The Midwestern man began the second half by pressing Frank. He was satisfied that he could win, although experience had warned him that he could not win as easily as he had fancied before the engagement began. For at least thirty seconds he kept Merry busy, and in that time he secured another touch. Rattleton was almost in tears. He felt that he must leave the room. He could not bear to remain and see Frank defeated. Darleton believed he had sounded Merry thoroughly and knew his style. He was on guard for every method displayed by the visitor up to this point. But now, of a sudden, Frank attacked in a new line. He seemed to attempt a “beat.” When Darleton parried the first light thrust following the “beat,” Frank quickly changed to another point of attack and made a “re-beat” as his opponent met him. He followed with a second stroke that was quicker and harder than the first and reached home effectively. Darleton showed a slight trace of confusion, but he was compelled to acknowledge the touch. They now engaged in tierce; but in a twinkling Merry executed a double. He feinted a disengage into quinte. Darleton executed a counter, upon which Merry lifted the point of his weapon and circled round his opponent’s counter with a counter disengage, which brought him back into quinte, the line from which it was intended that he should be shut. Only by marvelously swift work did Darleton prevent himself from being scored upon. Right on top of this Merry again executed the “re-beat” and scored. The face of the Midwestern man flamed scarlet and then grew pale. His eyes burned with a light of anger that he could repress only with difficulty. Twice he had been outgeneraled, and he knew it. In a twinkling the cloud returned to the face of François L’Estrange. His lips parted, but he did not speak. “I knew he would do it!” muttered Bart Hodge, in satisfaction. “Keep your eyes on Merry! He’s getting there now!” Darleton realized that he was losing his advantage. He sought to recover by feinting in high lines and attacking instantly in low lines. In this effort he placed himself at a disadvantage, for Merry seemed to read his mind and met him effectively. Again Frank scored, but, in getting away, he appeared to lose his balance. Darleton followed up. Down went Merry, falling on his left hand, and Darleton uttered an exclamation of triumph as he attempted to count. With a twist of his wrist, Frank parried the stroke. His left arm flung him up with a spring. Dismayed and annoyed by his failure to improve such an opening, Darleton closed in and the fencers came corps-a-corps. Immediately L’Estrange separated them. Merriwell won a great burst of applause by the clever manner in which he had extricated himself from a position that seemed almost defenseless.