nd stared at Bascomb, his face showing that he was
angrier than ever.

"Now your meaning is pretty plain," he said, slowly. "I will confess
that I dislike Merriwell--that I would give almost anything to get the
best of him; but I want you to understand, Hugh Bascomb, that I am no
sneak!"

Bascomb still kept his eyes on the floor.

"Oh, what's the use to get on your high horse, Rains!" he said, in his
sullen way. "If you dislike Merriwell, as you pretend, and if you hope
to down him at anything, you cannot be too much of a stickler for
little things. Once get him to going down hill, and we can keep him
going. I can help you start him."

Had Bascomb taken more than a fleeting glance at Rains' face, he must
have seen that the latter was regarding him with contempt.

"I suppose you have a scheme of your own?" Paul finally observed, in a
questioning way.

"Sure."

"What is it?"

"Well, to begin with, I have pretty good proof that Merriwell was the
originator and perpetrator of that crawfish joke on Mulloy and
Dunnerwust."

"What of that?"

"I think that Lieutenant Gordan would be able to fasten it on
Merriwell, if he knew what I know."

"That would mean certain expulsion for Merriwell."

"Of course. All three of the professors were so tangled up in that
affair that the fellow would surely be fired, if the blame could be
fastened upon him."

"What do you want of me?"

Bascomb cleared his throat, twisted on, the stool, and hesitated.
Finally, he said:

"You may be able to devise some other means to get the best of the
fellow; but, if you can't, and you are ready to take hold of this, you
may see him fired out of the academy, so he will no longer be in your
way."

"What do you want of me?" repeated Rains, coldly and quietly.

"Well, you see--you understand--you know I came near getting into
trouble once by trying to help Gage do Merriwell up. After that Gage
was caught cheating at cards, and had to run away. Everybody knows I
hate Merriwell, and they'd all think I blowed if anything came to
Lieutenant Gordan's ears. That's why I don't dare make a move. With
you it is different."

"What do you want of me?" demanded Rains, the third time.

"I will give you the proofs, and you can carry them to Lieutenant
Gordan, who will follow it up, and see that Merriwell is expelled. In
that way, I will not get entangled, and no one will suspect you."

With one wide stride, Rains reached Bascomb, caught h