“I can’t jest approve of the way two of you jumped onto Merriwell,” he observed; “things like that tend to accumulate a reppytation for cowardice, Bully. Reppytation is a thing to be considered. Basil, or the Duke, as you call him, is a fool with money, and I can’t blame ye much for wantin’ to git next. But be careful, Bully. A sportin’ proposition is one thing, but takin’ criminal chances is another. Allus keep on the right side o’ the law, Bully; in the long run it pays better.”
He tugged at his goatee again.
“But that cur’us trunk case is shore mixin’. Bully, I think more’n one feller done some tall lyin’!”
CHAPTER IX.
Some Investigations.
WHEN Chip Merriwell returned to Fardale, he found himself against the line-up of which Bully Carson had spoken to his father.
But he had received word of it before, Clancy had written to him about it. And it was the first subject that Clan took up, when he met Chip at the station on the latter’s return.
“I suppose Kess and I are to blame,” said Clan remorsefully, “just because we weren’t satisfied with getting you out of that trunk, but tried to unload on Kadir Dhin the crime of putting you there. But they oughtn’t to hold that against you. Colonel Gunn oughtn’t, anyway.”
“Sure nodt,” agreed Kess, who was with him. “Vodt dhey ar-re saying apoudt me ton’dt hurdt nopoty, but dhey ar-re making you oudt a willain yoost like us.”
Chip laughed; Kess amused him. And he was feeling physically fit again, which, of itself, makes for light-heartedness. He had been sent home “all in”; now he was back, at the end of the Christmas holidays, ready again to enter the old Fardale school and reassume the leadership of the loyal fellows who were always his friends.