"Oh, all I want is a chance at Thornton!" panted the Virginian.
Willis Paulding was quivering with excitement. He thought he saw his opportunity, and he lost no time in improving it. He had hated Merriwell from the first, but never had he dared do anything to injure Frank. Now, grasping his heavy cane, he slipped forward and came up behind Merriwell.
Swish—crack!
The cane cut through the air and fell on Merriwell's head, dropping the lad in a senseless heap to the floor.
It was a cowardly blow, but it put Merriwell out of the fight in a twinkling, for he was stunned.
"So this is the way you fight!" cried Diamond,
wheeling about and leaping at Willis, who gave a scream and vainly tried to escape.
Jack caught the fellow, grasped him by the ears, and flung him back against the wall. Thump! thump! thump!—Jack banged the head of the helpless wretch against the wall till it seemed that Paulding's skull would crack.
Willis tried to scream for help, but with the very first thump his tongue was caught between his teeth, and he nearly bit it in two. Blood gushed from his mouth, and he sunk in a limp heap to the floor as Jack released him.
Diamond turned quickly, but not in time to escape Flemming, whose heavy fist caught the Virginian behind the ear.