He put it in by walking about the city at such a distance from the college buildings that he was not likely to meet any acquaintances. It was a dreary walk, for all the time he suffered the thought of disgrace as well as the maddening perplexity that accompanied the discovery of the examination paper on his desk. "One might almost think," he reflected, "that Babbitt had put up this job on me for the sake of squeezing me out of college, but I don't think Babbitt is mean enough for that. The paper probably got there by some confounded accident. I certainly cannot account for it on any other theory." Just as the city clocks were striking noon, Frank entered the campus and proceeded to the dean's office. The dean gave him an inquiring glance as he entered. "Prof. Babbitt told me to report here at this hour," said Frank, quietly. "Ah!" returned the dean, "Prof. Babbitt is conducting an examination, I believe, which should be over at this time; doubtless he will be here in a moment. Sit down, Merriwell." Frank took a chair in a corner of the room, and Waited, while the dean kept at work at his usual affairs. Fully a quarter of an hour passed before Prof. Babbitt came in. When he did so, he had his arms full of examination papers, and he was accompanied by a man whose face was vaguely familiar to Frank, but whom he did not know by name. It was a resident of New Haven whom he had seen on the street from time to time during his college career. Babbitt gave Frank a scowling glance and remarked: "Ah! I see that with your customary nerve you're here. We will settle this matter, therefore, without delay." The dean laid down his pen and looked up in surprise. "What is the matter, Prof. Babbitt?" he asked. "I am compelled, dean," returned the professor, "to accuse Merriwell of cheating in an examination. I hardly need say that I should not make the charge unless I had ample proof to sustain it." The dean looked over his glasses at Frank in a way that showed that he was not only shocked, but vastly surprised; then he gave an inquiring glance at the man who had come in with Prof. Babbitt. "Excuse me, dean," said the professor, "this is Mr. James Harding. I thought that you were acquainted with him." "I have not met Mr. Harding before," responded the dean, "although his face is familiar." "I'm glad to make your acquaintance, sir," said Harding. The dean rose and both shook hands. Then the dean hesitated a moment and said: "Won't it be as well, Prof. Babbitt, to postpone the inquiry as to Merriwell until----" "No, excuse me," interrupted the professor, "I've brought Mr. Harding here for a purpose. He can tell you something that has a bearing upon Merriwell's case." "Oh, very well. Step this way, Merriwell." The dean sat down, and Frank advanced to a place in front of his desk. Babbitt's mouth was open to talk, but the dean ignoring him, turned to Frank.