Frank longed to have several of the boys on hand, for then he could have looked after the Englishman and the girl’s father while they carried Inza away.
As Frank turned his head, Lord Stanford stepped swiftly forward and grasped Inza’s wrist, attempting to draw her away.
She gave a scream.
Merriwell turned like a flash, saw what was occurring, and swung his fist at the Englishman.
Crack!—the blow caught Lord Stanford fairly on the left ear.
Down he went, measuring his length on the planking in a moment.
The sailor who had been standing on the pier was near at hand, and he hurried to assist the fallen nobleman.
But Stanford was not hurt, and he got up quickly.
The blow was sufficient to arouse his anger fully, and he made a blind rush for Frank.
Merriwell saw he was in for a struggle with the enraged nobleman, and he quickly placed Inza behind him, keeping his eyes on Stanford all the while.