“It is possible no one took it from you, Gooch,” said Diamond. “Some fellow may have picked it up from the floor and tucked it into Merriwell’s pocket for a joke.”
“If any fellow did so, he will prove his manhood and relieve Merry of suspicion by stepping forward and speaking up,” said Creighton. “Step right out! It was no crime, although it was a foolish sort of joke.”
The boys waited for some one to step forward, but not a soul moved.
“Who had a good chance to swipe the watch, Gooch?” asked Walter Gordan, who had been keeping in the background.
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” answered Sidney. “I suppose lots of fellows have had a chance.”
“You missed it first just after we caught those fake professors?”
“Yes.”
“You were one of the fellows who held Merriwell?”
“Yes, I was the first one to get hold of him. I couldn’t hold him alone. It took four of us, and then he came near getting away.”
“What are you driving at, Gordan?” flashed Jack Diamond, his face flushed with anger, for he fancied Walter was attempting to wind the net about Merry.