“Confound the facts! You say you have not chosen between us? Then you must stand by me. I tell you I cannot take this call down from Havener. If you stand by me, go out at once and inform him that he must apologize.” “When you are cooler you will look at this matter in a different light. I’ll have a talk with you, then. I’ll learn what has happened, and you may be sure I’ll not uphold Havener if he is in the wrong.” “That’s not what I want. You have said you would stand by me, even though you knew I might be in the wrong. You are put to the test.” “Again you distort the meaning of my words. If you were charged with a wrong deed, I would stand by you—defend you—do everything in my power for you. This is different, and——” Hodge cut Frank short with a bitter laugh. “You have been put to the test,” he again declared, “and you have failed. It’s no use, Merriwell. I am an Ishmael. Every man’s hand is against me, and my hand is against all mankind. I don’t care what happens to me now.” He flung himself out of the dressing room before Frank could say another word. Frank was not left in a pleasant mood. He realized that his arguments had been rather weak against those made by Hodge, for he had been overwhelmed for the moment by a tempest of angry words, and his modesty had not permitted him to speak of the many instances of his unswerving fidelity to the passionate, erring fellow in the past. He had not been able to recall the many times he had stood by Bart alone, even when the proof had seemed overwhelming that Hodge had committed an evil action or a crime. Frank had been astounded by the seeming burst of ingratitude from Bart, but he quickly decided that the dark-faced youth would come to his senses if given time to cool down and think over all the events that had transpired since their first meeting on the little platform of the railway station at Fardale. Hodge, hot-blooded, passionate, unreasoning, had become his enemy on their first meeting. In various ways he had tried to injure and disgrace Merriwell, but he had failed in all his efforts. When they had both become cadets at the military academy, Hodge’s enmity had continued till, being charged with a disgraceful deed of which he was not guilty, Frank Merriwell had defended him and proven his innocence. Then these singularly assorted lads had become roommates and chums, and time after time since had Frank proved his loyalty by standing true to Hodge under the most trying circumstances. In his calm reasoning moments, Bart knew this and was grateful. He had been ready enough to show his gratitude, but now anger had overcome everything, and, in his burst of passion, he had spoken words Frank had never expected to hear from his lips.