rned quickly, but not in time to escape Flemming, whose heavy
fist caught the Virginian behind the ear.

Down Jack went. As he tried to get up Flemming kicked him over.

The sound of the fight had aroused those in the front of the saloon, and
several came hurrying in.

The door had not been closed, as Flemming had directed, and the curious
ones gained easy admission to the room.

Among the foremost was Plug Kirby, a tough of the town, whom Frank had
once whipped. He saw Frank stretched on the floor, and he hoarsely
demanded:

"Who done that job? Who hit me friend Merriwell? Show me der blokie, an'
I'll punch der face offen him instanter!"

Thrusting out his chin, Kirby glared around at the boys. At best, he was
an ugly-looking scoundrel, with a bullet head and a bulldog neck.

"So you are one of Merriwell's friends!" sneered Flemming. "That speaks
well for Merriwell!"

"W'at's dat?" snarled Plug, advancing on Fred. "Dat Merriwell is white
ter ther bone, an' I sticks by him--see! Dis gang has done him dirt, an'
I'm goin' ter punch der mugs offen der whole of yer!"

"Merriwell should be proud of his friends!" cried Flemming, scornfully.
"It is plain that he has been very careful in his selection!"

"An' it's plain ter me dat Merriwell has been took foul, else yer
never'd knocked him out dis way. I've been up ag'inst him, an' he could
lick dis whole gang if he had a square deal."

Then Kirby pointed straight at Flemming, and fiercely exclaimed:

"I t'ink you're der bloke w'at done him dirt! I'm goin' ter knock der
packin' outer youse, me fine chap!"

He rushed at Fred, who caught up a chair and struck at Kirby's head.
Plug dodged, caught hold of the chair, and wrenched it from Flemming's
grasp.

"Right here is where I cleans out der place!" he shouted.

He swung the chair aloft, and the boys made a rush to get out of the
room.

Whiz!--the chair flew through the air, striking Fred Flemming between
the shoulders, knocking him down instantly.

Then the police came in suddenly, and clubbed Kirby into a helpless
condition, while all the others, with the exception of Merriwell and
Diamond, escaped from the place.

Jack was examining Frank's wound when they were both placed under
arrest.

"What is this for?" demanded the young Virginian. "What have we done to
merit arrest? Why didn't you take those fellows who got the better of
us in such cowardly ways?"

"Don't ask questions!" growled one of the officer