done for."

Reynolds' words gave Bascomb new courage.

"I don't know but you are right," he said. "The darkness would be to
my advantage, and I ought to be able to get in a knockout blow sooner
or later. By Jupiter! I believe I can polish him off!"

"Of course you can!" exclaimed his delighted companion. "Merriwell has
put on a big front, and succeeded in making everybody believe he is a
terror, but the time has come to cook his goose. Give him a good
licking, and he will not be so high and mighty. His popularity will
mighty soon begin to wane."

"You do not seem to love him."

"Not much! The cad has called me down on parade several times."

"Me, too."

"I'd like to get a grip on him that would disgrace him and cause his
dismissal."

"You are not the first fellow who has thought that way, but, somehow,
the cad has the luck to get out of every trap set for him, and he turns
the tables on anybody who tries to trap him."

"He can't be that lucky always."

"I should hope not."

"Shall I act for you?"

Bascomb hesitated. Something told him that Frank could fight quite as
well with his bare fists as he could box with gloves. But how could he
retreat? If he did not meet Merriwell he would be regarded with scorn
by every one, and, like Wat Snell, who had refused to meet Bart Hodge,
be ostracised in the school.

"Davis ought to fight me first," he muttered.

"Oh, hang that plebe!" cried Reynolds, contemptuously. "He doesn't
count with Merriwell. You can attend to him when you have disposed of
Merriwell. If you go into this business determined to finish the
fellow, you'll be sure to do it. Knock him out some way, fair or foul."

"I suppose a fellow might get at him foul in the dark, and not be
detected."

"Sure. Only he wants to be slick about it. Say, I can tell you a
trick."

"'Sh! Don't speak too loud; Dunnerwust and Mulloy are a little
distance behind, and they're both particular friends to Merriwell."

So Reynolds lowered his voice, and talked rapidly to Bascomb in a low
tone. The bully listened eagerly, finally slapping his thigh and
crying:

"That's the scheme! That will do it!"

"Shall I see him, and make arrangements for tonight?"

"Yes; but wait till the last minute--take him after supper."

"All right. It's settled then?"

"All settled; and Merriwell will have a dandy pair of eyes on him
to-morrow!"

Dunnerwust and Mulloy had been watching Bascomb and Reynolds.

"V