CHAPTER VI--FALSE EVIDENCE
If there was anything of importance to be threshed out for the generalwelfare of the school, Franklin Sharp, principal of Central High, tookthe topic up at the Morning Assembly. The general standing anddeportment of the scholastic body as a whole, rules of conduct laid downby the faculty, or news of importance to the scholars, both male andfemale, were there detailed.
At 8:25 o'clock the pupils were expected to be in the various classrooms. At 8:30 the gongs called the marching hosts to the great hall atthe top of the building. The boys filed in on one side, the girls on theother. Many of the classes throughout the school were mixed classes; butnaturally in certain studies the girls and boys were divided, especiallythe Junior and Senior years.
The High School course consisted of four years of study. Laura Beldingand most of her friends were Sophomores. Therefore they could join inall the advanced athletics proposed by the Girls' Branch AthleticAssociation.
Mr. Sharp was a tall, scholarly looking man; but his seriousness ofcountenance was belied somewhat by eyes that twinkled cordially behindhis spectacles. He had a quick apprehension of character. He understoodboys thoroughly--and most of his male pupils liked Mr. Sharp. But he gaveover a deal of the management of the girls to his femaleassistants--especially to Miss Carrington.
The latter was unquestionably an able woman; she knew the science ofteaching and her marks in teachers' examinations were always the highestof any teacher in the Centerport schools. But her outlook upon life_was_ awfully serious! Mr. Sharp could have endured better an assistantwith a character more lenient to the failings and weaknesses ofhumanity.
Of course, however, the fire on Saturday could by no means be condoned.In the first place it had come about through a flagrant piece ofimpudence upon the part of a pupil. The pupils expected to hear from Mr.Sharp about the fire, and they were not disappointed.
"I am compelled to call the attention of the classes to an accidentwhich occurred downstairs in my office on Saturday," he began. "When weare good-natured enough to allow the school property, entrusted to ourcare, to be used for purposes aside from the regular class work, we havea right to expect those pupils enjoying the privilege to be more thanusually careful of such property.
"I mean this for the attention of the boys as well as the girls," hecontinued. "The girls, however, are at fault in this instance. It wastheir meeting that was held in the music room, and they had entrance tomy office. Now a new rug is to be bought and my desk repaired, to saynothing of the purchase of four goldfish--four, I believe, is the number.
"Fire is a dangerous element to play with. I understand that theaccident arose out of a so-called joke that one of our brilliant youngladies evolved--and evolved particularly for the disturbance of herteacher. That was not a nice or lady-like thing to do. I believe theculprit understands that fully now.
"But there is always a greater danger than the commission of such anact. That is the denying of the act after it is committed. I hope youall understand that. The old saw of 'A fault confessed is halfredressed' has no 'bromide' qualities. It is a fundamental truth.Honesty above everything--that should be the motto of us all.
"To deny a fault committed, in short, makes the fault a double one. Ithink I have said enough upon this topic. The faculty will, of course,judge the guilty young woman in this instance as leniently as possible;but we must be just as well as merciful. You are excused to yourclasses."
Not until the forenoon recess did the sophs, who were Bobby Hargrew'sclosest friends, have an opportunity of commiserating with her. She hadregained her composure by that time, however, and showed a plucky front.
"He intimated that I was untruthful," Bobby said, angrily. "It isn'tfair. There is no evidence against me but----"
"But the evidence of the fire itself, Bobby," Nellie Agnew observed,quietly.
"I realize that. It is a mystery. I was last in the office--I was therealone, too. But I know what I did with that piece of punk, and I was notnear the basket at any time."
"Don't lose your temper," advised Laura Belding. "That will not helpyou."
"It's all right for you girls to talk," said Bobby, sadly. "But Mr.Sharp has left it to Gee Gee, and she believes I would tell a storyabout it."
"Have patience--and hope for the best," said Laura. "The truth willsurely come out in the end."
"But when will the end be?" demanded Bobby. "Oh! I think it is too meanfor anything!"
"It doesn't pay to get Gee Gee down on you," said Jess. "I'm going to bevery careful myself."
"And we'll all have to be careful if we expect to join in theseafter-school athletics. Gee Gee doesn't fancy the new association,anyway," said one of the Lockwood twins.
"I'm not so awfully eager myself to belong," said Jess. "We've got towear those ugly suits----"
"And no furbelows," laughed Laura. "Oh, Jess, we all know your failing.Who is more devoted to the fashion magazines and the powder-puff thanJosephine Morse?"
"It is the duty of every girl to look her very best at all times,"declared Jess, confidently. "My mother says so."
"And that's what makes the boys laugh at us," remarked the other twin--nouse saying which one, for nobody knew Dora and Dorothy apart. Gee Geehad long since put them on their honor not to recite for each other!
It was at noon that Miss Carrington called Clara Hargrew to her desk.
"Now, Miss Hargrew, I expect you to tell me the truth about thismatter," the teacher said, very sternly.
"I never in my life told you an untruth, ma'am!" exclaimed the girl.
"I have always believed you truthful," admitted the teacher. "But thisis a ridiculous claim you make----"
"I _did_ carry that piece of punk out and throw it in the gutter."
"Did you look for it there?" asked Miss Carrington, quickly.
"Yes. I looked yesterday morning, even if it was Sunday. But the streetmen had flushed out the gutters before I arrived."
"That is curious, Miss Hargrew," said the teacher, doubtfully.
"It is the truth. I did not set the fire----"
"Then how did it start?"
"I know no more about it than you do, ma'am."
"Ahem! But you threw something into the basket?"
"I did not. I did not go near the basket."
"You are determined to stick to that, are you, Miss?" asked the teacher,sharply.
"I am determined to tell you nothing but the truth."
"Wait!" commanded the teacher. Then she turned and sent one of thelingering girls at the door of the classroom for Hester Grimes. WhenHester came she looked somewhat troubled, but she did not glance atBobby.
"Miss Grimes," said the teacher, "I have called you to repeat what yousaid to me before. You must say it before Miss Hargrew."
"I--I don't want to get Clara into any trouble," muttered the red-facedgirl.
Bobby looked at her in surprise. "How long since, Hessie?" she demanded."You never were too tender of me before."
"Be still!" commanded Miss Carrington, angrily. "Miss Grimes!"
"Well, I was the last to leave the office, and I saw Clara throwsomething into the wastebasket."
"Oo-h!" exclaimed the culprit.
"Yes, I did!" ejaculated Hester.
"You need not be so vociferous, Miss Grimes," said Miss Carrington,tartly. "You see, Clara, we have other evidence than the fire."
"Do you mean to say you saw me throw that burning punk into the basket?"cried Bobby, with flaming face and sparkling eyes.
"Well, you threw _something_ into it," replied Hester, weakly.
"That is made up out of whole cloth," began Bobby, but Miss Carringtonstopped her.
"That will do! Not another word. I shall take the matter up with Mr.Sharp. You are unmanageable and--I fear--untruthful. Go to your seat. Whatthe outcome of this will be I cannot tell you now; but of one thing I amsure, Miss Hargrew--you can expect no favors from the faculty of theschool after this date."