The knife was driven at Merriwell's throat.
Frank's hand caught his wrist, and the blade was stopped just as the point touched Merry's neck.
Frank gave a twisting wrench, and the bones in the wrist of the young rascal seemed to snap. A cry of pain was wrung from his lips, and the knife fell clanging to the floor.
There was a sharp knock on the door.
"Wait a minute," called Frank. "I'll let you in directly. Got my hands full now."
"What's the matter in there? What's this mean? Stepladder against the door out here."
"Caller used it to come in with," cried Frank.
Just then he found an opportunity to break away a bit from Harris, and he gave the fellow a terrible swinging blow.
Frank's fist struck Harris under the ear, and the fellow was stunned.
"Just lay there a moment," murmured Merry, as he dropped the baffled rascal on the bed and turned to open the door.