protest," began Eben Graham.

"As for you, Mr. Graham," said the justice, severely, "I have no words
to express my scorn and detestation of your conduct in deliberately
contriving a plot to ruin the reputation of an innocent boy, who has
never done you any harm. Should Herbert Carr desire it, he is at liberty
to sue you for having him arrested on a false charge trumped up by
yourself."

Eben began to look frightened.

"I do not wish to punish Mr. Graham," said Herbert. "It is enough for me
that my honesty has been vindicated."

"Go, then," said the justice to Eben. "It is fortunate for you that this
boy is so forbearing."

Eben Graham slunk out of the justice's office, looking meaner and more
contemptible than ever, while Herbert was surrounded by his friends, who
congratulated him upon the happy issue of the trial.

CHAPTER XIII. EBEN'S LAST HOPE FAILS.

Ebenezer Graham had taken no stock in his son's charge against Herbert.
He was not prejudiced in favor of Herbert, nor did he feel particularly
friendly to him, but he was a man of shrewdness and common sense, and he
knew that Herbert was not a fool. When Eben made known to him the fact
that the stamps and money were missing, he said keenly: "What has become
of 'em?"

"I don't know," answered Eben, "but I can guess well enough."

"Guess, then," said his father, shortly.

"You know Herbert Carr took my place last evening?"

"Well?"

"There's no doubt that he took the stamps and money."

"That isn't very likely."

"I feel sure of it--so sure that I mean to charge him with it."

"Well, you can see what he says."

Ebenezer did not understand that Eben intended to have the boy arrested,
and would not have consented to it had he known. But Eben slipped out of
the store, and arranged for the arrest without his father's knowledge.
Indeed, he did not learn till the trial had already commenced, Eben
having made some excuse for his absence.

When Eben returned his father greeted him in a tone very far from
cordial.

"Well, Eben, I hear you've gone and made a fool of yourself?"

"I have only been defending your property, father," said Eben, sullenly.
"I thought you'd appreciate it better than this."

"You've charged an innocent boy with theft, and now all his friends will
lay it up agin' us."

"Were you going to be robbed without saying a word?" asked Eben.

"No, I'm not, Eben Graham; I'm goin' to say a word, and now's the time
to say it. You