Entering by the stage door, he went up the stairs and onto the stage, which was dark, behind the drop curtain. He discovered a man lifting from the easel on which it had rested the large mirror which was used in the "Educated Fly" trick.
"Drop that!" shouted Frank.
"All right!"
The man promptly dropped the mirror at Frank's cry, smashing it into a thousand pieces!
"Scoundrel!"
Frank was aroused.
"Back!"
The unknown caught up a heavy Indian club, one of a set used by Merry each night in his exhibition of fancy club swinging. The club was raised aloft.
"Back, or I'll brain you!"
"Drop that!"