"What do you want of me?"

"It is my turn now. I want to have a word in private with you."

Bart did not fancy this much. He knew Snell for exactly what the
fellow was--a sneaking, revengeful rascal. The thought that he had
ever had dealings with such a scamp made Bart's cheeks burn and caused
him to regard himself with no little contempt.

He did not care to be seen talking privately with Snell, and he glanced
hastily around, to see if any one was watching them.

Snell noted the look, and an angry light came into his eyes, which were
somewhat too small and set so near together that they seemed crowding
his nose between them.

"Oh, you hesitate over it, do you!" he sneered. "That's like some
fellows to go back on their old friends! You won't make anything by it
in the end."

"If you have anything to say to me, say it," commanded Hodge, sharply.

"Come over here where the fellows can't see us from the windows,"
invited Snell, beckoning Bart to follow.

But Hodge did not stir.

"No, sir," he said, firmly. "If you have anything you want to say to
me, say it right here."

Snell did not like this. He came back slowly, casting a hasty,
doubtful look up to the dormitory windows. After some hesitation,
during which he kicked the gravel of the walk with his toe, he began:

"There was a time when you didn't like Merriwell any better than the
rest of us, and you have done things that would put you in a pretty bad
corner, if they were known."

Hodge's brows lowered in a scowl, and his nostrils dilated, like those
of a wild creature that scents danger. He said nothing, but his
steady, piercing gaze made Snell keep his eyes on the ground.

"Of course I am not the kind of a fellow to blow anything of the sort,"
Wat went on, hurriedly. "I simply mentioned it by chance. You seem
friendly with Merriwell now, and I thought you might have forgotten."

"I wonder what the rascal is coming at?" thought Bart; but not a word
did he speak aloud.

"For the sake of old times, I thought--perhaps--you might do something
for some of your old friends--I didn't know but you might. It can't
harm Merriwell any in particular--he'll never miss it. It will be a
lift for me, and I can make it an object for you."

Snell was floundering, and the look on his face seemed to indicate that
he was growing frightened and felt like taking to his heels.

Of a sudden, Hodge became curious to know what the fellow had to say,
and so he