Inasmuch as he had a revolver, he seemed the most dangerous, and Frank
leaped after him, dragging with him the scoundrels who were trying to
strike him from behind. But the terrible fall knocked the breath out of
the burglar, and he slid helplessly on down the stairway, letting the
revolver go bumping and clattering to the floor below. Merriwell wheeled
with lightning quickness to meet the man with the threatening jimmy.
Badger seemed to be slipping down the stairway, also. Then Frank saw him
lift himself and try to stagger to his feet. Without taking further note
of this, Merriwell promptly closed with the other burglar on the stairs.
"Shoot him, Bill!" the fellow cried, to his pal above.
But that worthy, believing that "he who fights and runs away may live to
fight another day," was making tracks for the nearest window, intending
to leap to the ground.
The burglar who had closed with Frank, endeavored to trip him, with the
result that he was himself shot over Frank's head, and went to the
bottom of the stairs at a flying leap, bowling over his pals, who were
trying to get on their feet and pull themselves together. Merriwell
caught the stairway rail, down which he slid almost as quickly. His hand
closed on the revolver which had fallen to the floor; and, with it
cocked and leveled, he wheeled, facing the men, who, swearing horribly,
were again trying to gain their feet.
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