"It'll do if it will burn," responded Diamond, biting off the end and turning to the alcohol lamp for a light.
"How's Merriwell getting on?" asked Baker, as he handed out a bill for Miller to change.
Diamond's back was toward the cigar dealer, but he was facing a mirror, and in it could keep careful watch of Miller's face. Meantime, Baker was studying Miller also.
The cigar dealer's face was very grave, and if any one not interested in the matter that was weighing upon the students' minds had been present, he would probably have noticed nothing.
Both students, however, were convinced that Miller was greatly interested in the question and anxious for the answer.
Diamond drew a long breath.
"He's in a mighty bad way," he said.
"Why!" exclaimed Baker in surprise, "I thought the doctor reported that he was doing very well?"
"You forget," said Diamond, "that the doctor always said that he was doing very well under the circumstances."
"Oh! and I suppose that under the circumstances meant that the situation was very serious, eh?"