Five minutes after Merriwell and Rattleton left Traeger's the latter came rushing back, hatless, excited and out of breath. He burst in upon the merry party, gasping:
"Quick? quick! They've got him!"
"Hey?" cried several, astounded. "Got who?"
"Merry!"
"Who's got him?"
"Gang with—masks—over—faces!" palpitated Rattleton.
"What's this?" shouted Paul Pierson. "The deuce you say!"
"It's right," declared Harry. "Mason's gang—know it was—Mason's gang!"
Every man was on his feet.
"To the rescue!" shouted Jack Diamond.