Frank turned and called:
“Bart! Bart Hodge!”
It seemed that Hodge had been waiting for this.
“Coming, Frank,” he answered, and pushed into the room.
Merry held out his hand.
From an inner pocket, Hodge produced a folded paper, which he delivered to his friend.
“Here, gentlemen, is my certificate,” said Frank, as he passed it to the judges.
The paper was opened and scanned. Herbert Hollingsworth, his face gone pale and wearing an expression of astonishment and perplexity, pressed forward and stared at it. He seemed to doubt the evidence of his eyes.
“The certificate is correct,” decided one of the judges. “Mr. Merriwell is eligible, being a regularly enrolled member of the A. A. U.”
“I thought it remarkable if he were not,” said Mr. Ashley.