He did not finish the sentence, for Hal’s face had become so pale that it seemed as if he was going to faint.
CHAPTER XVI
FLIGHT
If Mr. Johnson Miles had charged him of theft with a loud voice, Hal could not have felt the accusation more keenly than he felt it in the aviator’s look and tones. And the worst feature of the situation was the fact that the finger of circumstantial proof pointed directly at the boy.
At first, almost overcome with dismay, Hal suddenly realized the injustice of the suspicion against him, and stiffening with anger, he blazed forth:
“What do you mean, sir? Do you mean to say that I stole it?”
Mr. Miles did not answer the question. He merely looked stern and asked another, while a score of boys gathered around, gazing on the two with startled wonder.
“Can you tell me where you got it?” inquired Mr. Miles.
“Yes, sir, I can,” Hal replied defiantly. “I found it in the cave.”
“Where you found my bag of souvenirs?”
“Yes, sir.”