Besides the word “Velvet,” a number of students’ names were engraved on the cup, and no one whose name was not there could ask the proprietor to show the cup.

The marked tables were two round tables on which names of the frequenters of the place had been cut in the hard wood.  One table had been filled with six hundred and seventy-five names and was suspended against the wall, where it would revolve, and the other tables were fast filling up.

Merriwell laughed at Ditson’s statement.

“I don’t see as it is such a wonderful thing for a soph to get his name on one of those tables,” he said.  “If you had said that Browning’s name was on the cup, it would have seemed a matter of some consequence.”

“It may be, for all I know.  Sophs are not in the habit of telling us everything.  Steer clear of Browning, Merry, old man.”

“Thanks again!  You have made me so nervous that I think I will take your advice.”

“That’s right, my boy—­that’s right,” nodded Ditson, swelling with importance.  “Always listen to your uncle, my lad, and you will never go wrong.”

The other lads seemed rather disappointed, but Merriwell said nothing more of his scheme to get a “horse” on Browning—­that is, he said nothing more that night.

CHAPTER VII.

A surprise.

It was singular how quickly Browning learned that Merriwell had contemplated working a job on him.  It seemed an absolute certainty that some one of the party in Merriwell’s room had gone forth and “blowed.”  Who had done so was a question.

As was the most natural thing, considering his dislike for the fellow, Frank felt that Roll Ditson was the telltale.  Of this he had no proof, however, and he was too just to openly condemn a man without proof.

It was certain that Browning had learned all about it, for he sent word to Merriwell to go slow.  At the same time, in all public places he avowed the utmost contempt and disregard for the freshman who had done up Diamond.

“The boy is altogether too new,” Browning sneered.  “What he needs is polishing off, and he is bound to get it.”

Now, Frank had won admiration from the sophomores, and there were one or two who did not like Browning and would have given not a little to have seen him beaten at anything.

This being the case, it is not surprising that Merriwell received an anonymous note warning him to keep in his room on a certain evening and look out for squalls.

Frank knew Browning would not come alone, and he determined to be prepared.  With this object in view, he gathered ten stout freshmen and had them come to his room early on the evening mentioned.

The curtains were drawn closely, and the arrivals were astonished to see a lot of Indian toggery piled up on tables and chairs, imitation buckskin suits, feathered headdresses, bows, arrows, tomahawks, and so forth.  On Merriwell’s table was a full supply of Indian red grease paint.