"If you are seeking air, madam," he suggested, "you had better remove your veil. It must be very smothering, for it seems to be quite thick."
"You are far too anxious about me!" snapped the disguised man. "I would advise you to mind your own business!"
This amused Merry still more. The situation was remarkably agreeable to him.
"In some instances," he said, politely, "your advice would be worth taking, but an insane person should be carefully watched, and that is why I am minding your business just now."
"Well, I trust you will excuse me, but from your appearance and your remarkable behavior, it seems to me that you should be closely guarded."
That seemed to make the unknown still more angry, but it was plain he found difficulty in commanding words to express himself.
"How have I acted to make you fancy me demented?"
"You are out here, and you may be contemplating self-destruction by throwing yourself from this train."
"Don't worry about that. I am contemplating nothing of the sort."
"But there are other evidences of your insanity."
As the disguised unknown did not speak, Merry went on:
"The strongest evidence of your unbalanced state of mind is the ill-chosen attire you are wearing."
"Why are you not dressed in the garments of your sex?"
"You are not a woman," declared Frank, coolly; "but a man in the garments of a woman. Your disguise is altogether too thin. It would not deceive anybody who looked you over closely. You are----"
Frank got no further. With a cry of anger, the disguised unknown sprang at him, grappled with him, panted in his ear:
"You are altogether too sharp, Frank Merriwell! This time you have overshot yourself! This ends you!"
Then he tried to fling Merry from the swiftly moving train.
Frank instantly realized that it was to be a struggle for life, and he met the assault as quickly and stiffly as he could; but the disguised man seemed, of a truth, to have the strength of an insane person. In his quick move, the fellow had forced Frank back against the gate, and over this, he tried to lift and hurl him.
"Curse you!" panted the fellow. "I will do it!"
In the desperate struggle, both seemed to hang over the gate for a moment. Then Frank slid back, securing a firm grip, and felt safe.