"Because Merriwell agreed to keep everything dead quiet if I let the matter drop. It was my chance to stay at Fardale, and I kept still. To save Old Joe, Dick Merriwell had to be silent."
"You were lucky to get off that way."
"Sure thing; but I was told that I’d get it the first time I made another move against Dick Merriwell. So, you see, I have to lay low and pretend to be good. I must get somebody else to do the jobs. That’s why I wanted you to do this piece of business."
"Well, I’m just as bad off as you are since that kid accused me. I’m suspected."
"Do you propose to lie down and give up?"
"No, not much!"
"What can you do?"
"As much as you."
"That’s not much just now, and now’s the time. Fardale is making a record under Frank Merriwell’s coaching. Not a game lost yet, and the team’s growing stronger. If somebody does not take a fall out of Fardale pretty soon, Frank Merriwell will own the academy and run it."
"Well, what’s your plan?"