Then he ran off the stage and down the stairs.
The stage manager looked frightened.
“You had better leave right away, Mr. Merriwell,” he said.
“Why?” asked Frank.
“Joe’ll do it.”
“What if he does?”
“His brother’s a pirate! He’s a big fellow, and a regular ruffian. He’s been in half a dozen fights since he got home, a week ago. He killed a man in a fight before he left for New Mexico, two years ago, and that was why he got out of here. They ain’t dared try to arrest him sense he come back.”
“Well, that’s pretty interesting!” commented Frank, with a slight show of scorn. “So the law-abiding citizens of Carrolton permit the ruffian to run things just as he pleases?”
“Yes.”
“That’s strange.”