while his eyes gleamed redly and his features betrayed the terrible fury that possessed him. “All right!” he said, his voice being husky with anger. “I’ll make you sorry for it. I have said all along that I was not done with you.” “The best thing you can do is to get out of Belfast and this State in a hurry.” “Oh, I’m not frightened!” “I may swear out another warrant against you.” “Go ahead!”