“Who says Americus can handle Hashi?” demanded Fillmore. “Americus is all right in his class, but he’ll overstep himself if he accepts Hashi’s challenge and goes after the hundred dollars offered to the wrestler of less than two hundred pounds who can handle this little master of jujutsu. Why, Hashi can break Americus in two, if he wishes; but he’s a harmless little chap, and it’s likely he’ll be content with flinging Americus over his head and across the stage.” As he said this Fillmore placed a hand on the shoulder of the Jap, who continued to smile and look innocent. “Gentlemen,” said the Hopkins man, “it gives me great satisfaction to introduce my friend Hashi.” The jujutsu master bowed in his politest manner, murmuring: “It inexpressible pleasure gives me the honorable gentlemen to humbly greet.” “You see Hashi is very modest,” laughed Fillmore. “Keep your eyes open for tricks, Merry,” whispered Bart. “There is something behind this, sure as fate.” Frank nodded the least bit. “Hashi has taken to the warpath,” explained Fillmore. “He has heard a great deal of talk about jujutsu being a fake. The _Sun_ to-day contained a letter from some duffer who claimed that there was nothing to the Japanese art of self-defense and that any ordinary American athlete could defeat a Japanese expert. It has angered him somewhat.” “Indeed meek confession I must speak that it has incensed me to the great extremeness,” put in Hashi. “No one would ever dream it from his everlasting smile and his soft speech,” muttered Raymond Harrow. “The critic of the _Sun_ didn’t have the nerve to sign his full name,” said Fillmore; “but I have a fancy that I know who the man is.” “We are honored to meet Professor Hashi,” said Maurice Spaulding. The Jap bowed very low, after his manner. “The honorableness is fully upon me,” he asserted. “I am quite overcome in your august presence.” Vincent Carroll laughed softly. “He has a fluent way of expressing himself,” he observed in an aside to Cutler Priest. “Seems to take great satisfaction in articulating big words.” “It is the way of his countrymen,” nodded Priest. “In Japan they have no personal pronouns, but apparently Hashi has picked them up in this country, for he uses them.” “The professor is a particular friend of mine,” Fillmore went on, “and I am interested in seeing him maintain his reputation. He is looking for some of these great American athletes who think they can defeat him.” “It’s coming, Merry!” muttered Bart softly. Frank was calm and unconcerned. Apparently Fillmore had not observed him since entering the club; but Frank knew the fellow had a keen pair of eyes. This seeming oversight on Fillmore’s part was enough to convince Merry beyond doubt that the visit was premeditated in full expectation of encountering him there. He knew Fillmore had listened behind the portières at John Loder’s and heard of the engagement to meet certain Yale grads at the club.