CHAPTER XXXI.
THE TEMPTER AND THE TRAITOR.
Frank Merriwell’s energy and the amount of work he was able to accomplish astonished every one. It seemed that he must have his hands pretty full as captain of the ball-team, but he found time to coach the freshmen, who relied on him far more than they did on any one else.
It had been predicted that Merriwell would remove Knight from the boat and put a lighter man in his place, and there was no little surprise when he failed to do so.
As far as possible, Frank’s work with the freshmen was carried on privately. It seemed too early to get out on the harbor at night, but the weather came on warm and delightful, which gave the four crews the opportunity[opportunity] they desired.
The freshmen were the first to take advantage of a warm evening, and, under cover of darkness, they put in an hour of hard work.
The next day Orson Arnold withdrew from the freshman crew, and Ben Snodgrass took himself out of the sophomore eight. Frank Merriwell was responsible for both resignations.
Merry was a great character-reader, and somehow he had suspected Arnold the first time he talked with the fellow. Arnold was one who made a great pretense of frankness and honesty, and he was forever calling attention to these traits of character, which he wished people to suppose he possessed. He had a way of telling how much he despised deceit, and Frank soon decided that the fellow was a bluffer and needed watching.
Then, without delay, he had set Jim Hooker to watching the suspect. Ordinarily, Hooker would not have relished the job, for he remembered how he had once been suspected and spied upon, but he was ready to do anything for Merriwell.
Hooker proved a good detective. He soon brought Merriwell information that made Frank look both grim and regretful.
“I thought it,” said Merry; “but I hoped I was wrong.”