it!" exclaimed Snell, as if he really
wished Hans to keep silent. "Merriwell knows his business. His
friends will stand up for him, no matter what others may say."

"Vell, I vos going to toldt him dot shust der same. Uf he don'd peen
aroundt here der next dime, I don'd know der kindt uv a feller vot he
vos peen yet avile."

"Well, don't mention that I said anything. He might fancy I thought
him afraid to come round."

"I don'd call your name at all, don'd you let me vorry apout dot."

Snell knew the Dutch boy would lose little time in communicating with
Frank, and he was right. Hans did not see that Frank was little like
his usual jovial self, and he did not know in what a turbulent state of
mind the unfortunate plebe was left.

Bart was not a little worried over Frank, for he saw how the lad had
changed in a short time, but he hoped that Merriwell would come round
in time, and be his old jolly self.

That evening, a short while before taps, Frank asked:

"I suppose it is another card party to-night?"

"Yes," replied Bart, "a few of us are going to get together."

"Will Snell be there?"

"I presume so."

No more was said. Bart rose and slipped out of the room at the usual
time, thinking Frank was asleep.

But Frank was not asleep, and Hodge was scarcely gone when he, too,
arose and began to arrange a dummy in his bed.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE HAUNTED ROOM.

The little party of card players was expectantly awaiting the
appearance of Bartley Hodge.

There was to be no feast this night--nothing but cigarettes and draw
poker.

Hodge appeared at last, and he brought a disappointment to at least two
of the party, for Frank Merriwell was not with him.

Leslie Gage and Wat Snell exchanged glances that were full of meaning.

Sam Winslow was on guard outside, it being his turn to fill that
unenviable position.

"Hello, Hodge," saluted Harvey Dare. "Now we are ready to proceed to
business."

"Dot vas righdt," nodded Hans Dunnerwust, who was on hand. "I vos
goin' to smoke cigarreds to-nighd dill I vos sick, und haf a pully
dime."

"Why doesn't Merriwell ever show up again?" asked Leslie Gage.

"That's it," joined in Wat Snell, "why doesn't he come round and give a
fellow a show to win back some of that money he won off us? Is he
afraid?"

"You know well enough that Frank Merriwell is not afraid," said Bart,
quickly.

"Well, it looks that way," declared Leslie.

"Yes, it looks that way