ss young prosecutor, "if you will please to
question Master Ben, I think he will tell you the truth. He has not told
a downright story yet."

"What! why he has been corroborating his brother's testimony all along!"
said Mr. Middleton.

"Only as to the assault, sir; not as to the theft. Please question him,
sir, to finish this business."

"I will! Ben, who stole the fruit and nuts from my carriage?"

Ben dug his hands into his pockets and turned sullenly away.

"Did this poor boy steal them? For if I find he did, I will send him to
prison. And I know you wouldn't like to see an innocent boy sent to
prison. So tell me the truth. Did he, or did he not, steal the articles
in question?"

"He did not; not so much as one of them," replied the younger Burghe.

"Did Alfred take them?"

Ben was sullenly silent.

"Did Alfred take them?" repeated Mr. Middleton.

"I won't tell you! So there now! I told you that fellow didn't! but I
won't tell you who did! It is real hard of you to want me to tell on my
own brother!" exclaimed Master Ben, walking off indignantly.

"That is enough; indeed the finding of the articles upon Alfred's person
was enough," said Mr. Middleton.

"I think this poor boy's word ought to have been enough!" said Claudia.

"And now, sir!" continued Mr. Middleton, turning to Master Burghe; "you
have been convicted of theft, falsehood, and cowardice--yes, and of the
meanest falsehood and the basest cowardice I ever heard of. Under these
circumstances, I cannot permit your future attendance upon my school.
You are no longer a proper companion for my pupils. To-morrow I shall
call upon your father, to tell him what has happened and advise him to
send you to sea, under some strict captain, for a three or five years'
cruise!"

"If you blow me to the governor, I'll be shot to death if I don't knife
you, old fellow!" roared the young reprobate.

"Begone, sir!" was the answer of Mr. Middleton.

"Oh, I can go! But you look out! You're all a set of radicals, anyhow!
making equals of all the rag, tag, and bobtail about. Look at Claudia
there! What would Judge Merlin say if he was to see his daughter with
her arm around that boy's neck!"

Claudia's eyes kindled dangerously, and she made one step towards the
offender, saying:

"Hark you, Master Alfred Burghe. Don't you dare to take my name between
your lips again! and don't you dare to come near me as long as you live,
or even to say to anybody that you wer