Ten minutes later, Merriwell, Diamond and Kirby were let out of Jackson's by the back door.
When they were at some distance from the saloon, Frank turned to the bruiser and said:
"Diamond tells me that you got into this trouble by attempting to defend me, Kirby. I am sure I appreciate it, but I had rather you would drop calling me your friend. You can do me more harm that way than any other."
"All right," nodded Plug, gloomily. "Dat goes. I know I ain't in your class, an' I don't want ter do yer no hurt. All der same, if I git a chance ter fight fer yer any time, I'll do dat."
Frank appreciated the kindness of the big bruiser,
whose admiration he had won by giving him a severe thrashing.
"All right, Kirby," he laughed. "I certainly can't object if you want to fight for me. There have been times when I could have found you quite useful in pitting you against ruffians who had tried to injure me. Are you down on your luck nowadays?"
"Well, rudder!"
"Well, here's a V. Go play you are a millionaire."
Kirby eagerly grasped the five-dollar bill which Frank passed him, earnestly exclaiming: