"Then you believe, sir, that I stole the things that you hold in your hand?" demanded the young freshman, steadily.
"I don't want to believe it," protested Dr. Thornton. "It seems wicked—-monstrous—-to believe that any fine, bright, capable boy like you can be——-"
Dr. Thornton all but broke down. Then he added, in a hoarse whisper:
"—-a thief."
"I'm not one," rejoined Dick. "And, not very far into the future lies the day when I'm going to prove it to you."
"If you can," replied Dr. Thornton, "you'll make me as happy as you do yourself and your parents."
"Let me have the watch and pin to turn over to the chief, doctor," requested Hemingway, and took the articles. "Now, for the boy——-?"
"I'm not going to have him arrested," replied the principal, "unless the superintendent or the Board of Education so direct me."
From the other side of the doorway could be heard a stifled cry of delight.
"Then we may as well be going, doctor. You'll come to the station with me, won't you?"