“So he has,” nodded Prof. Mower, stroking his beard.
“Ah, you do not know him,” said Babbitt, triumphantly. “He is cunning, but I read his character aright from the start.”
“Prof. Babbitt,” said Such, sternly, “I believe you are prejudiced. You have seemed to have something against Merriwell from the first, and your antipathy for him increased when you failed to trap him at your special examination, which——”
Babbitt drew himself up stiffly, and made a protesting gesture.
“I scarcely thought this of you, Prof. Such,” he said, interrupting. “Even though I am aware that Merriwell is a favorite of yours, I did not think you would accuse me of permitting my prejudice to influence me against him.”
“You will soon see, gentlemen,” said the proctor, “that this is not a matter of prejudice. For some time robberies have taken place in Farnham Hall, and——”
The door opened, and Frank Merriwell stepped into the room.
Instantly the proctor pointed an accusing finger straight at Frank, adding:
“There, gentlemen, stands the thief!”
For a moment there was a tableau, and then Prof. Such hastened to say: