"I weren't doin' notting to git me head t'umped like dis," he muttered, sulkily. "Me frien' Merriwell was bein' jumped by a gang, an' I went in fer ter back him up. You cops lets der gang git off, an' den yer pinches us. I don't care wot yer do wid me, an' I don't make no promises. Go on wid yer deal." Here Frank Merriwell stepped in. "You profess to be a friend of mine, Kirby," he said. "Dat's wot I am, pal," nodded the tough. "Then show it. If I am pulled up before a magistrate, it is pretty sure that I'll be expelled from college, which will be rough on me. If you are my friend, you will agree to keep your mouth shut about this affair. If you are my enemy, you will refuse." "Well, pal, if yer puts it dat way, I can't refuse yer. I did kinder reckon you'd stan' by me when I was hauled up, an' I t'ought your influence might fix t'ings; but, if it's der way you say, I'll take me medicine, an' never open me trap. Is dat satisfactory?" "You have not been placed under arrest at all--understand that?" demanded Officer Murphy. "Sure." "And you know nothing about a row in this place. Catch on?" "Sure." "You're doing this for your friend Merriwell. See?" "Sure." "That's all. We'll have a drink all around on Jackson, and I'll club the head off you, Kirby, if you blow anything." Frank took seltzer, while the others drank beer or whiskey, according to their fancy. Ten minutes later, Merriwell, Diamond and Kirby were let out of Jackson's by the back door. When they were at some distance from the saloon, Frank turned to the bruiser and said: "Diamond tells me that you got into this trouble by attempting to defend me, Kirby. I am sure I appreciate it, but I had rather you would drop calling me your friend. You can do me more harm that way than any other." "All right," nodded Plug, gloomily. "Dat goes. I know I ain't in your class, an' I don't want ter do yer no hurt. All der same, if I git a chance ter fight fer yer any time, I'll do dat." Frank appreciated the kindness of the big bruiser, whose admiration he had won by giving him a severe thrashing. "All right, Kirby," he laughed. "I certainly can't object if you want to fight for me. There have been times when I could have found you quite useful in pitting you against ruffians who had tried to injure me. Are you down on your luck nowadays?" "Well, rudder!" "Well, here's a V. Go play you are a millionaire." Kirby eagerly grasped the five-dollar bill which Frank passed him, earnestly exclaiming: "If youse ain't der whites' young cove what I ever seen, I'm a liar! If yer wants me ter do up der whole gang as was ag'inst yer ter-night, jest you say so! I'd like der job." "If I need you, I'll let you know," assured Frank. "Good-night." Plug doffed his battered hat. "Good-night, young gent. May ye alwus prosper, an' may Old Nick take yer enemies." As Frank and Jack walked toward their rooms in South Middle, the Virginian observed: