Vance sprang forward. “Why, you insulting dog!” he shouted. Quickly Bart swung the woman behind him, and squarely he met Vance. His arm shot out, his fist landed with a crack and Vance lay stretched on the floor. Then, without a word, with simply a look of unspeakable scorn and contempt toward the fallen actor, unmindful of the others of the company who came rushing to the spot, Bart walked down the stairs and out of the theater by way of the stage door. CHAPTER II. THROUGH THE TRANSOM. Lester Vance got up. At first he was too dazed to speak, but he recovered his tongue after a little and began to swear. Frank Merriwell came forward, saying sharply: “That will do, Mr. Vance! You know I do not permit any such language on the stage or around the theater. There are ladies present, too.” Vance put his hand over his eye and gave Merry an ugly look. The other members of the company were around, asking what had happened. “Yes, I know your rules,” he admitted; “but that cursed cur assaulted me—struck me in a treacherous manner when I was not looking!” “To whom are you referring in such a manner?” “Hodge.” “He struck you?” “Yes, the dirty, sneaking, miserable——” “Stop!” rang out Merry’s clear voice. “That will do, sir! Bart Hodge is my friend, and I will not permit you to apply such epithets to him!” Vance showed his teeth, much after the manner of a snarling dog. “But I suppose you permit your friend to assault and insult the ladies of this company?” he said, scornfully. “Not if I know it; but Bart Hodge is not in the habit of assaulting and insulting ladies.” “He did so a few moments ago, the miserable whelp of a——” Frank took a quick step toward the fellow, and Vance stopped instantly. “I have warned you once,” said Merry, speaking in a low tone. “I shall not speak again. Be careful!” “Oh, you stand up for him, Frank Merriwell, without hearing what he has done!” “I am willing to hear what he has done, but you must use proper language in relating it.” “Proper language! I don’t know how proper language can be found to fit the occasion. I tell you your friend of whom you boast has insulted one of the ladies of the company!” “Which one?” “That one!” Vance pointed at Stella Stanley, who, to his unspeakable surprise, broke into laughter. Frank turned toward her. “Is this true, Miss Stanley?” he asked, gravely. “Of course, it isn’t true!” she exclaimed. “Not a bit of it.” “What?” cried Vance, astounded, glaring at her. “Surely, Stella, I saw the miserable fellow clutching you in his arms. I heard you scream for help.” “I heard that,” declared Granville Garland. “Yes, I heard her scream,” said Agnes Kirk. “So did I,” nodded Billy Wynne, “and I came running to this spot as soon as I could. I saw Hodge strike Vance.” “Others saw that,” said Lester. “There were plenty of witnesses to his assault upon me.”