VII
When the grand jury dispersed after Mr. Peaslee's confession, Farnsworth, first speaking a few words to Paige, the state's attorney, hurried toward the Union School. As he expected, he met Miss Ware coming from it on her way to her boarding-house.
He waved his hat, and called:—
"Jim's free!"
As he reached her side he added, "He didn't fire the shot at all."
"Of course he didn't!" cried Nancy, triumphantly. "Didn't I tell you? But who did, and how did you find out?"
"Peaslee," said Farnsworth. "He owned up."
"Mr. Peaslee! Then that awful harmonica—Why, the wretch!"
"Sh!" warned Farnsworth. "Not so loud! These are jury-room secrets which I'm not supposed to tell."
But he told them, nevertheless. As the two walked along together, he gave her an account of all that had happened.