“He did, and I informed him that it would cost at least a hundred dollars. I advised him against going.” There was a slight titter of the spectators at this. “I think that’s all, your Honor,” said the interrogator. “Since the boy admits he took the satchel, we need not prove that.” “Just one moment,” drawled Mr. Walton, drawing himself slowly to his feet. He had employed no lawyer, and would not, unless his stepson were held for trial on the serious charge of robbery. “You say you live with your married sister?” he drawled ruminatively. “Mrs. Winton C. DeGraw, yes.” “Then your name would not be in the ’phone book?” “Presumably not.” “Hmph.” “I don’t see any significance in that,” said the young prosecutor. “I simply want to find out if my boy has told me the truth,” said Mr. Walton. “This isn’t a trial, of course. When I have satisfied myself about certain matters I will ask the court to hear me. One more question, Mr. Horton--I mean Mr. Manners. Do you know the meaning of the word _collop_?” “I never investigated it.” “Well, I _have_ investigated it,” said Mr. Walton, with the faintest twinkle in his eye. Hervey looked rather surprisedly at his stepfather. “It does not mean to steal. It means to earn or to get by the performance of a foolhardy act--what boys call a stunt. Do you know what a stunt is?” “I suppose when I was knocked down----” “You mean tripped.” “Well, tripped. I suppose that was a stunt.” “Exactly,” said Mr. Walton. “That’s all it was and nothing more. I have talked with boys and I find that if a boy jumps from a high fence to get another boy’s jack-knife, he _collops_ it. It’s a long time since you and I were boys, Mr. Horton Manners,” Mr. Walton added with a smile. “Do you really want to charge this youngster with a felony?” he continued in a tone of quiet kindness. “Isn’t the case hard enough without that? Did you never perform a stunt?” Oh, Hervey Willetts, if you had no thrill in that moment for the patient, kindly, harassed man--your friend and counselor; then indeed was there no hope for you! But he had a thrill. For the first time in all his life his eyes filled and brimmed over as he looked at the man who wanted only to make sure of him, to know that he was not dishonest; who could stand for anything save that.