“I had to do it!” he choked. “There was no other way to save myself.”
Snodgrass uttered a curse and looked at Arnold with scorn and contempt.
“For Heaven’s sake, don’t let Merriwell see you snivel!” he hissed.
Then he smote the table with his clenched fist, saying:
“Jackson shall answer to me for this trick! He shall pay dearly for permitting any one to play the eavesdropper on me. He did it, for no one could reach that door without his permission.”
“I advise you to keep your mouth closed as far as Jackson is concerned,” said Merry. “If you tackle him and raise a dust, it may get out that you were here.”
Arnold gasped again. Then Merriwell did not mean to expose them? He was not going to make the whole matter public? It was a great relief. Even Snodgrass pulled in his horns somewhat.
“It was a dirty trick!” he declared. “I didn’t think Jackson would permit it. If I were to tell the fellows about it, it would hurt his old place.”
“But I know you’ll say nothing about it, Snodgrass.”
“Why not?”