“That’s right,” put in another. “You know somebody tried to burn this place a week ago.”
Soon the man with the key opened a door and the captive was pushed into the building. Every man followed, and the door was closed.
Ten minutes later all were assembled in a bare room of the old building. One of them had brought a number of torches, which were now lighted. The light showed that there were ten of them in all, and with the exception of the captive, whose hands were tied behind his back and whose jaws were distended by a gag, they wore masks which effectually concealed their features.
The captive was Frank Merriwell.
One of the men stepped before Frank.
“Well, how do you like it?” he asked tauntingly. “What do you think is going to happen to you?”
It was impossible for Merry to reply.
“Remove that gag,” directed the taunting chap. “Let him talk. Let him yell, if he wants to. No one can hear him now.”
The mask was removed from between Frank’s teeth.
“Thank you,” said Merry, after a moment. “That’s a great relief to my jaws.”