"Very well! I will excuse you this time."

"I'm awful sorry for you, Ropes," said Bundy effusively.

"Thank you," responded Rodney.

"You can go now," said the principal. "I have a little business with
Master Ropes."

"All right, sir. Good night."

"Good night."

"Won't you sit down, Dr. Sampson?" said Rodney politely, and he took the
casket from the chair.

"Yes, I wish to have five minutes' conversation with you. So these are
the jewels, are they?"

"Yes, sir."

"They seem to be quite valuable," went on the doctor, lifting the pearl
necklace and poising it in his fingers. "It will be well for you to have
them appraised by a jeweler."

"It would, sir, if I wished to sell them, but I mean to keep them as
they are."

"I would hardly advise it. You will need the money. Probably you do not
know how near penniless you are."