“No. I mean exactly what I said—I think it will be beneficial to you if you take a vacation without waiting for the term to close. I have not accepted your story as true, and yet I hope it is true. I’ve always fancied you to be a person with an ordinary amount of common sense. No person with ordinary intelligence would have thought of shooting an enemy, but if your mind was in a condition that led you to try such a thing, it’s high time that you gave up studying and sought rest and quiet in the country. If you don’t, you’re liable to break down entirely and go to pieces beyond cure.”
“I presume you’re afraid I’ll get another daffy streak, and repeat the attempt on your life. I don’t blame you, Merriwell. Still, I’m not going to leave college now. I’m all right at the present moment, and I believe I’ll remain so. You know I’ve been dreadfully worried over my bills here, for I ran deeply in debt. I didn’t know what would happen to me. I thought I was swamped. As a last resort, I wrote a letter to my mother, making a full confession. This morning I received her answer. She sent me a check. It was large enough to enable me to pay all my debts and have something left over. For the first time in weeks I’m straightened out and ready to go ahead without worry. The only thing that will prevent me is this business to-day. If you proceed against me, my college career is ended. I have been a rather nasty enemy toward you, Merriwell. I know that. I’ve hated you bitterly, and I’ve tried my best to injure you. It was wrong. Now I throw myself on your mercy. Do whatever you like.”
With a sigh, Lynch sat down.
CHAPTER XLV.
MIKE PUTS IT ON PAPER.
It is a simple matter to imagine what would have happened to Lynch had he, under similar circumstances, thrown himself on the mercies of almost any other boy whom he had hated and plotted against as he had against Dick.
At the outset Merriwell’s intention had been to force the truth from Mike’s lips, and then give him the alternative of leaving college or being arrested at once. Even now Dick hesitated and wondered if that was the only course to pursue. He stood meditating, with his eyes fastened upon Mike’s face.
Somehow, a most remarkable change seemed to have come over Lynch. His face wore a sad, resigned expression that was genuinely pathetic and appealing. It had lost its usual grim and half-brutal aspect. Indeed, as Dick watched, Mike’s chin began to quiver, and two tears started from his eyes and rolled slowly down his cheeks, although no sound came from his lips. Indeed, he bowed his head, seemingly seeking to hide these tokens of weakness.
Was the fellow faking, or was he genuinely repentant? This question troubled Dick. Under any circumstances, Merriwell believed the fellow needed the attentions of a competent physician, for surely he must have been mentally unbalanced for a time. It was not reasonable to suppose he had been cured instantly.
“I am going to think this matter over, Lynch,” said Dick, after a few moments. “I want to do what is right. If I decide to keep this thing quiet and make no move against you, you must promise me one thing.”
“Anything,” murmured Lynch, without lifting his head.