“What have I to say?” repeated Hector, looking around him proudly and scornfully. “I have to say that it is an infamous lie!”
“Hold, sir!” exclaimed Socrates, angrily. “Shameless boy, do you intend to brazen it out? Did I not tell you that I had complete proof of the truth of the charge?”
“I don’t care what fancied proof you have. I denounce the charge as a lie.”
“That won’t do, sir! I myself took the wallet from the pocket of your pantaloons, hanging in the chamber. Mrs. Smith was with me and witnessed my discovery, and there was another present, one of the pupils of this institute, who also can testify to the fact. It is useless for you to deny it!”
“You found the wallet in the pocket of my pantaloons?” asked Hector, slowly.
“Yes. There can be no doubt about that.”
“Who put it there?” demanded Hector, quickly.
Socrates Smith was staggered, for he had not expected this query from the accused.
“Who put it there?” he repeated.
“Yes, sir,” continued Hector, firmly. “If the matter is as you state it, some one has been mean enough to put the wallet into my pocket in order to implicate me in a theft.”