Hooker uttered a cry of astonishment.
“Merriwell!” he gasped, seeming to turn ashen pale.
The other man thrust the watch and chain into his pocket. Quick as a flash, Merry clutched him by the collar, again demanding:
“Let me see that watch!”
At that instant, somebody struck Merry from behind, dropping him to the floor in a dazed condition. He saw that two of the men who had been sitting at another table were on their feet, and one of them had struck him down.
“Give it ter der dude!” snarled one.
“I’ll kick der packin’ outer him!” snarled the other, lifting his heavy foot.
With a cry, Jim Hooker flung himself at the man.
“Stop!” he shouted. “You shall not harm him!”
In a moment a free fight was taking place in that room. Merry managed to get upon his feet, but he was attacked by Hooker’s companion and several others. A shrill, sharp, peculiar whistle came from his lips. It brought Bart Hodge dashing into that room.