Frank got up and walked across the room. Bart watched him with some anxiety.
“If I could be sure Hooker would not know it,” muttered Merry.
“Why should he know it?” cried Bart instantly.
“I might go along with you for the satisfaction of teaching you a lesson. I believe I will!”
“Good!”
“If such stories are afloat about Hooker, it’s time somebody investigated. If the stories can be proved lies, it may have something to do with giving the fellow better standing.”
“Exactly.”
“That being the case, it may be my work to take hold of it and show his defamers that he is all right.”
“Come on!” Bart sprang up.
“All right,” said Frank, “I am going. I shall go, because I wish to be able when a man tells a slander about Hooker to say that I know it is not true. I have an interest in the unfortunate fellow, and I shall take chances in helping him; but we must be very careful not to let him catch on that he is being followed.”