There wasn't time to adjust it, so I dropped
it in my overcoat pocket. I would like to go down to my coat,
now, and get it."
"Prescott is reciting in IV. Physics," replied Dr. Thornton, rising.
"However, in view of all that has happened, I think we shall
do well to go down and call him out of class. I don't want any
more valuable articles to be missing."
Principal and student went quietly to the floor below. Dr. Thornton
thrust his head into the physics laboratory and quietly called
Dick out, explaining what was wanted.
"You'll come, too, won't you, doctor?" asked Ripley.
The principal nodded without speaking. As the three reached the
barred door, Dick inserted the key, then threw open the door.
Fred marched over to his coat, thrusting his hand into a pocket.
"By thunder, it's gone!" gasped Fred.
In an instant Dr. Thornton bounded into the locker room. He himself
explored every pocket in the boy's coat.
"Strange! strange!" muttered the bewildered principal.
"All the other thefts happened in this locker, didn't they?" inquired
Ripley, suspiciously.
"Yes---if thefts they were," admitted Dr. Thornton.
"Nothing missing from the other locker room?"
"Nothing."
"Doctor," went on Ripley, as though loath to utter the words,
I hate to suggest anything of the sort. But---er---but---has the
monitor of this locker been searched after any of
the---er---disappearances?"
"Ripley, you forget yourself!" cried the principal.
"What do you mean!" flared Dick, in the same breath, turning crimson,
next going very white.
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