Outside the mob was heard muttering sullenly.
The two men gazed at Dick in surprise. One was a tall man, the other decidedly below medium height.
“Why—why——” gasped the short man, and then choked, as if unable to find further words.
The tall man shook himself together.
“Look here, you insolent young puppy,” he exclaimed, “how dare you come here and use such language to us?”
“Yes,” put in the short man, with an attempt at bluster, “how dare you?”
“I do not think there is much to fear from two men who would deliberately talk of surrendering an innocent girl into the hands of a murderous mob,” retorted Merriwell.
“Innocent girl!” sneered the tall man.
“Yes, innocent! Be careful, sir! I’m only a boy, but I know the girl, and another insulting slur from your lips will be resented in a manner you will not like.”
Both men were astonished.