n2 A NOBLE CONFESSION,

made by his companions; and did not observe that
Frank Henley had instantly left the group, after saying |
that he could and would get him out of his difficulty. _

“ How fortunate,” said Tom Bailey, “that Mr. Hard-
ing is absent this afternoon! I saw him ride away
with his family immediately after dinner, and he will
not probably return until dark, and he will not find this
out until to-morrow. So we have time to arrange all
about the matter, and to prepare ourselves for the cross-
questioning we shall all get on the subject.”

At this moment Frank Henley re-appeared with
Maurice’s ball in his hand, and presented it to him.
Maurice looked at him with surprise. “ Here, Maurice,”
said Frank, “here is your ball. You are now safe from
discovery. It is not every boy in school I would have
broken one of its rules to serve. But I cannot see you
punished.”

“QO Frank,” said Maurice, “you have not entered
the conservatory against Mr. Harding’s commands !
How could you?”

“How could I! Why,” said Frank, “to make you
safe. There will now be no ball found there, and Mr.
Harding will not know how the glass was broken. We
will all agree that we know nothing about it, and he
will think it was the gardener, or Peter, or one of the other
servants, and you will get off. I really thought you would
be grateful for my services, but your looks express any-
thing but gratitude. I should think I had injured you.”