Frank was relieved, and still he wondered how Vance could be certain enough to make such a charge against Hodge. He soon decided that it must be no more than suspicion on the part of Bart’s foe. Lester had seen Bart leave Merry’s room, and he had decided that Hodge had been in there for no honest purpose. That must be the explanation of the accusation against the erring youth.
“Hodge didn’t take ennything of yeou, did he, Frank?”
Ephraim threw the question fairly and squarely at Merry.
Instantly Frank straightened up, giving the Vermont youth a look that seemed full of resentment and indignation.
“How can you ask such a question, Ephraim Gallup!” he cried. “I am astonished! Have you forgotten how many times Bart has been unjustly accused of such things? Have you forgotten how I have always stood by him without ever once being mistaken? Do you think Bart Hodge would stoop to do me a deliberate injury now?”
Ephraim was abashed for a moment, and then he said:
“Waal, he’s doin’ yeou an injury by jumpin’ aout an’ leavin’ ye in this air kind of way, by thutter!”
“He didn’t stop to think what he was doing. That’s what’s the matter. If he had, wild horses could not have dragged him away.”
“Mebbe so.”
“You know it, Ephraim—you know it! Hodge is passionate and hot-headed. After his call down by Havener to-day he came to me in my dressing room. We had some words.”