While Frank and Bart were chatting with their new acquaintances Fillmore and Hackett entered the house. “It’s worked well thus far,” said Fillmore. “Now, if we can send Mr. Merriwell and Mr. Hodge back to their ladies with a jag on, I’ll be satisfied. I’d like to show Merriwell up to Inza. He’s going to take her out to the theatre to-night. We’ll keep him and Hodge here for dinner and fill them up. Then we can take them directly to my sister’s house and show them off in all their glory.” “You certainly have it in for Merriwell, all right,” grinned Hackett. “I have. Didn’t I see him meet Inza Burrage and kiss her! She thinks he’s perfection. She even told me he didn’t drink; but I know better.” “Of course he takes something, but it’s plain he’s been telling her different. Is she straight-laced?” “She thinks drinking debasing.” “A bit old-fashioned for a girl of to-day, eh?” “It seems to be behind the times, but somehow I can’t help respecting her for it.” “Why, I’ve heard you laugh about blue stockings more than once. You’ve told me you had no use for a girl who would not take a glass of wine and be jolly.” “I thought so; but Inza Burrage can be jolly without taking a glass of wine. The girl who drinks a little is all right to fool with, but I’ve concluded she isn’t the sort to get smashed on.” “Then you are smashed on Inza Burrage? You admit it!” “Between you and me, old man, something is the matter with me. When I saw Merriwell kiss her last night I wanted to rush in and take him by the throat. I got up to my room and decided to make him look like thirty cents to her. That’s why I’m taking all this trouble. That’s why I fixed it with Branch and the others to meet him out here. That’s why I paid for the automobile that brought them out ahead of us. I had the auto waiting to start when I gave the word. Didn’t you notice I wasn’t in any hurry about driving here?” “Sure.” “I didn’t propose to arrive ahead of Branch.” “Well, while we’re loading Mr. Merriwell let’s not neglect Mr. Hodge.” “Hodge? Oh, of course not; but it doesn’t make so much difference about him.” “Yes, it does.” “How’s that?” “I want to show him up to Miss Bellwood.” “Eh? Why——” “You may have your dark-eyed peach—if you can get her; give me the other girl. She’s the first blonde I ever saw who upset me, and she gave me the solar-plexus blow the instant I saw her.” Fillmore was astounded. “What’s that?” he gasped. “You don’t mean to tell me that you consider her prettier than Inza?” “That’s just what I mean to tell you. She has the sweetest face of any girl I ever saw. In perfect health, I know she would be a hundred times prettier than Inza.” “Well, I admire your taste!” But the tone in which he uttered the words indicated that he did not admire it. “That’s all right. We can’t all think the same. I’m sincere, old man. Give me Elsie, and you may have Inza.” The captain of the lacrosse team grasped his friend’s hand.