Browning held the man over the rail turning to Frank to ask:
"Shall I give him a bath, Merriwell?"
"I think you hadn't better," laughed Frank. "Perhaps he can't swim, and—"
"He can swim or sink," drawled Bruce. "It won't make any difference if he sinks. Only another insolent Frenchman out of the way."
The master was astounded. Up to that moment he had regarded the young Americans as scarcely more than boys and he had fancied his athletic servant could easily frighten them. Instead of that, something quite unexpected by him had happened.
The astounded servant showed signs of terror, but in vain he struggled. He was helpless in the clutch of the giant collegian.
The master seemed about to interfere, but Frank Merriwell confronted him in a manner that spoke as plainly as words.
"Out of ze way!" snarled the man.
"Speaking to me?" inquired Merry, lifting his eyebrows.
"Oui! oui!"