"We’ll show you!"
"You can only turn me over to the authorities. They may fancy there is a case against me for some trivial charge, but what does that amount to? I did not break and enter. This is a recitation-room, not a residence. If I am held, I fancy I can readily obtain bail. Now, will you be good?"
The spy seemed to think he had the best of it.
"Oh, we won’t turn him over to the authorities!" exclaimed Dick Merriwell, at once.
"Hardly that!" came from several of the others.
About this time Frank Merriwell decided that it was best for him to withdraw and let the others settle what they would do with the captive.
"Do not offer him any bodily injury," advised Frank. "I find I have urgent business that must be given attention."
He laughed, and they understood him. He was giving them the opportunity to dispose of Cranch as they saw fit. Cranch understood this, too, and he appealed to Frank.
"Hold on, Mr. Merriwell!" he cried. "You have no right to leave me this way. You saw them attempt to mob me, and——"
"I really think you deserve to be mobbed," returned Frank, with perfect coolness. "At the same time, I counsel against anything of the sort. A chap of your stripe, Mr. Cranch, does not deserve protection when he gets into a scrape. You’ve got nerve, it seems; well, let your nerve stand by you now, for I decline to bother with you longer. It is true that I have business elsewhere."