"Yes, sah, I am satisfied," he said; "I am satisfied that Mr. Merriwell is a coward. He was looking for a loophole to crawl through, and you have provided him with that loophole. He should feel very grateful to you, sah!"
"Marline," said Frank, sharply, "you can make a mistake by heaping this on too thick! I can't stand everything, and you'd better drop it."
"Yes, drop it, Marline!" cried some of the others.
"Oh, I'll drop it for the present," said Rob, with deep significance—"for the present, you understand. But I am not done with Mr. Merriwell. My ankle will be all right in a short time, and then——"
He paused, giving Frank a stare of hatred. Then, without another word, he turned and swung himself away, aided by his crutches.
All felt sure that the affair was not ended.
CHAPTER XLIII.
AN UNPLEASANT SITUATION.
"Great Scott!" gurgled Old Put, staring after Marline. "But he is a regular fire eater!"