“Then who in blazes——” began Greg.
“Merriwell,” said Jack quietly.
“Merriwell—Boltwood?” gurgled Bingham. “You can’t mean——”
“That Merriwell got us to kidnap Boltwood so that he might disguise himself as that freak and take part in the fun. He did it, while Boltwood languished in the dark hole where we have stowed him. You both know Merriwell’s ability to make up. He is a great actor. He fooled everybody into thinking he was Knight at the regatta. This Boltwood is about Merriwell’s height, and——”
“Merciful heavens!” gasped Carker. “I believe you are right!”
“I believe so, too!” admitted Bingham reluctantly. “Now that I think of it, it seems to me that Boltwood to-night was too well built for the poet. And it also seems that I observed in his movements some of Merriwell’s ways.”
“He did it to get even with me,” said Ready.
“And you must confess that he has about made the score even,” said Carker.
Ready actually seemed relieved.
“Well, I’m glad I wasn’t tossed round like that by that freak of a freshman poet!” he exclaimed.