“Oh, my dear Mr. Merriwell!” protested Fowler. “I know I was rather hasty in some of my remarks, but I assure you that you misunderstood me. It was natural that all of us should be a trifle hot under the collar at being used as we were. I assure you I did not mean anything by what I said. If I spoke too hastily, I beg a thousand pardons. Again let me congratulate you.”
Again he held out his hand.
“You are at liberty to congratulate me,” said Merry, but still disdaining the proffered hand. “I shall pay you the same as the others. Don’t be afraid of that. But I shall give you your notice, for I shall not need you any more. With several of the others I shall make contracts to go out with this piece again, as soon as I can make some alterations, get new paper, and start the company.”
Fowler turned green.
“Oh, of course you can do as you like, sir,” he said. “I don’t think I care to go out with this piece again. It is probable I should so inform you, even if you wanted me.”
Harper backed away. He did not wish to receive such a calling down as had fallen to the lot of Fowler.
Cassie Lee held out her hand, her thin face showing actual pleasure.
“You don’t know how glad I am, Frank!” she said, in a low tone. “Never anybody deserved it more than you.”
“That’s right,” agreed Havener.
Douglas Dunton had not been saying much, but now he stood forth, struck a pose, and observed: