Bart's aspersions on his father had hurt him deeply, and Mr. Vining's refusal to agree with his own opinion of his parent's honesty had surprised him. But the deepest cut of all was the threat to suspend him should he fight with Bart. If he obeyed the headmaster, he knew all too well that his fellow students--that is, all except Margie--would attribute his action to fear of Bart, and he was also familiar enough with the nature of his rival to realize he would lose no opportunity to twist events to his own advantage. Such a combination of circumstances was enough to perplex an older head than Fred's, and as he descended the steps, he felt a keen resentment against the headmaster for placing him in such a position. It was with relief, however, that he saw Margie had drawn the other girls off to a spot where they would be out of earshot, for he dreaded their scrutiny more than the rough comments of his fellows. "He looks as solemn as an owl," exclaimed Buttons, who with Soda and his other staunch supporters had been awaiting his coming. "The Head must be in a fierce frame of mind to-day," commented another. "No wonder, with Fred and Bart getting into a mix-up at the very opening of school," returned Soda. "Well, let's show Fred we intend to stand by him," exclaimed Buttons. This suggestion met with ready response, and, with a rush, Fred's adherents gathered about him. "Get a trimming?" queried one of them. "Worse than that," responded Fred soberly. "I can't defend my father and myself against Bart." "Whe-ew! How Bart and his crowd will crow!" lamented Soda. And from the expressions on the faces of the others it was evident he had voiced their sentiments. "But why can't you? What did the Head say?" demanded Buttons. Eagerly the others looked toward Fred. "I will be suspended if I fight." "Jumping grasshoppers! but that is a bad one!" It had been the proud boast of Baxter that never but once had a student been suspended, whereas in the rival school of Landon suspensions were of almost yearly occurrence. The boys grew silent in the contemplation of the penalty. It was at this juncture that the First Form students, led by Sandow Hill, reached the steps. With the majority of them Fred was a favorite, and as they noticed the serious expressions on the faces of the Second Form boys, several of them asked: "What's the trouble? Why so glum, Cotton-Top?" "He and Bart had a row. The Head came along, and now he's threatened Fred with suspension if he fights Bart," poured forth Buttons, going into details in reply to further questioning. "Fred ought to be thankful," exclaimed one of the girls. "That big bully would make mincemeat of him." "You girls go along into school," snapped Sandow. Then, turning to Fred, he asked: "Was there any limit set to where you couldn't fight?" "Why, no," returned the boy, puzzled by the question.