"They may have settled," said Griswold, "but none of his family has ever
settled since that time. They owe everybody that will trust them."

"Ditson has stuck his friends right and left since coming to Yale, till
he has not a friend left," said Robinson.

"Why, he owed Hartwick several hundred dollars when Hartwick left,"
declared Diamond.

"Just the same, Hartwick is back in New Haven and in is chummy with
Ditson again," asserted Jones.

Merriwell displayed some interest.

"How do you know he is chummy with Ditson?" he asked.

"I have seen them together!"

"That means something!" cried Rattleton, excitedly. "Those pads are
cotting--I mean those cads are plotting! You want to look out for
trouble, Merry!"

"I will!" exclaimed Frank. "Ditson is treading on dangerous ground. If
he makes a break, I'll descend on him. I have been easy with a chap of
his treacherous nature quite long enough."

"Too long!" burst fiercely from Diamond. "If I had been in your place
I'd ended Mr. Ditson's career long ago."

"I don't know what the fellows can do to injure me," said Frank.

"They'll find some way to give it to you if you don't watch out," said
Rattleton. "Perhaps one of them hired that fellow to lame your horse."

"Perhaps so."

"You think a great deal of that horse," said Jack. "You want to be
constantly on your guard or something will happen to it."

"Toots is on the watch, and any one will have hard work getting the best
of that darky. He is about as sharp as they make 'em."

"He is a very clever coon," admitted Harry; "and he seems to know his
business, still you can't tell what may happen."

"I wouldn't have anything happen to Nemo for worlds. I don't quite
understand why I think so much of that horse, but he is a wonderfully
intelligent creature."

"Don't tell that you care so much for him. If your enemies were to find
it out they would scheme to fix Nemo."

"I'd have no mercy on the person that injured that horse."

"What's the matter with your dog, Jack?" asked Robinson. "He is acting
in a very queer manner."

Prince was sniffing at the door, whining and growling, while the hair on
his neck bristled in a significant manner.

Diamond got up and quickly approached the door. In a moment he flung it
open, and out shot Prince.

There was a sound of swiftly retreating feet, a clatter on the stairs, a
scramble, a shout of pain or fear, and a sudden blow.

"Quick, fellows!" cried Jack, excitedly. "P