matic entertainment. The constable gripped him tighter
and the sheriff, running up, seized his other arm.

Harold shook himself free. "Let me alone! I'm going along all right."

The officers only held him the closer, and his rage broke bounds. He
struggled till his captors swayed about on the walk, and the little boys
screamed with laughter to see the slender youth shake the big men.

In the midst of this struggle a tall man, without hat or coat and
wearing slippers, came running down the walk with great strides. His
voice rang deep and clear:

"_Let the boy alone!_"

It was the minister. With one sweep of his right hand he tore the hands
of the sheriff from the boy's arms; the gesture was bearlike in power.
"What's the meaning of all this, Mr. Sawyer?" he said, addressing the
sheriff.

"Your boy has killed a man."

"You lie!"

"It's true--anyhow, he has stabbed Clint Slocum. He ain't dead, but he's
hurt bad."

"Is that true, Harold?"

Harold did not lift his sullen glance. "He struck me with a whip."

There was a silence, during which the minister choked with emotion and
his lips moved as if in silent prayer. Then he turned. "Free the boy's
arm. I'll guarantee he will not try to escape. No son of mine will run
to escape punishment--leave him to me."

The constable, being a member of the minister's congregation and a
profound admirer of his pastor, fell back. The sheriff took a place by
his side, and the father and son walked on toward the jail. After a few
moments the minister began to speak in a low voice:

"My son, you have reached a momentous point in your life's history. Much
depends on the words you use. I will not tell you to conceal the truth,
but you need not incriminate yourself--that is the law"--his voice was
almost inaudible, but Harold heard it. "If Slocum dies--oh, my God! My
God!"

His voice failed him utterly, but he walked erect and martial, the sun
blazing on his white forehead, his hands clinched at his sides. There
were many of his parishioners in the streets, and several of the women
broke into bitter weeping as he passed, and many of the men imprecated
the boy who was bringing white lines of sorrow into his father's hair.
"This is the logical end of his lawless bringing up," said one.

The father went on: "Tell me, my boy--tell me the truth--did you strike
to kill? Was murder in your heart?"

Harold did not reply. The minister laid a broad, gentle hand on his
son's shoulder. "