“Oh, Walter, I’m so glad you’ve come! Three men have followed me all the way from the house and persisted in speaking to me. They hung around and annoyed me when I paused here, where you promised to meet me.” The man uttered an exclamation of anger. “Where are the whelps?” he demanded. “There they are!” said Inza, pointing at a trio of men who looked like sports and fighters. An instant later the stranger had walked straight up to the men, and then—— Smack! smack! smack! Swift as thought, he slapped the faces of each one of them. “Perhaps that will teach you to mind your own business and let a lady alone, even though she may not be accompanied by an escort!” he cried. The men were astounded by this treatment, but they recovered quickly, and the leader—a big fellow with a heavy black mustache—made a jump and delivered a swinging blow at Inza’s companion, growling: “Take that, you big stiff!” But the stranger skilfully parried the blow, and gave the fellow one on the chin that sent him staggering. The others, however, set on him both together, and both hit him, one succeeding in tripping him at the same time, which sent him to the sidewalk. Instantly one of the young ruffians lifted a foot to give the fallen man a kick. About that time Frank Merriwell got into action, followed closely by Dick Starbright. Merriwell’s fist crashed on the jaw of the fellow who was on the point of kicking Inza’s protector. Down the man went, dropping like a log. Starbright grasped the other fellow by the neck and shook him as a terrier shakes a rat. The one who had been struck by the stranger had recovered by this time, and he aimed a vicious blow at the freshman. Dick would have been hit fairly under the ear, but Merriwell was too quick, and the man with the black mustache was sent staggering with a thrust. Then Starbright flung his man aside and turned to see if his assistance was needed. He found Frank assisting the fallen stranger to rise. The fellow with the black mustache saw Frank stoop, and he aimed a vicious kick at Merry’s face, springing forward to deliver it. Starbright’s heavy hand caught this chap by the neck, and then the big freshman drove the toe of his foot into the fellow’s back, fairly lifting him from the ground. The astounded ruffian uttered a shout of rage and pain. “You’re a great kicker,” said Dick. “How do you like some of your own medicine?” He had not released his hold, and he proceeded to lift the fellow again, using his right foot this time. “Ow!” howled the bewildered and amazed masher. “Ow! Don’t! Ow! You—ugh!” Dick used his left foot, and again the fellow howled. “Help, help!” roared the ruffian. “Calm yourself,” advised Starbright. “I do not need help. I am able to attend to your case without assistance.” Then, he repeated with the right foot, and the kick seemed to raise the man two feet from the sidewalk.