ank could be persuaded to accept his
winnings, and, when he did finally take it, he was resolved to return
it quietly and secretly to Snell, at such a time that no one else could
know anything of it.

This matter was scarcely settled when there came a peculiar rap on the
door.

"Who's that?" asked Frank, in some alarm.

"It's our sentinel," assured Harris. "His time on post is up."

The door opened, and Leslie Gage entered the room. Gage had been
Merriwell's bitter enemy at one time during the summer encampment,
having made two dastardly attacks on Frank, who had been generous
enough to rescue him from death after that, and had saved him from
expulsion by refusing to give any testimony against him.

For all of this generosity on Merriwell's part, Gage still bore deep
down in his heart a hatred for the plebe who had become so popular at
the academy. This he tried to keep concealed, pretending that he had
changed into a friend and admirer.

"Hello, Merriwell," he saluted. "Been having a little whirl with the
boys?"

"I should say he has!" replied Snell. "He has whirled me wrong end up,
and I feel as if I am still twisted."

Then the whole play was explained to Gage, who chuckled over it, and
complimented Frank on his nerve.

For all of this apparent restoration of good feeling, Frank was
discerning enough to detect the insincerity of both Snell and Gage.

Gage had done his duty as guard, and there was no one on the watch now.
None of the boys felt like taking the place, so it was decided to call
the "session" over for that night.

"You must come again, Merriwell," said Dare. "You have given us the
sensation of the evening, and you must let Snell have a chance to get
square."

"Yes," said Snell, "all I ask is a fair chance to get square. If I
fail, I won't say a word, and I'll acknowledge you are the best fellow.
Let's shake hands, Merriwell, and call it quits for the time being."

"That's the stuff!" came from Sam Winslow. "Now everything is quiet on
the Potomac again."

Frank shook hands with Snell, and a few moments later the boys began to
slip from the room and skurry along the corridors to their rooms, which
all reached without being challenged by the sentries.

Bart was filled with satisfaction and delight, and before getting into
bed he whispered to Frank, not daring to speak aloud in that room:

"That was the prettiest trick I ever saw! And I was delighted to see
you rub that fellow.