"We had Miller here," he concluded, "so that we might punish him for causing your death." Frank listened very gravely. "Well," he said, "the main thing is that I'm alive again. As for you, Miller, you deserve to be hanged just as much as if you had succeeded in what you tried to do, but I'm so much alive again that I'm inclined to beg the boys to let you off." "Oh, don't let them hurt me, Mr. Merriwell!" groaned Miller. "On my life I didn't mean to do you any harm, and I'll never do anything wrong again as long as I live." "I think it's safe enough to take his word for that," said Frank, turning to the others. They looked a little doubtful, but Baker answered for them. "Well, Merriwell is the most interested party, and what he says ought to go. You may get out, Miller, but remember if there is ever any sign of you attempting dirty work with a student again, we'll be after you, and next time we won't give you any chance for a trial, either." "I'll behave myself for the future, I will, so help me!" stammered Miller, as he made for the open door. After he had been seen well out of the building the students indulged in an uproarious laugh at the success of their plan, and all declared that it was a much better way of getting even with the cigar dealer than any of the plans suggested by the other students. They had another supper on the spot to celebrate the event, and they were not surprised a day or two later to learn that Miller had disposed of his cigar business and left New Haven forever. CHAPTER XXV. FRANK HAS A VISITOR. After the affair with Miller matters went along quietly for some time with Frank. He turned to his studies with a will, paying particular attention to mathematics, so that no complaint might be made against him by Prof. Babbitt. One day he was deep in a problem in geometry when there came a loud rap on the door. "Come in." The door opened, and in walked Ben Halliday. Frank looked up in surprise. "Hello! Hally," he called. "Hello! Merriwell," said the other, a trifle stiffly. "What's the matter, old man? You are not usually in the habit of knocking in that manner. Usually you walk in without being invited." "Perhaps I have been a little too free in that respect," said Ben, significantly. "Free! Not at all. You know any of my friends are welcome here at any time. This is Liberty Hall." "That sounds all right, Merriwell," said Ben, remaining standing; "but, if you mean it, why should you say I am too fresh and take too many liberties?" "I say so? Why, I never said anything of the sort Has any fellow reported me as saying that?" "I heard it." Frank came to his feet instantly. "Heard me say so?" he cried. "Is that what you mean, Hally?" "No; I mean that I have heard you did say so." Merriwell advanced and placed his hands on the shoulders of his visitor, looking straight into Ben's eyes. "Halliday," he said, slowly, "have I ever been anything but a friend to you?"