duffer since I left college. He is icy toward me, and he says I can go
it for myself and be hanged."

"That's pleasant! What have you been doing to gather in the coin?"

"Why, confound it! haven't I formed a partnership with Harlow! I don't
know anything about card tricks, but he works all of that, and I win the
money. He gives me the hands to do it on, you see. If there is
suspicion aroused, the poor suckers take to watching me, and they are
unable to catch me at anything crooked. Our only trouble is to find the
right sort of fruit for plucking. We generally pretend we are strangers
to each other. Sometimes we have a little disagreement over the table,
just to fool the fools all the more."

"That's first-rate," laughed Harris. "I wish the gang here was not onto
Harlow. I could get you some ripe plums."

"And that's what made me so sore on Merriwell," growled Harlow. "But for
that fellow we'd be right in it now. Oh, I want to soak him some way,
and soak him hard!"

"And we'll find a way to soak him, too!" growled Hartwick. "Let's have
another round, fellows."

He pushed a button and a waiter appeared. Drinks were ordered. When they
were brought, Ditson came in with the waiter.

"Hello, Roll!" called Harris. "Glad you came along. Mr. Ditson, Mr.
Harlow. I think you have met the other gentleman."

Ditson started and turned pale when he saw Hartwick, who was glowering
at him.

"Oh, yes! Mr. Ditson has met me!" said Evan, significantly. "We do not
need an introduction!"

Ditson seemed on the point of getting out in a hurry, but Harris arose
and took him by the arm.

"It's all right," he assured. "Sit down, Roll."

"What sort of a game is this?" hesitatingly asked Ditson, keeping his
eyes on Hartwick. "Have you fellows got me in here to do me up?"

"Nothing of the sort."

"Not but I'd like to do you, and do you good," confessed Hartwick, "but
Harris won't have it."

"No," said Sport; "I hold that we are all united by our hatred for a
common foe, and we cannot afford to be anything but friends."

"All the same, it was a dirty deal you gave me, Ditson," growled Evan,
who seemed to be longing to pick a row with the newcomer.

"You forced me into it," declared Ditson, weakly.

"Forced you?"

"Yes."

"How was that?"

"You know well enough. You set on me like a mad tiger, and I'll bet you
would have choked me to death in your room if you hadn't been seized
with one of your attacks of heart trouble. I