"You speak correctly when you say you can not," Andrew retorted.
"I do not! I can make you if I will. For other reasons I do not wish it. You must do it without compulsion."
"It seems to me that in the present state of the boys' minds that would be impossible. In saying what I have said about you, Roy, I have only followed the lead of others. Things have been hinted so often that at last I began to believe some of them--at least partly believe them."
"You coward!" said Henning, now thoroughly angry. Both boys rose from the bench simultaneously and faced each other. By a singular chance each had his hands in his pockets. It appeared for an instant that they were coming to blows. So strained was the situation, that if either had at that moment taken his hand from his pocket it would have been a signal for a fight. Henning's face was white with anger. Garrett's was red with apprehension and vexation.
"You are a coward," repeated Henning; "you know a great deal about this affair."
Garrett thought best to deny all knowledge.
"Indeed! and I suppose you know nothing of the loosened bars of the window of the committee-room?"
"I thought not. And I suppose you know nothing of the boy who was seen to have gone through that window on the night of the play?"
"Oh, no! Of course not. I suppose, too, there are half a dozen boys who sport sky-blue sweaters to make themselves conspicuous."
Henning waited a moment and Garrett said:
"It is no one's concern but my own what I wear."
"Well, my dear, affectionate cousin, that blue sweater was seen--seen, mind--that night to go through that window and come out again."
Garrett started violently. Henning took the motion for an admission of guilt, but Garrett had no intention of making such acknowledgment. Indeed he became as angry as Henning was.
"Whether I am guilty or not, a question I absolutely decline to discuss, do you think, you jackanapes, that I would admit it to you? Not if I know myself. Do you think I am going to swallow whole a story like that? You must think I am dreadfully green, or dreadfully afraid of you. If you have evidence, bring it forward. That you can, and will not, is to me, permit me to say, all buncombe. Bah! You weary me! Do what you can and what you dare!"