“It wasn’t the Cubs who wrecked the old church,” the boy blurted out. “We did it and they got the blame. We saw a window smashed, so we smashed another and climbed inside. We didn’t mean to do any real damage—we just didn’t think.”
No one spoke for a moment after Pat had made his confession. Finally, Mr. Maxwell said:
“Well, this does throw a different light on the matter. But how do we know they’re telling the truth?”
“We wouldn’t lie,” Pat retorted scornfully. “Anyhow, why would we tell you this if it weren’t so? It only gets us into a peck o’ trouble.”
Mr. Greene, the Juvenile Court director, now moved forward to face the church trustees.
“The boy is telling the truth,” he said quietly. “For weeks, our department has been making an investigation. We weren’t ready to make an announcement, lacking absolute proof.”
“You haven’t it now, either,” Mr. Maxwell snapped. “You’re a personal friend of Mr. Hatfield, and that’s why you’re siding with the Cubs.”
The disclosure that Pat and his boys were responsible for the damage had not pleased him. He knew well enough that their parents were not well-to-do and the boys themselves never would be able to pay.
A silence fell upon the room. Then Mr. Hatfield’s voice rang out, clear and confident.
“We do have the proof.”