Before Merriwell could turn, two of the other three ruffians were on his back.

One had drawn a knife and the other had the jimmy.

The remaining burglar was on the stairs, and was lifting a revolver.

Merriwell lunged toward him, and the man, instead of firing, lost his footing, and went tumbling down the steps.
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.