Merry was on him.
“The strongest man in the world!” laughed Bart. “Why, he is a kid in your hands, Merriwell!”
“I told him so,” said Frank. “He must be an invalid, or he could do better than this.”
A groan of disappointment escaped the lips of the doctor, for at last he realized that this youth had conquered him; and then, as Frank had hoped, with this realization all the remarkable strength seemed to go out of the man, leaving him helpless in Merriwell’s grasp.
At that moment Elsie appeared at the door and looked in, having found the lodge at last.
“Just in time!” cried Bart. “Quick, Elsie! take that knife and cut these cords!”
She staggered a little, but she caught up the knife and obeyed, setting Hodge free.
“Let me help you, Merry!” panted Bart, as with some of the cords he bent over the conquered maniac. “We’ll soon have him tied up in fancy style. Old man, you put up a dandy fight!”
So they swiftly bound Doctor Lincoln, taking pains to tie him fast. Frank drew a deep breath when the job was done.