“Stole!” repeated Phil, gasping. “I don't understand you.”
“Oh, yes, you do!” said the conductor roughly.
CHAPTER V.
AN OVERBEARING CONDUCTOR
No matter how honest a boy may be, a sudden charge of theft is likely to make him look confused and guilty.
Such was the case with Phil.
“I assure you,” he said earnestly, “that I did not steal this ring.”
“Where did you get it, then?” demanded the conductor roughly.
He was one of those men who, in any position, will make themselves disagreeable. Moreover, he was a man who always thought ill of others, when there was any chance of doing so. In fact, he preferred to credit his fellows with bad qualities rather than with good.