A bold move was necessary.

If Heppner ever got that signed quitclaim deed in his hands, the transaction would be badly complicated.
Starting up, Merriwell jumped clear of the cornfield, dashed across the space separating him from the group of men in the shade of the house, and, before the astounded plotters could interfere, he had reached over the professor's shoulder, snatched the paper out of his hands, and torn it to bits.
"Blast ye!" roared McGurvin, jumping forward savagely.

"What right you got buttin' in ?" Sam, Turkeyfoot, and Heppner likewise confronted Merry with flaming eyes and twitching, angry faces.

The professor fell back, astounded.
"Merriwell!" he gasped, lifting a hand to his forehead.
Clancy, losing not a moment, jumped to place himself at his chum's side.
"You're a pack of curs!" cried Merriwell, "and you're trying to swindle the professor out of a bonanza mining claim.

You--" With a snarl of rage, all four of the plotters began closing in on Merry and Clancy..