“No! I am going for an officer!” But Bart Hodge appeared in the door, saying, grimly: “Don’t be in a rush, gentlemen. Mr. Merriwell wishes to talk with you a little.” “Stand aside!” snarled the husband, with a threatening gesture. “I wish you would try that little trick!” flared Hodge, his face flushing suddenly. “I believe I’d enjoy a good scrap. I haven’t taken a hand in one for so long that it would be a satisfaction.” “Let us pass!” growled the man with the full beard and the muffled voice. “That’s what they say in melodrama,” observed Hodge, with grim humor. “‘Unhand me, villain!’ and ‘Let me pass!’ are stock phrases. There is no copyright on them, so you may use them whenever you like.” Merry was somewhat surprised by Bart’s cool manner, but he knew there was a slumbering volcano beneath all that coolness. “Rush on him!” came hoarsely from the bearded man. “Yes, do!” urged Hodge, putting up his hands. “I’ll manage to get a pop at you both, I fancy.” They hesitated. “Hold them, Hodge,” directed Frank. “I have something to say to them.” “What’s up, Frank?” “I believe there is a game on,” answered Merry. “A game?” “Yes.” “What sort?” “Blackmail!” The woman uttered a scream, and something like an oath came from the man who had professed to be her husband. “This is interesting!” exclaimed Hodge. “Then it appears that I happened on the scene just in time.” “You did.” “They’ll not get out.” “We will!” growled the man called Davis. “Come on, Seely!” “I’m ready!” “Waal, Bart, if yeou can’t hold the ’darn critters alone, I ruther guess we kin both do it,” drawled a voice, and Ephraim Gallup appeared to reënforce Hodge. The men uttered exclamations of disappointment, alarm and disgust. Frank Merriwell laughed shortly. “Gentlemen,” he said, “I wouldn’t hurry away. Just wait a while, and we will settle this little matter.” He advanced on them, scanning Davis closely. “I believe I have seen you before,” he said. “Never,” answered the bewhiskered man, seeming anxious to get out of the room. “I do not know you.” “Why don’t you speak in your natural tone?” asked Merry, sweetly. “You will injure your voice trying to disguise it by growling like that.” “You go to blazes!” “Thank you for the invitation, but I have found things quite hot enough right here to suit me. Now, if the tables should be turned, and you were to find it rather warm, it would be no more than fair.” Both men seemed anxious, but the professed husband attempted to bluster again. His anger seemed artificial, however, and he did not impress anyone. “Acts like a rooster with his tail feathers yanked out,” grinned Gallup. “He’s mighty mad over it, but the feathers are gone jest the same.” Hodge had his lips pressed together, and he looked ready for anything that might happen. A few words passed between the two men. It was plain they contemplated rushing on Bart and Ephraim in order to break from the room.