something about the country boy that Merriwell liked. Frank
quickly decided that Joe was a big-hearted, honest fellow, such a
blunder-heels that he was certain to provoke ridicule, and yet
thoroughly worthy and deserving.

In laughing, Gamp opened his mouth to the widest extent. He suddenly
closed it, and clapped his hand to his jaw.

"Jee-ru-sa-lem!" he gasped; "there gug-gug-gug-goes that old aching
tut-tut-tooth of mine! I was careless to let the night air gug-gug-get
into it."

"Why don't you have it pulled out?" asked Diamond.

"I'm going to have it pup-pup-pup-pulled and all the rest of my
'tut-'tut-'tarnel teeth just as soon as I can afford the money to
bub-buy a new set," declared Gamp, honestly.

"Why spend your money in such a foolish way?" said Griswold, with
apparent seriousness. "Save the dentist's bill. I know a dog that will
insert a full set of teeth free of charge."

Open flew Gamp's mouth again, and his braying laugh caused a passing
pedestrian to dodge so suddenly that he jumped from under his own hat.

"Say!" exclaimed Charlie Creighton, getting hold of Griswold; "save
those till we get to the theatre. Then you can set him going, and we'll
have sport."

"Can't save them," declared Danny. "They have to come when the
opportunity offers."

And so they went on their way to the theatre, laughing and joking,
singing snatches of college songs, and having a jolly time generally.

Creighton had made no mistake in saying a large number of college lads
would be present. It seemed that there were at least two hundred in the
theatre, and it was apparent that they were there for "a racket."

The moment Creighton's party entered the box a tall young man in the
first row of orchestra seats arose and faced the house, soberly saying:

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a most auspicious, not to say suspicious,
occasion. It is probable that many of you were not aware that we were to
be honored to-night by having the privilege of witnessing the
performance in company with royal personages, but such is the fact. The
party that has just entered the box on the right is the Prince of
Chow-chow, who is accompanied by the Duke of Dublinstout, the Earl of
Easytogetajag, the Emperor of Buginhishead, the High Mogul of Whooperup,
the Chief Pusher of Whangdoodleland and the Great Muckamuck of
Hogansalley. Gentlemen, it is your privilege to salute them."

Then every college boy in the house arose and bowed with great gra