"Tut! tut!" exclaimed the dean, "don't use harsh language, professor. I don't think the situation justifies it. According to Merriwell's story, he was in the chimney without any idea of listening to you, and I think any of us who can remember our student days will admit that if we had been in the same position we would have done substantially what he did." Prof. Babbitt bit his lip. It was not at all pleasant for him to find that Frank had a friend in the dean, who, next to the president, is the highest official in the college. "All this," he muttered, "doesn't explain the fact that two examination papers were missing!" "True," answered the dean, "and we shall have to think that over. Merriwell, will you step into the next room for a short time, please?" Frank obeyed, and he felt certain that he read in the dean's eyes perfect belief in his story. "It'll come out right somehow," he thought, as he closed the door upon the dean, Babbitt and Mr. Harding. He could hear their voices in earnest conversation for fully a quarter of an hour. They were doubtless discussing the discovery of the extra paper upon Merriwell's desk, and Frank wondered what conclusion they would come to about it. Meantime, another event was taking place that led to a solution of the mystery. One by one the students finished their work on the examination papers and left the hall; few of them went away from the door; the most gathered there talking excitedly about the accusation against Merriwell. There were some who professed to believe that Merriwell had been up to a sharp trick, and had actually stolen the question paper, but the great majority indignantly denied it. There are many students who would have no scruples against cheating at an examination, but few would think of descending so low as to commit theft for the purpose. Frank's friends were in the majority, and very loud in their assertions as to his honorable conduct. Among the first to leave the room after Frank's exit was Dismal Jones; he stood around with his hands in his pockets saying nothing, but looking from one to the other with a very worried expression upon his solemn face. Among the last to leave was Mortimer Ford. He walked through the group with a jaunty air, as if confident that he had come out of the examination in good order, and started for his room. Jones tried to speak to him, but Ford simply said: "Ah, there, Dismal, I hope you didn't get plucked," and continued on. Dismal scowled savagely and stood for a moment looking at Ford's retreating form, and then he turned about, and catching Diamond by the sleeve, said: "See here, Jack! I want to speak to you for a minute." "What's the matter?" returned Diamond, feeling a little impatient and provoked, for his mind was full of Frank's trouble, and he could not think of talking of anything else. "It's about Merriwell," whispered Jones, "and I want you and Rattleton and Browning and Page to come here."