d, Mr.
Scott agreed to let up on them if they would come to me, offer
apologies, and give me their pledge to let me alone in the future."

"And that is how they happened to be here to-day?"

"Yes."

"Why was the door locked?"

"I locked it to prevent any of the fellows from dropping in on us while
we were talking the matter over."

"Well, Jones told me he had seen those chaps come in here, and I decided
they were looking for bother, so I made a hustle to get here. When I
found the door locked, I was sure they had you in a corner, and so I
threatened to break it down if it was not opened without delay."

"And, when it was opened, you came in like a raging lion."

"Well, I was ready for any scrim of a shortage--I mean any sort of a
scrimmage."

"You showed your readiness," laughed Frank. "I have the word of those
fellows that they will let me quite alone if I drop the past."

"I wouldn't believe either of them under oath!"

"You are a doubter anyway. We'll wait and see what will occur."

CHAPTER XXIX.

TALK OF A TOUR.

There was a rap on the door, which immediately popped open, and in
bobbed a head, thatched with carroty hair, upon which was perched a
crumpled cap. A freckled, jolly face was wrinkled into a cheerful grin,
and a voice that was made up of bubbles and hollows cried:

"Hello, chaps! I just looked in to see if you were doing well, as the
cook said to the lobster, when she lifted the sauce-pan lid."

"Come in, Stubbs," invited Frank, promptly--"come in and make yourself
as big a nuisance as possible."

"No need to tell me to do that," piped the lad at the door, as he
bounced into the room. "I always make myself a nuisance wherever I am.
It is my policy."

He was a little short-legged fellow, with a roly-poly body and twinkling
eyes. Good nature bubbled out all over him. At a glance you could see he
was the sort of chap who would try to be merry under almost any
circumstances.

This was Bink Stubbs, a lad with whom Frank and Harry had recently
become acquainted. Frank had picked him up because of his merry ways and
quaint sayings of the wise and humorous order.

"Have you fellers got any smokers?" asked Bink, as he deposited himself
on a chair.

"No, we haven't got any smokers," answered Harry. "And the last time you
were here, Bruce Browning said you swiped a whole package of cigarettes
from him."

Stubbs tried to look horrified, and then cried:

"Well, I'll be hanged! as t