“Oh, goodness! She’d have a fit!” confessed Zenas. “Bring that candle instantly! How in the world did this candle happen to go out?”
“Oh, I think you know how it happened,” laughed Merriwell.
“On my word I don’t!” declared Gunn. “I believe that reprobate Buckhart did it!”
“But he didn’t compel you to attempt to kiss the girl in the dark.”
“Oh, murder! I never touched her! She was frightened. She clung to me for protection.”
“Oh, all right,” said Dick; but his tone and manner seemed to indicate that he knew better and could not be fooled by such an explanation.
Zenas shook his fist at Dick in great excitement.
“If you dare hint that I was trying to kiss her, I’ll—I’ll—I’ll——”
He seemed unable to find words with which to complete the threat, and so he turned to the maid, anxiously urging her to attest that he had done nothing of the sort.
Behind the professor’s back Dick winked and nodded at her, making signs she understood.