It was plain that Diamond feared not a little for Frank’s safety.
Merry could see this, but the relief from the torturing thoughts when he believed the proctor had been drowned was enough to make him comparatively lighthearted and hopeful.
For the time all thoughts of the unpleasant scene that took place when Billings drew Gooch’s watch from Merry’s pocket were banished from Frank’s mind.
Gooch was in Farnham Hall. He was a fellow who made quite a spread and tried hard to be popular, with very poor success.
It was reported that Gooch lived far beyond his allowance. Certain it was that there were times when Sidney was frightfully “hard up.” He borrowed right and left of anybody and everybody who would lend him anything.
Within a few weeks of the time concerning which I am writing a number of robberies had been committed in the dormitories. Students had lost rings, pins, watches and money. The thief was crafty, for thus far he had escaped detection.
At the time that Sidney’s watch was found in his pocket Frank had realized that such a discovery must throw suspicion on him with those who did not know him well enough to be thoroughly convinced of his absolute honesty.
Now, however, there was something else to think about, and he forgot that.
To Frank’s astonishment, the day after the adventure with the proctor passed quietly, and he was not summoned before the faculty.
“It must come to-morrow,” he thought.