"Free! Not at all. You know any of my friends are welcome here at any time. This is Liberty Hall."
"That sounds all right, Merriwell," said Ben, remaining standing; "but, if you mean it, why should you say I am too fresh and take too many liberties?"
"I say so? Why, I never said anything of the sort Has any fellow reported me as saying that?"
"I heard it."
Frank came to his feet instantly.
"Heard me say so?" he cried. "Is that what you mean, Hally?"
"No; I mean that I have heard you did say so."
Merriwell advanced and placed his hands on the shoulders of his visitor, looking straight into Ben's eyes.
"Halliday," he said, slowly, "have I ever been anything but a friend to you?"
Ben moved uneasily, and then answered: