there till his enemy has
recovered, but he should follow it up. That is my belief."

"And you are right. Old man, you have a level head. I never saw another
fellow like you, Merriwell, and I doubt if there is another in the
world."

Frank laughed.

"You flatter me, Diamond."

"Not at all."

"Ah, but you do. I know my own failings."

"I wonder what they are?"

"Do not think for a moment that I have no failings! I have studied my
own nature, and I have discovered them. As far as possible, I seek to
remedy them. To myself I am a very ordinary sort of fellow. I know it,
Jack. The man who can see no flaws in himself is an egotist, a cad, and
a shallow fool! As soon as he is perfectly satisfied with himself, he
ceases to progress--he deteriorates."

"That is true."

"Among my friends I see many things worthy of emulation. You, my dear
Diamond, are not aware of your own fine qualities, and----"

"That will do, Merry!" cried Jack, blushing. "I am sure that I try to
be a gentleman. My father was a true Southern gentleman."

"There can be no doubt of that. You show your breeding in every way. A
natural gentleman will be a gentleman under any circumstances. He
carries the air about him, and nothing can disguise it."

Jack sat down.

"You have squared your score with Flemming," he said; "but I have a
little matter to settle with Thornton. I am wondering how I shall settle
it."

"Thornton is Flemming's satellite. It would be cruel to use him
roughly."

"But I will not let him off! He should be taught a lesson."

"Look here, Jack, I have a scheme."

"What is it?"

"Let's put up a racket on him."

"What sort of a racket?"

"Oh, one out of which we can get some sport and humiliate him at the
same time. I am sure you do not want to fight with the fellow?"

"I have been thinking that I would be ashamed to have an encounter with
him."

"Exactly so. Now, I know you are not much of a fellow for pranks, but I
hope you will agree to this little scheme of mine."

"State it," said Jack, rather doubtfully.

"Well, you know Thornton considers himself something of a masher. He
gets stuck on every pretty girl who smiles on him."

"Yes."

"Danny Griswold is a daisy as an impersonator of girls. You know he is
to play a girl's part in one of the entertainments to be given in the
fall. He has done the trick before, and he sent home for his outfit a
week ago. Yesterday, while Rattleton and I were cramming for recitat