Jack was thinking, too--he was thinking of the trip across the continent, when Frank Merriwell had stood by him for all of his peevishness and ill temper. Then Jack had become so disagreeable that the others of the party would have been glad to rid themselves of him, but Merry had been patient to a most remarkable degree, for all that he seemed to be the butt of Diamond’s anger on every occasion. When it was all over Jack could look back with calmness at those things, he began to realize what kind of a friend he had in Frank, and it aroused in the heart of the chivalrous Virginian a feeling of affection that positively was without bounds. No danger could be appalling enough to keep Jack Diamond from Frank’s side. It was in moments of danger when Diamond showed his affection for Frank. At other times he seemed rather cold and undemonstrative. He was quite unlike Harry Rattleton, who, in everything and at all times, showed his high regard for Merry. It is pretty certain that Bruce Browning was no less Frank’s friend, but it was very seldom that he showed it so that his friendship was conspicuous to anyone but Merriwell himself. Frank understood Browning, and he knew full well how loyal the big fellow was. He knew that no other person would have induced Bruce to train down and get in condition to play baseball. The giant had done that for Merry, for all that he was so lazy it seemed the most frightful punishment that could be inflicted on him. Now Frank’s friends ranged themselves by his side. They showed by their looks and words that nothing could make them believe he would do a crooked thing. “You can fight your own doing, Merry--I mean do your own fighting,” spluttered Rattleton; “but I’m going to say it’s a mighty mean trick for anybody to put up in order to get square for the joke you worked on us.” “If it was done for that purpose,” put in Diamond; “but I don’t believe it was.” “Oh, I don’t wish to think it was done for any other purpose,” came quickly from Merriwell’s lips. “I know some fellows in college do not like me, but I do not wish to think they would be dirty enough to try to make me out a thief.” “That would be mean,” said Gooch, mildly. “Well, you don’t think he stole your watch, do you, Sid?” demanded Creighton. “Of course not,” answered Gooch, with a smirk. “Oh, of course not!” The way he said those words caused Diamond to clinch his hands and grate his teeth together. At that moment Jack longed to knock Sidney down. “Well, Merry,” said Charlie, “you can rest assured that nobody here will ever think you tried to steal the watch.” “Just the same,” came from Frank, “I would give something to have it explained how the watch came in my pocket.” “Perhaps that will be explained sometime.” “This is the proper time.” “Say, fellows,” called one of the freshmen, “are we going to let this business break up the fun? We were getting good and jolly when----”