The room occupied by Merriwell and Hodge was not on that side of the building, so Frank, who was studying, had not witnessed the encounter between his roommate and Snell.
Fortunately, also, the blow had not been seen by any one but cadets, so it was not liable to come to Professor Gunn's knowledge, unless Wat told of it himself.
Bart found Frank in their room, and Merriwell looked up as the dark-haired boy entered with a quick, nervous step.
"Hello!" he cried, in surprise. "What's happened? Your face is dark as a thunder-cloud, and you look as if you could eat iron."
"Well, I feel as if I wouldn't have any trouble in chewing up a few pounds of iron," replied Bart. "By Jove! old man, I never realized till a few minutes ago how narrow was my escape from being a most contemptible scoundrel!"
"How is that?"
"I was taken for a thief!" grated Bart, his white teeth clicking. "Yes, sir, taken for a thief!"
"It must have been by somebody who does not know you very well."
"That's where you are wrong. It was by somebody who knows me far too well. That is why I feel that my escape from being a scoundrel was a narrow one."
Had he not seen that Bart was so serious and thoroughly in earnest, Frank must have smiled.