"I didn't think him capable of it, myself, mother, although I had a
poor opinion of him."

"Suppose that you can't prove that you are innocent, Herbert?" said
Mrs. Carr, anxiously.

"It is for him to prove that I am guilty, mother," answered Herbert,
who knew this much of law.

At a quarter of two Constable Bruce and Mr. Melville walked to the
house together.

The door was opened for them by Herbert himself.

"So you haven't taken leg bail, Herbert," said the constable,
jocosely.

"No, Mr. Bruce, I am on hand; I am in a hurry to meet Mr. Eben
Graham and see whether he can look me in the face after his shameful
behavior."

"Oh, Mr. Bruce, I never thought you would call at my home on such an
errand," said Mrs, Carr, on the point of breaking down.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Carr," said the constable; "anybody may be
charged with theft, however innocent. Your son has good friends who
won't see him treated with injustice."

Herbert's mother was desirous of accompanying them to the office of