“That you are going back to college in the fall.” Hodge stopped and stared at Frank. After a few moments, he spoke: “Why would you tell her such a thing as that?” “It would make her feel better.” “But you were speaking of telling the truth a moment ago.” “And I should be telling the truth then.” “What?” “Nothing but the truth.” “Look here, Merriwell, I want to know just what you are driving at! Come out and give it to me straight.” “All right,” smiled Frank. “I mean that you are going back to college when I go. Is that plain enough?” “It’s plain enough, but it’s you who are off your trolley.” “Oh, I think not.” “You are, just the same. I am done with Yale. How could I go back there, after skipping out as I did and leaving all those debts? It’s impossible.” “You know your debts were paid. When Browning returned to college, he squared them all.” “Without my knowledge, Merriwell. I refused to let you send the money, but you did it without letting me know a thing about it. I was the one to pay the debts I had contracted. You did that.” “Something I’ll guarantee is known to no person but Browning.” “What makes you think that?” “I know it.” “How?” “He was bound by a pledge not to say I had anything to do with it, but to give the impression that the money came from you.” Something misty came into the eyes of the dark-haired lad. “Merriwell,” he said, huskily, “I’d be an ungrateful churl not to appreciate such kindness!” “It’s all right, old man; it’s what I’d wish another to do for me were I in your place.” “It’s exactly what you would not accept from another. I know that. You put me in this position without my consent. Now I owe you all that money.” “Forget it!” “That’s easy to say, but it’s not easy to do. Now you are going back to college, and what’s to become of me? I am left!” “I tell you that you are going with me.” “No; I have no love for any of your Yale friends. Of course I was sorry that I failed to finish my course and graduate. It’s too late now. I tell you my mother has given me up. That makes it impossible for me to return to college. She was paying my way. Now there is no one to furnish me with money, and I am as bad off as you were when you lost your fortune.” “Bart, I’ve been thinking of something lately. You know all about our discovery of the lost fortune in the Utah Desert.” “I know all about your discovery of it, and I know no other person had a hand in it.” “But Browning, Diamond, Rattleton and Toots were with me. It has been divided equally among us. Shortly after the discovery of that treasure you joined our party. I have thought it all over, and it seems no more than fair that you should have a share of that fortune.” “You’re going daffy!” “Not a bit of it. I say it is right. The others have received their shares, but you shall have your share of mine. I will divide with you, and that will give you four thousand dollars. With that sum you can return to college and finish your course.”