This person was standing when the other whitecaps forced Frank into the room. He uttered an exclamation of satisfaction when he saw Merriwell.
“Well done!” he cried, in a disguised voice. “I was beginning to fear you had failed.”
So this was the person who had ordered the capture. Frank looked at him searchingly.
“None of your insolent staring!” grated the leader, and, reaching Frank with a single stride, he struck him on the cheek with the open hand.
Quick as thought, Frank lifted a foot and kicked the fellow fairly across the room!
The fellow struck up against the wall and fell to the floor, where he lay, groaning dismally.
There were exclamations of astonishment from the other members of the gang.
“Well,” grunted one, a strapping six-footer, “he’s tied and gagged, but he is still able to fight.”
“He’s--half--killed--me!” gasped the fellow Frank had kicked. “But I’ll make him suffer for it!”
“Better see his feet are tied before you try any more tricks with him,” half laughed the big whitecap, who seemed to admire Frank’s pluck.
“Tie his legs!” grated the leader, sitting up, but still groaning. “Tie them at the knees!”
Frank made a sudden leap and placed his back against the wall, while his eyes flashed the defiance and warning his lips could not utter. It was plain enough that he meant to defend himself as long as possible, bound though he was.
“At him!” snarled the leader. “Jump on him!”
“Why don’t you get in and do some of the jumping?” asked the big fellow. “Here’s a nice chance for you.”
He finished with a cry of pain and fell back to the floor, after trying to rise.
“My leg!” he gasped. “I believe it is broken!”
A sound like mocking laughter came from behind the gag in Merry’s mouth.
“He’s laughing!” muttered one of the gang, in astonishment.
“I believe you are in sympathy with him!” snarled the leader. “Help me up, somebody!”
They aided him to rise, but it was with difficulty that he could stand unassisted upon his feet. He leaned against the wall, glaring in a deadly manner at the defiant captive.
“Are you going to let him stand there and bluff you all?” he fumed. “You can down him with a rush. Go at him now!”
“We’re not paid for that,” said the big fellow. “We were paid to catch him and bring him here. That’s what we’ve done.”