So the plot against Frank proved a failure. His generosity in wishing to give Gooch a chance to reclaim himself had led Sidney to make a clean breast of everything. Gooch had been in Frank’s room for the purpose of concealing some of the stolen articles there, where they might be found if the room was searched after Merry was accused. He pointed out the articles and told Frank that he was to be summoned before three of the faculty that very afternoon.
Together Merriwell and Gooch left the room and the building. Together they walked across the campus.
“I have kept my word so far,” said Sidney, huskily.
“You have,” said Frank, “but the worst is to come. It will be far harder to go to the fellows from whom you have taken things and confess to them; but right there is where you will prove your manhood, and it will be a mighty mean fellow who will not respect you for it if he thinks you are going to try to turn over a new leaf. I will see each one, and do all I can to keep them still, so it will not leak out. If we can save you from disgrace, Gooch, we will.”
It seemed that Sidney’s heart was moved by this.
“Merriwell,” he said, “you are the whitest man living! Your heart is as large as your whole body!”
Frank kept his promise to Gooch, and in the end the erring lad was given ample chance in which to redeem himself.
And this was not all that Frank did. He sent an anonymous letter to the proctor, stating that he was sorry the man had suffered, and that he begged to inclose a present in consequence, said present being a beautiful gold watch charm.
This charm completely won the proctor’s heart, and for a long while after he was remarkably easy on all the college lads.
For the time being all ran smoothly, and here we will leave Frank, hoping to meet our readers once more in a new volume of this series, entitled: “Frank Merriwell’s Loyalty,” wherein we will learn how true our hero could be to his chums, no matter how great the danger.