The man surveyed Merry long and intently, as if trying to probe the nature of this cool youth. At last, he turned to the sentinel and dismissed him.
The sentinel went out, closing the door.
Bill lighted a fresh cigarette.
"Young man," he said, "I want to inform you right yere and now that it will do you no good whatever to try to bribe any of my men."
"Possibly not," said Frank noncommittally.
"You bet your life it won't!" said Bill emphatically. "Thar ain't one of them but what knows me, an', knowin' me, thar ain't one what would dare play me crooked. Savvy?"
"It's quite plain."
"It's straight goods, Merriwell. A while ago you offered one of 'em a thousan' dollars if he would find a way to get you out of this."
"Correct," admitted Merry immediately. "And had he accepted the offer and accomplished the job, I should have congratulated myself on getting off very cheap."