“For the theft of Mr. Hostetter’s pocketbook,” said Colonel Gunn, in his most military voice, facing the astounded Bully. “You, sir, have been--ah--apprehended with the stolen property on your person. While still in a condition of semi-coma, you made certain admissions which most undoubtedly will--ah--be put to service in the cause of justice.”
“I’ll give it back!” wailed Bully. “It was only a joke--I didn’t mean----”
The constable did so. The last that was seen of Bully Carson, he was trailing along and tearfully expostulating. Colonel Gunn turned to Randall.
“I congratulate you, Mr. Randall, on being thus--ah--exonerated of all the faint suspicion which--ah--clung to your footsteps, in a manner of speaking. You will kindly report at my office Monday morning to state why you should not be punished for leaving your room and the school grounds without permission last evening. Gentlemen, I bid you good day! Oh--one moment, Merriwell! That--ah--that was the most remarkable, I think I may say the most spectacular, game of baseball I ever witnessed. Sir, I heartily congratulate you on your playing!”
And with a stiff bow, Colonel Gunn beckoned his orderly and strode away.
Merry looked after him, then turned to Randall with a smile, his hand out.
“It’s all right, old man!” he said. “Come along over to the gym while I get into my clothes, will you? I’ve got something I want to say.”
Randall gave him a half-frightened look, but merely nodded assent. The two walked to the gym together, and more than one cadet looked after them significantly, with the remark that Randall had been fetched around, after all.
“What do you suppose was the trouble with Bully?” queried Chip, as they entered the gymnasium building. “It looked to me rather as if he had been drugged, Bob!”
“Maybe he had,” he said bitterly. “I knew that he was pretty bad, but I never suspected that he could stoop to being a thief.”
“I guess there are a whole lot of things about your cousin that you never suspected,” returned Merry dryly.
They found the dressing room almost deserted, the members of the team having disappeared long since. Merry had his shower and rubdown, and returned to his locker where Randall was waiting.
“That was a great finish to-day, Chip,” said the Southerner, rather awkwardly. “And your pitching showed me a whole lot I had never even guessed. If I had been in your place, they’d have pounded me off the mound in two innings, Chip.”