on raising his own, in
spectacular anger, so that a real noisy rumpus would develop in
Anthony's flat and send David's stock a little farther down.

Instead, he had only roused Anthony; and Anthony certainly was a curious
cuss, when one came to think of it! He was standing over there now,
almost dead white, not trembling but looking as if he would like to
tremble with rage.

And for what?

Because, ostensibly, his oldest friend had tried to advise the boy he
had snatched from a prize-fight. Johnson Boller shook his head. That
opportunity business had been queer, but still it had been quite like
Anthony in his eccentric moments--but this continuation of the queerness
was bad! Before sixty, Anthony Fry would have settled down in some nice,
comfortable sanitarium.

These things, however, were not the moment's chief concern. It behooved
Johnson Boller to try the second section of his hasty little plan, if
David were to be ousted from the flat. Hence, he allowed his benevolent,
genial grin to return; he flashed it upon Anthony and then upon the boy.

"As you please," said he, "although I don't know how much good he'll get
out of the kind of advice you're able to give him. However--that's your
lookout. Going to turn him into a man, eh?"

"Yes," Anthony said thickly.

Johnson Boller yawned, by way of demonstrating unconcern.

"Well, kid, it's pretty soft for you, but since Mr. Fry's determined on
the job I'll be around for the first month to offer whatever assistance
may be within my power," said he. "Good meals--early hours--regular
habits--all that sort of thing. And then, of course, a proper amount of
athletic work to keep you fit."

"Yes," David agreed.

"Don't be so hellish surly about it," smiled Mr. Boller. "How are you,
David--pretty athletic?"

"Athletic enough," David submitted.

"That means, I suppose, that you never raise a hand unless somebody pays
you to do it. That'll never do, boy. Regular, scientific training means
everything to a man who wants to keep his health. Look at me! Ten years
ago I weighed fifty pounds more than I do now--sick half the time and
disgusted with life the other half. I got over it and to-day I feel like
a two-year-old. What did it?"

David was looking at Anthony.

"Exercise did it!" stated Johnson Boller. "Stand up here?"

"What for?" David asked quickly.

"I'm going to teach the first principles of bounding health to you."

"If David needs any training, it can be a