"Oh, it isn't lack of rocks that will keep him away," asserted Bart contemptuously. "Then what will?" persisted Buttons. All the former students who had returned to Baxter were aware that a rivalry had sprung up the previous year between Fred Markham and Bart Montgomery, due to the former's increasing ability, both in his studies and in athletics, which threatened to wrest the Form leadership from Bart. But they had supposed it to be an honest, schoolboy rivalry, and the tone in which Bart spoke of Fred surprised them. As both boys were popular, they had many followers among their own and the Third Form students, and unconsciously these divided, Fred's supporters gathering about Buttons, who was championing their absent leader, the others about Bart. Noticing that he had by far the most numerous following, Bart's pride got the better of his discretion and he retorted: "If you want to know so much, I'll tell you. You know some men fail in order to make money." "You mean Fred Markham's father failed dishonestly?" demanded Buttons. So pointed was the insinuated accusation that, young people though they were, the other students realized its seriousness, and with solemn faces awaited Bart's reply. The attention of all the scholars hanging upon the answer, none of them had noticed the approach of a well-built, manly young fellow, whose open, honest face and frank blue eyes were in striking contrast to the crafty, though handsome, features of Bart. As a result, the late-comer had reached the edge of the crowd just as Bart exclaimed: "That's just what I mean. My father was the principal creditor. So I guess I know." At these words there was a sharp intaking of breath by the divided groups, and Buttons retorted: "I don't believe it. Fred Markham's father is an honest man." "Thank you, Buttons," exclaimed a strained voice. At the words, all eyes were turned in the direction whence they came, and as the boys recognized the speaker, shouts of "Here's Fred! Hello, Cotton-Top! Now say that to his face, you Bart!" filled the air. "Who said my father was dishonest?" demanded Fred. "Bart did!" chorused several. Striding to where the calumniator stood, Fred looked straight in his face. "Did you say my father was dishonest?" But the accuser did not have the courage to say in the presence of the son what he had said in his absence, despite the fact that he overtopped Fred by a good two inches, and temporized: "I said there was something queer about your father's failure. My father said so." "You are right, Bart Montgomery. There was something 'queer' about it--_but not on my father's side_!" "What do you mean?" snarled Bart. "Anything you want to think," returned Fred. Drawing back his right hand, Bart hissed: "I'll teach you to say things about my father, you puppy! Even before yours failed mine could buy him and sell him."