They tried to trace the kidnaped junior, but the attempt was a failure. At last they gave it up. Vowing vengeance on all freshmen in general and Hock Mason in particular, they went back to Traeger's. The story spread. It was not long before every junior abroad that evening knew what had happened. Fierce were the threats made against the freshmen. The hour grew late, and some of the fellows decided to go to Merriwell's room and wait for him. They anticipated that he would be released after Mason had obtained his revenge. To their astonishment, Merriwell's door was not locked. They opened it and walked in. Merriwell was there! "Come in, fellows!" called Frank, cheerfully. He was examining some of his clothes. They were the clothes he had worn that evening, and a glance showed they were torn and ruined. "Just looking over this suit, to see how much it was damaged," Merriwell laughed. "It strikes me it is knocked out. Won't ever be able to wear it again." Then he saw them standing and staring at him in astonishment, and he asked: "What's the matter?" "Rattleton must have been stringing us!" exclaimed Puss Parker. "Lot on your nife--I mean not on your life!" spluttered Harry. "I gave it to you straight." "But Merriwell is here--all right." "How long have you been here, Merry?" asked Browning. "Came in about ten minutes ago," answered Frank. "Just had time to change my clothes before you chaps drifted in." "Then they did carry you off?" "Rather." "But you're all right?" "Never was better." "Mason didn't get revenge on you?" "Not this evening." "Tell us about it!" cried Browning and Halliday, together. "Yes, tell us," urged Parker. "You've been in some kind of a scrimmage. That's evident by the appearance of the clothes you have taken off. Tell us what happened." "I suppose Rattles has told you how they jumped us?" "Yes." "Well, they had me before I could do a thing. I rather think Mason got his hands on me. Anyhow, it was some big fellow with the strength of Samson. Before I could strike for myself I was bundled into a cab, and two or three of them were in there with me. They told me to keep still. My hands were twisted behind my back and tied. Then they carried me off." "Didn't I give it to you straight?" cried Harry. "Where did they carry you?" asked Halliday, eagerly. "Somewhere out of town. They didn't talk much--didn't want me to recognize their voices, I suppose. I kept still, as they told me, but I was trying to work my hands free all the time. I found I could do it, but I waited till they stopped and bundled me out of the cab. Then----" "Then?" cried the listening boys, eagerly. "Then I slipped my hands out of the ropes and sailed into them." "Wish I'd been there," grunted Browning, with unusual animation. "Go on, Frank--go on!" cried the others.