"Why, confound it! haven't I formed a partnership with Harlow! I don't know anything about card tricks, but he works all of that, and I win the money. He gives me the hands to do it on, you see. If there is suspicion aroused, the poor suckers take to watching me, and they are unable to catch me at anything crooked. Our only trouble is to find the right sort of fruit for plucking. We generally pretend we are strangers to each other. Sometimes we have a little disagreement over the table, just to fool the fools all the more." "That's first-rate," laughed Harris. "I wish the gang here was not onto Harlow. I could get you some ripe plums." "And that's what made me so sore on Merriwell," growled Harlow. "But for that fellow we'd be right in it now. Oh, I want to soak him some way, and soak him hard!" "And we'll find a way to soak him, too!" growled Hartwick. "Let's have another round, fellows." He pushed a button and a waiter appeared. Drinks were ordered. When they were brought, Ditson came in with the waiter. "Hello, Roll!" called Harris. "Glad you came along. Mr. Ditson, Mr. Harlow. I think you have met the other gentleman." Ditson started and turned pale when he saw Hartwick, who was glowering at him. "Oh, yes! Mr. Ditson has met me!" said Evan, significantly. "We do not need an introduction!" Ditson seemed on the point of getting out in a hurry, but Harris arose and took him by the arm. "It's all right," he assured. "Sit down, Roll." "What sort of a game is this?" hesitatingly asked Ditson, keeping his eyes on Hartwick. "Have you fellows got me in here to do me up?" "Nothing of the sort." "Not but I'd like to do you, and do you good," confessed Hartwick, "but Harris won't have it." "No," said Sport; "I hold that we are all united by our hatred for a common foe, and we cannot afford to be anything but friends." "All the same, it was a dirty deal you gave me, Ditson," growled Evan, who seemed to be longing to pick a row with the newcomer. "You forced me into it," declared Ditson, weakly. "Forced you?" "Yes." "How was that?" "You know well enough. You set on me like a mad tiger, and I'll bet you would have choked me to death in your room if you hadn't been seized with one of your attacks of heart trouble. I was afraid of you, and I had to do something to protect myself." "So you blew the whole thing to Merriwell! That was a brave trick. But I understand Merriwell has turned you down in great shape since that." "Well, he hasn't used me right," admitted Ditson. "Sometimes I think I'd like to kick the wind out of him, but I know I can't do it." "You may have the chance to take the wind out of him," said Harris. "Sit down, old man, and we will talk matters over. What are you drinking?" "Bring me a sherry flip, waiter," ordered Ditson, seeing the waiter had paused outside. Then he sat down in a chair offered him, saying: