ked.

"Yes, Herbert. I have a warrant for your arrest."

"For my arrest!" exclaimed Herbert, in amazement. "What for?"

"On complaint of Eben Graham, for abstracting postage stamps and money
from the post office last evening."

CHAPTER XI. TRIED FOR THEFT.

Herbert stared at the constable in blank amazement.

"I am charged with stealing stamps and money from the post office?" he
said.

"Yes."

"Who makes the charge?" demanded Herbert, in great excitement.

"Eben Graham."

"I don't know what it means," said our hero, turning to George Melville.

"It means," said Melville, "that the fellow is envious of you, and angry
because he cannot supersede you with me. He evidently wants to do you an
injury."

"It must be so; but I did not imagine that Eben could be so mean. Mr.
Bruce, do you believe that I am a thief?"

"No, I don't, Herbert," said the constable, "and it was very much
against my will that I started out to arrest you, you may be sure."

"When do you want me to go with you?" asked Herbert.

"You will go before Justice Slocum at two o'clock."

"Is it necessary for me to go to the lockup?" asked Herbert, shrinking,
with natural repugnance, from entering the temporary house of tramps and
law breakers.

"No, Herbert," answered the constable, in a friendly tone. "I'll take it
upon myself to let you go home to dinner. I will call for you at quarter
of two. Of course I shall find you ready to accompany me?"

"Yes, Mr. Bruce, I am impatient to meet Eben Graham, and tell him to his
face that he has been guilty of a mean and contemptible falsehood, in
charging me with theft. Not a person in the village who knows me will
believe it."

"I will also call at your house, Herbert," said George Melville, "and
accompany you to the office of the justice. I shall ask leave to give
the details of Eben Graham's visit to me last evening."

"Thank you, Mr. Melville," said Herbert, "I am glad you do not believe a
word of this story."

"I am not so easily deceived, Herbert. It is quite possible that stamps
and money have been stolen, but, if so, it is your false friend and
accuser who is guilty."

Of course Herbert had to tell his mother what had happened. She was
agitated and alarmed, but became calmer when Herbert told her what was
Eben's probable motive in making the charge.

"How can he behave so shamefully!" exclaimed the indignant parent.

"I didn't think him capable of it, myself, mother, althou