“Well, now is our time to get out,” said Bruce. “Sure,” nodded Frank. The big fellow picked up the proctor and carried him along with ease, refusing assistance from any of the others. Frank took the lead, and they hastened toward the corner where Griswold was to bring the cab. Before that corner was reached a cab rattled up and stopped. “Gris is there!” said Frank, with satisfaction. Then he stopped short, quickly adding: “So is a cop!” “How do you know?” asked Harry, in great agitation. “Saw him pass by the light of the side lamp. There--there he goes!” They saw the policeman cross the street and disappear, walking along slowly. “Wheejiz!” gurgled Rattleton. “That was a close shave!” Again they went forward. Frank whistled a soft signal, and Griswold whistled back. Danny was standing beside the open cab door as the daring young kidnapers came up. “All right?” asked Frank. “O. K.,” Griswold assured in his curt way. “Cop just went along, but he’s gone now.” “Gone!” hissed Diamond. “Not much! Look--there he is! He is coming back!” “Thunder and guns!” “Blue blazes!” “Lively, fellows!” They attempted to bundle the captured proctor into the cab, but he had caught enough of their words to know they were in danger of detection, and he fought as savagely as he could, crying out in a muffled voice for help. “Hang him!” growled Browning. “He’ll get us all nipped!” “Better drop him and make a run for it!” fluttered Harry. “The cop sees something is wrong!” palpitated Jack. “He’s coming in a hurry!” This was true, and the kidnapers were in great peril. CHAPTER XXXI. RECKLESS DARING. “In!” Browning growled the word. “Chuck him!” Rattleton hissed the exclamation. “Lively!” Merriwell gave the command. Flop--thump! The half-smothered proctor was flung into the cab. “After him!” The words came from Frank. In went Browning on top of the proctor. Diamond followed him with alacrity, and Griswold scrambled in instantly, then Rattleton forced himself in without delay. Slam--the door shut. The policeman had seen something of the struggle, and he broke into a run. “Hold on there!” he cried. “Can’t stop!” panted Frank. A spring took Merriwell up beside the driver. Before that person could say a word he had snatched the reins and whip. Crack!--the whip fell on the backs of the astonished horses. Unfortunately, the animals were headed toward the approaching officer. They leaped forward. “Stop!” cried the policeman, springing from the sidewalk to the street. “Couldn’t think of it!” flung back Merry. “Get out of the road!” The officer waved his club, and then, seeing the horses were snorting beneath the blows of the whip and badly frightened, he attempted to catch them by the bits. He made a miscalculation, slipped and fell. Frank Merriwell’s heart leaped into his mouth, for it seemed that the wheels of the cab must go over the policeman. With all his skill it did not seem possible Merry could avoid the man’s fallen body.