Page:Baseball Joe on the School Nine.djvu/237

Rh "I think I understand," said Dr. Fillmore. "Very well. Understand, we do not accuse you of anything, but under the circumstances I must put you on probation."

"Probation?" murmured Joe.

"Yes," added the proctor as the doctor turned away. "That means that you will not be allowed to leave the school grounds. You will report to your classes and lectures as usual, but you will not be allowed to take part in athletic contests."

"Not—not baseball?" gasped Joe.

"Not baseball," replied the proctor. "I am sorry, but that is the rule for one who is on probation. When you make up your mind to make a complete confession, and tell whom you saw at the work of tearing down the statue—"

"But I didn't—" began Joe.

"That will do," interrupted the proctor gently. "You are on probation until then. And you will not be allowed to play baseball."

Joe felt his heart wildly thumping under his coat. Without a word he turned aside and went back to his room. And that is why he missed chapel that morning.