“I think I can handle Chester better than any one else,” he said. “I am going back. Darrell, take the girls to the academy.”
June clung to his arm.
“Dick, you—you won’t——”
“Trust me,” he said.
“I do,” she whispered. “I trust you fully, Dick.”
Arlington saw Merriwell turn back and wondered at it.
“He’s coming!” panted Chet. “I wonder what he thinks he’s going to do?”
After a moment he turned and fled along the path, and, although Dick followed at a rapid walk, Chester soon disappeared from view.
Wondering if Arlington would not stop, Dick continued to hurry along. The bridge was reached and recrossed, but nowhere could Chet be seen. Near the spot where the encounter had occurred Merriwell paused a moment.
“Strange,” he muttered. “Strange Darrell should be here with him!”