On his way to school the same morning, Frank was stopped a number of times and asked, "What was that sc.r.a.pe you got into, Mulvy?" At first, he laughed it off. But gradually it irritated him, as one after another referred to it. It was his custom to make a visit to the church every morning on his way to school. This morning he went straight to the altar of the Blessed Virgin and prayed fervently that in this trying situation he would do nothing displeasing to her or her Son. He also begged her that she would be a Mother to his mother and help her in this hour of trial. Arising from prayer he felt that he could submit to misunderstanding or even injustice, and do it patiently.

On leaving the church he met Tommy and d.i.c.k also coming out.

"Gee!" exclaimed d.i.c.k, "you are in for it, Hank. Everybody says that you are the cause of the Club damage. The fellows are saying nothing, but one or two must have leaked, for it's all over the parish that you admitted you were in it."

"Yes," added Tommy, "I nearly got into a fight denying that you had a part in the matter."

"You two are true blue," answered Frank. "Things do look bad for me. But in a day or two it'll be all cleared up." He was calculating on Bill Daly's telling everything to Father Boone on his next visit to the hospital. Frank knew that the priest would see Bill every day or so until he got well, and that it was only a rush of work that had kept the director from going down again before this.

When Frank got to school he noticed almost at once that Mr. Collins seemed somewhat disturbed. He barely bade Frank good morning. When a teacher prides himself on the fact that his cla.s.s bears the highest reputation in the school for deportment and application, of course he feels it keenly if one of his best boys is the subject of criticism and veiled accusations. On the way to school, Mr. Collins had got many inquiries about Mulvy's character. 'He was glad to say that Frank was the finest boy in his cla.s.s.' But by the time he reached the cla.s.s room, he showed his disturbed feelings in his greeting to Frank. The boy really cared greatly for his teacher, and was hurt to think that he should lose his good opinion even for a short while.

However, cla.s.s went on as usual until about ten o'clock, when the princ.i.p.al of the school entered the cla.s.s room. He listened to the recitations for a short while and spoke approvingly of the good work being done. Then he turned to Mr. Collins and said, "Have you any of Father Boone's boys in your cla.s.s?"

"I believe I have. Will the boys who belong to Father Boone's Club please stand."

Four stood up.

"That will do," said the princ.i.p.al. "Be seated. I should like you four boys to report at the office at noon."

At recess, the four got together and conjectured what was up. "O, it's clear," said Frank. "He wants to find out if any of the High School boys are implicated."

"What do you suppose he'll do?" remarked Redmond.

"Why, he'll quiz us, of course. He may have heard exaggerated reports of the thing."

"I don't see that it is any of his business," observed Cavanaugh.

"Well, you know," responded Frank, "that the Regal is mighty touchy about its reputation and he does not want any mud slung at it if he can help it."

At noon the four went together to the office. The princ.i.p.al met them and began at once.

"Boys, it's really not my affair, but I can't help being concerned. You know our school puts a value not only on learning, but on character. I should say, mainly on character. I hate to hear of any of our boys being mixed up in an ungentlemanly affair. I have called you in order to get the truth of the matter. There are bad rumors afloat. I don't trust them. Mulvy, may I ask you to state just what occurred?"

"I'd rather you'd ask Redmond, Father, if you please."

"It's all the same. I asked you, Mulvy, because they tell me you are secretary of the Club, and Mr. Collins informs me you are the leader of his cla.s.s."

"Thank you, Father, but I have personal reasons for declining to speak of the affair."

"Very well, my boy, I don't wish to embarra.s.s you. Tell me, Redmond, just what happened."

Redmond narrated everything.

"That sounds very serious," declared the princ.i.p.al. "Father Boone is a good friend of mine, and very devoted to you boys. He undoubtedly feels this thing more than you can imagine."

"We know that, and really, that's what hurts us most," said Frank.

"Now, young men, I am going to ask you a question. You are not obliged to answer it unless you wish. It is outside my domain. Did any of you have a hand in that affair?"

The four answered together, "No."

"Good, I knew it. Now I can state that the High School boys were not in the mischief at all. Now another question. Do you know who did it?"

Three answered, "No."

The princ.i.p.al noticed Frank's silence, and turning to the boys, he dismissed them, at the same time asking Frank to stay a moment.

"My boy," he began, "you indicate that you have some knowledge of this affair. You also show that you're concerned about Father Boone's feelings in the matter. I wish you to know that he is terribly cut up over this thing. You are, or were, an official of the Club. If, without actual dishonor, you can give him any clue to the perpetrators, you should do it, for it concerns justice and charity."

"I have considered that, Father, and I am persuaded that I must not say what I know."

"Well," said the princ.i.p.al, "I'll take your word for that. I know you better than you think. If you feel that way, I would not insist a particle. But bear in mind, young man, the only thing that stands between you and condemnation is yourself. With those who know you that is sufficient. With others, you may have to suffer for the stand you are taking."

"I'm suffering now, and expect to suffer more. But I know I'm right, and that's the main thing."

"I am proud of you, Mulvy," said the princ.i.p.al, as he dismissed him.

Outside the school it was rumored that Frank had been ordered to the princ.i.p.al's office and had been threatened with suspension. Color was given this report by the fact that he came out from the school alone and much later than the rest, looking decidedly uncomfortable. The words of a.s.surance given him by the princ.i.p.al had affected him deeply.

Of course the report was that he had got a dreadful laying out from the princ.i.p.al. There were not a few boys of the school who were glad to hear of Frank's downfall. He had been so much respected by teachers, and so well liked by his companions, that there were bound to be some fellows rather envious of him.

As he pa.s.sed the first corner of the street, he encountered a group of some eight or ten boys standing around. One of the largest boys, John Morris, remarked, for Frank's benefit, "I say, fellows, lots of statues are toppling these days." For a moment Frank's blood boiled, and he was on the point of resenting the slur, when he recollected that after all, appearances were against him and he must take the consequences of his att.i.tude. So he came up smiling. Most of the boys were of the cla.s.s a year ahead of him, but Frank had always been welcomed in the older groups.

When Morris perceived, or fancied, that his shot had missed the mark, he said calmly, "I see you got a 'call-down,' Mulvy."

"Yes," said Frank, "and a hard one, too."

At this, most of the fellows sympathized with him. Boys have, for the most part, a sense of justice. They desire to see fair play--they know when to let up. When he reached home, he went straight to his mother.

"Mother," he said, "you won't listen to any of the stories and things they are saying, will you? I could speak of it--of that whole Club matter, you know, to the priest, in confession, mother, but to no one else and in no other way. If some one had told you, mother, in the most sacred confidence, something about his most secret doings, and if it was something which you never could know otherwise, would you feel justified in revealing it?"

"Certainly not, Frank."

"Well, that is my position, mother. For the present my mouth is locked, but in due time everything will be set right."

"Yes, yes, my boy. Mother knows you will do what is right. Duty costs dear, but one must pay the price. After all, if it were easy to do right, there wouldn't be much credit in it. It is the hard things that count."

"I am glad, mother, that we both look at it in the same way."

Her answer was a kiss.

(III)

On his way to the Club that evening, Frank met d.i.c.k.

"Did you hear the news, Hank?" he said. "Bill Daly is dying. He has typhoid."

"Who told you, d.i.c.k?"