"I was arrested while on the horse"s back."
"Ha! But how did that happen?"
"I bought her of a man whom I met on the highway."
"Gentlemen," said the lawyer, "I find that the court is in session and all is ready for the trial."
"By the way, colonel, are you not a graduate of Euclid?" asked the lawyer.
"Yes, sir, and I am proud of the dear old college," rejoined the colonel, warmly.
"I agree with you," said Walter. "I have pa.s.sed two years in the college."
"Then, young man, here"s my hand. My heart is always warm toward a Euclid man--"
"Even if you have to prosecute him for horse-stealing," suggested Lawyer Barry slyly.
"Really, this is very painful!" said the colonel. "I wish I could get rid of it."
"You can say in court that you are convinced of the young man"s innocence."
"And I will! And afterward I shall insist on Mr. Sherwood"s driving home with me and making me a visit."
Great was the surprise of Mr. Crane and Mr. Penton when they saw the horse thief approach the court room arm in arm with Colonel Owen.
The trial began, and presently Crane and Penton were called on to testify.
"Did you see the prisoner steal the mare?" demanded Barry sharply.
"No, but--"
"It stands to reason that he did, or he wouldn"t have had her in his possession."
"Mr. Sherwood, you may take the stand."
Walter gave a brief account of the way in which he became possessed of Bess.
"Does Mr. Sherwood"s story seem probable?" now remarked the judge.
"I am convinced that it is true," said the colonel promptly.
The judge saw how matters stood and discharged the prisoner.
"We"re left!" said Crane, in a tragic whisper.
"Now, Mr. Sherwood," said the colonel, taking Walter"s arm, "you must accompany me to Shelby."
CHAPTER x.x.xVIII
AN OPENING AT SHELBY
At length they reached Shelby. Colonel Owen lived in a large and handsome mansion with ample grounds.
"Yes," he said, "I have a comfortable home, but my boys are away, and my wife and I feel lonely in this large house. It will brighten us both to have a young face at the table."
How could Walter feel otherwise than pleased. He was charmed with Mrs.
Owen.
"I am glad to see you," she said. "May I call you Walter?"
"I wish you would, Mrs. Owen," said Walter.
"Did you find your horse, Richard?" she added.
"Yes, my dear."
"Did you see the man that stole it?"
"Yes, my dear," with a quiet wink at Walter.
"I invited the horse thief to come and make us a visit."
Mrs. Owen certainly was amazed.
"You did!" she e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed. "When is he coming?"
"He is here already."
"I don"t understand you at all, Richard. You seem to be joking."
"Not at all! There he stands!" and the colonel pointed to Walter.
"What, Walter?"
"Perhaps I had better go to the hotel," suggested Walter.
"No, no! I can"t believe anything evil of a young man with your face,"
said Mrs. Owen. "I am glad my husband brought you home with him."
"I am sure you will both be kind to me," said Walter earnestly, "and I shall appreciate it the more because I have neither father nor mother."
One afternoon Colonel Owen came in radiant.
"Well, Walter," he said, "I"ve got some work for you to do."