In the reception room of the club there was a great gathering waiting to get another look at Frank. The president of the club met him as he appeared and hastened to express regrets over the action of Darleton at the finish of the bout. Frank was sincere in making excuses for his late antagonist. “But Darleton must apologize,” declared the president. “We cannot have any visitor insulted in such a manner without seeing that an apology is made.” “I haven’t asked for an apology on my account.” “We demand it on our own account. He has been told that he must apologize publicly, as the insult was offered publicly.” “Well, he’ll find me ready to pardon him freely and just as willing to forget the occurrence.” “You are generous, Mr. Merriwell.” During the next thirty minutes Merry was kept busy shaking hands with those who were eager to express their good will. That night in Omaha he made a host of admirers and friends who would never forget him, and who would ever stand ready to uphold him on any occasion. Many of those present seemed lingering for something. A few departed, but the majority waited on. Finally Fred Darleton, accompanied by Grant Hardy and followed by a number of boon companions, entered the room. Darleton was pale and nervous. He glanced about the place, and an expression of resentment passed over his face as he noted the number who had lingered. For a moment he seemed to hesitate; then he advanced toward Frank, who sat near the centre of the room, with his comrades and the club members about him. Merry rose as he saw his late opponent. “Mr. Merriwell,” said Darleton, in a low tone, his words being almost inaudible at a distance of ten feet, “I have to offer you an apology for my hasty act of anger in striking you across the mask with my foil.” “That’s all right,” declared Frank. “Forget it, Darleton.” Merry offered his hand. Darleton pretended he did not see this, and turned away at once. Frank smiled and dropped his hand; but Bart Hodge gave vent to a suppressed exclamation of anger. The action of the defeated fencer in declining to shake hands with his conqueror was noted by all in the room, and most of them felt annoyed and disgusted by this added slight after the forced apology. Darleton left the room, without glancing to the right or left, and his companions followed closely. “I knew he was a cur!” said Hodge, in a low, harsh tone. The president and other members were annoyed and chagrined, but Frank found a method of passing the matter over by quickly awakening a discussion concerning the bouts of the finals. A few minutes later François L’Estrange appeared. He advanced swiftly and grasped Frank’s hand. “My dear sare,” he cried, “you give me ze very great astonishment to-night. You are ze—ze—what you call it?—ze Jim Dandy! _Oui!_ You nevare learn so much about ze foil in ze American college. Eet is impossible!”