Rupert heaved a deep sigh.
“It is hard to be thus misjudged,” he said sadly; “but still I must forgive you. I don’t suppose I can blame you, for you must be worried into a dreadful state of mind over Merriwell’s failure.”
“Merriwell never made a failure in his life, and he will not begin.”
“Plainly,” said Chickering, with resignation, “it is useless for me to tell what I have heard and know. I would not tell it, anyhow, but it must come out in time. I am sorry for you, Hodge, as I know you think a great deal of Merriwell; but even you would not like to see him flunk in his last year.”
“More of your dirty insinuations, put in your own nasty way!” flashed Bart.
Ives and Skelding had their heads together and were glaring at Bart, while they mumbled to each other in low tones. Now Gene took a step forward and grasped Chickering’s arm, hoarsely exclaiming:
“Don’t talk to the fellow, Rupert! He knows you or your friends do not care to fight him here, and that’s why he is making all this blow. He’s doing it for a bluff and to obtain notoriety.”
The fire that came into Bart’s eyes made even Skelding start back a bit. But Hodge held himself in check enough so that his voice did not get higher than an ordinary tone. However, it seemed so intense that every hearer was thrilled, and not a word was missed by those on the outskirts of the gathering.
“You, Skelding, are not a hypocrite, but you are a malicious liar, and you know it! I have said that I’ll fight anywhere, and that stands good for you. I never make bluffs that I cannot back up. You do. But now and here I give you fair warning to keep your mouth shut about Merriwell. If you make any further talk about him, I promise to meet you where we cannot be interrupted and give you the worst thrashing you ever had in your life!”
Gene laughed and snapped his fingers.