“You are altogether too sharp, Frank Merriwell! This time you have overshot yourself! This ends you!”
Then he tried to fling Merry from the swiftly moving train.
Frank instantly realized that it was to be a struggle for life, and he met the assault as quickly and stiffly as he could; but the disguised man seemed, of a truth, to have the strength of an insane person. In his quick move, the fellow had forced Frank back against the gate, and over this, he tried to lift and hurl him.
“No you don’t!” came from Merry’s lips.
“Curse you!” panted the fellow. “I will do it!”
“Yes, you will—I don’t think!”
In the desperate struggle, both seemed to hang over the gate for a moment. Then Frank slid back, securing a firm grip, and felt safe.
Just then, however, the door of the car flew open, and out sprang Hodge. Bart saw what was happening in a moment, and he leaped to Merry’s aid.
Out on a high trestle that spanned a roaring, torrent-like river rumbled the train.
Bart clutched Frank, gave the disguised man a shove, and——