ow is the money I placed in my desk this morning for, as is my
custom, I noticed the number of the bill when I received it."

What could I do, what could I say, against such proof positive, and yet
till my teacher drew the bill from my pocket, I had not the slightest
knowledge of it's being there. I felt that to declare my ignorance of
the matter would be almost useless, and yet, conscious of my own
innocence, I could not keep silent. Looking Mr. Oswald boldly in the
face I said, "whether you believe me or not I speak the truth when I
tell you I never saw that bill till you took it from my pocket; how it
came there I know not, but again I tell you I never took the money from
your desk." I could say no more, and burst into tears. Mr. Oswald
remained silent for a time, trying, I presume, to decide in his own mind
as to his wisest course of action. Requesting the attention of all, he
addressed us, saying. "You are all aware that I lost this money, and you
all know where I found it. I am sensible that, with most persons, a
doubt of Walter's guilt would not exist for a moment, but I say to you
all, that, strong as appearances are against him, I am not entirely
convinced that Walter Harland stole that money. He declares himself
innocent; he has been a pupil in this school for some months past, and
during this time I have never known him to deviate from the truth in the
slightest degree. I shall wait for a time before proceeding further, and
see what light may be thrown upon this most painful affair. If Walter
did not place that bill in his pocket himself some one else did," and as
Mr. Oswald spoke, he cast a searching glance from one desk to the other;
but not a shadow of guilt could be detected upon the countenance of any
present. "I would say in conclusion," said Mr. Oswald, "any scholar who
taunts Walter with stealing, or ridicules him in any way, will be
immediately expelled from school. For the present at least, let no
allusion be made to the matter, unless it be in a way to throw light
upon it, in that case let the communication be made to me alone. You
all hear my commands, and I advise you to respect them." This was a
dreadful afternoon to me; it seemed that a weight had suddenly fallen
upon me which was crushing me to the earth. Although no one dared
violate the commands of our teacher, I could not fail to notice the
changed manner of nearly all my companions when school was dismissed.
Some hurried away without taking