“Can’t talk here very well,” he said. “I wish you’d come outside. I want to tell you something.”
Dick hesitated, for the thought of having anything to do with this chap, who had treated him in such a contemptible manner, was far from agreeable.
“Better come,” urged Chester. “You’ll be glad to know what I’m going to tell you. It’ll be a good thing for you.”
“What sort of a trick are you up to now?” demanded Merriwell, piercing the other lad with his keen eyes.
“No trick at all,” protested Chester. “Why should you suppose that I’m always up to some sort of a trick?”
“Why shouldn’t I suppose so? Your record is enough to make anybody suppose such a thing.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I presume there are fellows who have worse records.”
“In reform schools and penitentiaries,” said Dick grimly.
Arlington’s face flushed, and he seemed on the verge of a burst of anger, but this he succeeded in repressing.
“You’re pretty hard on me,” he muttered.