"No, sah—I—I never seen dat watch before," answered Aleck nervously. "I dun reckon sumbuddy put up a job on dis poah coon, sah," he continued ruefully.
"I believe the job was put up by yourself," answered Captain
Putnam sternly. "If you are guilty you had better confess."
A stormy war of words followed. Alexander Pop stoutly declared himself innocent, but in the face of the proofs discovered the master of the Hall would not listen to him.
"Peleg Snuggers shall take you in charge and drive down to the
Cedarville lock-up," said the captain.
The news that some of the things had been found in Pop's trunk spread with great rapidity. Many were astonished to learn that he was thought guilty, but a few declared that "a coon wasn't to be trusted anyway."
"Niggers are all thieves," said Jim Caven, "never yet saw an honest one."
"I don't believe you!" burst out Tom. "Pop's a first-rate fellow, and the captain has got to have more proof against him before I'll believe him guilty."
"Oh, he's a bad egg!" growled the Irish boy.
"You only say that because he called you down last week," put in Frank. He referred to a tilt between the new pupil and the colored man. Jim Caven had tried to be "smart" and had gotten the worst of the encounter.
"Yes, I think he's as honest as you are!" burst out Tom, before he had stopped to think twice.