“I beg your pardon, Merriwell,” he said, with icy politeness; “but, really, I have an important engagement, and I had quite forgotten it. I’ve lingered overtime already. See you later, you know.”
Then he hurried out.
“By jingoes!” cried Rattleton, “it’s time for me to meet Nash, the tailor. He’s coming round to my room. Excuse me.”
He hastily followed Diamond.
“Tailor?” grunted Browning, dragging himself up with an effort. “Nash? Hold on. I owe him a little bill. I’ll go along and settle up.”
He followed Rattleton.
“By gosh!” exclaimed Gamp, as if struck by a sudden thought, “I’ve gotter go to pup-pup-plugging. I’ve wasted too much tut-tut-time already.”
He was the fourth one to leave the room.
“I must have some cigarettes,” cried Bink Stubbs, scrambling up.
“Hold on,” said Griswold; “I want some, too. I will go with you.”