But Hodge did not stir.
"No, sir," he said, firmly. "If you have anything you want to say to me, say it right here."
Snell did not like this. He came back slowly, casting a hasty, doubtful look up to the dormitory windows. After some hesitation, during which he kicked the gravel of the walk with his toe, he began:
"There was a time when you didn't like Merriwell any better than the rest of us, and you have done things that would put you in a pretty bad corner, if they were known."
Hodge's brows lowered in a scowl, and his nostrils dilated, like those of a wild creature that scents danger. He said nothing, but his steady, piercing gaze made Snell keep his eyes on the ground.
"Of course I am not the kind of a fellow to blow anything of the sort," Wat went on, hurriedly. "I simply mentioned it by chance. You seem friendly with Merriwell now, and I thought you might have forgotten."
"I wonder what the rascal is coming at?" thought Bart; but not a word did he speak aloud.
"For the sake of old times, I thought—perhaps—you might do something for some of your old friends—I didn't know but you might. It can't harm Merriwell any in particular—he'll never miss it. It will be a lift for me, and I can make it an object for you."
Snell was floundering, and the look on his face seemed to indicate that he was growing frightened and felt like taking to his heels.
Of a sudden, Hodge became curious to know what the fellow had to say, and so he decided to try diplomacy.