king; and when at last he spoke he said to his father:

'I shall go to Springfield on the ten o'clock train, and you'd better go
with me.'

To this Frank made no objections. If his wife's diamonds were really
found, he ought to be there to receive them; and, besides, he might say
a word in Harold's defence, if necessary. So ten o'clock found him and
Tom at the station, where also was Dick St. Claire, with several other
young men, pacing up and down the platform and excitedly discussing the
news, of which they did not believe a word.

'I almost feel as if they were hurting me when they touch Hal, he's such
a noble fellow,' Dick said to Mr. Tracy and Tom. 'We are all as mad as
can be, and so a lot of us fellows, who have always known him, are going
over to speak a good word for him, and go his bail if necessary. I don't
believe, though, they can do anything after all these years; but father
will know. He is there with him.'

And so the night train to Springfield carried fourteen men from
Shannondale, thirteen of whom were going to stand by Harold, while the
fourteenth hardly knew why he was going or what he believed. Arrived in
the city, their first inquiry was for Harold, who, instead of being in
the charge of an officer as they had feared, was quietly sleeping in his
room at the hotel, while Judge St. Claire had the diamonds in his
possession.

CHAPTER XLII.

HAROLD AND THE DIAMONDS.

When Harold sprang upon the train as it was moving from the station and
entered the rear car, he found old Peterkin near the door, button-holing
Judge St. Claire, to whom he was talking loudly and angrily of that
infernal cheat, Wilson, who had brought the suit against him.

'Yes, yes, I see; I know; but all that will come out on the trial,' the
judge said, trying to silence him.

But Peterkin held on, until his eye caught Harold, when he let the judge
go, and seating himself beside the young man began in a soft, coaxing
tone for him:

'I don't see why in thunder you are goin' agin me, who have allus been
your friend, and gin you work when you couldn't git it any where else;
and I can't imagine what you're goin' to say, or what you know.'

Harold's face was very red, but his manner was respectful as he replied:

'You cannot be more sorry than I am that I am subpoenaed as a witness
against you. I did not seek it. I could not help it: but, being a
witness, I must answer the questions truthfully.'

'Thunder and lightni