to
say this, seeing the sturdy little champion at his side.

"We'll get Warde," Pee-wee said, "because he likes Warde, and Warde's
pretty good at jollying me, too. And that'll be good because we're the
three that stick up for Blythe, hey? And if any of those men say
anything there'll be three of us to answer them."

"They won't let us stay long, Kid," Roy said.

"I don't care, anyway we'll see him; and I'm going to tell him that the
three of us know he's innocent."

"No, don't tell him that, Kid," said Roy more thoughtfully. "Let's not
speak about that. If he's innocent--"

"What do you mean, _if?_" Pee-wee asked.

"I mean it looks bad for him, Kid," said Roy frankly. "If his brain
wasn't just right, then it wasn't so bad. See? He's the one that did it,
you saw the pictures, Kid, and the label on his coat. But if he didn't
know all about what he was doing then it wasn't so bad. The grown people
know best, Kid. But that isn't saying we can't be friends with him."

"You go back on what you said?" Pee-wee demanded grimly.

"Oh, I don't know, Kid," Roy answered, nettled and annoyed; "let's not
talk about it. We're going to see him anyway. Come on, let's get Warde,
that's a good idea."

Without another word Pee-wee turned up the next corner toward his home.

"Aren't you going, Kid?" Roy called.

"Go ahead," said Pee-wee, never turning, "I'll be there. I know the
way."

Roy watched the sturdy little figure trudging along the side street. He
knew that Pee-wee was both angry and disgusted; he could tell by his
walk. But the Raven mascot was not too preoccupied with his mighty wrath
to forget to tip his scout hat to a lady whom he passed. He observed all
the scout laws and rules. There were no two ways about anything with
Pee-wee. Loyalty meant more than just friendship. It meant confidence,
faith.

This staunchness somewhat daunted Roy. It made him feel not quite sure
of himself; a little ashamed. But after all it was just Pee-wee's way;
his faith was so strong that he shut his eyes to facts.

Roy went down to the river and got Warde and together they started for
the hospital. Warde was glad to go. He said little, for that was his
habit. He was quiet and thoughtful.

"That kid almost has me thinking that everybody's mistaken," said Roy.

"How?"

"Oh, he's so dead sure about everything. Don't you suppose I can be
grateful to Blythe even if he--even if he's crazy."

"What do you mean, crazy?"

"Oh, I mean