Suddenly there was a cry. By a twisting movement of his wrist, Frank had disarmed his enemy, sending Marline's blade spinning into the air. The sword fell with a clang on the frozen ground at Rob's feet, and he instantly snatched it up. Then he came at Frank with the fury of one driven mad. Merriwell was forced to give ground before the fierce onslaught of his enemy. He knew well enough that Marline was exceedingly dangerous, for he had flung discretion to the winds and was exposing himself in all ways by his fierce desire to get at Frank. Merriwell did not wish to wound Marline, but hoped to humble him. However, it began to look as if Frank would be forced to do his best in self-defense. He had remarkable control of himself, and watched his chance. It came in a short time, and again he twisted the sword from Marline's hand. Marline fell back before Merriwell's half-lifted sword. "Kill me!" he passionately cried. "Kill me now, or I'll kill you!" Merriwell lowered his blade. In a moment Marline sprang to the spot where his sword had fallen, caught it up, and turned on Frank again. "On guard!" he shouted. Like a whirlwind, he came at Merriwell. Clash! clash! clash! It was a terrific battle now. The young surgeon was excited and frightened. "It must be stopped!" he cried. "Marline is determined to kill him! We must stop it!" Snap!--Frank Merriwell's blade broke within a foot of the hilt! With a hoarse shout of victorious fury, Marline thrust straight at Frank's breast! Merriwell succeeded in foiling the thrust with the part of his weapon that remained in his hand, but Marline's sword passed through Frank's shirt sleeve at the shoulder. The seconds and the surgeon had started forward to interfere, but, with a gasping curse, Marline flung his sword on the ground and covered his eyes with his hands, his whole body quivering. Diamond caught up the weapon the Southerner had flung down, muttering: "There's no telling what he may try to do next. I'll keep this out of his reach." But Marline had no thought of resuming the duel. When he lowered his hand from his face, his shame was betrayed. "Mr. Merriwell," he said, his voice quivering, "I wish to apologize to you." All were astonished. "For what?" asked Frank, calmly. "You have shown yourself more honorable than I," said Marline, although every word cut him like the stroke of a knife. "Twice you disarmed me and took no advantage of it. But when my turn came, my hatred for you was so great I lost my head. I tried to kill you. I offer a humble apology, and say what I never expected to say to any living being--you have shown yourself more honorable than I." That was enough to touch Frank, and all the past was forgotten in a moment. With an impulse of generosity, he held out his hand. "Take it!" he cried. "Let's call the past buried." Marline shook his head.