ot you pelief dose shneaks vos down to, ain'd id?" asked the Dutch
boy.

"Well, Handy, me b'y," replied Barney, "it's me proivate opinion, which
Oi don't moind publicly ixprissing, thot they're plannin' mischief."

"Yaw, I pets me your boots you vos righd. Dey don'd haf their headts
togeder near vor nottings, py shimminy!"

"Oi'd loike to take th' spalpanes by th' ears an' rap their hids
togither wance," declared the Irish lad. "Oi'd make thim see stars."

At this moment Bascomb clapped his thigh and cried:

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

"Uf dot don'd mean somedings, Parney, you vos a liar!" exclaimed Hans.

"Av course it do."

"I pelief me dot means drouble vor Frankie."

"Oi wouldn't wonder, Handy."

"You und me hat pesser dell him to keep his vedder eye vide open tight,
ain'd id?"

"Thot's pwhat we will, me b'y. An' Oi propose to watch thim spalpanes
a bit mesilf. Oi moight catch 'em at something crooked, Oi belave."

So it came about that Frank was warned that Bascomb and Reynolds had
apparently been plotting.

Frank acted as first sergeant, and that very afternoon both Bascomb and
Reynolds appeared in ranks with their belts disarranged. This was an
open defiance, and, of course, was something Merriwell could not
overlook.

"Fall out, Bascomb, and arrange your belt," he commanded, sharply.
"You, too, Reynolds. You know very well that you have no right in
ranks in that shape. Fall out!"

Bascomb and Reynolds obeyed in a sullen way, the big fellow beginning
to mutter.

Merriwell had started back to his post, but he whirled sharply, saying:

"Silence, sir! This is the third time I have been compelled to warn
you against muttering in ranks. You will be severely dealt with in
case you repeat the offense."

Once more he turned, but he had not taken five steps before he heard
some one say:

"Who's playing the bully now!"

Frank turned again, but Bascomb did not appear to have spoken, and
Reynolds looked innocent. Having fixed their belts, they were again in
ranks, standing at ease.

Not a word did Frank say, but his face expressed a great deal. No
further murmurs were heard, and the drill was soon in progress; but
Frank knew his enemies had tried to place him in a false light before
the corps.

CHAPTER XLII.

THE CHALLENGE.

That night, immediately after supper, Rupert Reynolds appeared at the
door of Frank's tent.

"Mr. Merriwell," said Reynolds, stiffly, "I am