Is there any one
of you that believes it to be true?"
"No! No!" shouted the boys, with one exception. Jim Smith was heard
to say distinctly, "I believe it!"
"Silence in the school!" shouted Socrates. "This is altogether
irregular, and I won't have it."
Hector turned to the principal, and said, calmly:
"You see, Mr. Smith, that, in spite of your proof, these boys will
not believe that your charge is well founded."
"That is neither here nor there, Roscoe. Will anyone step up and
prove your innocence?"
There was another sensation. In the second row back a boy was seen
to rise.
"Mr. Smith," said Ben Platt, "I can prove Roscoe's innocence!"
CHAPTER XX.
HECTOR GAINS A VICTORY.
There were two persons on whom Ben Platt's declaration made a
profound impression. These were Jim Smith and his uncle, the learned
Socrates. The latter was surprised, for he was fully persuaded that
the charge he had made was a true one, and Hector was a thief. As
for Jim, his surprise was of a very disagreeable nature.
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