“I’ve heard not. Why, I’ve even been told that no man could catch you napping and get the advantage of you. I don’t believe that, you know.”
“I presume not.”
“No, it’s ridiculous,” said Manton, pretending to turn away and stepping behind Merry.
Quick as a flash he clasped Merriwell round the body, pinning his arms at his sides.
“There,” he said, “you see how easy it is to prove the falsehood of the statement. I have you foul now.”
“Do you think so?” asked Frank.
“I know it. You can’t do a thing.”
Merry was angry, but he kept a check on his temper. He resolved to teach the fellow a lesson.
Instantly he dropped to the ground, coming down on his right knee. At the same instant, Manton’s arms having slipped up round his neck, he seized the man’s right wrist, pressing on a certain muscle in such a manner that it caused a sharp twinge of pain. He pulled forward sharply, turning Manton’s wrist to the right. Thus, in a twinkling the fellow found himself jerked over Frank’s back and losing his balance. As Manton was falling, Merriwell rose sharply to his feet, and the fellow was hurled flying through the air, to fall flat on his back ten or twelve feet away.