Hugh was inclined to accompany Frank, but Merry dissuaded him, saying he would catch a car at the first corner and ride within a block of the hotel. Merriwell whistled as he sauntered along the street. His first warning of danger was when he heard a rustle close behind his back. Before he could turn something smote him down. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER X STEEL MEETS STEEL. “Here we are,” said a low voice. The hack had stopped. Several persons sprang down from the top. The door was flung open and others issued from within. “Drag him out.” At this command a helpless figure was pulled forth. The night was dark and the place the outskirts of the city of Omaha. Near at hand rose the black hulk of a silent and apparently deserted building. “All right, driver.” The door of the hack slammed, the driver whipped up his horses, and the men were left with the helpless one in their midst. “Make him walk,” said the first speaker. “He’s conscious, for he tried to get his hands free inside.” They moved, forcing along their captive. Close up to the wall to the wall of the building they halted. “Have you the key?” asked one. “Yes; here it is.” “Open the door. Hurry up. The watchman may see us, and it will be all off.” “That’s right,” put in another. “You know somebody tried to burn this place a week ago.” Soon the man with the key opened a door and the captive was pushed into the building. Every man followed, and the door was closed. Ten minutes later all were assembled in a bare room of the old building. One of them had brought a number of torches, which were now lighted. The light showed that there were ten of them in all, and with the exception of the captive, whose hands were tied behind his back and whose jaws were distended by a gag, they wore masks which effectually concealed their features. The captive was Frank Merriwell. One of the men stepped before Frank. “Well, how do you like it?” he asked tauntingly. “What do you think is going to happen to you?” It was impossible for Merry to reply. “Remove that gag,” directed the taunting chap. “Let him talk. Let him yell, if he wants to. No one can hear him now.” The mask was removed from between Frank’s teeth. “Thank you,” said Merry, after a moment. “That’s a great relief to my jaws.” “Oh, it hurt you, did it?” sneered the taunting fellow. “Well, you may get hurt worse than that before the night is over.” “I suppose you contemplate murdering me, Darleton,” said Frank, his voice steady. Immediately the other snatched off his mask, exposing the face of Fred Darleton. “I’m willing you should know me,” he said. “You do not know any of the others.” “I am quite confident that your chum, Grant Hardy, is one of them.” “You can’t pick him out. You couldn’t swear to it.” “If you put me out of the way, like the brave men you are, I’ll not be able to swear to anything.”