SAM HELLER'S EVIDENCE
"Young gentlemen, I have a serious matter to bring before you. A very
serious matter, involving not only the personal honor and reputation of
every student here, but the school itself. I must ask for your close
attention."
It was Doctor Pliny Meredith who was speaking, and the place was
chapel, after the usual morning exercises. The students had been about
to go to their lectures when the venerable head of the school, entering
most unexpectedly, asked them to remain a moment.
"Two nights ago," went on Doctor Meredith, "several horses belonging to
our neighbor, Mr. Appleby, were poisoned!"
There was a gasp of surprise from several students, not only those who
had read the account in the paper, as Jack and his chums had done, but
from others, who wondered what was coming next. They had not long to
wait.
"You young gentlemen will recollect," went on Doctor Meredith gravely,
"that, some time ago, there was a fire at the farm of this same Mr.
Appleby. I made no reference to something that happened directly
afterward, for I scouted the idea that any of our boys could be
involved. Yet, as some of you may know, the farmer intimated that the
fire might have been set by some of the Elmwood Hall students."
There were several hisses, but Doctor Meredith raised a quick hand for
silence.
"That will do," he said calmly. "That is undignified, and we must meet
this in a dignified and fair spirit. As I said, I took no action at
that time, for the evidence was absolutely nil. However, since the
affair of the poisoning I am compelled to take some notice of an
accusation that has been brought to my notice."
Again there was a gasp of surprise. Had the farmer dared to intimate
that any Elmwood Hall lads had poisoned his horses?
"Since the last unfortunate affair," went on the head master, "I have
received a visit from Mr. Appleby. He states to me that some kind of
chemical poison was administered to all his horses after his men had
fed them In the evening. One of the animals has since died, and the
others are in a precarious state. If they recover it will be some time
before they are fit for service. Now comes the part that interests us.
"Mr. Appleby states that he himself saw, and recognized, one of our
students about his barrio shortly before it was discovered that the
horses were poisoned."
"How does he know?" asked one of the Seniors--a privileged character,
evidently, for he was not rebuked.
"He says he recognized a peculiar colored sweater the student wore, and
also his manner of walking. This student was seen near the barn, and
when Mr. Appleby hurried out to warn him away, the individual ran off,
dropping a small package. This Mr. Appleby picked up, not paying much
attention to it at the time. But later, when he learned that his
horses had been poisoned, he gave this package to a veterinarian. It
was found to contain a powder, one ingredient of which was cyanide of
potassium, a deadly poison, but which, blended with other things, may
only cause severe illness. It was this poison that was administered to
the horses."
Once more came a murmur from the students. It was hushed as Doctor
Meredith went on.
"Mr. Appleby insists on an investigation," said the head master, "and I
must admit that he has several points in his favor. I have told him I
would bring the matter before you. I might add that the sweater worn
by the person the farmer saw was dropped in flight. I--er--I have it
here," and Doctor Meredith unwrapped a small bundle. He held up to
view a sweater--of a deep purple tint, with yellow stripes on it. It
was an atrociously-hued garment, such as only a student would dare wear.
Once more that gasp, for several of the students at once recognized the
garment. There were but two in the college. One like it had been worn
by Tom Fairfield, and the other by Sam Heller.
"Does--er does anyone wish to claim this sweater?" proceeded the
doctor, "and--er--and state how it came to be on the premises of Mr.
Appleby?"
In spite of their self-control, nearly all eyes were turned in Tom's
direction. He felt the hot blood leap to his face. There was a
roaring in his ears as he arose and said:
"I think that is my sweater, Doctor Meredith. At least I had one like
it and------"
"You _had_ it?" asked the doctor, emphasizing the word.
"Yes, but I disposed of it some days ago."
"How did you--er--dispose of it?"
"I would rather not state--unless I am compelled to."
"You may have to, Fairfield. But of that more later. You say this is
your garment?"
"I think so, yes, sir. At least there is only one other like it in
this school, as far as I know, and that one------"
"Belongs to me!" interrupted Sam Heller. "I have mine here," and,
opening his coat, he showed, beneath it, the brightly-colored sweater.
This time there was not an eye but what was turned on Tom. He felt the
gaze and straightened up.
"But I wish to state, Doctor Meredith," he said quickly, "that I had
nothing to do with the poisoning of the horses, and I did not know of
the occurrence until I saw the account in the paper."
"Very well, we will note your denial, Fairfield, but about this
sweater. It is rather damaging evidence, since you yourself admit that
it is yours."
"I do, but, as I said, I had disposed of it some time before."
"And you do not care to state to whom?"
"No, sir, except to say that it was not to any one connected in the
most remote way with Elmwood Hall."
Again there came a murmur, quickly hushed.
"Is there anyone who can throw any light on this rather important
subject?" asked the head master. "I must not conceal from you that
this is a serious matter. Mr. Appleby threatens to go to the police
with it, unless the guilty one confesses, and unless reparation is
made. Even then, it will be in the nature of compounding a felony
unless certain legal action is taken. Is there anyone who wishes to
say something?"
For a moment there was silence, and then Sam Heller slowly arose again.
"Since this matter has assumed a certain phase," he said, speaking
calmly, "and since it is a question of the identification of a certain
garment, of which I own one, I wish to state that I was not at the
farm, nor have I ever been there as far as I can recollect. At the
same time, in justice to myself, I must state that I saw a certain
student from this school on the lane leading to the farm, night before
last."
"I will not ask you to state now who that was," said the head master,
quickly, "as it would not be fair, and you may be called on, in a court
of justice, to give evidence."
"But I prefer to state now!" almost shouted Sam. "I have a right to
clear my own name. I saw Tom Fairfield, wearing that sweater, leave
his dormitory on the night the horses were poisoned, and, a little
later, I saw him heading for the lane leading to the farm!"
"That's not true!" cried Tom, leaping to his feet.