“No, I’m not sore. On the whole, it seems better that the matter should go before a judge and be settled for ever. If Mr. Sempter had turned me loose, as you say, the robbery would have remained as much a mystery as before, and some people would always have thought me guilty. I can’t see how it is to be accomplished, but I hope and trust that the real facts will come to light before fall.”
“Sure they will,” said Billy. “Everybody believes in you. Look at Gardiner there, stepping right up to go your bail. There’s a score of others would do the same, but it was mighty white of him.” In fact, Gardiner’s magnanimity was the principal topic of discussion by the crowd which now stood in groups about the courtroom floor.
At the door Burton was met by Harry Grant, who shook his arm as though he intended to acquire that member.
“Easy, Harry,” Raymond cried. “Goodness, spare the arm. They may give me hard labour, and then I’ll need it. One would think I had just been acquitted, instead of sent down for trial.”
“So you are acquitted—acquitted with honour,” exclaimed his friend. “When a magistrate accepts parole on his own responsibility, and the aggrieved party offers bail for the accused, a man’s innocence is as good as established. But say, Burton, why didn’t you tell about that bottle incident before? That’s the only clue to the whole affair. The finding of the keys was nothing. I know about the letters and I know some one who would have got up in court and sworn to your errand, if you had given her a chance. Why didn’t you?”
“Harry, your cousin’s name must not be connected with this affair. It is good of you—and her—to suggest it, but she really must have nothing to do with it.”
“When you know my cousin better you’ll handle that word ‘must’ with more care, young man. She’s not one of those girls who can be ‘musted’ into silence when a friend’s reputation is at stake. Before the trial comes off she’ll cut a big figure in this case, or I’m not Harry Grant. By the way, when are you coming out to see us again?”
“Not until this thing is cleared up, and I am either proved innocent or—pshaw, can’t you see that it is out of the question at present?”
“No, I can’t, and if you don’t come willingly I’ll bring in one of the plough teams and ‘snake’ you out,” laughed Harry, as they parted at the corner. “So long. I’ll see you at the store one of these days.”
Burton went back to his work in the store with a heart lighter than he could have thought possible. He was under the shadow of a crime, but in the hour of adversity he was beginning to discover the worth of a few true friends. Gardiner’s action in guaranteeing his bail had gone far toward removing the sting of the suspicion with which he felt his employer had regarded him the morning after the robbery. Harry Grant’s old time friendliness seemed intensified by the circumstances, and Billy Haynes’ sincere regret for his share in the affair also helped to lighten the load. But most of all, and most significant of all, was the fact that Miss Vane was prepared to stand by him; nay, that she would insist on standing by him, even to the length of testifying, if necessary, in his defence. A great pride filled his heart as he thought of it, and with the pride came the determination that come what would he would fight the fight through to a finish. He was convinced that there was not sufficient evidence to convict him, but he would be satisfied with no negative results. He must be exonerated; his reputation must emerge without a stain. And then, perhaps—