"He will make the charge, just the same; and I'll have to face it."
"But it cannot be proved against you."
"I am not so sure. If I hadn't flung red pepper in Merriwell's eyes I'd have a better show. Now it will look as if I did that to blind him, so I might force him over the bluff."
"I don't believe anybody can think you as bad as that. You certainly had no desire to do anything more than whip Merriwell by some means, fair or foul."
"It is easy enough to say that, but I'm afraid it will not be easy to make people believe it. I swear, Reynolds, it's a terrible thing to have anything like this hanging over a fellow! Why, it has taken all the nerve out of me! I'd give my right hand to see Frank Merriwell alive and well at this moment!"
"Don't go to pieces that way, Bascomb!" entreated Rupert. "You've got to keep a stiff backbone. Come, let's hurry after the others."
Reynolds got hold of Bascomb's arm, and fairly dragged him after the other lads, who were making their way toward camp.
Each step that brought the big fellow nearer camp made him more desperate. Finally, he declared:
"I'm going to know what Hodge and Mulloy mean to do."
Then he hastened forward till he came upon Bart and Barney, who were accompanied by Fred Davis.