Holding Jack with one hand, he struck at him with the other. The Virginian dodged his head to one side, and the blow missed. But this simply served to make the ruffian still angrier.
However, before he could strike again, another person came rushing into the dressing room.
It was Frank Merriwell.
Merry instantly saw his friend was in a bad scrape, an he flew at the red-shirted man.
Once more the ruffian received a frightful crack under the ear, and Diamond was torn from his clutch at the same moment.
“Look out for the girl!” came from Merriwell, and then he followed the man up.
Frank Merriwell was a scientific fighter. He did not propose to let the brute get a clutch on him, for something told him the man had wonderful strength.
Before the man could recover, Merry hit him again and again; but the blows did not seem to have any great effect, for, with a roar of rage, the wretch recovered and came at him.
Instantly Merriwell bounded backward and out through the open door, knowing it would not do to be cornered in that small room.
The man followed.