the part of sneak thief in the bargain; but then, of course, you
believe what I told you, now, Hugh, since you've seen that the watch
was in my locker?"

Hugh did not care to fully commit himself, it seemed, judging from
the way in which he went on to say:

"We've seen you recover your watch all right, Leon; and it was in
your locker just as you said; but whether you forgot it, or left it
there on purpose, is a question I'm not prepared to settle."

Of course there was no further excuse for Hugh keeping that grip on
Leon's shoulder, so he released his hold, and the other gave a sigh
as of relief at this evidence of a change in policy on the part of
his captor.

"Say, I wish you'd do me a great favor, Hugh," Leon went on to say,
as though he believed in the old maxim that it is wise to "strike
while the iron is hot."

"As to what?" demanded the one addressed in this whining way.

"What's the use of saying anything about this business?" Leon went
on eagerly. "It certainly wouldn't do any good, and I proved to you
that I enter here just to recover my watch, didn't I? But mebbe it
might get to my dad's ears, how I'd gone and been so careless about
looking after my property. You see, he told me that if I lost this
birthday present he'd not get me another watch till I graduated from
high school; and say, I'm beginning to lose all hope of that ever
happening in case. But you will keep mum about it, won't you, Hugh;