“Oh, you did, eh?” said Professor Raymond quickly. “And when was that?”
“Two or three days ago,” answered Fred. “I was gathering up my books in your office, and I saw you put in your desk a package that looked just like this one.”
The professor’s heart grew sick within him, as every new item seemed to connect Fred more closely with the theft.
“You knew then that it was in my desk?” he went on. “Did you have any idea of what the package contained?”
“Not then,” answered Fred. “But, a little while afterward I was talking with some of the fellows in the gymnasium, and they said it probably held the examination slips for the algebra test.”
“Do you remember anything else you said at that time?” asked the cross-examiner.
“No-o,” began Fred slowly. “Oh, yes, I remember saying what fun it would be if one were a mind reader and could know just what you were going to ask.
“But, Professor,” he broke out, as the significance of all these questions dawned upon him, “you don’t think for the minute, do you, that I stole this package from your desk?”
“I hardly know what to think,” replied the professor sadly, “but I want you to come right over with me to Doctor Rally’s office.”
Utterly stunned and overwhelmed by the blow that had fallen upon him, Fred followed the professor. His limbs dragged, as though he were walking in a nightmare. They crossed the campus, and went straight to the room where Doctor Rally awaited them.