“Left?” demanded Hodge. “What do you mean? Has he left school?”
“Yes. That’s exactly what he has done. Packed up bag and baggage and left town on the evening train.”
“Without a word?” asked Hodge, unable to conceal his surprise.
“Yes, sir; he’s gone for good.”
“How do you know?”
“He told me so himself. I went over to his room to tell him it was all off between him and me——”
“You went to his room?” broke in Dan.
“Yes, that’s just what I did. After I found out that Carlton was not going to die——”
“I’m all right,” interrupted Carlton sharply. The little fellow’s face was still white and betrayed the pain he still was suffering, but the boy’s determination was so manifest that the older boys in the room were quick to see and approve his newly found courage.