Frank, in the adjoining room, wondered what all the commotion was about. The dean wondered, too, and said sharply: "Gentlemen, gentlemen, what does this mean?" "It means, sir," said Browning, respectfully, "that an infamous outrage has been attempted, by which an honorable student is made to suffer. Ford will explain." Ford did explain with many cringing appeals for mercy, and with many protests against the violence with which the students had treated him. The dean listened with growing indignation, while even Babbitt was stirred to anger against his favorite student. The upshot of the matter was that Babbitt withdrew his charges against Frank, and even went so far as to make a sort of apology for having suspected him. Ford's case went before the whole faculty at its meeting that evening, with the result that he was suspended for one year. "I never was so relieved in my life, Merriwell," said the dean, as he shook Frank's hand, "for if it had been proven that you had done this thing, I am afraid I should have lost all faith in students, but----" And there was a sly twinkle in his eye. "I think we shall have to recommend that Prof. Babbitt stuff his chimney with bricks and mortar, or else move to a new room." "He needn't fear that I shall invade the chimney again," responded Frank; "I'm only too glad that the matter has turned out so that there is no doubt about me. "Well," said the dean, thoughtfully, "you ought to learn some kind of a lesson out of the experience, I suppose. Let's take it for granted, Merriwell, that you'll give your mathematics a little more attention this year." Frank, smiling, assured the dean that he would do so, and there the matter ended. At a later time Page asked Frank why it was that he had insisted on the fireplace being kept secret until after the examination. "Because," said Frank, "I had got a tip there that was too valuable to lose. If you had shown the opening to everybody, it struck me that perhaps Babbitt would hear you. With his suspicious nature, he might conclude at once that we had good papers because, somehow, we got into his room and found the questions. "As it happened, you see, the showing of the fireplace resulted in even worse than I feared. It gave Ford his opportunity, and one of the reasons why I insisted on studying in your room was to prevent any such thing by having your room occupied all the time. "That scheme failed, because Ford watched his chance and got in while we were at dinner." "I'll have my door fitted with a combination time-lock!" exclaimed Page; "he could have unlocked it as it is now with a button hook." "You'd certainly better put on a better lock if you think of keeping pets in the chim----" "Oh, come off, Frank! I thought I'd heard the last of that." Frank laughed pleasantly, but from that time on he never mentioned the subject. "It's just as well," he said. "I think we are lucky to get out of the affair so easily."