"When you've got the proof, I'll look at it," he doubtingly remarked, turning about.
"Oh, don't talk to him!" Hodge growled. "I wouldn't waste words on him."
"I'll hammer your face for this some day!" Badger panted, turning back.
"It's right here, ready for the hammering whenever you get ready to try it!" Hodge snapped, and then moved away with Merriwell. Seeing that they were heading toward the campus, the Westerner went now in a different direction.
"I don't know why I should let Merriwell come in and interfere in that way," he grumbled. "I allow that it really was none of his affair. But I permitted him to order me to stand back, and I stood back. Of course, I'm under obligations to him, and all that, and he said good words to Winnie for me when I seemed to need them—but, hang it all! he isn't my boss! Who made him my master? It's all right for him to lead Hodge around by the nose that way, but——"
"Hello!" came in an inquiring voice, and Badger, looking up, saw Morton Agnew. The Westerner's face took on an unpleasant look, and he did not answer the hail.
"Don't be surly!" said Agnew, coming boldly on.
"What do you want?" snapped the Kansan.
Then the thought came to him that it would be a good idea to treat Agnew with some consideration, for thereby it might be possible to get the inside facts about the shell that ripped the gun open and came so near mangling his arm.
"What do you want?" he asked again, toning down his gruffness.