Andrew Garrett appeared to be fairly overcome by his cousin's generosity.
"Why, oh, why didn't I know all this before? How differently I would have acted. Believe me, it is only this very day I learned that the thief wore my sweater that night. Before going to bed on the night of the play I hung my sweater on a peg in the study-hall. The next morning I saw that it had been used by some one, for there were dirt stains on it and some rust marks from contact with rusty iron. I determined not to wear it after that. I had no idea the thief had used it, though."
"Thanks," said Roy. "Now one more question, Andrew."
"This morning Stockley said something about a letter which you knew something of--one in some way connected with me. Can you tell me anything about it?"
Now it so happened that the affair of the letter was the only incident in the untoward conduct of Garrett for many months past in which he could take any kind of satisfaction. It will be remembered that he had refused to allow Stockley and Smithers to circulate it among the boys. He had retained it ever since.
"That's easy enough," he answered, as he drew the crumpled letter from his pocket.
"But I have to ask you a question now, for the wording of the letter certainly looks compromising enough. Listen to this, gentlemen." Andrew read the scrap of paper to the astonished listeners.
"Dec. 23rd. My dear chum: Your letter received last Monday. Sorry to say that"--"here's a blank," said Garrett, and then continued, "have no money just now, so can not do the thing you wish. Awfully sorry. Feel like stealing the money rather than letting this thing go undone. However, wait till the end of Christmas week. Something's going to turn up before that--then we can go into partnership in this, at least for the merit--keep everything dark. Don't say a word to anybody about it. Mind, now, chum, everything must be kept secret or--smash! Yours, Roy H."
When Garrett began to read the note, Henning looked puzzled. After a time he seemed to remember all about it, and then he--blushed.
"Oh! that's----" but he stopped suddenly. He was going to make a revelation of some kind, and suddenly thought better of it. He blushed profusely--like a girl. He was awkward. For a moment he appeared embarrassed in no slight degree. Twice he was going to say something; twice he changed his mind.