at
the writer of this note deliberately stole the package and put it in
Rushton's locker, in order to bring disgrace on him."

"It's hard to think that there is such a despicable wretch as that in
Rally Hall," said Doctor Rally, bringing his clenched fist down on his
desk.

"So it is," replied the other, "but to believe that Fred Rushton stole
them is harder yet."

"Who, in the whole body of students, do you believe is capable of such a
thing?" asked the doctor.

"Only one," was the cautious answer, "but, in the total absence of
proof, it wouldn't perhaps be fair to name him."

"I think I know whom you have in mind," rejoined the master. "Here,"
tearing two bits of paper from a sheet on his desk, "in order that our
guess be independent, you write a name on this piece of paper and I will
write on this. Then we will compare."

The professor did so. Then they laid the papers side by side.

Each bore the same name, "Shanks."

"He's a poor stick," mused the doctor, "but I'd hate to think that he'd
sink as low as this. And, of course, so far, it is purely guess work. He
may be as innocent as the driven snow. Has he ever had any trouble with
Rushton?"

"Not that I know of," was the answer, "although at one time I came upon
them when they seemed to have been having words," and Professor Raymond
narrated the affair on the campus.

"Well," Doctor Rally wound up the discussion by saying, "for the
present, we suspend judgment. Keep a sharp eye on both Rushton and
Shanks. I'll not rest until I have probed this thing to the bottom."

In the meantime Fred had gone to his room utterly crushed and
despondent. The whole thing had come on him like a thunderbolt. In half
an hour, from being one of the happiest boys in the school he had become
the most miserable.

It seemed to him as though all his world had fallen into ruins. To be
accused of theft, to be, perhaps, driven in disgrace from Rally Hall, to
have all his relatives and friends know of the awful charge against him!
For a time, he felt that he would go crazy.

Teddy, who was the only one in whom he could confide, was studying when
Fred dragged himself in.

"Oh, Ted," he groaned, as he threw himself down on his bed.

"What's the matter, Fred?" exclaimed Teddy, leaping to his feet in
alarm, as he saw the blank misery in his brother's eyes.

"They think I'm a thief," moaned Fred.

"Who thinks so? What do you mean?" and Teddy fairly shouted.

"Doctor Rally and