Frank understood Browning, and he knew full well how loyal the big fellow was. He knew that no other person would have induced Bruce to train down and get in condition to play baseball. The giant had done that for Merry, for all that he was so lazy it seemed the most frightful punishment that could be inflicted on him.
Now Frank’s friends ranged themselves by his side. They showed by their looks and words that nothing could make them believe he would do a crooked thing.
“You can fight your own doing, Merry—I mean do your own fighting,” spluttered Rattleton; “but I’m going to say it’s a mighty mean trick for anybody to put up in order to get square for the joke you worked on us.”
“If it was done for that purpose,” put in Diamond; “but I don’t believe it was.”
“Oh, I don’t wish to think it was done for any other purpose,” came quickly from Merriwell’s lips. “I know some fellows in college do not like me, but I do not wish to think they would be dirty enough to try to make me out a thief.”
“That would be mean,” said Gooch, mildly.
“Well, you don’t think he stole your watch, do you, Sid?” demanded Creighton.
“Of course not,” answered Gooch, with a smirk. “Oh, of course not!”
The way he said those words caused Diamond to clinch his hands and grate his teeth together. At that moment Jack longed to knock Sidney down.
“Well, Merry,” said Charlie, “you can rest assured that nobody here will ever think you tried to steal the watch.”