to greet with extended hand. The
old man drew back sadly but resolutely.

"Out of regard for your youth, Jack," said the Director, "and from
respect to your parents, and in consideration of your hitherto good
behavior, I have begged that, instead of being carried to Nantes and
placed in prison, you shall remain here. I now tell you that it is for
you to decide what will be done. Tell me the truth. Tell Father Rondic
and myself what you have done with the money, give him back what is
left, and--no, do not interrupt me," continued the Director, with a
frown. "Return the money, and I will then send you to your parents."

Here Belisaire attempted to speak. "Be quiet, fellow!" said the
superintendent; "I cannot understand how you can have the audacity to
speak. We believe you to be in reality the guilty party, and that this
child has simply been your tool."

Jack wished to protest against this condemnation of his friend; but old
Rondic gave him no time.

"You are quite right, sir, it is bad company that has led the lad
astray. Everybody loved him in my house; we had every confidence in him
until he met this miserable wretch."

Belisaire looked so heart-broken at this wholesale condemnation that
Jack rushed boldly forward in his defence. "I assure you, air, that I
met Belisaire late in the day."

"Do you mean," said the superintendent, "that you committed this robbery
all alone?"

"I have done no wrong, sir."

"Take care, my lad--you are going down hill with rapidity. Your guilt
is very evident, and it is useless to deny it. You were alone with the
Rondic women in their house all night. Zenaide showed you the casket,
and even showed you where it was kept. In the night she heard some one
moving in your attic; she spoke; naturally you made no reply. She knew
that it must be you, for there was no one else in the house. Then you
must remember that we know how much money you threw away yesterday."

Jack was about to say, "My mother sent it to me," when he remembered
that she had forbidden him to mention this. So he hesitatingly murmured
that he had been saving his money for some time.

"What nonsense!" cried the Director. "Do you think you can make us
believe that with your small wages you could have laid aside the amount
you squandered yesterday? Tell the truth, my lad, and repair the evil
you have done as well as possible."

Then Father Rondic spoke. "Tell us, my boy, where this money is.
Remember that it is Zenai