His success confounded and infuriated Darleton, who had entered into the contest in perfect belief that the outcome would be applause and glory for himself. The confidence of the Midwestern man fled from him and left him trembling with rage and chagrin. At first on realizing that Merriwell was getting the best of the match toward the close, Darleton had fancied he might put up such defense that the visitor would be held in check to some extent, thinking if he did this that L’Estrange, out of self-pride and disinclination to confess his pupil outmatched, would give him the decision. But when the spectators began to shout and cheer for Merriwell, Darleton realized that his case was hopeless. In the face of all this the fencing master could not give him the decision. From this time to the finish, Merriwell seemed able to count on his antagonist at will. Frank gave the fellow no chance to recover, but pressed him persistently to the finish. Before the engagement was over Darleton quite lost his form and sought to score by stabbing and jabbing much like a beginner. The timekeeper announced the finish. Frank lowered his foil. With savage fury, Darleton swung and slapped him across the mask, using such force that Merry was staggered. From the witnesses a shout arose, followed by a volley of hisses and cries of, “Shame! shame! Dirty work!” François L’Estrange sprang forward and snatched the bent foil from his pupil’s hand. Then he faced the audience and made a gesture that silenced their cries. “Gentlemen,” he said, “I make not ze excuse for Meestare Darleton. He met ze defeat by Meestare Merriwell, an’ ze loss of his tempare made him forget to be ze gentleman. Meestare Merriwell is ze very fine fencer. He win ze match.” Saying which, he wheeled and grasped Frank’s hand, which he shook heartily, while the room resounded with a thunder of applause. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER VI A FORCED APOLOGY. “Merriwell, you astounded this club to-night,” said Hugh Morton, as Frank was finishing dressing, after a shower and rub down. “No one here expected you to defeat Fred Darleton. Any member of the club would have wagered two to one on Darleton. He acted like a cur when he struck you with his foil. Every one, except his own particular clique, is down on him for that. We regret very much that it happened, and the president of the club is waiting to offer apologies.” “I’m not looking for apologies,” smiled Merry. “The club was not responsible for Darleton’s act.” “But we feel greatly humiliated by it. He will be severely censured. He may be expelled.” “Oh, that’s too much! I must protest against such an extreme measure.” “He deserves to be expelled,” put in Hodge. “You are right,” agreed Morton. “Between us, I believe it would be a good thing for the club.” “How so?” “I’ll tell you later.”