Such news travels fast, and it reached the Park House just as the family were finishing their late dinner.
"I told you so! I always thought he was guilty, or knew something about them," Mrs. Frank exclaimed, with a look of exultation on her face as she turned to her husband. "What do you think now of your fine young man, who has been hanging around here after your daughter until she is half-betwaddled after him?"
Frank's face was very grave as he answered, decidedly:
"I do not believe it. Harold Hastings never took your diamonds."
"How came he by them, then?" she asked, in a loud, angry voice.
"I don't know," her husband replied; "there is some mistake; it will be cleared in time. But keep it from Maude; I think the news would kill her."
Meantime Tom had sat with his brows knit together, as if intently thinking; and when at last he spoke, he said to his father:
"I shall go to Springfield on the ten o'clock train, and you'd better go with me."
To this Frank made no objections. If his wife's diamonds were really found, he ought to be there to receive them; and, besides, he might say a word in Harold's defense, if necessary. So ten o'clock found him and Tom at the station, where was also Dick St. Claire, with several other young men, pacing up and down the platform and excitedly discussing the news, of which they did not believe a word.
"I almost feel as if they were hurting me when they touch Hal, he's such a noble fellow," Dick said to Mr. Tracy and Tom. "We are all as mad as we can be, and so a lot of us fellows, who have always known him, are going over to speak a good word for him, and go his bail if necessary. I don't believe, though, they can do anything after all these years; but father will know. He is there with him."