“But Browning, Diamond, Rattleton and Toots were with me. It has been divided equally among us. Shortly after the discovery of that treasure you joined our party. I have thought it all over, and it seems no more than fair that you should have a share of that fortune.”
“You’re going daffy!”
“Not a bit of it. I say it is right. The others have received their shares, but you shall have your share of mine. I will divide with you, and that will give you four thousand dollars. With that sum you can return to college and finish your course.”
Hodge laughed sarcastically.
“I’d like to know what you take me for!” he cried. “Are you trying to insult me, Frank?”
“You know better!”
“Do you imagine I’m a fool?”
“No.”
“Well, then, don’t ever make me such an offer again. You know what I think of those chaps who accepted the checks you sent them. You know I believe that treasure belonged entirely to you, and no other had a right to a dollar of it. Do you take me for a fellow who would accept from you a gift of four thousand dollars? Well, that’s what you propose to make me—nothing more, nothing less. It won’t go with me, Merriwell. I do not thank you for the offer, for you should have known better than to make it. Go back to Yale. I wish you good fortune—I wish you everything you desire. I will go my way in the world; you’ll go yours. It must come to that in time, anyhow. What odds if it comes sooner than we had anticipated! You have taken an interest in me, Frank, and your friendship is the pleasantest memory of my life; but even that must become a mere memory sometime.”
“There is no reason why it should become a mere memory while life shall last,” said Frank, soberly. “Though fate may divide us, still our friendship should remain firm and unshaken. As for your return to Yale, I’m not going to say anything more about it now, but I shall not give it up.”