One more lightning trick did Hashi attempt. He did it without apparent preparation or thought, hoping this change of method might take Frank off his guard.
Frank baffled the attempt, seeming to read the Jap’s very thoughts. He went in for another wrestling hold, but Hashi slipped away. The Jap tried to work Frank’s movement by securing a hold that would turn it against Merry; but this trial again brought about his undoing. Merry secured a hold and hurled Hashi over his head.
The Jap fell sprawling on the mat, sat up, rose quickly, bowed low and confessed:
“One art against two is not sufficient. The wrestler alone I will humbly undertake to defeat; but the wrestler who has also the accomplishment of jujutsu is indeed too much.”
Fillmore’s scheme had failed.
Now Frank turned on the rascal.
“Next time you hire a tool to break my leg he’ll not escape as easily as this one has,” he said.
“What do you mean?” snarled Fred, his face pale.
“I mean what you heard me say. I was warned. You thought I had been led blindly into the trap. Fellow, you had better have a care! If you annoy me further I’ll not bother with your tools, but I’ll reach for the fountain head of the trouble. That is all I have to say.”