Dunton leaned against the little shelf.
"I'm blessed if I ever knew anything about this before, but I have known there was something the matter with Cassie. I wonder if Havener knows any——"
Sargent jumped up and paced the floor.
"Curse Havener!" he hissed. "Don't talk to me about him! If it hadn't been for him——"
"What?"
"Well, I wouldn't be in here now. Just told Merriwell I was done unless he forked some stuff. Havener came along and bullied me. But Havener doesn't know what I know. He doesn't know how thick Merriwell and Cassie are, though he must be blind not to see there is something between them. I'd open his eyes—I'd tell him, if I dared."
"I wouldn't do it, Sargent, if I were you."
"Oh, I won't—I know better! Havener's got an awful temper. He might kill me. Let him go on being a fool. He'll find it all out sometime. When he does—well, I pity Merriwell."
"You will do well to keep yourself out of the muss. Merriwell isn't so soft. I believe he is dangerous, and I know he can fight. He's not afraid of anything. Go ahead and make up, Sargent. You'll have to go on to-night."
Muttering fiercely, Sargent began to change his clothes and get ready to play his part. He took off his coat and hung it up.