But Bobby could not help crying, and the more Mr. Bayard, attempted to console him, the more he wept.
"I am innocent, Mr. Bayard," he sobbed.
"I know you are, Bobby; and all the world knows you are."
"I am ruined now; I shall never dare to hold my head up again."
"Nonsense, Bobby; you will hold your head the higher. You have behaved like a hero."
"I ran away from the State Reform School, sir. I was innocent, and I would rather have died than staid there."
"I know all about it, my young friend. Now dry your tears, and we will talk it all over."
Bobby blowed and sputtered a little more; but finally he composed himself, and took a chair by Mr. Bayard's side. The bookseller then drew from his pocket a ponderous document, with a big official seal upon it, and exhibited it to our hero.
"Do you see this, Bobby? It is your free and unconditional pardon."
"Sir! Why—"