Jack Diamond, too, who had lost his temper more than once in the course of his initiation, argued in favor of giving Miller a punishment something like a flogging at the stake. Frank resolutely sat down on all propositions of this kind. "I don't care to have any hand in it," he said, "if it comes to taking this man when he's only one against a good many and giving him a drubbing. If that was the question I'd tackle him single-handed and give him a chance to defend himself. "What we want to do is to give him an experience that he won't forget as soon as he might a licking." It took some argument for Frank to bring his loyal friends around to his view of the case, and they were not fully satisfied until he himself had mapped out a plan that promised good sport and success. In accordance with this plan Frank did not leave his room on the following day. There were lectures and recitations to be attended to, but he cut them and did not even show his face at the window. Meantime the other fellows were busy in making preparations for the serious work of the night. Most of these preparations were done in one of the rooms of the society, but a little took place elsewhere; for example Baker and Diamond arranged to meet as if by accident in front of Miller's cigar store. They chose an hour when Miller was certain to be behind the counter. He was there, and after the two students had said good-morning, as if they had just met for the first time during the day, Baker remarked, in a loud voice: "I got up so late this morning that I had to run to lectures after breakfast without a smoke and I haven't had time for one since. I guess I'll burn a cigar. Will you join me?" "Thanks," responded Diamond, in the same tone, "I will." Accordingly they entered the store and Baker called for cigars. Miller set a couple of boxes on the counter while the students made their selection. "I never smoked this brand," remarked Baker, "but it looks pretty good." "It'll do if it will burn," responded Diamond, biting off the end and turning to the alcohol lamp for a light. "How's Merriwell getting on?" asked Baker, as he handed out a bill for Miller to change. Diamond's back was toward the cigar dealer, but he was facing a mirror, and in it could keep careful watch of Miller's face. Meantime, Baker was studying Miller also. The cigar dealer's face was very grave, and if any one not interested in the matter that was weighing upon the students' minds had been present, he would probably have noticed nothing. Both students, however, were convinced that Miller was greatly interested in the question and anxious for the answer. Diamond drew a long breath. "He's in a mighty bad way," he said. "Why!" exclaimed Baker in surprise, "I thought the doctor reported that he was doing very well?" "You forget," said Diamond, "that the doctor always said that he was doing very well under the circumstances."