"I want to know why you leaped on me in that cowardly way, and struck me when I was down. You wouldn't have served Badger that way! And if you wanted to have a little fun with Badger, you would not have disguised yourself and imitated his way of speaking. That story don't go with me, Pike!"
Pike was watching for a chance to escape, intending to make a dash for liberty at the first opportunity.
"You are disguised as Badger. Badger would not assault me that way, for Badger is a man! But you wanted to make some one think he had been assaulted by Badger. That one must be Bart Hodge!"
Pike started to run, but Frank caught him by the collar, and jerked him back.
"Don't be in a hurry, Pike! I've seen you through and through for some time, and understand your little game of this evening."
Donald Pike walked on for a time peaceably enough, but he was only watching for an opportunity to break away. Again he fancied the opportunity had come. But no sooner did he start than Frank tripped him, and he fell sprawling. Before he could get up, Frank's hand was on his collar.
He made another fierce struggle as soon as he was on his feet, only to discover that he was as helpless as a child in the hands of Frank Merriwell. He had never dreamed that Merriwell was possessed of such strength and skill.
The shadows were heavier at this point, and Merriwell kept a grip on Pike's collar.
"See here, Pike!" he exclaimed. "If you try anything of that kind again I shall simply knock you down. You are going with me, if I have to tie and drag you. So you might as well come along quietly and save trouble."
"I shall have you arrested for this!" Pike blustered, now that whining and begging and fighting had failed.