In his room Frank knelt down and uttered a thankful prayer, for a great load was lifted from his soul. He felt that the adventure of that night had taught him a lesson that he could never forget. Then he remembered the temptation that had assailed him while he was in the water. When he remembered all his thoughts and despair, he believed he had been “tried as by fire,” and it seemed that he had come forth from the trial better in every way. Experience had been his teacher that night, and the lesson was wrought upon his brain in lines of fire. It would live there as long as life lasted. In the future it would serve as a blazing warning to hold him in check whenever he was tempted to do anything in the least unmanly. The load had been lifted from his soul, but he remembered that there were four fellows who still were tortured by the belief that they had aided in cutting short the life of a human being. It was his duty to carry the joyful news to them and relieve their feelings as soon as possible. He waited till he felt sure the proctor had departed from the steps, and then he slipped down and out into the cool night air again. How grateful that air was to him now! How sweet it seemed! He drew it in by deep draughts, as if it were wine. For the time he forgot the peril that menaced him--he forgot the shadow of disgrace that hovered over him. From room to room Frank went, bearing the joyful news, which seemed far too good for belief. Bruce Browning gasped, and dropped down in a limp heap when he heard it, Danny Griswold came near crying for joy. Jack Diamond laughed, and Harry Rattleton danced. All were for sneaking out again and making a night of it, but Frank would not agree to join them. He had not stopped to get out of his wet clothes, and he felt that he had made quite enough of that night. Merry returned to his room, stripped, and took a rub-down with a coarse towel. That put him in a glow. He opened his window and looked out upon the dark and deserted campus before jumping into bed. “A little while ago I never dreamed I could be happy again,” he thought; “now my heart is bursting with happiness. Poor old Rudge! I do not wonder that he hates me. Let him get his revenge if he can. I shall be well satisfied to defend myself as far as possible, and I shall make no effort to strike back.” CHAPTER XXXIV. HOW THE PROCTOR ESCAPED. Rat-tat-tat! Some one was knocking on Frank Merriwell’s door. The knocking awakened Merry, who had been sleeping soundly, and he arose and admitted Harry Rattleton. “What’s the matter, Rattles?” Frank asked. “Why are you turning a fellow out at this unearthly hour?” “How can you sleep after all that happened last night?” cried the visitor. “Didn’t you sleep?” “Not a wink. I tried to, but it was no go. I kept dreaming the most horrible things all about murder and bloodshed!” “That was pleasant.” “Nit. Did you sleep?” “Like a top.”