Chester shivered as he thought of the ducking-stool rigged up by Dick and his friends. Arlington and his four companions were all ducked in the cold waters of Lily Lake. “Yes,” laughed Dick, “I believe that little piece of business was beautifully squared up.” “In fact, you have evened up for about everything.” “Perhaps you are right.” “And you have not been the fellow to blow on me; I give you that credit.” “Thanks!” said Dick, with a touch of sarcasm. “But now here is this snake Bunol who swears he will go to the faculty and tell all he knows before he leaves Fardale!” “Well, that’s rough!” “Rough! Why, he’ll ruin me!” “He may, that’s a fact.” “If he does it I’ll be hauled over the coals and expelled from the school.” “It looks that way.” “Now, see here, Merriwell, you’re not such a bad fellow.” “Thanks!” said Dick again, with still greater sarcasm. “I know I have no claim on you, and it takes a lot of nerve for me to come to you and ask a favor; but you can keep this Spaniard from throwing me down, and——” “I can do that?” “Sure thing.” “How?” “By letting up on him. By not forcing him to leave the school.” “And you have come to ask me to let up on him?” asked Dick, in great surprise, for it seemed impossible to him that a haughty, overbearing fellow like Arlington could bring himself to that. “I have. I confess that I do it to save myself. But you know it would be mighty rough on me.” “I am not to blame,” said Dick grimly. “If Bunol betrays you, blame yourself for choosing such a companion and confidant.” Chester’s heart dropped. “You—you mean that you’ll carry out your threat—that Bunol will have to go?” he faltered. “Why shouldn’t he?” said Dick. “He is not a fit fellow to have in the school. The matter is out of my hands. Lawyer Bradbury——” “But you might keep him still. I am sure he would keep still if you asked him.” “Why should I do such a thing? Bunol is my enemy. He is a treacherous, dangerous fellow. You are not my friend.” Arlington began to feel desperate. “I have not been,” he said; “but it might be different in the future.” “No!” exclaimed Dick. “I do not believe it possible that you and I can ever become friends. There is nothing in common between us.” Chester was surprised at this, for he had fancied that by his actions within the last few days he had led Dick into thinking him a friend at last. Now he realized that he had not deceived Merriwell in the least. “He seems to see right through me!” thought Chester despairingly. “What can I do?” A thought came to him of a last resort. “Very well,” he said, with a sigh. “The jig is up with me! I’ll have to skip out before I’m kicked out. My sister objected in the first place about coming here to this out-of-the-way place to see me. She won’t have to come here any more.” Dick’s heart gave a great thump. June Arlington would not come to Fardale any more! True, if Chester left the school there would be nothing to bring her there.