m. He seldom
flunks, but he'll trip some time."

"Hanged if I can see why fellows should work so hard to fool tutors or
professors when they might learn all that was required of them without
half the trouble," cried Harry.

"That is easy enough to explain," smiled Merriwell. "Harris is a natural
gambler. He delights in excitement and danger, and he actually enjoys
taking such desperate ventures."

"Well, there is something in that," laughed Rattleton. "I never regarded
it that way before. I'll be fanged if there isn't hascination in it--no,
I'll be hanged if there isn't fascination in it!"

"It's too bad this matter was mentioned, fellows," said Merriwell, with
pretended seriousness. "I regret it very much."

"Why?" asked Robinson, curiously.

"Notice how excited Rattleton has become over it? He's not quite such a
sport as Harris, but he had rather take chances on anything than eat,
and it's ten to one he'll be skinning within a week."

"Sometimes a fellow has to skin," declared Griswold.

"Did you ever, Danny?" asked Diamond.

"Did I? Well! I have a patent scheme of my own."

"What is it?" asked Rattleton, eagerly.

"Why, I have a box of chalk crayons which I bought for myself. I have
soaked them in alum water till they are hard, and I usually have several
of them about my person. They are covered with diagrams and everything
that may prove interesting or necessary. But I want to tell you
something. I never use 'em unless I am driven to the wall."

"By that he means the blackboard," laughed Halliday.

"And you were talking about Harris and Ditson being skinners!" came
reproachfully from Jones. "My dear young man, there is a place that
burneth with fire and brimstone!"

"That is reserved for liars," chuckled Danny. "Jones, beware, any moment
may be your next."

"That's right," agreed Jones, sadly. "I am sure I shall not live to see
another day--if I die to-night."

"Gentleman," said Merriwell, "death is a grave subject to jest upon.
You'd better bury it."

"That's all right," put in Robinson. "If he catches cold any of us may
go to coffin."

"I'll not undertaker pun," murmured Rattleton.

Then there was a deathlike silence, and the lads all looked at one
another reproachfully.

"Let's change the subject," cried Diamond. "Speaking of Ditson, I
believe he claims to have blue blood in his veins. Says his ancestors
came over on the _Mayflower_, and were among the first to settle in this
country."