“It begins to look as if you do, Lynch,” said Dick.
“Were you surprised by the contents of the letter?”
“I was surprised, perhaps; but you told me nothing I did not already know.”
“Perhaps I told you nothing you did not suspect. But you had absolutely no proof that I was really the one who betrayed the team some weeks ago. That was a dirty piece of business, Merriwell, and I’m heartily ashamed of it. I did it out of spite toward you. You see, I am in your power now. If I do another dirty trick, you can publish that confession, and that will be my finish. Not many fellows in my place would dare trust any one as I’ve trusted you, for not many fellows in your place would treat their enemies with the generosity you show them. I wish you would promise me one thing, Merriwell.”
“What is it?”
“Unless something happens to convince you that I’m insincere in my resolve to behave in future, I hope you’ll never read the contents of that letter again. You’ve perused it once, and you know what there is in it. This may sound like a queer request, and I don’t know as I can make you understand my reason for it. You think badly enough of me now. If I behave, and you begin to believe there is a decent streak in me, you may get the belief knocked out of you if you reread that confession. That’s why I hope you’ll never look at it after this day. When you’re satisfied—thoroughly satisfied—that I mean to do right, I wish you would return that confession to me, that I may destroy it. While it remains in existence there’ll always be the danger that it may fall into the hands of some one who’ll use it against me. Oh, I realized this when I wrote it. I’m taking all the chances. I’ve asked you to keep it where it will be safe.”
“It’s under lock and key at this moment.”
“But that’s not always safe. Don’t think I’m sorry I wrote it. Don’t think I want to squeal. I could see no other way to convince you that I meant to do the right thing. I wanted a chance to prove myself.”
“You shall have it, Lynch,” said Dick earnestly. “But don’t forget your promise to consult a physician.”
“I’ve done so already. I was thoroughly examined yesterday. The doctor says he sees no reason why I should leave college at the present time. He thinks I’ll go through the term all right. I’m certain there’s nothing the matter with me now, Merriwell. That bump on the head straightened me out.”