“Dey’re at it!” whispered the boy, pausing on the top of the ladder.
He looked to see if his companion showed signs of alarm, but Snodgrass appeared as eager as ever, and the boy slipped off the ladder to the floor of the loft.
Barely had Snodgrass followed when there arose a sudden commotion beyond a dark door that could scarcely be seen in that gloomy, cobwebby place. There was a volley of oaths, a blow, and a fall.
“That’s him!” hissed the boy. “He’s knocked somebody down! Oh, but he’s a holy terror, an’ he’ll be red-hot now! Don’t yer t’ink ye’d better turn round?”
“Not much!”
“Den gimme der fifty. I’ve kept my part of der bargain. He’s in dere, so jest walk in.”
Snodgrass gave the boy half a dollar, and, one second later, the youngster went down the ladder like a frightened cat, leaving Ben there alone.
The desperate sophomore shuddered a bit and shrugged his shoulders.
“He’s just the kind of a man I must have!” he thought. “I’d be a fool to back out now! Brace up, Ben, and walk right in. Your reception may not be cordial, but you must set yourself right. It’s to down Merriwell, and I’m ready to face the devil to do that!”
Then he advanced to the door and thrust it open.