I will prove it, too! If I prove it to your satisfaction, Miss Burrage, will you cut the fellow, and have nothing to do with him in the future ?" Frank leaned forward, holding his breath, eager to hear the answer.
It came promptly and decisively: "No!" Gage caught his breath.
"Do you mean to say you will still be friends with a regular gambler like Merriwell ?" he asked.
"I do not believe Frank Merriwell is a gambler--you can never make me believe it!" "But I will bring proof." "Even then I will believe your proof is hatched up against him." This made Gage lose his head.
"Why, you are awfully stuck on that cad!" he cried.

"You are altogether too fine a girl for him!" He suddenly caught her in his arms, and tried to embrace her.

She struggled, and cried out for help.
Like a panther, Frank Merriwell bounded from behind the tree.

He caught Gage by the collar, and tore Inza from his grasp.

Then Frank's fist shot out, landing with a sharp spat right between Leslie's eyes.
A second later Gage came in violent contact with the ground.
"Frank!" exclaimed Inza, as he supported her.
Wat Snell and the two girls with whom he had been talking had witnessed the entire affair.