tting Tom.

"Here! here!--break away!" cried Merriwell, sharply.

"Not much!" panted Tom, in excitement and anger. "Think I'm going to let
him go, so he can hit me again?"

"Catch hold, Flemming," ordered Frank--"catch hold of your friend, and
we'll part them."

He grasped Rattleton by the collar as he spoke, but Fred made no move to
pull Thornton away.

Seeing this, Merriwell obtained a firm hold on the collars of both Harry
and Tom, and, with a surprising display of strength, wrenched them
apart, yanked them to their feet, and held them at arm's length.

"Steady, now!" he cried, as they seemed to betray a desire to get at
each other. "Quit it!"

"He struck me!" cried Thornton.

"It was antirely excidental--no, entirely accidental," declared Harry,
flourishing his arms.

Tom dodged.

"Well, you act as if you are trying to bring about another accident," he
said. "I know you hit me intentionally, and I'll make you pay for it,
too!"

"Bah! you can't make me pay for anything!" flung back Harry, his anger
aroused by Thornton's words.

"Do you think you can run around punching fellows in this way without
getting it back? You'll find you are mistaken!"

"You were in my way when I came in."

"I didn't have time to get out of your way."

"Well, what's all this about anyway?" demanded Frank. "Are you fellows
trying to settle some sort of a score?"

"It looks to me," said Flemming, stiffly, "as if Mr. Rattleton took
advantage of our presence in this room to strike Thornton."

"Well, what are you chaps here for, anyway?" demanded Harry. "That is
what I would like to know. We don't run in your class, and so----"

"Hold up, old man," interrupted Merriwell, promptly. "Mr. Flemming and
Mr. Thornton called to see me about a personal matter."

"I thought so," declared Rattleton, "and I decided you would get the
worst end of it, as they were two to your one--and the door was locked.
If they are here to do you, count me into it. I'll take care of this
fellow Thornton while you polish off Flemming."

"We did not come here to fight," said Fred, haughtily.

"Didn't?" exclaimed Harry, in surprise. "Then what sort of a game are
you up to, for I know it is something crooked?"

Flemming tossed his head.

"Mr. Rattleton," he said, "your language is very offensive to me."

"Had to glear it--I mean glad to hear it," shot back Rattleton, rudely.
"I didn't want you to misunderstand me."

"Mr. Merriwell," said Fred, tu