Vance exchanged looks with the other rascal. It was plain both men were confounded by the turn affairs had taken. But the one who claimed to be the woman’s husband had obtained another revolver, and, of a sudden, he pointed it at Frank Merriwell, crying:
“At least, I’ll shoot the villain who has trifled with my wife!”
Not one of the young actors was near enough to prevent him from shooting if he wished, but Merry instantly faced him, looking straight into his eyes over the top of the revolver, and calmly saying:
“You are a good bluffer, sir, but you haven’t the least idea of shooting anybody.”
And then he walked straight up to the man, took hold of his hand and pushed the revolver aside.
“Give it to him!” exclaimed Gallup. “I don’t want no darn fool p’intin’ pistols at me, by thutteration!”
The fellow made a sudden attempt to spring backward with the revolver. He had been dazed by Merriwell’s calmness and audacity, but now he resorted to action. He realized that the young actor fully fathomed him, and it stung him to madness to think that his bluff had been “called” in such a prompt manner.
Frank, however, had taken hold of the weapon, and, with a sudden twist, he jerked it from the hand of the man, disarming the fellow in a twinkling.
The eyes of Hodge glittered with satisfaction. This was Merriwell in his old form. Not a whit of his nerve had Frank lost since the more exciting days at Yale, on the diamond, the gridiron, in the cane rushes and college bouts.
Having the revolver in his hand, Frank snapped it open, and then he burst out laughing.