'Perfectly certain,' replied Allan. 'He would no more have done it than you or I. No one who knows him would believe such a thing of Neil.'
'Oh!' interposed Tricksy, in a shocked tone, 'I think Dr. MacGregor believed it.'
Hamish became very red and Marjorie's lips tightened.
'And he's so awfully, awfully jolly,' pursued Harry.
'One of the very jolliest people we know,' answered Marjorie. 'Father doesn't really believe it of him. He did everything for us, and was up to all kinds of inventions. We don't seem to have any fun at all without him.'
'It's a most extraordinary story,' said Harry, jerking himself into a fresh attitude; and both the new boys sat and pondered.
'What do you say to letting them both join the Compact?' suggested Reggie.
Marjorie's eyes said yes; and Hamish, whom Allan consulted with a look, gave a nod.
'What's that; a Compact?' inquired Harry eagerly.
'It's an agreement that we've all made,' said Allan, 'that we'll back Neil up, and show that he didn't commit the robbery.'