nd, yanked him up, and
started him on a run for an open window.

Clinging to the money, the stranger uttered a protest at such rude
treatment, but he was unable to turn about or break away, although he
tried to do so.

Headlong through the window Frank pitched the fellow, giving him a
powerful kick to help him along.

There was a cry of pain and rage, and the man disappeared.

This act of Frank's had been noted by the others within the boathouse,
and it created no little wonder and excitement.

Harry Rattleton came running up, spluttering:

"Hello, Frank! mut's the whatter--I mean what's the matter?"

"Oh, nothing in particular," answered Merriwell, quietly. "I simply
fired a scoundrel, that's all."

"What was he up to, old man?" demanded Bob Collingwood, in a tone that
indicated that he was sorry not to have taken a hand in the little
fracas. "Did he try to do you?"

"No; but he is trying to do Yale."

"How is that?"

Frank explained, briefly telling of the bribe offered by the mysterious
stranger.

A circle of lads had gathered about Merriwell, and they listened with
rising anger to his words. Cries of astonishment and rage broke from
their lips when Frank told of the truly astonishing bribe which the
unknown had offered.

"My only regret," concluded Frank, "was that I did not have two good
hands with which to handle the rascal."

"And my regret is that I was not there to handle him for you!" cried
Jack Diamond.

"I wonder how the fellow got in here?" exclaimed Collingwood. "I'll have
to inquire into that."

"He can't be far away," cried one of the angry lads. "Let's get out and
nab him!"

"Come on! come on!" was the general cry, and there was a rush for the
door.

But the unknown had not lingered in the vicinity of the boathouse. He
was not found, which made it plain that he had taken to his heels as
soon as he landed outside the window.

"Too bad!" growled Collingwood. "A good soak in the river is what he'd
got, if we'd caught him."

CHAPTER XXI.

ON THE SPECIAL TRAIN.

Some of the lads felt like staying in New London and making a night of
it, but this was strictly against rules, and those who did so took a
desperate chance of getting into trouble by it.

After the race there was a general rush for the trains, and those bound
west over the N. Y., N. H. & H. were crowded.

Later on there was a special train for the Yale crew and their friends.
As this train was not exclusive