s won
his popularity by luck had better keep still in the future."

"That's so!" shouted the crowd, and several who did so had been saying
the most disagreeable things about Frank a short time before.

There is nothing in the world so ephemeral as popularity. The
individual who is to-day a hero may be an outcast to-morrow. There is
nothing harder to hold than the esteem of a set of school-boys. He who
is regarded as an idol in the fall may be supplanted by a rival in the
spring, and may find himself unnoticed and neglected. Having once
become a leader in a school, the fellow who has obtained the position
must prove his superiority to all comers in order to hold it. Even
then his success will produce jealous enemies, who will seek his
overthrow by some means, no matter how unfair.

Frank had not sought popularity; it had come unbidden. Having found
himself a leader, however, he had pride enough to hold the position
just as long as he was capable of doing so fairly and honestly. But he
had already discovered that he would be assailed openly and secretly,
and his foes would try to drag him down by any means, fair or foul.

Had Rains been a little more cordial, had he shaken hands with Frank as
if he really held no grudge, Merriwell would have been more than glad
to hail him as a good fellow and a friend. But the touch of his
fingers was enough to reveal the bitterness in his heart. Having
disliked and envied Merriwell before, Rains would now dislike and envy
him still more.

As soon as he could do so without attracting too much attention, Rains
left the excited throng of boys, and hurried away to one of the
dressing-rooms.

Hugh Bascomb quickly followed, being the only one among Rains' late
friends to note his departure.

Bascomb found Rains rubbing down. Paul did not say a word as the big
plebe entered.

"Well," said Bascomb, as he sat down on a stool, "what do you think of
Merriwell?"

"I think he is a mighty hard fellow to beat at anything," growled Paul.

"But he can be beaten--eh?"

"How?"

"There are ways."

"What do you mean? Speak plainly."

"You ought to know what I mean," said Bascomb, doggedly, keeping his
eyes on the floor. "It isn't always the best trotter that wins a race."

"It will not be easy to beat Merriwell fairly."

"That's right; but you are a fellow of nerve and brains, and you ought
to be able to devise some scheme to get the best of him unfairly."

Rains stopped a