While Merriwell was surrounded by friends in the smoker, and the boys were having a decidedly jolly time, Duncan Yates was getting into a decidedly ugly mood in the adjoining car.
When Yates thought of his failure to beat his rival in the dash to the station he ground his teeth and muttered bitter curses.
And he was egged on by Fred Flemming and Andy Emery. Tom Thornton had joined the group, but he
said very little; and, when he found an opportunity, he whispered in Flemming's ear:
"Better go slow. Remember the promise we gave Merriwell. If he finds out we are working against him, it will go hard with us."
"He won't find it out. I hate him too much to keep still if I can arouse another fellow against him. Give me your flask. Yates has killed all I have in mine."
Thornton took a whiskey flask from his pocket, and slipped it into Flemming's hand. Then he left, for he did not wish Merriwell's friends to see him in such company.
Flemming and Emery made a pretense of drinking with Yates, but they did not take much. Yates, however, continued to "hit the bottle hard." His face became flushed, and his eyes glowed as Flemming continued to tell him of Merriwell's "underhand work."
"That fellow did me dirt," declared Flemming. "In this same sneaking way, he had me dropped from the crew this spring, and got on in my place."
"That's right," agreed Emery. "He has a way of influencing such men as he can get at, and he is using his influence to get the committee to throw you over."