CHAPTER XXIII
UNDER ARREST
"There's some one at that transom!"
"Quick, see who it is?"
Frank, Bob and Ned sprang to their feet as the latter gave the alarm, andFrank's words started them speedily into action. Bob, half crippled thoughhe was, reached the door of the room first, tore it open and gained thecorridor.
"It was some one from the crowd next door," he reported. "I fancied I sawGill Mace vanish into that room. It's just like him--a sneaking spy."
"Ritchie said those fellows were nosing around a good deal to find outabout my being away from the academy," observed Frank. "I suppose they'repretty curious."
"Yes, and they're bolting away from the ball game the way you did stirsthem up," said Bob.
"Well, the transom is nailed shut, so any eavesdropper wouldn't be likelyto hear much," declared Frank.
"No, but they might see that," and Ned pointed to an object on the table,where they had been seated for an hour discussing Frank's circumstantialstory of all that had happened to him from the time of his kidnaping. "Ishouldn't suppose you would care to have that Mace fellow see it."
"Oh, anybody can see it and welcome, as soon as I have a talk with thepresident," responded Frank carelessly.
Frank took up from the table and pocketed the bracelet he had found on thefloor of the old hut. It was bent and dented as though it had been handledroughly.
Frank had just returned from the town, where he had seen to it that the mancalled Dan was placed in a comfortable room at a hotel, with a physician incharge of his case.
The doctor told Frank that the man must have been in a terrible fight withsome one, for he was wounded in several places and unconscious.
Frank told the hotel keeper that he would be responsible for the expenseincurred in caring for the sick man. Our hero offered to pay the farmerwhose wagon had brought Dan to the town. The farmer refused any payment,but Frank made little Lem a present out of his pocket money.
Now Frank and his two fast friends had gone over the details of his recentstirring adventures.
"I think that this man Dan is the best of the crowd of plotters," saidFrank. "There must have been a fight over the bracelet. I'm glad I've gotit. I can prove my innocence now."
"What are you going to do with it, Frank?" asked Ned.
"Turn it over to Professor Elliott in the morning, and tell him the entirestory. I am sure that Dan can be made to tell who stole it. I believe itwas Brady."
"He may tell you, too, where to find that lawyer," suggested Bob.
"Grimm--yes," answered Frank. "There's something he's been up to with Bradythat is of interest to Ned here--I am sure of that."
Frank felt certain that affairs were now on a basis where a good manythings would come to light within the next few hours.
He was up bright and early the next morning, and was somewhat disappointedto learn that Professor Elliott had not yet returned to Bellwood School.
Ritchie came up to him on the campus after breakfast and took him to oneside.
"I say, Jordan," he began in a confidential tone, "there's a good deal ofmystery going on around these diggings."
"How's that?" inquired Frank with a smile.
"Banbury's crowd are up to something, and I feel sure it concerns you insome way."
"I can't understand how that can be."
"Nor can I," said Ritchie; "but one of our scouts says they were hobnobbinglate into the night. That Gill Mace went to town last evening and sent offa rush telegram somewhere. This morning the crowd are buzzing like a lot ofbees, whispering together and looking at you, and Mace walks around withhis eye in the direction of the town, as if he expected something tohappen. Look there, now--what's up?"
Gill Mace had hurried toward the campus of the school to meet a man comingup the road. Accompanying the latter and acting very important and excited,he advanced across the campus toward the spot where Ritchie and his friendsstood.
"That's the boy," pronounced Gill Mace in a loud tone, pointing to Frank.
"Is your name Jordan?" demanded the stranger of Frank.
"Suppose it is?" inquired Frank.
"Then I've come to arrest you, that's all," said the man. "I'm a constable,and the charge is stealing and having in your possession a certain diamondbracelet belonging to Samuel Mace of Tipton."
"Yes," cried Gill Mace, "he's got it about him. I saw him with it lastnight."
"Oh, then you are the sneak who was spying over our transom last night,eh?" said Frank, with a glance at Gill that made him quail.
"Search him, officer--get that bracelet," vociferated Gill. "He stole itfrom my uncle."
"Come with me, young man," ordered the officer, extending a hand to seizeFrank's arm.
"Hold on," spoke up Ritchie suddenly, stepping in between the two. "Youdon't arrest Frank Jordan until we know the particulars of this affair."