"Close the door! Don't let anybody in here till I have fixed this sneak as I will fix Merriwell when I get at him! Close the door!" Willis Paulding started to obey, but before he could swing the door shut it was flung open with such violence that Willis was sent tumbling to the floor. Into the room leaped Frank Merriwell, and he placed himself between Diamond and his would-be assailant. "Wait a moment, Flemming," he said, with the utmost self-possession. "It is not necessary for you to waste your energies on Mr. Diamond." It was a most dramatic tableau, as every lad stood motionless and staring for some seconds. There was a strong contrast between Diamond and Merriwell. Jack was literally quivering with passion, while Frank actually smiled serenely into Flemming's face, as if he thoroughly enjoyed the situation. But those who knew Merriwell best said that in times of trouble he was the most dangerous when he smiled. "So you are around!" Flemming finally growled. "How did you happen in here? Were you playing the eavesdropper also?" "I happened to be passing the saloon, and I thought I saw my friend Diamond come in here," explained Frank, calmly. "I wondered what could bring him into such a place, and so I entered likewise. They said he had come back here. I came also. That is how I happened to arrive at precisely the right moment." "You'll find it was precisely the wrong moment!" cried Flemming. "Close and fasten the door, boys! We'll jump on these two cads, and do them up now and at once! Come on!" "I don't know but it will be a good time to settle a few old scores with them," said Emery, becoming aroused. "It will do them good to show them they can be licked!" "That goes!" shouted Puss Parker. "Six to two--three to one!" laughed Frank. "Oh, well, that's not so bad. Come on, my brave fellows! We'll do our best to make it interesting, eh, Jack?" "Oh, all I want is a chance at Thornton!" panted the Virginian. Willis Paulding was quivering with excitement. He thought he saw his opportunity, and he lost no time in improving it. He had hated Merriwell from the first, but never had he dared do anything to injure Frank. Now, grasping his heavy cane, he slipped forward and came up behind Merriwell. Swish--crack! The cane cut through the air and fell on Merriwell's head, dropping the lad in a senseless heap to the floor. It was a cowardly blow, but it put Merriwell out of the fight in a twinkling, for he was stunned. "So this is the way you fight!" cried Diamond, wheeling about and leaping at Willis, who gave a scream and vainly tried to escape. Jack caught the fellow, grasped him by the ears, and flung him back against the wall. Thump! thump! thump!--Jack banged the head of the helpless wretch against the wall till it seemed that Paulding's skull would crack.