erty you are holding
and working, and as true as me name is Bantry Hagan, I'll see that he
gets his rights!"

"Go ahead," said Frank quietly. "It's not the boy you are looking after;
it's Hagan, and I can give you my opinion of Hagan in a very few words.
From his toes to the hair on his head he is a thoroughbred rascal."

"Your talk is very bold, but you'll come down before we are done with
you," snarled the Irishman, in exasperation. "I'll bring you to your
knees and have you begging."

"I have no fear of that. You have taken up altogether too much of our
time. Will you have the decency to retire and let us go on with our
business!"

It was not a request; it was a command.

Hagan's belligerent nature was aroused, and it seemed that he was
inclined to remain and create further annoyance. From Frank he turned to
the others.

"Gentlemen," he cried, "you have heard our claim and you have seen the
document by which we propose to back it up. If you know anything of
Bantry Hagan, you know he enjoys a good fight and he sticks to a thing
to the bitter end. I propose to stick to this thing. In the end this boy
will secure his rights, and Merriwell will not hold one inch of property
in Mexico. But let me give you warning that if you attempt to build that
railroad you will find yourselves involved in a matter that will cost
you more money than you can count in a week. In the end you will meet
disaster. Before you go any further, either you or Merriwell must settle
with Felipe Jalisco."

Then he stepped toward the Mexican lad, on whose shoulder he placed a
hand, observing:

"You have heard, Felipe; the man who is usurping your rights refuses to
do you justice, and proposes to continue robbing you."

The black eyes of the boy flashed.

"I will have my rights!" he exclaimed, in good English. "Either he shall
pay me or he shall die! I will kill him!"

"Softly, my lad! Don't make such threats before witnesses, for it is bad
business."

"It is what I mean!" shouted the boy, who had suddenly grown greatly
excited.

He flung off Hagan's hand, and sprang out before Frank.

"You rob me!" he panted. "Pay me--pay me, or I kill you!"

"Better take him away, Hagan," said Merriwell, "or I'll turn him over
to the police, which I do not care to do."

"He's dangerous, if he is young," said the Irishman. "I'm afraid you'll
be sorry you did not listen to his demand for justice."

"If there were a grain of justice in his demand