“Merriwell, you astounded this club to-night,” said Hugh Morton, as Frank was finishing dressing, after a shower and rub down. “No one here expected you to defeat Fred Darleton. Any member of the club would have wagered two to one on Darleton. He acted like a cur when he struck you with his foil. Every one, except his own particular clique, is down on him for that. We regret very much that it happened, and the president of the club is waiting to offer apologies.”
“I’m not looking for apologies,” smiled Merry. “The club was not responsible for Darleton’s act.”
“But we feel greatly humiliated by it. He will be severely censured. He may be expelled.”
“Oh, that’s too much! I must protest against such an extreme measure.”
“He deserves to be expelled,” put in Hodge.
“You are right,” agreed Morton. “Between us, I believe it would be a good thing for the club.”
“How so?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
In the reception room of the club there was a great gathering waiting to get another look at Frank. The president of the club met him as he appeared and hastened to express regrets over the action of Darleton at the finish of the bout. Frank was sincere in making excuses for his late antagonist.
“But Darleton must apologize,” declared the president. “We cannot have any visitor insulted in such a manner without seeing that an apology is made.”