The proctor’s cry had been cut short and smothered. He had a short battle, but his spirit seemed broken, and he easily succumbed, his hands being tied behind his back.
“Wheejiz!” panted Harry, looking round fearfully. “S’pose anybody heard him?”
“Not likely,” said Diamond.
“Can’t tell,” admitted Frank.
“Let’s get the job over in a hurry,” urged Griswold, who seemed to be growing nervous and apprehensive.
Then they made the proctor march blindly onto the bridge. Frank held fast to the rope that was tied about the man’s waist.
They came to a halt at last. On the bridge below a light gleamed brightly. They were in the shadow.
“Are you ready, fellows?” asked Browning, as he took hold of the captive.
“Get onto the line here,” ordered Merriwell, and Diamond, Rattleton and Griswold took hold at once.
The water gurgled below with a sound similar to that once heard by Frank in the throat of a drowning man. Somehow a cold chill crept over Merry, and of a sudden he felt like backing out. It was true that he had no love for the proctor, who was something of a sneak and therefore cordially disliked by most of the students, but Frank believed in giving a man a fair opportunity to fight for himself, and Rudge had been given no such opportunity this night.