CHAPTER II.
THROUGH THE TRANSOM.
Lester Vance got up. At first he was too dazed to speak, but he recovered his tongue after a little and began to swear.
Frank Merriwell came forward, saying sharply:
“That will do, Mr. Vance! You know I do not permit any such language on the stage or around the theater. There are ladies present, too.”
Vance put his hand over his eye and gave Merry an ugly look. The other members of the company were around, asking what had happened.
“Yes, I know your rules,” he admitted; “but that cursed cur assaulted me—struck me in a treacherous manner when I was not looking!”
“To whom are you referring in such a manner?”
“Hodge.”
“He struck you?”
“Yes, the dirty, sneaking, miserable——”