“I didn’t hear what had happened to you until intermission time, Stone,” said the football captain apologetically; “if I had, you’d seen me before this. My father sent me word. He has engaged Lawyer Marsh to defend you. This is Mr. Marsh, Ben.”
The lawyer likewise took the hand of the accused boy, looking earnestly into his face. “Mr. Eliot,” he said, “seems to think there must be some mistake. He is unwilling to believe you are guilty, my lad.”
Ben’s face, which had been quite pale, flushed deeply; for, of a sudden, his heart sent the blood leaping through his body. So Urian Eliot did not believe him a thief! Roger had faith in him and was ready to stand by him! After a moment he spoke with strange calmness:
“I am not guilty.”
“I knew it!” cried Roger. “I would have staked my life on it.”
“As your counsel,” said the lawyer, “I have come to talk the matter over with you, that I may prepare to defend you when the trial is called at ten o’clock to-morrow. I shall ask you some questions, and you must answer them frankly, fully and truthfully.”
“You shall have a truthful answer to every question you ask, sir.”
“I suppose you know the circumstances which have led to your arrest?”
“I only know that I am charged with robbery. I have been told nothing more.”
“Then you may not be aware that two lockers at the gymnasium were broken open, that of Roger and of Bernard Hayden.”