"I demand his discharge!" Mr. Ludlow was saying as the elevator boy
entered.

"It happens you're not running this building," the Governor returned
with a good deal of acidity. "Though of course," he added with
dignity, "the matter will be carefully investigated."

The Governor was one great chuckle inside, and his heart was full of
admiration and gratitude; but would Freckles be equal to bluffing it
through? Would the boy have the finesse, the nice subtlety, the real
master hand, the situation demanded? If not, then--imp of salvation
though he was--in the interest of reform, Freckles would have to go.

It was a very innocent looking boy who stood before him and looked
inquiringly into his face.

"William," began the Governor--Freckles was pained at first, and
then remembered that officially he was William--"this gentleman has
made a very serious charge against you."

Freckles looked at Mr. Ludlow in a hurt way, and waited for the
Governor to proceed.

"He says," went on the chief executive, "that you deliberately took
him to the top of the building and wilfully left him there a
prisoner all afternoon. Did you do that?"

"Oh, sir," burst forth Freckles, "I did the very best I could to
save his life! I was willing to sacrifice mine for him. I--"