know, though," I said; "they both thought I took the watch, and believed
all they said. But it was a triumph for them."

I sat thinking.

"I wonder what Lomax will say? Will he believe that I am a common
thief?

"What is Tom doing now? Out at play, I suppose, and glorying in his
escape. He knows I would not be such a sneak as to tell, and thinks I
shall bear it all patiently--too ready to spare him, or too cowardly to
say a word."

I was interrupted by steps, and in my misery I hoped that they would
pass the door, but a key was thrust in, and I caught a glimpse of Mr
Rebble, who waited outside while one of the maids brought in my tea on a
tray,--a plain mug, and a plate of bread and butter; then she gave me a
look of commiseration, making my cheeks burn, as I wondered whether she
knew that I was shut up because people thought I was a thief, and unfit
to associate with the other boys. But no word was spoken; she passed
out, the door was shut and locked, and I rested my aching head once more
against the side of the window, the very sight of food making me feel
disgust; and there I stayed for how long I cannot say, but at last I
started up, puzzled and wondering, to find that I must have dropped
asleep, regularly wearied out, and that it was growing dusk, and the
moon, like a thin curved streak, was sailing down in the faint glow of
the heavens, not far from where the sun had gone.

I shivered a little, for I was cold, but my head was better, and I began
to go over the events of the afternoon again, wondering whether the
Doctor would send for me in the morning, to say that Mercer had
confessed, and that he was glad to be able once more to take me by the
hand.

Just then I heard a faint sigh, apparently coming up from the garden,
and I involuntarily looked down, but could see nothing.

The sigh rose again, and now I was able to locate it in a clump of
evergreens at the edge of the lawn. But I could see nothing save green
leaves; and started again and drew back a little a few minutes later, as
the sigh was again repeated, this time followed by a faint whisper, and
I heard my name.

"Frank--Frank Burr. Hist!"

"Yes; who called?" I said.

"Me. Can't you hear? Tom--Tom Mercer."

I was silent, and stood, feeling hot and angry, gazing down into the
grounds.

"Frank!" came up again. "I say!"

I remained silent.

"Have you got any string? Let a piece down."

I knew what that meant. He had been to