He held out his hand to Skelding. Gene looked at it a moment, and then he shook his head.
“No, Merriwell,” he said, making no show of feeling, although he experienced some, “I’ll not shake hands with you.”
Frank looked disappointed. He had not expected this, and a slight flush came to his handsome face. Skelding saw he had touched Merriwell’s pride, and he hastened to add:
“It’s because I am not worthy to shake your hand, Merriwell, that I decline; not because there is any of the old hatred in my heart. I think that is gone. I’ve been a pretty mean fellow, and I know it. For a long time I kept my eyes closed to the fact, but they have been opened at last.”
Frank wondered if the man was sincere. If so, there was even more to Skelding than he had fancied.
“But you saved my life,” said Merriwell.
“How do you know it was for that I did it?”
“Why——”
“Perhaps it was to save my friend from being hanged. Now you can see it in a different light, Merriwell. Never mind whether it was for your sake or for Defarge’s that I changed those cartridges. I did save your life, and I am going to ask a favor of you.”
“What is it?”