With a scream of joy, Mrs. Arlington leaped up and June ran into her arms.
Eliot Dodge seemed to turn green. He stood and stared at the girl in a sort of blank stupor, failing to observe that just behind Frank Merriwell, who still wore the clothes taken from the intoxicated Mexican, there was the officer newly appointed to fill the place left vacant by the death of Ben File.
"June! June! June!" cried Mrs. Arlington, her face flushed with gladness. "Is it you, my poor girl! I can scarcely believe it! How does it happen? Tell me how you come to be here!"
"I am here, mother, because I was rescued from those horrible ruffians by that brave gentleman whom you have so greatly wronged, Frank Merriwell. He risked his life for me. I will tell you all, but first—first I must tell you that you have trusted a snake. I mean that monster there!"
She pointed her finger at Dodge, who started and looked startled, but pretended the utmost amazement.
"He is the villain who planned it all!" declared June. "I know, for I heard them talk it over. But he shall not escape!"
"I hardly think so," said Frank. "Officer, he is a desperate man. Be careful of him."
"This is an outrage!" declared Dodge, as the new city marshal grasped him. "I'll not permit it! I——"
Frank clutched him on the other side, and, a moment later, the officer had ironed his prisoner.