"I know the time you mean perfectly well," said Frank; "but I do not remember that you kept me from giving anything away, for I had not the least idea in the world of giving anything away. It is possible, Mr. Lawrence, that I am not as new as you imagine, even though I did say I wanted to back a theatrical company with the small amount of money I have."
Lawrence was confused for a single instant, and then he laughed pleasantly.
"My dear boy," he murmured, "you quite misunderstand me. You have a right to do as you like with your money. Of course you might not have given anything away to Riddle, but you didn't know him, and the fellow is pretty clever, as you must acknowledge."
"Clever as he was, he did not get the best of me when he attempted to stick up King's play bills in the place of ours."
"That's right, Merriwell. You showed you could hustle when you were out ahead of the show. The notices you got into the papers were simply great."
Frank understood the flattery of Lawrence's words and manner.
"I think we understand each other pretty well," he said, quietly.
"Well, I don't suppose you will hold any hard feelings?"
"Look here, Merriwell," he said, in a manner that was intended to be very candid, "I want you to know that I am glad you're back. I believe you and I had some trouble once, but you treated me white, and I was ready to acknowledge I was in the wrong. You never blowed on me."
"Some fellows might have thought they had, though, to be sure, you could not have proved that I tried to do you up in that stage duel. Of course I didn't mean to kill you."
"Oh, of course not!" smiled Frank, and there was a bit of sarcasm in both words and voice.
"I thought I might just wound you a little, but you were too much for me. Where did you learn to handle a sword?"
"I took lessons at Fardale Military Academy when I was a mere boy, and then I received some instructions abroad. When I entered Yale, I placed myself under the best fencing instructor to be found in New Haven. I kept in form up to the time of leaving college."
"That explains it. Your wrist is all right, and you are like a cat on your feet. You made a holy show of me that night, though the audience thought it all in the piece. I hope you'll stay with us. We really need a man like you."