“Well, they’re pretty thick,” grunted Bruce. “I don’t see how a man is going to make himself comfortable in this jam.”
“Friends,” said Merry, taking the center of the room and looking round, “of course, you know there is some extraordinary reason why I have brought you here to-night. I am not going to make a long talk, but I am coming straight to the point. There is in this college a man who has been maligned, lied about, and disgraced. His worst enemies are Rupert Chickering’s set. Chickering and his gang have done more than anybody else to hurt this unfortunate student. They have put the brand of criminal upon him and made him an outcast. The man I speak about is Jim Hooker.”
“I thought so!” muttered somebody.
Frank went on: “Hooker is believed to be crooked. I saw him and took pity on him. I brought him here to this room, and some of my friends, who were present, fled precipitately, refusing to be introduced to him. It cut me pretty deep, but since then I have taken pains to investigate Hooker and his history. I am not going to tell you how I did it, but I am going to tell you what I found out. I found out that Jim Hooker is thoroughly honest, that his father was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, and other things in the poor fellow’s favor. I have not found one thing against him. I have learned many things that lead me to respect him highly. Now”--Frank looked at his watch--“I have a few more words to say. I have invited Hooker to come here at eight o’clock this evening. He will be here in ten minutes. There is just time for all to get out who may desire. He does not know why I wish him to be present at eight, but it is to meet my friends who remain to be introduced to him and to treat him like a man and a member of our set. Those who remain here will still remain my friends; those who go—will go!”
There was no misunderstanding Frank’s meaning. The assembled fellows looked at each other.
Bart Hodge stepped out.
“Merriwell is right,” he said. “You know what I have thought of Hooker. Well, I was with Merry when he made his investigations. I think now that Jim Hooker is a square man, and the fellow who refuses to meet him to-night will prove himself a cad. I shall meet him and ask his pardon for any slur I may have cast upon him!”
When Bart Hodge spoke like that it meant a great deal.
“Come,” said Frank, watch in hand, “Hooker may appear any moment. Those who wish to go had better get out right away.”
“It seems to me,” said Harry Rattleton, looking around, “that there are not many going out. I shall stay.”