"I tried to convince him that he was," said Bob, stealing a sidelong glance at Frank's battered features. Mr. Hewitt also looked at Frank and a faint smile flitted across his face. "People should be careful about what they do and say these days," he advised. "You are very wrong to talk against the United States, Frank." "I only repeated what my father says," exclaimed Frank. "He knows." "I'm sure he's mistaken this time," said Mr. Hewitt quietly. "I also hope he won't talk like that again; people's feelings are easily aroused in times of war and he might suffer harm." Frank looked sullenly at the floor and said nothing. Bob held out his hand to him. "Let's shake hands," he said. "We all ought to work together now. I'll forget this morning if you will." Frank made no move. "Come on, Frank," urged Mr. Hewitt. "Do as Bob says, and in the future try to remember that you were born in America, not in Germany. You were born here, weren't you?" "No, sir," said Frank. "I was born in Germany." "Well, at any rate remember that you are living in the United States. Shake hands and go back to your work, and I hope you will have no further trouble." Frank somewhat reluctantly shook hands with Bob and they walked out of the principal's office together. At the door of the study room Frank turned to Bob. "I shook hands with you then because I had to," he snapped. "I warn you though, I'll never do it again, and you'll be sorry for what you did to me this morning. Yes, you and your whole family!" Bob was completely taken aback by this sudden outburst but before he could make any reply Frank was gone. Bob walked slowly to his desk, carefully avoiding the glances of the many boys in the room who looked curiously at him and his black, swollen eye. When school closed that afternoon he hurried away as quickly as he could, for he had no desire to discuss the matter with his schoolmates. Around the corner he waited for Hugh and together the two boys started homeward. "What did Mr. Hewitt say?" asked Hugh. Bob told him. "Good for him," exclaimed Hugh. "What did Frank think of that?" "He was mad," said Bob, and he told his friend of the threat Frank had made. Hugh was silent for some time. "We must watch him pretty closely," he said at length. "Yes," Bob agreed, "and his father too." CHAPTER IV HEINRICH AND PERCY "Bob!" exclaimed Mrs. Cook as her son arrived home that afternoon. "What have you been doing to get that black eye?" Bob related the story of his fight with Frank Wernberg. He did not tell her of the threat Frank had made against him and his "whole family," however, for he had no desire to cause any alarm. His mother listened with a troubled countenance. "Oh, Bob," she said. "I wish you wouldn't fight like that." "But he insulted the United States, and father too," Bob insisted. "I know," she admitted. "Still I hate fighting so. One boy in the family is enough to worry about." "Where is Harold?" exclaimed Bob.