"Why, man, why don't you challenge him to meet you with bare fists ?" "Because I have decided that gloves are all right." "The fellows will say you are afraid." "Let them say so if they like," returned Bruce, but he winced a bit, as if a tender spot had been touched.
Hartwick did his test to induce his friend to challenge Merriwell to a fight with bare fists, but Bruce had made up his mind and he was obstinate.
So it came about that Hartwick carried the challenge just as Browning desired, and it was promptly accepted.

Merriwell was not a fellow who sought trouble, but he knew he must meet Browning or be called a coward, and he did not dally.

He quietly told Hartwick that any arrangements Mr.
Browning saw fit to make would be agreeable to him.

In that way he put Browning on his honor to give him a square deal.
The matter was kept very quiet.

It was decided that the match should come off in Kelley's back room, and a few of Merriwell's and Browning's friends should be invited.