hat," retorted Dave. "A street row is hardly a hanging
offense. If it were, there'd be a lot of fellows missing from the
Central Grammar School."

"So we're called in to help decide the case?" asked Greg, puffing up.

"Oh, get busy with some brains!" scoffed Dick airily. "We haven't
anything to do with deciding the case. That's what the judge is paid
for. But we're wanted just to tell what we know. Say, you fellows, be
careful you don't get so rattled that you try to tell a lot of things
that you don't know."

In due time they reached the court building. Grown suddenly very quiet
and almost scared, these six thirteen-year-old boys filed upstairs. A
policeman stood before the door of the courtroom.

"May we go in?" whispered Dick.

"Of course," nodded the policeman. "Take your hats off."

The officer conducted the sextette of young witnesses inside, past a
group or two of loungers who made up the usual police-court audience,
and thence on before the bench.

At one side, at this end of the room, sat Dexter and Driggs. Right in
front of the clerk of the court were seated Mrs. Dexter and a lawyer.
Officer Whalen lounged near the two prisoners.

"These are the lads, your honor," nodded Policeman Whalen, after giving
Dick & Co. a keen looking over.

"Swear them, Mr. Clerk," said the Justice.

Solemnly the six youngsters held up their right hands and took the oath.
Then Justice Lee began to question them. From Dick, first, he drew out
the story of the dispute in the street. Then the others told the same
story.

"Why did you boys interfere?" asked the justice of Prescott.

"Because, sir," Dick answered, "we didn't want to see a woman
ill-treated on the street."

"A very good reason," nodded Justice Lee approvingly. "But weren't you
afraid of Driggs, here, who is really a police officer?"

"No, sir; I didn't believe that a police officer had any more right than
any one else to break the law."

"You boys have acted very sensibly," nodded Justice Lee. "Dexter, do you
wish to question any of these young witnesses?"

Dexter shook his head, scowling.

"Do you, Driggs?"

"No, your honor. 'Twouldn't be any use."

"You're right about that, I imagine," nodded the justice. "Boys, the
court wishes to express its pleasure over your good sense, and to praise
you for your chivalry and courage. You did just right--as the court
hopes you will always do under similar circumstances. Dexter, stand up.
Driggs, also."

The