Part 9 (1/2)

Something warned the fellow not to open the envelope there. He took it to his room, where he read the letter. It was from Dr.

Thornton, and said only:

_”You are directed to appear before the Board of Education at its stated weekly meeting to-night. This is urgent, and you are warned not to fail in giving this summons due heed.”_

In an instant Phin was white with fear. His legs trembled under him, and cold sweat stood out on his neck, face and forehead.

For some moments the young man acted as though in danger of collapse.

Then he staggered over to the tap at his washbowl, and gulped down a gla.s.s of water. He paced the room restlessly for a long time, and finally went over and stood looking out of the window.

”Young man,” he said to himself severely, ”you've got to brace, and brace hard. If you haven't any nerve, then getting square is too strenuous a game for you? Now, what can that gang prove?

They can suspect, and they can charge, but my denial is fully as good as any other man's affirmation. Go before the Board of Education? Of course I will. And I'll make any accuser of mine look mighty small before that august board of local duffers!”

Brave words! They cheered the young miscreant, anyway. Phin ate his supper with something like relish. Afterwards he set out for the High School building, in which the Board had its offices.

Nor did his courage fail him until he had turned in through the gate.

A young man, whistling blithely, came in behind him. It was d.i.c.k Prescott, erect of carriage, and brisk and strong of stride, as becomes a young athlete whose conscience is clear and wholesome.

”Hullo, Prescott, what are you doing around here to-night?” hailed Drayne.

But d.i.c.k seemed not to have heard. Not a note did he drop in the tune that he was whistling. Springing up the steps ahead, d.i.c.k vanished behind the big door.

”Oh, of course he goes here to-night,” thought Phin, with sudden disgust. ”Prescott scribbles for 'The Blade' and the Board of Education is one of his stunts each week.”

CHAPTER VI

One of the Fallen

For a few moments Drayne hung about outside, irresolute. Then his native shrewdness a.s.serted itself.

”Not to go in, after having been seen here in the yard would be to confess whatever anyone wants to charge,” muttered Phin. ”Of course I'll go in. And I'll just stand there and look more and more astounded every time that anyone says anything. Bra.s.s, Phin---bra.s.s! Oh, I'd like to see anyone down me!”

So, with all the swagger he could put on, this young Benedict Arnold of the school stepped into the Board room. As he entered, the clerk of the Board hastened toward him.

”Step into this anteroom at the side, Mr. Drayne, until you're called,” the clerk directed. ”There will be some routine business to be transacted first. Then, I believe, the Board has a few questions it desires to ask you.”

Left by himself, the young man began to be a good bit frightened.

He was brave enough in matters requiring only physical courage.

But in this instance the culprit knew that he had been guilty of a contemptibly mean act, and the knowledge of it made a moral coward of him.

”What are they doing? Trying to sentence, me to solitary confinement?”

wondered the young man, when minute after minute went by without any call for him. In the Board room he could hear the droning of voices.

”And that d.i.c.k Prescott is out there, sitting at a reporter's table, ready to take in all that happens,” muttered Phin savagely.

”Won't he enjoy himself, though?”