“He was trying to hide, so you wouldn’t cook him,” said Browning. “That’s all, Hans. Don’t blame the poor fish.” “Vale, he don’d blay dot me onto again. He near scat uf me der life out. Yaw!” Diamond took some of the finest perch outside, and, finding a board, carried them down to the water, where he cleaned them. In a short time they were frying in the pan, giving out a delicious odor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XXII OFFICERS OF THE LAW. It was a jolly party that gathered about the breakfast table in that little cottage on Sandy Point. The fish were cooked brown and crisp, the coffee was delicious, and everything tasted good. They laughed and joked as they ate. Merriwell and Hodge had told all about their encounter with Bunker and Welch. “We must look out for those fellows,” said Diamond. “I don’t believe they will trouble us again,” declared Browning. “Welch would have no sense of gratitude if he did after Merriwell saved him from drowning.” “I don’t think he is a fellow who has any sense of gratitude,” came from Hodge; “and his face shows he is a hard drinker. I believe the man can lead him into anything.” “Oh! I don’t know about that,” said Frank. “He did not take any part in Bunker’s attempted attack on us after I got him out of the water. That shows——” “Nothing,” cut in Bart. “He was pretty well used up, and he did not have the nerve to take any part in that little affair. I think that fellow is thoroughly bad.” “Don’t be too hard on him, old man,” said Frank. “Well, see if I am not right. You’re always trying to discover good qualities in everybody. You do not seem to believe any person can be thoroughly bad.” “That is right,” nodded Frank; “I do not believe anybody can be entirely bad. I am firmly convinced that even the worst ruffian has some redeeming qualities.” “That’s all right, but it makes me tired when you put so much confidence in rascals who are doing everything possible to injure you. Some time you will get done up for keeps by some ruffian you are trying to befriend.” “Perhaps so. I’ll chance it.” Breakfast over, Browning threw himself down on one of the beds and lighted a cigarette. “There,” he said, with a sigh of satisfaction, “now I could go to sleep again, and I wouldn’t need any rocking.” “Gif me a shiggerette, Pruce,” said Hans. “Id makes you vant to smoke ven I haf von.” “Confound your cigarettes!” cried Diamond. “I wish you wouldn’t smoke them! When a fellow had such a hard time to leave off as I did, it’s a big temptation to see others smoking and to smell them.” “You’re not obliged to see me,” grunted Bruce. “You can go outside. There’s nobody round to bother you out——”