“That must settle it in your mind, Merriwell. The fellow was in your room this afternoon before you came. You left the door open, and you found him there when you returned. Your watch was gone after he departed. You saw him turning it over to his wretched old father to-night, and——”
“I am not certain yet that it was my watch. I shall make a thorough search for my watch, and, if I cannot find it——”
“What then?” asked Bart eagerly.
“I am done with Jim Hooker,” said Merry grimly.
Together they returned to Merriwell’s room. On the campus they met some of Frank’s friends, but he passed on with a word of greeting to each. When they were in the room, he said:
“Now, Hodge, for a search. You shall help me. We will look everywhere for that watch.”
“And have all our trouble for nothing,” declared Bart. “You’ll never see your watch again.”
Frank began the search. He went through his clothes in the wardrobe. It was not there. Then he went to his dressing-case in the sleeping-room. Bart made a pretense of hunting, but, being satisfied in his mind that Frank had not a chance to success, it was no more than a pretense. The watch was not in any of the drawers of the dressing-case. High and low they searched, but without avail.
“Now, I hope you are satisfied!” exclaimed Bart.
Frank sat down.