“Phoebe can do that better than I,” was the answer. “She is one of Toby Clark’s staunchest defenders.”
“Now, then, Phoebe, fire away.”
She told the story, quietly and convincingly, beginning with Judge Ferguson’s sudden death and relating Mrs. Ritchie’s demand for her box, its disappearance and the finding of evidence on the premises of Toby Clark, who had been promptly arrested and held for trial on the charge of stealing. She told of Mr. Spaythe’s unaccountable defense of Toby, employing a lawyer, furnishing his bail, and then giving him an asylum in his own house, and concluded with the donation of fifty dollars by an unknown person-through Spaythe’s bank—for the benefit of the Marching Club.
The governor listened without interruption or comment to the end, but it was evident he was interested. When Phoebe had finished he rose to his feet and walked over to where the boys and girls were drilling, where he stood watching Don explain the maneuvers and direct the exercises. The Great Man noted every child’s face and marked its expression. Then he strode among them and facing the astonished assemblage held up his hand.
“How many of you believe Toby Clark is innocent?” he asked.
The yell they gave was decidedly unanimous.
“How many of you would be willing to take his chance of going free?” continued the governor in an earnest tone.
There was hesitation, this time.
“I would!” cried Don. Then he turned to the others. “All of you who would be willing to take Toby Clark’s chance of going free, step over here beside me.”
Allerton and Becky, inspired by loyalty to the cause, moved over at once. The others stood silent.