Читать книгу Frank Merriwell's Prosperity; or, Toil Has Its Reward онлайн

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“You can’t be sure of anything of the sort,” said Frank, sharply. “You were not with the company when Leslie Lawrence deserted and returned to beg pardon. I did not fancy Lawrence, he was not a friend, and yet I took him back. If Bart Hodge returns to-morrow, I shall take him back.”

“Oh, you can do as you like about that,” said Garland.

“I suppose you would take him back if he had stolen your clothes from you?” asked Vance, jeeringly.

“If I chose to I certainly should,” answered Merry, his eyes seeming to bore Bart’s enemy through.

“Hodge didn’t have much money yesterday,” said Vance, staring at the open grip. “I wonder how he happened to have enough to-day to settle his hotel bill and purchase a ticket?”

“How do you know he didn’t have money yesterday?”

Frank shot the question at Vance.

“Oh, he—I—I heard him say so on the train.”

“Did you?”

“Yes. Where do you suppose he got his money?”

“Perhaps I let him have it.”

Vance was disappointed and puzzled. He could not understand why Merriwell did not denounce Hodge, for he was certain Frank had discovered the money was gone. Was it possible Merry intended to keep silent and not charge Hodge with the robbery? Vance could hardly believe such a thing possible. He could not fathom the depths of such fidelity to a treacherous friend.