"I will acknowledge that you always do a good job," said Rattleton, with an approving grin. "Mr. Scott believed that I should be severe with Flemming and Thornton," admitted Frank; "but I knew that Thornton was dragged into the business by Flemming, without having any real heart for what he was doing. If I were to expose Flemming, it would implicate Thornton, and that seemed too much of a retaliation. I thought the whole matter over carefully, and decided to give the fellows a chance. Then Mr. Scott went to them and nearly frightened the life out of them by saying he meant to expose them to the faculty. That brought them to their knees immediately." Rattleton expressed his satisfaction by a vigorous pantomime. "Finally," continued Frank, "when they had begged and promised, Mr. Scott agreed to let up on them if they would come to me, offer apologies, and give me their pledge to let me alone in the future." "And that is how they happened to be here to-day?" "Yes." "Why was the door locked?" "I locked it to prevent any of the fellows from dropping in on us while we were talking the matter over." "Well, Jones told me he had seen those chaps come in here, and I decided they were looking for bother, so I made a hustle to get here. When I found the door locked, I was sure they had you in a corner, and so I threatened to break it down if it was not opened without delay." "And, when it was opened, you came in like a raging lion." "Well, I was ready for any scrim of a shortage--I mean any sort of a scrimmage." "You showed your readiness," laughed Frank. "I have the word of those fellows that they will let me quite alone if I drop the past." "I wouldn't believe either of them under oath!" "You are a doubter anyway. We'll wait and see what will occur." CHAPTER XXIX. TALK OF A TOUR. There was a rap on the door, which immediately popped open, and in bobbed a head, thatched with carroty hair, upon which was perched a crumpled cap. A freckled, jolly face was wrinkled into a cheerful grin, and a voice that was made up of bubbles and hollows cried: "Hello, chaps! I just looked in to see if you were doing well, as the cook said to the lobster, when she lifted the sauce-pan lid." "Come in, Stubbs," invited Frank, promptly--"come in and make yourself as big a nuisance as possible." "No need to tell me to do that," piped the lad at the door, as he bounced into the room. "I always make myself a nuisance wherever I am. It is my policy." He was a little short-legged fellow, with a roly-poly body and twinkling eyes. Good nature bubbled out all over him. At a glance you could see he was the sort of chap who would try to be merry under almost any circumstances. This was Bink Stubbs, a lad with whom Frank and Harry had recently become acquainted. Frank had picked him up because of his merry ways and quaint sayings of the wise and humorous order. "Have you fellers got any smokers?" asked Bink, as he deposited himself on a chair.