A second later Bully was on his feet, shaking his head and bellowing in fury.
“That’s enough out o’ you,” said the constable, tapping him on the shoulder. “I guess you can come along to the lockup, my man.”
Bully let out a yell of fear.
“What fur!” he wailed, as the constable gripped him firmly. “I ain’t done nothin’! Take your hands off’n me!”
“For the theft of Mr. Hostetter’s pocketbook,” said Colonel Gunn, in his most military voice, facing the astounded Bully. “You, sir, have been—ah—apprehended with the stolen property on your person. While still in a condition of semi-coma, you made certain admissions which most undoubtedly will—ah—be put to service in the cause of justice.”
“I’ll give it back!” wailed Bully. “It was only a joke—I didn’t mean——”
“Constable, remove the—ah—prisoner!”
The constable did so. The last that was seen of Bully Carson, he was trailing along and tearfully expostulating. Colonel Gunn turned to Randall.
“I congratulate you, Mr. Randall, on being thus—ah—exonerated of all the faint suspicion which—ah—clung to your footsteps, in a manner of speaking. You will kindly report at my office Monday morning to state why you should not be punished for leaving your room and the school grounds without permission last evening. Gentlemen, I bid you good day! Oh—one moment, Merriwell! That—ah—that was the most remarkable, I think I may say the most spectacular, game of baseball I ever witnessed. Sir, I heartily congratulate you on your playing!”
And with a stiff bow, Colonel Gunn beckoned his orderly and strode away.