is likely I will have to take the same medicine, as I
was your second."

"Oh, you're trying to show a bright side; but I tell you, Reynolds,
there is something worse than expulsion to follow this!"

"What do you mean?"

"You heard that plebe Davis declare he would charge me with murder?"

"Sure; but he's deranged for the moment."

"He will make the charge, just the same; and I'll have to face it."

"But it cannot be proved against you."

"I am not so sure. If I hadn't flung red pepper in Merriwell's eyes
I'd have a better show. Now it will look as if I did that to blind
him, so I might force him over the bluff."

"I don't believe anybody can think you as bad as that. You certainly
had no desire to do anything more than whip Merriwell by some means,
fair or foul."

"It is easy enough to say that, but I'm afraid it will not be easy to
make people believe it. I swear, Reynolds, it's a terrible thing to
have anything like this hanging over a fellow! Why, it has taken all
the nerve out of me! I'd give my right hand to see Frank Merriwell
alive and well at this moment!"

"Don't go to pieces that way, Bascomb!" entreated Rupert. "You've got
to keep a stiff backbone. Come, let's hurry after the others."

Reynolds got hold of Bascomb's arm, and fairly dragged him after the
other lads, who were making their way toward camp.

Each step that brought the big fellow nearer camp made him more
desperate. Finally, he declared:

"I'm going to know what Hodge and Mulloy mean to do."

Then he hastened forward till he came upon Bart and Barney, who were
accompanied by Fred Davis.

"Look here, fellows," said Bascomb, "I've got some questions to ask
you."

"Well, ask them," directed Hodge, shortly, as the boys halted and
clustered again.

"I want to know if you actually think I am wicked enough to wish to
kill a fellow cadet and classmate?"

"As fer mesilif, Oi dunno," admitted Barney. "Yure a big scoundrel,
but Oi don't loike ter think any felly's villain enough to do murther."

"But it looks mighty black for you, Bascomb," said Bart. "We all heard
Merriwell cry out that he was blinded, and then you seemed to drag him
straight for the brink of the bluff."

"It was an accident!" declared Bascomb, hoarsely. "I did not dream we
were anywhere near the edge of the bluff."

"It was not accident!" cried Fred Davis. "It was murder, and I will
swear to it!"

"You hear that," came huskily from the lips of the