creature!"
said Frank indignantly.

Then he turned and asked June what Bob had been doing.

"Oh, he grasped me, and he tried to kiss me!"

"Did he!" grated Merry, very white. "Then I should have let Boxer finish
him!"

"No, no!" gasped June.

"No, no!" exclaimed Bob.

"On your knees!" cried Frank, in ringing tones--"on your knees and
apologize to the young lady! If you don't do it, so help me, I'll let
Boxer get at you again!"

Bob did not hesitate. Ruffian and desperado though he was reputed to be,
he cast himself on his knees before June and humbly begged her pardon,
all the while watching Boxer, who glared back at him and licked his
chops.

"Get up and go, you pitiful coward!" said Frank. "Keep out of my sight
while I'm in town, and be careful not to try any dirty tricks. If you
hurt me, Boxer will eat you up; if you hurt Boxer, I'll have your life!
Go!"

The wretch lost not a moment in getting away.

Frank stooped and picked up the letter June had dropped. He was
restoring it to her when his eye caught the address upon it, and he
stared in astonishment.

     "MR. RICHARD MERRIWELL,
                         "Fardale."

That was the name and address he read. Then he looked closely at June
and recognized her.

"Miss Arlington?" he exclaimed, his hat in his hand; "is it possible?"

The color was coming back into her cheeks.

"Mr. Merriwell," she said, "let me thank you for coming so quickly to my
assistance."

"It was Boxer who got there first. But I'm amazed to see you here--here
in Arizona."

"I don't doubt it."

"What brings you to this place?"

"I came with my mother."

"Your--your mother?" he said, still further astonished. "And your
father--he is here, also?"

"No, sir."

"He is coming?"

"No, sir, I believe not."

Merry had thought at once that there might be a very good reason why D.
Roscoe Arlington should come to Holbrook to learn just how well the
hired ruffians of the syndicate had performed their tasks, but the
presence there of Mrs. Arlington and June, without D. Roscoe, rather
bewildered him.

Jun