“No go, Mart,” he said. “Better look for some one fast enough to make it interesting.”
Hodge was angered at this insolence and felt like expressing himself, but Maurice Spaulding picked it up.
“This club is supposed to be for gentlemen!” he exclaimed.
“It’s supposed to be,” drawled Ridgely; “but I see the rules are not enforced.”
“Cad!” growled Carroll.
“Oh, take a little joshing!” cried Manners. “The great Merriwell, who is champion at everything, ought to stand a little fun. What’s the matter?”
“I hear he’s a gone-by,” grinned Ridgely. “He’s been playing baseball with schoolboys of late and trying to keep up his reputation that way.”
It seemed that Spaulding would strike the insolent fellow, but Frank caught Maurice’s arm.
“Never mind him,” he said. “I’m always stirring up soreheads. I don’t know what he has against me, and I care less.”