"Fair Fardale!"--that was the song. How often Frank had joined in singing it when a boy at Fardale Military Academy. No wonder Frank knew it well! By the time the stanza was finished the singers were much nearer, and their words could be plainly distinguished. Dulzura and his tools were astounded, but the man urged them still more fiercely to accomplish their task before the singers could arrive. The singing of that song, however, seemed to redouble Merry's wonderful strength and skill. He was now like a flashing phantom as he leaped, and dodged, and swung, and thrust with the heavy staff. His heart was beating high, and he felt that he could not be defeated then. Finally the baffled and wondering assailants seemed to pause and draw back. Frank retreated toward the wall and stood waiting, his stick poised. The musical voices of the unseen singers broke into the chorus, and involuntarily Frank joined them, his own clear voice floating through the evening air: "Then sing of Fardale, fair Fardale! Your voices raise in joyous praise Of Fardale--fair Fardale! Forevermore 'twixt hill and shore, Oh, may she stand with open hand To welcome those who come to her-- Our Fardale--fair Fardale!" It was plain that, for some reason, Dulzura and his band of assassins had not wished to use firearms in their dreadful work. Now, however, the leader seemed to feel that there was but one course left for him. Merry saw him reach into a pocket and felt certain the scoundrel was in search of a pistol. He was right. Even as Dulzura brought the weapon forth, Frank made two pantherish bounds, knocking the others aside, and smote the chief rascal a terrible blow over the ear. Dulzura was sent whirling out between two of the heavy pillars to crash down into the shrubbery of the yard. That blow seemed to settle everything, for with the fall of their master the wretches who had been urged on by him took flight. Like frightened deer they scudded, disappearing silently. Merry stood there unharmed, left alone with the old monk, who was still breathing his agitated prayers. From beyond the gate came a call, and the sound of that voice made Frank laugh softly with satisfaction. He leaped down from the corridor and ran along the path to the gate, outside which, in the shadows, were two young horsemen. "Dick--my brother!" exclaimed Merry. "Frank!" was the cry, as one of the two leaped from the horse and sprang to meet him. CHAPTER IX. WHAT THE MONK TOLD THEM. "By all that's wonderful!" exclaimed Merry, as he beheld his brother. "I thought I must be dreaming when I heard you singing. Dick, how did you come here?"