“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Under the false bottom in my grip, where I used to keep my money!”
Lester was thunderstruck. He turned deathly white and trembled all over.
“Vance,” said Merriwell, his eyes seeming to flash fire, “you can save yourself from disgrace, exposure and imprisonment by returning every dollar of that money. Otherwise, you go to prison!”
Vance broke down immediately and confessed. He told how he had slipped down to the office after Hodge and obtained the key to Frank’s room when the clerk was not looking, and how he had been able to take the false bottom out of the grip and secure the money. He restored the whole of it, and left the company suddenly and mysteriously.
The various members of the company, with the exception of Frank and Bart, believed Vance had departed thus hurriedly because of Hodge’s return.
Frank did not betray Vance, and he caused Hodge to keep silent.
CHAPTER VII.
FOOLISH GIRLS.
“Say!”