lony
unless certain legal action is taken. Is there anyone who wishes to
say something?"

For a moment there was silence, and then Sam Heller slowly arose again.

"Since this matter has assumed a certain phase," he said, speaking
calmly, "and since it is a question of the identification of a certain
garment, of which I own one, I wish to state that I was not at the
farm, nor have I ever been there as far as I can recollect. At the
same time, in justice to myself, I must state that I saw a certain
student from this school on the lane leading to the farm, night before
last."

"I will not ask you to state now who that was," said the head master,
quickly, "as it would not be fair, and you may be called on, in a court
of justice, to give evidence."

"But I prefer to state now!" almost shouted Sam. "I have a right to
clear my own name. I saw Tom Fairfield, wearing that sweater, leave
his dormitory on the night the horses were poisoned, and, a little
later, I saw him heading for the lane leading to the farm!"

"That's not true!" cried Tom, leaping to his feet.

CHAPTER XV

TOM'S SILENCE

There were subdued murmurings from every student in the chapel. Never,
in the history of Elmwood Hall, had there been such an occurrence. An
implied charge against one of the school lads--a serious charge; the
denial on the part of one to whom suspicion might point, and the retort
direct from another. It was unheard of.

Silence followed Tom's dramatic announcement. He remained on his feet,
looking at Sam Heller, who also stood, and then the gaze of our hero
wandered to the troubled, but still serene, countenance of Doctor
Meredith.

"Young gentlemen," began the head of the School gently, "I must ask you
to be calm."

"But, Doctor," said Tom respectfully, "I must deny the charge that has
been brought against me. I never had the most remote connection with
setting the hay stacks afire, nor in poisoning the horses. I cannot
make my denial too strong."

"No one has accused you of either crime, my dear boy," said the doctor.
"You are a bit too hasty, I fear."

"But Heller has seen fit to say that he suspects me," went on Tom,
looking his enemy full in the face.

"No," said Sam, and he could not conceal the triumph in his voice. "I
did not say that. What I did say, and what I repeat was, that on the
night the horses were poisoned I saw Tom Fairfield leave the dormitory,
wearing a sweater like mine, and later I