"Very well," said the head professor. "They shall be, and if I find they are not true, the ones whose names are signed here must suffer for it. That is all, professor."
"All right, all right! I’m willing to have it stand that way. But that boy must apologize to me, whatever the result of the investigation. I demand it!"
"Very well."
"I demand it!" repeated Professor Gooch. "He must apologize! He must say he is sorry!"
"Very well. I have other matters that require my attention now, professor. You will excuse me."
Zenas Gunn accompanied the visitor to the door, which he held open for the angry professor to pass out.
The result of this affair was that Dick Merriwell had made an enemy in Barnaby Gooch, and one who might cause him serious trouble at Fardale.
CHAPTER V.
THE PLOT AGAINST MERRIWELL.
Again there was a meeting in the room of Zeb Fletcher, but this time five nervous, frightened boys had gathered there. Of course, Zeb was on hand, and both Uric Scudder and Jim Watson were present. The others were Mart Reid and Gus Wade, two fellows who, through the blandishments of Zeb, had been induced to sign the protest against permitting Dick Merriwell to be excused from daily drill. Fletcher was trying to reassure Reid and Wade, but was not succeeding very well.
"I tell you," said Reid, "old Gunn has announced his intention of probing the matter to the bottom."