Frank Merriwell laughed! It was the old-time ringing laugh of defiance.
“Come on!” he invited. “My hands are helpless, but I fancy I am a match for all of you, so long as I can see. Come on!”
The masked ruffians hesitated.
“Make a dive for him all at once!” cried one of them. “Ready!”
“Ready!” said the others.
“Now!”
At him they leaped.
They had expected that he would stand still, but he did nothing of the kind. He ducked and darted between them. Then he whirled and raised one of them into the air with a terrible kick.
Clinging to his jaw and snarling like a furious animal, Sam Hooker struggled to his feet, meaning to take part in the struggle.
Frank saw the fellow getting up.