"I found out that he held cards occasionally, for I called him a few the last time he was around." Frank laughed; it was his old, jolly laugh, suppressed somewhat.

He seemed like himself once more, as Bart Hodge instantly noted.

He had cast off the strain under which he had been for so long, and now Frank Merriwell, mischievous and full of fun, was on deck again.
But this did not quite please Hodge, who watched his roommate closely, his uneasiness growing as he saw how care-free Merriwell seemed.

What had brought about such a change?
Had Frank thrown his resolutions to the wind?
"I've got a supply of coffin-nails," said Snell, as he produced several packages of cigarettes.

"Help yourselves, gentlemen.