"But I will bring proof."
"Even then I will believe your proof is hatched up against him."
This made Gage lose his head.
"Why, you are awfully stuck on that cad!" he cried. "You are altogether too fine a girl for him!"
He suddenly caught her in his arms, and tried to embrace her. She struggled, and cried out for help.
Like a panther, Frank Merriwell bounded from behind the tree. He caught Gage by the collar, and tore Inza from his grasp. Then Frank's fist shot out, landing with a sharp spat right between Leslie's eyes. A second later Gage came in violent contact with the ground.
"Frank!" exclaimed Inza, as he supported her.
Wat Snell and the two girls with whom he had been talking had witnessed the entire affair. They now came hurrying toward the spot.
"The miserable cur!" cried Frank. "I will——"
"Don't touch him again!" urged Inza. "Oh, you struck him an awful blow!"