“The chief said I was to take your instructions, Dr. Thornton,” hinted Hemingway.

“Yes; I heard the order given,” nodded the now gloomy High School principal.

“Shall I arrest young Prescott?”

At that paralyzing question Dick’s mother did not cry out.  She kissed her son, then went just past the open doorway, where she halted again.

“I hesitate about seeing any boy start from his first offense with a criminal record,” replied the principal, slowly.  “If I were convinced that this would be the last offense I certainly would not favor any prosecution.  Prescott, could you promise-----”

“Then you believe, sir, that I stole the things that you hold in your hand?” demanded the young freshman, steadily.

“I don’t want to believe it,” protested Dr. Thornton.  “It seems wicked—–­monstrous—–­to believe that any fine, bright, capable boy like you can be-----”

Dr. Thornton all but broke down.  Then he added, in a hoarse whisper: 

“—–­a thief.”

“I’m not one,” rejoined Dick.  “And, not very far into the future lies the day when I’m going to prove it to you.”

“If you can,” replied Dr. Thornton, “you’ll make me as happy as you do yourself and your parents.”

“Let me have the watch and pin to turn over to the chief, doctor,”
requested Hemingway, and took the articles.   “Now, for the boy-----?”

“I’m not going to have him arrested,” replied the principal, “unless the superintendent or the Board of Education so direct me.”

From the other side of the doorway could be heard a stifled cry of delight.

“Then we may as well be going, doctor.  You’ll come to the station with me, won’t you?”

“In one moment,” replied the principal.  He turned to Dick, sorrowfully holding out his hand.

“Prescott, whatever I may do will be the result of long and careful thought, or at the order of the superintendent or of the Board of Education.  If you really are guilty, I hope you will pause, think and resolve, ere it is too late, to make a man of yourself hereafter.  If you are innocent, I hope, with all my heart, that you will succeed in proving it.  And to that end you may have any possible aid that I can give you.  Goodbye, Prescott.  Goodbye, madam!  May peace be with you.”

Half way down the stairs Dr. Thornton turned around to say: 

“Of course, you quite comprehend, Prescott, that, pending official action by the school authorities, you must be suspended from the Gridley High School!”

As soon as the door had closed Dick half-tottered back into his room.  He did not close the door, but crossed to the window, where he stood looking out upon a world that had darkened fearfully.

Then, without having heard a step, Dick Prescott felt his mother’s arms enfold him.

CHAPTER IX

LAURA BENTLEY IS WIDE AWAKE