“Still I fail to see what there is laughable about it,” snapped Bart. “The fellow knew you had money—Vance told him that.” “Without doubt.” “And he knew you were young. He fancied you would be easy game. Where is there anything funny about it?” “I am an actor.” “But you are a dead easy thing!” declared Bart. “Think of letting that woman go in such a manner!” “Now, Hodge,” said Frank, with more seriousness, “after I have talked to you a bit, I rather fancy I can make you acknowledge that was the most sensible thing to do.” “Oh, no, you can’t! You’re forever doing things like that!” “You know I was in earnest about giving Vance and the other rascal their dues. You know that, Bart.” “Well, it was a surprise to me.” “Still you know it, don’t you?” “You seemed to be ready.” “Exactly. It was not my fault that they escaped.” Bart flushed and looked uncomfortable. “I suppose it was my fault?” he cried, almost resentfully. “I did not mean that. I do not blame you, Hodge.” “I thought you did. I’d held onto Vance if those fool men hadn’t interfered. They gave him his chance, and he took it.” “Waal,” drawled Ephraim, sheepishly. “I own right up, b’gosh! that I was so ’tarnally flustered when that woman began to yoop her up that I didn’t notice nothin’ till the men hed got erway.” “Which was exactly what the woman wanted,” said Merriwell. “She grabbed me and screamed like that in order to give the men a chance to skip. They took the chance.” “Which shows she was just as bad as the men,” said Bart. “I haven’t a doubt of it,” nodded Frank. “But you let her get away! Oh, it’s like you!” “Hodge, do you remember what you said when those men in the parlor were declaring the woman was too refined-looking to be engaged in a blackmailing scheme?” “Yes. I said they made me sick.” “That was it. You also said that were she plain and old they would not make such a fuss over her.” “Yes.” “Well, old man, at that moment I realized how little chance there was of convicting that woman of blackmail were she arrested. Do you suppose a jury of twelve men would have agreed to convict a young and handsome woman like that?” Hodge was silent. “Answer!” exclaimed Frank. “Do you suppose that woman could have been convicted?” “I doubt it,” admitted Bart. “That was the very reason I was willing to let her go. I should have been foolish to put myself to the trouble of prosecuting her with every chance against conviction. I knew that.” Bart jumped up. “Men are bigger fools than women!” he snapped. “I am beginning to realize that better and better.” “And you are a woman hater!” laughed Merriwell.