Thus far, Jack had raised no great disturbance, and it seemed that he had decided that it was best to get what fun he could out of the adventure, without attempting to escape. All this time, however, Ready was simply lulling their suspicions and getting them off their guard. He bounced about in the cab, and, whenever he could, he was feeling for the catch to the door.
Ready had a general good opinion of himself, and he believed he could hold the four men who were with him in that closed carriage pretty good play in a fight. He could strike out right and left, in a reckless manner, without the least danger of hitting anybody but foes, but they would be liable to thump each other unmercifully if they attempted to return his blows.
Jack took pains to locate Merriwell, toward whom he had the greatest grudge. He felt that it was his sacred duty to thump Merry and thump him “good and hard.” He had tried it once and injured his knuckles, but he was determined not to make that kind of a slip a second time. Lurch—the cab threw them over to one side, and there was a general changing of seats as they scrambled back. Ready was still in their midst.
“Mr. Merriwell,” he called, preparing to hit out hard and swift.
Frank was a clever ventriloquist, and he made his voice seem to come from the opposite corner of the cab, as he asked:
“What do you want?”
“Will you ask the driver to please be a little more cautious?” asked Ready.
“Oh, don’t get nervous,” retorted Frank, still making his voice seem to come from the farther corner.
Now, like a flash, Ready struck into that corner, and he soaked Halliday on the chin, shouting:
“I’ll teach you to refuse the polite request of a gentleman!”