Page:Ned Wilding's Disappearance.djvu/100

90 for what they write. Besides, you know I did take the dial."

"So you did," said Fenn.

"Did you give it back to Mr. Williamson?" asked Bart.

"Yes, I took it to the store as he asked me to."

"But you didn't make any admissions, did you?"

"How could I? There were none to make. You were with me when he asked me about the clock face and you heard all I said. When I left the dial in the store he was not there. I haven't seen him since. The reporter is drawing on his imagination I guess for considerable of this."

"I wonder if they are going to have an investigation?" said Bart.

"Let's go and see Mr. Williamson," suggested Fenn. "We can show him the article and he can tell us what to do. I think that's the best plan."

The other two chums agreed to this, and, each one having purchased a paper containing the startling news, they went to the hardware store of the president of the Board of Education.

Mr. Williamson was talking to some other members of the board, in his private office, when the boys entered the store. They sent word they wanted to see him, and in a little while, his visitors