up, said,
"Dear Eric, I have sought you out on purpose to tell you that I don't
suspect you, and have never done so for a moment. I know you too well,
my boy, and be sure that _I_ will always stick to you, even if the whole
school cut you."

"Oh, Edwin, I am _so_ wretched. I needn't tell you that I am quite
innocent of this. What have I done to be so suspected? Why, even your
cousin Upton won't believe me."

"But he does, Eric," said Russell; "he told me so just now, and several
others said the same thing."

A transient gleam passed over Eric's face.

"Oh, I do so long for home again," he said. "I hate this place. Except
you, I have no friend."

"Don't say so, Eric. This cloud will soon blow over. Depend upon it,
as the Doctor said, we shall discover the offender yet, and the fellows
will soon make you reparation for their false suspicions. And you
_have_ one friend, Eric," he continued, pointing reverently upwards.

Eric was overcome; he sat down on the grass, while intense pride and the
consciousness of innocence struggled with the burning sense of painful
injustice. Russell sat silent and pitying beside him, till at last
Eric, with sudden energy, sprang to his feet, and said, "Now, Edwin!
I've been conquering my cowardice, thanks to you, so come along home.
After all, the fellows are in the wrong, not I," and so saying he took
Russell's arm, and walked across the playground with almost a haughty
look.

When they got home, Eric found three notes in his drawer. One was from
Mr Gordon, and ran thus--

"I have little doubt, Williams, that you have done this act. Believe
me, I feel no anger, only pity for you. Come to me and confess, and I
promise, by every means in my power, to befriend and save you."

This note he read, and then, stamping on the floor, tore it up furiously
into twenty pieces, which he scattered about the room.

Another was from Mr Rose--

"Dear Eric--I _cannot, will_ not, believe you guilty, although
appearances look very black. You have many faults, but I feel sure
that I cannot be mistaken in supposing you too noble-minded for a
revenge so petty and so mean. Come to me, my boy, if I can help you
in any way. I _trust you_, Eric, and will use every endeavour to
right you in the general estimation. You are innocent; pray to God
for help under this cruel trial, and be sure that your character will
yet be cleared.--Affectionately yours, Walter Rose."