“Get onto the line here,” ordered Merriwell, and Diamond, Rattleton and Griswold took hold at once. The water gurgled below with a sound similar to that once heard by Frank in the throat of a drowning man. Somehow a cold chill crept over Merry, and of a sudden he felt like backing out. It was true that he had no love for the proctor, who was something of a sneak and therefore cordially disliked by most of the students, but Frank believed in giving a man a fair opportunity to fight for himself, and Rudge had been given no such opportunity this night. But for the fact that it would have seemed cowardly to back out at this stage of the game, Frank would have abandoned the whole project then and there. He was a person who seldom felt presentiments, but now a warning of coming evil seemed to oppress him. All his life he had observed that first impulses and first impressions were best, and now it seemed that something bade him stop at this point and wash his hands of the affair. Frank refused to heed this warning. “Come,” whispered Diamond, “what are you waiting for, Merry?” “Nothing.” Again the water gurgled chokingly. The shadow was deep down there below the bridge. Distant lights made glimmering streaks like wavering pencil marks upon the bosom of the river. Frank looked down. For a single instant his imagination pictured a dark form floating on the water. “We can’t stay here long,” said Bruce. “It must be near time for a train.” “Ready!” The word came from Merriwell’s throat, but it was husky, and he choked a bit. He was angry at himself and gave himself a savage shake. The captive seemed to realize that something unpleasant was before him, and he shrank back. “In with him!” Bruce lifted the proctor in his strong arms and dropped him into the river. “Hold fast!” Splash!--the man struck the water. “Ha! ha!” laughed Danny Griswold. “Bet that was a shock for his nerves!” Somehow his laughter sounded hollow and ghastly. “Pull in!” Just as the word was given Danny Griswold uttered a low cry of warning: “Look, fellows! Somebody is coming toward the bridge! See--right over there!” They looked in the direction indicated, and dark forms were seen approaching. “It won’t do to be caught!” cried Frank. “Pull in lively, fellows! We must have Rudge out in a minute!” Pull they did in the greatest haste. The proctor was lifted from the water, and then---- Snap--splash! The rope seemed to part, and down went the boys who were pulling. There was a splash as the body of the helpless proctor fell back into the river! Frank started to scramble up, but some one caught hold of him and dragged him back in an effort to rise first. “Let go!” he grated. “The proctor is in the river, and he will drown if some one does not pull him out in a hurry!” “Right!” came from Rattleton. “Oh, murder! what an awful scrape! What if Rudge should drown?” “We would be murderers!” quavered Griswold.