“Oh, Frank Merriwell!” again came the call.
“It’s somebody who knows you,” whispered Hodge.
“What is it?” called Merry, in response.
“You holds up where you are!” returned the voice, “or you eats lead a-plenty.”
“Who are you?”
“That’s what you finds out if you come. If you wants to know so bad, mebbe you ambles nearer and takes your chances o’ getting shot up.”
“It’s sure death to try it,” warned Hodge, in a whisper.
“Death and destruction!” Worthington screamed. “It is here! Come away! Come away!”
He seized Merry and attempted to drag him back. Frank was forced to break the man’s hold upon him.
“I must save you!” the deranged man panted. “I knew it would come! Once I left you to perish in the flames; now I must save you!”