“Expelled?”
“I say it, for I shall go to Professor Gunn, and I shall tell him all the many things you do, of which I know. I shall tell him how you do so many things to injure Deck Merriwell. How you cut down the bridge, so that Merriwell and the girl come so near to drown. I shall tell who was there, so they be called to prove my word. I shall tell how——”
“See here, Bunol, what’s your price? I will pay you——”
“Now you talk sense!” said Bunol, in satisfaction. “You know well I can ruin you quick. You should not think my price it is small. If so you think it is to fool yourself.”
Chester was desperate. Already he had drawn so heavily upon his mother that he feared to ask for more money. His mother had confidence in him; she believed him the finest lad alive; it would not do to let her know that he must have money in order to hush the tongue of this fellow who might disgrace him.
“If you ask for much,” said Arlington desperately, “you will not get it, for I cannot get it myself.”
“You get all money you want.”
Chester explained how impossible it was for him to pull another large sum, but his words did not seem to impress Bunol, who grimly said:
“It is one thousand dollars I will have if I go.”
“And you know I can’t get it! Confound you! you’re crazy!”