you had come up merely to look at the big ball, and had dropped your
property there. But the knife was found frozen fast, showing that it
must have been dropped during the time the water was poured on the
steps. So you see whoever left it there must have been on hand when
the trick was played."

"That may be true, Mr. Tetlow!" cried Bert, "but I did not leave my
knife there. I remember now--I can explain it! I couldn't think, at
first, but I see it now."

"Very well," said Mr. Tetlow quietly, "I'll hear what you have to say,
Bert."




CHAPTER V

HOLIDAYS AT HAND


Bert Bobbsey was thinking rapidly. Something that he had nearly
forgotten came suddenly to his mind, and he hoped it would clear him
of the accusation.

And what he had seen, that brought back to his mind something that he
had nearly forgotten, was the sight of an elderly gentleman driving
past the school in a sled. It was aged Mr. Carford, whose runaway team
Bert had helped stop that day on the hill.