“I presume,” said Chester, “you think Dick Merriwell is one of your friends? You fancy him a fine sort of a chum, don’t you?” “We’re not chums,” retorted Hal. “We’re simply friends.” “Oh! you’re friends, are you?” was the sneering retort. “I suppose you are such friends that you are always open and aboveboard with each other. You wouldn’t deceive each other for the world, would you? You don’t have an idea that Merriwell would fool you?” “He is not that kind.” “Oh! isn’t he? That shows how little you know him.” “I am sick of this business, Arlington,” declared Darrell. “No fellow in this school has done as much for you as Merriwell. Yet you continue to backbite him. What sort of a cock-and-bull story have you faked up now?” “Oh! I am not going to tell you any story, but if you want to see something with your own eyes that will wake you up, just follow me and get a move on.” “I can’t waste time in chasing you about.” “Well, you’d better—you’d better!” nodded Chet. “I will show you something that will make you sizzle.” “What will you show me?” “Come and see. I will prove to you by the evidence of your own eyes that Dick Merriwell is a double-faced sneak. If I don’t prove it——” “If you don’t prove it,” said Hal grimly, “I will make you wish you had! Go ahead!” “You will follow?” “Yes. Lead on.” Not a few of the boys were surprised to see Chet and Hal walking rapidly away in company. As soon as they were some distance from the academy and not liable to attract attention, Arlington started into a run. “We must hurry!” he called. “Get a gait on you, Darrell!” Coming to the path through the woods, they ran along this, with Chet in advance and Hal close at his heels. “I am a fool!” thought Darrell more than once. “I know it. I ought to be kicked for taking any stock in him.” Approaching a spot from which they might peer down the path to the bridge, Chester slackened his pace and cautioned his companion to move silently. At last Darrell reached out and seized Chet by the collar, stopping him in his tracks. “Now, hold on,” he said, in a low tone, “I want you to tell me just what you are going to show me.” “You will see in a minute.” “What is it?” demanded Hal. “I refuse to play the monkey any longer unless I know why I do it.” “Don’t speak so loud!” whispered Arlington. “We will be in sight of the bridge in a minute. There is some one down there by the bridge, or was a short time ago.” “Merriwell?” “Yes.” “Who else?” “Oh, two girls!” “Who are they?” “Well, one is Zona Desmond; but she didn’t go there to meet Merriwell. She just came to accompany a chum. Now you ought to guess who the other girl is. You know who she chums with.” Hal’s eyes gleamed. “See here,” he said, “you don’t mean to tell me that Doris Templeton met Merriwell at the rustic bridge by appointment?” “Don’t I?” “Do you?” “It looks like it. I saw them together down there.” “I believe you lie!” grated Hal. “Why, Doris told me herself——”