and I will settle it some way.
I failed in one or two attempts to do him up, for----"

"You were altogether too bold, partner mine; and it's a wonder you were
not expelled from the academy. You would have been if Merriwell had
blowed on you."

"That's right, and he would have done so if he had known what was good
for him. He is soft!"

"In some things he may be soft, but you must acknowledge he is hard
enough in others. He has a way of coming on top in almost everything."

Gage could not deny this, and it made him angry to think of it.

"You are right," he said, fiercely. "I suppose I was foolish to fight
him in the way I did. That big bully Bascomb got a hold on me, and he
has been blackmailing me ever since. Hang that fellow! I'll choke the
wind out of him yet!"

A crafty look came to Snell's face, and he said:

"There are ways to down a fellow without showing your hand."

"I suppose so; but it usually takes too long to suit me. I like to
jump on an enemy at once, and do him up."

"Well, I hope you are satisfied that Merriwell is the kind of a fellow
who will not be jumped on that way?"

"It seems so."

"Then it is possible you are ready to try some other method?"

Their eyes met, and Wat grinned significantly.

"How do you mean?" asked Leslie, eagerly. "You have some kind of a
scheme?"

"That fellow won some money off me, and I refused to take it back. He
must show up again, and give me a chance to square the score. He is
bound in honor not to refuse to do so."

"That's right," nodded Gage.

"Well, you are rather handy with the cards, and I reckon you will not
find it hard to fleece him."

"Oh, I can beat him out of his money, but that is poor satisfaction
when you want to disgrace a fellow and drive him out of the school."

"We'll find a way for that, if we can get him to following the game."

"I don't know as I see how."

"His parents are dead."

"Well?"

"He is supported by a rich uncle, who sent him here to this school."

"What of that?"

"His uncle gives him a regular allowance. If Merriwell exceeds that
allowance, there will be inquiries as to what he has done with his
money."

"I begin to see."

"This uncle is a stern, crusty old fellow, and he would be furious if
he should accidentally find out that his nephew is gambling. The
chances are about ten to one that he would take him out of Fardale and
turn him adrift to hustle for himself."

Gage's eyes began to gl