“You may go, Keene,” went on the instructor.
“May I also?” exclaimed Frank, and again there was a buzz of excited whispers. The other lads knew what Bart’s request meant.
“Silence!” called Mr. Kenton, sharply. “One at a time is enough,” he added grimly. “We will proceed with the lesson. Ned Wilding, you may begin to translate.”
Discipline held sway once more, and the boys settled back into their seats. Bart, conscious that the eyes of every lad in the room were on him, walked out. He found Professor Long in the chemical laboratory, preparing for some class work.
“Ah, Keene,” remarked the science instructor, as he mixed some unpleasant-smelling liquids in a test tube. “Did you wish to see me?”
“Yes—yes, sir,” stammered Bart. “You said—that is—I—er—I was the one who took the collection of reptiles,” blurted out the uneasy lad. “But I didn’t take the diamond bracelet! We didn’t see anything of it! I hope you’ll believe me! You don’t know how unpleasant it is to be accused. At one time I—that is my chums and I—were accused of blowing up the school tower with dynamite, and——”
“Yes, I remember that happening,” went on Mr. Long, gravely. “You were innocent on that occasion.”
“And we are innocent now!” burst out Bart. “We—that is I—took the turtles and the alligators, but we—that is I—never saw the bracelet. Are you sure it was in the cabinet, Mr. Long?”
“Very sure, Bart. But you might save yourself some embarrassment by telling me all the details. I’m glad to see you willing to bear all the blame, but, if you were alone in the escapade, how is it that I found Ned Wilding’s knife, and this handkerchief with Frank Roscoe’s name on it,” and the instructor, with a smile, held up the articles he mentioned.