"Oh, I'll find one."
"Perhaps Colonel Vallier will not accept him."
"But you must be too ill to meet the colonel, and then he'll have to accept the substitute or nothing."
"But who will act as substitute? I don't know any one in New Orleans who'll go and be shot in my place."
"Barney Mulloy has agreed to join us here, and he may arrive on any train," went on Frank, mentioning an old school chum.
"That wild Irishman!" cried the professor, hopefully. "Why, he'd fight a pack of wildcats and think it fun!"
"Yes, Barney is happiest when in trouble. According to my uncle's will, I am at liberty to carry a companion besides my guardian on my travels, and so, when Hans Dunnerwust got tired of traveling and went home, I sent for Barney, knowing he'd be a first-class fellow to have with me. He finally succeeded in making arrangements to join us, and I have a telegram from him, stating that he would start in time to reach here before to-morrow. If you are forced into trouble, professor, Barney can serve as a substitute."
"That sounds very well, but Colonel Vallier would not accept a boy."
"Then Barney can disguise himself and pretend to be a man."
"I'm afraid it won't work. Not that Barney Mulloy will hesitate to help me out of the scrape, for he was the most dare-devil chap in Fardale Academy, next to yourself, Frank. You were the leader in all kinds of daring adventures, but Barney made a good second. But he can't pass muster as a man."