"Well, you act as if you are trying to bring about another accident," he said. "I know you hit me intentionally, and I'll make you pay for it, too!" "Bah! you can't make me pay for anything!" flung back Harry, his anger aroused by Thornton's words. "Do you think you can run around punching fellows in this way without getting it back? You'll find you are mistaken!" "You were in my way when I came in." "I didn't have time to get out of your way." "Well, what's all this about anyway?" demanded Frank. "Are you fellows trying to settle some sort of a score?" "It looks to me," said Flemming, stiffly, "as if Mr. Rattleton took advantage of our presence in this room to strike Thornton." "Well, what are you chaps here for, anyway?" demanded Harry. "That is what I would like to know. We don't run in your class, and so----" "Hold up, old man," interrupted Merriwell, promptly. "Mr. Flemming and Mr. Thornton called to see me about a personal matter." "I thought so," declared Rattleton, "and I decided you would get the worst end of it, as they were two to your one--and the door was locked. If they are here to do you, count me into it. I'll take care of this fellow Thornton while you polish off Flemming." "We did not come here to fight," said Fred, haughtily. "Didn't?" exclaimed Harry, in surprise. "Then what sort of a game are you up to, for I know it is something crooked?" Flemming tossed his head. "Mr. Rattleton," he said, "your language is very offensive to me." "Had to glear it--I mean glad to hear it," shot back Rattleton, rudely. "I didn't want you to misunderstand me." "Mr. Merriwell," said Fred, turning to Frank, "I think we had better go. Our business was with you, and Mr. Rattleton seems determined to raise a quarrel with us. As you know, we did not come here to quarrel, and, regarding Mr. Rattleton as your friend, we will endeavor to overlook his behavior and insulting language." "But we cannot forget it," added Thornton, giving Harry a fierce look. "It will be remembered." "I am sure I don't want you to forget it," flung back Rattleton. "Come, Tom," urged Flemming, "we will go. Good-day, Mr. Merriwell." Frank released Thornton, who followed Flemming from the room, simply pausing at the door to say: "Good-by, Mr. Merriwell." "Good-by," smiled Frank. And then, when the door had closed behind them, Frank dropped into a chair and laughed softly but heartily. "Well, I fail to fee anything sunny about it--I mean I fail to see anything funny about it," growled Rattleton, prancing fiercely up and down the room. "If you'll tell me where the laugh comes in, I'll snicker, just to keep you company." "The whole thing is very funny," laughed Merriwell. "Why, you were eager to hammer Thornton, and the fellow was afraid you would, for all the bluff he put up."