Then it came out that Bruce was in training, and it was said that he was putting himself in condition to give Merriwell the worst licking of his life.
Frank heard about it, but he did not seem disturbed in the least.
Whenever any one spoke to him about it he merely smiled.
Among the freshmen there were some who believed Merriwell able to hold his own against Browning. They were Harry Rattleton, Jack Diamond and one or two more.
Diamond and Merriwell were not friendly, but they had ceased to be open enemies. For the time being the hatchet was buried, and there was peace between them.
But the two did not become friends. Merriwell continued to a.s.sert that Diamond had sand, and Diamond was ready to back his judgment in saying that Merriwell was a match for any man in Yale.
Morey"s was a soph.o.m.ore resort. Juniors and seniors patronized the place, but a freshman was not allowed there unless invited to accompany some of the regular frequenters of the place.
Ditson was ambitious. He was not satisfied to a.s.sociate with those of his own cla.s.s, but he wanted it thought he was such a fine fellow that the soph.o.m.ores picked him up for his company.
Thus it happened that he had succeeded in getting into Morey"s several times, but he was killing his own chances of ever having any popularity, although he did not know it.
Browning was angry when he saw the fellow come in. He called one of the sophs over and said:
"Say, what are you bringing it in here again for, my boy? It"s been here too many times already."
"Who--Ditson?"
"Sure."
"We"re working him."
"Working him? He"s working you--for the drinks."
"That"s all right. He"s telling us what he knows about Merriwell. If there is anything in that fellow"s history that we can use as a sore spot, we may be able to suppress him."
"All right," scowled Browning. "Go ahead and pump the crooked sneak, but don"t swallow his lies. I don"t believe he knows anything at all about Merriwell."
A few minutes later the soph returned and said:
"I don"t think he knows much about him, myself, but he says he"s down at Billy"s now--or was an hour ago. We might get a chance to Lambda Chi him a little."
Browning seemed to arouse himself.
"That"s right," he agreed. "We"ll go down to Billy"s."
The party filed out of Morey"s and Browning took the lead. Ditson went along with them as if he was a soph.o.m.ore. He seemed to feel himself highly honored, but Browning had hard work to choke back his absolute contempt for the fellow.
As they went along, it was arranged that Ditson should go into Billy"s and see if Merriwell was there. One of the soph.o.m.ores should accompany him. If Merriwell was there and he should come out alone or in company with one or two others, he was to be captured. Browning had a plan that should be carried out if the capture was made.
Ditson seemed to think he was doing something very smart and cunning in betraying a fellow freshman into the hands of the soph.o.m.ores. He fancied he was making himself solid with Browning"s crowd.
Billy"s was reached, and one of the sophs went in with Ditson, while the others kept out of sight nearby.
After a little the soph came out and reported that Merriwell and Rattleton were in there. He had treated the house, but Merriwell had absolutely declined to take anything.
"Oh, yes," nodded Browning. "They say he never drinks. That"s how he keeps himself in such fine condition all the time. He will not smoke, either, and he takes his exercise regularly. He is really a remarkable freshie."
Arrangements were then made that a cab should be brought to the corner near Billy"s, where the driver should remain, apparently waiting for somebody.
It was known to be quite useless to attempt to decoy Merriwell out, so dependence must be placed on chance. If he came out with no more than one or two companions his name was "mud," according to the a.s.sembled sophs.
Arrangements were made to bind handkerchiefs over their faces to the eyes, so they would be partly disguised. Some of them turned their coats wrong side out, and some resorted to other means of disguising themselves.
Then they waited patiently.
It was not so very long before Ditson came out in a breathless hurry. He signaled, and they called him. As he hastened up he panted:
"Merriwell is coming right out, fellows! Be ready for him!"
The soph.o.m.ores knew which way Frank was likely to go after leaving Billy"s, and they lay in wait at a convenient spot.
"Is he alone?" eagerly asked Puss Parker.
"No."
"Who is with him?"
"Rattleton."
"Any others?"
"Not likely."
"Good! Take a tumble to yourself and skip."
Ditson did so.
"Now, fellows," hurriedly said Browning, "be ready for a struggle.
Remember that Merriwell is a sc.r.a.pper and he is likely to resist. We must take him completely by surprise. Get back and lay quiet till I give the signal."
They did as directed, and as they were in a dark corner, there was not much danger that they would be seen till they were ready to light on their game.
Footsteps were heard.
"Here he comes!"
Browning peered out, and two figures were seen approaching.
"How many?" anxiously whispered Tad Horner, quivering with anxiety.
"Two. They are easy. Ready for the rush."
The soph.o.m.ores crouched like savage warriors in ambush.