the arm.

Then, seeing Professor Rhynas listening, with a dark look on his face,
Frank laughed, and retorted:

"I don't mind a little thing like that, Bascomb, as long as you didn't
strike me. I rather think I held my own with you, and so we will drop
it."

"Yes," said Bascomb, "we will drop it--for the present."

The way he spoke the words seemed to indicate that, though they might
let it drop for the present, the affair was not settled between them,
by any means.

Rhynas now demanded to know the cause of the excitement, and he was
told that Bascomb had knocked his glove off, and then, in his
excitement, had struck a blow.

The professor looked blacker than ever.

"Such a thing is not possible," he declared. "This is no resort for
fighters. If you fellows have any differences to settle, settle them
elsewhere. I propose to run this department so there can be no slurs
cast upon it, and I will not have fighting, quarreling or loud talking
here."

The professor was very strict, and they knew he meant every word he
spoke, so they did their best to pacify him with smooth words and
apologies.

The man, however, was too shrewd to be deceived, and he knew very well
that the two boxers had come very near fighting in the gymnasium while
he was present. However, he could do nothing but warn them, which he
did, and then went about his affairs.

The spectators of the little bout had been given something to talk
about, for, up to that moment, they had not dreamed there was any one
in the academy who could stand up before Bascomb's "wicked left" and
not be unmercifully hammered.

Merriwell had been touched very few times with Bascomb's left, for he
had constantly been on the guard for any blow that might come from that
point, and he had thumped the big plebe most aggravatingly all through
the affair.

But, what was most significant, after Bascomb had flung off one glove
and struck at Frank with his bare fist, the smaller and more supple lad
had sailed in and shown that he could put pounds into his blows, for he
had driven Bascomb back and knocked him down.

This feat had caused Paul Rains to gasp with astonishment, and, in his
heart, he was forced to acknowledge that he doubted if he were yet a
match for Merriwell.

Hodge alone, of them all, had believed all along that Frank was more
than a match for Bascomb.

Now the spectators began to realize that Merriwell was not given to
boasting or "showing off," for