The dismay of the pupil was no greater than that of his instructor. L’Estrange was angry. In French he hissed a warning at Darleton, urging him to be more cautious and to try his antagonist in another style. Frank understood French even better than Darleton, and he was warned of what to expect. Therefore when the Midwestern man sought an opening by “absence,” Merry declined to spring into the trap and expose himself. To many it seemed that the visitor lost a chance to score, but all were aware that he prevented Darleton from counting when the latter followed the “absence” by a flashing thrust. This thrust was turned, but Darleton had learned his lesson, and he recovered and was on guard so suddenly Frank found no advantageous opening. Although his pupil had failed to score, L’Estrange showed some satisfaction, for he saw that Darleton was now awake to the danger of failing to cover himself instantly after an attack of any kind. At last the Omaha man knew he would have to exert himself to the utmost to defeat the stranger he had held in scornful contempt. “Now he knows!” whispered L’Estrange to himself. “Now he will defeat Merriwell with ease!” A moment later Darleton met and turned a fierce attack. Then he counted cleanly. “Touch!” cried Frank promptly. Harry Rattleton gave a gasp of dismay. “I knew it!” he palpitated. “You see I’m right! He’ll win over Merry!” “You’d better go die!” grated Hodge. “Frank has counted on him twice already!” “Only once.” “Only once acknowledged, but Merry counted twice, just the same.” “Either time,” declared Morgan, “would have ended the affair in a genuine duel.” “Sure!” growled Browning. “But not in this sort of an encounter,” said Harry. “Here a touch is a touch, and Darleton is on even terms with Merry now.” After this none of them paid much attention to Harry’s fears, as he expressed them. They were wholly absorbed in the cleverness of the two young men on the platform, who were circling, feinting, attacking, parrying and constantly watching for an opening or seeking to create one through some trick or artifice. Three times Darleton sought to reach Frank and failed, but each time he prevented a successful riposte on the part of Merry. He was at his very best, and for a few moments his skill seemed superior to that of the visitor. The shadow that had clouded the face of L’Estrange passed away. Confidence came to him. Once he had feared that his pupil might be outmatched, but this fear troubled him no longer. Darleton was forcing the work, but he was keeping himself well in hand and effectually covered all the while. Finally the Midwestern man made a flashing cut-over and scored. “Touch!” cried Merry again. “I knew it!” half sobbed Rattleton. A bit later the timekeeper announced the expiration of two minutes, whereupon Merry and Darleton changed positions. During the first half of the bout, according to acknowledged touches, Darleton had taken the lead.