“That is right,” nodded Frank; “I do not believe anybody can be entirely bad. I am firmly convinced that even the worst ruffian has some redeeming qualities.”
“That’s all right, but it makes me tired when you put so much confidence in rascals who are doing everything possible to injure you. Some time you will get done up for keeps by some ruffian you are trying to befriend.”
“Perhaps so. I’ll chance it.”
Breakfast over, Browning threw himself down on one of the beds and lighted a cigarette.
“There,” he said, with a sigh of satisfaction, “now I could go to sleep again, and I wouldn’t need any rocking.”
“Gif me a shiggerette, Pruce,” said Hans. “Id makes you vant to smoke ven I haf von.”
“Confound your cigarettes!” cried Diamond. “I wish you wouldn’t smoke them! When a fellow had such a hard time to leave off as I did, it’s a big temptation to see others smoking and to smell them.”
“You’re not obliged to see me,” grunted Bruce. “You can go outside. There’s nobody round to bother you out——”
There was a sound of feet on the steps, and two men entered the cottage. They were large, determined-looking fellows, plainly dressed. They stopped just inside the door and looked the party over, without speaking a word.
“How do you do, gentlemen,” said Merriwell. “This visit is something of a surprise. You’re a little late for breakfast.”